This is a piece of his past.
The world was in crisis—ruin and chaos engulfed everything.
Yet amidst it all, a being and an entity stood together, gazing at the pitch-black sky above them. Night had fallen deep, urging weary souls to rest.
"It's already night. You should sleep."「Champion of Udna」
"I don't need sleep, but I do enjoy resting… closing my eyes, drifting into my inner consciousness—like being dead and paralyzed while still alive. But I wonder… what awaits them in the darkness of their subconscious? Speak to me, Udna."「◼️◼️」
"You're describing a dream."「Champion of Udna」
"A dream… Ah, so that's what it means. I've often heard humans speak of it—a wish, a desire they yearn for. A dream… Then what about hope? Udna, tell me. What is the bond between dream and hope?"
"Just play Undertale if you want to know about it."「Champion of Udna」
"Hmm, your voice is enough to entertain me right now."「◼️◼️」
Hearing that flirtatious remark, the man called Udna let out a long sigh. Without another word, he lay down on the crude bed he had assembled—a makeshift resting place fashioned from concrete, dust, and a tattered cloth.
A perfect setup for some serious back pain in the morning.
"...Udna, why do humans choose to sleep?"「◼️◼️」
"Sleepy, tired."「Champion of Udna」
"...Udna, why does life slumber?"「◼️◼️」
"Just play Honkai: Star Rail, Penacony arc. You'll find your answer there."「Champion of Udna」
His responses remained distant and dismissive.
His indifference made the girl frown in mild irritation. But despite her frustration, she eventually gave in, lying down as well—right on top of him, resting her head against his chest before shutting her eyes.
"You smell like mango. Get off."「Champion of Udna」
"Then at least answer me once… Why do people equate dreams and hopes with something they desire? What do they have to do with sleep? Is it because this world no longer aligns with the dreams they once had?"「◼️◼️」
Like a faintly glowing lamp in the endless night, she tried to define the intensity of her light.
"...Using such phenomena as metaphors, may be a literary method to impart an unfamiliar sensation to something well-known. But… I can't answer that completely. All I know, dreams and hope… they are things that humans desire above all else."「Champion of Udna」
"I see… dreams, and something I desire."「◼️◼️」
At last, the girl shifted, lifting her head from his chest with unhurried movements, as if savoring the warmth that lingered there. She rolled over, settling herself beside him on the rough surface of their makeshift bed.
The faint scent of fruit grew stronger, making it even harder for him to fall asleep.
The fragrance clung to her like an unseen aura, filling the small space between them, making it nearly impossible for him to ignore. Like ripe mangoes kissed by the summer sun
"You're not going to sleep? You have a dream to catch, don't you?"「◼️◼️」
"…That's what I'm about to do. You should do the same."「Champion of Udna」
"I will… I'm shutting my eyes now, trying to get sleepy."「◼️◼️」
As the girl's chatter finally ceased, the man turned his head away, facing the other side—a small, almost instinctive effort to shield himself from her gaze.
Stealing a quick glance, she smiled.
"…Have a pleasant dream, Cher."「Champion of Udna」
"I don't think I'll need one. I can sleep just fine without a dream."「◼️◼️」
The man remained indifferent once again.
"…Because with you around, no longer I need to dream anymore."「◼️◼️」
A quiet confession, barely more than a whisper, slipping into the stillness of the night.
————————————————
「Base Camp, Underground Chamber」
At a different time, night had long fallen over Skull Island.
Under normal circumstances, the ship girls would be patrolling the perimeter of their base.
Staying vigilant during the hours when nocturnal monsters were at their most active, they would move carefully, minimizing noise to avoid attracting the attention of the island's more dangerous inhabitants.
But tonight was unlike any other.
The storm raged on, wind howling through the dense jungle as rain hammered against the earth.
The monsters, usually predictable in their behavior, had become erratic, breaking free from the patterns that once dictated their movements. The unspoken rhythm of the island had been disrupted.
Sensing the growing unease and discord, Hylia and the ship girls steeled themselves, more vigilant than ever as they prepared to face whatever was unfolding in the rain and darkness.
For another Mission had just appeared on their hands.
———————————————
#(Expert mission: Top of food chain)#
→ The balance has been restored upon Skull Island—but the monsters remain. In a world where only the strongest survive, predators will fight for dominance. When multiple beasts converge in the same territory, their instinct is clear: defeat each other.
During this period, all active monsters on Skull Island will enter an aggressive state. They will fiercely protect their territories, but they will not hesitate to invade others. Only the strongest will survive... and you must decide how to navigate this deadly game.
Before all of you escape, you have four choices:
1. Eliminate all the monsters present.
2. Collect every Magical Residue scattered across the island to render the monsters powerless, causing them to perish on their own.
3. Trigger the volcano to erupt, summoning a titan that will destroy Skull Island along with itself.
4. Appoint the Alpha.
Complete one of these objectives to unlock the Final Mission at the Academy.
Choose wisely... and remember, the Champion will not wait forever.
〈Requirement〉: | Complete one of the Objectives |
〈Objective〉: | 1. Wipe out every monster on Skull Island (13/1092) | 2. Collect all Magical Residue scattered across the island (0/452) | 3. Set the Volcano to erupt and let it self-destruct (0/1) | 4. Appoint the Alpha (0/1) |
〈Reward〉: | Permission to return to the Academy | Permission to begin the Final Mission |
〈Time limit〉: | No time limit, but the Champion will wait |
〈Penalty〉: | The truth will become a lie |
!!!Hidden Reward will be granted upon completion of all Objectives!!!
———————————————
The underground base felt eerily quiet.
Despite the heavy rain outside, the storm's noise barely reached the heart of their hideout beneath the surface. The walls, thick and sturdy, muffled the world above, creating an unsettling stillness.
Within this room, Ichigo and Yamashiro sat across from TB, their expressions tense as they analyzed the mission ahead. The objectives weren't just difficult—they were overwhelming.
Once, this base had been home to seven people.
But now, the others were scattered—some braving the storm, managing the chaos outside, while others were lost in their own tasks, separated by duty and necessity.
Choosing the best course of action, trying to solve a puzzle by finding their own missing pieces.
This time, TB had no objections to assisting them.
Unlike before, where she might've been imposed with limitations, she now followed their requests without resistance. According to her brief explanation, it was simply part of the Commander's instructions—or something along those lines.
A vague answer, yet Ichigo and Yamashiro chose not to press further.
At that moment, TB's hologram flickered slightly before displaying an update.
[Updating battlefield status...]
"Here's your tea, Ichigo-sama."「Yamashiro」
Ichigo accepted it with a small nod. "Thanks, Yamashiro. I appreciate it."
[First Objective in Progress: Deutschland & Hakuryuu]
Outside, the battle was relentless.
Deutschland and Hakuryuu were tearing through the monster horde, cutting down their numbers with ruthless efficiency. The relentless rain and darkness hardly fazed them—such treacherous terrain and weather were nothing new.
Despite sometimes, they couldn't help but butt heads every now and then.
"Ouch?! You're stepping on my tail!"「Deutschland」
"Oh? Really? My bad," Hakuryuu replied, sounding far too casual.
"Huh?!"「Deutschland」
The two were given free rein to unleash their fury on anything in sight, but that didn't mean they weren't watching each other's backs. As they carved through the dense jungle and tore across the battlefield, their weapons left scars upon the land itself.
(34/1092)
"Hey! You've got two claws with four blades each! Can't you do something cool with those—along with that Haki of yours?!" With a firm stance, Hakuryuu raised her katana overhead, feeling raw power surge through her arms.
A smirk tugged at her lips, "Watch this!"
〈Hakuryuu Lv. 125 used Vertical Slash (Lv.10) 〉
She swung downward in a perfect vertical arc—like a swordsman executing a textbook slash. The sheer force of her attack split the murky water and muddy swamp before her, leaving a massive divide in its wake.
(82/1092)
"Ugh, shut up! And stay away from my prey!"「Deutschland」
〈Deutschland Lv. 100 used Armaments Haki (Lv.5) 〉
〈Deutschland Lv. 100 used Pocket Battleship (Lv.6) 〉
A surge of Armament Haki coursed through Deutschland's body, coating her claws in an unbreakable, obsidian sheen. At the same time, she partially manifested her rigging, amplifying her power even further.
Then, she struck.
Deutschland lunged forward, her claws slicing through the air in perfect synchronicity. With each slash, a deadly blade aura shot outward, expanding like a razor-sharp net that shredded everything in its path—monsters, trees, even the very earth beneath them.
But she wasn't done.
Pressing forward without hesitation, her attacks grew sharper, faster, deadlier—each strike a seamless fusion of rigging firepower and Haki-infused precision.
〈Hakuryuu Lv. 125 used Horizontal Slash (Lv.10) 〉
"Wha—?!"「Deutschland」
(120/1092)
Too bad for Deutschland—her prey had been stolen again
.
"Wahahaha! Don't hold back—just keep blasting them away!" Hakuryuu taunted Deutschland instead. "Let me remind you, I haven't even used my rigging yet! Let alone my planes! This would be way too easy if I did!"
"Piss off!" Deutschland shot back, clearly irritated.
〈Deutschland Lv. 100 used Ethereal Barrier (Lv.8) 〉
〈Hakuryuu Lv. 125 used Cross-cut Slash (Lv.10) 〉
(158/1092)
[Second Objective in Progress: Gascogne & Hornet]
One headed north, the other south, each carving their own path along the island's vast perimeter.
With their mobility best suited for reaching distant and hard-to-access areas, Gascogne and Hornet were assigned to this task. Splitting up, they moved in opposite directions, sweeping through the terrain.
Their strategy was simple—push forward until they reached the island's edge, then curve back in the opposite direction, looping around until their paths crossed at the heart of Skull Island again.
This kind of task was second nature to Hornet. She had always preferred scouting for hidden materials scattered across the island over grinding for levels nonstop.
Not that she'd ever back down from a fight though.
The island's monsters were still sharp—some could sense her presence, even when she moved carefully. She could have easily one-shot them with her archery or called in an airstrike to wipe them out in seconds.
But that wasn't her style.
More often than not, she preferred to blow them away with a mix of raw power and well-timed skills.
〈Hornet Lv. 110 used Blast Protection (Lv.4)〉
〈Hornet Lv. 110 used Flying Ace (Lv.6)〉
And just like that—a massive explosion engulfed the area.
The explosion sent monsters, bushes, and even thick tree trunks flying in every direction. Among the debris, something else scattered through the air—small, glowing objects shaped like stars.
They had only started appearing recently, ever since the latest mission was issued.
(3/452)
Hornet reached out, tapping one of the floating stars.
The moment she made contact, it vanished into her Principality Crate with a faint shimmer.
"So, these 'Little Stars' are what they call Magical Residue, huh?" she mused, standing atop a thick tree branch, one hand casually resting on her hip. "Too bad I can't use it... would've been fun to see what magic feels like in my own hands."
(15/452)
Well, not like she was complaining.
She had plenty of pockets to keep them in.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the island, Gascogne moved effortlessly, phasing in and out of sight as she activated Dimensional Shift. Compared to the other ship girls, she didn't have as many flashy skills or abilities.
But what she did have was invaluable.
She had proven that much—both when they first arrived on Skull Island and now.
〈Gascogne Lv. 120 used Dimensional Shift (Lv.9)〉
She reappeared in an instant, her cold, mechanical voice whispered through the air.
"Found it."「Gascogne」
Gascogne was, without a doubt, the most efficient when it came to rapid movement and spatial awareness. With her ability to teleport across vast distances, she could map out terrain that her teammates couldn't even reach.
A perfect combination of mobility, marking, and high-level calculation.
That was the foundation of her Demi-System's skillset, but as she continued collecting Magical Residue, an issue became apparent. The stars were scattered too far apart.
Gathering hundreds of them one by one would take far too long—even with her and Hornet working together. She paused, processing the data before reaching a conclusion.
"Analysis complete: Progress obstructed due to inefficiency. Initiating skill integration to optimize Magical Residue collection..." Gascogne reported on herself.
With her usual cold, mechanical tone, Gascogne stood at the heart of a ravine deep within Skull Island. From her vantage point, she could see clusters of Magical Residue nestled between jagged rocks and patches of muddy terrain.
She wasn't alone, however.
This place was a nest of writhing, chitinous horrors—an ecosystem comparable to Australian Horror.
Beneath the swampy surface, giant fanged worms coiled and slithered.
Mega-roaches skittered in from behind, their spiny legs clicking against the stone.
Human-eater long legs crept closer, their elongated limbs stretching hungrily.
Ravenous crickets, each the size of a football capable of stripping crops bare in minutes.
And that wasn't all.
Countless multi-limbed horrors clung to the ravine's rock walls, twitching with grotesque anticipation, watching their smooth skinned prey.
Gascogne didn't flinch. She simply continued calibrating her so-called Module, completely unfazed by the nightmare unfolding around her.
"Commencing the first phase."「Gascogne」
〈Gascogne Lv. 120 used Dimensional Matrix (Lv.5)〉
A geometric lattice of shimmering energy expanded outward, stabilizing the space around her.
〈Gascogne Lv. 120 used Gradient (Lv.8)〉
The field distorted. Colors bled into one another in a surreal haze. Enemy movements stuttered—lagging and glitching, as if the world couldn't decide how fast they should move.
〈Gascogne Lv. 120 used Dimension W (Lv.1)〉
The stench of rot and chitin grew suffocating.
Creatures and their surroundings were wrenched forward, their bodies twisting, snapping, and collapsing under the relentless gravitational distortion. Some were crushed beyond recognition, others peeled apart like insects caught in an invisible vortex.
A sickening splatter followed.
Gooey remains and vile fluids—a mix of crushed exoskeletons, rancid innards, and substances best left unidentified—splashed across Gascogne's face and body. A sight that would make any normal girl gag in horror.
But Gascogne didn't even blink as the rain slowly began to wash her clean.
"Energy surge detected," Gascogne's voice remained eerily calm.
A deep, resonant hum filled the ravine. Then—cracks.
Space itself fractured, jagged rifts of pure error forming in the air like splintering glass.
The ground buckled beneath her as invisible fissures in reality threatened to consume everything in their wake. Or simply put: Time wavered, space twisted—an imminent implosion loomed.
Gascogne's eyes flickered.
"Calculation error... Skill Dimension W, deactivating."「Gascogne」
Without hesitation, Gascogne immediately shut down the skill.
The unstable energy vanished, collapsing into an eerie, unnatural silence. Only the stabilized remnants of her previous abilities remained, lingering like the afterimage of a fading anomaly.
She remained still for a moment, her Module processing the data.
With Matrix, she had already mapped out the environment and spatial structure surrounding the Magical Residue. Then, using Gradient, she traced the directions of maximum change, aligning them with every fragment of Magical Residue in the area.
It was like drawing a box, then using a ruler to draw lines leading to the desired points.
From there, all she needed to do was spam Dimensional Shift, pulling the scattered Magical Residue toward her while she walked—or even took in the scenery.
At first, this skill combination was efficient enough, but it still wasn't optimal.
That was why she had attempted to use Dimension W—a skill that, unfortunately, remained too unstable, even for Gascogne. Its low level was proof that she had yet to fully grasp its potential.
Still, the combination of Dimensional Matrix and Gradient had already proven enough.
With these two, she could manipulate space and distance directly, pulling in the Magical Residue with pinpoint accuracy—much like a certain Stand, Za Hando, erasing the gap between one point and another.
Voila, she could effortlessly reach every fragment of Magical Residue toward her.
"Initiating collection process."「Gascogne」
Her voice remained cold, methodical. Without wasting another second, she began harvesting the residual energy, indifferent to the horrors still lurking within the ravine.
[Objective Three: In the Planning Stage by Ichigo (Ship Girl) and Yamashiro]
Back at the underground base, Ichigo and Yamashiro were still deep in discussion, strategizing how to accomplish the third objective—triggering a volcanic eruption at the heart of Skull Island.
The idea was unsettling.
Natural disasters were meant to be avoided, not deliberately unleashed.
"A way to trigger the volcano... Do you know anything, Yamashiro?"「Ichigo」
"Yes, Ichigo-sama! I believe we can do it with a dance!" Yamashiro replied enthusiastically. "A ritual, just like the one Fusou onee-sama performs—but in reverse! Or! We could just clog up the volcano and let it go kaboom!"
"A dance of fortune… twisted to bring disaster, huh?" Ichigo mused, arms crossed.
"And that second option does sound more logical for success. I don't know, Yamashiro… We don't have time to test theories. But I'll consider it. There might be other ways to make this work as well."「Ichigo」
With that, Ichigo raised her hand, summoning a golden butterfly—one of her unique ship-girl abilities. Despite its delicate appearance and being no larger than her thumb, it posed no threat at all.
〈Ichigo(?) Lv. 125 used Golden Butterfly (Lv.10) +1〉
The shimmering butterfly fluttered toward Yamashiro for a brief moment before soaring toward the surface. Ichigo then turned to TB, "Show me a full holographic map of Skull Island."
At once, a detailed projection filled the space—terrain, marked locations, monster classifications, and most importantly, the real-time positions of their allies.
Ichigo's eyes scanned the map intently, while Yamashiro did her best to follow along.
"Looks like they're working hard."「Ichigo」
"We can't afford to fall behind!"「Yamashiro」
The two continued discussing alternative ways to trigger the volcanic eruption, carefully analyzing every possible method. At the same time, they kept questioning TB, subtly trying to extract any information about their Commander from her.
Then, something clicked.
"What if these objectives actually have a specific order?" Ichigo mused.
Hunting a specific number of monsters.
Gathering materials in precise amounts.
In their previous mission (Intermediate Mission), they had to collect a set quantity of materials to trigger a miraculous event.
So, what if the thresholds set in the first and second objectives of their current Expert Mission weren't just arbitrary? What if they're actually connected—to the volcano (third) and the emergence of the Alpha (fourth)?
"In the last mission, we were tasked with balancing the island's Elements—the four fundamental forces that ultimately made this place... more stable?" Ichigo, who had been deep in thought, turned to Yamashiro.
"Yes, that was the previous mission."「Yamashiro」
As she pulled up the mission details, another memory surfaced—the scene by the river, where she had wiped Hylia's face clean. A sense of worry crept in. 'What was Hylia doing now?'
———————————————
#(Intermediate mission: Balancing the elements)#
→ Artificial as it may be, the island still needs to be balanced in various aspects.
Once you've all met and introduced yourselves, the next mission you'll undertake is to restore balance to the situation and conditions of the island. But fret not, you won't be tasked with creating an entire island from scratch.
Your objective is simply to gather a few required items and place them in one location. Additionally, for this mission, your Demi-Systems will be interconnected with each other. The VIP could also see your mission now if she want to.
〈Requirement〉: | Aqua Breaths (3/3) | Earth Forge (3/3) | Fire Embrace (3/3) | Wind Echo (3/3) |
〈Objective〉: | Collect all requested items in one place and let something happen |
〈Reward〉: | Skill level-up ticket (x5) |
〈Time limit〉: | !Quest completed! |
〈Penalty〉: | Something bad will happen |
———————————————
"Ever since we completed that mission, the underground tremors stopped. Hakuryuu also mentioned that the typhoons seem to be avoiding the cliffs now," Yamashiro said thoughtfully. "What are you thinking, Ichigo-sama?"
Indeed, it was the truth.
Though simplified to fit the existing narrative, the ship girls had received such a mission—they were tasked with gathering specific materials to stabilize the still-unbalanced elements of Skull Island.
Earthquakes, firestorms, ice blizzards, tornadoes—any catastrophe tied to the four elements of earth, fire, water, and wind could strike at any moment before that time.
"The mission is complete, and the materials we gathered have vanished. We followed the instructions exactly—we placed them above our base and let something happen," Ichigo murmured further.
"Uhm, Ichigo-sama?"「Yamashiro」
"This might just be greediness at this point... but why does this mission have four objectives when only one needs to be completed?" she murmured again, frustration creeping into her voice.
!!!Hidden Reward will be granted upon completion of all Objectives!!!
"Hidden... what is hidden? Something unusual? But what counts as unusual on an island that's already so strange?! Something that... normal?"「Ichigo」
"Ichigo-sama."「Yamashiro」
Ichigo's animal-like ears and tail twitched for a brief moment.
"A-Ah, pardon me, Yamashiro. It's just... when I realized that I could go home..." She closed her eyes, taking a slow breath as she steadied herself. The tension in her shoulders eased, "I can't deny it—I miss them," her thoughts gradually settling.
Yamashiro understood her companion's feelings.
Because she, too, longed to return home and reunite with her friends, comrades, and sister. At this moment, they weren't much different from a group of workers impatiently waiting to clock out and go home.
But one couldn't afford to overthink while drowning in sorrow—Yamashiro knew it would do no good for either their mind or body. That was why she tried to pull Ichigo out of it.
〈Penalty〉: | The truth will become a lie |
Yet, midway through, a whisper escaped her lips. "Milord..."—her own sadness creeping in, threatening to pull her under as well.
Heavy silence settled between them as both ship girls took a moment to gather their thoughts.
Even now, they hadn't truly moved on.
Then, Ichigo finally broke the quiet, her voice carrying a faint yet determined resolve—a step forward toward their goal, sparked by Yamashiro's earlier idea.
"…Hmm, monsters are one thing, but what if we use that thing called Magical Residue as the material this time?" A small chuckle escaped Ichigo's lips, a playful glint in her eyes. "Huhu, I think the second method you suggested is worth trying."
"The second method?" Yamashiro blinked in confusion.
"The one where you said we should stuff it full, huhu."「Ichigo」
[Fourth Objective: Entrusted to Hylia]
The fourth objective—to appoint the Alpha—was both the most confusing and, ironically, the one deemed "easy enough" to be left in Hylia's hands.
Thanks to Hornet's knowledge of monster movies and kaiju lore, she had a theory: the Alpha was likely the King of Monsters ruling over Skull Island. The real issue? Figuring out which creature deserved that title or even... what that Alpha is.
Because there's no Godzilla here.
No towering king with atomic breath, no thunderous footsteps shaking the island. Just countless beasts—each deadly in their own right, yet none standing above the rest as an undisputed ruler.
Which meant Hylia had to find one.
Or worse... make one.
The thought had first taken root during her discussion with Ichigo and Yamashiro. But it wasn't until she consulted Alastor—the ancient spirit bound to her blade—that the possibility became something more than just a wild theory.
To crown a king, one must first forge a throne… or break the wills of all who would oppose.
— Alastor —
With that thought, Hylia pulled on her raincoat, fastening the hood tightly over her head.
"You're an Alpha?" (Hylia)
|〈Leaf Wings Lv. 42〉
〈Special Attack : | Wind Slash | Verdant Ambush | Frenzied Swarm | 〉
| >HP : (///)
| >Energy : (//)
| >Mana : (-)
She wandered through the area, pointing at random creatures around her—bugs, plants, even trees—while loudly declaring, "Alpha this! Alpha that!" as if sheer enthusiasm alone would reveal the rightful ruler of Skull Island.
"Are you an Alpha?" (Hylia)
|〈Vine Strangler Lv. 178〉
〈Special Attack : | Thorned Grip | Suffocating Embrace | Photosynthetic Regeneration | Carnivorous Maw | Venomous Bloom | 〉
| >HP : (///)
| >Energy : (////)
| >Mana : (/)
"Is this an Alpha?" (Hylia)
|〈Spore Mantis Lv. 150〉
〈Special Attack : | Toxic Mirage | Infected Lunge | Mycelium Slash | Puppet Fungus | 〉
| >HP: (/////)
| >Energy: (////)
| >Mana: (/)
"What?! Not Alpha?" (Hylia)
|〈Mother Long-legs Lv. 198〉
〈Special Attack : | Piercing Leg Barrage | Abyssal Web | Venomous Impalement | Egg Sac Burst | Suffocating Thread | Shadow Stalker | Widow's Wrath | 〉
| >HP : (///////)
| >Energy : (/////)
| >Mana : (///)
"Where's the Alpha?" (Hylia)
|〈Sirenjaw Crocodile Lv. 210〉
〈Special Attack : | Death Roll | Tidal Crash | Drown and Devour | Siren's Call | Apex Frenzy | Scale Fortress | Leviathan Maw |〉
| >HP : (///////)
| >Energy : (///////)
| >Mana : (/)
But no matter how many monsters she checked, none of them triggered the objective fulfillment.
Hylia pouted, her small hands resting on her hips as she stared at the monsters around her. "None of you are capable being an Alpha? Seriously?" She then stared at the glowing system screen with a frown.
| 4. Appoint the Alpha (0/1) |
The feasty haired girl stomped her foot impatiently. The creatures she'd inspected were terrifying, sure—big, strong, brimming with nasty abilities. But no matter how many she checked; none triggered the objective.
If so, then what kind of being that Alpha is?
"Even the Kraken didn't qualify… so where else was I supposed to look?" (Hylia)
Honestly, doing this mission alone was starting to feel dull.
She hadn't found a single clue about the objective entrusted to her.
Every now and then, she'd shift her focus—hunting stray monsters, gathering whatever shiny trinkets caught her eye, and stashing them inside the Principality Crate.
But no matter how much she tried to distract herself, the boredom gnawed at her, lingering like an itch she couldn't scratch.
"Seilenos... Alastoru... Seilenos... Alastoru... Seilenos..." (Hylia)
Sometimes, just to pass the time, she tossed Seilenos or Alastor from one hand to the others. Testing their weight, feeling the cool metal shift between her fingers.
Other times, she would dig through the Principality Crate, pulling out random items just to inspect them with idle curiosity before stuffing them back in.
As she wandered through the rain-soaked terrain, she absentmindedly fiddled with her raincoat—tugging at the sleeves, flipping the hood up and down, finding little distractions to break up the monotony of her endless search.
"Hup... wah... hup... wah... hup... w-wah...?" (Hylia)
Just as boredom and carelessness began to settle in, something unexpected happened right in front of her. She completely forgot to catch the two swords she'd been tossing absentmindedly into the air.
Bonk!
Both blades landed squarely on her head, making her wince as she clutched the sore spot. But before she could even grumble about it—
〈You got mail!〉
A sudden notification popped up on her UI System, blinking insistently.
"Owwie... ouch... What is this? Can I open it?" Hylia mumbled, rubbing her head.
The message icon blinked expectantly. Without much thought, she tapped it open.
And, of course, inside was a message.
Because what else would be in there?
〈From: Unknown〉
〈Content: Look behind you.〉
What a creepy feeling. A cold, crawling sensation ran up Hylia's spine. The eerie stillness of the message—so simple yet unnatural—made her throat tighten.
"...Nothing? H-Hmm?" she murmured, hesitantly turning around.
Slowly. Carefully.
Her small fingers clenched into fists as she took in the scene behind her.
Trees. Just the same dark, rain-drenched forest. Towering trunks, swaying leaves, and nothing else.
Hylia let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Relief. It was just the forest. Just the same empty woods. Well… except for the lone saber-tooth tiger prowling a few steps behind her.
But that wasn't the problem. That, she could incinerate in an instant.
She let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, shaking her head. "Hah... just the forest..." Maybe someone was messing with her? Maybe it was just some weird system event?
Her eyes flicked back to the screen.
Another message.
〈From: Unknown〉
〈Content: Look again? 〉
A strange tightness gripped her chest.
"...Again? What do—" (Hylia)
"Do?"「Sakura Zeimachi(?)」
A voice.
Right behind her.
Something—someone—brushed against her shoulder.
Cold. Human. Real.
Hylia's mind blanked with sheer panic. A sharp, choked gasp barely left her lips before it exploded into a full-blown scream—high-pitched, raw, the kind only a truly terrified child could make.
She spun around, heart beating wildly against her ribs.
Her breath caught. A figure stood there, completely unfazed by her reaction.
"Huh... wha—who?" (Hylia)
"Just why are you out here in the rain? Shouldn't you be inside your base, doing something useful?" His fingers lightly tugged at the material, inspecting it. "Hmm… this is a cute raincoat. Did Deutschland make this?"
Hylia blinked. Her breath steadied just enough for recognition to slam into her.
"Huh… Zei?" (Hylia)
A pause, her eyes widened.
"ZEI!?" (Hylia)
Hylia immediately latched onto his arm, hugging it tightly as if afraid he might disappear.
She tugged at his sleeve, her excitement bubbling over. It was as if she had found something—or rather, someone—she never expected to see on this island.
"Shh. There are… circumstances, so be quiet, okay?"「Sakura Zeimachi(?)」
"Oh… alright! Ehehe!" Hylia giggled, her energy barely contained.
With that, the two quickly moved to find a safer place to talk.
At first, Hylia kept insisting that he should come back to their base, eager to bring him inside. But Zeimachi shook his head, explaining that he wasn't here to join their operation.
He had come to the island for his own reasons—not as an ally, not as an enemy. Just to check in.
Just to say hello to that feasty-haired little girl.
"Persona? You're Zei… but actually not Zei?" Hylia frowned, tilting her head.
"Yeah. I am the Persona bearing his mark—the Soldier, the cunny lover… the Protector of Little Girls and hater of Shota. Loli-man," he placed a hand over his chest in mock pride before letting out a dramatic sigh.
Because unfortunately for him, "And yeah, I know. You're probably disgusted by that but just listen and lower those swords," his grand proclamation was met with the cold steel of two sharp blades, both poised dangerously close to his torso.
"U-Um, this wasn't me! Seilenos and Alastoru just moved on their own..." Hylia stammered, her fingers tightening around the hilts as if trying to keep them in check. "C-Calm down! You two, calm down! Geez…"
The name of that Persona was Loli-man.
He was the one currently assigned to draw attention—to set the stage for the final act of their grand plan, Operation Magia. For now, he claimed he was only stopping by to see Hylia in person and get a closer look at her face.
But beyond that, he also wanted to meet the candidate entrusted to him by The Guide. Naturally, Hylia was confused upon hearing this explanation.
Loli-man, however, reassured her that she only needed to carry out their Expert Mission alongside the other Ship Girls on the island. He would take care of the troublesome parts—just as most Personas were created to do.
"...But, why is your name Loli-man?" (Hylia)
"Simple. I'm Loli-man because I AM… into little girls." He stated it matter-of-factly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Then, with a sly grin, he added, "Cute girls like you are my weakness, hehehe~"
Hylia blinked, "So… if you weren't into little girls like me, you wouldn't be Loli-man? Then what does it mean to bear the mark of a soldier? Does it mean there're other mark as well?"
There was a brief pause.
"Hmm… let's talk about something else," Loli-man quickly changed the subject.
The Persona carefully examined the two swords, running his fingers over the hilts before giving a small nod, as if confirming something. "You're doing good. These will serve as useful tools in the final battle."
"Is that… so?" Hylia tilted her head, unsure how to feel about his words.
Loli-man lingered on the weapons for a moment longer before setting them aside. His gaze then drifted toward the earrings Hylia wore—deep purple, shaped like water droplets.
A flicker of recognition crossed his face, as if recalling an old memory.
"These?" Hylia touched the earrings lightly. "Before she left… Cera gave them to me."
"Yeah, I know." Loli-man's voice was quieter this time. "(Whisper) That's why you're her successor, and that's why I'm going to do my part."
"Hmm?" (Hylia)
"Nothing, now then I need to go. Is there something you need help before I leave?"「Loli-man」
In an instant, Hylia's expression soured.
There're so many things she still wanted to ask—countless questions swirling in her head. How could he just drop all this lore information, and then act like he could leave whenever he pleased?
She pouted, stubbornly refusing to let him go. "No way! You can't just leave like that!"
Then, with a sharp and deep glint in her eyes, she pushed further, "If you try to leave, I'll tell everyone that the Commander is here."
"Three. Just three questions. That's all I'm answering," Loli-man stated firmly.
"Five! Make it five!" Hylia shot back without hesitation.
"Four. Take it or leave it."「Loli-man」
"Fine, three! I won't change it again!" Hylia pouted, arms crossed.
Loli-man chuckled. "Oh… you're cultured in memes, little one."
The first question Hylia wanted to ask was about how to complete the objective she had been given. She was told to appoint an Alpha, but she had no idea what it was, who it should be, or how to even find one.
Loli-man answered bluntly.
"You have an egg—a special one, right? Then try hatching it. I believe there's one stored in your Inventory… ah, I mean, your Principality Crate. Put them into the volcano, and there you have it."「Loli-man」
Moving on, Hylia quickly asked her second question, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"What kind of flowers does Zei like? Tell me!" (Hylia)
Nothing specific. Any flower will do.
For a weary soul like him, all flowers are welcome.
Hylia pursed her lips before answering in an oddly serious tone. "Zei asked me what kind of flower I truly am… but honestly, from the very start, I'm just a Blossomed Flower who likes chocolate ice cream!"
She crossed her arms, frowning again. "So I don't really know what kind of flower I'm supposed to be anymore."
Loli-man let out an amused chuckle. "Pfft! I see, I see. Maybe he meant it as a joke at the time. But that actually makes things clear. Then why don't you just tell him that? That you're already in full bloom as you are."
He waved her off, leaning back as if completely unbothered. Then, with a teasing smirk, he crossed his arms. "Now then, what's your last question? Make sure you think it through well… kufufu~!"
"Last one... is everyone in academy alright?" (Hylia)
Loli-man blinked, then let out a small chuckle again. "Somehow, one way or another, they're alright." He stretched his arms lazily, as if the answer was nothing to worry about. Then, with a sly grin, he tapped her forehead lightly.
"C'mon, ask another one. That's not gonna count."「Loli-man」
Hearing the good news, Hylia immediately perked up, springing to her feet.
"Then! Can I ask... for a hug?" (Hylia)
"You can," Loli-man replied without hesitation.
Grinning, Hylia stretched out her arms, expectantly waiting.
She even gave a little bounce, signaling to be picked up. Yet, strangely, the hug never came. She peeked up at him, confused, only to see him standing there with an amused expression.
"...What?" (Hylia)
"You asked if you can ask for a hug," Loli-man smirked. "And I answered—you can ask. That's it."
For a split second, silence. Then—
"HEY!" (Hylia)
Before Hylia could start throwing a fit, a sudden notification popped up on her UI System, blocking her vision. She flailed, swiping at the screen to clear it—only to realize, by the time she could see again, Loli-man was gone.
"Where?! Where did he—?! Huh, a message?" (Hylia)
She frowned, opening it.
〈From: The Fool's Legacy (Soldier's Burden) 〉
〈Content: I'm sorry, we're just not into the whole huggy-huggy thing. So, forgive me for running away. Maybe you could do this with the real one instead? Also, save this contact through your System. I don't think sticking around would be good for the mission I'm on. 〉
Hylia puffed out her cheeks, crossing her arms with a huff.
"Hmmh! I don't care! Stupid Zeeeiii! I mean... stupid Zei's Persona!!!" (Hylia)
Her outburst seemed comically aimed at the Loli-man, though it was unclear if the Persona could still hear her. But as she lifted her face toward the sky, Hylia remained unaware of another delicate presence sneaking up behind her.
A golden butterfly, fluttering through the rain.
The delicate creature drifted through the air before landing precisely where Loli-man had vanished moments ago. And then—a familiar voice called out from behind, blending into the rhythm of the falling rain.
"Lia... chan? What's wrong?"「Ichigo」
Hylia flinched at the sudden call—this was the second time she had been startled from behind.
Turning around, she found Ichigo standing there, her usual composed expression laced with curiosity. The ship girl was supposed to be in the underground base—so why was she here?
Ichigo's animal ears twitched slightly in concern.
"W-Whuah... Ichigo-nee, n-nothing!" Hylia quickly waving her hands as if trying to push the topic away. "More importantly, I just got an idea to complete all the objectives! Let's head back to the underground base! Come on, come on!"
The ship girl frowned, her sharp eyes narrowing as she scanned Hylia with suspicion.
There's no mistaking it—she had sensed a familiar presence. "Even if it's faint… it's definitely here. Lia-chan, did something just happen?"
That single statement made the feasty-haired little girl stiffen, her body going rigid for just a fraction of a second. But in the next instant, she keeps trying to mask any trace of hesitation.
"Commander? Ah, you mean Zei! I dunno, I haven't found anything but monsters this whole time! Aha... haha... Rather than Zei, let's focus on our mission first! I've been enlightened about something." (Hylia)
"Oh my, Yamashiro and I actually feel the same way," Ichigo replied with a knowing smile.
Despite her lingering suspicions, the ship girl decided to let it slide.
She was certain—almost too certain—that her commander had been here. But with no solid proof left, all she had was this mischievous little girl who had clearly just lied to her.
"H-Hmm? What's wrong, Ichigo-nee?" Hylia asked, feigning innocence.
"Nothing much… However, naughty children must be punished, don't you think?" Ichigo's lips curled into a playful smirk. "What should we do, I wonder~?"
And with that, they headed back to the underground base.
———————————————
「The Void」
♪ If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. ♪
"You invertebrate GARBAGE!"「Sengoku」
♪ If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. ♪
"Waste of MEAT! "「Sengoku」
♪ If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it... ♪(a twisted, mocking smile)
♪ If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. ♪
"You call that a FACE?! I know an ASS WHEN I SEE IT! "「Sengoku」
With a rust-covered, battered body, Sengoku swung Mikage—again and again—mercilessly cutting down anything he deemed unwanted, anything that displeased him, wielding that massive sword with relentless fury.
It mattered not whether his target was flesh or metal, glass or bone, small or towering, aged or youthful, human or otherwise. He made sure to shatter and sunder them beyond recognition.
The last remnants of Sakura Zeimachi's face had long since faded from his form, swallowed by corrosion and decay. All that remained was a monster—unchained, relentless, consumed by rust.
♪ If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet. ♪
"CHEAPER than slave!"「Sengoku」
Creatures fell one by one, torn apart by his wrath. Their remains melted into filthy rust that clung to his skin— or were reduced to nameless unrecognizable mess of thing and soon swallowed by The Void.
♪ If you're happy and you know it, shout 'Hooray!' ♪
"Louder than a BARKING dog!"「Sengoku」
Rage and madness intertwined, fueling his strength.
But with each strike, each kill, his mind crumbled—piece by piece.
♪ If you're happy and you know it, do all three. ♪
"BIGGER! TALLER! And still a pathetic! Worthless! MISERABLE FRANCHISE!"「Sengoku」
Like a demi-god—an Ashura—reveling in the blood and entrails of his slaughtered foes, that Persona became a force of pure carnage, unleashing unrelenting violence and annihilation.
"W-Wait! I thought this was a Secret Realm—"
"What... what is that thing? Those things... Outer God? H-Hey, old saint, you said this place was—"
"Hahaha! Now this is interesting! Time to test my new power—"
"No! Please, no! I just followed my Constellation's quest—"
"Hurry up and scatter! This place is the Voidborn Womb—so grab what you can and—"
Too late.
Any creature, any entity foolish enough to step into The Void was met with merciless obliteration.
[They're… human? Why it become humans?]
Moriarty voiced her disbelief as she continued supporting Sengoku from behind.
After being threatened by Sengoku—who swore to cut off both her legs if she dared sacrifice herself—Moriarty had no choice but to hold back. She had promised not to do anything reckless.
She had endured monstrosities—twisted, eldritch horrors from the abyss—since her arrival.
But now, the enemies standing before her bore an uncanny resemblance to humans. The foes she had to fight were no longer like germs or bacteria; this time, they were bona fide humans.
Yet, that didn't mean she would hesitate.
She knew these "humans" were far stronger than they appeared.
[Are these the System Users Machi mentioned?]
Moriarty could heal wounds, amplify attacks, and strike with follow-up assaults.
With her Sandglass Cane and the Authority of a Deity from her world, the timeless girl moved like a force of nature, effortlessly erasing several Nameless and Eldritch horrors from existence. Yet, when she clashed with System Users, it was different.
It wasn't that she couldn't defeat them—she could.
But unlike the mindless creatures before, these ones fought back.
Some even managed to wound her.
"Oh? You dodged that, Lil' Missy. Not bad. But hey, don't take it personally—we just want to end this as soon as possible."
[That power… Corruption and Predation. There's only one creature in my world that possesses such abilities. So that's how it is… This must be one of the strengths of a System User.]
"Hmm? This presence… Don't tell me—you're some kind of Goddess from your world? That's awesome! Bet you're loaded with Magicules. Oh, by the way, name's Rimuru. You know about Tensura, right? No way you don't!"
[Just as Machi said… their arrogance is the same.]
A memory flickered in Moriarty's mind—of a certain creature from her world, something eerily similar to the fusion of human and slime standing before her.
Furthermore, as she observed the System User and the others, she sensed something subtly wrapping around them—an aura? No, it was something more delicate.
It was thin, like a thread descending from above—endless, unseen—wrapping around their entire bodies. The more Moriarty observed, the more the nature of the System's existence eluded her.
But in the end, it didn't matter.
Sengoku erased them from existence without a shred of hesitation.
[I don't know anything about this... tensura.]
"What... nah, that's rude. Way too rude. How could someone not know about peak anime like that? You're such a trashy god. Take this! Beelzebub—"
"Eat your own trash, WORM," and immediately, rust spread over parts of Sengoku's body again.
[Thank you, Sengoku.]
He merely shrugged off her gratitude, "We're entering the next wave! After Nameless, La Creatura, Aliens, and even Eldritch Horrors, we're moving on to those System-wingy puppets!"
His shout was directed somewhere—towards Amour, though he remained unseen.
"Suzuhara?"「Amour」
"Not fucking yet!" Sengoku snapped.
"We're still holding! I've got more corners covered now, so just hang on! We're almost through this, so don't you dare die! And keep Moriarty safe, you hear me?" Amour's presence still unseen, but felt lingered in The Void.
With a brief moment to catch her breath, Moriarty sharpened her senses.
If she concentrated, she could pick up on the Persona's presence—faint yet still exist. He was there, concealed, masking himself from any stray threats that might lock onto him.
And at this moment, he wasn't alone.
A concealed tank rumbled alongside him, its heavy frame moving with surprising speed.
Despite its armor and metal gears, it maneuvered smoothly, its crew expertly gathering his Feathers—with Amour riding along as their passenger.
[Those girls who ride tanks… they're with him.]
Their presence here was the result of an unexpected accident.
Though initially bewildered, the sheer absurdity of the situation left them no choice but to abandon their usual mindset as high school girls who rode tanks for sport and embrace the reality of becoming real War Thunder players.
[There is no sport like Sensha-dō in my world... but there're tanks... hmn, I need to talk this with the Will of World.]
Moriarty had managed a brief introduction with them, though the situation hadn't allowed much time to get acquainted. To her, the girls piloting the tank seemed like a group of kind-hearted high schoolers.
"The fuck can a tank even do?! I still can't believe he pulled that shit out of his ass. With these shitty Users lined up for Zei's Feather, all they (those girls) can do is scatter like roaches," Sengoku scoffed.
[Are all System Users as strong as the last one?]
Sengoku noticed the sudden shift in conversation, but didn't seem to care.
"I'm sure plenty of these Users are just noobs following orders from their System, but I can sense a few veterans in the mix. Through their System, they've gained power to reach into anime—or some cartoonish god's realm. That means you, Moriarty."「Sengoku」
[They hold the same power… or even more than me?]
"Heck yeah, that's what a System's supposed to do."「Sengoku」
As they talked, a sudden blue-energy-blast-with-kame-as-its-frontname streaked overhead.
Even now, some of the System Users attempted to break past them. They shouted their special attacks, unleashed every trick they had prepared, and flaunted their so-called overwhelming strength.
But none of it mattered. Sengoku shattered everything with Mikage.
"It won't be long before these small fries scatter like ants. But after that, bigger threat will show up again. That's the sole reason we got stationed in here," Sengoku muttered, his grip on Mikage tightening.
"Your ears caught that name just now, right? Suzuhara."「Sengoku」
[Is she some kind of super-strong UR-ranked System User?]
Moriarty's question was almost innocent—almost laughable. Sengoku couldn't help but sneer.
"System User? Hah!" His voice dripped with amusement, madness, and scorn. "You really think that thing is the same as those worms? Suzuhara isn't a System User—she's the one who kills them."
[Then, a predator.]
"There was a lot of politics involved, so I didn't pry further, but back then, Zei and the Guide worked together to force that creature into hibernation. Now that the Guide's position is vacant, it must have realized it... and freed itself." 「Sengoku」
[An apex predator... powerful and vengeful.]
Suzuhara Lulu—a name once whispered in fear, from the past to the present.
Once, it stood alongside the title of Champion—an honor reserved for the few who reigned above all System Users. A title that signified their king, one of the rarest among countless worlds.
But she wasn't one of them.
She was something else entirely.
A predator born solely to claim the king's head.
"She was their devourer," Sengoku muttered, this time his voice laced with something between amusement and contempt. "A trump card forged by Interstellar Phantheon bastard—Champion End: Crestbane."