The following days unfolded exactly as Keith had predicted.
CIA,
FBI,
DGSE,
Independent syndicates,
Private military forces.
They all moved.
Zoo's safe houses were burned.
Their front businesses were seized.
Their financial arteries were cut.
Billions vanished.
Locations went dark.
Supply chains collapsed overnight.
And at the center of the storm—
Yusaku Kudo sat silently, fingers interlaced, thinking.
Find a way out.
But for the first time—
There was no clear path.
Runcandel Vision Headquarters
Top Floor — Boardroom
Keith Argus Runcandel stood at the head of the table.
Floor-to-ceiling glass revealed the city below, distant and insignificant.
Around the table sat the people he trusted most.
Not subordinates.
Not tools.
His world.
Albedo — COO of the Runcandel Group.
Gamma — CEO of Runcandel Group.
Tomoko Suzuki (Divorced) — Head of the Board.
Vermouth (Chris Vineyard) — Head of Entertainment.
Chisato Hasegawa — Head of R&D and Medical.
Saya Takagi — Keith's secretary.
Curaçao — Keith's assistant.
Ayako Suzuki — Assistant to Tomoko Suzuki.
Kuroka — Keith's bodyguard.
Yor Forger — Keith's bodyguard.
Grayfia — Keith's maid.
Sylpha Langlis — Deputy maid.
Hidemi Hondou — Actress under Runcandel Entertainment.
Yukiko Fujimine — Actress under Runcandel Entertainment.
Keith nodded once.
"Good morning."
The room straightened instinctively.
"Reports," Keith said calmly.
Tomoko Suzuki gestured first.
"Runcandel Technology is up twelve percent year-on-year," she reported.
"Smartphones exceeded projections in Asia and Europe."
Gamma followed smoothly.
"Runcandel Cosmetics expanded into three new markets," he said.
"Medical-grade skincare lines are selling above expectations."
Albedo tapped her tablet.
"Runcandel Labs completed Phase Three trials ahead of schedule," she said.
"Shipyard orders increased due to military-grade logistics demand."
"Exports and imports remain stable," Tomoko continued.
"Gaming revenue spiked after the last update."
Keith listened without interrupting.
Then—
He nodded.
"Good."
One word.
Enough.
He turned his gaze toward Vermouth.
"Chris."
She smiled professionally.
"The film enters cinema release in one to two months," she said.
"Early reviews are… enthusiastic."
Keith nodded.
"Proceed."
He then reached into his coat.
And placed several digital panels onto the table.
Fashion designs.
Jewelry blueprints.
Accessory concepts.
Clean.
Elegant.
Timeless.
"These," Keith said,
"will enter the market."
No debate.
Only acknowledgment.
Everyone nodded.
Keith leaned back slightly.
"Look through them," he added calmly.
"If there's anything you like—"
He paused.
"I'll give it to you."
The room froze for half a second.
Then—
Warmth spread.
Saya smiled softly.
Curaçao looked away, ears faintly red.
Hidemi's eyes lit up.
Yukiko smiled brightly.
Albedo's lips curved faintly.
Gamma chuckled.
Tomoko sighed quietly, amused.
Grayfia lowered her head respectfully.
Sylpha nodded with satisfaction.
Ayako clasped her hands happily.
Even Yor blinked in surprise.
"…Thank you," several voices murmured.
Keith waved it off.
"Meeting adjourned."
Everyone stood.
As they filed out, whispers followed—not of profit, not of power—
But of loyalty.
Keith remained alone at the head of the table, gaze drifting to the city beyond the glass.
Zoo was bleeding.
Yusaku was cornered.
And Runcandel—
Was thriving.
Keith closed his eyes briefly.
Let the world burn its monsters.
I'll build something better.