Stein had handled it, and the Box of Mists was sealed. Wen Wen was finally at ease, with everything almost concluded perfectly.
However, upon closer inspection, Wen Wen hadn't really gained anything. Stein's time ability was likely a double-edged sword, and the Box of Mists had merely enhanced the containment facility's defenses. Even without it, Wen Wen hadn't encountered anyone who could cause trouble within the facility.
Thus, after all his efforts, Wen Wen gained almost nothing, leaving him feeling rather disgruntled. He felt he could have made better use of this time with the Bow of Pregnancy, perhaps impregnating the two monsters to observe them.
The more Wen Wen thought about it, the more he felt he was at a disadvantage. He became restless and immediately activated his Disaster Overseer state, determined to find a way to utilize the dense fog outside the containment facility.
Since it was a protective force of the containment facility, Wen Wen, as the highest authority holder, saw no reason why he couldn't control it.
So, in a specially designed training cell, Wen Wen began his research.
Half a day later, Wen Wen's hearty laughter echoed from the cell.
"This detective is truly a genius! This thing can actually be used this way."
Inside the cell, Wen Wen was flying around on a white cloud, without any discernible pattern.
This white cloud was formed from the compressed fog from the containment facility's outer layer. If Wen Wen hadn't donned the Disaster Overseer robe, the summoned white mist could fill a room of about one hundred square meters.
If this mist were to be transformed into monsters, they would only possess the strength of the Disaster Intermediate stage. While they would be virtually immortal, their usefulness to Wen Wen was not significant.
However, by condensing this mist into clouds, they could carry Wen Wen, allowing him to fly. Their speed was not as fast as Wen Wen flying himself, but they were beneficial in that they consumed no energy from Wen Wen and did not require his focused control.
In a sense, these white clouds were much more convenient than the airplanes Wen Wen had planned to buy. Even if he were to bring Tao Qingqing and the three cubs along for a flight, there would be ample space.
Still, he would buy an airplane. Wen Wen had dreamed of owning his own airplane since he was young. Along with airplanes, his dreams also included tanks, battleships, starships, and mechs...
If Wen Wen wore the Disaster Overseer robe, the amount of mist summoned would be enough to cover a radius of two hundred meters, sufficient to condense into a giant monster with True Intermediate combat power.
However, the Disaster Overseer robe was now linked to Black Cross, a Calamity-level expert in the Hunter Association. Therefore, Wen Wen tried to avoid using it when outsiders were present.
Having acquired a True Intermediate monster that he could freely control, Wen Wen's mood significantly improved.
As the saying goes, good news lifts the spirits. It would be a good opportunity to conduct a surprise test on the monsters in the containment facility.
After the assessment, Wen Wen, armed with a fearsome wolf-tooth club about a meter long and as thick as a winter melon, delivered "loving punishment" to several underperforming monsters.
Following the punishment, the monsters profusely thanked Wen Wen for it, and Wen Wen smiled with satisfaction.
Suddenly, Wen Wen felt a stir in his heart. He put away the blood-stained wolf-tooth club and went to the reception room, which had been converted from a cell.
The visitor was Barcode, the bald assassin Wen Wen had recruited. He brought a letter.
After reading the letter, Wen Wen nodded. The matter of incorporating the Barcode organization had been dragging on for so long, and it was finally nearing conclusion.
...
In the southern region of the Huafu Great District, in Shouquan City, there was a place called Qingyuan Mountain.
It was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a clear lake in the center. A lush island stood in the middle of the lake, making it a small scenic spot near Shouquan City.
Locals knew its true nature, but it attracted tourists who came by reputation, allowing it to operate.
While appearing to be a scenic spot, it was actually an industrial holding of the Barcode organization and their retirement home.
The elderly woman selling souvenirs was once known in the industry as the Poison Widow. The uncle wearing a chef's hat and grilling squid had a legendary experience of wiping out an entire gang for a single dog.
However, Qingyuan Mountain was closed for business today. Two groups of menacing individuals were confronting each other in the plaza on the lake island.
One side sat on the left. Bald assassin Barcode occupied the main seat, with several elders of the Barcode organization and a representative from the Foundation behind him. Standing behind them were a group of strange figures clad in red and black robes.
These were, of course, monsters confined in the facility. However, Wen Wen had released them not for combat, but for standing guard... or rather, to lend Barcode authority. As long as no unforeseen situations arose, they were merely to act as pillars.
The other group was much more colorfully dressed. Regardless of their appearance, their clothes were vibrant and garish, emphasizing the absurd. They were superhumans from the clandestine organization Absurd Whispers. The two parties had gathered to decide the ownership of the Barcode organization.
Among the crowd of monsters and demons from Absurd Whispers, The Deluded was the only normal person.
He wore a well-tailored grey suit and had his hair slicked back. However, upon closer inspection, one could notice that The Deluded's mouth was painted on.
He had no mouth!
The Deluded had always coveted the Barcode organization, but he couldn't gauge the capabilities of the Foundation's monstrous allies, so he hadn't dared to confront the Foundation directly.
The Deluded was unaware of the incident with the sword qi crystals. Thus, he speculated that The Jester had been eliminated by the mysterious forces behind the Foundation due to his ambitions concerning the Barcode organization.
His speculation was incorrect, but his resulting actions, based on this flawed assumption, saved him from a fatal encounter.
Originally, The Deluded had been patient and could have continued to play this game with the mysterious forces behind the Foundation. However, in the past few days, he had received some news.
It was that the actual controller of Absurd Whispers, the True Intermediate expert King of Pranks, was critically ill and was expected to pass away within the year.
The next leader of Absurd Whispers would be chosen from the remaining three Upper Sequence members, and The Deluded was one of them.
Mastering Absurd Whispers not only meant power but also the qualification to establish a direct connection with the evil gods they worshipped, to be granted power, break through the limits of the Upper Sequence, and become a new True Intermediate expert.
Therefore, The Deluded had to start preparing and could no longer afford to linger on the Barcode organization's affairs. He decided to end this meaningless dispute.
He intended to hand over all the resources of the Barcode organization that he controlled to the Foundation in exchange for certain things.
If the Foundation disagreed, he would cease the dispute and use the assassins and resources he controlled to rebuild a small assassination organization.
The Deluded looked at Barcode and then said loudly, "I have come personally. Have your leader come out to negotiate with me."
The fake mouth on his face did not move, but the voice clearly emanated from him, making it appear somewhat eerie.