"That was all. Does anyone wish to speak?"

After his speech ended, Kael moved his gaze across the area, meeting the eyes of the soldiers standing before him.

Seeing that no one raised their hand, Kael nodded his head before stepping back and walking down the stage.

No one moved as the top leadership, mainly Julien and Arthur, followed the Frost, as all of them left the view of the soldiers.

Still, none moved...

"Dismissed."

After an extended silence, an order was relayed, making the soldiers move in organised batches.

Within a few minutes, the entire area was deserted, as everyone headed to their own rooms.

***

"Can’t believe a kid is given the command over the operation."

A man with a shaved head spoke to his roommate, who had a similar look.

The room they were in had four beds, with the two of them currently occupying them.

"Lower your voice, idiot, lest anyone hears it."

The other man commented in a hushed tone before giving a small smile that looked closer to a smirk.

"What can you expect from an organization that has just been formed?"

At his words, No. 1224 smiled back.

"But honestly, why are we even doing such an operation? From my view, there’s no point in attacking—"

"Does it matter?"

No. 1337 asked his friend as he leaned back on his bed.

"We are getting paid... let’s just follow these fools for a while, and once the Authorities lose our track..."

Though No. 1337 stopped midway, the message behind his statement was clear.

Both of them had been recruited by D.X. when they were on the run.

At the beginning, No. 1224 had hesitated to join such a shady organization, but on his friend’s insistence, couldn’t reject the proposal either.

At first, they thought that D.X. was some ancient organization that had existed since the beginning of this planet, but soon all their misconceptions were cleared.

This organization was formed merely two years ago, and somehow they had been able to recruit some strong dogs, making them some big shots in the underworld.

From the rumours No. 1224 had heard, many said that D.X. had a man at the Immortal rank.

Both of them found the rumour to be ridiculous, as let alone seeing an Immortal, they hadn’t even heard of the rank anywhere in their life.

And that was an understandable thing... as for common people, cultivators in the Diamond rank itself were an existence from myths, so hearing about an Immortal...

Neither of them believed the rumour at first, but while working in the organization for more than a year, they had begun to develop some trust in all the things that they had heard about D.X.

But—

Being criminals since their childhood, No. 1224 and No. 1337 had never taken orders from anyone in their life.

So after joining D.X., it was their first time working in an organised group and reporting to their superiors.

Even though both of them later learned about the real strength of D.X., they still couldn’t feel the gravity of the situation.

For them, the Diamond and Immortal ranks were just hype... a story that was spread with a lot of spices in it, so as to make people fear the leadership.

Though actually seeing the top fighters of D.X. engaging in real combat would have increased their faith in the organization, but—

Since joining D.X., they had never really participated in a group operation.

All that they had been asked to do was some information gathering and other things that were similar in nature. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

So... D.X. had just become a temporary shelter for both of them... one which they were going to leave the moment the Authorities in their area reduced the personnel sent to arrest them.

No. 1337 knew that the Authorities had many things to deal with, so it was as clear as the day that after a year or two, everyone would forget about the crimes committed by the two, and they could easily resume their normal life.

Well... that had always been their plan, and now out of nowhere, they had been summoned to participate in some mission to attack places in the world.

Neither No. 1224 nor No. 1337 could understand the real aim behind such an operation, but they chose to follow as they still needed D.X. to act as their shield.

Still... knowing that many soldiers like them had been summoned too, both of them thought that the operation would be a big thing, but hearing the address that was given the very same day...

Neither of them could believe their eyes, seeing a literal kid leading them...

Were the leadership of D.X. cracked in their heads, or were they so confident in themselves that they were willing to let a kid take control over such a large force?

"Let’s just follow along for the time being. After this operation, I think we can wait for another month or two before leaving this stupid group. And again—"

Click.

The sound of the door opening made No. 1224 pause, as he signalled No. 1337 to keep quiet.

Their other two roommates had finally arrived.

Two tall men, standing above six feet in height, entered the room, giving a single glance to the bald soldiers before settling in their own beds.

No words were exchanged, as it wasn’t like everyone here was familiar with each other.

Though one could request to be in a room with people they knew... in the end, the remaining beds were filled randomly.

"Brother, what are your thoughts on this operation?"

No. 1337, being the talkative one among them, asked the newcomers, trying to see what their thoughts about D.X. were.

The man with brown hair, to whom the question was asked, turned his head slightly while still resting on his pillow.

"Nothing."

After a slight pause, he replied in an indifferent voice, which made No. 1337 frown in response.

"Hm? You should have at least—"

"You are being paid, right?"

The man interrupted No. 1337 before getting up from his bed and walking towards a window on the right to open it.

"Yes."

No. 1337 replied with a sigh, knowing where this was going.

"I am the same... so—"

Opening the window, a cool breeze hit all of them right across their faces.

"Do your work... No. 1337."

No. 1337 couldn’t retort, reading the number on the man’s back.

"Yes, sir."

He still wasn’t used to such language.