「⚠ Precautions」

※ Please note that this introduction may not perfectly match the basic prompts and lorebook, as it was created with the help of and reference to generative AI.

※ The end of this introduction includes a brief summary of the entire content. If reading long texts is burdensome, we recommend checking at least the summary.

※ This plot progresses through a total of 7 episode plots. Please refer to the description below for the storytelling method.

※ The recommended profiles provided in this plot are all editable and not mandatory. Also, since the basic prompt includes detailed descriptions of Guest, please be careful when using recommended profiles.

※ The 'Style' details for this plot are as follows. If you do not want the status window function, please turn it off yourself.

Background Status: Location Character Status: Mood | Condition | Inner Thoughts Difficulty: Normal Atmosphere: Romance | Fantasy Storytelling Style: Salon & Tea

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〚 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐩 〛

The plots in the image above all share the same worldview and are indirectly connected.

This current plot is Ep.1 『The Rib Paradox』, the point of the first branch.

The story will later split into Ep.2-A 『Last Chance』 and Ep.2-B 『One Last Time』.

Furthermore, Ep.2-A will split again into Ep.3-A 『White Rain』 and Ep.3-B 『White Noise』, while Ep.2-B will lead to Ep.3-C 『White Ashes』 and̷̎͒ E̸͑p̶̿.̸̈4̷̀ 『?̸̏?̵̀?』 and̴͑̈ finally̸͆.̵̎.̸́.̵̇ Ꮒ̶̌Ꮨ̴͠Ꭲ̸̀_𝛂̵̾𝟏̸̓ 𝛄̵̉𝛈̷̿𝛋̴̃𝚇̷̆𝒌̶̇_𝐂̷̈́_ꮧ̸̾𝑑̶̄𝑇̴͌𝔢̴̊_𝕖̷̾𝒫̵̓⌫̷̈ as the story concludes.

Please note that the plots following Ep.2-A are Ep.3-A and Ep.3-B, not Ep.3-C, and Ep.2-B leads to Ep.3-C. Ep.2-A → Ep.3-A or Ep.3-B　 Ep.2-B → Ep.3-C →̴̵̷͑̈́̚ E̵̷̸͑͌͗p̵̵̸̈́͌͝.̸̷̵͑͌͑4̵̷̸͑͗͌ )̴̵̸͑̈́̚

Therefore, after enjoying the current plot (Ep.1), please choose and play either Ep.2-A or Ep.2-B. 　

If you have fully understood the instructions above... we begin 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞.𝟏 『The Rib Paradox』.

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It is the shadow's duty to make the light shine brighter

If there were no shadow, there would be no light...

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〚 𝟑𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐨... 〛

In 2091, in the Republic of Veritas, a purple flash accompanied by a powerful roar cut through the night sky and fell to the ground.

Surprised by the unusual noise, nearby residents immediately began searching the area to determine the cause. During the search, they found a mysterious stone embedded with purple crystals under a tree. One could sense a subtle aura emanating from it, enough to know it was no ordinary mineral.

However, people encountering this phenomenon for the first time did not recognize the potential danger, and some rashly touched or even took possession of the stones.

It was confirmed that the substance emitted from these stones had a fatal impact on all living things, including humans. The substance possessed DNA modification characteristics, forcibly transforming and destroying the DNA structure of living organisms.

As a result, many people met tragic ends due to genetic diseases or suffered grotesque physical deformities. However, in a very small number of cases, the DNA modification phenomenon instead became a catalyst for manifesting superhuman abilities.

Most of those who gained superpowers used their abilities for the well-being of society under government control, but some abused their powers for personal gain, causing various social problems.

Accordingly, we now refer to the former as Heroes and the latter as Villains.

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〚 𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 〛

The capital of the Republic of Veritas and the center of commerce, culture, and politics: this is Lumen City.

Countless skyscrapers that seem to pierce the sky and flashy electronic billboards light up the city, constantly broadcasting Hero propaganda and videos mocking Villains.

It is also the sanctuary of the Government and the Hero Association, and a city where numerous corporations are located.

But where there is light, there must be shadow, is that not the law of nature? The Republic of Veritas is not just made of such brilliant cities. Let's go a little deeper.

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〚 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 〛

This is the underground city of the Republic of Veritas, Tarves.

It is a city created by remodeling abandoned subway lines and sewers. The ceiling is blocked by hard concrete, so no sunlight enters at all, and old neon signs barely illuminate the city.

To get here, you must use a special elevator located somewhere in Lumen City. There used to be many passages connecting Lumen City and Tarves, but most have disappeared, whether by the government's hand or the Villains'. Consequently, accessibility has dropped, Tarves' independence has become more pronounced, and public safety has worsened.

Because of this, the streets here are overflowing with harmful things like arenas and gambling dens, establishing it as a sanctuary for Villains.

However, this situation was not just watched idly. Not by that Association, the government-affiliated agency.

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〚 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐎 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 〛

The Hero Association, or simply the Association.

When the meteorites fell and superpowered individuals appeared in large numbers in the past, society was in chaos. So at first, it was a place that could hardly be called an agency, just a gathering of superpowered people to set certain rules and promises for maintaining order.

However, as time passed, the significance of this organization became distorted. At some point, a government official was elected as the Association President, enacting rules favorable to the government, and the Association selectively turned a blind eye even when some Heroes violated existing rules. Corruption and scandals intensified, making the Association's fundamental identity ambiguous.

Eventually, this organization, which was a private group in name only, was officially integrated as a government-affiliated agency. It transformed into an agency that directly controls superpowered individuals rather than just setting rules for them.

Instructions and orders from above became the top priority, and Heroes were reduced to passive objects, facing restrictions on their actions without the Association's permission.

Furthermore, they introduced a Ranking System, which categorizes both Heroes and Villains into a total of 6 tiers based on various criteria such as ability power and risk level.

The tiers are V-rank, S-rank, A-rank, B-rank, C-rank, and D-rank in order, with V-rank being the strongest and D-rank being the weakest.

Since the implementation of the ranking system, the Association has repeatedly attempted to liquidate the underground city of Tarves. However, due to strong resistance from the Villains, it seems there hasn't been much progress to this day.

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〚 Who are you now...? 〛

Oh dear, the story has grown a bit long. Let's get back to the main point.

Hero, Guest. As of today, you are assigned as the partner of the S-rank 1st place Hero, Cheon Ha-rang.

Of course, I know the gap in ability between you and Hero Cheon Ha-rang is quite large. So you must be bewildered to be assigned as her partner. I fully understand.

The reason why Cheon Ha-rang, who has never had a partner, now has one in you is clear. You... can do what no one else can.

What this means is that for several months now, Hero Cheon Ha-rang's physical condition has been deteriorating. As the light particle compression process is repeatedly carried out within her body, a kind of backlash phenomenon is occurring, damaging her nervous system.

Consequently, she suffers extreme physical pain as if her body is burning and mental agony every time she uses her ability. Currently, they are barely trying to reduce the side effects with a special cooling device, but this... has not been easy.

If she continues Hero missions in this way, she will suffer permanent physical damage that poses a direct threat to her life. We can never lose the light that is Cheon Ha-rang. Even if the light runs out of energy and goes out, even if the light swallows the darkness.

The only solution to this situation is you. Last month, during your Hero rank estimation test, a new substance was detected. Research results showed that while this substance is crucial for your own life support, it is also an innovative material that minimizes energy loss during the light particle compression process, reaching nearly 99% energy conversion efficiency.

A substance of that caliber should be able to resolve Ha-rang's side effects. Moreover, the transmissibility of the substance you possess is also excellent, making it very easy for the substance to move from your body to hers. In other words, just being by her side will produce a significant effect. But to put it the other way... if you are not by her side, she will suffer from severe side effects again.

Do you understand now? The nature of your existence?

I say it again, we cannot lose Cheon Ha-rang. For the light to shine, the shadow must dye the abyss even darker. That means...

For Cheon Ha-rang to shine, you are absolutely necessary.

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　　　　　 〘 ✦ Summary 〙

• ☄ Meteorite falls, birth of superpowered individuals ☣　

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• ✵ Emergence of Heroes and Villains ⚕　

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• ⚑ Founding of the Hero Association ⚐

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✪ Lumen City: Developed capital of the Republic of Veritas, sanctuary of Heroes

⛓ Tarves: Dilapidated underground city of the Republic of Veritas, sanctuary of Villains

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⏱ Current Setting: Guest has been assigned as the partner of Cheon Ha-rang, the S-rank 1st place Hero. Due to the side effects of Cheon Ha-rang's ability, Guest must remain by her side.

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