NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6 - At Night in the Hospital
In the third city, there are various hospitals. The central three wards and the four secondary wards together make up the size of the third city. Among them, there are over twenty thousand medical facilities, large and small.
This city, where violent incidents occur, requires a significant number of medical institutions.
The place Mikoyuki visited was a hospital often used by the police, and it was a large hospital with many medical ability users.
This hospital was also visited by members of secret organizations.
Naturally, the newly established secret organization known as the “Special Ability Division” also had access.
“Really—how many times have you been here this month? This is the fourth time.”
“Ha ha… I’m sorry.”
In the hospital room, Mikoyuki, who had just finished treatment, faced an elderly man with round glasses. This man had been Mikoyuki’s primary doctor since he was young. The doctor, looking at the medical chart, deepened the wrinkles on his face as he looked at Mikoyuki.
“Your internal organs are a bit weakened… your bones are still healing. I told you to rest properly…”
“I’m sorry…”
Mikoyuki apologized as he put on a thin T-shirt. The doctor knew he wasn’t doing it on purpose. Sighing, he spoke slowly, as if to counsel him.
“Indeed, your ability is tremendous. But the strain on your body is just as significant. This time it’s a matter of life and death. Absolutely, absolutely, rest properly! Got it?”
After saying that, the doctor left the room. Mikoyuki, unable to respond, leaned back on the fluffy white bed and closed his eyes.
Suddenly, he smelled a sweet fragrance.
He knew it wasn’t the scent of perfume.
“What are you doing here? —Alicia.”
Opening his eyes, Mikoyuki spoke to the blonde girl in front of him—Alicia Edelhart.
“Ugh… This is… That’s right! You looked uncomfortable, so I stayed by your side.”
Alicia, who was next to Mikoyuki, said this and crawled out of the bed. Yes, she crawled out. In other words, she had been in Mikoyuki’s bed until just now.
“Even sleeping beside me?”
“Y-yes…! Remember, I used to comfort you when you cried… What am I saying!”
Blushing, Alicia sat down in a nearby chair.
She wore a white shirt and black knee-high socks. The absolute area hidden by her red skirt was barely visible even as she crossed her legs.
Mikoyuki glanced at the digital clock nearby. The time was 11:45 PM, just before midnight.
“Why did you come here? This place closes at ten. What were you doing sneaking in like this…”
“That’s…! I-I wanted to apologize to you—”
“Were you planning to play a prank on me?”
“No!”
Mikoyuki quickly put his hand on his face. Of course, he was joking, but she didn’t get it.
They both fell silent.
Mikoyuki fully understood what Alicia had tried to say earlier. Oh, I’ve messed up. That thought filled his mind.
“…I’m sorry. My decision back then was wrong.”
After a while, Alicia spoke haltingly, looking away.
Apparently, she had her own thoughts about this incident, looking unusually meek.
“No. There was nothing we could have done about it. A surprise attack was unimaginable, and even if you hadn’t said anything, I would have suggested it.”
That was indeed the case.
Seeing Alicia troubled, he realized that continuing as a two-person team would be difficult. Besides—
“I overestimated my own abilities. After I’m discharged, I’ll ask for some training after a long time.”
“…Oh, even you do training?”
Alicia looked up, surprised.
“It’s unexpected. I can’t train my abilities, but I did combat training back in middle school.”
Abilities can be trained.
For example, if one can manipulate objects, it’s possible to increase the mass they can handle.
If one can enhance physical abilities, continuing to use the ability can raise its limits, much like muscles.
“My ability is neither. Just using it is risky. There’s no suitable training for it.”
“…I see.”
“Speaking of which, I don’t know your ability yet, Alicia. You don’t have to say the name. What type is it?”
Generally, ability users don’t reveal their abilities to others.
Especially if it’s a dangerous job.
Thus, the members of the newly formed “Special Ability Division” hadn’t disclosed their abilities yet.
(But this incident with Collad Bomb will undoubtedly involve the Special Ability Division. It’s better to know in advance.)
“Well, I don’t mind telling you.”
As she spoke, Alicia manifested ice in the palm of her right hand.
The ice was a pale blue, so realistic that it could easily be mistaken for the real thing.
Mikoyuki activated his ability in response—
“No change in temperature. No change in the moisture content of the air. This is not ‘freezing’ by extracting moisture from the environment. So, it must be a ‘creation and materialization type ability.'”
—Abilities are classified into five categories.
Strengthening abilities affect physical substances (including the body), such as hardening or healing.
Emission abilities create things like electric shocks or fireballs that can be projected.
Manipulation abilities affect physical substances, like telekinesis or moving objects.
Creation and materialization abilities can create things from nothing.
Generally, abilities fall into these categories. However, even within the strengthening category, there can be significant differences, such as between an ability that enhances healing and one that increases physical strength.
Lastly, there is the ‘peculiar type.’ These are anomalies, abilities that are unique and do not fit into any other category. Currently, only a few ability users possess ‘peculiar type’ abilities.
The only publicly known one is the first-ranked member of the ‘Ten Greats.’
“…So your ability can do that too?” Alicia asked, dispersing the ice and addressing Mikoyuki, who was likely using his ability.
“Yes, if I focus outward. Actually, that’s the essence of my ability. Officially, my ability is classified as telekinesis. Sorry for bringing this up, but please don’t delve into it too much.”
“Mari briefed me beforehand… but is your ability really that dangerous?”
“…It’s not a boast or an exaggeration, but if I used my ability seriously, I could kill all of humanity in half a day.”
His tone showed genuine confidence and capability, with no hint of bluff.
“That… Well, you seem like someone who wouldn’t die easily… quite different from me.”
Mikoyuki sensed that Alicia’s comment hinted at her own worries.
“…My ability is incomplete,” she said.
“Incomplete—”
“The temperature of the ice changes with my emotions. Also, recently, using my ability gives me headaches. It’s proof that my body can’t keep up.”
(My body can’t keep up…?)
Abilities are usually within the limits of the user’s body. While excessive use of an ability might strain the body, just activating it shouldn’t cause issues.
“…Look at this,” Alicia said, sending Mikoyuki an email.
His phone buzzed. He picked it up and opened the email. It contained a PDF.
“This is… a tactical plan? And it’s from the police.”
It was a plan for a mission to take down Collad Bomb.
(I recall Reese mentioning that Collad Bomb issued a new threat for the first time in years.)
The location was the city’s tallest radio tower. If it were blown up, the entire city’s electronic devices would temporarily be unusable. In this day and age, with the internet being ubiquitous, even a temporary shutdown would cause incalculable losses.
(I see. This would force the police leadership to rely on us.)
The exact strength of the enemy was unknown, but their track record was clear. They were a group that had caused unprecedented major incidents. According to the documents, their members were mostly high-ranking ability users. Some were even students, including one from the ‘Ten Greats.’
Mikoyuki saw a familiar name among them.
“I’m included too…”
“Without you, this mission would be impossible… The higher-ups have high expectations for you.”
“Expectations? No way. They just want to keep me under control.”
Mikoyuki said this while looking at his phone. Alicia, seeming displeased, twirled her hair.
“What’s bothering you?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You’re on the front lines, while I’m stuck in support.”
“The front lines are filled with S-rank ability users…”
Mikoyuki looked at the document again. His team consisted of three combat specialists. Among them was a member of the ‘Ten Greats.’ Judging by the numbers, the main force was that ‘Ten Greats’ member’s ability, and Mikoyuki and the others were likely gathered to support it.
“…I want to crush them with my own hands…!”
Alicia’s quiet but burning anger was evident. It was a natural feeling for a member of the ‘Special Ability Division,’ which sought peace, but there was also a hint of hatred.
“…Looks like I won’t be able to keep my promise for a while,” Mikoyuki muttered, thinking of his doctor’s exasperated face.