It's taken a while but we've finally got a new installment of Trails of The Ninth Blade ready to read. Thank you immensely for your patience and though not much happens this chapter, I hope you'll enjoy it either way. Please read and review.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Heroes or anything affiliated, I am simply a mere adventurer playing in a sandbox I enjoy. Hiro is my character though.

As the group pressed on, their footsteps echoing faintly against the steel walls of the Geofront. The air was heavy, a mix of sterile machinery and the faint hum of energy coursing through the facility's veins. Hiro was already gone—far ahead of them, his swift departure leaving nothing but fading shadows and tension in its wake.

Randy glanced at Lloyd, his voice tinged with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "So, uh… did anyone actually catch where he was headed? Or are we just playing catch-up now?"

Lloyd let out a deep breath, adjusting his grip on his tonfa. "We're definitely playing catch-up. But he's fast—too fast for us to cover the gap unless he stops."

"Not likely," Tio added, her expression as neutral as ever, though her eyes flickered with faint irritation. "Hiro's movements are calculated. He's probably assessed the entire layout of the Geofront by now. He's not stopping for us."

Elie frowned, her steps quickening slightly. "He can't handle this alone, no matter how skilled he is. If something goes wrong, we won't even be there to back him up."

Randy shrugged, his signature smirk creeping onto his face despite the circumstances. "And if nothing goes wrong? He finishes the mission solo and spends the next week reminding us how much we slowed him down."

Tio cast him a sidelong glance. "Do you find that amusing, or are you genuinely resigned to it?"

"A little of both," Randy admitted, though his grin faltered slightly. "Still, I don't like this. We're a team, even if he's allergic to the concept."

Lloyd nodded, his expression firm. "We need to move faster. If Hiro runs into trouble, we'll be too far to do anything."

The group picked up their pace, tension rising with every step. The hum of the Geofront grew louder as they ventured deeper, and faint traces of recent activity became visible—scuff marks on the floor, hastily disarmed traps, and the occasional splatter of something unidentifiable.

"He's leaving a trail," Elie murmured, a mix of relief and unease in her voice. "At least we know we're going the right way."

Tio sighed as she crouched briefly, examining the faint scuff marks on the ground. Her analytical gaze swept over the subtle indicators Hiro had left behind. "He's not leaving a trail for us," she remarked, her voice tinged with a mix of exasperation and grudging admiration. "It looks like he's marking the path in case he gets lost."

Elie blinked, her brows knitting together. "He's doing this for himself? But why would he think he'd get lost? The layout isn't that complicated."

"Because he doesn't rely on assumptions," Tio replied, standing and brushing her hands off. "For someone like Hiro, everything is calculated. Redundancies like this are second nature—an insurance policy, not a sign of uncertainty."

Randy whistled low, shaking his head. "Man, the kid really is a piece of work, huh? Planning for the worst even when he's the one wrecking everything in his path."

Lloyd frowned, his thoughts swirling as he tried to decipher Hiro's mindset. "It's not just planning," he said, his tone reflective. "It's how he operates—solo, methodical, and always prepared to double back if necessary. He's not just marking a route; he's ensuring he's never caught off guard."

Elie exhaled softly, worry flickering in her eyes. "But this isn't a solo mission. No matter how good he is, if he keeps distancing himself like this…"

Randy grinned wryly, trying to lighten the mood despite the growing tension. "Relax, Ellie. The kid's got skills to spare. Besides, I'd bet good mira he's already halfway to solving this whole thing while we're still over here debating his breadcrumbs."

Tio glanced at Randy, unimpressed. "You're overly optimistic. His efficiency doesn't negate the risks. If anything, it heightens them."

Lloyd nodded, his tone firm. "She's right. We can't let him shoulder everything alone. He might not need us to keep up, but we need to be there when it counts. Let's move."

The team quickened their pace, following the faint signs Hiro had left—not a trail meant to guide them but a roadmap he had created for himself. Each mark told a story of his passage: a neutralized trap here, a skirmish fought in silence there. And as the echoes of their footsteps blended with the hum of the Geofront, the unease in their hearts only grew.

Lloyd's steps faltered as he glanced back at the group, her voice hushed but firm. "The chief warned us about this, remember?"

Randy raised an eyebrow, his usually easy going demeanor stiffening slightly. "You mean his whole 'you're going to need to adapt to him' speech? Yeah, I remember. What about it?"

Tio adjusted her glasses, her tone clinical but laced with a hint of exasperation. "He wasn't exaggerating when he said Hiro doesn't function like a typical team member. He's conditioned to be self-reliant to the point of exclusion. Even when he's leaving these… markers," she gestured to a faint scuff in the metal grating underfoot, "it's for his benefit, not ours."

Elie frowned, the weight of Sergei's words settling heavier now. "That's what worries me. He's too used to operating on his own, and if we're not careful, it's going to cause friction—or worse, someone's going to get hurt."

Randy crossed his arms, a thoughtful look replacing his usual grin. "And by someone, you mean him. Right? Guy like Hiro? He's not the type to play it safe when the stakes get high."

Lloyd's lips pressed into a thin line, his voice soft but determined. "That's exactly what the chief was warning us about. Hiro's capable—maybe more than any of us—but he doesn't see his limits. And if he's pushing himself too far…"

Tio's tone was sharp, though not unkind. "If he fails, it won't just be on him. We're a team, and his actions—whether he admits it or not—affect all of us."

Lloyd exhaled, his expression hardening as he took in their words. "Then we need to catch up, fast. He may not think he needs us, but if something happens and we're not there to back him up…" He didn't finish the thought, but the grim undertone was clear.

Randy stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders as he started forward again. "Guess that means we better pick up the pace, huh? Kid's probably already halfway through this little test and we're barely getting started."

The team quickened their steps, the tension in the air palpable as they followed the trail Hiro left behind. Sergei's warning echoed in their minds like a foreboding drumbeat, a reminder of the fragile balance they were trying to maintain. They weren't just chasing Hiro—they were chasing the chance to remind him he wasn't alone.

"I don't think it's nefarious, at least," Lloyd pointed out, his tone calm but thoughtful. "He's just used to working alone."

Elie nodded, her brows furrowed as she studied another faint scuff Hiro had left on the floor. "It's not malicious. It's… instinctive. He operates like someone who expects no backup. It's almost second nature for him."

Tio adjusted her glasses again, her voice quiet but firm. "That's what makes it dangerous. He doesn't wait, doesn't rely on anyone else. To him, teamwork is likely a foreign concept."

Randy chuckled dryly, though there was little humor in it. "Figures. Lone wolf extraordinaire over there probably thinks waiting for us would slow him down."

Lloyd glanced over his shoulder at the group, his expression firm. "It's not about slowing down. It's about trust. Hiro's not just used to working alone—he's used to thinking he has to. That's the part we need to change."

Elie looked thoughtful, her voice soft as she followed along. "And that's not going to happen overnight. Trust isn't something you can force, especially with someone like him."

Tio's lips pressed into a thin line as she scanned the path ahead. "It's clear he's trying to adapt, though. These markers aren't the actions of someone who wants to leave us behind entirely. They're practical, efficient… and telling."

Lloyd gave a small nod, determination flickering in his eyes. "Then let's make sure we earn his trust. No matter how far ahead he gets, we're going to catch up. We're a team, whether he realizes it or not."

Randy smirked, his playful tone returning just slightly. "That's the spirit, Lloyd. Let's show our lone wolf he's stuck with us, whether he likes it or not."

With renewed resolve, the group pressed on, following Hiro's subtle trail through the labyrinthine corridors of the Geofront. Their pace quickened, and though Hiro might have been far ahead, their focus remained steadfast: to prove to him he didn't have to fight alone anymore.

Meanwhile, deeper in the Geofront, Hiro continued to advance, slashing and shooting his way through any of the monsters that spawned, barely pausing long enough to collect the sepith the creatures dropped.

He'd been doubtful about things this morning, but there was nothing like feeling the rush of the mission. Unfortunately another side effect of being an Exalted, but he couldn't allow himself to get caught up in thoughts like that so he redoubled his focus on the task at hand.

Today wasn't anything major, just a couple of monster hunting requests down here in the Geofront, in Hiro's opinion, the perfect way to get started. He wanted the Special Support Section and the entirety of the Crossbell Police Department to know they'd hired someone who was capable of doing anything necessary to get the job done and that he was resourceful enough to be deployed as a solo operative when required.

First thing he had to do was pinpoint the location of the first major target. As Hiro rose, his Enigma beeped softly, displaying a marked location on its screen. The target's coordinates lay deeper in the Geofront's A Sector, close to the old service pumps. He adjusted his course, moving with precision through the dimly lit tunnels.

Hiro's hands moved with practiced precision, drawing his twin machine pistols. Each firearm bore a sleek, green finish, with sickle-like blades attached vertically beneath the barrels. The collapsible blades extended smoothly, ready for close-quarters combat. He appreciated the versatility of his weapons, allowing seamless transitions between ranged and melee attacks.

As he advanced through the Geofront's A Sector, the dim lighting cast shadows that danced along the metallic walls. The air was thick with the scent of machinery and dampness. His senses remained on high alert, anticipating any threats that might emerge from the labyrinthine corridors.

A sudden movement caught his eye—a group of Needle Rats scurried from a side passage, their beady eyes glinting with malice. Without hesitation, Hiro raised his right pistol, squeezing the trigger. A burst of gunfire erupted, the muzzle flash illuminating the darkened tunnel. The bullets found their marks, felling two of the creatures instantly.

The remaining Needle Rats lunged forward, closing the distance rapidly. With a swift motion, Hiro activated the blade on his left pistol, the sharp edge gleaming ominously. He sidestepped the first attacker, delivering a precise slash that cleaved through its hide. The creature let out a shriek before collapsing.

The final Needle Rat hesitated, sensing the danger. Hiro took advantage of its pause, holstering his left pistol and gripping the right with both hands. He aimed carefully, the blade beneath the barrel aligning with the creature's head. A single shot rang out, and the Needle Rat fell silent.

Breathing steadily, Hiro retracted the blades and secured his pistols. He collected the sepith shards left behind, their faint glow providing brief illumination. The encounter had been swift, a testament to his training and the reliability of his equipment.

Continuing deeper into the Geofront, Hiro's thoughts briefly drifted to his new role within the Special Support Section. He was determined to prove his worth, to show that he could handle any challenge thrown his way. The mission was far from over, and he intended to see it through to the end.

He couldn't help the tiny rush of exhilaration he felt the further this extermination request took him into the underground labyrinth of the Geofront's A Sector, it wasn't quite a contract but the adrenaline rush was *almost* reminiscent of the old days. He hated that he felt that way but now wasn't the time to dwell on it.

He had a monster to take care of.

End Chapter

Thanks again for reading, won't waste your time with a huge author's note just another note to please review. Flames will of course be ignored. Anyway, now that Ninth Blade is up to date my next installment will be over in my Erebonian Arc story Burning Embers so if you like this story go and check out that one!

Bye! :)