Story Reader / Extra Hidden / EX05 Inscription of Labyrinth / Story
The thing... Mister asked me to reveal to you...
"Loki" has already done so.
But, from the look of it, you don't seem to be worthy.
So, let's end it here.
The lights on Voodoo's mask begin to flash and change colors. Roland clenches his weapons.
If... you... can... surive...
I... will... judge... again...
Heehee... Heehahaahaa... Hahahahaha!
Voodoo's calm voice becomes twisted, changing into a horrifying scream once again.
Worst case, I'll just tear you apart and throw your remains to Mister! He won't care! Weaklings don't deserve to live!
After a round of battle, Roland is already getting used to her bipolar characteristics.
Worst case? Are you suggesting that... I can still live to see your "Mister"?
...
Dammit... What the... Did those words trigger the defense mechanism...?
Ugh... Ahh...
?
"Loki" has gone haywire, exceeding the prediction. The components of the simulation constraint in her vital fluid need to be readjusted...
...But the mission must go on.
Individual "Roland", my mission is to test you.
But I'm not seeing anything worth noting in your performance. Your battle stats are lower than the benchmarks set by Mister.
Neither have you displayed the intelligence—like Mister said—that could neglect the difference in strength.
...You've done a lot of homework.
Mister knows everything.
So, I'm... not... going...
Starting from her hand, Voodoo's entire body begins to tremble. The light spots on her keep changing colors.
"Lo"... You... betrayer...
B-b-betray... ER...
...So what?! Are you going to... execute yourself? Do you still think you can separate yourself from me... ever since you put your favorite movie character in your brain?
"Voodoo", no... Researcher RIKD-042... You don't seem to understand our relationship, do you?
Tsk... You can argue all the time you want, but can I go?
...
Voodoo is not responding, but the missile launcher on her back locks onto Roland again.
...WHAT DO YOU THINK?
What shall I take? Your entire body, or a hand, or your head? Which one will make Mister happier?
...After a few rounds of engagement, Roland appears to be at a disadvantage. His weapons are no match against Voodoo's air supremacy.
Time after time, Voodoo uses her wings and missiles to outmatch Roland's chain blade.
Roland seems to be cornered. He can only swing his chain blade to repulse another attack from Voodoo.
But once he gets enough distance to fire, he immediately shoots the last eight slugs at Voodoo's helmet.
Voodoo's head flinches backward. She tumbles in mid-air, until the auto-balancing device in her suit controls the engine to adjust her position.
—She barely manages to maintain balance before falling to the ground.
So painful... It hurts...
Heehahaha... Hahahahaha!! **** you! It hurts so bad!
You hit me! I'm going to kill you! I'm going to tear you apart! I'm going to rip your insides out and rub them on your face!
In contrast, Roland makes a firm landing. He pretends to pat dust off himself, even though there is no dust on him. His opponent is blocked by the trees.
Oh, c'mon... You spent all these efforts to lure me here just to beat me up?
He sounds relaxed, but soon taunts again.
We could have sat down and chatted if you had any complaints. Resorting to violence is not how a gentleman like me would have preferred...
He continues to humiliate his opponent... which is no longer needed. Voodoo has already risen to the sky and dives again.
Enough with your bullshit! I've no idea what the mission is! I just want you dead!
...
With those words come even more ferocious attacks. Obscured from vision, Roland is dashing back, unable to counter.
...
For one split second, Voodoo thought she saw a grin in Roland's eyes. But it disappeared so soon that she felt it was just an illusion.
Tsk, doesn't even care about the mission now? Why would they send a psychopath...
Voodoo has no time to investigate Roland's smile—in fact, she is consumed by Loki's endless fury and has no time to consider.
Voodoo's leg slams into Roland with extra strength generated by her wings and thruster.
Knocked back by a strike, Roland collapses to the ground, waving his hand and coughing. Vital fluid drips down from the corner of his mouth.
C'mon, at least tell me why you want me dead.
The conflict has inevitably attracted someone else's attention. At this moment, Roland's plan is finally complete.
Did your boss not say anything?
Or... cough... are you just a mercenary, hired to take my life?
She pauses a little after hearing Roland's words.
(Is it working?)
It only buys him a little time before something else takes off from the forest.
It flies over the forest, cliff and Roland, hovering, releasing blistering heat from its exhaust air.
On the other side, No. 21 struggles to tighten her body as her instincts tell her danger is close.
The trees are blown apart by the hot air, revealing a white object between them—
...I'm spotted!
(That's right.)
...Tsk.
...
This scent... this scent?! What a scent!
The storm howls. Small rocks fall from the cliff as the metal beast spreads her bladed wings, pulling up rocks and fallen leaves around her, adorned with the moon as a crown. She baths in the blood-red moonlight, her shadow stretching infinitely, and she looks like a claw extended right out of the moon.
The next moment, she suddenly bursts into a twisted growl. Her body twitches, arching into an unnatural curve, and you are baffled by what is happening.
Chirp-chirp, chirp-chirp, chirp-chirp-chirp...
A low, rustling sound comes out of the monstrosity's throat, getting louder and louder.
No, not rustling... laughing. She is laughing from excitement!
An excitement... to kill!
She chirps and laughs, her monotonic and extended voice sending a chill down your spine like the scream of babies abandoned in the sewer.
Chirp-chirp... hahahahAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Her voice suddenly turns into a continuous, high-pitched shriek, filled with equal parts terror and delight. Only a tormented soul in hell could have made such an inhuman sound.
I'm here—here! I'M HERE!
Mister must be so disappointed! He picked such a useless scrub!
But... if Voodoo brings him his new toys alive—he'll be happy! Mister will be so happy!
What is that thing mumbling about...?
New toys?
Fall back! We are the targets!
