Chapter 2: I Once Injured a Spirit in a Fit of Rage

[1D4 = 1]

Logically, there was no need to heed the words of an enemy, but the current situation left them in a dilemma.

Should they focus on driving out the spirit before them or immediately return to the city to expel the unidentified spirit?

Or, absurdly, follow her suggestion and leave a few teammates behind to monitor her?

Impossible. 

Even though past manifestation analysis reports indicated this spirit lacked strong aggression, she was by no means a target to be taken lightly. 

As the operation commander, the captain would never gamble her team’s lives on a spirit’s empty promises.

…Forcefully drive her out with overwhelming pressure? 

Attack immediately, and if it goes smoothly, we could push her far from the city in a short time, then rush back…

No, that wouldn’t work either. 

The spirit before them wasn’t like Hermit, who avoided combat entirely and could be quickly expelled. 

Given her current demeanor, an immediate attack might provoke her, and there was no guarantee she wouldn’t retaliate by charging into the city, causing unnecessary casualties. 

Underground shelters could only withstand spacequakes—the explosions that accompanied a spirit’s appearance, mere dust kicked up by a leap in the desert.

The Realizer wasn’t a cost-free superhero transformation device. 

They had to consider the strain of expelling her from Tenguu City after expending significant stamina and weapon durability, then immediately returning for a second battle. 

Even if they succeeded in the second expulsion, the excessive physical damage from deactivating the Realizer…

While medical Realizers could heal most physical injuries short of fatal wounds, they offered no solution for overexertion or the side effects of pushing the body beyond its limits.

Relentless combat without regard for cost, even ignoring casualties, would leave most of the operatives present incapacitated for at least a week, unable to engage in anti-spirit operations without risking their health.

A decade ago, they could have justified such a hardline approach with the notion that spirits rarely manifested frequently or in the same location.

But recent events gnawed at the nerves of this unmarried woman—

“Spirits manifesting consecutively in a short time.”

The interval was less than half a month. 

The last enemy was Princess, and now another spirit stood before them. 

Even as they conducted this operation, another spacequake alarm blared, signaling a spirit appearing in the city center.

What was going on? 

A coincidence? 

Or was this season some kind of active period for spirits? 

What the hell? 

Can’t we just get a proper break?

Sweat beaded on her forehead, frustration and reluctance creeping into her heart. 

She didn’t have much time—her team awaited her orders, and whether they advanced or retreated, they’d be thrust into a battlefield against a calamity threatening humanity…

“Captain, I’ll stay to monitor it. You all head back to defend the city.” 

Origami Tobiichi’s gritted words came through the comms earpiece.

The Realizer’s defenses were robust; a simple heavy blow wasn’t enough to cause significant harm. 

Even so, taking a hit from a spirit couldn’t leave her unscathed.

It held back. 

That’s a fact.

Ryoko Kusakabe listened to Origami’s impulsive words and studied her expression.

A face dominated by anger, eyes clouded with hatred.

Normally, though reserved and expressionless, Origami was a gentle and well-liked girl, even secretly admired by some teammates.

Looking at her, Ryoko Kusakabe saw a reflection of her past self.

But she was still young, still in school, with so much of her own time ahead of her.

“Enough, Sergeant Tobiichi,” she interrupted, her voice hoarse. 

Clearing her throat subconsciously, she avoided Origami’s gaze and looked down at the quietly waiting spirit.

It wasn’t just the public that needed protection—protecting her team was also her responsibility as captain and senior. 

Faced with a choice between two dangerous options, Ryoko Kusakabe wished she didn’t have to choose either.

“No need for monitoring, and I don’t expect you to keep your word,” Ryoko said, watching the spirit’s expression. 

She raised a hand to signal her team to disperse the encirclement, then maneuvered her Realizer to approach the spirit slightly closer.

“But remember, no matter how many times you appear, we’ll drive you out at any cost.” 

As if to etch the girl’s face into her memory, she locked eyes with that rose-red gaze, her words unyielding. 

“For now, you’ve escaped with your life.”

“Captain—” 

The distance was dangerously close, and a teammate couldn’t help but call out, fearing a sudden attack from the spirit below.

“Enough! We’re leaving!!!” 

Ryoko barked, clenching her fist at the spirit before slowly retreating, leading her team, now at a safer distance, away…

Her figure lingered not only in the eyes of her subordinates but also in the vision of the spirit girl.

Approaching wasn’t a reckless move driven by hot-headedness. 

She seemed far more mature than her team, merely covering for her dispersing subordinates.

In other words…

If the spirit chose to attack now, targeting the “captain,” who was closer than the others, any move toward the rest would be intercepted by her. 

And attacking her directly might be exactly what this captain anticipated.

Though she didn’t wield a standard lightsaber like her teammates, and her machine gun was holstered at her side, there was no mistaking it—the weapon peeking from behind her knuckles, revealed as she clenched her fist and gestured toward the girl. 

Her demeanor showed no fear of conflict or sacrifice.

Was that thing called brass knuckles?

Using a weapon that required close proximity naturally demanded confidence in her strength.

But the spirit had no desire for battle.

Only when their figures vanished from the sky did the girl’s playful smile fade. 

Placing a hand on her chest, she bowed slightly, a calamity-bringing spirit offering a gentle gesture to the warriors heading to their next battlefield.

“Ow…” 

Clutching her aching wrist, the purple-haired spirit girl lowered her head, slowly flexing her fingers. 

Even with a second layer of spiritual energy for protection, it was still just a thin glove…

When the girl called Origami kicked her, she instinctively wanted to use her “Angel” but held back due to its side effects. 

If she hadn’t controlled her strength and turned subduing her into a kill, their earlier understanding would’ve been impossible.

But she underestimated the power of a human in a fit of rage. 

Coming to her senses, the sharp pain in her wrist made her wince.

“Really, such a cute girl…” 

She assessed it as a sprain, slightly swollen. 

Though it didn’t hinder finger movement much, rotating her wrist intensified the pain…

It wouldn’t heal in a day or two, but it was better than last time. 

Losing vision in one eye had greatly impaired her sense of distance.

Well, it’s worth it~

At least she wasn’t being chased all over the place this time.

Her manifestation would likely last until sunset, giving her plenty of time to explore the city…

A rare opportunity—she really wanted to try some desserts~

But before that…

“I want to see what another ‘spirit’ looks like…” 

If humans could send brave warriors to face calamities to protect their kind, what about spirits?

Could spirits do the same? 

Or were other spirits truly embodiments of disaster, unlike her, who was forced into this role?

She wanted to find out, so she would.

Her spiritual energy lifted her body, floating into the air. 

The girl sped off in the direction the warriors had gone.