After taking a shower and discussing for a few minutes, the two of them separated, each with a different destination in mind. Francine planned to return to their temporary office in the headquarters, while Damien headed towards the research department division of SIGIL, known as the Crucible.
Walking through the concrete hallway deep within the interiors of the headquarters, he nonchalantly nodded to passing personnel while minding his own business. Since the incident a week ago, he had avoided farming for Terror Points within the SIGIL.
'Although Francine does not appear to be affected by what had happened, it would no doubt be troublesome for Block 7.' He thought to himself, his sable-tinted gaze narrowing with a cold glint.
The destruction of the Manhattan Exclusion Zone was no short of a disaster. Even more so when it was Jaegers that had brought about such devastation. It was also near Brooklyn, a city brimming with people.
'This is bad PR for the SIGIL. The ravenous wolves outside would probably use this incident as an excuse to somehow shackle and limit the authority of the organization alongside the Paragons.'
'But there's no way the Federation of North America would tolerate the restriction of the SIGIL.' Damien shook his head and sighed to himself. He had studied the history of the New World, from Heaven's Fall to the current moment.
In his eyes, the existence of SIGIL and the Paragons was vital for the longevity of the federation. The only ones with hostile intentions would be those on the opposite side. Adversaries or those who belong to CORE.
'CORE... Are they stirring public sentiment?' It was possible since this group of corporations, although somewhat neutral, wasn't an ally to humanity. They pursue profit and, most importantly, resources.
If there was a chance to tear something apart for whatever goal they had, CORE would do so regardless of the sacrifices. But there was something he understood about them. The corporations were careful in concealing their tracks.
'Even they are afraid of Miss Alastair.' Damien remembered when Francine reported the results of the investigations. The Blackrock Mercenary Group wasn't contacted by any businessmen. Instead, it was corporate foreigners. That's right.
The kidnapping of the researchers was considered to be corporate espionage by a foreign business. They even managed to turn themselves into the victims and compensated the research members.
'CORE understands when to back off. No wonder Francine warned me about them. However...' The edges of his lips curved into a subtle smile. "Perhaps, I should thank them for rewarding me with the aetheric weapons."
With the aetheric weapons he had acquired from the mercenary camp, he could exchange them with an Armament from the Crucible. It was truly an excellent deal since he wasn't that interested in the futuristic cannons.
He wanted a weapon he could utilize while maintaining his mobility. After all, some adversaries could be as fast as the sixth Paragon, disappearing and reappearing as a blur through the battle. He would see for himself what Armament he would choose.
At any rate, it wasn't just his body that was getting stronger after a whole week. His summoned monsters became much more pronounced, while Eclipse also evolved to become a two-star EX monster.
'I remember giving them names after the second day of my return from the commission.' He chuckled at the thought, recollecting the time when he was bewildered after an introduction with his summoned monsters.
He didn't want to keep calling them by their designated monster name. After all, they weren't brainless monsters called upon by the system. He understood their complexities and the fact that they had thoughts of their own.
The first proof of this was the Scorpion Tank, a rogue artificial intelligence capable of communication and intelligence gathering. The second was the evolved Eclipse, whose thoughts he could somehow feel.
It was a bit complicated, to say the least. For this reason, Damien named them so that he would be able to distinguish them without mispronouncing their names. Naturally, each of their names consists of one word.
The first one was Eclipse, whose name remained the same.
The second one was Silhouette, the same as Eclipse; he didn't find the need to change its name.
The third was Freedom Eagle, whom he had renamed as Sky.
The fourth of the summoned monsters was the Hellhound. Its name became simpler, becoming Hound.
The fifth was Wyvern, renamed as Fafnir.
And finally, the sixth of his monsters was the Scorpion Tank. He had given the artificial intelligence a name called Makina.
As such, the first summoned team of monsters under Damien was formed. From Eclipse, Silhouette, Sky, Hound, Fafnir, and Makina. All of them were vital members of his foundation, and he was determined to evolve the whole arsenal of monsters.
With a lone thought, a digital window materialized before his perception. It was none other than his status screen, displaying his current system information.
---
| Monster Gacha System |
-| Boss Title : [ Oberon ] |
-| Monster(s) : Two-Star EX Monster: Eclipse(Fragment), One-Star TE Monster: Silhouette, Two-Star TE Monster: Scorpion Tank, Two-Star TE Monster: Wyvern, One-Star TE Monster: Hellhound, One-Star TE Monster: Freedom Eagle |
-| Skill Index : Raptured Blink(Eclipse), Intangible Fracture(Eclipse), Psychic Operation(Silhouette), Mechanical Bombardment(Scorpion Tank), Dracko Oppression(Wyvern), Chains of Judgment(Hellhound), Heaven's View(Freedom Eagle) |
-| Command Seal(s): [ 55/55 ] |
<| Terror Point(s) : 612 |>
---
When Damien first saw the status window, he was overwhelmed by the number of skills within the index tab. It almost made him ponder whether or not he would be able to properly utilize the capabilities of his monsters.
'I need an opportunity to test them and see for myself. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to properly understand them and employ them in my tactics.' Unfortunately, opportunities have been scarce.
He wasn't ignorant of the reason. Block 7 has been temporarily suspended while Block 6 was recalled to the SIGIL Headquarters. News about Manhattan had been suppressed.
Sadly, rumors were already scattered throughout the eastern coast of the federation. The instigators could be third-party groups belonging to CORE. It wasn't out of the realm that was possible.
"I don't have any good opinions about that group of corporations. Unlike the vampires in the south, who are clear adversaries. These bastards love to stand between the lines and instigate the differing factions."
Damien once again shook his head and continued walking through the maze-like interiors of the headquarters. Defeating the cryptids was easy, but the corporate stooges? They love swooning lady law with hundreds of lawyers.
'To take care of them, I would have to operate in an area outside of authority. An uncontrollable variable that wouldn't require me becoming the strongest.' He recognized what needed to be done.
Unfortunately, he didn't have the experience to undertake such a thing without unexpected repercussions. So, he wanted to wait for his boss and ask for her teachings regarding the matter. After all, she had always been an uncontrollable factor.
Perhaps it was time to pass on the art of becoming a troublemaker.
Regardless of his thoughts, Damien arrived before the entrance of the SIGIL research department division, the Crucible. A reinforced door stood ahead of him, seemingly unwilling to budge a centimeter, resembling a rigid wall. But it soon slid open, unveiling a figure from the other side.