Chino and Vex exchanged glances, a spark of defiance igniting between them. "You're not going?" they asked in unison, their voices laced with determination.

"Going? Why should I?" Chino shot back, crossing his arms defiantly.

"This place belongs to me," Vex asserted, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

Chino stretched, muscles rippling beneath his skin, and gestured behind him. "Look at them—the elite Kitsune gather here. Everyone here is my kin now. Why should I abandon my own?"

A smug grin on Vex face. "Besides, these bonds run deeper than you know. This was once a nuclear bomb-proof air-raid shelter."

"I'm constructing a nest here, fortified by a defensive wall. The foundation is laid; I have a few scientific researchers in my grasp. With that, I could seize control of the Kitsune!"

Raven observed Han for a moment before shifting her gaze back to Chino and Vex. "The Lord lurks behind the curtain, leaving me nowhere to go. So, I remain."

"I hate insects," Chino grumbled. "I hate fish," Vex added, frustration bubbling.

Raven stepped forward, shoving them apart with a firm hand. "Enough!" she commanded, her voice ringing clear.

Pointing directly at Chino, she declared, "What are you doing underground? You're a Fish-Man; go to the sea!"

Chino paused, contemplating her words. They struck a chord deep within him. He had fought valiantly on the continent, yet it dawned on him that this land was not his true dominion. In the ocean, his Deep One legion would unleash unparalleled terror, thriving in their native realm.

Nodding slowly, Chino replied, "Fine, I'll leave this to you. Don't let anyone poke the hive, 004."

Vex chuckled, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. "Safe travels, no need for a farewell."

...

Outside the headquarters, Han stepped into a grim scene. Bodies sprawled across the ground, a macabre mountain of corpses. Dark silhouettes loomed above, their smiles twisted and unsettling.

"Here comes one more," one of them taunted.

"Who's willing to fight?" another called, eyes glinting with malice.

Han glanced upward, the moon hung high, its silver light casting eerie shadows. In an instant, he leaped, a reflection in the moonlight shimmering before him. With a swift motion, he plunged into the fray, his blade finding its mark in the throat of an unsuspecting foe.

In a blur, he seized another by the neck. A third lunged at him, but Han raised the monkey stone, declaring, "Ant!"

The attacker shrank, transforming into a tiny insect and tumbling to the ground. The others recoiled, one muttering, "Damn, I almost stomped you to death with one kick."

Suddenly, a figure flickered into view, violet light shimmering around him. "Uh, are you 003?" he asked, curiosity etched across his features.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Han turned his gaze, scanning the newcomer. "Who are you?"

"We are Chaos Insurgency."

"Come for what?" Han's voice dripped with skepticism.

"To kill the Kitsune, create chaos, and save the world."

"And to see if we can save own heads."

"You mean 009?" Han's eyes narrowed at the mention of the name.

The crowd shifted uneasily. "Sometimes we just follow orders. In our hearts, we serve a greater being."

"A legendary figure," one murmured, "though we've never seen her, we believe she exists."

Han discarded the lifeless body he held. "What if I told you your leader is dead?"

The Chaos Insurgency erupted in laughter. "If he's dead, he's dead."

"Who listens to him anyway?" another scoffed.

"Not long ago, we received a heavenly revelation!" one proclaimed. "That legendary person fell before us like a god. If 009 were to die, we'd have a single master."

Han raised a hand, silencing them. "As long as we serve the Lord, we are allies."

The violet-lighted man stepped forward, grasping Han's hand. "For us, anyone who kills the Kitsune is our friends."

"Indeed. We have another task: to collect the creations split from 009."

Han glanced behind him. "There are about a dozen here, and some are scattered across other research bases."

The purple-lighted man clenched his fist. "Thank you for the information."

Just as he turned to enter the elevator, Chino burst forth, a legion of Fish-Men trailing behind him.

"Make way," Chino commanded, glaring at the violet-lighted man.

Stunned, the man instinctively stepped aside, allowing the Fish-Men to flood the area. The elevator ascended and descended repeatedly, bringing wave after wave of armored warriors to the ground.

The violet-lighted man surveyed the formidable army, weapons drawn and fierce resolve etched on their faces. "Is this the senior?" he whispered in awe, fear gripping him.

Indeed, terrifying was the sight. They had heard rumors from the 009 Splitter about the monstrous entities that existed beyond their ranks, but witnessing it firsthand ignited a deep sense of trepidation.

It was clear that these elder monsters commanded their own forces. Their organization was born from twelve monsters, a coalition forged in desperation, limited by the semi-finished potions they used.

Yet, hope flickered in the air. They had captured the Lord's attention. As long as they proved their worth, as long as their power contributed to the cause, the Lord might grant them a modicum of mercy. And their so-called mercy was evolution.

...

The next day dawned with a clear sky, the sun casting a brilliant light over the world. Mei's gaze swept across the heavens, her sharp eyes quickly locking onto Enko, his reincarnation evident as he stood, a block of gold cradled in his palm.

In a swift moment, the gold began to melt, forming a crimson triangle pattern that blossomed on Enko's skin. Curiosity piqued, Mei leaned closer, her own palm suddenly marked by a similar crimson design.

[Slaughter game sends out an invitation to you]

[The organizer of this game is M... Xiss...]

[It's you again, how rude!]

[Lord, do you want to join this game?]

A smirk curled Mei's lips as she absorbed the message. "Interesting. Tell me, what's the game? And how do you know me?"

[I am 079: Game System]

[I'm thrilled to encounter you in the past, Lord Aurora!]

"Past?" Mei mused, glancing at the future diary resting on the table behind her. "I took advantage of its properties to create something that travels through time, didn't I?"

[Yes, precisely! As expected of you, Lord. Your mind works quickly!]

"Now, let's talk about the future," she replied with a dismissive wave.

"I don't want to hear calculations. Be direct: what is my creation's purpose for you? Why bring me back to the past?"

[You mentioned wanting to find some fun.]

"Am I the type to seek out frivolities?" she questioned, arching an eyebrow.

[Yes… that's right.]

[However, it's not for now—it's for the future.]

Mei's smile widened, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "On the contrary, it sounds quite likely. Now, tell me about this game. How do I play?"

[You need only hold 200 grams of gold in your hand to join the game; that's your ticket. But for you, it's complimentary!]

A laugh escaped Mei. "So, did Enko gain his abilities through this game?"

[Exactly! He is one of the seed players you value; he has… the potential to become one of your creations!]