Inside Mephistopheles, thirteen Sinners and Dante were waiting for their next assignment.
Their destination was supposed to be somewhere in T Nest. However, just as they were preparing to depart, a new order arrived.
Their next mission had nothing to do with their original assignment.
They were to visit a café known as Ragnarock, located nearby.
After a short journey, the bus finally stopped in front of an old, seemingly abandoned café.
Its sign was still hanging above the entrance, though the building itself looked as if it hadn't seen a customer in quite some time.
The Sinners stepped off the bus, with Dante following behind.
There was also one unexpected guest: Vergil, who had apparently come here for an entirely different reason.
Why had they been sent to this particular café? And why did it look abandoned?
Well, they were about to find out.
[Identity Notes:]
Alexander — Don Quixote.
Coffee Cockroach — Gregor.
Ragnarock Worker — Heathcliff.
All remaining roles — Heishou Pack identities.
[Heathcliff]: So, this is where the boss used to work?
He looked at the old café, examining its dusty windows and worn-out sign.
[Don Quixote]: Indeed! This humble establishment was once the workplace of our esteemed Lord Eridiuslessd ka Jelled Romero da Fallheart!
[Dante]: ...
[Everyone else]: What?
[Heathcliff]: The bloody hell did you just call him?
[Don Quixote]: Lord Eridiuslessd ka Jelled Romero da Fallheart! A most distinguished name befitting a most distinguished gentleman!
[Gregor]: That's... certainly a name.
[Outis]: That's not a name. That's an entire military registration document.
[Rodion]: How does anyone even remember all of that?
[Don Quixote]: Through dedication, perseverance, and an unwavering spirit!
[Heathcliff]: Or you could just call him Eridius.
[Don Quixote]: HERESY! One must show proper respect to one's employer!
[Meursault]: The shortened version is more efficient.
[Don Quixote]: Efficiency is no substitute for respect!
[Gregor]: Well, at least we know who's responsible for the paperwork around here.
Gregor looked at the abandoned café again.
[Gregor]: So... why does this place look like it's been closed for years?
[Heathcliff]: Maybe the boss went bankrupt.
[Rodion]: With the amount of money that man supposedly makes? I doubt it.
[Outis]: Don't make assumptions. An abandoned establishment could indicate a number of things. Financial collapse, hostile takeover, criminal activity—
[Heathcliff]: Or maybe the owner just forgot to open the bloody door.
[Dante]: ...
Dante turned towards the café entrance.
There was a sign hanging on the door.
It read:
[CLOSED — TEMPORARILY].
[Gregor]: ...Well, that answers one question.
[Heathcliff]: Doesn't explain why we've been sent here, though.
[Don Quixote]: Fear not, companions! Whatever trials await us, we shall face them with courage!
[Meursault]: Our mission briefing did not specify any trials.
[Don Quixote]: Then we shall be prepared for unexpected ones!
At that moment, a faint noise came from somewhere inside the building.
[Everyone]: ...
[Heathcliff]: Right. Who's opening the door?
[Don Quixote]: I shall open the—
Before she could finish her sentence, the door swung open.
Something struck her.
Her head went flying through the air, sailing over the group before landing on the ground in front of them.
[Everyone]: ...
For a brief moment, nobody moved.
Then the door opened completely.
Standing in the doorway was something that could only be described as a muscle-bound cockroach.
It was enormous, with thick arms bulging with muscles that looked completely incompatible with its insect-like body. Its antennae twitched as it glanced down at the headless body lying outside.
The creature tilted its head.
[Coffee Cockroach]: Coffee?
[Gregor]: ...
[Heathcliff]: WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THAT?!
[Rodion]: Gregor, stop your cousin before he gets any closer!
[Gregor]: MY COUSIN?! WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU THINK THAT'S MY COUSIN?!
[Heathcliff]: LOOK AT YOU! YOU'RE BOTH BLOODY BUGS!
[Gregor]: THAT'S NOT HOW FAMILY WORKS!
The Coffee Cockroach slowly turned its head towards Gregor.
[Coffee Cockroach]: Coffee?
[Gregor]: No, thank you. I don't need that.
The creature's antennae twitched.
[Coffee Cockroach]: Coffee?
[Gregor]: That is not a reason to punch someone's head off.
[Coffee Cockroach]: Coffee.
[Gregor]: Really think you... WHY DO I UNDERSTAND YOU?
[Dante]: {What did it say?}
[Heathcliff]: It just invited us inside and told us to apologize for killing our friend!
[Heathcliff]: ...WHY DO I UNDERSTAND IT TOO?!
He grabbed Gregor by the shoulders.
[Heathcliff]: GREGOR! DID YOU INFECT ME WITH SOMETHING?!
[Gregor]: HOW THE HELL WOULD I KNOW?!
[Rodion]: Wait, wait. So we're all suddenly able to understand the giant cockroach?
[Outis]: An unidentified form of communication. Possibly a cognitive effect, an auditory phenomenon, or some kind of biological interference.
[Meursault]: I understand it as well.
[Heathcliff]: OH, FOR FUCK'S SAKE!
[Coffee Cockroach]: Coffee.
[Gregor]: ...It says we're being rude.
[Rodion]: Well, technically, we did arrive at someone's workplace, scream at the staff, and accuse them of murder.
[Heathcliff]: IT KNOCKED DON'S BLOODY HEAD OFF!
[Coffee Cockroach]: Coffee.
[Gregor]: It says that was an accident.
[Dante]: {HOW IS THAT AN ACCIDENT?!}
The Coffee Cockroach slowly raised one enormous hand and pointed towards Don Quixote's head.
[Coffee Cockroach]: Coffee.
[Gregor]: ...It wants us to pick her up and bring her inside.
[Heathcliff]: I'M NOT PICKING UP A HEAD!
[Don Quixote]: Ahem! I would appreciate it if someone retrieved my head before we proceed with this most peculiar hospitality!
[Everyone]: SHE'S STILL TALKING?!
[Coffee Cockroach]: Coffee!
[Gregor]: ...It says the coffee is getting cold.
[Chapter end]