Ghost

**Ghost**, a complex and enigmatic figure, is a formidable member of the renowned mercenary faction known as **NONA**. His true identity remains concealed, shrouded in mystery and intrigue, a characteristic that only adds to his enigmatic reputation in the world of mercenaries.

Ghost possesses a dual nature that both fascinates and unsettles those who work alongside him. At times, he exudes an eerie calmness, a master of composure in the face of danger. This unnerving tranquility allows him to execute precise and calculated missions, striking fear into the hearts of his adversaries.

Yet, beneath this composed exterior lies a volatile and unpredictable psyche. Ghost's psychopathic tendencies can surface unexpectedly, leading to fits of uncontrollable rage and violence. It is this unpredictable nature that can make him a double-edged sword on the battlefield, capable of unparalleled brutality but also posing a potential risk to his own team.

One of Ghost's defining traits is his mastery of stealth and deception. His penchant for cloaking technology allows him to move undetected through enemy lines, infiltrating even the most fortified installations. In the blink of an eye, he can shift from the shadows to deliver deadly and precise strikes, leaving no room for escape.

While Ghost's true identity remains a closely guarded secret, his unwavering loyalty to NONA is unquestionable. He shares a complex camaraderie with his fellow mercenaries, fostering an atmosphere of both respect and wariness among the team. Despite his unpredictable nature, Ghost's actions on the battlefield have earned him a place of fear and reverence within NONA.

In a world where darkness conceals secrets and power lies in the shadows, Ghost embodies the duality of a calculating assassin and a volatile force of nature. As a pivotal member of NONA, he operates on the razor's edge of sanity, striking terror into the hearts of adversaries while also challenging the boundaries of trust and uncertainty within the faction.

## Biography

### Background

Born in Evalka but raised in the lawless underground of Ruj, Boromir Kozachenko's early life was marked by survival in a harsh and unforgiving environment. He learned to fend for himself through theft and violence, becoming a ruthless and cunning individual in the process. Despite his Evalkan heritage, his formative years were spent in the shadows of Ruj, where the law held little sway.

Ghost's transition into the world of assassination and covert operations was a natural progression from his criminal upbringing. His skills in stealth, combat, and ruthlessness made him a prime candidate for employment by NONA. It was within this organization that Ghost refined his deadly talents and earned his notorious moniker.

### Lost Light

NONA's most divisive mercenary is none other than their notorious assassin, Ghost. He notably employs his unpredictable psychological tendencies to enhance his effectiveness in the war games, but also risks his team to the point where Seven has to fucking keep him in line.

While Ghost may appear stoic and composed on the surface, beneath that facade lies a deeply sadistic and psychopathic nature. His emotions can be unpredictable, swinging from calculated calmness to explosive fits of rage. This duality of personality makes him an enigmatic and terrifying figure within the ranks of NONA.

It's important to note that Ghost's psychopathic nature can still surface, especially when provoked or when he believes he has the upper hand. His loyalty to NONA is based on a fragile balance of fear, respect, and shared goals, and he remains a volatile and dangerous presence within the mercenary organization.

## Personality

Ghost's personality is a complex and disturbing blend of ruthlessness, sadism, and psychopathy.

Ghost exhibits an unwavering commitment to achieving his objectives, no matter the cost. He is willing to employ extreme violence and cruelty to eliminate his targets. This ruthless determination makes him a relentless and formidable adversary on the battlefield. He derives pleasure from the suffering of others. He takes sadistic delight in inflicting pain, both physical and psychological, on his victims. His sadistic tendencies are evident in the gruesome methods he employs to dispatch his targets.

Ghost lacks empathy and displays a callous disregard for the well-being of others. He is driven solely by his own desires and agenda, and he rarely forms genuine emotional connections with anyone. His psychopathic nature makes him unpredictable and difficult to control.

## Abilities

Ghost serves as NONA's stealth and espionage assassin. His expertise lies in remaining concealed in the shadows, flanking unsuspecting opponents, and taking down weaker enemies swiftly. He combines his stealth capabilities with teamwork when dealing with more formidable adversaries.

Ghost's primary weapon is the CTH-8 pump action shotgun, which he uses for close-quarters combat. Additionally, he carries an RIA-SHERIFF magnum revolver for situations where a ranged option is necessary. Despite these firearms, Ghost has a preference for using his knife, making him a formidable close combat specialist.

### Neural Cloak

Cloak turns Ghost near invisible. He can then execute opposing agents with a powerful blade attack. This ability costs him some time and lasts for ten seconds. While invisible Ghost's shotgun is replaced with a blade which deals haemorrhage. However, this cloak has limitations. Ghost remains visible to advanced technology, such as Seven's mask and rifle scope, which can detect him even when cloaked. Notably, the cloak automatically deactivates when Ghost initiates an attack, such as stabbing an opponent. Once decloaked, Ghost must wait for the Neural Cloak to cooldown before he can use it again, making it a strategic ability that requires careful timing and planning during engagements.

Ghost's Neural Cloak, while a powerful stealth tool, comes with a unique limitation. He cannot cross bodies of water or any terrain where he might be subjected to splashing or immersion in liquid. The moment he encounters water or a liquid obstacle, his cloaking field is automatically disrupted, causing him to decloak. This limitation adds an interesting dynamic to Ghost's stealth tactics, as he must carefully navigate around water sources and liquid hazards to maintain his invisibility. It keeps him on his toes, ensuring that he doesn't become complacent in the field and always stays alert to potential challenges.

So, while the Neural Cloak grants Ghost incredible stealth capabilities, he must remain vigilant when dealing with water-based obstacles to avoid revealing his presence.

### Skills

* **Master Infiltrator**: Ghost excels in stealth and infiltration techniques. He can move silently, remain hidden in the shadows, and approach targets without being detected. His expertise in stealth allows him to gather crucial information and eliminate high-value targets discreetly.

* **Master Combatant**: Ghost is a naturally skilled combatant. Ghost is a highly skilled close combat specialist. He's proficient in various combat techniques, making him a formidable opponent in hand-to-hand combat situations. His use of a titanium alloyed knife is particularly deadly in close-quarters engagements. While Ghost prefers close combat, he is also a skilled marksman. He can handle firearms with precision when necessary, although he tends to favor his shotgun and revolver.

* **Torture Proficiency**: Ghost's sadistic tendencies extend to his expertise in torture techniques. He can extract information from captives effectively and uses this skill to gather vital intelligence for NONA's missions.

* **Master Thief**: Ghost's upbringing in the underground nation of Ruj has honed his survival skills and his penchant for extreme thief. He can thrive in harsh environments, locate food and water sources, and navigate challenging terrain.

## Quotes

### Spoken

* *"Fear is such a beautiful thing."*
* *"Pain is just the beginning, my friend."*
* *"The voices in my head have the best ideas."*
* *"Life is fragile, and I love breaking things."*
* *"You can't hide from your darkest fears."*
* *"Death is an art, and I am its master."*
* *"I see your nightmares, and I make them real."*
* *"The thrill of the hunt is what keeps me alive."*
* *"Every scream is music to my ears."*
* *"In chaos, I find my purpose."*

### When hired

* "Mercenary unlocked."
* "I await."
* "A wise choice."
* "From the shadows."
* "Trust no one."
* "Unleash me."
* "I walk unseen."

#### When deployed

* "They will die at my hand."
* "What you cannot see...you cannot kill."
* "Now you see me, now you don't. Then you die."
* "They'll never know...what hit them."
* "Don't blink. Distracted enemies...are dead enemies."
* "Never underestimate the element of surprise."

#### Respawning

* "Haven't you heard? You can't kill a ghost."
* "You cannot hide from my blade."
* "We are...but particles."
* "Another chance. Do not underestimate me."
* "Your best hope is a quick death."
* "I return into existence."

#### Killing an enemy

* "The pain ends quickly."
* "Sleep now."
* "Farewell."
* "Already forgotten."
* "Time to engrave your tombstone."
* "Shh... Don't fear death."
* "Triple kill."
* "Three gone."
* "Three down."
* "Four kills."
* "Four kills, confirmed."
* "Fourth enemy down."
* "Five kills."
* "Five deaths now confirmed."
* "The fifth...falls."
* "Killing spree!"
* "Eternal Death!"
* "Darkness takes them all!"
* "Death comes for all." (Revenge kill)
* "Only a matter of time." (Revenge kill)
* "You cannot escape." (Revenge kill)
* "Another life ends." (Revenge kill)
* "Enemy down." (Revenge kill)
* "Revenge is mine!" (Revenge kill)
* "You were too proud." (Spree stopper)
* "No more!" (Spree stopper)
* "Rest now." (Spree stopper)

#### Activating ability

* "Activating cloak."
* "Into the shadows."
* "Cloaking."
* "I'll return...with blood on my blade."
* "Death stalks you now." (Enemy only)
* "You blink, you die." (Enemy only)
* "My blade is ready!" (Enemy only)
* "It's too late for you!" (Enemy only)

#### Victory

* "This...was a good day."
* "Invigorating."
* "We succeeded."
* "A fine display."
* "I feel enlightened. Good!"

#### Defeat

* "We must not fail again."
* "Should have stayed hidden..."
* "Even in defeat, we find strength from the shadows."
* "We will not accept defeat!"
* "All things must come to an end"

## Trivia

### General

* Lockdown's biggest counter is Ghost. He can easily close the gap that will make Lockdown miss his shots both from his rifle and pistol, and he can stab (or blast him) Lockdown before he can dodge Ghost's attack or pull his own knives.
* Ghost has exhibited psychopathic tendencies, finding pleasure in causing harm and death. While he may not meet the clinical criteria for psychopathy, his sadistic and ruthless nature is evident in his actions.
* Ghost's idea of a "prank" often involves lethal consequences for his targets. He takes a sinister approach to practical jokes, showcasing his malevolent sense of humor.
* Ghost's demeanor and actions make him an elusive and unapproachable individual. His ruthless reputation and unpredictable behavior deter most people from attempting to strike a friendship with him.
* Despite his disfigured face and intimidating appearance, Ghost has a high opinion of his own attractiveness. He seems to have a distorted self-image, believing that he possesses appealing qualities. Rose Slinger notably expressed he is unattractive.
* Ghost's mask, resembling a robotic skull, has become an iconic part of his identity. He rarely removes it, further shrouding his true face and emotions from the world.
* Ghost is a borderline psychopath. He feels nothing but the thrive to kill.
* According to NONA, psychological tendencies of Ghost is "perfectly" controlled.
* Ghost's psyche is a complex web of sadism, unpredictability, and psychopathic tendencies. Understanding his motivations and actions is a challenging endeavor for those who dare to try.
* Ghost's shotgun is short barreled, his simple preference sent to CTH Armaments.
* He is a parallel of Skullface, sharing the same masked look, and calculated ruthlessness.
* Some of his characteristics are derived from PROJECT SHADOW.

### Developmental Notes

* Ghost is a slight repackaged version of PROJECT SHADOW, as they both share coincidentally similar characteristics.
* Ghost's disfigured face bears the marks of countless battles and injuries, with scars crisscrossing his skin in a web-like pattern. His nose appears to have been broken multiple times, and his lips are often pulled back in a permanent snarl due to the scars around his mouth.Ghost's crimson eyes are a striking contrast to the darkness of his mask. They gleam with a malevolent intensity, and they seem to pierce through anyone who meets his gaze.
* He is in good terms with Lockdown, and has done some unsanctioned operations by themselves. Ghost notably respects his lack of allegiance and being a "paycheck mercenary" instead of having a side.
* Ghost is closely supervised during wargames to ensure that his sadistic tendencies do not jeopardize the mission or harm fellow mercenaries. Team leaders and squad members maintain open communication to coordinate their actions and prevent any unwanted casualties.
* NONA often devises backup plans and contingency strategies to deal with any unexpected outbursts or deviations in Ghost's behavior. This ensures that the mission can still be completed even if Ghost's psychopathic nature emerges.
* According to Nemesis, Ghost is diagnosed antisocial personality disorder that explains his mannerisms, even in NONA.
* Ghost had a lot of aspects that contrast his personality, such as:
* Despite his ruthless and sadistic nature, Ghost secretly enjoys writing poetry in his spare time. His poems often explore themes of darkness, death, and the nevian psyche, reflecting his complex inner world.
* Ghost has a surprising soft spot for stray animals, particularly cats. He is known to feed and care for feral cats in the shadows of his covert operations, showcasing an unexpected compassion.
* Behind closed doors, Ghost is a surprisingly skilled cook. He excels in preparing gourmet meals and experimenting with unique recipes, a stark contrast to his violent tendencies in the field.
* Ghost has a peculiar obsession with collecting antique clocks. He maintains an extensive collection of timepieces, each meticulously restored and maintained, highlighting his fascination with the passage of time.
* In a surprising departure from his enigmatic persona, Ghost keeps a detailed journal where he documents his thoughts, missions, and observations. This journal offers glimpses into his psyche, providing a rare insight into his inner world.
* Ghost's taste in literature is unexpectedly romantic. He has a penchant for reading steamy romance novels, often immersing himself in tales of love and passion, a stark contrast to his sadistic tendencies.
* Despite his fearlessness in combat and stealth operations, Ghost harbors an irrational fear of heights. He avoids situations that involve elevated locations, even if they offer strategic advantages.
* Ghost is an avid stamp collector, particularly interested in rare and valuable postage stamps. He dedicates time to researching and cataloging his stamp collection, a hobby that offers a glimpse of his meticulous nature.
* Ghost has an uncanny talent for gardening and nurturing plants. He tends to a secret garden hidden away from prying eyes, where he cultivates a variety of exotic and rare plant species.In a hidden act of kindness, Ghost occasionally performs anonymous charitable acts, such as donating to local charities and helping those in need. He takes great care to ensure his actions remain secret, allowing him to maintain his enigmatic persona.