---
Calamity's silhouette came from afar, slicing across the horizon like a dark blur beneath the rising sun that slowly announced the dawn.
Carrying Kallay's descendant over his shoulders, even unconscious, the boy's body could still feel the changes of his evolution into something beyond an ordinary human. Now, Kallay's descendant resembled a living weapon, capable of manipulating the energy of his own soul, the White Stage Just Wrath.
As he advanced at nearly three hundred kilometers per hour, the wind relentlessly lashed at Calamity's hood, occasionally revealing the wide, predatory grin on his face, a grin he simply couldn't hide.
He could feel the value of that premature soul beneath the skin, constantly shaping and stabilizing. Even without the ability to feel hunger, he felt tempted to eat.
In the distance, the ruins that formed the city of Valerium began to emerge through the wavering heat waves that covered the deserted road. Even from afar, he could tell the city seemed more alive during the day than it usually was.
"Most of these people must belong to the Order. Fine… I'll pick up the pace. Hopefully, even asleep from exhaustion, you can handle it." - Calamity
Already moving fast, Calamity gradually increased his speed until, suddenly, he burst forward even faster, kicking up a massive cloud of dust behind him.
When he reached the walls of Valerium, he began circling the city, completing three full laps. The dust rose above the walls, obscuring the view from outside for the residents within. However, it never reached the center, remaining concentrated near the outer areas.
To the inhabitants, it looked like nothing more than a brief sandstorm.
Once he completed the third lap, he stopped where he had spotted the two vehicles his mercenaries had used. Only then did his breathing grow heavy, as if the effort had finally caught up with him.
Approaching the vehicles, his glowing golden eyes allowed him to see through the metal, revealing the soul seeds of five of his subordinates.
Where are the rest of you? - Calamity asked, interrupting their conversation.
The moment he approached in silence, all five immediately fell quiet and stood up.
They're in the city. They went to gather information about where the Order will restock. - Person One
I see. And what were you doing here? - Calamity
Waiting, as you ordered. You said not everyone should enter the city. - Person Three
And the five of you were the only ones who volunteered. Interesting. - Calamity said as he stepped into the vehicle, removing Kallay's descendant from his shoulders.
What happened to Kallay's child? There are wounds all over his body. How did his fingers get broken? - Person Two
Seems I forgot to fix that small detail. - Calamity
He knelt, placing his hand above the boy's forehead without touching it. Then he released pulses of Grace into the soul seed, searching for a matching frequency. Once it locked in, a golden light flowed beneath the skin, stitching the injuries from the inside out.
Good as new. - Calamity
For a moment, human fear twisted perception. When Calamity rose to his feet, that simple movement made him seem far larger than he was, as if he had shed the structure of a human body and become something monstrous, something far beyond their comprehension.
All five of you. Outside. Now. - Calamity
They obeyed instantly, leaving the descendant resting inside the vehicle.
Calamity stepped out last. The moment he did, the five backed away quickly, as if he were radioactive.
He remained still.
Grace gathered beneath the soles of his feet, spinning, building, producing a long, rising whistle that sharpened until it peaked. Then, bending his knees to increase the pressure, he launched upward.
He soared like an angel gliding above Valerium.
Whenever Calamity used this technique, it was as if he could hear a superior existence whisper:
"Your technique… is a disgrace to our kind. You should grow stronger… earn your wings… not rely on something so pathetic as gliding."
When my existence surpasses yours, I'll make you swallow every word. - Calamity muttered
From above, he observed every street, every detail, slowly descending like a drifting breeze.
When he was satisfied, the Grace circles beneath his feet vanished, and he allowed himself to fall from a height that nearly touched the clouds.
Just before impact, he reactivated the circles, landing softly behind the five mercenaries, startling them.
Now I have a question. - Calamity
Does any of you feel even the slightest desire to avenge the human known as Kallay? Lie… and you die. - Calamity
All five denied it instantly.
In a blink, he appeared before the fourth person, ready to crush their throat. His golden eyes glowed so intensely they almost bled into red, like molten metal. They looked… hungry.
You hesitated. Are you unsure of your answer? - Calamity
I… I was just scared. That's all, sir. - Person Four
Calamity stared into their eyes for a long moment.
I'll accept that answer. - Calamity
He crouched and drew a detailed map of Valerium in the dirt, every street and alley.
Over the years, treasures have been buried and forgotten. One of them is here, somewhere in this area. - He circled a large section of the city, including part of Elias's house.
I can feel it… but not precisely. Your mission is to dig. Use tunnels. Stay unseen. - Calamity
Don't call me until you find something meaningful. - Calamity
What exactly are we looking for? - Person Five
You'll know when you see it. It's unmistakable. - Calamity
---
At that same moment, Neale was on the opposite side of Valerium. He had just learned the Order would arrive in seven days.
Meanwhile, the mercenaries spread across the city, searching for any clue about the V-zero resupply point.
Later that night, the five were already inside the marked area, resting in a dark alley.
Unseen, Neale spotted them… but wasn't noticed.
How are we supposed to find something we don't even recognize? - Person Two
Keep your voice down. This is our mission. - Person Three
Maybe we should've gone after V-zero intel instead. - Person Two
Then go tell that human-shaped psychopath you want to switch. - Person One
Maybe he'll be nice enough not to kill you. - Person Five
Enough. I sensed something nearby earlier. Small, but close. - Person One
Probably just some local bum. - Person Two
Maybe. Maybe not. Let's get to work. - Person One
---
Outside the city, Calamity floated beneath the moon, seemingly meditating.
After some time, Kallay's descendant woke up inside the vehicle, confused by the absence of pain.
Stepping outside, he found Calamity floating upside down.
So you do sleep… just in a weird way. - Descendant
I don't sleep. I don't have your human needs. - Calamity
I was refining energy. - Calamity said, flipping upright
Now that you're awake… you're stronger. Thanks to me. So why not join the mission I gave the mercenaries? - Calamity
Why would I help you? - Descendant
Because you want revenge. You're too weak right now. Take this chance. Lead them. Convince your father's old allies to fight with you. You've got nothing to lose. - Calamity
…Fine. I'll work for you. Just so I can cut your head off myself someday. - Descendant
I know. I'm almost always right. - Calamity
Then go. Take control. I'll be gone until tomorrow. - Calamity
Where are you going? - Descendant
I have plans. - Calamity vanished into the night
The descendant collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily, sweat pouring down.
Now I can feel it… with my Just Wrath… this pressure… is this what my father endured…? AAAH! - he screamed
Eventually, he calmed down, accepting his temporary role… until he grew stronger.
---
Elsewhere that same night, a distant human settlement was being slaughtered by two infernal beings and several demonic beasts.
The place was chaos. Fire, blood, and torn remains scattered everywhere.
Please… don't kill me… - an old man begged
Mentira ignored him, her claw digging into his skull. Her hand pierced his chest without exiting, and his body drained of color as she consumed his soul.
When she finished, she tore him apart, tossing his remains aside as a beast devoured the corpse.
Mentira approached Balety.
Eating human souls while they're still alive… it's indescribably good… - Mentira said, grinning
You were so busy eating, you didn't notice him watching us. - Balety
Him? - Mentira looked up and froze
Not long ago. - Balety
Still weird seeing through human eyes. - Balety
Whatever… he's probably just observing. Let's move. I'm still hungry. - Mentira
They ran off, beasts following behind.
Above, Calamity's glowing golden eyes vanished among the stars.
---
Explanation: Frequency Station
This is the technique Calamity used to heal Kallay's descendant.
It works by synchronizing with the target's energy frequency.
Once synchronized, the target's energy begins replicating the user's signal without consuming its own energy, carrying the user's intent.
Among absolute races, it can also be used for communication if both are within visual or energetic range.
However, because it requires constant focus, it is not used in combat.