An unofficial meeting gathered Japan's major ruling-party lawmakers overnight.
Osaki Tomu of the governing Gamin Party slammed the table.
"What on earth is going on?! Hosaka Judo, the chairman himself, dead in a single night?!"
If it were just any other company, they wouldn't have cared whether the chairman or every last employee died.
But the Ronia Group led by the Hosaka family was different.
A prestigious conglomerate with centuries of history, still ranked among Japan's top five exporters.
A giant so influential that even the Japanese government couldn't easily touch it.
And the head of such a conglomerate had been murdered.
"Who's the culprit?"
"We haven't identified them yet."
Tomu squeezed his eyes shut.
No name came to mind even now.
Who the hell would be crazy enough to go after the Hosakas…?!
The Hosaka family and Kobe's biggest yakuza syndicate, the Yamaguchi-gumi.
Their long-standing ties were an open secret.
Everyone knew the rule.
If you touch the Hosakas, the Yamaguchi-gumi moves.
"Whoever it is, they've completely lost their fear."
"Exactly. I'm not even sure it matters whether we find them. They'll disappear without a trace anyway."
By now, the Yamaguchi-gumi would have already heard the news.
They were likely out hunting the killer.
"Well, whether we find the culprit or not, I've no idea how we're supposed to contain this situation."
"Indeed. A great star of Japan has fallen. Truly tragic. Don't you all agree?"
Gamin Party lawmakers parroted the sentiment while subtly gauging one another's reactions.
Watching them, Sato Tsubasa of the Innovation Party let out a small chuckle.
Fox-like old men. Tragic, my foot.
Even she wasn't sure whether they were actually saddened by the news or secretly pleased.
The Hosaka family had long been the Gamin Party's biggest financial backer.
Hosaka Judo's influence was immense.
Some even called him Japan's shadow ruler.
And now he was dead.
Some would mourn the destabilization of their money stream; others would smile at the fall of the man who held them in his grip.
Ding.
Tsubasa took out her phone.
A link had arrived via an unofficial line.
One tap, and a not-yet-released news article opened.
"Hah."
A dry laugh escaped her lips.
The older lawmakers clicked their tongues.
"Tsubasa! This is a meeting to prepare for a national emergency! Is this a time to grin at your phone?"
"This is what happens when you pamper the youngest lawmaker, calling her prodigy this and prodigy that!"
"No wonder the Innovation Party is stuck as the perpetual opposition."
Tsubasa was used to such scolding and didn't react.
Instead, she looked at the old foxes with a relaxed expression.
"About that culprit who killed Hosaka Judo. Looks like the government will have to step up after all."
"Good grief! Are you not listening?! We just said Yamaguchi-gumi will find them faster than we can. We should be discussing how to deal with the fallout first!"
"Exactly."
Tsubasa sighed deeply and held out her phone.
"How will Yamaguchi-gumi find anyone when they don't exist anymore?"
"What? What are you talking abou—?!"
Tomu froze mid-sentence.
He looked like he'd seen a ghost.
Before the other lawmakers could rush over to him, all their phones started ringing at once.
Tsubasa retrieved her phone and shrugged.
"You can check yourselves. Looks like it's already been leaked."
One by one, lawmakers checked their screens—and gasped.
Countless articles, all sharing similar headlines:
# Who erased the Yamaguchi-gumi?
# Japan's largest yakuza syndicate annihilated.
# Oyabun Yamaguchi dead.
# Hundreds of Yamaguchi-gumi members killed. At least 500 confirmed.
A heavy silence settled over the meeting room.
Until moments ago, they had only needed to find the culprit who killed Hosaka Judo.
But the annihilation of the Yamaguchi-gumi changed everything.
This was no longer the work of an individual.
Something was happening in Japan.
"I'll take my leave first."
Innovation Party lawmaker Sato Tsubasa rose to her feet.
She walked out of the room with a casual air, but the moment the door closed, her pace quickened.
Two pillars supporting the Gamin Party had collapsed overnight.
Coincidence? No.
Hosaka and Yamaguchi had fallen at the same time.
It was nearly impossible to chalk this up to coincidence.
Someone had understood their connection—and eliminated them in one stroke.
A chance.
The Gamin Party had always been too firmly entrenched to challenge.
But now it was shaking.
Who could it be?
She wanted to find them. No—she had to.
The one who had granted her such a golden opportunity.
Tsubasa took out her phone and made a call.
"This is Tsubasa. Contact Lottorie. There's someone we need to find. Tell them they can name any price."
She hung up and smiled.
A variable powerful enough to turn ripples into a tidal wave—
She would find them no matter what.
A luxury ryokan in Kyoto.
"Gghhh—this is incredible."
Jinhyuk let out a groan—not from pain, but from the perfect temperature of the hot spring he had just slipped into.
"It's amazing, nyang! My body's all melty!"
Kancho the Yodle Ranger floated lazily, looking like he'd ascended to paradise.
"It's been a while since I've enjoyed a hot spring like this."
Leaning against a rock, Dark also looked satisfied.
"You had hot springs where you lived?"
"Not like this. Mine was a natural hot spring next to a lava field."
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"Sometimes I'd scorch my skin red. The temperature fluctuated wildly."
"Oh…"
He had imagined something scenic and romantic when Dark mentioned natural hot springs.
Instead, it sounded like a death trap for anyone who wasn't undead.
Soon, the other side of the fence grew loud as well.
"It's too hot! Momo's gonna burn!"
"So young. A real hot spring should sear the body a little."
"Of course you say that, Grandma! Momo's a kid!"
"Grandma? I'll have you know that three thousand two hundred seventy-one is still youthful for an elf."
"No way! Elia's a granny!"
Judging by the splashing, they had started playing in the water.
Right as Jinhyuk thought it was cute, Elia let out a low whistle.
"Seira's impressive in more ways than one."
The comment sounded ominous.
"Hey, Granny! What's so impressive, nyang?! Tell us straight—"
Before the oblivious Kancho could finish, Jinhyuk dunked him underwater by the head.
Best not to hear any of that. It would only summon demons.
"So, when's the kaiseki coming out?"
He changed the subject and glanced around.
"Kaisegi? What's that, nyang?"
"Kaiseki—a multi-course meal. We had it at the exchange event."
"Oh! That super tasty stuff?! We get more?!"
"Momo wants some too!"
"There'll be plenty on your side as well. Just wait a bit."
According to what he had read, this ryokan was famous for its unique kaiseki presentation.
While he was still looking around, wondering where the food would come from—
Creak.
A section of the wooden wall slid open.
A small boat drifted inside.
Well, "small" was relative—it was at least two or three times bigger than Kancho floating nearby.
"It's here, nyang!!"
"It's here on this side too!"
Momo squealed excitedly.
Kancho, unable to wait, swam over and pulled the boat closer.
Ohhh.
Jinhyuk's eyes sparkled.
High-quality sashimi, sushi, king crab, grilled fish—every dish looked immaculate.
Judging by the sheer quantity, Jin Seohee had likely placed a special request.
"Can we eat now, nyang?!"
"Of course. Let's dig in."
He picked up a piece of fatty tuna belly.
He piled on a generous amount of wasabi and popped it into his mouth.
"Wow."
It melted instantly.
He had eaten tuna in Korea before, but nothing compared to this single bite.
This is real tuna!
He moved his chopsticks faster.
Meanwhile, Kancho filled their cups with chilled sake.
After having a bite of grilled mero, Jinhyuk picked up the cup Kancho had poured.
Dark and Kancho raised theirs at the same time.
A sharp burn spread down his throat, making Jinhyuk squeeze his eyes shut and shake his head.
Heavenly.
The warm hot spring, the cool night breeze brushing past, delicious food and crisp sake—
The word paradise naturally came to mind.
Japan really is something.
No wonder people flocked here.
Watching Kancho and Dark devour the food, he smiled.
Now that he finally had some breathing room, he decided he should travel more often.
He resumed picking up food.
The chaotic but joyful feast continued for quite some time.
Eventually—
"I can't eat anymore, nyang!"
Kancho surrendered, flopping onto his back and floating across the water.
Jinhyuk looked at the emptied boat.
Defeat followed by surrender… a Yodle Ranger's version of tea-bagging, perhaps.
His belly swollen, Kancho floated even better now.
"Momo's belly's gonna pop!"
Looked like the other side had finished as well.
"That was great. Really great."
Jinhyuk leaned against a rock and patted his stomach.
He tilted his head back to stare at the star-filled night sky.
The fatigue he'd been carrying since yesterday evaporated in an instant.
As a kid, he never understood why adults liked going to bathhouses to "soak."
Now he understood perfectly.
"Momo's wounds are all healed! Hot springs are the best!"
"That's my potion at work, child. Not the water."
"Really? Elia's the best!"
"Of course. Now, be a dear and massage my shoulders sometimes. They ache before it rains."
"Okay! I'll do it now!"
"Oh. Astonishingly ineffective. Try harder?"
"This is Momo's best!"
Momo could lift giant monster corpses effortlessly, but apparently that strength only applied when she was looting things.
Beep-beep. Beep-beep.
Jinhyuk's phone buzzed.
Midnight.
He stretched languidly and smiled.
Once they finished soaking and their stomachs settled, he planned to head up.
To find the final sword.
To climb to the ninth floor of the Tower of Myth.
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T/N:
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