> "When the enemy is too quiet—it either can't attack, or it's already inside."
The curator gave us three hours to prepare. Planning, logistics, defense—all of it was on us.
Our assigned sector was D-5. Central, but surrounded by the zones of Classes 2-B and 2-C. Too convenient to be a coincidence.
"He practically served us on a silver platter," Aoi said, scrolling through the map on her tablet.
"That's why he gave us a head start," I replied. "So we'd feel in control and not see the trap."
Mina approached me with her tablet.
"Our core is encrypted and hidden in an underground section. Access is locked with triple verification. We used your code, mine, and Aoi's."
"Good. That means now we need to focus on something else: no mistakes from the inside."
I scanned the team. Some exchanged glances. Others were visibly tense. I could feel it—
A crack within the class. Invisible, but growing.
> One of us is the "Restrainer." A saboteur.
"What if the enemy's already here?" Mina asked quietly.
"Then we'll find out too late," I said. "But… I'm ready for that."
Two hours later, the defense network was up. I had assigned roles, locked communication lines, and planted three members as hidden watchers.
But by evening, I received a strange message. No sender.
> "One of the core's guards isn't who he says he is. Check sector D-5-3. Now."
I couldn't ignore it.
I went alone. The sector was empty… almost.
At the terminal stood Tojo Kai, one of our own. He wasn't supposed to be there.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"System glitched," he replied. "I'm checking the access chain."
I stepped closer. His hands were shaking.
"Then why are you changing the password?"
He froze. His gaze sharpened.
"You… won't stop it anyway," he said. "You don't even know who you're really up against."
I knocked him out with a sharp hit to the neck. He dropped unconscious.
> One inner enemy down. But how many more?
I accessed the terminal. Had he sent the core's coordinates to someone else?
Later, I explained everything to Mina and Aoi. We changed part of the codes, reinforced security, and moved the core to a backup capsule.
"He acted under someone's orders," Aoi said. "You think it's Ai?"
I nodded.
"She knows she'll lose in open combat. So she aimed for trust."
Mina looked at me.
"And now?"
"Now," I replied, "we follow her trail. And wait for her next move."