Chapter 160

Chapter 160. The Returnee (2)

****

Nanami began to move. The Foundation Staff swiftly navigated through the concrete jungle, chasing after an unknown white figure.

[“You should’ve just killed it, Dr. Kim.”]

“Let’s consider it as catching a bigger fish.”

[“Whether you kill it or retrieve it, you can only say that if you succeed.”]

“I trust Nanami.”

Nanami was faster than expected.

She was darting between buildings at the speed of a normal person sprinting. Should we deploy a helicopter for pursuit? That might be a bit much.

[“Permission to shoot.”]

“Go ahead.”

Nanami drew a silenced pistol and aimed at the rapidly fleeing white figure. The muffled sound of gunshots echoed: *pop, pop, pop*.

[“I can’t tell where it is.”]

She paused briefly to fire the pistol, but lost sight of the target.

Nanami sighed and scanned her surroundings, then frowned at something.

[“Dr. Kim. I found a trace.”]

Nanami squinted at something crimson. What is that? She spotted bloodstained footprints on the asphalt.

“Understood. Sending people to the scene.”

[“It seems the shots hit. The Returnee was barefoot, but these bloodstains are from shoes. Someone with abilities must have tried to retrieve the Returnee.”]

“We’re searching the area with drones. Additional staff are being deployed. But, it looks like we’re in for a tough day.”

[“Agreed, Dr. Kim.”]

What can we do?

I started gathering my gear. There was no other way but to chase it myself. Since we lost it, we need to at least be on the scene. What other options are there?

****

Thanks to Nanami keeping watch on the Returnee all afternoon, we managed to buy time to carry out the operation in downtown Seoul.

We also gained another bait to lure out the hostile groups. Though it’s a bit complicated.

I didn’t realize this before, since we hadn’t operated in the city, but motorcycles are often used in urban operations.

Even if you’re wearing a helmet, driving like a maniac, or carrying suspicious packages, people just assume it’s normal. It makes a lot of sense.

[“I’m not good at driving, though?”]

[“It’s fine. We have a driving assist AI.”]

[“We’ve got it again! The white figure, from now on, will be referred to as ‘Returnee’ and ‘White-1.'”]

“Chasing now.”

[“Retrieval Team 3. Currently pursuing the target by vehicle. White-1. Nanami is in visual range and tracking. Sending Nanami’s location now.”]

I checked the mini-map, or rather, the navigation. Nanami was moving pretty fast.

The priority is to get to where Nanami is… but is she moving through alleyways or building rooftops?

This might not be easy to chase.

*Vroooom…*

The Foundation’s electric motorcycle was eerily quiet. Only the sound of tires rolling and brakes slowing down could be heard.

[“Retrieval Team 3, forming a perimeter around the block. Target is being pursued. More civilians than expected. Please be cautious.”]

The target is just one person.

There must be limits to their abilities. Assuming they can disguise themselves as a white figure and run superhumanly fast.

[“I knew it. Another one! Another white figure, ‘White-2,’ has appeared.”]

“Understood. Retrieval Team 3 will split up and chase—”

I turned my head at the sound of a motorcycle behind me.

Are we being tailed? No, following us openly on a motorcycle isn’t exactly tailing.

We’re being pursued. By what, I don’t know.

****

Meanwhile, somewhere in the nearby entertainment district.

[“Boss. There’s a bunch of bikers without proper license plates roaming around, causing a ruckus. At this hour?”]

[“What? Are they Chinese?”]

[“I don’t know.”]

[“In our territory?”]

[“Yes. They’ve been lurking around for an hour, riding their bikes aimlessly.”]

[“Must be those Chinese bastards. Chase them out.”]

[“They look like women, though.”]

[“Does that make sense, you idiot? They’re probably just some skinny kids.”]

For that reason, the gang members were chasing the suspicious motorcycles. But when they saw them, they couldn’t shake off the unease. That…

No license plates, a dark gray electric motorcycle that made no sound, and the helmets didn’t look like ordinary high-visibility ones.

It wasn’t a delivery bike, but the amount of luggage… Russian mafia? Or maybe undercover cops?

The black helmet looked back.

They seemed to have noticed the pursuit immediately.

It doesn’t matter what they are. Whether they’re cops or Russian mafia, they’ll either escape or get caught. They don’t have wings.

The gang members closed in on the motorcycle they were chasing. Of course. An electric motorcycle can’t outrun a gas-powered one.

If we catch them, we’ll beat them up first to find out who they are. A few hits with a wrench should do the trick—

Wait.

The black figure let go of the handlebars and drove hands-free, then pulled something out of the bag. It was a bizarre sight. What is that—

****

What the hell? They looked like ordinary bikers, but the way they’re actively chasing us… Are they part of a hostile group?

[“Autonomous driving.”]

Just hold on for five seconds, you damn tin can.

I pulled out a submachine gun from the bag, unfolded it, inserted the magazine, and released the safety.

[“Requesting backup. We’re being pursued.”]

Of course, we have to assume the worst.

It’s most likely an attack by the Returnee or a hostile group targeting me. Three motorcycles chasing from behind. Kill or be killed.

I turned around as fast as I could and opened fire. Of course, hitting a moving motorcycle from another moving motorcycle is nearly impossible.

But—

*Ratatatat.* The sound of automatic gunfire echoed through the night. Whether out of panic or trying to dodge, one motorcycle swerved sharply and collided with another.

Another one hit a utility pole.

*Screeeech!* The horrifying sound of rubber tearing. The gasoline spilled on the ground ignited as it met the burning rubber.

Did we lose them? That’s not the point. I grabbed the handlebars again and headed towards Nanami’s location.

[“White-2, confirmed. Helicopter snipers on standby. Please drive them towards the main road if possible.”]

In the distance, the Foundation’s helicopter came into view. At an altitude where the grass and trees were being swept by the rotor’s wind pressure. The muzzle flashed—

*Bang!*

A person fell onto the road.

Like shattered porcelain, white fragments scattered everywhere. At the center was a bleeding human figure.

Still breathing.

Things seem to be escalating.

This isn’t the Returnee. Nor is it the one who took the Returnee. I don’t even know what this is.

I sighed.

[“What is this… Does anyone know?”]

Over the radio, the Support Department Head’s voice.

[“It’s an ability user. Given that they tried to protect or extract the Returnee, they’re likely from the ‘Librarians.’ Think of it like when Cosmos and the others tried to extract the Returnee.”]

So, someone tried to extract the Returnee and succeeded in snatching them right under Nanami’s nose.

Then they managed to shake off the Foundation’s pursuit.

Hmm. This won’t be easy.

[“Alright. Let’s capture White-2 first and think about it later. Let’s neutralize this one for now.”]

The person lying on the ground was slowly crawling away, trying to escape. But they were quickly restrained by Foundation Staff. At least we’ve got one—

[“Let’s keep moving.”]

****

The Returnee, Kim Suho.

He was just lying at home, rolling around, when some lunatics broke through the window, swinging a longsword around.

Now he’s been kidnapped by a madman.

Is this because of the regression?

I haven’t even bought stocks once.

[“Hey, could you at least tell me where we’re going? I’m getting worried.”]

The one who kidnapped Kim Suho was a woman wearing a white mask. The Librarian’s mask had only two black dots instead of a face.

[“Listen carefully, sir.”]

[“Yes.”]

Kim Suho was being carried as they ran. To shake off the pursuit, they were zigzagging through alleyways and buildings.

[“Sir, you have received a great gift from the goddesses of fate. A blessing so grand that the rulers of this world consider it an error.”]

[“……”]

Is this about the regression?

[“We are the Librarians, and the Travelers. We believe the blessing you received is extraordinary. We too believe we have the right to exist as we were born, or as fate has led us. We are not errors…”]

The woman who kidnapped—no, rescued—Kim Suho looked up at the sound of a helicopter.

[“Like any other human, we simply wish to have the right granted by the heavens, to exist under the sun. Why must they go this far…”]

A sigh.

[“If we go through the alleyways, we won’t be shot by the helicopter snipers. Let’s go in here.”]

The city seemed unusually dark today. The moon was a crescent. Many streetlights were out, and the alleyways were darker than usual. Was it just my imagination, or…

*Pat.* The Librarian who kidnapped the Returnee set him down in the alleyway.

The dark alleyway might be a chance to hide from the all-seeing eyes of the Foundation.

The Librarian sighed in relief.

[“We’re almost there. Just five more minutes, and we’ll reach the Library. We’ll hide from the Foundation’s eyes, catch our breath, and—”]

The Librarian frowned behind the mask. Something black appeared at both ends of the alleyway.

A stick? A wire? Iron bars? What is that…

[“Krrrrrk.”]

Despair flashed before the Librarian’s eyes.

[“You’re also a superhuman being chased by the Foundation, aren’t you? We’re in the same boat. If you help us, we, the Travelers, can help you too.”]

[“……”]

[“……”]

[“……”]

A pale face emerged from the darkness. The Librarian had no choice but to remain silent.

[“Shut. Your. Mouth.”]

It’s easy to forget.

Common sense isn’t the only thing that becomes nonsensical. Even within the world of the nonsensical, there are hierarchies and rules.

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