Shadows moved in the darkness, whispers fading before they could be heard, and breaths held back in fear of making a sound.
In that moment, fear was not just a feeling... it was a presence, an entity pressing down on their chests, watching, waiting. And the unknown? It was closer than they thought…
From atop the building, a sharp voice rang out.
Five: "No one moves! One wrong step… and a body will drop with every breath you take!"
He paused for a moment, then added mockingly, savoring every drop of fear he was causing.
Five: "And to the police units out there… If you think, even for a second, that you're the heroes of this story, let me correct you. Right now, you're just extras. Any attempt to save anyone here… will be your last move."
All eyes were on him. The crowd, including Counselor James and Rivander, exchanged tense glances. One officer's hand moved subtly toward his gun, but Detective Arthur shot him a firm look, shaking his head, urging him to stay still.
Five: "You know… I'm tired of these fragile rules… and of the laws you hide behind, deluding yourselves into thinking they give you power. You are nothing but ash… and me? I am the wind that will scatter that ash forever."
His voice lowered slightly, but it remained laced with cruelty.
Five, coldly: "I have dozens of snipers here, each one of them eagerly awaiting my signal to blow the first head that moves. So, let's not test their patience… or mine."
Five sighed, looking at the crowd as if he were an artist admiring his own dark masterpiece. Then, slowly, he raised his hand, pointing at The Counselor James Howard. The crowd's eyes followed his movement, and the air grew heavier with tension.
Five, with a cold, contemptuous smile: "And you… Mr. Counselor."
He stopped for a moment, as if carefully choosing his words, sharpening them into daggers before striking.
Five: "Do you feel the weight of your power now? Or is the throne you built from lies and greed already crumbling beneath your feet? I wonder… how many lives will be lost today before you submit? Before you raise your trembling hand and beg me to stop this nightmare? …Hahahaha."
Five leaned forward slightly, his cold eyes piercing through the crowd's souls. His voice lowered, yet it slipped through the silence like a terrifying whisper.
Five: "But… don't worry. I won't kill you now."
James clenched his fists under the table, struggling to contain the boiling anger within him, but his eyes betrayed a mixture of terror and suppressed rage. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
Five, with deadly sarcasm: "You're too important for this performance. I need you alive… to witness with your own eyes how everything collapses. To feel helpless… to bear the weight of every wrong decision you've ever made."
He waved his hand as if dismissing a foolish idea, then added with an arrogant smile.
Five: "But don't worry, your turn will come… when the show is over."
James stared at Five, standing firm despite the storm within him, while the atmosphere grew suffocating. Everyone understood that this confrontation was more than just words.
Rivander, standing in place, his eyes blazing with fury, raised his voice, filled with scorn.
Rivander: "What do you want, Five? Is this your idea of revenge? You're nothing but a coward hiding behind weapons and threats!"
Five froze for a moment, then burst into wild laughter.
Five, amidst laughter: "…Revenge? Oh, my dear, you think far too small!"
Suddenly, he went silent. His laughter vanished as if it had never existed, leaving behind a crushing stillness. He took a step forward, his expression transforming into a mask of lethal coldness, his eyes glinting with restrained madness.
Five, deep, filled with contempt: "This isn't revenge… This is a lesson. A lesson for a world that has grown accustomed to forcing us to bow under its weight. I am here to reveal the truth."
How weak you are. How fragile your so-called system is. And how powerless you all are before a single entity that dared to say… no.
He paused, scanning the fear he had instilled, then stepped closer to the edge, extending his hand as if pointing at the crowd like mere chess pieces in his game.
Five, with a chilling command: "Look closely… Engrave this moment into your minds! This is not the end of the game… It is the beginning. The beginning of something you won't be able to erase, not even from your worst nightmares."
Silence loomed for a few moments; no one dared to move, and the air grew heavier with every word he spoke. Five, with a cold smile, looked directly at Rivander.
Five: "And you… Rivander… don't shout too much. Loud voices don't change facts. They only expose the weaknesses of their owners.
Now, listen carefully. I don't want any escape attempts, and I don't want the police units interfering in this scene. If I see or hear anything suspicious, consider it the signal to start the party. Every sniper here has a target. And trust me… they don't miss."
Five stood at the center of the platform, arms open as if embracing the chaos he had created. His smirk remained, cold and calculating, before he spoke again, his tone calm yet carrying a clear threat.
Five: "I know you're all panicking now, wondering what the next step is, aren't you? Well, I'll be generous… I'll allow only one thing."
He paused, scanning the crowd as if measuring their fear.
Five, more serious: "Communication with government officials. Not the police, not the media, and not any of those entities you believe can save you. Only the leaders… the ones who think they hold real power."
He stepped closer to the edge of the platform, staring directly into the cameras broadcasting the event to the world.
Five: "Detective Arthur will be our mediator, and I'll give you time… to decide whether you want to talk or watch what happens when you ignore my demands. The choice is yours… but remember, every second that passes is not in your favor."
He ended with a cold side-smirk, then turned his back to the crowd, as if granting them a moment to fully absorb their fear and pressure.
Five: "As for you, Mr. Counselor… I have demands, and I'll deliver them to you soon. Until then, I want everyone… to stay calm and enjoy the show."
Five flashed a wide grin before stepping back into the building, leaving the snipers in position, their fingers steady on the triggers. Below, everyone remained frozen in terror, waiting for the next move in this seemingly endless nightmare.
Arcadia – Deep within the Central Operations Building, miles away from the grand square, lay the government's emergency control room.
An oval-shaped, underground, fortified chamber, surrounded by thick, metallic walls coated in dark gray. The room was dimly lit by the glow of dozens of massive screens, all broadcasting the live feed from the grand square and various surveillance points across the city.
At the center of the room sat an oval conference table, its metallic surface reflecting the flickering light from the screens displaying the chaos in the square.
Seated at the head of the table was a man in his mid-fifties, clad in a meticulously tailored dark suit. His face was expressionless, his eyes locked onto the screen without so much as a blink. A metal name tag was neatly pinned to the left side of his chest, catching the light for a brief moment, revealing his name.
'Jack Connor,' President of the Republic."
He adjusted his posture slightly, gesturing toward one of his advisors to speak. A heavy silence lingered before it was broken by his calm yet firm voice.
Jack: "I want a full report on the situation… now."
The security advisor leaned forward slightly, his hands trembling faintly as he carefully placed a stack of papers before him. He appeared to be in his mid-fifties. A small identification badge pinned to the pocket of his suit clearly displayed his name.
'Norman Harkin,' Vice President.
He glanced at the papers briefly before looking up, his voice low yet filled with concern.
Norman: "Mr. President, the situation is catastrophic. We have reports confirming that the two adjacent buildings are filled with armed men working for that criminal. They're all equipped with machine guns and explosives."
President Jack Connor sits behind a massive table in the central operations room, his face grim, eyes scanning the rapidly unfolding situation on the display screens. Every screen in the room shows information about the ongoing incidents in the city, along with live coverage of the continuous field operations. But inside him, a wave of overwhelming anger rises as he struggles to maintain an appearance of calm and confidence in front of everyone.
Jack, in a voice filled with tension: "How did we end up in this situation?! How did something like this happen so easily?!"
He mutters to himself while clenching his fist against the edge of the table, as if trying to stop himself from exploding. His gaze darts quickly between the screens, and with each passing second, his tension grows.
At that moment, one of the emergency room staff rushes in, his face filled with anxiety.
Staff Member, rushing in, breathing heavily: "Mr. President… an urgent call. Professor Zero from the Novix Lab in the eastern part of the city… he says he has… vital information. It's about the criminal… he's one of those Dot Children experiments."
A flicker of fear flashes in Jack Connor's eyes for a moment. He composes himself, takes a deep breath, and furrows his brows.
Jack Connor, his voice sharp, eyes cold: "What did you just say? Dot Children? Do you realize the consequences of even mentioning that?!"
A moment of silence. The staff member looks up nervously, but Jack doesn't give him a chance to continue. He raises his hand toward a guard.
Jack Connor, firmly, looking at the guard in the corner: "Order the guards to stop anyone from entering this room. I don't want anyone near here. That includes every single employee on this floor."
The guard hesitates for a brief moment before carrying out the order. The room falls silent, and everyone senses that whatever is about to happen next will be something irreversible.
Jack Connor, his voice harsh, staring directly at the staff member: "Continue. If he has something important, tell me now. But remember, if this nonsense complicates the situation, you'll bear the worst consequences."
The staff member swallows hard and begins speaking in a hushed tone, as if the words are caught in his throat.
Staff Member, swallowing nervously: "Professor Zero is responsible for… the Dot Children experiments, as I said. He was testing them in secret programs… These children were used in advanced experiments for mental and physical enhancement… and it wasn't legal, sir. There were complex memory alterations and mind control operations… Everything was done under absolute secrecy."
Jack Connor, his gaze darkening: "[That bastard… If this is the case, then his goal is likely revenge… He's going to expose all of the government's secret projects… I need to put an end to this chaos before it consumes us.]"
He exhales deeply, then shifts his gaze to the others in the room, his commanding presence flipping the gears in their minds, igniting an urgency for immediate action.
Jack takes a deep breath, a mixture of confusion and anger swelling within him. His eyes lock onto the device that allows him to make the call.
Jack Connor, his anger barely contained: "Call him now. Let me hear what he has to say."
The staff member answers the call and places the device in front of Jack, who grabs it swiftly, pressing the buttons with a sense of urgency, as if eager to hear any information that could change the course of events.
Jack Connor, sharply: "What do you want? Answer quickly, we're in a crisis."
Professor Zero, through the call: "Mr. President… the situation is worse than you think. The criminal behind all this chaos is a boy named Five… He was part of our project at the Novix Lab. I assume you remember him."
Jack takes a deep breath, trying to process the information. His eyes widen with surprise, but he conceals his emotions.
Jack Connor, tension rising: "F…"
He stops for a moment, his eyes widening as he recognizes the face. He looks carefully at the live feed showing Five standing on the rooftop of a building. Then, he mutters under his breath.
Jack: "Five?… Are you talking about that boy I specifically told you to take care of?! How the hell did he escape?!!"
A brief silence follows, Jack's words echoing in Zero's ears before the professor responds in a steady tone.
Zero: "Yes, it's him… He was experiment number five in Facility X, and he was transferred to our lab with your approval… But we failed to secure him properly… He escaped four days ago."
Jack suddenly stops, the wrinkles on his face becoming more pronounced. He grips the microphone tightly, his expression shifting from shock to growing fury.
Jack Connor, shouting in rage: "What?! How did you let him escape?! Are you telling me that a mere boy managed to break out of your fortified lab?! Should I consider this an absolute failure on your part?!"
The pressure on him mounts as his anger continues to rise.
Jack Connor, continuing, trying to restrain his emotions: "You're telling me he orchestrated all of this in just four days?! This can't be a coincidence… There's something else going on here, isn't there?"
Professor Zero takes a deep breath from the other end of the call and exhales heavily, as if trying to keep himself composed.
Professor Zero: "It seems you haven't heard because you've been too busy. He blew up the outer wall of his room and jumped directly into the river with one of his comrades. We searched for them continuously over the past few days, but we found no trace. It appears he was studying us… He's been planning this from the beginning."
Jack trembles slightly, trying to maintain control over his fury. He presses his hands against the table once more.
Jack Connor, seething: "Four days… and he's managed to throw the entire country into turmoil. Do you understand what that means?!"
A short silence follows before Jack exhales deeply, his eyes burning with escalating rage as he addresses Professor Zero once more.
Jack Connor, in a deadly calm and low voice: "I want a detailed report on everything that happened in these four days, and I also need to know how this young man was able to develop his plan so quickly. And... if you have any other information, tell me immediately."
Professor Zero He turned to look at the screen, where the broadcast was showing what was happening. He looked at Five's face, a deep look, then closed his eyes, took a breath, then sighed and said in a low voice.
Professor Zero, with a deep sigh: "Yes, sir… I'll send everything as soon as possible. But I'm afraid the information I have may not be enough to handle this situation."
Jack Connor, with sharp eyes: "Nothing can be 'not enough' right now. We need to come up with an urgent plan. If this boy was able to escape so easily, then nothing will stop him."
He ends the call and shuts off the communication device, raising his head slowly to look at everyone in the operations room.
Jack Connor, in a calm yet commanding voice: "Move now. We must regain control of the situation."
A man in his mid-fifties leans back in his chair, running a hand over his tie as he watches the screens. A name tag pinned to the pocket of his elegant suit clearly displays his name.
'Edward Waliot,' Prime Minister He exhales audibly before asking with seriousness.
Edward: "Sir... do we know his demands?"
Norman: "Not yet, but he threatened to kill everyone if they aren't met. He said he will only communicate with the highest government authorities, and that Detective Arthur Wellz will be the mediator between us."
Jack, in a composed tone: "Damn it, he's toying with us… We need an option that guarantees taking him down first, no matter the cost!... Then, the safety of the civilians comes second. What about the intervention teams?"
The special operations commander raises his hand to halt the discussion. A name tag hangs from the pocket of his black suit, reading:
'Richard Valent,' Special Operations Commander
He shows no emotion, leaning on the table and looking at the attendees with a sharp gaze, one that carries little hope. Taking a deep breath, he lifts his head with confidence, and the words flow from his lips as if they are final decisions.
Richard: "If we attempt an assault, the gunmen will open fire immediately. But there is another option… using snipers to target Five."
Norman, raising his hand nervously... his exhausted face barely hiding the tension: "Impossible!"
He replies while gripping the papers in his hands as if they hold the fate of the nation.
Norman: "Five has made himself untouchable. Killing him is pointless... he's already standing alone, unarmed. Every move, every angle, he planned it all in advance."
Norman pauses, then presses a button on his device, displaying the live video feed on the large screen. The images appear gradually, angle by angle, revealing the fortifications surrounding Five. The gunmen are stationed at distant positions, but their surveillance remains constant.
Norman: "He orchestrated this entire scene according to his own vision. We now have a precise sequence of every corner guarded by his men. Any attempt to shoot him will lead to an inevitable massacre. Every angle is covered, every step calculated."
Norman falls silent for a few seconds as everyone watches the footage. The air in the room feels heavy, as if hope itself is slipping through their fingers.
The lights reflect off Jack's face, showing a man deep in thought.
Jack, in a quiet voice: "I want a plan with zero room for failure. Contact Arthur Wellz immediately."
The sky is filled with dark clouds, blocking out the light over the city. Below, the grand square at the city's heart has become an arena for an unbalanced war. On the rooftop of a building opposite the museum, Five sits on the edge like a battlefield commander surveying his domain from above.
Officials, journalists, and citizens have gathered here, witnessing an event of this scale for the first time in a long while. The air is thick with fear, as if everyone instinctively knows this is not just an uprising... it is the beginning of a grand spectacle filled with consequences. Amidst the rising tension, Five notices the journalist clutching his small camera with trembling hands.
With a sharp voice and piercing eyes, Five speaks.
Five: "You there, journalist... Yes, you! Step forward a little."
The journalist freezes in place, his heart pounding violently. The armed men stationed across the buildings train their weapons on him, each glare serving as a silent warning that any wrong move could be his last. But he cannot retreat. Step by step, he inches forward, his feet sinking as if caught in quicksand, swallowing him deeper with every step.
Stammering, the journalist gasps: "W-What do you want from me?"
Five, a terrifying smile forming on his lips, watches the journalist with a cold gaze: "Do what you do best. Document. The world must witness this historic moment. Start your broadcast now."
The journalist looks down at the camera in his hands, consumed by terror and confusion. His shaking fingers barely manage to function, but he powers on the camera, adjusting the lens toward Five, believing deep down that this may be his last moment.
Five, addresses the audience through the camera, his voice echoing through the square: "I know you're watching me... My dear government, this broadcast is not just a threat. It is a promise. If I don't hear your response within thirty minutes, we will begin our first practical lesson in justice.
Now, my demands are simple. Will you comply? Or shall we start sending bloody messages?"
His words ripple through the crowd, spreading fear like wildfire. The broadcast travels from device to device, with every citizen now watching these defining moments unfold.
In the grand square, the noise is deafening. Soldiers march with steady steps as everyone braces for what's to come. Cameras mounted on surrounding buildings capture distorted footage of the unfolding crisis. Investigator Arthur stands just meters away from the thick glass of the main building, his eyes fixed on the tense crowd. His gaze never leaves the shadowy area cloaked in threats.
At that moment, a police officer rushes toward him, carrying a communication device. Without breaking stride, he hands it over as if racing against time itself.
The officer, breathless: "Sir, it's the President!... He wants to speak with you."
Arthur grabs the device, bringing it to his ear as he prepares to hear the next command.
With a steady but urgent tone, Arthur asks: "Yes, Mr. President. What's the situation?"
Jack, his voice comes through, clear but laced with tension: "Detective, are we still just observing? We need a swift decision! There are hostages!"
Arthur, he pulse quickens as he seizes upon the words: "Hostages?… You mean the crowd in the square?"
Jack: "No, there are hostages inside the two buildings surrounding the square! Haven't you realized that yet?!"
Arthur catches his breath, his eyes darting over the dark buildings encircling the square. Some windows are almost completely shaded, with armed men stationed at the edges. The dim lighting and the looming danger press in from all sides.
At that moment, another officer rushes in, carrying a stack of papers, then grips the communication device.
The exhausted officer manages a strained smile: "Sir, we have cameras in the adjacent buildings... The criminal has placed all his hostages in the upper apartments, using them as human shields. Any wrong move on our part could lead to a massacre."
Arthur scans the scene, his mind racing: "Hostages inside the apartments? Damn it! This changes everything..."
His brow furrows as his brain rapidly analyzes the situation. His eyes move from the anxious crowd in the square to the two closely packed buildings, where guards move swiftly along the outer walls.
Arthur, in a calm but decisive voice: "We need a plan… One that doesn't involve a direct assault. If we move recklessly, we'll be the ones paying the price. But if we can infiltrate one of those buildings from within… we'll dismantle his plan completely."
The officer, hesitant but filled with fear: "But sir, every one of his men is under his direct watch. It's impossible."
A sly grin forms on Arthur's lips as he places a hand over his mouth, as if a new idea has just been born.
Arthur, gazing into the horizon with sharp focus: "Every plan has a flaw. I will find it. We'll move strategically, take our time, and execute with precision. This man has no idea how many mistakes he's making."
Then, Arthur shifts his gaze back to the square, his eyes gleaming with intensity.
Jack, over the communication line, his voice sharp with urgency but tinged with desperation: "If you have a plan, Arthur, tell us now! You're the only one we can rely on at this moment… You're on the ground!"
The digital timer inside Five's coat adds an ominous rhythm to the scene. The countdown ticks away softly, each second drawing them closer to catastrophe.
00:00:28... 00:00:27...
Five watches the clock indifferently, as if savoring every passing moment. He slowly lifts his head, his piercing gaze sweeping over the crowd before speaking in a chillingly low voice.
Five: "Tick... Tock... Time is running out, my dear friends... I want your answer before this clock reaches zero. Otherwise… the corpses will do the talking for you."
In the corner of the square, a young mother clutches her son tightly, silent tears streaming down her face as the boy tries to stay brave.
The child, his voice trembling as he clings to his mother: "Mom... They'll save us, right?"
On the platform, Counselor James Howard stands rigid, struggling to maintain his composure as sweat beads on his forehead. He leans slightly toward Rivander, his voice barely audible amid the chaos.
James, low and anxious: "What's happening? Do we have any options? Any plans?!"
Rivander scans the surroundings hastily as if searching for a miracle: "We have to wait for the Detective. Any move now could ignite everything."
Five interrupts the moment, his voice both commanding and eerily gleeful.
Five: "Twenty... seconds!"
Among the crowd, nerves snap. A man at the back murmurs in frustration, shaking his head in despair.
The man: "Where is the military? Where is the government? We're just sitting ducks here!"
On a nearby rooftop, snipers are locked in position, sweat trickling down their faces. One of them speaks into the radio, his voice tense.
Sniper¹, in a panic: "Sir, we have a clear shot. I can end this now!"
Sniper Commander, firmly: "Do not fire. One mistake and it's all over!"
Inside the emergency government control room, the tension is suffocating. Norman leaps from his seat, as if trying to grasp time itself.
Norman: "Mr. President! We need to act now! We're out of time!"
President Jack Connor stares at the table before him, his hands trembling as he clutches the communication device. He takes a deep breath, as though a crushing weight is pressing down on him. In a moment of both despair and resolution, he speaks.
Jack, his voice breaking: "Fine… Arthur, hear his demands. We have no other choice!"
In the square, Arthur realizes time has nearly run out. He calls out firmly, turning to Five, determined to negotiate and save lives.
Arthur: "Alright! We've received the order… Say what you want! We'll talk!"
A sinister smirk creeps across Five's face, as if he had been waiting for this moment. With a small gesture, he halts the countdown. Tilting his head slightly, he speaks in a mocking tone.
Five: "Finally, someone speaking rationally. Let the show begin..."
His chilling laughter rises, echoing through the night as chaos begins to consume the city. He pauses, looking down upon the vast urban sprawl below, then lowers his voice to a venomous whisper.