Dark Organization Mystery

The night was calm, the air crisp as Zero walked home after clearing a D-rank dungeon. His body was at ease, but his senses remained sharp—a habit ingrained from countless battles.

Just as he was about to take his usual path home, a sudden movement in the shadows made him stop.

A group of masked individuals was dragging children into a black van parked in a dimly lit alley. The muffled cries of the victims sent a wave of unease through Zero. His eyes narrowed, analyzing the kidnappers.

C-rank fighters.

They weren't particularly strong—he could have taken them down easily. But something about their movements made him pause. They were organized, precise, and methodical—this wasn't just random thugs committing a crime. This was something bigger.

Instead of acting immediately, Zero decided to follow.

The group moved swiftly through the streets, taking hidden routes before arriving at an abandoned-looking building. It was a decayed structure with cracked walls and faded signage—a perfect cover for illegal operations. One of the kidnappers approached a steel door and entered a passcode on a concealed panel. With a soft beep, the door unlocked, and they slipped inside.

Zero activated Shadow Hide, his body fading into the darkness. His skill allowed him to disappear and reappear within a 200-meter radius, making him undetectable. He silently followed them in before the door sealed shut.

The air inside was thick with the stench of metal and chemicals, the dim lights flickering ominously. The hallways were eerily silent, but Zero could hear faint murmurs and footsteps from deeper inside the facility.

He moved cautiously, navigating the corridors before arriving at a large room.

And what he saw made his blood run cold.

Several metal cages lined the walls, each containing children, some trembling, others too exhausted to cry. Their expressions were hollow, their eyes filled with despair. Some clutched onto each other for comfort, while others sat in silence, resigned to their fate.

Zero clenched his fists. What the hell is this place? Why are they imprisoning children?

His heart pounded with anger, but he forced himself to remain calm. Charging in without understanding the situation could put the children at risk.

Determined to gather more information, Zero slipped out of the room and headed deeper into the facility. Eventually, he found a door marked "Security Room."

Inside, ten individuals sat at their stations, monitoring various screens displaying live surveillance footage of multiple locations—not just this facility, but other hidden sites as well.

Zero's eyes darkened. This wasn't just a single operation—it was part of a larger network.

Then, something caught his attention.

At the far end of the room stood a large glass container, its surface covered in glowing symbols.

Inside was a young girl, unconscious, her small frame suspended in a strange liquid.

Zero's breath hitched. He knew her.

Lily.

His neighbor's daughter. The little girl who had gone missing recently.

A deep, seething rage filled him.

Wires were attached to her frail body, her face peaceful yet eerily lifeless. The liquid surrounding her pulsed with an ominous glow. What were they doing to her? Was she even alive?

Zero's grip tightened around the hilt of his weapon. This wasn't just a kidnapping. This was something far worse.

He had seen enough.

Whatever this organization was planning, he was going to burn it to the ground.