Seven Association is an organization successful in intelligence gathering and, through sustained cooperation with the national police, is treated as a semi-public enterprise among Resolvents.
But they don't just gather intel; they have teams that operate on-site and wield force when necessary. Such units move in groups, so they wouldn't wander into a back alley—meaning...
"Get out of the way!!!"
In a back alley, it's the territory of The Infected. Non-Infected won't set foot here, and there's no CCTV—so we can slash to our heart's content.
Ugh... Uuugh...
"If you're going to vomit, do it now. Ahead, there'll be even more bloodshed than this."
Of course, Ji-hyeon isn't used to the sight of blood...
Ugh... Uugh... just a moment...
"Why are you...?"
"Where do you think you are, you brats, clucking so damn loud?"
"Shit, here they come again!"
Too bad I have no intention of holding back. I fill my blade with calculated rage and thrust out an upward slash—
Shing!
I sever the torso of the hobo leader with surgical precision. Amid the spurting entrails, the black sheen of ore reveals that the corpse was afflicted with [Oripathy].
"Let's go. If this thing ruptures, we'll all end up as severe [Oripathy] cases~"
I kick the rolling lower half aside; the other groups have long since fled.
"You... who the hell are you?"
"Me? Just an aspiring Resolver."
'Aspiring? This is pro level already.'
Ji-hyeon's parents are both Resolvents, so she'd toured the Seven Association many times. She recognized that blade instantly. Whether it was an [Arts] technique or a smith's craft, it outclassed even seventh-tier Resolvents. Even the strongest recruit they'd lured in couldn't parry that sword. I'm certain of it.
"Are you coming? Or going to puke again?"
"N-now go!!"
For now, I'm just grateful that blade isn't aimed at me.
"It's real. It's behind the scrapyard..."
Even though a high wall blocks our path.
"Hey, how are we gonna get him up there...?"
"I know... should we carry him?"
"I really don't want to piggyback a guy..."
Those two monsters simply stepped on the wall's tiny crevices and climbed the nine-meter barrier as if it were a staircase.
"Wait... ah! This might work!"
A heavy chain used to secure cars in a scrapyard. Could it be...?
"Sorry. If it hurts, you have to say so right away."
"Wait, Hese? No, right?"
"Alright, here we go—heave!"
I hear the chain rattling above, and my body lifts and crashes onto the wall's top.
"How was that? You got fished, buddy."
"I... I hate you guys..."
"Fair enough. Then let's go rescue the [Sua] you're so fond of!"
"What? N-no!!"
"No arguing, kid. Count yourself lucky."
"You're the same age..."
"GPS said it was around here... the signal faded and died right here."
"Looks like the battery's dead."
The last spot it showed was the container stacks we can see from here.
"Sigh... this is gonna be a bitch."
We split roles: Sinclair and Ji-hyeon search the containers while I create chaos to draw attention—and the boss's blade.
"You sure you can handle it alone...?"
"I'll be fine. You should be more worried about tagging along with me."
"What the—who are you guys!"
"Aaa! I'm sorry!!"
'This one's not right in the head either...'
Forcing myself to ignore the bisected corpse, I focus on finding Sua. Otherwise, I'll go insane.
"Everyone, come in!!"
Meanwhile, I'm wreaking havoc where the crowd is densest.
I ambush from above, severing the big guy's spine. The clean slice rings chkkk! as crimson splashes over the mahjong table. Before they can regroup, I lunge, driving my blade into another's forehead.
'We need to finish before the Association arrives and get out.'
We're fugitives. Falling into the clutches of the Seven Association would be deadly.
"What is that monster?"
"Don't chicken out! The target's alone!!"
Aren't you underestimating me just because I'm one?
I use precise technique to rupture two more from within. The thick metallic tang of blood is disturbingly fragrant and repulsive at once.
"If it coats your nostrils like this, you'll know if it's sweet or foul."
Right. I slash anything in my path. The boss will have to show himself.
"Fuck, just shoot anything! Shoot!!"
"It's not hitting! Not a scratch! What the hell is that!!"
The scrapyard terrain works entirely in my favor.
'Huh? Why is that in the building...?'
Thud!
As expected, the car doors tear off under impact. I weave between wrecks, sometimes diving inside to dodge the arrows.
"There it is! There!"
In a world where Originium tech is commercialized, there's even a liquefied Originium engine unit here.
"Alright, let's hook this here... and run."
I tie the chain to the car's front bumper, grip the other end, and sprint toward the opposite structure.
[Hidden Tiger in the Forest Stance]
Crouching then exploding upward, I slice through three men with impossible speed. Maybe it's [E.G.O], or just physics, but when velocity's high, you can cleave through three adults even lacking raw power.
Clang!!
One of them smashes a dagger through a window and jumps inside.
"Hup! Nice ambush, eh?"
A blade flies at me from behind—this is a heavy-blade type fighting with brute force. Had I not slipped the steel, I'd be in danger.
He follows up with a flurry. Looks like he handles dual blades.
'But he leaves too many openings.'
When there are gaps between swords, whether it's one blade or a hundred, they're wasted.
"Alright, opening!"
"Ha! I was waiting for this moment!"
"...! Damn!"
This guy—Pidia tribe, I think? His tail whips like a baseball bat, the blow so heavy I had to step back.
"Tch! And he still blocked that?"
"Sure did. And thanks for the assist, you idiot?"
I never intended to fight here. I pick up the loose chains, feed them into the car-hauling machinery, and lock them in.
This scrapyard might only exist on paper, but this machine's in here somewhere...
Rrmm... rrrmm... BOOM!!
"Fuck, what is that? Get clear!!"
cough cough... this can't be... Right? It can't..."
"Clear out! It's Originium dust!!"
"That crazy bastard!!!"
Yeah. It's the scrapyard edition of [Oripathy].
"Then maybe I'll cut up some snakes?"
Native sword art—[Grass-Clearing Snake-Search Stance].
It cleaves grass to find snakes. There's no grass here, but there are definitely snakes.
"Damn it!"
He barely blocks with dual blades, but the [E.G.O] in my sword—pure impatience craving an end—makes me careless.
'Did my blade stop...?'
No. He deflected my sword with a diagonal downward cut like slicing grass. I'm completely unguarded—and to a swordsman, that means...?
Thud!
"Goodbye."
My heart is pierced, blood gushing. I feel doused in ketchup.
"Then maybe I should climb up too? If I head outside, I'll get [Oripathy] for sure."
I'll pass. I'm only twelve.
"Huh? What's this?"
I see forces gathering near the containers—not a simple pursuit, but coordinated as if ordered.
"Alright, let's move~"
The Magpie's blade still keeps cutting.
"On such a beautiful moonlit night, wouldn't playing Go alone be lonely?"
A man plays Go alone in a quiet room. A Moonlit Beauty appears without a sound.
The sweet aroma of liquor, her ethereal hair and long blue tail, horns like a Pidia—this beauty sits before the head of the sword world.
"Are you Behemoth?"
They greet each other as old acquaintances.
"I see... you look burdened."
A cup is placed on the Go board, filled with liquor, and passes to the lady's lips. It's a portrait of serenity.
"Burden, you say... yes. It seems a great war is approaching."
"A war... does humanity still cling to that foolishness? It's sorrowful—my wine might have to flow as tears."
"I do not wish for a lake here. Please hold back."
"Shall I? So, why did you call me?"
"...I have found the child to deliver this necklace to."
In Meursault's hand rests a small, exquisite locket. The emerald gem flickers as if alive.
"Oh... a child worthy of it, you say?"
"Yes. I ask you to discern that child in advance. The realm of dreams is your specialty."
"Hmm... very well. For the request of an old friend's successor."
"Then, I entrust this to you, First Daughter of Shae."
With those words, she vanishes as if she never existed. When Meursault closes and opens his eyes—
"...the moon is bright."
He realizes he had only been asleep for a moment.
The cup remains on the Go board.