Alice let out a sigh before starting to speak, "The Dark Rebirth Project is a unique research project that involves testing the creation of a whole new category of power-users."

  Raika's incredulity was evident as she asked, "Are they seriously creating a whole new category of power-users!?"

  "Yup," said Alice with a sigh. "They try creating a new type of power-users by kidnapping existing power-users and subjecting them to experiments and manipulation. It's a dark and twisted practice that aims to harness their abilities for their own nefarious purposes."

  She leaned back to the wall, her expression a mix of frustration and concern.

  "They believe that by forcibly enhancing these individuals, they can create an unstoppable force," Alice continued, her voice filled with disdain. "But what they fail to realize is the immense toll it takes on these power-users. It's a violation of their rights and a complete disregard for their well-being."

  As she spoke, memories of her encounters with these kidnapped power-users flashed through Alice's mind. Their fear, confusion, and anger were etched into her memory, fueling her determination to put an end to this heinous practice.

  "We need to expose their operation and rescue those who have been taken," Alice stated firmly, her eyes filled with determination. "No one should have their powers exploited against their will. It's time to fight back and protect our community."

  Raika's eyes widened in terror as she stuttered, "That's... that's absolutely horrifying!"

  "Well, that's just how some researchers are," Jake grumbled, his tone laced with irritation, as he vented his frustration over their careless and unethical practices.

  "Correct me if I'm wrong," Hu Jie questioned, "but isn't ANDE the one carrying out an investigation on this?"

  "Yea, they are," Vic said through gritted teeth, their fists clenched tightly, "But they have found no clue for five months."

  Right before Alice had the chance to utter a word, an enormous explosion suddenly erupted, causing Raika and the rest of the group to be in a state of shock. "What the hell?" Jake's face turned red, his voice dripping with venom, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.

  "Another NightBeast Attack!?" exclaimed Katsu, his voice filled with surprise and concern.

  "This is impossible!" Keigo protested, his head shaking in denial. "We literally just got rid of them!"

  "Let's go and check it out," exclaimed Angela, receiving enthusiastic nods from everyone as they quickly rushed out.

  While rushing out of the factory, their attention was caught by the sight of a young girl. She had medium long brown hair and was dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono. Adding to her allure, she wore a red beaded necklace and a brown wristband. What truly made her fascinating, however, was the presence of a red tattoo on her left arm depicting an oni mask.

  Positioned to the right of her is a young male who sports short, disheveled hair in a shade of black. He is dressed in a sleek, long-sleeved black shirt that flawlessly matches his black pants. Furthermore, he exudes a sense of fashion with his selection of black boots, and he adds an edgy touch with his black nail polish, adorned fingers with rings, and the striking feature of wearing a gas mask.

  Positioned on the left side, there is a young woman who possesses stunning, long black hair. She is adorned in an awe-inspiring purple mech suit that includes a captivating cape and mech wings gracefully attached to her back, complemented by a striking purple cyber mask.

  Positioned at the forefront of the trio, there stands a youthful male donning a hued gray jumpsuit, complemented by a black hood and boots of the same shade, while his short hair displays a distinguished gray hue. His overall appearance is further accentuated by the presence of a fractured horn and menacing claws, as well as a gray gas mask.

  "Who are you?" inquired Raika.

  "I am the Revenant, leader of the Eternity Serpent," declared the gray-haired man, his voice filled with authority. "Those who dare oppose us shall meet their demise."

  A look of disbelief crossed Jake's face as he scoffed, "Eternity Serpent!? You've got to be kidding me with this fucked-up joke."

  With a disdainful expression, Revenant looked down at the Raika and other individuals, warning them, "Don't you dare mock me, boy."

  "Like I give a shit," Jake spat out with venom, his face turning red with rage, as he stormed towards him, his fists clenched tightly.

  "Jake wait!?" Alice yelled.

  Full of determination, Jake charged at incredible speed, his voice booming as he readied himself to deliver a powerful blow to the Revenant, yelling, "STORM FLASH!"

  With a gasp, Revenant called out "Mars!" as a black-haired boy in a gas mask leaped into action, effortlessly stopping Jake's attack with a single finger.

  "THE FUCK!!!" Jake yelled.

  Mars chuckled, clearly unimpressed with the other person's efforts, as he formed fire and wind around his fist. "That the best you got, boy?" he taunted. Suddenly, he unleashed his power, shouting, "How about you witness my true power! Behold the FLAMESTROM RAY!" The fiery and windy blast erupted towards Jake, causing him to yell in fear and quickly plummet to the ground.

  "JAKE!!" Both Alice and Vic bolted towards him, their eyes wide with terror, fearing the worst.

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  After witnessing the distressing sight of Jake's injuries, Raika was overcome with fear and concern. Revenant glanced down at Raika and instructed, "Shuten, please eliminate them."

  As Shuten jumped down, a mischievous grin played on her lips. "Got it, boss," she replied, her eyes gleaming with excitement. She knew that she needed assistance in accomplishing her boss's mission, and she wasn't about to let anyone stand in their way. With a swift movement, Shuten lifted her arm, revealing a cut from which blood began to flow. However, instead of dripping onto the ground, the blood ignited into fierce flames. "HELLBLOOD!" she exclaimed, launching the fiery projectile towards Raika and the others, determined to clear the path for her boss's success.

  The knife flew from Keigo's hand, a furious snap accompanying the violent creation of the ice wall; his roar of "Katsu, reinforcements NOW!" echoed with rage.

  Katsu's trembling hand trembled as he desperately nodded, a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead, silently pleading for backup to arrive swiftly.

  {Border HQ}

  While in the command room, Kyosuke observed the screen and pondered, "Hmm, they are supposed to have returned by now."

  "Sir, we got emergency single from Keigo at District 9," informed one of their officers, "There is an unknown threat."

  "Really!?" shouted Kyosuke, his voice filled with both shock and excitement. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. The urgency in his tone was palpable as he quickly realized the gravity of the situation. "Shit, we need to send backup now," he exclaimed, his mind racing with thoughts of how to handle the imminent threat. The sense of urgency propelled him into action as he reached for his communication device, determined to mobilize additional support and ensure the safety of his team. With every passing second, the need for backup became more pressing, and Kyosuke was determined to do whatever it took to address the unfolding crisis.

  "Get Kagami and Mako over District 9 now!" Kyosuke, the leader of our faction, urgently shouted. With tensions rising and a potential conflict looming, it was crucial to bring our most skilled and trusted allies to this crucial location. Kagami and Mako, both highly trained operatives, possessed the necessary expertise and combat skills to handle any situation that may arise in District 9. As Kyosuke barked his orders, the rest of us quickly understood the gravity of the situation and began executing his instructions. Alongside contacting Kagami and Mako, we also initiated a request for assistance from other factions. Collaboration with different factions was imperative to strengthen our numbers and increase our chances of success. We knew that in order to overcome the challenges ahead, we needed the support and unity of all factions involved. Time was of the essence, and we were determined to gather a formidable force that could face any threat head-on.

  A crisp "Yes, sir," from one of their officers indicated the immediate transmission of a signal to Kagami, Mako, and the various other involved factions.

  "I wonder who is behind this threat?" Kyosuke mused, "They must be incredibly powerful to pull this off!"

  As Shuten continued his assault on the ice wall with a barrage of fiery projectiles, keeping Raika and the others trapped, Alice, meanwhile, was occupied with tending to Jake's grievous wounds. "Shit, the ice wall won't hold any longer!" Keigo's outburst revealed his profound unhappiness with the situation, the failure of the ice wall signifying a negative turn of events he had clearly not anticipated.

  "What are we supposed to do now, Keigo?!" Raika's voice cracked with frustration, her fists clenched.

  "Unless a damn idea hits me immediately," Vic snarled, his frustration a palpable force in the tense silence.

  "I'm thinking, now shut up," yelled Keigo, frustratedly. He furrowed his brows and clenched his fists, desperately trying to come up with a plan. The room was filled with tension as his mind raced, analyzing every possible scenario and weighing the pros and cons. The weight of the situation was heavy on his shoulders, and he knew that the fate of their mission depended on his ability to devise a solid strategy. The clock ticked away mercilessly, reminding him of the limited time they had left. Ignoring the chaotic noise around him, Keigo focused his thoughts, shutting out any distractions. The room fell silent, except for the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his ears. Every decision he made would have consequences, and the lives of those he cared about hung in the balance. Determined, he took a deep breath and let his mind delve deeper into the abyss of possibilities, seeking a path to success.

  Shuten continued to unleash her fiery attacks with relentless determination. Her opponents, cowering behind an ice wall for protection, seemed to underestimate her strength. With a sly smirk, Shuten raised her hand, conjuring a massive blood fire mage. The surrounding air crackled with intense energy as she prepared to unleash her ultimate move. "Prepare yourself!" she taunted. "Behold the might of my power!" With a swift motion, she launched the colossal ball of flames towards her adversaries, shouting, "BLOOD FIRE BOOMER!" The sphere of blazing energy hurtled through the air, leaving a trail of scorching embers in its wake. Shuten's opponents could only watch in awe and trepidation, realizing they were about to face a force unlike anything they had encountered before.

  With a deafening crack, the immense ice wall shattered into a million pieces, the fragments raining down upon Raika and her companions, sending them sprawling. Because Shuten's attack had left everyone severely injured, he laughed cruelly, jeering, "My, my, not strong enough, huh?"

  A dark giggle escaped Halo's lips as she said, "Hehe, these poor souls," her tone laced with amusement.

  Mars chuckled, "Hehe, that's what they get for attacking us," he said with a hint of amusement.

  Jumping down as he moved towards Raika and the others, Revenant made his intentions clear, stating resolutely, "I'll end this."

  Just as Revenant was about to launch his attack, a shadowy figure emerged from behind him, striking out with a swift blow that narrowly missed its target. A girl, adorned in a purple tank top emblazoned with the word "death," a black short-sleeved jacket, black jeans, and black boots, her long black hair cascading down her back, gazed at Raika and the others with her striking purple eyes, a scythe held firmly in her hand.

  "Oh, man, what a terrible mess!" she said, her voice dripping with annoyance, "What were you dumbasses thinking?"

  Alice quietly uttered the name, "K..Kagami," her voice barely a whisper.

  With a questioning tone, Revenant inquired as to the identity of the person before him, asking pointedly, "Who are you?".

  "I'm Kagami Shiraishi," she stated emotionlessly, her words carrying the weight of her position, "leader of the elite MoonReapers, an SS-Rank Meister."

  "Kagami Shiraishi!?" Raika's voice rose in a mixture of shock and disbelief, the name barely a whisper.

  "She is one of the border best meister," Katsu muttered.

  Kagami glanced at Raika, then at Alice. "Wow, you guys look like shit," he said.

  "Haha," said Jake as he wipe the blood, "I can't believe that you are here Kagami"

  "I'm not the only one who here," said Kagami as she point up.

  "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" laughed a girl with long, dark brown hair cascading down her back, as she confidently stood in a powerful superhero pose. She was dressed in a vibrant blue tank top, paired with a striking yellow sleeveless jacket. Completing her ensemble were black shorts, and she strutted in black boots adorned with a striking red armband. Her intense red eyes gazed down upon the crowd, exuding a commanding presence. "Hahaha! Behold, the Firey hero of Love and heroic deeds, none other than the Knight of New Arc, HeroRed Mako Akashi."

  Leaping down, Mako drew her katana, pointing it at the Eternity Serpent as she declared, "Prepare yourself, villain, for HeroRed and Madam Shadow will be the end of you."

  With a noticeable sigh, Kagami uttered a clear and sharp, "Never call me that," emphasizing her displeasure.