Forgotten Trauma

Kuroki spent his early years with his biological mother. She was always kind and smiling towards him. However, she was part of a huge human trafficking network.

Raised as a slave throughout her childhood and adulthood, her mother had a difficult life. She was sold as a child to Episan Island, where all her rights were revoked and her life became a living hell.

She could only glimpse a glimmer of happiness in her coworkers, who were in the same situation as her. They had to satisfy Episan's clients, who went there for international reunions or personal purposes. Many of them bought the slaves for themselves. 

The island also had male slaves, who performed more physically demanding tasks. The men and women lived in separate buildings and dormitories, so they almost never came into contact with people of the opposite sex. They almost never breathed the outside air, as they were trapped in their own prison.

Kuroki's mother made sure to appear as undesirable as possible, so that no one would buy her. But she couldn't go too far, for she could be executed for incompetence. For years, she endured this hell within four walls, until a rich, fat man adopted her. He didn't seem friendly, and he wasn't.

He wanted a child, but his wife couldn't have one, so he hired a slave to do the work. His wife knew of his intentions but couldn't go against his will, so she tried to kill his new partner in revenge. Kuroki's mother, however, knew that she would be in danger in her new home, so she grabbed sharp objects, such as knives, and killed them both.

She escaped and started a new life, found a new partner, and had a child. After many years, she was found and executed by Episan's personnel as a way to silence her about what happened on the island. Her husband was caught in the crossfire, leaving Kuroki alone. The hitmen captured him and took him to the island, where he had to live for a time as a child slave.

A couple bought him, and he finally had a new family. But he wasn't happy. He killed his new parents. They didn't seem like bad people and were kind to Kuroki, treating him like their own son. However, he couldn't accept the idea of ​​buying a slave to give them a better life. They were part of the problem.

What was the point of saving one or two slaves when there were hundreds? Buying them would only increase Episan's business and encourage him to enslave more and more people until it became normal. They weren't solving the problem; they were feeding it. Regardless of their intentions, whether they wanted a new family member or a slave, if they were spending money on that business, they had to be shut down. 

The problem needed to be nipped in the bud. Kuroki always had a rational way of thinking. He didn't care about anyone, not even himself. He always made decisions that brought him closer to his goal: to end human trafficking completely.

But he knew it was impossible, so he needed to do his part, little by little, to at least prevent the situation from getting worse. Even so, it was practically impossible for someone without money or power. When he discovered Pivot's Game, his life finally regained its meaning.

"Minako, Kasugo," Kuroki said from the boat, "do you think you can handle Blazy and her team?"

Minako jumped and grabbed Kasugo tightly, both of them floating on his hoverboard. He blushed slightly at the closeness of their bodies. But he couldn't lose focus on such an important mission, so he pushed those thoughts away. 

"Of course, boss," Kasugo replied, "Iroko can't defeat them alone. If we surround Blazy, she'll have to look in three different directions."

"Then go, and be careful." Kuroki smiled with determination.

"Oh, Sparky!" Episan greeted her in the living room, putting his arm around her shoulder. "It's so good to see you again, after everything that's happened! I'm so sorry about your husband."

Sparky...? Blazy thought. I've heard that name before...

Sparky moved away from him and sat on the sofa, as a way to silence him so that he wouldn't reveal more about her identity.

"Anyways, this is Blazy, the strongest player alive!" He pointed dramatically at her with both hands. "Say hi."

"Greetings, Blazy." Sparky lowered her head in respect.

"Same to you..." said Blazy, clutching her chest in pain.

"Hm? Are you feeling alright?" Episan asked. "How about you take a sit?"

"Yeah, it's just withdrawal from the potion..." she said as she sat down on the sofa. "I just need to rest a little."

A subordinate entered, placed a tray with wine glasses on the table, and left.

"Speaking of that potion..." Episan suggested. "Masked man, what's your name?"

"Booster," he replied.

"I don't care what your name is; what matters is your power. How about giving me some? I want to mix it with this wine." He picked up a glass and swirled it rhythmically, creating small ripples.

Booster looked at Blazy, who nodded approvingly. He materialized a round potion and threw it to Episan, who hadn't expected such a move and couldn't catch it in time. A tall woman beside him caught it and handed it to him.

"Who do you think I am, a basketball player?!" he shouted, furious. "You should never hand such a fragile object to someone like that!" He turned to look at his servant. "Thank you, Tsurugi."

Tsurugi had pink hair, twintails and eyes of the same color. Her bra and skirt, also pink, left her midriff exposed; her thigh-high stockings accentuated her beauty. But something seemed strange about her, besides the enormous pink scissors she held at her side. Her malicious smile seemed venomous, almost predatory.

"No problem, boss," she replied.

"Ah, everyone, this is Tsurugi," Episan introduced her. "Where's the other one? Magma!" He took a few seconds to find his other servant. "Ah, there you are."

Magma was a short man with dark red hair and yellow eyes. He wore gloves, shoes, and a coat, all heat-resistant. His face was expressionless.

"These two are my bodyguards, everyone," Episan said. "Anyway, let's try this concoction." He poured a few drops of Booster's potion into his glass and drank it. He contorted his face. "This tastes fucking horrible! Masked guy, can't you make it taste a little sweeter?"

"I'm working on it," he replied, "but my current level doesn't allow it. I need to sacrifice many things to increase the potion's effects."

"Doesn't seem to be working so far," Episan complained.

"It may have different compatibility with other players."

Iroko examined the room and saw Booster's potion. He tried not to aim directly at him, as Maika might perceive the threat. "How about this one? Minako mentioned that Blazy had a potion; this guy just materialized one."

"How does he look like?" Kuroki asked.

"Tall, masked man, long hair, all dressed in white..."

"I might have seen him somewhere... let Minako and Kasugo take care of him. If you kill him, our cover will be exposed, and Episan might send an army after us."

"Roger that."

"But Sparky, you've changed quite a lot, huh?" Episan remarked, swirling his wine glass. "If it weren't for that pretty face of yours, I wouldn't have recognized you."

Sparky seemed uncomfortable, as Episan's little comments could give away her identity, and Blazy would not like it. "Yes, Episan, I changed my appearance because my fashion sense has changed over time."

"Really? Silver looks good on you, but shouldn't gold be considered premium?"

"Could you pass me a glass? I want to try it mixed with the potion."

"Of course, darling," he said, handing her a glass and the potion.

Does he flirt with everyone he sees? Blazy thought, disgusted with him.

Thanks to his newly acquired ability, Iroko could hear everything through the scope.

"Sparky is there..." he said. "But she looks very different from how I saw her when I killed her husband."

"Sparky...?" Kuroki muttered. "What is she doing there? Is she after Blazy?"

"Probably, since she changed her appearance. I think she doesn't want Blazy to recognize her."

"And kill her and claim her points... If that happens, she will become the strongest player. We can't let that happen."

"Should I kill her first? I can fire two bullets before the first one hits the target."

"No, prioritize Episan. If he has the slightest window of opportunity to react, he can dodge, since he knows he's a high-value target."

"Understood."

"Masked man, Magma, can you give us some space?" Episan said to the only other men in the room, doing a terrible job of hiding his intentions. "You guys can enjoy what the island has to offer. Just try not to get anyone pregnant."

They left the room. After a few seconds, Episan was hit on the head.