CHAPTER TWO
Perspective
Day 63
╔ ╗
[Perception] [+1]
╚ ╝
╔ ╗
[Total Mana:] [26]
╚ ╝
In the dimly lit bathroom, steam hung thick in the air, obscuring most surfaces. The mirror, once clear, now showcased only a single smear, left by a bloody hand. The room remained mostly dark, with only a sliver of light sneaking through the open doorway. Marcus stood hunched over the sink, gripping it as if it were the only thing holding him up. Every time a drop of water fell in the shower, he tensed up. A towel was wrapped around him, its edges stained red from droplets of blood that escaped tiny cuts in the middle of his chest, next to a chaotic mess of black Marks covering his flesh.
The young man blinked a few times, his vision still painful and unclear, but improving bit by bit. He focused on his breathing, sliding his bloody hand across the mirror to clear more of the condensation. Looking up, he stared at his own bloody reflection, his bright blue gaze staring back at him.
“I’ve looked better,” he said to himself as his lips slowly turned into a smile. Marcus twisted the faucet and quickly winced at the loud sound of rushing water. He took a moment to adjust before washing his hands, removing the blood, and shutting off the water. When he finished, he ran his fingers through his short black hair, now better able to feel the exposed black Marks on the right side of his face and scalp after cutting his hair. His index and middle fingers traced the strange metallic element, feeling its contours.
‘I’m looking more like my old self,’ he thought, glancing at his more filled-out frame. He gave one last look at his reflection before shifting his attention to a see-through plastic bag next to an electric razor, partially filled with Monster-Glass pieces. ‘112 Glass pieces left,’ Marcus thought, feeling the weight of the number and the sudden sting in his chest where he had stabbed himself a few minutes earlier. ‘Let’s hope this upgrade pays off.’
Tightening his grip on the bag, he stepped out of the bathroom and nearly collided with a blur of plastic and steel—his companion, Specter.
Specter briefly gripped Marcus’s shoulder as they bumped into each other. In that instant, their minds synched up, sharing their experiences before the connection broke when Specter stepped back.
“Good to see you’re still alive. I take it improving your Perception Stat wasn’t as rough as some of the others?”
Marcus shook his head as he headed towards his bedroom, followed by the robot. “It’s a bit annoying, suddenly losing control of your senses as they sharpen, but it’s not as painful as increasing Strength,” he shared. Approaching his bed, he spotted the gear and armor his sister had borrowed from her guild for him to use today. Running his hand over the thick, cut-resistant overall and armor pieces, he felt relieved by the bits of metal in the design. The steel gave him a sense of security, even though most of the armor was made from a material he couldn’t even pronounce.
“Well, at least you’ll look the part, huh?” Specter commented, eyeing the steel helmet and the face mask made of hardened see-through material. “It’s sort of a mix between a medieval knight and a modern soldier. Perhaps you need a cape for the finishing touch?”
“I wouldn’t have uses such flattering words to describe this gear,” Marcus commented dryly as he checked out the rest of it before dropping his towel on the ground. He quickly pulled on his boxers and then the overall, feeling the thick padding snug against him without adding much weight. “Most pictures of famous Breachers show them either wearing cool gear or going without armor entirely.”
“Well, we’re not exactly swimming in credits right now. So quit whining about the free, possibly lifesaving gear our sister let us borrow,” Specter said, grabbing the chest piece and helping Marcus put it on, tightening and checking the straps. “Besides, most gear only holds up against certain Spheres. I’ve read that once you hit the darker shades of Red and beyond, no material on Earth can properly shield you from the monsters. It’s basically like paper at that point.”
The robot helped Marcus with the shoulder plates and gauntlets, then handed him the helmet and faceplate. “Are you ready?”
It watched Marcus stare at the helmet before he looked up and gave a single nod. “Good, and be sure to drop off the package near the door beforehand.” Specter grabbed a nearby backpack and shoved it into Marcus’s hands. “Don’t forget... no dying. And don’t mess up and reveal you’re a Power rating seven now instead of one,” Specter added before laying a hand on Marcus one last time. They synced up once more, with Marcus leaving the robot with only 20 percent of his mental capacity.
‘It’s been two weeks since I got my Breacher license,’ Marcus thought, his gaze shifting toward the built-in closets by his bed. He spotted the other robot there, missing an arm, an Orb, and completely still. He gripped his backpack tighter, then left his bedroom and made his way into the living room.
The room was a mishmash of comfort and an improvised gym. A boxing bag swung from the ceiling while a pull-up bar flanked the front door. On his sofa were a few dumbbells and a jump rope, while several weights sprawled out on the floor. He moved toward the kitchen area, where the aftermath of meal preps lay scattered around. In the midst of this chaos, he spotted a small cactus perched on the kitchen counter, its spines reduced in number. He smiled, his gaze lingering on it as he remembered the weeks in the hospital and his sister giving him the cactus.
He then grabbed a lunchbox Specter had packed, along with a bottle of water, before heading toward the door. He noticed a filled garbage bag near the door, containing the left arm of his nameless robot. He grabbed the bag and was about to leave when a low whistle caught his attention. He turned toward Specter and saw it holding a chain, his Breacher tag attached. Specter tossed it slowly, and Marcus snatched it out of the air while juggling his other things.
“Thanks,” Marcus said before he opened the door and left his apartment.
Marcus descended the creaky wooden stairs, maneuvering around stacked beer kegs before swinging the door open. Behind the bar stood Sakane Koichi, an old, grumpy-looking man with thinning black hair, though everyone just called him Sam. The old bar owner gave Marcus a single once-over, raising an eyebrow as he inspected the young man’s gear.
“Don’t die. You owe me rent in three days,” Sam muttered with a hint of annoyance. Marcus shook his head and headed for the door, stepping outside to face his first ‘official’ Sphere.
- - -
┏ ┓
“Don’t die! I’m too old to find new friends.”
- Felix
┗ ┛
Marcus shook his head as he read Felix’s text, then stowed his phone in his backpack. He kept walking straight, occasionally kicking a pebble as he tried to ignore pedestrians glancing curiously at him and the armor he wore, or fixating on the black Marks on the right side of his face. It annoyed him, feeling those eyes on him. Still, remembering the crowded bus ride from earlier made him appreciate this quieter walk.
Rounding the corner, Marcus spotted a massive light blue Sphere in the distance, encircled by large walls and numerous guard towers. The area near the walls was mostly steel beams and hints of concrete, revealing the site’s past life as a construction zone. Marcus noted that most of it had been cleared of anything that could hide pieces of Glass or dormant Orbs. ‘I’ve never been to this one with Specter before,’ he thought, knowing full well it was too far to reach by bike. He fixed his gaze on the intimidating Sphere, curious about what awaited within. ‘Let’s do this without getting myself killed by either monster or my sister.’
Closing the distance to the Sphere, Marcus spotted his sister, Joline, at the entrance, propped against the wall in her full Breacher gear. Luuk, another Breacher, stood beside her, laughing as he showed something on his phone. Marcus noticed his sister shaking her head in mock disgust at whatever seemed to amuse Luuk. Both Joline and Luuk wore pricier, sturdier protective gear, marked with numerous small cuts—evidence of past monster encounters. Backpacks hung over their shoulders, and steel crates rested by their feet.
Catching sight of her brother, Joline offered a small wave, her eyes widening when she noticed his shorter hair. Grinning, she moved towards him, running her fingers through Marcus’s newly cropped black hair. “Nice! Took you long enough.”
“Hey there,” Luuk greeted, checking out Marcus’s gear before giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Good to see it fits properly. So, are you ready for this?”
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“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Marcus said as the trio headed towards the gatehouse. As they passed through, Luuk explained the significance of the security measures and what Marcus could expect next. Each of them presented their Breacher IDs to the nearest guard. Marcus pulled out the steel tags hanging from a chain around his neck, extending them for inspection.
His sister shook her head and, with Luuk, flashed their IDs on their phones. “Hardly anyone uses the tags, you know?” she remarked. “It’s a waste of steel, if you ask me.” Marcus just shrugged in response as they continued, spotting the Breachers belonging to the Salamanders gearing up near the Sphere.
Marcus spotted the two brothers in full combat gear, and beside them was Kay, whom he had met during his exam two weeks ago. Two more figures, a man and a woman, completed the group. ‘I guess they’re Jessica and Julien,’ Marcus thought, recalling the information Benedict had sent when he agreed to join today. The trio approached the group, and Benedict greeted them with a broad smile.
“Ah, Marcus, good to see you. And in actual gear this time. Good, good,” Benedict said, stepping closer and giving a brief inspection of Marcus’s equipment. “Come on, let me introduce you all to the others.” He pointed to the others around them. “The gentleman over here is Julien, Beta+ rank, and our reliable Caster. The fair maiden next to him is Jessica, our Beta rank Fighter,” Benedict said, introducing them while Marcus nodded to the two Breachers. “The others you already know,” he added before turning to Joline and Luuk, officially introducing them to the group.
“Good to finally meet you, Marcus. We’ve heard a lot about you,” Jessica said with a wide smile as she and Kay moved closer. Marcus noticed the white Marks embedded in her forearms that formed a circular shape, contrasting with her darker skin tone. Kay inspected Marcus’s armor, his eyes settling on the drop of blue blood logo in the center, recognizing it as the symbol of Joline’s guild, the Royal Blue . “Kay did most of the talking, though. He wouldn’t shut up about you decking one of your examiners. Was that true?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.
When Marcus nodded, her lips twisted into a wide, almost childish smile. “That’s fucking awesome.”
Julien offered Marcus a polite nod before strolling past him, his staff cradled on his shoulders. He headed toward Marcus’s sister, who was double-checking her gear with Luuk. As Julien approached, his expression shifted to an amused and welcoming smile. “So, you must be the sister. My name is—”
“27,” Joline interrupted, checking her gauntlet straps with a forceful tug, not bothering to look at him.
“I’m sorry, what?” Julien asked, raising an eyebrow, his smile fading slightly.
“Your Power Rating,” Joline said coldly, pointing at the others and ticking off each of their numbers with cold indifference. “I’m 35.”
Julien paused, his smile shifting to one of confusion. “That is... good to know... I guess?” His hesitation lingered before he collected himself, the smile returning with renewed vigor. “Still, a mere number doesn’t do you any justice. Not at all. I’m Julien, and you might be?”
“An observer,” Joline said, grabbing her backpack and shoving her phone inside. “That’s all you need to know. Luuk and I aren’t here. I’m my brother’s shadow throughout all of this. Don’t talk to me, don’t depend on me, and don’t get in my way when it comes to protecting my brother. Understood?” She glanced at Julien, whose smile broke completely. The man quickly nodded before slowly retreating. All the while, a one-armed Breacher in the back began laughing, clearly amused by the exchange.
A government official joined them, going over the latest reports from the previous group that had gone into the Sphere the day before. The list detailed the most recent monster variants observed inside. ‘So, mostly insects, cats, and rodent strains? I wonder how different these monsters will be compared to those I’ve fought with Specter?’ Marcus thought. As he absorbed the details, he felt his sister’s gaze on him, as if she was already judging his actions before he had even stepped inside the Sphere.
The official pressed a button on his data pad, and the steel crates near the Breachers emitted a series of clicks, signaling that they had been officially unlocked. Marcus observed as the Breachers then pressed their thumbs on the crates before fully opening them, afterwards retrieving an array of weapons—swords, axes, shotguns, and more. The arsenal included dozens of magazines, grenades, mines, and flares. ‘Imagine the boost in sheer killing power Specter and I could get with some of that on our side,’ he mused, thinking of the pistol he’d used in the junkyard and hospital before losing it. ‘But according to my sister, these things turn into mere trinkets against tougher monsters in more dangerous Spheres.’ He watched the government official meticulously check several grenades and mines to ensure their mechanical secondary detonators were up to code and set to detonate in eight hours if left behind. ‘Makes sense to double-check it all. Spheres are dangerous enough without people having to worry about mines and booby-traps left by another Breacher the previous day.’
“Alright, listen up, Salamanders and friends,” Benedict barked, gathering his party. Joline, true to her word as an observer, just watched from a distance, while Luuk ignored her and joined the others with an amused smile, clearly happy to be there. “All data suggests numerous monsters, but low combat potential. Expect us to be swarmed within minutes. Our Caster sets up a wall of fire to protect us from above, while Sebastian draws the aggression at our front. The rest of us form the defensive line as we weather the storm,” Benedict explained, watching the other Breachers nod in understanding. “Kay, Jessica, flank our guests and show him the ropes. Not a scratch on him.” He picked up his rifle and glanced at them once more. “We’ll go through the barrier in five minutes. Ready your gear.” He then walked over to his brother, and they engaged in conversation as they moved closer to the Sphere.
“Feeling the jitters about heading in?” Luuk asked, inching closer as he watched Marcus fiddle with the straps on his gauntlets, double-checking them even though he’d done so earlier.
“No,” Marcus replied, his gaze fixed on the steel crates scattered around, including the ones Luuk had brought in. He watched Luuk open his crate, unveiling a powerful-looking hand pistol, several clips of ammo, a shield, and a strange black axe emitting a soft blue glow. Joline slammed her crates beside Luuk’s, revealing two round shields and two short swords. She dumped her backpack into one of the crates, gesturing for Marcus to hand over his, then tossed it into the other crate.
“You should be scared. Fear would be a reasonable response,” Joline said coldly as she grabbed her gear and handed a sword to her brother. She observed him carefully draw the blade from its sheath before practicing a few swings to familiarize himself with the weapon.
“This place we’re heading into—it’s a nightmare. Don’t think that just because it’s a ‘light blue Sphere’ or because you’ve been in one before, like that junkyard. Even I might not make it out if I mess up.” She paused, studying his reaction. “I’m serious, Marcus. I knew you’d end up inside a Sphere eventually, ever since you could stand on your feet again. Danger’s always had a hold on you, drawing you in. But this is different. A stray bullet, a mistimed strike, slipping on the terrain–any of it could be the end for you in there.”
“I understand,” Marcus said honestly, recalling the numerous close calls he’d had inside a Sphere, whether in his robotic form or his own body. “You’ve made it clear what you expect from me in there. And you’ve trained me well these last two weeks. Mom and Dad would’ve been proud of you.”
She clenched her jaw for a moment. “Fuck... you,” his sister shot back before thrusting her spare shield into Marcus’s hands with enough force to push him a step back. “Our parents aren’t here... I am. I’m the head of this family now.”
Meeting his gaze, her green eyes revealed a surge of emotions. She just kept staring for a moment before she pointed at him. “The gear is all cut resistant fabric and steel—nothing flashy or fancy, but good quality. The shield and sword are augmented items. Glass-grade, so they’ll give you an edge. All of it is battle-tested, but it’s on loan for today only, so don’t lose it.”
“Augmented Glass-grade?” Marcus questioned, eyeing the sword and shield with a newfound respect. “You’re saying there’s Monster-Glass in these?”
“Parts of it are Glass,” Luuk said, moving closer and placing his hands on Marcus’s shield, while Joline gripped her brother’s sword. A thin blue mist enveloped both Breachers, revealing the sheer amount of Mana they were burning through.
Marcus sensed a subtle change in the equipment, as if the sword and shield had grown stronger, though he couldn’t pinpoint any visible alterations. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the weapon in his hand, slowly feeling the current of Mana now embedded deep within the sword, similar to the Mana coursing through his own body. ‘There’s a lot of Mana inside… way more than I can produce on my own in several days. Just how strong are they?’
“Augmented Glass-grade gear is stronger and more durable than the regular kind. Swords retain their edge longer, shields can handle more hits, steel bonds are stronger, and with a charge of Mana, it even prevents rust.” The Mana we pour into it further improves this, but it’s not infinite; we need to keep feeding it,” Luuk clarified. He took hold of Marcus’s sword, a hint of blue mist wrapping around him and the blade before sinking into it. The sword buzzed and shivered, as if reluctant to stay still, a brief blue sheen enveloping the blade.
Marcus tightened his grip on the shield before tapping the sword’s edge. The metal sang with a rapid, vibrating hum, creating a melodic resonance that echoed through the air, as if the blade itself were alive with barely contained kinetic energy. In his mind, Marcus envisioned the potential damage this effect could unleash on a monster if he stabbed one with it. ‘Augmented gear, huh?’ he thought, recalling the rust-free Orb in Specter’s chest after years of exposure to the elements. “What about equipment made from actual Orbs?” he asked, watching the sword’s tremor effect slowly fade away.
“That’s way beyond your pay grade, little brother. And no, you’ll probably never own one,” Joline said softly, her tone undercutting any unrealistic hopes Marcus might have had. “Augmented Orb-grade equipment is incredibly expensive, seeing as it generates its own Mana, so it doesn’t need its wielder’s contributions.”
“Well, extra Mana poured inside does help,” Luuk pitched in, earning a disapproving glance from Joline as he backed off, hands raised. “Just trying to be helpful, lass.” He then handed his own axe to Marcus. The black metal had a bluish sheen, and as Marcus touched it, he almost felt the sting of Mana, sensing the dormant power within the weapon. “The axe is made from a light blue Orb, so it’s weak compared to pricier gear, but a helluva lot stronger than normal weapons or even Glass-grade ones. And best of all, it’s imbued with a frost effect. If I pour more Mana in, the effect gets stronger, but it’s a massive drain.”
Joline shook her head, then redirected her attention to Marcus. “Orb grade gear usually comes with unique properties, like elemental damage, resistance, or even weirder stuff. It also tends to handle a Breacher’s Abilities way better, even improving on it. They say the equipment’s effect is often linked to the Orb that was used and the environment the Orb had been in,” Joline explained, a soft smile forming. “But unless you win the lottery, best to bury any dreams of owning a piece.”
The three of them suddenly heard Benedict’s call to enter the Sphere in one minute, which seemed to change something in Joline’s attitude. “Look, I’ve poured half of my Mana into your sword, and Luuk has done the same with your shield. It’s more than enough to deal with the monsters inside and keep you safe.” She placed her hand on his shoulder, her expression softening for a moment. “When we go in there, if you ever feel like you want out again or need my help, just say so, and I’ll step in, alright?”
“Thanks, sis,” Marcus said, giving her hand a reassuring pat, then turned to face the Sphere.
Joline suddenly seized Marcus’s chin, forcing him to meet her gaze again. Her green eyes brimmed with emotion. “I mean it, Marcus. I know you’re doing this for some idiotic reason that probably only makes sense to you. But you’re my brother, and I’m tired of losing people I love. I need you to be safe.”
Despite her being the strongest Breacher on-site, her expression was fragile in that moment. Marcus nodded slowly, afterwards witnessing his sister’s expression hardening at seeing his determination. She then handed him his helmet. “So be it.”
The siblings made their way towards the group, Luuk casually toying with his axe as he trailed behind them. Joining the others in line, Kay and Jessica took up a position next to Marcus, as per Benedict’s instructions. The one armed Breacher, Sebastian, then extracted his long knife before taking the lead by slowly stepping through the Sphere’s barrier. His form distorted on entry, with him quickly rushing forwards. The group observed for a few tense seconds before Sebastian waved, signifying the site was safe for now.
“Five, four, three, two, one,” Benedict counted down before pressing a steel cylinder to his neck, injecting himself with something, and stepping through the barrier. The rest of the squad followed suit. As they began to enter the Sphere, Marcus caught Kay watching him as they passed through the barrier. For a brief moment Marcus thought that Kay had a strange expression, as if he hoped something would happen, before they all passed through the gel-like barrier and into the Sphere proper.