Chapter 132

190. Spikes [Sixteenth Update]

While keeping an eye on the girl, Efnir quickly glanced around, observing the situation.

This is the front square of Western Capital University.

Two years later, Efnir returned to this place.

Two years ago, a massive Erosion Disaster occurred here, altering Efnir's life trajectory. Everything about "Yanase Naoto" disappeared from this world, and "Ephnel" was born.

Was it a cruel twist of fate? Efnir never imagined that she would return to this place in such a way.

If life is a play, then is this a reenactment?

Even the characters appearing in the play haven't changed.

Evnir glanced at Futaba Erii, who was lying blankly on the ground, looking up at her with her eyes fixed on her.

Clearly, Futaba Erii still remembers her.

After that incident, the Orderkeepers Organization should have located Futaba Erii and done a series of things, including "gagging" her. This step was a necessary constraint for ordinary people who knew the agent's true identity.

Since then, Efnir and Futaba Erii's few meetings have all been limited to the period before Efnir moved.

After that, Efnir completely severed ties with her former self.

But for Futaba Erii, even if Efnir is far removed from her daily life, everything that happened here that day will not disappear.

What exactly happened...?

In any case, it had nothing to do with Efnir anymore; they were no longer classmates after that, and there was no reason for them to greet each other anymore.

Efnir pursed her lips, withdrew her gaze, and stopped paying attention to Futaba Erii, instead focusing her attention on the girl in front of her again.

The only thing to do now is to find out what secrets this girl is carrying and capture her.

Efnir was issuing orders.

"Furan, I've found a wounded woman here. Please check her injuries."

"Receive."

Furan quickly ran to the injured Futaba Erii and crouched down.

"Nami, this enemy is likely very dangerous. Please keep your distance."

"Receive."

Shinomiyami Nami is currently on a helicopter as a combatant, ready to provide battlefield intelligence gathering assistance and combat fire support to Efnir and others at any time.

Upon receiving Efnir's order, the helicopter rapidly gained altitude and moved towards the location of the refuge.

"Communication range has reached its limit; I will provide combat support from the perimeter!"

"Okay, keep an eye on the movements of the Erosion Entity. Prioritize the evacuation of the population. Our agents will handle things here."

"Receive!"

Efnir looked at Yukina beside her.

"Fifina, assess the situation in the battle area."

"Yes!"

Yukina aimed her arrow intently at the girl while quickly reporting back.

"Observations from the helicopter: Two Erosion Entity have been found so far, one 'bee'-shaped and the other 'dog-shaped,' preliminarily classified as C-Rank Erosion Entity individuals. They are located at the 1 o'clock and 7 o'clock positions, approximately 70 meters and 100 meters away from here in a straight line. No 'Dregs' has been found. The evacuation area is some distance away from here, and the Erosion Entity do not pose a threat to the evacuees for the time being."

Efnir nodded.

Although Yukina can only apply the training results so far, it is undoubtedly a good achievement for Yukina.

After all, this was Yukina's first time participating in the battle as an official agent; she was still a beginner.

"Yes, keep an eye on the movements of the Erosion Entity, and prioritize the safety of the population."

Efnir paused for a moment, then spoke again.

"Furan, report on the wounded."

"Report -- The wounded soldier is suspected of being 'infected' by Corruption Energy, has lost a lot of blood, and is somewhat disoriented. Due to the severity of her injuries, I am unable to evacuate her. Requesting immediate medical support."

"Okay, wait for backup to arrive. Please make sure she is safe. Leave this to me and Fifina."

"Receive!"

"Fifina,"

Efnir looked at Yukina beside her.

"Then... that 'dog'-shaped Erosion Entity is yours. Use your power to deal with it."

"Efnir commanded."

You can do it.

Yukina had not received systematic close combat training or necessary tactical practice, and was therefore unable to fulfill the task of protecting Futaba Erii while waiting for medical support. So, Efnir entrusted her with the task of fighting the Erosion Entity alone.

With Yukina's abilities, dealing with a "dog"-type C-Rank Erosion Entity Erosion Entity is more than enough.

Yukina possesses extremely high aptitude, which grants her immeasurable potential and immense power. As long as she maintains a safe distance, the "dog"-type Erosion Entity poses no threat to her.

"Yes!"

Yukina glanced coldly at the "dog"-shaped Erosion Entity that was gradually approaching the crowd in the distance.

"Maintain a safe distance from the Erosion Entity and prioritize the safety of the population."

"Efnir said."

"Then leave this to me, go ahead."

Yukina paused slightly, but quickly nodded.

"Naoko, don't force yourself..."

Efnir was injured, and although she had recovered considerably, she was still not strong enough to withstand high-intensity combat.

Yukina was very worried about Efnir's injuries.

After all, the enemy they faced this time was obviously much more troublesome than the Erosion Entity, and was likely an enemy of the same level as the Apostle. Although Yukina did not see the battle between Efnir and the Apostle at the sports stadium up close, the aftershocks of the battle were deeply imprinted in her mind.

Could the injured Efnir handle that level of combat?

But thinking about it now is useless. Yukina looked up at Efnir and gritted her teeth.

"Naoko, I will complete the mission as soon as possible!"

She got up and ran to the other side, the bow and arrow in her hand flashing with a cold, watery light, her scarlet pupils fixed on the "dog"-shaped Erosion Entity in the distance.

Efnir didn't reply; instead, she turned towards the girl.

The girl remained motionless, her gaze following Yukina's departing figure, as if she were constantly watching Yukina, or perhaps simply waiting for Efnir.

Efnir narrowed her left eye slightly and took a step.

The bee-shaped Erosion Entity hissed softly, dragging its dark body as it charged rapidly toward Efnir. Efnir's eyes were like knives, and she spun her spear in a circle, creating a whistling sound. The next second, the Erosion Entity's massive body swept past Efnir, leaving a huge hole in its body. Before it could even scream, it turned into starlight and scattered into the air.

Efnir gave a soft snort, looking at the girl with an icy tone:

"--Sorry to keep you waiting, now... it's just the two of us left."

She didn't even glance at the scattered starlight behind her, gripping the spear tightly in her hand, pointing it straight at the girl, her gaze as cold as the polar night wind.

191. Showdown [Seventeenth Update]

The girl was one of the perpetrators of the Maesakagawa Disaster.

Given the lack of information, this is the only conclusion Efnir can draw.

The town was completely destroyed in the Maesakagawa Disaster, and the agents stationed there also died in battle. The Apostle's plan began there, and many agents died or were seriously injured one after another.

This is a hatred that Efnir will never forget.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, as a reward..."

Efnir raised her spear, the tip pointing in the girl's direction, her left eye slightly narrowed, gleaming with a cold, crimson light.

"I'll give you one chance to surrender. Choose."

"..."

The girl didn't answer. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with her sleeve, withdrew her gaze from Yukina, and raised her eyes, a cryptic look in them.

She spoke slowly.

"You're early, agent."

The girl said this.

Arrived too early? What does that mean?

Efnir pondered the girl's words, gazing intently at the girl before her.

"I remember your codename was Ephnel, right? What a powerful physique! To have such a powerful agent in this city must be an intelligence failure..."

The girl lowered her gaze and wiped the blood from her chin.

"You were able to defeat Sakurai Sachi so easily; I must say, you're very good at surprising people."

"Oh, really? It's a wonder you still remember me. Let me put it simply, I'm here to settle old scores with Maesakagawa. I've been looking for you, but you've been hiding like a coward, probably living in the sewers. You've really done me a favor by coming to me; I don't want to crawl into a stinking ditch to find you."

The girl's expressionless face darkened slightly, Efnir chuckled softly.

"Now you have two choices: surrender, or die. Pray that you won't be tortured to the point of unbearable agony."

I don't want to choose either side.

The girl took a light breath and spoke again.

To be honest, I'm actually quite interested in you.

"So you're waiting for me here?"

"It wasn't intentional. But since you're here, there's no harm in meeting you. After all, you're an agent who can defeat Apostle and even fight against Angel. As a First Generation agent, you're a special case."

First Generation?

Efnir frowned slightly, her gaze passing over the tip of the gun and fixed directly on the girl.

"Ha, I don't like listening to your nonsense. My patience is limited, and I don't care about your rubbish. I only have one question for you—what are you and the Apostle looking for in this city?"

"'Apostle'?"

The girl shook her head, her tone indifferent.

"I have nothing to do with the Apostle... As for what I'm looking for, I can't tell you until I find it."

"If you don't want to talk, there are plenty of ways to make you talk!"

Efnir's gaze sharpened slightly, and a powerful pressure emanated from her, as if it were a tangible force—the killing intent that had been condensed from hundreds of life-or-death battles.

The girl staggered back a step, clutching her abdomen where Efnir's knee had struck her, and slowly catching her breath.

Efnir didn't hold back in that attack.

If an ordinary person were hit by that blow, they would surely be ripped open and die without a chance of survival. Even an agent would not be able to withstand it head-on. The Apostle Sakurai Sachi subdued by Efnir with a single punch.

Even though Efnir is currently injured, this attack should not be underestimated.

However, the girl only coughed up blood and did not appear to have suffered a life-threatening injury; she still retained a considerable degree of mobility.

"Efnir, what happened to your eyes?"