However, the numbers were much smaller.
After all, with the popularization of knowledge and the explosion of information in the new century, the Sanctuary had lost its air of mystery, especially when evidence of its crimes emerged after its headquarters was breached at the turn of the century, turning the Sanctuary into a rat crossing the street.
But even dung attracts flies.
An organization like the Sanctuary would still attract some extremists.
Especially some orphans adopted by the Sanctuary from a young age.
From childhood, they would be indoctrinated with twisted beliefs.
Divano was such an example.
So was the driver of the car.
With a cry of pain, the driver immediately hit the brakes.
With his eyes closed, tears streamed down.
But, he repeatedly begged for mercy.
"Lord Divano, I meant no offense... err!"
The driver’s voice abruptly cut off.
A segment of a sword blade pierced through the seat cushion and protruded from the driver’s open mouth.
The blade slowly withdrew, the blood absorbed by the seat cushion.
The standard-issue longsword slowly returned to its scabbard.
Divano did not even glance at the driver, he simply raised his hand to gently stroke the box housing the Holy Sword, whispering softly to himself, "You are mine, with you I will possess extraordinary power, I will be undefeated!"
"Any ant daring to spy on you, I shall slay!"
With those words, Divano, carrying the box, the sword at his side, and the documents, pushed the door open and stepped out of the car.
The corpse would be handled by the people of the Sanctuary.
He did not need to concern himself with it.
What he needed to do now was to investigate the so-called ’JJ Combat Gym’.
According to the information recorded and analyzed, it could potentially be a Hydra secret base.
Although it was previously managed by Aras, with Aras’s disappearance, it wouldn’t ’vanish’ in a short period of time, but would still be there.
He was all too familiar with such tactics.
Presumably, the JJ Combat Gym contained something extremely important to his ally Aras, and Hydra wanted to use it to lure out Aras, then offer his head to please the Night Owl Court.
"Ants always like to use such ornate tricks."
"The truly powerful scorn such methods."
"With me, invincible!"
Filled with the belief that he was invincible in battle, Divano looked on with contempt.
His pace quickened as he headed straight for the JJ Combat Gym.
Stepping into the dirty alley and standing in front of the gym’s door, he looked at the sign.
"To be a true fighter, even if you know you are bound to lose, you must have the courage to accept the challenge?"
Divano appraised, then lifted a hand to push against the door before him.
Divano hesitated, then pushed harder.
This time, the door shook a little, opening a small crack.
Through the small opening, Divano saw the heavy weights behind the door; first bewildered, he then placed both hands on the door, exerting his full Strength to push the door open.
Amidst the grating noise, the door slowly opened.
"You think such weight can stop me?"