The Elite are divided in three categories, classifying them in order of strength.

There is the Rank III, considered to be the weakest rank. Most of the Elite are stuck in this class as advancing from it is extremely difficult. Weakest as they may be though, your average human wouldn't stand a chance against them.

After that, there is logically the Rank II, or more known as the 'High rank'. The elite in this categories are considered to be the strongest, manipulating power leap and bound beyond that of the Rank III. Unfortunately, however, if the elite numbered 30% of humanity, only 10% of that would be able to reach this level.

Finally, there is the Rank I. Those that managed to arrive at this stage can only be described by one word, monster. If the rank II are the strongest then these guys are invincible. They are this world's, Arcana's master card and probably it's last protector.

◇◇◇

“Well then,” Aiden began, turning his head toward his team. “I think it's about time.”

In front of him, from right to left, was Stone, Ursa, Flame, Edward and Rin. They were all currently on the rooftop of a building facing Ark's main headquarter.

“Our objective is their armament and nothing else.” He continued with a smile. “We will proceed as follow...”

The plan was simple. The building they were going to raid was, at the very least, larger than a stage of football, but, as if to make up for it, it didn't seem to have more than three stages in total. However, that is if we only based ourselves on its appearance. In reality, it had three more additional level underground.

And that's where Unchained's objective lay this time around. In the bottommost floor, where Ark's weaponry is situated.

“Stone, Ursa and me will go underground to fulfill the mission.” Aiden explained, assigning the role. “Ed and Rin, you two will go on the surface floor to attract as many Elite as you can to facilitate things.”

Today was their only chance to succeed this operation. A little earlier in the day, like predicted by the ‘oracle’, more than a dozen of 'rift' appeared all around the city at the exact same time. And, like predicted by 'unchained', Ark didn't waste any time in dispatching their Elite to take care of the threat.

Nevertheless, that didn't mean that their base was left completely unguarded. Right now, there was, at the very least, a little more than ten or so Elite still present on the building. A number that reduced Aiden's team's chance of success considerably.

Though, without risk, there is no gain. And if they let go of this golden opportunity, there is no telling when the next one will be. That's why, they needed to do it today.

“And lastly, Flame, you will patrol outside and eliminate all the Elite that may return from their monster hunting earlier than predicted.” Aiden said, concluding his explanation. He turned and faced their target without waiting his comrade's response.

Despite the fact that they will commit a big criminal act, Unchained's member didn't seem different from their usual self. Their clothes didn't change much from what they wore daily and they didn't even feel nervous. They were already used to this kind of thing. Except for Rin.

Unlike the others, who are pretty much known and wanted all around the city, she still needed to hide her identities. Be that as it may though, the faceless mask she wore and the gloves on her hands were the only difference from her usual self. The mask had a function that changed her voice, so she didn't feel like adding anything else. She just needed to pay attention, like always.

In addition to that, this would be the first time Rin take part in a criminal act. Or in other words, this will be her debut in the underworld. She felt complicated about this fact. She wasn't really nervous, but she still felt a little frustrated. Not to mention that today was also the first day of the new year.

‘What a way to begin the year.’ She thought, a sigh escaping her lips.

“Are you all ready?” Aiden asked, his eyes mainly focused on Rin. It was clear her answer was the only one he needed.

Rin closed her eyes for a second. Inhaling a deep breath, she resigned herself and responded,

“Yeah.”

◇

Ark's main headquarter, 2nd floor, training stage.

The room was very spacious, filled with training dummies as well as various other training device. Inside, four people could be spotted. Two of them were having a little spar against each other while the remaining two were sited a little away, seemingly having finished their own work out.

“...Do you think they will be alright?” The only girl of the group asked in a worrying tone. She was asking for the wellbeing of the monster hunting team.

Hearing that, everyone of them stopped moving for a second. They didn't have an answer for the girl's question, after all, they all had the same worry.

“Honestly, Olivia,” The man sited beside her responded. “I don't know. But I think it's pointless to think about it. All we can do is wait for them to return safely.”

Olivia didn't refute the man's, Cole's words and remained silent. She knew he was right but it was still frustrating.

“Not necessarily,” One of the two men who were having a spar, said. “We might still be called for reinforcement.”

“You shouldn't hope for that.” The one he was facing flatly expressed. “Because that would mean that the on-sit team can't handle the monster they are facing. And that would also mean that before we can get there, their chance of death are high.”

The man, Kevin, frowned a little from that answer. “Ugh...I guess you're right.” He said.

“You shouldn't hope for that.” The other man, Dave, repeated more sternly, ending their spar. He turned around and took a nearby towel to wipe his sweat.

Trying to imitate him, Kevin also reached his hand to take a towel, when suddenly, the alert noise sounded loudly across the entire building, startling the four of them.

“W-what's happening!?” Olivia asked confused.

At that moment, the door of the room broke open and literally flew away from its original place.

“Tch,” Edward clicked his tongue at the entrance as he saw the four people. “So there's only small fry here.”

He slowly advanced, increasing Olivia, Cole, Kevin and Dave's cautiousness.

“Who the heck are you!?” Kevin shouted.

“I don't have a name for weaklings like you.” Ed responded, somehow already dangerously close to the group, causing each of them to panic before immediately leaping away from him.

“Hmph, stupid.” Ed scoffed seeing that. “I ain't your opponent.” He said, now ignoring them, heading straight to the staircase leading to the third stage.

Confused by that statement, the group still observed Ed, preparing themselves to attack him.

However, at that instant, sound of footstep echoed from the same entrance Edward entered through. The group of four reflexively looked toward it, a bead of sweat forming on their forehead.

Before long, a girl wearing a faceless mask appeared, marching slowly in their direction.

◇

‘Four of them.’ Rin thought, looking at the group of people staring at her cautiously.

Ed was already gone, leaving her alone to face them. Her current mission was clear. She was to keep as many Elite as she could away from the underground armament, until Aiden launch the signal to retreat.

‘That also mean that I have to fight these guys.’ She concluded, clenching her fist.

Rin was still reluctant about playing the villain role, but it was a fact that she looked forward to fighting actual Elite. She didn't know if she'd win or lose, which made her excited. She, after all, liked challenge.

“Who are you?” Dave asked Rin with a menacing tone.

Rin stayed silent for a while. She didn't need to talk to them nor did she want to. However, there was indeed one thing she needed to be clear about.

“Your enemy.”

On cue with these words, the group of four coated themselves in Aura and started attacking her.

Kevin was the first to move, dashing toward Rin almost instantly. He wanted to finish the fight before his opponent could move. Clenching his hand with all his power, he threw it, aiming for the mask the girl wore. To his surprise though, he hit nothing except air.

Rin had tilted her head to the side, literally dodging the attack by a small, paper thin margin.

‘As expected,’ Rin thought, tightening her fist at the same time. ‘I already surpass them.’ Then, not wanting to let go of the opening, she strongly punched Kevin on the stomach, knocking him unconscious.

Letting the man fell on the ground, Rin concluded that he was probably a Rank III Elite.

‘This prove it then,’ Rin thought, looking at her hand. ‘Although I'm not sure if I reached Rank II, at the very least, statistically speaking, I'm above the average Rank III.’

On the other hand of the room, Dave, Cole and Olivia tensed up seeing one of their friend succumbing so easily. The enemy they were facing was dangerous, now they were sure of it.

After a silent exchange between the four remaining people, Rin decided to take the initiative. In an instant, she jumped toward the plafond with incredible speed. She was so fast, in fact, that her opponent didn't even see her movement and lost track of her.

As her feet now touched the ceiling, she jumped once again but this time toward the ground. Her aim was Dave's face.

“Above!” Finally noticing her, Olivia shouted.

However, it was already too late. Rin's hand was just an inch away from her target, and not even a second later she slammed it directly on the ground, causing a loud cracking noise to resound.

‘Only two remaining....’ Or so Rin thought, before Dave, who was still pinned down on the ground, grabbed her by the neck.

“—!” Surprised, she tried to remove the hand by using her own, only to be surprised at the sensation of her touch. She felt something hard. ‘What is this? Metal?!’

“Now!!” Dave shouted, cutting Rin's train of thought.

A searing pain suddenly crept up on her right shoulder as she was blown away by some sort of energetic mass. Not comprehending what was happening, Rin quickly tried to regain her balance. It was at that moment that her eyes fell on the spherical energy rotating around Olivia.

‘A reinforcing type singularity plus a long ranged one.’ Rin thought calmly analyzing her opponent.

Not for long, though. The fact that the third man of the group wasn't on her field of view didn't escape her awareness. Her instinct picked up the presence of someone behind her, enabling her to successfully dodge a kick directed at her by ducking forward. Choosing that instant to escape, Rin jumped backward, increasing the distance between her and her foe.

The later, however, didn't wish to give her time to rest. Cole and Dave launched themselves toward her, all the while Olivia threw spherical mass of energy at Rin.

“This will not be easy after all.” Rin said, unable to contain the smile forming on her face.