Zeta Halo
Jin-Woo walked across the vast stretch of lush green grass, the wind gently rustling through the open plains of Zeta Halo. His boots crunched against the earth as he reached up, peeling away the half-mask that had obscured his face. His sharp gaze landed on Rey and Despondent Pyre near the Defender-class Light Corvette.
Rey was laughing—playing of all things—with the Forerunner Monitor, who seemed to indulge her curiosity rather than reject it outright. The sight was almost surreal.
Jin-Woo exhaled. "You've done well, Offensive Bias," he murmured, his voice carrying through the neural link. "Using slipspace to deliver the Rakghoul plague I produced straight into the Republic fleet's ventilation system? That was a nice touch."
"Compliment acknowledged. You are welcome, Supreme Executor," Offensive Bias responded, its mechanical voice ever calm. There was a pause before it added, "But that girl—she resembles a Reclaimer, yet she possesses something else. Something… that could threaten you."
Jin-Woo's eyes didn't waver. "Rey?" He let out a quiet chuckle. "She has half my midichlorian count, that much is true. But should you be more worried about the fact that you just unleashed the Flood without my permission?"
There was a brief silence before Offensive Bias responded. "Suggestion added. The most optimal defense against the Flood is live combat. Therefore, the best location for such a simulation… is enemy territory."
Jin-Woo smirked. "So, your justification is that testing their defenses by unleashing a galaxy-ending parasite is 'necessary'?"
"Affirmative." Offensive bias responded
Before Jin-Woo could say anything else, Rey approached him, her small frame barely reaching his waist as she looked up at him with curiosity.
"Sir Joever, do you own this place?" she asked, tilting her head.
Before Jin-Woo could respond,
Despondent Pyre floated forward, answering for him.
"Supreme Executor is now the ruler of Zeta Halo and all of its constructs."
Jin-Woo let out a quiet chuckle before glancing down at Rey. "Rey, the name Joever Bideney is a fake. It's just something I used to scare people."
Rey's brows furrowed slightly. "So… what's your real name?"
"Jin-Woo." He folded his arms. "Just call me Jin-Woo from now on."
Rey was still for a moment before nodding. "Okay, Sir Jin-Woo!"
Jin-Woo exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly at the 'Sir' part, but let it slide. He turned his gaze back toward Offensive Bias.
"Is the Proto-Didact Exo-Frame ready for me to wear?"
The AI's response was immediate. "Affirmative. The Proto-Didact Exo-Frame has been fully calibrated and is awaiting integration, Supreme Executor."
Jin-Woo nodded. "Proceed."
Without hesitation, Offensive Bias activated a slipspace portal leading to the armory. From its depths, the components of the Proto-Didact Exo-Frame surged forward, floating with precise coordination.
Each piece latched onto Jin-Woo's body in perfect synchronization. First, the armored gauntlets—then the segmented chest plate, the reinforced leg guards, and the shoulder pauldrons. The armor's weight was nonexistent, as if tailored for perfect movement.
Finally, the helmet—a Forerunner design with a sleek, ominous structure—locked into place, fully concealing his identity.
Jin-Woo clenched his fists, testing the armor's mobility. It moved as if it was an extension of himself.
"Does this armor suppress detection from Jedi? And can it suppress the user's strength?"
Offensive Bias's core pulsed as it processed the query. "Affirmative. The Proto-Didact Exo-Frame is equipped with advanced cloaking mechanisms to mask Force sensitivity and energy signatures from detection. Additionally, strength suppression systems can be manually adjusted to prevent unintended destruction."
Jin-Woo smirked slightly. "Good. Because if I punch someone at full force, I think it's going to create some kind of dangerous momentum. I know my own strength—it's immense. If I'm careless, I might crack or even destroy Zeta Halo itself."
A brief pause.
"Acknowledged." Offensive Bias confirmed. "Strength suppression engaged. Dark energy signatures neutralized."
Jin-Woo felt it immediately. His power was being restrained—but that was exactly what he needed.
The Jedi were highly sensitive to power fluctuations—especially Kuso Baba herself, Celeste Morne. From the moment they met, she sensed that he was a hundred times worse than a Sith. That was something he had to avoid—for now.
Jin-Woo picked up a Sentinel Beam and a Cindershot, testing their weight in his hands. Efficient weapons. Perfect for his next act.
If he wanted to manipulate the galaxy, he needed more than just fear. A reputation that played both sides. A Black Knight—one who eliminated the Rakghoul plague and saved the helpless. A hero in the eyes of the Republic, a shadow of terror to those who truly understood.
Despondent Pyre hovered nearby. "Shall I open a slipspace portal to the Invincible—the Republic flagship?"
Jin-Woo nodded. "Proceed."
A shimmering vortex of slipspace energy spiraled open before him, distorting the air around it.
Rey, standing just behind him, fidgeted slightly before calling out. "Safe trip, Sir Jin-Woo."
Before he could respond, Offensive Bias's voice echoed. "The girl, who resembles a Reclaimer in my galaxy, does not yet understand. He is not the kind of person who requires farewells. He is the strongest being in existence, commanding an immortal army."
Jin-Woo turned his head slightly, glancing back at Rey.
His voice was calm. "Be a good girl, yeah?"
Rey nodded, watching him disappear into the portal.
As the rift collapsed behind him, Despondent Pyre floated beside her. "Shall we continue our game?"
Rey's lips twitched into a small smile. "Yeah."
And with that, Jin-Woo was gone—war awaited.
Meanwhile Republic flagship Invincible : Hangar Section
Jin-Woo walked through the broken corridors of the Invincible's hangar section, the metal creaking under his armored boots. Fires flickered along the walls, sparks raining down from exposed wiring. The entire ship was in chaos.
Then he saw it—one of his own Rakghouls.
But something was off. The creature hesitated.
Jin-Woo narrowed his eyes. He had already given them a direct order—to go completely feral, attacking anything that moved. That included him. Yet here it was, frozen, as if uncertain.
He clicked his tongue. "The fuck? They hesitate against me? This is bad acting." He sighed, already regretting how obvious this looked. If any survivors saw this, they'd start asking questions. And if the Jedi caught wind of it? Even worse.
Then, in his mind, he heard the cold, detached voice of Offensive Bias.
"Suggestion: Deploy secondary biological warfare unit—designated 'Flood Infestation'—aboard this vessel. The presence of another pathogen will ensure maximum efficiency in eliminating all organic resistance."
Jin-Woo immediately shut that idea down. "Absolutely not. We only need one Gravemind. Two, and I'll abandon this galaxy immediately."
There was a brief pause before Offensive Bias responded, his voice as calculating as ever.
"Acknowledged. Contingency measures remain in effect should the Supreme Executor reconsider."
Jin-Woo exhaled, shaking his head. "Yeah, not happening."
He turned his attention back to the Rakghoul, watching it twitch slightly, as if it was struggling against its instincts. That meant the feral override he placed on them wasn't absolute.
Jin-Woo exhaled through his nose, irritated. He reached for his Sentinel Beam, leveling it at the hesitant Rakghoul.
A searing golden beam cut through the creature instantly, its body convulsing before collapsing into a smoldering heap.
But then—the remaining Rakghouls turned and ran.
Jin-Woo sighed and facepalmed. "The hell is this? They're running away now?"
He lowered his hand, shaking his head. "Offensive Bias, I connected you to a part of my body for a reason. That should give you direct control over them, right?"
"Acknowledged," Offensive Bias responded. "Establishing command authority over designated biological units. Executing override."
There was a brief silence before the Rakghouls, now under Offensive Bias's direct influence, froze in place. Then, one by one, they turned back toward Jin-Woo, snarling.
But still… something was off.
Even under Offensive Bias's control, they hesitated for a fraction of a second before fully attacking.
Jin-Woo narrowed his eyes. "They're still hesitating," he muttered. "Tch. Even when overridden, they know I'm their master."
He lifted the Sentinel Beam again and let another beam of energy slice through them, the Rakghouls convulsing and burning under the golden light. The ship's dark corridors flickered with the glow of their destruction.
Jin-Woo lowered the weapon, inspecting the aftermath. "At least this time, they put up more of a fight."
"Acknowledged," Offensive Bias responded. "Continued recalibration of control parameters may improve subject compliance."
Jin-Woo rolled his shoulders. "Whatever. Just keep them from hesitating next time."
Jin-Woo kept moving forward, his Sentinel Beam carving through anything in his way. The golden light of the weapon illuminated the dark corridors, casting eerie shadows as the lingering Rakghouls scrambled back in fear.
He smirked. "Heh. Shit, I'm like Batman now. The enemy hesitates before fighting me."
"Affirmative," Offensive Bias responded without hesitation. "Batman is a fictional character from the DC Universe. A human with no superpowers who relies on intellect, combat prowess, and technological resources."
Jin-Woo shook his head, muttering, "Yeah, I know."
Then, his eyes caught movement ahead. Two Republic soldiers stood stationed in front of a medbay, their postures tense, rifles held close to their bodies.
Jin-Woo's smirk faded. That means Master Tyvokka got shot.
"Gunray's reckless actions have rendered the Jedi Master temporarily incapacitated," Jin-Woo mused.
"Analysis suggests that rescuing the Wookiee Jedi Master will significantly increase Supreme Executor's approval among the Jedi Order," Offensive Bias calculated.
Jin-Woo glanced at the medbay doors. "I already planned to do that," he said. "Just need to make a few adjustments first."
Without another word, his body shimmered as he activated his Phase Shift Adaptation, seamlessly merging into the walls, his form flickering like a ghost. Silent as assassin , he maneuvered toward the unsuspecting guards, ready to strike.
Tyvokka lay on the medbay bed, his breathing heavy, a scorched blaster wound searing through his chest. By his side, his apprentice Plo Koon gripped his arm tightly, eyes filled with worry. The elder Wookiee Jedi let out a weak but firm breath.
"You make me proud, Plo Koon…" His voice was low but steady. "Thank you… for keeping my temper in check. You make me—"
Suddenly, his fur bristled. Danger.
His instincts screamed at him, adrenaline surging through his battered body. His hand shot toward his lightsaber, but before he could even grip it—CLANK—both his and Plo Koon's lightsabers were pinned to the wall by an unseen force.
A figure loomed in the doorway.
Jin-Woo. Clad in his Proto-Didact Exo-Frame, his imposing form was backlit by the emergency red lights of the medbay. His Sentinel Beam hummed ominously, aimed directly at Plo Koon.
"You try anything stupid," Jin-Woo said coldly, his voice reverberating through the helmet, "and I'll burn this monkey to dust."
Plo Koon swallowed hard, his throat dry. He didn't dare move. The energy of that weapon—it wasn't something he had encountered before.
Tyvokka's eyes, filled with pain but unwavering, met Jin-Woo's visor. "What do you want from us?" he asked, his voice steady despite the agony. "If you seek death, take mine. Plo Koon's life is worth more than mine."
Jin-Woo ignored the sentiment, stepping closer. His armored boots clicked against the durasteel floor. "Where did you get shot?" His tone was clinical, detached, like a field medic assessing a dying soldier. "And how deep is the wound?"
Plo Koon hesitated, his mind racing. Is… this armored man a medic? He's trying to save my master?
Tyvokka let out a slow breath. "Fatal. My chest. I can feel it. My life is fading."
Jin-Woo remained silent for a moment before lowering his weapon slightly. His voice lacked any emotion as he spoke. "Tough luck. You Jedi survive worse."
Without another word, he moved toward the Wookiee Jedi Master and activated his armor's Self-Regenerating Systems—a nanite-based reconstruction ability. However, instead of using it on himself, he redirected its function onto Tyvokka.
The Jedi Master grunted as he felt something shifting within his body. "Did you just… regenerate part of me?"
Plo Koon, still tense, suddenly realized he was no longer pinned down. His muscles twitched, but he didn't move. He watched as Jin-Woo worked, his armored fingers pressing against Tyvokka's chest with mechanical precision.
Jin-Woo turned his head slightly, addressing him. "Hey, Jedi—Plo Koon, right? Hold the monkey's arm down. This is going to hurt."
Plo Koon narrowed his eyes. "He's a Wookiee. Not a monkey, armored man."
Jin-Woo ignored the correction as he continued his work.
Tyvokka gritted his teeth, his instincts screaming at him to fight back, but he endured.
The damage was deeper than just a wound—Gunray's droids had burned through critical arteries near the Wookiee's heart. Jin-Woo adjusted his stance, forming a new artery with the nanites, forcing them to reconstruct what had been lost. The Wookiee's entire body trembled from the unnatural healing process.
Jin-Woo muttered, "And now the finishing touch."
From his armor, a small burner-like device extended from his wrist. With a sharp burst of heat, he cauterized the wound, sealing it completely. The scent of burning flesh filled the room as Tyvokka groaned through clenched teeth.
Jin-Woo stepped back, assessing his work. "There. One healthy monkey, still breathing."
Plo Koon let out a breath of relief, but his frustration remained. "Thank you, but… was it really necessary to be that aggressive? You pinned me down the entire time."
Jin-Woo scoffed. "You want your master to join the Force now? If I had been 40 seconds later, he'd be in your archives."
Plo Koon fell silent. He couldn't argue with that.
Tyvokka, despite the pain, let out a deep rumble that might've been a chuckle. "Crude, but effective."
Jin-Woo merely smirked. "I get that a lot."
Plo Koon, still keeping an eye on him, finally spoke. "So, who are you, armored man? And why are you here?"
Jin-Woo shrugged. "You can call me 'armored man' if it suits you. As for why I'm here…" He gestured vaguely to the broken corridors outside. "I'm just hunting beasts for fortune. Like these Rakghouls. If there's an occupation, you can call me a beast hunter."
Plo Koon's eyes narrowed slightly. "Rakghouls? Oh… you mean the plague that has infected every last soldier in multiple sections of this ship."
Jin-Woo chuckled. "Any beast, as long as it gives me a thrill, some fun, and most importantly—" He flashed a hand in the air. "Moneyyyyyyy."
Tyvokka scoffed, shaking his head. "Tch. Money grubbers."
Jin-Woo placed a hand on his chest in mock offense. "Heyyyy, I saved your life, alright?"
Tyvokka exhaled. "Doesn't mean I have to like your reason."
Jin-Woo smirked but quickly got to the point. "Now, I want you guys to return a favor. Do you have a ship that can get me out? My ride got blown up by pirates."
Plo Koon, still wary, nodded. "There are some escape pods and functional ships… however, your armor—" His gaze swept over Jin-Woo's exo-frame, the intricate metallic design far beyond anything even Mandalorians had access to. "It's too advanced for a simple beast hunter. Even Mandalorian armor isn't as advanced as yours."
Plo Koon ignited his blue lightsaber, his stance shifting. "Who are you, exactly?"
Jin-Woo's eyes flashed. Without hesitation, he raised his arm, his armor's wrist plate colliding with Plo Koon's blade in a sharp, resonating CLANG. Sparks flew as the two forces clashed, but Jin-Woo didn't even flinch.
"How about we focus on getting out alive?" Jin-Woo said, his voice casual despite the locked stance. "That seems more reasonable, don't you think?"
Tyvokka, still seated on the medbay bed, sighed. "Stand down, my apprentice."
Plo Koon hesitated for a moment, then retracted his lightsaber, stepping back. His gaze, however, remained locked onto Jin-Woo, studying him even more intently now.
Tyvokka let out a slow breath. "I won't ask your reasons. But we need to rescue the survivors. Can you help us, armored man? Then we get out. That's my deal."
Jin-Woo tilted his head, considering it. Then he grinned. "Thrill and fun are part of the job."
Tyvokka nodded. "Then let's move."
As the group stepped out of the medbay, the momentary silence was broken by a voice.
"Master Tyvokka, you're alive! That's good news."
The Republic guards had their weapons lowered at first, relief clear in their voices. But their eyes quickly flicked to Jin-Woo, their expressions shifting.
"Who's the person behind you?" one of the guards asked, his eyes narrowing at Jin-Woo's exo-frame.
Before Jin-Woo could speak, Plo Koon stepped forward. "A mercenary I hired," he said smoothly. "Didn't expect him to arrive so soon, but he's been… helpful."
Jin-Woo smirked behind his helmet. Good liar, indeed.
The guards seemed unsure, but they didn't press further.
Then, without warning— CLANG!
Jin-Woo raised his Sentinel Beam and fired a shot at the ceiling.
A searing golden beam sliced through metal, and with a sickening crunch, a dozen Rakghoul corpses tumbled down, their twisted forms still twitching as they landed in heaps at the guards' feet.
The soldiers stumbled back, swearing as they raised their weapons.
Jin-Woo's voice was calm, almost lazy. "Careful. Ambushes are everywhere."
Plo Koon's gaze flicked from the corpses back to Jin-Woo's armor. His mind raced.
Armor far too advanced… weapons that cut through flesh and metal like a lightsaber… and yet, he claims to be a mercenary?
The Kel Dor Jedi remained silent, but his suspicions only deepened.