Terror Infinity Side B

Chapter 15, Apocalypse Alice Final

WARNING: THE BACKSTORY OF KIRI KIRYUU WAS MADE UP BY THE AMAZING AUTHOR WELLSFORD FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE STORY. I'M SURE THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR COULD HAVE DONE MUCH BETTER IF HE BOTHERED TO WRITE ANOTHER VOLUME AFTER MORE THAN 2 YEARS.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ - The True Story of Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu, P1 - Before the Battle of Life and Death. 

Foreign criminal organization Kowloon Devils Group.

That was the name of a huge mafia group that had bases of operations in both China and Hong Kong and one that I belonged to as a member. I was an assassin raised by the mafia to kill their enemies. Among the children that they found to have the potential to be magicians, I was among the best. Also, it was discovered that I had another talent... Acting.

The mafia would give me assignments to get close to my targets, figure out their weaknesses, and when we had no more use for them… I was to dispose of them. I was a spy and assassin with countless hits on people both good and bad. I struck down enemies and those who honestly saw me as comrades. I never wanted to hurt anyone, but someone important to me, my family, was held hostage by the mafia.

I could only kill.

I could only spy on others and kill.

I could only make friends with good people... and kill.

Kiri: I can only kill... what a bad joke. I'm just as bad as the mafia now, or even worse.

I want to be saved from this life of betrayal. I want someone to save me from this darkness... but that's impossible now. This a world where everyone uses any means necessary to become more powerful. Ever since high-level magic technology had been discovered in the Labyrinths, the world was caught in an ongoing race of military expansion.  

Be it countries.  

Be it large scale corporations.  

Dangerous radicals, mercenaries, terrorists, and even religious organizations were embroiled in it, gunning to be the first to get more power through technology. Nowadays it was the one with the most powerful magic technology that controlled the world. Thus, the technologies used for clearing 《Labyrinth Diseased Girls》possessed by each country become their most important classified secrets.  

This is a world where no one would risk their life to save another person. This is a world where no one would see my suffering, look past my own sins, and save me. If such people did exist then I already killed them on behalf of the Kowloon Devils Group.

Kiri: I am alone. I have the sister that I must keep fighting for, but I'm alone... left with nothing but the memories of those that I have slain and accompanied by a blood soaked sword as a companion. Like this, I'm no better than one of the walking dead, but instead of eating flesh I cut it instead. All around me... are just the past, present, and future corpses of my victims.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ - The True Story of Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu, P2 - Before the Battle of Life and Death. 

Kiri: A new mission, huh? This time as a student.

It has been ten years since my sister has been held hostage and I've begun to work for the Kowloon Devils Group. I'm already seventeen years old and I was experiencing a Japanese high school student's summer for the first time.  

Waiting in a classroom while outside the blazing rays of the sun shined.  

『Metropolitan Kichijouji High』 in Tokyo. I'm here to take a transfer interview examination. For the upcoming operation I needed to become a student of the Girl Killing Curriculum. Right now in the classroom, there are about fifteen guys and girls waiting for their names to be called.  I look around the classroom, and after ascertaining that there were still more than ten people remaining, I knew that I still had time to make contact with him.

From the balcony, the view of a common schoolyard can be seen. Casually leaning against a railing overlooking the schoolyard was one of my priority targets in the upcoming mission. He was an unexpected and dangerous factor in the plan to raid the highest rank Labyrinth, Apocalypse 666, or Apocalypse Alice by its more popular name.

Kiri: (Devil Sword Devil, Shinnosuke Arisu. To see the legendary magician of the underworld in person... I'm glad that we're not meeting in a fight and I hope he doesn't know we are tapping into his phone. Still… I wonder what kind of person he really is.)

Not knowing that I was staring at him, Shinnosuke kept looking down from the balcony with a bored look. He should be looking at the boys and girls from the normal curriculum, clad in their summer uniforms, smiling at one another happily. It was a peaceful scene that people like us should admire and hope to one day be a part of... but I couldn't see it.

I couldn't see the happy smiles and students talking about future plans to hang out. After killing so many people for the Kowloon Devils Group, I could only see dead people walking.

Zombies and skeletons that wouldn't seem odd to see in video games and inside certain Labyrinths. Not everyone looks dead to me, but most people do. Unless I focus hard or have talked to them, I would see them as decaying corpses that walk around normally, talking to one another.

Kiri: (I wonder how Shinnosuke sees the world. He's a person of the darkness, here for an unknown and possibly dangerous, purpose like myself. What does he think about when he sees people living their lives without a care, unaware of the countless ways that they could die?)

Shinnosuke was not a target for me to kill, but the Kowloon Devils Group warned me about him and tasked me to get close to him. If Shinnosuke could be turned to their side, then that would be good for the organization to gain a powerful magician with potential ties to many underground organizations across the world.

If it was impossible to recruit him and he was going to be an obstacle in the upcoming raid, then I was to kill him. They would rather not be on the receiving end of his wrath with his reputation, but the upcoming Apocalypse Alice raid was too important.

Kiri: (Get close to him. I've done such things before and I could do them now. Sailor uniform, madder red hair and fair skin, and eyes with large irises that draw in others even without using magic. Everyone would fall for me because of my good looks. Both men and women would want to become my friends.)

I left the classroom and walked out onto the outside balcony. It felt much better out here. I'm uncomfortable with air conditioning and greatly prefer the fresh air. Feeling much better, I was certain that I could act flawlessly and take my first step to getting closer to him. I feel bad for him, but this is a mission. Between my sister’s life and your own, it isn't even a-

Shinnosuke: The trash are living with a trashy face, huh?

With half-opened eyes, Shinnosuke murmured sneeringly with the corner of my lip raised in a slightly sardonic manner. From the surface, such words clearly showed his contempt for those living in peace, yet there was something else there. Something... pure.

I didn't know what it was and it was dazzling. It reminded me of something that I lost... but that was it? I was on a mission and didn't have time for this. This isn't the time or place to make fake friends, but I should make an effort to get closer to Shinnosuke. Just play along with him.

Kiri: Who are you referring to as trash? Contrary to your docile appearance, you have quite the nasty tongue huh?

Shinnosuke: Who are you?

Kiri: Are you asking my name? Or my number?

Shinnosuke: Has my name already been called?

Kiri: I don't even know your name, so how would I know whether your name has been called?

Shinnosuke: Then why did you come out of the classroom? It's hot out here, isn't it?

Kiri: Yeah it's definitely hot out here, but it's better than inside with. I can't deal well with air-conditioners and I'm also not good with making friends either. At any rate, only a few of the people inside can enroll in the school. Besides, even after getting in, a number of them will die, right? I don't feel like making the effort to make friends here.

Shinnosuke: So talking to me doesn't count as making friends, I guess?  

Kiri: Uhm, I'm just showing pity, I suppose?

Shinnosuke: Ah?

Kiri: You don't seem like you have any friends. So I came to talk to you. Aren't you happy?

Shinnosuke gave me an exasperated look that said "What a shitty, unnecessary favor." It was kind of funny to see how honest his face is... unlike mine.

Shinnosuke: I see. Putting aside how many friends I have, at the very least I don't have the confidence of making friends with a girl like you.

Kiri: Ah-haha. You really are pretty brash despite your docile look.

Shinnosuke: Not as much as you.

I couldn't help but laugh. I meant to laugh anyways to show that I had a carefree personality, but what is this? Talking to him is somehow fun despite his sharp tongue.

Kiri: My name is Kiryuu Kiri. If I manage to get in, please look out for me... hey, don't ignore me! You won't be able to make any friends with that kind of attitude you know!

Shinnosuke attempted to tune me out by playing a song on his Headphone Fuzz. It was probably a way to ignore me, but that just showed that he was paying a lot of attention to me. If he truly didn't care he would have just played along and went back into the classroom.

Kiri: Like a small boy trying to ignore the girl he likes. Ah-haha.

I'm glad Shinnosuke didn't hear that remark. If not he would think that I was a strange girl. At the same time it was finally Shinnosuke's turn to be interviewed for a place in the Girl Killing Curriculum. He still had music playing in his ears, so he missed it at first. It was only after the third call for him that Shinnosuke finally took notice.

Interviewer: Shinnosuke. Shinnosuke Arisu, are you here?

Kiri: Ah, there it is! I know your name now, Shinnosuke-kun.

Shinnosuke: ...

Kiri: Sensei is calling you. If you don't go, you might not be able to get into this school, or is it that the music from your Headphone Fuzz too loud and you can't even hear my voice?

Shinnosuke: My model is a one-ear headphone. My left ear is empty.

Shinnosuke pushed his back off the railing of the balcony went back into that classroom. He confirmed with the interviewer that he was the ‘Shinnosuke Arisu’ in question.

Interviewer: We're going to do your transfer interview. Come along.

Kiri: Do your best, okay! It'd be nice if we meet again.

Shinnosuke, trying to not be the least bit interested, ignored me and closed the classroom door behind him.

Kiri: Mission successful! For better or worse, I've left a strong impression on him. The next time we meet he definitely won't be able to forget about me... I wonder if he has a girlfriend.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ - The True Story of Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu, P3 - Before the Battle of Life and Death. 

Kiri: Geez, what kind of situation is this!? Hey, how about you stop swinging that axe around and tell me why this Labyrinth is so dangerous!

Devil: Raaaaa!

Kiri: I guess that's a no, huh?

A Devil.

I was currently fighting against a monster spawned by a Labyrinth in the shape of the devil.

It's a huge monster that stands about three meters tall. It has horns protruding from its head, and wings like those of a bat, with a muscular bulk and black skin.  In other words, it is the standard model for what is known as the devil in this world today.  That devil is holding an ax dripping with blood, clearly from more than a single person.

Today is the worst. It was supposed to be an easy raid and hopefully I could have met up with Shinnosuke and made a good impression on him. Maybe play the damsel in distress and have him save me, or save him instead. That's why it definitely wasn't my plan to be fighting for my life.

Kiri: Ah, damn, it's fast! Hey monster, that's enough! Aah jeez, can't you cut me a break!?

With my Japanese sword, born out of magic, I was fending off the axe sweeps of the Devil monster. With this sword I received and stopped the gigantic ax of the devil each time it attempted to cut me in two.  

Kiri: Kuhh, this is heavy jeez!

While grimacing, I could only hope that my acting skills were working. The opponent was tough, but not difficult, impossible to defeat on my own. The magic that I was currently using, Nine-Fold Switch, was just a high class that just absorb the damage of any nine attacks. It was an excellent magic, but it wouldn't help much if I wanted to defeat the Devil monster.

The reason that I hadn't gone all out yet was because  I didn't want my classmates behind me to realize just how strong I was, so I did very little as the Devil monsters killed off our class. I felt a little bad, but that was it. Death is synonymous with Labyrinth raids. It was unexpected and tragic, but that's life. That's why I didn't feel bad about what my classmates were doing.

Kiri: Uwah, this is not good... kidding! This opening is a feint! Aihara-san, Satou-san, please use your reinforcement magic now-

But I knew that such a convenient magic that would save my life wouldn't come. That was because the same way I cared little for my classmates, they felt the same way back. All the students of my class have all started activating their magic simultaneously.  The magic they were using was not one to save my life, but their own.

Student 1: Escape switch!

Student 2: Escape switch!

Student 3: Escape switch!

My classmates are escaping one after another. I know it couldn't be helped. Everyone, including myself, is like that. Only caring for themselves. Still, no matter how many times that it happens, I feel hurt. That was why I had to escape, continuing my foolish act.

Kiri: Wha, wait wait wait, this can't be happening right!? We, we're definitely friends right!? Hey, didn't we promise one another!?

Student 4: S-Sorry Kiri-chan. B-But, such a scary place, it's no longer possible for us.

Kiri: Huh?

Student 5: If we don't get out of here now, we might not be able to get out of here ever. Sorry!"  

With that, all the students disappeared. On my armband, the one that informs me of how many comrades from my class are still alive, or still in the Labyrinth... the lone star mark showed that only I was left. I have no more comrades left... though I never had any from the start.

Even if they were fake relationships, there was no way I could make real comrades willing to risk everything for my sake in just one day... yet I still felt sad. I readied my sword with both hands ready to face the Devil. I didn't know why, but I continued my defenseless performance although no one was there to watch.

Kiri: Wait, you must be kidding me. Uwaah, crap! Hnah, fuhwah, I can't absorb much of the power anymore! Crap, the power absorption magic seems to be reaching its limit. My n-next magic, my next magic, I won't be able to make it!

My knees started to buckle under the weight of the Devil's attacks. The monster swings its ax down to finish me off, but all this in the end was an act. Now that my classmates have escaped I can use my full power to fight. My legs are fine so I'll take a step back and active my powerful magic, Guardian Knights Switch.

That was the plan... yet something beyond my expectations occurred.

Shinnosuke: Ha, haha, hahahaha, this is how it should be. This is what humans are like!

With a speed surpassing reason he jumped onto the back of the Devil monster. With a two-handed sword the color of darkness he stabbed into the neck of the monster. Although the muscles of the Devil were thick and strong enough to repel the magic of most of her classmates, his night black sword sank easily into the monster and killed it.

I was saved.

Someone saved me.

I, who is undeserving of being saved, was protected by a man I was certain that I had not won over yet.

Devil Sword Devil, Shinnosuke Arisu. A man of the darkness. A man who has been through hell and countless Labyrinths in third world countries. He has seen as much darkness as I had, but why did he save me? Why didn't he pass by the distracted Devil monster? Why did he put himself at risk to save me?

Kiri: You, you...

Shinnosuke: Oh my, isn't this the popular Kiri-san? Don't you have a ton of friends you made with your prided large breasts?

Kiri: ...

What is with him? He saves my life unexpectedly and then makes fun of me. Also, he mentioned my breasts again! Ah, no good. If I stay like this I'll lose my self. Play along, play along. Act brave, yet vulnerable at the same time.

x

x

x

And that's how my target made more of an impression on me than I made on him.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ - The True Story of Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu, P4 - Before the Battle of Life and Death. 

November

A month has passed by since the infamous Asahi Momoka incident.

After being saved by Shinnosuke I decided to move along inside the Labyrinth with him. At first I did it in an effort to get closer to him in hopes of seeing what his objective was in coming to this school. I even felt that such a dramatic turn of events to get closer to him was good enough reason for me to show off some of my real power... but I wonder what it was. I thought that I was acting, but before I knew it I wasn't.

I usually have a mask to hide my real feeling, but they somehow ended up coming out. I even said some strange things to him like: “if we're together we can save the world,” and that I loved him. In a way, saying such words could be used to get closer to him, but I didn't plan it out. Even when he was injured and it looked like he could no longer continue to be a magician, no longer a potential asset or threat to the Kowloon Devils Group, I found myself coming to his side. I wanted nothing more to support and take care of him when I should have just abandoned and forgotten him for all time, along with all the other men and women who I've tricked in the past.

Kiri: (What is this? Am I, am I truly in love with Shinnosuke?)

And there was more. On the Asahi Momoka raid I ended up teaming with other students. They were definitely Elite magicians, no weaker than Shinnosuke and I, but that didn't explain how close I felt with them. Not to the same degree as Shinnosuke, but I didn't want to see them die. I wanted to hang out with them more. I wanted to go sing Karaoke with them again.

Kiri: (This isn't good. I'm, I'm losing myself to these cozy relationships... and him. I should distance myself from them. Really, what's the point in getting close to any of them anyways? I won't choose them over my sister who's waiting for me and they could potential die once the Mitsutomo Group finds a suitable host to turn into a Diseased Girl... yet, why can't I look away from him?)

That's why I entered a classroom.

Class 5.

My new Class.

Because of Asahi Momoka's Labyrinth, the students of our school year had been reduced by half. Some died, some went mad from the fear, and some dropped out of school.  Thus, I was able to transfer into Shinnosuke and the others’ class.

Thanks to Gunjou's heroic efforts perhaps, 『Class 5』 had fewer casualties than other classes. In order to make up for the reduced strength, I, and some other students, were transferred to this class.  However, the lack of students was only momentary.

The empty seats were soon filled up with new talents since this school has been constantly conducting interviews, and there were many students who wanted to enroll in this school.  Five classes of twenty students each.  There are always replacements.

New Student 1: Look! It's Kiri of Hero Team!

New Student 2: Yeah. No matter how many times that I see her I'm always taken back.

New Student 3: I know what you mean. Not only is she an elite magician who saved three million lives in the Asahi Momoka incident, she's beautiful as well.

New Student 2: That last part has nothing to do with her ability or Hero Team.

Kiri: ...

That's right. After clearing that unexpectedly high level Labyrinth, all of us have become famous among them the students. The team of heroes who cleared that unexpectedly high level Labyrinth, which became known as the Asahi Momoka incident that could have caused the deaths of 3 million people if things had gone wrong, are in《Metropolitan Kichijouji High》 --- a rumor like this has been spreading around, getting embellished as it circulates.  

To my knowledge, it was probably the doing of the school. After all, if famous stars were from this school, then they could gather capable people here, garner more sponsorships, and with that, rake in an even more abundant supply of funds and technology.  

Kiri: (Though that has nothing to do with me.) Shiro! Have you've seen Shinnosuke?

Shiro: Shinnosuke? Ah, he's on the balcony looking down on people again.

Kiri: I see thanks.

Yousuke: Hey, let's go karaoke again.

Kiri: I'll like that, but will he come? He's isn't injured this time.

Shiro: Leave it to me. If we just send Himi to invite him he'll come around.

Himi: M-Me!

Yousuke: Of course. At the very least he won't yell at you, Himi. Or what, should we have Gunjou ask for us?

Gunjou: What would I want to ask him to go out and play for you!

Shiro: Gunjou, you were listening in on us?

Gunjou: Th-that's...

Kiri: Hahaha!

Laughing, I stepped away from my comrades of Hero Team and made my way to Shinnosuke out on the balcony. Really, can't they cut me a break? I wanted to put some distance between us... so that it wouldn't hurt that much when I had to betray everyone, but... no matter! I'll deal with them later. First, I'll take care of my Shinnosuke problem. I'm sure things will get easier from there. 

I made my way to my target Shinnosuke. From the balcony where he was looking down, the view of a common schoolyard can be seen. The boys and girls from the normal curriculum, clad in their winter uniforms, are smiling at one another happily. Shinnosuke sees this and with half-opened eyes, murmuring sneeringly with the corner of his lip raised in a slightly sardonic manner.

Shinnosuke: As usual... the trash are living with a trashy face huh?

As he said that, I couldn't help but sigh to myself. I knew that deep down, even if undeserving, I wanted to be saved from the darkness of this world by someone... but why is it that my prince charming like this?

Kiri: That again? You won't make any friends like that Shinnosuke.

Shinnosuke: ...Not like I was looking for-

But interrupting him were several girls from the Normal Curriculum. They were in the midst of doing their P.E in an ordinary, peaceful world that had nothing to do with magic, labyrinths, or maladies. They were looking up at the balcony of『Class 5』 where we were. They are saying something while pointing at us. Kyaa Kyaa, I think.

A chorus of incomprehensible laughter rings out from the side of that peaceful world. I was a girl and even I didn't understand what would cause girls to make that sound... so, forgetting my original objective I decided to make fun of Shinnosuke.

Kiri: Now now, how does it feel when girls go kyaa kyaa at you?

Shinnosuke: Not interested.

Kiri: Liar, your nose's going to grow long, you know?

Shinnosuke: Hnmm? Aah, then let me say this. In truth, even though I look like this, I've been hiding my huge breasts, and in the past, guys had ogled at my breasts and went kyaa kyaa, so I've been used to it and can't be bothered by this by now.

After patting on his own chest in pride a couple of times, Shinnosuke purposely began to look at my own chest, and with little interest at that! I was disgusted and hurt. I'm proud of my looks if only that, so how can he not show any interest?

Kiri: You really have a horrible personality.

Shinnosuke: Eh, I've been trying to hide it, did you see through it?

Kiri: Jeez, I really wish that you would put some serious effort in hiding that.

Shinnosuke: Haha, if you don't like it, go away, would you?

Kiri: No way. I'm staying with you.

Then before realizing what I had done, I came closer to him and snuggled up to him. Shinnosuke saw me coming and took a step to evade. Shinnosuke looked suspicious of my actions, and so did I internally. I came to class and spoke to Shinnosuke for the sole purpose of taking a step away from him, but now look at me. No matter how you look at it, I'm hitting on him.

I wonder why I find myself drawn to Shinnosuke Arisu. He was from the darkness similar to me, but he's not like me at the same time.

Shinnosuke hates getting close to others, yet when he insults others it's clearly his own way of interacting with them. Shinnosuke is a battle hardened warrior of the Labyrinth who has obviously seen what happened to those who were too weak, tried to save someone, and what happens when you trust the wrong person, death, yet he still took risks to save my life and latter Gunjou's life. When he had little to no hope of defeating the Diseased Girl Asahi Momoka, he stayed to the very end, for three million people and Gunjou, and defeated the girl who nearly killed him.

Shinnosuke claims that Gunjou did it, but that was impossible for her. It was Shinnosuke who defeated the Diseased Girl. It was Shinnosuke who risked everything to save the lives of millions. I thought he was the same as me, a person of the darkness, but... why can I only see him as a hero who denies himself that title?

Shinnosuke: Hey, Kiri.

Kiri: Hn?

Shinnosuke: There's something I've been meaning to ask.

Kiri: What's that, Shinnosuke-kun? If it’s about a date then-

Shinnosuke: About this 'cozy relationship' thing. Something which you should have hated, is there any special meaning to it in future?  

Kiri: ...

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ - The True Story of Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu, P5 - Before the Battle of Life and Death. 

I ran.

I ran away.

When Shinnosuke asked the one question which even I didn't know the answer to I ran away. From Shinnosuke. Past my classmates looking on with worried eyes. Through the hallways passing Honjou Tsukasa-sensei who was on her way to class. I ran away. I didn't know it until I was outside, but I was crying.

What was this?

Tears?

Not fake tears to get others to drop their guard and want to comfort me, but real tears from the heart.

Kiri: What is this? I thought it was a long time ago that I ran out of real tears to shed. I hurt so many people. Some who called themselves my friends. A few who said that they loved me... so why now? I, I...

Sanae: Ahh, what a funny thing to say from the bitch getting closer to my big brother. Are those tears even real vixen?

Kiri: ...

I thought I was alone, but had someone snuck up on me, or was I just too distracted to notice the girl standing in front of me? Standing there, the person talking bad about me who I knew, but never spoke to before, was a strange-looking girl who wears a white lab coat over the sailor uniform of《Metropolitan Kichijouji High》.

It was Shinnosuke's little sister.

Not actually siblings, but cousins.

Sanae Yayoi.

Fifteen years old.  

Sailor uniform with a white lab coat.  

A first-year at《Metropolitan Kichijouji High》.  

At just fifteen years old, she is a genius entrusted with one of the research labs of Taikou Pharmaceuticals—famous for their research on the labyrinth disease. Both her father and mother had been researchers at Taikou Pharmaceuticals, and she too is one.  

The daughter of Shinnosuke's uncle who had been researching the Labyrinth Disease. She will turn out to be the daughter of his uncle who died when he was caught by the Diseased Girl of the worst Labyrinth mankind has seen to date during its onset, Apocalypse Alice.

I don't know too much about her other than that. Information about top members of Taikou Pharmaceuticals is classified information. If not for the demand of information about Apocalypse Alice, we or anyone else in the world wouldn't know that the Diseased Girl of that Labyrinth came from one of the founding families of Taikou Pharmaceuticals, Arisu... the same last name as Shinnosuke.

I look at Sanae Yayoi once again as I had no idea why she was appearing before me now. She and Taikou Pharmaceutical shouldn't be aware yet of the raid Kowloon Devils Group and Mitsutomo Group have planned for Apocalypse Alice, a Labyrinth under their authority and control.

If she knew of such a terrorist plot then she could summon up an endless number of elite assassins from multiple organizations, including overseas, to kill me. That's just how powerful and dangerous the idea of capturing the magic within Apocalypse Alice is.

Kiri: What do you want? If it's about the matter from before when we rescued Shinnosuke then you should just take it up with him. You’re cousins, so stop badmouthing me and just go talk to him. I'm not in a very good mood right now.

Sanae: Don't worry, this won't take long. I won't spare my entire day just to deal with a woman like you, Kiri Kiryuu.

Kiri: Then just say what you want to say. If it's about me getting close to your beloved 'big brother', then you all need to speak to Gunjou as well. She won't admit it, but I bet she's starting to look at him a lot lately. Maybe even Himi as well has-

Sanae: Cut the crap! No one is as close to big brother as I am... but that's beside the point. I just wanted to tell you what I saw.

Kiri: ...Saw?

Sanae: Yes. Kiri during the last raid, the Asahi Momoka incident, did you know as the labyrinth that time was a man-made one?

Kiri: Man made... That's-

It was then at that moment that I felt something.

Something fast had impacted my neck and burrowed into my flesh.

A sniper?

How careless.

It wasn't a bullet, but I was definitely hit with something. I moved my hand to check my neck and I found a small metal object with a needle covered in blood. By the looks of it I was injected with something, but it was too late now. I was beginning to lose control of my body's muscles and fell to my knees. Barely able to even look up at Sanae who kept on talking.

Sanae: Yes, Taikou Pharmaceuticals were the ones who forced the disease onset in Asahi Momoka. That's why we were able to monitor everything that happened inside.... and I mean everything from beginning to end. From the moment you and your classmates entered the Labyrinth and the final battle as well.

Kiri: ...

Sanae: Because it was man-made I was able to see my big brother’s true strength. He was amazing and the others at Taikou Pharmaceuticals felt the same. I was so proud that I made cuts of the footage showcasing his greatness... but that was when I discovered something else.

Kiri: ...

Sanae: Kiri, during the entire raid of Asahi Momoka you were clearly holding back. I saw you choose to not save your original classmates and even during the final battle against the Diseased Girl you purposely let attacks hit you that you could have easily dodged and you didn't attack when you saw openings in the Diseased Girl’s defenses. Three million lives were at stake, yet you weren't giving it your all.

Kiri: ...

Sanae: Now, what kind of sane person, and I do think you’re a sane enough person Kiri, holds back in a difficulty rank 20+ Labyrinth? Perhaps a spy? A spy who wants to hide most of their strength from others until it’s time to make their move. A spy who gets close to others under lies and deceptions. Lastly, a spy with a grand purpose who is willing to take grave risk for their mission. That's who you are Kiri Kiryuu, the master assassin of the Kowloon Devils Group.

Kiri: ...

Sanae: I know that you belong to the Kowloon Devils Group after I did a bit of investigating. I always planned to look into all the women close to my beloved big brother, but your actions in the Labyrinth made me look much deeper than the others Kiri.

Kiri: ...

Sanae: Kiri Kiriyuu was brought into this world by two loving parents and had a little sister two years younger than herself. During a trip to China her parents were swallowed up by a rank 55 Labyrinth, now Eternal Labyrinth Sky Pillar 555. At the time China was struggling with the appearance of Labyrinth Disease and during the chaos, despite being Japanese born, both sisters were thrown into an orphanage. They had no other living family and no documents stating who they were, so they were never returned to Japan. Six months later both sisters were taken into the Kowloon Devils Group. The eldest sister showed high talent for magic, and so they used the threat of holding the younger sister hostage to make the eldest sister, you, do terrible things. Things that they wouldn't even have their own people do for moral reasons. So many things, but that doesn't matter now. What is important is your latest assignment?

Kiri: ...

Sanae: Just recently Kowloon Devils Group was contact by the Japanese organization Mitsutomo Group to partner up in a certain experiment. An experiment that would reward both sides greatly. A raid of the highest rank Labyrinth in the world, Apocalypse Alice. Mitsutomo Group would provide the technology to weaken Apocalypse Alice and Kowloon Devils Group, an organization with a large number of magicians, would provide the manpower. The two organizations planned to infect a girl of the Girl Killing Curriculum, you probably weren't told who but it is Gunjou Mizuiro, with a manmade Labyrinth Disease, create a conjured Labyrinth right next to Apocalypse Alice and connect the two, which will result in lowering the highest rank Labyrinth in the world down to the double digits, maybe single digits if you were lucky.

Kiri: ...

Sanae: It was an interesting plan... but are you all morons? Apocalypse Alice belongs to Taikou Pharmaceutical! We've attempted an untold number of raids and experiments in that Labyrinth, many of which went unpolished. You and everyone else know nothing of the monster that sleeps at the bottom of that Labyrinth, no hell itself! Don't underestimate the Diseased Girl, Saki Arisu. Your plan would only weaken a few of the upper floors and piss off my cousin.

Kiri: ...

Sanae: Still, I should thank you, Kiri. Thanks to you we discovered the plot in advance and we at Taikou Pharmaceuticals can make plans to step on both Mitsutomo Group and Kowloon Devils Group, showing them who is really in charge. I do want to honestly thank you Kiri, but... I won't.

She kicked me.

Sanae fiercely kicked me in the stomach and, unable to take the blow in my state, I helpless fell over, unmoving, to the ground.

Sanae: You dared to get close to my big brother, Kiri Kiryuu. To use your bitch body to win him over, or worse, drop his guard and kill him. I know that you have done it before. It didn't say in your files, but have you ever spread your legs for men before to win them over?

Kiri: ...

Sanae: Whatever. In the end I can't forgive you. That's why I'll tell you some nice things to comfort you in your last sane moment. First, it's about your sister. The sister that the Kowloon Devils Group are using to threaten and manipulate you. The sister that you've worked more than half your life to protect. The sister that you haven't seen in almost ten years. That sister... You know what happened to her right?

Kiri: ...

Sanae: Kiri Kiryuu, your sister is obviously dead. If they haven't shown proof of life to you after all this time, after all your hard work then she must have been disposed of. Maybe sent on missions like you and died somewhere told the same lies as you, or thrown into a brothel, used, and discarded.

Kiri: ...Is that really true?

Sanae: Ah, you finally talk. That tranquilizer only makes you unable to move, so I thought it was... hey, are you crying now? Strange. You must have considered the possibility, right? You’re a woman who only knows how to betray, but you’re not stupid. Yes, you've known for the longest time that she was no longer of this world. Were you just deluding yourself otherwise?

Kiri: Just... just shut up and kill me. That's why you’re doing this right?

Sanae: Kill you? Well, yes, but not so directly. Above all of your other crimes, you dared to approach my big brother and you interfered when... when I just wanted to be together with him is all! Together with the only man in this world I could fully trust as he would go to the ends of the earth, kill even God and the Devil, if it would help him save his little sister. He not like me or you who have been soiled by the darkness of this world. He's a real hero! And you, YOU attempted to take him away from me!

Sanae kicked me hard again and sat down on top of my body. Her eyes were void of all emotions, but as she took out from her white lab coat pocket a small syringe gun, there was a sinister smile on her face. She could help but laugh for some reason and she brought the gun to my neck and pulled the trigger of the gun.

Sanae: *SIGH*, and it's done. This is the second thing that I wanted to tell you. What I just injected into your bloodstream was DGLS-M2. From Mitsutomo Geoup, you might know it under a different name, but this is what is used to force a girl to artificially contract the Labyrinth Disease. This is a variant of the one we used on Asahi Momoka.

Kiri: Why would you-

Sanae: First, those swallowed up by the Labyrinth as it initially forms will not be assimilated, but just dragged inside and free to move about as they please. Others also won't be able to enter from the outside. Secondly, instead of a Diseased Girl that can be controlled along with the Labyrinth, this type forces the girl into a blind madness to kill on sight. Some Diseased Girls who were originally magicians can keep their sanity for a while after being turned, but that won't happen this time. You'll kill anyone on sight whether it’s your best friend, family, or lover. Lastly, the effects are almost immediate. After being injected you will contract the Labyrinth Disease within the next three to five minutes.

Kiri: You...

Sanae: Good. So you understand why I'm doing this here, at《Metropolitan Kichijouji High》. Home of the Girl Killing Curriculum. You see, I want your classmates, your Hero Team comrades and my big brother to kill you. I truly hope that you all will kill each other, that you will be killed. It is unlikely that a man of my brother’s caliber will die even if you turn into a high ranking Labyrinth. You'll probably kill a few of your comrades, which will be nice, and big brother will surely kill you! Isn't that amazing!?

Kiri: ...Sanae.

Sanae: Yes?

Kiri: You’re horribly twisted just like me... but thank you.

Sanae: ...What?

Kiri: I've tricked others for so long, so I don't mind and I'm even glad I would be put down for good by a comrade. I also would never admit to myself that my little sister... was dead. Now I can accept the end. That's why I thank you.

Sanae: What are you-

Kiri: I'm thankful for you, so I'll give you some woman to woman advice. Just... just try to get close to your cousin like a normal girl. No hidden agendas. Better yet, leave behind Taikou and ask for his help. Like you said, Shinnosuke isn't like us. A hero. He may badmouth others, but he's a good guy. If you genuinely ask him to save you I'm sure that he will-

Sanae: Shut up! What do you-

Shinnosuke: Yayoi? Kiri! Damn, Acceleration Switch!

It was then we were interrupted. Really like a hero on a white horse, Shinnosuke seemed to appear. Seeing his cousin standing over me, and me unmoving, resulted in an emotional response from him. Shinnosuke used his Acceleration magic to quickly come between us, and to escape Shinnosuke's fury Sanae Yayoi used her own Acceleration magic to move away.

Shinnosuke looked like he was going to pursue, but instead he hovered over me as if to protect me from further harm. Really, it was kind of nice. Too nice, in fact, for a person like me to experience at the end.

Shinnosuke: Kiri! Are you okay? Damn, Yayoi, what did you do to her?

Sanae: What did I do big brother? That’s the thing.

Shinnosuke: I'm not your big brother, so just answer!

Sanae: Fine. What is happening is that Kiri will now share the same fate as Asahi Momoka.

Shinnosuke: What!

Sanae: There are a few reasons for me to do so, but those are not important. What is, is that in a minute a Labyrinth will soon appear and swallow up this school and everyone in it shortly, so I'll be leaving now. Talk to you later big brother.

It was as Shinnosuke and Sanae were speaking that others appeared. Shiro, Gunjou, Yousuke and Himi appeared. They saw Shinnosuke by Kiri's side and gazing fiercely at Sanae his cousin. Shiro immediately asked what was going on, but Shinnosuke immediately barked orders at him and everyone else.

Shinnosuke: Shiro! Kiri was infected with a manmade Labyrinth Disease by my cousin. Capture her now before it's too late!

Shiro: What the... got it!

Shiro didn't know the whole picture, but like always he chose to trust someone that he called a comrade. Shiro used his favored magic to summon a large knife and rushed at Sanae. He felt the seriousness of the situation, and so he was resolved to cut off her legs and have Himi use Ban-Aid Switch to keep her alive so they can find a solution.

Sanae immediately understood the threat of Shiro and his large knife and escaped the incoming slash with Acceleration magic. As his knife made a large gash in the ground, Shiro recognized his comrade's magic and quickly prepared a magic he knew that could stop her quick movements, yet he was stopped in his tracks.

Covering for Sanae's escape, the sniper hired by her fired round after round at Shiro. Shiro was protected by Yousuke's defense magic, but Sanae was able to escape the school grounds. Sanae immediately hopped on her motorcycle and speed off into the distance.

Yousuke: Shiro, the sniper has escaped and so has Shinnosuke's cousin. They're long gone.

Shiro: I see. Thanks Yousuke. Sorry Shinnosuke. I don't get what's going on, but we have to leave this place if what you said is true about Kiri contracting an artificial Labyrinth Disease. I won't say we should kill her, but she'll kill us if we stay-

Shinnosuke: No! I, I can still save her. I... I possess the magic that can sever the Labyrinth Disease from the Diseased Girls.

Gunjou: Can you... is that really possible?

Shinnosuke: Yeah. A bad friend and mad scientists just upgraded it. If there's still a chance to save her…

Kiri: Shinnosuke... everyone... you have to-

Shinnosuke: No! Holy Sword Switch!

I desperately attempted to have everyone leave, but Shinnosuke wouldn't listen. From his Headphone Fuzz and appearing grasped in his hands, a large sword was there. A large, two handed silver sword that radiated divine power, and oddly enough, that sword perfectly fit together with Shinnosuke.

He really is a hero and not a person of the dark like me. That's... I'm glad I got to see him like this and caring for someone like me. With this I can rest in peace, so hurry up and kill me for good.

Shinnosuke: God damn you Kiri! Don't go asleep now! I don't care what you've been through to just accept an ending like this, but-

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ - The True Story of Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu, P6 - Before the Battle of Life and Death. 

It was the end.

Shinnosuke failed to save Kiri.

He hesitated. At the last moment, Shinnosuke worried about if he could really save Kiri with the experimental Holy Sword magic, or would he just end up killing her. And so, before Shinnosuke could gather his resolve, the darkness took over. An endless ocean of darkness surged up from Kiri's body and swallowed up her comrades and school whole.

Now, there's only a man hell bent on righting his mistake and saving his comrade, and a woman who welcomes the end in one last battle against her comrades.

What will be the ending?

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆  - Team Japan VS Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu - Entry Into Battle of Life and Death.

 - The Present.

Kiri: Blue Mist Travels Switch!

Kiri said those words softly, touching down on the floor of the temple. Shinnosuke and Shin were right in front of her with our swords raised high, ready to strike her down. Shinnosuke’s black Demon Sword and Shin's own night sky Gravity Blade were swung down towards Kiri, and the swords cut into her body... yet Kiri vanished. The two swords cut through nothing but empty space, the force blowing the surrounding mist away.

Both Shinnosuke and Shin looked around, but we couldn't find any trace of Kiri. Aqua, Shiro, and Gunjou caught up in the meantime and joined the search. Misaki, Kampa, Shuai, and Connor stood by the entrance with their weapons raised ready to protect Hikari and Himi.

Everyone began to look around, but there were still no trace of the Diseased Girl Kiri. Feeling that the situation was getting out of hand, Shin looked back to the others and called for the one best suited for finding her.

Shin: Hikari! Can you find her?!

Hikari: Wait a moment! I'll use Adrasteia to-

But before Hikari could call for her Persona to locate Kiri she saw the person in question reappear and interrupted them. Rising silently from the blue mist covering the wooden floor of the temple and now standing by Team Japan's leader, Shin, was Kiri with a cold and vacant look in her eyes. Hikari couldn't move or speak in time to warn Shin, yet Shin still saw the look of fear in her eyes at that moment and realized something was wrong.

Shin: Three-hundred Times Gravity Slash!

Without hesitation, Shin swiftly turned around and swung Gravity Blade to slash his foe and Kiri swung her now glowing red katana in retaliation. Sparks flew as the two magic swords met head on, yet it was Shin who was pushed back. Shin was confident in his physical strength, bur his attack was completely devoid of any strength as he tried to push back with his sword.

Kiri: Nine-Fold Switch.

Shinnosuke: Get away from her!

Shinnosuke activated his Acceleration magic to try and reach Kiri quickly, but he was too late to help Shin escape Kiri’s assault.

Kiri, using magic to completely absorb Shin's attack, knocked Gravity Sword out of Shin's hands with her own monstrous strength. Shin could then only watch helplessly as his trusted sword flew all the way to the ceiling in a spin and as Kiri’s long legs kicked his stomach. With force well beyond Kiri's frail appearance, Shin was sent flying clear across the temple... with a trail of red blood following after him.

Hikari: Shin!!!

Hikari's scream sounded across the room, yet Shin apparent defeat didn't break the spirits of the entire team. Shinnosuke reached Kiri first with Acceleration magic and slashed at her with his Demon Sword. Aqua and Shiro had already positioned themselves around Kiri in a way to stop her from escaping, yet like before Kiri disappeared in a poof of blue mist like before.

Shinnosuke: Damn! She escaped again.

Gunjou: I can't find her either! Screw her! We're trying to save her, so at least she could try and stay still.

Shiro: Just relax. This is probably one of her magic skills. A magic to travel through the mist hovering above the floor silently. We've never seen it before because of its harsh conditions to use with mist. This entire temple is just one grand stage for Kiri to display the full power of her magic!

Aqua: Everyone stay alert and watch each other’s back! Himi! Hikari! Try to find early signs of her reappearing before she attacks us!

Himi: Yes!

Hikari: But, but Shin is-

Aqua: Don't worry about him. That small amount of damage won't kill him. Just wait for him to recover and do your part.

Hikari: ...

Aqua: If you can't do that Hikari then ESCAPE and get out of the way!

Hikari: Fine!

Hikari was slightly upset at Aqua's harsh words as if she didn't care whether Shin was dead or alive, yet she was smart enough to realize that she needed to get her act together. Believing that Shin was alive and would join them at any moment, Hikari took out her SEES Evoker gun, pointed the muzzle towards her head and pulled the trigger.

A bright blue light surrounded Hikari and emerging into existence behind her was her Persona Adrasteia. Hikari, relying on her support type Persona, scanned the area and with greater success than Himi who was at her side trying to find Kiri with magic, Hikari found information about the Diseased Girl Kiri.

Kiri Kiryuu -

Stats

Intelligence - 500

Mental capacity - 800

Cell Vitality - 1000

Reaction Speed - 3500

Muscle Density - 3000

Immunization Strength - 2100

Along with basic information about Kiri, Hikari did indeed locate her. Hikari reported the exact location that Kiri was always moving through the mist at all times to the others. Now thanks to Hikari they weren't afraid of Kiri popping up behind them and stabbing them in the heart, yet none of them had the means to attack Kiri long as she hid within the formless mist... well, all but one of them.

Shiro: Everyone! It's impossible for us all to defeat Kiri while this building is constantly being filled with mist. It's even rising as we speak. I'll force her out in the open, so use that opening to attack her! If you can't finish her off then force the fight to pillars under the ceiling where's there's no mist!

Aqua: How do you plan to do that?

Shiro: Just watch me!

Shiro jumps and activates his magic while screaming out its name.

Shiro: Fate Reversal Hammer Switch!

What such an exaggerated name, it appeared to be magic that would probably conjure a hammer. An abnormally gigantic mallet with a sharp tip appears. Shiro raises both hands and with that, he swings down the hammer hard on the wooden floor of the temple with enough force to cause the whole building to shake... or that's what was supposed to happen. The whole hammer melted into the floor of the temple instead, and nothing. From the giant hammers appearance and when it struck down, everyone was shocked from start to end, yet smiling, Shiro clearly wasn't finished.

Shinnosuke: What the hell is that magic!

Shiro: Hey, I said that I got this! Fate reversal!

In that instant, a strange sound could be heard from underneath the floor, and the hammer returns as it pierces the floor back and it jumps out with a grand quake following after it. At the same time, emerging from the mist helplessly thrown into the air, was Kiri.

Fate Reversal. A magic used to force out into the open all those hiding with magic. Whether it's hiding within the sea, mist, or even a different dimension, there's no escaping the magic Fate Reversal.

Shiro: Do it Shinnosuke! Aqua!

Shinnosuke: No, you should have explained things... Ah whatever, I'll do it!

Aqua: Don't let this chance go!

With incredible speed and not wanting to let this chance to capture Kiri go, both Shinnosuke and Aqua jumped towards her with everything that they had.

Shinnosuke, using the special properties of his Demon Sword, aimed for Kiri's weak point. He didn't intend to split Kiri in two, but by weakening her first it would be easier to deliver the final blow with Holy Sword magic. Aqua was right beside Shinnosuke, already in Unlocked Mode. To strike Kiri with everything that she had she entered into the Second Stage, expanding her muscles for maximum strength and channeling an incredible amount of Aura into her Adamantium Claws.

Failing through the air, Kiri saw the two warriors coming at her. Kiri knew that if she were hit by their combined attacks she would be blown away even with Nine-Fold magic, and so she took action. One of Kiri's swords glowed an ominous blue and she swung her sword towards them. A laser beam like slash flew from her blade and approached Aqua and Shin, ready to bisect them in two.

Gunjou: Not so fast holstein woman! It's time to teach you who the top woman of the team is! Defensive Tyrant Switch!

With Gunjou's shout she activated her defensive magic by crossing her arms over each other. A current of water shot out from her, met the magic slash of Kiri's, canceled out the attack, and allowing Aqua and Shinnosuke to pass by harmlessly.

Shinnosuke: Now stop hiding in the mist Kiri and fight!

Shinnosuke’s full swing slash and Aqua's Aura infused claws struck Kiri. Kiri easily blocked both attacks with the two swords in her hands, but she couldn't activate Nine-Fold magic in time and was blown away by their attacks all the way to the ceiling. When the others then looked up they discovered Kiri's body embedded into the roof and struggling to get out.

Shiro: This is our chance! Everyone climb up and don't let her make it back down to the mist!

Shiro gave out those instructions and everyone began to move. Aqua, climbing up the walls with her claws, and Shinnosuke with extreme speed, reached the ceiling of the temple first. No one else in Team Japan had the ability to follow after them, so only Shiro and Gunjou then began to follow the two... but they were stopped. Getting herself unstuck, Kiri moved to stand on top of the intersecting pillars under the ceiling and looked down at her opponents. Coming to the conclusion that Shiro could keep forcing her out of hiding and that together, her opponents could push her back, Kiri grabbed one of the four katana hovering behind her back and threw it to the floor. Once the blade pierced through the wooden floor the sword began to glow with a bright purple light.

Himi: Everyone be careful of that magic! Something is coming!

Himi’s warning was right on the mark. The katana embedded into the wood radiated blinding light and sunk into the floor similarly to Shiro's Fate Reversal magic. From there four lines of light branched off into the four corners of the room and became classic magic circles.

Kiri: Guardian Knights Switch...

Once the name of the magic was softly announced by Kiri's lips, four figures rose up from the magic circles of the four corners.

Knights.

Death.

Four summoned creatures born from magic and armored in demonic purple armor now stood inside the temple. For the sole sake of protecting their master and killing those wishing to do harm to her, they wield gigantic swords to slay their enemies. For the sole sake of protecting their master and defending her from those wishing to do harm to her, they held large thick shields to stand against any possible attack.

Every person within the temple felt immense pressure from the four Demonic Knights. A feeling of immense dread and death emanated from their beings and could be felt by all present. In the world of Apocalypse Alice, their strength was originally only comparable to a rank 5 Diseased Girl, but after being strengthened by the magic of the Labyrinth Disease, Kiri's four Demonic Knights held strength comparable to a rank 10-15 Diseased Girl.

A step in strength below the rank 20 Diseased Girl Asahi Momoka who nearly wiped out Hero Team in their last Labyrinth raid. The threat of those Demonic Knights was so great that Aqua and Shinnosuke considered coming back down to help, but Shiro gave orders to stay and fight Kiri.

Shiro: Don't come back down and hold Kiri up there. That's what she wants you to do. If she makes it back to the mist covered floor and has the backing of the Four Demonic Knights that's the end of us! You two keep her up there and we'll join up with you after taking out the Demonic Knights.

Shiro knew that he made the right call, but he knew that his side was truly in trouble now. The four Knights held immense strength and so he wondered could they be defeated. Realistically, Shiro could only rely on Gunjou to fight the Demonic Knights.

Shiro then looked behind to see Shin's comrades and Himi standing besides Hikari. They could fight, but not at the level the battle was heading in and Himi couldn't fight at all. Shiro knew that they had little chance of making it out alive, yet he dared not to call back either Shinnosuke or Aqua.

They were critical to holding back Kiri and with just the two of them fighting up in the rafters they could barely do even that. There was no way he could call either of them back to help.

Shiro: Damn! If only Yousuke was here!

Shiro cursed god or the devil for taking his comrade Yousuke away from him. Yousuke was more than just an excellent defensive magician. As a long time comrade he was also someone who could calm him down in deadly moments like this and offer accurate advice.

Shiro missed that and cursed again, yet he had no more time to grieve or worry about his troubles. The Demonic Knights were finally making their move. They raised their large swords and shields effortlessly and rushed at Shiro, Gunjou, Himi, and the members of Team Japan at last. The four Demonic Knights wearing armor and large weapons charged at a speed surpassing the normal and Elite monsters of the Labyrinth.

With each new step that they took, everyone within the temple felt a helpless despair... yet the main character brought renewed hope as he rejoined the skirmish.

In a dark scarlet flash a figure with puffed up muscles charged at a speed surpassing any of the Demonic Knights and slammed head on into the one of the two approaching the majority of his Team Japan comrades. With an incredibly loud sonic boom, the Demonic Knight was hit a Soul Crushing Strike and four Kagune tentacles, with the tips strengthened with Ki Energy, with such force that it slammed into a far off wall and crushed by the impact.

Shin: Everyone! Stay alive! Survive and kill everyone and thing that stops you from doing so!

Leaving those parting words behind, the scarlet figure, Shin, climbed up the walls of the temple with his Kagune and joined the desperate battle against the Diseased Girl Kiri up on rafters

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Jin: Now now... what should I do to contribute here?

Jin looked over at the battlefield and felt that although the current wasn't the best, it was also an opportunity for him.

Shin had made a miraculously recovery from the Diseased Girl Kiri's initial attack and took out one of the Four Demonic Knights. From there Shin joined up with Aqua and the main character of Apocalypse Alice Shinnosuke to take on Kiri up above on the rafters under the ceiling, yet Jin saw that they were still in danger.

All of those fighting on the floor of the temple were desperately fighting against the remaining three Demonic Knights created by Kiri's magic. The magic combatants of Hero Team, Shiro and Gunjou, were fighting a losing battle against the three Demonic Knight and barely holding their own.

Shiro had offensive magic to keep up with the three Demonic Knights, but three were too much for him and he didn't have the opportunity to release a magic capable of killing the three. Gunjou was by his side and keeping Shiro alive, but that was all that she could do.

The members of team Japan were even worse off as they didn't know how they could help in this situation. Hikari was a support role with no combat ability. Misaki had enhancements, but he wouldn't last long in a battle against the Demonic Knights. Kampa's rifle would hardly be effective against the Demonic Knights and would be completely sealed off with the enemy's large shields. Shuai didn't have offensive powers to help out like Hikari. Connor... Jin actually thought highly him, but with just Shin's infinite ammo RoboCop Auto 9 he didn't see how he could contribute to the battle. As for himself...

Jin: I'm not in the best shape to help out either with a missing hand and wounded shoulder and Himi can't help us. Really, we messed up letting Yousuke die. If he were here the burden on Shiro and Gunjou would be lessened and maybe our side could have done something as well. Hero Team really was the key to winning this game!

Jin lamented in his own way the situation that he, and the others, found themselves in, yet he all soon recovered. Jin, for better or worse, had a positive way of thinking about things. Faced with good things and bad he'll stay positive about everything. It was a trait that made him a failure of a human being, but allowed him to overcome countless difficulties in his life as a pro gamer. A world where just one slip up could result in falling from the top of the mountain into the abyss of those who fail as pro gamers.

Jin finally began to formulate a plan to turn the battle around in their side's favor. Like Shin realized, Jin definitely had the talent of a strategist, so it didn't take long for him to come up with a plan.

It wasn't the best plan and had a low 20% chance of success, but since at that moment they were 100% guaranteed to either fail the mission, or more than half of Team Japan dying before Shin defeats Kiri, Jin felt it was their best chance to win the battle with the least casualties.

Jin: Now I just have to convince the others to... Hikari!

Hikari: Huh? What is it Jin?

Jin called out to Hikari. Jin had a plan to defeat the Demonic Knights, yet he had a problem.

Jin's current status in Team Japan was that of a Newbie. Also, Jin himself was aware that he had a bad personality, so he highly doubted that he could convince the others to follow with a high likelihood of death and before either Shiro or Gunjou perished, so he wanted have someone take the lead.

Hikari.

The support member of Team Japan was an already established member. Hikari was smart and additionally it was plainly obvious that she was the team leader Shin's woman. In Shin and Aqua's absence, if it was Hikari who could take command of Team Japan and give out orders. Simply getting her approval was faster than convincing everyone one at a time.

Jin: You see, Hikari, I have a plan to turn things around and so I need you to trust me and convince the others to follow it through. Without working together to combine our small, yet essential, powers than we can't defeat the Demonic Knights!

Hikari: ...

Jin saw the look of doubt in Hikari's eyes. Putting aside trusting Jin's plan, hearing those aspiring and fake words come out of Jin's mouth so naturally made her feel sick. Jin guessed that Hikari would react that way, and so he had already thought up the magics words that could only convince her to work with him.

Jin: This is an emergency situation, Hikari. Aren't you worried about Shin?

Hikari: What do you-

Jin: He may have made a remarkable comeback, but he was clearly injured before. I don't know what enhancements he has, but he should still be hurt. We need to support Shin, but like this we can't just standing here. If we do nothing then Shin, Aqua and all of us will die!

Hikari: ...What do you have in mind?

Jin: I'm glad that you asked.

Jin praised the fact that he was able to convince Hikari to hear him out, yet he was also disappointed in himself for taking so long. If he was even more slightly liked by the others he could have immediately convinced everyone to follow his plan.

Jin: (I should work more on my people skills. I'm unworthy of the being a proper member of such an amazing team of enhanced humans, yet I don't want to be out casted.)

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆  - Team Japan VS Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu - Group Battles of Life and Death.

Gunjou: Kiri's worthless lab dogs! Do you really think you're enough to defeat me!?

Shiro: Gunjou! Don't go out front!

Gunjou: Shup up and ready your magic if you have time to bark at me. Who do you think I am? I'm the super elite Gunjou Mizuiro! You are the monsters, stop messing with me!!

Gunjou, standing in front of Shiro, and before the three Demonic Knight pressuring the two of them. Gunjou knew that her opponents weren't easy to take care of, yet she didn't show it. Her pride as an elite magician wouldn't allow her to stay hidden behind Shiro.

Gunjou activated her Sea Moon Wheel magic and ran forward. Eight jellyfish were summoned and four of them were sent flying towards the Demonic Knights. The Demonic Knights saw the jellyfish on a course for their heads and cut them down with their large swords and immediately prepared their shields to block further attacks... but they never came.

Gunjou instead used her four remaining jellyfish as footholds to step over the Demonic Knights with the elegance of an Olympic medalist and reached their backs in a flash.

Gunjou: Useless trash should die! Sea Moon Switch.

Eighteen jellyfish were born from Gunjou's magic. The eighteen spinning magic amphibian creatures converged into groups of six and were aimed at the back of the necks of the Demonic Knights. It was an attack at the blind spot of all creatures, the back of the neck, yet the Demonic Knights were still able to react by turning around with their shields raised.

They blocked the attack and were ready to charge at Gunjou still in midair above their heads, yet the women in question could only be smug with conceit as she only saw foolish creatures rushing towards their death.

Gunjou: Baka like you can just get killed by a second rate magician and to hell! Shiro! That's your cue!

Shiro: Who's second rate!? Penitence Severance Switch!

Gunjou yelled towards Shiro as his magic was activated. The backs of the Demonic Knights were shown to Shiro thanks to Gunjou efforts and he did not let that chance go. An abnormally large knife appears in Shiro's hand.

It's a knife even much larger than what he had used thus far in the Labyrinth. The knife has been extended to a length that's just enough to mow down all four devils at the same time, but he would have to make a really large swing for a normal man's strength. It's natural for the devils to end up turning around and attempt to block his knife with their swords, yet Shiro was no normal human.

Shiro was an elite magician who specializes in offensive magic and had possibly been experimented on by Taikou Pharmaceuticals. It was too easy for Shiro to sprint towards the Demonic Knights dragging his knife against the floor and slashed effortlessly at them.

Shiro: Let's see who's stronger monsters! Cut down everything, Penitence Severance!

Shiro swings his gigantic sword with an overbearing attitude, yet unfortunately the capabilities of the Demonic Knights were over the top and could react to even Shiro's large slash.

Of the three Demonic Knights, only two were slashed in the back and blown away while the third back flipped over the large sword unharmed. Worse yet, the two Demonic Knights slashed by the large sword were still alive and were still moving with large cuts on their backs.

Gunjou: So worthless! You had such a great opening and you blew it! What fire power idiot?!

Shiro: If you have time to bitch you have time to fight! Load up your next magic...  get ready they are about to retaliate!

It was as Shiro said. The Demonic Knight that back flipped to avoid Shiro's slash was on a crush course towards him, and just a bit slower, the two knights slashed by the large knife were running towards the midair Gunjou. Both Shiro and Gunjou could only grind their teeth in frustration.

Shiro had a powerful offensive magic in reserve capable of ending a Demonic Knight's life in one blow, yet even after the latest improvements to his Headphone Fuzz it still took time to complete. As for Gunjou, she had a magic that could trap the Demonic Knights and give Shiro the time he needs, but she wasn't confident she could trap all three.

The two magicians of Hero Team could only curse their luck. If they just had one more person equal to them the battle would have already been won... but fortunately for the two magicians what they lacked in a quality magician they made up in a quantity of Players that they forgot about.

Misaki: Out of the way!

Shiro and Gunjou looked on in surprise as Misaki came running – no flying towards the Demonic Knight rushing towards Shiro. Misaki had fire constantly burning under his feet and rocked himself forward. Using Firebending in a new way that Jin suggested, he flew towards and tackled a Demonic Knight at the waist.

Misaki: Go!!!

Misaki channeled an even greater flame and slowly lifted the Demonic Knight off its feet. It was an amount of flame Misaki never knew he could bring out, yet he was successfully lifting the large monster ten times its weight. The Knight was taken by surprise by Misaki's sudden action, yet it wasn't going to just stand there and was about to knock Misaki away when-

- *BANG*!!!

- *BANG*!!!

- *BANG*!!!

Magic Bullet after Magic Bullet impacted the upper body of the Demonic Knight. Hikari, Kampa, and Connor showered the Demonic Knights with bullets that caused little damage, but distracted it long enough for Misaki to lift up and carry the knight across the temple.

Jin: Connor! Shuai! Follow after them!

Shuai: On it!

Connor: Following.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

After crashing in the temple wall on the other side of the temple, enraged, the knight slashed at Misaki, yet it missed. Shuai chased after them and used his Shaman Tool to semi-blind it. Additionally, Connor, wielding the Auto 9, fired one accurate shot after the other towards the Knights eyes to distract it further. Jin tried to do the same, but missing one arm and never having been a master marksman made him little help.

Jin: Keep it up! Don't let it join back with its comrades.

That was Jin's plan. Shiro and Gunjou were powerful magician, yet they weren't able to handle three Demonic Knights at once and Jin saw that. That was why he had the most physically fit Player drag one of them away, allowing the Hero Team, Kampa, and Hikari to fight the remaining two Demonic Knights.  

It wasn't a complex plan, yet an effective one that would give the team a high chance of survival. If Jin were to name one weak point in the simple plan of his was that if he, Misaki, Shuai, and Connor fail to hold back the Demonic Knight then both Hero Team and Team Japan will be wiped out.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Hikari: Kampa! Gunjou! Hold the two back to allow Shiro time to use his magic!

Kampa: I'm on it lady boss!

Hikari: Who the lady boss!?

Gunjou: Hey, don't order me around when you were just hiding in a corner a moment ago!

Hikari: Shut up and just attack!

Hikari taking up a semi leadership position ordered Kampa and Gunjou to keep attacking the Two Demonic Knights.

They had their shields raised high as they kept reducing the distance between them. They were nullifying most of the danger, yet the combined attacks of Gunjou's Sea Moon Wheel magic and Kampa's grenade blasts, from the M41A, slowed them down.

Gunjou: This is taking too long and they're close enough for me to capture them.

Hikari: Then do so already stupid Gunjou!

Gunjou: Stupid! Tch, I won't forget that. Hey lowly monsters! I'll mess you up real good until you die!! Acidic Rubber Rain Switch!!!

Gunjou with a yelled out the name of her final offensive magic. It was a magic that didn't allow her to cleanly kill off her foes with one attack and had a long preparation time, so she rarely used it, but under the condition she had comrades to protect her it a was a useful magic to weaken the enemy.

Gunjou: Everyone move back!

Acidic Rubber Rain Switch.

As it name implies it's a magic that summons rain to pour down on Gunjou's intended target, but not just any rain. Up above the two Demonic Knights distracted by Team Japan's attacks yellow/green dark rain cloud was formed. Rain poured down from the unhealthy cloud above and drench the two Demonic Knight the moment everyone cleared out of the way.

Hikari: What's that smell?

Kampa: How nasty! Is that acid?

Both Hikari and Kampa’s comments accurately described the scene before them. Gunjou's magic created a cloud that rained down acid on the Demonic Knights. Of course not the ordinary kind, but an acid modified by magic to also have the qualities of rubber.

The burning liquid on the armor of the Demonic Knights quickly solidified into a rubber substance that continued to burn the knights, trapping them where they stood. It wasn't the perfect magic to defeat monsters within a Labyrinth, but it was the perfect magic to trap and weaken the monsters for others to defeat.

Shiro: Get down! Heavenly Spear of the Lightning Emperor Switch!

Shiro roared out loud the name of his most damning magic in his arsenal of powerful offensive magic. He raised his right hand and in his open palms, and in a loud thunder clap, a raging surge of electricity gathered and formed into a fifteen foot spear of yellow lightning and thunder. It was a one-time magic that would leave Shiro paralyzed after its use, but he needed it to certainly defeat the two Demonic Knights.

Shiro: Gooooooo!!!

Shiro took the standard stance for throwing a spear in sport and with all the strength in his body the lighting spear in his right hand was shot forward at the speed of light. Like a hunters arrow piercing into an its prey, the lighting spear crashed into both Demonic Knight simultaneously.

Shiro: Explode!

The Lightning spear glowed bright yellow and discharged as a huge pillar of lightning and thunder that swallowed up both summoned creatures whole. When the light show effects of Shiro's magic dissipated... all that was left at the scene of the explosion were two chard monster knights.

Himi: Shiro!

Shiro: I.. I'm out of the game now. Hurry and support the others!

Hearing Shiro's pained words as he was given emergency treatment by Himi's magic everyone finally remembered about the last Demonic Knight. Shin defeated one and the combination of Shiro, Gunjou, and Kampa defeated two, yet Kiri summoned four Demonic Knights. The battle was short, yet so intense that they forgot about the last Demonic Knight Misaki, Shuai, Connor and Jin were fighting.

Once they realized this carelessness they all turned to look at the battle and they were shocked. Last they remembered Misaki and the others had challenged the Demonic Knight knowing that they would probably die, yet at the moment the battle between the two sides had become completely chaotic, bringing both good and bad news.

The bad news was that two of the fighters were down for the count.

Jin, the brains behind their last desperate struggle was leaning against the wall of the temple with his side covered in blood. He was still alive, but he was unable to move after taking a glancing slash from the Demonic Knight.

Shuai was also down for the count. Shuai, before and even now, was using one of his Shaman tools to blind the Knight as Misaki and Connor fought on, yet he caught the bad end of the monster’s shield bash meant for Misaki. Shuai's legs were crushed and half his ribs were broken in the attack, and only through sheer will was he able to withstand the intense pain to keep up his spiritual tool from failing. If Shuai loses consciousness, the result would be the Demonic Knights vision returning and being able to easily kill off Misaki and Connor.

There was a list of troubling news, but there was good news.

Misaki and Connor had not fallen to the rampaging Demonic Knights attack like everyone originally thought. Even blinded, the Demonic Knight held the combat ability to confidently fight off Team Japan. The proof of that was Jin and Shuai no longer having the ability to fight anymore. The Demonic Knight fought bravely considering the situation, yet by the combined efforts of Misaki and Connor the battle had entered into a stalemate.

Connor had went into Unlocked Mode to support Misaki fighting up close against the Demonic Knight. With the Auto 9 equipped with Magic Amplifier in hand, Connor fired off burst of shots one after the other. Each shot accurately hit the joints of the Demonic Knight, and sensing the greater threat in Connor the monster would swing its giant sword towards him, yet Connor would just escape each slash by a hair’s breadth. As long as Misaki kept the Demonic Knight distracted, it was possible for Connor to escape harm and keep attacking at midrange.

Misaki: Don't underestimate me and go after the kid!

Misaki, covered in blood, threw a fist that smashed into the side of the Demonic Knight. The fist enveloped in Armaments Haki left a fist sized imprint in the enemy's armor and its sword missed Connor as he continued to rain down bullet after bullet on the minster.

The Demonic Knight roared as it let out a sweeping sword slash at Misaki, yet Misaki seeing the attack coming and ducked to avoid the slash. Observation Haki allowed Misaki to see through his opponent’s attacks and move out of harm’s way, yet he wasn't without injury. The Demonic Knight randomly let out a kick which unfortunately hit Misaki, breaking his left arm, and sent him flying twenty feet away.

Misaki attempted to get back up again, yet his body wouldn't listen to him. While desperately fighting at close range to keep the Demonic Knight occupied, Misaki had suffered a few hits from back of the giant sword and shield of the Demonic Knight. Observation Haki allowed Misaki to see through the Demonic Knight’s attack, but Misaki didn't have the ability to dodge every attack, so he could only try his best to avoid the instant death strikes.

Misaki: ...Shit! What am I doing....?

Misaki with all the remaining strength in his body desperately tried to get back up, but he could only push his upper body off the ground with his one good arm. Misaki cursed his lack of strength as he watched the battles unfold before his eyes.

Connor now had to fight against the Demonic Night all alone and was barely keeping himself alive by rolling around the floor of the temple, taking full advantage of his small build to avoid every attack, and constantly firing shots from the Auto 9. Connor was able to keep himself alive, but once Shuai passes out and the Demonic Knight can regain its vision, Connor won't last long.

Misaki then looked over to the side to see the Team Japan and Hero Team’s effort to take out two Demonic Knights. Gunjou had just activated her final magic and it looked like things were going well for them and their battle would be coming to a close soon and they would be able to support Connor, Shuai, Jin, and himself... but Misaki didn't want that.

Misaki now looked up to watch the battle taking place on rafters, yet he couldn't keep up with their fight. It was all a blur to him. Shin, Aqua, Shinnosuke, and the Diseased Girl were running, jumping and flying all over the place at a speed that Misaki couldn't follow even after enhancing himself. Misaki had no idea even if his side was winning, but he did know one thing... Shin was there.

Shin was a player of Team Japan who arrived at the same time as he did. They were both man’s men and Misaki was even stronger than Shin when they met, but before he knew it he was completely surpassed by Shin. While he was lying on the ground in blood unable to move after fighting a lowly Demonic Knight, Shin was taking part in a much more important battle with a more difficult opponent.

Misaki: I'll be damned if I'm left behind here! Mokoto and my sister are waiting for me as well!!!

It was at that moment. Just when Misaki's comrades saw that there was no more hope for his group and were rushing to save them... that it happened for him as the light went out of his eyes. Death’s doors were beginning to open for him and the rage of not being able to do anything forced open his potential and unlocked his Genetic Constraint.

Entering the First Stage of the Genetic Constraint unlocked the limits of Misaki's body and opened up a floodgate of battle instincts. Misaki was no longer aware of the pain he was in as he pulled himself to new heights. Misaki still didn't have the ability to stand or charge at the Demonic Knight, yet he didn't need to approach the monster to give it the finishing blow.

Misaki, with no forethought, followed his survival instincts to overcome the Demonic Knight. He raised his right arm and birthed a small flame in his palm. Misaki’s level concentration was unmatched as he focused on the small flame that kept absorbing the oxygen in the air endlessly.

With his new level of skill with Firebending in Unlocked Mode, Misaki could now create a new and more powerful flame. Now just a blast of fire like he had been so far, but a fire reaching new levels in temperature. Once the red vortex of fire in Misaki's palm began emitting a blue light on the edges, he pointed the flame at the Demonic Knight and in one thrusting motion sent the fire ball at the monster.

The fire ball hurdling through the space of the temple was only the size of a tennis ball, but the Demonic Knight knew the danger that it was in. It knew it couldn't allow itself to come into contact with the fireball even with its shield, so it moved to dodge, but it was stopped by a sudden attack.

Leaning against the wall of the temple and slowly bleeding out, Jin, still conscious, waited for the perfect moment to use his last Magic Attack Scroll and seeing Misaki's new attack unleashed a Frost Bolt at the Demonic Knight’s Legs. This move stopped the Demonic Knight in its track, and so it could only use its shield to defend against the fire ball as it arrived...

- *EXPLOSION*!!!

Misaki's tennis sized burning fireball exploded on contact against the Demonic Knight's sturdy shield. Both the shield and the 40% of the Demonic Knight's body melted away in the blast and it helplessly fell to the wooden floor of the temple.

Misaki: Take that!

Connor: It's not over yet!

Connor, unlike Misaki, noticed that the Demonic Knight was still alive and was beginning to regenerate. That last attack took everything out of Misaki and he was beginning to feel the recoil of entering Unlocked Mode for the first time. There was nothing now Misaki could do, so-

Connor: I won't let you get back up.

Connor reached into his pocket and took out an item he asked for Shin earlier. A grenade. An effective weapon that causes a large explosion, but is an ineffective weapon to unleash on a magic type monster. Connor knew this, so he took off the Magic Amplifier Tag on the Auto 9 and tied it to the grenade as he threw it towards the side of the Demonic Knight's face. The monster born from the powerful magic of the Diseased Girl Kiri could only turn its head as the grenade went off.

- *EXPLOSION*!!!

Connor: Enemy vanquished.

Misaki: Hey! Who told you that you can give the killing- aghhn!!

Connor: Shut up! You've just unlock your constraint. You'll die if you let the pain get to you.

Misaki wanted to tear off Connor's flesh with his teeth at that moment, but the pain was too much. The first time a person unlocks the Genetic Constraint was the most dangerous. Luckily, Misaki had enhancements, and soon Hikari and the others came over to his rescue.

Connor was the least injured and didn't need treatment, so he was ignored. Misaki, Shuai, and Jin were all in critical condition, and so were immediately given two Low grade Healing Potions. Jin and Shuai’s wounds began to heal slowly and the burden of unlocking the constraint lessened for Misaki.

Hikari: Good! No deaths! Now all that is left is for us to go and support Shin and the others to defeat-

Himi: Everyone! It's terrible! The, the, the sealed entrance has been broken through and armies of spawned monsters and Elites are-

Himi's words were cut off there for two reason. The sound of monsters breaking into the temple could be heard by all at that moment. The second... as Himi was speaking she saw an unreal, terrible event play out before her eyes.

Shinnosuke Arisu, the ace of Hero Team, was falling to the floor of the temple missing his right arm and Aqua diving down as well in an attempt to save him. Aqua managed to catch him and they both crashed down to the temple floor with a loud bang. The height from the rafters to the floor was nothing to laugh at, yet from the looks of it, somehow how both Aqua and Shinnosuke were alive.

Everyone who saw them fall to the floor let out a sigh of relief that they were alive, yet not everyone was watching what was happening. Hikari, more worried about Shin searched for her boyfriend up in the rafters, feeling a sense of dread fill up within her... then she found him.

Shin, still alive and now alone, was staring down the Diseased Girl of the Empress' Grave Labyrinth with a great sword raised high above him. Then a moment later Shin kicked off against the wooden support beams towards his final opponent. 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ - Team Japan VS Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu - Shin's Battle of Life and Death.

Shin: Gahhh... This, this blade... fucking hurts!

Previously when the battle against the Diseased Girl Kiri began.

Kiri used her magic Blue Mist Traveling Switch. It was the magic of Kiri's that allowed her to travel through the mist of the floor temple silently. Using such a convenient magic Kiri snuck behind Team Japan's leader, Shin, and kicked him hard in the stomach across the space of the temple and slammed into the far off wall.

When Shin hit the wall he left a large crater in the wall and was embedded into the wood. The kick of Kiri's held inhuman force and almost snapped his spine, but once again the Lesser Fenrir Coat saved his life. It then only took about a minute for Shin to recover due to his amazing healing factors.

Shin: Great! I can finally-

Over the haze of the mist inside the temple Shin could see his comrades fighting for their lives and he watched as Aqua and Shinnosuke chased after the Diseased Girl Kiri. Shin wanted nothing more than to follow after, but that was then he noticed that Kiri's attack was not over.

Shin looked down at his stomach and for the first time realized that there was a sword sticking out of his stomach. Shin thought that he was in shock to not have noticed the blade in his stomach, yet that he quickly realized that wasn't what was happening.

Not just wasn't Shin on any pain he couldn't feel anything at all and was losing control of his body. Touch, Smell, Hearing, Taste and now being to fade was his Sight as well. A magic that was basically turning him into an empty shell was invading his body.

Shin: (That's right. Kiri said something as she kicked me.)

It was then Shin remembered. As Kiri kicked him with enough force to split a normal man in half she softly whispered two names under her breath. Cloak-and-Dagger Switch and Heart-String Cut Switch.

Cloak-and-Dagger Switch - A magic Shin presumed allowed Kiri to attack others with hidden swords that emerged from the skin. When Kiri kicked him she must have activated the magic.

Heart-String Cut Switch - Shin knew what the magic invading his body and paralyzing him was. It was the unnamed magic of Kiri's that causes paralysis into those stabbed by her katana.

Shin quickly concluded what was going on due to being in Unlocked Mode. The First Stage of the Genetic Constraint released the limits of his body and flooded his mind with combat instincts to overcome any difficulty, yet the First Stage wasn't going to save him. That's why-

Shin: (Second Stage!)

The Second Stage - Absolute Control of the body.

The Second Stage of the Genetic Constraint that he had unlocked in the real world in his battle against Saki was unleashed. In the Second Stage of the Genetic Constraint, with the exception of most of the brain functions, Shin could control his body externally and internally as he pleased. Shin normally used this state to push his body to the limit by expanding his muscles, but now he had a different purpose.

With brute force Shin tried to take back control of his body. The magic of Kiri's was too powerful to outright overpower. Shin would need full control of the brain, the parietal lobe, to fully take back control of the five senses. It was impossible, so Shin settled with just keeping control of one limb, his left arm. Shin lost full control of his body and couldn't even see anymore, yet he retained sovereignty over his dominant left arm. The left arm's muscles then expanded to three times the normal size and grasped the source of the magic paralyzing him, blade in his stomach and pulled it out.

Shin: Ghaaaa!!!

Shin freed himself from Kiri's magic, yet now a flood of blood rushed out of his newly opened wound. He would bleed out, or at the very least be unable to continue to fight, so Shin forcefully regenerated his body to fighting conditions with the combination of Ki Energy and One-eyed Ghoul mutation.

Shin could now move free of Kiri's magic and dislodged himself from the wall, but he wasn't happy. High-speed regeneration like what he just did drained his stamina, wore out his mind, and Ki Energy. Shin wasn't in his best condition when he started this fight and now he was in even worse shape.

Shin: Kiri! If it was anyone other than Aqua or I they would have died! I'm definitely paying you-

Shin who had only just now regained his five senses realized what was going on around him and it filled him with dread.

High up above on the rafter just under the ceiling of the temple Aqua and Shinnosuke were engaged in a desperate struggle against Diseased Girl Kiri. Aqua and Shinnosuke were holding their own for the moment, but Kiri was far faster than the two of them put together and she took every opportunity to attack.

Then there was the battle starting up on the ground floor of the temple. Shin didn't know when it happened, but four monster with a heavy demonic aura of dread appeared in the four corners of the temple. He didn’t need a second glance to see that the four Demonic Knights were a tier above any of the Elite monsters that they had come across. The Four Demonic Knights, after a loud roar, charged towards his Player comrades and members of Hero Team on the floor of the temple.

For Shin it was all too much to take in at once and then seeing the frightened faces of Hikari and comrades made him snap. From his back four blood red tentacles erupted from waist and followed after him as he sprinted towards the Demonic Knight moving towards his team.

Shin was still in Unlocked Mode of the Second Stage and both power and speed were beyond their normal levels. Shin swiftly crossed the space of the temple and reached the Demonic Knight. The monster had the ability to notice Shin at the last moment, but not the ability to react in time to save its life from him. Soul Crushing Strike caved in the torso of the Demonic Knight and his four Kagune tentacle stabbed deeply into its four limbs.

The force of Shin's deathly collision with the Demonic Knight sent the monster crashing into the temple wall. Shin saw the monster was defeated and considered helping his comrades defeat the remaining four... yet coming to a swift conclusion of what was most important he didn't stay to help and climbed up to the rafters after Aqua and Shinnosuke.

The highest priority was to defeat Kiri and end the mission. Aqua and Shinnosuke were doing their best to fight Kiri, yet just the two of them couldn't get the job done. Kiri might kill the two at any moment as she dominated the battle with her godlike speed and swordplay.

Shin: Damn! Everyone! Stay alive! Survive and kill everyone and anything that stops you from doing so!

In the end, Shin choose to help Aqua and Shinnosuke defeat Kiri, and so he scaled up the wall of the temple with his Kagune. Shin quickly reached the rafters where everyone was fighting, located and pulled out Gravity Blade from the ceiling, and took in his surroundings. Both Aqua and Shinnosuke were covered in light sword wounds. They both looked dead tired, but the light in their eyes was still present. Their will to fight was not gone and Shin's appearance reinvigorated them.

Shin: Kiri! This is it! Let's go!

Shin stomped hard on the wooden rafter he was on and nearly split it in two as using Instant Movement to reach Diseased Girl Kiri. Kiri was so far unharmed and not out of breath in the least, standing there calmly with two katana in her hands and three floating behind her back each representing a different magic.

Shin was still in Unlocked Mode. From his own experiences and what he saw from the battle he understood all the possible magics that Kiri might deploy and made counter measure. Shin was confident now that he wouldn't be blasted away like before.

Shin: Take this!

A black light followed after Gravity Blade as Shin swung his sword at Kiri's neck. Kiri easily saw Shin and the blade coming and blocked the black katana with her own sword. She had experienced the might of Gravity Blade's magic and immediately activated Nine-Fold Switch to absorb Shin's attack... but there was nothing to absorb.

Shin: Gravity Blade, Zero Times Slash!

Kiri: !!!

Kiri's Nine-Fold Magic took on a weightless attack and was taken by surprise. Not letting that moment go Shin restarted his attack and added weight and Kiri's sword and guard was knocked away.

Shin: Gravity Blade, Zero Fold Slash! Thousand Fold Slash!

Shin knew Nine-Fold could negate nine separate attacks and so he gambled whether Kiri could negate two simultaneous attacks. A sword slash with no weight would be negated and not a second later additional weight was applied to the slash.

Shin slashed at Kiri again and she defended with Nine-Fold magic, yet the sword was knocked away again somehow and now left her in a vulnerable state where she couldn't block Shin's Ki reinforced kick. Returning the favor from before, Shin kicked her with enough force to split her in half, yet Kiri recovered quickly. Kiri was sent flying into a wooden pillar and bounced right back and executed a Sword-Wave at Shin.

The laser slash came at him at a speed surpassing the Elites, yet in the Second Stage it was easy to react to the slash jump away with Instant Movement.

Shin: We are definitely not even!

Aqua: Shin, calm down. You got a lucky hit in, but. Kiri is normally incredible fast. Too fast. If we don't work together we won't be able to catch her.

Shinnosuke: The woman's right. From here on out don't stop using you speed magic to chase after her!

Shin: Got it.

With that said the chase for Diseased Girl Kiri began

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆- Team Japan VS Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu - The Final Battle of Life and Death.

In an instant.

In a flash.

In the time of a flash the battle against Kiri raged on top of the rafters of the temple under the ceiling. While those down below were almost finished up with their respective battles, the battle to decide the fate of the Empress' Grave Labyrinth reached a stalemate.

With unmatched speedy footsteps Kiri moved across the rafters of the temple while avoiding her attackers. With great speed and elegance she moved as if one step wouldn't cause her to fall helplessly to her doom to the wooden floor below.

Kiri jumped lightly to Avoid Aqua's rush to cut off her legs. A Sword-Wave flew from Kiri's katana and pushed back Shinnosuke moving closer to cut off her hands. Kiri leaned her head to the side and avoided a Ki Bullet, and reflected a 1000 weight gravity slash of Shin.

Shin in the Second Stage of Unlocked Mode with Instant Movement. Aqua in the Second Stage of Unlocked Mode with Aura strengthened legs. Shinnosuke repeatedly activated Acceleration Switch magic. Lastly, Diseased Girl Kiri with unparalleled magic power of the rank 44 Labyrinth strengthening her body. Each were moving at a level of speed beyond normal men.

Kiri, as an inhuman Disease Girl, was clearly the fastest. Whether it was Shin's Gravity Blade slashing at her back, Aqua's Adamantium Claws attempting to rip out her throat, or Shinnosuke's Demon Sword trying to impale and stop her moment... they all failed. Whenever someone attacked Kiri she would either jump away out of danger, or use master swordsmanship to reflect attacks away and retaliate with her katana.

 Diseased Girl Kiri was a technique type of opponent, surprising everyone. Kiri did possess monstrous speed, yet it was her techniques to redirect the attacks of three skilled opponents that allowed her to survive so far.

Shin: (Damn, we're getting nowhere and fast! At this rate we'll be the one's losing out to her infinite stamina.)

Shin was beginning to despair. Shin was in the Second Stage which enhanced his power and speed and he had figured out a way to trip up Kiri's most annoying magic Nine-Fold, yet the battle wasn't going his way even with the support of Aqua and Shinnosuke.

Shin: Take this! Gravity Blade, 1500 Fold Slash!

From the blind spot of Kiri's back Shin leaped towards her with Instant Movement. Speed wise Shin was no slower than a bullet as he approached Kiri, yet she saw him coming even though she shouldn't have. Kiri, not activating any magic, brought up her two katanas to greet the gravity magic slash.

Kiri's two katanas made contact with Shin's Gravity Blade and for a moment she lost out in power, yet it only lasted a moment and didn't fight against the powerful slash. Shin didn't know how she was doing it and before he knew what happened he had harmlessly passed by Kiri while floating in the air,

Shin was now about to fall to the temple floor below, not in contact with the rafters, yet Kiri wasn't going to let him off. Kiri held both her katanas overhead that now glowed blue and slashed down at Shin's exposed back. Shin knew that it was over then and there. Even with the defense of his Lesser Fenrir Coat, Kiri’s Sword-Slash Wave would cut through him, yet at the last minute he was saved by two gunshots.

Aqua: Shin!

- *BANG*!

- *BANG*!

Kiri: *Cough*!

The two swords in Kiri's hands shattered on contact with Aqua's Origin Bullets and simultaneously Kiri threw up red and blood. The Origin Bullets fired from the Thompson Contender Magic Code severed and bound magic power incorrectly and Kiri was hit with the terrible damage of the recoil.

Shinnosuke: Opening!

Waiting for his chance Shinnosuke closed in on Kiri with Acceleration magic, pushed away Shin in midair so that he wouldn't fall, and swung his sword at her. It wasn't the Holy Sword to save Kiri from the Labyrinth Disease, but his black Demon Sword and Kiri in her weakened state still raised her sword in defense.

Shinnosuke: Knew that you could still move! Assassinate Properly!

Shin targeted the sword conveyed with the magic giving them the most trouble, Nine-Fold Switch. A red X mark appeared at the base of the sword in Kiri's right hand and was shattered when his Demon Sword made contact.

Kiri stumbled backwards from the force of Shinnosuke's attack and her already damage state made her unstable. Kiri, on unsteady feet, launched a Sword-Wave to bisect Shinnosuke, yet what was cut was the shadow of Phantom Substitution. Kiri then tried to pursue him, yet she couldn't.

The damage of Origin Bullets couldn't be laughed off even by a Diseased Girl like Kiri and her movements were at a standstill. Aqua from afar took advantage of that. Aqua aimed her magic gun and fired off one last Origin Bullet to kill Kiri, yet Kiri managed to react in time and jumped away as the third bullet was about to impact her skull.

Aqua: Missed!

Shinnosuke: Hey!

Shinnosuke after saving Shin as he was about to fall to his death and destroying Kiri's katana returned to Aqua's side and glared. He saw how Aqua really intended to kill Kiri there with that last shot of her Thompson Contender Magic Code and was upset.

Shinnosuke: I told you that I have to be the one who deals the final hit on Kiri. That magic gun of your would have definitely killed her.

Aqua: Then stop complaining and do something. We're almost of time and we've just now injured her. If you want to save her life so badly then do it already!

Shinnosuke: ...Fine! Shin! Aqua! Just make an opening for me and I'll take her out once and for all. Even a small opening will do.

Aqua: Okay, but first Shin, I'll make that opening, but I need you to hold her down for a few seconds. Just keep her in one place. Can you do it?

Shin: If it’s just keeping a speed monster in one place you can leave it to me!

Aqua, seeing Shin had agreed to hold Kiri down, moved far back and took a crouching pose. Neither Shin nor Shinnosuke knew what Aqua was planning, yet Shin saw an incredible amount of Aura gathering by Aqua. Too much Aura in fact since Aqua should have spent most of her Aura during the journey within the Labyrinth, but Shin understood one thing. Whatever Aqua had in mind was sure to work, yet it was also her final trump card to play.

Shin: (I can't mess up. If I do then Aqua won't have the Aura or strength to keep fighting any longer. I can't fail!)

Shin looked towards Kiri. Kiri was resting against one of the large supporting pillars of the temple keeping the roof up. For the first time she was panting hard and was bleeding from her body. The damage from the Origin Bullets looked to be grave, yet Shin wasn't fooled. Shin had no doubt that at this moment Kiri was slowly recovering from her damage and was ready for any attempt on her life.

Shin: I won't let you recover in peace!

Shin jumped forward alone. Aqua was readying her mystery technique far away and Shinnosuke waited for the perfect moment to use Acceleration Switch to reach Kiri. Shin had to fight alone, yet he wasn't planning to fight Kiri up close.

Shin knew that even in the Second Stage of the Genetic Constraint he was no match for Kiri. Her speed and sword techniques dominated him in close combat, and so he had no attention of fighting alone at that distance. That's why Shin relied on the midrange ability of his One-eye Ghoul Mutation: the Kagune.

From Shin's back four blood red Kagune tentacles, emitting a dark red miasma, sprang into life and swiftly made their way in pursuit of Kiri. Kiri witnessed Shin's Kagune advancing towards her and jumped away as the four left blood red slashes through the space she just occupied and pierced into the pillar behind, leaving four large holes.

Shin: Not done yet!

Shin chased after Kiri with his Kagune tentacles in continuous pursuit. The four red tentacles, emitting an aura of red death, continually swiped at Kiri at every opportunity, leaving red blurs with every swipe at neck breaking speeds, yet she continued to evade every attack. Shin’s eyes could barely follow Kiri's moment and his Kagune wasn't faring much better either, yet he knew this was his only method of capturing the Diseased Girl who moved like the wind.

Shin: Faster, faster, sharper, faster, sharper, faster, sharper, faster, sharper, faster, sharper, faster, sharper, faster, sharper, faster, sharper, fasterrrrrr!!!

The Second Stage. In the Second Stage of the Genetic Constraint allowed Shin absolute control of the body and he used that ability on his four Kagune tentacles. Shin needed a faster weapon and more fine control to catch Kiri and so he created it. Manipulating the structure of the Kagune, Shin condensed the four red tentacles to the width of cable wires, and where the tip used to be were hand sized claws with unparalleled sharpness.

Shin: Go!

On his order the four slimmed down Kagune tentacles shot out like arrows in pursuit of the Diseased Girl. Kiri sensed the danger the Kagune represented and sprinted away, yet in her weakened state she was caught by Shin's Kagune that had clawed into her flesh. Shin was relieved that Kiri was finally caught, yet he didn't believe he could hold her down for long. At that very moment she was using magic to conjure swords from her body to slash off the Kagune grasping her.

Shin: Aqua! Kiri's about to cut her way out of-

Aqua: Move.

Shin petrified with fear at that moment he looked back at Aqua. It was a familiar fear he had deep down in his heart since the end H.O.T.D mission. The great silver monster that struck fear in Shin's heart had reemerged.

Aqua, still in a crouching position, had made a transformation of sorts. Aqua had grown a full foot taller, more muscular, her hair a fierce silver of Adamantium, and glaring golden eyes that only saw death and destruction.

To Shin and off to the side Shinnosuke’s surprise Aqua had half transformed into a female werewolf like the description of one half of her enhancements, and bathed in golden Aura. Aqua normally couldn't transform into a werewolf, yet after advancing her bloodline to tier A it allowed her to do so for a short time.

This form could only last ten seconds, and so Aqua developed a one hit technique while in that form. A technique combining Werewolf bloodline, Wolverine mutation, and Enhancer Nen/Aura. A technique that used all of her remaining Aura for one rush. Aqua's final desperation Hatsu technique.

Aqua: Eclipse Rush!!!

Aqua leaped towards Kiri, yet no one saw it. Shin, Shinnosuke, and even Kiri on the receiving end, only saw a gold flash cut through the rafter that blinded everyone.

Shin: What was-

Shin smelled something burning as his eyes recovered from the flash. Shin looked and saw the tips of his Kagune tentacles burned off and Kiri nowhere to be seen.

Aqua: Now Shinnosuke!

Aqua having returned to her normal human form, wiry and barely able to stand was yelling at Shinnosuke. Shin followed Aqua's gaze and found both Kiri and Shinnosuke falling to the floors below. Kiri left arm, leg and parts of her torso were burned/slashed off after Aqua's attack and she fell helplessly through the air. On the other hand Shinnosuke had run immediately after Kiri with Acceleration Switch and was preparing the magic to save Kiri.

Shinnosuke: Kiri!

Shinnosuke yelled and called out his comrade’s name. His important comrade. A comrade of the darkness. A comrade who said over and again that she liked him. For the sake of that comrade Shinnosuke activated the magic to save her from the Labyrinth Disease.

Shinnosuke: Holy Sword Switch!!!

Shinnosuke screamed the name of an offensive magic. The name of the magic that will save Kiri and sever the Labyrinth Disease within her heart. A large two-handed silver sword appeared. A shining sword clad in light. As if it were something wielded by a hero or a knight, a sword of hypocrisy. Shinnosuke personally hated the grand and heroic appearance of his sword, yet at that moment he was fine with playing the hero if he could save Kiri's life.

Shinnosuke with resolve in his heart aimed the tip of the large sword towards Kiri's heart and thrust. No hesitation, and no room for error. Kiri was heavy damage by the final attack of Aqua and was missing to limbs. Shinnosuke and everyone believed that there was no way for Kiri to escape, yet-

Kiri: ...Sorry.

Shinnosuke: !!!

It was the first time that he or anyone else heard Kiri speak anything outside the names of her magic after being swallowed up by the Labyrinth Disease, yet Shinnosuke couldn't think about that anymore. The reason why was that the instant his Holy Sword was about to save Kiri, of the three sword remaining and hovering behind her back, one blade shattered into hundreds of shards. The shards then began to glow and dissolve into a fine blue mist.

Blue Mist Travel Switch.

A magic that allowed Kiri to be one with mist and through it. It was a magic everyone was desperate to seal off, yet they were unaware of the final feature of the magic. By destroying the sword that actives the magic permanently one can make an emergency cloud of mist to use one last time.

A one-time life saving measure to escape harm. A magic that allowed Kiri to escape the stabbing thrust of Shinnosuke's Holy Sword and reappear taking his back. Shinnosuke had no time to use his the Demon Sword - Phantom Substitution with the demanding Holy Sword active, so he could only watch as Kiri’s katana cut through the air towards him.

Shinnosuke tried to bring up the Holy Sword in his defense, yet his dominant left hand holding the sword was slashed off and spun away towards the ceiling. Kiri then kicked Shinnosuke, using his body as a makeshift stepping platform to jump back up to the rafters.

Aqua: No!!

Shin: Aqua, what-

Aqua cursed loudly and dove towards Shinnosuke before Shin could stop her. Aqua was weakened after using her Eclipse Fang Nen attack, yet she had no choice. Shinnosuke's death meant the end for almost everyone on the team, including herself.

Shinnosuke's death would mean negative 4,000 points for every Player of Team Japan. Everyone already suffered a negative 1,500 points due to Yousuke's death. At negative 5,500, even if Kiri is killed in the end by a Player the only person who would survive penalty D-Zero would be that one Player who kills Kiri.

Aqua knew that Shinnosuke's life meant more than anyone else’s, and so she didn't hesitate to catch the injured Shinnosuke from falling to his death and protect him with her life. Shin watched in horror as Aqua and Shinnosuke fell to the temple floor. Shin came to the same conclusion as Aqua and agreed, but he wasn't fine with Aqua dying for him or anyone else in the team.

Shin: Aqua!

Shin yelled as the two hit the temple floor, yet in the end they survived. Aqua, at the last minute, entered the Unlocked Mode of the Second Stage and landed on legs that had grown three times in size and strength. The wooden floor cracked and the surrounded mist dispersed at the crash landing point, yet both Aqua and Shinnosuke still lived. Shin saw that they both looked horrible and doubted if they could continue to fight, but at the very least they were alive... but they were not the only ones.

Kiri, who used Shinnosuke as a platform, had safely returned to the rafters. Shin looked hard at Kiri and saw her condition.

The good news was that Kiri was still badly wounded having lost an arm, a leg, and had lost three of her katanas in the battle so far. Kiri lost half of her magic arsenal and only had Heart-String Cut Switch, Cloak-and-Dagger Switch, and Sword-Wave Switch remaining.

Shin had perfectly seen through those three magics, so he felt confident to face Kiri in her current state. Then there was the bad news. Kiri was healing quickly. The wounds on her torso were healed and her left leg was half way recovered from the knee.

Shin: I can't allow her the time to heal! I also don't have time as well!

Shin was pressed for time for two reasons. The first problem was that if he gave the time for Kiri to heal and regenerate her lost limbs then he had no hope of defeating her alone and worn out as he was. The second reason, yet more immediate problem, was what he saw on the ground floor of the temple when he watched Aqua and Shinnosuke fall. The monsters of the Labyrinth: Skeleton Warriors, Zombie Warriors, Undead Spearman, and dangerous Elite monster of all variations were slowly beginning to pour into the temple.

His comrades had all gathered together in a corner of the temple. They were tired, wounded, and didn't have the strength for another fight, so they could only make one last stand in a far off corner of the temple as the endless number of monsters poured in.

Shin: This is it. I have to-

Shin had already readied the Gravity Blade in his two hands as he took a step forward towards Kiri. Kiri was waiting for him with a sword raised not willing to wait to fully be healed to end their fight once and for all. Shin agreed with that, yet at the last moment he noticed something shining to his right.

Shin: Th-this is...

Shin only now noticed the two handed silver sword, that the powerful Holy Sword of Shinnosuke was embedded into the rafters a few feet in front of him. After spinning through the air it made its way back, yet he was too worried about his comrades to notice.

Shin knew it wasn't the time to be getting distracted, yet curiosity got the better of him even in this dire situation. Shin was confused since the silver sword, Holy Sword was a sword brought into existence through magic and should disappear after leaving Shinnosuke's reach.

That made Shin curious, and before he realized it, he extended his free arm towards the handle the Holy Sword and grasped it tightly. Then as soon as Shin pulled the two-handed silver sword out of the wooden rafter... he felt a weight on his body, like something was taken away from him. This feeling was horrible and the reason for it was the sword in his hands.

Shin was not the owner of the silver Holy sword, yet it began to flow with a profound radiance that was nothing less than a holy light like the sword's name implied. It was only then that Shin recalled that the Holy Sword magic was a magic that required Shinnosuke's full capacity to use and he was unable to use any other magic at the same time, yet that was not important. What gained Shin's attention even more than the loss of his strength was the notification from God in his head that took him by surprise.

Shin: ...Quest Item.

- HIDDEN SIDE QUEST ACTIVATED!

PLAYER SHIN HAS PICKED UP QUEST ITEM: HOLY SWORD SWITCH, AND HAS ACTIVATED HIDDEN SIDE QUEST. THE HOLY SWORD MAGIC IS THE ONLY MAGIC CURRENTLY IN EXISTENCE THAT CAN SAVE DISEASED GIRLS FROM THEIR FATE OF BEING KILLED, OR TO ETERNALLY WONDER THE HALLWAYSS OF A LABYRINTH. THE MAIN CHARACTER SHINNOSUKE ARISU AND HIS COMRADES WISH TO SAVE THEIR COMRADE KIRI KIRYUU FROM THE《LABYRINTH DISEASE》. DEFEAT THE DISEASE GIRL OF EMPRESS' GRAVE 44 WITH HOLY SWORD SWITCH MAGIC. ALL PLAYERS WILL BE REWARDED POINTS AND RANKED REWARDS. WARNING: TO USE THE INCOMPLETE HOLY SWORD MAGIC REQUIRES THE HOLDERS FULL CAPACITY. ALL ENHANCEMENTS AND EXCHANGED ABILITIES ARE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE HOLDER OF THE HOLY SWORD. LASTLY, LETTING GO OF THE HOLY SWORD WILL PERMANENTLY CANCEL THE HIDDEN SIDE QUEST. 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆- Team Japan VS Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu - Battle to Save the Girl and the World.

Shin heard the notification about the Hidden Side Quest and was overwhelmed. Shin thinking speed, as he was still in Unlocked Mode, was amazing with everything happening in a few seconds, yet thinking about everything the Hidden Side Quest meant overloaded his brain with information and he hesitated on what to do next, and that opening didn't go unnoticed by his foe.

Kiri, with just one leg to support herself, moved with a speed impossible for normal men and flanked Shin's in an instant. Shin sensed danger and rolled forward as soon as he felt danger to escape a one-handed slash. He was still in Unlocked Mode, so his battle senses were at his peak, yet even then, a big piece of muscle was cut off from his back in that exchange.

Shin: Gahhh!! I feel so weak!

Shin confirmed once more that the powers he gained through God's Exchanges were gone.

Stats that allowed him to overpower normal men with ease were gone. One-eyed Ghoul Mutation and his Kagune that allowed him to heal from almost any wound and attack with blood red tentacles as extensions of himself were gone. Ki Energy that increased his already high stats and enabled him to use fictional special attacks were gone.

All of Shin enhancements and exchanged skills were forever sealed away as long as he continued to hold onto the Holy Sword. Shin still had his equipment that increased his fighting ability, yet he was still little more than an average man. Shin wanted nothing more than to throw the silver sword in his hands away so he could stand a chance against Kiri, but the voice in the back of his head stopped him from doing so.

At that moment Shin cared little for a Hidden Side Quest or Quest Item, yet the points were too tempting. Not for himself, but for the team. As it stood the next time any member of Hero Team dies it was the end of Team Japan. Some might survive, yet if Shinnosuke, or two other members of Hero Team die than no will make it out of the mission alive.

Hero Team and Shin's comrades were fighting against an army of monster at that very moment. A lot of them could die. Everyone could die.

Shin: (If I let go of this sword and regain my abilities... can I kill Kiri in time before someone falls? If I use this sword that will guarantee the defeat of a Diseased Girl with one touch of the blade and gain more points... can I defeat Kiri without enhancements?)

Shin felt it was impossible to defeat Kiri even while she was injured... yet in the end Shin choose to put away the Gravity Blade in his left hand and hold the two-handed silver Holy Sword. Shin smiled wryly to himself that he made the most foolish, yet overall correct, choice. Shin had the ability to defeat Kiri on his own, so choosing to put his back against the wall without most of his powers in exchange for a sword to bring an end to the battle in one attack wasn't the worst idea in the world.

Shin: (When I took another look I was not left without nothing. There's a little bit of Ki Energy that I cultivated on my own with Sozin on the island. Also, the strength I built up by rigorously training my body, breaking down and building back up this body. Thanks to my mutation I'm closer to a pro athlete in strength right now.

Shin also had the instincts and strength available to him from being Unlocked. It appeared that God didn't take away any power that he earned himself and that's what will save his life.

A Sword-Wave Slash aiming to decapitate Shin was released from Kiri. Ducking down to avoid the laser slash, Shin trusting his instincts, he entered into the Second Stage and jumped backwards as far as he could. The second Shin's feet left the ground a series of small swords stabbed into the space he had just occupied.

Shin: Too close!

Shin, landing a ways backwards, felt himself off balance, almost falling off the rafters, yet he stood his ground. Then another Sword-Wave cut through the air and Shin dove away desperately to the side. The laser slash cut through his coat and nicked his side, yet Shin managed to survive another attack.

Shin knew from those short exchanges he couldn't compete with Kiri, yet he had to. Shin looked down one last time to the floor of the temple and saw his comrades completely surrounded by enemies in the corner of the temple. Aqua, Misaki, Shuai, Jin, Shinnosuke, and Shiri were receiving emergency care from Himi's Ban-Aid Switch magic. Only Hikari, Kampa, Connor, and Gunjou had the ability to fight back, yet they weren't going to last another ten seconds at this rate.

Shin: Gahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Shin roared loudly. He was calm enough to think up one last move to get close enough to stab Kiri with the Holy Sword, but he was still panicking. Shin had no time to even defeat Kiri with his original abilities, so he put everything on the line with one last straight forward charge. It was the right call since he had no time left for anything else.

- [Zero Hours - Zero Minutes - Eight Seconds until the Labyrinth becomes an Eternal Labyrinth].

Shin draining 1/5 of his remaining Ki Energy enter into his Na Ring and retrieved a single item.

- [Zero Hours - Zero Minutes - Seven Seconds until the Labyrinth becomes an Eternal Labyrinth].

Shin threw the retrieved item, a smoke grenade towards Kiri and it exploded. Smoke swiftly filled the space under the ceiling and Kiri nor Shin could see each other, yet they both knew that this was the last exchange.

Using a sloppy Instant Movement that drained 2/4 of his remaining Ki Shin jumped towards the source of the greatest feeling of death in the temple, in the whole Empress' Grave Labyrinth. That's where he knew the Diseased Girl Kiri was waiting for him.

- [Zero Hours - Zero Minutes - Four Seconds until the Labyrinth becomes an Eternal Labyrinth].

Kiri, having just regenerated her left arm and leg too, felt Shin coming towards her and took a sword stance. Even as a Diseased Girl Kiri was a master swordsman. Holding a single katana in her hands she swung her sword at her approaching opponent.

- [Zero Hours - Zero Minutes - Three Seconds until the Labyrinth becomes an Eternal Labyrinth].

Kiri, with no hesitation, slashed the space in front of her. She felt her katana cut against the Lesser Fenrir Coat and then flesh of muscle, yet to her surprise her blade stopped there.

- [Zero Hours - Zero Minutes - Two Seconds Until the Labyrinth becomes an Eternal Labyrinth].

Shin, deep into Unlocked Mode of the Second Stage of the Genetic Constraint, using a level of concentration never before achieved, reflected the damage of Kiri's slash. Reflecting all attacks with one's muscles reinforced by Ki Energy was the sign of a master martial arts, yet with Shin’s lack of skill and Ki, this move only allowed him to catch the katana with his muscles.

Shin: I win!

Shin brought down the silver weapon, Holy Sword and slashed down at Kiri

- [Zero Hours - Zero Minutes - One Second until the Labyrinth becomes an Eternal Labyrinth].

Kiri, in a last act of desperation to stop the large two handed sword and natural enemy to all Diseased Girls, allowed her left hand to let go of her katana and catch the Holy Sword. Shin had put his all in that last slash, yet it was no match against the strength of a rank 44 Disease Girl.

Shin: (I said that I won!)

The blade of the Holy Sword that the girl has blocked with her hand shone with an excessive brilliance, disappearing and blinding Kiri. The blade, which is a fake portion of the sword that holds no power at all, vanished. What remained was the real form of the sword. Something shorter than the blade of a knife. The part that resembles a paper knife pierces through the heart trapped by the Labyrinth Disease of his opponent.

Kiri: ...Huh?

Kiri was surprised, but it is already too late. Once the Holy Sword cuts into he flesh of the Diseased Girls the wielder’s consciousness forcefully enters the Diseased Girl. The power of the Holy Sword switch is to show an illusion to the opponent who is stabbed by it, and it then rewires the brain of the opponent.

It is a magic that is specially made to deal with diseased girls, developed for the sake of saving Shinnosuke's little sister, Saki, and was now being used on the Diseased Girl Kiri. It is a magic that forcibly rewires the brain of the Diseased Girl to cut her heart away from the Labyrinth Disease and save her as a result. The proof of this was revealed as the two black demonic hands that had silently followed behind Kiri the entire time began to fade away.

- SIDE QUEST REWARD, KILL THE GIRL AND SAVE THE WORLD - PLAYER SHIN AWARDED 4000 POINTS AND TWO C RANK REWARD FOR DEFEATING DISEASED GIRL KIRI KIRYUU! ALL OTHER PLAYERS REWARDED 2500 POINTS AND C RANK REWARD!

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

In the next instant. With the power of the Holy Sword, two individuals entered the depths of Kiri's heart. It carried the same type of feeling when Shinnosuke entered the heart of Asahi Momoka. One could ask why one needed to step into another heart to save the girls infected with the Labyrinth Disease, yet deep down, those who go through the effort to save another person understand.

Shin: ...This is....

Shinnosuke: You’re here?

Shin: ....

Shinnosuke: And so am I. Well, you did somehow use the sword that only I should be able to use, but you got us this far. I won't bother for explanations now. Could you hand it over? The Holy Sword?

Shin: This? Sure.

Shinnosuke: Thanks. As embarrassing as it is, this is a matter between comrades. I'll handle the rest.

Saying so, Shinnosuke took back the Holy Sword from Shin and began to walk forward. The inside of Kiri's heart is made up of darkness. A dark darkness that was somehow more solitary than Asahi Momoka's.  

Kiri was currently sitting alone in the corner of that dark darkness with her legs folded against her chest. Kiri normal acted so strong, but now she looked so pitiful. It was no act and Kiri no longer felt any reason to keep living. Her life was one that of betrayal that she had been on both sides of and what kept her afloat all these years was gone. It was clear to both those present that Kiri was almost an empty shell without the will to live... but something like that wouldn't stop Shinnosuke.

Shin and the others of Team Japan were present in the Labyrinth, yet they didn't see the moment that he changed, when Shinnosuke admitted to himself that his comrades were important and that he needed them. Not just for his own goal to save his sister trapped in Apocalypse Alice, but to survive the cruel world that they lived in. Shinnosuke knew that he was no longer alone and that he didn't want to be alone anymore either. That's why he was here now to-

Shinnosuke: Hey Kiri.

Kiri: ...

Shinnosuke: You won't speak, huh? Well, I can't blame you. You put us all through a lot. Also, that glasses guy, Yousuke died inside your Labyrinth.

Kiri: ...

Shinnosuke: I don't how the others feel, but they probably feel conflicted. Yousuke... was a halfway decent guy. He didn't need to die here today and he was someone important to Shiro and Himi. After I save you, you'll have to face them.

Kiri: ...

Shinnosuke: This wasn't your fault, Kiri, it's my cousin’s fault for doing something stupid like infecting you with the-

Kiri: ...It's my fault, Shinnosuke.

Shinnosuke: ...

Kiri: It's my fault that everything happened. I am – or was a spy. A spy sent by the Kowloon Devils Group. I've been sent all over the world to steal, get close to people, and kill them. Some of those people I could even call comrades and friends, or those who believed I were such. I'm the type of person you hate the most, Shinnosuke.

Shinnosuke: ...

Kiri: Do you know why your cousin attacked me? It was her twisted method to protect you from me. Kowloon Devils Group sent me here to Japan to in preparation to raid Apocalypse Alice... your sister’s Labyrinth. We were going to take advantage of the Labyrinth that your sister gave birth to, to acquire the most powerful magic to rule the world.

Shinnosuke: ...So it was something like that... disgusting.

Kiri: I know, but it doesn't end there. Kowloon Devils Group were going to work with Mitsutomo Group, the organization backing Gunjou, turn her into a Diseased Girl and connect her Labyrinth to your sister’s. It would have weakened Apocalypse Alice and allowed us a chance to raid the Labyrinth. Also, in the event that you would try to raid Gunjou's Labyrinth I was supposed to kill you and anyone else that comes with you.

Shinnosuke: Kiri... you’re really...

Kiri: I know. Afoul, right!? That's why you should just leave-

Shinnosuke: Kiri, you’re really... a half-assed assassin.

Kiri: What?

Shinnosuke: Kiri, did you really believe that you had me fooled for even a second? It was obvious from the minute that we met that you were up to something. Master assassin or spy, you’re a failure at both. How could I, or anyone else, be fooled by a girl like you with obviously fake breasts?

Kiri: Fake!? I have you know that every inch of my body is authentic!

Shinnosuke: ...Good. As I thought you are really Kiri.

Kiri: Huh?

Shinnosuke: In the end you are the same Kiri that I knew. A shameless woman who uses her body to try to win me over. A woman who tries to get close to me and go on dates. A woman... who admires what normal people have and just wants to have fun at karaoke places.

Kiri: ...

Shinnosuke: Kiri, no matter what your life has been like, I'm going to save you. I need you for my own ambitions... to save my sister... and maybe even the world as well, but at this moment those things don't matter. What does matter is that you’re my comrade.

Kiri: ...But I-

Shinnosuke: No buts! If there is still something stopping you, a person out there with their hold on you, I'll destroy them. I, no, Shiro, Himi, Gunjou, and I will all protect you! As disgusting as it is, if you talk about friendship and being comrades as much as we do... in the end that's what you become. Friends you can trust and comrades you can leave your back to without worry.

Kiri: ...But I've done so much, I-

Shinnosuke: That doesn't concern me. If you still wish to be forgiven, first go talk to Shiro, Himi, and Gunjou. Afterwards, work together with me to save my sister and all the Diseased Girls of the world. And afterwards... if you still have something to feel bad about we'll deal with it then. No matter what form your redemption takes, I'll be there.

Kiri wanted to say something more, but Shinnosuke wouldn't let her. The time limit for Hero Sword's magic was coming to an end. Shinnosuke readied the weapon he had placed all of his hopes and dreams in, the Holy Sword, and pointed the tip at Kiri's heart. Shinnosuke's hands were slightly unsteady, yet Shin standing to the side saw that his focus was absolute.

Shinnosuke: Kiri, I'm a coward. I might kill you, so please Kiri... let me save you! Don't let this be how our story ends!

With those last words towards his comrade, Shinnosuke thrust his sword at Kiri's chest. Kiri, with tears in her eyes, gazed into Shinnosuke's eyes as his sword pierced into her heart... and then in the next instant, Kiri disappears.

The surrounding darkness disappears.  

With that, it all came to an end.

Everything ended.

The battle of Team Japan.

The battle of Hero Team.

To Kill the Girl and Save the World.

To Save the Girl and Save the World.

Shinnosuke might have killed Kiri. He might have saved her... but for Shin those things weren't important. Shin, in the end, was an outsider in this story. A person who didn't belong in the story of Apocalypse Alice. Shin was the leader of Team Japan. He had his own worries, dreams, and responsibilities to worry about and didn't – shouldn't worry over the fate of the main characters of a fictional world... yet Shin couldn't help but feel awed by what he saw in Kiri's heart between her and Shinnosuke.

Shinnosuke wasn't a leader, but he was the core of an amazing team of individuals. Shiro, Himi, Gunjou, and himself. Yousuke was gone, yet he would never be forgotten as well. Shinnosuke, deep down, wanted friends and comrades as he faced the difficulties of a world filled with betrayal, liars, and endless darkness... and now that wish had been fulfilled with Hero Team.

Shin: (Our circumstances and motives are different but I want to make a group amazing like Shinnosuke did. He did so unintentionally, yet it was a team of magicians who wouldn't lose to anyone, not even Apocalypse Alice. I want that. A team that works together to overcome anything and also... a team that would even make Saki smile with pride having risked her life to save us, in her own way.)

Those were the last thoughts of Shin as he was driven out from the depths of Kiri's heart and the mission of Apocalypse Alice completely. The story of saving the Girl and the World was over, and so time moves forward to the world of God and his experiment to push mankind to evolve. It was a world of little romance or adventure, just death and struggles, yet it was the world Shin belonged in.

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- HIDDEN SIDE QUEST COMPLETED!

THE DISEASED GIRL OF EMPRESS' GRAVE 44 HAS BEEN DEFEATED WITH HOLY SWORD SWITCH MAGIC! YOU HAVE SAVED THE WORLD AND THE GIRL! EVERY PLAYER REWARDED 2000 POINTS AND C RANK REWARD! CAN STACK WITH SIDE QUEST #3. PLAYER SHIN WHO USED HOLY SWORD SWITCH TO DEFEAT THE DISEASED GIRL IS AWARDED QUEST ITEM, HOLY SWORD SWITCH WHICH CAN BE EXCHANGED IN GOD'S DIMENSION FOR 500 POINTS AS A MAGIC SKILL!

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GOD'S MISSION

APOCALYPSE ALICE, TWENTY MAN MISSION.

ALTERNATE STORY PLOT.

MAIN QUEST: The Mission.

Objective 1. Clear the Labyrinth Empress' Grave 44 and defeat its Diseased Girl. Six hours before becoming an Eternal Labyrinth and mission failure. Mission Failure will result in death for all Players.

Objective 2. Protect the Main Characters.

Base Survival Reward: 1000 Points.

Combat Mission Reward: 1000 Points and two D rank rewards.

SIDE QUEST: Bonus Points.

1. Orientation - The first player to explain to the New Players the inner workings of Missions, Exchanges and how to return home. 100 Points

2. Labyrinth Monster KILL - Every 100 monsters defeated. Rewarded 10 Points.

3. Labyrinth Elite KILL - Defeat an Elite Monster. Rewarded 50 Points.

4. The Rise of HERO TEAM - If Shinnosuke Arisu is alive by the end of the mission every Player rewarded D rank reward. If all main characters are alive every Player rewarded an additional D rank reward.

5. KILL the GIRL and SAVE the WORLD - A Player defeats the Diseased Girl of Empress' Grave 44. Rewarded 4000 Points and two C rank reward. All other Players rewarded 2500 Points and C rank reward.

PENALTIES: Negative Points/Death.

1. New Players - Negative 1000 for a Player killing a New Player. A New Player is a New Player till the start of their second mission.

2. Spoiler - Negative 10 points per Sentence.

3. D-ZERO - Any player with 0 or negative points at the end of a mission after all calculations are finished, will be killed, no exception.

4. The Fall of HERO TEAM - The death of Shinnosuke Arisu Negative 4000 points. Any other member Negative 1500 Points.

5. Escape or Die - The option to escape the Labyrinth exist with the magic ESCAPE Switch already set within a Headphone Fuzz, but can only be used on the lowest level of the Labyrinth Empress' Grave 44 bottom floor. If there are no living Players inside the Labyrinth before it is cleared then all Players will be killed. To use the ESCAPE Magic to bring an extra person along will cost a Player 100 Points.

ADDITIONAL INFO: Mission Information.

1. Headphone Fuzz - Every Player will be given a Headphone Fuzz. The magic ESCAPE will be automatically uploaded onto the Headphone Fuzz.

2. Magic Deception - Up to six Sci-fi, Magic Tools, Support, and Entertainment Items and other powers will be perceived as Magics from the Headphone Fuzz. Any additional powers/tools will appear suspicious in the eyes of others.

TOTAL SCORE:

Base Survival Reward 1000 Points +

Combat Mission Reward 1000 Points and two D rank rewards +

Protect Main Characters D rank reward +

Five Hundred and Three Labyrinth Monster KILL 50 Points +

Twelve Labyrinth Elite KILL 600 Points +

KILL the GIRL and SAVE the WORLD 4000 Points and 2C rank reward +

SAVE the Girl and SAVE the WORLD 2000 Points and C rank reward +

YOUSUKE ENDOU DEAD Negative 1500 Points +

Current Points: 3 Points and two C rank rewards

TOTAL CALCULATED  SCORE = 7153 POINTS AND 2B RANK REWARD!

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Authors Note:

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Proofread by Hoebagger

Did Shin survive... Well, that's not even something that I have to say, right? Mission 3 of God's Dimension in the world Labyrinths and magic, Apocalypse Alice, has come to a close and we will be moving on to the Intermission Arc! With H.O.T.D, BTOOOM, and now Apocalypse Alice we've cleared Manag, Anime, and Light Novel! We'll eventually get into Video Games and Visual Novels down the line, so rest easy.

Now, what new things will Shin get would be most of your concern and I promise that everyone won't be disappointed. Shin and the others had some troubles, but because he choose what was best for the team and not the choice to safe a few team members in his desperate fight against Diseased Girl Kiri Kiryuu, everyone came out of this mission with more than they lost.

There will be no Real World arc this time, just enhancements, yet Team Japan were begin to learn more about God's Dimension after its introduction of the world's of Manga, Anime, Light Novels, Video Games and Visual Novels.

Now my thoughts on this arc. I originally planned to write a short missison comparable to H.O.T.D, but it just didn't turn out that way. I just wanted this arc to be short and sweet with a lot of action, yet it... It became this. I honestly do believe I did very well, but I wasn't satisfied with the final battle.

I originally imagined a high-speed chase sword clash kind of battle between Shin and Diseased Girl Kiri, yet it became so wordy. I honestly don't feel that it matches up to the amazing Shin VS Btoom Lord Ryuta battle from BTOOOM, and I know the reason why. I only had a light novel to work with.

That's not to say battles in Light Novels are boring, but I work better with visual aids like Manga and Anime. Also, Apocalypse Alice only gave me three volumes to work with and each books battle scenes were too repetitive in battles and little character development for my liking. I loved Apocalypse Alice when I read it for the first time, yet now as I grow older I see its faults.

The first volume was what I would call perfect. It was fast paced and interesting and reads best in just one siting without breaks. The author Kagami Takaya (Sounds like the name of a cool main character) really out did himself with a new style of writing.

Volumes 2 and 3 however were lackluster and felt more like an ending than the beginning of a series. The reason for that is because the author normal writes very wordy scenes and repetitive battles and the author slowly went back into that way of writing in those books.

Anyways, the point was that Apocalypse Alice didn't stimulate my imagination to write cool scenes like I thought it would. If not for the fact that the Quest Item Holy Sword Switch was a critical element in the next two missions, I would have scraped Apocalypse Alice as the long awaited third mission. That's why from now on I'll avoid Light Novel with the same feel as Apocalypse Alice and Light Novels without both Manag and Anime adaptations.

Now I'm almost done and this is important. Please leave comments. I generally love to hear people thoughts of this chapter, but more importantly I want to improve. I should be working on the next arc as we speak, but criticism so that I can improve and write a fourth mission better than the first three and the Real World Arc is very much appreciated. Reviews help as well.

Lastly, thank you all for reading the third mission of Terror Infinity - Side B, and will see you again in the Intermission! Later today the team score and character update 6 will come out!