Mutagen

Day 318 - 7:22 PM - Leader's Office, Black Lotus Group Compound, Kachidoki, Chuo City, Tokyo

The [Demonic Swordsman Shin]. The traitor of humankind that joined the forces of the evil demons. Who would have thought that he was a pitiful boy formerly known as Migami Ichiro?

Mark did not think too much and was already feeling nice when he unexpectedly got information about Shin. In the first place, it was not his intention, as he was only here to clear up some things with the leader of the Black Lotus. But before the topic changed, Ren took out a folder under her desk containing information about Shin.

The folder did not only contain information about many of Shin's missions under the [Auraboros]. It also had a record of his life before becoming Shin.

Mark could not help but become interested as he began flipping the papers while listening to Ren.

Migami Ichiro was just your typical undergrad high school student years ago. No, typical was an overstatement.

Ichiro's father was a kendo practitioner. The blood of swordsmen ran through their family, and his father inherited their dojo handed through generations of their bloodline.

However, Ichiro did not show any talent in swordsmanship. And due to this, his father beat him through training on a daily basis.

Their family only relied on the dojo's income and his kind mother's work as a seamstress. It was not wrong to say that their family was on the border of being poor.

As time went on, the modern era rendered kendo less and less popular. The dojo lost all its students, and Ichiro's father became a drunkard. Not just Ichiro but his mother also became subject to his father's violence.

It did not take long. Ichiro's father left them after wandering through the streets drunk and getting hit by a truck. As there were no witnesses, the poor family fell into debt to accommodate the funeral.

After being freed from his father's violence, Ichiro finally managed to concentrate on his studies. His mother was proud when Ichiro passed a scholarship examination, lessening the burden on her mother.

However, the scars left on his body by his father caused him to become the target of bullying. Ichiro came from a poor family with no father and with a mother who was a humble seamstress. He was the perfect target for bullying. And Ichiro, still filled with mental scars from his father, was afraid to retaliate.

Those circumstances continued until high school. In a sense, it was amazing that Ichiro managed to endure. Unfortunately, the scholarship did not allow him to change schools. And the current school was money driven, causing the teachers and faculty to put a blind eye to Ichiro's circumstances.

It was until six years ago. Ichiro's mother died from overwork.

Ichiro hid his circumstances at school from his mother. His mother did the same, not telling him the awful treatment she was receiving in her workplace. The pay was too low, but his mother had no other option but to increase her workload instead.

And during his mother's funeral, Ichiro learned what actually happened.

The cause of his mother's death was an extension of his circumstances at school. The owners of his mother's workplace were the parents of one of his bullies. From there, it was easy to deduce what happened.

A few days after the funeral, a strange thing happened. Ichiro, diligent in his school attendance despite the bullying, was absent for two weeks.

And after that absence, Ichiro returned with a bang.

Ichiro entered the school with an unsheathed katana. Everyone that tried to stop him was cut off from living. Everything his sword passed through got sliced through. It did not matter whether it was human flesh or stone.

His bullies, their accomplices, the school's management, and those that laughed at him were killed by his sword. Since Ichiro's sword met no resistance, he ended his business and vanished before the authorities arrived.

But when everyone thought that Ichiro would hide, he appeared again.

Ichiro attacked his mother's workplace and killed everyone without remorse.

And lastly, the families of his bullies also met their end under his blade.

In the last encounter, when he was still known as Migami Ichiro, he was actually pursued by the country's experts. He showed unhuman prowess. It was no surprise that the government would send its unhuman soldiers.

But they all failed. Ichiro was never untalented with the sword. He was a genius. However, the trauma and violence he received from a young caused him to limit his capabilities.

And before Ichiro was caught, he vanished once again. The case was strictly masked by the government, and Ichiro's existence became nothing but a hoax.

It was until he reemerged years later as Shin. A contractual mercenary working in the underworld organization, [Auraboros].

Knowing the true goals of [Auraboros], Shin and any human that joined them were labeled as traitors of humanity.

***

"A few months ago, the branch of [Auraboros] in this country sent a proposal for an armistice." Ren continued to explain. "Many of the upper brass were skeptical, but considering the current state of the world, they could only accept it. Although we can't let down our guard, it would be nice if we did not have to worry about getting attacked in the back while facing the [Infected]."

Mark's attention was taken by that fact. After all, he was also offered an alliance by the Japanese Branch of [Auraboros].

"The armistice did not sound legitimate," Ren continued. "It was until a month after the world changed that our sources reported that a large number of members from [Auraboros] left and joined the demonic forces that emerged up north. It seemed that they did not like the armistice, and they all left the organization."

The goal of [Auraboros] was to end humanity, albeit slowly. With the branch leaders proposing truces and alliances, those that hated humanity would not want to stay in the Japanese Branch any longer. This situation concluded that the Japanese Branch of [Auraboros] would less likely stab them in the back after the armistice.

"So, Shin was among those that left. But what about this [Demonic Human] thing?"

Mark asked.

"I don't know if it happened willingly or not, but the Demons up north don't accept humans in their ranks," Ren explained. "If a human wanted to join them, they must become one of them. That is how we speculate it."

"Only speculation, huh?"

Mark tapped his chin.

"Unfortunately, the Demon territory is impossible to observe closely. The government lost contact with all spies and scouts sent there."

Ren sighed.

"I got information about that Shin, but it looks like a lot of trouble to actually find him, huh."

Mark frowned.

"You better not blindly go find that traitor," Ren stared straight at Mark. "The Demon territory is dangerous. We lost a lot of people just going near there. This already hindered one of the ongoing expeditions."

These expeditions Ren was talking about were the expeditions to remap current Japan. With the world's geography changing drastically, all previous maps were pretty much rendered useless. To make proper use of the terrain, they needed to remap the whole place. The entire country, if possible. Unfortunately, no planes could be used anymore, not to mention satellites for accurate imaging. Using helicopters was extremely dangerous too. That was why they could only do it on foot while deploying drones and other gadgets to make their work easier.

"Well, I have no intention of finding that guy yet," Mark shrugged. "I have other things to do, so I'll see the situation for now."

Ren felt relieved seeing Mark would not recklessly charge to the Demon Territory. In her eyes, it was suicide to do so.

***

After discussing things about Mark's goals in this place and Ren answering his questions, the meeting ended on a good note. And with that, Mako was called to escort Mark back to their temporary dwelling.

Ren and Tadashi concluded that Mark was not an enemy.

"But miss, do you think he belongs to another organization we had no clue about?"

Tadashi asked.

"I believe he doesn't belong to any organization," Ren replied. "The things he told us are clearly his own goals. Even if he belonged to one, it would be more likely that he was the leader of that organization instead of being a member."

Ren's words made Tadashi think about many things. One of those was the question of where Mark and his group could possibly come from.

"I wish they could stay with us while they were here," Ren sighed. "Them deciding to move out will cause those wanting to recruit them to flock like flies. Not everyone would try to understand that they would not want to join others and would cause trouble."

"That is their decision, miss. Besides, I don't think they would feel comfortable staying in the new building. After all, the new building is supposed to be a gathering hall surrounded by a lot of windows," Tadashi voiced his opinion. "If you are still concerned about the girls, we can prepare an abandoned building nearby. There are a few ones unused, although they needed some refurbishing."

"Let's do that," Ren agreed to Tadashi's suggestion. "We can immediately respond to trouble if they are close by. The rent would go to us, anyway. And if they would leave after some time, we can still reuse the building they stayed in."

Mark already told them that his group would leave after their business here was done. After all, they were only here to search for those specific people that Mark mentioned, Shin, for example.

"I'll make the arrangements as soon as possible," Tadashi nodded and turned to the chair that Mark sat on earlier. "What should we do with that bag?"

On that chair, a large backpack was left by Mark. And its contents were imported chocolate bars and packs of cigarettes.

Ren blinked with a smile as she looked at the bag. She then signaled Tadashi to put the bag on her desk. She then opened it.

Looking at the bars of chocolate inside the backpack, Ren felt shivers.

"I'll pay for a fourth... No. Half of the chocolates," Ren said as she looked at the chocolates she picked up from the backpack. "Put the rest into an auction in the rich district."

"Understood."

Tadashi shrugged as he looked at their leader, who was behaving like a kid.

Ren had a soft spot for chocolates due to some circumstances in her childhood. Unfortunately, chocolates were hard to come by even in the Reclaimed City. Even if one bar appeared, its price would be extraordinary.

However, after the talk, Mark presented this bag to sell for cheap. There was no way Ren would pass it by. And even though she could take full advantage of the cheap chocolate, she did not try to hog it all and decided to auction the rest to give Mark a higher income.

Tomorrow, the rich district would definitely be in an uproar. Not only chocolates but quality cigarettes were in shortage. Given that Japan had a large tobacco market before the outbreak, many people would be itching not to be able to smoke for an extended period of time.

"Next is that, isn't it?"

Ren said with a frown.

"Yes, our member who leaked the information," Tadashi responded with a serious look. "It's not a coincidence that many people were present in front of the bureau earlier. Someone likely spread it on purpose. The leader of the Blood Lion Troupe would not move without a concrete source either."

"Immediately conduct an investigation. Haah..." Ren sighed. "I inherited the command of the "Shadows" from my grandfather. Who would have thought that there were still rats left behind?"

"My apologies, miss," Tadashi heartfully apologized. "I did not expect one of ours would betray us and our loyalty to our grandmaster. I will personally investigate this matter and bestow capital punishment."

"Do that," Ren shook her head. "I hate to do this to anyone from the "Shadows" since you are all followed by grandfather, but we can't tolerate traitors. Prioritize this matter."

"Yes."

Tadashi said as his body blurred and he disappeared from the office.

That night, a member of the Black Lotus was witnessed escaping with an unidentified man. The horror on their faces was clear as they separated in the most populated area of Kachidoki, running in different directions. However, nothing was heard about them after the witness accounts. It was as if the two vanished without a trace.