-Vol 6: Dusk of An Era-

-Elders’ Council’s Decisions-

After the doctor left, with nothing better to do, and Yuki was still busy with her work, Kenshin could only decide to lay on the floor and rest. The thing he had done today was, by his standards, a lot. He had singlehandedly slaughtered a whole family that seemed to had been existence for a century. His willpower was high as he was able to endure the emotional rebound, but the consequences would much more severe in the future. The impact this incident would have on Japan would be by no way small.

Kawakuchi family was a pillar family of one of the huge prefectures of Japan, controlling many big small businesses. Not only businesses but they also produced many hunters who were both strong and influential. Having connections in many places, for a family like that to be slaughtered overnight, Kenshin was sure many heads will be turned eventually. Although he didn’t leave any clues behind, they will surely look into his matter as he seems to have a beef with that family.

While not afraid of being investigated, it would still be bad if they find some clues on him. After all, this world is vast, who knows what type of skills people have? There might be some who act as a lie detector or something similar!

‘Let’s not think about it anymore. If what that maid did is really true, then I might not even get investigated in the first place.’ Thought Kenshin while his eyelids gradually became heavy. The lull of sleep was too much for him to endure, and he gradually fell asleep where he lay.

At this time, Ena entered the room. But seeing Kenshin passed out, she held back what she wanted to say and returned before covering him in a piece of blanket. There was a genial smile on her face, it was forced as its hard to show real emotions when you are a zombie, but she tried nonetheless.

…

While Kenshin and co were resting peacefully, the world wasn’t that peaceful. Like what Kenshin expected, similar attacks were happening everywhere, all around the earth. The pattern was also similar. After hunting monsters in a high-level dungeon, a red packet would drop. Depending on what claims that packet, these greasy monsters would emerge, wreaking havoc everywhere. No matter which town it was, if they had a level 10 or above dungeon, such attacks would happen.

Within just a day, the world had changed for the worst, but Kenshinw as none the wiser. He just snoozed away until the evening.

At this time, one a certain luxurious room, a very important discussion was taking place. The participants of this discussion were all the elders of the Elders’ Council, the fabled secret controller of the world. Unlike the last time where the discussion sounded relaxed, today, a very tense atmosphere could felt in the room. Even the butler, David, had to leave the room as he was unable to endure the pressure.

Still, no one present in their real bodies, using the talisman as their means of communication.

It was the elder Ver who started the conversation, he cleared his throat to dispel the oppressive atmosphere before saying, “we have lost contact with Fiji, Papua Neuguana, New Caledonia, half of New Zealand, while another half already drowned in water… and many big and small islands… even big countries like a NY had been affected heavily. Many big and small cities and towns are heavily affected, a few even destroyed. All this done by the same black looking leathery creature with unimaginable strength.”

Silence… until the talisman with bunny picture vibrated. This talisman belonged to Elder Lict.

“What? So many places are affected?” his voice was laced with disbelief.

“Yes, unfortunately, so.” elder Ver confirmed before asking, “Do you have any clue what’s happening, Elder Lict?”

“Clue, eh, I do have some idea regarding this matter. You know about Earth’s current status, right? To clarify what ‘she’ said, I came here… the situation is worse than we think. Although it's not final yet, I have been hearing rumors about colonizing some planets using a unique way by the people here… I don’t even know if they are talking about earth or some other place…”

“What about her? What did she say?” the one who asked this was the leader of the council, the man with a young-sounding voice.

“Her! She vanished the moment we arrived here, said something about meeting with an old friend. She isn’t that reliable. If not for opening the gate, I wouldn’t have even followed her,” this time, Elder Lict’s playful voice sounded grave, indicating how much he detested this so-called woman.

“Anyway, so you have any clues, what is this situation we are facing? What are these red packets that drop after killing monsters in these high-level dungeons?” the leader of the association asked.

“What red packets? I don’t know anything about them, let me ask around first. On another note, I might have to stay here for a few more months. The dimensional barrier in this place is a bit too strong, I can’t form a gateway link if I don’t have a sufficient connection to the dimension.”

“It's okay, Elder Lict, you can take your time. While at it, please enquire about the situation we are facing.”

“Alright, will do. Ah, yes, Elder Mountain, this news might just interest you. Here, people who have the same ability as your daughter enjoy quite a high position in society. In fact, I have heard that a woman with the same ability as Miss Aoi’s is a Religion Pope that controlled a whole continent, can you believe it?”

“What, really?” the one who shouted this was the woman, Elder Doe.

“Yes, that’s right. I hope you keep this piece of news in mind and decided further. Elder Mountain, don’t think I have something alternative in my mind, I am purely saying it out of concern, you know, towards you know what.” Elder Lict’s voice cracked, seemingly unsure of what he was saying.

Suddenly a silence descended upon the room but was soon broken by the leader.

“Ahem, that’s not the issue here. We will talk about that later, for now, we have to think about how to cope with the situation at hand. If something isn’t done immediately, at this rate, we will lose people’s trust.” The leader insisted, raising his voice above normal.

“We should stop people from looting their drops the moment they see it. let’s send a dungeon official equipped with some specialized gears to check the drops with every team that decides to venture into high-level dungeons.” It was none other than Elder Mountain, the man about whose daughter they were just talking.

“Agreed, also we must always enlist a fully equipped team into the DCB branches, as well as, those Private Guild controlled areas so that if by any mistake one of those gets out, they can immediately take care of it. also, we should make it a point that, if any surviving member of the team that allowed such creatures to come out is to be caught, he/she should be punished heavily.” Elder Lict said, which was verbally agreed by everyone. Well, almost everyone, as Elder Mountain only snorted.

“Alright. We will be doing that then. Also, I announce one from the council to move and visit all those heavily affected areas. Let the people know that we care about them. Tokyo has been the first of many huge cuties to get attacked. Also the Hunters Academy there was heavily destroyed, how about this; Elder Doe, you should accompany Elder Mountain and visit there?” the leader of the group announced, which brought upon another silence on the table.

“Hmm, good idea. Then I will visit NY, while Elder Flower, you should go to those dilapidated islands that barely survived. With your ability, you can reach anywhere on earth as long as it’s connected to water, right?” Elder Ver said in agreement.

“Okay, no problem.” The stern woman agreed, too, not that much against this idea.

While normally they were too reluctant to move and felt it beneath their status to attend trivial peoples, this time it’s a special case. Their very reputation was at stake here, they couldn't act nonchalantly, or else consequences would be dire in the long run.