/*I'm sorry for the short chapters, but I'm pretty new to writing, and this is all I can manage right now. I will definitely try harder in the future though.*/

Of course I'd be revived naked. The universe made it clear that I don't deserve any dignity when I got killed by a damn rock!

Krizalid used his hand to protect his eyes from the midday sun as he surveyed the beach. Rather small and not very busy. Boulders at the base of a cliff. Tall grass heading inland. It was perfect.

Well... thanks goodness for small favors.

Krizalid swam towards the cliff and, making sure no one was around, quickly emerged from the water and took cover behind a boulder.

An cool ocean breeze blew onto Krizalid, and he suddenly felt very cold in... certain areas. He reached within for his inner flame and let it flare out a bit, warming him up and evaporating the water off his skin, before he brought it back under control.

Glad to know that still works.

With his battle suit clearly nowhere to be found, Krizalid had only his inborn ability to wield fire to fall back on. Thankfully, it was more than enough.

Have to be careful how I use it though. "Dark-skinned, white-haired man with fire powers" is exactly the kind of headline that will bring NESTS and Ikari after me.

Peering from behind the boulder, Krizalid scanned up and down the beach. Only a scant few people along the beach. Some sunning, some walking, and some surfing on small waves. But none close enough that Krizalid could mug for clothes while remaining unseen.

Come on Kriz, you're a soldier, you know how to survive and you've been in much worse situations than this. Just be patient. An opportunity will present itself eventually.

Krizalid's mind flashed back to all the months of training he had under NESTS, molding him into the commanding officer of their global takeover. However, a sense of unease came over Krizalid.

Did any of that actually happen? Or are they just more memories implanted in my mind?

He shook his head.

Pointless to think about it now. Just concentrate on the present.

Krizalid bided his time behind the boulder for nearly an hour before a promising opportunity began to develop. A family, two adults and some kids, decided to have a lay out a beach tower and have a small picnic at the beach by the cliff. Conveniently close to Krizalid's hiding spot.

After they finished eating, the children went to play in the ocean. And eventually, the adults went to join them. But not before putting their keys, phones, and wallets into the basket. Couldn't lose them in the ocean, after all.

Perfect! Now I just need a distraction.

He didn't have to wait long before it came. As the family splashed and played in the ocean, a large wave snuck up on them and knocked a few of them off balance. And with their attention on each other and away from the beach, Krizalid had his chance.

Now!

Krizalid dashed out from behind the boulder to the picnic spot, wrapped the beach towel around his lower half, picked up the picnic basket, and speed walked away. He glanced back at the family.

Still distracted. Good.

Krizalid fumbled for the keys in the basket as he made his way into the parking lot. A few other beachgoers passed him on the way. If they suspected anything odd about him, they didn't show it.

Yeah, that's right. I'm just a regular guy who's had enough of the beach. Nothing suspicious here.

Taking the keys out of the basket, Krizalid found a car remote. Using it, a red SUV a few cars down flashed its headlights.

Not exactly a fan of stealing a car. But I need it.

He unlocked the car and got in.

Besides, these guys must have jobs, money, insurance. I'm sure they'll be fine.

The car came to life as he turned the key in the ignition.

I have... nothing. Nothing at all. Not even clothes on my back.

The stark realization of his situation left Krizalid feeling hollowed out as he drove away.

/*OK, I feel kinda bad that I still haven't gotten to anything really interesting. I just couldn't think of a way to get from into to action really quickly. But rest assured, Nameless will be introduced in the next chapter, so I'll have someone for Kriz to talk to, instead of just him basically monologuing (K' will be coming much later). And I have some action bits planned for them too. Because why else write about a super soldier teaming up with an assassin if they don't get into some fights?*/