Danger Level（2）

Grace Quinn:

"If even nightmares can manifest as reality, the influence of a phenomenon is truly overwhelming. Phenomena encompass urban legends, folk anomalies, nightmares—everything. If these became real, the world would descend into chaos. After all, ghosts and monsters have always been humanity's deepest fears. Even something like the 'Faceless Girl'…"

Ethan Lewis shuddered at the thought.

Grace Quinn:

"…That's just the simplest application of a phenomenon's power. The true horror lies in how it silently hijacks your consciousness within its domain. Once captured, there's no waking up. Your consciousness merges with the phenomenon. Even if the phenomenon is eradicated, you'll remain trapped—a living corpse, a permanent vegetative state."

Her tone was clinical, unsurprising given her affiliation with Zhenmen.

Grace Quinn:

"Level 2 phenomena are our most frequent—and deadliest—missions. Though Level 3 Aberrations are more terrifying, they're rare. We intercept potential Aberrations before they fully evolve."

"Paradoxically, Level 2 phenomena are the worst."

She gestured toward the southern sky.

Grace Quinn:

"Every Level 2 mission costs lives. We've never resolved one without casualties. The southern district of Bocheng is a hotspot—phenomena erupt there two or three times a month."

Ethan Lewis:

"But if casualties mount and incidents multiply… how does Zhenmen survive?"

By logic, an organization hemorrhaging members should collapse. Yet Zhenmen thrived, deploying agents to every crisis.

Grace Quinn:

"Because beyond Administrators, there are Arbiters. They hold higher authority, earn far more credits, and new recruits flood in constantly. The Zhenmen Leader wields transcendent authority—Bocheng's sole High Arbiter. His power is unfathomable. Below him are four Arbiters: Order Speech, Order Gate, Order Void, and my superior, Order Truth. Each governs a territory. Even fellow Arbiters can't enter another's domain without permission."

Grace Quinn:

"Recruits receive 1,000 credits to enhance themselves. That's how we endure."

Ethan Lewis nodded. Fresh blood and self-improvement tools made the system sustainable.

Ethan Lewis:

"What about Level 3 Aberrations? Has Zhenmen faced them?"

If Level 2 phenomena were catastrophic, Aberrations defied imagination.

Grace Quinn:

"…Aberrations…"

She trembled briefly before answering.

Grace Quinn:

"Five times. When a phenomenon's domain reaches maximum range, its corruption intensifies, birthing an Aberration. Their power eclipses even Arbiters.

Grace Quinn:

"The first Aberration crippled Order Speech—90% losses. Order Speech itself nearly died, requiring a year to recover.

"The second required all four Arbiters. One perished; three were gravely wounded.

"The third forced the Leader to intervene… and even he was injured.

"The fourth obliterated an entire Arbiter branch.

"The fifth was 'easiest'—a newborn Aberration. Still, 20% casualties."

Ethan Lewis paled. He'd expected horrors, but this exceeded all reason. Arbiters—godlike figures—were crippled. The Leader himself bled.

Grace Quinn:

"This is why we focus on Level 2 phenomena. Letting an Aberration mature is insanity."

Ethan Lewis:

"Now I understand why the 'Calamity Incident' remains unresolved…"

Bocheng's sole Calamity-level event—why hadn't Zhenmen destroyed it? Because they couldn't. Even the Leader would die trying.

Grace Quinn:

"Will you join Zhenmen?"

Joining meant survival through peril, no different from his current plight. Yet it promised truth—and respite from the World Will's hostility.

Ethan Lewis:

"Yes. It's the only path forward."

Grace Quinn:

"Then we're colleagues now. Welcome, Ethan Lewis."

She smiled, luminous as spring. Ethan flushed—he'd never held a girl's hand—but met her outstretched palm with resolve.

Ethan Lewis:

"Hello, Grace Quinn."