Preparing to play tag with a demon

"Sir, did you just say that we could use weapons in a game of tag?" Rachel asked hoping that she had heard wrongly. Alex was the only one who felt like that handicap wasn't enough to level the playing field.

"Yup it doesn't matter what you use, I don't think you kids will be able to hit me anyway. Also if you're scared of actually killing me don't be. I'm pretty sure that girl Evangeline told you that I'm a special existence in this school, so no matter what happens even in the case of my death you would not be the ones at fault. It would be judged as a suicide instead of homicide... So feel free to use anything... If you're still hesitating well that's your problem, not mine. So do we have a deal?" Lyner looked at the group impatiently, as he waited for their answer.

Oliver and the others could actually see how impatient Lyner was getting looked at each other for a brief moment. With no words spoken the group could somehow see the resolution in each of their eyes. 'It's just a game of tag what's the worst that could happen?' These were the thoughts of the majority of the members.

"Deal," Oliver responded for the entire group.

"Nice, the lot of you start preparing, I'll be waiting for you at the front gates at exactly seven o'clock, you should be here on time. If not all of you are here at exactly seven o'clock you guys will be losing by forfeit, and without even trying I would win." After explaining the rules Lyner went back to the position he was in a while ago before the group entered. He then proceeded to lie down and start sleeping.

Alex separated from the group and started preparing on his own. The target this time was highly skilled so Alex needed to prepare thoroughly. That would mean he needed a background check on Lyner. Alex hesitated for a brief moment before calling his dad again. Alex like usual needed to rely on his father for a quick info gathering.

Carlo who was also preparing for his own mission of finding the psycho who ordered the attack on him was busy communicating with his former squad when he received Alex's call.

"What do you need Alex?"

When Alex's call got connected, he told Carlo about the experience he had with Lyner. Carlo was intrigued, someone who could make Alex feel danger must be of some renown. Carlo told Alex he would call back after investigating a bit.

Alex then started to double-check all the cameras he placed around the school the other day. He then proceeded to scout the best sniping positions. Alex would have to wait for the other students to leave at six, before placing traps.

When Alex was checking the whole school grounds and analyzing the battleground, he received a call from his father. It actually took his father an hour before calling back. That would mean Lyner's information was not really open to the public.

"Alex you've got yourself a big fish this time. At first, I tried to look at the school's registry to see the full name of your teacher Lyner, but he wasn't registered as a teacher in that school. He wasn't even registered as a citizen of this country, it's like his whole data was wiped out. I then started to ask some buddies of mine in the government, and what I got was shocking news."

Hearing Carlo explain who Lyner was, made Alex feel that his earlier assumptions of Lyner which was being more than what he seemed, were a correct assumption. He held his phone tightly, listening carefully to his father's report, not wanting to miss a word of it.

"Your teacher Lyner, whose full name is unknown, turns out he is one of the three living Rank SS mercenaries."

When Alex heard this new information he was shocked beyond belief. The three superpowers of this world The Granado Empire, the Southern Union, and Berdonia. Each of these so-called superpowers has a Rank SS mercenary. The only reason that three nations haven't declared full war on one another and only did small skirmishes, is because the three keep each other in check. If one nation attacks another superpower, then the remaining third power would easily beat whoever wins the war between the other two nations. Another one of the reasons for this stalemate was because each nation had a Rank SS mercenary. If one of these nations' SS mercs disappears or dies, the two remaining would instantly attack that nation. This was the current world and its precarious balance which three individuals held.

Alex's teacher Sir Lyner was one of those super Legendary beings.

"Good thing he proposed a simple game of tag... Well if it's you even if he did propose to fight, I still believe you could handle it." Alex felt touched hearing the confidence his dad has for him.

Alex then returned home to get the materials he needed for the upcoming game.

...

It was 18:56 the Mercenary club members were all gathered in front of the gate of the school. Alex was now wearing casual clothes that were bulletproof while holding a briefcase, Oliver was in full military attire and was holding two BB guns, Rachel was wearing tight-fit clothes that seemed to emphasize flexibility while holding a bow, and some arrows, Saya had her shinai ready, and she looked like she brought some hidden weapons as well, Niel brought nothing but he was still brimming with confidence.

The group didn't make any plans cause they felt it was unnecessary. Since the five of them were above average than most students they quickly understood, that a last-minute try for coordination was useless. The best they could do was not get in each other's way.

It was now exactly 19:00 the gates opened and there stood Lyner with a smug grin on his face.

"It looks like you kids came fully prepared, fine then I will run and after thirty seconds you guys come after me." After saying his piece Lyner sprinted away. At exactly thirty seconds the Mercenary Club members charged forward into the school.

It was at this moment the game of tag with a demon started.