"Is this... your true form?"
After Shinomiya's full-power strike—entire body instantly flooded with intense fatigue. Heavy breathing. Looked at the mysterious alien life form before him.
His full-power strike—perfectly blocked.
He'd imagined multiple outcomes. But what happened—exceeded expectations.
"Still want to continue?"
The translucent barrier slowly vanished. The voice echoed in his mind.
Telepathy.
"No need. After this battle—I'm certain the Japan Defense Force lacks power to control you." Shinomiya's fighting spirit—completely gone.
He clearly recognized the gap between them.
And gained a reason to report upward.
Direct elimination? Whoever can do it—come personally.
From the start—he found the government order unreasonable.
"Truly a hardline style." Hearing this—Natsuki also released transformation. As Shinomiya said—in battle, easily see a person's nature.
Though Shinomiya didn't push Natsuki to the brink—the reverse happened.
This guy—extremely strong sense of responsibility. Hardline style. Decisive.
"Possessing power we can't match. Yet willing to negotiate. I'm now certain of your position." Shinomiya removed gauntlets. Told Natsuki.
After personally confirming his strength—could fully believe Natsuki held no hostility.
"And those criminals you mentioned—our Defense Force will assist in their capture." Supreme Commander Shinomiya showed proper resolve.
He wouldn't easily trust someone. But if trusting—would trust completely.
"That's excellent." Natsuki smiled. With Defense Force cooperation—work efficiency would greatly improve.
This time—none would escape.
That afternoon.
"I'm saying... Ichikawa."
"Natsuki-san won't really have been arrested, right?" Kafka and Reno waited at the hospital all morning. No sign of him. So they processed discharge—ran to the wilderness for independent training.
Kafka—without Natsuki sparring. Reno—without Natsuki's healing. Both training progress—not ideal.
"Probably... not?" Reno wanted to refute. But Natsuki's absence all morning—fact. Now couldn't guess where Natsuki-san went.
And as they wondered—
"Sorry—had something this morning." Familiar voice from distance. Natsuki in floral shirt—smiled, walked toward them.
"Eh? He appeared!"
Kafka saw Natsuki approach. Eyes brightened.
"Natsuki-san—where did you go?" He asked.
"Got a free meal. Then fought someone." Natsuki casually replied.
"Fought?"
"Could it be the Defen..." Reno seemed to guess the truth. Did Natsuki-san really fight the Defense Force?
If true... appearing here now meant...
"That's not the point."
"Tomorrow—Defense Force selection exam starts. Not much training time left. Today's intensity—higher than yesterday. Be ready." Natsuki went straight to the topic.
"Yes!"
Both nodded simultaneously.
Training continued until night.
Mid-break—Kafka lay in a large crater. Reno lay face-up on ground. Peaceful expression. Both recovering stamina.
Today's training intensity—higher than yesterday. But with yesterday's foundation—their progress godspeed.
Kafka found partial transformation tricks. Reno—this ordinary youth—showed amazing potential. At the real exam—would shock all peers.
Normal humans—can't continuously exceed human limits in short time. But in Natsuki's training—he did it.
According to Natsuki's estimate—Reno wearing Defense Force Suit—could unlock 40%+ sync ratio. Already sprinting toward inhuman territory.
And Natsuki knew this so well—because under Shinomiya's arrangement—directly joined Defense Force. Now Third Division's special squad captain.
Nominally squad captain. But in actual operations—Captain Mina and Vice-Captain Hoshina—knowing the inside story—would cooperate with him.
Ring ring...
Natsuki—sitting on a fallen tree trunk—suddenly heard ringing. Phone in pocket vibrated.
Defense Force paid him salary. Provided phone.
"Hello? Who's this?" Natsuki—seeing unknown number—answered. Phone to ear.
"We meet again... Natsuki-san." Familiar voice from the other end.
"Oh?"
"Albert?" Natsuki—hearing this voice—raised eyebrow. Really coincidental. Three consecutive worlds—encountered this guy.
"It's me." Voice on the other end confirmed.
"We left the mission world at similar times. Both rushed into the next world. So continuous encounters."
Albert's repeated meetings with Natsuki—not entirely coincidence.
And higher-tier Travelers—fewer in number. When arriving in this world—already guessed he'd meet Natsuki.
"I see." Natsuki rubbed chin. Nodded.
"By the way—any useful intel on your end?" He asked.
Cooperated twice. They understood each other well.
He helped Albert eliminate other competitors. Albert brought intel.
"Yes."
"This world—different from previous ones. Ten people compete. Two survive. Eight eliminated."
"I was sent here—previous mission completion too low. Other members similar. All poor task performance."
Albert shared available intel with Natsuki.
"Inside Defense Force—besides me—another researcher."
"Government side... I estimate at least one."
"Kaiju faction—probably most. And likely will act soon."
"They won't miss the entrance exam opportunity. Probably launch surprise attack."
"Target—likely Defense Force Third Division. And... Kafka Hibino."
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────
📖 80+ chapters ahead — full story available
🔍 Search "patreon.com/DarkGolds
───── ⊹ ⊹ ─────