Chapter 63: Raid

Translator: Soafp

“Then, everyone, please evacuate quickly and without haste. –Then, please.”

“Leave it to me.”

　I asked the strongest man to lead the evacuation.

　The hostage takers were escaping from the hotel one after another.

“Now, please restore the elevators to the guest rooms only.”

“Okay, here it comes.”

　The security guard flipped the switch.

　I handed him my submachine gun and handgun, just in case, and carried a bundle of rope to the lobby.

　I pressed the up arrow button and waited for the elevator to come.

　I heard the guard’s voice on my earpiece.

“[Don’t worry. They’ re blowing smoke in peace.]”

“Got it.”

　Thank God. They didn’t notice it.

　But how often do the teams on the observation deck and in the security room communicate on a regular basis?

　It must have been more than ten minutes since they took control of the security room.

　As long as the team is divided into two, they should be communicating more frequently. It’s really lousy, that’s all I can say. But I really appreciate the laxity.

　Incidentally, I thought about threatening one of the militants with a gun to get him to respond if there was a radio call to the security office.

　However, there was a risk that they would pass on our information with a password, so I decided to leave it alone.

　Pong. The elevator door opens.

　I get in and press the top floor button.

　The elevator ascends quietly.

　Strangely, I am not afraid. I wonder if I have the makings of a warrior.

　My great-grandfather was a fierce warrior who single-handedly infiltrated an American battleship on Iwo Jima, and I have his blood in my veins. Now I want to be a part of that power.

” [Nothing has changed. For crying out loud, They don’t know.]”

“Are they still frozen?”

“[Umu. Leaning against the wall to the right of the rooftop entrance.]”

“Hmm. …… All right, I’ll take them out with a single blow.”

　Boom. The elevator doors open.

　I bent down and quietly approached the door to the roof.

“—Speaking of which, where are our guests?

“[There are no VIPs today. That floor is unoccupied.]”

　That was good. No unnecessary interruptions.

　I came to the door of the roof.

“[Nothing has changed. On the right. Do it.]”

　I pulled out the pin on my stun grenade, opened the door with great force, and released it to the right.

　Baaaaaan!

　After a violent explosion, I ran out onto the roof and punched down two men.

“[That sound just alerted the people on the observation deck.]”

“I understand. I’ll hurry. –Please restore the elevator directly to the observatory and send it to the observatory as soon as possible.”

　I taped up the two men I had defeated.

　At that time, I heard a response on one of the radios.

“I heard an explosion. What’s going on?”

“Enemy attack!　The police are in the elevator and they’re on their way to you!”

　I could tell right away that it wasn’t coming from one of us.

　But that didn’t matter. The important thing was to get their attention to the elevator.

　I could hear the guard’s voice through the earpiece.

　He was breathing hard and sounded like he was in pain. I guess it was because he dashed to press the elevator’s observation deck button.

“I have sent the elevator. They noticed that the elevator was back up and took up position in the direction of the hostages. They’re pointing their guns at the front of the elevator.”

“So that means …….”

　I ask the security as I tie the rope to the railing on the roof.

“Well, that means he’s got his back completely turned to you.”

　Yes!　I was right on target!

　I had read that they would definitely stick to the side with the hostages.

　This is because the police can’t fire so easily when hostages are nearby.

　And in that case, the broken window would be located behind them.

　In other words, a surprise attack from behind.

“So please wish me luck.”

“[Umu. I’ll see you alive.]”

　I climbed over the fence and jumped over to the other side.

　At that moment, I was startled.

　There was a man standing in front of me.

“Y-you …….”

“Hi!　Long time no see!”

　It’s the fortune teller who put a curse on me.

“What are you doing here?”

“To warn you. –If you go any further, you will die.”

……, I see. Thanks for the warning.”

　Without hesitation, I begin to prepare for my descent.

“…… Make sure you save the girl, okay?”

“Of course. Well, I guess this is goodbye.”

　I raised my hand to the fortuneteller and began my descent with the rope.

　I’m glad I learned rappelling (rope descent) from Hattori-senpai.

　The Hattori ninja class has been really helpful.

“[The elevator arrived. They’re not going to stay put.]”

“Roger that. This is descending…….”

　I flew down as fast as I could.

　I didn’t look down. If I did, I’d be too afraid to move.

“[They’re suspicious that no one’s coming down. It’s time to move.]”

“I’m in a hurry.”

　I can’t let them move.

　If they don’t freeze, I can’t neutralize them all at once.

　I quickly descended the rope.

[“One of them went to the elevator.”]

　Damn it!　Too late!

　I’ll have to do something about that one!

　I continued down the rope and reached the broken window.

　Himari’s eyes met mine.

　I hold up my index finger and tell her to be quiet.

　Himari……!　I’ll help you right now. ……!

　Even if it costs me my life…….!

“Enemy in sight……!　I’m coming ……!”

“[Good luck.]”

　I pulled the pin of the grenade with my mouth and released it in front of the five men.

　Immediately, I pull out my handgun and shoot the man standing in front of the elevator.

　Can I hit him?　I’ve had a lot of practice with the air gun, right?

　–Yes!

　I didn’t know exactly where I hit, but the man fell.

　I entered the observatory and beat and subdued the five men who were in a daze.

　I then immediately went to one of the gunmen and punched him in the throat to disable him.

　Apparently, the bullet had hit him in the arm and leg.

　This would not kill him immediately. I shot him, thinking I could kill him, but it seems we both got lucky.

“The observatory is now under control. We’re going to tie them up now.”

“[Understood. Don’t let your guard down until the end.]”

　I took out a roll of duct tape and wrapped the six men around it.

　The mission was now complete. Now it was time for the emotional meeting.

“Himari!”

“Yagami-san!”

　I ran up to Himari and untied her restraints.

“I’m sorry I’m late.”

“I knew you’d come to save me.”

　We hugged each other for a long time.

Himari’s warmth was truly comforting.

　I’m glad …… that I didn’t lose her.

“Behind you!!!!.”

　I turned around as quickly as I could.

　The slow-motion world begins.

　Shit!　One man’s arm has been freed!

　He had already pulled a handgun from his holster and was pointing it at me.

　I, on the other hand, was caught off guard and was completely defenseless.

　There’s no way I can get the gun up in time, and I’m not sure I can hit him in the first place.

　Suddenly, I was running towards the man, while protecting Himari.

　It was inevitable that I would be shot. Then, I’ll just have to aim for a counterattack.

　Pan!

　I feel an impact on my left shoulder.

　Pan!

　The side of my body is hot.

　Pang!

　I can’t tell where I’ve been shot.

“Shhhh!”

　After kicking the man’s handgun away, I quickly crush his nose and throat.

　The man is now out of the fight.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, well, …… I got shot a few times, but ……”

　I tied the man up again with duct tape, dripping blood.

“[I’m coming!　Don’t die on me!]”

“Yes, …….”

　I staggered to Himari’s side, who was crying out for help.

　My vision started to blur.

“Himari……”

“No, no, no, no, no, no!”

　Himari tried to run to me, but she lost her balance and fell out of the wheelchair.

　I picked her up and hugged her gently.

“I’m glad you’re …… safe. ……”

“No!　Don’t die!”

　It was getting dark in front of my eyes.

　Oh, …… I’m …… going to die. The fortune teller was right…….

　But I was able to save Himari. There is nothing to regret.

　–No, there is

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the …… world …… tournament …… of the Black Iron Samurai …….”

　I can hear Himari desperately calling out for help to those around her.

　Eventually, her voice began to fade.

　Her warmth is the only thing I can feel.

　It’s not a bad …… end …….