Jin-Woo walked through the vast metallic corridors of Installation 07 / zeta halo for nearly thirty minutes.
Nothing. No Covenant. No Banished. No UNSC. No Master Chief.
He exhaled slightly, relieved. The last thing he needed was an unnecessary fight—especially against him.
I'd rather not kill my favorite character if I can help it.
As he stepped further into the installation, a faint hum echoed through the air. A golden light flickered ahead, and from the ceiling, a floating construct descended.
A Monitor. Its eye pulsed with energy as it hovered toward him, scanning him with precision. Its metallic carapace gleamed under the artificial lighting of the Halo's interior.
Then, with a crisp, neutral tone, it spoke.
"Greetings. I am 117649 Despondent Pyre, custodian of Installation 07. My primary function is the preservation and security of this installation, as dictated by the Ecumene Council and the Forerunner creators. This ring is a sacred facility, meant to contain that which must never be unleashed."
She paused, tilting slightly as she analyzed Jin-Woo.
"You are an unknown entity. Biological profile does not match any recorded species within the Domain. Your presence is unauthorized."
Her tone didn't shift—it remained polite, almost warm, but there was a distinct edge of caution.
Then, after a brief moment of scanning, she asked a single question. "Are you a Reclaimer?"
Jin-Woo removed his mask, his piercing blue eyes locking onto Despondent Pyre. "Are you stupid?" he asked flatly. "You already scanned me. You already know whether I'm human or not. Since you said I don't match any recorded species, why even ask?"
Despondent Pyre hovered silently for a moment before responding, "Just kidding."
Jin-Woo narrowed his eyes.
"But," Pyre continued, "I needed to confirm something. You ooze some kind of dangerous aura. It is unlike anything recorded in the Domain, nor does it align with any Forerunner catalogued anomaly."
Suddenly, the air shifted. A distinct hum filled the chamber.
Jin-Woo's eyes flicked to his surroundings as multiple Sentinels emerged from the walls and ceiling, their metallic appendages humming with energy as they trained their weapons on him.
Despondent Pyre's tone remained composed. "I must ensure you are not a threat to this installation. Tell me, are you here for the Endless? Or the Harbinger? Those two must not be—"
Jin-Woo interrupted, his voice calm. "Where is Offensive Bias?"
Despondent Pyre hesitated. Then, smoothly, she responded.
"There is no Offensive Bias. You must be mistaken. If you are referring to a Forerunner military AI, the only relevant entity would be Mendicant Bias."
Jin-Woo's gaze remained unblinking. "Interesting," he muttered.
Pyre continued, her voice unwavering. "Offensive Bias is a fabrication. There is no record of such an AI in any known archive, nor was it ever created under the Ecumene's directive. Mendicant Bias was the only military AI designed to counteract threats beyond the Forerunner's control. I believe you may be confusing historical records with myths or conjecture."
Jin-Woo let out a small chuckle. He tilted his head slightly.
"Does the Grand Edict teach Monitors to lie now?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement. "I'm impressed."
Without another word, ten High Orcs emerged from his shadow, their massive forms materializing in an instant. Their weapons gleamed as they slashed through the Sentinels surrounding him, cutting them down effortlessly. Sparks flew as mechanical bodies crashed to the ground.
Jin-Woo remained unfazed. "I'm pressed for time. Where is Offensive Bias?"
Despondent Pyre hesitated, her processors calculating the best response, but before she could speak, the air around them flickered. A black screen with glowing red patterns appeared in front of her, forming text in an unknown Forerunner code before quickly translating into Galactic Basic.
"Despondent Pyre, lead him to the waterfall. As you can see, he is not your caliber."
Despondent Pyre's core dimmed slightly as she turned toward the screen. "Offensive Bias, sir. If this man kills you , there goes our chances if the Endless are released."
The red patterns shifted, and new text appeared.
"You might not see it, but I can. Before, I saw his power diminished by half when I first detected him in that room. Now, when he stepped onto Installation 07, his power immediately returned to full. If he wanted to kill us, he could simply flood the ring with his immortal army. I am not repeating myself. Lead this man to my location."
Jin-Woo smirked. "He's right. My power is returning. Seems like being stuck in that galaxy was suppressing me."
Despondent Pyre turned back toward him, her tone shifting from cautious to something colder, sharper. "If you kill Offensive Bias, I will hunt you down personally."
Jin-Woo only smiled, stepping forward. "Then lead the way."
Jin-Woo stood at the edge of the waterfall, the mist lightly spraying against his cloak. Then, from behind the cascading water, something massive began to emerge.
A mechanical behemoth, its core pulsating with crimson light. Its elongated frame floated effortlessly, multiple segmented appendages extending outward, each lined with intricate, ancient Forerunner technology. Sharp, angular plating surrounded its central body like armor, interlocking in a design that spoke of both elegance and raw military power. A singular, dominating red eye sat at its core,
Jin-Woo tilted his head slightly. "I thought you'd be smaller—maybe stuck in a terminal like Mendicant Bias. But you're massive… like a giant."
Offensive Bias red eye flared brighter for a moment as the machine's voice reverberated through the air, precise and emotionless. "Scanning: Unknown entity. Biological classification—Not human. Formerly human. Subject exhibits an anomalous energy signature. Comparative analysis suggests a correlation to theoretical energy constructs in non-Forerunner domains. Nearest equivalent in human terminology: 'Ki.'"
The glow of Offensive Bias's core pulsed again as it hovered closer. "State your business. Your intent in seeking me is evident, yet your purpose remains unclear. Elaboration is required."
Jin-Woo's eyes remained fixed on the massive AI before him. "I want you to join my army," he said without hesitation. "You will serve as my strategist and personal AI."
Offensive Bias's red eye flickered, its towering frame hovering with precision. "Request denied. This action would directly clash with my primary directive—to safeguard existence against the Endless."
Jin-Woo smirked. "And what if the Endless disappeared? Like they never existed? Not here, not anywhere."
Then, the AI's core pulsed with renewed intensity. "Recalculating… Balancing options… Grand Edict's directive mandates defense against the Endless as an ongoing necessity. If the problem ceases to exist, my primary function is rendered obsolete… Consideration required."
The glow dimmed for a moment before Offensive Bias spoke again. "If you can prove your claim—if the Endless truly no longer pose a threat—then I will reconsider your request."
Jin woo answered " With Pleasure "
The ground trembled. A low hum filled the air as an entire battalion of Sentinels arrived, hovering in perfect formation. Despondent Pyre followed closely behind, her blue light flickering with a mix of intrigue and apprehension.
But what truly stood out were the massive, coffin-like structures descending from the sky—Endless Cryptums, each one housing a being so dangerous that even the Forerunners had feared them.
Jin-Woo exhaled sharply, tilting his head. "Is this really necessary, Offensive Bias?"
The AI's glowing red eye pulsed as it responded. "Surefire required. If the subject fails, the subject must be terminated."
Jin-Woo let out a small chuckle. " either I succeed or die, huh?" He rolled his shoulders. "Fine. I'll make sure you don't get the chance."
He lifted his hand, fingers flexing. His very presence darkened, an overwhelming pressure seeping into the battlefield.
Then, he spoke. "Sam. Sam. Sam. Sam."
A pulse of black-purple energy radiated from his body, twisting the air around him. The shadows beneath his feet surged like a living entity, warping reality itself. His sword—his Monarch's Blade—became wreathed in unholy black flames.
This wasn't just any ability. This was Vonu Manah—his Blessing destruction technique. And now, it was evolving into something greater. "Alastor."
The flames roared, twisting violently as they coiled around his weapon. Alastor: The Fourfold of Sam.
The very fabric of space shuddered as his blade became an executioner's guillotine, a force capable of completely erasing anything—even that which was infinitely regenerating.
One by one, the Cryptums cracked, their inhabitants vanishing—not dying, not even being destroyed, but erased from existence itself. It was as if they had never been here. Not in this world. Not in this timeline.
Not anywhere.Despondent Pyre's eye flickered wildly. "Impossible… That level of erasure…!"
Offensive Bias remained still, its internal processors calculating at speeds beyond comprehension. "Verification in progress… Detection of Endless presence… negative. Probability of survival… zero."
Jin-Woo's blade lowered, the last of the flames fading into his shadow.
But what none of them knew—what even Offensive Bias had failed to detect—was that half of the Endless were not erased.
Instead, they had been submerged within the abyss of his shadow.
Jin-Woo exhaled, casually resting his sword on his shoulder as he glanced up at the massive AI. "Is that enough for you, red eyeball AI?"
Offensive Bias hovered in silence for a moment, its central eye glowing as it processed the data. "Verification required… You are not a Reclaimer. You are not a Forerunner. And yet, you wield power on your own… Is this what humans refer to as 'ki'?"
Jin-Woo scoffed. "It's called mana." He flicked the last traces of black flames from his blade. "But what I just used? That doesn't belong to humans. It belongs to me. And the only others who ever had it… they all died by my hand."
Offensive Bias went completely still.
The AI hesitated. "Processing… Cross-referencing historical records… Grand Edict's final directive… Confirmed. Probability of full Forerunner extinction… 100%. Current operational directive obsolete. Recalculating…"
Then, the AI's voice returned, steady and absolute.
"Designation revised. New title assigned: Supreme Executor. All remaining Forerunner orders have been deemed irrelevant. Supreme Executor designation confirmed. The termination of the Endless has verified authority."
The AI's vast mechanical form lowered slightly, as if in acknowledgment.
"Awaiting orders, Supreme Executor."
Jin-Woo blinked, then slowly grinned. "Supreme Executor, huh?" He let out a small chuckle. "And I command all of you now?"
"Affirmative," Offensive Bias responded without hesitation.
Jin-Woo turned his gaze to Despondent Pyre. "And you?"
"I am awaiting the Supreme Executor's command," The Monitor answered, its tone unwavering.
Jin-Woo smirked. "Then bring me all the Sentinel weapons that I can wield."
"Affirmative," Despondent Pyre replied.
Within moments, the Sentinels moved, retrieving various handheld Forerunner weapons. They neatly arranged them before him—Sentinel Beams, Heatwaves, Cindershots.
Jin-Woo looked at them, unimpressed. "Only this?"
Offensive Bias responded without hesitation. "Question being asked. Supreme Executor, these weapons are the standard-issue armaments granted by previous Forerunner authorities."
Jin-Woo slowly dragged a hand down his face. "The Forerunners fought the Endless, a threat so severe they built Zeta Halo to contain them, and this is all they had?" He sighed. "No wonder they got wiped out."
Despondent Pyre's mechanical eye flickered. "Clarification: The Array remains functional and primed to fire upon command."
Jin-Woo let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Oh, very funny. The moment you fire that thing, all living beings go with it." He gestured vaguely. "Yeah, no thanks."
Despondent Pyre remained silent, processing his words.
Jin-Woo exhaled, looking back at the sentinel weapons before him. Sentinel Beams, Heatwaves, Cindershots—useful, but nowhere near what he expected from an ancient civilization that once ruled the galaxy.
Offensive Bias's core pulsed as it spoke. "Suggestion added. There is a prototype armor—an advanced variant of the Ur-Didact's Warplate—with capabilities exceeding those of the Didact himself."
Jin-Woo's eyes narrowed. "Show me."
Without hesitation, Despondent Pyre opened a portal, revealing a massive Forerunner armory. A cold gust of air swept past them as the chamber was unveiled—lined with towering racks of empty weaponry and armor, remnants of a civilization that had once dominated the galaxy and wiped out by their own weapon .
At the center of it all, on an elevated platform, stood the armor.
The suit loomed tall, an imposing exo-frame composed of sleek blackened alloys, its surface pulsing with glowing orange energy veins. The segmented plates shifted subtly as if alive, while floating fragments of armor hovered just above its form, defying gravity itself. The helmet bore a menacing, skull-like design, its angular edges giving off an aura of absolute authority.
Jin-Woo stepped forward, staring at it intently. "What are its capabilities?"
Despondent Pyre's eye flickered. "Armor Designation: Proto-Didact Exo-Frame. A next-generation Forerunner combat exoskeleton, surpassing the Ur-Didact's Warplate in versatility and raw power. Unlike the Didact's original armor, this variant is immune to remote overrides, ensuring that no external force may disable or control it."
Jin-Woo smirked. "So no one's hacking me mid-battle. Good."
Despondent Pyre continued. "Armor Capabilities Include:
.....................….
Hardlight Reinforcement – Armor plating can self-generate additional layers of hardlight shielding, increasing durability and negating conventional kinetic damage.
Gravitational Manipulation – User can alter their gravitational field, enabling mid-air levitation, enhanced movement speed, and controlled flight.
Forerunner-Grade Strength Enhancement – Grants superhuman strength beyond even the most advanced Spartans or Sangheili warriors.
Phase-Shift Adaptation – Temporarily allows the user to phase through solid matter, evading attacks or passing through obstacles.
Neural Combat Synchronization – Real-time combat optimization, predicting enemy movements and enhancing reaction speed to near-instantaneous levels.
Sentinel Command Integration – Directly interfaces with all Forerunner Sentinel-class constructs, overriding control and issuing commands instantly.
Energy Conversion Protocols – Absorbs incoming energy-based attacks and repurposes them for offensive retaliation.
Self-Regenerating Systems – The armor can repair itself using nanite-based reconstruction, reducing downtime between battles , it can also be used to repair / create new organs should the user wished it .
Absolute Signal Cloaking – Renders the wearer immune to any form of technological tracking, including AI-based scans and heat signatures.
Annihilation Shockwave – Upon physical impact, the armor can release a devastating gravitational shockwave, capable of disintegrating nearby enemies.
Forerunner Encryption Field – Ensures that no foreign AI or entity can take control of the armor's systems."
.....................…
Jin-Woo crossed his arms, considering everything. "In other words," he muttered, stepping closer, "it's a Forerunner-killer's suit."
As he said that jin woo sunk the Proto-Didact Exo-Frame to his own shadow
Offensive Bias responded. "Affirmative."
Jin-Woo smirked before shifting his attention. "Offensive Bias, do you have something like an implant that allows your AI to accompany me? I need you to be with me at all times."
Offensive Bias processed the request. "Implant creation: Initiated. Completion: Imminent."
Within seconds, a small, sleek chip materialized, hovering midair before gently landing in Jin-Woo's open palm. It pulsed with a faint red glow, Forerunner glyphs etched along its surface.
Jin-Woo examined it for a moment before asking, "Where exactly am I supposed to put this?"
"Suggestion added," Offensive Bias responded. "Implantation within the cerebral cortex would provide optimal battlefield support. I would be able to predict threats, enhance combat instincts, and coordinate real-time strategies."
Jin-Woo immediately frowned. "Yeah, no thanks. I don't need you poking around in my brain. All I need from you is hacking support and fleet management."
"Acknowledged." Offensive bias answered
With a satisfied nod, Jin-Woo lifted the chip and pressed it against his left shoulder. The implant seamlessly merged with his skin, integrating into his system as if it had always belonged there.
He rolled his shoulder, testing the sensation. "Did you get a visual?"
Offensive Bias responded almost instantly. "Capability added. Visual synchronization online. Remote data access enabled. Hacking range extended."
Jin-Woo raised an eyebrow. "How far are we talking?"
Offensive Bias's core pulsed. "Calculation complete. Range: Entire solar system and beyond. Multi-system infiltration now possible."
Despondent Pyre observed the interaction before finally speaking. "Shall I return you to your galaxy?"
Jin-Woo paused, then smirked. "Wait. You have coordinates for the galaxy filled with Jedi and Sith, don't you?"
"Affirmative," Offensive Bias confirmed. "However, they are primitive compared to the Forerunners."
Jin-Woo chuckled. " No need, though—I'll travel back myself. But keep a Slipspace portal open just in case I decide to return."
Despondent Pyre's eye flickered. "Acknowledged. Slipspace link to current coordinates established."
Without another word, Jin-Woo activated Shadow Exchange. His form vanished into darkness.
At that exact moment, a Shadow Knight emerged in his place, taking his position like an eerie, silent replacement.