Multiversal Recruitment

[Time remaining: 68:17:02]

The hallway leading to module 86 was narrow, damp, and suffocating. The lights flickered with a constant buzzing, and the metallic smell of the walls made every breath taste like rust. Salazar had only been in Tartarus for a few hours, but he had already understood one thing: this place didn't forgive anyone.

Escorted by three guards, still wearing the spotless orange uniform and the Quirk-suppressing collar pulsing against his neck, he walked in silence, wrists shackled and thoughts racing. Floating drones monitored the hallway, scanning him as if they expected him to explode at any second.

It wasn't fear he felt. It was urgency. He had been here less than ten hours and already knew what was at stake. But he also knew that if he didn't act soon, he'd return to his hell and die there.

The module doors opened with a mechanical hiss. The cells were all identical: a metal bunk, a colorless wall, and a small tray of cold food waiting as a welcome.

There was no time to rest.

Time was running, and this time, he had no partner. He ate while staying awake—this place was peaceful compared to his last cell.

(I haven't slept in 20 hours… The exhaustion is starting to hit me, but lunchtime is near. I'm already here. I have to convince her no matter what...)

Those were his thoughts as he struggled to stay awake. Time wasn't on his side. He had risked everything for nothing by letting himself be arrested.

—I only have three chances to talk to her. Three days. Three lunch breaks when everyone gathers. —His leg bounced rapidly in a nervous tic as he finished his breakfast.

His mind raced with plans to convince her, trying to recall her personality, her dreams… until he realized something.

The best way to recruit her was to be honest.

[Time remaining: 66:17:09]

Hours passed. A sharp beep rang out as his cell opened. Looking up with tired eyes, he saw the guard opening the door.

—Lunch time, murderer. Out. —the man said coldly as Salazar stood in silence and was escorted to the cafeteria. This module was clearly much more carefully monitored. Everyone here had powerful mutation-type Quirks that couldn't be suppressed by collars.

As he stepped out and was pushed forward by the guard, he looked around. He didn't care about food, even though he had been starving not long ago. He wanted to survive—and his ticket to life was here.

He followed along out of obligation, grabbing a disgusting-looking oatmeal while scanning the room.

The cafeteria was a massive hall, perfectly symmetrical, with rows of metallic tables and a high ceiling filled with cameras, turrets, and motion sensors. Everything was designed to prevent riots, escapes, or inappropriate closeness between modules—especially between men and women.

And yet, there she was.

Lady Nagant.

Sitting alone in the corner of the women's section, hair lazily tied back. Her posture was firm, her expression unreadable, and her mere presence kept everyone away without a word.

There was no time for hesitation. Salazar dropped his tray on the first empty table he found and walked with purpose to the red line dividing the sections. He didn't cross it—but he stopped right in front of it.

She looked up, unsurprised.

—Looking for something? —she asked casually, not expecting a reply as she kept eating.

—Yes. You, specifically —he said without hesitation. The guards, fearing confrontation, raised their weapons toward Salazar.

—Inmate, step away from the red line.

He didn't move. His eyes locked onto Nagant, who put down her utensil—not threateningly, but intrigued.

—Do I know you?

—No. But right now, I'm desperate. I got myself locked up just to see you, as you can tell —he pointed at his almost pristine uniform, in stark contrast to hers, dirty and torn.

She tensed slightly, narrowing her eyes and leaning on the table, both of them ignoring the shouting guard.

—How many did you kill just to see me?

—Enough. No innocents, of course. But as you can see... —he lowered his voice, his eyes almost pleading, which genuinely surprised Nagant—. I need your help...

—Silence! —the guard yelled, fed up, pressing the barrel of his rifle against Salazar's head—. Step away from the line!

Unshaken, Salazar kept staring at the purple-haired woman. His gaze was a silent cry for help before finally backing away from the line.

—You're the last hope I have left... —he said one last time before walking away, leaving her watching him with genuine confusion and a frown of deep thought.

[Time remaining: 54:33:21]

Sleeping on the bottom bunk, his face was peaceful, his breathing steady… until the sound of his cell opening woke him. A guard stood there—with someone else.

—Nagant? —he asked, genuinely surprised to see her enter in handcuffs. The officer unlocked them from outside the cell. She glanced at him.

—I requested a transfer —she said flatly before they were left alone. He stared at her, unable to hide his surprise, while she looked down at him with a bit of amusement.

—Surprised? —she asked mockingly as she walked around the cell, glancing sideways at her new roommate.

—How? —he couldn't help but ask. She shrugged.

—Mixed transfers can be requested. But guards don't take responsibility for what happens inside the cells.

—I see... —he sat down, still disoriented, sighing and rubbing his head.

—What's wrong? Where's all that begging from yesterday?

He looked at her coldly and stated his stance.

—Don't waste my time.

Despite the threat, she couldn't help but chuckle, his reaction making her smile slightly.

—The old hero's still in there, huh? —he said, watching her as she remained stoic.

—What I told you wasn't a lie. I really need your help, and I'm running out of time. But with this cell transfer, you've helped me a lot. Now I can explain everything more calmly —he said, standing and facing the sniper, who raised an eyebrow.

—Then your explanation better be coherent, because right now, I'm not following.

—I don't expect you to understand, Kaina.

Her demeanor shifted. Her gaze turned cold, and grabbing him by the collar, she slammed him against the wall, pinning him there with a glare.

—How do you know my name? Did you dig into my past?

He didn't flinch or fight back. He just looked at her with all the sincerity he could muster—and smiled.

—I've known about you for a long time. But I never had the chance to meet you. After going over your story, I'd dare say… we're not so different —he said with a bittersweet smile and a distant look.

Kaina was clearly confused.

—Who the hell are you?

—Someone who knows what it's like to suffer under the system… and who's asking a hero for help to escape it —he said, not as a manipulation, but with honest vulnerability.

Kaina, still confused, released him and stared, clearly battling something inside.

—H-how do you know me so well?

Sighing, already tired, he prepared for a long explanation.

—I think it's best if you sit down.

—Y-you're telling me you're from another world? —she asked incredulously, now sitting on the bottom bunk while he stood.

—You live in a world where people have superpowers, and this is what shocks you? —he raised an eyebrow, making her sigh and let out a dry laugh.

—I guess you're right. But… you're saying your "powers" brought you here for a limited time to recruit someone?

—Basically.

—Now I get why you were looking for me. You know me. You know I have no problem abandoning this world, huh?

—Yes —he didn't sugarcoat it. That would only make things worse.

—Look… we've both hit rock bottom. You, here… and me, as a slave.

—You're a slave? —she asked, surprised. He nodded and sighed.

—Why do you think I'm so desperate? I got myself locked up because you're my only way out —he paused to breathe and choose his words—. In my world, there are people called Celestial Dragons. They're like world nobles. I'm a slave to one of them.

Kaina listened intently. It all sounded insane, but after so long in Tartarus, and with someone begging for help this desperately… she doubted he was lying.

—You said you know what it's like to suffer under the system. Is that what you meant?

—Just part of it. The Celestial Dragons are known as gods on Earth. But to the rest of us, running into them is the worst luck imaginable.

—I don't get it. If they're that horrible, why aren't they stopped?

—That's why they're so feared, Kaina. They're called world nobles for a reason—because the World Government protects them.

—They can kill, enslave, steal, rape, and torture without consequence.

Nagant's eyes widened in shock, now looking at Salazar under a new, almost terrified light.

—H-how can people like that exist?

—Do you understand now why I'm asking for help? No one's going to help me. I've begged before—for mercy, for anyone to come. But no one did.

—If I rebel, I'll die. If I survive and escape, I'll be hunted like an animal.

—That's why I need your help.

He stared at her seriously. Kaina was trying to process everything, her hand going to her forehead in disbelief.

—This is all insane...

—Isn't everything in this world?

Next chapter's going to be fire. Glue your asses to the seat and let's go!