Chapter 80

In a room filled with gold, eleven men and women gathered.

Each one was a senior member of the underground organization, possessing enough influence to shake the world.

On the round table, coins symbolizing the members were lined up.

"Thank you all for coming. I welcome you."

A plain young man was the first to speak.

His face, physique, and demeanor were all ordinary, with no distinctive features.

One might say he was as insubstantial as air.

In front of the young man lay a coin with three cats engraved on it, indicating that this unremarkable young man was the leader of the black cats, one of the organization's senior members, known as 'Black Cat'.

"I inherited the 'Black Cat' coin from my predecessor. I only know about you all through information. Could you please introduce yourselves?"

Several senior members, including Shu, had been replaced before this meeting.

The Black Cats organization primarily revolves around its senior members. Even if a senior member disappears, a new one can take their place by inheriting the coin.

Sometimes, like the 'Reaper' coin, it can be taken away.

In such cases, the Black Cats will use all their resources to reclaim it.

"Alright... then let's start with the person to my right."

"Yes... me?"

A woman in a white coat answered sleepily.

In front of her was a coin with branches, leaves, and fruit engraved on it.

"I'm 'Young Branch.' I deal with drugs. Recently, I've been working on improving magic potions, but it's difficult to prevent addiction. I haven't been sleeping much lately."

The dark circles under her eyes confirmed that she hadn't been sleeping well.

The magic potions she was developing were banned as dangerous drugs. They temporarily enhance magical power and can strengthen magical equipment. They are also used as doping agents to perform difficult magic.

In any case, they are not good drugs.

They are highly addictive and harmful to the brain.

"Magic potions are for the weak."

The one who said this was a large man sitting next to 'Young Branch.'

He constantly exuded a violent aura and treated 'Young Branch' with a condescending attitude.

"I'm 'Raging Dragon.' If you have something you want to destroy, come to me."

The coin with a fire-breathing dragon depicted on it was the symbol of 'Raging Dragon.'

He took on all kinds of destruction jobs and once single-handedly destroyed the Grand Cathedral of Sacred Grinia. Most of the destruction incidents involving a large, scarred man were the work of 'Raging Dragon.'

"Next is me. I'm 'Phantom Book.' I research magic. My current research is at a standstill because I can't secure experimental materials."

The old man with a staff by his side had a suspicious smile.

The candlestick and book engraved on the coin were the symbols of 'Phantom Book,' a testament to his wisdom in magic.

However, to gain this wisdom, he had abandoned his ethics.

He would not hesitate to conduct human experiments if necessary.

"Old man 'Phantom Book,' you're as usual... I'm 'White Snake.' Nice to meet you."

A man in a white coat, like 'Young Branch,' gave a simple greeting. He looked pale and had the appearance of a researcher. 'White Snake' was responsible for researching magical artifacts, some of which were illegal.

He studied banned technologies and dangerous techniques.

His coin, with a snake biting its own tail, symbolized his ability to turn on himself.

A strict and serious-looking man glared at 'White Snake' from the side.

"Your unnecessary research makes my job harder. Illegal magical artifacts are often used for assassinations."

"Cut it out, 'Black Iron.' I just did my job."

The coin with a sword and shield was 'Black Iron's symbol.

He worked as a bodyguard, not for VIPs but for people who were often targeted, such as the bosses of underground organizations. 'Black Iron' was the absolute security for the Black Cats.

He had to deal with various issues due to the magical bombs and poison-spreading artifacts developed by 'White Snake.'

Thus, conflicts sometimes arose among the Black Cats' senior members.

But these conflicts were also under their control.

"Next is me."

A skull and knife coin.

Shu placed it in front of him and introduced himself.

"I'm 'Reaper.' Nice to meet you. I've made quite a profit in the Imperial Capital."

In the Imperial Capital Aldar, 'Reaper's assassinations were well-known. Although they weren't public, it was a known fact that he assassinated General Schmidt Aliur of 'Inferno Flame.'

Not only that, but a special unit was formed to eliminate 'Reaper.'

The senior members were interested in the new assassin.

However, for now, they remained silent during the introductions.

"I'm 'Hawk Eye.' It's been a while since I've seen some of you. I look forward to working with you all."

As an information broker, 'Hawk Eye' had connections with many other senior members.

His influence was subtle but significant.

The next to speak was a man with a cigarette in his mouth. His face was scarred, giving him a menacing appearance.

"I'm 'Red Hare.' I came all the way from the Great Empire for this meeting. My activities aren't well-known, I guess."

He was a cool and experienced man.

'Red Hare' was a smuggler who had often ventured into dangerous places. He tapped his coin, which had a rabbit and a wheel engraved on it, to show his identity.

Next to him was a man of about the same age, but he was fat and sloppy. He was bald, and some of his teeth were replaced with gold. Although his clothes were clean, his appearance made him look unhygienic.

He shook his belly and spoke.

"It's me! 'Scales' is still making a fortune. I've even built a new gambling den!"

The scales and stacked coins on his coin perfectly represented him.

'Scales' used various dirty methods. Usury was one of his jobs, and he also used more extreme means.

He smiled and looked at the last senior member, a small girl with a bob cut. She had been silent, looking at him as if he were filth.

"Annoying."

"Oh, oh. I'm a customer who paid you. I don't like being looked at like that."

"You stole the land deeds and built the gambling den, didn't you?"

The last senior member was 'Ash Rat.'

A member of the Black Cats who made a living by stealing.

"I'm 'Ash Rat.' I do the stealing when requested, but I can't stand people like this man. He should just die."

She was harsh.

'Ash Rat' didn't dislike 'Scales' work but rather found him physiologically repulsive.

However, 'Scales' didn't seem to care.

"Alright!"

Clapping his hands to gather attention, the leader 'Black Cat' stood up after the introductions.

"Let's begin the Black Cats meeting! The topic for today is the Empire."

Of course, Shu thought.

The Black Cats were an underground organization that needed a certain level of society to operate. Capitalist countries like the Great Empire were easier to operate in. In contrast, controlled societies like Sacred Grinia made their activities difficult.

They had operated under the influence of Sacred Grinia before.

However, the Great Empire of Subarokia was easier to operate in.

The Great Empire of Subarokia was being dismantled by the revolutionary army.

What would the Black Cats do?

Would they help the Great Empire?

Or would they destroy it and establish a foundation before Sacred Grinia could take control?

"The Black Cats recognize the freedom of action of the senior members. However, on this matter, we need to unify our opinions."

"'Black Cat,' do you want to hear our thoughts?"

"Yes, 'Phantom Book.'"

'Then I prefer the Great Empire to remain. Magic research is easier in this country. The people of Sacred Grinia monopolize magic research."

For 'Phantom Book,' it was better to have the freedom to research. Thus, the Great Empire was a more convenient country.

This was also true for 'White Snake' and 'Young Branch.'

"As a researcher, I agree."

"Me too. Sacred Grinia has strict regulations."

In terms of ease of operation, 'Scales' was also in agreement.

He shook his fat body in dissatisfaction and continued.

"I agree. That foolish country has banned gambling and has low interest rates. I can't even work as a loan shark."

Some senior members, such as 'Reaper,' 'Hawk Eye,' 'Ash Rat,' 'Red Hare,' 'Raging Dragon,' and 'Black Iron,' didn't care much about the Great Empire or Sacred Grinia.

'Reaper' and 'Hawk Eye,' who were in favor of destroying the Great Empire, secretly conspired to oppose the anti-empire faction.

"I plan to destroy the Great Empire."

"I have the same plan."

'Reaper' and 'Hawk Eye' expressed their intention to destroy the Great Empire, and 'Raging Dragon' agreed.

"That sounds interesting. This will be a war."

If the Great Empire of Subarokia was the western hegemon, then Sacred Grinia was the eastern administrator.

When the two incompatible countries clashed, it would shake the continent.

'Raging Dragon,' who enjoyed destruction, was looking forward to the war.

However, for 'Scales,' it was the worst scenario.

"Hmph. War won't make money. I'm absolutely against it!"

War could provide opportunities for profit through war supplies. However, 'Scales' made money through gambling dens and usury. Business in war supplies required expertise, which 'Scales' lacked.

His specialty was exploiting weaknesses to get what he wanted.

He was not good at legitimate business.

He was cunning.

In contrast, 'Hawk Eye' was merciless.

"It's useless. The war can't be stopped. I've already leaked some information. The Great Empire of Subarokia believes that Sacred Grinia will launch a serious attack. They might even deploy awakened magic knights."

"What!?"

"Additionally, the Demon God Cult also believes that the Great Empire of Subarokia will deploy awakened magic knights. By leaking this information, they will actually deploy them in the war."

"What... What have you done!"

'Scales' turned red with anger.

For him, the war between the Great Empire of Subarokia and Sacred Grinia was a matter of life and death.

However, the room was filled with a dense killing intent.

It was not a simple threat of a knife at the throat but a quiet, viscous killing intent that seemed to melt the body.

The source of the killing intent was 'Reaper' Shu Arkwright.

"Shut up. Do you want to die?"

Dark magic power seeped out around Shu.

It was a death magic power that could kill even concepts.

Controlled perfectly, it remained around Shu without killing those around him. The death magic power, capable of killing everything, instilled a primal fear of death.

"Understand? The war between the Great Empire and the Demon God Cult is certain due to 'Hawk Eye's' game. Instead of complaining, think of a way to infiltrate Sacred Grinia."

"Ugh..."

For 'Scales,' who was not a fighter, Shu's killing intent was too strong.

His face, which had been red with anger, turned pale with fear.

On the other hand, the leader 'Black Cat' remained calm.

"True to form, 'Reaper'... to emit such killing intent so calmly."

'Raging Dragon,' who was in the midst of battle, was excited.

"Good killing intent... it feels like I'm being sharpened."

He seemed ready to pounce.

Of course, 'Raging Dragon,' who knew his place, restrained himself. He was not a fool who started fights everywhere. He brought destruction when given a job. That was the man known as 'Raging Dragon.'

"The war is certain to start... then the Black Cats must make a decision."

The plain young man muttered.

'Black Cat' seemed to find the situation interesting.