Linda, a few hours after the raid. ASIC main base, Gamindustri Graveyard.

I was sitting on my bed, with Lady Magic's briefcase on my lap, waiting for my cue to leave. Our mission in Lowee had apparently failed, "because of that damn Wildcard!", she said. Or, well. Shouted.

I hate it. I hate this, what the fuck do I do? My orders are getting more and more ridiculous, Gyone is becoming more and more a thorn in ASIC's side, and...

I gulped. Once you join, there's no leaving ASIC. It's what they say at the recruitments points, it's what they keep repeating at the training grounds. Once in, no out. For a time, I thought I wouldn't wanna be out, anyway- who would, honestly? ASIC's awesome! Money for breaking stuff and generally doing what I was already doing, that's like using cheatcodes in real life!

Or at least, it was, before...

Tch. Fuck you Gyone. Before you decided to crash into my life, being the bad guy was easy. Kick some broads' asses, help a major crime organisation rise to the top, all that shit. Now tho...

"Yo, Lady Magic's saying you leave for Leanbox in half an hour. Got everything you need, chu?"

I looked at Warechu, and nodded. I know he doesn't get what I think 'bout this- he didn't take to Gyone nearly as much as I apparently did. He's still devoted to ASIC, so much so that he won't stop working for them even for that nurse broad. Compared to me, well...

I got up, and started heading towards the door, before stopping.

"Yo, Warechu?"

He turned to look at me, before answering "Yes?"

"You're a bitch, and I probably won't ever find a better partner here than you."

He smirked. "Then it's good that the only thing that releases us from ASIC is death, chu. Try not to fail at that, at least."

Opening the door to leave, I couldn't help but think that really, Warechu's a bro. Too bad things between us are coming to an end like that.

Because that's it. After this mission, I'm done. I've decided what I wanted to do- Really, what's got to be done.

"... Sir Trick came back not a while ago, he was badly damaged..."

"... Damn Wildcard, who does he think he is? Why, I'll..."

"... Avoid the dining area, Sir Trick is taking his frustration on everyone there..."

ASIC is going restless, lately. I still can't believe that the dumbass I'd help back in Lastation would end up causing them- us so much problems, yet here we are. I mean, most of it is also because of those broads, but...

Anyway, the chumps are growing restless. I keep hearing 'bout everything, from those that claim they'll be killing him in one blow next time they see him to those that are afraid of "the Felon's defeater".

The higher-ups are more reserved. Most captains are training their teams on how to defeat a single, powerful enemy, and the lieutnants are training their own skills, to defeat either Gyone or the Broads'... Hmm, the Broads Brigade. That's a good name for them.

I'm interrupted from my thoughts when a dumbass just stops in front of me, trying to get my attention. When I look at him, he starts to scream, "Lieutnant Toxic, Captain Maxwell reporting for duty!"

I refrain from wincing. You can't show any weakness to the captains, they're always looking for a way to ditch their responsibilities and get a lieutnant's role. I took over from Overflow, so my position isn't as stable as the other lieutnants, yet.

I sigh. "I already sent you your orders, Maxwell. You telling me you're already done?"

"Yes, Lieutnant Toxic!" he yells again. This time, I do wince a little, but thankfully he didn't notice. "My men are dispatched everywhere in the Basilicom. We're only waiting for your arrival before kidnapping the Oracle!"

I smirk. Seems like the mission will be over quicker than expected.

The boat is finally going off shores, and I can see the Broads Brigade, who missed the ship by like a minute and a half. I decide against taunting them, and we just look at each others in the eyes.

"Hah, look at those dumbasses. Them's the best hope for defeating us? Can't even catch a frickin' boat on time!"

My co-worker, however, doesn't stop herself. She's mocking them as much as she can, and I can only look ashamed of her, at her side.

"You're really pushing things right now, Lieutnant Kill," I begin. "They'll only be late for like two days, after that they'll be in Leanbox. You won't win against them, trust me."

She only laughs, for a minute or two, before speaking again. "Listen, Linda darling, I'm not like you. I actually earned my spot as top brass of ASIC. If they fight me, they'll die. Plain and simple."

With that, she leaves, flaunting her magic skills by levitating away instead of walking. I force myself to take a deep breath, before relaxing.

"No, X-E-Cute, 'cause I'll make sure my last act as Lieutnant Toxic is to rid ASIC of its most valuable lieutnant. Forever."

Kei Jinguji, a day after Lowee's raid, Lowee Basilicom.

"Thank you for your assistance, Kei. We can't offer much now, but we'll help you as much as we can in the future."

I nod to Mina, while assessing the damage around me. This Basilicom is, somehow, in a worse state than Lastation's, and Lowee's CPU Candidates are in a worse state than Uni. They may not have been as damaged, but they appear drained of their energy, and they have some bruises. They likely won't wake up for a week, and they probably won't be fit for duty for another month.

"Think nothing of it," I answered to Mina. "Something similar happened in Lastation, and Planeptune helped us in our recovery. Now that we are somewhat stable, we decided to help you in return. It also helps that you have stopped isolating yourselves from the world around."

Mina sighed, and put down her cup of tea. "ASIC has attacked your Basilicom as well, then?"

"Not at all," I answered, putting down my own cup. "Though they apparently were implementing spies in order to do so. No, it was an individual who came from nowhere, and completely cruised through all our defences."

"I see..." answered Mina, before she sighed. "As you already know, it was one of the Four Felons who led the attack to our Basilicom. I fail to imagine what would have happened, had we not been helped when we did."

I took my cup back, and started drinking again. "Yes, quite. The Planeptune Candidate's party is growing stronger by the day, aren't they? Seeing them, I have the feeling that we may soon have the strength required to finally rescue the CPUs from their prison in the Graveyard."

Mina laughed at that. "My, I wasn't speaking about them. While it is true they have been a tremendous help, they happened to come a bit too late in the battle. No, I was talking about a mysterious young man, found by the twins a while ago."

I nod, and put the cup to my lips. "And so, what is the name of this helpful, 'mysterious young man'?"

"He called himself Gyone. 'Gyone Videsar, wandering ASIC hunter'."

I did not manage to register anything more than my cup falling onto the ground, past this point.

Author's footnote:

Interludes are faster to write, so you wait less for that one! I also used it to introduce some of the changes from the game's storyline that I want to do, as well as an explanation about how Chika Hakozaki, second in command of Leanbox, also an Oracle, could be defeated, kidnapped and replaced by Linda.

At first, it was supposed to be Linda's viewpoint and then Mina's, but I figured it was better that those interludes follow the two same characters. Maybe I'll change my mind later, but for now I quite like it.

Review Time~

IsekaiFanBoi: Well, he explicitely said what he wanted to do: stop being a criminal. Now, everyone knows that plans never survive first contact with the enemy...

AzuMazu: To act as the Devil's advocate; would you believe he would carry the valuable, powerful, rare, needed-for-the-world-to-survive crystals into his bag where they're safe and won't be a bother, or in his pockets?

Ace-of-Weeb: Yup, no Planeptune for our protagonist. Just the end of his long quest, and a chance to relax!