Greed Moves First
Keith's expectations proved accurate—almost frighteningly so.
The moment the leak appeared, it spread like wildfire through the hidden arteries of the world.
Encrypted calls.
Burner phones.
Sealed briefing rooms.
One truth echoed everywhere:
APTX-4869 has advanced.
The herbs are real.
The container is at the shipyard.
And with that truth came something far more dangerous than loyalty.
Greed.
The World Reacts
Across continents, heads of intelligence agencies and shadow syndicates convened in silence.
Men who feared aging Women who feared losing power Leaders terrified of becoming irrelevant
They all reached the same conclusion independently:
If we get it first… we control the future.
Some planned clean extractions.
Others prepared assassination teams.
A few decided to let chaos erupt and steal from the ashes.
Keith had predicted this perfectly.
Zoo Syndicate – Inner Chambers
Deep within Zoo's secured compound, a private line connected to the inner sanctum.
The Boss of Zoo sat in the shadows, fingers steepled.
"Akatsuki Miyano," he said calmly,
"You saw the list."
Akatsuki Miyano—the syndicate's leading researcher—adjusted his glasses, eyes scanning the data again.
Herbs.
Cellular regeneration markers.
Telomerase stabilization.
He hesitated.
Then answered honestly.
"…There is a chance," Akatsuki said.
"If these herbs are genuine, they could improve APTX-4869. Possibly stabilize it."
The Boss's lips curved slightly.
"Possibly… is enough."
He stood.
"Send a team. Quietly."
Akatsuki nodded, though unease settled in his chest.
He didn't know why—but something about this felt too easy.
Dominoes Falling
Zoo wasn't alone.
One by one:
Private mercenary syndicates dispatched elite units Rogue intelligence divisions launched unsanctioned ops Corporate-backed black teams mobilized under fake flags
Every group believed the same lie:
We are the hunters.
None of them realized they were already counted.
The Shipyard Becomes a Magnet
The shipyard itself remained unchanged—rusted cranes, silent containers, ocean wind cutting through steel.
Yet invisibly, it became the center of the world.
Satellites adjusted orbits.
Submarines slowed beneath the waves.
Snipers took positions miles away.
And inside the Black Organization—
Sauternes reviewed the mission details with pride.
"All eyes on us," he muttered.
"This is my moment."
He didn't see the pattern.
Didn't notice that every route led inward, not outward.
Keith, Watching from Afar
Back at Runcandel Vision HQ, Keith stood before the red hologram of Red Queen.
Multiple icons blinked to life.
CIA assets.
FBI black teams.
Zoo operatives.
Independent assassins.
Red Queen spoke softly.
"Master, confirmation:
Twenty-seven hostile groups moving toward the shipyard."
Keith's eyes remained calm.
"Good," he replied.
He turned slightly, sapphire gaze cold and absolute.
"Let them come."
This wasn't a battle for immortality.
It was a test.
And everyone rushing toward the container had already failed it.