Chapter 1

The modern flourishing world was destroyed in the year 2057. As a consequence of an accident in one of the laboratories, a virus created by humans spread to all continents. An unknown disease wiped out civilization, but those who were able to survive gained powers. Because of the events that preceded this power, it was called the Force of Chaos. According to its name, the wielders of the Chaos Force wiped cities from the earth. The few countries that managed to escape the disease lay in ruins because of the daily skirmishes and warfare. At the end of the century, however, all began to return to peaceful life. A new generation of Chaos wielders rebuilt cities from the ground up. Like many capitals, ours was uninhabitable after decades of war. As a result, City X was moved to a new location.

2121. The new capital. Large screens on high-rise buildings blared the news.

"Fifty years have passed since the discovery of the Force of Chaos..."

"Renewed hostilities in the Old World sector."

"Notification from SPD: In Sector C6, January 3, 2121 (Friday) at 17:00-17:15, an explosive Chaos Force is predicted to awaken."

"A new strain of Chaos disease has been isolated in the northern lands of Dead Earth."

The computer club was almost empty. Though many technologies had been lost since the devastating tragedy, many different machines had been developed thanks to the new generation of Chaos.

In the far corner of the room, furiously moving controllers, sat two people. A guy 24 and a girl 23 years old. Both were immersed in the game head-on. The handheld screen glowed with bright colors.

- Come in on the left side! - Shin was tense.

- I got jammed. I can't! -Eun Byul was just as tense.

- Shit! What are the others doing? - Abruptly jerking his controllers, the guy shouted insults.

- I'm going to get killed! - Eun Byul shouted.

The young people couldn't tear themselves away from the game. Usually they could sit through a game for hours, but not today. The ALiNe behind the guy's ear changed color from purple to blue.

- To all agents in range: Intruder sighted in sector E-15. Ordered to join in pursuit.

With a heavy sigh, Shin pounded the table.

- Numbers RRSC917 and RRSC1005i. Orders accepted.

The two removed their portable screens and headphones and placed them on the table. After glancing over, they headed for the exit.

******

Running toward the entrance to Sector E-15, Shin glanced at Eun Byul, who was only an intern in the department, running after him.

- Shin? - The guy's ALiNe flashed blue.

- Yes. - replied Shin, pressing the button of the SPD agents' communication tool.

- This is operator Park Young-soo. Is Eun Byul with you?

- Yes, we're heading to sector E-15 together from E-7.

- Head to E-8. The surveillance team has learned that the intruder is about to cross into this sector. He's heading for the station in this sector. AutEC (Autonomous Electric Carriages) will be arriving shortly. He was not stopped in time. Passages to other sectors will be blocked, so hurry. If you don't make it in time, the center will have to send in a cleanup team.

- Copy that. - After Shin's words, ALiNe went off again. - We need to hurry. Give me your hand.

Shin took Eun Beul's outstretched hand and, in the light of a faint bluish haze, they seemed to disappear. With his Chaos power, Shin had weak time control, which allowed him to speed up or slow down objects. Taking Eun Byul by the hand, Shin accelerated their movement to the point that from the outside it might seem as if they had relocated. However, this power did not come easily to him.

Once at the station, Shin let go of Eun Byul.

- Let's split up. I'll go in from the lower tier, and you go to the upper tier.

- Okay. - Eun Byul nodded and, attaching her ALiNe, swung across the floor that separated the lower platform from the upper one. Her ability as well as Shin's was unusual for the Chaos generation. She could control energy.

- In position. - Eun Byul let go of her ALiNe and put her hand to the ground. A faint film crept from all directions from the girl's hand. - It was approaching from the south.

The silhouette of a man running appeared in the distance.

Note:

RRSC1005i number value

RRS - Rapid response squad

C - central division

i - intern