Within the most secure research facility, the blaring alarms filled every room, red lights flashing, all adding to the intensity of the already dangerous situation. The security guards rushed to their stations, taking up arms and creating formations to confront the escaped experiments.
However, not only were they severely understaffed and unused to a breakout of such magnitude, but their advanced security system couldn't detect any of the escapees.
Thus, their greatest weapon, which they depended on to track and intercept the escapees, was now completely useless.
The few guards who encountered one group in particular were swiftly defeated by the single mage leading the team, their gaze fixed on their planned exit.
"What about the others?" One subject asked as they ran down a hallway.
Noah held up his hand, a weak but visible red aura flickering around his fingers. "By now, the leaders who got their restraints off first should have most of their mana back just like Dom. They can fight back." He explained, then lowered his hand. "And that delay should've given them enough time to free everyone else."
"Thank God," A female subject sighed in relief, hopeful that she'd see her friends on the other side.
Noah smiled at her before glancing at Dom, running ahead of the group, brows furrowed in deep concentration.
"You okay?" Noah asked.
Dom shook off his thoughts at the sound of Noah's voice, then slowed down enough to run beside him. "Just thinking…" He said, just as they emerged in a lounge area.
"There!" A guard shouted as he and his small team took formation among the furniture.
Before they could react, Dom surged forward, fist drawn back. "Gale punch." He grunted as he swung his fist, creating another explosion of wind that sent everything in range spiraling.
The subjects followed behind, their pace unaltered as they cut across the opened path.
"I just noticed that only subjects wear these," Dom said to Noah, tugging on his body-suit, which the other subjects wore. "And I'm guessing because of the T-Mage stuff, that lizard guy is a subject too. So why is he fighting us?"
The subjects exchanged conflicted looks, including Noah, who frowned.
"He's even allowed to walk around freely and use his powers." Dom continued, eyes narrowing. "It's kind of like the privileges you have. Except that he wasn't wearing any mana cuffs or collar."
"Not exactly," Noah answered, his gaze darkening as he pulled his lab coat back, exposing his chest. "Did you notice this symbol on him?" He pointed at the eye-shaped design on the left chest area.
Dom shook his head; he didn't even notice it on Noah's outfit when they chatted casually, so there was no way he'd notice that small mark during that combat.
"This symbol belongs to the Scouts," Noah explained.
Dom's eyes narrowed. He had heard the name many times but never really asked.
"They're special soldiers for the North, just like the South's Magic Knights," Noah said as they took a quick turn. "But the Scouts are underground. Most citizens in N-L don't even know they exist."
"So…" Dom muttered, brows furrowed. "Instead of just keeping them for their experiments, they also use their powers for missions."
"Exactly," Noah replied.
"And what do these Scouts get in return?" Dom asked.
"Privileges, rewards, freedom… Well, not complete freedom, since they still have to do tests and they can't go anywhere without supervision, but it's better than what other normal subjects get, so." Noah explained.
Dom's eyes narrowed as he recalled Ivan's offer to him that day--endless rewards in exchange for complete obedience. It's almost like selling your soul to the devil.
A thought then came to him, causing him to give Noah a threatening look. "So that means you're a Scout too?" He asked.
"Technically, I am." Noah chuckled sheepishly. "But I'm not a fighter like the rest. I just make the weapons and tech they use in combat." He then frowned. "Which… isn't much better now that I think about it."
Dom stared at Noah for a moment, then his hostility softened into a faint smile. "At least you're making up for it now." He said as he charged forward to take out another guard with a kick.
Noah smiled, warmth flushing his chest at the compliment.
A minute later, after navigating several confusing turns, they finally found themselves in a hallway where Dom noticed an exit sign on the ceiling, pointing to the right. "This way," He said.
The others beamed, already tasting the freedom they had long dreamed of.
Dom's frown returned as he recalled Andre again. "Hey…" He said to Noah as they took the turn. "That guy said something about ranks earlier."
"The Scouts have two ranks, Inferior and Superior Ranks," Noah explained. "Andre and I are Inferiors. It means we get privileges above those of normal subjects, but we're still limited in things like movement or sleeping quarters. Superiors get more benefits."
"Is it because you're weaker than the Superiors?" Dom asked.
Noah hummed in thought as they stopped by a corner, waiting for some guards to run past them. "Mana class does have a role to play," Noah whispered, "… but the assignment is majorly a proof of loyalty, just soldiers and medals."
"So the more you make them happy, the higher you go and the more stuff you get," Dom commented, and Noah nodded before they moved down the hallway.
"How many Scouts are there?" Dom asked as they picked up the pace.
"Minus me, there are six others in this facility," Noah said, brows furrowed. "… but I think the total number is over a hundred."
Dom's eyes widened. "That's… a lot." He muttered.
Noah nodded solemnly. "This is just one facility." He explained. "There are dozens across the whole country with scouts assigned to each of them."
Which also means that there are countless trapped subjects everywhere. Dom thought, glancing sadly at the group diligently following behind him.
They reached another turn, and the subjects gasped at the sight of an unguarded exit at the long hallway's end.
"We're free," One subject panted as they hurried towards the exit just as two guards appeared from a corner, weapons already aimed.
One guard raised a comm to his mouth. "We found them. Sector--"
Dom skidded to a stop and suddenly unleashed a wind punch that sent the reporting guard flying into a wall. The second, however, raised a magical barrier, blocking the attack easily.
Dom clicked his tongue, fists ready for a follow-up, but Noah stopped him.
"I can't let you have all the fun," Noah said with a smirk, his cannon already armed and ready. With a sudden revving of energy, he fired a blast of red mana which shattered the guard's spell and sent him slamming into the wall.
"Dope," Dom said, grinning.
Noah confidently blew the steam from his cannon's muzzle as they ran past the defeated guards.
The first guard, now barely conscious, managed to press a button on a small device before finally collapsing.
Immediately, a thick shutter began sliding down over the exit.
"Shit. They're locking us out," A subject muttered.
Noah drew his phone out of his pocket. "I should be able to deactivate—"
Dom suddenly blitzed forward with a gust of wind, nearly knocking others off their feet.
Approaching the shutter already halfway down, he reeled his foot back.
"Gale kick!"
His kick shattered the thick metal, bending, cracking, and finally obliterating the exit. The once-immovable door flew across the open lot and crashed to the floor, its sheer weight easily crushing concrete.
"Damn." A subject muttered, staring in shock as Dom casually shook his foot and walked forward.
Noah lowered his phone in awe. "Or we could do that," He said as they followed Dom outside.
The open space was quiet, save for the still-blaring alarms and a few reinforced vehicles in sight.
Dom's gaze drifted across the smaller buildings in front of him, with the towering walls of the entire facility still further beyond. He then looked up, narrowing his eyes at the dark space above them. Several glowing lights lined the ceiling that bordered the massive stone rim where the upper city began.
We really are underground. He thought, staring at the ceiling, which had to be at least a thousand feet away from him.
"I still don't get it," Noah said, drawing Dom's attention to the approaching group. "Why do people always shout their spells out? Strategically, won't that just alert the enemies?" He asked, seemingly arguing with one of the subjects.
"True, but it also helps mages visualize our spells," The subject replied, her expression calm. "That way, it's more consistent and effective."
"That's still a stupid reason," Noah muttered, wiping the sweat from his face.
"Besides," Another subject added, arms folded and a smile on his face. "… it sounds cool and menacing when you announce your attacks."
"We're not comic book characters," A third added.
A fourth pointed at the heavy door, bent and broken on the floor beside them. "That dude just destroyed this shit with one kick. If you think that's normal, then you're crazy." He scoffed.
As the subjects debated, Dom smiled.
Even with only a taste of freedom, they already looked relaxed and happy. But the mission wasn't done yet. With a few claps, he refocused their attention on the task at hand.
A few minutes later, with their jammers still blocking surveillance while they used the buildings surrounding the main laboratory as cover, they finally reached one of the five exits along the looming walls that bordered the base.
They hid in the shadows of a building, watching as dozens of red-clad reinforcements finally arrived through a small entrance while the main gate remained completely locked down with dozens more guards patrolling it like hungry hawks.
"Final lap," Dom muttered.
Noah nodded, noticing that most of these guards were now fully armored with more dangerous weapons than any they'd seen inside the building.
As a guard walked past their hiding spot with a familiar mana gun, Dom narrowed his eyes in recognition while the others stiffened with uncertainty.
"What now?" A subject asked nervously.
Dom turned to them, frowning as the previously relaxed group was now more tense than ever.
"We take one of their trucks," Noah replied softly, pointing to the armored vehicles parked by the security post. "… and make a break for the surface. Then we'll dump the truck and use the crowd to escape."
"I'll create the distraction," Dom whispered as he cracked his knuckles, eyes glowing in the dark. "Once you get that car moving, I'll bust the gate open, and we'll be out."
"Got it," Noah said.
The subjects smiled, relieved at the confidence from the two leaders.
"Okay. But where do we go after that?" Another subject asked.
The two men froze, drawing confused stares across the subjects' faces.
Noah's confidence faltered as he rubbed his cheek, now conflicted. "Well, we do have a rendezvous point for the other groups. But beyond that…" He paused, glancing at Dom.
"We'll figure it out when we get there." Dom declared boldly and raised a thumb-up to them.
The subjects stared, disbelief now mixing with doubt.
Noah forced a smile once he noticed their expressions. "Hey, but we're already outside, right?" He asked. "So we're basically free. All we need to do now is move as fast as we can. What could go wrong?"
The words had barely left his mouth when a metal cylinder slid to his feet, its slick surface blinking with ominous rhythm.
Dom instinctively snatched it up and hurled it into the air, where it exploded in a bright flash and deafening screech.
Everyone winced, covering their ears.
"Don't move!" A voice barked, and suddenly the rotating search lights locked onto the group--nearly blinding them.
Once they quickly adjusted, they realized that they were surrounded--dozens of dangerous guns and spells now aimed at them-- a contrast to the usual time tasers or tranquilizers. This showed that the security now meant serious business.
"Dude," Dom grumbled at Noah, who frowned… just as barking cut through the air.
"Good job sniffing them out, boys," A new voice said.
A tall, muscular man in the same body suit as them strode past a guard, flanked by two massive mana dogs with glowing red eyes and streaks of glowing fur, exuding unhindered animal ferocity.
"Another Scout," Noah muttered, transforming his hand into a cannon again.
Dom nodded, spotting the Scout symbol on the man's suit.
The Scout's gaze drifted across the subjects before finally landing on Noah, his pale face contorted with something like contempt. "I never thought you'd be one of them. Noah." He said, his voice as stoic as his expression. "You've always been so obedient… and now you're biting your master's hand? Shame."
Noah looked away, guilt etched across his features.
Dom retaliated with a quick punch, sending a burst of wind that sent a few guards flying. But the Scout and his dogs stood firm, their mana-enhanced bodies protecting them from the displacing force.
Dom glanced at his fist, muttering, "Seriously?" He grumbled, frustrated by his still weakened state.
The Scout causally dusted off his clothes, eyes narrowing at Dom. "I'm assuming you're the new troublemaker the others brought in." He said.
Dom glared at him.
"Many have attempted in the past, but no one has ever succeeded. None have even made it outside the main lab itself…" He commented, tilting his head as he examined Dom.
"And yet, not only did you orchestrate this in just two weeks, but you've also managed to lead every subject out this far. Impressive." He smirked, then tapped a device on his ear.
As he began to relay his report into his comms, Dom slowly fell back to Noah's side. "Who's this guy?" He whispered.
"Noel," Noah replied, eyes narrowing at the growling dogs. "He's an A-class Beast Tamer and a Superior."
Dom's eyes narrowed, then turned at the dogs. "Those dogs the only beasts he controls?" He asked.
Noah shook his head.
Noel's gaze then returned to the group once he received his orders. "Lucky day, little ones." He said calmly. "The only person I was ordered to capture is him." He pointed at Dom.
Dom's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.
"He's the facility's most valuable asset. We can't let him go." Noel added, lowering his arm.
The subjects frowned or glared at the comment. Even in freedom, the idea that even after years of imprisonment and experimentation, they were insignificant to someone who just showed up a couple of days ago directly hurt their pride.
"But don't worry…" Noel gestured to the rapidly approaching reinforcements. "…that's what these men are for."
Noah clicked his tongue as enemies multiplied, some already brandishing several mana cuffs.
Dom grabbed his shoulder. "I'll distract him and bust a hole in the gate as we planned." He whispered, eyes locked on Noel. "Get that truck and get them out of here. I'll meet you guys at the rendezvous."
Noah's eyes widened.
"Fuck no." A nearby subject whispered at Dom, her eyes lit with determination. "We only came this far because of you. We're not leaving you behind."
The few who could hear her words nodded in agreement, their now glowing eyes creating a myriad of light that intimidated a few of the surrounding guards.
Before Noah could say his piece, Dom's grip tightened, his blue eyes still locked on Noel as if he didn't hear their words.
Noah quickly realized what Dom was thinking, even though he never said it.
I'm not strong enough to protect you all now.
Finally accepting Dom's desperate plan, he patted Dom's hand. "You better not get caught," He whispered, eyes lit with similar determination.
Dom smirked. "See you on the other side." He replied as he stepped forward, completely unmoved by the commands of the guards or the dozens of weapons now aimed at him.
Noel raised an arm, silently commanding them to stand down.
"Alright," Dom said as he punched his palm, a cocky grin on his face. "I'll take you on."
Noel scoffed and snapped his fingers. The sharp sound broke the invisible restraints that had been holding the ravenous beasts behind. Now free, they charged, their heavy paws beating across the floor while their drooling jaws opened, revealing their sharp teeth.
With a collective growl, they leapt towards Dom, jaws widening to consume him… but with a grunt, Dom blitzed right between them, completely ignoring them as he dashed straight for Noel.
"Aiming for the master instead. Wise choice," Noel muttered as he quickly took a stance while retrieving a baton from his belt.
With a press of a button, the baton stretched into a long metallic staff with electricity crackling around its two ends.
Once Dom got in range, he swung his weapon--but Dom leapt the rapid swing, his body easily vaulting above the now exposed Scout.
Dom then kicked the air beneath him, intent on using the resulting shockwave to launch himself higher into the air, but his still weakened state only allowed enough force to stay afloat briefly.
He clicked his tongue, then landed some feet behind Noel, who spun with another strike swinging towards Dom.
But Dom narrowly deflected the staff into the air with a smirk. "Try harder, master." He teased as he suddenly sprinted away, casually shoving any guard in his path.
Noel's eyes narrowed, and he immediately gave chase with his dogs obediently at his side.
As Dom led the Scout away, Noah chuckled, "You're really crazy," He muttered before gasping as a subject suddenly yanked him away from a tackling guard.
Another guard approached, gun aimed only for the weapon to be sliced apart by a wind spell. The wind subject grinned, yellow eyes glowing as he created another burst of wind that sent other guards flying.
"We can use our magic again," Another subject said, her arm transforming into a sharp blade, intimidating nearby enemies.
"Only some parts of it." A third subject said as he released a plume of flames from his palm, forcing several guards to retreat. "… We're not at a hundred percent yet."
"The same thing's still happening with Dom, and he's making it work," Noah said as he fired his cannon, taking out two guards before noticing a certain white-haired man ran towards the exit.
"So we can too." He added, then turned to the others. "Let's blast our way out of here."
The now empowered subjects smirked with confidence.
The wind subject fired another spell, blowing away guards, while the fire subject released a wave of fire that forced the other guards away, creating a path of flames towards the security station.
As they ran through the flaming column, defending against various attacks with their unique attributes, a guard finally realized their intention.
"They're going for the trucks, stop them!" He shouted only to drop as Noah fired an energy blast into his chest.
Hearing that command, the guards quickly took up formation by the station, sealing the truck off and aiming their weapons forward.
The subjects stopped briefly, just before the guards quickly retreated as a car suddenly crashed into them, breaking their formation and giving the subjects a path to continue.
Noah glanced in the direction the car came from and smiled, meeting Dom's eyes just before he weaved past a dog's bone-crushing bite.
"Do you really have the time to help them?" Noel asked as he chased after Dom, coordinating his staff swings with his dogs' bites.
But Dom never answered.
He remained on the defensive, buying time--until he finally heard the revving of a truck. He glanced and saw the subjects now holding onto the vehicle, using their spells to keep the guards away while Noah stared at him from the driver's seat.
With a glint in his glowing eyes, Dom finally turned and dashed straight for the gate, his speed completely leaving Noel and his dogs in the dust.
The guards stationed by the gate all retreated as Dom's body slammed into it like a homing missile.
The force of his fist rippled across the thick barrier, the concrete around the entrance's threshold cracking from the intensity.
Realizing Dom's intentions, Noel commanded his beasts to sprint towards Dom at top speed, intent on stopping him, but with a second metal-bending punch and finally, a third, the immovable gates broke.
Dom then grunted, veins pulsing on his head and his muscles bulging as he pried one of the gates off the threshold.
"Ora!" He chanted as he swung it at the approaching dogs, crushing one instantly while the other narrowly escaped.
"You bastard!" Noel shouted, enraged by his fallen companion as he and the second dog chased after Dom, now sprinting out into the open road.
The guards nearby just stood there, frozen in shock at the idea of one man breaking through that powerful gate with his bare hands--only for a familiar truck to suddenly shoot past them, the cheers of the now freed subjects following after…