[...And so, I'll be going home soon, Rin.] Celia's voice sounded over the phone.

“I see.” Rin replied while putting on her outdoor shoes.

[You don't sound too optimistic about this.] The orange haired girl stated in a pouting manner.

Rin stood up from her place, adjusting herself one last time. With a broken faceless mask on one hand, she headed outside.

“Neither do you.” She transmitted, fresh air entering her lunge.

One person was waiting for her at the entrance. Ursa Saith. One of the key member of the organization ‘unchained' and, recently, a new resident (freeloader) of Rin's house.

[It's just...] Rin carefully looked around to see if there was anyone else before putting on her mask. [Many things happened and I didn't really have time to really enjoy myself.] The black haired girl had her focus elsewhere but she still listened to her friend. [But that doesn't mean that I don't want to return. I just want to stay here a little more.]

Rin put on her hood as she departed from the mansion with Ursa. “Well, all good things come to an end eventually. You have to accept it.” The two of them marched slowly on the road, using Ursa's singularity to hide from any potential witness. “Plus, you'll be able to go back there if you work hard.”

[Guh! I knew you would say that.] Celia said in deprecating tone. [That'll mean we'll be separated, you know!?]

“I know. It pains me too but it'll be for your good.” Having no one to talk to, Ursa silently listened to Rin's conversation with a smile. “It's your choice, though, you can do what you want.”

[...Always with the stiff answer.] Trailing off, Celia stated. [I'll see you in a week then.]

“Yeah, bye.” Rin took her phone away from her ear and the call ended.

“...Who was that?” Ursa asked, immediately after.

Glancing at the woman, Rin shortly responded. “...A friend.”

“Hmmm,” Ursa made a weird sound and approached her face near the other one. “Is that really it?”

“Y-yeah.” Rin replied, a little startled.

The woman stayed in place and looked carefully through Rin's deep blue eyes, despite them being hidden behind a mask. The girl, in response, frowned but didn't say anything.

A long silence ensued before Ursa broke it. “I see!” She expressed cheerfully turning around.

Confused, Rin followed in a hesitant manner.

◇

One week has passed since the day of the raid, and Myriad's Ark headquarter was now under reconstruction. Ark's Academy was used as a temporary base for the Elite, though fortunately, no further ‘Rift’ was sighted since then.

“I have arrived!” Seeming to imitate someone, Ursa shouted in front of a familiar dilapidated house.

Aiden and the others exited from it as if they had been waiting.

“Took you long enough.” The leader spoke in a tired manner before moving his eyes on Rin. Swinging his arm, he launched something toward the girl.

After making out its appearance, Rin grabbed the thing in a swift movement. It was a katana. And a fairly good one. Glancing at the man, the girl searched for explication.

“It was among the weapon we stole from Ark.” Aiden briefly conveyed. “I think it may be useful for you.”

Attaching the weapon to her belt, Rin nodded in appreciation. “Thanks.”

“Don't mention it.” The man simply shrugged and began marching. “Anyway, it's time for us to go.”

With those words, all the member of 'unchained' followed him. As to where they were going, it was obvious.

The group needed money. Desperately. The state of their house was already enough for proof. In the first place, this was the reason why they raided Ark's HQ. Now that that was done, all they needed to do was to sell their gain.

And what was the best place for such transaction?

The black market.

◇

“This is the place.” Aiden stated blankly in front of—

‘Isn't this just a simple alley’ Rin couldn't help but think.

—nothing.

There was no one around indeed, however, it could hardly be said to be the entrance of a normal market, let alone an illegal one.

“Listen well, Rin. You need to be cautious inside there.” Aiden addressed Rin in a senior-like attitude. “We won't monitor you because you need to get accustomed to things like this. Nevertheless, try to get out of trouble. If things go wrong, we'll still be there but don't count on us too much.” The man briefed things out for the girl. “Finally, you can buy what you want, in moderation, and I'll reimburse you.”

“...Okay.” Rin responded still not seeing any sign of the black market.

“Good. Like previously, Ursa will pick you up at the end.” Aiden rolled up his sleeve, showing a golden bracelet on his wrist. “Well, see you later.”

On cue with these words, the other members separated themselves from Rin. And in the next moment, a hole appeared on the girl's feet, swallowing her.

◇

Despite the suddenness, Rin quickly regained her balance as she stumbled on a floor. Rising her head, she could see countless person pointing their gun at her.

“A kid? I swear they're permitting everyone these days.” A man stepped up and talked to her. “Who sent you here?”

Surveying her surrounding with caution, Rin hesitatingly responded. “...Aiden.”

Hearing that name, the man clicked his tongue. “Kuh! I see.” He gestured to his friend to lower their weapon, and opened up a path for Rin. “Go on, then.”

Following his prompting, the black haired girl finally stepped foot on the city's dark side. A breathtaking vision filled her eyes. Gun, rifle, armor and everything a criminal could want were present.

Different stall hosted different weapon, and all of them were crowded with people. A testing field could also be seen in the absurdly enormous underground. Never in her life had Rin felt so out of place.

Nevertheless, she advanced onward. Now that she had entered the underworld, she needed to get accustomed to place like this. After all, this wouldn't probably be the last time she would enter a black market.

This was also why ‘unchained’ leaved her on her own. She might be strong, but she still needed experiences.

‘Well, even if they say that...’ Rin retorted in her mind. ‘What exactly am I supposed to do again?’

The girl was walking aimlessly among the criminal. Her sole order was «go visit the place», which didn't help her at all.

*Sigh* Resigning herself, Rin looked around for any potential weapon she might need in the future.

“Over here, missy!” A voice called out to her from behind. “I think I have exactly what you're looking for.”

Turning around, Rin saw a bearded man beckoning her. Wordlessly approaching, the girl looked at what he was selling.

“I couldn't overlook the state of your mask, see.” The man continued and presented to her a very small rectangular thing. “So how about this?”

Puzzled, Rin took it. “What's this?”

A wide grin sprouted on the man's face at the question. “Have you ever heard of nano technology, miss?” He spoke, taking another sample of the object.

Instead of explaining though, he simply placed the thing above his ear. By lightly tapping it, the girl's eyes widened. A black colored mask gradually covered the man's face.

“Practical, isn't it?” He said with a proud expression.

“...How much?” Rin asked, impressed.

◇

“Do you think she'll be okay?” Ursa asked, though with no hint of worry.

Currently, Aiden and the other were also inside the Black market. They had parted with Rin to give her experiences but, they still needed to sell their weapon. As such, they used another way to enter the place.

“She'll be fine, she's a smart kid.” Aiden answered frantically. “And honestly, I'm more worried about this group.” He shot a glance to his party member before sighing.

“Is that an insult?” Ursa questioned, smiling menacingly.

“Perhaps.” The man stated.

Trying to retort, Ursa opened her mouth— [Oh! Is that 'unchained' that I see there!]

—Only to be interrupted by someone. To be precise, it wasn't exactly someone.

[Whoa!! It's really been a while since I've last seen you!] 'It' continued to 'transmit' the voice of a girl while approaching the group.

“Yo, Pixie.” Aiden greeted, pleased by the unexpected presence. “It seems you're still hiding behind those stupid robots, huh.” He said, touching the thing in front of him.

'Hiding' was indeed the appropriate term for it. After all, the being called 'Pixie' wasn't even present with them. 'She' talked through a human- shaped automata that she was remote controlling.

[Stupid robots? Please don't talk bad about my creation.] She said in a polite tone. [Unless you want to be my enemy that is.]

Aiden twitched a little from the sudden increase of killing intent. “...Yeah, sorry.” He apologized while scratching his head.

[As long as you understand.] Pixie replied, shrugging off. [So, do you guys have anything to sell? I'm actually here to search for material for my next creation.]

“We do.” This time it was Stone who answered. He showed to the automata a single suitcase.

To a normal person, that small valise might seem to be a little small to contain any weapon whatsoever. However, to any trader of the underworld who knew of Stone, it wasn't relevant.

After all, the singularity of stricture was a well known-one. The ability to shrink any and all object he comes in contact to. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Stone's power extremely facilitated every of ‘unchained's’ operation.

“Though, it'll be costly.”

[Hehe! Don't you already know who I am?] The girl's face wasn't displayed but a wide grin was surely plastered on it right now. [There isn't anything I can't buy in this world.]