*Chapter 30: The Encounter*

The loading bay had become dark, filled with dust and smoke. The truck lay overturned, flames flickering across its body.

Blade stood before an Abyss soldier, still holding the shovel. The soldier’s head was bloody, and its visor was cracked, making it look like a broken, abandoned doll.

Blade threw the shovel aside.

“Tch. That damn explosion…” Blade muttered, spitting to the side.

“That was a close one.”

He started walking toward the truck, where the grenade had exploded. He jumped over the overturned truck and landed on the other side.

Then he looked down.

The Phantom’s mask was lying on the floor. Beside it was the earpiece. Blade picked them up. He put on the mask and clicked on the earpiece.

“Hey… dude?”

No response.

Blade frowned.

Then, by accident, he stepped onto a section of concrete that had already been weakened by the explosion.

CRACK.

Blade froze. He slowly looked down.

”…Woah. What the—”

The concrete suddenly gave way beneath his feet.

“WHOAA!”

Blade fell through the broken floor and disappeared into the darkness below.

THUD!

Blade crashed onto the floor of the level below. For a few seconds, he didn’t move. Dust drifted down through the hole above him.

”…Ow. Ouch.”

Blade slowly rolled onto his back and groaned as he pushed himself up. He rubbed the back of his head and looked around, still trying to figure out where the hell he had landed.

Then he planted both feet firmly on the ground and stood up and adjusted his mask. He dusted himself off and started walking forward.

A faint mechanical hum echoed through the corridor. Blade looked ahead. An elevator stood at the end of the corridor.

Ding.

The doors slid open. A man in a black formal suit stepped out. He calmly adjusted his tie.

Glasses. White hair. Calm.

Blade slowed down.

The man stepped away from the elevator. Behind him, the doors slid shut. Blade didn’t see what was inside. He only heard the soft mechanical sound of the elevator disappearing behind the closed doors.

The man turned toward him.

It was Shiro Kenoshita.

“Who are you?” Shiro asked. “You don’t seem to be with those terrorist guys, I assume?”

“Huh?” Blade tilted his head. “And who might you be?”

“I’m Shiro Kenoshita. NSIA, Division One,” Shiro said, adjusting his glasses. “And who might you be…?”

His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Blade.

Judging by his outfit, he doesn’t seem to be associated with Abyss, Shiro thought inwardly.

Shiro paused for a moment, studying him further.

”…Though it’s not necessary to know yet. We’ll discuss that at your little interview.”

Blade stared at him, thinking to himself.

Now what…? A fly in the ointment?

His eyes narrowed behind the mask.

Tch. So he’s an NSIA agent, huh?

Blade glanced down at Shiro’s hands. He was unarmed.

He studied Shiro carefully, trying to predict his opening, but found nothing.

Something about this guy feels wrong, Blade thought.

“Not necessary, huh?” Blade said, clenching his fist. “I guess then I have to make it necessary for ya.”

A smirk formed behind his mask.

Blade suddenly burst forward. But Shiro didn’t move. He simply stood there, completely still, his expression unreadable. Blade closed the distance.

Three steps. Two. One. And Zero.

He pulled his fist back. Clenched it hard. And threw a punch straight at Shiro’s face.

After a while, deep within the shopping complex…

The Abyss soldier was pointing his loaded rifel at the little girl. He was about to shoot.

But suddenly, BANG! The door burst open. Thr SWAT squad stormed into the room, weapons raised. Aizawa stepped in behind them.

“Drop your weapon, now!” one of the officers shouted. “Put your hands where we can see them!”

For a moment, the abyss soldier seemed cornered. Then his eyes fell on the little girl. He immediately grabbed her and pulled her against him, using her as a shield.

“Don’t come any closer!”

The little girl struggled in his grip. “Lemme go, bad guy!”

“Stay back!” the soldier shouted, pressing the rifle against her. “Anyone moves, and she’s dead!”

Rey froze. “Stop! Don’t hurt her!”

Aizawa immediately stepped forward and said. “Nobody move.”

The officers stopped.

Aizawa kept his weapon trained on the soldier. “Let this girl go.”

“You didn’t hear me, officers?” the soldier shouted. “One wrong move and I kill her!”

Aizawa’s eyes remained fixed on him. “Think carefully. You’re the one surrounded. There’s nowhere for you to go.”

The soldier’s breathing grew heavier. “Shut up!”

He tightened his grip on the girl and pressed the rifle closer to her head.

The little girl suddenly opened her mouth.

CHOMP!

She bit down hard on the soldier’s arm.

“AGH!”

The soldier cried out and loosened his grip for a split second.

That was all they needed.

BANG! BANG!

Two shots rang through the room, striking the soldier in the arms and legs. His rifle slipped from his hands and clattered across the floor as he collapsed.

“Now!” Aizawa shouted.

Two SWAT officers rushed forward and pinned the soldier to the floor. “Hands behind your back!”

The soldier struggled, but the officers quickly restrained him and secured his hands.

Aizawa lowered his weapon.

The room fell silent.

The children stared at the SWAT officers. Rey looked toward the little girl. She was trembling, but she was safe.

Aizawa tapped his earpiece and spoke to Satome. “Everyone’s safe now. Prepare the escape route with maximum safety.”

Daichi stepped into the room.

“Glad the children are safe…” he said, looking around at them. He paused, then looked toward Aizawa. “But the main objective isn’t done yet…”

Aizawa sighed and nodded slightly. “Daichi, make sure the escape—”

“Hey, wait. Where are you going?” Daichi interrupted.

Aizawa turned toward him. “To make sure the priority chart goes in the right order… you see.”

He paused for a moment before adding,

”…And I’m counting on you, Daichi.”

With that, Aizawa turned and stepped out.