"This is... definitely something," I muttered, my eyes scanning the pure white hallway as we walked.
"Right?" Robert replied from ahead, glancing back over his shoulder. "Joseph's pretty thorough with things like this."
He let out a small chuckle.
"Even the law firm I'm in is tied into his network. Makes things way easier to deal with."
I nodded, crossing my arms as I rested my chin against my finger, still taking everything in.
At the end of the hallway, heavy metal doors slid open.
We stepped inside.
"...Oh."
The space beyond opened up into something massive. An underground command center, or at least something close to it. Offices were built into the walls in layers, overlooking the lower levels. People in black uniforms moved with purpose, mixed in with others wearing tailored suits and even full military attire.
"Dope, isn't it?" Robert said, turning to face me as he spread his arms slightly.
A dry laugh slipped out of me as I walked past him, stopping near the railing and looking down.
Far below, people rushed around like ants, moving between stations and equipment.
"Dope... sure," I muttered. "This is borderline illegal though, isn't it?"
I shook my head, then stopped.
"...Are those-"
"Tanks?" Robert cut in casually. "Yeah. This is just one of Joseph's branches."
I turned to him immediately, brows pulling together.
"What the hell does he need tanks for? What is this, a private army?"
Robert paused, staring at me like I'd just said something incredibly obvious.
Then he glanced down toward the lower levels, where equipment was being loaded into massive elevators.
"I thought that was already clear."
My expression flattened.
"And why would he even need something like that?" I pressed, pointing toward a jet being lifted into one of the elevators. "Not just mercs, but full-on military hardware?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he turned and gestured for me to follow.
So I did, my frown deepening with every step.
We passed more sections packed with equipment. Some were being moved, others stored. The entire facility trembled slightly as something heavy shifted deeper within.
Then we passed something that almost made me stop in place.
An entire runway.
Part of the mountain itself opened up, revealing a massive exit point as a jet accelerated forward and launched into the sky. Moments later, thick steel doors began sealing the opening again.
"...This is still considered 'little'?" I muttered under my breath.
"For Joseph?" Robert said with a light chuckle.
"Yeah."
We kept walking deeper into the facility until we reached another secured room. The doors slid open again, revealing something completely out of place-a normal living room.
Inside, a man in a blue suit sat on one of the couches, glasses resting low on his nose as he quietly read a newspaper, legs crossed like he was in his own home.
"There's even an indoor plant...?" I muttered, glancing at the potted plant beside him.
Robert didn't hesitate.
"Seth, how's it going?"
The man paused, lowering his glasses slightly as he looked over. The moment his eyes landed on me, he stood up and adjusted his tie.
He nodded at Robert, shaking his hand briefly, before turning to me.
"Kyle... it's been a while."
I studied him for a second before returning the handshake.
"...Joseph."
I let out a small breath, rubbing my eyes lightly.
"You've changed."
A faint chuckle escaped him as he straightened his suit.
"Not as much as you think. I'm still the same person you helped back in our second year... just older."
He gestured toward the seats.
"You, on the other hand..." his gaze lingered for a moment as he looked me over, then he gave a small nod. "It seems what we heard was true."
"What did you hear?" I asked, taking a seat beside Robert, who had already started pouring himself tea without a care.
Joseph didn't answer immediately. He exchanged a brief glance with Robert before sitting down across from us.
A quiet tension settled in the room.
"Mr. Mingyuan told us," he said at last.
My eyes narrowed slightly, but I didn't interrupt.
"You... no. You and Anathasia..." he paused, choosing his words more carefully this time.
"You aren't human. Are you?"
I went still.
My gaze lowered as the thought settled.
...As expected,
It wouldn't have been difficult for him to figure it out.
If Mr. Mingyuan told him, then he probably had his a reasons.
Beside me, Robert remained silent, calmly sipping his tea as if the conversation had nothing to do with him.
Joseph continued after a brief pause.
"He also made it clear that this isn't something that should spread."
His voice dropped slightly.
"Unless we want to see the world collapse because of it."
My expression flattened.
That sounds like him.
A bit exaggerated... but not entirely wrong.
For a moment, Anathasia crossed my mind. She wouldn't take that lightly.
"That's... what else did he tell you?" I asked, leaning back against the couch as I watched him search for the right words.
"Outer Gods..." he began, swallowing before meeting my eyes again. "Beings that make cosmic horror seem... inadequate."
A brief pause.
"You're one of them?"
The room fell silent.
I didn't answer right away. I inhaled once, my gaze drifting to the teacup resting on the table between us.
"I only found out recently," I said at last, watching my reflection ripple across the surface.
"About twenty years ago."
Neither of them spoke. Their attention dropped to their own cups, the weight of it settling in.
So I continued.
"I still grew up as a human," I added quietly. "That hasn't really changed."
Another stretch of silence passed.
Then Robert leaned back into the couch, exhaling lightly.
"Well... that's enough for me."
Joseph nodded, a small smile forming as he looked at me again.
"I had a feeling something was different about you back then," he said. "When you let me join your group in second year."
He let out a quiet breath.
"Guess I wasn't completely off."
"And he's right," Robert added, taking another sip of his tea. "You're still you. Doesn't matter what you are."
Joseph chuckled softly.
"Still the same guy who saved us back then."
"...Not wrong," I muttered, shaking my head slightly.
I picked up my cup and took a slow sip before setting it back down.
"But putting that aside..."
"What's all that outside?" I asked. "A private military or something?"
My eyes narrowed slightly.
"And how exactly did you get your hands on tanks... and everything else?"
"It's part of a deal," Joseph replied simply. "A weapons deal with Mr. Fuyukawa."
I leaned forward a bit, elbows resting on my knees as my hands clasped together.
"Shuishou International Conglomerates handles military contracts too?"
"Shuishou Industries, specifically," he corrected with a small nod, leaning back against the couch. His gaze drifted toward the plant beside him.
"They expanded into supplying weapons to certain countries. It started with a fighter they developed-more advanced electronics, lower cost, easier maintenance."
I hummed, leaning back as I crossed my arms, resting my chin against one finger.
"I remember Mr. Shinzhou mentioning they started with hardware and software back when they were still local suppliers..."
A small pause.
"Didn't expect them to branch into military that fast."
My eyes dropped to the teacup in front of me before something clicked.
"Wait," I said, looking back up. "Then what's the private military for?"
Joseph didn't answer right away.
He and Robert exchanged a glance before both of them stood up.
"...It's easier to show you," Robert said, offering his hand.
I hesitated for a second, then took it and stood, following them out.
-
A few minutes later, we stepped out onto a platform overlooking the mountainside.
An endless stretch of rainforest spread out before us, layers of green rolling into the distance.
"We're deep in the southern Mindanao range," Joseph said, clasping his hands behind his back. "Far enough to stay hidden. Close enough to move when needed."
Robert remained quiet, eyes fixed on the horizon.
Joseph glanced back at me, a faint smile forming.
"Close enough to respond if anyone finds out about your identity."
BOOM.
The sound tore through the air.
A shockwave hit a second later, followed by the roar of a jet cutting across the sky before climbing sharply upward.
I tracked the white trail it left behind, still fading into the distance.
"...What do jets and tanks have to do with keeping something like that quiet?" I muttered.
Joseph turned back toward the mountains, his hands still behind him.
"Mr. Fuyukawa and Mr. Mingyuan started noticing increased foreign activity over a decade ago," he said.
"Early 2035."
My eyes widened slightly.
"That long...?"
Both of them nodded.
Joseph continued, voice steady.
"And based on what we've seen since then..."
He paused, finally turning to face me.
"...it's not hard to assume that you and your family-"
A brief beat.
"-are targets."