Because I Am Surtr

Chapter 37: Contract, Kazimierz City District 59

Two hours.

Two hours was the preparation time Persephone had given—two hours for her to ensure the containment of all Chernobog's citizens within the Cataclysm shelters, without any errors, and to ensure their safety.

In the world of Terra, this amount of time was practically miraculous. Evacuating a city of millions and ensuring order without a hitch would be considered a pipe dream if given less than a day in any country.

Therefore, Surtr wouldn't rush her, nor would she demand she shorten the time with unrealistic boasts. Even though, according to the intelligence from Persephone and the Cataclysm messengers Persephone had urgently contacted, the Cataclysm clouds overhead would spontaneously detonate in just fifty-three minutes.

"The eruption of the Cataclysm clouds is inevitable; you can't just swing your sword wildly. I will calculate a suitable model to ensure the aftershocks of the Originium Cataclysm don't fall on the main roads where the shelters are most concentrated. Beyond that, I will mobilize every Arts Caster within the shelters to construct a collaborative spell to create a shield, thereby eliminating any unforeseen errors."

"So, all I have to do is wait here?"

"I'd love to say that, but you probably wouldn't accept a plan where you do nothing for nearly an hour. So, I recommend you go to District B59. There's a Cataclysm messenger who has a contract with Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals operating in that area. There are also some minor issues that need to be dealt with. If you don't mind, you can spend a few minutes resolving some trivial matters."

"You mean there are troublemakers there?" — Hearing the implied meaning, the flame-haired Sarkaz understood Persephone's intentions and habits perfectly.

And the truth was confirmed as Persephone elaborated over the comms — indeed, there were.

"There are always those who can't see the bigger picture, those who can't be persuaded by words. Yes, I've used the drone network, Chernobog's military police, and Reunion Movement tactical teams to drive some unstable elements into District B59. Originally, I planned to let the Cataclysm deal with them; it wouldn't matter if a few slipped through. But if you're willing to step in, I can open some of the shelters located there, saving a few minutes for the evacuation process in the surrounding areas."

"Understood. You mean leave none of them alive, right?" Miss Surtr nodded. She liked this kind of commission—where to go, who to kill, how many to kill. All three elements of a role-playing game were present, and the remaining task was practically a form of relaxation for her.

She needed to relax—her previous thoughts required time to settle. Depending on the final conclusions, she might even consider viewing the world from a new perspective.

"That is for you to decide; you are the actual decision-maker," Persephone replied from the other end of the communication. "The messenger's codename is Provence. She's a sniper Operator skilled with a bow and crossbow. Her skills and mobility are rated 'Excellent' by PRTS. So, you probably won't need to take special care of her… Perhaps you know her?"

Provence, the big-tailed wolf, the purple-haired Lupo—Surtr knew the name. In her past life in Arknights, when playing the game, she had been engrossed in researching the usage of niche Operators. This Miss Provence, with her unique mechanics, had occupied a lot of her time. Because of this, she knew the other party's profile and preferences.

She was a kind-hearted, dedicated, lively, outgoing girl who enjoyed shopping and cooking. She wasn't very old. Her combat experience was only a year. In other words, she had only become a Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals Operator in recent years.

This recollection occupied about half a second of Miss Surtr's thinking.

"No, but I've heard of her." She lightly tapped the ground with her toe, and the rising heat from her flame-attributed Arts lifted her into the air again. Her gaze shifted, quickly locating the position of District B59—she vaguely saw some thick smoke and fire. That must be the trace of combat or the work of rioters.

Several drones followed her, one of which was equipped with a walkie-talkie and microphone.

"I know her appearance, her personality, and her abilities. Since she's there, she must have a reason for staying, right?"

She began to move. Through the wind, through the smoke and dust. For her, passing through this city didn't require many steps. After a short flight, she approached the airspace above the district—she saw a loose blockade formed by drones and some combat personnel. She saw groups of rioters acting with impunity in the abandoned district.

Laughing maniacally, setting fires, plundering goods from empty shops. If they encountered others, they would either join forces, split up, or open fire on each other.

A mob of rioters… Civilians and innocents trembled in their homes. Surtr didn't intend to judge or condemn these rioters. She only intended to deal with them cleanly and efficiently. Like sweeping dust from a room.

So, she descended at the entrance of the street, revealing herself. She didn't intend to go all out in this mop-up operation against low-level enemies. Therefore, she made some noise when she appeared. Some of the non-citizens indulging in free shopping noticed her.

Some fled, some charged at her. Some even drove their hounds.

"Yes, that's a very suitable observation point. There's an observatory, and she's currently hiding inside that facility. I tried to dissuade her, but she insisted on obtaining firsthand intelligence about the Cataclysm clouds there. Would you like me to transfer the audio so you can speak with her directly?"

Persephone's voice still sounded unhurried from the drone. Faintly, she could hear Amiya's mumbled self-talk while busy—it seemed this "scummy woman" had assigned the little rabbit plenty of work. However, Amiya sounded like she was enjoying it.

"No need, I prefer to speak in person. Just notify her that I'm coming."

Surtr moved, replying. At her feet, burning corpses stretched for dozens of meters from the street entrance behind her. She extended her hand, and a protective wall shattered before her. A heavily armored rioter wearing a Reunion armband, holding a giant axe, froze behind the wall. This guy was planning an ambush at the entrance, but then the surging flames engulfed him.

When people die quickly, they don't even have time to scream.

"Understood. And—as my only recognized companion and rival, Surtr, your current psychological state is unstable. If you agree, I can spend two minutes helping you with a psychological analysis."

Surtr paused slightly, tilting her head. An area with a dense concentration of heartbeats appeared within her perception. These heartbeats were strong and powerful, clearly indicating that those present were not ordinary civilians.

"...You noticed?" Her tone was unhurried; she was accustomed to such things.

"Seventy percent of your gaze is nonchalant, twenty percent is confused, and less than ten percent is self-doubt. You have something on your mind. I assume that mercenary who dislikes me said something that upset you."

Surtr turned her head, spotting a high-definition camera on the nearest drone. She moved past this drone, which was positioned appropriately, and reached out, tearing an entire closed camouflage door from the wall.

Terrified screams and the sound of fleeing footsteps came from the corridor behind the door.

"My eyes aren't pie charts," she retorted casually, not particularly caring.

"In my eyes, very few things in the world are not pie charts or statistical reports. You are one of the few exceptions. My interpretation of you can only scratch the surface. However, it doesn't take much effort for me to see through things you don't really try to hide," Persephone replied. Yelena seemed to be giving her a report, likely related to guiding disaster victims.

It seemed Persephone had already guided people this way.

"Then tell me what this superficial content is," Surtr replied, walking into the secret door. The attack of an Arts Caster caused some ripples on the flames surrounding her body. She raised her hand and pointed, and the flames tore through the cover and the hidden Arts Caster behind it. Beyond the cover, a spacious area appeared in her sight.

So, this was a Cataclysm shelter. Some people had forcibly occupied it, refusing to accept refugees and thus hindering Persephone's work.

She glanced sideways and saw several well-dressed Ursus individuals surrounded by capable bodyguards. Beyond these bodyguards were a large number of rioters temporarily bought off with money and promises.

Someone who looked like the leader seemed to want to say something to her.

"You feel you've missed something, Surtr."

"What did I miss?" As the Sarkaz responded, her hand had already pierced the chest of that 'important figure.'

The bodyguards, armed with swords and shields, silently charged forward. The Arts Casters, hidden in the shadows, stimulated themselves with Originium to unleash powerful energy shockwaves capable of destabilizing the entire shelter. Several Swordmasters used Originium dust and blood to imbue their weapons with flame and curses, leaping from walls and ceilings, attempting to attack from Surtr's blind spots.

They were then met with a sky full of fire.

"You don't know, so you're a bit anxious. But you did miss something—I reviewed all the camera footage related to you today. From your actions, it's not hard to conclude that you don't really care how many casualties Chernobog suffers in the Cataclysm. You only care if they can survive this disaster and ensure the survival of a few specific individuals."

"Continue," Surtr left the hall, leaving behind a floor of scorched ashes and the charred outlines of human figures stuck to the wall. An absolute power gap cannot be offset by burning one's life. Those who delayed her only consumed a few seconds while she spoke with Persephone.

"PRTS mentioned Scout's squad. You forcibly sent them back after they contacted you. But in reality, they could have been more useful if they had stayed. Clearly, you care about the safety of Rhodes Island Operators. And on top of that, you also care about those who are about to become Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals Operators."

"You nearly took out the entire Reunion leadership. You mentioned the name 'Mudrock,' one of their executives, when you spoke with Frostnova. By the way, I've already contacted her, and she's currently signing her employment contract. It's obvious you have a special list. And what you want is to ensure everyone on that list survives, or joins your ranks while surviving."

She caught up to those people. Some abandoned their comrades and fled, while others knelt and begged for mercy. The one who appeared to be the protected target produced a pile of pure gold, jewels, and coins in an attempt to bribe her. However, they secretly gestured behind their backs, planning a sneak attack or escape.

So, her flames pursued all the escapees. Whether they resisted or struggled, wailed or pleaded, the outcome was the same—after all, she hadn't received a commission to escort Ursus's common folk. Therefore, if they were hostile, they would all be killed.

"You really do enjoy prying into people's privacy, Persephone." She pushed open the other side door of the shelter and stepped back onto the street. Several armed personnel, arranged by those inside to guard this exit, brandished heavy blunt weapons and charged at her upon seeing her. They were then all eliminated by her.

And Persephone's drones continued to follow her.

"Haggling is unnecessary, Surtr. If you don't want me to see, then I can't see anything—you should be well aware of that. And you know it's true—you subconsciously expect to leverage my intellect. You don't need to deny something so obvious."

"I really want to take only your brain back with me now, Persephone. You're making me lose face."

The young girl said perfunctorily, her tone flat. She cleared the street from one end to the other, discerning who were civilians and who were rioters. Distant sounds of people gradually grew louder. It seemed the refugees had been guided to a nearby location.

Above the sky, thunder rumbled within the swirling clouds. The drones' communication experienced a bit of static but quickly returned to normal operation under the Doctor's adjustments.

"But is face truly valuable to you, Surtr? People value face because they desire the approval of others. And do you desire others to approve of you?"