Despite the heavy losses, Haruka's squad was not afraid and decided to take the fight with the Paladins. But every moment more and more fighters died, depriving Haruki of the opportunity to resist the enemy. Frustrated and hopeless, Haruki took Runa to a secluded place near the boxes in the warehouse, realizing that the only way to protect her from danger was to leave her in a safe place.
— Sit here and don't move! Haruki gently placed the Rune next to the boxes, showing his care and devotion.
Runa nodded in agreement, trusting Haruki completely and knowing that he would do everything possible to protect them.
Haruki wasted no time going outside, heading towards the Paladins. At the sight of the bodies of his fallen fighters from the team on the ground, he felt a piercing sadness. But his good-natured nature excluded anger or a desire for revenge.
— Guys, tell me, where did you learn to kill people so beautifully? Haruki was radiating an uncombined interest, hoping to shed light on the situation and reach an understanding.
However, an ominous silence was the only response from the Paladins. They clearly did not want to engage in conversation with Haruki and openly discuss their motives and actions.
— Okay, guys, don't be silent! It's not human. I actually requested reinforcements. — Haruki, steadfastly continuing the friendly conversation, not finding any reaction from the Paladins, turned around and walked towards the warehouse.
But suddenly, the sound of shaking glass was heard on all sides of the warehouse, and helicopters and special forces vehicles penetrated inside. It became clear to the Paladins that they had been led into a trap, but outwardly not a drop of fear was reflected on their faces. As if in the face of the threat of arrest, they were absolutely not bothered by the lack of a way to escape or escape.
— Hands up! — the incoming special forces soldiers of the special patrol shouted with a mixed cry.
Haruki only smiled, and then went outside, realizing that this could be their last battle. Looking at the way back, he saw the worn-out bodies of his comrades scattered somewhere to the side. But he didn't feel anger or pity for his enemies. His mind and body were focused on fighting and defending the Rune.
Suddenly, the sound of swords and blood penetrated the air, and Haruki remembered his vocation to protect and put his eye on the Rune to make sure it was safe.
— Rune, open fire on defeat! Haruki shouted to his beloved, pointing her at the enemy.
Runa followed the order without hesitation, firing her machine gun. The sounds of "bang-bang, bang-bang" shots spread through the air, mixing with the powerful sounds of combat.
— Haruki, pshh, support is required — a voice came from the radio, breaking through the noise and screams.
— I'm on my way, Runa! Haruki replied despite the danger.
Haruki slipped through the already dead fighters with a bow, whose bodies were lying on the ground from the impact of the Paladins' swords, and grabbed the machine gun to join the fight on his own.
Haruki stood at the front edge of the fight, covering the Rune from the attacks of the Paladins and shooting with all his might. However, to his surprise, he noticed that the bullets that hit the Paladins healed quickly, leaving no traces of wounds. This is a sign of regeneration that Haruki has not seen before.
"How do they achieve such regeneration? What kind of power or magic allows them to recover so quickly? Haruki was asking himself questions that had no official answer. Doubts and uncertainty forced him to think hard, to search for the truth in this mystical ability.
In an effort to find the most effective way to deal with the Paladins, Haruki decided to go on the offensive. He approached one of the Paladins and aimed shots directly at the enemy's heart and head. However, the Paladin did not even stagger and showed no signs of death. Seeing this, Haruki quickly moved away from the nearest danger and continued to think about how to resist such a force and win this fight.
However, Runa's sudden, air-splitting scream interrupted his thoughts. He turned around and saw a Rune that had been struck by the sword of one of the Paladins. Haruka's eyes widened in horror when he saw the sword piercing Runa's stomach.
— Retreat! Haruki shouted to the survivors of his team, wanting to save Runa and retreat from this nightmare of battle.
Haruka's heart was filled with anxiety and anxiety such as he had never experienced before in his life. Runa was the only person who fully understood and supported him always. Haruki was afraid of losing her.
At the head of a small group of survivors, Haruki, with bitterness in his heart, quickly organized a retreat. He shouted at everyone who could hear him to take Runa to the hospital immediately.
— Hurry up! Faster! Take her to the hospital! Quick, I repeat, quick! Haruki shouted at everyone around him, giving orders indiscriminately.
Hiroki, the head of the special patrol, tried to stop Haruki, realizing that his friend had finally lost him:
— Haruki... Maybe we should calm down and…
However, these words were the last for Hiroki, as Haruki emotionally turned away and punched him hard in the face. Then, continuing to move forward, Haruki turned to Runa and quickly led her to the hospital, not paying attention to the fact that his actions had become unpredictable and aggressive.
"This is the first time I've seen him like this... Hiroki whispered, standing not far away, thoughtfully looking at the retreating Haruki.
Angry and filled with worry at the same time, Haruki was riding nervously, catching a Rune by the hand. When they arrived at the hospital, the doctors promptly examined her and reported that the wound was serious and required time for adequate treatment.
— Please don't worry! Haruki was comforted by the nurse who prepared the injections and preparations for the Rune.
Haruki was sitting on an uncomfortable chair that stood opposite the window in the hospital corridor, opposite to the ward where Runa was lying. He nervously played with his fingers and squeezed his hands in his pocket, waiting for at least some news from the doctors about the condition of his beloved. His heart was pounding with such force, as if it wanted to jump out of his chest. Haruki waited quietly, relying on the professionalism of the medical staff, but his soul was filled with anxiety.
Suddenly, in the distance, he noticed Hiroki approaching him down the corridor. Haruki felt a vague sense of relief at the sight of his old comrade. He knew that he owed Hiroki an apology for the previous incident.
—I'm sorry for what happened, Hiroki," Haruki said, believing that a gesture of sincere remorse could reconcile them.
— It's okay, I understand. And how is the Rune? What's wrong with her? Hiroki asked, showing sensitivity and concern for the condition of the Rune.
— There is no news yet. The doctors are still working on it," Haruki replied, and fear of the unknown and anxiety for the Rune flashed in his eyes.
— Yes, Runa, the only person who understands and supports you. It's scary to think about losing her, right? — Hiroki insistently wanted to probe Haruki, to test his emotional fortitude.
— Yes, imagine how scary it is. Why did you come? Haruki didn't quite understand the reason why Hiroki came here.
"I just wanted to support my best employee," Hiroki replied, sincere sympathy in his voice.
"I see," Haruki agreed, and both of them started spending time near the door of the ward where the Rune was.
Suddenly, a doctor came up to them and asked them to leave.
— The hospital is closed for visits, can you come back tomorrow? — the doctor said, smiling consolingly.
— How is that? What's happening? And the Rune? Haruki couldn't understand why he was being pushed outside when his beloved needed medical help.
"You can come back tomorrow and visit her again. Now we need to close the visitors' department," the doctor explained, trying to understand Haruka's exceptional situation.
— Come on, Haruki! Hiroki said, realizing that Haruki didn't want to leave, but it was necessary to obey the rules.
— Mm-hmm... Okay, let's go," Haruki agreed, suddenly obediently obeying.
—By the way, I'll give you a vacation while Runa recovers," Hiroki smiled, trying to cheer Haruki up at least a little.
Haruki returned home and started cooking. Thoughts were spinning in his head only about the state of the Rune, and he hoped for positive outcomes from the situation. A few hours passed, and Haruki, ending the day, decided to relax and turn on the movie.
However, his studies were interrupted by a phone call. Haruki, picking up the phone, heard a quiet, uncertain voice:
— This is the doctor who was contacted about the Rune. I regret to inform you that Runa has passed away.
Haruki slowly put the phone on the bedside table and tried to comprehend what was said. He dressed quickly and went to the hospital. Vivid memories with a Rune loomed in his head, filling him with sadness and sorrow.
"No! No! This can't be true! Haruki desperately hoped that everything that happened wasn't real. Pain and despair pierced his soul inside, he could not accept the thought of losing the Rune.
Haruki, full of despair and grief, quickly entered the hospital, ignoring the commandos and Hiroki, who tried to stop him. But all his attempts were in vain – the guards kept him in place, not allowing him to enter the Runa chamber.
— You can't stop me! She's alive! I know that! Haruki released the gun from his pocket and held it in his hand, trying to find a way to get through.
Hiroki, understanding Haruka's condition, decided to approach him and calm him down.
—Haruki, calm down. We all understand your feelings and concerns, but we cannot allow a breach of hospital security," Hiroki said, approaching Haruki with outstretched arms in a sign of peace and understanding.
— It's impossible! — Haruki, falling to his knees, began to cry, revealing his emotions to Hiroki.
—Haruki, please let's get out of here," Hiroki said, trying to calm Haruki down and take him away from the hospital.
— no! I'm leaving here! — Haruki resolutely got up and left the hospital, sitting in his car and driving away in an unknown direction.
Hiroki watched Haruki drive away. He understood that Haruki needed time and space to cope with the loss of the Rune. Haruki climbed into a closed shop and smashed the door, trying to forget his pain and grief. He poured alcohol into a bag and left for his house. The path was filled with alcoholic beverages, which he consumed without knowing the measure.
*3 days have passed.*
— Where's Haruki? Hiroki turned to his secretary, wanting to know about his whereabouts.
— I don't know. He's not answering the phone," the secretary replied, reflecting the same concern.
"Okay, then I'll go to his house myself," Hiroki said, taking his car keys and heading towards Haruka's house.
Hiroki entered Haruka's house and found a note on the table:
"I'm quitting, you damned bastards! Let everything go to hell! Don't look for me!
Hiroki, slowly realizing the meaning of the note, realized that Haruki did not want his help. He realized that Haruki needed time and space to recover from the loss of the Rune. Hiroki made the decision to dismiss Haruki from the special patrol and let him go through his grief on his own way.
* A month has passed.*
Haruki spent his days and nights in a hidden bunker on the outskirts of Yukisaku City. He focused on investigating and searching for the Paladins of the Law to take each of them at gunpoint and take revenge personally for the Rune. But his efforts were in vain, the Paladins remained inaccessible and elusive. A dim lamp illuminated Haruki in his bunker, where he studied folders, dossiers, and collected all possible evidence to get to the truth. But his heart was full of longing and grief from the loss of the Rune. He focused all his strength and energy on the mission of revenge and restoring justice.
One day, Haruki accidentally met Yukio, a highly-ordained investigator of the Committee of Investigations. He approached Haruki, some uncertainty shining in his eyes.
"You're Haruki, right?" Yukio asked with some hesitation, although it was obvious that the guy presented in front of him was exactly who he was looking for.
— How can I help you? Haruki watched Yukio, waiting for further explanations.
"I wanted to offer you a job on the Investigation Committee," Yukio said, hoping that Haruki would accept his offer.
— Why me? Haruki expressed his doubt, wanting a clear explanation.
"Well, the special patrol gave you a positive recommendation," Yukio replied, trying to convince Haruki of the correctness of his choice.
— What kind of committee? Haruki wanted to know more about this organization that he had never heard of before.
"We are investigating cases involving magical powers," Yukio explained, hoping that such a description would interest Haruki and encourage him to accept the offer.
— I see. Okay, but with one condition. You have to help me find the Paladins of the Law," Haruki presented a condition to make sure of the seriousness of their cooperation.
— I do not know who it is, but we will definitely help! Yukio agreed, hoping that his own help in finding the Paladins of the Law would lead to a more full—fledged cooperation with Haruki.
So Haruki started working for the Committee of Investigations. He was impressed by the atmosphere of the new team and the opportunity to do things related to magical powers.