Hm… did I overthink it or has my ‘Onii-chan sense’ tingled?
Every time he committed something irresponsible, this sense allowed me to detect it and figure out what was to blame for. After all, Onii-chan had been a stupid, the most idiotic Onii-chan in the world. He always made girls fell in love unknowingly and he always wound up being a battered hero who saved the day. Well, the last time he did that he went out with a bang so I really wanted to cry in depression.
Because—Onii-chan hasn’t actually died!
Well, he did died. The Onii-chan in this world did but not in that world. The fact that afterlife and other worlds truly existed really gave me a peace of mind. So I was not too scared of disappearing with my memories even if I died. However, dying wasn’t a way out. Death was an end to be feared by a living being. And obviously, I would not permit myself to die until I achieved many things including saving the world from perverts with troublemaking powers.
……perverts… Ugh. I was reminded of so many unpleasant things in our perilous journey. But most order has been returned in Japan, and I could live without being worried of window breaking criminals entering my house. Although true peace was still far away from the reaches but at least it was progressing. Also spreading.
“Hm…… This is bad.” –suddenly I heard a male’s voice coming from the living room.
While I was laying breakfast onto the dining table, I just so happened to find a young man with glasses and attractive yet baggy eyes giving out a sigh. Haru Ichinose was sitting on the sofa at the living room. He seemed to gaze down on many documents scattered all over the table in front of him. Unlike the usual Haru-san who wore black cloak with amazingly complex embroidery and accessories, he was wearing white shirts draped over his skinny body and baggy pants. Such casualty in someone else’s house but my home had been chosen as the headquarter (base) for the Champions in our town.
What about the others? Tracing my gaze over the clock on the wall and then to the staircase where no one was coming from, I realized that Akashi-san and Fukaki-san were still fast asleep. Geez, even though today is holiday doesn’t mean you can slack off you know…?
Exhaling in a slightly pensive mood, I took off my apron. I was done cooking breakfast as I always woke up early. No one in my family is an early bird so it became my duty to wake up everyone, including Onii-chan. But as my parents were busy with works (yes, they still worked like normal despite the catastrophic event which changed the world) my duty… unfortunately remained unchanged. Because Onii-chan’s friends chose to stay here out of common interest.
Now what did they believe as common interest? Well, they seemed to believe grouping up was better to enhance the security and defensive measures. It also helped to communicate with each other and discussing things without getting too exposed to outside threats. While the logic was correct but I did not think that freeloading was okay without my parents’ permission…… They became hard to contact once this Ragnarok started.
In any case, Haru-san seemed troubled. I better drag him away from those work-related documents before he forgot eating breakfast.
“Haru-san! Breakfast is ready, you know?” –I yelled from behind the person who was already 21 years old yet did not even do anything except becoming a Home Security Guard.
However, my voice did not reach him! How could he ignore me, the landlord (temporary)!! Muuu, now I’m mad!!
“H-A-R-U-S-A-N…!”
“………..”
“HARU-SAN! Hey! Are you listening to me!? Haru-san…!! Breakfast is ready!”
“…………………….”
…Uuuuuuuuuu! Forget it! If voice alone did not even reach him… violence was the only way out!! I raised my hand upward and suddenly crimson orbs of light emerged from nothingness. The orbs circled my wrist before going over to my opened palm, combining into one sphere of energy made out of mana!
This! Is one of the abilities granted to Champions! The power to wield magic!! I knew of this thing because Onii-chan sometimes read fantasy light novels. Though limited, Freyja-sama taught me the rest of my abilities and I also trained under a good senior who sided with her.
So—with this magic… allow me to knock your worthless musing off your head even if for a moment!
“Haa! Fireball!!”
“Hm—owaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!?”
*CRASH!* *BOOM!* —the house trembled for a moment. Smokes flew up in the living room and I huffed with slight palpitations. Because magic required extremely high concentration and because I was still a beginner… I could only cast magic for a few times a day. Still, the result was in favor of my expectations.
“……Tori’s little sister… why… did… you… hit me……?”
“Because if you don’t stop working then your breakfast will turn cold! And Haru-san, please fix your position. I do not think you are allowed to kiss the floor because I haven’t wiped it yet.”
“S-so I can kiss the floor if it’s wiped…? Now that’s a way to conduct interaction…*crack!*”
Ouch. Did I just hear bones snapping or have I misheard it?
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“Fuaaah~~ Good morning…”
“*yawn* —Oh my, something smells nice…… good morning, Arika-chan.”
“Good morning, Fukaki-san. Akashi-san. Please have a seat.”
The last two of the group who freeloaded in my house smiled wryly. Did they feel guilty letting the youngest (me) cooking breakfast? Well, I am the landlord so it’s my job to serve my guests.
As Fukaki-san and Akashi-san took a seat, Haru-san who was drinking miso soup sighed with a smirk. His face looked horrible but at least he was more energetic. Food really helped paint the day for the better!
“So—Haru-san. What did you think as problematic?”
Inquiring him now is the requirement to let him spill out the bean. Just like Onii-chan, Haru-san tended to go overboard whenever he acted alone. And he always stayed the most secretive among the circle of friends Onii-chan made. To be honest, I didn’t think my coercion which attracted Fukaki-san and Akashi-san’s attentions be as effective against Haru-san compared to Onii-chan. Even so—we’re a team. And a family.
What good is there if the family members could not help one another when in troubles?
Seeing our curious gaze, Haru-san once again sighed in resignation. He had no room to protest and Onii-chan wasn’t here. It made him less resistant to persuasion!
“Fine fine. It’s about an order given by Freyja from the other day.”
The other day? The three of us were then informed that a new order had reached Haru-san’s wide network. It was the suppression of an abusive Champion who seemed to do whatever they wanted. Unfortunately, not much was known except this Champion was extremely dangerous and that he was near our town if not already inside.
Now this is a bad news to follow for a tranquil breakfast. Haru-san said he could not find any lead and he did not see any disturbance with his extensive networks which were acting as surveillance camera over the town. Even so, his intuition as the Champion of the Trickster God told him that the enemy was within the town.
“…did they blend in with the civilians? Maybe using disguise magic or magic items which concealed one’s presence and mana.”
“Fukaki, did you forget that my abilities in finding enemies are ranked SS? As if I ever allowed my target escaped my reaches even if they are stronger than me.”
“Then what about the familiars or alarms? I believe you already set them up in every corner of the town, Haru-kun.”
“Yeah, well… none of them reacted! It’s just damn odd for them to detect nothing!! Not even residues of mana… or even the aura of this guy!! There wasn’t even any suspicious face which attracted the public’s eyes!!”
Hmm… I see. An enemy who could stay hidden and invisible even though he’s already under Haru-san’s web. This person was a world-renowned hacker and he was once an international threat to all web security companies. He even broke through the nation’s database and left without any trace. Such elusive criminal was rendered incapable of finding our enemy.
If I were to think of our recent battles against Champions from other factions, be it the Asgard, the Niflheimr or Muspelheimmr… No Champions coming from these factions possessed the feature which befit ordinary people. Some were once a famous or infamous person. And several others were complete unknown with unique features. But—
“Haru-san, did you filter out the townspeople from your surveillance?”
“Of course I do—eh?”
I grimaced once hearing his answer. Haru-san did not mean rude things but he was probably at an edge. After all, our daily life might be shaken up and we might be killed carelessly. If we could not seize the initiative then even if our powers were combined together, we would have casualties.
Rather, it was quite amazing that we have survived for the past sixth months. We, a group of Champions hailing from various factions was considered as Irregular in this Second Ragnarok set up by the Norse Gods. We attracted attentions and some oddballs had the nerves to strike us only to leave without dealing the finishing blows. Most, if not all of our battles were won with a paper thin margin. There was a land sweep but it’s mainly because the other Champions considered us retiring so early would leave bad aftertaste for them.
Especially for Fukaki-san and Haru-san. Both of them respectively earned the respect of considerable powerful Champions. There will come a battle they have to settle in the near future and I don’t think it will end prettily.
Therefore—I must work hard. Even if I… we were ordered to deal with small fries, we cannot be careless or it will spell our doom. And we forgot one thing important after abandoning our normal life. That is—we only see the special ones as common occurrences… but not the ordinary ones.
My friends caught up with my thinking. They were horrified of course and they loathed their selves to be so neglectful of such basic things. Even so, there’s no time to regret over the past mistakes!
“Haru-san, enclose your surveillance around the town! Filter all of the civilians!! The enemy must have been one of the townspeople which became a Champion outside your reach!”
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Standing up from the chair, I shouted out to Haru-san who was already taking out his laptop and tablet onto the table.
“Got it! I’m already in the way of restructuring the systems!!”
Good job! I quickly turned to Fukaki-san and Akashi-san. They nodded their heads readily and so I issued an order for them.
“Fukaki-san, please go the to the highest spot to locate the target once Haru-san relayed their information you! Akashi-san, please become Fukaki-san’s backup if the enemy noticed your movement!!”
“Understood, Captain!!”
“Got it! I’ll defend Fuuki with all of my power!!”
“Don’t forget, the enemy is an unknown Champion! Any slightest mistake will overturn the situation!! Once Fukaki-san recognized the enemy, take the initiative to use Gungnir!! Aim for a swift and certain victory but regroup once you failed to do so!! I want both of you to return safely above anything else!!”
“ “Yes ma’am!!” ”
“I will also join you all once my preparations for new equipment are ready. However, do not engage the enemy before I gave the signal. Understood?”
“ “Loud and clear, ma’am!!” ”
“Then let us start the mission!!”
Fukaki-san and Akashi-san quickly left the dining hall in a hurry. Haru-san already busied his self with the system’s restructure. And I also left the spot to my room. Once I arrived there I opened the wardrobe and changed my clothes for ones which were easy for me to run in. A leggings, a tight fitting t-shirt and a red jacket which was both bulletproof and spellproof. The fabric used also allowed me to channel magic easier so it’s the best temporary armor until my actual equipment set was done being enhanced by Freyja-sama.
Once done with the clothes, I glanced over two swords—a katana and a nodachi which were resting beside my bed. It was also next to the study desk. On the desk was a portrait of my precious friends and family in a certain summer a few years ago. Grabbing the two swords, I steeled my determination as I head out.
“I’m going off again, Onii-chan. Don’t worry, I WILL protect everyone. Just like how Onii-chan did before. And just like how Onii-chan would do at this situation.”
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-Haru’s POV-
Honestly, how much of an idiot I could be?
To think that I would neglect the smallest data and only aiming for the bigger fish… My intuition must have dulled. I was getting ahead of myself again, Tori. And now I am acting under your little sister’s command. My charisma has truly fallen……
Still, I did not think of giving up. Like always, use my intellect and calculate the events with cool head. Without tranquil mind comes chaotic decision. I must stay calm and be reasonable. I had enough of standing on the sidelines. The day where I left everything up to you and allowing me only to pull off the roots behind your back has ended.
Here, I will make my front.
Here, I will defend what’s left of your legacy.
Here, I will show that even someone like me can protect something.
Even though I knew you’re alive, but we’re worlds apart. I don’t know if the winner of this silly game of gods will actually be granted with a wish, no matter how impossible it is… but I think it would be nice if you can see everyone here once again. Hm… was I ever this sentimental?
Well, I’m pretty sure I’ve already guessed in what state you ended up at the other world.
Ha ha. Thinking of the possibility where I can see such a twisted future even though my eyes are opened… is really laughable. But anyway, this wouldn’t end well as long as I kept chattering to myself like a freak. Well, I am but at any rate…
“Done! Now restarting the surveillance system… Mimisbrunnr—ACTIVATE!!”
With a powerful tap on the tablet, the fusion between magic and science booted up as a loading bar progressed in seconds. The moment the booting process finished, the display blinked and a map of the whole town was shown.
Because the town held half of the central district modernized, the city structures became messed up. There were uneven buildings with different heights were placed next to each other and there were some gaps in the alleys which could have become blind spot even from the mighty bird’s eyes. However, with threads of mana creating a colossal magic circle underground, the town was already MY playground! There’s no way anyone… including an ant could escape from my detection!!
Now come, you filthy bastard! Show yourself to me and let me expose you to our fangs—
“What!?“ –my voice choked. All thoughts stopped running in my head as I stared blankly at the tablet which displayed the information regarding ALL the townspeople and foreigners which were within the town.
The information pertaining our current enemy was mostly unknown. Of course, I had expected that there would be some irregulars such as two cell Champions. In fact, group play could actually be more effective when dealing with us who are the amalgamation of the powerhouses in Norse Mythology.
But… but! This reading—
“……fuck! Why the hell is he here of all places!!?”
Rushing out of the house, I was already equipped with my regular costumes… if not armors that protected me from deathly threats in this Ragnarok. Normally people would have thought of my appearance as strange but once the Divine Garments were worn over our bodies, our presences became something invisible by common eyes. In fact, the dreads and tragedies blooming in this world were caused by Champions who knew that their identities could never be exposed.
This caused many crimes. And so many incidents which were treated as cataclysmic events which happened until the correct people stepped up to overthrow the arrogance of those enslaved by power and desires.
But me? Well, I just wanted to do whatever that suits my mood and somehow I am driven by the desire to defend this town. Such selfishness but I guess I am influenced by Tori. And because it’s Tori that we’re talking about that I moved out.
After all—after all!!
“Arikacchi…! Don’t face that person by yourself!! You’re going to be killed!!”
Unfortunately…… my wish did not come true as a tower of scarlet flame burst out from the central district. Burning brightly. Incinerating all matters into the void. The flame of destruction which was capable of enveloping the nine worlds and reducing them into ashes was suddenly ignited.
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A few minutes before I joined up with Fukaki-san and Akashi-san, I used shortcuts and by infusing mana in my feet, I was capable to run faster than human’s perception could catch and I could see the world in slow-motion as if looking through a video playback.
But that was why something was odd. In the world where everything seemed so slow, I caught something which was NOT moving slow. In fact, I believed that this something was moving at the same speed as me but it should have been impossible.
I’m the fastest in my group. And my manipulation of body enhancing magic is beyond the leagues than the others. Even when compared to Akashi-san’s divine strength as a result of him becoming the Champion of Thor, I could become equal if not stronger than him even if only for a moment at one aspect. That’s why I suddenly stopped. I stopped once I planted my feet in the middle of the intersection which was familiar to me…
It also stopped moving. It was standing across me, separated with a distance which was easily reachable for a Champion and enhanced humans. A distance which meant nothing for me… and for this something.
“……who are you? Show yourself!!” –I shouted out as I posed to draw my swords.
It wavered. The object clad with gray cloak with a hood which covered the face wavered. What was in front of me… was a person. Now I could see him and I quickly reported by using telepathic link.
[Fukaki-san! Akashi-san!! Can you hear me!? The enemy is in front of me!!]
[……eh…? *static*….at…!? I…*static*…ear…!!]
[…Fukaki-san…?]
The link was suddenly cutoff as the sound of sand grinding each other could be heard. I realized the communication link was jammed and therefore prepared myself for the worst case scenario.
“Sealed off. You erected a barrier and sealed this area from the world…! Who the hell are you?!!”
There was no response. But suddenly, after several seconds passed……
”Oh come on~ Don’t you remember me…?”
“……what…?”
…what… what is this? What is this uneasiness…?
”I think we already met before… Hm… When was it? Was it five years ago……?”
My heart… why is it thumping fast? But rather than a peace of mind or excitement… I was… scared…… What… what is this feeling……?
”…Oh well. It’s not like years made any difference. But if that is the case, then an introduction is needed… after all, you and I have an unexpectedly deep ties.”
…memories flooded in my head. My brain continued to connect the dots even though I did not want to remember it.
“…yo…you… you are……” –my trembling voice reached him. The cloaked figure laughed as slender hands reached for the hood.
Bits by bits. Slowly, the hood fell off. Revealing the sickening truth which shaken me to the very core of my existence.
I… know… him… I know I can recognize him even if the world is reborn for thousands of times…! He…! This person is…!! He is……!!
“Hello there, little sister of the shitty brother who I ran over!! We finally encountered each other again after my arrest!!”
……it was… the man who killed Onii-chan!!