098: Father's here!
While Hayden and his men were battling the devil at the camp, Karen was also busy.
The arrival of Special Supervisor Denton wielding a search warrant to raid the store was no easy task. Moreover, while dealing with Mr. Denton, Karen suddenly felt a strange palpitation.
She could feel a warm aura calling to her, seeking help. Karen wasn't yet used to consciously bestowing power upon her subordinates like a renowned deity, but she wasn't stupid and understood the principle, so she immediately realized that Hayden was the only one capable of doing so.
Through the divine connection and magical resonance between them, Karen sensed how Hayden displayed her power and consciousness, revealing her divine might and true nature. She sensed Hayden's determination, a resolve that even she found sufficient; she also felt how Hayden annihilated powerful enemies in mere seconds.
Therefore, Karen realized that the battle at the camp was over, ending in a victory for Hayden and his men.
This really relieved her, and she felt more confident when dealing with Denton's search afterwards—since she had already won on the battlefield, what was there to be afraid of elsewhere?
So it wasn't long before Karen successfully shut down all the federal cops who came looking for trouble.
However, just as the verbal sparring ended and Karen hurriedly tried to contact the camp to find out the situation, she received a report from Eric that was completely unexpected:
"What?! Hayden's been arrested?!"
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The events unfolded a few minutes earlier.
The demons that attacked the camp teleported away and fled.
Hayden, who had reached his physical and mental limits, collapsed to the ground. Eric and the other Russian mercenaries who were still able to move used their remaining strength to be on alert of their surroundings and carefully search for any remaining enemies.
"Oh dear, I thought we were really doomed this time."
So Hayden lay sprawled on the grass, feeling the heat of victory in his heart, and began to speak.
Although he was exhausted, he had a smile on his face.
Despite the somewhat complicated process, he still managed to defeat a high-level demon face-to-face.
Hundreds of years ago, for any mortal, whether or not they were blessed with divine power, to defeat a high-ranking demon one-on-one was an achievement worthy of being called a "hero."
Because going even further, defeating the great demon—the great feat of defeating the demon king—almost only occurs to gods or those who become gods. When the Mithra Group first rose to power, the eight great bodhisattvas thwarted the old god-kings one by one, an act that could be described as changing the laws of the world and creating a new one. Hayden, of course, is far from possessing that ability.
But that's how the ladder of power is supposed to be.
There will always be shortcomings, there will always be deficiencies. Even under such circumstances, Hayden believed that he had played his cards to the fullest.
In that case, we should celebrate our victory today!
"Hahahaha! From now on, except for enemies of the level of the War God Clan, I have nothing to fear in a one-on-one fight!"
So Hayden laughed heartily, taking it as a way to relax and give his mind a short rest.
Anyway, Angela is the only one around him now, and only she will see what crazy things he's doing, so it doesn't matter.
Many things remain unresolved. Many of the high-ranking deities of the Mithra Group witnessed the battle, and Hayden wondered what they would think, and how they would act afterward, especially with the Deva God who sent demons to attack the camp, and who might have other divine allies.
On the other hand, Hayden had just accidentally let the female ninja wearing the tengu mask escape. She saw the Alastor Dragon Ball hanging around Hayden's neck and seemed to have misunderstood something. Hayden currently has no idea what she will do next, or what she will report to the mastermind behind it all.
He knew all too well how absurd rumors could become once they got out of control, and how distorted they could be. Who knew how that tengu ninja would misunderstand?
Let's worry about these things later.
Now, oh dear, Hayden needs to get some rest...
"Owner,"
Then Angela spoke up at that moment.
"I sense that an ultra-high energy reaction is approaching."
……What?
"Damn, it's not over yet?! Don't these capitalists care about wasting money by killing too many of their subordinates?!"
Hayden jumped up from the ground, feeling like he could barely stand.
"What is the approximate energy level? What is the direction? What is the speed?"
In response to Hayden's immediate questions, Angela pointed to the ceiling as usual: "They're here. There's only one, and its energy level is even higher than that of the Vajra Warrior."
It exists in single numbers, yet its energy level is higher than that of the War God race...
"What!?"
Hayden immediately realized what was happening.
There is only one life type that meets this condition.
The next instant, pure divine might and pure power surged into the camp like the sun falling to earth, exploding and resounding throughout the space like thunder, overwhelming Hayden's other senses. This was not a sudden gust of wind and lightning, but an absolute, primal, and mysterious power that tore open space itself and teleported directly in.
Then the power subsided.
Only one man, dressed in a blue robe and with blue hair, remained standing on this land.
Judging by his appearance alone, the man seemed to be quite young, around thirty years old. His blue robe was unremarkable. Although his features were handsome, even somewhat effeminate, they weren't particularly striking.
However, unlike the mournful cry when the antler demon suddenly entered, the spirits of this land were now too terrified to even utter a sound. The little fairies in the flowers were too frightened to even tremble. All that remained was silence.
Only the man in the green robe was moving. He stared at Hayden with his golden, dragon-like eyes, without saying a word.
Hayden felt an overwhelming urge to turn and run away as he endured the divine power bearing down on him. But he quickly gritted his teeth and forced himself to stay calm despite his fear.
The visitor's identity was self-evident. Hayden was able to discern the other party's identity solely based on the attributes of this divine power.
This unremarkable-looking man in a blue robe is Karen's father, Mayila, the Human Resources Director of the Mitra Group, whose title is "Peacock King".
It is both one of the oldest gods in the world and one of the new gods that still retains immense wealth and power in modern capitalist society.
Generally speaking, a wealthy person wouldn't risk their life under a dangerous roof. Modern capitalists, while possessing immense power, wouldn't recklessly wander around alone—after all, anything can happen. What if your enemy suddenly appears with a horde of war gods to ambush you?
This is why modern capitalists mostly reside in their own realms outside the atmosphere, in near-Earth orbit. After all, people are always strongest when they're at home.
However, the Peacock King clearly didn't follow this logic. He actually came. He tore through space and teleported there alone. He was fearless.
噫
Hayden couldn't tell if this god was just exceptionally confident or had an inflated sense of self-importance.
But then again, does Hayden really have the right to criticize others for having an inflated sense of self-importance?
Hayden is now frozen in place, too afraid to move.
Strangely, Angela didn't immediately stand in front of Hayden as she had when the War Gods appeared last time. Instead, she tilted her head and scrutinized the Peacock King, lost in thought, showing no sign of nervousness whatsoever, as if the Peacock King were just a younger brother to her.
So in the end, it was Peacock King who spoke first.
After looking Hayden up and down, he said:
"The way you cast that spell, with the smell of both wolves and venomous snakes on you, is really rough. Any mistake in the details of the spell could have killed you. It's amazing that you're still alive after all that."
...Uh, what exactly is this god trying to say?
Before Hayden could react, the Peacock King continued, uttering a statement that utterly shocked him:
“Come back with me. I’ll treat you so you don’t collapse from exhaustion and die.”
What! ?
Hayden paused for another second, then finally realized:
The Peacock King is openly and legitimately trying to capture me!
A dignified god, a big capitalist, actually went to such lengths to prepare such a high-sounding excuse—how cunning!
What are we going to do now?!
— To be honest, having such thoughts only shows that Hayden has an inflated sense of self-worth.
When it comes to the level of super-corporation shareholders, executives, and big capitalists, the rules of law and society must, in turn, respect these new-era gods. Although rules still exist when these gods are competing, that is only a matter between the gods themselves.
Why would the Peacock King bother targeting a tiny insect that a single breath from a deity would kill? Is it really possible for Hayden to resist being captured by a capitalist deity who has already come to his doorstep?
This question is utter nonsense!
Hayden wasn't truly stupid, and he quickly realized that the Peacock King wasn't acting out of cunning. But now that he understood, he was even more bewildered.
Let's not even talk about how exhausted Hayden is right now and how bad his condition is—even if he were at full health and mana, do you think Hayden could withstand two moves from Peacock King?
Stop talking nonsense! He was nearly killed fighting a high-level demon. The Peacock King could probably kill a high-level demon with a single slap!
Thinking of this, although he shouldn't do it at this time, Hayden couldn't help but turn to look at Angela beside him, who could also kill a high-ranking demon with a single slap. His glance drew the attention of the Peacock King as well.
Oh no. Hayden has actually gotten noticed by Angela, the one person who should least be noticed by the new gods!
"This."
However, the Peacock King was not particularly surprised by Angela's presence.
“I heard your incantation just now.”
He turned around and spoke to Angela, his tone quite calm.
"Since you can chant that kind of incantation, you're probably one of our kind who only recently awakened. To open your eyes to find yourself in this era, and to be so weak, I don't know if that's pathetic. Are you interested in working for me? At least you can avoid being demoted to a devil by the current rulers."
When the Peacock King said this, Hayden was genuinely frightened for a moment.
Fortunately, he quickly realized that such persuasion was completely impossible to succeed in any way, shape, or state.
“I don’t quite understand what you’re talking about.” Angela shook her head. “But I’m only serving Master Hayden right now, and I have no other plans.”
She didn't seem nervous at all.
Of course, Angela is rarely nervous.
"I see. That's not a bad thing. Then I just need to talk to this young man."
So the Peacock King didn't say anything more to Angela, but turned back to Hayden.
Hayden, on the other hand, was completely bewildered.
What exactly were they talking about in that conversation?
As expected of the Peacock King, one of the oldest gods, he actually knew and saw through Angela's identity.
Hayden's initial reaction was naturally this, and he was quite surprised.
But he soon realized—something seemed off?
Because the Peacock King was too calm.
This might sound arrogant, but Hayden doesn't believe Angela is someone who can keep anyone calm, not even the Peacock King. If he were truly familiar with Angela's identity, he would never be able to remain calm.
Don't forget, Angela even "requisitioned" the power of Peacock King directly in the Black Witch's shop before. If Peacock King really knew Angela's identity, how could he be so calm? Hayden suspected that Peacock King might not even know that this had ever happened.
Since that's the case, although the Peacock King currently appears to know Angela's identity very well, could it be that...
...Could it be that the Peacock King has made a mistake, misunderstood, or mistaken the person?
Hayden didn't have enough evidence, but that's what his gut feeling was.
Of course, Hayden wouldn't dare voice this guess aloud. He wasn't that foolish.
Rather, this is actually a good opportunity.
“Your Highness, the soul inside this doll was summoned by me by accident.”
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Hayden lowered his head and adopted an obedient demeanor.
"I have always been troubled by the origin and identity of this soul. Could you please reveal this ancient secret to me?"
Even if Peacock King is probably just admitting his mistake, listening to his thoughts would still be beneficial for Hayden.
Unfortunately, even his flawed ideas were not something this ancient god-king, now a capitalist, intended to utter for free.
"Why don't you come to my house and have a seat? You need to get treatment as soon as possible."
A sharp glint flashed in the Peacock King's eyes.
"We can talk about many things later."
Clearly, on this issue, Peacock King's idea was firm, and Hayden could not persuade him with mere words.
So, can he really rely on his fighting ability to get through this?
Fortunately, Angela remained calm. She didn't seem to think that the Peacock King posed any threat. So, did Hayden have any other options?
So in the end, Karen received the report from the mercenaries that Hayden and Angela had been "captured" by the Peacock King that night.
Moreover, they weren't captured in a city or some small place—they were taken all the way to space, a thousand kilometers above the Earth's surface, in near-Earth orbit.
That place was also Karen's hometown.