It never ends, does it? Evening's creeping in, and by now I've severed thirteen heads and arrested twenty-seven, bringing day one to a close.
"You've likely noticed the syndicates being arrested piecemeal. Tomorrow we shift into a full-frontal engagement. Get some rest."
"Damn… my joints are shot."
"Kid, whining about aches already?"
"What? How much do you think I've been pushed? Ever hear of a kid complaining about their bones?"
Just today, how many blades have grazed my skull…
'I'll cash in that coupon later…'
Because of that bastard, I barely got to finish my Lin-su Fishcake Soup… I'm using it before I head back to Danguk.
"I'm hitting the rack first—early to bed, early to rise."
I'd be out like a light anyway…
The next day was the same. At least we didn't have to crawl through pipelines—this time we'd walk the boulevard with the Guard State.
"Here. Put this on."
"Isn't it too tatted out?"
"No complaints, rookie! Do you want our identities exposed?"
I still think this straw hat's too worn. It looks cool, but one strong gust and it might fall apart.
"Listen up. We hit that building. The Guard State owns the first floor; we sweep floors eight, nine, and ten."
"What about the other floors?"
"The Guard State… and those grim hat-guys you see will mop them up."
Hats again? What, is wearing one the latest trend?
"Understood. We clean them out, and the others handle cleanup."
"Rookie, you sure you got that?"
"So basically, we trash our floors, and the Guard State and those hat-wearers handle the rest?"
"Yes… haah. You've got the gist."
"Then let's move—quicker we clear them, the more time we get to kill time."
"Normally, yes. But don't forget we have a contract: we still need to finish mop-up and patrol within the deadline."
"Contracts are such a drag…"
"But we get paid. Make sure you deliver."
Yeah, I know. I know.
"Mercs, mount up. We're moving."
"Let's go—!"
"Boss, muster time is approaching."
"Already? I'll be there in a sec."
How the hell did big boss rope so many people into this? I haven't even had lunch.
"Hey… what's that vehicle?"
"No idea."
"Wait… that's Guard State brass! Cut them loose!"
"Huh? Yes, sir! Get your arms ready—move fast!"
"Understood!"
"So… are we supposed to arrest… Zhang Chen? Is this for real?"
"Know him? He's a local. Just sounded familiar."
A wolf beastman—Zhang Chen himself. Is this that parallel universe rumor again?
"Their movement's odd. They've caught on."
"You see that?"
"Otis's specialty."
"We need to breach fast—they're onto us!"
"But we're still a distance away!"
"Meursault, can you open the car's roof hatch?"
"This is a specially modified vehicle. It doesn't…"
"If we tear it out, you can."
"Tear it out? Fine. We'll just drive on."
"Given success rates, it's the surest option."
"Wait— you really think you can—"
With a groan, he applied strength, screws popped free, and he ripped a section of the ceiling off.
"Impressive. Respect."
"Dragon Gate curse… you can do that?"
"I'll trust you to handle the first wave. We won't be late, so don't worry."
"Agreed. Rookie—don't die before we arrive."
"Save your worry. Let's go! Hit the gas!"
Ready, set, we leap—one, two…
"I'll throw you. Then trust you to finish it."
"What the—"
Only once airborne did I realize Meursault had tossed me like a shot put from a moving car.
'These people are out of their minds.'
How do you hurl a thirty-nine-kilogram kid out of a speeding car…
"Holy crap! A kid's flying through the window!"
"Freeze. If you resist, I'll shoot. Let's avoid bloodshed."
"What? More Guard State hacks? Forced to hire street thugs because of manpower shortages?"
"Shut up, brat. We're in a bad mood—"
"You talk too much. Everyone, let's go."
Not all the syndicate's down here yet—maybe twenty. Considering this building, ninety or a hundred is more likely.
[Hidden Tiger in the Forest Stance]
I burst forward, slicing an arm at the bicep. Blood splattered, adrenaline surged.
"Move! Drop your weapons and lie face-down if you value your lives!"
"What the… execute him!"
When surrounded, the best tactic is [Intercept Stance], but a half-hearted strike could backfire.
[Forward Kill-Bandit Stance]
I whip around in a circle, striking multiple assailants—Faust taught me that move to sense attacks from any angle.
"Faust's Moonlit Slash… can I use that too?"
"You could, if you know the sword style well. But I don't recommend it."
"Why not? It's badass."
"It demands pinpoint precision—three flawless cuts, as if slicing falling plum petals."
"Hmph… I thought I was accurate."
"Your precision isn't there yet. At minimum, you must slice something cleanly in half with a single downward swing."
Right. Too ambitious…
"But there's a stance suited to you—[Forward Kill-Bandit Stance]. It requires speed and the keenness to sense off-angle attacks."
"Really? That's perfect!"
As a counter-defense, this stance focuses on guard and rhythm control—exactly what I needed.
"Have eyes on the back of your head?!"
"Close enough! Hah!"
I swatted aside a crossbow bolt and blade, slid under a table, then twisted, driving my sword into some bastard's gut.
"Argh… it won't come out!"
"Too bad. You missed the follow-up."
No chance for complex arts—so instead…
"Hey, hand me that crowbar. Can't have an ancient relic lie unused. Let's lock the back door."
I wedged the crowbar in the doorframe, secured it, while the front entrance—
"We've cornered them! Slaughter them all!"
"Bring it on. The more I cut, the better."
Maybe I'll test an Arts skill…
"Dragon Gate mercs! Drop your weapons and surrender!"
"Ugh… it's just starting."
"How's the rookie holding up?"
"Can't you see? I was just getting warmed up."
"Move upstairs. Finish it there."
"Hell yeah! Let's go!"
"…That kid's for real, Captain?"
"Don't ask. I want to know, too."
What other foes await us upstairs?