Late night residential area.

This is the target's house?
The name on the nameplate is the same. There is no doubt about it.
Let's get the hell out of here! I can't wait to go home!

　Three men and a woman lurking in the dark, engaged in a tumultuous conversation.

'Melt. The killing is a case of necessity. We must capture it first.
Yes, sir.
'Toy, Melt, don't waste your breath. Let's go.

　With that said, one of the men tries to step onto the property of the house. But he is blocked by an invisible wall and cannot move forward.

'What the hell is this?'
"It's a barrier, a different kind of power?
Get out of my way. I'll melt it.

　The girl called Melt touches the invisible wall with the confused men as the others.

'....Huh?

　But nothing happens.

Hmm, it was a good decision to have my master set up a ward. It seems that the techniques taught to you by Ryukai are also functioning properly.
"!!!

　The three of them were surprised and looked over the block wall. Then they see a black cat.

'Well. The fact that it is blocked by this ward means that it is trying to enter this house with malicious intent. So you are sure about that?

　The three of them were puzzled by the sight of the cat speaking the language as if it were natural. But they quickly regained their composure and analyzed the situation

Animal control, xenophobia?
It is possible that he could be in the form of a cat due to his shapeshifting powers.
If Toy is right, it's interesting. What would happen if I melted him in his cat form?

　The black cat looks dubious at the three's words.

''NeNe, let's kill this cat!''
'It is no good. This cat is a possible target.
I'll take this one. If you capture him, there should be some kind of reaction.

　Then the man raises his hand to the black cat.

'Hmm. I don't know what you're talking about, but you don't seem to be answering our questions...'

　Muttering that, the black cat gave a small sigh.







◇






　A certain building has been hastily constructed somewhere in Sapporo.
　On a monitor set up in one room there, two elderly people and an old woman are projected on the screen. And there was a woman in conversation with the images.

''Chie. How is the branch in a hastily set up position?
"Dear Miss Flare. We have enough men, we have the right equipment, we have the right conditions. No problem.

　The woman called 'Chie' answered the question of the old woman called 'Flare' in a matter-of-fact manner.

''By the way, have you found out who defeated Diess?''

　One of the old men continued to speak to Chie.

''Yes, Master Von. We sent 'Melt' and 'Toy' towards the target that is said to have defeated Diess earlier.
"Those two closest to rank A? Aren't you overdoing it?

　The old man known as Von let out a startled cry. But that would be a natural reaction.

　The girl called Melt has the ability to liquefy things that she touches. As long as you touch it, you can make any living creature die, and you can even prevent the attack by dissolving the approaching blade. Depending on where it hits, it can even catch bullets.
　It's a highly versatile, offensive and defensive ability.

　And the man called "Toy" is equipped with the unusual ability of "Toy". It is an ability to create up to 12 dolls that can use the materials around them and faithfully listen to commands. The size and performance of the dolls are affected by the materials used and the time it takes to create them, but a single doll can be stronger than an entire squad of armed soldiers.
　In other words, he alone could create a force greater than a squad of armed soldiers.

''Those two aren't the only ones. I thought that if it was possible to capture them, I would send Sefek to them as well.
Do you mean to tell me that they sent Cefek, who is ranked A?

　The old man, called Von, yells in surprise again.

'Von, calm down. I will respect Chie's decision. Even though it's a surprise attack, he's the one who defeated the rank A Diess. If you're thinking of capturing him, two rank B's aren't enough for me.''
"But, Master Menace. 'But, Mr. Menace, you are a force to be reckoned with that could plunge a nation into chaos if operated properly. And one civilian...
'By any coincidence, there's no way an ordinary person can defeat Dies. It's natural to assume that he's also an impostor. I will also respect Chie's decision.''

　The old man known as Von shuts down at his words.

I'll wait for the three of them to return for now. I'm going to have to wait for the three of them to return. After capturing or disposing of the target, I'm going to do what Diess couldn't do, which is capture the 'cold heat', 'grant' and 'bond'. So there's no objection, is there?''
I don't mind.
"...I have no objection to that.
'So, rank A, Chie. Let's make sure it's a smooth process, okay? "To lead us to God.
I'm sorry, sir.

　At the same time as Chie's reply, the image on the monitor was cut off.

　Then, in order to check on the progress of the mission, Chie activated her own unusual ability.

'Sefek, Toy, Melt is... eh?'

　Chie was astonished to learn of the current situation of the three men who had led them to capture their target.





◇





I'm sorry you had to help me carry him out.
Kerr.

　The crow cawed as if to say, 'Never mind.

"Caw, caw.
'I'm fine, I'm not hurt. I'm more concerned that you didn't bother the neighbors.
Ka-ka.

　'I checked, but it doesn't look like anyone's awake,' the crow cawed, as if to say, 'I've checked, and it doesn't look like anyone's awake.

'Well, that's good to know. But this town is even more tumultuous than I thought. I'm worried about my master in this. We may need to provide an escort.'
Kah-kah.
Hm? Can you do it for me? Certainly, if you can fly, you're the right man for the job.
Kerr.
So, can you do me a favor?
Caw!

　I got it! As if to say, the crow cawed.

"Well, we'll go to bed, too.
Kerr.

　After finishing their work, one of them and one of the birds went through the cat pathway set up in the doorway and back to their respective sleeping quarters.