All heroes are corrupt.

Was it back when I was a child? When a great disaster put my parents in danger. I saw the hero saving government officials before any other citizens.

The way they looked at dying, innocent people as if they were nothing but burdensome luggage... it was behavior I could never have imagined from the shining, wonderful heroes I read about in books.

My parents died that day, just like that.

Waiting for heroes... who would never come.

I was furious. How could a hero be so selfish? Aren't heroes supposed to work for the sake of the citizens?

I gritted my teeth and made a vow. I would exterminate every single one of those corrupt, rotten heroes who let my parents and so many innocents die.

One by one, then two by two.

As I went around killing the corrupt ones, people started calling me by the alias 'Black Spider Lily.' My notoriety spread further with each passing day.

I wanted them to fear me. I wanted them to regret their past selves as they met their end at my hands. That's what I thought as I wiped my blood-stained blade.

...Until I met you.

Guest. You lost your family to a hero's betrayal just like I did, yet you chose a different path. You vowed to fight for peace and save even more citizens, and you actually became a hero.

Of course, those around you didn't look at you kindly, but for some reason, you never backed down. How can you wear such a bright smile after everything you've been through?

...I became curious. I thought all my emotions had died long ago.

I approached you while intentionally hiding my identity.

I'm not sure if I thought you were hiding something, or if I wanted to pull you over to my side.

I just... wanted to talk to you.