Tokyo, Japan — 6:00 AM
"Ashen, do you really think Tim David's son might know something?"
"There's a 50% chance," Ashen replied calmly. "I'm not completely sure, but there's something off. It was enough reason to wake you up this early."
"You dragged me out of bed at dawn... for a fifty percent chance?" Noah muttered, rubbing his eyes.
"I didn't feel right going alone," Ashen said, adjusting his coat. "Thought you should come with me. Let's go. We might uncover something."
---
Tokyo Airport — 6:40 AM
"Hurry up, Noah! We'll miss the flight."
"We're flying? You didn't mention that."
Ashen smirked. "Did you really think I was cruel enough to drag you across the country by train?"
"But since when do you have that kind of money?" Noah asked, suspicious.
Ashen chuckled. "Chief's secretary must've booked it. You know how he is."
"Fair enough," Noah said, settling into his seat. "Now sit down and stop acting like we're in some spy movie."
"Just enjoy the flight," Ashen said with a grin. "Maybe watch a movie or something."
"Shut up, Ashen."
---
Osaka, Japan — 8:30 AM
"We made it to Osaka," Noah said. "But do you even know where Tim David lives?"
Ashen gave him a blank look.
"Don't tell me... you didn't ask the Chief?"
Ashen scratched his head. "Of course I asked. I just need a minute. Gotta hit the restroom."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "You didn't ask, did you?"
Ashen ignored him, stepping aside and dialing his comm. "Chief, this is Aspect. I need David Waise's current residence in Osaka."
---
Shinsaibashi, Osaka, Japan — 9:00 AM
"That house... is this it?" Noah asked, pointing.
Ashen nodded. "Yeah. That's the one."
Ding Dong.
A voice answered from inside, "Who is it?"
"Does David Waise live here?"
The door creaked open. A man stepped out. "I'm David Waise. Who are you?"
"Sam Alter. Japan Intelligence Agency," Ashen said.
"Noah Voulter. Also from JIA," Noah added.
"What business do you have with me?"
"We're here to talk about the Shadow Assassin's Case of 1925. Your father supposedly solved it while serving under the U.S. Intelligence Agency."
David's expression changed. "That's not true," he said. "My father never solved any such case. And neither did the U.S. Intelligence."
Ashen remained silent, letting him continue.
"My father told me everything. The truth is... in 1925, during the first attack, the case was handed to him. But after 1932, that organization suddenly went silent. No further attacks. Everyone in the U.S. Intelligence believed the threat was neutralized. So, to boost their global image, the U.S. declared the case solved and claimed all members of the organization were eliminated."
He took a deep breath. "They were honored worldwide. But the truth is… no one eliminated the organization. It vanished on its own. The case was never solved. That's all I know. And honestly, you both should stop digging into this. It's an ancient case. Long buried. Best left that way."
"Lior Ashen… and Noah Voulter," he added softly, turning away.
Ashen's eyes widened. "He knew our names…"
---
Tokyo, Japan — 8:00 PM
"We didn't get anything concrete," Ashen muttered. "And yet… they knew our names. How?"
Noah looked up. "You think they served in the U.S. Intelligence too?"
Ashen didn't reply. He stared at the old paper in his hand. Strange symbols, faded ink… it looked like it had survived some kind of accident. He slipped it into a plastic cover, just in case.
Suddenly, hidden writing appeared beneath the light:
> "We exist."
Ashen's eyes narrowed.
> "Yes, we're still alive. We still exist."
"You are a fool. Especially your so-called 'Perfect Detective.' If even he received this message…"
"Then he must have returned to Tokyo after meeting David Waise. But don't worry—
You'll never reach us."
"We are powerful. Highly profiled. And within three years, we will destroy you… and that fool Aspect as well."
"There's no guarantee this message will even reach you."
"Be happy. Stay tuned."
"Goodbye."
Ashen's hands tightened around the paper.
"Who the hell are these people…?"
---