For ten years, the earth has known nothing but suffocation. Sweeping clouds of neon death cover the surface, peeling away humanity layer by layer. The pressure of self-preservation forces survivors to harden their hearts. Mark Northfield stands as an exception. Operating as a lone mercenary, his only comfort is the memory of his dead wife. He lives by two final promises to her: never let go of life, and never let the world turn him into someone worse than the man she married. When a vengeful adversary blackmails Northfield into an assassination mission, his hope of keeping both vows shatters. If he refuses to complete the mission, he faces execution. He must either accept his death or corrupt himself. More lies in his decision than the state of his soul. Unknown to him, his target holds the key to saving the world.