Chapter 1759: The Lost City (Part 1) Hearing the specific name of the city that the group had just been preparing to head to, Centrefield, certainly perked up all of their ears. The coincidence was too sharp to ignore, and it immediately brought a sobering thought to the forefront of their minds. The Vampires were undisputed experts at gathering information. They had eyes and ears in shadows the Howlers couldn’t even reach yet. So, there was a very good chance that these three Family Leaders knew a lot more about the lockdown and the chaos in Centrefield than they themselves did. This tense standoff wasn’t just a threat; it was a rare chance to try and learn more of what was actually going on out there. “Reports have come in,” Haylock said, his voice grave, breaking the brief silence. “Reports from all over the country of furred creatures ambushing and killing civilians, as well as actively hunting down and killing Altereds.” He paused, letting the weight of the casualties hang in the air before delivering the next blow. “Most of the eyewitness reports and the aftermath analyses claim that they are Wolf-like Altereds. Or, at least, something very close to it. So, I am sure you can guess why we are here standing in your hall today.” A single, cold bead of sweat ran down the side of Kai’s face. He kept his expression neutral, but his mind was racing at a million miles an hour. He was desperately trying to think of how to answer everything without giving away too much, yet without looking like a liar. This scenario right here, the exposure, the mass casualties, the attention of the ruling powers, was his main worry when Unzoku had first started orchestrating all of this chaos. “I’m going to give you more details so you have a clearer picture of exactly how serious this situation has become,” Jin added, stepping slightly forward. “The scattered attacks around the country were starting to become quite serious. The frequency was increasing, and the brutality was escalating.” Jin’s eyes hardened. “A large amount of innocent civilians were getting killed in the crossfire. Because it was threatening the delicate balance of the hidden world, we decided to step in. Teams of our own people were sent out to deal with the problems. Our teams were quite successful in stopping the creatures in several locations, but a lot of us died in the process as well. These things are not weak.” Even though Gary knew in his heart that he wasn’t personally responsible for these specific attacks, hearing that the vampires had died trying to stop them, and having these leaders confronting them like this, made him feel a slight, unavoidable pang of guilt. Maybe it was simply because they were biologically related to these murderous creatures in some fundamental way. Or maybe it was a heavier burden: the guilt that they had been unable to stop Unzoku before his plans had escalated to this bloody, nationwide level. “Through our encounters, we managed to confirm a few key things,” Jin continued, his gaze sweeping over the Howlers. “They are indeed Werewolves. However, they are a mutated, corrupted type of Werewolf that we have never seen in our long lives. They are different.” He crossed his arms. “Right now, to our knowledge, we only know of two actual packs that existed. Considering how you recently defeated Lupus, we initially thought it might be rogue Omega Werewolves from the pack who had lost their minds without an Alpha.” “Or possibly even something you have planned yourselves,” Rowa interjected, his voice dripping with lingering suspicion. “A covert way to expand your territory and eliminate rivals.” “However, through further investigating, we believe that might not be the case,” Jin said, gently cutting Rowa off. In Jin’s mind, the words of one person in particular rang out, Daphne. Because of her insights, the current administration had a different view. “We have concluded that the Howlers have no logical reason to be the ones behind this senseless slaughter, and our King believes this as well.” Jin locked eyes with Gary. “But, just as you stated earlier, no one wants a war on their hands. But the Werewolves are an issue intrinsically related to you. Whether it is your specific pack or not, you are the Alphas now. You must take responsibility for your kind in some way. You cannot turn a blind eye.” He gestured to himself and the other leaders. “Which is the exact same dynamic with us and the vampires. Our races have far too much impact on human society, as well as with each other. That unchecked impact is what has led to our forced involvement, and it is why it has come to this face-to-face meeting. We cannot ignore it anymore.” Jin lowered his hands, his tone turning into a demand. “So, will you tell us the truth? Do you have any idea of what is going on, and what these new Werewolves are?” The group didn’t answer straight away. The silence stretched, thick and uncomfortable, because they were all internally debating the absolute best way for them to answer the question. How much of the situation should they reveal? How much of the ancient history do they expose? But they knew one thing: the longer they stayed in silence, the longer it made them look incredibly guilty, as if they were just taking the time to fabricate a convenient lie. “Don’t you think it’s strange?” Gary finally said, speaking out first and drawing all the attention back to him. He looked at the three ancient beings. “Don’t you find it strange that the entire race of Werewolves would have a biological system where two Alphas are practically forced to go against each other? That two groups of Werewolves, who should be kin, are instinctively driven to kill and attack each other until only one remains?” “The twisted reasoning behind you barbaric beasts’ actions are not for us to understand,” Rowa mumbled under his breath, turning his head slightly. He had whispered it, but it should have been perfectly clear to him that everyone in the room would have heard it easily due to their highly sensitive hearing. Gary ignored the insult and pressed on. “What I’m saying is that this issue is as big of a problem for you guys as it is for us,” Gary answered, his voice firm and unwavering. “We hate this just as much as you do. We will do anything in our power to stop this, and to stop these corrupted Werewolves.” Gary paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. He was about to cross a point of no return. “And what I might say next might sound absolutely crazy, but it’s the truth,” Gary said, his eyes darkening. “There is something else out there. Something that sits high above us, the Alphas.” The vampire leaders narrowed their eyes, listening intently. “It is something that does whatever it can to force us to fight against each other. In a lot of ways, it’s actively trying to eliminate us. And right now, what it’s probably trying to do with these attacks, is to agitate you. It wants to get you guys to do its dirty work and wipe us out for it.” Gary stepped forward. “Now, we can’t one hundred percent prove with hard evidence that these specific mutated Werewolves in Centrefield are his direct doing.” He let the name hang on his tongue before releasing it. “But this thing... this ancient being that is above us... a person that we call Unzoku. We know he is out there targeting us. And we have very good reason to believe that he could be the person behind this entire nationwide panic. In fact, we’re pretty confident.” Gary looked at the three leaders, hoping for a spark of recognition. “And if he is the one pulling the strings, then maybe there is a figure out there that we both want to get rid of.” It was an incredibly risky thing for Gary to do. He knew one terrifying fact based on the history they had uncovered: in the distant past, the Vampires and Unzoku had worked together. There was always the grim possibility that they could possibly be working together again right now, and Gary had just handed his enemy all his cards. But Gary had decided to take the risk anyway. Why come out here? Why do things the way the vampires had done in the past, only to steer away from their mistakes? He had to trust that times had changed. He chose to believe in people like Blackjack, and allies like Edvard. That there were those that wanted the same thing as him. *** *** For updates on MWS and future works, follow me on my social media below. Instagram: jksmanga P.a.t.r.e.o.n: jksmanga When news drops about My Vampire System, My Werewolf System, or any other series, you’ll hear it there first. Feel free to reach out, if I’m not too busy, I tend to reply.