[Codename: White Torch]
[Pyrotechnician (order):]
[Humanity ignited the first flicker of flame.]
[And so, civilization and order were born.]
[For thousands of years, it has traveled through the river of time,]
[Never ceasing.]
[However, the fire of order,]
[How much longer can it burn?]
[Ability:]
[Flame Infection (Origin Point):]
[After activating mystery, ignite non-living combustible objects upon contact.]
[Son of Red (Super-Sequence):]
[Transform any part of the body into the fire element (except for the heart).]
[Flame temperature increases with mystery level.]
[Best not to use it while swimming.]
[Fireworks Celebration (Judgment):]
[Manipulate externalized flames away from the body.]
[Distance increases with mystery level.]
[Now, they are in your shape.]
[Energy Level: Lv 3 · 'Judgment']
————
The vast foyer was now a wasteland of scorched earth.
The walls, floor tiles, and ceiling were all burned to a pitch-black hue.
The stench of rotting flesh and intense burning was pungent and nauseating; the floor was covered in ash and the half-burnt remains of insects.
White Torch stood in the center of the vast debris, panting.
Having released his mystery intensely for a long duration, even this Judgment-level Ritualist was finding it hard to cope.
Not to mention that in order to avoid a few giant insects that weren't very afraid of fire, he had used Elementalization several times.
Usami Reiko and Sakai Takashi held their guns up alertly, the two of them quickly walking to White Torch's side to protect the still-panting man.
"We're safe... for now."
The man, his voice hoarse, reached out and patted Sakai Takashi's shoulder—his thick palm still carried the residual warmth of the flames.
No sooner had he spoken... rustle, rustle, rustle.
The sound of crawling began to appear again.
"Go, quick!"
The flames that had just died out reignited, and the three of them began to jog!
Bugs!
Bugs! Bugs!
Along the way, everywhere they looked were bugs!
Half-human-sized cockroaches, centipedes, multi-headed worms, giant winged mosquitoes, and dense, swarming ant colonies with sharp mouthparts—
Was this some kind of insect nest?!
Sakai Takashi curled his lip; since White Torch was in front using flames to clear the path, Usami Reiko and Sakai Takashi only needed to protect his rear, firing occasionally just to repel the stray insects that drew close.
This gave the man time for his mind to wander.
Suddenly, a strange sound vibrated through the brains of the three people.
Crack! Crack!
Bang!
Something broke?!
The three of them turned back at the same time, looking around... "The barrier..."
White Torch's expression was extremely grim as he took a deep breath!
"Flame Surge!"
Boom—
First, a black scorch mark appeared on the floor, and then, they became larger and more numerous.
Countless streams of fire erupted from the scorch marks!
Bang!
Bang!
Boom—
Flames surged out like an Impact, soaring into the sky behind the three of them!
It was as if a spring full of lava had been chiseled open!
The flames roared and splattered—
A large area of the insect swarm was burned to nothing, and then, as if they were afraid, they all stopped before the fountain of fire... slowly retreating, slowly retreating... receding like a tide.
The stench of burning flesh appeared again.
Sweat appeared on White Torch's forehead; Sakai Takashi and Usami Reiko supported the man from either side.
At the end of the hall was a half-human-high window; to prevent accidents, iron bars had been reinforced on the outside.
White Torch walked over panting, pushed the two of them aside, and stared at the insect swarm outside the window, lost in thought.
"What's wrong?"
Usami Reiko shook her head, not answering Sakai Takashi's question; she pointed past White Torch's shoulder to show Sakai Takashi.
How... how is that possible?!
Space has been partitioned off?
The entire building?!
This was the first time Sakai Takashi had a direct, visual concept of space.
Unlike the usual abstract expressions in words, this time, it was tangibly displayed before his eyes.
A barrier... really?
Is this something a Super-Sequence level Ritualist can truly achieve?
Or was Marc Chagall deceiving him...?
A kaleidoscope-like prism enveloped the building outside the window; at this moment, the three of them seemed to be in another World.
The ghastly mist was kept outside the barrier, and as sunlight refracted in, one could vaguely see the paths of the reflected light.
This building, this space... was sealed off.
White Torch turned around expressionlessly, looking at his two temporary teammates. He leaned against the window, took several deep breaths, and pulled the curtains shut behind him.
"If this barrier is reliable, it's actually good news—the power of Chaos cannot radiate outward for now, which means the residents won't be attacked or infected."
Sakai Takashi shook his head: "We can't get out either."
Usami Reiko glanced at him.
"Our mission does not include the option of desertion."
True enough.
Sakai Takashi clicked his tongue.
The three were currently at the end of the first-floor corridor. If the target wasn't on the first floor and they wanted to advance to the second, they would first have to traverse the path they had just rushed through—
Chased by the insect swarm, the three of them had run to the end of the passage.
While checking their firearms and replenishing ammunition, during a brief silence, White Torch's phone suddenly rang.
"Memory, all alone in the Moonlight,"
(Memory, all alone in the Moonlight)
"I can smile at the old days..."
(I can dream of the old days...)
Oh my.
It's a cute girl singing.
White Torch:...Usami Reiko:...Sakai Takashi: Hahahahaha, even you have a day like this!
"Cough, it was a very popular one a while back..." The nearly two-meter-tall man with bulging muscles began to explain with a rare stammer.
Sakai Takashi bent his elbow and raised his hand:
"I know, I know,
that's the singing voice of the girl known as Your Highness!"
"So, do tough guys really all like this type..."
White Torch kept a stiff face and pressed the speakerphone button with murderous intent.
Intermittent voices came through.
"...Evacuation complete."
Sizzle, sizzle.
"Support possible..."
"...the mist..."
Sizzle, sizzle.
The sound faded away.
White Torch hung up the phone directly.
"The evacuation is complete." He said this to Sakai Takashi.
White Torch knew very well that in this temporarily formed squad, only Sakai Takashi cared most about the civilians.
Himself—not to mention, while Usami Reiko had a woman's natural soft heart, she was actually unexpectedly indifferent.
Adding the matter of Yoshino Kenichi, it had only deepened that indifference.
Only this junior, Sakai Takashi, still harbored a naivety that was hard to say whether it was good or bad.
Because the corridor was too quiet, all three of them had heard the words from the phone just now.
Usami Reiko crossed her arms and sneered: "Last time it was Yoshino, this time, is it our turn?"
"I wonder if the support will be late again this time?"
The woman's sarcastic words caused Sakai Takashi's expression to change, and he looked at White Torch with concern—
White Torch said nothing, returning the gaze woodenly.
"Hmph."
Slap.
The woman couldn't vent her anger, so she could only take it out on the table next to her leg.
"To the second floor."
White Torch gave a simple and direct order; in this squad, regardless of rank or Ability, he was the one who should be giving the instructions.
The three of them geared up with solemn expressions, preparing to set out again.
"Stay sharp, that barrier just now..."
"We still don't know if it's friend or foe."
White Torch activated his mystery, and flames once again wrapped around the man's body.
"We may need to face multiple Ritualists at the 'Judgment' level or above..."
This was not good news.
Or rather, White Torch's words clearly informed the two that in the subsequent battle, there was a possibility everyone might die.
With that, the man strode forward without looking back.
The blazing flames burned once more!
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