In a busy family restaurant, two people sat in a corner ordering food. The area around them was quiet, as if no one was paying them any extra attention.
"First, tell me why you're targeting that robber."
Miwako didn't believe Ren was the type to just go after a random criminal.
"The reason is simple. Her fate caught my interest, and disrupting that fate is both interesting and useful to me."
Ren laid out his two reasons plainly.
After hearing them, Miwako nodded slightly, a look of approval crossing her face.
"Well, those reasons sound reasonable enough."
She already knew Ren wasn't someone who caused trouble without a good reason. His previous actions had shown that calling on him in a pinch was always the best choice.
Since his reason wasn't some half-hearted excuse, Miwako understood this wasn't something he would have hidden from her anyway.
"So, it's her? You're not just interested because she's a woman?"
Her tone was clearly teasing, making Ren sigh.
"I'm interested in her because of her identity and the secrets she carries, as well as the reasons she resorted to robbing a bank."
"There's something hidden there."
Miwako's curiosity was piqued.
"I like hearing stories. So, explain briefly."
Seeing her treat it as just a story, Ren had no real complaints. Who would have thought she'd get this lively once they became familiar?
"It's about a secret organization."
"…Wait. Let me check first."
The mention of a secret organization immediately set off Miwako's instincts. She asked cautiously,
"Is it the same as ours?"
"No. It's a common, secular criminal organization involved in pharmaceuticals, money-making, assassinations, and similar activities. It's fundamentally different from us. Their ultimate goal is basically what we'd consider a standard setup for the future."
"I see."
Miwako nodded slightly. From his description, it was similar to an international terrorist group—special in some ways, but not a supernatural organization.
Even so, one thing still puzzled her.
"Why would a group involved in money-making and assassinations also get into pharmaceuticals?"
"Because that assassination group has a very specific goal."
Miwako leaned in slightly. She was curious about the aim of such an organization.
"They want a longer life."
"…Huh?"
"They just want to live longer. Compared to that, everything else is insignificant in the face of time."
An organization chasing immortality… No wonder an assassination group would get involved in pharmaceuticals.
Normally, such a thing would sound ridiculous. How could people in the mundane world think seriously about immortality?
But considering she was now a believer with extraordinary powers, Miwako had no grounds to dismiss the idea. Her current experiences were far more outlandish than the group's goal.
Then she suddenly realized something.
"Their ultimate goal is our standard? You mean our organization also has the concept of immortality?"
Ren gave her a look of surprise.
"Did you think Extraordinary people were only extraordinary in terms of abilities? As we advance along this path, immortality is inevitable. I thought you would have realized that from the start."
Miwako covered her face with one hand.
"I never thought about it."
She had never had such fantasies. Her imagination simply didn't run that way.
"Greater power brings a longer life, and a longer life brings an unaging face. Immortality is part of the standard for the Extraordinary."
"An unaging face…"
It had to be said, that idea was tempting for Miwako.
Seeing the faint anticipation on her face, Ren rested his chin in both hands and smiled.
"Looking forward to it?"
"No, not at all."
Actually, she was.
Miwako was still a woman, and as she grew older, she became more conscious of her appearance.
In the past, her work as a police officer had made her strong and left little room for such thoughts.
But when faced with the idea of never aging, she couldn't help caring.
Suppressing that anticipation, she steered the conversation back.
"So, this is a dangerous organization seeking immortality? Their assassinations and money-making are all just ways to gather resources for that goal?"
She quickly pieced the logic together.
"That's right. Longevity research is extremely costly in any era, especially when the outcome is uncertain. You have to cast a wide net."
Ren continued,
"The activities that make quick money are mostly shady. Legitimate industries can't earn that much fast. And longevity research requires talent from many fields, so their reach extends everywhere. To avoid being targeted too soon, they also infiltrate government agencies in different countries."
"This group is looking for trouble."
Just hearing this made Miwako feel they were on the fast track to destruction.
National agencies weren't easy to infiltrate, and targeting them recklessly was foolish.
"Can they even keep existing doing things like this?"
Ren nodded, then added something that shocked her even more.
"Because most official organizations in the world are also curious about their true purpose. Many have already infiltrated the group and drawn their own conclusions."
"This organization's goal is big enough that they may even offend state agencies. It's that curiosity that's kept them alive so long. Countries want answers, so they keep watching instead of destroying them outright."
"Of course, many official organizations already know their purpose. That's why they turn a blind eye to certain actions, waiting to see if they can produce real results."
(To be continued.)
***
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