Somewhere, in a hidden villa, we see an old man—around 60—standing with his assassins. They are holding a 20-year-old girl hostage in front of her grandfather.
Old Man:
"Give me the research on Element L37."
Grandfather:
"No. It's too important to us."
Old Man:
"Then your only family member will die."
Without warning, the grandfather injects himself with something hidden in his pocket. Instantly, he gains superhuman strength and speed, taking down several assassins.
In the chaos, the girl manages to break free and runs.
Earlier that day, in a quiet room of the same villa, the grandfather and granddaughter had been talking. He had looked at a small box in his drawer, then turned to her and said:
Grandfather:
"If anyone comes for L37, you must protect our research. Go, no matter what."
But the girl had refused.
Girl:
"We're going together. I'm not leaving without you. I'll protect you, too."
The girl sat silently, lost in the memory of that final conversation.
She opened the window of the car as it sped toward the airport, wind brushing against her face.
Meanwhile, back at the villa, the assassins and the old man overwhelmed her grandfather.
They injected themselves with a similar serum and, after a brutal fight, finally managed to defeat him.
At the last moment, Grandfather Lincon whispered with his final breath:
"My daughter... be happy. Never let life disappoint you. Don't regret my death. In your life, you must carry the weight of this world. God bless you, dear... This is the end of a beautiful era."
The old man snarled and ordered his men:
"Find the girl. Bring her back!"
But too much time had passed. By the time they mobilized and gave chase in their cars, she was already far ahead.
After a long, tense pursuit, they nearly caught up—
But it was too late. She had already entered the airport.
She boarded her private jet and spoke to her pilot:
"Set course for the Northern Continent. Be ready... Grandpa sacrificed himself for the world."
The old man, filled with fury, slammed his fist on the dashboard.
"No! We were so close! And you fools couldn't capture a single girl!"
Up above, the plane soared through clouds and wind, cutting across the sky.
Tears welled up in the girl's eyes as sorrow filled her heart.
"I couldn't save him," she thought. "I'm too weak..."
She broke down, crying quietly into her seat.
Some time later, the jet landed in Vegas City, on the Northern Continent—a place of endless entertainment, gambling, and shadows of the underworld.
She exited the airport and hailed a cab. The driver, an older man, looked at her through the mirror.
"Where to, ma'am?"
"Please take me to Hellson Casino."
"Alright, ma'am."
The car rolled through neon-lit streets and between luxurious buildings where countless secret lives played out.
"Ma'am, we've arrived."
She stepped out, handed over the fare, and said:
"Thanks. Here's your payment."
Inside the casino, she walked straight to the bar and spoke quietly to the bartender:
"Al-basto-D."
A young man behind the counter paused, then nodded. All eyes in the room shifted toward her.
"Alright, ma'am."
He slid a beer bottle aside, revealing a secret mechanism. Red smoke hissed out as a hidden passage opened.
He led her through it, into a hidden room.
There, sitting in the shadows, was a tall man with sharp eyes: Karlos.
Karlos:
"Ah, my little friend comes to visit. Where's your grandfather?"
She stood silent, unmoving.
Karlos understood.
"Don't be afraid. Your uncle is here for you. Jacob has already begun his plans. Remember—great things always require great sacrifice. That's the only way to protect something... or to achieve it."
Tears rolled down her face. She said nothing.
A long silence followed.
Finally, Karlos spoke again:
"You need to go to Sky City. A trusted friend of mine lives there. He'll protect you. No one knows him—you're safe with him."
They spent the next few hours talking—sharing memories of her grandfather, recalling old stories, and finding strength in the past.
Later, Karlos sent her off toward Sky City in one of his private cars, driven by his most loyal butler.
The road ahead passed through forests, rivers, and scattered towns and cities—places like Ember City and Rog City.
As they drove, Karlos pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and said only:
"Take care of her."
On the other end, a voice replied calmly:
"Okay…"