Chapter 31

"I just got back."

"Kuro!"

Finally, Kuro has come back!

"Did something happen?"

"Well, a lot happened..."

While looking at the sleeping Shizukana in the living room, I told him about being attacked by the 'Enhanced' ability user.

"I see... So, is the girl alright?"

"Yeah, she seems to be fine. Near examined her."

"Is that so? Near is amazing."

That reaction feels like déjà vu.

"Anyway, I was just discussing with Shiro and Near about what to do next. I was thinking of going to the police soon..."

"No, that's not necessary. Leave the rest to us."

"Huh?"

Leave it to you? Do you have a solution?

"Actually, I just talked with Ryuukai about this matter. It seems he's also troubled by the people who attacked you. He said he'll take care of it."

"Really? The chairman's father will help solve it?"

"Yes. In fact, it seems this was a problem that Ryuukai should have handled in the first place."

"Is that so?"

I don't fully understand the details, but at least the chairman's father is going to help.

"By the way, why was I attacked in the first place?"

"Ryuukai said he doesn't know. It might be a misunderstanding or a coincidence."

"A misunderstanding or a coincidence..."

It's not impossible. The probability is higher than being resurrected by a god.

"I'll try to find out the reason when I can. For now, it's best to keep an eye on the girl. I'm going out again."

"Find out the reason... Huh, you're going out again?"

"Yes, I have a bit of business to attend to. I'll take Shiro with me."

"Kaa"

Shiro is going too. Is some kind of animal gathering being held?

"Be careful."

"Of course. I'll be back."

"Kaa!"

With that, Kuro and Shiro left.

I wanted to have a more specific discussion about the attackers and future plans, but it didn't happen at all.

When Kuro and Shiro come back, we'll talk again.

"…Huh?"

Come to think of it, Rin isn't here.

Is she at Isa's house again?

"It's almost evening."

I'm worried. If she doesn't come back even after Kuro and Shiro return, I'll go look for her.

◇

"Place the combat-capable Rank C members on the first floor! Those with Enhancement or Processing abilities should reinforce the branch as much as possible. We don't know what the enemy will do, so maximize the building's strength!"

Under Chie's orders, the organization's members were running around busily in the 15-story temporary branch building.

The reason was that Chie had sensed a group heading from Yuki's house to the branch.

"A golden lion, a white crow, and a white-haired little girl... To send three new attackers is quite interesting. The enemy commander seems to have a unique style."

While sensing the approaching group, Chie muttered to herself.

Her words also contained a hint of anxiety about the confidence of the attackers who were sending just three of them.

(Probably, none of them are ordinary. The golden lion and the white crow are likely the same kind of monsters as the black cat. If so, they are quite troublesome.)

In fact, Chie didn't know that the golden lion and the black cat were the same entity.

When Chie saw them during the attack on Yuki's house, the three were already left on the JR Tower rooftop. Moreover, the attackers themselves, including Sefek, didn't clearly remember what happened after they were defeated.

Therefore, Chie mistakenly identified the golden lion as a new attacker.

While thinking about this, a subordinate came to report to Chie.

"Thirteen Rank C ability users specialized in attack and defense, and thirty regular combatants have been deployed to the first floor."

"Rank C ability users and regular combatants capable of reinforcing the building have been deployed to each floor."

"Understood. You should also take your positions."

"Understood!"

After reporting to Chie, the subordinate immediately returned to their post.

"Toi, Melt, you two should go to the first floor. Toi, you will command the first floor. Sefek, you will wait with me on the eighth floor."

"Understood."

"Okay."

"Understood."

While Dies was still not back, the three most powerful members in the temporary branch were also deployed according to Chie's orders.

"Chie, the fact that they are attacking at such a sudden moment suggests that the enemy has considerable confidence. Are we really going to be okay?"

While preparing for the attack, after Toi and Melt left the room, Sefek voiced his concerns.

"I can't say we'll be 'okay'..."

Chie honestly expressed her feelings to Sefek, as she also shared the same concerns.

"However, it should be quite difficult for them to break through the personnel deployed in this building and reach the eighth floor."

"Indeed... That's true."

Hearing Chie's words, Sefek considered the skills of the deployed personnel.

The Rank C ability users on the first floor, though they were Rank C, were professionals specialized in combat. Even the regular combatants without abilities had received special training and were combat professionals.

"That's not all. We have the 'Bestowal' and 'Cold Heat' hostages. As long as they are here, they can't do anything flashy that would cause the building to collapse. If they try to enter from the middle floors or the roof by flying, the reinforced defense systems will activate."

"Indeed... As long as multiple Rank A combat ability users don't come, we should be able to handle it."

Chie's words somewhat alleviated Sefek's anxiety.

"Exactly. No matter what happens, I will deal with it."

After explaining to Sefek, Chie herself reconfirmed the branch's defensive capabilities and resolved to face the attackers.