"...What?.... What the hell is !--!" (Rein)
[Commencing the transfer of the power between from the contractor to contracted. It will take a few moments.]
"What the fuck is this !? I never made this kind of sequence ! Hey , Akashic Record!! What stupid mistake are you making right now!?"
[There is no error nor problem with the process. It is occurring normally.]
".....What!!??" (Rein)
"It is true Rein, there is no problem. It is only doing what the contract is written."
In the middle of his muddled thoughts, a calming voice snaps out of his mind and unconsciously looks toward to the source.
What face is him is neither a man who is neither surprised of unexpected situation or despaired of hopeless future, but a guy who is faintly smiling with the meaning, 'This is supposed to happen.'
"Tch!!? What fucking nonsense are you saying now!? Why are you still alive anyway!! You are supposed to be--" (rein)
"Dead by numerous curses on your body? True, if the weak me is moved to your sickly body, a moment will engulf me whole and I will be dead without doubt. ....But, that only happens IF I'M IN YOUR BODY RIGHT?"
[Processing....]
The moment Akashic Record order the sequence correctly, the particles have been returned to their respective body. However, this time, the power of Rein is slowly but surely been gushed out and been absorbed toward James' body.
"...N-No!!" (Rein)
"It won't happen. Because I changed it Rein. Moreover...." (James)
[...5%...10%....12%...]
"It will never be stopped nor changed anymore. No matter what we do."
Compared to the original ritual, it is happening slowly like a snail. It is natural though, as strong amount of power will be poured into a weak soul who only been trained for a few month. In analogy, it's pushing a gush of water toward a medium jar that could break by forcing it.
Therefore, it will be done on slow and gentle process so the body can adapt to it.
Which is why.
"Kuh!? Ahhhh... AHHHH!!?? My power!!?" (Rein)
It will be slow torture and impending death sentence toward Rein.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" (Rein)
It hurts.
It hurts.
It HURTS!!
Those 2 words only flow in Rein's mind for the whole time due to the curses is damaging his body on all sides. It's like viruses corroding the computer due to weakened firewall.
Worse,
[...14%....17%....20%...]
"...Kuh!!?? KUHAAAAAAAAAAA!!! It...HURTSSS!!!!"
It will be increasing as time passes by.
Before this ritual is occurring. Rein has been fighting, no to be specific adapting the curse inside the body so it won't damage himself. But, that's only possible if his power is entirely intact.
"Sorry Rein, it will hurt a while but please hold it until the end. After all.." (James)
With a playful sound and little smile.
"It is all necessary, right?"
"Huk!?... Who.... Who ARE YOUUUU!!!??" (Rein)
Comparing to the one who is suffering, the other is just spectating it without much fluctuation in his face and emotion. Moreover, he even has the leisure to joke on Rein' situation.
(What is this. What is this. What is this!!? Why did this happen!? What did it go wrong !?)
Numerous questions are flowing and twirling inside Rein's mind, but it can't be answered as his mind is too chaotic and be ruled by the enormous pain flowing from his body.
[23%....27%...30%...]
Even so, what makes him confused and AFRAID is,
"Me? don't you already know?" (James)
"Hiik!!?" (Rein)
Is this man, no. This unknown entity in front of him.
It even makes a miserable sound on his mouth unconsciously.
In the period on Rein's entire life, He has never been afraid of something. Everything can be solved simply just be using power. Moreover, even if he feel despaired and frustrated during the fight with Satan, he never feel afraid.
But, the one in front of him is different.
"I'm James, the one who will inherit you Rein. Ah no. To be specific..."
This person.
"The one who will steal everything from you."
".....!!!!"
Makes him afraid to the core.
Even if the pain makes him want to scream, the fear he experience makes him unable to move his mouth normally and trembling fiercely. Furthermore, the shock of seeing different side of the same person that is complete contrast makes his brain short circuit. It makes him forget the humongous damage on his body.
That's how much Rein is afraid to James.
"Fufu, you don't need to be afraid. I personally won't do anything to you. Besides, it's not like I will change into demon and eat you whole." (James)
Same gentle voice, calming smile and leisure face. However,
It makes Rein more afraid than any other thing he knows.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
".....Kuh...So, this is the real you?" (Rein)
"Hmm.. it looks like you are misunderstanding something Rein. I didn't change at all. I am me. That's all." (James)
"Tch!!? Don't play dumb!! the idiot that I know is not like this!! he only be just a stupid human who will get easily fooled without resistance!! Not like--"
"This? Well, i'm sorry then. That is only your misunderstanding. I never changed from the moment you summon me until now."
[...32%...35%...38%...]
"Impossible!!! I will know it if you are a double-faced asshole. I've been observing for all the time you were training !! You never show a sign at all!! Yuuji didn't even expose myself either !!"
"Of course you won't know."
"Then WHY!!!"
"Because i'm making a persona for this whole time. In this three months, It become the 'real' me."
"....What?....What fucking nonsense are you---.....!!!!"
Mixing lies with the truth. Exposing only on some part of oneself.
What James doing is the very same thing Rein. However, there is a differences.
[....40%....45%....48%...]
"....No...no way.... You mean.... you mean you lie to me for THIS WHOLE TIME EVEN WITHOUT SHOWING ANY SUSPICIOUS SIGNS!!??" (Rein)
The level is dimensions apart.
"Ahaha, that kind of hurts when you say lie. Ah, but in your sense, I guess it's true that I lie to you."
Rein is not an idiot in every sense. Even if his ego is highly bloated and blinded by revenge, that doesn't mean he's sloppy. before choosing a candidate, he will always make sure that there is no certain factor that will disrupt his plan.
power, skill, experience.
He analyze it and conclude that James is impossible to beat him no matter what in physical sense.
However, that's only on 'physical', not including mental.
Rein didn't view his memory and personality much. At best, it's only on recent events until the time James resolve himself by going to Japan, but not his background as it wasn't that necessary to synchronize for finding the correct vessel.
Nevertheless , unwillingly, he's connected to James on certain level so he can realizes what James feel for the whole time.
[...50%...53%....56%....]
Everything was perfect.
"But, it won't be a problem if I directed my feelings and action into the sense you want to. It's just three to four months anyways."
Until this unknown variable in front of him appeared.
"AND I MEAN THAT'S FUCKING IMPOSSIBLE!!! YOU CREATE A 'GOOD KID' SIDE WITHOUT ME NOTICING WHILE MAKING A PLAN TO FUCK ME UP!!?" (Rein)
[....59%....62%.....65%....]
"Ahahaha, by your logic, of course it's not possible. I also know you can read my feelings from the connection. Even so, it's not hundred percent right ? if it's only a bit, even I can trick you without much effort."
"...NO. That still don't make sense!! How can you still cover it up for this whole period. You are not even the Gods of trickster like Loki!! It doesn't make sense!!"
That is correct.
Normal human and even actors will never be able to fool somebody if he/she is been observed for 24/7 without gaps at all.
That is the normal logic.
Unfortunately,
[...67%.....70%....73%...]
"Because I already done it once. For 10 whole years."
".....What?"
It didn't apply to James.
"In the past, I was prideful of myself, just like you Rein. Having a successful parents. Endless wealth and fame. I have everything what the people in my world wants to." (James)
".....So what? That doesn--" (Rein)
"Well, listen until the end. It all changes after I was becoming passionate due to fiction made by other people. .....Of course, my parents immediately reject it and my dreams too as they want me to be a successful businessman, not a poor writer on their image."
"....."
(Yes, it match the memory and emotions that i read on him for the recent few days. Then--- wait. If his parents have that much power, then how can he be able to chase his dream?)
Coming this far, even Rein feels strange. It's impossible for a single human able to topple and overcome the huge company. It' easy to imagine that James will be stopped by simply hiring security guard or delinquents to prevent him from going.
Then how?
"So, I lie to them and steal it." (James)
"....What?" (Rein)
"Like I said, I lie to my parents by acting like a 'good kid' and steal their company by threatening them."
".....WHAT!?"
"Of course, it wasn't easy you know. I have been observed for the whole time including sleeping time and dig a hole for something thick to hold something useful like their past corruption."
".....No...That's....That is"
"Impossible? I also thought that in the first place. Motivation is the largest drive for humanity to achieve anything. Now we can even fly to space. I also did the impossible. That's why."
[....78%....83%....87%..]
"!!!! Kuhk!? Damn, the process!!?"
"I was able to fool you too."
It was a simple story. Because James have past experiences that is much more harder than this, he can even fool Rein in overwhelming odds.
But the story itself is ridiculous to endless degree. A lone kid can topple over a multi billion US dollar company in just few years?
It is a idiotic question that has the obvious answer, but the result is contrary to it. James was able to hold countless corruption, dark dealings, connection to black market, elimination of the competitor with illegal action including killing and etc.It makes everybody who know it will puke just looking at it. At the same time, it's also enough to end the company's life with it just by exposing its record to the public.
To be safe, in case his parents or unknown factor exposes it and end his company life, James secretly sell some of the company stock for the three of them can live comfortably even after playing around for whole time.
That is also the last protection from their parents too.
"I don't mind having the company fell since i still have money for us to live. So, do you want to?"
James used it as persuasion material and forcibly persuade his parents leaving with no choice to let go of him.
Even their parents at that time exclaim in fear,
"My child is a monster."
That's the reason why does Rein fear James too.
[89%....91%...94%..]
"DAMN ITTTTTTT!!! I... I WAS SO CLOSE TO ACHIEVE IT!! AKSHIC RECORDDDDD!!!!!! STOP IT!! STOP AT THIS MOMENT. NOWWWW!!" (Rein)
[I am unable to comply with your order. This process will never stop, no matter what the 2 parties command.]
"...fuck.....FUCKKKKKKKK!!!!!!"
little by little Rein's body is corroding by the curses and disappearing.
If the count reach 100%,
He will be exterminated with no chance of reincarnation at all.
[....95%....96%....]
".............." (Rein)
"I'm sorry it has to end this way Rein. If you keep your promise, at least we can cooperate together in one body." (James)
"........."
"But you didn't. That's why, I will erase my enemy which is you, completely."
"...Hah, that part is still the same as me. You are also a selfish prick like me who will achieve one's goal by doing anything."
"I won't deny that. After all, I even need to coerce my parents and lots of people just to chase my dream."
"....Damn it. ....Just like you said, I lose.....huh. This is the second time in my entire life feeling this kind of shit."
"Really? Well, I experienced it for thousands of time literally. Ah, maybe close to ten thousands after counting my death here with teacher Yuuji."
"And I lose... to that kind of weak human?"
"Ignoring the fact i'm weak, because i'm like this, i'm able to defeat you , who is strong and proud of yourself."
"....I see. .....I was also an idiot."
[97%.....98%....]
What left in Rein right now is not frustration nor despair.
It's a resignation for being able to accept his losses completely.
"Fuuuuuhhhhh..... Hey, me." (Rein)
"Yeah, what is it Rein?" (James)
With a smile that mixes lots of emotions, Rein barely release a few words to his inheritor.
"....Congratulations. You are the new supreme."
"!! That's ...a surprise. I never thought you will say those kind of words to me."
".....Shut up. I also want to curse you know. ....But, you win against me fair and square. I'm not so blinded by anger until to refuse my loss."
Hearing that, even James begun to smile bitterly.
"....Haha. It really is a shame. If we can cooperate together. We can accomplish it better. Moreover, it will be much more fun rather than doing it alone.
"...Hah. I rather die to live in same body with twisted bastard like you."
"Wow, that hurt. I can be kind you know?"
"Don't buy it. Tch... why the hell i'm talking with you like this? I'm going to die because of you...."
"....."
"Haaaahhhhh..... it's time huh...."
[..99%....100%.]
[Ping!]
[The process has been completed.]
[The transfer has been done.]
Ending with that, the power from Rein is fully moved to James. At the same time, James' body is slowly changing and adapting to it while Rein's body will disappear in few moments.
"James." (Rein)
"....Yes?" (James)
With a faint smile, Rein say his last word to his killer and at the same time, his inheritor.
"Don't be like me. You don't need to defeat that asshole. Go live the way you want to. .....Be happy."
*fwshhhh*
With that, the strongest human recorded in history have been erased forever.
At the same time, it's the birth of a new supreme.
"....haha. What a nice parting words. ...But because of your mess, I need to clean it up for my future you know?"
James didn't regret killing Rein even after all the thing he said. After all, he didn't want a knife that can stab him at any time.
However,
"Haaahhh.... It's really tiring every time i do this."
It does make him feel bitter.
".....Goodbye."
A parting words. However, it is unknown whether is it for his predecessor or his old life.
"....In any case, this is the beginning only."
Yes, there is still something he needs to do before departing.
"Come out Akashic Record, I want to talk with you."