-CONTROL ROOM-
-12:22 PM, MARCH 10, 2017-
The system pulsed.
Lights flickering.
Data streaming across the screens.
Rikuu stepped forward.
Eyes locked on the interface.
"…Ichika."
She looked at him.
"…Yeah?"
"…We're not just fighting him."
A pause.
"…We're fighting the system itself."
Ichika's expression sharpened.
"…Then we shut it down."
Rikuu nodded.
"…Or at least interrupt it."
Rikuu moved toward the console.
Hands steady.
Eyes focused.
The man watched silently.
Unmoving.
Rikuu began typing.
Fast.
Controlled.
Ichika stayed close, scanning the room.
"…Are you sure you can do this?"
Rikuu didn't look at her.
"…Not completely."
A pause.
"…But I can try."
The screens reacted.
Warnings appearing.
Systems resisting.
Rikuu's eyes narrowed.
"…They anticipated interference."
Ichika stepped in.
"…Then we adapt."
She leaned in.
Watching the data flow.
"…Here—this path."
Rikuu followed her direction.
"…Got it."
They worked together.
Typing.
Adjusting.
Redirecting.
The system resisted.
But—
It was slowing.
The man finally spoke.
"…Impressive."
Rikuu didn't respond.
Ichika didn't either.
Their focus remained.
Suddenly—
A warning flashed across the screen.
"COUNTERMEASURE INITIATED"
Rikuu's expression changed.
"…Wait."
The system surged.
Stronger.
Faster.
Data spiking.
The room lights flickered violently.
Ichika's eyes widened.
"…It's pushing back harder."
Rikuu clenched his jaw.
"…They didn't expect us to get this far."
The man stepped closer.
"…Of course."
A pause.
"…That's why we prepared alternatives."
Rikuu froze slightly.
"…Alternatives?"
The man smiled faintly.
"…You're only interacting with one layer."
Ichika's expression darkened.
"…There's more."
The man nodded.
"…Much more."
The screens shifted again.
New data.
New systems activating.
The hum deepened.
The entire structure—
Responding.
Rikuu stepped back slightly.
"…We're not shutting it down yet."
Ichika nodded.
"…But we made progress."
The man watched them.
"…You've exceeded expectations."
A pause.
"…Which means the outcome is no longer predictable."
Rikuu looked at him.
"…Good."
A pause.
"…We'll break your system."
The man's faint smile remained.
"…Then prove it."