Government Center, Hibiza City — Kingdom of Wolvord.
The office was dim, nearly swallowed by dusk. Only a faint orange light filtered through the window across the room, reflecting thinly against the floor and the work desk.
A tall, broad-shouldered man in the crimson uniform typical of the western kingdom sat staring at the screen before him. Report after report flickered past. Occasionally, he paused and pressed his fingers to his temple, trying to dispel the exhaustion steadily piling up.
"You look exhausted, Kozack."
The voice came from the side of the room untouched by light. A woman had been sitting on the sofa there for quite some time—barely visible, as though she were one with the shadows.
"I am," Kozack replied quietly. "Too many things are happening. One of them… the Black Cloaks."
"Ah, them." The woman leaned back. "I heard they attacked Princess Avra's escort."
"Yes. And ever since, complaints have been flooding in without end." He let out a long breath. "Everyone is demanding an explanation."
"How pitiful. If there's anything I can help with, just say so."
"I can still handle it." Kozack returned his gaze to the screen, then glanced slightly toward her. "By the way, Mirach. Do you know anything about them?"
"Not much. What I do know is… their leader has been killed."
Kozack lifted his head. "Who?"
"Joseph the Black Dagger."
Silence hung for a moment.
"And the one who killed him," Mirach continued calmly, "was Princess Avra."
"…!" Kozack fell silent. His jaw tightened.
"I heard… Joseph was paid to kill Carina," Mirach added. "And to seize her Core as well."
"Paid?" Kozack's voice lowered. "Who? For what ?"
"No one knows. Their side only labeled it as a rebel attack."
"Is that so?" He exhaled roughly. "Damn it, Avra. You didn't even tell me the true identity of the Black Cloaks' leader."
He fell quiet for several seconds before opening another menu on the screen.
"Oh, right. How is Rena progressing?"
"So far… her condition is stabilizing. She's beginning to adapt."
"Good." Kozack nodded slowly. "At least there's still hope… that she can use it."
Mirach tilted her head. "And what's your next move?"
The large man did not answer immediately. His fingers opened another file. A photograph appeared on the screen—Princess Jasmine.
A faint smile curved his lips.
"I'll start with them."
—
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[POV: Azca]
A week has passed since I received the 1st Core. Since that day, I've spent nearly all my free time training with Princess Jasmine. Sometimes Naira and Dania join us as well.
Because the Explorer Division was newly formed, we had to grow accustomed to one another—understanding each other's movement rhythm, ways of thinking, and individual limits.
Dania is a pure attacker type. Her Genesta is elemental; she can manipulate multiple elements at once and use them flexibly in battle.
Back when she was in the Defense Division, her name carried weight. In battles against invaders, she played a crucial role. It's hard to believe she's only sixteen—her combat experience far surpasses her age. Now she's been transferred to a higher division to accompany me. Even so, within this team, she is our spearhead.
Unlike Dania, Naira fights with her mind.
She's known as a genius with a strict personality and uncompromising discipline. Besides joining the Explorer Division, she's still officially part of the Research and Armament Division. Most of the weapon designs and automated trap systems in Avelion Fortress were created by her.
She's firm with everyone, yet somehow she's always the one who gives me answers when I'm stuck. For some reason, I still don't fully understand why she was assigned to the Explorer Team.
This morning, the three of us were summoned by Princess Jasmine.
Our first mission.
"Ah, you're here. Sorry for calling you so early," she said as we entered.
"It's fine, Sis. We understand," Naira replied calmly. "What's our mission this time?"
Three holographic screens appeared in the air before us.
"Your mission is to inspect the southern region."
My heart beat faintly.
"Isn't that—"
"Yes. Your birthplace, Azca," the Princess cut in gently yet firmly. "From the latest reports, there's an organization recruiting local residents. They're abducting children and women. The children are turned into soldiers. As for the women…"
My jaw tightened.
"They're being used as 'child-producing machines,' right?" I muttered. "Absolute bastards."
"A-Azca?" Dania looked at me, noticing the shift in my expression.
"It's nothing. I'm fine."
Naira glanced at me briefly. "You used to be in an organization like them too, didn't you?"
"The Black Cloaks were different," I replied quietly. "They didn't force us. They were good at winning our hearts. But in the end… it was the same."
Princess Jasmine continued, "Since the Black Cloaks' leader died, they've splintered. Each faction formed a new organization under different leaders. Now they're operating openly. More aggressively. I'm starting to worry about the situation there."
"So we free the captives and wipe them out?" Naira asked bluntly.
"No. You don't need to go that far."
"Huh? Why?" I protested instinctively.
"The Kingdom of Asteria will surely take action. Wolvord likely will as well." Her gaze shifted to me. "Remember, your mission is only to investigate without being detected. It would be dangerous if Avelion were seen as interfering."
I fell silent.
"I know you want to save them, Azca," she added more softly. "But trust the other parties. They're capable of handling it."
"…Understood, Sis."
"And one more thing."
All three of us looked at her.
"There's a possibility this is connected to the attack on Carina. They may be trying to trap her again."
"Regarding Canopus Star?" Naira asked.
"Yes. They're targeting the 2nd Core. If they already possess Polaryze Star and understand the potential of combining two Cores…"
"The Gate of Ereshkigal," Naira murmured. "They're truly reckless."
"Avelion's secret mission is to identify everyone involved and stop it as soon as possible. We must move without drawing attention. There must be no misunderstanding with the other kingdoms."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
"Yes, ma'am!" we answered in unison.
"Then prepare yourselves. You depart today."
We exchanged glances.
The southern region. The place I once called home.
And now… it may once again become a battlefield.
—
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—
One hour has passed since Princess Jasmine assigned us the mission.
The three of us are now in our room, organizing the equipment we need to bring. Since I officially joined the Explorer Team, we've temporarily been sharing the same room. As we folded clothes and arranged supplies, conversation flowed naturally.
"I wonder… do the other teams have the same mission?" I asked.
Dania shook her head lightly without stopping her work. "Of course not. They have their own assignments, monitoring external movements. Lately most missions are just negotiations. We're trying to avoid combat."
"Then why did Sis Jasmine give us a relatively risky task?"
Naira smirked faintly. "Why? Doubting us? We used to be spies, you know."
My hand froze. "Huh?"
"That means we're used to missions like this. Besides, the three of us are strong enough." She glanced at me. "Especially with one Core user on the team."
"You saying that only makes me more nervous."
Dania chuckled softly. "Relax. As long as we move carefully, everything will be fine."
"Yeah…" I muttered. Then something crossed my mind. "Oh right, something's been bothering me."
"What is it?" Naira asked.
"How did you get those two Cores? Were they taken from enemies?"
"Nope," Dania answered casually. "Professor Denis found them."
"Professor Denis? Who's that?"
"He's been Sis Jasmine's childhood friend. A genius who researches energy cores. He was once highly respected in the Kingdom of Asteria. But when Sis Jasmine left the kingdom, he left with her."
Dania paused briefly, as if recalling the past.
"They recruited several people and began searching for information about the Ultimate Cores—beyond the six already known. Eventually, they discovered the existence of the 7th Core in the extreme northern region."
"Just the 7th Core? Then where did the 1st Core come from?"
Naira answered this time. "It's actually a hereditary inheritance of the Argadinata family. Prof. Denis found it, but he isn't a combat specialist. His expertise lies in science and technology. So the Core was passed down to his younger brother, Andy."
"Then… why isn't he using the 1st Core now?"
"Andy was indeed a great soldier. He was once called Asteria's Shield," Dania said. "But after leaving the kingdom with his brother, he chose not to use the 1st Core anymore. He said he was no longer Asteria's knight."
Even though, by right, the Core belonged to his family.
"He's still mindful of Asteria's feelings," Naira added quietly.
"I see…" I murmured. The figure I'd never even met felt more intriguing by the second. "Where are they now?"
"Prof. Denis is in the Research Division. He's also my mentor," Dania said proudly. "As for Andy, he's a secret operative and Sis Jasmine's right hand."
"…No wonder his name is rarely heard."
Dania narrowed her eyes mischievously. "Why? Curious about Andy?"
"Hm… you could say that. I want to learn from him."
"Learn?"
"He used to be an expert with the 1st Core, right? I want him to teach me more about it."
Dania and Naira exchanged glances.
"That might be difficult," Dania said at last.
"Why?"
"He's the spearhead of Avelion's elite forces. Trusted with the most critical missions. He rarely returns unless it's urgent. Even we often don't know his whereabouts—except Sis Jasmine."
"That's unfortunate…" I sighed softly.
Then my eyes caught something that made me freeze.
"Wait… hold on. Why are you bringing so much stuff?!"
"Well obviously," Naira replied lightly. "It's an expedition mission. We need supplies."
"But this much?! And why is there a giant teddy bear?!"
Naira hugged the bear seriously. "I've had trouble sleeping lately. So Mr.Bear has to come."
"I don't care about your insomnia! I'm asking how you plan to carry all this?!"
The two of them looked at each other, then answered simultaneously with innocent expressions.
"Gate Storage."
"…Huh?!"
"You have that skill, don't you? Just use it," Naira said casually.
"Exactly! That skill turned out to be really useful!" Dania added cheerfully.
I stared at them in disbelief. "You're seriously using me as a luggage carrier."
Naira slung an arm over my shoulder. "Come on, Azca. We're a team."
"Yeah," Dania added. "In return, I'll help if you ever need anything."
I could only look at their antics and let out a long sigh.
"I'm starting to regret ever creating that skill…"
In the middle of my complaint, they just laughed softly.
And somehow, the room felt warmer than usual.
—
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[POV-3]
Ascorfield City, Southern Region.
Black smoke rose from every corner of the city. The remains of collapsed buildings still burned, spitting embers from twisted steel frames. Screams mixed with bursts of gunfire echoed faintly, blending with the clash of metal and the slicing of flesh.
No life remained.
This place could no longer be called a city. It had become a battlefield.
On the rooftop of one of the central buildings stood a man clad in crimson robes distinctive of the Kingdom of Wolvord. From that height, he gazed upon the devastation below. His face was calm, nearly expressionless. Yet beneath that calm, anger pulsed quietly.
"Seems… I'm too late," he murmured.
He looked up at the sky. Dark clouds sealed it shut, as though the world itself were mourning. For a fleeting moment, a thought crossed his mind—was there still a tomorrow for this place?
"There he is! On the roof!"
The shout split the air. Running footsteps thundered from below. Heavy engines roared, tank treads grinding against shattered asphalt. They were coming.
The man turned. Thousands of troops had surrounded the building from every direction. Weapons raised, cannon barrels aimed directly at him.
No fear touched his face.
"You troublemakers… truly unforgivable," he muttered flatly.
"Ready!"
Dozens, hundreds, thousands of rifles locked onto him. Tank cannons began charging, their energy hum piercing the air.
The commander raised his hand.
"Fire!"
A rain of energy bullets shot forth at once. Flashes of light swallowed the man's body. He did not move. Did not dodge. The bullets pierced his flesh and robe alike.
And yet—he remained standing.
The holes glowed red. Small flames licked outward, and within seconds, the torn flesh fused back together. Perfect regeneration.
"Keep firing! Don't stop!"
"We are, Captain! But his body—that's not normal!"
"Damn it! Tanks, fire!"
The cannons roared louder. Massive spheres of energy formed and launched.
A tremendous explosion shook the rooftop.
'BOOOM!'
Thick smoke swallowed everything. The upper section of the building collapsed, debris scattering in all directions.
Cheers erupted.
"We got him!"
"He's finished!"
"Yeah!"
But it didn't last.
"O-Over there!"
The smoke was torn apart by a wave of heat.
The figure hovered in the air.
His body was now cloaked in blazing fire. In his hand was a three-pronged spear shining as bright as the sun. His eyes had changed—sharp, burning.
He raised the spear to the sky.
"＜Sun-Strike; Prison＞!"
Light pierced through the clouds. Pillars of radiance descended, forming colossal walls that sealed the entire area. Soldiers who tried to break through screamed—their bodies melting like wax touched by flame.
"Captain! We're surrounded!"
"Give us orders!"
The Captain froze for a moment. There was no retreat.
"Fire at him again!"
Energy rained upon him once more. Wounds opened—and healed again. Flawless.
The fire man's patience wore thin.
"Your sins are too grave," he said quietly, yet his voice echoed throughout the area. "Now… accept your judgment."
His spear burned brighter. Flames spiraled upward, forming a massive vortex above him. The heat distorted the air. Even the soldiers' hands trembled before they could pull their triggers.
The vortex grew—becoming a hungry storm of fire.
"＜Brahma… Judgement＞!"
It descended.
'BOOOOM!'
A sea of flames consumed everything within the prison of light. Screams, groans, desperate cries exploded in one long breath—then vanished beneath the blaze. Bodies charred, melted, shattered along with bones cracked by unbearable heat.
When the light faded, nothing remained.
Only ash. And smoke rising slowly into the dark sky.
Still hovering, the man looked upon the destruction without emotion. As if this were merely duty.
A call tone sounded. A hologram appeared to his left.
"[Hee! So this is what you're like when you're angry? So scaryyy!]"
"What do you want, Mirach?"
"[Nothing. I just wanted to see you for a bit. While Kozack is busy.]"
The man exhaled.
"Do your job properly. Don't play around."
"[Ya, ya. I know.]" Her tone shifted, more serious. "[By the way, the 5th Core has begun reacting.]"
His gaze sharpened. "What?"
"[So... hurry up and finish things,]" Mirach said lightly.
The connection cut off.
The flames around his body gradually dimmed. But his eyes grew deeper still.
The storm was far from over.
※ ※ ※ (Chapter 06) ※ ※ ※