They walked down a long white hallway. All around them—chaos. Staff with tablets rushed between studios, assistants barked orders into headsets. Some people ignored Targus at first—until they noticed his size. Then their eyes locked on him like magnets. Even in this elite environment, the giant evoked both awe and slight panic.
A man in a formal suit appeared behind a glass door. His white hair was slicked back to perfection, and a warm but businesslike smile graced his face.
— "Glad you could make it," he said, approaching. "Akito, Targus — welcome to VIRIA."
He handed Akito a business card.
Shinji Arimoto
Personal Agent for Iron Nomad and Chief Coordinator of VIRIA's Modeling Division
— "I'm not the company's director," he added, catching Akito's gaze, "but I do manage those who change the market. And Targus is one of them. We want to build a full brand image around him — ad campaigns, fashion shows, contracts — all top-tier. That is, if he's willing."
— "I just like fighting… and eating chips," Targus muttered.
Arimoto smiled and snapped his fingers. A stylist appeared with a set of clothes — a dark blue jacket with bronze accents, wide-leg pants bearing the Iron Nomad emblem. On the chest: a bold brushstroke design reading "Made to Withstand Fury."
Targus stepped onto the mini set. At first, he turned awkwardly to the side. Then he flexed his chest. Finally, he lifted one of the decorative lamp posts like it weighed nothing.
The photographer shrieked in delight.
— "Yes! Amazing! Higher with the shoulder! Look like you just defeated a hurricane!"
Targus nodded and roared:
— "I AM the hurricane!"
At that moment, the screen above the studio lit up:
"New Iron Nomad Campaign: 'Power. Straight from the Battlefield.'"
Leaning against the wall, Akito let out a quiet laugh.
"Hard to believe he used to be a Viking… Now he looks like a model straight off Olympus."
Almost as if reading his thoughts, Arimoto winked.
— "Believe me, VIRIA reveals the legend hidden in everyone."
The final flash lit the studio. Targus stood with arms crossed, wearing the fresh, durable Iron Nomad jacket. Behind him, a banner read:
"Our clothing withstands anything. Even him."
— "Perfect!" the photographer cried, lowering his camera. "That's a wrap! Great job, team!"
The crew clapped. Assistants waved at Targus, and someone even tried to snap a selfie with him.
Arimoto approached, clearly pleased.
— "Well done, Targus. You're officially the face of our new line."
He handed over a black envelope.
— "Here's your first payment — 500,000 yen. And now, officially: a one-year contract. 7 million yen. All terms confirmed by the system."
Targus took the envelope cautiously, as if it might break.
— "I won't… break this?"
— "Only if you try to eat it," Akito chuckled.
— "One more thing," Arimoto added. "For every unit sold, you get 10% of the net profit. That could easily surpass the contract total. We're betting big on you, Targus."
Targus turned to Akito.
— "Is that… good?"
— "It's fcking great,"* Akito grinned. "We're basically millionaires now."
The photographer quietly snapped one more photo — the giant holding the envelope in promo gear, with his friend laughing beside him. On Arimoto's tablet, early pre-orders were already rising.
The game had begun.
Arimoto set the tablet down and straightened his back.
— "That was powerful, Targus. Well done."
He offered his hand — Targus grabbed it with such force that Arimoto flinched.
— "Targus!" Akito barked. "Let go, you'll break his hand!"
— "Sorry, Jarl…" Targus quickly released, bowing slightly.
— "My apologies."
— "It's fine…" Arimoto smiled through the pain, still rubbing his fingers. "Impressive strength."
They headed to the locker room, but Akito excused himself to the restroom.
Suddenly, a panel flashed before his eyes:
[New Quest!]
[Eliminate 10 Mutated Rats]
[Time Limit: 15 Minutes]
— "Rats again," he muttered with a sigh.
— "Akito." A voice came from the side — it was Arden.
— "Perfect timing. Can you handle this one?"
— "No problem," the fox grinned. "They're nearby, maybe 100 meters out."
— "Great. Go."
Akito stepped into the corridor, where a young assistant in a sleek VIRIA uniform was already waiting.
— "Mr. Akito, Miss Aoba would like to speak with you. She also invited Mr. Targus."
— "Alright," he replied simply.
As they walked down the white corridor, the assistant nervously whispered:
— "She can be… a little strict. But don't worry."
Meanwhile, Arden dove into the sewers, activating [Lapet's Impulse] as he dashed along the walls, invisible to passersby. Ahead — mutated rats. Foam dripped from their jaws, eyes glowed violet.
— "Disgusting," Arden muttered, unleashing his attack.
At the same time, Akito and Targus entered a large office. Seated at the desk was a woman in her thirties, hair tied in a tight bun, her sharp gaze piercing.
— "Welcome. I'm Miyuki Aoba, founder of VIRIA. Please, sit."
They sat on a plush couch. A tense silence lingered.
— "Would you like coffee?" she asked.
— "No, thank you. I don't like coffee."
— "If everything goes according to plan," she began, "we'd like Targus as an exclusive model. VIRIA will provide everything — housing, food, security, transport. On one condition — he'll live with us."
— "I don't think that'll be possible," Akito replied calmly, glancing at Targus — who was flipping through fashion magazines and snorting at the odd poses.
— "Pity," Aoba said, narrowing her eyes slightly. "But know this — I always get what I want."
They said their goodbyes.
On the way out, a series of notifications appeared:
[Enemy Eliminated (4/10)]
[7/10]
[10/10]
[Quest Completed]
[Level Up: 203 → 205]
[Reward: 3,500 eni]
— "No bonus points again?" Akito scoffed.
He took a step — and suddenly, a figure spun into his path like a whirlwind.
Akito instinctively raised his hand to stop her from falling. Their eyes locked.
A girl in a summer white skirt and black top, chestnut hair flowing freely, sunglasses resting on her head—stood frozen in front of him.
— "Akito?.."
— "Rei?.."
[Noxveil]
Hey there, reader!
If you've made it this far, thank you so much. I'm writing this story in Russian and translating it into English — so I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Even one small comment gives me huge motivation 💬💙
Let me know who your favorite character is so far!