Terror Infinity Side B
Chapter 22, Real World I
Shin on the long way back home had promised his somewhat traumatized cousin Chika to explain what was going on, thus Shin began to explain things the best he could without breaking God's rules. Shin couldn't give any information directly about God's Dimension, yet he had learned ways to talk about it like Sozin and the Four Pillars could by just replacing some key words with vague words instead, or telling half truths.
Shin: So here is what happened... Or at least what the censored version is.
Chika: Ok.
Shin began by saying that he received an email one day from an unknown source. It asked him if he wanted to live a real life and not taking it seriously he clicked YES for the hell of it. Soon after he found himself blacking out and being kidnapped.
When Shin woke up next he was far, far away from home ( Like another dimension ) and found himself taking part of an experiment. An experiment to see how humans can evolve in the face of danger. Shin couldn't fully comprehend what was happening, but because foe the sake of the experiment who ever was in charge didn't mind if the subjects died in the process long as he could gain more data.
Shin and a group of people had no choice but to participate in the experiment and failure meant death, so together with all of the fellow test subjects they came together to survive. Shin barely survived the first test and afterwards with the few who survived as well he came to learn that it was more then a simple death game like you would find in Manga and Anime.
The experiment even included on ways to use science to bring out special powers and give them to the test subjects. And based on a scoring system on how well on does in an experiment, you can use points and rewards to buy these powers to have permanently.
Chika: So what I saw before and todays was-
Shin: Yes. Hard to believe, right?
Chika: I would think you had gone crazy from watching to much Anime... If I hadn't seen it for myself.
Shin then moved on.
Next he explained that he found out the method to return home and have the people who abducted him leave him alone for good. That it was to gain a certain large amount of points from the experiments held every ten days. Then with that goal in mind Shin worked hard to survive and one day return home.
Shin: ( Minus becoming the OP protagonist part. I definitely have to leave out the part about not planning to return home right away and that I am having the time of my life by becoming a protagonist who is slowly, but surely building up a top class harem. That would be... An awkward talk to say the least ).
Chika: I see then. So is Hikari-
Shin: Yes, she is one of the fellow subjects in this experiment. She and a few other came with me on a visit back home.
Chika: Visit? So that means that you haven't escaped yet? Aren't you free?
Shin: Sorry to say, but I'm not. I can use points foe a lot of things and that includes taking short breaks from the experiment. Even the platinum I gave to your parents was bought using my own points... Since I didn't know when or if I would be able to return home. I juat came back this one time to make sure that everyone was okay and taken care of.
Chika: Aren't you free now, Shin? Can't you... Can't you just not go back and escape?
Shin: Well... Unfortunately I can't. They... They placed something in my body. I was inflicted with a deadly virus when they captured me, Chika. To hold back the effects I received treatments from my abductors that hold back the symptoms and keep it in remission, but the unless I take the true cure I can't distance myself from them without risking certain death. If I don't return in two days from now the virus will no longer stay in remission and I'll die ( Came up with that lie on the spot ).
Chika: Th-that's terrible Shin. Why... How can you remain so calm like this? As if it doesn't even affect you? I, anyone would go out of their minds trying to find a way out of this.
Shin: Maybe, but I just accepted that I have no choice in the matter, is all. Even with super powers, I don't believe I can fight back against those running this experiment since they are the one's providing them too me. Also, it's a bit shameful, but as you could imagine, for me actually having real manga like powers and super strength has always been a dream of mine, Chika. I want to leave that place no matter what, but I can't help but feel a little excited.
Chika: How can you say that!? That, that is so...
Shin: Chika, the alternative forme is to be in constant fear. I haven't gone into detail, but I'm really risking my life here. I've almost died and I've been under so much pressure and stress that my hair has lost its color. This is not a dye job.
Chika: ...Sorry. Then, were those people today the one's that kidnapped you?
Shin: No they weren't. They are... Let's just say they are a dangerous group affiliate with the experiment for now. Just know that some of them have powers as well and should be avoided at all cost. That is why I want you to promise me to never speak of what happened to anyone. Not to your parents, your friends, teachers at school or even try to look them up online. They are a dangerous group and it was by some miracle that they don't know too much about me, or else we all would be in danger. Can you promise me to stay out of this, Chika? This involves the lives of you, me and your parents as well.
Chika: ...
Shin: Chika.
Chika: Okay, I promise.
Shin: Good. Long as you understand.
Shin tham got up from the bench he was sitting down on with Chika next to him and began to walk away. Chika was confused and called out to Shin.
Chika: Wait! Where are you going?
Shin: Sorry Chika, but please return on your own from here. I would like to take you back myself, but unfortunately I can't. There are still things that I need to do and I can't let anyone figure out my connection to you, or your parents. Those people from before are dangerous and without a doubt they are not my friends. I won't risk staying together with you.
Chiak: But, but where are you going if you aren't coming back home?
Shin: Back to the place where the experiment is taking place unfortunately. I never said exactly told all of you when I had to go back, but that day is tomorrow. I did plan to spend my last day with you all if possible, but it's impossible after all. Tell Uncle and Auntie that I'll see them at some point again in the future.
Chika: This... This is all too much Onii-chan. This is the real world, right? Will I, will I ever see you again? It just doesn't feel like I will if we leave things like this. I know we we never... That close, but to me you were always my Onii-chan even though I couldn't hope to replace your real sister.
Shin: ...You right that you can't replace her Chika, but... Still, I wasn't the cousin, the brother that I should have been to you and for that I am sorry. I do plan to come back and face the real world again, but the truth is that I really could die at this point in my life. That's the truth, but... I'll try a bit harder for your sake. Goodbye.
Shin then left Chika behind,
Shin had heard Chika call out for him as he ran away, yet he never turned around to look back. Shin never wanted another family after losing his first, yet only now did he realize that he had gained a new one and he truly cared for them. If he turned back around and stopped, even if it was the world of fantasy that he had always wished for, he might have given it up for his new family... And that scared him.
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After leaving his cousin Chika's side as it was now safe, Shin went off to meet with 0 Hikari. Hikari had left alone before Shin had from the beach resort and because she too couldn't return to Shin's home, she had waited for him at a public park not too far away from where he last spoke withnhis cousin. Shin was glad to see that Hikari was safe, so now their immediate problem as of right now was shelter.
They still had till tomorrow night to return to God's Dimension,so they luckily didn't need a place of residence for a few days. Shin had told Chika that he might as well sleep in a park, but not being obvious to the fact that Hikari was a girl, and not an outdoorsy girl, Shin suggested that they look for a cheap motel that won't ask for ID's from them and could just pay in cash, which they both had a lot of.
Hikari agreed, yet not understanding that Shin meant a love hotel to stay the night, she didn't get it till they were there. Hikari was incredibly embarrassed to step into one, yet to her surprise Shin was serious the whole time and didn't make a move on her even after entering a highly suggestive pink and purple room ( That could have been right out of Persona 3 ).
Shin didn't talk about it, but Hikari had guessed that he was concerned about his family. Shin hardly slept at all and was alert to the possibility of an enemy attack, but fortunately nothing happened that night. Shin and Hikari choose to stay in the room the whole time, not even going out to eat in case risk being spotted by someone. According to Shin's understanding of spy themed light novels people are more likely to be spotted when they move place to place and walk into stores with surveillance cameras, and seeing as it made sence Hikari agreeed.
When they would finally move out it would be right before they had to return to God's Dimension. Even if they were followed afterwards it wouldn't matter since they would be in a completely different time and space.
Dusk came the next day and they left the motel ( Hikari covered her face from the motel manger who assumed that they were at 'IT' the entire time ) and went to their next designation... The Internet cafe that Kampa was going to use to return to God's Dimension.
They called their teammates beforehand to decided this course of action. It didn't even need to be said that Shin could be at this moment was being sought after by the Four Pillars, so choosing to return using Kampa's return point was ideal since it doesn't lead back to anyone. Shin and Hikari's own Entry/Return Points were there own homes, so those were out and there was no reason to risk bring attention to Misaki and Shuai places, especially Misaki since his sister was at home with him.
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Hikari was given directions to where the Internet cafe and together with they arrived just as the sun had disappeared over the horizon. When the darkness of the night arrived the Internet cafe was just beginning to close up and they were thankful that it was not a twenty-four hour cafe. It was around that time when...
Kampa: Hey you two. It is great to see you two are okay.
Shin: You too Kampa. It would have been horrible if you failed to get back in the country before the deadline.
Hikari: How's your family?
Kampa: They are fine. They are used to me heading out on mercenary missions, so me leaving all of a sudden isn't strange.
Kampa had arrived and joined up with Shin and Hikari. Kampa had left the country once more after leaving Sozin's private island and returned to his mother Russia to spend what remainding his time here in the real world with his family.
When Kampa had arrived back in Japan today, Shin and Hikari were already in hiding and knowing that they were going to use his Entry/Return point, Kampa had already planned to meet up with the two of them. It wasn't necessary for all three of them to leave together all at once, but because there could be danger Kampa joined them and in case something happens he would be there to support them. Shin was technically the leader and a force to be reckoned with himself, but Kampa was a mercenary with a lot of experience, so he saw it as his duty to guard their backs.
Shin, Hikark and Kampa were all gathered now and more then ready to return to God's Dimension, yet because the Entry/Return Point won't activate until ninety minutes before midnight they still had two hours or so to wait. The three stayed hidden in an ally nearby the Internet cafe and all too soon the expected time came and they didn't even need to double check their watches to see that it was 10:30.
The Internet cafe had long since been closed, for an hour yet the three of them could see a bright light coming from within the building. Far as they knew no one had entered the building, so this meant something outside the norm is happening inside the Internet Café.
Shin: Let's go!
Hikark: Yes.
Kampa: I'll take the rear. Lead the way Shin.
Then carefully and with caution, Shin lead both Hikari and Kampa towards the back of the building, and from there had Kampa unlock the door as to not set off an alarm. Shin could have just broken it down, but not knowing what exactly to expect inside he didn't want to complicate the situation with police and the prying eyes of civilians passing by getting in his way.
Through the back of the building the three of them entered the Internet Cafe and proceed to the front of the store where Kampa had said he reappeared back into the real world and where he was first abducted from when he was surfing the wed on a computer. There they found that the computer Kampa used to click YES was on and a blinding light coming from the screen. Shin, Hikari and Kampa then instinctively knew that if they approached close enough to the computer then they would be transported back to God's Dimension.
Shin: You two can go ahead. I'll head on over after you two.
Hikari: Why? It isn't like there is a line. We can all go back together at once.
Shin: It isn't that. I just want to make sure that everything proceeds smoothly is all. I'm going to call the other as well to confirm that they are about to return to make sure that nothing unexpected happened at the last moment. I'm technically the leader, so I can't just forget about everyone else and jump in.
Kampa: I see. Then I'll stay with you to guard your back.
Hikari: Me too.
Shin: You guys... Fine, you two can stay, but this won't take that long.
Shin then began to call his comrades starting from Aqua, Misaki, Shuai and Saki. Like Shin's group they didn't immediately return right away and also thought about checking on the others ( What good friends that I have ). Once Shin called they said they would immediately return to God's Dimension. Aqua, Shuai and Saki were not a problem, yet Misaki wanted a few more minutes with his sister before he returned to that dimension, and once he was done Misaki and Mokotowould return with the others.
Shin: See, that only took 5-10 minutes tops.
Hikari: Alright then. Let's all return to that hell hole so we can get our 50,000 points to finally leave that place and its horror behind once and for all.
Kampa: I second that. It isn't good to make the wife worry too much.
Shin: Huh, what about Hikari and Aqua?
Kampa: Ah, no, I was talking about my own wife.
Shin: ...
Hikari: Just go you two!
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First it was Kampa who approached the computer and in a flash of light that lasted less then a second Kampa had disappeared rom the real world and back within God's Dimension with the others. Shin and the others had never seen the exact moment that they are transported to the Mission World or return to the Terminal Lobby because it happens in an instant, so this was Shin and Hikaris's first time seeing what it looks like from the outside.
Shin: So does it always look like we blink out of existence like that? Whatever, you up next Hikari. Even if we can all go back at once I feel more comfortable seeing it for myself.
Hikari: Alright, but just make sure to quickly follow after me.
Hikari then did as Kampa did and approached the bright computer and in a flash of light too quick for the eye to catch Hikari was gone. Shin then felt relief as nothing had gone wrong. Shin took a few moments to then think about everything he has experienced this last month and what he was leaving behind, but Shin then quickly pushed down those feelings.
From experience and from what Hikari once told him, Shin knew he was at his best when he was having fun in in God's Dimension and that he wasn't suited to be a protagonist who's serious all the time. That's why instead of thinking about all the bad and what Shin was leaving behind, he choose to look forward to the future instead of staying depressed.
Shin: It isn't like it is forever, right? I'll be back one day long as I don't die on that side. Now, I wonder what kind of adventure will I get to experience magic or-
At that moment Shin's heart clenched up. Shin felt something was terribly wrong and jumped backwards fully trusting his instincts. Confused, Shin then saw a read beam of light melt through the roof of the Internet Cafe and cut through the loby where the computers, including where Kampa's was located. Then within a blink of an eye the entire place had become a large pit of lava and flames that burned the skin even from a distance.
- WARNING! KAMPA LOVSKI'S ENTRY/RETURN POINT HAS BEEN DESTROYED. ALL REMAINING PLAYERS ARE ADVISED TO USE ANOTHER LOCATION. TIME LEFT TO RETURN TO GOD'S DIMENSION: ONE HOUR AND FIFTTEEN MINUTES.
???: Nice reflexes Shin. As expected from our leader. You never even saw and you sensed something was wrong. As I thought, within Team Japan you hold the most potential to improve. Even more so then our strongest Player Aqua.
Shin: Wh-what...
Shin looked up towards the roof of Internet cafe through the melted hole in the ceiling and saw one one of his six comrades looking down at him from above.
Then before Shin could say anything else his comrade jumped down the hole in the ceiling while making sure to avoid the pit of flames that they were responsible for making. Shin could only watch as his comrade, with that same detached look, Saki walked towards him as if there was nothing wrong. Shin was left speechless at this turn of events, and so it was Saki herself who spoke up first.
Saki: Haa... I really couldn't hold out till the very end, could I? How unfortunate even if I knew from the start.
Shin: Sa-Saaki!? What is-
Saki: You made a mistake Shin. You have amazing instincts despite till recently having being an average person like any other, but you should have taken the risk and jumped towards the computer instead of away. That why you would have been safe and sound within God's Dimension and my plan would have utterly failed, and I forced to admit defeat. I am also thankful that Hikari didn't do a last minute sweep with her Persona to check for enemies. Just waiting for this moment and for you to be the one to be the last to return back, the odds were far too low for my liking, so I'm thankful... But also not since it has come to this.
Shin: Saki! Was, was that hole and all this mess your doing? Did you really mean to kill me!?
Saki: Yes, I was the one who atracked you just now and destroyed Kampa Entry/Return Point, and thus I must apologies to you Shin. No matter how much I struggled and tried to think of a solution, I just can't go on without killing one of you... So please don't hold back.
Shin: Saki... What the hell is going on!!?
Saki: ...We don't have all the time in the world, especially you Shin, but let me start from the beginning since I feel sorry for you otherwise.... And then afterwards we can fight a battle where all the lives of Team Japan hand on the balance.
Shin saw that Saki's face was still as expressionless as always, yet deep down he could sense something else. Something dark and terribly sad all at once and whatever it was it was pointing at blade at Shin and no one else. Saki eyes showed she wanted to start a battle to the death.
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Authors Note:
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Alright my fans. I am sure some of you think this development came out of no where and you are kinds right, but if you reread BTOOOM!, and it's Intermission arc you would find many clues to such a development. I had this planned from the beginning, yet I admit I could have done it better. Also, anyone who had read the last character information fully would have seen something that stood out.
The next two chapter will be the Real World Final and after that will be the NEXT Chapter. Make sure you don't skip them since they will be posted one after the other as a double release within the next 4-6 hours. Three chapters left till I take another break to write and finish up the long awaited third mission!