Chapter 164
After Kiryu called for Revolutionary Army support using his Comms Device, the group changed into Security uniforms. They then followed a burly man from the Revolutionary Army Base, whom Serena had disguised using Disguise Art learned from the Academy, and swaggered into the Underground Labor Facility.
As for the original group, they were thoroughly beaten by the arriving Revolutionary Army reinforcements and taken away.
"We just came in like this?" Serena, dressed in a Security uniform, asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice, but Yūga Hōzumi quickly clapped a hand over her mouth from behind.
"Quiet down. We're still at risk of exposure right now. Even though we're in, we don't even know where that guy's Office is. If we just keep wandering around like this, it's only a matter of time before we're discovered."
"Is that...? Gongenzaka?" Just then, Yuzu also made a discovery.
Yūga Hōzumi followed Yuzu's gaze and saw Gongenzaka, struggling immensely, carrying a bundle of steel towards the assembly line.
Behind him, a steward holding a whip impatiently cracked it on the ground right behind Gongenzaka's back.
"Hurry up! What are you dawdling for? Didn't you eat?" The man's ferocious demeanor was exactly like Namo Wen from "Baoshengong" in Yūga Hōzumi's previous life's Chinese textbook.
"Gongenzaka!" Seeing this, Yuzu immediately wanted to go rescue her friend but was grabbed by Kiryu who was beside her.
"You're too conspicuous, I'll go instead." Yūga Hōzumi said, exchanging a look with the Revolutionary Army Comrade disguised as the prison warden, and then walked towards Gongenzaka.
"Hey, you there, get over here!" As soon as Yūga Hōzumi appeared, he said imperiously.
According to the Revolutionary Army members who had been rescued earlier, the hierarchical system down here was incredibly strict, with oppression escalating layer by layer, comparable to the comment sections of Zhangmeng from Yūga Hōzumi's previous life. Currently, his identity was that of the Warden's Personal Guard, and being too polite to those below him would only raise suspicions.
"Sir, is there something you need?" Sure enough, the steward who had just been so arrogant immediately became compliant after glimpsing the Badge on Yūga Hōzumi's shoulder, revealing a fawning smile.
"Have this guy come with me," Yūga Hōzumi said, pointing at Gongenzaka who had stumbled to the ground.
"The Warden's Office has some things that need to be moved. He looks like he has some strength." Yūga Hōzumi said bluntly.
"This... that's a bit against the rule, isn't it?" the man said weakly.
"Hm?" Yūga Hōzumi raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to teach me how to do my job?"
"No... I wouldn't dare." The steward lowered his head deeply, not daring to meet Yūga Hōzumi's gaze at all.
Gongenzaka also recognized Yūga Hōzumi, and keeping his head down, he didn't dare let the man detect anything amiss.
It didn't take much effort for Yūga Hōzumi to bring Gongenzaka back to the group, and Yuzu approached them at that moment.
"Yuzu? Why are you here?" Gongenzaka seemed quite surprised by Yuzu's appearance.
"Let's catch up later. Do you know how to get to the office area here?" Yūga Hōzumi asked.
"I only know the general direction; I haven't figured out the exact way either," Gongenzaka said to Yūga Hōzumi, realizing that it wasn't a good time for catching up.
So, the group pretended to patrol the Underground Facility, and after finding Shinji Weber, who had just been brought in today, they realized that any further wandering would arouse suspicion. Thus, the group gritted their teeth and entered the office area of the Underground Facility.
Fortunately, perhaps the authority of the Warden below was truly overwhelming, as all the guards along the way didn't even dare to look up. The group managed to enter the largest Office within the office area relatively smoothly.
"Phew, that really scared me to death." As soon as they entered the Office, the Revolutionary Army Comrade disguised as the Warden let out a sigh of relief. "It scared me to death; I almost couldn't hold it together."
"Let's not waste time. Go through all the documents here first; there might be some important intelligence," Kiryu said, getting busy.
...
The next day, Security detected no unusual activity Underground, and the second day of the Friendship Cup Competition began as usual.
The first Competition of the second day pitted Shun Kurosaki against Crow Hogan, a pair of Winged Beast Type experts from two different Dimensions.
"Everyone, welcome to today's Competition!" The Female Commentator's energetic voice rang out across the Stadium.
"Yesterday's Competition brought us so many surprises!" the Female Commentator said. "I hope today's Competition will be just as exciting!"
"Today's first Competition features a contestant from Neo Domino City's Commoner District, the Vigilante known as the Black Whirlwind—Crow Hogan!"
As the Female Commentator's words faded, Crow rode his Blackbird, dashing out from the Competitor Channel.
"This year's Friendship Cup is truly packed with highlights! Even the Black Whirlwind Vigilante, who has always given Security such a hard time, has come to compete," the Female Commentator exclaimed.
Crow's entrance captured the attention of many Commoner Audience members. The Vigilante, who had always robbed the rich to help the poor, still enjoyed considerable popularity among the Commoners.
"And his opponent is the one who recently swept through the Underground Duel Arena and became its new Emperor, the Lone Wing! Shun Kurosaki!"
A stern-faced Shun Kurosaki sped out from the Competitor Channel on his D-Wheel, coming to a stop beside Crow. The cheers he elicited were in no way inferior to Crow's.
"From what Bruno implied, you're one of our companions too, right?" Taking advantage of the Audience's cheers not yet having subsided, Crow whispered to Shun Kurosaki.
"Whether you're a companion or not depends on if you have the qualifications." Shun Kurosaki's words were as infuriating as ever.
"Interesting. So, it seems I'm being underestimated?" Crow said, shrugging his shoulders upon hearing that.
As the two chatted, the Countdown had already appeared ahead, and the Female Commentator's Holographic Projection snapped her fingers within the Stadium.
"Action Field, Crossover Accel Setup!"
3! 2! 1!
"Riding Duel! Acceleration!"
Their D-Wheels raced out, one after another, beginning their approach to the first Curve.
After they were locked in a stalemate for a while, Crow, who had originally held a slight lead, saw that Shun Kurosaki was sticking too close. He shrugged and said, "If you want the First Turn, I'll let you have it."
With that, Crow deliberately slowed down a bit, allowing Shun Kurosaki to pass through the first Curve first.
"He actively gave up the First Turn?" After securing the First Turn, Shun Kurosaki didn't rush to Make a Play, but mused to himself, "Like Kaito used to be, is this a powerful breakthrough Deck that specializes in going second?"
"Then let me see if you have the ability to break through my Defense Line!"
"My Turn!"
"Attack Position Summon! Raidraptor - Vanishing Lanius!"
"When Raidraptor - Vanishing Lanius is successfully Summoned, I activate its Effect! I Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Raidraptor Monster from my Hand!"
"Appear! Raidraptor - Mimicry Lanius!"
"I Overlay two Level 4 Monsters!"
...
(end of chapter)