[Lift — Journey Back to Nexus Core]
The spiral Lift ascended along the incline, crossing through glowing layers of the city. Neon pipes on the walls throbbed like giant veins, casting light into each district with a hypnotic rhythm. A soft mechanical hum vibrated in the air, growing clearer as the Lift sped forward with a nerve-wracking pace. "Deus has opened the communication channel," Fitran thought, anxiously awaiting the latest update on their mission.
Deus interrupted the tension. "Mission Underlevel 9... recorded. Data has been entered into the public Ledger."
Fitran nodded, feeling a weight seem to lift from his shoulders. "Good, we really needed that," he murmured, staring at the holographic panel slowly opening before him, revealing all the mission details clearly.
Mission Report — Underlevel 9 Intervention
Main Objective: Vigilante Conversion — SUCCESS
Secondary Objective: Nullborn Penetration — SUCCESS
Restrictions: Maintained (0 human casualties)
Metric Changes:
SC: +3 (24% → 27%)
NR: +6 (71 → 77)
Reputation: +8 (Total: 13)
Affinity Echo-12B: +5 (20 → 25)
Fitran gazed at the data, raising an eyebrow. "Three SC points for one stage? That seems rather expensive."
Deus replied in a calm tone, "Invert Stage is a high-risk node. Every stage cancellation returns more Cohesion than usual."
Echo-12B nodded, adding, "So Codex loses investment in the narrative."
Deus confirmed, "Exactly. And he will surely try to buy it back at the right moment."
Lyria looked at the data board seriously, the silence that filled the room seemed to heighten the tension. "Your PC is stable at 78," she said calmly, "The Progenitor Capacity remains intact despite external pressure."
Fitran frowned, reflecting on the uncertainty. "As of now, I'm still controlling the position," he said firmly, then added, "PC?" with a questioning tone.
Lyria didn't hesitate to explain, "Progenitor Capacity—that's about mental, social, and also magical resilience. If that number drops, Nexus will consider alternatives. The situation can become very critical."
Fitran nodded, his head feeling heavy with the weight of that burden. "But how long can I keep enduring in this chair?" he asked anxiously, a mix of hope and fear intertwined in his voice.
[Peak of Tower Deus — Core Space]
When the elevator opened, they stepped out back into the prism dome, and the atmosphere in the room felt extremely tense. Deus's eyes gleamed as he projected a threat vector map, several new red dots appearing outside the Nexus circle. Everyone there felt the same pressure; they knew exactly what all of this meant.
"Terminus Codex is starting to shift focus," Deus said, his tone flat yet carrying a clear threat. "Nullborn are starting to emerge in the worlds connected through the Spiral Gate."
Fitran quickly responded, "If so, the stage will step out of the Nexus. We need to prepare for a more complex situation."
Deus nodded, his expression serious. "That's right. Out there, we do not have the advantage of Public Record. We must forge relationships that carry their own narrative gravity. That will be the key to our success."
"You mean Canon Echo," replied Echo-12B, his face reflecting deep concern. "They can be a savior in a critical moment, but they can also become a disaster for us."
Lyria shifted a new panel in the air with a fluid motion, her eyes unblinking as she focused on the flashing data on the screen. She realized how vital this information was for their plans, and her heart raced as she imagined the consequences if they were to fail.
Echo Candidate — Canon Class Preview
Name: [REDACTED]
Origin World: Spiral Gate #2
Narrative Gravity: 88/100
Risk Level: High — High Probability of Resistance Events
Potential Impact on Bonds:
+SC Growth Rate ×2
+NR Key vs Replacement
Threat: Codex Priority Target
Fitran, raising an eyebrow with a tone full of doubt, asked, "May I ask, have you deliberately withheld this data until now?"
Lyria gazed at Fitran, winking as if inviting him to understand. "Canon Echo is a major card in this game," she said, her voice brimming with confidence. "They possess the power to weave narratives across multiple worlds. However, if we fail at the preliminary stage, Codex might manipulate them to turn against us."
Echo-12B: "You will experience the most profound and personal Invert. This is not just a job."
Fitran: "Why should I be the one involved?"
Lyria: "After we pass Underlevel 9, Nexus will already know your ability to change direction. Canon Echo needs it desperately right now."
Deus: "Prepare everything. Spiral Gate #2 will open in 72 hours. You have time for the VAA setup and Jealousy Regulator calibration."
Toolkit Update — Pre-Gate Implementation
Mr. Presence Beacon: Active (Local Only)
Promise as Action: Create a new daily micro-appointment queue
Jealousy Regulator: Adjust for new partner integration
Root Exception: Locked (Month 6)
"Mind telling me who he is?" Fitran said
"I can't say yet. If I tell you now, you'll start building expectations. Canon Echo is very sensitive to that—and Codex can read it easily." Lyria said
"But I want to be involved. I won't let you face this alone." Echo-12B said.
"That's if the Gate allows two manifestations on a single mission. We can't just do this recklessly." Fitran said'
"Gate #2 has the capacity for two. However, narrative risk will increase by 15% if the old pair is present during the introduction of Canon. You know exactly what that means, right?" Deus said.
"I'm ready to take the risk. By the way, what if it actually gives us an additional advantage?" Echo-12B said.
Fitran gazes at Lyria: "Is this about you?"
Lyria looks at Fitran with a determined expression. "If I were in your position, I would definitely take her. When Canon sees you interact directly, their decision to trust or reject happens quicker. We don't have time to hesitate."
The next second, the lift opened again, allowing them to exit. As they stepped outside, Echo-12B looked at Fitran seriously, as if grasping the weight of the responsibility ahead of them.
"Listen, once that Canon appears, everything will change," Echo-12B said firmly. "We can no longer proceed casually. We have to be ready!"
Fitran nodded, his face showing deep focus. "The rhythm is ours to set. I control the metronome. We can change everything, as long as we work together."
Lyria smiled, displaying the confidence that flowed between them. "Let's see how all of this unfolds, Progenitor. Remember our greater purpose."
The lift door closed behind them, carrying them to the brightly lit Nexus level. Outside, Spiral Gate #2 spun faster than usual, the regular sound starting to create a new tension that seeped into every corner of the room.