Hollow Agent: Hikari Amane

  Access Level: 2 - Authorized Hollow Personnel Only

  Author Note: This file is optional to read and serves as a world guide for readers, so you don’t really need it to understand the story from the beginning. if you're the type who prefers to discover things as the story unfolds, feel free to skip it and Breach on! Either way, if you’re REALLY curious about Echos and how the Hollow's system works, you can always return here later or just continue reading this file. It may make more sense after reaching Chapter 2, where the story first explains what an Echo is. So choose your path!

  Hikari: Hey there, curious minds, future agents, readers, writers, and... unfortunate souls who’ve wandered into something far more dangerous than you realize. So… if you’re reading this, you’ve either found something you shouldn’t have, or you’re the kind of person who enjoys chasing the unknown despite the consequences. Whatever the reason might be, I'll keep this plain and simple for you, my future Hollow trainees.

  If you’re new to all this, let me explain what an Echo is because, well, that's probably why you’re here. If not… last chance to turn back. Otherwise... welcome to the truth because after this, you will officially be part of the Hollows of Echo institution - A place where nightmares are real! Yay... can't wait. Uh-uhm, moving on.

  What is an Echo? But more importantly, why should you care?

  An Echo is the term used by us Hollow Agents to refer to an anomaly, a being, an object, entity, or phenomenon that bends or outright breaks natural law. To keep things simple, we refer to them as Echos or ECO if you wanna 'shorten' it... These aren't urban legends, ghost stories, or science experiments gone wrong. These are real and dangerous threats, and in many cases...completely beyond human understanding. Some Echos can be physical, and some are abstract. Others... we don't even have language for, but you get the idea. Now, let's explore some examples of an Echo, think of...

  - A swarm of crow-like entities that merge into a single body when threatened.

  - A shadow puppet that stalks in the dark, moving only when your eyes are closed and killing the moment you look away.

  - A worm that gnaws its way through a host’s insides, leaving only a hollowed shell of flesh before slithering on to hunt its next victim.

  Sound fictional, right? I wish it were, and trust me when i say this, I've seen these things firsthand and faced them with my team. Some of them nearly broke me! One of them… we never speak about after what it did. Moving on...

  Who handles them?

  Well, if you haven't figured it that out yet, that would be us. The Hollows. A name we inherit when we join the institution and will be soon given to you as well if you keep reading. Awesome? Maybe. Terrifying? Absolutely! Sorry, I just think of that time whe- doesn't matter, moving forward.

  We follow a standard protocol issued by the Institution, known as E.C.O. - Echo ~ Capture ~ Order. I know, brilliant huh? It outlines the three core procedures every Hollow Agent must follow… always. Refer to the protocol below for the breakdown of each phase.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Echo Capture Order (E.C.O.) Protocol:

  Echo - Locate Echo and assign it a codename based on its traits and behavior.

  Capture - Use tools, weapons, or rituals to subdue and secure the Echo.

  Order - Seal the Echo in its assigned vault using restraints and containment protocols to prevent breach and ensure long-term control.

  Hopefully that section made sense to you. Also, if capturing it fails or proves impossible, an Echo is to be Echolocked. This refers to the permanent elimination of an Echo through any means available, such as destruction, exorcism, dismantling, or other authorized methods. Echolock protocols may only be authorized when continued vault containment poses a greater threat than termination, or when capture has been deemed impossible. Echolock may only be ordered by the Hollows of Echo Institution. Individual Hollow operatives do not hold the authority to initiate Echolock, even in situations deemed an immediate existential threat.

  The Institution’s standing directive is continuous. Safeguard humanity and the world by containing or eliminating hostile Echo manifestations.

  These Echos are not collectibles or anything like that, they're real threats. Each Echo is assigned a Class based on how dangerous and how containable it is. Let's go through some Class Types, they are four types in total that we identify them by:

  Echo - Null - Stable, passive, or easily contained. They are not harmless but definitely manageable. (Order Rate: 90% ~ 99%)

  Echo - Dormant - These are unstable or reactive and may breach under stress. They aren't too difficult to capture.(Order Rate: 70% ~ 89%)

  Echo - Yuila - Hostile and is an active threat. Usually requires constant suppression and are difficult to deal with. (Order Rate: 40% ~ 69%)

  Echo - Zerm - Catastrophic and reality-breaking. We can only delay or find a ritual for capturing it if possible. These are the real deal and are very difficult to fight against. (Order Rate: 1% ~ 39%)

  Okay... almost done, stay with me. Lastly, the Order Rate shows how likely we are to keep an Echo contained in its vault, or how hard it is to eliminate. Rates can shift depending on the Echo, but the rule is simple: the lower the number, the higher the risk. Each class is defined by its percentage range.

  Now, for a final note, we're not just scientists or soldiers. We're humans of a world constantly on the edge. And me? I used to work deeper in the field than I ever should have. I still do, technically... long story. No spoilers allowed! Anyway, I'll tell you more as we go, but for now, you have unfortunately completed this classified file! Congratz?! Well, now that you know that Echos are real, you can decide to back away from this story or stick with it. The choice is completely yours, no pressure. If you decide to stick with the story well... I now officially announce you as a Hollow! Yay... hehe... well, you are now part of the Hollows of Echo institution. So, beware reader because once you've encountered one of these Echos... there's no going back.

  Thanks for reading this, my favorite Hollow Trainee. Remember to stay curious and be safe out there. Most importantly, though... listen carefully because you never know when an Echo is lurking by.

  - Hikari Amane

  Former Hollow Specialist - Echohold-09

  Hollow Personnel Directive:

  Hollows are to be inducted under Institution oath and operational secrecy is absolute. Humanity’s preservation depends upon strict adherence to E.C.O. procedures. Any breach of protocol will result in disciplinary action under Article 7, Subsection Δ. These protocols are not to be violated under any circumstance, unless explicit authorization is granted. Any behavioral shift, containment breach, or undocumented Echo trait must be reported to the Institution without delay.

  Enjoy The Novel!