In such circumstances, it seems prudent for me to make a calm and considered decision regarding which faction to align with. First to be dismissed is the so-called Guardian Faction, about which I've heard nothing. Joining them would likely be an exercise in futility.
Thus, the choice narrows down to the Student Council led by Tachibana Kanade, which, to my knowledge, boasts only Kanade herself as a notable member. Oh wait, I almost forgot, there's also a vice-president skilled in hypnosis, though his name escapes me. I've never been one to remember minor characters with great detail. Overall, the Student Council seems somewhat limited in scope and might even restrict my actions, leaving the Afterlife Warfront as the logical choice.
Alright, SSS, it's settled then. My familiarity with this faction, combined with the fact that a good eighty percent of its members are idiots - albeit passionate ones - suggests a pool of true talent.
Joining the SSS appears straightforward, as Hinata, the blue-haired youth, mentioned. The SSS is in dire need of fresh blood, and I believe that merely approaching them should suffice to ensure an easy mission completion.
Having rested until dawn in the classroom, it's time to set out. The students will soon begin their classes.
To briefly introduce this world, the Afterlife, as its name suggests, is inhabited solely by those who have died in the real world.
These inhabitants are aware of their past deaths and understand that this is not the world they once lived in. Generally, these individuals died with unfulfilled desires or regrets, and notably, only the young have found their way here, with no older individuals present.
From my perspective, the Afterlife serves as a place for those who did not accomplish their wishes in life to do so posthumously, allowing them to reincarnate without any lingering attachments, as seen in the anime's ending. However, with the world now altered, it's uncertain if events will unfold as I know them to.
Of course, not many from the real world end up here. Within this vast school, most teachers and students are NPCs, living according to the world's design, unaware of the Afterlife's secrets and devoid of true feelings, existing merely to facilitate the day-to-day operations of the Afterlife.
This setup bears a resemblance to an online game, with players and NPCs alike, though the battlefield is the school itself. It's not a place of slaughter, but it's certainly fraught with violence, stemming from a misunderstanding.
According to my memory, the SSS's headquarters is located in the school's principal's office. It seems Yui and her group ousted the principal and took over the room, hardly the behavior expected of students. Then again, the SSS members never really considered themselves as such.
"You're the one! Yes, you, who dared to refuse Yui and brought shame upon her!" While I was searching for the principal's office, a chilling voice suddenly called out from behind me.
"Refuse? Shame? What are you talking about?" I turned to see a young man standing not far behind me at the staircase corner, dressed in the same beige SSS uniform, with purple hair, tanned skin, and a fierce look on his face. In his hands, he wielded a long-handled battle axe, or more accurately, a halberd. I remembered him, although his name eluded me. Despite his forgettable name, his idiocy was unforgettable.
In the original storyline, he seemed to have a fondness for Yui, likely due to her charismatic leadership, which endeared her to the members of the warfront, allowing her to organize the Afterlife Warfront effectively.
"Still trying to deny it? If you're a man, then face up to it!" The young man shouted, dissatisfied, and without waiting for a response, swung his axe down towards me with all his might, a perfect embodiment of brawn over brains. Despite questioning his intelligence, his physical strength was undeniable, making the narrow corridor an inconvenient battlefield.
It's worth mentioning that in the Afterlife, magical elements are scarce, rendering my emblem techniques almost useless and giving me a sense of regression. However, the lack of magical elements doesn't mean I'm powerless. On the contrary, my strength has grown considerably.
Judging by his abilities, this purple-haired youth could at best match an S-rank Arms Detective, making defeating him a relatively simple task. Since he was so blatantly challenging me, it would be remiss not to respond accordingly.
"I've already told you, you're mistaken. If you proceed, I won't hold back." I dodged his initial axe swing with ease, delivering my final warning.
"Words are useless! Meet your end!" Ignoring my words, he swung his axe horizontally towards me, determined to teach me a lesson. Well, if he insists on learning the hard way, I'm happy to oblige.
Without resorting to any weapons, I ducked under his sweeping axe. The youth's inability to halt his momentum led to a loud crash as his axe embedded in the wall, creating a sizable hole.
Seizing the moment, I closed the distance between us. Without holding back, I landed a powerful punch on his face, sending him flying. Flying? How could he possibly be airborne? Before he could grasp what was happening, he crashed into the wall at the corridor's turn, a painful reminder that human strength can indeed be overwhelming.