#169
Kyushu Crisis (1)
A desolate modern city covered in concrete and cement.
Swish— Thoom!
Thunder roared violently as lightning poured down through the rain-soaked night sky.
In the outskirts, where there weren’t many people even on normal days, the streets now felt so empty that silence could be felt.
Inside a worn-down building that had not benefited from the prosperity surrounding it, a figure blended into the darkness of the lightless interior, quietly gazing out the window amidst the fierce rain tapping against the glass.
Flash! Boom—!
At that moment, a flash lit up the sky, momentarily casting a strange shadow on his face.
It was a mask with a peculiar expression that seemed to smile, frown, and scowl all at once.
It was the Hahoe Mask.
“It’s raining heavily.”
Hans stared vacantly beyond the window.
Unlike the dark interior he was in, the outside was illuminated by lampposts brightening the streets while the refreshing rain continued to pour down.
As if trying to purify the world.
“Of course, such a method is far from enough to cleanse the world.”
Suddenly, a ridiculous thought crossed his mind, causing him to chuckle softly as he turned away.
An oil painting of water does nothing to cleanse the pollution that taints the world.
It required an unnecessary amount of effort, and even if one succeeded, stains remained, ultimately making the water, meant to wash away, dirty as well.
“Purifying this world requires flames rather than water.”
That was the answer he had come up with.
A hardline measure of burning away anything impure with fire… overwhelming violence!
Flames that unconditionally burn everything without allowing any form of pollution were a far more efficient means of purification than water.
Of course, he knew there were various side effects that followed that method, but he had no intention of bending his beliefs.
Even if he were to get hurt by those flames.
That was the path he had chosen.
Hehe— what a useless thought indeed.
For a moment, Hans had lost himself in thought, shaking his head before pulling out a mobile device from his Spatial Dimension Magical Equipment.
Vroom— Vroom—
At the same time, the device he had pushed was receiving signals all at once, causing it to vibrate and display a messenger window on the screen.
-Hans Slave No. 1: I have some initial results to report.
-Hans Slave No. 1: It seems the management department has been tracking the Buncheon Society continuously. They seem to be struggling to investigate as they have completely ceased domestic activities for now.
-Hans Slave No. 1: So it looks like they are focusing on digging into previous related incidents. They are very thorough, so it’s not going smoothly, but they do seem to have some gains.
-Hans Slave No. 1: [Crime Investigation Division – Investigation on ‘Buncheon Society’ Domestic Activities (Unresolved)]
-Hans Slave No. 1: I think this is the extent of the useful materials for now. I will contact you again if I receive any additional information later.
His informant, ‘Hans Slave No. 1’… No, the Black Mage Ahn Seong-jin, was faithfully gathering information as instructed.
Perhaps surprisingly efficiently.
“Already this much information? More useful than I thought?”
It didn’t feel tangible since they could not resist and were helplessly submitting to him, but he was indeed one of the top talents in the country regarding issues related to black magic.
Of course, there were many more outstanding individuals if merely skills were considered, but it was rare to find someone like Ahn Seong-jin who maintained his sanity while having reached such heights.
He had participated as an advisor in various black magic crimes, assisting investigations, which also applied to recent issues related to the Hahoe Mask.
In that sense, it was only natural to take an interest in the Buncheon Society, which had collided with the Hahoe Mask.
“I had thought anything was better than nothing, but it turns out it was the optimal choice.”
It seemed he would have to get him a gift when he returned from Japan.
That way, he would surely work even harder in the future.
Where else could find such a warm-hearted boss who considers employee welfare?
Huh— well, being here makes me wonder if I really need information from Korea, but more information is always better, I suppose.
After briefly skimming through the data sent to his smartphone, Hans mumbled quietly before putting it back into the Spatial Dimension.
Flash— Ka-boom!
In that instant, lightning struck again.
The intense light burst forth, brightening the dark interior.
It looked like a violent struggle had taken place, with shattered objects strewn all over.
The collapsed walls and ceilings looked desperate enough that rebuilding would be a better option.
Blood and dismemberment lay scattered across the area, still fresh.
And at the center of it all—
Ughhh.
Grrbl— Urgh!
Creak— Creak—!
In a scene reminiscent of a horror movie, dozens of corpses writhed grotesquely, lined up in order.
These were the residents of this building, members of the organization that had made this place their base and reigned over the nearby area.
…Not anymore.
Surely, unlike Korea, this is quite a gold mine. Just by taking out a few hefty guys, clues come pouring out so quickly. I should have done this sooner.
Of course, these weren’t the true underlings of the Buncheon Society.
If one had to differentiate, they would be a branch of an organization that had a cooperative relationship with them, much like the hardliners in Korea.
However, probing the mind of the highest-ranking guy there revealed that there were quite a considerable number of organizations within Japan following a similar ‘lineage.’
“I didn’t expect to catch a tail so quickly. This means the Buncheon Society’s influence spreads even wider than in Korea.”
That meant that if he kept smashing those organizations consistently, the Buncheon Society would eventually pop up, there was no way they could sit idly by while their allies were being wiped out.
Hehe— It’s nice that it’s uncomplicated. Indeed, death and destruction are my essence! I’m curious to see who will still be standing at the end of this path. Hahaha!
Just then, under the next lightning strike, Hans tilted his head back and burst out laughing, the mask he wore casting deep shadows.
The grotesquely exaggerated creases and contours engraved on the Hahoe Mask emphasized a maniacal smile filled with madness.
But his eerie laughter faded instantly as the space fell into darkness—.
When the light returned to the previously silent interior, no one remained inside.
What was left was only the disaster of broken surroundings and blood-stained chaos, merely hinting that something grand had transpired…
*
In an office filled with ornate decorations, a man was taken aback by unexpected information.
“…What’s this about?”
Yul Ryeong-ja, the East Asia Branch Chief of the Buncheon Society, frowned as he reiterated the newly arrived report while sitting in his wheelchair.
Zing— Zing—
His left artificial eye, reminiscent of something from science fiction, busily scanned the documents and directly projected the information into his brain, yet he remained seated for a long time, staring intently at the report as he gathered his thoughts.
“The Hahoe Mask… has headed to Japan?”
Only after quite some time did a low whisper escape his lips.
It was information regarding the latest status of the Hahoe Mask, which was the main cause of the persistent headaches he had been suffering from lately.
He double-checked the information and stroked his chin.
‘Just when I was about to make a move in Korea at the Doctor’s request.’
In the current situation, even if he set a plan into action, it would be an uphill battle.
Yet he had wanted to mobilize the remnants of the Buncheon Society and high-ranking figures he had grasped by their weaknesses to prepare the field in advance…
‘But now, suddenly heading to Japan?’
That place, unlike Korea, where most foundations had collapsed, was different.
It was a region he had aimed for after China, having put in more time and effort to cultivate, and was fundamentally more favorable for gaining ground while leveraging the influence of underworld organizations like the Yakuza.
Naturally, the reach of the Buncheon Society in that area was incomparable to that in Korea.
‘In that case, there’s no need to hunt him down in Korea anymore.’
Tap tap tap—
Yul Ryeong-ja tapped his fingers on the table, lost in thought.
It shouldn’t be so, but he couldn’t help but wonder if like Korea, the forces rooted in Japan might end up in a similar fate.
“I thought he would just stay holed up in Korea. The Hahoe Mask is rather active….”
Although they had stopped their activities in Korea, information gathering on the Hahoe Mask continued through his subordinates.
His Unique Skill, Mental Reflection, was a talent that he confidently boasted as among the highest in the realm of psychic abilities.
It went beyond merely placing restrictions on his subordinates; he could even convey thoughts, sampling everything they saw and heard indirectly if he wished.
It was truly an all-purpose skill!
…Of course, it caused this mess in the first place.
Ouch—
Sudden intense pain shot through Yul Ryeong-ja, causing him to clench his teeth while he slowly stroked the area around his left eye.
Even though he had restored his vision by implanting the artificial eye, the shock from the detachment of his spiritual entity was a separate matter.
For quite a while, the pain originating from his eye gradually spread throughout his body until it finally ceased when it reached the sensationless cut line of his thigh.
“Hoo… Hoo…”
He exhaled roughly, wiping away the cold sweat.
Because of this, he hadn’t been able to use his Unique Skill at full power lately, and it had even developed into an obsession to always create an escape route while maintaining connections.
While this wasn’t a good habit for an Awakened One, who was almost entirely reliant on abilities, if he encountered someone like the Hahoe Mask again in his current state, his soul would be truly torn apart.
Certainly, I can’t miss this excellent opportunity. Nevertheless, I should prepare even more thoroughly, just in case.
Having reached his decision, he slowly nodded his head.
Even though he hadn’t accurately assessed the full extent of the Hahoe Mask’s powers, it was undeniable that he wouldn’t be far from being called the Demon King of another world.
However, the powers available to humans on Earth… especially the Buncheon Society were far from being weak enough to crumble under a single Demon King.
After all, returnees possess special abilities and growth adjustments, having survived in another world for long periods; each one is practically a war machine.
Of course, the ratio of mediocre individuals was high, but many who returned with achievements so astonishing you’d think they were made up were not few in number.
From those who had defeated and sealed the descended Demon King, to those who had slain the evil Dragon King and saved nations, and even those who had returned inflicting devastating damage.
I’ll make them regret looking down on us.
And in truth, Yul Ryeong-ja himself was a shadowy figure that had significantly contributed to plunging one world into the flames of war through his abilities and schemes.
*
Bam—! Bang!
Boom—!
“Fire! Keep shooting!”
“What the hell! What is this monster!”
Gunfire akin to thunder echoed, interspersed with horrified curses erupting from various directions.
Alongside conventional firearms, various abilities like fire, lightning, and gravity continuously unleashed themselves, hampering the enemy’s advancement.
Only at one place.
Goooh—
A thick darkness, akin to an abyss, rapidly advanced toward them.
But of course, there was no way such lackluster methods could hold it back.
Ultimately, the black mist pushed through all obstacles, closing in on them.
“Damn it! Everyone drop your guns! From now on, it’s all-out attack!”
“Captain Nakagawa! But if we come into contact with it recklessly, we’ll end up like the others…!”
“Then provide support from the back! You dolt!”
Swish! Clang!
Reluctantly, they drew their weapons, bracing themselves for a fight while gulping hard.
“Damn it, I thought it was just a rumor…!”
Lately, rumors had been circulating around the streets of Fukuoka at night.
An unidentified grim reaper that approached silently through the darkness, executing organizations and taking their corpses.
Many had already fallen victim to ‘it,’ but the remnants left on the scene were only the traces of desperate resistance, leaving behind uncertain testimonies.
For their benefit, if it hadn’t been for a survivor caught within that organization who was later released, it would have remained a total mystery.
Swish—
At that moment, as the black mist reached their vicinity, it slowly peeled away, revealing something that took on a human form from within.
Draped in a pitch-black robe that seemed to merge with the surrounding darkness and concealed by a hood, along with…
Amidst that entirely black figure, a pair of glowing eyes, akin to will-o’-the-wisps, stood out significantly, accentuating the bizarre mask it worn.
“An ogre…?”
[The Hahoe Mask. Silly human.]
At those words murmured in a trembling voice, the being that embodied fear addressed them politely.
[But then again, it wouldn’t mean much to tell you now.]
What difference would it make to speak to corpses?
Thus, it took hardly any time for Hans, the Hahoe Mask, to turn the whole of Fukuoka City in Kyushu upside down.
Of course, the proper purification was only just beginning.
This was merely one city.
