Story Reader / Collab / Blazing Simulacrum / Story
...
Do a headcount and see how many we lost this time.
Dupi, Migris, Okand, and...
They've merely returned to Corridor, completing a cycle of conflict.
In time, people will eventually inherit their names and wills...
Let's not talk about that for now. Let's bring her back.
I...
The light is blinding to the point of hurting the eye.
Are you awake?
Where is... this?
This is the "battlefield"... where the conflict started and ended.
I'm Melaka, and you are "Fida".
Would you like to inherit this name and join us?
It was only then that she made out her surroundings.
Particles of light float above the wasteland, slowly rising into the sky.
Countless wills perished in the conflict, and she was born from it.
The person in front of her smiles and reaches out her hand.
Fida...
Okay. I am Fida, and you are Melaka.
Where... are you taking me?
Ha... ha...
Is it over...?
Leaning on her sword, Fida kneels on the ground, supporting her body to prevent herself from collapsing.
In the wilderness, only a few are still moving. Her gaze heavy, she scans the battlefield for a particular figure.
I'm here, Fida.
You did well. It's hard to believe it's your first "conflict."
But...
Looking around, she sees a mound of dead bodies. The deceased Mental Images are starting to disintegrate. Once again, she sees the particles of light ascend into the clouds.
Elios... Mizar...
Don't be sad, Fida. This is something all Mental Images experience.
We are born from the mind, and our forms are shaped by emotions.
Not all minds are inherently strong, nor can all emotions remain unwavering to maintain their original form.
"Conflict" is a process of filtering and refinement. To Mental Images, death is not the end, but a new beginning.
I know... you've taught me that many times...
But... does that mean Elios and Mizar... are never coming back?
...That's right.
Then... at least allow me to bid them farewell. May I, Melaka?
If that's what you wish.
With Melaka's permission, Fida lifts her head, silently observing the sky, which seems even more blinding than usual.
Until the last glimmer of light fades away.
BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER...? Such a weird name. Who is she?
Some call her "The Wandering Calamity", while others call her "The Demon of Darkness".
Appearing out of nowhere in Corridor, challenging every Mental Image she encounters, and never knowing defeat.
She is the enemy we must confront. We can set all our differences aside when we come across her.
She's been spotted nearby recently. It's likely she will soon launch an attack on this area.
You're an exceptional warrior now, Fida. There will be 86 fighters participating. I wish to include you in the team as well.
Is she really that strong...? Even those who were once our foes have joined this mission.
The Craftsman once said... that it's only when we defeat her that Corridor can move on to a new era.
A new era... does that mean "conflicts" are no longer necessary?
...I don't know, Fida.
But, if possible, I, too, hope to see that day.
If that day ever comes...
Would it mean that everything we'll have done until then is meaningful?
Since her creation, she has always harbored a question.
After she killed an enemy Mental Image with her own hands for the first time and watched them die reluctantly under her sword.
After she witnessed the dissipation of comrades who had been at her side day and night.
After she set foot on countless battlefields and survived all those merciless killings.
After she saw newly born Mental Images being taught and gradually becoming familiar with and accustomed to "conflict."
The question did not disappear but, instead, troubled her even more.
What's the point of "conflict"? Why does everyone throw themselves at it?
Why do we all need to try to cut each other's throats? Can't there be compromise and concession?
Why not flee when facing someone you know you don't stand a chance against? Why not cherish the one life you have?
She meets the blue-eyed girl for the first time, as though trying to prove her point.
Fida thinks Melaka is wrong about one thing.
This girl is not a "demon."
She is more like a reaper of lives, killing all who stand in her way indiscriminately.
No attack can touch her and no defense can withstand her.
Every strike of her sword claims a life and every sound of her cannon is followed by cries that never have the chance to be uttered.
The girl easily broke through layers of battle lines as if it were nothing until she stood before her and Melaka.
That moment, her eye, burning with the blue flame, met hers—
...
The girl, silent, raises her sword at Fida, apparently waiting for her to initiate a hopeless challenge.
And Fida, without hesitation, casts the question aside, making up her mind almost instantly.
Fida...?!
She grabs Melaka's hand, fleeing the battlefield that's turned into hell.
...
...Enough.
While traversing through another expanse of city ruins, Alpha speaks up, having had enough.
How much longer are you going to cling on to me?
She speaks to Fida, who has been hiding behind her while tugging at the hem of her coat and peering ahead.
Can't I just hide for a bit...? Humph...
Clearly, Fida is maintaining her distance from the girl in black who's leading the way quietly.
Heh... but yet you were so afraid of me just now.
But you don't understand how much...
I mean, the whole idea of her joining forces with people is just... it just seems impossible...
They fear seeing me.
...
She's probably wiped out a few thousand Mental Images over this period of time... no, tens of thousands is probably closer to the truth.
To these Mental Images, she's like a "great demon lord" or "final boss" of sorts.
I like how you don't sugarcoat it at all.
An unforeseen "calamity"...
It's like...
According to the Craftsman, like Alpha, the girl wasn't born in Corridor but is an outsider from an unknown place.
In her world, there, too, was a "disaster" that had come from outside that world.
Alpha glances at the Craftsman strolling leisurely by her, unable to see her face under her mask.
(I need to stop thinking about this for now...)
As Alpha gathers her thoughts, she notices the girl in black has stopped cold.
What's wrong?
...
As she turns around about to say something, she sees Fida, who has taken half a step backward behind Alpha after catching her gaze.
I remember you.
You don't have to run away this time.
Fida
I've always been an "enemy" to you, and that's not going to change.
Are you saying you're going to take "revenge"...? Is that what you mean?
Bring it on. I'm always ready.
Tch...
Say, why are you going to the castle?
You don't have a past with the castle like I do, nor do you hold any excessive concern for this world like the masked person does.
As an outsider, you're not bound to Corridor's rule of "conflicts" at all.
So, what drives you to do all this?
...
Nothing really.
I've been through endless... endless battles. That's how my life has been and that's how it will always be.
No matter where I am and no matter where I'm headed.
Regardless of the reason, my battle never ends.
I just... don't want to stop moving forward.
Is that so.
Why do you look like you understand? She was just spitting out nonsense!
Shut up.
Ignore her. Were you going to say something?
...
It's too quiet.
We're close to the castle and no one is here to stop us.
Who knows, maybe some kind soul has already cleared the way for us.
Are you talking about the two who saved the village earlier?
Let's keep going and see what we come across.
Hold it steady. Don't mess with the throttle grip and knobs.
Why did you bring it here if you aren't going to ride it at all...
Ignoring the mosquito-like complaints, Alpha hands the task of pushing the motorcycle to Fida and walks up to the front of the group.
...
A magnificent ancient ruin stands before her, and she knows that, beyond these buildings, lies the castle's turf.
She steps carefully into the ruins, her footsteps on the marble floor echoing crisply.
Suddenly, the light of a blade—followed by a faint chill—flashes straight toward her from the dark.
Alpha shifts sideways and dodges the first ambush. Her kodachi pops out of its sheath and clashes with the second blow just in time.
When the kodachi and katana cross in an X, red electric arcs dance on the thin sheet of ice on the katana's blade, causing the shards of ice on it to scatter.
Alpha!?
Thought I'd run into you here.
Why are you here?!
Oh, didn't you know?
Alpha smiles a disdainful smile, exerting a slight force on her wrist to ward off Lucia's katana.
Facing Lucia, who still aims her sword at her, Alpha lowers her gaze briefly, sheathing her kodachi to show that she has no intention of fighting Lucia.
Chill. I have neither the interest nor the time to cross swords with you here.
There are more pressing matters at hand for both of us and you know that.
...For a moment, I hoped you weren't here.
Alpha frowns slightly at the figure emerging from the dark.
What's going on, Alpha? Why are we here, and what does the castle have to do with the Ascension-Network?
Do you really have no clue why you're here?
Commandant, could it be...
Quick thinker, aren't you?
The incident at Fort Winter corroborates the unbreakable bond between Alpha and Lucia. And it's hardly surprising that Lucia, being another "sister" to Luna, would be implicated.
As for that commandant, being the only human to have formed a Deep M.I.N.D. connection with Luna, they indeed hold a unique significance.
Alpha's thoughts briefly wander. She's certain that this human has arrived at the same conclusion.
Are we done chitchatting here?
The Craftsman steps forward, followed closely by the other two.
You are...?
No, no, you bet you're mistaking me for someone else.
Wait... you're the two who saved our village?
Fida examines Lucia for a moment, then turns to look at Alpha. Recalling what she's heard about the two who had saved their village, she realizes that she's looking at those very people and claps her hands.
We did pass by a place that seemed like a village.
You're strong.
She looks at Lucia for a moment, then shifts her gaze to the human.
You... are very strong, in a way.
Are you... friends of Alpha? You don't look the part, though...
We're under a temporary partnership.
Alright, we've been on the move for so long. Let's take this chance to rest here.
And we should try to get to know one another a bit.
The Craftsman produces several blank autograph cards and a pen and starts distributing them.
BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER... So this is your name?
That will do.
We ran into someone else with a pretty bizarre name before, too. Do you know her?
Thought so...
What do you mean?
Never mind. If they're an enemy, we'll just have to make sure they go down.
Anyway, that's enough chitchat for now.
What do you plan to do now?
If you don't mind, I don't mind settling things here once and for all.
I mean, we've fought so many times now I'm getting kind of fed up here.
Wait, wait. Are you trying to pick up a fight here? But why? Can't we just... talk things out?
Alpha ignores Fida who's looking nervously at her, her fingers resting on the kodachi's guard as she observes Lucia' and the human's reactions.
We're not yet fully on board with what you've told us, but...
Lucia's wrist turns slightly, sheathing her katana as she looks at the commandant at her side.
You're as decisive as ever.
Agree. I didn't expect you'd call a truce.
Well, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Ascendants, Babylonia, Constructs, humans... These conflicts won't disappear, but now is not the time to settle them.
At least, this is not what I should be doing "now."
Moreover, from the information we have, you need a certain number of people to participate in the "game" at that castle.
I guess the "conflict" continues no matter where you go and no matter who you are.
Are you narrating the scene for them...?
In short, the more participants, the greater our chances to beat the "game."
It's just that I'm not sure what kind of "game" the master of that castle has in mind...
Anyway, let's head over there first.
You'll reach the castle's main entrance at the end of these ancient ruins.
After achieving a brief peace, the makeshift team sets out toward the source of this anomaly.
Here we are.
Before the grand castle gate, everyone stands firm at the foot of the stairs.
Finally.
Right then, they see a slender figure slowly stepping down the stairs.
I was expecting all of you to get here sooner.
You are...!
Lucia's voice grows shaky when she sees the figure's face.
I am, of course, the "King", the one who sets the rules.
Though her face is strikingly familiar, the way she carries herself and her tone of voice are entirely different from Luna's.
...
Seeing the master of the castle, Alpha's katana sparks with lightning. When she draws it out with lightning speed, a dazzling arc of electricity lashes out at the figure.
The sound of a blue-white cannon being fired follows. The shot and ear-splitting explosion engulf "Luna" right away.
All these attacks are meaningless.
This is my<//ASCENSION-NETWORK'S> domain, which means you all have to play by the rules I have set.
As the smoke clears up, Alpha and the rest of the group see that their attack proves ineffective. The "King" remains unscathed.
Alpha, Lucia, [player name], the girl with black hair and blue eyes...
She who calls herself "Craftsman", and... some tagalong I don't recognize.
...
Everyone who needs to be here is here. Now...
She raises her hand, casually tossing several streams of light from her palm, which land before all of you.
They are black chess pieces, and the one landing before you bears a crown. This is the king—what the girl claims to be.
This is... Wait...!
Lucia seems to want to say something to the "King", but a violent shake cuts her short.
Now, the game begins.
The world around you grows twisted, and it feels as though the ground beneath you has collapsed in an instant.
You feel like you've been sucked into a bottomless pit, passing out cold as you go down.
