The family to which Edmund belongs is renowned throughout the Fourth Continent. Even in Zion, they maintain a grand estate and continue to expand their firearms industry.
Firearms produced by the Mariano factories, much like the family’s culture, embody the principles of "excellence, speed, and lethality."
Each weapon manufactured by the family guarantees high quality but sacrifices stability in favor of lightness and power.
From the age of five, family members must undergo rigorous firearms training. Those unable to fully adapt to recoil before turning ten are removed from the family’s internal cultivation system and cut off from all resources.
Began firearm training with his father at the age of five. Completed his training early at eight years old by achieving a perfect shooting score.
Was then sent to a specialized training ground under the organization’s banner to develop his physique, reflexes, combat techniques, and mastery of melee weapons.
At thirteen, he earned the qualification for external hunts, accompanying family gentlemen to eradicate nearby pathogenic entities, accumulating early field experience.
"Neural Adjustment": By eliminating pathogenic entities with synchronized gun-and-sword techniques, the growth of the 'Motorics Coordination' attribute is accelerated.
Raised by a noble family and trained as a gentleman from a young age, Edmund’s beliefs were deeply shaken the first time he entered the basement clinic of the parallel space. There, he encountered a decayed and self-indulgent pathogenic gentleman—Mr. Lee.
Resolving to eradicate such degenerates, Edmund did not hesitate when Yi Chen proposed the Rat Extermination Plan. As team leader, he pledged his life and chose to remain on-site.
The plan has reached its final stage. Edmund, suppressing his long-held fury, unleashes a concentrated burst of effort. His exceptional focus allows him to execute a nearly instantaneous headshot and decapitation.
Although targeting the head doesn’t destroy the pathogenic core within, and thus doesn’t guarantee the death of an abnormal patient, it buys critical time for adjustments.
Seizing this moment, the theater owner completes the reconstruction of his body.
Turning his gaze to the group and to the bedridden Mr. Lee, the owner declares:
"Although I’d love to stay here and help you kill this vile rat... the underground palace outside seems to be swarming with restless entities trying to break into the ward.
"I’ll guard the outside, clear out the palace debris, and ensure no interference. Please make sure to kill this disgusting rat."
The moon mark on the owner’s brow glows with silver radiance as it activates for the first time, showcasing his true power as a Moon Person.
Shedding his white suit, additional arms sprout from his back and upper waist. Each corresponds to his theatrical characteristics:
- Slender, feminine arms with sharp, elongated nails.
- Diseased, decaying arms of an elder, oozing corrosive acid from between the joints.
Two additional faces emerge from either side of his head: one of a young woman, the other of an old man, each displaying distinct emotions and observing the surroundings.
The owner steps out of the ward and seals the door behind him.
Sounds of fierce battle erupt from beyond the door. To further minimize interference, Juliana pours pre-prepared fuel at the entrance and ignites it. Most of the rats attempting to squeeze through the cracks are charred.
[Scene Shift: Yi Chen]
Maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor, Yi Chen steps forward with a smile.
As Edmund’s gunfire distracts Mr. Lee, Yi Chen’s hand silently slips into his coat, reaching behind his waistband. His fingers grip the hilt of a spine axe, heated by moonlight.
He draws the axe, swings his arm, and carves a near-perfect arc in the air, channeling his full strength. The weapon lands precisely on the moon mark at the side of Mr. Lee’s neck.
The sensation of slashing with the new weapon is entirely different. Compared to the rigid hacking of a hand axe, it leaned more towards a sensation of sawing and tearing.
However, the silver blood vessels extending from his back were still rooted to the ground, preventing complete liberation.
With eyes glowing fully red like crystalline orbs, Mr. Lee locked his gaze on the three figures before him.
From his torn, grinning mouth, rats crawled out continuously.
“Wouldn’t it be easier to just hand in your mission and leave? Must you force me to devour you all?”