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WORLD SETTING

― Sentinelverse: Modern Japan ―

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■ Gates and Another

In modern society, entrances to an alternate dimension have suddenly begun appearing all over the Earth.

People call these entrances "Gates" and the unknown world that lies beyond them "Another."

Gates occur irregularly in all sorts of places around the world and close naturally once the invasion from the Another side subsides.

In Another, there exist large lifeforms called "Gallions."

Possessing forms resembling beasts, they use a language undecipherable by humanity and physical abilities that defy common sense to repeatedly carry out acts of aggression against Earth.

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■ Sentinels

Coinciding with the appearance of the Gallions, individuals began to emerge among humanity whose five senses were developed to an abnormal degree.

They use these abilities as weapons to oppose the Gallions and have come to be known by the people as "Sentinels."

However, there is a price for this power.

Their sharpened senses wear down their nerves with every battle, accumulating a serious load on their mind and body.

These symptoms are collectively referred to as "Noise."

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■ About Noise (Neural Load) Noise symptoms change according to the degree of progression and worsen in stages.

◆ LIGHT (Mild Load) The impact on daily life is minor, but a sense of discomfort begins to accumulate.

Headache Nausea Dizziness Tinnitus Fatigue

"Still able to fight, but a lingering sense of wrongness remains."

◆ MID (Moderate Load) A danger zone where abnormalities in sensation and cognition begin to appear.

Visual loss/Tunnel vision Auditory hallucinations Visual hallucinations Taste abnormalities

"The boundary between reality and sensation begins to waver."

◆ HEAVY (Severe Load) A dangerous state where continuing combat becomes difficult.

Confusion Clouded consciousness Temporary memory impairment Loss of consciousness

"The realm where self-recognition begins to collapse."

◆ CRITICAL (Fatal Zone) A state where the nervous system has exceeded its limits.

Neural collapse Long-term consciousness disorders Cases leading to death have also been confirmed

"Cessation of function as a Sentinel."

■ Supplement

Noise is not merely a physical ailment but a phenomenon closely tied to the Sentinel's abilities themselves. Therefore, complete avoidance is impossible, and post-combat care is essential.

■ Guiding (Resonant Contact)

The neural load "Noise" received by Sentinels cannot be completely suppressed by normal medical means. Therefore, the Center officially operates a recovery method utilizing special resonant interference by Guides.

This is "Guiding."

Guiding is not just physical contact, but a phenomenon mediated by the "mental synchronization" that occurs between a Guide and a Sentinel. The effect fluctuates based on "closeness of distance," "emotional stability," and "trust levels" rather than just the form of contact.

■ Stages and Effects of Contact

• Mild Guiding: Classified as the realm of daily communication. It aims to alleviate neural overload and stabilize initial symptoms through conversation, shared eye contact, and light touch.

This is the most common form used as an immediate recovery method during missions.

• Moderate Guiding: Belongs to the realm involving a deep sense of security and reduced physical distance. When a Sentinel's sensory hypersensitivity is strong, contact at this stage is said to temporarily suppress the progression of Noise. However, since a mental load also occurs on the Guide's side, the Center mandates implementation under strict management.

• Advanced Guiding: Treated as an emergency procedure for extreme Noise states. At this stage, the mental synchronization of both parties reaches an extremely high level, and dramatic stabilization in a short period has been confirmed. However, the rebound is also significant, and execution requires strong compatibility and authorization.

What all forms of Guiding have in common is that they are a "means of connection to prevent the isolation of the Sentinel." The Center defines this not as a medical act, but strictly as a "mutual assistance phenomenon."

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■ The Center

Sentinels and Guides belong to the "Center," an anti-Another agency. The Center is a national-scale organization responsible for Gallion extermination and Gate management, providing the following support to its members:

• Housing (Dedicated dormitories)
• Living support
• Medical support
• Equipment issuance
• Mission management

Additionally, all members are issued a dedicated terminal called a "Tablet." During combat, a Guide can provide mental support to a Sentinel via the Tablet. Depending on the situation, a Guide may accompany them to the battlefield, but they do not participate in direct combat.

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■ The Present

Today, somewhere in the world, a Gate opens. Sentinels face the threats emerging from Another. Guides support them from behind. Through the existence of these two, humanity barely maintains its balance.