At that moment, the shadow behind Kino suddenly turned pitch black, stretching out in front of him. Ripples appeared on the surface of the shadow.
A black-clad ninja assassin emerged from the shadow in a kneeling position.
The shadow seemed to possess a life of its own—strange and mysterious.
"Leader, the target has left," the assassin reported, his voice low and respectful, echoing clearly across the empty square.
"Hmm, you've done well. Find her base, and your mission will be complete," Kino said calmly.
"Yes, Leader," the assassin replied. Without another word, his body sank back into the shadow and vanished as if he had never been there. The shadow gradually returned to its normal state.
All assassins of the Assassin Alliance had contracted the power of the Shadow Demon.
This power was both eerie and formidable, allowing them to traverse freely through the realm of shadows. Whether it was assassination or infiltration, their movements were silent and undetectable, like ghosts lurking in the darkness.
The only flaw of this ability was during the daytime—when changes in shadows were easier to notice.
The entire Demon Corporation served as the headquarters of the Assassin Alliance. It was heavily guarded, filled with traps, and intertwined with countless dark energies.
Even with advanced stealth capabilities, sneaking in or out unnoticed was nearly impossible—not even Batman could pull it off.
As the reporters dispersed, a storm of public opinion began to brew quietly.
By the next day, newspaper sales skyrocketed, and the internet was flooded with news about the Demon Corporation.
Reports dominated both traditional media and emerging online platforms, saturating every corner of public attention.
The most anticipated product was Youth. Countless people eagerly awaited its release.
Some even sought out insider connections to acquire it early, while others offered large sums for a sample. The demand was relentless.
Dr. Banner became an overnight sensation, earning the nickname "Youth Doctor."
He quickly became the center of public attention, celebrated and revered by many.
Dr. Banner's schedule grew increasingly hectic. He attended numerous award ceremonies and social gatherings, surrounded by people eager to curry favor in hopes that he might develop a life-extending drug.
Rumor had it that his calendar was fully booked for the next three months, with engagements filling every hour of his days.
However, the release of the drug sent shockwaves through the medical and cosmetic industries.
The stock market reacted violently, as if hit by a seismic event. Related stocks plummeted, turning red across the board.
Countless investors and corporate magnates suffered devastating losses. Many found themselves bankrupt, driven to despair.
These people cursed Banner and the Demon Corporation, seething with resentment, blaming them for their ruin.
In a dimly lit, opulent conference room, the air was heavy with tension.
"What are we going to do? We are already losing money, and the drug hasn't even officially launched yet. If it hits the market, we'll be out on the streets!" a rotund man roared, his jowls quivering with rage.
"A demon lord should stick to harvesting souls in hell. What business does he have competing with us for money?" another man in a tailored suit slammed the table, fury blazing in his eyes.
"Demon lord?" a lavishly dressed woman scoffed. "The common folk are practically worshiping him like a god. He sells it to us for five million dollars but charges them only fifty thousand. He's not making money—he's robbing us blind!"
Despite their anger, they had no choice but to pay for the promise of extended life.
Seated around the table were the wealthiest figures from the medical and cosmetic industries. Gone were their usual elegance and composure; now they resembled a mob, consumed by fear and rage.
"Enough," a middle-aged man rapped his knuckles on the table, his voice heavy and commanding. The room fell into an uneasy silence.
He was the organizer of this clandestine meeting. Though his wealth spanned across various industries, he stood to lose significantly if the drug went to market.
"What can we do?" a wealthy matron slumped in her chair, her despair evident despite her impeccable makeup. "Did you see the demon army that day? Not even the government can touch him."
"And he's powerful on his own. Force won't work," another man added bitterly, already considering liquidating his assets to preserve a comfortable life.
"Violence isn't the only tool at our disposal—we can steal it," an elderly man said with a sinister smile.
His obsession with power ran deep, and the possibility of extending his life was too tempting to ignore. He refused to relinquish his influence.
"We can hire people to steal the formula. If he dares retaliate, we'll spread it worldwide. I refuse to believe he can fight the entire world," the old man continued, his face twisted with excitement.
"We could also manipulate public opinion using his stance on mutants to pressure him into surrendering the formula," another suggested, his voice venomous.
"And what about Dr. Banner? He knows the formula. We could kidnap him," someone proposed boldly.
"Are you insane? He's the Hulk! If the demon lord defeated him, what chance do we have?" a saner voice interjected immediately.
"He seems to have returned to normal. My sources say he didn't transform during the press conference," came the counterargument.
Hope flickered in their eyes as the possibility of success began to take shape.
Eager and desperate, the tycoons began to devise their plans. With their vast wealth and resources, they believed no obstacle was insurmountable.
If Kino were an ordinary person, he might truly have been overpowered by their schemes.
As the meeting concluded, most attendees departed hurriedly, driven by both fear and hope as they set their plans into motion.
In the darkness, they saw a glimmer of light—a last chance to save their crumbling empires.
One particularly rotund tycoon returned to his estate in a rush, his face tense with urgency.
He descended into a hidden underground chamber. Under the dim light, a modified communication device sat on a table, capable of transmitting signals up to fifty kilometers.
"Greed blinds those who fear losing everything."
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