*Ding*
The sound of the elevator can be heard across the hallway and with it, the sound of the doors sliding open.
"Huh? Who a-"
The janitor's voice suddenly vanished.
Both Kai and I freeze, our eyes locked on the corridor. The silence hangs in the air, eerily profound. Something's not right. We hold our breath, waiting for a second, then another. Before long, shadows materializes, strolling down the hallway.
In a split-second decision, Kai and I crouch, discreetly finding refuge inside a patient's room. I position myself behind a bed, while Kai hides just beside the door. We waited and waited but there was not even a sound of footsteps outside. but then, we heard something.
A low humming sound followed with the muffled voice of a man.
"...Floor clear. It's only this one janitor. Move on to the next."
Soon, a couple of footsteps began to retreat back into the elevator before finally silence returns to the floor.
"Who the hell?" I whispered quietly.
"..." Kai just silently stared at the door, waiting intently.
"Kai?" I whispered yet again.
She put her fingers on her lips, motioning me to stay silent.
I stopped talking and watched the door intently. There beneath the cracks between the door and the floor, a shadow of someone walking can be seen. the shadow stops just in front of the door.
Shit... Did they hear me?
The doorknob slowly opens.
I began to crouch behind the bed, looking below, at the crack between the floor and the bed.
I saw a man in a full black uniform, donning military equipment. Seemingly reluctant to go inside. But just after taking a step, another muffled voice in the hallway can be heard.
"Found something?" A faint voice echoes across the hallway.
"...You guys go on ahead. I'll keep watch this floor." The man spoke.
The other voices in the hallway chuckled.
"Alright, suit yourself."
I heard the elevator door closing and after a couple of seconds of silence, he finally spoke.
"You know we got a scanner, right?"
"..."
"..."
Kai is the first to act.
She tried to shoot the man but his hand had grabbed the gun in a flicker and pushed it to the side. The bullet grazed his head. In a subsequent move, she aimed a kick in-between his legs but it was thwarted by his other arm. While she couldn't see the eyes of the man in front of him as he wore black protective glasses, she notice a sly grin beneath the cover of the black balaclava that he wore. He headbutted her, staggering her backward, and pulled her arm with the gun to his right side, forcing her to also step forward whilst he put his right arm into her left shoulder, letting go of kai's hand that was holding the gun in the process.
The turn of events caught Kai off guard.
Leaving himself open to get shot? Kai thought to herself.
But in the next instant, he grabs her left arm and it dawned on her what he intended to do. O-Soto-Gari. A takedown. There was still time to prevent it though, He probably thought the headbutt would leave her in a disoriented state, and it certainly would had it been a full impact but just before the impact, she had managed to preemptively moved her head backward and lessen the impact. So with the last reserves of her strength, she aimed at his head and pulled the trigger.
*Click*
But nothing came up. There was no bang. The empty bullet casing hadn't come out yet. His previous grip with the gun had impeded the gun's slider from moving and therefore no ejection ever happened. By the time she realized why the gun wouldn't fire, he already swiftly shifted his right leg, prompting her to changed tactics. In a last second attempt, she decided to try to counter him using O-Soto-Gaeshi, but there was simply not enough time and strength left in her body. It was already a checkmate from the beginning...
—Slam!
He forcefully slammed her to the ground and took out his knife.
-----
"Freeze!"
By the time I had come out, Kai was already pinned down to the ground. His grip was to the knife that was about to be brought down. My gun, aiming it at him without a moment's hesitation just before he had the time to finish Kai off.
"Finally decided to peek out?" he remarked with a light-hearted tone, as if he wasn't even in a fight to the death. There was already a gun in his other hand, pointed directly at me. It was Kai's. It dawned on me that he had been waiting for me the entire time, navigating the duel with Kai, all the while maintaining vigilance for a second person to come out.
Everything should've been over by the time my head came into view. With Kai stunned on the ground, he could have easily shot me, long before I pull the trigger. But when he turned his sight toward me, something shifted. A brief hesitation. I don't know why but still, it was an opening that I needed.
—Bang! Bang! Bang!
A burst of three rounds was fired from the gun in my hand, meanwhile the man could only retaliate with a single shot. A bullet grazed my head, but my shots landed, one missed, another to his shoulder, while the last one struck his head. He fell heavily to the ground, away from Kai.
"..." I stayed silent, still aiming my gun at the soldier. "Kai..."
"Uugh... Yea?"
"Come here."
"Can you wait a moment? I'm still dizzy..."
"Come. Here. Now."
"God... Alright."
She slowly rose from the floor, a bit unsteady, as if the ground beneath her couldn't decide to remain still. Before she could take a step towards me though, the man on the floor quickly rose back up.
My initial suspicion that he might still be alive was confirmed. There was no blood spurting out of his head and the impact when the bullet registered feels off. The masks most likely had bulletproof plating of some kind inside. That's why I wanted Kai to get away from him but regardless, another shots was fired in an attempt to neutralize the threat.
The attempts proof futile as my aim wavered slightly, and it missed him by a thread. The man deftly maneuvered behind her, securing his position with a firm grip on the knife against her neck, ready to inflict a lethal slash.
But... He stops short of a hair breath with his knife on Kai's throat.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." He raised his other arm and gestured with his finger to the left and right, as if expressing a form of disapproval or dissatisfaction. The only damage my bullet does is just to his shoulder...
"Tch..."
"...Uh, Sorry?" Kai said in a low voice.
Now we're at a standstill. I can't do anything and he too can't do much. No, That's not true. he had the advantage. A hostage and ways of communication with his squad. I had to take him down no-
"Ah! Ah! Ah!" He gripped the knife closer to Kai's neck, Forming a bead of blood. Almost as if he felt my intention to kill.
"...Dammit."
"Now... What do we have here? Two little Pigeons in the wolf's den." The man began to speak.
Despite being able to, he still hasn't taken a gun nor contacted his squamates... He's enjoying this.
...Pigeons?
A bad premonition entered my mind. It's almost guaranteed that he uses that word as a mocking term for the White Raven. Which means, he knew who we are.
"Who... are you?"
"Come now, Didn't remember me?" The man made a sad voice.
He slowly took off his mask while moving the knife slightly, making it clear that any sudden moves from me would result in harm to Kai.
"How about now?" He put his hand with the mask to the side as if announcing himself.
"...."
"...."
"....Uhh. The ...Doctor?"
"Oh come now!" the man throw the mask away. "My face isn't that forgettable is it?"
"..."
"Oh.. Right." He snapped his finger as if he just realized something crucial. "I forgot you have recognition issues."
"W-what?"
He also knew about my D.S drawback.
"It's me... Harley. The courier! How's the package? It turned up good, no?"
"...???" It was clear that the conversation that I had with Harley are confusing Kai.
The C.A Agent, back at the café. Why is he in this building? Are the C.A conducting a mission here? With the Blood hound branch? who would-
Realization struck me like lightning. There is only one reason why.
"The Romanovs. Natalia. What are you planning to do with her?"
The man whistles.
"Right on the money. Though I'm sorry.... Afraid I can't answer that. Job's contract and all."
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
"Oh, come on!" I yelled.
"Now, Now... You seemed pissed. How about we talk? I'm quite interested in what you two are also doing here, after all..."
----
"Really... Must've sucked not knowing who the people around you are, huh? Can't see faces, can't recognize voices... "
"..."
It's been a few minutes and he still show no sign of wanting to kill us or letting us go. Instead, he rambles on and on.
"Still, though. A small price for immortality, all things considered, right?"
He's wrong... I never wanted it.
Trying to ticked me off. Was that his intention?
"I-"
"Um, can you just let me go? Seems like you only got the hard-on with Coco..." kai interjects.
"Aw, come on now, darling. Don't feel lonely just because I haven't struck up a conversation with you yet. You're an important hostage, after all. Seems like he doesn't want you to die. Are you two in love or something?"
"..."
"..."
"That was a joke, hahaha!" He laughs loudly.
One's in poor taste i wanted to told him but this isn't the time for that.
"Besides... I don't swing that way." He continues.
"What do you want..."
"Ah geez, now I'm starting to feel like you just had bad memory... This is still an interrogation despite my cheerful attitude. I want to know why you're all here. That's all."
"I told you already... We're here to find Natalia."
"Ah yes... Natalia. The little princess."
His mood shifted.
"..."
"You know... I had a friend. A co-worker that I grew close to after a few missions together." He reaches for the tinted glasses that was previously on the mask that he dropped on the floor and began to wears it. "I never really get to grow close to someone because everyone around me just seems to suck at living. But not her... She's still around, even after years of being in this hellhole of a job. I really liked her you know... She's the first. Even got me questioning of making a proposal to her and quitting this job altogether. But too bad, she passed away before I could have the chance to."
I could see something behind the glasses. He was trying to hide his emotions but there was no need to look at his eyes to know what he was feeling.
"It was an easy one too... The easiest she ever done. Just leave a briefcase inside and get the hell out of there... and still, she didn't make it."
He began to chuckle.
"Y-you know what's tragic-You know what the funny part is? I could've gone there with her... I could've gone there if I weren't delivering that stupid fucking package!" The man wailed. "We were in the same city. I was going to take her to a fancy diner that night for crying out loud!"
"..."
He seemed to realize his sudden outburst and then took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure before continuing his story.
"Now... to be fair. Knowing her, she would probably laugh it up and congratulate her murderer... But not me... If I see that motherfucker, I'll end him right there and then."
He gripped the knife strongly, I could see veins bulging in his arm. If I act now, he will definitely kill me and Kai without any second thought.
"....Y'know, I'm not one to accept contracts out of personal feelings. being professionals and all that jazz. But let me tell you... Seeing this contract came up are some blessings from the gods themselves. if her death was caused by the devil, then this is surely pity from gods."
It's obvious now that whatever he was doing here, it involves causing harm to the Romanovs. My worst fear came manifest. I was hoping it was sheer coincidence but it was just too good to be true. Just when we find a way to get to Natalia, they had to showed up.
"So tell me... Just tell me. What... Are. you. doing.... Here." He gripped his knife at Kai, making a little nick at her throat yet again. The blood began to seep out once more.
There is no more room for me to test his patience.
"Ok-Ok! …It was because of the package. I'm sure you've already guessed it." It was the answer that he was seeking. A confirmation that it was all connected.
I could see his grip loosened.
"That package..."
A package from The Noble Six themselves. Anyone would've been curious about it, I thought that he would too. But he didn't questions its content.
"You know, thinking about it some more, it's not really her fault... The little girl had nothing to do with it, no. It was all because of that package and its sender.... I don't give a shit about The Six and what they did. But I swear I'll hunt each of the motherfucker down..."
Few would even utter their name but this man just made a bold proclamation of war. He's insane... And I can tell he was serious.
"But, Sorry to say, An abandoned contract brings a heavy penalty. I'll let you guys leave this place alive... You're not part of the targets. All you need to do is sit back nicely and quietly. I'll just let the rest of the squad finished it. Without me there, she might just be able to escape if she's lucky. That's the least I can do."
"..."
I had to do something... How? How can I get through to him? trying to bargain is no use. There's nothing that we could do... Every second wasted. I can't think of a single way...
No. There is one.
It was an option that I hoped I would never take... But, time is of the essence and every bit of it matters.
"...Elise, Can't you do something?"
"Huh?" Kai gazed at me with a blank look. It didn't take long for her to understand though.
"Hm? Elise? From Squad 2? Thought you guys are MIA?"
"...It's a pain you know, Coco? Being told not to do it moments ago and then now, to proceed to asking... Begging."
"There's no other choice... I'll make it up to you later. We're fighting a blood hound merc here. "
"Hey, come on... What are you guys talking about here? I get that fighting a blood hound soldier's scary and all but don't do anything rash now... I could still kill you two in a heartbeat. The only thing stopping me from doing that is because I still wanted to talk to you."
"...What a joke. So Harley, you're someone from the blood hound branch? And you let yourself get shot by a kid?"
"..."
Will he take the bait?
"....."
Or will he not?
"....."
"...Hey, Coco? You seem to forget that our intel comes with a little picture attached to the report. Elise included."
"Tch..."
It was worth a shot.
-----
He laughs at our desperate attempt on tricking him.
"I guess now is more than enough time for me to actually ask who she is, Coco. I never seen her face." His sight change into Kai. "Come now, I'm asking nicely."
I can't risks Kai dying here. The White Raven would know and I am not confident in my luck surviving Ainsel's onslaught. This room is too cramped.
"...She's Kai."
"Hoh... Well, I'll be! The famous Madam Irene's daughter herself? Intel about her are so incomplete that I thought she was a relic turned human or something. No photo. Nothing." He raised her knife upward, forcing her to turn her head up.
"Urgh..."
"Quite the beauty too... Ah, really... A shame a chat with her are no longer an option."
He lowers his blade again.
"But oh well, we still got each other isn't that right Coco? Haha!"
"Christ..." I can't stand him.
"It was a good try. Had it not because poor Elise gone MIA, I really wouldn't have seen her report. Guess you were really unlucky with that one."
"...What now Coco?" Kai respond.
"I don't know..."
"Finally giving up? Good. Not too keen on killing you guys anyway, I feel like I'm being too kind here. I'm letting you guys off easy, Yet, you all came at me with the intent to kill straight from the get go. You. I don't have to worry about." He point his free hand at me and slowly glance at Kai. "Her though... She's a wildcard. Dunno what her power would've done if I answer but I do at least know her penalty from the repo- wait, what was it again? Damn it, I forgot.. Hmm... Hm. O-oh."
'If she dies. Ainsel came out momentarily and all hell broke loose.'
The three of us noticed it. A change in the tide of the battle. In his perspective, the hostage had instantly turned into a 'suicide bomber'. He doesn't know that I can't afford to die right now. But now, as far as he can tell, Kai's death only puts him alone at risk. In that split second, He puts his entire focus on Kai.
The call for action is here. A new move is available. A move that was previously unavailable because the requirement was that the attacker must know that neutralizing Kai would only make her become much more of a threat. Thankfully, that requirement had been made.
It doesn't matter if he thinks it's a bluff, he cannot risk it. Kai grips his knife tightly and puts pressure on her throat. But before she can slice her neck, Harley pulls her hair backward, slamming her into the wall behind him. She failed to kill herself but it was a move not meant for her to die but for him to be preoccupied on not letting her die. Harley had acted in the nick of time to prevent her from finishing her deed but in doing that, he had inadvertently left himself open for a split second.
I fire my shot. the first shot hit him but I can tell it hit his kevlar. His reflexes are inhuman... Just after the first shot, he already rolled to grab his gun and tried to aim at me, all within a span of less than one second.
A single shot through my brain. A threat that could risk the destruction of this city or even the whole world. He won't miss again, I can tell. But before he could fire, Kai grabbed his gun and stood in front of him. Forcefully putting herself into the crossfire.
"...This isn't fair."
He tried to kick her off-balance but she stopped it with her legs. He didn't bother taking a shot or even using the gun anymore, In that same timeframe, he let go and opted for a hook into Kai's cheek. The hook only grazed her chin. She tries to use the gun and fire at him but he is still close enough and grabs her gun again, pushing it up. A gunshot rang out, the bullet hitting the ceiling. I can't take a clear aim. They're too close. shooting him would risk me hitting Kai too. I can only rely on Kai to get some distance between him and her.
The grapple for control is resuming. She knows his options are limited. A submission or knockout, those are the only option he got. Just as he was about to kick her leg, she aim another attempt for a kick in between his legs. It was successful but incredibly he doesn't seems to be affected. At least in a negative way. as that only seems to give him a boost of strength and he manage to make Kai fell to the ground but before he can position himself on a submission, I got a clear aim at his leg. The shot made him lose balance and she manage to push him aside and ended up being on top of him. She tried to elbow him but he guards his head and manage to sneak a left hook into her head and he push her away.
We made eye contact. It didn't take a second for him to lunge at me, taking his knife out again. I shot at him, Four shots. All of them hit but none were fatal. Two of the hits only hit his Kevlar, but one connects and it hit him in his left arm while another into his left shoulder. The shot staggered him to the side momentarily. Kai had already got up and drive a weighty uppercut. He staggers backward, trying to regain balance by holding a table beside the bed but instead, it is dragged along with him. With the momentum and every step getting him closer to the glass wall...
—CRASH!
She kicked him, shattering the wall and dropping him outside the building. He fell outside, dragging the table and a loud cursing that was slowly fading away.
Moments later, a loud violent thud was heard, marking the conclusion of the fight.
On the floor, I watched Kai slowly walk towards the broken wall peering down into the pavement below.
"...Are you okay, Kai?"
She stands there without any expression.
"...?"
After a few second, She turned around and gave me a hand, helping me raise back up.
"Let's go then... We need to hurry." I walk past her to the corridor, not even looking at the scenery outside the building.
Scanning the surroundings, I found no trace of other C.A agents, He was alone. However, at the end of the hallway, a grim sight met my eyes. The lifeless body of the janitor with a bullet wound on his forehead. Lying dead on the floor.
"..."
I turned to the end of another hallway, A sign pointing to the emergency exit.
"Seems safe, come on Kai."
"Hold it."
"...What?"
I turned around, facing her.
"You said you'll make up for it."
I sighed. Despite the plan being a failure, she did still do it after all.
"What do you want?"
"I want you to rip all of your fingernails. Now." She said with her 'normal' smile.
"..."
A familiar occurrence. A request that while tame in comparison to the past, is still grotesque in nature. It's not coming from her, it's an influence from Ainsel.
Another 'episode'.
It's best I got it over with, now. She needs to be satisfied, otherwise, she will only become more and more unstable.
"Alright."
She handed me her knife and I did the task without much complaints.
-----
We're inside the emergency stairs. It's going to take more time but the elevator is a less safer option. Occasionally, as we passed by the floors on our way up, we heard yelling and sounds of gunfire. The Romanovs are already aware that they are under attack. I have to hand it to them for noticing it so soon but they stood no chance combat-wise against the Blood Hound squad. Even a normal C.A soldier is a specialist against targets with D.S.
Ordinary human beings are nothing compared to them.
The 12th Floor.... It's still a long way up. I hope we're not too late.