Location: ???
A dense hum filled the air.
Conversations overlapped one another, the metallic whir of a coffee machine cut through the noise, computer fans droned steadily, and rapid keyboard clicks stitched everything together. It looked like an ordinary place…
But it wasn't.
A man walked through the crowd with slow, heavy steps.
A cigarette rested between his lips.
A diagonal scar marked the left side of his mouth.
He wore a gray coat not properly, but draped over his shoulders like a cape.
His walk was calm. Confident. He didn't make way for anyone…
People moved aside for him.
He stopped in front of the elevator.
While waiting, he glanced at the medium-thick file in his hand.
The photograph inside stood out.
The person in it…
Was Jack.
But from one year ago.
Roland let out a low grunt.
Roland: Building a massive tower and installing only one elevator… that's peak stupidity.
At that moment, an employee approached and stood beside him, also waiting. He glanced at Roland and bowed his head slightly.
Employee: Greetings, Mr. Southwoods.
Roland looked at him, cigarette still hanging loosely from his lips.
Roland: How're things going? And you can call me Roland. The others can too.
The employee smiled faintly.
Employee: They're going well. Thanks to you, we get to spend more time with our families.
A softer expression appeared on Roland's face. He placed a hand on the man's shoulder.
Roland: Hey. You workers aren't robots. You're human. I won't have you living like slaves.
The employee's eyes gleamed.
Employee: Even if it means risking my life, I'd do anything for the Superior Detectives.
Roland suddenly burst into laughter.
Roland: Hahaha! No need to risk your life. You live for your family we take the risks. Got it?
Employee: Yes, sir!
Roland: Glad people like you work here.
Roland Southwoods second strongest among the Superior Detectives, third strongest in the world.
Brown hair. Brown eyes. A gray coat worn like a cape over elegant gray attire.
Height: 1.90 meters.
Age: 48.
The elevator doors opened.
A crowd stepped out. Roland and the employee stepped in.
The employee pressed the button for the 30th floor.
Roland pressed 50.
The doors closed.
As the elevator rose, the noise faded floor by floor.
Eventually, only Roland remained.
The doors opened on the fiftieth floor.
The corridor was wide.
Silent.
Roland walked with steady steps, the sound of his shoes echoing.
He turned right.
Before him stood a massive door.
Roland tilted his head slightly.
Roland: I wonder what they were thinking when they designed this thing.
He placed both hands on it.
Pushed slowly.
The door opened.
Inside resembled a courtroom-
But larger.
Five enormous seats stood at the far end.
One was empty.
Four were occupied.
A voice rose.
- - - : Roland, aren't you a little late?
Roland smirked.
Roland: That's what happens when you build a huge place with only one elevator, Zane.
Zane: You're saying that like it's my fault!
Zane Flowend third strongest among the Superior Detectives, fourth strongest in the world.
Pink hair. White eyes. Entirely dressed in elegant black, his coat worn like a black cape.
Height: 1.82 meters.
Age: 47.
Roland: I'm not blaming you, Zane.
Zane's face tightened.
Zane: Then are you blaming our Excellency?!
Roland: What are you even talking about?
Suddenly-
A voice emerged from the darkness.
- - - : Silence!
An aura spread.
The pressure…
It resembled Arthur's aura.
But slightly weaker.
Still overwhelming.
Zane strained slightly.
The other Supremes felt it.
Even Roland acknowledged the power-
But he wasn't crushed by it.
Roland: Merlin. Mind not getting so heated? Take it as a joke.
The aura slowly withdrew.
Darkness receded.
- - - : Then stop joking.
Merlin Violend strongest of the Superior Detectives and their leader, second strongest in the world.
He looked almost identical to Arthur.
But his hair and eyes seemed swallowed by pure darkness.
Elegant black attire. A gray coat draped like a cape.
Same height. Same age as Arthur.
Roland's expression turned serious.
Roland: I called you here because something major happened.
Merlin: What news?
Roland extinguished his cigarette.
It crumbled into ash between his fingers-
As if it had never existed.
He tossed the file onto the table.
Roland: The brat in that file… is Liberty Sacred's bearer.
Zane nearly rose from his seat.
Zane: He must be executed immediately!
Roland: Sorry. The execution order has been revoked.
Zane: What do you mean?!
Merlin struck the table.
Not with brute force-
With authority.
Merlin: My twin brother revoked it… didn't he?
Roland nodded.
Roland: He took on another student. Made the bearer his student.
The air in the room shifted.
Merlin's eyes darkened.
Merlin (In his mind): First Frost and Yujin… and now Liberty's bearer. What exactly is going through his head?
Merlin: Most Supremes aren't aware of Arthur's former students. Explain.
Roland took a deep breath.
Roland: Yujin Snakeman… the most talented and powerful rookie ever recorded. Even as a student, he could analyze certain Supreme-level fighters. But after certain events, he abandoned his master. Then… the massacres began. Had he remained a Guardian, he would be considered the second strongest in the world. Instead, he vanished. His whereabouts are unknown.
Silence thickened.
Roland: The other was Frost Hill. Not as purely gifted as Yujin… but more dangerous. Because he wielded two techniques. His primary technique one of the three divine swords… Godsplitter. That blade cuts through anything. It recognizes no defense. But to him, becoming a Guardian felt less like freedom… and more like chains. He left. Had he stayed… he would've ranked third strongest after Yujin.
Zane spoke quietly.
Zane: And now… Liberty's bearer.
Merlin had already decided.
Merlin: I issue an execution order.
The room turned ice cold.
Merlin: The one to carry it out… Roland Southwoods.
Roland lowered his head.
Roland: As you command.
He lifted his head.
Turned around.
Opened the massive door and walked out.
As it closed behind him, Merlin remained deep in thought.
Merlin (In his mind): The boy in that file… he feels strangely familiar.
But from where?