Chapter 9

Byakuya took a deep breath.

Of the many things he had expected to be dealing with at this moment, a vengeful guy with a gun fell quite low on said list. Though, the only thing below it were actually leaving this place and maybe having some understanding of what was even going on.

"So why actually do you want to kill us?" Byakuya whispered, only for the shooter to laugh and not answer. "Wonderful."

He took a deep breath and turned his attention to the sword. While the rusted weapon seemed like an ineffective tool for a weapon such as a firearm, something told him they would be able to pull through. Though, the solution for this situation didn't quite seem clear yet.

"Are you just going to stand there? We don't have all day!" the shooter announced as Lilithmon focused her gaze on them, finally noticing a teenage boy at the 'doorway'. He was quite short, which seemed to compliment with his white t-shirt and black jacket with white stripes. A similar pair of pants covered the lower half, going quite well with the white shoes and black tie around his neck. Short sandy blonde hair covered his head, with the sole matching left eye and a black eyepatch over the other.

"It's kind of hard to investigate when you're attempting to shoot at us!" Byakuya answered and took a deep breath, raising the sword up. "If you please, can you hold off on this pitiful grudge until we're done here?"

The shooter didn't answer, choosing to fire the weapon.

"Crap." Byakuya whispered and charged towards the entrance, holding the sword above him. Blade and gun connected, with the sword being the victor. For Byakuya though, there was an unfamiliar familiarity to it. Sort of like deja vu. Only here, it was less of a feeling and more of a motion. But I digress.

Of course, the shooter was still just standing there like an idiot.

"So, who are you then?" Lilithmon whispered as the two turned their attention to the boy. Yet, their defeated opponent didn't answer. "Were talking to you!"

The shooter didn't answer, choosing instead to fire off whatever was left in his gun. The only difference was Byakuya was now within in point blank range. The heir closed his eyes and waited for the sweet embrace of death. Yet, it never did come.

"Huh?" the heir whispered and turned his attention to the opponent, cracking a smile. "Well, you had your chance. My turn."

What followed, was a series of clunky sword strikes that only managed to maim the target.

"I'm out!"

Investigation Start!

Truth Knife 'Crime Scene' acquired!

Truth Knife 'Dead Body' acquired!

Truth Knife 'Unnamed Shooter' acquired!

Memory Dagger 'Rusted Sword' acquired!

Memory Dagger 'Familiar Feeling' acquired!

"Okay…" Byakuya whispered and made his way back over to the body, only to take a step back. On second inspection, the sight of it was even worse. Maybe it was the lack of limbs or perhap the weird position it was sitting in.

Truth Knife 'Dead Body' updated!

"Does a notification have to appear every time I find some evidence?"

"I guess?" a voice whispered and the heir turned around, finding Junko and her team standing at the entrance.

"You do realize Byakuya tried to kill you not even five minutes ago?" Lilithmon added, only for her comment to fall on deaf ears.

Vee Headbutt!

Veemon then jumped into the air and slammed her head into Byakuya's.
"Hey!" the heir shouted, only for Lilithmon to laugh.

"Lighten up." Lilithmon whispered and Byakuya took a deep breath. Maybe his digimon partner right, to some extent. There really wasn't that much use in being negative, especially with their current situation. "Live a little."

"Fine."

With that the tamer and the heir turned their attention to the body once more, while Mikan performed her autopsy.

"It appears that the victim bled out from the wounds on their limbs, managing to pull themselves over somehow. That or magic was involved."
Both Junko and Byakuya stared towards Mikan, unsure how to answer that. While both outcomes seemed likely, the magic one seemed to get on their nerves. While neither had reason to doubt the existence of such a thing, it just seemed like a weird thing to bring up right now.

"What makes you think that?" Veemon whispered, only for Mikan to sigh.

"It would take an incredible amount of time and force to even take on a combatant such as this one. Which means that the killer either got lucky, was using some sort of spell or magical object, somehow outmaneuvered them or a mix of all three."

Truth Knife 'Mikan's Autopsy' acquired!

An awkward silence fell upon the group, threatening to tear apart what little they had brought together. Even that was quite paltry when you think about it. One was an asshole who was searching for a serial killer. The other, was an amnesiac whose actions got them into this mess but at the same time get them out of this kerfuffle.

"So, what's the plan?" Lilithmon whispered and received a sigh from her partner.

"We go find Syo." Byakuya whispered and gave Junko a small wave.

With that, the two groups went their separate ways. Junko and her crew would continue investigating the body and they would look for Syo and any more dead bodies. Though, they doubted the-

Before the author could finish the above sentence, the duo came upon both Syo and a dead body.

"What took you guys so long?" the reaper whispered and turned her attention to Byakuya, who decided to just stay silent for now. "It isn't like you be so silent. Is something wrong?"

The heir and his digimon didn't answer, choosing instead to just stare towards Syo.

"Answer me, dammit!"

"Fine." Byakuya whispered and took a deep breath. "Tell how we got to this point."

"Of course, master." Syo whispered, clearing her throat in the process. "Our story begins long ago in a place called the digital world…"