Chương 82: Chapter 23 Chapter Title: A New Job (Part 1)

Leaving my wife at the hotel, I headed to headquarters together with Mochida. The dog followed on its own. Since leaving it alone was honestly a little terrifying, I decided to bring it along. I had acquired new underwear, and since there was no longer any need for the combat outfit, I wore my usual black cassock-style dress. After a battle like that, I didn't exactly feel like walking around looking carefree. This body and appearance already attracted enough attention.

"Good work, Chiyoda-san."

"We've been waiting for you, Chloe. Mochida-kun, remain at the hotel with her wife." After a brief exchange of greetings, we walked through headquarters. The withdrawal operation had apparently begun. Equipment was already being packed away. Police officers, Self-Defense Force personnel, and contractors brought in for cleanup moved busily through the building while supervisors directed where everything needed to go.

"It's a little chaotic, as you can see," Chiyoda said.

"Will this room suffice?"

"Anywhere is fine. So, what's this discussion about my future?" As far as government policy went, I'd already heard that areas inside Gates would be treated as self-responsibility zones with a certain degree of extraterritorial status. I hadn't heard anything about newly proposed legislation. Honestly, the best outcome would be for them to say:'Good work. You're free to go.'

"First, there will be no disadvantages imposed upon you because of this incident," Chiyoda said.

"That was clearly stated in the agreement you signed."

"I understand." I paused.

"What about the people caught up in the building collapse? And what about Miyafuji-san and the others?" I had to ask. Not because I was being held responsible. But because I had caused it. I had warned everyone. Still, that didn't guarantee every single person had escaped before the battle began. And both Akamine and Miyafuji had been injured when I saw them on the battlefield. I wanted them to have survived. But after everything that happened, I had to be prepared for the possibility they hadn't.

"Approximately fifty people were injured by the fall," Chiyoda replied.

"However, we have received no reports of fatalities. The fact that the structure disappeared rather than collapsed was a major factor." This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it He smiled faintly.

"Jobs are truly remarkable things."

"According to the camera footage, the worst injuries were mostly broken bones. Takatsuki-sensei's medicines did the rest."

"As for the people you know, Superintendent Tachibana was coordinating the civilian volunteers and is unharmed."

"Chief Sergeant Miyafuji was seriously injured, but her life is not in danger."

"The others are safe as well."

"That's good." Thank God. No one had died because of that erosion spell. And thank you, Takatsuki-sensei. For choosing that Job. For making those medicines in time. One burden disappeared from my shoulders.

"By the way," Chiyoda continued, "the government has officially designated those who possess Jobs and enter Gates as Sweepers."

"Sweeper, huh?" I nodded.

"Whoever came up with that actually understands the situation."

"If nobody familiar with Gates had been involved, they'd probably have gone with something generic like Seeker." Personally, I didn't care what we were called. Having an official designation simply made life easier. When introducing yourself. When filling out paperwork. When dealing with the public. Not having to explain everything from scratch was nice.

"It was decided after consultation with experts and available intelligence." Experts. They appeared everywhere. Though apparently not me. I wasn't considered one. Probably for the best. Being consulted sounded exhausting.

"I'm jealous of these experts."

"If they're so knowledgeable, perhaps they could have solved this incident themselves." I leaned back slightly.

"By the way, did the gifts reach the politicians and ambassadors?" For the first time, Chiyoda gave me a genuinely wicked grin. His usual seven-three hairstyle had softened his appearance. Now, with his hair slicked back, he looked surprisingly intimidating. Like an intellectual yakuza executive.

"Unfortunately," he said, "they were gathered together."

"After delivering your gift to the first individual and explaining your reasoning, the rest became very cooperative."

"What a shame."

"It would have been far more satisfying to summon each one individually." Ah. So he was that type. The quiet, serious person who became terrifying once angered. Or perhaps— The servant who pushed Hannibal Lecter off a cliff. In that analogy, I supposed I was Lecter. And now was the perfect moment to escape. I'd gotten the answers I wanted. Asked about the politicians. Asked about the casualties. Perhaps— Just perhaps— I could leave.

"I see."

"Wonderful outcome."

"Remove obstacles by hitting them until they're gone."

"A fine philosophy."

"Well then, I'll be taking my leave."

"I'm sure you have plenty of cleanup left to handle."

"Good luck." As I stood, Chiyoda smiled and extended his hand. A farewell handshake. Naturally, I accepted. We shook firmly. Up and down. Once. Twice. Then— Nothing.

"... Chiyoda-san?"

"Could you let go?"

"If I let go, you'll leave." His smile never wavered.

"And there are still several matters regarding your future that require discussion." So much for escaping. Oh well. It had only been a hopeful attempt. Still— If he started making ridiculous demands, I'd kick him. Verbally or physically. Depending on the situation.

"Before anything else," I said, sitting back down.

"Can I return home?"

"Depending on circumstances, yes." Interesting. So they weren't planning to lock me in Tokyo as a strategic asset. That was a relief. Then what exactly did they want?

"I'll hear you out."

"But I reserve the right to refuse."

"That's fair."

"We have no intention of placing everything on your shoulders." Chiyoda folded his hands.

"But we also cannot afford to let someone like you sit idle." The losses from Akihabara had been devastating. The country's most promising pioneers had been wiped out. Even if resource wars might someday disappear because of Gates, that future had just moved much farther away. And there were other concerns. Control of Gates. Ownership disputes. International pressure. Powerful individuals. The world had witnessed a single person erase multiple buildings. Weapons were no longer the ultimate military asset.

Individuals were. The implications were horrifying. Inside the Gates, the problem remained the same. If Sweepers failed to do their jobs, another Stampede would happen. Any government would want strong individuals under its control. And any nation that knew deeper layers contained greater rewards would want to reach them first.

"So you need combat strength." I shrugged.

"Don't expect academic contributions from me."

"I'm not exactly scholarly."

"We do expect combat capability." Chiyoda smiled.

"But that's not all."

"We also expect educational value."

"Educational?"

"I don't have a teaching license."

"And what exactly does that mean?"