A handsome, muscular man stepped down from the fighter jet that had just landed at the military base on the outskirts of Greyston Hollow. A thousand soldiers, led by a tall, heavily built man in a black coat, stood in crisp rows and gave him a military salute. It was a truly unusual sight in a small town like Greyston Hollow."Dimitri, didn't I tell you not to do something ridiculous like this? I'm not a member of The Nocturn anymore. I'm back in my hometown as a regular civilian," said Leonidas Vale, the man who had just exited the fighter jet.Dimitri, the tall, heavy-set man leading the soldiers, lowered his right hand and replied, "Don't say that, sir. Even though command accepted your resignation, to me you are still a Nocturner. You are the legend of The Nocturn, irreplaceable by anyone."The Nocturn was a secret military organization feared across the world. Leon had become a Nocturner—the term for The Nocturn's members—five years prior, and in a short time, he became a living l

Evelyn stumbled forward a few steps, coughing while clutching her neck. When she turned around and lifted her face, she was stunned, frozen solid. Most people in the ballroom had a similar reaction."With this hand, you kept my wife from breathing. Now you won't be able to use it for the rest of your life!" Leon stated firmly, then kicked Jonathan, sending him sprawling.Jonathan screamed in pain. His face was red, and tears streamed down."My hand... oh, God... my hand..." he wailed.Leon looked at him dismissively. He felt no pity whatsoever for the man who tried to steal his wife."Leon, you've completely lost it!" Margot snapped, glaring at Leon as she rushed to Jonathan. "Do you have any idea what the hell you just did, huh?!"Margot tried to calm Jonathan, whose wailing was growing louder. She looked confused, not knowing what to do."You're fucking insane!" Gregory yelled, slowly standing up, his face grimacing in pain."Roger, this man is an absolute criminal! Years in prison o

On the outskirts of Greystone Hollow, far from the city's hustle...In a neglected, single-story house, two women 23 years apart in age sat chatting. One of them, the younger one wearing a velvet brown coat, took a cup of coffee from the round table between them and took a sip."Are you really leaving now, Rose? Isn't it still pretty early?" asked Mary, the older woman—her eyes focused on the street."I don't have a choice, Mom. A coworker suddenly got sick, and I was asked to cover for them," Rose replied, setting her coffee cup on the table. "They'll count this as overtime, though. Not bad for boosting the monthly income."Mary immediately looked sad. With her eyes still directed toward the street, she said, "I'm sorry, Rose. If it weren't for my blindness, you wouldn't have to work this hard.""Don't say that, Mom," Rose looked at Mary firmly. "You didn't do anything wrong. The Harringtons are the ones at fault. They're the ones who made us like this.""But if I wasn't blind—""Mom,

Leon checked Mary's pulse again. After that, he slightly lifted Mary's right hand, pressing his thumb into Mary's palm, at the point between the thumb and forefinger."Hey, what are you doing?" Rose asked, panicked.Leon ignored her. He focused on pressing his thumb down hard. And after a few dozen seconds, Mary's eyes slowly began to open, as did her lips."Mom, are you okay?" Rose bent low, moving her face close to Mary's while stroking her mother's hair."What... happened?" Mary asked after her eyes were fully open."Oh, God! Thank goodness you're awake again, Mom," Rose said, her tears dripping onto the floor.Leon sighed in relief. He released Mary's hand, placing it carefully on his mother's stomach."You're safe now, Mom. Good thing the sedatives those gangsters used weren't a very strong dose," Leon said.Hearing a voice she hadn't heard in a long time, Mary immediately sat up and turned toward Leon."Who's there? Is that you, Leon?" she asked.Seeing his mother's vacant stare,

Late in the evening, just past ten o'clock...Leon sat alone on the front porch, his eyes fixed on the street. He was waiting for Dimitri, who was coming to bring him a report document on the wealthiest people in Greystone Hollow. Dimitri needed a little extra time because he wanted to ensure every detail in the report was accurate. In addition, Leon also asked him to compile data on Harrington Enterprises' corruption onto a flash drive.A taxi appeared and stopped in front of the gate. Rose got out of the taxi, approached the gate, and opened it. Leon frowned. Rose's shoulders looked slumped, and her steps were weary. From her expression, it was clear she had just had a very bad day."You always get home this late?" Leon asked after Rose stepped onto the porch."Yes. Why do you care?" Rose replied curtly."So you've been leaving Mom alone at home without anyone watching her all this time?"Rose, who was about to enter the house, stopped walking. She took a deep breath, then looked at