The recording ended.
Hans exported the video file to a standalone server that never connected to the internet.
He wrote a "dead man's switch" program.
He set the countdown to 24 hours.
If he failed to enter a 64-character random password to reset the timer within 24 hours, the server would automatically use a backup satellite connection to send the video and data package to three thousand major media outlets worldwide and the public email addresses of intelligence agencies across the globe.
Once everything was done, Hans slumped into his chair.
His shirt was completely soaked with sweat.
He watched the red countdown ticking on the screen.
"Come on, Kira. Let's see you explain away this lie in front of the whole world."
Kannazuki tapped his fingers lightly against the desk.
I can't kill him outright.
I need to make him shut down that timer himself, destroy the files, and then die.
The Death Note's rules allowed him to control a victim's actions during the 23 days before their death.
"Before the Death Note's absolute law of causality, any contingency a human devises is meaningless."
His pen touched the page.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
[Hans Gruber].
Without pausing, Kannazuki quickly added the actions preceding his death after the name.
[Realizing that his betrayal is meaningless and Kira's might is invincible, he falls into utter despair and suffers a breakdown. He voluntarily destroys all backup files and notes, formats every hard drive, smashes the backup satellite communications equipment, then leaves the basement and dies in a neglected corner.]
After writing the final word, Kannazuki closed the notebook.
Snap.
He tossed the fountain pen onto the desk.
"Done." Kannazuki picked up the cold black coffee on the desk and took a sip.
Ryuk looked at the notebook, his eyes rolling, then burst