A dazzling, extravagant spectacle, yet far from glamorous for ordinary eyes. Hundreds of light trails glimmered in the sky, black bullets piercing metal in the dark. Both beautiful yet deadly, embodying violence.
A Kurumi clone destroyed a wizard's unit—then a missile struck, scattering her shadow. But the clones didn't flinch. They laughed at their own deaths, proud to serve as Kurumi's fleeting lives. Shidou understood this, and it pierced his heart. To him, each was Tokisaki Kurumi.
"…" Shidou faltered.
"Let's go, Shidou," Kurumi urged.
She knew his gentle heart loathed this carnage. She didn't want him to witness this brutal battlefield, knowing he'd mourn each clone's death, fleeting or not. Surveying the chaos, Kurumi pointed the way. Shidou closed his eyes, steeling himself, and nodded firmly.
"Yeah!" he declared.
He'd chosen to rely on her power, accepting its cost. To honor the clones' sacrifices, he'd save Tohka.
"We'll rush the target now, a bit roughly. Forgive me," Kurumi said.
"Getting used to this. Sorry, but I'm counting on you," Shidou replied.
"For you, gladly. Zafkiel—Bullet One: Aleph!"
A bullet pierced her head, and they streaked through the battlefield, Kurumi's speed weaving past danger. Despite his bravado, Shidou's breath caught as explosions grazed them. Enduring intense G-forces, Kurumi slowed, setting him down safely, though his head spun.
"You okay, Shidou? No injuries?" she asked.
"Yeah, fine. Let's go—" Shidou froze, sensing something closing in on her.
"Danger!" he shouted, instinctively pulling her arm, shielding her as they fell. Pain seared his back against the ground, but he heard clashing metal and light.
"Takamiya—Mana," Kurumi said, her voice oddly different.
"!!" Shidou gasped.
Before him stood Mana, his self-proclaimed sister, in an unfamiliar unit, clashing blades with the white-haired girl. Mana's relief at seeing Shidou vanished as she glared at Kurumi with murderous intent.
"Wait, brother! I'll shred that vile woman clinging to you!" Mana declared.
"What?! No, it's not like that!" Shidou protested.
"I get it. You and Kotori were seduced by Nightmare. I'll wake you up!" Mana insisted.
"Why bring up Kotori?! Listen to me! Kurumi, say something!" Shidou pleaded.
"I can't deny seducing you. Well done, Mana," Kurumi said, nodding.
"Don't make it worse!" Shidou snapped, exasperated, still entangled with her, deepening the misunderstanding.
Mana's glare sharpened, taking Kurumi's words as mockery. Shidou, sweating, raised his voice. "Mana, I'm glad you're safe, but lower your sword! There's a reason for this. You're with DEM to capture me, right—"
"No, I quit DEM. I'm with Ratatosk now," Mana interrupted.
"What?!" Shidou's mind reeled. Why had Mana left DEM? Why was she with Ratatosk? That explained Kotori's name, but not the "seduced" claim.
He wanted to sort it out, but time was short, and the tense standoff made talk unlikely.
"This is pointless," the white-haired girl said, her voice chilling Shidou. Not her usual playful or loyal tone—a new, cold presence. Her killing intent, aimed at Mana, made Shidou tremble.
"I'll handle her. Go ahead," she said.
"Wait! Mana's not—" Shidou began.
"No. She's my enemy," the girl declared, her voice icy, marking Mana as a target to eliminate.
Mana shifted, ready for battle, as their mutual hostility thickened the air. Shidou couldn't intervene. A clash was seconds away.
"Enough," Kurumi said, firing a shot skyward.
"Kurumi…" Shidou exhaled, relieved as the girl's killing intent vanished. Kurumi trusted she could stop her.
"We're not here to fight Mana. This is nonsense. Sheathe your blade," Kurumi ordered.
"If my queen decrees it," the girl complied, turning from Mana to stand by Kurumi.
"Hmph, running away? Not like you, Nightmare," Mana taunted, still on guard.
"Mana…" Shidou sighed.
Kurumi, unfazed, brushed her hair. "Wasting time is what I hate most. Facing someone like Mana, who knows my tricks, is troublesome. That's all. What's that look?"
Mana's disbelief was palpable, as if Kurumi's restraint was unnatural. "Did you eat something weird? Nightmare flattering me? Creepy."
"Want me to send you to heaven now?" Kurumi said, smiling with a twitching brow.
"Kurumi, stop!" Shidou intervened, desperate to prevent a fight.
Sighing, Kurumi lowered her gun. Acting unlike herself, she understood Mana's unease. Once, she'd have traded barbs, but now she was less worn down.
"Shidou, we split here. Mana's not the cooperative type, but her strength is enough," Kurumi said.
"But—" Shidou hesitated.
"I'll keep distracting outside. And…" Kurumi paused, meeting his gaze. "Don't be reckless while I'm gone. If you care for me, promise me that."
"Uh…" Shidou faltered.
"You'll be reckless anyway, but… farewell," Kurumi said, smiling faintly before vanishing into the night, her words' meaning hers alone.
"Are you sure, leaving him with Mana?" the white-haired girl asked.
"No issue. Mana's skill can handle most foes," Kurumi replied.
Mana's prowess didn't guarantee Shidou's restraint, but Kurumi had her own tasks piling up.
"I've wondered… do you like her?" the girl teased.
"Jealous? Rare for you. I'm flattered," Kurumi quipped.
"Joking," the girl said, sighing wryly.
She saw Mana as an enemy for crossing a line, not out of personal hatred. Her feelings were complex but didn't deny Mana's character. Kurumi's interactions with Mana, despite their kill-or-be-killed dynamic, hinted at more than hostility.
"No big reason. Mana's way of living just… shines a bit," Kurumi admitted.
As a girl, not a Spirit, Mana's life dazzled her—a dream too late for Kurumi to claim, too absurd for the worst Spirit. She couldn't hate Mana.
Takamiya Mana. Takamiya. Like that woman. A recurring puzzle in Kurumi's mind. Mana, Shidou's supposed sister, tied to Phantom, who granted Spirit crystals. Too perfect for coincidence. Shidou himself was a mystery, with missing pieces. Kurumi's mind spun theories but always stopped—refused to go further. Fear? What could Tokisaki Kurumi fear?
"Kurumi," the girl called, snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Nothing. Overthinking," Kurumi said, brushing it off. "Stay with my clones. I have other business."
"Other business?" the girl asked.
"A captive Spirit," Kurumi said.
This chaos was perfect for seeking the second Spirit, linked to the Origin Spirit aside from the white-haired girl. A rare chance.
"Got it. Be careful," the girl said.
"Don't expect much. Even if I don't find her, you're here," Kurumi replied.
"I'm not denying it, but don't rely on me too much," the girl said.
Finding the second Spirit was key to Kurumi's resolve, but not urgent. She had the knowledgeable white-haired girl, needed Shidou's power ultimately, and sensed the Spirit would appear—before the boy who saved Spirits.
"What kind of deal did you make with that deceitful woman?!" Mana demanded.
"I hear you, I hear you. A lot's happened…" Shidou said, scratching his hair, dodging her intensity.
"I need details! Did Nightmare charm you?!" Mana pressed.
"No! Well… not exactly?" Shidou admitted, her words hitting too close.
"What does that mean?!" Mana snapped, eyes wide.
She frowned, clutching her earpiece, then offered Shidou something from her pouch—an earpiece.
"Here, brother."
"An earpiece?" Shidou asked.
"Yes. The line's open," Mana said.
Shidou equipped it, hearing Kotori's voice. "Shidou, can you hear me?"
"Kotori! You're safe!" Shidou sighed, relieved after Miku's performance cut contact.
"Barely. Miku's voice could've been bad, but someone's amulet saved me. Should I thank them?"
"Uh… well…" Shidou stammered, unsure how to explain the amulet's origin.
"Kidding. I know you were worried, and that's real."
"Really glad you're okay," Shidou said.
"Enough. What happened after?" Kotori asked, flustered.
Shidou summarized: Ellen kidnapped Tohka, Kurumi's help located her in DEM's facility.
Kotori paused, then spoke gravely. "No. Too dangerous. I can't approve—"
"I'm going anyway," Shidou cut in.
"Don't be stupid! You know DEM's dangerous!"
"I can't leave Tohka with them!" Shidou retorted.
"I'm not saying abandon her! Think of your life!"
"I am! And I'll bring Tohka back!" Shidou vowed.
"You idiot brother! Listen, we need proper prep—"
"No time! Kurumi's clones are holding off the wizards!" Shidou said.
The clones were sacrificing themselves to clear his path. He couldn't waste their efforts.
"This is our only shot. Please, Kotori!" Shidou pleaded.
"Ugh, you stubborn idiots!" A loud thud echoed—Kotori slamming her chair. She understood his resolve but wouldn't budge easily.
"Why am I surrounded by selfish, stubborn brats?"
"Sorry. I'm starting to get it," Shidou said.
"Not just you. Inside the building, arbitrary fields block comms. We can only support externally."
"That's enough. Thanks, Kotori," Shidou said.
"You won't listen, I know. Do it right—no half-measures. Everyone comes back safe. No exceptions, no failures."
"Got it," Shidou affirmed.
Success was their rule.
"Let's start our…"
"Yeah, our…"
No need to ask what. The most intense, relentless—
"War date."
"War date," Shidou echoed.
"Why didn't you tell Mana about Kurumi?" Shidou asked.
"I did! Explained it as best I could, despite someone's mess!"
"Sorry!" Shidou apologized.
📖 Enjoying the story? By joining my Patreon, you'll gain early access to new chapters and exclusive content available only to supporters.
🌐 Find me here: pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ
I, Tomoya Aki, Will Not Be a Simp (45 Chapter)
Genshin Impact: Summoning Furina and the Genshin Gang to Reality (33 Chapter)
Honkai Impact 3rd: Stranded in Another World, Surrounded by Valkyries (33 Chapter)
Demon Slayer: I Refused the Path of Betrayal and Chose to Rewrite Fate (66 Chapter)
I Only Wanted to Fix Machines, Not Help Conan Solve Murders (63 Chapter)
One Piece: I Brought Piltover's Tech to the Pirate Era (75 Chapter)
From Diablo to Marvel: The Barbarian Who Crushes All Heroes (96 Chapter)
Resident Evil: Ethan's Epilogue Is a Road Trip With a Dead Girl (65 Chapter)
Date A Live: Kurumi Rebuild (65 Chapter)
Harry Potter: The Lion of the Serpent House (76 Chapter)
I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! (145 Chapter)
The Irregular at Magic High School: Everyone Loves My Brother?! (130 Chapter)
Runeterra: Prince of Demacia (17 Chapter)
Love is War: What If Kaguya Ha (10 Chapter)
Blue Archive: One Last Memory (36 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.