Storming C District
The group heading to C District with me was decided in an instant. The organization members living there had volunteered in droves, their eyes fierce as they insisted on going themselves.
Thus, the men lined up in front of the mansion. Every one of them wore the gas masks I'd distributed, awaiting orders. Just as we were about to set out...
"We're late."
Parnello Ramichi approached, gas mask on, flashing a smile with his eyes.
"Parnello."
"Since you're handling this personally, young master, and it involves Alesia and Latte, I figured I should stick by your side at least."
"...And Father?"
"The consigliere said he'd guard him personally. No need to worry with him there—no one else, but that man makes it reassuring."
"...True enough."
The consigliere was overshadowed by monsters like Parnello, but he was a man of power befitting Calione's third-in-command. With him, I could rest easy.
"Contacted the agents quarantining C District?"
"Yes, intel division already relayed it."
"Let's move out."
"Right behind you."
The ever-reliable Parnello, handling everything. That level of intuition and skill was what earned him the title of Father's right hand. He was worth a thousand troops.
We piled into sedans with Parnello at the wheel. The twelve vehicles leaving the mansion formed a long convoy heading for C District, where we witnessed a bizarre sight.
A cluster of cars flashing blue and red lights at the entrance, blocked by our organization members.
"...Cops?"
"I'll check."
As I puzzled over the sudden police appearance, an organization member in the passenger seat hopped out and approached them.
Three men conversed. Seeing the cops' faces twist oddly, I stepped out from the back seat and walked over.
"What's the issue?"
The police turned to me.
"You're with these guys...? Wait, you're that Calione...?"
One yelped in shock; the other looked clueless. He knew my face—likely had Calione ties.
"Your reaction says you know me. An old acquaintance?"
"...I was on scene the day Blunti Family vanished."
"Ah, got it. Nice to meet someone from then. Should make talking easier."
I approached slowly, brushing dust off his collar lightly.
"One thing I'm curious about, though."
"Yes? What...?"
I unleashed my presence in a flash, overwhelming the area.
"Mind explaining what brings you to Calione territory?"
They gulped, sweating coldly. The hesitant cop sighed and spoke.
"Contact lost with an officer working C District. Brass ordered a check. But... as you see, your men are blocking us unlike usual. Care to explain why?"
...So there'd been a cop inside. Made sense they'd show up—they were just following orders.
"Simple reason. Step inside, and both of you die."
"...What?"
"Even for Calione, that's... "
Their eyes widened, misunderstanding me. Time for clarification.
"Something dangerous in there. We're here to clean it up. Calione business, so details off-limits... but we'll ensure your officer gets out safe."
"Wait, what do you──"
"Detective Kim. Enough."
The clueless one reached for his radio, but the other stopped him.
"Understood. We're counting on you."
He extended a hand. I shook it briefly, then headed for the entrance. Parnello fell in naturally beside me.
"You hear that?"
"Yes. That guy's in my memory too."
"Yeah? Trustworthy?"
"Yes. The other, maybe not—but the one you shook with has been with Calione long enough to handle it. Especially since... our eyes met just now."
...I'd shut up too in that case. Leaving the departing cops behind, we reached the entrance. Members bowed in greeting.
"What's the inside like?" I asked the apparent leader, pulling a gas mask from my bag.
"Lots begging to lift quarantine at first. Now, dead silent."
"...I see."
Members might've been infected during quarantine. I ordered everyone gas masks on, then told the leader:
"Anyone showing odd symptoms, send to the mansion immediately. Suited members will guide them."
"Got it, young master."
Sending him off, I briefed the masked members briefly.
"Our job: spot Plague or anything blatantly suspicious."
One raised a hand.
"...Suspicious how?"
"Yeah... probably huge mushroom shape most likely. Spot it, report immediately. Other villains might be hiding too—flare up if combat starts. Questions?"
No hands. Just resolute stares. They wanted this over quick for their families too.
"Talked too much."
I muttered, standing before the 2-meter iron gate.
"Then, breach."
Kiiieeeek─── The gate opened, and we bolted toward the city center.
If Plague activated his power, he'd target crowded spots. The vibrant streets Alesia and I had walked were now eerily post-apocalyptic quiet.
"No signs of life. Looks like they all moved somewhere together."
Parnello scanned around, sensing the oddity.
All those people relocating in this situation?
"Parnello. Any building or spot in C District for crowds?"
"Hm... one comes to mind. But in this mess?"
"Normally no. But... if someone controlled them? Streets this quiet means they went somewhere."
"Sharp... Straight there, then."
Parnello took lead, veering direction. Toward a commercial street off-center: C District's biggest supermarket.
"If anywhere, probably here."
Parnello eyed around at the front.
Aura Sonar
Just in case, activating Aura Sonar picked up presences inside. As he said—using it as shelter.
"Inside."
No lights visible from the big-mart crowd-spot, so night vision on as we entered.
Aura Sonar showed them on the second floor. Ignoring the trashed first, we rushed stairs—
"Hm?"
Second-floor door locked. Why bother? Shaping aura into a key, I unlocked it.
Click── Cheerful sound, door open to faint light greeting us. And then...
Chik── chik── chik── chik── chik── chik── chik── chik── chik── chik──
A swarm of rats surrounded us.
"...Clear who's here now."
"Indeed."
Rats circled, inspecting our faces. Soon they dispersed, footsteps approaching from afar with a black silhouette.
"G-Grandpa? Y-Young master?"
Trembling, terrified voice. From the dark: white hair, red eyes—a girl.
"Latte...?"
Last time, torture-swollen, filth-and-blood caked. First proper look now. Though bloodstains on her clothes said not fully cleaned up.
"Y-Yes. How'd you and Grandpa get here...?"
"Cleaning up. First question: all the missing street people here?"
"Y-Yes. I'll guide you."
She turned, leading. Light brightened gradually. There: slumped people, rats distributing water and food.
Picture clear.
"Latte, you evacuated them here?"
"Y-Yes. Alesia unnie ordered it."
"...Alesia did?"
"Yes."
During usual Night Walk, Alesia suddenly clutched her stomach and collapsed. But not just her—others nearby too, one by one.
"Unnie said it was terrorism against Calione. Mastermind somewhere here."
Somehow steadying, Alesia tasked Latte and left to hunt the culprit. Instructions:
1. Gather as many people as possible in one spot.
2. Separate symptomatic and not.
3. Hide until Calione aid/contact.
Parnello, behind me, scanned and asked:
"Most look fine for that. What's up?"
"Oh, that. Checked rats just in case—lots infected. Linked to this, so isolated them."
Truly fortunate. Rats Plague's main vector—and rat-controller Latte here. Heaven-sent.
"Infected civilians?"
"Yes, 30 isolated on third floor total. Not sure outside."
Quick response kept it better than expected. About to praise her with relief—
──!
Vision corner reddened.
"That's..."
Red glow in the sky outside. Organization's flare for enemy contact.
──Phewing.
──Phewing.
One by one, more launched. Soon, C District's sky dyed red.
──Phewing.
──Phewing.
──Phewing.
──Phewing.
"Young master. That's..."
"Yeah."
Something was very wrong.