Chapter : 668

Ken nodded happily. He sagged his shoulders again. He put his hands back into his pockets. He offered a lazy, victorious grin.

"See? I told you, Princess," Ken bragged casually. "I am useless. I do not have secret powers. The spear did all the work. I am just a very lucky, very clumsy guy."

Hera frowned deeply. She crossed her arms over her white dress. She tried to rebuild her cold, arrogant persona. She wanted to hide her lingering blush.

"You are a statistical anomaly," Hera stated smoothly. She lifted her chin. "Your power level is far too low to defeat a Netherworld commander. You could not possibly stop that attack with your own strength. Your excuse about the cursed weapon is absurd, but your magical reading confirms your weakness."

"I am glad we cleared that up," Ken smiled goofily. He let out a loud yawn. "Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to go find my team. I think they are glaring at me. Naomi looks very scary right now. I probably forgot to tuck my shirt in again."

Hera looked at him. She did not offer a polite goodbye. She simply turned her back on him. She smoothed her silk dress. She walked away across the ruined marble floor. Her heart was still beating a little bit faster than normal. She felt confused by the lazy boy. She refused to admit that his sudden closeness had affected her.

Ken watched her walk away. He let out a long, quiet sigh in his mind.

"That was a very close call," Ken thought lazily. He dragged his shoes on the floorboards. Scuff. Scuff. Scuff. "My disguise is safe. She bought the empty mana trick perfectly. I am a master of deception. Now I just need to figure out why Naomi is glaring at me like she wants to throw me out a window. Girls are very confusing. I prefer potato chips. Potato chips never glare at you."

He shuffled slowly toward the 13th Unit. He smiled a goofy smile. The massive battle was finally over. The interrogation was defeated. The lazy slacker survived another dangerous day, and he was ready to go home and take a very long nap on his favorite couch.

---

Ken Eliot sat at the small table in the estate kitchen. He held a glass of cold milk. He wore his baggy gray sweatpants. He wore an oversized white t-shirt. He slouched his shoulders. He stared at a half-empty box of chocolate cookies.

The estate was quiet. The massive ballroom fight was finally over. The 13th Unit had returned home a few hours ago. Everyone was exhausted. The girls went to their rooms to sleep.

Naomi walked into the kitchen. She wore soft pajamas. Her red hair fell loosely over her shoulders. She did not carry her daggers. She did not look strict. She smiled a very warm, bright smile. She walked over to the table. She sat down right next to him.

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"You are still awake, Ken," Naomi said softly. Her green eyes sparkled with genuine affection. "You usually fall asleep before anyone else."

"I am refueling my brain," Ken replied lazily. He pointed at the cookie box. "Fighting demons requires a massive amount of sugar. My calorie levels are depleted. I need these cookies for my survival."

Naomi chuckled quietly. She reached into the box. She pulled out a chocolate cookie. She handed it directly to him.

"Eat up, slacker," Naomi teased gently. She rested her chin on her hand. She looked at him with a very soft expression. "You did a good job today. You stayed out of the way. You did not get hurt. I am very glad you are safe."

"I am a master of staying safe," Ken grinned a goofy grin. He took the cookie. He took a huge bite. "I have a flawless survival strategy. I just hide behind you. You are an amazing shield."

Naomi rolled her eyes playfully. She smiled even wider. "You are ridiculous. I am going to bed. Please do not leave crumbs all over the kitchen table. Wash your glass when you finish."

"I will wash it tomorrow," Ken promised lazily.

Naomi shook her head. She stood up from the table. She walked toward the kitchen door. She stopped and looked back at him. "Goodnight, Ken."

"Goodnight, Naomi," Ken smiled.

She disappeared down the dark hallway. Ken finished his cookie. He drank the rest of his milk. He set the empty glass in the sink. He dusted off his hands.

He walked out of the kitchen. He shuffled his feet on the wooden floorboards. Scuff. Scuff. Scuff. He climbed the stairs to his bedroom. He opened the door and stepped inside. He closed the door behind him. He reached down and turned the metal lock. A soft click echoed in the small room.

The moment the door locked, the goofy smile vanished from Ken's face.

His slouched shoulders straightened instantly. He stood perfectly tall. His sleepy dark eyes turned sharp. They turned cold. The lazy boy disappeared . The absolute ruler of the shadows took control.

Ken knew the ballroom fight was a massive warning sign. General Vespera was not a normal enemy. She was a demon commander from the Netherworld. Demons did not just wander into the capital city. Someone brought her here. Someone opened a door for her.

He needed to investigate this immediately. He needed his private army.

Ken stood in the center of the dusty bedroom. He raised his right hand. He snapped his fingers.

Snap.

The air in the room turned freezing cold. A brilliant, glowing green magical circle materialized on the floorboards. The green light chased the shadows away. The magical pressure in the room spiked instantly.

Four distinct figures stepped out of the glowing green circle. They entered the mortal realm flawlessly.

Ryu stepped forward first. The massive dragon-man wore ancient, dark armor. Dark red dragon scales covered his huge arms. His golden eyes burned with devotion. He dropped to one knee immediately. He bowed his head deeply.

Leviathan floated into the room next. The Demon Queen of the Serpents wore a sleek, dark emerald dress. Her long green hair shimmered like ocean water. Her violet eyes looked deadly. She bowed gracefully.

Karna stepped out of the light. The spymaster wore a sharp black tactical jacket. His silver eyes were focused. He placed his right hand over his heart. He offered a crisp, professional bow.

A fourth spirit followed Karna. His name was Jin. Jin was the master hacker and magical researcher of the Technical Team. He wore a clean white lab coat. He held a glowing blue magical tablet in his hands. He pushed his thin glasses up his nose. He bowed respectfully.

The green light faded away. The bedroom returned to its dim illumination.

"You called for us, Boss," Karna stated smoothly. His voice was calm and precise. "The network is secure. We are ready for your commands."

Ken buried his hands deep into his pockets. He looked down at his four elite captains.