Rust

Anomalous Black Ring-like reactions have been detected within his body, allowing him to distort reality with Mania, reshaping and enhancing his physical form. When he "dies" from fatal injuries outside the Ring, his consciousness returns to the Black Ring. There, it seeks out a human whose mind has been destroyed by Mania and is on the verge of transforming into a Corruptor, yet whose body remains intact and unmutated. The subject's consciousness can then invade and replace the host's psyche, taking possession of the body.

[Data Deleted]

His body exhibits severe Black Ring corruption, with some tissues existing only as a chaotic void. While his mental state remains stable, his overall condition is sustained by a fragile equilibrium that cannot yet be explained by science.

The subject belongs to an unknown organization. While he was active in DisCity, he made contact with various Syndicate groups, including Rustfire and Legion. On official records, he was deceased during the BR-002 Incident in N.F. 113. In N.F. 115, the subject resurfaced in Fraser City. Following contact with Margaret, he became embroiled in a diplomatic crisis. After triggering an anomalous Mania reaction within the catastrophe tear zone, he vanished.

Through interrogation and observation, it has been confirmed that "Rust" is the same individual as the operative from thirteen years ago. Both have actively engaged in negotiations with the Underground, working toward the exploration of the Black Rings and the pursuit of world peace. As he is currently shackled to Chief and has been assessed as posing no risk of erratic behavior, he has been permitted to continue gathering intelligence and conducting investigations outside the Bureau.

He drew the Bureau's attention after triggering anomalous activity in the BR-005 ruins. Since the power sensed from him by the shackles matched records of a certain operative on file, Chief ordered the subject transferred to the Bureau for investigation.

Using biometric data as proof, he denied that he was the operative "Rust" who died thirteen years ago, and escaped the Bureau with assistance from unknown parties. He subsequently appeared near BR-002 in West District and reestablished contact with several old acquaintances in Rustfire.

After parting ways with Chief, he faced the Underground's pursuit alone. Information disclosed by the 9th Agency revealed that his anomalous corruption state and biometric changes were both linked to past experiments of the Underground. The subject had long since defected from the Underground and dedicated himself to the destruction of the Black Rings. However, he has since refused to pledge loyalty to any organization.

As a special operative, he has spent years navigating between various factions, including the Underground, Rustfire, and DisCity's authorities. His ever-changing body and the overwhelming weight of his past have made lasting relationships impossible. Though he yearns for genuine bonds, he has chosen to continue pursuing the remnants of the Black Rings. Nevertheless, he has expressed gratitude for Chief's care, vowing to protect this bond in his own way, until the day he truly dies.

Due to his background and skill set, he frequently strikes up conversations with others. His eloquence and breadth of knowledge are impressive enough that no complaints have been filed. In fact, some staff members even suggested he start charging money for his chats, but Chief promptly put a stop to this.

He remains fully covered even in summer, rarely exposing any skin beyond his face. This once led to a bizarre rumor circulating through the Bureau that "Mr. Rust is actually just a head." He himself found the legend rather amusing, and it persisted until Chief personally stepped in to dispel it.

Despite his signature warm smile and gentle demeanor, the subject is considered one of the four people you don't want to mess with within the Bureau, alongside Margaret, Langley, and Siglinde.

He had a crystal bookmark made of a material similar to a Hypercube, with a trace of unknown liquid sealed within. He has gifted this bookmark to Chief, stating that as long as the "blood" inside has not dried, it means that he still lives and the bond between them endures.

[Rust sits alone by the window, nursing a drink.]

Rust: Lovely weather today. Perfect for a quiet drink.

• Prompt: Want me to join you for a drink?
• Rust: I'd be honored.
• Rust: 😏

• Prompt: Drinking too much isn't good for you.
• Rust: Rest assured. I won't let it affect my missions.
• Rust: 😏

[Rust is writing something intently.]

Rust: A new mission? Please just give me a minute to finish this.

• Prompt: Are you keeping a diary?
• Rust: Authentic, traceable memories are precious. I enjoy only the act of writing them down. Once it's done, I burn the pages.
• Rust: 😐

• Prompt: Are you writing a mission report?
• Rust: No, just some personal musings. Rest assured, I'll burn them once I'm done, leaving no traces behind. As for mission reports... you're the sole receiver of my reports, and I figure all those tedious formalities tire you.
• Rust: 😏

⚠ The Drink's Name

While visiting the Bureau's bar, you discover that your usual drink's recipe has changed.

System Notifications: While visiting the Bureau's bar, you discover that your usual drink's recipe has changed.

• Prompt: Inquire

Rust: According to the bar staff, Rust heard about the drink at an underground tavern and recommended it to them. Its nickname: *Gray Demon*.

⚠ The Invisible Man

A novel has gotten very popular within the Bureau.

System Notifications: A novel has gotten very popular within the Bureau. Written by an unknown author, it tells the story of an "invisible man" who commits murder discreetly.

• Prompt: Ask Rust what he thinks of the book

Rust: It's not bad. Though I wish the killer had shown more reluctance at the end. The moment he fully became an "invisible man" and escaped was when the last trace of his "existence" was erased from this world. That is the deepest tragedy of all.

⚠⚠ Prank Backfires

A young Sinner can't open a jar and comes to you for help.

System Notifications: A young Sinner can't open a jar and comes to you for help.

Little Sinner: Can you help me open this jar? I'm not strong enough to do it.

• Prompt: Help

System Notifications: You're reaching out to help when a familiar figure stops you. He tips his hat with a gentlemanly flourish, revealing a face you know well. It's Rust.

Rust: Allow me. It's my honor to be of help.

System Notifications: Rust takes the jar and pries the lid open effortlessly with a mere flick of his fingers. Halfway through, he pauses, as if suddenly remembering something.

Rust: Oh, I almost forgot to warn you. I hear some thugs have been lurking around here lately. Do be careful.

Little Sinner: Oh... yeah? Never heard of that...

Rust: I hear they disguise themselves as children to earn your trust. Then they ask you to help them open a jar, getting you to pry off the lid.

System Notifications: The young Sinner breaks into a cold sweat.

Little Sinner: I-I'll keep an eye out... Thank you, sir. And thanks for the warning...

Rust: Ah, but I'm not finished. In the end... the victim will open the jar, inhale the gas inside, and begin laughing uncontrollably, making a complete fool of themselves in front of the whole Bureau... Am I right?

Little Sinner: You...

System Notifications: Rust secures the lid and places the jar back into the young Sinner's palm.

Little Sinner: Wh-what?

System Notifications: A giant fake mouse suddenly springs from the jar, sending the young Sinner scrambling in a panic. Rust withdraws his hand calmly and smooths out the wrinkles on his shirt from crouching.

Rust: My apologies. Next time, consider picking a less dangerous target for your pranks.

⚠⚠ Autopsy Expert

Recently, a detective TV series has taken the Bureau by storm.

System Notifications: Supervision System: An assembly of Sinners is detected. They're trying to watch TV. Go and maintain order?

• Prompt: Yes

System Notifications: This detective TV series has become a sensation in Eastside, and the Sinners at the Bureau are hooked as well. Their frequent watch parties have become a problem. To prevent them from disturbing others at night, you find yourself rushing over to keep order every time.

Sinner A: Whoa... A plot twist! So this guy isn't the killer after all?

Sinner B: So exciting! Who's gonna die in the next case?

System Notifications: Amid the crowd, you spot Christina and Rust. Unlike the others caught up in the excitement, they are having some kind of serious discussion in a corner.

Rust: If livor mortis is used to determine the time of death, then only one of those present had both the time and opportunity to commit the crime... But experience tells me that lividity isn't the only piece of evidence here.

Christina: Exactly. Many factors can delay the onset of lividity. Low temperature, for instance, or repeatedly moving and repositioning the body. All of these can interfere with the estimated time of death. Given the killer's timeline, the actual death must have occurred at least two hours earlier than determined.

System Notifications: Recently, Christina has noticed something peculiar about this Sinner called "Rust." He seems remarkably well-versed in the study of corpses. He knows exactly how a corpse changes under what conditions and in what timeframe.

Rust: You have a point about low temperature delaying the lividity. Though... the actual feel of a body is different from what's shown on screen. The show makes it look too stiff.

Christina: How do you know how it feels?

Christina: And why do you know so much about corpses anyway, Rust? You're not a detective buff, and you certainly don't seem like an anatomist...

Rust: Let's just say... I've had plenty of hands-on experience. After all, the best knowledge comes straight from the scene.

System Notifications: The "scene"? Inspired, Christina rushes off in search of a fresh crime scene to study firsthand, but you quickly grab hold of her before she can put her newfound enthusiasm into practice.

Chief: Easy there. The kind of "scene" he's talking about... probably isn't what you have in mind.

⚠⚠⚠ Winner Takes All

The Bureau has been cracking down on high-stakes card games recently.

System Notifications: The Bureau has been cracking down on high-stakes card games recently, but the prohibition has proven futile. Unauthorized games continue to spring up everywhere. Every day, the cafeteria is filled with pitiful Sinners who've gambled away their monthly budget, left to drool at the meat dishes with their empty pockets.

System Notifications: You resolve that this time, you will put a stop to it for good. Just then, someone volunteers to help...

Rust: Leave this to me, Chief.

Chief: You have a plan?

Rust: Of course. Though there will be... a small price.

System Notifications: He extends his hand to you.

Chief: ?

Rust: I'll need some funds to initiate the plan, Chief.

Chief: How much do you need?

Rust: Not much. Just 100 DisCoins.

System Notifications: A little skeptically, you pull out a bill and hand it to him.

System Notifications: Over the following week, true to Rust's word, the unauthorized card games vanish without a trace. A month later, the supervision system confirms that no one has attempted to organize or participate in any gambling activities.

• Prompt: Ask Rust

Rust: Gambling addiction thrives on the cycle of winning and losing. People keep chasing that chance to turn things around. The surest way to break that habit? Destroy the cycle entirely.

Chief: Could you be more specific?

Rust: To put it simply, I just made sure they kept losing.

Chief: ?

System Notifications: He looks at you and reaches into his coat pocket, producing a dazzling array of items, including dozens of glittering gems and gold bars, several luxury watches, keys to two sports cars... and even a deed to a property in downtown Eastside.

Chief: You won all of this?

Rust: You just need to know how to read people's faces. It's not a very special skill. But here's where it gets interesting: Should these be classified as "evidence" seized during an undercover operation, or "ill-gotten gains" I won by exploiting my position?

• Prompt: Evidence
• Chief: Evidence. These are worth a lot. Looks like the Bureau cafeteria won't be going bankrupt feeding all those gamblers who lost their food money. That's good news. How about a meal together? My treat, as thanks for your help.
• Rust: Dining with you would be my pleasure. But are you certain you wish to be seen with a man who just wiped out every unauthorized card game? After tonight, I suspect more than a few will speculate that the esteemed MBCC Chief has handled this with some... illegitimate means.
• Chief: Then let them speculate. Though indeed, if everyone knew I had such a capable operative working for me... it would only make your missions more difficult.
• Rust: I'm flattered, Chief. These words alone make me happy to continue being the ace up your sleeve.

• Prompt: Ill-gotten gains
• Chief: We've got witnesses and evidence, and the ill-gotten gains are all right here. I think it's time to make some arrests.
• Rust: Every participant has been documented. If I recall correctly... the list should already be in your inbox, Chief.
• Chief: And I haven't forgotten there's a big fish sitting right here.
• Rust: The big fish? I believe he swam right into your net the moment he walked through your office door.

⚠⚠⚠ Photoshoot Invitation

You receive a phone call from a magazine publisher in Eastside.

System Notifications: You receive a call from the editor-in-chief of a renowned men's fashion magazine. Over the phone, you learn that the editor encountered a Mania incident while out on an assignment and was rescued by Rust, who happened to be on a mission nearby.

Editor-in-Chief: The courage he showed swooping in to save me! That effortless poise! Those strong, reassuring arms... Oh, his silhouette has been seared into my very soul! And I swore to myself I simply must have this gentleman grace the cover of our magazine!

Editor-in-Chief: That's why I'm calling to make this rather bold request. If... we could have him as our cover star this month, it would be an absolute honor...

Chief: Well... I believe he should be the one making the decision. Let me ask him first, and I'll get back to you.

System Notifications: You hang up the phone and turn around to find someone sitting on the sofa behind you, elegantly swirling a glass of wine. You spread your hands with a shrug.

Chief: So, what do you think? They provide excellent accommodations and meals during the shoot, not to mention the pay is quite generous too. Hmm, looks like it's more than my annual salary... The only catch is the long shooting schedule.

System Notifications: Rust is in no hurry to answer. He swirls the wine in his glass, his expression unreadable.

Rust: Do you want me to go, Chief?

Chief: ...Me?

Rust: But of course. I'm yours now, after all. Whether I go or not is entirely up to you.

• Prompt: Don't let him go
• Chief: Having your face captured in photos would be quite dangerous for an operative, wouldn't it? I think we should politely decline this invitation.
• Rust: Oh, is that the reason? And here I thought I was witnessing your possessive streak. That you didn't want me exposed to others' attention.
• Chief: Erm... I suppose you could put it that way? Having your face exposed is still quite risky, after all.
• System Notifications: He chuckles softly, leaving you utterly baffled.
• Rust: My thoughts exactly, Chief. It's far too dangerous out there on my own. I'd be safer right here by your side.

• Prompt: Let him go
• Chief: It's your call. I have no objections.
• Rust: My call, huh... Then I'll probably turn down this photoshoot invitation.
• Chief: I understand completely. It's the nature of operative work, isn't it? Once your face is exposed, it might cause issues for your missions.
• Rust: Oh, that isn't the reason.
• Chief: Then what is the reason?
• System Notifications: He smiles enigmatically.
• Rust: Because... the shoot would take far too long. I can't guarantee I can keep the same face during those two weeks.

The jet-black trench coat melds him into the night. Clad in leather gloves, his hands are always ready to draw his gun. Crisis lurks ever in his shadow, much like his inscrutable, impermanent appearance.

The concepts of "the past" and a "home" are a labyrinth built from memories of the dead. I am the only and last monster within.