The final day of the Unity Conference began under deceptively clear skies. The morning sunlight spilled through the towering glass panels of Hano Medical University's grand conference hall, casting golden streaks across polished marble floors. Delegates from across Japan filled the room, their murmured conversations buzzing with cautious optimism.
Today was supposed to be the turning point.And for that very reason, Shin knew it was the most dangerous day of all.
Shin stood with Riku and Reito near the stage, their presence carefully orchestrated for public support. Cameras hovered discreetly around the edges of the hall, recording every detail of the day's proceedings.
Director Sayuri stood at the podium, her voice calm and deliberate.
"Today, we take another step forward," she said. "The cure's success rate is holding steady at 78%. Within days, we will begin targeted inoculations for high-risk communities."
Delegates erupted into quiet applause.
Shin glanced at Yuna, who sat nearby with Rei and Misaki. She gave him a small, encouraging nod.
But the weight in his gut didn't ease.
He scanned the hall, his training kicking in instinctively. Guards lined the walls, eyes sharp. Akane stood in the back, arms crossed, watching everyone. Yet Shin couldn't shake the feeling that someone had already slipped through.
It started small. A glint of metal from the balcony.
Shin's eyes snapped to it instantly. His instincts screamed danger.
"Sniper!" Shin shouted, just as a sharp crack split the air.
The first shot missed Sayuri by inches, shattering the glass podium behind her. Delegates screamed, diving for cover as chaos erupted in the hall.
Shin was already moving, vaulting over a row of chairs to tackle Yuna to the floor. Another shot rang out, the bullet sparking against the metal railing where she had been sitting seconds ago.
"Riku! Reito!" Shin barked.
"I see him!" Riku yelled, sprinting toward the side staircase. Reito followed, flanking him as guards scrambled to secure the exits.
Shin pulled Yuna to her feet, scanning the room. "Get to cover!"
Misaki and Rei huddled with other delegates under the stage while Akane barked orders, her pistol already drawn.
Shin pushed through the chaos, heading toward the staircase. The sniper had switched tactics—no longer firing from the balcony, but moving fast, retreating deeper into the upper halls.
Shin raced up the steps two at a time, catching sight of a masked assailant darting through the corridor. The figure was fast, carrying a compact rifle slung across their chest.
"Stop!" Shin roared, but the assailant turned and fired.
Shin dove behind a column as bullets tore into the wall. He waited for the pause between shots, then lunged forward. The two collided, slamming into the railing.
The assassin swung the rifle like a club, cracking it against Shin's arm. Shin gritted his teeth, grabbed the weapon, and twisted hard, disarming the shooter. The rifle clattered to the ground.
The attacker reached for a knife. Shin reacted faster. He drove his fist into their gut, then slammed the masked figure against the wall, pinning them by the throat.
"Who sent you?" Shin growled.
The assassin choked out a hoarse laugh, eyes wild behind the mask. "Phase Two… has no heroes."
Before Shin could press further, the assassin pulled something from their belt. A small flashing device.
A grenade.
"Shit!" Shin shoved the attacker back and dove to the floor as the grenade detonated.
The blast tore through the corridor, blowing out windows and sending debris raining down into the hall below. Delegates screamed again as glass shattered across the stage.
Shin coughed through the smoke, ears ringing. He staggered to his feet, looking around. The assassin lay motionless, body torn apart by the blast. But Shin didn't have time to dwell, there could be more attackers.
Shin descended back to the main floor, where guards were moving civilians to safety. Riku was standing near the stage, his gun drawn, while Reito helped escort shaken delegates out of the room.
Yuna ran to Shin as he approached, her face pale. "Are you hurt?"
"Just a scratch," Shin said, brushing dust from his sleeve. "Is everyone okay?"
"Mostly," Akane said, joining them. "Two guards injured, no civilian deaths. But that was too close."
Sayuri, standing by the podium again despite the chaos, spoke grimly. "This was just a warning. Izanami wanted to disrupt the conference, not destroy it… not yet."
Reito clenched his fists. "They're trying to make us look weak."
"And if we cancel now," Riku added, "they win."
Shin looked around at the hall, the broken glass, the fearful delegates being escorted out. His jaw tightened.
"We don't cancel," Shin said firmly. "We finish this conference. We show them we're not afraid."
Sayuri gave him a long look, then nodded. "Agreed. We'll resume tomorrow with even tighter security. But this proves one thing, Phase Two is fully active now. And Code Number 8 is only part of their plan."
Shin's gaze hardened.
Tomorrow, he would stand before the world again.But tonight, he knew Izanami was already planning their next move.
And so was he.