No one could say how long the tense silence had lasted.
Suddenly, an enraged roar shattered the stillness.
"He's playing us!!!"
Grant King slammed both palms down on the heavy coffee table. It exploded under the force, fragments flying as he shot to his feet. "This matter will not be left unresolved!"
Evelyn Shaw, ever ancient and composed, remained seated. Her withered expression didn't twitch, but the marble floor beneath her cane cracked without warning.
"It seems we've underestimated the ambitions of the Mutants..." Norman Osborn muttered, eyes narrowed in thought. "Perhaps the Second World Company wasn't formed just for profit..."
"Either way, the business is a disaster," he added coldly.
Victor Doom's expression flickered with something unreadable, though there was no anger behind it. "In that case, I'll be taking my leave."
He turned, walking out without ceremony. Osborn's eyes followed him, disapproval written plainly on his face.
"It's not over yet," Osborn said darkly. "Come now, Mr. Hansburn..."
Victor Doom shrugged as he paused. "The Doom Group doesn't have deep ties with the military like your Osborn Group. Our company wasn't invested in Oasis. We'll return to our core businesses. Why provoke the Mutants any further?"
His words made one thing clear: this wasn't just a business meeting.
Osborn's face darkened further. He wanted to speak again, but Doom had already turned and left. He didn't even acknowledge Grant King or Evelyn Shaw.
"It's late," Osborn muttered. "Faith, Evelyn... let's pretend none of this ever happened tonight."
He walked out.
Grant and Evelyn exchanged glances.
Evelyn smirked. "They wouldn't actually pay ten billion for a one-year agency contract, would they?"
"Ten billion a year? Even if they have the money, can they make enough to recover that on one continent?" Grant replied expressionlessly.
Evelyn fell silent.
"The Osborn Group's enhancement drug project is failing," Grant continued. "The military's losing patience. If it continues like this, they'll lose all future contracts. Tonight, their move failed."
His words weren't the ranting of a gangster—they were the insights of a political tactician who clearly had access to hidden knowledge.
"It seems the Osborn Group will be dropped from the military's priority investment list."
"Hmph," Evelyn snorted, disdain flashing in her eyes. "Super Soldier Project nonsense…"
Born from Elaria's ancient traditions, Evelyn looked down on artificial strength gained through chemicals.
"Victor Doom wasn't as calm as he pretended," Grant added. "The Doom Group rose through political manipulation. This mess will need explaining to someone."
Evelyn's eyebrows lifted slightly. "So those two businessmen had hidden agendas tonight… and we were the only ones actually in it for the money?"
"I'm a businessman too," Grant corrected her coldly. "Let me be clear: if this meeting had succeeded, I would've secured a spot in the mayoral race."
"So, that's your real motive," Evelyn said, unflinching. "Too bad Joseph wants no part in your schemes. Your mayoral dream... shattered."
Grant didn't react to the mockery.
"We're all the same," he said calmly. "Your Hand and the Association have been embedded in Japan's political web for decades. Don't tell me you joined this just for profit."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow again, dark energy faintly rippling around her before it faded.
"There's no point arguing now," she said, suddenly smiling like a serpent uncoiling after centuries. "We must cooperate from now on. If we don't provoke the Second World, Joseph might think we were just bluffing."
"Agreed," Grant replied with a smile. "Sometimes, a few subtle tricks can accomplish far more than open aggression."
Evelyn rose gracefully, her movements belying her frail appearance. As she moved to open the door, Grant called after her.
"If the Mutants retaliate, leave evidence behind."
She didn't answer.
But she never made it out the door.
A sudden gust of wind slammed it shut in her face.
"So, there really is someone behind you," came a slow clap.
On the couch where Joseph had been moments earlier, the man himself reappeared as if conjured from the shadows. His voice was calm, but the intensity in his eyes was unmistakable.
"So, cooperation was just one option. And if that failed, you'd provoke the Mutants into retaliation, leave evidence behind, and use it to smear them publicly?"
"Bang!"
The door Evelyn had tried to open was forcefully shut again by the wind. Her face trembled under the invisible pressure.
Grant's eyes widened. He spun around and instinctively took a defensive stance.
"You... how long have you been there?"
Evelyn snarled, "When did you sneak in?!"
Joseph smiled, his spiritual presence flooding the room. "I never left. I heard everything."
Seeing the tension on their faces, he sighed. "You knew you were dealing with a Mutant. Yet you thought planting hidden gunmen, infrared sensors, and traps would keep you safe?"
His tone was mocking.
Neither Grant nor Evelyn could answer.
Grant's knuckles cracked loudly as he clenched his fists, readying for battle.
Evelyn's eyes glinted. Her own powers were about to manifest.
But Joseph wasn't interested in a fight.
"Kate mentioned during dinner that human officials won't attack Mutants directly anymore... but they won't let the Second World grow unchecked either," he said, almost musing aloud. "I believed her. But I didn't expect you two to be their instruments."
He looked at them both, brow raised.
"Tell me, are the people behind you really in it just for the money? And if this deal fails, they plan to turn on us?"
The question was directed at Grant.
After a long pause, Grant finally said, "Yes, it's about the money. You of all people should understand... these alliances aren't unified."
"I see."
Joseph nodded.
"Then, Mr. King, would you be so kind as to share the names of those hoping to profit off Second World? If it's about money, they can approach me directly."
Grant remained silent.
He had no choice.
He couldn't run for mayor without those backers. And if he uttered even one of their names, it would end him politically.
Those people might fund the Oasis project quietly—but being exposed as accepting bribes from Mutants? That was career suicide.
Joseph understood.
He shook his head, almost disappointed.
"Profit clouds judgment. Power blinds ambition."
He narrowed his eyes.
"I suppose the past Mutants you encountered were too soft… they gave you the illusion that you had control."
And with that—Joseph's pupils turned crimson.
"Boom!!"
The ground beneath Grant exploded, vanishing into a swirling void. Marble, concrete, earth—gone.
He plummeted instantly.
Evelyn followed, her strength from Elaria and years of supernatural cultivation rendered useless in the blink of an eye.
The abyss swallowed them, endlessly deep. No light, no sound, no escape.
Time itself lost meaning.
And in that moment, both Grant King and Evelyn Shaw finally understood—Joseph was nothing like the other Mutants they'd crossed before.
He was something else entirely.
"You ever hear of 'sweeping black and evil?'" came Joseph's voice, smooth and chilling, echoing from their souls.
To cleanse darkness, you must uproot it completely.
Six-Ring Magic: Soul Domination.
----------------------------------------------------
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
-----------------------------------------------------
Book was fully completed and uploaded in patteron check it out