kscans

Chapter 36 -

The Sooty Back

"Hah... hah..."

Thirty minutes, huh? That took quite a while.
I observe the two of them while sitting on top of the pile of beaten-up perverts.
As I declared, I didn't let a single tough opponent escape that would've been too much for the two of them.
Those kids dealt with about five enemies. Though outnumbered, the skill level wasn't an issue.
Yet they're this exhausted...

"These guys were way too persistent..."
"They were... weaker than the monsters we usually face... but their tenacity was extraordinary..."

It's because these small fries were tougher than expected.
I tell the two who are breathing heavily:

"This is the difference between monsters and humans."

While we sometimes deal with humans in our requests, this is a first for these two.
When humans are the enemy, except for pervert cases, there's usually a serious situation behind it.
Naturally, they're not at the stage where I'd let them step into such matters.

"Light, I taught you this before, right?"

I restrain the fallen ones and transfer them all to the Mutual Aid Society's facility.
From here on, it's the Society's job.

"...When people from the supernatural world clash, their mental state greatly influences the battle."
"That's right."

However...

"These guys are a kind of special case."

For example, the leaders and executives I took down.
Even those who were several times stronger than these guys sometimes lose their will to fight the moment they face me.
Some might not break without fighting, but as they engage, they crumble under the absolute difference in ability.
But these guys were brimming with fighting spirit throughout. Perverts are usually like this.
They use their supernatural powers solely for their fetishes. In a way, you could say they have conviction.
That's probably why. Their unwavering mental state is extraordinary, even if their power isn't.

"It's been nearly 20 years since I stepped into the supernatural world?
I've beaten up about as many perverts as there are years in the Western calendar, and most of them kept struggling until the very end."

Memories race through my mind. Nothing but rotten ones.

"Over two thousand perverts... this country is done for."
"...Why... why do they use their powers for such things..."

Rika-chan worries, Light-kun laments.
There's nothing to say to that. Really, it's messed up.
Nodding deeply, I heal the two of them.
They're surprised by the sudden lightness in their bodies, but...

"Um, perhaps..."
"Yes. There's one more case."
"I knew it!"

They're smart kids. Well, that's why they're struggling now.
The first impression was impactful enough, so I'll properly explain about the next opponent.

"The next enemy is the Virgin Frontline. You can probably guess what kind of people they are."
"Virgin fanatics?!"
"S-Saionji-san! A girl shouldn't... you shouldn't say such things!"

I've been avoiding mentioning it, but the high school boy Light is more of a maiden than the junior high school girl Rika, isn't he?
Or maybe he's thinking of his younger sisters because Rika is younger.
As a big brother, he probably can't help but think about how he'd feel if his own sisters were casually making crude remarks.

"Well, let's go to the next one."
"...Okay."

I take the two dejected kids to a certain port in Chiba Prefecture. From mountains to the sea.
Perverts really do live everywhere, huh.

"Time for a raid, you bastards!"

As I kick down the warehouse door, I simultaneously deploy a barrier around the area to prevent civilians from getting involved.
Inside the warehouse, about twenty men and women were chatting in a circle, but they immediately entered battle stance upon seeing us.
...Like before, there are women mixed in here too.
In the past, it was all men, but recently, many pervert groups have a small number of women mixed in. I hate this kind of gender equality.

"S-Satou Hideo?!"
"Impossible... Why are you here?!"
"More importantly..."

Everyone's gaze turns to Rika-chan. They nod and silently give a thumbs up.

"Gross! Disgusting! What's with these guys?! Ew ew ew ew ewwww!"

She's absolutely right.
I should probably be angry here too, but... I'm just too mentally exhausted to muster the energy...

"...Looking at the two rookies, is this Mutual Aid Society training?"
"It's surprising that Satou Hideo is acting as an instructor, but... more importantly!"
"Has the Mutual Aid Society deemed us heretics?!"
"Why?! We haven't done anything!"
"You have."

I don't want to say this in front of a young lady, but...

"Girls who had their... restored without their knowledge were almost becoming an urban legend on social media as a mysterious incident."

I feel sorry for the government and Mutual Aid Society who had to rush to cover it up...
The only saving grace is that it wasn't indiscriminate restoration on the streets.
These guys basically act on requests from men.
Like, "My girlfriend who has experience with other men," or "That girl I have a crush on," and so on.
The ones making the requests are just as messed up. I try not to think too deeply about it. It would drive me crazy.

"Just come quietly."
"Fools who don't understand our noble cause! Men, let's do this! We'll fight to the last man!"

And so the battle began.
Though fewer in number than before, their average level was higher, and the fight dragged on, but the two managed to secure victory.
I reported the completion of the request to the Mutual Aid Society on behalf of the two who were silently hanging their heads.

"...Let's go get something to eat for now."

The two nodded silently. I chose a family restaurant.
We could have gone to a nice sushi place or an expensive yakiniku restaurant, but in their current state, they probably wouldn't be able to appreciate the taste.
I'll take them to a fancy place next time as a reward for their hard work.

"...Satou-san."
"Hm?"

As I was looking at the menu, Light-kun, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
By the way, Rika-chan seems to have recovered by the time we entered the restaurant and is now at the drink bar mixing various drinks.
You do that, don't you? In middle and high school, everyone does it.

"What will happen to those people from now on?"

...Ah, I see.
Being serious and thoughtful, Light-kun has probably guessed. What happens to those who cause trouble in the supernatural world.
But in this case, there's no need to worry.

"Don't worry. They'll live."

Those perverts will have their fetishes sealed by the Mutual Aid Society's curse specialists.
It's not permanent though. If they work and contribute, the seal can be lifted.
As I explain this...

"Is that a punishment? If they slack off during the work..."
"It is a punishment. For them, their fetishes are more important than anything."

They almost never slack off on the work.

"By the way, the reason we don't kill them is that they become valuable assets in times of crisis."
"Assets?"
"Yeah. For them, a world crisis equals a crisis for their fetishes. They're extremely cooperative in emergencies."

It was the same in my time too.
When I was about to face the final battle with Chika-san, a bunch of reliable perverts joined in and helped clear the way for us.

"..."
"Light-kun?"
"I'm a bit tired."
"Yeah..."

He looks like he's about to cry, like a salaryman who's worked over 100 hours of overtime in a black company...