General Kyler, the founder of the Futaba Company, was once hailed as one of the greatest nuclear physicists to ever live.
His office was strangely sterile—cold, isolated, lined with nothing but towering screens blinking silently on the walls.
"What's with all the screens?" Kenatro asked calmly, though suspicion flickered in his eyes.
The General exhaled, slow and steady. "They're all connected to satellites orbiting Earth. Constant surveillance. If even a pebble with a bad attitude comes near this base, we'll know."
Kenatro stood quietly, arms crossed. Silence pressed down like a weight.
Then, in a voice as calm as frost and twice as sharp, he said,
"So... why was I brought here?"
The General sighed. "Impatient as ever."
He walked over to one of the screens, fingers folded behind his back. "Krishima succeeded with Compound-S. You know that already. That drug—it's turning humans into bioweapons. Stronger and deadlier than any nuclear missile."
At those words, a wave of tension surged across Kenatro's face. But his eyes... they burned with something else.
The General gave a brief grin, then returned to his cold, serious tone. "That drug only worked because of something called the Heaven Stone. Its location is still a mystery. Krishima supposedly found it on some savage, uncharted island. We've scoured every inch of the world map, and come up empty."
Kenatro said nothing. The General continued.
"After taking the drug, people gain powers that flat-out break the rules of nature."
Kenatro narrowed his eyes. "What kind of powers?"
"Elemental manipulation. Inhuman strength. That's what we've seen so far."
Kenatro's jaw clenched. The General didn't stop.
"Most of the test subjects went insane. Couldn't handle the power. But a few survived. They're Krishima's Generals now. They appear normal—but they're monsters. Their deadliest ability is called 'Berserk Mode.' When they activate it… they stop being human."
He turned, locking eyes with Kenatro.
'Vedanta.'
That name once echoed across battlefields. A codename... no, a legend.
Kenatro was known as Vedanta—the sharpest military strategist the world had ever seen. Feared by enemies, respected by allies, and unmatched in the art of warfare.
To the world, Vedanta was a myth. But the myth was standing right here.
Lily gave a small nod from the side, as if confirming everything without a word.
"We've got eight months until we strike," the General said. "Our recruits are still undisciplined. You'll train them. I'll provide their profiles soon. For now, get some rest."
Kenatro nodded and turned to leave.
But then—
"Wait," the General said. "You won't be able to fight properly like this, will you? Your left hand's nerves are damaged. Your left eye—barely functioning. You'll need to recover. I can help with that."
Kenatro froze. He turned slowly, his expression darkening.
"What the hell are you saying?" he growled. "My injuries can't be healed. Don't screw with me, General. I'm not your pawn anymore."
The air grew cold. Bloodlust crackled around him like static. One wrong word and the room would turn red.
"I'm not joking," the General said, flashing a mad grin. "I can treat your injuries."
Kenatro didn't back down. His gaze was pure fire.
"Let's see what the hell you've actually prepared," he said, voice low and venomous.