From the very start, this was my intention.
By using [The Fool] to manipulate the memories and thoughts of one member of the Shadow of Light, I was able to influence his actions a month after.
And the ripple effect of his actions caused his other comrades to implicitly reinforce his words, causing unavoidable problems for the true culprit.
However, for this plan to work, all the parties involved had to be given the illusion of control.
By having a perceived agency over their actions, they would be vulnerable to the weaknesses their emotions and actions would bring.
Of course, everything was hinging on the scenario that Chad couldn't simply turn off the recording and make excuses such as technical issues.
If that was the case, then all the confessions would have been for nothing. The moment Chad saw things were going sideways—no, even before it got to that—he would cease showing his audience the live footage.
But, that was never going to happen.
'No one in this world can resist my Spellcraft.' With a wide grin on my face, I snapped my fingers, causing all the men to fall unconscious, sealing their fates.
'At this point, there's really nothing left for me to do.'
The final phase of the plan was now in effect, and I was no longer relevant to it.
Finally looking around me, seeing all the defeated Zenith members, and flying to meet Kuzon in the sky, I left the scene to continue my video game.
'Chairman, Director, Aloe, and Han Soo. It's your turn.'
********
"What is the meaning of this, Chad?!"
"You were lying to us all along!"
"So you're actually the villain here?!"
"I should have known!"
"You monster! To think you were secretly the leader of the Shadows of Light!"
"You won't get away with this!"
The entire Grand Symposium was now in a frenzy, with every pointed finger at Chad.
After watching the video of his direct subordinates confessing, there was no one in their right mind who would not be the least bit suspicious of Chad.
However, the true catalyst behind their very agitated response was the 'threat' Chad had posed earlier.
He had them under a leash by implicating South Korea, and they were held hostage—forced to cooperate and watch as they lost all agency and control over their own nations and assets.
Unfortunately, they couldn't resist or fight back... until now.
Right now, every member in the Grand Symposium was on the same side—therefore, they were justified.
They no longer needed to hide in the shadows or cower in fear. United in their distrust toward Chad, they raised their banners against him.
"Explain yourself, Chad!"
"You're not getting away with this!"
"Turn yourself in!"
"Say something, you bastard!"
The maelstrom of comments and noises from the several Hunter Representatives shook the room, and all attention was fixed on the single man on the stage.
He seemed downcast—his expression obscured by the long hair that covered his face.
However...
"Kukuku... kukuku..." Gripping his forehead with his hand, he made a low, sinister chuckle.
It sent a chill down the spines of those present.
However, they couldn't back down now. Not after finally driving Chad into a corner.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE—"
"Be quiet."
At that moment, a dead calm swept through the entire hall.
It was abrupt, absolutely instantaneous. The once noisy hall had now become a deadzone, all thanks to the simple words that were uttered.
"Sit down."
The moment he said this, every single member who had arisen and expressed their antagonism of Chad sat down.
None were left standing.
"This is really surprising. I didn't expect my plans to sour like this." Chad began to mutter.
"To think South Korea was already prepared. How amusing. But, in the end, it is of no use."
So what if he had been implicated? So what if they now knew him for what he was?
As long as he had absolute power, he would still triumph.
'The most powerful Hunters in this room are S Class. My Pillars are SS Class... and I... I'm SSS Class.'
No one here could resist him. Not with his power.
"It seems I will have to—"
"That's enough out of you, fiend!" A sudden voice interrupted Chad's monologue.
Her annoyed tone contained simmering emotions that couldn't be explained with words, but more importantly, the mere fact that she was able to speak brought a series of issues.
"W-what?!" Chad spotted the woman who spoke the instant he heard her voice.
It was a representative of the South Korean Hunter Association!
"Y-you...??!"
She was a Hunter that had just surfaced recently, and he was a little interested in her since she seemed capable and looked like a foreigner.
However, since his plan was to bury the South Korean Hunter Association, he decided to leave her for later.
But now, face to face with her, Chad was confused as well as conflicted.
"You... resisted my [Absolute Order] Skill? How?"
There were only two explanations that could justify this result, and none of them seemed feasible.
The first was that his woman, Aloe Vida, was just as strong as him—that is, an SSS Class Hunter.
There existed no one in this world who was capable of such a feat.
And the second option? The second was even more impossible.
It was simply that she was stronger than him!
"But that's impossible! Tell me how you did it!"
Only an SSS Class Skill or higher—if such a thing existed—could ever nullify or resist his power.
How could anyone but him have that kind of power?
'A-ah... ahhh...' He suddenly remembered the two who had defeated his elite Zenith force and four of his Pillars so easily.
Were they the same as this woman? They certainly seemed that way.
It was at this moment that Chad realized the ugly truth.
'I'm... not the strongest...?'
*
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[A/N]
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