[At Night]
Jane was in her room, resting. She lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, dressed in a loose gown that offered a bit of comfort after a long day. A soft knock at the door broke the silence.
"You know the password," Jane called out.
"Open up," a familiar voice replied.
Jane immediately recognized the voice and felt a smile tug at her lips. She quickly opened the door to find Leo standing there. "Leo! What brings you by so late tonight?"
Leo stepped inside, his gaze momentarily lingering on Jane's relaxed appearance. He couldn't help but admire her figure, his eyes drifting for a second too long. Jane, noticing his wandering gaze, smirked and tapped her temple. "Eyes up here, Leo. My face is over here."
Leo shook his head quickly, his face flushing a deep red as he stammered, "Oh—h, I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to—"
Jane laughed, cutting him off. "No need to be sorry." She then looked at his clothes, noticing he was fully dressed for work. "Why are you all geared up this late at night?"
Leo slapped his forehead, suddenly remembering his errand. "Right! I actually came to get you because you're needed in the lab immediately."
"And how is that related to my question about your outfit?" Jane asked, raising an eyebrow.
Leo didn't answer directly. Instead, he grinned and backed toward the door. "First person to reach the lab has to lick the floor!"
Before Jane could protest, Leo laughed and took off down the hallway. Jane didn't hesitate; she sprinted after him, quickly catching up and playfully pulling him back by his collar before surging ahead. Leo laughed, chasing her through the corridors until they finally skidded to a halt outside the lab door.
"Lick the floor!" Jane panted, pointing at the ground with a triumphant grin.
Leo stepped back, laughing, but when he saw the mock-seriousness on her face, he feigned a frown. "Wait... you're actually serious?"
Jane burst out laughing. "Gotcha!"
She composed herself, opened the door, and walked in as if nothing had happened. Inside, Lyla, Annie, and Caspian were already deep in conversation. All eyes turned toward her.
"I heard I was summoned," Jane said.
Leo walked in behind her, moving to Lyla's side. He gestured for Jane to join them. "Come over here."
Lyla grinned at the two of them. "Damn, you two make such a fit couple."
Jane glanced at Leo and rolled her eyes. "Nah, he's just a crazy being."
Leo shot her a mock-creepy look in return. Lyla chuckled, then turned to her sister. "So, Annie, why did you call us all here?"
Annie stood before a series of covered equipment. "I've finished your new suits, weapons, and firearms."
Lyla's eyes lit up. "You never cease to amaze me, little sis."
"I had some help," Annie admitted, glancing at Leo. "Leo hunted down some high-rank demons for materials and provided the energy signatures I needed. I'll start by explaining the suits, the safety precautions, and the powers infused into your new gear."
Annie stepped toward the first set of equipment. "First, for Caspian and the general army: I've created specialized bullets infused with Leo's spiritual energy. A single well-placed shot can now take down a high-rank demon. The firearms themselves were forged by a volunteer blacksmith—a survivor who offered his skills. These aren't ordinary guns; standard metal can't handle Nova energy. They're reinforced with beast hides to maintain balance and manage the law of conservation of momentum, so the recoil won't shatter Caspian's arms."
She paused to let that sink in. "But firepower isn't enough if you're out of ammo or taking hits. So, I've designed suits made from high-rank beast hides. They offer incredible armor, insane durability, and even a boost to physical strength."
"What if I run out of bullets in the field?" Caspian asked, examining the sleek new rifle.
"The gun will automatically synthesize new rounds using the Nova energy stored within it," Annie explained. "You can keep firing non-stop until the internal energy reservoir is depleted. That's the only catch—once the energy is gone, the gun needs a recharge."
Lyla nodded, impressed. "Okay, but who is this blacksmith guy?"
"Just a survivor, like the rest of us," Annie replied with a shrug.
"And what about my gear?" Lyla asked.
Annie moved to the next station. "Yours is similar in protection, but your weapon has changed. It's a Scythe."
Lyla frowned. "But I've never used a scythe before."
"Then you'd better start practicing," Annie said. "But this isn't a normal blade. The edge is made of pure, condensed demonic aura—no metal involved. You can adjust its sharpness or even retract the blade entirely, shortening the handle to turn it into a sword if the situation calls for it."
"Wow, that's amazing," Lyla breathed, reaching out to touch the dark, shimmering energy of the blade.
"Thank you. Also, I've analyzed your physiology," Annie added seriously. "Your body can now handle up to five demonic pills at once. But please, do not exceed that limit. If you take more, you risk turning into a demon permanently."
Finally, Annie turned to Jane. "Now, for you, Jane. I've seen how much your speed, hearing, and IQ have increased. You'll be using a specialized demonic pill made from a high-rank demon. Your weapon is a 'Silk-Sharp' sword, specially forged by Leo himself. You can take a maximum of three pills for now. These will allow your eyes to perceive the internal energy cores of your opponents, letting you strike with lethal precision."
Annie looked at the group solemnly. "Leo told me that demonic and spiritual energy aren't just for slashing. If mastered, they can be used for total body control—increasing strength, jumping, and speed. Spiritual energy can even manipulate time—reversing, forwarding, or pausing it. Demonic energy, on the other hand, can cut through reality itself. If you master your bodies, you could destroy a world with a single word."
Jane looked at the sleek sword and then at Leo. "Thank you. I appreciate it." She paused, then added with a smirk, "Even if you are a crazy guy."
Leo grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
[Somewhere in the Universe]
A figure named Xyne stood up, looking at her companion. "You can go, but be careful. If you need help, call me."
The other figure stretched, their joints popping. "Don't worry, sis. It's been a long time since I've had the chance to hit something with my fists."
*To be continued...*