Deep in the endless snowfields lay a massive research facility, hidden beneath layers of ice and snow. Its exterior was made of silver-gray metal, reflecting faint sunlight, resembling a slumbering steel beast encased in frost. Even from a distance, the oppressive atmosphere was palpable, as if the very air weighed on the lungs.
Patrick Haysmith of the Snow Wolf Squad
A-class Valkyrie under Fate's command, code-named "The Genius."
She had short white hair, pale purple eyes, and healthy-toned skin a striking older sister figure.
In truth, she was a covert operative for Anti-Entropy, infiltrating Fate to investigate the Babylon Research Facility's secrets.
Patrick had been assigned to guard the perimeter of the Babylon base.
"Tch, a Valkyrie without clearance for the high tower. Stuck waiting outside."
"Lord Patrick, an important supply convoy is arriving today. Babylon's orders are to monitor the surroundings."
"Understood."
Patrick equipped her weapons: massive exoskeletal arm cannons capable of devastating continuous fire. They had already annihilated countless corruption beasts.
As soon as she settled in the vehicle, a thunderous blast erupted in the distance, alarming the stationed team.
"Lord Patrick! A strong corruption energy surge detected 10,000 meters southeast, at the convoy coordinates. They need your support."
"Copy. I'm on my way."
Yue Bo projected beside Xilin, discovering that both Xilin and Bella were present, though unconscious.
Using the Stigmata's power, Yue Bo attempted to awaken Xilin.
Her eyes snapped open, like a drowning person suddenly resurfacing, relieved to see a familiar face.
"Yue Bo, I'm sorry. A masked stranger captured me."
Gently holding Xilin's face, Yue Bo reassured her:
"It's okay now, Xilin. I will save you. Take Bella and run in the opposite direction. I'll follow behind you."
"But what about you? There must be another way!"
"Trust me, Xilin."
"I'm your brother. Your family. I'll protect you, just as we promised."
Xilin wanted to say more, but Yue Bo continued:
"Everything is ready. Are you ready, Xilin?"
For the first time, Yue Bo appeared in the real world as a young boy, determination shining in his eyes.
"I'm ready. Let's go, brother."
Silent corruption energy twisted and shaped into a solid construct under Yue Bo's control.
A massive cube of condensed corruption energy formed in his hands.
Devices that suppress corruption energy were difficult to bypass but what about pure physical force?
At the rear of the convoy, the last vehicle, recently merged with the main force in the valley, suddenly erupted with corruption crystals that indiscriminately attacked.
Several escort vehicles exploded, while other vehicles carrying children were overturned.
"Enemy attack!"
The escort immediately urged the remaining convoy to retreat.
A corruption beast emerged amidst the high-energy environment, attacking everything indiscriminately.
"We must draw attention! Xilin and the others cannot be seen!"
With Bella on her back, Xilin fled into the forest, using the beast as cover.
In the cold forest, they ran endlessly.
Xilin's breathing grew irregular, white mist spilling from her mouth. Her stamina waned quickly.
Each time her strength faltered, the Stigmata on her chest provided a surge of power.
"Again… this again!"
Every danger she faced, Yue Bo's brotherly figure confronted it while she could do nothing.
"I can do nothing," she whispered, tears streaming down her sorrowful face.
Yet she ran on, unwilling to waste Yue Bo's effort, refusing to stop.
By the time Patrick arrived, the corruption beast was reaping life relentlessly.
"All front units, retreat!"
"Valkyrie, obey orders!"
"Vanguard, engage!"
"Other units, provide cover!"
She aimed her exoskeletal arm cannons at the corruption beasts and opened fire.
Explosions echoed, the beasts quickly disappearing under her overwhelming firepower.
Yue Bo, manipulating the dense corruption crystals, induced the generation of more beasts silently activated by the Stigmata's energy.
The battlefield descended into chaos as supporting Valkyries engaged the monsters.
From the center of the chaos, Yue Bo observed the beasts being obliterated under Patrick's terrifying firepower.
The massive exoskeletal cannons cut through the creatures as if mowing grass.
Yet, Xilin and Bella still hadn't gained enough distance.
It was time for Yue Bo to act.
He condensed several enormous corruption crystals into long spears and launched them with precision toward Patrick.
His target: the connection point between her exoskeletal arm cannons and her arms. Disabling her would ensure the children's escape.
Patrick, still immersed in the carnage, noticed the crystal spears too late.
A deafening crash rang across the battlefield. The elevated position she had been standing on was destroyed.
"Unrelenting, as always!"
Patrick, flustered, dropped a damaged cannon in the snow.
Rising again, she saw the small figure of Yue Bo amidst the remaining beasts.
What was that? It looked like a child, yet the monsters ignored him.
Now wasn't the time to ponder; the creature was preparing its next attack.
Patrick quickly readied her remaining exoskeletal cannon.
"Who's afraid of a mid-range duel?"
"Full weapons, deploy!"
A few small missiles launched, targeting Yue Bo.
He raised his hand; several crystal blocks intercepted the missiles.
The explosions created a smoke cloud that enveloped him.
Patrick deployed additional smoke grenades nearby.
Opportunity seized, Yue Bo leapt onto a heavy vehicle and began stabilizing a mounted gun.
"Move right, quickly!" he shouted.
As the vehicle moved, the smoke around Yue Bo exploded.
The spot where Patrick had stood was struck by crystal spears, causing another massive blast.
Patrick, ready to unleash her cannon, no longer hesitated.
The heavy vehicle beneath her shuddered from the recoil, as an unending barrage of energy shells pummeled the area where Yue Bo had stood.
Explosions echoed through the valley, snow melted from the intense heat, and corruption beasts vanished.
Exhausted from expending too much corruption energy, Yue Bo canceled his manifestation.
Half a minute later, the ground, torn apart by firepower, was barren.
The sky had darkened from rising steam.
As the smoke blew away, Patrick discarded her now-completely-damaged cannon. White vapor rose from her arms as she surveyed the lifeless battlefield.
"They should be completely gone," she murmured.
She summoned her deputy to give orders:
"Prepare to clear the battlefield."
"Report the weapon damage to Fate HQ. Have replacements delivered immediately."
Patrick then approached a remaining intact vehicle.
"What the hell are they researching in that facility? Summoning such monsters."
"Too bad that creature's gone completely. If captured, Anti-Entropy might have learned something."
Opening the vehicle revealed dozens of children, each locked in a cage.
Suppressing her anger, Patrick closed the door.
Weapons destroyed, she had to remain calm no confrontations until replacements arrived.
Back at the temporary camp, Patrick reviewed the situation carefully.
"No leads. Impossible to deduce the monster's purpose."
She remembered the vehicle's black box and asked her deputy:
"Did you recover any recording devices?"
"Yes, Lord Patrick. A few were found. Deliver them now?"
"Immediately."
Several black boxes were brought over. Using camp equipment, she scrutinized the footage.
Through meaningless repetitions, she finally found a clue:
In one frame, a purple-haired girl carried another child into the forest, observed by a small creature.