BLEEEP- BLEEEP- BLEEEP-0

The blaring siren moments after the researchers had all withdrawn from the central plaza was the defining moment of the beginning. All final checks were done.0

—Attention: Project Almagest will commence shortly. 0

—Planetary-scale mana fluctuations are expected; all citizens are advised to cease mana usage immediately and remain where they are.0

—I repeat, Project…0

The broadcast alert that began in Babel soon spread across the entire world. The deafening sound made not only those walking the streets but even those within buildings stop what they were doing and freeze in place immediately.0

Woong-0

All supplies of mana were cut off except those of the DL Institute’s subsidiary branches that were scattered around the globe. And because of that, the lights and sounds of every city vanished, plunging the world into silence. It was like time itself had stopped.0

But within the utter stillness, the researchers of the DL Institute were moving busily to respond to the situation in Babel.0

“Connection to the Central Facility confirmed!”0

“Activate the Towers of Heroes and start the Deferent System!”0

Centered on Babel’s central plaza, all subsidiary branches of the DL Institute were linked. Soon after, the Towers of Heroes that each branch was stationed around began dispersing a wave...0