death of hope

Chapter 983 "Psionic Storm" (58) New Sapporo Branch
Niigata Reika Laundry Shop, 135 Shizuoka Street, Shin-Sapporo City.
The four of them, travel-worn, walked through the street. The one in the lead pushed open the glass door, and the wind chimes on the curtain rang melodiously.

"Dingling bell~"

The receptionist put down her newspaper, smiled, bowed, and greeted the guest, speaking softly in the local dialect of Shin-Sapporo:
"いらっしゃいませ!" (Welcome!)
"ん...こんにちは..." (um...hello...)
The leader was a tall, thin man wearing a mask, with a wisp of lively blond hair peeking out from under his hat brim. Judging from his accented local dialect, he was clearly a newcomer to Shin-Sapporo, having learned a few phrases and was now putting them to use.

The man wore a worn-out, long, military-green wool coat; the brass buttons, which should have been shiny, were dull and tarnished with a green patina.

He greeted them and then turned around, his gaze shifting erratically between the glass door and window, as if he were wary of being followed.

The three companions following behind this man also looked furtive.

With their faces covered by hoods, they entered the store and began looking around suspiciously. One of them stared intently at the security camera in the corner and asked in Common Tongue:
"Number 135, Niigata Reika Laundry Shop, is this the right place?"

·
(Could it be... that the enemy has discovered us?!) The receptionist's smile gradually faded.

She squinted, becoming alert, her breathing quickening. Her left hand reached for the red alarm button hidden beneath the counter, while her right hand slipped into the pocket of her lace maid outfit, gripping the pistol's grip.

"Everyone...what are you doing?" (Everyone...what are you doing?)

The leader seemed not to understand and asked in return, "Agent Takiya, is that you?"

"what?"

"Miss Takiya Rimi, is that you?"

"What?! You've mistaken me for someone else..."

The receptionist shuddered, as if some terrible secret had been exposed. She gripped the gun tighter with her right hand and flicked the safety switch.

"Bang!"

Several doors leading to the inner rooms were kicked open almost simultaneously, and three blue-collar laundry workers rushed into the hall:
They were carrying assault rifles or shotguns, their shoes still covered in laundry detergent residue; they had clearly rushed out while working when they heard the alarm.
"What's wrong?"

"These guys... know my real name..."

With her companion's encouragement, the receptionist felt more confident. She drew her automatic pistol, pointing the dark muzzle at the tall man's head: "Don't move!"

·
"Damn it...we've been exposed?!" A laundry worker exclaimed, his eyes wide.

Another laundry worker clicked the slide and cocked the shotgun: "An FBI agent?!"

“Maybe he’s a corporate soldier…” The third laundry worker’s finger rested on the rifle trigger, ready to fire at any moment.

The leader raised his hands in surrender: "It's a misunderstanding, we're on the same side."

"Misunderstanding my ass! Take off your mask, you son of a bitch! And take the hood off too!" the laundry worker threatened, spitting everywhere.

"You four! If any of you dare to touch my pocket, I'll splatter your brains out with one bullet! You hear me?!"

"Don't get excited, buddy, watch out, things could go wrong." The tall leader slowly lowered his raised hands.

He removed his hood and mask, revealing a handsome and resolute face, and spoke in his native dialect with a charming rolled "r" sound:
“ЯкомиссарПавелПавловичКожин,командирмолодёжнойгвардии,организациянаправиламенясюдакомандоватьвыполнениемважнойзадачи.” (I am Paul Korchagin, commander of the Young Guard. The organization has ordered me to come here to lead a team on an important mission.)

·
"Huh?!" The laundry workers looked at each other in disbelief, then put down their weapons. "Oh my god...it's a real person?!"

“Тяжеловам, товарищиизНовогоСаппоро,” (Thank you for your hard work, Comrade of the New Sapporo Branch.) Paul said, giving everyone a standard military salute.

"You've worked hard too, Commander Comrade!"

The laundry workers stood at attention and returned the salute, their faces flushed with emotion, tears welling in their eyes: "We've been away from our base for so many years, and it's been so long since we've heard our hometown dialect..."

"Comrade-in-arms, although speaking our native dialect adds a touch of nostalgia, let's communicate in the common language normally to avoid revealing our identities, okay?"

"Yes! Sir!"

The laundry workers nodded vigorously, rushed forward to shake hands and hug, asking for autographs. They clearly adored this unpretentious superior and genuinely admired this 'big shot' from headquarters.

A true idealist warrior, forged from 24K pure gold and impervious to the test of fire, a hero who has accomplished countless great feats at a young age.

If the commune organizes a vote to elect a successor, this young man will surely be the first to win.

·
Compared to the laundry workers' enthusiasm, the receptionist was even more stunned, her initial look of deep hatred transforming into that of a star-struck fangirl:

"Mr. Korchagin... I've seen your picture in the organization's publication... I never imagined... you'd be even more beautiful in person than in the photo..."

“Dirtier and more slovenly, huh? Haha~” Paul scratched his head and smiled wryly.

"He's much more handsome than in the photos!"

The receptionist was short; she practically had to jump up to hug the tall and imposing Paul, looking just like a crazed sloth.

Suddenly, Paulton felt a chill run down his spine, as if pricked by needles. Tonya, consumed by jealousy, frowned and muttered:

"What? It's like you're visiting an endangered animal exhibit. Pavlusha (Paul's nickname) isn't a panda..."

Paul coughed twice, and to ease the awkwardness, he solemnly introduced his three capable subordinates who had been transferred from headquarters, praising his girlfriend in particular to calm her down:

"This exceptionally beautiful and charming woman is Ms. Tonya, a senior technical advisor at headquarters, and an absolute technical genius."
This bearded man, Sergei, the demolition expert,

This is Drizzt, an alien member of the Eldar race and an expert in psionic powers.

Nice to meet you all, please take care of me. It's your turn now!

·
"Hello, Comrade, welcome to the New Sapporo Branch~"

The four people from the laundromat stepped forward to shake hands and briefly introduce themselves:
"Combatant, Rimi Takiya, veteran, top marksman."
Propagandist, Nikolai, writer, contributor to the commune's underground publication.

Engineer, Dmitri, Senior Technician, Repair & Manufacturing & Maintenance Equipment

Data security officer, Hideichi Ando, ​​hacker, network attack and defense, drone operator.

We're closing up shop now. Let's go to a restaurant and treat everyone to a welcome-back dinner, we'll take care of everything!
After we've eaten and drunk our fill, let's go sing karaoke. Once we're really into it, we'll soak in the hot springs at Shin-Sapporo's most famous pool to relax. Afterwards, I'll take you to our safe accommodations to rest."

Paul did not refuse everyone's kindness, thanking them repeatedly and awaiting arrangements.

Everyone got busy. Nicolai pulled down the roller shutter, Takiya turned off the laundromat's signboard, and Ando went out to prepare the car.

"Do you have vodka?" Sergei asked, vodka, the question that concerned him most.

"Must drop~"

Dimitri pulled two finely packaged bottles of aged wine from the cabinet.
"Wow, this stuff isn't cheap, it's awesome! We two old buddies have to have a few drinks! Let's play a drinking game!"

The two bearded, heavy-drinking men hit it off immediately and quickly became acquainted.