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The ground of what had once been Laiyang Village Phase 3 was now a hellscape. Charred corpses littered the cratered earth, and several apartment buildings had partially sunk into the ground during the battle.
Russell stood atop the black sand giant with Mikoto beside him. His other Silver-rank cards floated nearby, held aloft by Fubuki's telekinesis.
"I'd say we successfully repelled that wave," Russell announced, his Gold-rank mental power mixing with Mikoto's electromagnetic scanning to sweep the ruins for any lingering threats.
Finding none, he allowed the massive sand construct to collapse. Russell landed gracefully beside Luther, who stood on the scorched ground looking utterly exhausted.
The square-faced director had already dismissed all his cards to conserve what little mental strength remained. Not everyone can be a freak of nature like Russell, Luther thought wearily, not knowing that Russell could only maintain one Gold-level card at a time anyway.
"You alright, Director Luther?" Russell asked with genuine concern.
Two Shadowkhan materialized from the darkness, carrying simple stools.
"Sit," Russell gestured. "No point forcing yourself to stand on principle."
Luther collapsed onto the stool without pretense, his usual dignity abandoned. He pulled out a battered tin from his pocket and shook it at Russell.
"Want one?" Luther asked. "I roll them myself."
"Thanks, but I don't smoke," Russell replied.
Luther shrugged and extracted a hand-rolled cigarette. The lighter clicked, flame danced, and he took a long drag. White smoke curled from his lips, visibly easing the tension in his shoulders.
After a moment's comfortable silence, Luther spoke with genuine puzzlement. "I honestly didn't expect just the two of us could repel those demons."
Russell's expression remained serious. "They'll be back," he said, dampening Luther's optimism. "They were just probing our defenses. They had no idea what they'd find on our side."
"What do you mean?" Luther asked.
"Think about it," Russell explained. "The demons don't know anything about Earth's defenses. So they sent scouts first. But those scouts ran straight into us waiting at the entrance."
Russell continued, "I didn't hold back—Excalibur, thunder strikes, Kirin. We annihilated their vanguard in moments. Of course they retreated."
Luther nodded slowly. "From their perspective, it must have looked like an ambush."
"Exactly. But they're not stupid. They'll regroup and return with overwhelming force."
Luther's expression darkened as the implications sank in. He crushed his cigarette under his heel.
"President Russell, I've been in East-Haven for years," he said, his voice heavy with experience. "Things were easier in the past. But these last two years, secret realms have been appearing more frequently."
He paused, then added, "Though this is the first one of this intensity."
Russell managed a wry smile. "Look at it this way—at least it's not Emerald-level. If it were, we'd be running, not chatting."
"Fair point," Luther conceded.
A cardmaker appeared behind them, saluting crisply.
"President Russell, Director Luther," the Silver-rank cardmaker reported.
"Have all civilians been evacuated?" Russell asked immediately.
"Yes, President. The area is completely clear."
The cardmaker tried to hide his shock at the devastation. This place had been intact when he'd left—now it was utterly destroyed.
Russell stood, brushing dust from his clothes. "Maintain the perimeter until the construction crews arrive. And have someone collect all demon materials—the Association will handle distribution later."
"Yes, sir!" The cardmaker saluted and hurried off.
Russell turned back to Luther. "We need those construction crews here fast. Proper fortifications, demon wards, the works."
"I'll make the calls," Luther said, already reaching for his phone.
Russell's thoughts turned darker. I just hope the Unification Sect doesn't cause trouble while we're dealing with this. At least the Spirit Begging Society won't act without my orders.
Director Zayne arrived with a contingent of cardmakers, his perpetually stone-faced expression surveying the destruction.
"Vice President, Director Luther," he greeted coldly.
Without waiting for a response, Zayne immediately began assigning tasks to his subordinates, organizing the cleanup with military efficiency.
Luther frowned at him. "Why are you alone? Where's President Simon?"
"President Simon needs to guard headquarters," Zayne replied flatly. "He won't be coming."
Luther's eyes flickered with anger and uncertainty. He glanced at Russell, who was casually drinking a soda that Mikoto had somehow procured, seemingly unconcerned.
Typical Simon, Luther thought bitterly. Hiding when things get dangerous.
A cardmaker approached with a clipboard. "President, Director Luther, Director Zayne—we've catalogued the materials. Please review."
Russell took the list, scanning it quickly:
Gold-level [Spellcaster Priest] (Green)
Various Silver-rank materials
Not impressive, but Russell hadn't expected much from such a brief engagement.
"I'll hold onto these for now," Russell announced, looking at the other two directors. "Any objections?"
Both Luther and Zayne shook their heads. What could they object to? Russell had done most of the fighting.
Russell handed the materials to a waiting Shadowkhan and turned his attention to the massive portal still pulsing ominously nearby.
"Since Director Zayne is here," Russell said, "let me brief you on what we discovered. The demons in this secret realm are organized—military discipline, coordinated attacks. This isn't random invasion. They're planning something."
Luther nodded in agreement. "Similar to what the north faces with their demon armies."
Zayne's stone face actually showed concern. "Then we need fortifications immediately. And forces to secure the entrance before they attack again."
"Agreed," Russell said. "Director Luther, can you expedite the construction crews?"
"I'll make it happen," Luther promised.
Just as they were finalizing plans, a commotion erupted at the perimeter. They could hear someone shouting.
"Don't stop me! I'm telling you, my father is Luther!"
Luther's face instantly flushed red with rage. "What the hell is he doing here?"
A group of cardmakers reluctantly escorted a young couple toward them—Luther's son Aze and the manipulative Ms. Xie.
"This is how you maintain a perimeter?" Luther roared at the guards. "You let civilians through? Ten thousand word self-reflection! All of you!"
The cardmakers slunk away miserably.
Aze smiled awkwardly at his father. "Dad..."
Luther's eyes were murderous as he looked between his disappointing son and the woman beside him. "What are you doing here?!"
"I was... worried about you," Aze stammered. "Wanted to check on you."
He didn't dare admit Ms. Xie had insisted on coming. His father might literally kill him.
Luther's anger cooled slightly at his son's words, but his glare at Ms. Xie remained lethal. "Your father's fine! Now GET OUT!"
Ms. Xie, however, didn't flinch. Instead, her eyes began to glisten with unshed tears.
"Uncle Luther," she said sweetly, "I asked Aze to bring me. Please don't blame him. I thought you might be hungry after fighting all day, so I brought food."
She lifted an elaborate three-tiered lunch box, obviously meant for three Gold-rank cardmakers.
Luther didn't move to take it, just stared at her coldly.
Undeterred, Ms. Xie began unpacking. "This is yours, Uncle Luther. This one's for Uncle Zayne. And this..."
The last box, the largest and most elaborate, was made of mahogany with exquisite dragon and phoenix carvings.
"This is for you, President Russell," she said, her true target obvious.
Russell just watched the performance with detached amusement, saying nothing.
"I won't disturb you further," Ms. Xie said when none of them moved to take the food. Her eyes reddened slightly as she placed Russell's box on a nearby chair, bowed, and turned to leave.
Aze hurried after her like a loyal puppy.
Once the couple was out of earshot, Russell turned to Luther thoughtfully.
"Director Luther," Russell said carefully, "your son... might benefit from some education about people with ulterior motives."
Luther's face showed a mixture of shame and anger. This was the purest simp behavior Russell had seen—like those internet memes about helping the popular girl with homework while she's exhausted from dating bad boys.
"Sorry you had to see that," Luther sighed deeply. "This is entirely self-inflicted."
He opened his lunch box and began eating mechanically, more out of politeness than hunger.
"Shame to waste the food," Luther said weakly. "Please, eat a little for my sake."
Zayne curled his lip in disgust. "I already ate. Don't need it."
Russell had planned to refuse, but suddenly reconsidered. "Then I'll take Director Zayne's portion too."
Both men stared at him in confusion.
Russell wasn't planning to eat it himself—he wanted to see what tricks this manipulator would try next. A Shadowkhan disappeared into darkness with both lunch boxes.
"You're not eating now?" Luther asked.
"Not hungry yet," Russell said calmly. "I'll save it for later."
Besides, Russell thought, I have the perfect food tester—Kumoko can eat anything.
The familiar abandoned factory served as the meeting point once again. Russell, in his Lux persona, checked his Society communicator.
[Kai: Lord Six, I have the contracts and supplies from headquarters.]
[Kai: When would be convenient for you to receive them?]
[Six: Same place as always.]
Kai appeared within minutes, bowing obsequiously. "Everything's here, my lord. Please inspect it."
Russell examined the materials carefully. The first piece made him genuinely happy:
Gold-level [Cold-blooded Deceiver] (Red)
"Perfect timing," Russell murmured. This would fit excellently with his next planned card.
The rest of the materials were mediocre—99% Silver-rank or below. Not surprising given East-Haven's limited Society membership.
"Take whatever you need from these," Russell told Kai, gesturing at the pile.
Kai's eyes widened with delight. "Really, Lord Six?"
"Don't get greedy. These are still operating funds."
Even with the warning, Kai couldn't stop grinning. Getting first pick was a massive privilege.
After Kai finished selecting and departed, Russell summoned Kumoko along with the two lunch boxes.
"Here," he said with mock ceremony, "the finest meal you'll ever eat in this lifetime."
The spider girl's beautified face crumpled at his sarcasm. With theatrical tears, she consumed both portions.
"Waaaah..." Kumoko wailed dramatically. "It's all cold and gross! The beef is like rubber! As a gourmet connoisseur, Little Spider declares this love bento INFERIOR!"
Russell pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fine. I'll have the Shadowkhan get you snacks later."
"YAY! ヽ(▽)ノ"
"But first," Russell's expression turned serious, "we're visiting a certain bad woman's house."
"Hum hum~" Kumoko hummed ominously, her eight eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Russell had plans for Ms. Xie—and they didn't involve falling for her manipulation.
(End of Chapter 214 - Revised)
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