It Was No Illusion
Once the bus started moving, Regina demanded chocolate at every turn. Anyone watching would have thought she was asking for something she'd left in my safekeeping. She shook me down like she'd hit the jackpot, and in the end, every single chocolate I brought vanished into Regina's stomach.
I'd brought them for Aris... but well, I have other snacks, so I guess it doesn't really matter. I wanted to get close to Regina eventually anyway, so let's just think of this as scoring some early points.
Class 1-D, a gathering of troublemakers. Naturally, Regina was also a problem child who had caused quite a social stir. If she weren't a Supernatural Ability user, she'd be in a juvenile detention center right now instead of high school. Still, she wasn't rotten to the core. Though self-centered, she knew how to be considerate of others in her own way, and she genuinely regretted and reflected on her irresponsible past.
A prominent supporting character in Dawn Swordsman who helps the protagonist and plays a decent role. That was Regina. She was one of the people I'd earmarked to become friends with after the summer break. Her Supernatural Ability was incredibly unique. In fact, it ranked near the top of the list of abilities I wanted to experience firsthand.
Drug. Regina's Supernatural Ability was 'Drug'. Starting from her breath, everything that came from her body was a narcotic. Swallow even a single strand of her hair, and you'd be instantly addicted, falling into an ecstasy that stripped away all judgment. Furthermore, if she intentionally manufactured her drugs, they became vicious substances capable of bewitching even high-ranking monsters. If an ordinary person accidentally ingested them, they risked dying of shock.
I want to get addicted at least once. I wonder what it feels like? What if I sliced open my stomach while high on Regina's drugs? What if I severed my fingers? What if I cut off my tongue? Hehe, just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.
But not right now. It's too early. Once some time passes and summer break is over, I'll casually ask her then. Regina doesn't think highly of people who approach her targeting her ability. So, I have to be careful not to let it show.
"Got any more?"
"No. I told you, that was the last one."
"Your backpack is still bulging, though?"
"That's all the chocolate I brought."
Regina smacked her lips in disappointment. She'd eaten that much and still wanted more? If it were me, the sweetness would have been too overwhelming to eat another bite. I hugged my backpack tightly. I absolutely couldn't show her the inside. It would be highly problematic if I got caught here. I'd have to silence Regina to destroy the evidence. I might have to prostrate myself on the floor in a dogeza, begging, 'Please don't tell anyone! I'll do whatever you want!'
Fortunately, Regina didn't show any further interest in the inside of my backpack. Accepting my words, she nodded silently, pulled a piece of gum from her pocket, and popped it into her mouth. Letting out a sigh mixed with lingering regret and relief, I closed my eyes to organize my thoughts.
What would happen from here on out, and how I should respond. I had already simulated it over and over for the past few days, but since I had some time to spare, let's review the plan from the beginning once more.
The bus would arrive at the Anti-Monster National Research Institute in about two hours. After receiving a brief explanation from the guide waiting for us, we would be led straight to the basement. There, monsters awaited. Monsters prepared for the students' practical training. Naturally, they were extremely weak. As long as there was no Mental Pollution, they were weak enough that even a non-Supernatural Ability user could take them down with a firearm.
Under the watchful eyes of the academy teachers leading the students and the Supernatural Ability users permanently stationed at the institute, the students would face monsters for the first time. The field training would proceed smoothly. They were all professionals, so they would guide the students properly and help them gain good experience.
But wherever a protagonist goes, trouble is bound to follow. A protagonist is a walking storm, after all. The captured monsters ended up devouring each other. Like gu poison in a jar, until only the final one remained. The last surviving monster grew exponentially stronger. It broke through all the defense systems set up by the research institute and escaped the basement.
Still, it wasn't a major issue. The Anti-Monster National Research Institute had manuals prepared for these kinds of emergencies. The response would be swift. The monster would be quickly subjugated. While everyone else breathed a sigh of relief, only Yujin would realize something was off.
The monster's corpse was strange. It was like a shed skin... No, it was a shed skin. The monster had shown highly intelligent behavior, using its outer shell as a decoy to fake its death. It was a perilous situation where, with one wrong move, the monster could have escaped the institute and headed toward a densely populated city. However, thanks to the efforts of the students, including Yujin, such a terrible incident did not occur. The incident was resolved safely, and the first incident of Dawn Swordsman drew to a close.
It wasn't a severe or highly dangerous incident. It was just a process to throw out minor questions and foreshadowing, building up for the future. So there was no need to be too tense. I just needed to focus on achieving my goal. The timing to throw my backpack would definitely be after the monster shed its skin. There would be no opportunity before then, since the ones dealing with the monster would be the teachers and the institute's Supernatural Ability users. Well, it'll work out. Even if the evidence destruction operation fails, another opportunity will come someday. Let's take it easy.
The Anti-Monster National Research Institute was classified as a semi-military facility. Not only did they research monsters, but the development of equipment to support heroes was also under the national institute's purview. Their role was to back up the Supernatural Ability users fighting on the front lines. Ordinary weapons could hardly withstand the physical strength of Supernatural Ability users. These were superhumans who could bend iron with their fingers alone. If they gripped a normal sword, the hilt would shatter. Therefore, they required specially crafted weapons—special armaments that could handle their power and, furthermore, amplify it.
The same went for other equipment, such as combat suits worn on the battlefield or auxiliary support items. In a fight between superhumans and monsters, standard gear was useless. Most of it would break quickly, unable to withstand the fierce combat. The national institute researched and developed equipment tailored to Supernatural Ability users. Naturally, the institute was a vital facility. A standing military force was stationed there at all times to prepare for any unforeseen incidents, such as potential external intrusions or the escape of captured monsters kept for research.
"Yawn..."
A guard on patrol let out a yawn, unable to hold back his mounting drowsiness. They patrolled the designated route in pairs. It was a job he had been doing for years now. The senior guard didn't bother to point out his junior's sluggish behavior; he was just as bored himself. He had been working security for quite a long time. Over the years, the memorable anomalies could be counted on one hand. At most, it was some conspiracy theorists caught trying to sneak into the institute, or a captured monster waking up and causing a ruckus before being moved to the basement. Even those were quickly resolved, ending as mere passing incidents.
An accident is an unpleasant visitor that arrives one day without warning. Just because things were peaceful yesterday doesn't guarantee today will be the same. But when the exact same day repeats for years, one's mind can't help but grow lax. Moreover, there were always a few heroes remaining at the national institute. It was only natural, as only Supernatural Ability users could handle the monsters in the basement. If any situation arose, they would move. Once you've seen the power of veteran Supernatural Ability users even once, it's impossible not to become complacent. There were folks who could catch bullets with their fingers. As long as they weren't attacked by fellow Supernatural Ability users or monsters, nothing could go wrong. At least, that was what the guards thought.
"Hm?"
The senior guard nudged his junior with his elbow. When the junior turned around with a questioning look, the senior pointed with his chin.
"Who's that?"
"What do you mean... Huh?"
The junior frowned. Someone was walking toward them from a distance so close it made him wonder how they hadn't noticed until now.
A blood-red parasol rested slantwise against her shoulder. Considering the weather was by no means sunny, it might have been an umbrella rather than a parasol. A loose black dress concealed the lines of her body. However, her slender, chopstick-like arms and legs could not be hidden. Opera gloves covered her arms up to her elbows. White stockings accentuated the curves of her legs. Long, straight black hair cascaded down to her waist. From between her locks, which remained undisturbed despite the blowing wind, a Red Fox Mask stood out prominently.
"Who is that woman?"
"I asked you first. What do you think?"
Her face was invisible behind the mask. Her age couldn't be determined by her appearance. However, judging by her build, height, and attire, she seemed to be a fairly young girl.
"Didn't they say the academy was coming for field training today? Maybe she's a student from there?"
"Ah, that could be. But..."
Didn't they usually travel together by bus?
*Clack.*
The low click of high heels echoed. In the brief moment of thought, the girl had drawn even closer. Shaking off his idle thoughts, the senior guard approached the girl himself. If she was an academy student, she must have gotten separated somehow. If she wasn't, he just had to find out her identity now.
"Please stop there. This area is off-limits to the general public."
"..."
"If you have been authorized to enter the Anti-Monster National Research Institute, you should have an entry permit. Could you please show it to me?"
He spoke politely and courteously. He was used to this, as people occasionally wandered in without knowing any better. However, the girl stared blankly at his face as if she hadn't heard him. No, because of the mask, he couldn't tell where her gaze was directed. He could only guess by the direction her face was pointing.
"I will repeat myself. This is a restricted area. If you have permission to enter, please present your entry permit."
Still, there was no answer. The way she tilted her head made it seem as though she didn't understand. The senior guard's brow twitched. According to the manual, if there was no response after the third warning, they had to subdue and detain the intruder. Sighing inwardly, he opened his mouth again. But just as he was about to deliver the final warning—
"eVoM."
"Excuse me?"
"evom os ,gniyonna s'tI."
The senior guard frowned and looked back at his junior. The junior also wore a bewildered expression. It was hard to understand what on earth she was saying. It couldn't be helped. The senior guard decided to proceed according to the manual. But before he could act, the girl spoke first.
"wonk ot ton gnitnedetp tsuj uoy era ro ,kaeps I nehw neve em dnatsrednu ot elbanu uoy erA."
"...?"
"eid tsuj .revetahW ,hA."
The girl raised her parasol as if annoyed. Folding the parasol that had been blocking the dim sunlight, she swung it lightly with one hand. A dull *thud* echoed, followed by a heavy *flop*.
"Huh...?"
The junior guard stared in utter dumbfoundment at his senior, who had suddenly collapsed. Suddenly, his vision turned red. When he wiped his face with his fingers, something red came off. A dark red liquid was soaking the ground. The junior guard's eyes rolled around wildly.
"Wh..."
Where did your head go? He wanted to ask, but his mouth was frozen shut. Even to himself, it was a bizarre question. Standing frozen like a stone statue, unable to comprehend the situation, the junior guard was finally able to grasp reality only when the girl's head turned toward him. No scream came out. When one is too bewildered or terrified, their voice freezes over.
"...!...?!"
The junior guard turned and began to run. His eyes were bloodshot, and tears threatened to burst out at any moment. His legs felt as heavy as lead, as if they would snap under a crushing weight. Yet, he ran. He gripped his radio, but his throat was blocked, and not a single word could escape.
"gnisirpuS."
The girl's laughter rang out. Although he was definitely running fast, her voice sounded from right behind him. A silent scream erupted. He had to report this. He had to quickly inform the heroes at the institute. A crazy Supernatural Ability user had attacked!
"siht denrael ev'I emit tsriF ?daed er'yeht nehw neve nur llits nac snamuh sseug I."
Huh? The junior guard let out a confused grunt. His vision spun. He saw a back. Familiar clothes, a familiar build. It was definitely his own back. Why was he looking at his own back?
*Thud.*
He hit the ground and rolled a few times. His shaking vision followed the retreating back. The headless body ran a few more steps before collapsing like a doll with its strings cut. *Ah.* That was the last thought the junior guard ever had in his life.
"...uoy deraps evah thgim I ,swohk ohw ,dah uoy fI .taht ekil yaw eht fo tuo devom tsuj evah dluohs uoY."
The girl tilted her head. Belatedly, she realized her mistake.
"...egaugnaL ,hcA."
Groaning, she pressed her temples with her index fingers. After holding that pose for a few seconds, she let out a deep breath and lowered her hands.
"Hehe... My mistake. I have to use human language for them to understand. Silly me, making such an obvious blunder."
Nudging the junior guard with her toe, the girl toyed with her mask.
"But I killed you without any pain, so you have no complaints, right? If you do, raise your hand now. I'll compensate you."
She squatted down and waited. There was no answer from the headless corpse. The girl giggled sweetly and said,
"As expected, no complaints."
Straightening her legs, she opened her folded parasol. As if nothing had happened, she went on her way. Yes, nothing had happened. At least, not to her. No one cares about stepping on an ant as they walk by.