September, the hot sumr vacation had ended, and it was ti for school to start.
"School, huh..."
Passing by the gate of Raizen High School, looking at the students in class inside the teaching building, Yutsuki couldn't help but feel a bit nostalgic.
Although a long ti ago, when she was still a "he", she had already graduated from high school, but what exactly was the difference between Japanese high school life and the cramming-style education high schools in China? It seed it would be quite interesting to experience it a bit.
But...
"Well... forget it. If I accidentally trigger a flag with that harem protagonist because of that, it'll be troubleso. Besides, the future has already experienced it once, and it seed to be just so-so."
Sighing lightly and shrugging her shoulders, Yutsuki turned around and left.
Ever since coming to Tengu City, Yutsuki didn't choose to leave, but settled down directly here.
In the mory of her future self, in the coming months, many serious incidents would occur in this city due to the relationship between DEM, Spirits, and Ratatoskr.
A certain idol's rampage leading to citizen brainwashing and paralyzing city functions; the harem protagonist failing to protect his harem, resulting in that woman turning dark and going berserk, cleaving the earth; a certain airship almost crashing into the city because its defenses were too fragile and got hacked by the enemy; internal struggles within the enemy faction resulting in dropping several artificial satellites in an attempt to flattend Tengu City to the ground, etc., etc...
Yutsuki couldn't help but associate it with a certain Fuyuki City that is always as "peaceful" as ever.
Honestly, originally, Yutsuki would absolutely stay far away from such a high-risk area, hiding as far away as possible.
However, if those disasters were to involve her friends, that would be a different story. Moreover, keeping an eye on that harem protagonist to see if he was bullying Kaguya and Yuzuru was also one of the reasons Yutsuki stayed here.
(I'm so contradictory...)
Yutsuki couldn't help but think with self-deprecation.
Even knowing she didn't want to get involved with Itsuka Shido, she still proactively sought out Yuzuru and Kaguya out of loneliness.
Even though she hated harems and knew this place was a hotspot for trouble, just thinking of her good friends' difficulties made her actively encourage them to seek out that harem protagonist.
"I've been waiting for you for a long ti. Yutsuki-san."
In front of her, the most evil Spirit—Tokisaki Kurumi, was waiting for her with a smile.
"Then, I'll have to trouble Yutsuki-san to lead the way next, to take to DEM to find the imprisoned Spirit."
"...Yes, yes! I'll definitely keep my promise."
After responding to Kurumi, Yutsuki couldn't help but scratch her long brown hair and let out a helpless, long sigh.
(Seriously... what exactly am I doing?)
_________________
DEM Industries Japan Branch, Second Office Building, Advanced Technology Research Institute.
"Halt. What are you two doing here?"
"Excuse , we are here to deliver takeout, but this building is too big, and we accidentally got lost and ended up here. Could you tell where miss Jessica Bailey's office is?"
Looking at the Wizards keeping their guard up against them, Yutsuki lifted the ran in her hand and showed a 100% sunny, custor-service smile.
"Captain Jessica? She should be training at the main office building right now."
The Wizard frowned slightly. Looking at the two girls wearing delivery uniforms, she lowered the gun in her hands slightly.
"This is the Second Office Building, you've co to the wrong place... Wait!? This is the 17th floor. Without special ID cards, how did you get in—"
By the ti this Wizard felt sothing was wrong, it was already too late. Kurumi's shadow had silently spread to her feet.
And just like that, the Wizard, stripped of a massive amount of stamina, fainted on the ground before she could even shout the word "intruders."
"Good night, miss."
Kurumi whispered softly. Looking at their current location, a hint of urgency and anticipation appeared in her eyes.
In the previous world, to find the "Spirit" imprisoned by DEM, Kurumi took advantage of the chaos Shido and Miku caused at DEM and ca here together with Yutsuki.
However, they were late at that ti; the imprisoned Spirit had already been transferred to another location beforehand.
So this ti, after Kurumi received news from her clones that "Material A" had been transported here, she imdiately sought out Yutsuki. On the condition of protecting the Yamai sisters and Itsuka Shido during the Miku incident, she asked Yutsuki to assist her in infiltrating DEM.
"You're really a great helpYutsuki-sam. How should I repay you? With my body?"
"Cut it out. Not bothering is the greatest help you can give ."
Rolling her eyes in annoyance, Yutsuki clearly didn't take Kurumi's words seriously. With a sigh, she arrived in front of a wall.
Running her fingers lightly over the smooth tal panel, having the mories of the previous world, Yutsuki quickly found the hidden touchscreen panel.
Originally, this was a combination lock composed of multiple layers of passwords, such as fingerprints, retinas, and DNA. Although it was extrely troubleso for ordinary humans, to Yutsuki, this thing was practically non-existent.
"But speaking of which... isn't their reaction way too slow? Are all DEM Wizards this incompetent?"
While unlocking the door, Yutsuki glanced at the unconscious Wizard on the ground and felt speechless.
During the infiltration up to this point, Yutsuki had previously investigated the structural blueprints of this building, confird the shortest route, used her ability to tamper with the surveillance cara footage, used voice acting to trick the patrolling Wizards into leaving, and even hacked the password lock to enter this building... This final opening was intentionally left by her to test their vigilance.
"I say... don't you think our infiltration has gone a bit too smoothly?"
Yutsuki couldn't help but frown in doubt.
If DEM's security really was only at this level, then couldn't she just directly infiltrate the DEM boss's office and finish off the final boss with one slash, saving them all this trouble later?
But if it could really be solved that simply, her past self from the previous world would definitely have done it.
"Is that so? I think it's quite normal. After all, no one would expect that in broad daylight, two Spirits would infiltrate the Wizards' stronghold."
Seeing Yutsuki's suspicious face, Kurumi shrugged with a bitter smile.
To be fair, DEM's security could absolutely not be called lax. But unfortunately, the Spirit before her was just that overpowered against humans.
First of all, as the first line of defense, the security systems didn't work against Yutsuki. Furthermore, Yutsuki's habit of making complete preparations before taking action allowed her to react instantly when encountering unexpected situations.
Although Kurumi was confident she could infiltrate on her own, it was completely impossible to infiltrate silently like Yutsuki and rapidly penetrate the enemy's interior without causing any commotion.
She had to admit, the title of the Spirit most dangerous to humanity was well-deserved.
"Mhm... True."
A subtle expression appeared on Yutsuki's face. But indeed, it was impossible for DEM to know that Spirits would infiltrate here. Moreover, the transportation route of the Spirit known as "Material A" was only known to a few high-ranking DEM executives. Even she and Kurumi only knew about the existence of this secret room because they had investigated it in the previous world. The Wizards here didn't even know a Spirit was imprisoned in this building, so naturally, the security couldn't be as tight as the main office building.
(Maybe I really am just being too overthinking.)
Temporarily setting aside the unease in her heart, Yutsuki unlocked the hidden room's password lock in a few swift moves, and a secret passage appeared before Yutsuki and Kurumi.
Casually disarming the traps set inside as well, just as Yutsuki was about to enter, a sense of weirdness suddenly welled up in her heart, forcing her to stop in her tracks.
In the previous world, when Yutsuki and Kurumi ca here, although they didn't see the imprisoned Spirit, there were indeed residual Spirit power fluctuations left behind after Spirit power had been used.
But this ti, let alone feeling the presence of a Spirit inside, Yutsuki didn't even feel any fluctuations of Spirit power.
(I knew sothing was wrong!)
Yutsuki just wanted to tell Kurumi to retreat. However, Kurumi, sowhat impatient and losing her cool, didn't notice this incongruity and rushed quickly into the room.
That idiot! Yutsuki cursed internally and hurriedly summoned her Angel.
"Ratziel!"
[Calculation initiated—Future Prediction activated.]
Vision, hearing, touch, sll, the sixth sense—all the information the body could gather was collected by Ratziel at this mont for ultra-high-speed processing. The next instant, such a scene surfaced before Yutsuki's eyes:
A laser blade suddenly sweeping out, blood splattering across the room, and Tokisaki Kurumi's head rolling around on the ground.
"—Kurumi!"
After a loud roar, Yutsuki pushed off the ground almost subconsciously. With a Shunpo (Flash Step), she blocked in front of Kurumi, holding Ratziel horizontally as a shield.
Screeeech!
The next mont, the waist of the longbow clashed fiercely with the laser greatsword, sending intense sparks flying between them.
"Hoh? What an excellent reaction ti."
Seeing her long-prepared strike being blocked, an unexpected light appeared in Ellen Mira Mathers' eyes.
You have to understand, this was a sneak attack deliberately launched by the strongest Wizard hiding her killing intent. According to her plan, it was entirely possible to instantly kill "Nightmare" and subdue "Hacker."
"Yutsuki-san?"
Kurumi looked at Ryougi Yutsuki in surprise. But at this ti, Yutsuki didn't have the luxury to respond to Kurumi. Instead, looking seriously at Ellen confronting her, she said mockingly:
"Oh? To think the strongest Wizard would deliberately lie in ambush here to pull off such a low-class sneak attack. Is the sky falling? Or is the stress of your job too much and your cycle is ssed up?"
"...Whatever impression you have of is irrelevant to . I am rely following Ike's orders."
Ellen raised her eyebrow slightly and answered in a very calm tone.
"Although Ike ordered you to be captured alive... just to be safe, I'll cut off your limbs."
Dangerous woman. Feeling the bone-chilling killing intent from the other party that was almost materializing, the corners of Yutsuki's mouth twitched slightly.
"Sorry, I have no interest in ssing around with you here."
Since the Spirit Kurumi was looking for wasn't here, Yutsuki naturally had no reason to stay here any longer.
"Lightning Spear!"
Drawing the bowstring, a dense barrage of lightning instantly shot towards Ellen.
"Useless."
Ellen deployed her Territory as a protective shield. The blue-white lightning looked fierce, but it actually didn't pack much power and was easily blocked by the shield.
However, just as Ellen was preparing to attack, the room suddenly plunged into darkness.
Ellen then realized that the other party's true target wasn't her, but the lighting fixtures inside this secret room.
"Railgun!"
"—!?"
Hearing Yutsuki's voice, the temporarily blinded Ellen reflexively took a defensive stance.
However, the expected attack didn't co. Instead, a strong tremor shook the ground.
"Not good!"
Ellen quickly turned on the lighting system attached to her ch, but by this ti, Ryougi Yutsuki and Tokisaki Kurumi were long gone. Before her was only a hole blasted through by the Railgun, leading straight down to the first floor.
"Damn it! Don't think you can escape!"
Seeing two live Spirits actually escape right under her nose, Ellen felt her dignity had been imnsely provoked.
"Alright, that's enough, Ellen."
Just as Ellen was about to continue the pursuit, a man in his thirties with sharp grey hair suddenly walked out from the darkness and called out to Ellen.
If Yutsuki hadn't chosen to flee directly just now, she would have recognized that this man was DEM's Managing Director—Isaac Westcott.
"The Wizards downstairs just reported that after escaping from your side, Hacker and Nightmare 'disappeared' right in front of them."
"...I apologize, Ike. It was a mistake on my part."
Gritting her teeth in frustration, Ellen apologized with self-bla.
"It's fine, Ellen. You don't need to overly bla yourself. You did very well."
Westcott chuckled and waved his hand, looking completely unbothered.
In fact, it was exactly as he said. Westcott observed very clearly from the shadows. It wasn't that Ellen did poorly, but that the Spirit Hacker made decisions that were too swift and decisive.
At first, Westcott even imagined that Hacker would use the tactics she was best at to hack into Ellen's ch. Then Ellen would use her Territory to cut off wireless communications and capture Hacker during her mont of panic.
However, without intending to attack, nor choosing to use hacking techniques to invade Ellen's ch, as if she knew in advance that her thod of cracking Realizers wouldn't work on Ellen... the mont the other party realized their whereabouts were exposed, she decided this wasn't a place to stay long. Showing no intention of lingering in battle, she chose to flee directly.
Even the mont she blocked Ellen's sneak attack just now, the other party's reaction was too fast, so fast that Westcott couldn't help but wonder if she had foreseen the future.
"Whether it's the Realizer cracking thod she learned from who knows where, or that illogical reaction and judgnt just now... this Spirit... is truly incredible."
Walking to the large hole blasted open by Hacker, Westcott rubbed his chin and muttered to himself thoughtfully.
"Speaking of incredible, I think you're the sa, Ike. How did you know that Hacker and Nightmare might co looking for 'Material A'? And even specially changed the transportation route of 'Material A'."
"Oh? About that—"
Seeing Ellen's questioning gaze, Westcott smiled and shrugged, answering matter of fact face.
"—I had absolutely no idea! It was just my sixth sense telling . And then the other party just happened to show up like this. Ellen, do you think if I go buy a lottery ticket right now, I'll win the jackpot?"
"..."
______________
"Phew... That was close. Looks like she didn't chase after us."
Fleeing to a forest in the suburbs outside Tengu City, only after confirming that Ellen hadn't pursued them did Yutsuki slowly sigh in relief. Then she turned around, stared at Kurumi with a dissatisfied look, and reprimanded her.
"Hey, are you an idiot? When the door opened, you should have noticed there was no Spirit inside. Why did you still foolishly run in?!"
"I am very sorry,Yutsuki-san. At that ti, I was indeed... a bit anxious and lost my cool."
Seemingly aware that she was impatient, Kurumi slowly exhaled and bowed her head ashadly to apologize to Yutsuki.
"Forget it... as long as you understand."
Seeing Kurumi apologize, Yutsuki also gradually cald down and didn't continue to pursue the matter.
"However,Yutsuki-san. Actually, back then, you could have just ignored and run away directly. 'I' had already swapped places with the main body at that instant. Even if I was killed, it wouldn't have mattered."
"Guh—"
Hearing Kurumi's words, Yutsuki was montarily speechless.
Kurumi cannot be killed. More accurately, she cannot be killed off completely. In Yutsuki's mory, as long as she still had enough "ti," Tokisaki Kurumi could use the Eighth Bullet to summon clones to die in her place.
Leaving Kurumi behind and running away directly was the most correct choice. It wasn't that the Yutsuki at the ti didn't know this.
It's just that at that mont, her body took action before her thoughts did.
"Well... I was absolutely confident I could escape anyway, so I just saved you along the way."
Glancing at Kurumi, Yutsuki scratched her hair and answered sowhat irritably.
"The in the previous world seed to have received a lot of help from you. And watching my partner die right in front of would ruin my appetite for dinner. Maybe to you, clones are just expendable items that don't matter if they die. But at the very least... don't die right in front of ."
"Yutsuki-san..."
Kurumi widened her eyes in surprise. Looking at Yutsuki, who seed a bit embarrassed and turned her face away, a helpless smile couldn't help but appear on her lips.
"It really is the sa... Yutsuki-san is an idiot."
"#!"
An angry red cross vein popped up on Yutsuki's forehead.
"That should be my line, you idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (╯#‵□′)╯︵┻━┻"
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