The ribbon in Torahachi Toumi's hand straightened in an instant, stabbing toward the enemy like a bolt of lightning.
Because he hadn't entered "bullet time," Kobayashi only saw her arm blur into an afterimage—
and then a massive spray of blood burst from the enemy's body.
His chest ached faintly in sympathy.
Though he couldn't count them, he somehow knew—she'd thrust seven times in a single instant.
Just like the last time she'd attacked him.
…Maybe seven was this crazy girl's lucky number.
Kobayashi drifted back again.
The attack had been so fast that when she withdrew the ribbon, not a single drop of blood clung to it.
Torahachi Toumi stood there, weapon in hand, her posture unchanged as if she hadn't just stabbed someone.
Only then did the leader of the "Hunters" realize what had happened.
A split second later, his scream tore through the air.
When the "fountains" of blood from his wounds finally subsided, Toumi flicked her wrist again.
Another flash.
She repeated this four times.
In less than a minute, she stabbed him twenty-eight times, and throughout the entire process, she didn't say a single word. Not a hint of interrogation.
It was… pure torture.
Drowned in shock and terror, the "Hunters" leader's mind went blank.
Aside from instinctive screams, he couldn't muster any meaningful response.
In the end, it was Kobayashi who couldn't stand it anymore.
Even though this was an enemy he'd wanted dead, watching the scene made him feel a strange, visceral sense of shared pain.
It completely snapped him out of his earlier hysterical state.
"Hey… that's enough," he said quietly.
"Don't actually stab him to death…"
No matter what, being labeled a murderer wasn't something anyone wanted—especially when they held the overwhelming advantage. It wasn't worth gambling away a peaceful future just to take a life.
"Hmph. Don't worry. I know my limits," the girl replied calmly.
"I avoid vital points and prolong his life. That way, there's time to extract information—or to take revenge."
She looked at Kobayashi seriously.
"Beating someone as you did earlier is actually more likely to kill them by accident."
You demon…
That was the only thought left in the "Hunters" leader's mind.
She was so young, yet she spoke such horrifying things as if they were perfectly normal. He couldn't even imagine how twisted her mind must be.
Even Kobayashi, her ally, felt chills—
let alone the man actually being stabbed.
The "Hunters" leader finally understood.
This demon girl was serious. She was one of them—no, even worse.
A being born for the dark world.
She truly treated human life as worthless.
In contrast, the boy who was supposed to be their target looked far more like a normal person—strong, yes, but clearly a rookie who'd never truly killed before. During the fight, he'd hesitated again and again, afraid to strike decisively.
That was why the "Hunters" leader had clenched his teeth and played dead earlier, enduring Kobayashi's beating.
He'd known it was his only chance to survive without betraying his employer.
As long as he stalled until the security forces arrived, he'd live.
It would be humiliating. He'd go to prison.
But at least he'd survive—and preserve the Hunters' reputation by keeping their client's information secret. After getting out, he could start over.
But that strategy didn't work on this demon.
Because she really would kill him.
And not cleanly—but brutally.
"S-stop! Don't kill me! I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"
He surrendered instantly, without the slightest hesitation.
It turned out that "Black Moon Institute" was just a commonly used alias.
The organization truly overseeing the "Dark May" project was legally registered as Black Moon Technology Development Co., Ltd., a subsidiary under a foreign investment conglomerate.
Once they had the real name, it was easy to find the company's headquarters online.
One related news article stood out in particular.
An important Black Moon Technology laboratory had suddenly relocated last month.
Its former address?
The very building where Kobayashi had first fallen.
Normally, a lab relocation was nothing unusual in Academy City. With countless research facilities, labs are moved every single day.
But viewed through the lens of what they now knew, the problem was obvious.
"All right. This is definitely it," Kobayashi said, locking onto the lab's new location.
"I'm heading there now."
"No," Torahachi Toumi objected.
"I think that's probably bait. Or a disposable decoy."
She operated her phone and showed him the screen.
"This is where we should go."
Displayed on the map was the headquarters of Black Moon Technology.
Capture the thief by capturing the king.
Kobayashi nodded in agreement.
Torahachi Toumi put away her ribbon, then wheeled over a wheelchair lying nearby.
"Sit down. I'll push you."
Kobayashi hesitated—but under her intense gaze, he eventually nodded and floated over.
"About your injuries…" she suddenly said.
"I'm really sorry."
"You don't need to apologize," Kobayashi shook his head cautiously.
"I know you were helping me. If anything, I should be thanking you."
Torahachi Toumi continued, "I went to Yomikawa-sensei's house today to visit you. I even made a cake myself."
"Huh? Oh… really?" Kobayashi blinked in surprise.
"Thank you."
"As an apology, I'll make another cake when I visit you again," she declared.
"And this time, I promise it'll have strawberries on top!"
Kobayashi didn't quite understand the sudden turn in conversation.
"O-oh? Strawberry cake… I'll look forward to it."
As if they'd completely forgotten the enemy bleeding out behind them, the two of them chatted casually as they pushed the wheelchair away.
The "Hunters" leader lay motionless.
Even though they were no longer nearby, the esper power binding him showed no sign of weakening.
—or was it just that I'm getting weaker?
Panic crept in as the fear of death finally arrived—so late that it oddly dulled the terror.
"…So this is it… am I really going to die…?"
He regretted it.
No—he should've confessed sooner.
No—he should never have resisted at all.
As his consciousness faded, a familiar navy-blue uniform finally entered his blurred vision.
"…Ah…"
He let out a long, relieved breath.
—Saved… I'm finally saved.
(End of Chapter)