It's Out!

We returned to ETC HQ. Himeko carried Himawari to their home and rested. Kana went out with her friends to hang out and I reported our investigation to head chief.

We sat on a sofa– it was soft, facing one another with papers and a laptop on the table. The laptop in front of me.

"I see. The explosion is not what I think it is, it's not related to Exorcist nor to espers. It's something different. Additionally, you found a strange material that never existed on earth. This is troublesome. I have to do more work and investigation for this," she said, sounding a bit tired and stressed.

"Thank you for your hard work, head chief. I also like to add something. I want–"

"Himeko can get a day off. That's what I can get from the higher ups." She cut his words short and immediately guessed what he wanted to say.

"That's too bad." He sighed disappointedly.

"I'll try to task you with chill missions for the next few days," she informed him.

"I can't be more happy." He smiled.

"I'm glad to hear it. Right, since you're here, I want you to investigate the Corrosive Order." She gave me a document. I shifted my head from the laptop to it. I read it.

"Our spies discovered one of their elite members, along with his subordinates, went missing when they were investigating a missing core member, Hanazaki.

"We want to know who caused their demise and invite him into the organization. You can start the investigation by looking for Hanazaki. His last sight and everything you need to know is in the document," she explained slowly.

"It says here that his lower abdomen has been found in a train yesterday. Isn't he dead?" He frowned deeply.

"It's one of his abilities. He's a Dividend, just like you."

Dividend, a term used in the esper community for people that can have two or more abilities. Their appearances were one in a hundred years, making them sought by many organizations.

He lowered his eyes and found Hanazaki's list of abilities.

Note: Each ability has a limit.

- Unknown ability. Detail, the person he targeted will vanish.) (Limit: Once a day.)

- Physical Enhancement (Limit: Unknown.)

- Flying. (Limit: Stamina)

- Body of Steel. (Limit: Stamina)

- Lightning. (Limit: His mana.)

- Clones. (Limit: Three times a day.)

- Steal an Ability (He can only use it once a day.)

He leaned his back against the sofa, feeling relaxed and comfy. This allowed his brain to work efficiently.

"Despite his abilities, he still went missing. Is he that bad at using his abilities?" He continued reading more information about Hanazaki. His fighting style, background, connections, his family, and even his favorite food. This document had complete information about Hanazaki, he couldn't help but be impressed.

"This isn't from our spies, isn't it?" He realized.

"An informant sold us this information," she responded.

"Slow, huh?" He closed his eyes briefly when he said these words. His intentions were unknown.

"Yeah. Slow also said another individual is also looking for Hanazaki. I believe whoever he is has Hanazaki right now, and he is our target," she said when she stroke her chin.

"Makes sense. Can't we pay enough money to Slow so he tells us who he sold this information to?" He pondered after he analyzed Slow's personality.

"He respects his client's privacy." She shook her head.

"Worth a shot. Speaking of which, is there a time limit for this mission?" He pointed at the document on his other hand.

"Two weeks." She closed her other fingers, revealing only two. "You can investigate it alone or with your teammates." She then put away her two finger gesture and told him that he could get help.

"No need." He moved his head to the left and right, paused briefly and continued, "This mission is different from what I've been doing."

"You don't have to worry. Our spies have confirmed that Corrosive Order is acting suspicious lately. Their project is almost complete, yet they never did the last step to do so..." She looked at him, letting him solve her words.

"Hanazaki is the last step." His words came out slowly in realization.

"Still, we can't be sure. Our spies also discovered a mysterious individual. This person never appeared. If he did, the members would have to wear blindfolds and have their powers sealed and their five senses limited to prevent any information being leaked," she explained slowly.

He let out a long and slow hum, "Should that be the case. Hanazaki isn't the last step, but at the same time, we can't ignore him entirely. I get it, head chief. I will investigate him tomorrow." He looked at his laptop and started typing, finishing today's mission report.

Two hours had passed. They worked silently.

"I sent you the report, head chief." He closed the laptop and put it inside a bag.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work."

"Head chief, do you know who Tamura Sakoto is?" He asked casually.

"He's a hardworking personnel with strong justice and moral code. He set a bunch of rules for himself. That's what I admire about him. It's unfortunate such a person died." She reminisced with a bit of sadness in her voice. "Why?"

"It appeared when I was just looking for people that have completed a mission related to Hanazaki and Corrosive Order. This Tamura Sakoto person had completed missions mostly related to Corrosive Order." He cooked up a lie in the spot about how he knew Tamura Sakoto.

Indeed, the name belonged to Overseer's friend. After Overseer told him the two options, he proceeded to give him the identity of his dead friend and necessary information.

It was fortunate the name connected with his mission.

"If you want to know his mission reports, go to the library and use this. For obvious reasons, his reports can only be accessed by high ranks only." She gave him a white card. "Don't lose it," she said solemnly.

"Okay, thank you. Head chief. I'm going to check his reports before going home." I carried the backpack with my left shoulder. I showed her a smile with a subtle bow and walked away.

"Yeah, take care." She increased her voice a bit when she raised her hand, waving it slowly.

The door slid to the side automatically and he left the room. The door closed.

As soon as he was gone, her eyes became sharp. Her fingers intertwined. She fell silent, thinking deeply. No one could figure out the inside of her brain, the thoughts flashing through her mind. Silence that only white noises of the vent and distant talk filling up the room.

"Truly, karma exists." She chuckled.

The door slid open with a hiss. Hasty footsteps coming closer to her. The door closed.

Once he entered her vision, he acted as calm as possible. "Ma'am, I have something to report."

"Speak." She demanded seriously.

"Yes, a report from the Research Department regarding the findings of your team has arrived."

"Continue." She subtly nodded.

"They're brand new ore on earth. According to the Research Department, their qualities are better than iron and steel. Tougher than steel, last longer than iron and it won't rust. Furthermore, it has a decent spiritual energy in it. If properly forged, it can be a terrifying weapon that can boost the organization's fighting prowess!" he said.

"Can you send the details to me?" She requested.

"Yes, I can." He agreed.

"Good, now go," she demanded with a cold tone.

"Ma'am, I have something to add," he said with a low tone, seeming afraid that she was going mad at him.

"What is it? Say it quickly." She inquired, slightly annoyed.

"They're revealed to the world," he responded briefly.

Silence ensued, he glanced at her. She had a thoughtful expression on her face. The corner of her lips curved up slightly and briefly. She seemed... amused?

"Will there be a meeting with the higher ups?" She asked as though already figured something out.

"Yes, your team is suspected to be the one that reveals the information," he said as calm as he could.

"What about the Research Department?" She brought up a potential culprit.

"They're fine." His breathing slowly get faster. He felt that she would lose control and enraged upon the news.

"What do you think?" She asked him for suggestions.

"Pardon?" He was taken aback, stunned with wide eyes.

"You've worked far longer than I am. I know for a fact someone used underhanded methods that cause you to get a promotion. Even though I am higher in position, I am no wiser. I want you to share your wisdom."

"Ma'am..." Her words touched her. He never knew someone would care about him and even know his circumstances.

He was curious how she knew, but he put the thought at the corner of his mind for now. He vaguely knew how.

"The head of Research Department is one of the council members of the organization."