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The East-Haven Cardmakers Association headquarters was an ordinary five-story building, if you ignored the attached plaza with its rune-inscribed patterns.
Russell's first day as Vice President proceeded without the clichéd security guard confrontation. No face-slapping, no "you dare stop me?" dramatics. The guards—all nepotism hires—had been thoroughly briefed about the new executive.
Why nepotism hires for security? Simple. With five Gold-rank cardmakers including Russell now stationed here, actual threats would require their intervention anyway. The guards were decorative.
Crossing the empty plaza, Russell entered to find President Simon's practiced smile waiting.
"President Russell, you could've taken more time to settle in."
"Sitting idle at home accomplishes nothing. Better to familiarize myself quickly."
Simon led him to his office—adjacent to the President's, separated by a single wall.
"Your workspace, President Russell. I've had relevant matters compiled on your desk. Sensitive issues I'll brief you on personally."
"Appreciated, President Simon."
After Simon returned to his office, Russell surveyed his new domain.
Compared to New Metro's Association headquarters, this is a closet.
But material comfort had never motivated him.
Settling into his chair, he reviewed the waiting documents:
"Personnel Changes for Licheng Sub-Branch"
"Public Security Initiative Proposals"
"Quarterly Budget Allocations"
Mind-numbing bureaucracy. Fortunately, he had Fubuki.
Summoning her, he explained the situation. In the original work, she'd managed the massive Blizzard Group while navigating her sister Tatsumaki's shadow. Administrative work was her specialty.
Fubuki sighed, shooed Russell from his chair, and began processing paperwork with frightening efficiency.
Russell relocated to the reception sofa, admiring her focused intensity.
Secretary handling business... and later...
His face reddened at the thought.
Fubuki, without looking up, threw a file at his head. "Read this instead of staring."
Embarrassed, Russell opened it:
"Recent Unification Sect and Spirit Society Conflicts in East-Haven"
His expression hardened. The report detailed escalating violence between the two organizations, recommending increased Association oversight. No mention of Corian Leigh involvement—too sensitive for official documents.
The office phone rang.
"President Russell, please come to my office."
Simon's voice through the receiver. Russell stared at the wall separating them.
We're literally ten feet apart. This is passive-aggressive communication.
In Simon's office, the other Gold-ranks had assembled: Luther, Zayne, and the HR Director.
"I've received intelligence," Simon began once seated. "An anonymous tip about a Unification Sect hideout."
Luther frowned. "Good news. Send a team to clean it up."
"The informant is an unregistered cardmaker. Likely Spirit Society."
The atmosphere shifted. Russell suppressed laughter watching Zayne—a Society member himself—maintain his poker face.
"Possibly a trap," Simon continued. "We need Gold-rank leadership for the operation. Volunteers?"
The HR Director immediately excused himself. "Prior commitments, President."
Simon's gaze swept the remaining three.
Russell recognized the setup immediately. Testing the new guy. Classic.
Rather than wait to be voluntold, he seized initiative. "I'll go. I'm new, no existing obligations."
Simon's surprise was genuine. "As expected from Master Blake's disciple. Such dedication. Directors Luther and Zayne will accompany you—President Russell is still unfamiliar with local terrain."
Russell didn't react to the barb. He was analyzing why these two specifically.
Zayne made sense—Public Security Director investigating threats.
But Luther? The man involved in the honey trap attempt?
Need more intel. Must interrogate Zayne privately.
In the Association vehicle—identical to New Metro's fleet—Russell closed his eyes in the backseat.
The driver kept stealing glances via mirror. So young to be Gold-rank...
"Watch the road," Russell said without opening his eyes.
The driver snapped to attention, sweating.
They reached the coastline, where Society and Sect territories overlapped. No wonder conflicts escalated.
"We proceed on foot from here," Luther announced with false concern. "President Russell, do you have appropriate transportation cards? I can provide—"
"Unnecessary," Russell cut him off, recognizing the petty power play. "What I have suffices."
Luther's confusion lasted until Mikoto materialized.
Both directors probed her with mental energy. Electrical interference blocked their scans completely.
"Nobody around," Russell told Mikoto. "Go wild."
The brunette's confident smile preceded the light show.
Blue electricity danced. Black iron sand rose from the earth, spiraling skyward like an awakened dragon. Electromagnetic forces shaped the sand into a towering giant—a titan of lightning and magnetism.
Dust clung to its surface. Electricity traced holy patterns across its form.
The Thunder Titan stood forty feet tall.
Luther's mouth worked soundlessly.
Zayne's pupils contracted to pinpoints.
Both Gold-ranks recognized the construct's true nature—not a fighter but an amplifier, a weapons platform of terrifying potential.
Mikoto raised her hand toward their destination. The giant mirrored her gesture.
Then she fired.
The accumulated static from countless friction interactions between iron particles discharged simultaneously. A yellow-white beam of superheated death split the sky, leaving a scar across clouds.
The sonic boom knocked several cardmakers backward.
Russell stood atop the giant, arms folded, expression neutral. Looking down at the assembled cardmakers like a god surveying ants.
They all looked away.
Monsters, they thought. Both of them.
Level 5 Espers were one-person armies. Beyond human.
Meanwhile, several scouts Zayne had sent ahead watched the beam's passage overhead.
"Why did Director Zayne send us forward?"
"Did we offend him somehow?"
"Thank god we didn't reach the target..."
"That would've been instant death."
They turned and fled back toward the main group.
"Clean up the remains," Russell commanded as the giant dissolved, iron sand returning to earth with surgical precision, avoiding every person.
Luther watched black sand sink into soil at his feet, finally understanding his position.
The Bronze and Silver ranks responded in unison: "YES SIR!"
Soon only the three Gold-ranks remained.
"Impressive display, President Russell," Zayne said carefully. "Your first card's quality must be exceptional."
Luther forced enthusiasm. "Truly worthy of the national champion title!"
Russell ignored both, manifesting a shadow chair to sit on. "I'll wait here. Do as you please."
Shadowkhan carried him into darkness.
Zayne smirked at Luther. "Big gamble, using my men as bait."
Then he too vanished, leaving Luther alone with his calculations.
(End of Chapter)
300 , 500 , 1000 Each milestone will have 1 Bonus chapter.