17 Chapter 16: Uragirimono

"I saw someone wearing when I peeked from a window when we were in the HQ in which, if I'm not mistaken, a soldier's uniform with a 'north' word on its back."

Sylve was shocked after hearing that, that she unknowingly stood up and grabbed Vander's shoulders and shouted, "What?" She then took a deep breath as she rubbed her forehead, "Are you sure?"

Vander was appalled by Sylve's reaction as he frantically stared at her face and realized her beauty. "Y-yes." He answered.

Sylve lost her composure this time, her face went blank, and she's frantically walking here and there. Vander rests on the wall as he slowly slid his back to sit.

Sylve then stopped momentarily and looked at Vander, "What do you think that means? Maybe I'm overthinking. Do you have any idea what does that implies?"

"Well, for me, it could only mean two things, the attack is only in this district, or the attack is focused in this district." Vander grabbed his chin and fixed his position, "The moment the attack start, I already felt something is wrong, and things are not coming into pieces."

"What do you mean?"

"First, why does the smaller kuishinbo destroy a barrier more than what it could fit on. It's as if it destroyed the barrier, especially for the Atlas. Before we conclude something, I would like to ask you a question."

"What is it?"

"How large a kuishinbo destroy the barrier?"

Sylve flashed a puckered face towards Vander as she heaved a sigh.

Vander raised his finger and smirked, "Guess you understand what I was trying to say. The attack isn't an accident, and the two giant kuishinbo are purposively sent here by an enemy."

"Do you have any proof of your claim? If it is an ordinary day, I can accuse you of slander and put you into prison."

"I only have a few pieces of evidence to support my claim, but I guess it's something worth your hearing, eh?"

Sylve shook her head off and slowly lowered her head, and sat in front of Vander, "Go on, I'll be listening."

Vander started to discuss what he thinks is happening, and Sylve carefully listened. She was first hesitant to believe Vander, but Vander made it clear that he's not forcing Sylve to accept. The explanation went on for around ten minutes, and sooner or later, Sylve realized that Vander's hunch is probable.

A few seconds later, a wild sound and a strong tremor shook the entire place. Vander and the rest held on to something to prevent themselves from losing their balance. A few debris pieces fell, and all of them inside the tunnel used their hands to protect their heads.

"Sylve, we should leave this place."

"Huh?" She was shocked at what Vander said.

"If my guess is right, in a few moments, the enemy's team will come here to annihilate us all."

"But what if your hunch isn't true? What will you do?"

"Well, nothing bad happens, except that a few will die on our way outside, and that may include me." Vander scratched his head and smiled, "But you wouldn't let that happen to anyone of us, right? Especially me, I'm technically the brain of all of us here. Who knows? I might save your life, and by then, you'll acknowledge me, and oh, remember the deal we had? I'm afraid you'll be under me soon."

Sylve rolled her eyes, "Tsk."

"Do you have any thoughts in mind on what to do?"

Sylve shook her head; she doesn't know what to do or what's going on. Considering the situation, the tunnel is barely holding on in its place, and it might collapse anytime.

"What's your plan?" She asked.

"None." Sylve raised her eyebrows and was about to say 'What?' but Vander stopped her,

"Except if you know two places to go."

"Places, you say? What is it?"

"A place where we can call some guards to go inside, trap some traitors, and a place where we can contain approximately 50 people inside," Vander said as he gazed at the people around them.

"I know places like that here; the first one is the large warehouse near here. I'm sure it's been emptied now since the guards or hunters are now using the weapons stacked there. I'm not sure which of the used, but what I'm sure it is it's free there, and it's a perfect place for the guards to hide with all the large cabinets inside and numbers of bushes near there."

"What about the other?"

"Oh, it's near the Weapon Warehouse 023, the basement I mentioned earlier. It's Warehouse 25, a minute walk from the first basement I said.

"That would be perfect."

Sylve was hesitant, and she doesn't understand what Vander was saying. She looked around the people and then shifted her gaze back to Vander. "I don't understand your plan. Why do we need to call the guards?"

"Just follow what I said, and you'll know soon."

"Okay, then,"

"Tell the people here that they have two ways of surviving, follow us? Or find the guards to help them."

"Okay, fine."

Vander grabbed Sylve closer to her, Sylve was appalled at first, but she realized that Vander would whisper her something. "Tell everyone that we'll meet at Warehouse 023."

Sylve scratched her heads off, "Ugh, why do we have to do this?"

Vander leaned his head near Sylve's left ear, "There are some who will not follow us, trust me."

Sylve was about to speak it out loud, but Vander held her wrist and stared at her, and fortunately, Sylve get what Vander meant by that and remained silent.

"Are you sure that you can lead the guards there? I think they should be there ten minutes after we arrived. How long is that place from here?"

"Around twenty minutes of walk, but if we run, we can reach there five to seven minutes."

"Sounds good; obviously, we'll run." Vander thought that luring the traitors there isn't enough, but he can't sort things out as of now. He thought he would know what to do once they get there, so he just let it be. "Do it now."

"Are you my superior?"

"Then go ahead, give me your plan."

"Tss, make sure your plan will work? Do you even know what to do next?"

Vander smirked, "Yes, I do."

Sylve then took a deep breath and glared at Vander, who was sardonically smiling at her. "Tss."

Sylve clapped her hands three times to get everyone's attention which is currently in a panic state. "Hey! Listen up, cowards! We'll leave here."

A tall, dark-skinned man at the back raised his hand and shouted, "Where should we go? There's a lot of kuishinbo outside, ho-" Sylve intercepted, "Would you rather take your chance and leave this place? Or wait for your death until everything collapses here and bury you alive."

Another guy, besides "That isn't reassuring at all, you'll just put us all in danger, do you even have some plan? You're an officer of the research guild, right?" Many of the recruits murmured after hearing what the other guy said. Some of them agreed, some of them not, they all have mixed opinions regarding the matter.

"Where do you think is safer? Along with us? Me? Who was a charlander, along with other people who can watch your backs? Or leave this damn group with only a few people with you?" Sylve smirked and wandered her eyes around. "I can see that the majority here still would want to follow the authority, am I right?"

The tall man on the back disagreed to what Sylve, "B-but,"

"If you don't want to come, I'll give you all two choices," Sylve raised a finger. "One, you follow me...us," She said as she laid her hands towards Vanders and to others. "Two, go on with yourselves and find people who will help you. What do you think?" Sylve gesticulated her hands, inviting people to come, "Well, those who still haven't lost their minds yet can come with us; those who wish to remain will have to stay here."

The people started walking around, and the results are already expected. Almost everybody decided to come with Sylve along with Vander. However, three remained in their positions.

One of them shook his head, "Consider us as your insurance, and we'll ask for a few guards to lead us to the right place."

"Yeah, Miss Sylve, please tell us where you guys will go. In case something happens, we'll come and get you." Another one of them retorted.

Sylve flashed a seemingly mysterious smile as if she realized something. "Oh? Okay, but first, you three, what are your names? I mean, I can't see your name tag from here."

Each one of them raised their hands as they mentioned their names.

"Adam."

"Knoxx"

"Shirin"

"I see. I do commend your courage. We'll be going to basement 023. In case something happens, you can also find us there."

Adam, the tall one, bowed, "We'll be off."

Sylve continued to what she was doing and guided the remaining recruits with her; she then walked closer to Vander, "Those three, I know you know something about those three."

"I don't know anyone here, and it's only through the process of elimination."

"Those three, you don't think they are traitors, right?"

Vander smiled as he turned and walked away from Sylve.

After a while, he stopped and faced Sylve, "What do you think?"