TRPM 243

chapter 243

Even as the organization’s members worldwide—and even the companies they used for money laundering—were being rounded up, the Australian branch of the organization managed to maintain its power.

The reason was simple.

Australia’s upper class had fallen into the organization’s grasp.

“(Our organization has really gone downhill… Just a few years ago, we were manipulating the world’s most powerful people, weren’t we?)”
“(……)”
“(Those were the good old days… when the world’s specialty goods were being sent to the Moon.)”

As the awakened ones spoke, one of the building’s employees timidly addressed them.

“(Um… excuse me…)”
“(Hmm?)”
“(How do you… track the Oracle…?)”

Crack…!

Before the employee could finish their question, their head disappeared.

“(Whatever we do is none of your concern, right?)”
“(You’re the caretaker here, aren’t you? Maybe you should train your subordinates again.)”
“(Y-Yes….)”
“(Oh? Feeling upset?)”

The building’s caretaker swallowed his anger.

These were elites who had lived on the Moon—far above him in both ability and rank.

‘(And everyone knows how temperamental the elites are within the organization….)’

Among the many members living on the Moon, the so-called elites were a group of awakened ones with the organization’s strongest combat power.

Why hadn’t such exceptional individuals been brought to headquarters?

The reason was that even the headquarters did not believe it could control them.

It was hard to imagine they would obey the organization blindly.

So while the headquarters on Mars called in those brainwashed to unwavering loyalty, the elites were left on the Moon.

Beep…!
Beep…!

As the caretaker pondered this, a loud signal began blaring from the awakened ones’ devices.

“(…Ah, damn….)”
“(Why here of all places?)”

The awakened ones immediately understood the signal.

They had come to Earth for this very reason.

“(…Not too far.)”
“(The Oracle should at least know there are many members in Australia. What guts to show up here?)”

It was a signal that the Oracle had been detected in Australia via the organization-controlled satellite.

“(Hey, get the car.)”
“(Yes!)”

The employees who had just witnessed one of their colleagues die moved quickly.

It didn’t take long for the vehicle for the awakened ones to be ready.

“(Annoying….)”
“(Better this way. Once we catch the Oracle, we can return to the Moon immediately.)”
“(Everyone wanted to deal with the Oracle themselves anyway, didn’t they?)”

The awakened ones boarded the vehicle.

…Although it would have been faster for them to run than to use the car, they used it simply because they were lazy.

“(……)”
“(……)”

Of course, none of these awakened ones would drive themselves.

The driver ferrying them to the Oracle’s location had a tough time.

A single mistake could result in decapitation by these elites.

These elites were rumored to kill if the car shook too much, or if the Oracle wasn’t there when they arrived.

“(…We’ve arrived.)”

Luckily for the driver, the awakened ones understood that killing them would mean driving or walking themselves, so no one died.

And then….

“(…What’s that?)”
“(…Are they waiting for us?)”

At the destination, the Oracle was waiting.

But she wasn’t alone.

“(…Looks like she even made some allies in such a short time.)”

Four people, hidden under coats, stood beside her.

“(…Just four? That’s nothing.)”
“(True.)”

The organization’s awakened ones were numerically superior—and these were the elites, the best of the best.

Whatever allies the Oracle had made, they weren’t enough to defeat them.

The awakened ones exited the vehicle and confronted the Oracle.

“(…Quite a turnout, isn’t it?)”

The Oracle murmured as she observed them.

To the awakened ones, she seemed nervous—as if she had anticipated the battle but was hesitant now that it had come.

After all, the organization’s awakened ones knew the Oracle had no combat experience.

“(Even seeing the future, she’s still inexperienced.)”
“(No wonder the organization is falling apart with such a timid leader.)”

Most of the organization’s expansion to the Moon and Mars was thanks to the Oracle, yet the awakened ones blamed her for the current decline.

The Oracle’s companions spoke up.

“(Oracle, are you just going to ignore that? If so, I’ll be disappointed.)”
“(Heh… I don’t need to heed the words of fools, but as someone who’s chosen to follow you, I’m annoyed.)”

“Chosen to follow…?”

The awakened ones narrowed their eyes. Who were these people to speak so boldly?

“(…Surprisingly, the more of them that come, the better for us.)”

The Oracle spoke casually, as if the number of enemies didn’t matter.

The elites, confident in their own strength, were furious.

“(That woman….)”
“(Don’t kill her too easily. Capture her painfully, or perhaps torture her for life.)”

They drew on their energy.

“(Hmm…?)”

One of the Oracle’s companions looked at the awakened ones in surprise, then turned to the Oracle as if seeking explanation.

“(…They are the organization’s elite. Not all are Aura Masters or Archmages, but they are just below that. Some elites are Aura Masters or Archmages, but…)”

So no one here was strong enough to be a serious threat.

“(I see. I thought taking down the organization would be easy… seems they’re more capable than expected.)”

The companion stepped forward and threw off their coat.

“(…At least this will be entertaining.)”

Then, in the next instant….

“(Gah?!)”
“(Aaah?!)”

Several awakened ones screamed and were knocked back.

Having lived on the Moon, they were unused to pain and combat.

“(…I only hit lightly. And as expected, you can still withstand this.)”

The Oracle’s companion smiled fiercely and with delight.

“(I am Tianma of China. Recently, an artist amused me… I don’t expect you to entertain me at that level, though….)”

“(Ugh?!)”

Before anyone could react, Tianma’s fist struck an awakened one.

The Aura spread from Tianma’s claws, twisting the awakened one’s arm and striking their face.

Bang…!

The awakened one flew backward into a parked car.

“(…Why… is Tianma here?)”

Even the arrogant elites knew of Tianma.

An ordinary Aura Master could be taken down with teamwork, but Tianma was no ordinary Aura Master.

Tianma spoke kindly to the bewildered elites.

“(Simple. I followed the Oracle whom I recognize.)”
“(…What?)”
“(You mean… recognized the Oracle…?)”

The elites could not comprehend it. Tianma had acknowledged the Oracle—one with no combat ability?

“(…You just called the Oracle inexperienced and timid, right?)”

They were mistaken.

“(The Oracle boldly came to my seat of power and proposed a deal—one worthy of my interest.)”

Such audacity left no room to call her inexperienced or timid.

“(She’s far greater than you, who froze in front of me!)”

Tianma unleashed his arm.

Tianma Divine Technique – Claw Method: Corrupt Blood Claw

The Aura emanating from Tianma’s claws sliced across the awakened ones, leaving wounds wherever it passed.

“(Aaagh?!)”
“(Aaaaah?!)”

The Oracle murmured softly.

“(You all exaggerate.)”

For an awakened one, such wounds were minor.

“(Heh… Tianma has a wicked hobby.)”
“(Huh?)”

Another companion explained.

“(Tianma’s Aura entered through the wounds, spreading through the bloodstream and causing cell necrosis.)”

“(……)”

The Oracle was silent. What she had thought was exaggeration wasn’t.

“(Heh… Oracle, you’re still young. Experience all this and grow.)”
“(…Thank you.)”

Though an adult, next to her companions she was still a child in comparison. She remained silent, grateful for their guidance.