🛡️ Existforger HQ – Code Red
Meanwhile, at the Existforger HQ, red alarms blared throughout the compound.
"Code Red! Code Red! All members report to Underground Floor 13!" blared the announcement system.
Astrea and Anew looked at each other, confused.
"What is this about?" Anew asked.
"You two, get to Floor 13. Now," Faiz ordered firmly.
"What exactly is on Floor 13?" Anew asked, frowning. "All I've seen is a massive empty room—over a kilometer wide—with nothing inside."
Faiz replied grimly,
"That room can connect directly to Purgatory Prison."
Anew's eyes widened.
"What?!"
The group rushed down to Floor 13. As they entered the massive chamber, a portal began to open. Through it, an endless ocean appeared—with a lone island floating in the distance. Above the island hovered a massive, crystal-shaped black structure, radiating ominous energy.
"What is that...?" Anew whispered.
Suddenly, three figures emerged from the portal. They wore jet-black armor with royal navy blue accents and silver markings on their shoulders.
"Who are they?" Anew asked, unease growing in her voice. "They feel... wrong."
Masaki answered coldly,
"Wrong is an understatement. But somehow, 'worse' still doesn't cover it."
Astrea turned to Celestio,
"Who are they?"
"They're the Knighthood Black Ops," Celestio replied. "They have the most freedom in the Knighthood, but they're little more than executioners and butchers."
The figure on the right wore a rusted iron mask with small breathing holes, and had a hulking, monstrous frame.
The one on the left was a woman with a black bob cut, reddish skin, visible cracks across her arms, and three fingers on each hand.
The one in the center stood still—wearing a jet-black glove on his right hand, intricate black markings across his face, and a compass tattoo centered on his left eye.
Lucifer stepped forward.
"Rubeus, what are you doing here?" he asked, voice steady.
The middle figure spoke.
"I'm here for someone named Klaus—a person with an exceptionally unique magical attribute."
Lucifer raised an eyebrow.
"Unfortunate, but we don't know anyone by that name. If you have a last name, it would certainly help."
"I don't," Rubeus said.
Lucifer's voice sharpened.
"Then return to your post in Purgatory Prison. If Klaus shows up, I'll have him delivered with a red ribbon—our tracking system is state-of-the-art."
"As of now, we'll find him ourselves," Rubeus said flatly.
Lucifer narrowed his eyes.
"You won't be staying long. I can promise you that."
"I hope so too," Rubeus smirked. "Otherwise... who knows what might happen to one of us."
Lucifer chuckled without warmth.
"That would be tragic. Let's avoid it, shall we?"
As the tension simmered, Lucifer turned.
"Anew, Masaki, Astrea—head to Corefury HQ. Inform Licht of the situation."
"Sir, why aren't we taking action?" Anew asked.
Lucifer sighed.
"They're Black Ops. They report directly to the King. Even the Grandmaster has no authority over them. They control Purgatory Prison—and follow a chain of command completely outside ours."
He paused, then added:
"Every Existforger and knight must follow their orders... unless—perhaps—someone hasn't officially received their rank yet. And a certain elite is merely acting as their guard…"
"Now go."
🚨 Encounter at the Exit
As Anew, Astrea, and Masaki moved toward the exit, the enemies stood in their path.
The masked brute was known as Duce. The red-skinned woman was Delta.
"No one leaves," Delta growled. "Rubeus's orders."
Masaki stepped forward.
"Let me through. I'm on security duty. And trust me—distracting me won't be pretty."
The holes in Duce's iron mask glowed red, energy building.
Delta's eyes darkened to a deep crimson.
Masaki cracked his knuckles, gripping his right hand tight. His forearm muscles surged, tendons shifting like iron cables under his skin.
Then—they attacked.