Hearing Menchi’s surprising announcement, Alex gathers his thoughts. Despite the crumbling building, he’s somewhat calm, ready to leave the building within seconds if he chooses to do so.
“Pure Paladin Squad... the original squad, which Netero was once a part of, was supposedly fearsome, but... these three, huh? At least Bushidora is pretty strong... the others seem to be at least somewhat resourceful, experienced, and intelligent, respectively,” Alex says. “But so what? I just want to get out of here, and I don’t see them stopping me.”
Princess Jewel agrees. The Peasants should simply bow their heads and remain silent as she leaves.
“If you head out, you need to be careful... these Hunters won’t let you just leave,” Menchi warns him. “They might call themselves the Pure Paladin Squad, but they have nothing in common with that legendary unit or Netero. They are fanatics advocating for radical change in the Hunter Association. They want to grab power and see the Troupe and Mafia as targets and as stepping stones.”
The Troupe as stepping stones... they sure are radical, and frankly, outright suicidal.
“Can’t I talk my way out of this? I’m a Hunter myself...” Alex reasons. “I can say I was undercover... not that it’s their business what I do.”
“No! They will arrest or maybe even attack anyone suspicious on sight... even you as a Hunter. Sure, you might be let go eventually if you surrender, but you will be incarcerated. That will be bad for your mission.”
I could escape after getting locked up... since I can simply stow away my items in my inventory... but that may take a while... and maybe they have a special prison or Hatsu to restrain me... best not to risk it.
“The mission...” Alex mumbles.
Is it even salvageable... at this point?
However, just as he’s gathering his thoughts, explosions, gunshots, and flames become visible outside.
“Alex, there seems to be a fight going on. People are rushing out of the other exits. I believe the Troupe left,” Menchi informs him.
So they made it? At least some of them?
“Guess I just need to risk it,” Alex decides, sidestepping rubble falling from the ceiling. “Before I get buried here.”
“Menchi, don’t risk anything, especially not for the Troupe. Good work, I’ll talk to you later!” Alex says, ending the call.
Using Zetsu, while Jewel is back on Alex’s head, he sprints out of the still-burning building.
As he exits, he sees several people wearing bright white outfits.
Joining that Squad is maybe the silliest thing one could do....
However, despite the numerous Hunters, Alex simply ignores them as he immediately runs toward the side, trying to move along the street, heading for the building where their balloon is still stationed on the roof.
It actually takes around ten seconds before he hears a vague voice: “I felt something?! Vis, it’s your turn!”
“Spy Parrot!” a male voice yells, as a colorful red-and-green parrot suddenly appears and shoots up into the sky.
Soulmate, there is a tasty-looking bird flying above the vicinity. Princess Jewel would like to sample the taste.
It’s a fucking Nen ability; how can it be any tasty?! Ignore it. I just need to outrun it.
“Target found, Squawk! Squawk! Squawk!” Alex hears from above.
So much for that... I’ve been found out... whatever. Not like they can catch up. Locating me is one thing, but catching me is a completely different one.
Already moving at impressive speed, he reaches the building where they had landed the balloon on the rooftop. With a slight smirk, Alex opens the door and raises his foot to step inside.
Made it... even if I can’t use the balloon to escape, I can just use Sealion’s Icewing Embrace and glide to safety. With such a height, I can’t be followed. I made it.
As he steps inside, he suddenly freezes when he hears the familiar words again:
“Target found, Squawk! Squawk! Squawk!”
Alex sighs, hesitating for a moment before running up the building...
What should I do?!
“Jewel, fast... do we help? Or do we screw the Troupe and risk failing the mission? I mean, we can still do other things in this world—it’s not all lost if we fail that secret mission,” Alex asks.
Soulmate is asking Princess Jewel?
Yes!
❤️
Princess Jewel does not care about the Peasant Troupe, but she thinks the secret mission could offer a large reward in Mission Rating, as well as a special reward.
She is also tired of gathering random Peasant trash from markets; she wants to aim big.
Fine... I could always run up another building and then glide to safety. Doesn’t have to be this one. Let’s try this then!
“...”
“Fuck, I hope I’m not gonna regret this,” Alex curses as he continues running after the parrot.
Running ahead, Alex finds himself right next to a white-clothed Hunter. Switching from Zetsu to Ren, Alex doesn’t wait for him to recognize him and instantly attacks, kicking him into a parked car at the side, his target’s body flying through the window before swiftly moving on.
You have dealt 51 damage to Pure Paladin Squad member
You have stunned Pure Paladin Squad member
Seeing the parrot come to a halt, he spots Machi; her outfit torn apart, her left arm hanging lifelessly at her side, engaged in combat with three members of the Pure Paladin Squad. One of her eyes is closed, blood running down it. Her body is completely bruised, and her Gi barely able to hang on, her underwear visible.
“Heee, so easy!” one of them yells, holding a gun, firing a shot above Machi that transforms into a bee and flies straight toward her. Using just one arm, Machi rips it apart, only for another Hunter to immediately follow up with a ranged attack, shooting a beam of Aura that engulfs her.
However, strangely, it doesn’t seem to deal direct damage. Instead, Alex notices that a large amount of Aura is forced out of her body, making her look even more exhausted.
Interesting ability...! It drains Aura. Perfect for team battles.
Finally, the last member, holding a spear, thrusts it toward Machi.
Despite her exhausted state, she manages to dodge, only for the spear to suddenly come alive, twisting unnaturally and striking from an impossible angle, piercing straight into her stomach.
“Don’t kill her yet... I want her alive... I want a new tape for my collection. You can kill her afterwards... I want to see her expression when I enter her.” One of them says.
“Oi, aren’t you a little vile? These might be criminals, but they have rights. Just kill them right here—it’s what they deserve.” Another disagrees.
“Rights?! They are from Meteor City. This bitch should be happy that she gets to live on as part of my collection and tapes... hehe.” The first one retorts, causing the second one to shrug, not caring too much.
Machi, despite the overwhelmingly bad situation, injuries, and being obviously heavily disadvantaged in this unfair fight, does her best to remain standing, not giving in to desperation.
Fuck, I need to hurry up or there won’t be much left to save anymore. At least I won’t have to feel bad for what I’m planning to do. These flunkies are really vile.
Princess Jewel takes the one using Emission. This Pure Peasant Squad looks weak.
Fine, I take the others.
Alex draws his [Executioner’s Blade R2], uses Fira Sword to boost his speed and enhance his strike, and lunges at the man holding the gun.
Nimbus Cloak effect activates - Increasing Evasion by 5%, and Movement speed by 40%
With only a few meters between them, the man spots Alex, reacts, and fires at him, multiple bullets transforming into bees and crashing against Alex’s armor, dealing no real damage, as his Aura and Armor block them.
You have received 2 damage
You have received 1 damage
You have received 1 damage
“Stop! I am a Hunte—”
Alex ignores the man’s screams and mercilessly cleaves down, cutting the Hunter into two with a devastating diagonal slash.
You have dealt 213 x 3 = 639 damage to Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have killed Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
“No...! Help!” the Emitter yells as his back is pierced by Jewel’s legs, causing him to stumble and fall as his white outfit slowly turns red as multiple growing red circles emerge beneath his clothes.
Finally, the last one holding his spear stares at Alex and his dying comrades.
“You! Masked man! Stop—I am a Hunter, you are going against the la—”
Reave!
Instead of arguing, Alex uses Reave, sending a stream of Biotic energy at the man, causing him to scream out in pain.
You have dealt 32 damage to Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have stopped Pure Paladin Squad Hunter’s Healing
You have paralyzed Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have obtained a Barrier (16 Points of protection)
“AAArhghhhhg... what... is this?! NOoooo... help!!” the man yells.
Not pausing, he immediately follows it up with a Warp, the Biotic projectile causing the already primed target to detonate, creating a huge Biotic explosion, as his body is ripped apart into dozens of pieces, blood spurting everywhere.
You have dealt 111 damage to Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have dealt 151 damage to Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have killed Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
“Who... who is this...?” Machi asks weakly, unable to spot Alex.
Soulmate! These Peasants have dropped something. Princess Jewel will collect it.
Good.
As Jewel collects the loot, Alex rushes to Machi, supporting her and holding her up.
“You... why...?” she mutters weakly, as she finally recognizes him.
Alex grabs a [Twice-Infused Wiggenweld Potion Variant], his newest healing item, and pours it down her throat, causing a few soft green stems and leaves to sprout from her body.
He follows it up with a Tear, orbal energy gathering around him, before getting fired at Machi.
You have healed Machi for 139 HP
Suddenly, the nearly dying Machi looks almost rejuvenated.
You have healed Machi for 14 HP
You have healed Machi for 14 HP
For some strange reason, Machi continues to receive healing as the plants on her body keep growing, almost reaching worrisome dimensions.
Soulmate! This is dangerous; if these plants grow more, this Peasant might not survive!
What the fuck? I am not doing anything. Is it because of my Tear?! Healing spells with a water affinity might enhance this potion... this could be a huge discovery... or it could be a way to cripple yourself.
You have healed Machi for 14 HP
Finally, the healing stops after three ticks.
“Can you move?” Alex asks, still carrying her.
“Y...yes,” Machi replies, completely bamboozled. “Thank you... I am completely recovered. I am just almost out of Aura.”
“We need to help the others,” Alex states, before asking. “Are they still alive?”
“I... I don’t know,” she replies, clearly confused. “I saw Uvogin shield Shizuku with his whole body while I got blasted away... I barely survived the explosion before these vile cretins targeted me. I... I don’t remember.”
That’s... understandable. She got almost blown apart by the explosion.
“Let’s look, and if we can’t find anyone, we need to flee. Can you call them?” Alex asks.
Machi grabs her cellphone, but as soon as she pulls it out of her torn pocket, the phone already falls apart, the whole device breaking into large pieces.
“...”
Should have bought a friggin Nokia. Cheapskate!
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