Chapter 1-Big city life isn't for anyone

In San Paro, a city full of luxury, tourism and beauty lies a secret that many tourists and newcomers never get to see. Crimes in this innocent looking city happen mostly in the outskirts, in the places where most people would think twice before going. The once known criminal district shrunk in size from its glory years, yet the criminals themselves are here to stay, and boy are there a lot of em' in this big city. There are two major gangs who rule most of the criminal's business, the Bloodroses and the G-kings, sure they are not the only gangs that exist- but unlike the smaller ones, these gangs make a huge mark on the city. While these two gangs control a lot of hideouts, clubs, and money, they are almost always battling against their enemies- the enforcers. Obviously in this city some kind of law enforcement is needed to protect both the civilians and the economy, that's where the San Paro Police Department comes in place. Because of the constant need of combat the majority of employees in the SPPD are in fact field workers- in other words, they do every task that requires kicking some criminal ass, taking them down in a more physical way. You could say that San Paro is more of a battlefield, a hidden one that the public decides to ignore and try to move on with their own lives.

11:00 PM-Downtown shopping center

This exact hour is the time when most criminals go "hunting" for some "food", it's the time when most shops are closed and the streets are quiet with little to no eye witnesses. But this kind of thing only happens in the downtown area, the center of San Paro is active 24/7 with the big city lights shining from the distance.

One jewelry store is about to close, the shopkeeper preparing to shut off the store's lights and lock the entrance door. Well, not before a special guest comes along. Before shutting the lights he sees someone at the door, surprised from the late costumer he walked to him with a raised brow.

-"Excuse me sir, this is closing time, I'm afraid you must leave. You can come back tomorrow if you wish, I'm open almost the entire week."-The shopkeeper said to the man, in comparison the shopkeeper looked like a small puppy standing next to a tall Doberman.

-"Oh but this kind of thing can't wait for tomorrow, you're Howard Evans right? I came here because my contact notified me that he needs his order to be picked up from this store"-The man replied to the shopkeeper, with a cigarette in his mouth and a smirk on his face. The shopkeeper took a gander at the stranger before replying to him, noticing the big scar on his left eye- it seems that it even damaged a small part of the eye as well.

-"Mind if I ask what happened to your eye?"-The shopkeeper asked.

-"I don't think you really want to know that, now let's talk business shall we? Let me in and I'll tell you what my contact ordered. He's a very busy man and can't be bothered with waiting so I suggest doing it quickly."-The man added.

-"V-very well, come in then."-The shopkeeper escorted the mysterious man into the store and close the door after him, placing the "Closed" sign on it to prevent other people from thinking the store is still open.

-"So what did he exactly order? And what's his name so I'll know where to find it"

-"His name is Yew, Yew Are-dead."

-"That's a very odd na-"-Before he manages to continue speaking the man stabbed the shopkeeper in the chest with great force, laughing slightly at the gory scene around him. Luckily the street was empty, and no witnesses saw what happened, a perfect opportunity for him to steal the jewels in the store. The body couldn't be left behind so he had the idea to take a match and burn the place, no evidence can remain after this robbery.

This man was known as Blake Price, a loyal Bloodroses member who has an odd mind with the will to kill anyone who dares to stop him from doing his job. He wasn't exactly the highest ranking criminal but he did get himself a decent reputation with his co-workers and contacts who give him the jobs he needs for money.

Many rookie criminals, like Blake in the past, had to work their asses off day and night to get enough money for themselves. The simple policy is basically this: The higher your rank, the less missions you do because of the risk of getting caught is bigger than a rookie's. High ranked criminals pretty much live the easy life, with plenty of cash and lack of missions- they mostly lay low to not get arrested by the SPPD. But in Blake's case, he still needs to earn a few extra dollars to sustain himself daily, so he tries to do as many missions as he can find- despite those missions take away his free time and energy, he does them anyway for the sake of money.

Blake took as many jewels he could carry and placed them in a big bag he found at the storage room before finally leaving, setting the store on fire with a small match. Thanks to the store's mostly wooden structure it burned down and barely left any signs of the crime scene.