Chapter 38: New Introductions

The training room, at least one of the five housed within the facility, was a massive reinforced indoor arena. Its walls were laced with absorption runes and kinetic dampeners to prevent facility damage. Along one side, a control room housed the console that activated magic-tech projectors, capable of simulating mythical beasts, varied terrain, and breach conditions.

The room itself was expansive enough to contain medium to large-scale combat scenarios. Team C filed into the chamber, and once all members had entered, the reinforced door automatically slid shut behind them with a heavy ’thunk.’

“Alright, we’ll begin formal introductions,” Elaine announced, taking charge of the gathering. She gestured toward a well-built young man standing to her left. “First off, this is Amir Khan.” Amir raised his hand in greeting toward Silas. He possessed thick dark curls, warm medium-brown skin, and striking amber eyes that seemed to assess everything around him.

He was outfitted in sleek black tactical gear accented with orange trim—a form-fitting vest over cargo pants, combat boots, and a cross-body harness loaded with various equipment.

“He’s our team’s ultimate defense,” Elaine said with evident pride in her voice. Silas nodded and returned the wave before Elaine turned to indicate the third member of their group.

“This is Sarah Wilson, she’s the team’s support specialist.” Sarah, wearing gear nearly identical to Amir’s, broke into a wide grin and waved enthusiastically. “Hello there! We’ve already met, but as you know, it’s me—the team’s favorite!” she called out cheerfully. Silas waved back with a somewhat bemused smile crossing his features.

“Sarah!” Elaine exclaimed with mild exasperation. Amir shook his head with amusement while Elaine added, “She’s also the team’s chatterbox.”

Composing herself, Elaine straightened. “I’m Elaine Connor, the team’s lead and vanguard.” After introducing herself, she continued, “Our positions usually shift depending on battlefield conditions, but it’s important to know your primary role and continuously improve upon it.”

She paused, looking directly at Silas. “Also, since we’re field agents, you should change into clothing more suited for field operations, like what we’re all wearing.” Elaine nodded toward him. “Alright, you have the floor.”

Silas stepped forward, he was a tall and slightly imposing figure with pale skin and sleek black hair styled in a sophisticated side part, longer strands framing his sharp, angular face. He stood out starkly in his charcoal gray suit, crisp white dress shirt, and a dark tie.

“Thank you,” Silas began. “My name is Silas McPhail. I’m not sure about a specific battle position since I have no field experience, but I can do this…” Without further preamble, he extended both arms outward and from his fingertips, an intricate web of barely visible dark strings emerged, stretching in all directions. The multiple strands intersected and crisscrossed in complex patterns throughout the immediate area.

“Hmm… strings?” Elaine asked, studying the formation with tactical interest. “Yes,” Silas confirmed. “They may look like regular wires, but they can cut through steel.”

Sarah, curiosity getting the better of her, started to step closer for a better look. Silas quickly shook his head and raised his voice in warning. “Stop! If you move past that mark, your flesh will get caught in the formation. I’m not sure you’d want that.”

Sarah immediately raised both hands and stepped back. “Whoa,” she breathed, now viewing the seemingly innocent strings with newfound respect. Silas carefully retracted his ability, the dark threads disappearing as swiftly as they had appeared.

“Hmm… okay then,” Elaine mused, processing what she’d witnessed. “But with no real combat experience, we’ll need to run simulations to see how well you work with our team and how we can integrate your abilities into our fighting style.”

Silas nodded his understanding, ready to prove himself. Elaine moved toward the control console and began setting up a breach simulation.

…

It hadn’t been long since Liam had stepped out of the director’s office when Selene Marquis walked through the main doors of USOV headquarters. As usual, her mere presence commanded respect and admiration, causing people to stop their conversations and stare.

In her hand, she carried a sword wrapped in white fabric that resembled medical gauze, leaving only the hilt exposed where she gripped it. Selene was headed directly for the director’s office when she encountered Liam, who had only recently emerged from that very location.

Upon seeing her, he took a deep breath, bowed slightly, and spoke with genuine gratitude. “Thank you for the other day. You saved my life, Miss Selene.”

“You took a risk facing that thing alone,” she replied curtly. “Be more careful next time.”

Director Grey had also stepped out of his office, having been alerted by security that an SUV bearing the insignia of the White Hunters, which was the head of a dire wolf, had entered the premises carrying Selene Marquis.

“Hello, Miss Selene,” the Director greeted her formally. “To what do we owe this visit?” USOV and the White Hunters maintained a cordial, if somewhat distant, professional relationship.

“Actually, I came to drop this off,” she said, raising the wrapped weapon in her hands. Liam’s senses tingled and he immediately recognized what lay beneath the wrappings. There was no mistaking it, this was the double-serrated sword that the Ancient had wielded as its primary weapon during their recent encounter.

And I mean, of course he would recognize the blade that had killed him countless times during his penalty quest. Selene noticed the subtle shift in Liam’s demeanor, which made perfect sense given that he had fought against and nearly died to this weapon’s previous wielder.

Her attention however, was drawn away as the director spoke. “What weapon is that?” Grey asked, not fully understanding the situation, though he could clearly see it was some form of sword.

“I thought it was only fair that USOV receive some reward from the Melle Bisle monster breach,” Selene explained matter-of-factly, “especially considering the kid nearly died for it.” She tilted her head slightly toward Liam to make clear who she meant.

Liam inwardly writhed with shame and embarrassment at her words. She was delivering what amounted to a pity gift.

Director Grey extended his hand, and Selene placed the wrapped weapon into his palm. “Thank you for considering us,” he said with genuine appreciation.

She nodded in acknowledgment and as she turned to leave, her gaze met Liam’s once more. “Liam Garry, wasn’t it? I find it strange that we keep crossing paths.”

“Weird coincidences, I guess,” he replied, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. Selene murmured thoughtfully, “Hmm…” before proceeding toward the exit.

Once she had left, Director Grey tossed the weapon in Liam’s direction. Liam caught it smoothly, surprised by the gesture. “I’d rather not give Mr. T a new item to obsess over,” Director Grey said before retreating into his office.

Though Grey wouldn’t admit it to himself, what he had just done was blatant favoritism at its peak. Had it been any other agent, the blade would have gone straight to Mr. T for analysis and cataloging, especially since it was a special weapon used by an Ancient.

As Liam gripped the wrapped sword, a system notification materialized before his eyes:

[New Weapon Detected]

-Attack Power → +120

-Item Class: ???

-Item Description: ??

[Assign the weapon a name]

“+120?!” Liam struggled to contain his shock. This weapon was now the strongest item in his entire arsenal, even more powerful than his Stormbringer.

“Thanks,” he managed to say with a nod toward the director’s retreating figure, still processing the incredible fortune that had just fallen into his hands.

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