Chapter 138: Aftermath

Two weeks had passed since the catastrophe at the Awakened Tournament.

In that time, the world had been given countless explanations, apologies, and promises.

None of them were enough.

The footage of the tournament’s destruction had spread across every major news outlet, and the public’s outrage had only intensified as more details emerged. What was supposed to be an event celebrating humanity’s strongest young Awakened had turned into a disaster that nearly cost hundreds of lives.

Buildings had been destroyed. Civilians had suffered injuries that would take months to recover from, and several Awakened remained hospitalized even now. The Association had been forced to compensate the victims, cover medical expenses, and begin a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

And at the center of it all stood the Awakened Association itself.

Chairman Apollo had personally addressed the public during a press conference shortly after the incident. He had taken full responsibility for the Association’s failure to prevent the catastrophe, even acknowledging that the security measures in place had been insufficient.

He hadn’t attempted to shift the blame onto his subordinates.

Nor had he made excuses.

He had simply apologized, promised a thorough investigation, and assured the public that those responsible would be brought to justice.

It was the best response he could have given.

Unfortunately, it hadn’t answered the question that mattered most.

Why had Crimson-Crow done this?

The guild had never been known for its morality. Over the years, it had become a haven for rogue Awakened, criminals, and individuals who preferred operating outside the law. Nevertheless, even the most ruthless organizations understood that attacking an international tournament filled with influential Awakened was practically an invitation to war.

And yet, they had done precisely that.

What had they hoped to accomplish?

Inside the Association headquarters, Chairman Apollo sat behind his desk, his arms folded as he stared at the documents spread before him.

The room was unusually quiet.

Across from him sat Levi, his long white hair falling neatly over his shoulders. Beside him was Assistant Manager Choi, whose usual tired expression seemed even more pronounced than normal.

Neville, the leader of Silver Wing occupied the remaining chair.

Unlike the others, he wasn’t looking at the documents.

He was staring out the window.

The silence continued for several seconds before Apollo finally exhaled.

"Let’s go over this one more time."

Choi rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Chairman, with all due respect, we’ve gone over it eleven times already."

"Then we’ll make it twelve."

"...Of course."

Levi suppressed a faint smile.

"At least someone’s enthusiasm hasn’t diminished."

"Enthusiasm?" Choi muttered. "I’ve barely slept for two weeks. I’ve reviewed security reports until my eyes started hurting, interrogated dozens of witnesses, and spent the last three days dealing with representatives demanding to know why the Association couldn’t protect its own tournament."

He dropped a folder onto the desk.

"If this is enthusiasm, I’d hate to see what exhaustion looks like."

Apollo ignored the complaint and opened the topmost document.

"According to our investigation, Crimson-Crow had operatives positioned throughout the tournament grounds before the first round even began. They weren’t simply waiting for an opportunity to attack. They had prepared for the possibility of an incident well in advance."

"Which means the attack wasn’t spontaneous," Levi concluded. "They knew what they were doing."

"That much is obvious," Neville said.

It was the first time he’d spoken in several minutes.

His voice was calm, almost disinterested, but the others knew better than to mistake that calmness for a lack of concern.

Neville leaned back in his chair.

"What I want to know is why. What could possibly have been worth provoking the entire international Awakened community?"

"Perhaps they wanted to demonstrate that the Association couldn’t protect its own people," Levi suggested. "A public humiliation on this scale would certainly damage our credibility."

"That would be a rather expensive way to make a point," Apollo replied. "And it doesn’t explain why they were willing to risk exposing their own members."

"Unless the attack itself wasn’t the objective."

Choi’s words drew the attention of everyone in the room.

He tapped a finger against the folder in front of him.

"We’ve spent two weeks examining the incident from the perspective of an attack. But what if the tournament was merely an opportunity? What if Crimson-Crow was looking for something, or someone, and the chaos was a convenient way to achieve their objective?"

Apollo’s expression hardened.

"Do you have anything to support that theory?"

"Nothing conclusive. That’s the problem."

Choi sighed.

"We’ve found evidence of tampering, unauthorized access, and suspicious movements before the incident. However, every trail we’ve followed has either ended abruptly or led to people who knew remarkably little. Whoever planned this made certain that we wouldn’t find anything useful."

"How reassuring," Levi remarked.

Neville remained silent again.

His gaze had shifted from the window to the documents on Apollo’s desk, though he didn’t appear particularly interested in reading them.

There was something else on his mind.

Something he hadn’t shared with the others.

Before Apollo could continue, a knock sounded at the office door.

All four men turned toward it.

"Come in," Apollo ordered.

The door opened, revealing a young man with silver hair and striking purple eyes.

He wore simple clothes, his posture relaxed enough to seem almost disrespectful in the presence of the Association’s highest-ranking officials. Nevertheless, there was nothing careless about the way he carried himself.

His gaze swept across the room before settling on the chairman.

"I heard you were looking for answers."

Apollo studied the newcomer for a moment.

"And you are?"

"Elio."

Choi rose from his seat.

"Chairman, this is the individual I mentioned earlier. I personally invited him after he contacted me with information regarding Crimson-Crow."

Levi’s expression changed slightly.

"The tournament’s runner-up?"

"The same one," Choi confirmed.

Elio gave a small, almost indifferent smile.

"I’d congratulate you on remembering me, but I imagine the tournament wasn’t particularly memorable for the reasons you’d hoped."

"Your sense of humor needs work," Choi muttered.

Apollo gestured toward the empty chair.

"Sit down, Elio. If you truly have information regarding Crimson-Crow, I’d appreciate hearing it."

"Of course."