Organization's Meeting

Italy.

9:46 am.

Inside an underground bunker somewhere in Italy, 12 people sat together on a chair surrounding a large projection of the globe.

Darkness filled the room as there was no spec of light around aside from the small light projection illuminating the center.

The 12 people wore dark robes and only their lips were the only feature that could be seen by the naked eye.

However, there's an empty chair without an owner. She wondered who could be in there. Freya's guards were raised, but the overwhelming pressure of the people around caused goosebumps on her skin.

Looking at them, she could vaguely guess their power levels.

'All of them… are SS-Class at least.'

Hidden beneath this bunker was 12 SS-Class. If this is known to the world, then humanity should have a total of 28 SS-Class by now excluding Hans.

'How could they hide their tracks?'

The more powerful a person was, the more difficult it would be to hide his presence. After all, every move of them would cause a ruckus.

Freya stood behind where Spades currently sat.

"Spades, this is really a surprise. I can't believe you could invite her to become a member." One of the robed people said.

"Well, you seem reluctant to trust my abilities, Shion." Spades replied as he leaned back to the chair, showing a laid-back expression.

"Reluctant?" Shion looked at the others and giggled, "We all don't trust you at all. Who do you think you are?"

"Is it because I served him? That seemed like a grudge."

"Haha, Urs became a problem when you two attacked our main headquarters." Shion stood up and slammed her palms on the table. "Who wouldn't have a grudge against that fucking bastard!!?"

Hearing their conversation, Freya's eyes widened.

'Urs already know the existence of the Illuminati!?'

The information would be enough to catch the others by surprise.

'But why?'

Why didn't Urs tell them that this organization existed?

Wouldn't it be better to cooperate to take this organization down?

However, not only did he keep it, but also attacked this organization all alone. What's even more surprising is he still managed to remain alive.

Meaning, Urs might have defeated this organization or escaped.

Spades chuckled loudly. He crossed his hand on his chest and stared at the Shion.

"He's dead now. What's the fuss?" Spades grinned.

"Fuss? You fucking Urs' slave."

"Hahahaha, you really are the best in annoying people, Shion."

"You!!!"

At that moment.

"You two, can you please shut up!"

A husky voice reverberated in the room, causing the two of them to stop speaking. Shion hurumped at Spades before she sat back down on her seat. However, her killing intent was clearly directed at Spades.

On the other side, Spades was unfazed by her and he only ignored her.

"The plan was going smoothly this time. We can't afford infighting in our group otherwise, our plan might be delayed."

Freya shifted her eyes towards the man who was currently speaking. The black aura surrounding him was clearly visible to her, and she was certain that its attributes lie between either evil or darkness.

She had seen the evil mana property at Hans, but the quality of Hans' mana was weaker than this man.

'I might not be able to win.'

Freya ran simulations in her head but the result was nothing more than defeat. However, it's not accurate considering this man's unknown abilities.

Suddenly, Freya perceived several eyes staring at her. The mana on her hand was about to burst when she felt that her life was at stake.

But as soon as it happened, the threat of death abruptly vanished.

"Enough about the plan for now. Let's talk about our new guest." The man looked at Spades and continued, "How did you manage to get her?"

At the man's words, Freya looked at Spades. She wondered how he would respond but all she witnessed was him being unfazed even in the face of such an important question.

"Hm… well, I abducted her and…"

"And?"

"...and then I threatened her family if she didn't join our group."

Shion was about to rebut when the man looked at her, causing her to stop.

"The Illuminati isn't a place where you can recruit anyone. Freya is a variable once she turns her back on us. Are you sure you could handle the consequences?" The man asked.

He fiddled his fingers which made everyone wonder what he might be thinking. Spades' gaze stayed on the man and laughed.

"She might not agree to our darkest tasks but she'll surely comply. I got her by the neck, don't worry."

Although Freya knew that all of this was Spades' facade, she still couldn't help but clenched her fists. Her family had become her weakness and Spades exposed it to others.

Now, they could also use that on her.

Even then, she remained calm and cool. The Illuminati is a powerful organization that consists of 12 SS-Class. Once she displayed any suspicious actions, they would notice it immediately.

At that moment, the man glared at Freya.

Darkness seemingly swallowed the light, and endless shadows devoured her will to resist. Due to the difference in mana, Freya's knees trembled.

Her mana was stripped and she wasn't even at full power now. Recovering would take time as she already reached her level cap.

However, if she obtained stat enhancing or adding treasures, she'll be back in her prime in no time.

"Freya Taylor, if you betray us, I'll make sure you will regret it."

Hearing his words, Freya's throat tightened. With a face full of frustration, she answered, "I will never…"

"If that's the case then that's good. We'll find out in no time. Nonetheless, welcome to Illuminati."

"Thank you." Freya bowed.

"Mm…"

The man glanced at others before he stood up from his seat. "We'll start the objective of the meeting today. We are now reaching the climax of our plan."

At the man's words, everyone straightened their backs and fixed their postures. A seriousness appeared on their glinting eyes as they exchanged glances at each other.

The true purpose of this meeting is not only to welcome Freya but also to discuss the arrival of their 'Boss'.

The man spoke.

"The holder of the keys already entered that place. In any case, the entrance would appear once it was gathered in one place. We need to prepare for the interference of other Awakened."

Hearing the man, everyone glanced at Freya. The other Awakened is the 14 SS-Class known to humanity. Freya lowered her head and stood still, not bothering to look at them one by one.

"Kai would be a troublesome enemy. How will we deal with him?" This time, Spades took the initiative to ask.

Back when he was still with Urs, they met Kai. Even though they only clashed a little bit, Kai easily overwhelmed Urs in terms of everything.

'That guy… is the real monster.'

The title of Humanity's Strongest Awakened truly befitted his name.

The man frowned. He held his chin and spoke.

"We can't afford to cause a massive war before the boss arrives."

"Which means we have to avoid him at all costs, right?" One of the robed men asked.

The man nodded, "That's right."

Another member asked, "Is he really that strong? I heard rumors about him but I think they are just exaggerating."

Spades shook his head as a helpless smile formed on his lips. He looked at Karson, the man who asked, and recalled how arrogant and narcissistic his personality was.

"Kai is on a whole nother realm of his own. When I was still with Urs, we fought him." Spades said.

"So?"

"Do you know how many hits it took to defeat us?"

"Tell me."

Spades smiled. He raised his hand and flicked his middle finger and thumb.

"All it took was a flick of his finger…" Spades' eyes trembled as he remembered that scene. He continued, "...a flick of his finger, and Urs' undead army was decimated in a flash. Well, of course, the army was just composed of S-class monsters."

At that moment, Karson bit his lips. He could visualize Spades' story but to think that Kai could effortlessly do that made him a little reluctant.

They are all SS-Class.

Why does it seem like they were all in a different realm?

The man, who seemed to be the temporary leader, also heard it, and his eyebrows scrunched together.

Although he didn't doubt Spades' words, he still glanced at Freya, trying to confirm it.

Freya immediately realized it and answered, "I don't know. Kai only showed up when a strong monster appeared. Sometimes, he'll also check if all of us are still alive. But none of us dared to fight him so I'm not sure how strong he is."

"Hmm…is that so?"

The man nodded. 10 years ago, he also tried investigating Kai but he was as slippery as a snake. They didn't find any shadows of him other than traces that he'd been at that several places.

"We might be able to take him down but it would also cause us casualties." Spades remarked.

"Then why are we avoiding him? We are blessed by 'him'. We won't die even if we're killed."

"Haha, you seem to be forgetting that Kai isn't the only enemy we have. Miguel, David, Senon, Kristina, Cassia, Louis, Magnus, and the others. They are not one to be trifled with either."

Due to Spades' words, the room fell into a deafening silence. None of them really expected the power Kai has.

It's like they were hearing someone that shouldn't be in the same ranks as them anymore.

"Is he possibly an SSS-Class? That's like an absurd power level. We're all level 300 but why is the gap so big?" One of the members muttered.

Spades shook his head.

'That's talent for you.'

No matter how much they work hard, the talented and blessed would always reign on the top.

It's a privilege available only to the chosen ones.

Spades jovially clapped his hands, waking everyone in dazed.

"Well, as long as we avoid him, we're good to go. Don't panic y'all. Once our boss arrives, it's still a game over for them."

"Spades is right. Even if we encounter him, I can use the last Kaliasus Shackle." The man said.

Freya tilted her head in confusion. Although everyone knows what a Kaliasus Shackle was, she, on the other hand, was clueless.

'What's that?' She whispered to Spades using telepathy.

Spades answered back.

't's a seal imbued with the mana of the Abyssal, Kaliasus. According to tales, Kaliasus was a God banished from the world due to his overwhelmingly handsome face. His siblings, together with his parents, sealed him using a chain.'

'Then, how did you guys get this?'

'Over time, the chain was corrupted with his mana and he eventually escaped. The chains binding him drifted in the void and ended in our boss' hands.'

'I see…'

If what Spades told her was right, then it might really be possible to seal Kai.

When that happens, the others are done for.

Freya didn't want that to happen but she couldn't think of any possible ways to do that. According to Spades, she would always be monitored so she should not leave their sights.

Which means, she wouldn't be able to do anything.

However, she's confused about something.

Old Man Roshi predicted that Italy would be destroyed. All of his predictions are accurate and happened the way he elaborated.

She looked at Spades and asked him once again.

'Does your boss have a tiger summon, pets, mounts, or anything?'

The others were discussing so Freya and Spades' actions weren't discovered. What's more, they are talking through telepathy.

'Why asked about that?'

'Just answer me!'

'No. He does not have one. Why?'

'Nothing.'

'Weirdo.'

Freya ended the telepathic connection and her eyes narrowed.

According to the prediction, Italy would be destroyed by a man accompanied by a tiger in his arms.

Since the Illuminati's boss wasn't the one.

Then who?