Léon: The Cat Killer

Looking at the shattered glass in the combat recorder, using it as a mirror, the manager looked at Nana, whose left eye was bandaged and whose body was covered in wounds, with a strange expression:

This is the first time I've seen you work this hard...

"So... when did you find out about the Bruce family...?"

【Oh ho... We've been found out?】

"...Thinking about it carefully, my house was arranged to be next to theirs, and when Cole said that they also knew that Loken Water Tank wanted their Originium Arts and had tried to get rid of them several times without success, I should have realized... This was something you deliberately made me discover and involved me in."

As she spoke, she adjusted her headphones. To avoid revealing her witchcraft, Nana was using a smoke generator discarded by the mercenaries to stall for time... The device itself wasn't very durable, and soon Nana would have to show herself to deal with the military and the Ministry of Defense.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the headset, the agent, sitting at the back of the conference room, was speaking on speakerphone, facing what might be the most terrifying agent in the organization's history, along with a group of 'organization' members.

Yes, to put it simply, the Bruce family's case... Loken Water Tank's plot against them began when Kate Bruce was born...

“But you told me that the Bruce family was selected later because their medical examination information was leaked… My trust in you has decreased, agent.”

[After all, there were many intelligence sources I couldn't explain to you back then... and as I said before, in this incident, neither the ICA nor the organization itself had a legitimate reason to issue an order to intervene.]

"...Some members of the local ICA management have been bribed, and your organization itself has been supporting this experiment..."

[Yes~ Haha, my colleague sitting across from me, please don't look at me like that... You guys can get the medical department to release the files to Loken's tank, so what if I hint to my employees to investigate this vile affair?]

"The problem is that there isn't enough time... There's still too little I can do."

Are you still upset about this 'failure'?

"Let's leave aside the fact that Kate and Cole were arrested around the age of 3-7 when I wasn't paying attention... what about the church..."

[As for the church... this was an unexpected turn of events, even for the opposition... We underestimated Loken Williams' preparations, and we underestimated the priest's determination... that church has existed here for as long as this pioneering land has existed... so many people have received help from that priest... My deepest condolences, seventy-seven.]

On a side note... none of us expected you to actually make a move...

Hearing her manager's sigh, Nana raised the corner of her dark eye slightly but did not refute it. She knew how carefree and irresponsible she had been in the past, living a life like a plant.

"So...that's why you kept reminding me... to 'become human'..."

"People-oriented is the core philosophy of our organization... This is practically impossible for ICA employees, you know, they're either all about money or they have ideals but lack the power to back them up... So we're very much looking forward to your success in standing out from ICA."

[And this time, you gained the favor of the Crisis Contract without any preparation or support, making them admit your deception and directly breaking through Williams' experimental park that he had been setting up for fifteen years... This achievement is enough for me to persuade the other members of the faction to protect you... Your actions prove that you can act independently as a senior member of our organization...]

[Incidents like the Loken tank incident require investigations by high-ranking agents with independent authority, but unfortunately, there aren't many people qualified for that position. The main problem is that within the existing agent force, there are very few people like you who don't have a strong stance and aren't swayed by capital... To be honest, I've already prepared myself for the entire Bruce family to be quietly sacrificed...]

"...According to the experiment, Mia will eventually survive..."

[To survive as a pitiful weapon that can only retain memories of one day? It seems Nana, your concept of 'living' is still somewhat problematic...]

Listening to the hushed discussions on the other end of her earpiece, and hearing the commotion of reporters arriving and taking pictures, Nana sighed:

"Cole also said that the reason I feel lost is ultimately because I've never lived as a human being..."

Did she say that to you before?

“No, I said it after I was in the experimental zone. I think she has a point… So… although I still don’t know what a ‘human’ should look like, I feel that I can’t hand Matilda Bruce over to anyone, including you and the organization behind you…”

After speaking, she realized her tone wasn't firm enough. The assassin slowly emerged from the dissipating mist, carrying the unconscious kitten, and said:

"No, no one will be able to find her in the future."

"Hmm...no problem, everyone in our faction will agree with your choice, after all, you've already joined us through your actions...but...um...wait a minute, after you entered the testing zone...that's what Cole said to you? She'd already...been given a death sentence by then, right?"

"Hmm... but I can see her dead..."

"...Number 77, how about you get a mental health check-up when you have time? Ah, don't interrupt, don't think about using the organization and then disappearing after that..."

Listening to her manager's somewhat nervous and even extremely arrogant words, Nana stuck out her tongue in front of the mirror without any expression.

Although she didn't really hide her desire to run away, occasionally mentioning it to her agent might help her secure better treatment... This was the 'workplace experience' that Cole had just conveyed to Nana on behalf of Andy.

But… recalling Andy's career… could his experience really be of any use? The cat killer couldn't help but ponder this deeply…

'That's too much! Andy used to be a high-ranking operator at CASA! Although... he does look a bit down now...'

Because of the conversation on her manager's end, Nana, focused on her own thoughts, didn't have time to pay attention to what seemed to be... probably Mrs. Cole floating beside her... And soon enough, her manager seemed to have reached a conclusion, and Nana waved her hand in a direction that was roughly right beside her; she needed to listen carefully to what was being said in her earpiece:

Now, in this meeting with all 'officials' and 'agents' of authority level seven and above present, I am honored to represent the organization and extend an invitation to you, 'Seventy-Seven'...

As the smoke cleared, Nana noticed that the atmosphere around her was slightly different from that of soldiers, but she was still surrounded by armed personnel who had instantly locked onto her. In her earpiece, she could still hear her manager's enthusiastic and dramatic introduction:

[Would you be interested in joining the Colombian Department of Homeland Security? If you agree... you will no longer negotiate with the military in your personal capacity, this operation can be reported to Congress as a Homeland Security agent protecting citizens... any subsequent actions by the military will be forced to halt due to the Department of Homeland Security's involvement...]

It sounded like a convenient contract that would help with follow-up arrangements, but considering that her agent had previously been tied down by the military and the opposition, only able to get her involved through various hints... Nana couldn't help but doubt the actual agency's capabilities... Therefore:

"...I refuse...Agent, tragedies like Matilda's cannot be prevented by organizations that can be controlled by political forces..."

Oh ho, everyone... that's what she said.

Ignoring the heated discussion on the other end of the earpiece, Nana continued to watch the approaching people. Although they weren't armed, their shadows stretched out towards her like ghosts in the setting sun. Nana frowned slightly and took two steps back at these people who approached her, their intentions unclear and their motives unknown.

"Moreover... even as an 'employee'... with only one eye, it's difficult for me to exert my full strength anymore... I'm sorry, I think I should probably retire."

Seeing Nana preparing to take off her headphones, the manager became unusually flustered:

[Wait a minute, Nana, I haven't finished yet... Even if you really don't have much credibility with the organization, what about me? Are you really going to watch me get tortured by those rookies? I really can't stand their success rate of less than 20%... Besides, politics is a very complicated thing, it's not something you can ignore just because you don't want to be controlled...]

Through the other operators' combat recorders, seeing Nana put her hand to her ear, the manager continued:

We are very sincere, and even though those guys in the opposition sometimes act inhumanely for various reasons, the mission I'm undertaking with you, the so-called ideal of making the world a better place, is not just empty talk... People have their own stances, and that's precisely why we need to unite...

"Then... how can you guarantee that you won't stand idly by if you encounter something like what happened to Matilda's family again?"

Let me answer this question...

A deep male voice joined the discussion, and as if they had heard some instructions, the security agents who were maintaining formation with the army exchanged hand signals and began to block them ahead of the army, forming a barrier with their bodies.

Organizations are made up of individuals, and different people have different stances... Sometimes it's hard to say whether the actions you choose based on your stance are good or bad, but your agent isn't wrong... Your black-and-white choices are indeed biased.

The Department of Homeland Security's reach extends far beyond Colombia... We care about the Infected Liberation Movement, we monitor the evil in the Arctic, and there are not only people like Bruce's family suffering in this world, but also those like the most powerful culprits who caused the decline of Iberia that require constant attention... Many times, like now, you feel we are not doing anything, but from our perspective, I can only say that we have more important things to do...

This land is filled with suffering, not only facing overwhelming natural disasters, but sometimes the line between man-made calamities and natural disasters is also difficult to define... But you, as an individual, are the only one who is free... Joining us does not prevent you from thinking. If you feel that things should not be developing this way, then you are free to use the organization's power to expose or obstruct them... Yes, just like this time, using various political means to restrain others at Loken Water Tank, you could have acted first and informed them later...

Others lack such authority primarily because either their abilities are insufficient or their mental fortitude is inadequate… This is why high-ranking agents with independent operational authority are so rare, even requiring your agent to subtly guide you to act from a third-party perspective.

Are we really not taking any action at all? No... Didn't the manager send out her ace, Assassin Number Seventy-Seven...?

"So...you think I should still join..."

You have proven your ideals, skills, and strength... Now, we want to hand over what we have to you to operate... Only then will the slogan 'If society falls apart, we will stand up' be truly realized...

Listening to what sounded like the earnest persuasion of the highest-ranking official in the Security Bureau, Nana could only hear the sounds of Cole and Kate urging her to agree. This somewhat noisy din grew increasingly irritating as the other party briefly described the benefits of Security Bureau employees.

The main thing is that the agent assured him that the organization would support him on his upcoming overseas assignment, primarily for his own recuperation...

Having used ICA services all along, Nana knows all too well the difference between being hunted down without organizational support and being sent on assignment with support... Even if she can ignore her manager's care and run away, for the sake of the child in her arms... Nana seems to think she should agree to join them.

Even with a family, this cat-killer, who could still disregard treatment, ideals, and even organizations that might turn against her because of her actions, and all obstacles... ultimately succumbed to her need to take better care of her kittens...

Yes, for Matilda... and for the bonsai she might not be able to get back if she refused, Nana agreed to join the Security Bureau.

Thus, the ICA control center personnel, awaiting orders, listened to the instructions through their headsets and erased 'No. 77' which had been pre-written on the wanted list... Meanwhile, the file on 'No. 77' was quickly updated at the Trimont Data Center, where the Colombian Department of Homeland Security headquarters is located.

The female agent in the conference room clenched her fist and smirked at her colleague across from her, who had a sour face.

At this moment, she didn't even need to say anything to her political enemies. From the Loken tank incident to now, it could be said that the agent's faction had achieved a complete victory.

The fact that the person they chose had actually transformed from a 'rookie killer' into a 'super killer' was enough to make those with guilty consciences uneasy.

Now, that terrifying presence that could appear unexpectedly in front of everyone's pillow at any moment has become a 'super agent' capable of mobilizing the organization's power and even investigating the backgrounds of everyone present... As her agent, she has truly reaped a rich reward.

Seeing Nana's call again after her change of status, the manager politely bid farewell to her colleagues and then kept her gains to herself... After all, Nana's situation might not be ready for celebration yet.

………………

“Agent, I’m now in command of the Security Bureau’s agents… Are you sure I can act the way I want?”

What do you want to do?

"...Can I just make the neighbors Lu Jiu Niao and the others disappear without Ling?"

Looking at the administrative officials putting on a show, the military officers scrutinizing them, the soldiers wearing headphones who seemed ready to take them down at any moment, and the armored guards in ceremonial livery going through the motions on the outer ring...

To be honest, it's not that Nana underestimates the Security Bureau's so-called ideals... but reality always slaps you in the face when you're just talking big... At times like these, Nana, who always feels like she's having a nervous breakdown, has no choice but to focus on the task at hand.

How can I leave this place?

"Hmm, I see... Go shake hands with them, after all, people from the radio station and newspapers are here... If you're too wary of them and don't let outsiders check on the kitten's condition at all, public opinion might think we're making... too many and inappropriate demands on this survivor."

At this point, the agent remained expressionless, but her tone seemed full of smiles:

After all, the Security Bureau's identity prevents them from directly using force, but how they operate behind the scenes is another matter... Number 77, although I know you're still seriously injured, the Security Bureau will provide you with all the help you need, and protect the last survivor in your arms... This matter isn't over yet.

PS:

This cat is very cute, but the only problem is that the full version can't be shown here, so I'll post an edited version instead.

PS2: Thus, the title of Killer Seventy-Seven officially became 'Agent Seventy-Seven'... or it could be translated as 'Operator Seventy-Seven'... but it's not a big deal; everyone just needs to understand this nickname. (Phosphorus)

PS3: What follows is Nana's power struggle with the radicals... Only when they reach a safe position will Volume One officially end.

Although the first volume was originally just about the origin of rosemary... it still needs to have a beginning and an end.

PS4: One last vote, I'm dying without data... I really am dying...

1st Rosemary Embrace: 022 Minor Injury Healing IV

To the average citizen, the Loken water tank incident was over.

The Rhode Island Marine Corps broadcast live footage of Loken Williams ordering his forces to surrender to the military and his own arrest and transport to a prison van.

In Nana's eyes, the Loken water tank incident had only just begun.

The officer's appraising gaze as he shook hands with her was repulsive, but what truly unsettled Nana was... what they said to 'Security Bureau Agent Nana' in front of television and radio news reporters: ...

"Are you going to keep holding her... without treating her eyes and other injuries? Or... what does your security bureau want to do with this 'poor' child?" Jiu

Despite Nana's outward appearance of being severely wounded and weak, wearing a smile, the assassin was already rehearsing in her mind how she would hold a kitten, cock her pistol with one hand, release the safety, and then fire seven shots in quick succession, causing the kitten to commit suicide.

In other words, the manager knew Nana well enough that, just a second before her ace gunslinger was about to go to war with the military on her first day in office... the manager still managed to hold her back:

【Nana... I know you're anxious, but don't worry... Public attention is definitely focused on Matilda right now. First, she does need a medical check-up to confirm her condition. The Melander Children's Rights Foundation is discussing the child's placement with us... And as your emotional anchor, I promise you two won't be separated. I've already started the adoption process for Matilda, so don't worry... Also... don't you really need to take care of yourself?】

"...I can continue fighting..."

So, you should prepare properly before the battle... Aren't you almost out of items?

Subconsciously, Nana patted the messenger pouch, which had already deflated considerably. Explosives and tactical tools had all been used up, and apart from a few etching rounds, it seemed that all Nana had left was poison...

First, she glanced at the slightly embarrassed employees of the Melander Children's Foundation who were waiting for something, and then at the crisis contract personnel who, although not urging her, were gesturing to her that they had been waiting for a long time. Nana gestured for them to wait a little longer.

"So I do need to replenish my equipment. Could the Department of Homeland Security help me order takeout?"

[...You actually had someone else help prepare the equipment?]

"After all, I... don't want to be separated from Mia..."

Nana's remarks even caused her manager to fall silent for a few seconds, before finally standing aside and observing. The short, pink-purple-haired Volper, dressed in Rhodes Island's blue-black uniform, and the gray-haired Dr. Caprini stepped forward together.

“If you’re really worried about the child, how about we get her checked together? We won’t let her out of your sight, and your injuries also need to be treated… Besides, having the child with familiar people will be good for her stability.”

The following sentence describes the crisis contract personnel in their red and black uniforms, who, after exchanging glances with the representatives from the Melander Children's Rights Foundation, immediately nodded in agreement:

“That makes sense. In any case, before the child's placement plan is finalized, let's have him examined at the city hospital first... That hospital was sponsored by Loken Water Tank, and its equipment is all the latest models from recent years... But it's a public hospital, and it has nothing to do with Williams.”

The foundation staff's explanation, clearly expressing some concern, left Nana somewhat amused and exasperated. In the end, the black cat girl could only respond to the awkwardness with a smile.

"I know... it's impossible to find a place in this city completely free of any traces of the Loken water tank now..."

As she spoke, she gestured to the security agents who had previously reported to her, indicating that she was instructing them to assist her... such as getting her some 'takeout' or something...

Ultimately, Nana still lacks experience in group activities, and having too many people around her would only get her in the way.

"...So, shall we set off?"

Seeing the perfectly photogenic smiles of the Rhodes Island city officials, Nana responded with a gentle smile, then bypassed the armored vehicle protected by the military in the center, and got into the next SUV with the words 'Rhodes Island' printed on it, carrying the kitten.

This scene was perfectly captured by the radio station's reporters.

Neither the administrative staff nor the military personnel present made any statement. Under the orders of city hall officials, except for those who remained to isolate and clean up the scene, the convoy started up in a grand procession and drove towards the city.

Seeing this, Nana, whose nerves had been on edge the whole time, finally relaxed.

The cat killer looked apologetically at the passenger seat:

"I'm sorry... Will this cause you any trouble?"

In the passenger seat sat a little fox-like girl with low pinkish-purple pigtails, about the same height as Nana. She looked like a recent graduate, wearing a medical armband, and had a gentle smile.