I sat on top of the roof of an AURV. Or Anti-Undead Recon Vehicle. I grip my binoculars and scan the moving horizon.

"Anything interesting, Rin?" Someone shouts below me.

Rin Yogasake. That's my name. I'm currently out on a Scouting Expedition in search of artifacts.

"No, Miss Senrith, nothing yet," I reply.

Senrith Dukeman, My commanding officer.

"I see; keep scouting."

"Booo~ when are you going to find something interesting?~" A younger voice under me says.

I grip my binoculars harder. I could hear it creak in protest.

"Calm. And be patient, Mira." Senrith addresses both of us.

Mira Watanabe, My co-worker, and our field scientist. Our personalities don't mesh well at times…

We continue to sit in stifling silence as I scan my surroundings. It was scorching and sunny today.

"Uggghhhh… I miss you, AC~!!!" Mira whines.

"Indeed, the temperature is not in our favor. How are you holding up, Rin?" Senrith asks.

"I'll be fine… —!"

"You find something interesting?!" Mira asks gleefully.

"Unfortunately not! Skeleton Giant. Up ahead!" I shout and put away the binoculars.

"How many?" Senrith asks.

"Only one! Please let me take care of it, ma'am!"

"Permission granted. Mira, Prepare the Aether extractor!"

"G-got it!" Mira starts rummaging through her utility box.

"I see it!" I shout!

“Engage!” Senrith orders.

"Understood!"

I immediately launch off the AURV's roof 10 meters into the air.

"<<5th Form Druid Art! Yogasake style! Vine Bind!>>"

Vines shoot out of the sand beneath the Skeleton Giant. The vines bind the Skeleton Giant, rendering it immobile. The Skeleton Giant struggles. Managing to free its arm.

It swipes at me, but I jump into the air dodging its attack —the robe of my ECA, or Environmental Control Armor, Flutters.

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“<<3rd Form Druid Art! Yogasake style! Pine Needler!>>”

Green needles shoot out of my hand, embedding into the Skeleton Giant.

“<>”

The needles bud as roots shoot out in all directions. Cracking the Skeleton Giant into pieces as I land.

"Don't underestimate plants. After all, they can easily break concrete!" I state. Staring down at the once Skeleton Giant.

Not like it could hear me, though…

"Good job Rin. Are you in good condition?" Senrith asks.

"No problem. I'm a Knight of The Round, after all." I reply with pride as I leap back on top of the roof of the AURV.

“Mira!” Senrith says.

"On it!" Mira replies as she hops out of the back seat.

In her hand is a small device. An Aether extractor! The only button is a trigger, and on the front is a radio dish with 3 triangular pieces cut out in equal intervals. On top is a screen and what seemed like a grappler attached to a rotating hinge.

Mira points the device at what remains of the Skeleton Giant. She pulled the trigger, and the Skeleton Giant's bits and pieces illuminated brightly. Turning into yellow light. Getting sucked up by the device. The grappler started to spin at neck-breaking speeds. And a small yellow crystal forms. It was the size of 2 quarters stacked on top of each other. This was Aether…

"Tch… Only this much?" Mira scoffs as she grabs the Aether crystal tossing it into a bag.

"Skeleton Giants are essentially small fry," I say as a matter of factly.

"Any self-respecting KTF member could take down one of these."` I say.

KTEF (kay - Tef) stands for Keta Tokyo Enforcement Force. We don't just explore, of course. We also defend Keta Tokyo from the undead and humans. And a few other things.

"Still, that thing was HUGE!" Mira says as she extends both arms into the air.

"Quiet, over there, 8 o'clock!" Senrith shouts.

"—?!"

Both of us turn to where she's pointing. She's not the 5th Knight of The Round for nothing! Peaking out the side of a sand dune is a grey metal door. I could barely even see it!

"Is that…?" I whisper under my breath.

"Let's go!" Mira shouts excitingly.

She skips and hops into the AURV, and we drive off…

----------------------------------------

"What do you think that is?" Mira says inquisitively as we stand in front of the door.

"Maybe… A military facility?" I reply.

"Indeed, that does seem like the most likely answer…." Senrith says.

“Boo~ Such a rational answer…” Mira sulks.

"You asked…" I reply, side staring at her.

"I know… But–"

"–Enough. Let's begin our breach," Senrith cuts Mira off.

"Yes, Ma'am," Mira and I say in sync.

Mira pulls out another device and begins lasering a hole into the metal door.

…Once inside, I notice a significant build-up of dust.

"Ugh, it smells like a wet dog in here!" Mira says while pinching her nose and fanning the air.

Despite the odor, I stood there unaffected.

"Let's begin searching," Senrith says while clapping her hands.

"Yes'm…" Mira says unenthusiastically.

I pick up a paper lying on a desk. It's in the ancient tongue.

"Mira, I need a translation!" I say as I gesture for her to come over.

She monotonously picks up the paper. Upon k glance, she regains her once-lost enthusiasm as her eyes practically glow.

"This isn't a Military base! … It's a research facility!" Mira shouts with vigor.

This draws both Senrith and I's attention.

"Research facility…" Senrith says.

Mira walks to the next room with a pep in her step. Senrith and I follow.

…After walking through a series of never-ending corridors, we finally reached another ballistic door.

"Ooooh!~ Now this looks like it's worth breaking into!" Mira says as she practically starts bouncing off the walls in excitement.

"How do you manage to make us sound like thieves…?" I say while shaking my head.

But by then, Mira had almost finished cutting a hole into the door.

"I call dibs on first!~" Mira says.

"Wait! There may be–!" Mira climbs through the hole before I can finish my sentence.

"Traps…" I said, having already missed my opportunity.

"WOAH!" Mira shouts.

"Mira?!" I shout as I leap through the hole, fearing the worst, with Senrith close behind.

"—!!!" I stood there gobstruck.

Even the commander, who's typically calm and collected. Could not take her eyes off what was in front of us…

"Is… That a person…?" I said with bated breath.