Chapter 128: A Simple Adjustment to the Weather
When living beings face something that could threaten their lives, they instinctively feel pressure. This pressure pushes their bodies to run away, to escape the threat.
Now, with Shin's energy bullet materializing in the room, everyone present felt an overwhelming biological pressure—a primal fear gripping their hearts.
Yet, they couldn't even bring themselves to flee. It was as if even their instincts were telling them, "There's no hope. Just accept your fate."
Shin paid no mind to the crowd's reaction. He simply tossed the energy bullet from his hand out the window toward the sky. The small bullet shot up into the clouds in an instant.
The next moment:
Boom!
A thunderous sound reverberated from the clouds, as loud as thunder, audible to nearly everyone in the city.
As the sound boomed, the clouds overhead exploded and dispersed, vanishing completely.
Sunlight, once hidden by the clouds, poured back over the city, surprising passersby who looked up, startled by the sudden clear sky.
A gentle warmth spread over the city's inhabitants, and many began to discuss what could have caused such a dramatic change in the sky.
To ordinary people, it seemed like an unusual thunderclap, followed by the sudden disappearance of the clouds. This sight would be a topic of conversation for some time.
But the atmosphere in the Shinomiya family's reception hall remained far from warm. Instead, everyone felt a chilling dread—especially Shinomiya Gan'an and Shinomiya Oko.
If that strange glowing sphere had hit the ground instead of the sky, wouldn't it have flattened Tokyo!?
The Shinomiya family had no fear of firearms, but Shin's energy bullet was leagues beyond any handgun.
If a person came armed with a gun, the Shinomiya family could simply heighten security and render it useless. But if someone arrived wielding a nuclear-level weapon, what could the Shinomiya family do? Heighten security? That would only send more people to their deaths.
"This is much brighter, don't you think?" Shin turned and returned to the sofa, receiving awestruck glances from Kiryu and his underling.
Although they knew Shin's strength exceeded theirs, they hadn't realized it could reach such a terrifying level.
Ai Hayasaka's gaze toward Shin was somewhat complicated. She did feel a tinge of fear toward him, yet watching Shin display such power left her feeling a bit... excited.
She hadn't realized she was the type to admire strength like this. Was it because of how Shin had treated her the previous night that her interests had shifted?
Meanwhile, Shinomiya Oko and Shinomiya Gan'an's expressions were more expected, marked by pure fear of that power.
Shinomiya Oko, especially, was deathly pale, relieved that his earlier words, though a bit harsh, hadn't offended Shin directly.
Shinomiya Gan'an glanced at the pale Shinomiya Oko, sighed, and spoke to Shin:
"Sir…"
He paused awkwardly, realizing he didn't even know Shin's name.
In fact, if they had done a bit more research, they would have found out Shin's name—within the Kiryu Group, it was no secret.
To prevent anyone from crossing Shin, Kiryu had ordered every member to memorize Shin's face and name, pledging total allegiance to him.
But the Shinomiya family, seeing the Kiryu Group as a minor organization in Shimokitazawa, hadn't bothered to investigate before inviting them over.
So, when they met Shin and his associates, they had no idea who he truly was, not even his name.
"Lord Shin," Kiryu introduced respectfully, his reverence deepened after witnessing Shin's power.
"Lord Shin, your strength… it far exceeds anything we could have imagined. I had never thought humans could possess such power," Shinomiya Gan'an said humbly, adjusting his tone as the head of the Shinomiya family to show respect toward such a powerful individual.
This humble approach was something he rarely used, but now, nearing retirement, it seemed necessary.
Shinomiya Oko lowered his head as well, hoping Shin wouldn't hold his earlier tone against him.
"Lord Shin did not show us his power for mere spectacle or to enlighten us about the world," Shinomiya Gan'an continued, noticing that Shin remained silent.
"If Lord Shin desires… the Shinomiya family is willing to be at his service."
This statement amounted to an oath of loyalty to Shin.
Everyone in the room turned to look at Shinomiya Gan'an in shock.
Whether it was Kiryu, his underling, Ai Hayasaka, or Shinomiya Oko, they were all stunned that Shinomiya Gan'an would so easily submit the family to a man he'd just met.
But soon, they realized why Shinomiya Gan'an would take this step.
Shin's power was simply beyond what the Shinomiya family could handle.
While Shin's energy bullet had only cleared the clouds over the city, those in the room had felt its oppressive force up close.
If that energy bullet struck the ground, it would likely unleash a force no less than that of a nuclear warhead—this was as close as they could imagine to its power.
In the face of such strength, the Shinomiya family's influence was meaningless. The only way to survive was to pledge loyalty to Shin and earn his protection.
As for ignoring or avoiding him? Shinomiya Gan'an hadn't even considered such a possibility.
By showing them his power, Shin had made his intentions clear. He wouldn't bother displaying his strength to a stranger for no reason.
If Shinomiya Gan'an didn't take a stance, he'd simply be replaced by a leader who could recognize the reality of the situation.
Shinomiya Oko opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately chose to remain silent.
When he'd invited the Kiryu Group this morning, he never imagined it would come to this.
What he'd hoped was to recruit a capable son—but in the end, he'd found himself a new master.
To be continued…
Btw, I won't mind if my dear readers will bless me on their special occasion, hmm ಡ ͜ ʖ ಡ
Also it has been ages since I said this.
Hoi Ningen, FBI is after you after going through your search history. Hand over your Power Stones to me so I can bribe them for you winks.
pat reon.com/AlphaSenatus