Two days after the first gate cleared, the world was still arguing about it.
News networks replayed the footage constantly: the collapsing sky, the System announcement, and that chilling list of names that had appeared across the heavens. The Global Authority Index.
Inside the United States Department of Defense, the conversation was far less dramatic. It was colder. More analytical. A large screen dominated the briefing room, ten names glowing across the display:
Lucien Ardent — Korea
Elias Verdan — Korea
Kaida Myrr — Korea
Marcus Hale — United States
Amara Devi — India
Li Xuan — China
Ren Takahashi — Japan
Isabella Duarte — Brazil
Freya Lindholm — Sweden
Azrael Kane — United Kingdom
A general leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the list. "So, Korea has three."
"Yes, sir."
"And the strongest one on record."
"Yes, sir."
The general exhaled slowly. "That's a problem."
Another official spoke up. "The real problem is the guild structure." The screen shifted, replaced by an image of the Aurora Covenant headquarters and its roster: Lucien Ardent, Nox Caelis, Seris Elowen, Garrick Stonevale, Kaida Myrr, Orion Vale, Mira Solenne, and Kairos Arvane.
The official pointed at the screen. "This is not a military organization."
"No."
"Not government-controlled."
"No."
"And yet they just cleared an S-ranked gate."
The room fell quiet. Someone finally voiced the thought they were all holding: "...We need to start watching Korea more closely."
__
Back in Seoul, the KAMB headquarters had been converted from an old government administrative center almost overnight. It was a labyrinth of temporary command rooms, emergency policy teams, and stacks of paperwork that no one fully understood yet.
Inside one of the larger conference halls, Regulated Order stood on one side of the room while Elias Verdan stood alone at the center. Across from him sat several government officials, with Director Adrian Cross at the head of the table.
"This is a formal review of your conduct during the S-rank gate operation," Cross began. Elias didn't react. Cross continued, "You were assigned command of the raid."
"Yes."
"Yet you delegated the primary assault to Aurora Covenant."
"Yes."
Another official leaned forward. "Explain."
Elias answered calmly. "They were better suited to the engagement."
"Your guild is an elite, government-aligned strike team."
"And Aurora Covenant is stronger."
The words landed like a heavy weight. The room shifted slightly. Cross leaned forward, his voice hardening. "You are aware that Aurora Covenant is an independent guild."
"Yes."
"And you still allowed them to lead the operation."
Elias's expression didn't change. "They were already there."
"That was not the question."
Elias finally lifted his gaze. "You asked why I allowed them to lead." The officials waited in the silence. Elias spoke simply: "Because I know they would win."
No one responded immediately. Another official spoke up carefully. "And when the situation escalated? You entered the gate."
"Yes."
"Against orders."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Elias answered without hesitation. "Because the battle inside had reached instability thresholds."
Several analysts in the room shifted. Cross narrowed his eyes. "You believed Aurora Covenant would fail."
"No," Elias shook his head. "I believed the situation could become fatal."
"And you intervened."
"Yes."
"To protect them?"
"To stabilize the outcome."
The room fell quiet again. Finally, Cross leaned back in his chair. "You seem unusually supportive of Aurora Covenant."
Elias didn't answer immediately. Then he spoke calmly. "Director."
Cross looked at him.
"If Korea intends to survive the next gate wave, we should prioritize the strongest combat force available."
Cross folded his arms. "And you believe that is Aurora Covenant."
Elias didn't hesitate. "Yes."
Another official scoffed quietly. "So your solution is to hand national security to a private guild."
Elias finally showed the faintest trace of irritation. "My solution is to stop pretending politics can fight monsters."
An uncomfortable silence fell across the room. Cassian Verity stood near the back wall, observing the entire exchange quietly. He said nothing, but his gaze lingered on Elias for a moment.
Cross finally exhaled slowly. "This hearing is not about strategy."
"No," Elias agreed.
"It's about authority."
"Yes."
Cross tapped the table once. "Regulated Order will continue operating under government oversight." Elias nodded. "But Aurora Covenant will also be placed under KAMB jurisdiction."
Elias's eyes flickered slightly. "That will be difficult."
Cross smiled faintly. "Difficult is acceptable."
Elias looked toward the window for a moment, then back at the table. "Director."
"Yes?"
"If the next gate opens tomorrow..."
Cross waited. Elias finished calmly, "You'll still call them."
The room went quiet again. Everyone in that room knew he was right.
__
Outside the building, Cassian Verity stepped into the sunlight. The hearing was over, and while the arguments would likely continue for weeks, one thing was already clear. The government wanted control; Aurora Covenant did not. And somewhere between those two forces, the next crisis was waiting.
Cassian glanced down at the data tablet in his hand. One name remained impossible to evaluate: Nox Caelis.
For the first time in years, Cassian Verity was curious.