28. Throwing Myself into the Game Again

At 10:00 PM the next day, the Ultra Guard’s emergency alarm sounded.

Megumi looked at her computer screen. "The 'Underground Woman' who appeared at the base has surfaced again. Security cameras on the street have captured traces of her movements."

Yamanaka perked up. "She finally showed herself!"

Kishida looked around. "Where is Qi Ming? Even if he skips training, he should at least show up for something like this."

Since the previous incident, the team members no longer complained about Qi Ming skipping drills and patrols; they had subconsciously accepted his special status.

"I'm here." No sooner had the words been spoken than the heavy blast door—which had been smashed through previously but was now repaired—swung open. Qi Ming walked in carrying a large bag of snacks and desserts. He had been having a late-night snack when the notification arrived.

"Are we heading out on a mission immediately? Everyone, grab some food to keep your energy up," Qi Ming said, starting to distribute the items.

If anyone had pulled such a stunt during a crisis in the past, Nagi Saijo would have stepped forward to berate them harshly. But now, she simply accepted the blueberry mousse Qi Ming handed her. She didn't eat it, nor did she scold him for "lacking situational awareness."

"Actually, I don't usually eat sweets at night. It's easy to gain weight and causes cavities." Despite saying this, Yamanaka took a bite anyway. This was the first time the new recruit, Qi Ming, had shown such respect to his seniors; it was too memorable to pass up!

Kishida, however, wondered why he felt like a subordinate being patronized by a high-ranking official visiting the front lines. He couldn't help but think that Qi Ming really acted like he was a cut above the rest.

"Thanks, Officer Qi Ming." Seeing that even the deputy captain said nothing, Megumi felt no hesitation. She finished her cake in a few bites, licked the cream from the corner of her mouth, and began briefing Qi Ming on the situation.

Dan Moroboshi said, "Staff Officer Hezhi specifically requested that we capture her alive if possible."

Qi Ming asked, "Did he say anything else?" Like, perhaps, issuing a warning to someone like him, a so-called "special case"?

"No, why?"

Qi Ming nodded to himself. It seemed Staff Officer Hezhi was keeping his cool. Yesterday, he had exchanged views with Kiriyama, and both agreed that the theory of the "Nonmalt being the indigenous people of Earth" might not be the whole truth. They decided to continue suppressing the information to avoid panic.

"Aren't you going to tell Dan, too?"

"Forget it. Ever since he became captain, his brain has basically become an ornament."

"Alright then... I'll go talk to Staff Officer Hezhi myself. Don't worry about him retaliating against you. After all, you're just an ordinary officer; he won't lower himself to your level."

"It should be him praying that I don't go looking for trouble with him."

At that moment, Megumi spoke up again: "She's appeared again! The target, codenamed 'Underground Woman,' was spotted by cameras in the T7-C district!"

Yamanaka was invigorated. "How careless of her. Good, let's move out! We'll capture this person who nearly blew up our base and make her pay the price!"

Qi Ming intervened, "Wait. Why do I get the feeling she is showing herself on purpose, just so we can see her?"

Dan Moroboshi was stunned. "Do you have any evidence?"

Qi Ming replied, "A few days ago, while browsing the news in my room, I saw a report about 'frequent minor earthquakes in the T7-B district, forcing tunnel construction to halt.' I believe that was caused by an underground monster."

Nagi Saijo added, "Because the 'Underground Woman' appeared in the T7 district, you think that underground monster is the 'Terreston' that Dr. Yushima mentioned?"

Communicating with smart people was always a pleasure. Qi Ming nodded. "Didn't we install the 'Yushima Rectifier' to increase the radar's search range? Scan the T7-B district and see."

Megumi reported, "The target has changed her position. She is moving toward the T7-B district."

Kishida gritted his teeth. "That's it! She pretended to be caught on camera to lure us to her location, and then she'll summon the monster to deal with us!"

Megumi, having scanned the T7-B district with radar, had a strange expression on her face. "Perhaps it's not that simple."

She explained that beneath the strata of the T7-B district, there were not only signs of massive biological activity but also an accumulation of the same energy fluctuations as the previous two "Sacred Flames."

Sacred Flames... After the Alien Pira, who had allied with the underground people, were wiped out, had they teamed up with the Kyrieloids?

Dan Moroboshi frowned deeply. The danger level in the T7-B district was now extremely high. Not only was there an underground monster that could break through the surface at any moment, but they also had to watch out for the flames, which could incinerate a skyscraper in an instant.

Dan Moroboshi said, "Issue the evacuation notice first."

Nagi Saijo countered, "But if we alert the enemy, they will surely go back into hiding, which might lead to even greater destruction in the future." After all, one cannot guard against a thief forever; she preferred paying a certain "price" to eliminate the enemy once and for all.

However, Dan believed that protecting the lives of the citizens was far more important than destroying the monster. Furthermore, he was responsible for the young lives of his team members and could not let them walk blindly into a trap filled with variables.

At this, Qi Ming said, "I think we should use their own plan against them."

"If the Underground Woman dares to act as bait to lure us out, then we should send someone out to draw out the 'backup plan' they have waiting for after their success."

"Let’s wipe them out in one battle and resolve all future threats!"

The plan was proposed by Qi Ming, so it was only natural that he would be the one to "walk the tightrope" as a member of the suicide squad. This made the other team members secretly hold him in higher regard.

Although this kid ignored team rules, loved being special, and always acted like he was superior, he was by no means the type of leader who only talked a big game while pushing pressure and danger onto others. When things got serious, he truly stepped up.

Nagi Saijo said, "I'll go with you, so we can look out for each other."

Qi Ming refused. "Even for me, it's hard to look out for others while dealing with multiple enemies. Forget it."

The implication was that there would be no "looking out for each other," only him looking out for her.

Dan Moroboshi’s nose was almost crooked with anger. He had just been satisfied with Qi Ming’s series of friendly gestures, thinking he was finally improving his relationship with the team. And then he said something like that—did he think women were inferior to men?

Nagi Saijo, the person in question, remained calm and nodded without insisting. Having recognized Qi Ming's strength, she now had a high tolerance for his "offensive" words and behavior, and she would not easily question his plans and arrangements. This was exactly the effect Qi Ming wanted.

Qi Ming continued to layout the plan: "While I go to deal with them, you all issue the evacuation notice. I will draw their fire and hold their attention to ensure the civilians can evacuate safely."

This arrangement, where he took all the risks upon himself, moved the others.

Megumi asked with concern, "And what about you?" Even if he was highly skilled and could smash through a six-ton blast door, the opponent was a massive monster weighing tens of thousands of tons. A body of flesh and blood was no match for them.

Qi Ming replied, "Don't worry, I'll play it by ear."