Zhang Yuanqing was flung like he'd been hit by a speeding car, sent flying more than ten meters before slamming into a massive electronic screen in the mall.
And in that instant, a swift figure appeared at Jia Wood's side.
Two stones materialized in his hands—one carved as a horse, the other as a dog.
"Barely made it in time."
"The dog gives you the reason to survive. The horse makes survival a reality."
He pressed the dog stone and horse stone into Jia Wood's palms. A flash of green light erupted, instantly wrapping Jia Wood's body.
The gaping wound in his abdomen sealed itself at frightening speed. Seeing this, the man straightened up. Beneath his clothes, embedded in his chest, was an artificial setting—housing a stone unmistakably shaped like a rabbit.
He was one of the Twelve Earthly Branches, holding the Rabbit position.
Because Arthur had been discovered, the higher-ups immediately treated it as top priority, deploying all members of the Heavenly Stem Earthly Branches.
The first to arrive were Jia Wood and Ji Earth, being the closest to the scene.
Arthur's ability was simply too lethal to humans. To prevent further losses of key personnel, the higher-ups ordered the Rabbit position holder—carrier of the rabbit stone—to rush over with the dog and horse stones at maximum speed.
Ding Fire's death was irreversible. There could be no more casualties among the Heavenly Stem.
The Chaos Insurgency had resurfaced, and their momentum this time was overwhelming—impossible to ignore.
Fortunately, the Rabbit's arrival had been in time. Jia Wood's life was pulled back from the brink.
Yet the Rabbit position felt immense pressure. This was a race against the God of Death, snatching a soul from the Underworld itself. If Jia Wood had perished because he wasn't fast enough, he would bear the blame no matter what.
After all, as the fastest among the Heavenly Stem Earthly Branches, failure in speed was unforgivable.
If that happened, both the stone in his chest and his position would almost certainly—eighty percent, if not more—be taken away.
At the very moment Zhang Yuanqing struck Jia Wood, Arthur had seized his chance. He broke free from his restraints.
Without hesitation, he vaulted from the second floor, seized Zhang Yuanqing, and drove a knife into the air before him!
Using Absolute Piercing to rip open space—truthfully, it was insanely risky.
He had neither 009's immortality nor 009's pinpoint precision.
Where this tear would lead him was completely unknown.
But right now, he had no choice but to gamble.
"Let's go!"
Arthur was about to drag Zhang Yuanqing into the rift when the Rabbit position flashed before them.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Arthur stepped forward toward the rift—but at supersonic speed, the Rabbit position yanked them both back out!
Arthur lashed out with his dagger, but unless the Rabbit himself threw his body onto the blade, there was no way it could land a strike.
"Damn it… couldn't hit her at all."
Why did his voice sound so pitiful?
Supported by Arthur, Zhang Yuanqing lifted his head weakly.
"It's… heads… I bet again… and won…"
And then, the spatial rift Arthur had carved suddenly surged wider, swallowing both Arthur and Zhang Yuanqing in an instant!
This time it truly caught everyone off guard—even the Rabbit couldn't keep pace.
But he reacted instantly, thrusting his hand into the rift—only for it to slam shut the very next moment.
Puff, puff!!
The Rabbit position's arm was severed clean by the collapsing rift!
It all happened so fast his brain hadn't even processed it—no pain signal yet, no reaction, nothing.
Only a heartbeat later did the agony roar in, flooding every nerve.
"Aaaah!"
Clutching the bleeding stump, blood seeping through his fingers, the Rabbit position broke out in a cold sweat, his forehead instantly slick.
"My arm… my arm?"
On the ground before him, he knelt trembling.
Ji Earth, struggling to rise to her feet, looked over at him.
Another frantic effort—wasted.
Once again, nothing had been saved. Just like with Ren Water and the others.
It was exactly as the higher-ups had warned: a Chaos Insurgency with 009 and one without 009 were worlds apart.
Just as a Kitsune with Zero and one without Zero were two entirely different beings.
Chaos could never lose 009, just as Kitsune could never lose Zero. That much was absolute truth.
009's return had stitched the once-fragmented Chaos Insurgency back together, giving them their old tenacity once more.
Unchewable no matter how fiercely you bit.
Unkillable no matter how ruthlessly you struck.
Unbeatable no matter how desperately you fought.
As one O5 Council member had once put it—009 was the Great American Cockroach, a pure invasive species.
Unkillable. Revolting. Absolutely loathsome.
"…Haaah. At least there were no deaths this time. A small blessing in disguise, I suppose."
...
Half a month later.
Arthur and Zhang Yuanqing staggered back to Chaos Insurgency headquarters, ragged and worn.
That spatial rift had dumped them straight into the crater of Mount Fuji.
"How long were we stuck in that other world? Even Earth feels different now. Is this still Earth?!"
"Is this even the same Kitsune I knew?!"
"I'm done. I need a winter break!"
Arthur's voice was raw with resentment.
009 only turned his head and said calmly,
"Don't be hasty. There are two pieces of good news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
"I don't want to hear either."
"The first piece of good news," 009 replied, "is that we recovered the Mother Coffin."
With that, he pulled back the red cloth draped over the object beside him. Underneath was unmistakably a coffin.
Back during the snowy mountain assault in the other world, Computer had rushed to recover all of the Mother Coffins. Even so, several were seized by Kitsune.
Among those captured were the Sub-coffins of Celestial Beast, Arthur, Naira, The Centaur, and the Master of Flesh.
The rest, however, had been reclaimed by Computer. And regardless of whether Kitsune had tampered with those particular Sub-coffins, aside from those five individuals, everyone else remained functionally immortal.
But most importantly—the Mother Coffin itself had been preserved. It could continue producing new Sub-coffins.
That truly was good news.
"…And the other piece of good news?"
"I haven't thought of it yet," 009 said with a grin.
Yes—this was entirely in character. Even without a second good news to give, 009 would still insist there were two.
"Then I want my winter break too!" Arthur snapped.
Just then, Computer remotely piloted Chaos Unit 01 closer. "I think Arthur's request is quite reasonable."
"We can grant him a winter break. But whether you're on vacation or here assisting me with experiments, you're still present. Why not join my experiments instead?"
And so Arthur was dragged off by 020 Computer for a secret experiment.
009 didn't know the details of what transpired—only that Arthur screamed every night during that time.
"I want to go back to work!"
"Let me return!"
But 009 considered it carefully. As a proper leader, refusing leave altogether was indeed unreasonable.
So this time, he relented. Arthur would get his "vacation"—to his heart's content.
During Arthur's so-called break, 009 began regrouping, once again raising the banner of the Chaos Insurgency, rapidly swelling its ranks.
And before anyone realized it, Arthur had been fitted into a metal exoskeleton battlesuit, fully integrated with his nervous system.
"What is this?" Arthur asked.
"My latest masterpiece."
"Chaos Unit 02?"
"Not exactly. This is a new concept entirely—an exoskeleton battlesuit."
"Using my self-developed neural unit chip, I've created an AI that enhances human cognition. I call it Lightbrain."
"Here—look closely. Lightbrain is mounted at the nape of the neck, linking directly with the brain's neural units. It not only assists with thought but can also autonomously control bodily responses."
"For example, if danger is detected, Lightbrain will instantly trigger evasive maneuvers on its own."
"Because this is only the first-generation Lightbrain, it lacks autonomous counterattack capabilities. So, for now, Lightbrain functions strictly in semi-automatic mode."
"And this exoskeleton armor—because of fuel constraints—has had most of its systems stripped away. Only auxiliary kinetic support remains, to keep energy draw to an absolute minimum."
009 narrowed his eyes. "You've got those nuclear fuel rods, right? Why not just use them—solve the power problem outright?"
Computer shook its head. "No. The rods are stable under normal conditions, but if subjected to external force, they will—"
"They will?"
"Explode."
"I limited the rods' energy output, kept any detonation within a controllable range, but if you're standing too close, a 3rd Step life form would still be killed."
"Wait—Computer, could we just turn these fuel rods into grenades?"
"Boss, two corrections."
"First: nuclear fuel rods are extremely difficult to manufacture. Our resources are finite; we can't be wasteful."
"Second: if we want grenade-level destructive power, there are alternatives that match a fuel-rod blast while consuming far fewer materials."
"Then let's do it!"
"I already said—we don't have the materials."
"Okay, okay—back to the battlesuit."
"Because the battlesuit is human-centered—unlike Chaos Unit 01, which I control directly—even if Unit 01 is destroyed, the loss is limited."
"But a human in a battlesuit is different. For the suit's power source, I used the Eternal Biotechnology approach."
"There's ambient energy in living systems that can be harvested. By letting machines extract that bioenergy and feed it back to the suit, you can get small-scale replenishment."
"Small being the keyword—the energy living organisms provide is minuscule. When consumption spikes, the conversion can't keep up."
"Kind of like solar."
"Yes, but organisms absorb and concentrate energy more efficiently than passive solar collection."
"And right now this first-generation model has one major drawback."
"It can only be worn by Awakened individuals."
"Only Awakened people can harvest the required bioenergy and meet the conversion threshold."
009 stood up at that. "Then you need to optimize it. If only Awakened individuals can use it, it's worthless for mass deployment."
"And, most importantly—I'm not an Awakened individual."
"The reason you're not an Awakened individual is because your state is fixed from beginning to end. Your internal energy is part of you—constant, neither consumable nor expandable."
"Then doesn't that mean I can supply the battlesuit with endless energy?"
"No. As I said, your energy is constant. It can't be consumed, and it can't be increased."
"In theory, no method could ever extract energy from your body."
"Then you should focus on making battlesuits usable for ordinary people. If soldiers could wear them, imagine an army of exoskeletons with Lightbrains. Kitsune wouldn't stand a chance."
"Right… what's this machine frame called?"
"Since it's the first edition, I've codenamed it Prototype Unit. As for a proper name, I prefer Slaughter."
"Killing for the sake of killing, strength for the sake of strength. Born of war, forged for slaughter—that is the purpose of the body I created."
"So this is the Slaughter Prototype?"
"Exactly. Go ahead and prepare for Slaughter Unit 02."
"I'll need materials."
"What kind of materials?"
"The flesh of Awakened individuals—or more precisely, the flesh and blood of listed derivatives."
"Can't you use Arthur?"
"Not enough. Nowhere near enough. I need a large quantity."
"If possible, Kitsune's Deca would be the ideal material."
...
A few days later.
Arthur returned to headquarters. Zhang Yuanqing, sitting in a side chair rolling dice, looked up. "Oh, new skin upgrade?"
Arthur now wore a green military jacket. His forearms and legs were bare, revealing gleaming metal structures. The exoskeleton ran down from his spine, plating his upper back and chest before wrapping around his arms and legs.
His face hadn't changed much—except for two metallic wires embedded into his cheeks.
Arthur rubbed his neck. "Damn it, this itching is driving me insane! Can't the Lightbrain be moved somewhere else?"
"What Lightbrain?"
At those words, Arthur's expression froze, then darkened.
Lightbrain?
He had never even seen the thing. He only remembered being stripped and strapped to a bed by Computer, his nape cut open, and some metallic implant forced inside. Afterward, they drugged him. And that wasn't a one-time ordeal.
Over and over, he was subjected to adjustments and experiments—each more agonizing than the last.
The worst moments were when Computer rolled in racks of robotic arms, each holding hammers, chainsaws, chisels, mallets, and iron rods, and stood there watching him.
That was when Arthur realized he had reached the darkest point of his life.
And the nightmare was real—because those tools weren't just for show. Computer actually used them.
He used a chainsaw to rip open Arthur's body. Arthur had no idea what exactly was being done, and it was precisely that ignorance that terrified him.
The reason for using a chainsaw—and other brutal tools—was simple: Arthur's skin and flesh were unnaturally resilient.
Ordinary surgical scalpels couldn't even cut through, so they resorted to hammers, chainsaws, and other crude instruments for a violent thoracotomy.
Fortunately, Arthur wasn't tortured to death. But after the Lightbrain was implanted, a deep discomfort took hold of him.
His nape tingled with a chilling itch that never subsided, and soon after—
"My whole body feels weak!"
Arthur begged Computer to remove the implants, but Computer ignored him.
Barely a minute after returning to the surface and sitting down, Arthur suddenly began jerking and dodging uncontrollably, twisting his body in spasms.
Why it happened, Arthur himself didn't know.
His body betrayed him, flailing wildly, while strange, intrusive thoughts surfaced in his mind without reason.
He rolled and twisted across the ground, over and over.
Zhang Yuanqing stared, utterly baffled.
"What's wrong with him? Epileptic fit?"
At that moment, Computer appeared, piloting Chaos Unit 01, its back bristling with countless mechanical arms.
"Don't mind him. This is priceless footage—an early record of humanity's attempts to domesticate neural technology."
"The human neural system is rejecting the Lightbrain. Every inch of his flesh is screaming in protest."
"This is the organism's inherent rejection of mechanical intrusion."
"Why reject it?" Zhang Yuanqing asked.
Chaos Unit 01 slowly raised its mechanical hands.
"Because the organism instinctively resists the evolution brought by machines.
But rest assured—this is only temporary. Given time, the body adapts."
"This is the inevitable evolutionary trajectory of carbon-based life. Each new age must endure the backlash of the one before it."
"And that resistance only proves my path is correct!"
"The world is chaos. Machines ascend as gods!"
"Flesh and blood are weak. Technology ascends!"
"Abandon this decaying shell—join us in glorious evolution!"
Zhang Yuanqing flipped a coin and shrugged.
"Hmm. I'll pass."
Computer shook his head.
"Another fool resisting change. But perhaps resistance itself is a necessary stage. That, too, is part of my practical philosophy—one of its propositions."
...
Zero opened his eyes.
"A new monster has been born."
Time spared no one. Since the last clash with Chaos, its main forces had remained dormant.
Yet Chaos's final stronghold had still not been uncovered.
That stronghold was almost certainly where Computer's true body resided. And with Computer stationed there, no intelligence or reconnaissance could succeed.
Even if investigators stumbled upon the location, they would never return with the information.
Because every scrap of data was intercepted—every transmission, every network, all fell under Computer's surveillance.
He didn't watch the world 24/7; most of the time, his gaze merely swept across the whole situation.
But around the lair where his main body lay, Computer's eyes never closed.
"The Clown appeared three months ago, then vanished without a trace. Was it because tearing space pulled him into turbulence, or did he simply go into hiding?"
There was no way to predict.
And now, a new entry appeared on the ethereal tablet.
The ones before hadn't been caught, yet more kept surfacing. This was a bad omen.
Just then, a man pushed the door open and stepped inside.
He said nothing, only set a piece of paper down on the table.
Zero picked it up. The handwriting was unmistakably human, with no copies in existence. Even the attached photo was hand-drawn.
"Information from the European Union. Europe—on a certain farm, a large number of farmers died inexplicably. Peculiarity: collective decapitation."
"Method of crime unknown, suspected to be an Object."
"Send the investigation team. As insurance, Geng Metal and Yi Wood will accompany them. Oh, and Ren Water too."
Ding Fire's death had weighed heavily on Ren Water, leaving him despondent for a long time.
But now was the time for him to adjust and prepare to return to duty.
...
Inside Kitsune.
Geng Metal and Yi Wood received the message.
"We're going with the investigation team?"
"Yes. And Ren Water as well."
Dispatching three Heavenly Stems just for an investigation mission? Could it be a monster on the list?
After receiving their orders, the first stop was logistics—to collect equipment.
Along the way, Yi Wood walked with her head down, studying the mission brief.
"Decapitations. Suspected rule-based ability. Every victim was beheaded. In that case, the Light shield might not be effective."
"That's fine. This might actually be a good opportunity."
Geng Metal headed into the logistics armory. The facility contained dozens of rooms, laid out like bank teller windows, each assigned to one person at a time.
The first step was a full-body scan and identity confirmation.
Once verified, a receptionist awaited at the counter inside.
Every room had one. Geng Metal stepped forward and handed over his deployment stamp.
Stamps came in four grades: D-rank, C-rank, B-rank, and A-rank—each tied to an event level.
The badge he produced was D-rank.
D-rank meant investigation mission.
The supplies for such missions were minimal, since there was no need to subdue targets—only to gather intelligence.
"Light shield, white card, 100ml spray. Any other special requirements?"
The receptionist placed three items before Geng Metal: a palm-sized triangular device, a white card, and a spray bottle.
The triangular device was the light shield. A single button sat at its center—press it, and the shield would deploy.
The white card was an identification pass, not an Object.
Recognized by high-ranking officials worldwide, it granted authority in the field. During missions, it could mobilize local military and police for cooperation, along with other undisclosed privileges.
The 100ml spray was a diluted solution of Vespa saliva.
As a derivative compound, it erased memory. If civilians became entangled in the mission, a light spray would make them forget everything they had seen.
These three items were mandatory issue for every mission.
"I want to deploy α—147."
The logistics officer frowned.
"Are you sure? This is just an investigation mission. Do you really need 147?"
"This mission involves large numbers of civilians. Using 147 will let us finish quickly and cleanly."
The officer sighed.
"Fine. I'll file the request."
—
α—149: Petrified.
This belonged to a secondary list, collectively known as derivative compounds.
Within Kitsune, derivative Objects were divided into several categories.
In order:
Usable type α
Forbidden type β
Consumable type γ
Reward type δ
Production type ε
Destruction type ζ
Non-Public type η
Destroyed type θ
Usable type is straightforward: these are harmless Objects that can be requested for mission use.
Forbidden type cannot be used under any circumstances and are not available for requisition.
Consumable type refers to items such as the light shield, derived from derivative compounds. They are single-use or exhaustible by nature.
Reward type is more unusual. After completing certain missions, higher command may reward acquisition personnel with harmless derivative compounds under this classification.
Production type is tied to Consumables. These are Objects capable of generating consumable items.
Destruction type does not mean the Objects themselves are marked for disposal. Rather, these are Objects designed to destroy other Objects.
Next are the last two categories:
Non-Public type. These are almost always top-secret files, identified only by serial number. They are either so dangerous that even knowing about them is forbidden, or else they are carried by individuals of extreme importance.
Destroyed type. Kitsune has successfully eliminated a number of Objects over the years. Though gone, their serial numbers are still recorded.
—
This is Kitsune's internal Object classification system.
When the logistics officer left to request an α-type Object, Geng Metal took the opportunity to examine the light shield.
He switched on the light shield for a moment, then shut it back down.
The device was intact—no signs of tampering.
Moments later, the logistics officer returned, carrying an oval-shaped stone no larger than a bottle cap.
"You wanted 147. Wishing you a smooth mission."
Accepting the stone, Geng Metal fixed his gaze on the man.
"No one interfered with the light shield, correct?"
"Of course not. And it wouldn't even be possible. This isn't the kind of thing you joke about," the logistics officer replied.
Geng Metal tested the stone. It was cool in his hand, not heated.
That meant the man was telling the truth.
α—147: Petrified.
If anyone lies within its range, Petrified begins to heat up.
But it only confirms the words of the one questioned—it cannot account for others.
With Petrified secured, Geng Metal left the logistics wing.
Outside, Ren Water and Yi Wood were waiting for him.
"You're a bit slow this time," Yi Wood remarked.
At those words, Geng Metal shifted Petrified behind his back.
Then he turned to Ren Water.
"You're on this mission too?"
Ren Water looked up. "Yes. I've been waiting long enough anyway."
"That's good."
"Ren Water—about Ding Fire, I have a question. Do you think there's a chance you might have killed Ding Fire?"