"How many is that now...?"
"That's the ninth one."
In a secluded corner of Block Zero, Centaurea, supporting her knees and breathing heavily, found herself with another unconscious colleague at her feet.
Even Gregor and Ifrit, who were slow to realize things, sensed that something was wrong.
Without making a sound, Gregor took half a step forward, shielding Ifrit behind him.
"The driver's skills are excellent," a smoothly Ten Percent Off electronic voice announced.
"Has been specially trained?"
"Ha... haha... I guess so."
Centaurea chuckled dryly, about to continue the story, when she keenly sensed that the surrounding temperature was rising.
The Rusty Knight's tragic end in the arena livestream flashed through her mind.
"Actually, I used to be a racing knight!" she said, her words quickening.
"If it weren't for these guys targeting and hunting me down, I might still be a shining star by now!"
"Really? What was your title back then...?"
Centaurea gave her a name, and Gregor asked Ifrit to take out her terminal to check it in person.
Centaurea held her breath, secretly relieved that her title was real.
A few seconds later, Gregor put away his terminal.
"I'm sorry, I was presumptuous."
Centaurea breathed a sigh of relief, quickly waved her hand to indicate that it was nothing to worry about, and then turned around to continue leading the way, afraid that he would ask some more potentially fatal questions.
"Speaking of which, who exactly are you looking for here?" she asked casually, trying to take the initiative.
"The Black Knight," Gregor replied.
Centaurea stopped abruptly.
The Black Knight? Which Black Knight?
She forced a smile, but her voice was a little unsteady:
"The Black Knight... in Block Zero?"
I've seen her here before.
No wonder! Centaurea screamed inwardly.
No wonder my colleagues were all gathered here today! They were surrounding that triple crown winner!
Wrong...
To defeat the Black Knight, relying solely on lower-level personnel is simply not enough.
There was at least one "Lazurite" being present to direct the operation. There might even be a "Darksteel" being present...
Thinking of this, Centaurea's smile became increasingly forced.
If Lazurite, or even Darksteel, were currently watching this area... wouldn't her "heroic deeds" of "dealing with" nine colleagues have all been witnessed by her superiors?
I... I've become a traitor?!
Thinking of this, Centaurea wished she could immediately go back to her rented apartment, pack her bags, and run away.
She turned her head, trying to persuade Gregor to back down:
"Guest, as you've seen, the Armorless Union has mobilized so many people; it's clearly a major operation targeting the Black Knight!"
"It's possible... even the legendary 'Darksteel' will personally intervene!"
Seeing that Gregor didn't react, Centaurea assumed he was unaware of the terror of "Darksteel" and quickly pointed to a tall building in the distance:
"Darksteel! It's that kind of monster... that can shoot through an entire building with a single, specially made giant arrow!"
"I know, I called them the day before yesterday."
"Ah?"
Gregor nodded and added:
"They caught one in this area before, but the other... I'm not sure if they got rid of him."
Centaurea fell completely silent, her mind racing as she processed the overwhelming information.
There was no reason for the other party to lie to her, especially considering the fact that the Black Knight was also present...
This Black Iron Knight really killed Darksteel?!
Centaurea's face turned deathly pale instantly.
Why am I the one investigating a monster that even Darksteel can defeat?
O'Neill! That damn bastard! (Current Platinum)
Seeing Centaurea remain silent, Gregor misunderstood her fear and, after thinking for a moment, comforted her:
"Don't be afraid. With me here, no one can hurt you."
"... Thanks."
Centaurea forced a smile.
You bastard! You're exactly what I'm afraid of!
Etc...
Anyway, in the eyes of the Armorless Union, I'm probably not much different from a traitor now; there's no going back...
How about... we turn this fake relationship into a real one?
Centaurea took a deep breath, her eyes becoming sincere and vulnerable:
"Um... sir, would you like a personal driver? Skilled, knows the way, and can even double as a bodyguard!"
Gregor was taken aback by this abrupt job application.
Centaurea immediately seized the opportunity, feigning misery:
"Look, the Black Knight is here, and I've 'accidentally' taken down so many members of the Armorless Union... They definitely won't let me get away with this!"
"Hmm, that makes sense." Gregor thought there was nothing wrong with the logic.
Ifrit, standing to the side, blinked her big eyes and asked a question:
"Oh right... how did you escape when you were being chased before?"
Damn it! Why is that brat so perceptive at a time like this?!
Centaurea was internally frantic, but outwardly she quickly covered her face, her shoulders trembling slightly.
"To allow me to escape... my beloved master (gritting his teeth) covered my retreat and sacrificed himself... I had no choice but to live under an assumed name, driving a taxi to hide..."
"Ah... so pitiful..."
Ifrit was indeed moved. Gregor remained silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought:
Are you interested in leaving Kazimierz to work as a guard?
Centaurea's eyes lit up, but before she could even smile, she heard the next sentence:
"It belongs to a friend of mine."
The expectation on her face instantly vanished by half.
"However, he is very wealthy and never stingy with money when it comes to truly talented people."
Centaurea's ears trembled slightly.
"He is of noble birth, very well-mannered and tactful, and would not harass his subordinates."
Centaurea's tail swung rapidly.
"Because my hometown is in a relatively remote location, the guard job is actually just ensuring safety along the way, so it should be quite leisurely..."
"Please be sure to introduce me to your friend!"
Centaurea's eyes were so determined, it was as if she were about to join the Party.
Armorless Union? Darksteel? Mission?
Screw it! Let's latch onto this new big shot first!
Boom--!!!
Just as Centaurea finished speaking, a loud bang came from afar.
The group turned their heads at the same time and saw a huge hole punched through an old building.
A golden figure shot out from the void.
Smoke and dust burst forth from both sides of the breach, raising a cloud of grayish-yellow dust.
"Darksteel... it's Darksteel!"
Centaurea's face was deathly pale, and her voice trembled.
They're going to attack me already? That's a bit too fast!
The sound of hurried footsteps could be heard from all around; members of the Armorless Union were rushing towards them.
Gregor stepped forward, shielding the two men behind him.
[Apotheosis...]
Hey! You guys over there! Don't just stand there! Come over here!
A hurried sound came from behind him, and Gregor stopped his skill.
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a red-haired Zalak girl sticking half her body out of a pipe protruding from the ground and waving at them.
She anxiously scanned her surroundings, her gaze lingering on Ifrit for a moment before her brow furrowing even more.
While Gregor was still wondering, the girl couldn't wait any longer.
She nimbly darted out and grabbed the wrist of the still-dazed Centaurea.
"Hey?! Wait! What are you doing...?"
"Don't make a sound! Follow me if you want to live!"
The girl interrupted Centaurea and dragged her toward the pipe entrance.
Seeing the guide being pulled away, Gregor picked up Ifrit, strode after him, and crawled into the pipe.
"Hold on tight! Slide down!"
The red-haired girl gave a brief command, turned around first, and executed a swift sliding tackle, the rustling sound of clothes quickly fading into the distance.
Centaurea was dizzy from the series of changes, but she knew it would be more dangerous to stay up there, so she gritted her teeth and followed suit, sliding into the darkness.
Gregor and his companion slid down the steep pipe.
After a brief but rapid glide, light appeared ahead.
Centaurea tumbled to the ground, Gregor took a heavy step to steady himself, catching Ifrit who was cheering, "One more time!"
"Keep your voice down!"
The red-haired girl immediately put a finger to her lips, and a commotion could be faintly heard from above in the distance.
As the sound faded into the distance, the girl breathed a sigh of relief and finally focused her attention entirely on the group of people.
When she saw Ifrit's head pop out, the girl's serious expression softened slightly, but then turned into a hint of anger.
"Didn't we say that things are tense these days, and we absolutely mustn't let the children go to the surface?"
She walked towards Gregor, her figure so petite, yet her tone was like that of a concerned older sister.
"The area outside is teeming with Armorless Union sentries. What if we get caught?"
Ifrit blinked and pointed to herself:
Are you talking about me?
The red-haired girl stopped in her tracks, her reproach replaced by astonishment.
"You..." She instinctively took a half step back.
"Not a resident? Or a newly arrived Infected?"
"No."
Gregor looked around at the underground space. Was this the so-called lower level?
The red-haired girl looked at them, a hint of understanding and annoyance flashing across her face.
"So... you're just unlucky lost souls who happened to stumble upon the Armorless Union's operation and got dragged into it?"
"No, we're here to find someone."
"Looking for someone? In Sector Zero?"
The girl looked at the three of them again, and in the end, her sense of responsibility as a protector overcame her doubts.
She loosened her grip on the weapon, her tone softening slightly:
"Fine... whoever you are, we're not getting out of the ground now."
"Follow me, don't wander off. I'll take you to a safe place to take shelter."
She turned and gestured for the others to follow, her fluffy red tail gleaming like flames in the dim light.
The others followed, Ifrit, looking at the tail ahead, subconsciously reached out her hand.
"Hey--! What are you doing!"
The girl let out an embarrassing scream, Ifrit gave an awkward smile.
"Excuse me... My name is Ifrit, what's your name?"
Upon seeing that it was the little girl in front of her who was touching the tail, the girl's expression softened slightly.
"Sona!"