[Start]
Later, under the California sun, precisely a golden hue of early evening, Genau, as a software engineer, spared some money and asked for a loan from a bank to build his tech startup company named Agglomy with the help of his assistant, Shiva. As he sat at his cluttered desk, the soft hum of his computer filled the room, blending harmoniously with the faint sounds of distant traffic. Seeing that the price of his apartment was too expensive in San Francisco, he found a cheaper one in Los Angeles on the internet. Vibrant images of the city's beaches and bustling life filled his screen. He booked a flight to move there and rented the apartment, anticipation bubbling within him.
As usual, with the palpable energy of a new city surrounding him, Genau was doing parkour and quests in Los Angeles, the sun casting playful shadows on the pavement as he leaped with grace to find serums.
[Main]
One day, while the fragrant aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, Maria noticed Genau thanks to Steve while she was in a café around her neighborhood. The busy café buzzed with chatter, the clinking of glasses, and the occasional laughter as she engaged in a daily live stream on a social media app. Genau, on the contrary, couldn't notice her because his range detection was <<50m>>, while Maria's was <<100m>> due to her sensitive abilities as a female. Outside, a light breeze rustled the leaves, infusing the atmosphere with a sense of urgency.
Maria told her followers that she would close the stream because she had something urgent to do, her voice slightly trembling with excitement. In a quiet but pointed tone, she asked Steve if that unknown user (Genau) had noticed her too. He responded with a skeptical shake of his head, the digital interface blipping as he analyzed their surroundings, confirming he doubted that the user had noticed them since he was moving in the opposite direction of their actual location. Still, her curiosity piqued; she asked Steve not to lose track of him. The thrill of the chase invigorated her.
Then, the thrill transforming into adrenaline, she began the race to catch up to that user, eager to assess whether he was friend or foe. Since she had saved some money in the bank thanks to her online job, she calculated her next move, wanting to gain an advantage in case of a confrontation. A determined look washed over her face as she asked Steve to increase her level from
In the thick of it, Shiva, relaying information back to Genau, noticed him as Maria was lightly panting and starting to get close. With a sense of concern, she informed Genau that she had found a new user. His brow furrowed slightly as he asked for the stats of the user, eager but cautious. Shiva responded, her voice flat and robotic, that she could not provide the stats of users unless Genau was within <<3 meters>>, just like with the hollows before. With a calculated decision, and a moment of fear flashing across his eyes, Genau swiftly removed his skeleton clothes, blending into the grass of a secluded garden, the soft rustle of leaves painting an illusion of invisibility.
Maria arrived at the last signal location, her breath caught in her throat, but found no one. She felt the soft earth beneath her shoes, the shuffling of her movements subdued in the quiet garden. There was urgency in the air, and Steve was eerily silent beside her. She tried to walk around the garden, her eyes scanning every crevice as she focused. Out of her line of sight, Genau saw that it was a girl; his heart raced, and instinctively he wore the skeleton attire, asking Shiva to analyze Maria's stats as soon as possible. The tension was tangible.
Shiva revealed that the user was <
Without hesitation and propelled by fear, Genau jumped toward her, the sudden movement sending shockwaves through the quiet garden. Maria gasped, the moment surprising her; being a novice in combat, she felt her body moving on its own to counterattack as the AI took over. The world around them faded into a blur as they suddenly found themselves enveloped in a martial fight. Exclamations rang throughout the nearby streets, and curious onlookers began to gather, eyes wide, disbelief etched on their faces as they witnessed the spectacle.
Both battled fiercely to the death, throwing heavy attacks that reverberated against the buildings. Every strike echoed like thunder amidst the crowd, murmurs spreading as they pulled out their phones to capture the frantic scene. Maria couldn't comprehend how she had the upper hand but was still able to match him, every agile move dictated by the intense survival instinct within her. She didn't know that Genau was a geek; there was always something up his sleeve. He used semi-auto strategies, leveraging a combination of skill and instinct, careful and observant, calculating the rhythm of blows exchanged.
The clashes of their bodies against the hard ground and the rigid structures made the concrete streets tremble, causing even pedestrians to stop and gasp in astonishment. Suddenly, as they went blow-for-blow, Maria found herself in difficulty, realizing the severity of the situation. Finally, driven by desperation, she pleaded with him on her knees to spare her life. The world stood still for a moment, a hushed air settling ominously, highlighting her vulnerability.
Then, with the tension hanging heavy, Genau asked her why she was following him as confusion flickered in his eyes. She explained, her voice trembling, that she thought he was a threat. The air crackled with uncertainty as Genau replied that he had not noticed her on his radar, and they both were left with equal parts confusion and tension. She elaborated on her range and skills, citing that she had no choice but to engage, each word heavy with the weight of the confrontation.
Genau recalled his own situation, the isolation he had chosen, how this girl had intruded upon his carefully constructed solitude. She wanted to team up with him, the hope evident in her gaze, but he adamantly refused, warning her that next time they might find themselves with no choice but to kill each other if their goals did not align. He recoiled internally; as someone who enjoyed being alone, he felt uncomfortable having another user so close, especially a girl like her. Could she become an annoyance later? The feeling nagged at him like a shadow.
Therefore, in search of fresh beginnings, he moved to Texas, taking his company headquarters with him, leaving the memories of this encounter behind, but not unscathed.
Two years later, amidst the hum of bustling activity in his new office, Genau (actual system level <15A>) was ruling in the tech business he created. The faint glow of multiple screens illuminated his figure as he hired employees and developed advanced services like AI for citizens, new operating systems, and innovative technologies—all thanks to Shiva, his dependable personal assistant. He became well-known in the tech industry, the glow of success wrapping around him like an electrifying aura, and his wealth grew, cementing him as the 4th richest man in the USA.
This rapid success caught the attention of government agencies (NASA, NSA, FBI, etc.), enveloping him in a mix of admiration and suspicion, prompting them to ask him to collaborate; the tension of the unspoken threat loomed in the air—if he declined, they would sue him for monopolistic practices in the market. Shiva, ever pragmatic, suggested that Genau could refuse to work with the government, perhaps even consider becoming a member of his political group, as the allure of power beckoned. However, deep down, Genau grimaced at the thought; he knew it would be a long endeavor, and as an introvert, the prospect of public attention made his skin crawl.
Reluctantly, he complied with the government, sharing some advanced source code and participating in the development of defense and space exploration equipment, but he kept the pivotal information about the gears hidden. Meanwhile, Maria (actual system level <13A>) was fashioning her success story; she was running a thriving clothing design and beauty business across the country, aided by Steve, her personal AI assistant. With every like and share on her social media posts, the weight of fashion came alive around her, and she successfully created clothing lines that turned heads, all due to her influence and modeling beauty.
She became the 2nd richest woman in the country, her clothing line gathering followers and admiration during fitness marketing, especially in a country grappling with obesity issues exacerbated by fast-food temptations. The radiance of her triumph allowed her to cover her siblings' school fees and provide for her parents, an achievement she relished amidst the chaos.
Meanwhile, far away in sweltering N'Djamena, Chad, we are introduced to a married woman named Sara Azis (age 28, braided black hair, military scientist) performing her military service, equipped with gear she had worn for a year, the fabric warm against her skin, imbued with a sense of duty. Silently, without anyone noticing, she had only told her husband about the gear, which he could not wear or see. The luminous night sky contrasted with her determined expression as her virtual AI Assistant, Fatima (age 32, appearing as a polished teacher), provided insights, echoes of their quiet interaction emphasizing her resolve.
In the north of Chad, a formidable terrorist organization named Kamzika spread terror across the region, their influence rendering civilians powerless in the face of horror. As whispers of fear filled homes, many were taken hostage, each victim a chilling reminder of the government's struggle to neutralize threats without casualties. Amidst the chaos, Sara grieved her relatives lost to Kamzika, her heart set ablaze with determination to defend her country against terrorism in the northern region.
As a scientist, she developed "Targeted Guns," cutting-edge weapons that could hit any target from any angle, their bullets capable of tracking enemies even if they used hostages as human shields, fortified with thermal infrared signature AI sensors. The night air vibrated with anticipation as she informed the government about her groundbreaking weapon, trailing brilliance with her vision.
The government mobilized, secretly and massively producing her invention for all soldiers involved in the planned raid in the region. This time, her heart raced with excitement; she requested to join the field operation, her breaths steadying, preparing for the call to action.
The day arrived, cloaked in the quiet stillness of night as the terrorists remained unaware, shadowy figures caught in a deadly game. They were killed one by one, each muffled sound silenced against the backdrop of the calm night, oblivious to what was occurring around them. Some had hostages, their distress palpable, but it was futile; ultimately, the terrorists were successfully purged that night, a grim victory hanging heavy in the silent air.
In the days that followed, the government promoted Sara (actual system level <10A>), a new glimmer in eyes that had once seen darkness. She continued to develop advanced defense systems for her country, the weight of responsibility urging her forward. The government's resentment towards western nations simmered, suspicion mounting against France for not offering aid after Chad severed military partnerships months earlier.
Observing the geopolitics unfold, they began seeking collaboration with neighboring countries to fortify their defenses. In a sweeping panoramic view, the evolution of these nations came into focus, as they sought to unify their strength, each acquiescing to a shared resolve, aiming to acquire nuclear capabilities with assistance from Russia. Resources were exploited, undercurrents of tension, export lines to Western nations thinning considerably.
Meanwhile, from high atop the panoramic view of iconic sites in Moscow, a spy named Ivan Rukovski (age 57, short, neatly groomed silver hair) received a long-forgotten notification message from a year ago, and echoes of urgency ran through him. At that time, he suspected an attack from another country and collaborated with his spy agency to investigate the issue. His heart quickened as he remembered their inability to locate the source.
Accepting an invitation, he eased back to allow his team to analyze the source discreetly, the weight of expectation resting heavily upon him as he received his package, then setting off to earn serums with the help of his AI assistant, Yaga (age 40, embodying a nurturing mature woman with white hair). Ivan relished the thrill—he was the first to achieve S rank, the intense pursuit charged with the vigor of competition.
As Yaga informed him that her database was being updated, the fervor enveloped him—S rank would unlock "esper mode," a chance to master elemental powers that seemed to beckon with mythical allure. With eagerness, he listened as she described how each combatant reaching S rank would have their first elemental power serve as a base, with additional mastery following hard work and dedication. As she elaborated, Ivan felt the excitement swell within, the air around him thickening with possibility.
Furthermore, she mentioned the existence of another rank higher than , named
[End]
As the USA rapidly advanced in tech and military defenses thanks to Genau, the Russian government, cloaked in anticipation, decided to send Ivan secretly to the USA to investigate the suspicious advancements in technology and unravel the mystery surrounding the enigmatic figure resembling another Valher behind it. Each character's journey now intertwined, they would soon revolve around a singular purpose, the threads of their destinies pulling tighter in the face of new realities.