Sometime later, Calahan and Alex were busily operating their respective smartphones, which showed the G.O.DS emblem in the upper right corner of the screen. Calahan’s expression turned astonished.

“It’s been half an hour since all communication access from the area around the Pentagon was cut off.”

Alex’s expression turned curious; he checked his smartphone.

“There is also no news update regarding the discussion with Black Star. Was all communication completely cut off….”

This matter starts bothering them. They operated their respective smartphones again with slightly worried expressions. Calahan appeared to remember something.

“Regarding the recent investigation by G.O.DS members about the fairy tale, is it true that it is a true story?”

Alex turned to Calahan for a moment with a deadpan expression.

“It is still under investigation by the special team; we’ll hear the news from them soon.”

Calahan read the text displayed on his smartphone curiously:

“Once upon a time, there was a group of people from a hidden village. Somehow, they knew that “some kind of disaster” was coming. They began to travel together to find an answer and found a legend about “the valley of monsters,” the place where the monsters exist. They continue on a journey to prove the truth of the legend. It turned out the legend was true; they recklessly entered the place intending to capture some monsters and make them tools to help them.

How surprised they were when they discovered this place was a beautiful forest valley of beautiful mountains, far different from their thoughts. They were also amazed at how surprisingly peaceful this place was; the monsters coexist with each other. Unfortunately, this place was very dangerous for them; the monsters could attack them at any time and put them in danger. At first, they were scared and almost gave up wading through this beautiful but very dangerous place, but they finally managed to survive. Even so, after much consideration, they decided to discourage their intention. The reason was:

In the world of monsters, there was an unwritten law that monsters normally don’t interfere with other monsters. The smaller the difference in power between them, the less likely they would clash with each other. If anyone tried to interfere with that, the monsters might end up fighting each other and bring about the destruction of the world. End of story....”

Calahan’s expression turned astonished.

“Sounds more like a warning than a fairy tale….”

Alex nodded while he looked at the tablet computer screen in his hand.

“The special team that investigated it claims that the key to helping us lies in this fairy tale.”

Calahan was reading the fairy tale on his smartphone again.

“I guess they have a point; who would turn a story like this into a fairy tale anyway?”

Alex smiled.

“Right, maybe there is a hidden message to be conveyed from the fairy tale.”

Calahan’s expression turned serious.

“Even though it seems like an act of desperation to investigate a fairy tale.”

Alex’s expression turned deadpan.

“Maybe, I don’t know either.”

They focused back on their smartphone.

Sometime later, Alex was now standing in front of a row of windows with a beautiful view of the city. However, Calahan’s attention was focused on the clear and slightly cloudy blue sky, watching it with a serious expression as if something in the sky was bothering him. Calahan’s expression turned astonished.

“Recently, a lot of interesting things have happened. But I’ll admit, Black Star is the most interesting one.”

Alex kept his focus on the sky outside the window panes before him, and his expression turned serious.

“It’s up to them, Calahan; we should prioritize the problems we’ll face right now.”

Calahan’s expression turned deadpan as he watched Alex from behind.

“Speaking of Black Star, should we discuss again what we’ll try to talk to him about if he comes to us?”

Alex turned to Calahan.

“Although I don’t like to admit it either, we must accept the fact that we have to regard Black Star as an enemy.”

Calahan put his smartphone on a nearby table, then crossed his arms.

“We’re entrusted here as a last resort to negotiate with him, but is this even going to work?”

Alex smiled.

“Whatever happens, at least we can get an idea whether we can fight him or not.”

Calahan’s expression turned deadpan.

“I know this building has pretty strong defenses, but how strong are they actually?”

Alex answered while walking toward the single couch near Calahan and sat down.

“This skyscraper is a branch of a secret quarters belonging to the G.O.DS with the intention of not only for G.O.DS members but also as a makeshift bunker for the people if needed. Built as tough as a military fortress, its frame is made of thick alloy, which makes it very sturdy and difficult to demolish. It had a defense mechanism against ground and air attacks; even the windows’ panes were a thick bulletproof glass that could withstand multiple rocket launchers or tank’s gun hits. So technically, we are safe here.”

Calahan’s expression turned astonished.

“Technically? You can’t really make sure of it?”

Alex smiled.

“Black Star probably won’t stop until he takes out all the G.O.DS quarters; we also don’t know which buildings he will attack first. So here we are, representing and overseeing this building. Let’s just hope we’re not the first to be attacked… I guess the other supervisors also hope for the same thing, hahaha.”

Alex laughed casually. On the other hand, Calahan looked a little stressed.

“Black Star… is he like the type of heroes and villains that the G.O.DS always warn us to watch out for?”

Alex nodded; his expression turned serious.

“I also remember that, too. Either someone stays or goes from a hero to a villain or vice versa, but basically, there are only three types of heroes: First, those who make themselves monsters. Second, those who brought monsters to help them. And the third… is both.”

Calahan’s expression turned serious.

Shortly after, Calahan and Alex were surprised by a loud bang followed by a momentary violent shaking of this skyscraper as if it was about to collapse. Shortly after, the computer AI voice sounded on the speakers spread across many corners of the building.

“An unknown object strikes the building and begins to identify the enemy. Activate the building’s defense system. Please head to the set position immediately.”

Even so, Calahan and Alex stayed where they were and didn’t plan to leave their place. From outside, muffled sounds of explosions and gunshots could be heard, as well as the shaking of this building that was getting worse, as if it was about to collapse. After a while, the computer AI voice sounded.

“The unknown object confirmed as Black Star.”

Calahan was surprised.

“What happened to the discussions at the Pentagon?”

Alex was surprised.

“Something was wrong; this might have something to do with the communication being cut off from there.”

Calahan’s expression turned serious.

“What are the chances of us surviving this?”

Alex’s expression turned serious.

“Let’s just say that if this building’s defense can withstand BlackStar’s attacks for more than five minutes, then we still have chances of defeating him.”

A few moments later, the atmosphere suddenly became silent. Alex looked at his watch and appeared to have predicted that.

“Okay, it turns out that under five minutes, you already understand what it means.”

Calahan’s expression turned deadpan, then sighed. They remained calm as if nothing had happened. For a few moments, things were quiet; their expressions turned astonished. Calahan appeared to realize something.

“By the way, I guess we can shorten G.O.DS’s explanation about the three types of heroes just now to: There is no such thing as a hero or a villain, just people who fight for what they believe in.”

Alex was surprised.

“Damn you, I should be the one who is wise here, hahaha.”

Alex laughed casually; Calahan looked at him astonishedly.

Shortly after, another bang was heard, followed by a vigorous shaking of the building. The two stood up from their seats with serious expressions and appeared to know already what had happened. Calahan was alert and immediately drew his handgun from the holster attached to the belt at his waist, then aimed it in every direction he was looking. Shortly after, Calahan appeared to realize something; his expression turned astonished.

“Why did I ready my gun anyway....”

However, Calahan continued to observe around him while aiming his gun at the ready-to-fire stance. On the other hand, Alex operated his smartphone for a while, then put it back into the pocket behind his suit jacket.

“I have confirmed the emergency situation to all G.O.DS quarters worldwide, whether it is of any use or not….”

Calahan looked at Alex with a serious expression, then nodded.

Shortly after, a black silhouette hovered from above direction to the front of a row of tall metal-framed window panes behind them. This silhouette flew into the building quickly, piercing and shattering the thick bulletproof glass window panes. Calahan and Alex immediately turned towards the window with shocked expressions. Calahan aimed his handgun at the person before them; this black silhouette was now standing in front of Alex and Calahan.