Shadow Being System

In a dimly lit room, the B10 gathered around a wide, circular table, their faces lined with tension. It was rare for them to meet so frequently within a short period, and the urgency was palpable. The faint murmur of impatient voices was interrupted by a booming voice, grumbling, "We've been having these meetings far too often lately." The speaker's voice echoed through the room, laced with frustration.

Another voice chimed in, a woman's tone sharp and suspicious, "Who called the meeting this time?"

A figure at the head of the table stepped forward—it was the Head General. His face was calm but intense, his eyes sharp under his stern brow. "I called it," he said, a hint of irony in his voice. "It's not like I called because I missed you or anything," he added dryly, prompting a few raised brows and murmurs of surprise. "Something urgent has come up."

Without further preamble, he placed a small device—a military-grade audio player—at the center of the table, its metallic surface glinting under the room's cold lights. The B10 members leaned in, their expressions becoming grave as he pressed a button.

The recording crackled to life, and the chaotic symphony of battle filled the room, a cacophony of gunfire and explosions crashing against the walls. A deep, strained voice emerged amidst the chaos, rough with tension.

"Command, this is General Carter," came the voice, barely audible over the gunfire and the dull thud of explosions in the background. Helicopter blades whirred overhead, creating a constant hum that vibrated through the recording. Soldiers' shouts echoed through, blending into the frenzied noise.

"We are under attack. Repeat, we are under attack."

The B10 members tensed, some gripping the table as they listened, their faces becoming stony as Command's voice broke through on the line, calm but with an edge of concern. "General, this is Command. Can you confirm the nature and scale of the attack? Over."

"It's the Heretics," Carter's voice grated, frustration seeping into his tone. A sudden explosion punctuated his words, making some of the B10 flinch. "They've breached our outer defenses… and it looks like the King of Heretics himself is here."

There was a brief, charged silence from Command's end before the voice returned, sharper now, clearly alarmed. "Understood, General. Reinforcements are on their way, but we're still thirty minutes out. Can you hold your position?"

"We're trying," Carter's voice was thick with strain. More gunfire erupted, and he seemed to duck instinctively, the sound of ricocheting bullets clear. "We need air support now, and all students have been evacuated to the underground bunker."

"Roger that, General. Air support is launching in five minutes," Command responded, a faint rustle of papers adding an almost surreal normalcy to the chaotic backdrop.

Another barrage of gunfire and shouting swelled, followed by a low grunt from Carter. "If they push us back any further, I can't be sure the students will be safe. Be ready for that."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Understood, General. Reinforcements en route."

The static grew heavier, Carter's voice fading, as if sinking beneath the waves of interference. "Command… they're closing in... too many…"

"General, say again. You're breaking up."

Through the static, Carter's voice emerged once more, a ragged whisper, barely discernible. "...Heretics… they… is that –––– a cat?"

And then, silence.

The recording clicked off, and the room plunged into a stunned hush. The B10 sat frozen, the color drained from their faces. It was as if the blood had stopped flowing in their veins, replaced by an ice-cold chill that radiated through the silence. Finally, one of them spoke, his voice cracking just slightly, "Did… did he just report a cat?"

A woman, her face taut with worry, swallowed hard. "This is bad."

The B1, the calmest among them, straightened, his eyes narrowed. "We have to act, and fast," he said. He looked at the Head General, his tone commanding. "Inform the generals and commanders of all military bases. Tell them to converge on Base 5."

Then he shifted his gaze to the rest of the B10. "Gather everyone you can, above Tier 5. We're all heading to Base 5." He stood, his face set with a grim resolve, and noticed his colleagues' confused expressions. He raised an eyebrow, his voice cutting through the silence, "What are you waiting for? We're going too. Don't you understand the danger of the cat?"

Realization dawned, and in an instant, the B10 was on their feet, urgency blazing in their eyes as they moved with purpose, their footsteps echoing down the hall.

__________________________

In the mist-shrouded chasm of Military Academy 4, William stood by the edge of the lake, focused on the electric arcs sparking from his fingertips. The range of his lightning strikes had grown, reaching farther with each controlled thrust, the bursts of energy lighting up the dense fog around him. He took a deep breath, feeling his heart pound with satisfaction as his skills sharpened.

Then, a gust of wind stirred at the entrance of the chasm, swirling the fog as if something massive was descending. William's muscles tensed, his senses prickling with alertness. He turned, watching as a figure emerged through the haze, descending rapidly with a graceful, commanding presence.

From the fog stepped General Zhao, his traditional Chinese fan gripped in one hand. But instead of landing on the lake's surface, he stopped midair, hovering effortlessly above the water with an aura of calm authority. William's tension melted as he recognized the general, but he couldn't shake the odd intensity radiating from him. Zhao seemed… different. More serious, his usual relaxed demeanor replaced by a fierce focus.

William snapped into a salute, respectful yet curious. "General Zhao! What brings you here, sir?"

General Zhao's gaze softened for a moment, but his expression remained grim. "I have something important to tell you, William." His voice was low, almost as if he were reluctant to share. "I'll be away for a while. I don't know how long."

William's brow furrowed. The general's words hit him like a jolt. "Commander Charles will also be away," Zhao continued, his tone steady but distant. "While we're gone, report anything urgent to Mona."

The news left William reeling, his mind racing to understand. "Why would both of you be leaving the base?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "Is it… the Heretics?"

The general's eyes hardened slightly, a flicker of warning crossing his face. "The less you know, the better." And with that, he raised his fan and ascended, disappearing swiftly through the fog, leaving William standing alone in the chasm.

A familiar voice broke the silence, crackling through William's mind.

"It must be the Heretics," the system remarked, its tone tinged with suspicion.

William nodded, clenching his fists. "Yeah. All the more reason to get stronger."