Chapter 274: Sector D

Now, Haruto and the Shadow Clones focused on the two Shadow Clones who had taken on the identities of the guards. They were the last hope for obtaining information. Calmly, Haruto gave the final command.

"You know what to do. Don't act recklessly, and find out anything that can help us stop them."

The two Shadow Clones nodded and began planning how to step into the Soul Collector's headquarters.

...

...

...

The two Shadow Clones waited for several hours, standing straight at their posts while trying not to appear suspicious. The night grew late, and finally, two guards approached them with a relaxed yet cautious stride.

"It's time to change shifts," said one of them, glancing at the two Shadow Clones.

"Yawn... We understand," replied one of the Shadow Clones, pretending to yawn tiredly while stretching. With a reluctant gait, the two Shadow Clones walked toward the entrance of the Soul Collector's headquarters.

As they entered the building, the atmosphere changed immediately. The ambiance inside felt darker, with dim lighting from oil lamps hanging on the stone walls. The two Shadow Clones tried to remain calm, though they were quite surprised to see a much larger number of guards than they had initially estimated.

In the center of the main room, a large iron box stood out—a mechanical lift that looked worn but still functional. The lift seemed to be used to access the underground area.

Carefully, the two Shadow Clones stepped toward the lift, trying to appear as natural as possible as ordinary guards. However, before they could reach the lift, another guard approached them.

"Hey, do you want to go down?" asked the man, his eyes narrowing suspiciously but not overly alert.

"...Yes, what's up?" replied one of the Shadow Clones, nodding, their voice sounding flat but not suspicious.

"Can you take this to Sector D? Just give it to one of the guards stationed in front of the inspection building over there," the man said, handing over a small tightly tied cloth bag.

"We understand," replied the Shadow Clone with a brief nod. They took the bag and continued their steps toward the lift.

Once they entered the lift, the atmosphere grew even quieter. The sound of the creaking lift mechanism echoed loudly in the silence. The two Shadow Clones exchanged glances for a moment, reading each other's expressions without words. They knew that what lay below might be far greater and more dangerous than they had anticipated.

When the lift stopped and the doors opened, the sight before them left the two Shadow Clones momentarily speechless. The true headquarters of the Soul Collectors sprawled beneath the Southern District.

The high cave ceiling was illuminated by dimly glowing crystal lights, while dozens, perhaps hundreds or even thousands of guards in black uniforms busied themselves with their activities. The room was filled with long corridors, large storage spaces, and equipment they did not recognize. This was not just a small headquarters—it was a vast operational network hidden underground.

With the small bag in hand, the two Shadow Clones stepped out of the lift, trying to maintain their composure even as their vigilance heightened. They knew that one wrong step could lead to the mission's failure.

They walked toward Sector D, following the directions given, while continuously observing every detail around them.

During their journey to Sector D, the two Shadow Clones carefully examined their surroundings. The sights they witnessed made them acutely aware of the scale of the threat they faced.