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https://youtu.be/hgjg3nNLt30

“Mm…” You groan, the back of your head hurts.

Really hurts.

“Whoa, so he’s really dead huh?” The voice of a woman. The same damnably familiar one.

It makes you crack your eyes open ever so slightly, your vision is shotty and eyelids are so very heavy.

Your eyes crack open ever so slightly. In your vision you can barely make out two pairs of feet, one is wearing black women's dress shoes and the other has on dark combat boots.

“Are you saddened by his departure?" The man in the combat boot opens his mouth, his voice sounds modulated, he must be wearing some sort of voice changer.

"Why would you think that?" The woman asks.

"You were one his comrades were you not?” he asks.

(What’s going on…? Who are they talking about…?) Your brain is scattered, your confusion heavy, but a quick glance to the side and you see Landon’s head hanging to the side as he sits perfectly still in the chair next to you.

It comes back to you then, (Right, I just got back and Landon was…Landon is…) It hurts to think about, in more ways than one.

(They must be talking about him then, were these guys…the ones that killed him…?) You wonder, listening more intently now to their conversation.

The woman cackles, “Comrades? Oh that's funny. No, me and him weren't comrades, I couldn't care less about a piece of dogshit like him, honestly kind of glad he's gone.”

“Do you have nothing good to say about him? No attachment, even after all the times he’s helped you?” The man asks.

She ponders for a moment, “I guess he had a pretty good cock, that was nice. But I can always find another”

“Fucking gutter woman…” The man laments.

(From the way they’re talking, it seems not…then did they have something to do with it…?) You attempt to move your body, you fail to even flinch, (Shit, just how hard did that bitch hit me, I can’t fucking move…) If you could, you might be able to surprise them, capture them and then interrogate them.

“Anyway, enough about him, did everything go smoothly on your end?” She asks.

“For the most part, a single woman got away…”

“One got away? And you didn’t hunt down and kill her?” She asks.

“The primary targets were successfully eliminated.” He counters.

“Yes but what if that runaway leaks info? This is supposed to be a top-secret operation, did you forget?” She argues.

He scoffs, “I chose to let her live. Unlike the rest, she’s mostly uninformed. She won’t say anything untoward to anyone, what she will do is help us push our message.”

“Push our mess-Oh! Ohhhhh…” You can hear the smile spread across her face, “You know, you’re more devious than I give you credit for…”

“Compliments from you are no different than insults.” He counters

She laughs, “Learn to take a little love handsome.”

“Love? Do you even know what such a thing is?” he asks her.

“No. I don’t.” She laughs again.

(Plan? Assassination? Message?) The more you listen the more confused you get, (Just who are these freaks and what the fuck is all of this?) You wonder.

The man sighs, “No matter, with this, the plan is now fully in motion, no one can stop it, we’ve just sent Ochima right back into hell.” The man declares.

“Yep, it will be a miracle if we have a country left after all this is over, does dooming your home make you feel good, Raguel?” She questions.

(Hm? A name?) You commit that name to memory.

“I am not destroying my home, I'm curing. Purging it of it's evils and sins so that after all is done the New Ochima will be a farrier, more just place.” The man counters.

“Is that what you tell yourself to make you feel better or something? Come on, we both know that’s not what the real aim of this operation is or did you forget who’s directing this whole thing?” The woman argues.

(Just who are these guys working for-) Your head throbs, there’s a ringing in your ears as if you’ve been struck by tinnitus, everything goes blurry and dark for a moment.

(Huh…Huh?) When your senses return, the man and woman have moved, the woman sits on your couch, directly to the left of you, you can only see her legs and skirt from this angle but you manage to discern she’s wearing a maid’s uniform.

(A maid…So we were infiltrated by someone and she disguised herself as a maid…) You realize, (But who is she…? I feel like I know her…and I definitely know this voice but…god damnit, I can’t place it…) You struggle to keep a straight enough head to stay conscious as is, you can’t place fine details at the moment.

You look for the man, you don’t look long, he’s standing in the exact same position as before but by the angle of his feet, you can tell now he’s looking directly at you.

You feel his gaze, it’s heavy like a boulder on your back, “-Are you sure you should leave blondie here alive? You have the perfect chance to kill him right now.” The woman questions.

“It was my partner’s final wish that he be spared, so he won’t die here.” The man counters.

“You made a promise with Dantalion? Over what? Protecting this nobody?” The woman asks.

“For now, yes.” he denies.

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The woman groans, “First the weirdo chose here of all places to die and now he wants us to save his stupid friends too? I swear, I can never tell what the hell this guy wants.”

“The reasoning behind his machinations is not my concern, I’m only concerned with making sure my promise is kept.” he explains.

“Yeah, you aren’t the type to questions orders after all, no matter who they’re from.” She chuckles, “So what, you’re just going to be covering his ass from the shadows or something? Be his guardian angel?”

“I’m no guardian and and I am the furthest thing from an angel. I will not be his protector, my only goal is to ensure he lives long enough to escape this place, after that, I have no more interest in his life.” He explains.

“Can he escape? Pretty sure he’s too deep in at this point, he’s basically the Cadaver Prince’s lackey at this point.” She counters.

“Even so, if he is fast enough. He can still flee from the country, free himself from the worst of it” The man argues.

“Oh look at the hero being heroic! You’re so cool!” She admires.

He clicks his tongue at her, “But if he chooses not to run-” He steps forward, getting close enough to stand over you.

He wrestles his boot under your chin and with shocking deftness pushes your head upward in such a way that it lays you flat on your back.

“-Then my promise is made void. There will be no saving him, he will die like all the rest.” You can see his upper body now from this position, he’s wearing a full-body black and green cloak that covers everything up to his head and on his face is a mask.

White and sharp, with a long smile etched from corner to corner, a purple lighting bolt on the left side and a long crack running down the right side.

(The cracked mask killer.) You realize, you see the long black knife holstered to his left thigh.

All at once you’re reminded how vulnerable you are. On your back, unable to get up or defend yourself, a known serial killer standing over you with a knife, your heart beats heavy with fear.

“Hey, look at his eyes, isn’t he awake?” the woman, whose upper body unfortunately still out of view, notes.

(Shit.) The sudden shift must have made your eyes move a little too much, you shut your eyes completely in a desperate attempt to appear unconscious.

“Hm? What do you mean? His eyes are shut.” Says the cracked mask, somehow falling for your obvious ploy.

“No. I swear I saw his eyes open a moment ago. If he heard us talking or even saw either of us here, promises be damned we’ll have to kill him.” The woman reasons.

(Shit. Shit.) You’re in it deep, way too fucking deep.

“You’re right, assuming he was awake for this talk. I would have to slit his throat right here.” he admits.

“Yeah, so do it.” She commands.

“That’s assuming you aren’t seeing things.” He counters.

“No. I’m damn sure I saw his eyes move, he’s awake.” She argues.

(Shit. Shit. Shit.) This is possibly the worst situation you’ve been in, you have no way to defend yourself, no one is coming to check on you, everyone is either out partying or already in bed.

“I can’t just take your word for it.” He counters.

“Then check, I’m sure if you kick him or shake him a little he’ll respond.” She suggests.

“And risk him actually waking up? Are you a fool?” He asks.

“What would I have to show you to prove I saw his eyes move? A fucking photograph? Believe me!” She demands.

“People’s eyes move in their sleep all the time, some people even sleep with their eyes open at times. Some eye movement means nothing.” He argues.

“Damn, you really don’t want to kill this idiot huh…well you make a fair point. It could just be that he was blinking in his sleep or something.” She agrees.

“Precisely, I won’t kill a man over your wild accusations, Samael.” He states.

(Oh shit…Oh thank god…) You don’t know how, but it appears they’re convinced you weren’t awake, you’re safe again.

“Anyway, it’s about time we leave. Any longer and the guards might figure out where we are.” Raguel suggests.

“Fine, fine. You get away this time, blonde boy, I was looking forward to dicing up your pretty little corpse too…” She sighs as you hear her get up and walk over you.

“Sick woman, I knew you were trying to get me to kill him to satisfy your sick fetishes.” Cracked scolds.

She laughs, “Can you blame a girl for trying? Look at him, all vulnerable and cute like that…Oh the things I would cut and peel if you weren’t in my way…”

“Scum.” Raguel says, you echo his sentiment.

She laughs, “Come on, you grump. We’re leaving.” She stands up, you hear footsteps go for the door.

“You can go on ahead.” He allows.

“Huh? Why?” She asks.

“I wish to say my goodbyes to my partner in private.” He answers.

She gags, “What? You seriously liked him that much? I thought you were supposed to be the cold-hearted type or something…”

“On the contrary, I’m actually very sensitive and quite empathetic, the complete opposite of you it seems.” He counters.

“Ugh, whatever, just make it quick.” She opens your door and closes it behind her before heading down the hallway.

Then for a moment, things are silent, (Well…I guess I’m grateful crazy woman is gone…But why the fuck did the serial killer stay?)

You hear heavy footsteps grow closer and closer, until you hear a boot land right next to your ear.

“Hey. Open your eyes, let’s speak” he calls out to you.

(What?) You flinch.

“You needn’t panic, I know you heard the part of our conversation where I said I wasn’t going to kill you.” He counters.

What will you do?

>Respond

>Keep playing dead

>>5572622
>Respond
YEAAAAAH BOIIIII NEW THREAD
Seems like I'm the first one to arrive, again. No worries, I'll make sure Derrick is safe enough till others arrive.

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>>5572680
Can always count on the real ones to show up first.

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I do want to see if anyone else files in, 30 more minutes before I close the vote.

>>5572718
They'll be here, don't worry.

https://youtu.be/htvMlQgvDmY

“Do you seriously expect me to trust a serial killer telling me I’m not going to kill you, it’s alright?”. You give him a suspicious glance

“And yet you answered anyway.” He notes.

You sigh, “Because I’m sure you’ve known for a while I was awake and if you haven’t killed me yet, I can bet on the fact that you won’t kill me now.“

“A good bet to make. I simply wish to speak.” he inches closer.

“You want to talk to me? What about?” You try your best to sound composed despite your lingering worry.

“First, take this.” He reaches into a pocket in his cloak and pulls from it a strange metallic object and shows it to you, after a moment you recognize it.

(The interfacing device from the Exam?) You realize, looking at its futuristic sheen, though it lacks much of the luster now and it seems to be out of power.

“Here. This is a gift from my recently departed partner." he slips the device into your coat pocket.

"What is-"

"Do not ask me what it is for. I do not know. I did not care to ask, I was only told to give it to you.” He cuts you off.

“By Partner, do you mean Landon?” You ask.

“I’ll let you draw your own conclusions on who I mean.” He answers.

“Now, I would like to hear your intentions.” He states.

“My…intentions?” You ask.

“You heard me earlier, I promised I’d protect you so long as you stay a bystander and flee. I’m asking if that is what you intend to do.” he questions.

“A promise to who? Landon? How do you know him and why would he-”

Grasp!

“Gah-” He puts a hand over your throat and squeezes down on you with monstrous force, for a moment you fear he will break your neck.

“You ask too many questions.” He scolds.

“Ah-! Gah-!” You gasp out before he loosens his grip on your neck, “Hah-! Hah-” You struggle for air.

“Don't try and interrogate me for information. You are in no position to speak, the only reason you still draw breath is because I'm letting you." He threatens.

"Grgh-" You glare at him.

"Now answer me." he frees your throat.

"Hah-!" You cough and take deep breaths.

"What are your intentions?" He asks again.

“...” You go quiet and stare at him.

“I will tell you this now, you are out of your league and out of place. Soon this place will turn into a hell so terrible that those who don’t die in it will surely go mad from it.” he warns.

“This is your chance to run, I’d suggest you take it.” He declares.

What will you say?

>...

>I’m not running.

>>5572771
>I’m not running.
YOOOOOOOOOOO
Welcome back

>>5572771
>I’m not running.

>>5572781
>>5572819

>Not running, not today, not ever.

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“...” You quietly grit your teeth, worry running through your every vein, fear seeping in, as you lock eyes with this monster, you can feel every hair on your head standing up. You feel as if you’re eyeing death himself.

You would be right to run. The rules of nature dictate that the outclassed run when faced with an impossible challenge and you would do well to obey them.

But even so.

“Well?” He hurries.

“I’m not running.” You declare.

“...” You can’t tell what he’s thinking or feeling behind the mask, but you get the feeling he’s not all that shocked.

“This isn’t about saving my own ass. It’s about helping someone dear to me, about keeping a promise I made…” You list off.

“And now, it’s about making fuckers like you and all those like you face justice for what you’ve done.” You declare.

“Face…Justice?” Those words seem to pique his interest.

“I don’t know what the hell you people have planned for this country, for me or for my friends but you can goddamn bet I’m going to be right there, ready to stop you! Don’t forget that, I’m not running!” You declare.

“...Ha…Haha...” he responds with a slight chuckle.

"What's so funny?" You ask.

"You reminded me of someone. A man I used to know." He answers.

He looks up to the roof, "He was brave, whole-hearted and strove to do right by others and no matter what he had to stand up to injustice even if the odds seemed hopeless."

"Sounds like a great guy, what happened to him?" You ask.

"He died." He answers.

He looks back down at you, "And so will you it seems." He grows closely.

Fear runs through you, "S-So you're going to kill me after-all?"

"No. Not yet." he answers as stands over you.

"You speak with such confidence because you are still ignorant. You still don't understand how deep the abyss you challenge runs." he explains.

"But you will soon. And when you do, I suggest you take my advice and run." he advises.

“Or what?” You ask.

“Or you’d be a fool.” He answers, raising his foot in the air.

“A Damned Fool, just like the rest of us.” His foot drops.

Then the world goes dark.

The world once again turns pitch black.

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https://youtu.be/izn7s7ENNUo

When you open your eyes next, You find yourself at a crossroads, an intersection of grayness and stillness.

The paths of the intersection are infinite and span in all directions, separated only by strange, incomprehensible geometric shapes that resemble office buildings.

Above you, concrete debris floats against gravity and around you colorless cars drive past with opaque windshields. The cars go down the many intersecting roads, only to fade into the gray nothingness.

“The Fissure between dreams…” You realize as you look around the dead landscape.

“Right you are dear~” A cheery voice calls from behind you.

You turn around and a few feet away from you is Lucy, her beautiful face highlighted by her endearing smile and yet ruined by the total emptiness in her eyes.

“Lucy…” Looking at her always gives you this bizarre feeling, one between captivation and repulsion.

“Specifically we’re in the Sea of the unconscious again, I’ve somewhat made this place my home, since it seems to be the only place that worm Genesis won’t follow and harass me in.” She states.

“You two are still fighting?” You ask.

“I don’t think we will ever stop fighting dear. It’s in our nature.” She answers.

You shrug, you don’t get what she means but you don’t care enough to ask right now, your concerns lie elsewhere.

“Take me back, wake me up.” You order.

“Hm? Why?” She asks.

“I need to investigate the scene. I can’t let this chance slip away.” You answer.

“The scene isn’t going anywhere dear, trust me. You don’t need to wake up now, it’s dangerous.” She counters.

You feel a pulse of rage, “Danger be damned, hell I’m half hoping I get to run into those two again so I can ask them personally what the hell happened.”

“Now dear…” She looks unamused.

“Spare me, just wake me up. I’m sure you have some weird power that can heal me and get me back into fighting shape right?”

She shakes her head, “I have no powers with which to heal, not human beings anyway."

Her eyes harden, "but even if I did, I wouldn’t use them.”

“Why?” You ask.

“Because even if you were to go against either of those two in your best fighting condition, you would still lose.” She answers

You flash an angry smile, “For a joke that wasn’t very funny…Now wake me up.”

“I’m not joking.” She states.

“...” You’re left at a loss.

“I don’t mean this in a hurtful way, I’m just stating the facts. If you go back now, you will die. I will not send the man I love to his death.” She declares.

You glare at her, “Oh fucking shove it! Enough with this love, love horseshit you keep spewing!”

“I don’t know what the hell you want from me but you aren’t my goddamn mother or my lover!” You shout.

“Dear…” Her voice takes a warning tone.

You stomp forward, “I don’t give a rat’s ass what you think my chances are! Landon is-" You lose your words for a moment.

"Landon is fucking dead! And those bastards had something to do with it!” You declare.

You get in her face, “I won’t rest until I get some answers! So send! Me! BACK!”

She sighs, “I see, I understand. Yes I understand now.”

“Damn right you do! Now hurry up and-!” She puts a finger up on your lips, cutting you off.

“I understand that right now your emotions are running high and you need a moment to cool down. Let’s talk after you’ve had some time to process your loss.” She nods as she turns to walk away.

Clasp! You grab her bicep and pull her back.

“Don’t fuck with me! I don’t have time for your goddamn games-!”

“Don’t”

“!” Every muscle in your body freezes, for a moment it feels like time stops but your perception of it remains the same.

You don’t know how, but you can feel the parts of your brain that process speech and understanding are under intense assault.

Her words-No, it would be wrong to call what has entered your ears, words.

Her utterances exit her throat but they relay no sound. No sound you can understand or recognize anyway. Instead foreign information is being stuffed into your head, but the form of the information itself is incompatible with your human brain.

It’s as if trying to fit a square shape in a circular hole, your brain is an unready vessel for that which has just been forced into it but with no choice but to accept it, your brain has to put all its processing power into converting it into something understandable.

During this conversion, your body stops dead, you stiffen like a statue, you don’t even breathe.

Lucy easily pries your grasp off of her and turns to face you again. “Dear…You’re weak.”

“Wha-Wha-Wha-” You’re brain is still somewhat processing the information, you can only fumble out half-speech.

“I’m not saying this out of spite, it’s just the truth. The enemy you face is too much for you, you’re out of your league. You need to give up.” She declares.

https://youtu.be/HFpPyw9I40I


Give up… Those words ring in your ears and in an instant, you’re overwhelmed with frustration and anger, the moment your body is unstunned, you stumble back.

“Weak…? Give up…?” You reiterate.

“That’s right.” She nods.

“No…No! That’s not even the point!” You counter.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m weak! If I can get in touch with the guards or tell someone on the compound, we can work together and-”

She shakes her head, “It wouldn’t work. No one in that castle presently could stop those two either.”

“-!” You gasp.

“I’m not waking you up Derrick. This isn’t a choice you get to make. Choice is a right reserved by those strong enough to have it and right now, you don’t have that strength. So the only thing you can do is give up.” She declares.

You hold your head, “So…So I’m just going to have to run away…like that masked fucker told me to…?”

“That would be a fair choice.” She acknowledges.

“...But I can’t.” You counter.

“Why can’t you?” She asks.

“I promised…I promised Noell I would be right there with him while he reclaims his life…I can’t run now and save my own ass, especially not now, not after all I just saw…” You answer.

“...Hm…” Lucy regains her smile.

“So you aren’t running away…I see…” She nods to herself.

“What?” You ask.

“If you aren’t running away, then you will need strength, yes?” She asks.

“That’s what you said.” You answer.

“And I wasn’t lying, but you don’t have the time to train, you have any number of fights and tasks ahead of you.” She adds.

You nod, “Well then…how about I give you the power to fight?”

“What? You can…do that?” You ask.

“Well, give is the wrong word to use here.” She answers.

“More specifically, I’m going to awaken the strength that lies dormant inside you, just enough for you to overcome this crisis you find yourself in and nothing more.” She answers.

“So you can just…make me stronger? Why are you only doing this now? This is far from the only life-threatening crisis I’ve found myself in.” You ask.

“Two reasons: First, I can awaken the power dormant in your spirit but I can’t promise your body can keep up, push too much out and the vessel will overflow and both your body and spirit will break.”

“What exactly does that mean?” You ask.

“Basically, if I give you too much power too quickly. You die.” She clarifies.

“Oh…” You nod.

“If you want strength, gaining it naturally is ideal but considering the urgency of the situation, these sort of drastic measures can be used.” She adds.

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“And what’s the other reason?” You ask.

“The 2nd is much simpler. I could offer you power, but you don’t trust me right?” She answers.

“...” You say nothing.

“A bit pointless to offer you more strength when you think I’m going to take advantage of you and hurt you if you say yes right?” She asks.

“Well? Are you?” You ask.

“Does my word even mean anything to you? I have no intention of harming or using you but just saying that doesn’t prove I won’t do so anyway.” She answers.

“True.” You nod.

“For me to give you this power, the first thing I need you to do is put your trust in me and I mean truly put your trust in me.” She demands.

“If you can’t do that, it’s not going to work.” She states.

“You say that…but I…” You trail off.

“Don’t worry, I’m not upset. I understand, I am strange and foreign to you, I’ve invaded the inside of your soul and I refuse to get out, my objectives are unclear and I refuse to tell you what they are. Of course you’d be suspicious of someone like that.” She assures.

“But still, Derrick…” She comes up to you and takes a gentle hold of your left hand, holding it tight with her hands.

They’re soft and cold, almost corpse-like but strangely pleasant as she plays with your hand, “The one thing I’ve made very clear is my love for you is very, very real, wouldn’t you say?” She asks.

You nod, “Yes…But I don’t understand, why? What in the world have I done that you would love me for?”

“Shh…” She shushes, she grows even closer, pressing her head into your chest, “Don’t ask…You don’t need to know yet…” She assures.

“All you need to know is that my love is real and it is worthy of your trust.” She looks up from your chest and locks her dark gaze directly with yours, her eyes like two wells of pure darkness, you could literally get lost in them if you stare too long.

“I have so much to give you but it’s hard for me to do anything with this wall of mistrust between us…let it down Derrick.” She orders.

“Let it…down?” You repeat.

“Let it down…Trust me Derrick. Just this once.” She asks.

What do you say?

>Okay…I trust you.

>I…Don’t think I can…

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>>5572866
>I…Don’t think I can…
Why yes, let's trust the eldtrich horror who lives rent free in our head, what could possibly go wrong?. As much as she's probably right in us being completely and utterly outclassed, I still think we should refuse. Neither of them want us dead so if things go FUBAR then she can possibly forcibly possess derrick again right? I really need to reread a lot of the threads.

>>5572876

>Just can't trust you...

"No..." You pull away from her grasp much to her dismay, "I can't do it...I can't trust you."

She frowns, "Do you sincerely believe I'm going to hurt you?"

"I don't think you're trying to hurt me but I can't shake this feeling...This feeling you'll use this against me somehow." You counter.

"How would I do that?" She asks.

"I don't know. And that's the problem." You point out.

She sighs, "Alright, so no matter what I say you won't take this deal?"

You shake your head, "I just don't know enough about you, I can't possibly trust you."

She sighs even heavier, shakes her head before smiling again, "Okay then. Fine, it is clear I need to work harder to build your trust then."

"Much harder." You declare.

She giggles, "Alright, then let me start right away." She says as she walks away from the road and unto the pavement nearby.

She then takes off her long black coat and lays it across the floor like a picnic tarp. She then sits on her coat and pats the spot next to her.

"You want to sit there and what? Talk to you?" You ask, still suspicious.

"Is that not how all couples build trust? Talking to each other?" She question.

"Well yeah, but since when are we a couple?" You ask.

She laughs, "How harsh, you won't even play along with you jokes?"

"I've learned from experience not to play along with women's delusions." You answer.

"Please, you've already turned down my original offer. Do me this much would you?" She counters.

"..." You contemplate for a moment before sighing and sitting down.

“Won’t this get your coat dirty?”

“Don’t worry, dirt doesn’t exist in this world yet.” She counters.

“yet? As in it will exist in the future?” You ask.

“Everything will exist here in the future, the further you go on the journey that is life, the more alive this world will become.” She answers.

“What is the point of this place? Why does it exist?” You ask.

“What is the point of anything? Why does anything exist?” She asks back.

“It’s rude to answer a question with a question, especially such a pretentious one.” You look at her and smile.

She scoots closer to you, “And it’s rude to sit so far from a lady who’s clearly inviting you to come closer.”

“You’re dodging the question.” You point out.

“Don’t worry, you will understand when understanding is necessary, anything I have to tell you about this place now would mean nothing to you. Instead, focus on what really matters…” She leans her head against your shoulder.

“Focus on this moment and think.” She suggests.

“Think about what?” You ask.

“Think about what you’ve lost…and think about what you’ll do in the future to make sure it never happens again.” She answers.

“....” You go quiet.

“He’s really…dead huh.” You state.

“And how does that make you feel?” She asks.

What do you say?

>I don’t feel anything, I’ve lost too much to feel anything anymore.

>Like shit.

>>5572926
>Like shit.

>>5572926
>Like shit.
Figures part of my family has nuclear meltdown the day of this quest.
Fucking A...

>>5572953
>>5572969

Sorry to hear something's going wrong with your family, hope this can take the edge off somewhat

>Damn, I feel like shit.

“Like shit.” You answer.

“Come on now, use your words.” She implores.

“I am, I can’t describe it any other way. I’ve lost friends before and when it happens I’m always left with this feeling…this…shittness…”

“And what does that mean, what exactly do you feel is so shitty?” She asks.

You laugh, “That word sounds so funny coming out of you.”

“Derrick, take this seriously.” She demands.

You sigh, “I…don’t know, it’s a lot of things. Obviously the fact that someone I valued is gone now…that’s shitty.”

“Is that all?” She asks.

You shake your head, “No…The fact that I’m always in situations were my friends die is also shitty and so is the fact that I…”

“I…” You trail off.

“Derrick…” She implores.

“That I’m…always so fucking weak and I can never do anything about it…” Tears well up in your eyes.

“That is…I’m so fucking shitty…” You grit your teeth and fight back the tears.

She puts a hand on your shoulder, “That’s understandable, don’t run away from that feeling. Confront it, ponder it, truly understand it and what you’re going to do about it to make sure you never feel that way again.”

"Will pondering...or thinking help? Thinking about getting stronger, won't make stronger." You counter.

"You're right, but it's a good first step." She boops you on the nose.

You flick her hand away, "And how many steps before I get to where I need to be."

"Not as many as you may think, plus my offer still stands if you want to fast track it a little." She offers.

"The answer is still no." You reject.

She pouts, "I swear you're going to regret not taking my offer."

"If I do then at least it will be a regret I chose then one I was given. I'd rather fail on my own terms then win on someone else's." You counter.

"Admirable, you sound stronger already." She compliments.

You sigh, "So...how long am I going to be struck here?"

"Already tired of dealing with me?" She asks.

"Answer the question." You demand.

"You were pulled into this realm because it is too dangerous for you in the waking world, so you will return when things are safe again." She answers.

"Which is...?" You ask.

"Soon." She answers.

"Okay, what am I supposed to do until Soon comes?" You ask.

"You can rest." She rests a hand over your chest, "Enjoy a moment of peace with me." She closes her eyes.

"Peace? Fuck, I don't even know what that feels like anymore..." You feel a sudden drowsiness.

"I will remind you then. Take this chance to think on your future, what will you do when you return?" She suggests.What I’m going to do…what I’m going to do…” You repeat that as your eyelids grow heavy.

“What will you do?” She asks, closing her eyes.

“What will I do…What am I going to do…?” You ask yourself as you close your eyes and fall into a deep slumber.

“Rest my dear, you have a long, long battle ahead of you.” Are the last words you hear before falling into the quietest recesses of your mind, pondering all the while.

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For a while you lay adrift in that dark place, unthinking, unfeeling, not even dreaming, only resting until that moment arrives. A moment that felt like it came in an instant yet took an eternity where all the darkness is overwritten by light.

And your eyes come open with a few blinks, at first everything is a little too bright but after a moment your eyes readjust and you see above you a ceiling painted a pleasant and familiar shade of blue.

“The Hospital?” You’ve woken up to this room so much over the course of the past few weeks you’d never forget it.

“Derrick?” The moment you speak, you hear a somewhat concerned voice coming from your left flank.

A crane of the head and you see Hansel and Gretal at your side, it seems Gretal was in the middle of folding a piece of paper into an origami shapes-a practice she’s been doing for quite a while considering the number of them scattered around the room-

While Hansel appears to be looking up new Orgami designs on his phone and while chewing on an apple, all activities however cease the moment all of your eyes meet.

“Hansel…Gretal…you two, you’re-”

“DERRICK!” Before you even get to finish your question, the two of them leap from their chairs and cling unto you.

https://youtu.be/Gsh8DHVRxEs

“WHOA!” They squeeze your torso and neck like they’re trying to wring the life out of you, you have to fight back the impulse to push them away.

“I’m so glad you’re awake! I’m so glad you’re awake!!” Hansel shouts.

“I was so worried-I was so worried-I was so worried-I was so worried-” Gretal repeats, nearly crying.

“Okay-okay! Guys! This is a hospital guys! so if you could quiet down and maybe get off me…?” You ask.

“Oh! Sorry!” They both shout before returning to their seats.

You laugh, “Jeez, thanks for the hug but you two act like I’ve been in a coma for years or something.”

“You were!” They shout back.

“...Wait what? I was in a coma for years?” You ask, genuinely terrified.

“Oh no, no! Only two weeks!” He corrects.

You breathe out in relief, “Oh thank god, only two weeks-WAIT TWO WEEKS!?”

“Q-Quiet, we’re in a hospital remember?” Gretal hushes.

“Sorry! Sorry, it’s just-Really? You’re not screwing with me are you?” You ask.

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They vicariously nod in unison, “T-The doctors tried to wake you up but you just weren’t responding!”

“Seriously? I remember getting smacked upside the head big-time but not nearly bad enough to put me in a coma!” You point out.

“The doctors were confused too! They tried everything to wake you up but nothing seemed to rouse you! Did something else happen that would’ve put you in such a state?” Hansel asks.

“Not that I recall…Huh…wait…” Your eyes narrow, (Maybe it was Lucy?) You guess.

(Is this what she meant with that shit about waiting till everything safe? Did she keep me there for two weeks just sleeping? What the hell did she do to me while I was out!?) You feel a shiver run down your spine.

“Do you recall something?” Hansel asks.

“No…No nothing.” You answer, erring on the side of caution before telling them about the evil(?) woman who lives in your head.

“Really? But it just seemed like you remembered something-”

“Sniff-Sniff-!” Hansel’s inquiry is interrupted by the sound of Gretal tearing up.

“Gretal…” Hansel holds her.

“I-I’m sorry, it’s just…A-All the doctors said they couldn’t t-tell when you were going to wake up, i-if ever! And I was so worried and…I’m so glad you woke up!” she nearly breaks down crying.

“Gretal, you don’t need to apologize but remember we’re in a hospital!” Hansel warns before turning and smiling at you, “But…I do agree, I’m so glad to see you woke up Derrick.”

“Hansel…Gretal…” You give them an appreciative nod, “Don’t worry, I’m back and better than ever!” You assure.

Hansel smiles wider, “I’ve no doubt, you’re so diligent I’m sure you trained even in your sleep! But I must admit, when I found you sprawled out next to the body of Mr.Landon, I truly feared for the worst…”

Your smile fades, “Speaking of which, mind going into a little detail about what happened there?”

“That? Well-”

“That part I can explain for you just fine.” A familiar voice, followed by a familiar face, you look over and see Okabe walk through the door.

“Okabe!” You shout, genuinely shocked to see him.

“The one and only…I think.” He nods.

“Oh, it’s the fellow you were with at the train station. You’re a friend of the young master and Derrick right?” Hansel asks him.

“That I am, it’s nice to see you again as well Gerauld.” He bows.

“My name isn’t Gerauld…” He counters.

“It isn’t? Shit, well sorry I don’t really remember who you are but from the way you’re talking we’ve met before…right?” He asks.

“We have but I do believe you didn’t catch my name…it’s Hansel by the by.” He answers.

“Right, nice to see you again, Hansel and…uh…” he stares at Gretal.

“G-Gretal. I’m Gretal.” She answers.

“Wait what? Like the storybook? Are you two brother and sister too?” He asks.

They shake their heads, “Wait so both of you had parents who just so happened to give you those names and you just so happened to meet and become friends?” He asks.

“Well it’s a little more complex than that but…yes?” Hansel nods.

“That’s…wild.” He nods.

“Anyway, I’ll be sure to remember your names from now on, promise.” he nods

“Oh, yes, please do, thank you!” Hansel smiles.

(I wouldn’t trust that promise, give him 5 minutes and he’ll forget you’re even in the room…) You shake your head.

“Anyway, what are you doing here? I believe the young master said you were here on official Hunter business, did you put on a pause on that to visit Derrick?” Hansel asks.

“I’m visiting Derrick on official business, actually.” He answers.

“You’ve got business with me?” You question.

“Yes, the official kind.” His look turns deadly serious.

“Ah, it must have to do with the case, correct? You’re involved in that investigation?” Hansel asks.

“Yes and yes, though I can’t reveal to what extent.” he answers.

Gretal looks disappointed, “I-I suppose that means we’ll have to l-leave the room. C-Can’t we just get a few more m-minutes?”

“Unfortunately not young lady, what we have to talk about is far too important to be put on the backburner.” He denies.

“We understand that but don’t you think you should wait precisely for that reason? He’s only just woken up and he needs time to reaccumulate, especially considering all that’s happened while he was asleep…” Hansel argues.

“Sorry young man, as sound an argument that is-” A Gruff, tall man adorned in a gray uniform walks into the room, he is immediately followed by a number of similarly dressed men, all with harsh and stern looks in their eyes.

“The answer is still no.” He firmly states.

“A police squad…And those uniforms…” You narrow your eyes at the men.

The gruff man, clearly the leader of this pack, steps forward, “That man is a key witness, one we’ve been waiting a long time to hear from and we shan’t wait another minute. We ask that you two clear from this room immediately.”

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“B-But…” Gretal looks reluctant.

“Bear in mind, this is us asking nicely. I can change my request into an order and you don’t want to know what we do with those who fail to comply with an order.” The officer threatens.

Hansel sighs, “My, my, it’s a shame but it appears we’ll have to cut this reunion short Derrick.”

You give a derisive smile, “Tell me about it, I just wake up and everyone wants to see me. Sorry to be such a hot commodity.”

He and Gretal stand up, “It’s no trouble really, we’ll just catch up later.” He takes Gretal’s hand into his, “Come on, Gretal.”

They walk over to the door, “I-It was nice talking to you Derrick! W-We also have important stuff to talk about, so c-come see us right after you’re done!”

“We’ll be waiting at the front entrance!” Hansel states as they depart.

Okabe smiles, “What a pleasant pair. I’m glad to see you’ve made such good friends in my absence.”

“Thanks, now can you introduce me to your not-so-friendly friends here?” You look toward the squad of officers.

The gruff man steps forward, “Nice to meet you young man, my name is James Corden and I’m with-”

“Federal Security right?” you guess.

His eyes go wide, “Oh? How did you know?” The man reaches into the pocket of his uniform and pulls out a badge, the badge is an insignia of a golden lion pouncing valiantly into the air, engraved into the gold insignia is: James Corden, Federal Security: Special Investigation Unit

“Your uniform. I saw a bunch of your co-workers when I first arrived, during the attack.” You answer.

“Oh yes, the Young Dragon’s attack that took place a month ago, I heard you were there acting as Prince Noell’s guardian at the time. You must have seen us hunting down terrorists and recusing citizens.” He explains.

“I didn’t see much of the latter but I did see a lot of you fail to do the former. Surion got away, despite your best efforts.” You berate.

He sighs and adjusts his hat, “As shameful as it is to admit, yes, he has evaded us time and time again despite our best efforts…however --thankfully-- we no longer need to worry about him.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You give him a curious look.

“He was captured and taken into custody a week ago.” He answers.

Your eyes go wide, “Wait, you guys actually got him? You actually caught that slippery bastard? How?”

“We can inform you of that later, we’re in a bit of a hurry so I think it’s about time we started the questioning-”

“Hold it, Hold it.” Okabe cuts in, “If you can’t tell, this man just woke up from a coma and just like his friend Pansel said earlier, he’s a little out of loop, surely we can catch him up a little before we jump right into it right?”

(Pansel…? I knew he’d forget them again…) You lament.

“Did I not just say we’re in a hurry?” He repeats.

“I know we’re in a hurry but not that much of a hurry, let’s get him up to speed; Who knows, it might help him remember more details that will help with the investigation?” He counters.

James clicks his tongue, “Fine but be quick about it will you.” He then crosses his arms and watches.

Okabe takes a seat and sighs, “So heavy-handed…I swear, it’s no wonder they have to outsource help when their officers are so hostile with everyone.”

“Guess customer service isn’t really a part of their training regiment.” You quip.

He laughs, “Now, I’m sure you have a lot of questions and for my grumpy friend over there’s sake, I’m going to be as succinct as possible, so let’s get started.”

https://youtu.be/KDVG64qQImc

What will you say?

>Hey James, tell me more about Surion.

>Can you tell me why exactly you’re working with Federal Security?

>What’s been happening back home? At the Organization?

>>5573009
>What’s been happening back home? At the Organization?

>>5573013


>The deets back home.

“What’s happening back home? Anything major going on at the Organization?” You ask.

“Thankfully back home is about the only place things have been quiet, it's actually a little shocking considering March is roundabout the time we get the usual slew of world-ending disasters we have to go out and fix.” He answers.

You laugh, “Anything happen to all my friends? I hope they’re all okay, it’s been so long since I’ve seen them…”

“They’re all fine…for the most part.” Okabe starts.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You ask.

“Well guys like Brovoski and Zheng have devoted themselves to training and went up into the mountains about a few weeks ago and we haven’t heard from them since.”

“Mountain training? Really? Talk about cliché…” You shake your head, “Ah whatever, those guys are strong, they’ll be fine.”

“Vanilla has been doing great work lately, she recently did a number of missions alongside Etheline, the two of them have become even better friends after her little trip aboard. She seems to have really mellowed out now.” He adds.

“That’s great to hear.” You say with a smile.

“Let’s see…anything else noteworthy…Oh, I think there was a pretty big incident with the H Squad.” He states.

“The…H Squad?” You ask.

“Yeah, Reynauld, Henry and Arztz, the H-Squad.” He answers.

“Why are they called the H-Squad?” You ask.

“Because we always see them together and half of the office is sure they’re all banging but refuse to admit it.” he answers.

You stare at him baffled for a moment, “...What does the H in H Squad stand for?”

“Homo.” he answers.

“You know what, not even gonna touch that. What is this about a big incident?” You ask.

He ponders for a moment, “I believe they were given a rather high-grade mission by Dillion’s Father, one that took them into the mountains hunting for a giant spider or something?”

“Huh? What for?” You ask.

He shakes his head, “I don’t remember, you can ask them about it when you get back. I hear they all bonded over almost dying a few times so it should be an interesting story.”

“Sounds morbid and wholesome…I’ll ask them about it later.” You note.

“Aside from them, everyone else is going about their daily routines without much of note happening…oh wait, there is that one guy. What was his name again, the one that was loud and brash and vio-”

“Bradford.” You state.

“How do you know?” He asks.

“I knew from the moment you said loud.” You answer.

“Right, well I’m pretty sure that is his name, recently I heard he’s been looking for a way to get into Ochima.” He explains.

“What? Why?” You ask.

“I think he said something about not leaving his best friend hanging or something like that?” He answers.

“Oh? Really, that’s so cool of him…” You smile.

“That and something about how he’s so jealous that you’re getting all the action, that he was tired of all the paperwork and -I quote- That he Wanted to square up with a giant sexy bitches too” He explains.

“...” You give him an incredulous stare.

“He said all of this very loudly as well.” He adds.

“Goddamnit Bradford…” You shake your head, he must have seen your fight with Man-eater on TV, so much for keeping this whole affair private.

“His many attempts to book a flight for Ochima have all been shut down, half because all Ochiman ports of entry are closed during the Crown contest and half because--other than you and me--The organization would prefer all Hunters stay away from Ochima.” He clarifies.

You narrow your eyes, “What? The Organization wants other Hunters away from Ochima? Why?”

“Hm, why indeed…?” He shoots a lighting quick glance to the officers behind him.

“...” you say nothing, catching his implication.

“Why have you two gone silent? Are you done with your small talk now?” James asks.

"Not quite yet Mr.Officer, a little more time please?" Okabe requests.

"So long as you're not wasting it, yes." He allows.

"Anyway, that's what's happening back home, anything else you want to ask?" He questions.

What will you say?

>Hey James, tell me more about Surion.

>Can you tell me why exactly you’re working with Federal Security?

>>5573080
>Can you tell me why exactly you’re working with Federal Security?

>>5573095

>Why work with these douchebags?

“Why is Federal Security handling this case?” You ask.

Okabe turns to face James, “You want to answer this one chief or should I?”

He sighs, “Before I answer that question, can I ask why that even matters?”

“Because you guys typically handle things on an intranational scale for the Federation. Things like terrorist incidents and breaking up organized crime rings and so on.” You assert.

“And, as far as I know, a case over the murder of a single man would fall in the jurisdiction of the national police of that particular nation, so why are you here?” You ask

He chuckles, “Well I’ll give you points for being so well-informed but the problem is we aren’t here to solve as far as you know.”

“What do you mean?” You ask.

“We are investigating the death of your friend but only in so far as it has to do with another incident that happened that night which is of infinitely greater importance to us.” He answers.

You give him a curious look, “What incident? Something else happened?”

“A lot happened that night, hey you.” James turns to one of his subordinates, “You’ve got the footage of the incident on your phone right? Show him.”

“But Sergeant, you’ve also got the footage, why can’t you show him?” He asks back.

“Are you questioning your superior officer? I’ve got the footage back home, I can’t bring it with me, I don’t have these new fancy phones you youngbloods always have.” He counters.

“Sergeant they give you a smartphone free at the station, you just keep using your old flip phone and refuse to update!” He argues.

“Because those touch-screen phones are too damn complicated, always asking for pins and fingerprints! What the hell ever happened to touch and go!?” He complains.

“Uh…weren’t you guys going to show me something?” You remind.

James perks up, “Right! Stop holding us up Private Chatty before I write you up!”

“Okay, okay, sorry Sergeant…” He walks up to you, producing his smartphone, he flips through a few screens before holding it in front of you.

On the screen you see black and white footage of a very regal looking bedroom, in which an older, very docile looking man is sleeping peacefully in bed.

The time on the camera dates the video to be taken on Feburary 21st, the day of the Razorrose festival and the time to be about 10:00 pm.

You crane your head, “What is this? Who is this person?”

“The man you’re seeing sleeping on screen is Matheo Bruuer, a diplomat of Gleetjeet.” Private chatty answers.

You perk up, “A diplomat of Gleetjeet? But I thought we were in the middle of a cold war with them?”

“We’ll explain that part in a bit, for now, just watch.” James implores.

You heed his words and look back at the video, the video seems to have been sped up to about 1.5 speed as the man tosses and turns ever so slightly as the minutes tick on by.

But thenthe man wakes up, gets out of bed and then walks into the bathroom and then the camera switches to one in the bathroom.

“What the hell? Why is there a camera in there? I thought there were no cameras in the rooms of the castle?” You ask.

“You seriously believed them when they told you that? With how many assassins and terrorists are always trying to sneak in, there’s hidden cameras in every nook and cranny of the building.” James berates.

“Oh god I’ll never shit in peace again…” You lament.

“But nevermind all that, keep watching, this is where the video really starts.” Private chatty insists.

You look back at the screen and see Matheo staring mindlessly into the mirror for several minutes.

“What is he doing?” You ask.

No one answers you, Matheo moves out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom and then he quickly starts getting dressed into a business suit and then he pulls a briefcase out from under his bed, which he opens up to reveal a number of documents.

He pulls apart the documents and reveals a pistol and several magazines for said pistol hidden within a compartment of the briefcase.

“What the fuck…?” You lean in for a closer look as you see him take out the pistol, load it and ready it before closing the briefcase and hiding the gun in his suit and then exiting the room.

The video speeds up to 2x speed as he wanders the halls of the guesthouse before coming up the front entrance, which is guarded by two sentries who perk up when they see him approach.

“Alright, from here shit gets real.” Private chatty warns.

Matheo walks briskly towards the door, the guards notice him and the one on the left steps forward, “Mr.Matheo? What are you doing outside of your room? I thought you were retiring early for the night?” The guard questions.

“I’m going for a walk.” He says, still walking briskly for the door.

“Hold on, it’s dangerous for you to be out in the open remember? Did you get permission before you decided to-” One guard blocks the door and the other moves in to block his path.

And then, without missing a beat, Matheo reaches into his suit for the pistol he had hidden earlier and immediately opens fire, he puts two rounds into the head of the man who was about to stop him and he falls over in a heap, dying instantly.

“What-!?” The other guard barely even has time to register his own partner's death as he also has two rounds put in him, one in his chest cavity and the next in his head, his blood and brain matter staining the door he was blocking.

“Holy fucking shit…” Is all you can say as you watch Matheo step right over the first guard’s body and kick the next one’s corpse to the side so he can walk right out the door pistol still in hand.

“It gets worse.” The video speeds up again as Matheo wanders through the garden area, taking a number of darker paths to slip around other guards until he enters the castle itself through one of the side entrances.

“Where is he going?” You ask.

“The Keep.” James answers.

As soon as he enters the building proper he’s met with an immediate guard presence of three men who see him approaching from the other end of the hallway.

“Mr.Matheo?” One of them questions, not noticing his pistol in hand due to the distance, they all move closer in confusion.

He doesn’t hesitate to open fire, he sends round after round from the other end of the narrow hallway, two men drop immediately, the last man has little recourse but turning and running but to little avail as he gets shot in the back before falling over and groaning in pain.

Matheo checks his magazine to see it’s running dry on his way up to the group of men he just shot, he slips it back into his pistol as he puts all his remaining rounds into each of the men’s bodies.

“This is one cold motherfucker…” You shake your head as you watch him reload and keep moving.

“Just what the hell is he trying to accomplish?” You ask, “And wait, why haven’t there been any alarms set off, 5 men have died so how has no one noticed what he’s doing yet?”

“The alarm system for the castle completely went offline about 30 minutes prior to this incident.” James answers.

“Pair that with almost every wall in the castle being soundproofed and so stupidly big that even echoing sounds get lost after a while, most didn’t even notice him sneaking around until it was too late.” He expands.

“Wait, what about the cameras? No one was watching this?” You ask.

“Those were all down during this incident as well, the footage you’re watching now are all from the hidden cameras planted all about the place to record back-up footage, unfortunately those cameras can't be monitored like normal camera's they only spit out the footage they took at the end of the guard’s shift which wouldn't be for another 2 hours.” He answers.

“Though he was discovered after shooting those last 3. Staff in some of the nearby rooms heard the gunshots go off and made some calls, which is why he’s rushing now.” Private chatty adds, you look back to see he is in-fact rushing down the halls and up the stairs, clutching his briefcase like it was his newborn child.

Eventually he reaches the entrance to the Keep, a reinforced, steel-plated door that’s half the size of a bank vault door but just as thick and dense and sturdy.

Just as he reaches the door, he stands before it and stops moving, they pause the video, “I’m guessing that he got stopped here?” You ask.

“Before I answer that, tell me Derrick, what does it take to get past that door? Do you know?” He asks.

“Yeah, I was taught when they gave me a tour of the place, you need to have several security clearances to get past that door.” You answer.

“Namely?” He asks.

“You first need to be registered into the database of trusted people by the castle staff, then you need to pass an iris, fingerprint, voice scans…the whole run down.” You answer.

“And if you pass those checks, the security admin controlling the remote lock on the door has to check all the credentials entered and approve them and only then will the door open.” You add.

“So you have to be trusted by the staff do you? What about guests? They regularly host generals and dignitaries don’t they? They can’t have full profiles on all of them no?” He asks.

“Well the choice to open the door is ultimately up to the security admin, he can disengage and re-engage the lock from his PC.” You answer.

“Is that right? So you don’t even really need to do all those checks do you? You just need access to the security admin’s computer?” He asks.

“Well…yeah, but you’d need to get let in first to-”

He puts a hand up, “Nevermind that, just watch this now.”

“Huh?” You look back at the screen

The video resumes, a few seconds pass and then the Keep door swings open for him, allowing easy passage without running even a single check.

“What? What? How?” You shake your head in confusion as he rushes into the Keep, they pause once more.

“That is what we would like to know, just how did Mr.Matheo get that door open so easily?” He asks.

“Or--going by what you just told us-- who let him in?” Private chatty asks.

“Well the natural guess would be the security admin right? I can’t see why he’d do such a thing…” You shake your head.

“That’s because he didn’t. He was away from the console at the time.” He answers.

“Huh?” You blurt out.

“He was found in the bathroom the morning after this incident, dead from a number of stab wounds.” He explains.

“Huh? Huh??” You blink in confusion.

“Which means someone else got in ahead of Mr.Matheo, someone with security clearances who killed the security admin and hijacked access to his computer ahead of this attack.” They conclude.

“Jesus…All of this went down while I was off drinking and partying…?” You can’t believe it.

“Don’t worry, despite it all, you might be the key to cracking this little mystery.” He assures.

“...” You look at him with confusion.

Matheo then navigates the complex hallways and staircases of the Keep with surprising deftness, it can't be his first time navigating these halls. He finds his target in minutes all the while evading all pursuit.

His target turns out to be a meeting room, one designated for discussing defense strategy. He kicks open the pair of nice mahogany wooden double doors.

Before him a large darkened room with 6 people sitting in-front of PCs, watching a man standing at an elevated podium present a series of plans and maps over a projector. Whatever discussion they were having before however stops as everyone stares at Matheo.

The man presenting looks to be A well decorated military officer other than him, 4 other men of various nationalities all flanking a woman in the middle are staring at the man, confused and mummering among themselves.

"Mr...Matheo?" The officer, recognizing him, calls to him. Very caught off-guard.

“What? A late attendee?” The woman asks, confused and concerned, she then looks down at what’s in his hands, "Huh?" because of the darkness of the room, she struggles to make out the black object in his hand.

Until he raises it to be level with officer, "I've come for your life Karl."

“He’s got a gun!?” She jumps from her seat and the men around her do the same, all of them terrified.

“Matheo! What is the meaning behind this!?" The officer shouts, backing away.

“I’m doing what I should have done years ago…! To think I wasted so much time on this farce!” He takes aim at officer and squeezes the trigger.

"NO!" One of the men, a Siquaaian going by his visage, rushes Matheo and grabs his gun.

"Off of me you! Dogged bastard!" He screams as he fights to keep control of his firearm.

"Why are you doing this!? I thought we had an agreement-!?"

POP! POP!

The man falls over in a heap, his hand still clasping Matheo's as his life ebbs away, "No...No we were so close..." The man bemoans as he fades away.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH-!" The woman's scream echo across the meeting room and down the hall, the 3 other men scatter, panicked and uncoordinated, some are rushing to tackle him while others flee trying to get out of the line of fire

POP! POP! POP! POP!

"FÜR EINEN SOUVERÄNEN STAAT!” He shouts, pouring rounds at everyone he can see.

“NO! NOOOOOOOOOOO-!” The lady screams as she ducks under her table for cover. The man beside her drops to the floor, choking on blood and lead from a bullet to the neck.

Another fleeing man takes 3 shots to his torso before toppling over and just before Matheo can switch targets again, a man tackles him to the ground, smashing his fist into his face with one hand and trying to wrestle the gun away from him with the other.

“Shit-! Shit-!” The woman, seeing a chance to escape, scrambles from under the table and dashes for the open door.

"No-!" Matheo manages endure the punches long enough to headbutt the man, smashing his nose and weakening him enough to free his gun. He then puts two point blank shots into his chest, killing him and pushing him off.

He then takes shots at the fleeing woman while rising to his feet just before she reaches the door, most of them miss but one catches her in the shoulder.

“AHH-!” She screams in agony, but sheer adrenaline keeps her from falling over as she dashes out the room.

“No survivors…!” Matheo screams as he's about to give chase.

POP!

"GAH!" he screams as a shot pierces his ankles, taking him to the floor once more.

“MATHEO!!!" The officer, red in the face with rage and pistol at the ready empties his magazine into Matheo.

Matheo catches 2 or 3 shots, but with shocking resilience, he takes aim and returns fire.

“Gah-!” The officer catches a shot in his chest, on reflex he continues shooting.

And that’s when a bullet catches Matheo right in the head, killing him instantly, the officer collapses to the floor, bleeding profusely from his chest.

“Damn…no…” From the choked sound of his words, blood is pouring into what must be a ruptured lung.

“Why…now…?” he questions as the life fades from his eyes and he stops moving.

“What…the hell…was that?” Is all you have to say after witnessing such brutality.

“What you just witnessed is why we’re handling this case, Mr.Derrick. That which you just witnessed is the violent stirrings of a great war on the horizon.” he explains.

“In addition to the poor guards who were murdered doing their duty, Julius Veranus, A member of Dalamian general staff, Karl Aschenbrener, Siquaaian defense minister, Jean-Louis Beauvais, The Cremoxian Defense minister were all killed during this impromptu mass-killing.” He lists.

“The only survivor was the lady you saw dash out of the room with a bullet in her shoulder, one Miss Lara Taylor, an upcoming and coming Brenho Parliamentarian who is vying for the position of defense minister.” He finishes.

“What was that meeting he even barged in on about?” You ask.

“It was one meeting of many drafting up a series of contingency plans to defend against the threat of a Gleetjeet invasion.” He answers.

“And he had some kind of problem with that?” You ask.

“Well, more conspiratorial voices in the ether have rumored that these contingency meetings were actually the first drafts of the Federation drawing up battle plans to take the war to Gleetjeet itself.” He explains.

“Is that true?” You question.

He shakes his head and smiles, “Don’t ask me, I couldn’t answer even if I wanted to.”

“Regardless, clearly Mr.Matheo thought that was the case and decided to take the defense of his nation into his own hands…or at least that’s the leading theory as to his motive.” He explains.

“A pretty solid theory considering he shouted the tagline of the Gleetjeet Nationalist party. Guys famous famous for wanting to restart the Schism war to bump the rest of us off the map for good.” James admits.

“But what was he even doing there in the first place?” You ask.

“Peace talks. Secret ones.” He starts, “The crown was engaging with diplomatic relations independent of the parliament; Presumably with the aim of bringing Gleetjeet back into the fold amicably and without bloodshed.”

“Sly but benevolent…Does sound like something Her Majesty would do…” You nod.

“But hiding an enemy within their borders and within the castle no less was not only a grave error but a serious federal crime. One the Queen herself will have to answer for when she returns from her trip abroad.” He explains.

“Wait, she still isn’t back? It’s been two weeks!” You point out.

“It appears the negotiations with Kakin are that fierce and pressing. Though some are accusing her of hiding from the law considering we would take her into custody the moment she returned home.” He answers.

“Shit, shit…” You fret, running a hand through your hair, “This is fucking bad…what was the public’s reaction like?”

“A right fucking disaster to put it nicely.” He explains, signaling to private chatty to put on another video.

The video switches to a FBC broadcast, showing an interview with Lara who lays in a hospital bed looking very distraught, her voice angry and scared as she describes the events of the night.

“A few days after receiving treatment in hospital, Lara accepted an interview where she questioned why such a dangerous man was being harbored in the castle and said this action being taken by a diplomat of Gleetjeet was a declaration of open war.” He explains.

“What did Gleetjeet itself have to say about this whole situation?” You ask.

“They deny any involvement.” He answers, “They’re saying that Mr.Matheo was acting independent of the state and all his actions that night were in no way endorsed by their government. Not only that, but they were totally unaware that Mr.Matheo was even presiding in the castle, they were under the impression he was on vacation.”

“Sounds like damage control.” You note.

“It undoubtedly is.” He nods.

“And the member states of the Federation also believe that the words of Gleetjeet are damage control and now opinions are split on how to handle the issue.” He expounds.

“Some more upset states, like Siquaa and Kuggend are demanding that the disarmament clause of the Federation be rescinded and that this incident should be considered an attack from Gleetjeet and assembly for a counteroffensive must begin immediately.” He states.

“Dalam and Brenho are actually playing into Gleetjeet’s narrative and believe that some greater form of foul play is at work and that a full investigation is needed before any decision is made.” He finishes.

“And Cremox?” You ask.

“Wants to work with whatever side keeps the Gleetjeet boots from marching over their borders.” He answers.

You sigh, “Oh what a fucking mess…”

He nods, “Yes but because it’s such a right mess, I’m sure you’re starting to see why exactly we were called to investigate, yes?”

“Yeah and I’m starting to understand now...well not entirely.” You nod.

"What don't you get?" He asks.

"You said Landon's death was connected to this somehow? I don't get how." You ask.

"That's what we came here to find out from you." He answers.

"What?" You blurt out.

“Mr.Derrick. The only reason why we aren't in open war right now is becase your friend’s cadaver is blocking the tidal wave of resent and revenge the country is being caught up in.” He explains.

“Huh? Why?” You ask.

“The fact that your friend’s dead body appeared in your room on the same day as this incident along with a number of other strange inconsistencies has cast a shadow of doubt on the narrative of this being an attack by Gleetjeet. His body gives some credence to the existence of a 3rd-party in all this.” He explains.

“Pair that with the fact supposedly you were attacked by someone else that night--though it may be weak at the moment-- there is a possible case to be put together that can stop all out war from breaking out.” He declares.

“So what you’re saying is the fate of this country is in my hands?” You ask.

“I’m saying the information you have better be good enough to ensure we don’t tear each other to pieces, Mr.Derrick.” He answers.

“Speaking of which, do you mind if we cut to the chase now?” James asks of Okabe.

"Huh...?" He looks confused.

"Oh right, I'm here aren't I?" Okabe asks.

"You forgot that you were even here? How the hell do you have a job with these kinds of memory problems?" You ask.

"Hey don't blame me, it was really hard to butt in with all political talk going on so I started drifting off and..." He explains.

"And...? Hey!" You snap your fingers at him.

"Huh?" He looks confused.

"Did you forget again!?" You pull back, shocked.

"Sorry I drifted off again." He answers.

"Anyway, feel caught up yet?" Okabe asks.

"Wait, one more thing. I want to go more into what you said about Surion earlier.” You demand.

He sighs, “Well if you must know, he was captured some two weeks ago and is currently being held in a top secret Federal holding site where he is undergoing interrogation.”

“Which site? Where?” You ask.

He puts a hand up, “That is all I will say on the matter.” He answers.

“You can’t tell me where the bastard is? I have a lot to say to him and more than a little bit to ask.” You counter.

“I’m aware. And let it be known we do as well and we’ve been in line far longer than yourself young man.” He argues.

You click your tongue, “Can you at least tell me how managed to catch that slippery fuck?”

“Well, I say capture but it was no capture at all. He practically gave himself up to us.” He explains.

“He gave himself up?” You question.

“We got a tip of a man matching Surion’s exact description at a small cafe downtown Rose city, enjoying an afternoon lunch.” He answers.

“...” You give him a dubious look.

“The men at the station who received the call had much the same looks on their faces but lo and behold, when we sent a squad to the cafe, there he was shamelessly enjoying a brunch of beans and toast with a sunnyside-up egg.” He explains.

“You can’t be fucking serious…” You shake your head.

“I’m saying! Who in their right mind would eat beans and toast with a half raw egg in the morning? I know the man is a terrorist but must he make even his breakfast into an act of terror?” He shakes his head.

“Not that! I mean there’s no way he’s serious! This has to be some kind of trap!” You counter.

“Oh? What makes you so sure?” He asks.

“An A-list criminal who's been avoiding Hunters and the police alike for over 8 years ends up getting caught because he forgot to hide his face before he went out to his favorite cafe? That sounds like something out of a comedy sketch!” You counter.

He laughs, “Well yes, I must admit me and the men did have quite the laugh reading the report, especially the part where the driver nearly had a mental breakdown because Surion wouldn’t stop asking Are we there yet every 5 seconds-”

He clears his throat, “-However, I do very much agree the entire thing reeks of trickery.”

“Stinks of it.” You emphasize.

“Still, it doesn’t change the fact that we now have the head of the Young Dragons in our grasp and rest assured, a day does not go by where we are thoroughly questioning his motives and the location of his fellow radicals.” He assures.

“And has he said anything?” You ask.

“Let no one say the chap isn’t tight-lipped when he wants to be. Beat him, fry him or boil him he doesn’t talk…” He answers.

“You’re beating, frying and boiling him?” You question.

“Allegedly.” He answers with a smile.

Listen, I don’t care how cruel and unusual his punishment is, lord knows that piece of shit deserves everything coming to him.” You state, “My issue is that this is obviously a play, I hope you all have been monitoring the movements of his group extra closely.”

“And just who do you think you’re talking to Mr.Derrick? We are always the on watch for that man’s ilk but there’s the thing-” he puts a hand to his ear.

“Ever since the man has been put into custody, not one word has come from any of his compatriots, no attacks have been staged, nothing has been done.” He explains, scanning the room.

You narrow your eyes, “They’ve all gone into hiding…”

He nods, “Yes and cockroaches are notoriously hard to find when they go into hiding.”

“...” You give him a worried look.

“Listen Mr.Derrick, your worries are our worries. We’ve been chasing this man for 8 years, we know better than anyone to trust that anything is simply as it seems with him but if he is plotting something, we have no choice but to stay ready and play along.” He states.

“Is it possible for me to see him?” You ask.

“Not at this juncture, no.” he clarifies, “But perhaps sometime in the future things may change. Hopefully for the better.”

“Hopefully for the better…” You repeat.

“Anyway, please tell me that’s all your questions, I would love to get to investigating right about now…” he directs his gaze at Okabe.

Okabe stares at you, waiting for confirmation, you nod. James smiles, "Good, then let's get right into shall we?"

You sigh, “I know we’ve been talking for a bit but since we’re getting into serious business now, don’t you think trading sensitive information in a public hospital might be a bad idea?”

“Fret not, this is a private ward reserved for royal castle staff and besides you it’s completely empty.” James explains.

“Not to mention the walls are soundproofed and besides the 3 you see behind me, there are 10 more officers watching the entrances and patrolling the hallways. You can rest assured we aren’t being overheard or watched.” James assures.

You prop yourself up, “Okay then…So this is all about the incident with Matheo right? About his strange behavior that night?”

He nods, “The nature of the crime at hand is unquestionable. We have video footage and bodies to prove the blood that stains Mr.Matheo’s hands.”

“But the true question is, are Matheo’s hands the only that have been stained? Why did the primary camera system and the alarm system alike fail shortly before his rampage? Who opened the door to the Keep after he arrived? ” He recounts

“We believe these convenient happenings are the work of a 3rd-party rather than Mr.Matheo or any of his associates, though the possibility of the latter is not 0.” He assesses.

“But assuming it is the work of some mysterious 3rd party, one must question why they assisted Mr.Matheo in committing this atrocity?” He asks.

“I feel with your help, it might be possible to answer these questions and I beseech Sir.Armis’s virtuous soul that the answer to none of the above is Gleetjeet; For a cannot imagine the hell that awaits if that is the case.” he takes out a cigarette and lights it.

“Now then Derrick, with all that spiel out of the way, we have questions and you should have answers. Out of politeness, I’ll let you pick which ones to answer first.” he explains as he puffs out smoke.

“Hm…” You ponder for a moment.

What will you answer?

>Who were your attackers?

>How did Landon die?

>Who is Landon?

>>5573193
>Who were your attackers?
I'm sorry QM but i'm a filthy britbong and it's midnight over here and I need to sleep. This will be my last post of the session

>>5573199
As thanks for staying up as long as you have to humor me, I will forgive you for the sin of being British.

Go forth and rest.

>>5573199

After this post I will be stopping for the day myself, hopeful more anons will be here tomorrow.

>The mysterious attackers...

“Let’s go over the people who attacked me that night when I found Landon’s body.” You decide.

He nods, “That information is of particular importance, can you give me a full account of what happened that night to you?”

“Well…”

You proceed to spend the next 10 minutes recounting the details of the night from when you exited the bar after watching the christening ceremony all the way to up to the conversation you overheard after getting attacked.

James listens quietly, nodding his head to every detail as one of his men notes everything you say, when you finish, James holds his head low and narrows his eyes.

“Raguel and Samael, was it…?” He asks.

“Yes, that’s what they called each other.” You answer.

“Raguel…The Angel of Justice, fairness and Vengeance.” Okabe starts, “In the Abrahamic tradition, he judges demons for their sins and casts angels from heaven when they commit evil. Maybe that means the guy considers himself some kind of righteous bringer of justice?” He recalls.

“Oh really?” James listens intently.

“Yeah and Samael is the archangel of rage, a master of seduction and a destroyer of all things evil and good, they are often thought to be the incarnation of Satan or straight up just Satan himself. So I can’t imagine the lady going by that name is a very good person.” He explains.

“She sure as hell wasn’t…and wait, how can you barely remember names you heard 5 minutes ago but you remember all of that?” You ask.

“You never forget Sunday School Derrick.” He smiles at you.

“Well either way, it’s a very intriguing story…but also a very fantastical sounding one.” He states.

“What? You think I’m making all this up?” You ask.

He shakes his head, “No, not at all but you must admit, the idea that a maid and a serial killer are working together to bring down the Royal family as they refer to each other by the names of angels all sounds a little far-fetched?”

“No more far-fetched than any of the other bullshit I deal with on a daily basis…” You gripe.

“I’m sure but most of us live in a normal world that works under normal rules, if I bring this tale before parliament they will laugh me off as they call for more war. We need more evidence, something more concrete.” He declares

“Well sorry I couldn’t take fucking pictures as I got stared down by a serial killer. If you need evidence take it right from the source, track these fuckers down and make them fess up, you’ll get your proof then.” You assert.

“Well, considering the likelihood of us catching the cracked mask anytime is highly unlikely, I suppose you mean for us to catch the woman you spoke of in your story.” He discerns.

You nod, “Okay, then can you tell me who this woman is? So I know who I’m catching?” He asks.

You sigh, “That’s the thing, I’m damn sure I know who she was based on her voice and that uniform means she’s a maid, I just can’t fucking remember who damn it…!”

He gazes curiously upon you, “Private chatty.” He calls out.

“That’s not my name Sir.” he answers.

“Quiet, you questioned the technicians who run the castle security did you not?” he asks.

“Yes Sir.” He nods.

“Did anyone know what exactly happened to the security admin?” He asks.

“They believe he was lured into the bathroom by someone where he was killed, his access keys were stolen and this person managed to hack into his computer and open the door from there.” he answers.

“Did anyone see who this person was?” he asks.

He shakes his head, “They didn't. The security admin was generally a bit of a loner so people didn’t often come near his office and camera footage was already cut off at the time the admin was lured away and whoever lured him also managed to convince him to shut down even the backup cameras in the bathroom so they had no idea who it was.”

“They convinced him to shut down all cameras in the bathroom that they lured them to…Now I’m not one to jump to conclusions but doesn’t that mean the culprit was likely propositioning him?” he asks.

He nods, “The leading theory is that the culprit was a woman or else a lot of the behavior wouldn’t make sense.”

“Yes, so that’s one point to Derrick’s theory.” He nods.

“Huh? What are you getting at??” You ask.

“Shush, now another question. The fact that someone could even lure him to any bathroom means this person was someone that could get through the keep door themselves no?” He gathers.

He nods, “Yes, they wouldn’t have access to admin otherwise.”

“Are there no records of who comes in and out of the keep stored on a database somewhere?” He asks.

“There are but they’re stored on the security admin’s hard drive, the intruder knew this so they wiped all the records for that night completely clean.” he answers.

He sighs, “These bastards are nothing if not thorough…Okay, different question then, who in the castle even has access to the keep in the first place?”

“I believe that’s a question you can answer?” James looks at you.

“Only top security personnel like guard captains and technicians and senior members of the staff.” You answer, recalling Lawrence’s teachings.

“Does that include senior maids?” He asks.

“Of course.” You answer.

“Why? What are maids doing in the Keep?” He asks.

“They do what all servants do, they get summoned to serve food, assist with presentations and make all the guests feel really important.” You answer.

“And how many senior maids are there?” He asks.

“Not many, senior staff need to have been consistently performing for years, so there’s only really a handful.” You answer.

“Which are?” he asks.

“Uh…Ashley Greiner, Yvonne Finley, Mary Buckley…Brittany Julz-” That’s when it hits you, That’s when it hits you, a once vague memory of a woman balling her eyes out-flanked by two maids.

“Brittany…Brittany Julz!” You exclaim.

“Brittany? What about her?” James looks taken aback.

“No, it’s her! I’m sure of it! That voice, I only heard it once but I know it’s hers! She’s the one who attacked me that night!” You exclaim.

James looks pensive, “And she would be equipped with enough trust to pass most of the tests required to enter the Keep…but still…”

“But still what? I’m sure it’s her, we need to go question her!” You insist.

He puts a calming palm forward, “There are two issues on that front, firstly, we couldn’t speak to her even if we wanted to, she’s missing.”

“She’s…what?” You look baffled.

“She’s been missing since the day of the Razorrose Festival. The last account we have of her whereabouts is from a guide from Sunny hills where she went hiking with a man for whom we presume she was on date with.” he explains.

Your eyes go wide, “Wait…the man she was on a date with, wasn’t it…”

He nods, “Yes, it was Mr.Augustus himself, They went up the hill but the guide claims he never saw either of them come back down, we’ve sent a number of search parties up but nobody can find hide nor hair of her.”

He shakes his head, “We have no leads on her present location and the only man for whom we could’ve questioned is already dead.”

He narrows his eyes, hurt seeping through, “Damn fool girl, I told her playing around with random men would be the death of her, but did she listen? Never…and now look…”

“You knew her personally?” You ask.

“Knew her personally? It was on my recommendation that she even got a job at the castle.” he answers, “Me and her Father are long-time friends, she was like a daughter to me…which brings me to my 2nd issue.”

“Perhaps it’s my personal feelings blinding me, but I find it hard to believe that girl --as foolish as she was-- would ever participate in this madness.” He counters.

“She was always loyal and so…so strong…Even if she was threatened or coerced she would never do such a thing, not to the Royal family who had done so much for her.” He explains.

Seeing that pain in his eyes, you’re struck by doubt (He seems so certain, shit…but if that’s true then maybe it wasn’t her…)

He composes himself, “Either way, true or not we have no way to prove this account of yours so we can’t pursue that lead. Is there anyone else you can think of that might fit the bill?” he asks.

“I haven’t been in the castle long enough to get to know that many faces, I’m sorry but…” You trail off.

He sighs, “A shame, this line of questioning seemed so promising as well…”

“But I’m certain I was attacked, there’s no doubt about that!” You assert.

He nods, “There was never any such doubt, you didn’t end up in coma by chance after-all.”

“But without a person to pin responsibility on nothing will come of that fact and if we can’t prove a sure link between what happened to you and the incident between Mr.Matheo, your attack will be written off as mere happenstance.” He explains.

“And then the warmongers in parliament are going to go ahead and attack Gleetjeet, Shit…” You

"Well that line of questioning was not as fruitful as I hoped...but it was something and there other things to discuss." He points out.

"You're, we also need to talk about..."

Talk about what?

>How did Landon die?

>Who is Landon?

Leaving this vote open till tomorrow, goodnight for now.

>>5573250
>How did Landon die?
Sorry for flaking out mid session Rock, things are going absolutely nuclear over here. Chernobyl levels of fallout are being spread everywhere like shit being smeared on a wall.
Reading your writing does help me destress a lot though, so thanks for that.

>>5573250
>How did Landon die?
Could have sworn I voted when I woke up, maybe my 4chanx is being weird.

>>5573844
I hope things alright with you anon and I'm happy to hear you're enjoying the thread.

>>5574054

Well I see your vote now, so it's all good!

>How did Landon die?

>Posting

“I’m starting to realize that perhaps I don’t know as much about Landon as I thought I did…” You admit.

“Is that right?” He asks, a slight chuckle escaping him.

“Just who is Landon? Who was he really?” You ask.

“That right there is an excellent question that unfortunately I don’t have an answer for.” he answers.

“You haven’t asked around or checked any records?” You ask.

“Oh well that’s the thing. I asked the recordkeepers down in Central Offices who this Landon character was as well and they didn’t know either.” he answers.

“Huh? That’s impossible, don’t they have information about every single person in Ochima?” You argue.

“Well that’s not exactly right, Central is just the record-keeping authority. It's up to the individual countries in question to submit the information about any particular citizen so that Central can bring said information up when called upon.” He explains.

“Meaning?” You ask.

“Meaning that if Central doesn’t know who you are, there isn’t a single state in Ochima who knows you.” he answers.

“Which would mean that Augustus Landon either isn’t a citizen of Ochima or for some reason, any and all records pertaining to his identity are being kept from the relevant authorities.” He adds.

“But…but that doesn’t make any sense, he told me he was born in Dalam…” You mention.

James eyes open up, “He did? He mentioned that to you? When? Where?”

You’re a little taken aback by his excitement, “I-It was the last time we spoke with each other, he opened up to me and told me a little bit about his past.”

He takes out his notebook, “Can you describe in detail what he told you?”

“...Fine, I might be a little foggy on the details, it was a lot.” You point out.

“No problem, just be as detailed as you can be.” He asks.

You relay to him what you remember of your talk with Landon on the balcony, you tell him who his parents were, how much they meant to him, how their lives were lost in a fire and how he scars from said fire to prove it.

James listens keenly for a while and as soon as you stop talking, his response is to the point.

“That story is fake.” he determines.

“Huh?” You blurt out.

He nods to himself, “Yeah, no doubt about it. That’s a fake story he gave you, he lied to you.”

“What? What??” You can’t believe your ears, “But-How do you know? He showed me his burn scars.”

“That raises its own questions, perhaps he was caught up in some other fire? Regardless, There’s simply no way he was caught up in the incident he’s referring to, it’s simply impossible.” He explains.

“Wait, the incident?” You note, “So the stuff he talked about did happen? Then how is it a fake story?”

He sighs, “Okay, remind me to be more careful with my language next time. When I say fake I don’t mean made-up.”

“The story itself is a real incident that happened, but a number of details he gave in that story are completely false and the premise of the story itself isn’t exactly true either.” He explains.

“What exactly happened? What was the incident?” You ask.

“Ah, this a rather old story…” He looks up into the air as he thinks, “What was it 30 years ago? Before even the Schism war?”

“There was a peace mission between Siquaa and Dalam, an attempt by both countries to improve relations with each other as a part of a Federation-backed initiative to strengthen member state ties.” He starts.

“Each country sent a number of diplomats to one another’s nations with the aim of funding charity drives, building orphanages and creating homes for those without.” He lists.

“That sounds nice but from the way things are nowadays I’m assuming it failed?” You ask.

He sighs, “All things considered it was a very nice mission, however a few sheltered orphans and newly housed people isn't enough right a 1000 years of wrongs.”

“Ah, but I’m losing the point aren’t I? What’s important is that this peace mission was the stage for our love lorn duo: Mr.Fredich Gellner and Ms.Sennia Caleta, soon to be Sennia Gellner.” He corrects.

“Mr.Fredich was one prominent diplomat heading this mission Ms.Sennia was a part of his guard duty as he traveling the country. During their 6 month campaign, they had much time to talk when they weren’t working.” He adds.

“And it turned out the two of them had much in common despite the difference in their upbringings and origins and --most importantly-- both had a genuine desire to see the peace they now enjoyed last forever.” He states.

“What a wholesome couple.” You smile.

He nods, “Very, from the stories I hear they were delightful fellows. After the mission was over, the two of them settled down, they bought a nice home for each other in the countryside village Zeltron.”

“There they lived happily married for the better part of a decade, their little love story was even featured in a federal newspaper about how love can transcend history and borders. Beautiful really.” He smiles.

“It’s also no different from the story Landon relayed to me. The one you just said was fake. Following the flow, they had a single child right?” You guess.

He shakes his head, “This is where the main discrepancy lies. The two of them never had a child.”

“What?” You question.

“Ms.Sennia unfortunately suffered from a proclivity towards miscarriage, she had two in half a decade. They say each one had left her heartbroken and they wouldn’t try for another until another 5 years would pass.” He answers.

“However, it would be that same year that the Schism war would break out and the incident your friend laid out happened.” He states.

“A number of villagers, caught with a hard case of war fever and very upset with the couple living among them. Would go on to organize a mob to demand they leave the village immediately.” he explains.

“Upset? Upset about what?” You ask.

“Well they were upset at Mr.Fredich for the very obvious reason that he was an agent of an enemy state. Even though he had actually renounced his position as a diplomat and gave up his job a year prior to the war breaking out, not that they much cared.” He starts.

“But the reason they were truly upset was because of Ms.Sennia.” He adds.

“What’d she do?” You ask.

“Just like her Husband who renounced his ties to his home country, she too hung up her spear and cut ties with the spear maiden sect. This upset the village greatly.” He answers.

Your eyes open in realization, “Oh shit, I get what you’re talking about Lawerance told me about this, how the spear maidens are basically religious icons and defying the order for any reason used to be punishable by death and renouncement meant the maiden had to commit suicide.”

He nods, “Precisely, though nowadays the laws around the spear maidens aren’t nearly so extreme, in the minds of the more traditional, it is still a great offense. One worthy of banishment or worse.”

“And so because she chose to stick by her husband, they wanted to kick her out or kill her? Fucking scum…” You comment.

He puts a hand up, “Now, now, I’d ask as a foreigner you don’t judge what you don’t quite understand.”

“You condone that kind of shitty tradition?” You ask.

He glares at you, “I never said that either, I only said a foreigner has no place judging.”

“...” You say nothing and simply glare back.

“Hey now guys, let’s calm down okay?” Okabe insists.

“Yes, let’s not ruin what so far has been a perfectly polite interaction yes?” James asks.

“Just finish the goddamn story.” You demand.

He sighs, “Anyway, the villagers were upset and they weren’t going to be such gracious hosts to the couple anymore.”

“The couple however, refused to move. They considered the village to be their home and the villagers their long-time friends. On a number of occasions Mr.Fredich would even go out to attempt to reason with the mob.” he explains.

“Of course their attempts at dialogue were fruitless and the protests continued. Each interaction growing more and more tense until one day an arsonist, still unknown to this day, would set their home alight in the night while they slept.” He finishes.

“Fuck…” You blurt out.

“Their bodies were found next to each other. It seems they had woken up part way through the fire but failed to escape.” He starts.

“The scene was like something from hell itself, ash in the wind, the scent of burnt flesh in the air, the sight of a man desperately holding his wife and child, all of which melted into a pile of warped skin and charred bone. Apparently a few investigators vomited as they checked the scene.” He explains.

“I think I would too, god…” You cover your mouth in disgust.

“Are you starting to see the massive inconsistencies between this story and your friend’s now?” He asks.

“Yeah…for one, he said he and his mother survived but that was a lie and there’s no way the baby miraculously survived a fire.” You ask.

He nods, “The inside of a womb becomes something more like a boiling pot of water creating soup during a fire, expect you replace the water with blood and placenta with the baby acting as the stock-”

“Stop. Just. Fucking stop.” You demand.

He adjusts his hat, “Right.”

You sigh, “You’ve made your point. Landon lied, he lied through his teeth to me about his past…”

“That he did, probably a cover story he concocted to trick the less informed among us. Such as yourself.” James states.

“Shit…so it was all a fucking ploy huh?” You run a hand through your hair before smiling derisively.

“All just one big lie…one we all swallowed like back-alley whores. Hahaha! Fuck me…” You shake your head.

“Derrick…Are you okay?” Okabe asks.

“No. No I’m fucking not.” You frown at him.

“...” he quietly looks at you.

“...I want answers.” You demand.

“To what young man?” James asks.

“Landon, who he really is.” You answer.

He laughs, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could have such a thing? With how thoroughly the man has covered his tracks even if we solve the mystery of his death, the mystery that was his life will likely forever remain unsolved."

“Not if I’m the one searching. You think I’m just going to sit back and accept the fact that I got fucking played?” You ask.

“Hell no, even if it kills me I’m going to dig up the truth on this bastard, and then…” You trail off.

“And then…?” James gives you a curious look.

“...” You don’t answer.

He sighs, “Well, regardless I applaud your enthusiasm in helping us solve this case. Just don’t let your thirst for truth become an obsession…”

He looks you in the eye, “Or a lust for revenge.”

“...” You say nothing.

James sighs, "Well no matter, since we're on the topic of Mr.Landon, how about we discuss his death in a little more depth?"

how did Landon die anyway?” You ask.

“Poisoning.” He answers.

“He was poisoned? That would explain why I didn’t see any visible wounds on him…by who?” You question.

“Now that’s the question isn’t it…just who was it?” He asks back.

“You’re not sure?” You question.

“With poisonings, it’s always hard to determine a culprit. It’s not like a typical murder weapon where we can dust for fingerprints or run DNA tests on it.” He answers.

“Well that’s kind of obvious, so you’re saying there’s no way to know?” You ask.

He shakes his head, “No, it just means we have to work a little harder to determine the truth of the matter in this case. First we need to identify the poison and from there, we can make reasonable educated guesses that will lead us to the truth.”

“Okay, then have you identified it?” You ask.

He sighs, “Forensics tells me it functions in a way similar to cyanide, it's powerful, causes the shutdown of most vital organs like the liver, kidneys, lungs, so on so forth.”

“So it’s cyanide then.” You nod.

He shakes his head, “Well not exactly, it might be using cyanide as a base but it’s not your typical cyanide blend. It’s much slower acting, apparently needing at least 6 hours before the deadly side effects kick in.” He starts.

“Before then, it functions more like a sedative, inducing drowsiness and numbing the nerves, reducing any feeling of pain. Once it’s in your system, you would slowly be overcome by the need to sleep and once you close your eyes, your body just…shuts down.” He explains.

“A slow-acting cyanide poison…” You note, narrowing your eyes.

“Not just that, it seems once the temperature in the body reaches below a certain point, it causes the blood cells it’s infected to release a neutralizing agent that destroys any traces of the poison over the course of several hours. Forensics had to rush to extract a sample right out his body and contain it before it was all lost for good.” He adds.

“A poison that can mask itself as a sedative, kills you in your sleep and destroys any evidence it’s existence within hours…That sounds like-”

“An assassin’s poison.” James nods.

“So you’re saying he was assassinated? By who?” You question.

He shakes his head, “That’s the part we’re struggling to determine, it seems he was dead for sometime when you found him, very little of the poison remained in his system so forensics is struggling to determine anything concrete about it and it’s the first we’ve ever encountered the stuff, there’s no entry on it in any of our databases.”

“Right now, our only lead is that we found traces of some kind of tablet in his system that must have been the administering agent as it was the last thing he ingested before he died.” He explains.

“…" You look down, a contemplative look in your eye.

"What is it? You don't look satisfied with my explanation." He questions.

"No, I think your theory is mostly correct it's just that...Are you sure it was an assassination and not something else?" You ask.

"Something else?" He asks.

"What if it was suicide?" You ask.

He narrows his eyes at you, "And why would you think that?"

"I remember the lady who attacked acting shocked and annoyed at the fact that Landon was dead. She even said he chose my room to be the place he died." You add.

James ponders, "You did bring that up earlier in your description of your attack and I did find that phrasing suspect. It does imply not only was his death a suicide but also that he purposeful chose to die in your room of all places."

"But why? Ignoring how he even got there, why my room?" You ask.

"Probably to send some kind of message right?" Okabe cuts-in.

"A message?" You question.

"I didn't know the guy very long but from what I remember he was theatrical and dramatic and all that other weird shit right? Maybe it's all some elaborate message?" He speculates.

"One he had to die to make?" You ask.

"Maybe the situation he found himself in is just that serious? I mean, isn't a little too good to be true that his death just so happens to be perfectly timed in order to stop a serious disaster from breaking out?" he guesses.

"Are you implying he died specifically to prevent the war from breaking out?" James asks.

"Maybe." he answers.

"But he's also working with the same group trying to cause it, how does that make sense?" You ask.

He shakes his head, "Why are you asking me like I know? From what I hear, he was the type of guy who was always doing shit that didn't make sense. I can't even begin to guess what he was doing and why."

You sigh, "That's the goddamn problem isn't it? Landon is such a confusing fucker, you could never get a straight answer out of him. Even in fucking death he's confusing everyone..."

"Seems like he was a handful of a man." James comments.

"More like two handfuls and a pinch of fucking salt." You complain.

He laughs, "Well it seems without more concrete evidence of his motives or who was it that killed him we aren't getting anywhere with this line of questioning."

"Another dud?" You ask.

"Not quite, you've opened up a whole avenue of investigation I wasn't aware of. I'm going to look more into the possibility of this being a suicide, I feel as if this lead will bear some fruit." he smiles.

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“I think that’s about all the questions I had for you. My good man, this interview was helpful.” he compliments.

“But will it be enough to stop those warpigs in parliament?” You ask.

“The better question to ask is, is anything capable of stopping them?” he laughs as he walks over to you.

“I’ll leave you to your business now, but as a show of courtesy for your cooperation, here-” He takes out a notepad, scribbles on it and hands it to you, you take it and see his number on there.

“That’s my personal number, any significant developments in the case and I’ll inform you and if you recall or find anything that can help us build a case, call me and send it my way would you?” He winks at you.

“I might just do that…” You feel strangely creeped out.

“Oh and one more thing-” he takes the interfacing device you were handed earlier from his coat.

“Where exactly did you get this device from?” He asks.

“That? Cracked mask gave it to me. Said it was a parting gift from Landon.” You answer.

“Oh is that so?” He gives you a curious look.

“Well no matter, here you are.” he hands it to you.

“What? You’re just giving this to me?” You question.

“It’s your property is it not? We found it on your person when we discovered you.” He answers.

“Well yeah but considering where it came from wouldn’t you want to take it away for evidence or something?” You ask.

He chuckles, “My good chap Okabe already explained what the device is to me and we had forensics scrub through the device as well and they didn’t find anything suspicious or useful inside of it.”

“Or--pardon me-- they did find evidence that some software and a few files that were stored in its memory but they’re hidden behind cryptographic keys so complex that not even our top security analysts could breakthrough it.” He adds.

“Cryptography? What the hell could be so important about this little thing…?” You look closely at the unpowered device.

“Perhaps it contains some clue key to the solving of Mr.Landon’s mortal departure? Or maybe it’s lewd material that Mr.Landon stored away never to be seen again by human eyes.” He laughs.

“Either way, we don’t have the time or resources to invest in finding out, perhaps you do though?” He hands the device to you.

You nod, “Well if level of tech is the problem, I think I know someone who can handle it-” You look to Okabe, “Okabe, can you bring this device to Etheline?” You say as you hand it to him.

“You want me to deliver this?” He questions.

“Send it over to her when you get the chance. I’ll call her and tell her what I want her to do with it later.” you answer.

“Are you sure you want me to do it? My hands are tied, I barely have enough time to eat, let alone arrange deliveries.” He counters.

“At least you’ll have the chance to do so, I won’t even be on the mainland within the next week so I can only ask you to do it.” You insist.

“Fine, fine.” He sighs and pockets the device, “Soon as I get out of here, I’ll arrange for a shipping company to sail this thing out of here within the next 3 days.”

“I know a service that can do it in 2.” James adds.

You nod at that, “Good…good…”

James then heads for the door and opens it, turning back to you one more time, “The warpigs in parliament are the impatient sort but they aren’t irrational, they will reserve any major proceedings until after the crown contest has concluded.”

“But only until then. The moment the new King has been decided upon, they won’t even wait for a week to pass after inauguration to begin calls for mobilization. Time is not on our side but --Armis Willing-- Peace will prevail.” He explains.

You nod, “Know that I’m behind you 100%, when Noell takes the throne, the last thing I want is for his first kingly duty to be sending his people off to die in some pointless war.”

He laughs, “My word son, betting on the darkest of dark horses are we? Well you have my backing as well! Let’s be off Okabe old chap!”

He nods, “Right.” He gets up and reaches into his coat pocket and produces a letter, “I’ll be gone for a good bit again take this.”

“A letter? From who?” You ask incredulously, staring at the letter.

“Chairman Netero.” He answers.

“...” You look at him shocked.

“Oh don’t look so scared, it's nothing special. Just a missive on code of conduct.” He explains.

“Code of conduct? Did I break a rule?” You question.

“No but it’s a legal thing. Ochima has a special relationship with the Organization and there are certain boundaries that need to be respected. That letter is just to make sure you know the difference.” He answers.

“Oh alright…” You reach for the letter and grab it.

“Hm?” And that’s when you notice it.

Okabe immediately turns and heads for the door, “Good luck and don’t die and remember-” As he gets through the door, he turns around and gives you a serious look, “-Read that letter carefully alright?”

“...” You nod quietly.

“My I didn’t know you Hunter types took the law so seriously…” James chuckles as he heads down the hallway with Okabe.

“Yeah, well so few of them apply to us so we have to take the very few that do with some seriousness…” He keeps up with the small-talk as the sound of them fades further and further away.

Soon enough you’re left alone, you look down at the unopened letter in your hand for a moment before opening it up and reading the paper inside.

Upon first reading -Just like Okabe said- it’s just a missive, quite an innocuous one too. Page after page of legal nonsense that only a lawyer could actually understand most of it covering scenarios you’d never find yourself in or could get yourself out of if need be.

But what you’re looking for isn’t any of this legal mumbo-jumbo; rather the page you focus on is the one at the very back, a page that’s completely blank on both sides. A little out of place, normally you’d write this off as a printing accident that they just threw in to not waste paper.

But that slight tingle you feel as you grip the page sends the whiff of Nen across your nose, one you noticed as soon as you grabbed the letter.

(read carefully Huh…) You control the flow of your energy and direct a collection of Nen into your eyes.

Now looking with Gyo you look upon the page and see the real message hidden within:

Derrick, I hope this message finds you well because our situation back home is anything but. The first line reads.

Though operations proceed as normal on the surface there is a deeper internal push to get the organization politically involved with Ochima. The Organization has been watching the situation in Ochima devolve for a long time. Mainly under the request of our mutual friend Soren who is coordinating himself with certain groups within the Yorbian state.

These groups have long been waiting for war to break out across the Ochiman continent so they can send Yorbian troops over in the name of intervention and peace-keeping. Though I believe it’s just an attempt to push Yorbian power to the one place it’s failed to reach.

But Yorbia’s reasons for wanting this war withstanding, Soren’s reasons for aiding them is something I’m currently unable to discern. The USJ government already loves him --considering how much they subsidize his research into immortality-- he seems to have nothing to gain from pushing us into this conflict and yet push he does.

Soren is already signing contracts to have his little militarized wing of the organization join in the coming battle as a volunteer force. Thankfully, with my power as chairman I can prevent him from dragging the whole organization into his madness but our involvement at this point is beyond my control.

You grimace (By god…Yorbia is getting Involved and Soren is dragging us into that stupid shit? What happened to the Hunter Organization’s neutrality? I guess that’s out the window when you’ve got some power-mad asshole leading things...) You realize.

Derrick, I don’t know about you but I’m not in support of this madness. The world’s problems aren’t our problems, and I refuse to be dragged into this madness simply because that boy’s machinations

I’m taking steps on my side to do whatever possible to prevent this conflict. But here is the truth, the only thing that can stop this conflict from truly spiraling out of control is for Ochima to stay in control. They need a leader and I believe that leader can only be Noell.

That young man, I believe has his country’s best interest in mind and if he doesn’t he has you there to tell him what his country’s best interest are and me to order him to stay within them. The only real way I can see us preventing this madness is for him to seize victory in this so-called Crown Contest.

For that reason I’m assigning you this mission: Ensure Noell’s victory in the Crown Contest, no matter the cost.

“Hah…As if I planned to do any less…” You can’t help but chuckle a little as you read that line.

As I see it now, this is a B-class mission in difficulty. Far beyond the difficulty of a fledging Hunter such as yourself should be handling alone. I would send reinforcements to back you up but unfortunately maneuvering on our side of the pond has my hands tied for now. So expect no reinforcements, you will have to work with what you have.

I believe you can do it. I’m counting on you.

-Netero

“No reinforcements huh…That makes things a little difficult…Can’t count on anyone to come and save me anymore…” You think.

A knock comes from the door, “Derrick?” Hansel’s voice comes, “Do you mind if we come in?” He asks.

“Yeah! Don’t worry the meeting is over!” You shout to them.

He opens the door and approaches gingerly, you see Hansel flanked by Gretal, scratching his head in the doorway, “Figured as much, We just saw the detective and your friend leave from the front entrance, I was a little scared you might be going with them.”

“What? For the crime of back-chatting the almighty FedSec? They wish they had that much power.” You chuckle.

“No, I meant they might take you with them for further questioning or something like that, which wouldn’t be the most favorable outcome for us…” He explains.

“You think I’d let them take away anything when I’ve got to cover my buddy’s ass? Hansel, have a little faith.” You quip.

He and Gretal smile, “O-Of course we had faith, but with the sudden death of your friend and the incident at the castle we f-feared you might be too busy trying to solve that or w-worse…”

“Worse?” You question.

“...That seeing such death might dissuade you from helping us.” Hansel answers.

You crack a smile, “You think I’d run?”

You tear off your bedsheet and hop from your bed to the floor, the stunt almost has you trip but you easily recover your balance upon landing, your feet just a little wobbly from lack of use.

“D-Derrick!” Gretal shouts, concerned for you as you walk towards them.

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“You think I’d run? Just because things are just starting to get real? I swear, all of you must think I’m somekind of coward.” You accuse.

“N-No I would never! It’s just that we presumed you’d value your safety and perhaps-”

You put a hand up as you close in on them, “You don’t need to say anything, it’s fine.” You then give him a resolute look, “I’m staying.” You then walk past the two and head for the door.

“W-Where are you going?” Gretal asks.

“The front desk, I’m checking myself out of this depressing-ass place.” You answer, not breaking your stride.

They start to follow you as you pivot into the hallway, “But don’t you need rest?” Hansel asks.

“I have far too much work to do to be just laying about in bed. Besides, can’t you see I’m fully healed?” You stretch your arms and shoulders as you walk to demonstrate.

“...” The two of them look incredulously at each other but say no more.

“So after I check myself out of this place, how are we dodging this joint?” You ask.

“...I can call for a taxi to take us to a port that will have us on the island before the end of the day.” Hansel answers.

“How long will that take?” You ask.

“30 minutes.” He answers.

“Sweet, got just enough time for me to get my shit from the hospital…The hospital does have my shit right?” You ask.

“I-I can help you with that.” Gretal answers.

“Good! Let’s move out you two, time’s a wastin!” You order.

They nod as they walk ahead of you and you show a strong smile as they pass you by, (No reinforcements…A shame, but something tells me I won’t need them.)

“Besides…” You say to yourself, recalling the cold and heavy gaze of the cracked mask killer.

You feel a shiver down your spine but that only makes your smile grow wider, “I’ve got a promise to keep with that fucker, I won’t leave till I have him and everyone he works with answer for what they’ve done!” You declare

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The sound of whirring blades tearing through the atmosphere at obscene speeds rings lightly through your noise blocking headphones. Next to you a very nervous Hansel hugs himself in his seat and taps his feet.

Noticing this, you tap him with your elbow, causing him to jump, “Hey, why are you looking so jumpy? Scared to head into battle?” your voice comes with a twinge of static as it goes through the headphones.

He shakes his head, “N-No…”

You give him a hard stare, “O-Okay, yes a little…but that’s not why I’m in such a tizzy!”

“And why are you in a tizzy?” You chuckle as you mimic his accent.

“D-Did I ever mention I have a crippling fear of heights?” He asks.

“You didn’t and if that’s the case why did we decide to go by helicopter? We should’ve gone by boat.” You counter.

“Y-You’re right! You’re so right! Gretal! Can you tell me why we aren’t on a boat despite Derrick being so right!?” he shouts.

“Because going on a boat would make me seasick!” Gretal answers, she sits at the edge of the helicopter floor, her legs sticking out and relaxing on the landing skid as enjoys the rushing wind in her hair.

“There you go Derrick! The reason I’m on the verge of a panic attack is because Gretal can’t handle a little sea-sickness!” He explains.

“It’s not a little! You know if I’m on a boat for more than 5 minutes I start vomiting! And the island takes over 4 hours by boat to reach! Meanwhile it only takes 2 hours by air!” She counters.

“Yes! 2 hours of me resisting a heart attack everytime this flying coffin twists a little too hard! I swear, I have no idea how you two can stand being in these things for even a minute!” He shouts.

“I’ve had worse.” You answer recalling the crash of the flying airship you barely survived.

“And It’s fun! All the shaking and twisting is like a roller-coaster and the breeze is so nice! Why don’t you sit beside me Hans? The ocean is so pretty!” She invites.

“Y-You want me to get any closer to the edge than I already am!? Are you trying to kill me!?” He complains.

“You’ll never get over your fear if you don’t face it!” She argues.

“I’ll get over my fear when I’m back on the ground and away from any flying objects! I swear when we get out of this place, we are leaving by boat!” He demands.

“Oh Armis spare me no, just the thought of that is getting me queasy…” She complains.

“One can’t stand flights, the other can’t stand boats…I sure hope when you two get hitched, you never travel out of the country for honeymoons.” You state.

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“Shut up!” They shout in unison.

The pilot laughs, “Man you guys are funny! I could listen to this all day!”

“I couldn’t! Please tell me we’re landing soon!” Hansel asks.

“We are actually! If you look out you’ll be able to see the island!” The pilot answers.

“Really?” You get and head for the open door, you support yourself from falling by holding the handles at the top of the helicopter and stick your head out.

You see dark blue, swishing waters below, the sun shimmering and reflecting off the waters like something out of a painting and in the middle of this painting is a far off, mysterious island.

“We’ll be landing in another 40 minutes, after that you guys should have a drive that will take you where you need to go.” he states.

“You aren’t dropping us in the base itself?” you ask.

“No can do! Airspace up to the ports are fine but anything past that is a hot-zone! I ain’t getting shot down today, I’m just the transport guy!” he answers.

“Wait, doesn’t that mean our drive could get attacked on the way there?” Hansel asks.

“It shouldn’t be so chaotic there that you’ll get attacked right out the gate but hey, what the hell do I know? I ain’t fighting in this shit.” He answers.

“What a vote of confidence…” Hansel complains.

“...” You stare resolutely at the distant isle and ready yourself for the harshness to come.

In little under an hour, the helicopter delivers you to a militarized port at the edge of the island, the port itself is massive, with multiple warehouses and a maze of freight ships and containers. Before he departs the pilot is kind enough to point you in the direction you’re supposed to go.

A move you’re deeply grateful for as the port is totally absent save for your group, you’re all attacked by a sense of dread and fear as you wander the long and empty roads of the port for 30 or so minutes before you reach the entrance.

There you find a single humvee and a strange man leaning against it, from the distance you see he’s playing with something in his hand.

As you get closer, you see that thing he’s playing with is actually a massive jack knife, one he weaves and spins through his fingers with terrifying deftness. More astonishing still is that the knife in his hand isn’t even the most disturbing part about him.

He’s a tall man, almost monstrously, standing at 7ft tall. Dressed slovenly in forest camouflage fatigues, his broad muscular frame nearly bursting out of them, his dark red beret lies slightly crooked on his head, revealing a raven black buzzcut, on the right side of his face, one long, stitched up scar running from his mouth almost up to his ear, giving him a strange, asymmetrical smile.

He has a bored and distant look in eyes as you approach, once you get close enough, he leans off the humvee, sheathes his knife and approaches with a stride that can only be described as condescending.

“Right then-” He pauses to spit on the road, he then looks each of you up and down before taking his finger and pointing it at you.

“Derrick yeah?” He asks.

You nod, then he points at Hansel, “You’re Hansel right?”

“Y-Yes sir.” He answers.

“And so the lady is Gretal, right, yeah, good…” He nods to himself.

“Why do you sound as if you’re guessing?” You ask.

“Cause I kinda am. Didn’t see ya pictures, I made a bet with someone back at base that I could figure out which of youse was which just by looking at ya.” he answers.

“Wait, how did you know which of us was which then?” Hansel asks.

He points at Gretal again, “Well, obviously the young lady would have to be Gretal, ain’t never ‘ard of a bloke running around with a name like that.”

He points at you, “Figured you ‘ave be Derrick seeing as you’re the only Yorbian for miles and you seem to have at least one functioning testicle.”

And then he points at Hansel, “And you ‘ave to be Hansel, because of fucking course a prissy looking prat like you would be named fucking Hansel.”

“Prissy prat!?” He asks.

“You got the face of someone who ain't been punched in the face. No problum though, staying out here should fix that right up.” He chuckles

“You don’t know a damn thing about me, you rude cockney bastard!” Hansel shouts back.

“Call me whatever you want, don’t mean what I said is any less true. not to mention me rudeness just made me 20,000 Jenny richer. Oh I can’t wait to see the look on John’s face…” He laughs to himself.

“Okay, first off, if you’re going to be slinging insults at us you might as well tell us who the hell you are?” You ask.

He scoffs, “Who am I? The name’s Jack Keele, though most just call me Smiling Jack.”

“What? On account of the scar?” You ask.

“No, because I have a bright and sunny disposition. Of bloody course because of the fucking scar!” He answers.

“W-Where did you get the scar?” Gretal asks.

“Well sweetheart, one day I got bored so I wandered into yander forest and found me a foxbear to wrestle. I gave him one nasty smackdown but he caught me in me gord and gave me this nice smile as a parting gift before I broke its neck.” He answers.

“Is that story real?” Hansel asks.

He nods, “Yeah lad it is! Just don’t ask the boys back at base, I lied and said I got it in a wild fishing accident where I wrestled a barracuda shark! But I was just lying to them, I’m telling you all the real truth cause we’re friends!”

You frown, “Why isn’t Noell here to pick us up?”

He laughs, “What? You think boss is going to come all the way down from his castle to pick up a collection of leftover servants who are over a month late? You lot must think you’re something fucking special.”

What will you say?

>Because I am important.

>Can you stop wasting our time and just get us to base?

>>5574275
>Can you stop wasting our time and just get us to base?

>>5574275
>Can you stop wasting our time and just get us to base?

>>5574310
>>5574359

>Don't waste me time.

You sigh, "What is this shit? Can you stop wasting time and just get us to base?"

He perks up, “Oh?” He reaches into his fatigues and pulls out a canister, he uncaps it the scent of strong booze fills the air.

He takes a deep swig before grinning at you, “So you’re a big somebody are we? Mr.Special and important?”

“What? The fuck are you talking about?” You ask.

“Well you must be considering all the attitude you’re giving me.” He answers.

“Are you even listening to me? I said-”

He taps the canister against his head, “You know, now that I think back on it, boss did say he wanted to have you in particular specially delivered to him as soon as you arrive. So yeah, you must be really fucking special.”

He cranes his head at you, “But the thing is, can’t see it really? The fuck has your lanky ass got going? You look like a back-of-the-magazine gay pornstar if you ask me. What? Can you take it up the arse nice or something?”

You feel a pulse of rage, “You fucking- No, no, no-” You stop yourself, “No I’m not doing this, I don’t know what the fuck this is, but I’m not doing it.”

“What do you mean? I’m just asking questions, can’t you be polite and answer?” He laughs.

Hansel steps forward, “Hey! Let’s not waste time like this, you’re here to drive us aren’t you, so hurry up-”

In a single, swift motion, Jack draws his knife and points it at Hansel, “Shut the fuck up, you prissy little faggot.” He demands, in a cold and hard voice.

“-!” Hansel backs down.

You step forward, outrightly pissed, “Is your idea of a fucked-up joke or something? Who the hell even are you?”

He laughs, “Hey Derrick-” He points his canister at you, “You like scotch?”

“More of a rum guy, scotch tastes like gutter water to me.” You counter.

“Sounds to me like you haven’t had the good stuff yet then-” The bored look in his eyes turns excited, “Want to try my stuff instead!?”

FHOOOSH!

With uncanny speed and strength, he tosses the metal canister in his hand at you, there was at least 20 ft between you and him but the canister cuts through that distance in half a second.

Swat!

You swat the canister away on reflex, you shoot an angry glance at Jack to whom you were ready to launch a tirade of violent insults for this transgression, but your eyes find nothing in the spot he once stood.

“Heh.” You hear the slightest chuckle from way too close, you glance down and see the man’s terrifying face rising up from below your chest, his knife poised to gouge out your throat.

“Shi-!” You don’t even have time to understand how he reached you or curse your unreadiness as you bend backwards, barely managing to dodge death before leaping back.

The moment your feet hit the ground you’re in a combat stance, staring down this enormous, smiling beast as he creeps closer to you, his knife pointed and ready.

“What the hell are you doing!?” Hansel shouts as he and Gretal ready their weapons.

“Good reflexes Mr.Special, most die after that little one-two combo, maybe you do got something going on.” He compliments.

“What the fuck!? Aren’t we supposed to be on the same side!?” You steadily step back as he approaches.

“Ain’t no one on my side till they prove they can tussle worth a shit! So come on! Hit me!” He demands.

“You’re fucking crazy!” You exclaim.

“And you’re a fucking pussy apparently! A blind one at that!” He insults.

“Blind-?”

Suddenly, your entire world goes dark, pitch black.

“What!?” You shout, you’ve gone blind, you rub your eyes hard to no avail

“Hah!” But even so, your attacker does not relent, you hear him coming at you

What will you do?

>Use your other senses!

>Use Nen! Create an En field around your body!

>>5574376
>Use your other senses!
The nen option seems a bit of a trap since Derrick is pretty much a amateur when it comes to nen

>>5574391
+1
I agree.

>>5574391
>>5574410

>Rely on your other senses

>Writing.

"Damn...!" You give up on trying to restore your sight and use your ears instead. You listen out for falls of his feet and the heaving of his breath.

Left, right, left, right, left and right!

"Hah-!" A breath with a hint more ferocity reaches your ears.

SMACK!

You lash your arm to the right and feel muscle, you catch him at the pit of his elbow, he must have been going for a jab at side of your throat, you cut off his motion and get held there.

He whistles, "Oh so even without your eyes, you got sharp ears too do ya? Not bad." Even as he speaks he keeps trying to push the knife into your jugular and despite your best attempts to push him away, his monstrous strength only allows you to keep him at bay.

(This fucker is really trying to kill me-!) You swing with a left hook, aiming for where you think his chin is.

PAP!

Your strike doesn't make contact, going by the constricting feeling around your arm, he must have grabbed your strike with his other hand.

"Ah. Ah!" He laughs and scolds you.

"Errr!" You try and push through and strike, you fail.

You try and pull back and free your hand, you fail.

(What is this motherfucker's strength!? He's even stronger than fucking Man-eater!) You feel as you're wrestling a gorilla.

"It's nice to have good ears but nothing beats having eyes. Means you don't miss the little details." He scolds.

"Huh-"

TRIP!

(A sweep!?) Before you even know what's going on, you've fallen to you unto your side and then on your back.

WHOOOSH!

You hear the rushing wind an attack coming at you, you roll out of the way.

CLINK!

The clink of metal against pavement, it was a knife, you just barely avoided being stabbed.

SHING!

"Gah-!" But you couldn't avoid the follow-up slash, you feel a burning pain along your chest, you grip it to feel blood pouring out.

"Hah-!" You hear him rush forward.

“Huh!?” In the same instant he springs towards you, your eyes begin to see clearly again. Now you can see that his knife is poised towards your chest, aiming for your heart.

No time to think, only act, you swing hard with your right, aiming to land a lightning-quick cross aimed at his nose.

He smiles at you.

Your arm falls to your side.

“WHAT!?” All the muscles in your right arm have totally stopped functioning, you don’t feel it and you can’t move it, it might as well not even be there.

“DIE!” Jack scream as thrusts his knife at your chest.

CLANG!

Metal clinks and clangs, you expected death but instead you’re met with the shaft of Hansel’s cutting Jack’s knife off course.

“Hands off my friend you fucking piece of scum!” Hansel glares and shouts.

He whistles, “Warhammer huh? Manly weapon for such a sissy!”

“Sissy? Sissy!?” He steams with rage, “Let’s see you call me that AGAIN!” he deflects Jack’s knife and deftly swings his hammer with the same momentum, aiming for his head.

Jack relaxes his postures and dodges the strike just before it lands, neither deterred nor missing a beat, Hansel carries the swing and twists around aiming for his stomach.

“Oh?” He pulls his hips back and pulls in his torso to narrowly dodge the strike.

Then he spins again aiming for his feet, he hops, he spins once more and goes overhead with his strike aiming to crush his skull, Jack leaps back, smiling all the while.

“Armis spare me, all this fucking spinning what are ya a goddamn ballerina? Leave it up to the sissy to make even hammers seem fucking girly.” He laughs.

BANG! BANG!

PLINK!

Two shots ring out, the first one Jack dodges, the second he deflects with his knife, he traces the origin of the shot to find Gretal and her two pistols.

“How’s that for girly?” She sounds calm, in your experience, that means she’s pissed beyond reason.

“Nice toys, do you actually have the balls to kill tho-”

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG She starts emptying her clip at him.

He weaves like the wind, dodging into the narrow spaces between her bullets and slashing any rounds that he can’t outright dodge, “Oh good! You can shoot to kill!”

Then from outside his vision, the head of a hammer comes swinging in, “Shite-!” He cries out as he bends his entire upper body down to his knees as if he’s doing limbo to dodge both the swings and the bullets and holds himself there.

“DODGE THIS!” Hansel shouts as he twists his swing and into an overhead strike that lands on target, aimed at Jack’s sternum.

CLANG!

“Oof-!” Jack blocks the strike with his knife, sparks fly off the blade as the two pieces of iron clash, he manages to avoid direct damage but now Hansel has him pinned with his hammer.

From the corner of your eye you can see Gretal is rushing forward to get a new angle she can shoot him from while he’s pinned, you can’t help but be amazed as you watch this entire exchange.

(Is this the same Hansel and Gretal I knew from before? Were they training while I was out?) You wonder, (Their coordination and technique have improved vastly, amazing…but…) You narrow your eyes at Jack.

The smile on his face is back.

“So the lad and his lass can fight worth a shit after-all! Color me surprised!” He shouts, taking his freehand to scratch a tiny wound into one of Hansel’s arms with his fingernails.

“You think that will be enough to stop me!? You’re a fool-”

His hammer clatters along the ground, “HUH!?” He shouts as the arm Jack scratched goes limp.

“Still, I think your little combo attacks here got a big problem-!” With only half his strength available, Jack is easily able to deflect Hansel’s hammer even from that awkward position, he then rolls unto his hands and the tips of his toes.

“Shit!” Gretal readies her pistol and fires.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Her shots hit pavement as Jack rolls out of the way, crossing from Hansel’s front to Hansel’s back in less than a second, and then he springs to his knee before swiping with his knife.

SHINK

“GAHHHH-!” A gory sound rings out as he hooks his knife into Hansel’s ankle, stabbing deep enough for the blade to pop out of the other end of his leg.

“Hansel!” You cry out and rush forward.

“Hey now! No moving you!” He shouts at you, twisting the knife in Hansel’s ankle

“AHHHH! AHHHHHHHHHHH-!” He cries out in agony.

“Shit!” You stop dead in your tracks.

“I got this boy by his kester now! If I twist this knife at the wrong angle I might end up opening up an artery!” He threatens.

“Fuck…” You back up a bit.

“Shit! Shit! SHIT! SHIT!” Gretal panics as she takes aim at Jack between Hansel’s feet, but then he grabs the back of Hansel's shirt so hard he tears it lightly and takes control of his upper body, which he pulls to put Hansel in front of him.

“You gonna shoot lassie! Huh!? Huh!?” He keeps twisting Hansel’s body to and fro, blocking her shot.

“You coward! Let him go! LET HIM GO!” She screams.

“See this!? You’ve got a nice thing going but your weapons conflict with each other! All I gotta do is put your boyfriend in the way of ya little plinker and see what happens!?” He berates.

“I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!” Realizing she can’t shoot, she rushes forward to wrestle him off.

“Oh? Really now?” He cracks a smile as he pulls his knife out and stands up, he plants his foot on Hansel’s back and kicks him forward.

“Hansel!” She drops her pistols and grabs him just before he lands on the hard pavement, she nearly topples over in doing so.

SMACK

The second her hands are occupying, Jack smacks Gretal across her face, the blow is hard and violent enough to send her reeling, she drops Hansel on his side, he grabs his leg wound and clenches up.

“You’re going to kill me? You and your 5’1 scrawny girl body? You” As she reels back, seeing stars, she shakes her head to recover and as soon as she can see and move clearly again, she sees him hovering a knife over her throat.

“Gh-!” Fear runs down her spine as she looks up at the giant, menacing man.

“You use ya fuckin’ plinkers because you know that’s the only way you can face on a man on the battlefield, when things get up close and personal like this-” He rubs the blood of his knife on her cheek before sliding the edge along her neck, creating a small gash.

“You’re just a standing pile of shiverin’ meat.” He declares coldly.

“Ah…Ah….” She quivers down to her knees.

SMACK

Jack grabs the shaft of Hansel’s hammer as it swings towards his head, he looks over to see Hansel, standing on shaky knees as he glares pure death at him.

“Get…away…from her…!” He pants out.

He looks down at the open wound in Hansel’s leg, spewing out blood but standing firm, he whistles again.

“Hansel…!” A degree of hope returns to Gretal’s eyes as she sees him.

“Tough for a prat, maybe you’re more of a man than I give you credit for!” He compliments.
.
“If you ever touch her again, I swear I’ll have your fucking innards!” Hansel threatens

He laughs, “Oh my, I’d love to see just how the hell you’d do that.”

“But-!” He takes a tighter grip of Hansel’s hammer before swinging his entire body into Gretal, throwing the both of them to the ground before turning around and ducking.

SWINNNNNNG

Your fist tears through the air hard enough to kick up a small gust that blows all the dust off the ground and kicks up a cloud.

The cloud hides Hansel and Gretal away, so Jack is left staring in awe of you. Your eyes narrowed to a dagger’s point and focused with rage.

“It appears the main course wants a piece of me first.” He laughs.

“Main course?” Your voice is laced with anger, “Is this some kind of fucking game to you? Are you enjoying this? What's even the point of this!?”

“What's the point?" He repeats, laughing.

"Believe it or not. I'm helping you." he states.

"Helping...us?" You question.

"You three aren't ready for what lies beyond this port, the fact that ya can't even beat me is proof of that." he counters.

"Grr..." You growl at him.

He frowns at you, "The workplace of a soldier is hell itself. Beyond this line is nothing but madmen and psychopaths, ones even worse meself. The weak have no place here, leave."

"The weak? Did you just call me...weak?" You feel your rage growing.

He nods, "Yeah, I did. And I'll do it again. Yer weak. Turn back little man take yer friend with ya."

You shake your head, "As if I'd back down here, I'll show you what weak looks like after I'm done having you play lost and found with your missing teeth!"

He smiles, "Bravado, a good indicator of a scared man trying to seem brave." he laughs, "But hey, I do applaud you and your friends for not running, so fine then-"

"Get past me." He lowers his center of gravity, puts an open hand forward and holds his knife parallel to his chest. The look in his eye tells you he's serious now.

"Think of me as the gatekeeper between earth and Hell, only the strong get the choice to walk willingly into hell. While the weak turn back and go and stay where they belong." He explains.

"What are you, Derrick?" He asks.

"..." You say nothing and take a stance.

His smile grows wider as he watches you intently.

https://youtu.be/faZEYN4KHx0

Seems he’s ceding the first move to you, what will you do?

>Take him hand to hand, your technique is superior to his.

>Try and remove that knife out of his hand.

>>5574498
>Take him hand to hand, your technique is superior to his.
Call it a gut feeling, but I feel like trying to wrestle the knife from the guy would be like trying to remove a coin from cement.
Derricks best choice imo is to go back to his specialty. His fists.

>>5574504
Supportan
Honestly Derrick's biggest flaws is a lack of a hatsu/proper nen ability. He's gonna really struggle against a lot of these monsters with bullshit nen hatsu

>>5574504
>>5574508

>Catch these hands fool

You square up, you shift your weight from foot to foot, you tuck in deep and start weaving your upper body as you approach.

“The Dempsey roll? A boxer are we?” He analyzes, relaxing his posture and admiring your form.

(Arrogrant fuck…I’ll show you!) You close the distance in seconds, you rear back for a right hook.

He bends his neck to go for another slick dodge.

SMACK!

He just barely manages to block the body kick from your left leg, “Ah! So you’re actually a kick-boxer!”

“Tch!” He saw your feint coming, you click your tongue and pull your leg back just before he swipes at it with his knife, then you throw a straight.

He swats it away and stabs, you swat his knife away and thrust a knife hand at his exposed throat, he ducks and counters with an uppercut elbow which you shut down by smashing your fist into his elbow.

“Fuck-!” He cries out as he peels back at little, you follow up with a question-mark kick, somehow anticipating your kick, he grabs your foot just before it lands in his temple and goes for a stab.

You leap off your grounded leg and swing your entire body, putting maximum momentum and torque into your other leg, sending him reeling backwards as you leg crashes into his chin, you free yourself just before you get dragged away with him.

“Nuh bud!” He sputters out.

“Huh?” You crane your neck at him.

He grabs his unhinged jaw and snaps it back into place, “Fuck! Ow! Not bad I said!” He praises.

“I’m starting to see why the boss wanted to give you the special treatment, with moves like that you must be some kinda prize fighter or sumthin right? Some ring warrior?” He asks.

“I’ve never fought officially--well--I’m not a professional.” You correct.

“Then you learned to scrap like that off the streets did you? Yeah, that makes sense, you’ve got just the right mix of proper technique while mixing in the occasionally dirty trick…” He nods and compliments.

“You can praise me all you like-” You lean back into your stance, “Still gonna kick your ass.”

He laughs, “You think I’m praising you? No lad, I’m appraising you.”

He narrows his eyes at you, “You see, I’m a hobby huntsman, I enjoy stalking and understanding my prey’s little ticks and strengths alongside their weaknesses, so I can truly appreciate the kill.”

“...” You slowly close in on him as he preoccupies himself with talking.

“Your strengths are your tenaciousness, slipperiness and raw physical athleticism. Fierce and hardy and a bit of a showboat. You’re like a modern day fucking gladiator mate-” He closes his eyes and nods to him.

“-!” You don’t miss that chance, you dash forward and attempt to uppercut his diaphragm.

“Gah-!” But the moment your fist connects to his torso, once again your arm falls limply to your side, delivering no damage.

File: Spoiler Image (144 KB, 850x1360)

144 KB JPG

SHING!

You barely manage to dodge as he slashes at your face, he cuts a long, skin-deep wound into your cheek.

“But that’s also your problem, you’re so used to streets and rings that you’re thinking too normal” He scolds as you desperately try and fix your numb arm to no avail, he bull rushes you with a knife in hand.

You attempt to slink back and dodge, but the moment you put your left foot back, it gives out from underneath you

“What the-” You topple over, the back of your head almost crashing into the pavement, but just before you hit your head, Jack’s bull rush crashes into your torso.

“GUH-” You have the wind expelled from your lungs upon impact, the pain is immense, you fade out of consciousness for a moment, only being brought back by the violent, rolling landing that follows the tackle.

The moment you both stop rolling, Jack straddles you now, keeping you firmly pinned with his bodyweight as he posies his knife overhead, “Out on this battlefield, the enemy will never fight you normal, they will use every tricks you’ve never even imagined to get you-!”

He thrusts his knife at your head.

CRACK!

His knife buries itself slightly into the pavement as you dodge with your head, “And if ya can’t keep up! If ya can’t throw out something unimaginable yerself-!”

CLINK! CLINK! CLINK!

He keeps on stabbing at you, and you continue to dodge by narrower and narrower margins, “Then you’re dead! Dead! DEAD!”

He stabs the pavement once more, but this time instead of pulling the knife back up, he slides it across the gravel and runs it across your other cheek, almost cutting it open entirely.

“GAHHHHHHH-!”

GRIP!

“Guh-” Your cry of agony is interrupted by Jack taking a tight grip on your throat and hoisting his knife high once more.

“So show me Mr.Special.” He demands, a bloodthristy look in his eyes.

Your eyes dart over towards Hansel and Gretal, they lie helplessly in a broken pile nearby, you doubt they are even conscious.

He tightens the grip on your throat, “Ah-” You squeak out

“Show me what you’ve got what it takes to survive!!” He shouts thrusts knife down at your head with all his might, giving you no way to escape.

Hmmmmm…

But half-way through the madman’s strike, time seems to slow to a near stand-still and then you feel a new presence nearby, a haunting and powerful one.

Your eyes dart towards where that feeling is coming from and lo and behold, “Lucy-!” You barely manage to cry out.

She stands meters away from you, watching the predicament you find yourself in with a slight air of amusement.

“Hello darling, quite the situation you find yourself in, isn’t it?” She quips.

“How-? How are you-? Out of my-mind?” You choke out.

“Well for one, I was never in your mind, I reside in my favorite place to be, your soul.” She corrects.

“You-You know what I mean, how are you here-!? What’s going-”

“Shhhh-Shhh-Shhhh…” She hushes, “Questions for later dear, we’re on a bit of a timer.” She points at the knife-though very slowly-still approaching your head.

“What the hell-Am I supposed to do-about this!?” You ask.

She giggles, "What indeed? Well before we answer that-" She strides over before getting on her knees and hanging her face over your head.

"Do you know why you're in this predicament?" She asks in a hushed voice.

"B-Because this fucker is way too strong!" You answer.

She shakes her head, "It's true that this fellow has considerable strength but believe it or not, he's not that much stronger than you are. It's just that he's making use of something you've neglected. Can you tell me what that is?"

"...Nen." You answer.

She nods, "Though you don't fully comprehend his ability, you've surely noticed he has some ability to cause certain parts of your body to fail at will."

"C-Can you tell me how to get around that?" You ask.

"I can actually. You also have to use Nen." She answers.

"B-But I barely know how! I haven't h-had the chance to train!" You counter.

"Oh, that's right!" She says in faux-shock, "Now, if only there was a way to fast-track such a progress that would help you right now..."

"Hrrr...are you upset?" You ask.

"Upset? Upset about what?" She asks.

"U-Upset that I didn't take your offer?" you ask.

"Why would I be upset about that?" She asks.

"B-Because you warned me I would need it and I-I turned you down anyway?" You ask.

"Oh that! Well...maybe just a little bit." She nods.

"O-Oh come on!" You complain.

"Again, I know you have a hard time trusting me. I understand that. I also understand why you rejected me in that moment. I do not resent you for that." She explains.

She leans in closer, her dark eyes take on a slightly angry shape, "But I do have the heart of a maiden and being told by the man you love that you aren't trustworthy...I won't lie that I was probably far angrier in that moment than I was letting on."

"A-Are you still angry?" You ask.

"That depends, feel like taking my offer now?" She asks.

"Grr...i still don't know..." You answer.

"Oh, okay." She pulls back, giving you a full view of the knife still slowly coming at your head.

She smiles, "I suppose I'll just leave you to figure out a way to deal with your new friend on your own then!"

"W-Wait! How am I supposed to do that!?" You ask.

"Oh you don't need an untrustworthy woman's advice on that do you? You can do that on your own." She answers.

"O-Oh come the fuck on! If I die, you die! D-Don't pull this shit!" You counter.

"It will be quite the tragedy for you to fall here but dying alongside my forlorn lover who refused to listen to me actually sounds quite poetic you know? Almost Shakespearian." She argues.

"D-Don't joke around like that! C-Can't you do something!?" You ask.

"Like what?" She asks.

"Like push him or blast him away or turn back time or some bullshit!?" You ask.

"This form you see before you isn't a physical one, it's more a projection. One only you can see or hear or feel. Watch." She sticks a hand out at Jack and the hand phases through him.

"And I don't know who told you I can manipulate time or space, I have no such powers. There's nothing I can do to help you." She explains.

"T-Then what am I supposed to do!? J-Just die!?" You ask.

"Well that's one option or..." She leans back in, putting her face even closer than before, "You can. Take my. Deal."

"C-Can't you just possess my body like you did all those other times!?" You ask.

"That I can also do, but all that does is enhance your physical attributes. We already went over this, the reason you're losing isn't because you lack the physical strength to beat him, it's because you cannot surmount his Nen ability." She answers.

"I can give you that ability but only if you trust me to do so." She explains.

"..." You go quiet.

"So, feel like trusting me now?" She asks.

What will you say?

>Fine! Fine I trust you!

>Only this once! Only for now!

>>5574571
>Only this once! Only for now!
Damn she's got us by the metaphorical balls in a vice grip. I'm curious about what hatsu(?) she'll 'give' us however.

>>5574578
+1

>>5574578
>>5574591

>Just this once!

>Writing...

"Grrr...Fuck it! Fine! It trust you!" You answer.

"Yes!" She cheers.

"B-But only this once! O-Only because I'm a dead man otherwise!" You add.

She smiles, "That's fine, I only need just a little of bit of trust for this next part to work. Now I need you to close your eyes." She orders.

"What!? W-Why!?" You ask.

“Are you questioning me? Right after you said you would put your trust in me?” She asks back.

“Grr…” You close your eyes as requested, shutting them tight so you can’t see a thing.

She giggles, “This next part will feel a little strange but I promise you it’s all for your benefit.”

“That sounds-”

Mwah

Your worry is cut off by the softness of her cold lips, interlocked now with yours and for the next few moments, her lips stay locked with yours.

At first, all that you feel is her lips, pressing harder against your mouth, then a tingling feeling runs through your body.

It starts weak and is centered only on your lips, but within seconds the feeling spreads all across your head and down to your abdomen, the intensity of the feeling growing stronger as it engulfs more and more of you.

As it reaches the soles of your feet, the tingling feeling is replaced by a warm and weighty feeling, as if you’ve just had a heavy blanket thrown over your head, you want to shake it off.

But just as Lucy had requested, you aren’t fighting it, you let the strange feeling wash over you, consume and devour you.

This process, this moment feels like it lasts an eternity, but before you know it, the soft feeling leaves your lips and the feeling it brought with it fades away as well.

You open your eyes to see Lucy smiling softly at you, “I’m done.”

"W-What the hell did you do?" You ask.

"I'll explain after, for now we really are running out of time." She moves her head and you see the knife is terrifyingly close now.

"O-Oh shit-! What do I do!?" You ask.

She touches your chest, “Now listen and follow my instructions carefully, Up until now I've been slowing your perception of time so we could have this agreement, I'll be resuming it at normal speed in a matter of seconds and when it does, I want you to speak the words of your soul.”

“Words of my-fucking what?” You question.

“Whatever words you want to cry out most right now. Speak those words on cue and the first of your new powers will activate.” She answers.

“Cry out-!? I’m being choked, I can barely breathe!” You counter.

“But so long as you have breath to draw then the technique will work, now time will resume any moment now, so now, do as you promised and trust me-!”

“I don’t have a choice-!” You brace yourself as time resumes as normal, Lucy fades away in a cloud of black dust but her voice still lingers as you cry out from the bottom of your soul.

Pitch Black Word: Speaking the words of the forgotten through the mouths of the remembered

Fuck off! You cry out.

>Spoiler
Lmao.

File: Derrick Holums22.jpg (72 KB, 500x625)

72 KB JPG

“Huh-?” Jack stops dead, the knife literally a quarter of an inch away from breaking your skull open.

“What?” You wonder what’s wrong with him as he just goes totally still and stares off into space.

(You only have this second. Kick him off!) You hear Lucy's voice echo in your mind.

“Rah-!” You push him off of you and fight your way back to your feet, which now works properly along with your once limp arm.

“What the-” Jack also comes back to his senses and stands up, “What the bloody hell was that, the fuck did you just-”

(Now! Strike him!) She commands.

“Hah-!” You don’t even think about how you move, but you do move and in a way totally abnormal yet strangely familiar to you.

You stomp forward, putting all your strength and weight into one arm and striking with your palm open rather than closed, like some kind of monk.

This strike feels so foreign yet natural to you, it feels how you imagine it must have felt to walk the first time. This movement is something you were always meant to do, you had just never actually done it until now.

And the moment your strike connects with Jack’s chest, another set of muscles move in sync with this strike. Not physical ones but spiritual ones, you feel a sudden degree of control over your own energy you didn’t know you had, you convene a large swathe of it into the point of connection between you and Jack.

Through your palm and into Jack’s torso, the moment the energy is separated from you, it forms this natural, perfect spherical shape much like a bubble, one dense with unimaginable power.

This power coalesces, relaxes, condenses and contracts, becoming smaller and smaller, denser and denser still.

Until a point.

“Uh…mind getting your hand off me mate-?”

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

The bubble burst and in spectacular fashion from within Jack. Raw unfettered force rocks his entire body, surging through it in a way that almost made it seem like he was going to explode but just before his body collapses under the sheer energy, the force ejects itself from the outside.

The expulsion of force creates a jet of force so fierce it blows the pavement right off the ground behind him for several meters.

“...” You’re left speechless as you bask in awe of the destruction you’ve wrought.

Jack too is left speechless, he stumbles backwards, clutching his stomach and struggling to stand, “Oh…So you did have one…” he squeaks out.

“An unimaginable powahhhhhhhhhhh-!” He vomits violently onto the pavement before collapsing into a pile.

“Hah…Hah…What was…?” You struggle to even ask the question.

(That was your new ability darling.) Lucy whispers into your mind.

You hold your head, “You can speak into my mind now?”

(I can yes, one of the many benefits granted to me with our new found trust, fret not though, I shan't speak much, I don’t want to disturb you if I needn’t.) She promises.

"Alright...mind telling me what you did now?" You ask.

(I just poured a considerable amount of my energy into your body. It's similar to transplanting an organ, though thanks to our spiritual compatibility your body took to it quite well! And you were able to use it perfectly!) She exclaims.

"You almost sound shocked, did you not...expect that to happen?" You ask.

(Oh no I expected it but usually when foreign Nen enters a body it tends to have averse side effects...) She responds.

"Such as?"

(Such as your entire body imploding from the clash of energy) She answers.

"So I'm going to implode?" You ask.

She laughs, (No, no. You trusted me when I allowed the energy inside you, so there’s no chance you will reject it or it will reject you. That's how you were able to pull that off just now, the energy I've imparted unto you is already yours now.)

“And what was I just did...? What was that ability you gave me?” You ask.

(I didn't give it to you, that ability is simply something innate to your soul that remained dormant till now.) She answers.

“Yes but what the hell does it do? Like specifically?” You question.

(Right now, all it does is play off your emitter abilities by condensing your energy into shapes that can travel a distance from you. Through and into objects that you can detonate at will.) She explains.

“Wait, so I can just shoot remote bombs out of my hands now?” You ask.

(Oh it can do so much more than that, but for now…yes.) She answers.

“Fucking…sweet.” You smile.

(Oh but do be careful.) She warns.

“Why?” You ask.

(With your current energy levels, even the most basic and quick use of such an ability is…taxing to say the least.) She answers.

“Taxing…?”

Crunch

The moment the word exits your mouth, your legs have given out from under you, this time not due to numbness or sudden relaxation, but rather you’re rocked by a wave of sheer and totalizing exhaustion that hits you like a wave and leaves you panting on the ground.

“Oh…Oh god…I feel like…Like I ran a marathon in a minute…” You gasp out.

(Yes and you’re going to continue to feel that way for a while until you properly train into this level of the ability, so use it more sparingly in the future.) She warns.

“Warning…heeded…” You nod.

(Another warning, if we are to converse, make sure you do it with your mind rather than your mouth, only you can hear me, so you look like a madman.) She warns.

“Only you’re awake right now…so it’s fine…” You counter.

(That’s what you think~ look up.) She demands.

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“Huh?” You look up.

And find Noell’s annoyed and disappointed stare meeting looking down at you, Flourette’s deeply concerned and confused face not far away.

“Uh…” You whimper out.

“I send a driver out to pick you lot up, over an hour passes with no check-in or call up so I come to check things out and look what I find…” He looks over to Jack, face-down, ass up, groaning in pain and Hansel and Gretal in very similar situations.

“What-? What happened? What even- What??” Flourette looks completely lost.

“My bad business choices happened Flourette. Yes, this is my fault, this is very much my fault…” Noell states.

“Noell…?” You whimper out.

“Yes, I’m sure you want answers and I owe them to you, just as you owe me answers for what the hell…” He fans a hand out.

“All of this is. But once we’re safely back at base, we can go over all the little details-”

“Noell…” You repeat.

“What.” He snaps back.

“It’s been a while man.” You extend your fist out and smile.

“...” At first He’s shocked at the gesture, but then he bursts out laughing the next moment.

“Yes. It has been a while hasn’t it?” he meets your fist with his.

“I’m glad to see…you’re alright…” You faint from exhaustion.

Noell catches you before you taste pavement, “Yes…I am too.” He smiles as he hoists you up and lends you his shoulder.

“Grab the rest of them and stuff them in the car pig! We need to get them all to the field hospital immediately” Noell orders.

“Y-Yes Master!” Flourette rushes to grab the others as he lays you down in the front seat of the humvee and sighs.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m for a particular long day today?” he shakes his head before taking another look at your unconscious face.

“I really am…so glad to see you’re okay.” His smile returns.

(Ah! Male friendship! It’s so beautiful!) Lucy admires as your consciousness fades to black.

>To be continued…!

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And so ends the thread for now, again trying to keep things shorter.

Half because I don't want to make these threads as monstrously long as they have been in the past and half because I can really only run during the weekend thanks to work so I can't have this thread last beyond the weekend.

But don't worry, with all the extra time I've been given thanks to unfortunate random interruptions, I can I say that the next episode is about 80% complete.

I'm not going to give a date or set time (Mainly because the world seems intent on creating issues to make sure I can't meet any deadlines I set) but just expect it sooner rather than later.

Aside from future content, what did you guys think of this thread?

I hope you found all the political intrigue and mysteries cropping up to be enjoyable and if they weren't don't worry! There's nothing but combat sequences coming from here on out so look forward to non-stop action in the future.

I'll be dropping the lore on the Green-colored words a little bit later, I'm being called away on an errand even as I write this.

But put plainly I hope you all enjoyed and as usual, if you have any critiques feel free to drop them hear, I like to hear what the anons think and what I can do to improve.

I'll answer as soon as I am able!

In the meanwhile enjoy this picture of my very annoyed wife.

>>5574643
I gotta be honest I was more expecting instant chaos but the political intrigue was interesting, I guess Landon's actions will be more of a domino effect than say a immeditate explosion.
Keep up the good work.

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>>5574643
Ah good, another HXH thread to add to my collection.

I enjoyed reading the mysteries and intrigue so nothing to add there. I do wish there was more combat but I do realize that combat can't be happening constantly, narratively speaking. So I'm looking forward to the next thread where we can see Derrick do some more training with his Nen mastery and his body through combat.
All in all, I enjoyed.
Thanks for the thread Rock! It rocked!

Your wife is also very cute Rock, strangely enough she also resembles my wife. Pic related

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>>5574670
>>5574675

Good to hear you all enjoyed. Though I feel as If I would be remiss to ignore the elephant in the room in that the number of active players is wayyyy down.

Not that I need a huge playerbase to run I will write so long as there are those willing to read but I would be lying if I said I don't care about the number at all.

Though I think the reason the numbers are down fall entirely on me being slow to update people on my socials and more importantly, that it takes months to sometimes up to a year to for me to post.

That I think the way I run has something to do with it. Perhaps it's a bit too impersonal? Too much pre-writing and not enough in-thread madness.

I always pre-write stuff because I'm honestly terrified to write something stupid and ruin the narrative I've created but then I also have to realize, I'm just some dude posting Hunter X Hunter fiction on the internet.

For that reason, I want to revert somewhat back to my old style of pre-writing nothing and just improvising everything, back when things were less stiff and more open.

So here I'm going to make a promise (Extreme circumstances withholding of course) I'm going to try and pop a thread out every two weeks, frequency should revive the player base a little bit.

Though I put the questions to the players, what do you think? Do you think it would be better to possibly sacrifice the writing quality a little bit to produce more fun and quick threads or is the current style but with a few tweaks better?

>>5574682

Oh yes, my wife and my child, how beautiful

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>>5574726
>what do you think?
I think the sacrifice would be worth it. At the end of the day, we are all here to have fun and create something beautiful, but we cannot let our psychological need to perfect the story to drive a wedge between the actual fun chaos of the story itself, if that makes sense.

But that's just me and my small opinion. I'll honestly be here until Derrick either finishes his quest or dies, regardless of the quality of the writing or quantity of players.

You have a very erotic wife

Central Offices:A federal office often simply called Central. They manage records on just about everyone in Ochima. from regular citizens, diplomats and even illegal immigrants who manage to sneak in. No one falls out of their purview and anyone who does would have to command such a degree of secrecy or power that even those at the top of the food-chain can't keep an eye on them.

FÜR EINEN SOUVERÄNEN STAAT!: Literally translates to For a sovereign state. Born during the Schism war which many thought was Gleetjeet's attempt to reclaim much of the sovereignty it felt was being taken from it by the Federation. After the war was over it became the tagline of the Gleetjeet Nationalist Party (GNP), whose entire platform can be summed up as "We can't have peace till everyone but us is dead."

As promised, here are the green-marked lore pieces for those interested.