Two days had passed. At Edenfall Japan's headquarters, a high-level meeting had been called by Raizen Takamura.
All ten key members were present, seated around the long, dimly lit table. The atmosphere was thick with tension—something big was coming.
Raizen Takamura – Edenfall JP HQ Leader
Mira Kurasaki – Highest-ranking Assassin
Ayato Kurasaki – Highest-ranking Spy
Utsushi Kogarashi – Highest-ranking Frontline Fighter
Dr. Reika Morikawa – Head of Medical & Research
Kagura Senzaki – Head of Intelligence
Rikuya Hoshikawa – Head of Weaponry & Technology
Haruka Kisaragi – Chief Strategist
Souta Kanzaki – Head of Logistics & Transportation
Hinami Yukishiro – Head of Media & Communications
Raizen stood at the front, arms crossed. The dimly lit room flickered with holographic projections of global maps, live data feeds, and encrypted reports.
"Welcome, comrades," he began. "Thank you for coming on short notice. I have much to share regarding recent world status."
He tapped the table. A holographic globe spun into view.
"First, the matter of the global union. Reports from Edenfall HQ across the world have confirmed that nearly eight big nations are preparing to merge under one alliance. It's still classified, but our operatives managed to uncover signed agreements behind the scenes."
Raizen's eyes narrowed.
"Ayato. Kagura. What's the current situation here?"
Kagura nodded first.
"Takamura-dono, I can't speak for Ayato's solo mission, but my intel team confirms Japan is preparing to join. we are not as chaotic as other nations, but our economy is rapidly declining. The pressure to join is rising."
Raizen glanced at Ayato.
"Same on my end," Ayato replied calmly. "But I discovered something else—they're planning beyond a union. Once the world unites, there will be no more countries. Just one single government."
Everyone looked up.
"Its name…" Ayato said, pausing, "...is Neo Earth."
Raizen raised an eyebrow.
"Neo Earth, huh? You have anything on its hierarchy?"
"Not yet. But it seems the top five current superpowers will form the upper command."
Raizen turned to the rest.
"Then it's confirmed. The union is inevitable. Rikuya, prepare weapons development immediately. Souta, get land, sea, and air vehicles operational. Hinami—continue manipulating the algorithm. Don't let the government silence the Antarctic protest."
"Understood." Souta nodded.
"On it, Takamura-dono," said Rikuya.
"Y-Yes, I'll handle it," Hinami added softly.
Raizen turned to Haruka.
"Give us your strategy."
Haruka sat forward, tapping the table.
"Before the union finalizes, we must stockpile resources. If one central government takes control, all opposing forces—including Edenfall—may be targeted and wiped out."
Raizen exhaled slowly.
"So the time will come when we're hunted down... just like I feared."
Haruka added, "There's one more thing. Hinami discovered it this morning. People all over the world are forming expedition teams to breach the Antarctic Ice Wall."
Raizen's eyes shifted.
"Hinami? Why wasn't this reported sooner?"
Hinami lowered her gaze.
"S-Sorry, sir... I was going to share it here. I've been analyzing algorithm patterns to keep public attention on Antarctica. And it worked. People are organizing... huge adventurer teams. Some have over 250 members. One I tracked has more than 2,000. They plan to breach the Ice Wall and enter the 'New World'."
A long silence filled the room.
"So they've finally got the courage to breach Antarctica... That ties into our second case," Raizen said darkly. "The Takumi Asahiro incident."
He looked around the table.
"What happened to him is... unprecedented. But he's not alone. Other Edenfall HQ have reported individuals manifesting strange powers, from unknown sources."
The room tensed. Mira and Reika exchanged glances.
"These people... they heal faster, they grow stronger. It's not just adrenaline or training. It's something else," Raizen continued. "Takumi, though... he died. But his body—Reika? Mira?"
Reika cleared her throat.
"Yes, sir. As of this morning, his fingers have regrown halfway. All injuries are healing. Fractured bones, ruptured tissue—gone. He's regenerating, even while unconscious."
Mira nodded silently, arms crossed.
"Other branches believe this is something called... 'Limit Break'," Raizen continued. "A natural response when humans are pushed beyond their limit. But I don't buy it. This isn't adaptation—it's evolution."
Utsushi stepped in.
"I've seen how our soldiers adapt through training. Muscle gain, endurance—it's natural. But this... this is different."
Raizen nodded.
"Exactly. These people aren't just adapting. They're changing."
Reika added, "But for now, Takumi's physiology remains stable. No muscle growth, no mutations. even his heart still stop, his breath also. Just regeneration."
"Keep monitoring him," Raizen ordered.
"Understood."
Raizen glanced around one last time.
"If no one has further input on the second case—"
"One more thing," Haruka interrupted. "If more people are gaining powers... the Antarctic breach might succeed. Should Edenfall consider moving beyond the Ice Wall?"
Raizen paused.
"That decision isn't ours to make. Stick to the current plan. Focus on gathering resources. We adapt after we survive."
He stood. "That's all. Meeting adjourned. Thank you, my comrades."
The meeting concluded. Two new truths had surfaced.
The world union was inevitable—and Edenfall would prepare to face it.
And what had happened to Takumi Asahiro was no longer an isolated miracle.
It was the beginning of human evolution.
Break your limits, evolve, humanity!
After the meeting ended, Reika and Mira returned to Takumi's room.
An electrocardiogram was still attached to his chest, its screen flatlined. An oxygen mask gently hissed, delivering air to lungs that no longer moved.
Despite no heartbeat, no breath, Reika continued to monitor the life-support equipment, refusing to give up.
"So… he's not the only one with this strange phenomenon, huh?" Reika muttered.
"Takamura-dono said other case exist," Mira replied, arms crossed. "But none like Takumi. Not exactly. At least… not for now."
"It's been over a week since he died," Reika added, her voice quiet. "And still, no signs of decay. His body… it's regenerating, even though his heart and lungs remain inactive."
Mira stepped closer, brushing a hand gently over Takumi's hair. Her fingers paused as they reached the scar on the side of his head.
"It's… gone," she whispered, eyes widening. "Reika-san, the scar's healed."
"I'm not surprised," Reika said, turning to show Takumi's left hand. "His severed left hand have already grown until fingers halfway back."
"But Mira-chan," Reika warned softly, "Remember what Ayato-kun said. Don't get too excited. Even with all my years of research, this is the first time I've seen something like this."
"I know, Reika-san…" Mira replied, eyes lingering on Takumi's face. "But I still believe in him."
Reika sighed. "His body is fighting to live… but his soul isn't here anymore."
"I still don't understand it," she continued. "But according to the reports from the other Edenfall HQs, this phenomenon is being called a Limit Break. Apparently, it happens when a person is pushed to the brink of death, forcing their body to evolve past its natural state."
"In normal cases, we'd just call that human adaptation," she added. "But this… this is something else. It's like evolution."
Reika paused, watching Mira carefully. "I can't deny he's undergone a Limit Break. But without his soul—"
"Not yet, Reika-san," Mira interrupted, her voice firm. "Not yet. I believe he'll come back… maybe after his body fully heals."
Reika gave a soft, knowing smile. "I hope so too. And I hope your faith doesn't hurt you in the end, Mira-chan."
She started toward the door, then glanced back with a teasing grin. "Ah… young love is tough, isn't it?"
"I—I don't love him, Reika-san!" Mira face flushed.
Reika laughed lightly. "Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that. See you later, Mira-chan."
With that, she left the room. Mira stood alone by Takumi's side. The room was quiet now.
She sit on a chair beside the bed, gripping the edge gently.
"Please come back Takumi, please...for me.. no,.. for yuki-chan, you love her right?.." her voice trembled, she lowered her head, a tear sliding down her cheek. "Just… come back. I believe in you."
Faith for someone she loved.