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Gef received an e-mail. He called me into his office, and from the look on his face, it was an e-mail that he wasn’t happy to receive.

So what is this e-mail, Gef?
I’ll show you. It’s…rather ominous.

Gef turned his laptop around, and the screen read:

[Good day, The Mongoose Revolution. It appears that you intend to put an end to the Byakumon industry. Unfortunately, as the Ultimate Byakumon Trainer, I can’t help but take offense. We Byakumon owners simply wish to live in peace with our Byakumon, yet you threaten to put an end to our way of life.

Come to the abandoned warehouse at the location attached below. Let us put an end to this and negotiate.

Regards,

Paleodictyon]

True enough, there were pictures of a street map and said warehouse.

Ominous was right. No one would come to a place like that just to negotiate. Paleodictyon must’ve had some sort of scheme in mind. Knowing this, it wouldn’t be smart to go in alone.

Torridge.
Yeah? What is it?
You’re coming with me.
Oh? I don’t see much action these days. Are you sure you want me to come?
Well, the rest of the company’s kinda busy.

Torridge took out his revolver-shaped magnum opus. I think it was called Swinging Star? Not that he used it much, since he was usually stuck with secretary work.

Sure. I could use some fresh air every once in a while.
Stay safe, you two. There’s no telling what this Paleodictyon fellow has in store.
Will do, Gef.

We took the train and made it to the outside of the warehouse Paleodictyon mentioned.



This must be the place.
What are we waiting for? Let’s get in.

We looked at each other and nodded. I slowly opened the door as Torridge armed himself.

The room was dark. It was difficult to see anything beyond a few meters, but what we did see wasn’t much; just some scrap metal and debris on the otherwise empty floor.

But in the center of the room was our VIP: Paleodictyon themself.

Well, well, well. You actually came. Armed and ready, too.
We can’t keep our guard down around you.
Now, now. Let’s not get antsy. As I said in the e-mail, I only wish to negotiate.
Couldn’t you have picked somewhere less dusty? I’m getting sneezy just standing here.

Sure enough, Torridge sneezed, and the sound echoed through the entire warehouse.

I just happen to have memories of this place. It’s nostalgic.

There was no point arguing with them, so I stayed quiet.

Well, if you want us to leave your Byakumon alone, I actually have a suggestion.
Oh? Let me hear it.
Maybe you could “brand” any monsters you find as Byakumon. With a physical Byakumon mark, The Mongoose Revolution will know to leave those monsters alone.

Paleodictyon seemed to think to themself for a brief moment.

Branding… Of course, of course! Why didn’t I think of that sooner?
So, we’re good now? We can finally bury the hatchet here?
Of course. In fact, here. Have a parting gift.

Paleodictyon tossed a ball that looked like a bath bomb onto the floor. It rolled, but nothing seemed to happen. What kind of parting gift was this?

Then, we heard noises coming from the back of the warehouse.

Monsters of every sort appeared from behind Paleodictyon, their eyes glistening in the dark. The ones that could snarl did, and they all looked ready to attack. Looks like their little "parting gift" was some sort of treat the monsters were attracted to.

You think we Byakumon trainers will ever be able to coexist with exterminators like you?! No! As long as you exist, we and our Byakumon will never live in peace!

I knew it. Negotiation was off the table. They just wanted to kill us.

Get them!

The monsters all ran towards us. If we wanted to stay alive, we would need to act fast. Who knew how Paleodictyon would react if we actually harmed one of their Byakumon?

Torridge shot at the ceiling. The noise was loud enough to scare a few of the monsters off, but some were still dead set on attacking.

I blasted some water at the remaining monsters, enough to push some of them back.

There were still a few left, though, so I covered the floor in ice. The ice traveled up the monsters’ limbs, freezing them in place.

Hey, we didn’t hurt any of them. What was that about never being able to live in peace with us around?
You, on the other hand, are coming with us.

Torridge shot at Paleodictyon’s helmet, and it shattered, revealing a face that I’d seen once upon a time.

You…

Paleodictyon, or what used to be them, raised their arm at Torridge.

Suddenly, Torridge shot at me, and I narrowly dodged.

Torridge! What are you doing?!
Huh? What the… Where did they go?

They’d already disappeared. All that were left were some monsters without a master. I tried to give chase, but they seemed to have vanished from the scene.

You saw their face too, right?
For a moment, I did. I think I recognize that look…
We have to tell Gef about this.

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