"…It's over. Fortunately, they were able to escape without major casualties."
Ann's words brought sighs of relief from the tense faces around her.
"Phew, that's a relief."
"The heavens haven't abandoned us yet. As long as Lady Malpi is safe, we can regroup."
"We still need to be careful. If too many of us gather in one place, we'll be discovered. Until we have countermeasures, it's better to stay hidden and scattered."
The survivors of Burning Torch began to chatter, relieved at the news of their comrade's safety. Their numbers had swelled to almost ten. They were able to join up with nearby comrades while escaping to safety under Ken's guidance.
As they discussed their next move,
Ann, catching her breath and wiping the sweat from her brow, looked at Ken, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. An unidentified demon who had suddenly appeared and offered to help them. The current improvement in their situation was entirely thanks to his advice.
'He was right again. Who is behind him? What kind of power allows him to do this…?'
It had been like this ever since they met him. Countless comrades had escaped Cheonbuhoe's clutches thanks to his advice. It was impossible without complete knowledge of the events unfolding across this vast land. As if he was really watching everything from above.
'Considering the scope, it's not something he can do alone. An organization must be involved. …Impressive, nonetheless.'
To have such information gathering capabilities in Southeast Asia, not even their base of operations. Their capacity far surpassed that of most nations. Just how large was the organization behind him…? Of course, it was thanks to Hesperon's cutting-edge abilities and Andrew Weber's sleepless efforts, but
She didn't know that.
"Anyway, we've confirmed the status of all the key executives… Not everyone is safe, but it's much better than expected."
She spoke, her gaze fixed on Ken. Everyone fell silent and looked at her. She was their leader.
"We can regroup and resume our activities. Of course, we'll need to be careful for a while…"
She looked at Ken with a curious expression. At the unidentified helper who simply nodded, seemingly detached despite being one of them.
"So, Ken. Our leader would like to meet with the person behind you. What do you think?"
She relayed the message she just received. The restored communication network included the leader of Burning Torch, who had been missing.
"I've been waiting for that."
Ken didn't refuse. He had been running around without rest, acting as a messenger, for this very purpose.
'Finally, I can see the end of this. Once we reach the negotiation table, my employer will take care of the rest.'
He wouldn't have to run around under the scorching sun anymore, and he would soon be able to return to Japan. A reunion with his family after 30 years awaited him.
'Only about three years have passed on Earth.'
It was a reunion he had dreamed of after his turbulent life in the Demon Realm. Even though he wasn't the original Miyamoto Ken anymore. It was something he had to do from the moment he inherited his soul and decided to live as Ken.
The date for the long-awaited meeting was set, and
Time flew by, and the day finally arrived.
Burning Torch was a resistance force against Cheonbuhoe, based in Southeast Asia. As an organization of Awakened from various Southeast Asian countries, they had established branches in each country, dispatching support when needed. But every organization needed a leader. And so, they chose Freddy, also known as 'The President', from Indonesia, as their leader.
'He's certainly charismatic. It can't be easy to lead an organization with members from different countries.'
Ken, walking with Ann and Jose, marveled inwardly. Although he hadn't received detailed information officially, he had learned quite a bit while with them. The higher-ups of Burning Torch were undoubtedly an elite group, but considering their area of operation, the number of members under their command wasn't small either.
'Well, most of the rank-and-file seem to have joined because of patriotism or anti-Chinese sentiment, rather than opposition to Cheonbuhoe itself.'
This stemmed from Cheonbuhoe's complete control over China. Those who noticed the connection perceived Cheonbuhoe's growing influence in Southeast Asia as a covert Chinese invasion, and the predecessor of Burning Torch was secretly organized to resist it. Of course, the current executives were fully aware of Cheonbuhoe's threat, but they couldn't deny the usefulness of the anti-China narrative in recruiting members. Naturally, they had to operate in secrecy within their own countries due to political and diplomatic issues.
"This is it. We're not supposed to reveal this to outsiders… but it's fine since it's the President's order. And we can use this again thanks to you."
After walking for a while,
Ann stopped in front of an ordinary door and pulled something out of her pocket. An antique silk cloth embroidered with complex patterns and symbols. She unfolded it, attached it to the door, and turned the doorknob without hesitation…
"Huh."
Beyond it, a long corridor with a mystical atmosphere, unlike anything he had seen before, stretched out. A wooden floor in an oriental style, hanging lanterns, and colorful curtains hanging from the ceiling to the walls.
"This is what allowed us to join forces while avoiding their eyes. No matter how far apart we are, we can gather here anytime. We can also use it for long-distance travel."
Ann, entering the corridor first, continued speaking. She explained that they couldn't use it before because the executive who managed this space was busy being chased by Cheonbuhoe. She smiled wryly, adding that if that executive had been captured, Burning Torch would have crumbled.
'Space is distorted. And on a large scale… As expected of an executive.'
Ken's eyes shone as he looked around the corridor. He couldn't help but be impressed. For a superhuman with such spatial abilities to be forced to flee… Cheonbuhoe's power was truly frightening.
"But is your leader really not coming? There's no risk of being discovered by Cheonbuhoe if you use this."
Just then, Jose, who had been quietly following, spoke with dissatisfaction. He seemed displeased that Ken, a representative, was attending the meeting while their leader was absent. But since he had no say in the matter, he just shrugged.
"I talked to him, but he said it would be problematic to leave his post now, as it would create a gap in the surveillance network in this area. But don't worry too much. We can communicate in real time."
"…Well, it's not an official negotiation yet, so it doesn't matter."
He frowned slightly at Ken's reply but couldn't argue when told it was to help them. They had already received more than enough help. It was unwise to make a fuss over such a thing when they didn't know how much more help they would need. As Ken said, it was just a meeting to express gratitude and get acquainted.
"We're here."
At the end of the long corridor was a sliding door with a distinct oriental feel. And when Ann opened it without hesitation, the first person he saw was,
"It's been a while, Ann. And Jose, too. I'm glad you're all safe."
A middle-aged woman greeted them with a warm smile.
"Malpi, too. It was quite dangerous, wasn't it?"
"Yes, I was able to escape thanks to you. And also thanks to the President diverting the demon's attention during the first attack. But is this…?"
Their warm greetings continued until Ken was introduced. Ken nodded briefly, acknowledging the middle-aged woman, Malpi, who managed this space, and looked around.
'Does this space have an automatic translation function? Impressive.'
The hall, filled with a mystical atmosphere like the corridor, contained about twenty people from various countries. Seeing dozens of sliding doors around the circular hall, it seemed they had also arrived through different passages. They, too, seemed to recognize him and began to approach and greet him.
"Where's the President? Hasn't he arrived yet?"
"He said he'll be a little late. There was something to discuss, but there was a problem with the preparations."
"Really? That's unusual. He's usually the first to arrive."
Except for the executives who were killed in the recent incident, everyone who could attend was already here.
Their leader appeared about thirty minutes later.
"Ah, the President is here."
At Malpi's quiet words, the gazes of those sitting at the round conference table in the center of the hall, discussing their recent situations, shifted towards the opening sliding door.
"I apologize for being late. There was a small problem…"
And the moment the middle-aged man with a short beard appeared from beyond the door, apologizing with an embarrassed expression,
Ann's expression, which had been bored as she rested her chin on the table, hardened.
Crash!
And that wasn't the end. She shot up from her chair, glaring at him with a furious expression.
"What the… fuck."
"Ann…?"
"What? What's wrong?"
The air grew heavy with her sudden outburst. But the confusion didn't last long. Those who were quick-witted stood up cautiously and stepped back with serious expressions. They knew. What she could do and what she could uncover with her abilities. Since nothing was certain yet, their gazes naturally fell on the source of the problem. On Ann, who had reacted so strongly, and the President, who looked bewildered by the sudden hostility.
"Who are you? What are you?!"
"Huh? What are you talking about, Ann? It's me, Freddy…"
"Cut the crap! You fake! What happened to the real President?!"
The situation escalated with their exchange. Ann, expressing her anger fiercely, and President Freddy, still looking bewildered. The atmosphere wasn't conducive to continuing the meeting. Some began to radiate hostility, while others retreated towards the exit.
"Haa— This is…"
Perhaps sensing the change in atmosphere,
The President, who had been trying to persuade her, sighed and rubbed his chin roughly.
"…I didn't expect her senses to be this good. Should I have dealt with her first?"
His voice was cold and devoid of emotion, unlike before.
Immediately after.
"This…!"
Malpi, who had been stepping back with a serious expression like the other executives, cried out. But before she could say anything, the situation spiraled out of control.
Crackle!
Sharp thorns erupted from where the sliding doors were, completely sealing the exits. A change that occurred before Malpi, the master of this space, could react. But that wasn't the end.
Slide
The only unsealed passage,
The sliding door through which the President had just entered, opened again, and a group of five or six slowly walked in, all with displeased expressions.
"What's this? You were so confident, and you were already discovered?"
"…Tsk."
"Hey, Mimic. What are we going to do? You said he was just a pawn? Weren't we going to let it slide until the real leader showed up?"
A dark-skinned man with unusually thin hair pointed at Ken and questioned the President, clearly acting like they were on the same side. The problem was that the man was the Cheonbuhoe Southeast Asia Branch Manager, whom the executives here called the Viper.
"…It couldn't be helped. Their goal is to use Burning Torch to disrupt our plans. We can't let them go now that they've been discovered."
"Ugh! It would have been so much easier if the plan had worked. Nothing ever goes right!"
"It's not a complete loss. He may be just a pawn, but someone of his level can't be an ordinary member."
Their gazes shifted to Ken at the protest of the President… no, the being wearing the President's skin. A demon returnee who had reached a considerably high level among Transcendents. He wasn't someone to be discarded easily. Although his position might be lower than whoever was behind him, they might be able to extract something useful from his soul.
"…Well, fine. It's a shame we couldn't capture the leader, but it can't be helped. There's a certain charm in taking them down one by one."
The East Asia Branch Manager nodded slowly, seemingly convinced. Then, with a sinister smirk, he spoke to Ken.
"It can't be helped. We'll start with you. If you want a quick death, tell us everything you know."
The executives of Burning Torch were no longer in his sight. It was only natural. The Cheonbuhoe forces here weren't meant to deal with them.
"About the Masquerade behind you!"
This was all a trap for the Masquerade,
A force prepared to deal with their adversary who had been constantly hindering them.
"…Huh? Mas… what?"
Of course, it was a name Ken had never heard before.