Back at the Darkside Destroyer's base.
Mizuki's voice was laced with concern as she spoke into her phone, the words traveling across the secure line back to the Darkside Destroyer's base.
"Are you sure about this, Commander Matsuzaka?"
Her brow furrowed. "Tetsu's only a Level 3. Reiji's strong, yes, but a Level 4 mission... that's a huge jump for Tetsu."
Across the line, Arata Matsuzaka sat in a room filled with other commanders, their high-ranking uniforms a testament to their authority, their faces stern under the strategic maps and glowing data screens. He seemed unperturbed by Mizuki's worry.
"It's fine, Mizuki," he replied, his voice calm and authoritative.
"This could be a good opportunity for Tetsu to observe how Level 4s operate, to see their tactics firsthand. It's an invaluable learning experience."
He paused, then added, "And as for his safety, with Reiji there, it shouldn't be an issue. Reiji will protect him. I trust his judgment."
Deep in the ocean's murky depths, a shadowy world of shifting currents and unseen dangers, Tetsu found himself face to face with the charging Anomalies.
Now that he had a clearer, more terrifying look at their grotesque forms, his mind raced back, a frantic scramble for information.
He remembered the quiet hum of the train, the dull rhythm of the wheels on the tracks, as he'd idly scrolled through the AAO app. He'd navigated to the "Anomalies" section, seeing the four distinct, blocky categories:
Entity, Nonentity, Abstract, and Unclassified.
Tapping on "Entity," he'd then seen "Land" and "Aquatic."
Knowing his current mission was very much underwater, he'd clicked "Aquatic." There, amidst many different aquatic Anomalies, had been a detailed profile for the very creatures now surging toward them: Carcinovermis. Level 3 Anomaly.
Back in the murky depths, the cold reality hit Tetsu with the force of a tidal wave.
Level 3? he thought, his eyes widening in disbelief, the dim light struggling to penetrate the gloom.
But there are so many of them!
Not one, but many—a terrifying swarm, their grotesque forms moving with shocking speed, their dagger-like appendages aimed directly for his eyes.
This amount implies this mission is definitely a Level 4 one! he realized, a knot of fear tightening in his stomach.
Tetsu, still unable to properly utilize his electricity underwater, instinctively threw an arm up, covering his face in a desperate, almost childlike gesture of defense.
Just as the first Carcinovermis reached him, its sharp appendage poised to strike, it collided with something invisible, a shimmering, barely visible azure-energy shield.
The creature slammed into it with a sickening, wet thud, its momentum abruptly halted, its grotesque form momentarily distorted by the impact.
Tetsu turned to Reiji, whose outstretched hand was glowing with a soft, ethereal azure light. Reiji had activated his power.
Tetsu's mind flashed back, a quick, almost cinematic replay, to the bustling cafeteria, to the moment he'd clicked on Reiji's profile on the AAO app.
Reiji Katsuragi, #16 Destroyer.
Ability: Flyrokinesis. Flyrokinesis.
Force field manipulation, Tetsu had thought then, a slight dismissive curl to his lip.
It sounds boringly purposed for defense.
But now, facing a horde of charging monsters, with an invisible barrier protecting him from certain disfigurement, "boring" felt like the safest, most comforting word in the entire dictionary.
Reiji, still holding the shield that protected Tetsu, effortlessly unsheathed his katana. Tetsu watched, bewildered, his eyes wide behind the shield.
What is he doing?
Tetsu thought, confusion battling with fear.
Under such extreme water pressure, that katana would be immensely heavy. Using it as a weapon down here is impossible! It would be like swinging a lead pipe through concrete!
Surprisingly, after drawing his katana, Reiji applied an azure force field onto the entire blade.
The force field seemed to deflect the crushing force of the water, allowing the blade to move freely, as if they were on land, in open air.
He channeled a barrier on his sword! Tetsu realized, astonishment momentarily overriding his fear.
I see. He can use his power that way. That's... clever.
Reiji, with his force-fielded blade humming with azure energy, effortlessly swam towards the nearest Carcinovermis.
He moved with a practiced grace that belied the immense pressure of the deep. Reiji launched a vertical slash, his blade cutting through the water as if it were air, effortlessly slicing one of the creatures in half.
Another Carcinovermis, its dagger appendage flashing menacingly, lunged at Reiji from behind, but collided with another force field he had just conjured, a perfectly round, azure barrier appearing out of nowhere to intercept the attack.
Then, with a strange, almost imperceptible gesture, a subtle twist of Reiji's wrist, the shield-shaped barrier that had just blocked the attack shapeshifted, azure energy spikes erupting from its surface, piercing the Carcinovermis, impaling it instantly.
Then another, and another. Every time one died, its body ruptured, oozing a grotesque yellow gel-like fluid that diffused slowly in the water, clouding the visibility.
Tetsu, still pressured by the constant, relentless attacks of the Carcinovermises against the shield protecting him, observed Reiji's masterful control, his efficiency.
If I keep this up, I'll just be a burden, he thought, a familiar self-reproach tightening in his chest.
He's doing all the work. I'm just… hiding.
He pushed through the shimmering barrier, exiting the shield, which seemed to allow him to pass through it freely. Immediately, two Carcinovermis appendages aimed for his rear, their movements surprisingly swift despite the water resistance.
Tetsu, though slowed by the immense water pressure, which felt like trying to move through thick mud, managed to catch one of the dagger-like appendages.
Before the other one could touch him, a new idea sparked in his mind, a desperate, intuitive leap.
If I can't use my electric bolt... then I'll just shock them directly!
As his hand gripped the Carcinovermis's appendage, he channeled his electricity directly into its tissue.
The creature stiffened violently, its body seizing, instantly immobilized, struck by the concentrated charge. Tetsu, gritting his teeth, continuously poured electricity into it, the water around him crackling faintly with the discharge.
Finally, with a convulsion that shuddered through his own arm, he electrocuted the Carcinovermis.
But as the creature died, it oozed the same disgusting yellow, gel-like fluid, its smell, even underwater, vaguely reminiscent of ammonia—like pee.
Ew. What the heck is this, Tetsu thought, a wave of revulsion washing over him.
He instinctively pulled his hand away from the dead Carcinovermis, a shudder running through him.
Two more Carcinovermis immediately rushed towards him, sensing an opening. Tetsu took his stance, ready to face them, his mind already formulating a new strategy.
But before he could attack, and before the Carcinovermis could reach him, Reiji's voice, converted into streams of bubbles, reached him.
"You took one down!"
Reiji's hand gestures and the accompanying bubbles clearly conveyed his compliment, even underwater.
He had already moved, a flash of azure and steel, and effortlessly slashed both Carcinovermis that were about to attack Tetsu.
Reiji then tried to say something else, gesturing wildly, pointing, but all Tetsu could see were more bubbles, meaningless currents in the water.
I don't understand what you're trying to say, Tetsu thought, a flicker of irritation.
Just shut up and fight.
Reiji, seemingly oblivious to Tetsu's internal monologue, then swam towards each of the holes that had emerged from the ship floor.
From each hole crawled one to three more Carcinovermis, their forms slimy and menacing.
Reiji moved like a dancer, effortlessly eliminating each one, using a stunning variation of slashes and precise barrier attacks, making quick work of the emerging threat.
After what felt like a long, grueling time, both of them had finished eliminating all the Carcinovermis.
They ascended, breaking the surface of the water, and found themselves back on the quiet, autumn beach, the cool air a stark contrast to the pressure of the deep.
Tetsu immediately started scrubbing his hands, trying to wash off the disgusting, yellow, gel-like fluid. It smelled terrible, a persistent ammonia stench, and despite his desperate scrubbing, the fluid stubbornly clung to his skin, resisting the water.
Ew. What the hell is this disgusting yellow thing? he thought, a fresh wave of nausea rising.
After a very long, arduous moment of frantic washing, the fluid finally came off, but the smell, a faint, lingering ammonia scent, remained, seemingly ingrained in his skin.
"Tetsu!"
Reiji called, now standing beside him, perfectly clean and composed. Reiji raised his hand, seemingly offering a high five.
Tetsu, instinctively raising his own hand, was about to high-five him, a small, genuine smile already forming.
"Your hand smells," Reiji said, a playful smirk on his face as he dramatically covered his nose with his free hand.
"Urgh, then forget it!"
Tetsu retorted, annoyed, his smile fading as he began to lower his hand.
"Just kidding!"
Reiji quickly interjected, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
He grabbed Tetsu's descending hand and completed the high five, a firm clap that momentarily stung.
Tetsu stared at his high-fived hand, the scent of ammonia still faint, but a small, genuine smile finally appeared on his face. It was a shared victory, a moment of camaraderie.
"Alright!"
Reiji declared, slinging an arm around Tetsu's shoulder.
"I'll keep my promise. Lunch is on me."
He began walking towards the distant restaurant streets that lined the beach area, their bright awnings and inviting aromas already wafting on the breeze.
"Wait for me!"
Tetsu called out, hurrying to follow him, a new bounce in his step.
Soon, they were seated at a restaurant table, nestled by a large window overlooking the ocean.
The dishes arrived, carried by a polite waiter.
Tetsu's eyes widened, then narrowed in immediate disgust.
The table was laden with platters of shrimp, crab, and lobsters. Reiji, oblivious, dug in with gusto, savoring a particularly succulent crab leg.
"Seafoods are definitely unmissable on a beachside travel," Reiji mumbled, his mouth full, a picture of pure contentment.
"The seafood here is high quality. Come on, Tetsu. They're really delicious. Don't be afraid and try some of them."
Tetsu, covering his mouth with a hand, felt an urgent urge to vomit.
The vivid memory of the disgusting yellow gel-like liquid, its ammonia stench, and the unsettling thought of eating anything that lived in the ocean, triggered his allergic nerves, sending shivers down his spine.
"Are you seriously asking me to eat seafood... after that?" he managed to ask, his voice strained, a hint of desperation in his eyes.
The scene fell silent, broken only by the contented sounds of Reiji happily enjoying his elaborate seafood lunch. Tetsu, cold sweating, tried to force a laugh that wouldn't come, his stomach churning at the sight of the shimmering crustaceans.