Past Arc 13

The incident that led to Potimas Haifenas being placed on the international wanted list was one that, had it unfolded slightly differently, could have resulted in catastrophic consequences.

At the time it occurred, it dominated global discourse.

The world learned the extent of Potimas Haifenas's danger.

Yet the information reported in the news covered only the surface.

Those who knew the true circumstances were, if anything, relieved that the damage was so minimal.

Such was the scale of the devastation Potimas had accumulated.

Even Potimas, despite his cunning and caution, could no longer conceal the magnitude of his accumulated harm—its rupture was inevitable.

That was the truth behind the incident.

The total number of victims: 376 people.

"Human trafficking. A truly outdated concept."

Fodouei glanced at the handed-over documents and sighed.

Human trafficking—the trade in slaves—was a cultural relic long abandoned, yet in practice, it had not been eradicated.

The Salyera Society dedicated significant effort to dismantling clandestine slave trafficking networks.

Its objective was the rescue of individuals illegally sold into slavery.

Yet Fodouei himself did not condemn human trafficking as inherently evil.

Human trafficking, too, served as a necessary component in certain economic systems.

There were instances where impoverished parents sold their children to sustain themselves, and the children sold were not necessarily doomed to suffering.

If one stretched interpretation slightly, human trafficking could also be viewed as labor brokerage.

If both buyer and seller achieved satisfaction, then it functioned as a viable transaction.

Yet such legitimate human trafficking is not called human trafficking at all.

It is conducted under different names across this world.

The human trafficking Foodyu regards as evil is what ordinary citizens associate with the term—criminal acts by nature.

Kidnapping children and selling them.

Using sold individuals for criminal purposes.

Transactions that would be punished if exposed.

The documents Foodyu scrutinized detailed unambiguous, repulsive deals conducted behind closed doors—no defense possible.

“Then? Both source and distribution channels secured?”

“Yes. Neutralized in coordination with local law enforcement.”

The man answering Foodyu’s question wore a suit, though it did not suit him.

He was the board director of Foodyu’s privately operated security firm.

— Though that sounds formal, in essence, he is the commander of a specialized force for direct operations.

Foodyu is a prominent figure in the financial sector, occupying a position that occasionally requires handling illicit matters.

Actions that cannot be made public—those involving violence.

This case is no different. The objective is the dismantling of a human trafficking organization, but the method employed is not commendable. It involved suppressing the target by force—a bloody approach.

Ideally, evidence should be gathered and the matter resolved through legal channels. Foodyu knows, however, that such an approach would allow the perpetrators to escape.

Hence the hardline measures.

Naturally, this constitutes illegal conduct.

"Seems you encountered resistance."

Foodyu murmurs, eyes fixed on the commander’s neck.

A bandage is wrapped around it.

This commander is a trusted combat specialist within Foodyu’s inner circle.

Given his role in covert operations, he was trusted as much as, or more than, those who normally guarded Foodyu’s person.

Hence the direct report.

Foodyu interpreted the commander’s injury as evidence of significant difficulty.

“Ah, no. Subduing the subject presented no issues. This wound resulted from a minor incident afterward.”

The commander dismissed Foodyu’s assumption with indifference.

“This was inflicted by the rescued individual. The drug administered likely caused delirium. It was severe.”

The commander spoke of the assailant with sympathy.

The condition of the individual must have been extreme.

“Is it that bad?”

Yes. It is likely they were subjected to experimental administration of illicit substances. From my observation, all individuals present appeared completely deranged.

"That is, again."

The state of the scene was so惨烈 that even the squad leader, who performed such tasks routinely, showed revulsion.

The treatment of the victims of human trafficking was abominable.

"You look unwell. Are you alright?"

I apologize. I am merely unwell. I will continue the report.

The captain's complexion had worsened.

Fodui interpreted the change in mood as stemming from recollection of the circumstances at the time.

Yet the captain’s expression grew darker with each passing report.

At this point, Fodui understood that the captain was seriously deteriorating.

"Color is poor. Continue the report another day. Sit and wait a moment."

"Y-yes, sir."

The captain spoke in a voice no longer capable of coherent speech, sinking his massive frame into the built-in sofa.

Fodui, seeing this, issued an order to arrange a physician over the phone.

This would prove to be the act that saved Fodui’s life.

A scream rose.

Those who arrived on the scene witnessed Fodui unconscious and the captain biting into his neck.