CH 69

By Effugium March 1, 2023

The Ark Dominion underground secret base is vast.

Waterfalls of flowing lava or snowfields with blizzards. These extreme environments exist to prepare optimal living spaces according to the characteristics of the mysterious being.

In one corner of the secret base, there was a military training ground as large as a garrison. On the asphalt-covered ground, the mysterious beings ran with perfect movement.

「We are the Mysterious being Marines♪」

『We are the Mysterious being Marines♪』

「Invincible mysterious being fighter♪」

『Invincible mysterious being fighter♪』

「Ih Iih!」

『Ih Iih!』

「Ui Uiih!!」

『Ui Uiih!!』

The mysterious beings are forced to run to a lively rhythm. Leading the pack is Bancholf, a werewolf carrying the banner of the “Teaching Corps”. His pompadour, which used to be a fine hairstyle, has been completely cut off, and the highlights have disappeared from his eyes.

That is no wonder, as they had been running for 18 hours straight.

「Haah…… Haah…… I can’t do it anymore Oraan……」

「You bastard!　Who said you can collapse on your own!!」

「Kyain! ! !」

Whenever they tried to rest even a little, whips would fly from the uniformed bunny-eared instructor running alongside them. Although they were supposedly running together, Colonel Usanyi-chan was not even out of breath.

「Mama told Papa♪」

『Mama told Papa♪』

「You work so hard everyday♪」

『You work so hard everyday♪』

「Mamaa!」

『Mamaa!』

「Mammaaaa!!」

『Mammaaaa!!』

When Colonel Usanyi-chan sang, the group members followed suit. The lyrics were so silly that they made little sense.

A man appeared at the training site of the Teaching Corps. He looked like a praying mantis, he was Mikariki, the number two man in the strange insects army.

Colonel Usanyi-chan looked at him, told the group that they had one more lap to go, and left the formation.

「Mikariki, as you can see I am busy. If there is something, speak briefly.」

「Yes, it looks like I don’t have time for a leisurely cup of tea. ……Actually, there is something I’d like for you to hear from my master Zazoma-sama……」

Mikarikki whispered into the big rabbit ears. Colonel Usanyi-chan put her hand on her chin and thought for a while before slowly opening her mouth.

「I see, that’s interesting.」

「That’s right, that’s right!」

「So, the budget is here as well. Hmmm… …… Well, sure, I’ll take you up on your sweet offer.」

「Ho ho ho. This Mikariki, is beyond grateful!　Now, I will go to General Tagaraak, so I will leave now……」

As soon as Mikariki left, Colonel Usanyi-chan immediately turned to the group members. One by one, she whipped the former Yankee mysterious beings, who were lying on the ground in a heap of corpses, into line.

「All right, you guys, you’ve done it!　You have cleared the “first step”!」

The word “cleared” elicits a sigh of relief from the group members.

「You’ve had enough rest, haven’t you?　Rejoice, the next one will be your favorite, 500 cliff climbs!　Aren’t you happy. Be even happier!　Say “Understood”!」

Sighs of relief instantly turned into sighs of despair. But not a single person complained or got dissatisfied. It was because everyone had learned in the past few days what would happen to them if they did.

「When you clear all the steps, you will become full-fledged combatants! By the way, there are up 27 steps, try not to lose your life (soul)!」

The sound of dry whips roared through the underground training area.

…………

Meanwhile, Rintaro was at the top of the sky, the exact opposite of underground. He was on the top floor of Tagaden Tower, the tallest building in Tokyo.

「ugh, I’m getting another call……！」

The screen on his phone showed “Mayuzumi”. It’s been a few days since they last saw each other, but it’s been every day for a while now.

Rintaro silently turned off his phone. If he came face to face with Kirika, he might be tied up and used as bait like last time.

Just at the same time, the owner of the room appeared.

「Man, I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. You’ll have to forgive me for my cuteness.」

「I would have forgiven you if not for your cuteness, General Tagaraak.」

Being summoned by Tagaraak and being made to wait like this is something he had gotten used to. She is also the granddaughter of the chairman of Japan’s largest corporate group, so she must be busy.

「So what can I do for you today?」

「Ou, it’s that. I think it’s better if I tell you.」

Tagaraak ordered “Chairman Taga Kuranosuke ” who was sitting in the chairman’s seat, to move aside and sat down on the chair, which must have cost several million yen. Then, from a large desk drawer, she pulled out a palm-sized machine.

「Rintaro, this is the gear that I got from you. This is dangerous.」

In Tagaraak’s hand was a black Victory transformation gear with a shiny V emblem.

There are currently three gears in Ark Dominion.

Green gear that Rintaro possesses, which has been magically modified. The red gear recovered by Swordminas and transferred to Zazoma. And this black gear that Tagaraak obtained for research.

「Dangerous…… is it?」

「Try to compare it to your gear.」

Tagaraak then tossed a black gear to Rintaro. Rintaro did as he was told and compared his gear with the black gear, but other than the color, he could not tell the difference.

「There doesn’t seem to be any difference, though?」

「You sure is an idiot. It’s dangerous because there are NO difference, jaro gai.」

At Tagaraak’s words, Rintaro was startled. Rintaro’s gear was the one that Tagaraak had magically modified and had the limiter removed.

In other words, it is an inhumane device that places an excessive burden on the human body. In order to protect the user’s body, there should be a limiter on the device.

Rintaro involuntarily compared this gear with his own gear again and again. However, no matter how much he looked over it, there was no limiter on Victor Black’s gear.

「I’m telling you, it doesn’t have a limiter. This black gear has no limiter from the beginning. It is a cursed gear, just like yours, that will use and destroy people, ja.」

「Then mayuzumi…… Victor Black is……」

「I should have known it when I heard the name. I’m getting older and forgetting more and more things. Although I’m a fresh ten years old, jakedo.」

Tagaraak, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed young girl, bobbed her head like an uncle. But soon she turned a sharp look at Rintaro with serious eyes.

「You’ve been meeting with Mayuzumi Kirika recently, haven’t you?」

「You knew!?　Don’t tell me you’ve got the camera again!?」

「Hah, Something like your movement is no secret, jai. How many cameras do you think there are in Tokyo, ja?」

Tagaraak snapped his fingers and an image appeared on the wall monitor. On the screen was the image of Rintaro screaming as Kirika pushed him down. The image was taken in the men’s restroom, where there was no privacy or delicacy.

After playing through Rintaro’s embarrassing scene, Tagaraak said with a more serious face than ever.

「Do not see Mayuzumi again. This is a warning, ja.」

…………

Back in his room, Rintaro gazed blankly at the screen of his phone.

Even without Tagarac’s advice, Rintaro had already made up his mind that he would not meet with Kirika. But when he was asked to stay, his mind was filled with regret.

They are senior and junior who have spent time together in the same school, even if it is only for a year. It would be a lie if he said that he would not miss her, but the risk is too great.

The presence of Kirika, who is convinced that Rintaro = Death Green, could have fatal consequences for Rintaro, who disguised his true identity if handled poorly.

「In the first place, I was hated so much that she said she wanted to bury me…..」

She was a junior who he had been poking at ever since the first time they met. To Kirika, Rintaro is surely still an enemy now and in the past.

If he rejected the call from the phonebook on his phone, it would all be over. However, Rintaro’s fingers just could not make that single move.

Just then…

Mūnmūnmūn!

「Owaaaah!!」

The phone suddenly trembled in his hand, and Rintaro almost dropped it. The word “Mayuzumi” danced on the display.

Despite his own feelings, Rintaro had pressed the call button.

『Hello……』

A muffled voice reached Rintaro’s ears. Towards Rintaro’s heart that jumped up and down, he begged it to calm down.

He has to tell her that he won’t see her anymore.

「Um, hello?」

『I have a very important story to tell you……』

The voice that he heard was so weak that he could not imagine it from the Kirika he had heard so far. It was so fragile that it sounded as if it would turn to ashes and scatter at any moment.

『I would love to meet you and talk to you…… The location is……』

…………

Two hours later, Tokyo’s Mt. Takao, the most popular mountain climbing spot in West Tokyo, where Retto used to camp.

Being winter, the sun was already well into the evening. Neither the cable car nor the lift was running, so Rintaro had no choice but to walk up the trail at night.

The New Year vacations were already over and the tourist season had passed its peak. It was out of the ordinary to be told to come to the observatory at night when not a single person was around.

「Aah, Damn it, it’s snowing.」

Tiny snowflakes melted at the touch of Rintaro’s fingertips.

According to the weather forecast, the first snow was expected to fall between midnight and tomorrow morning. But even Rintaro was old enough to not get excited about snow anymore. The word “dreadful” kept coming to Rintaro’s mind.

But what will come must come. This must be the last.

Forcing his heavy steps forward, Rintaro hurried to the observatory.

As white crystals danced down from the sky, Rintaro spotted a figure. There was no mistaking the girl, her silvery-white hair shaking as she quietly gazed at the city lights.

「You know, why didn’t you choose a place that’s more accessible.」

As Rintaro spoke, the girl slowly turned around. With the colorful nightscape behind her, she simply bowed her head without an umbrella in the snow.

「I’m sorry. I just really wanted to ask you one thing.」

A strong wind blew between them and silver petals danced in the air. The girl’s blue eyes met Rintaro’s stagnant ones.

Words are spun from her thin lips, quieter than falling snow.

「Who are you really?」