Location: One hundred kilometers away from the Absolute Detectives
There were sounds of hovering vehicles drifting through the air and conversations of people walking around. The floating vehicles moved completely through flight, while people walked toward their destinations. But something was moving incredibly fast above them someone was jumping and running from building to building. They moved so fast that it almost looked like they were gliding.
There were two people running like that. One of them was carrying a man, while the other ran normally beside him. As they ran, the sound of the wind could be heard, along with their conversation.
Richard: We're carrying a Rank Zero guardian and taking him to the Null Prison… this won't cause trouble, right?
After knocking Marcus unconscious, Richard began carrying him. The one running beside him was Zach. Since Richard was carrying someone, he wasn't moving at full speed. Zach answered him calmly, almost emotionlessly.
Zach: Arthur isn't interested in that disappointment of a king. So there's no problem.
Still unsure, Richard asked again.
Richard: Yeah, but I heard Arthur warned both of our leaders and almost killed them...
Zach remained expressionless but gave him a cold glance.
Zach: All I know is that Arthur protects the bearer of the Demon King.
Richard still sounded tense.
Richard: We weren't actually there...
Zach: I know. We just recently reached King Level.
King Level was a rank given only to the ten strongest individuals on Earth. Each alliance used a different name for it. For example, Rank Zero existed under different titles depending on the alliance, and if someone was among those ten, they received a title suited to their Technique. Zach's title was Ice King, while Richard was known as the Sound King.
Richard: We're approaching the Absolute Detectives' headquarters, Zach.
Zach: Let's hurry. The Supreme has called us.
Zach and Richard arrived at the Absolute Detectives' Center. It looked very different from the Sacred Temple. It resembled a normal corporate building, but it was extremely tall. Another unique feature was that it was surrounded entirely by water.
They quickly descended from above the building, landing as lightly as feathers without damaging the ground. A bridge stretched over the water, allowing access inside. Even though the bridge wasn't crowded, faint conversations could still be heard as they walked across.
After a while, they reached the main entrance and went inside.
Zach: Richard, take him to the interrogation room. I'll go speak with the Supreme.
Richard: Understood!
Richard ran off to the left, while Zach began walking forward. Inside the Absolute Detectives' headquarters, the atmosphere felt exactly like a company office. Many people sat at tables drinking coffee some alone, others chatting together. Plants and flowers decorated certain areas, giving the place a pleasant atmosphere. There was even a market-like section where people could buy food or drinks.
Zach walked toward the receptionist.
Cashier: What brings you here, Mr. Zach?
Zach's face remained emotionless, almost as if he were incapable of showing feelings.
Zach: Activate the elevator leading to the Supreme's office.
Under the cashier's desk were three buttons. A yellow one for disturbances, a red one for emergencies, and a green one that activated the special elevator going directly to the Supreme's floor.
The cashier immediately pressed the green button.
About ten meters ahead, a wall began glowing green. A green line formed across it and slowly opened revealing the hidden elevator leading to the Supreme.
Cashier: Please proceed, Mr. Zach.
Zach: Richard Techno will arrive soon. Open it quickly when you see him.
The cashier nodded respectfully.
Cashier: As you wish.
Zach turned right and walked toward the elevator. As soon as he entered, he pressed the only button inside the one leading to the Supreme's floor. A chime sounded, the doors closed, and once shut, the entrance once again looked like an ordinary wall.
As the elevator ascended, Zach drifted into his thoughts.
Zach (Thinking): If I hadn't been blinded by my surroundings in the past… what kind of life would I have lived?
In the past, Zach had always been praised with pride by everyone around him.
A genius among geniuses.
The youngest Technique user.
The kindest child.
But those words were only said to use him. Because of that, he lost the most important thing he had ### #######. His kindness and trust caused him to lose everything, and after certain events he lost even more. He lost his inner trust, because aside from ### #######, everyone else had used him. Because of them, he had become completely emotionless.
Zach (Thinking): No matter how strong I become… people look at me with fear, respect, tension… but they're all just people wearing masks.
Zach (Thinking): I wonder what kind of request or news the Supreme has for me…
The elevator stopped. A short chime echoed and the doors opened. Zach stepped out as the elevator doors closed behind him.
To his right was a door. Written above it was:
Merlin Violend
Zach walked straight toward it, took a deep breath, and opened the door.
Inside was a desk, and behind it a chair that slowly turned toward him. Sitting in the chair was Merlin, a small burn scar visible on his face.
Merlin: Welcome, Zach. Should we wait for Richard… or shall I tell you directly?