Crowd gathered beneath the podium of sterile white metal as one man walked up the sophisticatedly designed stage. His white garment made with most advance synthetic fabric was durable enough to function as lab-coat, environmentally sealed to optimize expedition capability and stylish enough to belt several prizes.

The clothes’ impressiveness could be traced back to the half-demon wearing it. The man sporting a well-groomed beard and trimmed hair was none other than Director El Acerbia. The head of the Isle of Knowledge and debatably the smartest man in Phantasia only rivaled by Arden Christy and the missing Alcra Shaxter.

Acerbia flicked the mic feature in his coat on.

“Hello, ladies and gentlemen,” El Acerbia smiled to the crowd. “Tonight, is a special night.”

Among the spectator, Magnolia Drakokia and her entourages watched attentively.

“5 years ago, we lost contact with my friend — Alcra Shaxter — until a week ago where he penned what is likely his final request.”

Sitting on a tree-branch, Artos Sevar repeatedly tapped his blade’s pommel. A classic way to relieve stress.

“It appears my old friend wants to find an inheritor. Fitting for a kind and open mentor, he extended this opportunity beyond the Isle of Knowledge to you… my fellow denizen of Phantasia.”

Inside a bar, Amitate Aztellic chugged a mug of alcohol down his throat, while a similar-looking demoness in revealing corset and short-pant exhibiting her alluring thigh and massive assets paid attention to Acerbia’s speech for them both.

“Alcra is always a generous man, albeit untraditional. The opening hour of his ‘tomb’ is currently unspecified, but it is surely within this forest under the management of the Isle of Knowledge. Sadly, we cannot allow any S-rank or anyone above age of twenty inside. The Isle of Knowledge detected a bio-scanning field — likely employed by Alcra himself — that measured the entrée’s age. We believe the tomb won’t open unless Alcra’s condition is fulfilled.”

A young man in a green jacket watched the announcement from a tree.

“Because of the entrees’ number, the Isle of Knowledge will be managing this event via quota.”

Sorin Enma grunt with disapproval from a lavish portable throne carried by blurry beastmen slaves. Would it surprise anyone that Sorin couldn’t bother to sit on the same stool as mere mortals? No. Okay, let's move on.

“The quota can be bought with credit, but a special seeded slot will be reserved by the seven 33 Stars who volunteered to investigate the area first.”

Salazar Aztellic laughed darkly. Good, it would be a great opportunity to set ambush spot.

“I know what you are thinking? Why can’t I just walk into this forest? The answer is because the forest reportedly filled with multiple predators and traps. Most of which appeared right after the message got released. It turn out my old friend decided to increase the competition to ensure the strongest receives his blessing.”

A half-elf — Mamacia Cocogar — packed an acupuncture needled in her weapon bag as she distilled some performance drug from her alchemy kit. She brushed her green eyes and put on her green glasses.

“Buying the quota means getting access to this badge!” El Acerbia lifted the green metal badge to the crowds. “This badge acts as a life-saving device, hook to our teleporters, acting as the safeguard to your life and locator for our rescue team. In flick of a switch and your safety is guaranteed.”

A blond woman wearing white robes with gold-trimmed yawned. Several men threw a gaze as the Holy Church’s ace with voluptuous body (certainly made for sin) and ocean green eyes dotted with a black beauty mark beneath it.

“With this declaration, I, El Acerbia, welcome you all to the Alcra Shaxter’s tombs! Good luck with your treasure hunting.”

Cheers erupted.

Outside the crowd, among lonely darkness, the white-hair vampire cursed by her blood sneered.

“Fools,” Commander Serina murmured. “You don’t even know what you are trading away.”

The beast in human-body gazed at the moon. A single tear slipped down her cheek.

Mom, I miss you so much.

…

“We won't buy that quota,” Rem declared.

“Why not?” Cytortia said.

“A) it makes us traceable B) Acerbia likely instaled a spying device on the badge. Hell, he might even do worst with the one given to the 33 Stars. I don’t trust him.”

“Fine,” Luxinna said. “So, we sneak inside.”

“All of us have a method to detect enemy and avoid detection,” Rem spoke. “Acerbia isn’t Mehest. Those badges show his technological savvy. Traditional radio wavelength will probably be monitored. Hence, we will communicate through my telepathic link set by [Tenshou].”

Nods commenced.

Rem spread the map.

“My abilities with [Clairvoyance] is severely hampered. I can’t even pinpoint the position of the tomb, nor its opening time. This means Alcra Shaxter have an S-rank with him. Remember, don’t take on this S-rank alone. Only together do we stand a chance.”

Melody threw a black uniform on the table.

“I took the liberty to improve on our gears. Cytortia’s research into alchemical agent has paid off. This upgraded coat is now undetectable to most scanner and perfectly hid our scent. I even created this.”

Melody tossed a headphone to Luxinna.

“A hearing modifier to help with your detection and hide those ears from your sister. Can’t have her suspected why there are two elves with lightning power.”

Rem traced the line of the suit and the majestically sown Horizon Dawn’s symbol.

It took time for Congress of Hope to cut down its name to two after an hour of debate — Hope Dawn or Victorious.

Because of victory is lame, Horizon named their banner the Hope Dawn.

Rem’s pride at the symbol broke when he felt a familiar figure approaching the Little Hope.

“Guys, my cousin is here.”

…

Jeane Breaker waited outside a small minivan as the door popped to reveal a demoness frowning at her.

“Rem don’t want to meet you.”

Jeane’s mouth hung opened. She expected excuses or some deception acrobat worthy of her cousin. She didn’t expect Rem to punch her face verbally. The best advantage with upfront rejection as it left almost no room for negotiation. Yes, Jeane read Rem better than anyone then, but perception was a two-way street. Rem played better than reading his cousin. He understood Jeane as a person.

Pathological liar. Prone to outrage. Impulsive. Corruptible. Abusive. Greedy.

Those were words fitting to describe Jeane Breaker. She excelled in social maneuvering, exploiting the weak and being a chameleon of social gathering. Traits proving that she was her aunt and uncle's niece by the blood. But Rem grew under his parents. He knew a swamp creature died without shade to hide. Until now he never exploited this flaw because there was nothing to gain and everything to lose.

Sadly, for Jeane, Rem no longer needed to appeal to his parent. Horizon Dawn’s operations took priority over Breaker families’ spat.

“Excuse me?” Jeane got nailed so hard she lost all her preparation. “I am his cousin.”

“How does that change anything?”

Jeane opened her mouth and tried another venue.

“Who are you?”

“Not important,” Melody sternly told her. “Leave.”

“No fucking way. He needs to report to his parent! He still…”

Hikma stepped from the door.

“He is already working oversea by the age of sixteen after graduating University early. Argentum Cooperation only promotes him to Phantasia division.”

“Uncle Argentum doesn’t have that division!”

“He made one last month and Rem is its leader. We are working on an urgent project. Now, please leave. We are performing a delicate magic experimenting,” Melody replied.

Jule tried to bring up more avenue of attack. In the end, she selected the usual route.

“Do you know who you are working with?”

“Yes.”

“No, you don’t,” Jeane stood in an arm-fold. “That guy is a creep who looked up at woman skirt in high-school. He once sent my friend into an infirmary. There are rumors that he even mixed with terrorists and criminals. I am warning you. Nothing good can come with that incel.”

Melody starred at Jule and moved closer

“Really, can you explain in more detail?” the demoness eyeballed Jeane. “I found your statement doubtful. Hell, I even doubt an idiot like you can be related to Rem.”

Jeane sprang up to slap Melody, but Hikma stepped in.

“You want a detail! There is this time during a frat party where we all found him stripping Claire’s clothes off. It a scandal for the entire school! That bastard Rem even bo…”

“You are lying.”

Hikma stated.

“I am not. Prove—”

“Magic,” Hikma disabled Jeane’s lies with a single read from [Psychometry]. “You used this same story several times to socially isolated Rem. Worse, this Claire person is on it too. Thankfully, the story is so pathetic it can’t withstand any investigation, but it still tanked Rem’s reputation in your circle.”

“Oh, so he bribed…”

“Uneven shifts in Mana,” Melody enforced Hikma’s word with [Heavenly Eye]. “This meant the sentence frustrated you. No need to make an excuse. Hikma’s abilities at lair detection is unrivaled when he got skin-to-skin contact.”

Jeane blinked. Finally, realizing Hikma was grasping her arms. She backed away like Hikma’s hand was on fire.

“Fine freak!” Jeane yelled. “Sure, but remember it is your words against mine! With my status, I can…”

“Oh, shut up!” Melody marched toward Jeane and sprayed her in the face with Cytortia’s grade sleeping agent.

The impudent bitch took a whiffed, fumbled backward and collapsed.

“Wow,” Hikma looked at the woman whose toxicity surpassed Marcia. “Incredible. To think Rem grew up with this…”

The boy struggled to find and fitting description

“Bitch?” Melody suggested. “But yeah. Poor guy. He must be through a lot.”

“Okay,” Luxinna walked out with a rope. “Let ties her to the trees as planned. God dammit, because of this bitch we need to move the timetable.”

Hence, Operation Grave Guardian begun.

…

HD got a major disadvantage. They need to sneak past both the hostile terrain and the Isle of Knowledge’s securities. Thankfully, they didn’t had to fret about hostile wildlife. Cytortia’s ability took care of it.

Yes, the former goddess lost nearly every divine ability she possessed, but those sacrifices allowed her to escape the WORLD’s power-cap on the gods. As a benevolent person who displayed the value of sacrifice, Cytortia encountered almost no restriction toward her second legend. In fact, her time spent emitting the barrier protecting Venistalis’ Wind-quarter left her extra Mana containing the prayers and good will of every living sentience protected by [Tir Na Soal]. Mana that allowed Cytortia to regain her lost power with extra juices to spare.

The Heavenly Daughter of Wood fell from the heaven and became the saint governing life itself.

...

Cytortia

Priestess of Life

Stat

STR: 55 [E]

END: 3200 [A]

MAG: 3000 [A]

WIS: 2500 [A]

DEX: 250 [D]

Skill

Active

Sage Force [S]

Tir Na Soal [S]

Alchemy [S]

Necta Floral [SS]

Paradisio [S]

Defensive Form [C]

Surgery [A]

Passive

Benevolence Core [EX]

Beneficences Physiology [SS]

Bio Empathy [SSS]

…

Despite her fall from low C-rank to bottom of E, the combination of Cytortia’s latent potential, her [Benevolence Core] and True Magic’s growth accelerated by [Horizon Dawn: Miracle of Temporal Genesis] caused her power-level to climb from 235 to 9005. It was an exponential leap which utterly hextupled her original sub-thousand value.

However, Cytortia’s ridiculous hike from E to A with two months had a cause.

[Benevolence Core]

It is a part of Cytortia’s 2nd Legend gifted by WORLD. As the most empathic of the gods, Cytortia possessed the qualification that guaranteed a pass on her second trail with a certificate of recommendation from the test-master himself. In exchange for her [Goddess Core], Cytortia earned the title as Priestess of Life with its added benefit of three new skills to replace her godhood. Skills that synergies with her personality and blows her previous tools into orbit.

[Benevolence Core] was utterly unique in the world, banqueting its [Ex] rank. The skill possessed the demerit of making its user incompatible with the concept of attacking — physical and magical. Cytortia simply froze when she decided to knife someone. Even kindergarten-grade fireball was utterly beyond her ability to cast.

This disadvantage existed because of the absurd benefits.

The universe aided [Benevolence Core] in defenses and utilities with a fervor of Leviathan rolling for his favorite SSR. Cytortia sprinkled some water and the plant will never die — acid rain and soil science be damned. Growth of all forms magnified in her presence. She could learn any crafting and defensive technique with a mere skimming and performed them with unmatched performance. Her Mana heal injuries and calm life of all forms while her mind utterly laughed at mind-control, restriction and mental corruption.

Then came [Beneficences Physiology] — skills so epic Wolverine buried himself from embarrassment. It granted unmatched life-forces, regeneration and utterly halted Cytortia’s age in her twenties — effectively made Cytortia immortal from anything short of cellular disintegration. Her cells constantly emitted a sweet-smelling, soothing pheromone which cleanse poison and curse. Cytortia life-force contianed such intensity her blood functioned as miracle life-extension/restoration elixir.

Last, [Bio Empathy] allowed Cytortia to deduce optimum method to nurture and befriend life by interpreting their preference at Biochemical and Manalogical scale. However, the skill may be too powerful. Cytortia literally turned vegetarian overnight and cried when she tried to chop carrot. The only foods Cytortia could prepare with no psychological issue were seeded fruit naturally designed to be eaten.

Hence, Cytortia had been spending her spare-time reinventing food production. Common sense declared Wagyuu beef doesn’t grow on trees, but common sense never entered Cytortia’s lab in Little Hope. Under Cytortia’s [Bio Empathy] and [Necta Floral], manipulating DNA and evolution was only limited by time.

So, when said master of life, a few steps away from reaching SS-rank Alchemist, voiced her concerned you listened like life depended on it.

Cytortia was nursing a growling, vicious magical wolf being pressed under Rem’s [Tenshou]. These predators often hunted in pact, but the combined mastery from Rem and Cytortia allowed HD to isolate this specimen. To the surprised of the Dawn, Cytortia abandoned her crippling universal empathy and took out a surgical knife.

“Err, aren’t you supposed to have like -9000 ability to kill anything now?” Luxinna asked.

“Surgery is a craft, you dolt,” Cytortia scowled. “I couldn’t hurt anything that wants to live, but I can perform medical craft to help them. Shut up. This is a spinal surgery.”

No one argued. Experience was a moot-point with [Benevolence Core] and [Bio Empathy] enhancing her operation. Even Cytortia’s pheromone acted as anesthetic and soothing agent to aid the operation. [Tir Na Soal] even worked as disinfection zone.

It took 3 minutes for the multiverse’s most prodigal doctor trainee to remove a black insect squirming near the wolf’s spine. Cytortia closed the poor animal’s wound with her Mana and stroked its head. Without maligned influence, the vicious magical beast capable of mauling a B-rank wagged its tail while resting at the saintly soft lap-pillow like a puppy.

“Aww, he’s so cute.” Melody couldn’t believe a killing machine could be so adorable.

“I know,” Cytortia lifted the tweezer holding the Collembolan creature. “Hence, we should take whoever put this in him for a forced blood donation.”

“Isn’t that a parasite,” Hikma asked.

“No.”

Cytortia snapped the hookworm-size parasite and showed them its wiring.

“This isn’t biological parasites. It is a sophisticated micro-drone that controlled the wolf by burrowing beneath its fleshed and manipulating its Central nervous system.”

Melody took a peek with her [Heavenly Eye].

“I read Ma’s paper on biotech, but these things look damn sophisticated. A very complex, but mass-producible robotics.”

Luxinna instinctively knew the situation took a nose-dive.

“Wait, are you telling every animal in this forest could be implanted with these things?”

“Hence why this forest suddenly became no entry zone. Someone turned the entire animal population into combat drone to keep the Isle of Knowledge under control,” Rem concluded. “Out top suspect is Alcra Shaxter and El Acerbia.”

“Why would Acerbia and Shaxter do this?”

“That is a mystery, but one thing for sure…”

Rem briefly wondered how many magical beasts and monsters lived in this forest.

“We need a lot of EMP.”