Closing Time: Emotions Defy Measurement
Emotions can't be quantified. Just because someone sheds tears doesn't mean their sorrow is profound, nor does the absence of tears make it shallow. But there is, without a doubt, a breaking point. And right now, Carlos had reached his.
The Infiltration Core's intentions, insidious amid the wounded, were blatant. A dim-witted creature that saw everything but itself as mere prey. To be toyed with by such a thing. His disgust was already beyond words. And yet, something new appeared to provoke him further. Or perhaps it had been watching from the start.
It clutched a frail life form that couldn't even hold its own head up. Its mouth gaped eerily wide, blood trickling leisurely from the edges. Carlos's fingers clenched to their limit. But the trigger remained locked, utterly still. It merely trembled pitifully.
-Kishit, kishit.
Laughter echoed. The mask twisted even more wretchedly. Splatter. Blood sprayed. Soon, Abyss's movements grew bolder. Tentacles coiled twice more around the baby's neck. At the same time, a resounding thud—powerful footsteps. Abyss was approaching him. With every step, blood dripped from the mask. Each time, it lifted its head to meet his gaze. Two steps, three steps, drawing ever closer. The laughter swelled. The quivering tentacles rippling behind it looked like mocking onlookers.
-Thud! Another footfall. Mere dozens of centimeters away. New tentacles sprouted from its back, swelling grotesquely with a bizarre sound. Far larger and fiercer than those bared at the newborn, jagged teeth loomed before his eyes. The maw gaped wide, then snapped shut with savage force. A metallic, razor-sharp clang rang inches away.
Carlos's Finisher remained trained on Abyss's head.
"Don't delude yourself. You've never had the upper hand, not even once."
*****
What the hell is he saying? Pathetic weakling who can't do shit. Classic bluffing loser. What can't you do with words~? Other than barking like that, what can you actually do~? Make your body shake? Or turn yourself ghost-white like right now? Useless in this situation!
-Bang!
Eh? I ducked my head first. A flying bullet? Easy to dodge. Wait, but I've got a cute baby with me? You can't just shoot recklessly—what if something happens to the baby? Caught off guard for a split second, my reaction lagged. He seized the opening, lunging with his hand dyed pure white.
Wait, wait! That's dirty! Cheating! Who moves in when someone's let their guard down! And why's your hand so white? Looks like instant death if it touches! Using a cheat skill like that breaks the rules. Of course, just don't get hit~
I easily dodged Carlos's White Hand Fist. What was that flailing? So dumb. I smirked mockingly. Suddenly, something snapped.
"Idiot. Did you really think I couldn't do a damn thing?"
The tentacles cradling the baby withered and died, stiffening ghostly white. More agonizing than that—what? Calling me the idiot! After cheating in our fair play, now he's all talk! And wasn't he aiming for me? Turns out the baby was the target from the start... Totally played.
Sigh, fine. I'm kind and mature, so I'll forgive this tantrum. But my back tentacles apparently aren't so forgiving.
Here we go. Massive tentacle barrage launch!
The furious giant tentacles shot out. Midway, clang! Clang!—they viciously clashed teeth. I grinned. At this firepower, the Finisher's firing rate couldn't keep up, I was sure.
Astoundingly, Carlos clenched his fist. White frost flowed from his hand. Once, twice, thrice. Each swing burst a tentacle. They froze on contact, then shattered from the impact.
Ugh... I made those teeth tough, but worthless against that power. No fun anymore. Cheater makes everything boring. Shouldn't he at least pretend to tire? Wait, he did once before? But not against me, so doesn't count.
"Want more?"
Carlos scooped up my baby. No! My Sirius III...! Didn't think that way, but taking the baby hostage? Vicious! Divine punishment someday. I'm pissed. Done playing. Stay there forever babysitting!
I turned away without regret, posture screaming "not worth my time."
-Click.
The Finisher cocking. But I didn't look back. Turn now, and the cool factor vanishes. When would he shoot? Heart pounding, I strode on. Surprisingly, no vicious shot rang out. Why?
*****
Outside, I scanned around. The flesh-covered city sprawled into view. But the eerie vibe from before was gone. Your standard Cadavers everywhere, Infiltration Core ditching the theme park act. Getting boring. Won't it end this already?
Doesn't look like it'll quit easy. I raised my hand. Compressed blood to the max in my palm. A red orb formed. So densely packed it gleamed translucent ruby-red, beautiful.
Infiltration Core seems tired too—Cadavers it sends are trash. If I can detect them all, no hide-and-seek fun. So I'll clean up these useless extras?
The hardened Blood Stone pulsed ominously. I launched it skyward. It split into dozens, one per detected Cadaver. The arcing stones in the air were near-silent. Unnoticed, they burrowed into Cadaver skulls. Then pop—scrambled brains and gone.
Thuds echoed chain-like as bodies slumped citywide. Soon, silence blanketed the dead city. The flesh on buildings sagged limply. Perfect—time to bail before noticed.
*****
Time dragged tediously. I'd cleaned everything, yet 1st Platoon wouldn't return. Outside now pitch-black, visibility near zero. Thanks to that? Flashlights lit up people moving through the city clearly.
What more is there to see? I wanna go home. Come back. Send me back... I did all the work—linger too long, and Infiltration Core wakes anytime. It's just recharging, could revive any moment? Mostly via photosynthesis, so slow—weeks minimum! Still, trudging slimy flesh at night? Gross, right? Already tons of wounded—bodies and minds exhausted.
My wish granted? The clustered group finally exited the city. Seeing that, hope of home surged. Hehe, built-up fatigue melting away.
"Worried?"
"Yes."
Jackpot. Company Commander Miguel. Worried my frail body couldn't handle this deep night?
"No need. Radio from 1st Platoon came ages ago. They neutralized it successfully."
"1st Platoon did?"
"Yes. Report says they found and destroyed the Infiltration Core's nucleus. Astonishing. We were crumbling before that colossal calamity, yet two handled it... Hard to believe they're human."
Eh? Something off? Yeah, 1st Platoon did it. If they credit me, fine. But that means my identity's exposed! Carlos seems oblivious, though? Ah, got it. So that's how... Carlos, you sinner. Extra disappointed in our righteous platoon leader today. Never imagined he'd steal my credit. Lying that he did my work!!
"Company commander! Survivors nearly all out of the city! Vehicles intact too! Ready to head back to Sector anytime!"
The reporting inspector's eyes were shadowed black. Yet his body buzzed with energy. The guard inspectors from earlier. No others, so stuck at the door.
Yes. Nothing gladder than heading home. Time for me to prep. Got nothing, so nothing to do!
"...Good. Inspection Company 1 will return to Sector now. Able-bodied, move the wounded."
Great, I'll help. They look slumped—worried about descending 37 floors. Eyes sparkling, I looked around. But not as expected. Just exhausted seconds ago, now springing up. Some on one leg. That fighting spirit?
Inspectors moved wounded at unnatural speed. While I blinked, all vanished into stairs. Right, they're superhumans too. Can't think normal army. Still adapting! But good. Thought wounded would delay, but we're off now.
I took rear of the single-file company descending stairs. Pace relentless. Superhuman inspectors hopped two-three steps easy. Rushing return probably due to wounded's severity. Minor cuts ignored, so immoble wounds must be dire. Honestly, without Stellar Adaptation Procedure, dead long ago. Field first aid no match for Sector treatment. Night travel unsafe, but overnight? Someone dies.
Inspectors nearly sprinted stairs. I rode the flow, dashing. Minutes later, ground level. Huge trucks and familiar military vehicles waited. Never thought blinking taillights so joyful. Missions meant fatigue then. Now? Sparkly and cute.
Light steps forward. Nova already aboard. Yanked door open, hopped in.
"You're here."
"Yes."
"1st Platoon will cover from behind 1st Company's vehicles as we advance."
Righteous platoon leader drops new mission. Headache, but I'm understanding. Yeah, can't leave wounded-heavy unit. But... 3? No, 2 guarding all that? Laughable. Though whole company weaker than 1st Platoon.
Hearing Carlos, someone tapped my back. Nova's date invite?!
"Here, take this."
"Abuu, abuuu."
???? Whoa, found it. My Sirius III!