A week had passed since my victory against Kageura Squad. There were talks of me being promoted higher to A-Rank but I just dispelled their thoughts about it. I knew that it wasn't easy to be promoted that quickly unless one sponsors Border through financial means.
Of course, I have that ability but I won't use it. Money can solve many problems but not all. Strength is the foundation of the multiverse. Whether they be modern or fantasy, one's immense power can easily top any schemes.
I calmed myself down and watched the girls complete their first team battle. That's right, Wednesday, Enid, and Nitocris had earned the necessary points to advance to be promoted to B-Rank. Along with them were Yuuma and Chika, who joined Mikumo's Squad as part of Tamakoma Branch.
I sighed and thought, "It's only been a short time and already they reached this level. I'd expect nothing less from the girls. The more worlds we go through, the stronger they get. With all the armaments and life-saving items on them, I can be a little worry-free."
I looked back at the match happening at this moment. It seems like the girls had some improvements on how to use Triggers. Wednesday learned to use the Mantis from watching my match with Kageura while Enid used Scorpion as an extension for claws.
Nitocris has added Chameleon and Escudo for defense. In addition to that, she discarded the Ibis and exchanged it for Meteor and Viper. All in all, the girls' team are a force to be reckoned with.
The match ended with the girls winning. Though they had some injuries from cooperation issues but overall it was vast improvement.
Enid jumped out of the room and yawned, "Yahhh~ That was so fun! That guy was so scared when I kept scratching him with my claws."
Nitocris agreed, "Haha~ The look on his face was hilarious."
Wednesday rolled her eyes, "I think you spooked him more. Popping out of nowhere."
I happened to be walking towards the girls with their drinks on hand.
I chuckled, "Indeed. I think you may have made that guy pissed his pants. Using Chameleon with Bagworm was a very good plan. Very horror-like movie scare~"
The girls grabbed their drinks before leaving some kisses on my face, prompting the surrounding single agents to curse my luck. I just bask in their helplessness since my girls are popular and attractive. I'm proud to be their man after all. Of course readers~ If you want me, you can imagine I'm yours~
Lately from the reports of the Shadow Army, there have been many more sightings of some Neighbor Rads in the surrounding area. Though Border had managed to clean up a majority of them, there are still some that evaded their search and could prove an invasion.
Honestly, I hope there are some strong ones to fight when it does happen. It has been a bit boring lately since it's just punch-in and punch-out when it comes to Border HQ work.
I was out on patrol and sighed, "Perhaps it's time to leave soon. We've already gathered up the necessary technology to apply to the Shadow World."
The Shadow World has already gained traction for self-autonomy. Thanks to the technology gained from Ready Player One, it has slowly moved towards a futuristic world while the other side is more natural and magical. The only thing missing are people willing to settle down. Maybe some apocalyptic world or some displaced people can move in. Of course, after I screen them.
I came by the usual pastry bakery and got some fresh baked bread. I've been craving fresh bread off the oven lately, especially with honey butter drizzled on top.
I sat down by the park and ate my bread with glee. I watched as the civilians were hopelessly ignorant of the danger here in Mikado City. Everyone knows that Neighbor attacks are very frequent here, yet they still like to live here. To dance with Death so close, ignorance really is bliss.
While I was relaxing, someone sat next to me and said, "Nice day we're having."
I rolled my eyes, "Jin, you're still slacking off."
Jin smirked, "I'm just taking a break. You know being a power elite is exhausting."
I continued to bite my bread, "Yeah, right. So what's up?"
Jin tried snatching a bun from my bag but he missed and gave up, "I've had an uneasy feeling lately. I notified HQ to be alert, just in case."
I finished the bread and glanced at Jin, "How bad is it gonna be?"
Jin sighed, "My Side-Effect tells me it could go very bad or not so bad. The worst scenario is, we lose a good chunk of people. Not so bad scenario is the city is moderately destroyed with minimal casualties."
After knowing Jin for a while, I could deduce his Side-Effect was something close to seeing the future. Well multiple futures, depending on our actions.
I just patted his shoulder, "Well let's hope for the not-so-bad scenario, "Mr. Power Elite."
Just as I finished speaking, a loud siren sounded across the city. I looked at Jin with dull eyes.
Noticing the eyes, he awkwardly scratched the back of his head, "Ahaha– I forgot to mention it's happening today."
The loud speaker announced, "All civilians, please move away from the Forbidden Zone. I repeat, please move away from the Forbidden Zone."
Border HQ issued an emergency broadcast, "Squads on duty are to follow the operator's instructions and move out! Exterminate the trion soldiers. All off-duty agents, prepare for combat. Counter attack with full force!"
Jin ran off in the distance, leaving me behind. I moved towards another Gate in the area. All agents mobilized to combat the invasion. Snipers were posted on top of HQ along with Nitocris and Chika as Ibis users. Thanks to their high trion, they were used as cannons for the incoming Trion soldiers.
Wednesday and Enid were assigned together with Nasu Squad to destroy any Trion soldiers coming through the gates near the middle area of the Forbidden Zone.
I sighed as I sliced through a Bamster and ran straight to another one. The amount of Trion soldiers is endless and it's getting annoying. The Shadow Army could be used here but that would give away my identity if I'm fighting with them.
While I was focusing on exterminating the enemy, various black portals had opened and dropped humanoid Neighbors in various battlefields. These people were the ones in charge of the invasion and focused on kidnapping Border agents or any people with high-level Trion.
???: "Well, well...Meeden's progress is impressive."
???: "Shall we strike, Councilor Viza?"
Viza's calm composure exudes confidence despite his old age. With young Hyuse by his side and Mira providing communications, the task of locating and capturing any "golden eggs" they come across may be much easier. Still kidnapping still ways heavily in his heart.
Mira over the comms informed, "Councilor Viza. The others have been transported all over the battlefield. Captain Hyrein and Enedora will try to get close to the enemy base. Lamvanein will try to keep Meeden's forces occupied so that you and Hyuse can search properly."
Hyuse over the comms replied, "Affirmative. Orders received."
Viza just kept his eyes closed as he and Hyuse walked towards the battlefield. Reports of a new type of Trion soldier were seen exiting the stomachs of destroyed Bamsters. It stands on two feet like a human with two antennas like rabbit ears hence the new name for this trion soldier. Azuma also reported that the purpose of the Rabbit seems to incapacitate and capture Border agents.
Wednesday and Enid were clearing dozens of trion soldiers with Nasu Squad providing ranged support before a loud explosion stopped their advance. A large humanoid Neighbor stood not far away with a large cannon-like trigger encased on his left hand. He had to use his right arm to fully support the weight of the trigger.
Ranbanein laughed, "Hahaha! I found some strong Meeden warriors."
He deployed several Rabbits to separate the girls and Nasu Squad. Despite Ranbanein's outspoken nature, he's a tactical fighter who always keeps his blind spots protected. He knew that Meeden had changed from a new force to a seasoned force but not too much.
Enid said, "Ooo!! Oo! Ooo! I want his Trigger. It looks so cool~!"
Wednesday reminded her, "Focus, Enid. Take him down first and then take the Trigger."
Ranbanein laughed harder hearing the two girls chattering, "Haha you're hilarious. I'll end you two first."
His Trigger started to light before a barrage of light headed towards Wednesday and Enid. The girls both quickly evaded the shots and started their counterattack. Wednesday rushed towards Ranbanein with her Scorpion intending to cut him from the waist up while bouncing around on Grasshopper.
Enid was right behind Wednesday with her own claw variant of the Scorpion to follow up their attacks. Realizing the girls were much more skilled than he thought, Ranbanein activated his jet-pack to evade the girls' attacks. Their battle was devastating the surrounding buildings as trion bullets and artillery was constantly being used. Nasu Squad wanted to provide support but they were preoccupied by the Ranbanein-type Rabbits besieging them.
Mira over the comms relayed, "Ranbanein, we located a "Golden Egg" at the enemy headquarters. Captain Hyrein and Enedora are en route."
Ranbanein yelled, "I'm a little busy at the moment!! My targets are also two "Golden Eggs" so I'll be there after."
Mira understood before she disconnected the comms. The girls' battles had continued on as the amount of casualties between the Border agents started to rise. Thanks to Nitocris and Chika's bombarding, the enemies close to the headquarters are blown to pieces.
Unknown to everyone in the battlefield, the Shadow Army had taken some broken Trion soldiers to be studied and replicated later. Once a synthesizer is possible, I can use them to make some items from other worlds for use later.
Of course alchemy can also fix that problem. Some key targets were also marked and occupied the targets' shadows. The generals in the Shadow Army were watching the invasion and on standby until they received my order to attack.
The leaders of Border HQ had also joined in the fight. Leading the vanguard were the two resurrected Shadows, Yuugo and Soichi.
Yuugo slashed a trion soldier while Soichi joked, "It seems like old times huh?"
Yuugo smirked and let out a chuckle and agreed, "Yeah but this time, let's try not to get killed. Besides, we need to keep this invasion under control. The King had informed everyone they would be leaving after."
Soichi grew a serious face and replied, "I do appreciate the King's blessings to still keep watch over Jin and everyone. Let's not keep the others waiting."
Both Yuugo and Soichi gave it their all in destroying Trion soldiers that were swarming towards them. It has been half an hour since the invasion had started and the amount of Trion soldiers had started to dwindle. Thanks to the combined efforts of everyone in Border, they managed to keep the attacks close to the headquarters and not leave Mikado City.
Jin saw the unpredictable futures start to condense towards the better outcome but there were still uncertainties such as performances from the likes of me and the girls along with his and Border HQ.
Unknown even to Jin, he neglected or even forgot about me as an anomaly. The Shadow Army is enough of a threat to these invaders but adding Enid's and Nitocris' Anubites would be overkill. Not to mention, Wednesday's growing psychic abilities for her own use. Even so, this battle should come to an end soon.
The invading Neighbors had met their own opponents such as Ranbanein battling Wednesday and Enid, Captain Hyrein and Enedora with Commander Shinoda and Nitocris and lastly Viza and Hyuse with me and Yuuma.
Viza was walking along with Hyuse when he saw me waiting for them.
Viza joked, "Oh ho, there's a young man here. Are you here to stop us?"
I looked at Viza nonchalantly and answered, "Why else would I be here?"
Hyuse was more serious and activated his Trigger as countless metal pieces were being manipulated by a magnetic field.
Hyuse commented, "Councilor Viza, please be more serious."
Viza laughed lightly, "Haha I really should. I feel a warrior's spirit in this one. I want to stretch my old bones a bit."
Viza slowly unfolded his cane as three geocentric lines circled the top before several fast moving trion blades ravaged the whole street.
I jumped out of the way as the trion blades were circling around Viza and Hyuse like an orbit.
I looked at the unusual trigger with intrigue and said, "Interesting."
While I was watching, Yuuma finally arrived next to me wearing his own Black Trigger suit.
Yuuma asked, "Y/N!! Are you alright?"
I looked at Yuuma and replied, "I'm all good. I'd ask where you get what you're wearing but we got more pressing matters to deal with. Mind taking care of this old man's friend? I'll deal with the old man."
Yuuma smirked and nodded, "Hmm. I'll take him away first then."
Yuuma pointed at Hyuse and yelled, "Bound Sexta!"
Hyuse saw the speeding Yuuma with little to no time to evade as he could only control his trigger to make a shield to block the attack. The impending attack pushed Hyuse and Yuuma to another location far away. Viza didn't bother as he wanted to battle me.
Now that we have our own opponents, I drew my blade towards Viza and said, "Now that they're gone, shall we get started?"
Viza's lips turned upward into a smirk as he held his cane like a sword in anticipation. The battle for victory is approaching its climax.