"Full..."
After devouring the shop's entire inventory—Natsuki leaned back in chair. Covered his stomach. Long exhale. Satisfied smile on his face.
With this experience—next time training Kafka—absolutely bring food. Can't wait until training ends to eat.
"What exactly is your purpose?"
Hoshina—standing in the yakiniku restaurant a while—narrowed eyes at Natsuki. Completely couldn't read this man. Were this guy's nerves too thick?
Human? Kaiju? Or something else?
"Right—put the meal on your tab. After all, you disrupted their normal business." Natsuki looked at him. First sentence—still worried about the shop owner's losses.
Hoshina: "..."
Other Defense Force members: "..."
Is that the point right now?
"You don't need to worry about that. Whether battle building damage or economic losses—our Defense Force compensates normally." Hoshina said.
This world—kaiju appeared hundreds of years ago. Developed until now—
Governments worldwide had complete systems for kaiju disaster compensation.
"Now... can you tell me? Your identity. Your purpose." He continued asking.
Facing someone stronger than himself—showing no hostility—could only negotiate honestly now.
"Of course." Natsuki smiled. Then signaled him to sit opposite.
Hoshina hesitated one second. But still chose to sit.
This mysterious man—why exactly appear in Yokohama?
"I'm from Nebula M78—a Space Garrison member. Came to Earth to arrest someone." Natsuki crossed his arms. Told him. "You can call me Natsuki."
Hearing this—Hoshina's brow immediately furrowed.
"You're not joking with me, right?"
Alien police—coming to Earth to arrest someone?
Sounded too absurd.
"That's the truth. Believe it or not." Natsuki shrugged.
"Besides—you wanted to take me back for investigation. Now I can cooperate."
"Just so happens—I also want to talk with your superiors."
The purple mushroom head before him—just a vice-captain. He needed to find someone truly holding power who could make decisions. Discuss cooperation between both sides.
Best scenario—Defense Force could help him catch all Travelers in this world. And he'd help Defense Force eliminate kaiju.
"You..." Hoshina looked at Natsuki. Fell into hesitation.
He was thinking—rashly bringing this guy back to base—would something happen?
But... letting an existence with powerful strength freely roam outside—seemed more dangerous.
"I have one more question." He asked his doubt. "Are you... Kaiju No. 8?"
"Kaiju No. 8?"
"This one." Hoshina took a phone from a member. Showed Natsuki the wanted notice for Kaiju No. 8.
"Actually called Kaiju No. 8?"
"Your Defense Force really casual with names." Natsuki looked at the wanted notice. Retorted.
Actually unwilling to think of a name. Directly used a code number.
"So this is your true form?" Hoshina asked.
He didn't know what a so-called Space Garrison member should look like. This image—most likely.
"No." Natsuki shook his head.
"If you're looking for this Kaiju No. 8—you've got the wrong person."
"Not?"
Hoshina—even more confused. The biggest suspect—saying he's not Kaiju No. 8?
What exactly did I arrest?
Claims to be alien police. Has speed he can't react to. Appearance identical to humans. But everything about him screams mysterious.
Really a headache... feels like things will develop in unpredictable directions.
Hoshina's face showed a trace of worry.
This guy in floral shirt—not the honest, law-abiding type either.
"Whatever... since you're willing to cooperate—come with us first." He scratched his head.
Meanwhile—
Yokohama South General Hospital underground parking garage.
"Very strange."
"Kafka Hibino and Reno Ichikawa left the hospital in the morning. Returned in the afternoon. And looked very tired." Inside the black sedan—the blonde man in back seat looked at his phone while speaking.
"Also—this man wanted alongside Kaiju No. 8... shouldn't exist."
Hearing him speak—
The brown-haired man with sunglasses in driver's seat frowned.
"The first one exposed?"
They believed that man in floral shirt—also a Traveler.
"Before all sides officially began acting—exposed himself to public view. Seems like a rookie." He said.
Higher-tier Travelers—fewer in number. But all elites.
Though those in this world—all Travelers with insufficient Space-Time Source Energy acquisition, about to be eliminated—they were all veterans.
This resurrection match—all determined to win.
Someone self-destructing immediately—would inevitably be targeted by all sides. After all—reducing one opponent meant greater winning chances.
"The kaiju camp definitely has many enemies. And the Defense Force suddenly changing exam timing—means inside the Defense Force... or rather, inside the government—also enemies."
"Excluding us two unlucky bastards starting as ordinary people... the easiest to deal with should be this guy who exposed his identity early."
"Might get gang-attacked next."
The brown-haired man with sunglasses analyzed the current situation.
"Should we get involved too?" The blonde man in back asked.
"How could we?"
"With our starting position—getting dragged into battle—we'd instantly kneel." The brown-haired man had clear understanding of their situation.
"Same as before. Gather intel. Then find a way to pass the Defense Force exam. Try to build good relations with Kafka Hibino. Our only way to survive—rely on Kaiju No. 8's power."
This world—no longer primarily about harvesting Space-Time Source Energy. But a complete battle royale.
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