Shatterborn—the third rule of this world.

They are individuals who can transform their own blood into fixed weapons or objects. These blood-formed items always possess unique abilities, and without exception, inflict devastating damage on Ravagers.

We call them—Corruption Artifacts.

And the Shatterborn are this world’s warriors: humanity’s pillar of survival, the hope of resistance.

As she spoke, a faint, enigmatic light flickered across the woman’s face.

“Not everyone can become a Shatterborn. Their emergence is entirely random—an innate talent granted upon arrival in this world. Meaning…”

*No recorded cases of awakening after arrival…?* Ming Yi lowered his head again, deep in thought.

According to her, Shatterborn would sit unchallenged at the apex of this world’s food chain. Any group with a powerful Shatterborn gained a solid foothold for survival.

This world operated on one brutal law: survival of the fittest. The strong devour the weak.

The powerless, those yet to awaken their Corruption Artifacts, clung to Shatterborn for safety. The Shatterborn held absolute authority.

*So this is the societal structure…* Ming Yi sensed a dissonance. Everything felt deliberately designed. These rules shared one trait:

Simple. Brutal. Absolutely oppositional.

Thoughts tangled in his mind like knotted thread. He let them go.

“Of course, Shatterborn aren’t invincible. Strength varies.” She continued, “Based on Artifact power and wielder proficiency, we rank them into seven tiers: D, C, B, A, S, SS, SSS.”

“Ah!” She suddenly blinked, playfully sticking out her tongue. “Sorry! Got so caught up explaining, I forgot introductions.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Meryl Caris. Captain of Loki Squad, East Asia Branch, Liberation Syndicate. S Class Corruptor. My Artifact—the Translucent Silver Bullet—you saw it: that sniper rifle.”

“Hey.” The silent black-clad man cut in, voice icy. “Revealing everything to strangers without caution… really wise?”

*Exactly what I was thinking,* Ming Yi noted.

Too friendly. Meryl’s warmth felt deliberate—like she was subtly wearing down their guard.

But in a world ruled by strength? Kindness was self-sabotage. A squad captain wouldn’t miss that.

Unfazed, Meryl chirped, “This black-clad guy is Bailian. Don’t mind his cold tone—he’s actually sweet. Gentler than anyone deep down.”

“Skip the extras.” Bailian frowned but addressed them solemnly. “Vice-captain of Loki Squad. S Class Corruptor. Artifact: Spear of Deaththorn.”

*Spear of Deaththorn?* Familiar. Cú Chulainn’s mythic lance? Senior Yu recalled it—hurled from afar, instantly slaying that colossal Ravager.

*Is this S Class power? What tier was that Ravager?*

“This is my brother Kai Luo. Class-A Corruptor. Artifact: White Flame Gauntlets.” The orange-haired guide waved cheerfully. Ming Yi finally noticed their matching hair and features.

“The two chatting? Kevin and Kapier. Both Class-A. Artifacts: Storm Orb and Frost Claws.”

Kevin, a towering white man with a bushy beard and bright smile. Kapier, a dark-skinned South Asian man, gave a quiet nod.

“The one sleeping by the wall is Jin Xuanwen. Looks lazy, but a formidable Class-A. His Shadow Pattern Wheel? Extremely useful.”

Despite the noise, Jin Xuanwen snored on. Meryl’s team didn’t even glance his way—clearly used to it.

“Lastly, this lovely girl is Akiko. Only Class-B, but our irreplaceable intel officer. Operations stall without her.” Akiko, delicate and poised, smiled softly and gave a slight bow.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Akiko. My Artifact: Clairvoyant Mirror.”

—

After introductions, Ming Yi grasped Loki Squad’s true caliber.

Elite. Precisely structured. Terrifyingly capable.

S Class Corruptors were rare. Yet this squad held two S, four A, and even the B-tier filled a critical role. Uncommon. Very.

Senior Yu stood. “I’m Yu Chen. This is Alice, Ming Yi, Lei Yunjun, Xiao Chengcheng, and Huang Dandan. We were classmates before… arriving.”

“Rare for a whole group to cross over together,” Meryl mused. “What happened?”

“Earthquake,” Senior Yu shrugged helplessly. “Massive. We were in the same vehicle. Ming Yi… coincidentally encountered robbers at that exact moment. Stabbed.”

“Robbers?” Meryl blinked. *Even lower odds… dying simultaneously with you all.*

She let it pass. Newcomers had no reason to lie.

“Introductions done,” Meryl’s tone sharpened. “Let’s discuss something else.”

Ming Yi and Senior Yu tensed instantly.

*As expected. Her kindness had conditions.*

Her rescue, her detailed survival guide—it saved them. Without it, few might have lived long enough to learn.

No free help. She needed something from them.

Ming Yi had suspected it since the Shatterborn explanation.

Bailian saw signs of Artifact awakening in him and Senior Yu. At least two of them would become Shatterborn.

*They need Shatterborn power.*

Just as Ming Yi deduced, Meryl flashed a bright, sunny smile.

“How about joining the Liberation Syndicate?”