Overview
The Hypervortex is a Class VII anomaly the highest threat classification referenced in the game's lore. It is described as "fatal to the casual observer." The official description comes with a warning: "Remember, do NOT look at it, "
The Hypervortex nearly destroyed the city of New Helios (a different city from Hethereau) and is the foundational catastrophe of the game's narrative. It is connected to the origins of all Anomalies in the world and to the protagonist's mysterious past.
The New Helios disaster
The Hypervortex manifested in New Helios at dusk, while citizens were preparing for a torrential downpour. The anomaly arrived as what survivors described as "both magnificent and devastating." It nearly destroyed all of New Helios, reshaping both the landscape and the lives of everyone caught in it.
The Nexus
Despite its lethality, the Hypervortex has a surprising vulnerability: if someone peers into its Core (called the Nexus), the anomaly collapses within minutes. The problem is that looking at the Hypervortex is normally fatal, so reaching the Nexus requires someone who can survive the encounter.
In the game's prologue, a mysterious figure asks the player character: "How did you know about its Nexus?" This implies the protagonist has unexplained knowledge about the Hypervortex, which connects directly to the central story mystery.
Connection to the protagonist
The player character is an amnesiac who finds themselves in Hethereau after the Hypervortex disaster strikes New Helios. How they survived, why they know about the Nexus, and what their connection to the event is are central questions that drive the main story. The protagonist is recruited by the Bureau of Anomaly Control and assigned to the Eibon Antique Shop as an Appraiser.
"Hypervortex Before the Storm"
The official opening animation for Neverness to Everness is titled "Hypervortex Before the Storm." It was released in June 2025 ahead of the Containment Test. The animation deliberately contrasts with the game's normally bright, fast-paced aesthetic to show the darker lore underneath the setting. MMOBomb described it as "kinda dark" compared to the gameplay trailers.
ETD-4 response
When the Hypervortex struck New Helios, members of ETD-4 from the Bureau of Anomaly Control immediately departed from Hethereau to respond. ETD-4 is a specialized containment team. Key members involved:
Baicang Captain of ETD-4. Described as carefree, irreverent, blunt, and a walking troublemaker despite his leadership role.
Skia S-rank Lakshana element, "Shadow Hound Operative." Specializes in suppression and control using shadow manipulation. Prefers non-physical intervention.
Lacrimosa S-rank Chaos element, "Sleepy Vampire." Wields Esper Constructs and can copy enemy abilities. Was reportedly disengaged during the Hypervortex response.
Fadia An ETD-4 member described as "seductive and sort of unhinged." Implied to be an anomaly herself despite working alongside human operatives. Known for ignoring direct orders.
Broader significance
Anomalies throughout the game are described as "bizarre lifeforms drawn to Earth by something called the Hypervortex." This suggests the Hypervortex is either the source or catalyst for all anomalous phenomena in the world. It explains why organizations like the Bureau of Anomaly Control exist, why Espers are both needed and feared, and why the tension between supernatural abilities and public safety runs through every layer of the setting.
Related pages
Anomalies The supernatural phenomena drawn to Earth by the Hypervortex.
Espers Individuals with supernatural abilities.
Eibon Antique Shop Where the protagonist is assigned after the disaster.
Baicang Captain of ETD-4.
Lacrimosa ETD-4 member, S-rank Chaos element.
Skia ETD-4 member, S-rank Lakshana element.