In one of the looming towers that stood in the downtown of Los Angeles, a critical meeting between the major powers of the West Coast was being held.

From the Federal Intelligence Agency, to the CORE Intelligence Specialist Team, and the SIGIL Fourth Division. All were gathered into one single spot.

Permeating the meeting room, which reflected the West Coast skyline, was silence. It was a pervaded and muted stillness.

Several days had passed since the collaboration between the major powers after the widespread cyberattack that struck every data center on the West Coast.

No results came from the Federal Military, Secret Agents, and Corporate Spies. There was nothing, leaving them to wonder if the attack had truly occurred.

After all, searching every household throughout the city of Los Angeles hadn't yielded the results they wanted, and protests had been ramping up.

The general public has been angry these past few days, citing their civil rights during the federal military campaign.

Even the governors, mayors, and politicians who previously supported the collaboration between major forces began to backpedal when public opinion soured.

"The culprits of the widespread cyberattack haven't been arrested despite the complete effort of several major powers."

"We have been rocking the boat a bit too much, causing instability throughout the West Coast. I suggest we end the collaboration between us."

The one speaking was the diplomatic representative of the Federal West Coast. The CORE Delegation and the SIGIL Fourth Commissioners frowned at the idea.

Especially when the culprit of the widespread cyberattack hadn't been found, it was a foolish and cowardly thing to do.

If the one who had done such a thing was capable of doing it once, they would be adept at making it happen the second time.

A risk that SIGIL Block 4 and CORE weren't willing to gamble.

"The suspect hadn't been found yet. Ending the investigation now leaves us vulnerable to another cyberattack." One of the Commissions argued, earning the nods of the CORE Delegation.

"I agree... It's too dangerous to leave the culprit alive or free. I believe that all of us have secrets we would like to hide." A Delegation member spoke and added.

"Notably, when this information is being utilized. Am I right, Federal Representative? Your facilities in the south are being sunk one after another."

"Ignoring would be hard when fireworks are being blasted into the skies one after another." The member revealed, receiving the cold glare of the diplomatic official.

"At least no mountains are being flattened in the south." The official remarked, prompting the commissions to grunt in response.

The destruction of multiple underground installations was noticed by the major powers, alongside the clash between the Rogue Blade and the Sixth Paragon.

Even though Alastair repaired most of the damage, pictures of the flattened mountains got scattered throughout the federal web.

It went beyond the control of the SIGIL Fourth Division and the Federal Intelligence Agency. The public became aware of the devastating duel between the strongest of Jaegers.

"Let us not throw the blame at each other and focus on the subject at hand. The culprit of the cyberattack must be taken care of."

"Instead of gathering evidence, it's time to handle the possible culprits of the incident. Even if they might not be the suspect, we can't take chances." The member proposed.

The commissioners and the diplomatic representative pondered the idea. Although ruthless, it was the only path they could take.

Obviously, it would be troublesome if the public became aware of their plan. It must be done as a black operation, but one question remains, regardless.

Who would be the one holding the blade?

Everyone within the meeting room stared at one another, silence piercing through the air. The one wielding the blade would be responsible for the aftermath.

If the scandal ever escapes from information confinement, their reputation would be dealt a heavy blow.

A risk none of them was willing to take.

Alongside the silence, there was a tinge of agreement that the plan to handle every suspicious individual had been thrown to the back of their minds.

"How about the East Coast? Any news from them?" A Delegation member questioned both the SIGIL Commissioners and the Federal Representative.

Both answered differently.

The federal official responded. "No cyberattacks on the East Coast have been confirmed. Besides, they have no intelligence about the suspect."

After the representative's response, everyone looked at the Commissioners of the SIGIL Block 4. "Ehem... Our relationship with other divisions hasn't been calm these past few months."

"Especially towards Block 5 and Block 7..."

"Ah, right... I forgot. Both of your organizations had the bright idea of throwing the strongest of humanity and the Intelligence Director to a tribunal."

The sarcasm of the Delegation member was thick. It made the nerves of the Commissioners and Officers pop due to the sheer anger they were keeping inside their hearts.

The meeting between the major powers was stalling. It was the fact that everyone of them understood. The suspect remains on the loose, doing godforsaken what.

But after some moments of silence, a member of the SIGIL Fourth Commission suggested. "Is there a possibility that the members of Block 7 could be involved?"

"The timing of their existence within the West Coast alongside the emergence of the widespread cyberattack shouldn't be a coincidence."

"Besides, they have a probable cause for doing it."

A Delegation member raised their eyebrows and questioned. "Are you trying to target the pups of the White Devil? You know the price of doing such a thing, right?"

"Death would be a mercy for you."

Hearing the words of the member, chills echoed within the spines of everyone in the meeting room. None of them had forgotten the power the strongest of humanity held.

The seventh Paragon was akin to a legend, a myth that shouldn't be possible but existed.

"Block 7 might be the best suspects to start with." The federal official proclaimed, his colleagues nodding in agreement.

The Delegation members looked at the Commissioners and the Officers, understanding that these fools had already made their decisions.

"CORE will not collaborate in this operation of yours. We wish to not face the wrath of the White Devil." The leader of the Delegation members announced, standing up.

Glancing at the Commissioners and Officials for one last time, the leader sighed to himself and walked out of the meeting room.

The Delegation members followed from behind as the ones who remained looked at each other. After a few seconds, they continued their discussion.

It was as though the CORE Delegation didn't matter at all.

"Has the collaboration between us and the major powers ended, Sir?" A Delegation member questioned as they walked through the hallway.

The leader halted, glancing at him. "If it spares us from the wrath of the White Devil. CORE had never collaborated with the Fourth Division and the Federation in any way."

Hearing his words, every Delegation member nodded as the group continued marching through the hallway of the towering building.

---

In the central looming tower of New Janus, Hecate stood alongside Damien, who leaned on the concrete wall. Since their temporary return, a few things have occurred.

The Dobermann Family has agreed to host the orphanage of the metahuman children experimented on by the Federation while new identities were being forged for the kids.

The city of New Janus was a fortress protected by Block 7. It was the safest place those children could be. Even if the Federation could find them, the Seventh Division would be there to protect them.

None of those kids would be negotiated or treated as products.

At any rate, Damien opened his status display while waiting for the arrival of their boss. Almost a week had passed since his last contact with the seventh Paragon.

Over a month had passed since he met Francine. It was an unfortunate circumstance. Sadly, the only thing he and his partner could do was wait.

"Hmm... I'm poor now."

---

| Monster Gacha System |

-| Boss Title : [ Oberon ] |

-| Monster(s) : Three-Star EX Monster: Eclipse(Idol), Three-Star EX Monster: Starlight, Two-Star EX Monster: Great Devourer, Two-Star EX Monster: Neurophages, One-Star EX Monster: Prothonian, Two-Star TE Monster: Silhouettes, Four-Star TE Monster: Mechanized Draconic God, One-Star TE Monster: Hellhound, Three-Star TE Monster: Griffin, Two-Star TE Monster: Tarasque, One-Star TE Monster: Anaconda, Two-Star TE Monster: Direwolf, Three-Star TE Monster: Behemoth, Three-Star TE Monster: Orochi, Two-Star TE Monster: Heavenly Bull, One-Star PA Monster: Banshee, Two-Star PA Monster: Oni, Two-Star PA Monster: Dullahan, One-Star PA Monster: Shadow Hound, One-Star PA Monster: Onryo |

-| Skill Index : Raptured Blink(Eclipse Passive), Intangible Fracture(Eclipse), Cryptic Eyes of Dominion(Eclipse Passive), Dreams of Eternity(Starlight), Void Maw(Great Devourer), Ancient Wisdom(Prothonean), Hive Assimilation(Neurophages), Duplex Operation(Silhouettes), Machine Awakening(Mechanized Draconic God), Machine Control(Mechanized Draconic God), Draconic Dominion(Mechanized Draconic God), Chains of Judgment(Hellhound), Empyrean Overwatch(Griffin), Majesty(Griffin), Carapace of Legends(Tarasque), Constriction(Anaconda), Pack Howl(Direwolf), Tectonic Steps(Behemoth), Venoms of Eightfold Death(Orochi), Celestial Charge(Heavenly Bull), Wailing Death(Banshee), Demonic Strength(Oni), Mark of Death(Dullahan), Hunting Darkness(Shadow Hound), Curse of Vengeance(Onryo) |

-| Command Seal(s): [ 234/235 ] |

<| Terror Point(s) : 3245|>

---

3,245 Terror Points... It might be a lot for others. But to Damien, anything below five thousand was what he considered as poor while barely reaching a thousand was no different from bankruptcy.

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