[Time: 02:00 PM][Location: Esuha City – Streets bordering the Shie Hassaikai Compound]
The afternoon sun was hidden behind a thick blanket of grey clouds. The air smelled of rain and exhaust fumes.
Reiji walked down the sidewalk, hands in his pockets, his eyes hidden behind his mask. Beside him, Togata Mirio walked with a long, confident stride, his cape fluttering slightly in the wind.
"Remember the mission parameters, Kurobane-kun!" Mirio chirped, though his voice was lower than usual. "We are on surveillance. We verify the patrol routes, check for suspicious shipments, and report back to Sir. No fighting unless civilians are in immediate danger."
"You've said that three times," Reiji muttered.
"Because Sir says you have a habit of turning 'surveillance' into 'demolition'!" Mirio laughed, slapping Reiji on the back.
Reiji ignored him, focusing on his HUD.
[Map Scan: Active.][Zone: Shie Hassaikai Territory.][Hostiles: Hidden.]
The streets were quiet. Too quiet.
"It feels wrong," Reiji said, stopping at a corner. "The Yakuza thrive in the shadows. But this place... it feels sanitized. Like they cleaned it up too well."
"They're hiding something," Mirio agreed, his smile fading. "That DNA sample you brought... if they really are making drugs out of a person..."
Slap. Slap. Slap.
The sound of bare feet hitting pavement echoed from the alleyway to their right.
Reiji froze. Mirio turned.
From the shadows of the alley, a small figure stumbled out.
She was tiny. Maybe six or seven years old. She wore a dirty hospital gown that was too big for her. Her arms and legs were covered in bandages.
She had long, unkempt white hair and a small horn protruding from her forehead.
She didn't look at them. She wasn't looking at anything. She was just running, her eyes wide with absolute, primal terror.
Thump.
She ran straight into Mirio's legs. She recoiled instantly, trembling so violently her teeth chattered.
"P-Please..." she whispered, gripping Mirio's cape. "Don't..."
[Character Detected: Eri.][Status: Critical Fear / Physical Trauma.]
Reiji's heart hammered against his ribs.
'It's happening. Now. It's too early.'
In the original timeline, this happened later. But Reiji's interference—the warehouse raid, the captured Trigger—had forced Overhaul to accelerate his plans. Eri was trying to escape today.
"Whoa there, little one," Mirio crouched down, his face gentle. "It's okay. You fell down. Are you hurt?"
Mirio was playing the role. The gentle hero. He didn't want to spook her.
But Reiji felt the air change. The temperature dropped.
"I'm afraid she's quite clumsy."
The voice was smooth, calm, and utterly cold.
Reiji looked up.
Emerging from the darkness of the alley was a man wearing a green parka with a purple fur collar. He wore white gloves. And over his mouth, he wore the beak of a plague doctor.
Chisaki Kai.Villain Name: Overhaul.
[Threat Level: FATAL.][Warning: Do not let him touch you.]
"She causes trouble for everyone," Overhaul said, adjusting his glove. "I apologize for my daughter. She has a habit of playing rough."
Mirio stood up, positioning himself between Overhaul and Eri. He put on his 'Hero Mask'—a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Ah, a rebellious phase? I get it! Kids these days are full of energy!" Mirio laughed, waving a hand. "But she looks pretty scared, sir. And those bandages..."
"She falls a lot," Overhaul said flatly. "Come here, Eri."
The girl flinched. She gripped Mirio's cape tighter.
"No..." she whimpered.
Mirio hesitated. Reiji saw the conflict in his eyes. Nighteye's orders were absolute: Do not engage. Do not blow the cover. We are not ready.
If they fought Overhaul here, without backup, in a crowded street... civilians would die. The Yakuza would scatter. The evidence would disappear.
Mirio was calculating the greater good.
Reiji wasn't.
Reiji stepped forward.
He didn't smile. He didn't pose. He let his killing intent leak out, thick and suffocating like heavy smoke.
"She said 'no'," Reiji growled.
Overhaul's gold eyes shifted to Reiji. "And who are you? Another hero playing dress-up?"
"I'm the guy who burned your warehouse last night," Reiji said, his voice dropping an octave. "And I'm the guy who is going to break your fingers if you take one more step."
Overhaul's eyes narrowed. "The warehouse... So it was you."
Slowly, deliberately, Overhaul began to peel off his right glove.
"You're infected," Overhaul muttered. "Sick with the hero syndrome. It's disgusting."
"Kurobane!" Mirio warned, sweat forming on his brow. "Sir said—"
"Screw Sir," Reiji snapped. "Look at her arms, Mirio! Look at the needle marks!"
Reiji summoned his chain. The metal rattled ominously.
"We take her. Now."
Overhaul sighed. "Very well."
He touched the alley wall.
CRACK-BOOM!
The concrete wall didn't just break; it exploded into massive spikes, reshaping instantly under Overhaul's command. The spikes shot toward Reiji and Mirio faster than bullets.
"Phantom Step!"
Reiji teleported, appearing behind Overhaul.
"Get over he—!"
Reiji reached for Overhaul's neck.
But Overhaul didn't turn around. He simply touched the ground.
The pavement beneath Reiji's feet erupted. Spikes of asphalt shot up, aiming to impale him.
Reiji was forced to abort the grab and backflip away.
"You're fast," Overhaul noted, turning around. His bare hand hovered near his face. "But can you put yourself back together after I disassemble you?"
Reiji landed next to Mirio. Mirio had scooped Eri up.
"Kurobane! We can't fight him here!" Mirio shouted. "Look!"
Reiji looked around. People were stopping. Civilians.
If Overhaul touched the ground again, he could massacre the entire street in seconds.
Overhaul knew it too. He looked at Eri.
"Eri," Overhaul said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Are you going to be a bad girl? Are you going to make me hurt these people? Like you hurt everyone else?"
Eri froze.
She looked at Reiji, who was ready to kill. She looked at Mirio, who was trying to protect her. She looked at the innocent people watching.
"No..." Eri whispered.
She wiggled out of Mirio's arms.
"Wait!" Mirio reached for her.
Eri walked toward Overhaul. Tears streamed down her face, but her expression was one of absolute resignation.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed to the heroes. "I... I fell down. I'm going home now."
Reiji clenched his fists so hard his leather gloves creaked.
"Don't do it, kid," Reiji snarled. "Walk to us."
"It's okay," Eri whispered, trembling. "He... he'll fix me."
Overhaul placed a hand on Eri's shoulder. He looked at Reiji with cold triumph.
"Smart girl."
Overhaul turned to leave, the wall of spikes blocking the path behind him.
Reiji took a step. He was going to teleport. He was going to end this.
"Kurobane, don't!" Mirio grabbed Reiji's shoulder. His grip was iron. "If you attack now, he kills the civilians! He'll destroy the whole block! We need a plan!"
Reiji stared at the retreating back of the monster.
[Quest Failed: Rescue Eri (Early Opportunity).][Consequence: Eri returns to the lab.][Rage Meter: 100%.]
Reiji slapped Mirio's hand away.
"We had her," Reiji hissed, pointing at the alley. "She was right there."
"I know!" Mirio shouted back, his usual smile gone, replaced by a look of anguish. "I know! But we have to save everyone, Reiji! Not just the ones in front of us!"
Reiji looked at the empty alley. The rain started to fall again, harder this time.
"That girl is going back to hell," Reiji said, his voice hollow. "And we just held the door open for her."
He turned and walked away, not waiting for Mirio.
"Tell Nighteye to hurry up with his plan," Reiji called back over his shoulder.
"Because next time I see Chisaki... I'm not bringing handcuffs. I'm bringing a body bag."
End of Chapter 115.
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️