Zenless Zone Zero: The Front Line

Chapter 3: Tremor

It wasn't often that someone would reach out to Shion directly to handle a job. The client, a gentleman by the name of Choi Ma, had personally asked him to deliver some Etheric materials to his home claiming that Shion was the right person for the job.

After all, Shion had a reputation on his personal account for reliable services. And this guy was willing to pay above the usual rate to get this job done.

"Hey boss, we're coming up on the address that the client just gave us but...I'm not so sure this is right." Manami commented.

"Why's that?" Shion asked.

"The neighborhood is really nice. Take a look." Manami urged, putting up a picture of a luxury apartment complex on the inner display of Shion's helmet.

"Yeah I know about this place. I've delivered flowers here before." He said with a shrug.

"Guy with this kinda money...what's he doing hiring us?" Manami wondered aloud.

"It's called having a reputation, buddy. It gets you places."

Shion reached the door leading inside. Posted within the wall directly to the right of it was an intercom system. He pressed the button that corresponded to Choi Ma's apartment. It made a shrill beeping sound. It took a few seconds for him to get a response on the other end.

"Hello?"

"I've brought your delivery." Shion said into the intercom. His voice came out lower with some slight distortion to disguise it courtesy of Manami.

"Oh I see. You're quick! Please, come in. I'll be at the door to meet you." The voice answered before the line cut off. The door's lock clicked, allowing Shion to open it and go inside.

"He wants us to come inside? That's different." Manami commented.

"You're right...it is different. Be prepared." Shion recommended, clutching the box he was holding a little closer to his chest.

The apartment belonging to Choi Ma was located on the ground floor so Shion was able to walk right down the hallway and be at the door after just a few turns. Once he walked up to the door, he only needed to knock once or twice. Choi answered the door right away.

Choi didn't look like the usual type to be on InterKnot. He was dressed nicely in a collared shirt and slacks with glasses and his hair neatly parted – he was clearly the owner of the apartment, and from what Shion could see over Choi's shoulder, it wasn't cheap.

What use did this guy have for Etheric materials acquired illicitly?

"Hi there. Uh, you must be Ram, correct?" Choi asked, referring to Shion by his InterKnot username.

"Correct. Here is your delivery, sir." Shion said, speaking through the voice changer again. He held up the small box for Choi to take. However, Choi simply smiled kindly and gestured for Shion to come in.

"Please, come in and set it down on the kitchen counter. Let me fix you a drink. I'm sure it wasn't easy for you to come all this way." He invited Shion in and turned to the side to make way for him to enter.

"Uh...it's not in either of our best interests to-"

"Please, I insist. I have some more to discuss that I did not include in my original post. I'm sorry to inconvenience you. Please, can we talk inside?" Choi asked again more insistently this time.

Shion didn't like the way this was going. The only thing that made him feel comfortable with taking Choi up on his offer and going inside is the fact that he didn't detect any hidden hostility in Choi's tone - if anything, he sounded desperate.

Shion placed the package of Etheric materials on the kitchen counter as requested. The term 'luxury apartment' certainly lived up to its title here. The open floor plan and neat furniture created a cozy environment that Shion was not used to.

"Have a seat. Do you like gin and tonic? I was going to fix some for tonight anyways." Choi offered as he made his way into the kitchen. Shion looked around slowly before sitting on the living room couch.

"I don't plan on showing my face." He stated plainly.

"Oh you don't have to. I'm not worried about," Choi cleared his throat and began fixing the materials for his drink. "I guess it would be hard to drink with the mask on, heheh, sorry I didn't think about that."

"What is it that you want?" Shion asked now.

"I, erm, I have more work for you. I didn't want to discuss it over InterKnot. I'm not sure what the policy is even on DM's so..." Choi trailed off awkwardly. Shion turned his head to look at him.

"What sort of work are you looking for?"

"Something more serious, more personal...of course, I will pay you for your troubles – I'll pay you substantially in fact. I've heard about your skills and all, how well you know the Hollows and how you fight Ethereals." Choi listed.

"I think you might have me mistaken with someone else." Shion said, getting up from the couch now. He was about to leave but then Choi said something that stopped him in his tracks.

"I want to commission Tremor...not Ram." Choi finally said.

"...Tremor..."

"I know that you're him...or if not you're at least connected to him. Please..."

"...fine." Shion agreed. He made his way to the kitchen counter and rested his elbows on it, leaning towards Choi.

"Ok...ok...I need you to find someone for me. He goes by the name Bloodhound. Have you ever heard of the Verdict gang?" Choi asked.

"Can't say that I have but I can learn about them real quick." Shion answered.

"Okay. Bloodhound is...the guy I want. I want him to face justice for his crimes. He's a really, really bad guy. Whether that means you get him arrested or cripple him or kill him, I don't really care. I just want him knocked off his pedestal." Choi explained.

As he spoke about this gang member, Bloodhound, Shion started to see that this was indeed personal for Choi. He was doing his best to stay composed, but his callous feelings towards the man were detectable in the way he spoke about wanting him to meet some sort of end.

"And you want me to do it because he's someone that you can't reach." Shion presumed.

"I understand that it's a lot to ask. I'm not too familiar with your affiliations i-if you have any..."

"Asking me to go up against a gang and make myself an enemy to them is not a light request. It will cost you." Shion said firmly.

"I'm not worried about how many Dennies it will take. I just need it done." Choi reaffirmed his conviction. Shion leaned over the counter a little more to get closer.

"What does taking Bloodhound down mean to you?" He asked seriously.

"Bloodhound shot my father in the back. He's paralyzed from the waist down because of him. He's been dodging answering for his crimes for years and I can't wait anymore." Choi explained.

"If you're willing to agree to the financial terms then I will take your commission. But I'll let you know right now that it will not be easy. I'm going to need time." Shion explained.

"I understand. I just ask that you keep me updated as you go."

"Then we have a deal," Shion reached across and offered a handshake. "We'll be in touch." He said as Choi shook his hand...