CHAPTER 27
A CALL TO THE SOLARIAN GOVERNMENT
After Mr. White Lacroft's urgent call reached the Solarian Government, informing them of users of the Arts being linked to the city's destruction, it didn't take long for a response.
Three individuals from S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S were dispatched to the scene. They were always on standby — prepared and ready at a moment's notice. By the time they arrived, Mr. White's operatives had already fully retreated, handing the investigation over to the elite unit.
Prior to their withdrawal, the operatives had reported unnatural dark, murky clouds drifting from the nearby woods. This information immediately drew the attention of the three S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S agents, who set off to investigate.
Their real names remained classified. Instead, they were known only by their code names and ranks within the Behemoth system — from the First to the Ninth.
The three sent were:
- The Behemoth of the Third — Code Name: The Lynx
- The Behemoth of the Fifth — Code Name: The BrimJaws
- The Behemoth of the Seventh — Code Name: The Wraith
Each rank was determined by several factors:
- The quality of their Arts and Release Type (Calamity or Non-Calamity).
- The application of those Arts through Sequences known as Commands.
- Their Bloodline or ancestry, which influenced the nature and origin of their Arts.
- Whether they were a 'special case' (a rare exception.)
- Their personal skill sets: combat prowess, IQ, consciousness extension, perception radius, stamina, and other unique traits.
- Divine Energy — the true source that powered the Arts. Those with vast reserves were often secretly recruited as national assets.
While many once believed the Arts were limited only by stamina, this had long been proven false.
There were many factors used to determine both rank and threat level. However, the Behemoth ranking system was rigid and not always accurate. An individual's rank could sometimes be misleading, failing to reflect their true strength or skill.
To climb higher within the Behemoth ranks, one needed exceptional performance, unique traits, or to be born a special case. Those without natural gifts could still rise through relentless training and bodily evolution, but there were clear limits. When facing higher-ranked Behemoths or truly powerful adversaries, effort alone could only take them so far — unless they displayed mastery of the Ancient Arts.
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The scene shifted to the three S.C.U.L.A.A.R.S agents walking through the devastated city. Shattered glass and debris from countless buildings littered the streets. The few structures still standing had lost all structural integrity, leaning dangerously. Cars lay flipped on their sides or lodged impossibly high into buildings. Massive craters scarred the ground, while damaged power lines sparked intermittently. Streetlights flickered weakly, casting an eerie, dreadful atmosphere that blended perfectly with the unnatural swirling clouds above.
The entire area had been evacuated before their arrival.
Agent Wraith, the Behemoth of the Seventh and the highest-ranked among them, looked up at the murky clouds and confirmed they were unnatural. Agent BrimJaws, the Behemoth of the Fifth, noticed the clouds were heavily concentrated to the east. Without wasting time, the trio headed toward the source, which led them straight into the woods.
At the entrance, Agent Wraith activated his high perception radius — extending more than thirty meters. This unique trait granted him 360-degree threat awareness, allowing him to sense intent, bloodlust, scents, vibrations, and much more. It was a precautionary measure as they ventured deeper.
The three agents moved cautiously through the woods, each step deliberate, senses on high alert. Suddenly, they paused and exchanged glances. No words were needed. The look in their eyes asked the same question: 'Do you feel that too?'
A strange, ominous presence had appeared.
It was so powerful it blanketed the entire area. Even the Behemoth of the Seventh — the strongest of the group, felt a flicker of unease. The other two were no different. What made it worse was that the presence had materialized out of nowhere. They hadn't sensed it earlier at all.
Whatever was hiding in these woods was extremely dangerous.
The three nodded to each other and continued their approach with heightened caution. Eventually, they reached the source of the dense, swirling clouds. Before them stood an abandoned, rundown building. Thick, dark clouds churned violently above it, accompanied by jagged lightning and rolling thunder — clear signs of paranormal activity.
This dilapidated house was undoubtedly the origin of the irregularities plaguing the city's night sky.
Their mission was simple: exterminate.
The three agents braced themselves, preparing to force their way inside. But just as they took a step forward, a commanding voice echoed through the darkness:
"You may proceed no further!"
The three agents halted immediately.