The briefing hall felt colder than usual.
Tian stood near the rear wall, apart from the group gathered at the central table. Most of them were older. All of them watched him.
He didn't look back.
At the front, a woman in field armor stood with arms crossed. Her voice carried across the room without needing to shout.
"You're being assigned under Field Officer Marex for trench-embedded recon. No high-tier commands. No support network. You move with your unit. You adapt without backup."
Murmurs passed between the recruits.
The door opened.
Marex entered without a word.
Broad shoulders. Black plate across his chest. His gaze moved quickly across the room before settling on Tian.
"You're the one."
Tian nodded once.
Marex stepped forward and stopped just within reach.
"I read your file. Spiral ignition. Scar-pulse resonance. No confirmed combat form."
Tian didn't move.
Marex's eyes narrowed. "You're not a weapon. Not yet. But they've already started calling you one."
