Chapter 49: Miss Bunny’s Rescue Mission

[Pollution Density has decreased by 70%]

[Polluted Zone 41’s gate is now safe to open]

[All units, prepare to carry out Protocol 077]

As the gate opened, the people inside the hotel rushed outside. Most of them didn’t even care about those who were still inside because they were too badly injured to move.

The only thing they wanted was to save themselves.

Was that wrong? Not really.

Summer didn’t even care, since people were naturally driven by the instinct to save their own lives.

A few moments later, the rooftop door suddenly slammed open behind her.

"Summer!"

She turned around and saw Saddie rushing toward her, still carrying her weapon over one shoulder.

Her pink fox ears were pressed slightly back, and for once, there was no playful smile on her face.

"You’re still here?" Saddie asked.

Summer looked back toward the distant sky. "I was watching Captain Noctis."

Saddie followed her gaze for half a second before quickly looking back at her. "We need to go."

Summer frowned. "What about the injured people downstairs?"

"The soldiers already confirmed that a medical team is coming in as soon as the gate fully opens," Saddie explained. "They’ll take care of the people who can’t move."

Summer asked, "And Julie?"

"She’s leaving with the others," Saddie said.

Those words made Summer relax a little.

Saddie stepped closer and grabbed her wrist. "So come on. We can leave together."

Summer looked down at Saddie’s hand before glancing back at her terminal.

[Pollution Density: 29%]

[Gate Status: Open.]

[Evacuation Route Available.]

"Do you know what will happen to Ilya if the military carries out Protocol 077?" Summer asked her.

She had no idea what kind of protocol it was, but Saddie definitely knew since she used to be in the military.

Saddie looked hesitant at first, but in the end, she still said, "It’s a protocol used to subdue berserk S-Rank Sentinels and above."

"How?" Summer asked.

"They’ll try to inject him with a special serum to force him to sleep, but..." Saddie swallowed before continuing, "The serum isn’t natural. It can temporarily take the place of a Guide, but it can damage the Sentinel’s mind or body."

"For us, it’s the same as poisoning us on purpose," Saddie finished in a low voice.

Summer’s brows pulled together. "What?"

"The serum can force the pollution down for a while, but it doesn’t actually clean it the way guiding does." Saddie’s voice grew lower. "It just suppresses everything at once. His senses, his energy, even part of his mind."

Summer looked back toward the sky. "So they’re basically forcing his whole body to shut down."

Saddie gave a small nod.

And if the serum didn’t work, they would definitely increase the dosage. More doses would only mean more complications for Ilya.

It could damage his mind for a long time, or he might even lose another part of his body.

The livestream comments immediately started moving faster.

[Wait, that sounds dangerous as hell.]

[Because it is.]

[Then why even use it?!]

[Because a berserk S-Rank can kill hundreds before a Guide gets close.]

[And Captain Noctis is not just a normal S-Rank.]

Saddie looked at her carefully. "Summer, we really need to leave."

The way Saddie said that made Summer realize that even she wasn’t confident they would survive if they stayed close to Ilya.

"My compatibility with Ilya is 96%," Summer said as she looked back toward Ilya. "Do you think it’s possible for me to have two Sentinels at the same time?"

Saddie’s eyes widened when she heard that. "Two? You mean... Mr. Reed and Captain Noctis?"

Summer didn’t answer, but her silence was enough to answer Saddie’s question.

"Summer, that’s insane," Saddie said, still looking shocked. "B-But... if you’re a high-ranking Guide, then yes. Of course it’s possible!"

"My official rank result hasn’t even come out yet," Summer said.

"I don’t think we need to wait for it."

Saddie looked her up and down before continuing. "I think you’re much stronger than you realize. The fact that you survived guiding Mr. Reed while he was berserk is already enough proof that you’re a high-ranking Guide."

"So you think I can guide Ilya before the military shoots him down?" Summer asked quickly.

Saddie still looked a little hesitant at first, but the moment she met Summer’s gaze, she immediately nodded. "Yes, I’m sure you can."

"Then can you help me?" Summer looked at her seriously. "You’re faster than me. You can get me to Ilya much faster than I can on my own."

"Okay," Saddie answered without even taking time to think about it.

Summer narrowed her eyes slightly. "I thought you were afraid of dying."

"I am!" Saddie let out a long sigh. "But Captain Ilya has saved me more times than I can count. If there’s even a chance I can help him now, then I’m going to take it."

Saddie immediately stepped in front of Summer and crouched slightly. "Get on."

Summer blinked. "What?"

"You said you wanted to get there fast, right?" Saddie glanced back at her. "Then get on my back."

Summer looked at her for a second before climbing onto her back and wrapping her arms around Saddie’s shoulders. "Don’t drop me."

Saddie snorted. "Please. You weigh less than my combat gear."

Before Summer could reply, pink energy flashed around Saddie’s legs. Summer barely even had time to tighten her grip before Saddie shot across the rooftop. "Hold on!"

Saddie jumped from the edge of the building, and Summer’s stomach dropped.

For one terrifying second, there was nothing beneath them. Then Saddie landed on the roof of the next building with barely any trouble.

Summer clung to her harder. "You could’ve warned me!"

"I literally told you to hold on!"

"That is not a proper warning!" Summer protested.

The comments immediately covered the screen.

[FOX TAXI ACTIVATED.]

[Miss Bunny, hold on tighter before you become flying luggage.]

[Why is Saddie faster while carrying someone?!]

[Former military legs, baby.]