A/N: Well, first off sorry for the long wait. I was busy with work as well as the influx of new games coming in.
Initially I wanted to polish this chapter up some more as it is one huge mess. It is extremely long, the longest chapter for this entire series thus far.
Anyway, I want to dedicate this chapter to my uncle who just passed away a few hours after I finished writing this chapter. He was a great man, living each day to his fullest (although acting like a really grown kid in the process) and I will miss him a lot. He encouraged me to write these stories and be more open to others. When I was studying in Canada for 7 years, he became like a fatherly figure to me and constantly looked out for my needs. A natural joker who loves ramen... I will be flying across the World to be at his funeral so I guess it will be some time before I'll be back to my computer to type.
Truth be told, I think my writing style will change because of this. Anyway, I will be posting my new drawings on my blog soon. I really need to make a proper blog...
Angel Beats!
What We Live For
Operation 48
Gluttony
"Looks like we can continue on."
Yuri said, leading the group to the end of the giant hall where a second pair of large stone doors stood. Pushing them open the group stepped out into the same spiralling stairwell from before. The door closed by itself behind the group and suddenly faded into nothing, replaced by the stairwell that the group had climbed up before entering the giant hall. It was like the giant hall did not exist in the first place.
"... That hall was connected to Jinnai, and his madness. Now that his madness has been purged and Jinnai passing on, it simply disappeared."
Kai deduced though it was not necessary to say it out loud.
"Well, there's nowhere left to go but up."
Kyou pointed ahead of the group and everyone nodded in agreement, heading up the stairs. As the group walked up the stairs, Rei turned his head and glanced a look at Saya. After the fight, Saya was mentally and physically exhausted. Her emotional state must be a whole mess as well. But when he tried to ask her about it before she just brushed him off.
"I will be fine... just... just give me some time."
That was what she had told him. He was worried, but Kai reminded him that their main focus was to get rid of the madness of the SSS2 leaders. But even so, Rei wondered if it was alright to let the SSS2 fight their own leaders. He had decided to shoulder the burden of the fight on himself, but he had to conserve his energy. Conserve it for the inevitable end that awaited him at the end of these stairs.
"If I might ask, just what did you do with your sword?"
A voice shook him from his thoughts. He looked up and saw that Nakamura Yuri had fallen back in her steps to match his.
"You mean my weapon?"
He asked, to which Yuri nodded in reply.
"Yes, it isn't a natural type of weapon, is it? Truth be told, every single weapon that you and the SSS2 are using is waaay too ridiculous. Don't you guys fight with normal guns and swords any more? Not with exploding magical effects that belong in some magical kingdom in a closet."
Wasn't that a direct reference to a certain book?
"Well, the Afterlife World that you left had changed drastically."
Rei explained while he walked.
"When the SSS2 first came, they were no better than you were, Nakamura-san. They used weapons and swords like normal. However, unlike yourself, the SSS2 had been trapped here for decades."
Rei noted Kyou, who walked in front of him, had flinched slightly when he said that.
"With time, they came to understand more about this World and its systems. This eventually led to the discovery of 'essences'. Before the battle of Big Site, the SSS2 did not have any full understanding of what essences were, but rather they noticed that the dirt collected from areas where Shadows were defeated in contained extremely special properties. And weapons made from such rare materials would inevitably create a weapon that was more powerful than normal."
And the one who specialized in creating such weapons would be Musashi. Even up till now, the only person who could create such powerful weapons and fully utilize the essence properly was Musashi. The fitters of Guild would be able to create weapons with the essences but even then the weapons they could create were limited and they would be unable to draw out its full potential. Musashi was an enigma by himself, being able to create such powerful weapons that transcended human logic, not to mention he was the only one in the entire SSS2 able to do such things.
"I'm guessing that isn't all."
Yuri said, making Rei smile a little.
"Yes, it wasn't only due to time and the discovery of the 'essences' that allowed the SSS2 to progress their technology to this point. Two more factors had to occur in order to allow this all to happen."
"Two more?"
"Yes. One is something you know very well. The program."
That word struck strongly with everyone in the group.
"You mean... the Angel Program."
Yuri said, to which Rei nodded in reply, raising his own hand up where a strange blue circle appeared around his finger.
"Exactly. The 'Creator' is someone who created the program for unknown reasons but what is known is that the program is the ultimate tool of humans who have a grudge against the World and their lives. It allowed them to empower themselves beyond the limitations of what is physically possible, crossing into the realm of the mind and the imagination. In other words... it allows humans who access it to be... Gods."
"... And so they turn their fangs towards the God that made their lives miserable."
Yuri said but Rei shook his head.
"There is no God here. There may be a God who created everything, but this World was made by humans. Created by the raw emotions, despair, suffering and the dominant willpower of humans who desired a life after death. No, the SSS2 have not turned their fangs at a higher being... but rather they have bared their fangs at any and everything around them. That brings me to the last reason behind everything. The madness of war. Blinded by madness, they have lost their original goal and have begun their mad crusade to no end. It is due to that madness that drove them to create more powerful weapons, and in return the creation of such weapons fed the madness of this World and its inhabitants."
"We had no choice!"
Kyou snapped, stopping in her tracks and turning around to face Rei.
"We had no choice but to fight! Fight and fight continuously! Despite knowing how much madness it brought us! Despite the pain and suffering that we faced everyday growing exponentially with each passing battle, each comrade lost in battle, each time we saw the faces of despair on our friends and leaders! We knew what it brought us but we could not stop! ... Not now... not after coming so far."
Kyou's voice trailed off as she clenched her fist in frustration.
"... So all of you were aware of what was going on?"
Yuri raised an eyebrow.
"... Yes. We were all aware of it. The leaders even more so. But we fought on. Without fighting, we would become lost, without a cause, without a direction. The madness would swallow us whole. At least through fighting and aiming our guns at something... our lives had meaning."
"By doing so you've completely lost sight of what it means to be human."
"And that is the price we paid."
Tomoyo spoke up, stepping forward.
"Nakamura-san, I don't mean any disrespect, but what we do with our time is our of own doing and volition. It may be wrong, it may be the cause of this entire disaster, but to us it was the only way we knew the cope with living in this World. You may have set the ground for our fight here, you may have been the foundation for our story in this World, but that does not give you any right to judge us and to tell us what to do."
Tomoyo said firmly, staring straight into the eyes of Yuri. Yuri stared back to Tomoyo for the moment, before smiling.
"Hmph, Kids these days sure have a mouth to talk back to their elders with. But what you said is correct. I have no right to tell you what is right or what is wrong. I cannot judge you for you walk a path too different from mine. I guess it will be up to you guys to ensure that your lives and time here were not a waste."
Yuri said with a smirk, to which Kyou took it on as a challenge directed to her.
"It isn't."
The group reached the top of the stairs to what appeared to be-
"... Another one?"
Yuri raised her eyebrow as the group walked up to another pair of stone doors. This one, however, depicted men and women of an Ancient Roman style dining and feasting whilst the bottom of the door showed others, frail and thin, reaching out for the food above them but unable to touch.
"This one is... quite different from the previous one."
Matsushita commented, some sort of drool appearing at the side of his lips as his eyes locked onto the carvings of food on the door.
"Kyou... is this-"
"I know."
Kyou muttered, cutting Tomoyo in mid-sentence. Kyou did not want this to happen, but since they have come so far, they had no choice.
"Let's go."
Kyou said, taking the lead this time and pushing the doors open. The group stepped through the doors and once again the giant doors closed behind them, locking them in this new space. Which just so happens to be the cafeteria.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The entire group was somewhat silent, their minds trying to register why they had just walked through a pair of stone doors on their way up the stairwell to hell and they had somehow ended up... in the school cafeteria?
"... WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? !"
The first to snap was Yuri. As expected of the tsukkomi of the group.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING TSUKKOMI? !"
No one in general. Just Yuri specifically.
"Oi, Yurippe, who are you yelling at?"
Hinata asked, letting Yuri snap back to reality.
"Eh?... I'm not sure, but somehow or rather I felt like someone just said something extremely rude about me."
Yuri muttered.
"HA HA HA HA!"
A suddenly roar of laughter echoed the cafeteria, putting everyone on edge as they instinctively reached for their weapons while looking for the source of the laughter.
"THIS IS RICH! THE LEADER OF OUR PREDECESSORS HERSELF IS SUCH A FIERY GIRL! GOOD!"
The voice boomed without any indication of who the owner of the voice is. But to the SSS2, they knew that voice extremely well.
"... It's him."
Kyou muttered.
"Yes, very good of you to recognize me, Fujibayashi."
The voice suddenly appeared behind them and the group turned around, coming face to face with-
"Ein."
[Boss Fight]
[1st Division Leader: Assault]
[Ein Shrewerz]
[Alignment: Lawful Neutral]
[Type: Gluttony]
[Level: 90
HP: 800000
MP: 400000
Strength: S
Agility: B
Endurance: A
Luck: C]
[Weapons List:
- Desert Eagle .50 (Rank B)
- Bowie Knife (Rank A)]
.
.
.
"-Is what I am sure you would like to do, but fighting can wait for now."
Ein suddenly said, breaking the tension in the air and throwing his hands up into the air.
"... What?"
Yuri was not sure if what she had heard was correct. Did this Assault division leader just say... he did not want to fight?
"You are incorrect in that line of thought, SSS leader-san."
Ein said, walking past the group and walking over to a table and pulling out a chair to sit on.
"We will have to fight eventually, it is 'that' kind of story. But as I said, fighting can wait. I'm sure your team needs some rest."
Ein pointed to the Angels in particular and Saya.
"We can fight without their help."
Yuri stated flatly.
"But you will put others into a mental conflict."
Rei butted in, looking in Kyou and Tomoyo's direction. The two who had served Ein loyally for decades were the closest to breaking down if this fight happened now. Yuri knew what that meant. It would be extremely troublesome for that to happen.
"So we shall take a break before we continue. Besides, I'm sure that you are very eager for some answers, that I can provide."
Ein smiled, crossing his arms as he awaited Yuri's answer. Yuri knew that Ein was playing with her but she had questions, that was for sure. Maybe it was best to take this break.
"... Alright. We shall have a temporary truce."
Yuri finally relented and Ein smiled.
"Good. Ah yes, if you're hungry, there's food available."
With a snap of his fingers, the tables were suddenly covered with bowls and dishes of food of every kind. Noodles, curry rice, ramen, omu-rice, grilled fish, steak, hamburgers, and every other type of food possible now lay out on the tables. Without missing a heart beat, Matsushita rushed to one of the tables and began to gorge on the food available
"Oi! Matsushita!"
Yuri tried to stop him but it was already too late as the large judo master had already finished three bowls of niku-udon.
"Don't worry, the food isn't poisoned or corrupted. It's just food."
Ein laughed.
[Matsushita recovered 50 HP]
[Matsushita recovered 50 HP]
[Matsushita recovered 50 HP]
"See?"
There wasn't anything to see in first place.
"Why don't we take our time and talk while your group recovers their strength? Didn't you want answers?"
Ein suggested but Yuri wasn't sure.
"We don't have time to of luxury."
She replied.
"Now now, don't be hasty. Each of these 'halls' as you see them exist in a separate place, built up by the program and a thick concentration of black essences. Therefore this place also exist on a separate time in space. A few hours in this hall may only last a second outside."
Ein explained. Yuri did not want to believe that but Rei tapped her shoulder.
"What he said is true. This place exist on a separate plane. Besides, even if you do not wish to rest, the rest of the group does."
Rei pointed to the rest of the group who were all exhausted from the running and the previous battle. Yuri closed her eyes. She did not want the group to relax too much. As this Ein person said before. They will have to fight eventually.
"Fine. We'll talk."
Yuri finally said, pulling out a chair and sitting down with her arms crossed.
"Take Saya and let her rest. Tend to her wounds as well."
Rei instructed one of the Angels who nodded and assisted in the task given to her.
"I'll help out."
Kai added, walking over to help. As the main people in the group sat down to talk, Ein grabbed a yaki-tori stick and bit into the meat.
"Now, where to begin."
"You can begin with explaining what is happening to the division leaders."
Rei stated, to which Ein smiled.
"Ah yes, the NPC spy. I was wondering when you would show your true colours."
"I'm only working to end this madness."
Rei replied back politely though most could tell he was quite tensed up.
"Yes, I know that. The madness of the SSS2 is something that those involved can no longer do anything to save themselves. Still, it is ironic to see that the salvation lies in the hands of the ones that we've spent so long trying to defeat. But enough about that. You wish to know about the division leaders, yes?"
To which everyone nodded their heads.
"Hmm... to begin, let me define what is a 'Division Leader'. Why are there 'Divisions', why are there 'Squads', why are we trained like 'Soldiers', why the 'SSS2' exists."
"Weren't they to better divide the abilities of the different people into a more efficient organization to fight against the Shadows?"
Kyou asked, to which Ein smiled.
"That is the simple answer. Yes. The SSS2 was created to put some organization into the different bands of rebels that fought against the system. But you see, Taeno Yuki, our Queen of Fort, wasn't the founder of the SSS2."
.
.
.
"What we call and see the SSS2 now is mainly due to Yuki's efforts and so it is not wrong to say she founded it. But the basis of what the SSS2 is was started by another. The 'True Successor' to the SSS name. However despite how talented or charismatic that 'Successor' may be, he was not fully able to unify the 'Rebels' who came to this World. In other words, besides the Successor's group of SSS, there came to exist splinter groups. Over twenty groups of these 'Rebels' could exist, all vying for control over one another for food, for resources, for power. And among these groups came Taeno Yuki. Yuki's group was small but strong, and Yuki's quick thinking managed to secure themselves as a power house back then as her group had discovered Guild first, therefore establishing themselves as the most technologically advanced group. Slowly, one by one, the other groups were either forced to submit and be absorbed into Yuki's group, or face annihilation. Even the 'True Successor' could not stop Yuki's insatiable thirst and drive for power and he disappeared from this World, his group absolved and integrated into Yuki's group. However Yuki was no fool. She knew that if she could not appease the other groups, she will face revolts, face strong oppositions and eventually another fight between the 'Rebels' would break out. She took on the name of the SSS2 for this newly formed unified group of 'Rebels' and assigned former leaders of different groups to become important 'advisers' to her. These 'advisers' would later dwindle in number to four and their positions would change to what we call 'Division Leaders'. However a 'Division' Leader is not anyone who can lead the group. If that were the case, anyone could replace Tatsuya for the seat of Diversion Division leader. 'Division Leaders' all had a certain aspect, a quality that no one else held. That aspect is called 'S.I.N'. 'Sovereignty, Insanity, Nihilism'. While it may seem like three different prospects, they are in fact inter-connected and that connection within a person is the aspect 'S.I.N'. Whether Yuki had purposely chosen people with this aspect, or whether it was by pure coincidence is unknown. But what is known is that those who hold onto these aspects can use the Program and its applications more efficiently than most normal people. Being closer to the Madness than most, able to draw out its power because they sat within its comfort, each of these reasons came together and resulted in what we now know as the 'Division Leaders', the 'Seven SINs'."
.
.
.
"The... Seven... SINs..."
Yuri repeated those words. It seemed simple but the weight of those words felt heavy and dense. Ein nodded as he picked up another stick of food to eat.
"Well, all of this does not really matter to any of you but it explains what is going on with the Division Leaders and what to expect from here on out."
"You... like Jinnai?"
Kyou asked. Ein tore the last piece of meat off the stick and tossed it back onto the plate.
"Exactly. The madness of the Division leaders isn't new, as I have stated before. Each leader has the aspect called 'S.I.N', myself included. Within the aspect of 'S.I.N' is the quality of 'Insanity'. Each Division leader has within them some form or measure of insanity. Most correspond to a deadly sin of the Church and also to our past."
"And you're 'Gluttony'."
Yuri stated, noting the food and the setting of this place.
"I'm a little different. Let me explain what the different qualities of 'S.I.N' are. 'Sovereignty' is the power of leadership. A large number of people hold this quality so if we actually chose leaders by this alone, we would have thousands of divisions, but what is important isn't just the quality to lead, but the right to. Sovereignty is the blood of nobility, the instinct to lead and rule over people. 'Insanity' is as I have stated before, the amount of madness the leaders have. When compared to other people within the SSS2, our level of 'madness' is almost ten times the normal amount. Sometimes even more than ten times. The last quality is 'Nihilism', or hatred towards God.
We know that this World holds no such thing as God, but we still imagine he is here. We imagine an enemy mainly because we need someone or something to direct all of our hatred and despair at. And the stronger our hatred, the more power we would seek to eventually kill God if we saw him. That would lead us to the program. By using the program, we would gain access to a ridiculous amount of power, almost to a cheating level. But while most people would simply use the program, we Division Leaders would fully submerse ourselves into it. Almost becoming part of the program itself. That connection to the program can be reflected in our SSS ranked weapons. Amongst the seven Leaders, I'm the least connected to the program as I do not have a specific weapon tied to the program and therefore have the least amount of corruption."
"Then you can join us and-"
"But I am not completely free from it."
Ein stopped Kyou in mid-sentence.
"I am a division leader, Kyou, that means I still have the aspect of 'SIN'. Anyway, as I said, I'm slightly different from the others. Since I have to least connection and corruption to the program, I can still converse normally like this to all of you and explain things, but I am merely living on borrowed time. My SIN has nothing to do with my past, rather I have it because I have a Caucasian appetite in an Asian World. Do you know how small your portions are?"
Ein grumbled, picking up another bowl of food and slurping it up. Even for a half European, his appetite is still too big.
"Erm... I still don't get it."
Hinata said, scratching his head over what was just said and that resulted in Yuri doing a karate chop on his head.
"Ow!"
"You need to be paying attention."
Yuri sighed, shaking her head.
"Do you remember what was said about how this War started?"
"Erm... not much?"
Another karate chop.
"Fine, let me explain it in point form.
1) After we left, the next 'Successor' took over
2) The program, being berserk, created a limitless number of Shadows
3) Due to the successor's inability to lead properly, multiple groups appeared
4) Taeno Yuki defeated all other groups and created the SSS2
5) In order to prevent herself being sole leader and create animosity amongst unsatisfied people, she appointed former leaders to a higher position
6) these former leaders and Taeno-san later became the Division leaders
7) Leaders are chosen because they have an extremely close affinity with the madness and the program, thus allowing them to utilize the madness and the program to a greater degree
8) Their madness is further augmented by their SSS ranked weapons
The reason behind this person, Ein, can talk to us properly for now, unlike the previous leader, is because he is not completely aligned to his 'SIN' and does not hold a SSS ranked weapon. Am I right?"
Yuri turned to Ein, who merely smiled.
"Who knows? What I have said is merely my own understanding of things."
"... So it is wrong?"
"No. It isn't wrong. But I would not say that it is right either."
"You're not making any sense!"
Yuri snapped, banging her fist down on the table. Ein merely looked at the leader of the SSS calmly.
"... And since when does anything in this World make sense? What I have just said is merely a fraction of what this madness holds. I have explained the beginning and the main causes, but there are more than one side to any story, this is no exception."
"..."
Yuri was starting to lose patience with Ein, and she was starting to feel extremely cautious of him. The things he had said, even if they were false, still spelt trouble. Yuri remembered Katsuragi Rei telling her about how everything changed within the SSS2 after the infamous battle of Big Site. To think that the SSS2 actually managed to revive that place, not once but twice. After the Battle of Big Site, the Division Leaders decided to use the Angel Program, thus equipping themselves with immense power to combat their new enemies, the NPCs. If the Division Leaders were chosen due to their affinity to the program, how did Taeno Yuki know who would be best suited as a leader if they only discovered the Program a few decades after the founding of the SSS2? Was it really coincidence? Or was there something else. Weapons.
The SSS ranked weapons were numbered to be 5 in total. If Jinnai did not have one, and neither does Ein, then the group will only face extremely difficult challenges ahead, far worse than the previous one and this battle. But the SSS weapons are said to further augment the madness of the Division leaders. If the division leader's power is proportion to their access to the program, which is the same as the amount of madness they contain, then the crazier they are, the more powerful they will get. And so the key would seem to be within the SSS ranked weapons. Just as these weapons were granted by the Program to the users, bestowing great power and madness, it in turn absorbs the user's darkness from their hearts to fuel the program. One big vicious cycle that has no beginning, and no end. The only way to break such a cycle is for someone else to interfere. Namely Yuri and her SSS, as well as the NPC wild card of Otonashi, Katsuragi Rei.
Yuri still did not know what that sword of his does, but whatever he did to Jinnai not only cleared up any corruption and madness, it made Jinnai pass on. It was hard to Yuri to describe it as the way Rei made Jinnai pass on did not feel forced, but rather... 'allowed'? Whatever that sword is, it was Otonashi's way of making the SSS2 pass on and getting rid of this mad war.
"Tell me one more thing, Ein Shrewerz."
Yuri said. Ein looked at Yuri for a moment, before putting down his cup.
"Fine, just this one. I would phrase whatever question you might have carefully if I were you. You might not get the answer you are seeking if you asked it wrongly."
Ein smirked. Katsuragi knew what Ein meant. It was what Takamachi Yukari and Senjougahara Shinobu had told him. If one were to ask a vague question, you would get a vague answer. Yuri must ask the question that will lead her to the answer that she must expect to hear. Yuri smirked, closing her eyes for the moment. It was a very long moment for the group, all eyes looking at Yuri intensely. Then, she opened her eyes.
"Alright... Tell me, Ein... What exactly are these weapons of the SSS2 and how are they linked to the seven 'SINs'?"
Yuri asked. That was kind of vague. Ein stared at Yuri and smiled.
"That's cheating. You asked two questions within one sentence. But alright, I'll humour you for this one. What you asked is correct. I have explained to you the beginnings and the cause. Now for the catalyst. The weapons."
Ein pulled out his gun and that put everyone on high alert. Ein eyed the way everyone reached for their weapons like this was some old Mexican stand-off, before putting his gun on the table.
"All of you are too jittery. Now where was I? Ah yes. Weapons. I'm sure you know how weapons are made."
"With dirt. It was my SSS's Chaa who discovered it."
Yuri replied simply.
"Yes, it was a technology discovered from your time. Yet with the SSS2, we discovered 'essences'. I'm sure that our dear NPC of a friend had already explained that much."
Ein pointed to Rei.
"Yes... he did."
Yuri replied. Was Ein trying to buy time? But this space was on a separate time line, time passed here would have almost no bearing on the outside. So what was he playing at?
"So by doing simple reasoning and deduction, we can tell what happened. You see, before the Battle of Big Site, we SSS2 fought with mere normal guns and swords. Nothing fancy. That was because we have yet to discover the Program. But it did not need to take a program to start the madness of the SSS2. After all, madness and insanity aren't artificial things to a human. They are natural and will occur naturally if certain conditions are met. This was made worse by the passive influences of the 'essences' which are basically condensed darkness and insanity of humans that were absorbed by the program and re-constructed as Shadows.
It's much like the cycle of cows and grass in the real world. Essences are the minerals and nutrients that are within the plants. Plants are eaten by cows, and humans in turn kill and eat the cows for the nourishments. Our waste products are then used to fertilize the soil which new plants can grow and thrive in. A complete cycle and one very much like ours here. Now comes along the Program. For the first time we are able to catch a glimpse of power. A power beyond anything. Who wouldn't want to go for super powers? I know I would. And so it was like striking a deal with the devil himself. We get power from him to fight his minions, and in return the power corrupts us and our corruption feeds the devil. What an even more interesting cycle, albeit one that less realistic."
That was a very dangerous cycle, but Yuri let Ein continue.
"Now how does all of this tie in with the seven 'SINs'? ... They don't."
"... Huh?"
Everyone stared at Ein in surprise. What did he just say?
"It may seem like everything is connected, but they are merely... how shall I put this... coincidences. By the way, Yuki hates that word. The SSS ranked weapons are made by Musashi, our master blacksmith. I had once thought that he had created the weapons after identifying the SINs within each division leader but-..."
Ein paused for a moment.
"... But that does not explain Kurogane Kou's weapon."
"Kurogane... Kou?"
Nakamura Yuri could not say she had heard that name before... but maybe she did. Did Otonashi mention that name?
"Kurogane Kou, the leader of the Sixth division, the Guardians."
Kyou explained, her eyes narrowing at Ein at the revelation of what he had just told them.
"And the sixth division is?"
"They are the strongest and most violent fighters of the SSS2. It would not be an exaggeration to say that each of them are as strong as an army of Assault division infantry soldiers."
Ein explained with a slight smile.
"And the leader of such a band of unrealistic fighters would be-"
"The strongest damn fighter you would ever see in this World."
Kyou muttered and Ein nodded in agreement.
"And that over-the-top cheat character type of person is the one closest to the Program, yet furthest. Her madness and insanity is on a whole different level, if you want to call it such."
Ein added, finishing up his tea and putting the cup back down.
"Well, I guess that's it for now. Shall we begin now?"
Everyone looked confuse at what Ein said.
"Begin? Begin wha-"
Before Kyou could finish her sentence, a loud explosion sound erupted, the table that they sat around suddenly flew up into the air and right in front of Kyou's face, was a fist-
"Access"
BOOM
Another fist flew forward, connecting with the first one in front of Kyou's face, sending a blast of air that sent everyone back. Standing there, with his fist smoking, Ein Shrewerz smiled at the one who deflected his attack.
[Boss Fight]
[1st Division Leader: Assault]
[Ein Shrewerz]
[Alignment: Lawful Neutral]
[Type: Gluttony]
[Level: 90
HP: 800000
MP: 400000
Strength: S
Agility: B
Endurance: A
Luck: C]
[Weapons List:
- Desert Eagle .50 (Rank B)
- Bowie Knife (Rank A)]
"You were always the one with the better judgement and reflexes... Tomoyo."
Ein smirked. Sakagami Tomoyo stood between Ein and Kyou, her fist badly bruised from countering the attack as the metal bar on her rail gauntlet retracted back to its loaded position.
"Tomo...yo?"
Kyou looked to her friend, confused by all of this.
"Get up Kyou. Ein's already started the fight and we need you to get ready to face whatever challenge is put before us."
Tomoyo said calmly, her gaze never leaving Ein.
"B-but... it's Ein... Our leader... Tomoyo... what are you doing?"
"I could ask you the same question."
Tomoyo turned angrily to Kyou.
"Have you been so kept up in your place that you've forgotten what this is all about? This is war, Kyou, nothing more, nothing less. A war that we started, a war that we entered, a war that we fought. Would you so easily give that up? Just throw that all aside after so long?"
"But-"
"Don't give me any 'buts'!"
Tomoyo shouted, grabbing Kyou by the collar.
"Your men, OUR men! Our SSS2 warriors! They are outside, fighting for their lives! Fighting because they believed in YOU! They want to believe that we can win this war! That we can end the madness that had plagued us for so long! Are you saying that everything back them was a lie? ! That you will betray the trust of so many simply because you cannot handle the truth? !"
That snapped at Kyou hard, and coupled with one good slap by Tomoyo, waking her sharply from her mental daze. Tomoyo was right. This is war. If anyone stood before them, they would just have to cut them down. Kyou understood that her heart was weak and easily manipulated by the thick concentration of essence. She lost her will too many times and always relied on Tomoyo to help her. She looked up to Ein. Ein Shrewerz, her leader for so many decades. She had to fight him. For the sake of the SSS2 who placed their faith in her. For the sake of this World that is crumbling due to the madness they created. For her own sake. To grow strong and face her own fears within the darkness of the abyss.
"... Truth? ... I can handle my own truths..."
Kyou got up to her feet. She would not know if she could handle fighting Ein, but she must. She will. For the sake of their lives, for the sake of those who depended on her. She will not fail them like she failed her sister and herself.
"You're getting too soft in your head."
Tomoyo muttered.
"Shut up. Don't put me in the same league as yourself."
Kyou snapped back, reaching into her pouch to pull out some rocks as both Tomoyo and herself readied themselves to face Ein with their backs against one another.
"Just like old times?"
Tomoyo asked. Kyou smiled back.
"Just like old times."
[Boss Fight]
[1st Division Leader: Assault]
[Ein Shrewerz]
[Alignment: Lawful Neutral]
[Type: Gluttony]
[Level: 90
HP: 800000
MP: 400000
Strength: S
Agility: B
Endurance: A
Luck: C]
[Weapons List:
- Desert Eagle .50 (Rank B)
- Bowie Knife (Rank A)]
VERSUS
[1st Division Vice Leader: Assault (Former)]
[Overall Commander SSS2 Army]
[Fujibayashi Kyou]
[Alignment: Lawful Neutral]
[Level: 76
HP: 50000
MP: 45000
Strength: C
Agility: B
Endurance: C
Luck: B]
[Weapons List:
- Books (Rank: C~A)
- M-16 Assault Rifle (Rank: C)
- Dagger (Rank: D)]
[1st Division Special Squad Leader: Assault (Former)]
[SSS2 Army Vice Commander / Special Forces Squad Leader: Bear Squad]
[Sakagami Tomoyo]
[Alignment: Chaotic Good]
[Level: 72
HP: 65000
MP: 34000
Strength: A
Agility: C
Endurance: B
Luck: C]
[Weapons List:
- Kinetic Rail Gauntlets (Rank A)
- Iron boots (Rank C)]
"Let me join in as well. I will pay back the debt I owe to you, Kyou."
[5th Division Vice Leader: Intelligence (Former)]
[SSS2 Army Special Tactical Assault Squad Leader: Shadow]
[Testarossa Iris]
[Alignment: Neutral]
[Level: 65
HP: 42000
MP: 60000
Strength: D
Agility: A
Endurance: D
Luck: B]
[Weapons List:
- Shinobi-gata (Rank B) X 2
- Kunai (Rank B) X ? ?
- Shuriken (Rank C) X ? ?
- Bombs (Rank C) X ? ?
- Five-Seven Pistol (Rank C)]
"Are you sure you can handle it?"
Kyou asked, her tone dropping the slight hint of sarcasm.
"Hmph, There's nothing that you can handle that I can't."
Iris replied.
"Cut the chatter, here he comes!"
Tomoyo shouted and the three immediately jumped out of the way as Ein suddenly lunged forward, bringing his large fist down into the ground, destroying it was causing a large crater the size of a truck to form where his hand crashed into.
"As I expected, his skills has been augmented by the black essence."
Kyou muttered.
"Then we should step in as well-"
"No!"
Kyou shouted, stopping Yuri in mid-sentence.
"We will handle this. He is our leader, the one who brought us up. As he isn't completely consumed by the program, we owe it to him to grant his last wish... to go down fighting as a human being."
Yuri kept quiet at Kyou's word, pausing to think of the situation, before she sighed, holstering back her pistol.
"Fine, but it will be up to you guys to clean up any mess."
Yuri finally said, crossing her arms. Kyou smiled and turned back to Ein, who had managed to pull his hand out of the ground. Kyou's eyes met with Tomoyo's and Iris's. The two were ready.
"Right, let's do this."
Kyou said as the three girls reached for their weapons. In unison their hands gripped onto their own special weapons and shouted-
" "ACCESS" "
[Access: Angel Program (Rei / Zero) ]
[Administrator rights detected]
[Unlocking full access rights]
[System Overdrive Initiated]
[Power Levels: 4000%]
[All Skills unlocked]
[All Skills upgraded to Rank S]
[All Stats upgraded by one Rank]
"Let's go!"
The three girls charged in, each of them now wielding more power than before in thanks to the Program that they were given.
One hour Before
"Here, take these."
Katsuragi Rei told Kyou as the group headed up the stairs, passing her a bottle of what seemed to be plain coloured pills.
"Huh? Is this some sort of energy pill? Did you take these from Yuuko? You know you can't trust that nut-job with anything, especially if it's to go down your throat."
Kyou said back to him, to which Rei simply laughed.
"As if I would hold onto something so dangerous. No, these pills are to help you with your connection to the program."
"? !"
Kyou stared at Rei and then to the pills in her hand as though they were the very elixir of eternal youth. Though in another sense such elixirs would be useless to the SSS2 at this moment.
"W-why?"
"Right now, the SSS2 stands at an extreme disadvantage against anything within this tower. If you continue to use your programs at this rate, you'll be consumed by the madness once more. I've managed to clear it up once for all of you but that is only a temporary solution. Something akin to a clean sweep of your statuses."
"You helped us? ... You mean during that battle in the Forest?"
Kyou remembered the time during the Forest battle, when they were trying their hardest to defend the walls. The program was their greatest weapon, as well as their greatest weakness. Kyou had over-used her program back then and it drove her into despair. Her mental state was weak and still is up to now, but she had sensed that something had helped her during that battle to hold out against the Shadows until the reinforcements from Guild had arrived. So it was Rei who helped them.
"These pills would not only protect you from the madness, but it will also implant some essences from myself into you, thus allowing you to have administrative rights to the program."
Rei explained. Kyou looked down at the pills sitting in her hand. They looked so harmless yet the potential they held within them was too great.
"Why give it to us?"
Kyou asked.
"Didn't you want to be the one to end the madness?"
Rei smiled at her question and shook his head.
"I cannot be the one. Or at least I am not the correct person to do it. Call my programming buggy, but I seem to believe that it would be best to allow the ones with the most connections to the affected leaders to fight them. This is not only due to the fact that the person is more familiar with the opponent and therefore will know their weaknesses, but it also stems from the fact that... humans need closure on their own darkness. I cannot be the one to force them when they themselves have not fulfilled their last wish. This is the only choice left... because it is the right choice to make."
Present
"But still... isn't this too much?"
Nakamura Yuri asked, watching the fight between the four over-powered youngsters explode into unrealistic proportions. Kyou unleashing a storm of razor sharp pages from her books, Ein dodging that only to have his back exposed to Iris, who appeared from thin air behind him with her twin swords drawn and poised to strike. Ein twisted his body in mid-air, sending his leg arcing through the air and into Iris but Iris disappeared in a cloud of smoke the point of contact, making Ein open for Tomoyo, who lunged in with her fist, sending a powerful punch into Ein's body. Ein was sent flying through the air and back into the ground where a second large crater from formed from the impact.
"I believe in their strength."
Rei simply said, watching the battle closely.
"... But to let them go at it at full strength from the start. You're breaking the basic rule of shounen type manga fights. Shouldn't they power up bit by bit as the enemy grows stronger near the end or something?"
"Then that would take too long. Besides, I do not think that they would want it like that either."
Rei stated with a slight smile.
"They are the type that have suffered a long time, trying to get power constantly. They have grown tremendously throughout their entire time spent in this World, both physically, and mentally. If they still wish to grow stronger, they would have to go find some dragon balls, travel with a perverted hermit, disappear for six more years or sit under a waterfall for several months to meditate."
"... You just broke very strong walls there with that statement."
"I'm that kind of guy. My very existence is an affront to any type of wall there is."
"... That's scary."
"It is."
.
.
.
"Well, this is as much as I can do. So all that is left is up to them."
"Tomoyo!"
Kyou shouted to her friend, who jumped back from the fray and nodded.
"Okay!"
Kyou reached into her pouch and pull out three small notebooks before throwing them into the air.
"Access: Sub-routine: Creation. 800mm Round!"
The books flew up and started to glow as they merged together, melting into one giant massive mortar round. Tomoyo ran towards the round as it started to fall back down to the ground. With one strong slam of her foot, Tomoyo jumped high into the air to meet with the giant mortar round. She gave the round a slight kick with her foot, making it turn to face the ground before she cocked back her arm. The rail bar in her gauntlet reset itself, gathering up energy.
"HA!"
Tomoyo threw her punch at the round, igniting the powder inside and sending the round blasting towards the ground where Ein was being held down by Iris.
"Iris!"
At Kyou's call, Iris smiled and disappeared into thin air, leaving Ein there to face the giant round. But Ein would not go down so easily.
"TOO EASY!"
Ein shouted as he readied his arm. Just before the round could hit him, Ein threw his arm forward, punching the round straight on.
"Wha-"
The blast of the round against Ein's punch erupted in a large explosion that nearly threw everyone off their feet.
"This is nuts! What does he think he's doing? ! Hitting a round straight-on like that?"
Yuri demanded, shielding her face from the blast.
"He is no fool. Look."
Rei pointed. At the spot where Ein was, the dust cloud cleared slightly, revealing that Ein was still in one piece. And so was the round.
"Kyou, Tomoyo, your attack was good... but didn't I always tell you guys never to leave your own things behind? The enemy might simply grab it... AND USE IT AGAINST YOU!"
Ein suddenly threw the round at Kyou and the rest.
"You forgot something, so I'll simply return it to you."
Before the ground could reach Kyou, she threw five books into the air.
"THOUSAND WORD SHIELD!"
The books exploded into pages and formed a giant wall between Kyou and the shell, causing the shell to impact and explode against the shield instead of her and the others. But the sheer magnitude of the blast from the 800mm round was enough to cause a storm of violent winds that nearly threw everyone off.
"Tch, I knew he was strong... but not this strong!"
Kyou cried out as the blast started to burn through her paper shield.
"He's being augmented by the program!"
Tomoyo stated, taking cover behind Kyou's paper shield.
"Thanks for the info though I can bloody hell see that for myself!"
"You asked!"
The blast subsided and Kyou lowered her shield, the pages fluttering down to the ground after being released from Kyou's skill. Kyou stood up and looked grimly at the current situation. Ein had monstrous strength, one that could rival Takamachi Yukari of the Guardians, and that was really saying something. Takamachi Yukari was by far the strongest person in the entire organization despite not looking like she could lift more than a box of paper. Ein, on the other hand, was as strong as he looked, and he looked very strong.
"What's wrong? Is that the best you three can do? I guess even though us division leaders had placed so much hope in you guys, you can only amount to so much."
Ein gloated.
"Why you-"
"Iris, don't. He's only trying to edge you on."
Tomoyo said. This was bad. The usually calm ice queen, Iris, was starting to be affected by Ein. Ein was a leader not only due to his power and skills even without help from the program, but he was a leader because he had a way of controlling people in the way he wants them to. The way he twist and manipulates the actions and thoughts of others was extremely dangerous. Every single Division and Squad leader each had their own ways of asserting their own wills and displaying their unique form of leadership. Yuki had the presence of a Queen and her very actions made people to obey her word. Kenji of Intelligence gathered people of strong wills and minds, using his silent thoughts guide his division. Yuuko could lead due to her character that simply draws people to her.
The squad leaders like Shinobu worked hard to be accepted by her squad but the loyalty she is given is second to none. Yamato could lead due to her skills and prowess. Kyou led the troops because she had the ability to point people in the right direction. Ein, however, was a different story. Everything he did, everything he said, could direct the flow of things in a certain manner, whether he wanted it to or not. He was a man that could change someone so calm, so stoic as Iris, to the point of agitation and even rage. He was a puppeteer, pulling the strings that made them move to his tune. But Ein listens to Yuki. Yuki, the only person who isn't affected by Ein's strange ability. Kou as well though Kou was not affected by anything most of the time. But Ein's ability to lead in such a manner was not related to his true power. His strength. Everything about Ein made no sense. He had some of the most amazing and absurd abilities in the entire organization but none of them were consistent or even related to one another. He was like a jigsaw of mismatched pieces that could still make out a picture despite not being put together correctly.
"As expected of Tomoyo, analysing even in the midst of battle. But that would prove to be your downfall."
Ein's voice suddenly appeared behind Tomoyo.
"Shi-"
[Access: Over-clocking EX]
Before she could bring up her hands to block the blow, Ein's fist came flying at her, hitting her straight in her abdomen and sending her flying. Despite her using her Over-clocking ability to the maximum, she still could not match Ein's speed and power. Ein appeared above Tomoyo while she was still in mid-air, twisting his body and sending his foot down on her, causing her to crash straight into the ground with a force of a few tonnes.
"Gah!"
Tomoyo spat out blood, sprawled on the ground in the crater caused by the attack. Her internal organs were completely crushed. Pain was searing throughout her body.
"You think too much, Tomoyo. Analyse too much, to the point where you lose focus in the midst of battle and trying to anticipate the opponent's next move, or any weaknesses that can be exploited. That is why you aren't suitable to be the vice leader of Assault. You lack the one thing that a leader needs. Instincts."
Ein said, stepping back as Kyou and Iris rushed over to their friend's side. Iris standing guard as Kyou tried to heal Tomoyo.
"You may have held onto your battle instincts long ago, but you abandoned them, became afraid of what jumping into decisions without thinking them through might lead to. What are you being so afraid of, Tomoyo? That you might go back to your wild days and only cause pain for those around you? That without thinking and weighing your options you might come to an unfortunate ending where everything you love would die? Tell me, Tomoyo, what do you fear?"
Ein asked, staring down hard at Tomoyo who could barely sit up, coughing up more blood despite Kyou trying to heal her the best she could.
"Ein! Enough! You don't understand what Tomoyo had to go through!"
Kyou snapped at Ein, who merely shrugged.
"Of course I don't. I'm not her and neither have I ever heard of her sad tale in life. I have no obligation to even try to understand her plight so spare me any of your sad stories."
Ein said but then his eyes noticed that someone was missing.
"So I'll spare you any more than you have to."
Iris's voice spoke up from behind Ein. He turned around just in time as Iris brought her twin swords down on him. The blade cut through his body but not deep enough to sever. How could this happen? She was right in front of him the entire time. Did she use the opportunity of him focusing on Tomoyo and Kyou so much that she could escape his gaze so easily?
"Tch, too light."
Iris muttered, spinning her body around and bringing her blades around for another attack but Ein blocked that blow.
"Iris, you sure know how to interrupt a conversation. Don't you know that it's rude to do such a thing?"
Ein asked, showing no sign of pain from the wound she inflicted on him.
"I am not the type to take my time, wasting it on useless talk."
Iris simply replied, to which Ein smiled back.
"That's more like it. A shame you work for that useless idiot Kenji."
"Don't you dare insult my leader."
Iris growled, pushing her blades harder.
"Oh? Hit a nerve, have I? That isn't good, for the ice queen of Intelligence to get so hot headed about something."
"Silence."
Iris tried to push but Ein used one burst of strength, throwing her off. Iris quickly recovered and charged in for another attack. Ein managed to dodge and threw a punch at her but his fist only hit air as Iris disappeared and reappeared by the side, swinging her sword at him.
"Oi oi oi! This ninja thing is too unfair!"
Ein cried out, jumping out of the way.
"This is still too easy for you."
Iris muttered, twisting her body and using her downward momentum to swing her leg towards his head but he grabbed her foot and a smile crept up on his lips.
"True."
He used his monstrous strength and threw Iris but being nimble, Iris recovered quickly and the moment she landed on the ground, she charged once more at Ein. While Iris and Ein continued to exchange blows with one another, Kyou focused her attention on Tomoyo. Using her connection to the program, Kyou used her books as a form of regenerative power, healing Tomoyo by placing her book on Tomoyo's abdomen and gently applying pressure while the book glowed a dim light.
"Come on, Tomoyo, you're tougher than this."
Kyou muttered, trying to speed up the healing process. Tomoyo coughed out more blood, wincing at the pain that was coursing throughout her body.
"K-Kyou..."
"Don't talk so much. Focus on recovering."
"E-Ein..."
"Iris is dealing with him."
Kyou reassured her.
"..."
Tomoyo lay there, her eyes slightly swelling up and it did not escape Kyou's notice.
"... Was it what he said? About you over-thinking?"
"... He... is right..."
Tomoyo muttered, shutting her eyes close.
"I... have only... tried to run... away... Afraid... to use... that same strength... Afraid... of what it... might bring."
"But it wasn't your fault!"
Kyou snapped at Tomoyo but the second in command did not see eye to eye with Kyou.
"What if... the entire reason... he had to die... was because I mistrusted... myself?"
SLAP
Tomoyo lay there, slightly stunned. Kyou's hand stung from that slap.
"This is not you, Tomoyo. Sure, there were times when life can throw you a curve ball. There are times when there will be challenges that may seem insurmountable. But that does not mean you can simply give into despair! The Tomoyo I knew would never let something like that get to her! Instincts? You were never one to be outside of instincts! You had always acted on impulse, be it the last life or this. Honestly, you do nothing but make trouble for everyone."
"..."
Tomoyo stayed silent, her eyes still showing uncertainty. Her resolve was shaken so easily? Kyou did not want to see her friend like this.
"DAMN IT TOMOYO! PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER!"
SLAP
Kyou gave her friend another one, this one harder than the last. But in it held Kyou's frustrations, her pain of seeing her friends like this, and with it came her hope that it may snap Tomoyo out of whatever daze she had gotten herself into.
"Weren't you the one who kept nagging at me for losing myself? Weren't you the one who had always stood strong for everyone? What are you going to do if you lose it as well? ! Instincts or not, haven't we made it this far already? ! The past doesn't matter! It doesn't matter to us any more! We cannot go back! We cannot change anything! So the least we could do is to change our present and our future! YOU SAID THAT YOURSELF! SO WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING NOT LISTENING TO YOUR OWN DAMN ADVICE? !"
Kyou snapped at Tomoyo, tears streaking down her cheeks as she tried to get her friend back. Her rival in life, her friend in death, her closest comrade. And for Tomoyo, it was the same. Kyou was her rival in life for love, her best friend in death, the only person she would trust her back to. And to see her friend in such a state. Was this how Kyou felt each time Tomoyo had to beat some sense into her? Kyou was always weaker in her mental state despite putting up a big front. In terms of insecurity, Kyou was worse off. Kyou always held doubts within her heart, was always insecure about decisions made and never had the resolve to make her own voice be heard. Everything was a front.
Tomoyo, on the other hand, had little to hide. Baring her emotions constantly, she acted on emotions and impulse. Her decisions were sometimes calculative but she never relied on it too often. Once her path was decided, she would go all-out to make it happen, even to the point of losing sight of all others. She had decided to change all of that in this World. After witnessing what her impulsive nature had caused, what death and pain it had brought, she wanted to throw it all away, wanted to start anew, wanted to change. But was it really necessary? Kyou had not changed since coming here yet she rose through the ranks to become the vice commander. Despite all of her worries, her insecurities, Kyou still held on strong. It wasn't the worries that made Kyou strong or weak. It was the resolve to accept her own weaknesses that made Kyou who she is now.
"... I'll.. follow... my own... advice."
Tomoyo muttered, her eyes showing her solid resolve once more.
"Tomoyo..."
"Your breath... stinks."
"Well, at least it's better than your skin."
"Your slap... tickles."
"Shut it, mountain gorilla girl... Can you stand?"
Kyou asked, lifting her book off Tomoyo. Tomoyo still felt pain in her stomach, but it was considerably less painful than before. She nodded and Kyou offered her hand that Tomoyo took. Using her strength, Kyou hauled Tomoyo to her feet, letting the two old friends meet eyes to eye.
"It's time to get back into the fray, Iris cannot hold out on her own much longer."
"Ah, I know."
BOOM
Just as they turned around, the body of Iris flew towards them and slammed into the ground.
"Iris!"
The former vice commander of the Intelligence Division was badly injured, cuts and bruises everywhere but she still managed to struggle to her feet.
"That guy... is a monster..."
Iris muttered, spitting out a tooth that came loose. She struggled to her feet and was helped up by Tomoyo.
"Oh... Tomoyo... get your head back into the game?"
Iris asked to which Tomoyo simply smiled.
"I'm back, alright."
"... Good."
Iris nodded, turning her attention back to Ein who, despite having so many wounds and tears over his body, did not seem to be any weaker or even fazed by his injuries.
"We have to face that monster. Now."
Iris said, her expression actually showing her seriousness in this matter.
"Oi oi, don't you guys be so serious about all of this. After all, it's just the beginning."
Ein laughed, picking up a stick of yaki-tori from the table he stood next to. At that sight, Iris suddenly dashed forward.
"AS IF I'LL LET YOU!"
She shouted, drawing her swords for the strike but Ein side-stepped the attack and his open hand grabbed Iris's face, lifting her small body up.
"You need to be patient, Testarossa. Things in life are meant to be enjoyed."
He smirked before slamming Iris into the ground, causing the floor to crack.
"Iris!"
"Now now, don't be hasty. It'll soon be your turn."
Ein smirked as he bit into the meat. At that moment, everything seemed to stop. The very air became still and the entire cafeteria seemed to emit a sense of decay.
[Program: Initialized]
[Corruption level: 800%]
[Engaging DEMON protocol]
[Beelzebub; Activate]
'I am the prize of wealth, the end of greed.
I am the waste of need, the demon within all.
To push men beyond the bounds of nature, to indulge beyond satisfaction.
I raise the expectations of men, fuelling the emptiness of hearts.
I am the many headed beast of the underworld,
I shall devour all and above.
I am the great storms and thunderous disasters, swallowing everything in my path.
I am he who divides societies, feed the cruel and wicked,
while I shall starve the poor and wretched.
I am the one that shall empty farms and crops,
change fertile soil to barren wastes.
Over excessive is my calling.
Waste is my creed.
I am the great evil that takes in all others.
I am Beelzebub.
I am Gullia.
I am Gluttony.'
[Boss Fight]
[Incarnation of Gluttony: Beelzebub]
[Level: 150
HP: 1000000
MP: 890000
Strength: SS
Agility: B
Endurance: S
Luck: B]
Looking at this madness, Kyou could only say one thing.
"... This is bad."
The word 'bad' was usually an understatement used in various places and events in an effort to form some sort of tangible reasoning to describe how serious or unfortunate the place or event may be. It, however, is an exceptionally broad term and would be unable to convey the proper emotions within the given context unless under certain circumstances when the said context is strong enough to prove the plight or difficulty of a certain place or event is indeed something of a disagreeable nature. As such, the term 'bad' is in itself, an unusable term. In the current case of the event of our main group is facing, the term 'bad' is very much unusable as 'bad' is not enough to convey the true aspect of what the situation is currently detailing. If one were to gauge on a level of one to ten on how 'bad' the situation is for the group, one would undoubtedly be unable to quantify beyond the number ten.
Seeing as how the group had only reached the second of the many division leaders, it is truly hard to imagine how they would fare even should they manage to defeat this division leader, who has stated himself to be one of the weakest of the division leaders. Whether he is truly weak or not is a separate issue to address and would undoubtedly cause much debate throughout the many lives of people both in the story, and those reading this said story. Of course, whether you believe what this division leader said is truly up to each person and no one can fault another on the differences of their opinions. Given the nature of the entire setting and what facts were given, it should be understood that nothing truly makes any sense in the first place. However if one were to slowly come to their own conclusion, it would make more sense than simply trying to conform to a set given explanation.
"And your point is?"
"That is the point that those three have to figure out in order to cross this challenge. All of the cards have been shown. All hints given. It is now up to them to figure out how to defeat the enemy... and why."
"... You make no sense whatsoever."
Katsuragi Rei only smiled at that comment.
"I don't need to."
Nakamura Yuri narrowed her eyes at the enigmatic NPC. She honestly did not trust him but since this was Otonashi and Kamiya's way of finishing the fight, she guessed she would allow him to do what he must... to a certain extent.
"... But are you certain that you will not aid them? Even if it is to allow them to find the meaning to their own lives and deaths... this is too much."
And indeed it was too much. Kyou raised up her shield made of pages to no avail as the deformed division leader charged straight through it. Tomoyo stood right behind the shield and the moment the large creature burst through, her punch connected straight on with his head. The shock of the impact caused the ground the crack but despite Tomoyo stopping most of the force, she was still being pushed back, her heels digging trenches into the concrete floor. Iris jumped onto the back of the creature and stabbed her swords down but the hide was too thick and to make matters worse, the hide started to 'eat' the blades. Iris was forced to abandon one of her swords and jumped away.
This... creature, that was once the 1st division leader, was a large beast that took on a form closely akin to that of the Greek legend's Minotaur, its large muscular arms that supported its two powerful hind legs. Its large build was like a bull's, albeit one that came out of a horror show. With horns twisting out from some parts of its body, and the rest of its thick dark hide covered with what seemed to be... mouths. With gnashing teeth that hungered, salivated for flesh and blood, the creature was truly a beast that lived for food. Almost nothing was left that remained of their beloved division leader. Nothing... but the SIN.
"So what exactly is SIN?"
Yuri asked.
"Didn't Ein explain it already?"
"But as an NPC-... no, as a program administrator, what do you think?"
Rei looked to Yuri with a slightly amused look.
"Hmm... so you noticed?"
"Hmph, it was quite obvious. You did not bother to ask anything when this Ein guys was explaining You know something, don't you?"
At that, Rei simply smiled, turning his gaze back to the battle that still raged on.
"SIN... Ein may be right, but he isn't completely correct. There is a certain connection between the Division leaders and that connection is a certain error within the system. That error causes the program to go berserk, but at the same time allows the user to have greater access to the program. The more they use the program, the larger the error, and the larger the possibility of going berserk due to the absorption of madness. While I do believe that there is another term for such an error, Ein isn't wrong to say that it is... 'Sin'."
"'Sin'... And the weight upon that is the despair of life."
Yuri muttered, her fist balling up. This was truly much harder to deal with. Too many factors, too many details. Would she truly be able to clear the madness?
"Don't worry about it too much. All we can do... is to correct their paths and let them pass on. That is all."
"And how exactly are we suppose to do that?"
Rei only chuckled at her question.
"With a method you already know too well by now, Nakamura-san."
"... I can only hope that that is all we have to do."
A beast without limits, a beast that can never be satisfied. A bottomless pit. Words that could be used to describe Ein. When he was still their division leader. How ironic that what they called him back then was what he was right now. A raging beast. A Minotaur A hideous, mutated and overly powered Minotaur, but a Minotaur nonetheless. Iris threw some of her shuriken at Ein but those... mouths on his hide simple swallowed them whole. She transformed her pages into spears and threw them at Ein but only to have the same result occur. To make matters worse...
[Beelzebub heals fifty points]
[Beelzebub heals fifty points]
[Beelzebub heals fifty points]
Each time he 'swallowed' an attack, he would simply regenerate himself.
"If range attacks don't work... then I'll use close range."
Tomoyo said before rushing in. Side-stepping the first swipe, turning around on her hell before ducking under the second swipe, Tomoyo cocked back her fist right under in front of the beast's face.
"HA!"
She sent a straight punch into the face of the beast. But... the punch barely did anything.
"Tomoyo! Get back!"
Kyou shouted and Tomoyo jumped back just in time before the giant beast brought down its claw onto her.
"That was reckless."
Kyou muttered, stepping up next to Tomoyo.
"Reckless... but it worked."
Tomoyo smirked, pointing out the bruise and cuts from the punch she gave it. Tomoyo certainly did injure the beast, but-
"... It's too slow and ineffective."
Iris commented.
"It works, unlike your attacks."
Tomoyo shot back.
"..."
"If you have any other bright ideas, I would love to hear it, but for me, even if it is just an inch in overcoming this obstacle... it is still an inch forward. For that, I will continue to push with everything I have. That inch will soon give way to a metre, and that metre will give way to a kilometre and so on. Just because the immediate result does not show anything promising, does not mean we should simply abandon it."
"... I don't need a lecture."
"You need a brain check."
"Enough! Both of you! We need to focus at the problem at hand."
Kyou snapped, forcing the two to stop their minor argument.
"Since Tomoyo's attacks can deal some damage, we'll continue with that strategy. Iris, attack from the sides and try to find its weakness. I'll provide back-up."
Iris and Tomoyo looked at Kyou and nodded.
"Alright."
"Let's do this."
Tomoyo charged straight at the beast, dodging its swipes and throwing her punches when she could get in close. When a claw gets close, Kyou used her pages to form a shield and deflect the on-coming attack though not all attacks could be deflected completely and Tomoyo was forced to jump out of the attack, dodge, and jump back into the fray. Iris, on the other hand, ran along the sides of the battle, using her keen eye to look out of anything out of the ordinary. That was when she noticed something. Within one of the 'mouths' on the back, a large orange sack.
"... That's gross."
Iris muttered but figured that it must be something important. She took her kunai and threw it at the sack, only to have the other 'mouths' shoot tentacles from within, covering the sack from her attack.
"... Now that's really gross. But bingo."
But just like before, even in this corrupted form, Ein was still a master of different skills. Too many unusual skills that had no connection to one another yet still managed to work together. Mouths on the hide? Tentacles that can sprout out from said mouths? And a sack that obviously looks like a weak point though will probably explode into something hideous? Right, it's still Ein, even in this gross form.
"... It's really gross."
Iris muttered to no one in particular. Her eyes peered to the side. Kyou and Tomoyo were still drawing the main head's attention and they were obviously too focused on that as well.
"... I'll deal the final blow then."
Iris said as she drew more kunai. Her enemy now would be those tentacles and mouths. As she said before. Gross. She primed her kunai. Throwing them at the other 'mouths' that did not contain the sack, the flying knives stabbed into the tentacles, causing the tentacles to retract from protecting the sack. Iris rushed forward whilst throwing more knives at the different 'mouths' and while her attacks were doing nothing against the tentacles, they were distracting them. Using this chance, Iris rushed straight for the 'mouth' with the sack and jumped up, drawing her sword and bringing it down on to the sack, stabbing it.
[Beelzebub receives 5000 damage]
The creature roared out in pain from the damage, thrashing about as Iris tried to hang on. But her eye caught something. The sack. There was something inside.
"... Time to get out."
She muttered, reluctantly releasing hold of her sword just as the sack exploded, releasing thousands of black buzzing... things... That can only be-
"G!"
Kyou screamed out. For those who do not know what 'G' is, it is-
"DON'T YOU DARE SAY IT'S NAME!"
... It's one of those small black, skitterish things that are hard to kill yet found all around your normal household. Usually it should be covered in mosaics so in this case, let's put some mosaic on that whole swarm of 'G'.
"THAT MAKES IT WORSE!"
Indeed it does, but that does not change the fact that the swarm of 'G' was now acting like a separate entity, attacking Iris like a swarm of bees attacking the one responsible for disturbing its nest. Only it wasn't bees but 'G'.
"DON'T SAY ANYMORE!"
Right right. Iris dodged the initial attack from the swarm, rolling to one side. She looked back to the back of the beast. The hole that had the sack which she burst was sealed up shut and from another one of those 'mouths', came another sack.
"... You have got to be kidding."
She muttered before her eyes caught sight of the swarm coming back for her.
"No time to rest."
Iris dodged the swarm once more before trying to turn her attention back onto the sacks. Maybe she could try it again.
"Don't be an idiot, Iris! We're doing this all together!"
Kyou shouted, making Iris turn.
"... I don't need help."
"You need it! Every single one of us needs to combine our strengths together! Otherwise we wouldn't be able to hold out for long! Stop being so stubborn and just ask for help when you clearly need it!"
Iris took a slight pause. Help? She never needed help. She was always alone. In life, and in death. That strong solitude was what made her strong, was what showed her power. It was through her own solitude that she was approached by Kenji to join his division, rising through the ranks to become the second in command. But... these past few days made her think. Solitude... the isolation of the Intelligence division was what caused such large number of casualties during D-day. The isolation that the intelligence division themselves created had in turn made them the prime target for the enemy to trap them and hunt them down like animals to the slaughter. And Ein... Ein Shrewerz. Though he may be the leader of the Assault division and lacking an SSS ranked weapon, he was still a powerful foe. And a sharp one at that too. Throughout the entire fight the three of them had with Ein, the leader of the Assault division had been simply pushing aside their efforts without effort but all the while he was lecturing them. Teaching them. Letting them grow.
Was it because Ein wanted them to defeat him? Or was it something else? Ein was always one who believed in tough love, in forcing others to adapt, to grow. That was something that Iris respected him for, as well as hates him for. Naive. Not everyone can grow, not everyone can learn. But... working together. Iris had stood at the top of her division for so long that she hardly remembers that concept of working in a team. Intelligence division rarely works in teams, especially if they were to team up with people from other divisions. Now she had a decision to make. Try to fight this deformed demon on her own, which would most likely result in her permanent death, or team up with Kyou and Tomoyo and at least stand some chance of winning. It really wasn't a difficult decision to make. Being part of the intelligence division meant being smart; finding the best possible solution to every problem and applying it... even if it meant working with their sworn enemies.
Her eyes looked to the back of the hall, where the rest of the SSS and SSS2 stood. Katsuragi Rei, the NPC. The intelligence division knew of his nature for quite some time but simply chose to observe him closely. When his cover was discovered by Yuki, Kurogane Kou quickly brought him into her sixth division to cover for him, made him untouchable Kurogane Kou knows more things within and without the organisation than the entire intelligence division brought together but rarely chose to share her information or even act on them. But now Katsuragi had revealed himself to be their ally, one who would help end this madness. Iris knew his words to be true, but found it hard to accept. Still, unlike Kyou, Iris knew that trusting him was the best choice. On the other hand... Tenryuu Shuusuke was a different story altogether. Even in this sort of situation, Iris would not hesitate to put an end to that annoying guy's life. But never mind him now. She had bigger problems to deal with.
"Are you done with your internal monologue?"
Kyou's voice snapper her out of her thoughts. Iris sighed, shaking her head.
"It's called thinking. If your half wit of a monkey's brain can even register what that is, then you'll know that it's quite important... Fine, I'll ask for you help. This time."
With that, Kyou smirked, bringing up her large book.
"Good, that's what I want to hear. So what have you been 'thinking'?"
"... Well, first off, there are sacks within the mouths of the beast. The sacks are weaknesses and will only appear one at a time at a random mouth. The sack will spill out a swarm of G once burst but will cause significant damage at the same time. When one mouth is holding onto the sack, the rest will produce tentacles to protect it. The strategy is to attack the other mouths and keep them pre-occupied while I go in for the sack."
Iris explained the plan. Kyou nodded in agreement at first.
"Well, there is a problem with that. If we attack the other mouths, they would simply swallow up our attacks."
Kyou pointed out the weakness. But Iris knew of a plan.
"We'll overload the other mouths. Throw so many things at them at one go that they are unable to feed to heal, or be able to protect the sack."
"Hmm, fight fire with fire. Interesting. And what should Tomoyo do?"
"She should keep attacking it head-on. It's dangerous but we need to make sure the beast isn't thrashing about. We need it to stay still in order to commence our attack."
"Alright, sounds like a plan. Tomoyo! You heard that?"
Kyou shouted to her friend who simply gave a thumbs up before charging straight at the beast again.
"So I'll overload the other mouths while you go in for the kill. Which mouth is the one with the sack?"
Kyou looked over the creature where the multiple mouths were opening and closing, not giving her enough time to look for the sack.
"The one by the left shoulder bone. Just throw everything you've got at it. I'll deal with it when the time comes."
"Alright, but don't blame me if you get hit by one of my weapons. I'm not exactly the aiming type."
Iris merely smiled a little at Kyou's words, drawing her sword and readying her stance.
"I know."
One... who fears her own strength. Who realizes the pain and solitude of power. And for that she had shunned away what could have been hers. Cast aside the mantle of power and leadership. Seeking comfort with the ones below, she covers herself with the lie of weakness and camaraderie. One... who wasted away her opportunity. Who degraded herself so lowly and placed others before her own self. And so she came to shoulder the weight of an entire army. Disregarding her own limits and pushing herself beyond what she can handle. Drowning herself in work, in fights, all to run away from her own self. One... who trusted no one. Used, lied to, betrayed. Encasing her own heart in ice, seeing everyone around her as an enemy. She had always stood alone, watching the masks of lies that other wore around her. Showing her distrust to others and taking on the World as her enemy.
yet...
Together, they have found an answer. Together, they have forged a path to overcome their faults. Together, they will grow. The one who feared her strength, now charges straight on to hold off the attacks. The one who shouldered everything now shares the burden of the battle. The one who mistrusted everyone, now placed her only hope of winning on her two comrades. Together, they have managed to drive out the madness, together, they have pushed on. Together... they will overcome all. No matter what they face, as long they understand that they have to work together, that together they shall grow, then nothing can stop them. They will surpass everything that was taught to them.
'Are you sure that is your only wish?'
Nothing more needs to be done.
'Humans cannot be so selfless. There must be something you want for yourself. Something you want to fulfil. Your own desires.'
The comfort of knowing that the guidance that needed to be given is done is more than enough. To fulfil one's own desires, to complete one's own pride in this matter is all that is needed.
'... You wish to deny me? Deny what is your true nature? I will not allow this. I am SIN, I am Beelzebub. I WILL NOT BE DENIED.'
She sensed it. Something was wrong.
"Tomoyo! Iris! Get back!"
She shouted and the two immediately stopped their attacks, jumping back just in time before the beast they were attacking suddenly reared back and then releasing out an inhumane roar. The roar that carried so much hate, so much despair. This was...
"SIN..."
She knew it. This was their true enemy. This was the madness incarnate. This was Beelzebub. The beast gave another inhumane roar as it started to twist and bend with bone crunching sounds at the joints, muscles being suddenly exploding in size and proportion. More spikes shot out from the twisted joints as the 'mouths' on the back of the beast merged together, forming one large mouth as a slit open on the creature's forehead, creating another mouth.
"This is troubling."
Iris muttered.
"This is Beelzebub... the Lord of flies... the incarnation of Gluttony. We've been fighting a deformed Ein up till now. Now... The madness has taken over completely. Now it won't be so easy."
"But this fight has gone on for too long. It's time we end this."
Tomoyo said, cracking her knuckles. Kyou nodded in agreement.
"Yes... and though the madness has taken over, Ein still managed to leave us with the winning key. That."
Kyou pointed to the small mouth on the forehead. Iris did not look convinced.
"And how do you know that that is the weak point? It could be that large mouth on the back."
"Because that isn't how Ein does things. Straight to the point. So Iris, are you going to help us or what?"
Iris pondered on that for the moment, before looking at Kyou straight in the eye.
"I'm going to be frank. You're both nuts. I hate your guts and I still don't trust any of you... but..."
Iris trailed off as the edge of her lips curled up slightly.
"It is always better to do what is necessary, than what could be done otherwise."
Kyou smirked as she heard Iris's answer.
"Quite the fickle minded person, aren't we?"
"I live for the moment, and though the moments never end, they are ever changing."
"Well, that's good enough for me. Let's get this show on the road."
Kyou said, cracking her knuckles.
"Tomoyo! Iris! We'll do the same as before. Overload that big mouth."
"With what, may I ask?"
Iris quizzed, jumping out of the way as the beast pounced onto the spot she was standing just a mere second ago. Kyou simply smirked at that question, jumping back herself to get some distance and reaching behind her where she kept two large books that dangled by her hips. Taking both books out, she held them in each hand as the books opened by themselves and the pages started to flip.
"Ougi: 8000 metre Baku-dan"
The two books started to hover above Kyou's hands, emitting a faint glow before flying upwards and combining, changing their shapes into one giant ammunition round that was too large to even comprehend.
"Tomoyo!"
The vice commander of the SSS2 Army ran forward, slamming her foot down hard on the ground, causing it to crack as she jumped off the ground, her hand reeled back as she flew closer to the striking point of the giant round.
"Ougi: Baku hou shou ken"
The rail gauntlet fired the same time as Tomoyo sent her strongest punch into the striking point of the giant round. The round cracked under the sheer strength of Tomoyo's punch but it still did its job as it exploded, firing itself towards the deformed Sin. The giant beast tried to close up its large mouth on its back but kunai suddenly appeared, raining down on the mouth and forcing it open. The round crashed straight into the giant mouth, causing the mouth to stay open as the round was too large to swallow. Despite being the sin of gluttony, the round was proving too large to swallow.
"Iris!"
Iris reappeared right in front of the beast, her blades drawn and ready to strike.
"Ougi: Sakura Zen Mai"
Her hands were a blur as the strikes she delivered were numerous and too fast for anyone to see it properly. The flurry of attacks did not end and though they were shallow, they were numerous and relentless, attacking with such ferocity and tenacity that the blades soon managed to cut deeper and deeper into the flesh.
[Beelzebub receives 2000 damage]
[Beelzebub receives 2000 damage]
[Beelzebub receives 2000 damage]
[Beelzebub receives 2000 damage]
[Beelzebub receives 2000 damage]
[Beelzebub receives 2000 damage]
[Beelzebub receives 2000 damage]
[Beelzebub receives 2000 damage]
[Beelzebub receives 2000 damage]
The beast roared out in pain and Iris pulled back, putting her two blades together before driving them both into the same spot, the weak point of the beast. The mouth above on its forehead. The blade struck deep into the mouth, causing the beast to howl out an ear piercing scream.
[Beelzebub receives 50000 damage]
"Tomoyo!"
Iris jumped back just as Tomoyo charged forward with one arm cocked back before she threw it at the hilt of Iris's blades, driving them deeper into the wound.
[Beelzebub receives 100000 damage]
Kyou smiled, bringing up a new book.
"Access: Epilogue"
Books suddenly appeared out of thin air. Thousands, millions of them, each surrounding the beast. Each book started to glow and transformed into swords, spears, lances, arrows, bullets, grenades. Anything that was a weapon, a projectile, an explosive, all appeared around the beast, hovering around it as though displaying the combined history of mankind's progress in war and death, building up for the final end. Kyou turned around, snapping her fingers, signalling every single one of those weapons to fly straight into the beast, as well as the giant explosive round that was lodged in its back. Tomoyo and Iris landed next to Kyou right as the giant round exploded behind them.
[Beelzebub receives 9000000 damage]
"Everyone wants a happy ending."
He had always sought justice. Chased it like it was a dream that kept luring him in. He never really knew what his ideal justice really was or how he was suppose to attain it but he just kept on chasing. Some told him it was a useless hope, that if he kept on chasing such ideals, it would land him in the same position as his father. Dead. But such ideals were not easily shaken. He kept chasing, kept moving forward. For him, it was the only thing he knew of. Being a half Japanese made things rather difficult, particularly since he took on his father's looks more so than his mother's. Everyone treated him like a stranger, like someone who existed within their community and without. But he kept on going. Picking up the trail that his father left behind, he sought out the criminals who were responsible.
But he was still a child. A child who knew little of the world of politics, of pain, of despair... of desperation. And he paid for such mistakes with his life. Yakuza rarely showed mercy to anyone, even if that person is a child. And so he ended up here but those ideals of justice did not waver nor did they change who he was. He looked at what he was doing and decided to change. Like his father, he became a leader, a teacher, to those in need. And so his justice had changed but also grew stronger. He knew now that what he was meant to do was not chase the criminals or the evils that plagued the World, but rather... he was meant to teach, to guide those who had strayed from the right path back onto course. He was meant to lead, to protect those who were weak and vulnerable. And so he took on the mantle of leadership... as well as the madness of this World.
But unlike Yuki, he did not have the courage to take it all in. He could not see himself as someone who could handle such a position. And so he refused the power of the SSS weapons offered to him. But maybe it was for the best. He could see the madness build up, and now he could prepare those who would rise up in such dark times. He would prepare them physically, mentally, emotionally. These warriors, these brave souls. They will fight the madness that had plagued this World for centuries and they will need to grow stronger in order to face their inevitable battles. He looked up and saw them. The familiar faces of those whom he had guided.
"... Yo..."
He could only smile. His entire body was numb, he could barely think.
"Good morning. You're being awfully stupid in thinking you could go off sleeping on the floor like that."
The violet haired girl said with a slightly strained smile.
"I'm... the leader... I can... do what...ever... I want."
"You're really selfish, you know?"
"Hmph... so you say... now... But... I've done... what I... need to do... The rest... is up to... you guys..."
"... Are you really going to go?"
She asked him, her voice slightly choking up. He merely smiled and closed his eyes.
"I... am really... tired... So let me... sleep... teaching you brats... was too... tiring."
"And you were a horrible teacher."
"Say... what you... want... I'll see you... later..."
He did not see her tears but could feel them fall upon her cheeks.
"... Yeah... We'll see you on the other side. And we'll be waiting with whole bowls of niku-udon for you. Ein."
[Katsuragi Rei used Blue Gear]
[Access: Insanity Streak]
[Corruption absorption in progress]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[Purge complete]
A/N: In a lot ways, Ein really resembles my uncle. Tough love, as he likes to put it (or simply "suck it up, you're a man").