Behind the icy mountains of Yakutsk, the Second District, stood the third sentinel. Before it, Scar and the others chosen for the second base had gathered, all of them facing the woman who would lead them, early forties, and said to hold the eighth rank among Moon Killers.

"Just call me Chica. I’m not into formal titles like ’Captain.’ Finish enough missions, earn your points, and you could become a Ranker yourself. You can even become a captain."

Chica’s eyes glanced through the crowd.

"You all seem promising. You’ll join your factions soon, but until then, if that nuisance Reaper comes to Yakutsk, it’ll be your responsibility to handle him, all other factions will be occupied."

Something like a smile touched Scar’s lips. Two weeks since Julien got the Joker Mask and became the Reaper, and the bastard had wasted no time making a name for himself.

His cringe humor was repulsive enough on its own, and being a vigilante hadn’t exactly won him any admirers either.

Getting into the same base hadn’t worked out. Julien landed in the Fifth District, Durban, while Purple had ended up in Paramount alongside Haven.

But Scar was glad it worked out that way. He had Amber beside him, and Yakutsk was more than just an assignment. A place filled with memories and history. The kind of place where building a reputation came naturally.

His mind had been elsewhere until Chica’s eyes pulled him back. She carried herself like someone who’d seen the worst of things and came out the other side.

She had piercing brown eyes, a scar running across her face, and her right arm was absent entirely. Her uniform hung over her shoulders rather than being worn properly, a brown vest showing underneath, as if the chilling cold didn’t affect her.

"Hey, you there... what’s your name?"

Chica motioned toward Scar.

"Uhm... Scar Rover"

Chica’s gaze drifted for a moment, as though pulling something from the back of her mind.

"A Rover, huh? Then tell me... what’s your mother’s name? Your sister’s? Or even your cousin’s?"

Scar appeared confused. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"My cousin is Amber, if that’s who you mean. My mother, however, is Emily."

Chica’s eyes immediately sparkled.

"Ha! I knew it. You’re that bitch’s son, aren’t you? The resemblance is obvious. Looks like you inherited her strength too."

Scar’s frown came quietly. The missing arm and the scar across her face had his mother’s name written all over it. He wasn’t sure which one she was responsible for. Maybe both. Poor woman.

"You’re right. She severed my arm in a single blow. Barely thirteen or fourteen at the time. Even so, she nearly killed me, and I was already a ranked Moon Killer. I hoped to repay that debt myself, but she died long ago. Regrettable... though convenient. I’ll take your arm in her place."

The words were an insult, but Chica didn’t sound like someone who resented the memory. If anything, she seemed almost pleased talking about it. The way someone speaks of a competitor they genuinely respect.

Chica locked eyes with Scar.

"If you can’t live up to your mother’s reputation, it will be nothing short of disgraceful. I’ll see to your training myself. Your party is already decided, and you won’t find it forgiving."

Scar flashed her an awkward smile while avoiding the stares following him.

He welcomed the challenge. Building a good reputation was crucial if he wanted to become Morningstar the Disloyal. Plus, he needed enough leverage over Dain. The bigger the challenges he overcame, the better.

"Apart from your respective faction leaders, authority lies with only two individuals: myself and Kong, overseer of the Second Base. Do not forget it. You are granted two days of rest. Missions will commence immediately upon faction assignment."

Chica dismissed the crowd immediately but asked Scar to come to her office right away.

Each base was structured around four sentinels, and tucked beneath each one were dining halls and a few resting rooms, modest spaces meant for swift rests when emergencies demanded it.

Scar had already been assigned a room where Amber was currently waiting. The heads of the Rover family, the Rangers, had pulled some strings. Now she had every right to stay at the base and would even accompany Scar on missions.

The downside was they’d be sharing a room. But that wouldn’t be much of a problem once he joined a faction. He’d barely use the room while on missions, and afterward they’d either be assigned new ones immediately or given rest time to go home.

Chica led him down the first corridor of the sentinel and into a cubicle. There wasn’t much to it. A table buried under papers. A bed. And a space so cramped Scar had little choice but to stand.

"I’m sorry about your mother, kid. She was... an interesting woman. We met as enemies, yet she chose to spare my life."

Scar smiled awkwardly, though the pleasure behind it was real. It was the first time he had heard anyone say something good about his mother’s childhood.

Chica exhaled deeply.

"You carry yourself almost as calmly and confidently as she did. I would be disappointed if my former rival’s only son couldn’t live up to her reputation. The reports say you’ve held your Inheritance for nearly four months. That’s more than enough time. I will ensure you become worthy of her name."

Chica had barely finished speaking when someone entered the room. Golden hair, golden eyes, and a presence that announced itself before he even fully stepped in. Scar smirked. It was Storm.

"Hey, rival. It’s been a while."

"Has it?"

For a moment it felt as though rank didn’t exist between them. Scar and Storm exchanged a few words while Chica sat quietly in her seat, waiting for one of them to remember she was in the room.

"The leader was unable to attend, Chica. She sent me in her stead."

Chica nodded in understanding.

"So you already know each other. Good, that makes this easier. Scar, you’ll be joining Luccy’s faction. Being one of the leading factions means your missions won’t be easy, but I’ll assign another member to you within two days."

Scar couldn’t help but sigh. He had known Luccy was in base two, but being assigned to her faction as well? That was something else entirely. It only gave Dain more reasons to keep an eye on him.

"Two days? I’m afraid we don’t have that luxury. Our mission at Area 9 begins tomorrow."

"Right... I still need to analyze the others’ strengths. Give me some time. I’ll decide on the last member before the day is over."

Scar and Storm were dismissed without delay. He hadn’t expected his first mission to start right away, but there was nothing to be done about it.