The city lights shone intensely during the night, outshining the moon in the sky. Immense luminous screens projected advertisements with an almost hypnotic glow. Brutus walked with firm steps, but his mind was restless. The place looked like something out of a futuristic fairy tale, but he knew the beauty of City Pop was just a mask. Behind the lights, there was corruption, secrets, and blood silently spilled.
He adjusted his hood over his head, trying to go unnoticed as he headed to the meeting point— a dark and discreet alley, a stark contrast to the pulsating metropolis around him.
He wore only the clothes on his back. Entering that city had been extremely difficult, and the thought of being caught kept him on constant alert. If they discovered his real purpose there, there would be no trial. Just a bullet between the eyes.
He turned left, then right, his eyes scanning every shadow between the buildings. Was he being followed? Or was it just paranoia?
There was the alley—not completely dark, but poorly lit. Garbage piled up in the corners, the smell of dampness and something stronger, more acidic. Dried blood? It wouldn't be a surprise. Even in the brightest cities, there were always shadows.
— Mr. Brutus! Over here, over here!
The voice came from a man in an impeccable suit, holding a small sign with his name on it. A sarcastic smile stretched across his face.
— What a lovely reception — Brutus commented, not hiding his irony. — I hope it's worth it.
The man chuckled lightly, his eyes narrowing with a calculated glint.
— Oh, it will be. Tonight marks the beginning of change.
There was something about the way he spoke that unsettled Brutus. Something dangerous, like a hidden blade up a sleeve.
— You probably already suspect, but I'll tell you anyway — the man continued. — We're going to bring this city down.
Brutus just nodded. He didn't care about revolutions or noble ideals. He had a job to do. And surviving came first.
The car waiting for them was a luxurious sedan, too shiny, too expensive. Brutus hesitated for a moment before getting in. That kind of vehicle attracted attention, and he didn't like that. But he had no choice.
The leather seats were soft, and the car's interior smelled of wealth. The driver, a man with severe features and cold eyes, glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
— Comfortable? Good. You'll see that Mr. Carlus can be quite generous with his friends.
— Has the agency already given me the mission details?
— Yes. You will infiltrate the school where Mr. Carlus's daughter, Prisla, used to study. Your mission is to investigate who might have caused all this.
— "All this" is a vague way of saying "her death," isn't it?
The driver didn't respond immediately. His fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel.
— In the suitcase beside you, you'll find everything you need: a survival uniform for the students, a short-range weapon—it can either destabilize or kill, depending on the shot—a tactical phone, and a flash drive to insert into the central computer and register your false student information. Any questions?
Brutus opened the case, quickly scanning each item. It seemed simple on paper. But missions were never simple.
— Who's on my team?
— A hacker and another agent, who is currently on a different mission.
— Wow, you managed to infiltrate three of us? Congratulations.
— Don't underestimate us, kid. This cost a lot. I hope you all meet expectations. This mission is, by far, the most difficult the organization has ever taken. The risks are high, but the rewards are even greater. Don't mess it up.
Brutus smirked slightly, but inside, he analyzed every word. If things went south, he would be a disposable pawn.
— You're talking to a professional.
— Good. The trip will take another twenty minutes. Relax and enjoy the view.
He leaned his head against the seat and picked up the phone from the case. The city lights reflected on the window as he observed the giant screens on the surreal skyscrapers—so tall their tops disappeared into darkness.
On the screens, idols launched their new songs, selling dreams in vibrant colors. But Brutus saw no dreams there. Just a different kind of prison.
I've been in places with no light. The difference is that here, people don't even realize they're chained.
...
— Did you fall asleep? We're here, kid.
The driver's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Before he could reply, the car sped off into the darkness.
A grating sound buzzed in his earpiece.
— Hello, hello, hello!
— I can hear you. Stop yelling, Konai.
— I thought you'd never arrive! I'm already inside the house. When are you coming?
— As soon as I finish here. What's the plan?
— Ugh, do I have to do everything myself? Go to the back of the school. There's an entrance no one uses anymore. Then cross to the building with the dome-shaped roof.
Brutus narrowed his eyes.
— That sounds too easy.
— And we both know it's never that easy.
He headed to the back, keeping an eye on his surroundings. The floodlights illuminated the campus, and any suspicious movement could attract attention. Every shadow was a potential hiding spot. Every light, a danger.
He found an external bathroom and quickly stepped inside. He put on the uniform and adjusted the tactical gear, feeling the weight of the weapons on his belt.
When he stepped out, he analyzed the abandoned gate wall. Five meters. With the suit activated, one jump would do it. But what if it failed?
He took a deep breath.
— Okay, just a jump. Push, push…
He ran. The suit reacted, amplifying his jump. Brutus soared through the air, landing silently on the other side.
— I'm in.
The campus was silent. Too silent. A silence that wasn't natural.
Brutus hid in the shadows, activating stealth mode. He moved like a specter, every step calculated.
The admissions office was closed. All doors were locked, except for a window on the third floor.
He climbed the wall, fingers gripping the ledges. When he entered, he found a surprise: a girl was sleeping at a desk.
Damn.
His heart pounded. She couldn't wake up.
Head to the second floor.
With steps as light as a cat's, he slipped out silently. On the second floor, he found the room marked "T.H. George."
— Hacker boy, there's an electronic lock here.
— Gimme a sec, my ramen is ready.
— You're joking, right?
The door unlocked. Brutus entered like a lynx.
As he began inserting the data…
— Who are you?
A female voice.
He turned slowly.
The girl from the third floor stood in the doorway.
Her eyes were wide.
Damn.
Brutus forced a smile.
— H-hey, I'm the janitor.
The girl remained frozen at the door, dark eyes fixed on Brutus. Her expression was a mix of suspicion and surprise.
— The janitor? — She repeated slowly, as if tasting the lie before spitting it back at him. — At three in the morning?
Brutus scratched his neck, keeping a relaxed posture. The key to lying well was to look carefree, even when your heart was pounding inside your chest.
— Yep. The security system had a glitch. They sent me to check it out.
She crossed her arms.
— Then why are you on the computer?
Brutus glanced at the screen. The data insertion was at 80%. I need to stall her for a few more seconds.
— Well, I also needed to update my employee credentials. Can't have a janitor without system access, right?
The girl narrowed her eyes but didn't seem convinced.
— Do you have an ID badge?
Brutus sighed, giving a half-smile.
— Damn, you got me. Alright, I admit it. I'm not the janitor.
Her brows furrowed.
— Then who are you?
The computer beeped, data insertion complete. Brutus suppressed a smirk.
— I'm a new student. Lost a bet and had to break into the principal's office. It's a traditional prank.
Before she could respond, he moved fast, pulling out the stun gun.
— Nothing personal.
The silent shot hit. The girl collapsed.
Brutus crouched beside her, checking her pulse. Strong. She'd wake up with a headache, but nothing more.
— Konai, we have a problem.
— I heard you. Couldn't you just flirt with her until she forgot?
— I'd rather not rely on my talents for that.
— Coward.
Brutus took a deep breath and picked up the girl in his arms. He couldn't leave her there. He had to hide her before someone found her and sounded the alarm.
This was supposed to be a simple infiltration. So why am I already cleaning up traces?
He left the room in silence, carrying the unconscious girl. And deep inside, an unsettling feeling grew within him.
Something told him this night was just beginning.
Brutus moved quickly through the dark hallways, the weight of the girl in his arms not a problem—but time was. The longer he took, the higher the chances of someone finding him.
— Konai, is there an empty room nearby?
— Hmm... — The hacker took a second to respond. — The science lab on the second floor has been unused since that chemical accident. No one goes in without a mask, so I think it'll work.
Brutus scoffed.
— And you couldn't have told me that earlier?
— Man, my bad, I was enjoying your tension.
He forced himself to ignore the comment and picked up the pace. Every creak of the floorboards sounded like thunder to his ears. He reached the lab door and tested the handle. Locked.
— Konai…
— Hold on, hold on.
The sound of the lock clicking open came a second later. Brutus pushed the door open and stepped inside, shutting it behind him. Moonlight faintly entered through a high window, illuminating rows of tables covered in sheets and cabinets with dusty glass. The air still carried a slight chemical scent.
He laid the girl down on one of the sofas used by the teachers. His eyes lingered on her face for a moment. Who was she? Just another student or someone important?
— Brutus, what are you doing? You need to get out of there.
Konai's voice snapped him back.
— I'm leaving now.
Before stepping out, he grabbed an empty flask from one of the cabinets and placed it on the floor near her. If she woke up suspicious, she might think she passed out because of the lingering chemical fumes in the air. With luck, she wouldn't remember him.
He left the lab and closed the door behind him. Time to get out.
---
The way back was a game of patience and caution. Activating the stealth mode on his suit, Brutus crossed the campus, avoiding cameras and staying out of the light.
When he reached the wall, he deactivated the camouflage and jumped over it with ease. The impact upon landing was softened by the boots of his uniform.
— Konai, I'm out.
— Finally! Man, for a moment I thought you wanted to spend the night there.
— Almost had to. Where's the safe house?
— Sending coordinates. See you there, rookie.
Brutus quickly changed clothes in a nearby alley and walked through the illuminated city. The lights from the billboards flashed around him, reflecting off the skyscrapers that rose like titans on the horizon.
Welcome to City Pop.
The mission had been a success, but an uneasy feeling remained in his chest. Who was that girl? And why did I get the impression that she knew something about me?
With those thoughts swirling in his mind, he walked through the streets, ready for his next move in this city that shined too brightly to hide its secrets.