(In the Old Districts)
Emma and Anna were walking through the heart of the old, broken neighborhoods. Around them, rusty metal houses stood close together like piles of junk. The air was full of bad smells—rotten trash, dirty water, and something even worse. Drugs were everywhere, and people were sleeping on the streets like forgotten things.
Emma was a woman in her late twenties or early thirties. She looked strong and confident. Her skin was light and smooth, and her narrow eyes were full of sharp focus. Her long black hair was tied up in a messy ponytail, with some strands falling over her forehead and cheeks. She wore a simple, tight black outfit with no sleeves that showed her strong arms. The outfit had a deep neckline that showed she wasn't shy about her body. Her arms were wrapped with light fabric, and on her back was a black katana sword.
Anna looked completely different. She had a mix of beauty and danger that made her look almost not human. Her long, wavy white hair hung freely around her shoulders. Her glowing red eyes looked like fire. She wore a red mask with fake sharp teeth covering her mouth. Her outfit was black and red, light and tight so she could move easily. Her shoulders were bare, and the chest area had red flame patterns. She wore long black gloves with little spikes on them. In her hand, she held a giant double-bladed red spear.
Everyone in the street stared at them with strange looks—some full of desire, some full of danger.
Emma looked around, clearly annoyed.
"Ugh... what a terrible place. These people are disgusting."
"They really are," Anna answered. "Let's just finish this check and go back. I really want to fight Lounis again. This time, I'm going to win."
Emma laughed.
"Didn't he beat you five to three last time? That's a pretty big loss."
"Aghhh, don't remind me!" Anna said, frustrated. "Next time, I'll win for sure!"
While they were talking, a drugged man sitting on the side of the road mumbled,
"Hey ladieeesss... wanna have some fuuunnn... I'll make it goooood..."
He didn't get to finish. Emma rushed forward and hit him hard in the stomach with the handle of her sword. He passed out instantly and fell to the ground.
"What a disgusting man," she said. "How dare he talk like that?"
"Emma, you know where we are," Anna replied calmly. "Seeing people like him here isn't anything new."
As soon as she finished speaking, a group of about 25 armed men came out of the dark alleys—gangsters with axes, knives, and swords. They laughed like they had found easy prey.
One of them stepped forward. He looked like the leader and said,
"Do you girls know what you just did?"
Emma answered with a sarcastic smile.
"Not really. Don't care either."
"You knocked out one of my men. That means we have to teach you a lesson."
Anna spoke up, her voice serious.
"Emma, don't touch any of them. I'll handle this. They've really made me mad."
Emma grinned.
"Be my guest."
Anna moved so fast, it was hard to see her. She stabbed one man in the leg with her spear, and he fell screaming. Another man tried to attack her from behind, but she dodged easily. She planted her spear into the ground, jumped, and kicked the attacker in the face so hard he fainted right away.
She stood still and looked at the rest of them with a mocking smile.
"You know what? I won't even use my spear. You're all too weak."
She left the weapon in the ground and ran at them. She grabbed two men by their faces and slammed them into the ground, making small cracks appear in the street.
Nobody could stop her—her speed, strength, and reactions were all beyond normal.
One man finally ran away, and soon fifteen of them followed, scared out of their minds. The others weren't so lucky. Anna knocked them all down, one by one.
Only the leader stayed, frozen in place, shaking with fear.
After smashing the last man, Anna slowly walked toward the leader. With every step, he sweated more and more.
When she reached him, she grabbed his neck and lifted him off the ground.
He kicked his legs and tried to breathe, choking.
"P-p-please... I didn't mean it... have mercy..."
She threw him to the ground and pointed her spear at his face.
"I'm going to ask you some questions. If you lie, I'll kill you."
Cough... cough...
"Alright, I swear on my honor, I won't lie."
Anna whispered to herself:
"What honor does a fool like you even have left…"
"Now then, are you a member of the Abyssal Shadow Organization?"
"No, I'm not a part of that group."
"Then, have you heard of it before?"
"Yes, I know of it. It's somewhat known around these parts. Before they showed up, our gang was in control. But everything changed after they came—most of our members joined them."
"Hmmm... So who leads this organization?"
"Their leader is unknown, but there are rumors that the Joker knows who it is."
"And who is this Joker? Where can we find him?"
"No one knows his location or even what he looks like. Everyone who sees his face ends up dead... Ah, and it's said that the Joker is one of the organization's pillars. Some even say he's the right hand of the boss."
"Interesting… Your information is useful, but still incomplete."
"I swear, that's all I know!"
Sigh "Fine. I'll spare your life. Now go."
The man scrambled to his feet and ran like mad into the dark alley. Only the sound of his footsteps echoed in the silence.
Then—suddenly—his footsteps stopped.
It was replaced by the slow, steady steps of someone else… approaching Emma and Anna.
Emma immediately took a fighting stance, while Anna retrieved her spear and stood ready as well.
Then they caught the strong scent of blood, thick in the air. Yet strangely, they didn't sense any threatening aura.
From within that pitch-black shadow, a man emerged.
His body was completely wrapped in dirty white bandages, from head to toe. The wrappings were tight, hiding all his features except a single black eye slit. His messy hair was white as snow, almost like smoke from lost souls. A faded gray robe hung loosely on him, torn and stained with blood and dark patches. In his right hand, he held a katana with a sky-blue hilt.
He walked calmly toward Emma and Anna. His presence felt calm and soothing—like a breeze from the sea.
Behind him, the severed head of the gang leader rolled out.
In that instant, the air changed. His aura shifted into something dark and dangerous.
Emma and Anna both realized it—this man was no ordinary fighter.
Emma spoke up, her voice serious and firm:
"Don't come any closer. One wrong move and we'll attack without mercy."
The man replied, his tone cold and indifferent:
"So, you want to fight me... Heh. Very well. I live for battle."
"My name is Noctar. What are your names?"
Both girls answered at the same time:
"Emma."
"Anna."
And so, the fight between Emma, Anna, and Noctar began.