"When you're watching this video, it means I'm no longer in this world..." I hurriedly walked, looking around nervously.
"I don't have much time. So I'll keep it short. This video will serve as proof of my existence. If anyone is watching this video, then I must have left this world..."
No, never mind. There's only one thing I can say. I'm cherishing my life right now. Why is it that human life and existence are so easily fleeting and yet so beautiful? Damn it, I want to live!
Wiping my forehead, I purposely showed the horrific scene of the battlefield, with trees ripped apart by the beasts.
"I'm about to head to the place of death. It's a fate I can't avoid. It's the result of the cause and effect I've brought upon myself. If there's any fault, it's because of my own foolish actions. I'm going to settle this cause and effect. If there are any wise viewers watching this video, and if I'm gone missing, then I sincerely hope that you can solve this mystery."
"Cut!! Ok, we're done," I asked the cameraman to stop filming.
"What was that?" he asked.
"Please don't ask. I'm not even sure what I'm doing," I replied.
I tend to get confused and lose track of what I'm doing when I'm overwhelmed. I tend to have spontaneous quirks and actions, rather than impulsive acts.
After receiving a smartphone from Matsuri-senpai, I used an app to randomly edit the current video. "Let's start by making the whole screen sepia-toned, and add some sandstorms here and there. Hmm, let's add some stormy effects too."
I randomly cut and added fake effects to the video.
"Alright, I'm done editing. Send it! Send it! Send it!"
I pointed my phone towards the sky and sent the fake video to my party members.
.
.
.
Matsuri-senpai wrapped my jacket around her waist like a skirt and tied her tattered clothes together, hiding her chest. It looked like an extravagant outfit from a fashion show.
"Here, take this as a thank you," Matsuri-senpai said, putting something soft and warm into my hand, her colorful nails contrasting against my skin.
It was something made from the acid of the beast in my secret room, which had melted Matsuri-senpai clothes. It was partly my fault, too.
According to Matsuri-senpai, "Just tell Paisen what happened, and you'll probably be fine. Good job!" She gave me a thumbs up with her mysterious praise.
I had lent Matsuri-senpai my clothes, and in exchange, I received a mysterious item as a thank you.
"Just a moment," I said, trying to open my palm, but Matsuri-senpai stopped me.
"Hey, Amacchi! Help me with my job next time."
It seemed like she was going to make me do something. I had messed up. I told Matsuri-senpai that I was a student, and that "Amacchi" was what she should call me.
By the way, "Suguru" is my first name, but when I introduced myself, she laughed and said, "Suguru? What's that?! That's hilarious." I don't know what's so funny about it, but please apologize to all the Sugurus in the country.
"No thanks," I replied ambiguously.
"Please, I'll reward you," Matsuri-senpai pleaded.
"What kind of reward?" I asked.
"I'm leaving now, but think about it carefully. For now, take this," Matsuri-senpai pointed at my hand.
"What...what is this?" I asked.
"If you help me, I'll grant your wish. I'll release the collection," she said mischievously, sticking out her tongue and walking towards the dorm.
Oh no. What was I going to be forced to do? I didn't know why, but I had somehow become liked by one of the members of the student council.
Matsuri Mori was a skilled member of the council, but also a slacker. She was too lively for her own good.
As I watched her back, I decided to check what was in my hand.
"What is this?"
I was at a loss for words. I couldn't even manage to utter a single sound. I held my breath.
In my hand, I held something that I had just received as a token of gratitude, and I had to look at it twice due to its significance.
As I looked at it again, my hands began to shake, and my words caught in my throat. Finally, I swallowed my saliva and cleared my throat, which had become dry and scratchy.
Unfortunately, I was unable to locate the clairvoyant. However, since I had only gone to confirm their identity, it was not a big deal. Although it was disappointing not to have gained any new information, I had to accept it and move on.
What was more important was my failure to make it to the party on time. I knew I would be like a lonely sheep wandering around in the party, but I was able to introduce Chiaki to my party. That was something, at least. If I could show devotion to Maria, Komachi, and Chiaki, then my likability would improve, albeit slightly. I had no choice but to conduct a thorough investigation on "things that make women happy" and put it into practice.
As for progress, one of the Maniacs had already been conquered, and I had taken down the "Hyakume- Oni beast (Hundred-Eyed Demon)", a formidable opponent that could kill on the first encounter. Though some mysteries remained, I should be happy about having one less enemy to face.
Although there were still some mysteries left unsolved, I should be grateful that we had one less enemy to face.
And just now, I had achieved something tangible. My heart was full of joy. There was something like a fiery spirit inside me that had been rekindled.
Slowly, I parted my dry lips and spoke: "I have obtained a treasure. I must keep it safe in my wallet."
I had received a valuable item from Matsuri-senpai.
Gal's unwashed panties. The glossy leopard print material. The alluring treasure with a faint scent. Freshly harvested panties.
"Thank you very much!"
I bowed deeply and watched Matsuri-senpai's back as she left.
.
.
.
/third-person perspective/
Jude Elizer is a spy for the International Union Arcs Circle.
Arcs is a non-legal organization created by some, dedicated to protecting the world from the demons called Maniacs who seek to bring it to ruin.
Jude is one of the guardians of this world, dedicated to pursuing these Maniacs.
Shrouded in mystery, not much is known about Erode Eclipse. Even among members of the same spy organization as Jude, they don't share information about who belongs or how many members there are.
Jude's only knowledge of Erode Eclipse is that there are two other spies besides him who have infiltrated the school.
Jude has infiltrated the center of the world, Mahoro academy, to investigate the Maniacs.
Today, he witnesses a visible clue projected in the sky, a large-scale magic telescope that searches for something, according to Jude's research and investigations.
He cannot simply abandon his investigation as a mission, and he has a personal reason for not doing so. Jude cannot mistake the magic circle he saw on the battlefield when he was a child.
It was a tragedy that occurred during the Magnolia crisis, the fallen holy Magnolia kingdom. The miraculous tragedy was too well-orchestrated, and the Allied Forces' response to switch to annihilation was too quick.
The missing royal family and the incident surrounding various rumors and conspiracies. One of the confirmed magics at that time was the magic telescope, which Jude saw during the war.
He brings along his reliable and dependable junior, who is also a capable warrior, and assigns her to investigate the school along with other juniors.
Jude instructs them to contact him if they notice any suspicious individuals. He believes they are stronger than the elite knights who serve the nation, such as Ecchi Ochi and Mori Mahsuri, so there shouldn't be any issues unless there is something significant.
Ochi is a member of the HINOMOTO national army, born into a family of the ARKS Federation. Mori's appearance may not be impressive, but their skills are top-notch.
Jude is a kind-hearted person, but also possesses a rational ruthlessness when it comes to achieving his goals. He will not hesitate to put the lives of his juniors or subordinates at risk if it means achieving his mission and personal ambition, which is to defeat Maniacs.
Jude had his eye on the underground waterways of the school when he was investigating something that a clairvoyant was targeting, fully aware of the danger.
'Who might you be?'
Before him stood an eerie figure wearing a black hood and a jet-black mask. They carried short swords in both hands, and blood dripped from their tips. At the feet of the masked person lay the bodies of a man and a woman, both holding heavy firearms.
'Perhaps you were hunting down the remnants of the terrorists. Are you my ally or my enemy?'
(Jude thinks to himself, 'Is this a killer from the Rocksmiths...and who is this person?')
(Enemy or...?)
Jude infused magic into his ring and silently lowered the thread he had rigged into a ring-shaped reel.
Jude's weapon was a ring with a thread that he had embedded into each of his ten fingers.
Martial arts: a master of manipulating threads.
Jude infused the thread with magic and assumed a fighting stance.
As the masked figure turned around and its red and rainbow-colored eyes glimmered, a short sword it had been holding moments before suddenly approached Jude.
"Fefu!"
Jude snapped his fingers, and like a prey entangled in spider silk, he stopped the movement of the short sword and simultaneously released a thread-based slash at the masked figure.
"It seems like I've hit the mark."
Jude recognized that the person in front of him was an abnormal entity.
"Who are you?"
The masked figure sneered and clapped its hands loudly.
In a voice with noise in it, they spoke, "You seem to be targeting the Hyakume-Oni (Hundred-Eyed Demon) too. I am..."