“Tia.”

(Yeah.)

“Tell me again, how did it turn out like this again?”

Miko said as he was watching Regis and Ishma beating down on a group of teens.

Regis was holding one while Ishma was pounding him like a punching bag.

On the ground around them where nearly a dozen teens laying in their own pool of blood.

(Well, after you left the apartment you guys soon ran into some wannabe thugs who tried to cause you trouble. However, you ignored them because you were too lazy to bother, but Ishma wasn't. She directly challenged one of the thugs which pissed them off. Even then you were too lazy so Regis stepped in and tried to handle it peacefully , but the thug pushed her out of the way. And the rest is how you see it.)

“….Thanks for the summary. So in the end, my laziness caused this?”

(Yeah, pretty much.)

Miko sighed.

He looked as Ishma German-Suplexed one of the teens onto another.

He then looked at Regis who was not too far away, slapping another across his face on rapid. The face had long since swollen beyond recognition.

“…..Well, what's done is done.”

He said as if giving up.

“Hey, you can beat them senseless but just don't kill them on the streets.”

“Okay!”

The two responded without being distracted from their task at hand.

For some reason, Miko thought that tonight will be a long night.

Even while facing the men's blood thirsty expressions, Blanche showed no signs of panicking.

Blanche clapped his hands, and then music started playing.

“Girls, dance with them for a bit. Ah, not Hanazawa. I still need him for something.”

“Yes, Monsieur!”

Answered all the girls.

Blanche's odd behavior irritated Hanazawa even more.

“Kill them!”

At their boss’ command, the men charged towards Blanche and the girls.

One of them charge in front of the rest, and pointed his gun at Blanche; it was the one who Blanche insulted earlier.

Blanche didn't even flinched, he just sat and watch the man aim for his life.

“Die, you perverted bastard!”

The man shouted and, was about to pull the trigger but-

“Ugh!”

What echoed through the room wasn't the sound of gunfire, but the man's screams of agony.

Hanazawa looked up and saw something floating the air.

“My, my hand! She cut off my hand!”

It was the severed hand of his subordinate.

Hanazawa watched as his subordinate screamed out in pain, holding the place where the hand once was. Blood sprayed all over the carpet.

“Y-you bitch!”

The screaming man force himself to looked up at the person, who severed his hand in a swift motion.

It was Sapphire. Her dark blue hair was stained with blood. But that wasn't the oddest thing.

Her skin didn't look like that of a human. Her skin looked hard, rough and shiny. Almost as if it was crystallized.

“An Infected?!”

Shouted Hanazawa.

He quickly looked at the other girls. All of their skins were similar.

“They're all Infecteds?!”

“That's right.”

Blanche confirmed Hanazawa’s question.

Hanazawa looked towards him, and saw that Blanche had a smile on his face.

“They're all apart of the Body Tempering Category of Infecteds, which means that it wouldn't take them any effort to cut off a limb or two off your men.”

Infecteds had several categories, Body Tempering was one of them.

Those born in the Body Tempering category possessed the ability to change their bodies into something completely inhuman and also gain a hard exterior and superhuman strength.

Sapphire and the rest of the girls all could change bodies and possessed all kinds of inhuman qualities. Like a hand that can cut sharper than most blades, or skin that can deflect most attacks in the same Class and even above it.

“Mr.Hanazawa.”

Blanche spoke with a more business like tone than he normally did.

“Earlier I told you that, I'll let my girls dance with your men.”

He showed a sadistic smile on his face.

“I can't go back on my word, since that wouldn't be good manners.”

Blanche wave his hand, and all the girls stood in front him.

“Don't mess with me!”

The man whose hand was cut off, grabbed a knife from his waist and forced himself to stand up. The knife had visible signs of electricity on it.

“Don't look down on me, you bastards!”

He charged forward and thrust the knife, aiming for Sapphire’s throat.

“Huh?!”

But, the knife didn't reach. Sapphire ducked under the knife and made an upward swing with her hand, and cut off the man's remaining arm.

“Guah!”

The man cry out in pain. But, that was only for a second.

In one quick motion, Sapphire swung her hand to side, and separated the man's head from his body.

Hanazawa watched as the decapitated head floated in the air, and blood sprayed all over Sapphire. But the person herself didn't seem to mind.

(Wha…what just happened? Why is Tsubaki’s body laying on the floor? Why is that girl covered in blood?)

Hanazawa’s mind was in denial. No, it would better to say that his brain didn't know how to process what he just saw.

“Huh?”

Hanazawa felt something rolled at his feet. He looked at it and took it up.

“A, A, Ahhhhhhhhhhh!”

It was his subordinate’s head.

Hanazawa screamed, threw the head away in panic and fell on his bottom.

“K-k-k-kill them! Kill them now!”

Hanazawa gave a desperate order.

“……L-let's go!”

His men hesitated for a minute, but realized that it was a “do or die” situation and began their assault.

Two of the men rushed forward with swords, while the others drew their magic guns and fired at the girls.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

The girls didn't dodge; they took the blades and bullets head on.

The two men swung their swords, and sounds of metals hitting each other echoed in the room. Of course, the swords didn't hit any metal, what they hit was Gem’s and Amber’s skins.

They heard the sounds of bullets ricocheting, and quickly looked to their side.

“The bullets aren't piercing them!”

“And, the swords aren't cutting them!”

The men shouted out the obvious.

“Well, of course.”

They heard Blanche's voice coming from behind the girls. He sounded like he was having fun.

“It's common knowledge, that Body Tempering types have the best defense of all Infecteds. You guys said that you were Combat Specialist, but it seems that you solely relied on your Tridents. Without them, you're just normal [A Classes] and to these girls, normal [Normal A Classes] are nothing but insects.”

Blanche's laughter echoed over the music and gunfire.

The men panicked and tried to flee from the girls, they even ran passed their master, Hanazawa and headed towards the door.

“Oh, don't think about running away. I already locked all the exits.”

But, Blanche's voice stopped them.

“After all, it's bad manners to run away from a dance with a lady.”

Hearing that, despair took over their faces.

“….I-If I'm going to die anyway…..then, I'll go down fighting!”

“T-that's right! Tsubaki's didn't give up until the end…so, why should we!”

“That's right!”

“Yeah, so what if they're Infecteds?! That doesn't mean they're better than us!”

“Let's show them, how humans fight!”

“Yeah!”

They charged towards the girls, while shouting. This was clearly an act of desperation; even though, they knew that they still charged forward.

“Oh. I thought that they would beg for their lives, but this is interesting too.”

Blanche watched as the desperate men charged past Hanazawa, and headed straight for the girls.

“They say that when humans are pushed into a corner, they unlock their hidden potential in order to survive. But…”

Blanche watched as the men were directly in front the girls.

“But, even that has its limits.”

One of the men, fired his gun at Ruby until he ran out of ammo. Of course, since she had activated her ability, she was unharmed.

“Die, you monster!”

He held the gun like a club, and charged towards her. It was his finale charge.

Ruby effortlessly dodged his attack and with a swing of her arm, she cut his head off.

“……..”

She silently stared at the man’s body as it collapsed unto the floor.

“This is my form of mercy. A quick and painless death.”

She clasped her hands together as if she was saying a prayer.

“I might have shown you mercy, but work is work. So, I'm afraid that your comrades won't get the same treatment.”

Saying so, she looked at the other girls’ “fight”.

One of the men took out, what appeared to be a grenade, and ran towards Amber. He hugged her, lift her up, and charge forward aiming crashed through the glass window; where you could stand, and overlook majority of District 11.

It was a suicide bombing attempt. But, only the man flew out the window.

In the last second, Amber easily broke free of the man's hold, and grabbed his shoulder, and threw him out the window; along with the grenade he was holding.

Shortly after, she could hear a loud explosion from outside the window.

“Hah~ now I gotta let someone know about that corpse in front the hotel. I hope this doesn't affect business.”

Said Amber, as if sighing.

She looked, and saw that Sapphire and Gem had already dismembered two of the men; and was casually sitting on their corpse.

“….Those two really enjoy their job too much.”

She said in amazement.

“As the two youngest ones, you would think that they would be a little timid.”

A voice came from Ambers left.

“Oh, you finished already, Jade?”

She looked at Jade’s body but didn't see a speck of blood on it.

“Yeah, the guy aimed for my eye with a knife, so I leap backwards to distance myself, and a used a broken piece of glass I found laying on the ground, and lodged it in his right eye. I didn't want any blood on me; so, I slammed him into the wall with a kick.”

Amber looked at where Jade was pointing, and saw a man embedded in the wall with a piece of glass lodged in his eye.

“….An eye for an eye as always, I see.”

Said Amber.

“You girls sure love to destroy my hotel. It took all my life to build it you know.”

Blanche walked up and joined the girls’ conversation. More like, he was complaining to them.

“Anyway, it seems that the dance is over.”

Blanche looked towards the exit.

“Wouldn't you agree, Hanazawa?”

Hanazawa was sitting on the floor.

“Apparently, the shock from losing his subordinates, robbed him of his strength.”

Said Jade.

“You can't blame the guy, we did go a bit overboard.”

Said Sapphire.

“We? You're the one who killed two of his men.”

Argued Ruby.

“That was purely self defense.”

Blanche walked away from the conversing girls, and stooped in front of Hanazawa.

He looked the young man in the face, and saw that his mind was filled with despair. He sighed; and then-

“Now, now, Monsieur Hanazawa. There's no need for that look.”

Blanche started to address Hanazawa as Monsieur once again.

“Cheer up. As a sign of reconciliation, I'll give you an hint to who I am.”

Blanche took out a pendant from his breast pocket, and place it in front of Hanazawa; whose head was down.

“…………”

Hanazawa stared at the pendant for a while. It was a pendant of a burning cross and a star.

“……!”

After a while, Hanazawa finally figured out what the pendant represented, and quickly got on his feet.

“D’Arc…”

He said, with an enlighten expression.

“Your face says ‘It all makes sense now’. Hehehe, it's a little cute.”

Said Gem, while giggling.

“That's right. The man standing in front of you is Jeane D’Arc, leader of one of largest crime organizations in the 11th District, The D’Arc Group!”

Sapphire theatrically announced Blanche's identity. In response, he pushed out his chest as if boasting.

“When you think about it, which other rich guy with white hair do you know in this district?”

Blanche laughed and said, “wasn't it obvious who I was?”

D’Arc was one of the four largest criminal organizations in the 11th District. It was a group that was known for committing all kinds of heinous acts, like kidnappings, assassinations and robbery. The group rose in power four years ago after destroying, and absorbing all of the rival gangs in the district.

D’Arc is said to be responsible for over 40% of drug smuggling in the district, and 15% of Human trafficking in the city. So, it was a dangerous organization that continues to grow everyday.

(Rumor has it, that the Leader Jeane D’Arc was an incredible businessman. And that, he used clever schemes to destroy larger organizations; a really dangerous man.)

And, that man was standing in front of me, Hanazawa thought.

D’Arc was definitely a dangerous group, however compared to the Twin Headed Dragon Syndicate that Hanazawa belonged to, it was nothing but a pebble in a lake.

Twin Headed Dragon was one of the city's most notorious criminal organization. They have enough military power to clash against the Four Pillars on equal footing. But, Hanazawa's situation was a bit complicated.

“Monsieur Hanazawa, I know that you went around and bought out several hotels and companies in the district.”

Blanche's voice interrupted Hanazawa’s thoughts.

“I also know that you did it behind the syndicate’s, no, behind your father's back.”

“!”

Hanazawa was surprised to hear Blanche mention his father.

“Kei Hanazawa, real name unknown. He's the son of Twin Headed Dragon’s Left Fang, whose real name is also unknown.”

Ruby read out the information that was on a holographic screen.

“Where did you get that information?!”

Hanazawa impatiently asked.

“I have my sources.”

Blanche nonchalantly answered.

Fang was the title given to the syndicate’s top fighters. They were only two persons with the title of “Fang”, the Left Fang and the Right Fang.

“And, they also say that your relationship with your father isn't a good one.”

Added Blanche.

“So what? A lot of persons don't have a good relationship with their parents.”

Hanazawa was visually irritated.

“Well, that's true, but your case is a little special.”

Said Blanche with a wry smile.

“What do you know?”

“I know that you're technically an Infected.”

“You bastard.”

Hanazawa growled at Blanche. Blanche ignored him and continued.

“You were born between a normal human and an Infected. Your mother was the normal human and your father was the Infected. Normally, the offspring of an Infected, and normal human would be born as an Infected; since an Infected’s genes would be the dominant one.”

Blanche paused and looked at the fuming Hanazawa and smiled.

“But, your case was different. Your mother’s genes was the dominant one. You were born an ‘Irregular’. An Infected without any abilities. Also your body is only a bit more durable than that of a normal human.”

“You Pervy bastard!”

Hanazawa’s angry shout echoed in the room.

“Now, now. No need to get so angry. I'm a normal human, so it's not like I'm mocking you or anything.”

“Then what are you trying to do?!”

Blanche tried to calm Hanazawa down, but Hanazawa's anger didn’t simmered.

“I want you be my eyes and ears in the syndicate.”

“!”

Blanche words caught Hanazawa by surprise, causing his angry expression to disappear instantly.

“Are you asking me to betray the syndicate, no my father?”

“Betray is such an ugly word, but yeah that's right.”

“What do you intend to do with information about the syndicate?”

“Crush them, of course.”

“….I see. You're insane.”

Hanazawa sighed, and finally understood why he lost to Blanche.

(Only an insane person could see through such an insane plan.)

“Your reaction is bit disappointing. I thought you would be freaking out.”

Said Blanche, who took a seat in his chair.

“Oh, I'm freaking out alright. Do you know what will happen to your gang, no this city if you pick a fight with the syndicate? The whole city will be set a blaze!”

“I know the risks.”

“And I suppose that you'll kill me if I refuse?”

“Yup.”

Blanche gave an immediate reply.

“…Ha…Hahahahahahahahahahaha!”

Hanazawa suddenly began laughing loudly, which surprised everyone in the room.

“Did he finally lose it?”

Gem asked.

“I don't know, but it's getting interesting.”

Said Sapphire, who had sparkles in her eyes.

“Ah, sorry…haha…its..haha…whew.”

Hanazawa used his finger a wipe a tear.

“It's just that it's like I'm picking my own executioner. If I don't do what you say, those girls will kill me, but if I do what you say and my father finds out, he'll kill me. Isn't it just hilarious?!”

“…Well, as long you're positive about it.”

Blanche was slightly concerned about Hanazawa's state of mind.

“I'll do it.”

“Eh?”

Hanazawa sudden words caught Blanche off guard.

“I said, that I'll do it. I'll be your eyes and ears.”

“….That was quick.”

“Well, I don't want to die yet. I still love my life no matter how shitty it is.”

Blanche stood up from his chair, and walk back over to Hanazawa.

“If it's such a shitty life, why throw away your pride just to keep it?”

Blanche had a mischievous smile on his face.

“Throw away my pride? You've misunderstood, Monsieur.”

Hanazawa returned a mischievous smile of his own.

“This agreement is only temporary. I'll surely kill you the first chance I get.”

In response, Blanche started laughing.

“Well, we'll see what happens in the future. But for the time being.”

Blanche stretch his hand out to Hanazawa.

“Welcome to D’Arc, partner.”

Hanazawa grasped it with a devious smile.

“The pleasure is all mine. By the way, what was the moral of that story earlier?”

“Oh that? It's quite simple really.”

Blanche loosen his grip and walked towards the direction of the broken window.

“The moral of the story is…”

He stopped at window, and without looking back at Hanazawa, said-

“One must always know their place in life. If you're born to be a fool, then you should stay a fool; and don't try to become a king. You'll just die a disgraceful death.”

“….I see. Then, I'm a fool who was trying to become king…”

Hanazawa said, as if he finally understood something. But-

“No. It's quite the opposite.”

“Eh?”

Blanche words destroyed his understanding. He continued on without looking back.

“You were a king trying to be a fool. That's why you failed.”

“…I see.”

“But don't worry. You're not the only king acting like a fool tonight.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Blanche didn't answer the confused Hanazawa. He just silently looked out the window.

He wasn't looking at the night scenery.

He was looking at a building a few blocks away. It was a hotel that was similar in height to his.

He smiled and said-

“Now then, let's see how you react, my Silver Crow.”