Chapter 1
Universe: 737
Beneath the blinding neon lights of Dark Moon City, the streets stretched seemingly endlessly, lined with towering skyscrapers painted in brilliant white, standing like colossal ice pillars reaching for the sky. The neon blue lights flickered along the edges of every street, reflecting off the glass and metal surfaces, creating a labyrinth of light and shadow. Above, streams of green and blue neon wove together in luminous ribbons, enveloping the city in an otherworldly glow. It was as if the entire city were suspended, hovering above the human world below, coexisting in a parallel plane where technology and ambition merged into one.
At the city's heart lay the pride of humanity—centuries of discovery, innovation, and survival compressed into concrete, steel, and light. Holographic displays and massive LED screens projected the latest anime series, music pulsating through the streets, intoxicating and mesmerizing anyone who passed. Below, tired workers trudged home after long shifts, while high school students wandered through the streets, eagerly hunting for the newest volumes of their favorite manga.
When the clock struck midnight, fireworks exploded in the distance, painting the sky with bursts of blue, red, purple, and gold. Advanced fighter jets, powered by Japan's antigravity military technology, sliced through the night sky, trailing the national flag. Screens throughout the city square mirrored the flags, celebrating both national pride and human achievement.
Nearby, a tall, gaunt man with silver hair stood—worn and weathered, yet his eyes held an inexplicable warmth, a gentle light amidst the harsh city glow.
The Prime Minister:
> "Citizens of Japan, and people of the world…"
He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. Though tired, his voice carried the commanding authority of a seasoned general.
The Prime Minister:
> "Today is June 19th, 2086… fifty years after humanity claimed victory over existential threats to our species."
His voice hardened, sharp and serious, exuding the gravitas of someone who had witnessed the rise and fall of nations.
The Prime Minister:
> "The day humanity eradicated extremist organizations such as EASRS, reclaiming the democratic values that were once under siege."
There was a measured courtesy beneath the authority, a subtle respect for history and those who had sacrificed everything.
The Prime Minister:
> "It has also been forty years since Dark Moon City was established upon the foundations of Tokyo—an enduring testament to the resilience of 7.88 billion people, restoring nearly 90% of humanity after the dark years of war."
The camera feed abruptly cut off, returning the city to its peaceful, ambient glow. Far from the illuminated heart of the metropolis, at a partially flooded harbor, decrepit buildings leaned against one another in a maze of shadows. Dim incandescent lights flickered across cracked windows, casting weak glows over streets littered with vice. Drug addicts sprawled on the wet, grimy ground. Voyeurs watched illicit films through broken windows. Their bodies were decayed, emaciated, and exhausted—a stark, grotesque contrast to the pristine splendor of the city's center.
This was the true face of Japan: over 79% of the population lived in such Alleys, a labyrinth of deprivation and despair. These streets were home to the largest operations of LAND, gangs willing to do anything for money or for personal agendas. Alley represented the layer beneath the City—the forsaken, the outcast, or, depending on perspective, the exceptional.
Inside a decrepit building at the harbor, damp walls exuded mold, and the stench of decay was pervasive. On the filthy floor, the impoverished lay tangled in the filth of addiction. Yet among them, one figure stood apart. A girl, 1.52 meters tall, clad in a black thermal hoodie and pants, white fox mask symbolizing LAND: Fox Night, gloves gripping tools tightly. She was the last survivor of her team, nearly eradicated by the police. Her eyes, a swirling mix of violet, blue, and white, seemed to reflect the entire cosmos.
She crouched, using a wrench and screwdriver to pry open a manhole cover. The acrid stench of mold and waste filled her nostrils, making her gag, but she pressed onward. Activating her SIX, the world around her transformed through augmented reality: holographic 4D scans projected the maze of pipes and tunnels in front of her.
Suddenly, pain flared in her eyes as the space around her went black—the signal of an overwhelming energy source preventing her holographic scans. Yet alongside the pain came an almost intoxicating thrill. A surge of anticipation coursed through her body; if the pain was real, the reward here could be enormous. Lifelong wealth could lie just beyond this challenge.
Step by cautious step, she advanced through the tunnel. Her body shook as she neared the source. Then came an unusual metallic sound—subtle, but distinct. Brushing aside layers of dust, she found a solid metal wall. Her pulse raced with excitement: this was the sign she had been searching for.
She planted a C4 charge, setting the timer for sixty seconds, then sprinted into a safe chamber within the pipes. The explosion lit the tunnel with roaring flames, igniting trapped gas. Part of the pipes collapsed, but she emerged unscathed. Pulling out a damp cloth, she wiped her face and pressed onward.
Ahead, the wall gave way to a sprawling underground complex, nearly endless, dominated by white walls with accents of blue, illuminated by stark white overhead lights. The heat pressed down on her, and she stripped off her outer disguise, leaving only a simple white undershirt and pants, revealing pale, flawless skin. Her shoulder-length hair, streaked with blue and purple, glimmered under the harsh lights. Her eyes, cold and calculating, swept the area with sharp focus.
Deeper within the base, her thoughts began to spiral. This place was nothing like the decayed streets of Alley. It resembled the living quarters of the City elite. How could such a structure exist here? Each step further pulled her into a mix of awe and unease.
She paused at a vending machine, which required no payment. Selecting a chocolate bar, she watched it fall and picked it up, astonished by the timestamp:
Lucy:
> "KitKat… 2028? That's impossible…"
Curiosity overcame caution. She tore open the wrapper and bit in. The soft sponge and sweet chocolate melted instantly in her mouth. Checking the production date—June 12th, 2086—just seven days ago.
Lucy:
> "2086… How is this possible? KitKat Corporation dissolved in 2032…"
She moved down the corridor, spotting a sturdy steel gate ahead. Cameras monitored her, entirely automated, no human in sight. Using SIX, she interfaced with the security system, spider-like appendages connecting to the cameras. Slowly, the gate opened.
Beyond it lay a massive white facility, lined with trees and seating areas. A digital sign blazed: EASRS: HQ SITE 13. A voice echoed across the base via speaker.
[To be continued]