Before the third eruption, the world was still someeaceful. More thay years had passed sihe first eruptiohe most humanity faced were dozens of emperor-css honkai beasts.

  At first, they had an interval of a few years, then months.

  Honkai’s research rogressing slowly due to ck of driving ford spes.

  The minor honkai eruptions could still be tained silently. Their scope was only aire town’s at best. It was the case with the First Herrscher.

  Now, the situation was vastly different. Honkai was brought forward to the face of Earth. All kinds of societal problems emerged. Both honkai and humanity itself became Fire MOTH’s problem.

  It was for such a reason they decided to leverage on MANTISes rgely. It was their way of saying that “We still ha.”

  What they did not tell was the ‘strict’ regutions revolving around MANTISes.

  From the moment someone erformed with the surgery, they were pced in a special squad. They retain their previous officer ranks, though they directly ahe call of the higher ups—the cilors.

  “A fidential mission from above… is what I told others.”

  Kevin brought two of his trusted friends at the highest point of their outpost. The twenty-storey tall tower served as the unication tower of this base.

  Nowadays, it served as Kevin’s vantage point when it came to the invading honkai beasts.

  “Captain… what does this mean?”

  The transparent gss reflected Kevin’s pensive look. He turned around and saw the green-haired boy’s fused look. He was a tad bit shorter than Kevin. His face easily tells how young he was—only a bit older than Hua.

  “I will go away for a few days, a week at most. It’s listed as su the logs.” Kevin replied. “Before I leave, I want to speak about something.”

  The other person in the room, a tall middle-aged man with tied gray hair, o him silently. His arms were crossed as he wore a serious look—ohat was quite hard to e by.

  “Things are heading for the worse. We might fao, we will face stronger enemies iure.”

  He first posited the idea of Herrschers having the intellect of a normal human. Herrschers were terrifying, yes, but their dangers could still be taiheir minds were ‘hyperfocused’ ohing they could either buy time or deal with in one blow.

  The same could not be said for the newer Herrschers.

  “The higher-ups chose not to publicize them at the moment. Humanity’s morale would take a hit… more so when most Herrschers were found to be victims of society’s injustice.”

  “They…no, Herrschers are victims?”

  Kosma could not believe it. The boy turo look at their vice-captain, Ato, only to see the tter being pletely unresponsive.

  Clearly, he knew about this old news already.

  “From the First to the Fourth… They’re all someone who suffered injustice. Fire MOTH’s post-battle iigations revealed that.”

  Just like Vill-V, Kosma engaged in acts of vigintism. He was an expert when it came to beating up street or professional thugs. He was also someone who secretly dealt with undeads and Seraph-css honkai beasts.

  Oime, he came across a dead soldier with an opened radio. He tally overheard about the ins of the strong hurrie that appeared out of nowhere.

  Later on, with some twists and turns, he met Kevin a under his and.

  “It does here. Their hatred towards us… should have reached its peak. Such was the enemy we would face, along with the increased honkai beasts.”

  For now, the outposts on the frontlines were doing well. They served as a line of defeo the cities and wilderness lost to the honkai.

  It was for such a reason that Kevin vened Kosma and Ato about this matter.

  Aleph’s revetiarding the future woke up his sense ency. Humanity already struggled with the previous major eruptions, more so when Herrschers became intelligent now.

  Without any high-end power to face them, they would lose.

  Kosma and Ato were the two didates Kevin had for their ‘group’.

  He was rather surprised when Aleph lit the green light when he heard of the two.

  “It’s not just that, isn’t it?”

  “There is more.” Kevin affirmed Ato’s question. “I would like to invite you two on our side.”

  “Our?”

  “Mei, Doobius… and Ainsworth.”

  Ato’s eyebrows rose at the mention of three names. He was well too familiar with Mobius. His wife, Bnca, worked as her assistant for years before retiring.

  Ato’s surgery was scheduled three days from now on. They specifically found an ICHOR that suited him across all the samples Aleph found.

  “Sir Aleph? East’s Hero?”

  Uo, Kosma was shaken when he heard of his name.

  “Oh, that’s right. I haven’t told you yet. I’m one of his good friends.”

  “So that friend you mentioned was him..?”

  Kosma was dumbfouhere were times when Kevin told them about his good friend—on how they fooled around, shared on is, and the likes.

  “Ahem. Anyways…” Kevin interrupted Kosma. “I want to extend an invitation. Being stronger is already a certain thing once you two joined. But, we might faemies far strohan what we used to. It’s your choice.”

  “I’m in.”

  “Me too.”

  It did not even take a few seds. Both Kosma and Ato had agreed to him in an instant.

  “I mean… nothing much ges if we join or not. We still fight the Honkai.”

  Kosma’s words resounded in the room.

  “You invited us knowing we’ll accept. My decision remains the same, still.”

  Ato’s words pletely exposed what Kevin initially thought. The tter wore an awkward smile, though more of it was a smile out of relief.

  Just as he was about to talk, he immediately sensed another preseside the room. A familiar tall man appeared, as if his entire existence was revealed by an eraser.

  “Pardon me for the intrusion. I did eavesdrop on your discussion. I hope you also pardon me for that.”

  Aleph’s golden pupils gave Kosma and Ato a look. It was his first time meeting Kevin’s colleagues in person.

  Moreover, he khe two of them from his foreknowledge.

  “Turns out, Miss Sakura got her bad habit from you.”

  Kevin spoke to him with a tone of helplessness. When it es to the ‘martial arts’ Aleph brought, he was only able to learn Juezhao. It was simpler pared to Sphere Boundary.

  If Juezhao was akin to p water on a cup, Sphere Boundary required that cup to bee rger until its drastic size envelops the whole room. The former was easier to get started with.

  “It’s her bodyguard work. It’s just right.”

  Upon hearing his reply, Kevin struck him with a 'Yeah, that's right' look.