[Scene: Military Hall – After the Meeting]
The sound of heels echoed through the marble hall.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
Bayo walked calmly, her security and personal assistant at her sides.
She spoke with a smug tone, "That was more fun than expected. The look on K20's face was so exciting to look at."
Jewel, her assistant, glanced at her tablet.
"Ma'am, are you sure about this? It looked like the heroes were really not happy."
Bayo scoffed.
"Huh, do I look like I give a fuck? This is an opportunity to show the world they shouldn't depend on heroes—that the military can do things too."
She ran a hand through her hair, speaking with fire in her tone.
"Do you remember the last time the military was talked about in the news? Or recognized for any achievement? No. Even if we do something good, the credit goes to those heroes who practically sit down and count their income."
She paused, her boots stopping at the glass wall.
Inside the big room, several individuals were undergoing tests. Her gaze narrowed on the seven figures inside.
"Hey Jewel, who are those brats?"
Jewel tapped her screen.
"Well, ma'am, they're actually returners. Three years ago, the heroes accepted a training expedition from Ascenders High. They sent twelve students into the Abyss for training and understanding how monsters operate, but…"
Bayo waved her hand dismissively, eyes fixed below.
"I know, I know. They all went in, things were going smoothly, and then bang—the rift gate began to close. They all tried to get out but couldn't. Even the teachers were trapped."
She rubbed her chin, eyes glinting.
"But why are there only seven? And how the fuck did they survive the Abyss… a place even K20 can't handle?"
Jewel replied calmly, "We haven't gotten any information yet, but they're being tested. We've seen great potential from them. The heroes planned to question them today."
Bayo's lips curved into a grin.
"Great potential, you say? I like the sound of that. No—I'm going to make sure these students join the X-Forces, so I can see how far that potential goes."
She laughed maniacally, the echo bouncing through the hall. Even her security guards exchanged uneasy glances.
Jewel's voice cut in again.
"Interesting… Ma'am, I just got information. During the Bangalore incident, there were four students who stood out. One went head-to-head with the suspect. They also seem promising."
Bayo chuckled, tapping Jewel's shoulder.
"Now you're talking. C'mon, let me see that."
She peered at the tablet, muttering the names aloud.
"Butcher Aiden, Twilight Biscarus, Capper Tom… and Bunny Clifford. Wait—Clifford? Hmm, that name sounds familiar."
Jewel answered, "That's because Bunny's from the Clifford family—the family whose heritage flows from the vanguard of the Royal Family of England."
Bayo smirked wickedly.
"Getting her into the X-Forces will surely boost our influence. The daughter of Clifford himself—a feared powerhouse, a ruthless soldier who single-handedly took out over a hundred invaders. His own daughter, under my command… Damn, I'm lucky!"
She laughed again, a sharp, grating sound.
Even the lights flickered slightly.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted—sharp and cold.
"If I were you, I'd let that crazy brat go. She's more dangerous than you think, Bayo."
Bayo's eyes snapped toward the speaker.
"Commander Bayo, bitch. Try to remember that."
Lexy's eyes blazed with restrained anger.
"Forgive me. I forgot."
She walked away, smirking to herself as Bayo's gaze followed.
What a bitch for a commander, Lexy thought. I hope Bunny puts her in her place. Hehehe…
---
[Scene: The Unknown Base – Night]
The corridor buzzed with quiet chatter.
Laughter, footsteps, and the faint hum of machinery filled the air.
Lawrence—Demon—walked slowly through the halls. He passed groups of people laughing, playing games, and chatting. His face was calm, but his eyes heavy.
Thump... Thump... His heartbeat grew louder in his ears.
"Damn," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "I shouldn't have used Zero. Now these bastards are all in my head… talking shit."
He reached his door, but a voice called out,
"Hey, are you good, De?"
Lawrence turned to respond—but suddenly—
"Devour his soul."
Another voice whispered, dark and hungry.
"C'mon… just grab him and finish it. I'm starving, and so are you."
Lawrence gritted his teeth, clutching his head in pain.
Thud! He punched the wall.
"Shut up!"
The guy blinked in surprise. "Hey man, I get it—you're not in a good mood, but you shouldn't be so arrogant."
The man walked away. Lawrence tried to stop him, but fell to his knees. His hands trembled as he watched his tattoos start to shift—drawing back into place.
He stumbled into his room, slammed the door shut, and fell on the bed.
"You dumbasses… can't you let me have one day off without your constant bullshit?"
A voice slithered through his head, sweet and venomous.
"C'mon now, you know we have to eat. It's not our fault."
Lawrence yelled, "Then whose fault is it—mine?! I only used Zero because I was outmatched—it was just for a minute!"
A female voice cut in—teasing and seductive.
"And one minute was enough to get us hungry, Lawrence. Or don't you want us to be stronger?"
He felt a cold hand trace his back, then wrap around his neck.
Lawrence muttered, "Damn demon… don't tell me you're out already."
The female voice purred, "Of course I'm out. Now give me what I want, baby Lawrence. Mommy's waiting."
His anger boiled over. He grabbed the figure—a faceless demon with only a mouth—and pinned it down.
"Bitch, I don't play around. Especially when you try to imitate my mom."
The demon giggled. "Oh, so I'm not allowed to call myself Mommy, but you can?"
Lawrence's tone darkened.
"Jezebel… behave."
Suddenly, a deeper voice echoed from the shadows.
"Lawrence… c'mon. You know you don't like when we tease you. But I gotta ask—why call that girl Mom?"
Out of the darkness crept a four-legged creature with six glowing eyes.
"Damn, Chan Charms, you're out too?" Lawrence groaned. "Get back in. I promise I'll get you the souls you want."
Chan Charms growled.
"Bullshit. The moment we get back into your body, you'll put those chains back on to suppress us."
Lawrence roared, "Of course I will! You think I'm dumb enough to give 163 demons a chance to escape!?"
Another voice—firm, calm, male—spoke from the chair in the corner.
"Please. You say that, yet you still use Zero. You're weak, Lawrence. You don't want to get stronger because you're scared."
A blue-lit figure stepped forward.
"You need power, Lawrence. And the only way to get it… is to get rid of that fear."
Lawrence glared at him.
"I'm not learning soul manipulation, Zee."
Zee smirked.
"Then have fun running fast and punching hard. But to me—and to you, Lawrence—that British brat's got the upper hand, and you know it."
Zee dissolved into light, sliding back into Lawrence's body as a glowing tattoo.
Jezebel followed, and finally Chan Charms stood inches from Lawrence's face.
"I can't wait to take control of your body, boy…" it hissed. "You never answered my question."
Lawrence's eyes softened for a brief moment.
"She just reminds me of my mom. Her eyes are like hers."
Chan Charms smirked.
"You're pathetic."
It vanished, marking Lawrence's neck.
Panting, Lawrence grabbed a silver chain with black diamond edges and clasped it tightly around his neck.
He sighed, the voices going quiet.
Suddenly—BANG! The door flew open.
Juice burst in, laughing.
"You won't believe it! I met a fellow sniper and we both acknowledged each other's skills—haha!"
He stopped, staring at Lawrence's tired face.
"You okay, bro?"
Lawrence groaned, lying back. "Don't even ask me. I'm just exhausted from that last mission."
Juice grinned mischievously.
"Ohhh, exhausted from your little honeymoon?"
Lawrence's eyes widened.
"What are you talking about?"
Juice clapped his hands, singing,
"Lawrence and Bunny, fighting in Bangalore—K-I-S-S, kiss kiss kiss!"
Lawrence lunged at him.
"Shut up! There was no chemistry! I know Betty told you that—come here, you punk!"
He grabbed Juice's hair as the two wrestled.
Suddenly, Fang appeared at the doorpost, his tone grim.
"Hey, we're back. And you guys won't believe what we found out about the GLDs."
Both Lawrence and Juice froze mid-fight.
"What?" they said in unison.
Fang's eyes darkened.
His voice dropped to a chilling tone.
"You're gonna want to sit down for this…"