Kryptonians: Man of Steel

Chapter 1528 Hidden
Mr. Hikigaya took a deep breath and answered in his voice, which was as steady as possible but still trembling: "Hikigaya Taizo, head of household. This is my wife Kayo, my daughter Komachi, and my son Hachiman."

He paused, his voice hoarse, "We...we were attacked. Monsters...it's monsters! They...they disguised themselves as neighbors and knocked on the door...and suddenly...it all changed..."

He described the horrific scene, his voice broken with fear, his body trembling uncontrollably—and this was not entirely an act.

"And then?" the squad leader pressed, his gaze fixed on Taizo's face like a nail, while simultaneously sweeping over Hachiman and the obvious lacerations on his body caused by close combat.

"Then...then they pounced in...we...we were terrified, desperately trying to hide...in the chaos...they seemed...they seemed to be fighting among themselves? Or...or something attacked them? It was so chaotic...the lights were broken...we couldn't see anything..."

Tai's lies, underpinned by genuine fear, appear exceptionally believable.

He deliberately emphasized the chaos and darkness, avoiding any description that might point to Hachiman's active actions. His fingers dug desperately into the seam of his trousers, his nails digging into his flesh once more.

Kayo then spoke, her voice trembling with tears, her fear and despair utterly real: "It's so terrible... They're going to eat us... My child... My Hachiman was scratched while protecting us... He bled so much..."

She sobbed uncontrollably, burying Komachi's face in her arms, seemingly not wanting the child to see this hellish scene again, and cleverly diverting some of her attention by mentioning Hachiman's injuries.

The squad leader remained silent, his gaze shifting between Taizo's feigned composure, Kayo's collapsing tears, Komachi's fearful trembling in her mother's arms, and Hachiman's pale face and obviously severely injured body due to excessive blood loss.

The on-site investigation lasted about half an hour.

The team members meticulously documented every corner, took numerous photos, and collected samples of stains on the ground, bloodstains on the walls, and even air samples using specially made containers.

They repeatedly pressed for details, but Taizo and Kayo insisted on the explanation of "extreme chaos, darkness, monster infighting, or the intervention of an unknown third party."

Hachiman is deliberately portrayed as a victim caught in the chaos, injured while protecting his family.

He remained silent throughout, only occasionally letting out suppressed gasps due to the excruciating pain from his wounds; this weak and powerless demeanor was consistent with the victim's character.

Finally, the squad leader closed the record board.

Looking at the family, still shaken and disheveled, especially the seriously injured Hachiman, he said in a formulaic manner, "The preliminary assessment of the scene indicates an attack by a Level 3 or higher 'abnormal life form.' The residual contamination level is high, but the source has been degraded. The victims need to undergo isolation observation and purification treatment."

He gestured to Yawata, "The injured need to be immediately taken to the designated medical center to treat their wounds, undergo contamination testing, and be observed. Others also need to undergo basic quarantine and psychological evaluation. We will arrange transportation."

As the special convoy, its blue warning lights flashing, carried Hachiman to the designated medical center that resembled a massive metal fortress, and Taizo and Kayo followed closely behind with Komachi in another vehicle, the car was deathly silent.

Taizo leaned against the cold car wall, closed his eyes, and his forehead was covered in cold sweat. Concealing it was a huge gamble. They had succeeded in the first step, avoiding immediate detection of Hachiman's abnormality. But this was only the beginning. He recalled the rumors about "Special Forces" and "Academy City," and his heart sank deeper into an ice cave. What did joining the official ranks and becoming a registered "Ability User" or "Exorcist" mean? It meant becoming a expendable fodder in the fight against those inhuman horrors.

It means that every time the alarm sounds, we must rush to the front and use our flesh and blood to resist those incomprehensible terrors.

It means putting your name on a list of people with high mortality rates.

Taizo had seen the horrific scenes of official ability users battling on television—severed limbs, mangled remains, and utter obliteration… He couldn't imagine Hachiman facing that kind of hell. This was already the best-case scenario.

Even more terrifying is another possibility—becoming the private soldiers of the powerful and wealthy.

The image of the enormous academy city standing in the reclaimed area of ​​Tokyo Bay, shrouded in layers of energy shields, resembling an independent kingdom, clearly appeared in his mind—"Tokyo Metropolitan Totsuki Spirit Exorcism Academy".

Its very existence is a product of the collusion between conglomerates and political forces. Who lives in the luxurious apartments and heavily guarded villas that have sprung up around it?
It is the wealthy families, political figures, and their relatives who are most sensitive to change and act the fastest during the "Great Catastrophe".

Under the guise of "supporting education" and "ensuring a safe research environment," they firmly bind their safety to this academy, which boasts the strongest defenses and the largest number of new-generation ability users. Within Academy City, there is even a dedicated "VIP protection zone."

Students with great potential and their families are often "invited" to move in, ostensibly to be provided with the best living conditions and learning environment, but what is the reality?
Tai Zao's heart felt like it was being gripped tightly by a cold hand.

He had heard rumors that some young ability users who showed special value in the "awakening assessment" (not necessarily the strongest in combat, but possibly rare healing, protection, or detection abilities) would have their files highlighted.

Their families will receive an irresistible "relocation invitation" to move into the heart of College City.

They themselves might be included in some undisclosed "special protection teams" or "exclusive research projects." Ostensibly for protection and training, but what is the real purpose?
Once you enter that circle and become the "exclusive bodyguard" of a big shot or their children, your fate is no longer in your own hands.

Their power will become both a shield and a weapon for the privileged to perpetuate their rights. The core objective of each of their missions will no longer be protecting the common people, but ensuring the absolute safety of the "VIPs," even if it requires sacrificing other areas, more civilians, or even themselves.

Should Hachiman be sent to protect those who have benefited from this desperate era? Should he use his newly acquired, costly power to serve those who continue to enjoy a life of luxury while hiding in their safe havens?
Even, when necessary, to fight even more terrifying monsters to satisfy the capricious demands of a wealthy young master or lady?

"No! Absolutely not!"

This thought exploded simultaneously in Taizo and Kayo's minds, incredibly clear and unwavering. It suffocated and enraged them even more than facing the monster head-on.

(End of this chapter)