One-way traffic

"Alright, it's about time we got down to business."

The other three stood behind him, and Accelerator, as the leader, came to him.

"—What exactly is a 'Dragon'?"

This is a question that all four of them want to know, and it's also a question that has been troubling them for a long time.

As one of Academy City's most closely guarded secrets, knowing this information allows them to use it as a trump card to protect those around them.

"Don't tell me you don't know this nonsense either."

"...Hmph, if I could, I really wish I hadn't known."

Chao'an had no chance left and gave up all resistance.

"Unfortunately, I do know what a 'dragon' is, and I have indeed seen one."

The group exchanged glances and decided that Accelerator would be the one to ask the final question.

"So."

He looked towards the tidal flat and asked his final question.

Where exactly is the "Dragon"?

"...What are you saying?"

Chao An laughed.

"Isn't it right behind you?"

"—?!"

In that instant, Accelerator heard the sound of someone falling to the ground.

Tsuchimikado Motoharu, Aizari, and Kihara Tsuyuki.

All three of them collapsed to the ground.

Including Chaoan himself, who had just asked a question in front of him.

Immediately following, a mysterious and terrifying pressure descended upon his entire body.

"'Dragon' is a pretty good name."

A shadow descended upon Accelerator.

It looked humanoid, its whole body radiating a golden glow, and then—the voice sounded like the distorted sound of an old radio, making it impossible to tell whether it was male or female; all that could be seen was a golden head covered in long golden hair.

It can produce sound without flapping its throat or vibrating its tongue.

"The term 'angel' doesn't matter. To me, all I need is a proper title. However, if I really have to describe my existence and my essence in your human language, I think it's best to use a single word."

It said softly.

"—You can call me Aiwass."

————————————————————————————————————————————————————

It was almost midnight.

Ignoring the fireworks celebration in the sky above Academy City, Kakine Teitoku walked alone down this street.

His secret organization, "School," had essentially disintegrated; the two-person organization was practically dissolved.

Members of other secret organizations were also reassigned after the organization disbanded, and he was no exception.

"Welcome, sir!"

Upon entering the upscale coffee shop, one finds many young ladies and gentlemen, refined and cultivated, enjoying their coffee.

Ignoring all of this, Kakine Teitoku slowly walked to the bar and looked at the cute young waitress.

What would you like to order?

Normally, he would probably consider getting a cocktail.

But today is different.

"I'd like a strong espresso."

Simply put, it's just concentrated black coffee.

Upon hearing this, the waitress smiled and prepared a cup of coffee for him. Soon, the steaming hot coffee was poured into the cup. He took the cup and casually found a quiet corner by the window to sit down.

Kakine Teitoku casually took a sip of the bitter liquid.

The bitter taste, so intense it caused him pain, seeped into his throat, yet Kakine Teitoku's expression remained completely unchanged.

When exactly did I start to get used to drinking this kind of bitter coffee?

It was probably after that major battle between the secret agents.

Ever since being defeated by Academy City's strongest esper in that battle, Kakine Teitoku felt as if he had lost something, and even his lifestyle had undergone a huge change.

However, even so, he himself still did not know what changes had occurred in himself.

I don't know what to do every day. I just wander around aimlessly in the morning and evening. When I'm hungry, I just buy something to eat. When I'm thirsty, I just drink strong coffee all day long.

So, where exactly did things change?

“…bastard.”

Whether he was cursing the person in first place or cursing himself, Kakine Teitoku muttered unconsciously.

He gulped down the brown liquid, ignoring the unimaginable bitterness that went down his throat, and then—

The phone in his pocket rang.

"..."

Upon seeing the contact on the phone, Kakine Teitoku raised an eyebrow slightly. It was someone he knew, so he immediately answered the call.

"what?"

"It's so hard to find you."

The other person was a member of the same "School" as herself, and was the woman in the gorgeous dress.

"Did you call me on purpose just to make fun of me?"

"I don't have such a boring interest. I'm contacting you simply because I have something to say."

Kakine Teitoku frowned, at this very moment.

—A series of shocks seemed to emanate from the ground.

"what?"

"It's a task assigned from above, and the task itself is actually quite simple."

Then, the woman in the dress continued.

"—Go and kill Hamazura Shige, that's the mission assigned from above."

Chapter 226 If you act out of desire, then this is not your way.

Bang——! !

This is a place located in an underground street.

What should have been an area for people to shop and have fun has now become like a disaster zone.

"Gurgle... Ah..."

Hamazura Shige fell to the ground, his gaze immediately turning forward.

Takitsubo Riko, who was with him, was suddenly pulled up by someone and choked.

"Stop...stop it now!!"

He shouted loudly, but the man in front of him only became more aggressive.

"That's it. That's it."

He seemed to lick his lips, then burst into manic laughter.

"So you're this heartbroken just because this woman is injured, Hamazura~"

Mugino Shizuri is the fourth-ranked Level 5 esper in Academy City.

Although she was severely injured last time, and her entire body is now covered in bandages, but—

At this moment, Mugino Shizuri was holding Takitsubo Riko in his hand and torturing her wantonly.

"Listen up, Hamazura."

"I will take away everything important from you, one by one, leaving nothing behind. That's what I'll do, that's my revenge!"

"You... madman...!"

Hamazura Shige never expected that Mugino Shizuri would actually come back to fight.

What's even more terrifying is that he can't defeat her a second time.

Last time, I was able to win because of the venue and the help of someone like Hatsune Miku... But this time? I'm all alone, and I can't do anything at all.

Mugino Shizuri sneered, and her body shone with a light-like green.

"stop…"

That moment.

—An unconventional white, bombarding us directly.

Boom—!!! Under Mugino Shizuri's perception, the white light burst suddenly blocked her atomic collapse, and then she looked to her right.

"…ah?"

Not only Mugino Shizuri, but even Hamazura Shiage looked into the distance with a puzzled expression.

who is it?

“It’s really ugly.”

It was a man's voice.

Walking through the dark tunnel was a brown-haired man with his hands in his pockets.

"Just because of a grudge, the fourth person actually managed to transform into this kind of monster?"

The newcomer chuckled, causing astonishment among everyone present.

"Emperor Kakine..."

"You bastard, you're that second guy?!"

"Didn't I already say that?"

Kakine Teitoku chuckled and waved his hand.

“I have the name Kakine Teitoku.”

no respond.

Facing him directly, Mugino Shizuri focused his power on a single point, and the power of atomic collapse easily erupted towards him.

boom--! ! !

The two Level 5 superpowered individuals clashed.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Hamazura Shige quickly grabbed Takitsubo Risa, who had been thrown aside by Mugino Shizuri, and the two of them dodged to the side.

"How interesting. Did you come here to laugh at me?"

"My superiors told me to come and take out Hamazura Shiage, so I came here following the intelligence."

"Ha, if that's the case, then what are you doing now?"

Mugino Shizuri unleashed a devastating burst of atomic collapse.

However, Kakine Teitoku had no intention of hiding at all.

"That's right, that was the order I was supposed to carry out, but I changed my mind."

"To me, this kid has guts. He can defeat a Level 5 superpowered person like you as a Level 0, and he can also fight desperately for the woman he loves... He's a tough guy with guts."

"So what? You're really going to do something so disgusting for a guy like that?"