‘...I see.’
I couldn’t taste anything.
The moist texture of the bread. The crunch of vegetables. The tanginess of ketchup.
“Ptooey.”
I spat out the chewed piece of sandwich.
When I opened the glass door and stepped outside, a bitter wind swept down the street.
“This weather.”
[Hmm?]
“It’s cold.”
[It’s true, it’s kind of chilly.]
I wrapped my cloak around my shoulders.
And started walking toward the road connected to HQ.
‘I can’t feel anything.’
Not the sandwich’s taste.
Not the chill of the night wind brushing my cheek.
Not the firmness of the asphalt under my feet.
Chzzzt.
Suddenly, my vision blurred.
The countless colors that had harmonized were torn apart.
‘Black and white.’
I couldn’t perceive any other color.
As if watching a black-and-white film, everything felt distant.
Clack.
I tightly gripped the statue in my pouch.
I rolled it in my hand a few times, reaffirming its texture.
Before long, my senses returned.
“...”
It’s already come to this.
Not yet. There’s still work to do.
I pushed off the ground with force in my toes.
Thud!
With each step, nearby cars were flung away.
Only a few hundred meters to HQ. I dashed across the winding overpass.
[No one’s here?]
The streets and buildings were empty.
Probably because an evacuation advisory had been issued.
‘Looks like no more small fry are being sent.’
That’s good for me. I didn’t want to waste time.
In the middle of the road, I leaped 10 meters into the air and ran up the side of a building.
Soon, I reached the plaza at HQ’s entrance.
[Mobius Inc.]
[City Defense Force Lv.99] x 317
Hundreds of heavily armed defense forces had set up barricades.
<Warning! Master Loki! Disarm immediately and—!>
I threw a jab into the air.
Boom! A several-meter-high barricade reinforced with steel was blown apart.
“Aaaaaaagh!”
“You ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) saw me earlier. Still don’t get it?”
I clenched my hand.
Crunch! Dozens of soldiers were crushed into pulp.
Not even worth using the Dragonscale Blade.
“If we hold out just a bit longer, reinforcements will—”
“Out of my way.”
I slashed my index finger to the side.
The hundreds blocking the entrance were swept away like a tide.
“F-Fall back! Retreat for now!”
They started running with their tails between their legs.
In the direction opposite the HQ.
Smart choice. Who knows how they’d get caught up in it.
I opened the triple revolving doors and entered the Mobius Inc. building.
[Mobius Inc.]
[1F]
The interior was dark.
After three steps, the lights suddenly turned on, illuminating the surroundings.
“...You’ve arrived.”
Beyond the reception desk on the first floor.
A middle-aged salaryman in a neat suit, someone you’d see anywhere, stood.
“You are the foolish hero who dares oppose the company, I presume. I saw your display just now, but don’t assume that’s the extent of our power.”
“And you are?”
“Oh, how rude. I’m late with introductions. I am a god belonging to the throne of all creation, acknowledged by the President and permitted to serve as a Director...”
Step.
I walked toward the checkpoint beside the desk.
It was a vast space, but no other employees were present except that man.
[∇文G!!#絶Z Lv.999]
“As you can see, I work for the greater cause. For the poor citizens of our universe! Countless years, thousands or even tens of thousands spent in earnest devotion! Watching over the masses!”
“...”
「And yet! Beings like us, for worthless insects... exerting this much effort... and trash like you dares, dares to resist—!」
The man’s eyes split horizontally.
Fiery magic spilled from his gaze.
「I’ll kill you!」
Thunk.
I grabbed his collar and lifted him up.
「...!」
“Cut the crap.”
「Kuk... hehehehe. Kahahaha! You’ll regret this, worm!」
His eyes locked on me.
Brilliant blue flames wrapped around my body.
「I am Hartkent of the Sacred Flame! The incarnation of fire since ancient times! You know what happened to Sijel? Kyahaha, that was my doing! Burn! You’ll regret defying me—!」
Whooosh!
My skin melted in an instant.
「Kekekeke! My fire never goes out. It’ll reach your heart and burn forever... forever...?」
“Forever?”
「Huh...?」
I looked at my right arm.
Beneath the melted skin, black dragon scales shimmered.
‘Listen well, Han!’
Halkion’s booming voice rang in my head — his proud declaration from long ago.
‘These Dragon Scales are invincible. No blade can pierce them! That, if you truly awaken my power—’
I’d thought it was nonsense.
But now... I understand.
「W-What? It should’ve—」
Crack.
I snapped his neck.
Then pierced through his chest with my hand.
「HIEEEEK! W-Wait! Wait—!」
Got it.
I clenched my left hand.
At the same time, his body shuddered and exploded into a flash of light.
My cloak fluttered as waves of light seeped into my body.
[Phew! That was close!]
Frey zipped over from where she’d been hiding.
Well, she’d wisely vanished the moment that guy appeared.
[Loki... you actually did it.]
“Would I not do it?”
The first of thirty-two.
Judging by his interference force density, he was probably the lowest-ranking among the directors.
Just tossed at me to stall for time.
‘You think that’ll work?’
I raised my right hand.
Fwoosh! Blue flames began to burn in my palm.