Limitless Evolution System: Reincarnation of the Strongest Slayer God-Chapter 41: Threads in the Photograph

"The sooner he knows the situation we are in, the better," Lucien continued after Liam left.

Grey’s expression remained troubled. "What if he refuses to join the cause?"

"Then we’ll have to make him." Lucien said flatly, he had already resolved.

...

Kent sat in the upscale restaurant wearing casual three-quarter black shorts and a gray polo shirt, dark sunglasses perched on his nose despite being indoors. He gently cut small pieces of meat with his knife and fork, and put tiny chunks of it into his mouth.

Then, a formally dressed man entered the restaurant, scanning the room before spotting Kent. He wore a crisp white office shirt tucked into black pants, a red striped tie completing his professional appearance. An orange-colored file was clutched in his right hand as he approached Kent’s table.

The man settled into the seat across from Kent, who paused his meal to take a sip of water. "Would you like anything?" Kent offered.

"No, no, no," the man said, shaking his head emphatically. "I won’t be here for long." Robert just wanted to conclude his objective here and get going.

"Alright, what do you have for me?" Kent asked, setting down his utensils.

Robert placed the file on the table and slid it toward Kent. "The name you asked for, Kai Egnis. I was able to get his travel history." Kent opened the file and began scanning the documents as Robert continued his briefing.

"He flew into Michigan about three years ago from China and made hotel reservations through Detroit Metro Airport," Robert explained. "I found out which hotel he stayed in for several months, and I managed to access their transaction records. During that period, they received continuous daily payments from Bastion Inc for this same individual and when I cross-checked, Bastion Inc also paid for his flight tickets."

Kent looked up from the papers. "Bastion Inc is an armor manufacturing company, the best in the world, even. I wonder what their connection is to this Kai Egnis."

"I was getting to that..." Robert said, leaning forward slightly. "I was wondering the same thing, especially given the pictures you provided of the white-haired boy. So I did some research on Bastion himself. In 2007, House Kharthorne hosted a private event and Mr. Bastion was invited. In some of the photographs taken that evening, he was seen holding the hand of a little boy with white hair. It’s all documented in the file."

Kent rummaged through the documents until he found the photograph Robert referenced. It showed a tall man climbing the entrance stairs of a mansion, holding the hand of a child with distinctive white hair. The man’s face wasn’t visible as the picture had been taken from behind and at a distance, but the child had turned sideways just as the snapshot was captured, revealing his features clearly.

"So you’re saying—" Kent began, and Robert interrupted, "Yes, that child in the photo could very well be Kai Egnis, and that’s not all. This same individual traveled back to China a few weeks ago—same airport, Detroit Metro, same funding source, Bastion Inc."

"Impressive work, Robert," Kent said, carefully returning the photographs and papers to the file before retrieving his phone. After a few quick taps, Robert’s phone buzzed with a notification. He checked his device and his eyebrows shot up. "Ten thousand dollars? That’s an incredibly generous balance."

"There’s a reason we keep you instead of going through lengthy processes. Keep up the excellent work," Kent said.

"Thank you," Robert replied before taking his leave. Kent returned to his meal, his mind already processing the implications of what he’d learned.

...

Currently in Beijing, China - 1:00 AM

The spacious bedroom was a study in luxury, featuring a coffered ceiling dominated by an enormous crystal chandelier. Curved walls lined with arched windows and French doors offered views of the grounds beyond. A king-sized bed with a dark wood frame and white tufted headboard occupied one wall, flanked by matching nightstands topped with elegant table lamps.

Near the windows, a seating area with cream-colored chairs and an ottoman created an intimate space for reflection or certain deep conversations. A fireplace with an ornate mantel graced another wall and this framed artwork hung precisely above and beside it. Light-colored carpet covered the floors, while the walls were painted in warm beige tones, and rich curtains framed each window.

Kai Egnis sat in one of the chairs near the window, wearing simple pajamas as he stared out into the darkness. The night transformed the glass into a mirror, reflecting his troubled expression back at him. Then his bedroom door opened softly, and a woman entered.

Her extraordinarily long silver-white hair cascaded down her back like liquid moonlight, and she wore crimson night robes with flowing sleeves that rustled gently as she moved. "Can’t sleep?" she asked, approaching him before settling gracefully on his bed.

"No, Mother," Kai answered without turning from the window.

"You haven’t been getting much rest since you returned from America," she observed, her voice carrying the concern of a worried mother.

Sudden flashes of memory assaulted his mind—his brutal battle with Liam, the overwhelming aura that had nearly forced him to surrender, Liam’s hand crushing his head into the ground, the moment he’d almost succumbed to defeat, and the ferocious impact when their powers had clashed with devastating force.

"When is Father returning?" he asked, deliberately steering the conversation away from his sleepless nights.

"Soon," she replied simply, rising from the bed and moving toward the door. "Try to get some rest. It’s late."

"I will, Mother," Kai said, though he continued staring out at the vast expanse of green fields that stretched beyond the window.

...

Evening came quickly, and Liam departed USOV around 6 PM, earlier than usual. His early departure stemmed from growing concern for his sister, who needed his support now more than ever. Additionally, remaining inside USOV had begun to feel unsettling after his disturbing conversation with Chief Director Lucien.

"Hey, hey, hold on!" Elaine called out, jogging to catch up with him as she’d noticed his departure.

Liam stopped and turned. "Hey," he replied, continuing toward the gate as Elaine fell into step beside him.

"What happened in there today? I noticed that after you came out of that meeting, you seemed unusually quiet, and you’ve been distant from the team ever since."

"It’s nothing. I’m just worried about Yae," he said. Liam struggled with how to explain that somehow the directors of USOV wanted to recruit him into some kind of team designed to fight the family heads themselves. It sounded insane just thinking about it, let alone saying it out loud

Liam had never particularly cared about the affairs of the gods, he only knew they were extraordinarily powerful beings responsible for humans gaining access to these abilities in the first place. Not only did he lack any personal investment in such a cause, but it felt entirely like a suicide mission he had no desire to undertake. So he shared only one aspect of the truth with Elaine.

"Your sister?" Elaine asked with concern. "How is she doing? You said she was fine."

"Well, yes, she is, but after what happened that day, she awakened as a Visor," Liam explained.

"Are you serious? That’s a massive change. When exactly did this happen?" Elaine’s visible concern validated Liam’s feelings—finally, someone understood the magnitude of the situation.

"We discovered it this morning when she nearly burned me with fire magic," he sighed heavily. "I honestly don’t know how to handle this or how she’s processing it. I’m not even sure she wants these abilities."

They had stopped just at the facility’s entrance to finish their conversation, and Elaine considered his words carefully. "That’s an enormous adjustment, but the truth is, we don’t get to choose these things," she said thoughtfully. "I suggest having an honest conversation with her about it first. Find out how she feels about everything. I think that will provide much-needed clarity."

After several seconds of contemplative silence, Liam released a heavy breath. "I will. Thank you so much, Elaine."

"You’re welcome, Hotshot," she replied, attempting to mimic Sarah usually says it, with her tone and all.

Both chuckled at her impression before exchanging a firm handshake and then Elaine retreated back into the facility while Liam’s form began to levitate off the ground. Within moments, he took flight, departing the premises.

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