Chapter 40

Having received the order to "take care of it," I infiltrated the abandoned building where they were.

From the rooftop of this abandoned building, I could hear three sounds.

In three months, I've gained a fair amount of experience. I've completed missions alone and accompanied others on their missions (or rather, I was dragged along by force).

So I have a bit of confidence.

No, it's not confidence, but rather a numbed sense.

The people on the rooftop of this building are probably... no, definitely the kind who would try to kill me if we met face to face.

In other words, it will be a fight to the death.

What else could you call the ability to face a fight to the death without hesitation but numbness?

The people up there are likely skilled. At the very least, they are not opponents I can defeat in a straightforward fight.

I've learned to sense this kind of thing from the atmosphere, though I'm still often wrong.

However, a straightforward fight with my ability would be foolish.

Sound Control.

There's no need to engage in a direct fight with this ability.

No matter how strong they are, they can't perfectly react to an unexpected attack, an ambush.

Of course, there are opponents who can't be defeated even with an ambush, but starting the fight from a position of advantage is certain.

My ability excels at this.

I ascended the building's stairs, silencing all sounds.

Of course, the elevator isn't working, so there's no choice but to use the stairs.

How many floors does this building have?

I've probably reached about halfway, but it's quite tiring.

I cautiously ascended the stairs, wary of any traps.

Their conversation has stopped, but they are still on the rooftop.

From the new trash scattered inside the building, it's safe to assume this abandoned building is their base.

What are they planning to do from here?

It's a concern, but my mission is to "take care of it."

No matter what they intend to do next, killing them will solve the problem.

Eventually, I reached the entrance to the rooftop.

I took a deep breath and steadied my breathing.

All sounds from me—footsteps, heartbeat, breathing—were blocked.

If the enemy had a heightened sense of smell, they might detect me, but since I haven't been found yet, that's not a concern.

Enhanced abilities like those of rats or dogs are my weakness.

They can ambush me and catch me off guard. In a recent mission, I was in danger because of this.

The strategy against this is to be aware of their transformations.

When they aren't using their abilities, there's no change in their status, and thus no way to detect them by smell.

When enhanced abilities transform, the heart rate increases to a certain level. By listening for this, I can tell if they've transformed and consider the possibility of being detected.

If they've already transformed, there's no way to deal with it.

I hoped that none of the three were enhanced and already transformed, and I peeked through the gap in the door leading to the rooftop to confirm their presence.

The first person I saw was a tall man.

He was dressed flamboyantly, with long black hair flowing in the wind.

He was leaning against a water tank pillar, head bowed.

From his attire, I could tell.

These are the people from nurseryrhyme.

Shifting my gaze to the right, I saw a boy and a girl sitting close together. Both had their legs stretched out, sitting like dolls.

The wind blew their hair.

They emitted an unusual aura.

But now is the perfect time for an ambush.

The isolated man or the two together.

Which should I attack?

No, I shouldn't think about efficiency. Complacency is forbidden.

I'll attack all three at once, with maximum power.

As Sigh said, an ambush requires a serious attack.

The timing is irrelevant.

Using Sound Strike, I'll send them flying out of the building. That's my goal.

My "Sound Strike" is particularly good at sending people flying.

From the rooftop, I'll knock them off. At this height, a fall would be fatal.

Fortunately, there's no fence on the rooftop.

It must have been removed. In any case, it's convenient.

Let's do it.

Before that, let's simulate.

First, I'll create a sound on the opposite side of where they are, drawing their attention.

I want the two who are sitting to stand up.

Then, I'll launch a Sound Strike from behind.

Alright.

I exhaled and created a sound on the opposite side.

A strange sound made the man react.

He unfolded his arms and looked in the direction of the sound.

The two sitting also slowly stood up and walked in the direction of the sound.

As planned.

"What sound...?"

"Can't tell."

Now.

Thinking this, I unleashed a full-force Sound Strike at the three.

I focused the "Sound Strike" to a limited area to knock all three off the building.

—Sound Strike

A loud noise echoed.

But something unexpected happened.

"…!"

"What…!"

The tall man... he dodged the Sound Strike, and the girl, who was directly hit, pushed the boy away to save him.

The girl was blown off the building and fell to the ground, making a sickening sound.

I followed up with a second Sound Strike, but it was blocked by a mysterious wall the man created.

At this point, I jumped down the stairs and ran down the building to regroup.

After descending about two floors, I stopped to catch my breath.

"Ah!! My eardrums are gone!! Die, die, die! Who the hell is it?!"

"Yuiiiiiii!! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!!"

Such shouts came from above.

Damn, I missed two of them...

If I had used a wider range Sound Strike... no, that's not it. They were definitely superior.

They sensed my killing intent and avoided the attack.

I didn't let my guard down.

And the girl who was directly hit... it was fortunate to kill her. But hearing the cries from above, it's a blow that I only killed one.

They might use any means to kill me.

Calm down.

I can fully grasp their movements. And this darkness is a terrain where I have the advantage.

"Where are youuuu!! Come outtttt!!"

The boy's shout.

This is bad. Such a drastic change from his usual calm demeanor.

Well, it's natural to react this way after losing a partner.

It's unfortunate, but it's the boss's order.

What should I do?

They don't know my location. It's unlikely they'll search floor by floor in this large building.

They don't seem to be planning to retreat either...

I listened carefully to the situation above while thinking.

"Calm down, Sadi. Getting angry will only fall into the enemy's trap."

"Can you calm down? Yui! Yui is dead! We've been together for so long!!"

"I can't hear well with my eardrums broken, but I understand what you mean. But listen to me."

"Shut up! Let go!"

"Listen, brat!"

"..."

"Got it? We didn't notice the enemy approaching at all.

And that attack... It's definitely the sound ability the leader mentioned. Chasing blindly will surely get us killed in the dark. They must have a full grasp of our movements.

So, I'll lend you my pet. Follow it.

I'll go down to retrieve Yui. She might still be alive."

"Understood."

"Good, go."

After this conversation, two new heartbeats were added, accompanied by growls.

"…!"

What is this? A pet? A monster?

This is bad. They're trying to find me by smell.

But I have a good idea of the man's ability.

The wall that blocked my Sound Strike earlier... he probably has the ability to summon objects from somewhere!

He mentioned something about capacity earlier, so he might have a space he can access.

The monster was probably summoned from there.

More importantly, the man has regained his composure in such a short time.

And the boy's anger is not just anger, but a hierarchical relationship.

If they split up, it will be convenient for me.

I can kill them one by one.

I stuck to the door, ready for the monster and the boy called Sadi.

I took out a knife from my holder and prepared.

Using Sound Strike here would be a bad move. The building's durability is unknown. It might work on the open rooftop, but here, the ceiling might collapse.

Plus, after training, I can only use Sound Strike three more times. Strictly speaking, two. The third will render me immobile.

I'll save it as a last resort.

"Kill... I'll definitely kill, kill, kill..."

Sadi's footsteps and the monster's growls approached, muttering ominous words.

Sadi's ability is unknown, and the type of monster he's leading is also unknown.

But the knife will be enough.

First, I'll kill the monster. Then him.

No, the order doesn't matter. I'll start with the easier one.

From the footsteps, it's probably a small monster.

A knife will be enough for this.

If I kill Sadi, I just need to kill the monster.

If I kill the monster, I just need to hide.

Sadi can't locate me on his own.

I can do this.

"Is this it...?"

Sadi approached the large room where I was, just on the other side of the door.

I swallowed.

As soon as he opens the door, I'll slash his neck with the knife.

For sure.

As I imagined this and gripped the knife, a shock ran through my back.

I was blown back and hit the wall.

"Found you...!"

He blew the door off...!

So he has a powerful ability. This is bad.

Plus, that monster. A bloodhound...!

Sensitive to the smell of blood and as fast as an A-class monster.

I wiped the blood from my cut cheek and slowly stood up. The bloodhound charged at me.

But Sadi kicked the bloodhound hard, and it hit the wall and stopped moving. He then threw it out the window.

"Not... my... prey!"

"…!"

"Alright, how do you want to die?"

Bloodshot eyes. What's going on?

No matter how I fight, the situation is a bit unfavorable.

I should retreat again.

I glanced at the window next to me.

The building is 19 stories high. I counted on the way up.

And I've descended two floors, so this is the 17th floor...

Jumping down will definitely kill me.

The enemy is slowly approaching.

I don't have time to think.

I gathered my strength and jumped through the window behind me.

"What...!"

I jumped out of the building and reached for the launcher in my holder.

I took out the launcher and fired it at a protrusion on the rooftop.

The hook at the end of the wire clicked and latched onto the protrusion. Success.

I gripped the launcher firmly and hung from the rooftop.

But this position leaves me vulnerable.

"Don't let you escape!"

As expected, Sadi pursued me. I hit him with a Sound Strike.

He was blown back to the corner of the room.

He's still breathing.

But pursuing further here is dangerous.

I climbed up the wire and broke through the window above to enter a new room.

"Phew..."

Blood from my neck soaked my shirt. It's a deep cut. It hurts.

Sadi is not moving below, but his breathing is steady.

He might think I've escaped.

I'll observe the situation.

I left the room and climbed the stairs to the rooftop again.

The other man has already descended to the ground.

I can't stay here. If he's not moving, I'll go to finish Sadi off.

Just as I thought this, Sadi started moving.

He dragged his feet and began climbing the stairs to the rooftop.

He seems to be injured.

After taking a direct hit from the Sound Strike, it's natural. He's still alive because I held back, fearing the building would collapse.

Well, in this state, he should be easy to kill.

I took out a new knife and waited for him to appear.

Then, the door to the rooftop was opened.

It was the tall man.

"What...!"

They switched...!?

"Hehe, you fell for it! Fool!

I can't hear you now, but I have no intention of explaining!"

I prepared to launch a Sound Strike.

But the man gestured to stop me.

"Stop it. I'll kill you. Besides, that technique is a hassle to deal with, so don't use it."

Indeed. The absence of the wall on the rooftop suggests he put it away again.

If he blocks two more Sound Strikes, it's over.

This is bad... I'm in a pinch...

"Well, how should I kill you? If I leave it to the monsters, they might be wiped out by that technique. If I get close, I can't guard against that technique in time...

So, I'll just blow up the building. How about that?"

"..."

I swallowed.

It seems I can't complete the boss's order. This was impossible from the start.

Clearly, they are beyond my capabilities.

"So, do you have any last words? I can't hear you, but I'll listen."

The man said, grinning.

"Last words... I have someone I want to talk to. Can I make a call?"

"Sure!"

Can he hear me? No, he's probably reading my lips.

Well, it's fine. I'm grateful to be allowed to make the call.

I called Sigh using a shortcut.

"It's me."

As usual, Sigh answered on the first ring. I told him:

"The situation is quite bad, so I'll use it. In about 10 seconds. The point is around H-7. Can you make it?"

"Close, but I'll try."

"Then please follow up. I'm sorry if I die."

"Understood."

I hung up after hearing Sigh's response.

Incidentally, I hid my mouth, so the man in front of me shouldn't have noticed the conversation.

If he knew the content, he would be on guard.

I counted 10 seconds in my head while thinking about this.

"Are you ready?"

"...Yes"

5, 4...

"Let's die, then."

3, 2, 1... Okay

"Like hell I'll die, you fool!"

—With such a curse, I launched a Sound Strike at myself.

This is a risky technique that Sigh forced me to practice.

A technique to compensate for the weakness of my ability, mobility.

It's called "Emergency Escape 'Sound Strike'."

I was only told to use it when facing an incompatible ability user or in an absolute pinch.

"Ga... ha...!"

The feeling of my eyeballs popping out. The ground quickly receding, I spat blood into the air.

My bones screamed in pain.

"You bastard!! How is that even possible?!"

I heard the man's surprised voice.

The momentum is still not enough.

Again, I launched a Sound Strike at myself.

My body accelerated as it was blown away.

My consciousness was fading. My vision blurred as the building grew distant.

Good, he can't catch up.

Well... if Sigh's follow-up doesn't arrive in time, I'll definitely die on impact.

I trust you, Master.

With this wish, I let go of my consciousness.