In the morning, Mira urges Takumi to step outside—whether for supplies or simply to assess the situation and report back to Edenfall. However, the city has undergone a drastic transformation overnight.
Shuttered storefronts line the streets, their windows either barricaded or shattered. Graffiti sprawls across government buildings, scrawled messages of defiance and revolution staining the once-pristine walls. Whispers ripple through the crowds—protests haven't died down; they are escalating into full-scale riots.
Some civilians have begun wearing makeshift armor, preparing for the worst. Having seen how military forces in other countries have violently silenced dissent, they are taking no chances. The usual police presence is scarce, replaced instead by well-armed private security forces guarding the wealthy and powerful.
In a dimly lit room. The walls are adorned with massive screens, flickering maps, data feeds, and surveillance grids from around the world. Seated at a round, obsidian table are shadowy figures—representatives of the global elite. They are not politicians in the public eye, but the true powerbrokers behind nations. Untouchable. Unseen. Unaccountable.
A synthetic voice opens the meeting—its owner unknown, faceless even to the others. The world is watching chaos unfold, but here, in this room, decisions are made not with concern, but calculation.
The United States representative breaks the silence, his voice cold and direct.
"Japan... how did you fail to erase him? Dr. Kenji Sakamoto's broadcast has lit a fire across the world. The Antarctica Revelation is spiraling out of control."
The Japanese delegate bows his head slightly, his tone measured.
"Gentlemen, I offer my sincerest regrets. We scoured every possible lead. But Dr. Sakamoto vanished without a trace. What's more troubling—his signal was traced to U.S. How could that have happened?"
The U.S. elite narrows his eyes.
"Are you implying this is our failure? We are the ones who executed him, Don't forget that!"
A gruff voice cuts through the tension—Russia's delegate, calm but firm.
"Enough. Pointing fingers won't erase what's been revealed. Antarctica is now everyone's problem."
Another voice joins in, the U.S. delegate again, now with urgency:
"Which is why I say we start it. The time has come—to begin implementation of the New World Order. A unified. A single Earth authority."
China's elite folds his hands.
"Let's not be hasty. In East Asia—China, Korea, Japan—we still hold sway over our people. They can be... persuaded. Unlike the instability we see in the West., we China can still maintain our foods and industries, protester just little bit annoying but we can maintain them"
South Korea's representative interjects.
"That may be true for North Korea. But for us in the South, control is slipping fast. Riots, attacks, unrest. I agree—we need a world union. Now."
Russia turns to the table.
"The Middle East, Southeast Asia—those are the real pressure points. What solutions do our colleagues there offer?"
The Indonesian elite leans forward, his voice weary but sharp.
"We can no longer pacify our people. For decades, we kept them poor and uneducated, thinking they'd never rise. But now, they act without think—they burn. They want coup. I support the union."
From the UAE, another voice follows.
"Our oil no longer buys us time. You all have turned our lands into dumping grounds for weapons and war machines. Now those very weapons are used against us. The balance is broken—I too support the union."
The Japanese delegate nods in agreement.
"For the good of the global economy and our future people stability, this collapse must be contained. The union is no longer optional—it is essential."
Indonesia's delegate adds with quiet:
"For years, our people become markets consumed your products, our people exploited by your industries. Now, we are broke. Have nothing to buy or even sell, Our currency is a joke. If the union brings order—we welcome it."
Russia fixes his gaze on China.
"China, We all know your rise. You are now toe-to-toe with the West. But will you rise alone—or bring balance to this new world?"
China responds with a measured tone:
"We will agree—but we demand a leading seat at the table. The future must be shaped by those with power."
The U.S. elite speaks next, with a heavy breath.
"Then let it be known—we, the current face of United Nations, will take the blame. We will shape the narrative. The United Nations will fall... and something new will take its place."
Russia's delegate rises slightly, his voice echoing across the chamber:
"Then we are all agreed? No objections? Let this be the end of humanity bloody history turns."
No other countries speaks. Silence becomes assent.
As the meeting closes. Plans are being made that will change everything.
The world as humanity knows it is about to be rewritten.
And World Elites answer for this chaos are?..
The pale light of early morning filtered through the dusty windows of Takumi's apartment, casting long, quiet shadows across the room. Mira stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the streets below—silent, watchful.
"Takumi," she said softly, without turning. "I have to return to Edenfall."
Takumi sat up, still groggy, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Now? What's going on?"
"Takamura-dono summoned me," she replied, her voice steady but urgent. "Things are accelerating. There's movement among the higher ranks… it's time we prepare."
She turned, walking over to him. Gently, she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Go take a good look around, You'll be okay. Just stay alert. Trust your instincts. I'll come back when I'm done."
Takumi looked down, hesitation in his voice.
"I… I'll try. Just… thank you, Mira-san."
She held his gaze, firmer now.
"Also, Don't let the darkness get to you again. Don't ever think of ending your life. Not after coming this far."
He gave a faint nod. "I understand… Mira-san."
A small, rare smile touched her lips. "Take care of yourself, Takumi-kun."
With a final glance, she turned and disappeared into the soft morning haze, slipping into the city's shadows—leaving Takumi once again to face a world that no longer felt familiar.
From morning to dusk, Takumi scoured the internet, absorbing update after update on the world's unraveling. The headlines hadn't changed—crime continued to spiral out of control. In his country, the police were stretched thin, overwhelmed by the sheer number of incidents. Every day, new footage surfaced: looting, armed robbery, street violence. The system was cracking.
Sitting alone in his dim apartment, Takumi muttered to himself,
"I know it's not as bad here as some places I've seen online, but the crime rate is still through the roof. They're targeting the wealthy... that's probably why I'm still safe. No one wants to rob the poor."
He sighed, leaning back in his chair.
"I worry about her, though... but she lives with Kirishima in that rich district. Most of those elites have private security or even hired police by now. She should be safe..."
"I will take a look outside situation"
Takumi stood up and grabbed his bag, glancing around.
"Where's my wakizashi...? Ah, right—Mira-san still has it."
He took a cautious look outside. the sky was already a bruised purple, evening shadows creeping across the city. As he stepped out and walked along the silent streets, he noticed the shift—shops boarded up, metal shutters locked tight. Most people stayed inside, windows darkened, curtains drawn.
As he neared one of the broader roads, he halted.
A low rumble echoed down the asphalt. Headlights approached. A gang of bikers cruised through the area—faces covered, machetes and pipes strapped to their backs. They weren't just roaming. They were scanning.
Takumi ducked behind a vending machine, holding his breath. The gang rolled past slowly, eyes peeled. A new kind of law ruled the streets now—wild, armed, and unafraid.
"I can keep exploring... just hide and observe like this," Takumi murmured to himself.
He wandered the city, quiet and vigilant. From sunset until nearly midnight, he moved like a shadow—studying, memorizing, adapting.
From a distance, he observed the upscale neighborhoods. Gated mansions stood behind high walls, guarded by hired police and private security. Bright floodlights bathed the properties in cold light, casting long shadows on the empty streets.
A few cars still passed through the roads, but none lingered. Their drivers kept their speed high, eager to outrun the creeping chaos that now defined the world outside their windows.
As Takumi rounded a quiet block and passed a narrow alley, a sudden scream tore through the silence.
"Let me go!! Somebody—help!!"
Takumi stopped in his tracks, heart thundering. He turned, eyes narrowing toward the source. A woman's voice—desperate, shaking.
He crept closer and peered into the alley.
Four men. One woman. She was being held down, her clothes torn, her cries muffled. Her boyfriend lay nearby, unconscious, blood pooling from a head wound. The attackers laughed, cruel and drunk with power.
Takumi froze. His fists clenched. His legs refused to move.
Then Mira's voice echoed in his mind:
"Stay out of trouble. Survive first. Don't throw yourself away."
His chest tightened.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry... I'm so sorry," Takumi whispered through clenched teeth, his voice cracking.
He turned and ran.
The sounds of the woman's screams echoed behind him. The laughter. The horror. His eyes burned, tears slipping down his face as he disappeared into the dark.
He wanted to save her. He hated himself for not being able to.
But he ran anyway.
"Idiot!" Takumi slammed his fist against his head. "You could've saved her! Why did you run?! You coward… useless coward…"
He wandered aimlessly, consumed by self-hating. His feet moved without direction, carrying him through the cold night. His mind replayed the alley again and again—her screams, the blood, his own fear. He hated himself. He felt worthless. Powerless.
Somehow, his path took him closer to the rich district. Behind those tall walls, people had security, guards, protection. But outside? That's where the real danger lurked. The predators waited in the dark, targeting the wealthy... and especially the women.
Takumi crossed a bridge, lost in thought. The moment kept repeating in his head, clawing at his chest.
Then— A scream.
"ARI-CHAN!!"
Takumi's heart stopped.
That voice—
His eyes widened. He knew it. Yuki.
Without thinking, he ran.
What he saw next was the stuff of nightmares.
A sleek, black sportscar had been blocked in the middle of the street. Seven men surrounded it, armed with bats and metal pipes. Arisuke Kirishima lay on the ground, barely conscious, his body covered in bruises and blood. His luxury jacket was torn, face swollen.
Yuki screamed from the passenger side, struggling as one of the men ripped open the door and dragged her out.
"I told you to give us the damn keys, rich boy!" one of the thugs barked, slamming a boot into Arisuke's stomach.
Another laughed, eyeing Yuki. "Damn you... rich, sport car, and dating a girl like this? Life was way too good to you."
"Ari-chan!! Are you okay?!" Yuki cried, trying to push away from the men, but they grabbed her arms.
One thug grabbed Arisuke by the hair and yanked his head up.
"Give us the keys, and let us borrow your girl." He sneered, laughing with the others.
Arisuke spat blood. "Don't… touch her…"
"Or what?" one of them growled—and brought a bat crashing down across Arisuke's face.
"Ari-chan!!!" Yuki shrieked.
Takumi froze for a moment—his body trembling, heart pounding.
Yuki Hanazawa. The girl Takumi loved.
One of the men grabbed her by the hair and yanked her close, grabbing her face with both hands.
"Damn, girl. You're real cute. I like you."
Just as his fingers reached her cheek—
Takumi struck.
He exploded from the shadows, launching forward like a bullet. His foot connected squarely with the man's face in a bone-crunching kick that sent him flying into the side of the car.
Everyone turned.
Takumi landed in a low stance, fists clenched, eyes blazing.
His body move itself, though he was outnumbered. Unarmed. Didn't matter. Not this time.
"This is my promise to you, I will save you, Yuki-chan!"
A promise that will soon be fulfilled