Kael walked through the dimly lit construction site, the sounds of heavy machinery and the distant hum of traffic echoing in the night. The site was quiet, far too quiet for a place that was typically bustling with activity during the day. He wore a black hoodie that covered most of his face, and his steps were slow and deliberate. He held a grocery bag in one hand, filled with mundane items—some snacks, instant noodles, a few energy drinks—nothing that would give away who he really was. In his other hand, he scrolled through his phone, hunting for a deal on the latest smartphones. His old phone was due for an upgrade; the screen had a crack that spidered across the glass, and the battery life was becoming more of a nuisance than a convenience.
Kael wasn't just any ordinary civilian wandering into a restricted zone. He was a Lynquil user, a skilled one at that, sent to clear the Meteor-class anomaly that had taken up residence in the unfinished building. It was supposed to be a simple task, something any high-class Lynquil could handle. But with everyone else tied up in other missions, Kael had been assigned the job. He didn't mind. It was better than sitting around, and he could use the money.
As he continued to browse on his phone, he heard footsteps. They weren't heavy or foreboding like those of a giant beast but soft, human-like, and unnervingly deliberate. Kael didn't look up, his eyes still glued to the screen as he navigated through countless online sales. He paid no mind to the noises; the anomaly had yet to reveal itself. His focus remained solely on his screen, casually flipping through discounts like he had all the time in the world.
A sudden shadow loomed over him, growing larger by the second, enveloping him in darkness. The anomaly had made its move, lunging down from the steel beams above, intent on crushing him under its immense weight. But Kael didn't flinch; he didn't even look up. He kept walking, completely absorbed in the hunt for the perfect phone deal.
When the anomaly was just inches away, Kael's ability, "Deflect and Reflect," activated instinctively. The power surged through him, manifesting as a series of invisible barriers that lashed out at the anomaly, slicing it into dozens of pieces before it even made contact. Chunks of the creature scattered around him; it's remains twitching on the concrete floor. Kael finally glanced up; his expression tinged with disappointment.
He gazed at the remains, trying to piece together what the anomaly might have looked like before he had cut it down. It was the one downside to his ability; he rarely got a good look at his enemies. Kael sighed, wrapping the anomaly's remains in a heavy, insulated cloth before continuing his journey. He didn't need to hurry; there was no one else around to see what had happened.
It was a long walk back to the HQ, but Kael enjoyed the quiet. The city was calm at this hour, the streets bathed in the orange glow of streetlights. When he finally arrived at the entrance of the HQ, Pruline was there waiting for him. She was the one who handled most of the reward distributions and was known for her peculiar ability, one that many didn't fully understand. Kael handed over the anomaly remains, his expression still showing hints of disappointment.
Pruline took the wrapped bundle and smiled, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. "Nice work, Kael. You've still got it," she said, setting the package aside. Her ability activated, converting the anomaly's remains into digital currency on the spot. It was an odd sight, watching the grotesque pieces of the anomaly dissolve into streams of code and numbers. The HQ had once struggled to handle the disposal of anomalies, but Pruline's unique Lynquility made the process effortless.
Kael watched the conversion, fascinated but still skeptical about her powers. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "You never did tell me what your powers were all about, Pruline. I've seen you do that thing with the bodies, but can you do anything else?"
Pruline smirked, running a hand through her short, messy hair. "What? You think all I can do is turn corpses into cash? It's a bit more complicated than that, you know. My ability is Conversion—anything organic can be transformed into digital currency. Not much use in combat, I'll admit, but hey, it keeps the lights on around here."
Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "What a weird ability. Can't even kill half the time." His tone was teasing, but there was no malice in it. He knew Pruline's power was essential to the HQ, even if it wasn't flashy or combat oriented.
Pruline scowled, giving him a mock glare. "Say that again, and I'll cut your pay from seventy percent to seven!" she threatened, wagging a finger at him. Kael immediately raised his left hand, feigning surrender.
"I swear on behalf of my sanity to never tease you about your ability again," he declared, trying to keep a straight face.
After Kael collected his reward, he decided to walk home, even though it was nearing midnight. He was used to being up late, but tonight had drained him more than usual. Missions like these, even the simple ones, had a way of wearing him down. The city was quiet, almost serene, as he made his way back. Kael usually tried to maintain a regular sleep schedule, but tasks like this often pulled him away from any semblance of normalcy. The anomalies were rare, each one more unpredictable than the last, and tonight was just another example of how chaotic his life had become.
The next morning, Kael was back at the HQ, checking the job board for any available missions. He was restless, itching for something more challenging. His eyes scanned the list, noting the various classes and levels of anomalies. Today, he was in luck; every high-class Lynquil was occupied, leaving Kael with a golden opportunity. He grinned, eager to take on the most difficult task available.
"Let's go with the strongest one we've got first," he muttered to himself, scrolling to the bottom of the list. There, at the very end, was a mission marked with a bright red label: Cosmic Class. It was leagues above anything Kael had ever faced, a level reserved only for the most elite Lynquils. He hesitated, feeling a rush of both excitement and anxiety.
Kael approached Pruline, who was busy converting more anomaly remains. "How much stronger is a Cosmic-class anomaly compared to the one I fought last night?" he asked casually, though his eyes betrayed a hint of apprehension.
Pruline looked up, surprised by the question. She knew the answer well, but it wasn't one she liked to share casually. "Cosmic-class? Kael, those are no joke. We're talking about entities that could level cities. That's why all the high classes are in the first meeting room—they're trying to figure out how to handle it. Trust me, it's not something you should take lightly."
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Kael considered her words but didn't waver. He was determined to take on the mission, despite the risks. "So, who's the strongest in that meeting room right now?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Pruline sighed, reluctant to share. "My brother, Sr. Plovyton. He's classified as System, and his Lynquility allows him to manipulate solar energy at maximum output. He's on a different level, stronger than some of the Galaxy-class members. But remember, class is just a number. It doesn't always determine who's the best."
Kael raised an eyebrow, amused by her passionate defense of class rankings. "Moral of the story: class is just an indicator of what you're worth," Pruline said, a smug smile spreading across her face. "So even if you're classified ten classes higher than me, don't think you can push me around. Plus, I'm still the older one here. Hehe."
Kael rolled his eyes, feeling the familiar sibling-like banter between them. "Yeah, but only by one year! That hardly counts."
The two continued their playful argument, voices rising as they teased each other back and forth. They looked more like children fighting over a toy than seasoned Lynquil operatives in a high-stakes environment. Their bickering only stopped when a group of other operatives approached, breaking up their exchange.
Before their bickering could escalate, the meeting room doors swung open, and the high classes filed out, their expressions hardened and resolute. Kael immediately sensed the aura of power emanating from the group. He scanned the faces until his gaze landed on Plovyton, whose commanding presence stood out among the rest. Kael gave a slight side-eye, an unspoken challenge in his look. He carried himself with a quiet confidence, fully aware that his ranking was superior, though he kept this fact to himself.
One of the high-class Lynquils, irritated by Kael's arrogant demeanor, approached him, locking eyes. But as soon as the Lynquil saw the intensity in Kael's gaze, he was overwhelmed by a menacing aura that radiated from him. The high class quickly retreated, unnerved by Kael's presence.
Pruline, watching the exchange, whispered urgently to Kael, "Get your hands out of your pockets! Don't give them that look! You're going to get yourself killed."
Kael ignored her, maintaining his defiant stance. Plovyton stepped forward, addressing Kael directly. "You're the 'Deflect and Reflect' guy, right?"
Kael nodded, playing along as if he hadn't already memorized every high-class member's name and rank. "Yeah, that's me. And you are?"
"Plovyton. Some call me Sir Solarton, but you can drop the formalities if you want." Plovyton's tone was casual but confident, clearly unaware of Kael's true class.
Pruline stood by, caught between confusion and disbelief. As Plovyton delivered the briefing, his voice took on a serious note. "Our plan is set. We're deploying at noon. If things go south, we retreat immediately, no exceptions."
The clock ticked closer to 11:45 AM, and the high classes began their final preparations. Kael watched them leave, feeling a rush of anticipation. For a moment, Pruline was left standing there, stunned by the casual interaction between Kael and one of the most powerful Lynquils in the HQ. Kael smirked as he walked past her, playfully ruffling her hair.
The high classes arrived at the anomaly's sealed location, dropping from a hover-helicopter onto a plain field, freshly cleared of trees and debris by the Collapse Lynquil. The Space-Definer expanded the sealed area, giving them more space to maneuver. They formed a defensive circle, chanting in unison to unlock the anomaly's containment.
The seal dissipated, revealing a humanoid figure bathed in bright blue light, wielding twin daggers made of cosmic energy. It wasted no time, leaping into their formation with explosive force. The first wave of Lynquils moved in—The Berserk charged head-on, supported by Saint's Shield, Planet Demolisher, and Mother Nature. The Berserk's attacks were fierce but barely scratched the anomaly's form, which healed instantly.
Planet Demolisher unleashed a barrage of violet meteorites at blinding speed, while Saint's Shield fortified their defenses. The anomaly's regenerative abilities, however, rendered their efforts nearly futile. Plovyton dropped in, his solar energy slashes burning the anomaly, but even his might struggled to match the anomaly's healing pace.
Plovyton was on the verge of ordering a retreat when a sudden blur of blue light sliced through the chaotic battlefield. The figure of a man in a striking blue outfit—Kael—plummeted from the sky with a precision dropkick, slamming into the anomaly. The force of the impact sent Kael bouncing backward, but the anomaly's rage was immediately redirected towards him. With a terrifying snarl, it unleashed a massive, glowing slash aimed directly at Kael, its cosmic energy crackling with destructive power.
Kael, unfazed by the onslaught, responded with his own mighty strike. His blade met the anomaly's attack with a resounding clash, sending a brilliant cascade of sparks and energy into the air. Despite the force of Kael's counterstrike, the anomaly's strength was overwhelming, and the initial clash caused Kael's attack to falter, his blade momentarily pushed back.
Refusing to be deterred, Kael swiftly regained his footing and unleashed a rapid series of precise and powerful slashes. Each of his strikes was executed with exacting accuracy, aiming to crack through the anomaly's formidable defenses. The once-imposing daggers of the cosmic entity began to show visible signs of damage, their glowing edges dimming as Kael's relentless assault continued.
As Kael's final, decisive blow connected, the anomaly's once-impervious dagger shattered into fragments. Kael, now revealed with his hood dropped, approached the anomaly with an intense focus. His signature ability, "Reflect and Deflect," was activated at full power, surrounding him with an aura of shimmering energy. The anomaly, sensing an immediate threat, prepared for another devastating attack.
However, as soon as the anomaly's mind even contemplated causing harm to Kael, its arm was severed into pieces by the powerful energy reflected from Kael's ability. The sheer force of Kael's ability was evident as the anomaly recoiled in shock, its previously unstoppable aura now visibly faltering.
Kael, assuming the battle was won, began to relax and take stock of the situation. But his sense of triumph was short-lived. To his dismay, he soon realized that the anomaly, though severely injured, was not defeated. Instead, it shifted its focus toward the high-class Lynquils who were still fiercely engaged in combat. The anomaly's sudden change in target disrupted their defensive formations and intensified the chaos.
Kael's ability, while undeniably impressive, was designed with specific limitations. It only activated in response to direct threats intended to harm him. Consequently, the anomaly's redirection of its aggression towards others meant that Kael's power could not fully neutralize the threat. This realization dawned on Kael as he watched the anomaly's relentless assault on the high-class team, who were now struggling to maintain their ground.
The battlefield was a frenetic spectacle of energy clashes and desperate maneuvers. The high-class Lynquils, despite their exceptional skills and abilities, found themselves grappling with the cosmic entity's formidable power. The scene was a tumultuous blend of radiant attacks and urgent efforts to regain control.
Kael, standing at the edge of the conflict, pondered his next course of action. The anomaly's focus shift had altered the dynamics of the battle, and Kael knew he needed to adapt his strategy. The challenge now was not only to address the anomaly's renewed assault but also to find a way to overcome the limitations of his ability in this high-stakes confrontation.