There was a time when no one could predict the future and the fate of humanity and its newly added denizens of the earth. But one day, all of it changed when the Eternal Frost appeared and brought about the arrival of a new race. Glazerus is a being who's said to be born with the highest quality of psychic prowess. Because of their abilities, they brought forth the greatest device known to any race in existence: the Disaster Meter.
[System: After traversing countless hours in the wilderness, you've finally reached the nearest town.]
[Status: The system will now be changed by your current location. The system governing the town [Everglaze] has been applied!]
[Eternal Frost]: Once you've entered a new area, your system will be changed to the 'Eternal Frost', which will grant you access to information and a map of your current location.
"Ever since world expansion became a worldwide occurrence, most of the old nations have died out. The United States of America, Russia, China, and many more nations were known far and wide to hold many people. Most of the current countries either gained new elements, for example, Everglaze or the nation once known as Russia. Its temperature grew too cold that anyone thought it'd be an uncharted land. That was before these new races made their debut."
"Whoa... This is such a wonderful view!!! I never thought I'd gaze upon something as magnificent as this~ Master, wait up! Can't you even admire the view?"
"Admire it later. We don't have much time. The temperature we faced yesterday was by far the warmest you could've felt. If I were to elaborate on the severity of its normal temperature, hmmm, let's say you'll become a life-size popsicle. Don't worry about the security—these people are psychics, so murderers are having a hard time sneaking in." After Neon mentioned the temperature, his disciple felt an unbearable chill coming from his back.
The gust of wind became fierce and the temperature lowered to a level where it exceeded the temperature required to preserve any form of life. However, their bodies were nowhere close to the average vessel, and the fluids coursing through their veins grew warmer to counter the breath of the winter. When they went past the gates of Everglaze, their body's defensive mechanism was put to an end.
[System: As long as you're within [Everglaze], a protective layer of circle magic will bring the warmth that your body requires.]
The violent winds dispersed, and the two of them met a whole new side of this cold and hellish environment. The inner city was filled with vegetation, the latest technology, and was even imparted with an artificial sun. A gigantic light bulb empowered by the people's mana grew brighter and radiated both light and heat for their everyday lives.
"Why hello there, travelers... It seems you've made it just in time before we'd seal the gates to shelter us from the beast. The name's Sakkari, a pleasure to meet some wandering guardians at this time of year. You are guardians, am I correct? Even though I only see a few, something tells me seeing a few people entering the village with no suit is quite peculiar," he said, in awe of their inhuman tolerance of the outside temperature as the two wore no protective clothing.
"You could say we're tolerant of the outskirts of the city. I've heard this is where the nearest facility is located. My acquaintance and I are planning to take the entrance exam... I remember that a fully certified guardian will be fully paid for their collected materials compared to a mercenary." Before they were to draw any suspicion, Neon took the lead and voiced their situation with the most logical conclusion.
He quickly changed his gesture and even forced a smile to lighten the heavy atmosphere surrounding the three. Even though Sakkari hadn't done anything to cause suspicion, Neon couldn't ignore the presence of several guards surrounding every possible exit they could take.
'No matter what kind of situation they have, isn't this a little too strict for a simple checkpoint? Something tells me this not-so-chaotic city is hiding a threat from its denizens... No matter, I don't have any reason to interfere with their lives. I only came here to have myself registered as a guardian.'
"I'm so sorry if I came off a little bit hostile to you hahaha... There are a lot of things happening—who knows where they came from. I've never dared to doubt anyone in my entire life. But even an outsider is considered the greatest linkage between this threat. Don't take it to heart, I'm only doing my best to ensure the safety of the people." But to Neon's surprise, Sakkari wasn't a man filled with greed nor did he have any hint of discrimination.
He had lived for so long that he could interpret the gaze given to him by the surrounding populace. Some feared him for his power, others for the lives of their citizens, but Sakkari's gaze was untainted and filled with purity. Neon had met a lot of people who were twisted in their own unique way, but the gaze Sakkari projected was a welcoming gesture paired with a beaming smile.
"You don't have to apologize for anything. I'd be in the same manner as you are if those I held close to my heart were in danger. But I do want to let you know my thoughts. Even if we're endowed with the warmth of the city... it's quite rude to let others wait until they're permitted to enter. You haven't even asked if we have consumed our meals." Instead of fighting back and acting repulsively, Neon placed them inside a pitiable condition.
Though their bodies didn't harbor any ailments or suffer from any life-threatening injury, hunger was unavoidable. Since the two had stepped forth into one of the coldest parts of the world, hunger was by far the worst possible death. A place possessing a temperature that forbids the survival of people's daily necessities. Correction: outside Everglaze's warmth, the world was inhabited by bloodthirsty beasts who preyed upon the weak.
'Apologies, Sakkari. I'm a man who cares for the well-being of people as well... But if you were to restrict me, then you shall face my wrath—though not physically, but mentally. Psychological warfare—that's the term I'm looking for. Whether you let us go now or not, my words will soon corrupt your men. They'll soon wonder whether they've become oppressors after choosing to protect only their own.'
"Oh, so you were hungry... I'm sorry to hear that. How about I make it up to you?" He clicked his tongue, showing his annoyance. And before it got any more heated, Sakkari permitted them to venture into the city.
Amid that whole fiasco, a figure—far and yet close enough to witness the newcomers—disappeared into the distance. After a long day's travel, the two managed to find an inn and retire for the night. But in this hour, when most would be asleep, Neon was incapable of partaking in rest.
'For some reason, I'm not tired from our journey. It must be the effect of the immense surge of my draconic heart… But that's not the point. I think I'm worried about what might occur in the night. I wasn't the type to get paranoid about such a normal occurrence in the dead of night. You might even say it's the perfect time for someone to stir trouble for its people... That settles it—come out, all of you!!!'
[System: You've called for the assistance of all the available [Lesser Homunculus] within your body.]
Lesser Homunculus: Glutton (The Left Arm), and Bruiser 1, 2, 3, and 4 (The Nightmarish Scales)
Something within his very being lay dormant—until it burst forth in response to his call. These monsters, born from his detached limbs, had slowly become beings of great worth. Neon recently focused on leveling their fighting power, pushing them toward their final form.
"Master, what are your orders?" Glutton was the first to gain something beyond comprehension.
An artificial life that acquired consciousness and free will upon further evolution—attaining even a human form. Rather than becoming an independent being, he developed a brain that stored the memories of his growth.
"Glutton, have the rest mastered the art of shapeshifting?" At his question, his servant simply nodded, and he moved on.
"You better make sure they do. I have a job that I want all of you to participate in. We've recently entered a city, and its denizens can easily spot you if you're not careful. Surveil the surrounding areas for me. I can tell we're not entirely welcome in a place like this." Upon hearing their mission, the lesser homunculi disappeared from his sight.
Their bodies were capable of completely changing form—whether large or small, solid, liquid, or gas. As long as their very cells weren't destroyed, they would always return to his side. Everglaze was a large city that housed millions, and more importantly—it was the city of psychics. Any suspicious movements would only backfire, so Neon considered only the most logical solution.
'Tomorrow's going to be our debut in the registration program to become a full-fledged guardian. Before that day comes, I might as well try my hardest to increase my overall strength. Like I said before, I don't want to be intertwined with their crisis, since I don't have the strength to do so. Because of that, I'll reap those who pursue crime. Instead of a jail cell, they'll be more useful as nourishment for my minions.'