(This takes place shortly after "The 2nd Walpurgis Night" event story, beware of spoilers)

Prologus – A Strange Backdoor

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I was once more in my room, slightly tidying the place as dust slowly, but surely, gathered around everywhere.

Of course, it's not like it bothers me, but…

I rather prefer having my room look like it's being taken care off.

It has been almost a week since the "Walpurgis Night" thing sounded off an alarm and gave the Sinners something to do.

But even that was starting to become more of a bother than a "worth time spending" activity.

The desire to finally even be able to see land from a distance was palpable, yet we all knew that it becoming reality was, for the time being, still a distant dream.

For now, I guess I just close my metaphorical eyes and get a bit of re-

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEEEEP*

…

Why do I even bother…?

I reluctantly, stretch, before hurrying out of my room towards the front from where I will run into the rest of the now likely, very grumpy, Sinners who just like me, were disturbed by yet another blaring alarm.

Just as I arrive, I spot and hear half of the Sinners already being very close to speak their mind about this recent, non-stop, blaring of an alarm.

Gregor: „Haaah… I swear, this is starting to remind me of every morning, all the way back during the war… Not something pleasant to be constantly reminded off…"

Outis: „I agree. Shouldn't alarms like these be used in emergencies only?"

Faust: „Faust understands your point, but no. These alarms are working as intended."

I could sense a few glares being pointed in Faust's direction.

However, Faust either didn't mind or care at all.

Faust: „Dante."

Faust turned to me and pointed towards the screen, which was flickering with strange symbols and colours.

Dante: Huh. A bit early for another Walpurgis Night, right?

It was more of a humorous statement than question.

Faust likely ignored it as she didn't bother answering it and instead started explaining.

Faust: „Another Backdoor has appeared. However, unlike the ones from before, Faust fails to recognize the possible destination of it."

Heathcliff: „Hah! I thought you knew everything?"

Heathcliff was the last of the Sinners to appear. I wonder what took him so long.

Faust: „Faust would decipher and understand it, however it chose to remain a mystery."

Every Sinner was dumbfounded by what Faust had said. …I was no different from them, for I too had no clue what she meant with that.

Faust: „In other words, it refused to be understood."

Seeing us struggle to grasp the meaning of her words, Faust simplified it for us.

Heathcliff: „Tch… Whatever!"

Most Sinners along with Heathcliff seemed to not care much about it anyways.

Heathcliff: „Let me know when we stumble upon land, I'm going for a kip."

Heathcliff, seemingly disinterested upon realizing this isn't what he wants to hear, turns around and starts heading down the corridor to his room.

Don Quixote: „Sir Heathcliff! Why, thou has no reason to depart so soon!"

On the other hand, Don Quixote was most excited about this.

Don Quixote: „Doth it not sound as an adventure, waiting for us to participate!?"

Rodion: „Yeah! Certainly beats sitting around doing nothing."

Sinclair: „…Or constantly doing Mirror Dungeons…"

Gregor: „Well, it beats having to hear the same stories over and over again…"

Hong Lu: „Oh? It certainly will be something fun to do, right?"

Most of the Sinners didn't dislike the idea of doing something new, once more, to break the pile of boredom down just a bit.

Heathcliff however, seemed to not listen at all and continued on down the hallway.

Rodion: „Maybe you can even find that suit, for which you already had an adventure, Heath~"

This caused Heathcliff to stop in place.

Slowly turning around, he glared at us.

Heathcliff: „…Won't let me forget that, will ya? Tsk…"

Reluctantly, he returns back to us.

Heathcliff: „Sod it, just get it over with."

With that, it seems Faust was given attention once more.

Faust: „Dante. If you recall, I suggested you challenge every occurrence of "Ordeals" we might encounter."

Dante: Oh? So, is this what this is? An Ordeal?

Faust: „Yes and no. While it might be categorized as an Ordeal, it differs slightly. Faust has yet to decide how to proceed with it going forward."

I see. So, this is something new once more. …I hope it won 't be something as painful as the Refraction Railways.

Dante: Uh, ok. Then, what do you suggest we do for now?

Faust: „Considering last time you made the foolish decision to enter a Backdoor along with two other Sinners without the insight of where it might lead you… I would suggest we wait."

I didn't even need to turn to face the two Sinners, whom Faust was referring to, to know that both of them looked down towards the floor.

Faust: „Faust, however, will continue to attempt and see what is truly hiding behind it."

With that, the idea of doing something plummeted to the ground.

I may be the manager, but I rather not risk another scenario like last time.

Dante: Alright. Everyone, let's go back.

Afterwards, me and the Sinners started going down the hallway.

Huh, it seems both Vergilius and Charon didn't even bother leaving their room. I guess they know when they are needed to be present…

Well, Vergilius certainly does.

As we were about to split off, Don Quixote suddenly cried out loud.

Don Quixote: „Could we not at least take a look at the entrance to it!? What if it looks as shiny as the screen was!?"

It seems Don Quixote wasn't about to let go of a possible adventure just like that.

Ishmael: „Sure, Heathcliff wouldn't mind taking a peak either."

Heathcliff: „Oi! If anyone here took a peek last time, it was this kid 'ere!"

Heathcliff was quick to retort and point at Don Quixote.

Don Quixote: „I have nary a clue as to what thou might mean~…"

Don Quixote anxiously sang the sentence out before averting her eyes from the agitated Heathcliff.

Rodion: „Oh, but now I am curious too! A quick lookie at the door wouldn't hurt, right?"

Ryōshū: „Pff, why not TALAI, then."

Sinclair: „T-Take a look at it? I guess… We could do that…?"

Alas, it seems Don Quixote managed to get most of the Sinners curious enough to at least glance at the door.

Not really surprised. They WERE bored enough that even staring at something new would pass as a form of entertainment. Even if it was just a… door.

Faust: „Faust suggests we return to our rooms."

Faust didn't seem to care much about it, and continued down the corridor on her way towards her room.

Outis: „I don't recall you having a final say here."

Suddenly, the atmosphere tensed up. Outis's words caused Faust to stop in her step.

Outis: „Our Executive Manager is the one to decide what we are doing. If Executive Manager decides that we go and have a look, we go and have a look."

Ishmael: „Haaah… Alright, then. Dante, do we go take a look or do we go to our rooms? Since it seems Outis here won't budge otherwise."

Outis: „I don't see the issue here. There is a problem at hand which our Executive Manager can solve with a single sentence. Executive Manager, do we, as some of them suggested, take a look at that new Backdoor or do we return to our rooms immediately?"

The gazes of all Sinners fell on me.

I know that I should just tell them to go to their rooms, but…

What if someone sneaks out to check it out and, like last time, takes a peek?

Don Quixote was lucky last time, but what if she tries again, just to sate her own curiosity?

Thinking it through, I decided what to say.

Dante: I guess merely taking a glance at the door from afar wouldn't do no harm, right?

I could see many Sinners were happy from my answer. The eagerness to find something interesting was inherent.

Faust was the only one to face me straight. Which means I likely frustrated her.

Oh well… No matter what I would say, someone would still be distraught, huh.

Outis: „Then it is decided. Onwards, men."

And so, our route shifted and our new goal was the door.

It didn't take long to arrive, passing through that eerie part of the corridor, until we came face first with a strange door.

Dante: Huh… I'm assuming that's supposed to be the Backdoor in question?

Faust: „Yes."

Dante: It doesn't look too different from all the others. But… I guess it has a strange feel to it…?

There really wasn't much to observe about it.

I guess we all just deluded ourselves to think that this door will have a whole lightshow or something.

Well, I can't blame anyone here. The Sinners were and still are bored to no end.

Their disappointment is palpable, I too, feel a bit disappointed.

Ishmael: „Huh, I was expecting a little more design wise. From all the talk about it trying to be "mysterious" and so on. "

Heathcliff: „Oh yeah? If you're so miffed, why don't you take a peek, hm?"

Ishmael: „Ah, no way! It would be a shame if I fell into it, found a proper suit and decided to start a campfire to warm myself with it, before heading back, wouldn't it?"

Heathcliff: „Tsk…"

Although Ishmael has taken the helm of her own ship now, it seems her and Heathcliff's teasing from time to time hasn't changed at all. Well, I guess there are things just too natural to ever change too much.

Yi Sang: „Dante, do you still worry about Heathcliff?"

I turn to my side to face Yi Sang.

He was looking straight ahead, where Ishmael and Heathcliff continued to back and forth with words being spit out in order to bring down the other.

I could tell Yi Sang was thinking of stepping in and pulling the two of them apart, to stop it before it takes a turn. Yet he decided not to, for he himself was still suffering from his condition.

Dante: I did promise to try my best to support him.

Yi Sang: „He trusts you, Dante. He might just not be the best at expressing himself."

It was a simple exchange of words.

Although Yi Sang used to speak very little, he never was the quiet sort. And recently, he began to speak and interact with the other Sinners more and more. Perhaps if he didn't suffer from sea sickness most of the time, maybe he would have liked to help more.

Ryōshū: „TIMBER."

Sinclair: „Huh, this is mighty boring, everyone return…? Yeah, I guess it is. At least nothing bad happened."

At times I question if Sinclair is just that good at understanding Ryōshū's acronyms or of there is magic in play.

Regardless, as most Sinners prepared to return back with, once more, nothing but disappointment…

Heathcliff: „Grrkh! Enough!"

*SLAM*

Heathcliff, apparently losing against Ishmael, decided to abandon words and use force.

Ishamel was, however, quick to realize she pushed Heathcliff a bit too much and dodged the swing oh his bat just in the nick of time.

But what the bat hit instead was…

Outis: „You idiot! Have you learned nothing from last time? If you managed to leave a dent in the door, you only cause more problems for the Executive Manager!"

Outis was quick to rush to my defence… Even though, I wasn't even involved with what occurred at the moment.

I mean, the door took one bonk. It should be fine for the most part even if signs of a dent might be visible, right?

!

Faust: „Dante. We must return back immediately. Now."

Faust grabbed me by my arm and started to drag me away, when suddenly…

Don Quixote: „Hoo! Behold, Sir Heathcliff! Thy attack has not gone unnoticed!"

The Backdoor started shaking and emitting a weird noise.

And then.

A blinding light engulfed me and the Sinners.

It was so bright, if I had eyes, I feel like they would melt from my face.

It was then, that I felt a strong pull towards the, what I assume to be opened, Backdoor.

It happened so fast, but it didn't take long for me to see that the light faded and I was able to see what was currently unfolding.

The screams of Sinners being sucked into the doorframe and their fading bodies being transported just like last time when me, Heathcliff and Don Quixote went through a Backdoor. However, that one didn't try to forcefully suck us in, unlike this one.

It was then that I realized why I hadn't been sucked in yet.

I turned my head to look behind me.

There, Meursault was gripping onto dear life on a corner leading to a different corridor, while simultaneously holding me in place, so that I don't get swallowed by the devouring Backdoor.

On my leg, I spot Faust hanging on to me. The expression on her face is one of indifference. As if she knew that this could have happened and isn't surprised at all that it has.

As I look towards the other side of the corridor, I notice Outis standing her own and keeping balance, yes slowly but surely getting dragged closer and closer towards the unknown.

Next to her, I spot Ishmael who drove her harpoon straight into the floor and is hanging onto it, while Yi Sang is holding onto her legs.

Yi Sang: „Alas, the chain… breaks… and shatters…"

Yi Sang parted with these words as he couldn't hold on no longer.

Ishmael: „ARGH! Ah-"

Before realization struck her, Ishmael was flying next, but unlike Yi Sang, she managed to hold on to her harpoon. The harpoon, however, did not manage to imbed itself into the floor no more.

As she flew past the now very close to the door Outis, the rope from Ishmael's harpoon flew right under the right leg of Outis.

Outis: „Ah! You stu-"

Was all she managed to say before passing the doorframe of the Backdoor.

Meursault: „I will be forced to let go in the next 10 seconds. Any orders?"

I… What should I even do at a moment like this…?

Faust: „Dante."

I look down to be met with Faust, facing me.

Faust: „Are you prepared to lead your Sinners?"

Before I could respond. I could feel movement resume.

The remaining three of us, have been sentenced to be consumed.

Well, I guess we are about to find out what mystery this door harbours.