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[???:Hello there]
[Akira:hmmmmm? who.. is that??]
Akira said that as he began to turn his gaze back towards the tori gate as he felt suddenly intercepted by someone from that direction.
Tap-Tap
[???:My bad, did I just scare you sir?]
A man who was marginally taller than Akira emerged from the shadows, clad in armor reminiscent of a mediaeval knight.
This dubious-looking man has arm-length blonde hair that is nearly hidden by his battle armor's helmet and dark bags under his eyes.
[Akira:A cosplayer? at such a late hour?]
Tap-Tap
Akira said that while giving a strange look to the strange man, who at the time was also silent, and continued to walk slowly towards him.
Tap-Tap
[Akira:Stop right there!]
[???:"....."]
Sensing something strange about this person, Akira began to stop this person from advancing towards him, he did this because the moment he looked at him closely from the beginning... he could feel an unpleasant aura coming from him as if this person was up to something bad for him, even though this is just an assumption....
[Akira: Brat, why are you here at this late hour of the night? the cosplay event came to an end last month, but it will happen again in the next two months, or did you simply get lost?]
"This brat appears extremely filthy, with mud practically covering his armor, but hang on! armor? Is the armor he is wearing authentic? Well, whatever the case, I must warn this brat not to wander aimlessly through the sky city, which is a very big city with many tall buildings that make it hard for a small child like him to find his way home.
"The reason behind the sky city's reputation as the most beautiful yet dangerous city is that it is not like other cities, such as land-based cities like Kamakura or sea-based cities like Laurentia. Situated high above the earth, the city is akin to an enormous spacecraft, spanning the area of half of Japan.
"This sky city is essentially shielded from natural hazards like earthquakes, typhoons, lightning, and cosmic storms by a number of defense mechanisms.
"The tall buildings of the Japanese mainland city were far away from the sky city, which soars at great altitudes. In conclusion, because it is supported by artificial intelligence and power that can identify any kind of hazardous, unusual, or anomalous conditions in the system and its surroundings, its existence has no effect on its surroundings.
"In other words, this city is adored by all mankind as one of the cities created by mankind's pride, but I recently heard on the news that humanity has just discovered the ninth planet called planet.... eh? What planet is it, again? I forgot, but the main idea is that there is a new threat called "black hazard" on that planet that threatens both technology and humanity.
[???:No sir, but I am here because I simply have a purpose that I must fulfill...]
[Akira: I see and that is? why is it necessary to be here?]
"This world is growing more bizarre by the day due to the careless deeds of human hands, and this brat is just one example of how things can go wrong. His parents should be ashamed for abandoning him here, especially at such a late hour.
"And now I see that this child is still naive and utterly ignorant of the advancements humanity has made in space as they battle to stop the black hazard epidemic from spreading to Earth. Cosplaying as a fictional hero brings back memories of my former self, who greatly revered the hero of justice in battling evil and injustice from the shadows.
"Even though I have completely let go of that dream entirely, there are moments when I sincerely hope it will come true and I will actually be able to protect everyone, especially my mother. I have regretted it a lot and have blamed myself for being too weak.
If only, just for once, fate would grant me the ability to go back in time, or at the very least, make me a hero who succeeds in defending everything! to be completely honest! Indeed, I will! I WILL!!!!!!
[???:Reach for my hand.....]
BZZZZTTTTT!!!!!!
Akira expressed his profound disappointment while unknowingly reaching for the strange man's extended hand.
BZZZZZZTTTTTTT!!!!!
[Akira:Euuughhhhh!!!!!! I WILL!!!!!]
and after managing to shake hands with the person using a firm grip, the mysterious man began to smile broadly and put his index finger to his lips, signaling to Akira to remain silent and composed while uttering.....
[???:YOU SUCCEED.....REACHING.....THE....."#####"]
Whoosh!
[Akira:Ueeeghhh!!! *gasp*! uhhhhh....]
For the last time, he took a deep breath as his vision gradually blurred, eventually leading to total darkness.....
BZZZTTTTTT!!!!!
[3]....
BZZZZTTTTT!!!
[2].....
BZZZTTTTTT!!
[1]...
BZZZZTTTTTT!
[SHUTTING DOWN THE SYSTEM....]
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