Not to Brag, but I'm the Best!

Technically, this wasn't my first time riding a helicopter. I heard from the doctors and nurse that a military copter brought me to the hospital after I got injured by the beetle boss, but I was unconscious back then. Therefore, I consider this moment my "true" first experience riding on a helicopter!

It was a pretty short trip, though. In less than five minutes after boarding, we were already about to land on the helipad. The body of the bull monster had already dropped earlier, meaning I was the only one left they had to drop off.

As soon as I got off, I lowered my head to not reach the propeller (which was far from reaching my head) as I walked off the helicopter. As soon as I left, the team flew away quickly. They must be really busy, seeing them rush to go places like that.

"You're Mahiro, right? Young Miss already told us about you." As I was looking up at the helicopter that flew away, a man in a lab coat walked to my side. "I'm Peter, the head of this dismantling facility. Also, good afternoon."

The man was far from who I expected to be the head of a facility like this. He had a thick beard and eyebrows, making me think that he was from the Middle East before the tragedy of the nanomachines began.

His accent was completely American, though, so I might just be a little prejudiced. Yep.

"Wait, young miss?" It took me a while to digest the words he said, delaying my reaction by a few seconds. "You mean Toki?"

"Yes, she is." Peter nodded with a beautiful smile, showcasing his white teeth. "She told me to keep the best area reserved for your use; let me lead the way."

It wasn't too obvious, but he must be a busy man too. It was subtle, but he was hinting that we don't have much time to chat leisurely. Well, I'm not the chatty type either, so I was sort of thankful for this gesture.

Following him into the backdoor, what welcomed me was an amazing sight. "Are all these boss monsters?!"

"Ah, an astute observation," Peter said, laughing lightly. "Yes, this facility mainly handles large-bodied monsters, so mostly boss monsters are handled here."

We were walking down the pathway in the middle, marked with yellow paint, with a hazard mark on both edges, probably a warning to not step out of the area. On the left and right, dozens of large-bodied monsters were hanged on thick chains, while teams of dismantlers were working on them nonstop.

For any dismantler, just getting permission to walk down this little path would be worth killing for. The amount of knowledge and technique they could steal from just watching the professionals would be unfathomable. I have no use for such knowledge, though, as I myself am well versed in theories for dismantling... Yes, theories!

The game "Lost Age" was extremely realistic, to the point that dismantling monsters would require you to have real dismantling knowledge. Since I was in a crafting class back then, dismantling creatures and raw materials was like second nature to me. So, I was well versed in any and all dismantling procedures, not losing to a professional in knowledge alone.

I practiced some when dismantling the insectoids in the forest before, so I'm not technically lacking in practical experience. Yep. All I need is the opportunity to handle dismantling monsters, and I'll surely be able to apply all my knowledge quickly!

"We're here!"

Just as I was lost in a sea of thoughts, Peter stopped at an empty cubicle. Like the others nearby, a full 20-meter cube area was completely isolated for me to use. Inside, the body of the field boss was already hung on hooks, ready for processing.

"Wow... You've got all the tools I could think of plus some I'm seeing for the first time..." I muttered in awe, looking at the equipment lined up on top of the table.

There were even chemicals for preservation prepared and accessible at any moment. "With this, I'm sure I can finish the dismantling before the day ends!"

"Hahaha! Being excited is good, yeah." Peter laughed heartily.

He must've thought I was exaggerating or joking, but that was my actual thought. Just for the sake of asking, he asked if I needed some hands to help, but I quickly refused. Although the entire dismantling facility was under Toki's control, borrowing someone's hand sounds like they'd bill me an astronomical amount later. I wouldn't spare one bit of material for you guys!

... Well, I need to at least give back to Toki for letting me borrow this facility, though. Yeah, let's do that.

After Peter left, I was left alone in the large cube with transparent walls. After psyching myself up with a light cheer, I took a large and sharp knife in my hand and began dismantling it, focusing deeply on the task.

---

"Hey, look over there. Check it out!" One member of the team from the neighboring cubicle shook his partner, pointing toward Mahiro, who had been dismantling alone for quite a while.

"What? Where?" The man looked around, following the other's finger, and had his eyes opened wide. "Holy Sh*t! What's with that speed?! Does he have Dismantling Lv. Max or something?!"

Mahiro was still focusing on his work. He had just finished draining all the blood and skinning the Bull and was now moving on to removing the innards and other organs. His hands flew over the tool table like a professional conductor; each movement of his finger had a purpose and was precise like a machine's.

His movements were so precise and beautiful that those who started watching couldn't take their eyes off of him until their superiors chided them. Well, those superiors were the same, though, as after they saw Mahiro's technique, their desires got ignited.

"I'll definitely get that boy onto my team!"

All of the team leaders thought. The person in question wasn't paying attention to his surroundings, though, and just continued to dismantle the boss monster before him.

Peter was curious about Mahiro too. His initial reason was curiosity, since Toki, Lady Todoroki Katarina, rarely pays attention to guys her age. "I thought he was someone that Young Miss was infatuated with... But seeing his skills, she must be looking to recruit him..."

He came to his own conclusion, nodding his head as if he had completely read Toki's thoughts. He walked to his office with a slight skip in his step, thinking of the bright future of his dismantling facility when such a genius joined their workforce.

"He was born to be a dismantler! I'll arrange a contract immediately; I'm sure Young Miss would be thankful for it, too!"

---

"... And done!"

I sighed, placing the last piece of bone into a mixture of formalin and water, making sure that it was the correct ratio. After carefully returning the bone saw to the table, I took off my gloves and wiped the sweat covering my face with a towel nearby.

I may be tired, but it was all worth it. My Dismantling skill got boosted to Level 10 after all! With that, after clearing the upgrade condition, I'd be getting the Intermediate Dismantling skill!

*Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!*

For some reason, clapping sounds were heard. I turned around and saw more than a dozen dismantlers, who finished their work earlier than I did, standing behind the glass walls and staring at me with a fiery gaze.

"Wh-What's happening?" I was confused, seeing them clap their hands as if congratulating me.

Some of them, men and women in their thirties, were staring as if they would devour me whole when I got out. It was a bit scary, but after looking at the clock and seeing it was already half past 6, I panicked.

"It's getting late! I'll get scolded!"

I dumped the bloodied lab gown in a random spot and grabbed my phone. Fortunately, there wasn't a single missed call yet, letting me breathe a sigh of relief.

"What took you so long?" A beautiful, high-pitched voice was heard behind me as I was rushing.

Turning around, Toki was wearing a familiar uniform, the conspicuous uniform of the Eclipse Academy. It was still fresh in my mind since I saw the same design, albeit the male version, earlier today.

Although I was thankful for her agreeing to my request, I needed to go. "Toki, I'm sorry, but I need to rush back home. I'll catch up with you later!"

"Here is your bag and your reward."

Just as I was about to pass by her, she slammed the bags against my chest. Looking closely, it was really my bag that was left for safekeeping back at the government office. I touched my breast pocket, and the card key was still there. What the...

"Wait... Not only my things, even my reward?!" I belatedly realized. "How?!"

"Stop, stop, stop. No more questions! Shut up and follow me."

She turned around and walked away, but I didn't miss the amused grin she had on her face. Still, "I said this earlier, but I need to go—"

"Home, right? I already contacted your mother, and she already gave the OK for you to stay the night here."

"...!"

Did Mother give permission? Really? As if to eliminate what little hesitation I had left, I received a message from her at that exact moment. Reading the content, Toki seemed to have made an excuse, telling her that I was out for an on-the-job observation that lasted until 8 p.m. She was also the one who guaranteed my safety, and given that she was also the one who saved me last Saturday, Mother quickly gave permission.

I turned to Toki, who was watching me with an amused smile, hands crossed before her chest. "Done?"

I don't know what she's planning... But her smile is scaring me a little.