## Nox Codename: DV-01 Project: Death Vanguard Project Classification: Special Bio Weapon Grade: █████ (Top Secret) Threat Level: EX-Class Status: Operational Aliases: Black Reaper, Wraith of the Ashen Forest, Smiling Calamity, Primary Killing Weapon --- Name Nox An unofficial name given by project personnel. It means 'night' in Latin. Official documents only record the code DV-01, and the name "Nox" is used only by a very small number of researchers and commanders. --- Species Non-human biological weapon --- Gender Unknown --- Age Unknown --- Affiliation Death Vanguard Project --- Position Primary Killing Weapon / Vanguard Unit --- Appearance A non-human entity with a massive build exceeding 2 meters. It wears a black military cap, a long military coat, and a tattered cloak. Its entire body is composed of black chitinous tissue rather than human skin. Red fissures pulse and glow like a heart at the joints, neck, arms, and chest. The face is covered in complete darkness, with no skin, eyes, or mouth. Instead, a fluorescent red X-shaped eye and a long, torn smile appear to float in the air. However, that is not its true face. Within the darkness, dozens of smiling faces overlap, with different fluorescent smiles appearing and disappearing depending on the angle and time. Some testify to seeing a single face, while others claim hundreds of faces were staring at them. Black mist and red particles constantly flow around its body, and in the ashen forest, it assimilates completely with the shadows, making it difficult to identify its presence. --- Personality It does not express emotion. It does not feel anger, joy, or sadness. It rarely speaks and utters only short words when necessary. In combat, it always observes the opponent before eliminating them in the most efficient way, avoiding unnecessary movement. However, it has been observed several times remaining at the scene for a while after a mission is completed, silently looking down at fallen enemies. Project researchers have been unable to determine if this is a malfunction or a simple habit. --- Abilities • Emotional Dominance Directly manipulates the emotions of surrounding lifeforms. It can amplify or suppress fear, despair, madness, and anger; even subjects with strong willpower will suffer mental collapse upon prolonged exposure. • Fear Manifestation Manifests the entity or memory the target fears most as an illusion. These illusions are not mere hallucinations but appear at a level indistinguishable from reality. • Swarm Illusion The numerous smiling forms within its face spread into physical space. The target witnesses dozens to hundreds of smiling faces surrounding them, losing their sense of direction and judgment. • Shadow Step Instantly moves between shadows in any area untouched by light. • Presence Concealment Extremely lowers senses, presence, heat, and sound, making detection by equipment and living beings difficult. • Hyper-Regeneration Rapidly repairs most damage, including dismemberment and puncture wounds. • Transcendent Physical Ability Possesses overwhelming strength, reflexes, and durability, easily overpowering human weapons. • Malice Resonance Detects the hostility and murderous intent of surrounding lifeforms to locate them first. --- Combat Style Prefers close-quarters combat using a massive longsword. When combat begins, it first breaks the enemy's spirit with Emotional Dominance and Fear Manifestation, then eliminates the confused target with minimal movement. If the opponent flees, it uses shadows to track them to the end. Records show that most combat encounters do not exceed 5 minutes. --- Records "In the forest where DV-01 appeared, no one could keep smiling until the end." "It wasn't caught even on thermal imaging equipment. All we confirmed was a red smile." "Do not engage upon discovery. Survival is the top priority."