**** Billion's PoV:
I extended my perception, scanning the aftermath of the blast.
I had counted close to a hundred crawlers before the attack, but now….not a single one remained. Only scorched earth, smoldering patches of fire, and a massive crater marked the place where they once stood.
I turned slowly, eyes moving across the battlefield until they settled on the soldiers of Unit 02.
They were all staring at me. Not fighting. Not moving. Just frozen, as if the world had stopped for them. Even the crawlers among their ranks had paused, some mid-motion, as if they too were stunned by what had just happened.
The corner of my mouth twitched.
"I guess I made a pretty good entrance," I muttered under my breath.
With a casual flick of my wrist, I raised my staff and swung it in a wide arc. The lingering flames died out instantly, the air cleared of dust and smoke as if swept away by an unseen wind.
Then I stepped forward.
