The Zetta Sonic
The Huge Tent

Jayden and Alex both agree that it's a practical way of testing. Wild animals, no eyewitnesses, quiet places. However, the two did not discuss it until they arrived at the place. The location is a large empty land near the middle of the city. Not exactly in the middle of the city, but rather to the edge. The land was prepared by the capital government for special events.

One of them is for this international traveling circus. Every year, the circus named Heron always comes to the capital. Alex was never there. Therefore, he was completely stunned when he saw the large tent in the middle of the field. The tent is much bigger than Alex's shadow. All this time, he had only seen his picture.

“Animal owners realize that the animal is missing when they want to feed. It was about six in the morning. After that, he immediately reported to the leader. The leader also told to lock this location and drive all guards out,” Jayden said as he removed his seatbelt after parking the car outside the fence.

“They themselves installed this fence?” Alex jumped out of the car while hooking his finger at the iron fence. The city government never fenced off the vacant land, so it must have been the circus that brought it. “This is definitely not the first time the tiger has escaped.”

“You bet? It must have happened repeatedly.”

“Why doesn't Tiger come?”

“Why do you want him to come?” Jayden asked back. “She can't speak cat language.”

Alex smiled amusedly. That's what it means. Jayden caught it right. Tiger must have chosen that name as a stage name for a reason. Maybe he'll ask her later after their relationship is better or after Tiger doesn't bring her breakfast with a frown.

“So, how are we going to get in?” ask Alex, squinting his eyes. As far as he could see, he could see rows of colorful carriages, several large containers, as well as ticket and snack stalls. Flags and other decorations were scattered almost all over the place, making the atmosphere very festive.

“Kita?”

“Wait! You're not coming in?”

The young man smiled too. “Of course not. I'm not a field agent. I'm here as your personal operator. Your job is to support your actions on the field by not being directly on the field.” Jayden played a padlock opener in his hand.

“What does ICPA teach its members to be thieves?” Alex asked after seeing Jayden's skills using a series of slim tiny tools. Not for a minute, the padlock was open. Just open the chain and they can enter. Error, meaning Alex, not them.

“No. I learned this before joining ICPA. Want to hear the story?”

“Maybe later. Not now.”

“I will turn off the CCTV around here so that there is no recording of your actions playing with a big cat.”

“How about passersby?” Alex gave a glance. Their location is on the big road. From now on, he did not see a car or pedestrian passing by but that does not mean that no one will come. Not to mention the existence of skyscrapers that are close even though not exactly on the side.

“Tiger install road repair sign. There's not gonna be a car near here. Leave the rest to us. Your only job is to find that big cat. Drugged him, not killed him.”

Jayden picked up the suitcase that had been placed in the middle seat. He picked up two bluetooth earphones, one handed to Alex, the other worn by himself. He also handed her two guns.

“This is an anesthetic gun. There were only two bullets. Use it wisely,”, Jayden pointed to a tiny white pistol like a toy water gun. “Well, this one's a real gun. 9 Mm bullet with slight modification. Do not use.” Jayden pointed at the black handgun, the shape was exactly like the one he had brought to the reservoir.

“This is my gun. You modified it without permission!?”

“Now I give it back to you. No problem, ‘kan?” Jayden still put on a knotty smile even as Alex pointed the gun at Jayden. “You won't shoot me. You have no reason for that.”

“Really? I doubt.”

“Come, Alex. Stop messing. Your cat is waiting inside! The sooner we finish, the sooner we can have breakfast.”

“I prefer dogs over cats.” Alex sighed as he opened the chain and went inside. He went a step further and arrived at the large tent. No damage, no sign of cats there.

[Can you hear my voice clearly?] Jayden's voice sounded clear.

He remembered Jayden's earlier words. Pawan found it when he was about to feed, meaning that the animal should be starving now. Unless he finds another animal to prey on. There are animals other than tigers there. Maybe they have monkeys or other poor animals.

[Too lonely.] Jayden's voice sounded soft.

“I haven't seen any mess. It's like being left out.”

[I also.]

“Jayden, can you see what I see?”

[Of course. I have to make sure you don't get any surprises, Alex.]

Alex skirted the game area and arrived at the back. This area seems to be where the circus members have fun. There were several small tents set up around a land that had been used as a campfire. There was also a table chair there and a tent open for cooking.

“Now we find instructions.” Alex scrunched. Some Styrofoam crates scattered on the ground. Whatever was inside had vanished replaced by water and a fishy smell. “Cats like fish, eh?”

[And he's still hungry.]

Alex jumps. He knows! Even before Jayden finished talking, he could feel the hunter's gaze behind him. Fortunately, he avoided. The tiger tore off the ground where it was standing. His eyes stared at Alex. His body dropped to the ground, ready to jump again.

Without needing to be told, Alex had already prepared with his dope gun. Somehow, Alex knew that he was going to shoot him right. When the tiger was about to jump, Alex had implanted an anesthetic bullet into his neck. The big cat fell down after a slow roar.

Alex knows that the shot was pretty good. He took special classes for this one's skill set in addition to watching his tutorial videos on the internet. But, he did not understand how he could be so calm to face the beast. Very quiet, in fact. He should have been frightened, considering the size of the animal was bigger than him.

“Jayden, does Sonic affect my abilities?”

[Of course. Otherwise, why would we make Dragon Blood.]

“What does that include keeping me calm against wild animals?”

[Should have. Why?]

“I feel no fear at all. Is that normal?” Alex had yet to feel the Dragon Blood advantage residing within him. It was not impossible that their experiments affected his psyche. Other than that sense of calm, he felt mediocre.

[Maybe subconsciously, you are calm because there is Dragon Blood in you. You're Zetta Sonic, now. Your subconscious tells you that you can handle this matter unharmed. This is just my guess, anyway.]

Alex smiles. Right or not, Jayden's words feel right. “Ya, already. I'll be back now. You're still at the entrance, ‘kan?”

[Hey, your job is not done yet!]

“What task is more?”

[You haven't caught the other tiger yet. There are two cats, Alex!]

Alex protested. “What!? Why don't you say-”

[His dope gun bullet is two, ‘right?]

“You think I can guess it from the number of bullets!?”