The Truth Behind the Nightmare

(Samuel's POV – Unraveling the Shadows)

The moment we entered the chamber, the air shifted.

It was different from the rest of the facility—cleaner, quieter.

No grotesque experiments.

No twisted Nightcreatures.

Just a single figure standing in the center of the massive chamber, facing a holographic screen.

Lord Arkanis.

His presence wasn't overwhelming like we had expected.

No demonic aura. No monstrous form.

Just a man.

I crossed my arms, smirking. "Well, I expected you to look more like a demon lord, but you're more of a… human."

Arkanis turned to face me, his piercing gray eyes sharp and tired.

"Harbinger of Destruction." He addressed me calmly, then glanced at Henry. "Divine Executioner."

Then, in a voice that lacked any malice, he said—

"I am not interested in fighting. And you cannot destroy Project Hades, even if you kill me."

Henry narrowed his eyes. "Elaborate."

Arkanis sighed. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he activated the large screen behind him.

What we saw made both of us freeze.

---

The Real Masterminds – Nocturne & Roselle

The screen displayed two figures.

One—a man shrouded in a dark mist, his presence alone making the screen glitch as if reality itself struggled to contain him.

Nocturne. The Lord of Despair.

The second—a woman draped in deep violet robes, her glowing red eyes piercing through the screen.

Roselle. The Lord of Darkness.

Then—Arkanis spoke the words we never wanted to hear.

"In your past lives, you both knew them well."

"As your greatest enemies."

Henry and I stiffened.

"Nocturne is currently in the USA." Arkanis continued, his expression unreadable.

"And Roselle is in Russia."

My blood ran cold.

I gritted my teeth, memories flashing through my mind.

Henry clenched his fists. "Tch. So they're here in this world too?"

Arkanis nodded. "They are the true masterminds behind Project Hades. I was merely a tool."

I stepped forward, narrowing my eyes. "And yet, here you are. Betraying them. Why?"

Arkanis chuckled darkly. "Because I want this nightmare to end."

I folded my arms. "And?"

His expression hardened. "Because they have my daughter."

---

A Father's Desperation

The air grew heavy.

Arkanis closed his eyes, exhaling deeply.

"They blackmailed me. Told me that if I didn't continue Project Hades, they would kill her." His voice was laced with regret. "At first, I resisted. But when I saw what they did to others who refused…" He clenched his fists. "I had no choice."

Henry scoffed. "There's always a choice."

Arkanis looked up, his gaze empty. "Tell me, Executioner—if it were your family, would you have chosen differently?"

Henry froze.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Tch. So that's your reason."

I locked eyes with him. "Alright, I get it. I'll save your daughter."

Arkanis's eyes widened slightly. "You would…?"

I smirked. "On one condition."

I turned to the screen, pointing at Nocturne and Roselle. "Once we shut this place down, you work for Volkov Industries from now on."

Arkanis blinked, then frowned. "Volkov…?"

Henry chuckled. "Don't worry. They won't force you into anything."

I grinned. "But if Nocturne and Roselle are in play, we need every damn resource we can get. And you, Arkanis? You're the only person alive who knows the full extent of Project Hades."

Arkanis hesitated.

Then—he sighed, nodding. "Fine. If it means my daughter will be safe… I'll do it."

---

The Deal is Set – The Final Phase Begins

I smirked. "Good. Then let's end this damn project."

Arkanis turned back to the screen, pressing a few buttons. "I can open the core chamber. The power source of Project Hades. Destroy it, and this facility will collapse."

Henry stretched, cracking his neck. "Now that's what I like to hear."

Arkanis pressed one last key.

The floor trembled.

The massive steel doors at the far end of the chamber began to unlock.

Beyond them—

The core of Project Hades.

And whatever monster was guarding it.

I grinned, stepping forward. "Time to burn this place to the ground."

I smirked, cracking my knuckles as I stared at the massive core in front of me.

Roselle… huh?

So, that bitch was here in this world too.

I let out a dark chuckle. "Too bad. I'm gonna destroy her here just like I did before."

Henry stood beside me, arms crossed, watching as I lifted my fist.

The core pulsed, glowing blood red, sending waves of unstable energy through the facility.

I could feel the sheer power radiating from it.

It was the lifeblood of Project Hades.

And I was about to shatter it.

I exhaled. Then—

I punched straight through the core.

BOOM!

A shockwave of destruction rippled outward, the entire chamber trembling violently as cracks spread through the walls.

The core fractured, its light flickering wildly, and an ear-piercing alarm blared across the factory.

[WARNING: CRITICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. PROJECT HADES TERMINATED.]

The entire facility started collapsing.

I stepped back, watching as the energy inside the core imploded, sending fiery shockwaves across the room.

Henry whistled. "Well, that did the job."

I grinned, rubbing my knuckles. "Damn right it did."

Then, I let out a chuckle.

"Now for the fun part."

Henry raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

I smirked, my emerald eyes glowing mischievously.

"I'm gonna have Volkov fake my death."

Henry blinked. "Wait. What?"

I chuckled, crossing my arms. "Imagine tomorrow's headlines—'The Private Investigator Samuel Gebb killed in an accident while driving his Maserati.'"

I gestured dramatically. "A tragic end to a man surrounded by controversy. A fitting farewell, don't you think?"

Henry stared at me, then burst out laughing. "Oh, that's evil."

I grinned. "Exactly. And the best part?"

Henry smirked. "Bitch Bardot loses her mind when she realizes she clung to a dead man."

I let out a dark chuckle. "Goodbye, Abigail. Have fun mourning a husband you never deserved."

The factory rumbled again, pieces of the ceiling collapsing.

Henry stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders. "Alright. That's your plan. What about me?"

I looked at him, my grin widening. "So, how are you planning to get to the US?"

Henry smirked, spinning his sword once before resting it on his shoulder.

"Simple. I'll just paint my way there."

I blinked. "What?"

He chuckled. "I'll use my Art Exhibition as an excuse to travel to the US. 'The Great Liberty Lenient Expands His Art to America.' Sounds fancy, doesn't it?"

I shook my head, grinning. "Tch. You always gotta make things dramatic."

Henry chuckled. "Says the guy faking his death just to mess with his cheating wife."

I laughed. "Fair point."

The final alarm blared, and the entire facility began to collapse.

I turned toward the exit, my blood boiling with excitement.

Project Hades was over.

But this war?

It was just beginning.