"Hey! Wait for me!"
In one of the alleyways of the Seventh District, Misaka Mikoto chased after Fang Li, who was walking ahead on his own, calling out to him as she went.
"Where are you going? Are you heading for Scorpius's headquarters?"
Fang Li did not turn around at her words, nor did he answer Misaka Mikoto's question.
"I'd like to ask why you're following me," Fang Li said without looking back. "Didn't I tell you not to go out wandering at night lately, so you wouldn't get caught up in the conflict?"
"You don't need to worry about that. If trouble comes knocking, I'll just hit it head-on," Misaka Mikoto said dismissively, continuing, "You should be the one figuring out how to end this incident quickly. My friends have already been affected, and the other students must be worrying every day about whether they'll get dragged into the Armed Unskilled Group's clashes."
That was why Misaka Mikoto had come to find Fang Li at this time.
She wanted to put an end to this situation and restore Academy City to what it had been.
Unfortunately, Misaka Mikoto had come at a remarkably convenient time.
Fang Li suddenly stopped walking.
"Ah!"
Misaka Mikoto, who had been close on Fang Li's heels, immediately ran straight into him with a smack.
"What are you doing?"
Misaka Mikoto immediately demanded.
Yet Fang Li still did not answer her. He merely raised his head and stared into the shadows ahead.
The next second, Fang Li abruptly reached out and shoved Misaka Mikoto away.
Misaka Mikoto had no time to react.
Then...
Whoosh—!
Amid a sharp tearing sound, a white beam suddenly shot out from the darkness ahead. It scraped through the air, passed through the spot where Fang Li and Misaka Mikoto had