The Strongest Body Customization System

Team 7 stood in the army's briefing room, their eyes fixed on the large screen in front of them. General Marcus's gruff voice echoed through the room as he gave them the mission details.

"We need you to go in, extract Team 5 from the West Devil's Nest. They're trapped underground. They've been cornered by a pack of werewolves: three True Werewolves, and seven Lesser Werewolves. I don't care how you do it, just bring them back. Alive. That's an order," General Marcus said, his gaze sharp as ever.

Barseagle, the captain of Team 7, nodded with his usual calm. He was a True Vampire, his presence strong, and the others in Team 7 were lesser vampires, but each had their own talents. Ian, who they thought was a true vampire, being the towering giant of the group, didn't speak. His mere size was intimidating enough to make the air feel tense.

Daniel, always quick to talk, shot a glance at Kate and Liz. "They'll be fine, right?" he asked, his voice half-hopeful, half-sarcastic.

Barseagle gave him a small, reassuring nod. "We'll be fine. Just stick to the plan."

As the briefing ended, the door creaked open. A new team walked in. Team 8. The leader, a true vampire named Rurik, strutted in first, his long, pale face curling into a scowl. Behind him were two lesser vampires, one of whom was eyeing Ian with something between awe and fear.

Rurik didn't waste any time with pleasantries. "Let's get this over with," he said with a harsh tone. "We all know I'm the leader here. Don't expect me to babysit you." His voice held no warmth, just the cold, sharp edge of someone who had been in too many battles.

Ian raised an eyebrow at Rurik's words, but said nothing. He was used to people assuming things based on his appearance, though his size was enough to make anyone hesitate. His claws, though, were a different matter. The retractable skeletal claws flexed as he crossed his arms, trying his best to ignore the small, uncomfortable glances thrown his way by Team 8.

"Uh, right," Daniel muttered, looking between the two teams. "Nice to meet you, Rurik. I'm sure this'll go smoothly." He said it like a question, but no one was sure if he was being sarcastic or genuinely trying to break the ice.

Kate spoke up. "Let's just focus on the mission. We don't have time for egos." She gave Rurik a hard stare, the kind that said she wasn't intimidated, even by someone so obviously superior.

Rurik sneered at her and turned to the others, ignoring her entirely. "Follow my lead. And don't get in my way," he barked, then glanced over at Ian, his eyes narrowing at the giant form of another true vampire. "And you, Big Guy, try not to break everything. We need to get in and out fast, not make a mess."

'There are two true vampires in Team 7? Isn't this unfair for other teams?' Rurik didn't expect that the team 7, a newly created team to have two true vampire.

One had to know that true vampires are already qualified to lead a team by themselves.

A few awkward seconds passed. Ian's lips twitched. Barseagle took a step forward, his expression neutral but with a hint of amusement behind his eyes.

"Well, that's one way to introduce yourself," Barseagle said calmly, voice deep and steady.

Kate snorted, Daniel barely holding back a laugh. Liz, who usually kept quiet, stifled a smile. Even Rurik's hardened face cracked for just a second before he caught himself.

"Alright, alright," Rurik muttered, his posture stiffening. "Let's move. Team 5 won't rescue itself." He spun on his heel, clearly annoyed by the laughter but too focused on the task at hand to show it.

As the teams began to gather their equipment and prepare to leave, the atmosphere lightened a bit. The mission was serious, sure—but in the end, they were all here for the same reason.

A sudden, loud laugh broke out from Daniel. "Did Rurik just call Ian 'Big Guy'? I mean, he's the size of a house, but 'Big Guy'?"

Kate joined in, her voice rising in a full, unrestrained laugh. "It's a good thing Rurik's a True Vampire, or I'd worry about him getting squished under Ian's foot!"

Liz chuckled too, her smile wide. "I think 'Big Guy' might have a bigger ego than Rurik."

Barseagle, the ever-steady leader, couldn't hold back his smirk either. Even Ian let out a soft chuckle, his deep voice rumbling like a distant thunder.

Team 8, though grumbling, couldn't help but snicker. Rurik shot a glare at the others, but even he had to admit—it was kind of funny.

"Let's just get this over with before I start liking you people," he muttered, walking out the door, though the faintest grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

...

The sun had just begun to set as Team 7 and Team 8 trudged along the narrow, winding path through the darkening landscape. They had passed through Smog Iron Mountain, where the thick, grey mist had clung to the rocks like a second skin.

The air had been damp and heavy, the kind of place where every breath felt like it might smother you. Then, they'd passed by Crimson Sword Forest, where trees with jagged red leaves reached for the sky, their sharp tips like the blades of swords.

Now, they found themselves walking on foot beside the eerie stillness of the Starry Reflection Lake. The water's surface was as smooth as glass, reflecting the stars above, the quiet broken only by the occasional ripple from a bird or insect disturbing the surface.