"Damn it, what the hell is this thing?"
Inside a factory on the outskirts of Chiba, the factory manager peered through a window at an out-of-control sparrow statue.
Yes—because in his eyes, that thing was nothing more than a moving statue.
"This isn't something you need to worry about."
A young man holding a tablet lightly patted the manager's shoulder, signaling him to return to his office.
The manager shrugged helplessly and went back to his office as instructed.
Before leaving, he happened to notice the back of the young man's tablet.
Printed on it was a symbol resembling a sniper scope.
After the manager returned to his office, the research staff began contacting the Nine-Tailed Fox Squad.
Although manpower was tight, one squad was still available.
"Three minutes until Nine-Tailed Fox arrives. Rojin will arrive in one minute."
After ending the call, the researcher muttered to himself.
Although the higher-ups always classified Rojin as someone who needed protection, to ordinary researchers like them, Rojin's combat power was something they could only look up to.
Even soldiers equipped with the institute's standard-issue exoskeleton armor couldn't match Rojin in a frontal fight.
As long as someone like him arrived, nothing unexpected should happen.
Thinking this, the researcher finally relaxed a little.
Normally, an E-rank member like him shouldn't have access to so much information.
But he was an exception—he had passed a series of internal exams, and his promotion to C-rank was only waiting for paperwork.
So some information was no longer kept from him.
Of course, only the non-critical parts.
For example, the institute's next-generation exoskeleton armor was almost finished.
By the time he officially took his new post, it would likely be in full deployment.
One minute later, Rojin arrived at the factory right on time.
"Thank goodness you're finally here."
Seeing Rojin appear, the researcher finally let out the breath he was holding.
In the past minute, the sparrow statue had grown significantly more violent.
Although its attack power wasn't high—a properly equipped task force squad could easily contain it—these people were just support personnel with no combat capability.
The strongest among them was a clerical worker who had practiced boxing for one year.
At the institute, that level wasn't even enough to brag about.
"That statue, right?"
Rojin casually set his schoolbag aside and pulled a belt from behind him.
He had some impression of this containment object.
AO-6264 (Anomalous Object 6264).
A collective designation for a batch of rough sparrow statues with wingspans under five meters.
Most of them were made of scrap metal and polyester fabric.
Each individual could vary in composition.
If he remembered correctly, the underside of the statue should have letters carved into it: "CTM".
"According to the factory manager, they dug it up from a nearby field a week ago."
"They were originally preparing the land to plant trees."
"But unexpectedly uncovered this thing."
"They didn't care at the time and just tossed it aside."
"For the past few days it was quiet, but today, it suddenly started moving like a living creature."
"As of now, its hostility toward humans is moderate."
The researcher holding the tablet explained quickly but clearly.
Moderate hostility—meaning as long as no one provoked it.
But if anyone got close, the statue didn't mind smashing a few humans while wrecking buildings.
The workers sent to emergency care earlier proved that clearly.
Rojin walked toward the raging statue, listening carefully.
Fuzzy memories resurfaced.
Among the containment objects he remembered clearly, 6264 wasn't special in ability.
He remembered it only because it was one of the first he encountered.
As Rojin approached within a certain distance, music suddenly began to play.
The researcher lowered his voice:
"This is the piece 'Night on Bald Mountain'. It's coming from the speaker on its body. For now, it doesn't seem to have any special effect."
Even as he said it, he wasn't confident.
What if it had some unknown special property?
Such traps weren't uncommon in containment missions.
Although Rojin remembered that this statue wasn't particularly dangerous, he still cautiously placed his hand on the transformation device.
He was facing not a normal creature, but a mysterious containment object.
Clang!
After casually knocking over an electric scooter, the sparrow statue noticed Rojin.
It turned to stare at him for two seconds, as if assessing the threat.
"You go back. Keep an eye on the others."
Rojin instructed a nearby task force soldier, then refocused on the statue.
A few seconds later, the statue finally couldn't hold back.
The music grew louder—although it hadn't reached the climax, it suddenly felt strangely stirring.
With the dramatic music playing, the statue charged toward Rojin.
Rojin didn't hesitate. He twisted the handle on his belt.
"ALPHA!"
A light lit up at the belt's center, like a sleeping beast awakening.
Vein-like patterns spread outward.
"Amazon."
A familiar scorching pressure burst outward from him.
The charging statue was instantly blown away.
By the time it hit the ground, the school-uniformed Rojin had vanished.
In his place stood a warrior radiating wild, primal energy.
"Ha—"
He exhaled a misty breath, rolling his wrists.
"Let's finish this before they arrive."
Having made up his mind, Rojin's compound eyes glowed blood-red, like a beast ready to devour someone.
In the lingering mist, the glow was even more striking.