Chapter 44
"This key against my life, it's give and take."
"Ha! Have you forgotten what I told you? With us, we take and that's it! What we want, we get, no strings attached!"
"Do you want to try to sweet-talk them? Do you really think it will work?" Ryuji asks me.
"I understand they're dangerous, but they're still just villains who'll do anything for money, aren't they?" I ask a question in return.
"*Sigh* Listen to me Senji, there's no negotiating with these weirdos! This clan is indeed a bunch of thugs baited by money, if it were up to them, you might be able to bargain. But One is different! He doesn't play for money so much as for the pleasure of killing! That bastard... I'll never forgive him! He tore my little brother apart in front of my eyes... I'll kill him, whatever it takes!" Then he pulls out three grenades tied together.
"I understand your hatred for him better, but the situation won't be in our favor, you know that... What the hell?! What are you going to do with those grenades?"
"He's not easy to take by surprise, he'll vanish as soon as I pull out my grenades! I have to wait for the right moment, when he'll use his sigil to finish me off. All I ask is that you stay out of my way." Ryuji looks me straight in the eyes, determined.
(I know exactly what you're thinking Ryuji, sorry but I won't let you die with that guy.)
"You refuse my conditions? If that's how you feel..." I charge my magic circuits, putting the key in an aura of magical projections, ready to destroy it. "You leave me no choice! I thought you knew the value of this object."
One's face changes, he looks hesitant, even if he tries to hide it.
"Go ahead, destroy it, I don't care! It's not like your key is really the key to the treasure!" He tries to bluff.
"You'll have to take my word for it. In fact the number on the diamond was 888001 and I found out what it meant!" I'm lying through my teeth, Ryuji must be biting his fingers. "As you probably know, the numbers on the other bracelets gave the position of the station, so your mistake was to think the treasure was there. The number on the dimant is clearly in two parts! "888" and "001", in Shibuya station, 888 necessarily indicates the Hachiko dog statue. It was on its base that I discovered the key, and when I saw it, it clicked! It's the key to a bank safe. Once you understand that, the rest is obvious. 001 is the code for the Inaho bank, so that's where the treasure is!" My throat hurts after talking so much, having nothing to drink for a while.
There's a deep silence and One squints, probably trying to figure out if I'm lying or not. All that's left to do now is win this psychological war. A guy approaches him, probably to whisper something, so I strengthen my eardrums.
"It would be a shame to miss an opportunity like this, given the scale of the event, the reward must be incredible." At least this guy believes it.
"Buckle up Shinji!" One clearly hesitates.
Time is getting long, I can feel my magic circuits getting tired after this long day, even maintaining a projection is becoming complicated.
"All right!" One finally makes up his mind. "I guarantee your safety in exchange for the key, though... His life isn't part of the deal! Don't ask too much of me... I can't bear to stop once I've started a dissection!"
I'm getting ready to say it, hating myself even more in advance.
"I don't care! We were just allied to find the treasure, it's not like we were buddies!" I can't believe I just blurted out that atrocity.
"HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!" One holds his stomach, laughing so hard. "He dumped you in style, my poor Ryuji! Now that's the spirit of Darwin's Game!"
Ryuji bows his head, having understood perfectly well that I was lying.
"So, do we have a deal?" I stop and hold up the key for all to see.
"Okay! But if you've led me on, I'll slaughter you straight away!" A big, devilish grin spreads across One's face.
"If you think I'm lying, just take a look at the key."
"What?"
"Here, take a good look!" I thrust out my arm and swing the key in his direction.
"Hey!" One is surprised and steps forward, passing Ryuji to grab the key.
"You know what I think?" Seeing Ryuji run his hand through his coat, I waste no more time. "No matter how well they did, the real winners are the ones who are still alive at the end!" I remember what Kiritsugu once said to me.
(I'll give it my best shot! There's no guarantee that I'll succeed, but it's my only chance to win the game!)
I run to an automatic locker and press "Withdraw ", remembering Rain's message.
(The last number, on the diamond bracelet, is "185911", corresponding to the publication of Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species". That's what Rain wrote to me. The link with Darwin's Game is obvious, but I don't see the one with Shibuya station, and why only the month and year of publication? Usually, we write either just the year or the whole date, so there must be a reason. In my opinion, the number has no particular meaning, it's just a password. What's important is the number of digits that make it up. In this station, the only machines that work with a six-digit code are the automatic lockers at the south exit!)
I enter the code 185911 in the automatic locker, which opens the locker hatch next to it.
One grabs the key and inspects it, not understanding.
"It doesn't look like a safe key... It looks more like..." Suddenly, I make it disappear.
"Pardon! I made a mistake! It's the key to my bicycle anti-theft device!" I only projected the key, not wanting to lose the real one.
One's face changes to look like a bloodthirsty monster.
"You're dead, you little brat!" But too late, cubes of light all around him, the rest of his gang and Ryuji, announcing the end of the game.
"It's over, the teleportation has started! We're immobilized!" Shouts one of them.
"Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! So One, not too ashamed? You've been had in style!" Ryuji laughs at One.
"Bastard!" One screams, staring at me with a monster stare. "I've got your face on tape! You've got nothing to lose but time! I'll find you and cut you to pieces!"
"Try me, I'll make you regret it."
"Calling all treasure hunt participants: one player has won the game! All competitors will be teleported out of the event area! Notice to treasure-hunt participants, a player has won the game!..." Out of nowhere, a message is heard playing on a loop.
Suddenly, I find myself alone, a deserted street, flat silence, I can see the smoke from the hotel fire in the distance between two buildings.
"Is it finally over?" I ask.
Without realizing it, I find myself leaning against the lockers, regaining my composure for a few minutes. Then I turn my head towards the open locker, stand up and see a cardboard box inside. I open it to see a phone.
"Is this the treasure?" I take it in my hand. "We fought over a poor smartphone?"
Suddenly, the phone lights up and rings, initiating a call. No name, just the icon of Darwin's Game's winged snake. Hesitantly, I accept the call and put the phone to my ear.
"Bravo Senji Emiya! This is a magnificent victory! You've upset all my predictions!"
"...Who is this?" I ask, but he doesn't answer. All I know is that it's a man's voice. "Answer it! Who are you?!" I raise my voice.
"Hey hey hey. Clever as you are, you should have guessed by now! Want a hint?"
"Ah... Okay, you're the game administrator!"
"Bingo! You've earned 1,000 points!"
My phone starts to vibrate, and I open it to see an announcement that the administrator has just offered me 1,000 points.
"I think I've proved without the slightest ambiguity that I'm the master of the game, but make no mistake, these few points are not the reward for the treasure hunt!"
"Did you create this damned game and drag us into it?"
"Not exactly, let's say I designed the interface."
"...And my friend Hiroyuki Kyoda? You must know what's become of him?"
"Let's see Senji... You figured that out a long time ago! Kyoda is dead, he was killed the night before your first fight, by his teacher, Banda-boy! The same player who lost his life in a duel against you, in other words, you've avenged your friend without knowing it! Congratulations!"
What I hear is hard to get through.
"Anyway, since you won this game, you deserve a gift of that name! Don't thank me, it's only natural... For starters, 10,000 points! I've transferred half of them to the participants on your friends list. So, including the bonus for surviving the Battle Royale mode, you receive a total of 5,237 points! But that's just a little extra, because after overcoming such an arduous test, you deserve a prize commensurate with your efforts! So I'm going to grant you a special privilege!"
"What..." My teenage, tired brain has trouble keeping up with everything.
"Ask me what you want and I'll make sure you get it! Within the limits of my possibilities, of course..."
"...A wish...? I suppose it's too much to ask, but I'd like to stop this game once and for all, obviously!"
"Hmm... that's not going to be feasible, it would be contrary to my purpose."
"I'm sure I can ask whatever I want, but only if it's convenient for you, right?"
"I never claimed to be able to grant any wish! That said, I've always endeavored to respond to winners' requests. For example, I granted a player the opening of a betting shop based on Darwin's Game. To another, I allowed the organization of tournaments equivalent to duels. On one occasion, I even established a system of insurance contracts!"
"I don't want anything, except to get this game over with!"
"Believe me, I'd love to! But I can't offer you that privilege. I can, however, tell you the two ways to get there."
"Which is it?"
"The first is that someone completes Darwin's Game, in which case my goal will be reached and the game will automatically stop. As far as I'm concerned, that would be ideal!"
"And the other solution?"
"Kill me and annihilate the Darwin's Game system!"
I concentrate and take advantage of the dead calm to think of a wish.
"Very well, I'll make another wish." After a few seconds, I finally find something.
"I'm listening! ...Hmm... Here's an interesting idea... Agreed! Ah yes, I have another present for you! I've slightly boosted your magic circuits, as you were able to try earlier, you can change the compositions of your blades, I hope you're happy with that!" Suddenly, cubes of light appear around me. "I hope you get your wish! Good luck!"
I close my eyes, dazzled by the teleportation, and when I open them again, I'm back in that alley before the event began.
"Senji!" I barely have time to turn around when Shuka embraces me.
"Welcome back, champ!" Inukai emerges from the shadows, waving at me.
"Inukai, you survived, well done, with everything that's happened, I had a little thought for you." I say, stroking Shuka's head.
"Of course I survived, but you're right, it was a real slaughter, especially when some clans decided to show up when they weren't participating."
"The Eighth..."
"Yeah, but not only..."
"Besides!" Shuka lifts her head to look me in the eyes. "Tell me everything that happened after we split up."
"Okay, but quickly."
"One this bastard!" Shuka stamps her foot after hearing what happened.
"Yeah, there's no doubt about it, One is mentally ill, he'll do anything to find you." Inukai confirms One's words.
"I don't doubt it but right now there are more serious things to think about, One cut Ryuji's hand off and that worries me." I pick up my phone to contact him.
"Oh, that reminds me, I need to get in touch with Sui too!" Shuka does the same.
"Um, for your buddy with the severed hand, maybe I can do something to help." Inukai approaches.
"I'm listening." I look up.
"In the clan I belong to, the leader's wife is able to heal the worst wounds, even lost limbs."
"Which clan do you belong to?" Shuka asks.
"Danjo Boxing Club. And before you ask, we're the complete opposite of Eighth and that weirdo One."
"Okay I trust you, I'll let you contact them, I'll take this opportunity to contact Ryuji and talk to Shuka."
I put my hand on Shuka's shoulder and took her with me a few meters further, at the same time receiving a message from Rain, who said she'd get in touch with me as soon as possible after her stay at the hospital. I answer her briefly, then turn my attention back to Shuka.
"Shuka, do you know the clan of Inukai? Looking at him, I can't imagine it's the same as the Eighth." I ask.
"Hmmm, This clan is renowned for its uprightness, their pride in their martial arts and the honor of combat. It's clear they have nothing to do with the Eighth clan, why?"
"Since we'll be creating a clan of our own in the near future, I thought it wouldn't hurt to make some allies, if possible."
"..." Shuka said nothing, looking at me doubtfully. Then, after a few seconds, she lets out a long sigh. "Okay, I've got nothing against it, if you think it's a good idea, I'll go along with it. And then, it's true that this is the best clan for it, but don't get your hopes up, Darwin's Game is still a game where you kill each other."
"I know, don't worry, I'll keep it in the back of my mind."
Having finished our private chat, we return to Inukai, who seems to have just finished his call.
"I've called the clan chief, he's ok to treat your friend and above all he wants to meet you, with your victory in the event, you're going to become a little celebrity my friend."
"Okay perfect, give me the address so I can send it to him and we can go."
"Good evening leader! I'm home, and with the hero of the evening no less."
"Inukai, welcome back." The man who greets us at the entrance to this gym is large, with pale blue eyes and short blond hair, shaved on the sides. He wears a sleeveless white keikogi with a black belt. "So you're the winner of the event. Senji Emyia isn't it?"
"Indeed, delighted."I raise my hand to him. He looks at it for a second, then squeezes it. Even without needing to squeeze too hard, I can feel all his power and discipline.
"Welcome to the club, Senji and the invincible queen, your friend has already arrived and my wife has taken care of him immediately."
"Whew, that's good, thanks for that."
"It's perfectly normal, we know our enemies." Strange, is that supposed to be a subliminal message? His insistent gaze on me seems to indicate it.
"Speaking of common enemies, I also came here for more diplomatic reasons. It won't be long before Shuka and I start a clan, and we're hoping that you and I can be allies."
"What? Hey that wasn't planned..!" Inukai seems surprised, but his boss stops him immediately.
His gaze is even more intense, he seems to be reading me, observing me, my posture, my breathing. I don't look away, I remain absolutely focused on him, showing him that even though I'm still young, I'm not afraid, that I'm capable of being a strong ally.
"I see." A distinct smile spreads across his face. "You have great potential, there's no doubt about it, but will you make the grade, face the future. You're still a teenager..."
"Don't let the appearance fool you, yes, I'm a teenager, but I've seen enough to stop being fooled by this world. It's not a guy like One or other cases like him that are going to scare me."
A heavy silence fills the room. But the chef's smile grows wider.
"One month, one month for your friend to be fully healed and one month to train you here, until I can gauge whether you can really be an ally to my clan." The decision is made. "Inukai will train with you, to familiarize you with the gym environment."
"Why?" Inukai asks, pouting.
"It seems to me he's got you beat, hasn't he? Then you deserve some proper training too, is that clear?" His authority is no laughing matter.
"Yes..." Inukai replies curtly, though I can see a gleam of excitement in his eyes.
"Is it good for you too Senji?" He asks me.
"It's perfect... um..."
"Alexei Bergenikov, but here they call me Danjou. Anyway, we've got a month to learn each other, so let's not rush things. On that note, it's been a long evening for everyone, but especially for you, so get some rest. Inukai, I'm counting on you to help Senji as best you can." With a final bow, he left, leaving us alone at the entrance.
"...Well, that went better than I expected." I'm thinking out loud.
"You were so cool Senji! Even I got chills when he stared at you like that!" Shuka compliments me.
"I have to admit I'm impressed, only his wife would stand up to him like that." Adds Inukai.
"It's precisely because I'm not part of the clan that I have to show that I've got guts."
"Hm. I see, that's fair. Well I'll be in touch as soon as training starts, I'm counting on you, otherwise it's me who'll be getting my knuckles slapped."
"No problem. If we can just stop by and see Ryuji before we leave."
After visiting Ryuiji, who's still pale after his confrontation with One, we separate from Inukai and take the train back to Fuyuki. On the way, we say nothing. Shuka has fallen asleep, her head resting on my shoulder. I stare out at the horizon, thinking about everything that's happened and, above all, what's next.
(One... This guy is dangerous. If he's really after me, he won't hesitate to put Fuyuki to the sword. I've got to stop him, but do I have to warn them all? If I don't, they'll be potential victims, no doubt about it, but the last thing I want to do is put them in the spotlight...)
"I don't want to put them in danger... but the situation leaves me little choice... What will you do in my place, Kiritsugu...?"