Empty Resolve.

TOKYO, 2025.

I killed so many, but no matter how many dreadful legends I defeated, I just couldn't find him—not even a shadow. Everything else is just noise.

I hate noise.

* * *

Within the four walls of a blinding white room, the light scarred everything, as the space was mostly empty.

A single desk was positioned at the center, accompanied by a chair behind it, both made of polished wood. A figure sat on the chair, back bent and shoulders slumped. His arms stretched forward, seizing control over the laptop placed before him.

A few feet from him stood a somewhat transparent lady, a hologram made from descending light beams.

The young lady took a rather confident stance, her thick blue suit and trousers barely helped the light around her as she held a fairly large book, her short black hair sharpening her already thin purple eyes she had fixed on the insufferable teen in front of her.

"Shinya, I would appreciate it if you could listen to me.” The teacher raised the textbook up to her chest as she folded her arms, but the occupant of the wooden seat didn't even spare a glance.

Just outside the room stood two huge men dressed in thick black suits. Their bulky build totally blocked the door behind them, as they delivered strict glares into the empty hallway.

"Hey, did the young boss seem off today than usual? I picked up a strange vibe." one of the guards spoke without looking away from the hallway, barely any emotion written on his face.

"I don't know, he seems fine to me. He's breathing, isn't he?" The other guard let out a smirk, sliding his palms into his pockets.

The other chuckled.

Back in the room, Shinya, the supposed student attacked the keyboard, typing so fast that waves of binary skipped past the laptop's screen in huge batches, his pale grey eyes shifted side to side with inhumane rhythm, sucking in the screen.

"I can't seem to decide if this new habit of yours is a development or not. I needed you to be more open— to me!" The lady shook her body like a premature child, launching herself forward.

"I know your father considers you too good for any school, but I didn't go through years of learning to be ignored by an ignorant teen." she sighed, taking off her glasses.

She still didn't get a reply.

In silence, she pressed her fingers against the textbook, enough to bend its edges.

"We'll continue this class another time then," she scoffed, crossing her arms and frowning like a child, as the beams that made her presence slowly died off.

As the last beam faded, the entire room dimmed greatly, casting shadows on the furtive teen who finally paused his ravaging.

"It's useless," he crashed into his chair.

I still can't find him.

His voice was low and cracked, barely disturbing the air around him.

Just then his phone buzzed, cutting off his self-absorption. His eyes darted at the vibrating phone on his desk, his glares bore weight as though he knew who was calling, either way he picked it up.

“Hey there my idol, how did your day go? I'm filled with energy for some reason.” A male voice laughed through, it felt clear but mellow, but definitely from a man way older than the teen.

The atmosphere immediately went quiet but not tense; the teen didn't talk, and the caller didn't bother to either.

“Silvia told me you refused your latest job. Why?” The caller's tone was different, more edgy, but still very mellow; you could tell that he still kept his shabby smile.

“No one on the list could kill me.” The teen sat up, lamenting like a high-schooler drowned in homework.

“Your resolve is truly compelling. I understand your desire to grow stronger, but you're the ace kid— no one should be able to kill you, that's kind of the whole point. You've reached the very top, just accept—” he ripped the phone away from his ear, tossing it to the ground beside him.

His fists shook, clenched on top of the desk.

This can't be the top,

I haven't seen my saviour yet.

This can't be it.

His grey eyes didn't hold any life; they were faded like his will as he faced the floor.

I must find that bastard.

↑→↓←↑→

The door behind the two guards creaked open, a somewhat slim but tall, black haired teen walked out, his scattered and uneven clumps of hair poked in all directions, it looked like a deliberate scatter not a hairstyle.

He wore a simple, plain green top and blue jeans, with a small school bag borne at his back.

The guards froze as they watched him, with their mouths parted, they struggled to speak.

"Uh, s..sir, your, um.." one of the guards struggled to raise his arm, he pointed at the teen's hair as his arm trembled.

"I'm done, we can leave now." he briskly walked past them, counting his steps as he slowly threaded down the hallway.

Both guards regained their composure, immediately trailing after him.

The teen pushed through what seemed to be the building's main door, taking a step forward into the shade of coordinated guards that formed a defined pathway to a parked Tesla.

"Hope you had a good session, sub boss!" they chorused, bowing almost at ninety degrees.

Shinya stopped in his tracks as he spotted the limo, pocketing his hands, he rolled his eyes away.

"Tell my old man I don't need his luxury— I'm still breathing right?"

The two guards behind him instantly shot low glares at the kid, but immediately regained their perfect stance. Heads raised and eyes forward.