"Well… let us begin."

  "Yevgeny, start recording. And… our conversation in this room stays between us until 11:00 AM tomorrow.

  Since a certain event will take place at noon, keep it a secret until the official announcement of the mercenary deployment at 11:00 AM tomorrow.

  Do not even tell the guards outside."

  Full of dissatisfaction, Yevgeny has no choice but to nod. It is the President’s will.

  As Kerensky said, there is nothing much to lose. Nevertheless, all of this is absurdly unbelievable.

  Kerensky and the man stand side by side at the end of a long table. First, Kerensky begins recording a short announcement.

  "Dear citizens,

  I stand here today to deliver a brief but important message. At noon today, K-International, an international mercenary group, is officially deployed to the front lines to support our military’s combat efforts.

  Many foreign mercenary groups and international partners are already working with us with dedication for our nation.

  K-International, in that same vein, is expected to provide us with vital assistance. On behalf of the government and the people, I express my sincere gratitude for their resolve and solidarity.

  The time is now 11:00 AM. Starting from noon, one hour from now, K-International will be stationed at each front to support our military operations. Specific operational guidelines have already been issued to the military, and all operations will take place within our military's chain of command.

  This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

  Furthermore, K-International's activities will be broadcast live via YouTube. This will be an opportunity for our citizens and the world to witness the meaning of this solidarity firsthand.

  Now, let me introduce a representative from K-International who is here with us."

  "Thank you, Mr. President. Our goal is one: A new order through powerful strength! And… ensuring that no one dies."

  The man is smiling, but a strangely heavy power dwells in every single word. Kerensky and the man look at each other and shake hands with faint smiles.

  Yevgeny finishes the mobile recording, and the man stands up from his chair, picking up the coat he had set aside.

  "Mr. President, I will contact you again after 12:00 PM tomorrow. Well then, I shall take my leave."

  Yevgeny suddenly asks urgently, as if something has just crossed his mind.

  "By the way… when you entered the safe house earlier, why did your image appear and disappear on the CCTV screen?"

  The man stares blankly at Yevgeny for a moment, then grins.

  "That… is one of the cosmic technologies we possess."

  Without further explanation, he opens the room door, passes through the living room, and opens the front door. Just like that, he vanishes.

  The guards are staring intensely at the CCTV monitors. They clearly see the man walking out to the street, but in the next moment, he disappears completely from the screens.

  An unbelievable silence flows. Upon receiving the report, Kerensky nods and speaks briefly.

  "I see." That is all.

  Kerensky enters the bedroom and closes the door. He takes a moment for himself. Then, he lets out a long breath.

  When the events from his dream turn into reality, his heart keeps pounding; as the tension finally releases, a sigh of "Phew..." escapes his lips.

  The windows of the safe house are blocked with wooden boards, so the outside is not visible. When the lights are turned off, the entire room is submerged in darkness. Kerensky flips the switch. As the light vanishes, only a heavy, deep darkness remains in the room.

  He stands there for a long time, then lets out a short curse.

  In a desperate attempt to grab even a straw, he made the decision without much deliberation. A curse bursts from his mouth.

  "Damn.."

  With that one word, the air in the room sinks heavily, as if collapsing to the floor.