[35] "Exposed location"

[Two days later]

At the top of the skyscraper, a neat-looking young man with snow-white hair and green eyes as clear as crystals stands dressed in a smart black suit and a cream-toned coat, while talking on his cell phone.

"Was the building built?" asked Kayden to Ares.

"Yes, I have been informed that the headquarters is ready, but some details and furniture are missing" replied Ares.

"Has he accepted the proposal?" asked Ares.

"Yes, he accepted it. He will move there when the headquarters is ready" confirmed Kayden.

"I hear you have a new companion with you" commented Kayden.

"Yes, I have known her for some time and her awakened power is interesting" replied Ares.

"If you accept her there has to be a good reason, but changing the subject, how is the barrier coming?" asked Kayden with a serious voice.

"It's already created, I just need a lot of power to turn it on. After that, there's no need to charge it. It's self-sufficient, it picks up energy from the sun and transforms it into its own energy to keep itself activated" explained Ares.

"Let me know when you activate it so I can come help you. You need the headquarters to be completely hidden from the outside and only a few know its location" Kayden said with determination.

"Don't worry, as long as the barrier is activated, even if they know where the headquarters is, they won't be able to locate it, let alone enter" Ares assured showing confidence in his words.

"I know, I trust your creation, but it's still better if fewer people know the location" Kayden insisted.

"Yeah..." replied Ares.

"How are your matchups going against the top 10?" asked Ares.

No one answered, which generated an awkward silence.

"None of the top 10 have accepted my challenge," Kayden said in annoyance.

"It's normal... they don't want to lose the privilege they have" Ares explained in a deep voice.

"Sooner or later they will accept my challenge, I haven't lost my edge. I still fight against other interesting awakened, but it's not the same..." complained Kayden.

"That's normal, you're way ahead of most of the desperados in the world rankings. Be careful, I've heard you've caused trouble in their territories" warned Ares.

"I want them to accept my challenge, I've been trying various things for several months to get them to accept, but they still won't accept" Kayden expressed in an angry voice.

"So impatient..." joked Ares laughing.

"I've been waiting for them for a long time... We're in touch" said Kayden before hanging up the call.

Ares put his cell phone away and looked up at the starry sky from the top of the building.

"It won't be long before the plot begins" he mused.

"Well, let's just wait" he concluded before jumping off the building and blending into the crowd, disappearing into the crowd.

....

[A few hours ago]

[South Korean awakening academy]

An elderly man sat in front of six devices projecting six figures.

"I have gathered them together on an emergency basis because of some important information to be given to us by the Shinhwa president," Han Seongik said in a deep voice.

"Thank you very much. It has been confirmed that Ares is here in Korea," Jiyoung Yoo replied.

"Ares, the emperor of light in Korea?" asked Hye-yeong Kim in astonishment.

"That awakened young man addicted to fighting?" added Supil Kang.

"Recently it was said that he fought with several awakened ones who are ranked 35th in the world," the Awakened Union president added.

"Isn't it said that he has a twisted personality worse than his master, facing anyone he encounters?" said Hye-yeong Kim.

"Hmm... What could make Ares want to come to this country?" wondered President Halla, puzzled.

A silence formed as everyone stared at Han Seongik.

"I don't know why he might have come here, but one thing I know for sure, and that is that he is going to fight," he finally said. "You have to prepare yourself, because at any moment you might have Ares in front of you, and I don't think you'll have a chance to run away if you run into him," he warned.

"What are we going to do? Everyone must know the great threat posed by an awakened one of his caliber here right now," Jiyoung Yoo said worriedly.

"There's nothing to prepare for, he's just a kid...," Supil Kang dismissively said.

"Do you think you are capable of facing him alone? He is an awakened who has fought several world top near top 30, killing two and making one run away and ranked 39th in the world," Han Seongik said in a calm but forceful voice to Kang Supil.

"You are overestimating yourself a lot, Baekdu chairman. You don't know how huge the outside is," Han Seongik added with a disdainful expression.

After Han Seongik's comment, a tense silence gripped the room.

Kang Supil's face contorts into a grimace of frustration.

But Jiyoung Yoo steps in to calm the situation, "We need to prepare for a possible attack," he says in a firm voice. "I don't think many of us will be able to deal with it. We need to plan a contingency plan."

The Awakened Union president nods in agreement with her. "What does the president of Shinhwa come up with?".

Jiyoung Yoo proposes his idea. "We should form a security network where each organization contributes its awakened ones to rise and protect the country."

The Baekho chairman questions. "Are you saying let's send our awakened ones outside?".

To which the Awakened Union chairman replies. "You said yourself that not many awakened can stand up to him and with his crazy personality, the awakened who meet him will die, you're not sending them to their deaths?".

All the figures present nod silently as the discussion continues.

Jiyoung Yoo proposes a contingency plan to protect the awakened in case of an attack, "He said to place our awakened at strategic points to protect themselves if they are attacked, decreasing deaths as much as possible," he explains in a serene voice.

Han Seongik supports the proposal, "I agree with the plan."

The other presidents present also go along with the idea.

"I accept," says the chairman of Halla.

"I agree," says the president of Awakened Union.

"I also agree," adds Hye-yeong Kim.

Even the president of Baekho accepts the proposal. "I accept Chairwoman Jiyoung Yoo's idea."

Then, Han Seongik turns to Supil Kang, seeking his confirmation. "Supil Kang do you agree?" to which the man replies with a simple "Yes..".

Jiyoung Yoo reiterates the importance of collaboration between organizations, "I expect everyone to contribute and place your awakened in groups and at strategic points. If anything happens, please contact the representatives of the other organizations immediately so that we can help."

Han Seongik concludes the meeting: "I hope everyone will do their part and cooperate so that there will be no losses. I will be communicating with you.

Those present nod gravely as they leave the meeting room, leaving Han Seongik and Hye-yeong Kim alone.

"What's wrong, Hye-yeong Kim?" asked Han Seongik in a deep voice.

"Don't play mysterious with me. You clearly know why I was waiting for them to leave so I could talk to you. You know very well why Ares is here," Hye-yeong Kim replied angrily.

"I don't know what you mean," Han Seongik said as he grabbed a cup of coffee from the table.

"You're the only one who can get his attention. A former world ranked desperado, now retired, is coming for you," said Hye-yeong Kim.

The hand holding the cup trembled. "You don't need to worry."

"Since I shouldn't, I'm very likely to go where you are. I'll come to support you," Hye-yeong Kim said.

"No, don't come. You will only cause more trouble," said Han Seongik.

"But...," said Hye-yeong Kim.

"Protect your area. He didn't come alone as far as we know. Other imperfections may occur," Han Seongik said, and without waiting for an answer, he closed the call.

'Well, this is unexpected. It's been many years since I last saw him. How far will he have grown? Hopefully he won't cause trouble for organizations in this country, although he is a young man involved in trouble.'

....

[At Shinhwa Association]

A beautiful woman, with Asian features and dark hair, was sitting in front of a table on which six figures were projected through a device. Jiyoung Yoo was carefully watching the screen, making a mental note of the important details of the conversation.

Suddenly, she turns off the device and turns to the man standing next to her. "Start the plan," he said in a firm voice. "Organize some awakened people to complement each other to stand guard in our territory."

Inhyuk Goo nodded vigorously and replied. "Yes, president, I will still go out to patrol any news, I will let you know immediately."

Jiyoung Yoo smiled gratefully and added with a note of concern. "Be careful."

"Don't worry," Inhyuk Goo said as he walked away. "I'll be careful where I move."

The woman looked around, reflecting on the current situation and the measures needed to protect her people.

....

(Current time)

[Where Ares]

Two people and a dragon were in a spacious house, enjoying the comfort their home offered.

Rebecca, a young awakened, was eager to find other awakened to face them in combat, while Ares, her dragon companion, offered her some suggestions on possible opponents.

"There are plenty of awakened here for you to take on," Ares said, trying to convince Rebecca that there was no need to look outside the country.

"This country is weak, there are no interesting desperados," Rebecca said.

But Silvia, the third person in the room, interrupted her words. "I don't think that's right. I sense quite powerful auras, especially one in the distance," said Silvia, from an elegant armchair.

Rebecca looked confused. "Can you sense their auras from that far away?" she asked.

Silvia nodded. "It's true. There are decent awakened ones here who hide their power from the outside, becoming stronger in silence... as all awakened ones do."

"Really, who would those interesting awakeners be?" asked Rebecca with interest.

"I'll tell you the organizations in this country. Halla Association, MIR, Awakened Union, Shinhwa Association, Baekdu and Baekho," Ares replied.

"There are various organizations, but which are the interesting awakeners to face in the future?" asked Rebecca.

"Be especially careful of Shinhwa's president, Jiyoung Yoo. You wouldn't be able to defeat her, but everyone else is beatable," Ares warned.

"I am not able to defeat her? It seems this country hides its powers well, as I've never heard the name Jiyoung Yoo before," Rebecca mused to herself.

"Besides, Jiyoung Yoo is very young and recently ranked #1 in Korea," Ares added.

"Ranked #1?" repeated Rebecca.

"I'm going to talk to someone. Will you stay here looking for a fight?" asked Ares.

"Someone interesting? ... Yes, I'll stay here. I'll see if I can find someone interesting to fight while you have fun," said Rebecca.

"Careful. The awakened here hide their powers from the outside. Don't get careless, and if you need anything, let me know," Ares warned.

"Yes," Rebecca replied.

Ares looked at Silvia and said, "Are you going with me or staying with Rebecca?"

"I'll go with you for sure. I feel a huge aura pulling me," Silvia said, running into Ares' arms.

Ares affirmed her and made her affectionate. "Good, I won't be so long."

....

1925 words.

Next Chapter "Quick Visit"