We finally finished sorting out the mansion.

  It took about six weeks to install three bathrooms, along with the plumbing that leads far outside to a newly dug septic tank. We also finished the running water system. The water tank sits on the roof, out of sight, and uses magic to generate water directly into the tank.

  We pay the wizards extra in the evenings to recharge the magic “batteries” with whatever reserve mana they have left after the day’s work.

  It’s convenient. The magic “wiring”—for lack of a better word—disconnects automatically when the tank is full. Kind of like toilets back on Earth.

  We’d barely begun work on the underground laboratory when Felmina came to fetch me.

  If she can’t handle something on her own, it’s serious.

  We head back to the mansion. Roka is still on-site with the workers. Felmina sits down at the table, and I take the seat across from her.

  “Dearest husband,” she says calmly. “You made us promise to tell you if anything seemed off.”

  “What is it?”

  “Four weeks ago, the Masters Corporation opened a general store in our town. The manager is a man named David Karkovsky.”

  She pauses, then places a small cloth bag on the table.

  “Three weeks ago, this started appearing.”

  I open it. Inside is about five grams of fine green powder.

  “Continue.”

  “This substance temporarily boosts magical capacity. At first, there are no adverse effects—as long as the user keeps taking it. It’s mixed into MP potions, which turn green when combined, and then consumed.”

  She folds her hands.

  “If the user stops, their mana continues to drain. The longer they’ve been using it, the faster the drain becomes. According to reports from the Shadowfall Kingdom, early users can be treated with MP infusion during sleep and MP potions during the day. Left untreated, it causes fatal MP depletion.”

  I close the bag.

  “We believe the Masters Corporation is directly involved, but we have no proof. What makes it worse is that they sell the most potent MP potions on the market—and they hold exclusive supply contracts with hospitals throughout the East Empire. Specifically for MP potions used in treatment.”

  I lean back.

  “Yes. That’s not a coincidence.”

  She nods. “What should we do? We can’t confront them officially without evidence.”

  I think.

  They’re trying to create a drug epidemic. Then sell the cure back to the government.

  Which is us.

  Should I destroy them by force?

  “I need time, Felmina. I’ll let you know when I decide.”

  I stand and leave.

  Later that day.

  I sit at my desk, rereading my diary to steady myself. To think.

  My first instinct is to warn David Karkovsky unofficially. Tell him to leave. If he refuses…

  I’ll have to kill him.

  But he’s backed by a major corporation. Would they retaliate?

  Enough.

  They’re endangering my wives. This town. Everyone here.

  I guess I’ll be very convincing.

  I crack my knuckles and stand.

  A yellow folder blinks into existence in midair above my desk—and drops.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  “What the hell…?”

  I stare at it, then poke it with a pen. It doesn’t react.

  Inside is a single page. At the bottom, it reads:

  by Management

  …Who?

  I sit down and begin to read.

  [———]

  To Sir Hero Kaijuu Ryu-sama,

  Before we begin, administrative matters must be addressed.

  We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Please follow these instructions exactly.

  Under no circumstances panic. There is sufficient time.

  Continue reading until you reach “XXXXXXXXX” again.

  Your wife, Roka, is about to have an accident.

  Remain seated. Her life will be saved. An explanation will follow.

  Knock on your desk four times. A syringe containing the antidote will appear.

  Felmina will arrive in approximately five minutes to inform you of the accident.

  Do not panic. Take the syringe and inject it into Roka’s neck.

  Stop reading now. Wait five minutes before knocking.

  Begin counting.

  XXXXXXXXX

  [———]

  I start counting.

  Every instinct tells me not to ignore this.

  I track ten seconds with my left hand. Minutes with my right.

  Five minutes pass.

  I knock four times.

  A syringe filled with glowing purple liquid appears on my desk.

  Seconds later, Felmina bursts through the door.

  “It’s Roka! She’s hurt—come on!”

  I grab the syringe and follow her. My mind goes completely blank.

  The infirmary

  Roka lies on the bed.

  “What happened?”

  “There was a sinkhole at the lab site. She fell. When we pulled her out, she’d been stung—multiple times. Purple marks.”

  Felmina lifts the blanket.

  Roka’s arms. Neck. Chest. Stomach.

  Every exposed area.

  “I need the room. Felmina, stay.”

  The staff leave.

  I hug Felmina.

  “I’ve got this. Trust me.”

  She hesitates—then nods.

  I inject Roka’s neck.

  Her face relaxes instantly. The marks remain.

  “I need to go. Don’t let anyone touch her. Understand?”

  She nods.

  I kiss her and leave.

  Back at my desk, I continue reading.

  [———]

  XXXXXXXXX

  Your wife will awaken tomorrow with no lasting effects.

  Pour concrete into the sinkhole. It is hazardous. Your laboratory site will be beneath the mansion. Safe depth: three levels.

  This letter appeared when you decided to confront David Karkovsky.

  Without intervention, the following occurred:

  You stopped at the worksite. The sinkhole collapsed. You saved two workers.

  Roka was stung by Dark Bees. They target females exclusively.

  You confronted David Karkovsky. He attacked you. He was Level 167. You were Level 27. You killed him.

  The East Empire declared war shortly afterward.

  Both of your wives were assassinated.

  You survived. You exhausted all LEVELUP healings. You killed Nelson Masters.

  Four years later, you destroyed the world.

  Including yourself.

  Intervention was required.

  To resolve the Nelson Masters problem:

  Knock twice. Clap twice.

  Do so now.

  [———]

  I do.

  Two smooth orbs appear—one red, one blue.

  A yellow folder labeled SCRIPT follows.

  You are to perform the contents of the Script folder.

  Learn your lines. Deviation is permitted only if outcomes remain unchanged.

  Do not kill Nelson Masters.

  Reduce his will to fight.

  Prepare yourself by raising your HP to 14,000 using the female bathroom door.

  Lower your level to 205.

  Do not sleep afterward.

  Hold the red orb. Keyword: “Shift X.”

  Return with the blue orb. Keyword: “Shift Y.”

  Destroy this document.

  —Management

  [———]

  I sit back.

  So that’s how it is.