Chapter 27

Spectrum, Tempest and I waited for Edgeshot to get off his phone call as he recieved the report about the drug sample we had collected.

"So... It's the plain old 'heroin' with 'fentanyl' mixed in to increase the potency. Phantasm, do you know anything about fentanyl?"

I nodded and replied, "It's a synthetic opioid. Generally prescribed for palliative care to end stage cancer patients to help them with the pain."

"Yes, it's an opioid. And, given how potent it is, heroin mixed with it can be sold even if they dilute the powder with, say, flour or talcum powder. Low costs of production and more income with an increased risk of death among their clients. T-09 calls the drug 'Nystagma'. Why, we don't know."

I knew exactly why, but, I wasn't there to show off my medical knowledge. So, I just nodded along as it wasn't important to the case at hand.

"Any questions?"

I raised my hand and upon being prompted, I asked, "The three goons from T-09, what was done to them? They gave all this information to us within a small time frame."

Edgeshot and the other two stared at me for a moment before Tempest said, "They were interrogated by the Odawara branch of Hero Association's T&I division."

My eyes widened at the implications of there being a T&I division.

Edgeshot read my expressions and said, "We may call ourselves heroes, but, essentially, we are special forces responsible for protecting the civilians from villains using quirks. Tackling drug smuggling is primarily the job of police, but, we also play a role in stopping the drugs from reaching our people as the goons of drug trafficking gangs use quirks as well. We live in a world built on the belief that people have rights. We could deal with the goons through the legal way, but, by the time their case is processed and heard, 'Nystagma' would flood the streets and ruin the lives of countless people."

I frowned and thought of the thing that had been causing me immense distress. I had tortured a man to extract information. His screams still echoed in my nightmares.

"Is the T&I even legal? Of course it is legal. Sensei, how would I know where to draw the line? If I am to become a hero, I'll have to deal with people much worse than mere grunts. I may even have to take lives. For my own sanity, how do I know that I'm not like them? That I'm not a monster?"

Edgeshot placed his hand on my shoulder and replied, "Because when you will kill, it will be to save the lives of those who depend on you to keep them safe. When you will interrogate, it will be to prevent the monsters from hurting the people you are responsible for. When you become a hero, you accept the responsibility and the burden of protecting people."

"Right and wrong, it's all relative. In our world, a hero's job isn't to do what's right in their eyes. Instead, it's to protect the people by any means necessary."

"How you won't become a monster? Because you will be doing those things out of necessity, not because you want to do it. The difference is that you will not draw any satisfaction or any pleasure from hunting the villains. It's tough, I know it very well. It's tough not to let yourself drown into the abyss. But, that's the job you signed up for. Ethics, morals.. They are meant for the public. We sacrifice our ethics and morals so that the public can keep theirs. We give up our souls and commit murder in the name of protecting the public. Because, that's the job."

I sat still as I soaked in what Edgshot said to me.

"Do you still think you are up for it?"

Looking straight into his eyes, I replied with resolution, "Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I care."

Edgeshot held my gaze for a few moments, and then, a smile graced his stone cold face.

"Alright!" He said and walked back to the screens.

"The deal between the T-09 and the Yakuza will be happening at the docks, tonight. We will be collaborating with the city hall and the police headquarters and make arrests, or, take the necessary steps. Meet here at 7 pm. Dismissed."

I walked back to my suite and decided to rest. Closing my eyes, I meditated on the words Edgeshot had said.

'I tortured Hyena, not because I wanted to, but, because I needed the information.'

The images of all of his victims flashed through my mind.

'I drew no pleasure or satisfaction in doing what I did.'

I wasn't a monster.

It felt like tons of weight was suddenly lifted from my shoulders. For the first time in a while, I breathed in the air believing that I deserved it.

My mind was clear.

I had finally embraced my new life.

(APIBNHA)

"Edgeshot, that's the new kid?"

"Yeah."

The police captain said to me, "Keep your eyes peeled open. These are gangsters and they 'will' open fire the moment they see us. Any mistake can cost the life of an officer. Keep that in mind."

I nodded in reply and waited for further instructions.

The moment Spectrum gave the nod, Edgeshot moved in to stealthily take down any spotters and guards. Five minutes later, we stormed the warehouse.

*BANG*

"Down! Down! Everybody, down on the ground with your hands behind your head!"

There was absolute chaos with the leaders of the two groups immediately running off to evade arrest with their henchmen in tow.

"Runners!"

I locked on to the Yakuza and yelled, "I'm on it!"

'Quick attack.'

One of the henchmen managed to intercept me and took the hit head on. He collapsed under me and yelled, "Run, boss!"

"I'm already doing that, you imbecile!"

I tried to get up and follow the leader, but, the henchman had my wrist trapped in his grip.

"You, let my boss go! Take me!"

Annoyed, I used my stinger and cut his arm open.

"You're already down, motherfucker!"

I quickly resumed my case. The leader was rushing to his car when I saw him. When I was about to attack, I heard a *click* and quickly dodged the literal bullet.

*BANG*

"You'll never get me!!"

A growl escaped my throat and I used 'Pursuit'. The next thing that Yakuza man knew was me smashing my fist through the glass window of the car and grabbing him by the collar before I pulled him out of his seat, ripping out the seat belt along with him.

The man yelled and cocked his arm back before a fist shaped boulder slammed into my face. The man yelled and struck again, harder, forcing me away from him.

I could feel the stinging pain from my busted lip and my cheek cut open. But, I ignored it and attacked him with a 'Mach punch'.

*CRACK*

My fist struck hard and fast, smashing into the man's rocky arms.

*CLICK* *BANG*

I narrowly dodged a bullet shot by the leader's henchman and used 'Shadow sneak' to take kut the threat.

'Stun spore.'

The henchman fell down in the next moment and I resumed chasing the leader. He shot his gun at me until he emptied out the magazine. I could barely dodge the bullets, but, I managed to remain untouched by them. I shot towards him using 'Quick attack' and tackled him down on the ground.

He yelled and tried to punch my face again, but, I dodged and hammered my elbow into his face.

"Stay *bang* the *bang* fuck *bang* down!!"

'Stun spore.'

He was finally down for the count.

*BZZT*

"Edgeshot, Phantasm here. I've subdued the Yakuza dealer."

*BZZT*

"Good job, Phantasm. That makes this a complete success. Congratulations. You just helped in stopping narcotics from flooding the streets like a tsunami."

I was happy.

It was a new beginning for me.

I was finally on the right track of becoming a hero.