Arin Solara stepped out from the White Spire Gate and immediately noticed a group of Wardens moving in the same direction—toward the Outer Rings.
Each of them had imposing physiques, some with bold, streetwise hairstyles, giving the impression of seasoned fighters or enforcers accustomed to the rough edges of the Outer Rings.
Across their dark-blue Order uniforms, four bold characters stood out:
"Ninth Order Combat Unit."
At the forefront was none other than Commander Rokan, head of the Ninth Order.
Among the group, Arin recognized two other familiar faces.
One was Tala Maren, green-haired and energetic, Vice-Commander of the Ninth Order, renowned for her unarmed combat mastery and boundless stamina.
The other figure lingered in the shadows, almost as if he were a phantom—Kairo Tenel, the Fifth Star of the Ninth Order.
At this time, Kairo looked much younger than Arin had expected.
Instead of the stoic mask he was famous for, he wore a simple hooded cloak, most of his face hidden in shadow, revealing only a faint outline of his eyes.
Arin's gaze lingered only briefly before he continued on his path, as if he hadn't noticed them at all.
He knew exactly why Commander Rokan was heading toward the Outer Rings.
The string of civilian disappearances had finally caught the attention of the higher-ups.
And this was just the beginning of the Abyssal Shift Incident.
Silently, a hidden network of manipulators had begun setting plans into motion, spinning webs of deception across the Dominion.
The high-ranking officers of the Ten Orders had no idea what was coming.
But Arin intended to turn the situation to his advantage—observing, collecting information, and growing stronger in the process.
As he strolled leisurely through the Outer Ring streets, Arin sensed a presence nearby.
His gaze shifted toward the shadows.
A silver-haired figure stepped forward with unnerving grace.
The youth wore the dark uniform of the Fifth Order, an armband marking his station.
With a sly, unsettling smile, he greeted Arin:
"Arin Solara. Long time no see."
Though his tone was light, there was a cold precision in his movements, like a predator circling a prey.
Arin smirked.
"Kairo Tenel. Still the same as ever… moving through life like nothing can touch you, huh?"
The silver-haired figure's smirk widened.
"Arin… always amusing. You still find your own way, don't you?"
Though their time as trainees had been brief, Kairo had always found Arin's methods… unusual.
Where other Wardens trained tirelessly, Arin had spent days fishing, wandering markets, or indulging in astral wine.
To outsiders, he seemed lazy and unmotivated.
But Kairo knew better. There was an unmistakable confidence in Arin—as if he already knew everything would work out, no matter the danger.
Testing the waters, Kairo asked carefully:
"I heard Vice-Commander Rokan thinks highly of you… promoted you to a Star Officer, yes?"
Arin chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"Rokan is one of the few honest people in the Orders. Work hard enough to not disappoint them… simple as that."
There was a subtle edge to his words—mocking yet perfectly courteous.
Kairo's eyes narrowed. Arin wasn't supposed to know certain things.
Why did it feel like he did?
After a moment, Kairo simply nodded, showing outward compliance, though his mind churned with suspicion.
For now, he departed silently.
Meanwhile, deeper in the Outer Rings, Commander Rokan and the Ninth Order squad had just rescued a young civilian—Haru Selan—from an Abyssal creature.
But something felt wrong.
No traces of rifts had opened nearby.
Where had the creature come from?
Then they discovered the truth.
Ten Wardens from the advance team had vanished.
Intact, yet entirely empty.
Their bodies remained as shells—uniforms fastened, sandals still in place—but no life lingered inside.
It was not death. It was erasure.
And this phenomenon had begun affecting even the advance squads.
A chill ran down Commander Rokan's spine.
He barked urgent orders:
"Tala! Report to the Council of Ancients immediately! Inform them ten advance team Wardens vanished under the same circumstances as the civilians!"
"Kairo! Contact the Twelfth Order! Send their investigators to seal the scene and analyze the anomaly!"
"Tala! Prepare the unit. We're holding this sector tonight."
The Ninth Order moved with swift determination. Even the usually carefree Tala Maren braced for battle.
Shortly after, a messenger returned.
The Vice-Commander of the Twelfth Order, Lyra Saraki, was already en route.
As for Commander Kaelis, he was occupied with a personal research project and unable to respond.
Rokan allowed himself a moment of relief.
Night fell, and the Ninth Order patrolled the perimeter once more.
Returning to his temporary quarters, Rokan noticed Tala fast asleep despite the danger.
Shaking his head, he muttered:
"Only someone like her could sleep so soundly right now."
Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the stillness of the night.