Chapter 5: “You Really Like Trying to Kill Me, Huh?”

"In love, there's always a bit of madness. But in madness, there's always a bit of reason."—Friedrich Nietzsche

The door lay flat on the floor like a murder victim riddled with scalpels.The woman in the blood-splattered nurse uniform—apparently named Mina—burst into laughter, completely deranged.

The little girl next to her simply walked into the apartment like nothing was out of the ordinary.

Tetsu and Maru stared, dumbfounded, at the bizarre scene.

Maru: "What did I say about knocking the damn door down, you lunatic?!"

Mina: "Shigeru! We're hoooome!"

Maru: "THAT'S NOT THE POINT!"

Chimo: "Geezer! Who's that kid behind you?"

The girl stepped forward with curiosity and looked Tetsu up and down.They stared at each other for a moment before Tetsu broke the silence.

Tetsu: "Nice to meet you! I'm Tetsu. What's your name?"

Chimo: "My name's a little secret—but everyone calls me Chimo!"

They shook hands, polite and respectful, surprising even Maru.He turned toward the nurse, now sprawled out lazily in front of the TV, which was clearly ruined—full of scalpels and even a chainsaw jammed into it.

Mina: "Shige!! Fix the TV! I'm bored!!"

Maru: "And who wrecked it, huh?!"

Mina: "That kid… is he one of those 'specials' the bosses sent?"

Maru: "Yeah... His name's Tetsu. He's the new member—and a Wanderer—of Squad 7."

The moment she heard he was a Wanderer, Mina shot him a razor-sharp grin.Her eyes weren't curious to meet him—they were curious to dissect him.

Tetsu stepped forward awkwardly to introduce himself, but to his surprise, Mina extended her hand and shook his.

Mina: "Nice to meet ya, little Wanderer! I'm Mina, the most powerful member of the squad! Don't worry, I don't bite…"

Tetsu: "Your voice sounds familiar… Have we met?"

Mina: "We sure have! Back at the coliseum—when someone injected a tracker into you in case you lost control? YEAH, THAT WAS ME! AND I CAN STILL BLOW YOUR BRAINS OUT IF I WANT TO!"

Maru: "Ignore her, she's insane. Tetsu, that's Mina. She handles medical stuff… and yeah, she's a strong fighter—but no way she's the most powerful in the squad. We're about equal in combat."

Mina: "Shut up, Shigeru!!"

Tetsu: "Wait, why does she call you Shigeru, Maru?"

Maru: "It's complicated. Let's just say… PTSD. Her calling me that is part of it, and I can't really explain more."

Maru: "Anyway! Enough talk. It's late. We report to our superiors tomorrow, so get some rest!"

Chimo: "BUT IT'S STILL EARLY, YOU OLD FOSSIL!"

Mina: "SHIGE!!... BUT… I'M NOT EVEN SLEEPY…"

Maru: "I don't care! Everyone's going to bed! AND MINA—DON'T YOU DARE KICK YOUR DOOR DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!"

Mina: "You take the fun out of everything!"

Tetsu: "Geez… He really does seem like their dad…"

Eventually, everyone headed to their rooms. Tetsu found himself in his futon with a small lamp beside him—left by Maru.He didn't like the dark. But this little gesture made him feel… seen.

The next morning, Tetsu was woken up by the sound of fighting.

Tetsu: "These two argue like an old married couple…"

He opened the door and found Mina wielding a chainsaw, facing off with Maru—both still in pajamas.Chimo sat at the table, casually doodling like it was just another Tuesday.

Mina: "DAMN YOU, SHIGERU!! I TOLD YOU NOT TO PISS ME OFF!! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET!!"

Maru: "YOU SMASHED MY LUXURY SAKE BOTTLE!! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU JUST DID?!"

Mina: "YOU DESERVE THIS!"

Mina lunged, slamming into Maru and pinning him.But in the scuffle, one of Maru's katanas ended up lodged in her chest.

She collapsed, groaning, and Maru stood up unfazed.He calmly pulled the blade out, cut his palm, and let his blood drip into Mina's mouth.

She twitched, then let out a wild scream, flipped onto her feet, and stood back up like nothing happened.

AGENT CLASSIFICATION: MINA — HUMAN (Emphasis on "Human")Special Ability: "Bloodthirst"By forming a contract with The Collector, Mina gained the ability to recover from fatal injuries by drinking blood. The more compatible the blood type, the greater the regeneration. AB negative = Full recovery. O positive = Almost nothing.She also has monstrous physical strength and uses modified medical equipment as weapons—her favorite being a chainsaw.

Chimo: "Haha! You look so funny, Mina!"

AGENT CLASSIFICATION: CHIMO — UNKNOWNNo confirmed data on species. No Errant core detected.No pact with The Collector, but she can manipulate non-living matter at will through touch.She once created a sword for Maru in a critical mission.She's also highly skilled in firearms and melee combat.

Maru: "You done now, Mina?... We're late for HQ. Get dressed. I'll be downstairs."

Tetsu changed into a new outfit Maru had left for him: a white shirt, blue jeans, and a yellow-gray coat with a Committee patch—an eye crossed out above a sword plunged into the ground.

Maru was already waiting outside, smoking as usual.

Driver: "Captain Maruyama… Your team's a mess."

Maru: "You have no idea…"

Maru took another drag from his cigarette, lost in thought.He knew this job would probably get him killed someday.

But before he could spiral, his team arrived.

Maru: "Finally! Let's go or the bosses are gonna lose it!"

They all piled into the limo. Tetsu had never seen a car like this—it looked expensive.Maru sat up front. Chimo and Mina were in the back with Tetsu. Chimo fiddled with the window button. Mina sharpened a blade.

Soon, they arrived.

The place looked like a European-style mansion—but with a government logo in the middle: the mark of the Committee.

Inside, the building was pristine. Marble floors. Pillars. Formal people walking around—all wearing the same symbol as Tetsu's coat.

They walked until they reached the "OFFICES" section. Maru grabbed a paper number and took a seat.

Chimo pulled out an onigiri from her bag and started eating. Mina asked for a bite—Chimo split it in half.

Clearly… this was gonna be a boring wait.

Maru stood and approached the receptionist.

Maru: "Excuse me, we're here to see Chief Johann."

Receptionist: "He's on assignment."

Maru sighed.

Maru: "Then… please tell Captain Maki that Maru's here to report."

The receptionist made a call. A moment later, a titanium door slid open.

Maru: "Thanks."

They walked through a long hallway with labeled doors. One name caught Tetsu's eye:

"Alexander Trooper"

Tetsu: "Isn't that the fire guy from before?"

Maru: "Yup. He's an Errant too. You'll like him when you meet him."

Another door had a scratched-out name: Yoru.

Tetsu: "So this place is like… the HQ of the comittee?"

Maru: "Yeah. This section is only for high-rankers. We're going to see the captain."

They stopped at a door labeled Maki.Maru knocked.

Maki (from inside): "WHOEVER IT IS, GO TO HELL!"

Maru: "Captain… It's me. Maru."

Maki: "Who?"

Maru sighed.

Maru: "Knock knock…"

Maki: "Who's there?"

Maru: "Your chain-smoking captain of Squad 7."

The door flew open and Maki punched him in the face.

Maru: "WHY IS THIS A THING?! WHY DOES EVERYONE HIT ME?!"

Mina: "MAKI!!!"

Maki instantly pinned Mina to the ground with a grappling move.

Captain Maki was around 24, dressed like a regular office worker, but with wild lilac hair and circular glasses.Her cheerful energy barely covered up how terrifying she could be.

AGENT CLASSIFICATION: MAKI — [CLASSIFICATED]Special Ability: [CLASSIFICATED]By forming a pact with The Collector, she gained [CLASSIFICATED].She's also an elite close-quarters fighter and a founding member of now-defunct Squad 0.

Maki: "MARU!! LONG TIME NO SEE, YOU CIGARETTE-SNIFFING DINO!!"

She lifted him up in a hug… then kneed him in the gut.

Maki: "WHAT'D I TELL YOU ABOUT INTERRUPTING ME, MARUYAMA YUUJI?!"

She turned to the others.

Maki: "So… these your new recruits?"

Maru: "Y-Yeah… That's Tetsu. And the little one's Chimo."

Maki: "Thought so. Alright, come in—before I change my mind and punch you again."

Inside was a cluttered office, stacked with weird trinkets and documents.Behind her desk stood a glass case holding a sword wrapped in seals and holy ribbons.

Maki: "Alright, Maru. What's this about?"

Maru: "Two things. First, we killed a Type-Insect Fallen yesterday… and uh… we need funds to fix… all the destruction…"

Maki (slamming desk): "LISTEN, YOU DAMN DRUNK! WE'RE ON A BUDGET! I'LL TALK TO THE HIGHER-UPS—BUT NEXT TIME YOU BREAK SOMETHING, YOU'RE PAYING FOR IT!! GOT IT?!"

Maru: "Y-YES, MA'AM."

Maki: "Second thing?"

Maru: "We've got a rogue Errant on the loose. Can control people with her voice. Squad 14 was sent but never returned. She's gained massive influence already."

Maki: "Hmm… Then don't engage until we know more. I'll assign a stronger squad to investigate."

Meanwhile, in Shinjuku…

The city buzzed as usual—commuters, students, life.

Until she appeared.

A girl in a frilly pink idol dress stood in the middle of the plaza.She was flanked by two massive men wearing tactical masks—painted with skulls.From the glowing pink light in their eyes… it was clear they weren't human anymore.

They set up speakers beside her. One handed her a mic.

She wore a matching pink wig and held a mime mask—which she removed, revealing a stunningly beautiful face. She looked about 16 or 18.

From beneath her choker, a strange buzzing noise began—radio interference.

???: "WHO'S READY TO GET CRAZY?!"

People stared, confused.

She giggled shyly, then removed the choker—revealing a core embedded in her throat.

???: "Showtime!"

The core emitted a burst of high-pitched interference—loud enough to rupture eardrums.

Some people dropped instantly. Others clutched their heads in agony.A few… rose up with glowing pink eyes.

???: "Guess I didn't even have to show off for this concert~!"