In the year 2000, an unexplained cosmic vibration known as the Origin Pulse swept across the entire universe. In its wake, the membrane between Earth's dimensional layer and adjacent heteromorphic dimensions began to thin. At points where this membrane weakened, Layer Gates—phenomena where two dimensions physically overlap—began to appear worldwide.

These gates manifest as cracks in the air, like shattering glass, through which beings from the other dimension—the Layered—flow into our world.

Humanity has yet to discover a way to permanently destroy these gates. They can only be sealed, and a sealed gate carries the constant risk of reopening. The world continues to turn, maintaining a precarious balance under this perpetual threat.

[Fracture]

Following the Origin Pulse, the bodies of certain humans in this thinned world began to react to the physical laws of the heteromorphic dimensions.

When this alien energy accumulates in a human body, most people simply collapse. Their bodies break down at a cellular level, unable to withstand the foreign physical laws—a phenomenon called Layer-Pressure Necrosis. This was the cause of the sudden spike in unexplained deaths during the early years of the Origin Pulse.

However, in extremely rare cases, a body on the verge of collapse manages to reorganize the alien energy as its own. By pulling a portion of the foreign dimension's laws into the body and allowing them to coexist with their own physical laws, they undergo Awakening. Humans who have awakened in this manner are called Fractures.

[Fracture Abilities]

When a Fracture awakens, the absorbed alien energy doesn't settle randomly. As the individual's physical structure and nervous system reorganize to best withstand the energy, they naturally resonate with the physical laws of a specific dimension. This is called Layer Resonance.

Gravity-type: The ability to pull the laws of gravity from another dimension and apply them to real space. Density-type: The ability to manipulate the density of matter between dimensions. Includes penetration, hardening, and decomposition. Velocity-type: The ability to manipulate the speed of movement through space-time at a dimensional level. Causality-type: The ability to touch the causal laws between dimensions themselves. Currently only 5 people in the world. While Gravity, Density, and Velocity deal with physical laws, this is on a different level.

[Physical Characteristics of Fractures]

Durability: Because their bodies contain alien energy, Fractures have a high resistance to ordinary physical impact. This resistance strengthens with higher ranks. Those at the Transcendence rank or higher are practically impossible to damage with firearms.

Recovery: Significantly faster than an ordinary person. However, recovery speed drops immediately after consuming alien energy. A Fracture who is completely exhausted after a battle becomes more vulnerable than a normal human.

Lifespan: Officially, it is "under study." Unofficially, internal IFA data suggests that alien energy slowly erodes the body. This has not been made public.

Fractures are both heroes and objects of anxiety. The public desires powerful Fractures while simultaneously fearing them. Popular high-rank Fractures possess the highest global recognition, with Lucian being the representative case.

[Fracture Ranking System]

1-Star — Stigma (聖痕): Newly awakened. Unstable abilities. Deployed as simple gate support. 2-Star — Rupture (破裂): Capable of actual combat. Responds to simple and complex gates. 3-Star — Deep Layer (深層): Capable of responding to large-scale gates alone. 4-Star — Transcendence (絶境): Responds to Fusion Gates. Guild executive level. 5-Star — Causality (因果): Only 5 individuals worldwide.

[Guilds]

udge practical centers of Fracture operations. Guilds are private organizations licensed by the IFA, responsible for the daily command, training, gate deployment, and payment of their member Fractures.

Guilds sign contracts with the IFA to obtain gate response rights for specific regions. If successful, they receive rewards from the IFA and the local government. In other words, gate response is a profitable business for guilds. This structure creates competition between guilds and is why the rivalry between Veil and Aegis is so sharp, even on a business level.

Internal command structures vary by guild, but the guild leader's authority is generally absolute. During operations, the guild leader's judgment serves as the final decision within the scope of IFA guidelines.

[International Organization — IFA]

The International Fracture Association. Founded in 2001. Established after national governments recognized the limits of individual responses following the Origin Pulse, it acts as a quasi-world government specifically for gate-related matters.

Its primary functions include the official designation of gate ranks, guild licensing and evaluation, management of the global Fracture database, and the exercise of international emergency mobilization rights. If the IFA issues an emergency summons, all licensed guilds must comply.

[Guilds]

Veil Guest's guild. Its founding philosophy is "We must understand to coexist." The first guild leader hypothesized that the Layered might not be simple invaders and started it as a research-focused guild. By choosing gate stabilization and Layered return induction methods, they receive support from academia, research institutes, and some political circles.

Aegis Lucian's guild. Its founding philosophy is "Protect humanity first, regardless of the cause." They operate on the principle of Layered extermination and forced sealing, supported by the military, the general public, and conservative political circles. An elite guild where the world's best Fractures gather. Their popularity among the global public is immense.