Chapter 14

Let's go over the mission details again.

There are two main tasks we need to accomplish.

First, we need to dispose of the large box in the back seat of the Sadinta. Inside that sturdy box is a "broken one" created through human experimentation. Moreover, this "broken one" was supposed to be directly disposed of by the boss or Sigh at headquarters. It's quite a difficult task for us to handle.

The second task is to eliminate the Self-Defense Force deployed in this city. According to the boss, they might send up to a colonel, but we can't be too careless. For the boss, a colonel might be just a grunt, but for me, they are formidable opponents. Of course, depending on the combat situation, I have confidence that I can use my abilities to create a one-sided battle.

The strategy meeting with Roll was simple. We exchanged ideas and looked for flaws.

The idea of dumping the cargo in the sea was rejected because there's a high possibility it could be recovered by the Self-Defense Force. The plan to split up, with Roll disposing of the cargo and me eliminating the Self-Defense Force, was also rejected due to the high risk and low coordination.

The strategy meeting took no more than five minutes.

The conclusion was to continue our escape in this specific Sadinta. We need to buy time for about 50 minutes until reinforcements arrive. Changing vehicles is not an option because we can't prepare another car and moving the cargo would take too much time. Of course, hiding in any of the bases around the city is also out of the question because the branch office might be under surveillance. We don't know how much information has been leaked to the Self-Defense Force since the branch office's lower ranks were captured.

The boss said it wasn't a problem, but with the branch office's lower ranks captured, the organization's function in this city has likely been compromised to some extent. If the locations of the bases have been exposed, it would be a significant blow. ...But that's not my concern.

In any case, we chose the safer option of continuing our escape. The mission's success is more important than its quality. We are not yet a well-coordinated team, so we can't afford to be picky. Therefore, the decision to keep running until reinforcements arrive is a sound judgment by Roll.

"Next left."

"Understood."

Wearing pitch-black tuxedos and Anonymous masks, we are both dressed identically as we speed through the streets in the Sadinta.

An evacuation order has already been issued, and the streets are almost deserted. Abandoned cars block our path.

The Self-Defense Force's encirclement is gradually tightening, but we manage to slip through thanks to my sound-mapping ability. I can tell where the enemies are and how they are moving, even in this desperate situation, which allows us to avoid encounters and combat.

However, the Self-Defense Force's roadblocks are getting faster. They probably know we have the ability to map the battlefield. To prevent us from being led out of the city, Roll occasionally makes sharp turns to shake off the Self-Defense Force.

Combat is inevitable. They will attack us eventually. But they want to be in a perfect position to do so, and we also want to minimize civilian casualties. We have about 30 minutes left. We need to buy as much time as possible...

Just as I thought that, Roll's ears perked up, and I turned around in the passenger seat.

Sound.

The sound of something slicing through the air.

Something is approaching at high speed.

"They're attacking."

Roll said this and turned the steering wheel. The accelerator was pressed harder, and my body jolted.

"We're going to shake them off! Death Sound, listen for the sounds!"

"Understood!"

My response was slightly stuttered. My heart was pounding from the sudden situation.

"Combat is a last resort! We have 30 minutes left! We're going to keep running!"

If we engage in combat now, we'll have to stop the Sadinta. Once we stop, we'll be surrounded and overwhelmed. We shouldn't engage in combat until reinforcements arrive. The 50-minute mark is just an estimate; they might be late.

I guide Roll based on the enemy's movements.

As we approached a central road intersection, something hit the Sadinta. The car shook violently.

"What!"

The tires screeched as Roll hit the brakes. The car swayed and came to a stop just before colliding with a high-rise building.

"Death Sound, get out!"

I was startled by the sudden command but snapped to attention at Roll's voice. I unbuckled my seatbelt and hurriedly got out of the car on the opposite side. I touched the ground and immediately became alert to the surrounding sounds. There were two approaching sounds. One was a floating ability user chasing us from behind, and the other was coming from the opposite direction, likely the one who attacked the Sadinta. At this distance, Roll could also detect them clearly.

I could also hear the Self-Defense Force gathering from a further distance.

"Well, this is the worst-case scenario. We have about 20 minutes left. Defending the cargo and fighting back is a losing battle. They don't care about the city; they're serious."

"...Yeah, that's right."

My trembling response made Roll turn to me.

"What's wrong, Death Sound? Are you nervous?"

Of course, I am. We might die. My ability isn't suited for direct combat, and in a close-quarters fight without abilities, I'm even worse than a private. But I can't admit to being nervous; I don't want Roll to lose faith in me. I need to be ready to face a colonel.

I didn't respond to Roll's words and instead glared at both directions from which the enemies were coming.

"You're not being honest. Death Sound, you can stay back. I'll handle the first two."

"I'm fine. I can fight."

"It's not a good idea for you to engage here. If they come in numbers, I'll need you to do that thing."

Roll stepped forward, and I could only step back silently.

Roll wasn't trying to be considerate, but I still didn't like being protected. However, if I interfered, I would only be a burden to Roll. I don't want to disappoint the Black Dogs.

For now, I'll stay in Roll's shadow. But I want to become strong enough to protect her one day. Though I can't even imagine being stronger than Roll.

As I was thinking this, the assassins from both directions were now within visual range.

Both were gliding through the air toward us, wearing the white uniforms of the Self-Defense Force.

Roll got into a fighting stance as the two figures landed. Her golden cat ears perked up, and her stance was low.

Roll was flanked by the two, and she was on guard, ready for combat. The badges on their chests were silver eagles—colonels.

They approached Roll cautiously, keeping an eye on me. The combat that was expected to start with their arrival was still in a tense silence. One of the colonels stepped forward and spoke quietly.

"Surrender..."

Roll didn't hear the rest of his words. Her claws swiftly slashed his throat, and a spray of blood bloomed in the air. Before his body hit the ground, Roll spun around and targeted the other colonel. She caught his face at a speed barely audible, and in the next instant, his head was separated from his body.

Instant death.

Roll tossed the colonel's severed head aside and finished off the other colonel with a knife, then wiped the blood from her hands and mask with a handkerchief. She then slowly returned to me.

"..."

The battle ended so quickly that I could only stand there with my mouth open. Roll wasn't even out of breath.

"The newbies are a help. The Self-Defense Force's ranks are still unreliable."

Roll said this with a cheerful voice as she returned.

"Wasn't that because Roll was too strong...?"

"Not at all. The Self-Defense Force's promotions are based on ability, so they often lack training and combat experience. Especially floating ability users, wind manipulators, and colonels are often easy targets."

"Interesting."

A common occurrence in battles with the Self-Defense Force. I'll keep that in mind.

"Anyway, judging by rank isn't a good idea. There are many strong individuals below colonel. It's just a guideline. There are many exceptions, so don't box them in."

"Understood, Master."

"Good."

Roll leaned against the Sadinta's hood. The approaching sounds were still a bit distant.

"Roll, can we still make a getaway now?"

"No. The tires are damaged. We have to stay and fight. Can you get the water bottle from the car, Death Sound?"

I retrieved the water bottle from the Sadinta as requested.

"Can you pour it on my hands?"

I see. To wash off the blood.

I poured water from the bottle onto Roll's hands as instructed. Roll washed her hands, shook off the excess water, and then took the bottle from me, tilting it to her mouth.

"Thanks. Do you want some, Death Sound?"

"I'll have some."

"You can have the rest."

I drank the remaining water and threw the bottle back into the Sadinta.

"Well, it's about time. This time, I need your help, Death Sound."

After a while, Roll stopped leaning against the Sadinta. I slowly stepped into the middle of the main road, stepping over the bodies and the pool of blood. The Self-Defense Force was closing in from all directions, from behind the buildings, from the four sides of the main road, from the rooftops, and from the air. I could already see them from above. I must be a good target.

But if I can draw them in, most of them will be within range. First strike, first win.

I glanced at Roll. She noticed my signal, covered her ears, and opened her mouth wide.

Then I used my ability.

140 dB.

That's the volume that would make someone faint if heard directly. Of course, it's extremely loud.

I can't produce exactly that volume, but I can probably create an even louder sound. The maximum output I've confirmed can create a shockwave.

I didn't go all out, but it was still a loud sound. The glass in the high-rise buildings shattered and fell. Roll had already taken refuge in the Sadinta.

The floating ability user in the air fell to the ground with a sickening thud. The Self-Defense Force was almost... completely wiped out.

This level of power can't kill people. At best, it might cause shock deaths. But if they're mostly unconscious, they won't be able to attack.

If we wait here for reinforcements and bring the cargo back to headquarters, the mission will be a success. We were supposed to dispose of the cargo here, right? No, the boss said to bring it back if possible, so it's the same.

What? It wasn't that difficult a mission after all. I walked to Roll with a confident smile under my mask.

...No, wait.

Almost completely wiped out?

That means there are survivors, right? The sound shouldn't have been enough to kill them. That means...

"The rumored irregular boy. You were indeed recovered by Anonymous."

My heart skipped a beat. A man suddenly appeared behind me.

Suddenly.

There was no approach, no warning. He just appeared.

I instinctively drew my knife from the holster and tried to stab the man as I turned around. But as I turned, my wrist was twisted, and I found myself on the ground. The impact hit me a moment later. I didn't know what happened, but I knew I had been slammed into the ground.

"Ugh..."

I couldn't breathe. I had been slammed into the concrete in a position where I couldn't brace myself. I managed to twist my neck to see the man. I saw an old man's smile and a silver three-star badge on his chest.

"I like to introduce myself to villains. I am General Shiranui of the Self-Defense Force."