Ch.435Troublemaking NPC (3)

# Before Jack and his companions met in the underground laboratory.

The news that the security captain guarding the council, where council members and elders resided, had been defeated by an unknown intruder spread throughout Aiti City within minutes of the incident, not hours or days.

“What? The security captain was defeated?”

“No way, that’s impossible. Who was the intruder anyway? Isn’t that security captain the one who explored up to the 25th floor with the current chairman?”

“No, it’s not impossible! You know those women from outside who reached the 25th floor in record time! Maybe those bitches…”

“Hey, isn’t that ridiculous? To say it’s an unknown intruder when they’ve seen what those people look like…”

“More importantly!! If the security captain was defeated, doesn’t that mean even the chairman might lose?! Who on earth could possibly cap—!!”

And rumors began to spread rapidly about who could defeat the current security captain who had formed a party with the chairman, and who such a being might be. Finally, discussions began about whether anyone could capture such an enemy. Of course…

“Uno!”

“Ah~ I’m done for!”

“Grace is too good at Uno!”

“Hehe! I won’t lose to Ira in games of skill either!”

Jack’s group, completely uninterested and unconcerned with such matters, was leisurely resting in their luxurious assigned room. Just then.

*Knock knock knock!!*

“Hm? I’ll get it. Who is it~!”

“It’s me!”

“Oh. Hello—”

“Let’s skip the greetings, I’m sorry. Miss Ira. More importantly, where is Mr. Jack?!”

Everyone’s peaceful afternoon began to crumble with the urgent expression and behavior of Carrier Orwell, who had burst into the room where they were resting. And then.

“You want us to catch a terrorist?”

“Yes, we don’t know who the opponent is, but the security captain, one of the top fighters in this city, was defeated without putting up a fight and has been transported to the hospital! When I received the report, I wanted to think it was a lie, but we have no idea what kind of enemy we’re dealing with. At this rate, the chairman will have to step in personally. However, the skill difference between the security captain and the chairman isn’t that great. If the chairman steps in and is defeated, what if…!!”

The appearance of an enemy who could potentially kill the chairman.

Thinking this wouldn’t be good for them either, Ray accepted her request on behalf of Jack, who was away. Of course, considering it could be dangerous, Ray had planned to go with only Chikuyo or Miho, but…

“No~! We want to go too!! I’ll go ‘peep!’ and ‘pow!’ and solve it instead of my brother!”

“That’s right! We’ll definitely be helpful!”

“Since Ira’s brother isn’t here, I think it’s better if we all move together…?”

“I don’t intend to let children fight, but I think it’s better to take me along too. If the enemy is targeting the chairman, those of us remaining here might not be completely safe either.”

With the arguments from Ira and her friends, and Chikuyo, who had been assigned by Jack as the children’s guardian, Ray decided to have everyone accompany him.

And now.

“Hello there. I’m a devoted fan who’s fallen for the ‘most beautiful’ fox beastkin over there. You’re much more charming in person than when I saw you on the screen~”

*Crack.*

‘What is that man doing?’

After leading everyone down to the underground where the enemy was said to be, they encountered their opponent, but Ray was feeling quite irritated seeing Jack wearing only a fox mask, completely revealing his identity ‘only to us,’ introducing himself as the terrorist, and making comments that bothered Miho and even his own sister, excluding Chikuyo.

Moreover, why a fox mask of all things? Weren’t there other options? Could it be that he really likes beastkin the most? If he wanted to disguise himself, he could have used a sword, or even dyed his hair blonde like his fans apparently do these days. Feeling somewhat like he had lost to Chikuyo, Ray tried to calm down and was about to speak to Jack when Jack continued first.

“Well, I’m not really interested in that golden whatever party over there, or Nate’s magicians or whatever. Would you mind stepping aside? I only like the fox beastkin, and I’d like to chat with her a bit more~”

“Kyuu~!♥”

*CRACK!!*

“Oh my, is that so? When you put it that way, I ‘absolutely’ refuse.”

“Let’s talk. Op… ‘Mister.'”

“…I don’t know why, but you’re saying we should fight no matter what, right?”

He’s deliberately provoking us. Already knowing that we’ve recognized his identity, he’s intentionally jabbing at me, Ira, and Miho by saying he only likes Chikuyo. Convinced of this fact, I drew my sword sharply and directed my killing intent toward Jack, and in response, Ira began gathering magical power. Miho, without a word, transformed into her beastkin form, changing her hands into animal form and starting to growl at Jack. But there was one exception.

Chikuyo, who seemed pleased after being told she was liked and had a fan, was blushing so much it was visible even under her mask, and was casually swinging her sword while twisting not just her legs but also her tail—which only irritated us more.

Ah, this won’t do. I’m not sure what’s going on, but Jack is definitely getting punished today. Not only will he be sleeping with me and Ira, but I won’t let him sleep at all tonight!!

“Hm? You guys want to fight me? Pfft. You’re all so we—”

“Piyak!”

*KWAAANG!!!*

“Oops?!”

Ira, who exploded with anger first among us, activated her spirit magic without delay, and Jack… no, that masked bastard dodged the explosion with a startled jump. And, not missing that opening, I launched a sharp thrust with Wind Riding Form 6 without a word, and I could see the orange eyes behind the mask widening in surprise—

*KAAANG!!!*

“Huh! A sword?!!”

“Haha, I’m just swinging it with high physical ability!!”

Jack, who had somehow picked up a sword that had fallen to the ground, deflected my sword with wild swings and pushed me back with sheer force. Ugh, this is ridiculous…!!

“Using a weapon you don’t normally use like that is arrogance…!!”

“Pfft! Not arrogance, but leisure.”

*BAM!! THUD!!*

“Ugh?!”

Jack, who had never learned swordsmanship, was full of openings as he was only pushing me back. Or so I thought, but true to his word, he seemed completely at ease as he blocked Miho’s beastkin-transformed fist with his knee and then kicked her away.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a direct hit, and Miho had properly defended herself, merely being knocked backward, but I was shocked that our sincere three-person attack had been blocked so easily. I knew Jack had been growing stronger just as we had, but isn’t this too much? And, did he really try to hit Miho just now?

“Look, I’m really not interested in ‘weak ones’ like you. Why don’t you just leave without causing trouble?”

*Crack.*

I was certain that this time, the sound wasn’t coming from my forehead. Ira’s cute face was visibly strained with anger at Jack’s behavior—not explaining the situation and repeatedly telling us to leave while showing interest only in Chikuyo. Uh, oh…?

“Grace, Latina. Follow my lead. We’re doing ‘that.'”

“W-what?! Wait, Ira?”

“Ira! No matter how angry you are, that person is…!”

“[Blue star that cuts through the darkness of the sky…]”

“Eek!!”

“We’re doomed. Hey, um, Bro— I mean, Mask Guy! You’ll die if you get hit by this!!”

As Jack stood before us, seemingly intent on being our enemy, Ira began drawing up magical power. Miho naturally moved to protect her, and the girls started constructing a magic circle together according to Ira’s instructions. Jack curled up the corners of his mouth in response. What’s so amusing? Your little sister is completely furious right now!!

“[Heaven’s Judgment -Meteor-]!! Abbreviated version!!!”

*KUUUUUNG!!!*

As soon as Ira’s spell was completed, the entire underground began to rumble as if it would collapse, but Jack merely nodded at me as if nothing was wrong. And seeing his behavior, what I noticed were the researchers of this place, tied up and unable to escape, trying not to get caught in our fight. Ah, is he telling us to save them? Are you kidding me?!!

“Eek!! Chikuyo!!!”

“Hehe…♡ Uh, yes?”

“Stop grinning to yourself!! Take those people in the corner and get them out of here!!”

“Ah! Got it! Leave it to me~!”

Chikuyo, who had been smiling foolishly to herself probably because of the compliment that she was his favorite, immediately created a sword from her tail at my rebuke and began carrying all the researchers outside after cutting their clothes with her blade.

Ah, it looks like this building is going to collapse at this rate? Jack, is this okay?

“It’s brother’s fault. He said I was his favorite…”

“Haha, of course Ira is my favorite. But for now, I’d like you to continue like this.”

“So it wasn’t that you couldn’t talk because people were around, but you still won’t explain?”

“That’s right. I’ll tell you everything later in our room, after things are settled. For now, keep ‘fighting’ with me.”

*KUUUNG!!!*

No sooner had Jack finished speaking than the ceiling began to collapse and ‘the sky’ started falling down. The ancient magic that the children had used to stagger Behemoth before. Its power was far weaker than then, but its activation speed and accuracy were much faster and higher. Just as that attack was about to crush Jack’s head…

“Hup!!”

*JJEEONG!!!*

The falling sky split in half upon meeting Jack’s fist. Ah, did he just block that? He blocked a meteor with his bare fist?

“…Impossible.”

“Even if it was a rock created with earth magic, it was much bigger than before?!”

“It lacks speed, speed. This is just a rock slowly falling down, isn’t it?”

Saying that while casually dusting off the dirt on himself, Jack smiled at us with raised corners of his mouth and began pointing upward with his finger. Uh, what?

“Now, round two. Come at me once more like you just did, in front of the collapsed council building.”

It seems this man simply wants to keep fighting with us.