Combust
In a world where science intertwines with the supernatural, humanity’s latent power known as FLARE is both a gift and a curse. Ryo, a cynical mercenary buried in debt, views his own FLARE, “Express Train,” as nothing more than a high-speed disaster waiting to happen. With a punch strong enough to derail trains and a reputation for catastrophic property damage, he’s been branded a Risk Level C menace by the corporate giant AetherCorp. When a mission goes wrong and leaves him drowning in repair fees, Ryo finds himself forced to team up with Amane, a delusional “magical girl” whose glitter-filled FLARE is as powerful as it is humiliating.
Amane, a Risk Level B wielder, believes their partnership is fate, a perfect balance of justice and chaos. Ryo considers it a bureaucratic nightmare. Together, they dive into the decaying underbelly of a world where FLARE energy is harvested, regulated, and weaponized. As monstrous Aberrants born from human despair roam the streets, AetherCorp’s bureaucracy and the shadowy agents of NeuroSync tighten their control over those who dare to wield power.