Mouth of the drain

The jacket woman felt someone watching her from above and so, she looked up to the ceiling of the lobby. 

Moving her eyes here and there as she surveyed the ceiling, she found someone behind a transparent window on the left side of the lobby's ceiling.

Beneath the lobby's ceiling was a corridor that could only be accessed by a few particular people. From below, the corridor was covered by transparent glass.

Thus one can't see who walked there.

Feeling a certain amount of discomfort, the girl left the building but was soon blocked by a few people that appeared to be the security.

Four people in blue outfits with black, long pants.

"Ma'am, please come with us." One of the guys said solemnly. His eyes were covered by black glasses and his expression was serious. His hand behind his back as the woman had yet to fight.

The woman stopped her pace as she observed the situation and thought of a way to get out of here.

Narukami's group in the distance didn't have the intention to help her.

"Narukami, what's going to happen to her? Is she going to die?" Asahi was concerned about the woman's fate.

"Is she someone you knew?"

"No." Asahi shook his head as he was slightly disappointed. It was clear Narukami didn't have the intention to help her.

But, he can't just quit.

"But, I don't want her to die. Even though she's only a stranger, seeing someone die and you just let it. It's just wrong!" Asahi did not doubt what he just said.

Usually, someone wouldn't bother if a stranger died as they were akin to side characters that have nothing to do with them.

If everyone's life is their own story, then strangers were additional characters, cannon fodder if not.

After a short pause of contemplating, Narukami shifted his line of sight to the woman.

"Ryu, grab her attention for me."

"OK!" He cleared his throat before shouting, "ehem. Gorilla woman over there, what's your name?"

"Who are you calling me a gorilla, you brat!" She glared at Ryu with her right hand formed into a fist of wrath. 

If looks could kill, perhaps Ryu died by thousands of stabs and if not for the fact she was surrounded by four men, she would dash into his way and land him a few good punches.

Wow, terrifying, Ryu subconsciously tilted his body to the back upon her glare. His expression was that of fear but only lasted briefly.

Knowing that it was simply a waste of energy to be angry, she exuded a sigh of resignation.

"Egasaki Higuchi. 'Higu' as in gutter and Chi as in mouth."

"Narukami Shinra, 'Naru' as in ring and Kami as in god. 'Shinra' as in divine."

Egasaki fell silent after hearing his name. She felt ashamed and humiliated for some reason.

"My name's Akazaki Ryu!"

"Asahi Ringo, nice to meet you." Asahi bowed politely as he introduced himself.

"Kuroda Aya." Her tone was flat, similar to Narukami.

"Egasaki-san, you'll die if you didn't fill in the name of the sorcerer who saved you. However, there are exceptions. There are times when a sorcerer dies with the Anomaly to save a human.

Should this be the, no sorry for my wrong words. It appears that the sorcerer who saved you met its fate already and you can't seem to remember his name." Narukami explained and this made Egasaki frowned.

Soon enough, she was enlightened about what he was planning. He used other means to save her!

"Y-yes! Indeed, that's the case, yes. I forget the sorcerer who saved me. It's hurting me to see my savior die and I can't even remember his name, may his soul rest in peace." Her tone carried that sadness in it. Although that was the case, when she said 'yes' as she flustered, she was delighted.

The four guards were in doubt and that was the same case for the female employee, different from those four people. She entirely believed what Egasaki just said was a lie!

"You heard her Chie-chan. She is saved by a sorcerer but the latter ceases to exist before saying his name. It is a pity" Ryu said dispiritedly, putting some pressure on the female employee, Chie.

"If that is the case. Then is there any proof? Does the sorcerer leave anything to her? It is strange for the person to not leave anything after sacrificing his life to a stranger and didn't get anything in return."

Chie's words had their logic. Saving a stranger to the point of sacrificing your life was a bit, no, too extreme. Except you're naive and a fool.

"We don't know what Anomaly tried to eat Egasaki. It could be that, after the Anomaly devoured the sorcerer, the latter used a self-destruction technique in its belly and turned everything into ashes in an instant." Narukami deducted.

"Furthermore, with three hundred appearances of Anomalies. Some are bound to die or be bedridden for the next few moments. When that happens, sorcerers in the city will be greatly reduced. Do you want to become one, Chie?" Narukami shot her a threatening gaze as her body was shivering!

In theory, as long as a human was injected with an Anomaly foul. Their body would evolve.

It was safe to assume that they could make more people become sorcerers by using this method. However, with the lingering dangers this that line of work had.

Their lives were as fragile as a baby's! And more people simply means more resources. The organization didn't have much for the fact the government refused to support them.

All the gazes were focused on Chie as they waited for her decision. Receiving such stares, her mind got that certain pressure as her eyes were spinning.

Soon, she decided as she yelled, "fine, fine! You can put Narukami's name! But is it fine, Narukami? Every actions she made will be under your responsibility."

Should she break one of the rules. As the one who guided her, Narukami would get a punishment.