CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40 - LEADERSHIP

Without a change in expression, Silas turned to Logan and dismissed the hologram hovering in front of him.

’’So far, 83 casualties, including the people operating the dungeon, have been located,’’ he said, his voice turning cold. ’’Rescue efforts are still ongoing right now, with 14 more people missing.’’

Logan nodded, his stomach twisting at the number of casualties.

’That’s a massive number,’ he thought, frowning as he sat down. ’And there could still be more.’

’’We’ll know more in half an hour when a special Earth affinity locator arrives,’’ Silas continued.

Logan gave a small nod, then looked back at him.

’’Have you spoken to Edric yet?’’ Logan asked. ’’I assume we’ll be offering all the victims’ families compensation?’’

This time, it was Silas’s turn to nod.

’’Edric is waiting for us to arrive back at the Mercer Headquarters. Once we are there, we’ll discuss how to handle things from here.’’

’’Alright,’’ Logan said, flashing a small smile.

’’I forgot to ask earlier,’’ Silas started again before Logan could turn around. ’’How did your run-in with those two guys go?’’

’’Huh?’’ Logan asked, surprised Silas mentioned it.

He’d assumed that Silas didn’t know anything about them and had therefore forgotten to mention it.

’’I couldn’t reach two Bronze Cores before they passed through the dungeon’s barrier,’’ Silas said, seeing Logan’s confusion.

’’But it seems like they missed you,’’ Silas said, letting out a sigh of relief.

Logan shook his head. ’’They didn’t miss me,’’ he said firmly.

’’Oh?’’ Silas said, looking at him in surprise.

’’I had to kill them after they hit a surprise attack on me,’’ Logan continued, shaking his head as he remembered burning the boy alive.

Logan recounted the events inside the dungeon in detail until the ship arrived back at Mercer Headquarters.

’’You did great for your first dungeon,’’ Silas said, smiling proudly. ’’As for those two people you killed, it was necessary, and they deserved every single thing that happened to them.’’

"Always remember this," Silas said, his tone firm. "The moment they raised their weapons, they accepted the risk of dying with them."

He paused for a moment, then added,"You didn’t choose that outcome for them. They did. Never feel bad for surviving."

When they stood to leave, Logan gave a silent nod.

Stepping off the lowered hatch, they were greeted by Edric, who immediately brought them inside.

’’An update came in from the Mana Enforcement Bureau,’’ Edric started once they got back to Logan’s room.

’’Of the fourteen missing, eight were found alive. The other six... didn’t make it.’’ He continued, pausing for a moment before pulling up a hologram with a news website.

A headline flashed on screen: "Massive Terrorist Attack in Boise City, Oklahoma. 89 Confirmed Deaths."

Scrolling down, Logan saw another news outlet.

’’Massive terrorist attack in Boise City. Town saved from S-rank drake by S-rank hunter, Silas Verrick.’’

’’Currently, the media is unaware why the terrorist attack happened in Boise City,’’ Edric continued. ’’Evelyn’s making sure the real reason never reaches the news in the future either.’’

Logan gave a nod, fully aware of what Edric was trying to contain.

’’Furthermore, we are preparing to cover all medical costs for the injured, with a bonus depending on severity,’’ Edric read from his report. ’’For each family that lost a member, we are preparing 250 thousand dollars.’’

Edric paused, then added quietly,"We’ve also prepared condolence letters. Each one will be personalized for each family, signed with your name, and delivered alongside the payment."

Logan blinked in disbelief. "You’re having me sign apology letters... with a check attached?"

’’No, you don’t have to sign them,’’ Silas interjected, shaking his head. "That’s long been handled by the legal department. Standard protocol."

Logan looked between them, disbelief tightening in his chest."So the letters are already written... and signed?"

"Digitally, yes," Edric confirmed with a nod. "The wording was finalized after PR revised it and legal gave their approval. It’s polite enough to be respectful, vague enough to avoid liability."

Logan exhaled slowly. "And I’m just... now hearing about this?"

Silas gave a light shrug. "You were still in the shower when the final draft was approved. Evelyn finished handling it all ten minutes ago."

"That fast?" Logan asked, his jaw tightened.

Edric gave a small nod. "Time is critical in situations like this. Delay too long, and the public starts writing their own version of events."

Logan stayed silent. As much as he knew Edric was right, the whole thing felt cold and brutal.

Silas broke the silence. "I know it feels hollow, but this is how it works. One wrong sentence in that letter, and we risk a class-action lawsuit."

Logan swallowed hard, his voice quieter now. "They lost their family. And we’re calculating sentence risk?"

"Welcome to the less fun part about being the CEO," Edric said plainly. "If it helps, the money will really help some of those families. Trust me, we are giving them a lot more support than most would."

Logan didn’t reply. The room had gone quiet, but his mind wasn’t.

He ran a hand through his hair, the numbness spreading through him harder to ignore.

He’d never really been prepared for the sudden changes around him, but he’d always somehow made it work.

He’d trained until he couldn’t keep going anymore. He’d spent the remaining time studying anything he could get his hands on to understand his company and become a better leader.

But this... nothing he could have done would’ve prepared him for this.

Especially not when Silas, Edric, and everyone within the company seemed used to this and thought of it as a normal thing.

’I didn’t regret killing with my own hands,’ Logan thought, looking at the hologram Edric displayed in front of him. ’They made a genuine attempt on my life.’

But quietly sending checks without telling families the real reason their loved one died, that made Logan feel sick.

’This is what leadership costs,’ he realized. ’Not just the danger. Not just the decisions. But the aftermath that follows them, even on tough calls.’

And in that silence, Logan understood something else.

This wasn’t about doing what felt right anymore. It was about doing what worked.

Even if it meant letting someone else sign his name beneath a condolence letter and a check.

He’d mourn later. Reflect later. But right now, he had a company to lead and enemies who wouldn’t wait.

’If this was what leadership cost...’ Logan thought. ’Then so be it.’