Even Lawless Lands Have Lines
Even in a lawless zone, there were lines that had to be observed to some degree. Imagine heading into a slum in pre-war Korea. You might run into delinquents or gangsters wielding knives or bats. But if an armed group with military rifles showed up, it wouldn't just be dangerous—it'd be downright unrealistic. Even in places beyond administrative reach, there were limits.
"What kind of lunatics walk around with that..."
He pulled out his phone to call the police station, but there was no signal. He'd known he was a bit out of the city center, but it was frustrating as hell that it chose this moment to fail. He'd heard the war had wrecked a ton of infrastructure, but not to this extent.
Explosions still echoed sporadically outside. Mikoto was weeping, her face pale as death.
"Don't worry too much."
"No, I might look like I'm in deep shit right now, but if it's just me? This is hardly dangerous at all."
He couldn't fully assess the situation from inside the building, but he was confident he could dash out alone if needed.
"The problem is not knowing how much worse this could get."
Explosives weren't something a small-time criminal gang of twenty-odd could toss around casually. Was a bigger organization providing backup? Actual rebels? Government forces clashing? No way to tell.
"Wait, that sounds like cars..."
Pressing his ear to the ground, he felt a low rumble. The noise was growing closer, accompanied by the crack of gunfire.
"Watch out!"
On a hunch, he bolted to the corner of the factory before even shutting the door. Seconds later, a car roared in with a guttural engine growl.
One wrong move here, and Mikoto was dead. He gently set her down, drew his dagger, and charged. The car wasn't huge, so probably not packed with enemies.
"Huh?"
The car's rear profile looked familiar. Same make and color? He checked the plates—yep, familiar.
"Yu...kiko?"
"Are you unharmed, Master?"
Seeing Yukiko step out gracefully, he could only shake his head.
"No, didn't you just call me a madman—a crazy bastard not long ago? Yukiko?"
Yukiko disembarked shamelessly triumphant, rifle in hand. He quickly shoved the abandoned factory door shut before more trouble arrived.
"How could I rest safely elsewhere when my Master is in peril?"
"No, you're alive—that's a relief. No injuries?"
"The car is somewhat damaged. Hit by bullets and shrapnel in places, but..."
Yukiko glanced back, flaunting her beauty and unscathed form.
"My body is perfectly intact. Since it belongs to my Master, it must be guarded flawlessly, mustn't it?"
"Good, at least that's something. But seriously, are you insane? I said I'd handle it alone. Guns and shells flying around—what gave you the guts..."
Even as he spoke, intermittent explosions rumbled. Too sparse for a full firefight, but gunfire cracked too.
"No more reckless stunts like this. Ever. One more time, and I'll really lose it."
"Your safety is always my utmost priority."
"In situations like this, my judgment trumps yours, period. Got it?"
Yukiko held her rifle with misplaced confidence, but to him, it was pure bravado. She was capable—more than most—but he didn't want her fighting unless absolutely necessary.
"I will keep that in mind."
Only after sternly chewing her out did he extract a promise never to pull this again. She was still talking because of sheer luck.
"So, what's the deal outside?"
Still, her intel was gold.
"A group on the ridgeline has this place surrounded. They're firing rifles and anti-tank rounds."
The basin was ringed by mountains—perfect for that.
"What about the tied-up people? All freed?"
They'd only taped mouths and cable-tied limbs, save one. If even one thug remained, freeing the rest would've been easy.
"I couldn't check closely while speeding in by car, but I definitely saw bodies down. Not under sniper fire, but some hit by shrapnel—dead or wounded."
"What the hell do these guys even want... Oh, if you brought any meds, could you treat Mikoto?"
Only then did Yukiko notice Mikoto alone in the corner and click her tongue.
"When the commotion started, I half-hoped she'd died. The nerve to survive and drag Master into this..."
"You've put me in plenty of danger yourself."
Until moments ago, hugging Mikoto tight and fleeing to Yukiko's position had been an option, risky but viable. Not anymore.
"Seriously, who the hell are they..."
Cops or soldiers would've been more cautious—demanded surrender before unleashing hell. Even a suspiciously well-armed crime gang wouldn't risk friendly fire without knowing the enemy.
Who acted like amateurs but packed pro-level firepower?
"Rather than speculating on the enemy, shouldn't we focus on what we can do now?"
"No. If it's cops or military, I can hide you two and flash my face alone. But criminals? They might hurt you while I'm out."
"And you never worry about getting hurt yourself?"
"Nope. Not at all."
Unlike his initial fears, time wasn't critical. A real battle would've meant constant gunfire. Worst case, hunker down till it ended, slip out at night.
"Ugh... ugh..."
But how long could Mikoto hold out? Better end this quick.
Mikoto's message seemed obvious—gangs ran all the time.
"A dangerous guy? Who? Don't most criminals see cops as pushovers?"
That thought sparked it. Someone criminals feared more than police—stronger, harsher.
"Got it. Damn, this is a mess. Thanks, Mikoto."
A private group with excessive firepower. Wouldn't snipe subdued foes but wouldn't spare them either.
"Clashed with another man."
Police leaked the traffickers' hideout to a man hunting "prey," and one of his groups hit it. Their lukewarm response made sense—fired anti-tank rounds to cow slaves and assert dominance, expecting counterfire. Seeing only bodies? Natural letdown.
Problem: The traffickers weren't hiding—they were all down, courtesy of him. Their real target was him.
"Lucky break. I step out, talk it over, done."
In an era where men could get consensual sex anytime, rapists didn't get sympathy. But right now? Welcome sight. Men with much to lose wouldn't pick fights.
"I'll be back. Stay put, no matter what. Don't come out."
"Are you truly alright?"
"No, you haven't grasped it yet—I'm invincible."
His arrogant confidence worried her; Yukiko hugged him tight.
"Be right back."
He stepped out of the factory. Fresh air felt like salvation. Scanning the ridgeline, he spotted odd smoke.
The instant he saw it, he sprinted forward. A massive explosion rocked behind him. Ears rang. Heart plummeted. Legs shook.
The shell's blast was less terrifying than the smell and vibration—triggers for war memories.
"It's fine. I'm fine."
He didn't need to fear. Ducking low to shield his eyes, he pressed toward the smoke—the launch site. Bullets whizzed, most missing. Stings grazed shoulder, feet—not enough to stop.
He crushed the anxiety. They couldn't hurt him. Unlike before, his enhanced body bought time to talk.
No one would die today. He had the power to ensure it.