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Update initiated!
!ERROR! REPAIR NEEDED. LV2 DEVICE REQUIRED.
Skill List:
Kanji (lv1): Aspect of Energy: Electricity, Thermal, Sound, Elastic.
{Skill points: !ERROR!}
[Full destructive power limit: Village]
Skills: [1. Infuse/Absorb] [2. Energy travel] [3. Energy trail] [4. Energy bolt] [5. Energy wave] [6. Energy blade] [7. Energy shield] [8. Energy dual conduit] [9. Energy healing] [10. Umbral Cape]
[Vortex battery (Storage)]
Inventory: Geographic sphere, mechanical soap, spyware device, tungsten-infused nanotech silver chain, tech tablet (Portal) (Hide, Input, Output, Convert, Compress), night vision goggles.
Claire (lv0): Aspect of Creation
Skills: [1. Create (Slots: 5)]
Inventory: Black cloak, crossbow, crossbow bolt (modified with rotatenium), ammo pouch, Fanfics, mechanical soap, a spyglass.
David (lv1): Aspect of Form
{Skill points: !ERROR!}
[Range limit: Self]
[Vortex battery (Control)]
Skills: [1. Expand (x2)] [2. Spikefacation] [3. Delay (1-10s)] [4. Shieldfacation] [5. Trigger] [6. Transform pattern Wave] [7. Net Transform] [8. Whip transform] [9. Blend around] [10. Uno]
Inventory: Iron bat, AK-47, mechanical soap.
Amelia (lv0): Aspect of Reality
{Skill points: !ERROR!}
[Attack type: illusion] [Attack range: x3 field of view]
Skills: [1. Third-person vision] [2. Blurring Mirage] [3. Double] [4. Connect] [5. Vision Swap] [6. Disguise] [7. Flash Mirage] [8. False movement] [9. False Touch] [Mentaltomisis]
[Vortex Battery (Charge)]
Inventory: Frying Pan, knife, mechanical soap.
Sarah (lv0): Aspect of Fiction
[Skill access: 1 skill for each item] [Conjured item 1]
Inventory: Mechanical soap, Nezha’s leopard bag (Nezha’s ring).
Noah (lv0): Aspect of Emotion
Skills: [Emotion infusion] (Emotional requirement: High)
Inventory: Gilded ax, mechanical soap, a sharpening stone.
Diana (lv0): Aspect of Law
{Laws unlocked: Law of Friction} {Limit: Only manipulate small values}
Inventory: Mechanical soap, a pickaxe.
Adrian (lv0): Aspect of Knowledge.
{Connected Minds} {Info Extraction} [Limit: half of basic info}]
Inventory: Mechanical soap. rope.
Azan (lv0): Aspect of Change.
{Limitation: 1. Follow under the concept “change” only. 2. Changes under other aspects require hand-holding.}
Change slot: 1
Inventory: Metal suitcase, mechanical soap, miniature fan.
Mina (lv0): Aspect of Time
{Limitations: 4 skills (Currently).}
Skills (!ERROR!) (Auto Input Activated): |1. Aging| |2. Time Exchange|
Inventory: A machete, mechanical soap.
Gwen (lv0): Aspect of Destruction
{Limitation: Gas only}
Inventory: Mechanical soap, Izzybot, P.T.A.
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Stirring to consciousness, Kanji finds himself in an expansive chamber. A canvas of pristine white engulfs the walls while the flooring boasts the elegance of burnished oak planks. He's surrounded by a haphazard smattering of objects— An imposingly plush couch, a widescreen television acting as its loyal sentinel, a cache of gaming cartridges, and a single console that whispers echoes of the 2000s. He notes a minuscule vent nearby, an impossible escape route. LEDs adorn the ceiling like modern constellations, their glow suggesting recent installation. With a sense of growing uncertainty, Kanji ventures to explore more of his surroundings.
Kanji "The air is humid. Too humid."
Rising, he sets his gaze on the opposing wall. A fridge lounges there, its belly exposed, teeming with an array of snacks and beverages.
It has been open for an unknown amount of time.
Kanji "It seems that we're in a sort of leisure room, but where's the door? Hey! Weren't we suppose to be in a park?! AN, are you there?!"
Growing unease quickly spirals into a panic. Frenzied, he shakes his slumbering friends... they are alive, and some slowly rise from slumber.
Then a spark of fear ignites him— four of his comrades have vanished.
Gwen "K...Kanji. What's the current situation?"
Kanji "We have been had!"
Gwen "What? Explain."
Kanji gently rouses her, his actions ceasing as Azan and Mina join him.
Azan "Calm down, Kanji. Let's discuss this in a calmer manner. Besides, we just woke up."
Mina "Yeah, what do you mean by "We have been had!"? Lol."
Kanji "They've found us! HE has found us!"
Claire "No! You don't mean-
Amelia "Dave. Dave! Where is Dave?!"
An unfamiliar noise suddenly invades their space, halting their actions.
They trace its origin to a discreet microphone nestled in a corner of the room's ceiling. Its scrambled frequencies momentarily waver before honing into clarity.
?? "Ahem. Is this thing on?... Oh, excellent. It is working. Anyway, greetings heretics!"
A scowl dawns on Kanji's face as he glares at the intrusive device, a cocktail of anger and frustration brewing in his eyes. Layered over it, a veneer of annoyance— the voice, presumptuously belonging to a cocky old man, grates on his nerves.
?? "Oh my. What a vulgar expression! What else did I expect from a heretic? Am I right?!... Anyway, how do you like your new home? I tried my best to make it as comfortable as possible-
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A place far away from Earth's familiar soil, an elderly figure swathed in a resplendent crimson robe halts his discourse. Stroking his silver mane, he turns with an air of fear. An imposing alien general looms over him, each impatient foot tap increasing in intensity, echoing the escalating aggression.
?? "Ummm, my lord. Is something the matter?"
KARNAT "IT'S THIS WHOLE FUCKING CHARADE! THAT'S WHAT! WHY COULDN'T WE JUST KILL THEM?!"
?? "I understand your frustration, Sir. However, they have the young mistress."
KARNAT '"FFFFFFu-Fine! HER MAJESTY DOES FIND HER IMPORTANT. SO I'LL LET THIS SLIDE! AND ONLY FOR THAT REASON! YOU HEAR ME, M.1.1.5!"
M115 "Yes! Yes! Of course, your greatness!"
KARNAT "GOOD! BUT REMEMBER IF THINGS GO WRONG, INITIATE WITH PLAN B."
M115 "Yes, my Lord! Now then..."
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M115 "... I'm back. It was something important you see. Not like you, heretics would understand."
Kanji "Were you talking to that braindead of a Castastrian, you called "General"?"
M115 "WHAT DID YOU JUS- Ah... calm down... put your mind at ease. May the image of her holiness cure my body of rage."
Adrian "Guys, there's no exit!"
Kanji "Did you just wake up? Good, can your powers tell me anything about this room?"
Adrian "It just says this room is anonymous but has a low risk."
M115 "Oh, so that's what your ability does. Thank you, for revealing it easily. However, it's pointless. You will never escape from this place."
Kanji "We'll see about that!"
With frustration brimming, Kanji launches his fist at the wall. His hand plunges through its surface as if submerging into a vast liquid expanse, causing surreal ripples to undulate across the wall. Despite this unusual sensation, his hand only meets the phantom sensation of air. Until—
Kanji "Woah! What the fuck?! I felt something metallic!"
He crumples to the floor, his visage stricken with shock as he stares at the wall. An unsettling premonition gnaws at his nerves, prompting him to spin around.
Kanji "No, it can't be!"
Kanji ascends. With a decision etched in his mind, he unleashes a mightier blow.
The TV falls over.
Kanji "...Hey, this is funny you know. I mean seriously. You have to be joking, right?! A non-euclidean space-distorting room! Fuck, this is going to be hard."
M115 "Hard? HARD?! HAHAHA HAHAHA! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"
Azan "Shut up! I'm so tired of your voice. What's the reason for doing this?"
Kanji "Yeah, you could have ended us if you wanted. But now that I reflect on it, this particular room... the lighting... the placement of furniture... the temperature... the alluring pattern of the oak and the walls which are painted with a distinctive thickness of white paint. It's the same design, a psychologist named "Newman Filmer" created in the year 2026, the room is said to induce an abnormal soothing effect for either therapy, interrogation, or negotiation purposes."
M115 "Wow, Spot on! Not so bad for a heretic. For that, I might as well tell you who I am. My name is "M115"."
Amelia "I care less about that SHITE! You fucking limp dick barmy arsehole! What the fuck did you do to Dave and the others?!"
Retreating, Kanji and his fellow warriors maintain their distance from Amelia. Her spoken words even send the cultist reeling back from his microphone, and toppling off his seat.
M115 "Dear God, young lady! I really thought you were a passive one! No, your reaction is reasonable... I do understand what it's like to be impatient. So, I'll jump right into the case. Hand over M116."
Kanji "Ah... I see what's going on. We are 1 to 4. I don't think luck is on our side. But I'll ask you this... How do we know that you actually have them?! Where's the proof, old man?!"
M115 "Old man?! I'm, 36! You snot-nose brat! Whatever! Lift the tv back in place and just look at the screen!"
The wielders pick up and look at the mentioned object, but it appears to not function.
M115 "Oh, dammit! Hold on. Don't try anything funny now!"
Gwen "Any plans, Kanji? Space anomalies aren't in the realm of my expertise."
Kanji "I have a significant grasp on the subject, but I'm not sure if this place was created using logical means or through an ability those cultists have."
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Claire "I have an idea. Maybe there's a soft spot in this room."
Kanji "That's plausible. There's no way someone can make this without any drawbacks. Let's spread out!"
Each wall bears the brunt of the group's fists, corners high and low assaulted to no avail. Kanji attempts to attack the floor next, but instead, descends from the ceiling over and over. With a quick adjustment, he manages to fly, halting the free fall, though his stomach churns from the sudden stop.
Kanji "O-Ok... I'm never doing that again."
M115 "...That... That should be it! Ok, I'm back! Ah, you heretics are being obedient. I'm quite surprised... not really. You may look at the screen now."
The TV sparks to life, a whimsical decapod ant donned in a crimson robe pirouettes on the screen. Then, the scene shifts, the screen compartmentalizing into four distinct quarters. A wave of relief washes over them as they spot their comrades sprawled in peaceful slumber on the floor. Dave holds court in the upper left, Diana is nestled in the upper right, Noah is positioned in the bottom left, and Sarah is placed in the bottom right.
Kanji "Why didn't he do anything with them?... Unless this is a condition! Isn't it?!"
M115 "Errr... no. I-I just forgot. That's all!"
Kanji "Was that a stutter I heard?"
M115 "Fine. You got me! This is my power "The Endless Prison of Four Locks". For me to create your room, I have to fulfill three conditions. First I need 4 prisoners aka you heretics and 4 fighters. Then, I need 4 four sealed rooms, two fighters for each, and the outcome of these fights will determine your fate."
Mina "What's the third condition?"
M115 "I'm not gonna tell you that one! Hehe. Now, we will spectate them. I'm sure you know what I'm implying."
Gritting his teeth in determination, Kanji sinks into the plush seat of the couch.
Kanji "Fucking shit! How did it come to this?!"
Gwen "Nothing we can do now. Let's hope that for the best possible outcome."
Mina "Don't worry guys! They're strong! They'll be fine"
Kanji "That's true for Dave, Sarah, and Diana. However, I'm a bit worried about Noah."
Azan "Yeah, I'm not sure that he is a competent fighter. Then again, I wasn't paying much attention. I have a question. Where's AN? Did they get disconnected again?"
M115 "Oh, your little rebel friend can't contact you... in this room of course. Now silence! It's about to start!"
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Dave finds himself embraced by the cool, dank embrace of an ancient, mossy tomb, its air ripe with the bitter perfume of decay. The room's secrets unfurl under the stark glow of a lone bulb suspended in the darkness. A door stands at the other end— a tantalizing gateway of escape. But the promise was an illusion, its frame cruelly buried in fresh concrete.
With burning determination, Dave rises, navigating the concrete floor towards the tantalizing mirage, oblivious to the quartet of steel pillars standing around the room's heart.
A knife grazes his chin.
The weapon finds its mark on the wall. Dave wields his bat, every sinew of his body screaming a primal warning— "Danger!".
Dave "Come out, bro! Don't be a pussy!"
?? "Alright. Alright. That was a cheap shot-
Dave swings his bat with tempest-like fury, shattering one of the metallic guardians into shards.
?? "Ok, forget what I said. We're even now."
From the shadow of another monolith, a figure slithers out, draped in the crimson shroud of a cultist. His slow movement is unnaturally fluid, almost ghost-like over the cold stone. Dave can only make out deformed hands from under the robe, the face obscured by a bone-white mask merged with his scarlet hood, a stark poker face etched into its center.
His gaze plummets to the abomination trailing behind the cultist, a repulsive slug-like appendage, causing him to step back in disgust.
The soft patter of hundreds of tiny feet echoes in the cold room.
With his will steeled, Dave twists the handle of his bat, launching himself. Unfortunately, his foe disappears as if swallowed by the shadows.
?? "Stop with the cheap shots. It won't work on me."
Dave "Stop hiding and fight me!"
In one fell swoop, Dave's bat reduces the remaining metallic pillars to rubble. A shadow retreats...
Dave "Nowhere to hide now, bro. You're fucked!"
?? "Don't get ahead of yourself. I'm more capable in close combat. Now that's said, Let me introduce myself. My name is "M121, The flesh purger" and I'm in need of more biomass!"
The cultist's fingers intertwine, morphing and twisting into two needle-sharp points, gleaming a bloody rose hue.
M121 "Here I come."
Dave grins, his foot slamming into the ground, cracking the cold concrete under his might.
Dave "Bring it on! Bitch!"
M121 slithers forward, unleashing a rapid-fire barrage of deadly thrusts. Dave fights valiantly to fend them off, but two strikes slip past his defenses, grazing his neck and hip, and almost puncturing his liver.
Dave "Shit. This guy's dangerous."
Dave transfigures his bat into a shield, stepping a few steps back.
M121 "Now, look who's running! Come back here!"
The cultist lunges again, his strikes focused on Dave's eyes this time. Dave raises his guard, repelling the attacks with his bulwark. Responding to the onslaught, the shield erupts, spitting out a flurry of curved spikes.
M121 "Ouch! What the fuck?! Why was it that fast?"
Dave falls back, shooting the cultist a derisive hand signal. Enraged, the cultist propels off the floor, eager to close the gap.
Dave "Perfect. GET FUCKED!"
M121 "What are- ARGH!-
A glance downward reveals a brutal snare— his slug-like tail skewered by a massive concrete spike.
M121 "W-Where did this come from? How?!"
His gaze flits around... Panic invades M121's mind. The room... seems to be shrinking towards him. Dozens of spikes erupt, blanketing and perforating everything in sight, sparing only Dave.
Dave "Whew! That was close. At least, that bastard's a pincushion. Now, I just need to break this door-
The crunch of fracturing bone resonates in his ears, a wave of agony flooding his mind. Dave crumbles to the floor, his gaze landing on the culprit of his torment— a solo needle jutting out from the abyss of spikes.
M121 "That was close indeed. You nearly got me. I thank her holiness for this ability."
The escalating pain catalyzes a shift, reverting the room to its initial, grim state. Dave starts to drag himself laboriously toward the far end of the room.
M121 "It's over. You're done. Give up."
Dave "Hey, I just... notice something... bro. All this time, you could've aimed for... my heart or my brain. You needed me alive for something. Am I right, bro?"
M121 remains unresponsive, advancing toward Dave.
Dave "Ah, you really want to end this talk, bro. Then, goodbye!"
As M121 steps into the room's center, the floor surges upward, blocking his progress. The sight of his foe is denied. Panic takes hold, sweat trickling down as he slams his fists against the impassable barrier.
M121 "YOU FUCKER! YOU FOUND OUT ABOUT IT DIDN'T YOU."
Dave "Yep, your power is so easy to read, bro. Now, I say it again. Goodbye! Bitch!"
Beyond the wall, Dave can't see, but the symphony of agony— anguished howls, bones splintering, flesh ripping— is all too audible. Gathering his strength, Dave stands and circles around.
Dave "You know what. Screw the fucking door."
With a wave of his hand, a circular tunnel forms, revealing a doorway to the world beyond.
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The spectators erupt in jubilation, basking in their comrade's triumph.
Cl/Mina "Yippee! He did it!"
Amelia "Darling, that was bloody amazing!"
Kanji "Nice job, Dave. That was truly splendid!"
Azan "Ummm, I don't get it. If he made a wall there, shouldn't his power not work since he is technically in a different room."
Adrian "Allow me to explain. Look over there."
Azan "Wait... No way! That's the crack he made!"
Gwen "Fascinating, isn't it... the concept of a room and how flexible it is. We are lucky that Dave is an experienced fighter, especially against that kind of frightening power. It was based on your opponent's line of sight, allowing the user to travel between its blind spot. Just the thought of it brings me chills."
M115 "Blah. Blah! BLAH! JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP! This isn't over! The next round is starting!"
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Diana, a picture of patience, perches at the edge of unease. The eerie room could easily pass for an asylum, but it's crafted from an unsettling, unfamiliar Kevlar variant. Suddenly— illumination floods the room, the source seemingly invisible.
Diana "Are the lights behind the walls? Why am I here?"
A robed entity appears from thin air, a cultist trick before Diana's startled eyes. Instantly, she recognizes the shape beneath the robes as distinctly feminine. The woman's demeanor is as fragile as a forgotten feline, teetering on the precipice of panic. Ebony hair veils half her face, the rest obscured by a cloak far too large for her slight frame. But Diana's keen eyes catch a detail— something concealed, subtly shifted along the angle of her torso.
?? "M-M-mmm, H-Hi."
Diana "Hello? Who are you and why am I here?"
?? "I-I'm M122. I-I'm here to... umm... k-kill you."
Diana "Kill me? Is this a fucking joke?!"
M122 "AH! D-Don't come near! I-I'm warning you!"
M122 unfurls her arms, revealing three belts bristling with bullets. Her hands, now steady, grasp several capsules each.
Diana "What are you planning? You don't even have a gun!"
M122 "O-Oh, yeah. W-Watch me!"
With a forceful toss, the bullets skitter off the floor, dancing unpredictably. Mid-flight, M122 points at Diana, and the projectiles jet forward.
Impact.
Three embeds in Diana's right arm. The remaining projectiles slam into the wall behind her, burrowing in rather than ricocheting. Anger rises in Diana; she charges towards M122, then halts abruptly, her eyes widening as she notices—
Dave "Hey! Why is there one bullet on that wall? Wait, are you The Evil Bullet?"
M122 "W-What?"
Diana "You know. The main villain of The Detective Master saga. He has twelve goons that follow him around and shoots at his victims by spinning a single bullet and seeing where the bullet's head is pointing to."
M122 "E-Errr, maybe."
Diana "I knew it. But I'm guessing you're not that good, right? Seeing one of them hit the wall behind you. So... here I come!"
Diana manipulates the friction beneath her, gliding effortlessly towards M122. As she hurls a handful of bullets, Diana dances around them with ease.
Now within striking distance, M122, left with no alternative, unhooks her belts. Tears flood her eyes, trailing down her cheeks...
M122 "I'm so sorry... Big sister."
She strikes the belts against the floor.
A hailstorm of bullets perforates M122's body, blood loss rapidly claiming her life. Diana, driven by instinct, drops to the floor, sliding her way out of the deadly barrage. Her right arm, however, is a wreck. Summoning her immense strength, she tears strips from the peculiar Kevlar, fashioning an improvised bandage. Scanning the room, her eyes catch a concealed trapdoor.
She exits the room.
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All "Nice!"
M115 "SILENCE! I said it isn't over yet! Start the next round immediately! And you heretics better be quiet!"
Kanji "Looks like someone's angry. Told you, you shouldn't underestimate us."
M115 chomps on his mic, unleashing his fury against the desk. He grabs his phone and dials the next cultist.
M115 "Show him no mercy!"
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?? "Got it. I know that you're awake. No use in hiding it."
In an abandoned attic, the cultist conceals his phone, casting a sinister grin at the young man across the room.
Noah "Well, shit. What a bummer?" "FUCK! How did he know?"
?? "Huh, so you're edgy too. Man, now I don't want to kill you. HAHAHAHAHA... Just kidding."
No words suffice for this individual but "Lunatic". His feeble and eccentric physique, coupled with his uncanny movements, is as if something is concealed beneath his robe.
Noah retreats, brandishing his ax. His thoughts are scattered, and he desperately scans for any possible means of escape.
?? "I'll be straight with you, my name is "M123", "The Hemoscorpio"."
Noah "Rad name." "What does that even mean?!"
M123 "Thanks. Now, DIE!!!"
With lightning speed, he charges toward Noah. The Aspect of Emotion, observing his unarmed foe, finds a glimmer of hope. Gripping his weapon tightly, he swings at M122.
A crimson, scorpion-like stinger emerges from beneath.
Noah "What the hell?!" "SHIT!"
The stinger aims for Noah's neck, but a dark aura repels its advance. The cultist's grin widens, and he swiftly repeats the attack. This time, it lands. The stinger twitches, injecting a mysterious liquid into Noah's body. Helpless, Noah can only watch.
M123 "Game over."
M115 "What are you doing?! You're not supposed to kill him!"
M123 "Relax, I can remove it at any time."
Noah gazes at his trembling hand, shaking beyond his control. His entire body follows suit. Poison... impossible!
Noah "What did you do to me?!" "Please make it stop!"
M123 ".... Fine. Might as well tell you since you're done anyway. I can inject people with a type of slime that raises your body's blood pressure. Soon you'll spaz out on the ground or die of a heart attack."
Noah "Fuck." "Is this it? Is it the end? Will I die here? No... I won't allow that. Sarah... I will live for Sarah!"
Locking eyes with M123, Noah's gaze brims with determination. He places his axe above his left hand, slicing a small cut across his palm.
M123 " OW! WHAT?! Why did you- No, shit! My hand hurts! What in the world did you do?"
Noah "I'm sharing my pain. The fight isn't over yet. I'll keep moving forward!" "For my comrades! For Sarah!"
With a leap, Noah hurls his axe toward M122's chest. The colossal stinger emerges, entwining around his body. Sensing the opportunity, Noah bites into his own right shoulder, tearing off a chunk. Overwhelmed by the searing agony, M122 flinches and lowers his defenses, providing an open avenue for Noah's ax.
M123 "AARGH! FUCK! I'll kill you!"
Retrieving his ax, Noah staggers backward. M123, consumed by rage, wildly thrashes his stinger, hoping for a successful strike. Noah evades and raises his axe high.
Noah "Sorry. It's game over." "Gotcha! I win!"
M123 shields his face, anticipating the coming blow. Yet, Noah brings the axe down upon his own right knee. Both Noah and the cultist cry out in agony, but Noah manages to maintain his balance. In contrast, M123 collapses to the ground, clutching a leg that remains unharmed. Seizing the opportunity, Noah decapitates him
Noah's gaze lowers to the floor... a crimson sea of blood.
Too much blood spilled.
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Kanji "Shit! Noah's dying. This isn't part of the deal!"
M115 "Hand over M116 then."
Gwen "Don't listen to him!"
Claire "But what else can we do?!-
A tremendous crash reverberates from the TV. It appears that the roof of the attic has collapsed. Wait... no way!
Diana "Not to worry for I AM HERE!"
Dave "Me too, bro."
Noah "Guys. How did you find me?"
Diana "Good old AN was trying to contact us all day."
Dave "Yeah, because of these weird-ass rooms. Bro, we better be fucking quick. Sas Sas is in trouble."
Noah "Sarah is in trouble!" "No, it can't be!"
Diana "I understand how you feel but you are bleeding like hell. Let's get you to a hospital first. Leave the search to us."
Noah "But Sar-
Noah slips into unconsciousness. Diana lifts him up, and together they make their way to a nearby hospital.
Kanji and the rest breathe a sigh of relief, their worries eased. Yet, their peace is abruptly shattered by the sounds of fierce kicks and punches.
M115 "FUCKINGHSIOHFEHIJSOHNWIOHWOSH! ONE LAST ROUND!"
Kanji "Might as well give up. Sarah's a tough one."
M115 "SHUT UP!"
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In a dim basement, two young women face off on wet concrete. Suspense builds as they size each other up. The flickering lights obscure the cultist's features, leaving Sarah uncertain.
Sarah "Are you going to attack?"
?? "No, I'm awaiting orders. If I do attack, this would be over quickly."
Sarah "Oh really, now. So what's your name anyway?"
?? "I don't give names to strangers-...... Aha... Alright. I just got permission to defeat you."
Sarah "We'll see about that."
With a swift motion, Sarah launches her ring, slicing through the cultist's upper thigh.
Sarah "Gotcha!"
As her weapon comes back, drenched in blood.
It feels heavier.
Sarah "Huh? What is this red stuff?! Why is it growing?!"
In a moment of panic, Sarah loses her grip on the ring, watching helplessly as the amorphous red blob consumes it and adheres to the floor.
Before she could look back, a powerful kick lands on Sarah's face, causing her nose to bleed. Her thoughts blur, but she gathers herself and attempts to regain a fighting stance.
?? "That is Chinese Kenpo... but amateurish at best. I knew it, without that little toy of yours, you're defenseless."
The cultist sends a kick to Sarah's face. Sarah attempts to guard herself, but it was a clever bait. She switches— executing a palm strike to Sarah's stomach. The impact sends Sarah flying backward, her head colliding with the wall, rendering her unconscious.
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M115 "Haha.. HAHA... MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAH! I win!"
Shocked silence pervades the room as the others are caught in the grip of disbelief, their eyes riveted on the unbelievable sight. Muffled sobs from the girls prick the still air.
With a resounding shout, Kanji's fist rockets through the screen, shards of the TV scattering in a crystalline cascade.
M115 "You can leave now. The exchange will be done in the basement of this building."
The room quivers, space warping as if a mirage. Slowly, it morphs into a stark, vacuous office.
Kanji leads the pack, navigating the labyrinth of stairways toward a nondescript door. Swinging it open, they come face to face with the lurking cultist.
Seething with fury, the wielders draw their arms, only to retract swiftly at the sight of a blade caressing Sarah's motionless throat.
Kanji strides forth, tearing open a portal. From its swirling depths, he yanks out a sleeping M116, her hair tangled in his grip.
A tense standoff ensues.
Yet, as the exchange is completed and each hostage reclaims their side, the cultist's hand reaches out, touching Sarah.
M115 "Checkmate! Heretics!"
In the blink of an eye, M116 and her cultist companion vanish, swallowed by a vortex.
The wielders tilt their head in confusion...
________________________________________________________________________________________
Aboard Karnat's spacecraft, M115 stares at his screen, utterly flabbergasted by the unfolding situation.
M115 "Eh? HUH?! What the?! Why didn't it?! My lord!"
Karnat facepalms.
KARNAT "Damn it! Cogarath... fuck! I should have asked her before doing this. M115!"
M115 "Yes, Sir!"
KARNAT "Good job on the arrangement. We at least have her back."
M115 "Thank you, you're too kind! Hey, M124! You hear that! We got praised!"
M124 "I... I know. And I appreciate it, my lord. But what happened to... my... little sister."
M115 "She's... it was awful. She's gone, my dear."
Karnat's eyes lock onto the fierce blaze within the young lady's gaze. A smile ghosts his lips as echoes of yesteryears flood back, times when such fire was a familiar sight.
KARNAT "I understand your rage. But be patient and you'll savor the feeling when the time comes!"
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Sarah is huddled in a corner, unable to face her friends. The others inch closer but are then halted by a commanding gesture from Kanji.
Kanji "No leave her be. We just wait until she picks herself back up."
A timid voice whispers within Sarah's psyche, urging her towards vengeance.
As minutes tick by, the voice crystallizes, compelling her upright. With trembling hands, she retrieves her phone, dialing in the contact of her cultist accomplices.
She turns, locking stares with her friends. What they see chills their bones— a smile of predatory bloodlust.
Mina "Ummm... you're scaring me. What... what did you do, Sarah?"
Sarah "Oh nothing. Just a little commanding... with my associates to crush some ants."
Kanji "Well, at least. You regained your confidence. Let's be honest, all of this is because we decided to take the cryo-porting with no security for when we are unconscious. I say that we don't do it anymore and just travel to our destination manually until we find another solution."
Gwen "Agree. Perhaps on another private vehicle. Anyone here good at driving multiple types of transport."
Mina "Me! I can do it!"
Gwen "Excellent. Look at our current location. We're a pretty long way to the museum. I recommend going by truck because of the rocky roads.'
Azan "I'll order it as soon as we get out of this building."
The group makes their exit, navigating their way to the hospital to collect Diana and Dave. They entrust Noah into the portal's care. Their destination— the esteemed Museum of Modern Art. All along, AN's apologetic murmurings trail in their wake, only to be met with their forgiveness. Fatigue washes over the group, everyone succumbing to a much-needed rest.
All, save for Mina, who assumes command of the wheel, and Azan, their vigilant sentinel. The duo shares an air pod, a symphony whispering into the quiet night as they keep watch together.