"Bind!"

"What the?!"

"What the hell is this?!"

After punching the two terrorists who were about to harm the hostage mother and child, I restrained every single terrorist here using low-level binding magic. Some tried pointing their guns at me, the unexpected intruder, but the chains erupting from the ground subdued them before they could do anything.

Though they were speaking in an unfamiliar language, my language comprehension skill allowed me to understand them.

Even with my Calm Composure skill active, I couldn’t suppress the rage boiling within me. I punched those two terrorists with such force that it wouldn’t have mattered if they’d died. Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—thanks to the skill’s restraint, they were barely alive.

Seeing that mother desperately trying to shield her child, yet they still attempted to take the boy… I have not a shred of sympathy for these terrorists. Using healing magic on them? Not a chance. For the first time since inheriting the power of the Great Mage, I felt it might be fine to let someone die. If they want to die, they can die on their own!

"Hey! I’ve seen that black mask and weird suit before! It was in that video from a while back!"

"I’ve seen it too! The one from that explosion incident!"

"Where did he come from?"

Enough. The terrorists’ survival is the least of my concerns right now. Time is critical. This isn’t the only place with hostages.

"I’m here to help. I’ve captured all the terrorists on the other side and opened the shutters. Police are outside, so please evacuate slowly and carefully!"

"Ooohhh!"

I’ve already mapped out every terrorist’s position. All those on this floor are neutralized. The remaining ones are in a train stopped on the upper floor with more hostages and in a room used by station staff, where the apparent leaders are.

I’ve sealed the leaders’ room with barrier magic so they can’t escape. First, I’ll deal with the terrorists in the train.

"Ah, um, thank you so much for saving us!"

It’s the mother who had desperately tried to protect her child.

"I’m glad you’re safe. Please, you should evacuate as well."

"Yes! Thank you. Shunsuke, let’s go."

"Stay away from my mom!"

The boy who was nearly taken by the terrorists steps between me and his mother. Huh? What’s this?

"H-hurry and run, Mom! I-I’ll protect you!"

"…"

Yep, he’s definitely mistaking me for one of the bad guys. This time, I bought a cheap voice changer online and installed it inside my black mask, making me look even more suspicious than I did during the explosion incident.

From a child’s perspective, I probably seem even scarier than the terrorists. Ah, the pure and unfiltered hearts of children can be cruel at times.

The boy spreads his arms wide, clearly determined to let no one pass. Looking closer, I see his body trembling. Tears and snot run down his face, making quite a mess.

And yet, he still stands in front of his mother, trying to protect her. I can’t help but admire him. So young, yet braver than I am right now.

"Shunsuke! This man saved us!"

"What a brave little boy. Take good care of your mom, Shunsuke."

I’m glad I was able to help this family. Now, I need to hurry to the upper floor!

"Raise your hands and step back!"

"H-help!"

A woman with a gun orders me in broken Japanese. I comply, raising my hands and taking a step back.

She’s not dressed like the other terrorists in black knit caps, bulletproof vests, and dark clothing, so I didn’t notice her. It seems one of the passengers was secretly working with the terrorists.

After subduing the terrorists on the lower floor, I’d quickly moved to the upper platform. Using my stealth skill, I had restrained the terrorists and opened the train doors to release the hostages.

But then, from the farthest car, I heard a gunshot. Rushing there, I found a woman—likely a terrorist accomplice—holding a hostage at gunpoint.

"Hey! Hurry up and remove this!"

"Damn it… I can’t get these chains off!"

She was holding the hostage with one hand while trying to undo the magical restraints on another terrorist. But no ordinary person could break these bindings, which even low-level monsters couldn’t escape.

"Hey, you! Remove these chains now!"

She finally turned her gun away from the hostage and pointed it at me.

"A-ah…"

I activated my Intimidation skill at full power, directing it at the female terrorist. Her face contorted in fear, and she dropped the gun. Unable to stand, she collapsed onto the floor. A spreading puddle beneath her suggested she had wet herself in terror.

So this is what happens when I use the Intimidation skill at full strength… Well, she’s a terrorist, so I don’t care if her spirit is shattered. But I’ll need to be more careful if I ever use it on someone else.

Fearing a stray shot, I’d cast barrier magic on both the hostage and myself before acting. It turned out unnecessary.

With the female terrorist restrained by magic, I freed the hostage she had been holding. All that’s left now is to deal with the leaders locked in the room downstairs.