Warfare！！！

Ling Yi sat back down at her workstation, her mind spinning. The Tiger Shark Cannon had been her proudest achievement, yet the cloaked man's cryptic words suggested there were greater challenges to come—ones she hadn't anticipated.

For the next few days, Ling Yi immersed herself in her research, perfecting the Tiger Shark Cannon and pushing the limits of its technology. She added advanced targeting systems, enhanced its energy efficiency, and even integrated adaptive algorithms that allowed it to respond in real time to battlefield conditions. Yet, no matter how hard she worked, her thoughts kept drifting back to the cloaked figure's warning.

What could he have meant by "forces greater than gaze City"? The city was already a hub of advanced tech, home to the brightest minds and cutting-edge weapons. If there was something bigger out there, something that could dwarf the Tiger Shark Cannon, Ling Yi needed to be ready.

One evening, as she worked late in her lab, a notification flashed on her screen: Unidentified energy signal detected.

Ling Yi frowned and quickly pulled up the data. The signal was faint but consistent, emanating from the outskirts of gaze City. It wasn't anything she had seen before—its frequency was erratic, almost like a pulse, and it didn't match any known technological source in the city's database.

Her curiosity piqued, she packed up a portable version of the Tiger Shark Cannon and slipped out of her lab. The streets of GAZE City were quiet at this hour, the neon lights reflecting off the sleek metal buildings. She moved quickly, her heart racing as she made her way toward the signal's source.

As she reached the outskirts of the city, she saw something strange: a shimmering distortion in the air, like a heatwave, but more structured. Ling Yi approached cautiously, her hand on the Tiger Shark Cannon's controls. The distortion pulsed in time with the signal she had detected.

Suddenly, the distortion expanded, and a figure stepped through—a figure clad in the same dark cloak as the man who had visited her lab.

"You again," Ling Yi muttered, tightening her grip on the Cannon.

The cloaked man raised a hand, as if to signal peace. "I told you, there are forces beyond this city. And now, you're about to meet one of them."

Before Ling Yi could respond, another figure emerged from the distortion—this one taller, bulkier, and wearing strange, segmented armor that gleamed in the low light. The armor hummed with an energy Ling Yi had never seen before. The figure's face was obscured by a mask, but there was an undeniable air of authority about him.

The cloaked man stepped back, giving the newcomer space. "This is Commander Arcturus," he said, his voice unusually respectful. "He comes from a place far beyond this world—an interdimensional faction that seeks to control advanced technologies, like your Tiger Shark Cannon."

Ling Yi's heart pounded in her chest as she realized what the cloaked man had been hinting at all along. "You're telling me… he's not from where?"

Arcturus spoke, his voice deep and resonant. "Your world is on the verge of a technological revolution. But with such progress comes attention—attention from those who would exploit your advancements for their own purposes." He looked directly at Ling Yi, his glowing eyes visible through the mask. "The Tiger Shark Cannon is only the beginning. There are weapons and systems out there far more powerful, and I'm here to make sure that power doesn't fall into the wrong hands."

Ling Yi stared at the commander, her mind racing. If what he said was true, then GAZE City—and the entire planet—was at risk of becoming a battleground for forces beyond their comprehension.

"And what about you?" Ling Yi asked, her voice steady. "Are you here to protect us or to take our technology for yourself?"

Arcturus didn't flinch. "That depends on you. We have no interest in conquering your world, but we will not allow unchecked power to destabilize the balance between dimensions. Your inventions, while impressive, are dangerous. You must decide whether you will stand with us to safeguard them or risk attracting those who have less noble intentions."

Ling Yi was silent, her thoughts swirling. She had never imagined that her work would have such far-reaching consequences. But now, faced with this new reality, she knew she couldn't back down. She had created the Tiger Shark Cannon to protect Photon City, and if there were even greater threats out there, she would do whatever it took to keep her city safe.

"I need time," she finally said, her voice firm. "I won't make any decisions until I understand the full scope of what's happening."

The cloaked man nodded. "Take the time you need. But be careful—others have already noticed your work. They won't be as patient."

With that, Arcturus and the cloaked man turned and disappeared into the distortion, leaving Ling Yi standing alone in the quiet night. The air was still, but the weight of what had just happened pressed heavily on her shoulders.

Ling Yi looked down at the Tiger Shark Cannon in her hands. She had built it to be a symbol of strength and innovation, but now it felt like a key—one that could unlock dangers far greater than she had ever imagined.

She took a deep breath and turned back toward the city. Whatever was coming, she would be ready. And if gaze City was going to be the center of this new conflict, she would make sure it stayed standing.