Zero's life was boring. He had slightly above-average grades in school, barely had any friends, and had a boring, average everyday life. He was of average height, weight, and looks. The only thing unusual about him was that his parents died in a house fire when he was the age of three. His aunt told him that his parents had protected him from the flames until the necessary help arrived although they themselves passed away due to the injuries. He didn't remember much about his parents and his aunt never brought up the subject around him. Though his aunt treated him well enough and showered him with the love his parents couldn't give.

Zero kicked a pebble as he walked down the empty sidewalk toward his house after another long day of school. He was lost in thought when a sudden cry for help disturbed him from his thinking. He glanced up and found that the scream had come from a dark alleyway that looked extremely dark and shady. Against his better judgment, he went to go check it out.

He peeked into the alley and saw a young man, around 20 or so, pinning a woman, that seemed around the same age as her assailant, against the wall by her throat. The woman's face was gradually turning purple, but the man didn't seem to notice.

"How many times do I have to tell you, bitch!" The man shouted. "Don't fuc-ugh!"

A brick bounced off from the man's head and he let go of the woman as he staggered to the side holding his head.

"What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to kill her?" Zero said as he frowned.

"Ugh. You damn bastard!" He growled. "Stay outta my fucking business!"

Zero walked over and the man tried to punch at him, but he easily avoided it due to the man still being dizzy from the earlier attack. Zero then raised his leg and kicked the man to the ground. The man groaned and tried to get up, but Zero kicked him back down again.

"You should learn how t-umph!" Zero grunted as he fell to the ground holding his head when a hard force came crashing down on the back of his head.

His vision hazy, Zero could barely make out the figure of the woman flinging the brick in her hands aside as she rushed towards the man getting up from the ground.

"O-oh my god! Johnny, are you okay?" The woman stammered trying to help the man up.

"Get off of me!" The man threw her arm off his shoulder and slowly staggered towards Zero.

"Heh. Karma's a bitch, huh?" The man grinned as he spat at Zero.

He then raised his leg and started kicking viciously at Zero's entire body. Zero groaned in pain as he curled up to protect his head.

"Why?" Zero asked the woman weakly, as he groaned from his injuries.

"Sorry..." She quietly muttered as she looked away.

Ding!

[You have activated hidden passive skill, {Learn}! Host requirements fulfilled. Beginning transition in 10 seconds.]

A monotone genderless voice suddenly spoke out in his head.

Ugh. What the hell? Now I'm having auditory hallucinations... great.

Then, Zero blacked out.

Johnny stumbled towards the exit of the alleyway with his girlfriend following closely behind him.

What the hell was wrong with that kid? Does he not know how to mind his own business? Ugh, my head hurts like hell.

As Johnny was about to leave the alley, he heard some noises coming from behind him. He glanced over and saw that the kid was starting to move again. He sighed and walked up to the teenager, grabbed him by the collar, and lifted him up from the ground.

"Hey, kid. Make sure you don't tell anyone what happened here today or else..." Johnny trailed off as he stared into the kid's pitch-black, emotionless pupils.