Inside the bus, thirteen Sinners were doing what they did best.
Arguing.
Loudly.
Violently.
And, in several cases, for reasons that had stopped making sense approximately ten minutes ago.
The interior of Mephistopheles was filled with the usual sounds of impending disaster.
Gregor was attempting to read a newspaper while Ishmael complained about the bus's maintenance.
Heathcliff was arguing with Don Quixote.
Don Quixote was arguing with Heathcliff.
Ryoshu was quietly drawing something with a knife on the back of a seat.
Hong Lu appeared completely unconcerned.
Rodion was eating something she had definitely not been given permission to eat.
Sinclair was trying to convince everyone that they should simply wait for their Manager.
Faust had already stopped listening.
Outis was glaring at everyone as though she were considering military intervention.
Meursault sat completely motionless.
Yi Sang stared through the window.
And Vergilius—
Vergilius was standing outside the bus.
Because even he apparently had limits.
The argument continued.
[Heathcliff]: I'M TELLIN' YOU, THE DAMN THING WAS CHEATIN'!
[Don Quixote]: A MOST HONORABLE DUELIST WOULD NEVER ACCUSE HIS OPPONENT OF SUCH THINGS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE!
[Heathcliff]: IT HAD SIX ARMS!
[Don Quixote]: A MOST IMPRESSIVE MUTATION!
[Heathcliff]: THAT'S NOT THE FUCKIN' POINT!
Rodion leaned toward Gregor.
[Rodion]: Five Ahn says they start fighting before Dante gets here.
Gregor sighed.
[Gregor]: You're betting on something that's already happening.
[Rodion]: Exactly. Safe investment.
A metallic click came from the front of the bus.
Everyone stopped.
The doors opened.
A man wearing a long red coat stepped inside.
His head was a clock.
The hands rotated slowly across the cracked glass face.
The Sinners stared.
Dante raised one hand.
[Dante]: {Okay, everyone. We got three new polls for new Identities. Are you ready...}
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The kind of silence normally associated with an incoming Abnormality.
Don Quixote's eyes widened.
[Don Quixote]: NEW IDENTITIES?!
Her chair practically launched backward.
[Don Quixote]: MANAGER ESQUIRE, ARE THEY OF GREAT AND HEROIC PROPORTIONS?!
[Dante]: {Uh... probably?}
Ryoshu immediately leaned forward.
[Ryoshu]: {I. D.}
[Dante]: {Yes, Ryoshu. Identity.}
Heathcliff crossed his arms.
[Heathcliff]: What're we getting this time?
[Dante]: {Three Identity Polls. Three different themes.}
A screen flickered to life above the driver's seat.
The lights inside Mephistopheles dimmed.
A mechanical chime rang through the bus.
SPECIAL IDENTITY POLL EVENT]
[RAGNAROCK ARCHIVE — UNREGISTERED WORLDLINE]
Faust's eyes narrowed slightly.
[Faust]: An unregistered worldline.
[Heathcliff]: That ain't what I'd call it.
The screen flickered.
Three banners appeared.
[POLL #1 {000}]
[RAGNAROCK FIXER — MUSIC MASTER]
[Alexander squad — Don Quixote]
A portrait appeared on the screen.
Don Quixote stood proudly in a black-and-red Fixer coat, a battered violin case strapped across her back.
A polished flute rested in one hand.
Her usual expression of heroic enthusiasm remained...
Though this version of Don Quixote looked considerably more dangerous.
[Identity Description]
[Don Quixote]: A Fixer who discovered that music could be used for more than entertainment. Hope senior Alexander is happy that I have performed with Justice.
Don Quixote's eyes sparkled.
[Don Quixote]: A MUSICIAN?!
A pause.
[Don Quixote]: AND A FIXER?!
She slammed both hands onto the table.
[Don Quixote]: THIS IDENTITY IS PERFECT!
Heathcliff stared at the portrait.
[Heathcliff]: Why's she carrying a damn flute like a sword?
Ryoshu immediately answered.
[Ryoshu]: {Better question. Why aren't you?}
Heathcliff frowned.
[Heathcliff]: ...Don't give me ideas.
The screen changed.
[Alexander — Don Quixote]
[000]
Weapon: Flute
Damage Type: Slash / Pierce
Combat Role: Support / Assassin
Skill 1 — Musical Introduction
Don Quixote plays a short melody before striking the enemy with the flute.
Skill 2 — Medically Educational
Deals heavy damage and applies Tremor.
"This should be educational."
Skill 3 — Encore
Don Quixote draws her flute like a blade and unleashes a rapid series of strikes.
Defense Skill — Polite Retreat
"Please excuse me."
The user retreats.
The screen flickered.
Then a special line appeared.
[Identity Acquisition Quote]
[Don Quixote]: "Hark! I have acquired the musical prowess of a most distinguished Fixer!"
[Don Quixote]: "Fear not, Manager! I shall perform a most glorious concerto upon the skulls of our foes!"
Dante's clock tilted slightly.
[Dante]: {...I don't think that's what Alexander meant by music.}
Don Quixote proudly raised the flute.
She pointed dramatically toward the front of the bus.
[Don Quixote]: PERMIT ME TO DEMONSTRATE!
[Dante]: {Absolutely not.}
[POLL #2 {00}]
[RAGNAROCK COCKROACH — COFFEE COCKROACH]
[The Coffee Cockroach — Gregor]
The screen went black.
A single sound played.
SLURP.
Everyone stared.
Then the portrait appeared.
Gregor had been transformed into an enormous humanoid cockroach.
He wore a tiny café apron.
A small paper coffee cup rested between two of his claws.
His expression was somehow still completely Gregor.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Gregor stared at the screen.
He slowly pointed at himself.
[Gregor]: Why am I a cockroach?
Rodion immediately burst out laughing.
She nearly fell out of her seat.
[Rodion]: They finally made you honest!
[Gregor]: That's not funny.
He looked at the portrait again.
The portrait stared back.
[Gregor]: ...Okay, it's a little funny.
Heathcliff covered his mouth.
His shoulders were shaking.
[Heathcliff]: I ain't laughing.
[Gregor]: You're literally shaking.
[Heathcliff]: I'm cold.
[Ishmael]: It's not cold.
[Heathcliff]: Shut up.
The screen changed.
[The Coffee Cockroach — Gregor]
[00]
Weapon: Mandibles
Damage Type: Blunt
Combat Role: Tank / Support
Skill 1 — Scuttle
The user rapidly approaches an enemy before delivering a series of bites.
Skill 2 — Freshly Brewed
The user drinks coffee and gains increased Speed and defensive power.
Skill 3 — Coffee Raid
Summons a swarm of smaller cockroaches to overwhelm the target.
Defense Skill — Hardened Carapace
Reduces incoming damage.
Then—
[Passive — Caffeine Dependency]
The user becomes increasingly powerful after consuming coffee.
No coffee available?
The user becomes increasingly upset.
Gregor stared at the description.
[Dante]: {You okay?}
[Gregor]: I'm going to pretend this Identity doesn't exist.
The screen immediately displayed:
[Identity Acquisition Quote]
[Gregor]: "Squeak."
[Gregor]: "...Wait. Why did I say squeak?"
[Gregor]: "I hate this place."
Rodion was crying with laughter.
[Rodion]: This is the greatest Identity ever made!
Gregor pointed at her.
[Gregor]: You're next.
Rodion stopped laughing.
[Rodion]: Worth it.
The screen flickered again.
A final line appeared.
[Special Interaction]
[Coffee Cockroach — Gregor]: "Coffee."
[Dante]: {Coffee?}
[Coffee Cockroach — Gregor]: "Coffee."
[Dante]: {I don't have any.}
[Coffee Cockroach — Gregor]: "..."
[Coffee Cockroach — Gregor]: "COFFEE."
Dante slowly stepped backward.
[Dante]: {...We're getting this one coffee.}
[POLL #3 {000}]
[RAGNAROCK WORKER — NORMAL EMPLOYEE]
[Heathcliff — For Heathcliff]
The screen flickered.
A new image appeared.
Heathcliff stood behind the counter of Ragnarock Café.
He wore a battered employee uniform beneath a long, weathered coat. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing bandages wrapped around his arms. His usual baseball bat had been replaced with a heavy steel serving tray reinforced with a metal edge.
A coffee cup sat beside him.
A nametag was pinned crookedly to his chest.
HELLO, MY NAME IS: HEATHCLIFF
Underneath it, someone had written:
PLEASE DON'T PUNCH THE CUSTOMERS.
Heathcliff stared at the image.
[Heathcliff]: ...You're taking the piss.
Dante's clock tilted slightly.
[Dante]: {Apparently this is you working at Ragnarock Café.}
[Heathcliff]: Why the bloody hell am I wearing an apron?!
Rodion leaned over his shoulder.
[Rodion]: It suits you.
[Heathcliff]: Shut it.
The Identity information appeared.
[Identity: Ragnarock Worker — Normal Employee]
[Name: Heathcliff]
[Occupation: Café Employee / Fixer]
[Grade: 8 Fixer]
[Weapon: Reinforced Serving Tray]
[Combat Specialty: Blunt / Envy]
[Combat Role: Frontline Brawler]
[Passive — Clock In]
At the beginning of combat, gain Haste.
If an ally is defeated, gain additional Strength and Protection.
[Skill 1 — Take Their Order]
Heathcliff approaches the target.
He then violently introduces them to the serving tray.
[Skill 2 — Overtime]
The longer Heathcliff remains in combat, the stronger his attacks become.
Each additional turn represents another hour of unpaid overtime.
[Skill 3 — GET OUT OF MY CAFÉ!]
Heathcliff loses his patience.
He charges the enemy and delivers a series of devastating Blunt attacks.
If the target has previously attacked an ally, deal additional damage.
[Defense Skill — Employee Break]
Heathcliff takes a moment to drink coffee.
Recover HP.
Gain Haste.
If interrupted, immediately gain Enraged.
Heathcliff stared at the description.
Then pointed at the screen.
[Heathcliff]: Employee Break?
[Heathcliff]: Why's it say unpaid?!
Dante's clock hands slowly turned.
[Dante]: {It's supposed to be lore accurate.}
Heathcliff's eye twitched.
[Heathcliff]: I'm going to kill that Eridius.
Gregor immediately shook his head.
[Gregor]: You don't want to do that.
[Heathcliff]: Why not?
Gregor pointed at the screen.
[Gregor]: Look at the passive.
Heathcliff looked.
[Employee Benefits]
After completing a battle, the employee receives one free meal.
Heathcliff went silent.
His expression changed.
Rodion grinned.
[Rodion]: They know how to motivate you.
Heathcliff crossed his arms.
A pause.
[Heathcliff]: Maybe I won't kill him.
The screen suddenly flickered.
[IDENTITY SUMMONING DIALOGUE]
The bus went dark.
The sound of rain filled the background.
Then—
Ding.
A café door opened.
Heathcliff stepped inside.
His uniform was stained with blood.
His hair was soaked.
He slammed the reinforced serving tray onto the counter.
CLANG!
[Heathcliff]: "Who's the bastard that ordered twelve coffees?"
Silence.
A customer slowly raised his hand.
Heathcliff stared at him.
The customer immediately lowered his hand.
[Customer]: "...Actually, forget it."
Heathcliff grabbed a coffee.
Took a sip.
His expression softened slightly.
A pause.
He grabbed his weapon.
[Heathcliff]: "Now where are the rats?"
The café door suddenly exploded inward.
A dozen Rats rushed inside.
[Rat]: "This is Cat Claw territory!"
Heathcliff slowly turned toward them.
He sighed.
[Heathcliff]: "I'm on break."
A beat.
He put his coffee down.
[Heathcliff]: "...You've got five seconds to leave."
The Rats stared.
Heathcliff cracked his knuckles.
[IDENTITY ACQUIRED]
The screen returned to normal.
Heathcliff stared at his Identity portrait.
A slow grin appeared on his face.
[Dante]: {You like it?}
[Heathcliff]: It's better than I expected.
A pause.
He pointed toward the screen.
[Heathcliff]: But I'm changing that nametag.
Heathcliff's grin widened.
[Heathcliff]: It says "Please don't punch the customers."
He picked up his bat.
[Heathcliff]: That's an unreasonable workplace restriction.
[Dante]:{ Just who are the Ragnarock Café, and that Eridius]
[Chapter end]