Conquering Rahe: The Beginning (1)
Rahe is a hero.
The one who put the final end to the Great Catastrophe that had dragged on so darkly in the past. Of course, it wasn't that Rahe alone brought that massive event, which had lasted a full ten years, to a close. Many people lent their strength. Many sacrificed themselves. Many took on vital roles and ended what might otherwise still be dragging on to this day—that bleak era.
Even so, Rahe's actions at the time were unprecedented, and her achievements were immense. She single-handedly turned the tide on a battlefield where enemy forces outnumbered hers by more than five to one and claimed victory. She succeeded in assassinating a key figure on the villain side. And from a battlefield where no one thought she'd return alive, she made it back safely alongside her like-minded comrades and friends.
A beautiful and resilient hero. What's more, she commands great respect. Many witnessed her charging into reckless operations alone to protect her colleagues and subordinates, or dashing from place to place to rescue powerless civilians. She spared no effort for the citizens, contributing to the city's reconstruction through her service. Among heroes, many show unstable tendencies stemming from complexes related to their constellations, but Rahe never displayed any such flaws. Treating the weak and civilians with poise, kindness, and warmth, she had become, before long, the very face of the Hero Association.
At the same time, she shows no mercy toward evil, so countless villains fear her openly, even calling her a witch. There's a famous tale from the chaotic times after the Great Catastrophe, when a trash villain organization that profited by trafficking people in the chaos was wiped out overnight. All its members were slaughtered by Rahe alone.
"...Flashy, huh."
Starting from Rahe's public image and reviewing the classified materials handed over by Apple, No. 13 let out a deep sigh. Man, she's scary. Way too scary.
Even back when No. 13 still had his powers, he'd always been on high alert around Rahe, deliberately avoiding contact with her. He might call himself the strongest and worst, but even so, Rahe terrified him. He couldn't confidently say he'd win if it came to a real fight. His organization's activities in S City had been limited to half-baked terror acts partly due to the boss's policy, but mostly because he'd been wary of Rahe. He feared being marked as someone worth her personal attention and hunted down. That was half the reason he hadn't inflicted serious injury on Spade, who had doggedly pursued him back then. The other half was his own irredeemably soft nature.
And now, the opponent he'd gone to such lengths to avoid—he was finally laying hands on her. He couldn't help but sigh. But since he'd decided to do it, he had no choice. No. 13 set down the tablet with the materials and prepared to head out. It was about time.
Shhhhhhhh
Not at the 7th Squad base, but at Rahe's home. Unlike her squad members, Rahe lived separately in an officetel outside the base. After getting off work and returning home, she immediately showered in the bathroom, gazing down at her body with a troubled expression.
...What's going on? Something's been off since yesterday.
Inside the shower booth, she lightly caressed her body. For some reason, her skin felt far more sensitive than usual. Just touching herself with her own hands sent chills through her, as if strange sounds might escape any moment. Her nipples stood erect, visibly prominent. Even the water from the showerhead hitting them felt good on those tips. They'd already been hard before she even entered to wash up. They'd been erecting at random all day, causing her no end of trouble.
She'd first noticed something odd vaguely after dozing off briefly yesterday afternoon. Afterward, stray thoughts kept intruding, preventing her from focusing on work, so she'd left early. She hadn't slept properly through the night either. Condition management was basic fundamentals, so it pained her that she couldn't manage it. She'd hoped things would improve after a day, but she felt no real difference. Perhaps due to poor sleep, she'd nodded off again during the day today, just like yesterday.
...Come to think of it, the last time I masturbated was...
Rahe was an adult woman. She masturbated occasionally, if not frequently. As an Awakener and hero, dating men was tricky, so despite her stunning looks, she had no lover. When the urges arose, she satisfied herself. But for Rahe, this was purely for regulating her condition, so she scheduled specific days for it. It felt mechanical, but that was just her personality—nothing to be done.
Today wasn't a scheduled day, but it was only off by a day or two anyway. While showering, Rahe fondled her body. Not too overtly, but gently and slowly stimulating her erogenous zones as usual. Masturbating under the warm shower water felt better than expected. She showered about fifteen minutes longer than usual before emerging from the bathroom. She'd cum not once but twice inside the shower booth. The orgasms had been unusually pleasurable.
Yet her body's strange condition persisted relentlessly, leaving Rahe still plagued by that subtle unease even after the shower. With no idea of the cause, all she could do was hope time would heal it. She changed into comfortable clothes, had a simple dinner, and while doing the dishes afterward, the doorbell suddenly rang.
"Please wait a moment."
She wiped a bit of moisture from her apron and opened the door. There stood Apple, and behind her, a man. He wore a hat and mask, making his face hard to discern.
"Apple? Why at this hour..."
"Pardon the intrusion, Captain Rahe. As I mentioned earlier today, I've brought the person I wanted to introduce you to."
"Earlier today...? Introduce...?"
Rahe looked puzzled at Apple's words. Had they talked about something during the day? She didn't remember. Yet somehow, it felt like yes, there had been such a conversation. What was it? Why this vague sense?
"Hey, Rahe. First time meeting face-to-face like this, right?"
The man behind Apple stepped forward and lowered his mask. A stranger. Not among Rahe's acquaintances or Hero Association colleagues. Yet somehow, his face felt... familiar?
In that instant, Rahe's hand moved. Swiftly toward the man. With godly speed. But before her hand could reach No. 13, his words struck her first.
"Rahe's stone gate, close sesame."
"Rahe's stone gate, close sesame."
⟨ Hypnosis Trigger ⟩
As No. 13 murmured those keywords, all of Rahe's movements came to an abrupt halt. Her hand hovered right at No. 13's throat. What had she intended? To clamp his mouth shut? Grab and twist his neck? Or perhaps unleash some magic to sever his head? No way to know now. Nor any particular desire to.
How horrifically she might have killed him...
"Rahe, let's head inside. We'll look suspicious out here."
"......Yes."
Rahe lowered the hand she'd extended toward No. 13 and let the two into her home. The door closed, and the corridor outside Rahe's apartment returned to its original silence, as if nothing had happened.
That was pretty damn close. Who'd have thought she'd attack so immediately, no questions asked. He'd only slightly shifted his mask, but she'd recognized his face right away. lunging to strike without hesitation—probably to preempt any funny business from him and take him down while off-guard. And she'd even maneuvered to avoid harming nearby civilians in that split second. Judging and reacting reflexively like that.
No. 13 hadn't fully grasped Rahe's exact intent, but at least he understood why they called her the Warrior of Reversal. Even in her defenseless post-work state, she had no openings.
"Well then..."
But that Rahe now stood limply before No. 13, her eyes dulled of light. Like a doll, she stood at attention in the middle of her living room. Thanks to Apple's groundwork on her over yesterday and today. Like slipping her the "hypno-sugar" Dorothy specially made into her coffee. They'd kept the brainwashing minimal to avoid Rahe noticing.
No. 13 circled Rahe first, checking her condition. Tall for a woman, with a flawless, toned body... He swallowed hard as he eyed her. She seemed fine for now. But No. 13 wasn't skilled enough to gauge the depth of brainwashing just by looking. So when he reached out to her—both to properly check and to indulge his surging dark desires—
Slap!
In that moment, Rahe's arm rose, grabbing No. 13's hand before it could reach her chest. No. 13's eyes widened, and Apple, watching, swallowed hard.