Chapter 132

They're the type of person who might verbally criticize you, but then actually handle things perfectly.

"That's good. So, where should I run to now?"

After checking briefly, Shirou realized that he could no longer hear the Hooded Figure's voice on the other end of the headset; Isv had indeed cut off communication.

"Where to run? To the dorm, of course! Don't just stand there, it'll be trouble if the others come looking for us."

Isv is now starting to think about letting Shirou know a little about the major powers in Lungmen. Although he doesn't cause as much trouble as the Texas group, he can't be ignored by this super high-wattage light bulb walking around on the street.

After Shirou fired that shot, his name should appear in the sights of the major powers in Lungmen.

Although the largest ones have already been completed.

Even the rulers of Lungmen sent people to observe, or rather, monitor Shirou.

The timing was roughly after Shirou met Chen, Isv could only mentally complain about the other party's excessive concern.

To send out Black Cloak for something so trivial— Isv could think of no other way to describe it than excessive concern.

Right now... Black Cloak, who's always by Shirou's side, is probably the most troublesome person. It's hard to refuse if he comes knocking on your door.

We need to find a way to retreat before the other side can react.

Otherwise, someone as simple-minded as Shirou would easily be devoured until there's nothing left.

"Oh."

Upon hearing Isv's words, Shirou, though unsure of what was going on, did as he was told.

As usual, he took the shortcut and jumped off the tall building.

Most people's attention has been drawn to the massive explosion caused by the recent Imaginary Break, and there are hardly any people around here now.

Everyone rushed off to watch the spectacle, Shirou couldn't help but marvel at the Lungmen people's love of excitement.

Even in the dead of night, as long as there's something exciting to see, they'll still brave the hardship to join the performance.

Upon landing, Shirou immediately headed towards the city center, as Isv instructed.

On the way out, as usual, I went into a small alley to deactivate the Projection, and then came out again.

"Isv, how much useful intelligence do you think we'll get this time? Will we be able to catch the mastermind behind it all?"

After walking a short distance, Shirou asked.

Although the operation seemed perfect, the impact of that Imaginary Break was still quite significant.

From what Shirou saw, at least all the windows in that area of residences were shattered.

But... that was a last resort.

After all, if the Imaginary Break hadn't directly wiped out most of the drones in one shot, it would have been even more dangerous for those drones to attack targets indiscriminately.

So Shirou simply chose the side where fewer people might get hurt.

"I don't know, I don't know. Maybe that person is just a decoy? Intelligence gathering is not something I think I can do. Every operation should be carried out with the expectation that there may be no results at all, even if the investigation is completed with great difficulty."

While preparing to briefly summarize what had just happened and submit it to her boss, Isv took the opportunity to answer Shirou's question.

He kept reminding Shirou not to rush the intelligence gathering process.

However, it seems that Shirou is more concerned about the safety of others than intelligence gathering.

If things continue like this, you can't be an excellent intelligence gatherer!

However, it's not necessarily a bad thing. After experiencing the fireworks display, Isv thinks it's good that Shirou is kind, at least there's no need to worry about other problems arising.

He certainly didn't want to wake up one day to find that half of the Lungmen had been destroyed.

"Indeed, I was too impatient."

Upon hearing Isv's long string of words, Shirou composed himself slightly.

"Being anxious means you care a lot about this matter. On the bright side, at least after you started the investigation, the number of missing persons decreased significantly, and now there may be new progress. Although it doesn't mean that we can catch them all in one fell swoop, it's at least a good progress."

Even through the earphones, Isv could hear the disappointment in Shirou's tone.

After thinking for a moment, he decided to explain it to Shirou in a different way.

People can view a situation from either the most pessimistic or the most optimistic perspective; it all depends on the individual.

However, since Isv were all for teaching purposes, Is usually used slightly pessimistic examples to make them easier to remember.

"That would be great."

Shirou could tell that Isv was trying to comfort him, but what Is said did make some sense.

I must say, people who are truly worldly-wise are quite tactful in their speech; they can easily view a single issue from two completely different perspectives.

"..."

Just as Shirou was about to leave the Slums, he suddenly had a very subtle feeling.

It seems someone is following him?

And there seem to be quite a few people.

Is this targeting him?

However, Shirou himself did not sense any obvious malice, but he could not rule out that option.

Thinking of this, Shirou instinctively reached for his hood, only to realize after grabbing nothing that he was wearing a Penguin Logistics jacket.

"Tsk."

He clicked his Shirou, pretended to rub his shoulder, and then continued walking as before.

Isv taught, if you are being tracked, the first thing to do is not panic.

Panic can easily lead to trouble, so it's important to stay calm and start taking stock of what tools you have to fight back.

The latter, Shirou, can be omitted entirely. As long as he has enough magic power, he has many ways to counterattack, whether from a distance or up close, and whether he can attack or defend.

However, Shirou had no intention of fighting. He wasn't a battle maniac, and he would avoid fighting if possible.

So what he needs to do now is to use Reinforcement Magic to shake off the people behind him when he reaches the next bend.

Shirou pretended nothing was wrong, and after turning at the next intersection, he immediately used Reinforcement Magic and started running at full speed.

"Hmm? Shirou, are you being chased again?"

Hearing the strong wind coming from Shirou's direction, Isv stopped what he was doing and began to move the camera to the area near Shirou's location.

"I felt like someone was following me, but I think I've shaken them off now."

The subtle feeling disappeared after Shirou had run a distance.

I have a feeling that something very subtle has changed since I transmigrated here...

Looking around, Shirou thought to himself.

Whether it was the malice he had felt before or the heightened senses he had developed, if his body hadn't been healthy, Shirou would probably have been wondering if something strange had been incorporated into his body.

"Someone is chasing you..."

Upon hearing Shirou's words, Isv quickly accessed the recording of what had just happened.

There were no strange figures around; it was just Shirou walking alone on the road.

After resetting the timeline, Is manipulated the Shirou showing the last stretch of road Isv had just walked, and immediately three or four dark figures appeared on the screen.

It's so far away and blurry that most people would probably just ignore it.

But Isv is different.

He knew who those shadowy figures were.

It was the Black Cloak who always followed Shirou.

The shadowy figure in the scene pointed in the direction Shirou left, then pointed upwards, and then left.

"Sigh... Explosions are fun for a moment, but the fun can lead to working overtime and dying."

The meaning of the two gestures is simple: someone above wants to see Shirou.

The person on the Black Cloak is the ruler of Lungmen.

She's a very petty person, and she'll probably take a rather forceful approach towards someone like Shirou, who possesses formidable firepower but whose identity remains unknown.

However, with Penguin Logistics as a safeguard, the situation shouldn't be too bad.

"Hmm? Why are you suddenly bringing this up? Are you going to work overtime again? You seem to work overtime quite often. How about I bring you a bento box in a couple of days?"

The culprit who caused Isv to be working overtime so often recently asked a soul-searching question.

"... Yes, any kind of food is fine, I eat everything."

After much hesitation, Isv decided not to argue with Shirou about the overtime issue.

Now that people have come knocking on his door, Shirou will have to join them in getting a headache too.

Isv knows that Shirou hates riddles.

Coincidentally, the person who came to him was someone who was full of riddles.

Thinking this way, Isv felt much better.

If one can release the pain when feeling it, then the pain will be lessened.

"Okay, do you want the boss's portion?"

Shirou sensed Isv during the brief moment that Is had been silent, he seemed to have already planned how to get back at him.

Faced with such a hilarious person, Shirou decided to reciprocate.

Hongzhou Yansui Hall and Taishan Extra Spicy Mapo Tofu– it's the one!

He was just saying that; he didn't have the recipe from there, but there were similar ones, which seemed to be something Rin had made.

Out of politeness, Shirou casually asked about the boss's portion.

In his mind, Isv's workplace should not be far from his boss's.

"Let's go together. Just prepare some snacks to go with the drinks."

Knowing that his boss was listening to the conversation, Isv didn't refuse.

At worst, he can bear the guilt.

He can see messages from Exusiai, Croissant, and Sora every time, and recently the meals made by Shirou have been the main focus.

Texas is really good, I wouldn't post it unless I really liked it.

Compared to the flood of posts from others, Texas only posted a dozen or so photos, most of which were...

Chocolate-related desserts.

"Eh... alcohol?"

Hearing the word "sake "from Shirou makes me feel a bit troubled.

He doesn't drink, but it seems that drinking is the norm here.

Even the staff at Penguin Logistics drink some when they have parties.

He doesn't mind drinking, just don't ask him to drink. That's how it is after a few people have finished drinking...

A bit sloppy?

Forget it, let's not dwell on the past. After several such experiences, Shirou's resolve to abstain from alcohol has only strengthened.

"No pressure, just do whatever you like."

Seemingly sensing that Shirou was somewhat troubled, Isv added a sentence.

I'll do my best.

Shirou thought for a moment and realized that there seemed to be a Scale Beast that resembled a salmon before, which would be perfect for cooking.

Given that the owner is a penguin... he probably likes to eat Scale Beast, right?

In Shirou's mind, zoos were always fed fish.

They should be... the same, right?

At this moment, Shirou told Emiya not to compare the animals on his side with those on this side.

But the brain still uncontrollably compares the two, and even associates them together.