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Desperate Elf
Butcher Demon Chapter 327 Central Unified Interdimensional Military Command FORCOM
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"Are your injuries okay now, Logan?"
The twin-tailed woman who spoke from the side was Mashu.
"Are you asking a military officer lounging in bed at a time like this?"
Without turning, Logan lifted his glasses, eyes glued to the big screen.
He seemed fine at first glance, but Mashu knew beneath the uniform, there were still blood-stained bandages wrapped around him. She was a pro when it came to picking up information.
"Tough break, huh? Ribs shattered by a rare alien, a vampire, right? Truly the elite of the former FORCOM airborne forces. Heard it's an honorable wound for protecting your ex-girlfriend."
"Making a big deal out of nothing. I was just being clumsy."
The two of them were having a conversation at the headquarters of FORCOM, Unified Interdimensional Military Force.
A massive screen on the wall showed live updates on the Alien War. In this room, Logan scrutinized every piece of information.
"Yakumo, right? Says he can decipher any code in an instant. Hard to believe, but if the aliens are after him, it might be true. Where's he at now?"
"Don't know."
"And what about the ex-girlfriend who gave you that information?"
"..."
Logan responded with a deep sigh.
Mashu, sitting at the table next to him, asked,
"Did you give them the beacon?"
"All satellites are down now. Detection will be tricky. If we can get close, we should be able to catch it even with personal terminals, but... no discovery info so far."
"Maybe they went to the alien's planet."
"Possibly, but we know radio waves can pass through a gate. We should find them eventually."
"You should hurry up. She's become a target for assassination."
"I know. I know. It's Damien's final stunt. Even after he's dead, he's still a pain."
That's why Logan was sticking around. He needed to find Abigail before anyone else did.
Thanks to that, he was catching snippets of the world's anomalies one after another.
Incidents of UMA attacks were occurring worldwide. Probably magical beasts. The location of the gates was being reported so often that the effort to confirm them was ridiculous.
Unfounded rumors were increasing day by day. People say they saw a floating castle from an airplane. They witnessed a desert of jewels. Cities are supposedly under attack by zombies. And now there are reports of giants bigger than mountains. Normally, such things could be brushed off as fake, but with multiple video sources, credibility soared. The world was in the midst of chaos.
Just a while ago, there was a report of an unknown continent emerging from the sea.
"What in the world is happening?"
"At times like this, people who stick to their beliefs and keep moving forward are the strongest. You're in touch, right?"
Mashu, without naming names, undoubtedly pointed out the 88 Division.
Immediately after the 88 was on the verge of falling, Lieutenant Admiral Penrose chose to sortie.
Along the way, he took troops from forts and strongholds he passed, enlarging the scale while advancing toward the enemy's base. Fox Team was included as well.
Logan had secretly been in contact with some members of the Fox about Abigail's situation. Currently, the 88 and its reconnaissance team were undoubtedly the ones with the ability to freely explore the world.
However, FORCOM did not approve of Penrose's military actions. An order to stop should've come right away, but the recent chaos caused by the thunderclap prevented them from doing so.
Whether it was a rebellion or rightful military action, the 88 Division was moving freely, taking advantage of the current unclear status. The trouble was that they had successively discovered veins of what were believed to be rare metals in alien territory, gaining influence within the world government UCEG, and surpassing FORCOM. The relationship between 88 and FORCOM, the group they originally belonged to, was strained.
Therefore, Logan, a senior official at FORCOM, exchanging information with Fox, a member of the 88 Division, was an act that could jeopardize his position. Mashu was well aware of this.
"For now, being practical is more important than keeping up appearances."
"Just make sure it's not just for your own benefit."
"I'll keep that in mind. By the way, Mashu."
"What is it?"
"Can you fly to Tokyo?"
"Is that a mission?"
"It's a personal request."
"Hmm, how unusual. Alright, fine. I'll drop by if I feel like it. If you have any recommendations for souvenirs, let me know by email."
With those words, Mashu left, blowing a kiss before heading out. Logan, not bothering to look at her, kept staring at the big screen.
――In the corner of that screen, there was a spider.
People usually miss things right next to what they're paying attention to, turning them into blind spots. No one had expected there was a tarantula at the heart of FORCOM.
For days, the spider had been in that spot, and no one seemed to have noticed its existence. Of course, the spider's ability was also at play. That hairy legs contain some secrets.
The spider watched Mashu leave the command center, humming a tune. The smartphone she left behind remained on the table.
The spider's compound eyes locked onto Logan as he reached for the smartphone. Whatever thoughts occupied the spider's mind, remains unknown.
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Butcher Demon