Galaxy's First Ruler

03:00 PM, 16th June 2021

Washington D.C.

HQ - American Dreamer Association

Who hadn't remembered the old fiasco of ADA's director from almost a week ago?

It seemed it was just yesterday when the ADA got hacked by an unknown hacker, as the result of the foolish and hypocritical action of Mr. Myers. And this action resulted in his retirement, a competent new director in the face of Ms. Wells, and a public enemy in the face of Masked Menace.

Ms. Wells had already taken over the position last week. But ADA had organized one more ceremony to address the International Community of Dreamers. And for this, they had invited famous Guilds and Dreamers throughout the globe. One could have seen many familiar and unfamiliar faces in the meeting that Ms. Well had addressed just now.

Ms. Wells had addressed almost 300 Dreamers and the topics spanned from Dungeon-break protocols and cyber security to ongoing Mana Weapon Research. A number quite small compared to the total number of Dreamers, but quite large considering the quality. And one could surmise the importance of this group by knowing the name of the Chief Guest.

Dr. Annie, the Breath of Forest.

But the things that were related to the two most trending names in the last week had outweighed every other topic in the 3-hour long meeting. One of these names belonged to none other but Ms. Wells herself. Olivia had finally become a Dreamer in the Night, a week ago. And not only that, but she had successfully raided her first Random-Dungeon.

The other name had also become infamous, but unlike Olivia's, this name was as unfamiliar as a name could be. And that name was Masked Menace. None knew from where or from whom this name had originated after releasing his photo by ADA, but all hated him equally. Some hated him for the attention this single no-name Dreamer was getting, and some hated him for being a coward hiding behind the mask. But most of them hated him for his guts.

It's human nature to get jealous of a person who did a thing that they couldn't do by themselves because of many constraints. And to name a few, this list would contain the constraint of strength, constraint of responsibilities, and constraint of societies. And yet they got to know that a fucking nobody had hacked the ADA, came out of a Dungeon alone, and left the party amid raid but still was out of hands of Law. None could comprehend the peculiarity of this situation and it's also in human nature to fear what they couldn't comprehend.

The headquarters of ADA wasn't a single structure, but many buildings grouped side by side. In one of the many multistoried buildings, all the Dreamers had gathered to socialize and to enjoy the refreshments after the long discussion. The biggest group, among many segregated ones, was gathered around Dr. Annie. For many countries and Guilds, it was a God-given opportunity to get in the good graces of one of the Best Healers on the Earth.

Receiving everyone's wishes and offers, Annie's eyes rested on a young girl standing by herself in one corner of the hall. Annie was aloof of what most people had termed as cunning nature. But she was knowledgeable enough to know the importance of a chance when she saw one. Annie excused herself from the group and neared to the lone Dreamer with two glasses of Champagne.

"Hisakawa Tomiko, right?" asked Annie, handing over the glass shimmering with the golden liquid.

"Ms. Annie. It's an honor. Yes, you are right," Tomiko replied and gave a slight bow.

"How is your master? He should have come this time. Then maybe I could have invited Edmund too."

Annie made some casual talk, sipping the liquor now and then.

"Master Sho is in perfect health. He sent his regards to you," said Tomiko, taking out a pouch from her pockets.

Annie opened the pouch and a smile surfaced on her face. Annie had always respected Matsumoto Sho. His decision-making capabilities and his attitude to not owing someone were among the many things that had contributed to this heartfelt respect.

"It surprised me when I got to know that Sho, of all, had taken an apprentice. But seeing you justify his action."

Tomiko neither blushed nor showed any air of pride at the remark. Annie couldn't help but feel that she had met her natural enemy. Seeing the conversation going nowhere, Annie decided to be straightforward with the girl, as per her nature.

"I heard you were with the Masked Menace in the Random-Dungeon."

"Yes, Ms. Annie. I have been to another Dungeon since then," answered Tomiko.

Annie knew the young lady didn't like the statement and didn't want her to continue with it. The women of their mind didn't need direct words to conclude such things. But Annie and Logan had planned regarding this last night. And it was something that Annie needed to do, even if she had to be shameless about it.

"Dr. Annie, you are becoming red. I am sorry, I don't remember the actual English word for it."

Annie felt embarrassed to lose herself in dreams in front of a Newbie. She inwardly shook her head and came back to the topic at hand.

"Can you tell me more about him? You know, I am always traveling around. It would be best for me to have some inside information on him."

Annie played the moral card and brought the glass in front of her face to hide the cringe on her face. She saw the deep frown on Tomiko's face and was about to apologize when Tomiko replied to her question.

"I don't know if he is responsible for the hacking or not. But his decision to leave the Party was a good one."

Annie's eyes became wide, and murmurs in the hall couldn't enter her ears. The stem glass of champagne in her hand seemed to be rooted in time. After a second, Annie asked the baffling question.

"Then why is he being targeted as a murderer for this action? Didn't you make them aware of the situation? What exactly happened?"

As Annie's sudden thoughts turned to actual words in a manner of a second, a bit of her Divine Sense sipped out. The glass in her and Tomiko's hand couldn't handle the uncontrolled Perception. And it broke down, sending the liquid splattering on their clothes. But this scene, which was limited to Annie's proximity, couldn't attract others attention. The noise of an alarm and its red flashes had already caught everyone's eyes in the Hall.

Annie and Tomiko ran towards the gathered Dreamers. In the lead was Ms. Wells, who seemed to ask a security agent about the situation. There was a screen over Ms. Well's head that was advertising different artificial Mana weapons and products from ADA. Before Annie could get an idea of what was happening, the screen changed into live security footage. And the scene that had come upon the wall-sized screen belonged to the main gate of the ADA's HQ.

The Hall broke out into shouts of rage, gasps of disbelief, and shivers of slight fear. They could see a person with a paper bag in his hands and the hundreds of armed Agents that had surrounded him. But Annie's eyes were completely plastered on his strange mask.

A mask that looked like the face of a devil.