At the orphanage, in one of the rooms of the teachers' quarters, a young woman chatted with someone over the phone. She had a serious expression as if the matter being discussed was of significance. The woman sat on a study chair with a laptop of a unique design sitting on the table.
-"Whats the status, is the Mana Frequency Radar showing anything?"-
"No, for some reason, the frequency is unstable. It's as if the Mana accumulation was disrupted."
-"Disrupted?!"-
"Yes, hours ago, the Mana Frequency Radar had a signal, I'd plan to visit the location tonight and evaluate the situation; but as of within the last minute, the frequency intensified, reaching the frequency level of a B-rank Gate-
-What?! B-rank Gate?! How is that possible?!-"
"I don't know how or why either, but I have a feeling an Awakened was involved. Anyways, the frequency level again skyrocketed, going beyond the radar's scan limit, even causing the Mana frequency radar to enter error mode."
-"Error mode?! Agent Spike, you do know that your Mana Frequency Radar is set to show error mode once the frequency level surpasses the A-rank level, correct?"-
"Yes, I'm aware of that, sir, but I'm not making words out of thin air. I'm describing everything as it was, the Mana frequency was indeed over an A-rank level Gate. It usually takes fifteen days for all Gates to form a portal, so I'm unsure of how this one had such a drastic change, it has only been three days, and the Gate was formed, this is beyond our scope of understanding, sir."
-"Hmm... I will have the main Sector look into it. Anything else?"-
"Yes, sir, the Mana frequency... it seems to have vanished... its... its as if the Gate was cleared..."
-"...! I'm sorry agent Spike, but have you been drinking?!"-
"No, sir, I'm not drunk, the Mana frequency has indeed vanished, I'm sending live data of my radar now, you should also see the change."
The woman hurriedly typed on the computer as she sent something.
-"This... how is this possible?! The frequency was indeed over the level of an A-rank Gate's frequency. If that's the case, then this means an S-rank Gate was eminent, the whole of Dasia Kingdown would have been in danger, let alone Metro City. Huh?! Why did the signal vanish all of a sudden?!"-
"That's what also baffles me, sir, should I perhaps go check the site?!"
-"No, Agent Spike. This matter is too complex to understand, let alone explain, I can't afford to lose a valuable asset like you, especially not now. Since the frequency signal disappeared, then there is no valid evidence of its existence, so let's pretend nothing was there in the first place, understand?!"-
"Yes, sir."
-"Good, I'm canceling the operation and erasing all investigation records of the orphanage from the database. The possible appearance of an S-rank Gate is not news any leader would want to share with the public, so let us keep this between us, shall we?! Now, you have twelve hours to return to Headquarters, I hope you didn't get attached to the orphanage already, Mana practice teacher, Miss Spike, haha, not bad. HQ out."-
The elderly male voice over the phone made a teasing last sentence and laughed as he ended the call. The woman heaved a sigh of relief as she relaxed her back on the chair, her head hung over.
"Sigh~ I guess I would have to resign tomorrow, I thought I would stay at least a month, but I didn't even last a day. Being a W.A.O agent really takes away the fun sometimes."
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In one of Patrick Alexander King's Infinite Realms, Patrick walked in the throne hall arms free as he steadily appraoched his pitch-black throne, with Alpha, the blue energy ball steadily drifting behind him. While walking, Patrick removed the helmet with both hands as he let it freely float around; simultaneously, the Symbiotic Adaptation Suit also detached from his body as it hovered next to the helmet. Next, the Infinity Set outfit vanished from Patrick's body as golden Mana liquid washed over him, showering him.
Then, a black night robe materialized on Patrick's body, with Patrick wrapping the rope around his waist.
"Master, I have made a diagnosis on the Symbiotic Adaptation Suit and recommend some upgrades; I'm eliminating the Time effect, granting the suit a timeless state of adaptation, I'm also installing it with Indestructability, permission to commence with the upgrade."
"Hmm... so now the suit adapts simultaneously in any environment, as for indestructibility... carry on with it... commence with the upgrade, also, grant the symbiote the ability to transform into any living creature, its not like I'm going to be wearing it forever now, would I?"
"Master knows best. All upgrades completed. The S.A.S is now capable of timeless adaptation, unlimited transformation, and indestructibility."
"Nice. Now it's time for bed."
"Yes, Master, I would recommend that you haven't had a proper sleep in three years. Although all mortal refreshments, such as food, and sleep are inapplicable to you, it's still beneficial to not forget one's roots."
"Hmm!... thank you, Grandma Grace."
"Actually, Master, I am billions of eons times older than Creation itself. Calling me grandma is an insult, you should perhaps call me ancient great grandmother."
"...., you kidding right?"
"Not at all Master, I'm simply correcting my status... so, does my ancient great grandson want to call me ancient great grandmother?"
"....., I think I will stick with Grace. Thank you."
Patrick and Grace chatted as a majestically designed bed, twice the size of a king-size bed, materialized and hovered in the middle of the hall. Patrick took two steps as he jumped on the bed, "Oh, nice, it's a billion times more comfortable than my old mattress." Patrick spoke as he fell back on the bed, his head being supported by a white pillow. "Alpha, wake me at noon, will you?"
<< Certainly, Sire, good night." >>
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Far in the western areas of Metro City, inside a C-rank Gate, over fifty combat-dressed Awakened lay scattered on the scene. The scene was chaotic as if an intense battle had occurred; there were numerous craters and broken trees, some of which were still burning as if from a fire attack. There were also broken shields and swords and gun-like weapons lying around.
Suddenly, from the distance, a beast, with the head and body of a lion, uprightly walked as he approached the defeated group of fifty Awakened. The beast had long exposing upper fangs, black eyes, and sharp exposed claws. The next moment, the lion beast roared at the defeated Awakened as if exerting its dominance, its roaring loud enough to create a vibration than shock the earth, and even pushing back some of the Awakened.
"How is this possible?! How is it still alive and unscratched?! This should not be happening!"
A six-foot-tall dark-skinned man with a left eye patch despairingly bellowed as he stared at the seven-foot-tall monster, his face was washed with dread and terror as one could see the dreadfullness in his eyes. On the man's right arm was a claw wound so deep his robust muscles were shredded like paste, and his white bones could be seen snapped from his elbow. With unstable and panicked breathing, the man strugglingly sat on his feet while kneeling as he helplessly stared at the monster in the distance.
As if the lion beast monster wasn't terrifying enough, another creature with a humaniod body, wearing a black-hooded robe with a pitch-black face, emerged from beside the lion beast monster, the dark-faced creature held a black long staff taller than itself with a crystal ball attached to the top, within the crystal ball was some form of dark shining energy which constantly brimmed as if it was a beating heart. The dark-faced creature stamped his staff to the ground as it stood next to the lion beast.
"What- what are you guys?! This was supposed to be a C-rank Gate. How is a B rank like me unable to even survive a blow from you?!"
The two monsters expressionlessly stared at the screaming captain, as if looking at an insignificant object. But instead of getting an answer, the captain watched as the dark-faced entity steadily walked next to one of his dead crew members, with a hand waved by the creature, the dead male corpse slowly levitated as its head was directed to the creature's pitch-black face, soon later, the captain desperately bellowed "NOO!!" as he watched one of his crew members get swallowed into the dark face of the hooded creature.
As if enjoyed a tasty meal, the dark-faced creature cracked his neck as a pair of firey eyes ignited from his dark face. Soon later, the eyes dimmed and vanished as the face returned to being fully dark again. Turning to the captain, the dark-faced creature spoke, its voice ravaged and horsed as if had a broken throat.
"HuMan, WhAt wE aRe DoEsN nOt MaTtEr, WhAt MaTtErS iS oUr CaUsE, aNd ThAt Is ThE eXtInCtIoN oF ThE hUmAn RaCe. ThIs Is JuSt ThE bEgInNiNg!"
Upon finishing its sentence, the dark-faced creature simultaneously stamped his staff to the ground as Mana energy began oozing from the captain's body and into the dark crystal ball in the creature's hand, half a minute later, the Mana extraction stopped as the captain's body soulessly fell to the ground, his face completely dried up as if his entire existence was sucked away from him.
With the captain dead, the lion beast monster retracted his claws as he steadily approached the dark-faced creature from behind, but before the lion beast monster could speak, the dark-faced creature interrupted.
"MaStEr'S aRrIvAl iS nIgH, I NeEd MoRe SouLs To ReGaIn My FuLl StReNgTh, ElEvAtE tHe PoRtAl To DeMoN kNiGhT rAnK, tHe StRoNgEr ThE sOuLS, tHe BeTtEr!'
_____
"Annnnd- good afternoon to you all, dear citizens of Metro City, or should I say Metrons! The time is currently 12:45 pm, and the weather is looking nice and warm for a summer swim, hope you all are not missing the fun! My name is Jessica Bakes and today we have one of the most powerful, influential, and richest men in not only Dasia Kingdom but ranks tenth in the world's richest billionaires list in our hands. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure and honor to welcome, scientist, noble-award winner, businessman, and CEO of King's Technologies, Mr. Dylan Ludwick."
At a news broadcasting station, a beautiful fair-skinned woman made a presentation, followed by introducing a six-foot-tall Englishman with red hair and a handsome face. The man wore business attire with a blue necktie. He had a warm and welcoming smile on his face as he smiled at the woman and the camera, the man's handsomeness causing the ladies on the scene to blush immediately upon crossing eyes with him.
"E-hem! Thank you for having me here today, Miss Bakes, It's my pleasure."
"Please, call me Jessica..."
"...., Very well then, nice to be here, Jessica."
"So, Mr. Ludwick, you have been the CEO of King's Tech since its foundation three years ago, and amazingly, King's Tech has risen to the number one technological company in the world, or I even dare say in history, as there has never been a company making that much profit and dominating in all areas of technology, and more incredibly, I don't think there has ever been a company which went from zero to being worth over one hundred trillion pounds in less than a decade, that would be ludicrous to say five years ago, but now, you have made that a reality. Now, I know we only have forty-five minutes and you are an extremely busy man, but in our previous interview eighteen months ago, in your last statement, you said you were not the founder of King's Technologies, but merely its keeper, the people, and I, would like to know, who is the true owner of King's Technologies?!"
_______
<<< Wake up, sire! wake up, sire! wake up, sire! >>>
"Snooze for another five minutes."
<<< But sire, this is the dozenth time you have asked me to snooze. >>>
Patrick held two pillows to his head as he blocked his ears from hearing Alpha's loud "Wake up sire" alarm. Hearing Alpha's sentence, Patrick turned facing the ceiling as he breathed calmly. Suddenly, a white-colored energy ball with two black eyes floated and hovered above Patrick.
"Ohh, you had an evolution, nice color, Alpha."
<<< Compliment much appreciated, Sire. >>>
Patrick complimented Alpha as the bed slowly reshaped and became a sofa chair, with a dining table materializing before him.
"Good Morning, Master, had a good night's sleep?"
"Good morning to you too Grace, and yes, I did."
"Good, because you were asleep for ten thousand years, Master."
"Hmm... then I guess it was a very long sleep."
Patrick spoke as a tea kettle, boiling at over a hundred degrees celcius, materialized in his right hand, with a casual sip, he walked two steps as he pushed empty air, as if opening something, but then, two doors to a balcony opened from the space, revealing the outside of the majestic infinite realm. With the tea jug in his hand, Patrick leaned on the balcony as he stared into the heavenly surroundings.
<<< Sire, Mr. Ludwick seems to be on the news, here is a live photage. >>>
Alpha sounded as a realistic image of Ludwick's interview appeared in Patrick's view.
-"... I have been the CEO of King's Tech for three years now, and to the best of our abilities, we have aided the world greatly. We are the reason for the significant progress of every health and security department worldwide. But let me ask you this, citizens of Metro City, Dasia Kingdom, and worldwide, does it matter who the owner of the hospital is when the hospital is diligently and maracleously doing its job of curing its citizens?! Likewise, does it matter who the real owners or owners of King's Technologies are?! After all, we can proudly say we are the reason for the great advancement in combating and resisting Gates and monsters...
so, instead of focusing on who holds the position, let's focus on what they are doing with it. I hope I didn't take much time there, Jessica..."-
<<< It seems Mr. Ludwick has become adaptable to being on the media. Sire. >>>
"Not bad pressure handling. Alpha, give him a call after the interview, it's time I visit my company."