A high-speed vehicle races forward without pause.
"Hurry up, Krauser! We should've seen this coming earlier!" Bifrat shouted.
"Don't shatter my eardrums, you senile old fart!"
Denis:
"You didn't even take me with you when you took that guy down… WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"
Bifrat:
"NWC kidnapped Zack to awaken Helios! They want to use him as bait… They're going to assassinate Ghost!"
"NWC?!?"
Bifrat continued:
"NWC is a very powerful cult. Not many people know this, but it's led by the Taka family… and they've tried to keep it hidden for as long as possible."
"So, Taka Ayato is also a cultist?!"
"Yes, he is, you little runt! Now shut that damn mouth!" Krauser yelled.
⸻
Meanwhile
Dragonomica – 21:00
Ghost walked slowly toward the city's rear gate.
A few men followed behind him…
He wore a terrifying iron mask.
The mask had only two eye holes—
and jagged slits carved into the mouth area to resemble teeth.
Strapped to his back with thick chains was a massive sword…
So massive that it scraped along the ground as he walked, making a sharp grinding sound.
As he approached the gate, Ghost suddenly stopped.
"I've been waiting for you… You're late, Carrier."
His voice was deep and monstrous.
Zack emerged from the shadows into the light.
"…"
Ghost:
"Got nothing to say? No speech about vengeance?
Do you have any idea how many like you I've killed with my bare hands?"
Zack:
"And now it's time for you to die at my hands…"
Ghost reached for the hilt of his massive blade—
a sword taller than even he was—
and lifted it with one effortless swing.
"I hope you can entertain me…
Or will you end up like that fool who looked just like you—pathetic and helpless?"
"We'll see… bastard."
Zack lunged forward—
—but Ghost's men blocked him.
Suddenly, gunfire exploded from behind.
The guards dropped one by one.
"HAH! NOW THIS IS FUN! ENTERTAIN ME, YOU GNATS!"
Zack roared and launched a flying kick at Ghost—
—but Ghost caught his leg with one hand and slammed him hard against a nearby wall.
Then, with a single stomp, he pinned Zack to the ground.
And with one devastating kick, he launched him across the field like a ball.
"Aaarrrghhhh!!"
Zack stopped himself—
A few ribs were definitely broken.
But before he could recover, a shadow loomed over him:
Ghost was about to bring down his massive blade on Zack's head.
He swung—
But the blade stopped.
Ghost:
"Heh… so you've come… Angel of Death."
Ayato had arrived—
He used his transparent energy blades to intercept the attack mid-air.
Turning around, he barked:
"Is that all you've got?! Stop getting in my way and get lost!"
Then he lunged at Ghost.
Their attacks were blindingly fast.
Despite the size of Ghost's sword,
he could swing it with astonishing speed…
Zack, still reeling, cursed:
"Damn it… Goddamn it! Come on—work, you bastard… Damn power, GIVE IT TO ME, HELIOS—!"
And he rushed at Ghost, weaponless.
In that moment—
A memory from years ago surfaced—
Just for a second…
So brief that he didn't even see Ghost's sword slicing him—
Didn't feel it—
No pain—
⸻
File #019 – Daily Life in a Synthetic World
How do regular people take showers in this artificial world?