Nothing of note happened today, so Tatsuki, at a loose end, ran a few experiments.
First he tried killing the phenomenon of ghosts and demons—yet their death-lines weren't simply tied to Earth. Each one also linked into a deeper strand, clearly belonging to something beyond the planet, very likely a brand-new apocalypse factor.
"So spirits and demons actually have a higher-level controller?"
That surprised him; for now he couldn't erase the birth of ghosts and demons at the root. He shelved the one-shot solution, spent a few hours sweeping several regions instead, and casually raked in 270 000 apocalypse points. Spirits and demons really were like permanent ATMs—turn up now and then, harvest a fresh crop, and the harm to ordinary people stayed low.
Tonight he left the ghosts alone. He'd been with Yukino and the others so often that Sayuri had gone without company for too long; at her age feelings over-flow if neglected.
At dinner Sayuri's little foot misbehaved beneath the table, teasing him, even daring to give a full foot massage. Yukino's sharp eyes spotted everything—she didn't expose them, but silently thought, If you're eating, just eat! Look at Chinu there, single-minded as a top-tier rice barrel.
Abe no Seimei's spirit could only stare wistfully. Seasoned as she was, Yukino merely reddened at the ears and resumed her meal.
Sayuri was this bold precisely because she was overflowing, especially doing it right in front of Chinu and Sayuri—proof she was past her limit. Tatsuki had to satisfy her properly; he even packed Eriri off home so he could dote on Sayuri alone for once.
Sayuri was truly gifted at sensing his needs. Hours later—
Smooch…
Sayuri, breathless an sweaty: "Tastsu-kun… no more?"
Tatsuki: "Rest."
A game didn't need the mag emptied every round. Sayuri, full of love, set about cleaning him; feeling the gentle warmth, Tatsuki idly opened the group chat.
…
Tatsuki: "Saint, how are things on your end?"
Saint: "Mm. With Katsumitsu's help everything proceeds smoothly."
Saint: "Those humans whom Tatsu-kun judged are now called New Humans. New order, new institutions—our new era is marching forward."
Kisara Tendo: "Tch, hate to admit it, but that brother of mine is a monster at politics."
Kisara Tendo: "He even secured support from Shiba Heavy Industries' heiress Shiba Miori and one of the Four Sages, Muroto Sumire."
Shiba Miori… Muroto Sumire—Tatsuki knew them: one ran a weapons conglomerate, the other a top-tier scientist—exactly what rebuilding demanded.
Saint: "Yes, with their backing everything is easier. Oh, Tatsu-kun, people here have founded a new religion to worship you. Should I suppress it?"
Tatsuki: "Handle it however you like—I don't draw power from faith."
Saeko Busujima: "Cultish fanatics who harm society must be uprooted."
Saint: "Understood."
Tatsuki: "Fanatics that disrupt society, huh… Aqua, any thoughts?"
Aqua: "…"
Aqua: "IDIOT TATSUKI!"
In Axel, Aqua puffed her cheeks and pounded a pillow—he was obviously mocking her Axis Church.
Megumin, sprawled on her desk, murmured, "I need to cast Explosion so bad…"
Aqua seized her. "Come on, let's blow up the fortress! Imagine it's stupid Tatsuki!"
Megumin's eyes lit, "Say no more; I'm wide awake!"
Aqua went silent in chat; Tatsuki had just wanted a tease.
Tatsuki: "Exusiai, everything okay after I left?"
Exusiai: "You zipped off fast. That mouthy woman got folded by Patriot in seconds."
Tatsuki: "Poor W!"
A fully-rested Patriot versus W—ouch.
Exusiai: "We're back in Lungmen now; not sure what's up at Rhodes. Oh—how's that Reunion leader you took? FrostNova asked me to monitor."
Tatsuki: "Same—blank, dazed, suicidal. I've parked Talulah in the Realm of Faith under Enju and Tina's watch. Found a way to cure her, but she needs time for self-reflection."
Exusiai: "Roger, I'll update FrostNova. Mainly we wanted to know you're safe."
Tatsuki: "All good here."
Back in Penguin Logistics' lounge Croissant stared. "Texas, why's Exu wriggling like a grub?"
On the sofa Exusiai twisted back and forth, giggling "heh-heh-heh."
Sora peeked over, head tilted. "Exu must be thinking happy thoughts."
Texas glanced up at the faint pink glow pulsing around Exusiai's halo.
"…"
Crunch—the pocky between her teeth snapped clean in two.
She had seen Exusiai in this state before. One night, fresh from the bath, Texas had passed by a bedroom door left slightly ajar and witnessed Exusiai comforting herself. Back then the halo had glowed an even brighter pink.
The only person who came to mind was that mysterious man called Tatsuki. When did it happen? Texas wondered. Exusiai had been with them the whole time, yet none of them noticed any outside contact. Then again—if it was him… logical enough. Tatsuki was strong enough to solo-wipe Siesta's entire gang; anyone bothering Exusiai would be asking for trouble.
Right on cue, the group chat pinged.
[Ding! White Blood Cell has joined the chat!]
[Ding! Platelet has joined the chat!]
"?" Tatsuki doubted his own eyes.
"U-uhh… what's wrong… mmm… Tatsu-kun…" Sayuri felt him tense and whispered around a mouthful.
He shook his head and patted her hair. "Nothing. Keep going."
"Mm." Reassured, Sayuri diligently resumed her task while Tatsuki focused on the chat.
…
Silver Wolf: "White Blood Cell? Platelet? Are they what I think they are?"
Tushan Honghong: "What are white blood cells and platelets?"
Hai Xiaomei: "Yeah, I'm curious too!"
In their era the concept of cells didn't yet exist.
Silver Wolf: "Short version: most living things, humans included, are made of cells. White blood cells and platelets are parts of the body that keep it running."
Hai Xiaomei: "Wait—they're inside the body but can talk and think? Sounds spooky—like ghosts!"
She clutched her Icy Frog helm for comfort.
Exusiai: "Probably just codenames. Lots of folks on our world use handles."
March 7th: "Makes sense, though the handles are weird."
Kisara Tendo: "Using body cells as codenames isn't awful—white blood cell for purging evil, very symbolic."
"…"
Tatsuki tugged at the corner of his mouth. They had no grasp of how serious this might be. They don't know, but he did: living cells could be real. WORKING CELLS—a story where body cells battle germs and illness.
White Blood Cell: "I am Neutrophil 1196. Is this a new message route? Any bacteria or viruses that need elimination?"
Platelet: "If there's a wound, we'll hurry right over!"
Tatsuki: "…"
Hammer confirmed—these really were cells.
Emilia: "Is the newcomer speaking in some code?"
Ainz: "Likely. Some guilds use cipher commands in battle."
Saeko Busujima: "Crime families do the same."
Saint: "When running covert ops I assign codenames too."
Platelet: "Um… I don't quite understand what everyone's saying…"
Tatsuki cleared his throat. Better to end the confusion fast.
Tatsuki: "Surprising as it sounds, I must tell you—the two newcomers are most likely actual cells from inside a living body."
Silver Wolf: "Cells can join the chat?"
Bronya: "And speak?"
March 7th: "Tatsu-kun, are you trolling me? Cells can't talk!"
Platelet: "E-everyone communicates!"
Mikoto Suoh: "…"
Ainz: "I trust the big guy, but this is bizarre."
Tatsuki: "Facts are facts. The world is wide; nothing's impossible. They're probably personified cells."
Aqua: "As a water goddess… this is my first time hearing such a thing."
Tatsuki: "Actually, I'm very curious."
Esdeath: "Oh? Something even you wonder at?"
Nami: "What is it?"
Tatsuki: "White Blood Cell, Platelet—your profile page should list your apocalypse, right?"
White Blood Cell: "Yes."
Platelet: "I-I can see it too."
Tatsuki: "Tell me: what apocalypse does your world face?"
White Blood Cell: "Future Apocalypse (★1), I think?"
Platelet: "Same here—Future Apocalypse (★1)."
Tatsuki: "I see."
Reinhard: "Tatsuki-san, have you discovered something?"
Tatsuki: "A bold hypothesis. A one-star apocalypse likely targets a single biological organism. From known data, a four-star apocalypse affects an entire planet. That suggests two-star and three-star apocalypses sit between—larger than a body, smaller than a world."
Silver Wolf: "Matches your earlier observation-point theory."
Bronya: "Since a body is the whole world from a cell's viewpoint, the organism equals the universe; its death equals apocalypse."
Shinobu Kocho: "That makes sense."
It also solved Tatsuki's long-standing puzzle: Saeko's and Shinobu's worlds weren't four-star because they were overwhelmingly strong—they were four-star because there existed apocalypses whose scope was smaller than Earth.
...
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