Black Dragon Society (4)
Thanks to the full cooperation of the leader, Black Dragon Ruler, the Black Dragon Society smoothly integrated into the Masquerade’s subordinate organization.
I did keep a cautious eye on them, wondering if there was some ulterior motive, but no substantial suspicious behavior was found among them.
It seemed that, just as Black Dragon Ruler had claimed, they simply wanted to make contact and join forces.
Yet, it wasn’t possible to relax completely.
To prepare for the worst, I had dispatched Heuk-Young, who had become a vampire under Han’s control, so that we could respond immediately if any problems arose.
Considering their usefulness, monitoring them for now while having this level of response was the best option.
‘After all, I never intended to trust them entirely from the start. You never know where a spy might be mixed in.’
This applied not just to the newly joined Black Dragon Society but to all other organizations as well.
Including the vampire clans based in Europe, the Burning Flame operating in Southeast Asia, and even the new agents of the intel agency personally recruited by Harley.
All organizations maintained thorough independence and surveillance systems to ensure that betrayal in one location wouldn’t impact another.
Only I had a clear grasp of their situations and could exert direct control.
Though cumbersome, it was absolutely necessary to counter the Buncheon Society, which was exerting influence over the entire Earth from behind the world’s shadows.
‘While it doesn’t compare to the Buncheon Society, acquiring the long-established Black Dragon Society in China is a significant gain. They’re guaranteed to have the capabilities to survive in a land dominated by them.’
Moreover, having Black Dragon Ruler, who knows them well as a former branch leader, was an unexpected bonus.
Additionally, as originally expected, I also secured a key that would greatly aid Hugo’s growth, having acquired numerous martial arts concepts from the Martial Arts World···.
In many ways, the situation was undeniably advantageous.
“Hoo.”
However, my heart, resting in the massage chair with my eyes closed as usual, wasn’t that at ease.
It was due to some discovery I had learned through Black Dragon Ruler.
“Half of the humans on Earth…?! Ha! This is insane.”
That alone amounted to a staggering number of billions.
Moreover, that estimate was merely a minimum projection.
In some cases, there was a dangerous plan that could lead to nearly 90 percent of humanity being wiped out.
When I heard more detailed stories from Black Dragon Ruler, I couldn’t help but acknowledge that what he said was not an exaggeration.
‘They plan to dump the energy they’ve robbed from destroying other dimensions all at once into Earth?’
In doing so, they intended to sprout new mysteries in this land, a barren wasteland for abilities.
That was the final goal the Buncheon Leader had set forth, as conveyed by Black Dragon Ruler.
“What’s scarier is that it’s no joke.”
This was not simply a matter concerning humanity alone.
It wasn’t just a saying; the shock that would sweep across the entire Earth could indeed resemble the end of the world.
There was a reason they called this place a barren land for abilities.
Among all the numerous dimensions known to date, some had environments and civilizations similar to this one.
But there had never been a land where not only humans but also flora, fauna, and minerals had completely run dry of mystery, unlike Earth.
‘If massive energy were to suddenly flood this world, where except for a few Awakened Ones, nobody has any resistance to abilities…’
It would lead to a reworking of the very fabric of the world: Terraforming.
Those unable to adapt to such tumultuous changes would die off without exception.
Of course, it seemed that the Buncheon Leader wasn’t entirely intent on completely annihilating the world, as they were trying to minimize those sacrifices in their own way.
The problem was that this effort was not much different from a form of sacrificial offering disguised as a series of terrorist acts occurring worldwide.
‘Is it a sacrifice of cattle for the greater good?’
I unconsciously gripped my hands tighter.
Having unwittingly become that sacrificed ‘cattle’ against my will, it was no surprise that I felt uneasy.
Yet, due to this, minerals and other weapons could host mysteries without any major hassle, while plants and animals would only mutate into monsters at a certain ratio without reaching complete extinction.
The issue lay with humanity, the only sentient beings and the most complex life forms on Earth.
‘So even when the best outcome arises, it’s only half of humanity?’
I released the tension in my tightly clenched hands and rubbed my eyes, letting out a small sigh.
Despite possessing a body that far surpassed an average human’s capabilities, I still felt an unexplainable sense of fatigue creeping in.
‘Why? What on earth would lead to such lengths? Why do that when they already possess this level of power?’
If it were another Awakened One saying this, I might understand.
Although still an unrelated matter for me, as someone who straddled various dimensions, it wasn’t uncommon for those who returned to Earth to feel a bit lost in their stalled growth.
It wasn’t rare for some among them to regret returning to Earth, longing to go back even if it meant reshaping this world.
‘But the Buncheon Leader doesn’t need to do that. Their power is already close to deity level, and they can traverse dimensions at will.’
For the sake of power, the more subjugated people, the better.
There’s a limit to terror ruling; no matter how I think about it, pushing ahead with a plan that could lead to the massacre of billions is beyond comprehension.
This suggested there was something beyond merely conquering this world···.
‘Do they want to become a god of Earth at any cost?’
Suddenly, the words Black Dragon Ruler had spoken flashed through my mind.
—”The leader has certainly gone mad. They believe solely in their definition of justice, convinced this method is the best. They would do anything to achieve their goals.”
That mindset was no different from a zealot’s.
Even if billions of innocent lives had to be lost in the process, they wouldn’t care one bit.
For they firmly believed in what they were doing was the true righteous path.
“…Well, fine. Whatever their intentions are, I can’t sit back and do nothing.”
Regardless of what plans the Buncheon Leader concocted, my mission remained unchanged.
To execute the culprit behind my family’s demise and utterly dismantle the Buncheon Society.
After a moment’s contemplation, I opened the Karma shop and checked the very bottom section.
『Karma Share (6%)』
A 1% increase since I first checked it.
Having surpassed 20 million in holding Karma, this number was rising steadily since there had been no significant spending since the “Karma Shop Ver.3 Update.”
Even while various events occurred on Earth, my autonomous farm in another world was steadily harvesting.
‘So, share percentage.’
I couldn’t shake the feeling that this figure represented more than just the amount of Karma points.
Especially right after hearing through Black Dragon Ruler what the Buncheon Leader was after.
‘There’s no way they can just do something that enormous solely by having power.’
Weren’t they already trapped by numerous restrictions?
Aside from the destruction of other dimensions to gather needed merit and holiness, it seemed reasonable to conclude that certain conditions must be satisfied to operate effectively on Earth.
“That must be what this share percentage is for.”
Then my task was pretty much set in stone.
To raise the share percentage as much as possible.
Securing enough stake to oppose their plans as one of Earth’s shareholders.
‘No matter how they might destroy other worlds, they shouldn’t be able to do anything here in Earth.’
Or rather, that alone might not be enough.
After all, this assumption was just speculation, wasn’t it?
Rather than merely sticking to a defensive strategy, I needed to be proactive in addressing the situation.
Yeah, for example—.
‘There must be a few like Ganghwan Realm too, right? Worlds on the brink of collapse with their influence.’
The destruction inflicted by them upon other dimensions must all be to facilitate this plan.
Then it was equally important to impede that effort.
Of course, considering the many dimensions known so far, it might be more efficient to focus on a single task rather than wandering aimlessly···.
“Not that it concerns me.”
After all, I didn’t have just one body.
If necessary, I could tackle multiple tasks at once.
‘Yet… to ensure everything flows smoothly, I might need to sort out some of the piling tasks.’
I gently closed my eyes, concentrating on the avatars moving across various locations.
*
Sitting on a park bench, Black Dragon Ruler quietly gazed at the sky.
Under a clear blue sky, fluffy white clouds floated on this bright day.
“Hello, Grandfather!”
At that moment, a passing child greeted him with a bright smile.
He looked at the child and smiled kindly.
This was a park located in an affluent area where schools for various age groups were clustered together.
With wealthy homes grouped together, security was good, and the faces of those passing by were filled with ease.
Of course, that didn’t mean children were so innocent as to greet a stranger like him without hesitation.
The fact that the child spoke to Black Dragon Ruler so freely indicated that he was familiar to them.
Though he didn’t come here every day due to his busy schedule, it had already been over a decade since he first observed the kids passing by.
“Hey! It’s been a while since I went to karaoke…”
“More than that, today at our house…”
“Then we can pick something up on the way…”
Suddenly, a group of male students crossed through the park.
Cleanly clad in uniforms, the lively teenagers in their mid to late teens chatted animatedly.
Black Dragon Ruler’s gaze settled on one of those kids.
“Ah! Hello, Grandfather.”
“Oh, you made it today. Hello~!”
When their eyes met, the kids exchanged greetings.
Of course, that was all there was to it.
No matter how familiar he was to them since childhood, it was hard to expect more than that from a stranger like him.
Yet that alone was enough for him.
As the kids walked away, Black Dragon Ruler closed his eyes and lifted his head toward the sky.
Perhaps it was because he had recently met Phantom, the master of the blood alliance?
Suddenly, past memories surged back like a current.
It was the very reason he had walked out on the position of branch director for the Buncheon Society.
The day he betrayed the leader, who had lent support to him in crossing over the Current Realm.
“Hah.”
Having been transported to another world leaving behind his newlywed wife, he was fortunate to return with all his limbs intact.
Even more fortunate was that despite the unawareness of the dimensional transport at that time, his wife had waited over a year for him without fail.
But even the joy of safely returning to Earth was short-lived.
He soon found himself sinking into despair as he realized one truth.
Being one of the first returnees, he was unaware that upon returning to Earth, all growth would be capped.
While the support from the Buncheon Society allowed him to live comfortably, none of that mattered to him.
At the edge of deterioration, he became increasingly obsessed with strength day by day.
Regretting his return to Earth and leaving behind his waiting wife, he only pondered how he might transcend the boundaries.
Due to his unhealthy obsession, he eventually managed to surpass the Current Realm after enduring great hardships.
He earned the “Reverse Traveler” title as the first being to transcend beyond Earth.
He had to forfeit his youth as a cost, but considering what he gained, that was a price he could easily pay.
However, it was also true that he was hesitant to show such an appearance to his wife.
After their last meeting before he crossed the boundary, he had not sought her out again.
He just left enough money to live lavishly behind.
And as a warrior and the director of the Buncheon Society in East Asia, he continued to engage actively.
Months passed, and then one day.
That moment arrived unexpectedly.
The day was just as clear and sunny as today.
But he had no time to admire the sky; he was solely focused on charging ahead.
The resulting chaos on the road was immense, and he was oblivious even to the casualties.
Once he arrived at the hospital.
The aged Black Dragon Ruler came face to face with the person who killed his wife for the first time.
The enemy with wrinkled skin grimaced.
Wriggling their lips, they twisted into the semblance of a smirk, almost as if mocking him.
Yet, even faced with that, he found it impossible to hate them.
He realized the one who had truly done wrong was himself for leaving his wife all alone.
—”Are you the guardian of the mother? We did our best, but she arrived in too weakened a state…”
—”Fortunately, the child has no major issues. For now, we must keep a close watch…”
He carefully embraced that enemy.
The small creature wriggling in his arms.
The only lasting trace left in this world by him and her, both of whom had been orphans.
And thanks to the “Reverse Traveler,” he could catch a glimpse of part of the future.
He instinctively realized that there would be no place for this child in the world the leader envisioned.
Feeling that, he didn’t hesitate for a second to disappear with the child.
The Reverse Traveler allowed him to conceal his existence, and he was greatly aided in deceiving the child’s identity, so that she could be adopted into a family of kind-hearted couples.
He later gifted a house in the affluent area as an anonymous benefactor and watched the child grow from a distance.
Worried about being tracked, he didn’t directly visit; instead, he waited in this park, hoping to run into her by chance.
‘Hah, this wait is nothing to me.’
Slowly standing up, Black Dragon Ruler turned away from the back of his long-lost enemy and resumed his path.
To fulfill the mission left to him: to safeguard the traces of her existence from ever disappearing again.
