[Dear reader, this arrogant author welcomes you into his worldview.]
[It is said that everyone sees the world through a different lens, so allow me to offer you truth.]
[What you are about to witness is neither wholly right nor entirely wrong. It is simply how I perceive the shifting lines between reason and madness, beauty and ruin, certainty and doubt.]
[Whether you agree or not is of little consequence.]
[After all, a worldview was never meant to be universal.]
[Now let's drive into the story, shall we?]
— COMMON TERMINOLOGIES
⟐ GrimCity
GrimCity is an artificial construct adrift upon the Atlantic Ocean, encased within a colossal dome that seals it off from the outside world. Constructed in the aftermath of the Catastrophe, it exists for a singular purpose: to research and isolate those afflicted by Miasma.
⟐ The Void
A giant distortion that manifested without warning, swallowing major parts of the physical world. Anything consumed by it is not destroyed, but displaced into a Mirror Version of Earth. Though eerily similar, this mirrored realm operates under unknown laws. Large portions of cities, most notably Tokyo, have already been lost to its expansion. Global powers such as Japan, the United States, and Russia have developed countermeasures, utilizing Miasma-based technology to slow its spread.
Despite these efforts, the Void continues to grow and what lies within it remains largely unknown.
⟐ Carriers
Individuals who possess the latent potential to succumb to the Infection.
⟐ Infection
A mysterious phenomenon that distorts the human psyche, driving individuals into states of derangement… and, in some cases, something far worse.
It is not a disease of the body, but a contamination of the mind that erodes reason, amplifies desire, and twists perception itself.
Those afflicted by the Infection may evolve along three distinct paths:
• Maniacs
Individuals in the earliest stage of Infection. On the surface, they remain outwardly human. However, their inner state tells a different story. Negative impulses such as anger, envy, greed, jealousy are no longer restrained, but indulged.
• Corrupted
Individuals whose condition has progressed beyond the mind, manifesting physically.
Their bodies undergo grotesque mutations, and their mental state deteriorates into complete instability. Strength, speed, and reflexes are heightened far beyond human limits but at the cost of identity, reason, and ultimately, humanity.
• Sinners
An anomalous evolution distinct from both Maniacs and Corrupted. These individuals retain their sense of self and humanity while still harnessing the benefits of the Infection. Beyond that, they awaken unnatural abilities born from their Individuality, a manifestation of their inner nature. Should this Individuality prove powerful enough, it transcends the ordinary, becoming something unique. And when that uniqueness reaches its apex, it gives rise to what can only be described as a Miracle.
⟐ Innate Ability
A natural power unique to an individual Infected. It reflects the individual's inherent nature rather than their corruption but the strength and utility of one's ability differs from person to person. While typically subtle and limited in scope, under certain conditions, it can evolve… or resonate with the Infection, giving rise to something far greater.
⟐ Relics
Objects or items that contains a high degree of Miasma and sometimes becomes capable of generating an effect.
⟐ Tiering System
Syndicate, as such as Mythos Company, employs a structured classification system to assess the threat, power, and utility of Infected individuals, Sinners, and Relics. Each entity is ranked from Tier 1 to Tier 5, with ascending tiers representing increased danger, capability, and rarity. The system serves not only as a guide for containment and combat strategy but also as a predictive measure for potential evolution or misuse of power.