The tension thickened. Not a word was spoken.
Then the silence cracked—split by the captain's strained voice, trembling with emotion.
"Ben… don't tell me you're dead."
The other agents, still trying to process the surreal scene before them, suddenly remembered something. A moment from their past.
One of their comrades—killed during a mission by men tied to one of the most powerful names in the world. Back then, their captain, known more for bullying his own team than empathy, completely lost it. He went on a bloody rampage, wiping out every last one of the enemy squad.
The aftermath? He was benched by his superiors. His actions nearly sparked an international incident.
And now... he looked exactly like that again.
"Captain, get a hold of yourself!"
"Captain, please!"
Their words couldn't reach him.
"HOW DARE YOU KILL MY MEN!!"
He launched himself at the Guardian Spirit like a missile, aiming a brutal punch straight at its gut.
The Spirit didn't even flinch. He couldn't—it happened too fast.
Impact.
The captain's fist sank deep into the Spirit's belly. Not because he pierced it—but because the stomach practically absorbed the blow.
The skin was like armor. The flesh underneath? Like quicksand.
Sensing danger, the captain leapt back and readied himself.
"This thing's no joke. All of you, hit it together!"
The others, stunned that their captain was still thinking strategically even in rage, snapped into motion.
"Roger!"
And so, the battle began—eleven agents against a Spirit who hadn't even gotten serious.
At first glance, it looked like they had the upper hand. But they didn't realize—they were being toyed with.
The captain gritted his teeth. This wasn't a fight. It was a stall.
This thing... it's not real. It's being controlled.
He looked past the Spirit.
And found his target.
"You! It's you!"
He dashed toward the chained man, repeating the same attack—this time aimed at the head.
"You should've kept your mouth shut. You can't even move!"
"You might want to slow down."
Just before the blow connected—barely a meter away—another Spirit materialized between them.
This one wore full armor, radiating power. With one hand, it raised a massive shield and blocked the captain's strike like it was nothing.
"What the hell…"
The captain was thrown back to where he started, gasping for breath. Rage had completely overtaken his focus.
"Another one? Don't tell me... they're all yours?"
"Didn't I already say? You should introduce yourselves before demanding names."
"We don't give up our secrets to strangers."
"So dramatic."
Aron, who'd been watching all this nearby, finally cut in.
"They're agents. AIA—Republic of Aigis Intelligence."
"AIA, huh? So Aigis finally built a country."
"Wait—seriously? You didn't know?"
"Why would I care?"
"Because you're in Aigis territory right now, Mister!"
"Telsa, you're talking too much."
The captain's face darkened.
"You've said enough. I've made up my mind."
"Huh?"
Aron blinked, hopeful for a second.
"I'm not arresting you."
"Really?"
Aron brightened.
"I'm going to kill you right here and now."
"…Seriously?"
Aron's face dropped again.
"But Captain," the sword-wielding agent shouted while clashing with a Spirit, "The mission was to bring him in alive!"
"I don't care anymore!"
---
{Meanwhile, far across the ocean, at ROA Naval Headquarters, deep in the Republic of Aigis Naval Administration Region…}
"We've picked up a report—unusual activity on Agras Island."
"Was it the Atlantic again?"
"No confirmation yet. But whatever it is… people are saying it's big. Some even say it's a sign the Devil's about to be unleashed."
"Then it's them. I'm going."
"You, sir?"
"If it's really Atlantic, I'll take care of it myself."
"Should we ready your escort?"
"You handle that."
"Understood."
---
{Back on the island…}
The villagers outside the forest felt it. Something big was happening. Too big to ignore.
And then—it hit.
A blinding bolt of golden lightning slammed into the mountain, carving a hole straight through the cave roof.
Electricity flowed into the chains wrapped around the man.
They sparked.
Cracked.
Shattered.
The chains were broken.
"What the hell just happened?!"
"Wait… Mister, are you—free?!"
Even the agent captain was speechless.
Aron just stared, eyes wide.
The man slowly rose.
Composed. Powerful. Commanding.
He posed—effortlessly charismatic—like a conqueror returned to his throne.
His gaze swept across them all. Cold. Proud.
No one had the right to stand above him.
No one.
He was the center of this story.
This man—was the Protagonist.
Canis Majoris.
And now…
HE HAS RETURNED.
{Chapter 3 End}