Mori and Yuhuan pressed their backs against the crumbling ledge, adrenaline rushing through them. The spectators began murmuring among themselves.
⠀
"Are they even capable of bringing down a DA-level threat?"
⠀
"Sure, it's possible, but they aren't even Fixers."
⠀
"I heard even the Sanguine Awakening had trouble with that one!"
⠀
Antollio clapped his hands together, startling the crowd.
⠀
"Mitchell, can we pause the exam for now? Those two will need our help. We wouldn't want any casualties, right?"
⠀
Mitchell, the exam proctor, looked at him with a frown.
⠀
"What are you implying?"
⠀
Mitchell raised his nakiri towards Antollio, who sighed before continuing.
⠀
"Everyone knows you planted something here to attract the ARCH's attention. Was it something from the Viscoso Coalition?"
⠀
Mitchell paused for a moment before speaking.
⠀
"Right on the money!"
⠀
Mitchell moved closer to Antollio.
⠀
"I'd suggest you put that dull blade away, Mitchell. You understand the gap between your power and mine, don't you?"
⠀
"A 1st Division Fixer versus an Elegy... Not too bad of a matchup if you ask me."
⠀
They hold a stare for a moment. Silence.
⠀
"All right... We can help em' out. But, you know what will happen if we go down there, right?"
⠀
"Yes. Everyone, stay prepared."
⠀
Mitchell cracked his knuckles.
⠀
"I'm gonna show you what a regular Fixer can do without some fancy title!"
⠀
The spectators all prepare for battle, taking out various weapons and unknown powers. Mitchell was the first to drop onto the roof, surprising Mori and Yuhuan. Antollio was the second. Antollio's eyes glimmered golden for a moment before he spoke.
⠀
"Quick! Before it can move!"
⠀
In an instant, Mitchell and Antollio split in different directions, confusing the ARCH. Unexpectedly, a third spectator appeared on the rooftop, but no one saw them fall from the platform...
⠀
"Ah!~ Heng Jing. I'm glad to see you're here."
⠀
"Antollio... I was hoping to keep watching a little longer, but if this is what the ARCH desires, I will see to it that its hunger is satiated."
⠀
Heng Jing retrieved a guandao from thin air, spinning it gracefully around his body with a certain familiarity. He then whispered something to himself, and a phoenix, its body made of pure amber flames, appeared on his right shoulder.
⠀
"Perhaps one of you will decide to join the Qianren. If so, I will demonstrate the combat you would typically see used by a member of the Flame Blades."
Heng Jing extended his right arm toward the ARCH and gave it a command.
"Soar, Flameborn Phoenix!"
⠀
ARCH: Flameborn Phoenix
Threat Level: NA (나) (Varies depending on user mastery; can temporarily reach DA output)
Associated Individual: Heng Jing (Qianren – Heng Family Patriarch)
Ability: Manifests as a phoenix composed entirely of condensed, high-intensity flame. The entity exhibits semi-autonomous behavior yet remains tethered to its wielder's will and emotional state. The Flameborn Phoenix possesses the following properties:
Combustion Manipulation: Generates and controls flames capable of melting reinforced alloys and disrupting ARCH structures. Heat output scales with the user's emotional intensity and focus.
Aerial Dominance: High-speed flight and maneuverability allow for rapid strikes, dive attacks, and sustained pressure from above.
Reconstitution: Upon destruction, the phoenix disperses into embers before reforming after a short interval. Reformation speed depends on the user's stamina and resonance stability.
Predatory Targeting: Prioritizes weakened or exposed structural points, making it highly effective against damaged ARCH bodies.
Weight: ~0 kg (Variable)
Registers negligible mass under normal conditions. However, impact force suggests momentary mass acquisition during strikes, estimated equivalent to 200–400 kg upon contact.
Height: Approx. 250–320 cm (wingspan up to 600 cm)
⠀
The phoenix launched off Heng Jing's shoulder, wings burning through the air. It tore at the ARCH's chest, flames licking deep, but the creature barely flinched. Clock hands spun, gears ground. Mitchell was already sprinting in, boots cracking debris as he closed the distance.
⠀
"My turn! First layer!"
⠀
Mitchell raised his nakiri in the air, wrapped in talismanic script, then brought it back down to slash into the ARCH. The attack was pretty ineffective...
⠀
"What are you doing, Mitchell? Are you trying to get these two rookies killed?~"
⠀
Mitchell grimaced at Antollio before raising the nakiri again.
⠀
"Second layer!"
⠀
He prepared another slash—still nothing. Yuhuan's patience snapped. He tightened his grip on his blade, darted forward with practiced footwork, and slashed at the ARCH's exposed knee. Sparks flew. The monster twisted, swatting at Yuhuan with a metallic limb. Yuhuan rolled away, barely dodging a blow that shattered the tiles where he'd stood.
⠀
"Sir, I'll distract it while you work on your blows!"
⠀
"I don't- Agh! Never mind!"
⠀
He raised his nakiri again.
⠀
"Third layer!"
⠀
Another ineffective slash. The jarring clang jolted Mori out of his shock.
⠀
All around, chaos. The ARCH lashed out at Antollio, who vaulted over its arm, gold light streaking from his fingers as he fired a shot straight into the ARCH's eye. Heng Jing's phoenix crashed into the monster's shoulder, a burst of fire splintering metal. The rooftop shook with every clash. Shouts, the crack of gunfire, the screech of rending steel filled the air.
⠀
Mori checked his rounds, heart pounding. Yuhuan darted in beside him, blade flashing in the sunlight.
⠀
"We can't just stand here! On my mark!"
⠀
Yuhuan lunged, drawing the ARCH's attention with a slicing feint to its knee. The monster staggered, gears grinding. Mori squeezed off a shot, aiming for the exposed clockwork in its chest. The bullet sparked off the metal, but the impact made the ARCH stumble.
⠀
The rooftop buckled, cracks splitting beneath their feet as the ARCH's chest pulsed and ticked louder. A sense of doom pressed in, like the city itself was holding its breath for what came next.
⠀
Mitchell, now prepared for his fourth strike, was ecstatic.
⠀
"Now, time for the finale!"
⠀
"Took you long enough..."
⠀
"Enough, Antollio! Now... Fourth layer!"
⠀
His nakiri was wrapped in a single, glowing red talisman.
⠀
"Critical strike!!!"
⠀
Mitchell yelled and drove his nakiri into the ARCH's back. The blade erupted with crimson light, then detonated, blasting the monster's lower half across the rooftop. Shrapnel and burning paper rained down. The ARCH shrieked, stumbling, but the debris spun backward. Clock hands rewound, pages reformed their legs. It was reconstructing itself. Unstoppable.
⠀
Antollio sprang into position, firing golden beams into the ARCH's writhing form. Heng Jing's phoenix dived, flames biting deep into the exposed wound. But then, the air changed. The ticking grew louder. The ARCH's eyes locked onto Mitchell.
⠀
With a metallic shriek, the ARCH's ability triggered. Three sharp, unlucky events happened in quick succession: a loose tile shot up and struck Mitchell's arm, spinning his nakiri away; a golden beam from Antollio ricocheted, briefly blinding Heng Jing's phoenix; and the roof under Mitchell's feet gave way, sending him crashing down to ground level with a shout of pain. Blood splattered across the tile, Mitchell clutching his arm.
⠀
"Agh! It's using its ability! Watch for the third hit!"
⠀
Antollio locked eyes with Heng Jing from across the rooftop.
⠀
"Heng Jing, you ready?"
⠀
"As long as the wind blows."
⠀
The phoenix flared brighter at Heng Jing's side, its wings spreading wide as if answering him. Antollio stepped forward at the same time, golden light threading between his fingers, both of them moving with the kind of quiet understanding that didn't need explanation.
⠀
"Try to keep up, will you?"
⠀
Antollio's voice was light, almost amused.
⠀
"I will not fall behind."
⠀
Heng Jing replied calmly.
The phoenix darted forward first, a streak of fire tearing across the rooftop. Simultaneously, Antollio vanished in a flash of gold, reappearing at the ARCH's flank. The two attacks struck almost simultaneously; fire and light crashed into metal and paper. The impact rang out. For a moment, it worked. The ARCH was staggered. Then...
⠀
Tick.
⠀
A sharp crack split the rooftop beneath Heng Jing's feet. The stone gave out without warning, forcing him to step back mid-motion.
⠀
"First."
⠀
Antollio muttered.
⠀
"What?"
⠀
Mori flinched.
⠀
Tick.
⠀
The phoenix suddenly flickered, its flames distorting as a burst of debris shot up from below, clipping its wing. It spiraled off course, slamming into the rooftop instead of the ARCH.
⠀
"Second."
⠀
This time, Heng Jing said it.
⠀
Mori's eyes widened.
⠀
"...You're counting?"
⠀
Antollio, doing his best to keep his focus on the ARCH and not fall through the roof's cracks, yelled over to Mori.
⠀
"Just pay attention!"
⠀
The ARCH's body twisted, gears grinding violently as its arm rose high above them, a jagged mass of clock hands forming into a spear.
⠀
Tick.
⠀
Everything slowed down as the spear descended directly toward Yuhuan.
⠀
"Move!"
⠀
Mori shouted.
⠀
Yuhuan reacted instantly, throwing himself sideways as the attack slammed into the rooftop where he'd been standing. The impact shattered the ground, sending chunks of debris flying. Antollio spoke:
⠀
"Third."
⠀
Yuhuan rolled, barely catching himself.
⠀
"How did it attack so quickly? If you hadn't warned me, I wouldn't have dodged!
⠀
"No idea—!"
Mitchell's voice cut in.
⠀
"Then pay attention, as Antollio said."
He pulled himself up from the lower level, blood dripping slowly down his arm, expression twisted but focused.
⠀
"It stacks. Two bad things, then the third kills someone. That's how it works."
⠀
Mori froze, trying to count on his fingers.
⠀
"...Two... then three..."
⠀
"It doesn't take much thought, kid! Just follow our lead!"
⠀
Mitchell lost his temper. Mori swallowed hard.
⠀
"...O-Okay..."
⠀
The ticking resumed, this time louder... No, it was closer.
Antollio and Heng Jing moved again, more carefully now, their attacks no longer reckless. The phoenix swept low, forcing the ARCH to shift its stance, while Antollio's golden shots struck at its joints, weakening it.
⠀
Tick.
⠀
A loose piece of metal shot off the ARCH's body, ricocheting wildly across the rooftop. It clipped Mori's shoulder, spinning him slightly off balance.
⠀
"First—!"
⠀
Mori shouted, almost instinctively.
⠀
"Nice job."
⠀
Mitchell said, readying his nakiri.
⠀
Tick.
⠀
Yuhuan moved forward, but his foot slipped, not on debris or anything visible. He nearly dropped his weapon, barely catching himself before falling.
⠀
"Second!"
⠀
Mori's voice was sharper now.
⠀
The ticking surged.
⠀
Everyone tensed.
⠀
"Spread out!"
⠀
Antollio called.
⠀
The ARCH's head snapped toward Mori.
Its arm shifted... The spear, forming again.
⠀
"Third—!"
⠀
Mori yelled.
⠀
The attack came down...
But this time...
...Mori moved first!
⠀
He threw himself backward, heart pounding, the spear slamming into the ground just inches from where he'd been. A shockwave blasted past him.
Silence.
⠀
"...I... I did it..."
⠀
ARCH: Third Misfortune
Threat Level: DA (다)
Ability: Takes the form of a large humanoid entity composed of gears, clock hands, loose documents, and shifting metallic debris. Emits constant auditory distortions resembling ticking and scraping. Induces the phenomenon known as "bad things come in threes." Upon recognizing two prior misfortunes among nearby subjects, the ARCH imposes a third event with near certainty. Environmental instability increases as the third instance approaches, resulting in structural failure, misfires, or lethal accidents. The third event will always target the most vulnerable individual within range and result in death or irreversible loss. Elegies or people with intense ARCH resonance show partial resistance to cognitive effects but remain susceptible to physical outcomes.
Weight: Unknown
Height: Approx. 400 cm
⠀
Heng Jing's lips cracked as he formed a menacing smile.
⠀
"The sun is bestowing its blessings upon the spirit of new life. Let us celebrate this moment!"
⠀
Antollio slapped him on the back of his head.
⠀
"There's no time for that, Heng Jing!"
⠀
Mitchell stepped forward, gripping his nakiri tightly.
⠀
"Move. I'm finishing this."
⠀
"Mitchell, you wouldn't want to strain your ar—"
⠀
Antollio started.
⠀
"Shut up..."
⠀
"—?"
⠀
"You know, I'm real tired of you bossing me around. I'm a 1st Division Fixer now, you're not my mentor anymore."
⠀
"..."
⠀
Antollio was silent, no longer flashing his cocky smile. He nodded to Mitchell.
⠀
"Thank you."
⠀
He rushed in, tightening his grip on his nakiri, almost tearing at the dull talisman on the first layer of the blade.
⠀
"First layer!"
⠀
The blade hit the ARCH.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then...
⠀
Tick.
⠀
A sharp burst of debris exploded upward, slamming into Mitchell's side. His body twisted mid-step, breath leaving him in a violent gasp.
⠀
"...Tch—!"
⠀
He staggered.
⠀
"...Damn it..."
⠀
His grip faltered.
⠀
The nakiri slipped—
⠀
Then he threw it.
⠀
"You!"
⠀
Yuhuan barely had time to react before the blade spun toward him.
⠀
"Use it!"
⠀
"What—?!"
⠀
Yuhuan caught it awkwardly, nearly dropping it from the force.
⠀
"I don't—!"
⠀
"Just swing it!"
⠀
Mitchell barked.
Yuhuan clenched his teeth.
⠀
"...Fine!"
⠀
He lunged forward, bringing the blade down across the ARCH's leg.
⠀
Clang.
Still nothing.
⠀
"What now?!"
⠀
"Pass it!"
⠀
Antollio jumped up, gesturing that he was open.
⠀
Yuhuan didn't hesitate and threw the nakiri, but not at Antollio...
⠀
...at the phoenix instead.
⠀
Heng Jing's eyes flickered.
⠀
The phoenix dived downward, its talons clutching the blade in mid-air. It circled the ARCH briefly before releasing the nakiri above it.
⠀
The third hit landed successfully.
⠀
The ARCH's body jerked. Something shifted.
⠀
The blade ricocheted off the solid metal of the ARCH and glided across the rooftop.
⠀
Right toward Mori.
⠀
"...Me?"
⠀
Mori stared at it, his knees trembling. Mitchell roared from across:
⠀
"Pick it up!"
⠀
Mori's hands shook.
⠀
The ticking was back.
⠀
Louder.
⠀
Faster.
⠀
"...I..."
⠀
He grabbed it.
⠀
The weight hit him instantly.
⠀
The ARCH turned.
⠀
Its arm began to rise.
⠀
Tick.
⠀
"Do it!"
⠀
Yuhuan shouted.
⠀
"NOW!"
⠀
Mori ran.
⠀
No plan.
No technique.
Just forward.
⠀
The ARCH's head loomed over him.
Its body creaking...
⠀
Tick—
⠀
Mori swung. The blade connected. And, finally, it detonated.
⠀
A violent burst of crimson light tore through the ARCH's head. Metal exploded outward. Paper ignited mid-air. Gears shattered, scattering across the rooftop like shrapnel.
⠀
The ticking... stopped. Completely.
⠀
ARCHtype: Eclectic Writings::Nakiri
Threat Level: NA (나)
Ability: A nakiri gifted to those the ARCH, Eclectic Writings, favors most. The first three strikes dealt by the nakiri are completely dull, but the fourth strike will always inflict damage equal to that of a KKA-level ARCH or an Elegy. This ability can be countered, as the nakiri must deal strikes within 10 seconds of one another for them to count toward the fourth and final strike.
⠀
For a moment, nothing moved.
Then the ARCH's body collapsed in on itself, unraveling into scraps of metal and burning paper, scattering across the rooftop before fading into nothing.
⠀
Mori stood there, frozen, the blade slipping from his hands.
⠀
"...We..."
⠀
His voice shook.
⠀
"...We actually..."
⠀
Yuhuan let out a long breath, gripping his weapon tightly.
⠀
"...That was insane."
⠀
Mitchell dropped to one knee, clutching his side, but he was grinning.
⠀
"Heh..."
⠀
Antollio adjusted his posture, brushing dust from his sleeve like nothing had happened.
⠀
"Not bad."
⠀
Heng Jing watched the last embers of his phoenix fade into the air, expression calm.
⠀
"An interesting outcome."
⠀
The rooftop was silent now.
⠀
No ticking, no movement.
Just the wind...
⠀
After a bit of convincing, Antollio managed to get Mitchell to end the exam early due to ARCH interference, but still tally up all of the recruits' data so the event could conclude.
⠀
#1 - Saoirse Farrelly
#2 - Yuhuan Lau
#3 - Mori Ryunosuke