The Lone Vigilante Issei – High School DxD
Hello again! It's me – Hide Shinyama!
Sorry for the delay. I was rather busy… and worried… because of you know… and long writing…
But I don't want to hinder with the recaps so… Here is…
Chapter 14 – It's here!
14th September, Friday, about 9:51 pm – Outskirts of Kuoh, Sakabasu Detention Facility, 1st floor
"Matsuda! Matsuda! Where are you, man? Talk to me!" Issei shouted desperately.
Issei was currently running around the hallway on the first floor (British definition), looking for Matsuda. Issei had desperately been trying to find his friend ever since he left the room. He had been looking high and low with the Boosted Gear out and ready. He didn't care if any of the wardens saw him, all he cared was to find his friend and save him from a certain succubus.
He threw open every door, even breaking some, as he tried to find Matsuda. Eventually, he came across the door to Nathalie's room and opened it. As soon as Issei looked inside, he widened his eyes at what he saw.
What Issei found was the form of Matsuda collapsed and naked on the bed.
"Na…tha…lie… *sob*" Matsuda sobbed bitterly.
Issei looked at his friend with sadness (and some shame for being naked).
'Why is Matsuda naked? And why is crying?' Issei asked Ddraig mentally.
[I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure he and Nathalie had sex, if one were to judge by the smell of the bed-sheets] Ddraig replied.
Issei sniffed and nodded his head in affirmation. 'Yeah, I think you're right… I should have known he would have done that.'
Being the good friend that he is, Issei went over and threw part of the blanket Matsuda was not on over him to cover his nudity. Issei made sure that his face was not covered (he didn't want to be too mean to Matsuda, while he is down).
"Dude... Wear some clothes. I don't want to look at your naked body like this, you know?" Issei told Matsuda with a little firmness in his voice.
Matsuda stopped sobbing and looked up to Issei. His tears still stained his reddened face, as he nodded meekly. Issei handed him his clothes and Matsuda started putting on his underwear. Issei sat down on the bed and looked away, while he did so.
It took about half a minute before Issei decided to speak.
"Matsuda?" Issei said. Matsuda had just put on his pants. He didn't turn around, but nonetheless responded.
"Yeah?" Matsuda asked quietly.
"Why… were you crying?" Issei asked calmly, yet curiously.
Matsuda had a stoic expression on his face. He didn't feel like talking but he knew he could trust Issei. What made it difficult for him were the memories of what happened just a few minutes ago. He started tearing up, as he started to explain.
"Nathalie… just vanished…" Matsuda spoke, as a tear rolled down his face. This piqued Issei's attention, as he turned around.
"What do you mean 'vanished'?" Issei asked. Matsuda spoke on, struggling against the tears that were threatening to spill out.
"Nathalie… told me that she too… knew about the succubus…" Matsuda said stoically.
"WHAT!?" Issei shouted in surprise, causing Matsuda to wince. After recovering for a few seconds, Matsuda continued his explanation, while Issei looked in disbelief.
"I know, right? I couldn't believe it myself. But she also… told me something else… something important before she vanished…" Matsuda said sadly. Issei frowned a little, as he still didn't get the answer to his question.
"Again, I don't understand. What do you mean by 'vanished'?" Issei asked.
Matsuda shed another tear, before speaking. "She... literally… faded out of existence…" Matsuda said, swallowing a lump down his throat. He managed to resist bursting out in tears as he remembered Nathalie fading away slowly.
Issei said nothing. All he did was widen his eyes in surprise at what he heard.
Nathalie fading out of existence… This was getting worse than he had expected. Now Issei understood why Matsuda was grieving and it certainly was a terrible experience for anyone to go through.
'Damn that succubus!' Issei thought angrily. 'It has gone too far now!'
While Issei fumed in anger, Ddraig spoke up from the Boosted Gear. [Young Matsuda, you said something about Nathalie telling you something else. What did she tell you?]
Matsuda lifted his head to face the Boosted Gear in confusion. Then he remembered what he was going to say and nodded a little.
"Oh… yeah…" Matsuda replied, before clearing his throat a bit. All that crying made it hard for him to speak, yet he knew that he had to say this. After all, Matsuda was about to tell them something that was vital for their survival… namely Nathalie's words to them.
Trying to shake his grief away, Matsuda finally spoke up. This caused Issei to turn his attention away from whatever thoughts and plans he had for the succubus and focus on Matsuda instead.
"As I was saying, Nathalie told me… she couldn't be together with me anymore… because of the circumstances… kind of how Julie rejected Motohama…" Matsuda explained as neutrally as possible, though there remained a hint of sadness.
'Matsuda… You too?' Issei thought sadly. He just remembered back when Sally told him the same thing not too long ago. It seems like all the girls knew about the succubus.
"Anyway…" Matsuda sighed continuing where had left off. "…she told me… us… to get out of here as soon as possible… leave the facility. I tried to convince her but she was already fading away. She told me… *sob* that it was impossible for her to leave. She told me… *sob* to live on… she told me… how much she loved… me…" Matsuda broke down in tears again, burying his face into his hands. Issei went to comfort him, but before he could put a hand on his shoulder, he heard footsteps outside.
"GUYS! GUYS! WHERE ARE YOU!?" a voice shouted outside desperately. Issei and Matsuda perked up, since they recognized that voice.
"Motohama?" Issei said. He got up and went to the door, opening it. He found his friend in the hallway, panting heavily. It seemed like he was running for some reason, though what was he doing here? He told him to watch over Sally.
As they saw each other face to face, Motohama sighed in relief. He quickly went to Issei and into Nathalie's room, the first shutting the door behind him.
"Oh thank goodness!" Motohama exclaimed, as he calmed himself down. "I thought I was going to die alone out there!" He then noticed Matsuda's crying face.
"Hey, what's the matter, Matsuda?" Motohama asked worried. "Why are you crying? Did something happen?"
However, Issei got up to his face, before Motohama got an answer.
"Motohama! What are you doing here? I told you to stay in the dorm room and watch over Sally!" Issei told him. But Motohama was quick to reply.
"I'm sorry, man. But… Things are getting out of control here…" Motohama replied.
"What do you mean?" Issei demanded from Motohama.
"I mean… Oh well, I think I'll explain from the beginning. After you left, I did as you asked. I watched over Sally in your bed, but then she just vanished in a flash and…" before Motohama could finish, he was interrupted by a shocked and outraged Issei, who grabbed him by the shirt with his Boosted Gear.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'DISAPPEARED'!? HOW DID SHE DISAPPEAR? WAS IT THE SUCCUBUS AGAIN!?" Issei demanded dangerously. Motohama raised his hands in a panic to tell Issei to calm down.
"Yeah! It was! And she appeared right behind me, too… right after Sally vanished! She said she wanted to have sex with me before she killed me! I'm lucky to even be alive! I managed to knock her down before escaping! I had no other choice! You've got to believe me!" Motohama pleaded, causing Issei to let go of him. Issei went to the side of the bed and sank down despondently. He muttered quietly to himself in worry and frustration.
"First Nathalie… now Sally! All the wardens are disappearing one by one… Now that succubus is coming for us, too! On top of that she's appearing in person and attacking us… this just keeps getting worse!" Issei ranted quietly. Motohama looked at Issei in confusion, before he turned his face to Matsuda, who was no less shocked at what Motohama had just said.
"What was he talking about Nathalie and then Sally? Can you tell me what's going on?" Motohama asked his friend.
"Nathalie vanished in front of me… just like Sally did, apparently…" Matsuda explained.
Motohama widened his eyes, before looking at the still upset Issei. If Sally and Nathalie disappeared, then that means…
"I've got to go!" Motohama exclaimed, ready to storm out the door.
[Stop! Where do you think you are going?] Ddraig demanded, causing Motohama to stop.
"Where…? Isn't it obvious! I've got to stop that succubus from killing Julie and Monique! If they're still out there, then I can still…" Motohama tried to explain, but Ddraig cut him off.
[Don't! You're only putting yourself at risk by doing that! Besides, I think it's too late for them anyway. If the succubus wanted to take them out, then it probably already has, so running out there like a headless chicken with no plan or weapons is suicide. Now sit down!] Ddraig commanded him with a voice of seriousness that he had never heard the perverted dragon talk before. Thus, Motohama went towards the bed and sat down right between Issei and Matsuda.
[Now] Ddraig told the perverted trio. [Now that everyone has calmed down… Motohama. I want you to tell everyone what that important thing was that Nathalie told you.] Matsuda nodded at Ddraig's request.
"Uh, yeah… well… before Nathalie disappeared… she told me that the succubus is out to get us…" Matsuda said. Motohama then interrupted him.
"Wait, she knows about the succubus, too?" Motohama asked incredulously. Matsuda sighed. He did not feel like explaining things a second time – even more so if it is a heartbreak that involves his love life and on top of that happened just recently.
"Yeah… she does… unfortunately… Anyway…" Matsuda said quickly moving on. "…she told me to find you guys and tell you to find Yuusuke the prison guard by using the key Motohama has." Issei, Motohama and Ddraig couldn't help but frown to the advice Nathalie gave them.
"Wait. Why should we find Yuusuke… if the succubus is out to get us? I mean we could fight but seeing how dangerous that is… shouldn't we like… break out of prison or something instead?" Issei asked. The others expressed their agreement to what Issei said as well.
"Yeah… about that…" said Matsuda. "…Nathalie said that the only way out of this place is to open the door where Yuusuke is hiding in… breaking out of prison like in TV won't work, she said…" Now, the other three were confused.
"How does that make sense?" Motohama questioned skeptically. "Why should breaking out not work? I mean all we could do is to climb over the walls. I mean, it's not like the succubus has guards to stop us, right?" After Motohama voiced his opinion, Issei himself also had a metaphorical light bulb over his head.
"I know! Why don't we use the Dragon Shot to blast a hole into the wall?" Issei suggested. Motohama hit his fist in his open hand in approval.
"Yeah that's an even better idea!" Motohama exclaimed. However, Ddraig seemed to think differently.
[People, as much as I don't understand why Nathalie would say something like that I think it's best to follow her advice and find the door Yuusuke is hidden behind] Ddraig advised.
"But Ddrai-" Issei stared but was cut off by Ddraig.
[No buts! Nathalie must have given an advice like that for a reason. After all, she was working for the succubus at some point. Plus, even Julie seemed intent on helping you find Yuusuke. And even that hint screamed of something that needs to be done, right Motohama? You were the one who talked to Julie, so you should know best] Ddraig reasoned with Motohama, hoping to appeal to his sense of reason.
Motohama thought back. Julie did tell him to use the key to find Yuusuke (and use his nose, too) that can't be denied. Now why was that? Now that he thought of it, Julie knew just as much about the intentions of the succubus as Nathalie did. Therefore, if Nathalie hypothetically "knew" that the only way out was to find the right door with the poor victim Yuusuke, then that would mean that Julie would know that as well. Of course… It made sense…
"…then logically if one were to assume that both Nathalie and Julie were both suggesting the same solution – and both of them knew about the succubus's plan, the layout of the prison and possibly whatever traps and hijinks (if there should be any) may be around the detention facility – then what would mean… that finding Yuusuke… is a must…" Motohama accidently mumbled aloud to himself.
Ddraig couldn't help but applaud at Motohama's logical conclusion (not literally, he was in the Sacred Gear and thus couldn't really applaud).
[Well done… young one… I think you explained everyone very clearly on why finding the lost police driver Yuusuke is necessary] Ddraig said.
Motohama looked up in surprise and saw that everyone was paying attention to him.
"Ummm… Did I say it out loud?" Motohama blushed out of embarrassment.
"Yes, you did," Matsuda responded with a nod.
"You know… now that I think about it…" Issei spoke up. "There's something I should tell you guys about Sally told me." This caused everyone in the room to turn their attention to Issei now.
"What? What did she say, Issei?" Motohama asked intrigued.
"She told me – before she lost consciousness – that she, too, couldn't be with me forever just like you guys…" Issei told them, his face becoming a bit somber
"Huh… I guess we're all the same, aren't we?" Matsuda remarked.
"Yeah… I guess we really are destined to be a trio of friends…" Motohama added.
Issei nodded in agreement. "Yeah… except that someone here lost his virginity here ahead of us!" Issei looked at Matsuda with a small glare. Matsuda was taken aback by Issei's retort but to his relief didn't pursue the matter and continued with his story.
"Anyway… Sally told me that she and the others weren't really wardens," Issei explained.
"Huh?" "Really?" Matsuda and Motohama asked respectively.
[Indeed] Ddraig continued. [She was pointing out that the facility is way too good to be true, for instance the food, the quality of education and the wardens themselves… they're too good to be true. Plus, haven't any of you noticed that a facility like this only has the three of you as inmates?]
Matsuda and Motohama rubbed their chins in a detective-like manner and thought about what Ddraig said for a while.
"That's right… to be honest, the food here was better than I imagined it to be… and even I thought us being the only inmates was… kind of weird," Matsuda remarked.
"Yeah… to be honest everything about this prison is better than I had expected… So, I guess you're right…" Motohama added.
"Exactly!" Issei affirmed. "When I asked what she was trying to tell us we were interrupted by the succubus. Sally told me to get to safety, before she fell unconscious. I managed to sniff out the succubus from the distance. She was the one who did this to Sally!" Issei said grimly, his teeth gnashing in anger. Issei clenched the Boosted Gear into a fist as well, trembling as he thought back on how he left her behind. If only he could have carried her with him, then this would not have happened!
Matsuda and Motohama just cowered in fear because of Issei's intimidating aura.
[Partner!] Ddraig called out. [Being worked up about it won't solve out, so calm down…]
Issei looked at the Boosted Gear, then at his frightened friends. He calmed down and loosened his fist.
"Sorry, guys…" Issei apologized. Matsuda and Motohama, having calmed down now, nodded their heads in acknowledgement.
[People. I am not sure what she was trying to say, but I'm pretty sure she was trying to say that this facility is not a normal facility] Ddraig told them.
The others just looked at the Boosted Gear with a deadpanned look.
"Uh… duh! I think that's clear to everyone…" Matsuda replied.
"No offense, Ddraig, but… a place like this with pretty girls and top-quality facilities and what-not is definitely out of the norm – in a good way! Even though there is a succubus haunting this place, trying to kill us…" Issei remarked.
[You misunderstand. Yes, this place is all the things you just said. What I am trying to say is that there is more to this facility than meets the eye…] Ddraig explained, causing the perverted trio to look at the Boosted Gear with questioning looks.
"What do you mean? I don't quite understand…" Issei asked.
"Yeah. What do you mean by that? Could you be more specific?" Motohama requested.
[I don't know!] Ddraig replied annoyed at first, then showing a sense of unease. [Something about this facility gives off the feeling that… something about this place… doesn't feel right… I don't know what it is… but whatever it is, I feel like… this facility is more than just hijacked or even controlled by the succubus.] The perverted trio widened their eyes in shock at what they heard.
"Controlled!" Matsuda expressed in surprise.
"Ddraig, are you sure?" Issei asked worried.
"I hope not! If what you're saying is true, then…" Motohama said as he looked around in worry. "…I'm not even sure we might be able to get out of here alive!"
[Calm down everyone. As I said, I don't know. The only way how we can solve the mystery is by finding Yuusuke. So, let's get ready] Ddraig said his voice brimming with determination and a bit of excitement. [We're on a body hunt and we're not stopping until we find that body!]
Issei, Matsuda and Motohama just dropped a sweat at what Ddraig said.
"""You sound so weird…""" they responded in unison.
[Hey, no it doesn't! Those are the words of true adventurers!] Ddraig insisted.
"Yeah… whatever…" Motohama replied. "Anyway, speaking of going out and finding him. What are we going to do when we come across the succubus along the way? The last time she managed sneak up from behind me and… uh… well it doesn't matter…" Motohama's flustered behavior seemed a bit suspicious for Issei and Matsuda, but they decided to let it be and let their friend continue talking.
"…She did so right after making Sally disappear. I couldn't even sense her coming from behind. Luckily, she was only toying with me, however after beating her up the last time… I don't think she'll be so kind the next time we meet…" Motohama shuddered at the narrow escape he had with the predatory supernatural creature (even though he had to admit that having her boobs pressed against his back did feel good for a bit back there).
"Well one thing is for sure," Issei responded. He lifted up his hand in front of them and raised his index finger. "First things first! We need to follow the advice Julie gave Motohama. We check out every door, sniff out Yuuskue's body and then we open the right door with the key Julie gave us. Motohama, do you still have it?"
Motohama fumbled in his pants pockets to see whether he still had it. Thankfully, he managed to find it and pulled it out.
"There. Here it is, guys," Motohama said, as he showed everyone the key in question.
"Good," Issei nodded. "Ddraig and I are capable of sniffing out Yuusuke's body with our noses, so no problem there. Now we need to find out a strategy on how we are going to check out every door."
"Umm… we just open the doors one by one, right?" Motohama asked confused by what Issei was trying to say.
"No, doofus! He's probably asking in what order we are going to open the doors, like all the doors on the first floor and then all the doors on the second one," Matsuda corrected Motohama.
"Exactly," Issei confirmed Matsuda's explanation. "I think we'll even go with Matsuda's plan and then go to the ground floor, if there are no objections of course," Issei looked around to see if anyone would object. None of them did, making the brunette smile as a result.
"Good. We're making progress. Now, all that's left is to find a way how to fight off the succubus. I may have the Boosted Gear to fight her off, but you two do not. So… any ideas?" Issei asked the two obviously weakest members of the perverted quartet.
Matsuda and Motohama were troubled. Indeed, fighting the succubus the way they are is suicide. Like Motohama said earlier, he got lucky before but this time the succubus won't hold back.
Matsuda and Motohama thought furiously, they needed to find some kind of strategy or some kind of weapon that they could use against it… But what?
They looked around and then laid their eyes on certain objects around the room. Motohama laid his eyes on the blanket he was sitting on and Matsuda glanced at the curtains.
"Issei. Move," Motohama simply said to Issei. Issei was surprised at what he was demanding, but quickly complied. Issei watched as his friend took the blanket, while discovering that Matsuda was tugging at the curtains. It seemed like those were their weapons of choice.
"Issei, help me take down those curtains," Matsuda told Issei. Issei did so and the wooden pole holding the curtains came crashing down. All three of them flinched from the crash, but Matsuda recovered and quickly removed the loops of the curtain from the pole as good as he could. He did have some trouble removing them from the ends, so he asked Issei for help.
Issei on the other hand gestured Matsuda and Motohama to hold on for a moment.
"Guys, what are you two doing?" Issei asked the two of them.
"We're trying to make our own weapons," Motohama replied.
"Yeah, and right now the covers and the pole are the next best things to a weapon here," Matsuda added.
Issei didn't know what to say. Granted, that was true… but… will this really be enough? Issei pondered on what to do. The blanket, the curtain and the wooden pole might prove useful for self-defense (it's still better than nothing). However, the question now they had to figure out how to use it properly.
[Partner] Ddraig spoke to him after reading his thoughts (they are connected to each other after all). [I think I've got some pointers on how to use it.]
Issei, Matsuda and Motohama perked up and decided to hear what Ddraig had to say. What followed was an exchange of ideas Motohama and Matsuda originally had (including how Motohama used a blanket on the succubus the last time to get away). Ddraig also told of his plan and thus they were ready to set out.
14th September, Friday, about 10:29 pm – Outskirts of Kuoh, Sakabasu Detention Facility, 1st floor
The perverted quartet of Issei, Ddraig, Matsuda and Motohama were walking down the hallway with their "weapons" ready.
Matsuda was carrying the 1,5-meter-long pole on his left shoulder and the curtain covers on his right arm. Motohama carried a blanket with him ready to throw it on the succubus when the time comes. Finally, Issei had the Boosted Gear, of course – a gauntlet that allowed him to double his power every ten seconds, ready to smash it into the succubus. If that didn't work, he could use the Dragon Shot – a powerful beam that can obliterate walls (for example).
The problem of the Dragon Shot was using it properly. Issei only managed to use it at least once, so he had yet to get the hang of it. Issei was getting worried – and so were Matsuda and Motohama – but Ddraig told them not to get too stressed for getting panicked would only work against them.
And so, they decided to have Motohama try to open every door. If it opened just like that they would all look inside to see if anything was suspicious and if not, then Motohama would use his key. None of the locked doors would open, so they would move on to the next.
The others would look around and keep guard to make sure the succubus didn't ambush them from behind. Issei in particular used his nose to sniff out the succubus. Thankfully, there was no sign of it, so they moved on to the next door and the next door. Some doors opened without the key and naturally didn't have Yuusuke in them. Others were locked and couldn't be opened.
Eventually they finished checking all the doors on the floor with no success. Motohama turned around and looked at the others with a hint of fatigue.
"That's all the doors on this floor. Man, I'm pooped," Motohama stated, wiping the sweat away from his forehead.
"Yeah! There are quite a lot of doors here… I hope we get to find that police driver pretty soon because," Matsuda remarked.
"Indeed… I think we've gone through forty doors or so here. I just wonder what those rooms are here for…" Issei commented, leading Matsuda to look at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Umm… maybe to keep more inmates?" Matsuda said. "I mean, a lot of those rooms are bed rooms after all."
Issei just dropped a sweat and rubbed his head in embarrassment. "Ahahaha… Well… that's true…"
[If you're done talking, I suggest we check out the doors on the second floor next] Ddraig advised the perverted trio.
The others threw the Boosted Gear a glare.
"Yeah, yeah… Don't rush us, Ddraig," Issei said annoyed, as the three of them walked towards the staircase at the other end of the hall.
While there Issei left out a sigh. Matsuda and Motohama noticed that and looked at curiously.
"Hey, what's the matter, man? Are you worried about having to fight the succubus? I know I am. At least you have Ddraig on your arm and we only have some blankets and a pole," Matsuda said, as he lifted up the curtain covers first and then the pole.
"No, it's not that… It's just something about what I learned about Yuusuke when that police officer came here the other day…" Issei spoke, as he looked into the distance impassively. Motohama raised his eyebrows in confusion.
"What police officer? And when did it happen?" Motohama asked.
"I think I told you once, didn't I?" Issei replied, turning to face Motohama. "You know… the time when I went for the bathroom and I discovered Monique talking to the police officer…"
"Ahh…" Motohama voiced, as he remembered what Issei was talking about.
"As I was saying… I told you back then that Yuusuke was the police officer's older brother, right?" Issei asked the two of them. Both of them nodded their heads.
"Well, I was thinking just how sad he looked… about his brother being missing… So I was thinking… how are we going to tell him… and the rest of his family the sad news?" Issei asked.
Matsuda and Motohama looked at Issei mildly surprised. Come to think of it Issei was right… Yuusuke was a human being with family and friends just like them. Yeah, telling them about the news if they were able to is something they had to do as human beings.
Speaking of which, Issei had lost his parents… people who were close to him… people who loved him… right before his eyes! At least for Issei he knew they were dead, but… not so for Yuusuke…
'Issei…' Matsuda thought sadly. '…when you thought of Yuusuke… you were thinking about his family and yourself, weren't you?'
Matsuda and Motohama looked at Issei's face, which was still impassive, yet… sad at the same time… though with a hint of determination.
A determination… to find Yuusuke… and take down the succubus!
Motohama and then Matsuda looked at their friend with a warm smile on their faces. Together they were going to find that poor guy Yuusuke and get out of here.
As they approached the end of the hallway towards the staircase Issei and Ddraig sensed something soming from behind them, while Motohama make a remark.
"I just hope we don't come across the succubus any time soo-"
WW91IGhhdmUgcmVjZWl2ZWQgb25lIG1lc3NhZ2U6
"Uhh… Can you hear me?"
What!?
VGhvc2UgYXJlIGFsbCB0aGUgbWVzc2FnZXMu
"Everybody down to the ground!" Issei called out to his friends, as he whirled around to fire the charged beam at something behind them.
They ducked quickly and Issei fired.
[Dragon Shot!]
The beam fired, the heat seared through the hallway and tore through the wall at the other end of the hallway.
Issei saw a shadow that jumped out of the way just a few meters behind Matsuda and Motohama. That shadow jumped towards Issei, catching Issei by surprise.
"Oof!" Issei let out, as the shadow pounced on him, leading to Issei lying on the ground with no one else on top of him other than...
"The succubus!" Issei exclaimed, as he looked up at the angered succubus. He may not have seen her before, but judging by her ability to dodge his Dragon Shot and her curve-showing outfit, she logically had to be the succubus.
'Quite sexy…' Issei had to admit. 'But less so, if she is a man-eating creature!'
Issei tried to pry her off him, but the succubus grabbed his face with her left arm and shoved him unto the ground.
"You little brats!" the livid succubus shouted. "I've waited long enough for this moment… and I will not have some human brats take away what rightfully belongs to me!"
"Tell me…" Issei said during his struggle. "…what did you do to Sally and Nathalie…?"
"Worried about them, eh?" the succubus replied haughtily. "Oh, you don't have to worry. You'll be joining them soon enough – in the afterlife!"
Issei gritted his teeth in anger at what the succubus said. He tried to get her hand off his face, but her grip was too strong.
"UGH!" the succubus gave out, as she fell sideways.
It turns out that Matsuda had just used the curtain pole to hit her across the head, thus allowing Issei to get up.
"That was for Nathalie, you b****!" Matsuda exclaimed angrily. He went over to Issei to help him up.
"Thanks, man!" Issei said as he smiled at Matsuda and got up.
The succubus on the other hand was furiously clutching her head in pain.
"You… will pay!" the succubus growled at Issei and Matsuda. She readied a magical orb in her hand.
[Partner, watch out!] Ddraig warned Issei. [That orb is dangerous! If you get hit, you might not love to see the next day! If you boost your powers, you might have a chance against it.]
Issei nodded and sure enough, the Boosted Gear kicked in.
[Boost!]
Issei's power doubled, but it would take another ten seconds till his strength doubled again. Until then…
The succubus had already charged her orb to the desire strength and was about to fire it on the two humans before her.
Thankfully, that never came to be.
"BLANKET THROW!" Motohama shouted from the side, just outside the succubus's view range.
She turned and saw the crumpled, heavy blanket fly towards her and wasted no time throwing her orb towards it. The blanket was incinerated and the hallway just received more damage from the exploding orb that crashed into the ceiling further away.
Motohama managed to escape unharmed, thanks to his quick ducking skills.
"You think the same trick would work twice?" the succubus asked Motohama angrily. She was ready to create another orb and fire it. But because she was focusing all her attention on the cowering Motohama, she neglected the other two of the perverted trio, one of whom was running towards the succubus.
"YAAAHHH!" Issei yelled, as he threw a punch at the succubus.
The succubus was too late to dodge and was thus, to her surprise, punched into the wall with a yelp. The impact of the punch left her lumped against the wall and dazed.
"Come on, you guys! Let's roll!" Issei called, as he rallied the other two. They both ran over and were starting to punch and kick her.
The succubus, who was lying on the floor, was trying to block the punches and kicks, but to no avail, until…
[Everybody back! Now!] Ddraig commanded the perverted trio. They obeyed just in time, jumping back as they did, to see the succubus throw some gray smoke, which obscured their view.
[Stay away from it! This kind of smoke is meant not only for escape!] Ddraig warned them again.
"What is it for?" Issei asked Ddraig.
[This gas is also meant for illusions and putting people to sleep! I suggest you get rid of it!] Ddraig told Issei.
"Got it!" Issei replied, as he steadied his hand for another Dragon Shot.
[Dragon Shot!]
The beam shot forth and cleared the smoke before hitting the wall. It left a hole in the wall just beneath the staircase. However, the succubus herself was gone.
"Where did she go?" Matsuda asked, as he, Motohama and Issei looked around themselves.
[She's gone] Ddraig replied. [She probably used that smoke to gain herself a tactical retreat. However, she'll be back. So, I advise you three to stay on your guards.]
The three of them nodded. Issei then looked at Matsuda and Motohama.
"Thanks, you two. If it wasn't for you, I'm not sure I would have survived for long," Issei thanked his friends. Matsuda and Motohama chuckled shyly and rubbed the back of their heads in response.
"Oh, please… It was nothing. Ehehe…" Matsuda chuckled.
"Besides, without your Sacred Gear and Ddraig we would all be dead," Motohama said.
"Well that's true. However, you threw that blanket on that succubus. That saved our lives back there," Issei replied.
"Yeah… though now that I think about it… The succubus disintegrated it. Now I don't have anything to defend ourselves against…" Motohama said with concern.
[You can always find some other kind of weapon on the way] Ddraig told Motohama. [For now, we will check the second floor.]
Everyone nodded, though Motohama still was concerned.
"I still wonder what kind of object I should choose," Motohama insisted.
Issei, Ddraig and Matsuda thought for a while and looked around them. After a few seconds they found an object of interest.
"Hey, hey, Motohama! I've got the perfect choice for you!" Issei exclaimed excited, as he pointed at a certain object.
14th September, Friday, about 10:38 pm – Outskirts of Kuoh, Sakabasu Detention Facility, 2nd floor
The perverted quartet had just reached the end of staircase on the second floor. They were looking around wearily for any possible attacker. Motohama on the other hand was too busy complaining.
"OK, this is ridiculous!" Motohama complained, as he carried a portrait of a ridiculous dancing lion with a tutu under his left arm.
"What? It's the best we could find!" Issei replied.
"If you don't like it you could always take the lamp that was near the painting," Matsuda joked. This earned Motohama a small frown.
"Haha… Very funny!" Motohama replied sarcastically.
[Focus, people… Remember the drill] Ddraig reminded the perverted trio.
"Yeah, yeah… we know…" Issei answered nonchalantly. The others nodded as well, before they got to work.
Issei was sniffing for any unusual scents with his dragon nose, Motohama temporarily laid aside his improvised portrait weapon and was checking the doors and rooms once again, while Matsuda had Motohama's back and kept watch for the succubus (brandishing his make-shift staff at the same time).
While Motohama was checking out the doors and trying out the locks with his key, the three of them were conversing with each other once again.
"Say, Matsuda?" Issei spoke up.
"Hmm?" Matsuda responded. He turned his face towards Issei, while taking a break from guarding the hallway.
"How are you holding up… you know… after what happened to Nathalie?" Issei asked cautiously.
"Oh…" Matsuda responded, his face receiving a saddened look. "Well, I guess… What about you?"
Issei looked at Matsuda in surprise. He didn't expect that question. Nonetheless, he managed to find a response.
"I'm fine, too… I guess," Issei responded. Suddenly, the atmosphere seemed to get awkward between the two perverts. Losing the loves of their lives to what seems to be an uncertain death was not an easy subject to talk about. Inwardly, Matsuda was still grieving for the loss of Nathalie. The memories of her fading away, while saying her last words was still hard for him. It was a miracle that Matsuda was able to hide his grief so well.
The same went for Issei. Unlike, Matsuda, he never saw Sally disappear. In a way, that made it harder for him when he found out what happened to her from Motohama. Issei gritted his teeth. That succubus… was going to pay…
Motohama looked at the two of them and tried to find a way to break the awkward silence. He thought for a few seconds, until he found something.
"Guys, uhh…" Motohama said, getting his friends' attention. "…Why don't we move on to the next door… and… uhh… I wonder what happened to Julie and Monique… I hope they are ok…" Motohama said awkwardly, as he moved to the next door.
Matsuda and Issei looked at Motohama quizzically, but decided nonetheless to engage in conversation with him.
"Yeah… I hope that, too…" Issei replied.
"Yeah, I just hope we can find them before the succubus does, in case she hasn't done that first…" Matsuda added.
Hearing this reply, Issei started wondering about something in that regard.
"I wonder where they could be hiding…" Issei mused. Matsuda looked at him with a slight frown.
"Up here… maybe downstairs… I don't know… how am I supposed to know?" Matsuda responded. Issei frowned back himself.
"Well, I wasn't asking you. I was just talking to myself…" Issei said annoyed. Matsuda clicked his tongue in annoyance, as the three of them moved to the next door.
"You know guys, I just realized something," Motohama spoke up, as he tried (unsuccessfully) to open the next door. This piqued Ddraig's, Issei's and Matsuda's interest.
[What? Did you find something about the police officer's whereabouts?] Ddraig asked.
"No…" Motohama responded, much to everyone's disappointment. "…I was just wondering how that succubus managed to sneak behind us all this time."
This statement caused their disappointment to turn into a sort of intrigue. Yeah, now that they thought of it, the last time the succubus attacked them, she was able to approach them almost undetected. What makes it worse, is that the succubus can attack from their blind spots. Truly, such creature cannot be underestimated.
"That is a legitimate concern," Matsuda said, looking all around him as a precaution. "The only way anybody could do something like that, is if they had full knowledge of the facility and knew where to hide."
[You're right, but it's not only that] Ddraig said. [To carry out something like that one must be fully capable to erase one's presence and go everywhere, anytime. Hiding in the facility is one thing, but erasing one's presence is quite another.]
Motohama raised his eyebrows quizzically. "Huh? I don't get it."
Ddraig sighed at Motohama's incomprehension, yet nonetheless, complied to answer him.
[Hiding, like hiding behind a wall for example, is one way of preventing people from discovering you. However, if one is able to sense the energy of living beings like I am, then one may be able to hide, but not necessarily erase one's presence] Ddraig explained to Motohama.
"So… how do you think that succubus was able to do that?" Motohama asked curiously, as he went to the next door to check (which had nothing of any importance inside).
[I don't know. It could have been able to raise a shield of some kind to mask its aura and scent. However, if I were to guess, I think it uses a combination of masking its aura and teleportation] Ddraig explained further.
Issei, Matsuda and Motohama gulped. An enemy that can hide and teleport anywhere and anytime it likes? This was going to be tough…
[That is why you must be careful. Keep your eyes open, for this kind of enemy loves to prey on its prey via ambush. It's a low tactic, yet effective. So again: Keep your eyes open and your weapons ready at all times] Ddraig ordered them.
The perverted quartet (minus Ddraig) nodded, as they moved from door to door.
They looked around wearier than usual, as they expected the succubus to appear behind them any second now. They did not want to be caught off guard. Honestly, they were lucky the last time the succubus attacked them. They weren't so sure when she might attack the next time.
While Motohama was checking out the doors (still no success by the way), Matsuda suddenly had an idea.
"Hey, Issei!" Matsuda said.
"Yeah, what's up?" Issei replied.
"Can you try using that Dragon Shot attack again?" Matsuda requested.
Issei and Motohama looked at Matsuda with a flabbergasted look on their faces because of the request.
"Are you crazy!?" Motohama exclaimed upon hearing Matsuda's request. "Why would you want to use it now?"
Matsuda raised his hands up in reassurance. "I know. I know. It sounds like a crazy idea, but hear me out, OK?"
Issei and Motohama didn't say anything, thus signaling Matsuda to continue.
"OK, what I had in mind was to use the Dragon Shot to get a good idea on how powerful it can get and how well you…" Matsuda pointed at Issei. "…can use it. Besides, it's also good for practice."
Issei scratched his head, pondering for a while on how to respond. Ddraig managed to speak up first.
[Partner, I have to admit. That's not such a bad idea] Ddraig said much to Motohama's surprise.
"But wait a minute!" Motohama protested, as he finished checking one of the last doors on the second floor. "You've seen how much damage that Dragon Shot attack did downstairs. What if the whole building collapses because of it?"
[That is a possibility…] Ddraig answered. […However, if Issei here practices lowering the volume and power of the Dragon Shot we might actually have a better chance of lowering the damage any future attack might cause.]
Despite Ddraig's attempts to persuade Motohama, he nevertheless remained unconvinced.
"No way! What if Issei does a wrong move and destroys the whole place?" Motohama argued.
"It's certainly worth a try," Matsuda replied. Then Ddraig spoke to his host.
[Partner, charge up a beam. Make sure that you don't put all your power behind the Dragon Shot, but instead imagine a narrow piercing beam and then shoot] Ddraig told Issei.
"You mean like Piccolo's 'Special Beam Cannon'?" Issei questioned.
[I'm not sure what that is, but if it fits the description then why not] Ddraig replied with sigh. Even though Ddraig knew about Dragon Ball (I just picked the original name, since I didn't feel like using the Canon version's name "Drag-So Ball" or something like that) he didn't know much but figured out Issei had the right idea.
Issei lifted up the Boosted Gear and aimed it towards the end of the hallway. However, Motohama put his hand on the Boosted Gear in order to make him stop.
"Don't do it, man! You'll endanger our lives!" Motohama warned him urgently. Matsuda jumped into the fray to remove his arm.
"Leave him! Let him try!" Matsuda told his friend. But since neither Motohama nor Matsuda were willing to back down, it turned into a struggle for Issei's arm as it was pulled here and there.
"Let go!" Motohama demanded.
"You let him go!" Matsuda insisted.
Poor Issei tried to break free from the two of them, while trying to maintain his concentration and making sure not to fire it prematurely.
"Guys! Stop it! Both of you!" Issei told them, trying to wriggle free from his squabbling friends but to no avail.
[All of you stop!] Ddraig commanded them. That too did not help either.
And so, the three of them were tussling and struggling (they laid aside their improvised weapons on the ground to do so) for Issei gauntleted arm until…
"Whoa!" Issei gave out, as he tripped over Motohama's legs during the struggle and fell backwards.
Everything seemed to be going in slow-motion, as Matsuda, Motohama and Ddraig looked on in horror as the Boosted Gear… was ready to discharge its beam!
"OH, CRAP!"
"OH, F***!"
[Partner!]
Matsuda, Motohama and Ddraig were all shouting at Issei in a panic. Issei fell on his back, so that his arm accidently aimed towards the ceiling at a 45-degree angle from the ground. Then…
[Dragon Shot!]
The beam shot out. To everyone's surprise, the Dragon Shot was a narrow piercing beam with a 10-centimeter diameter – not like the normal Dragon Shot, which was almost as bis as the hallway.
But more surprising…
"GAAHH!"
A dreadful scream rang through the air, as the beam hit the ceiling. At first, Issei thought that someone was one the roof. However, then a bloody severed arm fell from out of nowhere right in front of Issei's eyes. Where that arm came from, Issei would find out in a matter of seconds.
The succubus fell down to the ground with her left arm missing, screaming in agony, as she clutched her armless stump in agony.
Everyone stood (except Issei who was on the floor, of course) there dumbfounded. Not only did Issei managed to create the narrow Dragon Shot and so avoid any needless death and destruction, but he also managed to take the succubus's arm as well!
Issei scrambled to get up after his surprise and prepared another Dragon Shot to finish off the succubus. But the succubus was faster, although she could have easily attacked him with magic of her own, charging for another attack was painful (and would take too long as well). Instead, she decided to use her smoke again, disappearing once again as Issei maintained his distance from the smoke.
[Partner, the same Dragon Shot! Again!] Ddraig instructed Issei. Issei focused once again, imagining the same shot as before and then fires, succeeding once again. The succubus's smoke disappeared after being evaporated by the intensity of the Dragon Shot's heat once again.
After that, Issei wiped his sweat from his brow.
"Whew! That was a close call!" Issei said relieved.
"Yeah! I didn't even see her coming," Motohama commented with a shudder.
"Me too. Man, it's scary to think that she could appear anywhere at any time!" Matsuda agreed.
[Yes, but you know what is even more dangerous? Engaging in a tussle for the Boosted Gear while it's charging! What were you thinking! You were lucky that the Dragon Shot hit the succubus and not any of you!] Ddraig scolded them.
""Sorry…"" Matsuda and Motohama replied, looking downwards in shame.
[Well, it's all right] Ddraig said, letting this one slide just this once. [To be honest, even I didn't see the succubus coming. Your tussle may have actually saved our lives, so I guess your foolishness did some good.]
Matsuda and Motohama just rubbed their heads in embarrassment nonetheless.
[Partner, that Dragon Shot was fantastic. Keep it up!] Ddraig remarked. Issei blushed a bit because of the flattery.
"It's nothing great… I'm still learning… ehehe…" Issei brushed it off humbly.
Suddenly, they were interrupted by a pitter-patter from the roof and the marks that were staining the floor right beneath the hole Issei's Dragon Shot had created.
"Ah, man!" Motohama complained.
"It's raining!" Matsuda complained as well.
"It's pouring!" Issei complained next.
The old man is snoring, He went to bed and bumped his head and couldn't get up in the morning.
?
"Ddraig are you trolling us again?" Issei asked.
[Huh? What are you talking about?] Ddraig asked confused. Matsuda and Motohama looked at the Boosted Gear critically.
"Don't play coy with us. You just took everything we said just now and turned it into a nursery rhyme!" Motohama said annoyed.
[People, I'm serious. I didn't say anything] Ddraig insisted.
"Well, then who did?" Matsuda asked skeptically.
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"What was that?" Issei looked around wearily.
"Do you think it was the succubus?" Matsuda asked.
[For some reason I don't think so. I mean after losing an arm and escaping there's no way the succubus is able to do something like this… not for the moment at least] Ddraig said.
The perverted trio looked at the bloody arm that was still lying on the ground, before nodding their head in agreement. But if the neither Ddraig nor the succubus said that… then… what did?
"Guys," Motohama spoke up, gaining the attention of his comrades. "Do you think… that the succubus may have someone else helping her?"
The others widened their eyes in shock.
"You… you might be right!" Issei agreed.
"Yeah, it would make sense. Who knows what else might be out here," Matsuda added.
[Anyway, whatever it was. There is no point sitting here and thinking about it for the moment. I suggest we look through the remaining doors on this floor before heading down the ground floor. I don't like it here, so the sooner we find Yuusuke, the less likely we have to deal with this supernaturally infested facility and whatever foes are here as well] Ddraig told the trio.
All three immediately nodded, picked up their weapons and quickly checked the remaining doors. Again, no Yuusuke was found here, so they all hurried back to the staircase.
14th September, Friday, about 10:56 pm – Outskirts of Kuoh, Sakabasu Detention Facility, hallway on the ground floor
The perverted quartet was walking down the familiar hallway where the classrooms are. It was dark and the rain outside was intense. Yet the hallway itself was spooky compared to the upper hallways. It probably had to be because the lights were off here, while the lights were on upstairs. So, the perverted quartet…
"OK, who's calling us 'perverted quartet'?"
…tried to switch on the light, but to no avail. Although, they… Huh?
[Yes. Whoever it is don't lump me together with a mere human trio. I, one of the Heavenly Dragon Emperors, am far beyond such a trio.]
Huh? Hey, wait a…
"Shut your mouth, Ddraig! You're very much a part of us – especially me. And don't even try to deny all the perverted remarks you made about us in the past."
[Sigh… And that's probably the saddest part of it all… Being stuck with a bunch of boob fetishists] Ddraig sighed in fatigue.
""SHUT YOUR MOUTH, YOU PERVY OLD DRAGON!""
WILL YOU LET ME FINISH!? HOW ON EARTH CAN YOU GUYS EVEN HEAR ME AND…? You know what? Forget it!
*Sigh* Where was I? Oh, yes…
Although they knew the drill, all four of them were getting tired. Having non-working lights didn't make things easier.
"When will this stop?" Motohama groaned.
"Yeah, this is getting boring!" Matsuda complained.
"Keep it together, guys!" Issei encouraged them. "We just have this floor left and then we will find Yuusuke."
"I know, but… can we just skip the classrooms? I mean, there's no way any corpse would be hidden in there," Motohama argued tired.
"Agreed. Can we skip those?" Matsuda said wearily.
Issei seemed to think for a moment before he asked Ddraig.
"What do you think, Ddraig?" Issei asked the Red Dragon Emperor.
[I'd say we'll skip the classrooms. What Motohama said, makes sense…] Ddraig reasoned.
"Good," Motohama sighed in relief. "Then that's settled. Let's start with the room over there," he pointed at the door at the end of the hallway. Before they could start walking Ddraig halted them.
[Wait. I think I've got a better idea. Partner, sniff out the area with your nose] Ddraig told Issei.
"What?" Issei asked with a raised eyebrow.
[Remember what Julie said about sniffing out the right room? Or in other words… sniffing out Yuusuke's body?] Ddraig clarified.
"Hasn't he been doing that already?" Matsuda asked confused.
[In a way, yes. But Issei hasn't been using it to its fullest potential. Dragons have strong noses. They can smell at great distances – even miles away. So, I've been thinking… Try that instead. That way we can save all that walking and checking] Ddraig suggested.
"OK… I'll give it a try," Issei said. He closed his eyes, as he focused hard. When sniffing with dragonized nose, it felt like he was moving through the facility, like a ghost flying through the hallway – except in smell only. Issei wondered why he didn't do that before.
'Seriously, I am an idiot. We should have done that from the beginning and saved us the trouble of walking around and checking all the doors,' Issei thought. 'Then again, I guess I have to make it a habit to use this draconic nose.'
Issei concentrated as well as he could, coming across all kinds of scents like his buddies' sweaty bodies ('Ugh!' Issei thought), the smell of the stuffy wooden class rooms, the smell of food in the kitchen (he thought it remarkable that he was able to smell them) and finally the uncomfortable smell of a smelly, moist area that Issei had never smelled before.
Issei wrinkled his nose in disgust. His other two buddies noticed this.
"Did you find him, Issei?" Matsuda asked.
I don't know… All I could find is… some kind of area that smells like it hasn't been cleaned in years… ugh!" Issei said in disgust.
"Great! Now we're getting somewhere," Motohama exclaimed joyfully.
"So… where is it?" Matsuda asked with anticipation.
Issei didn't reply. Instead, he faced in a certain direction and then walked towards it. The others followed suit. They went here and there moving through hallways until they came towards the end of one particular hallway on the other side of where they were.
In this area were two doors, one at the end of the hallway and another to the end of an extension of the hallway that branched off to the right. Issei, Matsuda and Motohama were getting excited as they looked at both of the doors. They were near. They knew it. Now they were consulting which door to take.
[Hmm… Judging by the doors there do not seem to be any keyholes… so those can't be the doors to this key…] Ddraig commented. Matsuda, Issei and Motohama looked in shock.
"What? You mean to say this is a dead end?" Matsuda asked incredulously.
"Do you mean to say that Issei's sense of smell was wrong?" Motohama asked desperately.
Issei gulped. He just followed the most suspicious smell he could… Was that really the wrong lead?
[I didn't say that] Ddraig clarified. [In fact, I believe that right now, we're on the right track. Just… I feel like that there's more behind those doors than I thought.]
The three teenagers looked at the doors. They weren't sure what was behind those doors, but the only way to find that out… was by opening them.
Issei stepped forward. He reached his hand for the door directly in front of them. His heart was beating wild over the excitement and fear of what lay behind these doors. Before his hand reached the doorknob, suddenly Issei and the others heard a noise coming from the door on the right – like something was charging up. He knew that sound…
"EVERYONE GET AWAY!" Issei shouted, before jumping away – just when the door was blasted to smithereens by a destructive magical orb that narrowly missed Issei. Matsuda and Motohama also managed to back off, as the orb blew up the wall near them. The explosion threw all three of them away from the door and unto the cold floor.
The three of them looked in horror for they knew who the culprit behind the attack.
"Come on! I thought her arm was blown off! Shouldn't she be recovering!?" Matsuda exclaimed in agitation, as he stood up, brandishing his make-shift staff.
"This wench doesn't know when to give up!" Motohama got up as well and raised his make-shift portrait shield.
Issei also stood up and started boosting.
[Boost!] Issei's power doubled instantly.
As the dust subsided, the succubus appeared with her arm still missing and her teeth gritted in anger.
"YOU… LITTLE… BRATS! I'LL KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" the succubus shouted, as she charged for another orb.
Issei reacted quickly. Seeing her at only four meters distance, he used the short distance to his advantage to launch a punch with his gauntlet. However, the succubus was faster and kicked Issei in the face, making him fall backwards.
""ISSEI!"" Matsuda and Motohama shouted in horror at their friend being injured.
"JUST DIE, PREY!" the succubus shouted, as she finished charging her orb, ready to end Issei's life. Issei winced in pain, before he looked in horror as the orb was seconds away from being unleashed.
[Partner, get up!] Ddraig shouted.
Issei didn't move. He stood there frozen, convinced that this was the end. He could have died, if Matsuda hadn't acted. Matsuda shouted, as he charged, raising his staff to hit her once again.
However, the succubus seemed to have learned from last time and moved her arm to suddenly aim at Matsuda instead.
"FINE, YOU CAN DIE FIRST!" the livid succubus shouted, as she fired her orb.
"GET DOWN, NOW!" Motohama yelled the split-second the succubus fired her orb.
Matsuda, as if on reflex, threw himself on the ground. Motohama, being no idiot, practiced what he preached and did the same.
"DAMN YOU!" the succubus cursed. How long would these persistent humans defy her? She wanted them dead for making her lose her arm and they will die!
Seeing that the succubus had used up her shot and was distracted for a few seconds, Issei tried to get up and boost once again.
[Boost!] His power doubled once again.
Hearing the sound of the Boosted Gear, caused the succubus to focus her attention on Issei once more. She stepped on Issei's torso with her high-heels, causing him to cry out in pain.
"YOU IMBECILE!" she cursed, as she tried to crush Issei with her heel. Issei tried to wrench her off him but couldn't because of her strength.
Matsuda rushed at the succubus once more with his pole raised. The succubus gave him a quick round-house kick, causing Matsuda to hit his face against the wall. That kick left Matsuda dazed.
Unfortunately for the succubus, she couldn't recover from her kick fast enough because Motohama followed up from behind Matsuda and raised up the portrait of the ridiculous dancing lion.
[WHACK!] The side of the portrait hit her square in the face… or would have it wasn't for the succubus's only arm, blocking off the portrait just in time and sending Motohama an evil glare.
Motohama widened his eyes in shock at this, he tried to hit her again. But the succubus kicked him in the stomach, causing Motohama to clutch it and stumble backwards.
[Boost!] Issei's power doubled again.
He was angry at how his friends were getting hurt and how he was helpless to stop the succubus… until the memory of a dream he once had rushed into his head.
Flashback
'Issei, calm down! When you are in a desperate situation like this, you must make sure to turn the disadvantage to an advantage!'
Flashback end
'Of course, that's it!' Issei thought. He knew what he had to do now. Issei grabbed her leg with his gauntleted left arm and the stiletto of her high heel with the right one. Then Issei used his enhanced strength to grip them.
The succubus cried out in pain, as she saw Issei crushing her leg. She tried to stomp him with her other heel. Being hit in the face once… twice with a high-heel was sharp and painful. Issei even felt his consciousness slipping because of the impact of being stomped in the face but Issei didn't let go. He gripped tighter and tighter until…
[CRACK!] [CRUNCH!] Two similar sounds came from the succubus's leg, as she fell down to the ground.
"AAAAGH!" the succubus screamed in agony once more, she clutched her leg with her remaining arm.
Not only had Issei broken off the stiletto from one of her high-heels but her also crushed the lower part of her leg, leaving her foot dangling and bent at an unnatural angle. She screamed in pain, being unable to attack. After Issei recovered a bit from being crushed by a stiletto (And boy! He sure didn't want to go through that again!). he went over to the still helpless succubus and shoved his gauntleted arm into her face and pinned her unto the floor – not unlike how she did to him not too long ago.
"Before you die, I want to know. Where are Julie and Monique?" Issei demanded. After moaning and grunting a bit, the succubus spoke.
"Who knows…" she replied defiantly. In response. Issei used more force on her face, making her scream.
"Where is Yuusuke!?" Issei demanded forcefully. After her cries subsided, she talked once more.
"Not very far from here…" she replied with a groan.
"Good. Now, you can go to sleep," Issei said coldly, raising her head and was ready to slam it into the ground. But then the succubus laughed, causing Issei to stop.
"What's so funny?" Issei demanded from her.
"Nothing… nothing… ahahaha…" the evil supernatural woman laughed. "…It doesn't matter what you do to me. My plan will come to fruition."
Issei narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
"What plan?" Issei interrogated the succubus.
"You'll find out… soon enough… Ahahaha… AHAHAH- Ugh!" the succubus laughed before Issei slammed her into the ground, thus knocking her out unconscious.
Issei stood up and went over to his friends.
"Guys? Are you OK?" Issei asked them. Matsuda, who was sitting against the wall and clutching his head because of the throbbing pain, answered first.
"Yeah, I'm fine…" Matsuda answered with a smile, picking up his staff as he stood up.
"Me too," Motohama added, as he got up with his portrat. "Being kicked with high-heels is painful but nothing deadly at least."
[That's good to hear] Ddraig spoke up. [But that really was close! You three did a really good job taking down that succubus.]
"Ah… come on! We didn't do anything much… My portrait didn't even hurt the succubus much," Motohama remarked humbly.
"At least you and that ridiculous picture landed a blow on her. I couldn't even touch her. Besides, it's Issei who took the succubus down and not us. Right, Issei?" Matsuda asked him.
"Well, once again I couldn't have done it without you," Issei told Matsuda and Motohama. "That includes our Heavenly Red Dragon Emperor, too."
[Oh, please… you flatter me…] Ddraig replied, happy at being called by his title.
After dusting themselves off. They looked at the unconscious succubus.
"What should we do to her?" Motohama asked, glaring at her.
Issei pondered for a while until reaching decision.
"Leave her. There's nothing much she can do right now even if she were awake. Besides, I don't feel like killing anyone… even if I may have killed before…" Issei said seriously, as he remembered those dark days.
Matsuda and Motohama nodded. They respected Issei's decision. If Issei didn't want to kill the succubus, then neither would they – despite killing Sally and Nathalie.
They walked past her and decided to go through the door straight up ahead. They opened it and saw stairs, leading downstairs.
"There's a basement down here?" Issei groaned. Oh, great… more rooms to check.
"Are there lights at least?" Motohama hoped.
"Let's hope so…" Issei replied. Just like the ground floor, however, the lights didn't work.
They went downstairs groaning in exhaustion. They may have defeated the succubus, but if they don't find Yuusuke's body, then they would never be able to leave… whatever that means…
14th September, Friday, about 11:03 pm – Outskirts of Kuoh, Sakabasu Detention Facility, hallway on the ground floor
The three of them walked through the cold and wet basement that felt like a tunnel of some kind, which made it all the more eerie for them. Almost like… something horrible could happen any second… Thankfully, Issei could use the Boosted Gear as a make-shift torchlight but that still didn't make things any more pleasant.
"Issei?" Motohama spoke up.
"Yeah, what's up?" Issei replied.
"Can you smell anything?" Motohama asked.
"Yeah, just the smell of this stinking basement… ugh… No way, I'm ever going to find Yuusuke by smell…" Issei remarked.
"But why did Julie say to search him by smell?" Motohama asked again.
"Beats me. Maybe she meant the basement. After all, she did say 'Follow you smell' not ''Find Yuusuke's scent', right?" Issei queried.
"Good point…" Motohama answered.
A little distance onwards they could see ten doors through the light of the Boosted Gear. All the doors looked old, yet they all seemed to have locks. Motohama pulled out his key and got ready to try each of the doors out.
While Motohama went forward, Issei and Matsuda stood there just looking at the doors.
"So… this is it, huh?" Matsuda asked Issei, not moving his gaze.
"Yeah… I think so…" Issei responded. "The moment of truth…"
[Or we should have used the other door to the right] Ddraig added, causing Issei and Matsuda to click their teeth in annoyance.
"Let's hope not," Issei said neutrally.
"Hey, Issei!" Motohama called out to Issei. "I need more light!"
"Sure thing," Issei answered, as the light of the Boosted Gear shone brighter, illuminating the room.
After that neither said a word. They just watched Motohama try out one door after the next door after the next door. Again, the key didn't fit any of the doors so far and none of them opened. While Motohama did his thing and Issei made sure that Motohama had enough light to work on, he remembered what the succubus had said to him before.
"Guys?" Issei said.
"Yeah?" "What is it?" [Partner?] all of them replied.
"Something… doesn't feel right," Issei said uneasily.
[How so, Partner?] Ddraig wondered.
"It's about what the succubus said before… you know, about her plan coming to fruition or something like that…" Issei said, repeating what the succubus had said.
Matsuda narrowed his eyebrows in suspicion.
"What plan?" Matsuda asked.
"That was exactly my question. All she said however was that we would soon find out and then I knocked her out," Issei told Matsuda.
[Hmm… We would find out soon enough…? I have the sneaking suspicion that something bad is going to happen if we move on] Ddraig speculated.
"Huh? What do you mean something bad is going to happen?" Motohama said after checking the seventh door to the left. He still had three more doors to go.
[I don't know… I mean… the succubus only said these things because it knew what we were up to, right?] Ddraig asked the three of them.
All three of them nodded. After all, there was no way she wouldn't know what they were planning.
[So, here is my question: If she knew about our plans about finding Yuusuke's body and her plans would come true anyway, then… does that mean having us find Yuusuke was her plan all along?] Ddraig asked them.
Everyone looked at Ddraig in shock. Motohama even halted his attempt to open the eighth door (though he still tried out long enough to know that the key didn't fit).
"Ddraig, are you sure?" Motohama asked horrified.
[I don't know… But logically it is a possibility…] Ddraig said.
"But wait, then that means…" Issei began in shock.
"…that finding Yuusuke may be a trap!" Matsuda concluded.
At that they immediately changed their plans.
"Guys, we've got to get out of here or whatever the succubus may be planning might actually come true," Matsuda urged the others.
"Wait, we came so far. And now you're telling us to stop?" Motohama asked incredulously.
"Yeah, maybe we should have gotten out of here while we still could, instead of wasting our time here opening doors!" Issei exclaimed frustrated at their own stupidity.
[Partner, everyone!] Ddraig called out, making everybody quiet. [I know you are all anxious, but even if that conclusion were true, there is one fact that you all seemed to have forgotten.]
"Well… What's that?" Issei wondered.
[Nathalie's last words] Ddraig replied.
Matsuda looked at the Boosted Gear confused at first. However, then he remembered what Nathalie said.
Flashback
You can't get out of this prison by breaking out like on the news or TV… You have to find the body of the prison guard Yuusuke, using the key Julie gave your friend… it's the only way…
Flashback end
"Oh, yes…" Matsuda said in realization. "…How could I forget…?"
[The only way out is to find Yuusuke's body] Ddraig reminded everyone.
Motohama and Issei showed some hesitation.
"I dunno… I mean you still concluded it was a trap, right?" Issei said to Ddraig.
[No, I never said that. But even if it was, we don't have much of a choice, right?] Ddraig reasoned.
"Well… I for one suggest we not continue and jus-" Motohama tried to suggest but was interrupted by Matsuda who snatched the key from his hand.
"Oh, for crying out loud!" Matsuda exclaimed, as he went to the ninth door and tried unlocking it.
"Matsuda? What are you doing?" Motohama asked incredulously.
"Fulfilling Nathalie's last wishes! If she says it's the only way out, then I believe her!" Matsuda exclaimed, as he twisted the key left and right.
The key didn't work on that door either.
Before he could go to the last door.
"Are you crazy? Don't do this!" Motohama went over, dropped his portrait-weapon and tried to take the key back by force.
"Hey, let go!" Matsuda shouted, as he dropped his staff by accident and wrestled for the key with his friend.
"No, you let go!" Motohama shouted back, not giving up.
"I'm doing this for Nathalie!" Matsuda insisted.
"Yeah, but Nathalie may have been lying. She was working for succubus at some point, after all!" Motohama argued.
"You think your Julie was any different? Plus, Julie and Nathalie more or less agreed with each other on this," Matsuda hit back angrily.
"But finding Yuusuke will give the succubus the victory it wants!" Motohama insisted.
The two of them were starting to trade blows with each other, while Issei tried to separate them.
"Guys, stop fighting!" Issei told them, as he did his best to calm them down.
[Indeed! This is not the time to fight!] Ddraig added, also trying to break up the fight.
The scuffle went on and would have continued on for the next few minutes if something didn't happen.
And something did happen!
"Huh?" Matsuda looked upward dumbfounded.
"What the…" Motohama exclaimed surprised also looking up.
"What's happening?" Issei wanted to know as he looked at the phenomenon above him.
[The key… it…] Ddraig tried to form words but what happened was obvious to everyone.
The key that Matsuda and Motohama had been fighting over suddenly floated up in the air and glowed. It stood there dangling right above them. However, neither one of them moved, as they stood there dumbfounded.
"How… is the key…?" Issei tried to form words but couldn't from shock.
[I don't know… but it feels like this key is no ordinary key] Ddraig answered.
Suddenly, the key floated towards the last door.
[To the door! Now!] Ddraig ordered Issei, Matsuda and Motohama.
All three of them quickly followed the key, which by now had lowered itself to the height of the key-hole.
It slowly moved towards the key-hole and inserted itself in it.
The quartet watched as the key jerked and twisted the rusted lock, waiting in anticipation to see whether the lock would open.
Then… they heard it.
The door was unlocked.
Issei, Matsuda and Motohama backed away, preparing themselves for whatever surprises might appear behind the door. Matsuda and Motohama readied their make-shift weapons that they quickly picked up.
The door slowly started to open on its own, creaking as it moved open.
This was it. The moment of truth.
Once the door was wide open, they didn't see anything at first but when Issei shone the light inside the room…
"Oh crap!"
"Damn!"
"Oh, my goodness!"
The three teenagers cried out in horror at what they saw.
What they saw inside…
…were mangled dried-out bodies of various people that had been rotting there for who knows how long and one of them had a torn-off police uniform. The smell was overwhelming and there were bodies in the tens, fifties, hundreds! The horror was so overwhelming they couldn't stand it.
"""AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"""
Their scream echoed out throughout the darkness of the facility. This was the secret? What was this? Why were there so many bodies? How did the succubus kill them? Were the wardens also among them? How were they supposed to get out? Why were the bodies looking at them? Corpses can't look, they are dead, so why does it look like they have eyes? BZZZZZT! What was that? What was that noise? Why is my writing in bold letters? Why am I gripped by an uncomfortable sensation? What is going on here? What is goi- SGFoYWhhaGEuLi4=
Hey!
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That again?
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OK, whatever is doing this that's enough!
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Hey, what are you doing? What's happening to my PC?
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Hey! Something's coming out of my PC?
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HEY! LET ME GO! GET YOUR HANDS OF ME!
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HELP! HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!
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