In the Black Bullet world, the defining features of the Tokyo Area and other human settlements were unmistakable. Even without climbing to a high vantage point, the massive black monoliths visible on the horizon stood as the most prominent symbols of human civilization. These towering rectangular walls, made of Varanium metal, stood 1.618 kilometers high and 1 kilometer wide, like colossal shields, surrounding and protecting the dwindling human population within the Tokyo Area.
Japan in this world had lost its identity as a unified nation. The remaining humans were concentrated in only five final settlements. The Tokyo Area, encompassing the former Tokyo Metropolis, Kanagawa Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, and surrounding regions, was the last refuge for humanity. Beyond the protection of the monoliths, those without the means to defend themselves faced certain death, torn apart or devoured by the relentless Gastrea Animals, or worse, transformed into one of them.
Consequently, the Tokyo Area was no longer organized by cities, wards, or districts. Instead, it was divided into forty-three sectors. The higher the sector number, the closer it was to the Monoliths, where the risk of encountering Gastrea Animals that had climbed over the walls was greatest. Conversely, the lower-numbered sectors offered more safety and prosperity, shielded deeper within the city.
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The place where Morin had arrived was near the edge of the Monolith-protected zone, in one of the last-numbered sectors of the Tokyo Area. It was a heavily polluted industrial zone, one of the many that formed the periphery of the Tokyo Area.
As a borderline area, it was perilous, with Gastrea roaming freely, making it a constant battle for survival. Even the factories with some level of protection were not safe havens for leisurely exploration. After passing the outskirts marked with warning signs, Morin and Kohina eventually encountered a lone, unfortunate soul to inquire about their surroundings.
"S... Sir... Is there something you need?"
A security guard, previously clutching a shotgun and demanding answers from Morin, now knelt before him. With a nervous smile, he stammered his words, his fear evident.
There was no mystery behind his sudden meekness. When a gleaming katana pressed against one's neck, the sharp sting of a blade cutting through skin, leaving a trickle of blood to fall, most people would quickly learn the value of submitting to superior force. The middle-aged guard, at least forty, had no desire to play the hero. After Kohina had swiftly dragged him down and held the blade to his neck, the guard had lost his weapon and had become entirely compliant, almost desperate to please Morin.
"What sector of the Tokyo Area is this? What's done here?" Morin asked, his tone casual, as his eyes wandered toward the sealed factory nearby.
"Sir, this is Sector 33!" The security guard quickly responded. "I'm a security guard at a factory that produces steel parts for automobiles and building materials." His answer was straightforward; there was little value in keeping such trivial information a secret. He knew better than to probe too deeply into Morin's business, especially when Kohina's unsettling red eyes were in plain view. The combination of a Civil Security agent and a child with powers beyond comprehension was enough to keep him quiet.
Despite Morin's odd inquiries, the guard remained silent, too frightened to question further. After all, one did not risk their life by prying into the affairs of those who held such power.
"Sector 33?!" Morin repeated the sector number, frowning slightly as he surveyed his surroundings. He lost interest soon after. "Kohina, let him go!"
Kohina, who had been ready to take action once more, paused and then sheathed her small katana with a slight tilt of her head, as if pondering Morin's request. The pressure from the blade vanished, and the security guard, feeling a sense of relief, watched as Morin and Kohina turned to leave, as if he no longer existed to them.
For a moment, his expression shifted to one of irritation, but it quickly morphed into resignation. He knew better than to act recklessly. His shotgun was no match for the pair before him, and any attempt at vengeance would likely end in his own death. After a few seconds of hesitation, the guard returned to his watchtower, burying the encounter in silence, never once considering reporting it.
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"Hey, Kohina, you need to be careful with your power," Morin said, his tone serious as they walked away from the factory zone. He noticed the faint red glow still lingering in Kohina's eyes. "Remember, the Gastrea Virus is dangerous for you too. You have to be careful about how much it affects you..."
The power of the Gastrea Virus was not something to be wielded carelessly. Kohina and other children infected with the virus in their mothers' wombs could use its power in small amounts. But each time they tapped into that power, they edged closer to the virus's full effect—an irreversible transformation into terrifying Gastrea Animals.
This was one of the reasons Kohina and the other Cursed Children were feared and reviled. To most people, they were no different from the Gastrea themselves—monsters, not human.
Morin knew that even with the anti-Gastrea Virus drugs provided by IIGO, Kohina's use of her Mantis Factor was a risky endeavor. The power she wielded was not something she could afford to use recklessly. If her level of virus exposure became too high, the consequences would be catastrophic.
"Mmm~!" Kohina acknowledged Morin's warning with a slight nod, her red eyes gradually returning to their natural black.
"Alright, Kohina, let's head towards the city side."
Morin smiled, gently ruffling her hair. Kohina grumbled slightly, muttering under her breath, but followed closely behind. Together, they made their way toward the central part of the Tokyo Area.
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Need More Chapters
Every 300 Power Stones
2 Bonus chapter
Every 500 Power Stones
4 Bonus chapter.
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