The research lab was sterile and humming with quiet energy. A glass-paneled corridor led Rin into a multi-tiered chamber that looked more like an alien observatory than a laboratory. Fluorescent lights bathed the room in pale blue, and sleek diagnostic arms hovered, awaiting activation.
Rin walked stiffly beside Captain Raj, still dressed in medical attire. Monitors flared to life the moment she entered, tracking her biometrics, brainwaves, and most importantly—her Protocol Core.
At the center of the lab stood a man dressed in white and gold robes, interwoven with sleek black armor plating. His eyes gleamed with data—literally. Digital glyphs flickered across his pupils as he assessed Rin's readings. A shimmering falcon-shaped drone hovered beside him.
"Rin, meet Doctor Ayaka Mensah," Raj introduced. "Protocol Holder: Thoth. One of our best researchers in mythogenesis classification."
Dr. Mensah inclined his head. His voice was calm, deliberate, laced with knowledge beyond centuries.
"You're the Nyx girl," he murmured. "I've been waiting to see what kind of anomaly you really are."
Rin frowned.
"Is that how you greet all your patients?"
He chuckled softly.
"Only the interesting ones."
He gestured toward a pod-like seat surrounded by scanning coils.
"Sit. We're going to run a Proto-Gene Resonance Scan. It'll measure the density, classification, and potential evolution pathway of your protocol. You might feel a little warm."
Rin sat, and the machine thrummed to life. As her aura pulsed through the chamber, the air changed—thicker, darker, like velvet pressing down on light. Shadows curled along the walls like smoke.
"Fascinating," Mensah muttered, reading the live data. "You're not just a Divinity. Not even a typical Titan."
He turned toward her and began his explanation, eyes gleaming with excitement.
---
"In our the world of —Mythos—Protocols are manifestations of mythological archetypes: gods, monsters, legends. They're not mere abilities; they're systems—blueprints for power anchored in ancient belief.
There are two recognized main types:
1. Divinity Protocols — Derived from gods or god-like beings. Example: Nike, the Greek goddess of victory.
2. Monster Protocols — Derived from beasts, titans, or chaotic entities. Example: Phoenix or Queen of Serpents.
Protocols are ranked from E to SSS+, based on two things:
The type (Divine or Monster)
The raw attack potential of the entity.
But—rank doesn't equal strength. A higher rank only shows potential. Many E-Ranks have won against S-Ranks with training and skill."**
He tapped a holographic panel and two names appeared:
> Janus (Divinity, A+ Rank)
Taotie (Monster, S– Rank)
"Janus is divine—gatekeeper of transitions. But Taotie? A gluttonous beast of ancient Chinese lore. More chaotic. More explosive. Stronger by nature, though far less disciplined."
Another set blinked into view:
> Nike (Divinity, S-Rank)
Phoenix (Monster, S+ Rank)
"Phoenix holds more power than Nike, not because she's holier—but because she burns more freely. That's the key difference: Divinity represents order, Monster represents chaos. Chaos has no ceiling."
He turned to Rin.
"But you—Nyx—is neither entirely divine, nor entirely monstrous."
He expanded a third category on the screen:
---
> Category Three: Hybrid Protocols
Beings that exist at the edge of divinity and monstrosity—worshiped as gods but born from chaos.
---
"Nyx was a Titan—one of the Primordials. Born from Chaos itself. But she was worshiped in many cultures as the Goddess of the Night. That puts you in Category Three. A rare class. A paradox."
Rin stared at the scans. Her aura twisted like ink in water—neither holy nor cursed. Something in between.
"So what does that mean?" she asked, voice low.
"It means your Protocol is volatile, adaptive, and largely undefined. Most Divinities operate on structured domains—sunlight, war, justice. Yours is night. Which contains everything and nothing. Dreams, shadows, death, memory. Your core isn't stable because night is never one thing."
Raj leaned against the wall.
"And what's her rank?"
Mensah exhaled, adjusting his display.
"Initial scan shows S-Rank… but adaptive fluctuations are trending upward. This Protocol may have the potential to evolve to SSS+."
Rin blinked.
"Protocols… can evolve?"
Mensah nodded slowly.
"Yes. But it's rare. Less than 0.04% ever do. Evolution requires intense emotional catalysts, existential crisis, or divine resonance. It's not just power—it's transformation of self. When the host changes… so does the Protocol."
He paused, studying her.
"The fact that yours is already shifting… means you're a living anomaly. And potentially, a walking extinction event."
Rin narrowed her eyes.
"So what now?"
Raj straightened.
"Now? Training. Calibration. We'll start with control drills and resonance focusing. If your Protocol keeps evolving unchecked, you'll lose yourself to it."
Mensah added with a wry smile,
"No pressure. But if you go berserk, we have two S+ Protocol Holders on standby to contain you. Maybe three."
Rin smirked slightly.
"Let's hope they're faster than Typhon."
The shadows behind her curled like wings.
---