Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Stage, Performance, Audience

Half an hour later.

Tokisaki Kurumi had already left, leaving only the logistics team of the Port Mafia to manage the aftermath of the event.

Several dark vehicles of the Port Mafia were parked outside the warehouse. Armed members of the Mafia surrounded the area, vigilant for any potential threats, while ensuring the safety of the important figures inside.

Inside the warehouse, Ogai Mori, who had just arrived, was taking in the surroundings.

Amidst more than twenty desiccated bodies caused by abnormal circumstances, his demeanor remained calm. He even crouched down, leaning closer to one of the bodies for a closer inspection.

"Boss, here's the information you requested."

"Thank you."

Ogai Mori accepted the files handed to him by a subordinate, containing the profiles of members from the Omi Alliance. He flipped through the pages until he found one that bore a slight resemblance to the corpse before him.

He examined the profile picture of a young, strong gang member, then looked back at the withered, elderly corpse, confirming the tattoo's placement and design before falling into silence.

Without a doubt, these bodies had belonged to gang members aged between twenty and forty just half an hour prior.

But for some unknown reason, they had suddenly aged, losing all vitality and transforming into old men, leading to their demise.

No, it wouldn't be accurate to say the cause was unknown.

He had a few suspicions about the reason.

Tokisaki Kurumi, that mysterious and dangerous girl, had done something to these individuals that resulted in their "aging to death."

"There are no fatal wounds, and it doesn't appear to be poisoning. They didn't suffer in death; it's as if they passed away peacefully, like elderly individuals." As a doctor, Ogai Mori quickly concluded from his experience, "It seems this is also the work of Miss Tokisaki, making me even more curious about her abilities."

He stood up and addressed the logistics members nearby, who were prepared with their gear: "You're in charge of cleanup. Dispose of these bodies discreetly, but keep one in the morgue. I want to examine it personally when I have time."

"Understood, Boss."

The Mafia members filed in, beginning to clean up the scene.

"It's truly unsettling."

At that moment, a restless, irritated male voice came from beside Ogai Mori. "Sometimes I wonder who the real monster is: humans or me."

"Chuuya-kun, you finally arrived." Ogai Mori stood up, looking at the man in a suit and bowler hat. "What are your thoughts after witnessing this scene?"

Chuuya Nakahara, one of the five executives of the Port Mafia and head of the combat division.

He was the strongest trump card of the Port Mafia, a formidable superpower user whom even the government feared. His existence was one of the reasons the government often turned a blind eye to the Port Mafia's crimes.

At his peak, he could effortlessly destroy a city, making him a near-unstoppable force on a global scale.

"My thoughts? Don't phrase it like you invited me to a show." Chuuya clicked his tongue in annoyance. "If I'd known you were dragging me to a place like this tonight, I would've feigned ignorance and gone to bed."

"Isn't this a performance put on by our new member?" Ogai Mori asked, spreading his arms in a rhetorical gesture. "This is the stage I provided for her, yet I never anticipated her performance would be so shocking."

"Boss, are you feeling too much pressure? They say doctors can't treat themselves, so maybe you should see a psychiatrist." Chuuya's lips twitched. "Though I've seen plenty of corpses and lost count of how many I've killed, this... honestly just disgusts me. Where did such a monster come from?"

"I'd like to know the answer to that as well," Ogai Mori shrugged. "But unfortunately, Miss Tokisaki approached us on her own. Due to certain special circumstances, I decided to accept her into the organization."

"Are you sure it's a correct decision to let someone like that join?"

"If by 'correct' you mean 'beneficial for the organization,' then yes, it is a correct decision."

"I hope so."

"It sounds like you have strong opinions about Miss Tokisaki, Chuuya-kun," Ogai Mori observed, glancing at him. "You haven't even met her yet. Don't be so hostile—she's a colleague in the organization. You'll definitely interact with her in the future, and I don't want any discord among our key members."

"Yeah, even without meeting her, I already find her infuriating. Tokisaki Kurumi is the first." Chuuya huffed. "Boss, could you please consider my feelings when choosing new members? Why is it that I always dislike the ones you're interested in?"

"That sounds more like a personal issue, Chuuya-kun." Ogai Mori chuckled. "I choose individuals who can provide value to the organization. Whether you get along with them is something I'd like you to adjust to."

"In your view, Tokisaki Kurumi is someone who brings value to the organization?"

"Absolutely."

"Even after witnessing this scene?"

"What scene?"

"These lifeless, drained corpses thrown here like trash."

"In my eyes, these are merely bodies," Ogai Mori replied calmly. "Whether beheaded, poisoned, shot, bled out, or drained of life, they are all dead. Is there truly a difference?"

"Well... if you put it that way." Chuuya's expression darkened. "Anyway, just give me her information. Although I dislike her methods, she's still a colleague. I'll do my best to accept her. After all, there can't be anyone more annoying than Dazai."

"Information? I don't have any."

"What?" Chuuya's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Literally," Ogai Mori replied innocently. "Her abilities, real age, name, nationality, past experiences—none of it."

"Are you insane?" Chuuya stared at him as if he were crazy. "You're letting someone so suspicious join us without any background information?"

"I've mentioned I have my reasons."

"Boss, you..."

Chuuya wanted to argue, but after working beside Ogai Mori for so long, he understood that these "special reasons" were likely too classified for even him to know.

As such, Tokisaki Kurumi joining the Port Mafia was already a certainty.

Even if he wanted to protest, it would be futile.

With an annoyed click of his tongue, Chuuya turned and left the warehouse without a backward glance.

Ogai Mori stood alone, his gaze sweeping over the elderly faces again, his expression growing more profound.

"Have I truly encountered a man-eating demon this time...?"

Recalling his conversation with Tokisaki Kurumi, he murmured to himself,

"Is this a blessing or a curse?"