Author's Note: (I don't own the characters. They are from the Light novel/Anime/Manga called "Juuni Taisen" story made by NisioIsin) This story is not original and, it takes place after the Anime where the Winner got his One wish where the other 99 wishes got rejected. An AU Story Start.
[Hey, I know there may be bad grammars, not clear details or something but, my mind is flooded with this! So please don't be harsh on me.. thank you..]
Chapter 3: "The Forgotten Island where he took 53rd Trials per 100 Paths"
=RAT/NEZUMI POV=
When my eyes are opened, I found myself, facing in another place that I don't remember how I got here. It must be another dream again. Now that you mentioned it, there was a time that I dreamed of an unforgettable and the most deadliest challenge that took place around 12 months ago.
In a lonely big tropical island, there are 13 people, standing each circles around the arena. I learned that they are the War Criminals who used to be warriors but they commit crimes that many people wanted them dead. It seems those Zodiac Constellation Warriors are waiting for the thirty second countdown before they fight each other to the death.
I wasn't planning to invade their arena and watch them getting beat up. Honestly, I don't know their goals on why they have their own battle royal just like the Twelve Zodiac War but, after experiencing those previous paths and multiple trials to talk, allied or getting killed by those criminals, I realized their memories are fabricated. In other words, they are forced to play the never ending game over and over again as their punishment.
It's crazy that this Arena reset their memories and fight in this meaningless war repeatedly. I don't know how they got each other's into this mess and why this strange dream got me involved. I never want to take part in their punishment but I got dragged into this mess for some reason.
My sole mission for coming here is to clear the game and go home alive. That's it. The rules weren't specific because "that guy" didn't explain it properly. Or maybe I was sleeping at that time? But anyways, I'm dealing with those war criminals who are much stronger than me. It reminds me of those challenges I've faced in the previous Twelfth Zodiac war.
Right now, I'm their Enigma that trespasses their endless war battle. It's up to me to put a stop to this endless battle royal, clear this game and leave this place. I've been staying on this island for over fifty trials and using my abilities is giving me a headache.
This "53rd trial", or a number trial experience that I named it based on my guessing count, is my next determination point to test this deadly challenge. One time, this dream is where I once joined the fight and played the role of a bad guy mastermind. Of course, it's not going to be easy.
Before they started another war battle, I climbed on the top of their arena, balancing myself to head to the roof and observe them. There's only ten seconds left before they have each other's throats. However, I miscalculated and messed up as I slipped on the greasy roof and fell down.
I landed at the center of the arena safely but after hearing five second countdown, I realized the war criminals stared at me in bewilderment, showing their questioning looks as if "I'm the referee".
This is bad. I have to do something. The battle has already begun and it's live or die when I step into their battlefield. So, I sighed and try to pretend to be that hateful guy to intimidate them.
"Warrior nowadays, not only you're willing to die but you're doing it for me. As a game maker, I hope you have a splendid waste of a grudge battle for my entertainment." I said with sarcastic and non encouraging words, which the War criminals lost their cool and turned to me with a hatred glare.
To think that playing as a villain is out of character for me. Thanks to that, my first plan of making them upset works. Becoming a Target is also part of my plan. I also tried to mimic and pretend to be an old referee hat guy as I clapped my hands.
"Even if all of you want to kill me, believe me or not, only the first come will take their chance to leave this island with a price. Good luck, weaklings!"
"As if! Look who's talking!" I muttered in my mind while feeling ashamed of what I'm talking about. Thankfully, I didn't spill the whole bean and those guys looked pissed right now, which is part of my plan. The War criminals took their battle pose and I glared at them, showing that I am ready to die and preparing to fight against them. One versus Twelve warriors, more like thirteen deadliest Criminals against the most weakest warrior of all. It's On!
Let the fight begin, War Criminals of the Fake Twelve War Zodiac!
[Hundredth Paths of Nezumi!]
When the battle commenced, the first one to charge was none other than the Mysterious black armor assassin, Scorpio. He was so fast that I couldn't think of avoiding it. Before I moved, my mind suddenly felt tired and I turned my head to see the white haired girl, Aries, who used her Hypnosis ability to make me sleep for hundred seconds. Thanks to her, I felt dizzy and got distracted while Scorpio landed a blow to my chest, killing me with his deadly sharp claw. It hurts a lot and, I couldn't touched my pain when they attacked me with a sharp blow on my body. I took my time to process and then, with my determination to face my death, it's time to face my counter attack.
[Reject the path of sleeping #1]
The timeline broke and reset as I witnessed my first in the 53rd trial's death. This time, Aries hasn't cast her ability yet and Scorpio is coming for me.
Before Scorpio charged at me directly, I turned my head towards Aries and threw my Wakizashi sword at her face. This technique of throwing weapons reminded me of the deadliest warrior, Usagi, who usually throws his pair of swords in the battlefield during my previous battle paths that I erased.
Of course, Aries saw that coming and dodged it, which bide the time for not using her ability before I immediately went straight for her. As I went to her close range, Aries quickly used her weapons, the big comb and a big shave in both of her hands, and she tried to swing at me. Luckily, I dodged but I miscalculated when I stepped on something that was hidden under the ground. It starts to make noises before destruction blows on my body. A hidden landmine bomb just got me and it exploded, causing another death for me.
[Reject the path of stepping the mine bomb #2]
The timeline broke and reset again as I witnessed my second death in the 53rd trial. Aries was ready to swing her weapons and this time, I proceeded with caution. I knew who put that bomb but I didn't expect "she" would be so quick to plant them.
So, I charged at Aries again and while she swung her big comb weapon, I dodged it to the right and grabbed her long braided hair to pull her tightly. It's like I was pulling a rope in a tug war game. I swing with a strong force, make turns and throw her body towards the hidden mine bombs, where I was previously killed.
I was worried if she knew my plan and avoided it but I was surprised the landmines got to her after she lost her balance and accidentally stepped on them. She was shocked the moment the bomb triggered and exploded her body while I evacuated and went as far away as possible from her range. I can see that Aries is the first one to fall down.
One criminal down and more to go. Whether it was a good win or a cheat win, I had no time for celebrations as there are Eleven warriors I had to face soon. It's now or never. No regrets, just keep moving forward. I grabbed my sword and head outside the arena, crossing through the tropical forest.
Before I walked further on the left side, I suddenly felt a sting pain in my throat and I stared at it, only to realize that I got shot by a small arrow. Who is it? But where? I turned my head to the direction and saw it came from a small child with a sailor uniform.
The blonde haired girl with a crossbow glared at me and shot another one of her crossbows, landing straight to my face. I got killed by a sneaky shooter. Just great, to think my death would come sooner if I don't let my guard down. So, I had to be determined and try again and again.
[Reject the path of getting hit by small arrows #3]
The timeline broke and reset again as I remembered that the left side is where the death door awaits me. So, I avoided it and turned around where there were no bombs nor arrows but suddenly, I felt someone was slashing with a white sword at my back. I looked at that sword that reached my gut and this feeling kinda reminds me of the Ox Warrior's sword attack back when I fought him in my erased path but, this one is very different. It's slow, sneaky to slash my back without announcing their warrior name but it hits my vital organs, making me suffer before killing me directly.
I turned around and I didn't notice there was someone who had already been waiting behind me quickly without any noise. A Silent Ambush I would say.
The tall woman with the bride costume grinned with a terrifying gaze as she got me and slashed my heart, forcing me to fall down and got killed again. To think that Taurus has some skills to ambush me in a quiet way and it was all over again.
[Reject the path of getting slash behind her #4]
The timeline resets again and I'm standing on both sides with a path where female warriors are going to ambush me. It's only four deaths in my hundredth paths and I wanted to vomit. With those death experiences, I shook my head and focused on my fight, the 53rd trial is still going on and I can't afford to break anytime soon.
So, I headed back to the back side where Taurus is hiding. The time I stepped to that area, I stopped and waited, taking deep breaths before I felt someone coming behind me. There's no doubt, it's Taurus. By the time she swings her white sword, I managed to dodge it, roll over and run away from her.
Taurus follows me around with a quick run despite wearing heels. But I don't mind that since it's part of my plan. As soon as I went to the left side and prepared for the worst fate that's going to come, I immediately turned my head down and ducked while the small arrow aimed but missed the shot.
However, missing the crossbow arrow shot was not my plan. I turned around and saw that the person who tried to chase and kill me, Taurus, who raised her sword and tried to aim my back, was horrified that her chest was covered with blood as the arrow got her.
Taurus lost the grip of the sword and fell down while I moved away to not getting hit by her body and that blade. I looked at the tall woman and learned she stopped breathing for a second, which means the next criminal to fall down is Taurus. The way she looked satisfied when she closed her eyes is like she's been wanting death ever since she try and kill him. I'm not sure if I pity her.
Before I had time to silently mourn her, I heard another crossbow shot coming right at me and I dodged it. I'm glad I haven't forgotten who my next enemy is. The fact the blonde haired girl, one of the Gemini siblings, was hiding under the bushes, could make it harder to stop her sharpshooting skills.
The moment I looked around, I noticed an old man beside the tree, who was observing me. Seeing his unpredictable and sly expression is getting me the shivers down my spine. And it makes me believe that leaving him is going to cost more problems.
While dodging Gemini's arrows, I run towards the old man's direction and pick my Wakizashi sword to attack him. The old man, Cancer, noticed my approach as he prepared his fighting stance and started to fight straight at me.
I didn't notice he was quick as he aimed at my stomach and punched it, creating a hole to my body. Cancer landed a hole strike to my stomach. It reminds me of an internet review article of an anime where the vampire antagonist always hits their opponents with their stomach and leaves a hole like a donut. This happens to me right now and I felt more pain from the experience of being killed by Cancer's super strength than those previous deaths.
[Reject the path of receiving a super punch #5]
The timeline resets again and I'm standing where Taurus dead body reeks of blood from her middle chest and a sharpshooter, whom I couldn't identify her location. The old man Cancer was still observing me as always and I couldn't help but want to approach him as I immediately did the same thing as before.
Cancer was ready as he proceeded to attack me with his fist. I predicted this would happen as I forced my legs to jump backwards and I immediately turned to the right and avoided his punch. The next part of Cancer's movement is his right leg, I couldn't avoid it as he kicked me, throwing me on the ground with a small breaking bone in my back.
Before I regain my sense back, Cancer was already in front of me and he raised his leg, stepping his foot on my head.. with a strong superhuman force. Causing to break my head and splash it that I can't feel how quick I got when my death reaches me.
[Reject the path of crushing my head #6]
The timeline resets again and I'm standing in the worst position that I only got five seconds left to change my fate. When Cancer was about to aim for my head, I rolled over and avoided that attack, causing the ground to collide with Cancer's superhuman strength and create a giant hole.
Stunning by that attack, my mind tells me not to surprise yet as I heard the crossbow arrows aiming in my direction. Luckily, I made it in time to crawl down and missed the shot while the arrows got Cancer's left leg. Every time Gemini strikes their arrows at me, it was a coincidence they helped me hit the targets twice. It must be a blessing to me.
When Cancer noticed a wound on his left leg, he turned to that direction and saw the sharpshooter who was hiding under the bushes. He plans to kill them next but, he turned his serious expression and faced me, not forgetting that I'm still here as his main target.
"I can't do this..." I sighed and tried to stay composed.
I can't believe this old man is the strongest and wisest criminal that I'm battling right now. I know I can't win against him. Learning his skills and stories from my previous trial paths has discouraged me to face on. But still.. but still...
"But still, we never know what comes next."
I stood up and put on a brave courageous face, forcing myself to face the strongest war criminal of all. No, I mean, facing the 8th Champion of the Zodiac War, the same title as me but he's got wisdom and superhuman strength. I'm gonna lose and I'm aware of that. So, in order not to lose is by knowing who your enemy is up against and finding their weakpoints. Everyone has a weakness and my determination skills and experiences will try and prove it.
As our fight takes out, I swing my sword from the ground, creating a sand attack that blocks his vision. I picked up more sand and spread around the area, trying to make an illusion to give more time before he makes a move. However, the old man sighed, knowing it was futile as he rose his fist and slammed the ground, creating a wind wave to remove the sand spreading around him.
Despite he countered the sand attack, Cancer wiped his eyes, trying to take those sands off. Other than that, he noticed the target was nowhere to be found. As soon as he let his guard down, this was my chance. I grit my Wakizashi sword and ready to strike his back. First, I'll aim his back and then-
The moment I came out to ambush the old man, someone suddenly grabbed my back and pulled me inside the deep forest and threw me away, slamming my back on the tree. Someone forced me to stop the duel against the previous champion of the zodiac war. It was none other than the War Criminal of Leo.
"Damn it! This guy!"
The old man with a brown beard let out his strong grin as he cracked his knuckles and tried to approach me. I slowly got up and glared at him. I knew this guy is another strong veteran warrior and a criminal who wants to end everything. So this big guy is planning to kill me, huh? I decided to face him next and I raised my sword and call my name with full of determination.
**NO POV**
Meanwhile, the old man Cancer felt the battle between the silver haired target was being interrupted and he couldn't wait anymore as he decided to end someone close by. He heard a rustle noise from the bushes and he turned his head, going straight to the next target to kill.
Cancer noticed three small arrows are coming at him. Since he let his guard down and took one arrow from his left leg before, he doesn't want to take another one. He swiftly avoided those arrows while moving forward to reach the sharpshooter. When he swing his hand and create a blasting wind, it blows the leaves and bushes away, causing to remove all leaves and lose half of the forest field, where he can finally see his target.
The Gemini girl was left in a defenseless position as she tried to charge more arrows and shoot at him. The moment when Cancer was about to reach her, someone tries to attack him behind by striking with a giant morning star weapon.
The tall Gemini man with blonde hair has successfully strike his back, leaving a dust of sand blocking their vision. It seems the two Gemini siblings have been planning for a counterattack against Cancer using their telepathic communication. The blonde twins have their double mind communication, where they can voice out in their mind and make their plans to fight the target. In order to bring the strongest opponent down, they need a diversion and bait. Thanks to the little Gemini girl's distraction, their plan worked out well.
However, their smiles and expectations broke out when they witnessed that Cancer had actually evaded Gemini's surprise attack. He has no scratches as he wiped the sand dust from his suit. The twins were distorted as they realized all their plans was wasted but still, they don't give up as they prepared to fight back.
When the Gemini boy strikes his morning star weapon at Cancer again, the old man uses his left hand and smashes his weapon, breaking into crumbles, leaving the two Gemini's in shock.
This leaves an opening as Cancer punches the Gemini boy's stomach with his superhuman strength, ending up creating a hole and killing his opponent. When the blonde man coughed with blood and fell down with an open hole from his stomach, the little Gemini girl widened her eyes and was horrified to see her little brother's death in front of her. Seeing her twin brother in death, she became angry with tears dropped as she aims her crossbow and tries to kill Cancer again.
Not wanting to end the battle, the Gemini girl kept using her crossbow and tried to shoot the old man, who easily took a step to the other side and avoided every shot while wiping his hand from the blood.
As he got closer and closer to her reach while dodging her arrows, Cancer grabbed her crossbow, holding it tightly and smashing it. Before Gemini moved back, Cancer immediately punched her stomach, crushing like how her brother got killed.
When Cancer threw her body to the ground, he noticed she was smirking before she closed her eyes. He wondered what's on the little girl's mind as she looks satisfied before she got killed. Could she fear death? Before he thought up about the young girl's expression, someone struck a sharp sting blade behind his back.
Cancer was surprised that someone got his back and made a scratch on him. He coughed up blood and horrified to let his guard down. The Gemini put a lot of effort to distract him while they gave their opponents a chance to strike him behind. Talk about getting the strongest war criminal's back.
While processing what's happening, Cancer turned around and saw a black assassin who used their sharp scorpion tail to pull out, dropping his blood. Cancer touched the painful parts and felt his internal organs have been hit. His breathing got worse and he doesn't have any strength left to fight.
Even with one hit, Cancer knew he was closer to his death. After all, his old body doesn't last long and he managed to put a lot of fight against those warriors. He was impressed that his war criminal opponent, Scorpio, could find his weak spots and made the right timing to kill him. Maybe he worked with those Gemini but still, he was amazed by his assassination skill. Before he closed his eyes and accepted his fate, he stared at the war criminal, who was ready to strike him next.
"Tell me, I wonder if killing me would earn the right of those fallen comrades that I killed? Or is it your honor?" He observed the masked assassin criminal, who removed their scorpion tail and turned their face to him.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I was not planning to work with anyone, nor fighting with pride. You are the strongest foe I've ever seen. So, it's obvious that I have to kill you randomly." Scorpio replied in a cold tone.
Hearing that answer, Cancer closed his eyes and smiled bitterly, realizing there's no point in talking to the killer when he's running out of time and lost the game.
As the old man fell into the death slumber, Scorpio looks at him and decides that striking another blow to a corpse is a waste of time. The moment they tried to leave this area, they noticed that someone was watching them behind the forest.
That person, the so-called Mastermind Nezumi, who declared to be the death ticket to get only one war criminal off from the island, is observing Scorpio. This is the second time they encounter face to face and, Scorpio cursed themself for not killing the mastermind at the start of the tournament. After all, this rat is his biggest prey, the enemy who will never escape from the legendary assassin.
When Scorpio stepped up to chase him back, Nezumi quickly ran deep into the forest without turning back.
**Rat/Nezumi POV**
Back to my battle in the forest, I looked at the bearded man, Leo, who used his hand and grabbed a tree coming from the roots and threw it right at me.
Luckily I dodged it but I immediately charged and used my Wakizashi sword to end him. However, Leo used that opportunity and grabbed my throat, raising his hand and holding it tightly. I tried to attack him, forcing my small hands to try and reach his hand and let go but, he was too strong. His strength is so powerful that I felt being bitten by a lion's teeth.
When Leo saw my struggles and helpless expression, he smirked and held my throat tightly until he pushed it too far and lost my chance to breathe. Not only that, I couldn't feel and remember anything when my struggling body was silent and my throat was crushed the moment he threw my dead body and laughed proudly. Since his super strength and ego of this war criminal stands up mostly, I think dealing with him is too much for me.
[Reject the path of crushing my throat #7]
The timeline resets again and I'm standing where Leo held a big tree with one hand. He tried to throw the tree, which I predicted would happen and I dodged it easily. But instead of coming to him, I ran to the opposite side away from him. I can't tell what Leo 's plan is but he seems upset that I can't fight manly and ran away from him. So, he ends up chasing after me, which is fine since I still have time to think of a way to end him without getting closer.
When I ran from the forest and reached back to the area, where I couldn't see Leo getting close to me, I noticed there are three dead bodies and, the one standing beside them is the war criminal who wears black armor and mysterious mask, the legendary unknown assassin, Scorpio. The first criminal who killed me on my first path, the one who is currently staring at me with killing intents.
"This is bad. I have get away from them again!"
Before Scorpio gets me, I heard Leo's footsteps getting closer. So, I went back deep into the forest and found another path to escape from two war criminals. When I reached at the end of the forest and crossed over the river, the splashing water on my legs suddenly moved.
Before I react, the waters grew and surround from my legs to my upper body, forcing me not to move until they reached to my face. With waters coming on my mouth, I couldn't breathe and get enough oxygen as I tried punching and pushing the water away.
The water was very aggressive as it tries to pull over my body and suck my mouth, trying to end me by drowning. I never implied this would happen to me and I tried to find another way to stop it but, the ability user is nowhere to be found. I knew the hidden ability user, Aquarius can control Water and he's hiding somewhere but where?
Before I keep searching more leads, my breathing has already reached its limits as the Moving Water has finally suffocated me, leading to my death. Again.
[Reject the path of being drowned by the Moving River #8]
The timeline resets again and I looked at the River, where I was planning to cross there. Thanks to that experience, I never wanted to cross and swim in small rivers and ocean ever again. But even so, I already come up with another idea and used this opportunity.
Though, the moment I planned something, Leo suddenly punched my back, throwing me across the River until I pass without touching the water and landed near the stone walls. I opened my eyes and get myself under the control. Somehow, I could feel another breaking bones in my spine, the injuries are not bad but I can still feel pain.
I looked at where Leo cornered me again and as he crossed the river. Before that, the Water suddenly moved through his legs and jumped straight into his body. Leo was surprised by an ambush attack coming from the Water.
Looking at the previous path I died, I realized the Aggressive water doesn't take chances to surround their enemy but this time, the victim is not me. Leo tried to punch and kicked the water to stop from getting closer but, the river water has no physical form and no matter how many times they destroy it, they will reassemble them back from the bubble to change its shape.
The moving river water proceed to aim Leo's face and suffocate him, causing him to try and struggled his breathing while using his fist to get it out of his face. However, it was futile and I watched how Leo got trapped in the Water until seconds later, his body stops moving as his aggressive arms fell down and lost his breathing. Honestly, watching his death was horrified and disturbing on how I get to experience that same pain. I never want to go near the water again.
This clears up the most thing that Leo died by drowning with Aquarius Water Control Abilities. When the War Criminal is out battle, I decided to move and run away from the Moving water by hiding behind the Stones, where they won't reach me.
I took another peek, hoping the Moving Water can't sense me but suddenly, someone grabbed my back and dragged me to the sky. When I came to my sense and struggled to let go, I looked at that person and saw it was the Blonde twin tailed haired man, wearing a maid dress, Virgo.
He has this charge steel broom that can fly into the sky. It seems he got this chance to observe the battle and got me on time. Before I try to fight him, he released his grip, making fall to the top of the sky without something to grab on.
I couldn't landed to the ground safely since Virgo dropped me from the high sky to the stony ground near the mountain. When I fell down, all I could feel was my body getting crushed by the hard stone grounds. It also crushed my head and then, my body. Unlike cats, I can't survive by falling down. The last thing my eyes could see was Virgo, who rode his broom and flying in the sky, and he is watching me with disgust before my vision blackens.
It seems falling from the high sky and crushing my body was painful to bear it. As death goes, my counterattack and will to fight still continues. Again.
[Reject the path of Falling from the Sky #9]
The timeline resets again and I opened my eyes, finding that I'm out of the Moving Water's sight. I'm standing behind the Stone walls and I remember in ten seconds that someone will grab me behind and drag me to the sky. Not going to let that happen again, I decided to wait and used my patience to get the opportunity and avoid that path. At all costs. I closed my eyes and took a small breathe to listen, focus, feel and relax before the time goes right.
Then, I can hear the sound of an engine spark noises from the sky. It's coming closer in my direction but I'm still waiting. Still Waiting until they are closer in my range. Not yet, I stayed still and hoped this War Criminal thinks I didn't predict this.
Wait for it. Patience. Five seconds left. Two seconds left. Then I opened my eyes and turned to my back, glaring at Virgo, who tries to use his hand and grabbed me. He twitched his eyes, surprising from the moment I looked at him with my determination expression and grabbed his hand, pulling him out and throwing him to the ground.
Virgo lost his balance as his broom got thrown to the beach while he landed on the forest. At the same time, pulling him out of the sky also leads me to lose my footing balance and fell to the small cave hole. That opportunity got us separated but at least, the paths changed and I survived.
**NO POV**
When Virgo was upset of a surprise attack and wanted to chase their enemy, he suddenly coughed up blood and noticed he got a nosebleed. Furthermore, when he coughs up more and checks his hand, only to see more blood coming out of his mouth. He realized that something's wrong with his body.
As he tries to fully grasp about his situation, he saw a silhouette of a long haired woman who held a syringe, observing him with a blank expression. Virgo tries to go after that woman until he kept coughing up blood and then, he realized he's been poisoned. But where?
He remembered he was landing on the forest, which brought him from the sky because of that brat. But crossing the forest caused him to lose his blood, which means that this War Criminal Doctor, Pisces, has managed to turn this area into a poisonous field, trapping War Criminals in the process. Virgo cursed himself for taking the bait and now, he's going to suffer with this strange poison that Pisces brought up.
Before he loses more blood, Virgo tries to fight back and charge at the cold looking Pisces once more but his legs felt weak and he suddenly fell down, receiving the poison and getting killed afterwards. Pisces doesn't mind seeing her prey getting trapped with her poison. In fact, she amused it as it reminds her of the guinea pigs she experimented on.
Other than that, there are still six people left, including the young and mysterious mastermind, who escaped from her poison. It's only a matter of time before the war ends and It's also been six minutes since they commence.
**Rat/Nezumi POV**
Meanwhile, I woke up and find myself inside the Stone Caves. I touched my head, learning that I'm still alive with minimum injuries. I quickly head over and try to find an exit. Inside this cave has a maze path. Luckily, it doesn't have a small pond or river as I passed through every drip and dry stones.
If I go deep inside the darkness, I can hide from another War Criminal and waited until all of them got slaughtered but, waiting for them is not part of my plan. In fact, it's the opposite. In order to clear this game, I have to test this trial, end their pitiful lives before an hour and make it through the end. So, I have to go back.
Sad to say that I'm going to get killed by them if I go back to the battlefield again but, who knows, we'll never know what's its like. I've been in this situation many times and I can tell that wasting my lives in a hundred paths is not very good and it makes a heavy burden from my mind. But, this is my destiny and no matter how many times I did this, I won't turn back again and again.
I may be a coward and a cheat person who will run away from a fight but, this time, no matter how far I run, I won't escape this world full of wars. In order to end this meaningless war, I have to win this trial. Even if I kill those criminals or getting killed by them, I still need to do this. For the sake of my Survival! For the sake of leaving this Goddamn Endless War!
As I looked for the way out, the darkness is starting to get closer to me. Fortunately, I find a small light that could possibly lead to a sunshine exit from this creepy cave hole. I was about to get excited for my path of escaping the dark cave until, my body stops and I couldn't move.
Even my head won't turn but my eyes turned to the right side and saw a mysterious figure hiding from the shadows. I didn't notice someone was already nearby and I let my guard down. Again.
The person shows up when she saw that I fell into her trap. A brown haired judge, who wears a cape and held a scale in his right hand, came out of the darkness and looked at me. I clicked my tongue when I realized this person, Libra, has already been waiting for me.
Even with their manly appearance, I knew that person is a woman judge. As much as she had no fighting skills, her mysterious ability proves to be more troublesome than I expected. As she rose her scale and attempt to undertake her trial and judgement unto me, I couldn't do anything as my body and voice won't listen to me. She was about to judge my sins and used this opportunity to get my head to her.
However, that power is being interrupted by an ambush attack, that chaos moment breaks out as the two of us didn't notice that someone attacks the judge on her left chest behind her back.
At the same time, my body and voice were free and I watched Libra, who coughs up blood when she received that blow. The moment my mind was process on what is happening, the black sharp claw that got Libra's left chest was moving on the way towards me.
Its shape of a scorpion tail stretching is too dark for me to see and I let my guard down when they got my head, causing me to lose my sense and fell down. I couldn't find out where the killer is but, my mind was already empty when death awaits me. Again.
[Reject the path of Getting Hit by the Scorpion's Sharp tail]
The timeline resets again and I opened my eyes, finding myself free from that mysterious ability and watching the helpless War Criminal judge, who struggles her breathing when dealing the pain of her chest.
At the worse possible time, the Scorpion's shadowy tail is moving from Libra's chest to the next prey. I remember getting hit by the head and it was one of those painful experience to deal with. In order to stay strong, I have to be determine to face the next path and find a way to avoid that previous fate again.
When the stretchy scorpion's tail was heading to the same target spot, I crawled down and avoid his attack in the perfect timing. It was lucky at first but the next attack grows aggressively. It took my time to observe the surroundings and despite being inside the dark cave, I can feel the scorpion tail's presence, wandering around me.
As I looked to the other side and saw the small light, I decided to use that path and escape from this place. When I ran over, the scorpion's tail begun to move and I noticed they're aiming for my legs. However, instead of going to the exit direction, I moved to the right side and avoid that attack, which the scorpion's tail was directed and hit Libra's body again.
I looked at Libra, who was close to dying and got hit by another Scorpio's attack again. I felt bad to use her as a bait in the end. While the Scorpion's tail got Libra, this gives me enough time to leave this place. I realized the Scorpion's tail can't see the target but it can feel someone's presence. That assassin Scorpio wouldn't realized they got Libra instead of me, so I have to move out before they noticed.
I only got five seconds left to reach the outside and escape the dark cave. However, I heard and felt that a blood lust war criminal's steps are closer to me. If I turn back now, they'll definitely kill me for sure. So, I run away, faster like my life depends on it. This brings me a shiver down my spine that it reminds me of the time I kept running away from fastest warriors like Tiger. That memory when she was drunk and fought with me face to face was terrifying that even running away will still reaching her claws on my back.
Speaking of that, running away was my specialty and I'm confident about this but, being run away from a legendary assassin is no joke, if I have a weak and hopeless mental state, I would be stunned and finished by them for one second. But since I'm focused on my determination and survival state, It was easy to forget the intimidating presence of a War Criminal.
When I reached the surface and looked around to find my place to hide, I accidentally stepped into the Hidden Landmines, listening to the sounds before they self destruct and got me with surprises.
Of course, I forgot there's still someone who can create and planted bombs in surface levels. This reminds me of a wildlife show when a small prey was happy to escape from their predator on the sea, they'll eventually get attacked by another predator in the land. Coincidence that I'm a rat who got many predators waiting for me. Another thing this bomb attack recalls my mind is how I still remember my painful memories of the decisive old warrior, Hitsuji-jiisan, who used his strongest bombs and got both of my allies and myself killed in battle.
Just great, getting hit by secret bombs still haunts me to this day. But this war battle is far from over. So, I used my ability again and prepared for another counterattack.
[Reject the path of Stepping into the Hidden Mines]
This time, I lost my rejected path counts but, the timeline resets again and I find myself outside the cave, where I looked behind and saw Scorpio, who is eagerly heading towards me. Instead of running away from him, I stayed and waited patiently. Scorpio saw this opportunity, thinking I have nowhere to run.
However, when they used their claw to aim at my chest, I pulled myself and dodged to the right, which they fell directly to the ground where the bombs were placed. Before they stepped to the ground, their Scorpion tail stretched out and moved towards my head. I widened my eyes, didn't expect his next attack was so sudden and I felt it's over for me.
But that proved it wrong as Scorpio touched the ground and got caught up with the hidden mines, losing the stretch of their scorpion tail as it got out of my reach when that explosion took them. I immediately covered my head and avoided that blow, making me roll over to the side of the forest and got out safely.
The strong explosion bomb kept exploding while I covered my ears and watch as my trap, or Capricorn's Landmines ability, got Scorpio. As soon as the explosion sounds have vanished, the black smoke covered everything in front of the cave. It seems that Scorpio didn't make it out.
When I stood up and watching my surroundings, I noticed a silhouette figure hiding behind the tree and so, I followed it. Later, I realized that person was Capricorn, who was the owner of those Hidden Mine bombs that she planted and got me killed plenty of times that I hardly count.
I gripped my sword and tried to ambush her but, she already found me as she moved her wheelchair backwards, giving far distance so she can plant more bombs to end me. I don't want that thing happened again and I rushed out, hoping to reach her on time.
The moment I approach her, there was a shower of big arrows coming to our direction. I didn't notice we were having another surprised attack as I tried to avoid those arrows. There were so many of them that one of them got my leg and I fell down.
The next thing was hitting my back and then, more arrows got my arms and my throat. The last thing I got shaken and stared with my vision was seeing Capricorn, who ran away back to the forest cowardly before I closed my eyes and died again.
[Reject the path of Getting hit by a Showered of Arrows]
The timeline resets again and I stared at Capricorn, who was going to flee back to the forest. I can see her using the ability to plant more bombs but I won't let that happen again. At the same time, I stared at the sky, where the arrows are directed and I noticed someone is on top of the cliff, who is getting ready to start his next move.
The War criminal who aims and kill, Sagittarius, used his bow and arrow and targets me. He shoots one arrow and I predicted his attack as I dodged it. He then, used another arrows and shoots faster than before while I followed the arrows direction and I dodged it again.
If I get hit by one of them, I'm done for. So, it's necessary to avoid them at all cost. Experiencing this fight reminds me of how the Warrior of the Chicken, Niwatori, used that strategy to call her birds and attack her opponents in far range. I remembered from the previous erased paths that she was standing on the skyscraper and using the high sky burial attack to her enemies in long range. I wanted to forget how I got killed by her birds when she stood at the tall building. And now, I'm standing as a target, where the other war criminal stood at the tallest cliff.
This is just great. But, taking Sagittarius down is not what I'm looking for. I haven't forgotten who is closer to me and I also regret that she already gave more time and planted more hidden bombs than I expected.
While running towards Capricorn, I'm also dealing with Sagittarius arrows and dodge them on time. It's like those two have formed a friendly alliance while I was multi tasked to avoid their attacks. As I chased her, I accidentally stepped into her bombs again and got exploded, killing my whole body again.
[Reject the path of Stepping into the Mine bombs]
The timeline resets again and I don't want to remember my painful mistakes but I planned to learn and avoid the next outcome. This time, I turned to the right and dodged her bombs again. But this time, I was careless that my foot slipped and got hit by Sagittarius arrows again. It got my head in perfect aim as I was blackened and lead to my death again.
[Reject the path of Getting hit by a Showered of Arrows]
The timeline resets again and I stopped, realizing that I avoided Capricorn's bomb but, Sagittarius death arrows are heading towards me if I don't move now. So, I used the other route and didn't get my foot slip and managed to avoid the previous route. It works but, I also got distracted that Capricorn's bombs are ready to kill me again. This time, I can feel the fire surrounding my body, forcing my body to burn heavily while dying.
Blowing up by explosions is also burning my body so badly like how the Snake's flamethrower weapon used to burn me in my previous erased paths. Not only that, I still can't forget how terrifying to feel the coldness whenever I got hit by Dragon's ice thrower weapon. Facing against Capricorn's mines and Sagitarrius's arrows somehow felt resemblance to Snake and Dragon's cooperation skills.
This is worse, I'm starting to recall my torturous erased path experience that I want to forget. When dealing with this war against those Criminals, their attacks kinda remind the days when I fought with them.
Not only that, this battle is forever going to be endlessly causing me more pain since I'm dealing two War Criminals who have good range and unpredictable attacks. As bad as it goes, I also felt tired I could barely keep up with this mess. Even dealing with this battle is going to give me another headache of experiencing multiple faillures.
As much as I hate to admit, even the weakest warrior like me has limits. My hand and body is shaking of the coming bloodbath but, I ignored it and stepped in a death door like an idiot, hoping to find a way to counter those enemies while using my ability.
[Reject the path of Stepping into the Mine bombs]
[Reject the path of Getting hit by a Showered of Arrows]
[Reject the path of Stepping into the Mine bombs]
[Reject the path of Getting hit by a Showered of Arrows]
[Reject the path of Stepping into the Mine bombs]
[Reject the path of Getting hit by a Showered of Arrows]
[Reject the path of Stepping into the Mine bombs]
[Reject the path of Getting hit by a Showered of Arrows]
I got killed by bombs and arrows many many times and I reset the timeline over and over again. I lost count and it felt like I'm dealing infinite bullets holing my body like how the Boar Warrior got me in my previous erased paths. If there was something that could defend me, if I have something like how the Horse Warrior with a talent and ability to defend himself, I wouldn't get so much trouble to deal with those long range attacks that loses my paths.
However, the fight isn't over yet. In fact, my exhausting ability has finally managed to help me reach the impossible task. Capricorn hasn't realized it, but I'm already within her range and my sword is ready to strike her. It's time. If one of the War Criminals is down, I won't get the chance to experience those endless failed routes ever again.
Before I gripped my sword and tried to end Capricorn, someone interrupts me when I received a kick out of nowhere and pushed me back from her reach.
"I was so close. Darn it! Who is it this time?!"
The moment I lift my head with an intense glare to that person who dared to break my plan, I was stunned to see that "they're" standing right now. Who would've thought that the Legendary Assassin or the deadliest war Criminal, Scorpio has survived and managed those explosions. As they're still alive, I saw half of their legs and face got burned and their right arm was dripping with blood. Their half mask was broke but their face was covered with dark bloods.
Scorpio has only got his left arm to try and end me. I couldn't tell their expression but their blood-lust feeling is giving me the shivers. This guy is out for revenge against me. I can tell they want blood to end my life. The assassin turns to the right and noticed Capricorn was closer in their range.
Before Capricorn moved away, Scorpio charge at her in full speed, kicking the wheelchair, causing her to fall down and knocked out. Scorpio wanted to kill her so easily but instead, they turned their head at me, walking towards my direction. I wanted to tell him that bomb was made by her but even Scorpio wouldn't want to focus on that meaningless fact. Their true goal was me and I can tell that trapping them into stepping the mines and getting away from them twice was a disgrace for their pride as assassin.
Scorpio attempt to be the first one to charge me but then, Sagittarius arrows tried to stop them and aims at both of us. The Legendary Assassin saw the attack and they used their Scorpion tail to slice those arrows instead of coming to them. I also managed to avoid those arrows by turning left but, the Assassin is getting closer.
This is bad. There's only two seconds left before their claws will end me again. Leaving with my luck, I grabbed the fallen arrows beside me and and runs to the other side. I also dodged Sagittarius arrows again while being chased by the assassin.
Scorpio was growing impatient as they get tired of chasing a run away target. So they charged at full speed and ready to strike me as a final attack. I stopped and turned to the War Criminal, throwing the arrows with full force.
Of course, Scorpio avoid that attack again and they are ready to assassinate as they're closer to me. But what they didn't expect was the arrow falling down to the ground, getting hit by the hidden bombs that was placed in front of him.
Scorpio couldn't predict this would happen and they couldn't dodge it this time since they only have one direction, to aim right at me. Now that they're in no condition to escape, Scorpio didn't expect they would fall for my trap again. Leaving with no option left, they accept their loss and felt the burning sensation coming to their bodies as the bomb managed to destruct them on time.
I witnessed that my plan for getting Scorpio trapped into the bombs was successful but, seeing their final decision gave me a goosebumps that even death, this assassin has no fear to accept it. Just as they got execute in front of me, I covered my body but I got blown away from the blasting Explosion, leaving me in an open field, where Sagittarius can easily find me. No, not like this.
I struggled to stay awake and fight back but suddenly, there was another explosion coming beside me, blowing the forest away, causing a huge wind impact to my direction, throwing me away to the other side of the nearby burning forest and making me fell unconscious. When my vision fades away, I was hoping I could fulfill this trial but, my limits will never let me. Darn it!
**NO POV**
Meanwhile, Sagittarius couldn't see anything from the black smoke that produced when one of them got hit by the bombs. He never expected the aggressive War Criminal with one arm could still fight back and determine to kill the mastermind. Sagittarius remembered that if one of them kill that brat, they can get away from this mysterious island and left alive. That's what he's planning to do, taking the first kill before someone gets it. It's what a hunter strives for.
However, he noticed that Scorpio was no longer in the field and saw Nezumi in the corner, it was his chance to get the kill. He used his bow and arrow to aim at the mastermind but,
The moment he focused too much to his prey, he didn't notice that someone grabbed his throat and felt his blood is losing. Who is it and how did someone manage to sneak behind his back?
He couldn't see that person when he turned his eyes back but the way his unknown enemy's hand gripping his throat was so strong that even his arms won't reach him. No, it's not his strength that made his opponent stronger, it's his loss of blood.
Sagittarius felt powerless the more his blood got taken. When he reached his limit and got all the blood out from his body, the mysterious killer threw his body to the cliff and end him. Sagittarius couldn't identify the killer before he closed his eyes and accept his fate. When that mysterious killer watched the fallen body of the archer in the stream flowing down, that figure released its presence from his raincoat and it reveals to be Aquarius.
The War Criminal who has the ability to control waters and hides himself with his Mirror Camouflage coat that even birds can't see him, is standing on top of the cliff. He was waiting for the moment to end War Criminals who have long range attacks. No wonder he's been alive for so long. Aquarius watched how the battle got unfold and whenever someone stepped on water materials, he immediately used his ability to trap and drowned them alive.
Right now, Aquarius looked at the battlefield and saw the target Mastermind, who was looking on his surroundings. Beside the forest, he can see the pathetic War Criminal, Capricorn, who was gaining her conscious back.
Capricorn managed to wake up and held her head, knowing she's still alive. She tried to crawl and slowly stand up but, when she felt she stepped foot on the surface for the first time, she stared at the broken wheelchair in front before she looked at herself and remembered something horrifying.
She realized she touched the ground, which shook her head and felt her PTSD state got triggered back to her mind. She shouted in panic and feared herself as she desperately find a way to stop her from walking or standing up but,
The moment she runs away without thinking, she accidentally stepped on her landmine explosion bombs and heard the trigger noises before she realized she got a big mistake and took a false execution.
Then, Aquarius watched the explosion unfolds and witnessed that Capricorn got killed by her own explosions, questioning whether she deserves it or not. He also saw the Young Mastermind got blown up but got safely landed on the other side. There are no waters to control nearby and their range has limits.
Aquarius clicked his tongue, knowing he needs to get closer to kill that brat. So, he used his Water ability to control the waterfalls and elevating him to the ground. He also covers himself with invisibility so that no one will aware of his presence. He doesn't let his guard down. He already witness how this mastermind has avoided any obstacles many times.
The War Criminal with raincoat was heading to the forest as a shortcut way to get to his target. Just as he spot the unconscious mastermind, there was someone who was heading towards him. A tall woman with long hair, wearing a lab coat, it was Pisces.
Aquarius doesn't take any chances as he used his Water ability and control the water from his bucket. He was pointing his ability at her. However, his head suddenly felt dizzy and lose his focused on his ability. He touched his head, wondering what's happening to him. As soon as he started coughing, he realized there's blood on his hands and felt he got a nosebleed.
No, she couldn't be. Aquarius realized his big mistake, he remembered he saw Virgo's dead body with a nosebleed near the forest, realizing his enemy's fate, which means that someone made a poison in this area. He turned back to the Mastermind's location and saw that Pisces tried to put a syringe to her target.
Aquarius runs over and tries to escape this field but he was consumed by a strange poison that has been affecting him, making him slower at walking and suffering to his loss of blood. He coughed up more blood and lost them, which the poison has been affected more. He realized he's out of time as he used his remaining ability powers to fight and end them with all his got.
In front of him, he was surprised that the Young Mastermind fought back to Pisces while holding Virgo's steel broom. While they were distracted, Aquarius felt this is his moment. His final chance. He needs to kill them. At all costs.
"Blood Water Technique! Shoot those Enemies!"
When Aquarius forced to raise his shaking hand while coughing more blood, he used the Water and his own blood and, shoots at the defenseless warriors. As the blood Waters went to their direction, the Young Mastermind charged at Pisces, who kept throwing her syringe at him.
However, the results of his surprising attack has turned with an effective outcome. He couldn't see anything when the sand blocks his view and at the same time, he lost a lot of blood and suffered through the poison. Through his dying breath, his last attack was his final trump card that made him proud of showing all his got.
Even though Aquarius couldn't see the results, he was satisfied his attacks manage to hit his enemies. He puts up a smile on his face before he died. When the second to the last war criminal is out of battle, the final curtain is coming to the end. The last outcome that he couldn't witness is revealed that, out of everyone, the one who got hit by the surprised attack was none other than Pisces.
To her surprise, Pisces didn't expect she fell into Aquarius's Water blood techniques, revealing that his attacks got her vital organs. When Pisces knelt down while holding her syringe, she saw the Silver haired mastermind was approaching her.
Even though she was on a verge of death, Pisces won't give up as she pretends to be weaken, waiting for the Young Mastermind to let his guard down. As her target is within her range, he knelt down and looked at her with a pity expression but, Pisces didn't mind that.
In fact, she was amazed how this young mastermind has avoided her poison traps that she placed them in the forest. Maybe that's why he stayed at the beach because he already knew she turned the forest into hazardous poisonous fields. Even though she respect his actions, she still determines to win and free from this battle royal.
No matter how many sacrifices and killings she made, Pisces wants to stay alive and eliminate those who try to interfere her lives. The moment when the Young boy is closer to her, this was her last chance. She gripped the syringe and stood up, throwing that weapon towards her target's neck.
As she was close to victory, the young man pulled his body back and swings the Steel broom from her hands, dropping the syringe back and got her arm. Pisces let out a scream when the syringe caused a poison effect that slowly affecting her body.
Pisces fell down and tried to control her breathing but, she coughed with blood coming out of her mouth until she stopped moving, causing her blood loss as she died in front of the young mastermind. It took seven seconds for her death after Aquarius got eliminated.
That leaves no War Criminal remaining in this island and the young mastermind, Nezumi is the only one left alive.
**Rat/Nezumi POV**
Before their deaths, I didn't expect this final branch paths have helped me win. I was speechless when this battle is quick to come close to an end. It was 24th wins in my Hundred paths. No, it was seventy six out of hundredth paths that I failed in this 53rd trial. So much deaths that I could feel the corpses behind my back whenever I experience them.
The part where I end Scorpio's life by trapping him into the mines was the time I remember how this trial got me win.
The time I woke up from the explosions, I discovered that I'm still alive in the open field and I noticed that Sagittarius was nowhere on the cliff. The second explosion that blew me away must be someone who accidentally got killed, I checked it out and saw the broken wheelchair nearby. I realized it must be Capricorn who got hit by her own explosion. I wonder if she deserves that, I heard a lot of stories from her in my previous paths and trials. Thinking about her must be painful but, I mustn't left my emotions come out since there are only few war criminals left who want me dead.
So, what am I gonna do now? Should I scout this place and find out where they are? I used my ability and try to explore this island. As more path goes, I realized the corpse of those War Criminals that I haven't fought closer were died near the forest. Sagittarius body is on the stream and Virgo's body is in the forest. Libra's corpse was too dark for me to see but I can tell she's already over.
That leaves to the two remaining warriors I haven't encountered, Aquarius and Pisces.
When I used my ability and find those hidden criminals, I witnessed death paths that brought me in unexpected twisted events. In the end, I realized I'm in big trouble after experiencing another painful and meaningless death in my other paths.
[Reject the path of Poisoned in the Forest field]
[Reject the path of Getting Blood loss by an Invisible Guy]
[Reject the path of Getting hit by A Poisonous Syringe]
[Reject the path of Drowning in Wet to Death]
[Reject the path of Getting poisoned and stab in the back]
"I'm dead..." I muttered and touched my head, trying to stay compose as usual.
Many Timelines got reset and erased because of me. I shook my head and got myself under control again. So far, the last remaining War Criminals are much more of a threat to open fields and in fact, they're worse than Capricorn and Sagittarius. They let me suffer and kill me many times and I didn't expect they're getting the same goal. To kill me, because of my reckless and nonsense speech, they think I'm a Mastermind who was pulling behind the strings.
In fact, I never wanted to be part of this. I died so many times and try again for the sake of survival and escaping this game. This endless arena caused me to experience multiple trials that gave me enough more than hundred paths to learn and fail multiple times. I'm super tired of this mess that I want to die. But for the sake of myself, or them, I had to stay alive and keep myself active.
So first things first, how should I get them at each other's throats? The last time I got involved by two War Criminals is by being a bait. Meaning, if I have to do the same thing, they'll let their guard down and kill themselves. But without Capricorn's explosions, how in the world am I going to fight?
Think Nezumi! You're supposed to be a Warrior of A Rat. The one who always run away from problems and avoided many impossible tasks. The Warrior who avoided many deaths plenty of times that no one has done before. The one who declares himself to every warriors by "Killing All".
What could he do in times like this? In fact, if he remembers the previous battles he got, the only person he thinks of, who can solve everything, is Sharyuu, the Warrior of the Monkey and the most smartest pacifist person he ever met in his previous war battle. If Sharyuu was here, what could she do? I knew she would never kill everyone but she can fight peacefully. Not only with words but her plans.
Before I think about my strategies, I noticed there was a Steel broom beside the Coconut trees. This weapon must have dropped by Virgo before he died. I didn't expect this broom would be so valuable to him. Even though I can't use it to fly around, I think this will come in handy. Maybe I can fight this to avoid from Pisces's Syringe attacks.
That leaves with Aquarius, he's the most unpredictable guy who can turn himself invisible using his raincoat and his water abilities. If he's still aware of my surroundings, he'll use his chance to approach me behind and touched my body to get my blood out and die. Of course, I don't want to deal with him but,
If I remember correctly, even the weakest warrior has the luckiest chance to survive. I heard from the previous battle by Niwatori, the Chicken Lady, she taught me that acting as a weak and timid person could stand a chance to fight against the strongest foe. I learned that from my previous experience with her. If they think I let my guard down, maybe, just maybe this could be only chance. I'll try but, I hope my paths could lead to success.
Curse this mess, I bet that Referee old guy with a hat is watching and laughing at me right now. If I ever see "that guy" again, I want to strangle his neck, slap his face and complain him again. But knowing how strong that old guy was, I don't want to risk my annoyance to lose my life again.
Anyways, back to my battle, I decided to pretend on losing consciousness near the forest, where Aquarius will find me nearby. Of course, I'm aware of the poison field inside that forest but, It's do or die now! All or nothing.
As minutes pass by, I took a one eye peek and saw a silhouette of a guy standing in the forest, who is behaving weirdly. This could mean that he fell into Pisces's own trap, her poisonous field has affecting him. But the battle is not over yet, Pisces is coming towards me and she didn't notice I'm ready for her counterattack.
I also didn't want Aquarius to end his life quickly while Pisces is still alive. In fact, I want both of them to end their lives at the same time so that there will be no victor.
This battle tournament game has a limit that if one War Criminal was left alive for one minute, that means the battle royal will reset again, forcing me to undertake another trial. I don't want to let that happen so, I have to rush and fight back to end this test. At all cost!
When Pisces threw her syringe, I immediately stood up and swung the Steel broom, avoiding her attack. She noticed I was ready as she took a step back. I charged at her first, now going for another plan to counter her.
When I heard that Aquarius kept coughing more blood, I had no time to think more as I was desperate to end the Doctor's life as quickly as possible. Even though I'm aware to be weak to kill her, I could at least try to let her guard down.
Pisces tries to throw the Syringe at me, it got my left arm and I fell down. She kicks me and threw another syringe and got my legs, causing me to feel like I got bit by a poisonous snake and suffer by this outcome.
[Reject the path of Getting hit by A Poisonous Syringe]
The timeline resets again and I dodged her attacks and strike her again but, Pisces avoid it and used her syringe to aim at my back. It succeeded it and I prepared for the next outcome.
[Reject the path of Getting hit by A Poisonous Syringe]
The timeline resets again and I dodged her attacks, immediately moved to the other side and manage to hit her by swinging the steel broom from her back. She rolled over but quickly kneels up and grabbed her syringe weapons. Before she stood up, I noticed that Aquarius is slowly dying and releases his final attack, his Blood Water techniques that could sting your body on one touch.
Of course, the first time I saw this outcome was a huge surprise. I let my guard down and got hit in my first try as the results covered us with the sand attack, the moment I opened my eyes, I saw that my body lost my blood and vital organs, which eventually leads me to my death. This wasn't what I want this outcome to happen so, I used my ability and prepares for my next counterattack.
[Reject the path of Getting hit by the Blood Water technique]
The timeline resets again and I heard his attacks are closer now. While Pisces didn't notice, I was determined to wait for this opportunity to get to her. When the Blood water attack from Aquarius is closer to us, I used the Steel broom and swings the Sand shore at Pisces's face, causing her to distract while I jumped away to avoid the surprised attack.
Pisces, still trying to clear her vision from the sand, hasn't realized the Blood Water attack got blown her bodies, eventually hit her vital organs as she fell down. I watched Aquarius, who fell down and died with a smile while Pisces was close to her death.
There's only fifteen seconds before she get this victory and it's now or never to change this history rule. I quickly went to kneel down, checking if she's still alive but then, Pisces saw this opportunity and held her Syringe to finish me off.
Of course, I didn't let my guard down as I pulled back and used the Steel broom to hit her hand, causing her syringe to fall in her arms and injected her. I watched Pisces, who realized her own attacks caused her sufferings from her body as she screamed and struggles to breathe in.
It was also disturbing and uncomfortable to watch her coughing up blood that this War Criminal got poisoned by her own poisonous attacks. After seven seconds, she lost her will to fight as she fell down and closed her eyes.
Honestly, seeing her death doesn't give me compassion and bitterness for some reason. Only pity is the feeling I get to watch them helplessly killed. The fact that all War Criminals are fighting to their meaningless death was too much. Why would anyone punish them with more endless trials like that?
Before I could think of my actions, I realized I was the only one left alive in this island. I also knew that every criminals that I never witnessed getting killed, was also brought dead when I used my ability and scout the whole areas.
Even if I won, I wasn't proud of my victories. As what I've learned, I may won this time but, I lost more than sixty times. And it's all thanks to my stupid ability. No matter how much everyone expects how great you are when you won, in the end, I failed and lose the battle many times just for one win. It doesn't felt like I win at all. In every battle I face in the past, most of them makes me felt like a coward and a sore loser that winning is not how I'm proud to deal with but, surviving is what I'm after.
Speaking of surviving, I did it right?
I passed the test right? I got to defeat all the War Criminals and end their battle royal without anyone alive. In fact, I didn't want to take this trial of killing them but getting stuck to this endless arena for more than 53 trials is getting out of hand. It makes me want to end this war so much. But then, if I'm the only one left without a War Criminal victor, then I may have a chance to break this rule and leave this island?
I also realized that I didn't actually kill them with my own hands, I just used my strategy, ability and my running away techniques to let them kill each other. But what am I going to do now that all the Twelve War Criminals are defeated, well, as a matter of fact, this island is going to change now. Am I going to go home right? Those War Criminals are going to change, right?
Because the moment when one minute has passed by, I got to witness the glitch areas around the sky that is changing around, showing that the battle arena stage is changing soon. I watched how the process of resetting the world comes to end. Of course, I know this battle arena is a false virtual world from a place called Artificial Island. I still won't forget how "that guy" invited me to the most important place, where they store the World Memory System in a private island.
Does that mean my 53rd trial plan of killing all the War Criminals without a victor is going to change? Does that mean my plan is success? Was clearing the game by punishing the War Criminals is the answer all the time? I was planning to test this out without hesitate and I wonder if this virtual artificial world will actually be affected.
Please, let it work. Please, let me go home and sleep! I've been stuck to this Never ending Virtual world with those killers for many times than I could imagined. I even lost count of how I used my Hundred Path experience in every trials. Even if I called this one as "53rd trial times to stay", I honestly lied and pretend it since I forgot how many real number of times I got to this mess.
However, it turns out that the truth brings despair to my mind once again. It broke my expectations when I realized the harsh reality truth of what I'm facing right now.
When I blinked myself and opened my eyes, hoping that I actually leave this Virtual battle arena Island and waking up from my never ending nightmare, I saw the Battle Royal arena in the tropical island. It was as if there were no scratches, no ruins, no explosions or blood has been taking place. It was as if the world has resetted once again.
It turns out that this time, the "54th trial" is going to commence soon as the War Criminals are gathered inside the arena, waiting for another countdown before they fight. They're going to be punish by facing each other to the death until one victor remains again. With the world resetting back to the original stage, the Criminals have no recall of memories from the previous trials they faced back. They don't even have memories of who won or lose and how they got previously killed from the last war trials.
Except one.
Unlike those Criminals, I'm the only one who got to remember those trials that I've witnessed from their war battle. Even if I died and this fake tropical world will reset, I can still feel pain and remember all the failures I put up with this. It's like the same thing as my Hundred Path abilities but this time, each trial will make me witness hundred battles at once. More than fifty three and multiply by hundreds will let me remember my failures.
Seeing the Cleanest Battle Royal Arena that will caused more bloodshed happening anytime soon felt disgusted, I scratched my head and felt that my insanity is going to reach my limit. I'm going to have another breakdown anytime soon, won't I?
I realized that even if I kill them with no victors or leave them alive with one victor, this endless game won't change. Even if sparing everyone is much more impossible and a much harder task to deal with since most criminals are very aggressive in their early starting point, I still won't be able to clear this chaotic game.
After all those painful deaths and efforts? After all those experience I witness on seeing those poor Criminals getting killed many times? Just how much am I going to stay and suffer with this war world experience?! What am I gonna do now?! How long am I gonna stay here and get wrecked by everyone?!
For real, I'm going to be stuck here forever. I didn't notice that tears are already flowing down my cheeks. I couldn't control myself when I realized that all my efforts were in vain. All my plans and desperation on attempting to change the 53rd trial has lost my hopeful ways of getting out of this mess. If I can't change something, I'll be living here with those remaining humans who are either going to kill me or not from now on.
I couldn't tell if those screams were the Criminals or someone else, because right now, that loud noise that reach into my ears, sounds like my voice is crying loudly. Feeling helpless, I struggled to keep myself under control myself slowly and slowly. I tried to get my grip again, many times until, I stopped crying, curled up in those sandy shores and fell asleep.
Right now, I don't have attachment to this virtual world with endless battle as I sleep and dream again. Even if I tried to escape reality and false hope, I would eventually wake up and go back again. Running away was not even an option in this Artificial island but, maybe taking a whole rest will give me some time to make myself feel better before thinking new ways to escape.
Even if those War Criminals are battling right now, there was no point on talking to them when I'm on a verge of breaking meltdown right now. If they ever find me and torture to kill me again, I don't mind that as I often get used to their antics already. Maybe next time, I could ask them to kill me quickly since every time I died in those battle without using my ability, I always revive back to the next trial after experiencing deaths and opened my eyes again.
I think it's better to stay alive and keep myself at all cost. Maybe sleeping forever would keep me alive. Maybe staying on this island while sleeping in every trials could be worth it. Sometimes, I always pretend this war game is but a dream that won't happen in real life. I wonder which is the Dream or Real world I'm experiencing right now.
*Settings Details 3: Not Cannon/Not Original By the Way
Name: Artificial Island
Location Map: Unknown
Owner of this Island: Juuni Taisen Organisation (But they Abandoned it After the Twelfth Zodiac War)
Current Watcher: ?
Description: A Tropical Island that was once a Battle Territory Arena from the previous Zodiac war but, they improved and turned it into advanced "World Memory Facility System" where anyone inside that island can dream in a Simulated Virtual World and experience War Battles no matter how many times they died. Inside the Virtual World, anyone can use their abilities and skills but they cannot control the rules of the world.
(My Creative Non-Cannon) Action:
So far, Only Nezumi is the Breaking Enigma who remembers everything, no matter how many times the War Battle Arena resets in every trial. Even if he got killed, he can wake up in the next trial, which he cannot be affected by any reset simulation process. He can still used his Hundred path abilities but it's not about creating alternate realities but, possibilities that can turn back time in this virtual Artificial Island.
When the Battle Arena resets back to the next Trial, most War Criminals will eventually erase their memories and reset their battle experience over and over again. They don't recall previous memories they shared with Nezumi and no matter how many times the War Criminals kill him, they won't get a sense of deja vu since his ability can only use to change his ways instead of erasing different worlds.
The Artificial Island has a World Memory and Cleansing effect that will change the world when someone uses it appropriately.