In the VNAS Office—one of the most specialized groups within the Thirteen Community—the room buzzed with unspoken tension. Each seat was coded with precision, and the sergeant at the front initiated the meeting with practiced authority.
"Everyone, attention. Team restructuring is effective immediately. Inspector Rolando from Case B will join as second-in-command, alongside Dimitri Snova as squad leader, and Eliana Cortega from Department A as the substitute officer."
Before he could continue, Eliana raised her voice:
"With all due respect, I must express my disagreement regarding Mr. Rolando's involvement. His record contains several gaps, and there's no clear explanation for his previous demotion. Despite his reputation as a strategist and his naval hacking experience, placing him in such a high position could be a serious risk."
The sergeant looked at her with a mix of patience and warning.
"Your concern is noted, Cortega. But the decision stands."
Eliana took a deep breath, but her dissatisfaction was obvious.
"And Dimitri Snova… The only son of a politically influential family. Always praised, never questioned. Did he really accept this role without any conditions?"
The sergeant didn't answer. He simply moved on with the role assignments.
They continued into Office C of VNAS, a paramilitary intelligence agency backed by the Council of Thirteen. Officially, it reported to the government, but in practice, it operated under autonomous protocols, dealing with cases that blended tech, crime, and classified threats. The newly assigned members were invited to greet their superiors.
"Vacations are still in effect, so don't expect to be called outside scheduled hours," said Evans, one of the recruits, with a steady tone.
A stranger slowly turned his chair, eyes gleaming with a mix of authority and disdain.
"Rookie, huh?" the man said in a low voice.
Evans instinctively took a step back.
"Eliot?"
Eliot stood up calmly, adjusting his jacket.
"I warned you back at the academy. I reviewed your file and saw you were recommended by my father. He chose a stranger over his own blood. But don't worry, rookie. I'll be here now—watching every move you make. Don't you dare screw this up."
Evans kept his composure, though his discomfort was clear.
"I didn't come here to screw anyone over, Eliot."
Eliot ignored him and addressed the others:
"I'm the one in charge of the Special Department, and soon I'll be leading the Red Moon case. I know why you want in, Evans. But listen carefully—I don't tolerate mistakes. Be ready by tomorrow. I'll take you to Central myself."
At the end of the meeting, the director—who had been silent the entire time—finally spoke to Evans:
"Keep an eye on him. He's got potential, but he needs direction."
International Value Base (VIC: Paramilitary and Medical Division)
The first formal meeting began with lingering tension. Evans, still processing the earlier confrontation, received a sealed letter regarding the Red Moon case.
He held the envelope a few seconds longer than necessary.
"Red Moon… that name again."
The thought pierced his temple like a needle.
He recalled the last time he saw the news—bloody images of the night his father died. He and his younger brother were left unprotected, sent to an orphanage from which his brother never returned.
No one believed him. His father was branded a traitor. Amid static and grief, Evans had made himself a silent promise—to restore his father's name.
Since then, every mention of the Red Moon triggered that stabbing emotion. Was it guilt, helplessness… or fear?
"If there's even the slightest chance of finding the truth… I'll chase it."
Unable to wait, Evans sought answers on his own. He went to the hospital, where Rasen had been admitted after the incident.
"Good morning. I'm here about the accident reported a few days ago, involving a patient named Rasen Pi," he said to the receptionist, his voice trying to hide his urgency.
Evans shifted into stealth mode, sneaking into the system to access case evidence. He reviewed photos and the death certificate linked to someone named Clear, feeling the puzzle only grew more tangled.
"I've got two days to find you, kid," he muttered, exiting the hospital.
His mind raced with tangled thoughts. The link between the Red Moon and Rasen's accident unsettled him deeply.
Flashback: The Man and the Photo
The memory of Rasen in the hands of a mysterious man surged forward.
"Take off the blindfold and look at the photos," the man had ordered.
"What am I supposed to see?" Rasen asked, voice filled with suspicion.
The man slammed the table hard.
"Your reaction says it all. You know who they are. Now tell me—who's this girl?" he said, pointing at a key figure in the images.
The Red Moon incident had left too many loose ends, and this man seemed determined to tie them together.
"Tell me where she is—or things will get worse for you."
The man's voice echoed in Rasen's mind, along with his final words:
"Stop lying to yourself. You thought it too."
Evans closed the folder on Rasen and Clear's documents, the feeling that the puzzle pieces were finally aligning growing stronger.
"This is way beyond an accident… or a simple disappearance," he muttered, staring at a photo of the Red Moon, silhouettes cut in shadow.
As Evans walked away from the hospital, a silent drone tracked his every movement from a rooftop.
Miles away, in an underground surveillance room lit by screens, someone was watching—analyzing his steps.
From the darkness, one screen flickered on: Evans exiting the hospital.
The man scoffed in disdain, pressing a button on his wristwatch.
"Just as reckless as your father… Time isn't on your side, boy."
Below, a single coded word glowed: "Hunter Activated."