[Hero Status: Kairo]
Rank: F
Current Level: 5
EXP: 0 / 300
HP: 140 / 140
EP: 70 / 70
Strength: 12
Agility: 13
Vitality: 12
Intelligence: 14
Defense: 11
Speed: 13
[Active Skills]
Surge Instinct (Level 1): When you are in extreme danger, you gain a brief boost in agility and reflexes.
Once teleported to the planet Dinamus, Kairo silently followed his five companions. They soon began to advance, and it was then that Sasha, the Rank A heroine, pulled out a thin, shining holographic disk. When activated, it projected a detailed three-dimensional map of the region.
"This is a HoloGeo," she explained professionally as the image floated in front of them. "It's a tracking and analysis device used by all Rank A Heroes on missions outside our home planet. It stores geographical data of explored zones and synchronizes information with the HoloGeos of other heroes."
She pointed to a highlighted area on the map.
"Since there's already an established base here, most of the nearby terrain is mapped. But the interesting part is that this device automatically saves the routes explored by any hero who's passed through the area. If one of them traveled through an unexplored zone, that data is recorded and then appears on every HoloGeo. In other words... if the heroes assigned to this base went through here, we'll know."
Kairo studied the map closely, impressed by the technology. Every mission outside his world seemed to reveal a new level of the system he aspired to master.
As they moved through the rocky terrain of Dinamus, the HoloGeo continued projecting the map in real time. Sasha held it with one hand while using the other to adjust filters, searching for anomalies or signs of recent activity.
"What worries me," Xavier said, walking behind her, "is that the last transmission came from this very area. Yet there's no trace of interference, combat signals, or active alerts in the shared logs."
"What does that mean?" Kairo asked, unable to hide the doubt in his voice.
Sasha slightly turned her head toward him.
"It means something blocked all communication before it could register on the network. And it wasn't a simple technical failure," she added coldly. "Someone—or something—knew exactly what to cut and how to do it."
Kairo frowned. His body remained on high alert, and every word he heard deepened the feeling that they were walking straight into a trap.
"Do you think it was an ambush?" he pressed, now with more determination.
"I don't know," Sasha admitted without slowing down. "But the lack of information is a warning by itself. And on a planet like this, silence is never a good sign."
Kairo clenched his fists tightly, feeling the weight of his duty heavier than ever.
"I'll do whatever it takes," he whispered to himself.
Sasha heard him but said nothing, keeping a steady pace as she guided the group. The HoloGeo kept tracing the terrain, and tension grew with every step.
After a few minutes of walking, the landscape began to change. Sparse vegetation gave way to dry, hardened soil, scattered rocks, and barely visible footprints. Everything was silent. No wind, no animals. A thick tension hung among the group.
Xavier stepped ahead a few paces and suddenly stopped. He crouched without a word, running his hand over a dark stain on the ground. He rubbed his fingers carefully, inspecting closely.
"Fresh blood," he said quietly, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Sasha quickly came over and crouched beside him.
"How long?"
"An hour, at most," Xavier replied, frowning. "It's still wet."
Kairo felt his shoulders tense. He scanned the surroundings warily, as if expecting something to emerge from the shadows.
"Do you think they're still nearby?" he asked in a low voice.
Xavier stood up, eyes fixed on the bloodstain.
"The trail ends here. This is the exact spot where the communication was cut."
Sasha looked around sharply.
"Whoever it is, they're not far. And if the blood's still fresh... maybe we still have a chance to find someone alive."
The group fell silent, alert, the tension in the air like a taut rope ready to snap.
"Alright, here's what we'll do," Xavier said firmly. "Sack, Tyron, accompany Sasha to the Aegis Surveillance Base on this planet. Check the area carefully, and if you notice anything unusual, contact me immediately."
"Understood," Sasha replied with a nod.
"Meanwhile," Xavier continued, turning to the others, "Chack, Kairo, and I will stay here. We'll investigate the area and see if there's any clue... or if any hero is still alive."