《Human A Paradoxical Existence》


 Chapter 1: A Vow that Broke a Soldiers Heart

    The neon glow of the Los Angeles skyline bathed the streets in a warm hue, offering an inviting atmosphere that felt like a mother¡¯s embrace on a cold summer night. For most, it was a city of dreams, a spectacle to behold, with extravagant towers reaching for the stars and luxury cars gliding effortlessly along palm-lined avenues. But for Axel Collins, there was no warmth coursing through his veins. He sat next to the window of his tiny apartment, looking out through water-stained glass, waiting for a miracle that never came.


    A single tear traced down his battle-scarred face, a grim reminder of a glorious past that now felt distant. The familiar aroma of burnt nicotine and sweet vapor hung in the air like an oppressive shroud, adding to the weight of his memories. In this vibrant city, where dreams sparkled and hope glimmered, Axel felt adrift and forgotten, drowning in an ocean of regret. The nightlife pulsed with energy all around him, yet here he was, trapped in the shadows of his apartment.


    ¡®This time¡­ This time, she¡¯ll definitely pick up the phone this time.¡¯ He told himself for about the hundredth time this week.


    It¡¯s been a month since Elise walked out of that apartment door. The two met by chance fifteen years ago at the dinner where he used to work part-time. She used to have those nerdy glasses, funky braces, and even those baggy clothes. They¡¯d dream in their youths of a warm suburban home, a green lawn, and a dog they¡¯d name Sandy but now, to Elise who now sports high heels, buttock-pouting lips, and an extremely haughty attitude, these are all nonsense. Her ambitions of a grandiose wedding, a luxurious lifestyle driving either a Lamborghini or a Ferrari, and having an imposing penthouse near the beach started between a couple''s banter to an imposed promise that made Axel utterly dumbfounded, bewildered, and speechless. She dismissed his pleading to stay as she packed her bags and left without hearing the rest of it.


    Each day blurred into the next, forming a monotonous cycle filled with hollow afternoons crammed with watching films about love, appreciating novels they once read, looking at the stars, and reminiscing through their old photographs, which were once the things they enjoyed as a couple. Now, they felt like mere background noise and greyscale ambiance amplifying the silence of his life.


    ¡®Should I start doing a live stream of eating about ten pounds of fried chicken instead?¡¯


    He joked to himself, a fleeting smile breaking through his sorrow. Sleepless nights haunted him, echoing with the relentless whisper of ¡®What if?¡¯


    ¡®What if she came knocking on the door at this very moment?¡¯


    ¡®What if I looked out the window and saw her outside?


    ¡®What if I call her just this instant and she comes back to me?¡¯


    ¡®What if I just wait for her a bit longer before I sleep?¡¯


    ¡®What if I said the right words before she left?¡¯


    The list goes on and on as he rolls around the bed, stands around, checking who¡¯s outside by the window, and calls her unreachable phone number.


    He stood up from his bed, sleepless, not even noticing it was daytime already, then, he turned his gaze to the streets below, where the vibrant chaos of life was relentless and, paradoxically, felt like a taunt to his own melancholy. How could the world continue to spin when he felt so utterly lost?


    Time itself had become a strange creature, elongating in moments of his clarity while rushing like a bullet when he lost himself in the fictional realms of fantasy novels, the tales of heroes battling impossible odds. If only his adventure would arrive soon, saving him from his miserable existence.  His thoughts tasted as sweet as honey, yet reality twisted his gut with a knife, mercilessly making him face the cruelty of it all. The ticking of the clock felt like the embrace of emptiness, eating away at his consciousness little by little while putting his thoughts in complete disarray.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    The Autumn past him like a gust and Winter was merely a cold breeze on his skin as Axel didn¡¯t even care about life anymore. The man he used to respect back at the orphanage, the best friend who knew him for the longest time, and his brothers-in-arms who remembered him, they all called and even left voice messages asking if he needed any professional help, yet not even one call was returned.


    Remembering the life-and-death situations on his deployments, he pondered if the morphine on the medical kit he always carried around would give him the numbing sensation of fleeting happiness that he yearned for, or perhaps having a drink, even though he had never touched alcohol in his life. But maybe a sip could offer a momentary escape from the heaviness that weighed him down. He argued with his rationality with these irrational solutions he was coming up with, that might, in turn, soften the edges of his bleak reality.


    He took a puff from his electric cigarette and in turn, gave him another idea, ¡®Maybe I should visit one of those dispensaries nearby, that¡¯s at least legal and safe.¡¯


    He couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at his crazy ideas to instantly alleviate his pain, but deep down he feared that he would tumble too far and lose sight of the person he once was. Yet, as the days dragged on, escape became increasingly tempting. He spent countless nights staring into the darkness, caught in a web of bleak thoughts, each one pulling him further from himself.


    Night after night, as the sun descended and the stars blinked into existence like faded memories, a peculiar voice slithered into his mind, teasing him with cryptic messages:


    ¡°When the night itself collapses, put your hands up in the sky like a pillar to hold it up.¡±


    ¡°Our Spirit will forever live with every man and woman! Humanity shall not fall here!¡±


    ¡°We killed our way to the stars, to the sky, and to the firmament. We did it before, we can do it again.¡±


    ¡°Humanity will clench victory to all of existence! We will step on the bones of millions of races on the sea of stars!¡±


    Was he slipping into madness? Perhaps it was the late nights spent saturating his mind with psychological theories and sci-fi fantasies that had made him lose his marvels. He clenched his jaw, drawing a shaky breath. What kind of purpose do these whispers in his mind want to know, questioning his humanity and existence, he was seeking answers to every question he heard. Desperation clawed at his sanity, blurring the lines between the dream world and stark reality.


    Suddenly, a piercing siren sliced through his reverie, and he felt like it poured ice-cold water on his head, he sweated profusely while leaning his head against the window looking at the ambulance fading in the distance. The sound reminded him of his fellow soldiers who went to the mental ward due to trauma, depression, anxiety, and heartbreak. He needed to escape from the heavy weight of his thoughts, away from the suffocating solitude that had wrapped around him like a shroud.


    That¡¯s when he felt it, a strange compulsion pulling him toward the vibrant streets, a subtle guide urging him to reconnect with life once more. Hoping it would distract him from his spiraling thoughts, he pushed himself into the night, he huffed nicotine from his device once more, the vapor from his orifices clung to him like an unwanted shadow, a physical manifestation of his despair.


    The moment he stepped outside, people laughed, their voices intertwining in a raucous symphony, but their joy felt like a mockery and ridicule, an audible reminder of his own desolation. All of a sudden, a chill swept through him as this time, it was the voices of the people whom he used to call brothers ringing in his head, people who were now six feet under, this time more lifelike and vivid, as if they were blaring at his ears, it made all his hair stand on end.


    ¡°I can¡¯t feel my legs anymore, I¡¯ll stay here, you all can go!¡±


    ¡°Leave without me! I will hold them off so everyone can retreat!¡±


    ¡°Sir, I¡¯ll bleed out in ten. I¡¯ll have my final stand right here.¡±


    ¡°Tell Mom and Dad, I love them and I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    While he walked into the crowd, he started hearing battlefield noises, was he having a traumatic flashback? Now, he was certain in his mind that his fortitude built over the years had collapsed and he needed some help, some guidance, or just someone who he could talk to about this.

 Chapter 2: Lost in the Alleys then Finding the Hope

    As he ran aimlessly into the dark corners of the night, uncertainty spiraled within him, tightening his chest and quickening his pulse. He found himself standing in a secluded alleyway where shadows loomed large and grotesque against the walls, flickering light creating twisted shapes. For a moment, he could have sworn he felt eyes watching him, a sense of being preyed upon as if he was being hunted down like a wanted criminal surfaced in his mind. The air crackled with tension, thick enough to cut through with a knife, and just as he was about to close his eyes and thought he might fade into nothingness, the voices in his head all stopped, and a figure emerged from nothingness in front of him. Cloaked in the darkest of black, its piercing gaze hidden under the visor of its futuristic helmet locked onto him, a rush of both shock and confusion washed over him.


    ¡®Who¡¯s this guy? Is he from the special forces, cosplay, or perhaps alien? When did special effects become so good nowadays?¡¯ He rubbed his cloudy eyes trying to gain some semblance of clarity. Axel thought he had seen the figure multiple times but didn¡¯t remember a single shred of memory of the figure, not even in his childhood.


    ¡°You¡¯re not crazy, Axel,¡± the figure declared, its voice indistinguishable, neither male nor female but its tone was full of passion, vigor, and the fighting spirit of humanity that he had lost. ¡°Point your weapons not to a fellow man but to the sea of stars, where we will put the flag of humanity in every planet, every star, every galaxy, and even on this very existence itself. We might have fallen once but we have our arms and legs to help us rise again, this time with much more strength, this time with much more ingenuity, this time with much more unity than ever before! Let¡¯s surpass the glory of the past and make humanity great again!¡±


    Axel couldn¡¯t help but shed tears, he knew the voice was right. What was the point of us fighting pointless wars with a fellow man? If only we could all band like what the figure in black said, he¡¯d even imagine trading his pitiful existence for such a world. He was about to stand up, but the figure was already in front of him.


    Before he could utter a word, the unknown figure released black dust-like particles that clung to his body, trying to envelop him whole. At first, he thought it was a biochemical attack, so he tried to dodge it, however, he felt something cold yet soothing at the same time within his skin. It surged through his veins, a torrent of strange sensations washing over him like a euphoric rush. He even couldn¡¯t help but let out a groan of comfort.


    As the cold material seeped through his cells, blood, bones, and organs even to his consciousness, Axel felt every ache and pain dissipate, as if each particle meticulously tuned his body, reinforcing his resolve. The weariness vanished, replaced by an exhilarating current racing through him. Each heartbeat hammered with newfound energy; each breath filled his lungs with life instead of despair. The world around him felt alive in ways he had never noticed before, filled with colors so vivid they seemed to glow. He was surprised and felt happy at the same time.


    His sensory organs were all simulated, an amazing feeling as if in the bed of clouds and the warmth given by the first sunrise in spring. Lost in his inability to tell the time, he found himself reminiscing about the moments he shared with the woman he loved. He recalled their innocent nights spent gazing at the stars, whispering sweet nothings to each other, completely free of worries and cares in the world.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    After untangling himself from his revelry, he looked at the figure in black and asked while clenching and unclenching his fist.


    ¡°Thank you, that thing you gave me just now was amazing. Sir, I know that I¡¯ve made an unsatisfactory performance on one of my missions but I¡¯m ready to be a ghost operator if this is what the country and the people need me for.¡±


    The figure shook its head then told him, ¡°I didn¡¯t hand you any paperwork or intelligence report just now, didn¡¯t I? Soldier, what if I told you that I would put the lives of humanity itself on your shoulders right now, would you believe me?¡±


    Axel''s eyes shook violently, his heart trembled like a boat in a violent storm at what he heard, and he scrambled to reply hastily. He was acutely aware that this could be the biggest operation he would ever be a part of and possibly his last because deep within him, he just wanted to be done with it all and sacrifice himself for the people, this was a lie he forced down his throat, but he knew himself that death might be the sweetest release on his despairing heart.


    ¡°Sir, I¡¯m ready to proceed. I can go to the designated checkpoint of the briefing right away.¡±


    The figure walked past him and patted his shoulder, the pat almost made him lose his balance, but he stood still, the figure was a tad shorter than him, but he wondered where such strength came from.


    ¡°Rest is what you need, I¡¯ve seen those dead eyes feigning bravery just waiting for their bodies to be sacrificed to the Grim Reaper so many times, I need a man who can strategize, command, and execute, not a cannon fodder who will just run towards his death.¡±


    Shame washed over Axel as he absorbed those words. He couldn¡¯t dispute them as deep inside him, he recognized that his mindset was still in complete disarray. He realized that the things that had enveloped him earlier were genuinely effective, as he felt his hidden injuries healing at an astonishing rate. When he touched his face, he was astonished to find that all the scars had vanished as well as all the sluggishness, tiredness, and stress. Realizing that the unknown particles helped him but still having thought of Elise from time to time, he knew this was now up to him to change his depressive mind.


    Axel¡¯s eyes followed the visage of the figure as it walked under the light of the lamp on the empty alley they were at, and just as he was about to call out, the figure disintegrated into nothingness right in front of his eyes, it was like pages of a book that flew in the air bit by bit until nothing is left. He pondered what to do, as he knew the figure was right that he was not fit for service in his current state.


    He walked back to his apartment door, then opened it with a click. He saw himself in front of a mirror looking very disheveled, his clothes in disarray, and his face unshaven for more than a year with a scraggy beard, he almost looked like a homeless person even though he wasn¡¯t really financially lacking, yet, the first thing he tried to do was smile. It was a forced smile that you can see in every person who was forced to join a photograph, yet for him, it was a smile that would give back the lost humanity inside him.


    While he was feeling his supple-looking face, he decided to start the change right away.  He grabbed a few bucks scattered on the floor and headed to the nearest grocery store. Once home, he prepared a simple meal of saut¨¦ed shrimp with garlic, butter, and pasta, a dish he had always cooked for Elise, never for himself. But now, he knew he needed to confront his memories and get rid of these distractions. Cooking this meal alone felt bittersweet, yet it was an essential step in his journey to move on from Elise and learn to enjoy his own company. He then had a shower, shaved his beard, and slept early yearning for the new day to come.


    Unbeknownst to him in his sleep, a sudden notification rang on his mind.


    [Analogue System:  Initiating¡­]


    [Sector: Milky Way Galaxy]


    [Quadrant: A0000]


    [ID Number: (Redacted)]


    [Welcome Back! (***********) Axel Collins]

 Chapter 3: Seeking the Positivity of Life

    Axel Collins woke up with renewed vigor in his eyes, the reminder of the figure in black lingered in his mind as if telling him that he was destined for something bigger than himself. He drew a deep breath, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat matching the seconds as they ticked relentlessly away on the clock. The prospect of change, shrouded in uncertainty, pulsated through him. Rising from his bed, he felt a rush of determination, a newfound sense of purpose that pushed him to confront the depression that had tainted his heart.


    His first step was clear, he needed to fix his mental state. He picked up the self-help book scattered across on the floor, its cover dusty as he hadn¡¯t touch it for more than a year when the breakup happened. The pages were filled with emotional tactics, reclaiming control, managing anxiety, and developing resilience. He began to merge the techniques into a cohesive strategy for his life, jotting down notes on a pad.


    ¡®Every day is a new opportunity,¡¯ he reminded himself, focusing on the positive outcomes instead of the echoes of his former depressed self. Tasking himself with cleaning his apartment, he felt brighter, his burdens lifting little by little with every dust and debris he removed.


    Axel then started to reach out for professional advice. He sought the mentorship of a counselor who specialized in veterans¡¯ recovery. Their sessions became a haven where he could voice the turmoil within him, a sanctuary for his psychological scars. With careful guidance, he found clarity, understanding that acceptance was a crucial step toward healing.


    After his daily therapy with the specialist went on, he always went for a long outdoor run. He pushed himself to go several miles, each drop of sweat sheds a small layer of his grief. As the sweat trickled down his brow, he¡¯d whisper mantras that fueled his resolve. ¡°What doesn¡¯t break me only makes me stronger. Today, I stand tall, and tomorrow, I''ll rise even higher!¡±


    With motivation in his veins, he embraced nutritious meals, throwing away those unhealthy chips and processed food, replacing them with fresh veggies, lean proteins, and wholesome grains. Each meal became a ritual, an affirmation his resolve to serve mankind not just as a soldier but a man who will stand his ground. Cooking eased his mind, allowing him to focus on the vibrant flavors rather than the storm of thoughts that had once clouded his judgment.


    The next stage of his rebirth was to reclaim his rusty skills. Axel drove to a local outdoor shooting range, the scent of gunpowder filling his nostrils as he readied his assault rifle accompanied with a crate of bullets. He had missed this feeling, the rush of adrenaline, the clarity he claims with every shot he took.


    Seeing some youngsters trying out some firearms, he decided to have fun while he was at it. The trio noticing him couldn¡¯t help but think he may have been a veteran, so they stepped aside respectfully while murmuring.


    ¡°Do you think this old man is good?¡±


    ¡°Maybe, but his skin looks soft and delicate.¡±


    ¡°Now that I think about it, he looks like a businessman.¡±


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t judge him like that, let¡¯s see if we can learn a thing or two from him.¡±


    ¡°Hey, look at his rifle, why haven¡¯t I seen that model before, is that a custom made one?¡±


    As Axel heard the murmurs, he couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as he was never praised for having smooth skin before. Turning to them, then asking,¡± would you like to learn a little move from this old timer?¡¯


    The trio was hesitant at first but decided it wouldn¡¯t be a waste of time to see someone in action so they setup 30 targets. Just the right amount for Axels magazine. After getting everything ready the chubby looking one took on the stopwatch then proceeded ¡°Sir on my mark, ready, set, go!¡±


    ¡°Brrr! Brrr! Brrr!¡± The gun of the barrel, still smoking, was blown by a gust as the three teenagers stood there in a daze. The three of them woke immediately and checked the targets.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Si... Sir, I just checked the results. You''ve successfully hit all targets in 11.71 seconds, and they''re all headshots.¡±


    The other young man who really wanted to enlist as a marine couldn¡¯t help but gasp and mutter, ¡°this man might be special forces, maybe even navy seal?¡±


    Axel couldn¡¯t help but shake his head, feeling he had been lagging with the times. He then gave the trio some pointers like feet placement, how to handle the gun properly and how your hips and waist can increase your accuracy. The three of them with sparkling eyes couldn¡¯t help gawk at him as if they met their idol. Seeing their fawning gaze, he couldn¡¯t help giving more pointers, encouraging them how to behave if they plan to enlist, the trio knowing how to appreciate the guidance, tried to setup more dummies for him making him a little warm inside from their respect.


    Later that week, he ventured into a park to learn parkour, enticed by its accessible nature and the way it promised to challenge both his agility and mind. The group of teenagers, astonished at his persistence, began to cheer him on as he attempted to copy their movements.


    One of the crew who seemed to be the leader tried to be polite by telling him off due to worry of him getting injured. ¡°Sir, you may not know this, but you may get some broken bones, sprained ankles or worst be bedridden. Please think about it.¡±


    He then showed them how it¡¯s done by performing the moves he learned from the youngsters and combining it with the ones from the military incorporating both efficiency and style.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding!¡± one exclaimed as Axel leaped from a low wall onto a rail. He stumbled slightly but managed to regain his footing.


    ¡°Not too old for this, am I?¡± he shot back, determination flashing across his face.


    ¡°Alright, alright,¡± one shrugged, impressed. ¡°Are you maybe going for a role as a grandpa ninja?¡±


    He smiled at their playful banter, appreciating the youthful vitality as they exchanged techniques. Each leap, each roll, brought him closer to rediscovering his limits and pushing past them. He thought ¡®this is the peace I ought to protect¡¯.


    Another day, he attended a yoga class, the calming atmosphere was a stark contrast to his usual high-energy workouts. The participants were mostly younger, and as he settled into a pose, it was his first time participating in such serene atmosphere and he couldn¡¯t help feeling a tinge of awkwardness and exhilaration.


    ¡°Nice moves!¡± a young lady whispered from across the mat, her eyes sparkling as they met his. ¡°Did you just throw away your rifle for stretchy pants?¡±


    ¡°Only temporarily,¡± he laughed, returning her grin. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate the power of a good stretch. It might save my life one day.¡±


    With a slight blush, she leaned closer. ¡°Maybe we could grab coffee later, what¡¯s your number?¡± handing her phone over.


    Seeing how young the lady looked like but how mature her body was, he muttered on his mind. ¡®Does that black particle given to me increases my luck with ladies or something?¡¯ he then dialed his phone number on the young woman¡¯s phone but not promising any commitment yet.


    Six months have passed with a blink of an eye, just when he thought he was grooving back into life, a surreal phenomenon manifested before him. One day, while browsing through equipment manuals online, a bright light suddenly flickered before his eyes. Baffled, he rubbed them, blinking rapidly.


    ¡°Must be tired,¡± he muttered, shaking his head. But the light remained, pulsing like a heartbeat. It materialized into a digital display, summoning an array of stats and points before him.


    [Host Mental Current State: Stable]


    [Initiating System Sequence¡­]


    [Showing Status Page]


    Name: Axel Collins


    Job: Ex-SEAL Team Operative


    Class: None


    Position: None


    Timeline: 21st Century


    Place of Origin: Earth


    (The unit of one (1) used on this status is the statistics of all perfectly healthy adult male of your species on your timeline. With exception of DNA modified beings, humanity guardians, legacy heritages and other similar occupations on this category.)


    Strength: 5.5


    Agility: 6.1


    Intelligence: 7.5


    Endurance: 8.1


    Stealth: 7.1


    Combat Proficiency: 11.7


    ¡°What in the¡­?¡± Axel gasped, his heart racing as if sprung from a dream. This couldn''t be real. Was this a simulation? A prank? But the stats felt familiar, like something out of the online games he had played in the past.


    He looked around, half-expecting to see a camera crew. Nothing. It didn¡¯t feel like a trick, but he struggled to grasp what it meant. Questions spiraled through his mind. He really couldn¡¯t find an answer as this was the first time happening to him.


    Later that day, the light flickered again, filling his vision with bright details.


    [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: YOU ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT TO FORT ORD]


    [MISSION AWAITING BRIEFING!]


    ¡°Could this be the top-secret mission told to me before?¡± he muttered, a glimmer of hope igniting his spirit. The memory of the figure in black seemed to surface in his mind.

 Chapter 4: The Operatives of 21st Century

    As Axel arrived at Fort Ord, he felt butterflies in his stomach. The base had been abandoned for quite some time, yet soldiers from various backgrounds roamed the grounds, exchanging wary glances. He noticed a rugged-looking man with a pronounced French accent, another clad in bright clothes and adorned with tattoos approaching from the Brazilian side, and a reserved but watchful fellow who introduced himself as British. Nearby stood a cheerful and friendly man from China, while a serious-looking individual with closed eyes hailed from Japan. Lastly, he spotted a man snacking on bananas from the Philippines, adding an unexpected touch of casualness to the scene.


    ¡°Looks like a melting pot here,¡± Axel said, extending his hand to each one.


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen less diversity in a country fair,¡± joked the Brazilian.


    ¡°Looks like were a bunch of reliable folks are we now. Have each other''s six, yes?¡± said the British soldier with a firm grip.


    The encounter sparkled with cautious camaraderie as they gauged each other''s intent. They settled into conversations about their experiences, sharing humorous anecdotes and establishing a flicker of trust.


    ¡°Here, take this.¡± The Filipino operative offered a banana with a warm smile. ¡°I¡¯m Kokoy, by the way.¡± Axel accepted the fruit, appreciating the friendly gesture.


    Axel wanted to probe the man seeing how casual he was. ¡°What would be our object¡ª"


    Before his inquiry can be answered their systems called to them, urging them to get inside a building specifically with seven seats and a dusty table, they sat there waiting for something happen or someone to appear. The seven of them exchanged glances not knowing what to expect.


    The tension in the air was palpable, the recruits forming an uneasy semicircle, their bodies poised for information that could alter their destinies. Axel sat among them, every nerve in his body tingling with anticipation, when the atmosphere shifted. The lights flickered, and from the shadows, a figure began to materialize, a silhouette cloaked in black.


    The Figure emerged as if reality itself had unfurled to make space for it. Clad in a suit that absorbed light rather than reflected it, the Figure presented an air of authority that silenced the murmurs of uncertainty among the group. A visor shrouded its face, but its presence was both intimidating and magnetic.


    ¡°Welcome,¡± it intoned, the voice rich and resonant, reverberating against the dried-up paint of the walls on the briefing room. ¡°You are here to serve humanity. You have been chosen to intertwine your fate with the very fabric of time and space. This is not merely a mission but a calling, one that will define the future of mankind.¡±


    The men exchanged looks of anxiety, excitement bubbling beneath the surface as the Figure paused, allowing its words to sink in. Axel felt a mixture of dread and hope. The gravity of the moment swirled around him, urging him to focus on the task ahead.


    With a sweeping gesture, the Figure summoned a projection, illuminating the darkened room with images of scientists and scholars engrossed in frantic work. ¡°This system,¡± it began, ¡°is the culmination of humanity''s collective knowledge. It was forged by scientists, engineers and doctors from across the globe into what is known as the Analogue System.¡±


    ¡°The Analogue System is the coalesced consciousness of all past, present, and potential futures,¡± the Figure continued, the images shifting to scenes they¡¯ve seen and history books and sci-fi like images that you wouldn¡¯t believe existed. ¡°Its primary goal is to realign and enhance the past, pushing humanity forward. It guarantees that our present remains constantly protected while predicting future threats from multiple perspectives on all timelines.¡±


    Axel and his peers listened intently, their mind racing to grasp both the power and responsibility embedded within the Analogue System.


    ¡°Currently,¡± the Figure continued, ¡°if you are aware of the Kardashev scale, humanity hovers at the peak of Tier 3, on the cusp of attaining Tier 4. This progression, however, faces numerous threats on multiple fronts from hostile alien species attempting to impede our growth across spacetime.¡±Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Axel felt a stirring anger at the mention of alien interference. This was more than a simple mission, it was a war for existence, a battle against those who plan to step on humanities fate.


    ¡°Your fight is not solely for survival,¡± the Figure stressed, its voice resonating with passion. ¡°It is also for our allies, alien species that benefit from a harmonious relationship with humanity. While engaging with them, we maintain our shared values, striving towards a future where coexistence reigns supreme.¡±


    ¡°Should you perish in the line of duty, you will not simply be lost to time,¡± the Figure warned, a note of gravity creeping into its tone. ¡°Death means you will forget your participation in our cause. You will return to a time before your service, typically a time in your childhood or early teens, and what remains will be merely the echoes of an inspirational nightmare tale to guide you toward resilience. Should you conform towards a normal life, no one will stop you or try to persuade you to come to any military force. Men, this is not a simulation, a game or a military mission that you¡¯ve had so far, the fate of not just a billion but all of humanity itself is on the line, all of the time past, present and future will rest in your hands.¡±


    The men had shudders on their backs, the implications painfully clear. Failure may lead them regressing humanity, even worst coming to an age where humanity may not even exist. He envisioned waking up in a world stripped of purpose, free of his recent memories, a return to naivety, robbed of the experiences that brought him here, or, even not waking up at all.


    ¡°What you may experience here,¡± the Figure maintained, ¡°will test your will to serve and protect humanity. You may see monsters that are only to be seen in your nightmares, creatures utterly grotesque you may not even see meat as food anymore, beings that you may even call god, however, we have slain, destroyed and conquered all of this, we killed our way to we are today because, you, I and all of us worked in a united front to face the enemy. We have to be inhumane to face these non-human threats.¡±


    As the Figure spoke, the room¡¯s digital interface expanded, detailing the capabilities of the Analogue System and its role in their missions. ¡°This system functions as a comprehensive storage space, formatted similarly to popular MMORPGs. If you are familiar with such frameworks, you will find navigating the interface intuitive. For those who are not, a manual is accessible on the lower left of your visual display in a form of a booklet icon.¡±


    Images flickered before them, illustrating various elements of the system. ¡°Within this interface, you will have gear slots for your current equipment, displaying damage levels and durability. Your inventory will categorize items, providing easy access to weapons, armor, mission items, rations, personal storage, and Evolutionary Specimen.¡±


    Axel¡¯s heart raced as the possibilities unfolded before him. Weapons and powerful tools lay at his fingertips, yet he was anxious if these things were enough for them to execute the missions.


    ¡°The first essential firearm in your arsenal is the Pision,¡± the Figure continued, now showcasing a sleek, futuristic firearm resembling a sniper rifle that had a two-meter barrel. ¡°This weapon can obliterate any organism down to its very atoms, the smart feature of this device is that it will also disintegrate the vicinity of the target for at least 20 meters, however, with only seven shots, each round must be precise and intentional. Consider this a trump card, for it holds monumental power. It has an effective range of 50 kilometers. This weapon also disregards wind resistance of up to 7000 kilometers per hour. It also has a built-in scope that is connected to your visual display of up to 500 times when this is held. A manual scope function is also available.¡±


    ¡°The next weapon is designated as the Winston, a railgun that offers versatility for a range of combat scenarios,¡± the Figure explained, now displaying the weapon transforming from a high-tech sub machine gun with a barrel of about half a meter with a scope on top that can zoom up to 250 times that also connects automatically to the visual display when held, into a knife with arm support, to a curved sword, then to a bayonet, lastly at its overload state it can become a shotgun that shoots nine rounds per shot but comes with a powerful recoil so practice with it is necessary. A manual scope function is also available. With atomic accuracy, it can strike at targets up to 15 kilometers away. This weapon also disregards wind resistance of up to 5000 kilometers per hour. It holds 150 rounds per magazine, and each shot can destroy organic matter at the molecular level, however this only has a meter for its blast radius. 100,000 practice ammunition will be provided to you for free every month this is equivalent to a conventional firearm and can still kill. The live ammunition can only be given during the mission which will range from 150 to 150,000 depending on the task given.¡±


    A collective gasp reverberated through the briefing hall. The men were as drawn to the weapon¡¯s capabilities as Axel was.

 Chapter 5: System, Missions and Consequences

    After the recruits calmed down from the amazing specifications of the weapons, the figure continued.


    "Your third pivotal piece of gear is the Bulwark," the Figure concluded, bringing in an image of an imposing barrier. ¡°This tool can withstand thermonuclear explosions capable of obliterating a small country, stopping them cold. However, like the others, it requires care and vigilance, once its durability has been compromised, it will cease to function. It can withstand 500 rounds from the Winston and 5 shots from the Pision.¡±


    "Your next essential piece of equipment is the All Cloak," the Figure proclaimed, revealing an image of a versatile fabric that can adapt to any shape. "This standard uniform for every mission can seamlessly camouflage in any terrain, unless you''re in spacetime travel or under fire. With a see-through function, it permits unobstructed vision while adapting to extreme temperatures from 15,000¡ãC to -273¡ãC. The All Cloak is nearly impervious to conventional weaponry, resisting piercing attacks traveling at 100,000 kilometers per second and enduring up to two hits from our Pision projectiles before disintegration on the third. It also transforms into a parachute for safe descents, morphs into a tent for shelter, serves as an efficient diving apparatus, and absorbs G-forces during atmospheric entry to maintain your body¡¯s alignment. When you need warmth, it can function as a simple blanket. The All Cloak is rugged, even if damaged, its extraordinary properties remain intact. It charges from any energy source, including dark energy and body heat, providing up to 72 hours of use when fully charged. It can be split into two, though space entry capabilities become inactive. Additionally, it can mold into prosthetics for severed limbs and staunch bleeding when applied to wounds. Just remember, it''s a tool, not a lifeline."


    "Please be aware," the Figure stated, pausing for emphasis, "that losing or misusing your gear will have serious consequences. Neglecting your equipment can lead to deductions from your pay and possibly mandatory civil service in the Dreamscape. This gear is crafted from humanity''s hard work and sacrifice, so treat it with respect. While each piece is rebuilt after use, it''s critical to check its functionality. Quality is assured, but spacetime can be unpredictable. For guidance on inspecting your equipment, refer to the manual available in the booklet icon on your visual display."


    Axel¡¯s brows furrowed as unease rippled through the group. ¡°The Dreamscape is no mere fantasy,¡± the Figure warned sternly. ¡°An expanse of time, here you will either teach children how to behave properly, tell them eating vegetables is good for the body, make them face monsters in their bed, or inspire them to be pillar of humanity, this will all be done on their sleep which you will join them in. This is to remember you are the pillars that held up the sky protecting their innocent smiles¡±


    Each recruit felt it was rather a relaxing task but how many children are we talking about exactly?


    The sanctions are as follows.


    ¡°Failure to keep a piece of combat gears will give you a penalty of 200 years in the Dreamscape which is equivalent to 24 hours on Earth time as we can dilate time within your consciousness.¡±


    ¡°Should you lose a mission item, the tools provided for specialized needs, be wary. Mishandling these can lead to sentences ranging from 50 to 5,000 years within the Dreamscape, each mission as this may result on a heavy clean-up operation or even worst opening another battle theater for humanity. Operatives will bring you to a hospital and will be in a coma for a month to finish your service.¡±


    The Figure continued, directing the recruits'' focus back to the vast capabilities of the Analogue. ¡°Your rations space can hold up to 500 metric tons, allowing for transport, self-use, or humanitarian relief. However, selfishness in its utilization will lead to financial repercussions, deducted from your payout depending on your residential timeline.¡±


    Axel clenched his fists, the passion within ignited. He would not allow himself to fail. He even felt that inspiring those children in his free time wouldn¡¯t be so bad after all.


    ¡°Personal space, meaning this one is all yours and it encompasses small storage designed for personal use, but beware, no spacetime explosives or devices that could disturb the balance of space and time are permitted. Any non-living, inanimate object can occupy this space, otherwise, it will be automatically rejected, don¡¯t even think about abducting a woman you like with this storage space.¡±Stolen novel; please report.


    Everyone couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly as the figure in black tried to break the ice, but everyone¡¯s muscle was so taut due to the huge responsibility being pressed on their shoulders.


    ¡°Lastly on the inventory, your Evolutionary Specimen Inventory will gather biological samples collected during your journey. The specimen can be obtained as payment, as spoils of war, or as something you found on an exploration if you¡¯re lucky. These samples serve to enhance your genetics, granting you increased stamina, intelligence, strength, and durability derived from foreign species, remains of an entity long gone or some plants along the way that has compatibility with our bodies. This will be treated as a currency among your ranks, allowing you to trade or sell your discoveries, civilians of timelines 42nd Century and above can also trade here, rest assured that there is no scammer in this trading platform, however overpriced good may appear and it is under your digression to tread carefully while trading.¡±


    ¡°The payout of each mission will usually be delivered to you right away, if you want a different payout or a different need from what was provided, there will be a scale icon below the booklet icon where you can have it negotiated, depending on the amount of pay a you want to have replaced, this process can be done within an hour at the shortest time or up to a year for the longest. Don¡¯t even think you¡¯d get into the yearlong negotiations because these usually are on a level of owning a galaxy. On one note, there will be up to thousands of options to choose from for your negotiation so keep in mind that you will need to be brief, precise and concise if you plan to request for a negotiation on your payout. There will also be coins as payout. These coins are universally traded within all human race ran facilities including 21st century where you reside, a coin can be exchanged for a $100,000 by contacting any operative by dialing 01001000 which mean H, but this is not usually used very often as most people love trading more than using a currency.¡±


    ¡°The icon with the two shaking hands is the trading icon that can be located above the booklet icon, it is currently greyed out because you have yet to complete a single mission.¡±


    The final details unfolded, capturing the room in rapt attention. ¡°Finally, it is crucial to grasp the nature of spacetime travel. The continuum operates under strict laws of equivalent exchange, if a soldier from the 30th-century enters a time before their own, a correspondent adversary will materialize to track them within a range of their personal value, primarily within their race¡¯s timeline. Each move in spacetime comes with unseen costs.¡±


    Axel closed his eyes momentarily, attempting to assimilate the multitude of details while fostering an intense focus for the trials ahead.


    ¡°Understand this,¡± the Figure added, levelling its gaze towards each recruit as if piercing into their souls. ¡°You are on the verge of embarking on a journey that will transcend time, a mission that will define you. Fates intertwine in this theater, where every action carries consequences both known and unfathomable.¡±


    ¡°Understood, sir,¡± Axel and his colleagues responded in unison, clarity igniting their mind like a fire. The intricacy of the time-space web revealed itself like a complex tapestry, urging him to consider the profound connection between actions and consequences.


    ¡°You are tasked with a mission deemed Level Infant Difficulty,¡± the Figure announced, transitioning smoothly. ¡°Your first objective as a spacetime recruit is to rescue individuals from arcanist heritage, marking the beginning of your journey. Every action you take will be evaluated based on performance, efficiency, and your capability to utilize the system.¡±


    The screen flickered again, showcasing a figure from the past. It was a young woman clad in armor, eyes fierce and intelligent, encircled by a hint of light.


    ¡°This is Jeanne d''Arc, one of the most powerful Arcanists of the 15th century. She was known for her unique ability to decipher enemy transmissions through something called Void Codes,¡± the Figure explained. ¡°These codes echo across time, holding secrets vital for our survival.¡±


    ¡°During her life, she uncovered messages detailing that the black plague was orchestrated by foreign entities that should have been the final nail for the coffin of humanity, but we made a clutch through her efforts. It¡¯s believed they sowed discord among humanity, manipulating our ancestors while crippling our progress. Her involvement is pivotal, your objective is to retrieve her and secure her knowledge for our benefit.¡±


    ¡°This mission is already on its 6329th Iteration, meaning this mission is executed 6329 times without failure, some of our combat teams being wiped out to rescue the arcanist, some going home with incurable insanity due to the pressure relieving them and putting them back on their childhood years, some only surviving with a their head and torso intact yet still clinging to life with only the fire of humanity in their eyes. Be assured that as long as you do not draw your last breath our medical equipment can make you good as new.¡±


    The visuals shifted again, this time displaying reptilian creatures with intelligent eyes and insectoid nightmares, each depicted with innate powers beyond comprehension.


    The seven soldiers couldn¡¯t help but gulp at the sight of these nightmarish beings, ¡®have humanity has always been surviving this way?¡¯ the seven of them thought if what they will do will really have an impact.

 Chapter 6: Knowing the Enemy then into the Fray

    As the room fell into an uneasy silence, the tension thickened in the air. The Figure stood with an intensity that demanded attention, the weight of the moment sinking in.


    ¡°Your enemies,¡± the Figure grimly announced. ¡°The Huechromixix Race, a Reptilian Species. They have only sent equivalence of our 25th Century operatives, these people are also known as one of the best Con Artist of the Universe. The reported capabilities of these beings are having unparalleled strength and stealth abilities that cannot even be detected by 37th Century technology, can shred 15 meters of titanium alloy and possess the power of mimicry that copy even temperature, dead, inanimate objects and even a human itself. They are not to be underestimated. Our reconnaissance has found they are intricately involved in Jeanne''s captivity.¡±


    Focus tightened within the room as they absorbed the gravity of the situation. Axel remembered his training, this was not merely warfare, it was survival against enemies that might redefine the concept of fear.


    ¡°Additionally,¡± the Figure pressed on, ¡°are the Chrysalica Race - Insectoids capable of extraordinary intelligence, rivaling that of a human but with a multitude of sizes and shape. Their capabilities range from hyper intelligence but in their microscopic bodies, body possession that could use human skin like that of clothes, enormous horror that rival planets, and pestilence that promote disease transmissions that has been recorded to wipe out entire galaxies.¡±


    Axel clenched his fists, anger boiling beneath the surface, ¡®what kind of monsters sought to malign humanity this way?¡¯


    ¡°Your mission will also involve disinfecting flea-infested areas marked by a supernatural omen termed ¡®Rat King.¡¯ These areas pose great dangers but present opportunities for you to minimize human casualties. Any other humanitarian relief is not allowed as this might result on the disjunction of our future trajectory as well as asking help with any locals, except those who are of arcanist heritages.¡±


    ¡°For tactical assistance, a minimap will be available in your visual display, providing real-time information such as vital signs, infection rates, and potential threats surrounding you. It also includes the designated people to be rescued on your mission and people who you should not approach or interact with at all cost, it is due to them or their descendants having an impact to our future. Approach this mission with adaptability and vigor.¡±


    ¡°Your deployment will be 500 kilometers above sea level to avoid material detection within our planet, this can ensure the secrecy of the mission. The seven of you will be a team and will have the codename COMET for this mission. Please be aware that the leader will be decided on your arrival at the mission site because¡­ the more you know, the more the enemy will know as well.¡±


    ¡°Prepare yourselves,¡± the Figure said, straightening. ¡°You are on the brink of embarking on a journey that will test the very core of your being. Train hard, fight harder, and remember, everything happens for the unity and advancement of humankind.¡±


    Each of the operatives exchanged glances, they can see the resolve and fighting spirit in each other¡¯s eyes. Everyone of them willing to contribute to the betterment of the human race.


    ¡°This will be the end of your briefing, adjourn!¡± The figure saluted by thumping his chest rather than the standard military salute, then vanished into the shadows, the recruits remained in their places, silence enveloping them. Each person contemplated their commitment, recognizing the profound consequences of their choices, the path they had pledged to follow.


    ¡°Let¡¯s prepare,¡± Axel finally spoke, breaking the silence. His voice commanded attention, a blend of authority and urgency that reverberated through the room.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°Axel, is it? May I have a word?¡± The Japanese man advanced, his posture straight and purposeful.


    ¡°Of course. I was about to suggest joint training sessions,¡± Axel replied, extending his hand firmly. ¡°Your name?¡±


    ¡°Tamaki,¡± he replied, shaking Axel¡¯s hand with a steady grip. ¡°I¡¯m interested in honing my knife skills. Here¡¯s my address. I hope you¡¯ll join me.¡± He offered a sleek business card, the only markings being the address.


    Kokoy, the Filipino operative, stepped forward, his expression earnest. ¡°I¡¯d like to train alongside you as well, Tamaki. The more we practice, the stronger we become.¡±


    ¡°I agree,¡± said the Chinese operative, his tone warm but serious. ¡°I¡¯m Gu Wong. Flexibility in training is essential for our success. Count me in.¡±


    Martinez, the Brazilian, added, ¡°Let¡¯s not waste any time. I¡¯m Martinez. I¡¯ll gladly take part in this training. Coordination will be key.¡±


    ¡°Let me in the action too!¡± a voice cut in. Luc, the French operative, smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s sharpen our skills together.¡±


    As the group exchanged information, the English man stepped forward, exuding confidence. ¡°Gentlemen, if any of you are interested in a unique opportunity, I am a marquis of the United Kingdom and qualified to extend an invitation to my country. My name is Edward, by the way.¡± He paused, allowing his statement to sink in. ¡°I can formally arrange for us to train in the art of bayonet techniques two days from now. Who¡¯s interested?¡±


    Axel considered Edward''s proposal, nodding appreciatively. ¡°That sounds like an excellent opportunity, Edward. Training under your guidance could significantly enhance our skills. I¡¯m in.¡±


    The others nodded in agreement, a palpable excitement building in the room. ¡°Excellent. This is a formidable team we¡¯re building,¡± Axel continued. ¡°Let¡¯s ensure we maximize our skills and prepare for the challenges ahead.¡±


    Everyone agreed, the seven of them went their separate ways for now then decided to meet again at London two days from now.


    Axel did not waste time, he planned to spend the couple of days entrenched in the relentless rhythm of training, trying to attune his body to the new set of equipment that he got. Each dawn greeted him with a new challenge as he donned the specialized equipment, adjusting to the configurations and testing the mechanisms, he aims to make it feel as if the gear was an extension of his very self. The first day was a blur of clumsy movements and broken concentration, but gradually, through sheer determination, the gears transformed into a comforting cocoon, reshaping him into a formidable warrior.


    After fiddling with the futuristic gears for two days and gaining some semblance of familiarity, Axel had traveled across the sea to Britain, immersing himself in bayonet training. Edward found other instructors for them to train efficiently. The training lasted for a week while they also train coordination and signals as they have been trained in various fields.


    When their training in the United Kingdom concluded, Axel and his team journeyed to Japan, where they engaged in the ancient art of swordsmanship. The serenity of the training halls belied the intensity of each lesson. Under the watchful eyes of seasoned masters, they learned to move with grace, each stroke of the katana is a dance that melded power with elegance. The philosophy behind each movement seeped into their bones, and for a moment, they felt like a single organism due to the cohesiveness.


    After thirty days with rest in between, they polished their shooting skills for ten days. Axel can now shoot 9000 meters with a deadly accuracy of about 998 out of 1000 with all headshots. He then spends his last five days resting, he called that girl he got the phone number on the yoga class, they almost went third base but Axel decided against it as it might affect his battle ready state of mind, nonetheless, he had a great time with the young lady.


    The day of the mission arrived, they arrived an hour early from the systems countdown at Ford Ord, excitement buzzing through Axel as he assembled with his fellow soldiers, each ablaze with determination. Anticipation crackled in the air, mingling with the weight of their mission. The figure then materialized exactly right on the dot as the system announced, the soldiers felt he was just waiting there as well.


    ¡°I will be your Operations Officer that will guide you through the mission. If you need me to relay information to other operatives or need assistance, simply think of me in your mind or think of the word mission control and I can connect through your consciousness.¡±


    The seven gave him a nod without a word more.


    The atmosphere grew heavy as the figure channeled its energy to create a massive portal, a fissure through the fabric of existence itself.


    ¡°Are you ready?¡± the figure with a commanding tone asking if their resolves are in this mission as he tried to intimidate them. The seven not backing down as they give him a firm answer. ¡°Sir! Yes sir!¡±


    ¡°Trample all the horrors, monstrosity and even the gods beneath your boots. For the glory of mankind!¡±


    The seven of them, wearing All Cloaks that concealed them from head to toe and covered their eyes, shouted in unison.


    ¡°For Mankind!¡±


    The team walked into the devouring vortex of darkness, uncertain of what lies ahead. However, they all knew that in this mission, loved ones, friends, and family members were not the only ones at stake, but the entire existence of humanity rested on their shoulders. They understood that failure was not an option and that they would rather be unsung heroes buried in the sands of time after accomplishing their mission than remembered as the sinners of humanity who failed to protect the people.


    How will the story of mankind unfold?

 Chapter 7: What really defined an Infant Stage Mission

    They traveled through the vast darkness of space, a fleeting moment before the Earth came into view, its vibrant blues and greens a breathtaking spectacle beneath the stars. The planet seemed to pulse with life, a glorious invitation that promised both beauty and warmth. Yet, just as they began to appreciate its splendor, their reverie was shattered by the blaring alarm on their system display. The minimap flickered with ominous red dots converging from all directions, a warning that painted the serene scene with strokes of impending danger.


    Amidst the chaos, a clear mental chime pierced through Alex''s thoughts, a summons that signified his role as the designated team leader among his comrades, each of whom had also received their codenames. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders as his heart raced, the thrill of the mission mingling with a sense of foreboding. The Earth he had just admired, now loomed like a stage set for a battle, and he was poised to play his role amid the encroaching darkness.


    ¡°Comet 01! Comet 01! Do you copy? Over.¡± The voice on the other end was breathless, urgency palpable even through the static.


    ¡°Comet 01 here. I hear you loud and clear. Over,¡± Axel responded, keeping his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding him.


    ¡°This is Trailblazer 001, the vanguard of the operation!¡± The signal crackled with interference, but the message was clear. ¡°We hail from the 25th Century, currently maintaining an altitude of approximately 420 kilometers above Earth¡¯s atmosphere. We¡¯re taking heavy fire but were still going steady! If you can see a donut shaped thing floating around, that is where we are.¡±


    Static filled the transmission, filled with the tension of the moment. ¡°Proceed with your atmospheric entry! Don¡¯t stop for anything! Engage the Bulwarks! Move towards our position! Mission Control will guide you in!¡±


    Axel glanced at the screens displaying incoming fire as explosions lighting up their surroundings, illuminating the dark void of space.


    ¡°Everyone, let¡¯s form a spherical phalanx!¡± Axel shouted over the comms. The team rapidly assembled their Bulwark, a shimmer of energy coming to life around them. The Operations Officer then explained how to realign their trajectory, utilizing the propulsive force of the Winston in its overloaded state could generate enough thrust to maneuver them away from the onslaught of hostile forces.


    ¡°Attention, team Comet,¡± the Operations Officer, which was the figure in black, resonated through the comms, firm and authoritative. ¡°Your checkpoint is 80 kilometers ahead, please be advised that enemy hostile will engage you in any moment.¡±


    The air crackled with tension, and the Bulwark vibrated violently against the onslaught of nearby explosions, amplifying the urgency.


    ¡°Please follow my commands closely, we need to work as a cohesive unit. The angles will be crucial in our current state. Stay sharp!¡±


    ¡°Commet 01, adjust your angle to 0 degrees and fire 31 shots at your 12 o''clock! Steady, then fire!¡±


    ¡°Commet 04, adjust your angle to 90 degrees and fire 22 shots at your 3 o''clock! Steady, then fire!¡±


    Explosions erupted all around them, sending fiery debris cascading through the emptiness of space. The clash between enemy forces and human soldiers raged on. Multiple dead bodies strewn as man, monster, insect and machine scatter all around.


    ¡°Comet Team stay sharp! Just 20 kilometers ahead.¡±


    ¡°Commet 02, adjust your angle to 150 degrees and fire 28 shots at your 5 o''clock! Steady, then fire!¡±


    ¡°Commet 07, adjust your angle to 60 degrees and fire 16 shots at your 2 o''clock! Steady, then fire!¡±


    As they approached the team of Trailblazers, a nightmarish sight loomed ahead. A colossal ship-like creature that resembled a nightmarish fusion of a cockroach and a grotesque alien nightmare. Its exoskeleton shimmered with slick, iridescent hues of sickly green and oily black, reflecting the dim light of nearby stars. The body pulsed and writhed, an unsettling mass bristling with pulsating, bulbous growths and trailing sticky, sinewy tentacles that undulated like vipers, each one adorned with clusters of glistening, unblinking eyes and wet with a viscous slime.


    From its gaping underbelly erupted a swarm of smaller, repulsive insects. These small darting, flitting creatures with translucent wings that buzzed menacingly. They swarmed en masse, they could almost hear the cacophony of wings and chittering, desperately trying to breach the protective barriers that humanity had set around Earth. Their mandibles clicked together in an eerie symphony of hunger, determined to invade, infect and infest.


    ¡°What on earth is that thing!?¡± Edward exclaimed, disbelief etched on his face. He had never seen such a colossal creature in his life. To make matters worse, the sheer number of insects trying to invade humanity nearly made him lose his grip on his weapon as hope began to wane in his eyes. Just then, Alex pulled him back to reality.


    ¡°Get a hold of yourself, Commet 02! We won¡¯t give them an inch of ground here!¡± Alex ensured that his message reached the entire team, determined not to let anyone¡¯s morale slip in the midst of the chaos.


    The grotesque creature, stretching over a kilometer long, slammed against the barrier erected by the Trailblazer team, a formidable centurion of 100 men, all on high alert. With a bone-rattling impact, it was repelled, tumbling awkwardly through the void of space before regaining its wretched angle. Undeterred, the monstrous entity barreled toward a different entry point to Earth, only to be flung back again, battered by the relentless defensive shields of the Trailblazer team. The sight was almost comical, this nightmarish insect of flesh and carapace seemed unfazed by the relentless bombardment, even as its organs disintegrated at an astonishing speed.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    The tension in the air was palpable, adrenaline coursing through their veins. Each failed strike from the creature served as a grim reminder of the stakes, if it reached Earth, it would devour every living being, transforming the vibrant planet into a desolate wasteland reminiscent of Mars.


    ¡°Trailblazer 001, I have visual on you, do you copy.¡± Alex ask through the communication lines.


    ¡°This is Trailblazer 001. You are about to enter our terrestrial territory. Please follow protocol to proceed through our decontamination chamber, the donut-shaped space station I told you earlier. I must emphasize, do not run inside. Allow the machine to conduct a thorough scan. There is a significant risk that someone among you may be an imposter or, worse, already infected. Remain vigilant and prepared for any potential threats. Your safety and the safety of mankind depends on your cooperation and alertness. Proceed with caution.¡±


    The seven individuals shared glances of profound horror, each one grappling with the shocking realization that such a scenario was even possible. With a combination of trepidation and determination, they entered the designated area, where a rigorous examination process was initiated. Every conceivable sample was meticulously collected for analysis. Blood was drawn, bone marrow was extracted, and even tears were collected in sterile vials. Additionally, they accounted for the minor physiological reactions that accompanied their fear, documenting any involuntary urination that occurred. The entire procedure, encompassing the collection and initial analysis of these samples, was conducted with precision and urgency, culminating in a mere two minutes.


    While the five of them waited in the lobby, preparing to jump to Earth, the calm was shattered by the sudden blare of alarms. Martinez erupted in a horrifying explosion, a slick mass of writhing, fleshy worm-like tentacles spilling forth, each one dotted with glistening, fly-like eyes that glared with sinister intent. The tentacles slithered like grotesque snakes, lined with barbed edges dripping a viscous, putrid slime, seeking out their prey.


    It stared locked onto Edward, who was still putting on the All Cloak, as if assessing him for a hostage. But before it could strike, the ship''s defense mechanisms roared to life, unleashing a hail of bullets and lasers. Alex and his team fired in unison, ensuring that the nightmarish pestilence was vanquished, leaving only the echoes of horror in their minds.


    Edward, already shattered from the horror of the enormous insect he had encountered, felt himself unravel completely as he stood near another one. The crushing pressure of his surroundings overwhelmed him. ¡°I¡­ I¡­ I can¡¯t do this anymore,¡± he stammered, his voice shaky with despair. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but maybe this is too much for me. I can¡¯t bear the thought of holding you back, of jeopardizing humanity or ruining the mission. It¡¯s better if I just¡­ if I just go.¡±


    Without hesitation he put out all his equipment then he pressed the muzzle of his weapon to his temple and pulled the trigger in that agonizing moment. It wasn''t that Edward was a coward, they all knew he had the heart of a soldier. But the unbearable weight of his shattered mental state had eclipsed everything, and in the chaos of the battlefield, sanity was paramount. The five exchanged glances, collected the equipment, then silently offered a prayer for him before turning their attention back to the orbital deployment cannon, which would launch them to their designated location.


    ¡°This is Comet 01, we have two casualties. Over.¡± Axel tried to compose himself, but his hoarse voice could not hide the shock of losing two combatants in his team with just fifteen minutes into the mission. The trailblazer team leader who just finished exterminating the huge bug noticed this and tried to give him some encouragement.


    "Hey there, Comet 01. You know, the casualties on this checkpoint are rather astonishing. This is my 74th iteration of this mission, and I''ve witnessed more than 19 teams get wiped out. But don¡¯t let that get to you, so far, we¡¯ve only encountered those insect-demons and lizard freaks trying to play human, just like some of those folks we encountered earlier. At least you¡¯re not making things any more difficult for us! Honestly, under the circumstances, I''d say you¡¯ve got lady luck giving you a good smooch right now!" Trailblazer 001 then handed them an Evolutionary Specimen from the gargantuan monstrosity of a bug they had seen earlier. It was still wriggling inside the container as it flew into their hands, and though they were unsure how he managed it, as military personnel, they knew better than to ask too many questions. They simply stored it in their Inventory.


    Alex pondered the man¡¯s words, knowing he meant well for them and was just trying to lighten up the mood, after a while, he planned to reorganize his team by checking the status of their gear and quantity of ammunition. Before he proceeded on the roll call, he thought of the creature they killed earlier then pressed on the sample collector making it collect three Evolutionary Specimen on his Inventory, he wanted to get stronger faster because he genuinely wanted to contribute to humanity and his heart told him these were the answer. He looked at it and it was a small worm that has disgusting eyes sizing him up. He asked his four comrades if they wanted some of it but told him he can hold on to it for now.


    ¡°This is Comet 01, report the current status of your gear integrity and ammunition."


    ¡°This is Comet 03, gears and ammunition report as follows, I have my All Cloak at 88% integrity, Bulwark at 76% integrity, Winston ammunition at 430 rounds, and the Pision 7 rounds."


    ¡°This is Comet 04, gears and ammunition report as follows, I have my All Cloak at 86% integrity, Bulwark at 78% integrity, Winston ammunition at 427 rounds, and the Pision 7 rounds."


    ¡°This is Comet 06, gears and ammunition report as follows, I have my All Cloak at 89% integrity, Bulwark at 78% integrity, Winston ammunition at 438 rounds, and the Pision 7 rounds."


    ¡°This is Comet 07, gears and ammunition report as follows, I have my All Cloak at 83% integrity, Bulwark at 73% integrity, Winston ammunition at 447 rounds, and the Pision 7 rounds."


    "We''re coming in hot! Keep your heads in the game and your eyes sharp," Alex growled, as they stepped onto the launch pad ready to be hurled into the heart of France.

 Chapter 8: Progressing through the Light Banter and Heavy Sceneries

    The alarms indicating caution blared inside the donut-shaped space station as Alex and his team stepped onto a cannon-like contraption designed to correct their atmospheric entry. It gave them instructions on how to proceed with their departure.


    (Attention Operatives, please ensure your All Cloak Uniform is secured and ready for optimal protection during descent.)


    (Be aware that the probability of encountering hostile forces is low but maintain vigilance at all times.)


    (Keep an eye on the world map display to stabilize your trajectory.)


    (You will be traveling at speeds reaching up to Mach 30. Remember, you cannot draw your weapon during this phase.)


    (Equip your bulwark for additional safety, every layer of defense count.)


    (Calculating trajectory... Destination confirmed: Normandy Beach, France)


    (Now, brace yourselves. Grit your teeth, the moment is upon you.)


    (Countdown initiating)


    (5... 4... 3... 2... 1...)


    ¡°Launch!"


    The five of them launched simultaneously from the space station. As they descended, they caught a glimpse of the global scale of the conflict displayed on their minimap. Tens of thousands of operatives fought fiercely in the sky, determined not to yield an inch to the enemy. Axel couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of emotion. He had never realized just how many brave souls were up there, holding up the sky. Meanwhile, he had locked himself in his apartment for an entire year, doing nothing to aid the cause. Clenching his jaw, he vowed to become one of those defenders one day. Just as they continued their descent, he received a transmission from the personnels on the ground.


    ¡°This is Fairy 001. Comet 01, do you copy? Over.¡± The voice was melodious and enchanting as it flowed through the communication lines.


    ¡°Yes, I copy, Fairy 001. Over.¡± Axel felt a little dumbstruck, he had never heard a voice so beautiful in his life. Not even the greatest singers could compare. For a moment, he doubted whether the stress was getting to him or if he was simply out of shape.


    ¡°We are designated as reconnaissance team for our ground troops in France. We¡¯ll be dressed as nuns in one of the churches nearby your drop point location. You can get some regular clothes from us. You¡¯ll need to blend in with the surroundings.¡±


    ¡°Roger that, Fairy 001. We¡¯ll get in touch once we have visual.¡± Alex replied firmly while having some uncertainties on his heart.


    Alex having doubts of unease, thought the voice was so attractive that it might be a trap, he asked the figure in black. ¡°Mission control, can we verify Fairy 001?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Fairy 001 is one of our ground Operatives from 25th Century that specializes in stealth, reconnaissance and espionage. Comet 01 please focus on the mission, if you plan to meet her for personal matters you may do that in your spare time.¡±


    Alex blushed slightly, ¡®that was not my intention, I was suddenly made fun off¡¯, he composed himself and brushed of the thoughts aside.


    The Operations Officer also added. ¡°Engage your camouflage within 280 kilometers altitude¡±.


    ¡°Affirmative.¡± Axel replied.


    The five of them blazed through the atmosphere like a fiery comet, a shooting star offering humanity the glimmer of hope it desperately needed. As the citizens of this era gazed up at the twinkling stars, wishing that they could reach out and touch them. Unbeknownst to them, battles raged in the sky and on the ground, as brave men faced foreign enemies determined to ravage the earth and poison its seas. Among those watching from below, a child pointed at their trails in awe and said.


    ¡°Mom! Mom! Look! I want to be just like those shooting stars when I grow up!¡± the boy exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.


    ¡°Why not a tax collector or a village chief instead, they get to eat a lot of yummy food, yes?¡± his mother asked gently, her gaze warm and encouraging.


    ¡°Because, Mom, I believe those are angels protecting us. I want to be an angel just like them,¡± the boy replied with unwavering certainty.


    ¡°So, you want to be a hero?¡± the mother smiled, brushing her fingers through his hair. ¡°Well, I won''t stand in your way, but you have to promise to come back and visit me every other day.¡±


    The mother and son gazed at the shooting star as if wishing them safe journeys.


    The five of them approached the 280-kilometer altitude, engaging their camouflage as the trails of fire illuminated the sky behind them suddenly vanished. The dark color of their suits blended seamlessly with the atmosphere, making them appear as if they had vanished into thin air. Below, the chaos of battle raged on, with fellow men still entrenched in a horrific war, wielding weapons of siege and slaughtering one another. Villages burned, desperate people fled from their adversaries, and bandits pillaged the innocent, all while shrouded in the cruel thrall of greed and violence. Such sights made them wonder if humanity was truly destined for greatness. But as they contemplated the bigger picture, they sought to understand what was really important.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Noticing that four of his companions were lost in thought, Alex broke the silence through the communication channel.


    ¡°That¡¯s all history! You could¡¯ve watched this on some science or history channel. What¡¯s the point of getting gloomy? Look alive men! We¡¯re almost at our destination!¡±


    The Filipino operative, Kokoy, joked to lighten the mood, ¡°I was just looking for a wife amongst the crowd, I wasn¡¯t gloomy at all. To be honest, I just felt a little pity for those folks down there, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Sighing, Luc, the French operative, chimed in, ¡°It¡¯s why we¡¯re here, my friend. We¡¯ve progressed beyond such barbarism. Look at us! Men of different colors fighting for a single cause, no?¡±


    ¡°The only color I¡¯ll see in my pants is brown if we don¡¯t land soon. I really need to take a dump,¡± quipped Gu Wong, the operative from China, breaking the tension with a laugh.


    Tamaki, the Operative from Japan suddenly told, ¡°I suddenly felt those men threatening to do terrorism looked a little silly, what¡¯s the point of fighting if there¡¯s no man left at all.¡±


    As the beach came into view, they checked the minimap for hostile forces, civilians or friendlies to avoid the mission getting compromised, they activated the glider feature of the All Cloak and landed smoothly on the deserted shores. Once on solid ground, they worked quickly to reshape the All Cloak into makeshift attire, transforming it into tattered black shirts and pants. The sight amused Tamaki, the Japanese operative, who stifled a laugh. Having trained in the art of clay molding since childhood, he felt like the captain of a pirate crew.


    ¡°Aye! Matey, this pirate crew has washed ashore! Think this excuse will work?¡± Kokoy joked as he felt he just needed an eyepatch to fit in on a costume party.


    ¡°I hope so! For now, we just need to blend in. Let¡¯s add some sand to make it more believable,¡± Alex advised, and the three of them dutifully complied.


    ¡°What if I pretend you¡¯re all my slaves?¡± Tamaki suggested playfully.


    The four seasoned members of the military recognized the wisdom in Tamaki¡¯s idea and decided to go along with it, weaving their playful banter into their strategy for survival. As they walked along the beach, their laughter faded, replaced by an uneasy silence.


    As they traversed village after village, a sense of unease began to wash over them. Dead corpses lay scattered across the landscape, a grim reminder of the medieval conquest that had ravaged these lands. They averted their gazes, but the stark reality was impossible to ignore, leaving them baffled by the brutality of it all.


    With every step, their unease shifted to vigilance as they scanned their surroundings more intently, aware that danger could lurk around in any corner. The minimap then gave them an alert that some of their mission objectives are around the vicinity, they soon spotted three of their targets, the plague-indicating beasts they were tasked with disinfecting.


    Opening their inventory, they opened the mission items in their inventory then accessed the machine designed to generate a cloud of smoke and carefully maneuvered it near the so-called ''Rat King,'' a grotesque mass of thirteen rats tied together. Trapped and unable to scurry away, the dazed creatures stared back at them with pleading eyes. The five men observed closely and soon realized the rats were unharmed, but tiny insects dropped from their bodies, each bug a potential carrier of disease.


    A tiny insect landed on a nearby leaf and quickly came into contact with the smoke. The ladybug appeared oblivious to the fog and flew away untouched, as if it had merely brushed against a light mist. This indicated that this remarkable creation had been designed specifically to eradicate insects that transmitted the disease. The five then proceeded to walk towards the checkpoint location given to them by Fairy 001.


    As they were just a quarter towards their destination, they stumbled upon scarecrow after scarecrow, their unsettling presence triggering a sense of caution. Despite having witnessed the horrors of space, the remnants of humanity lingered in them, filling the air with an instinctive wariness towards the unknown.


    The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, reminiscent of a scene from a haunted movie. With each step, the feeling of being watched crept in, urging them to move with heightened alertness.


    Suddenly, a beep on their minimap broke the silence, drawing their attention. The display indicated that they are close to one of the settlements of the Arcanists they needed to rescue. A surge of urgency coursed through them as they exchanged serious glances, their playful demeanor vanishing. They moved discretely into the shadows, they also made sure to check every blade of grass for any sign of battle, tracks from hostile forces or any other hindrance they might face. These were the people they needed to save, the ones who would, in the future, stand alongside them to hold up the sky for humanity.

 Chapter 9: Exchanging Fire and the Lone Ranger

    As they approached the location where the arcanist should be, only a few hundred meters away, they noticed no signs of it despite indications that the settlements should be nearby. They even used their scopes to scan the area, but there was nothing. This prompted the five to become vigilant, an ambush could be imminent.


    "Listen up!¡± Axels got a bad vibe about the situation. He prompted the team through their communication. ¡°Everyone, tighten up! Let''s suit up one by one. Comet 07, you''re up first. We''ll cover you, four points secure. On my mark!"


    The four operatives exchanged glances. Despite their years of service, they had never encountered aliens before, but their instincts screamed that if they didn''t get properly suited up in this situation, they could end up on someone''s chopping block in no time.


    They took cover on a roofless hut, everyone wore their All Cloak one by one successfully, then they took out some potato sacks that came with other belongings from the villages they passed through, preparing for any emergency identities they might need. After cutting holes in the sacks, they wore them, resembling a group of unfortunate individuals.


    Next, they activated their camouflage feature to give the appearance of wearing pants and altered their facial features to disguise their original looks, fully utilizing the All Cloak''s capabilities while ensuring they remained completely covered. Finally, they readied their Bulwark and Winston. The Bulwark, originally shaped like a book, and the Winston in its sword form allowed them to blend in seamlessly, they even added some soil and hay on their gear to make it look rugged.


    Axel briefed the team, "We¡¯re just a few hundred meters from the arcanist settlement. Stay alert. Our gear may be top-of-the-line, but if we get pinned down, we risk both our lives and the mission. Keep your wits about you. The plan is to probe the surroundings, let¡¯s do a box formation, we¡¯ll secure the perimeter then probe where the signal is located, there might be an underground river or a secret tunnel below if we can¡¯t see them clearly."


    ¡°Roger.¡± The four replied in unison.


    They tread lightly around the vicinity, an untrained eye would tell that they are just out to look for something to eat on the shrubs or a bunch of hooligans who got drunk but now lost in the woods, however if you look closely, they survey their surrounding with precision leaving no blade of grass untouched. The five, scouted about two kilometers in radius, have yet to find a soul in the area, they are now certain that these folks are underground. Axel then contacted the Operations Officer for further detail.


    ¡°Mission control, this is Comet 01, we are currently in reconnaissance on an area designated as C17 on our minimap which is a designated location of a settlement of the arcanist, please advise. Over.¡±


    ¡°Comet 01, this is Mission Control, I¡¯ll give you a sitrep, the survivors have arcane magic and can engage hostiles on their own. I¡¯ll patch you to Fairy 001 now for secret codes that will allow them to appear. The location on your minimap is accurate, no threats exist at this time. Over."


    The Operation Officer relayed the information to Fairy 001, afterwards Fairy 001 connected to Axel.


    ¡°Comet 01, these arcanist are recluse people that will not come out unless you called for them or show them your worth, make sure to call out to them by saying ¡®I am the child of the weaver and the weaver calls to me¡¯ while someone make bird sounds, these might sound silly, but this is the Middle Ages after all. Over.¡±


    ¡°Copy that, we¡¯ll keep in touch if we need further assistance. Over.¡±


    They then proceeded to do what was told to them and do the ritual as if they were lunatics, some carriages even stopped to watched them as they thought it was a performance, this, in turn, made some gold coins which they accepted as they thought of doing the street performance as a cover up. There was even a merchant who took a fancy to their weird antics that wanted to sponsor them to travel as a circus, however they politely declined the merchant.


    The day has turned into night, yet no one has shown up. They set up the spare All Cloak they received from one of their comrades as a tent and kindled a bonfire, not for warmth but as a disguise to blend in with the societal norms of the 15th century, since their equipment already kept them warm. They took turns in their sleep with a pair on guard duty. As the moon hung high in the sky, the silence was destroyed by a loud ¡®Bang¡¯ that reverberated through the air.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Everyone on your feet, return fire, we got company!¡± Axel shouted as he took cover on his Bulwark.


    ¡°Brrr¡­ Brrr¡­ Brrr¡­ Ratatatatat¡­¡± The dark night was illuminated by flying ammunition coming from all directions. A Huechromixix race operative fired a probing shot, a specially designed bullet with a needle-like tip intended to penetrate the body without causing a flesh wound, merely creating a slight prick of pain. The bullet struck Luc''s side and, instead of producing the expected effect, simply bounced off. If he were an ordinary person, the bullet would have passed harmlessly through his clothing. This unexpected outcome alerted the lizardmen that Luc and his companions were not equipped with gear suitable for this timeline.


    ¡°These guys are smart! They are also moving too fast!¡± Said Kokoy as he tried to snipe down the Huechromixix Operative but with extreme difficulty.


    ¡°Fairy 001, this is Comet 01, we are under heavy fire and surrounded on the coordinates C17 and our Bulwark with the All Cloak can only last us half an hour, we are in urgent need of support right now.¡±


    ¡°Copy, we¡¯ll be sending sniper support on your way, he¡¯ll be there in three.¡±


    As the time ticked by, the soldiers crouched behind their Bulwark, eyes scanning the horizon, hearts pounding with trepidation. Suddenly, from a nearby vantage point, the unmistakable whir of the Gatling gun began to rise, its rotating barrels creating a mechanical symphony of destruction. The gun''s cranking mechanism clicked rhythmically, a relentless heartbeat that seemed to pulse with raw energy. It was like holy light sprayed into the land, with just a few seconds, all the firing stopped, then the five of them, dumfounded, checked with their scopes and saw hundreds of operatives of these lizardmen, all dead. A communication came through to Axel as it patched through him.


    ¡°This is Sprayer One of 24th Century, I can¡¯t show my face around. Can you please confirm the area is now clear. Over.¡±


    The five of them checked all the carcasses in a swift manner, they stored all the DNA Specimen, racking them about 2500 pieces of the item.


    ¡°Confirmed. All hostile forces eliminated. Total enemy casualties, 274 bodies, the bodies are all colored orange and all Huechromixix Operatives. Over.¡±


    ¡°Comet 01, shield up, this ain¡¯t done yet.¡±


    The five men, put their shields up right away, not leaving it up to faith. Suddenly, a loud ''Bang'' echoed, a bullet passed through 5 of their shields accurately which only had a gap of a few millimeters, it even whizzed through Kokoys ear, then purple blood splattered all around them. A red lizard, roughly five meters long, emerged behind them, headless and cut in half. Its severed body twitched as it tried to flee, but it quickly stumbled and fell. Unaware of the imminent danger, the five soldiers broke out in a cold sweat.


    Noticing their distress, Sprayer One, tried to break them from their revelry. ¡°Sir, you don¡¯t need to be surprised, I finished over a thousand missions and four campaigns. My record isn¡¯t the best but it¡¯s something. I hope we¡¯ll fight side by side someday. I¡¯ll take five of the Specimen of that red one by the way.¡±


    Axel knew how to repay kindness, so he said, ¡°Look, I know we¡¯d all be buried out there if it weren¡¯t for you. So, take whatever you need. I¡¯ll even offer you the rest of the 2,500 Specimens. Just make sure you put them to good use.¡±


    The man chuckled, ¡°I don¡¯t need those, I ain¡¯t round here to collect tax so no need for formalities. You¡¯ll still get five of these red ones, I¡¯ll be on my way now. Over and out Comet 01. Godspeed.¡±


    They only saw a red trail, half of the lizard vanished leaving the other half for them. The five of them exchanged glances, and for a moment, they sensed respect in the voice, though they could also hear a deep melancholy beneath it.


    Wong, who thrived on maintaining a cheerful atmosphere, broke the silence. ¡°Uhm¡­ well, I guess the legendary cowboy of the Wild West really did exist.¡±


    ¡°Son of a gun, he¡¯s literally the son of the gun!¡± Axel added, awestruck. He felt that taking down seven moving operatives from the opposition was impressive, but he never knew that it was possible to take down more than two hundred hostile forces that fast, more determined to get stronger, he planned to train harder once this mission ends.


    After a while, the team composed themselves and gave all the Specimen to Axel, since he was the designated leader, and they can divide it any time of the day once the mission was over. They then checked the gear, they still have about 55% on the Bulwark, 60% on their All Cloak and about 200 rounds of ammunition for the Winston while the Pision, still good as new at seven rounds.


    Axel, being a vigilant man he was, noticed a pair of blue eyes from a young woman that is looking at them with curiosity and without any malice, she seemed to peep through the reality itself near a rock that you can sit on. His eyes met hers, their eyes locked for a second, then the eyes of the woman shook, afterwards, it disappeared. He tried to pounce on the rock then he stumbled on a cave with a lot of voodoo dolls hanging around, it was also decorated with animal skulls, you can recognize it as an evil witch lair in one of those children¡¯s stories.


    ¡°Where am I now?¡± Axel was dumbfounded, ¡®are we really rescuing a witch?¡¯ he thought to himself.

 Chapter 10: The Blaze and the Promise of Accountability

    Axel, regaining composure, looked for the lady he chased, was nowhere to be found. He then surveyed his surroundings once again, he did not smell any weird stench that he was expecting from a witch¡¯s lair, it was more of a floral fragrance that does not match the settings at all. He then noticed that there are vials around that contains some chemicals, not being familiar with such crafts, he decided against touching it as he doesn¡¯t really know what these magics can do.


    He then updated his team, ¡°Comet Team, this is Comet 01. Stand by and hold your current positions. I am currently unsure of my exact location. I will transmit further instructions once I establish comms with the Arcanist. If I do not make contact within the next hour, you are cleared to extract. Over and out.¡±


    ¡°Hey, missy! I promise, I mean no harm!¡± Axel called out, his voice steady and soothing. ¡°I was sent to rescue you. We fight for humanity, not some misguided crusade against heretics. You don¡¯t have to be afraid. Just come out, and let¡¯s get you to safety!¡± His words echoed back to him, swallowed by the shadows of the cave, leaving only silence in response.


    As Axel scanned the cave, which had been transformed into an unconventional home, he marveled at the multiple entrances adorned with colorful tapestries and intricately woven decorations. Stalactites adorned with gold and silver hung from the ceiling like nature''s chandeliers, casting a soft glow in the dim light. One particular alcove caught his eye, a room brimming with lavishly decorated clothes that seemed to belong to a family. Fine fabrics in rich hues draped elegantly on makeshift racks, suggesting the presence of a man, a woman, and children. ''Could this be a settlement of a family?'' he wondered, the sight stirring a mix of curiosity and sympathy within him. While he rummaged through the vibrant garments, a sudden movement caught him off guard. With a sharp whistle, a cup flew through the air, aimed straight for his head. The All Cloak responded, deflecting the projectile with its rugged build. The cup clattered harmlessly to the ground, followed by an angry shout behind him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch those!¡± The lady yelled at him, her calm eyes he saw at first was replaced by a fierce expression.


    Axel, looking at his back to see the young lady, was stunned for a moment, he even thought he was seeing the goddess of humanity itself, the maiden possesses an ethereal beauty, with snow-white skin that radiates purity. Her long, flowing blonde hair cascades gracefully down her waist, framing a face adorned with willow-like eyebrows. Her striking blue eyes, as clear as the sparkling waters of the Alps, reflect her gentle spirit. He even thought her angry expression looked a little cute but then he composed himself then replied, ¡°calm down, missy, I¡¯m not here to cause trouble.¡± He raised his hands signaling he meant no harm. ¡°You see those big, bad lizards up there? We have them wiped out for now, but I reckon, there will be more to come if we stick around here.¡±


    ¡°Humph! I don¡¯t believe you. I am strong! Forget about that, those are my parent¡¯s clothes put them down this instant!¡± The lady demanded while he points a makeshift blade towards Axel.


    He complied but wanted to ask more so he bend one of his knees to show that he really meant no harm, ¡°missy where are your parents now, they must be out there somewhere, why don¡¯t we find them so that you can reunite.¡±


    Axel oblivious to his words made the maiden cry, her eyes now contained rage and hatred. Her eyes that used to be blue turned scarlet as if she was possessed, the surrounding started to burn up, Axel noticing the system warning that the temperature of the vicinity increased to about 350 degrees Celsius, trying to calm her down, he walks towards the young lady, but the lady growled at her as if she was a wild beast.


    ¡°If you come any closer, we¡¯ll both go to hell! Believe me!¡± the lady hissed as the stone walls of the cave started to melt as her anger rise.


    Axel, seeing the All Cloak performing splendidly amidst the tension, continued to step forward, ¡°missy, I¡¯m only doing my job, if you come with me, we can talk this out nicely, I¡¯m not sure of what you¡¯ve been through, but you have to trust me.¡±


    Seeing him walk towards her despite how high the temperature was, the lady then pulled the scorching hot knife from the side. ¡°I¡¯d rather die than to be a slave! You are but a monster covered in a skin of a man!¡±


    Seeing that things might go south if this continued, he removed one of his hands from the All Cloak to prove he was a human, even though the temperature of the cave indicated by the system was about two thousand degrees Celsius, he felt his hand sizzle which made him wince in pain and the heat started to cook him alive. He was ready to do anything, as long as she comes with him to complete the mission.


    The young lady was well aware of  nightmarish existences and  abominable creatures hunting them down for a long time, however seeing that Axel¡¯s hand was made of flesh and blood that was being cooked alive, her face turned from boiling anger to a pale of fear, fear of hurting a fellow man just trying to help her out, she might look young and naive but she was not heartless to not notice that the man will die if she continues. She turned off the heat, the cave suddenly cooled down, but all the furniture, clothes and other items were now disintegrated and most of them turned to dust, the metal furnishing, now just puddle of ingots on the floor.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Are you stupid? Are you trying to get yourself killed! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid man!¡± she looked at his charred black hand, still smoking, the hand resembled a piece of firewood that had been used for hours. As soon as Axel touched it, it crumbled into ashes on the floor.


    Axel sweating profusely under the All Cloak, couldn¡¯t help chuckling exasperatedly then he told, ¡°Oh well, there goes an arm, look missy if you need a hand let me help you.¡± He extended his remaining right arm toward the young lady, still trying to show goodwill despite her hot temper, but she looked at him as if he were an idiot.


    ¡°Why do I need your hand, I even have two, while you only have one!¡± She swatted away his hand, the lady about to dust off her clothes, did not notice she didn¡¯t have any at all. As the lady touched her naked body, she shuddered and then ran screaming out of the cave.


    ¡°Missy, come back!¡± Axel chased after her thinking she might do something to hurt herself.


    The woman huddled in the corner of the room, clutching a piece of burnt leather that barely covered her body as tears streamed down her face. With a mix of anger and despair, she glared at her and said, ¡°You¡¯ve seen my body, haven¡¯t you? Just go away. I can¡¯t marry now. Your impure gaze has tainted me. If I can¡¯t escape this shame, there¡¯s nothing left for me but to end it all.¡±


    Axel, having his patience worn down, spoke bluntly, ¡°Look here, missy, you¡¯re the one who got so fired up all of a sudden, like literally on fire. Where was I at fault here? Aren¡¯t you being unreasonable? I only came here to rescue you, yet you flared up the moment I asked a question.¡± His tone softened slightly as he added, ¡°I¡¯m trying to help you, but this can¡¯t be the way you want to end things.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to live anymore, mom and dad told me they¡¯d come back after a few days, but I¡¯ve been here for almost a month, I haven¡¯t eaten in the last few days and I¡¯m sure they¡¯re dead. Just kill me, I don¡¯t want to get help from anyone.¡± Axel looked at the lady¡¯s eyes, those are the same dead eyes he once had after her almost two-decade long relationship came to an end.


    He felt a pang of sympathy for the girl, but he wasn¡¯t a therapist equipped to say the right words to someone in despair. Uncertain whether his words would have a positive or negative effect, he found himself at a loss. Then, a solution sparked in his mind. He surveyed the area for any blades she could potentially use for self-harm and quickly reached out to the Operations Officer.


    ¡°Mission Control, I¡¯ve located a girl here whose presence raises the temperature of the area to unbearable levels.¡±


    ¡°Comet 01, that¡¯s a Thermal Arcanist. They are among our most valuable assets, but our records show she has been rescued twice before, and both times she succumbed to suicide due to severe depression. This will not be an easy task.¡±


    ¡°Mission Control, what are my next steps? I can¡¯t abandon her to endure this alone, can I? Didn¡¯t you help me when I was in a similar situation? How can I not try to save this girl?¡±


    The Operations Officer paused for a moment then replied, ¡°Comet 01, you are authorized to engage with her. If you can gain her allegiance to our cause, it would be beneficial. However, if she wishes to return to a peaceful life, we will honor that decision. If it is her desire to remain here, we will not force her to join us. This responsibility falls to you.¡±


    With a steely resolve, he responded, ¡°Understood, Mission Control. I will take full responsibility for her well-being.¡±


    Axel walked back to the lady, his conscience gnawing at him for his earlier outburst. He hadn''t meant to speak so harshly, but now he was at a loss for what to do. Drawing on the chivalric ideals from the medieval dramas he''d watched, he devised a plan. Approaching the lady with newfound determination, he said with confidence.


    "Missy, I assure you, my intentions are pure, and I did not mean to sully your dignity with my gaze or embarrass you in any way. As a gentleman, I take full responsibility for my actions. Please accept my sincerest apologies."


    The young lady, mistaking his clumsy words for a gallant display of chivalry, was left utterly dumbfounded. "Humph! You pig bastard! Now that you¡¯ve seen me naked, you really think I¡¯m just going to lie here while you woo me? Dream on! From now on you¡¯ll be feeding me, brushing my hair and making sure I¡¯m well fed. Also don''t touch me! I hate you!¡±


    Axel, hearing her response, was left speechless. He took a moment to ponder his choice of words and realized that this era had a peculiar obsession with honor and dignity, which made his apology sound more like a declaration to a lover. He understood that in this context, words could not be taken lightly, but it was too late for regret. Then a thought struck him as he considered her words: ¡®Did she really just ask me to feed her twice? How will I brush your hair if you don''t want me to touch you?¡¯ He steadied himself and pulled out the rations he had prepared for himself, it was homemade hamburgers, to be precise. Having once been quite the culinary master in his little apartment, he took pride in his cooking skills.


    As the aroma wafted through the air, the young lady couldn''t help but gulp and eye the burger like a hawk. Perhaps this feeding detail wasn¡¯t going to be so bad after all.


    ¡°Humph! You call this sustenance? Just some bread and meat. Is this how a man treats women nowadays? The morality of men in this day and age has truly declined!¡± She delivered her profound and meaningful words with a flair, yet her hands betrayed her as she snatched the burger and stuffed it into her mouth. Oblivious to the irony of her criticism, the lady''s eyes sparkled at the taste as she chewed on the tender beef, savoring the special sauce and soft bread. The egg even added a delightful flavor, creating a blend that burst in her mouth. So engrossed in the culinary experience, she began to cry while chewing on the burger, presumably overwhelmed by both the taste and the realization that sometimes, a good meal can make you forget all about your principles.


    Axel, being somewhat unempathetic, didn¡¯t understand why the lady was crying. In an attempt to help, he pulled out some apple juice. He recalled a time from his childhood when he cried from thirst, and the orphanage director gave him apple juice, which made him happy. He thought it might cheer her up, so he decided to give it a try. Axel, trying to lift the young lady''s spirits, wore a smile that looked more like a cry as he handed her the drink.


    Seeing his dog-like smile, the young lady noticed the straw and the unusual container, recognizing it as a drink. With a snort, she snatched it from his hand, but as she took a sip, her tears only increased. This reaction alarmed Axel even more, leaving him at a loss for what to do. He couldn¡¯t fathom how things had escalated to this point. What would happen next?

 Chapter 11: The Touch of the Arcane and Children鈥檚 Smiles

    Axel, frantically searching for answers in his mind, noticed the young lady still clutching the burnt leather that served as some sort of dress. On instinct, he pulled the spare All Cloak from his inventory. The lady gasped upon seeing it.


    ¡°You know arcane too!? Why didn''t you show me this earlier? We wouldn¡¯t have ended up in this situation if it weren¡¯t for your stupidity!¡±


    Getting used to her spirited antics, Axel chuckled as he crafted her something to wear. He shaped the cloak into a suit that closely resembled his own. The lady glanced at it but chose not to pry further. After finishing her meal, she became acutely aware of the burnt arm she had caused him, and guilt washed over her. Wanting to make amends, she offered to help.


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s your name? I can heal that arm of yours if you want, but you have to promise to give me more of that bunned meat you shared earlier.¡±


    Axel noticed the sorrow in her expression and sensed her desire to make things right. He replied, ¡°My codename is Comet 01, but I¡¯m afraid I can''t tell you my real name right now. I hope you understand that revealing it could put us in jeopardy if the monsters find out.¡±


    The girl nodded in agreement, then thought of a cool codename for herself. ¡°Then call me Phoenix! But if you don¡¯t tell me your real name, don¡¯t even think I¡¯ll give mine!¡±


    A smile crept onto Axel''s face at her playful demeanor. Remembering that she was a woman of morals and integrity, he reshaped the All Cloak from the original skintight suit, knowing she might be offended if he presented her with the snug suit he wore. Instead, he fashioned it to resemble a combination of a hunter''s attire from this era and a military uniform, complete with a hood. This was the first time Axel had truly put effort into crafting clothing for a woman, and he was determined to do his best.


    Noticing him working on the clothes, the lady couldn''t help but appreciate his thoughtful gesture. ¡°Hey, come closer, let me see that missing arm of yours!¡± she called out.


    He leaned in, but it was too close for comfort for her, so she playfully pushed him away. ¡°Not too close! Are you trying to kiss me? I don''t feel like healing you anymore. Humph!''"


    He moved a comfortable distance away from her as she began to heal his arm. It was the first time Axel had witnessed magic, and he watched closely, wondering if one day he might wield such power himself. First, the bones rose from the earth, devouring the surrounding soil and drawing life into their hollow forms. Next, water swirled into the empty sleeve, shimmering with an ethereal light. The lady approached, her form clad solely in the burnt leather that served as her makeshift dress, then with a determined look, she grit her teeth while removing it and placed them over the hollow space where his arm should be. The leather disintegrated into sparkling dust and fused with him, causing flesh, tendons, and nerves to grow. Finally, she cast some leaves she found on the ground into the air, and it spiraled down, forming an arm that sprouted skin and hair, completing the wondrous transformation.


    Axel was amazed at how wonderful magic was. He imagined the thousands of lives it could save, but as he considered the bigger picture and how rare such arcane individuals were, he shelved those thoughts aside. He then focused on his arm, feeling its surface. It felt as good as new, with a soft, baby-like texture. When he tested it with a light punch, he was surprised to discover it was just as tough as before, if not even a little tougher than the original.


    ¡°Ugh, just look at your ugly mug, amazed by such simple magics! Whatever, just turn around so I can put these clothes on. And don¡¯t you dare peek¡­ if you do, I¡¯ll seriously dig your eyeballs out! Not that I care what you think, or anything!¡±


    Axel gave her the privacy she requested, stepping back to allow her some space. Yet, as he did, he couldn''t shake the memory of how attractive her body was, he was a man after all. He forced himself to calm down, reminding himself that he was just doing his duty as a professional in a high-stakes situation. The weight of responsibility pressed on him, a constant reminder that his thoughts and feelings needed to remain in check. The thought that he might not see her again made him a bit melancholic inside.


    ¡°I¡¯m done. We¡¯re good to go. Also, there are three children further underground.¡± She led the way toward the maze-like tunnels and called out in a peculiar way as she waved her hand, and lights suddenly flared in all directions. After a while, three children appeared. One was a girl who looked about eight years old, with brown hair and clear eyes that radiated intelligence and purity. Then there was a blonde boy with fiery eyes, about the same age as the little girl, who shot him dagger-like stares from time to time. Finally, there was a thin young man who looked like he hadn¡¯t gotten enough sleep, around thirteen years of age.


    The cheerful little girl spoke first, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°Big sister, your clothes look so cool. I want one too.¡± She turned to Axel, beaming with delight. ¡°Hello, handsome uncle. I¡¯m Ella, nice to meet you.¡± Her cheerful smile, bright with shiny new teeth and charming gaps, radiated the pure joy and adventurous spirit of childhood, warming the air around them.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.From the other side, a snort broke the moment. ¡°Who is this man with you, big sister. Old man, are you trying to steal my big sister. I¡¯ll kill you.¡± The little blonde boy growled, his fierce expression clashing with his small stature, which made Axel chuckle despite the ridiculousness of the threat.


    The sickly-looking teenager merely nodded at Axel, his demeanor quiet and reserved, but there was an unspoken bond that passed between them.


    Axel turned to Pheonix, curiosity sparking his voice. ¡°So, these children can all wield arcane too?¡±


    ¡°Pfft. Old man, isn¡¯t it obvious.¡± Pheonix shot back with a teasing grin, her eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°So now that we¡¯re all here, what¡¯s your plan.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll need to contact my team first and give them a report. I also need to ask about the status above ground to see if it¡¯s safe for us to go out,¡± Axel replied, his voice steady but laced with concern.


    She waved her hand at him, signaling him to do his thing. Axel took a deep breath before reaching out to his team above ground, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders.


    ¡°Comet team, this is Comet 01. Please provide a status update on conditions above ground. I¡¯ve successfully rescued four survivors here underground. Over.¡±


    ¡°Comet 01, this is Comet 03. There are no hostiles in the vicinity at this time. We are awaiting commands,¡± came the calm, reassuring voice on the other end.


    ¡°Affirmative. We¡¯ll be there in about an hour. Over and out,¡± Axel concluded, his heart rising with hope at the thought of a smooth conclusion towards their objective.


    As he helped them pack up, he noticed they were only bringing books, some odd vials, and even a few dissected animals. Concerned about the situation, he decided to ensure everything was fine by using a smoke screen with his Mission Item. When they showed no adverse reactions, he concluded that all was well. He then volunteered to store the unusual materials in his inventory, and the children gawked at his magic in amazement, their eyes wide with delight, especially relieved they wouldn¡¯t have to carry the heavy things themselves. Phoenix, in particular, gave him a peculiar gaze, as if trying to decipher the wonders he had just witnessed.


    As Axel made his way down the labyrinthine staircase, his mind began to drift, and memories surfaced from a past mission. He recalled his involvement in guerrilla warfare during a coup d''¨¦tat in a foreign country that had sought aid from the States. The shadows and echoes of that experience lingered in the dim light, reminding him of the complexities and dangers that often accompanied his work.


    Shaking off the nostalgia, Axel approached the door nestled beneath the tree and activated his comms to call his team. Within moments, they arrived, scanning the area to ensure it was secure. Forming a protective barrier around him, they stood vigilant against any potential threats that might endanger the children. Once they confirmed the area was safe, they prepared to introduce themselves and build rapport with the young ones in their care.


    Pheonix, initially stunned by the sudden arrival of the men, felt a surge of apprehension. However, Axel quickly reassured her, "It''s all right. This is my team." His calming presence helped ease her tension. With that, the four members stepped forward, ready to introduce themselves and create a sense of safety and familiarity for the children.


    ¡°I¡¯m Codename Comet 03. Nice to meet you!¡± said Kokoy with a bright smile.


    ¡°Pleasure to make your acquaintance, you can call me Comet 04,¡± Luc added with a friendly nod.


    ¡°Comet 05 here. Let¡¯s work together,¡± Tamaki chimed in, ready to cooperate.


    Lastly, Wong, with an overly dramatic flair that could rival a Shakespearean actor, proclaimed, ¡°I, Comet 07, defender of righteousness and justice, armed with my trusty sword on the left and my somewhat trusty shield on the right, shall ensure that no monster dares to bring you harm!¡±


    The tension in the air evaporated faster than a popsicle on a summer day, transforming into a chorus of giggles from the children. Even the brooding one in the corner, who usually looked like the world owed him money, couldn''t help but stifle a laugh. The sight of Wong, striking ridiculous poses as if he were practicing for a superhero audition, was just too much to resist.


    Axel then called Tamaki, who specialized in artistic crafts, to create some protective clothes for the children. Luc, Wong, and Kokoy each donated half of their All Cloak to Tamaki, ensuring that if the need arose in the future, he could craft more swiftly. The three children watched in awe as Tamaki transformed simple fabric into cool-looking outfits that resembled a soldier¡¯s ensemble, complete with a hood, instead of the typical piecemeal attire, he designed a convenient jumpsuit that made it easy for them to snuggle in and out of their new gear. This made Pheonix look at Axel with some suspicion.


    ¡°Humph! Look at their comfortable clothes while mine has a tight bust! Why is that Mr. Comet 01, you clearly have sinister intentions, do you?¡± she complained.


    ¡°Look, missy, my man here is an artist, and I¡¯m no ¡®artsy¡¯ person. If you want yours remade, we can wait until it¡¯s done,¡± Axel replied, shaking his head at her antics.


    ¡°Never mind, then! Go away! I don¡¯t want to see your face anymore!¡± she huffed as she looked away from him.


    Seeing this, Wong seized the opportunity to tease them. ¡°Captain, you shouldn¡¯t let it show if you¡¯ve got yourself a lover! Damn it! Captain, we¡¯re on a mission, not in a romance novel!¡±


    Hearing this, Phoenix blushed slightly and said, ¡°Who said I¡¯m his lover? Comet 07, how dare you slander me like this! If you want, you can be his lover.¡± She pointed at Axel with a teasing glare.


    Axel, sensing that things might get out of hand, gestured for Wong to stop. Then he said, ¡°We still have a mission to accomplish. It¡¯s still midnight, and the children need some rest. We¡¯ll camp at a secure vantage point, and then we¡¯ll proceed to our checkpoint once the sun rises.¡±


    ¡°Affirmative,¡± the four replied in unison as they set up the tent for the night.

 Chapter 12: Heartbreaking Gossips and the Rage of Nun

    Near the lush green fields just a few kilometers from the Normandy shore, birds sang all around, as if whispering secrets of battles fought and lives lost. Axel Collins, contemplating the next move for his team and companions, decided to reach out to Mission Control for further guidance.


    ¡°Mission Control this is Comet 01, we have successfully secured four Arcanist on our side. Over.¡±


    "Comet 01, this is Mission Control. Acknowledged. Excellent work securing the four Arcanists. Please maintain situational awareness. A skirmish has erupted approximately thirty-five kilometers to your south. We have lost thirty-one operatives. Hostile forces from Chrysalica have established an underground nest. We successfully compromised their operation, but it is also critical that you place heavy effort on the Rat King disinfection operation. Over."


    "Mission Control, this is Comet 01. Acknowledged on the intel and the situation. Should I rendezvous with Fairy 001, located six kilometers away, to expedite the operation, or continue to the designated location one hundred fifty kilometers away to prioritize the major rescue operation of Jeanne d''Arc? Over."


    "Comet 01, this is Mission Control. Acknowledged on your update. The intel for the rescue of Jeanne D¡¯Arc cannot be divulged at this time due to operational sensitivity. Please note that it is necessary for you to rendezvous with Fairy 001 and collect the supplies from her. This maneuver will fully replenish your inventory, ensuring you are fully equipped for the mission ahead. Proceed with caution and confirm once you have secured the supplies. Over."


    "Mission Control, this is Comet 01. Acknowledged on the update regarding Fairy 001. We will proceed to take the supplies from her and ensure our inventory is fully replenished. Standing by for further instructions once secured. Over and out."


    Phoenix watched closely as Axel engaged in what seemed like a conversation in the air. His focused expression intrigued her, and she noticed the intensity with which he interacted, though she couldn¡¯t see the system he was using. The way he gestured and responded seemed to create an invisible dialogue that fascinated her. A mix of wonder and yearning to understand filled her heart, as she wished to learn about this mysterious form of communication. The contrast between her magical abilities and his technological methods sparked an intense curiosity within her. As she thought about what to feed the children left in her care, she caught the aroma of melted cheese and freshly made bread prepared by Luc from his inventory. He then passed it around to the team, except for Wong, who was lactose intolerant and relished his noodles on the side. They then proceed to travel on foot towards the city of Bayeux.


    While on the road, Axel urged his team to continue their objective of disinfecting the plague-infested areas to minimize human casualties. The children watched in amazement as they smoked out multiple villages that had been ravaged by the disease. Rats scurried around here and there, but with Phoenix present, she burned the critters away. This prompted Axel to reprimand her, concerned that people might call her names for her actions. However, she simply replied with a snort, which made him exasperated.


    Around noon, they arrived in the city and noticed the carcass of a Huechromixix operative being pulled by a carriage. Whispers and gossip among the townsfolk filled the air as they speculated about what type of creature it was. Most of them believed it had been summoned by heretical individuals who were thought to be worshipers of the devil.


    One of them then shouted, "Did you see that!? What kind of dark sorcery is this? That creature looks like it came straight out of the devil''s own lair!"


    "I heard it was summoned by those heretics who live on the outskirts. You know the ones I mean, the one who cured people with strange liquids."


    "It''s true! I''ve seen them sneaking around during the witching hour, their shadows flickering like flames. They¡¯re surely in league with the devil!"


    "Those foolish souls think they can control such monsters. Mark my words, their nonsense will bring ruin upon us all!"


    ¡°I heard the couple was already killed and hanged on the gallows by an angry mob yesterday. Serves them right!¡±


    ¡°I also heard they have a pretty daughter that looked like royalty. Maybe the scoundrels sacrificed the people for youth and vitality!¡±


    "Aye! If we don¡¯t act now, we might end up as their next sacrifice!"


    As Phoenix overheard the townsfolk''s slander, her initial shock quickly morphed into a seething rage. The words struck her like daggers, each accusation stabbing deeper as the townsfolk spoke of people resembling her parents being hang on the gallows. The air around her grew oppressive, heat radiating from her body as her anger flared.


    ¡°Sacrificed!? How dare they speak of my family like that!¡± she hissed, her eyes flashing with fury. The small patches of weed on the road she was stepping on started to dry up and sizzle, the air shimmering as the temperature rose around her.


    Axel, standing beside her, instantly felt the shift. He gripped her hand tightly, urgency lacing his voice. ¡°Phoenix, please! You can¡¯t do this here! Don¡¯t let them see what you can do!¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re lying about my parents! They''re spreading poison about them colluding with the unknown horrors!¡± she spat, trembling with a mix of grief and fury. The heat emanating from her grew more intense, warping the air around them.


    ¡°I know, and it¡¯s horrific,¡± Axel replied, his voice low and steady as he scanned the crowd, wary of their reaction. ¡°But if you unleash your power now, it¡¯ll only confirm their fears and make things worse. You have to stay calm!¡±


    Phoenix¡¯s breath came in sharp gasps, the emotions swirling inside her like a tempest. ¡°It¡¯s not fair!¡± she choked, the heat subsided replaced by her choking sobs.


    The thought of her parents dangling in the rope of the gallows, judged, without the righteous law of the land, pierced Phoenix''s heart, especially knowing they had only aimed to aid their community by passing out cure for free to those who are in need.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.¡°Nothing is fair in this world. We can say that from the moment of our birth, our fates are already defined.¡± Axel told with his grim voice, ¡°but know this, there is a group of individuals who defied fate and reshaped the Earth into what it is today and what it will be in the future.¡±


    She pondered his words, but her clouded mind, filled with anger, made it impossible for her to process anything at all.


    After Phoenix¡¯s sudden outburst, Axel initiated communication with Fairy 001.


    ¡°Fairy 001, this is Comet 01. I have visual on two church structures in my area. The first is a large one here, I believe it¡¯s Notre Dame Cathedral. The second is a smaller church, currently secured and closed off. Please advise on which rendezvous point to proceed to. Over.¡±


    ¡°Comet 01, come to the church with the closed off doors, we have visuals on you. Over and out.¡±


    Alex provided a situational report to his team regarding their next moves. Recognizing that this city was bustling with activity and aware of the Middle Ages notorious record of crime, including kidnapping and theft, they made the tactical decision to holster their weapons. The team was particularly vigilant about safeguarding the arcanist and the vulnerable children, who had little knowledge of self-defense against potential threats from hostile operators.


    While they walked, Pheonix seeing where they were headed, reacted violently, ¡°we¡¯re not going! This place is dangerous! I hate the church, the condemn us!¡±


    Axel was stunned in her reaction. He immediately shushed her with his hands as passersby might hear her. ¡°Quiet down, this place is under the control of one of our comrades, don¡¯t make a scene, please.¡± He then knocked on the door which opened suddenly.


    A striking nun stood before Phoenix, her long black hair cascading like shadows over her shoulders. Her deep, dark eyes mirrored the night sky, holding an intensity that could pierce even the bravest heart. Captivating in figure, she exuded a blend of grace and strength that could inspire nations to war. Her voice, a mesmerizing fusion of Mother Earth¡¯s wisdom and the allure of the goddess of love, resonated in the air around them. She confronted her with a fierce expression. ¡°What¡¯s your problem? Do you want to get everyone in here killed? Do you not care about the innocent anymore? Are these children mere trash in your eyes?¡±


    Alex and the men were stunned by her beauty, and even the two boys were unable to look away. However, recognizing that a fierce woman required the presence of another equally strong woman, he stepped aside and did his best to fade into the background. Seeing their squad leader''s actions, the other men quickly followed suit, suggesting they had no desire to get entangled in what could be a volatile situation. The boys, eager to emulate the adults, exaggerated their movements, comically tiptoeing and peeking around the corner with wide eyes, as if they were hiding from a dragon rather than just trying to avoid the chaos. While the little girl oblivious to what is happening, watched the scene unfold.


    Phoenix''s anger surged, and she could no longer contain herself. Turning to the nun with a fierce determination, she spoke as if each word was a battle cry. ¡°Are these the animals we are trying to save?¡± she demanded, her voice cutting through the air. ¡°They can¡¯t even tell right from wrong! We judge people by their looks, their wealth, and how they present themselves in front of the crowd. It¡¯s disgusting! No matter how virtuous someone has been their entire life, one slip-up and their reputation is permanently tarnished! How can we proclaim to save others when we can¡¯t even see the humanity in them?¡± Each word dripped with the weight of her indignation, challenging the nun to reflect on the very essence of compassion and judgment.


    After her outburst, a sharp ''Slap'' echoed through the altar, followed by the clatter of metal cups, tables, and chairs as the woman stumbled back from the force of the nun¡¯s strong strike. The nun looked down at her with a piercing gaze, her voice dripping with disdain as she asked, "Are you done?"


    The men, observing the scene, averted their eyes, while the two children trembled and drew nearer to the soldiers, resembling little chicks in search of warmth. Summoning her courage, the brave little girl stepped forward, tears brimming in her eyes, unable to comprehend why the kind-looking nun had slapped her older sister. ¡°Why are you doing this to my big sister?¡± she asked, her voice trembling. ¡°She was just sad.¡±


    "Little girl, this sister has only banished the bad ghosts in her head. I hope she can come to her senses now,¡± Fairy 001 said to the little girl with a serious expression, causing the young girl to worry about her big sister.


    Ella dashed towards Phoenix and embraced the little girl, whispering, "I''m so sorry for what just happened. I wasn¡¯t thinking clearly." Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her face stung from the slap, but she didn¡¯t mind. The sharp pain had jolted her out of the blind rage that had consumed her.


    ¡°Humph! Has the Arcane scrambled your wits, or are you just recklessly trying to gain unwanted attention? You would be wise not to tangle with forces you do not fully understand. I have navigated nearly two centuries without a complaint. Have you ever thought to wonder why? I was the one who guided your parents in their mastery of the Arcane, constantly cautioning them to keep their heads down. You know as well as I do that your kind is unique, yet here you are, foolishly embroiling yourself in matters that do not concern you. And what has that led to? Those nightmarish creatures, not just the humans you scorn, were the ones who condemned them to their fate. Do you believe that brings me any satisfaction? Do you truly believe I¡¯m some sadistic fiend, finding delight in the tragic downfall of my own students?!¡±


    Shame washed over Phoenix as she realized there was a history between the nun and her parents. Knowing she was in the wrong, she didn¡¯t know what to say or how she could make amends. The soldiers, pretending to decern the secrets of the universe while staring at the dried-up paint of the stone walls, was suddenly glared at by the nun. Axel, knowing full well he was the designated leader of the bunch, looked at her with a determined gaze.

 Chapter 13: Soldiers Little Secret and Science Behind the Arcane

    Axel, embodying confidence but feeling a hint of nervousness, held his gaze steady on the nun. He was unable to think of a suitable conversation starter, so he took a deep breath and said, ¡°Thank you, Fairy 001, for your unwavering service to humanity. I must confess, you possess an elegance that truly captivates. The beauty you carry is nothing short of remarkable.¡±


    The nun, briefly taken aback by his unexpected compliment, felt a warm flutter at his words. With a playful smile, she replied, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re too kind, Comet 01. Do you really think I¡¯m beautiful? After three hundred seventy years, it¡¯s easy to forget what that means amidst the chaos of battle. But I suppose there¡¯s still a hint of charm left in me. Just remember, in our line of work, it¡¯s not our appearances that define us but what we do for others.¡±


    She paused for a moment, then added with a flirtatious glint in her eye, ¡°Perhaps after this mission, we can share a drink sometime. Even a nun deserves a little time to unwind.¡±


    She then turned her gaze to Pheonix, adopting an authoritative stance. ¡°Young lady, if you want to be bred like a mule by those lizards, then go outside, vent your frustrations, and let the whole city hear your indignation. Waste your parents¡¯ legacy if that¡¯s truly what you wish to do.¡±


    Not accustomed to such ridicule, Pheonix looked down, tears welling in her eyes as she whispered, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Your apology won¡¯t bring the dead back to life,¡± the nun replied with firmness. ¡°You want to blame me for not saving them, don¡¯t you? What if I told you I have tried over five thousand times in countless scenarios and still failed? Would you label me weak, incompetent, and uncaring? The burden of humanity rests on our shoulders. We have not merely tried. We have done our utmost to save them. You think those big red and orange lizards are the worst? Think again. There are horrors out there capable of swallowing suns and unleashing incurable plagues that mutates flesh every passing second, making a cure impossible. Do not drag us down like this. Those hands and feet that once helped you stand as a child should also be used to rise and fight back. Use them to take down those challenges and strike at the heart of the enemy¡­ Join us and make a stand!¡±


    Phoenix''s eyes light up with determination as she looks up at the nun. She takes a deep breath, and a newfound sense of purpose fills her. "I won''t just stand by and be a mule," she says, her voice firm. "I''ll use my hands and feet to fight back. I''ll make a difference."


    After the passionate dialogue between Fairy 001 and Phoenix, they made their way down to an underground passage filled with caches of gear ready to be used. New, unfamiliar types of weapons hung on the walls, and the soldiers, eager for new equipment, couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the additions. However, their daydreams were interrupted by the voice of Fairy 001 as she said, "Those are not yours, but if you can wield Arcane, then feel free to pick one. We do have standard gear available in the armory cache on the right. Just leave your old weapon behind and choose a new one. By the way, you can carry two Pisions with you, but make sure not to lose them."


    The soldiers began to collect the undamaged gear, replacing their worn-out equipment with fresh replacements. They couldn''t help but wonder why they needed to leave their old gear in the cache, but they kept their questions to themselves. After all, challenging a battle-hardened veteran like Fairy 001 could invite a stern reprimand. Meanwhile, Axel took the lead in reporting to Mission Control, ensuring that all progress and intelligence were meticulously documented.


    ¡°Mission Control, this is Comet 01. We have successfully secured the weapons. All Cloak and Bulwark systems operational at 100% integrity. Ammunition status on 1,000 rounds for the Winston and two Pisions with a total of 14 rounds. Requesting clarification on the prohibition against retaining the old weapons as reserves in our inventory. Over.¡±


    ¡°Comet 01, this is Mission Control, the cache is a Personal Device used by Fairy 001, its main function is to recycle the materials and make newer ones, I cannot disclose all its full operation as this might violate her privacy. Over.¡±


    Axel stood in disbelief, grappling with the notion that Spacetime Operatives had their own sensibilities around privacy in a world where every move had once been scrutinized. To him, it felt almost absurd! Soldiers didn¡¯t usually concern themselves with confidentiality. The very idea of a ¡®Personal Device¡¯ being off-limits was a foreign concept, one that clashed with the rigid military doctrines he had lived by. He couldn''t help but wonder how such modern practices fit into the battlefield mentality he had always known.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Comet 01, there''s no need to be surprised. Maintaining privacy in operations like this is standard practice, as it provides us with a strategic advantage against hostile forces. Furthermore, we only recruit individuals of genuine integrity who are dedicated to safeguarding our existence. Trust is a fundamental principle we extend to everyone, including you and her. As a reminder, you''ll need to construct the device yourself or enlist a weaponsmith to create it for you. Once it¡¯s complete, you can have it registered with a tag, and then you¡¯ll be all set. Just so you know, she built hers entirely on her own."


    Upon hearing this, Axel felt a renewed sense of confidence in humanity''s progress. It was clear that they had entered an era marked not only by remarkable advancements but also by individuals whose integrity and commitment exemplified the best of their species. This was a time when freedom transcended mere ideals, becoming a tangible reality grounded in trust, skill, and a shared purpose to protect what truly matters.


    With their weapons in hand, Fairy 001 motioned for three children and Pheonix to join her for a demonstration of the weapons they could use alongside their powers. Axel, intrigued, asked if he and the other soldiers could observe. Fairy 001 consented, recognizing that this could serve as an eye-opening experience for them. As the soldiers gathered at the side, eager to learn, Fairy 001 began the session with an introduction to Arcane.


    "Alright, everyone! Let¡¯s talk about something really fascinating called Arcane, which is all about how atoms move. Think of it like this, atoms can come together to form molecules, break apart, and scatter all around us. For instance, look at this cup of water in my hand." The nun wields the cup, transforming the water into vapor, then into snow, and finally into a stunning blue ice sword. The audience gasps in amazement at the display of artfully controlled science. "See that? It''s science that we can manipulate with just mere thoughts! Now, watch this." She slices a medieval shield in half with the navy-blue sword, demonstrating her control over the material. "Now, atoms can group together to form molecules, and when those molecules break apart, they can release energy. But here¡¯s the catch, it takes energy to put those atoms back together into molecules, there are different types of ways to do that. Watch this." With a flick of her wrist, she returns the water back into the cup, as if nothing had happened.


    The curious little girl then spoke "So, big sister, when the atoms break apart, they go ''boom'' and scatter everywhere, right? But when they come together again, we need a big ''boom'' to put them back together, right?"


    Taking a brief pause, Fairy 001 responded, "While that''s technically true, all these weapons before you are my creations. This doesn''t account for the time-consuming process of gathering the atoms. By casting your arcane instantly, congratulations! You can now bypass those cumbersome incantations that make you sound like a devil worshipper." She then added, ¡°finally there is the types of casting,¡± she then took the pistol shaped weapon, then one of her team members who was also in nun attire put a dummy in front of the crowd.


    ¡°First, there¡¯s fast casting,¡± she explained. ¡°This means I can fire an almost unlimited number of shots as long as my mental capacity is sufficient.¡± With that, she pressed a button on the pistol, and a rapid ''ratatatatat'' filled the air as it unleashed a barrage of bullets, transforming the iron-plated dummy into a sieve. The men gawked at the sight, astonished to learn just how useful magic could be in combat, the fire rate was comparable to that of a submachine gun. Pheonix, who only understood that she needed to be emotionally agitated to access her powers, was taken aback. She couldn''t help but ask a question.


    ¡°Could... could... could my mom and dad really do this?¡± She longed for answers about what could possibly kill her parents. The turmoil in her heart needed resolution, she knew they were strong, but not to this extent.


    The mischievous Fairy 001 couldn''t help but smirk at her and then said, "They are not only capable of this." Four more guns floated into the air and formed a circle that fired simultaneously at five different targets. The soldiers, captivated by the quick-scoping prowess of such arcane power, almost reached for pen and paper to take notes. Axel then noticed Wong shedding tears and approached him, sensing something was amiss.


    ¡°Comet 07, is your mental state stable?¡± asked Axel.


    ¡°Sniff¡­ Sniff¡­ Captain¡­ Captain¡­. Could¡­ could a flying sword be more than just a dream now? I, Wong, will defy the heavens and banish these invaders with my sword in a single sword strike! Captain, I have always dreamed of becoming a cultivator. Please let me learn this Arcane. It might be the secret my ancestors have long sought,¡± Wong said, his pleading eyes brimming with hope.


    Axel couldn¡¯t reprimand the man because he could clearly see the sincerity in his gaze. Fairy 001, witnessing this, chuckled and stated, "Comet 07, I won¡¯t stop you from learning, but know this. In the future, you might discover that there is more to cultivation than you think. Who knows?" She shrugged and looked at Wong teasingly.


    "I will take you on as my master," Wong exclaimed. "I will swim in a sea of fire, climb a mountain of swords, and swear my eternal allegiance to you. Please accept me as your disciple!" Wong proceeded to kowtow as if pounding garlic. Seeing a brawny man like Wong take such actions, Pheonix and the children realized that this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they couldn¡¯t afford to miss. This realization, in turn, made things easier for Fairy 001.

 Chapter 14: Death is but an Illusion and the Troublemaker

    Phoenix, determined not to dilly-dally on such an important occasion, followed Wong closely, and the children quickly followed suit. However, they weren¡¯t quite sure what kind of custom Wong was engaged in, so they stumbled around while attempting to imitate his kowtowing. Seeing this, Fairy 001, a time-traveling soldier dedicated to defending humanity, couldn¡¯t help but feel amused. As someone who had been reading multiple literature from the Early Hunter-Gatherer Era to the distant future, she recalled how Wuxia novels often featured such dramatic flair.


    ¡°Sigh. That¡¯s enough, all of you. This knowledge isn¡¯t my invention to begin with. It¡¯s not for me to boast about and hoard, nor do I plan to keep it a secret.¡± She said, while lifting them up as if copying a sagely protagonist.


    Axel and the other soldiers, who are, at most, modern men of culture, couldn¡¯t help but notice her reference to a Wuxia line. Thus, they stifled a laugh, and even the ten other operatives with Fairy 001 couldn¡¯t help but giggle. Then, Fairy 001, waived her hand cautioning them that the jokes are enough.


    ¡°Now that we''ve all had a good laugh, let¡¯s move on to the next type of casting, which is the charge type. If one can unleash magic like a barrage of bullets, then one can also charge it like firing a cannon.¡±


    She then instructed the ten operatives of the Fairy team to erect a soundproof barrier around the church. When she fired, it created a hole approximately twenty meters deep with a radius of about three meters, resembling a sinkhole. The citizens of the city erupted into quite a commotion, believing they had experienced an earthquake. The soldiers, who initially viewed Arcane as nothing more than a simple fireball and some warmth, were now firmly convinced of its immense power. They questioned why such capabilities had remained hidden throughout the 21st century. It became clear to them that the government likely chose to keep this knowledge secret to prevent possible abuses of power that could destabilize societal order and disrupt the harmony among people.


    "Finally, the Arcane Arts of bringing back the dead¡­" A hush fell over the room as everyone struggled to comprehend whether such technology was even possible. If it existed, wouldn¡¯t that mean victory was already within reach? It was a tantalizing thought.


    "Well, as long as it happens within 30 seconds of their death," she said calmly. She gestured to one of her team operatives, instructing them to keep the children at a safe distance. This scene might prove too horrific for their young eyes. With deliberate movements, the women shed their monastic robes, revealing bodies as smooth and flawless as jade, bearing no blemishes or scars, appearing more like actresses than warriors.


    But that beauty was short-lived. Gunfire erupted, and their pristine forms were grotesquely altered. The air filled with the sounds of violence as the bodies were shredded, leaving behind only mangled fragments. Blood splattered, organs spilled, and shattered bones littered the ground.


    Yet, amid the chaos, a miracle occurred. With another relentless barrage of bullets, the remnants began to stir. They sprouted anew like seedlings breaking through the earth. Bones, blood, and organs reassembled as if guided by an unseen force. The remains of their former carcasses lay strewn about, a testament to the destruction that had unfolded, yet their bodies emerged revitalized, defying the very laws of life and death.


    Axel and his team couldn¡¯t help but feel dumbfounded, wondering if this was some kind of hallucination. Even Kokoy, who had felt heartache over the beauties just moments ago, was now stunned as he watched their bodies sprout like hibernating plants awakened by the first rays of spring sunshine. The ladies, still unclad, meticulously tended to the remnants of their former selves.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Meanwhile, Phoenix felt as if her worldview had shattered. She had always believed that death was an inevitable part of life, a fate everyone was meant to accept. But now, she understood that what she had signed up for might be something far greater than herself. She glanced at Axel, who was still focused on the small pieces of body parts being tended to by the ladies. Noticing that he didn¡¯t give them any lascivious looks, she subconsciously nodded in approval.


    ¡°Fairy 001, may I inquire if we can undergo that procedure as well? Will it effectively heal our injuries and alleviate our fatigue? Furthermore, are there any potential side effects we should be aware of?¡± Axel asked, his tone reflecting the seriousness of their situation. He understood that even if their team was in great condition, an extra edge could be the difference between victory and defeat.


    The four soldiers exchanged determined glances, fully aware of the significance of any potential advantage. Fairy 001 interjected, shaking her head. "While I can help you heal every ailment, from diseases to birth defects, this procedure comes at a cost. You will retain all your reflexes as a trained soldier, but it will revert you to the age of eighteen, which may risk undermining your established identity as a soldier of the 21st century. If you still wish to pursue it, I can guide you through the process once this mission is complete."


    She then pointed at the young lady wearing her nun attire. "This is Fairy 100, the youngest one. She has completed over fifty missions with us so far. We are from the same era, so it¡¯s no problem for her. Additionally, there are no nationalities in our era, we simply call ourselves Humans, thus, she doesn¡¯t need any such identities."


    Axel, almost numb to the surprises from the future couldn¡¯t help but shake his head then he stated. ¡°No nationalities, huh? That¡¯s kind of amazing! I mean, think about it, if we could just be ¡®Humans¡¯ and leave all the flags behind, we might actually get along better. It¡¯s like being on the same team, no matter where you¡¯re from! I¡¯d be all for it if it means we can focus on the mission and each other instead of the walls we¡¯ve built!¡±


    Fairy 001, noticing that everyone had run out of questions to ask, stated, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s plan to move at dusk. I¡¯ve already prepared the horses, so we can leave after the children have had some training and a meal. We need to secure our vantage point, and while I can¡¯t share all the details just yet, we¡¯ll need to be there a bit earlier than planned.¡±


    ¡°I understand. Is there anything you need help with around here?¡± Axel asked.


    Fairy 001 shook her head and replied, ¡°Just rest for now. We¡¯ll wake you once I¡¯ve had a chance to see the kids go through the basics of using the equipment properly.¡±


    Axel and his team took a rest, fatigued from the battle they had fought the night before. Their constant surveillance, stemming from their concern for the safety of the people they had rescued, only added to their exhaustion, making it difficult for them to get the proper rest they needed.


    In an underground basement, a group of 15th-century Arcanists gathered to learn the arcane arts under the guidance of Fairy 001. With the help of a warrior from the future, they practiced with the weapons built from a faraway time, mastering a pistol that channels their energy as a means to combat the hidden dangers of a looming war that remained unseen by the common people. When the time came for their lessons to end, Fairy 001 called Axel and his team through the system, prompting them to rise from their slumber and prepare for the challenges ahead. As they shook off the remnants of sleep, Axel made sure to recheck their gear as advised to them by Mission Control, seeing everything is ready, they rode their horses and proceeded towards their destination.


    The travelers, once modestly dressed nuns, now wore skin-tight attire reminiscent of assassins, projecting an aura of danger that caused passersby to hastily steer clear to avoid trouble. Led by Fairy 001, the group comprised twelve women, including herself and Phoenix, along with three children and five men. As they journeyed onward, they passed through plague-infested villages stripped of life, where only rotting, bloated corpses littered the streets. Despite the grim surroundings, they pressed ahead with their mission to disinfect the area, while the women diligently secured the perimeter to ensure the safety of their companions.


    However, chaos erupted when the headstrong Phoenix, unaware of military protocols, attempted to scorch an entire village. Her reckless actions drew the attention of the guards from a nearby town, prompting stern reprimands from Axel and Fairy 001. Realizing the gravity of her mistake, Phoenix hesitated, suddenly aware of the ramifications of her impulsive decision.


    They quickly mounted their horses and took off at full gallop, spurred by the urgency of their situation. However, their escape did not go unnoticed because a keen-eyed guard spotted them in the distance and immediately raised the alarm, convinced that they were a band of bandits intent on causing mayhem. His shouts echoed through the desolate village, where not a single villager remained. Everyone had already fallen victim to the disastrous plague. As the hooves of their horses thundered against the ground, the group felt a surge of adrenaline, knowing that they had to outrun their pursuer to avoid a potential confrontation.

 Chapter 15: The Resolve of a Fairy and the Igniting his Conviction

    Fairy 001 noticed that the town soldiers were relentlessly pursuing them and decided to take action. She rummaged through her leather purse, a common accessory among travelers of the Middle Ages. After a moment, she tossed out clips containing rubber bullets resembling berries that melted on contact, each labeled with a biodegradable symbol.


    The soldiers quickly understood what to do and fired the rounds at the approaching soldiers from bygone days, rendering them incapacitated. Finally, Fairy 001 tossed a pouch full of gold coins, with a note attached. She knew full well that the soldiers might be unable to work for a few days and that they might even fabricate stories, painting their group as the scourge of the land.


    The soldiers groaned on the ground from the onslaught of rubber bullets, bewildered by the situation. Usually, a bandit group would fight to the death or engage them to plunder their gold, armor or even their underwear, this time they were shot with small fruits that made them speechless, this was the first time they had a fight without any casualties just some bruises that made them wince in pain. The mysterious figures in black, who the soldiers had thought were bandits, even they even tossed a pouch that seemed to contain a generous amount gold coin, incomparable to the wages of a single man.


    As the medieval soldiers struggled to stand up, they found it difficult to establish a stable footing. Some of the horses, however, were having an even harder time, their legs buckling under them as they foamed at the mouth, making pursuit impossible. The soldiers could only sigh in resignation.


    Axel, a soldier dedicated to carrying out his duties down to the very last detail, found himself struggling to comprehend the situation. He had been briefed not to interact much with the local people of this era, but he was eager to understand how this might impact their mission. After a brief hesitation, he turned to Fairy 001 and asked, "Will that skirmish just now have any repercussions for our mission objectives?"


    Seeing the worry in his eyes, Fairy 001 replied in a reassuring tone, "Yes, it does have implications. However, there''s no need to worry. The gold, the information they have about us, the stories they might share, and the damages they''ve sustained were all calculated by one of my personal devices. In the worst-case scenario, we might just get a shout-out from one of the town criers in that area. The second worst-case scenario would be that we''d be talked about in the pubs for a week. While these possibilities are concerning, I''d say they are still well within the tolerable threshold for our mission."


    While the Spacetime Operatives departed, leaving only a cloud of dust in their wake, the captain of the guards looked at the pouch of gold coins discarded by the Operatives. Suspicious and unaware of what might be inside, he cautiously used the tip of his sword to probe it, confirming that it was indeed gold, enough to cover a month''s salary for his entire squad. Feeling relieved, the superstitious captain, initially focused on the coin, but his attention shifted when he noticed a note beside it. It read ''We purged the demons in the shadows, slayed the witches that hide from prying eyes, and grant no rest to the wicked.''


    As a devout believer of the church, the captain was moved by the message. Thinking it thoroughly, these brave men that he encountered might be protecting their identity, so he refrained from showing the note to his soldiers, recognizing that these were not mere bandits but rather individuals who purged evil from their lands without asking for anything in return. Ashamed of having labeled them otherwise, he reaffirmed his stance to keep their true nature to himself. He then distributed the gold among his men and watched the Operatives vanish into the distance, his eyes filled with awe and reverence. He even contemplated the possibility of joining such a noble cause one day.


    Meanwhile, back with the Spacetime Operatives, Alex was still grappling with the fluidity of military operations as he responded to Fairy 001''s reassurances. "Copy that, Fairy 001. I may not be familiar with such operations, so you''ll have to excuse my rigidity."This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    A sigh escaped him, masked from his companions but echoing in his heart. He felt a sense of inadequacy weighing him down. He had considered confronting Fairy 001 about her actions, but then he recalled that she had nearly four centuries of experience and had completed numerous operations. It was clear to him that she was a seasoned veteran in this line of work, and he resolved to trust her judgment as they navigated the complexities of their mission.


    Sensing his anxiety, Fairy 001 couldn''t help but chuckle softly. "This is your first mission, so there''s no need to be so distraught about it. It''s not really that bad. However¡­"


    As she spoke, her expression shifted to one of solemnity. She activated a specialized one-to-one communication channel through their consciousness, a network only they could understand. It sounded like multiple voices overlapping with various static noises, making it difficult to hear what the speaker was saying. But if you focused closely on the voice you sought, you would be able to find it. The air around them felt charged as their minds connected, creating an intimate bubble of shared thoughts.


    "Let me tell you something. In our line of work, there are eleven types of mission difficulties, each with multiple levels within those difficulties. This mission is rated as an Infant Stage mission, and at the lowest level of the Infant Stage, it means this can be designated as mission Infant Level One."


    As they traversed the green plains of France, they gazed up at the expanse of twinkling stars that mirrored the uncertainties they faced. She paused, her attention drawn to a flickering light on the horizon.


    "Some missions will see you integrated into hundreds of teams due to high casualties or a lack of Operatives in the field," she continued. "Others may involve trillions or quadrillions of beings, spanning from us Humans to our allies of various races. These are called Front Lines."


    Her voice grew more intense, driven by memories of her own trials. "Do you remember the Campaign Sprayer One that mentioned to you through the communication? That operation involved a major assault on the front lines spanning thousands to tens of thousands of galaxies. It can either be a huge success or a massive farce."


    Alex''s eyes widened as he imagined the vast armies, the chaotic battlefield stretching beyond comprehension. He could almost hear the distant echoes of combat, the cries and the chaos, and a chill ran down his spine.


    "The first time I joined a Front Line, it broke me," she confessed, her voice heavy with emotion. "For almost a decade, I went without a single night of sleep. I joined new faces day after day, and then the next thing I knew, they were all gone. I always wished I had died with them in that chaos."


    In his mind, Alex saw a younger version of Fairy 001, standing amidst the destruction, eyes wide with fear and desperation, a battleground littered with fallen comrades around her.


    "I even thought of surrendering, becoming just some breeding female for an alien race," she admitted, her voice a blend of pain and determination. "But I persevered. I gathered crucial information that was vital for our success. It wasn''t something grand, but the intel I provided managed to remove one of those hellish missions from our mission board similar to this one we are currently at. That means humanity is permanently secured on that specific timeline."


    Suddenly, a sharp gust of wind swept through the landscape, snapping Alex back to the present, and he felt the weight of her words.


    "All the tempering I went through might sound tough, but still, it pales in comparison to what those who truly held up the sky endured. Remember this, Alex. Embrace this small mission. It may be Infant Level One, but it has its own value and significance. We are here, and we will face whatever comes our way together."


    As the stars twinkled above, Alex took a deep breath, feeling his anxiety slowly transform into a sense of resolve. He felt the connection with Fairy 001 strengthen, and her spirit ignited a flicker of bravery within him. It dawned on him that her words might serve as a wake-up call, urging him to change his perspective. This was no longer the military he remembered, where he was tasked with targeting devious terrorist organizations who now seemed petty in the grand scheme of things. Now, he was not aiming his weapon at a fellow soldier or another man but at beings who could not be reasoned with, entities intent on eradicating not just a country but all of humanity itself.


    Alex understood that most people feared the pressure of carrying such immense responsibility. However, deep in his heart, he knew there were many others silently bearing this burden. These individuals endured their pain in silence, offering no cries of despair or even groans of suffering. They continued to fight, sustaining the smiles of those they cherished while working tirelessly, striving to give the youth a life free from the violence of a war that spanned across both space and time.

 Chapter 16: Radio Silence and the Desperate Heart

    Chapter 16: Radio Silence and the Desperate Heart


    As they made swift progress in exterminating the rat king, a young woman gave herself the codename of Phoenix could be heard pouting and grumbling. Axel, noticing her discontent but unconfident about his understanding of women''s emotions, repeatedly inquired about her feelings, unaware that she was upset that he hadn''t stood up for her when she was simply trying to help earlier. Each time he asked, he received a different response.


    "Go away! I don''t want to see you!"


    "I hate you! don''t talk to me!"


    "I thought we were on the same side! Humph!"


    "I hope your horse throws you, and you faceplant on the ground!"


    Axel could only sigh at her responses. He was not dense, he knew the young lady wanted to take her side, however he was assured when Fairy 001 even explained to Phoenix that the equipment they were using were made specifically for this occasions, they were on a job that could attract attention and potentially cause chaos, particularly because of the fire she had started earlier, he wasn''t a man who would take the side of the wrong just to please a woman. Seeking guidance, he looked at Fairy 001 with pleading eyes, but the fairy merely replied with a teasing ''Humph,'' mimicking Phoenix. This only fueled the young lady''s irritation at their seemingly ''lovey-dovey'' interaction. Axel, for the first time in his life, found himself caught in such a dilemma with women, much more on a mission. However, recognizing the need to focus, he adjusted his mental state, remaining vigilant for any circumstances that might arise.


    The twenty individuals, roughly halfway to their destination in the fortified city of Rouen, abruptly stopped when the two leaders, Axel and Fairy 001, signaled for a halt. The Arcanists, who were not soldiers to begin with, looked confused and attempted to ask for explanations but were met with silence. As the quiet settled over the area, Axel and Fairy 001 focused intently on the communication they had just received.


    "This is Spearhead 001! I need any available Operatives to assist! We are surrounded! We never encountered them at this checkpoint during any of our iterations! I repeat, the enemy¡ªbzztzztzzz¡­ bzztzztzzz ¡­ bzztzztzzz ¡­" The transmission cut off abruptly, leaving a heavy silence in the air.


    Axel''s heart raced as he exchanged frantic glances with her. Her expression was oddly nonchalant, as if she were merely observing a passing storm rather than the chaos unraveling at their comrades hands. An unsettling curiosity tugged at him, but he chose to hold back, sensing that this was not the moment to pry into her thoughts. She then signaled her team to continue as if ignoring the cries of his allies. Axel, about to call Mission Control was slapped by Fairy 001 on the back of his head, she then spoke.


    "Radio silence. No commands from now on. The Command Center might be compromised, communications jammed... Or we might just be left here to rot while the shadows close in on this timeline, this will last for about a decade to a century, give or take." The words hung like a thick fog as it shrouds what lies ahead before them.


    The four Operatives exchanged uneasy glances, and the gravity of their situation weighed heavily upon each of them. Luc''s face turned ashen as he broke the silence, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and desperation. "What about my family? They''re waiting for me. Perishing out here is part of the job, an occupational hazard, but what about my children? Will they be alright?"


    "They will exist." Fairy 001 said as she does not wish to speak more.


    Hearing this, Luc felt a wave of relief wash over him. However, as a father, the thought of his children growing up without his care was something he could not stomach. He even contemplated ending it all right there, but deep down, he knew that would not fix anything. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his thoughts and fought to regain his mental clarity.


    As he watched the newcomers compose themselves, Fairy 001 addressed them, saying, "We''ll proceed with the mission. We cannot assist blindly with Spearhead 001, they are called spearheads for a reason."The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Axel nodded, finding her argument somewhat reassuring. He was familiar with the radio silence that often accompanied covert operations. However, he had never thought that large-scale operations could still function effectively with a broken command center. This realization reinforced the idea that his military strategies might be outdated and too rigid. He recognized that he needed to educate himself further and learn more to adapt to the evolving landscape of this futuristic warfare. A healthy body alone wouldn''t be enough to keep up with the times, he needed to evolve his mindset and knowledge as well.


    They then heard trees tumbling like dominoes at an alarming speed. Fairy 001, familiar with what the adversary might conjure in such scenarios, quickly retrieved her cache. To the surprise of the Arcanists and Team Comet, it transformed into a larger version capable of accommodating them all and concealing them for a while.


    As it began to float slowly in the air, they were treated to a panoramic view of the forest below. It resembled a scene from a natural disaster as a landslide had occurred, but there were no mountains in the vicinity, so how could that be? Then they caught sight of something unusual. A huge worm that oddly resembles the tail of a lizard, enormous in scale. Eyes resembling those of a fly that is scattered all along it''s body and a huge one on the end, glowing with a radiance that seemed to analyze everything it can see.


    Below, they could see people wielding melee weapons, reminiscent of a medieval fantasy story, yet their strikes were devastating, decimating acres of land with each blow. The operatives of humanity worked diligently to contain the insurgents, ensuring no civilians witnessed the chaos. Meanwhile, their reconnaissance team disseminated information about a dragon slaying quest taking place in the forest, a tale that echoed the adventures of people from the Middle Ages.


    "See, the Spearhead team is fine, but they might already have casualties. That worm is the thing jamming our signals, and it can even alter the memories of people, distort their perception, and brainwash those with weak mental fortitude into believing they are a part of its race." Trying to lighten the mood, she added, "It isn''t too bad to talk with our mouths like the old days, is it?" Then, with her melodious and enchanting voice, she commanded, "Everyone, remove all your items from the inventory. Comet 01, I advise you to do the same. Someone might mess up the spacetime, and you''ll be sitting ducks if that happens."


    Trusting her completely, he followed her orders and made his team do the same. As he surveyed the combat on the ground, Axel noticed the worm locking eyes with him. For a moment, he felt as if he weren''t human, as if he had been born from an egg and raised to conquer the universe with mandibles and pincers. He envisioned himself as the king of all insectoids, worshiped by his peers, while all his fellow countrymen bowed beneath his feet.


    A shiver ran through his entire body as Axel snapped back to reality. It felt as though centuries had passed in his mind. He broke out in a cold sweat and felt overwhelmed by the brainwashing. Glancing at his dazed men, he quickly slapped them to bring them back to their senses. They stirred slightly, but the Fairy team remained unfazed, making the soldiers feel inadequate. The men could not help but compare themselves to the women who seemed to have time for skincare even while training day and night. Determination rose within them as they vowed to be better prepared for the next mission.


    Suddenly, Fairy 001, always playful, broke the tension by asking, "My King, shall we take off our clothes for you to see?"


    The question left the five operatives dumbfounded. The other operatives of the team Fairy bowed in unison, and some even began to strip. A wave of disbelief washed over them, as if their lives as humans had been a lie.


    Axel steadied himself and held Fairy 001''s gaze. "I am no king. I am just a man. The clothes you wear may be alluring when removed, but it would be better if no one is around. We still have a mission to accomplish and we need to focus on that."


    A collective sigh of relief escaped the team Fairy Operatives as if this was a test to the men, as though they were checking if they were tempted or not. The thoughts of their humanity churned within the five soldiers of team Comet, and they felt moisture in their eyes. They had lived a life that seemed like a test from the Apex of all insects in this universe who had dubbed them the chosen ones, the prophesized humans destined to become the kings of insects. Lavish, luxurious and life full of bliss assaulted their minds, showing them what they yearned for and what had been promised.


    In the midst of it all, Axel was haunted by a vision of suburban streets in Los Angeles. He saw himself buying a house with his savings, Elise waving her hand to him with her round belly and their Newfoundland dog, Sandy, resting at their feet. They gazed at the stars through a skylight, lying on the floor and whispering names for their future child.


    It was all too much, he was almost tempted to jump into this dream and just close his eyes and rest in its eternal fantasy. He knew it was a lie, but this lie was something he dreamed of, he wanted to relish it a little more, even for a second.

 Chapter 17: Perfect Synchronicity and Humanities United Front

    As Axel struggled to suppress the distracting thoughts caused by the grotesque entity, other human operatives began to arrive at the scene. Some descended from the sky, others came on foot, and a few emerged from the depths of the sea, resembling a congregation of humanity''s heroes. Amid the chaos, they spotted a red flash, it was the gunner who had assisted them a few days ago. He perched atop the tallest tree and fired shots into the night sky, each round bursting into vibrant colors. The five operatives of Comet Team could not help but watch intently, eager to see how the situation would unfold.


    Silence gripped the scene as no soldiers exchanged glances or spoke. Each operative held their defensive positions with eyes scanning the surrounding darkness. Suddenly, five shots in vivid green streaked into the forest and exploded into clouds of blinding smoke that obscured all senses. The men and women moved instinctively toward their designated area as if they were commanded how to be in that location, their actions dictated by instinct rather than sight or sound. The creature became disoriented and lost track of their movements as it was also affected by the smoke.


    In the chaos, Sprayer One unleashed a relentless barrage of gunfire, mercilessly targeting the men on the ground. They were completely helpless, stripped of sight, sound, and even the most basic senses of smell, touch, and taste that was caused by the smoke. Yet with each bullet that struck, a silent signal ignited within them, allowing a fleeting return of their lost senses. In that moment, they were propelled into an extremely heightened state of awareness. Instinctively, they redirected their aim toward the towering worm-like structure looming ominously in the middle of the forest. Shots rang out in all five directions, creating a symphony of destruction orchestrated by a grand maestro.


    The worm-like structure, resembling the sinuous tail of a lizard and adorned with multiple fly-like eyes, jerked violently as it received a relentless barrage of futuristic disintegration beams from thousands of operatives. Each shot struck with devastating precision, vaporizing its grotesque form in bursts of brilliant light, sending plasma into the air due to the non-stop barrage, the forest even started to dry up. The massive eye at its tip blinked erratically, desperately trying to find the danger as the cacophony of destruction reverberated across the battlefield. The air crackled with tension as the operatives moved with lethal coordination, determined to bring the monstrous tower crashing down.


    As the disintegration beams continued to tear into its flesh, the grotesque worm-like structure emitted a horrific, echoing cry, a last, desperate plea for help aimed at any hive available, one capable of reaching billions of light-years and transcending spacetime itself.


    But just as the cry surged forth, it was met with overwhelming resistance. Lightning flashed in jagged arcs, and tornado winds howled, creating a chaotic cover that masked the battlefield. The relentless hum of frequency scramblers filled the air, drowning out the creature''s desperate call and saturating the environment with a deafening roar. Jamming devices surrounded the area, ranging from the simplest radio jammers to advanced spacetime jammers, a comprehensive array that spanned the entirety of human technological development. Together, they erected an impenetrable barrier that prevented its signal from cutting through the chaos to reach its allies.


    Stripped of hope, the creature braced for its inevitable demise, sinking deeper into despair as it realized it was truly alone and unheard, the timeless fabric of the cosmos indifferent to its plight. In its final moments, even as its senses dulled and it could no longer see, the creature seemed to project an overwhelming sense of rage towards the operatives standing before it. This wrath, born from countless encounters and a life steeped in suffering, pulsed through the air like a storm about to unleash its fury. It was a primal anger, a final protest against the universe that had abandoned it, as if it sought to challenge the very fabric of reality itself in a desperate bid for acknowledgment. The operatives, fully aware of the creature''s torment, felt a chilling awareness of the shared struggle for existence, caught in an unending cycle of life and death that neither side could escape.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    After a moment of silence, the rain, created by the operatives started to clear out the smoke and dust as the tornado and thunderstorm subsided, receding like a passing wave along the beach. The operatives of Team Comet 01 beheld an otherworldly sight. It was a massive brain shaped like a pine tree that gleamed with crystalline beauty, resembling amethyst that has been carved by the finest artisans. Without a word, the operatives swiftly collected their share of the spoils. One by one, they retreated into the shadows from which they had come, remaining silent and devoid of chatter, greetings, or acknowledgment. They had eliminated the jammer that had hindered the operation of humanity, and in their stoic efficiency, they vanished into the night, leaving behind only an eerie silence.


    As they surveyed the area closely, the vicinity just outside the range of the green smoke was littered with the corpses of the Huechromixix operatives, their eyes still open in shock, having died from the grief of not understanding what had happened. These operatives seemed to heard the commotion and planned to take advantage of the chaos to ambush the spearhead of the mission to protect humanity. This stark scene illustrated a crucial lesson, for every stronger attack you devise, we can create a strategy that turns you into a laughingstock.


    ¡°How has humanity truly prospered to reach such a state of harmony, entrusting oneself completely to another? This goes beyond mere brotherhood! It is the understanding that each person is an extension of oneself.¡± Wong analyzed as he was awed by how the operatives have executed such a creature.


    Axel, who had witnessed the scene, couldn¡¯t help but feel frustrated with his performance during the mission. He had thought he was already one of the best in the world, but now he understood what a fellow soldier he worked with before had meant when he said, ¡®There is no ceiling when it comes to improving oneself.¡¯ He used to believe it was impossible to improve any further, but now he saw multiple avenues for learning. Determined not to let his negative thoughts lead him astray, he made a mental note to ask Fairy 001 to teach him some techniques. He wasn''t the kind of chauvinistic man who would hesitate to seek help from a woman, especially one who was an expert in her field.


    As everyone present at the scene left, including Team Spearhead, Axel and the rest of his team gathered the remaining loot that had been left behind. They worked efficiently, silently assessing the scattered treasures that heaved with potential. The teams that had participated in the orchestrated barrage were all veterans who understood that it would be more beneficial to leave some spoils for the recruits. They were not there for personal gain because their true mission was to carry the banner of humanity and stand as guardians against the extraterrestrial invaders. In this way, they forged a legacy that would inspire those who followed them, serving as a reminder of their unwavering commitment to the fight for the future of mankind.


    As they finished, he offered some of the spoils to the ladies, but they declined, stating that they didn¡¯t need any more of those. Alex and his team weren¡¯t shy at all, they knew they were recruits who needed to grow stronger. Even though they could think on their feet, they felt the gap between themselves and the other operatives. As people aspiring to become pillars of not just a country but the entire human race, they needed every help they could get.


    As the group rode back to their horses, they noticed some men dressed in black formal attire, hard at work along the path. These individuals were preparing props, meticulously tying together crocodile skins and adjusting the wings of a condor to create a bizarre amalgamation of bird and reptile. They also took time to plant trees, skillfully rearranging the landscape to support the fabricated narrative of a dragon raid. As they labored, they made a point to collect any items from the site that looked suspicious, even a miscolored leaf was gathered, leaving nothing behind to hint at the presence of the Spacetime Operatives that just had a huge operation on the area.


    This unusual sight made it clear that while these were ordinary men, however, their work carried extraordinary weight. Officially known as Cleaners, they represented the origins of what we know today as the "Secret Service." Their role extended beyond mere protection and service, they were primarily tasked with concealing secrets, showcasing the multifaceted nature of their duties. These men sought no recognition, they went about their tasks with quiet diligence, completing their work as if nothing unusual had transpired.


    As Axel''s team passed by, they offered a silent salute in their hearts to these brave men. The Cleaners nodded in acknowledgment and expressed their gratitude to Axel''s team for their service to humanity, fully aware that they needed to operate as a perfectly tuned machine to drive the wheel of progress for the human race.

 Chapter 18: Denial of Truth and Main Mission Begins

    As their journey toward the main mission advanced, they encountered remarkable individuals, formidable monsters seeking to disrupt human progress, and grotesque creatures that seemed to emerge from nightmares. Throughout these encounters, the soldiers of team Comet as witnessed the tenacity and fighting spirit of humanity, and it felt as though this mission encapsulated their entire military careers, from the very beginning to this point.


    This motivated the five to intensify their efforts on their side objective of disinfecting the plague-infested area. According to their system, the mission indicator showed that they had successfully disinfected two hundred fifty-five villages. Additionally, they encountered no hostile operatives trying to obstruct their progress. This made the trip a little smoother as they even had children to look after.


    The two young bodies of the cheerful Ella and the blonde boy Martin clearly tired from all their traveling, yet they did not utter a single complaint. Maturing beyond their years, they were vaguely sensitive to the energies of any sentient beings and were awed by the performance of the operatives. They imagined these operatives as superheroes fighting against the bad guys to protect the people. The young, gloomy teen Edgar, however, contemplated whether he could study under one of these operatives, feeling that it might be his calling. He knew they had lived like rats, constantly on the run because of their abilities and the irrational beings that intent on hunting them down. In his mind, he envisioned stopping all of these evil creatures that sought to destroy their peaceful lives.


    However, on another side, the young lady who dubbed herself Phoenix was deep in thought. She used to be the rowdiest and most boisterous of the group, but now she was as quiet as a windless lake. She reflected on the grotesque monster that had been eliminated by the Spacetime Operatives. To others, it may have seemed that the creature was merely strong, but she perceived the immense energy it possessed. In her eyes, the entity was akin to a godlike force, capable of leveling entire continents and perhaps even the world if left unchecked.


    Yet, men of different races and colors banded together against it. She struggled to understand how this unity was possible in an era marked by clear divisions. Those men, whom she would have previously labeled reckless and foolish for confronting such a being, had done so. Within less than half an hour, she witnessed what felt like mankind slaying gods. This experience shattered her worldview. She became somewhat convinced that the death of her parents was caused by these unseen entities, overlooked by the people of her era.


    She then recalled her rash actions of shouting and mocking the resolve of those dedicated to protecting humanity, filling her with shame and remorse. Axel couldn''t help but glance at her as deep lines creased her forehead in a frown. He contemplated whether he should approach her to offer comfort but ultimately decided against it, mindful of her fiery temper and the possibility that she might lash out again. He just kept a watchful eye on her, concerned for her well-being.


    Fairy 001 had been surveying the state of the team for quite a while and noticed that the Arcanist looked haggard, with unfocused eyes. Taking their condition into account, she decided it would be best to set up camp since they were only about ten kilometers away from Rouen. She opened her cache, and a destitute-looking abandoned hut emerged. Inside, however, it was surprisingly well-equipped, featuring separate bathing facilities for men and women, as well as a dining hall. The Comet team and the Arcanist were once again amazed by the capabilities of her box. The group relaxed for a while, escaping the heat of the hot noon sun and taking a much-needed break.


    While Luc is cooking for the group, Axel couldn''t help but approach Phoenix, feeling concerned as she had been distancing herself from everyone. He said, "Missy, you''ve seemed a bit out of sorts for a while now. Mind telling me what''s on your mind?"


    Phoenix, who seemed eager to ask something yet hesitant, seized the opportunity to speak her heart. "I kind of understand why my parents never let me join them in helping others. They were trying to protect me from being exposed to horrific creatures." She paused and gazed at Axel with intensity in her eyes. "Will I grow strong enough to fight against the beings that bring misfortune upon the land if I join your cause?"Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Axel, a man who had served his country for half of his life, locked an equally serious gaze on her and spoke, "Are you ready to lay down your life for this? If death stares you in the eye, will you be able to hold your ground? Will you be able to accept the ridicule of those uninvolved in our cause if you are misunderstood?"


    She didn''t answer for a moment, as if hesitating. Seeing this, Axel, knowing full well that she lacked the resolve to join, prompted her, "If such questions stump you, then you¡¯d best be useful elsewhere." He turned his back to her and began to check his equipment. In Phoenix¡¯s mind, she clung to the hope that the people hanged on the gallows in Bayeux were not her parents, so she wavered to answer.


    After a few hours of rest and a change of new clothes, the Arcanist seemed a little more alive, so they decided to travel toward the city on the horizon. As they approached, they entered a realm that embodied art, where every cobblestone whispered tales of history and creativity. Strolling through the winding streets, they were greeted by striking architecture that ranged from charming half-timbered houses to majestic Gothic cathedrals, each narrating the story of prosperity during the Middle Ages.


    They then entered Saint-Ouen Abbey, located north of the city. After passing through the side doors, they navigated the concealed passageways behind the church¡¯s walls, hidden from prying eyes. They moved underground to the crypt. She opened the door to one of the mausoleums, revealing a stairway that descended about a hundred meters. Surprisingly, the air, which one would expect to be dry and stale, was as fresh as that found in a forest. There, all the Arcanists of the era had gathered.


    Upon seeing them, the Arcanists who had initially been apprehensive were reassured by the Operatives already on site. Cries of surprise and happiness filled the air. Ella¡¯s parents, Martin and Titus, gathered as they spotted the children. They hugged one another, and the children eagerly expressed their desire to share the epic tales of their adventures.


    As the reuniting of parent and child were happening on the other side, Phoenix''s voice echoed through the winding passages as she ran deeper on the subterranean refuge, desperation dripped from each name she called, ¡°Mommy Claire! Daddy Allan! Guys, I¡¯m here! I know you¡¯re in there, please see me!¡± Alex and his elite special forces team, battle-hardened and accustomed to such haunting reunions, stood in solemn silence, heads bowed in quiet solidarity. Their usual stoicism faltered just for a moment, revealing the weight of heartache they carried. Nearby, Fairy 001 watched with a heavy heart, shaking her head in disbelief at Phoenix''s refusal to accept the tragic truth.


    While the atmosphere was heavy, the five men then heard a ring in their ears. It was the system, not Mission Control, notifying them about the main objective. Fairy 001, noticing their expressions, knew it was time for them to leave. She approached Axel and handed him a sleek black card, then gestured with a wink, signaling him to call her. Before he could respond, she vanished into the deeper parts of the hideout. Axel stored the card in his Personal Storage Space without even glancing at what was written on it, as his focus was solely on the prompt he had received.


    [Main Mission: Rescue Jeanne D¡¯Arc from the Huechromixix Operatives and Chrysalica Infestation]


    [ALERT: This mission holds the power to reshape the very fabric of human history. Proceed with utmost caution. Failure is not an option. Failure may result in setting humanity back three hundred years into darkness. The stakes are unimaginable. Do not falter!]


    [Mission Objective: Infiltrate the 17th level of the enemy''s Breeding Space, where extraterrestrial operatives are plotting to implant an insectoid controller in her brain. This insidious manipulation will strip her of her unique talents, turning them against us. You must rescue her before the Microscopic Operative of Chrysalica arrives and controls her.]


    [Mission Duration: 01:29:58 ¨C Currently Ongoing]


    [Participants: Limited to 21st and 20th Century Spacetime Operatives.]


    [Location of Joanne D''Arc: Underground breeding facility of Huechromixix and Chrysalica, situated 750 meters beneath the tower from your current location.]


    [Warning: The Operatives of the Opposition is of all equivalent 21st Century.]


    [Warning: The number of Operatives outnumbers human operatives by one to five.]


    [Warning: The Operators of the Opposition are accompanied by brainwashed humans of this era.]


    [Warning: The Operators of the Opposition are wearing skin identical to human skin, your judgement needs to be absolute.]


    [Advisory: Melee combat is only allowed in this operation as modern firearms will change the timeline trajectory.]


    [Advisory: The All Cloak is prohibited to be equipped as this will change the timeline trajectory.]


    [Notice: French Soldiers and Farmers on the scene are on your side but be aware of spies among their ranks.]


    [Notice: The Burgundians and Englishmen on the scene can be killed on sight.]


    [System: Your team will be designated as main infiltrator and will spearhead the operation. Will you accept?]


    [Yes] [No]

 Chapter 19: Gearing up and Entering Enemy Territory

    As the men read the System Notification, they exchanged glances and began to remove their gear. They knew that battling in the narrow underground caverns would be difficult with large weapons. Consequently, they transformed their Winston guns into knives with arm supports, allowing them to wield their weapons more effectively in such tight environments.


    Axel, aware that these arcanists had their ways of making the impossible possible, couldn¡¯t help but wonder if someone could draw a map for them. The system map was unavailable, and going in blind felt no different from suicide. He shouted, "If anyone can draw us a map right this instant, please assist us!"


    Hearing their voices, the arcanists whispered among themselves, and an old lady stepped forward. She asked, ¡°What map are you looking for, brave warriors?¡±


    ¡°We''re looking for a map of an underground cavern located to the northwest of here,¡± Alex replied, uncertain of what information was needed.


    The old woman simply nodded. She reached into her bag and retrieved a leather scroll, which was about the size of a standard scarf. Unfurling it while waving it in the air, she caught the men''s attention, though they couldn¡¯t help but have doubts about her method, they chose not to pry. Suddenly, the scroll caught fire. The five of them glanced at it for just a moment before returning to their discussion about the mission they had been given. After a moment, the leather revealed intricate engravings of the tunnel systems, even more detailed than the maps provided by tour guides in their time.


    After expressing their gratitude to the old woman, the group stepped out of the settlement, the leather scroll securely in hand. As they continued on their path, they noticed a middle-aged Arcanist approaching them with a friendly demeanor. He stepped forward and asked, ¡°Brave warriors, may I offer you assistance in your endeavors?¡±


    Axel, noticing the kind eyes and concern etched on the middle-aged man''s face, replied, ¡°Good sir, what assistance can you provide?¡±


    The man chuckled and patted Axel¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Young man, I am but a blacksmith who crafts gear. I happen to have some spare equipment in the back. Would you like to take a look?¡±


    The five of them exchanged glances, and Axel nodded at the man. ¡°Please, lead the way, sir.¡±


    ¡°Come,¡± said the middle-aged man as he ran toward the back of the underground passage.


    The five of them followed the middle-aged man toward the back. Understanding their urgency, he didn¡¯t dawdle and quickly led them deeper into the underground shelter. Soon, they arrived in a room filled with stone coffins, each crafted from the finest marble. The man paused, as if waiting for something to happen, and then began pressing the tiles with rhythmic precision. To their astonishment, all the coffins shifted as if controlled by mechanical mechanisms. As they tilted sideways, the lids opened, revealing an array of armor, weapons, swords, and bows within.


    ¡°Take what you fancy. There is no need to be shy. Everything is on the house.¡± The man grinned at them, and they could sense that he had poured his heart and soul into his craft.


    Although the five were familiar with most of the weapons, they were unsure how effective they would be against enemies with tough skin or strong armor. Noticing their pensive expressions, the man chuckled. He then grabbed a sword hanging on one of the coffins and swung it at a marble block that stood about four feet tall and five feet thick, slicing through it as effortlessly as if it were tofu. ¡°Are you going to doubt this blacksmith all day?¡± he asked, pouting and adopting a playful demeanor that seemed amusingly incongruous for someone of his imposing stature.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    The team Comet quickly donned full sets of leather equipment, prioritizing stealth. The man then handed them a pair of boots and said, ¡°These boots are perfect for a thief. They allow you to walk as silently as a cat. Not even my sleeping grandma would notice you on her creaky wooden floor.¡±


    The men exchanged glances as they looked over the equipment. At first, the sizes appeared similar, but when they tried them on, each piece fit perfectly. Not wanting to waste any time, the five of them quickly gathered some utility items like rope, bell strings, and a lamp. Just as they were about to leave, the man called out to them while scratching his head. ¡°I have, erm, a prototype I¡¯d like you to try out. Would you mind doing that for this old man?¡±


    The five of them nodded in unison, aware that this man¡¯s skills were not to be underestimated. Unsure if all their comrades were armed out there, they chose to follow him. They soon spotted small wooden barrels and a multiple set of crossbows.


    ¡°Well, this is no ordinary crossbow,¡± the middle-aged man boasted. ¡°It has a bolt holster, which means you don¡¯t need to load each bolt every single time.¡± The men exchanged knowing glances, recognizing that it was just a typical modern magazine. However, they didn¡¯t want to hurt the kind man''s feelings, so they chose to remain silent.


    ¡°This barrel, as light as it is, contains explosives powerful enough to blow up a city wall. What¡¯s more, it doesn¡¯t need a long fuse. I¡¯ve created a false bottom, allowing you to simply light it and run. The fuse inside is about three meters long, giving you at least a minute to escape at best. Additionally, it features a safety mechanism, if it gets hit by an external flame, like a fire arrow, for instance, it can render the explosives a dud, as the olive oil will moisten them inside. I had planned to sell this, but your folks warned me that I could get targeted, or worse, made a slave for the rest of my life. That seemed reasonable, so you can take it,¡± the man explained.


    Kokoy, an expert in all modern types of explosives, was stunned as he nearly stumbled when he realized how light the barrel was. Each of them then took a pair of barrels to carry. They also collected a pair of crossbow and about two hundred rounds for each of them. Luc tested the crossbow and, to his surprise, found it to be as deadly as a modern pistol. They gave the man a thumbs-up, and seeing their satisfaction with his craft, he laughed heartily and said, ¡°my name is Berg. I know you¡¯re all in a hurry, so leave now. I¡¯ll be making more weapons, so let me know if you need more,¡± he said, still chuckling at their enthusiasm.


    The five of them saluted with a standard military gesture. They were fully aware that their chances of survivability and completing the mission had skyrocketed thanks to his help. The man noticed the respectful looks in their eyes even though he wasn''t sure of their gesture. He felt his eyes well up with tears. It was the first time he had ever received genuine respect for his crafts. These brave men were all heroes of humanity after all. After a moment, the men waved goodbye and departed.


    Alex then spotted Fairy 001 briefing the children and the other Arcanists about the dangers of the Huechromixix and Chrysalica. He had thought she would be going somewhere and was unaware that she had immediately set to her task. The two exchanged glances and nodded in acknowledgment as the men continued to exit the abbey.


    [Mission Duration: 05:54:22 ¨C Currently Ongoing]


    [France Time ¨C 18:35]


    In the afternoon near Saint-Ouen Abbey, the air is filled with a sense of tranquility as the sun filters through the lush trees, casting dappled shadows on the cobblestone paths. The magnificent abbey, with its stunning Gothic architecture and intricate details, stands proudly, drawing the eyes of passersby. The serene gardens surrounding the abbey come alive with vibrant flowers and greenery, creating a picturesque setting for a peaceful stroll or a quiet moment of reflection. Nearby, street peddlers often gather in small groups, shouting about their wares, while the citizens of the era enjoy the captivating ambiance, sharing stories and laughter. The gentle sound of footsteps mingles with the faint rustle of leaves, making this historical site a perfect escape from the bustling city life.


    While the beauty of the place was a sight to behold, the men could not share the sentiment as they entered the tower where Jeanne was located. The tower guards saw group, Luc who had made preparations beforehand, fabricated a letter stating that they were to report to the Lieutenant of Rouen. The soldiers recognized this as an opportunity since the letter was genuinely sealed. They left their post as their shift was about to be done anyway.


    As the men entered, they saw almost nothing inside. At the top of the tower, a staircase led downstairs. The stairs appeared to have been unused for a while, so they lit a lamp to illuminate their path. After descending for a couple of minutes, a thick scent of blood assaulted their nostrils. They knew that a battle was imminent, so they readied their crossbows. When they finally emerged, they found themselves in a cave almost entirely filled with blood.

 Chapter 20: The Cave and Its Horrors Within (R-18: Gore)

    Located a few hundred meters below ground, the men looked around and saw drag marks in multiple directions that contained bits of flesh and severed fragments of clothing, clinging to the earth like forgotten memories. Dried pools of blood, dark and congealed, stained the cracked dirt floor, whispering tales of violence that echoed through the damp, oppressive air, a reminder of the horrors that had transpired in this hidden chamber.


    ¡®Step¡­ Step¡­ Step¡­ Step¡­¡¯


    They caught a faint rustle and noticed footsteps approaching from the right. The sound echoed ominously through the cave as the men tensed and heightened their senses. Instinct kicked in and they slid into position, knowing that even the slightest misstep could alert the enemy. Axel gestured with his hand, Luc crouched low with his knife glinting in the flickering light of the torch as he pressed against the wall with his heartbeat steady. The four of them readied their crossbows and kept their eyes sharp, calculating. Their analysis of the footprint suggested three adversaries closing in.


    Suddenly the silence shattered. One of the Huechromixix operatives rounded the corner, only to have his head cutoff that landed on the ground with a thud. In their execution, bolts sang through the air. One struck cleanly into the forehead of the second, and the other pierced the heart of the third. The men made sure to shoot each of their targets in the head and the heart twice to ensure they were dead. Swiftly they moved. The men kept their own gear on and pulled the armors of their fallen foes over it, concealing their true identities while their faces remained masked.


    The men dragged the Huechromixix operative¡¯s bodies away from the scene and over to a grim pile of human remains. They quickly buried the bloodstains beneath the soil, shoveling dirt over the crimson marks until nothing remained but dark earth. With practiced efficiency, they wiped the last traces of violence from their hands, ready to vanish into the shadows, their secret buried deep beneath layers of earth.


    They proceeded smoothly to the second level, but what they saw shocked them to their core, their previously calm faces now betraying a boiling rage. Limbs of men and women hung from hooks, dried like animal meat meant for market, and they counted at least a thousand arms and legs, a grim testament to the horrors inflicted here. It became clear that these monsters showed no compassion for humanity, and the men steeled themselves for what was to come.


    In the dim light, they spotted seven Huechromixix operatives processing what appeared to be human meat. The four soldiers exchanged glances for confirmation, ready to slay the enemies, however, Axel shook his head, realizing that eliminating these butchers could alert the entire base, as they seemed crucial to the gruesome operation. They quietly moved past, recomposing themselves, acutely aware that any rash action could jeopardize not only their mission but the fate of humanity itself.


    They stumbled onto the third floor, entering a nightmarish scene that shattered their already fraying composure. Pregnant women, all naked and famished, their gaunt bodies betraying the living horrors of starvation. Some were obscenely hung on makeshift crosses, their arms outstretched in agony, bearing witness to some unspeakable torment. Others lay bound in the shadows, their swollen bellies a haunting reminder of their fate as pregnant women, the disturbing image of their already lifeless and decomposing forms lingering in their minds, as vivid and unsettling as a macabre painting forever etched in memory.


    Amidst the chaos, their eyes fell upon a nun who, like the others, was pregnant. Her once-pristine veil now in tatters, and her lips were cracked and dry, whispering of a parched throat long deprived of basic sustenance. Despite the ravages of her condition, a fierce fire burned in her eyes, blazing with a hatred that cut through the suffocating gloom.


    "Those... those monsters did this to me," she rasped, her voice barely audible yet hauntingly laced with both vengeance and defiance. "Soldiers of the light, slay these scourges so I can see each of them burn in hell, where they will finally pay for their sins. I don¡¯t want to live anymore. Warrior, plunge your blade into me and end my suffering." She forced herself to say all those words in one breath as her voice completely gave out, and she lay there, her body still, her eyes frozen on his, a silent plea begging him to end her agony.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Axel closed his eyes for a brief moment, grappling with the weight of his actions. With a swift and calculated motion, he swung his knife, aiming for a quick and painless end. The nun fell, her life extinguished in an instant, her final gasp fading into an eerie silence. Axel then gently closed her eyes and etched this scene into his heart.


    But as the stillness settled around them, something caught his attention. His gaze shifted upwards, and there, suspended on one of the ornate, sinister crosses that lined the chamber, was a woman writhed in agony, her face contorted as if gripped by unimaginable pain. It was a grotesque parody of life, she was giving birth, but instead of a child, she expelled a series of strong, glossy eggs that thudded against the wooden surface of the cross. Each release sent shudders through her body, a testament to the unnatural ordeal she was enduring. The sight ignited a seething anger deep within Axel and his companions, a furious determination to confront the grueling reality unfolding before them.


    They passed by the women on the crosses with hearts heavy as mountains, their psychological stability teetering on the brink of collapse. They knew all too well that this nightmare might not be the end of the horrors ahead. As they approached the entrance to the fourth floor, leading even deeper into the darkness, a chilling sight stopped them in their tracks, it was a small hand of a child laying on the floor.


    With each step they took, their dread deepened as they encountered more small severed hands and feet scattered throughout the corridor. The ghastly scene weighed heavily on them, a haunting reminder of the innocence lost in this place of torment.


    As they ventured deeper into the fourth floor, an echo of haunting sounds reached their ears. The chilling cries of men and women pierced the silence, mingling with the desperate pleas of children begging for mercy. "Please, no! Don''t eat me! Ahhh!" a small voice cried, quivering with fear. The heart-wrenching wails twisted in their stomachs, each cry, a knife twisting deeper within them.


    However, these men were the most elite special forces of the 21st century, their training forging an iron will in the face of horror. Axel halted the team with a signal, taking a moment to center themselves amidst the terror. Experience had taught them to compartmentalize their emotions, but this was different, these were monsters committing genocide and horrors, even planning for extermination of mankind.


    The sickening sounds of tearing flesh and gnashing teeth echoed through the corridor, a disgusting symphony of suffering that only made them despise these creatures even more. Each anguished scream pierced the air, a relentless reminder that they were not merely bystanders to this atrocity, but men resolute in their commitment to help those who could be saved.


    As they rounded the corner, the team froze at the sight before them. Nearly a hundred Huechromixix operatives, their scales glistening, gathered in a circle eagerly devouring fresh meat. The air was thick with the stench of blood and the sickening sounds of feasting.


    In the center, a small child with wide, terrified eyes struggled helplessly. His tiny fists flailed as he tried to escape the grasping claws. Before the team could react, he was overpowered and dragged into the fray, his cries drowned by the hideous chorus of the lizardmen devouring him alive.


    Knowing it was futile, they bypassed the scene of carnage and prioritized their mission. A heavy weight settled in their conscience, mingling with a sense of helplessness and fury. The screams of the child echoed in the cavern and in their minds, deepening their sorrow.


    Each step away felt like a betrayal, an unbearable choice that left a bitter taste on their tongues. They couldn¡¯t save him, but they would ensure this evil was stopped. Gritting their teeth, they pressed forward, preparing themselves for the tasks ahead, driven by the knowledge that the progress of humanity depended on their success, even as the haunting images lingered.


    The team stumbled onto the fifth floor and entered a well-lit cavern, the air thick with a nauseating odor that clawed at their throats. The sight that greeted them was horrific. Bloated bodies hung upside down from the ceiling, their distorted forms resembling morbidly obese figures. Each one was unnaturally swollen, repulsive in appearance with pus oozing from their skin. Their flesh stretched to its limits, glistening under the faint light as they squirmed in desperate agony.


    They used the green nutrient liquid from the transparent vat, connected to their sphincter via a hose, while another hose delivered water directly to their mouths. The viscous, emerald fluid shimmered with life-giving properties, vital for sustaining them in this grotesque environment.


    Around them, Christalica Operatives moved with eerie efficiency, depositing their grotesque eggs onto living flesh to ensure the survival of their repulsive brood. Excess green liquids leaked out from their bodies pooling beneath, reflecting ominously in the dim light, while a nearby tube of water dripped rhythmically, contributing a warped sense of rhythm to the unsettling scene.


    Overwhelmed by revulsion, the team stood frozen and grappled with the sheer depravity before them. This was a perverse ritual of suffering, a twisted cycle that left them horrified. They had to end this madness before more lives were consumed.

 Chapter 21: The Slip and the Comrade in Arms

    The men stared in horror at the huge insects in the vicinity, each possessing eight eyes on their heads that provided almost unhindered vision, small mandibles, and bodies resembling those of caterpillars. At the end of their bodies was a stinger-like tail, reminiscent of a scorpion''s, which they used to deposit eggs into their human hosts. These creatures were about three meters in length, and the men counted a couple of dozen grotesque beings as they climbed the cavern walls, trying to avoid any confrontation with the parasitic pests.


    As they hung a hundred feet in the air, a small pebble slipped from Wong¡¯s foot and fell. The sound prompted the insects to turn their attention to where the pebble landed. Their many eyes scanned the surroundings, and they looked up, focusing on the men above, however, only the silent rocks met their gaze. Among the insects was the leader, a particularly large specimen with a millipede-like body that was five times the size of its peers. It crawled up the wall, meticulously scanning the ceiling for any signs of unnatural substances like rubber or metallic traces from human footwear. To confirm its findings, it even sampled some rocks by chewing at it, as if a connoisseur of some delicacy, ensuring it had not overlooked anything. As it noticed the taste of the leather armor worn by the Huechromixix Operatives, it found it a bit strange. However, as it pondered this, it concluded that since they mingled here, it was possible the operatives had passed through the area, so it chose not to pry any further.


    Sensing no threats, the leader let out a piercing screech that echoed like cries from the abyss, resembling the sound of a jet approaching supersonic speeds. It was intermittent, as if reprimanding the gossipers to return to their tasks or risk losing their jobs. This call spurred its team back to work, causing the caterpillar-like insects to scurry about, who seemed eager to see some action.


    Axel and his team, seemingly blessed with the luck of humanity, stumbled upon a small crevice that was just large enough for all of them to fit inside. Wong, who had made a critical error, was sweating profusely and his face was as pale as porcelain. He panted heavily after witnessing firsthand the terror of the abyss he had only seen in horror films. As he relayed this information to his team and the behavior of such creatures, he could see the alarm spread across their faces as they took in his report. They understood that Wong was not one to exaggerate when it comes to these matters.


    One thing was clear in their minds. As they descended further into the unknown, more of these malevolent creatures would be waiting for them. Doubt began to creep into the team as the mission felt increasingly daunting and the weight of their responsibility became almost too much to bear.


    They then passed through a corridor filled with insects, but it felt like they had been there for decades as they double-checked the integrity of the rocks they stepped on. They couldn¡¯t help but praise their miraculous shoes. Even if the shoes looked unfashionable with their gaudy design, they would definitely sing their praises to the high heavens because of how silent they were.


    As they descended to the lower levels, the sound of pickaxes striking resonated through the air, echoing in a disquieting chorus. This alarming noise heightened their concern about the presence of so many operatives. Axel assigned the stealthiest member of the group, Tamaki, to scout ahead. After a while, Tamaki returned with unsettling news, the men they had heard were tasked with excavating the cave on the seventh level and seemed to cling to the hope of reuniting with their families. However, Tamaki, with his near-perfect photographic memory, recalled that at least three of these miners resembled those who had been eaten alive on the fourth level. This meant that these men were not only at risk but also clinging to false hopes regarding the safety of their families.


    [Mission Duration: 04:47:41 ¨C Currently Ongoing]


    [France Time ¨C 19:12]


    Axel checked the time they had spent descending and felt a surge of frustration over the delay caused by the insects. Shaking off this distracting anger, he focused on the task ahead. He ordered his team to pull out the tattered clothes they had stashed away during their journey. They dressed in shabby garments, discarding the leather gear they had taken from the lizardmen earlier, as it was too heavy and hindered their ability to blend in. The skin-tight leather provided by Berg, however, matched their skin tones and offered a small degree of camouflage, making them harder to spot unless someone looked closely.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    After burying the stolen leather armor, they covered themselves in dirt to disguise their appearances as miners. The Winston, when unarmed and configured in its knife-with-arm-support setting, resembled a pickaxe, possessing a slightly futuristic and stylish look. Spotting some clay and moss in the cavern, Tamaki fashioned them into a pickaxe that was nearly identical to those used by the excavators in the cave. His impressive creation earned him the praise of his peers, lightening the mood.


    They descended into the cavern through a series of treacherous entry points, the steep walls posing a deadly risk to anyone foolish enough to leap from such heights. But with carefully secured ropes, the descent became a tactical maneuver rather than a perilous plummet. As they entered, they meticulously blended into the shadows, aware that the men here were not easily deceived. They could smell suspicion in the air, either a disguised human lurked among them, or a freshly blackmailed newcomer had joined the ranks, ready to toil away their lives.


    Catching the keen gaze of what appeared to be the leader of the group, Axel noted the subtle signal exchanged with the man. In a fluid motion, they slipped into the darker recesses of the cavern. Seizing the moment, Axel carefully prodded the unsuspecting man with the pickaxe, the sharp tip barely grazing his spine. The man, seething with indignation and on the verge of a noisy protest, found himself slammed against the cold stone wall by Axel, whose hand swiftly covered his mouth, silencing any potential outcry in an instant. The air was thick with tension, and their secret mission hung in the balance.


    ¡°I saw hundreds being devoured in the upper chambers,¡± Axel said, his voice low and steady, each word laced with urgency. ¡°You need to cooperate. We¡¯re here to set you free.¡± He paused, recalling the note that Fairy 001 had attached to the gold pouch she tossed to the soldiers. ¡°We purged the demons in the shadows, slayed the witches that hide from prying eyes, and grant no rest to the wicked.¡±


    As if the words had triggered something deep within him, the man''s eyes trembled violently, glistening with the threat of unfallen tears. Yet, just as quickly, his cold exterior reasserted itself, a mask of resolve settling over his features. With the pickaxe clenched tightly in his grip, he raised it high, the weight of his conviction evident in every line of his body. In one swift motion, he plunged the steel into the side of his belly, skillfully avoiding any vital organs, the sharp metal slicing through flesh and muscle with a sickening crunch that echoed in the stillness around them.


    ¡°Comrade,¡± he gasped, his voice strained yet resolute. ¡°Take a look but be quick about it.¡± Axel plunged his hand into the man''s abdomen, checking to see if the organs were human. After a few breaths, the man replied, ¡°I am Winter 01 of the 20th Century.¡± The air crackled with the weight of his words, a solemn reminder that these were men holding up the sky for humanity.


    Axel handed over the foldable crossbow, its mundane appearance making it easy to mistake for a toy, along with at least twenty bolts. In one swift motion, the man opened his belly a bit more, carefully avoiding major arteries, then stashed the weapon inside. Axel glanced at his companion and asked in a low, steady voice, ¡°How many?¡±


    The man, who appeared unfazed by the impending danger, surveyed their surroundings with an appraising eye before returning to his task of mining. He picked up clay and sand, carefully applying them to his wound as if it were a mere inconvenience rather than a serious injury. Axel followed his lead, letting the tension ebb a little as the rhythmic sound of picks striking the rock filled the air.


    Nearby, two figures approached, coming within earshot, then they started to chip down the stonewall, their movements almost mechanical, perfectly synchronized as if they were components of a well-oiled machine. Axel''s instinct flared to life, these men were not just workers, they were opposing operatives. As the shadow of danger loomed larger, he and his companion continued their work, aware that they couldn''t afford to raise any suspicion.


    Leaning into the facade of camaraderie, Axel recalled a line from a slave drama he had seen long ago. ¡°Comrades,¡± he called out, his voice just an inaudible whisper yet laden with false cheerfulness, ¡°we''re discussing a morsel of bread I stashed earlier. You''re welcome to some, but, please, keep this between us.¡± He motioned toward the two stoic men, their blank expressions betraying nothing.


    To his surprise, the two men exchanged glances, their eyebrows arching in mild astonishment. However, with quiet enthusiasm, they accepted the offered bread, a slight smile creeping onto their otherwise expressionless faces before they retreated to a different area. Still, their gazes lingered on Axel and Winter 01, as if they were closely observing them for other motives. The whisper revealed their intent, as it shouldn¡¯t have been heard by someone twenty meters away. Additionally, Axel hadn¡¯t articulated the word ¡®comrade¡¯ clearly, making it impossible for anyone to read his lips.


    Axel exchanged a knowing glance with Winter 01, an unspoken understanding passing between them. They were walking a fine line, any slip could spell disaster. As they resumed their labor, Axel''s heart raced with anxiety, each thud of the pick into the rock echoing the ticking clock of their mission. With every swing, he ran through worst-case scenarios in his mind, betrayal, capture, or worse.


    Time was not on their side. They had to find a way to outsmart the operatives who watched their every move or risk losing everything. The air crackled with tension as they toiled, and Axel couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that every second brought them closer to an inevitable reckoning. How would they evade the keen eyes of their adversaries and prevail in this treacherous game?

 Chapter 22: The Smooth Execution and the Fierce Marshal

    As the men toiled away, Axel noticed his team working diligently in other parts of the mines at different locations. Their observational skills were no less keen than his. Suddenly, he witnessed a moment of human ingenuity, the men in pairs communicated using Morse code. One member of each pair used the sound of a shovel for long signals, while a pickaxe produced the short tones. It dawned on him that the earlier sounds he had heard lacked such patterns. These operatives, skilled and aware, wouldn¡¯t be involved in this endeavor if they were inept. It was possible that this method of communication was used so infrequently that the Huechromixix and Chrysalica operatives had overlooked it.


    He translated the words he¡¯d heard, and they shocked him. ¡°Boom in fifteen minutes, spearhead go.¡± These men were prepared for a mission with no intention of returning. They understood the risks and what would happen if they were surrounded. Axel hardened his resolve to move forward with their plan. He signaled to his teammate, touching his ear to convey the message, but when he observed them using their own signals to stop, look, and listen, he breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that the success of their mission hinged on precise execution.


    The intermittent communications ceased after the third repetition, with the final version echoing, ¡°Spearhead boom fifteen.¡± These operatives were incredibly cautious, striving not to alert the enemy. One member foamed at the mouth in panic, while another started a brawl over stolen bread to draw attention away from the opposing operatives, who were pretending to blend in among them. Axel and his team were now waiting for the explosion to occur, however, he was unaware that their allies had already devised a sound strategy for this operation. He tried to commit to their plan while ensuring he had backups ready in case a situation arose.


    Meanwhile, a gentleman who had once been a wealthy merchant and held the rank of Marshal in this era observed the brewing unrest. He had long been attuned to the whispers of rebellion among the laborers and understood the dire implications of their struggles. Out of the kindness of his heart and having witnessed the untold horrors that humanity had yet to confront, he knew he had to act. He trusted in his tactical skills and recognized that if this chaos persisted, humanity would find itself grappling with unspeakable abominations.


    Blending seamlessly into the crowd with a group of trusted retired comrades, he resolved to charge the very heart of this malevolent stronghold and bring it to ruin. Although he was already sixty-one, age had not dulled his fighting spirit. He understood the risks he faced that he might not return alive, but he concealed his trusty sword within a pickaxe, ready to inflict as much damage as he could.


    As he observed the operatives communicating in a manner he did not yet understand, his intuition whispered that they were planning something significant. Sensing an alliance, he knew these men were also preparing for action. He decided to hold off on initiating the rebellion until the moment was right, eager to join the fray when it began. What he remained blissfully unaware of, however, was that some of the operatives surrounding him were masters of disguise, watching his every move with contempt and ridicule. These Huechromixix operatives, posing as his comrades, harbored their own ulterior motives.


    The human operatives, who had been stationed here for at least a year, had fully observed the presence of the pretending miners, who numbered around twenty-one. The human contingent, composed of four teams totaling thirty-seven members, began to maneuver discreetly around the oblivious Huechromixix observers.


    ¡°Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!¡±


    As if on cue, the men sprang into action with precise coordination, two human operatives for each opposing foe. One aimed for the heart while the other targeted the head. After executing their plan flawlessly, they quickly converged on a single target. Four of the leaders engaged the remaining combatants, while the one they believed to be the strongest was overwhelmed by a group wielding their Winston weapons, forged from advanced alloys designed to combat unimaginable horrors.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    They struck the stunned Huechromixix juggernaut with all their strength, targeting his spine with five blows, aiming four strikes at each of his limbs, and three men focused their efforts on his head. In their fervor to ensure he would never rise again, they turned him into mincemeat, venting their pent-up anger and frustration over the horrors they had endured. However, amidst this fury, a slight problem emerged.


    ¡°That was my man!¡± the old marshal shouted, his voice thick with righteous indignation as if he had been gravely wronged. ¡°Murderers! We were here to help, but how could you do such a thing? How?¡± The man, not one to act rashly, demanded an explanation, tension evident in his posture, ready to explode if they said the wrong thing.


    As the scene unfolded, Winter 01 approached the lifeless body and began to rummage through it. He knew that dealing with someone like the old marshal required evidence to sway him. As the Marshal glared at him with bloodshot eyes, Winter 01 extracted the intact heart of the operative. To the marshal''s shock, it was still beating, vaguely resembling that of an octopus and vastly different from a human heart. He then held it up for the seething marshal to see.


    With a sneer, Winter 01 said to him, ¡°Does this heart look like the heart of a man? If so, Marshal, shall we take a look at yours too?¡± The marshal''s face turned pale at this sudden confrontation, he couldn¡¯t retort or refute Winter 01''s words, knowing well that this was no heart of a man. Having been on countless battlefields, he understood what a man''s heart truly looked like.


    Winter 01, aiming to intimidate the marshal, was aware that if he pushed too far, he might break the man. He continued, ¡°Marshal, I¡¯ve seen your kindness to the community, your efforts for impoverished families, and even your work in building a school for those who want to learn how to read and write.¡± As the former best spy of his era, Winter 01 was well-versed in psychological tactics. He pressed on, ¡°Have you truly looked at your men? These are not men we are dealing with, but embodiments of evil and malice, not born of this land, not even of this Earth. These creatures have come from the sky to eliminate all of mankind. If you wish to dawdle, we shall leave you here.¡± His men, as if on cue, turned to their backs against the marshal and started to ready their equipment.


    The marshal, a man who had spent his life on the battlefield and whose will was as strong as an iron fortress, began to shed tears. He remembered the days when he basked in the recognition of the citizens, waving to them left and right. He was not an incompetent man, he could even be called one of the most righteous, loyal, and benevolent man of his era. Yet, in his mind, his small indulgences now sparked a deep guilt in his heart. He realized he had been deceived by these abominations all this time. As he looked around, he couldn''t recognize a single one of the men before him. It became clear that these individuals were here solely for the sake of the people, receiving neither gold coins nor accolades in return.


    He even imagined these men had lived through lives of destitution, as if they were destined to save humanity itself. This realization filled him with a profound sense of shame, inadequacy, and foolishness as he stared at his hands.


    Seeing the look of contemplation on the Marshal''s face, Winter 01 approached him. Being an old man with greying hair himself, he gently patted the Marshal''s shoulder and said, ¡°Marshal, if you feel you are too old for this kind of work, you are welcome to go home.¡± Shaking his head and feigning disappointment, he added, ¡°You have already done so much for the community. We men who operate from the shadows do not seek recognition or gold, nor do we desire support from any king. We do this because we want to. All of us here are fully committed with our heart, mind, body, and soul. We have sworn our allegiance to mankind itself. That is all I have to say.¡±


    Like a fading spark ignited by gasoline, the man with dull eyes looked at Winter 01 with newfound resolve and declared, ¡°I, Jean Bureau, will join your cause. Even if my old bones break and my muscles weather away, I will not yield. I shall be the last man standing for mankind.¡±


    Winter 01, who had initially doubted the Marshal¡¯s character, now felt fully convinced of his resolve. However, a lingering concern prompted him to ask, ¡°Marshal, you may not be aware, but we¡¯re worried that someone could be looking for you. Our identities must remain a closely guarded secret, and our missions extend beyond France to distant continents across the seas. What if an old comrade or a family member comes in search of you? How would you handle that?¡±


    The Marshal, taken aback by the concern, sheepishly scratched his nose while trying to explain, ¡°Uhm¡­ well, it¡¯s like this. I have someone I can trust as a body double. He¡¯s as old and just as competent as I am. I felt that dying in a dull deathbed would be too boring for me, so I ventured out and stumbled upon this hellhole. To my surprise, it was worse than I had imagined, so I sought to save these people here.¡±


    Winter 01 was taken aback by the adventurous spirit of this aging warrior. The massively built man, now scratching his head in a display of unexpected modesty, appeared almost shy, truly an amusing sight for one so formidable.

 Chapter 23: The Blinding Gold and The War Veterans

    As the battle on the seventh floor came to a conclusion, hundreds of civilians watched the unfolding interaction in a daze. They now understood that those who had imprisoned them were not human, they envisioned these creatures as the demons that the church had propagated. The crowd of men, seething with rage, looked to the Marshal, searching for an explanation.


    The Marshal climbed onto a large rock to rally the citizens, who gazed at him with bloodshot eyes, unable to vent their anger due to a lack of information. He began to speak. ¡°Men of France, what we have witnessed here are not men but monsters in human skin. Take a look at their corpses and you will notice that they have scale-like skin reminiscent of snakes, smooth to the touch. These demons dare to be scourges upon our sacred lands. We shall vanquish them with the weapons in our hands! Victory shall be ours! For France!¡±


    The crowd erupted with intense passion in response to his speech. They raised their pickaxes and shovels into the air and shouted, ¡°Victory for France! Victory for France! Victory for France! Victory for France!¡±


    A doctor, well-known in a certain town and abducted along with his townsfolk, closely examined the corpses. Some of the men who were not convinced by the Marshal''s impassioned speech chose to trust the doctor instead. After his examination, the doctor confirmed that these beings were indeed not human, but demons in human skin. As a man of science, he was baffled by his findings and was about to keep a specimen for study when Winter 01 patted him on the shoulder and shook his head.


    ¡°Doctor, you may not know this, but these creatures have a peculiar sense. They will track you down if they realize you are studying them.¡± The doctor, upon hearing this, gasped, and his face turned pale. Noticing that this man was a people person, Winter 01 handed him a book on how to cure the plague. Although the practices contained within were not as modern as those of the 21st century, they still included major breakthroughs. The doctor read the book as if it were holy scripture and couldn¡¯t help but thank Winter 01 profusely.


    Meanwhile, Alex and his team ran towards the lower floors as the explosion occurred. At first, they were uncertain about how their fellow operatives would execute the task. However, upon witnessing the smooth execution of the opposing operatives, they quickly sprinted toward the lower floors with renewed determination.


    Not wanting to waste time, they raced ahead with the map in hand, moving swiftly from the seventh floor to the eleventh. They did not encounter a single soul, only finding eggs scattered along the way from the eighth down to the tenth floor. Though tempted to destroy these evil spawns, they chose not to, as a single bolt could pierce only one or two eggshells, and they did not want to waste their limited ammunition.


    Upon entering the eleventh floor, they heard laughter and what seemed to be a party. There, they saw men who appeared to have dealings with the extraterrestrials, offering information in exchange for exorbitant amounts of gold. Angered that these men dared to sell out their own kind, they speculated that greed had blinded them to the true nature of the Huechromixix operatives. As they continued to observe, they noticed chests overflowing with gold. Surveying their surroundings and seeing that no one else was present, the soldiers decided to act.


    ¡°Comet 07 (Wong), take a sniping position and watch for any runners. Comet 05 (Tamaki) and Comet 04 (Luc) will engage them, while Comet 03 (Kokoy) and I will cover the perimeter,¡± Alex commanded, prompting the team to spring into action.


    Luc, who had been one of the best theater actors in his teenage years, was the one to engage. ¡°Gentlemen, I am the supervisor of one of the mines from which this gold originates. I have a proposition for you all.¡± He acted as flamboyantly as possible, adding an elegant flair to his performance.


    The men were taken aback by his entrance, wondering where this nobleman had come from. However, intrigued by the prospect of making a fortune, they chose to listen to what he had to say. With a subtle hand signal, Luc then gave them the go-ahead.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    With deadly accuracy, four men outside were struck by bolts, while Winston, disguised as a knife, transformed midway into a longsword, severing the heads of three men near Luc. Their headless bodies stumbled, still grasping for something, and collapsed onto the pile of gold chests below, now forever united with the wealth they so desperately coveted.


    Team Comet nodded to each other, contemplating whether they could use the gold as a prop, but they were soon disappointed by the message from the system.


    [System: Personal Storage Space unavailable during this mission. Please try again later.]


    They surveyed their surroundings, fully aware that these men would struggle to stomach such horrors on the first few floors, even with their courage multiplied tenfold. Axel assigned Wong and Tamaki to scout for any other exits they could utilize. While they explored the area, the remaining three men began to clean up the scene. They removed the clothes from the bodies of the rich men before dragging them back to the tenth floor, which appeared to be a feeding ground for the Huechromixix offspring. To erase any evidence, they used barrels of luxurious wine to clean up the blood, leaving two barrels of brandy behind for later use, knowing it was highly flammable and could serve a purpose.


    Once this was accomplished, Tamaki and Wong returned to the scene to report their findings.


    Wong spoke first, ¡°Captain, we¡¯ve confirmed that there seems to be an exit leading all the way to the surface. However, it opens into the Seine River. If I¡¯m correct, the men here owned the ship docked near that exit, which they used to block this path and avoid detection by civilians.¡±


    Tamaki added, ¡°As I surveyed the cave''s surface, I noticed that the terrain is frequently used and relatively clean. There are also these strange engravings on the walls. I suspect they are arcane magics. When I touched them, they felt hot. This suggests there might be other entrances and exits we are unaware of, which could also explain why the Arcanist who created our map failed to detect them.¡±


    As they contemplated their next move, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through their floor. Instinctively, they readied their weapons. The tension was palpable until they saw the figures emerging from the shadows, battle-hardened men led by Winter 01. Axel remembered that seven teams were committed to this mission, and he extended his hand to Winter 01, giving him a questioning glance that conveyed the silent query, ¡®who are these men with you?¡¯


    The operatives surveyed Axel''s team with keen eyes, nodding in approval. They recognized the effort that had gone into cleaning up the area and assessed their readiness for any potential engagements. Winter 01 then called forward five men, apparent leaders of their respective squads. The remaining operatives swiftly dispersed to secure the perimeter, ensuring that all was in order.


    Winter 01 stepped forward, his voice firm and authoritative. ¡°These are our comrades, Desert 01,¡± he said, gesturing toward a stoic figure, ¡°this grumpy looking young man is Autumn 01,¡± he continued, pointing to a sullen operative, ¡°that sharp-dressed gentleman is Spring 01,¡± he added, nodding toward a well-groomed soldier, ¡°that gloomy one over there is Rainy 01,¡± he stated, indicating a brooding operative, ¡°and finally, this seasoned veteran is Bombardier 01. Sir, we are ready for your command.¡±


    Axel nodded to the squad leaders, then gestured to Tamaki to unveil their operational map. The other leaders quickly retrieved their own maps, assessing the terrain with sharp eyes. It became apparent that consolidating their intel was key. Axel, however, noted critical details on the other maps that could enhance their mission.


    "Combat navigators, assess the feasibility of alternative routes," Axel ordered the squad leaders, his voice steady, cutting through the ambient tension. As they awaited feedback, Axel and the squad leaders dug into logistics, discussing their ordnance and gear. Some teams were equipped with explosives, others had crafted makeshift smoke grenades, while a few relied solely on their physical prowess for the mission ahead.


    Only five minutes had passed, but the combat navigators had efficiently assimilated the critical details from Team Comet''s map. Their focus was razor-sharp as they swiftly replicated the newfound information while the original, now lay on the table marked by the weight of urgency. The room crackled with tension as they identified multiple entry and exit points. Each one was a potential lifeline for their mission and a pathway to seamless execution.


    "Listen up!" Axel''s voice cut through the silence and commanded attention. "We need to close off some routes to prevent any reinforcements from the opposition. No loose ends." The other squad leaders nodded in agreement. It was clear the spearhead had a specific target in mind, a rescue operation. Axel understood the unspoken truth, each squad here had its own objectives. They were united in purpose, even if their individual missions remained cloaked in secrecy.


    As the men began to devise the perfect execution of their plan, the clock on the system loomed over them like a grim reaper, ready to claim their lives at the first sign of failure. Time was their enemy, watching them hungrily like a predator eyeing its next meal. Every passing second intensified the urgency of their mission, and they felt its weight pressing down on them. They knew that any flaw in their strategy could lead to disaster, and the relentless ticking of the clock served as a brutal reminder that they had to act swiftly and decisively.


    [Mission Duration: 03:39:53 ¨C Currently Ongoing]


    [France Time ¨C 20:20]

 Chapter 24: Impostor Among Us and Planning Ahead

    As the men began to contemplate their plan, Axel, who had a knack for simulating strategies in his mind, quickly devised one. However, he recalled what had happened during their atmospheric entry, an insect had crawled onto one of his team members, and at the checkpoint, that member had been discovered to be already replaced by an impostor. With a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes, he spoke, ¡°Everyone strip right now! Drop your weapons on the left, your armor on the right, everyone that¡¯s done line up in the middle. We¡¯ll conduct an inspection immediately.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the squad leaders were stunned. They had verified their men almost every day, but seeing Axel¡¯s face, indicating he would not take a no for an answer, they all complied. As the spearhead of the military, they had a vague understanding that Axel was their superior. One by one, they began to unequip their gear, even Winter 01, who had been checked earlier, stripped off his clothes. The squad leaders were a little hesitant, but seeing Winter 01 taking the lead, they chose to follow suit, fully aware that this small delay might be a lifesaver in the event that someone had truly been replaced. Some team members were also unfamiliar with this type of scenario, so they could only sigh and comply with the orders given.


    The brandy, now about to fulfill its purpose, was being used as a disinfectant for the operation. While it might not be as effective as rubbing alcohol, it was the only available option for maintaining a hygienic procedure. Doubts crept into the minds of some men from other teams, but they remained silent, their eyes glued to Team Comet as they began to pierce the sides of the squad leaders with precision. The organ checks followed, moving from the heart to the lungs and then down to the intestines and stomach. The process was excruciating, but the squad leaders understood the necessity of ensuring no impostors were among them. Complaints simmered beneath the surface, but they were quelled by the gravity of the moment.


    Once the squad leaders were verified, they donned their gear and initiated checks on their own men. Noticing some lacked proper medical skills, Axel and his team stepped in, ensuring the procedure ran smoothly. Tensions mounted, and just as the atmosphere threatened to crack, a desperate cry broke through.


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­ I¡¯m scared! Captain, you have to help me!¡± A member from team Bombardier voiced his fears, panic evident in his pleading eyes.


    As Tamaki prepared to plunge his knife into the man¡¯s side, a grotesque entity revealed itself. The operative from the opposing team was none other than a Chrysalica, a creature resembling a mass of worms, with eyes that resemble flies scattered among its tentacles. In an instant, Bombardier 01 transformed his Winston into a longsword, cleaving the malevolent creature in half. Before the shock of the moment could settle, two more operatives darted forward one from team Summer and team Spring, only to meet the swift blades of Rainy 01 and Autumn 01, who dispatched them in a flurry of steel.


    The unarmed men stood frozen, their blood turning cold as terror coursed through their veins. Half of the operatives, unaware of such horrors, couldn¡¯t help but feel a shudder run down their spines. Meanwhile, those who were in the know broke out in cold sweats. They looked at their weapons on the floor as if gazing at a lover, vowing to cherish their weapons with every heartbeat, even in the next life.


    Axel and his team also underwent the inspection, knowing it was a necessity. After ensuring everything was verified, he looked at the men with a questioning yet authoritative tone. ¡°Are there any questions?¡± he asked, noting the doubtful gazes they had directed at him and his team before the procedure began.


    The operatives couldn¡¯t help shaking their heads like the tail of a dog excited to see its cherished owner. Seeing this, Axel knew he had gained some semblance of trust from these men. After a while, once all the wounds were bandaged, he glanced at the six squad leaders, ready to discuss the next course of action.


    He then pointed to the entry point they had come from and called on Tamaki, who was well-known for his vivid descriptions, to recount the horrors they had witnessed. After a few minutes, the squad leaders couldn¡¯t help but grind their teeth, their eyes blazing with fury. The soldiers who overheard the conversation felt their rage deepen as they realized that these creatures were truly spawns of hell. They even dared to make playthings of their fellow men and women.


    "Eyes sharp!" Axel then pointed toward the location of another exit they had found that led to the river. He took into account that the area might be guarded, as operatives could be hiding underwater. They may need to launch a full assault for that exit to be used as a checkpoint. The third exit was on the seventh floor, leading up Sainte-Catherine Hill, which was very close to where their team needed to be.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Spring 01 then synchronized the team with hand signals, establishing a defensive perimeter. He turned to his fellow operatives, offering a succinct briefing of their mission.


    ¡°Our objective is clear, we are to extract Arcanists trapped on the fifteenth floor, enslaved as laborers. Our rally point is at this hill, and we have the option to move with you. These survivors can wield arcane, so the steep exit will pose no hindrance to us.¡±


    Bombardier 01 added critical intel, stating, ¡°We have a secondary objective, we are tasked to neutralize a facility within the compound. Classified details cannot be shared at this time.¡± He pointed decisively to a marked section of the map on the second floor. The other squad leaders nodded, each understood that their deployment would be crucial to the operation¡¯s success. ¡°There¡¯s an exit near the facility leading directly to the Le Gros-Horloge clock,¡± he continued. ¡°However, intelligence suggests it¡¯s heavily fortified. We¡¯ll avoid that route and instead recommend demolishing this area to create a diversion. We can accompany you as backup, however, we may not meet your timetable.¡±


    Axel analyzed the contributions, mentally simulating various operational scenarios. He turned to the remaining team leaders from Winter, Summer, Autumn, Desert, and Rainy, seeking their strategic input. The teams affirmed their commitment to support Team Comet in the mission¡¯s execution. This alleviated some of Axel¡¯s tension, although the necessity for overwhelming firepower on a rescue operation puzzled him.


    The team settled on using the eleventh floor once everyone completed their objectives. Tamaki had noted that the ship was sizable enough to accommodate hundreds, ensuring their exit would not raise suspicion. With a force of fifty-six well-trained operatives, they were confident in their ability to break through if confronted. Stealth remained their priority, but they were armed and ready to engage should the situation demand it.


    ¡°Look alive, men! Eyes on the clock! Let¡¯s move out!¡±


    Like a well-oiled machine, the Bombardier team split up, while the six teams headed toward the twelfth floor. What they found was an array of equipment sufficient to outfit an entire brigade. This gear appeared to be what the lizardmen were using, suggesting a common manufacturer. They now had a clear picture in their minds, the operatives were planning to turn Rouen into their stronghold for spreading the plague.


    The team quickly grabbed some leather armor and suited up, each even bringing a pair of extra leather body armor as Axel suggested. Once they were finished, they encountered several guards from the Huechromixix operatives, who they swiftly eliminated. One guard attempted to flee but was shot down by Wong.


    As they descended the stairs, the terrain began to steepen. They estimated their downward altitude to be about two hundred meters, which alarmed and puzzled them. How could such an intricate tunnel system go undiscovered? As they continued down, the surroundings changed dramatically from rugged stone caves to ornate tiles that illuminated the tunnel. The tiles vaguely resembled the stained glass commonly found in cathedrals. The leaders of each squad exchanged glances, wariness flashing in their eyes.


    Further down, they spotted a stone door guarded by two lizardmen. These creatures were similar to the ones who had deceived the Marshal. However, before they could react, two bolts struck them in the eyes while the other teams swarmed in, hacking them down with their swords. Unable to hide the bodies, the men quickly shoved them into a corner as if they were merely sleeping. They then used the spare leather armor they had looted to cover the corpses a precaution specifically designed for scenarios like this.


    Axel, a bomb specialist and combat engineer, had participated in multiple demolition operations throughout his career. Although he might not look the part, his expertise was undeniable. He and the other demolition experts analyzed the structural integrity of their target, conducted a terrain analysis, and determined the amount of explosives needed for the mission.


    After careful consideration, they devised a plan utilizing the bomb provided by Berg. Axel explained the bomb''s specifications to his fellow combat engineers, detailing his strategy for breaching the door without completely demolishing it. He reasoned that if they opened the door entirely, they would risk being immediately surrounded by backup forces coming from above ground. Instead, by creating a breach just large enough for their team to fit through, they could minimize the threat from enemies on the other side.


    In this way, if hostile forces were indeed present on the other side, they wouldn¡¯t be overwhelmed by a flood of attackers. Furthermore, he anticipated that any reinforcements moving through the destroyed door would be hindered, as they would have to squeeze through the narrow gap left after the initial breach.


    Axel was also mindful of the risks they faced, knowing that getting trapped could lead to disastrous consequences. He planned for a second breach upon their exit to fully destroy the door, however if the forces from above-ground proved overwhelming, they will need to find another escape route.


    After hearing Axel''s plan, the team of experienced combat engineer, were convinced of its viability. The team was then re-deployed to gather the lizardmen corpses, which were now considered valuable resources. The bodies of the Huechromixix operatives were exceptionally durable and tough, and using them would help dampen the impact of the blast, allowing it to focus and create a small hole.


    Axel was surprised to discover that the bomb even came with instructions for detonation, which involved igniting it using just the friction against the wall.

 Chapter 25: The Explosion at the Door and the Huechromixix Orphanage

    The men began preparing the blast site, repurposing the extra leather armor they had looted from the twelfth floor into a makeshift blast shelter to ensure their safety. They maintained a distance of about a hundred feet from the site, as it was rumored that the explosive had the power to breach a city wall despite its small size.


    One group of four men carefully transported the corpses of the Huechromixix operatives, placing them strategically over the bomb as a form of sacrificial padding. In the meantime, another group of ten held up a knitted leather armor to act as a makeshift blanket, effectively mitigating the impact of the explosion by allowing the corpses to absorb the initial shock.


    The team was focused on directing the blast toward a specific target, ensuring that the force was concentrated for maximum effect. To facilitate this, they prepared their weapon, the men adjusted their Winston weapons into sword mode, ready to strike the stone door with lethal precision. With the swords poised to hit the sturdy stone door, they aimed to deliver a sharp, directed force alongside the explosive, enhancing its destructive potential.


    Men, inherently drawn to the spectacle of explosions, couldn¡¯t help marvel of how they come up with such an idea. Veterans from World War II, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Iraq War reminiscing about their past, recalling a time when they stood at odds with one another. Now, unified in purpose, they confront a new and grotesque foes, lizard-like creatures and revolting tentacled insects. This poignant shift from former animosities to a shared struggle against a common enemy underscores the complexity of human experience in the face of extraordinary challenges.


    ¡°Explosive device activated! Move out!¡± Axel shouted as he scratched at the bomb embedded in the wall. The massive bodies of the Huechromixix covered the first layer, followed by the makeshift tarpaulin crafted from leather, snugly fitted against the corpse. The explosion would propel the swords, piercing through the stone door.


    As the men began to run, those soldiers who had momentarily lost focus suddenly snapped out of their daze, refocusing on the urgent need to take cover behind the wall of leather. The combat engineers and explosive experts, however, made it to the cover just in time, but only by a hair. After a tense five seconds, the bomb detonated with a deafening sound.


    "Kaboom!!!"


    Dust filled the air, carrying the pungent smell of freshly detonated explosives, reminiscent of gunpowder. As the men readied their weapons, their eyes fixed on the massive door that had withstood the blast. Measuring over ten meters in length and twenty meters in height, the door was an imposing sight. They had initially underestimated its thickness, believing it to be only two feet, but a closer inspection revealed a perfectly circular hole, half a meter in diameter. To their shock, the door was actually two meters thick.


    Without wasting a moment, they moved through the hole, urgency pushing them forward. However, as they took stock of their surroundings, they noticed the hinges on the other side, which hung about five meters above the ground. The men exchanged horrified glances, grappling with the terrifying realization of what type of creature could possess the immense strength required to open such a colossal door.


    The men who volunteered to use the Winstons picked up their weapons, and to their shock, the blades showed no signs of wear, there wasn¡¯t even a dent or chip as they pierced the two-meter-thick stone wall. The other operatives, curious about the impressive weaponry, huddled around to inspect the blades. To their surprise, the weapons still functioned as smoothly as before. They couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the ingenuity of mankind in creating such extraordinary tools.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Axel, equally astonished by the door''s size and the robustness of the hinges designed to facilitate its opening, allowed the men a moment to lighten the mood. After a minute, he called to them.


    ¡°Form up, Stack Formation, let¡¯s not waste precious time anymore.¡± As they pressed forward into the dimly lit corridor, the air thickened, and the cavernous space ahead expanded into an awe-inspiring sight. The ceiling, soaring three hundred meters above, shimmered with bioluminescent moss, casting an ethereal glow that flickered ominously in the depths. In the center of this vast subterranean chamber, nearly a kilometer across, in the middle stood a colossal fortress, its jagged silhouette cutting through the shimmer like a predator poised to strike. The men tightened their grips on their weapons, hearts pounding in rhythm with the echo of their footsteps, they sensed the gravity of their mission growing heavier. This was not merely an exploration, it was a descent into the unknown, where every moment could spark chaos. Tension crackled in the air, signaling that this was only the beginning of a fierce confrontation that awaited them in the belly of the earth.


    ¡°Use the leather armors as shields! We¡¯re doing a frontal assault. Our time is ticking!¡± With that command, they charged forward in a tight medieval phalanx formation. As they burst into the castle, the scene that greeted them was shocking. Huechromixix children scattered about, their large eyes wide with fear. Among them stood a female Huechromixix, reminiscent of a kind-hearted nun, her gaze initially filled with gentle care, but upon sight of the human operatives, that warmth twisted into sheer horror. Winter 01 swiftly subdued her for interrogation, placing a wooden stick in her mouth to prevent her from committing suicide. The chaos erupted as the commotion from the Huechromixix children grew louder, more and more of these small lizard-like beings emerging from the shadows. They glared with menacing eyes, hissing threateningly, their hostility palpable in the air.


    Winter 01 initiated the interrogation, ¡°Where is this place? Where do you keep the human prisoners? Speak, or I¡¯ll start killing these little bastards!¡± He pointed his sword at the small lizards, who were clearly feigning bravery. He felt no remorse for them, he had witnessed the horrors these creatures inflicted upon humanity.


    The white-scaled lizard with a hint of pink hesitantly pointed toward a hallway leading to a massive staircase descending underground. Axel signaled the scouts to investigate. They discovered that the stairs indeed descended to the fourteenth floor. What they found was an abandoned base repurposed to house the Huechromixix children. While the original purpose of the structure was unclear, it was unmistakably human architecture.


    Before they entered the stairway, Winter 01 assigned his team to confine the lizardmen in one of the large rooms. The operatives selected a room with no exits except for the door and locked it shut. They also threatened the caretaker, warning her that if she acted rashly, they would bomb the place. She nodded hastily, like a frightened chicken pecking at rice.


    They inspected the nun for any devices used for communication, but found nothing. As a result of their probing, she was left with some wounds. Though humiliated and disrespected, she remained silent, fully aware that these men were just soldiers following orders. She knew the horrors that their kind had committed, and could only resign herself to her fate. Some of the men with bloodshot eyes shot questioning glances at Axel, as if asking why they spared the lives of these ¡®filthy creatures.¡¯


    With a cold tone, he reprimanded, ¡°Men, we are not here for bloodshed but for a rescue mission. Our time is tight, and we might fail humanity if we let this bit of anger cloud our judgment.¡± All the men present were sensible individuals capable of understanding their priorities. With that, they began their descent down the stairway to the fourteenth floor.


    As they descended the stairs, they encountered a tangled mass of wires and hoses connected to a room. The men were filled with curiosity, but Axel sensed danger. His instincts kicked in, sending a shiver down his spine, a grim reminder that what lay ahead was extremely dangerous. Choosing caution, he decided not to enter the chamber immediately but instead used a stone to probe the situation. He tossed a stone inside, but nothing reacted.


    He then signaled for his team to take a look, as they opened the door, to their shock, they discovered a huge red lizard inside a sealed glass vat filled with a clear liquid. Its scales were severely damaged, bearing the marks of bites and holes made by firearms. The creature was unconscious but upon sensing the presence of humans. It suddenly jolted awake and looked at them, it did so without any malice or hostility.


    The men were not well-versed in politics, and aside from Axel, the leaders of each squad did not fully understand the nature of the creature before them. Axel quickly ordered the men to calm down, fully aware that this being could wipe them all out if it chose to, even in its extremely disheveled state. What kind of situation awaited them? Time is ticking slowly as the mission progressed.


    [Mission Duration: 02:37:13 ¨C Currently Ongoing]


    [France Time ¨C 21:22]

 Chapter 26: The Peace Lover and the Kiss of the Bullets

    The eyes of the massive Huechromixix loomed over them, the other team with Axel, although they had never encountered such a creature before, the sight of their spearhead team leader standing at attention, without making any sudden movements, made it clear that this being could easily wipe them out. All the present here men were no fools, they avoided acting rashly and waited for the situation to unfold. In the meantime, they secured the perimeter and assumed a defensive stance, ready to engage if the creature became aggressive.


    As it regarded them, the being suddenly spoke, ¡°My name is Xitatila. What brings you to this place, young ones?¡±


    The men exchanged looks of horror as its voice resonated in their minds instead of reaching their ears as sound. Cold sweat trickled down their backs, such capabilities were beyond human comprehension, especially since all of them recently joined the cause for humanity.


    Axel met its gaze, sensing that this being bore no immediate intent to harm them. ¡°We are here to rescue our fellow man. I don¡¯t know why you are in such a state, but we must go.¡±


    Yet, it seemed to relish their presence. ¡°Young one,¡± it replied, ¡°there is no need to rush. A few minutes of your time is all I seek.¡±


    The men, upon hearing this, tensed up, gripping their weapons tightly. With bloodshot eyes, they glared fiercely at the looming creature. If this being intended to keep them here, they would fight him to the death. This thought raced through the minds of all the men present, including Axel. However, he stared coldly at the figure, trying to assess its intentions. After some contemplation, he decided to hear it out.


    ¡°Speak. We are in a hurry, so please keep it simple,¡± Axel said to the being.


    The huge creature, as if laughing, made the ground tremble. The men could clearly sense that it was in a jovial mood, though they weren¡¯t sure why it was happy. As military men, they understood that a happy enemy might mean the creature had confidence in whatever it was planning. Axel sensed his men about to engage, however the Huechromixix then began to tell its story.


    ¡°I am but a wanderer among the sea of stars. You could say I once held the status of a nobleman among my kind. I despised war, so instead of participating in the bloodshed, I journeyed through the cosmos in search of adventure. Over time, I found peace in this place, about ten thousand years ago. The children you saw up there just now all have human blood, and I adopted them rather than allowing those innocent souls to be devoured by insects or my own kind.¡±


    The revelation stunned the men. While they may not have been well-versed in the matters of these creatures, they understood enough to grasp the implications that there were factions even among the lizardmen, which meant some of them could be reasoned with. They also didn¡¯t know what would happen to those half-humans once this was all over, so they chose to report this to mission control when the situation stabilized. These men were not rigid in their thinking, they were chosen because they could make sound judgments in complex situations, as evaluated by the system. Initially filled with rage and hatred, their expressions shifted to contemplation as they pondered the significance of the lizardman''s words.


    The lizardman continued, ¡°I was despised by my kind due to my pacifism. They tried to recruit me to their cause, knowing full well that I could bring humanity down with a whim if I wished to do so. However, as someone who emerged from the same primordial ooze, I couldn¡¯t help but think that this war between our species is pointless. I am a researcher of knowledge and a decipherer of the universe, such pointless conflict is meaningless to me.¡± He paused, and as his hand moved, the men tensed at his action. However, Axel gestured for the men to stand down. The lizardman then pointed his hand toward the machine. ¡°My own kind is draining me for their own use. I may loathe war, but if my kind stabs me in the back in such a way, then I¡¯ll put them to the ground.¡±


    The lizardman on the vat suddenly lit up, prompting the men to ready themselves for engagement. However, they halted abruptly due to an unexpected system notification.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    [System: The usage of third-party add-on is allowed at this time.]


    [System: The system has verified the add-on HUE-04 has been temporarily added.]


    [System: Full Capabilities of the Space Inventory is Unlocked.]


    [System: Spacetime Continuum travel Unlocked.]


    [Advisory: All your weapons capability can be temporarily used in this mission.]


    [Add-on Duration: 00:59:58]


    The men were taken aback by the system notification, unaware that such things existed. Yet, as the system appeared to function normally, they glanced at the lizardman with mixed emotions. These were, after all, among the foes of mankind, but deep within, they resolved to keep their minds open to future possibilities.


    The Huechromixix then spoke in a somber tone, ¡°That Add-On is the last in my person. It should grant you an hour at most to utilize its capabilities. In exchange, grant me a swift death, collect my DNA, and drain me. I do not wish to live. These ingrates dare to treat me this way. I only hope that this war, which has lasted over a million generations, ends with you.¡±


    Without hesitation, Axel fired his Winston, delivering a precise shot that ended the creature''s life. The men said nothing, but the weight of the lizardman¡¯s words lingered in their minds.


    Axel then shouted with authority, ¡°Load your weapons. We¡¯re going in hot.¡±


    ¡°Affirmative.¡± The response came in unison as the men readied themselves and made their way back to the massive stairway leading underground.


    The six squads took up a battle position as they approached another imposing stone door. ¡°Wong, get the Pision ready, if there''s an army behind that door, we¡¯ll need it!¡± Axel commanded, his voice steady and urgent. As the men prepared, they blasted a hole through the door with their Winston, the deafening sound echoing in the air.


    Peering through the breach, they were met with a chilling sight. Hundreds of guards stood ready to engage, their weapons raised and poised. Axel quickly scanned the vicinity and noticed the Arcanist being held captive by the lizardmen, tied to a cross as makeshift meat shields. Rage surged through him, but he held back the fire in his heart. The men looked to him, waiting for a signal, their fingers itching on their triggers.


    ¡°Wong blast this door wide open with the Pision! Men, load your practice bullets. Ready at my signal!¡±


    Axel¡¯s voice cut through the tension like a knife. Nods of agreement rippled through the men as they trusted his judgement to never issue commands lightly. Once their chambers were loaded with the ordinary alloy rounds, a sense of grim purpose settled over them. For the lizardmen, these would rain down like a tempest of death.


    Time seemed to slow down in Axel¡¯s mind. As an engineer, he quickly assessed the situation. Peering through the initial hole, he calculated the distance to the lizardmen, they were at least thirty meters from the door. The Pision, he recalled, had a damage radius capable of disintegrating anything within twenty meters. This meant he could target the stone wall without the risk of debris hitting the hostages or his men. He planned to have the men with sniping skills to hit at least one target who¡¯s holding the hostages.


    While the Huechromixix operatives scrambled to ask the Arcanist what the commands were, Axel loaded his gun, steeling himself for the chaos to come. He carefully re-evaluated the initial targets at the front, in the middle and at the back, noting the positions of the hostages. Ensuring that the crosses would topple at an angle that would spare the tied-up Arcanist, he mentally mapped out his next moves. With each passing second, the urgency mounted as he prepared to unleash hell on opposing operatives.


    He relayed his plan to the other squad leaders as nine men stepped up to take on the sniping task. He communicated the initial positions of the hostages, with some hidden in the crowd and most prominently in the front. He instructed four squad members to elevate their comrades by standing on their shoulders while leaning against the wall. This tactical maneuver would grant them a crucial high vantage point. The other squad leaders exchanged surprised glances at such an unorthodox command. However, given the almost negligible recoil of the Winston submachine guns and their atomic accuracy, the plan seemed feasible. They understood that time was of the essence and this was the only way to gain the advantage.


    Axel then started barking out commands. ¡°Ready at my signal. Comet 07, engage the center of the door on my first command. On my second command, snipers, take out the individuals holding the hostages in the middle and at the back. By my third signal, open fire. Aim for precise headshots.¡±


    ¡°Steady! On my command, Comet 07. Aim¡­ Fire in the hole! Prepare for impact!¡±


    At the moment the signal was given, the door began to melt away as if engulfed in a furnace. In the blink of an eye, a smoking and sizzling hole of twenty meters opened wide. Immediately, Axel issued the next command.


    ¡°Snipers, fire!¡±


    As soon as the order was executed, the snipers unleashed their wrath. They targeted the Huechromixix operatives hidden within the crowd who held the crosses. Axel and his team focused their fire on the hostage-takers at the front. In mere moments, they toppled a total of forty-four targets. The chaotic sequence unfolded so rapidly that the lizardmen were caught completely off guard. They had anticipated a melee or explosive rounds and not this sudden barrage from above.


    ¡°Open fire!¡±


    The air erupted with the melodic clicks of the silent gunfire. Each shot was punctuated by the sharp sound of casings clattering to the ground. This created an ominous rhythm that heralded death for the unsuspecting lizardmen. Many of them still charged towards the men, however, they were annihilated by a relentless hail of steel. Bullets tore through their ranks and chaos surged in every direction. The lizardmen, taken entirely by surprise, fell like wheat before the scythe. Their massacre was swift and merciless.

 Chapter 27: The Perilous Floor and the Assassin

    As the gunfire subsided, the men entered through the blasted door. The stone was still hot and sizzling, almost scorching them, however, equipped with their All Cloak, it was no problem at all, the men couldn¡¯t help marvel at how amazing this gear was. They then checked the hostages, numbering forty-four in total, all of whom were safe. Some were bruised and others grazed by bullets, but overall, everyone had survived.


    An old arcanist spoke up, ¡°Are you here to save us? If so, we need to destroy the facility these lizards built underground. It seems to be some sort of gate that allows them to summon countless reinforcements.¡±


    Axel and the other men exchanged glances, and the men automatically reloaded their firearms in preparation for the upcoming tide. He then asked the old man, ¡°Would you like to come with us to expedite the process, or would you prefer to stay here?¡±


    The arcanists all stood up. Despite their frail appearances, the fire in their eyes could not be quenched. This prompted them to join the men as they descended to the sixteenth floor. As soon as they arrived, they were met with an eerie silence. However, the men knew that this silence was a sign that dangers lay ahead.


    The old arcanist then spoke, his voice trembling with urgency, ¡°I remember when this portal-like structure was still¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, a gust of wind suddenly passed through. His head snapped back, blood spraying across the room in a gruesome arc, painting the walls with crimson. Axel''s instincts kicked in immediately.


    ¡°Men! Protect the arcanists! Form a defensive line around them! Keep them in the center! Turn on your Bulwarks immediately! Everyone, unleash a hail of bullets in all directions! The enemy moves swiftly and strikes from the shadows!¡±


    ¡°Sir, I confirmed a¡ª¡±


    Before the operative could finish his sentence, Axel watched in horror as his head flew across the room, a gruesome testament to the violent threat they faced. The man''s face, frozen in a moment of triumph over his discovery, swiftly transformed into a nightmarish image.


    ¡°Form up against the wall! The enemy can pierce through the All Cloak! Stay on high alert!¡± Axel shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. ¡°Change your ammunition to disintegrating rounds!¡±


    The men opened fire in all directions, the air crackling with gunfire and the sharp retort of weaponry. A cry of anguish pierced through the chaos as one soldier managed to wound the opposing operative. Axel, crouched in the corner, caught sight of a massive creature towering at five meters. It resembled the one above, yet this one lacked the magical prowess of its counterpart.


    With a cruel snigger, it brandished a two-meter-long blade, a grotesque reflection of their own gear but perfectly suited to its monstrous form.


    As the creature appeared, it vanished as swiftly as a heartbeat. Unlike what they expected, there was no blood dripping from the injury it had received. Axel glanced at Wong, who had his Pision drawn. For a brief moment, Axel considered blasting through the entire area, knowing it would also destroy the facility, so he shouted.


    ¡°Everyone, target the machinery with your Pisions! Leave nothing intact! Reinforcements might arrive through the gate!¡±


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    The Heuchromixix operative, quick to discern the meaning of his language, locked onto Axel with intense focus. Anticipating the move, Axel transformed his Winston into a sword, slicing diagonally with one swift motion.


    ¡°Clang!¡±


    Sparks erupted as he was sent hurtling twenty meters into the air, nearly crashing into the cavern''s ceiling. A sinister chuckle echoed through the chaos as the creature darted toward him. Grounded by his paratrooping experience, Axel regained his composure mid-fall. In a single fluid motion, he met the creature in a clash of steel against steel.


    The other operatives, ready to support, aimed their weapons at the invisible foe but hesitated, unsure of hitting Axel in the fray.


    ¡°Clang!¡±


    He was driven into the ceiling this time, but the All Cloak absorbed the brutal impact, safeguarding him from harm. Sensing their hesitation, he barked, ¡°Don¡¯t hesitate to shoot! What are you all waiting for?!¡±


    The Heuchromixix assassin landed with feline stealth, nearly undetectable amid the chaos. But as the Pisions unleashed their bombardment, the surroundings melted into molten stone and metal. The operative was no fool, it knew that engaging here meant exposure, and as chaos raged, it chose to retreat, aware that its cover was slipping away.


    After a minute had passed, the Heuchromixix operative appeared to have retreated. The big question was, ''Where to?'' Axel and his men were no amateurs so they decided to move forward while their backs against the wall as it cooled down. A female arcanist stepped forward and suggested,


    ¡°How about if we cool down the surroundings? Would that help you guys?¡±


    Upon hearing this, the men couldn¡¯t help but look at her as if she were a rare treasure. Though the young lady was confident, she found herself blushing profusely under the weight of their awed gazes.


    Axel, noticing the men distracted by the arcanist, felt a surge of annoyance. He shouted, "Look alive, men! Stop staring at her like that! This is the Middle Ages! Remember your etiquette and grace! Etiquette and grace! Make sure to raise your Bulwarks on your head!"


    He indicated the path that needed cooling, and the young lady, recognizing it as a simple task, nodded in agreement. As they approached another doorway, the heavy scent of blood filled the air. Four men who were positioned at the back, consisting of three operatives and one arcanist, had their heads severed, now rolling down the slope they were traversing. One of the operatives, close to the bodies with severed heads, had his All Cloak torn at the neck, fortunately, it only nicked his skin, though the slash exposed his arteries. The man couldn¡¯t help but fell a chill ran down through his spine. Axel noticing this shouted.


    "Engage Winston munitions on the perimeter. If anyone here is a thermal arcanist, intensify the heat in the area. Ensure the surroundings reach a temperature sufficient to turn the rocks red. Move!"


    An arcanist who bore a striking resemblance to Phoenix stepped forward and nodded to him. Axel seeing this handsome blonde man couldn¡¯t help but recall the face of the young mischievous lady, he even started to remember distracting thoughts of her. However, he quickly regained his composure and said to himself. ¡®Focus, Axel. Clear your mind of any distractions. I¡¯m on a mission right now.¡¯


    As he appeared distracted, the men remained unaware that the Huechromixix assassin was lurking on the ceiling. Noticing Axel, the pillar of the team, in this moment of vulnerability, the assassin smiled slyly as it licked its blade, applying a coat of venom. This venom contained a deadlier variation of the Black Plague, one of many the Huechromixix were immune to.


    As it darted toward Axel, the creature caught sight of a smirk at the corner of the man¡¯s mouth. It realized he muttered, ¡®Got you¡¯. Fueled by such confidence, the Huechromixix operative abruptly altered its trajectory mid-jump. However, when it landed and locked eyes with its target, it was met with five bullets from Winston''s gun, striking its head. The creature, now headless, attempted to regenerate its severed head, after all, it could still survive as long as its heart still pumps blood. However, Wong did not give it a chance. With the last bullet in his Pision, he shot the creature to kingdom come.


    Seeing the creature blasted to oblivion, the arcanist couldn''t help but celebrate. The men began gathering the equipment of their fallen comrades, each of them hoping that one day they would don that gear once more. Axel, too, was affected by the mood, his mind wandering to past missions. He recalled the Figure in Black who had recruited him, a face that felt oddly familiar. Memories of his days as a seal operative flooded his mind, but he shook his head, realizing that this reminiscing wasn¡¯t going to help him now. He allowed the men a minute of respite and to pack up while he focused on checking the objective ahead.


    The obsidian door loomed before him, a monolith of jet-black stone that towered thirty meters into the air and stretched fifteen meters wide. Its surface shimmered with an unnatural sheen, reflecting the dim light like a dark mirror that swallowed even the faintest glimmers of hope. Carved into the solid mass were intricate etchings of twisted vines and ominous symbols that seemed to writhe and pulse, as if the door itself possessed a heartbeat.


    A cold breeze whispered ominously, wrapping around them like a warning. Each breath he took felt heavier, the air thick with anticipation and dread. He could almost hear echoes of long-forgotten secrets trapped beyond the colossal barrier, waiting to be unleashed. With every step closer, he sensed the weight of unseen eyes watching and measuring his resolve. The door stood firm, a silent guardian of whatever lay hidden behind it, daring him to unlock the mysteries that it holds. What dangers are behind such huge door? Will they be able to finish the mission before time runs out?


    [Mission Duration: 01:49:53 ¨C Currently Ongoing]


    [France Time ¨C 22:10]

 Chapter 28: The Weird Space and the Voices in All Four Directions

    With forty-five operatives remaining and almost one and a half hours left on the clock, the combat engineers assessed the viability of a breach. As they surveyed the area, Axel gave the order to the five squad leaders to evaluate the logistics for their ordnance and ammunition. He checked the integrity of the door and noted that it appeared to be made of a strong alloy, solid enough to withstand significant force. Two imposing door handles, similar to those they had encountered before, were visible, yet it remained a mystery how these doors could be opened. They seemed to be expertly crafted for the use of such enormous beings.


    As the explosives experts determined that it would be impossible to use the explosives they had earlier, they opted instead for the Winston rounds. This time, they planned to create a staircase that would provide both cover and a high vantage point. Seizing the moment, the operatives began their work, aiming to establish at least six entry points at varying heights. They intended to build a stairway that would rise approximately ten meters into the air.


    When the molecular disintegration capabilities of the Winston ammunition struck the door, it encountered significant resistance. Instead of creating a semicircular impact one meter wide, the blast resulted in only a foot-and-a-half-wide indentation. If their calculations were correct, it would take at least fifty bullets to successfully pierce the door and about eight hundred to reach the goal of ten meters height, which they estimated was at least five meters thick. Upon realizing this, Axel made an immediate decision, "we¡¯ll pierce the wall instead." They chose to create a U-shaped tunnel to the side that would provide cover and also serve as a checkpoint in case hostile forces were armed with projectile weapons. The men then resumed their work.


    As they neared the final stretch, they encountered the same material used for the door. The men exchanged glances with Axel, who appeared equally exasperated, knowing that precious time was slipping away. He recalled the hostile forces waiting just beyond the door, seemingly alerted by the tremors shaking the ground. They had been fortunate earlier, but he realized that luck could only carry them so far. Deciding it was time to breach the wall instead, he checked the ammunition available for the Pision with the other teams.


    Axel glanced at Winter 01, tension in his voice. ¡°Status on Pision ammunition. How much do we have left?¡±


    Winter 01 already done with the inventory quickly replied. ¡°Sir, we¡¯re down to 49 rounds for the Pision.¡±


    Axel knew he still have fourteen on his inventory, so he used one of it instead. ¡°Redistribute the Pision ammunition for each man.¡± He then handed the other seven he had on his person to Winter 01 then he warned, ¡°take some cover men, fire in the hole!¡±


    The Pision weapon possessed far superior firepower compared to the Winston, boasting atomic disintegrating properties. It blasted through the wall, creating a perfect semicircular crater measuring twenty meters. However, the wall still stood firm. He fired another shot, and this time the hole gave way. What they witnessed inside left them baffled. It was like a sea of stars, Alex then signaled Tamaki to investigate and found out the area has no gravity, but he could still breathe. At that moment, the system issued a prompt.


    [System: Space Breathing Apparatus Activated]


    [Oxygen: 100% - 02:59:58]


    Tamaki, the first to enter the room, floated quietly inside. He understood the potential danger his team faced if they proceeded without a prior warning, so he began using hand signals to communicate. The men quickly halted the eager Arcanist who seemed intent on investigating the unfamiliar space.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Some of them snorted disdainfully, lamenting that their thirst for knowledge was being stifled. However, Axel stepped in and explained to the blonde Arcanist, who had utilized his thermal arcane earlier, the grave implications of the situation. The man was initially baffled by Axel''s warning about the potential of bodies to explode in the confined space, but upon seeing Axel¡¯s serious expression, he realized he wasn¡¯t joking.


    The Arcanist relayed this information to his fellow seekers of knowledge. Understanding the dangers that lay ahead, the men, eager to learn but also sensible, relented in their pursuits, allowing Axel to breathe a sigh of relief.


    Axel turned to his fellow operatives and said, ¡°Comet 04 (Luc), Comet 07 (Wong), you stay behind. Those who have damages on their All Cloaks please remain here to guard the Arcanists. I only need a team of ten. If we¡¯re not back within an hour, you should leave without us. Winter 01, take charge of the scene.¡±


    Since some of the men were inexperienced with navigating through space, Axel, Wong, and Kokoy stepped in to assist. Axel instructed the team to switch to alloy rounds, emphasizing the importance of careful probing. ¡°Fire in all directions,¡± he commanded, ¡°and let¡¯s find the limits of this room.¡±


    For three tense minutes, the team fired their weapons, the silent bullets traversed in the strange environment. As their bullets ricocheted, an unusual object began to reveal itself, a force that seemed to redirect their shots. Axel carefully approached it, his hand gliding over its surface. To his shock, it felt solid beneath his fingers, it was a wall.


    In that moment, he realized the room they inhabited defied the laws of physics. Instead of relying solely on scientific reasoning, Axel tapped into the countless hours he¡¯d spent immersed in novels, this might be an illogical way for a soldier to think but given how absurd the situation was, he could only think this way. Suddenly, a theory began to form in his mind, what if Jeanne D¡¯Arc was imprisoned here?


    As he examined the mysterious barrier, its structure took shape before him. It appeared to be a perfect cube measuring about five meters on each side. Axel, his instincts sharp, quickly cautioned his men to refrain from touching the surface. Yet, knowing full well he needed to finish the mission, he probes the object cautiously. He reached out and made contact with the cube, feeling an odd energy pulsating beneath his fingers. Signaling to Tamaki, he asked for a spare All Cloak as he was responsible for the team¡¯s reserves.


    As he grasped the extra All Cloak, an unsettling sensation suddenly engulfed him, the world around him shifted, and he found himself surrounded by a dizzying array of mirrors. Each reflection twisted and distorted his image, casting shadows that danced and flickered at the corners of his vision. As he surveyed his surroundings, he could hear a cry for help.


    ¡°Help me! France will fall if they don¡¯t know about these ugly smelly bastards!¡±


    ¡°I can feel you! Help me get out of here! France is in danger, and I need to save the people.¡±


    ¡°I can hear the voices of the void as it calls onto me, it tells me the masterplan of the enemy!¡±


    ¡°May the Lord guide you to my voice brave warrior of mankind, I am currently unable to escape my predicament.¡±


    He heard four voices coming from all directions. What puzzled him was the origin of the voices. Why did they all sound the same? He tried to ponder what was to come and how he would be able to determine if any of this was real. What if it was a trap? Multiple scenarios flashed through his mind as he considered various solutions and possibilities.


    He first attempted to cut down the mirrors. It worked initially, but he soon realized that it only made things worse, the mirrors seemed unaffected by gravity. Collecting the mirror fragments in search of clues, he noticed that these mirrors were quite unique it was almost paper-thin yet sharp to the touch. He then decided to ask the voice for answers.


    ¡°Who are you? What is your name?¡±


    Axel then heard four replies once again.


    ¡°I am Joan of Arc! The king has bestowed me my title!¡±


    ¡°La Pucelle, I call myself thy name. I am but a warrior who fights for the people of France!¡±


    ¡°Lies! Don¡¯t be deceived by these demons! I am but Jeanne of Domr¨¦my, I live as a peasant girl on the rich rural areas of France.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t let astray from the light, brave warrior, for the Lord will guide you to me! The real Jeanne La Pucelle, come to my voice and let us get out of here!¡±


    Hearing this, Axel found himself caught in a dilemma. He wasn¡¯t sure what to do and lacked the magic to discern truth from lies. As he reflected on her history, he recalled how he and his men had read numerous books about Jeanne D¡¯Arc, with Kokoy even crying during one of the films. Focusing on the tasks ahead, Axel noted that while all the voices sounded the same and their information seemed accurate, there were discrepancies he couldn¡¯t ignore.


    Meanwhile, Tamaki, witnessing his squad leader vanish into thin air, was left speechless. He shook his head, trying to convince himself that it was just stress playing tricks on him. The other eight men stood frozen, exchanging bewildered glances. They understood that what lay ahead might defy the explanations of 21st-century science, so they chose to stay and waited for their platoon leader.

 Chapter 29: The Saint and Impostor Among Us

    As the men waited for Axel, he found himself struggling to decide which direction to take. Suddenly, four doors swung open, revealing figures clad in identical silvery armor, the same beautiful face and sporting the same hairstyle. However, their expressions varied widely. One exuded an infectious cheerfulness that seemed to make flowers bloom around her. Another wore an annoyed, pouty expression reminiscent of a spoiled child. A third radiated a motherly warmth, almost saintlike in her demeanor. The last had a disturbing, deranged look, her body shaking as she scanned the surroundings, as if being hunted by someone.


    The five of them gathered around Axel, awaiting his command. He had anticipated this scenario and had already devised a plan to handle it. ¡°Line up in front of me, no more than shoulder-width apart,¡± he ordered.


    The four figures reacted in unison. The cheerful one beamed, the haughty one snorted in disdain, the saintlike smiled slightly and the shy one shifted awkwardly. Observing their varied reactions made it difficult for Axel to discern which one was genuine and which was a facade. The four Jeannes, recognizing his struggle, displayed another round of differing responses.


    In a cold tone, he commanded, ¡°Strip right now if you¡¯re willing to die for France.¡±


    As if synchronized, the four began to remove their armor, layer by layer, until they stood naked before him. Axel hesitated for a moment, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. He instinctively adopted a lecherous demeanor. The cheerful Jeanne, sensing an opportunity, lunged towards him, but he quickly halted her.


    This caused a flicker of sadness in her bright eyes, while the haughty Jeanne flaunted her assets with a smug grin. The shy one covered her body with her hands, and the motherly figure adopted a prayerful stance, her hands clasped before her. Axel, now sweating profusely, realized that this was the hardest, most bizarre, and mind-boggling task he had ever faced.


    He felt as though he was losing his mind. Glancing at the system timer, he saw that he had just over an hour left, which made it clear that he needed to come up with a plan quickly. He instructed the women to place their armor about five meters away and to return to their positions. Despite the gravity of the situation, Axel found it challenging to keep his thoughts from wandering into inappropriate territory as he looked at the young women before him. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself that the fate of humanity rested in his hands.


    Recalling the regular checks he had performed with the men, he took a firm stance and declared, ¡°I will perform an operation on the side of your abdomen. It will be excruciating, but it is necessary for the sake of humanity. Anyone who does not wish to comply will have their heads severed immediately.¡±


    The women nodded in agreement, recognizing the seriousness of his tone. Axel began with the cheerful one. As he punctured her side, she winced in pain but held her ground. He carefully examined her vital organs, but he was unsure of the extent of what arcane magic could affect, so he refrained from making any hasty conclusions as this one seemed to have organs that of a human.


    He proceeded to perform the same procedure on the other three women. He checked their hearts, lungs, stomachs, intestines, and kidneys, even probing their reproductive organs through the incision. The shy one, overwhelmed by the pain, offered to become his wife before fainting. The other three quickly rallied to wake her up, concerned for her well-being.


    The results stunned Axel, he couldn¡¯t believe it, but all the women had almost identical sizes, inside and out. For a moment, he wondered if he was simply in a coma, overwhelmed by the stress of his breakup with Elise. Time was slipping away, and he needed to defuse the situation. Unable to come up with a better idea, he asked them to dance and sing, even making them attempt splits. Axel knew he wasn¡¯t wasting time, he had witnessed numerous criminals being interrogated, but this was his first time conducting an interrogation himself. He figured that once the women grew tired, he would eventually get the answers he sought.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    As he mimicked the interrogation tactics of his former teammates, he encouraged them to play tag while asking random questions. ¡°What¡¯s your favorite color? Who is your favorite king? Who slayed Goliath from the scriptures?¡± It felt like searching for a needle in a haystack. Then, out of the blue, his mind jolted as if struck by lightning. He suddenly remembered that the void codes were used by the system to facilitate communication among operatives. Since she had overheard the information before, he realized that exploiting this knowledge might be the key to breaking the deadlock.


    He then looked at the pieces of All Cloak given by Tamaki, it might be an accident or coincidence, but he got about five pieces in his hands. He created three as a blindfold and one as a tent, he then put on another tent for where they will conduct the interrogation.


    He then called the shy one first, as she was the last one he had conducted the test on earlier. As he called to her, her face turned pale as if she were going to the slaughterhouse. She then said, ¡°I¡­ I¡­ I¡¯m still a virgin, brave warrior, please be gentle with me.¡± Hearing this, Axel only looked at her coldly, then he spoke.


    ¡°What codes did you hear from the enemy?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I¡­ I heard them saying they will contaminate France with a plague. They plan to bring the plague to all of Europe first, then spread it in the lands across the seas and the oceans. I¡­ I also heard they plan to conquer the Cassiopeia star system, moving the frontlines in our sea of stars. I am not sure what this meant. Sob. Sob. Sob.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry, nobody will hurt you here. Who did you hear it from?¡±


    ¡°Sniff¡­ Sniff¡­ I¡­ It was told to me by Saint Michael, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and Saint Margaret of Antioch.¡±


    Hearing all the questions answered correctly, along with vital information about the invasion in the sea of stars, he sized her up and down. Seeing this, she hid her face in her knees and stayed quiet. She then led her back to the other tent, afterward, he accompanied another lady into the second tent. It was the cheerful Jeanne. Seeing her beaming smile, he then started to ask the same set of questions.


    ¡°What codes did you hear from the enemy?¡±


    ¡°Uncle, I heard that the big meanie lizards and the yucky-looking worms are planning something really nasty. They want to put gooey bumps on the people. They said they will go to the ocean and also put it on the fishy, they also said they plan to use this to win in the big game. I also heard they plan to activate one of their baddie hideouts in Juniper, I think? Oh! It was Jupiter! I don¡¯t know what that is. Uncle, is this true?¡±


    ¡°Young lady, just answer my questions. Who did you hear it from?¡±


    ¡°It was the kind Guardian Angel Michael, the gentle big sister Saint Catherine, and strong big sister Saint Margaret.¡±


    Hearing her vague answers, he knew this one seemed childish, but it seemed to have additional information that they also planned to infect marine life as well as a facility in Jupiter. Thinking about it, he decided to report this to mission control once he finished the mission. Then he called the haughty one. She snorted coldly at him, as if he were too stupid to be there. Seeing this, she couldn¡¯t help but recall Phoenix having the same expression every time he called her.


    ¡°What codes did you hear from the enemy?¡±


    ¡°Humph! I heard the plan to kill all of mankind in this operation. If you don¡¯t understand, then go away!¡±


    ¡°I understand that. Continue.¡±


    ¡°I heard the worms carry the virus inside the lizards, and they plan to do this in all of France. Then they will do that in other lands across the ocean and the sea. I also heard they plan to burn me at some stake. Humph! I even heard them say that they plan to have this became a Front Line, it was a loud voice saying go big or go home. I will rip those bastards if they dare harm the people!¡±


    ¡°Young lady, no need for additional comments. Who did you hear it from?¡±


    ¡°I heard it from a broken-hearted Michael, a mischief-loving Catherine, and pouty, hot-tempered Margaret. Any other questions? I¡¯m starting to feel cold without clothes on, you know. Humph!¡±


    ¡°Wait a while longer. It will be done soon,¡± he said to this grumpy Jeanne.


    Lastly, he called the saintlike Jeanne. She appeared to be anticipating the questions, and without any hesitation, she followed Axel to the other tent while the other ladies waited in the other tent, still blindfolded.


    ¡°What codes did you hear from the enemy?¡±


    ¡°I heard it was a ploy to destroy mankind in all of creation. They plan to infest our bodies with their kind through a disease called the Black Plague. This is but the initial phase, the second phase is that once we have cured the plague, it will still remain in our bodies. But once everyone thinks it is over, a century or a millennia from now, it will erupt like a great flood and kill us all.¡±


    Hearing this, Axel felt a shiver run down his spine. He didn¡¯t know that the plan would span thousands of years in the making, so he paused for a moment to compose himself, making a mental note that these beings are almost unfathomable, creating thousands of steps ahead to reach a goal of full eradication of mankind.


    ¡°Who did you hear it from?¡±


    ¡°It was told to me by Saint Michael, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and Saint Margaret of Antioch.¡±


    Now Axel was left with a grappling question, who among them was the impostor and who was the real savior of mankind?