The Hunters

{ OCTOBER 2159 | 1 MONTH BEFORE THE JENZAYA EXTINCTION }

The Sins were all gathered into one room where they watched one screen. It was an official broadcast by the Cardinal Nexus.

{ Attention citizens of all districts. The Cardinal Nexus has an important announcement to make. The statements and complaints of the commonly-known terrorist group known as the 'Seven Sins' have been heard by the Cardinal Nexus repeatedly. It is now that we have decided to create a solution for it. }

The camera panned to a group of seven individuals.

{ We present to you, Squad Zero. Squad Zero is a team of distinct individuals chosen from our separate military branches, all of whom specialize in different areas, and who have all contributed to the defense of our country in the past up until now. }

"Oh my, what's this?" Midas watched attentively.

The Sins listened and watched as the broadcast highlighted the roles and capabilities of each member in Squad Zero.

{ This is your Squad Zero, the team that has been formed and trained for the sole purpose of uncovering the identities of the Seven Sins and bringing a halt to their terrorization. Their duties will begin shortly. In the meantime, every district will continue to rest in a state of Level 1 Threat: Emergency, until further notice—}

The TV was abruptly turned off. It was Venus, who now took a glimpse at everyone's faces. "There's no way any of you imbeciles are taking this seriously, right?"

No one replied. The faces in the room remained quiet.

"You can't be serious!" Venus burst out in laughter. "These 'Squad Zero' imbeciles all look like absolute weaklings! They're supposed to be hunting us down? That's the funniest thing I've heard all year!"

Venus continued to laugh hysterically. Midas watched, noticing a smirk of his own starting to form.

"Pft!" Midas let out a scoff. "I'm slightly offended that they'd only send seven people after us... Venus is right, it really is funny that the entire government is putting all their trust into this 'Squad Zero' to take us out. If they think that's all it takes to remove the Sins from the picture, then it's absolute blasphemy!"

Everyone else in the room began to grin too. The entire situation was beginning to unfold as something funny to them. They couldn't even begin to take "Squad Zero" seriously.

"We've done it now, guys. We've finally done it." Midas stood before them. "We've finally properly invoked fear into the Cardinal Nexus. They've finally recognized us as a threat, as enemies to the public, or as 'terrorists'."

"Quite the harsh label," Ian said.

"I know right? I'd rather they keep it at 'Seven Sins' more than anything. The name suits us. But anyways, this is our current step forward. The public now has a form of reassurance—Squad Zero—which means the Nexus is trying to tug the tide back in their direction."

"And so what're we going to do in response?" Gian-Luca asked Midas.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Our identities are our number one priority, meaning we can't do anything rash that'll risk exposing our positions. Although our firepower exceeds theirs by a hundredfold, their main objective is to uncover our identities and whereabouts, meaning eliminating them from the picture will only bring our exposition closer. That is unless of course, we get the chance to completely eradicate all seven of them in one instant. But the broadcast made it clear that they only have four front-liners. The remaining three will most likely be in more restricted areas that we can't reach altogether. We have to be patient here."

"But they claim that they can subdue us! They claim that they can bring about our downfall! We need to put those imbeciles in their fucking place—!"

"I said we need to be patient!" Midas yelled. "I don't care if they're underestimating us. We all know our true potentials, and they don't. It'd be better if we kept it that way until they realize they've underestimated us. That way we can catch them by surprise."

"Tsk!" Venus grumbled. "But by going with this approach we're recognizing 'Squad Zero' as equal-footing opponents to us Seven Sins…"

"And so what?" Midas stared at him. "There's a start to everything, but the scale will always unbalance itself in given time. Tame that pride Venus. I won't let it disturb our prosperity. I understand that the coming of a bounty-hunting unit like Squad Zero seems like a falter on our part, but it isn't. Just know that this is all going exactly according to plan."

Venus sighed.

"First, the public was scared. After the specific targeting we've done, now, the government is scared. Their debut of a defensive team such as 'Squad Zero' is proof of that. We're succeeding with our steps. Don't take it any other way, Venus. We'll get to the top soon, and once we're there, we'll truly be in power."

He gave Midas a good look. "You better fulfill that image. It's the only reason I'm following your lead."

"I will. We will." Midas raised his arms in front of everyone. "They don't realize it, but us Sins are unstoppable. They don't realize the potential for destruction that we truly have… With this underestimation, we will overrun the country, together. But for now, let us lay low. They're on the hunt, so let's just observe what happens in given time."

Midas closed his eyes, listening to his mind that spoke within. "Surely I've gotten the attention of that individual by now. All that needs to be done now is make my intention clear, and establish a connection."

The world dimmed its fears, while a never-ending desire was brought closer and closer to its fulfillment.