Shikōki Island—-
Rika sat on a bench, nervously twiddling her thumbs, when suddenly, Omario dropped from the sky, landing in front of her.
"Girl."
Rika's eyes lit up, and she immediately went to hug him. "Sir! You came!"
Omariro remained still as she hugged him, and once she stepped back, he examined her. "Girl sad. Why?"
Rika began to tear up before wiping her eyes. "Well, we've been practicing hard, but we're still doing bad as a team without you! There was this race, and I tried to tell everyone to be careful, but they didn't listen to me...people never listen to me..."
"Girl insecure about role."
"Yeah, basically that. It's just...would you prefer we did things carefully and sharp, or would you prefer we try to win at any cost?"
Omariro tapped his staff on the ground. "Children must find mix. Sharp but weak brings hesitation. Bravery but foolishness brings danger. Be sharp, and be brave."
Rika nodded. "I will, sir. Could you...maybe stay for the rest of our training? I don't think we're ready to be alone yet."
"Come. Let us find others."
Rika sighed a sigh of relief. "Phew, thank you sir."
Just as they prepared to walk, Nonoka pushed through a group of islanders. "Move. Out of my way. Hey, have you seen an old master around here?"
She stopped once she noticed Omariro. "Oh, there you are, Mister! So, do I get to train here too, or?"
Rika's eyes immediately widened. "Uh, sir, what is SHE doing here?"
"Girl new student."
"Wait...WHAT?"
Nonoka sized up Rika. "Oh. The timid girl. Sir, do we really have to keep her around? All she does is whine and complain."
"Hey, excuse YOU, bitch!"
"What'd you just call me?"
Omariro began walking off. "Time to walk. Girls fight later."
Rika pointed a finger at her. "You're lucky my master is more important than you, you...bully!"
"Um, he's MY master now."
"No, he's not!"
Both of them realized Omariro was down the street, and they both raced up to catch him. Omariro continued walking the streets, where he found Rei and Sōshin petting a strange dog-like creature in the middle of the street.
"What's this, Sōshin?" Rei asked.
"It's our native creature! A Shikōki Wolf! They can use Jugen!"
"Whoa, really? You gotta show me that!"
"Sure—-!"
Omario stopped in front of them. "Children."
They both immediately stopped what they were doing and turned toward him.
"Mr. Omariro!" Rei gasped.
"Friend!" Sōshin greeted.
Omariro noticed Sōshin, pointing his staff at him. "Boy human."
Sōshin nodded. "Yep! My sister brought me back! Can I join your group, Friend Omariro? I love all the friends inside of it!"
Rika put her hands on Sōshin's shoulders. "Yeah, sir, he's got loads of potential! Can he join? Pretty please?"
"Boy must prove himself."
"How do I do that?" Sōshin asked. "What's the task, Friend Omariro?"
"Proving worth. Where are rest of children?"
"Probably being reckless and stupid as usual," Rika growled.
Nonoka looked at her. "Uh-oh...is your little group having a hard time getting along?"
"Would you SHUT UP?"
Rei tilted her head. "Why is this girl here?"
"That's what I'm saying!" Rika agreed.
Sōshin approached Nonoka. "Are you new friend?"
Nonoka immediately made an X with her arms. "No, no, no, I'm not friends with you dweebs. I'm only here because your master is cool, not you guys."
Rika's face turned red, but Omariro continued walking. "Team must gel. Every child."
He pointed his stick at Nonoka. "Including girl."
"R—right, sir."
"Do you have any idea where the others are, Mr. Omariro?" Rei asked.
"Nearby. Emotions high."
"Pff, they shouldn't be emotional," Rika muttered. "They're the reason we lost."
Soren, walking around with a couple of guards, noticed Omariro and the others. "Ahh, if it isn't my old friend, Omariro Nyugawa!"
"Tall man," Omariro noted.
"Please, you remember my name. Stop with this gimmick."
"What does man want?" Omariro asked.
"Your students have been invited to dinner tonight. As their leader, since you're already here, how about you join them?"
"Dinner irrelevant."
"Well, you don't have to eat. Just to be there for your students, no?"
"Hmm. Idea not bad."
Soren shifted his eyes to Nonoka. "Who on earth is this?"
"Uh, Nonoka Sunahara," Nonoka scoffed. "What, you been living under a rock?"
"The daughter of the Stone Kaidanchō? Omariro, tsk, your influence knows no bounds! Now why is she on my island?"
"Girl asked."
Soren turned to address her. "What, are you here to train?"
"Pff, I don't need your silly training. I'm already near the top of my game."
"Let's see, then. Jugen-Kōbisha: Hyōteki Sōsa."
A UI appeared over Nonoka's head, catching her off guard.
〈*Nonoka Sunahara.* Level: 49,000.〉
The other kids gasped.
"She's...she's higher than Rei!" Rika pointed out.
Rei clapped. "Impressive! I'm sure she'll make a great addition!"
Nonoka brushed the hair out of her face. "Does that make the gap clearer, rookies?"
"Ah, you must have all your skills unlocked," Soren mused. "But you still have much to learn. I suggest you join in the training, unless you're scared of failing in front of your new master."
Nonoka immediately folded her arms. "Scared? Boy, you don't know me."
She shot him a glance. "Fine. I'll do your stupid training. But I'm not working with these brats, nor am I doing this for your benefit."
"On the contrary. The next exercise is a team exercise. Meaning you'll work as a unit."
He gave Omariro a pat on the shoulder. "See you at dinner old friend. Which should be in..."
He looked at his watch. "Thirty minutes."
Soren and his guards left, and he waved. "Take care, son."
"Bye, Dad!"
Rika shook her head. "Zaria and Han are NOT gonna like this..."
"No," Omario confirmed. "Children will not."
Meanwhile—-
Zaria was busy practicing her spear thrusts in an alleyway, stabbing into the side of a wall.
"Hah! Impale! Destroy!"
After kicking the spear into the wall and denting it, she paused to take a break, hands on her knees.
"Not like Mr. Nyugawa?" Zaria thought. "What does she know? She's the one always in her feelings, not me!"
Zaria did a spin kick on the wall, denting it further. "This group's got hella problems I'm left to manage."
She kicked the wall again and again.
"I'll do anything for Mr. Nyugawa, but babysitting a group of moody teens isn't my forte. Rika, with her melodrama all the time, Han, acting like a cold jerk, and Rei, who's so airheaded you could hear the wind in her skull."
She did a cartwheel kick, caving in a large section of the wall.
"Maybe if it were just me, Mr. Nyugawa wouldn't be burdened by all of us dragging him down. I'm the only one who listens to him! I'm the only one who worships him!"
With a powerful stab of her spear, she tore a hole in the wall. After wiping the sweat from her forehead, she could hear a clapping sound nearby.
"Nice fire you got! I'd hate to be your boyfriend. Or girl, if you're into that."
Zaria straightened up, and she noticed a white-haired young man standing next to her. "The hell? Who are you and what do you want?"
"Name's Shion. Shion Arakane."
"Why are you bothering me? I'm venting, go away."
"You're a student of Omariro Nyugawa, right?"
"Yeah...? How do you know that?"
"He's the most famous person on the planet. Why wouldn't I? Heck, I studied under him too!"
"You did?"
"Yeah. Back when he was really kicking ass. Even now, he's still holing much back from you. How badly do you wanna please him?"
"With every fiber of my being," Zaria admitted. "My mother admired him, my sister admired him, and he's saved my life in more ways than one."
"I see. I could help you with that, but it'll come at a price."
"Price?"
"Power isn't free, girl. Never think it is."
He held out his hand, which glowed with dark energy. "Now, do you accept my offer, or not?"
Zaria took a deep breath, thinking for a moment. "Yes. Whatever makes me more useful to my mentor."
Shion smirked. "Good. I'll teach you that loadout trick these lames brag about but never actually understand."
"It won't make me crazy, right?" Zaria worried. "I don't wanna attack Mr. Nyugawa..."
"Nah. Not at all. It'll draw what strength is already in you. Only cost you gotta pay is you have to eat and sleep a ton, otherwise you risk going into a coma."
"What?"
He chuckled. "Eh. There's other side effects too, but I'm not gonna tell you that."
"Then why should I trust you, you backstabber!"
"Because you want your master's recognition more than you fear the consequences, that's why. A big jump in power, for a few tiny risks, am I right?"
"They aren't tiny...what if I'm mid-dungeon raid?"
"Then make sure you're prepared."
Zaria paced back and forth for a while. "Fine. What do I have to do?"
Shion chuckled. "Just hold still."
He placed an arm on her forehead. "Jugen-Daraku: Monsutā no Kakusei."
〈Loadout *Granted.* Changing Loadout to Yami Gorikenjo.〉
"Jugen Daraku? Get away from me!"
Zaria pushed him away, but he stepped back, laughing. "The damage is already done. Be proud, you'll be a useful asset for your master! Now, I can't exactly attack him with all the island defenses, but I'll make sure we have a proper duel soon."
"Come anywhere close to him and I'll kill you, I swear—-!"
"No, you won't. Because you can't deal any damage to the Abyss with that loadout. Only humans and the Endless."
A portal opened behind him. "Goodbye for now, Zaria."
He disappeared, leaving Zaria alone.
"I've been tricked, damn it!"
She stomped her foot on the ground, but to her shock, a powerful shockwave rippled through the area, shaking buildings.
"Whoa. I feel...different..."
As she stepped out into the street, she saw Han walking up to her. "Han? What are you doing here?"
"I heard a noise, so I thought one of you idiots blew something up."
"Well, your concern ain't needed, pal."
"Whatever."
Zaria suddenly turned her voice to a whisper. "Han, listen. I think I've been possessed, or tampered with, or some Abyss crap."
Han's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"Some dude, calls himself Shion. He granted me a loadout, and said it'll have consequences."
Han quickly grabbed her. "What consequences? What did he tell you? Why'd you accept?"
"Look, I just wanted to get stronger, that's all!"
Han calmed himself down. "Look. I think playing with those powers is a bad idea."
Zaria gave him a suspicious look. "And you know this...how?"
"I've sort of had an encounter with someone tied to them."
"You WHAT?"
"That's not important! Anyway, what powers did he give you?"
"I haven't really checked..."
"Do you hear any voices? Do you feel a foreign presence in your mind?"
"No."
Han relaxed. "Good. Try using your spear."
Zaria threw out her arm. "Jugen-Tōshi: Cursed Spear!"
〈*1st* Loadout Skill Unlocked: Yami Gorikenjo—Sōjinzan.〉
〈*2nd* Loadout Skill Unlocked: Yami Gorikenjo—-Gōgai no Haihīru.〉
〈*3rd* Skill: ???〉
Both Han and Zaria stared, dumbfounded.
"Those look powerful!" Zaria gasped.
"And dangerous," Han informed her. "Look, I'm not one to baby people but I really think you should only use those if absolutely necessary. For all we know, that guy could have rigged the entire thing."
"Fine. But I'm still telling Mr. Nyugawa."
Han looked up at the sky. "You can, but I don't know how he'll take this..."
"He's our master, Han. We tell him everything."
Han looked at his hands. "Right. Right, everything."
Meanwhile, elsewhere—-
Shion dropped out of a portal, landing in a dark wasteland. In front of him was a shadowy female figure, sitting on a pile of junk with her legs crossed.
"Hey, there's my favorite Nurse!"
The Nurse stared at him with a dismissive glare. "What do you want, Shion?"
"I've gotten the Abyss's influence in one of the girls. Now, we just need to target the other, and we can free you from this prison. How's the boy doing?"
"Resistant as ever," the Nurse scoffed. "I offer him power, a chance to be free of his Master, and he refuses."
"Well don't worry," Shion assured. "When the time is nigh, I'll stop our 'Master' myself."
"And how do you plan to do that?"
Shion's body shifted into a dark, armored form, with purple claws stretching out. His voice came out deep, garbled.
"You'll see. Don't forget, I am the Herald of Ruin."
He sliced a falling pile of debris into pieces.
"And ruin shall come."
——-