Rose stepped out of the car, her gaze sweeping the unassuming house with a familiar mix of curiosity and skepticism. The small, cream-colored facade, weathered by countless summers, wore a warm, honey-brown patina on its wooden trim. A quiet witness to time, the house felt lived-in—a stark contrast to the sterile, temporary life she had known.
"Zen," she said, her voice a sharp knife cutting the air. "Explain what we're doing here."
Zen grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. His red and white hair was a vibrant shock against the muted surroundings. He didn't seem to have a care in the world. "This is our base, Rose. Every member of Squad 0 has their own. When news of a Rift Walker threat arises, we'll be informed here." He took a slow, deliberate step toward the door.
Rose's eyes narrowed a fraction. The familiar weariness of his cryptic answers and laid-back attitude settled in her bones. She bit back a sigh, a habit from years of dealing with men like him.
Zen chuckled, already unlocking the door. "After you," he gestured.
Inside, the house was an elegant contradiction. The living room was a minimalist design of sleek, modern furniture and clean lines. Yet, on a small, marble-topped table, a single, antique-looking globe spun silently. Rose's boot-clad feet clicked against the polished hardwood, the sound echoing in the stillness. It was then that Zen's hand shot out. It moved with a slow, deliberate grace, his fingertips gently tracing the curve of her jaw.
A cold shock ran through her. Her breath hitched. Fear, anger, and surprise—a hundred different emotions—flashed through her before she jerked her head away and smacked his hand aside.
"Don't touch me," she said, her voice sharp and defiant, a fiery glare in her eyes. It was a line she had drawn a hundred times, and one he had ignored every time.
Zen's grin didn't waver. He simply took a step back, his hands casually slipping into his pockets as if nothing had happened. Leaning in close, his voice dropped to a low whisper. "You're always so tense, Rose. You act like a tightly wound string, just waiting to snap. But what would happen if someone came and loosened you up? Just a little…" He left the thought hanging in the air, an unanswerable question.
Rose's jaw tightened. He was a weapon, and she was the one with the safety switch. "Where is the training room?" she demanded, her voice tight with a desperate need for control. "I need to get stronger."
Zen's smile turned into a condescending smirk. "You really believe you can get stronger? I told you, the weak will always be weak. No amount of training will change that." He delivered the words like a physical blow, yet his tone was flippant and easy-going. "What are you going to do? Lift a few weights? Punch a bag until your knuckles bleed?" He pointed to a doorway. "But okay, let's see if this 'training' helps. It's through there."
She didn't dignify his comment with a response. Instead, she walked toward the doorway, her shoulders squared, her gaze fixed on the training room. Inside, it was the opposite of the peaceful living room—a stark, functional space filled with heavy weights, punching bags, and sleek, chrome-plated exercise machines. The sight of it brought a sense of calm, a promise of order in the chaos that was Zen.
At SSD HQ, far from the quiet suburb, a state of controlled chaos reigned. The hum of computers and the murmur of hushed conversations were the usual backdrop, but a shrill, piercing alarm cut through the air, signaling an unprecedented threat. Agent Marcus, his face etched with panic, burst into Director Yamato's office, out of breath and heaving.
"Sir, a rift has opened up in the middle of Springfield Primary School," he gasped.
Director Yamato leaned forward in his plush leather chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. "Send a squad immediately. Those children are in danger."
"Yes, sir," Marcus said, nodding hastily. "We've sent Squad 1, sir. That's the problem. The rift that opened was an 8.8 danger level, and Squad 1 can only handle levels up to 8.0." His voice dropped to a near-inaudible whisper, the weight of the information almost crushing him. "I think we should call Squad 0."
A slow, calculating smile spread across the director's face. His eyes, cold and assessing, gleamed in the low light. He'd been waiting for an opportunity like this. "Good. Call Zen. Assign him and his new guardian to the case. This is an immediate, full-priority dispatch."
Marcus nodded and exited swiftly, already on the move.
Back at Zen's house, Zen was lounging on the sofa, scrolling through his phone as if he were waiting for a delivery. An agent in a crisp SSD black and white suit walked in, his posture respectful but tense. "SSD Squad 0," he announced in a steady monotone. "Zen and Guardian Rose, report to Springfield Primary School and assist Squad 1 in defeating an 8.8 danger level Rift Walker."
Zen's face lit up with a wide, theatrical smile. He sprung from the couch, then slowly walked straight for the training room where Rose was. "Rose, new mission! It's a big one."
Rose, now wearing a black sports bra and short black skirt, her hair tied down, turned to face him. Her hands were on her hips, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths, a fine sheen of sweat on her skin. "I'll be ready in five," she said, her voice tight with exhaustion.
Zen's gaze lingered on the open doorway. He saw the heavy punching bag lying on the floor, its leather casing torn, with a jagged hole in the center. The wall behind it was splintered and cracked. A slow smile spread across his face. "Damn," he whispered. "And they call me the monster."
The sleek black SSD car was silent as they drove. Rose sat in the passenger seat, now in her new Squad 0 Guardian suit—a black suit with a short black skirt and a white shirt underneath, offset by a pink jacket draped over her shoulders with "Guardian" written across the back. Her hands were clasped in her lap, her expression grim. Zen, however, seemed to be enjoying himself, humming a tune as the city lights blurred past the window. He found the car ride peaceful, an oasis of calm before the chaos. The SSD agent driving was silent, leaving them in their own world.
The scene at Springfield Primary School was one of utter pandemonium. Parents and teachers herded terrified children away from the perimeter, their faces a mask of fear. Red and blue lights flashed across the scene, illuminating a chilling sight. In the center of the schoolyard, a Rift Walker stood, a towering humanoid figure with massive black wings protruding from its back. Its presence seemed to darken the air, absorbing light and casting a long, malevolent shadow.
Reed, the leader of Squad 1, stood tall, his imposing physique evident beneath his fitted SSD uniform. His broad shoulders and chiseled chest stretched the fabric, and a thick, well-groomed beard reached his chest. He held a pair of short battle axes, their SSD markings a stark contrast to the darkness around him.
"What a drag," he growled, his voice a low, commanding rumble. "Can't even enjoy a peaceful day without one of these monsters popping up."
Reed's eyes locked onto the Rift Walker, his expression unyielding. "Okay, Squad 1, listen up. All of you, evacuate the civilians. Leave this to me and the Squad 1 Elite Unit. The rest of you will just get in the way."
The Elite Unit, handpicked by Reed, stood firm behind him, their faces set with determination. Cole held his SSD-marked gun, while Shinji, the vice commander, held two short swords. The fourth member, Darius, held a short sword and a gun.
The Rift Walker's wings unfolded, massive and imposing, casting a dark shadow over the ground. Their membranes glistened with an otherworldly sheen. The creature burst into laughter, the sound booming through the schoolyard. "Do you really think that's a wise move, fighting me with just the four of you?"
Shinji's eyes widened in shock. "Am I dreaming? Or did that monster just talk?"
"This isn't the time to get distracted, Shinji!" Reed's voice thundered. "We'll be shocked later. This Rift Walker is strong, but we're the Squad 1 Elite Unit for a reason. Let's take this thing down before that backup unit they told us about arrives."
Just as Reed finished, the sleek black SSD car screeched to a halt. Rose stepped out alone, her expression grim. The Rift Walker smiled, its gaze fixed on the new arrival. "Now we're talking. Someone strong has finally shown up."
Reed and the elite unit turned. Shinji's voice barely rose above a whisper. "Don't joke with us, monster. That girl is stronger than us?"
The Rift Walker chuckled. "No, not the lady. I mean the monster behind her, with red and white hair. If I'm not wrong, it might actually be a fair match for me." Zen then stepped out of the car, a smirk on his face.
"It's not wise to lie, 'Wingy.' Do you really think you're even close to a match for me?" he said, his voice dripping with confidence.
The Rift Walker's expression turned amused. "They don't call me 'Wingy.' I am called King."
Rose's eyes met Zen's. "Really, Zen? 'Wingy?' Is that the best you could come up with?" she whispered. He ignored her. "Who do you think is more powerful, you or this Rift Walker?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Zen's smile hinted at amusement. "Obviously, I am."
Reed's voice thundered, "Hey, King! Don't you dare ignore us! Elite unit, let's show this Rift Walker and those two backup units why they call us Squad 1 Elite Unit!" He glared at Zen and Rose. "You backup units, don't even think about assisting or disturbing our fight. Or I'll kill you both personally."
Rose's jaw clenched. "I refuse to stand by while you get yourselves killed," she said, her voice sharp with defiance.
Reed's face turned cold. "Listen here, Rose, former commander of the SSD Squad 6. Don't think I didn't recognize you. The thought of a useless commander who couldn't even save her team from one monkey is a disgrace to all the commanders out there. So do us a favor and evacuate with the children. But if you choose to stay, don't blame me when the Rift Walker kills you."
Zen quickly jumped onto the black SSD car, a smile on his face. "Guess we are watching a show today, Rose." Rose's face remained silent, a dark aura engulfing her eyes.
Reed shouted, "Elite unit, Formation A!"
King laughed, the sound booming. "Come at me if you want, but don't think any of you are going home alive after this!"
Reed shouted, "Elite unit, attack!"
Zen watched Rose, his smirk widening as a slow, almost predatory smile spread across her lips. A dark, determined fire burned in her eyes. "Let's see who the disgrace is, Reed," she whispered, her voice a promise of retribution.