Chapter 32

After finishing lunch in the cafeteria, I returned to my room upon receiving the order from Roll to "return."

On the way, I was stopped by a few acquaintances, so it took longer than I thought to get back.

When I finally returned to the room, Roll was already snoring on the bed.

"She's asleep..."

It seems she didn't manage to catch Sako in the end.

No, more importantly, does this mean Roll doesn't want to go on the date anymore? I want to go.

But I feel bad about waking her up.

Why is she even sleeping? Was she sleep-deprived?

Maybe she was thinking about our date last night and couldn't sleep?

...Nah, that's unlikely.

Well, whatever. I'll try to wake her up just once.

With that thought, I shook Roll's body.

"Roll"

When I called her name, Roll rolled off the bed and landed in a low position on the floor.

"...Where's the enemy?"

She said that as soon as she opened her mouth, and I couldn't help but laugh.

Was she in a battlefield in her dream?

"Roll, this is your room. There's no enemy."

"...Sorry, I was sleeping."

After saying that, Roll pressed her cheek to the floor and started snoring again.

She's going back to sleep...

"Huh"

I picked Roll up and carried her back to the bed.

The air conditioner is on full blast, so she might catch a cold if I don't cover her with a blanket.

I thought about this and covered Roll with a blanket.

I was a bit curious, so I sniffed Roll's blanket, and it smelled like her.

Still, Roll must be sleep-deprived.

Since she didn't wake up even when I tried, there's no need to force her.

I won't be too shocked if the date is canceled.

I can go on a date with Roll anytime in the future...

Besides, we often act together, so it's not like I need to insist on a date.

It's a bit disappointing that we couldn't spend the last day together, though.

While I was thinking about Roll's sleeping face, I decided to change my mindset and stood up.

I can't be like a lovesick girl.

No, it's true that I might fall in love with Roll eventually, but as a man, I should have the charisma to make her fall for me.

...Well, what should I do now?

I suddenly have nothing to do since my schedule is empty. Maybe I should have gone with Sigh on his mission.

I left Roll's room and headed to the training room.

Since I have nothing to do, I thought I might as well adjust my abilities.

However, on my way to the training room, I encountered someone.

"Dead Sound. It's been a while."

Code name: Hyde.

The leader of Anonymous. The Boss.

He's wearing a black coat in this scorching heat, dressed as if he's about to go out.

It's been a month since I last saw this Boss.

"It's been a while, Boss."

"How was Sigh's training?"

"It was terrible. I nearly died several times."

"I see. Are you going to train now?"

"Yes."

"Then you should come with me on my job."

"Yes. Yes?"

Did I just get Shaded?

"There's a Self-Defense Force base about 200km northwest of this town. Currently, there are only some low-ranking officers there. We're going to take them down."

For the Boss, low-ranking officers are just grunts.

I couldn't even stand up to a major, so there's no way I can win after just a bit of training. Even a lieutenant general would be a tough match.

There are also factors like ability compatibility.

"No, I'll just be a hindrance if I go."

"Even so, I can cover for you. You should gain experience. If you really don't want to, you don't have to come."

Hmm... What should I do...

I'm scared, but I also kind of want to go.

The Boss doesn't seem to force me to do anything unreasonable like Sigh...

Actually, it was this person who asked Sigh to train me.

But will I be able to make it back in time for school tomorrow if the place is 200km away?

I'll ask.

"200km from here, can we make it back in time for school tomorrow?"

"Shido's ability should make it easy."

"Oh, right."

"Concept Manipulator"

I recalled Shido's ridiculous ability.

If we can make it back in time for school, there's no problem.

"Can I come with you, then?"

"Yes, come with me."

The Boss smiled sardonically and flipped his black coat.

---

Shido drove us for about two hours, and we arrived at a high point overlooking the Self-Defense Force base.

It was 3:30 PM. The sun was scorching, and I could feel the heat inside my suit.

Shido and the Boss were wearing similar pitch-black coats, which they were letting flap in the wind.

"It seems Sigh's diversion was successful."

The Boss said this while holding a mask.

I put on my mask to hide my nervousness.

Shido laughed and put on her mask, so it seems she understood my thoughts.

"The mission is to eliminate the enemy and destroy the base.

For this, Dead Sound, you will guide us.

We don't know the internal structure of the base or where the enemies are.

To efficiently eliminate the enemy, you will direct our movements."

"...Understood."

"Don't be so tense. Relax.

The Boss and I will eliminate the enemy.

Besides, the enemies won't be much of a challenge."

Don't be tense... That's impossible.

But since the Boss and Shido are with me, it should be okay to relax.

"Okay."

When I responded firmly, the Boss put on his mask and started walking.

Shido followed, and it seemed like they were in sync as partners.

I felt like an outsider.

I'll be able to see the top Boss in action. I need to learn a lot.

"The total number of guards at the entrance is four. I'll leave that to Shido."

"Got it."

"The route after infiltration is up to Dead Sound."

"Understood."

When I responded, Shido jumped off the cliff.

Her figure appeared at the base entrance, and she swiftly eliminated the four guards before returning to the high point.

I was amazed by her efficient work.

Her ability to instantly move to a distant base is incredible.

"Concept Manipulator"

The ability to temporarily dominate the concept of distance. A type of concept manipulation.

It's not exactly the same as "teleportation," but in terms of versatility, it's a clear upgrade.

I remember Roll once saying that Shido can't be defeated unless caught off guard. It seems to be true.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes."

When I saw the Boss and Shido step forward, I followed, and the scenery warped and converged.

I realized I was no longer on the high point but in front of the base entrance.

The four bodies near the entrance were all dead, their throats slit.

I activated my ability. The mission has already started.

I sharpened my senses and processed the sounds I could hear.

There seem to be quite a few people inside the base.

This base is quite large, as I saw earlier.

Eliminating this number of people will take some time.

"We'll enter through that door. There are three people in the room right after the entrance and five in the next room."

"Understood."

When I said that, the Boss and Shido entered the base without any tension.

I followed, keeping an eye on my surroundings.

If I can perfectly perceive everything here, my evaluation might improve, and I might be able to make up for the failure of the last mission. I can't afford to make any mistakes.

As I was thinking this, Shido suddenly called my name.

"By the way, Dead Sound."

"What is it?"

"Can your ability also block our sounds?"

"Yes... Actually, I'm already doing that."

I have to constantly adjust the range of what I can hear, which is quite mentally taxing.

It's a sign that I'm still not fully accustomed to using my ability.

"I see. So we can talk, then."

"Right, that's convenient."

"Maybe you'll surpass Senyaku in the next ranking."

"About that ranking..."

"Yes, your survival rate will likely increase with this mission.

But I remember Roll calling for you not to be Shaded by anyone."

"Haku was lamenting about it."

"In that case, I don't understand."

The two of them started chatting away as soon as I mentioned blocking sounds.

I was taken aback by the sudden disappearance of tension.

What is this ranking, I wondered, and decided to ask.

"What is this ranking?"

It doesn't seem to be about fighting within the organization.

"We have a 'Shade Me' ranking. Your ability is great for support, so you might become popular."

"Shading has good rewards. If you can get to the top of the ranking, you can earn a lot."

...I don't really want to be on that ranking.

I don't need the money, and as a student, I don't have much time.

While I need to become stronger to survive, dying on a mission would be counterproductive.

That's why I'm really grateful to have Roll as my partner. She thinks about me and is cautious.

While I was thinking, the Boss, who had reached the door, opened it without hesitation.

Shido followed, and I hurriedly entered.

When I entered, the sounds from the two rooms I had mentioned were gone.

The Boss, who was a bit further ahead, had a bloodied knife in his hand.

I passed by the two of them and checked the room in front.

There were already three blood pools on the floor.

The next room probably looks the same.

"Shido didn't do this, right? Was it the Boss's ability?"

I turned to the Boss and asked.

"Yes."

"What exactly is your ability?"

Eight people were stabbed to death while I was entering the base.

Is it possible to do that without making a sound?

"I'm sorry, but my ability is top-secret. I can't tell you."

"Only Sigh and I know Hyde's ability within the organization."

"I see..."

It must be a very powerful ability. An ability that can stab eight people in an instant is definitely powerful.

The Boss, who boasts the top strength in Anonymous.

I've always been curious about his ability, but it's a top-secret.

"Only those who are killed by me can realize my ability.

But if you win the organization's tournament, you can fight me."

"Only Sigh has fought Hyde in the organization so far. Sigh lost and figured out Hyde's ability."

That's an ability that can defeat Sigh...

I don't want to fight.

"But, if you can figure out my ability during this mission, I'll make you a senior member."

The Boss said this with a smirk.

I smiled wryly.

I don't want to be a senior member, so I'll just not figure it out...