Brielle Xavier-Chang, an Enhanceless (one born without powers), is desperate to change her family's legacy of failure and horror by competing in the Contest; so she can be a Councilmember like her hero, the Phantom. However, no Enhanceless has competed in the lethal competition since her father died in it. Brielle will have to prove her worth repeatedly if she hopes to survive, while an external being sabotages her every move. Cyrus Xu, the Phantom, is the overly-famous detective who is hungry to be more than the "bachelor" he is painted out to be. As the mystery of the new gang leader unfolds, the detective's duties as a Councilmember battle with doing what he believes is right, especially since this villain has shown a special interest in Brielle Xavier-Chang.