Nene wasn't the first case.
Below the medical zone, there was a stack of containment units like that. Inside each unit was a Cursed Child on the brink of being consumed by the Gastrea virus.
Before Asahi appeared, Cursed Children who wanted to survive in the outlying areas inevitably had to use their abilities. The more they used their abilities, the higher the rate of Gastrea virus erosion, leading to a greater chance of metamorphosis. Even if they actively suppressed it and didn't use their powers, the virus erosion rate still increased, just slower.
Although Initiators had to fight more, they at least had cell growth inhibitor medication from the IISO. If they didn't over-fight, the time until the virus completely eroded them could be extended for a while.
The Gastrea virus erosion process is irreversible. Even medication only slows down the progression, and the higher the erosion percentage, the more useless the medicine becomes, as the virus has caused too much cellular metamorphosis.
Ultimately, the only extreme measure was this: freezing the entire body to completely halt the cellular changes and the Gastrea virus's progression.
This wasn't impossible to do in this world, but who would spend so much for abandoned children? Besides, if the Gastrea virus couldn't be cured, then wasn't freezing them forever equivalent to death?
"Damn it..."
He muttered, his hands unconsciously clenched. Every "ice coffin" here represented a Cursed Child's life on the verge of death, and it also represented every time he had failed.
His mind was unchangeably resolute, but that didn't mean he didn't feel these negative emotions.
In the end, everything melted into a single sigh.
"There will be a way..."
"Wait for me, it will be soon."
Asahi placed his hand on the glass, then resolutely stepped outside.
As soon as he appeared, he saw a young man rushing toward him frantically. He recognized this person as a Civil Security Officer who had joined the dominion with his Initiator some time ago, named Suibara Kihachi. His Initiator was named Kouro Hotaru. Due to his decent character, he was promoted to security captain of the perimeter area.
Seeing Asahi's gaze fixed on him, he hesitated slightly and presented a piece of paper. Looking closely, it resembled an invitation.
"Sir, it's those people outside..."
Asahi paid no attention to Kihachi's stiffness, calmly accepting the card. The thing was still sealed and unopened. On the outside, there were only three words: "To the Silver King."
Asahi tore the paper, merely glancing at it for less than a second before discarding it. Strangely, as the paper fluttered in the air, it unexpectedly gradually disintegrated into the invisible, becoming completely unseen, as if crushed into dust by some kind of power.
The Silver King tore the letter.
Kihachi watched in awe and fright, but dared not show it outwardly.
A moment later, a group of people gathered at the Silver King's Palace.
Asahi sat in the main seat. The others nearby couldn't help but worry. The Silver King convening them all surely had a reason.
"While I am gone, raise the dominion's alert level to the maximum."
"Sir, are we about to be attacked?"
Luke asked cautiously. He thought that if the base's alert level was raised, it could only be to guard against an enemy surprise attack. Asahi leaving was clearly to confront the enemy.
"Perhaps."
"An attack will occur, so fierce that, besides me, no one in the dominion might survive the day."
Asahi spoke with a calm tone, but the content of his words sent chills down their spines.
"However, this is only the worst-case scenario."
"This could also just be an initial probe."
The last two sentences were only thought in his head, not spoken aloud, because he needed those below him to recognize reality. Even though this place was under his protection, vigilance was never redundant. Today might only be a probe, perhaps the calm before the storm. When that time comes, the worst-case scenario might become true.
According to his calculations, once this game was set up, only two possibilities could exist.
The first possibility: Trial, Probe, and finally, Compromise.
The second possibility: Probe, Compromise.
There was only a difference of two words—"Trial"—but this trial could very well be paid for with the countless lives he was currently protecting. Trial here meant testing his attitude towards this "dominion."
This could further be divided into two more possibilities.
If he valued the dominion highly, his people and the children, the entire dominion would become a hostage of "them," turning into shackles that restricted his actions. This was the result he least wanted to see, and the worst possible outcome. If it happened, even if the final result was a compromise by the local powers, countless people would likely have to shed blood.
The other possibility: The dominion is important, but it is external property to him. Then this entire place would become a hostage, but not a hostage in their hands, but a hostage for Asahi. This place would become the final line restricting his actions. Forget about harming it, they would even try their utmost not to touch this place. Because once there were casualties, they would surely be annihilated by his retaliatory strike, and he could simply build a new dominion afterward.
Both were methods of creating a hostage situation, but one side was his hostage, and the other side was a hostage for him.
The remaining scenario, where there is no trial, exists. But Asahi assessed its probability as low. Blood was definitely going to flow, but whether it was the blood of his allies or his enemies depended on his next move.
"Luke, I entrust the robot system of the entire dominion to you."
"Yes, sir!"
Luke solemnly accepted, the pressure in his heart increasing, but also the sense of excitement at being entrusted with such a critical task.
"Everyone... survive."
Having said that, Asahi walked outside, not missing the gaze of his subordinates.
He walked out of the dominion to where a luxury car was waiting.
IISO.
The power that seemed the most invisible and lacking presence, yet agreed to be the first to act.
The invitation letter was sent by the IISO, at least by the IISO branch in the Tokyo Area. It was an invitation for the Silver King to attend a welcome party.
To be honest, whether a lavish feast or a group of cold-blooded assassins awaited him, he didn't care. He was only slightly surprised because this move was somewhat different from the IISO's usual behavior. This organization had always maintained a very low profile despite possessing global power, and the average person's impression of them was extremely faint.
But there was an explanation: after all, his objective was nearly diametrically opposed to the IISO's. It wasn't unreasonable for them to be a little hasty.
Thinking of this, Asahi disregarded it and got into the car. The driver and bodyguard dared not even offer a word of courtesy, focusing only on their duties in silence.
After an unknown amount of time, the car drove down a dark and winding tunnel. But Asahi's enhanced senses could tell that he was descending deep underground.
Finally, the car parked in an area that could be described as luxurious. A red carpet was laid out, and an honor guard of bodyguards stood solemnly on watch. This underground area felt like another world, an upper-class world where only extravagance existed.