So this is what it feels like to be pitied...
Shoko could clearly feel that, in the eyes of others, she was now a weak person in need of pity, a "poor thing" whose protests and dissatisfaction would be seen as only natural. This was completely at odds with her own self-perception.
This state of passively receiving pity felt suffocating, as if she were invisibly losing her dignity and self-respect.
Something faint seemed to be slowly extinguishing in Shoko's eyes. After a long silence, she spoke:
"I've changed my mind. I'm not quitting."
"I will participate in the next operation!"
Shoko clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her skin. She instinctively felt that if she quit now, she would never be able to integrate into the circle of "monsters" again. She would be doomed to be a pathetic ordinary person for the rest of her life, unable to ever move forward.
I can no longer stand this weak and powerless version of myself!
"Shoko, we are a group that shares a common destiny. You don't have to force yourself."
Qian Yi acknowledged Shoko's will and then said, "In that case, let's temporarily split the team into two groups. It's too much of a waste of time for everyone to move together. Kiana, Talulah, Raiden Mei, and I will be one group. We'll explore the TV world first to see if we can find the corresponding 'Palaces' for Raiden Mei and Talulah."
"As for the rest of you, there is a Divine Key called 'Jizo Mitama' buried beneath Nagazora. Please find it. If any danger arises, you can communicate through the chat group. Also, monitor the movements of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy."
"That is all."
The grouping issue was temporarily resolved. However, since some members were not yet awake and no one had eaten breakfast, the operation probably wouldn't start until ten o'clock, or even noon.
But they weren't a professional team. It was normal for there to be various problems on their first mission. They would just need to get more in sync over time.
Well, things being as they are, let's eat first.
Compared to the harmonious atmosphere at the Raiden residence, the situation at ME Corp was not looking good.
Cocolia was currently meeting with a very important guest, a partner who had provided much convenience for her operation.
In fact, Cocolia didn't see the other party as a partner at all, but merely as a useful tool. Once her plan was complete and she had control of the Herrscher of Thunder, the first thing she would do was kick this group of "serpent"-like partners hiding in the dark—right out!
But for now, with the plan unfinished, she still had to show some respect to these "World Serpent" partners.
"Gray Serpent, what brings you here this time?"
"Just confirming if your plan is proceeding smoothly."
From the shadows, a figure in a black hoodie adorned with green lines emerged. He wore a white mask that revealed only his right eye, decorated with a black pattern of two crossed daggers. Gray Serpent's silhouette gradually became clear. Even indoors, he held a black umbrella high, exuding a suffocating sense of pressure.
The awakening of the Herrscher of Thunder was related to whether the Lord could return, and the Lord's return was related to the great plan to save all humanity. He had to ensure the plan would be completed.
But in Cocolia's eyes, his caution was undoubtedly a form of doubt and distrust.
She walked to the sofa opposite Gray Serpent, completely ignoring him, and sat down directly. Her fingertips lightly toyed with her curly blonde hair. Her full figure, tightly bound by the dark military uniform, swayed gently with her slight movements, revealing a glimpse of a fair, well-defined contour at her chest. Her legs, extending from under her clothes, crossed at the thighs, casting a shadow. Her reply was also nonchalant.
"Gray Serpent, I have been following this plan all along. I can tell you very seriously that the plan is proceeding smoothly, without any accidents. To ensure its completion, I have even sent my daughter, Bronya, to keep an eye on the host for the Third Herrscher."
"Put away your arrogance, Cocolia. As an Executor of Anti-Entropy, you know very well the strength of Schicksal."
"Ha, Schicksal. They probably don't even know what's about to happen in Nagazora City right now."
"Never underestimate that man. As the Overseer of Schicksal, his sense of smell is sharper than a hyena's. Any slight movement will not escape his eyes. So, before the plan is completed, we must be more cautious."
"Tsk."
Cocolia clicked her tongue in annoyance. Although she was reluctant to admit it, Schicksal's Overseer was indeed an extremely troublesome fellow.
If everything here were exposed, what she would face would be Schicksal's sharpest spear and sword—the Immortal Blades.
Though she was confident, facing an S-rank Valkyrie from the Immortal Blades without the Third Herrscher... the outcome was self-evident.
Falling into the hands of the Schicksal Overseer would be more painful than death.
"I'll be careful," Cocolia said, clearing her throat. She commanded the central console to activate, and a cold blue light flashed in the conference room as the screen lit up.
All information about Nagazora City was displayed on it.
"Telecommunications technology is Anti-Entropy's strong suit. All news in Nagazora City is under my surveillance. Any intelligence related to this place that wants to get out must have my approval. The only ones in Nagazora City who can directly contact the outside world, besides me and my daughter, are you, Gray Serpent," Cocolia said smugly.
She and her daughter would certainly not collude with Schicksal. It was self-evident who she was pointing her words at.
"I hope so," Gray Serpent's voice was flat. He then turned to leave.
Since there were no problems with the plan for now, he, the serpent, needed to continue lurking in the shadows. Until the Lord returned and the plan began, World Serpent still needed to lie low.
He wasn't an idiot like Cocolia, who thought she could contend with Schicksal with just one Herrscher of Thunder.
Only with caution and prudence could they evade Schicksal's eyes and ears and seek victory.
Just as he was about to leave, a huge sound came from outside ME Corp. Gray Serpent and Cocolia turned their heads and saw a massive black shadow approaching at low altitude.
It was an attack helicopter, with silver wing-like symbols printed on its sides and head.
"Impossible!" Cocolia exclaimed.
The next moment, the attack helicopter crashed directly into the ME Corp building, heading straight for Cocolia and Gray Serpent.
Seeing the situation was bad, Gray Serpent silently shielded Cocolia with his body.
But a lance, whistling through the air, shattered his dream of escape, pinning him to the wall in one strike.
Cocolia pulled out her gun to counter-attack, but a sharp blow landed on her abdomen. Like Gray Serpent, she was embedded in the wall. After coughing up a mouthful of blood, she fainted on the spot. Before passing out, she saw the true face of her attacker.
It was a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl with long, wavy blonde hair, dressed in casual summer clothes, looking as if she were on vacation.
The strongest S-rank Valkyrie, Durandal.
After easily solving the problem with a punch and a lance, the girl who looked like she was on vacation took out her phone and dialed a number.
"Rita, I have arrived in Nagazora City."
-------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (114 Chapter (Simulpub-Full) )
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (260 Chapter)
Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (230 Chapter)
MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (100 Chapter)
BLEACH: Blade of Purification (110 Chapter)
Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (280 Chapter)
My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (110 Chapter)
The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (130 Chapter)
Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(60 Chapter)
Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live (162 Chapter)
Zenless Zone Zero The Random Kamen Rider (130 Chapter)
Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino (90 Chapter)
Naruto: I Can Synthesize Summoning Beasts (60 Chapter)
Demon Slayer: The Great Swordsman's System, Disciple of Yoriichi (90 Chapter)
My Wife is a General, but I'm an Emanator of Abundance! (110 Chapter)
Type-Moon: My Nine-Fold Path (100 Chapter)
Uma Musume: They're Peeking at My Diary, and All of Tracen is Panickin (80 Chapter)
The Wild History of Type-Moon world (50 Chapter)
Reborn in Conan, But I Refuse to Be the Bad Guy (70 Chapter)
Ruan Mei is begging me to go back? But there's no going back anymore (80 Chapter)
Just a Slacker at Tracen Academy (80 Chapter)
Survival in Blue Archive (50 Chapter)
Kimetsu no Yaiba: Doma Wasn't Hated Today, Either (60 Chapter)
The Vibe of This Chat Group is a Little Off (60 Chapter)
Heartbreak Simulator: I Broke Them and Made Them Cry (30 Chapter)
The Talentless Trainer Doesn't Want to Restart (30 Chapter)
A Journey Starting as a Quincy (30 Chapter)
Uma Musume: The Master of Romance Obstruction (30 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.