Sparks scattered as the black bayonet clashed with the black greatsword.
I could read the fake Fate's strange movement. But the opposite was also true.
『You'll die if you don't master me quickly.』
[…..]
Envy's provocation didn't bother me either.
I wonder… Why am I looking forward to fighting this fake Fate? Is it the feeling of finally having found an opponent I really need to fight?
I think that the fake Fate feels the same.
Under that face full of hatred, was a slight smile.
With each blow exchanged, it became more obvious that it enjoyed fighting me. Anyway, its blows were actually quite heavy.
The spiritual world did more than just reflect the real-world power of level, status, and skills. What Greed and Luna taught me… there was no physical body, only the strength of the heart that dwelled here–a world where the heart was tested.
In the real world, it was easy to misunderstand because there was a physical body. It meant that level, status, and skills actually resided in the mind, not the body.
Greed and Luna were trying to train my mind in the spiritual world in order to gain more endurance against eating skills. I don't know how much I've met that expectation, but… just for this guy… I can't afford to lose to this fake Fate.
I pushed back the black greatsword and pointed the muzzle of black bayonet at the fake Fate.
『This is…..what is going on!?』
Envy yelled in surprise, but there's no time to explain. The black bayonet had already started to change shape.
To me, the more support oriented black bayonet did not suit my fighting style. I can't fight to my maximum capacity with it.
But this was my spiritual world. I can do something like this.
[The shape I prefer…]
『Impossible. Unlike Greed, I shouldn't have this kind of ability…..』
[Change.]
I have no need for a support weapon. My preference was a total offensive weapon.
The black bayonet Envy shapeshifted into a more edgy and warlike form.
The muzzle became larger because I needed more shooting power. The bayonet blade turned longer and sharper to increase the cutting power.
Now it's large enough to hold with both hands. About the same size as the fake Fate's greatsword.
Its weight had also increased. With this, I won't be defeated so easily.
[What's wrong? Are you surprised by this?]
『Someone like you actually…..is this the power of Gluttony…..no, this cannot be just Gluttony's power…..』
[It's coming.]
『Well, who cares. I'll put up with it for now.』
It seemed that even Envy didn't clearly know about its new power. However, I understand the specifications of this weapon completely. Is it because I made this form? Or maybe there was another reason?
Envy didn't particularly care, and it's better to think about it after defeating the fake Fate that is approaching in front of me. Now I better concentrate on the fight.
I directed the muzzle at the incoming fake Fate, and muttered the word that crossed my mind.
[Catastrophe Rain.]
Each part of the black bayonet begins to emit light. I could feel a huge amount of energy build up inside it.
The charge was completed in an instant. I pulled the trigger in no time.
A large amount of blood red colored shots were fired. It was a myriad, almost like rain.
Normally the black bayonet can only shoot one bullet at a time. But this time, it's shooting countless bullets in a cone shaped area. Giving fake Fate no time to dodge.
Its face was distorted. In other words, I made the right call.
[You faker!]
It still managed to react even in that state and tried to surpass the Catastrophe Rain by using its black greatsword as a shield.
[GUAAAAaaaa.]
But in the end, it was nothing but a makeshift shield used in an emergency. No matter how wide the greatsword is, it's not a shield. Not enough to guard against all my bullets.
The unguarded shining red bullets pierced the fake Fate… in its shoulders, arms, and legs.
Every time I dealt any form of damage, I could feel my strength increasing. So that's how it gained power by forcing me into only defending. A slight miscalculation on my part.
[I'll devour all your power.]
[Impossible…why… even though you're the fake]
You're too noisy, this fake Fate.
[You are the fake one!]
Shaking the black bayonet to apply centrifugal force, I struck at the fake Fate. The black sword was raised to meet my attack, causing a high-pitched metallic sound. This time I managed to overpower the fake Fate.
[I am the real one. Go back to sleep in the Gluttony skill.]
And I slashed again in a row.
The fake Fate attempted to dodge that by stepping back,
[GUAAAAaaa.]
My attack still hit it either way. It seemed to be only one swing
But numerous gashes appeared on the fake Fate's body.
Even it seemingly couldn't figure out what actually happened. Until recently, we were equally matched and were able to read each other's movements.
But once I changed Envy's form, that scale had seemingly tipped over to my side. I think I understand why.
I gain power by dealing damage to the fake Fate.
[Still… not enough power. Still… not enough time. Even though it's a little more…]
The fake Fate, sensing that it's in disadvantage, attempted to flee by turning into a black lump and seeped into the white floor.
But I wouldn't have any of that.
[What!?]
The white floor under my feet began to sway. I thought it was the fake Fate's attack, so I stopped the attack and made some distance.
Not just below. This pure white space itself was shaking.
The black stain disappeared leaving a few words behind for me, who was tired of fighting.
[The door has been opened… the time has come. Next time I'll…Kill…You.]
Kuh! Did it manage to escape?
Even after the fake Fate disappeared, the shaking would not stop. It didn't seem to be the cause.
And, didn't it mention that the door has been opened… no way!?
[Envy, what is going on with the world outside?]
『As you've guessed, the situation had spiraled down after you defeated Gemini.』
[Why didn't you tell me!?]
『If I did, and you became upset, would you still be able to fight properly?』
There was no rumbling sound. This was the spiritual world. If I was upset, I wouldn't have won against the fake Fate.
『The Imperial City has begun to operate in earnest. It has regained its original function. Machine angels and defense systems are just the beginning.』
[Is everyone safe?]
『You should know better about your friends. In fact, we are in a deeper trouble here.』
The pure white space was distorted and was on the verge of collapse. The world left by Luna to protect me from the Gluttony skill was about to disappear.
『Now it's the best time to get out from here. 』
[But how do we get out?]
『How would I know? I thought you'd know how… but I guess I was wrong to expect anything out of you.』
The white floor shattered in places, shaving available footholds. I moved to the scaffolding that looks like a stepping stone one after another to earn time.
[Usually, I would be out automatically.]
『The black world is flowing in… It's just a slump in the dark clouds.』
[Guess there's no choice but to proceed.]
I held my breath. Instinct told me that I don't want to fall into that dark abyss below.
Seeing me like that, Envy laughed.
『Are you actually scared? What a surprise!』
[It's only natural!]
『The abyss within the Gluttony skill…..even having lived for so long, it's the first time for me to see it with my own eyes.』
[Sorry, we may not be able to get out of here]
『I am nothing but a weapon. In the end, it's all up to you. You'll have to brave the unknown yourself if you want to get out. I am merely a bystander.』
[….bystander]
Those words brought me a sense of loneliness. It wasn't the first time I heard something similar.
Before he squeezed the last of his own power out and disappeared—-Greed also said something similar.
Even with their tremendous power, there are things that mortal sin weapons couldn't achieve on their own. But what if they met an unfortunate end before they could achieve what they set out to do?
Maybe, just maybe… they'd end up in a similar world as what I'm about to jump into?
『Still scared?』
[Aren't you?]
『I feel no such thing. Even if the world where the dead are struggling spreads below me. It's not a big deal, the location is different.』
[….let's return to where Eris is waiting for us.]
『If you can actually pull that off, I'll tip my hat off for you.』
When Envy finished saying that, the last remaining scaffold shattered.