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312 HxH: Tombbound Power
🕑 Added 2025-01-09 06:00:05 +0000 UTCAt this point, Emuksu stopped talking, and Ronnel already understood the implications.
Emuksu's involvement seemed to stem from the investigation of Key Taylor.
"Wait a moment... Could it be that... you're also part of the Thousand Ears Club?"
"Ah, you could say that. I joined out of boredom and figured it might be fun to participate in something like that. And, to my surprise, it turned out to be quite interesting."
Ronnel was speechless. Given the sheer number of magical tools at Emuksu's disposal, completing a mission and earning a perfect evaluation to join the Thousand Ears Club must have been a piece of cake.
Besides, Emuksu lived in the Kakin Empire, where the Thousand Ears Club headquarters were located. It made sense that their paths would overlap.
Still, this revelation was unexpected.
'Not bad,' Ronnel thought. With Emuksu as a member of the Thousand Ears Club, Key Taylor's interests within the organization might have an added layer of protection. Since the Thousand Ears Club operated with the support of the Kakin Empire, any movements from Kakin would likely prompt action from the organization. That could mean gaining access to useful, first-hand information.
Ronnel relaxed at the thought. When Emuksu raised his glass, Ronnel followed suit and clinked his own against it.
"The task I received this time happens to be tied to Kakin," Emuksu began. "Specifically, it's connected to the Zhenlinkan Incident from nearly thirty years ago."
Ronnel froze mid-sip at the mention of that familiar yet distant name.
The Zhenlinkan Incident referred to a pivotal moment in the Kakin Empire's history. About thirty years ago, the Empire underwent a peaceful yet transformative reform that reshaped its political system.
Historically, Kakin had roots in a super-ancient civilization. While "super-ancient" sounded impressive, it merely implied a marginally more advanced society than a completely closed-off ancient one. It was still woefully backward by modern standards.
However, thirty years ago, the reforms following the Zhenlinkan Incident propelled Kakin into a new era, transforming it into a global power capable of competing on the world stage.
This newfound political and economic strength fueled Kakin's ambitions, leading to its exploration of the taboo — the Dark Continent. As the Empire's resources reached their limit, Kakin extended its reach toward colonizing the Dark Continent, even collaborating with Beyond Netero to prepare for an expedition. This sparked worldwide controversy.
While these events were significant, what caught Ronnel's attention was Emuksu's involvement in investigating the Zhenlinkan Incident.
According to Ronnel's knowledge, the Zhenlinkan Incident coincided with the coronation of the current Kakin monarch. Every succession ceremony in Kakin seemed to bring sweeping changes, much like the egg-in-pot ceremony that paved the way for the current ruler.
"If the Zhenlinkan Incident and the monarch's ascension are connected, it's subtle but intriguing," Ronnel mused.
Yet, after thirty years of stable rule, why would someone reopen the investigation into the Zhenlinkan Incident? Moreover, why was the investigation being handled by a clandestine organization like the Thousand Ears Club rather than Kakin's official agencies?
Even more puzzling was why the Thousand Ears Club entrusted such a task to Emuksu, a newcomer with no direct ties to Kakin, and Key Taylor, who had only recently joined.
"Unless..." Ronnel's thoughts trailed off.
"Unless they need expendable pawns," Emuksu remarked casually, swirling the wine in his glass. "People who can spill blood if necessary or serve as cannon fodder."
He took a sip before continuing, "Key Taylor is a loner with no connections or family. If he dies during the mission, no one will care or even notice. And since his strength isn't bad, he's useful enough to handle some of the more troublesome parts of the task."
Ronnel sneered. "And once his usefulness is spent, they'll dispose of him. A classic 'kill the donkey when the grinding is done' scenario. Nice plan."
"Isn't that standard practice for underground organizations?" Emuksu leaned back, sinking into the sofa. "Even large, legitimate organizations have plenty of skeletons in their closets. What's a little backstabbing for a group like the Thousand Ears Club?"
He continued, "I joined purely for entertainment. Completing the occasional task helps me maintain my membership, but I've kept a low profile. I'm a fringe member, someone they wouldn't miss if I disappeared. That's probably why they're sending me on this mission."
As Emuksu spoke, Ronnel felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out to find a message from Key Taylor.
"Looks like he only just received word about the mission this morning," Ronnel commented after skimming the text.
While replying, Ronnel sent a brief note back to Key Taylor: "Emuksu can be trusted."
"It seems we're definitely being treated as expendable," Ronnel said. "This mission is categorized just below the highest level and carries significant risk. Refusal isn't an option."
Emuksu stretched and smirked. "Usually, tasks at this level are assigned simultaneously to all involved. The fact that Key Taylor was notified a day later shows how little regard they have for us. They probably think we're already dead men walking."
"So, are you going on this mission?" Ronnel asked.
"Of course," Emuksu replied with a grin. "I'm curious about the true cause of the Zhenlinkan Incident and how the Kakin throne succession works. It's an intriguing mystery, after all."
