*Chapter 25: Warehouse I*

1:00 AM

The night was still. Even the clouds were hanging motionless overhead. A faint wind drifted through the air.

Deep beneath the abandoned Estate Shopping Complex, an old tunnel leading to an abandoned railway station stretched into darkness. A few flickering bulbs lit the dusty passageway. Rust covered the pipes overhead, and every footstep echoed through the big old tunnel.

Abyss soldiers marched forward in formation. Their new tactical gear gleamed under the dim lights. Each carried an assault rifle.

Between them walked the children.

All forty-three of them.

Their hands were tied behind their backs with zip ties. Some were crying. Most stayed silent. They walked slowly, their faces filled with fear and exhaustion.

Anya walked near the back of the line.

Her eyes moved from place to place, counting soldiers and looking for possible exits. She got annoyed quickly though. There was way too much hallway to memorize.

Rey was beside her. His hands were tied too, but he kept glancing at the other children, his jaw tight with tension he couldn’t quite hide.

“Tch,” Anya muttered. “What is this? They’re treating us like ancient slaves on display.”

Her voice wasn’t exactly quiet. The soldier beside her heard every word. His helmet tilted toward her for just a moment but he didn’t react. He hadn’t been ordered to. Like a loyal dog waiting for command.

Rey leaned closer and whispered.

“Hey, shh. Keep your voice down. They can hear you. Unless…”

“Unless what?” Anya shot back. She didn’t even bother lowering her voice. She let out an annoyed sigh.

“Like these dogobots are suddenly gonna do anything without their masters telling them to.”

Rey blinked.

“Dogobots?”

“Hah, just my made-up word for what you called them… robot dogs?” Anya jerked her chin toward the nearest soldier. “Loyal, obedient, and completely brainless. Look at them. They won’t even scratch their own noses without permission.”

Rey opened his mouth to argue, but before he could—

THUD.

A small body hit the concrete floor.

The little girl from earlier—the one Jokirin had comforted—tripped over a loose piece of debris and fell hard onto her knees. She cried out in pain.

“Mama!” she sobbed. “Mama—!”

The sound echoed through the hallway.

In an instant, every soldier raised their rifles toward her. Red laser sights locked onto her small body.

Anya’s eyes widened. Her muscles tensed.

But before she could move, Rey stepped in front of the girl.

His bound arms lifted slightly as if to shield her, his body blocking as much as he could.

“Get back! ” he shouted. “What the hell is wrong with you?! She’s just a kid! She fell! It’s not her fault! ”

His voice cracked halfway through, but he didn’t stop.

The soldiers didn’t lower their weapons. The laser sights stayed trained on both of them.

Rey’s body was shaking, but he was still trying to stand his ground. The little girl cried beneath him, her tears soaking into the dusty concrete.

Then—

“Morons!”

The voice cut through the tension like a blade.

Sao Yaome marched forward, her boots hitting the floor hard with every step. Her face was tight with anger.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she snapped at her soldiers. “Pointing weapons at the merchandise? At the cargo Master Renji ordered us to keep intact?”

She waved her hand sharply.

“Lower your weapons. Now.”

The soldiers hesitated for a moment, then lowered their rifles. The red laser sights disappeared.

Sao turned her glare to Rey, still crouched in front of the girl. Her eyes narrowed.

“And you,” she said coldly, “stop acting like some kind of hero. It’s pathetic. Get up. Move. We don’t have time for theatrics.”

Rey didn’t move. He stayed in front of the crying girl.

The little girl sobbed louder. “Mama… I want my mama…”

Sao’s eye twitched. She crouched down, forcing her face into something that was supposed to be a smile. It looked more like a grimace.

“Hey, little brat. Stop crying. See? I’m nice. Friendly. Very friendly. Friendly, friendly. Right?”

She wiggled her fingers awkwardly in front of the girl’s face.

The little girl stared at her for a moment, her crying pausing in confusion. Then she screamed.

“MAMA! MAMA!” she wailed even louder, pressing herself against Rey’s legs. “SCARY LADY! SCARY LADY!”

She cried even harder.

Sao froze. Her fake smile cracked.

“Wh—I’m not scary!” she said, her voice rising in pitch. “I’m being nice! See? Nice! Look at my face! This is a nice face!”

Ahh… don’t. Crap. If that creepy… ugh… Jokirin sees this, she’ll start fussing over the kid again. I’d rather not watch that, she thought.

Rey stared at Sao like she’d grown a second head. Beside him, Anya’s face went completely deadpan, her eyes half-lidded with secondhand embarrassment.

Sao stood up abruptly, her face red. “Fine! Someone shut her up! I don’t care how!”

She stormed back to the front.

Anya sighed and crouched beside the girl, her voice softer now. “Hey there. She’s gone now. Just breathe, ok?”

The girl sniffled and nodded.

Then…

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

A loud alarm echoed through the tunnel. Red lights flashed along the walls, turning the hallway red. Everyone froze.

Sao looked up at the ceiling. “Tch.”

Her jaw tightened. “It’s them.”

She quickly pulled out her radio.

“Command, this is Bravo. They’ve breached the perimeter. I repeat, they’re here.”

The radio crackled. “Execute Route B.”

Sao paused. ”…Are you sure?”

“Do it.”

She stayed silent for a second. ”…Understood.”

She put the radio away and turned to her soldiers and ordered, “You heard the order! Route B! Move the cargo to the secondary transport! Now!”

“Understood.”

Above Ground - ESC Entrance

Moonlight covered the abandoned shopping complex, casting long shadows over the cracked pavement. Several NSIA vehicles surrounded the main entrance. Black SUVs. Tactical vans. Several ambulances waited near the back with its lights off.

The team stood ready.

Daichi Matsura stood at the front, holding a bullhorn. Behind him, Shun Aizawa leaned against an armed SUV with a cigarette between his fingers. He quietly watched the dark building.

Satome Saorin stood beside Daichi with her arms crossed, watching the area.

Kai Yanagi adjusted her earpiece. The pink streak in her black hair reflected the moonlight.

Zen Yoshiro stood a short distance away with his hands behind his back, quietly watching the dark building.

Behind them, the SWAT team waited in formation with rifles in hand.

Near the ambulance, Kanako Isuha and Aiko Kisara stood away from the others. Kanako crossed her arms with an annoyed look. Kisara stood quietly with her hands behind her back, watching the entrance.

Daichi raised the bullhorn. His voice echoed across the empty parking lot.

“Attention! This is the North State Intelligence Agency! You are surrounded! Drop your weapons and come out with your hands where we can see them! This is your final warning!”

Silence. No one answered. Nothing moved.

Daichi lowered the bullhorn and glanced back at Aizawa.

“Tch. Not a peep. Figures.”

Aizawa took one last drag from his cigarette, then flicked it to the ground. He crushed the smoldering butt beneath his boot and replied in his usual lazy tone.

“Hmph… Guess we’re doing this the hard way.”

He stepped away from the vehicle. The relaxed expression vanished from his face. Daichi dropped the bullhorn and drew his pistol. The squad advanced toward the building as one.

Satome walked beside Aizawa.

“Hey, old hag…” Aizawa said. “Got any idea what the inside looks like? Guess I missed the briefing while dealing with that fat health minister. That guy was a real pain in the ass.”

Satome shot him an irritated glare.

“Who are you calling an old hag?” she snapped. “Three floors. A basement. Then another level below that. The targets are supposed to be in underground.”

Kai and Zen walked behind them.

As they passed, Kai glanced over her shoulder at Kanako and Kisara with a smirk.

“You two staying behind?” Her voice was light, teasing. “Guess they’re keeping the children safe outside.”

Kanako’s face flushed red.

“Excuse me—”

Kai’s smirk widened. “Relax, Isuha-chan. It’s a compliment. You’ve got the easy job.”

She turned and walked into the building without waiting for a response.

Kanako’s fists clenched at her sides.

“Easy job—?! That little—”

“Kanako.” Kisara’s voice was quiet, steady. “Let it go.”

Kanako spun on her, eyes blazing. “Did you hear what she was just sayin’? ‘Children’—!”

“Listen, now we’re on the outside.” Kisara’s voice didn’t waver. “Because that’s the assignment.”

Kanako opened her mouth, then closed it. Her jaw worked silently.

Kisara kept watching the entrance.

Earlier at NSIA HQ…

Miyori stood in front of them inside the conference room. Files were spread across the table. Kanako and Kisara stood at attention.

“Your assignment for this operation,” Miyori said, “is to secure the perimeter and help rescue civilians.”

Kanako blinked.

“Wait… the perimeter? But we’re Division One inspectors. Shouldn’t we be going frontline?”

“You should be following orders.”

Miyori’s calm voice ended the argument. Kanako immediately fell silent.

Miyori looked at both of them.

“You’re both still underage. Sending you to the festival patrol was… a miscalculation on my part.”

She lowered her eyes for a moment.

“I should have considered the risks more carefully. That was my failure. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

She hesitated.

“And… I deeply apologize for putting your lives at risk.”

Miyori bowed.

Both girls froze in surprise. Kanako’s eyes went wide.

Kisara quickly shook her head.

“Miyori-san… it wasn’t your fault. You only sent us there for undercover patrol training. At the time, the terrorist attack was only a rumor. No one expected it to happen.”

Kanako nodded repeatedly.

“Y-Yeah! We made it back just fine! Besides, we got a lot stronger because of it. So… please don’t blame yourself.”

For a brief moment, Miyori looked at the two girls in silence.

Then a gentle smile appeared on her face.

”…Thank you.”

She straightened herself.

“However, the perimeter is just as important. You’ll work with the ambulance crews and help civilians after they’re evacuated. It may not be the most exciting assignment, but people will be depending on you.”

She paused before continuing.

“You’ve both proven yourselves. There will be other missions. Other chances.”

She gave them another small smile.

“But for tonight… stay outside. Stay safe. Understood?”

”…Yes, ma’am.”

Kanako let out a disappointed sigh.

”…Roger.”

Present - Outside ESC…

Kanako stared at the dark entrance where Kai had disappeared.

”…She was making fun of us.”

“Yes,” Kisara replied. “She was.”

“And you’re okay with that?!”

“No.” Kisara’s voice stayed calm. “But I’m okay with following orders. For now.”

She turned to Kanako.

“Right now, our job is to make sure the people who come out get medical attention.”

She looked up at the night sky and let out a quiet sigh.

”…We still have a lot to learn.”

Her next words were so soft that only she could hear them.

Am I on the right path, Sensei? …I wonder.

Kanako looked at her for a long moment. Then the tension slowly left her shoulders.

”…Fine. But if that pink-haired bitch comes back with that smug look on her face, I’m not responsible for what happens.”

The corner of Kisara’s lips lifted into a faint smile.

“I’ll handle her.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

The two girls remained at their posts like silent guardians. A gentle breeze brushed past them, making their uniforms and hair sway in the night.

Somewhere deep inside the abandoned shopping complex, the battle was about to begin.