Ka-blammm!!!!!!
✦ ✦ ✦
The two exchanged killing shots, and the mint-green coupe fell back slightly from the recoil.
The two beams met amid a rain of orange jewels.
But the laser cannon’s target was not Kaname or Midori. Instead, it vaporized the ultra-thick armor-piercing incendiary round, emitting a searing white flash like the light from a welding torch.
Takamasa must have realized the choice Kaname was giving him. Neutralize the incoming bullet, or never fire the Legacy again.
“…”
Kaname had bought only a few seconds at best, but it was enough. They had reached the jungle proper. Kaname climbed back into the driver’s seat, then gripped a second lever next to the hand brake and pulled it hard. Still in midair, the flying car jettisoned its custom assembly, landing directly on the zoo promenade and skipping like a stone over water.
Kaname typed a quick message on the windshield keyboard using his eyes and fired it off.
Kaname: Where are you, Midori?!
Midori: I’m right here, geez. You’re such a worrywart!! What are you, my big brother?!
The large leaf-patterned motorcycle was traveling safely alongside him. But Midori was still exposed on her bike. A stray branch could slice her head or arm clean off like a length of cheese wire.
The pair drove on, kicking up sprays of water. The drainage around here was even worse than Kaname had expected, and the grassy areas to either side of the promenade were basically waterlogged. Cages dotted the landscape here and there like giant microwaves or blocks of caramel, and the animals inside had climbed up to higher ground to escape the flooding. It seemed like it’d be a while before anyone came with a truck or crane to take the cages inside. There were even small streams forming in some places.
Amid the trees, Kaname spotted a few overturned food wagons touting taco rice or vegetable juice. However, the tourists and zookeepers were nowhere to be seen. Hopefully, that was because the whole park had been sealed off in anticipation of his showdown with Takamasa.
“I’d say we’re about five kilometers away now, My Lord.”
“I’m guessing we don’t have to worry about #flash.err while we’re on the grounds,” Kaname replied. “He won’t want to damage any underground cables, not to mention the foundation of the building he’s holed up in.”
“Wishful thinking, My Lord. This is Takamasa we’re talking about.”
“Yes, but it’s Kaname who’s talking,” chimed Cindy.
Nobody had said #flash.err was the only obstacle to look out for, however. This place was a public leisure center, but it was also a PMC fortress. What’s more, it was highly likely Takamasa had teamed up with other Dealers, just like he had with Lily-Kiska in the past.
Criminal AO had probably prepared every trick in the book. At this stage in the game, it was too risky not to.
Skreeee!!
They heard the screech of tires, but it wasn’t Kaname or Midori—it was someone else. And more than one someone. Beyond the trees, a whole convoy was running parallel with them.
Kaname: Midori, How’s Meiki feeling?
Midori: She’s okay today. She’ll come out if I call.
“Tselika, Cindy. You both know how to use the Legacies. Give me fire support.”
Still splayed over Tselika, the dark elf lifted her leg and popped open the glove compartment with her heel. Tselika took the short-range sniper rifle Short Spear and placed it in Kaname’s lap.
…We’re finally here.
Nobody had seen this fight coming. Nobody had wanted it to happen.
But this battle between Called Game comrades was already underway.