Chapter 1

Day 1326 attention:

TARGET ANCHOR LOST.

NO RESPONSE FROM BASE.

Traceback II is about to pass the event horizon and enter the black hole.

We are stuck in this loop...This never-ending journey...

?? :Hello, Lincoln City.

?? :DPSC FM here to greet you on this early morning.

DPSC FM :Did you sleep well last night?

DPSC FM: Weather's nice today with winds at 5 km/hr.

DPSC FM: Certain areas have a higher Metaflux index due to the Deepspace Tunnel.

DPSC FM :Expect Wanderers to appear more often.

DPSC FM: We would like to thank the hunters in the city for allowing us to live a normal, peaceful life.

DPSC FM: Next, a detailed report for each district.

DPSC FM: Areas that are at "high risk" of being attacked by Wanderers—All medical personnel, please get ready.

DPSC FM: Today is going to be another busy day.

DPSC FM: We now have a message for all the new hunters who recently passed their exams.

DPSC FM: Now that your journey is about to begin, we want to express our deepest gratitude and wish you all the best...

DPSC FM: as you face the challenges ahead!

DPSC FM: And... that's all for today.

DPSC FM: But before we go, please enjoy this gift we received from Deepspace 14 years ago: Love and Deepspace.

DPSC FM: These electromagnetic signals have traversed time and space.

DPSC FM: A miracle of the ages.

DPSC FM: One day, we will be able to evolve from our current limitations, transcend the boundaries of life.... and reach the stars.

Singularity Echo

President: ...Fourteen years ago, the Deepspace Tunnel appeared above Linkon. It led to anomalous geomagnetic storms, and the creatures known as Wanderers emerged.

President: From such an event, the Deepspace Hunter was born.

President: Now society has returned to a sense of normalcy, but there are still Wanderers lurking in the shadows...

??: Pss Hey, After they hand out our badges, we'll be assigned to a squad, which will determine our future. Aren't you nervous?

ququ: That won't change the outcome. It's better to stay calm.

President: Our goal as hunters is to extract the Protocores from Wanderers-in hopes of destroying them once and for all!

President: That being said, congratulations on passing the selection process. We are grateful for your hard work.

President: We will now begin the ceremony and hand out badges to the new Deepspace Hunters.

President: First candidate, 481423.

??: That's you, isn't it? Hurry, get on stage!

ququ: Hello, sir.

President: umh, Place your hand here to confirm your personal info.

Personal Info

First Name: qua

Last Name : zing

Nickname: ququ

DOB: 3 — 5

President: Ah, Anhaunsen Class... It's been a while since I've seen this Evol.

President: You have a lot of potential for growth and might even acquire new abilities. I can see why Jenna picked you as soon as the rookie list was released to the public.

President: It can't be detected?

ququ: (Sigh, as usual.)

ququ: Sir, that's likely because a Wanderer attacked me fourteen years ago. And ever since then, my Evol level hasn't been stable.

President: ...Understood. That event did change many lives forever.

President: You're not the first Evolver whose level couldn't be detected. This isn't the only criterion we use when evaluating a Deepspace Hunter.

President: As long as you have the skills, this industry welcomes you with open arms.

President: Congratulations, you are now a Deepspace Hunter.

ququ: Thank you, sir!

Ever Research Base [Abandoned]

11:39 Α.Μ.

Jenna: Rookies, this is Jenna speaking. I'm your UNICORNS Captain today. Ten minutes ago, there was an abnormal Metaflux explosion at this abandoned base for Protocore research.

ququ: (The fluctuations are stronger. I'm closer to the source.)

ququ: (Ah!)

??: Oh! Your Evol's even better than the detector.

Tara: Hi, I'm Tara. Remember me? I was standing next to you during the badge ceremony.

ququ: Of course. I'm ququ but you can call me qua. We're lucky to be on the same squad. Do you want to work together?

Tara: Sure! The tarot reading I did yesterday told me that I would be super lucky today.

ququ: Look!

[IM-D-21 2193-0081 Wanderer detected. Accept the mission?]

Tara: Wanderers! They're here.

Tara: ...The highest threat level here is only B, which matches the fluctuation we just felt.

ququ: A fluctuation doesn't have a set value... Something's off.

Tara: Why don't we split up and look around first? Just to be safe.

ququ: Sure, I'll go inside then.

Tara: I'll scout the perimeter to see how far these fluctuations go. We'll regroup here once we're done.

Tara/ququ: Be careful!

ququ: You too!

ququ: (There's clearly been a Metaflux explosion, but it doesn't match the Wanderers' threat level... Something's not right.)

*Light earth tremor*

ququ: (What?!)

Abandoned Research Base: Deep

ququ: (...A hunter? Are they also here for the mission?)

ququ: (There are traces of Metaflux on him. As if he was attacked...)

ququ: Hey!

ququ: (I should call for backup.)

[HM-D-2193-0081: Call for emergency backup - calling]

*Handcuffing*

??: Quiet.

ququ: Are you all right?

??: I'm fine. But you...

ququ: Fluctuations!

??: Watch out.

??: It activated its Protofield. You're a hunter, right? Let's defeat it together.

[UNICORNS – DEEPSPACE HURTERS

First Trial:] Hunters will get into combat after entering a Wanderer's Protofield. Beware of the lurking dangers. Once any of you is unable to fight, retreat first to avoid casualties.

??: We're in the Wanderer's Protofield now.

??: Are we doing this?

??: It must be hiding from us...Watch out! Move!

??: Be careful. Something about it looks off.

??: You can use the Resonance Evol?

ququ: Yeah

??: It can't go on for much longer. Let's deliver the final blow together.

〔ELIMINATED〕

??: We're safe for now.

ququ: (He can use the Light Evol, and he's strong... I haven't seen anyone like him among the rookies...)

??: This isn't it...

ququ: That Protocore could've given us useful info! Why did you crush it?

??: Huh?

ququ: (Forget it... There's more to this than meets the eye. I'need to investigate.)

ququ: Were you also assigned here? This place is more dangerous than it seems. We should get out of here and think about our next move.

??: No, we can't.

??: We became prey stuck in a trap the moment we walked into this warehouse.

??: Come. *Hand-holding*

ququ: You...

To Be Continued...

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