Angell

Her special power can significantly enhance her senses. When fully alert, the subject can detect any lethal threats or potential dangers within a kilometer radius of herself and those around her.

According to the subject, her awakening happened early in her career. She was critically injured by a Mania weapon on a job and her special power awakened on the brink of death.

Her overall level of corruption is moderate, with no obvious signs on her body. However, her mental corruption is rather severe, leading to a demeanor that is indifferent, apathetic, and detached.

A renowned contractor on the dark web with skills so refined she can navigate the most guarded environments with ease. The subject has never failed a task accepted on the dark web. Despite that, she's aloof and mysterious and only takes on few orders on an irregular schedule. To the unsuspecting neighbors, the subject's just a quiet, introverted girl who's not good at socializing and rarely leaves her home.

Never intending to commit crimes or harm others, the subject simply sees the dark web jobs as a means to make a living. Under Chief's attention and guidance, her mental state and living conditions have significantly improved. After assessment, it's clear the subject simply got used to her profession and lifestyle and poses no threat to society. She could even potentially provide invaluable help to the Bureau if needed.

During the MBCC's cleansing operation against the gang remnants, the subject accepted a dark web job to abduct Chief that did not inflict any harm on Chief. Later, she escorted Chief to rejoin the MBCC's crew and secretly helped eliminate a large number of residual gangsters.

Highly tolerant of chaotic environments, the subject lacks a sense of cleanliness which leads to her dwelling's floors being so cluttered there's not even space to walk on. The subject doesn't have a saving habit, and only accepts orders on the dark web when she runs out of money. Unless required by a job, the subject does not actively follow any external news, leading an almost static, isolated life.

Affected by her special power, the subject's senses are overly sharp, hence she usually needs to wear headphones and play music to block out noise in order to sleep. The subject also listens to music during outdoor activities or combat to shield herself from external disturbances so that she can focus.

The subject's apparent indifference stems from a clear understanding of herself and reality. Since being pulled into the shadows of the dark web as a contractor, the subject has realized she can no longer return to normal social life. She has accepted her life as an outcast in the dark and carved out her own path, always guarding what she's determined to protect in her own way.

Since the end of their time together, the Chief has scoured as much of the dark web as they can reach, but found no sign of Angell. Eventually, they see an anonymous post offering intel about her whereabouts. They buy the information, which leads them to find her collapsed from weakness in a Syndicate alley. The Chief brings her back to the MBCC, where she eats her first meal in a long time. After eating, Angell gets up to leave, but she agrees to stay for a conversation with the Chief. They explain how they found her, and then ask for assistance clearing up some details of the prior assassination cases that the Chief needs for their report. Angell confirms that at the end of her time with the Chief, she leaked information about them in order to bait out the killers, and that on the days when she disappeared for "personal business" she was actually hunting the masterminds behind the assassinations. The Chief thanks her for protecting them, but Angell dismisses it, saying that she was only following her instructions to hold and guard the MBCC Chief until delivery. The two of them wonder at why Angell's mission would have been to kidnap rather than kill the Chief, and theorize that somebody tampered with the contract. While Angell is a regular user of DisMyth, she says that she doesn't know anything about its creator or the technology it uses to hide itself, or who could possibly be capable of hacking its byzantine defenses.

The Chief turns the conversation to Angell, and she explains that after the last mission, some on DisMyth believed that she had betrayed her client and gone over to the authorities. She has been followed by them constantly ever since, unable to return to her safehouse or do other jobs to make money, and thus was slowly worn down until she collapsed. However, she also says that she really didn't do anything except follow the letter of her contract, and so once she deals with these pursuers, her credibility on the dark web will only increase. Angell makes to leave again and says that she will repay this kindness once she can, but the Chief suggests that she can repay it now by spending a little more time with them. The Chief has a few days off ahead of them, and hopes that by showing her a bit of normal life, they can change Angell's mind about staying in the darkness.

After verifying some uncertain details of a previous case with Angell and learning about how she's been doing, you decide to show her "the sunlit world" in a different way and plan an outdoor day off with her.

Angell is surprised to learn that on the Chief's days off, they like to operate a vegetable stand at a farmer's market in Syndicate. The Chief explains that they have long fantasized about living a normal life in the West District, and they have a good laugh that none of the customers would ever imagine that they're buying produce from a dark web hitman and the hero of BR-002. Unfortunately, Angell's intense presence scares away most of the market patrons, and business is slow.

At the edge of the market, a group of thugs begin harassing stall owners and shaking them down for protection money. These lowlifes, mainly people who were shunned from or too weak to join a real gang, see a chance to seize some power in Syndicate now that the major gangs have all been forced into hiding. While the winds have indeed changed in Syndicate, the thugs are surprised to find that the shift is not in their favor. The regular people at the market resist their demands, and the thugs become angry. Just before the situation breaks into violence, Angell intervenes and forces them to flee. The celebratory crowd mobs her and the Chief with thanks and quickly buys out the entire stock of their vegetable stall. With nothing else to sell, the Chief suggest that the two of them take the rest of the day to spend their earnings.

You and Angell come to a newly established farmers' market in West District, becoming one of the many vendors.
Business is initially slow, but after Angell deals with some troublemaking thugs, your vegetable stall is swept clean by the cheering crowd.

The Chief brings Angell to the cinema, where they watch a movie dramatizing the events of the Rustfire rebellion and BR-002. The Chief is amused by how cleaned up and heroic the climax is made to be, in comparison to the messy and desperate battle that took place in real life, but they enjoy the flick as it causes them to reflect on how far the West District has come. Angell is less impressed by the theme of people striving for a better future, and insists to the Chief that unlike the characters in the movie, she's totally content with the life that she has now. The Chief convinces her to tell them about her past, and Angell relates that she did once try to leave behind her work on the dark web. After only three months, her enemies tracked her down and murdered the owners of a restaurant that she frequented. The Chief offers their sympathies, but Angell replies that this was actually not a sad moment for her. Rather, she felt liberated by these events, as it caused her to realize that trying to run away from her history was no better than embracing her dangerous lifestyle. After that, she was able to live comfortably in the city's dark side without missing a "normal" life.

The Chief is stunned by this revelation and, for once, can think of nothing to say to her. Angell sympathetically reaches out to them and says that she knows the Chief is used to having to save people, but that this is one time when the person near them doesn't need their help. No matter how many times they ask her, they will not convince her to leave her life behind. Finally, the Chief relents. They apologize for being stubborn and selfish by ignoring her wishes, but it shakes their beliefs that everybody lost in the darkness is yearning for a better life.

The movie themed around the Drifter Camp and Rustfire evokes many emotions and memories in you. You try to subtly persuade Angell to start a new life like the characters in the film. Angell responds by sharing her past, making it clear she belongs in darkness and the underworld, with no chance of coming back under the sunlight.

Angell spends one last night at the MBCC, but she has an uncharacteristically difficult time falling asleep. She reflects on the time that she spent with the Chief, both during the three weeks at her safehouse and over the past day. Angell is aware that she is bad at expressing herself, and thinks that she wasn't able to fully explain her feelings to the Chief. She worries that she upset them with what she said that afternoon, and resolves to make her thoughts clear the next day.

In the morning, Angell meets the Chief at the Bureau's exit gate. They give her a thermal bag of food to go and explain all the ways that they have maintained and stocked up her safehouse for her. Their tone is gentle and lighthearted, but Angell very seriously insists that there's something she needs to say to them. She tells the Chief that she didn't choose not to stay with them because she dislikes them or the life they offered; just like the Chief, she cherishes the time that they spent together. The reason she won't stay is that she fears how her past might hurt the Chief is she spends too much time with them, and also that becoming too accustomed to an easier life would make it harder for her to survive. She is indeed happy the way she is now, but thanks them for showing her that there is a way to remain in the darkness, but also help protect the people who live under the sun. The Chief earnestly understands her feelings, and replies that Angell has showed them that the same "universal rules" for how to live can't be applied to everybody. But they also say that Angell is wrong about one thing: the Chief is stronger than she thinks, and Angell isn't so dangerous that she should worry about how she might harm them. The Chief promises to stop bothering her from now on, but before leaving, Angell makes them promise not to leave her alone completely.

Some time later, Angell contacts a mysterious digital presence on DisMyth. She calls this figure the only one capable of hacking the dark web and accuses them of being the one who tampered with her original orders and gave her location to the Chief. Angell guesses that the presence wants to go to the Chief, but can't. It confirms that it is watching the Chief and wants to reach them, but can't do so yet; it says that the dark web has changed somehow, but it thinks it will get to the Chief very soon.

You may be destined to return to your separate worlds due to your differences, but the farewell needs not be final. You can always look forward to the next reunion.

Aloof and taciturn, the subject prefers enclosed spaces and rarely leaves her room unless necessary. She often spends her free time staring blankly at a fish tank in her room.

The subject cherishes her blade, regularly cleaning and maintaining it. She practices swinging it every day without fail. The blade is always with her and she considers it as an extension of her body, even keeping it by her side while sleeping.

The subject's many legendary deeds had already spread among the Sinners upon her arrival at the MBCC. Her unassuming, solitary, and taciturn nature gives her an attractive and mysterious air. Her self-reliant and aloof demeanor has once attracted the admiration and emulation of many younger Sinners.

The subject rarely initiates contact with others, but Chief is an exception. After leaving the MBCC, she invites Chief to her safe house periodically. Chief always honors the invitations regardless of the amount of work at hand, bringing along heaps of fresh ingredients and cleaning supplies.

[Angell is watching an easy-to-follow tutorial on how to put on a duvet cover; the video has been sent to everyone's terminal.]

Angell: Easy to follow? I don't think so. It's much easier to just buy a new one.

Chief: ......

• Prompt: There are only four steps. Isn't that easy enough?
• Angell: It has four steps only if you count "Find top two corners of the duvet" and "Grab top two corners of the cover" as one step. My method only has three steps: Order a duvet that doesn't need a cover, wait for the delivery, and sign for the delivery.
• Angell: 😐

• Prompt: Agreed. The best kind of duvet is one that doesn't need a cover.
• Angell: You agree with me? That's rare.
• Angell: 😦

[In front of Angell is a mountainous pile of blind boxes containing atypical convenience food items, all of which were ordered online.]

Angell: Frozen pizza with a sushi-filled rim... Doesn't look like a very good storable product. And this frozen Eastia-style steamed bun with spaghetti filling doesn't look great either.

Chief: ......

• Prompt: The sushi-filled rim sounds iffy, but the rest of the pizza may still taste good.
• Angell: Yeah. No matter how hard it is when frozen, three minutes in the microwave soften it right up, and it tastes good.
• Angell: 😏

• Prompt: You're right. Neither of them looks good. You should've bought frozen burgers instead.
• Angell: I've bought some before. The taste was quite decent, but you're expected to prepare lettuce yourself. Not very convenient, if you ask me. Kind of defeats the purpose of buying convenience food.
• Angell: 😫

⚠ Silent Treatment

You receive a message from the hypnotherapist.

System Notifications: The hypnotherapist sends you a message saying that Angell is guarded during their sessions, a tendency that is undermining the efficacy of the therapy, and that you should consider getting involved in helping her get better.

• Prompt: All right, I will.

⚠ A Guinea Pig for New Dishes

Angell seems quite popular with the cafeteria staff.

System Notifications: The cafeteria has invented quite a few new dishes lately, all of which taste peculiar and turn stomachs. Angell is the only person who doesn't seem repulsed by these dishes, and, as a result, the middle-aged lady in the cafeteria always gives Angell a larger serving.

• Prompt: As long as they're not doing her body any harm...

⚠⚠ Sleep-inducing Music

Angell has fallen asleep on the public sofa multiple times.

System Notifications: The activity log for the Recreation Area shows that Angell has fallen asleep on the public sofa multiple times. When the staff asked her why, she was unforthcoming.

• Prompt: Go ask Angell

System Notifications: An old song is playing in the Recreation Area. Angell is sitting on the sofa, her eyes heavy and her head dipping. She is on the verge of falling asleep. You approach her.

Chief: Angell, why don't you go to your room to sleep on your bed?

Angell: Hmm, this place is nice.

Chief: Care to elaborate?

Angell: It's quiet here. The sofa is soft. And the song... it's a good song.

Chief: The song?

System Notifications: Things start to make sense.

System Notifications: The song is playing in a loop on the record player. You listen carefully for a while. It is a slow, soothing song.

• Prompt: You like the song?

Angell: Not exactly. I just think it's very soothing.

Angell: When I have nothing better to do, I come here to pass the time, and I fall asleep sometimes.

Chief: I'm glad this place makes you feel comfortable and relaxed, but you shouldn't sleep on a sofa, not in the long term; it may do you harm.

Chief: I'll have a record player installed in your room. If you have similar needs in the future, you can come to me.

⚠⚠ Sleep Easy

Angell has slept for three straight days.

System Notifications: After completing a punishing mission, Angell went straight to her room. She hasn't been seen in public for three days now.

• Prompt: Pay Angell a visit

System Notifications: The curtains are drawn, and the blanket is in a bundle. The room is silent but for the barely audible sound of regular breathing.

• Prompt: Wake up Angell

Chief: Wake up, Angell!

Angell: Who's there?!

System Notifications: Sensing someone approaching, Angell quickly sits up, relaxes upon seeing you, and rubs her eyes.

Angell: What brings you here?

Chief: I haven't seen you in days. I was a bit worried about you.

Angell: I'm fine. I've been sleeping.

• Prompt: For three straight days?

Angell: What's the matter?

Angell: After a major mission, I feel totally drained, so I sleep, in order to get back on my feet. I also like the feeling of not having to think about anything.

Angell: And I sleep better at the Bureau, knowing that you're never far away.

Chief: Still, sleeping for three days in a row is a bit extreme, don't you think? You should at least get out of bed every once in a while and get some food in your stomach.

System Notifications: Angell gives a non-committal nod. Then she pulls the curtains tighter, ready to fall back into sleep.

⚠⚠⚠ A Missing Cat

The Bureau staff search high and low for a missing cat, but to no avail.

System Notifications: A newly-adopted kitten goes missing on the premises of the Bureau. The staff and Sinners search high and low, but the cat, clearly an expert at the games of tag and hide-and-seek, is far from being caught. As you look at the staff and Sinners, flustered and out of their depth, you think of the one person who hasn't gotten involved in this wild goose chase.

• Prompt: Commission Angell

System Notifications: Angell accepts the job without much delay and comes to the greenhouse to learn about the details from you.

Chief: Here is the situation in a nutshell: It's a black cat. Went missing about three hours ago. Last seen in the detention area. It's a fierce creature that won't let any human come near it.

Chief: The other guys are unwilling to return to their rooms, because they're worried about the cat. We're counting on you now.

System Notifications: You hand Angell a list of all the places that have been searched.

Chief: These are the places we've searched.

Angell: No need. I know where the cat is.

System Notifications: You follow Angell to the cafeteria's kitchen.

System Notifications: The two of you pass row upon row of racks until you reach the bowels of the kitchen, where in the corner stands a tall cabinet whose top almost touches the ceiling.

Chief: I never knew there's such a spot in the Bureau...

System Notifications: Angell glances up at the gap between the cabinet and the ceiling.

Angell: It's not here. Next stop.

System Notifications: The next stop is the Outdoor Activity Area. Angell crouches down beside a wall and grabs a handful of loose dirt from the base of the wall.

Chief: There are black cat hairs in here...

Angell: The cat is no longer here. Next stop.

System Notifications: You follow Angell to the Recreation Area. She comes to an abrupt stop, turns to you, and places her index finger against her lips.

System Notifications: You look around but see no sign of the cat.

System Notifications: You give Angell a confused look. Angell shakes her head, and approaches the boxing ring slowly and silently. That's when you see a boxing glove that pokes out of the gap between the ring and the floor.

System Notifications: The moment Angell squats down, a black shape flies out from inside the glove. Angell darts. Before you know it, she is holding the black cat in her arms.

System Notifications: The little creature squirms, then quiets down, licking her hand affectionately.

Angell: Mission accomplished.

• Prompt: Express surprise
• Chief: How did you know where to find it?
• Angell: Cats are intelligent, sensitive creatures. This little fellow here probably felt insecure and ran away.
• Angell: Unexpected; with objects to hide in or behind; easy to blend in with the surroundings, especially at night... There aren't many spots that fit this description around here, so I figured that a simple process of elimination would eventually lead us to this cat.

• Prompt: Express admiration
• Chief: And you know all these spots?
• Angell: This is a smart one. It chose a well-concealed spot that no one thought to look. Well, no one but me.
• Chief: Could you do me a favor and make a list of all these spots? The Bureau's security needs tightening. I'm gonna place an order for the necessary equipment.

⚠⚠⚠ An Automatic Blade Sharpener

Angell owns an automatic blade sharpener that doubles as a massage device.

System Notifications: Holding a small device in her arms, Eureka explains something excitedly to Angell, who nods or shakes her head from time to time, making occasional replies.
It is rare to see Angell interacting with another Sinner. Your curiosity is piqued.

• Prompt: Go over and listen

Eureka: This automatic blade sharpener can double as a massage device. So while your blade is being sharpened, you can enjoy a massage to ease the knots in your neck.

Angell: The ratio of iron to carbon varies from sword to sword. Does this device work for all ratios?

Eureka: Of course. It's equipped with a wide range of combinations of abrasive materials; you just choose the one that suits your needs best. And this little thing here is the cherry on top; freshwater squirts out as the sword is being sharpened. It's like watching a miniature fountain show!

Angell: Does it help extend the life of the blade?

Eureka: Hmm, let me think. In theory... I need to keep the self-cleaning function and angle adjustability without compromising the compact design... Ha, I've got it! I'll go modify it right now.

Eureka: I've got other tools for blade maintenance at my place. I'll bring them over. Be right back.

System Notifications: Eureka runs off, overjoyed to have found a kindred spirit. Angell turns to look at you.

Angell: Need anything? You've been standing here for quite a while.

Chief: Oh, I was just curious about what you two were talking about. I never thought you would be interested in Eureka's inventions.

Angell: About an hour ago, she recommended a blade sharpener to me, said it was very useful, and insisted I try it. And I did.

• Prompt: Ask about her experience with the device
• Chief: Was it any good?
• Angell: Very useful. My blade has been sharpened nicely.
• Chief: It doubles as a massage device, and it squirts water while sharpening your blade, putting on, as Eureka put it, a miniature fountain show. Don't you find that odd?
• Angell: I didn't try the water-squirting function. Like I said, it's a very useful tool.

• Prompt: Ask about her blade maintenance routine
• Chief: Have you used an automatic sharpener before? How do you usually maintain your blades?
• Angell: I use a whetstone.
• Chief: Do blades sharpened with an automatic sharpener feel different to you? Some people may find them not as comfortable to use as the hand-sharpened ones.
• Angell: Either works for me. They both get the job done.

⚠⚠⚠ An Automatic Blade Sharpener

Angell owns an automatic blade sharpener that doubles as a massage device.

System Notifications: Holding a small device in her arms, Eureka explains something excitedly to Angell, who nods or shakes her head from time to time, making occasional replies.
It is rare to see Angell interacting with another Sinner. Your curiosity is piqued.

• Prompt: Go over and listen

Eureka: This automatic blade sharpener can double as a massage device. So while your blade is being sharpened, you can enjoy a massage to ease the knots in your neck.

Angell: The ratio of iron to carbon varies from sword to sword. Does this device work for all ratios?

Eureka: Of course. It's equipped with a wide range of combinations of abrasive materials; you just choose the one that suits your needs best. And this little thing here is the cherry on top; freshwater squirts out as the sword is being sharpened. It's like watching a miniature fountain show!

Angell: Does it help extend the life of the blade?

Eureka: Hmm, let me think. In theory... I need to keep the self-cleaning function and angle adjustability without compromising the compact design... Ha, I've got it! I'll go modify it right now.

Eureka: I've got other tools for blade maintenance at my place. I'll bring them over. Be right back.

System Notifications: Eureka runs off, overjoyed to have found a kindred spirit. Angell turns to look at you.

Angell: Need anything? You've been standing here for quite a while.

Chief: Oh, I was just curious about what you two were talking about. I never thought you would be interested in Eureka's inventions.

Angell: About an hour ago, she recommended a blade sharpener to me, said it was very useful, and insisted I try it. And I did.

• Prompt: Ask about her experience with the device
• Chief: Was it any good?
• Angell: Very useful. My blade has been sharpened nicely.
• Chief: It doubles as a massage device, and it squirts water while sharpening your blade, putting on, as Eureka put it, a miniature fountain show. Don't you find that odd?
• Angell: I didn't try the water-squirting function. Like I said, it's a very useful tool.

• Prompt: Ask about her blade maintenance routine
• Chief: Have you used an automatic sharpener before? How do you usually maintain your blades?
• Angell: I use a whetstone.
• Chief: Do blades sharpened with an automatic sharpener feel different to you? Some people may find them not as comfortable to use as the hand-sharpened ones.
• Angell: Either works for me. They both get the job done.

Angell's regular work outfit which blends into the night and allows for easy movement and equipment of certain work tools.

The city's night. Dwellers and passersby are also seen.