“Heh! That’s the first time you sound somewhat respectable, senior!”

  The Queen Deathbringer resolved herself to become the source of direction for the Anti-Blessed Malefactor Corps. To avoid falling short of the president’s wishes and desires, the blessed hunter attempted to fulfil her resolve by exerting her physical superiority over the super soldiers.

  This was all in preparation for Ada’s ambitions in the future. Of course, the nation wasn’t the only faction engaging in preparations, as the underground sector (the illegal market) had ventured in exploits to strengthen their own flourishment.

  Yes, the Bluebloods were the poster child for this exploit, as no time was wasted after hearing Ada’s declarations over the presidential conference.

  Zack, who was less privy and aware of the inner operations of the Bluebloods, may have been uninformed. As much as Zack concentrated his efforts in strength and blessing training, he needed to familiarize himself with the organization in its entirety.

  That was exactly what Rose Thatcher attempted by bringing Zack to the more reserved area. Greeted to the pain-filled cries of humans strapped onto gurneys, vanilla white apron-donning Bluebloods coldly carving into their bodies with bladed instruments and carmine liquid staining all which it could in that room, Zack hesitated to even step foot in that gory vicinity despite the duo observing from a glass door.

  “Uh…what did you bring me to, exactly?” With an audible gulp and raised eyebrows at the sight, Zack questioned. “What the hell are they even doing to those guys?”

  “Huh? Can’t you tell? Those bastards were the ones we captured from the Silverdust gang,” Rose remarked. Her calm demeanor and casual manner of speech displayed Rose’s detached empathy toward those men. “The director ordered them to become cybernetic soldiers. I’m pretty sure using our once enemies in such an experiment is better than risking more of our own.”

  “Man…is the process to create the cyber soldiers so– JESUS!” Amid his exasperated sentence, Zack leaped off the ground in fright at the sight of bloody guts splattering against the door.

  “Damn, jumpy much? Cyber soldiers are fundamentally different from government-created super soldiers, but their reason for existing is the same: normies are easier to deal with and control, I guess,” Rose remarked. “The director wanted cyber soldiers to be equipped with far more cybernetic enhancements than super soldiers, which meant some body parts had to go. Brutal, I know…but I don’t really care.”

  “Alright, it makes sense why you gave the Silverdust gang members a chance to join,” Zack said. “But…why did I need to see this, exactly?”

  “Heh, you heard the president on the news, Zack. She definitely got her sight set on our organization. Things will more than likely be hectic in the future, so the director thought it was necessary to ramp up the cyber soldier experiments, and I agree too.” Rose responded as she placed her arm on Zack’s shoulder. “You never know…those soldiers could come in handy to take a bullet for you, Zack.”

  “Uhm, nice of you to look out for a guy like me,” Zack responded. “But I want to get to a level where I won’t need any of that assurance, Rosy.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “...Whatever, there’s nothing more for you to see here,” Rose remarked. Did he just c-call me…Rosy? “There’s something else we have to do today?”

  “Really? What’s that?”

  “A drug deal.”

  * * *

  The combat between the Queen Deathbringer and Mohawk had lasted all but a few minutes, and a clear victor had emerged. Being restrained in the air with a netting of web-like strings being sprouted from the female blessed hunter’s right arm, Mohawk was only restricted to angrily barking out curses.

  “Goddamn you! Get this shit off me!” Mohawk cried out as he struggled. “I’ll beat the hell outta you once I get out!”

  “Huff, you truly are strong. In terms of physicals, you remind me of Nailhead,” The Queen Deathbringer remarked. “But, I’m sure I made it clear I won this fight.”

  Confidence oozed from the super soldier’s words, contrasting her bloody mouth, tattered clothing and a bit of bruising on her jaw. The scars of their battle left heavy damage on the military grounds, leaving pulverized ground.

  “Damn it, fine! Just let me go!” Mohawk ordered. His admission was generously rewarded as the webs released themselves from his person. With his aerial leverage removed, Mohawk experienced gravity once more. “Ugh…”

  “Well, I defeated one of your strongest soldiers, so I think I’ve proven myself,” The Queen Deathbringer remarked as she focused her gaze on the spectators. Their previous confidence and smug demeanor was now replaced by surprise. “But lemme just ask anyway. Anyone else want to challenge me?”

  All enthusiasm was removed from the squad, as any intent to raise hands were replaced with super soldiers nervously gazing onto their allies. Mohawk’s furrowed eyebrows and gritted teeth told an expression of humiliation, reinforced by the super soldiers’ shattered enthusiasm.

  “I believe you’ve shown us more than enough that you’re capable of leading us,” Breaking the few moments of silence, a female super soldier remarked. This young woman was just as peculiar as Mohawk with her hairstyle choice, as her ice blonde hair was kept in twin drills which each rested on her shoulders. The cool tone of her hair gave a classic and complementary pairing with her deep blue eyes. With a quiver of arrows fastened to her back, a bow with a marrow created from a silver metal in hand and a handgun holster on each side of her belt, this woman radiated a different aura compared to most of her comrades. “To be honest, I never hated the idea of you being our Chief in the first place.”

  “What the hell are you talking about, Twintails!?” Mohawk yelled. “You’re just saying what she wants to hear!”

  “Meh, unlike a brawler like you, my specialty is stealth and assassinations, Mohawk. I’m sure I can receive some assassin training from the Queen Deathbringer,” Twintails replied. “Besides…it’s better than a guy with not much super soldier experience…and a poor hairstyle to be our leader.”

  “There’s no way you’re saying I have a terrible hairstyle with those damn drills on your head!”

  “Hmph, so you got a codename too, miss twintails. I never expected for a soldier to want me to train them,” The Queen Deathbringer remarked. Why do I feel oddly happy…? “But anyways, it’s settled…I’m the new chief.”

  “...Tch, whatever,” With furrowed eyebrows, Mohawk relented. The exasperated super soldier set his sights to the heart of the military base. “I’m outta here.”

  “Whatever, it’s not like I need you right now, so you can go your way,” Despite Mohawk already trekking to the military base, the newly appointed Chief permitted. “But my first act as Chief will be delegating a mission to you lot.”

  All eyes lit up with a mixture of curiosity and confusion in regards to her words, even Mohawk stopped in his tracks.

  “A mission for us?” Twintails questioned.

  “It’s about a criminal organization referred to as the Bluebloods,” The Queen coldly responded. “The president has them on her radar…and wants them gone.”