Chapter 557

NO. 139: Good Hook ⑧ Bad Luck

""

Aomo momentarily lost for words, turned his head, and saw three gazes all directed at him, which made him turn his head back.

He took the postcard and ballpoint pen handed over, signing with two strokes the whole ferocious name like claw marks: "Thank you for your support for that child."

"Okay! I'll keep cheering for everyone from now on!!"

The officer who received the signature spoke excitedly, about to run off.

Then Aomo called him to stop.

"Wait, I left the tablet here."

"Um, okay, thanks."

Having taken the tablet back, he walked away a bit embarrassedly quick, then ran to meet his colleagues in the distant police car.

With Aomo's hearing at the moment, he could only hear a few short routine questions and answers from afar, and when the name 'Aomo Lindun' was mentioned he didn't elaborate, whereas other officers reacted with obvious surprise upon hearing that name.

"Can we drive off now?"

He asked Texas, who immediately released the clutch; amid the red-haired angel's exclamation from the back seat, the truck swiftly merged into traffic, cutting off the other officers' thought of getting out to inquire.

At that moment, someone in the carriage finally burst out laughing: "Pfft…hahaha, 'Thank you for your support for that child.'"

Lapland imitated Aomo's tone, deliberately awkward to show an uncouth remark: "Saying that with your tiny stature is way too slick—"

She hadn't finished speaking when a multifaceted diamond-shaped light shield enveloped her, instantly cutting off the latter half of her voice.

Perhaps she noticed this, but more likely she just disliked the feeling of being 'locked' by the shield, and Lapland reflexively tried to rise and break free.

But she found it wasn't so easy to break free.

At least with empty hands, unable to release her proud Originium Arts, even her fists could hardly budge that barrier.

Mental strikes were useless as well.

zettonbarrier/Jetton Barrier

A barrier capable of blocking an eighth of a light wheel and even many light beams, most Jetton manifestations are cylindrical, and the light-wave barrier cannot cover the head.

But there also exists, as now, a multifaceted diamond form with no blind spots.

In some Ultraman generation, the defense force of the hairy monster power also copied this version.

It provides all-around protection for the target, resisting light beams and also withstanding a certain degree of physical attack.

This 'certain degree' is relative to the light's output; to truly break it with brute force would require Ultraman-level strength, which the Rupp people naturally cannot achieve, and even the angel beside, tapping the wall with knuckles and hearing the clinks, had no such thought.

After the tapping, he instead glanced at Aomo feeling a bit guilty, recalling the other's earlier 'threat'.

It seemed possible that it was serious.

And when she heard Aomo still asking Texas, 'No problem?' her expression became even more subtle.

Regardless of whether there's a problem, haven't you already taken action?

"'No problem,' Texas, glancing at the rearview mirror, who could be called Lapland's close friend, replied without change in expression, 'Thanks, it's much quieter now; can she break it?'"

"'If the one in her shadow puts in more effort, maybe, but I also can't maintain that for long.'"

Aomo said, pressing his fingers to his forehead.

Anything involving ability rather than pure physical labor isn't good for the mind.

"'Compared to this…' Texas glanced at Aomo still rubbing his brows, 'I've felt before that your condition isn't great either.'"

"'Your feeling is right; emotions are unstable, self-control has worsened considerably.'"

It belongs to the beginning of merging into age segments, but for now there's still self-awareness.

So after Aomo finished speaking, he raised his hand and made a forward pulling motion, and the shield surrounding Lapland and the Wolf Lord vanished at once.

The shadow giant wolf still straining against the barrier nearly fell onto the chair back.

"'Don't focus your attention on me; although Texas explained why he overworked, this commission is dangerous——"

Rather than soothe, it's better to cut off; Aomo was preparing to use this to divert Lapland's and the Wolf Lord's barely contained anger, but then he heard Texas suddenly say:

"'Not considered overwork.'"

"'A disrupted schedule that even brings on the menstrual period early, and that's not overwork?' Aomo turned his head to look, and as Lapland and the Wolf Lord Zaro lunged forward, he raised his hand again."

Mefilas——Shield-type Defense

Whether it's this card being handy or the plate-shaped shield saving effort, Aomo held up a single-handed, person‑high translucent shield to block the back seat's 'offense,' and then heard Texas say:

"'Not.'"

"'…That works too,' after thinking about the schedules of the few at Penguin Logistics, perhaps only Miss Kong as an idol would seek stability, so Aomo didn't dwell on it, 'Anyway, we should now discuss the main point—the high danger of your these missions——"

"'High danger?'"

"'…Those few just now really aren't dangerous enough, but if there were a monster it's hard to say.'"

"'They wouldn't dare place monsters on the surface, so it's not dangerous.'"

Aomo was choked by these two rebuttals and fell silent for a moment.

"'……What you say makes sense, but if someone went mad and insisted on this, how would you respond, sir?'"

"'You should know that Death Monia is the form taken by Daisysians to activate the infant of a mechanical giant beast, so that traditionally‑looking alien is essentially saving his own kind.'"

"'Saving his own kind?'"

"'You wouldn't want, in battle, to suddenly hear the enemy shout about friendship, bonds, don't underestimate our faith, etc., and then see a monster standing on the earth, would you?'"

"'Is this way of speaking also an effect of you becoming smaller?'"

"'Don't go off track,' Aomo said, bracing firmly against the shield to one side and pushing Lapland and the Wolf Lord back, 'Can you two behave? Let's talk serious matters, personal safety—now we're all on the same team.'"

"'You've gone this far and still say that?' Lapland bared his mouth, showing a mouthful of unfriendly sharp teeth."

"'What extent?' The boy frowned slightly, raised his little hand, fingers flicking, the Empraiza card glowing at his fingertips, large enough to be hard to grasp fully."

"'This is my attitude toward enemies, Lapland—are you my enemy?'"

And Lapulande has always been somewhat hard-headed, even somewhat eager to try: "Actually I want to try, is there an opportunity?"

Interesting, then let's give it a try—you think I'd say that? Dekesasi, aren't you going to manage her?

Children all know how to file a complaint one-handed; if they have no parents, they complain to the other party's parents; if the parents won't do, they complain to the teacher. Aomo really doesn't want to continue like this, especially since Lapulande looks like they won't easily back down.

Really getting into a fight is completely unnecessary; there's still plenty of goods to deliver, it's more practical to finish early and look for a chance to rest; this is the lesson summed up from extensive part-time work and overtime.

But the so-called 'parent' on the other side, although they said: "Lapulande, don't forget Aomo saved you initially," then turned and said to him:

"I haven't been overworking, and these few jobs aren't considered high-risk."

What are you being stubborn about?

At times like this, Aomo has to admit that whether it's their 19-year-old self or 13-year-old self, they don't understand a girl's heart, let alone what older women are thinking.

But no matter what age he is, when facing official business, work, or danger, he has always spoken up for justice: "Then why is the mayor looking for you? If it's not dangerous, why does he have to bother you, and why is he hesitating awkwardly?"

"Xinwoerxini, in your words, is the only city in Xulagu without "family" control, so we need to oppose conventional forces and regulations; they want to establish a frontier post here as well, and to learn from here."

"Not looking at expensive technology but going straight for monster materials is certainly an economical choice, but the industry in this area is indeed completely controlled by extraterrestrials who hold monster resources; even if an agreement is reached, there will still be those attack teams appearing as before."

"It could be hired hands from commercial competition, could be unrelated persons involved with the cargo, could be bandits specializing in cargo theft, anything is possible, even possibly the underground gangs from the inner side."

"So he needs your help; I guess his connections in Luodedao aren't wide, and the vast majority of his social circle doesn't involve logistics, let alone high-level combat power, so he hesitates, and even when looking for you he even feels a bit guilty, feeling that he's giving you an overly dangerous commission."

"Even the great emperor clearly knows he wants you to seek our help, especially me; this in itself is sufficient proof of persuasion."

After saying all that, even Lapulande quietly sized him up; the ever-watchful Nengtianshi's expression, which had been watching the show, became even more astonished.

Looking at that "kid" speaking with astonishing maturity in the front seat, going on and on, even content that Dekesasi had never mentioned was expressed by him as if stating facts, with a steady tone pressing step by step.

This generous speech was unlike anyone in Penguin Logistics; Dekesasi instead once again recalled her first meeting with Aomo, when she softly gave her evaluation of Mositima.

"He somewhat resembles Laweiniya."

Laweiniya·Faerkenei, the mayor whom Lapulande calls Laingtuosu and the Nengtianshi calls night watch, is an old acquaintance, almost like siblings or guardians, and also the municipal judge of Xinwoerxini.

She is also an acquaintance of Dekesasi, whom Dekesasi has seen her solemn and dignified in court, and her generous speech.

Not long ago he was still a public figure dealing with fans, but now he resembles Laweiniya in clear speech and imposing presence.

This made her also fall into silence, then she said:

"Your guess is probably correct."

She had also thought about this part, but there's no need to mention it.

Who would have thought that in the end he was still singled out like this by Aomo.

"I think so too, but what I want to point out is the danger—right, are we arriving at the pickup point?" He glanced out the window.

"Hmm, still two hundred meters." Dekesasi looked at the navigation screen in front of the console.

Pretty good, even the Siwangmoniya isn't the most dangerous; this clan, though infamous and making a living through aggression, as long as kept in low-temperature freezing, won't wake up to become adult beings of the Daixisixingxi star system; the most dangerous is still that blood-sucking ball.

Aomo said, turning his head to glance at Lapulande, who had taken that thing out and played with it.

The latter's staring gaze reminded him of the silly dog meme creation from otherworld memories, but thinking about it, such a nickname should probably stay shelved.

"That thing itself is a monster juvenile; once activated by blood it becomes the blood-sucking monster Chimera, not only can it turn people into monsters, but it itself can absorb blood to strengthen combat power—was this written in the item description of the transport commission?"

"No," Dekesasi said, gradually slowing the vehicle, "the top only wrote low-temperature frozen transport, but it is indeed the spec for transporting high-risk live goods, handled with a compressed cold storage."

Not saying it just proves I needed to come," Aomo said, glancing at the building outside the window, then turning his head back, "By the way, who's delivering this order?"

Uh, no, did it become one person's responsibility?

Lappland didn't speak, thus becoming the Able Angel's retort: "Weren't you two together before? How did it become just one person delivering now?"

Not one person delivering, it's one person delivering, with a complimentary drone following.

Aomo said, pulling out a folded drone from the car platform's recess, slowly extending its posture: "We've been attacked before; we might as well assume the next few orders could have information leaks."

So one person goes ahead as bait, the drone does surveillance, and the other two stand ready to act.

Bait?

Lappland suddenly spoke, while Aomo nodded.

Yeah, bait.

Doesn't that mean the weakest-looking guy should go up front?

Aomo already understood what she meant: "Being too weak actually raises suspicion."

Really? I feel those aliens wouldn't care much about this, Lei Moyue, what do you say?

Ah? Me say? I'm not good at saying.

The cheerful, lively Able Angel is well-versed in dodging responsibility; that's her source of joy.

Texas, who had already parked the car, also turned to look: "Or I could just go myself."

"Why not roll the dice?" Aomo said, switching the terminal to public mode, then calling up a retro virtual metal die.

"See how luck goes?"

——

Ten minutes later, a little boy carrying a paper box walked up to the building.

His expression wasn't very happy.

(End of chapter)