Chapter 174: Personal Mission

The ambient light inside the temporary headquarters flickered as Deputy Commander Nair tapped her digital tablet, establishing a secure, high-frequency line.

A shimmering blue holographic interface projected upward from the device, resolving into the crisp, imposing figure of Lady Commander Clame.

Despite being mid-expedition in a harsh, distant territory, Clame’s posture was straight, her gaze sharp as ever even through the pixelated light.

"Nair," Clame’s voice rang out clearly from the tablet’s speaker. "What is the situation in Suran City?"

Nair stood at strict military attention, her posture stiff as she held the tablet steady.

"Lady Commander, the situation has shifted rapidly," Nair began, her voice calm but grave. "Terrence’s beast shop has completely shut down operations. He has officially vacated the city after cornering the local administration."

Clame’s eyebrows raised slightly, a rare flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Cornered Vane Vance? Explain."

"Terrence possessed an immune contract signed directly by the central government, which Vane Vance breached when he seized the shop and detained Terrence’s staff," Nair reported, her fingers swiping across the interface to transmit intelligence files. "Furthermore, Terrence infiltrated the Generation Zero layer single-handedly. He engaged the subterranean guardian in combat and subdued it without sustaining any critical injury."

Silence hung over the holographic call for a brief moment. Clame scanned the incoming data streams, her eyes widening as she read the threat assessment of the Generation Zero guardian Terrence had beaten under his boot.

"An ancient dweller?" Clame murmured, her tone laced with rare awe. "Our tactical team estimated that taking down an ancient dweller would require a full regiment of elite tamers. And he suppressed it alone?"

"Yes, ma’am," Nair replied, nodding firmly. "Our previous military intelligence severely underestimated him. Terrence is not merely an exiled noble or a rogue merchant with high-tier stock. He is an absolute powerhouse—a walking disaster level entity who can dismantle a city’s political and physical infrastructure in a single afternoon."

Clame leaned back slightly in her field office chair, placing her chin in her hand as she digested the heavy report.

"What about Filmos and Trillo?" Clame asked. "Did he make a move against our squad?"

"No. In fact, he sold two high-caliber beasts to them before leaving," Nair explained, her expression complex. "He provided Filmos with an S-Rank Light Dragon for a nominal fee of just one thousand credits, on the condition that he prevents the Anti-Nustra Legion from taking it."

A low, deep chuckle escaped Clame’s lips—a sound that caught Nair completely off guard.

"So he’s arming the youth to counter the Anti-Nustra," Clame said, her eyes gleaming with genuine intrigue and newfound respect. "He refuses to play the hero himself, yet he leaves the sparks to burn behind him. A truly fascinating man."

Clame straightened her spine, her posture turning resolute as she issued her command through the screen.

"Nair, listen to me carefully," Clame said, her tone leaving no room for error. "As soon as I conclude this expedition, my top priority will be locating Terrence’s new base of operations. We cannot afford to treat him as a mere merchant or a potential threat."

"Understood, Commander," Nair replied. "How should we approach him moving forward?"

"We must form a genuine, unshakeable alliance with him," Clame declared firmly, her eyes burning with determination. "Whatever faction gains Terrence’s favor will hold the ultimate balance of power in this era. Make sure Filmos and Trillo keep those beasts safe—they are our bridge to him."

"Yes, Lady Commander!" Nair saluted cleanly as the holographic projection faded into dark blue light, leaving the room in quiet anticipation of what was to come.

...

The moment Filmos stepped back into the Nara City squad quarters, his wrist communicator chimed with a high-priority, encrypted ping.

He lifted his arm, tapping the holographic display with trembling fingers. His breath hitched in his throat as the screen flashed red, then resolved into a classified intelligence file from the regional search network.

[Data Match Found: High-Probability Target Location]

[Subject: Lurdous, Marc & Lurdous, Elena]

[Status: Alive — Detained at Outpost Sector 9-B, Block 3]

Filmos’s heart hammered violently against his ribs. The world around him seemed to blur into white noise. For months, he had lived in constant, agonizing doubt, unsure if his parents were even breathing after their sudden disappearance.

"Filmos? What’s wrong?" Trillo asked, stepping into the room while unbuckling his shoulder guard. Seeing Filmos frozen in place, he walked over and leaned in to look at the projection. "Is that...?"

"They found them," Filmos whispered, his voice cracking with a surge of raw, long-suppressed emotion. His eyes burned, but he forced himself not to break down. "They’re holding them in Sector 9-B..."

Trillo’s face instantly darkened as he tapped the location coordinates on the tablet, pulling up a tactical map overlay. The area highlighted in deep crimson wasn’t an official government site or a civil sanctuary.

It was a fortified valley heavily concealed beneath a discarded industrial quarry.

"Sector 9-B..." Trillo breathed out, his face turning pale. "That’s not a holding center, Filmos. That’s a known covert hideout for the Anti-Nustra Legion."

The words struck Filmos like an iron weight. His knuckles turned white as he clenched his hands into tight fists, his nails digging painfully into his palms.

The Anti-Nustra Legion. The exact same terrorist that had been hunting him down, framing him, and trying to steal the beasts Terrence had provided. They hadn’t just targeted him, they had used his own parents as leverage, keeping them caged in a stronghold.

Filmos turned toward the corner of the room where his contract spatial anchor hummed quietly.

FFFT—

A brilliant, pristine white light flared into existence as the SSS-Rank Light Dragon materialized beside him. The creature nudged its warm, radiant head against Filmos’s shoulder, its solid sky-blue eyes glowing with a calm, comforting warmth that instantly cut through his rising panic.

Filmos looked at the dragon, feeling the terrifying, unyielding power coursing through their contract link. Terrence’s words from three days ago echoed crystal clear in his mind:

"If you promise me that you won’t let the Anti-Nustra get your beast... you can have two beasts of strong caliber."

Terrence hadn’t just given him a beast. He had given him the ultimate key to shatter his own weakness.

"I’m going," Filmos said, his voice dropping into a low, unshakable resolve. The fear that had plagued him for months was completely gone, replaced by a cold, burning determination.

"Filmos, wait! We haven’t even briefed Deputy Commander Nair!" Trillo blurted out, reaching for his arm. "Going into an Anti-Nustra stronghold alone is insane!"

"I’m not going to sit around waiting for official approval while my parents are in their hands," Filmos replied firmly, gently brushing Trillo’s hand away. He grabbed his coat, strapping his shortsword tightly to his waist. "This is my personal mission, Trillo. I’m retrieving my family."

Seeing the fierce, unyielding fire burning in Filmos’s eyes—and the radiant beast standing faithfully at his side—Trillo let out a defeated sigh, a determined grin creeping onto his face.

"You really think I’m letting you have all the fun?" Trillo said, summoning his own A-Rank beast. "Let’s go get your parents back."