MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Two days had passed since the military base was shaken by revelations of treachery. The soldiers from Alpha-6 had been seamlessly assimilated into the ranks of Alpha-9, their transition executed with precision and efficiency.

New ranks were conferred, and the Soulpen Sovereign provided a comprehensive report detailing the events that had transpired. As a result, several soldiers received well-earned promotions.

There was no need to reestablish their identities within the system, as all military bases operated on a unified, interlinked network, an interconnected hive mind that ensured continuity across every command post.

New military uniforms were issued, and military points were awarded to the soldiers as part of their commendation. Some wasted no time, plunging into a spending spree to replenish supplies and equipment lost or consumed during the previous war.

Others didn't even pause to settle in. Eager for action, they immediately accepted missions, curious to explore the opportunities the new military base had to offer.

While some soldiers from Alpha-6 remained grouped with familiar comrades, others were assigned to mixed units alongside personnel from Alpha-9.

Yet no one voiced complaints. Adaptability became the norm. Driven by a collective urgency, the soldiers threw themselves into a frenzy of mission-taking, hungry for more encounters with the enemy.

Though an official war was not currently underway, it didn't mean the demons couldn't be hunted down through sanctioned operations.

Members of the Logistics Department were also integrated, alleviating some of the burden previously shouldered by their counterparts from Alpha-9. The merger brought much-needed reinforcement, allowing operations to proceed with greater efficiency and coordination.

Warlords Therionis, Kaelrix, and Zauren were formally reinstated. Despite the transition to military base Alpha-9, they retained their esteemed rank of Warlord without dispute.

And the moment their ranks were confirmed, they wasted no time, departing at once with a singular purpose: to unleash destruction in the name of vengeance, seeking retribution for their fallen Supreme Monarch.

Originally, Mitchelle had intended to separate the trio, assigning each of them to a different military base. However, upon learning that they had spent their entire lives together, brothers in all but blood, she was moved by their bond and ultimately relented.

Moreover, she could sense the burgeoning power within Zauren, the unmistakable spark of a Supreme awakening. Yet, she understood that despite this, he was still far too inexperienced to command a military base of his own.

Establishing such a command required not only overwhelming strength, but also years of strategic effort, and the mobilization of millions of soldiers which weren't available at the moment.

Clement and Spectre remained at Anthony's side, their ranks as Corporals unchanged, along with their team structure and responsibilities.

Anthony's original teammates, however, found themselves in a peculiar position.

They had not been assigned to any new teams, nor had they received updated ranks or military points. Initially, this uncertainty caused unease, Dale, in particular, was quick to panic.

But Anthony soon reassured them, revealing that this was all part of a larger plan he had orchestrated.

Over the course of the two days, Anthony had taken time to explore the military base alongside his team. Together, they sampled a wide array of local dishes and drinks, while familiarizing themselves with the layout and notable locations of their new environment.

With most of them nearly depleted of military points, having exhausted their reserves in preparation for the previous war, it was Kingsley who ended up footing the bill for the entire team.

The military points he had spent two decades meticulously accumulating were devoured in mere moments by Dale, Reynold, and Seraphim.

But, they could hardly be blamed. Kingsley had never used his points, accumulating only credit notifications over the years without ever making a withdrawal. Presented with the rare chance, his teammates seized the opportunity without hesitation.

And yet, Kingsley remained unfazed. Not once did he voice a complaint. If anything, he carried himself with quiet assurance, confident that regaining the points would be a simple task for someone of his caliber.

During this time, Spectre and Clement engaged in several sparring sessions with the team. Though the matchups varied, the outcome rarely did, they dominated effortlessly.

But when it came to Kingsley? When facing a Concept itself? They lost, undeniably and decisively. Of course, it was merely routine sparring, not a true test of survival.

Anthony wasn't certain whether Kingsley could withstand an assault from the Abyssal Realm, but recalling Kingsley's Divine Kata talent and the formidable abilities that accompanied it, he suspected it was possible.

As usual, Dale, ever the instigator, lightheartedly suggested that Anthony should spar with Kingsley. While most believed Anthony held the upper hand, they wanted to witness it firsthand.

Anthony was tempted; he had never faced Kingsley in combat before. Still, he had no doubt about the outcome, a single use of Quantum Manipulation would end the fight before it began.

In the past two days, Anthony had also met with his mother on a few occasions. During one such meeting, she informed him that he would soon be introduced to the League Of Supremes.

Anthony couldn't help but feel the name lacked the weight it aimed to carry. League Of Supremes, it sounded far too plain for a gathering of such transcendent power.

At the moment, Anthony sat alone in a quiet café, a cup of ice cream in hand, his thoughts adrift. He was lost in contemplation when the door creaked open, the bell above it releasing a soft chime that echoed gently through the space.

Like everyone else in the café, Anthony's gaze shifted instinctively toward the entrance.

And there she was.

She moved with effortless grace, each step smooth and unhurried. Her long, flowing purple hair cascaded down her back with immaculate elegance, perfectly matched by eyes of the same striking hue.

Her figure was breathtaking, curves that commanded attention with an allure worthy of the word bombshell. Standing tall at 6'3", she carried herself with a poise that blended warmth and serenity.

Yet beneath that exterior lingered a subtle, unmistakable intensity, calm, but unignorable.

Anthony watched as she approached the counter, her presence both commanding and fluid. She spoke to the attendant in a voice he couldn't hear, but it didn't matter, his eyes never left her.

Her skin was flawless, with a softness that made it seem as though she bathed daily in milk and honey. Her face, elegant and radiant, held a beauty so rare that even Donna, Evelyn, and Vivian paled in comparison.

Then came the feeling.

For the first time, Anthony's heart stuttered, its rhythm thrown into chaos, pounding like a war drum. He didn't recognize the sensation at first. He only knew he couldn't look away. His gaze stayed fixed, as if time had frozen and she alone moved through it.

As if sensing the weight of his stare, she turned, gracefully, like a breeze. Her violet eyes met a pair of deep blue ones.

For a fleeting second, the world seemed to burn away and fall silent. Everything ceased to exist as their eyes locked. In that brief moment, Anthony's heart stirred, its rhythm faltering, then racing.

"Ma'am, your ice cream," the attendant's voice gently broke the spell. She paid, then walked away with measured steps, casting one final glance at Anthony before disappearing through the door.

He watched her go. The uniform was unmistakable, military-issued, that of a Corporal. Acting on instinct, Anthony stepped out of the café. But when he reached the street, she was gone, vanished like morning mist.

A quiet smile touched his lips. He had seen her. Met her. His perfect half.

There was no need for confirmation. The connection had been undeniable, an unspoken thread pulling at something deep within. And he was certain she had felt it too.

He could use the many abilities at his disposal to find her. But he didn't. He didn't need to. Their paths would cross again. He knew it in his bones.

His smile deepened. Then, in a flash, he vanished, lost in thought, his mind circling the moment that had just passed.