Chino's Only Friend

"I never thought my first time on a plane would be a military helicopter…" Reinhard muttered to himself, a nervous laugh escaping his lips.

"And an overseas trip, no less." He peered out the small, reinforced window, but the view was obscured by thick clouds. He felt a knot of unease tighten in his stomach. This wasn't exactly the luxurious vacation he'd always dreamed of.

The inside of the helicopter was cramped and stuffy. Every inch of space was occupied. Aside from the two pilots, this helicopter was carrying forty-five people.

And there were nearly seventy more helicopters and transport planes, even larger than this one.

This time, the Kitsune had deployed a total of 3500 soldiers.

This included the regular mobile troops, the Guinea Pig soldiers, and the Right Hand soldiers.

The Right Hand soldiers were at the rear of the helicopter formation, because Zero was in the last helicopter.

The Right Hand was the main force of this operation, taking orders only from Zero.

In Reinhard's team, all the soldiers were fully armed, except for their leader, Naira Sorkin, who wasn't wearing a helmet.

Their combat uniforms were different from the regular mobile troops'.

Reinhard didn't know the specifics. He only saw that they had a hand symbol on their chests and were each clutching a red, five-pointed star.

Reinhard felt a surge of unease as he looked at the fully armed soldiers.

It wasn't because of anything else. It was because the Trident was on this helicopter!

This was a death sentence!

"Hopefully, nothing unexpected happens…"

Boom!

A loud explosion suddenly came from outside. The sonic boom was earsplitting!

"Speak of the devil," Reinhard muttered, his heart pounding in his chest. He gripped the book in his pocket, a small, cold comfort.

Reinhard covered his face. He'd jinxed it.

Naira Sorkin didn't react to the sound. The Right Hand soldiers in the helicopter also remained motionless, their faces impassive. They were trained to remain calm in the face of danger, their discipline unwavering.

At this moment, a hurried voice came from the radio.

"Unknown creature detected. Repeat, unknown creature detected!" The voice was strained, laced with urgency.

"The creatures are humanoid with wings and a long tail. No facial features, sharp horns on their heads. They look like Fish-Men!" The description was detailed, painting a picture of grotesque, winged creatures.

"Number of hostiles, approximately one hundred." The voice grew tighter. The sheer number of creatures was a cause for concern.

"Three hawks engaging the enemy have sustained wing damage and are making emergency landings!" The situation was escalating quickly. The initial encounter had already resulted in casualties.

"Can you harm them?" A new voice, calm and authoritative, cut through the panicked reports. It was Zero.

"Affirmative!"

"Ground units, prepare to engage. Deploy defensive measures." Zero's orders were precise and decisive, taking control of the chaotic situation.

"Yes, sir!"

The helicopters hovered in place. Cargo doors and windows opened. Guns emerged and started firing at the monsters outside!

These monsters weren't strong. They were low-level summoned creatures called Nightgaunts, likely summoned by Fish-Man Priests.

They hadn't even left the country yet, and these monsters couldn't wait to attack. They swarmed the helicopters, their leathery wings flapping furiously, their sharp claws tearing at the metal.

But these monsters weren't powerful, and their intelligence wasn't high either. They could be easily killed. They were probably just deployed to harass the troops.

But if these monsters kept harassing them, this trip to Africa would take at least two months.

Their original estimated time was half a month, with several planned landing points to refuel.

These designated landing points took into account unexpected situations, fuel consumption, and other factors.

This was calculated by 020, the Computer.

But there was one thing 020 couldn't calculate.

The exact number of Fish-Men in the world and how many monsters they could summon. This was an unknown.

So, to ensure the situation didn't deviate from 020's predictions, all soldiers, except for the Right Hand, were expendable.

Note: all of them.

Besides the Guinea Pig soldiers, who were created for sacrifice, this also included the regular mobile troops. They were bait.

And they had already written their wills before embarking on this journey.

Once the situation became uncontrollable, the bait would scatter in all directions, using suicidal actions to distract the monsters, helping the Right Hand break through to Atlantis.

…

Several days later.

Africa, at a certain coastal area.

The Fish-Men army arrived faster than the Kitsune.

Before the Kitsune even entered Africa, they had already landed, unleashing a great flood to destroy the coastal areas!

Under the apocalyptic flood, a pilgrim knelt on the ground, looking at the towering waves. "Judgment Day, is it coming? Oh, God…"

Boom!

The flood fell from the sky. The enormous water pressure destroyed buildings. The earth cracked. The sky fell.

...

In a ruined area.

Chino walked on the flooded streets, his steps slow. As he walked, more and more Fish-Men emerged from the mud.

"The world has always told us that strength reigns supreme. Is that right, or wrong? No one knows. Perhaps there's never been a right or wrong. Maybe, it's always been this way."

"We are all on a path of enslaving others, or being enslaved. On this path, there are no humans, only beasts."

"Peace, kinship, these are all just excuses. We're all the same."

"Don't you think so?"

Chino suddenly looked at a spot on the ground. There was a middle-aged man there.

He had no special features. Whether viewed horizontally or vertically, he was just an extremely ordinary person.

The Fish-Men couldn't sense anything unusual about him. Humans couldn't either.

But Chino recognized him.

He was 003.

Han Verte looked up at Chino. "I have to look up to see you now," he said, his voice quiet but steady.

Chino stopped moving. "But you didn't have to see me, just as I didn't have to see you, like in the past."

Han Verte leaned against a wall. "Raven gave you the Rabbit?"

"Yes."

"Then, take these three as well," he said, and suddenly threw three stones toward Chino.

Three tentacles shot out from Chino's body, wrapping around the stones and pulling them into his body.

"The Rat that turns stillness into motion, the Tiger of Yin and Yang harmony, the Serpent hidden without a shadow… are you on my side, old friend?" Chino rumbled, a hint of something akin to warmth flickering in his massive, golden eyes.

Han Verte replied, his voice quiet as always, "No. I'm giving you these three because they're useless to me. And, for old time's sake." "You're going to destroy the world with a flood. I won't judge. Just, try not to destroy yourself," he added, his voice laced with a touch of genuine concern.

Han Verte extended his fist. Chino also extended his fist.

But their vastly different fists didn't touch, just a gesture.

"Good luck, 002."

"Where are you going?" Chino asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"Away from the battlefield. Just wander around." Han Verte's voice was calm, almost serene.

"Don't you want anything?" Chino pressed, a flicker of something unreadable in his golden eyes.

Han Verte turned his back and waved his hand. "The best decision I've ever made was to let go of all my obsessions and desires."

"Without those, I don't need anything. Maintaining the status quo is enough."

Watching him leave, Chino chuckled inwardly.

He's saying he can't be carefree like me, but isn't this very unattached?

Although the three amulets Han Verte gave him weren't useful, it was a gesture of friendship.

Indeed, the only one Chino considered a friend was Han Verte.