The Evil Organization’s Recruitment Ad

It’s you who doesn’t understand

Information about Komori Neito and Ikeno Reiji’s defection from [Metallica], as well as the establishment of [Slayer] and the attack on [Anthrax] was being shared by various Organizations as well as the [Guardians].

Benante, hinting the imminent danger, contacted [Metallica] for confirmation, as well as broadcasting reinforcement requests to nearby Organizations.

The information was now known to both human and non-human entities worldwide. That information was particularly important to “that” person.

He was tasked with verifying information sources, it was ‘that’ kind of important to him.

<  Hiroki? Did something happen? >

< Yeah, sorry for bothering you at this time.. Is it true? >

Sengoku Hiroki

He was a well known to the world as the hero called [Dylan].

He opened a connection and spoke to a woman on the other end.

< It’s likely true. The very least, we know Anthrax is being attacked by this newly established Organization. Both Metallica and Anthrax are moving in to eliminate them >

< I see.. understood. Thanks, I’m closing the connection, but if new information comes in, don’t hesitate to call me >

< Got it.. >

Hiroki disconnected the call and turned off his monitor. As he was on a ship off on foreign waters, he needed to gather his thoughts.

He knew of the name ‘Komori Neito’

In a mere span of 5 years, he managed to defeat various members of the [Rock Organization] and bring down various Organizations under him. (1)

He already confirmed that during the Manhattan incident, that man had a hand when Slipknot disguised himself as Sonic Youth and ran away from the bridge.

A man capable of orchestrating such feat defected from Metallica. He could deduce various reasons from this.

First, Komori Neito held a fairly high position within Metallica. From that alone, he had the means to go up against Anthrax.

The next point was far more important.

Toujiro Black Moa already passed away from this world.

“So at that time… Toujiro was…”

They fought each other in South America in the past, and they both were of equal power. In the final moments, he managed to land a fatal blow to Toujiro at that time.

He wasn’t able to confirm how severe his injury was, but he knew he disappeared for a few months  to recuperate himself.

“So at that time.. he already parted away from this world..”

[Metallica] left the country, and their influence began to wane. Whether it was because of Toujiro’s death, or from other reasons, he would never know.

Knowing Toujiro, he didn’t think so as he feared that this was a ploy being set up by him to let his guard down.

He was [Dylan] and Toujiro was the president of [Metallica].

Toujiro’s death would have severely impacted the world, both in a positive and negative way.

His death would be celebrated by millions, but would also light up the flames of desire for various Organizations vying for Metallica’s former top position.

He needed to be absolutely certain at that time before he could announce what transpired in South America. In the end, he didn’t do it.

With that in mind, he pondered on the current situation.

Toujiro would never forgive a betrayal this big. Everyone in the world knew of this.

This betrayal together with the assault on [Anthrax] was too much of an coincidence. Therefore, this was solely carried out and plotted by that man, Komori Neito.

“To think it would up like this… Ironic.. Isn’t it Toujiro?”

It had been years since Toujiro’s death, yet it left him a tinge of loneliness, reminiscent of the past.

Toujiro was taking revenge on him from beyond the grave.

Yet he didn’t feel any sort of gratification from it.

‘My fight has already went beyond that’

Experiencing an eventful past, there was one thing he decided on.

He never once has backed down then, and won’t do so even today. He promised himself to run a straight line without looking back.

To protect the world and it’s many citizens and preserve the happiness they had.

To take down anyone that dared to destroy that peace.

Standing on top of those evil bunch was Toujiro.

Toujiro was gone, but he (Hiroki) still had some unfinished business.

Hiroki stood up from his seat and headed off to the room next door.

His preparations would take some time.. at least a few hours, but he had no time to waste.

It was something he decide to do when he confirmed Toujiro’s death.

Compared to the [Metallica] when Toujiro was alive, the current [Metallica] was weak.

While they controlled various organizations from behind, there had been cases of desertion.

The “Evil” foundation of the world was crmbling.

Now was the time to put his plan into action. He was the only one who could pull it off.

That was why he kept on fighting till now.

For him, it was just a simple plan.

He may be ridiculed and mocked for it.

It had such low success rate that it would deemed impossible.

Yet, he wanted to believe. He wanted to prove that it was feasible.

‘Justice always wins’

※※

Anthrax’s hot blooded prophet Benante.

He stared into the flickering holy fire that burned in the altar and laughed.

He was able to look through the eyes of wyverns, sharing their vision with him.

That Ikeno person just denounced Komori and attacked him from behind. Komori took the hit in full force, yet he wasn’t dead.

It would be best if they were the one to deal the finishing blow.

“So in the end, he got betrayed!”

His fellow worshipers were now roused in excitement. The altar in the middle of the forest was now getting noisy.

“Indeed. From his perspective, this was the only way he could guarantee his safety”

He could send demon beasts to Ikeno and pry out their base easily. He would surely side with them, logic dictates so.

[Slayer] planned an assault to take him down, but that is no longer possible.

While they had superior forces, they weren’t much of a threat. With enough time, reinforcements would come and the enemy would be exhausted by then.

It was nigh improbable that [Slayer] would fall tonight.

With Ikeno joining their side, [Anthrax] would be able to acquire Metallica’s tech, boosting their forces. Ikeno himself was a brilliant man, he no doubt would be a great use to them.

With the new technology and Metallica’s weakening from the defection, Anthrax would be able to rise up from its former position.

In the end, this night had been a blessing for [Anthrax].

They only suffered a few losses, but such event paved a new path for them.

While there was a possiblity that [Slayer] defecting from [Metallica] may have been a plot, [Metallica] wouldn’t be able to do anything at this stage.

While they could send reinforcements to take down their fortress, they were in no position to do so.

Doing so would only expose [Metallica] to danger. Other organizations would see it as an act of war and gang up on them.

In the end, [Metallica] would have no choice but to side with [Anthrax].

In the first place, it was stupid of Metallica to allow the defectors to leave. Doing so with the hope that the defectors would crush other minor Organizations was but a fool’s dream.

In the end, that only gave other Organizations the means to weaken [Metallica].

As evidence, he was able to crush the opposition without lifting a finger. This was only what the defectors amounted to.

“Fuuh~, Yes indeed. This Ikeno will be joining up. Guide him in if you will”

Benante stood up and gave his orders to the tribals.

Five minutes passed and his brethren were now dragging two men whom they saw a few moments ago.

The one drenched in blood was Komori. While the other looking at the former with a disgusted face was Ikeno.

As intel suggested, that man called Ikeno carried an air of sharpness.

For safety measures, Benante decided to observe Ikeno.

He took his mechanical sword from him, and despite him wearing his mechanized armor, Benante deemed that it was no threat to him.

Ikeno just came out of a battle with his exhausted appearance. He wouldn’t be able to put up a fight without his weapon.

Or so Benante thought.

In the first place, it would be stupid of him if he were to attack now.

There should be no problems now.

“Welcome to Anthrax, Reiji Ikeno“

Benante spoke in Japanese, welcoming him as he spread his arms. He wanted to be on friendly terms with him.

“… So you are Benante”

Ikeno replied back.

‘For him to recognize me directly, he is indeed a sharp man’

“Indeed. You are not of the same faith, but I welcome you. I believe you can’t turn back now, now that things have progressed this far”

“Ha, it’s a convenient situation I’m in”

As the flames of the altar flickered, the two men faced off against each other.

While they both were well know villains, there was a need to establish a power hierarchy between them.

“Then Ikeno, you will soon serve under me. Now bring that trash, Komori Nate here”

“Trash.. huh? I agree. This man is no more than dirt in my eyes”

Ikeno was fortified and strengthened by his armor. Picking up Komori, he tossed him toward Benante.

He definitely wielded quite bit of strength, as Komori was flying towards him in a high parabolic drop. Komori ended up landing behind Benante, smashing into the ground roughly.

For someone who he defected with from [Metallica], Benante judged that this was too rough of a treatment even for him.

“Hahaha! Aren’t you being too rough against someone who used to be your companion?”

“I really hate that guy you know? I don’t owe a single shred of compassion towards him. And..”

Ikeno’s eyes lit up.

“I don’t plan on working under you”

In a single moment, an eruption came from Ikeno’s suit, propelling him forward as the tribals around him were blasted away.

“Haaaaa-!”

The altar’s flame shone brighter as the result of the turbulence he left in his wake.

“How unfortunate”

He was truly disappointed.

But, this did not hamper him one bit. He overestimated him to follow logic and reason. Yet reality was the opposite. He really didn’t want to kill such a brilliant man.

Benante took on a battle stance and prepared himself for the impact.

While it’s true that normal shamans were vulnerable as they cast their summons, it was not a problem for him as the tribe’s high shaman to both defend and summon his beasts at the same time.

“I shall grant you death”

The moment when he and Ikeno would meet in contact he felt it.

Slick

A creepy feeling came over him. He was having cold sweats.

“I think you should stop, for both our sakes”

A voice spoke behind him and a hand then grabbed his neck.

In this situation? Who?

There was no other man than him.

For a second, Benante froze. Ikeno’s fist was still heading for his face.

In the next second, his face was blasted with a strong gush of wind.

Ikeno’s fist stopped within a hair’s breath of his face.

“Are you satisfied with this? Komori”

“You overdid it again you bastard. Damn it, that hurt. ‘I don’t miss’ my ass. You think this will be over with a half ass apology ‘don’t think too badly of me’?”

Komori grabbed Benante’s neck from behind as Ikeno’s fist was in front of Benante’s face.

Benante was now sandwiched in between the two.

As it all happened so fast, the tribals were just standing there, dazed and confused on what to do next.

“I see”

Benante now understood their ploy.

This was what they were aiming for from the start.

They made it as both sides would have equal forces opposing each other, and at such critical moment, Ikeno would betray them as he struck down Komori. They both would be taken directly to him, bypassing the fortress’ defences.

From his sudden attack to the situation they were in, it was all for them to have a hostage to threaten the tribals to submit under them.

It was quite a clever plan. But,

“… Kh, Kuhahahaha! Do you think you won?! You don’t understand a single bit!”

It was funny.

It was simply too funny.

Benante, who couldn’t suppress his laughter, cried out.

“What…?”

Ikeno’s face was puzzled. He really didn’t understand what he implied.

Then fine. He would educate them on why their plot was useless from the start.

“Then I’ll teach you why. Within [Anthrax], I am the strongest”

Benante roused his power and activated it.

He not only summoned demonic beasts, but also went beyond that.

He used his body as a catalyst to infuse with his summons. This was only possible to him, Benante who was Beldrana’s apostle.

Benante, who specialized in reptilian summons, was now embodying them. His skin turned hard and he sprouted scales. His eyes were now in slits. He grew claws and his teeth became fangs.

“Do you think I would be defeated as easily as that?”

In his current form, Modified humans and high tech equipment were now no match against him. With the enemy leaders here, it was as if they walked into their deaths.

While that was all true, there was one more thing he was counting on,

“Even if you defeat me, [Anthrax] will never fall. No one would risk trading [Anthrax] for my life.

I would happily give my life for our god.

You threats mean nothing”

This was merely factual truths.

Even if the devil was grabbing him by the collar, and even if a metallic fist was heading for his face, nothing would change.

[Anthrax] never swore their fealty to him. He was merely a guide to them, a guide to make sense of the outer world.

To be able to exist in the modern world, they needed someone knowledgeable and discerning, to differentiate between truth and lies. That was his role as a prophet, to guide which direction their religion was taking them.

Even if he lost, his brethren will never stop fighting. This was something heathens would never come to understand.

To be able to die in honor of the Dark God [Beldrana], he and his brethren would count it as a blessing.

Bearing the truth in his heart, Benante yelled out.

“Everyone! I, Benante, will offer my life to stop these blasphemers from defiling our temple(2). No one interfere!”

As the torches around them flickered, the prophet’s words echoed throughout the forest.

Soon sounds of cheer could be heard from all directions, tribals were now chanting their prophet’s name.

“Interesting. Then we’ll see about that!”

Ikeno thinly laughed. He was planning on fighting.

Yet, the other one thought differently.

“Stop it, Benante. It’s not worth dying here”

The man behind him, Nate Komori called out to him with an eerie feeling.

For someone who was beaten up badly, he was still able to mutter words.

The words he heard were heavy and cold.

“I don’t plan on fighting you, but tonight, [Slayer] will take [Anthrax]. Well then, would you be willing to hear me out?”

His words pierced his being.

He didn’t understand what he was saying.

In the first place, they would already have difficulty defeating him. Even if they did, he doubted that they would be able to survive the onslaught the tribals would unleash towards them. If Komori or Ikeno died, [Slayer] would be over.

Despite this, Komori’s words sounded resolute and firm.

“Impossible! There’s no way that could happen! You heathens will never understand!”

For the first time, Benante turned to face Nate Komori.

He expected that he would be a thin man, just like intel would have suggested. He already saw a glimpse of him a while ago beaten to a bloody mess.

But was this really the same man he saw a few moments ago? He doubted that.

The shadow overshadowing him seemed menacing, and cold air seemed to creep up his back.

“It’s you…”

Nate continued.

His voice now sounded all encompassing, and his (Benante) intuition was screaming danger. His shamanic powers warned him of the menacing black shadow behind him.

“.. who doesn’t understand”

A quiet yet disinterested voice.

For the first time since he became a high shaman, his skin was trembling in goosebumps.

1. Formerly [Rocks Organzation]

2. “Temple” but it’s just an altar. Sounded more cool.

There’s only 5~6 chapters left for this arc. As I’ve said, I’ll be taking a survey from the remaining readers of this site on their suggestions.

Idk maybe I’ll move on to translate manga