Chapter 1 - Radiant Start

In the ocean of galaxies and among the countless stars, a gigantic spaceship made of shining silver metal soared through the vastness of space. The enormity of the spaceship defied description; its thick hulls adorned with intricate designs and patterns seemed to animate in the light of the distant stars.

As the majestic spaceship traversed space, a radiant glow suddenly enveloped a part of the vessel, illuminating the darkness of the void and creating a spectacular display that left all on board in awe.

"BOOOM!!"

The dreadful sound of an explosion reverberated, leaving the crew dumbfounded as they scrambled to contain the damage while alarms blared and warning lights flashed throughout the ship. The once serene journey through space was now plagued with chaos and uncertainty as they worked to assess the situation and ensure their survival.

"What's F*ck happening? You there! Monitor the research lab area; it's close to the explosion vicinity. Hey! Are you going to just look at me?!" The captain's voice boomed over the intercom, demanding immediate action from the crew members.

Panic and confusion spread like wildfire as they frantically tried to locate the source of the explosion and prevent further disaster.

The crew and the captain possess humanoid features, though distinctly non-human. They have a darker skin tone, grayish hair, and the tails of a cat, as well as sharp, pointed ears like an elf.

"Captain Sylas! The explosion severely compromised the control room; it will take a while before we can do an internal scan of the ship."

"Deploy more armed guards and raise the security level in each sector. I don't care what you need to do! Quickly exterminate that insect on the ship!"

"Understood Captain!"

In the research lab area, a shadowy figure of a man swiftly ran through the corridors. Half his face is covered with a mask, revealing only his black hair and abyss-like eyes that swallow everything in their depths.

The man swiftly grabbed a grenade-like device in his futuristic suit and made a drastic turn at the end of the corridor.

"Swoosh!"

The air ripples as the man throws the device into an advanced-looking door protected by numerous armed guards. 

"BOOOM!"

Before the guards could even react, the device obliterated the door along with the armed guards. The masked man calmly walked into the gap in the door, as if nothing had happened. 

"Phase 1 of the plan is complete," a cold, synthesized female voice echoed from the masked man's watch.

"Proceed to Phase 2," the masked man replied as he entered the laboratory.

The laboratory was brimming with advanced gadgets, prized technological samples, weaponry, chemicals, and living specimens, each worth a small fortune. But despite the allure of these treasures, the masked man paid them no heed, his focus solely on a door concealed within the wealth of the laboratory.

Without hesitation, he walked to the door's front. After quickly putting in the password, he opened the doors and revealed an advanced-looking pod at the center of the room, decorated with intricate carvings of flowers and leaves.

The masked man approached the pod with a sense of joy, his eyes fixated on the mysterious pod. He reached out to touch the smooth surface, feeling a faint hum of energy emanating from within.

After a brief moment, he secured it to his back and swiftly exited the room. However, upon emerging outside, he found himself facing the armed crews of the ship.

The masked man swiftly aims his advanced rifle without a moment's hesitation and fires at the crew. The beam emanates from the rifle, tearing their bodies with precision. Seizing the fleeting chaos, the masked man swiftly retreats into the depths of the laboratory.

"Bunch of imbeciles! Can't even handle one man?!" The captain's contemptuous remark echoes through their advanced intercoms. "Quickly, pursue him before this farce escalates any further."

The masked man weaves through the maze of corridors in the laboratory area while playing the deadly game of cat and mouse. Such a situation could make anyone hopeless, but the masked man's eyes remain indifferent and determined.

"Just how much does the insect plan this!? How can he predict each of our moves?" Captain Sylas said as he helplessly looked at the hologram screen that displayed the situation around the laboratory area.

"This is bad, Captain Sylas! He's heading closer to Experiment Room 4117. We have to stop him quick!"

Captain Sylas's eyes turned sharp after hearing the officer say, "What is in the Experiment Room 4117?"

Sensing the piercing gazes of the captains, the officer swiftly replied, "They are studying experimental miniature wormholes that connect to the empire's capital in there."

Captain Sylas's expression darkened as he realized the potential danger of the masked man reaching experiment room 4117. He and the officer knew that if the wormholes were breached, it could have catastrophic consequences for the ship as well as the empire.

"Prevent that insect from approaching that goddamn area! Alert every armed guard! Raise the alert level to maxim-"

"BOOOM!"

The officer looked at the hologram screen; his face turned pale as he looked at the similarly paled face of Captain Sylas.

"It's already too late, Captain."

---

"Phase 2 of the plan is complete," a cold, synthesized female voice echoed amidst the rubble of the ruined room, barely audible over the sirens blaring and smoke billowing from the wreckage.

"Proceed to the final phase," the masked man replied as he entered Experiment Room 4117.

"Affirmative"

At the heart of the room, dominating the space amidst the clutter of equipment and consoles stands the formidable figure of the artificial wormhole generator. Its circular gate-like structure commands attention, standing tall and imposing under the unforgiving glare of fluorescent lights.

Intricate arrays of wires and conduits crisscross its surface like veins, lending an air of intricate complexity to its design. With each pulse, the machine's core emits an otherworldly glow, casting eerie shadows that dance across the laboratory walls, enhancing the mystique of its presence.

Surrounding the machine, scientists and technicians bustle about, their scared and panicked faces illuminated by the soft glow of computer screens as they monitor the intricate processes underway. Monitors display complex equations and diagrams, while control panels hum with activity as commands are inputted and parameters adjusted.

"Please don't do this! We're on the brink of a breakthrough; we can't afford any interruptions!"

"I'm not interested in your pleas. It's nothing personal."

"But we can help you! We have resources, information—anything you need! Just spare us, please!"

The scientist's pleas fall on deaf ears as the masked man ruthlessly eliminates them and their colleagues. With chilling calmness, the masked man approaches the wormhole machine and sets up various kinds of explosives around it.

Soon, the room filled with the sound of many footsteps approaching from outside.

"Just about the time," the masked man softly said as he activated the initialization of the wormhole.

"You bastard! Stop what you are doing!"

"Don't move! You're under arrest for --"

"It's too late. Farewell, friends," the mask said as he stepped closer into the wormhole generator.

"Your voice! I know that voice! It's not possible! Y-You are Julius Kingston!" Captain Sylas's eyes bulge as he says the name that he will never forget. 

Captain Sylas can feel great anger and fury in his stomach as he sees the Julius eyes on the hologram screen.

Before the armed guard could move closer, Julius decisively jumped into the wormhole generator. The wormhole generator shuddered and cracked with energy as the masked man disappeared into the wormholes.

"AAHHHHH!"

Screams of pain and agony have exited the mouth of Julius.

He can feel his own body being crushed to death and torn apart by gravity and spatial turbulence. Wormholes are often depicted as stable structures, but in reality, they could be incredibly unstable and subject to sudden collapse.

While enduring the great pain, the masked man looked at the pod in his hand and carefully embraced it. His eyes and hands slowly emit white light that enlightens the dark void in the wormholes. Bit by bit, he could feel the force of gravity and the spatial turbulence around him becoming weaker. 

"BOOOOM!"

A deafening explosion reverberated through the wormholes, prompting Julius to steel himself for the impending danger. Embracing the pod tightly, he screamed loudly as he enclosed himself in a blinding light, struggling to maintain stability amidst the chaos. He could feel his own life being burned like a candle as he maintained the radiant light.

With each passing moment, the space around him threatened to collapse, but his eyes remained resolute in their determination in the face of certain death.