*******............"Father, what is this good news you mentioned earlier? You said it can only be shared at home," inquired Haruko, a beautiful young woman dressed in a doctor's attire. She stood before her middle-aged father, who sat in an armchair, his face beaming like a child who had just received a delectable treat."Hahahaha! Haruko, my dear, this news is truly remarkable for us," chuckled the middle-aged man, amused by his daughter's curiosity."What is it, Father?" Haruko's eyes narrowed as she looked at her father, who seemed to be talking in circles."Ahem!" Realizing his jokes were not entertaining his daughter, he cleared his throat and adopted a serious expression.The middle-aged man was Dr. Hirono Yugami, and Haruko Yugami was his only daughter."Do you recall what happened ten years ago and the changes it brought upon our peaceful society?" Dr. Hirono asked, his mind drifting back to the events he had witnessed that year."Yes, if my memory serves me right, that was
*******............(Star Dust Group)"Hello, Ms. Yuki," an employee addressed her, interrupting her intense keyboard tapping. "There is a shortage of all three of our products in the mall in the city center area. The manager has informed us to deliver the products as soon as we can."Yuki's surprise was evident as she replied, "What? I just sent them the products three days ago. Ahh! Whatever, here, take this file and have it signed by the boss." She quickly realized why the situation had arisen and, fortunately, had prepared the files in advance. They contained crucial information regarding material costs, employee expenses, total profits, and other necessary details."Okay, Ms. Yuki," the employee acknowledged, taking the files and departing to deliver them to the top floor for signing."Damn it! Now I understand why Ms. Shinha looked at me with pity and said, 'Good luck,'" Yuki muttered, glancing at the mountain of paperwork on her desk. She had been toiling away at it since la
*******............After Aashi had her fill, she patted her satiated stomach in the car, and Erick took over driving. They set their destination at random, their curiosity piqued."Aashi, what were you about to say earlier?" Erick asked, genuinely intrigued."Oh, right! I almost forgot," Aashi replied, scratching her head in absentmindedness. Then she collected her thoughts and began discussing the matter."Ah, I snooped around to find out more about the man who contacted us for the meeting. His name is Katsutoshi Kirin. After a little research, I discovered that he is a retired general from the army.""Hmm, did you check what kind of person he is?" Erick inquired, aware that not all retired individuals are commendable."Of course! I've already done that," Aashi responded, transferring the data onto the car's display screen.As Erick glanced at the screen and perused the man's accomplishments, he couldn't help but be impressed."Katsutoshi Kirin, a true god of war. Impressive," Eric
*******............"Hmmn! You can just call me Old Jin or Gramps Jin, and there's no need to be so formal with me, young Erick," Old Jin humbly addressed himself, finding his full name unnecessary. He took a liking to the young man and encouraged Erick to adopt a more casual tone."Alright, Gramps Jin! Have you been taking care of this garden?" Erick inquired, sensing the genuine life force emanating from the plants."Hmmn! Yes, I live alone here, and tending to this garden keeps me occupied. It's also a way for me to indulge in my hobby of nurturing plants," Old Jin replied, sitting down as he gently caressed the leaves and flowers.In a world where otherworldly energy has awakened, Erick was certain that if the old man continued caring for the garden with such devotion, one of these plants might attain spiritual wisdom in the decades to come."Gramps Jin! Do your children visit you regularly?" Aashi asked, her gaze fixed on the old man's weathered face."Hahahah! Young lady, I ha
*******............"Alright, I'll call you back once I'm done with this business. Take care of yourself. Bye for now!" Erick reluctantly accepted his fate and resolved to call Aashi as soon as he finished curing Mr. Katsutoshi's daughter."Hmmn! Bye~" Aashi sweetly responded.After hanging up, he felt a huge sense of relief, and then he composed himself, assuming the posture of an expert.Ever since Erick became a teenager, he found himself struggling to avoid or endure his hormonal reactions. Despite his appearance, resembling an 18-year-old, he had just entered his teens, and puberty brought with it the typical challenges that every young man faces.While his cultivation remained unsealed, he could control his body perfectly. However, whenever he sealed up his cultivation, those problems would resurface. He could still maintain slight control, but in the presence of Aashi, who was not only his most ideal creation but also a literal figment of his imagination come to life, his b
******** ….. ….. "So, have any of you heard about Supernaturals or, more precisely, Supernaturalists?" Erick inquired, carefully observing everyone's reactions for any signs of deception. Mr. Katsutoshi pondered the question, while Dr. Hirono seemed shocked, as if he had seen a ghost – though he found it hard to believe. Sarah Yugami appeared to be the most confused among them, having only a vague recollection of the term "Naturalism," but not knowing much about it. Mr. Katsutoshi eventually spoke up, explaining, "I encountered them about six months ago when I was searching for my daughter. They are a group of people who are no longer considered normal humans. When conventional methods failed to cure my daughter, I sought information about them, hoping they could help. However, everything about them remains a mystery. Despite my status as a retired general, I couldn't find any concrete results, so I gave up pursuing them." Erick acknowledged the information, signaling that it w
******* ...... ...... "I'm really concerned about my daughter's condition," Mr. Katsutoshi said with a trembling voice, feeling even more worried now. Erick wanted to understand the situation better before explaining Yamini Kirin's condition. "Can you tell me how long it was after her disappearance that you found Ms. Yamini Kirin?" he asked. "It was about two years later, in the outer circle of the Honshu region. Some nomads discovered her first, and they took care of her strange illness. I'm grateful to them," Mr. Katsutoshi replied, recalling the circumstances in which he found his daughter. His mind was preoccupied with worries about her condition, leaving him little time to focus on other details. Erick nodded, confirming his suspicions. He then asked another question to make his explanation easier for them to grasp. "How old did she appear to be at that time?" "If I remember correctly, she looked like she was sixteen or seventeen," Mr. Katsutoshi answered thoughtfully, as
******* ….. ….. Amidst the bustling capital city, where busy folks hurriedly go about their daily routines amidst towering buildings and neat streets, a fascinating facade hides a hidden darkness. Yet, this shadowy side is veiled from most eyes, only revealing itself to a chosen few who meet a grim fate after beholding it. Within an abandoned alley that time has forgotten, a place where everyday life seems to have stopped, a group of gang members normally busy with their misdeeds found themselves on a fateful collision course. Three typical troublemakers, known for their petty extortion of spare change from passersby, had an unexpected encounter today. They came across a figure shrouded in clothing, a person whose presence spelled impending doom and a descent into a nightmarish reality. Having accepted a job from a well-to-do individual with an air of affluence, the goons found themselves tasked with a dark mission: kidnapping a child and holding them in isolation for a span