The city of SpeedWagon had just endured one of the most turbulent nights it had experienced since its founding. This city, surrounded by immense natural walls formed by mountain ranges, still stood proudly despite everything, and the source of this chaos was hidden within the southern districts—also known as the wealthy and influential quarters. More precisely, deep within the southern outskirts, at the summit of one of the world’s hidden massifs, a villa stood beneath clouds that concealed the moon.

  Seated at the table was one of the favored heirs to Thanatos’s succession as patriarch of the Drim family, accompanied by her loyal vassal Donavan, the ranger Haru, as well as Manu and Shin. They were all gathered around the table, along with Javis, the ranger’s son.

  It was more or less their break after the storm. After all the emotions and battles they had endured to bring their plans to fruition, it was well deserved.

  Manu was handing out drinks to everyone.

  — You’re drinking coffee now, Javis? You really shouldn’t at your age.

  Haru said worriedly. She took the coffee from her son and handed him another drink instead, while he wore a satisfied expression—being by his mother’s side had been something he missed.

  — Ever since we brought him here, he’s been drinking it daily though.

  Donavan’s reply made Haru pause for a moment, but she didn’t pay it much attention—until Javis began to tremble slightly, as if his breath were being cut off, while his eyes seemed to fill with blood.

  — What’s happening!? Javis, are you okay? Javis!

  Seeing Haru panic, no one else in the room seemed concerned. On the contrary, Shin calmly picked up his drink while observing the scene. He even took a sip before speaking.

  — Haru, as promised, I brought you your son whom you hadn’t seen in years. I even freed you from Céline’s control. However…

  Taking a breath, he raised his eyes toward Haru, devouring her with his gaze.

  The unease in the room had reached a critical level. The sorrow and terror in Haru’s eyes were at their peak—so intense they felt almost tangible. Unfortunately, Shin remained impassive, the only sign of emotion being his purple eyes glowing with a terrifying light.

  — You tried to betray me along the way, after already betraying me once before. I didn’t want it to come to this. In any case, you’re the one who caused all of this—you have no one to blame but yourself.

  Shin sneered as Javis began to suffer palpitations that worsened with each passing second.

  Clenching her teeth, Haru understood what the demon wanted from her—and that her hands were truly tied now.

  — Shin… please, give my son the antidote… I won’t do it again, and I’ll help you however I can… All I ask is that you honor your part and let us go once all of this is over.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Haru spoke, regretting every word—and even more, what she had done.

  — No, I don’t feel like it.

  Everyone in the room widened their eyes. They had believed the goal was to bring her to their side. What was Shin doing? Yet everyone present knew just how vindictive he was—and how far he was willing to go for revenge.

  — But… that was our deal…

  Tears poured endlessly from Haru’s eyes, met with Shin’s complete indifference.

  — A deal you broke.

  Shin sighed calmly as he finished his drink.

  — Please… I’ll do anything!

  Haru burst into sobs as Javis’s condition worsened. Smiling at those words, Shin gestured to Manu, who handed Javis a kind of pill. His color quickly returned, his condition stabilizing as if it had all been nothing more than a nightmare. Haru’s heart finally eased as she pulled her son into her arms.

  — Now we can finally continue.

  Shin smiled, while Manu sighed. Manipulation was indeed one of their greatest strengths… and perhaps lies as well.

  — Anyway, now that the kid seems fine, what are we going to do?

  The unease in the room hadn’t vanished, but at least Shin had restarted the discussion—though it was difficult after the cruelty he had just displayed.

  — We’re criminals now, aren’t we?

  Manu said with a sigh, stating the obvious.

  — And accomplices.

  Donavan added, rubbing his temples.

  — Normally, the special forces and the police will actively search for you. As long as you’re under my wing, though, they won’t be able to find you.

  Cynthia added while sipping her apple juice.

  — That’s not the problem. Normally, they shouldn’t reveal our identities—but they’ll arrest us the moment they see us.

  Shin’s words raised more than a few eyebrows, except for Haru and Javis, who were still in shock.

  — What do you mean?

  Donavan asked, curious as to why notorious criminals wouldn’t have their identities revealed.

  — We’re trainees—and above all, high school students. Why would the public believe that two high schoolers managed to escape a prison that’s supposedly impossible to break out of unless you’re level one?

  Manu replied while sipping his tea, as if it were obvious.

  — On top of that, the mayor’s reputation would take a hit while he’s preparing for the next elections. Nothing good for them, to put it simply.

  Manu concluded, setting down his empty cup.

  — Knowing him, he’ll probably say they’re high-level terrorists—or even his rivals in the upcoming elections.

  Cynthia sneered before adding:

  — So how are we going to proceed? The family head only authorized me to do all this because we could retrieve data on Valhalla. So what’s the plan?

  — How? We’re going to play the Croc’s game.

  Shin smiled, leaving everyone utterly confused.

  — We’re going to become terrorists. Plain and simple.

  He chuckled, surely never imagining he’d become a terrorist one day.

  — I’m afraid I misunderstood…

  Manu finally said, disgusted by the idea, with Donavan and Cynthia sharing the sentiment.

  — This way, it prevents them from directly interfering with our families, since they have no proof. On top of that, we can attack Rubis without fearing retaliation from Valhalla.

  Explained the mastermind behind it all, exasperated by his allies’ lack of imagination.

  — If we’re becoming terrorists, I want a stylish name. What about Twilight? And by the way, that’s non-negotiable.

  Cynthia added, forcing everyone to comply.

  — If you want a stylish name, you might as well get us stylish outfits too—masks for everyone.

  Donavan sounded somewhat extravagant as he said it.

  — What about Rubis? How are we handling that?

  Manu said, bringing the discussion back to its original goal.

  — I did the research you asked for, Shin. They have seven bases throughout the city, all under the control of the three people in charge of Rubis: Alexander, Chris, and Lux.

  Donavan had done his intelligence work well, clearly trying to impress Cynthia.

  — What are we going to do, Shin?

  The heiress asked, curious about their next move.

  — What do you think? We attack tomorrow.