ⒹⒶⓊⒼⒽⓉⒺⓇ ᴀ ʙᴜɴɢᴏᴜ sᴛʀᴀʏ ᴅᴏɢs ғᴀɴғɪᴄᴛɪᴏɴ

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 11

Praisy dragged herself through the dark alleys. She avoided the morning busy streets in order to avoid attracting people's attention, as she was sure she looked like a vampire at that moment.

Her body glowed pink as she released the ghost she absorbed earlier.

"Child! Are you alright!?" The lady ghost exclaimed immediately seeing her condition.

"Yeah, I'm alright." Praisy chuckled as she leaned against the wall to calm her heartbeat. "Nakahara-san was truly amazing. He was ordered to refrain from killing me, so he held back a lot on me. If he were serious, I would have died the moment the fight started. Of course, he would still lose against my Hisoka whether he was serious or not."

The ghost smiled. "You're right. No one can stand against your demons. But I think you should go to the hospital, now."

"Not yet." Praisy started walking again, ignoring the sour taste in her mouth and the urge to throw up. "I really need to get back to the agency. I promised Fukuzawa-san..."

"Such a stubborn kid you are. I'll walk with you then." The lady ghost put Praisy's hand over her shoulder, making her slightly lean onto the older lady, as they both slowly walked towards the Agency, which was not too far.

∆∆∆

At the same time, inside the agency, trouble was brewing.

Atsushi knelt down and covered the bomb with his body, to try and reduce the impact of the explosion.

The timer hit Zero and Atsushi waited for the indescribable pain to hit his body. One second passed... followed by two...three...four... five...

Atsushi slowly opened his eyes and saw the bomber along with Kunikida and Dazai staring down at him.

"My goodness. I knew you were an idiot, but that's taking it to another level..." Kunikida sighed.

"He has a talent for being suicide maniac..." Dazai laughed.

Atsushi stared at them dumbfounded.

"Ahh! Onii-samaa!! Are you alright?" The hostage squealed as she threw herself into the arms of the bomber, hugging him tightly.

"That hurts, Naomi. It'll break! It'll break! Gyaah! Wait! It already did!" The bomber screamed trying to free himself from Naomi's hug.

"Huh!?" Atsushi continued staring.

"Kid." Kunikida called. "If you wanna curse someone, curse Dazai. Otherwise, curse yourself for being wrongfully chosen by the staff."

"It's just as he says, Atsushi-kun." Dazai explained. "In other words, this was a sort of entrance exam."

"Entrance...exam?" Atsushi hesitantly asked.

"Exactly." A new, deep male voice answered from behind Atsushi. Atsushi looked back and saw an middle aged man with white hair, wearing yukata.

"President." Kunikida bowed.

"P-president!?" Atsushi squeaked.

"Dazai and Praisy told me that we had a capable youngster. So I had your spirit tested." Fukuzawa said.

"I recommended you, but in some ways you're still a monster designated as a danger by the town. We have to decide who will look after you." Dazai explained. "And so, this is what the company decided to do."

"So, what's your verdict, president?" Kunikida asked.

Fukuzawa looked down at Atsushi and sighed. "He'll be under Dazai's care."

Fukuzawa turned around and walked away.

"You passed." Dazai said to his new subordinate.

"M-meaning... you assessed what I can do... and I'll be working...here?" Atsushi slowly asked.

"Welcome to the Armed Detective Agency." Dazai grinned, but Atsushi's expression basically screamed that he wanted to run away that moment.

"That's right, Kunikida." Fukuzawa called and Kunikida and the rest turned towards their president who stood infront of his office door. "Any news from Praisy's side? She was supposed to be here hours ago."

"No president." Kunikida asked. "I don't know what happened to her. Should we send a search party..."

Ranpo came out of the office hearing the conversation, wearing his glasses. "... Don't worry, she'll be here any moment now, but..." Ranpo trailed off.

"But what!?" Fukuzawa asked urgently.

Ranpo looked sharply at Fukuzawa. "Port Mafia."

Everyone collectively widened their eyes except Atsushi, who looked at them confused.

Just then, the entrance burst open, and Praisy stumbled in. Everyone gasped seeing her condition.

She was very pale, with half lidded eyes. She had thin stains of blood on lips and the corners of her mouth. Dark eyebags decorated her sweaty face and her body was trembling.

"I... made it..." Praisy croaked out as her legs gave out, causing her to fall forward. The bomber, Tanizaki who was standing near her, immediately let go of Naomi and caught her.

He laid the girl on the ground. Praisy had already lost consciousness and Fukuzawa rushed towards her and knelt down.

"Praisy! Praisy! What happened to you!" He shouted. "Yosano!"

Yosano emerged from her lab hearing the commotion and her eyes fell on Praisy's unconscious figure.

"Hurry up and get her in!" Yosano ordered opening the door of her lab wider. Fukuzawa picked Praisy up and rushed inside the doctor's room.

After laying her on the bed, Fukuzawa exited leaving Praisy to Yosano.

The door closed and others waited outside, anxiously, yet still believing in the ability of their doctor, 'Thou Shalt Not Die.'

To be continued...