MEMELAND

A full moon illuminated the hidden chamber.

Eight chairs surrounded the long black table.

Two remained empty.

One...

Would never be occupied again.

The other...

Waited for someone who never arrived.

The remaining members sat in silence.

No one spoke.

The leader sat at the head of the table.

Watching.

Waiting.

The chamber doors slowly opened.

Footsteps echoed.

The doctor walked inside carrying several notebooks beneath one arm.

His smile hadn't changed.

"So sorry."

"I lost track of time."

He casually sat down.

The leader spoke.

"...Begin."

Silence.

Then—

The aristocratic man stood.

"The large-scale device is progressing."

"Our current focus remains long-range mental domination."

"The core arrays have stabilized."

"We've encountered several inefficiencies."

"...Nothing that cannot be solved."

He sat back down.

The blonde man continued without standing.

"My support has been adequate."

"The synchronization process is proceeding smoothly."

"We estimate completion within the projected schedule."

The leader nodded.

"Continue."

Fais crossed his arms.

"I still haven't located the Order of Karma."

"They're careful."

"They erase every trace."

"They relocate before I arrive."

His expression darkened.

"...But I'll find them."

The leader simply nodded.

Jack leaned back comfortably.

"I've been making quite a haul."

"The black market has become very cooperative after Muscle City's little incident."

He placed several cracked Demon Cores onto the table.

"I've recovered dozens of damaged Demon Cores."

"Most are useless."

He then carefully placed another crystal beside them.

Unlike the others—

This one glowed a deep blue.

"A Greater Demon's core."

"The best one I managed to acquire."

He smiled.

"I'll continue collecting materials."

"They'll become useful later."

His eyes briefly shifted toward the leader.

"...Especially for future projects."

The crystal disappeared back into his coat.

The leader looked toward the doctor.

Dr. Z immediately opened one notebook.

Then another.

Then another.

Pages filled with anatomical sketches.

Measurements.

Notes.

Cross-sections.

Hybrid diagrams.

"My hybrid research has exceeded expectations."

"Survivability has increased."

"Compatibility has increased."

"Combat capability has increased."

He flipped another page.

"My greatest breakthrough..."

"...Magic Circuits."

The chamber became slightly quieter.

Even the leader looked interested.

Dr. Z continued enthusiastically.

"The performance increase inside hybrids is extraordinary."

"The integration process exceeded my calculations."

"The results were only possible thanks to a voluntary human test subject."

He smiled.

"...Kai."

No one interrupted.

"He provided information that allowed me to complete several missing sections."

"Not everything."

"But enough."

He adjusted his glasses.

"The results on hybrids are exceptional."

"The results on humans..."

"...remain incomplete."

He flipped toward another page.

"My test subject successfully activated the Circuits."

"But..."

"The backlash was severe."

"The data remains insufficient."

The leader finally spoke.

"...Kai."

"...Who is he?"

The aristocratic man answered first.

"I've never met him."

The blonde man spoke next.

"My informants mention him frequently."

"He's gained influence within Muscle City."

"Several important figures trust him."

Fais shrugged.

"...Weak."

Jack chuckled.

"Persistent."

"Every report involving him somehow ends with him surviving."

"Like a cockroach."

Dr. Z smiled proudly.

"My test subject."

"My greatest source of data."

The leader slowly nodded.

"...Noted."

Silence settled over the chamber.

Then—

The leader spoke once more.

"Akari is missing."

No one answered.

The leader looked toward Dr. Z.

"Find her."

The doctor's smile widened.

"...With pleasure."

The leader slowly rose.

"Our next objective proceeds as planned."

"Continue your respective operations."

"The world continues moving exactly where we desire."

No one questioned the order.

No one objected.

The meeting had ended.

The chamber lights extinguished.

Darkness swallowed everything.

Footsteps echoed one after another.

One by one—

The members left.

Silence returned.

...

..

.

.

.

.

.

.

A voice echoed somewhere in the darkness.

"...Aight."

"Let's go."

Footsteps answered.

Another voice spoke from somewhere nearby.

"...Don't go stubbing your toe again."

A cheerful laugh followed.

"So..."

"This is what you people do after every meeting?"

"...Interesting."

A amused voice echoed through the darkness.

For a brief moment—

No one replied.

Then several footsteps disappeared into the Darkness...

No one stubbed their toe this time...