Léon: The Cat Killer

Nana hopes the kitten can have ordinary happiness...

Even though 'rosemary' is already quite unconventional.

"Since Rosemary can gain an aura through the Bruce family bloodline... then, can Kitty use the 'spell' I'm using to suppress the aura?"

Nana's question made Cole and Kate exchange a glance, and then they both shook their heads in concern.

Although Rosemary is known as a 'war sorcerer', her knowledge and use of magic are actually quite rudimentary... to the point that when asked about it, she can only tilt her head and act cute.

Leaving aside the fact that ordinary Felin lacks the hardware compared to 'Blood Demon'... just considering that Kitty is still illiterate and hasn't left Kal'tsit's 'Little Class', don't expect her to master the complex and dangerous Tikaz sorcery.

So, is there no way to hide that tri-star-like halo?

That's not necessarily true...

With that in mind, Nana got up and washed up; she was going to look for the kitten.

As the tall, wheeled walking mechanism rolled over the tundra gravel, the liquid in the sink cup would occasionally sway back and forth. It seemed that even the adaptive suspension couldn't completely eliminate the annoying swaying sensation when driving through the rugged wilderness.

Then, they found some dusty suitcases on the shelf, with a seal bearing Kal'tsit's signature affixed to the opening and closing...

Judging from the material of the letter paper on the seal, it seems that Nana's dear bonsai boss originally wanted to say something to Nana, but in the end the letter was torn into a seal. Even if the assassin girl put it back together, all that can be seen is a tangled mess of threads that barely reflects Kal'tsit's feelings at the time...

It seems that Kal'tsit transformed all her words to Nana into this suitcase.

First of all, this is clearly not standard equipment for Rhodes Island; the locks on the matte alloy case shell bear the Phoenix Shield emblem, a silent indication of its Security Bureau affiliation.

Then, why did you bring this box?

Before Miss Assassin figured out how to open the mechanical lock and what was inside, let's take a look at the equipment Nana brought when she went to treat 'Halo'...

The firearms were stored in the exploration vehicle's armory, maintained by Jessica... Dangerous medicines were stored in the infirmary, categorized and overseen by Sussuro and Aya.

Killer gadgets like paracord bracelets and earphones were packed into the medical bag, while the equipment that Nana never took off was now hanging on the clothes rack in her room...

Knowing how thoroughly prepared she was for leaving home, the fact that she had an extra suitcase beside her... which seemed to have been entrusted to her by her manager and specifically given to her by Kal'tsit... made things start to look strange.

Has the requirement for my task changed again?

With these questions in mind, Nana placed the box on the bed... The petite, black-haired Feilin, dressed in a surgical gown that served as pajamas, sat in front of the box, intently unlocking it.

The cat, whose tail was rarely allowed to roam freely, now lay casually on the bed, occasionally patting the bed gently as if to acknowledge its owner's attentiveness.

As the mechanical clicking sound rang out, Nana finally opened the mysterious package.

The first thing that catches the eye is the TDD express shipping order. After glancing briefly at the sender's address and Puff's 'Teresa Walter' signature to confirm that there are no dangerous items in the contents, the petite Felin, whose tail began to wag wildly from side to side, finally felt relieved and fully opened the box.

Using the reading light overhead at the exploration lathe shop for illumination, Nana first picked up the outermost layer of white fabric and unfolded it… The delicate touch and the soft, highly elastic nature of the fabric quickly led Nana to determine that it was made of synthetic fiber. There were no seams, no place of origin, and no material label.

Holding it under the light and rubbing it confirmed it was free of static electricity. Changing the angle under the light did not change its color or light transmittance. The fine fleece surface also eliminated the need for a matte finish. More importantly, it was visibly warm to the naked eye… a very expensive-looking garment.

"...High collar...no, is it the high-elasticity design with a folded collar and folded sleeves?"

While muttering to myself, I changed into the liquid fabric that wears out with each use, making sure that even my fingertips were covered in slightly sheer black silk, before putting on the winter base layer that my agent had TDD rush-sent.

Folding the collar and sleeves neatly to the top of her head, the petite, black-haired Feilin looked at the dressing mirror inside the wardrobe. Her hands, exposed outside the sleeves, and the black stockings covering her legs, due to the thickness of the liquid fabric, subtly revealed her flesh color. The pure white fleece seemed to divide her body into three contrasting blocks of black, white, and black, creating a striking effect.

However… even the winter inner layer still features a lightweight fleece that emphasizes the body's curves, clearly showing that even after three years, the manager's aesthetic hasn't changed at all.

"...So, you gave me thermal underwear...won't you give me a pair of long johns?" Si

Nana rummaged through her suitcase but couldn't find the thermal underwear she'd been expecting... but she could picture her manager's awful face: 'Cold? If you're cold, just cover your lower body with more liquid fabric,' she thought. Nine

Ignoring the digital snow camouflage holsters and gear, Nana first rummaged through the boxes for the special agent equipment. After all, her manager couldn't possibly allow herself to withstand the freezing temperatures while simultaneously completing a mission... so leg insulation was definitely a must.

Since it's not just simple, reliable clothing, it must be something on a higher level... for example, liquid fabrics. Three

Of course, this answer wasn't derived from anything, but rather what Nana saw...

The white, liquid-like plastic can sat calmly in the center of the alloy suitcase... Was it to fit the snowy landscape? So, whether it was gear or warm clothing, the agent gave it pure white or white camouflage tones... Even the liquid fabric that had been used in black for the past five years appeared in other colors for the first time this time.

Opening the plastic can disguised as 'paint', Nana made sure it was indeed liquid fabric... She wasn't just being presumptuous... like thinking the other party had sent expensive equipment when it was actually a prank like a can of pure white disguise paint.

However, Nana unexpectedly discovered a problem while using it.

In the past, to replenish liquid fabrics of the same color, you only needed to blend them together... but nowadays, white and black fabrics seem to have a slight deviation in blending due to their different colors.

Nana cannot blend them together. Even if she turns them all into liquid and mixes them together before putting them back on her body, they will still be clearly black and white... If Nana doesn't mind looking like a zebra or if she is simply considering it as a disguise, this does not affect its use.

But...it's too ugly...Nana means that these black and white lines, clearly distinguished as 120320748, are still too avant-garde.

In the end, Nana separated the black and white sides, put the white fabric back into the paint can, and didn't even put on the matching snow digital camouflage gear... The old black gear was very thin and light, which Nana liked very much.

Thus, with cat-ear headphones on and dressed in black stockings, wearing the Rhodes Island coat and light blue pleated skirt uniform again, Rhodes Island's 'Medic' was finally back on the front lines.

"...So, aside from the underwear (liquid fabric), the only other equipment that's left is the spellcasting unit set, right..."

Looking at the extra set that had been specially sent to the box, designed to be used with the snow camouflage, and with the outer shell also changed to the same camouflage, Nana scratched her head, unsure of what to do.

The Colombian Security Service's agent spellcasting unit mainly consists of two parts: a 'wrist terminal' and a 'shoulder spellcasting unit'... It is not only a Colombian Security Service agent, but also has a large number of tactical functions.

Putting everything else aside, the Originium-resistant communication circuit and military-grade casting units alone are enough to push the price of a single set above one million Columbia gold dollars...

As for its built-in advanced information functions such as enemy-foe identification, real-time friendly force positioning, and synchronized tactical command system, it can undoubtedly greatly enhance the team's cooperation capabilities... Whether giving the second terminal to Rosemary or to Nightblade, the combat effectiveness of the entire team can be visibly improved.

However, Nana is now wondering... whether she can, or rather, whether she has the right to, give the Security Bureau's equipment to people who are not members of the Security Bureau.

Troubled by this, Nana, who hadn't used the Security Bureau's agent terminal in a long time, silently tried to find the Security Bureau's employee handbook after hearing the soft female AI's notification that "agent detected online"...

"Ok?"

Blinking, Nana glanced again at a name in the 'Action Permit' that shouldn't be there, licked her lips, tilted her head, and then used the AI ​​assistant in her agent equipment to connect to the exploration vehicle's PRTS system.

"Bridge, this is Medic. Tell Jessica to wait for me in the lounge. Also, clear the lounge... I have a secret to discuss with her."

【Huh? Ah...Jessica...Jessica received this...】

After cutting off communications, Nana tilted her head as she looked at Jessica's name on the agent equipment 'Thor Heavy Industries Special Permit'. Finally, she habitually touched her collar and, realizing that she didn't need a tie, smiled and shook her head. The cat picked up the suitcase... preparing to hand over the equipment to the only two people here who were legally allowed to use it.

P.S.: I'm so dizzy from being hit by the fish... Did I put the supplementary temporary text into the main text again? Oh well, I'll just keep writing.

4th Crimson Warm Winter: 081 System Matchmaking

The exploration vehicle's lounge and dormitory are on the same floor and right next to each other. Through a bright corridor with handrails on both sides and not too cold, Nana even has time to have a sip of her 'morning' coffee when she gets to the lounge.

Although TDD's supplies mean the coffee here is all instant powder, it's more suitable for a cat like me who's used to the fast pace of city life... She can't even compare the refinement of coffee versus coffee beans...

Of course, this only means that the assassin is always fair in her treatment of people and things. In the face of death, no one is more noble than anyone else... This applies to people and objects alike.

When Jessica nervously knocked on the door, the assassin, whose body had warmed up considerably, gave this...unlucky guy in her memory a slightly business-like smile.

"Jessica?"

"...Ah, um...Captain, Medic, you wanted to see me?"

"Come, sit down first."

While talking, she gestured for the person of her race, whose hair color was very similar to hers, to sit down. Nana poured him a cup of coffee first, and then, as the other person politely picked up the cup, Nana opened the Security Bureau's watch terminal.

"This is Medic, cockpit, please respond... Jessica and I will begin a secure call in the lounge. The PRTS system may temporarily suspend lounge monitoring and combat recording... Don't panic, that's normal."

[Cockpit view... By the way, Nana, you're not planning some weird or outlandish scheme again, are you?]

Hearing Huang's tone, as if he were about to come over just by smelling the scent, Nana sighed:

"Of course not, I already said Jessica is still here... We need to discuss some... restricted topics... non-Rhodes Island systems..."

Ah...I understand~

"...Also, could you please let Rosemary know that I need to speak with her? How long until she's back?"

"...Hmm...it'll probably be several more hours...the kitten's been obsessed with high-speed cruising lately..."

"Then I'll go find her later. Mr. Blackhorn and Grandpa Ranger, please help me prepare my tactical units..."

[...Judging from your tone, you can fly too?]

"Even the kitten is using my aura, so what's so strange about me using her Originium Arts... Medic, call ended, offline."

Ignoring Huang's curious shouts during the communication, Nana turned on her watch and then had 'Anna' disable some functions of the on-board PRTS with her own permissions. She then looked at Jessica, who had calmed down a bit because of the hot drink.

"Alright, now it's our turn..."

"So... our captain is finally going to take that gun back? I've taken good care of it. Are you going to use it for this mission?"

Seeing Jessica seem relieved, her cat ears twitching, Nana shook her head:

"No, you'll still be the one using that gun, mainly the kind that fires repeatedly... Besides you, no one else can afford the ammunition consumption... The reason we specifically asked you to come here this time is because of something else."

Clicking on the 'Joint Operations Permit' between the Columbia Security Service and Raytheon Industries, there is a prominent name 'Jessica' among the Raytheon Industries partners.

“Three years ago, you were a partner of the Columbia Security Service… and you helped me in my mission to speak with the captain of the Blacksteel Landship… Did you know that yourself?”

Nana's question was rather serious, and Jessica, who had been quite lively just moments before, immediately wilted in the face of Nana's earnest question:

"...Yes...yes..."

"But you are clearly an employee of Blacksteel International, yet you have a deep cooperative relationship with Raytheon Industries?"

"...Thor Industries...is...a family business..."

At this point, Jessica, with her ears drooping, nervously fidgeted with her fingertips:

“At the time, I thought it was just a regular favor… but I specifically checked the visitor list for that day… and you weren’t there…”

As Jessica spoke, she would secretly glance up at Nana's reaction from time to time, but to her disappointment, Nana just pointed at the watch terminal without affirming or pointing out what was wrong with her.

From Jessica's perspective, Nana's actions made her feel extremely... tormented.

"So, you voluntarily became me... a Colombian agent's assistant... then how much do you know about the Colombian Department of Homeland Security?"

"...Government departments? Business partners of the family company...mainly my sister has a lot of collaborations with them...in addition, the Crisis Contract also has close ties with the Security Bureau..."

"So, what were your thoughts when you accepted the task of helping me?"

"...I...I just..."

Is it just obeying orders from home?

Holding the terminal and recording audio, Nana was conducting a special recruitment process according to the standards for temporary agents... Just as she had prepared beforehand, agent equipment is not something that just anyone can use, but Jessica had been on the Security Bureau's cooperation list for three years and was an unofficial member of the Security Bureau's cooperation team.

She has the right to access Security Bureau intelligence and is not bound by confidentiality regulations. With Nana's high-level agent privileges, as long as Jessica possesses a basic spirit of dedication that aligns with Colombian universal values... then Nana can recruit collaborators during operations and elevate the privileges of non-staff personnel...

Although they were originally just unrelated tools who became interns to help out, the trainee agents or assistants could now openly use agent wristwatches and spell units... This obviously improved the combat effectiveness of their own team.

In addition, Nana also wanted to use this method to determine the principle of aura amplification... After all, agents' synchronized spell units, due to the need for mutual cooperation and spell frequency tuning, can establish a special resonance similar to the Originium Arts local area network.

The idea of ​​enhancing different types of primitive skills through the joint use of multiple people to strengthen the entire team has long existed in the Colombian military, but due to cost considerations, it has only been provided to advanced units such as mechanical hunters.

As for high-ranking agents... there simply aren't enough people to form teams... most of the other high-ranking agents also have their own teams... Of course, Nana isn't concerned about teamwork.

Assassins accustomed to acting alone might consider group operations... primarily because of the aura that suddenly appeared on them, which seemed to transmit power through the Originium Arts network.

Since rosemary can benefit from the Bruce family's 'network' or its own aura, then similarly, the agent team's network should also be able to obtain the same or even similar benefits.

Although, at its core, Nana's behavior is very similar to using herself as a medium to allow others to exploit the 'master's' fighting power for free.

But if Nana's guess is correct, her team will then have at least three combat-capable members at the level of gods... That's enough to attack a mobile city... Of course, Nana won't put it into practice.

Thus... let's return to the Security Bureau's theoretical test on Jessica.

What is meant by 'universal values'... Although Nana could probably write a proper sociology paper on this topic, in fact, Nana already knows the standards for becoming a security agent very well.

If Jessica's answer is something like 'obeying orders from home'... then Nana cannot give her the watch.

Just like the questioning that Nana experienced... the only quality that one must have to become a security agent is the ability to stand up for others in a crisis of social disintegration.

Since it was just a recruitment drive for trainee agent assistants, Nana didn't even need her to actually face those dangers... As long as Jessica showed the willingness to confront difficulties and extend a helping hand to those in distress, Nana would consider her qualified.

Clearly, in order to properly hand over this equipment to Jessica, the assassin had set rather low standards... This was partly due to Jessica's usually overly safe behavior.

As for Nana's question, Jessica hesitated for a long time before looking at the screen projected on her wristwatch and saying with a dreamy expression:

“I just felt… since the goal is to help the people of Tikkarendo, it’s worth a try…”

"Even if you succeed, you'll still have to go into the disaster zone yourself... Don't you think it's... a bad deal? You provide the help, but you still have to go into dangerous territory yourself..."

Shaking her head, Jessica looked at Nana with a strange expression.

After all, such a question coming from someone who single-handedly plunged into the deepest reaches of the Cataclysm was utterly unconvincing… Jessica simply found it amusing that a hero known as the 'Light of Ticarendo' would ask such a question:

"No, because... I really want to help everyone..."

Nodding, Nana saved the recording to her terminal, opened her suitcase, and presented Jessica with her new equipment, including a wristwatch terminal, tactical gear with a shoulder backpack, and a white liquid fabric. She smiled again and said:

"...Although it sounds like you still lack confidence, Jessica, you've passed the test...As a senior agent of the Security Bureau, I authorize you to use the following technical equipment...Of course, you can read the specific confidentiality regulations regarding the existence of the Security Bureau and its internal intelligence on your own in the terminal."

"what?"