Chapter 438 — I’ll Be There

Damian said nothing, his hand moving to his spatial ring.

Light flashed as a cigar materialized in his palm.

He brought it to his lips, his other hand producing a small flame that lit the end.

Smoke curled upward as he exhaled, his eyes tracking toward the window showing Tranquil City beyond.

The silence stretched.

Mike waited, knowing Damian well enough by now to understand when words were coming.

Finally, Damian spoke.

"I know."

"You destroyed all their confidence, then mentally tortured them for hours..." Mike continued, his voice becoming harder. "Even if they understand what you were trying to do, even if they eventually realize this was meant to strengthen them..." He paused. "They might hate you for this. Being forced to confront their fears for hours, experiencing the worst moments of their lives on repeat... I’ll have to talk with them and help them process what just happened... These are still kids, Damian."

Damian’s back remained to Mike, his eyes still fixed on the city outside.

When he spoke, his voice came out barely above a whisper.

"It doesn’t matter if they hate me."

He took another drag from the cigar, letting the smoke curl upward.

"I’m their leader before I’m their friend." His fingers tightened on the cigar. "And a leader does what needs to be done, whether you understand it or hate them for it."

Mike opened his mouth, then closed it again.

The words hung in the air between them.

Then, Damian’s hand moved to his spatial ring again, light flashing as something new materialized.

An artifact, small and intricate, covered in engravings that seemed to shift in the light.

He turned finally, extending it toward Mike.

"Soon our world will start generating treasures naturally as the Aura levels rise." His voice remained quiet and clinical. "You can use this artifact to track their locations. If you can take them, do it... You can ask the Unnamed Four for help."

He paused.

"If you can’t handle it even with their assistance, then leave it." His crimson eyes met Mike’s. "And only give those treasures to the Mafia members who deserve them. The ones who prove they’re willing to push past their limits."

’How did he manage to get an artifact like this?’

Mike took the artifact slowly, his weathered hands closing around it.

He looked at Damian’s face, searching for something he couldn’t quite name.

Something about the way Damian spoke felt wrong, like there was more being left unsaid.

His instincts screamed that Damian was preparing to disappear again, that all of this brutal training and handing over responsibilities meant he was getting ready to leave.

"Just... come back alive, whatever it is you’re planning now."

He sighed as he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway.

Damian remained alone by the window, watching the city below.

’I don’t know which world Khra’gath is in right now...’

The thought settled heavy and unavoidable.

’His world could be connected to any of the giant portals scattered across the northern region... How long will it take to find him? Weeks? Months?’

Buzz Buzz

His communicator vibrated against his leg.

Damian pulled it out, frowning at the unknown number on the screen.

His thumb hovered over the decline button for a moment before he accepted the call.

"Good evening, Damian." The voice came through clear, carrying authority. "This is Arch-Inquisitor Ezra Thorne. We met briefly at your home months ago."

Damian’s eyebrows rose fractionally.

’The Arch-Inquisitor? Why is he calling me?’

"I remember... You gave me your card."

His voice came out cautious.

"Indeed." Ezra’s tone shifted, becoming more businesslike. "I’ll get straight to the point... I’ve been following the news coverage from Tranquil City. Your performance during the Shadow Council attack caught my attention."

Damian said nothing, as he waited.

"Killing Jonathan despite the rank gap and his demon enhancement..." Ezra paused. "The reports from the Governor’s interrogation were equally interesting... Perfection in Abyssal Slaughter... and that too at such a young age."

The cigar burned forgotten in Damian’s hand.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I recently learned about a military initiative in the north." Ezra’s voice became more direct. "The giant portals have become significantly more dangerous in recent weeks. Geniuses from their race have entered the battlefields."

Damian’s hand tightened on the communicator.

’Giant geniuses... Has Khra’gath entered as well?’

"Our A rank Major Generals are dying at rates never seen before." Ezra’s tone carried weight. "We’ve lost more officers in the past month than in the previous five years combined."

His breathing slowed.

"So the military has established a training center in the north... They’re recruiting top A rank awakeners from across the Federation, whether in talent or raw strength, for preparation before deployment to the giant portals."

Damian’s eyes tracked the city lights below.

"I reviewed your combat records after reading the news reports." Ezra continued. "You have shown capabilities that exceed your rank on paper. More importantly, you’ve already survived multiple unexpected portal situations..."

His hand moved to crush the cigar against the windowsill.

"I recommended your name to the higher-ups." Ezra said simply. "They approved it immediately after reviewing the Governor’s reports. If you’re interested, there’s a spot waiting for you at the Northern Military Training Center..."

The ash scattered across the ground as Damian whispered.

"...When should I leave?"

"The hypersonic train to the Capitol leaves from Tranquil City station in two hours." Ezra’s voice carried approval. "I can have military staff waiting for you at the platform. From there, transport to the Northern Military Training Center will be arranged."

His reflection stared back from the window glass.

"I’ll be there on time."

Ezra was quiet for a moment.

"The staff will be waiting at platform seven. Ask for Officer Naira, she’ll have your documentation."

His voice shifted slightly.

"Good luck, Damian."

The line went dead.

Damian lowered the communicator slowly, his eyes tracking across the city one final time.

’Two hours...’

His hand moved to his spatial ring, checking the contents through instinct.

Everything he needed was already stored, weapons, supplies and emergency provisions.

His boots clicked against the floor as he turned away from the window, heading toward the door.

Nobody stopped him as he walked out into the night.

Behind him, the Mafia headquarters stood silent. Inside, five broken students were beginning to piece themselves back together. Whether they would hate him or not, only time would tell.

The Unnamed Four would continue protecting the city.

Luna and the others would stay safe at the academy.

Ahead, awaiting for him were the Giant geniuses who’d unified under a leader he needed to find.

Damian’s hand moved to check the transforming gun, feeling the weight of it through his spatial ring.

His two lifetimes of preparation were about to be tested.