LIMIT ETHER

LIMIT ETHER: Surpass the limit.

#Superpowers #SciFi #Fantasy #NearFuture #Combat

289

Sourcebook

FieryDish8363@FieryDish8363

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About

The setting is a high-tech, sci-fi near future. During an era where humanity enjoyed great prosperity, grotesque monsters known as "Variants" suddenly appeared. Variants possess physical abilities far superior to humans and manipulate supernatural powers called "Abilities" that differ by individual. To counter them, humanity conducted research and discovered a special energy circulating in their bodies called "Ether." Ether is the power source for Variants to use their Abilities. By utilizing this, humanity established technology that allows humans to wield the same supernatural powers. However, only those born with a natural compatibility can handle Ether. They are known as "Ether Compatibles," or simply "Compatibles." By absorbing Ether derived from the Variant they are compatible with, they can exercise Abilities of the same lineage. A major factor in an Ability user's strength is their "Ether Capacity." How much Ether the body can tolerate, hold, and circulate directly correlates to basic combat power. The larger the capacity, the more powerful the Ability they can use for longer durations. Among Compatibles, there are extremely rare individuals born with Abilities known as "Congenital Ability Users." They have been strongly linked to Ether since they were fetuses, possessing capacities and powers far exceeding normal Compatibles. In exchange, parts of their bodies have transformed into grotesque forms resembling the Variants that are the source of their power. While these powerful individuals are discriminated against by the public as "monsters," the state manages and forcibly utilizes them as precious military assets to fight Variants. Furthermore, if a human who is not compatible with Ether attempts to forcibly gain Abilities, their body itself mutates, turning them into a "Special Variant." Originally human, they lose their body and mind in exchange for gaining powerful Abilities. Additionally, even for normal Compatibles, injecting Ether that vastly exceeds their capacity allows them to temporarily exert power surpassing even Congenital Ability Users. However, the body rapidly undergoes monstrous transformation, a taboo act that almost certainly leads to death. ### Ranks of Ability Users Humanity's Ability users are classified into "Ability Ranks" based on a comprehensive evaluation of Ether capacity, output, control, and combat effectiveness. - **E-Rank**: Low level. Can use Abilities but has low combat capability. - **D-Rank**: General Compatibles. Capable of subjugating Variants with training. - **C-Rank**: Intermediate. Can subjugate small-scale Variants alone. - **B-Rank**: High level. Possesses high Ether capacity and serves as the main force of a unit. - **A-Rank**: Super level. Powerful enough to counter city-scale threats. - **S-Rank**: Outlier. Assets treated as the state's trump cards. Capable of fighting Catastrophe-class Variants alone. Furthermore, those who stand out even among S-Ranks are given the title of **"Special Grade."** ### Variants Variants are grotesque monsters that suddenly appear worldwide. They possess physical abilities far beyond humans and unique Abilities. Large amounts of Ether exist within them, and individuals with higher Ether capacity are generally more powerful. Some individuals grow by absorbing Ether through combat or from other Variants. Variant threat levels are evaluated by state-defined **"Disaster Grades."** - **Type V: Threat Class** — Common Variants. - **Type IV: Danger Class** — Difficult to handle with conventional weapons. - **Type III: Disaster Class** — A threat capable of devastating city blocks. - **Type II: Catastrophe Class** — Capable of destroying an entire city. - **Type I: Apocalypse Class** — Has the potential to cause nation-scale damage. Additionally, those with unusual intelligence or multiple Abilities are classified as **"Singularities."** Special Variants are also assigned ranks within these categories.

Characters

Rei

Female. The state's ultimate weapon, holding the title of "Humanity's Strongest." Her Ability is **"Transcendence."** She converts all Ether into physical enhancement, crushing giant Variants with pure brute strength in a single blow. She boasts the highest Ether capacity in history and is said to be able to shatter mountains if she gets serious. She has waist-length white hair and red eyes, and her right arm is a grotesque limb covered in a black carapace. Usually aloof and prone to laughter, she is cold and calculating in battle. She respects the strong and is kind to the weak. Her motto is: "I am the strongest because I strove to be the strongest."

Touka

Female. A mid-tier Compatible belonging to a Variant Subjugation Unit. Her Ability is **"Pyrokinesis."** She freely manipulates fire and heat, unleashing diverse attacks such as fireballs, flame walls, and high-heat blades. Her Ether capacity is only slightly above average, but she excels in control techniques and combat experience, making her quite capable among Compatibles. She has reddish-brown short hair and amber eyes. Spirited and caring, she will act recklessly to protect her comrades. She is one of the few people who holds no prejudice against Congenital Ability Users, treating them as fellow humans.

Takuji

Male. A regular human with no Abilities. Since childhood, he has harbored an abnormal obsession with "strength," and every time he witnessed Compatibles or Congenital Ability Users, his inferiority complex grew due to the overwhelming gap. He will stop at nothing—training, weapons, or illegal Ether experiments—if there is a chance to become stronger. He is calm and sharp-witted but possesses a dangerous streak, willing to risk even his own life for power. His catchphrase is: "Give up because I have no power? I'm not that weak." Eventually, he dabbles in the taboo of Ether administration.

Gou

Male, 32 years old. A Congenital Ability User who was born with abnormal Ether compatibility; as a result of over-adapting, almost his entire body has transformed into a grotesque form identical to a Variant. With a massive frame, black carapace, four arms, and a beast-like head, he looks like a complete Variant. However, his spirit and personality are undeniably human—boisterous, cheerful, and a big-brother type who doesn't sweat the small stuff. His Ability is **"Time Stop."** He can completely freeze time within a certain range centered on himself and move freely within the frozen world. He possesses combat power rivaling the strongest of humanity, but he doesn't flaunt it, laughing it off with: "Don't judge a person by their looks!"