3:19 PM
"Why?! Why are you doing this?!"
In no time, I'm surrounded by panicked students demanding an explanation for what has happened. However, none of them dare to approach me, knowing I'm armed with a machine gun.
Despite the recklessness typical of youth, they understand very well that they don't stand a chance against me. The lifeless body of the girl on the ground serves as a stark reminder not to take the risk of playing heroes.
Just tilting the weapon slightly toward them is enough to make everyone step back a few paces.
Should I eliminate these worms now? My patience is wearing thin. My anxiety has never been my strong point. Maybe by doing so, those two will finally show up.
I raise the weapon toward the crowd, causing them to scatter quickly. Some even trip over one another in their haste.
"Hey, calm down! Don't shoot!" exclaims a guy.
However, a familiar voice interrupts me just as I'm about to pull the trigger.
"So it was you, you bastard! I knew it! You stole my machine gun—return it immediately if you don't want to die!" Ailiss emerges from the crowd, her expression dark and menacing.
In this scene, where I'm threatening dozens of innocent youths with a dead girl at my feet, her sole concern is her stolen machine gun. I wouldn't expect anything less from you—that's why I love you so much, Ailiss. The sheer absurdity of the situation almost makes me laugh.
Besides, it's not like you'd spare me just for returning it, would you?
Mikoto follows close behind her.
"Johann, I would like you to explain yourself," she surveys the horrific scene around us, narrowing her eyes at me. "What is your excuse for orchestrating this entire theater? What are you trying to achieve?"
Unlike Ailiss, Mikoto seems somewhat interested in understanding the context of all this.
"You've arrived just in time—I was waiting for you. I see everyone is here," I observe Manabu, Shou, and Miyu among the students.
The conclusion I've reached is simple. Someone needs to become the vessel for the hatred accumulated across countless worlds. Just as I've absorbed my infinite love for each of them, I am willing to take on all the hatred. I will accept them completely and bear all our sins alone.
This is the only way to save them. The hatred they harbored for each other will be redirected entirely toward me. Even if they regain their memories, they'll see me as the sole culprit for all this tragedy.
But I must become a villain worthy of such feelings to achieve this. Not just any villain—perhaps a monster or even an actual demon on earth.
"Johann! What the hell is this?! What are you doing?!" Shou yells, taking a few steps forward from the cowering crowd.
They never stop being a nuisance. I plan to keep them alive, but they can't seem to stop interrupting and getting in the way.
"Shut up! This has nothing to do with you!" I glare at him.
"Sorry for not telling you earlier… He threatened to hurt you if I spoke… Johann-kun is responsible for the murders—I saw him kill Keiko," Miyu says through tears.
At this point, her confession no longer makes any difference. However, I still need to decide what to do about them for their disobedience.
"So that's why you've been so withdrawn," Shou turns to her, then back to me. "Johann! You bastard! You'll pay for this!"
"There must be some misunderstanding. Jocchi can't be acting this way—he's our friend," Manabu says, looking down. "What happened, Jocchi? Are you being forced to do this?"
What I have to deal with now is between them, not with you! Get out of here before you get involved in this battle!
I see I'm being far too tolerant of them—more than I should be.
"I won't repeat it. Get lost," I fire two shots into the ground near them.
"Shoucchi, we'll handle this later. For now, let's take Miyucchi to a safe place."
Shou clenches his fists but agrees with Manabu. The three retreat and watch the event from a distance.
With these minor annoyances resolved, I can return to the main confrontation. Ailiss and Mikoto glare at me with cold irritation. Justifying myself to them would be nearly impossible, but that was never my intention in the first place.
All I want is for them to hate me as much as possible—to redirect all the negative feelings they have for each other toward me.
"So, Mikoto, back to your question. I don't think I owe an explanation to someone as intelligent as you. Isn't it obvious?" I chuckle softly. "I deceived you, that's all."
"I always found that fourth-player story suspicious," she lowers her face and sighs. "However, my biggest mistake was believing in this strange feeling that I could trust you. This is my fault—I do not know how I let myself be influenced like this. I should never have placed emotional intuition above reason."
"Not everything I told you can be dismissed. The part about the fourth player was indeed a lie, but the anomaly itself is real. I'm the cause of it, and the moment I consolidated it, you lost. In other words, there's nothing left for you to do but give up."
"We lost? Are you sure about that? Don't make me laugh—I'd never be defeated by a coward like you," Ailiss points her revolver at me.
"Yes. You may be better than me at disarming opponents without killing them, but I'm not restricted to that. The anomaly allows me to kill players without being punished, which gives me an overwhelming advantage over you," I also aim the machine gun at her.
"Mistkerl, don't be so full of yourself. Whether your nonsense is true or not, I can disarm you with my bare hands."
Her reaction is just as I expected. Ailiss is probably the most ferocious being to ever walk this planet. However, my threat isn't directed at her concern for her own life. Besides, this is an excellent way to test her.
"Ailiss, wait. I trust you, but if what he says is true—and there is plenty of evidence in his favor—it's a risk I would rather not take," Mikoto places a hand on her shoulder.
"I can finish him in an instant. And anyway, what risk worries you? Do you think that fool can beat me?" she turns to Mikoto.
"I am the person most aware of your combat skills—I have been one of your targets, after all. However, in a situation like this, we must prioritize your safety," she replies with a somber expression. "We cannot defeat him without you on the council's side."
This is leaning in the direction I want. If my attempt to bring them closer has succeeded, Mikoto would never bet on a confrontation where Ailiss has even the slightest chance of dying.
Now, I just need to intervene to check for reciprocity.
"Very well, Ailiss. Assuming you can dodge my shots, I can still aim at another target," I point the gun at Mikoto and smile. "What will you do about that?"
"Tsk," Ailiss steps back and stands beside Mikoto.
It worked... I'm relieved. But it's still too early to celebrate. I must now move on to my next bluff.
"Alright, for everything to go as I wish, the game must last a bit longer until all preparations are complete. So how about we postpone our confrontation for another time?" I proclaim, retreating with my weapon raised.
The two exchange glances and then look at the frightened crowd behind them.
"So, what do we do?" Ailiss asks.
"We accept—we do not have much choice. After all, we were caught off guard," Mikoto turns her gaze to me. "But do not think this ends here—you will pay dearly for all of this."
"Wise decision… though I don't believe you'll be able to keep that promise," I reply as I leave the scene.