LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 40: 40
America, Committee General Assembly Room.
As the most powerful nation on the planet, the Committee wielded absolute authority from the shadows.
Unknown to the public, this clandestine organization was comprised of representatives from the most influential families in the nation.
On the surface, democracy seemed omnipresent.
But behind the scenes, these families' influence crept like the tendrils of a sinister deity, subtly manipulating every corner of society.
And the Committee was the central hub of these twisted appendages, the head of the proverbial evil god, dictating the trajectory of the nation—and the world.
This afternoon, the representatives of these elite families were gathered in the grand assembly room, chatting casually.
The Committee's official purpose—monitoring and preventing the rise of the Enemy of Humanity and safeguarding ordinary humans—had long since become a trivial task.
As such, the members treated these meetings as little more than leisurely gatherings.
Some discussed their family businesses. Others debated market trends or sought advice on extravagant purchases for their pets.
A smaller group, however, turned the conversation to their shared fascination: the Superhuman Forest Cabin Series and similar blood-soaked entertainment projects.
Among them, a young woman in her early twenties stood out. She wasn't wearing a wedding ring, suggesting her single status, yet she spoke about the Superhuman Forest Cabin Series with the fervor of a devoted fan.
She recounted every detail with unnerving precision, from the "Evil God" introduced in season three—a brainwashed superhuman under military control—to the infamous scene in season six where a twelve-year-old blonde girl was brutally assaulted, dismembered, and cooked.
Her recounting was detached, as though describing fictional movie scenes rather than real atrocities.
There was no guilt. No disgust.
"Erika, the new season starts in two days. Shall we watch it live together?" asked another woman, a slightly older companion who shared her love for gore-filled spectacles.
"If I have time, of course, Emily!" Erika replied with excitement.
Their lively discussion was abruptly interrupted as the assembly room's massive screen flickered to life.
One of the senior members, a middle-aged man, frowned in confusion.
"What's going on? Is there something urgent the Committee needs to address?"
Reaching for his phone to inquire with his subordinates, he froze mid-motion.
On the screen was a silver-haired boy, his expression twisted into a grotesque smile.
Behind him stretched a gruesome scene of blood and gore—a quagmire of carnage.
Several men in suits stood trembling in the muck, their fear palpable.
Among them, the man recognized members of the Japanese Archipelago Committee—two of whom he was personally acquainted with.
"F***! What the hell is this?!"
His expletive broke the stunned silence.
Moments later, the boy on the screen spoke, his voice casual yet dripping with malice.
"Good afternoon, military commanders of the Japanese Archipelago… and Committee members of nations around the world."
"The time in the Japanese Archipelago is currently 5 p.m."
"I am Accelerator, a superhuman. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
In the Japanese Archipelago's military command hall, Major General Sangi's face grew deathly pale.
As the realization of the situation sank in, despair tightened its grip.
Regardless of the outcome of the battle against the Enemy of Humanity, Sangi knew his fate was sealed.
If they managed to defeat Accelerator, he would be torn apart by the Committee families for failing to prevent such a disaster.
If the nation fell, his death would be swift and certain.
"What do we do?"
His aide leaned in, whispering urgently, "Should we cut the power? Physically isolate the feed?"
Sangi hesitated before shaking his head.
"No, not yet. Let's see what happens."
The aide blinked in surprise.
"This Enemy of Humanity seems… rational. There might still be room for negotiation." Sangi's voice dropped to a murmur, audible only to his aide. "It's clear this attack was aimed directly at the Committee. I don't believe it's a coincidence. Someone tipped them off."
"You mean… the Equalists?" The aide's expression darkened. "Do they really have the resources for something like this?"
"Maybe they got lucky," Sangi replied, gesturing toward the screen. "What if they nurtured an A+ or S-class superhuman?"
"So we're not intervening?"
"Correct. Let's observe for now. And recall our agents from the park—we don't need to throw lives away for nothing. We're not directly tied to the Committee."
As their whispered exchange concluded, Accelerator's voice boomed from the screen once more.
"Leaders of this nation, and Committee members from around the world!"
"I'm sure you recognize this location."
"That's right. This is the Japanese Archipelago Committee's Grand Assembly Room. And the people before you—soon to be executed—are its members."
"Oh, excuse me, I misspoke. Many of them are already dead, reduced to the bloodstained sludge and chunks of flesh decorating this room."
"Ahahahaha!"
"Isn't it funny? These so-called 'untouchable' elites, now cowering like the scum they are. Bet you didn't see this coming, huh?!"
"Ahahahaha!!!"
Accelerator's voice grew colder.
"But don't envy them."
"If you've been involved in those filthy deeds—and you know exactly what I'm talking about—you'll get your turn."
"I will visit each and every one of you."
"I won't stop until no such person exists in this world!"
"I am Accelerator!"
"The one who will bring change to this world, correcting every injustice against superhumans."
"And the one who will judge all those who have violated humanity's most basic morals."
"Wait for me. Cower in fear. No matter where you are, I'll drag you to hell."
As his speech ended, Accelerator clenched his fist.
Onscreen, the remaining Committee members burst into a bloody mist, their mangled remains splattering across the room.
Crack!
The broadcast abruptly ended, leaving the command hall in deafening silence.
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T/N: DUIN DUN DUN
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