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Chapter 132. No Way to Win
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"We... we got him!"
"We finally took down Kars!!"
Although, in the real world, most people wouldn't feel excited about this scene since they had read the script in advance, within the script's world, where Sakata Gintoki and the others had their memories erased, their characters didn't know the plot.
They were genuinely thrilled that they had finally managed to push Kars, the ultimate life form, into the magma. Kars was now tasting the scorching heat of magma, which could reach temperatures as high as a thousand degrees Celsius! It wasn't just some ordinary crab-like shell created by a perfect life form; even stone would melt in such heat!
So, Kars couldn't possibly resist being devoured by the magma, and they were elated!
If only time could stop at this moment.
Because soon after, "it" appeared...
A flash of a blade!
An invisible and swift flash of a blade!
It appeared out of nowhere, slashing upward!
In an instant—really, just in the blink of an eye—Joseph's left hand was severed from his body and fell to the ground!?
That was the Light Mode: Light Blades!
That was... Kars!
Kars had survived in the magma by creating a shell made of bubbles. The bubbles' internal air kept the magma's heat at bay, and he constantly generated new, evil bubbles to replace the outermost ones that were being burned away. That's how he managed to survive for several minutes in the magma!!
…
The atmosphere was a bit heavy.
Since the filming began, Jolyne Cujoh had just been acting as a mascot, watching as Akiyuki Shinbo and the others worked with a bunch of equipment.
She didn't really understand what those instruments were for.
But just by watching the footage from the script's world, seeing how Sakata Gintoki and the others were giving up in the face of Kars' overwhelming power...
Jolyne, who had read the script, knew things were about to get bad.
Or rather, they had all, including Pucci, severely underestimated the despair that Kars would bring!?
It's understandable, though.
Just as "Dragon Ball" fans wouldn't think much of Frieza's 530,000 power level once they knew about Super Saiyans, Pucci had first encountered Kars as the "outdated" ultimate life form after learning about all the future Stand powers through online spoilers.
Naturally, Pucci could never truly comprehend the sheer disbelief when, before the concept of Stands was introduced, the only thing that could harm vampires and Pillar Men—Ripple—was completely negated by the ultimate life form.
It was like using cold weapons to engage in horseback combat in Earth Online, only for a few nuclear bombs to suddenly appear in the sky... and then everything was over.
In the light of the nuclear explosions, a country would be instantly wiped out by another without even seeing their enemies!
This kind of absolute disparity, where only the opponent could attack you while nothing you did would matter, was an overwhelming crush beyond anything seen before.
Of course Joseph would feel like giving up when facing such a Kars.
Even those outside the script's world...
How could they endure such pressure?
But this was exactly what Jolyne wanted!
"President Cujoh, should we..."
"Don't pause it!"
Jolyne, who was secretly overjoyed, pretended to be serious and said, "Can't you see? Joseph, Sakata Gintoki hasn't given up yet!"
Of course, Jolyne couldn't actually tell if Sakata Gintoki had given up or not.
But she knew the situation was very bad!
Having finally seized the rights of directorship, how could she let Akiyuki Shinbo ruin what she saw as the perfect ending?
—Sorry, Shinbo, and everyone else.
—These are necessary sacrifices!
—After all, once the director's name changes to mine, the industry will only think it was my poor direction that led to the failure of "Battle Tendency."
—You can completely escape this black mark and move on to work at other respectable studios, showcasing your talents.
Apologizing inwardly, Jolyne resolutely said, "Until the script ends, how could we, as the filmmakers, give up first!?"
…
Should I give up?
Just give up.
Once you give up, it will all be over.
Staring at Kars' figure, which was more beautiful and sacred than any statue, than anything else, Joseph felt oddly grateful that Kars had cut off his arm.
It was the constant pain from his arm that slightly suppressed his fear of Kars, allowing him to think.
But sometimes, thinking only makes the despair worse.
Like a frog being swallowed alive by a snake, Joseph now felt as though he was slowly awaiting death.
Helplessly awaiting death.
Because there's simply no way to win...
Humans can't possibly defeat monsters...
So just give up.
You've already tried your best.
Facing a monster that even the Earth couldn't defeat, it's perfectly normal not to be able to overcome him, right?
Now, you just need to calmly accept death...
—Don't lose, XX.
?
Was there really a sound just now?
Despite the pain in his blurry eyes, Joseph forced them open, only to see Kars' hideous face.
And...
"To push a Ripple warrior like you into the abyss of death... of course, Ripple is the most fitting method!!"
See? That smug look when he thinks he's got the upper hand.
I should've just let myself die in the duel with Wamuu.
And Ripple...
—Take this, JOJO! My final Ripple!!
?!
So the flashback before death is real after all.
And this flashback...
—Can you do it?
...is filled with incomprehensible nonsense.
—So what's your answer?
I told you, it's nonsense, didn't I?
Isn't it obvious?! The answer is...