People say that the Golden Hour is the most beautiful sight to behold — that fleeting moment just after dawn and before dusk, that occurrence when the world bathes in warm, golden light.
It feels like a gentle pause, a perfect transition between night and day, life and rest. In this world, the Golden Hour carries a weight far beyond its beauty—both a fleeting gift and a hidden threat. The moment when the shadows lengthen is the time where the frenzy happens.
The year was 2099, in the world of Solara, south of Eldara in the Northern continent, Velaria. At precisely 5:51 P.M., someone was running—desperately.
Schkk… Schkk…
"Huff… huff…"
A man sprinted frantically through the forest, the sodden dirt slowing him down, his footing unsteady. His voice cracked through the gasps for air.
"What… the hell… what's going on?" he muttered, frustration creeping into his voice as he tapped the sleek device strapped around his wrist—which he called a Neuroband.
The Neuroband, developed by the United Federation of Eldara, is a cutting-edge technology that links directly to an individual's Identification Number, transmitting data via satellite. It functions as a communication hub, providing real-time updates on global events, and showing one's title, physical, and mental ability, serving as a seamless tool for identity verification.
Normally, it would project the latest updates and personal messages as a hologram instantly—but today, it was dead silent. "Shit! The Neuroband is still not connecting! Then it could only mean that the satellites are down!" he added grimly, the confusion and disbelief weighing heavier now.
"…but at least the status screen still works. It's a good thing, they are stored locally." He grimaced as he saw the numbers in his status screen.
[Name: …]
[Title: …]
[Strength: 15]
[Vitality: 17]
[Intelligence: 10]
The man looked no older a day than 30, rocking a circle beard, his sweat dripped from his forehead, soaking his long, thick black hair that flowed past his nape. Despite his athletic build, standing at 186 cm, he felt shivers ran down his spine as he gripped the wooden bough in his hands while sprinting…shaking, betraying his nerves.
'I've been running for seven minutes straight. I'm about to collapse from exhaustion,' he thought grimly.
Glancing back, he saw them—bloodshot red eyes, grayish skin, faces reminiscing of a human, teeth bared and saliva dripping.
"Tsk! They're fast!" he cursed, pushing himself to sprint faster. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he pushed past 30 km/h. Suddenly, a figure lunged at him from the bushes.
He swung the wooden stick reflexively, catching only a glimpse of what had once been an old man with a wicker basket on his back.
Fwakk!
Blood splattered as the creature was knocked back lifelessly, its skull cracked against the tree, the bough snapping in half from the force.
'Was that!?' his expression darkened.
"Shit!" The man cursed, alarmed both by the broken weapon and the sheer horror of it all. He scanned ahead, spotting a familiar tree.
'I'm close to home… just a little more… should I make a run for the gate? No. If they can climb or jump walls, it'll be a waste of time,' he decided.
'Should I turn back and try to lose them in the woods? No! I'm already on the brink of collapse. One slip and it's all over.' He interjected.
"Dammit! Get it together, Kael Argent!" he growled.
"I just need to get home, grab a gun, and get back to town!" Kael shouted.
He calculated the distance between him and his home's towering 2.5-meter-high steel gate looming ahead.
'I need to be able to land at just the right angle so I can pull myself up over the gates without losing much speed' He considered.
"Should've made the damn gate smaller," he muttered.
'Just a few more meters…'
'Now!'
Kael lifted his left foot half a meter off the muddy ground, then pushed off with his right in a massive leap, planting his penultimate step deep to avoid slipping. His left foot pivoted perpendicularly, launching him vertically into the air.
'Will I make it? No—I can't— I can!'
"FUCK!"
Years of training kicked in. He grabbed the gate's bar, pulling himself up quickly with the last of his strength, leaving the snarling creatures behind his gate.
He peered down for a moment. 'They're not climbing… good.'
Wasting no time, Kael bolted inside, slamming the heavy steel door shut, then securing the glass door with a firm click. He strode to his closet and swung it open, revealing an impressive arsenal—everything from classic revolvers and semi-automatic pistols to sleek sniper rifles.
His hand settled on two handguns featuring a smooth polymer grip, a digital ammo readout glowing softly above the trigger, and pulses of blue energy running along its carbon-fiber barrel.
"I might be going overboard… but better overkill than dead..." he muttered silently gasping for breath.
He pulled out magnetically accelerated rounds and it was sucked inside the chambers of both guns automatically, he then went to check every window, and every possible entry point.
Peeking through the blinds, he watched the creatures that stopped at the gate, no longer frenzied, just… wandering. After feeling the safeness encroach him as the storm has passed, the adrenaline crash hit him. Kael slumped against the cold concrete wall, his teeth gnashed, fury buried deep.
'Fuck! Clarissa, Mr. Morgan, Mrs. Choi, Leon… I just hope they'll still be there, alive.'
'…Gramps…I'm sorry…' he pleaded to appease his guilt as he remembered the lifeless body he flung to the tree earlier.
"Shit! They weren't even that strong! We just lacked manpower! Fuck!" he cursed, slamming his forehead onto the cold barrel of both guns. He wallowed in his own helplessness for what he had witnessed a few hours ago.
Earlier that day, going back to eight hours before this incident.
The soft chime of Kael's internal alarm blinked to life at exactly 5:00 A.M.
His eyes snapped open in the dark. No hesitation. No groaning. Just practiced motion—years of discipline condensed into one smooth rise from bed. He moved like a soldier, even in the quiet of solitude.
By 5:10, the pan sizzled gently as eggs cracked onto hot oil. A sausage hissed beside them. The rice was already warm—Kael never went to sleep without prepping his meals in advance. Habit.
He plated everything with mechanical precision, sat down at his small metal kitchen table, and flicked on the mounted TV on the far wall.
Bzzt! Shwoom!
The screen flickered into the familiar low-budget set: two anchors, too cheery for this early, sipping synthetic coffee in bright suits that contrasted far too harshly with the washed-out backdrop.
"—and in other news, a cargo vessel of undisclosed origin crash-landed on the outskirts of Kharon late last night. Authorities say there were no civilian casualties, but cleanup operations are still ongoing near the Outer Defense Wall."
"That's right, Marnie. The ship apparently bounced—get this—bounced off the outer energy grid before making a rather ungraceful landing. Witnesses say it looked like a 'cosmic bellyflop.'"
"I mean, seriously, if you're gonna crash into Kharon, maybe don't pick the nation with metahumans as border guards?"
HAHAHAHA
Kael gave a short snort through his nose as he chewed, not even looking up from his plate.
Kharon.
The Iron Citadel of the South. Kharon is under the Republic of Aurionis, a sovereign superpower built on technological supremacy and genetic ascension. Their people—who are of African lineage, were naturally a breed apart. Combining their physical abilities, with genetic manipulation, the Metahumans were born. Humans, that are biologically engineered to perfection.
A place where a single trained operative could tank a squad of the Federation. A place where children are born with reflexes faster than a combat drone, strength surpassing the norm, and vitality that of a stallion.
The idea that anything could threaten Kharon?
'Ludicrous.'
Kael scooped up a piece of sausage, unconcerned. "They'll clean it up by noon," he mumbled to himself.
He took another bite and leaned back as the anchorwoman chuckled again.
"Well, here's hoping their skies stay clear tonight! No more mysterious space debris or alien drive-bys, okay?"
"Up next—top five new synth-smoothies you need before 6 A.M.!"
Kael muted the screen and exhaled sharply.
Another normal morning.
He tended his garden, checked the walls, roof, and power lines for the whole day, his 500-square-meter plot of land surrounded by 2.5-meter concrete walls—his sanctuary.
Kael felt rewarded, ever since he was fourteen, he had gone through the rigorous training program by the Federation of Eldara to raise the next generation of soldiers. He was once handpicked for a classified special forces unit, only to be discarded due to unforeseen circumstances.
Despite everything, he stayed on the soldier's path and enrolled in the Eldara Military Academy. By twenty, he graduated at the top of his class, driven by purpose and hardened by rejection. Afterwards, he started working for Aegis, the Police Task Force of the Federation. For five years, he served like a dog as a Field Chief, then earned a promotion to Operations Captain, and after four more years, rose to become an Overseer. Now, at twenty-nine, he was a battle-hardened veteran of the Aegis Task Force of the United Federation of Eldara.
He was satisfied as he reminisced his hardships, he had been living like this for 2 months now after he got an Immediate Temporary Suspension (ITS), relieving him from his position as an Overseer for 90 days, he had been considering retirement.
'One more month and I'll be back in the task force… or maybe not. Maybe it's time to leave for good,' he thought, resolved.
'I should probably ready my resignation letter by the time I get back.'
Next door lay a 1000-square-meter plot with wooden fences and barbed wires about 1.5 meters tall—his parents' inheritance. They died in an in an unfortunate accident at the sea half a year ago, and as the only child, every asset and liabilities, he got it all.
Although he encountered significant hurdles along the way—his aunt and other relatives greedily laying claim to his parents' estate—it was no simple matter to settle the dispute in court. Despite Kael's high-ranking status in the task force, his relatives held powerful ties within the judicial branch of the federation. They bribed the judge, turning the trial into a heated clash full of lies, and Kael crashed out punching the judge square in the jaw leading to a scuffle between parties.
The affair soon spiraled beyond personal grievances, catching the eye of the media, who demanded an impartial investigation of the militia of the Federation. Their probe uncovered solid evidence of corruption. Both the judge and prosecutor were ultimately charged with perjury and bribery. Faced with exposure and disgrace, Kael's relatives abandoned their case, resigning from their positions in shame.
As for Kael, the violence of that courtroom confrontation could have led to charges of assault against him. But thanks to his exemplary record and years of dedicated service, he received only a suspension—his Immediate Temporary Suspension, or ITS.
'One way or another… they deserved it,' he smirked at the memory.
Swoosh
A breeze ruffled his long black hair. 'I should get it cut… after a year in the field, it's gotten out of hand.'
He threw on a jacket and boots, heading for the nearest town which was 5km away. As he was leaving, he looked at the time; it was 4:28 P.M.
As Kael made his way down the path, he spotted an old man hunched over, gathering twigs and branches into a wicker basket.
"Stocking up for winter, gramps?" Kael called out with a friendly grin, jogging in place for a moment.
The old man looked up and smiled. "Oh, it's you, Kael. Yeah, just making sure I've got enough for the stove."
"Good idea, stay warm, gramps—"
"Kael," the old man interrupted, his expression growing serious.
"Hm?" Kael paused, tilting his head.
The old man lowered his voice. "Watch yourself out there. Lately, there've been lots'a animals found dead–mutilated, all-around town."
Kael's smile faltered, and he gave a nod. "Thanks for the heads-up, gramps. I'll be careful." With that, he resumed his steady jog into town. After jogging for 27 minutes, he eventually reached the town where the townspeople greeted him with a smile.
"Mr. Argent, how have you been?"
"It's sir Kael!"
"You finally came out Mr. Argent!"
"Reckon ya care for a drink, Kael?" A drunk old man who was balding, wearing a white tank top holding a beer in his hand asked him.
"Not today Mr. Morgan," Kael declined him politely.
Mr. Morgan laughed it off "Sure sure HAHAHAHA!"
The bystanders were friendly towards Kael as he is, or was an Overseer of Aegis and a veteran at that.
An old woman came out from the liquor store with white hair and eyes that squinted looked like she couldn't see any more asked Kael "Where are you off to Mr. Argent?"
"Ah! Mrs. Choi, do you perhaps know where is the nearest barber shop?" Kael asked.
"It's a shame to cut that fine hair, but down the street, next block, turn left," she advised.
"Thank you so much."
"Hehe…no need, it is I who should be thanking you for your service" Mrs. Choi replied.
"Hm… just doing my job ma'am" Kael answered nonchalantly yet deep down he felt extremely proud and delighted.
He waved his thanks to Mrs. Choi and started his slow walk to the barber, past the old bakery and a boarded-up fruit stand.
Just ahead, two old men sat on makeshift stools, their whispers barely rising above the wind.
"—swear I saw her eyes turn black as pitch. Right at sundown, she started screamin'…"
Kael didn't stop. Didn't even look. But his pace quickened.
Kael jogged along, following the directions he was given—straight ahead, then a left at the next block. Soon enough, he arrived at the small, unassuming building. Stepping inside, he found the place quiet—almost too quiet. It was tranquil, almost serene, with no customers in sight. The only other person there was the hairdresser, a kid who looked like she couldn't have been older than 18 or 20. Kael took a moment to glance at the clock—it was already 4:59 P.M.
She had short blonde hair that encompasses her face like a bob cut, blue eyes, pale white skin, and a short stature at about 162 cm tall.
"Ah! Welcome sir!" she chirped.
"I came to get my hair done." Kael said straight as he sat down.
"Yes sir! Of course, would you like me to cut it short or just a trim?" she asked.
"Cut it short."
"Certainly sir, hold on." She said as she went to grab her clippers.
"What's your name?" Kael asked.
"Hm? It's Clarissa sir." She replied.
"You're new to this town Clarissa?"
"Yes sir, I came here from the Capital a few weeks ago to start my own business. Not to brag but I was a really well-known hairdresser from there, wait how could you tel–"
"KYAAA"
A piercing scream cut her off, followed by a shout: "WHAT THE FUCK!"
Chaos erupted outside; people were screaming on top of their lungs; a car could be seen accelerating beyond the limits of a residential area.
Kael stood up, obviously alarmed.
Clarissa froze. "What's happening?!" she asked, terrified.
Kael's jaw tightened. As an Overseer—even suspended—he couldn't ignore screams like that. His instincts overrode hesitation.
He reached for the door.
Clarissa grabbed his arm. "Wait—what if it's dangerous?"
Kael didn't answer. He just looked at her once—calm, resolute—then flung the door open.
What he saw made him freeze.
His hand instinctively reached for a weapon he hadn't brought.