Story Reader / Floating Record / ER05 Sands of Wrath / Story

Hmph. Am I really going to be stuck with you two?

The red-haired man smiles, showing his fangs like a vicious dog.

What'd you two do to land yourselves here?

Vera casts a disdainful look at the grinning red-haired man. She then turns to Nikola, pointing at the man.

Dear Commander, did you ask us to come all the way here... just to assign this idiot to my squad?

What? How dare you!

This is Noctis. He used to be in the Purifying Force, but was reassigned to the Task Force for some reason... You will form the new Cerberus squad together.

Nikola glances at Noctis, who is sitting on the chair in a rather informal pose.

Don't judge him by his looks. After all, he is a Purifying Force elite who specializes in close-quarter combat and explosives. He's also qualified for remote connection... More than enough to be your member.

What? Member? Someone told me that I would be the captain!

Nikola gives a "saw it coming" smile and tosses Noctis' transfer files to him.

It must be Hassen. Unfortunately, his promise doesn't work here.

****! That old bastard fooled me!

Noctis suddenly notices that the white-haired girl next to the obnoxious red-haired woman has disappeared. The next moment, he realizes she has already come to his side.

!?

Noctis' battle instinct makes him put up a defensive posture, but she seems to have no intention of attacking.

Sniff...

All No. 21 did was sniff around Noctis a few times. When he gives her a sharp stare, she quickly trots back to Vera.

What are you doing...

How is it, No. 21?

I smell... a fool.

You don't need to smell him to know that.

Hey! Are you trying to get me mad?!

No. 21 stares at Noctis seriously, then blinks and says.

But he's still strong...

That will do. I prefer partners who are not that smart.

None of their words sound like a compliment, but Noctis seems quite glad.

Aha, I didn't expect a dwarf like you to have such good sense. Just hide behind me when there's a fight, weakling.

I don't know what a "weakling" is... But I'm not a weakling.

Noctis bursts into laughter as No. 21's face rapidly darkens.

Haha, what do you want? Wanna hit me? C'mon, hit here! Oops, can those little arms really reach me?

Taking advantage of his long reach, Noctis tries to poke No. 21's forehead. Just when his finger is about to touch her, a dark shadow appears out of nowhere.

Buddy!

What the...? What is this thing?!

No. 21's Co-Bot, who has been staying by her side all the time, tightly clamps onto Noctis' face like a custom-made mask, completely blocking his vision.

Die, loser!

The sudden, powerful impact sends Noctis into the storage room of Nikola's office like an empty can, spinning and flying.

As No. 21 also rushes inside and engages in a fight with Noctis, furious shouts and fighting noises begin to echo in the office that is usually too quiet.

I want to take back my initial comment...

Despite the intense fight, Vera continues to lean against Nikola's desk, reading through Noctis' documents as if nothing has happened.

Told you he would be a great candidate.

I'm not talking about Noctis. It's you... I'm impressed that you have the guts to choose us as your direct subordinates. You seem to be a lot braver than those bureaucrats.

Nikola snorts and smiles nonchalantly.

Hmph... Just do some regular Task Force missions for now.

Vera takes the list from Nikola and carefully browses through it with a smile. She picks the first combat mission for Cerberus in no time.

But there's another problem to be solved right now...

Nikola opens the contact list on his terminal and finds a name on the very top.

Celica? It's me. Can you ask the Engineering Force for someone who's not on a mission...?

Before he could finish, a loud explosion came from the storage room, followed by thick smoke.

Wait, no... I want a full team here with equipment and building materials. My office probably needs a renovation.