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Glenn Weil led Aaron to a room on the second basement level, where a sign on the door read, "Deputy Director General Qonas."
Glenn Weil stepped forward and knocked on the door. When a low voice from inside said, "Come in," Glenn Weil opened the door for Aaron.
Aaron nodded slightly and walked in. Glenn did not follow, but gently closed the door and waited outside.
The room's decor was exceptionally luxurious. The floor was covered with thick, pure wool carpets woven with ornate patterns, and all the tables and chairs were made of exquisitely carved mahogany, emitting a faint, pleasant fragrance.
The Deputy Director General of MI9, Qonas Kilgor—ostensibly a Sequence 5 "Mentor of Disorder" of the Lawyer Pathway, but in reality a Sequence 4 "Earl of the Fallen"—sat behind a mahogany desk, scrutinizing Aaron with his deep blue, almost black eyes.
He had thick but neat black eyebrows, short, stiff, matching hair, a high, mountain-like nose, and a large patch of beard extending around his mouth.
His features were sharp, his face long, his lines cold, giving him a very tough-guy demeanor. His shoulders were exceptionally broad, making his clothes stretch tightly.
He held a "chief cigar" from the Miconte region of East Balam—widely regarded as the best cigar in the world.
Qonas took a deep puff of his cigar, his deep blue, almost black eyes narrowing slightly. Aaron felt a sense of oppression wash over him.
Looking at the accomplice of the Backlund Smog incident, who was now exhaling smoke in front of him, Aaron couldn't help but sneer internally:
"Only revealing the strength of a Sequence 5, trying to give me a warning? A fool's dream."
Seeing Aaron's calm expression, a hint of surprise flashed in Qonas's eyes. He stopped using his oppressive aura to intimidate the young man before him.
After all, outwardly, he was currently only a Sequence 5 "Mentor of Disorder," and his ability to contend with a demigod relied entirely on a powerful Sealed Artifact.
He slowly began, "Welcome, Major Aaron Weil, to MI9. You have been assigned to the Fourth Special Investigation Team of the Abnormal Affairs Tribunal as Deputy Team Leader."
"I hope that in your future work, you will uphold the principle of loyalty to Loen and His Majesty the King, and achieve great deeds."
Qonas emphasized the words 'loyalty to His Majesty the King.' Seeing that Aaron still maintained a deadpan expression, he waved his hand, dismissing him.
Glenn, waiting outside the door, saw Aaron walk out expressionlessly. He had an 'I knew it' look on his face and said nothing more, leading Aaron towards the Fourth Special Investigation Team's office.
Aaron pushed open the door. The interior was simple yet elegant, with light wood tables and chairs that exuded a rigorous yet friendly atmosphere. He stood at the doorway, scanning the room, and found that the large office contained only three people.
Team Leader Major Glenn cleared his throat and walked in, pointing to a burly man closest to the door and introducing him to Aaron:
"This is Captain Klaus Reinhertz, our team's executive specialist, a Sequence 8 'Folk of Rage,' who previously served in the navy."
Then, pointing to a blonde youth nearby, he said, "This is Captain Inott King, a Sequence 8 'Barbarian.'"
Finally, he pointed to a silent but extremely diligent woman with long brown hair sitting in the innermost part of the room and introduced her:
"This is Lieutenant Maya Zenoni, who was recently seconded to our team. She is a Sequence 9 'Mystery Pryer,' responsible for the analysis and decryption of Beyonder clues."
Aaron stood at the doorway, understanding the abilities and divisions of labor of the team members. He also noticed the surprise in his team members' eyes, realizing they had recognized him.
After all, whether it was killing the serial killer, or establishing the East Tack Bicycle Company, coupled with his own identity, he was definitely a well-known figure in Backlund, especially in a place like MI9.
"Everyone, I am Aaron, the new Deputy Team Leader." His voice was steady, his words concise yet full of confidence. "In the days to come, let us face the challenges ahead together and begin our work."
-----------------
East Backlund, the dilapidated Torso Street.
Miya Kalif, her eyes bloodshot and vacant, sat blankly on the bed. Her child had died of some illness, her husband had left her, and she herself had been dismissed from the factory due to her dazed state.
She didn't know why she was here. Her only remaining memories were some fragmented moments from before and some vague, terrifying images.
In a daze, she heard seductive whispers, seemingly offering to lead her away from her pain.
In a moment of blurred consciousness, Miya seemed to see a cross that filled the sky, on which a naked man was nailed with black iron nails and ancient wooden stakes.
His arms were spread, his feet were above, his head hung like a pendant, and his body was covered with streaks of blood.
Behind the cross was a shadow that covered the entire world, and a pair of indescribable eyes slowly opened.
In just an instant, everything shattered. The room seemed like a mere illusory facade, crumbling inch by inch. In her last moments of consciousness, Miya desperately reached out her hand to the inverted figure on the cross.
In a dimly lit basement on Torso Street, Miya, lying on the bed, suddenly flushed crimson, and her eyes snapped open.
Before the few black-robed figures around her could step forward to check, vibrant red tendrils sprouted from Miya's eyes, mouth, ears, and every pore on her body.
Miya's body was covered in cracks, yet not a single drop of blood flowed out. Her body rapidly shriveled, and the vibrant red tendrils swayed without wind, finally intertwining and coiling into a blood cocoon.
The black-robed figures around her instantly fell silent, their faces trembling with fear, all showing expressions of repentance.
Drip, drop, drip, drop.
Accompanied by footsteps, a person wearing a hooded black robe, with an eerily beautiful, unmasculine face, walked into the basement.
One of the black-robed figures cautiously stepped forward, saying with a trembling voice:
"Respected Mr. A, the Lord's attempt to descend has failed again. The fragile bodies of mortals simply cannot bear the great Lord, not even a trace of His power."
"I suggest we try with Beyonders of different Sequences for the next attempt."
Mr. A prostrated himself on the ground with a pious expression, murmuring in a low voice. Several thick, bloody tendrils immediately extended from beneath his black robe, slowly and carefully removing the blood cocoon from Miya's corpse.
The tendrils retracted, dragging the blood cocoon into Mr. A's black robe. Accompanied by a scream, the left arm of the black-robed person who had just spoken was severed at the root.
Mr. A, who had already risen, stared at everyone with his sinister eyes, a look of intoxicated pleasure on his face. He opened his mouth and slowly swallowed the arm in his hand, which was still spurting blood.
He smacked his lips, extended a vivid red tongue, and licked his lips, as if savoring the taste. He looked at everyone and spoke with a cold tone:
"I agree with his suggestion for the next attempt. You should also be grateful that this woman ultimately chose to embrace the Lord, and thus the Lord's power was not lost."
"Otherwise, it wouldn't have been just an arm." Mr. A snorted, and many of the black-robed figures trembled, involuntarily recalling their companions who had "merged into one" with Mr. A after previous failed experiments.
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