Rai stood still in the vast white room when a soft yet clear voice echoed around her.
"Hello, Rai. As your guidance assistant, I will help you through this simulation and teach you about the alien classifications based on our available data."
Rai looked around but saw no one. The voice continued from nowhere.
"Alright then... what should I do first?" Rai asked, readying herself.
"To begin, let me explain the seven alien tiers you'll need to watch out for. This is the official classification based on combat data:"
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1. Basic Alien
Tier: 1
Khodam Level: 1–20
2. Common Alien
Tier: 2
Khodam Level: 21–50
3. Strong Alien
Tier: 3
Khodam Level: 51–100
4. Elite Alien
Tier: 4
Khodam Level: 101–500
5. Giant Alien
Tier: 5
Khodam Level: 501–1000
6. Legendary Alien
Tier: 6
Khodam Level: 1001–3000
7. Mysterious Alien
Tier: 7
Khodam Level: 3000+
Identity unknown. These aliens have never been defeated. They are the reason the Vanguard project was created.
"Alright then," Rai said, taking a deep breath. "Can you show me one of the basic-level aliens commonly seen on Mars?"
"Of course," the voice of the virtual assistant replied in a clear, neutral tone. "This is the Spina Puffer."
A holographic projection appeared in the center of the white room. A floating, pufferfish-like creature slowly came into view. Its swollen body was covered in dozens—no, hundreds—of gleaming, sharp spikes.
"It originates from the western region of Mars," the voice continued. "It can grow up to 1.5 meters in size. It resembles a pufferfish but is covered in projectile spikes. These spikes can be fired as weapons and regenerate within minutes."
The projection showed the Spina Puffer launching its spikes in a deadly spray, then emitting gas from hidden vents in its body, propelling itself at high speed.
"This alien floats using a special gas inside its body. It can release that gas as a searing hot burst or use it to accelerate rapidly. Its skin is both tough and flexible, making it extremely difficult to pierce with standard weapons."
Rai nodded slowly, analyzing every detail carefully.
"However," the voice continued, "it has two main weaknesses. The first is its eyes—large and sensitive. The second is a small mouth located beneath its body. But be warned: the Spina Puffer can spin rapidly when threatened, making eye-targeted attacks very risky."
"So to defeat it, I have to find an opening when it's still, or strike by surprise?" Rai asked.
"Correct. You can also use tactics to distract it or attack while it's regenerating its spikes."
Rai clenched her fist. "Alright. I'm ready to try."
"The assistant will now activate the Spina Puffer simulation. Prepare yourself, Rai."
The white room transformed in an instant, cold Martian air sweeping across the space. Rai could feel her spirit form glowing with radiant energy. In front of her, a hissing sound emerged... and then, a floating, spiked creature with large eyes appeared, locking onto her with a predatory stare.
The white chamber shifted into a simulation of Mars' barren wasteland. Crimson skies loomed overhead, and dust swirled across jagged rocks. In the center stood Rai in her khodam form—a celestial-winged woman armed to the teeth.
Her light yet durable armor glinted under the simulation's light. Mounted on her wings were twin energy machine guns, while her fingers bore a storage ring holding twin light pistols. A compact shoulder bazooka hummed quietly, ready to fire.
Then a voice echoed through the air. "Target detected."
From the dusty veil emerged a floating creature. Round like a giant pufferfish, its body bristled with shimmering spines—Spina Puffer. Its large black eyes locked onto Rai as it hissed lowly. Without warning, BRRT!—a flurry of spines launched like a storm of miniature spears.
Rai soared into the air, wings slicing through the sky. "It attacks fast...!"
She aimed her machine guns and fired a volley of energy rounds. The shots peppered the alien's body, leaving only minor scorches. "Its hide is too thick..."
Spina Puffer hissed again, expelling a blast of superheated gas from its underside, rocketing toward Rai like a missile. Surprised, she dodged sideways. Her bazooka triggered automatically—BOOM!—a massive explosion lit up the battlefield.
As the dust cleared, the alien still hovered. Parts of its skin were charred, but it was far from defeated.
Rai activated stealth mode, vanishing from view, then dived at full speed. She drew her pistols mid-air and fired both directly into its enormous eyes. Bullseye. The Spina Puffer shrieked in agony, convulsing violently.
But before it could fall, it expelled one last burst of heated gas in all directions. Rai was blasted backward, crashing into a boulder.
Blood trickled from her lip. She winced, but her eyes stayed sharp.
"That... wasn't just a basic alien," she muttered.
Still breathing hard, she stood tall. "But I'm not an ordinary fighter either."
Her wings flared wide. Her weapons glowed.
Beams of light rained down mercilessly onto the pufferfish-like alien. The Spina Puffer spun rapidly, whipping its spiked body toward Rai's angelic khodam form like a deadly bladed top.
Rai flapped her wings swiftly, and the boosters on her armor activated, giving her extra maneuverability. She darted through the air, narrowly avoiding the spinning creature and the bursts of compressed gas erupting from its body.
She fired blindly while dodging, her shots scattered. One of them accidentally struck the creature's eye.
The alien shrieked in pain, green blood spurting from its wound as it paused mid-air. Rai didn't miss the opportunity—she immediately aimed at its other eye and fired again. The second shot hit true. With both eyes damaged, the alien writhed in agony. Rai unleashed a flurry of energy blasts straight into its now-vulnerable head.
Moments later, the Spina Puffer plummeted to the ground, motionless.
"Wow! You did it!" Nadien cheered, clapping with admiration. "You defeated one of the Mars aliens!"
"I didn't expect it to be that tough," Rai admitted, catching her breath.
"Not really," Nadien replied with a knowing smile. "If you had aimed for its eyes from the start, it would've gone down instantly."
Rai chuckled lightly. "So, what now?"
Nadien stepped closer, her eyes shining. "Are you ready… to go to Mars?"