Prologue: Everyone is out for Blood

It has been a year since the climatic and bloody battle between the allied forces of the Sumeragi group and the S.S.S against the Miyazono corporation ended. In the span of that year, anyone who has a pair or even a single working eye would easily describe Old Tokyo which has become the war zone between these factions using a single phrase.

[A ghost town]

Though it has already been relatively dilapidated, underpopulated and neglected, Old Tokyo still acted as the home of many people who hasn't made it enough in life to live in New Tokyo or at least in Sagami bay… but now, all of that has changed to the point that the once still relatively bright and busy streets of Old Tokyo has now became dimmer and dimmer and nothing more echoes other than the gusts of winds between the ruins of buildings at the streets.

{"He's here in 14th street!"}

{"Back up! Back up! We need reinforcements here!"}

{"My platoon is getting wrecked! When will you laggards arrive!?"}

In one corner of this rundown city, radio chatter along with sounds of gunfire echoed less and less loudly until it ceased and nothing else was heard.

"Darn it! Just who is this guy!? That was veteran strike platoon!"

"Sir! There's trails here!"

Belonging to the Miyazono Corporation's armed group, these men clad in special body armor and wielding equipment that not even the JSDF can afford to operate with. They are tracking down and are keen to take out a particular being that has been a brutally painful thorn to the side of their company and faction.

"W-What…?"

"What on earth is that, sir!? What kind of monster did this?!"

However, none of them expected that this being is someone that didn't appreciate being the prey… and instead, made himself the predator of his own hunters. As they turned around that alley, what they saw are the mutilated bodies of their fellows stuck on a wall as they bled out and grained in pain.

"P-P-Pull back! Everyone! Pull back and let's get the hell out of here!"

{"A-All units! We're returning to base! I repeat, we are returning to base!"}

{*BZZZZZTTTTT-!!!*}

{"Hey! Hey! Respond, damn it!"}

Faced with certain death in the hands of this opponent, the leader of the troop decided to just pull back along with his men. His subordinate radioed his order, but there was nothing in the radio that made it seem like the order was heard.

"Tch! Let's go! We at least have to stay alive!"

"Y-Yes, sir!"

"And who decided that you can do that?"

"-!!!"

"Who the heck- UGUAAAA!!!"

"Onyo!!!"

Before they can get out of the alley to escape the place, someone appeared behind them and his subordinate pointed his gun out, but he suddenly exploded outwards violently, leaving nothing but pieces of flesh and blood splattered in the narrow alley walls.

"YOU MONSTER-! AHHH!"

"Monster? Heh. I guess you are right… In a way, I have already crossed into that kind of line, haven't I?"

"W-Wait… You are-!"

"I see that those folks have made me infamous already amongst your ranks… I am both honored and annoyed. Although I would admit that this is to my favor in a way."

"You will pay… for taking our lady hostage… and hindering the great dream of the Miyazono-"

"Enough of your swill… You lot really got fooled by those monsters in human skins."

"URGH-!"

"Come on, you should happily join your fellows already. Don't worry, I'm sure that even if you're just a foreign mercenary, the Miyazonos would already have had a record of your most basic memories and a gene sample to mass produce Replicants of you."

"YOU…!"

"Well then, go away now."

*TSKH-!*

Without even minding his final moments, this young man turned around to leave the bloody and corpse-filled alley as storm clouds gathered above him and rain began to pour down.

"…Another day, another battle. Everyone's out for blood now, aren't they?"

"Assistant Chief! We've been trying to contact you!"

"Oh, it's you guys. What's the rush all of a sudden?"

After he left the alleyway and was about to enter his car, three young men and a young woman ran towards him which he immediately recognized and gave a kind smile towards.

"I'll cut to the chase, sir! Kanbu Furuta's force is engaged with a Miyazono gardener at Ikebukuro! They're requesting for reinforcements now!"

"Hmm… Alright, let's head there now then."

"Another thing, Assistant Chief Chronia…"

"What is it?"

"Did you… get into a fight again?"

"Ahaha! What are you talking about, rookie? I was just walking around here like I always do, you know."

Although his uniform and even his face are stained with blood, Ephraim asked with an innocent tone and even laughed it off, much to the discomfort of his subordinates who followed him into a car.

"Now then… what kind of monstrosities would we be facing against today?"

Ephraim… isn't the same as he was before.