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“Ryoji, we need to get back to the academy... and fast.”

“I know, I know...” you mutter, as you pull your cellphone from your pocket. You need to call Saki, fill her in. Who knows how quickly these demons will be making their move... one of them could be going for the academy already. Come on... come on... dammit, you're not getting through. You're stuck in a snowstorm in the mountains, of course there wouldn't be any signal. You stare at the “Calling Sak...” message on your phone as it fails yet again to push through before tossing it into your pocket in frustration. Looks like you'll just have to hurry back.

“An Archdemon race... to take over the earth...” Nina mutters. “Oh... what did Stranger do?”

“He might have just damned humanity,” you explain. “Can't say I'm surprised. Did you expect anything less from The Stranger?”

“Maybe a little less... I mean, he hasn't been as bad as other demons we've come across.”

“That's a low bar,” you reply. “Besides... he is. We've just been there to stop him most of the time.”

“Right...”

You let out a sigh. While you may not care for the taste anymore, at a time like this you really need to smoke. That's what you're doing first thing when you reach a safe place.

“Let's forget about Stranger right now and focus on the mess he landed us in,” you explain. “Let's just keep moving and-”

“There you are.”

What the... who said that? It's so hard to see through the snow... but you catch a glimpse of something. A shining white flash breaking through the storm. Someone or something is standing in your way.

“Who's there?” you call out, confused in the shivering cold.

A person... no, an entity steps forward from the snow. Decked out in sparkling white armour from head to toe, carrying a blade by their side. “I thought I had sensed your presence, Stranger.”

A demon... of course.

“I'm not The Stranger,” you reply. “The name's Ryoji Shida.”

“My senses are not mistaken,” The Drifter replies. “You are the one. The Stranger.”

“Ryoji, you sense it too, right?”

“Sense what?”

“There's nobody inside that armour.”

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The mysterious figure shakes its head. “I see... The Stranger does not have control of his host. How embarrassing.”

“How about you fill me on on who the hell you are first?” you ask.

“You ask for my name?” the mysterious figure asks. “Then you shall receive. You may call me The Drifter.”

“The Drifter, huh?” you ponder. “Kinda funny you're the first of your bunch to come after me.”

The Drifter nods. “The other demons in this race seem to have more cerebral plans in mind. I however... do not have much faith in this land's ability to defend itself. I believe the best way to conquer this world is to simply subjugate it piece by piece. For that, I must always be moving. And I must always be moving quick.”

“So... you didn't even wait to find a proper host?” you ask. “I'm sure that won't bite you in the ass. On that note... where the hell did you find that hunk of metal?”

The Drifter points off in a direction clouded by snow. “Off in the distance I found a bunker, which appears to be run by an army of this world. It appears this suit was something they had created as a weapon. But now... it is my body.”

A military weapon, huh? He might be even more dangerous than he seems. You clench your fist up as you stare at The Drifter.

“Ryoji... we're stuck here with this demon. What are we going to do?”

“I'm going to charge him,” you reply.

“Y-you can't! He's too strong!”

“I know.”

What else can you do? You rush forward and throw a punch right at the demon... and have your arm sliced off in the process within a second. The greatest pain you've ever felt rushes through your body, to the point where you can't even let out a scream. Black blood pours from you like a fountain, as you fall to your knees.

The Drifter shakes his head. “That was a foolish, impulsive move, Stranger... though I must say I respect your drive. You must know that you don't stand a chance, and yet you tried anyway.”

“G-go to hell...” you spit at the feet of The Drifter, who kicks you in the face sending you flying back.

The Drifter approaches you, standing over your dismembered body with his blade in hand. “I understand that you wish to stop me, but I will not allow for that. However... I hold a certain level of respect for your actions. And I do owe it to the one who freed me...”

“Stranger did that, not me...”

“Irregardless, you are one and the same,” The Drifter replies. “Just as I am one with this suit. Now... there is a small town near these mountains. I intend to destroy it first.”

“No...”

“But...” The Drifter continues. “My respect for you inclines me to present you with a sporting chance to stop me. I shall destroy the town after a full cycle of this... sun of yours.”

“In one day...”

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“Until then,” Drifter explains. “You have time to prepare. And you have time to stop me. Farewell Stranger. Until we meet again.”

To hell with that. You pick yourself up and make another charge at The Drifter.

And within seconds, your entire body is torn apart.

Everything... your arms, your legs... your head separated from your torso. You bleed like a fountain as every last piece of you is torn up and lays separated, staining the snow beneath you. Your eyes dart around while your head remains severed, and you see The Drifter walk away.

“Disappointing...” he mutters. “I do not know what the human body can withstand. If you survive from this... come find me.”

He walks off, as you lay in the snow. Your eyes dart to see your arm lying in a pile a few feet away from you. In seconds... your entire body... this is it. This is the end of Ryoji Shida.

… Wait, no it's not.

“Get up Ryoji. You're stronger than this. The Ryoji Shida I know... he'd never give up.”

Slowly, but surely, you feel your head being pulled through the snow. You look down, to see a group of black tendrils sprouting from the base of your neck and connecting with your torso, pulling the two together. Same goes for your torso and the rest of your limbs. It's slow, and the rejoining process is as searingly painful as it is disgusting.. but you're being put back together.

“Ryoji... I had no idea you could do that.”

“Me neither,” you reply, cracking your neck back in place as you rise to your feet. “I never really got the chance to test just how far my healing abilities go.”

Seems you can survive truly anything, which is nice... though the more grievous the injury, the longer it takes to heal. It must have taken over an hour for all your pieces to come back together and for you to stand... that's just how thoroughly The Drifter tore you apart.

“Now that we're functional we need to get back to-”

“Can't,” you reply. “Don't you remember what he said? He's gonna destroy the town at the base of these mountains in 24 hours... well, 22 and half now. We don't have time to return to the academy. We have to stop him before that...”

“Ryoji...” Nina mutters. “We've certainly got one big mess to clean up, don't we? I suppose we are responsible for it...”

>You're right. This is partly my fault. And if more people get hurt...
>No. I'm not going to blame myself for Stranger's actions. We're cleaning up HIS mess, not ours.

>>2098413
>No. I'm not going to blame myself for Stranger's actions. We're cleaning up HIS mess, not ours.

>>2098413
>No. I'm not going to blame myself for Stranger's actions. We're cleaning up HIS mess, not ours.
What if Ryoji really is kill and we're in another hallucination-illusion again?

>>2098413
>You're right. This is partly my fault. And if more people get hurt...
Eeeeeeh....

>>2098413
>You're right. This is partly my fault. And if more people get hurt...
He was the one that listened to him, he also had the choice of not feeding him to fight Settan.

>>2098413
>>You're right. This is partly my fault. And if more people get hurt...
Well Kaz ended up being the crazy stabby lad when he went cray-cray. Ryoji can be that one guy who caused hundreds of deaths when he got possessed.

>>2098413
>>You're right. This is partly my fault. And if more people get hurt...
God damn Ryoji is a hardy boy

Calling for
>You're right. This is partly my fault. And if more people get hurt...

Writing now.

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>You're right. This is partly my fault. And if more people get hurt...

"They won't. We can stop him, Ryoji."

"Why do I find that hard to believe?" you mutter, as you press on through the snow.

Dammit... you can, and will, blame this on The Stranger all you like, but some of the blame lies with you. After all, none of this would have happened if you had never fed The Stranger. If you had never allowed him to possess you in the first place. And while doing that did a lot of good and saved a lot of lives... it lead to stuff like this. Stuff you need to stop before it's too late.

"We need to get to that village..." you mutter. "But... when we do, what the hell am I supposed to do to stop him."

"It's tricky... you can't tap into The Stranger's power, and we know what he did to you when you tried to fight him head on...
the least we can do is warn the people, evacuate the town. That'll at least save their lives..."

"Wait..." you mutter. "Didn't Drifter mention a military base close to here?"

"I doubt even the military will do us much good," Nina explains. "This world's military is even less equipped to deal with a demon attack than you are."

"But maybe they'll have something to help us..." you mutter. "Then again... going there could take a while, we wouldn't have time to evacuate the town after that..."

"So... which is it, Ryoji? Where are we going?"

>We need to warn the townspeople. That's the most important thing.
>We need the military. We need any help we can get.

>>2098446
>We need to warn the townspeople. That's the most important thing.

>>2098446
>We need to warn the townspeople. That's the most important thing.
We're a celebrity, people listen to celebrities.

>>2098446
>>We need to warn the townspeople. That's the most important thing.

>>2098448
As long as we don't fail the social roll and spill the beans that we freed the genocidal demons

>>2098446
>We need the military. We need any help we can get.
Even if they can't help fight the demons,
They would be better equipped to deal with an evacuation than Ryoji is.
Inb4 hey remember me I was on tv for fighting demons, ya gotta evacuate your homes!
Towns people : whats a tv?

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>>2098446
>>We need to warn the townspeople. That's the most important thing.
There's no promise we can find anything, saving lives is more important than killing him.

BUT YOU KNOW WHATS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ALL OF THAT
PART 1 OF A 3 PART SERIES
ENTITLED
DGA CHIBI COMISSIONS

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>2098446
>We need to warn the townspeople. That's the most important thing.

>>2098451
Rolling.

>>2098456
Yup we get burned in the stake, and the next day they all get killed

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>2098451
>Ryoji
>Failing social rolls
Silly anon, that's Kaz's job.

>>2098455
ooooooh

Calling for
>We need to warn the townspeople. That's the most important thing.
Writing now

>>2098455
AW YES

>>2098463
The curse spreads.

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>We need to warn the townspeople. That's the most important thing.

"Right!" Nina exclaims. "We'll make our way into the town, warn the villagers, and then... and then..."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," you explain. "Cause right now we don't even have time to think."

You push forward through the snow. At least the storm has subsided and you can even see ahead of your face... but damn it's cold.

You make your way down the base of the mountains, treading through the wintery white landscape without so much as a jacket... and with your clothes all torn. To anyone who spots you, you must look like a madman. You check your pockets... at least the ring is still safe in there. No damage came to it.

Finally, you make it to the base of the mountain, where you spot a sign on the road pressing forward.

"Welcome to Unmei! Enjoy your stay!"

"Unmei, huh?" you mutter. "Okay... let's get going."

You step into the town, and immediately attract the stares and murmuring of the townsfolk.

"What's with him? Did he come from the mountains?"

"Was he attacked by an animal? His clothes are all torn..."

"Yeah... but there's not a scratch on him. Maybe he's just crazy."

You press on, standing in the middle of town square, as you try to speak to others. "Hey, can you tell me who's in charge here-"

"Well look what we have here!"

That voice sounds oddly familiar. You don't like that.

Your head spins around as you see a group of ruffians in leather jackets. You pause for a moment, before realising you've met them before. "Hey, aren't you-"

"Looks like someone thought he could wander into town without paying the toll!" the leader smirks as he crosses his arms. "Don't you know, guy? EVERYONE pays the Mighty Mongoose!"

These guys again... weren't they halfway across the country from here last time? Damn, how often do they run off to a new town when they get their ass kicked? They don't even recognise you.

>I don't have any time for your damn tolls. Tell me who's in charge here.
>Ignore them and move on. There's nothing they can do to you, anyway.

>>2098481
>>Ignore them and move on. There's nothing they can do to you, anyway.

>>2098481
>I don't have any time for your damn tolls. Tell me who's in charge here.
Ryoji should know that Mongooses migrate in the winter

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>>2098481
>>I don't have any time for your damn tolls. Tell me who's in charge here.
>>This place is in serious danger.

WELL WELL SOME FAMILLIAR FACES
YOU KNOW WHO ELSE IS FAMILLIAR
ANOTHER ONE OF OUR LOVELY PROTAGONISTS
THE LOVELY MISS CHIBI SAKI

>>2098481
>>Ignore them and move on. There's nothing they can do to you, anyway.
Did they seriously don’t recognize us.

>>2098481
>I don't have any time for your damn tolls. Tell me who's in charge here.
Good we can all relax, the real heroes have shown up.

>>2098481
>Recruit their services in evacuating the people

Calling for
>I don't have any time for your damn tolls. Tell me who's in charge here.

Writing now.

>>2098497
I like this idea. Time for them to rise up!

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>I don't have any time for your damn tolls. Tell me who's in charge here.

"Who else would be in charge here?!" The leader asks, pointing his thumb at himself with a smile. "It's us, The Mighty-"

"Okay, but who's actually in charge here?" you ask. "The Mayor? Who is it?"

The leader shrugs. "Some guy. This is a small town, I think he walks around with a sash... wait a minute, do I know you from somewhere?"

"Yes," you reply bluntly.

"Oh, where?" he asks, before his eyes widen in horror. "Wait... wait a minute, it's you!"

"Finally it clicks with them... these people aren't the brightest, are they?"

"W-what are you doing here?!" One of the ruffians asks. "Why are your clothes all tattered?"

"This town is in serious danger," you explain. "And if you guys are done playing gangster, I could use some help."

"Danger?" the leader asks.

You nod. "Yeah... what's your name?"

"I'm the leader of the Mighty-"

"I asked your name," you repeat.

"... Yoshi," the leader admits.

"Dumb name," you reply. "Okay Yoshi, have you ever wondered what it was like to be torn into a hundred different pieces and left in the freezing cold? Because as of today, I'm someone who doesn't have to imagine that. I'd rather it didn't happen to anyone else around here."

"S-so what's coming?" Yoshi asks. "A monster."

"A demon," you reply. "I'm sure you've seen the news."

"A demon?!" Yoshi asks. "But... but if he takes over this town... where will The Mighty Mongeese reign supreme?"

You roll your eyes, but at least these idiots seem eager to help. It's a whole lot better than nothing.

"So... what are we supposed to do?" Yoshi asks.

>Go around, tell the people to evacuate. It's an emergency.
>I'm gonna need some help setting traps if we want to stop this thing.

>>2098513
>>Go around, tell the people to evacuate. It's an emergency
Yoshi
Strange he doesn't look like a gay dinosaur

>>2098513
>Go around, tell the people to evacuate. It's an emergency.
>Call the academy and inform the people about what's going to happen.

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>>2098513
>>Go around, tell the people to evacuate. It's an emergency.
You know who else is a jobber like the mongeese?
WHY ITS PROTAGONIST NUMBER 3 THE LAST IN THE LINE OF CHIBI COMISSIONS
GIVE IT UP FOR CHIBI KAAAAAAAAAZ

>>2098513
>Go around, tell the people to evacuate. It's an emergency.

>>2098513
>Go around, tell the people to evacuate. It's an emergency.
They are cool in a funny, lame way, like early Isamu.

>>2098513
>I'm gonna need some help setting traps if we want to stop this thing.
A part of me is concerned that Yoshi and crew are a bit boy who cried wolf...

Calling for
>Go around, tell the people to evacuate. It's an emergency.

Writing now.

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>Go around, tell the people to evacuate. It's an emergency.

"Running away?!" Yoshi protests. "The Mighty Mongeese don't run from anything-"

"Remember that thing I just described five seconds ago, you goddamned moron?" you ask. "About being torn apart?"

"Oh... oh yeah..." Yoshi nervously admits. "M-maybe we should run this time. Come on, let's tell the people! If they die, who'll pay the toll?"

"But boss, nobody here has paid the toll ye-"

"THEY WILL!"

The Mighty Mongeese speed off as you lets out a sigh. Hopefully they get the news to people on time.

You press on, and find the small building marked as the Mayor's office. It's humble and quaint, just like everything else in this tiny snowy village. You walk inside to see a middle-aged bespectacled man shuffling through paperwork. "Y-yes?" he asks. "I wasn't expecting a visit from... wait, who are you?"

"Look, I know this might seem strange, me barging in like this, but-"

"Wait a minute..." the mayor ponders. "Are you... Ryoji Shida?"

"Huh?"

"You are!" he smiles. "I saw you on the news!"

"Right... I suppose you are famous, after all."

"Right," you reply. "Well, if you remember the reason I'm on the news, then you'll understand why I'm here. I'll cut right to the chase. There's a demon on the loose, and he'll be attacking this village in under 20 hours. You're going to have to evacuate from here before then, or you're toast."

The mayor almost falls out of his chair upon hearing the news. "W-wha?!"

"Yeah, I know it's sudden," you reply. "But demons aren't a polite lot. They're not the kind to knock on your door and talk things out over tea."

"R-right..." The Mayor scrambles from his chair. "That is... oh dear, it's a little too exciting."

"Exciting?"

"Uhh... what do you mean exciting?"

"Terrifying!" the mayor clarifies. "But the most interesting thing to happen to us is our annual summer pumpkin contest! This has me giddy but also wetting my pants!"

... And this guy is mayor of this town.

"Just... evacuate the area," you explain. "Keep the people safe, and I'll deal with the demon. You'll be able to return to your homes soon... hopefully with minimal damage."

"Right... of course!" The mayor nods. "I'll send the word out now! Off we go!"

The Mayor gathers his belongings and speeds out the door. He had no idea how to handle that information... and you can't blame him.

"At least the people are safe..."

"Yeah, but we have to stop him here," you explain. "If he arrives and the village is empty, he'll just move onto a new one... and he won't give us time to evacuate next time. We have to end him... right here."

"Ryoji... do you honestly plan to beat him in battle yourself?"

>That's the general idea, yes.
>If we play it smart, I won't have to fight him at all.

>>2098562
>>That's the general idea, yes.
>>If nothing else he'll be slowed down by the time it takes to kick my ass

>>2098562
>If we play it smart, I won't have to fight him at all.
Stall him until reinforcements can arrive. Do we still have the magic rock?

>>2098562
>If we play it smart, I won't have to fight him at all.
>But if that doesn't work, then yeah, that's the general idea.

>>2098562
>>If we play it smart, I won't have to fight him at all.

>>2098562
>summer pumpkin contest!
In January?
>If we play it smart, I won't have to fight him at all.

Calling for
>If we play it smart, I won't have to fight him at all.

Writing now

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>If we play it smart, I won't have to fight him at all.

"And what exactly does playing it smart entail?"

"I don't know yet," you reply, as you feel your cellphone ping. Amazing it wasn't destroyed when you were cut up by The Drifter, but you suppose it was in the hand that was cleanly cut off first.

You pull it from your pocket to find a text from Saki. One she sent a while back and you only received now after a small burst of signal. A small burst of signal that is already gone... of course. Dammit.

>From: Sak
>Hey Jellybean, I saw your letter. Whatever it is, it must be important to take off so quickly. You're a real impulsive delinquent, aren't you? Anyway, I'm sure you can fill me in when you get back over a nice dinner. Just... get back safe and soon, okay? Promise me that, Ryoji.

You close your phone and let out a sigh. "I promise, Sak... okay, time to use our brains."

"Actually we only have the one brain between us."

"Whatever, time to get working on a strategy. The Drifter is coming in the morning... and I'm gonna be ready for him."

"Oh, Ryoji... you know, this is something I've always respected about you."

"What is?"

"Back when we were growing up... you used to get into a lot of fights. Now... I didn't condone that. In fact, I hated it... but one thing I could always respect was that you never backed down from a bigger opponent. When someone was bigger, stronger, and tougher than you... you wouldn't run. In fact, it only motivated you to take them down further. Of course... this always involved fighting dirty."

You laugh. "Fighting dirty is what I'm all about, Nina. And Drifter's gonna learn that the hard way."

>The next morning

You're awakened from the small amount of sleep you decided to get after formulating ideas all night with Nina by the sounds of rumbling from outside. Time to get to work, you suppose.

"Stranger, I know you're in there," the voice of The Drifter calls out to you.

You throw on a spare jacket in the mayor's office and step outside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oznTD-Jrsms

"Only you?" The Drifter asks, as you see he's already torn into the walls of other buildings. Must have been suspicious with the lack of people on the streets.

>Only me. You got a problem with that.
>Nah, they're around, you just must not be looking hard enough.
>Why ask about the humans? Focus on the real threat in front of you.

>>2098623
>>Nah, they're around, you just must not be looking hard enough.
Bluff as hard as you can

>>2098623
>>Only me. You got a problem with that.

>>2098623
>Only me. You got a problem with that?
>Why ask about the humans? Focus on the real threat in front of you.

I'm kinda conflicted. But this works for me.

>>2098623
>Nah, they're around, you just must not be looking hard enough.
Engage poker face.

>>2098623
>>Why ask about the humans? Focus on the real threat in front of you.
TIME TO BE
THE
ULTIMATE
DELINQUENT

>>2098623
>Why ask about the humans? Focus on the real threat in front of you.
>>2098575
Don't you have summers in January anon?

Calling for
>Why ask about the humans? Focus on the real threat in front of you.

Writing now.

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>Why ask about the humans? Focus on the real threat in front of you.

"Threat?" Drifter asks. "You must be mistaken. There is no threat to me. Not even you, Stranger. Unlike you, I chose not to burden and weaken myself with a human host."

"The Stranger isn't a threat to you, but I sure as hell am," you fire back. "Pay attention to me. Ryoji Shida."

"No."

The Drifter looks around, surveying his surroundings. "I see... you encouraged the people to run. It seems my respect for you was... misjudged. I thought your attempts at violence belayed a bravery within you, but if you do not encourage others to fight then your actions were simply out of pride. A vanity, a quest for glory. How very like you, Stranger. If all from this world are like that, then I do not care much for ruling over it."

"So you'll piss off back to the Darkworld?"

"No... this world is better off razed."

"Figured," you reply. "Wishful thinking."

Drifter tilts his head. "Do you expect to stop me?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"Very well," Drifter announces as he draws his sword. "Then I shall cut you down with great efficiency. Let us begin."

Straight and to the point, you kinda admire that. It's just like his name suggests, he's always moving forward.

You think over your options. You don't have to beat him in a one-on-one contest. You can't do that. You can't tap into Stranger's powers while he isn't here, and the power stone is yet to charge back up after Saki used it at New Years. Instead, if your plan works out, all you'll have to do is catch him. Much, much easier said than done...

>Charge towards him to tackle him
>Lure him over to you with your words
>Keep him at bay and annoyed for the time being with firework fire

>>2098669
>Lure him over to you with your words
>Keep him at bay and annoyed for the time being with firework fire
Welp, this is where we get dangerous!

>>2098669
>Keep him at bay and annoyed for the time being with firework fire

>>2098669
>>Keep him at bay and annoyed for the time being with firework fire
PISS HIM OFF

>>2098669
>>Keep him at bay and annoyed for the time being with firework fire
Be annoying? ya we got this

>>2098669
>Keep him at bay and annoyed for the time being with firework fire

Calling for
>Keep him at bay and annoyed for the time being with firework fire

ROLL 1D100, BO3

>>2098669
>>Lure him over to you with your words

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>2098681
PEW! PEW! POP! POP!

Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>2098681
Too late to vote, not that it would have made any difference.

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>2098681

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>2098681
IVE GOT THIS WITH THE POWER OF ART

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>2098681

>>2098687
Cleric having a nice roll? What kind of bizarro /qst/ is this.

>>2098685
>>2098686
>>2098687
Such Crescendo!

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>90

You summon your gauntlet and quickly get to work firing away at The Drifter, the fireworks exploding as they make contact with his shiny metal body. He stares at you, clearly unimpressed by your offence.

"What is this? Is this intended to mock me?" he asks, but you continue to fire away.

Another firework blast explodes in The Drifter's face. "Stop that."

You keep firing, of course.

"You are making a mockery of this battle," The Drifter responds. "You-"

Another blast, as the fragments of the firework, little embers fall in through the cracks of Drifter's armour... causing the insides to smoke and spark.

"What... what is this?" The Drifter asks.

You smirk. Just as you thought. Stupid demon... he didn't want a human host and rushed right into a machine body... a prototype machine body. He's not finished... and he's opened up a whole lot of weaknesses as a result. Most of all...

Drifter moves forward, charging towards you with his blade... but the sparking within him is slowing his movements. He's still fast, but now you can see and even react to his movements. You move back, as Drifter keeps swinging forward... before eventually lunging his blade straight through the mounted gauntlet, ripping it in half.

"Dammit, a friend made that for me..." you mutter. Luckily, Drifter also lunged his blade right where you wanted him to... piercing a nearby oil tanker, which gushes out like a fountain, coating the two of you within the black substance.

"You're attempting to make a fool of me, Stranger."

"Not Stranger. Ryoji," you remind him. "And not attempting. Succeeding."

You move out of the way before Drifter slices your head clean off... and he comes pretty close too. You need to be careful. You need to catch him before he can do something that puts you out of action. If he takes you down, he'll go after the civilians. Still, your plan is now half complete... now for the hard part.

>Tackle Drifter and pin him down
>Lure Drifter into the trap you've set

>>2098724
>Lure Drifter into the trap you've set
OFF SCREEN PLANNING IS HERE TO SAVE THE DAY

>>2098724
>Lure Drifter into the trap you've set
RIP Gauntlet 1.0

BRING ON GAUNTLET 2.0!

>>2098724
>>Lure Drifter into the trap you've set
No
Ryoji
Your plan isn't setting yourself on fire is it you fucking mad man.

>>2098724
>>Lure Drifter into the trap you've set

>>2098724
>Lure Drifter into the trap you've set
Why would anyone vote for the other choice.

>>2098724
>Lure Drifter into the trap you've set
NAT 1 INCOMING

Calling for
>Lure Drifter into the trap you've set

ROLL 1D100, BO3

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>2098745

Rolled 31 (1d100)

>>2098745

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>2098745
yikes....

>>2098724
>>Lure Drifter into the trap you've set

>trying to out-keikaku a mastet delinquent

and thats where you're wrong bub

File: The Drifter07.jpg (351 KB, 900x700)

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>91

"I'm impressed you managed to make it this far, Stranger." The Drifter shakes his sword free from the oil. "Before, this battle was over within a second. It seems you learn from your past mistakes."

"That and then some," you respond. "I'm a hell of a lot smarter than I look. In fact, you've had no chance in this battle."

"Is that so?" Drifter asks. "Then perhaps I should end this already."

Drifter charges forward, his blade in hand, and drives it deep into your heart. He connects, the blade slicing right through your heart, as you cry out in pain.

Of course, you hoped he's do that.

You wrap your arms around The Drifter, with his blade still rammed through you.

"What... what are you doing?" Drifter asks, as he struggles to break free. You hold on as tight as you can before calling out.

"NOW!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykBXhPs0VIw

Yoshi and the rest of the Mighty Mongeese get their cue, as they release the ropes as the container above lands atop the both of you, trapping you inside like an open box falling atop a small animal. This is the holding container the town was saving for the pumpkin contest, but you're sure they can find a replacement later in the year. For this, you don't want to raze the town to the ground.

Drifter continues to struggle. "I see... you think you have me trapped. I can escape with time. Is this all you had planned? Pathetic."

"Heh... that's right," you chuckle, as you light up a cigarette. "You idiots don't know what oil is."

File: Ryo_Gif07.gif (630 KB, 500x281)

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You drop the cigarette onto the oil stained ground beneath you, the same oil the both of you are covered in. The guy may be made of metal... but everything has a melting point. Everything except you that is. The Drifter... he's bigger than you, stronger than you, faster than you... a god, right? Well... you can survive.

"W-what is happening?!" The Drifter demands as he's covered in flame. "I... it's hot... why..."

"Burns like a bitch, doesn't it?" you smirk.

"Ryoji... this is insane. You're burning yourself alive."

"As long as it works."

The Drifter's head moves on a swivel, panicking and trying to find a way out. He didn't expect this, he went into the battle blind... and that was the worst mistake among many he made.

"How could you... how could you get the better of me?" he asks.

"Simple, I'm not a dumbass, and you are," you reply. "You thought you could just rush in, not bother to find a real body, and start conquering? Nah... we humans are a lot tougher than you think."

"I... who are you?" Drifter demands to know.

"Ah, now you're paying attention?" you asks. "Well listen up, but you're only going to hear this one more time. I'm Ryoji Shida, the Master Delinquent... and I'm the guy who's going to clean up my mess, and kill every single last one of you sons of bitches."

"No... I am an Archdemon. A... a god-"

"You aren't a damn thing to me."

With that, the two of you are engulfed in the flames, the heat rising more and more. It's painful, it's excrutiating, and the fire rages for so long. Your only solace is that with how much it hurts, it's destroying The Drifter. By the time the fire fades, the hunk of metal is nothing but a puddle, one that eventually turns to black dust and fades away, just as all demons do when they're killed.

One down, ten to go.

"I can't believe that actually worked... we did it, and so quickly..."

>We got beyond lucky. He made a ton of mistakes. The rest won't be so naive... or even close to as easy.
>Come on, Nina. Since when did you start doubting me?
>I can't believe it either... but it did. Now... let's go home.

>>2098817
>>Come on, Nina. Since when did you start doubting me?
FUCKING YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

>>2098817
>>Come on, Nina. Since when did you start doubting me?

>>2098817
>>Come on, Nina. Since when did you start doubting me?

>>2098817
>>We got beyond lucky. He made a ton of mistakes. The rest won't be so naive... or even close to as easy.
I really hope this is true, this guy was stupidly weak and easy.

File: LaughterInsues.jpg (75 KB, 468x701)

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>>2098817
>Come on, Nina. Since when did you start doubting me?
>I can't believe it either... but it did. Now... let's go home.
>The rest won't be so naive... or even close to as easy.


The Mighty Mongoose with the save?

>>2098817
>Come on, Nina. Since when did you start doubting me?
I can't believe that Ryoji's new thing will be strapping TNT to his chest and running towards enemies.

>>2098824
Every arc has to have a prologue boss, anon.

>>2098817
>>2098825
Pretty much this. We exploited his ego to the nth degree.

Calling for
>Come on, Nina. Since when did you start doubting me?

Writing now.

>>2098817
>Come on, Nina. Since when did you start doubting me?
>I can't believe it either... but it did. Now... let's go home.
>The rest won't be so naive... or even close to as easy.

File: Nina19.jpg (1.05 MB, 1024x1280)

1.05 MB JPG

>Come on, Nina. Since when did you start doubting me?

"Don't start acting cocky, Ryoji."

You smirk. "Oh come on, is there a better time for me to act cocky than after kicking a demon god's ass?"

"Well, you could at least wait to put on some clothes."

What? Oh... right. That fire sure did a number to your clothing. Gonna start to feel real chilly soon...

"Doesn't matter. We did it."

"Yeah... times like this, I wish I could hug you, Ryoji. Well... I wish I could celebrate at all."

"Don't worry, when i get back to Dakugeto I'll drink enough for the both of-"

"Out of the question. Saki would never allow it and neither will I."

"Heh, just teasing..." you remark.

You grab a spare pair of clothes from the Mighty Mongoose and give them your thanks. They may be a bunch of idiots, but they actually helped a great deal. Still, you hope you never end up having to deal with them again.

You left your phone and the ring on the desk in the mayor's office as you didn't want them to get burned up. You grab them and make your way to the road out of the village. People begin pooling back into the tiny village, as the mayor places a hand on your shoulder.

"It's... It's safe?"

"Yeah," you nod. "It's safe."

"Wonderful!" he exclaims. "Well, we have to honour our hero! How about you stay for a feast of pumpkin pie?"

>Uhh... sure, I suppose I have time for a little celebration.
>Thanks, but I really should get going. Important business to attend to.

>>2098892
>>Uhh... sure, I suppose I have time for a little celebration.

>>2098892
>>Thanks, but I really should get going. Important business to attend to.
>>Theres someone I have to see again

>>2098892
>>Thanks, but I really should get going. Important business to attend to.
There is SakButt to be Groped!

>>2098892
>Uhh... sure, I suppose I have time for a little celebration.
Aren't we naked right now? That fire murderised the archdemon, so it would have definitely destroyed anything that we were wearing.

>>2098892
>Thanks, but I really should get going. Important business to attend to.

Arrive.

Kill Demons.

Leave.

That's how we roll.

>>2098903
Shouldn't we be*

>>2098892
>>Uhh... sure, I suppose I have time for a little celebration.

>>2098903
>You grab a spare pair of clothes from the Mighty Mongoose
Why are you speed reading a quest of all things?

>>2098903
>Aren't we naked right now? That fire murderised the archdemon, so it would have definitely destroyed anything that we were wearing.
>>2098892
>>You grab a spare pair of clothes from the Mighty Mongoose and give them your thanks.

>>2098892
>Thanks, but I really should get going. Important business to attend to.
>Theres someone I have to see again
>But you know what? I'll take a pie with me to go! Thank you!

>>2098925
>>2098901
I'll add this
>But you know what? I'll take a pie with me to go! Thank you!
PIIIIIIEEEEEEE!

Calling for
>Thanks, but I really should get going. Important business to attend to.

Writing now.

File: Saki03.png (1.45 MB, 1050x1485)

1.45 MB PNG

>Thanks, but I really should get going. Important business to attend to.

"Well, I insist that you at least take some pie with you," the mayor suggests. "Maybe share some with that lady of yours! You two looked so great on the news!"

You can happily concede to that much, at least. You take a piece of pie, thank the villagers for their kindness, wish the dim-witted mayor luck on running the place, then get going. A long hike to the nearest train station then a train ride back to the academy will take a while, but it'll give a nice break to just sit down and close your eyes.

"Ten more..."

"Yeah..." you mutter. "And judging by Drifter's comments, they've all got different ideas on how to go about this supposed race."

"Different ideas on how to control the world... what do you think they are?"

You shrug, nestling deeper into the train seat. "Who knows? What does anyone consider ruling the world? Controlling the army? The media? Politics? Fame?"

"Do you expect us to see demons trying to get famous?" Nina laughs.

"Maybe? When all else fails, they might think outside the box... and all else will fail. Because we're gonna stop them."

"All of us. Together."

By the time you arrive back in Dakugeto, it's the late afternoon... meaning you missed every single class of the day, which puts a smile to your face. You saunter up past the school gates, making your way to the courtyard... when who should you see but a certain brown-haired shrimpy girl with her arms folded, passionately debating the school rules with some red-haired guy... a new teacher?

You clear your throat to grab her attention, as she spins around to meet you.

"Hey Sak," you smirk. "Did I keep you waiting?"

File: Keiji01.jpg (456 KB, 850x850)

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It's not long before you're tackled by an affectionate Saki, who lays into you with quick kisses all over your face.

"You... you rotten delinquent!" she huffs. "You didn't so much as call!"

"I would if I could," you admit. "Guess I had you pretty worried, huh?"

Saki shakes her head. "No... I knew you would stay safe... but that look on your face tells me what you found isn't so pleasant."

You chuckle. "You can read me that well, huh?"

"It's nice to finally meet you, Ryoji..." the red-haired man speaks as he approaches. "I hope I'm not interrupting an intimate-"

"Piss off fire-crotch, this is an intimate moment," you fire at him. "Sak, who's this guy?"

"Is that... senpai?"

Senpai?

The red-haired guy lets out a chuckle. "I forgive you for not knowing. I did graduate before you arrived. My name is Keiji Ki, a graduate of this academy... and I'm here to help you in your quest against the Archdemons. To kill all of them, remove them from existence. Including your own."

"Is that a threat?"

"Anything but," Keiji smirks. "I'm sure you've wanted that demon expelled from you for a long time now, yes? Well... I believe that there is a safe way to do it. One that won't kill you, or leave you taking pills your whole life."

"Pills?" you raise an eyebrow. "So you know about the-"

"I know about a lot of things," Keiji smirks. "We should talk in private sometime. For now... enjoy your pumpkin pie."

And he knew it was pumpkin? Well... this Keiji guy immediately has your attention.

Of course, that means you don't trust him a damn bit. But that's just you.

END OF EPISODE 5

>>2099022
god keiji is so fucking evil

>>2099022
>He knew that it was pumpkin pie
Well he's Kaiya's big brother so maybe he has better prophecy skills than her. Maybe he read a line somewhere in a book that foretold the Stranger eating the Pie of Kin's pumps.

File: Ryo12.jpg (134 KB, 1024x768)

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>Ending Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZLEXj52lcc

>Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Dark%20Gate%20Academy

>Twitter
https://twitter.com/bookerman32

>Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/BookerMan

>Discord
https://discord.gg/yz7sDra

Thanks for playing folks! New thread sometime in the next week, with bonus scenes on the way, so keep an eye on this thread tonight and tomorrow! Also, we're now officially into the first arc of S3! Hooray!

>Player Question
With the Archdemon race to be underway, what methods of world domination to you expect to see?

>>2099061
Well obviously there's at least one that went through fame COUGH DOMINATRIX MODEL BITCH COUGH

>>2099061
There is KT and Chihiro's mew ,emtpr
And of course the unnanounced Akemi's rival that will try to conquer the world with her Dark Bakery powers.

>>2099061
Thanks For Running Booker

>With the Archdemon race to be underway, what methods of world domination to you expect to see?
Acquiring a host that can infiltrate the Academy and fuck everyone over from the inside

>>2099069
Chihiro's New mentor*

>>2099061
We clearly need a patriotic archdemon who shouts every word and forces the world to submit due to their sheer charisma.

Also, I was informed via Discord that the chibi art commissions posted in thread were carried out by The Ivory Shield on deviantart, so if you liked the chibi stuff you can see more over there.

https://theivoryshield.deviantart.com/

I don't know if this counts as shilling or just giving credit but whatever.

File: Saki11.jpg (833 KB, 849x1200)

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>Bonus Scene

"Well, this is kind of an impromptu picnic..."

You and Saki sit cross-legged on the floor of your dorm, a blanket laid down beneath the two of you as you reveal your gift from the villagers of Unmei... a nice, tasty looking meal of Pumpkin Pie.

"Huh, a pie..." Saki smiles. "Rolling into town, saving them from a dastardly villain, and being baked a pie for your troubles... sounds like something out of an American Western."

"Don't let Maro hear that," you joke. "He'll get jealous."

Saki chuckles as she looks down at the pie, before turning back to you. "I can't believe you were able to beat that thing by yourself..."

"Not by myself," you reply. "I had Nina... and the Mongeese."

"Mongeese?"

"Long story," you reply. "Either way... we got lucky. A lot. The other's aren't going to make any of the same mistakes The Drifter did."

"Right..." Saki mutters, a concerned look on her face. Dammit, you're not supposed to be worrying her at a time like this. She's stressed enough already, all you want to do right now is have a meal with the person who means most to you.

You place your hand on Saki's, and she looks up at you. "Sorry," she smiles. "I shouldn't be worrying right now. Nothing I can really do right now... I should just enjoy this moment, a rare break from work."

"It's not just a break," you reply. "It's my apology for ditching for a few days without warning."

Saki shakes her head. "No need to apologise. Sure, I really want to poke you in the chest and yell at you and lecture you about attendance... but you did make a breakthrough discovery about our current situation. I suppose that makes it even."

"I don't give a damn about ditching class," you reply, eliciting a gasp of horror from Saki. "I care about ditching you, Sak."

"You don't need to worry about me," Saki laughs. "Believe it or not, I can handle myself fine while you're off."

You chuckle. "Oh come on, Sak. Where would you be without me, your expert tactician?"

"And where would you be without me carrying you around?"

"Hey, I beat a demon yesterday by myself."

"And I'm very proud of you Jellybean," Saki smirks, placing a hand on your cheek. "You and your mongoose friends."

Damn, she's getting even better with her retorts. You've rubbed off on her well.

The two of you share a laugh, as you reach into your pocket and feel the ring case inside. "Hey Saki, I..."

"Yes?"

"I... think we should tuck in before this pumpkin pie gets cold."

Saki smiles and nods. "Alright! Let's do it!"

The two of you each pull out a slice of the pie, the crusty flakes falling onto the blanket as you place them on your respective plates. You look to each-other, give a knowing nod, and dig in at the same time.

Wow... not at all what you expected. For one, you expected something that was god damn edible.

You see Saki's face strain, her expression attempting to hide her disgust out of politeness. "Oh... that's a very... interesting taste..."

"It's terrible."

File: Akemi_gif06.gif (1.86 MB, 480x270)

1.86 MB GIF

"Right?!" Saki exclaims, spinning her head to face you in agreement. "I mean, it was incredibly lovely of them to make it, but I guess it's not their strong suit-"

"They hold a pumpkin festival every summer," you explain.

"WHAT?!"

"Granted, it's January..." you mutter. "Maybe the pumpkins weren't ready yet?"

You hear Nina trying to hold back her own disgust within your head.

"I'd like to point out that I never consented to tasting this poison..."

It's so bad... you'd rather have Saki's cooking. You don't say as much out loud though, you don't want to encourage Saki's attempts at a pumpkin pie.

"Gosh... Oh well, it's the thought that counts, right?" Saki laughs nervously.

Before either of you can continue, the door to your dorm bursts open, as a very familiar figure comes leaping into the room, tackling you with a lazer-focused hug.

"RYOJI!" Akemi yells, squeezing the life out of you through her own personal brand of affection. "YOU'RE BACK!"

"Sure am," you reply, though Akemi's scatterbrained attention is soon caught by something else.

"Oh, Pumpkin Pie!" she exclaims, before moving to take a bite.

"Wait Akemi, you don't want to-" Saki tries to warn her, but it's too late. Akemi already scarfs down a full slice of the pie. She pauses for a moment, pondering the taste, before beaming happily and throwing a thumbs up.

"Needs work!" she cheerfully announces.

Wow... so even Akemi didn't like it.

You raise your eyebrow as you notice something on Akemi's face. "Hey Akemi, what's with the band aid on your forehead?"

Akemi touches it briefly and laughs. "Oh, that's from training!"

"Training?" you ask.

"We've all been training super duper hard!" Akemi explains, as she begins making karate poses. "We're all going to be ready to kick those demons in their funny looking butts! Hiyah!"

You lean back. "I leave for five minutes and you all decide to start working? Damn, maybe I was holding Sak back as leader."

Saki beams proudly. "Oh, it wasn't all me... the guys are just so motivated. This is our last semester before becoming seniors after all... which reminds me..."

"What?"

Saki grins devilishly as she pokes you in the chest. "You've been slacking off, mister! For a school ditching delinquent like you, it seems I'm going to up the intensity of your training regimen!"

"My what now?"

"You've gotta put in the same work as the rest of us!" Saki exclaims. "How else are you supposed to catch up with the rest of the class?"

"Hang on... this is your revenge for me leaving, isn't it?"

Saki's winning grin answers that question. Dammit... well, you suppose this is what you get. A long, arduous training session with the rigid, no-fun goody two-shoes of a class leader. Wait... that's not what you meant to say.

What you meant to say was a long, arduous training session with your future wife.

END OF SCENE