Chapter Three : Berserkers – The Helpless Ones (3)
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 “Raagh! All right! You see that, Masato?” One after another, Kengo’s iron fists blast away the knights and sorcerer that came rushing towards me. They collapse when knocked to the floor or into the walls, immobile and powerless. They soon dissolve into light and dissipate. However, each wave he defeats is replaced by reinforcements from the rift that continue to target both of us. 

 

  “Heh. They just keep comin’! They don’t learn! You oafs may be strong, but you don’t have any heart behind your strikes!” Once he’s done talking smack, Kengo returns to talking with his fists. But even so, their numbers are simply too overwhelming. 

 

 “Masato! I’ll let you have the ones trying to slip around behind me, okay? Getting attacked from all sides like this is a bit much, even for me. Don’t let them block our retreat! If that happens, we’re as good as dead!” With Kengo finally allowing me to help him out I quickly attack the enemies trying to attack Kengo in his blind spot. Kengo and me moved in sync with each other as we took down the enemies trying to overpower us.

 

 “That should do it! Now let me handle the rest of these schmucks! Brawling is my fort...e! I’m just getting started!” I pout at him telling me to let him handle the rest of them but I just nod my head and turn around so we were back to back. Even if I couldn't fight off the main bunch in front of us, I can take care of the ones sneaking up on us. “Roger, partner! I’ve got your back!” 

 

 “I’m counting on you, too… partner! My life is in your hands!” At that moment, as we smirk at each other, the notification sound pings on both of our phones. Kengo reached into his pocket and took out his phone. I did that as well and looked at the notification I got on my phone. “What’s this? The screen is shining…” I notice the App screens on both our phones are lit. 

 

  Congratulations! Your temporary guild registration has been received. Would you like to establish a guild?

  

   I was looking at the message on my phone with a raised eyebrow. I really wish that Salomon was here, I didn’t see him at all today… Letting out a sigh I pressed the “Yes” option that was under the message.

 

 Congratulations! Your temporary guild registration is complete.

 

 “Well, that’s done. What was that? Never mind! Now’s not the time for that!” Kengo put away his phone in his pocket and looked at the increasing enemies that were slowly approaching us. “There’s no end to this! I won’t lose to the likes of them, but at this rate, we won’t be able to get any closer to the big guy. Usually in these kinda fights you have someone in charge to direct the troops! Someone to leave the fighting to the underlings…. Hanging back somewhere safe… Let’s see…” Kengo looks in the crowd of enemies, trying to find the person he was looking for.

 

 “That green one! That’s the one coordinating things!” Kengo pointed in the direction of the enemy in green who was farther than the rest of the other enemies. I felt like there was a chance Kengo was right but there was also a chance he was wrong.

 

 “Are you sure you aren’t just being overconfident?” I gave Kengo a doubtful look, it wasn’t like I didn’t trust him. It was more like I wanted to be really sure so that our situation doesn’t get even messier.

 

 “Overconfident? Me?! Don’t worry! I got good gut instincts! But he’s too far away! There are so many peons between us and him! Dammit! If I can take him out…” As Kengo glares hard in the direction of the green knight in the center of the enemy force, they raise their right hand. He signals for the mass to charge. Moment later--

 

 In a flash, numerous enemy soldiers go down from blows to the exposed flesh between their panels of armor. I look in surprise at the new arrival in the fight. Moritaka was holding his Kanata in his hands and made eye contact with me.

 

 “Inuzuka Moritaka hastens to battle! En garde!” Moritaka charged towards the large group of enemies and from behind him, I saw Garmr. Garmr was jumping in place as he waved his hand happily at me and I just gave him an awkward wave back.  “Garmr here too! Made it! Yay! Master! Not yet master, but… Garmr here! Garmr help!”

  

 “Moritaka?! And Garmr, too?! Why are you all here?!” Kengo had a shocked expression on his face as he looked at both Moritaka and Garmr. I was rather surprised about this too, wondering what they were doing here.

 

 “I’m glad I made it in time! Kengo! Masato! Good to see you! I heard that you were in danger, so I hurried to come to your aid.” Moritaka gave us a smile and all the tiredness in my body felt like it disappeared for a second.

 

  “Masato! Garmr follow scent! Here now! Garmr wanted…. to see you again! So Garmr happy! Happy, happy!” Garmr's tail was wagging fast behind as he looked at me happily. 

 

 “After joining up with Garmr at the entrance, I sensed an ominous presence, and became worried for you two.” Moritaka's expression grew serious as he said this but it disappears once Garmr got in front of him and looks at me with eager eyes.

 

 “Garmr put Moritaka on back! Ran all the way here! Garmr good?! Tell Garmr he is good!” Garmr was close to me, his hand grabbing onto my uniform jacket. I couldn’t help but raise one hand to his head.

 

 “Well done, Garmr! Who’s a good boy?! What a good boy! You’re such a good boy!” I was just praising Garmr, who was happily taking it with his tongue hanging out of his mouth... “Yay! More! More! More, more, more! Moooore!”

 

 “Garmr! You lucky… I mean, this is an emergency! Save the frolicking for later!” Moritaka was looking at Garmr with jealous eyes which just made this situation better for me. ‘I wanna pet Moritaka too and call him a good boy!’

 

 “Hehehe! Did you decide to be my master yet?! Did you, Master?!” Garmr was still rubbing his head into me and I just wanted to stop doing everything so I could keep patting Garmr forever. But unfortunately, I had to stop when Kengo gave me and Garmr a hard look.

 

 “Oi, Garmr! Save the chat for later!” As soon as Kengo spoke to Garmr, the happy expression on his face disappeared and he started to growl in Kengo direction. “Not talking to Kengo! Rrrrrrr! Ggrrrrrrrrrr!

 

 “Okay, okay! Jeez, why are you always so aggressive?!” Kengo had a frown on his face as he awkwardly backed away from the still growling Garmr. I pat his head, trying to calm him down. “Garmr, what’s your problem with Kengo?” I couldn’t understand why he was so against Kengo.

 

 “Kengo has bad scent! Scent of bad things everywhere! Aesir!” Garmr put his head into my uniform and I could feel him sniffing me. I didn't know if I should feel flattered or embarrassed he was sniffing me.

 

 “Oh, uh… Do I smell that bad? I’ve been in fight after fight today, so I can’t help it! Wait, what’s an Aesir!” At what Kengo said I felt confused at what an Aesir was as well. Was it something or someone?  “Aesir! Hate them! Garmr’s enemies! Grrrr!”  Garmr didn’t really explain what they were but at least I knew where he was getting his hate from.

 

 “Whatevs. I’m out. You deal with him, Masato.” Kengo just waved his hand at Garmr, who was still growling at him. I just scratch behind his ears and the growling from Garmr disappears instantly.

 

 “Regardless, you have a nice gleam in your eyes, Kengo. It seems like you have broken through your barriers.” Moritaka gives Kengo a pleased look, which causes Kengo to scratch his cheek with an embarrassed expression.

 

 “Yeah, thanks. Sorry for making you worry, Moritaka! I’m glad for the help guys, but we’re still up the creek without a… prayer…” Kengo’s complaint trails off as his eyes drift up to the rift overhead. There, still trapped in the rift, is the aberration. It oversees the movements of the knights, all while remaining enveloped in lightning.”

 

 “He’s not even bothering to look at us, much less down on us. Who does he think he is?! It’s really pissing me off.” Kengo was glaring up at the aberration even though it wasn’t even looking at us.

 

 “I don’t sense any intelligence… No… I don’t even sense a soul within its form. It’s like some sort of marionette… So strange.” Moritaka was looking at the aberration with curious eyes and I couldn’t help but wonder if the aberration knew what was happening around them or were just experiencing everything with no feelings.

 

 “But what do we do about it? At this rate, we’ll be overrun! Oh, that’s right! If you guys were able to come in here… Does that mean we can get out if we leave now? What do you think?” Kengo asks Moritaka whether there’s an exit they can use. Moritaka just shakes his head with a serious expression.

 

 “I am afraid not. There is no leaving this palace at present. The more pressing concern I have is the nature of this being. The moment we came underground, an invisible wall blocked our way out.” At what Moritaka said Kengo grew quiet for a moment, a serious expression on his face as he thought to himself.

 

 “I believe it to be the same as that which the monster up there is struggling against. I don’t know how it all works, but what I do know is that we got nowhere to run. So… How about we run forward? Just go whole hog on that thing? Nothing ventured, nothing lost!” I felt myself let out a sigh at Kengo misusing a common phrase again. I don’t know if this is him being funny or being serious. 

 

 “What do you mean, “nothing lost”? It’s “nothing ventured, nothing gained”!”  I could hear Shiro's voice coming from Kengo's phone and I felt my heart jump in my chest, getting caught by surprise by his voice. “Are you eavesdropping, Shiro?! And when did you even call?!” Kengo was just as surprised as me.

 

 “I never hung up! Jeeze! This is why you’re at the bottom of the class!” I couldn’t help but awkwardly look away from Kengo after hearing Shiro say that. It is rather embarrassing hearing someone you are close to is at the bottom of the class.

 

   “Yeah, yeah. Honor student here never gets bad grades. I get it. Hey, can I hang up? We’re busy here.” Kengo grumbles into the phone while swinging at the knights still coming at us. I was rather impressed at this as I helped him take out enemies that were coming in close to us.

 

 “Isn’t this your time to shine, Mr. Bookworm? Hurry up and use your head to bail us out! Or are those glasses just for show?” I let out an awkward smile at Kengo who basically was saying since Shiro has glasses he has to be a genius. ‘I wonder if all childhood friends are like this…’

 

 “What have my glasses got to do with it?! What about you? Are your muscles just for show? Everything ends if Masato loses here! Got it?! Don’t give them an inch, Kengo! If you have the time to whine, put your muscles to work instead of your tongue!” Kengo glared at the phone like he was glaring directly at Shiro. He got pissed at what Shiro just said and I didn’t know if that was something we should be doing right now, surrounded by enemies.

 

 “What the hell did you just say?! What’cha think I’m doing with my muscles right this very moment? You wanna go, you twerp?!” I was worried he was going to attack his phone with how mad he was. 

 

 “C-Calm down, Kengo! Now’s not the time to squabble.” Moritaka was trying to calm down Kengo as he took down enemies that were coming at him. Even though both he and Shiro were arguing with each other I couldn’t help but realize how close friends they were.

 

 “Such close friends… I’m so jealous…” I couldn’t help but let out a sigh, feeling left out from the conversation. I wanna get scolded by a friend because they are worried about me.

 

  “How dare you put us in the same basket?!” I tried not to flinch at how angry Shiro sounded at the moment even though he was only speaking from the phone. “Close?! Fat chance!” Kengo glared at me with a pissed off expression and I could only smile at him, hoping it would calm him down.

 

 “Is Inuzuka there, too?! How…?” Shiro seemed to finally realize that Moritaka was also here after he put aside his anger with Kengo for a moment. I was rather surprised that he didn’t know that since I assume he told him to come here.

 

  “Huh? You mean you didn't call them here to help us?” Kengo questioned him, surprised that he didn’t call Moritaka here to help us out with the problem. 

 

 “I see. So that’s how it is. Someone close to Inuzuka… Someone who knew this would happen…. warned him. I’m looking at that person right now. Anyway, I get the picture. There are few things I need to confirm, though. Can you hear me, Masato?” At Shiro calling my name, I looked towards Kengo's phone, waiting for him to say what he wanted to say.


 Back With Shiro, Shuichi, And Duo….

 

“Jeeze…. He’s always like this… Why are you looking at me like that, Shuichi?” As Shiro put down his phone, he gave Shuichi a confused look as Shuichi looked at him with an amused smile.

 

  “It’s nothing. I’m just surprised that you have a friend who could elicit that kind of expression from you, Shiro. You should cherish that friendship. Someone you can share such raw emotion with ought to be treasured.” Shuichi has his usual smile on his face but his eyes were really genuine as he said this to Shiro.

 

 “Are you teasing me? Are you trying to convince me you’ve got your hand on the reins even in my private life?” Shiro was giving Shuichi a suspicious look, nothing trusting him with what he was saying at the moment.

 

 “You seem to have misunderstood… Look, the last thing I want is for this experiment to fail. The world would end. I’m taking out every ounce of insurance I can purchase.” Shuichi gave Shiro a serious look and the suspicious look he was giving Shuichi decreased somewhat but not fully.

 

 “So… Exceptions can appear from something as simple as two conflicting Rules colliding. It’s possible that there are countless Rules, which would imply that there are also an infinite number of ways to combine conflicting Rules. Tokyo could really go up in flames at any moment. This place is like a powder keg for the other worlds around us. Shuichi, I want to review what we just talk about.” Shiro looked at Shuichi seriously who just nodded his head with an amused smile. “Sure. I’ll play along.”

 

 “First, the cause of the Exceptions…. They’re brought about by a clash of conflicting Rules.” The new Guild page in the App is open on Shiro’s screen. He examines it diligently. Most of the choices remain grayed out. All that’s available on the display is a list of several names. They’re names of the people involved with the new guild. Not only are they named, but their Rules are listed, as well. That is everyone’s Rules but Masato. “That… I would rather not share. I’m sorry.”

 

 “Oh, there’s no point in keeping that info a secret. Kengo and Oniwaka’s Rules are…” Shuichi recites the details of their Rules as they are currently displayed in the App. “Kengo’s Rule is Infinitude, while Oniwaka’s Rule is Appropriation. Infinitude refers to the infinite boosting of power. In contrast, Appropriation deprives one of all one has. Through the latter Rule, Kengo’s power would normally be drained dry by Oniwaka’s power. However, Kengo’s power, as dictated by his Rule, will never run out. This seems to have resulted in an infinite loop, bringing about the Exceptions.”

 

 “How do you know all this? Did you read my memories again?” Shiro was looking at Shuichi with surprised eyes, not understanding how Shuichi knew all this information on Oniwaka and Kengo Rules.

 

 “No, it’s really quite elementary. Allow me to explain. The App battle requires that Role and Rules be declared in order to unleash the power of Sacred Artifacts. That’s why anyone who views the battles of the Ikebukuro Guild would know those two names. Furthermore, more than one person can have the same Role or Rule. There have been others with infinitude and Appropriation. That’s why I know the details. By the way, there have never been two people with the same combination of Role and Rule.” At what Shuichi said Shiro just nodded his head, understanding he doesn't need to keep the information about the Rules a secret. “At the very least, I understand why this information doesn’t need to be kept secret.”

 

 “Very well. Then let’s move on.” Shuichi nodded his head at Shiro, motioning for him to continue with his review of the information he got from Shuichi.

 

“Next, to my knowledge, there is only one way to deal with the appearance of an Exception that has been put in practice. A hierarchy must be designated between the two Rules that define which is dominant.” Even though Shiro's expression was serious, his face was slightly red as he spoke about how to deal with the Exception.

 

 “This is the method you two used that time in Shinjuku.” Shuichi nodded his head at what Shiro said regarding taking care of the Exception, not mentioning the slight redness on his face.

 

 “Yes, but with the Transient who bears the Appropriation Rule… Oniwaka… gone, the same method can’t be taken. Only one of the two who needs to be evaluated and ordered is present. However, that won’t stop it. The hierarchy can also be declared by creating an order of dominance within a guild. I asked Masato to confirm two things.  First, the guild creation option within the App. Upon confirmation, our guild was formed.  It has been registered on a temporary basis, with the Guild Master named as Masato. The second thing I asked was if Oniwaka is listed among the members after the pact was formed between them. Long story short, he is not a guild member. However, his Rule is listed under the Rankings. Thus, Masato can effectively be positioned above Oniwaka in the hierarchy. With Kengo in the guild, both offending Rules will be positioned under Rending. If these two users declare their hierarchy while… making contact… we can likely resolve this situation as we did before.” As Shiro finished with the review of information Shuichi raised a hand, suggesting he had something that he wanted to talk about.

 

 “There is still one issue that remains. Thanks to the sheer size of the existence you encountered in Shinjuku, you were able to make contact with it. This time, the target is closer to human size. It will be impossible to approach it without its knowledge. On top of that, the corridor they’re in has no hiding spots to speak of. What will your Guild Master do, I wonder?” At Shuichi's question, Shiro gives a frank reply while staring at Shuichi right in the eye. 

 

 “I already know what they'll do. They’ll fight it head-on. I know just how strong Kengo is… He’s truly formidable… Though he can be emotionally unstable. Let’s just say I can’t imagine him losing once he sets his mind on something.” Shiro had a slight smile on his face as he spoke about Kengo.


Back With Masato…..

 

 “I know I talked big earlier, but… There’s way too many of them! I can’t get close to the big boss at all!” Kengo shouts this as he angrily takes out the enemies that just kept coming. I felt the same about the enemies who seem rather endless at this point.  

 

 “Ha! This is quite the horde! The four of us can’t possibly take them all on alone!” Moritaka was sweating as he took down an enemy who got close to us. At this point, it felt like we may get buried under the pile of enemies that just kept coming.

 

 “We have to find a way to get close, but I don’t know how!” Kengo closed his eyes for a while, thinking rather hard. I was worried he was getting a headache due to the sweat that was slowly appearing on his forehead. “Gaaaaaaaah! Thinking is not my strong suit!”

 

 “K-Kengo?!” Moritaka calls out in surprise at how Kengo suddenly grabs at his head, messing up his hair furiously. I guess he is just an “acting first and thinking later” guy.

 

 “I’ll just blast everything to smithereens! Role of the Barbarian! Rule of Infinitude!” Kengo slows his breath and lowers his stance as if sitting on top of a giant balloon in order to squeeze the air out of it. He closes his eyes and slowly lowers his right hand. His Gauntlet shines with a light that gradually envelopes his entire body. 

 

 The light then streams towards a specific area, where it begins to gather: the Gauntlet on Kengo’s right forearm. The light circles over and around the Gauntlet. With each rotation, it grows brighter, coalescing into a sheath of light. The power is self-replenishing, flowing through an infinite loop. With each loop, it strengthens further, causing an excess of power to shoot through the ground like lightning. The phenomenon is a man-made miracle, one that would allow a mere human to defeat even a giant many times his size.

 

 “I, Takabushi Kengo, engrave mine name unto thee! Encircle all… Geant Basher!” Kengo unleashes what appears to be a violent storm. He sends a blast like a raging lightning bolt at the army of knights, blowing them away. Once the storm has passed, the path to the aberration that lies in wait is finally clear. 

 

 “Such… Such Power!” Moritaka was looking at Kengo in surprise and I couldn’t help but stare at him, completely blown back by how much power he had. I guess in some way I was lucky that this didn’t happen to me when we were fighting one-on-one.

 

 “Hell yeah! How do you like that?! Not bad, eh, Masato?! Now that we’ve sent all those time-wasters packin’, we’ve got a straight line to--” Kengo was cut off by Garmr who suddenly pulled at my uniform jacket with a sudden eagerness.

 

 “Masato! It notice us! Thunderer coming!” At what Garmr said I looked toward the aberration. For the first time, the aberration takes direct action toward us. And the first to enter its line of sight…. is none other than Kengo.

 

 “Woooh! Oooooh!” The aberration’s power materializes around it. Sparks glint as the being grunts, its power concentrating around the gauntlets it wears on both arms. The heavens flash brightly, the light churning and spinning into massive orbs of electricity. It’s almost exactly the same as the attack Kengo just unleashed. The only difference…

 

 “Hey! That thing has the same power as me…? No! It’s…. It’s on a whole other level! Oh, crap!” Kengo rushes to plant himself directly between me and the aberration. “I don’t get anything that’s going on, but it seems like I’ve just woken up a huge sleeping dog! I don’t know if I can block this… Actually, I think I’m definitely gonna get blasted outta here. I’ll just have to put all the strength I have into lessening the impact. If I’m lucky, I just might be able to force it off course…”

 

 “Garmr handle this. Leave it to Garmr, Master… Er, not yet Master.” Garmr got in front of Kengo and I just looked at him with concerned eyes. Moritaka called out his name in confusion, not understanding what he was doing.

 

 “That is friend of Garmr’s first master’s enemy. Power, smell, all the same. Garmr can defeat. Then everyone okay. Garmr born for this reason. Friends all died same way. This time Garmr’s turn! That’s all! When App ends, all back to normal! Garmr probably back to life! Maybe!” Even though Garmr was acting carefree with sacrificing himself to protect us I felt rather against it. I didn’t want that to happen. 

 

 “I can’t let you do that…” Even if there was a chance for him to come back to life I can’t just let him die. I wouldn’t feel good about just letting someone who is a friend die to protect me, it wouldn't sit well with me. 

  

 “Even if we were sure you’d come back to life, we can’t just let you die. If the App is broken or something else happens, you might never come back.” Kengo was with me about not letting Garmr give up his life to protect us against the aberration attack.

 

 “Maybe not come back to life. Garmr… not know. But Garmr born for this! Forget all else, but this, Garmr remember! Garmr want you, Masato. Want master. But… probably not good thing. Being Garmr’s, master…. very tiring. Probably… not good thing… right? Garmr knows! Smart! Garmr smart! Garmr… lying. Garmr taught after coming here.” Garmr's ears fall on his head, feeling bad about lying to me but I didn’t care about that at the moment. I just wanted him to change his mind about dying to protect us.

 

 “Garmr think protecting masters. But Garmr the one protected. Garmr did not understand! Can’t remember old things. Garmr sad. Moritaka not Master, but still Master. Maybe Kengo, too. Garmr, want to help everyone this time. So don’t be sad.” Garmr smiles at us, trying to cheer us up but it only made me feel worse at the moment.

 

 “...Absolutely not, Garmr. We’re always going to be together.” I gave Garmr a firm look, not letting up against my protest of him dying for us. I can’t allow anyone to get hurt. I need to keep everyone safe no matter what.

 

 “Heh. I’m just a maybe, huh? Well, that aside... Don’t be an idiot. I can’t let you do that. Sorry, Garmr.” As Garmr called out Kengo's name in confusion, Kengo places his hand on Garmr’s head and start rubbing it vigorously.

 

 “Kengo! Too hard! Softer! Soooooofter! That’s why I hate Kengo! Hate! Hate, hate!” Garmr was hopping in place as he growled at Kengo, who just laughed at how Garmr was acting.

 

 “Haha. Sorry ‘bout that. Thanks, Garmr. Thought I was gettin’ soft for a second there. Charge in from the front and fight fair and square! Overpower the enemy for the win! That’s my motto! The Takabushi Kengo way! Will you believe in me, Masato?” I could feel my face getting warm as Kengo started to act really cool and mature at the moment.

 

 “I’ll give you a reward if all goes well.” I gave Kengo a wink and a thumbs up but Kengo's expression grew exasperated causing me just to give him a big smirk.

 

 “What am I, a dog?! I’m trying to act cool here! Take a hint, will you? What was that….? Counting on me? Come on, say what you really feel!” Kengo was looking at me seriously as he said this to me and I just let out a sigh as I shook my head. “Can you please help us out Kengo?” Even though I said that with an annoyed tone I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

 

 “Heh! Well said! Takabushi Kengo is here to save the day!” Kengo hit his fists together as he turned towards the aberration. His Gauntlet started to get surrounded by light again as he got ready to deflect the incoming attack from the aberration. 

 

 “Geant… Basher!” A deafening explosion fills the room with a blinding flash of light… When the light subsides, I could see that everyone has made it through unharmed.

 

 “I-Is everyone okay?” Kengo looked around him, making sure everyone was okay and I noticed that in front of us someone else had arrived on the scene but I couldn’t tell with all the dust that was still surrounding us.

 

 “That was a close one! I knew you had it in you, Kengo!” When the dust disappeared I could see that Pollux was standing before us with a happy expression.

 

 “Pollux?! What the hell is going on?!” Kengo was just as shocked as I was when I saw Pollux. I also notice that the powerful windstorm and fierce lightning are being deflected by the impenetrable wall that is Pollux. I noticed that Kengo’s eyes widened to the size of dinner plates at the unbelievable sight and I wasn’t doing much better with my mouth hanging open in disbelief.

 

 “Oh, this? Don’t worry about it. I’m real good at dealing with fellas like this one. This is my Rule. It ensures that any and all disasters shall avoid the territory upon which my light shines. I’ve got a family member who happens to be just as whacky as that guy up there, so I’m well-equipped to handle this kind of thing. Simply put, anyone who comes at me with lightning is gonna get a taste of their own medicine. That is, a real shock!” Pollux put his hands on his hips as he laughed at his joke.

 

 “Kengo, it’s good to see you with the same look in your eye you had when we first met! Now, then. The enemy approaches. You all ready? I’ll deal with the lightning and the wind. You focus on doing your thing.  And when this is all said and one… Let’s spar!” Pollux gives us one final smile before going off to help defend against the lightning and wind coming from the aberration.

 

 The aberration roars, sending vibrations through the air around us as if commending the warriors daring to face it head-on. As that happened  more enemies kept appearing at a faster pace. It was getting rather hard to get closer to the aberration at the moment.

 

 “Those grunts just keep popping out like there’s no tomorrow! Get the hell outta the way!” Kengo kept attacking the enemies with heavy blows, sending them flying in different directions but it still didn’t help get rid of the growing size of the enemies.

 

 “I guess it’s time for us to put on a show!” As I was wondering if we would get our ass kicked I heard a familiar voice and I guess Moritaka also knew the voice since his tail started to wag happily. “That voice!”

 

 A black shadow jumps over us and sprints on ahead. Something peers out at you from its jet-black tail. Staring out of the dark abyss is a pair of bewitching eyes with the power to ensnare all who behold them with their eerie glint. 

 

 “Now allow me to fascinate you with my resplendent elegance! Charming Serpent!” Two legs and a giant tail burning with a black flame whirl at terrific speed to land three simultaneous attacks. The black flame engulfed everything in the vicinity in obscure shadows. Those caught up in its eyes are swallowed up in enormous flames. All that remains once the fires subside… is Bathym himself, striking a pose amidst the charred wasteland.

 

 But still more enemies descend from above, attempting to take advantage of Bathym’s momentarily stationary pose. I was going to rush in to help him out when another figure jumped in and took care of the enemies.

 

 “Dwarven Changeling!” Multiple kicks that appear as mere flashes knock all of the enemies back. “Hey now, Bathym! It’s fine to strike a pose, but watch your damn head!” Ikutoshi was glaring at Bathym as he landed next to him.

 

 “Well, you’re here, Ickie. I trusted you to take care of them!” Bathym didn’t seem to care that Ikutoshi was glaring at him, just happily smiling as if his life wasn’t almost in danger. Ikutoshi just let out a sigh, his glare disappearing from his face. “Could you not call me Ickie? It just feels… weird.”

 

 “Yoohoo! How goes it, Masato? You showing off?!” Bathym waves at me, giving me an excited look which causes my face to grow warm. ‘Ahhh…. He is still so cool… I can’t get rid of this feeling at all!’

 

 “Jeeze… I honestly just want to go home.” Ikutoshi was looking off to the side, an irritated expression on his face and I could only let out an awkward smile at his displeased look.

 

  “Oh? I thought you were worried! You practically dragged me here, Ickie!” Bathym looked at Ikutoshi confused, wondering why he was acting so irritated at the moment.

“S-Shut up! I don’t want to waste too much time on this, so let’s just finish it!” Ikutoshi's face got red and he glared at Bathym with an embarrassed expression.

 

 “It wouldn’t hurt to be more straightforward about your feelings, you know! But I guess that’s what being young is about! So dazzling! Anyway, this stage is mine! Masato, you go on ahead! It’s the kickers’ double act! Come one, come all, and take a look-see! It’ll be sure to impress!” Bathym gave a pose before he went back to attacking the enemies with Ikutoshi. We ended up running by them, with me giving them a wave.

 

 “Reinforcements are gathering up ahead! Let’s charge them together!” As we got even closer to the aberration a group of enemies was slowly coming together. Moritaka got his Katana ready to attack them and I was getting ready to attack as well when I was stopped by a new voice.

 

 “No need for that! Burning Bright!” A fireball incinerates the enemies ahead just as the shout registers. And from out of the fireball, Nomad appears. “Sheesh. What the hell is the boss thinking? Just go, already! You’ve got a plan, don’t you?! We’ll all lose if this turns into a battle of attrition! It’s standard to gather all of one’s forces in one place… Even more so if the enemy is trying to overrun us with numbers. It’s too bad Horkeukamui and that stripe-faced idiot of a tiger aren’t here, though. Whatever. I’m used to getting the short end of the stick. Now, go! Hurry up and end this!”

 

 At Nomad urging, we ran past him as he took care of the incoming enemies. I was rather surprised his clothing was still on but that was something for me to worry about later on when I was in my dorm room alone.


 Somewhere else in the Guild….

 

 “Hmmm. They have come all the way here. We suppose we should not expect these clay soldiers to have any sense of discretion. Now, it has come to our attention that there is about a fifty percent chance that their attacks will reach us.” As the enemies came in close to Claude, he was casually talking to Snow who was next to him.

 

 “What is your will, darling Master?” Snow looked at Claude with curious eyes, but he was giving off a ready to fight feelings as he looked at the enemies who were coming in closer to them.

 

 “The curtain has risen on the final act. We must see this through to the end. We were born to gaze down upon this world. That is why we of the Ikebukuro Guild will never retreat. Interference in our plans will not be tolerated. Clay soldiers, heed us. If you proceed any further, your defiance will be deemed treason against the emperor!” Claude’s laurel wreath glows brightly, and a brilliant veil descends. It possesses the power to bestow a manic fervor upon all warriors and fills the soldiers around him with a heated passion. That passion wills them to stake their lives for Claude’s every whim.

 

 “Now, Snow… What will you do?” Claude asks Snow even though he knows what the answer will be.

 

 “You already know, my Master. You have always been quite the tease when it comes to these things. As manager of this Colosseum, there is only one thing I must do. I shall gladly accompany you to the pits of hell, darling Master.” Snow's eyes grew sharp as he summoned his Sacred Artifact and went to attack the enemies surrounding them.


Back with Masato….

 

 “All right! Almost there! We’re almost there! But there’s still so much chump change to deal with! At this rate, we can’t expect to fight that thing one-on-one!” Kengo was frowning over the fact of us being so close to the aberration but having countless enemies being in the way.

 

 “If only… If we could only prevent any more reinforcements from interfering!” Moritaka's expression was serious as he continued to cut down the countless enemies that were in our way of the aberration. As I cut down another enemy I noticed that Garmr's ears went straight up and he looked in a direction.

 

 “Someone’s coming! Garmr, know this smell!”  Garmr was sniffing the air and his tail was wagging as he grew excited at the new person coming. I could hear the familiar laugh of someone that I realize I almost forgot about. 

 

 “Haaaahahahaha! The hero always makes a late entrance! I heard everything! It’s time for the long-awaited exhibition match! I, Taurus Mask, engrave mine name unto thee! Alight, Corona Borealis!” The cords of Taurus Mask’s Sacred Artifact whip around the space and form into the cordons of a wrestling ring. They surround the area, placing the aberration at the center of the ring.

 

  “Hahaha! Taurus Mask is in the house! No one else can interfere while my Sacred Artifact is in effect! Show them your hot passion, my soul brother! Huh? Soul… brother? I do feel a hot soul inside him, but…” I felt that Taurus Mask was different as he looked at me with confused eyes like he never saw me before. I felt like even if I wanted to learn more about what he was different the current situation couldn’t allow it.

 

 “We shall protect Taurus Mask until the end of this fight!” Moritaka gave us a serious nod before going to help out Taurus Mask. Garmr rubs his head into me before going to leave with Moritaka as well. “Garmr, protect! So, Master! Kengo! Good luck!”

 

 Several enemies surround the aberration. They are the few units of the larger horde trapped inside the ring with us. “The stage is sat! Or something… Whatever! Let’s go! Let’s blast them away!” Kengo went charging in after the enemies and I followed behind him, wondering if I should be worried about him getting so many common phrases wrong. ‘He can’t be that dumb? He just mixed up the words sometimes… I hope…’

The next chapter is the last of this arc! The writing schedule may be a bit off since I am going to be doing a part-time job soon since money is really important to be able to get the things you want. Well, I hope this chapter was enjoyable for the people reading it. I hope everyone is safe and healthy! Bye-bye for now (*●⁰ꈊ⁰●)ノ~

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