Our game of pool continued being fun for both of us, but for some reason, I won all the tables... Of course, it's not like I'm an expert at this. But my body moves semi-automatically, correcting my every action.
The only time Neun won against me was when he managed to clear out a table from the break until the end. In short, whenever I was allowed a shot, I cleared the table then and there, break or not.
Is this thanks to that same mysterious voice in my head again? I'm not even sure...
"Hmmm?"
But just as we were about to set the table for another round, the lights in the room began flickering with red. Just from a glance, I could tell that it was telling us of an emergency... What it was, I'm not even sure.
BLAM!
The door further in was kicked open before Koori waltzed toward the lobby and said with a grim expression. "Both of you, we're setting off. A new bug was detected in the central district."
"I'll be staying in the tower to coordinate you guys." Alex, who was behind her, added in a serious note. "Good luck out there."
"Uhh..."
Just as I was thinking of what to say, Neun moved to grab a large Boston bag nearby.
Inside it was all his equipment, ones that he could wear in a flash. With his gear fully equipped in 10 seconds, he stood tall beside me like a soldier about to head into war—though as expected, he looked out of place with all the thick gear and his slender build.
Koori didn't change at all, staying with her current attire instead. Of course, the same goes with me, since I don't even have a "change of gears" in the first place.
"Here, equip this on your right ear." Alex said, passing a small earpiece to me. "This is the communicator. I can't teach you how to use it, but you can at least listen to commands coming from the tower with this equipped."
My hands moved accustomedly, placing the piece tight into my ear.
Then, a moment later, audio echoed from it, almost making me jump in surprise. Was that intentional? I can't even tell.
[Confirmed Type-C Neurodivergent in the Germain Hills in the Central District. The Perception Veil is already cast. Teleporting Team Zero to the scene in T-5 seconds.]
"Alright boys, you heard her." Koori sighed, pushing her hair over her head as she let out a deep, focused breath. "Prepare for battle upon transfer. And also, Neil, you should stay back and keep watch for now."
"Got it."
"(Nod)."
When the expected five seconds were over, suddenly, my vision started to blink. I could see two completely different sceneries flickering back and forth rapidly. This... is teleportation?
WHOOSH!
After a few beats, the process ended, and our visions stabilized. However, we're no longer in the comfortable confines of the lounge. Instead, we were back in the cold night cityscape.
"This is Number Zero, reporting that we successfully arrived at the scene." Koori reported immediately, hand over her ear. "Confirming visuals of the target. Beginning cleanup." And without much delay, started on the job.
Ahead of her gaze, I could see a figure... It was about a head smaller than me, humanoid, but... something was strange. He was still, so still that I wouldn't have realized he was there if not for Koori's gaze.
"Neun, you act as the vanguard. I'll provide backup. Neil, you stay back and watch our backs."
Her commands were concise, and Neun followed them without any further questions. He bumped his two fists, causing a loud metallic noise to echo—loud enough that I felt my eardrums tremble from the shockwave alone.
As I was told to stay on standby, I quickly took a few steps back and began to watch the two.
Koori did as she said, standing a few meters behind Neun. The lanky guy, on the other hand, was already jogging toward the target, pace steady and fearless. Then, just as he reached a certain distance from the target—
"SCREEEEEECH!"
The other party raised his head, stared at the two, and screeched like a cornered wild animal.
He looked mostly human, unlike the one before, who was a naked ball of muscle.
He was wearing a simple shirt with some sort of stale design. Faded black pants that looked so used they should've been set for the trash instead of the laundry. However, inhuman parts could also be observed.
For one, his eyes were completely red. It's not the veiny, bloodshot kind, but rather as if his eyes were bleeding from within. Blood was filling the thin membrane over his sclera.
Not only that, but he also seemed to have an abscess on the back of his head. A lump of extra meat extending from his nape, making his head look like a gourd.
"A Type-C, huh?" Koori muttered through the comms. "It should be a quick wrap-up, but be careful, Nine."
Just as she finished warning Neun, I couldn't help but ask out of curiosity. "What's a type C? And what the hell is wrong with that man, anyway? You call him a bug, but..."
"You..."
Koori sighed through the comms before continuing. "Right, you have amnesia... Type-C means the opponent is a mental type. It can use mind-reading or control, making it a tricky opponent."
"Huh..." I zoned out while listening. "Is having superpowers like this guy, or you common in this world?"
Koori scoffed, dismissing my words.
"Of course not. If it were common, then the entire world would've long succumbed to chaos by now. The chances of your NSC maturing and developing into a blessing or curse are roughly 0.01%. Though we Batch Zero have a higher chance of awakening..."
"I see..."
After reaching this point, Neun had already arrived in front of the enemy. He charged forward, rushing in like a tank, and poised as if he wanted to tackle the target and press him against the wall behind it. However, just as he reached a meter away, his body came to a stop.
"...!"
Neun's eyes opened wide as he felt a mysterious energy take hold of him...
"Telekinesis!" Koori gasped. "Be careful, Nine; the target's a double! Requesting update of target's threat level from D to B!"
Without delay, the radio controller reported back—rather, the voice was quite familiar. It was Alex's voice!
[C-Captain... The risk rating was raised to A...! The target wasn't a double, but a Triple!]
"Fuck!" Koori cursed as he watched Neun suddenly fly backwards, rolling across the ground like a ragdoll. "Why didn't you tell us sooner?!"
At that moment, the supposed "easy cleanup" turned into the riskiest battle for tonight.