Chapter 94
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Even if Samuel hadn’t been the victim, Adrien would have made sure those men were severely punished. The reason such incidents kept happening was because Espers who harassed or used violence against guides had always gotten off lightly in the past.
It was ridiculous. Threatening people who deserved nothing but respect and admiration, just because you happened to be a little stronger. Physical strength means nothing if you can’t even keep yourself alive.
“It’s definitely illegal Esper boosters. Every Esper who’s shown abnormal symptoms has taken those d***s.”
Alex’s eyes narrowed as screams echoed from behind the steel door.
“And Joseph has the exact same symptoms. At first, it looks like a typical case of depletion, as if he’s about to go berserk from lack of guiding. But then, he starts showing abilities far beyond what a normal pre-berserk Esper could do.”
“As if his level actually went up?”
“Exactly.”
“What happens if we just leave him alone?”
“What else? Like all Espers, he’ll end up losing control. The only difference is, this time he’ll spiral into a frenzy at a level far beyond his own.”
“So it’s not a completely useless d**g, then. I mean, it does boost their level, even if just for a moment.”
“That’s not supposed to be a joke, right?”
The common link between all these Espers with abnormal symptoms was the illegal booster.
While black market guiding d***s were always around, boosters were something else entirely.
Such a d**g wasn’t supposed to exist in this world. Powering up an Esper was everyone’s dream, but it was strictly the domain of the gods—something humanity had always deemed impossible.
It’s not like the Empire hadn’t tried researching it, but every effort ended in failure. Just having powers beyond normal human limits was already miraculous. No one was supposed to get greedy for more.
But now, out in the shadows, a substance had appeared that completely disregarded those rules, a fake d**g with devastating side effects.
“Did you test Joseph’s blood too?”
“Yes. It’s still faint, but there’s a definite greenish tint.”
That’s when the pieces all clicked together: the monsterized animals suddenly appearing in the capital, and now people as well.
‘It has to be the same people behind all of it.’
But who were they, and for what purpose?
It couldn’t be the Empire. They’d never run secret experiments like this, hurting their own citizens.
There was clearly an outside group. A secret faction trying to create stronger Espers, no matter the cost.
“Captain Bailey.”
“Yes!”
Bailey straightened, all business.
“Round up all the captured Espers, and Joseph and Nathan as well. Organize search teams along their overlapping routes. Whoever we’re dealing with, they’re no amateurs. If they’ve already approached our soldiers, there’s a good chance they’re watching us too.”
“Understood!”
“Use the existing patrol teams as your base. The priority is to find out who’s behind these boosters, as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“Also, gather statements from everyone on base. There might be others who’ve been approached. Using illegal d***s is a serious crime, but tell them: if they cooperate, we’ll forgo punishment.”
If these d***s were already in the hands of soldiers, then if they didn’t snuff this out now, the number of Espers using boosters could explode overnight.
If the Security Guard became unable to contain them, the capital would descend into chaos—a true hell on earth.
Adrien’s eyes shone with grim determination.
* * *
Thanks to the captured Espers and a few cooperative insiders, it didn’t take long to narrow down the booster ring’s hideouts.
There were five locations where the paths of the Espers who’d taken the d***s overlapped. Adrien sent a search team to each.
Samuel was assigned to one of them—a surprise, since rookie guides usually weren’t tapped for this sort of mission. But it seemed they were short on guides this time, so even those on the backup list were called up.
“It’s unexpected, but I’d say it’s a good chance for you. You don’t get this kind of experience this early in your career.”
Bailey whispered, dressed in plain clothes just like the rest of the team. Ironically, he seemed to be the most nervous of them all, while Samuel remained calm as ever.
“Yes, sir.”
“So, should we order some drinks? What’ll you have? It’s on me tonight!”
All four team members wore civilian clothes—necessary for undercover work.
As Bailey played his part as the outgoing, fun-loving leader, everyone joined in. Samuel, meanwhile, quietly surveyed the area.
On the surface, it was just a normal bar—typical crowd, staff that was neither overly friendly nor rude, a menu like any other.
It was the kind of place you’d forget about in a few days, not even remembering if you’d ever visited.
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