Ichino marches into the briefing room with a serious frown, wrinkles showing on his face. Once in, he discerns a figure leaning against the wall. He stops in his tracks and awaits a response from his superior.
"Good morning, captain" - Yon
"Okay, so I'm sure you've heard about this guy some time throughout your career. They nicknamed him The Dissector due to way he murders his victims" – Yon
"We assume he is of human origins by some testimonies but this is still unclear. He averages around 245 cm and usually dons a large coat and hat making him hard to discern but easier to notice among crowds. He is said to have a few underlings, probably people too afraid of running away. It is said he was last seen heading north west of the airport which is a direct route to Hitotake. Your job is to investigate his plans and bring everything back to me. Depending on the information I receive, I'll decide who I will need to dispatch to handle this situation" – Yon
"Roger that ma'am" – Ichino
"And Ichino… be careful" - Yon
Ichino nods his head slightly and takes his leave from the cacophonous building filled with busy workers and makes a phone call.
"Hey Denki, we got a new job. It's pretty rough. I'll come pick you up at your house so no need to move." – Ichino
"Okay sir, I'll get ready in the meantime" – Denki
"See you then" – Ichino
Ichino hops in his 1970s Ford Mustang, a car given to him by his father, to pick up his partner.
The city centre was brimming with activity. Children were running around chasing after a small beast, a Pomerniere was outside a butcher's shop gawking at the endless meat presented there. Miyuki and Haru walked along enjoying the sights.
"Sooo… why did you call me out here?" – Miyuki
"Oh c'mon, can't I hang out with you sometimes…?" – Haru
"Yeah, but we haven't done something like this for a long time. It feels... kinda weird to be honest" – Miyuki
"Just loosen up already and have fun. I'll even pay for food if you want" – Haru
"OH MY GOD, REALLY?!" - Miyuki
Miyuki stares at her friend with shimmering eyes. Haru immediately regrets her decision and looks away slightly.
"…what did I just bring myself into" – Haru
"Let's go grab a bite, right now, everything else comes after" – Miyuki
"Please don't exhaust my life savings… Miyu" – Haru, with a regretful expression
Miyuki smiles evilly at Haru and walks off to a nearby restaurant
"Waiiit miyuuu" – Haru
Takeru sprinted along the way to the express train heading down south. He was really invested in his plan to take down The Red Sect. All he needed was that equipment and a bit more detail to his plan. His surge of confidence allowed him to run faster and his face radiated from the shimmering sun.
"I can do this. It's nothing compared to back then!" – Takeru
He arrives just a moment before departure. Following a 10-minute ride Takeru arrives at his destination he quickly runs to the designated area that Reginald had marked on his map and perceives a Gopher hanging around a small shop. After greeting each other, they move into the shop.
"That really is some flashy hair. Is it dyed?" – Ueki
"Nope it's totally natural. My dad was blonde and my mom was a redhead" – Takeru
(Ueki to himself) "was huh… I wanna dive deeper but it's none of my business"
"I already got all the stuff ready for ya and I put a discount on it. Let's just say… Reg is a special friend" – Ueki
"Thanks for everything, and here" – Takeru
Takeru hands cash to Ueki and parts ways.
"I won't be eating anything special this month. Noodles it is" – Takeru
"I hope it'll all be worth it in the end" – Takeru, sadly
Ichino arrives at Denki's doorstep and hears a peculiar conversation...
"YOU TOLD ME YOU'D BUY ME A RITSUKO FIGURINE YESTERDAY" – Seiichi
"N-no I meant today, hehe" – Denki
Ichino rings the doorbell.
(Denki to himself) "Thank god! Perfect timing Ichino"
"O-oh I think that's the captain I have to head out now Seiichi. I promise I'll get it todayyy" – Denki
"DON'T YOU RUN AWAY FROM ME" – Seiichi
"oh no" – Denki
Denki hurriedly slams the front door, grabbing his captain and dashed to his car.
"HOLY" - Ichino
"Let's go, quick!" – Denki
"A-alright!" – Ichino
Ichino immediately drives off, taking a quick look back before turning towards Denki.
"Wew..." – Denki
"What the hell was that, back there!" – Ichino
"Ehh its nothing sir, my brother asked me to buy his favourite idol's figurine since I knew a guy who sold 'em" – Denki
"A figurine!? Those are found everywhere in this town; can't he buy it himself instead of using you?" – Ichino
"No, this one's a special edition and has limited quantities so it's quite rare to locate" – Denki
"He's a bit of collector you see" – Denki
"Ahh I see" – Ichino
"So anyways, what's this one about? Do we have to find that rodent again?" – Denki
"No. This one is way more serious and dangerous. We're dealing with a B rank threat" – Ichino
"The boss told me to brief you on the details, if I did decide to bring you along and… its time I tell you something" – Ichino
"Go on" – Denki
"First, this guy is an absolute giant standing at 245 cm and is rumoured to be extremely physically built, even more so than you are" – Ichino
"Wait... this thing's human, right?" – Denki
"No… that's what I wanted to tell you. This information has been classified by the agency since the very beginning and has only been disclosed to certain people" - Ichino
"Don't you think that we would've been wiped out back then, with all the different monsters roaming the planet?" - Ichino
"Indeed, it is improbable that we actually survived. I remember that species, the land whale we called it, due to its size. It was quite hostile but somehow they got wiped out…" - Denki
"That was just one of many" - Ichino
"From what I've been told, Genesis modified the molecular structure of some humans, people like the boss aren't normal anymore…" - Ichino
"The boss??!! That means those people form part of The Agency..." - Denki
"Yep" - Ichino
"B-but how come nobody noticed anything" – Denki
"Your favourite governmental organisation of course. They concealed the incidents and mayhem caused by the super powered humans with utmost precision and most of the time they blame it on the beasts" – Ichino
"Seems to me like we're working for a pretty shitty company" – Denki
"HAHAHAHAHA" - Ichino
"It's all for the good of humanity, they say" – Ichino
"So where are they headed?" – Denki
"There is a place where I get my information. We're going there first" – Ichino
Ichino and Denki stare at each other and Ichino lets out devious smile
"…oh nooo not another barrrr" – Denki