Chapter 422

Chapter 422
## Chapter 422

The Burning Torch (3)

“…It has concluded. Fortunately, they managed to break away without suffering serious harm.”

Ahn, who had been sitting in quiet meditation with her eyelids lowered, spoke aloud. The rest of the group, who had been waiting in agonizing suspense, let out a collective breath of relief.

“Phew, what a massive relief.”

“Providence hasn’t abandoned our cause just yet. With Malpi remaining unharmed, we have the chance to reorganize and push forward with our resistance.”

“We must maintain our vigilance regardless. Gathering in large numbers will only make us prime targets for discovery. Our best course of action is to remain concealed and dispersed until a concrete strategy is formed.”

The surviving partisans of the Burning Torch, immensely comforted by the confirmation of their comrade’s well-being, began whispering eagerly among themselves.

Their ranks had swelled to nearly ten individuals by now.

While navigating their escape under Ken’s careful direction, they had crossed paths with several other members who had been taking refuge in the immediate vicinity.

Ahn, who had been exhausting her focus to shroud their location from detection while simultaneously keeping long-range communication channels open, wiped away the perspiration beads on her forehead and recovered her breath.

Following that, she shifted her gaze toward Ken. He was propped against the wall in a far corner of the space, arms folded over his chest, maintaining a completely poised and detached demeanor.

An unidentified demon who had materialized out of nowhere to extend a helping hand.

Their present situation—which was exceptionally secure given the circumstances—was entirely the result of following his guidance.

‘…His calculations proved accurate yet again. Who exactly is pulling his strings? What manner of influence does he wield to execute such maneuvers…?’

This was far from an isolated incident.

Relying on his precise navigation, numerous cells of the Burning Torch had managed to slip away right from under the nose of the Heaven’s Turn Society.

Achieving this would be utterly unfeasible without possessing a comprehensive, bird’s-eye view of the shifting dynamics playing out across this immense territory.

It was almost as though… he was observing the entire landscape from an elevated vantage point.

‘…This far exceeds the capability of a lone actor. A massive apparatus must be backing his play… Even so, it doesn’t alter the reality that he is… astonishingly proficient.’

To command an information-gathering apparatus of this caliber, even in a sector separated by vast distances from their central base…

It eclipsed the intelligence networks of entire sovereign nations.

Exactly how vast and deep did his backing organization run…?

Naturally, the cutting-edge systems of Hesperon and the relentless, sleep-deprived endeavors of Andrew Weaver were critical components powering this operation… but those details remained entirely hidden from her.

“At any rate, we have successfully verified the current state of every major director… We did lose some comrades, but the final tally is far more favorable than our initial estimates.”

She addressed the room, her eyes never leaving Ken. The surrounding members cut their private conversations short, turning their full attention toward her.

She was, when all was said and done, the one in command here.

“We ought to be capable of restructuring our cells and restarting our operations shortly. Though we must proceed with extreme caution for the foreseeable future…”

She observed Ken, their enigmatic savior, who merely offered a slight nod of agreement, his posture remaining perfectly serene and isolated, as though the matter scarcely concerned him.

“With that established, Ken, our highest authority wishes to grant you an audience. What are your thoughts on the matter?”

She passed along the specific directive that had just reached her.

The supreme leader of the Burning Torch, who had dropped off the grid for a considerable period, had finally established contact through the newly mended communication grid.

“I have been anticipating this development.”

Ken gave his assent without a moment’s hesitation.

Ultimately, this specific breakthrough was the very reason he had been exerting himself so heavily, acting as an intermediary and placing his survival on the line.

‘…The finish line is finally within sight. Once this connection is forged, my contractor will take the reins and manage the remaining steps.’

When that was accomplished, he would no longer be forced to trek through this oppressive, humid climate, and he could at last make his journey back to Japan.

A face-to-face gathering with his relatives after a span of three decades.

‘…Even though it translates to a mere three years from Earth’s perspective.’

It was a cherished aspiration, a homecoming he had yearned for deeply, despite the fact that he was no longer truly the original Miyamoto Ken.

He had taken on his essence, his cognitive recollections, his very life definition…

It was an obligation he was bound to fulfill.

Consequently, the specific logistics for the encounter were locked in.

And the anticipated day eventually arrived.

—

The Burning Torch functioned as a clandestine insurgent network across Southeast Asia, dedicated to undermining the operations of the Heaven’s Turn Society.

It existed as a federation of Awakened combatants hailing from multiple distinct nations, maintaining localized cells that could call upon and deploy their personnel whenever the situation demanded.

Yet, a unified collective still required a singular figurehead.

Their reigning chief executive was Freddy, frequently referred to as ‘The President’, originating from Indonesia.

‘…He possesses a remarkable degree of personal magnetism. Governing a coalition comprised of factions from such varied cultural backgrounds is no simple feat.’

Ken, walking a few paces behind Ahn and Jose, silently offered credit to Freddy’s capacity for governance.

While he hadn’t been granted access to any verified dossiers, he had pieced together fragmented rumors and details during his deployment alongside the Burning Torch, giving him a reasonable understanding of the dynamics.

The primary directors of the Burning Torch consisted of exceptional talent, and their total numbers were quite substantial when factoring in the vast geography they monitored.

‘…Granted, the bulk of the rank-and-file operatives seem to have enlisted driven by national pride or a shared animosity toward Chinese expansion.’

This development was a direct reaction to the Heaven’s Turn Society executing a total, uncontested dominance over China.

Those who discerned the underlying ties between the two entities viewed the expanding footprint of the Heaven’s Turn Society within Southeast Asia as nothing less than a… masked Chinese encroachment, prompting them to establish an insurgent front to check it.

That was the foundational spark for the Burning Torch.

To be sure, the current operational directors understood the true, otherworldly malice of the Heaven’s Turn Society, including their planetary subversion strategies and dark motivations… but they could not look past the sheer utility of leveraging ‘anti-China’ sentiment as a highly effective recruiting mechanism.

Furthermore, they were bound to conduct their affairs in total shadows to prevent triggering severe geopolitical or international scandals.

“We have arrived. This location is typically restricted from anyone outside our ranks… but an exception is made given the President’s explicit instruction. Besides, we regained the capacity to access this hub solely through your intervention.”

Ahn came to a halt in front of a completely unexceptional doorway, reaching into her garments to extract an object.

It was an intricately crafted piece of silken fabric, its face adorned with elaborate geometric arrays and mystical runes.

She smoothed the textile out, pressing it firmly against the wooden paneling, and then rotated the handle…

“Oh.”

…and a lengthy passageway, saturated with a completely… foreign aura, manifested on the other side.

Planked flooring, illuminated lanterns suspended from above, and vibrant tapestries partitioning the walls…

“This environment is precisely how we maintained synchronized efforts and held counsel, even when separated by immense geographical divides. It grants us the ability to traverse vast leagues in an instant.”

Ahn explained as she crossed the threshold into the corridor.

The specific director responsible for forging this localized dimension had been too occupied fleeing from the agents of the Heaven’s Turn Society to safely utilize it until just recently.

Had that particular executive been… seized or eliminated… the structural integrity of the Burning Torch would have dissolved entirely.

A bitter smile touched her lips.

‘…A localized folding of space. And the scale of it is remarkably… grand. Truly fitting for a top-tier director.’

Ken, his eyes narrowing with genuine fascination, surveyed the dimensions of the corridor, thoroughly struck by the craftsmanship.

Simultaneously, a distinct feeling of… apprehension washed over him.

When one considered that a vanguard capable of such high-level spatial warping had been reduced to a cornered animal, powerless to shake off the surveillance of the Heaven’s Turn Society…

Just how overwhelming was the opposition?

“Where is your commander? Why has he failed to appear in person? He could easily utilize this pathway to avoid any external tracking.”

Jose, who had been tracking their steps in silence, chose this moment to speak up, a thread of irritation coloring his tone.

He appeared thoroughly… slighted that Ken, acting merely as an intermediary agent, was receiving a direct audience with their chief while their own high commander remained physically absent from the scene.

Yet, he lacked the leverage to alter the arrangement. He simply did not hold the decision-making power.

“I raised that exact point with him, but he indicated he was unable to abandon his current position at this juncture. Doing so would introduce a vulnerable… blind spot in our defenses. Rest assured, we will be maintaining a live, real-time audio link with him.”

“…Hmph, seeing as this is merely a preliminary dialogue, I suppose that will suffice.”

Jose scowled briefly at Ken’s clarification before giving a curt nod, conceding the point.

When weighed against everything, they had already capitalized immensely on the stranger’s assistance.

And it was highly probable they would require his unique talents as the conflict progressed. It was illogical to create friction over such an inconsequential detail.

This encounter was intended as nothing more than an… initial consultation, an opening to present themselves and swap basic formalities.

“We are at the threshold.”

They reached the termination point of the extended hallway, coming to a halt before a sliding barrier whose aesthetic and construction were undeniably… Oriental.

The moment Ahn slid the partition aside,

“It is excellent to see you, Ahn. You as well, Jose. I am profoundly relieved to see you both unharmed.”

…a mature woman, bearing a soft and hospitable countenance, welcomed them with a warm expression.

“Malpi, the sentiment is shared. You were caught in an incredibly tight spot, were you not?”

“Indeed, but I managed to slip through the net entirely due to your coordination. And due to the President, who managed to draw the attention of the demonic entity elsewhere. Moving on, is this our…?”

As their expressions of relief wound down, they at last turned their attention to introducing Ken.

Ken offered a polite nod toward Malpi—the specific director whose specialized power sustained this sanctuary—and acknowledging her words of appreciation, took a moment to inspect the gathering.

‘…This pocket realm features an integrated speech translation array? Marvelous.’

The assembly hall, much like the path leading into it, exuded an air of… arcane mystery, populated by roughly a score of other individuals representing a multitude of homelands.

Dozens of sliding partitions lined the perimeter of the circular chamber, indicating that the rest of the attendees had likely journeyed through completely distinct entry paths.

They were engaged in various low conversations, but upon taking notice of his arrival, they began migrating toward him one after another to offer their greetings.

“Where is the President? Has he not joined the gathering yet?”

“He communicated that his arrival would be slightly delayed. An complication arose regarding the… logistical arrangements.”

“Is that so? That is quite uncharacteristic of him. He is typically the punctual one.”

Every director capable of making the journey, setting aside those who had been… neutralized during the recent operations, was already accounted for within the space.

Roughly half an hour later,

“Ah, the President has arrived.”

…Malpi murmured, her tone dropping to a soft whisper.

The rest of the assembly, who had been lounging around the great circular table anchoring the center of the hall to exchange tactical updates and personal stories, redirected their attention toward the sliding panel as it began to part.

“My sincerest apologies for keeping you all waiting. A minor… complication demanded my attention…”

The moment a mature gentleman sporting a trimmed beard crossed into the room, wearing a sheepish look while offering excuses for his tardiness,

…Ahn’s countenance, which until that second had been completely passive and unbothered, instantly turned rigid.

*Crash—!*

The transformation was absolute.

She vaulted to her feet with such force that her seat flipped backward onto the floor, her eyes boring into the newcomer, her features twisted into an expression of unadulterated fury.

“What in the… absolute hell…”

“Ahn…?”

“What has gotten into you? Why are you reacting this way?”

The temperature in the hall plunged to absolute zero in an instant following her volatile outburst.

Yet, the collective bewilderment was short-lived.

The individuals who were intimately familiar with her, those who grasped the exact nature of her sensory perceptions and what they portended…

…they rose from their seats, their expressions turning deathly serious, and began shifting backward, deliberately creating a wide berth between themselves and the… focal point of her hostility.

Their eyes darted rapidly between Ahn and the President, Freddy, who appeared visibly shaken by her antagonistic behavior.

“Who are you supposed to be? What exactly are you?!”

“What? What are you implying, Ahn? It is me, Freddy…”

“Drop the act! You are an impostor! What have you done with the actual President?!”

The confrontation rapidly approached a boiling point as the accusations flew.

Ahn’s voice resonated with pure malice, contrasted against Freddy’s ongoing display of shock and confusion.

The environment had instantly degraded, rendering any hope of a… constructive dialogue entirely impossible.

A portion of the combatants began channeling their internal energies for an immediate clash, their distinct pressures flaring to life, while others kept a wary eye on the boundaries, shifting toward potential escape routes.

“Sigh… How tedious…”

The figure posing as the President, who had been attempting to placate her with reasonable arguments, let out a weary breath and stroked his jaw. His entire visage transformed, shedding its previous warmth, while his voice turned entirely flat and icy.

“…I failed to anticipate that her tracking senses would be quite this sharp. In hindsight, I ought to have… removed her from the equation first.”

Immediately following that revelation,

“This cannot be…!”

…Malpi, who had been shifting toward the perimeter like the remaining directors, let out a sharp gasp of terror and bewilderment.

Yet, before her vocal cords could finish forming the thought,

*Swish—*

…bristling spikes of solid mass erupted violently from the architecture surrounding every sliding partition, effectively bricking up the thresholds.

The sealing of the chamber occurred before she could even formulate a counter-measure, despite her status as the architect of this entire dimension.

But the trap was not yet fully sprung.

*Creak—*

The solitary gateway that remained unaltered,

…the exact sliding partition through which the false President had entered, glided backward once more,

…and a succession of individuals, numbering roughly five or six, paced deliberately into the hall, their expressions mocking and their collective presence… deeply suffocating.

“So, your masquerade fell apart the moment you walked through the door? And here I thought you were entirely certain of your acting skills.”

“…Tsk.”

“Hey, Mimic, what is our play here? This fellow is merely an errand boy, isn’t he? Our instructions were explicitly to wait for the… primary objective…”

A dark-complexioned man featuring a remarkably… bald head gestured dismissively toward Ken as he barked at the false President, his tone laced with irritation.

They were unmistakably… operating as a unit.

And this newcomer… was none other than the regional director for the Southeast Asian operations of the Heaven’s Turn Society, a face intimately reviled by every Burning Torch executive present—the operative designated as ‘Viper’.

“…It was an unavoidable turn of events. Their overarching goal is to deploy the Burning Torch as a tool to fracture our operations. We cannot afford to let them slip away now that our presence is compromised.”

“Ugh! This assignment would have been infinitely simpler if the primary scenario had played out cleanly! Nothing ever goes smoothly!”

“Look on the bright side, it isn’t a total write-off. He may function as a mere asset, but he remains an exceptionally high-tier Awakened.”

Their attention, guided by Viper’s assessment, migrated collectively toward Ken.

A top-tier demonic entity, a voyager who had returned from the depths of the Demon World.

He represented an incredibly significant prize.

Even if he was acting merely as a… cat’s paw, they still retained the means to… squeeze critical intelligence out of his skull.

“…Well, it matters little. It is a minor inconvenience that we cannot secure him quietly… but this alternative is also… quite entertaining.”

Viper gave a slow nod, seemingly satisfied with his own logic, and focused his gaze directly on Ken, a predatory smirk stretching across his face.

“There is no avoiding it. We shall commence our interrogation with you. If your preference is to pass away without prolonged agony, you will surrender every scrap of knowledge you possess.”

He completely disregarded the presence of the Burning Torch executives.

When it came down to it,

…they were never his intended quarry.

“Spill everything concerning the Masquerade pulling your strings!”

This entire setup was a coordinated ambush, an elaborate dragnet designed specifically to snare the… highly disruptive element that had been sabotaging their regional operations.

The Masquerade.

“…What… Masquerade are you talking about?”

In reality, Ken had never encountered that title in his life.