Location: North. Stocker City. A land covered in ice and snow.
Further inside.
Bifrost industries.
Inside a spacious, opulent office, floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across one entire wall.
The floor was of marble, and the walls were painted with epoxy. A desk stood at the back of the room.
Grand, oversized, and almost too clean.
Seated on this seat, naturally, was Luceris, the Supreme General of Bifrost Industries and the sub-organization under it, Teslovik.
Facing the floor-to-ceiling window, he gazed at the white expanse outside.
Pushing his back against his chair, he let out a faint sigh.
Luceris, a young-looking, nineteen-year-old young man with shoulder-length black hair tied in a low ponytail.
Possessing golden eyes, wearing a black military-like outfit, with an overall loose, hanging on his shoulder more like a cape.
'It's been a year.'
Tapping his forehead, starting with that thought, he let out a sigh.
Yes. It's been a year since he had suddenly appeared in this world, a world plagued by calamity.
Upon arrival, he became some sort of ultimate existence, for reasons he did not yet fully understand, but was slowly coming to understand.
Awakened.
So they had called him.
Humans who themselves had gained supernatural abilities through unknown means, rather than undergoing the case transformation.
In the entire world, there were fewer than three people like him who had awakened.
Thus, he, being the first, achieving a feat before even the residents of this world could, had been blessed with more than he could imagine.
His first debut was in an operation against the forces of Rasparta.
Leading them was a figurehead from Rasparta, and then Luceris, who had just arrived at that time, dispatched her with relative ease.
Not long after that, he became a member of Bifrost, and within a few months, about three, he had completely risen to the top.
With that, he rose to become the Overlord. Bifrost's Fourth and Supreme General.
Knock–! Knock–!
Just as the male had finished recounting his experiences mentally, a knock resounded on the door, prompting him to raise his head towards the door.
"Supreme General, it's me, Niz."
"Come on in."
Luceris replied, adjusting his chair back to its usual position, all while the person outside the door entered.
It was a young, beautiful woman.
A silver-haired woman with hair that flowed in soft waves, pulled back just enough to show her polished obsidian horns, which curled back like a crown.
She wore a high-contrast outfit: a crisp, sleeveless white top with a large satin blue bow at the collar.
A coat hung over her back, one sleeve on, one off, and her legs were wrapped in dark tights with faint patterns.
Naturally,
Like her appearance, she gave off a military vibe, and true to her looks, besides him, she was also one of Bifrost's leaders.
"Niz, you're here."
"Mhm. Quite so, I've bought the reports of our latest experiments."
Niz said that with folded arms, eyes looking away, and if Luceris recalled correctly, it was Dr. Aiken's job, one of Teslovik's lead researchers.
Besides, Dr. Aiken rarely comes to him.
Details were always sent through either electronically, a courier, or one of his personnel would bring them, but this time...
Deep into it. Luceris also folded his arms thoughtfully for a moment before reaching a conclusion.
"...Don't tell me, you went out of your way to check up on me...?"
He said with widened eyes, and contrary to his words, she replied:
"Indeed. I am concerned that you may bite the dust soon. However, I cannot allow that to happen. After all, you are a valuable asset to Bifrost."
Luceris winced hearing that.
"It would not be good to entrust everything solely to Dr. Aiken. Given her busy schedule, I find myself here."
Hearing that, Luceris silently clicked his tongue, his eyes shifting to the sides for a moment.
As he did that, she casually strode past the center where two sofas faced each other, with a crimson rug on the floor.
Reaching the floor-to-ceiling window, she overlooked the entire Bifrost from there before turning to him.
"Well, truth be told, it wasn't because of [Brionac] that I came here."
Hearing that, Luceris, who still sat without facing her, let out a soft sigh, his expression turning serious.
"It's Yulia, isn't it?"
"It's that again, isn't it?"
"Mhm. She's escaped, currently in Vologda spreading civil unrest toward the central city of Stoker."
Niz glanced over at Luceris; she already knew that much.
As expected of him, and at the same time, she was in awe of him again.
How he always knew things like this was not a mystery, as he'd told her already.
But anytime he did, she always renewed her awe for him.
If he heard her thoughts, he'd reply with, "It's nothing special," or something along that line.
But that wasn't the situation right now.
She turned fully to him.
"I came to plead her case. Luceris, please spare her."
As the Supreme General of Bifrost, he has supreme legislative and judicial rights over everything.
Even their research on [Neoliths]has taken a huge leap forward because of his "[Soul Neolith]."
Law enforcement agencies have also been strengthened as they received personal training from him.
While Niz and the other generals still had their administrative privileges, everything would eventually revert to him.
All final decisions, especially those regarding warfare, are his domain.
It is worth noting that he was the sole individual in the world to possess a "run on sight" order, should he be encountered on the battlefield.
Following a singular assault from him that nearly obliterated their unit, the Nebu forces conferred upon him such an honor.
Yet,
"I've only had the opportunity to meet her a handful of times. After all, being the leader, I had to put in just the minimum effort."
"It's fair to say that I find her interesting, but her defiant nature doesn't appeal to me."
Luceris's demeanor shifted as he spoke those words; she could clearly notice a subtle golden aura starting to emerge around him.
"However, for your sake, Niz. Just this once, and also for her effort as one of Bifrost's former leaders."
Back when Niz had just become the leader of Bifrost, Yulia acted as her shadow.
She took care of matters from the hidden side, allowing Niz to use both the stick and carrot to keep her people in line.
"Thank you, General."
Luceris shook his head at her thanks. In one way or the other, he owed Niz plenty too.
"Even if I don't agree, you'll go against my orders and try to rescue her."
"Not to mention, as one of my women, you know I can't bear to punish you. It'll just be a pain in my gut. So, only one chance Niz."
Crimson rose up to Niz cheeks as she brushed her hair before shaking her head.
Whenever she was in the tightest of pinches, she always did that.
She'd been caught. However, Luceris did not embarrass her further. At the very least, before she returns back to her hard-headed commander mode.
"So? How's [Brionac] coming along?"
Echo Particles.
During ancient times, several hundred years ago, calamity struck and the gods turned their backs on humanity.
A crystal particle spread across the world, turning people into grotesque monsters.
That same crystal is also the source of supernatural powers today.
Only those with an affinity for it can be transformed, wielding supernatural power.
"We did it just as you asked. Or so I learned when I visited Aiken."
"I see... she's still the same old Aiken, then. I never doubted her."
Luceris said this, his elbow resting on the armrest and his head propped on it with a satisfied smile plastered on his face.
In truth, Teslovik was a different organization from Bifrost.
Originally founded by Dr. Aiken and Fenriru with the aim of "science is art" which was a revolutionization where they believed big pp explosions equals humanity's victory.
But then, because they needed supplies to continue funding their experiment, what better organization in the north, especially Stocker City than Bifrost?
As a result, one could say that Teslovik is Bifrost's sub-organization, and like one would guess, it was their favorite if anything.
Yet, that aside, there was one thing Luceris woman didn't understand, and when she thought of it over, she couldn't help but glance at him with a side eye.
"You're plenty strong on your own; what do you need neolith for?"
And to that,
"Niz, you don't get it, do you? It doesn't matter how powerful you think I am; all that matters is being able to use them."
Luceris said convincingly, with a constant nod of his head as though to enlighten Niz.
However, the Black Dragon Case was only more confused than understanding him.
"So, you just want to use the power of a Neolith?"
Feeling that was what he meant, she asked that, and Luceris naturally nodded, much to her silent judgment.
It was also then,
Knock–! Knock–!
"General~ it's me, Fenriru~"
Immediately, the voice resounded from behind the door. Niz immediately shot Luceris a glare.
Luceris, who was very innocent, looked back at Niz, raising his hands high to display his cluelessness.
"Haah."
She sighed and then gave up.
"Come in."
Niz answered. When she did, both could obviously feel that Fenriru behind the door froze up for a moment.
She would try to escape one way or another.
But having arrived and announced her arrival, she had no choice.
"H-hey, General Niz... you're here too. Hahaha, don't tell me you're here to visit the Major General?"
With a wry tone and laughter, Fenriru said that as she entered.
A voluptuous young woman with blue hair and wolf ears, a white fur-lined coat hung off her shoulders, paired with a black fitted bodysuit that showed off her figure.
"..."
Niz didn't say anything, however, the intense stare said it all. Seeing this, Fenriru gulped.
"Oops. Slip of the tongue."
"I believe you have something to report."
"Cau—hnh. Yes." The moment Fenriru said that, the entire office became tense.
Echo Crystal.
A miraculous object that descended after the cataclysm many years ago, dating back to ancient days, possessing fusion properties.
Using it, they can fuse any type of substance or matter, whether organic or inorganic.
Due to that, scientists who studied this crystal carried out experiments, thus giving birth to CASES.
Beings with supernatural powers, as well as the powers of whatever beast they had fused with.
"So, you're telling me there's a new Awakener aside from me?"
"Not only that but Rasparta is pursuing their sister for some reason, and they have been fused with an Echo Crystal?"
Fenriru nodded as Luceris recounted everything Fenriru had reported.
About two, Sova squad was sent on a mission due to the increase in Echo particles on the border of Stocker City.
During their mission, they encountered members of Rasparta chasing a group of two.
Two females, one of whom was their target.
Having approached them, as it would turn out, their target was someone of high importance to them.
As such, they wished to capture the girl.
In fact, they even had one of Rasparta's higher-ups in charge of the mission. There was no way in hell Sova's team could handle a demi-god.
Even though they faced an inferior one, a demi-god is still a demi-god.
But then, thanks to the timely appearance of Niz, Mori, Fenriru, and Aiken, they were safe temporarily. With the four fending back Rasparta's demi-god.
Luceris himself would have gone; however, the other three generals, not wanting to deal with the aftermath of his having a light spar, had been stuck here since.
Niz also let out a sigh, but she had been there during the fight with Wadjet, one of the leading figures of Rasparta.
However, the case with the targets was entirely left up to Fenriru.
'Oh... You fought Rasparta's demi-god without me, huh? I didn't also get a report on it, huh? Oh....'
He shot several accusing glances at that to his woman who ignored him looking away, avoiding eye contact with him.
But just then,
"I was just pondering something. General, you have the ability to purify Echo Crystals and their particles, correct?"
"So, I was thinking."
Fenriru said, her voice trailing off; however, in contrast to her expectations:
"No."
Luceris said, with a quite serious expression with his hands to motion for her to stop her words. Seeing that, Fenriru let out a downcast expression.
It wasn't as though he couldn't help. It simply that,
"She'll die if I do."
"Eh?"
"My purification powers don't separate; they obliterate completely, hence purify. So, unless you want that, don't ask that of me."
Hearing Luceris say that, both Niz and Fenriru froze, stealing glances at each other and then at him.
Afterward, he squinted at Fenriru. Now that he thought of it... This Fenrir (wolf), she was the type to do things like this,
"That's not like you, Lieutenant. Standing up for someone who isn't even part of Teslovik yet."
The moment he said that, Fenriru froze.
Also, at that time, Niz shot an unimpressed gaze over Fenriru, who avoided eye contact with both of them.
"Tutututu~ Oh dear, I thought to myself, why not just ask? You never know, she could be quite helpful to Teslovik."
Despite her almost convincing words, both generals didn't believe a single word she said.
"Fenriru, drop it."
"Yes!"
While the woman in front of them was indeed capable, to some extent, she was some sort of goofball.