Ahhh... pain. Such clear, sharp, vivid pain.
It gnawed like worms through the bone, burned relentlessly like an unquenchable flame, biting down deeply, driven by fury to devour my flesh and blood.
Yes... this is it. Exactly this!
Selesia, Meteora, Mamika, Mirokuji Yūya... They could not accomplish this. Even wielding miraculous powers, even shouldering their noble destinies, even as protagonists of their respective stories—they could neither leave a mark nor inflict pain upon this body.
Because this body is Master's creation—a flawless masterpiece born from Master's own hands.
Not even Alicetaria nor Charon could achieve it. How could a mere fragment of power borrowed from Master possibly compare to this greatest and most perfect creation? Can ditch-water hope to match the ocean's frozen depths?
Only two beings have the privilege to wound this flesh; only two possess the capacity to cause pain to this body.
The scorching agony devoured her arm like living fire. Her limb had been swallowed whole by shadows, yet… Altair began to laugh.
Quiet at first, suppressed, low—then gradually louder, higher, almost ecstatic, brimming with a sense of relief.
"So it has finally come to the point where you have no choice but to show your true colors? In other words... you're finally cornered!"
Monsters. Horrors. Anomalies. Evils. Manifestations of corruption.
Use any word you like; no words would truly suffice… The one undeniable truth was that these beings stood opposed to all that constructed the world, sustained civilization, or birthed human reason. They spread despair, multiplied suffering, fostered madness, and bred chaos—they were fiends, beyond redemption.
They existed everywhere, filling every corner, covering every inch of vision, countless and boundless.
They writhed, distorted black masses, deeper and darker than shadow, ink, starless night, or a murder of crows…
A legion of monsters—manifesting, emerging.
Apart from the familiar "Hanagoromo"—the flower-shaped monstrosities Meteora and the others had encountered frequently—there were many, many others, strange and grotesque, myriad in form and kind.
The black shadow that had instantly devoured Altair's arm was among them.
"Give Van Gogh back to me."
Part whisper, part roar.
She—Shimazaki Yuna—stood amidst this monstrous legion. Or rather, the creatures knelt at her feet. These countless abominations were pouring forth from her shadow, rising endlessly from beneath her feet.
Though it was night and the surroundings dim, her shadow was clear, vividly alive, writhing ceaselessly like boiling water or a living beast.
Though it was but a shadow, it possessed substance, flowing like molten tar, flickering like black flames.
"So even you lose composure? Your imitation of a human was almost convincing."
Altair's gaze pierced through the swarm of creatures, aimed directly at Yuna, a contemptuous smirk upon her lips.
No one saw what Altair did clearly—only a flicker of light—and her devoured arm was fully restored, sleeve and gauntlet included, as though never lost.
Gently cradling Van Gogh, Altair extended a provocative finger, beckoning Yuna closer with undisguised mockery.
"If you want her, come and take her yourself."
Yuna's expression was hidden from view, so none could know if she was angered by Altair's taunts. Only her eyes glowed with an eerie spiral, twisted and terrifying.
Only the shadows and whispers polluting the mind grew ever more frenzied, boiling, raging.
Yuna stepped forward towards Altair—but at that moment, someone blocked her path.
Eyes lowered, brows knitted, Meteora stood silently before Yuna.
"Step aside, Meteora."
Yuna spoke coldly, her voice carrying a force that seemed to strike directly at the mind.
Meteora's pupils trembled slightly, but she quickly steeled herself, meeting Yuna's gaze steadily, speaking quietly:
"I need an explanation, Yuna... I—no, all of us—Selesia, Mirokuji-san, Kanoya, Matsubara-san, Marine-san... we all need an explanation, the truth. What exactly have you been hiding from us? Altair's true goal, these monsters emerging from your shadow—and you yourself… just what exactly are you?"
Meteora's sudden betrayal... well, it wasn't truly betrayal; she only demanded an answer, a truth—and it was Yuna who had concealed the truth first.
Yuna's attention was briefly diverted. Seizing this chance, Blitz Talker pulled the trigger.
Bang!
At such close range, with Blitz's skill, missing was impossible.
In the instant the gunshot sounded, the bullet was already aimed perfectly at its target.
But just before the bullet hit its mark, Yuna raised her hand toward it… Despite her movements looking painfully slow, somehow the bullet appeared even slower, as though she would effortlessly catch it before it pierced her head.
However... that scene did not play out.
A crushing pressure capable of shattering stone suddenly descended upon Yuna.
"I don't recall ever saying my [Gravity Bomb] must directly hit their target to activate."
Within a five-meter radius of Yuna, every monster instantly flattened into thin sheets, the ground itself buckled inward. Such horrific pressure—a normal person would've been crushed instantly.
Yet, this pressure had no effect upon Yuna.
She remained utterly unaffected. Had it not been for the crater forming beneath her feet and the flattened monsters around her, one might've thought Blitz had fired a normal bullet instead of a gravity round.
No one knew the strength of Blitz's [Gravity Bomb] better than Meteora herself, having personally experienced it on the overpass. Her defensive magic had blocked the bullet but not the crushing pressure, knocking her out instantly—an embarrassing defeat.
Though Meteora was a sage, magician, and librarian by class—and nowhere near as physically strong as a melee brute like Mirokuji—she still hailed from a fantasy world of swords and magic. She was certainly not weaker than an ordinary human.
In other words, for Yuna to move so freely under such pressure, she clearly was no "powerless ordinary girl."
"I fully understand trust and belief are inherently biased. Whoever first plants the seed of trust in your heart naturally gains your protection. Even if their lies are riddled with holes, you subconsciously make excuses for them. Conversely, those who come later—even if their truths are flawless—you treat with endless suspicion."
"Our bond is shallow, your trust naturally lies closer to your companions. Thus, I refrained from revealing the truth immediately. I waited patiently, until she herself tore off her disguise, so that you could see with your own eyes."
"Meteora, Seeker of a Thousand Truths—I have laid the truth so plainly before you. Are you still going to remain blind, clinging stubbornly to illusions?"
Altair's voice rang out behind Meteora, amusement dripping from her words. "Even now, you refuse to believe… that we have always been on the same side, sharing a common enemy?"
Meteora didn't turn around. Her gaze darkened with solemnity, locked firmly upon Yuna, still standing within the oppressive gravity field.
Now, looking again at Shimazaki Yuna, her features and outline blurred at some point, barely human-shaped, on the verge of collapse.
"Discovering the partner you entrusted your back to is a calamity bent on destroying the world…such a cruel truth requires a moment to process."
Blitz Talker spoke slowly, "The god called fate truly has a wicked sense of humor—and so do you, Military Uniform Princess."
"That is a huge misunderstanding. This is already my most compassionate method."
Altair shrugged helplessly.
The monsters emitted stifled snarls.
Yuna fell silent, looking directly at Meteora.
"You... choose to believe them?"
Instead of answering immediately, Meteora slowly spoke:
"Altair and the others never harmed innocents. Instead, they've always fought these monsters. Other than taking two Creators from the overpass incident, they've always been saving lives. The ones slaughtering innocents and threatening the world… are these monsters. And I saw clearly—these monsters emerged from your shadow."
The tension thickened palpably.
In Meteora's eyes, Yuna sensed hostility.
"I see… how unfortunate."
She spoke of disappointment, yet no emotion lingered in her voice.
Multiple presences rapidly approached, powerful and resolute. Monsters fell in droves as numerous figures arrived from all directions.
Mirokuji Yūya, Hakua Shō, Alicetaria, Charon, Selesia, and Kanoya Rui appeared, having ceased their battles to eliminate the monsters—united only by their shared need for the world's survival.
"Meteora, what's the situation here?" Yūya asked seriously, approaching cautiously.
Everyone's gaze focused on Meteora.
After a brief hesitation, she raised a finger, pointing directly at Yuna amidst the horde of monsters.
Then her voice, calm but resolute, carried clearly:
"This person is Shimazaki Yuna… She is the mastermind summoning and commanding these monsters—she seeks to destroy this world."
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T/N: crazy smh now heroic spirit will go on hiatus for 5555 yeuars on this cliffhanber until i get $50,000
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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