Chapter 25: Duck Wick

White hair, cocky look, and a business suit.

I did not give them the chance to speak.

I stood still and silently recited another opening formula. I outright canceled the [cloud Seeking Steps].

"Stand still, mister. As you can see, we are from the…"

I disregarded his yap completely.

"...dragon rises;

The nine heaven trembles."

Atop my palm, a dot of spark emerged. It circled crazily until it turned into a snake-like phantom.

The Fire aspect under the [Five Elements Dao Sutra], [Nine Dragons Purple Qi]. 

The emergence of a two-meter long fire snake took two seconds. I saw the people in front of me placing their hands on their waists.

They're too late.

Swoosh-!

The fire snake headed straight to the white-haired man.

Boom-!

"Ah..?!"

"@%@^!!!"

"THIS DAMNED—"

The huge explosion caused a fire curtain to envelop all four of them. Their bodies flew back due to recoil. Flames appeared and stuck on them. Their shouts varied. One spoke English, the other... I don't know.

The small snake in my hand caused great effects.

"Five percent…"

I practiced these spells before. I can control their outputs to limit their consumption. Nevertheless, I am still shocked at their changes. The same output before costs a fifth of my spiritual qi. Now it only costs five percent.

"Huff…"

I calmed down. The analysis comes for later.

I cut off my connection to the flames. The fire curtain slowly died out. What was left is a charred body and three people who sustain varying burns.

Their car caught my attention. It is parked several meters away. It is why I resolutely used a spell.

 I won't be able to leave peacefully. The police will question me. I don't know what will happen by then. My upbringing in my world made me instinctively feel the need to escape.

Not once did I get pulled for a speeding ticket. I am your typical law-abiding citizen. Being investigated on murder and homicide…

"...Fuck it."

We ball.

I looked at the unconscious Seele. I can't leave her here. If Cocolia does not come, I won't know who's who. If I gave her to an enemy of sorts, it would be very damning.

At least, I need someone I can recognize. Just someone.

It took several tries to carry her in my arms. I grabbed one of the goon's jacket to cover her from the cameras.

Her back felt very wet. It must be due to sweat.

The moment I walked towards the car, a lot of penetrating gazes landed on me. I did not care at this point. I committed murder, homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and arson in broad daylight. What more if kidnapping is added on top of that list?

I placed her on the front seat. 

Click.

Once I stepped inside, I closed the car's door. The key is still inserted. I looked around and discovered it to be automatic.

Thank god.

I switched the gear to drive mode. I stepped on the gas. The car starts to accelerate. I had to tiptoe my way out of the gas and break pedals. Other than that, I can drive as usual.

Removing the hazard lights, I untied my hood. I touched the back of my head and felt a lot of cold sweat.

Looking at the sleeping girl beside me…

I need to wait until she wakes up.

*****

Anti-Entropy implements the Top-Down Management. Their "Sovereign", Welt Yang, is responsible for balancing out everyone else. The ones below him are "Executors". These people huddled together in Anti-Entropy. Each Executor has a sphere of influence. Independent and uncontrolled action is thus made convenient.

Two factions are present within. The Conservatives who seek to combat honkai without harming others; and the Radicals who welcome the idea of consented human experiments and the likes.

Cocolia is a rising star with little to none weaknesses. Some people with different thoughts wanted to control her with something.

That's when one of them found out about her orphanage.

After a lot of twists and turns, orders are given from above. A special squad arrived in Siberia merely to target Cocolia's coop. Seele was chosen as a target for a certain reason.

They thought an all-out war would occur. The orphanage is protected by Titans and squadrons of specialists alike. 

Who would have expected that the target itself decided to go out?

The available personnel did an impromptu. Seele's abrupt kidnapping occurred without their guards being able to react. Some hitches happened in-between, but they thought that the million-dollar bounty was theirs.

Unfortunately, they met Shi Tian. 

Everything else, including them, became history.

"Hm…"

"...yes. I am stopped someplace outside the city. Come over? Okay…"

Seele woke up in a cold place. The air-conditioning of the car worked fully. Her eyesight was blurry at first, but she saw the insides of a car. Then, she remembered things. The gunshots, shouting of 'robbery', and her losing consciousness.

Fear caught up to her.

"I will wait until she wakes up. Those kidnappers… Huh? Robbers?"

She looked at the voice beside her. It was a boy not much older than her.

Seele's first instinct is to scream.

"Eek!!!"

"Oh. She's awake now."

The boy's words did not serve any good. Seele swiftly tried to get out of the car, only to find it was locked.

"I am sorry if I spooked you… but I am not the one who kidnapped you. They're dead." Shi Tian paused. "Oh no. Do you speak English?"

Afraid his words will sound gibberish, he hastily opened a translation app on his phone.

"I… I-I speak. English."

Her body trembled severely as she spoke. Tears came out of her eyes.

"Do you have any phone numbers of your acquaintance? Have them pick you up. Oh, I am not asking for any ransom."

"..."

Shi Tian sighed. It was his first time being looked at like this. He knew it was impossible for Seele to trust him immediately. Still, receiving this after going through everything is quite hurtful.

'Not everyone can be a hero…' He thought inwardly. 'I acted before thinking… She will be saved by… But what if things change?'

Shi Tian has prior knowledge that Bronya will save Seele. Even if he does not act, she will be saved. 

The life he lived during those two and a half months begged to differ, however.

This world is not as simple as a 'game' in his eyes. 

If things change and Seele does not get rescued…

"Hm?"

Shi Tian spotted a small silhouette from the side mirror. She got out of the bike and slowly walked over to their car. She detached the bike's chain as she walked. She gave off a menacing aura from the distance.

"Look outside. Is that your acquaintance?"

His words awakened the scared Seele. She looked outside. Her face is filled with surprise and relief.

Click.

"If you know her, go." He said.

She did not say anything and opened the door. She was surprised again. Her head looked back and forth between Shi Tian and Bronya. Him opening the locks showed he did not have any bad intention—and that his story is most likely true.

"...Thank you."

"Hm."

He nodded as a response. He watched as Seele got outside and reunited with Bronya. He was left alone inside the stolen car.

"Huff…"

For a while, he rested his forehead against the driving wheel.

"Being an action star is mentally tiring..."

Shi Tian understood why so many spies have computer guys; they take care of everything else outside fighting. 

Thinking about Kiana's tendency to dive straight into trouble...

"I might as well be the computer guy..."