Chapter 29: VS Justice Realization Committee

Barely a few minutes after activating the bomb, a swarm of Justice Realization Committee members poured out of the school building.

"…Hey. Isn’t that a bit too many?"

"This is about normal, unfortunately. Trinity prides itself on being the largest academy in all of Kivotos."

"Uh, do you think we can handle this by ourselves…?"

"Haha, Tsumugi, relax. None of them look particularly strong, do they?"

…Yose really knows how to set the mood. Just by being there, she eases everyone’s tension.

"Alright then—as I said earlier, our goal this time is to buy time. We’ll hit hard at the start and draw Tsurugi and the others here. I’ll leave the front line to you."

"Roger that!"

"Leave it to me!"

We just have to make them think we can’t win unless Tsurugi shows up. So… the opening strike needs to be loud.

"Here we gooo!!!"

I stomped the ground hard and shot forward, accelerating straight toward the wave of committee members.

"Whoa—so fast!?"

I tossed a lightly enchanted bomb at the student in front of me, then leapt and stomped down before it exploded.

"Hah!"

"Ugh!?"

The blast sent me flying high into the air—right above the crowd.

"One, two, three… too many to count. Look at them, packed together like scraps of meat."

In my right hand, I held a handful of small stones. I infused them with mystical energy, hardening them.

"Still, for an area attack… it doesn’t really matter, does it?!"

With all my strength, I hurled the stones downward.

"Ow!? Ow ow ow! What the heck is this!?"

"Gh…! D-Did she just throw stones!?"

"That’s insane power…!"

The scattered stones peppered the students like shotgun pellets, striking and knocking many unconscious. It was a technique I’d developed after studying Cyan’s way of handling groups of enemies.

"…"

Guilt—just that single word flashed through my mind.

Even if the people of Kivotos are tougher than normal humans… hurting children like this—it’s something you should never do.

"Fuuuh…!"

Get it together. You have to do this, right? Me. I have to.

All I can do is my best—nothing more!

"Take this!"

Using another bomb, I blasted myself downward.

"F-Fire!"

As bullets flew toward me, I swung my hair rope—weighted at one end—to deflect them, then landed hard.

The impact cracked the ground, scattering rubble. I kicked a piece sideways, knocking down a few nearby students.

"Y-you monster!"

"Monster? Me?"

I couldn’t help but feel a little hurt by that one. Still, I stunned the remaining students with my shotgun.

"Alright, time to go help the others—wait, what?"

When I turned around, the other committee members were already down.

"…I was just about to back up the squad leader, but…"

Huh? Was that the last of them?

"Squad leader, you went way too far!"

"Seriously… what are we supposed to do now?"

"S-sorry…"

This is bad…! We were supposed to leave a few conscious so they could call Tsurugi and the others!

"Well, if we wait, reinforcements will probably come anyway. No problem."

"Squad leader… you…"

Sau gave me a weary look—but then—

"Sau, watch out!"

"Huh?"

Yose tackled Sau to the ground, and a bullet sliced through the air right where Sau’s head had been.

"A… sniper!?"

"Good awareness, Sixth Squad Leader."

"Just had a bad feeling."

"…"

The bullet had gouged a deep hole into the ground.

Even in Kivotos, where weapons are strengthened by mystical energy, the terrain itself is reinforced. For a single shot to dig that deep… this could only mean—

"She’s here. Vice Chair Hanekawa Hasumi."

"Tch… damn it. Everyone, stay sharp!"

"The shot came from the north. Get inside the buildings and use them as cover."

At first glance, we were at a disadvantage. But looking at it another way—Hasumi had revealed her position with that shot, and hadn’t downed a single one of us.

"Sixth Squad Leader, can you locate Hasumi?"

"Hmm… sorry, can’t tell."

"No matter. She’s probably already moved to another spot."

If that’s the case, the next shot—

"Ow!?!"

Ow ow ow!! I got shot!? Already!? She changed positions that fast!? No—wait, then that means…!

"Shizuyama Mashiro…!"

"S-Suou!"

"Hang on! I’ll heal you—"

"It’s fine, Tsumugi. Just a scratch. Let’s move inside."

"O-okay…"

…She looked at me like I was insane. Rude.

Once inside, I checked my wound.

Mashiro really is strong—she knows how to channel mystical power perfectly. She was bluffing, but a hit in the wrong spot could’ve taken her out for a while. The impact force alone could rival Hasumi’s.

…The mask isn’t broken—good. Still usable. The transmitter and bug inside are probably damaged, though. Better stay cautious.

"This is bad… their response was faster than expected."

"What now, Squad Leader? They’ll probably send more troops."

"So that was just a decoy, then…?"

"More like reconnaissance. Either way, as the First Squad Leader said, they’ll try to close in all at once."

"Um, so what should I do?"

If they’ve concentrated at least two of the Justice Realization Committee’s strongest here, that means the other bomb sites and vigilante groups have already shared intel.

Which means they see this place as the biggest threat—and they’ll want to end it fast. If so, the first phase of the plan is technically a success.

Makes sense, considering we’re near the Justice Realization Committee headquarters. Of course they’d respond here first.

"Alright, no problem. We’ll start by releasing smoke. Under cover of the fog, Sixth Squad Leader, two support members, and a few snipers will stay behind while the rest of us move out."

"…I see. And once the enemy’s attention shifts to us…"

"That’s when I take out Hasumi and Mashiro!"

…Yose really does have a sharp grasp of battlefield strategy. Honestly, she’s the kind of person I’d never want to fight against.

"So that’s the plan. Our snipers will focus on Hasumi and Mashiro the moment they’re spotted. I’ll provide as much support as I can, but if Tsurugi joins the fight, I can’t guarantee backup. I’m counting on you all."

"Roger that! Then Mai-chan and Tsumugi-chan will be on my support team!"

"Eh, wha—!? No way!"

"I’ll take the front line, Mai-chan handles analysis and enemy coordination, and Tsumugi-chan, you’re on healing duty!"

"Y-you’re not even listening…!!"

"Mai-chan… just give up?"

…Mai, Tsumugi. Hang in there…!

Silently cheering for them in my heart, I finished prepping the smoke bombs and got ready to move out.

"Alright, all set. I’ll head out first. Yose, keep an eye out for sniper fire and try to pinpoint their direction."

"Are you sure about this, Squad Leader?"

"If I focus my barrier around my head, I won’t get knocked out."

"…Alright then. I’ll leave it to you."

"Here we gooo!!"

The moment I burst out of the building—

"Tsurugi-senpai!! Enemy forces spotted!!"

"Hyahaha!!? KILL!!!"

"…Waaow. That’s bad."

I instantly pulled out a bomb, infused it with mystic energy, and hurled it into the enemy group ahead.

Using the momentary confusion, I dove into their ranks, dodging sniper fire as I aimed my shotgun at Tsurugi.

"Heh… you’re fast, aren’t ya!?"

"Wow, you’re built like a monster…"

She dodged easily and retaliated in an instant.

"Tch…!"

Tsurugi and Ichika at the same time—this is bad!!

"First Squad Leader!! I need support!!"

"I know, damn it!! You lot, move out!!"

"Whoa!? You were still here?"

"Ichika!! I’ll take the white-haired one!! You and the rest handle the others!!"

"Got it! Leave it to me!"

Good—Ichika and the other Realization Committee members’ attention is on Sau now!

"Everyone, be careful of Hasumi and Mashiro’s sniping!! The other Committee snipers can hurt, but only a little! Those two, though—their shots will knock you out in one hit!!"

"Gihihi!! You did your homework, huh!?"

"Then calm the hell down already!!"

I grabbed the barrel of Tsurugi’s shotgun and yanked it forward, kicking off the ground. Spinning midair, I hooked my leg around her neck and slammed her into the ground with my full weight.

"Hyahh…!"

"Let’s change venues, shall we!?"

I immediately kicked her sideways, sending her flying.

"Hmph…!!"

I accelerated after her using a bomb enhanced with mystic energy, closing the distance before she could recover. She crashed through a chapel-like building, stopping only when I struck again with another explosion, blasting her through the wall and into the interior.

"Fuuuh…! Alright—wait, what the—!?"

From the rubble, a storm of bullets burst out.

Chunks of shattered masonry flew toward my face, making me flinch for just a second.

"Hihih!!"

Tsurugi lunged out from the ruins.

"Damn it—!"

"Hyahahaha!!"

So this is Tsurugi’s real problem—she’s a berserker, but she fights smart! On top of that, her healing speed is absurd!

"Take this!!"

"Hehhehheh!!"

We traded blows as we tore through the building, each probing for an opening.

"You’re stronger than I thought…!"

Still, I had to keep going. The goal was to wear her down. My mission was to buy time—nothing more.

Inside this building, Hasumi and Mashiro’s support shots couldn’t reach. Which meant—keep my distance and just keep pressing the attack!

"Alright, come on then—"

"Kehahahahahaha!!? KILL!!!"

"Whoa, seriously!?"

I barely dodged the flying bullets, sliding behind a pillar for cover. A second later, the pillar shattered to dust.

"Hyahahahaha!!"

"You want close combat, huh?!"

I ducked under her swinging gun and pressed my shotgun against her stomach.

"You—!"

"Gh—hih!!"

"Gah!?"

The moment I fired, she slammed a brutal knee into my jaw from below. My head rattled, vision blurring as my body was thrown backward through the air.

"D-damn it!"

I twisted midair and kicked Tsurugi in the side. She blocked with her gun, but I forced the impact, using the rebound to widen the gap and retreat for a moment.

"Grrk…!!"

"Hah…!"

Both of us kicked off the ground at the same time, closing the distance again in an instant.

When she swung her shotgun like a club, I dropped my stance low and drove a fist straight into her solar plexus.

"Gah…!"

"Haaah!!"

As Tsurugi faltered for just a heartbeat, I spun on the spot and kicked her upward. The ground beneath us erupted in an explosion, and I used the blast to propel myself into the air.

"Not done yet!!"

Just as I moved to follow up—

"Hyahhah!!"

"Urgh…!?"

Tsurugi suddenly fired into the empty air. Using the recoil, she closed the distance far faster than expected and slammed into me with a brutal clothesline, driving me hard into the ground.

"Die!!"

"D-damn it—! Take this!!!"

Pinned beneath her, I detonated a bomb at point-blank range, blasting her off me. Both of us rolled apart, gasping for breath.

"Fuuuuh…!"

"Heheheh…!"

Neither of us gave an inch as we glared each other down. …Yeah. This was rough. We weren’t getting anywhere like this.

"Squad Leader, we’ve located Yurizono Seia. What are your orders?"

"Tch—8th Squad Leader?"

I answered Saori’s transmission, careful not to let Tsurugi notice.

"What’re you lookin’ away for!?"

"Grh—gah!"

She rushed in while my focus was split, slipping past my guard and landing a direct hit to my torso.

"Still fighting, huh? The opponent’s… Tsurugi, right?"

"Y-yeah…! Hold on a sec…!"

"Understood."

No way I could fight her and manage comms at the same time. I had to push Tsurugi back—just for a moment!

"I wanted to save this, but…!"

I drew my hand cannon and charged it with mystic energy. Firing it at Tsurugi, I forced her to flinch and used the opening to leap to a higher platform—an upper balcony.

"Hyahh…!"

"Come on, Tsurugi-san…! Let’s make it an aerial fight!"

"Heheheh…!"

"Tch…!!"

She’s fast—but up here, in midair—!

"Then this’ll do…!"

No way she can counter this.

I whipped out my hair rope, bombs already attached, and wrapped it around her midair. The moment I triggered them, explosions went off around her.

"Kh…! Hyahahahaha!!"

"Damn…!"

Enduring the pain like it was nothing, Tsurugi roared with laughter. I took advantage of her toughness, looping another bomb around her leg and gripping the other end of the rope. Using all my strength, I swung her around in wide, dizzying circles.

"Grhh…!"

"Cheat character or not—get the hell outta here already!!"

With one last spin, I hurled her through a window.

An explosion bloomed outside the Trinity grounds. I probably didn’t take her down—but it’d buy me some time.

"Haah… stay down for a while, will you! Ouch… okay then…"

I patched myself up just enough to move and opened comms with Yose.

"6th Squad Leader, status on Hasumi and Mashiro?"

"We managed to knock out the one named Mashiro! But Hasumi’s still up!"

"Got it. Can you head back and take over against Tsurugi?"

"E-eh!? Tsurugi’s way too strong…! I’ll get crushed!"

"I’ll rendezvous with the squad and send them to assist. Can you hold her off until then?"

"In that case, sure! But what about Hasumi? Should I call Shio-chan?"

"No, it’s fine. I’ll handle it."

Stepping outside, I deliberately made myself visible—standing tall on the rooftop.

"Now then…"

The moment Tsurugi was presumed defeated, a sniper shot came flying straight for my head.

"As expected, her aim is precise. But being too precise actually makes it easier to block."

Thanks to the mystic barrier I’d reinforced around my head earlier, I managed to stay conscious.

Taking a hit once was enough to identify both the angle and the shooter’s location.

"…There you are."

On a nearby rooftop—my mystically enhanced eyes caught the faint glint of a rifle scope reflecting in the moonlight.

"Fuuuh…"

Without turning my gaze toward it, careful not to give myself away, I tied my hair rope into a makeshift sling and loaded an iron chunk.

"Alright—Ryaaahhh!!!"

Charging it with mystic energy, I spun it with all my strength and hurled it toward the rooftop where Hasumi was positioned.

The impact tore through the rooftop, carving a crater and leaving the structure barely recognizable.

"What… what was that sound!?"

"That sound came from Hasumi’s location. She should’ve taken heavy damage—our remaining snipers should be able to handle her now. Yose, can I leave Tsurugi to you?"

"Y-yeah, got it!!"

"I’m counting on you!"

Ending the transmission with Yose, I disassembled my mask to confirm the embedded transmitter and bug were both destroyed, then reconnected with Saori.

"8th Squad Leader, sorry for the delay."

"You… you finished her off!?"

"No, just forced a temporary retreat. Once you link up with me, can you move to provide support here?"

"Understood. I’ll send you the route now."

"Appreciated."

Following the path Saori relayed, I dashed toward Yurizono Seia’s position.