"I'll fully cooperate with everything you want me to do and make you shine on the battlefield against all enemies," Mira said eagerly.
"…Oh," I said after a beat. "You meant those positions."
Mira blinked. "What did you think I meant?"
"Ah—haha." I scratched the back of my head, embarrassed. "Yeah. Same thing. Totally."
I cleared my throat and stepped closer.
"Alright. Since you're not feeling well, you should head home and rest. Tomorrow's the final exam, after all."
"Okay," she said, smiling. "See you tomorrow."
"See you. Bye."
Mira laughed softly as she turned and walked away.
System Message
Congratulations, Host.
First bond successful.
Reward Acquired: Ascendant Well
Bond Limit +1 Unlocked
"…Ascendant Well?" I muttered.
"System, does that mean I'll be able to last longer inside Valkyries?"
System Message
Yes, Host.
"…Good to know."
"And Bond Limit +1?" I asked. "What does that mean?"
System Message
You may form an additional Corebond.
"…Wait."
"You're saying I can bond with two War Maidens at the same time?"
System Message
Correct, Host.
"Holy hell."
Ever since the awakening era began, everyone could bond with only one War Maiden—unless one of them died. Two at once was considered impossible.
"This really is a cheating ability," I muttered. "That's insane."
I shook my head. "No rush on a second bond. Priority is surviving tomorrow's assessment."
I turned and began walking toward the city center.
That's when I noticed it.
"Why are people running?"
Civilians sprinted past me, faces pale with panic.
I grabbed a man by the arm. "Hey! What's going on?"
"Something breached the wall!" he shouted, yanking free. "Run! Run now!"
"The Chthari broke through the city defenses!" a woman screamed, pointing toward the inner wall.
"The Sentinels are already engaging!"
Sirens blared. Explosions echoed. Fires bloomed across the skyline.
"Damn it," I muttered.
"Of all times…"
I turned to run—but a massive explosion tore through the street ahead of me, obliterating an entire city block.
From the smoke, something massive emerged.
A Dreadmaw.
A level 3 Chthari.
It looked like a moving fortress—layers of black chitin overlapping across its colossal frame, each plate thick enough to shrug off artillery fire. A series of jagged protrusions ran along its spine as it emitted a roar, with flames emanating from its open maw.
It advanced step by step, bullets and energy blasts splintering harmlessly against its armor. It crushed barricades, vehicles, and walls with ease, buckling streets under its weight.
Across from it stood a Sentinel Valkyrie.
Nearly three stories tall, its broad frame was clad in white armor marked with bold blue city-defense panels. The heavy shoulder cannons quickly targeted the monster as it moved.
In its hands, it carried a long battle rifle, held with the steadiness of a trained soldier. It wasn't fast or elegant—but it looked dependable. Built to stand its ground.
The Valkyrie fired.
Cannon rounds slammed into the Dreadmaw.
The creature didn't even flinch.
"Die, you fucking Chthari!" a female voice shouted through open comms.
The Dreadmaw roared—and unleashed a torrent of fire.
"Crap," the female muttered. "It has energy attacks."
The Sentinel Valkyrie was struck head-on and thrown backward. Seconds later, the machine dissolved into light, leaving a blue-haired woman in a black City Defense uniform collapsing onto the street.
"Damn it," she spat, forcing herself up.
"Even my Valkyrie form couldn't block that. If I had a Core Pilot… there's no way I'd lose to that thing."
I took a step back.
"Even a Sentinel can't handle it," I muttered.
"I need to get out of here."
System Message
Chthari Invasion Detected.
Hidden mission unlocked.
"Hidden mission?" I whispered. "What kind of mission?"
System Message
Objective: Defeat the invading Chthari Dreadmaw
Reward: Omega Command Core
"…You want me to take that thing down?"
"I just awakened today!"
I wiped fake tears from my eyes.
"My bond isn't even here! How am I supposed to do this?"
System Message
Mission rewards include Forced Resonance Link: One day of forced Core Pilot Authority. Early access to the Omega Command Core
"…Forced Resonance Link?"
That meant I could forcibly bond with any War Maiden on the spot.
The Dreadmaw continued its rampage, leveling buildings and setting the district ablaze.
"There's no time," I muttered.
"If this keeps going, the city is done. People will die."
But who could I bond with?
"The Chthari has breached this sector! Evacuate immediately!" someone shouted nearby.
My gaze locked onto a familiar figure.
A blue-haired woman in a black City Defense uniform—standing her ground despite her injuries.
"That's her," I realized.
"The Sentinel who fought it earlier."
System Message
S-Tier War Maiden Detected.
"…She's S-tier?"
If I bonded with her, we could stop this thing.
"Did you not hear the evacuation order?" she barked at me. "Get out of here—now!"
"Ma'am," I said quickly, "I saw you fight that Chthari. Your Valkyrie is more than strong enough to take it down."
She glared at me. "Punk, this isn't a game. Fall back!"
"What you're missing is a Core Pilot," I said evenly. "With one, you can defeat it—and limit the damage to the city."
She hesitated. "What exactly are you saying?"
I met her eyes.
"I want to bond with you."