Salata Mista/History

Salata Mista was born 변종인 (Jong-in Byun) and identifies as Korean. He was later given the name Nico Smith when he was adopted, but occasionally answers to Jong-in.

## Leaving Home and Arrest

It was unknown who his birth parents were, beyond his last name belonging to his father and his mother ultimately abandoning him to an orphanage before she died from illness, but he learned through surviving memorabilia that his father died participating as a protester during the Gwangju Uprising, which took place in Salata's hometown. Salata was eventually adopted by an American soldier that was previously deployed to serve during the Korean war. He was given the name Nico Smith; the adoption agency changed his name to sound more "Americanized" and to reference his adoptive family's Italian background. Salata grew up not knowing his hearing anyone call him by his real name until a few years after.

Salata described his life as "tense and melancholy, to say the least" and grew up in his family as the only Korean adoptee among other adopted children from other places around the world. Being in a family of American veterans who were also extreme patriots and developed a sort of commune for themselves to live in, he was raised with his other adoptive siblings to learn how to fight in combat; all of them were expected to serve their country in some way, especially though the military, once they grew up. Salata developed a natural talent for sharpshooting, something he was forced to practice daily once it was known he had the skills for it, and ended up gaining Tinnitus despite wearing proper ear protection whenever he trained. Eventually, Salata grew dissatisfied of his family's expectations to be a soldier and moved to Italy to pursue a more simpler life via being an international student. In Italy, he began living on his own, picking up the guitar and making much of his income busking in the streets of Naples.

Salata did what he can to keep his life as simple as possible for financial and personal reasons. He eventually dropped out but managed to get a Visa to remain in Italy, hoping to earn an actual citizenship once he lives in the country long enough. One night after a rainy afternoon, while he was walking home, he encountered a woman being assaulted in the car by a few men. To save her, Salata pulled the men off and attempted to beat them before they drew out their guns. Salata wasn't aware that he had his Stand activated and found himself wielding a gun to defend himself. He was able to shoot down the men, severely injuring some while killing others, and was arrested despite pleading self-defense. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison and possible deportation before he was suddenly acquitted and taken out of prison by Paolo Bucciarati.

## Joining Paolo's Team

Paolo had overheard of Salata's case and decided to investigate it further. Upon needing another member to join the team and hearing that Salata is a good shooter, he investigated Salata's case and bribed the legal system to drop all the charges in exchange of putting him under mafia authority. Salata was glad to at least get out of prison and willingly joined Team Bucciarati without acknowledging the deal that was made to do so. He became the newest member before Sorbetto and Stracciatello's demise.

During the friendship between Team Bucciarati and The Hitman Team, Salata developed a deep friendship with Zura Grattachecca. The two were often together outside of work attending car meetups and participating in illegal races against each other. Many rumored the two of them to be in a relationship that was beyond platonic, but both Salata and Zura denied such claims. When Stracciatello was killed and it was announced that Team Bucciarati were responsible for his actions, it was Salata's friendship with Zura that broke down the most. The two vowed to never talk to each other again, with Salata telling her that he would only want Zura to end his life if it came to it.

## Post-Fate of Zephyr

It was unknown what happened to Salata's body after the encounter in Venezia. Zura kept to herself regarding her relationship and thoughts on Salata between the end of their friendship and Salata's death.