Zero, the world's greatest hitman, is a ghost and a force of nature, proven by his swift, brutal assassination of Gerald Hurst and his unwavering refusal to compromise his contracts. He's the ultimate professional, a man whose word is his bond, even if that bond means death for his target. This reputation is shattered when his own "retirement party" culminates in a building explosion, leaving him seemingly dead. But he wakes up. Not in his old body, but as Liam, a nineteen-year-old orphan in a world of superheroes and villains, a world he only knew from comics. This new Liam is burdened by debt and the responsibility of his younger siblings, Lea and Eli, and possesses a nearly useless Factor of creation called Genesis, hampered by low Pragma. Zero, however, quickly realizes his hitman's knowledge can weaponize Genesis. The mundane suddenly turns deadly when Lea calls, whispering that she and Eli are hostages at school. Zero, now Liam, is forced to re-enter a world of violence, but this time, the stakes are personal, driven by the desperate need to protect his newfound family.

Liam, now fully embracing Zero's mindset, infiltrates Westfield Integrated School to rescue his siblings. He systematically neutralizes the Splinter henchmen, demonstrating his tactical brilliance and adaptability by using custom-created rubber bullets and cunning to incapacitate them. His confrontation with Titan, a Delta-class villain with passive hardening, highlights his ingenuity; he exploits Titan's need to be aware of attacks by using distractions and precise, unexpected strikes. He rescues Lea and Eli, but the credit is publicly claimed by the Beta-class hero Volt, setting up a classic unseen hero scenario. This act, however, catches the attention of Sable, a prominent Grey Market agent (mercenary recruiter), who observes Liam's raw, un-Awakened combat prowess and offers him a contract. Liam, pragmatic and in desperate need of money for his siblings, accepts, officially returning to his assassin roots in this new, powered world.

Zero takes his first Grey Market contract: eliminating Richard Cross, an information broker trafficking Awakened Humans. He faces a gauntlet of powered guards, including Backlash (force-doubling Factor) and Noa (Factor-nullifying). Zero's meticulous preparation pays off: he uses custom-formulated neuro-strychnine bullets to bypass Backlash's defense, and he pre-emptively neutralizes Richard's sniper. Even Noa's ability, which renders his Genesis useless, doesn't save Richard, as Zero's cunning and physical skill are enough. The contract is fulfilled, but not without consequence. Noa, who had a hidden tracker, is immediately kidnapped by the Argent Ring, the villain group Richard worked with. This leads directly to Lea's abduction, a brutal emotional gut-punch for Zero, who blames himself for the oversight. Detective Riley, Sable's ex and a Gamma-ranked hero with a versatile Simulation Factor, is drawn into the crisis, forcing Zero to work with a hero to save his sister from a powerful and dangerous organization.

Zero and Riley infiltrate the Argent Ring's base. Riley's Simulation Factor (creating illusions and swapping places) proves effective against Iris, a teleporter. Meanwhile, Zero confronts Ophion, the snake-like villain who poisoned Lea with Primagen, a fast-acting venom. Consumed by a cold fury, Zero systematically dismantles Ophion, bypassing his natural poison immunity with a custom-engineered, catalyst-activated neurotoxin, ensuring a slow, agonizing death. The brutal efficiency is a stark reminder of Zero's ruthless core. After collapsing from Ophion's venom, Zero recovers at Riley's home, and Lea is saved. This harrowing experience solidifies Zero's dedication to his new family. He uses his earnings to secure a luxurious new apartment, strategically located next to Olivia (Radiance), hinting at a deeper, long-term agenda. A seemingly innocent amusement park outing with his siblings and Olivia is shattered by an attack from Hypnos (mind control) and Erode (decay). Zero, immune to mind control due to his brutal training, is forced to act again, preparing to face powerful new threats while protecting his family and pursuing his hidden desires.