Chapter 61 — "Plan B"
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**Western Peninsula — Residential Sector. Roof of a ruined apartment block.**
The lone male stood at the edge, wind whipping his coat.
Location 38.
He raised his phone to his ear.
"Oh… it's you."
A calm, silent voice answered from the other side.
"I know. You don't have to tell me. There's a change in plans."
He sighed.
"You know how long I've been standing here?"
"It's not my decision. It's Madam's."
He rubbed his temple.
"What is it?"
"We didn't expect them to bring him here."
He laughed—short, dry.
"So we're moving to Plan B?"
"Hahaha… I told you Plan B was the better option from the start."
"It's not up to you to decide. Leave the place and meet me at our usual spot."
The call cut.
He lowered the phone.
Looked out over the ruined skyline.
"Hmm… Peak Harem Academy."
He turned.
The black cloak on his back caught the dim light.
A large, jagged emblem dominated the fabric — a multi-pointed star formed from sharp, thorn-covered blades and spikes, with a central vertical sword-like spike running through the center. The entire symbol was rendered in cold metallic silver, edges razor-sharp, giving the impression of a weaponized cross or inverted star. At the bottom, thick red liquid dripped slowly from the lowest spike, as if the emblem itself was bleeding.
He walked away.
Into the shadows.
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**Team 1 – Inside the Third Portal**
Hasegawa led the way—rifle low, steps measured.
Soldiers followed in tight formation.
Kaito and Mio's mech walked behind them—quiet guardian.
Kaito glanced at Mio.
"Your sister will be alright."
Mio stared ahead.
"I don't know… She never contacted me in all these years. I thought she didn't like me… so I didn't contact her either."
Her voice dropped.
"But after hearing this news… I can't wait."
Kaito nodded.
"If she's your sister… she'll be strong. I can tell. When you jump on me it literally breaks my limbs."
Mio smiled—small, tired.
But kaito clench his jaw.
One soldier muttered.
"It's hard to breathe here…"
Hasegawa answered without turning.
"Higher toxic gases. Masks are working, but stay focused."
Another soldier added.
"I guess that level of toxic can even kill these monsters."
Hasegawa stopped.
"No. They were killed by someone. Look at those holes—face, chest, stomach. Clean. Precise."
She scanned the bodies.
"I don't think whoever did this is our friendly ally."
The soldiers chuckled nervously.
Hasegawa thought silently.
*How long do we have to walk? If we keep going… there's no guarantee we'll have enough filter time to return.*
Kaito leaned toward Mio.
"After we leave this cave… we'll search for your sister. I guess she should be in a different place. By the way, what's your sister's n—"
A high-pitched scream tore through the cave.
**"SKREEEEE—EEAAAAAAAAAGH!!!"**
Everyone covered their ears—even through headphones the sound drilled into their skulls.
Hasegawa shouted.
"That voice is coming from ahead!"
She looked up at the mech.
"Mio, Kaito—you two go back. We can't risk you."
Kaito's voice came firm over comms.
"You're not risking anyone. It was my decision to come here."
Hasegawa exhaled.
"Then be it. But I'm not going to protect you if I sense any danger."
They continued forward.
Deeper.
Into the unknown.
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*End*