Everyone descended upon Tenguu City like falling meteors, each landing at a different location marked on the map. Bright flashes erupted at six points, sending up thin columns of smoke spiraling into the sky.
"Whoops, botched that landing a bit…" The LooP muttered, brushing dust off his clothes as his sharp eyes scanned the surroundings.
"This place… looks like it's close to the city center." He assessed the situation carefully, his posture alert for any unexpected developments.
Wasting no time, The LooP climbed the nearest skyscraper to secure a better vantage point. From the top, he observed Tenguu City, the streets and alleyways all too familiar to him.
"The landing zones… they're definitely not random. I need to capitalize on this advantage before they find me," he murmured, a calculating glint flashing in his eyes.
At another corner of the city, The Murder TRIO landed in the desolate outskirts, surrounded by abandoned and decrepit buildings. Rising to his feet, he shrugged and laughed with twisted amusement.
"This place is perfect—good for hiding and plenty of space to hunt. Now, who's gonna be my first prey?" He strolled through the eerie silence with a nonchalant gait, clearly savoring the promise of a brutal game.
Meanwhile, The Desperate touched down near an overgrown, deserted park. Slowly standing, his hands clenched into fists, his eyes burned with determination. "I'll fight for you again, Tohka…" he whispered, struggling to suppress the simmering rage within.
Far away, The Emperor descended upon Raizen High School. His gaze swept the area with methodical precision. "All of them are mere obstacles in my path. That wish… it will be mine, no matter the cost."
On the city's western edge, The Merciless made his entrance, landing at a former Ratatoskr base now reduced to ashes by his ruthless onslaught. Standing motionless, he seemed to absorb the surroundings in complete silence.
"Objective… eliminate them all," his cold, grave voice reverberated in the empty expanse.
In the heart of Tenguu City, The Chronicler's descent was marked by an almost gentle landing. His watchful eyes tracked the movements of all participants, a faint enigmatic smile playing on his lips.
"This match promises to be… entertaining," he murmured, his voice tinged with anticipation.
Each player began to move from various points across Tenguu City, carrying their own goals, strategies, and ambitions.
"Great, The Chronicler's too close to my position. Facing him head-on is suicide… Best to retreat for now—"
"Not so fast, The LooP!" A commanding voice rang out from behind, freezing him in place.
He turned slowly, only to find The Chronicler standing there, his calm demeanor exuding an overwhelming pressure. Those piercing eyes seemed to cut straight through The LooP, as if every plan he had just crafted was laid bare.
"Running away without even saying hi?" The Chronicler's tone was light, but his faint smirk carried an unspoken challenge.
"Ask what you already know, why don't you?" The LooP instinctively stepped back, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "No one wants to be eliminated this early, right?"
"Of course not. But don't worry—I don't plan on eliminating you just yet," The Chronicler replied, taking slow, deliberate steps forward. Each step felt like a tightening grip on The LooP's resolve. "I just want to see if you're ready to handle true pressure."
The LooP swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure. "Pressure? No need for that—I'm doing just fine!"
"Did I give you the option to decline?" The Chronicler stopped, the smile vanishing from his face.
With a flick of his hand, a massive barrier erupted, encasing the area in a dome of radiant lines. The shimmering patterns along its edges seemed to sever the enclosed space from the rest of the world. Inside, the atmosphere grew dense, mirroring the crushing weight The LooP felt pressing down on him.
"Consider this a small prelude to our battle."
◊
"Is there no one here? Don't tell me they're all scared of me already," The Murder TRIO grumbled, his tone laced with boredom as he prowled through the ghostly quiet of the deserted outskirts. But his complaints were met only by an unsettling silence.
"You don't need to keep searching!" A figure emerged from the shadows ahead.
"Oh… Haha, it's you again," The Murder TRIO sneered as he recognized the newcomer.
"You're so hell-bent on getting revenge..."
"RIGHT, THE DESPERATE?!" His tone was mocking, but his eyes gleamed with a sadistic excitement.
The Murder TRIO lunged forward, faster than a lightning bolt. Power surged into his hands, manifesting as a key-shaped blade aimed at The Desperate's vitals.
But something strange happened. The Desperate made no move to dodge or defend. He stood motionless, allowing the weapon to draw ever closer. As his eyes opened slowly, a crimson glow flared within them, radiating an aura that froze the very air.
Just that gaze was enough to send shivers through The Murder TRIO—a man otherwise numb to fear. A wave of unease compelled him to halt mid-strike, retracting his blade as he stumbled back two steps.
The red glow wasn't rage or life—it was something far more terrifying. His eyes were an abyss, stripping away all sensations and leaving a cold void behind.
Even for The Murder TRIO, who thrived on death and carnage, his knees felt as if they would buckle. His heartbeat quickened—not from adrenaline, but a primal fear seeping into his core.
"What kind of monster… is this pressure?" he thought, beads of sweat sliding down his spine. "This is beyond anything I've ever faced."
But amidst the terror, a familiar thrill surged within him. As a madman with an insatiable hunger for violence, he relished the prospect of a worthy opponent.
He wiped the cold sweat from his brow, his eyes blazing with excitement. A twisted grin spread across his face, deranged and bloodthirsty.
"HAHAHAHAHA! I thought you were just some weakling… but you're terrifying!" His laughter was a mix of mockery and mania. He snapped his blade in two, the metallic screech echoing ominously. The shattered weapon morphed into twin daggers dripping with his own blood, the crimson staining the blades a grim red.
"I'M—COMING—FOR—YOUUUUU!"
◊
Meanwhile, The Emperor relaxed, effortlessly summoning golden conduits to weave into a magnificent throne glowing in the morning sun. Reclining, he cast a casual gaze toward the horizon, where the first rays of sunlight began to pierce the dawn.
"Beautiful," he murmured, his voice low and contemplative. "Who will be the first to challenge me, I wonder?"
"But then again… my power isn't suited for head-on duels like this. There's no need to go seeking opponents."
His tranquility was disrupted as a figure emerged from the brilliance of the sunrise. Approaching steadily, their silhouette seemed to merge with the golden light.
The Emperor narrowed his eyes, his calm expression sharpening as he recognized the intruder. "Hmm? Who's this?" he mused, drumming his fingers on the throne's armrest.
The sunlight revealed The Merciless, standing tall and emotionless. His vacant gaze exuded a dreadful authority, each step imbued with an oppressive weight that thickened the air.
"Oh… it's you, The Merciless," The Emperor smirked faintly, a flicker of intrigue in his voice. "I didn't expect my first opponent to be someone as cold as you."
The Merciless remained silent, his void-like eyes fixed on The Emperor, scrutinizing him with unnerving intensity.
"Not one for words, are you?" The Emperor chuckled, rising slowly from his throne. "Very well. I have no qualms about testing myself against the strongest here. But you will see… the title of 'Emperor' is not just for show."
The Merciless remained silent, but an invisible surge of spiritual energy began to radiate powerfully from his body. Fragments of his astral armor started to materialize, piece by piece, gradually enveloping him in an aura of terrifying majesty. When the final helmet silently descended, obscuring his face, a burst of light erupted, and Nahemah appeared in his hand, exuding a chilling, bloodthirsty aura.
"..."