It wasn't supposed to be like this. Hachiman and Yui were enjoying their shitty community service as guidance counselors for elementary students in a shitty summer camp in Chibamura, Gunma.
Tonight was supposed to be a test of courage event, and Hachiman had an epic plan cooked up to help a certain pariah of the class, Tsurumi Rumi. However, things went south before they realized it.
Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't believe what he heard. Even more so, he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
It was another Hachiman who stood as tall as himself, wearing the edgiest trenchcoat humanity has ever tailored. His hair was unnaturally dark blue. His eyes were covered with a binding. In his left arm was a book shrouded in dark flames.
"I don't need you to summon anything. Just let me focus." The edgy Hachiman said with a confident, perhaps even cocky, smile. "THOUSAND HANDS, KANNON!"
"[Yokai]." The book replied with a strangely cheerful tone, and from underneath the trenchcoat, launched dozens upon dozens of black hands-like tentacle
Hachiman couldn't believe what he saw, as those black hands morphed into something as they split or fused with each other. As if they're made of liquid, yet behave like living creatures.
Terrifying.
Seriously terrifying.
These black hands... no, tentacles, subdued multiple monstrous creatures with their combined strength, forming an impenetrable web, tangling anything unlucky enough to be caught inside.
Is this person even a human?
"I got them. Someone can have the honor of finishing the job?" The edgy Hachiman asked.
"Idiot."
A glowing girl stood in the sky as if able to stand on the air itself. She was surrounded by half a dozen guns by her side. As she waved her hands, the guns began to unload their entire magazine as if held and triggered by invisible hands.
The monsters withered under the fire.
As the girl descended, her appearance was quite familiar, yet different than what Hachiman remembered.
She was a little more slender and well-toned, while her hair was unnaturally pink, bathed by the blue light from her eyes. However, that face was unmistakable.
"You're also... Yuigahama?" Hachiman asked. "Where am I?"
The girl kneeled and looked Hachiman in the eye.
Hachiman felt terrified when he sensed something crawling all over his neck and head, but nothing was there!
"He passed the concussion test." She said. "No major injury or head trauma that I can see."
The black-haired Hachiman stood up and dusted himself. His entire body was sore, and his hands and feet were shaking. He was a hair away from pissing himself.
Just what in the world is happening?
"Hikki!"
Like there was another, different Hachiman, there were two Yuigahama Yui. This one, Hachiman was all too familiar with. Her brown hair was dyed with a trendy orange hue, and she had brown eyes that didn't shine.
As she hugged him, Hachiman was flustered as he noticed yet another difference. The difference in assets, for lack of a better word. However, Hachiman soon realized that she was terrified. Far more scared than he was.
Hachiman could not return her embrace, but he wouldn't push her away until she calmed down.
"This area is dangerous." The pink Yui said. "We'll escort you to safety."
"Y-yes." Yui finally let go of Hachiman and took a deep breath. "I'm unsure what is happening, but please help us."
"We would, but we need you to hold your own as well." Blue Hachiman handed out a pair of bracelets. "With great power comes great responsibility!"
Why is he quoting spiderman like it means anything?!
"What the hell are you talking about?" Hachiman asked.
"Try them."
Hachiman doesn't trust these people at all. Yui, however, didn't waste much time as she clamped the bracelet on her right wrist.
"[Temporary resgitration confirmed, scan abilities... TPE output level B Minus, signature skill Telekinesis]." The bracelet said. "[Matching data, error. Recalibrating measurement. Downloading reference. Matching data, Yuigahama Yui]."
That bracelet must be as advanced as a smartphone, if not more.
"The exact same as me a year ago." Pink Yui clenched her teeth. "Anyway, can you try to aim your palm somewhere? Like that tree over there."
"Eh?" Yui blinked but did that anyway.
"Remember the feeling of helplessness and fear you faced just now." Pink Yui told her. "And let it out as a rejection."
Yui closed her eyes and flinched, feeling a sense of dread as a surge of energy traveled into her hand. And then released a destructive blast strong enough to uproot a tree like it was nothing.
Yui and Hachiman's jaws dropped.
"That would be your shield." Pink Yui nodded with a smile. "If we were preoccupied, please protect yourself like this."
"Eh, uh, hai?" Yui didn't understand but nodded anyway.
"The bracelet has GPS inside them. Even if we're separated, the rescue team will surely find you." Blue Hachiman grinned. "I have the feeling I know what YOUR special abilities are, but you're too afraid to find out."
Hachiman, black-haired and grouchy, still refused to put on the bracelet. But he decided to snap it on the belt loops of his pants. That way, he could rip it away.
"Well, if that was the case, take this." Pink Yui handed Hachiman a police shield. "Let's go."
Hachiman saw Pink Yui unloads a crate and let the weapons hang around her. Most likely using Telekinesis as well.
Unbelievable! What kind of seventeen years old are allowed to carry that much firepower unsupervised?!
The three of them ran across the forest of Chibamura, Gunma, with Pink Yui flying to cover them. Hachiman and Yui realized something. The pace they were going was way too fast.
Unbelievably fast.
They were all running at distinctly superhuman speed.
"What the hell is this?" Hachiman asked.
"Confusing, isn't it?" Blue Hachiman snorted. "I'm just as confused, but we can't talk if we die."
No shit, captain obvious!
"...We're screwed." Blue Hachiman suddenly frowned. "Keep running south across the road."
"What?" Yui asked. "What do you mean?!"
Blue Hachiman unleashed a dozen black tentacles to stop the charge of a gigantic, two-haired wolf. The wolf howled in anger, but its speed was considerably slowed down.
The wolf was the size of a bus. Its roar was so loud it might feel like an explosion erupted up close. In fact, Hachiman and Yui were thrown by the shockwave.
"An Orthos." Blue Hachiman growled. "Go! I can fight against it just fine, but I can't protect you!"
A thunderous blast echoed in the sky. Yui was seen holding an enormous sniper rifle with her hands instead of letting it float like before.
The bullet was no bigger than a pinky finger, yet struck with the force of a small tank cannon. The bus-sized wolf reeled from impact, clearly winded and hurt.
However, the fact that it didn't immediately die was telling.
"RUN!" Pink Yui screamed before she got caught by the bite of a humongous snake from nowhere and slammed to the ground, throwing a dust cloud big enough to cover a skyscraper.
As it turns out, the snake was actually a prehensile tail of the giant two-headed wolf. The wolf already subdued blue Hachiman under its jaw.
What strength and speed...
However, a burst of tentacles from Blue Hachiman stretched open the jaw like high-power hydraulic jacks. It was quite a bizarre and terrifying sight, and even more unsettling to think how one should root for a tentacle... master. Assuming he is even a human.
"It's faster than expected." Blue Hachiman spit aside as he retracted his tentacles. "Are you alright, Yuigahama?"
"I'm okay." Pink Yui stood, seemingly unharmed, as she floated on a crater. "The two of us are more than sufficient to kill it."
Yui waved her hands, and chunks of rock and tree flew and smacked the wolf. Followed by a barrage of bullets as she managed to recover her guns.
"You heard her." Blue Hachiman pulled the binding around his eyes to reveal inhumanly golden eyes with black sclera. "We will be fine, doppelgangers."
?!
"ASURA RAGE STORM!" Blue Hachiman shouted as the tentacles from his trenchcoat no longer took the shape of hands... but fists.
While the individual punches weren't as strong as hoped, it is a different story for two dozen fists coming in succession, hitting the same general area several times like a machine gun.
Hachiman and Yui decided they really ought to run.
Are those two even humans? Hachiman, always on the butt of social judgment and misunderstanding, felt bitter for being judgmental. However, rationally speaking, what kind of humans have THOSE glowing eyes?
Hachiman did not have enough time to think as an armored goblin ambushed him from above. Its crude cleaver swung. He reacted by bashing it with the face of the police shield.
Hachiman felt like he was struck with a sledgehammer.
The cleaver left a visible dent outside, but nothing major. Hachiman, however, was aware that the impact force would've breached any shield this thin.
Was it made of an unusual metal? Even if it was made of steel, it wouldn't be able to hold. But it feels like something made out of lighter aluminum.
Yui screamed and pushed with both hands to destroy the blockade of goblins ahead of them. They rag-dolled away helplessly as if dragged by a passing tornado.
Hachiman bashed the few who survived or dodged Yui's Telekinetic blast. He could feel the weight of his swing.
He had never felt this strong before!
A helicopter descended down the road, blinding light sweeping around the area.
"[WE FOUND SURVIVORS]!" An artificially augmented voice came from the helicopter. It would be impossible to hear through the noisy propeller without using a megaphone. "[REPEAT, WE FOUND SURVIVORS! WE'LL BEGIN EXTRACTION IMMEDIATELY]!"
Hachiman and Yui waved their hands.
However, as the helicopter floated lower and lower, Yui sensed something.
"BE CAREFUL!" Yui screamed as she looked back.
Hachiman turned immediately to see a whole tree flying across the road toward the helicopter, most likely accidentally thrown by the two-headed beast.
Hachiman wasn't sure what came to his mind at the time. Perhaps it was instinct, subconscious thought, or he wasn't thinking.
But he ran and jumped in front of the flying tree, shield raised, and deflected it. Hachiman landed on his feet after sliding down the road. Yui actually used her Telekinesis to help him stop.
"Thanks."
"Why are you always so reckless!" Yui berated him while half-crying. "Just like back then-"
"My bad." Hachiman earnestly lowered his head.
Yui said nothing wrong, however. It's been one and half a year since that traffic accident, and Hachiman learned absolutely nothing.
Nothing has considerably changed, except Hachiman getting more disillusioned about human relationships.
That tree must weigh hundreds of kilograms, so how...?
Hachiman was reminded of the words spoken by his devilish counterpart.
"We would, but we need you to hold your own as well." Blue Hachiman handed out a pair of bracelets. "With great power comes great responsibility!"
Right. It wasn't just Yuigahama Yui who gained inhuman strength. They knew that Hachiman also got one.
"Go away!" Yui pushed the incoming goblins with such anger that she used more power than necessary. Parts of the asphalt got torn off the ground and flew.
Yui wiped her tears, knowing it was not the right time to cry. "Is it safe to leave?"
"Yeah!" Hachiman nodded, and they ran toward the helicopter.
The helicopter crew asked as he helped Hachiman get inside. "Thanks for the help. We almost died if not for you. Are you injured?"
Hachiman and Yui looked at each other. "Uhh, no?"
"Is there any other survivor?"
"We don't know," Yui said. "We were separated from our friends."
"Yeah." Hachiman nodded. "There were others."
"How many?"
"...more than three dozen of us." Hachiman closed his eyes, pained. "Most are elementary school students."
"Elementary... school??" The crew responded like the two teens were crazy. "Nevermind about that. Let's get you to safety."
"Are these two okay?" Yui asked in concern. "I mean, the other... us."
"These two are some of the strongest A-class students in Japan." The crew said. "We're sending the special operation group to help them, but each of these kids was as strong as a hundred D-ranks."
Hachiman looked out to the road below to see multiple armored vehicles rolling down toward the direction of the forest.
"What, they took it out?! It's not even ten minutes!" The crew asked in disbelief. "My God."
"What is it?" Yui asked.
"These two took the Orthrus on their own." The crew grinned. "Those mad lads."
"Why are you so surprised? They're here to destroy an A-class Causality point." The co-pilot shouted. "An Orthus is a small game for elites like them."
Causality? Elites?
"B-team also took out another Orthus." the crew reported. "C-team wiped out the stragglers."
"Looks like we have nothing to worry about." The pilot scoffed. "We'll have you evacuated to our base of operation."
Yui looked at Hachiman in confusion.
"I'm not sure if I get this right." Hachiman frowned. "But we might be involved in some kind of military operation."
Hachiman knew he was being irrational for ignoring the elephant in the living room, or rather, the two-headed demon dog in the woods. But he was desperately clinging to whatever rationale he could grasp.
Otherwise, he could go insane.
Hachiman and Yui were guided through a temporary military post where the helicopter landed.
"We got them."
"Are they civilians? Should we evac them as soon as possible?"
"We need all personnel onboard. Have the two stay in the med bay until the situation improves!"
"Right."
PROLOGUE - THIS SUMMER CAMP WENT UNEXPECTEDLY CHAOTIC
Hachiman and Yui quietly rested in the medical tent. They have no energy to speak, using their brain to process what happened.
There were the other, slightly different versions of themselves. Secondly, there are monsters everywhere. Some are bus sized and might reshape the entire map within hours if not stopped.
It was too much to take in. Hachiman and Yui spent at least an hour in pure silence as battles raged outside.
It wasn't supposed to be like this. Hachiman and Yui were enjoying their shitty community service as guidance counselors for elementary students in a shitty summer camp in Chibamura, Gunma.
Tonight was supposed to be a test of courage, and Hachiman had an epic plan cooked up to help a certain pariah of the class, Tsurumi Rumi. However, things went south before they realized it.
And now, they were caught in the warzone.
"Hikki... are we... the weird ones here?" Yui asked.
"Maybe," Hachiman said. "In the hypothetical that we were-
They were interrupted by sounds of increasingly closer gunfire. The horror of the soldiers and the medical staff handling Hachiman and Yui was pretty telling.
"You need to evacuate!"
"What the hell are the guards doing?!"
"FALL BACK!" They heard shouting. "SWITCH TO AP AND FIRE AT WILL! BRING IN THE AT ROCKETS!"
Several explosions occurred nearby. That was the cue for them to leave.
"ONE DOWN! THREE TO GO!"
"AAAHHH!!"
Hachiman stopped.
"Hikki?" Yui asked. She had a bad feeling. "Are you... gonna fight?"
"If it's possible to win." Hachiman turned and walked toward the chaotic commotion. "If not, I leave."
"How could you know?!" Yui berated him. "We know nothing about our current situation!"
"Then stop following."
"I'm not following you." Yui angrily walked faster.
Yui intended to fight, even though Hachiman knew Yui was scared. Well, Hachiman was scared too. But unlike him, Yui was visibly frightened. Her face was pale, and she was drenched in sweat.
Yet she kept walking, even as people ran in the opposite direction. The sounds of gunfire became deafening as they walked closer to the battle site. Yui was constantly flinching in pain every time loud bangs and explosions occurred.
When Yui noticed a stranded headphone set, she picked it up and wore it. She didn't want the noise to get into her.
Hachiman found that surprising.
A JSDF armored car reeled and flipped near them, and Hachiman immediately ran toward it. He saw a massive, Oni-like creature swing its gigantic axe toward the hapless combat vehicle.
Hachiman felt time slowed down as he scanned every single object around him.
That's it!
Hachiman picked a fallen telephone pole, which should weigh easily half a ton or more, and lifted it as if it was something lighter. Hachiman roared as he charged forth, holding the shaft like a tsukubo (a Japanese man-catcher), and caught the Oni's arm before it could hit the armored car with the axe.
"BEND OVER!" Hachiman used his strength to push the creature until it fell by the wayside. It was not easy, but not difficult either. The same feeling he got as he fought other people in the Judo elective class at school.
How could he do that to an elephant-sized entity? Does not matter.
"Yuigahama!" Hachiman shouted.
"I got them!"
Yui used her Telekinesis to rotate the armored car, so the hatch could be opened and the crew could escape. Only one was heavily injured and couldn't move. So fellow crewmates carried him.
"Hikki! Duck!"
Hachiman instinctively ducked, and another Oni was thrown by the wayside, courtesy of Yui using her Telekinesis on an abandoned jeep. The car crumpled into half the size as it smacked Oni's face.
"There are three of them!" Yui said. "The soldiers were fighting the third one!"
"Right!" Hachiman raised the pole and then swung it down. The Oni couldn't react and slammed to the ground, leaving huge cracks underneath.
However, it regained enough energy to catch the pole before Hachiman could hit it again and threw Hachiman like a rag doll. Hachiman's hapless body caved into an empty container from the sheer force.
"Hikki!"
"I'm alright! Move away!" Hachiman tore the container wall angrily.
Hachiman lifted a heavy machine gun and fired it from his hip. Even a bad shot could deliver half a belt to a car-sized target if they could keep the gun correctly pointed.
Hachiman had the strength to do just that. The Oni groaned and fell down with fifty-caliber bullet holes all over its body.
"The last one!" Yui warned.
"I'm out!" Hachiman replied as he put down the gun. "I don't even know how to reload! Also, I'm tired for some reason."
It was as if the gun sapped his strength every time he fired it.
"Eeeeh!" Yui whined. "How do we take the other out?! It doesn't look hurt much even though I threw a car at it!"
"Throw something hard at it?" Hachiman asked. "Not a car or container. It would crump. But the armored car might be too heavy."
Most cars are designed to act like crushed can upon collision. To absorb the kinetic energy while keeping the cabin unharmed. The container, although rigid, is mostly empty space.
That might not be the case with military armored cars, but they weigh as much as a bus. So Yui probably struggled just to lift it, let alone throw it.
Yui looked around.
When the Oni she threw returned, she chucked a concrete barricade on its face. Though the concrete block shattered, the Oni was visibly reeled and injured.
Better result than throwing a jeep.
"That worked! Another one!" Yui flipped another block and pushed it with her Telekinesis, knocking the Oni down with exploding concrete.
It was clearly alive but winded.
"We need something harder!"
"Here!" Hachiman retrieved the dead Oni's axe and gave it to Yui. The axe was as tall as an adult, with the blade at least half-meter wide and long.
Yui closed her eyes and launched the axe, which caved into the Oni's chest diagonally right as it stood up again. The Oni struggled, but one could see the proverbial soul leaving.
"Ogre down! Ogre down! Secure perimeter!"
"We got Guardians on site! We got this!"
Yui dropped to her knees and retched. Hachiman knew that Yui was such a nice girl that she would have hesitated to kill a fly. Even though they were facing a monster, Yui was hurt.
Hachiman? He felt nothing. Just relief.
"Thank you!" The passing soldiers said to him.
"Yuigahama." Hachiman called her. "Look."
Yui raised her head and watched as the body of the dying Onis fragmented into pieces and evaporated, leaving a strange clump of floating material.
"Huh?!" Yui was so shocked her tears stopped instantly. "H-how?"
"We were not killing animals, not even monsters of earthy origin." Hachiman's face darkened. "Those are something far more terrible. You don't have to feel bad about it."
Hachiman wouldn't be surprised if some people call these Oni-like creatures actual devils. Several people in HAZMAT suits put the floating materials in individual crates.
Are they part of the military?
"Trans-Phase material secured!"
"Are you two alright?"
"Hikki got hurt." Yui pointed at Hachiman's scraped arm
"Only minor wounds." Hachiman refuted. "Please focus on the people who need treatment."
It really was a minor wound, which surprised Hachiman. He was usually the type to bitch about the small thing. But he knows for sure that this situation doesn't just concern him.
Many people were injured, perhaps even died. Hachiman is not ignorant of the concept of triage.
Suddenly, Blue Hachiman and Pink Yui landed near them. Hachiman fell with a loud thud, and Yui gracefully floated down.
"I know I told you to hold on your own." Blue Hachiman grinned. "But you went above and beyond."
"Taking on two Ogres on your own is admirable." Pink Yui grimaced. "Though not surprising with your current power level."
Pink Yui grabbed Hachiman and shoved him down. Much to Hachima's surprise, there was a chair underneath. She must have used Telekinesis to pull it.
Just like how she pulled a med box out of the trashed armored car...
"Have you guys ever fought before?" Pink Yui asked as she began the treatment. Inspecting, cleaning, and dressing Hachiman's wounds.
"Does a Judo elective class count?" Yui winced. "The other choice was Kendo."
"Depends on what you're doing in it." Blue Hachiman said. "Even in conventional schools, practical martial arts was reinstated as a primary subject."
"Conventional school? You mean everyone is expected to fight?" Hachiman raised his eyebrows.
"Not in Japan, no. It was like that in South Korea, though." Pink Yui replied. "It is not quite conscription, but paramilitary service record is a consideration for college applicants."
"That's absurd." Hachiman frowned.
"Anyone deciding that is insane!" Yui also balked.
"The world hasn't been the same since the turn of the Millenium." Blue Hachiman shrugged. "Humanity is besieged, and we could only fight back so the powerless can live in peace. The more people could fight, the better."
"Although conventional weapons can stall them, only people like you could kill the invading monsters." Pink Yui carefully cleaned the debris around Hachiman's temple and found a few scratches. "Those are minor enough that it's healthier to leave them exposed. Make sure to iodine them regularly."
"Thanks." Hachiman winced.
"...You guys really don't know anything." Pink Yui closed her eyes. "I'm sorry you have to get involved."
"Aaaah, no, we were fine!" Yui frantically waved. This scene is already bizarre enough.
"Moreover, did you succeed in your mission?" Hachiman asked. "Taking on class-A Causality or whatever."
"We did, but the situation did not improve because a class-S Causality appeared to replace it immediately. We had to retreat because this kind of incident is unprecedented." Blue Hachiman shrugged. "That was the reason how the camp defense got breached. There was a sudden spike of Mercurials."
It was an outside context problem, an escalation that nobody was prepared to deal with.
Hachiman pulled the bracelet from the loop of his pants and locked it on his left wrist.
"[Temporary resgitration confirmed, scan abilities... TPE output level B Minus, signature skill Subspace storage]." The bracelet said. "[Matching data, error. Recalibrating measurement. Downloading reference. Matching data, Hikigaya Hachiman]."
"Subspace storage?" Hachiman asked.
"Think of it as a small, separate dimension belonging to you." Blue Hachiman said as he threw a bottle at Hachiman. "Focus your mind and think of when you want to put something inside your locker."
Hachiman took a deep breath and then did just that, and the bottle disappeared. Much to Hachiman and Yui's surprise.
"To recall it, reverse the process."
Hachiman summoned back the bottle into his hand.
"I see," Hachiman said. "Interesting skill."
He looked at Pink Yui and then at Yui.
"Do we have the exact same signature skill?" Hachiman asked his blue counterpart.
"We do." Blue Hachiman said as multiple tentacle hands came out of his trenchcoat. "It was... occupied."
"IYAAAAH!!!" Yui screamed in horror when she saw boneless, pitch-black hands wiggling and dancing.
"What the hell?!" Hachiman twitched.
Crazy bastard! So it was an actual creature hiding in his pocket space?!
"Everyone called him madman for a good reason." Pink Yui scoffed. "But it's kind of bad to discriminate, you know? Besides, you can trust him not to have the spine to betray anyone."
"Bitch please, you know you can trust me more than anyone else." Blue Hachiman arrogantly pointed himself. "I'm the Great Sage of Purgatory who subdued a Singularity demon without a contract."
It is actually weirder to hear that voice but in such a mature accent and way of speaking. Are they even the same age at all? Besides, why does she talk LIKE Yukinoshita Yukino?
"But the two of you..." Pink Yui frowned. "Have a lot of explaining to do, and also, most likely need a lot of explanation."
"Sleep first. Ask later." Blue Hachiman said. "Let's go to Chiba, and we can bring you up to speed about the situation."
"What about the other survivors?!" Yui frantically asked. "There were many children with us, too!"
"We had biosensor specialists with us. There wasn't anyone alive within a twenty-kilometer radius from the S-class Causality." Pink Yui frowned. "Except from the two of you."
"How could it be?!"
"Even if they died, there would be traces and signs. But that's not what happened." Blue Hachiman shrugged. "It was just the two of you, and to our belief, your arrival must be connected to the existence of the new Causality."
"What IS a Causality?" Hachiman growled. "And how does it relate to us?"
"Do you know the definition of Causality?"
"Causality, or cause and effect, means something leads to another," Hachiman said. "Is this some kind of object?"
"Lifeform. A Causality is a creature." Pink Yui corrected him. "A Causality is the root cause of what's happening right now. A Causality root in certain spots and bloom to become an entire ecosystem. With a Causality existing and exerting its influence, other similar lifeforms would come."
"So they're differentiated by ranks." Yui finally realized. "And they're the cause behind the appearance of the monsters?"
"Correct." Her pink counterpart nodded. "And just like these creatures, a Causality cannot be defeated using conventional weapons. North Koreans used a nuclear missile to try to destroy one. And they accomplished nothing but creating a radioactive crater with a Causality sitting there."
"A Causality could only be destroyed by humans who can control Trans-Phase Energy. Shortened TPE." Blue Hachiman grinned. "People like the four of us."
Yui and Hachiman grimaced.
"So what even the use of those armored cars?" Hachiman questioned.
"The creatures can still be stalled through conventional firepower. You just can't hurt them." Pink Yui told him. "Those creatures are officially called Mercurials, though people may call them monsters or demons."
"Mercurials are severely weakened outside the sphere of influence of a Causality. And the more powerful a Causality, the greater the sphere of influence. An S-class Causality has an influence of 50 km radius."
In realization, Hachiman widened his eyes. "That's almost ALL of Gunma and chunks of other prefectures!"
It was a massive loss. There were no ifs and buts. It was a huge setback for Japan's struggle. Even a layman like Yui can understand.
She covered her mouth in horror.
"We lost our victory to the jaws of defeat, and no one is to blame." Blue Hachiman hissed. "Trust me, even we didn't see this coming."
"All that's left is either holding the tide and evacuating all citizens or a hail mary attack against it." Pink Yui also grimaced. "But without an S-rank Guardian, that's impossible."
"What level are you two on right now?" Yui asked.
"We're both rank A." Pink Yui responded. "Consider that we need heavy support from lesser guardians just to take on class-A Causality point. We might need to rally the entire north Japan and suffer casualties."
"So what you're going to do?"
"Waiting for orders." Pink Yui sadly smiled. "Be careful on your way. It might be weird to say this, but don't take it into your heart if some people treat you with suspicion."
"[Atention to all Guardians. We will begin evacuating all affected areas]." Loud announcements echoed across the base areas. "[Repeat, we will begin evacuating all affected areas]."
"Godspeed, my doppleganger!" Blue Hachiman. "No. My brother."
Hachiman widened his eyes in disbelief. Even in the absurdity of this situation, those words stood out the most.
"Please, let us help as well," Yui spoke out. "It's not like we have a lot of experience, but if what you say is true, we have the power to help as well."
"It has nothing to do with you." Pink Yui glared. "If you join as well, there's no turning back. You could die."
"I ran away and turned a blind eye to things that transpired in the past once. And I kept regretting it even now." Yui retorted. "Never again."
If only Yui had THAT kind of power back then, she could have saved Hachiman, right? As for Hachiman, if he was asked if he regretted doing just that and whether he would do it again?
He would.
He could lie to himself that he wouldn't care. But he would do it.
"My special abilities aren't as flashy as Yuigahama, but asking for guns or blades seems like putting my head under a guillotine," Hachiman said. "Please give me all kinds of weapons that a civilian high-school student can legally possess."
"You two are certified insane." Blue Hachiman scoffed. "Follow me. We'll have you geared up the arse."
"I really, really hope you guys stay calm." Pink Yui also gave up. "Because asking you to join is the rational option."
They need all the help they can afford. Because innocent lives are at stake.
Select Quest Route [ ] AMA
Angel Military Arms (AMA) is a paramilitary support organization centered on deploying and refining modern human weaponry. Primarily use firearms and other military weapons. Some members use repurposed industrial tools, machinery, and other miscellaneous items. Main Protagonist: Hikigaya Hachiman (Slider)
Mentor: Yuigahama Yui (Transcendent)
Group theme: Military, Mecha, low Sci-Fi
[ ] Tenmudou
Heavenly Valor Union (天武同盟, Tenmudou) is a coalition of all religious and philosopher organizations in Japan that collectively consider the appearance of Causalities and Mercurials as demons and signs of calamity. They do research on historical martial arts, ancient weapons, and artifacts -whether dark or holy- and even sometimes enslave the demons to protect humanity. Main Protagonist: Yuigahama Yui (Slider)
Mentor: Hikigaya Hachiman (Transcendent)
Group theme: Martial Arts, Historical Fantasy, low magic
Hachiman and Yui arrived in the armory, where they kept all the spare combat equipment, weapons, ammunition, and other necessary supplies.
"We should be around the same size." Blue Hachiman threw a two-piece bodysuit to Hachiman. "This suit is made of three interwoven fabrics. And lined with impact absorbent padding."
"Is this a spandex?" Hachiman remarked. "What is this for?"
"It won't protect you from getting stabbed or shot." Pink Yui explained. "But it will help mitigate slash wounds, abrasion, and being thrown around in battle. It can be worn under any other clothing, too."
"For lesser Guardians, it also interfaces with an exosuit." Blue Hachiman looked aside. "But at B-rank, these mass-produced exoskeleton is dead weight. You'd better served wearing additional armor."
A group of soldiers wearing powered exoskeletons passed nearby. They were armed with rifles and carrying a shield with them.
"Those are D-rank Guardians. They're not much stronger than average humans. However, they're capable of hurting Mercurials with their latent power." Pink Yui said. "The exosuit will augment their strength."
She got decked with a military assault vest and an oddly thick-looking boxer. It looked ridiculous.
"Ummm, is that pants?" Yui asked.
"This is called a Blast Boxer." Pink Yui explained. "It was developed in Afghanistan to protect soldiers from IEDs."
"What's an IED?"
"Basically? Hand-crafted bombs and explosive traps. Guerillas and terrorists employed them en-masse, especially in the Middle East."
"Well, you're supposed to wear them UNDER dress pants, but fashion takes place after practicality." Blue Hachiman pulled his pants down to reveal the same boxer.
"HENTAI!" Yui slapped him.
"I'm not as Hentai as your local counterpart." Blue Hachiman argued. "Imbecile."
Pink Yui just sighed. "Well, he's not wrong. But don't point it out, you scum."
Pink Yui ran in men's underwear over leggings. It might not LOOK like that, but that was what they are. Forget sexy. It looks dorky as hell.
"You know what, this is Summer." Hachiman picked out the same set of equipment before heading away to change. "If monsters did not kill us, the weather will."
Admittedly, it was an extremely comfortable, breathable set of protective clothing. Hard to believe they're good enough to resist exploding grenades nearby. The only difference was that Hachiman used a different vest, a police/SWAT gear.
"That's a good choice for vests." Pink Yui raised a thumb. "While the military vest is lighter, police vests are designed to deal with stabbings."
Yui did not do that. Instead, she wore a pair of steel breastplates and an armored skirt called faulds.
"This is surprisingly light," Yui remarked as she moved around. "I was expecting heavier."
"It's only one to three millimeters thick. Though made with high strength steel." Blue Hachiman said as he slapped his breastplate. "It could protect you from pistol shots but not rifles. Don't rely on it too much."
"Ah." Yui grimaced. "I planned to support from behind anyway."
Yui was too scared to face the enemy head-on, but she could rely on Telekinesis.
"Mind you. We armor ourselves this light because our power strengthens our armor." Pink Yui explained. "The more powerful you are, the stronger your armor."
Yui and Hachiman both nodded.
"Now, let's get to weapons," Yui said. "We cannot offer you guns, but everything else is negotiable."
"What the hell is this?" Hachiman picked a Katana and pulled it out of the sheath. "This... where's the hamon?"
"It is what it is," Pink Yui said. "In a normal situation, we can't allow you to have a Gunto. But today is an exception."
A Shinken means a Traditional Katana made post-war, using a material called Tamahagane and hand-forged by a licensed blacksmith. A Shinken is considered a sporting good and a religious art piece, not a weapon.
A Gunto is a Katana made explicitly for war, usually machine-forged from whatever steel the military industry can spare. Considered a weapon, therefore, illegal to possess.
Hachiman wasn't aware this world allowed new Gunto to exist but wasn't surprised considering the situation.
Brass knuckles, indestructible baseball bat, police baton, retractable baton, shovels, crowbars?! What ISN'T here?
Hachiman decided to dump one of each item into his pocket space, not knowing what kind of situation would happen. Aside from that, he ended up carrying a small ballistic shield, roughly sixty centimeters to fifty centimeters.
The shield should always be out for safety. Hachiman also got a bigger one in his pocket space, the one with the wheels.
"These are..." Yui picked a couple of plain metal spikes the size of a little finger but at least twenty centimeters long.
"Bo shuriken." Hachiman recognized them. "Unlike throwing stars, they're designed to maim or kill and difficult to use."
Yui took a deep breath, then dumped two dozen in a tactical waist bag. She'll need it against annoying enemies that can resist rocks and such.
Yui focused her power and tried to lift a heavy ballistic shield. She managed to do it effortlessly.
"Do you need to maintain concentration?" Pink Yui asked. "It could be distracting for a first-timer."
"If it's just one, no." Yui shook her head. "But I'd have to focus on using anything else."
"Good. Let's depart." Pink Yui said, walking calmly as two shields and almost a dozen guns floated behind her. "We split into two. Are you alright with that?"
"Split?"
"We'll have to mobilize everyone to contain a huge swathe of land and slow the incoming Mercurials." Blue Hachiman said. "We're not fighting to the death. We retreat as we fight our way out."
"As such, we can't stay in a large group." Pink Yui added. "You two seem grossly inexperienced, but I believe you both have the power to make a difference."
"I understand." Yui nodded before she looked at Hachiman and hugged him. "Promise not to do anything stupid."
"Wha-?"
She let him go and smiled. The hug was brief enough that Hachiman had no time to process it.
"Always remember that there are people who will be hurt seeing you sacrificing yourself," Yui told him. "Let's meet again and find Yukinon."
"Ah... Yeah." Hachiman finally composed himself. How could he forget about Yukinoshita Yukino? "Let's search for Yukinoshita later."
Right. That was probably the reason why Yuigahama Yui wanted to fight. No matter how small. If her presence could make a difference, she would be there. Hachiman and Yui were afraid of losing their only way to find Yukino.
(Well, Hachiman was worried about Komachi too.)
"Since we're going there, let me explain what kind of enemies we might face."
"First is D-rank, Armored Gremlins. Their strength isn't remarkable, but not only does their number and intelligence pose a problem, but their natural armor also makes them very resilient. D-ranked Guardians find them a real menace even when they use rifles." Pink Yui showed him a picture on her phone. "Use a hammer or a mace to destroy them with brute force."
Hachiman summoned an iron mace to his right hand. "Right."
"Second is C-rank Ogre. They're humanoid giants roughly six meters tall. They're physically powerful, able to lift and throw around ten tons of weight effortlessly. However, they rarely have protection and rely on their muscular bulk to survive a concerted attack. In that case, you could only rely on a Gunto."
Hachiman frowned. He did remember how resilient the Ogre he fought before to blunt force, compared to a sharp-bladed attack.
"Third is Orthus, B-rank two-headed dog demon. They're about the size of a bus with a weight to match. Their speed makes them elusive opponents to match." Pink Yui took a deep sigh. "If one shows up, stay away, and I'll take care of it."
Hachiman remembered what happened and nodded.
"Aside from that, there might be more creatures you will face. The most dangerous of which is C-rank, Shadow Stalker."
Hachiman looked at the picture, seeing a vaguely humanoid figure covered in armor. However, the way the knees formed made it explicit. This creature is not a human being.
"Despite having an unremarkable strength, Shadow Stalker is fast and ferocious. Its ability to distinguish the weakest link in the battle group is well known. Too many support specialists fell to their claws." Pink Yui said. "However, they're also inherently cowardly. Since you're naturally stronger, don't back down when you see one."
"Overpower them and stab in their chest." Yui gave Hachiman a pair of military combat knives. "Be brave, so you will live to see the next morning."
Hachiman thought that she was a little bit too close. Enough that he could feel her breath on this unusually chill summer night.
"...Right." Hachiman rolled his eyes aside and stored the knives out of sight. No time to feel flustered, but that was still awkward.
"Are you close with Yukinoshita... Yukino?"
"We..."
Hachiman honestly wanted to bring up his usual spiel about not being close, but that would be a lie. Since that conflict with Yui, there is a strange distance between him and Yukino.
"I wouldn't say we're close friends. We're clubmates, rather." Hachiman said. "And she's one of the few school acquaintances I have."
"I see."
From her response, Pink Yui might not be too familiar with this side's Yukinoshita Yukino. That's right. Hachiman realized that he and Yui got transported to a different world.
"If she's here, we might have a shot at talking the Causality." Pink Yui grinned. "At the very least, we can avoid a meat grinder and needless bloodshed."
"..."
From her description, this world's Yukinoshita Yukino must be strong if her presence alone can turn a hopeless situation into a possible victory.
"Where is she?"
"Elsewhere." Pink Yui sadly smiled. "S-Rank Guardians don't grow on trees. Especially a Transcendent like her."
"I see."
"Put on your helmet. Mercurial coming in waves." Yui floated up and readied her guns.
Hachiman had put on his helmet and headset but decided to tighten them. It will be loud. Even strengthened eardrums would feel uncomfortable.
"[I'll try my best to wipe the majority. Clean the stragglers]." Pink Yui shouted. "[They're using guns, so hide]!"
Hachiman was surprised and forced to summon the wheeled siege shield as a salvo of bullets hurled in his direction.
Hachiman held onto it to ensure his energy could strengthen the shield.
"GUNS?!"
"[The Gremlins]!" Yui warned. "[They've been gearing up for this]!"
The Gremlins carried and fired what looked like crude firearms, perhaps their version of the arquebus. However, they're significantly more advanced. These gremlin guns can fire multiple times.
Yui waved both hands, and her guns started blazing. She got ninety percent of the gun-armed Gremlins with a single salvo. If they're not wounded, at least their weapons broke.
"[Thanks for being a distraction]!" Pink Yui said. "[Now go]!"
Hachiman un-summon the wheeled shield and began charging with a hammer in his right hand. The Gremlins responded by pulling their cleaver out and running toward him.
Alas, they're unexpectedly slow. Or perhaps Hachiman was the one being objectively faster. Hachiman struck the head of one Gremlin before it could swing.
Hachiman could feel the sickening crunch vibrating across his arm, but he did not yield. He struck the Gremlin again before repeating the same process with the next one.
Hachiman bashed the enraged mob with his shield, pushing them away when they got too close. It doesn't do much damage, but room to swing is what he needed anyway.
Hachiman jumped backward and barely dodged a Gremlin trying to stab his kidney. That was close!
Although his waist got covered by the police armor completely, he should not take his chances.
"[Good move]!" Yui praised him as she delivered another salvo.
"You want me to draw aggression!" Hachiman grinned as he smacked another Gremlin's face, breaking it in one strike and knocking it out. "Wow, that was a lucky strike."
"[Although it's hard to hit, the hinges of their jaw are relatively weak to blunt force]," Yui told him. "[Smash when you have the opportunity, but don't overextend and remember to cover all your exposed weaknesses]."
"Alright."
"[Careful! Something big is coming]!"
Hachiman rolled aside to dodge a flying tree, courtesy of an enraged Ogre. However, unlike the Ogre Hachiman fought before, this one wore armor.
Soft target, my ass! Hachiman groaned as he pulled out a sledgehammer. I'll have to destroy that armor before going for the kill.
Pink Yui snorted as she commanded her revolving grenade launcher to unload and blast the Ogre's armor to pieces. "[I only carry so many grenades. I'll request additional ammo soon, so carry it for me later]."
"Right..." Hachiman twitched as he saw the Ogre's armor visibly battered enough that Hachiman felt pity. Not that it lasted long as Hachiman charged toward it and smashed the chest plate open.
It seems that all the Mercurials got an upgrade under the S-class Causality. Had it not for Pink Yuigahama carrying him, Hachiman would never survive this battlefield.
...
It had been three hours since the containment battle started. Although the humans were successful in their effort, they were battered, exhausted, and undersupplied.
"This is my last explosive." Pink Yui flinched as she held a claymore box.
Hachiman pulled out a pair of energy drink bottles and gave one to her. "If it's not ammo, people are running out of strength."
Hachiman ditched his shields. It was full of bullet craters, and any more attacks would pierce through or break it apart.
"[This is HQ, we're reporting a sudden development. The S-class Causality had disappeared! I repeat! The S-class Causality had disappeared]!"
?!
"Disappeared? Not destroyed?" Hachiman questioned.
"It is strange." Pink Yui nodded. "But no wonder even the Mercurials are getting weaker."
"[All guardians, commence cleanup operation]."
"Oh, for the love of God!" Pink Yui screamed. "If you want us to clean up, give us the tool! Ammo! Give me ammo! You stupid, stingy jerks!"
"[We'll deliver what we can scrape by. Stand by for further instruction]."
"YOU BETTER!" Yui was fuming and about to throw her headset but decided not to. "Damn it!"
Okay, now that sounded like Yuigahama Yui that he knew.
As Yui sat down, she dismantled and cleaned her guns. However, she didn't do it with her hands. Instead, the gun parts and tools were floating in midair.
It was a bizarre sight.
"Are you a poltergeist?" Hachiman joked.
"Shut up." Yui flushed out and pouted. "I should charge you for the show."
Ha!
"You know? I thought you and the other Hikigaya fought similarly." Pink Yui mumbled. "But you two are like day and night aside from that."
"Really?"
"I thought he was suicidal with how loud he can be. Sometimes." Pink Yui cringed. "But really, that was because he prefers to take the attention off everyone else. You're not. You're quiet and very, very sneaky. I feel bad for having you as bait."
"I suppose what tools we have matters a lot." Hachiman earnestly responded. "I'm weak. And I don't have an eldritch Lovecraftian creature nesting in my pocket space."
Pink Yui smiled. "Right, thanks for that save."
In game terms, Blue Hachiman plays like a Tank and DPS combined, taking the brunt of enemy attacks and dishing out as much damage as possible. Hachiman prefers to think of himself as a support assassin. Someone who orbits others and delivers a backstab against distracted enemies.
He did that when he cut off the snake-like tail of an Orthus that pink Yuigahama was fighting. It feels like the perfect Dragon Ball moment for Hachiman, with a hopeless underdog turning the tide of a battle with a well-timed action.
Hachiman heard a strange whining sound, only to notice a mecha jumping out of the bush. The Mech was around two meters tall, which made Hachiman think it was more akin to powered armor.
"What the hell was that?"
"Psycho Armor." Pink Yui said. "You saw the D-ranks, right? That Mech just now was the improved model designed for Transcendent B-ranks."
"Why don't you wear one?"
"Psycho Armor interferes with your special abilities." Pink Yui shook her head. "It is useful for those B-ranks who don't have special abilities, though. It is also quite tiring to wear, probably the worst thing you can use in today's mission. You only see them in anti-Causality operations."
"Ah." Hachiman realized. "It must be part of the cleanup crew."
They heard roaring gunfire and explosions nearby. It must be the Psycho Armored soldier.
"[Guardians, please retreat to the nearest base of operation and wait for further orders as you replenish]." The order came. "[I repeat, please retreat to the nearest base of operation]."
"That's our cue." Yui assembled her now-cleaned guns and let them float behind her. "We did it. Let's go back."
[ ] "...Sure."
When the situation cools down, hopefully, he can find Yukinoshita Yukino. [ ] "I can't."
He had the promise to fulfill, to find Yukinoshita Yukino as soon as possible.
Hachiman honestly felt a little stressed. But he forced himself to stay calm and rational. The situation is dire. This entire prefecture is an active conflict zone (in which he participated), and people's lives are at stake, not just those he cared for.
With a heavy heart, he answered. "Sure..."
He wondered if he was thankful or upset that Pink Yui was far from dense, perhaps a bit of both, when she grabbed his shoulder and asked. "Why are you so tense?"
"...I'm worried about my little sister, Komachi," Hachiman replied. "We didn't exactly separate on good terms. I wish I pay attention to her more."
"Your sister? Ah."
"We don't know for sure if she IS here." Hachiman began to rant. "And that made me conflicted. I feel like shit. She SHOULD NOT be here!"
Hachiman was so angry that he kicked a fallen tree, sending it tumbling away. Hachiman realized he had lost control and took a deep breath to calm himself.
For even part of Hachiman wished Komachi was here, in this monster-infested hellhole, it made him feel anguish.
"...My bad." Hachiman sorrowfully said as he continued his way.
"I can imagine the situation." Pink Yui sympathetically told him. "Wanting to be with the person you love while also wanting them to stay away so they don't get hurt. That's just being human."
"...Right."
Hachiman had always been relatively quiet in the last three-four hour combat operation, but the silence afterward was deafening. Pink Yui probably could tell how anxious he was from that fact.
Hachiman legitimately was more composed under heavy gunfire.
"Let's report to the armory to replenish all your gear," Yui said. "I'll also need to reload."
She carried enough ammunition to supply a squadron, yet drained dry despite several deliveries via airdrop. How much money had burned in that four-hour siege?
Still less than failing to contain the outbreak.
Hachiman dropped the shields. None of them were unmolested.
The siege tower lost the top half from the accumulated damage, the medium and small shields barely holding their shape. Hachiman most likely took hundreds of bullets fighting defensively.
In contrast, Pink Yui's two flying shields were relatively pristine, with a few craters and scratches.
"How much do these shields cost?" Hachiman asked.
"That's five hundred thousand yen down the drain. Composite shields like this aren't that cheap." The Master Gunnery Sergeant remarked. "Don't be too shocked, kid. You coming back unscratched is more important."
Hachiman got handed the identical set of three shields.
"Why don't they make it out of steel?" Hachiman asked.
"Steel is heavy," Yui said. "A shield is much larger than body armor. And you carry it by hand. Most tactical shields are made primarily of bulletproof plastic and fiber to save weight. Sometimes they use ceramics, as well."
"This is why I don't like Tenmudou and their shiny iron garbage." The Sergeant hissed. "Bunch of weirdos playing medieval warriors."
"You shouldn't say that." Pink Yui huffed. "You sound like a zealot you accuse them to be."
Tenmudou?
"You noticed that we have modern military equipment and historical arms, right?"
"The steel armor?" Hachiman asked back. "The one worn by other Yuigahama, yes?"
"These are called Tameshi Gusoku. Worn by both Samurai and Knights in the Medieval era." Pink Yui explained. "The original design could withstand Tanegashima matchlocks. The modern recreation uses much better high strength steel, allowing them to resist smoothbore musket."
Tanegashima is an old firearm used by many groups, most notably Oda Nobunaga, who foresaw mass deployment of guns as the key to military domination. Tanegashima remained in service for most of the Edo period until the mid-1800s.
They got replaced by more advanced rifles imported from the West in the Boshin War of 1867. At this point, hand-forged steel armor got outpaced by staggering improvements in gun lethality and rendered worthless.
"Ah." Hachiman noticed. "So they should be effective against the Gremlin's guns."
"Yes," Yui said. "Only a few Mercurials can create and use primitive firearms. Gremlins are the majority. In that case, the modern military armor plate is largely overbuilt. That's why ours use class III plate instead IV."
Hachiman didn't know what the hell she was talking about. He understood that they wore lighter armor, at least.
"Anyway! We're getting sidetracked."
"There are two Guardian factions in Japan: the Angel Military Arms (AMA) and Heavenly Valor Alliance (Tenmudou)," Yui said.
"AMA relies almost entirely on modern weapons, tactics, and human technology. AMA supporters are from military and heavy industry." Pink Yui pointed. "Hence we got access to powerful weapons and destructive devices. And even deploy advanced units like Psycho Armors."
"Tenmudou, however, is backed by religious groups and martial arts schools. Japanese society shuns firearms, so they look back and embrace old tradition and martial warfare." Pink Yui said. "You can even say they managed to work functional magic systems and harness divine blessing."
The hell?
"Although the AMA faction has more resources, Tenmudou is considerably more popular among the public and received more support and private donations," Yui said. "That's why the military and law enforcement is wary of them."
"If such a powerful group exists, wouldn't that weaken central authority?" Hachiman questioned. "A nation is built on the monopoly of force by the government. Otherwise, there is a huge risk of a coup or civil war."
"Japan was at risk of a coup after the Postdam Declaration because some military officers refused to abide by the Emperor's decision to surrender, which resulted in the Kyuujou Incident."
"You know, even I don't know THAT much." Pink Yui smiled in amazement. "The irony is more than half of organizations in Tenmudou revered the Imperial family and the philosophy of Bushido."
It wasn't taught all that much in Japanese schools. Even the Japanese wouldn't know about this unless they studied war history in college.
History may not repeat, but it often rhymes. Once again, Japan will have to rely on Bushido to survive, even though it caused many problems in the peaceful modern era.
This Japan is, however, far from peaceful.
"I'm proud of my Social Studies." Hachiman proudly said. "Whether it's history or anthropology, I'm the best in Soubu High."
Hachiman said that as half-a joke, but he consistently scored a perfect hundred in Social Study exams. His Japanese History knowledge exceeds that of 99% of high school students.
"I am a part of the AMA faction, while the other Hikigaya Hachiman is part of Tenmudou." Pink Yui said. "Even though the two organizations are rivals, we pursue the same goal. To serve and protect citizens who could not fight. We have no time for petty squabbles."
Indeed. When humanity's survival is at stake, forgetting differences should always be a priority. However, Hachiman was doubtful that this unstable equilibrium would last forever.
The moment Mercurials ceased to be a threat would be when the two group clash.
...
"Reports on the wounded?"
"Twenty death and fifty-five injured. We've transferred ten to a nearby hospital."
Hachiman flinched. Not only did people get wounded, but there were deaths. Hachiman felt sick when he saw the body bags.
"Thanks for protecting me all this time." Hachiman told Pink Yui. "Power means nothing when you don't have the knowledge or skill to use it."
"That's true, but don't sell yourself short." She retorted. "The fact that you returned with few minor injuries is a testament to your craftiness and will to survive."
"Do people die this often in the fight against Mercurials?"
"It used to be worse." Pink Yui frowned. "There was a time when ten percent casualties in a single operation were good enough. A literal decimation, which was unthinkable for most Modern Military strategists."
"Today's operation involved more than six hundred Guardians and a mysterious S-class Causality. Twenty death feels like a miracle." Yui grimaced as she held to Hachiman's sleeve. "Even so, that was twenty people who will never come back."
It felt surreal to Hachiman, but the strong and skilled Yuigahama Yui immediately broke. Even though the world changed, she remained the same compassionate, nice girl he knew.
Hachiman almost reflexively put his hand on to ease her but decided not to.
"Hikki."
Right, there is this girl too. The other Yuigahama Yui came with him to this hellhole.
"You're late."
"We... went to check the campsite." Yui hesitated to say, though Hachiman could tell signs of crying from her swollen eyes. "Had been vacant for weeks, and there were old signs of ransacking."
"In other words, your friends weren't here with you." Blue Hachiman said. "And so wasn't Komachi."
Right. Komachi. Does she exist here or...?
"Judging from your expressions, you may be wondering." Blue Hachiman sighed. "Komachi exist in this world too."
"I see." Hachiman flatly responded.
"I don't know what to think anymore." Yui bit her lips. "I'm both sad and relieved. I feel disgusted with myself."
"That's not weird." Hachiman echoed the words spoken by the pink-haired counterpart. "That's how humans are."
...
Hachiman doesn't know when and how he falls asleep, but after fighting for hours in the middle of the night, it wasn't surprising for him to crash.
Hachiman wasn't sleepy at all. He was just tired. Knowing this fact, he forced himself to wake up. His entire body was hurting because of yesterday's battle.
Hachiman more or less survived without a scratch on his skin. But his musculature was hurting from being thrown around like a bowling pin. He could feel the swelling.
"Uurrrgghhh."
He wondered if he passed out from the pain.
Nevertheless, the combat suit did its job well. Hachiman wasn't bleeding, and he had no broken bones.
With the sheer amount of damage his ragdoll body caused to the environment, he only had that one scratch from fighting an ogre while wearing a shirt and shorts. And get thrown through a 2.5cm thick aluminum container wall.
That was just how resilient Hachiman's body was.
"B-rank Guardians, their skin is stronger than steel. If an average person shoots them with an assault rifle, they will survive." Pink Yui said. "However, the Mercurials got empowered by the Phase field of a Causality, so don't look down at their primitive guns."
Mercurials only became vulnerable to brute force without the existence of a Causality. Otherwise, not even nuclear weapons can wipe them out.
"Causalities pop up randomly every day. Though A-ranks don't usually appear without early signs. Humanity is fighting a losing battle. That's why we had no time to rest."
No wonder she looked so tired.
"No time to rest, huh?" Hachiman stood up from the bed. "In that case, is this even a life worth living?"
Hachiman didn't say that, trying to be edgy. He legitimately thought that if he had to fight one battle over another without ever stopping.
Very often, you take things in life for granted. And now, Hachiman was robbed of his peace.
He said that before. But what the hell is this scenery?!
"Ah, you already woke up." Yui waved. "Hikki!"
Several people sat around the shared dining table just outside the camp house. Indeed, they have returned to the Chibamura Highland campsite.
The facilities had seen better days, abandoned for weeks since the arrival of the Category 4 Causality demon. It's not pristine anymore. There were visible damages.
It was different from how Hachiman remembered.
"How are you holding?" Pink Yui asked with concern on her face. "You passed out from pain and exhaustion."
"Feels like the aftermath of Soubu's annual marathon," Hachiman said.
Blue Hachiman threw him a bottle of medicine. Hachiman read it and noticed everything was in English, and the dose was different. "Paracetamol and Ibuprofen mix. Is that even legal?"
"I mean? Unless you ask for codeine, that's the best I can give." Blue Hachiman scoffed.
"With two of you, it's just weird." A familiar red-haired girl jibed. "Creepy."
"You have a problem with that?" Pink Yui squeezed her eyes.
"I don't mean you, of course." She laughed. "Do you know me, by any chance?"
"Sagami Minami," Hachiman answered as he sat down. "We're classmates, though we don't talk to each other."
"Really?"
Hachiman remembered that she looked different, though. Does everyone here have crazy hair color or something?
There's one person here that Hachiman isn't familiar with. It was a guy around their age or slightly older. He had a mildly smug aura but otherwise looked somewhat mature and calm.
Who was it?
"My name is Tamanawa, President of the Kaihin High Student Council. nice to meet you." He offered a hand.
"Ah." Hachiman did not ask but accepted the handshake anyway. "It might be weird to hear, but Hikigaya Hachiman."
"It is certainly odd," Tamanawa said as he gestured. "When you think of such [phenomenon], it is both surprising yet also plausible, considering how many [dimension] we had to consider into various [calculation] regarding the appearance of two [identical] individuals..."
Hachiman squeezed his eyes in disbelief, and the other people weren't exactly impressed with the guy's verbose postulation.
"Nevertheless, we do have an idea of what's happening." Tamanawa finished. "The report should come soon enough."
"IT CAME!" They heard a girl shouting. "IT FINALLY CAME!"
?
"Ah." Hachiman was surprised when he found out who it was. "Orimoto... Kaori?"
"Ara? Ah, you know me in the other world as well? What are the chances, hahaha!" The wavy-haired brunette laughed. "Like drawing a super rare!"
"Right... You're talking about card games and not social games, right?" Hachiman winced.
Inwardly, he was freaking out hard. Orimoto Kaori triggered his past trauma, and here was where he expected to meet her the least. His mental state instantly declined, and his feet were shaking.
"Eeh, rare card, of course!" Orimoto grinned. "Though I'm surprised you know."
Among the girls, only a few would collect card games. However, significantly more girls would play a genre of mobile games called social games, which emphasized multiplayer networking to complete tasks/quests.
Even Yuigahama Yui is a player in such games.
"I didn't. It was a hail mary." Hachiman cringed. "Don't tell me you joined a tournament before?"
"Haha, you're a funny one!" Orimoto slapped the table and cackled madly. "It was as if you knew me for a long time!"
Seriously, this girl hasn't changed in the slightest? Shallow-minded without an ounce of a brain-to-mouth filter. Predictable and easy to read, too.
Most girls would outgrow that card game phase when they become middle-school students. Orimoto is unlikely to be an exception.
However, she was one of the few card collectors in her childhood. Meaning she has the extroversion and willingness to mingle in the boys-dominated field. These pseudo-tomboy types are always popular with boys as they grow up.
"Nevermind about that. The report is out, and I'm afraid it was as predicted." Orimoto handed out a small pile of papers to Tamanawa, who read it in passing before giving it to others.
"It was indeed the case." Pink Yui muttered as she read it.
"What was that?" Yui asked her.
"It is to our belief that you two coming here was caused by a string of coincidences." Blue Hachiman explained. "Because the four of us were in the same general area when the Category 5 Causality opened a portal to come here."
"Based on your list, these people you know that should be here but weren't. Yukinoshita Yukino, Hikigaya Komachi, Hayama Hayato, Tobe Kakeru, Miura Yumiko, and Ebina Hina, along with at least twenty Elementary students and a few teachers, correct?"
"Those people were not here at all." Pink Yui frowned. "Most of them are deployed elsewhere."
"Because of the Trans-Phase resonance effect, the two people pulled here also happen to be our otherworld's counterparts?" Blue Hachiman sighed. "Crazy, but believable."
"What?" Yui blinked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sagami asked rhetorically. "It means you got dragged into this situation. Quite literally because of an aberrant Category 5."
"A Causality showed and disappeared in five hours. That never happened before. Not since their first appearance nineteen years ago." Tamanawa told them. "Nevertheless, your appearance here is tied to that oddball."
"..."
"Mercurial and causalities came from another dimension. So time travel isn't exactly out of the realm. In theory." Blue Hachiman nodded. "But until now, it is yet to be proven that dimensional transfer can affect two divergent timelines."
"What does that mean, Hikki?" Yui asked.
"Time and space are never separate." Hachiman ate his breakfast. "The flow of time began where space expanded. If dimensional travel is possible, then time travel also should be possible, only..."
"If time travel is possible, and there are multiple branching timelines, time travel only creates a new branch of timeline." Blue Hachiman continued. "But what if time travel could only happen in parallel ways?"
"To put it simply, our worlds mirror each other." Pink Yui concluded. "What's the difference? Mercurials came to invade."
"Right." Hachiman nodded in understanding. "Because the date shown on my phone and devices used here is the exact match."
"I see." Yui nodded. "So it's more like a parallel world?"
She caught up surprisingly well. Even Hachiman was surprised.
"Told you the truth, the area we're in right now is a high-risk area," Sagami remarked. "Both the gravity and time are a bit wonky. So we put some marking in the affected area."
Said marking was a high-tech-looking pillar with lights and a display. It was about a meter tall. It was right in the middle of the camp.
And boy does the very air itself look wonky. It was as if they were seeing it through a rough lens.
"Distorted space like this often spits out a mercurial or two. Eventually, we'll have to put automated defense machines and armed guards." Sagami sighed. "What a pain in the ass."
"Hey, at the very least, the taxpayer's money is not wasted." Hachiman joked.
"You. I like you." Blue Hachiman pointed his fist. "My brethren."
Hachiman reluctantly bumped it, not accustomed to physical gestures even with a friend. Let alone with a person who is supposed to be his counterpart.
He wondered if this world's Hachiman was a recluse. Most likely not. But at least they shared something in common, hatred for taxes! Death for taxes!
"Fuck progressive taxes." They said.
Then they laughed.
"You two are disgusting." Pink Yui and Yui both remarked.
"And the four of you are perfectly in sync." Tamanawa flicked his hair. "What a beautiful synergy."
"I know, right?" Orimoto pumped her fist up. "Preach it!"
"What kind of crowd is this." Sagami winced. "Cringe."
"Seriously though, I think it should be obvious by now," Hachiman said. "Because we came here through unusual means, we go back the same way."
"...To wait for the Causality to show up again?" Yui guessed.
"That was the rough idea, but whether it would work..." Hachiman anxiously muttered.
"There's no guarantee it would work." Blue Hachiman remarked. "But no point mulling about the possibilities unless you have any other idea."
"Our best experts are working on the case, but let it be clear that this is the first time something like this happened," Tamanawa said. "We need you to cooperate and help us solve these mysteries."
Hachiman looked at Yui, who nodded, full of conviction.
"We should," Yui said. "Not like we have many options..."
It was strange to hear Yuigahama Yui being so pragmatic. She was not eager to get involved but aware she had no choice. They need to find a way home.
"Right. Whatever shall we do?" Hachiman asked.
"First of all, getting stronger." Sagami pointed. "I think by now you guys know how dangerous Category 5 battlefield is."
"Just the fact that these monsters have guns already made me shit my pants." Hachiman gritted his teeth. "I think I fainted in the aftermath because it finally sank in my mind."
"And it will be crazier the closer you are to the Causality." Blue Hachiman nodded. "With each Causality having a powerful guard leader, Category 5 Causality has an S-Rank Mercurial."
"Even with all our strength combined, it wouldn't be enough to engage the Mercurial and destroy the Causality." Pink Yui clenched her hand. "And the C and D-rank Guardians would have difficulty fighting against the rest offensively."
Just thinking of how dangerously powerful Mercurials like Orthos exist, they can't imagine how powerful an S-class Mercurial could be.
So that's why they needed an S-rank Guardian, like Yukinoshita Yukino. Otherwise, just like last night, the humans could only fight defensively.
Yukinoshita from this world.
"The stronger you are, the more likely you can get closer to the Causality." Pink Yui nodded. "Your base strength at B-rank is already good enough, but you two have less than adequate fighting skill."
"Do you have what it takes?" Blue Hachiman goaded as he put on a pair of shades. "We'll help as much as we can. But escort missions are always the worst when the target is helpless."
"Right." Hachiman felt stung by that statement, and Yui looked the same. But he appreciated that his counterpart did not hide the truth.
If they wanted to go home, at the very least, they should be able to survive an S-rank battlefield without relying on others. Only then they'd be able to confront the Causality.
...Or so it seems.
When Hachiman finished eating, he stood to get closer to the marked space distortions.
"Was it scary?" Blue Hachiman asked. "Fighting last night?"
"People are scarier, you included," Hachiman said. "It was so smooth that Yuigahama did not notice, but if you think I'm a fool."
"On the contrary, I have faith that you would immediately notice." Blue Hachiman pulled his shades, revealing his golden irises, surrounded by the black sclera. "But just to be clear, what did you notice?"
"Our presence here is considered top secret," Hachiman said. "The documents Orimoto shared also weren't something ordinary teenagers can have access to."
"...Are you under the impression we're ordinary?"
"No, and that's where things fit around the puzzle." Hachimman snorted. "You shared that information so that we're enticed to join, knowing there's a hope we could go home even if it risks our lives, however faint."
"Right." Blue Hachiman nodded.
"But there's another thing that Yuigahama did not question." Hachiman frowned. "What would happen if we did NOT join?"
"Either you participate in research activities, at which point you'd be a glorified lab rat, or you relinquish your power as a Guardian."
"...You'll be forced to use a Trans-Phase suppressor." Blue Hachiman answered. "It's a device implanted on your spine to suppress the absorption and control of Trans-Phase Energy, the source of our strength. If you commit a crime, something worse will be done, and the implant will be permanent."
"How do you even enforce that-"
"How many S-rank Guardians exist under the government's control and influence?" Blue Hachiman cut him off.
"...S-rank Guardians don't grow on trees," Hachiman recalled.
The basis of a state government is the monopoly of force. That was what Hachiman said to Pink Yui yesterday. And now he understood.
Japan's government does, in fact, hold a monopoly of force.
"The fact that the Government of Japan still stands today is not the norm." Blue Hachiman explained. "Many other countries fell into civil war and anarchy, where might make right and Guardians reigns as Warlords. Japan is one of the few countries where the old order stood tall and firm."
"The Japanese population is largely law-abiding and has a collectivist mentality." Hachiman guessed. "And that's how this fragile balance can be established. Everyone agreed to uphold the rule of law because they feel it's safer."
Blue Hachiman nodded.
"Those who awaken their power either follow the rule or be vanquished." Blue Hachiman grinned. "Dystopian as it may be, I prefer it to anarchist hellhole."
Hachiman grimaced.
"Do you not like it?" Blue Hachiman asked.
"No. But I agree with you." Hachiman winced. "The alternative is so much worse."
"Should you tell your Yuigahama?"
"I would tell her. And Yuigahama is not mine." Hachiman grimaced. "Not by a longshot."
"The way she affectionately talked about you, I'd be surprised." Blue Hachiman scoffed. "See you later at home."
Hachiman was baffled by his words, then he realized.
Right, he had to stay with him for the time being.
...
"I see." Yui gravely nodded when Hachiman told her the truth.
"What do you think?"
"Honestly, fighting was scary. But even scarier if we're forced to wait under constant watch without being able to do anything." Yui sadly smiled. "Even without knowing, I feel this way. But now that I know the truth, I am relieved."
"Glad we're on the same page, then." Hachiman scratched his chin, feeling awkward. "This world is kind of messed up, but I don't think it is that different from Japan we know."
"I've heard from my father that all Japanese are raised with natural disasters in mind. I think demonic invasion isn't that different. It will always be chaotic early on, but it's almost twenty years since they came." Yui optimistically remarked.
Japanese people put community above family and family above individuals. That was why someone like Hachiman could not fit himself with others in the past. Because he did not sit in the mold and thus became an outsider.
Hachiman hated it. There was no reason to do that in largely peaceful, modern Japan. The collectivism enforced by law and social norms was an artifact of the Edo period's continuous decay.
Oddly enough, such a mindset would fit more with the current situation, where humanity is besieged.
"Well, at the very least, these kids are far more mentally hardened by the situation..." Hachiman mumbled.
After finishing their hospital checkup, Hachiman and Yui were transported by the military helicopter again. Not only were they underwent complete physical checkups, but they also had a mental examination.
The whole process took more than an hour. And the two teens feel unsettled.
"That was awful." Hachiman twitched.
"I've heard all adults in Japan need to do this every year." Yui cried. "I hate it."
At the very least, the test has proven that both are at peak condition. Or at least in terms of internal body function.
"Doctor said I'm quite underweight, which is weird," Yui said. "I don't think I'm thin at all. Do you think so, Hikki?"
"Right. I'm forty-seven, so I don't think that's light." Yui sighed.
"How much do you think I weigh?" Pink Yui asked.
"Uhhh..." Yui guessed. "Forty-eight?"
Orimoto and Sagami both held their laughter.
"Umm, I'm wrong, so... lower?" Yui was surprised.
"Fifty-six, actually." Pink Yui said. "Around our height, less than fifty kilograms is just unhealthy."
"How the-" Hachiman twitched. "I'm hundred seventy-four, sixty-one kilograms! Where did all that weight go to?!"
Just like Yui, Pink Yui should be around hundred sixty-five centimeters tall. And she looked a little more muscular at most. How the hell she's only six kilograms lighter than Hachiman, who is nine centimeters taller and broader?
"Lean weight displacement." Orimoto laughed. "Women store fat more than men, and fat is lighter than water."
"When you become Guardians, you burn fat really fast." Sagami snorted. "Even your breast shrink. Most girls consider that a blessing because those are nothing but hindrances."
Well, many men would cry about it in response!
"Our muscles and bones become denser as well." Blue Hachiman said. "But the effect isn't as prominent with boys compared to girls. Girls are naturally disadvantaged due to hormonal differences, but Trans-Phase energy eliminates this."
"Even though girls are weaker on average due to being smaller, pound-to-pound, we're marginally stronger. At least, once you get sufficient nutrition and training." Pink Yui smiled. "Don't be depressed if you gain five or six kilograms despite getting slimmer."
"Oooh." Yui widened her eyes. "I don't know that."
"Don't you know that it's also best for girls to start muscle training in the first phase of menstruation-"
What the hell I'm hearing? Hachiman scrunched his face in disgust.
"You okay, bro?" Blue Hachiman asked.
"Why are these girls so carefree? Weight topic is one of the top taboo conversations, right?" Hachiman whispered. "Let alone menstruation."
"You get used to it." Blue Hachiman scoffed. "The Paramilitary girls are especially less-reserved about things like that."
"And with the Martial girls, the issue is more nuanced and diverse," Tamanawa said. "In some way, Mercurial invasion is a silver lining for mending the gender gap, at least between active combatants."
Ah, so it was like that.
"A gentleman does not contend," Tamanawa and Blue Hachiman said. "For silence is golden."
They're enjoying this shit! Absolute revolting!
"Where are we going?" Yui asked.
"Gatekeeper Academy of Chiba." Blue Hachiman answered. "Most people awaken their Guardian power before they turn fifteen. For the safety and benefit of these kids, each prefecture establishes its own school."
"I see." Hachiman frowned. "Kids were taught to fight here..."
"How awful," Yui mumbled. "But I understand it is necessary."
"It might sound a little cruel." Sagami winced. "But only high school students from C-rank or higher are allowed to fight."
"D-rank Guardians formed the bulk of the Military Force and Special Police group as adults." Tamanawa pointed. "Because government grants them both salary and equipment. And if you're injured or killed in duty, social services will take care of you."
"Being part of AMA or Tenmudou means competing for resources and having to fund your own expenses, and the government always got you in the first line of duty," Orimoto winked. "High risk, high reward."
Ah, so the mercenaries also function as a meat shield. No wonder even Hachiman got roped in. However, what do they mean by reward?
"We got money fighting, right?" Hachiman asked. "And you use that money to buy weapons."
"That is indeed the case." Pink Yui rolled out a long-ass bill, which Hachiman read as her ammo expenditure. "We also had to report our purchase. Thankfully, it wasn't as strict as before the Sword and Firearm law revisions."
"I'm surprised they didn't put a mark up on ammunition." Hachiman read it. "Shotgun shell, eighty yen, rifle rounds, hundred yen. I don't know about guns, but that sounds awfully cheap."
"The ammo is cheap even here. You pay twice or thrice as much for the same gun in Japan as everywhere else, though." Pink Yui made victory signs.
"And the more powerful and advanced the gun, the more ridiculous the markup," Orimoto added. "Gun control tax."
"What a scam, but what else is new!" Hachiman chuckled. Big gov will try to squeeze milk out of a stone!
Besides this, Pink Yuigahama carried enough guns to arm an entire squadron. No wonder her expenses are noticeable.
...
"When holding a gun, you should always be firm but relaxed. Brace for the recoil, but never flinch." Hachiman saw another familiar girl instructing a bunch of middle school-aged students. "This is no different whether you're using a training airgun or a real firearm."
That girl was Kawasaki Saki, another of Hachiman's classmates. In fact, she was one of the few classmates Hachiman was on good terms with, though they weren't close.
Because of one incident. And the fact that Hachiman and Saki's younger siblings ARE close.
"Kawasaki..." Hachiman muttered.
"SakiSaki!" Yui grinned. "Yahallo!"
"Ah, you came at last," Saki said. "My bad. I didn't stay in the camp."
"No worries." Orimoto waved her hand.
The middle schoolers were surprised more than anything. "Those are the high school elites!"
"Huh? Onii-chan?!"
Hikigaya Komachi didn't look much different than Hachiman remembered, though her hair was unnaturally blue. This makes Hachiman wonder why Blue Hachiman had golden irises since Komachi's looked normal.
Honestly, Hachiman was feeling unwell. Emotionally, he felt a lump of uneasiness over his trip back to Chiba. He knew he was distressed and sad, even if rationally, he kept those feelings hidden from others.
So he greeted her with a sad smile.
"Yo."
"Congrats Komachi! Now you have TWO big brothers!" Blue Hachiman cackled madly. "Are you not entertained?!"
Komachi's eyes widened even more as she rolled her eyes around in confusion.
"Let's talk about it later." Blue Hachiman eased up on the jokes and patted her. "This twin brother of mine needs help."
Hachiman and Yui were brought around the school facilities, training grounds, and equipment, and even to some textbooks covering the history of Mercurials, Guardian, and scientific research on both.
Hachiman and Yui even got to try several weapons on the shooting ground and sparring with others by using a temporary power suppressor. A high-tech bracelet.
The suppressor allows everyone to be equalized, at least on energy output.
After spending a good part of four hours practicing and getting familiarized, Yui and Hachiman had decided.
"I think I'll be joining Tenmudou, Hikki," Yui said. "Guns are scary and make me uncomfortable. I know it's unreasonable, but still..."
"I don't think I can blame you for that." Hachiman shook his head.
It wasn't just Blue Hachiman who had access to otherworldy, almost demonic power. Sagami unleashed something similar, her hair growing significantly longer and covered in flames as red metal claws grew from her small gauntlet.
Orimoto, on the other hand, was wearing the armored mech suit, the so-called Psycho Armor. The two engaged Blue Hachiman as he unleashed the weird Mercurial symbiote he had.
The strange anomaly called Azazel, a dark slime-like shapeless Mercurial that could change form at will. However, under Blue Hachiman's control, it took the shape of a four-legged, wingless Dragon.
"Anomaly Mercurial, Azazel, was an A-class entity captured by Onii-chan in middle school," Komachi explained. "It was a strange creature. It ignores most humans and animals but is hostile to Mercurials and Guardians alike."
"Those anomalies are called Singularities." Pink Yui added. "They show up from time to time. And not always as a lifeform, a Singularity may appear as automated battle machines."
"Battle machines?" Hachiman raised his eyebrows. "You mean robots?!"
"Both the common exoskeleton and the more advanced Psycho-Armor used some technology derived from Singularity machines. Particularly, the power source." Tamanawa pointed out. "Not only the battery used common materials like carbon and sulfide. But they have six times the power density of Lithium Ion."
Six times?!
"It is believed that the Singularity machines were created on another earth as a defense against Mercurials." Saki sighed. "However, as for Singularity entities, we have no clue. Could be mutants, could be genetically engineered."
"Nevertheless, ever since Onii-chan bonded with Azazel, he became a class pariah, and only a few people are still willing to talk to him." Komachi sadly smiled. "Thankfully, the people in High School seem far more tolerant."
Ah. No matter where, it seemed that the same history would repeat itself. Hikigaya Hachiman would always be socially exiled in his third year of Middle School. Hachiman wasn't sure if he found that fact comforting or disturbing.
Causality and Singularity are polar opposite concepts in complex mathematics. James Maxwell coined Singularity as a ripple effect, where small changes may lead to a significant difference in the outcome, as an argument against determinism and absolute Causality.
Thus, Singularity describes something (a machine or a creature) whose existence is entirely opposed to Causalities.
When Blue Hachiman was done sparring with Sagami and Orimoto, all that was left was a wrecked patch of emptiness. A tennis field-sized worth of destroyed terrain.
Considering neither side went all out, that was terrifying!
"This is the kind of battlefield that A-ranks and B-ranks are regularly involved in." The Teacher explained to the scared shitless academy students. "This isn't meant to scare you, but you should use it as a motivation to get stronger."
Hachiman wasn't sure if that was a motivational display of power. But he thought it would serve as a filter for those who dare to fight.
Because Hachiman honestly doesn't feel that impressed. He had seen much more savage destruction courtesy of Pink Yui and Blue Hachiman going all out. He had been involved in a life-and-death situation twice last night.
S-class Mercurial will be much, much scarier. And if Hachiman wanted to go home, he would have to mentally ready himself to face something like that.
For this reason, Hachiman will need to learn how to fight.
"I'm going to join Angel Military Arms," Hachiman told Yui. "I'd rather trust my safety in technology than enslaved demons, weird artifacts, and arcane magic."
Yui wasn't surprised but clearly saddened. "Please don't think of me as an enemy."
"I won't." Hachiman shook his head. "Let's work our way up and find a way home."
Yui nodded.
"These three training programs I feel would suit you the most." Pink Yui handed him three bundles of promotional booklets. "It would influence what you learn, how you fight, and your impression among various groups of interests."
[ ] New Hunter Association Japan
Hunter Association was established to regulate hunting activities against wildlife. Though their priorities have changed since the turn of the Millenium, their institutional knowledge remains valuable to pass on to the new generation. Relationships: +2 with Local Government
Grant: Airgun License
Although not considered a reliable weapon of war, airgun technology is continuously advancing for hunters to access. Cheap to feed and relatively quiet compared to firearms. Grant: Break Action License
Lacking in capacity and speed compared to modern rifles and shotguns, but not power. Break Action arms have been a staple of Japanese hunters since their establishment and are still used today. Traits gained: Stalker
A hunter must be patient and persistent. Learned to navigate the woods. Find unsuspecting prey and go for the kill before they react. (Stealth +2, Forest Navigation +2)
[ ] Chiba Special Assault Police
Trained in the anti-firearms crime unit, the various prefectural Police Special Unit has been reworked as the most vital part of the city defense against Mercurials, and Chiba wasn't an exception. Equivalent to American SWAT. Relationships: +1 with Law Enforcement, Local Government
Grant: Shotgun License
A shotgun is a versatile tool for hunting and combat, capable of being loaded with various ammunition in different situations. Devastating up close. Grant: Pistol License
Most aren't especially powerful but very compact and can be fired one-handed, though there are exceptions. Banned from general civilian circulation due to being concealable and fast firing. Best used with a shield. Traits gained: Dynamic Entry!
Knowing when to enter quietly and knowing when to enter loudly. The importance of quick, measured force is vital in urban combat. (Stealth +1, Stamina +1, Close Combat +1, Urban Navigation +1)
[ ] US Marine Corps Okinawa
Originally existing as a tripwire force to protect Japan from foreign invasion, US Marine Corps had since opened its arms to assist the Japan Self-Defense Force in fighting against Mercurials, offering joint training and exercise. Relationships: +1 with Military Force, National Government
Grant: Rifle License
A rifle is a powerful weapon, reliant on the shape of its bullets for penetration, range, and accuracy. This license covers all non-automatic rifles less than 12.7mm caliber. Traits gained: Semper Fi!
A Marine should adapt to any combat situation, maintaining readiness in extended deployment. Especially near water. (Stamina +2, Close Combat +1, Water Navigation +1)
"I'm joining the Special Assault Team training." Hachiman decided.
"I see. May I ask you why?"
"Some people fear the police and think that the Police force is just the boot of the government. To a degree, I don't think it is wrong." Hachiman said. "But it depends on what kind of government the police served. Even more, people rely on them and consider them their friends."
"Right." Pink Yui closed her eyes. "Japan's police force is considered timid. Even with the militarization of Police Special units, Japan's Riot police emphasized de-escalation and minimum application of force. The Special Assault Team mostly recruits people from Riot Police for this reason."
It says something when the requirement to become a Riot Police spokesperson is to be eloquent and has a good sense of humor. To calm the panicked or angry crowd and prevent stampedes.
It doesn't mean the Japanese Police force is free of violent oppression and scandal. But the positive impression far outweighs the negatives.
"I feel it would give me strength to protect myself. But also the people around me." Hachiman said. "Unlike lone Hunters or offensive Soldiers."
"That's the spirit." Pink Yui couldn't help but appreciate his swift and assured decision. "I'm pretty sure people will appreciate it. As long as you made your action in good faith."
It is not like Hachiman will JOIN the police, though.
"Right, in this case, you'll spend the first two weeks in the Riot Police. If you complete the qualification, you will be sent to train with the special assault team."
"The Special Assault Team training grounds are top secret, right?" Hachiman nodded. "That's fine."
"Most of that period, you'll spend it in VR anyway." She laughed. "Privileges of being high-ranked Guardian."
Right. VR technology in this world is advanced. However, to utilize it to maximum strength, Trans-Phase energy was needed.
Effectively, it became accelerated time learning, similar to Sword Art Online's Alicization Arc or Accel World. For B-rank Guardians? Ten times compression is considered a safe and acceptable margin.
However, the side effect would manifest if abused too much. Hence the curriculum used here covers two weeks of six hours per day. 840 hours total spent in VR training.
Another catch was that while VR training can increase knowledge, it doesn't train motor skills. Real-time practice is necessary. VR training is used to skip the red tape of months or years of Academic learning.
Most of that time would be spent learning and remembering laws and codes of conduct. Plus, additional lessons on psychology and negotiation tactics.
"You know, on second thought, it sounds like I'm going to get brainwashed and indoctrinated." Hachiman jokingly remarked. "Worth it, though."
"That's not funny because it is true." Pink Yui winced. "Part of law enforcement and military education IS indoctrination. The price to pay to bear arms in this controlled society."
Hachiman knew that once he finished this one-month training, he would change. Nevertheless, he was willing to take the risk because he needed that strength to return to where he came from.
Hachiman recalled the argument he had when he first met Yukino. She said that if you don't change yourself, your problem will never go away.
For Hachiman, it was not that he hated to change. He doesn't want that change to be pushed on him by others. Taking up this training meant swallowing a bitter pill to blindly follow orders.
Even if it was only during the period of training.
He would have to remember and not forget why he made that decision because he wanted to fight for his own freedom and punch his way home.
"I wonder if Tenmudou also had their own limitation," Hachiman muttered. "There's no way they can walk away scot-free with living WMD in their pocket while I struggle just to get a freaking Shotgun."
"It's complicated. Tenmudou as an organization is technically under His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan, but..." Yui said. "Because of their vulnerabilities to fraud and dangerous cults, not to mention schism. Tenmudou is weaker and fragmented compared to AMA."
"Not that paramilitary subgroups are pristinely clean, but the boot of government is ready to step on your toe anytime you step over the line. However, AMA members require a huge amount of material support in the form of ammunition. Tenmudou branches focused on martial arts, which benefits them in reducing footprint."
Cripes. Now he's worried about Yui.
"You have to understand. This is no utopia." Pink Yui frowned. "If what you say about alternate Japan is correct, at least you can live peacefully there."
"I know."
The sooner Hachiman returned, the better. Despite being similar on the surface, this world is a besieged, war-torn shithole. If you don't have the strength to fight, you're toast. It says a lot when the gun-toting mockery mercenaries are a more predictable risk than Wuxia wannabes.
Hachiman had the strength. He lacked the means to leverage that strength.
"Have you decided what to do, bro?" Blue Hachiman suddenly showed up and hooked his arm around Hachiman's neck. "No need to hurry."
"Don't jump on me like that." Hachiman seethed. "And I have decided."
"Special Assault Team, huh." Blue Hachiman remarked. "That sounds very you."
Blue Hachiman is visible, flashy, and cocky. Every inch of his face exudes a smug chuunibyou aura which may annoy others, but Hachiman found it somewhat comforting.
Instead of becoming sour and loner, Blue Hachiman coped with his isolation in the opposite way, becoming shamelessly loud and visible so that no one would ignore him. In some way, it was similar to Zaimokuza from the original world.
"Right!" Blue Hachiman shouted. "To celebrate the success of this mission, the lunch is on me!"
"Haha, you're being generous now? Just how much money you got from slaying that A-rank Mercurial?" Sagami taunted.
"Tsk! Numbers don't matter. What matters is that there's money to use!" Blue Hachiman winked. Not that you can see through his black shades well. "Let's go to Saizeriya!"
"Saize, he said!" Orimoto cackled. "Saize!"
"Ahahahaha!" Sagami also laughed. "There is a limit to your thick skin, I thought. I was mistaken!"
Ha! Predictable. Even when Hachiman was being generous, Hikigaya Hachiman would be a cheapskate. Or Hachiman himself would say, good taste in a family restaurant.
The girls, on the other hand, have certified shit taste for mocking it. Not that Hachiman would say out loud...
...
"Since the two of you had decided to join as Guardians, let us reintroduce ourselves formally," Tamanawa said. "I am Tamanawa. I'm part of the Tenmudou subgroup, [Salvation Cross]. It was registered under the Catholic Church and had ties to the Vatican."
"I'm Orimoto Kaori, part of the AMA subgroup [Iron Shell]. It's a Guardian organization specialized in deploying exoskeletons in combat."
"Ah." Hachiman realized how many people were wearing exoskeletons back then. "Most of the people involved in Gunma were from [Iron Shell]?"
"35% of the combat forces involved were from [Iron Shell]." Orimoto nodded. "The rests are local hunters, police, and JGSDF attachment. Other than a select few elite agents, Tenmudou was absent from this operation."
Elite agents?
"Hikigaya Hachiman." Blue Hachiman absenmidedly said.
"Sagami Minami." Sagami grinned. "We're part of [Maxwell's Demons], a Tenmudou subgroup operating together with Singularities."
"Due to the volatile nature of Singularities, we're under the direct supervision of the National Security Council," Blue Hachiman said. "Other than battle operations, we're assisting with research and development of anti-Mercurial countermeasures. In other words, lab rats."
"Even if that's true, isn't it rude to say that aloud, is it?" Sagami made an air smack.
"Who cares." Blue Hachiman indignantly said. "Members of [Maxwell's Demons] are cursed with fear and prejudice, but no one would deny our necessity to human survival."
Hachiman frowned. So that was the reason why...
"Are Category 4 Causalities that hard to destroy?" Hachiman asked. "I heard the operation involves six hundred active combatants."
"I thought there were more people?" Yui asked. "I swear I counted like two thousand of them."
"Most of them are support personnel," Hachiman told her. "Easily over a thousand of them."
"I see." Yui nodded.
"The Causality and the Mercurial guard is not a problem," Saki said. "There were two A-ranks and four B-ranks in this operation. That was more than enough to take them out in half-hour."
"However, Category 4 Causality has a 25-kilometer radius. How many lesser Mercurials do you think were there?"
"Thousands, easily," Hachiman said. "There should be multiple B-ranks Mercurials."
Consider the fact that Hachiman, despite his inexperience, literally killed several dozen creatures with his hammer and sword. Pink Yui wiped out hundreds, to the point of running out of ammo multiple times, and had to resort to using rocks, trees, and even smaller Mercurials as Telekinetic projectiles.
They also fought a B-rank Orthus together, even though the report said Pink Yui and Blue Hachiman had already slain two in the assault operation.
"Correct," Tamanawa said. "The appearance of a Category 5 would've brought tens of thousands of Mercurials within a day. No matter how strong you are, even an S-rank Guardian would've been exhausted fighting all of them."
"Even the strongest human being cannot fight alone." Blue Hachiman pointed. "For each Category step up, you're expected to field ten times the personnel."
For Category 4, 600 Guardians. For Category 5, 5000-6000 Guardians are not unbelievable. Mobilizing people in such a short time would've been a nightmare for a military superpower. Let alone the neutered-by-law Japan Self-Defense Force.
And those Guardians would need well over ten thousand support personnel. The logistical agony would've been enormous. No wonder they had to rely on disposable, self-funded private contractors.
Hachiman more or less started to unravel how the whole economy of paramilitary organizations works.
"I still don't understand why you need separate fighting groups," Yui mumbled. "Would it not be better to incorporate everyone into the military and the police?"
"Illusion of freedom and materialistic reward." Blue Hachiman told her. "There is no money or fame gained fighting as a member of the police force or the military. You'll also have o adhere to far more stringent rules and conduct."
"To be a soldier is to live in servitude to the nations. To be a mercenary is to fight for wealth and prestige. If you don't love the country and the people, being paid to fight is a far more exciting prospect."
Yikes. Not that Hachiman disagreed. Blue Hachiman is every bit as cynical and observant as he is.
"Conversely, if you die or are injured as soldiers and officers, you burdened the country's economy. But if you die or are injured as a mercenary, you have only your asset to rely on." Hachiman argued.
"The mercenaries don't have a social safety net to run into. At least, not to the same extent. So people willing to fight for their family's safety and economic stability would still be interested in joining the military or police."
"Yo, that was an epic devil's advocate." Blue Hachiman grinned.
Yui's horrified look and the grim expression of the other people around the table were pretty telling. Saying the quiet part out loud never fail to ruin the mood when it comes to Japanese gathering.
"Bitter as it may, that is the reality." Pink Yui put her hand on Yui's shoulder to calm her down. "Don't get influenced by others and fight for your own belief. Whether money, fame, religious or national fervor, or protecting what you hold dear and finding a way home."
"I am Yuigahama Yui, Strategic Anti-Causality Task Force [Stiletto]. Like [Maxwell's Demons], my group work under NSS." Pink Yui smiled. "Nice to meet you."
"[Stiletto]?"
"The scariest battlegroup in Japan." Blue Hachiman snorted. "Every single member can erase a small town in minutes. They recruit people from AMA, Tenmudou, and unaffiliated groups."
"That is an exaggeration." Pink Yui winced. "Besides, you're one to talk. We're exactly the same rank!"
Although Hachiman had seen her erase an entire grid of forest. It couldn't be that easy to destroy a small town. The gap between B-rank and A-rank couldn't be that enormous.
Right?
"SakiSaki, what organization are you part of?" Yui asked.
"New Hunter Association," Saki replied. "It's nothing special. Just a reworked public organization centered on hunting dangerous wildlife, and now also training Guardians to deal with Mercurials."
"In the past, they were focused on dealing with bears and wild boars. Occasionally also culling deers to prevent overpopulation. Pink Yui added. "Though they have the least wealth and power compared to AMA or Tenmudou, they're also the most friendly with public and local government."
"I see."
"If you want money and power, joining the Hunter Association is not a good idea." Saki seriously told Yui. "But at least you can avoid stupid politics and clout war and focus on what's important."
Yui looks conflicted. On one side, it is tempting to avoid getting involved with human conflicts. However, if Yui wanted to go home, she needed to get strong as quickly as possible.
As everyone finished eating, Blue Hachiman went to pay all the bills.
"Money and power is a double-edged sword, can lead to prosperity but also the deepest despair." Tamanawa flicked his hair. "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
"Lincoln quote?" Yui asked.
Hachiman scoffed. "I don't expect you to know that much. But it was wrong."
"What's that supposed to mean, hey?!" Yui protested.
An alarm blared nearby, and their cell phones also became active.
"Dimension portal is opening. A Category 3 Causality is coming nearby." Pink Yui frowned. "In fact, just 200 meters from here."
Everyone clicked their tongue in response as the public began to evacuate in fear. However, it seemed that the situation was still under control as they left in an orderly manner.
"We gear up for battle. However, can you let me take care of the Causality alone?" Pink Yui asked. "I can end it in one attack."
One attack?
"We'll secure the rest of the surroundings," Saki said. "Just in case the Mercurials made a landfall before the Causality."
"Right. We're just the side characters here." Sagami wore a pair of hand claws.
Yui looked at her counterpart, feeling strange.
"I can understand she is strong," Yui muttered. "But what's the weird feeling? This is not arrogance, but not confidence either."
"Something about quotes mistakenly attributed to Lincoln," Hachiman said. "Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. It is easy for the weak to be gentle. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is? Give him power."
"Robert G. Ingersoll. 1895." Blue Hachiman clapped. "You're really me."
Chapter 3 - Biblical Angel, Part 1
The place under the portal had been deserted. The sky was littered with strange cracks and eerily beautiful glowing lines.
The teenage Guardians were geared up for battle and stood on every street corner surrounding the area from the center. Hachiman had a shield and hammer with him.
Pink Yui stood alone in the epicenter of the scene.
Orimoto was wearing her Psyco-Armor and stood close by. Its gargantuan two meters tall body was clad in army green steel. "[The real strength of [Stiletto], I never actually saw it]."
"[Supposedly, Yuigahama Yui is both the strongest and the weakest member]," Tamanawa remarked. He was wearing full-plate medieval armor from head to toe. "[I don't know how to interpret that]."
"[Portal opening! Everyone be careful]!" Saki warned.
A glowing circle formed in the sky shortly before a massive object emerged.
The object looked like a giant plant seed slowly descending off the portal.
Pink Yui looked up and then opened a briefcase. She picked something that looked like a giant metal arrow as long as her arm.
"[What is that]?" Yui asked.
"[Unless my eyes fail me, that's M829 APFSDS penetrator, basically an antitank dart]." Orimoto said. "[It is used by most of the NATO aligned countries on their 120mm tank gun, and Japan isn't an exception]."
"[If you guys have a shield, better hide behind it. Oh, and I suppose you guys also wore earplugs? This is going to be loud]!" Blue Hachiman warned. "[Just saying]!"
Blinding lights emerged from Pink Yui's back, forming a pair of wings. More and more wings sprouted, and Yui was surrounded by three hoops made of light.
When she looked back, Hachiman noticed her face wasn't recognizably human. Her face had no mouth, and there were six blue eyes. Yui couldn't help but grimace from shock.
Pink Yui flew upward so quickly that Hachiman was sure she was close to the speed of sound.
"[It almost emerged fully! Brace, everyone]!" Saki visibly sneaked behind Orimoto's Psycho-Armor, with a large airgun aimed at the descending Causality.
Everyone else used defensive equipment or skill they had, such as how Blue Hachiman formed a pair of giant hands in front of him.
Something glowing and fast struck the Causality from above. Within a fraction of a second, a thunderous shockwave raged. It cracked every piece of glass within a fifty-meter radius and shattered anything closer.
The people caught in the blastwave flinched. Hachiman was thankful for the noise-canceling headset. He wouldn't go deaf, but it'd still be awful.
Fragments and dust filled the entire area with deadly shrapnel. Ordinary people would've been hurt by the debris. Yui had to create a TK field to stop them from hitting.
They saw the Causality break apart from the impact, its pieces raining down before disappearing into light, leaving just a few floating fragments and a glowing core ball.
The roads underneath were damaged, with hydrants bursting out from the pressure. And the sewer directly underneath the impact zone caved in. Nevertheless, everyone here had seen a Causality battlefield before.
Yet, it was a shockingly low amount of environmental destruction. Rather than an explosion, something else destroyed the Causality with a single shot.
Something very fast and focused, yet also brief, unlike a laser or beam weapon. Perhaps it was an actual meteor?
"The collateral damage is within an acceptable margin." Sagami whistled. "Well done, Yui!"
"What kind of weapon is that?" Tamanawa asked.
Blue Hachiman snorted. "1950, it was during the cold war. Jerry Pourlenne worked at Boeing and designed the concept of a strategic weapon capable of striking anywhere on Earth and delivering massive damage without using a nuclear warhead. This concept was dubbed Project Thor."
Hachiman's face darkened. "Also known as Rods from God."
"I see someone is well-learned." Blue Hachiman cheekily pointed.
"I'm not exactly a hard sci-fi reader, but many popular fictions used the concept," Hachiman shook.
"What is that?" Yui asked. "Rods from God?"
"Imagine a telephone pole made of solid metal." Orimoto described. "Then imagine shooting it at nine times the speed of sound. Faster than any bullets used in war. Just one shot can vaporize a city block. Few non-nuclear bombs could do it."
Pink Yui descended down like a Biblical Angel fresh out of delivering divine judgment. It might seem an exaggeration, but any humans who have seen it would have thought the same.
Even the superhuman teens on the scene thought it was hard to swallow. Yuigahama Yui, a member of [Stiletto] special task force, is terrifying.
"The deed was done." Pink Yui turned back into her usual appearance. "How was it?"
"...Who are you?" Yui asked. "How could you..."
"I am you, but stronger." Pink Yui said. "If you train hard enough, you'll also achieve that strength. The strength beyond that of an S-rank guardian."
Beyond... an S-rank?!
"Only a tiny little bit. But it's not wrong." Blue Hachiman crossed his arms. His monster tentacle arms, anyway. "Yuigahama of this world broke her limit not just once, but twice."
"You're also the same." Pink Yui poked him accusingly. "We're both one of the few A-rank Transcendents."
"Anyway, have faith." Blue Hachiman's tentacles made two thumbs up. "As long as you keep fighting, there will be a way home."
Right. Fucking weirdos.
"You guys are the worst motivators," Saki remarked.
"[I know, right? Preach it]!" Orimoto laughed.
Hearing that voice from two meters tall mech suit is incredibly jank, no lie.
...
Finally, the group separated. Both Hachiman and Yui went with their counterpart so they could go home. Or at least the place they would call home for the time being.
"So what is a Transcendent?" Hachiman asked.
"Right, where to begin. Most of the time, your Trans-Phase energy output and supply are predetermined. For example, you're currently B minus, most likely will grow to B-rank within a few months of training." Blue Hachiman said. "Sometimes, however, you can break that limit and turn from B-rank to A-rank."
"Just like you and Pink Yuigahama did." Hachiman nodded. "And that makes you Transcendent?"
"No, just Ascended." Blue Hachiman corrected him. "Some Ascended Guardian, however, broke another limit and can temporarily tap into an even higher power. And those people are called Transcendents."
"...Scary." Hachiman shivered. "You two make me feel like small fish."
"Eits. Hold on a second. Power output is not the same as an energy reserve." Blue Hachiman slapped his back. "Even as Guardians with esoteric abilities that defy known math and physics, this is one part that still applies to us."
"It means Angel Mode Yuigahama run out of energy super fast, right?" Hachiman grimaced. "Because her energy reserve is that of an A-rank."
"Correct!" Blue Hachiman grinned. "If my calculation is correct, the kinetic strike descended at 7500 meters per second, dished out 300 MJ of energy. Imagine sprinting to your death for five minutes. That was how much effort she put into that single attack that takes fifteen seconds to charge."
Hmm. No wonder Pink Yui didn't put herself in the same ballpark as true S-rank Guardians. Her combat endurance would be significantly shorter.
"It is easier to intercept Causalities inside the city before they can plant themselves and spread Mercurials en-masse." Blue Hachiman mumbled. "Where there are people, there would be Guardians. But when it comes to the countryside, it is hard to mount a rapid response."
"Ah." Hachiman widened his eyes. "Understandable."
That was the reason why a large operation had to be carried out. Unless the Causality is destroyed within a few tens of minutes, it will root and begin summoning hordes of Mercurials.
And Japan had a LOT of empty countryside.
"Here's your account book. All the rewards had been added, some subtracted to replace the destroyed shield." Blue Hachiman gave Hachiman a bank book and an ATM card.
Hachiman checked the balance, and his heart stopped. That was SO MANY zeroes!
"Where does the money come from, and how do they count the pay?"
"Anti-Causality operations always be covered by AI drone swarm." Blue Hachiman said. "You might notice, but Mercurials have a pseudo-hive mind and can operate surprisingly well in large groups. For this reason, humans can't rely on the radio but also strategic live feed."
"I see. So the observer decided our kill counts." Hachiman deadpanned.
"While relying on the observer is easy and usually reliable, writing a report will do you well. Yuigahama also wrote your combat report for you." Blue Hachiman pointed. "I wrote a report for the other Yuigahama instead."
"Uh... thanks?" Hachiman was surprised. "I wish she told me, though."
"You might think you're rich now, but buying guns will be expensive." Blue Hachiman scoffed. "Besides, your current training isn't cheap either."
"I know that well." Hachiman put the book in his bag and the card in his wallet. "Private military contractors have to pay everything to stay afloat."
This is why a lot of people still look for Government employment. Too many financial risks are involved.
"I'd probably need to buy clothes first," Hachiman said. "And probably a new phone."
Because of the shift in technological advancement, Hachiman's 4G internet system doesn't work here. Though the
"Right, I don't mind giving you mine, but..."
Blue Hachiman had a full-on Chuunibyou goth fashion sense. Hachiman cringed to think about wearing something similar. His counterpart was worse than old-world Zaimokuza.
"Also, you gathered all the cores, didn't you?" Blue Hachiman asked. "Those Mercurial cores sell a high price on the scientific market and esoteric industries, but you better wait until you get Guardian License so no one would rip you off."
"Right," Hachiman remembered he had almost a hundred cores and miscellaneous parts. Even the one from the first Ogre kills at the camp.
Third-party companies are willing to store them securely for a fee. Those people always come in hazmat suits.
"Well, people will try to rip you off anyway, just less likely to do so." Blue Hachiman shrugged. "Being part of AMA means you're not likely to do a lot of melding to create artifacts and mystic equipment, but you can trade them for unique weapons or tech."
Hachiman twitched. "Tenmudou does a lot of empirical experiments on these otherwordly materials, right?"
"Yes." Blue Hachiman confirmed. "Despite the risk involved, the progress of Tenmudou's advancement is staggering. AMA group prefers to leave it to the select few experts and trusted laboratories. To balance it out, however, high-rank AMA members might find themselves using Singularity tech."
Oh right. There are also Singularity machines to consider. Hachiman hadn't seen one yet, but looking at Orimoto's Psycho-Armor, they must look weirdly futuristic.
"The concept of anti-Causality machines is weird, though." Hachiman pointed. "Don't you need Trans-Phase energy to hurt Mercurials and Causalities?"
"Singularity machines had an unknown mechanism to twist time and space fabric. Different from Trans-Phase Energy." Blue Hachiman said. "But even then, they are of limited effectiveness. A machine gun mounted on a Singularity engine isn't different from the same machine gun on the hands of a D-rank Guardian."
"I see."
"Yet, it is still worthy to keep doing research." Blue Hachiman shook his head. His voice was full of disappointment. "Because humans fear us and want to make Guardians obsolete."
Honestly? Hachiman can't say he wouldn't think the same way. History has proven it only takes a few bad actors to abuse their power and makes everyone's life hell.
No, not even history. Pink Yuigahama outright said that in less-orderly countries, Guardians rule as warlords. Unpowered people have every bit of incentive to end Guardian supremacy.
"You seem to agree with them."
"When Japan is one of the last bastions of stable government, why wouldn't I agree?" Hachiman shrugged.
Blue Hachiman smiled.
"You also agree with them." Hachiman noticed.
"The sooner I can kill Azazel, the better." Blue Hachiman nodded as he removed his shade to reveal his demonic eyes. "But the time is not now."
He still needed the Singularity Demon's strength.
Hachiman got himself settled in the largely unused guest room. His blue counterpart offered to trade places, but Hachiman wasn't egoistic enough to accept. Besides, it would feel more jarring.
"I'll slowly transform this into my own room if you don't mind," Hachiman said, half joking.
"No one would bitch, for sure." Blue Hachiman grinned.
"Onii-chan! I'm home!"
"Komachi is here."
Both Hachiman walked down the stairs to see the little sister coming home.
"You look tired. Want to take a bath?"
"Please!" Komachi winked.
"I'll prepare the bath for you." Blue Hachiman waved his hand. "Talk with your other brother while at it."
"Heh." Komachi looked at Hachiman, who was weirded out. "You two are almost twins."
Other than differences in hair color, eyes, and build, they were identical.
"How was it, the Komachi of another world? Is she as cute as me?"
Hachiman wanted to say that his Komachi was indeed cuter. But that was a biased answer.
"She was cuter, but you're a bit prettier." Hachiman joked.
"Are? Please don't try to hit on me even if we're not born from the same mother!" Komachi elbowed him. "Bad Onii-chan."
"I mean what I said. And please don't even think about it. That's disgusting." Hachiman didn't stutter. "In my world, Komachi doesn't even use makeup."
Hachiman noticed that this world's Komachi seemed to dispense most of her childish features.
"Is she really?" Komachi asked. "I guess she wanted to preserve an innocent air to herself because it's cuter and more appealing in middle school."
Right on the mark! Of course, she would know herself the most.
"Is it different in Gatekeepers Academy?"
"It is not that different per se." Komachi hummed. "I guess being mature and dependable is more popular. Being a cute, clumsy girl gives an impression of weakness and unreliability. Boys would try their best to impress and protect you, but you'll get no respect from other girls."
This Komachi is every bit as shallow and calculating as the old-world Komachi. Hachiman wasn't even remotely surprised.
"Is that Komachi also sloppy at home?" Blue Hachiman came back and laughed. "Like throwing around dirty laundries in the living room?"
"UWA! Onii-chan! You're ruining my good first impression!" Komachi blushed. "I'm not like that at all!"
Hachiman's face was unconvinced, and then said: "That was actually true."
"EEEH?!" Komachi gawked.
The more things changed, the more things stayed the same. Throughout the dinner, Hachiman shared the stories of the peaceful old world. Their family situation and their school situation.
Komachi warmed up to him quickly, and Hachiman knew it was genuine. Even here, she tried her best to emotionally care for her brother.
In fact, Blue Hachiman somehow didn't feel out of place. It was like Hachiman saw another version of him that was similar yet different. The chuunibyou side that he desperately buried.
Yet, their mind, belief, and understanding of society are the same.
"Thanks for taking care of me." Hachiman honestly smiled. "I'll try my best not to be a burden."
"It's fine if you stay here forever." Komachi laughed. "Just be sure to put effort into improving yourself, Onii-chan."
Right. Old-world Komachi constantly berated Hachiman for giving up and slacking off. However, Hachiman wanted to go home. Slacking off is out of the question.
"Sorry, got a call." Blue Hachiman stood up. "Hello."
"...Onii-chan must be happy you came," Komachi whispered. "Until you came, only two of us in this house. Mother and Father never came on time, so we rarely see them."
"Other than being a terminal Chuunibyou, he's a cool dude," Hachiman admitted. "That, and I'm envious."
Hachiman wished he could be that honest and outspoken.
"I'm sure he thought the same way. The grass is greener on the neighbor's lawn, after all."
Heh, that's not how the proverb sounds, but at least she got the meaning correctly.
"Yo, you're buying clothes tomorrow?" Blue Hachiman said. "The girls asked if you want to join since they're buying clothes for the other Yuigahama."
"Ha! It's a date!" Komachi pointed.
"Date my ass." Hachiman grouched. "100% it's going to be us as pack mules and following them from one boutique to another!"
"My brother in Buddha, you're absolutely correct." Blue Hachiman nodded. "I mean, there are more girls than boys, anyway. It can't be a date."
"My God, you two are so hopeless." Komachi seethed in anger. "Are you serious?! You two are beyond trash!"
Blue Hachiman extended his tentacle hand for a high-five. Hachiman reluctantly responded. It was hilarious to see Komachi malding, though!
"Honestly, I'm fine going with the girls if you also go. Orimoto won't be there anyway." Blue Hachiman said.
"..."
Did they also have a sordid history? Blue Hachiman didn't look like he was uncomfortable with Orimoto. But maybe he just hid it well.
"If you don't, we can go with just the two of us." Blue Hachiman offered. "Unless Komachi also wanted to join."
"Tempting. Two guys on a fashion trip sound sad, you know?" Komachi winced.
"That's sexist, oi!"
Why is it that when only girls, it's good, but when it's only guys, it's sad?
"Well. Komachi also wanted to know if your fashion sense was better or worse." Komachi grouched. "This is hard..."
Hachiman can guarantee that his fashion sense is far superior to this world counterpart, that's for sure.
"I'm sensing deja vu." Hachiman looked at Komachi. "The Komachi I know would scheme against us and somehow got girls involved."
"Hmm, this sounds like something that would happen." Blue Hachiman rubbed his chin, thoughtful.
"It happened to me. Precisely around the third week of June." Hachiman pointed.
"I'm flattered." Komachi twitched. "What's my otherworld's counterpart get herself into? She must be an amazing little sister too! Not letting her brother live no-lifer style."
"It's not praise, hey." The two Hachiman said in concert.
"...Are you a no-lifer?" Blue Hachiman asked anyway. "Oh, God."
"At least I'm not living a lie." Hachiman jibed. "Che."
"Who is living a lie?" Blue Hachiman scoffed as he pulled his phone out. "I'm always honest about myself! If people hate me for it, tough shit."
He walked out of the living room as he called the girls.
Where does that confidence come from?
"In fairness, Onii-chan doesn't lie," Komachi said. "After the incident in middle school, he snapped and became much more outspoken."
Ah.
"He caught on a Singularity monster, right? How does that even begin?" Hachiman asked. "AFAIK, everyone under 16 wasn't supposed to be active combatants. Power level be damned."
"Azazel was officially registered as A-rank... but it was a weakened S-rank," Komachi whispered. "It was wounded from destroying a Category 4 Causality and its Mercurial bodyguards, as well as fighting a few A-rank Guardians."
Even an S-rank Singularity would be exhausted after such an ordeal... it made way too much sense, even with Hachiman's limited knowledge.
"Victory without bloodshed was impossible, so my Onii-chan, who was on a school trip as a civilian at the time, did something suicidal and absorbed the wounded beast into his subspace storage, locking it in."
Somehow, I can imagine myself doing just that. Hachiman thought. And that was scary. Does every Hikigaya Hachiman in existence have a subconscious martyr complex?
Every Hikigaya Hachiman in the multiverse might be narcissistic. Hachiman scoffed. "I bet he didn't regret it in the slightest."
"The first few days, he was hailed as a hero. But that reputation didn't last long." Komachi sighed. "Fear and anxiety grew over a few weeks, and Onii-chan became isolated for the rest of his Academy days."
"And that was how he became so loud and boastful?"
"Yep. Onii-chan says cruel things to people he dislikes. But he never mistreats innocents." Komachi smiled. "At least he's no longer friendless in High School. Also, he's the most respected member of [Maxwell's Demons], which guarantees him a good future."
Right.
Hachiman could blame that accident all he wanted. However, as he reconciled with Yui about it and rebuilt their shaky relationship, he had to recognize that it was entirely his fault that he spent almost one year alone.
In fact, he treated the one person who extended a hand of friendship like shit.
"We're meeting with them around ten in Chiba city station." Blue Hachiman informed. "I mean, it's just polite to come earlier. Stating the obvious, y'now."
Fifteen minutes should be good enough.
"Deal."
"Also, Boobie-gahama wanted to talk with you." Blue Hachiman handed the phone to Hachiman.
Rude!
Hachiman quit the living room to get some privacy and talk in his bedroom, formerly the Hikigaya guest room.
"Yep. Same old house. Glad they have the guestroom."
"[Haha, mine is a bit different. Because my world's counterpart earned a lot of money, the Yuigahama family lives in an upscale apartment]."
Hachiman couldn't recall if Yuigahama ever said things about her house in one of her random conversations with Yukino. But Hachiman knew Yui came from a middle-class family with a working husband and part-time wife.
"I'm not sure whether to say congratulations or sorry." Hachiman frankly said. "Perhaps a bit of both. I hope you can have a good rest."
"[Honestly? I cried for an hour]." Yui laughed. "[My mother is exactly as kind and caring, perhaps smothering. But that made me think of home, and I couldn't hold it anymore]."
"[I'm not as tough as you are, Hikki. I know you're hurting inside, yet you never show it]."
"To be honest? I might have cried in my sleep last night without realizing." Hachiman said. "My eyes were hurting in the morning as I woke up. Can't be from combat debris."
This was the first time Hachiman and Yui could be open with each other. Hachiman found it weird how easy for him to talk to her now. And all it took was them getting Isekai'd to a parallel world.
Because this is a conversation only they can have. A wound they shared together without a shred of ambiguity and misunderstanding.
"[Well, Papa and Mama are as I remember them, and at first, I was wondering if, at some point, I will lose the will to fight]," Yui said. "[But then I remember the people I left behind, and their kindness reminds me more motivated]."
"Good for you."
"[What of your parents, Hikki]?"
"Nothing changed. It was this late, but Father and Mother still haven't come home." Hachiman said. "Not sure if they have the same job. Didn't bother asking. Komachi in this world behaves somewhat more mature, but I don't think her real crooked personality changed at all."
"[You're so cruel!]"
"Let me remind you how I ended up in that damned summer camp."
"[...Sorry.]"
Hachiman grimaced. He let his mouth run its course, only to realize he was hurting Yui. Still, if he pretended to be not angry, Yui probably would be more saddened.
"You're entirely blameless," Hachiman told her frankly. "You were mad because I never replied to your message. Hiratsuka-sensei and Yukinoshita using Komachi to bait me into joining was a sore point."
"And think about what could happen even if we weren't there." Hachiman sighed. "If some of our classmates or the kids disappear instead, even I'm not heartless enough to feel nothing."
"[Right, our friends might be worried to death right now]." Yui whined. "[It was honestly all kind of scary to think about]."
"Scarier than to fight Mercurials?"
"[This and that are different]." Yui chastised him.
"I agree."
"[See?]"
Mercurials are physical threats, something that can be solved through brute force. But worries and misunderstanding? Hachiman felt that was something of a concern.
Being left in the dark without any information scared him a lot more. And that was why he was thankful.
"Do you trust the other Yuigahama and Hachiman?"
"[W-well, it was hard to be suspicious when they're so nice. I feel bad doing that]." Yui argued. "[But thinking again, the stakes we got into are ridiculous. We were blessed, or perhaps cursed, to bear the burden of having strong innate power]."
"[Naturally, being nice to us doesn't mean they don't have vested interest. Being cautious is not the same as being paranoid]."
Wow, Hachiman had never taken her to be so eloquent! But Hachiman guessed that Yui could be a clever girl when cornered. Or maybe Hachiman was wrong.
Yui has always been a well-read girl socially, and she only got along with the mainstream flow until she met Yukinoshita and Hachiman because she lacked the strength and conviction to resist.
Just like when Yui started to put some distance with Miura Yumiko to hang out around Yukino more, she also found her resolve to fight her way out of this situation.
Naturally, Hachiman had no plan of losing in the effort. He's usually lazy, but above all else, he knows that hard work betrays no one.
"The minimum condition is pretty straightforward: strong enough to survive S-rank battlefield without relying too much on others." Hachiman nodded. "You're correct. We should try not to get exploited until then and find the truth with our hands."
"[Right. Let's do just that]."
Hachiman closed the call and gave the phone to the rightful owner as he walked back to the dining area. "Do you have anything that can be used as a sword analog? I need to train in that aspect, as well."
Hachiman studied Kendo as part of an elective program, where the student chose between a few martial arts. Kendo and Judo were the options presented.
Of course, sword fighting is different, but it doesn't mean what he learned before was worthless. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to cut the snake-like tail of an Orthrus.
"Plenty." Blue Hachiman said as he slid one of the closed bookcases. Literally sliding. It revealed another glass display of swords inside the wall. "This is Mom's, but you can pick any."
"What..."
Mother own swords?
"Is she... a Guardian?"
"Well, yea. Mother is working for the government agency, though." Blue Hachiman said. "She doesn't like guns. They're too noisy and indiscriminate."
"I see."
So, much like Yuigahama Yui.
"These are the training Iaido, although thickened to weight like the real stuff." Blue Hachiman said to a group of thickly packed swords. "Other than fittings, no real difference."
Hachiman picked the one most brightly colored for easy identification, almost like a toy until you feel the weight.
"The rest are a little different." Blue Hachiman said as he hummed. "Some are of military origin. Some may even be otherworldly in nature. But each is special in their own way."
"I see," Hachiman said, then froze in realization. "Wait, can I own a sharp blade?"
"Yeah? That comes standard with Guardian license." Blue Hachiman handed Hachiman his license card. "For now you can't take on missions, but will be called in if there is a city-wide emergency."
Hachiman saw a menacing black sword emitting a crystalline sheen and averted his eyes. Too scary.
[ ] A traditional katana
It was an officially registered, hand-forged katana using tamahagane. However, it was hammered by a swordsmith using guardian power to increase purity and refinement, improving its sharpness and durability and granting some supernatural properties.
[ ] Bimetal HF Blade
An experimental sword blade made by the JSDF using MIL-A steel and gunmetal alloy parts. Creates high-frequency EMP surge on activation. Designed to take on Singularity machines, but never see mass production.
