I, holding a long sword in my hand, only know one move

They can live longer, no longer be discriminated against as monsters, and everything will be under control... They may even continue to grow up, find someone who loves them or their loved ones, and start a family...

Shinoda frowned and forced himself to close his eyes.

But it's too early to think about this -

As someone who has close contact with IISO and the Cursed Children, Shinoda is also aware of the darkness of this world.

People seemed to be broken and hated these children unconditionally, and those in high positions did not even care whether the Children of the Curse could be saved.

He doesn't care about what the children are going through or what they will go through.

They only have endless interests in their eyes. For them, the Cursed Son is just a bargaining chip to appease some people and a tool to divert their anger and resentment.

Because he is still young, he is very easy to control.

But if the children can continue to grow up, there will inevitably be uncertain factors, which may be unacceptable to them.

Obviously the answer is right in front of him, but he can't reveal it openly... In this world surrounded by huge black stone monuments, where humans live in the gap between monsters and monsters, it seems that the blue, endless The sky was covered with something.

Shinoda was struggling as if her heart was being held by invisible hands. She carefully held Lina's hand and apologized softly to her——

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry...Lina...I don't have the courage to change the world."

The smiling faces that were once bright can no longer be seen.

Having seen the darkness of this world and the indifferent faces of politicians in high positions, Shinoda felt like he was almost out of breath from the pressure, and was so afraid of what would happen next that he wanted to tremble.

She knew very well that she had no ability to change all of this.

But she was already used to the darkness, and she wanted to be the one who blocked the door between the Cursed Child and the darkness, but she happened to see a glimmer of hope that shouldn't have appeared in front of her at all.

"....sorry...."

Finally, she spent the longest night in torment. When the morning sun rose again and shone on Shinoda's face through the curtains, she could not feel any warmth in this bright sunshine.

"Ms. Shinoda, are you okay?"

Cheng Rang looked at Shinoda who walked out of the bedroom. She seemed to have not had a good rest. Her face was haggard, her slightly bloodshot eyes and her long messy hair made people worried about her condition.

This is also to be expected.

Cheng Rang knew that as a doctor, Shinoda knew very well what the changes in Lina represented, and just seeing such a fact could almost crush her.

"I am sorry..."

"Didn't sleep all night?"

Shinoda rubbed his swollen temples and nodded slightly.

A sumptuous breakfast was placed on the table, and Lina was coaxed into the bathroom to wash up by Cheng Rang.

"Here, no sugar, you need to cheer up."

A cup of steaming black coffee was placed in front of Shinoda. She raised her head and thanked Cheng Rang.

The slightly sour and bitter liquid fell down the mouth, and the aroma of coffee beans filled the nose, slightly lifting Shinoda's spirit.

"How are you going to go out? As it is now, as long as you show up at the hospital, you will undoubtedly fall into a trap. There are many police groups there every day to test the erosion rate of their starters."

"So, as long as I also become a police officer, the matter will be solved."

"So you're not a police officer?"

"When did I say I was?" Cheng Rang grinned: "Civil Security Personnel Management Law, as long as you have not committed a major homicide crime and have a good attitude of pleading guilty, you can apply to become a civilian policeman. If you are wanted, you can The crime can be offset by meritorious service."

"So? We are going to find a few gastrea animals to kill early this morning, and then submit an application to IISO to cancel the wanted order?"

Under Shinoda's slightly surprised gaze, Cheng Rang took out a small card from his breast pocket.

"You went to bed early yesterday, and I have solved those troublesome matters in advance." He said.

"Civil Security Registration License...name, Cheng Rang..." Shinoda picked up the black and white card Cheng Rang placed in front of him, "I don't belong to a private security company yet - that is, a free person..."

Just one night? Who is this guy's background? His movements were too fast... Shinoda frowned slightly.

"Okay!" She returned the certificate to Cheng Rang and asked: "Forget about the company you belong to, you probably don't have the money to buy the weapons. The most important thing is - what are you going to do, starter?"

Cheng Rang looked up at Lina who was walking out of the bathroom.

Shinoda felt as if ice water was poured down on her back. The hazy sleepiness disappeared in an instant. She quickly lowered her voice and whispered: "You're not crazy, are you?!"

"You are a doctor, right, Miss Shinoda? And you are also the top person in charge of the Comprehensive Testing Department. It must not be difficult for you to forge a certificate."

".....How did you know?"

"Matsuzaki said that many children who took the initiative to join IISO have been helped by you. If the erosion rate is higher than 35%, it is impossible to pass the starter registration process."

Cheng Rang changed his expression, smiled and invited Lina to come over for breakfast. When all her thoughts were on fighting for the delicious food, she stuffed a thick envelope full of cash into Shinoda's arms.

Shinoda grabbed her wrist and asked in a cold voice: "What do you mean?"

"Don't worry, this is what Mr. Matsuzaki asked me to give to you. He has been working hard to save money during this period. He collected all the testing fees and inhibitor costs owed by the children and paid them back to you, and asked me to do it for you. He thanks you."

Shinoda's cold expression melted, but she still didn't accept it

Putting down the envelope, I just sighed.

"Okay, I'll accept it, but you and I both know that this money will be of greater help to the children, and I can't accept it under any circumstances."

"From the moment I decided to help those children, it was never about the money."

Cheng Rang took Shinoda's hand, forced the envelope into her hand, and then said: "So I know this, this money is used to help the children. I know you are not doing it for the money -"

He raised the corner of his mouth and continued: "But there are always guys who do things for money, right?"

Shinoda glanced at Lina who was eating happily at the table with complicated eyes, finally accepted the envelope and nodded lightly.

"I see."

"Thank you, Miss Shinoda."

Chapter 20 Letter worth two thousand five hundred and forty dollars

【Promoter】

As the starter's partner, he assists in combat and provides core support to the starter.

They are generally the guardians of the partner's starter. Most of them are ordinary humans. Although their combat ability may not be as good as that of the starter, they are basically good at fighting.

The members are complex, and most of them are warlike bad elements or criminals. It is basically the party responsible for giving orders and has the invisible responsibility of serving as the spiritual support of the starter.

So even Cheng Rang, who made a lot of noise in the news before, is actually quite common among the police force.

Cheng Rang, who followed Ms. Shinoda to the hospital, often received strange looks. I'm talking about those who just got up from the hospital bed——

Being rushed into the hospital by Cheng Rang himself, they looked at Cheng Rang with strange eyes, but few of them dared to discuss it in private.

After all, with that kind of strength, it would be easy to kill yourself. If you are sent to the hospital if you are not as skilled as someone else, the other party will still call an ambulance for you. It can be said that you are benevolent and righteous.

"Thankfully you really dared to come..." Shinoda looked helplessly at Cheng Rang beside him.

"What are you afraid of? Although I still have a wanted warrant, I am already a free policeman. According to the laws and regulations here, they can't do anything to me."

Regarding Cheng Rang's blatant behavior of taking advantage of legal loopholes, Shinoda kept his mouth shut and didn't want to say anything more.

Because what the two of them are about to do cannot be described by the word "taking advantage of loopholes"...

But an outright crime.

"In the past, I was the only one who helped children with excessive erosion rates pass the registration test... Even if the superiors found out, they would just turn a blind eye, but this time it is completely different - do you understand?"

The erosion rate is 4.97%. Although the records of my private testing for children in peripheral areas will not be uploaded to the IISO database, my behavior yesterday is not certain.

Moving along the corridor paved with white tiles, Cheng Rang skillfully noted down the locations of all the surveillance cameras here.

"Where is the control room?"

"Area B on the 7th floor, but I don't have the password." Shinoda took a few deep breaths, trying to calm down his excitement.

"No need, just do your thing."

Cheng Rang was responsible for keeping the record of Lina's test sample yesterday, while Shinoda was responsible for forging a fake erosion rate test certificate to help Lina become a "legal" starter, and then through some connections, Lina was accidentally The land was "randomly" assigned to Cheng Rang, a newly registered police officer.

The data here will be submitted to IISO once every Wednesday to update the starter's information, so there is more than enough room for the two of them to operate.

As for why it's not synchronized in real time... because there are always some people who want to get some unknown gray income. Otherwise, why are some doctors in Tokyo so rich even though they don't have much salary?

"Remember, professional people do professional things....Good luck to you, Ms. Shinoda."

Cheng Rang and Shinoda separated at the intersection of the corridor the next second. Then, under the witness of the camera, Cheng Rang dove into the toilet, entered the cubicle and locked the door.

Taking out the camouflage mixture, Cheng Rang unscrewed the cork and drank it all in one gulp.

[Send to the location of the beacon? 】

The locked toilet cubicle was empty as the white light flow dissipated.

[Camouflage Mixture (Copy) (Enhanced Effect Version) Effect: After taking it, the user will change his or her appearance and physique, and obtain the changed target characteristics. The duration of the effect is determined by the strength of the target characteristics. The maximum duration is 72 hours, and the minimum duration is 72 hours. 15 minutes. During the duration, you will gain advanced concealment effect and will not be marked by any enemy-detection effects. 】

The camouflage mixture, which was enhanced after being copied from Nyarlathotep's ceremonial attire, allowed the person to choose to change his appearance. This allowed the teleported Cheng Rang to blend into the bustling crowd in the hospital lobby in the blink of an eye, and walked towards the elevator.

Just as the elevator door was about to close, a young man in a suit and leather shoes quickly got in. He was panting as if he was tired from running, and raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

"Which floor are you going to?"

"Seventh floor, thank you." The man who squeezed into the elevator looked at a security guard who pressed the button for him in front of the panel, smiled and nodded to him.

"With a little effort, sir, we are just on our way."

"yes....."

It was great to drop by.

Cheng Rang, who was squeezed in the elevator, stared at the card on the security guard's chest. He had to say that his luck was sometimes bad.

really not bad.

At the same time, on the other side, Shinoda came to the comprehensive testing department as usual and greeted his colleagues on duty.

"Good morning, Doctor Shinoda... Oh, by the way, about the erosion rate test of a starter yesterday..."

Hearing what another doctor said, Shinoda almost broke out in a cold sweat. She quickly forced herself to calm down and asked casually: "What's wrong?"

The male doctor took out a report from the folder, handed it to Shinoda and said: "This is a child who has been reviewed regularly. Her erosion rate report this time has exceeded 44%. You see... "

"What about last time?"

"Thirty-seven percent..."

Shinoda received the report. She was familiar with the information about the initiates. They were a group of policemen who often came here to review the erosion rate. The promoters had a good relationship with the initiates, like family members.

After each erosion rate report came out, the child voluntarily left, leaving Shinoda to tell the facilitator her erosion rate data alone.

Shinoda's eyes showed an unbearable look.

The erosion rate is 44%. This is already the recommended value for continuing to fight as a starter. Even if she does nothing and uses inhibitors regularly every time, she will have only one life left. More than a year.

"Mr. Fukasaku said.... He has told Mikuhi the true situation and advised her not to continue fighting with him."

Shinoda seems to have had a premonition of this situation.

"What did Miku-chan say?"

"The materials are on your desk." The male doctor seemed to have had this conversation with Shinoda many times before turning and leaving.

Shinoda held the test report of the initiate named Fukasaku Miku in his hand. He struggled around the corner for a long time as if he was struggling with something, and finally chose to go to his office first.

On the desk in the office, Shinoda picked up a thick file folder, turned to one of the pages, and his expression suddenly became stiff.

There was a letter inside, and the envelope was heavy.

After opening it, there were coins sandwiched inside, totaling 2,540 yen.

On the letter paper, slightly childish strokes were engraved on it, and the bottom of the paper seemed to be wrinkled by moisture.

The content of the letter is as follows——

"Aunt Shinoda, this is all I have saved with my little pocket money. I hope you can maintain my result at about 45% during the next erosion rate test."

"Because I still want to continue fighting with Mr. Fukasaku and protect you. This is the whole meaning of my existence. Even if I die, I just want to die on the battlefield or in Mr. Fukasaku's arms. I don't want to be killed by IISO people. Take it away, I don’t want to be separated from Mr. Fukasaku like this, please.”

"The one who likes you the most - Miku Fukasaku."