The elevator doors closed with a metallic snap that echoed down the empty corridor. Ashi, with his usual calm that never seemed to leave him, had already pressed the button that would take us to the central floor—the control room. The muffled hum of gears in motion began to fill the tight space as the sensation of a smooth descent wrapped around us. Yet the tension still clung to our bodies, as if the previous battle had carved invisible marks into every breath.
The crash of Oosawa's body, when it plummeted and struck the ground, still rang in my head. The impact had been so violent it felt like an explosion, reverberating not just through the physical world but into our very guts. The shock was so intense that even the rain outside—falling endlessly as though trying to wash away the fire of the world—halted for a few brief moments. It was as if nature itself had stopped to witness the end of that confrontation.
"Finally… it's over." Kate exhaled, her pale face betraying the relief flooding through her. She adjusted her backpack on her shoulders, as though that simple gesture could return some sense of normalcy. "It feels like I'm trapped inside a nightmare."
"Thanks, everyone. You saved my life." I managed to say, regaining my breath and pulling my torn shirt back on, wearing it like a shield against vulnerability.
Shizuka closed her backpack with mechanical movements, forcing herself to focus on anything but the fresh memory.
"Good thing you showed up. Imagine if I had been alone?"
Trying to lighten the mood, I forced a smile.
"I bet you could've defeated him yourself," I said, picturing the scene in my head. "By the way, nice shot, Ashi."
The boy raised his eyes and glanced at the revolver in his hand, as if it were nothing more than an ordinary tool.
"It was just a lucky hit," he replied, his voice as serene as ever.
The elevator continued its slow descent. With every floor we passed, everyone took deep breaths, as though trying to expel the weight of the tension. It felt as if the world itself had paused for a moment just to grant us that fleeting instant of calm.
When the doors slid open at our destination, they revealed the old Sin Room. The place was in ruins, debris scattered everywhere telling the story of the battle that had raged there. Once an organized hub, it was now pure chaos. The walls were scarred with impact marks, and shattered shelves made it seem as though we were standing inside a fragmented memory.
Without hesitation, Ashi rushed to the computers that still stood behind the protective netting. They were the machines responsible for the country's communication channels and internet. Even amid the destruction, the flickering screens proved there was still life in those circuits.
"Can you restore everything?" I asked, snapping my fingers impatiently.
Ashi didn't look up from the keyboard.
"I'll need some time to insert the security codes. Plus, the other relay points across Japan must be reconnected before everything is back online," he explained, his hands moving with impressive speed.
Meanwhile, Kate couldn't stay still. She began rummaging through the wreckage of the room—kicking broken wood aside, opening charred books, shoving fallen objects out of the way. The place was a labyrinth of shattered memories. After a few minutes of searching, she found something unusual. Amid the chaos, a necklace gleamed. The pendant was a golden star, encircled by countless number fours forming a perfect ring. At its center lay a strange symbol: five curved points on each side, overlaid with a kanji of peace, crossed by an inverted cross.
Kate lifted the object with both hands, carefully showing it to me.
"I saw this fall from Oosawa's neck, right when he rose from the net."
The moment I held the necklace, a strange sensation overwhelmed me. It wasn't exactly a physical hunger, but something deep inside screamed for me to consume it. An invisible aura wrapped around me, as if the object carried a secret that demanded to be unveiled.
"Let me try something…" I murmured, closing my eyes. I focused my spiritual energy at my fingertips, touched the pendant, and plunged into the unknown.
Suddenly, my mind slammed into a colossal wall, solid as stone. It felt as though I had crashed headlong, at full speed, into an impenetrable barrier. Yet this wall was no ordinary one. Etched upon its surface were seven distinct symbols: a star, a tree, a snail, a lightning bolt, a watermelon, an eye, and finally, an apple. Each one was a hollow outline, simple and clear, yet carrying an enigmatic weight. Only the star was filled, glowing in a vivid blue. The symbol trembled, sending vibrations through the wall. The massive surface shifted ever so slightly, opening a tiny crack from which a red, pulsing light seeped.
"What could be on the other side?" I wondered aloud.
Before I could approach, I heard footsteps behind me. Slowly, I turned. Two elderly men were drawing near. Their long white beards nearly brushed the floor, and their tattered robes revealed dark, timeworn skin. Their bent backs showed the burden of a lifetime, while the crutches they leaned on betrayed frail bodies at odds with the immense spiritual presence they carried. They murmured to each other in words I couldn't understand, then suddenly burst into laughter, giggling like children.
"Was it you who called us here?" asked the one on the left, his slow, raspy voice booming like a distant thunderclap.
"I… I don't know." I knelt to meet their gaze, as I was nearly twice their height. "Honestly, I was just examining an object in the real world and ended up being transported here."
The elder stroked his beard, thoughtful. His eyes glimmered with interest.
"This is the first time such a thing has happened. Ômega never warned us about a possible disciple. Still, you wouldn't have spiritual energy unless you'd been sent by him."
The other old man, nearly identical, tapped his partner's back with his crutch. The two exchanged looks and began a hushed, hurried conversation. I merely observed, struggling to accept that I was speaking with spirits. Time dragged on, and their talk showed no sign of ending.
Growing restless, I tapped one lightly on the shoulder.
"Err… can I go now?"
"Oh, right!" exclaimed the one on the left, as though suddenly remembering me. "I forgot about you. Stay a bit longer. We need to teach you something, since we're here!"
"You currently only wield the Angelic Arm, correct?" he asked, studying the ethereal glow that radiated from my arm.
"I like the name. That's right." I flexed my fingers, shaping the luminous staff.
The elder on the right rummaged through his own beard until he pulled out a dusty book.
"Found it!" he said. "I don't remember the exact page, give me a moment."
Five long minutes crawled by before he spoke again.
"As I was saying… we'll teach you certain things, by Ômega's order. Today, since it's the first time, it will be the ability to remove rust from metals!"
His enthusiasm was met by an awkward silence. Scratching my head, I muttered,
"Witnesses… don't you think that's kind of useless? The world is ending, I've got enemies to fight. This isn't exactly the kind of skill that's going to help me."
"You're not entirely wrong," the left elder admitted, closing the book but keeping his finger on the page. "But your spiritual energy is far too weak to learn anything more advanced. Like it or not, this is all we can offer for now."
"If you want to improve, you must meditate in the real world until you can return to this spiritual realm," added the other, his eyes tinged with disdain.
I sighed, frustrated.
"If I may ask… what is this massive wall?"
"Forgot the rule already?" the right elder chuckled. "One question per session. And you wasted yours asking about the skill's usefulness."
Resigned, I shrugged. There was no point in arguing.
"Then let's just get this over with. I'm in a hurry."
"Perfect!" the elder exclaimed, raising his arm in delight. "Extend the palm of your Angelic Arm."
I obeyed. He closed his eyes and began chanting strange words. Symbols floated into the air, swirling around him before sinking into my hand. My mind flooded with voices repeating: "Snifis Reffens."
"What do these voices mean?" I asked, dazed.
"No more questions, Jin," they snapped.
My Angelic Arm shone brighter than ever. The two spirits exchanged knowing looks.
"Brother, our time is running out," said one, tapping the other's bent back.
"Indeed! I nearly forgot our commitments!" replied his partner, shutting the book.
"Until next time, Jin," the left one waved with a smile. "And try not to waste your questions again."
Then they vanished.
Suddenly, my eyes flew open. Shizuka and Kate's faces hovered close, both shaking me by the shoulders. The ceiling light blurred my vision.
"Are you insane, Jin?!" they yelled together. "You swallowed the necklace we just gave you!"
"Calm down, calm down." I sat up slowly, moving them aside. A strange sensation coursed through me. "It tastes great. Sorry for not sharing."
Everyone in the room stared at me with contempt.
"Seriously? I went and befriended a weirdo like this?" Kate whispered to Shizuka, who only nodded.
"Hey, I can hear you!" I snapped, loud enough for all.
Fragments of memories seeped into my mind—things that never happened, flashes of a nonexistent past. Maybe it was the Snifis Reffens, since the voices still whispered the phrase without end.
"I didn't know you had these bizarre habits," Ashi remarked, typing away without pause. "Don't tell me you're turning into one of those Trins."
"I won't be leaving my necklaces lying around anymore…" Kate muttered, whistling as she walked off.
"Less talk, Ashi," I murmured, stepping closer. "Keep working. I hope you can get info on the other countries' situations." I glanced at the girls. "And you two—watch some magic!"
I extended the Angelic Arm, gathered energy, and drew a circle in the air. I aimed at Ashi's neck.
"Nízomai!"
In less than a second, the necklace I had swallowed materialized exactly where I pointed.
"Ohhh, impressive!" Shizuka exclaimed. After a moment's thought, she asked, "Tell me… why is it that only you have these supernatural abilities?"
I was about to answer when Ashi interrupted.
"Another time. For now—good news. I've gained access to the global networks!" he announced, slamming the Enter key.
A chorus of joy erupted in the room.
"We did it!" Shizuka jumped up and hugged Ashi.
"Good job, everyone." I clapped, though no one joined me. "Ashi, put it on BTB."
BTB, the world's largest news channel, was live.
The broadcast showed the United States. An open space, crowded with armed people, yet still in order. Despite the global chaos, control reigned there. The headline read: "Global chaos—minimal casualties reported."
A man around thirty-five appeared on stage, surrounded by guards. His white hair matched his immaculate suit. His beauty was striking, but what captured attention most were his eyes: a fiery gradient of red and orange. His voice radiated knowledge; his smile, pride.
There was a very detailed tattoo of a crown on his forehead.
The crowd, beneath gray clouds, chanted only his name. Posters with his face shot upward, stopped only by guards.
"I've seen this guy before…" Ashi muttered. "He was the minister of war pacification before the deaths."
The headline changed: "Parliament unanimously decides on a new system of government." The channel translated his speech.
"I ask everyone to remain calm. We are regaining control over the entire national territory," the man declared, pacing the stage. "The armed forces are already in action. Simply obey the new laws, which I will now proclaim."
He folded the blank paper, tucked it into his suit pocket, and stepped to the edge of the stage, staring directly into the camera.
"I, Rürcifero, am the first president of the world." He raised the microphone high.
And the crowd erupted into chants:
"Rürcifero, the only one!"