Part 1.

We turned our tracks right into the arena and then Rayazaki asked what the path of action was; as we made our way to the other section's bridge.

"What now? The other elevator won't work and we are stuck with a component we can't associate anything with. Do we give up and go back to the surface?"

I thought of having this conversation while standing still along with Kuzan and Rayazaki, but I decided not to waste time and talked with them as we made our way up to the elevator which would take us to the second section's tower.

"There is no way in hell that we are going back to the surface. We have the necessary resources to make a prolonged journey."

"For how long are we going to stay here, Master?"

"For as long as we can hold out. It's clear that this world has to offer more than what the surface has. Each word is connected to the components and if each word is crucial to the exam, we will put our time into clearing the stages to come."

"That's already damn obvious, man. What I meant was that we need a GOOD plan here. I'm thinking that we should actually go to the surface and get the rest like we initially intended!"

Rayazaki's point is something I've thought over and over these past days. The conclusion to take here is that we NEED all the words to clear all the sections, otherwise we won't get all the components. And in order to get all the components we need EVERYONE'S words, but... Isn't it just strange? I mean, come on, think about it. It's been quite the few days and we have NOT encountered the remaining bastards. It's very evident what's happening, so I'll enlighten Rayazaki a little bit.

"It's not gonna work, Rayazaki."

"Why?"

"Because we are being conspired against by them."

"Them? Who do you mean, Master?"

"Think about that, for a bit, Kuzan."

I left it at that and talked to Rayazaki once again.

"Sagasuga is not working alone and the fact that we haven't encountered ANYONE here in the sections thus far is very odd."

"I agree with that. But where is Akihiko? And Kan? Tsudo and Tatsu? Shouldn't they all have the same objective which is to infiltrate this world and gain the upper advantage?"

"It's very strange indeed..."

Although it's strange that they haven't made their appearances yet, they can't hide forever. I know for a fact that they WILL show up eventually. But why? Why are they so adamant in hiding? I don't understand what they gain from all this cowardice...!

"Hey, maybe the elevator is working now? What do you think?"

"I don't know, just click it and we'll find out."

At the current moment we stand in front of the third tower's elevator and Kuzan clicked it to see if it works.

Surprisingly, it did and it started to emit a green light around the manipulator switch.

Kuzan got ecstatic upon noticing that the elevator was indeed working.

"It's working!"

"See, I told you two. The pieces need to be in place. It appears that we have to go through everything at once; otherwise the results will always be incomplete."

Though I say this as we wait for the elevator to come, I reason that if I had chosen the other switch earlier that this elevator would not be accessible. Or maybe it would. Maybe if I had chosen the first elevator's access option and got there, things would've worked out the exact same way.

The problem is the password necessary in the entry. As far as I'm concerned we have a 30% chance of failing in each section because we don't have three passwords. In other words, even if we did reverse the result from earlier, it could have ended in a failure. Furthermore, if my theory is correct then Sagasuga already knows the password to the first section. Which makes me believe that midst all these seven words, the password is none of them.

"What the hell! It's taking us way too low and it's taking so long!"

Rayazaki was speaking a fact right now. It's been over three minutes since we have entered the poorly illuminated elevator covered with light dark steel. Plus, the light lamp above was broken, so it was barely working.

"......"

I didn't speak a word to this and wondered where the elevator was taking us.

It's pretty evident that the upcoming environment won't be the same as the previous ones. A necrohol and a mine were what we encountered previous to what we are about to encounter.

But holy hell, the elevator did not stop descending. I started to panic along with Rayazaki and Kuzan.

"What the fuck is going on...?!"

Midst my panic, I started to analyze the elevator as a whole.

As already mentioned, it's covered with a rectangular shaped dark steel all over it. There is nothing else inside the elevator except for the lamp above. There are no buttons; no manipulator switches, NOTHING.

Even our ground is steeled yet this elevator would not stop.

"What is happening?!"

"I don't know!"

"Calm down, you two! It's just a really long way down, I'm sure!"

But this wasn't enough to calm them both down as they further panicked.

"I'm not so sure about that! Haven't we been here for more than five minutes?! No elevator takes this long!"

Rayazaki was right, no elevator could take this long.

"Are we trapped in here?! If we get trapped inside this elevator, then no one will come and help us!"

Kuzan was also right as no help would ever come should we get trapped in here.

I couldn't allow them to further panic, so I said something unrealistic.

"Relax, alright?! We will soon be there! It won't take longer than five other minutes, watch!"

But as I said that, the more nervous I got.

Subsequently, we couldn't stop hearing our breaths accumulating inside this dense atmosphere. Unbeknownst to us, the temperatures started to elevate yet we did not know why.

Seven minutes in total had passed and I came across the wildest of speculations as I was approaching the status of a mental meltdown.

Unfortunately, I spoke my mind out loud which caused Rayazaki and Kuzan to evaporate in panic.

"Are we going to the center of the fucking Earth?!"

"WHAT?!" x2.

"The temperatures are increasing like hell! And this elevator is descending at an increasing speed every minute!"

"What does that mean?! Are we going to die, Kawahara!?"

"Master!"

"Calm down! I will figure something out! Just keep it cool!"

"There's no way we can keep it cool, man! What are we GOING to do?! We are going to DIE at this rate!!"

"I FUCKING KNOW! That's why we need to figure a way out of this infinite downfall! Start checking every component that I have in the bag! They must be connected to the current scenario!"

Rapidly, I got on my knees and so did they as the elevator continuously kept on increasing its downfall pace.

Then, I opened my bag forcefully and took out what I thought could help prevent our downfall. Midst this meltdown, our sweat was all over the place.

I took the remote while Kuzan took the ax! Rayazaki took the tablet and attempted to see if there was some sort of option to stop our downfall.

"It's not working for me!! Damn it, there is no option to disable this elevator! It's not related to the elevator whatsoever!"

"This ax can't penetrate the elevator at all! It's useless!"

But they weren't the only ones who were facing a massive disappointment. No matter how much I pressed all the switches of the remote, which I thought would be the most related to this current event, it nevertheless didn't work out!

"Master! We are going to die! Hurry up and fix this!"

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, why is it not working?!

How can a remote NOT be related to an elevator?! I've been pressing the turn off signal for as many times as I can count and nothing is happening!

"Kawahara, do something! You are better than us!"

"Master! Please!"

Not good, not good, not good! I'm panicking! This heat is driving me insane and they are doing nothing to help me! How careless I was! What was I thinking exactly?! Isn't it super obvious that riding an elevator in a deserted island could mean bad news?! What if we do die and get buried in this elevator and no one ever finds me?!

I can't have that! I STILL HAVE MY REDEMPTION TO COMPLETE!

"Kuzan, the AX! Give it to me! NOW!"

Without any sort of hesitation, Kuzan threw me the ax to which I caught by the edge of the blade; causing a ripe blood stream to be born in my right hand.

Regardless, I elevated it highly by masterfully handing the bottom of the ax swiftly and then started to decimate the elevator's door with all my strength.

"FALL! FALL! WHY! AREN'T! YOU! FALLING?! DAMN IT!"

Realizing my failure, I dropped the ax and took the tablet from Rayazaki with all my strength.

"Not even a damn NAME?! Are you telling me we aren't in a location acknowledged by the map itself?! HOLY SHIT! START CHECKING THE ELEVATOR'S WALLS TO SEE IF THERE IS A HIDDEN KEY SPOT!"

They fully understood that I was implying that we could use the key from earlier and that was our last option. No other components could be used here.

Our bodies were being so dragged down that gravity never felt so real.

The room temperature went beyond 40 degrees Celsius and it was all seemingly lost.

"NOTHING! THERE ISN'T A SINGLE HIDDEN SPOT!!"

"MASTER, ARE WE DOOMED?! ARE WE GOING TO DIE?!"

It was impossible to keep it cool at a time like this. Admitedly, I started to lose a bit of my insanity.

"DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT! THIS... isn't... how I wanted it to end...! My plan never got a chance to flourish...!"

Tears in my eyes started to appear as I went over my regrets privately.

Kuzan and Rayazaki no longer saw any hope the moment I gave up and took a seat right next to me.

Rayazaki explained why he was crying as we felt the endless gravity creating a disastrous attraction.

"I was always an outcast because of my behavior. Many times, I couldn't keep my mouth shout and would get beaten up by others. It wasn't my fault, it wasn't my fault. I didn't mean to shoot them up...! But I knew that they deserved to die!"

And then, Kuzan, who was crying beyond his control.

"I...! I!!! I WANT TO BE WITH EMI! IF I AM GOING TO DIE THEN I REGRET NOT KILLING THE PIECE OF SHIT THAT IS MY STEP-FATHER...!! But... WE ARE GOING to... die...!!! Kuuhh!!!"

At this moment, I realized something.

I never really bonded well with these two. Only now that we are on the brick of death are we telling each other things about one another.

Never before did we discuss our personal lives before.

Rayazaki told us just now how he was always the outcast at the cost of his behavior. Plus, he mentioned how he didn't mean to shoot them. He regrets perhaps that he was always the outcast.

On the other hand, Kuzan spoke about his hatred towards his step-father. And this "Emi" who we both don't know who it is.

So, I suppose it's my turn?

If we are going to die, we will die together, am I right?

And if that's the case, then I have nothing to die. I'm not protecting anything, I mean... I did lead these two to their own deaths alongside mine.

There's nothing that can be done, right...?

Daku?

"ł'₥ ₦Ø₮ ₲Øł₦₲ ₮Ø ₴₳VɆ ɎØɄ, ⱤɎØɄ₴Ʉ₭Ɇ."

I know you're not. But it's just funny, because whenever I'm in big trouble, you are never around. I guess this means this is it?

"₴Ø ł₮ ₴ɆɆ₥₴."

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What? You're not even going to try and persuade me here? How there's always something that I should do in order to avoid my downfall?

"ł'₥ ₦Ø₮ ₣ɆɆⱠł₦₲ Ⱡł₭Ɇ ł₮. ĐØ₦'₮ ɎØɄ ₮ⱧⱤɆɆ ĐɆ₴ɆⱤVɆ ₮Ø ĐłɆ?"

We do.

"₮ⱧɆ₦ JɄ₴₮ ₮₳₭Ɇ ₮ⱧɆ ₣₳ⱠⱠ ⱧɆⱤɆ. ₴ØØ₦ Ɇ₦ØɄ₲Ⱨ, ₮Ⱨł₴ ⱤØØ₥'₴ ₮Ɇ₥₱ɆⱤ₳₮ɄⱤɆ₴ ₩łⱠⱠ ⱤɆ₳₵Ⱨ ₮Ɇ₥₱ɆⱤ₳₮ɄⱤɆ₴ Ø₣ ⱧɆ₳₮ ₴Ø Ⱨł₲Ⱨ ₮Ⱨ₳₮ ฿ⱤɆ₳₮Ⱨł₦₲ ₩łⱠⱠ ₦Ø ⱠØ₦₲ɆⱤ ฿Ɇ ₳₦ Ø₱₮łØ₦. ₣ɄⱤ₮ⱧɆⱤ₥ØⱤɆ, ł₣ ł₮ ₭ɆɆ₱₴ Ø₦ ₲Øł₦₲ ₳₦Đ ₲Øł₦₲, ɎØɄⱤ ฿ØĐłɆ₴ ₩łⱠⱠ Đł₴₴ØⱠVɆ. ł₦ Ø₮ⱧɆⱤ ₩ØⱤĐ₴, ⱤɎØɄ₴Ʉ₭Ɇ, ₦Ø Ø₦Ɇ ₩łⱠⱠ ɆVɆⱤ ₭₦Ø₩ ₮Ⱨ₳₮ ɎØɄ ₮ⱧⱤɆɆ ĐłɆĐ ł₦ ₮Ⱨł₴ ɆⱠɆV₳₮ØⱤ. ₮Ø V₳₦ł₴Ⱨ Ø₣₣ ₮Ⱨł₴ ₩ØⱤⱠĐ ₩ł₮ⱧØɄ₮ ₳ ₮Ɽ₳₵Ɇ ₮Ø ฿Ɇ ₵Ⱨ₳₴ɆĐ ₳₣₮ɆⱤ. ĐłĐ₦'₮ ɎØɄ ₩ł₴Ⱨ ₣ØⱤ ₮Ⱨ₳₮ Ø₦₵Ɇ?"

But that was different. I didn't have someone else under my responsibility.

"₮Ⱨ₳₮ ł₴ ₳ ⱠłɆ, ⱤɎØɄ₴Ʉ₭Ɇ. ₴ⱧɆ ₮ⱤɄ₴₮ɆĐ ɎØɄ. ₴ⱧɆ ⱠØVɆĐ ɎØɄ. ɎØɄⱤ Ø₩₦ ₱Ɇ₴₴ł₥ł₴₥ ł₴ ₮ⱧɆ Ø₦ⱠɎ ₮Ⱨł₦₲ ₮Ⱨ₳₮'₴ ₮ɆⱠⱠł₦₲ ɎØɄ Ø₮ⱧɆⱤ₩ł₴Ɇ."

Heh, aren't you just oddly optimistic? What is this? You trying to comfort me or something?

"ł ₣ł₲ɄⱤɆĐ ₮ⱧØ₴Ɇ ₩ɆⱤɆ ₮ⱧɆ ₩ØⱤĐ₴ ɎØɄ ₩₳₦₮ɆĐ ₮Ø ⱧɆ₳Ɽ ₳ⱠⱠ ₳ⱠØ₦₲ ɆVɆ₦ ł₣ ₦Ø Ø₦Ɇ ɆⱠ₴Ɇ ₩ØɄⱠĐ ⱤɆ₳ⱠⱠɎ ฿Ɇ ₳฿ⱠɆ ₮Ø ₮ɆⱠⱠ ɎØɄ ₮ⱧɆ₥. ₴Ø ₳₣Ɽ₳łĐ Ø₣ ɆVɆⱤɎ฿ØĐɎ ₣ł₦Đł₦₲ ØɄ₮ ɎØɄⱤ Ⱡł₮₮ⱠɆ ₴Ɇ₵ⱤɆ₮₴ ₮Ⱨ₳₮ ɎØɄ ₵₳₦'₮ ɆVɆ₦ ฿Ɽł₦₲ ɎØɄⱤ₴ɆⱠ₣ ₮Ø Đł₴₵Ʉ₴₴ ₮ⱧɆ₥ ₩ł₮Ⱨ ₥Ɇ Ø₱Ɇ₦ⱠɎ."

I didn't see the meaning behind it. Because I thought that I would succeed in my endeavor.

"₣₳₦₵Ɏ łĐɆ₳₴ ₳₦Đ ĐɆⱠɄ₴łØ₦ ĐØ₦'₮ ₲Ɇ₮ ɎØɄ ₱Ø₴ł₮łVɆ ⱤɆ₴ɄⱠ₮₴. ⱧØ₩ ₥₳₦Ɏ ₮ł₥Ɇ₴ ₥Ʉ₴₮ ł ₮ɆⱠⱠ ɎØɄ?"

Right. Right... You're always right. I never got to say that to you. I didn't want to, Daku.

"ł'₥ ₣ɆɆⱠł₦₲ Ⱨ₳₱₱Ɏ ₦Ø₩. ł ₣ł₦₳ⱠⱠɎ ₲Ø₮ ₮ⱧɆ ₮ⱤɄ₮Ⱨ ØɄ₮ Ø₣ ɎØɄ. ₳₥ ł ₴Ʉ₱ɆⱤłØⱤ ₮Ø ɎØɄ, ₮ⱧɆ₦? ⱤɎØɄ₴Ʉ₭Ɇ."

You are.

"₳₥ ł ₳Ⱡ₩₳Ɏ₴ Ɽł₲Ⱨ₮ ₦Ø ₥₳₮₮ɆⱤ ₮ⱧɆ ₴ł₮Ʉ₳₮łØ₦?"

You are.

"₳ⱤɆ ɎØɄ ₮ⱧɆ ₣₳łⱠɄⱤɆ ₳₦Đ ₳₥ ł ₮ⱧɆ ₴Ʉ₵₵Ɇ₴₴ ɎØɄ ₣ɆⱠ₮ Ø฿Ⱡł₲₳₮ɆĐ ₮Ø ĐɆ₴₮ⱤØɎ ฿Ɇ₵₳Ʉ₴Ɇ Ø₣ ₮ⱧɆ ₦₳₮ɄⱤɆ Ø₣ ₥Ɏ ₴Ʉ₵₵Ɇ₴₴?"

I am the failure and you are the success.

"ł₣ ɎØɄ ₵ØɄⱠĐ ₲Ø ฿₳₵₭ ł₦ ₮ł₥Ɇ ₳₦Đ ⱤɆĐØ ₩Ⱨ₳₮ ɎØɄ гР₮Ø ₥Ɇ, ₩ØɄⱠĐ ɎØɄ ₵ⱧØØ₴Ɇ ₥Ɇ ł₦₴₮Ɇ₳Đ Ø₣ ⱧɆⱤ?"

....No. You're not... someone I can place my full trust on.

"ł ₴ɆɆ! ₴Ø ₩Ɇ ₳ⱤɆ ฿₳₵₭ ₮Ø ₴QɄ₳ⱤɆ Ø₦Ɇ?"

What are you talking about? I am going to die. Can't you hear their screams? Look at Rayazaki and Kuzan. They are hugging each other and apologizing for their sins. Meanwhile I am here stuck with my delusion inside my head.

I know for a fact that nothing is in front of me but my mental construction.

I'm a delusional psychopath.

"ⱧɆɎ."

What now?

"₱ɆⱤⱧ₳₱₴ ł'₥ ₲Øł₦₲ ØVɆⱤ ₴Ø₥Ɇ₮Ⱨł₦₲ ⱤɆ₳ⱠⱠɎ Ø฿VłØɄ₴, ฿Ʉ₮ ł ₥ł₲Ⱨ₮ ₳₴ ₩ɆⱠⱠ ₮ⱤɎ ł₮."

No longer mirroring my crooked position, he got up and crooked his height in order to meet mine.

"ɎØɄ'VɆ ₳₵₵Ɇ₱₮ɆĐ ₮Ⱨ₳₮ ɎØɄ ₳ⱤɆ ₲Øł₦₲ ₮Ø ĐłɆ ₩Ⱨł₵Ⱨ ₥Ɇ₳₦₴ ɎØɄ Ⱨ₳VɆ ₦Ø ł₦₮Ɇ₦₮łØ₦₴ Ø₣ ₥₳₭ł₦₲ Ʉ₴Ɇ Ø₣ ₮Ⱨ₳₮ VɆ₴₴ɆⱠ Ø₣ ɎØɄⱤ₴, Ɽł₲Ⱨ₮?"

That's right. I'm dying here along with my subordinates. It's not the most noble way to die, but at least I'm not going to die alone. Damn, it feels kinda nice to know that I'm not going to die alone. Can you imagine how many people die alone? How come that the deaths that aren't accompanied by no one else are the most tragic, Daku?

"ł ₩ØɄⱠĐ₦'₮ ₭₦Ø₩ ₮Ⱨ₳₮. ₳₦Đ ɎØɄ ₭₦Ø₩ ₩ⱧɎ."

I'm sorry.

"...₮ⱧɆɎ ₵₳₦'₮ ĐłɆ. ł₮ ₩ØɄⱠĐ ฿Ɇ Ø₦Ɇ ₮Ⱨł₦₲ ł₣ ɎØɄ ₩ɆⱤɆ ₳ⱠØ₦Ɇ ⱧɆⱤɆ, ฿Ʉ₮ ɎØɄ ₳ⱤɆ ₦Ø₮ ₮₳₭ł₦₲ ⱤɆ₴₱Ø₦₴ł฿łⱠł₮Ɏ ₣ØⱤ ₮ⱧɆłⱤ ⱠłVɆ₴, ⱤɎØɄ₴Ʉ₭Ɇ. ɎØɄ'ⱤɆ ₳ ₮ɆⱤⱤł฿ⱠɆ ⱠɆ₳ĐɆⱤ."

What is this? Are you going to keep on roasting me for all eternity? Hurry up and disappear, Daku. I want to die with them.

"₴Ø ₴ɆⱠ₣ł₴Ⱨ. ɎØɄ'ⱤɆ ØVɆⱤ₣ⱠØ₩ł₦₲ ₩ł₮Ⱨ ₱Ø₴ł₮łVɆ Ɇ₥Ø₮łØ₦₴, Ɽł₲Ⱨ₮ ₦Ø₩. ĐɆ₴₱ł₮Ɇ ฿Ɇł₦₲ ₳₮ ĐɆ₳₮Ⱨ'₴ ĐØØⱤ. ⱤɎØɄ₴Ʉ₭Ɇ, ɎØɄ ₳ⱤɆ ₳ ฿₳Đ ₱ɆⱤ₴Ø₦. ₳₦Đ ɎØɄ ₮Ⱨł₦₭ ɎØɄ ₵₳₦ ₲Ɇ₮ ₳₩₳Ɏ ₩ł₮Ⱨ ₮Ⱨł₴ ₮Ɏ₱Ɇ Ø₣ ฿ɆⱧ₳VłØⱤ JɄ₴₮ ฿Ɇ₵₳Ʉ₴Ɇ ₦Ø Ø₦Ɇ ₩łⱠⱠ ɆVɆⱤ ₣ł₦Đ ØɄ₮."

You got a fucking problem? What's wrong with dying alongside my subordinates. They trusted me and..... Oh... They trusted me and... got killed...

"₳₦Đ ₦Ø₩, ɎØɄ ₳ⱤɆ JɄ₴₮ ₴₮₳₦Đł₦₲ ₮ⱧɆⱤɆ ₩ł₮ⱧØɄ₮ ₴ⱧØ₩ł₦₲ ₴ł₲₦₴ Ø₣ ₣łӾł₦₲ ₮Ⱨł₴ ₴ł₮Ʉ₳₮łØ₦. ɎØɄ'VɆ ₲łVɆ₦ Ʉ₱ Ø₦ ⱠłVł₦₲ ₳₦Đ ɎØɄ'VɆ ₲łVɆ₦ Ʉ₱ Ø₦ ₴₳Vł₦₲ ₮ⱧɆłⱤ ⱠłVɆ₴."

There is no way to fix this situation.

Our body temperatures are rising like hell.

I am certain that this elevator is connected to the Earth's core, though I have no real clue why such thing was built in the first place.

This dark steel around the elevator is immune to the temperature, that's why this elevator isn't melting.

Daku, it's a perfect trap.

Not even you could find your way out of this.

"฿Ʉ₮ ł ₳₥ ฿Ɇ₮₮ɆⱤ ₮Ⱨ₳₦ ɎØɄ. ɎØɄ ₴₳łĐ ł₮ ɎØɄⱤ₴ɆⱠ₣."

So what? Being better doesn't make you invincible. Being better is just like casting a light onto the shadow. Nothing more than a cover up for the flaws.

"₳₦₴₩ɆⱤ ₥Ɇ ₮Ⱨł₴ ₮ⱧɆ₦: ĐØ ɎØɄ ₩₳₦₮ ₮ⱧɆ₥ ₮Ø ĐłɆ?"

I do. I don't want to die alone.

"₱₳₮ⱧɆ₮ł₵. ɎØɄ ₳ⱤɆ ł₦₵ØⱤⱤł₲ł฿ⱠɆ. ₮ⱧɆⱤɆ'₴ Ɇ₴₴Ɇ₦₮ł₳ⱠⱠɎ ₦Ø ₩₳Ɏ ₮Ø ⱤɆ₳₴Ø₦ ₳₲₳ł₦₴₮ ɎØɄ, ⱤɎØɄ₴Ʉ₭Ɇ. ɎØɄ ₳ⱤɆ ₳Đ₳₥₳₦₮ ₮Ø₩₳ⱤĐ₴ ɎØɄⱤ Ø₩₦ ฿ɆⱠłɆ₣₴ ₳₦Đ ɎØɄ Ⱡ₳₵₭ ₮ⱧɆ ₳฿łⱠł₮Ɏ ₮Ø ₳Đ₳₱₮, Ʉ₦Ⱡł₭Ɇ ₮ⱧɆ ⱤɆ₴₮."

You can't argue against me, Daku.

I am invincible because I don't acknowledge my own defeat.

"VłⱠɆ. ĐɆ₳₮Ⱨ ł₴ ₮ØØ ₲ØØĐ ₣ØⱤ ₴Ø₥ɆØ₦Ɇ Ⱡł₭Ɇ ɎØɄ. Ɇ₴₵₳₱ł₴₥ ł₴ ₦Ø₮ ₮ⱧɆ ₴ØⱠɄ₮łØ₦."

It doesn't matter if death is too good for me. It will come eventually. And as of this moment, I am going to die. Along with them.

And there's nothing you can do to stop that, Daku.

"ⱤɆ₳ⱠⱠɎ ₦Ø₩? ⱤɎØɄ₴Ʉ₭Ɇ. ł ₵₳₦'₮ ɆӾł₴₮ ł₦ ₮ⱧɆ ⱤɆ₳Ⱡ ₩ØⱤⱠĐ. ł ₳₥ ₮ⱧɆ ₣₳฿Ɽł₵₳₮łØ₦ Ø₣ ɎØɄⱤ Ø₩₦ ĐɆⱠɄ₴łØ₦. ł ₵₳₦'₮ JɄ₴₮ ɆӾł₴₮ ⱤɆ₲₳ⱤĐⱠɆ₴₴ Ø₣ ⱧØ₩ ₥Ʉ₵Ⱨ ł ₩₳₦₮ ₮Ø."

You're so right. The moment I die, is the moment you also die, Daku.

Because I won't be able to fabricate any more delusions.

Your end is near, Daku.

"ł ₩Ø₦'₮ ₳ⱠⱠØ₩ ₮Ⱨ₳₮, ⱤɎØɄ₴Ʉ₭Ɇ. ł ₩łⱠⱠ Ⱨ₳VɆ ₥Ɏ ⱤɆĐɆ₥₱₮łØ₦."

Oh, I get it.

You are... going to take over my own consciousness?

"ɆӾ₳₵₮ⱠɎ. ɎØɄ'ⱠⱠ ₴₮łⱠⱠ ฿Ɇ "₭₳₩₳Ⱨ₳Ɽ₳" ₮Ø ɆVɆⱤɎØ₦Ɇ ɆⱠ₴Ɇ ₳ⱤØɄ₦Đ ɎØɄ. ฿Ʉ₮ ɎØɄⱤ ₥ł₦Đ ł₴ ₥Ɏ ⱧØ₥Ɇ ₦Ø₩."

For how long?

"Ʉ₦₮łⱠ ₮ⱧɆ ₵Ø₦Đł₮łØ₦₴ ₳ⱤɆ ₵ⱠɆ₳Ɽ. ł ₩łⱠⱠ ₳₵ⱧłɆVɆ ₮ⱧɆ ⱤɆ₴ɄⱠ₮₴ ₮Ⱨ₳₮ ɎØɄ ₵ØɄⱠĐ₦'₮. ₳₦Đ ₮ⱧɆ₦, Ø₦₵Ɇ ₮Ⱨ₳₮'₴ ĐØ₦Ɇ, ɎØɄ ₳ⱤɆ ₲Øł₦₲ ₮Ø ₮ⱤɎ ₳₲₳ł₦. ₮Ⱨł₴ ł₴ ₮ⱧɆ Ⱡ₳₴₮ ₮ł₥Ɇ ₩Ɇ'ⱠⱠ Ⱨ₳VɆ ₳ ₵Ø₦VɆⱤ₴₳₮łØ₦ Ⱡł₭Ɇ ₮Ⱨł₴. ₦ɆӾ₮ ₮ł₥Ɇ, ł ₩łⱠⱠ ฿Ɇ ₳₴₴Ʉ₥ł₦₲ ₵Ø₦₮ⱤØⱠ Ø₣ ɎØɄⱤ Ø₩₦ VɆ₴₴ɆⱠ. ₣ØⱤɆVɆⱤ."

It would be funny if you actually failed.

"₦Ø₮ ₲Ø₦₦₳ Ⱨ₳₱₱Ɇ₦, ⱤɎØɄ₴Ʉ₭Ɇ."

Is that so...? Well, then...

I... will be there for a while then.

I'll see you later, Daku.

"ĐØ₦'₮ VɆ₦₮ɄⱤɆ ₮ØØ ₥Ʉ₵Ⱨ ₮Ø ₮ⱧɆ Ø₮ⱧɆⱤ ₴łĐɆ, ⱤɎØɄ₴Ʉ₭Ɇ."

With a bright smile and barely open eyes, I said goodbye and thus forfeited control.

Part 2.

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"Hey, Kuzan...! Do you think that we will meet each other in hell...?"

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"I wanted to take my step-father to hell with me but I can no longer commit suicide after killing him... Rayazaki...! Rayazaki! Ugh! He's gonna rape my sister every day in the morning!!"

".........I am so sorry. I don't know the right words to say. But I am so sorry...!"

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Left, right, up, left, down.

Up, right, right, right, left, left.

Down, down, up, left.

........

....

"Kawahara....!? What are you...?"

There has to be something that matches, otherwise...

Let's see.

This is the third section tower. The key number is three.

Three.

Alright.

If I rotate the three upper sides of the cube to the right, then a result should happen.

This is the connecting factor, most likely.

"Alright, I did it once."

"...Master...?! What are you... doing...?"

The temperatures here are going to kill us in a matter of seconds, realistically speaking.

To the one who called me by the arrogant nickname of "Master", I hand the cube whilst explaining the controversy.

"Hey. I know this is sudden, but do you see the pattern that I've put the Rubik's cube under? I need you to complete the cube by adjusting the pieces and then you will have to input the pattern. Got it?"

He is showing difficulty in processing this sudden information of mine.

I see, of course. They are heavily preoccupied. Ryousuke left them to die without saying anything to encourage them out of this despair.

With that in mind, I erupted to full height and spoke to the two hopeless boys who remained on the ground without showing any signs of wanting to get out of this situation.

Yet I see the gleam in their eyes. They don't want this to be over.

"That cube is our way out of here. If you do what I just said, you will be able to save us."

"R-Really?!"

I placed my sweaty right hand on his right shoulder and told him the truth.

"Yes! This elevator most likely encapsulates our overall weight and is able to detect how many people are inside this elevator through magnetic fields. The important factor is that three people have to input this pattern. The moment you are done, hand the cube over to the other boy, will you?"

Thankfully, he nooded.

I then turned my back and started to strip in order to decrease the heat emitting from my body.

Subsquently, I jumped and jumped in order to avoid getting burnt by the lava-like steeled floor. Despite holding tremendous immunity, it is nonetheless not completely entirely heat resistant.

"I am done!"

"Give it to me! This better work!"

They are both crying.

Weak.

But that's fine. The one who put them under this situation is the truly weak one.

Just as hope seemed lost, the moment the other boy completed the pattern as I told the other boy, a shower of water erupted from above as the steeled rooftop revealed to have water lamps above them.

I rejoiced the cold sentiment of the fearless water pouring onto my body with my eyes closed.

The evaporation that our bodies experienced was so large that clouds of smoke were formed subsequently.

Ultimately, I kneeled down and took the cube from the boy's shaky hand. The boy himself couldn't believe that there was a way out of this; so he hugged me alongside the other boy and thus spoke his honest words.

"We did it, Kawahara! No, not we! You! YOU! You are the best! We are fucking saved!"

"Master! Master! I knew you could do it!"

I felt their hugs embracing my entire body and hugged them back too.

"Thank you. I'm sorry this is sudden, but I have something to ask you two."

Now that the elevator was going up and the temperature was once again decreasing, I took a seat in the wet steeled wall that was being bathed by the water above slowly, I asked their names.

I started with the one who called me "Master".

"Could you tell me your full name?"

He looked at the other boy next to him and spoke to him instead of me.

"Rayazaki...? What's going on?"

"Don't ask me, like hell if I know. Probably one of his pranks, don't fall for it."

His name is Rayazaki.

He has spiky hair; far too spiky. Plus, a brave attitude. The other one looks somewhat childish from the way he speaks. He hardly looks like someone that can be associated with Kawahara.

Seeing a window of opportunity, I spoke to Rayazaki.

"Your name is Rayazaki, yeah? Your other name, your first."

"Come on, dude... You already know that..."

I am starting to understand something.

I am the existing fragment of Kawahara's idea of me. In other words, I have existed past this but I've never been intertwined with them.

This is a new experience.

From their perspective, this is not believable. I get it now.

"Haha. Forgive me. I was just trying to be manerous. I'll give you my full name if you give me yours. That sounds about fair, doesn't it?"

"But Master, we know your ful--"

I interrupted the boy who I still didn't know the name of very quickly.

"You don't have to call me Master anymore. I've almost let you two die. I don't deserve such a mighty title."

Partial to this, the elevator is taking quite the time.

It makes me wonder how much we have actually descended, but that's something that Kawahara knows, not me.

"Dude, what happened to you? Did the heat give you an amnesia stroke?"

"Nope. I'm the same as always!"

I flashed a smirk with my eyes closed and in addition to that, gave Rayazaki a nice thumbs up.

"Agh, whatever, I don't buy it, but your genius idea saved us, so I will tell you. Even if this is obviously a prank."

He shrugged and closed his eyes while answering me the question at long last.

As for me, I started to flip my hair back.

Then I noticed that Kawahara's hair is quite large and not short at all. Furthermore, I realized my need to shower.

"Saitou Rayazaki... There, happy now?"

"Hm, I see. I'll be calling you Saitou from now on, if you don't mind."

"Not like I have much of an option anyways..."

Not understanding Saitou's reasoning, I asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... You forced Kuzan to call you Master, so if you say something, I just have to obey you."

"I see..."

Kawahara, this is not how you treat your subordinates.

For how long have you been blind to their fear? They are not remotely attached to you in any shape or form.

They are attached to your benefits. What could you possibly gain from a interaction so corrupt?

This needs to change.

I got up and extended my hand to Saitou, who was with his back against the wall.

"Nice to meet you, Saitou. I want to clarify something first."

"Huh, sure... You're acting all weird, but aight."

Saitou accepted my hand and also got up.

I flipped my hair back once again as I spoke. Midst this, the other boy who I still have yet to address myself to, got up in addition.

"You don't have to obey me. Whatever happened in the past that involves forceful methods; you can forget it."

"But Ma--- Kawahara... we don't really mind, y'know?"

"But I do mind. Just keep that in mind. Also, your name?"

"Takeshi Kuzan, sir!"

Takeshi, huh?

While I was reflecting on that, the elevator suddenly stopped and thus the door opened.

Saitou and Takeshi didn't hesitate to venture into the small linear hall up ahead in order to breathe.

As it stands, this is our destination.

The moment I left the elevator along with all of our stuff, it closed and went up. On the right side, there is a manipulator switch, which essentially is our way back to the elevator.

This hall is accompanied by a roof full of dark metal. It is fairly industrial, from the looks of it. Alongside it are the pillars on the left and on the right side of the hall. Each are crystally blue and they hold a shining fragrance radianting with bright contrast thanks to the dark inked steeled floor that the hall portrays itself under. Nonetheless, the hall is quite small. I would say it's about ten meters in terms of overall length.

All one had to do was to take a closer look ahead to realize what this was. No artificial light lived here but a more natural one emitted by the water.

Our current location is most surely a water passage. Right in front of us stands a linear path of water which will divide itself into three other ways twenty meters up ahead. There is a path to the northwest; one to the northeast and ultimately the continuous canal supporting the water flow which is fully linear up ahead. The division of the water is portrayed by an endless labyrinth of water and passages.

We could either start from the left or right, as there were two stairs with twenty degrees each holding a rocky yet collective structure to them. No handrails whatsoever, but they were not conflicted with the water below. The starting point would be to take one of those.

However, what Saitou and Takeshi did was the logical thing to do. They took out their clothes, trashed their bags in my direction; ultimately hitting the surface of my shoes and took a dive in the clean water.

Shortly after, they emerged to the water's surface and then spoke their joyful opinion; starting with Saitou's enthusiastic behavior.

"Feels SO good! Oh God, it's so good! Holy shit, dude, what are you doing there?! Strip your clothes and come on over!"

"Yeah! You are wasting this water by not being in it! Catch me if you can, Rayazaki!"

"I'll have you know I'm a fast swimmer!"

Saitou and Takeshi began to play around in the water while going across the center where the waterway would split into two directions. Despite the grand water current, they were not afraid.

I chuckled a bit in delight.

"Pft. Hah, I see. I really do now. I was wrong. These two aren't primarily attracted to your benefits, Kawahara. They genuinely care about you."

As I took off my clothes and put them inside my bag in a very dignified manner, I analyzed my current body. It was shredded to the core, without exaggerating.

"I suppose I am the cause of this, aren't I? But still, no matter how many years would pass, you would never catch up to me, in that regard, Ryousuke."

I felt the pumping biceps and horrendously rigid abdominals.

On my boxers only, I didn't take a swim but started to fearlessly walk towards the water and then I slowly embraced its glacial feeling with each step of the way.

As I was rejoicing in peace with each step, my face got assaulted by water coming my way.

A huge wave of water thrown by Saitou made my body emerge in cold immediately.

I didn't know how to react so I stood there silently while Saitou and I faced front to front.

"What? You're not gonna strike back?"

"I don't see why I should, Saitou."

"Huuuuuuuuuh... Maybe because I splashed water onto you...?!"

So that's why.

"I thank you. I was feeling very hot and that sharp water throw really felt nice. You have my gratitude, Saitou."

I took a respectful bow and faced Saitou who was in pure disbelief, again.

"I don't even know what is going on anymore... Anyway, what is our path of action, leader?"

"Path of action?"

"Dude, fuck off. I am serious here. Enough with the trolling..."

Midst this, I didn't take a dive in the fresh water, but I took small grasps of water and continuously splashed them all over my body.

I don't want to lie here though, but I don't really see another way.

No, I won't lie. I can't do that.

I'll try the truth out first.

"My name is Izayoi Daku. Although, I like it better when others simply call me Daku. This might be sudden but I've taken over the mind of Ryousuke, or rather, Kawahara, for just a while. Essentially, until I clear all the conditions. That was our deal."

Takeshi had also arrived at the scene where I told Saitou the truth. As such, Saitou felt obligated to wash his eyes at least three times as if he was wondering if what he was seeing was real.

"I am not into some roleplay shit just because you don't like the name your parents gave you."

That made me chuckle.

"Hahaha! Good one, Saitou! You don't believe me then?"

"Honestly?"

"Honestly."

"Of course I don't. Now, Kawahara, what's the plan? We are inside the third section already."

It seems that Saitou has a pretty good general idea of how things are supposed to work around here.

I better rely on him since he seems very helpful.

"What do you suggest we do, Saitou?"

"Huh... Are you implying you don't have a plan...? You're our leader, bro."

I noticed how Takeshi was carefully analyzing the situation midst this. It's interesting; this behavior of his. He sometimes pays attention to when he should talk or not.

Still, I am talking with Saitou and as such, my top priority is him.

"A leader always relies on his subordinates. And as such, I wanted to know your opinion on this, Saitou."

Saitou actually felt flattered by this and lowered his voice tone; as if to show respect.

"I got you then. We should do a quick rundown on the water labyrinth because if we do that then the map will fully absorb this area into it. Afterwards, we can freely roam while knowing this waterway's map due to the tablet."

"I like that reasoning. Exploring and then setting out to our final destination, is it?"

"It just seems like the most simple thing to do. What do you have to say?"

While I could show my conclusive opinion here, I am instead going to direct my words towards Takeshi, on the right.

"Takeshi, what do you think of Saitou's plan?"

"Fine? I mean, I don't see the problem with it. I think we both thought that you'd have a plan different than ours, that's why we sought your opinion first..."

"I see."

It's evident that Ryousuke doesn't show much value towards his subordinates. That will have to change too.

It doesn't matter how much you understand someone, Ryousuke, if you don't show them the right amount of appreciation. It's necessary to feel needed.

Saying "I understand" isn't enough.

"Got it. Saitou, you're my right hand and Takeshi, you are my left hand. Together, we are invincible. I'll be counting on you!"

"You're all nice suddenly! Can't say I dislike the change. Can we swim for a little bit more before we head out though?"

"Yeah, it would be nice if we could swim for just a tad bit more! The water's so nice! I could stay here forever!"

They were awaiting for my approval, which I felt unnecessary.

Who on this Earth would have to ask such a thing?

"Swim to your heart's content."

"Thanks!" x2.

They quickly dismissed their positions and took a deep dive onto the dazzling cold water.

Whilst in the water, I took the opportunity to say something out loud once I got back to the surface after I had taken a significant dive; though not as deep as theirs.

I flipped my hair back and washed my eyes for some good clarity.

Each canal from afar followed a trail of light and the beautiful reflection it had on the surface was alluring to say the least. It's like diamonds liquified midst a heavenly light blue.

"I wonder how my sister is doing these days."

I hope she's eating enough and going to bed on time.