In the Outer Rings, Commander Rokan heard the bloodcurdling screams and rushed out of the tent, gripping his Spirit Arm tightly.
The sight that greeted him was a massacre.
Two Wardens from the Ninth Order, who had been on night watch, lay motionless on the ground. Their lifeblood seeped into the dirt, staining it crimson. Their blank eyes reflected the pale glow of the full moon above, a cruel contrast to the fury building in Rokan's chest.
A short distance away, squad member Daro stood frozen, his Spirit Arm still in hand, yet he showed no movement.
"Daro..." Rokan's eyes darkened, and he instinctively activated his Eclipsed Rift Strike.
"Shunkyō—tear them apart!"
The blade shimmered with spatial energy, warping the air as Rokan stepped forward, ready to strike down the assailant.
But then, he hesitated.
Daro, who had been motionless, suddenly collapsed, blood gushing from his throat in a haunting silence.
Something was wrong.
Rokan's instincts screamed at him.
Daro's Spirit Arm was spotless. No trace of blood, no marks of attack. And the scream—Rokan realized—it hadn't come from the Wardens on the ground.
It had come from Daro himself.
Unease sank deep. The shadows pressed in as if alive. This wasn't a simple ambush. This was a calculated trap.
A trap set not only for his squad but for him—the Commander of the Ninth Order.
"Tala! Wake up!"
Rokan's thoughts raced to Tala Maren, still resting inside the tent. He needed her awake, needed to evacuate her immediately.
He stepped back toward the tent—
Darkness.
For a brief moment, his vision blurred. His body wavered.
By the time his senses returned, a sharp, searing pain exploded in his chest.
Rokan looked down.
A narrow, deadly blade had pierced him from behind, its tip glistening with his own blood.
His grip on his Spirit Arm trembled. Slowly, he turned his head, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You… why…?"
The full moon bore witness, silent and indifferent, as tragedy unfolded.
Meanwhile, within his private quarters, Arin Solara lounged leisurely, spinning a pair of slender, high-tech glasses between his fingers. His lips curled into a faint, knowing smile as he reviewed their specifications.
[Disguise Glasses]
Grade: B-Class
Type: Technological Artifact
Ability: Completely disguises the user's appearance, Astral Resonance, aura, voice, scent, and even the essence of the soul.
Origin: Crafted by the hidden artificers of the Outer Rings; acquired after completing [Special Mission 5: Join the Ten Orders].
"When I put these on, I am nothing more than a wandering scholar. When I take them off… I am untouchable."
Though only B-Class, their effect was formidable—comparable in subtlety to the most elite illusions of the Dominion's top artificers.
As he finished inspecting the artifact, a sharp alert sounded in his system.
[Emergency Alert]
"Anomalous activity detected! Commander Rokan and Vice-Commander Tala Maren have vanished from their positions!"
"All Order leaders are to assemble at First Order Headquarters immediately!"
Arin's smirk widened.
"It begins."
With the commanders out of the way, the stage was set.
He split off a Shadow Doppel, leaving it behind as a subtle alibi in the Outer Rings.
The real Arin slid on the disguise glasses. Instantly, his youthful visage transformed into that of a composed, middle-aged scholar. His aura shifted, becoming utterly unrecognizable.
Satisfied, he activated Shunkyō Space Manipulation and stepped into the void.
This ability allowed him to traverse the Outer Rings undetected, bypassing all barriers. To any onlooker, he was a ghost.
Around him, the void space was barren save for a small corner containing meticulously arranged items: spare clothing, fishing rods, and essential tools.
Arin selected a white windbreaker, swapping it for his uniform, then checked his reflection in a mirror.
The man staring back was handsome, sharp, and utterly convincing.
"As expected. Even in disguise, still stunning. Perhaps next time, a bit taller…"
Every detail had been prepared: borrowed attire, untraceable, leaving no evidence behind.
"A game of deception against the Dominion's watchers… it's all about precision."
With everything in place, Arin slipped toward the Outer Rings.
While the other commanders scrambled to respond, he was already advancing.
Thanks to Shunkyō, he bypassed every patrol, every surveillance measure, moving freely under the moonlit sky.
Within moments, he had located the two distinct Astral Resonances.
With a subtle grin, he approached, undeterred.
Back at the First Order Headquarters, tension gripped the assembled leaders.
The commanding officers stood solemnly. Even the normally relaxed Kaelis Shunrei now radiated sharp focus.
In a single night, an entire advance squad had vanished without trace—not just any squad, but the Ninth Order, along with its Commander and Vice-Commander.
This was no ordinary disaster.
The only leader who remained utterly unshaken was Commander-General Veyran, standing tall with his staff, issuing orders with unwavering authority:
"Tenth Order Commander, Rohan Elysius. Fifth Order Commander, Lyra Saraki. Seventh Order Commander, Kael Aikane. You three lead the recovery and investigation."
"Second Order Commander, Selene Yadomaru, remain on standby."
"Sixth Order Commander, Jinrei Kuroshi. Eighth Order Commander, Kaelis Shunrei. Thirteenth Order Commander, Juro Vale. You will assist me in defending the Outer Rings."
"Fourth Order Commander, Reina Ohnara. Prepare for the injured."
With the directives issued, the commanders moved swiftly into action.