Chapter 21: Database
[Author Note]
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Thoughts on Takamura?
Goated:
Good:
Mid:
Sucks:
__________
2 Weeks Later: Toji P.O.V.
Hmm, this isn't bad.
I'm currently sitting outside on a bench next to the inventory curse.
There was little noise, and not many people were walking around.
Mainly because this is the time for class.
I'm supposed to be in an advanced stealth class, but after joining a few, I learned nobody here can teach me anything about stealth.
'The Invisible Man'
I'm probably the stealthiest person in this new world.
I could be more productive with my time, but I'm done dealing with people today. The JAA is still on my ass, and it's getting annoying.
Even after two weeks of coming here, I still haven't figured out why the inventory curse came with me.
I have a short smile as I think about my new addition.
*pat*
Rubbing its head, the inventory curse opened his mouth as I pulled out a sniper rifle.
My smile widens as I hold the sniper with curse saliva. "The Sako TRG 42."
Aside from the Chain of a Thousand Miles, I finally got my long-distance option.
A dagger with the Chain isn't effective at the kind of ranges that a sniper can hit.
It was just under a million yen, but it was worth it.
"MoMmY. HuG mE."
It still says that even though I thought it would function differently here.
When I put my hand out, it started crawling up and eventually curled around my body like it does when I use it for battle.
I huff a laugh. "This will never not get weird."
*sigh*
I'm more of a father to the inventory curse than I am to my own son.
I really am a piece of shit.
A voice spoke up from behind me. "Now, that is something I've never seen before."
I already knew he was there, but I didn't bother since it was just some janitor.
Turning around, I raise an eyebrow as I put the sniper back into the curse. "Need something?"
He returned a small smile. "I was wondering what you were doing out here, is all."
What is this guy's deal?
I lean my head back to stare at the sky. "Nothing, just wasting time so I can get paid and leave this stupid school."
He walked over and sat next to me. "You must be Toji, then."
My eyebrow raised once more. "How did you come to that conclusion?"
He had a slight smirk. "Just a guess, and you just confirmed it. Ah, where are my manners? I'm Byodo, a simple janitor."
I scratched my hair. "Simple janitor? I'm curious: are the janitors here assassins as well?"
The man gave me a closed-eye smile. "I've retired."
A small smile appeared on my face. "Satoda said the same thing, but there isn't truly retirement for assassins, is there?"
He shook his head. "In most cases, no, but I've chosen a different purpose in this school."
My face turns neutral. "What do you mean, 'in most cases'?"
He leaned back as well. "I've passed the torch to the next generation, and now I'm nothing more than an old man who cleans the school."
'Passing the torch to the next generation,' huh?
He continued. "Out of the 29,412 students I've seen, you are definitely one of the most unique, and that's saying something."
What an oddly specific number.
I sit up and put my elbows on my thighs. "What makes you say that?"
He pointed at the inventory curse.
...
Fair enough.
...
He chuckled. "I'm kidding, but it certainly is a strange creature. You remind me of a few troublemakers recently expelled, and you carry the aura of someone who has endured trials and tribulations."
That would be an understatement.
He continued. "I'm not going to pry, but you don't exactly strike me as the type who passes through unscathed."
I saw him stare at my scar.
Byodo stood up. "Well, I should get back to work, and YOU should get back to class. See you around the school, Toji."
I gave him a short nod as he turned around and left.
Hold on a minute...
Did I just get an old man wisdom lecture?
...
Gaku P.O.V.
I'm tired of this bullshit.
It's already been two weeks, and I haven't gotten a lead on my main objective.
There are two things that I'm looking for.
1. The person who killed Kei.
2. Whatever the database is.
The reason I'm here isn't for infiltration but to find out where the database is.
The database has information about the JAA, including dates, students, and secrets. If I can find out where it is, I'll...
I stopped my train of thought since it hit me.
...
If I succeed, he's just going to use me more.
...
I curl up in a ball. "This shit sucks."
I'm trapped.
Even if I become strong enough, killing an executive is a way to get me and my family killed.
I've never been one to show my emotions, but I've had to change. I've decided to take Kei's role to train and become the strongest assassin in history so nobody in the JAA can tell me what to do.
*sigh*
Sitting down won't get anything done.
Now then...I can move on to the people responsible for his death in the first place.
I cared about Kei, but I'm not one to seek revenge since that's a stupid cliche. If you are going to be an assassin, you have to be prepared for something like that to happen.
Even if I am 13.
I'm doing it since they could become a problem if left unchecked. If they killed Kei, then they could go after the rest of my family.
However, I ended up making progress in finding out who killed Kei.
Kindaka, Rion Akao, Taro Sakamoto, Toji Fushiguro, and Yoichi Nagumo.
All members of the Order.
Those are the people involved in the mission that Kei had been tasked with, in addition to Kei. I'd rather not start with Toji since I'm not nearly at his level.
Color me surprised when I learned that the freak on the boat was Toji Fushiguro.
He is a member of the Order, so why is he here?
Isn't this a place for beginner assassins?
Whatever, it doesn't matter. I just need to focus on my future. Toji Fushiguro, Order, or whoever else, I'll surpass them all.
*ring*
*ring*
*ring*
Hmm?
After pulling out my phone and sitting up, I look at the caller ID.
...
It's Sei Asaki.
...
I gulp. "Hello?"
He spoke in a monotone voice. "Did you find the database yet?"
My eyes narrowed. "No, shouldn't you know about the database as an executive?"
His voice deepened. "Shut it, brat. It's a guarded secret that only a select few of people in the JAA know about. Since you've been incompetent, you're going to do something else for me."
I started sweating. "Something...else?"
His voice changed as if he was smiling. "Yes, you're going to disable the JCC's defenses."
...
What?