Chapter 435

Chapter 435
## Chapter 435

Harley’s Modern Diary (2)

“Everything is organized over here!”

“We have squandered far too much time already, so we need to begin immediately. Are the invited performers prepared?”

“Affirmative, PD. They are fully prepared and standing by.”

The halted production recommenced following the unexpected disruption.

Only moments prior, the mood on set had been completely shattered, but it seemed an understanding had been reached by the executives of both factions, and explicit instructions were handed down to proceed with the recording.

Naturally, this turn of events was highly disagreeable to the uninvited intruders who had forced their way into the venue, but regrettably, they possessed no leverage to alter the situation.

Particularly because…

“Well, it appears you are finally disposed to have a civilized conversation!”

They were currently in no state to fret over external matters.

“Ugh…”

“………”

The public figures who were returnees, having entered with such immense assurance, were now being forcefully removed from the studio against their desires.

They let out low groans from the impacts they had sustained, exchanging wary looks before catching Harley’s stare and sheepishly casting their eyes downward.

It was evident that their resolve had completely vanished.

“A conversation…? Is there truly anything remaining for us to discuss?”

A solitary individual maintained an unblinking gaze toward him despite the circumstances.

This was none other than Cheon Seolhyang, the commander of their faction.

…For what reason is a creature of that caliber aligning with the Blood Alliance?

Naturally, despite her external composure, her internal thoughts were in complete disarray.

Having achieved an exceptionally elevated level of mastery herself, she had distinctly perceived the immense disparity between them during their brief skirmish earlier.

Had that individual exerted his true capabilities…

They would all be lifeless corpses at this very moment.

It was only expected that these returnees, deeply accustomed to the doctrine of absolute strength, were now intensely monitoring every movement of Manager Ha.

They had strictly curbed their own spiritual energy to prevent peripheral devastation, yet their opponent had exercised the exact same restraint, had he not?

Even granting that our skills have deteriorated due to working in the entertainment sector rather than active combat…

The confrontation had commenced with a stunt performer who had reached the threshold of the Aura Realm attempting to intercept a strike with merely his open hand.

Seized instantly by the wrist and slammed violently into the floor, he was rendered entirely helpless by a solitary stomp.

His defensive barrier, deployed with flawless timing, shattered entirely under a single impact.

The remaining members suffered an identical fate.

The television personality who had slain innumerable dragons as an elite dragon slayer.

The fashion model who had operated on the front lines as a powerful battle mage.

One after another, they were thoroughly overwhelmed before they could even display their capabilities.

This occurred despite receiving supportive enhancements from the group’s divine priestess singer.

Ultimately, only the most formidable among them, Cheon Seolhyang, remained standing.

Yet even she, wielding her pliable blade that normally remained coiled like a waist belt, eventually abandoned all attempts at defiance.

Following a handful of exchanges, she was forced to acknowledge the reality she had desperately sought to dismiss.

Regardless of her strategy, defeating this individual was an impossibility.

…Who could have predicted that an entity of the Transcendent tier would be employed as a common manager.

This was an oppressive aura she had only ever encountered when confronting the Returnee Association Chairman during her tenure as a Guardian.

She had never anticipated experiencing such overwhelming dread in a place like this.

She was aware that Phantom was likewise a Transcendent, but she reasoned he would not trouble himself to appear personally for the sake of a novice musical group.

“Why do you say that? There is truly nothing superior to a pleasant dialogue for resolving misunderstandings! We have already developed a rapport through some minor physical interaction, so it is high time for a meaningful discussion, wouldn’t you agree?”

His nonchalant words drifted into her highly preoccupied thoughts.

Minor?

Developed a rapport…?

An attitude that treated the recent chaotic brawl as a mere trifle.

The individuals who had previously averted their gaze in terror now gaped at him with utter skepticism.

However, Harley was entirely genuine.

Had he lacked sincerity, they would not be lounging in that space so entirely unharmed.

In all likelihood, they had factored that element into their calculations before instigating this disruption.

They recognized the inherent danger of the Blood Alliance, and that Phantom possessed the capability to execute them whenever he pleased.

Nevertheless, they had advanced audaciously regardless, wagering that this faction was restricted from employing draconian tactics.

That precisely was the source of the immense irritation.

Executing them for sabotaging the schedule would instantly terminate the musical project.

Beyond that, every bit of public relations rehabilitation they had labored so painstakingly to achieve would dissolve into nothingness.

The Ability Management Bureau along with the Guardians would classify them as antagonists once more and ostracize them entirely.

Clandestine execution was unfeasible as well. Even in the absence of absolute proof, mere conjecture would prove catastrophic. Mind manipulation or transforming them into creatures of the night? The identical dilemma applied.

This was an inescapable restriction once they committed themselves to operating within the public eye.

Illicit transactions could be concealed provided there were no onlookers, but with so many observers present, they were obligated to resolve the matter entirely legally.

Still, their motivations are somewhat comprehensible, I suppose.

The Blood Alliance had maintained its existence for more than a decade and a half.

The militant elements who had controlled the organization like a syndicate had departed less than twelve months ago.

From their viewpoint, it appeared as though notorious felons were altering their public image through minor charitable acts to infiltrate civilized society.

Even assuming they anticipated the Blood Alliance to act properly, entering a scenario where a solitary mistake could result in their demise required incredible audacity.

Whether driven by their principles as past Guardians, their obligations as powerful figures, or their affection for the media industry they now inhabited.

They had arrived at this location guided by their own deeply held tenets, meaning he could not dismiss them thoughtlessly.

“Very well, let us address the primary issue. Did your group command the explosive device to be placed within our vehicle?”

Naturally, that consideration was applicable only if they were disconnected from the explosive incident.

This degree of interference he could tolerate, but an explosive device represented an unmistakable boundary crossed.

The perpetrators had explicitly intended to cause fatalities, and innocent bystanders could have perished as well.

“…Pardon?”

“An explosive? What nonsense are you uttering?!”

Harley’s highly refined perceptions analyzed their startled expressions down to the microscopic elements.

He observed far more than mere external expressions.

The movement of energy through their physiques, the narrowing of their pupils, fluctuations in temperature, hormonal spikes, cardiovascular flow, and muscular contraction.

No living entity could conceal their true state from the vision of someone who had approached divinity through sheer biological mastery.

Automations, restless spirits, specters—non-living entities notwithstanding.

They genuinely possessed no knowledge of the matter.

All five individuals were entirely blameless.

Yet was it mere happenstance that their arrival coincided precisely with the explosive threat?

Hmm…

Harley rubbed his chin as they vehemently argued that the accusation was ridiculous.

His intellect rapidly evaluated various scenarios.

An external entity pulling their strings, or framing them had the sabotage proven successful.

“Mmm, so that explosive plot has absolutely zero connection to your group?”

“Assuredly not! Hold on, an actual explosive assault occurred?”

In either scenario, it presented a massive complication.

Matters were already sufficiently convoluted—how much time would be required to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators?

“Very well, this is the course of action we shall take!”

Consequently, there was no purpose in further agonizing over it.

Given that the event transpired in the public sphere, it would be managed within the public sphere.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

A gentleman exited the main entryway of the structure and extended his limbs in a massive stretch.

“Ahh—! Let us see, this provides us with a bit of a breather at the very least.”

A robust physique, dark eyewear, a formal outfit—unmistakably far from an ordinary individual.

Manager Ha—Harley—had entrusted Ricoris to the custody of the alternative management staff and journeyed to this location entirely on his own.

Achieving two objectives simultaneously. That particular businesswoman might even convince these individuals to conduct themselves appropriately.

He motioned with approval as the corporate emblem of the facility shimmered under the daylight behind him.

-Republic of Korea Returnee Association Seoul Southern Bureau

A premier Guardian headquarters representing South Korean public safety alongside law enforcement agencies.

Even the national Ability Management Bureau requested their assistance as a priority for supernatural complications, rendering them an elite institution for managing specialized unlawful acts within the territory.

This explosive assault constitutes an overt supernatural offense. Manifestly, the Guardians are obligated to intervene, correct?

Regardless of any outside opinions, ‘Lunatic Entertainment’ existed as a properly registered domestic enterprise, and Ricoris was its contracted performer.

Creatures of the night or otherwise, because an enchanted explosive device was utilized, the Guardians maintained a responsibility to participate in the matter.

I went so far as to request the aid of Bureau Chief Yoon Jiyoon, who maintains an alliance with us.

An added benefit: Transferring custody of the returnee public figures under the pretense of examining connections to the assault.

Yoon Jiyoon, who happens to be Cheon Seolhyang’s elder colleague, could counsel them while simultaneously ensuring they remained cooperative.

Recognizing our capabilities more clearly than anyone else, she would take immediate steps to prevent any disruption.

To be absolutely certain, I submitted a formal notification to the Ability Management Bureau’s Unlawful Acts Investigation Sector. We fulfill our tax obligations precisely—it is essential to defend our entitlements.

Prior to the rise of Hwahwal and Phantom, these institutions had adhered to inefficient altruistic protocols amidst deteriorating public safety.

Regardless of how clever the perpetrators might be, evading both organizations simultaneously would prove exceptionally challenging.

Even if they managed to avoid capture, they would find themselves backed into a corner…

And the moment that vulnerability exposes itself…

A sharp radiance gleamed beneath his dark eyewear.

His tongue darted across his parted lips, brushing against his prominent, pale canine teeth.

“Ahem. Splendid! It is time to make preparations on our end as well!”

Harley moved forward with great intent.

Far more pressing objectives required his attention now—standard management obligations were temporarily suspended.

The Blood Alliance was fully capable of overseeing Ricoris.

His personal involvement in such tasks was somewhat peculiar to begin with.

“Let us review.”

He retrieved his cellular device and examined a digital transmission.

The documentation from Andrew Weaver had arrived during his interactions with the Association.

Compiled well ahead of schedule, it proved significantly more comprehensive than anticipated.

“Kahahat! We might as well retrieve our upcoming personnel!”

One must capitalize on the momentum immediately.

Possessing the directory intended for expanding their surveillance apparatus, he felt not a shred of uncertainty.

Though, for what reason is the folder designated as a ‘Kill List’?

He tilted his skull slightly in brief confusion, then dismissed the thought with a shrug.

Andrew is of foreign origin—he likely substituted the term for ‘personnel registry’.

The directory, saturated with an individual’s intense resentment that dictated no one else should perish unaccompanied, shimmered silently within the hands of the harvester.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

Harley, performing his duties as a talent agent within the region, did not display his customary gargantuan proportions.

His stature, which normally exceeded 2.3 meters with ease, had been reduced to just under 2 meters; his prominent musculature had been proportionately scaled down as well.

Following that particular debacle in Southeast Asia, his original appearance had become far too recognizable, prompting him to alter his configuration.

Traditional formal attire was impossible to acquire for a physique of those original dimensions regardless.

The body modifications detailing his skin, including his facial features, were currently concealed beneath his dermis.

Consequently, stripped of every defining trait, he appeared as merely a large man clad in formal clothing…

Kiiig—

“Good grief, an individual arrives for a visit and not a single soul appears to receive them?”

He glanced through the opening after tearing apart the heavily reinforced, metal-shielded entry portal with his bare hands.

“Kyaaak! A-A monster!”

A piercing female shriek resonated from the interior, yet he paid it no heed, widening the breach and inserting his head.

“My, what an unpleasant odor. This is highly detrimental to your physical well-being—you ought to introduce some fresh air. Restricting the entryway in this fashion causes the atmosphere to become stagnant.”

Rationalizing his actions as a gesture for their personal benefit, he forced the metal apart further.

The metallic structure buckled with a loud screech, though acoustic containment fields ensured the auditory disruption remained localized.

“Mmm, you must correspond to Hugin?”

Advancing past the now-ruined security barrier designed to deter trespassers, Harley surveyed the environment.

The subterranean chamber lacking windows, illuminated solely by luminescent tubes, was filled with greater than ten massive display panels and operating computer stations.

Quite remarkable. Unquestionably endowed with great capability.

Scanning the array of monitors, he gestured with an approving nod.

He then directed his gaze toward the trembling female collapsed upon the floor…

“Gahk!”

And intercepted the throat of a male attempting to ambush him from the rear.

“Thus, you represent Munin.”

The male plunged his blade repeatedly into Harley’s forearm, but a weapon of that quality possessed no capability to penetrate his flesh.

“Release your hold on him!”

The female, her terror momentarily forgotten, glared with intense hostility and manipulated invisible filaments.

“Kek!”

However, caught by her own filaments, she found herself incapacitated right alongside her companion.

Hugin and Munin, the partnership causing quite a stir within the criminal element recently.

Harley offered a satisfied grin at his acquired targets.

Elite assets recorded upon Andrew’s directory, performing services as the “Odin’s Eye” intelligence syndicates.

So profoundly concealed, it necessitated the complete resources of the Hesferon matrix combined with the specific directory to locate their position.

Securing high-caliber personnel such as this? An absolute triumph.

Ah, that is correct, merely restraining them physically does not complete the objective.

Recognizing his procedural error, he carefully placed them back upon the ground.

“Kuhahaha! My apologies! I arrived to present you with a highly advantageous proposal…”

“………?”

“A-A proposal?”

“Indeed, indeed. You shall find it exceptionally appealing. The finest arrangement available anywhere.”

Disregarding the sheer panic reflected in the eyes of the individuals he had just released, he delivered his presentation with immense fervor.

He had journeyed here entirely for the purpose of amicable engagement, after all.

As an aside…

His talent acquisition success percentage currently remained at a flawless 100%.