DaoistpuKhcQ

Back in 2013, the US government sliced off a chunk of NYC and handed it over to the superpowered bunch, forming this place called "TOWER" It's just ready for superhumans—no regular folks allowed.
Then, in 2014, other countries started copying the US move. Similar mini-cities popped up in those countries too, but only in the wealthy ones.
Fast forward to 2023, when World War III explodes. Nuclear weapons turned the air into a slow poison, choking everyone. Those sliced-off cities were safe havens. They had these unbreakable shields that kept the nastiness out. So, all the survivors got ushered into these government-guarded cities.
Our story takes place in "TOWER"

The Guardians of "TOWER"

this kid named Lorient Hunter, sitting on the ground, and people around him shoot sympathetic glances his way before quickly running off, thinking someone might call the cops.


Kraut watches the boy with a furrowed brow, pulling out a gun from his coat, the barrel already aimed.


He could play it off as a guy scared by the gunshot, plus he's already moved into the blind spot of the surveillance cameras.


But his gun gets knocked away, and the crowd starts fleeing, leaving only a stunned Lorient, Kraut, and a black-haired girl.


She'd finished her homework early and decided to take a walk, accidentally witnessing the moment just before a boy was about to get killed.


So, she pulls out her gun, shoots Kraut's gun out of his hand, and he only manages to hit the wall next to Lorient.


"Run!" Alicia pulls Lorient up, though she doesn't know what's happening, she'll find out later.


And they push through the crowd, with Kraut picking up his gun and quickly blending in, searching for his target.


The crowd keeps bumping into his back, and he struggles to maintain his balance.


Damn it! Everyone's running, and he can't tell which one is his target.


Kraut doesn't care if he's being seen anymore; he just wants to complete the mission quickly, so he shoots.


Unfortunately, no one gets hit because Alicia had already pushed Lorient's head down and continues running.


"What the hell is going on?" Alicia shouts as she runs.


"I... I... don't know..." Lorient just follows Alicia, tears in his eyes.


"Damn, I wish Jackson were here!" Alicia can't help but shout to the sky.


Those two shots hit the car next to Alicia, precisely hitting the battery inside the engine.


A disturbing sound starts emanating from inside the car, reaching the ears of the people around.


The battery explodes, sending shockwaves that knock Alicia and Lorient to the ground.


They struggle to get up, but Kraut already has his gun aimed at Lorient.


Alicia pulls out her gun too, ready to take a shot to the man's shoulder.


"HA!" A silver-haired boy lunges at Kraut, finally making him lose his balance, crashing through a clothing store's glass, and toppling a mannequin.


"Run!" Brian pins the man down, no knife this time, but when a friend's in danger, who cares if you're armed.


"Damn you!" Kraut mutters, trying to push Brian off.


Brian suddenly gets kicked by Kraut, soaring through the air, and crashes into the ground.


Kraut gets up, ignoring the glass shards on him, and aims his gun at Lorient, who has just managed to stand up.


Facing the Gun