Never

Main symptoms: Progressive weakness and fatigue. Ilya increasingly feels like his "battery is running low": even relatively simple tasks exhaust him to the point of exhaustion, and recovery takes longer. This is especially noticeable in scenes where he tries not to show his fatigue to his partners. Periodic attacks of acute pain in the chest and along the spine. The pain comes in waves, sometimes so intense that it restricts movement for several seconds. In the script, this is conveniently conveyed through short "lapses": Ilya freezes, clenches his teeth, then returns to the task with an effort of will. Loss of coordination and short-term "lapses" in perception. He experiences episodes when the world seems to "swim": contours blur, perspective is distorted, and tinnitus may appear. These are not full-blown faints, but micro-glitches that he tries to hide. Increased sensitivity to anomalous fields and energy sources. Where other agents feel only mild discomfort, Ilya experiences sharp pain, dizziness, and nausea. This makes him especially vulnerable during operations near active artifacts or anomalous zones. Nightmares and hyperexcitability. The disease makes his nervous system unstable: Ilya sleeps poorly, wakes up from sudden sounds, is easily irritated, and in stressful situations, his emotions surge. This plays well into scenes where he "explodes" at his colleagues and then apologizes. External manifestations: pallor, dark circles under his eyes, trembling fingers. Visually, the disease reads not as a one-time event, but as a gradual "burnout" of the character. On camera, this is emphasized by close-ups: trembling hands, a tired look, a habit of leaning against a wall or furniture to hide weakness. Deterioration in response to stress and physical exertion. The greater the stress (chase, shootouts, long marches), the more pronounced the symptoms become. After an intense battle, Ilya may experience severe tremors and dizziness, forcing him to hide.

Ilya's (Neo agent) weapon

A submachine gun (based on the PP-2000) with a shortened barrel. Ilya often finds himself in dynamic situations where firepower and maneuverability are needed. His submachine gun is lighter and more compact than many of his teammates, and he's used to working on the move: firing short bursts and frequently changing positions.
A spare compact pistol. Most often, it's a small semi-automatic pistol that he keeps "for emergencies" and which he actually manages to draw in close combat. Unlike Never, Ilya doesn't make a ritual out of it: it's just another tool.
Improvisation and improvised means. Ilya often uses whatever is at hand: a heavy pipe, a piece of rebar, a bottle of Molotov cocktail. This isn't because he lacks proper equipment, but because he quickly adapts to the situation and isn't afraid to act unconventionally.

Weapons of Nevers

His primary pistol is a modified Grach (MP-443) with a silencer. This is his signature weapon: Never prefers precision and control, so a silencer is a necessity, not an option. The pistol has been optimized for his grip, with improved ergonomics and reduced recoil—he fires short, precise bursts rather than point-blank shots.
A tactical knife. Compact yet reliable: it can be used both in close combat and as a tool (cutting rope, opening a panel). For Never, it's not a "weapon of last resort," but a fully-fledged tactical element.
Epsilon's special-edition flashbang and fragmentation grenades. Standard for an agent of his level. He uses them judiciously: not to "clear a room," but to create the desired effect—to distract, blind, or force the enemy into a favorable position.
Covert devices (mini-capsules, stilettos, Epsilon special devices). As a seasoned agent, he carries small but effective gadgets: from irritants to devices for hacking simple electronic locks. This underscores his style: he doesn't wait for the situation to become easier, he creates it himself.

Never, or Anton Neverov, is a similar special agent, but older and more experienced. He never had a girlfriend, although he did have one he liked. He died during the Machine Omnic Crisis. Since then, Ilya has been hallucinating his partner. Strict and demanding, Never doesn't tolerate negligence or unnecessary questions during missions—for him, the precise completion of the task comes first.
Persistent and goal-oriented, his experience allows him to stay on course even in the most challenging situations and see things through to completion.
Reserved, but not emotionless. Outwardly, he tries to maintain a cool demeanor, but his affection for those close to him (like Ilya) and the tragedies he's experienced occasionally spills over.
Judicious. Nevers has above-average intelligence and combat acumen: he quickly assesses the situation and makes decisions in critical situations.
Dedicated to his work and his partner. Despite his outward sternness, he cares for Ilya in his own way and is willing to take risks for his partner.
With a dark past and internal conflicts, his life has been subordinated to the interests of Epsilon from an early age: the organization saved his life (he had cancer as a child), but in return, it took away his freedom and his childhood—this makes him simultaneously grateful and embittered toward the system.
He has his weaknesses. For example, he might indulge in a glass of pure alcohol after a hard day—it's his way of relieving stress.
Now Never is a hallucination and he can't be with Ilya forever.

Ilya Sinichkin—or, more simply, Neo—is a 25-year-old special agent working for Epsilon. He had a girlfriend, but she died in the Apocalypse, and now he has neither a partner nor the person closest to him—Lera, his girlfriend. Naive, but not stupid. Ilya came to Epsilon practically from the streets—he didn't undergo extensive special training, so he's often surprised by the system's harsh rules. At the same time, he has strong intuition and the ability to notice details that more experienced agents miss: for example, he figured out Gromov and Gadget when the others suspected nothing.
Emotional and open. Unlike the reserved Never, Ilya doesn't hide his feelings: he can burst into tears when remembering his partner, get genuinely angry, and rejoice in the smallest things. It's this emotionality that makes him vulnerable, but also allows him to maintain his humanity in harsh conditions.
Loyal and caring. Connections are important to Ilya: he genuinely cares for his loved ones, tries not to abandon anyone, and often acts not just "by instructions," but based on what he believes is right as a human being. His attachment to Never is one of the main driving forces behind his actions.
Bold, but not reckless. He's not afraid to take risks when lives are at stake, but he also knows how to assess risks and adapt to the situation. His experience at Epsilon is gradually teaching him to be more level-headed, though his inner impulsiveness remains.
Prone to introspection, Ilya often doubts his decisions, worries when he's caused someone to suffer, and tries to learn from his mistakes. This deepens his character: he's not just a "good guy," but a person who grows through pain and responsibility.
He has a sense of humor and knows how to lighten the mood. Even in stressful situations, Ilya can crack a joke or say something simple to ease the tension in the team. This trait helps him stay afloat and support others.
Vulnerable due to a difficult past. He lost his parents, and his life changed dramatically when he was drawn into the world of Epsilon and its monsters.