Chapter 95&96

Chapter 95: Twin Black vs. The Nightmare

[Main quest completed: Become Yokohama's Fearsome Nightmare]

[End of current role-play session]

[You may return to the settlement space within 24 hours]

The sudden system prompt jolted Tokisaki Kurumi back to consciousness, even as she hovered on the brink of fainting from the strain of her powers.

The main quest was completed.

That meant her plan had succeeded.

Becoming a figure that struck fear into Yokohama required two things: First, that the citizens knew Tokisaki Kurumi existed, and second, that they feared her.

Her doppelgänger Number Three accomplished the first condition through a broadcasted speech, and with John's help using the power of Wrathful Grapes, she spread City of Devouring Time across Yokohama, fulfilling the second condition.

So, it was only natural the quest was complete.

"Awake now?"

Her Doppelgänger Number One glanced at Kurumi, who was just regaining consciousness, and calmly remarked, "Perfect timing—I was debating whether or not to wake you."

"How long has City of Devouring Time been active?"

"Almost half an hour."

"And John?"

"He's moved elsewhere, but don't worry. I sent a few clones to follow him to prevent any attempts on your life."

"And our main troupe?"

"They're here."

Doppelgänger Number One gestured outward.

Kurumi focused and began to pick up on distant noises that grew louder as they came closer.

"This is it! There are plenty of Nightmare clones guarding this spot!"

"The enemy's assault is overwhelming!"

"Chuuya! Push forward!"

"Doctor! Dr. Yosano! Someone here's been shot!"

Kurumi had chosen to position herself in the dense forest of Yokohama's Central Park. It was the city's heart, ideal for John's grafting powers and full of trees that provided excellent cover, enhancing the flexibility of her doppelgängers. While she didn't know exactly how the three main organizations in Yokohama had managed it, she was certain the main troupe would find her here. She believed in it and they had, successfully arriving at Central Park.

"The good news is that most of the city clones have already returned," Doppelgänger Number One commented. "The even better news is that every ability user in Yokohama is here, just as we planned. You really know how to attract resentment."

"It had to be big enough to complete the quest, didn't it?"

"So, the quest is done now?"

"Yes, the system just issued the notification. I can leave this world anytime now."

"That's good." Doppelgänger Number One's expression relaxed slightly. "That means we can finally rest."

"You've done well."

"Not as much as Bandage Three has."

"Haha, speaking of, what's she doing now?"

"Fighting alongside the Armed Detective Agency."

"Let her know that her task is complete sometime soon. Forcing her to play the role of an edgelord is a bit cruel."

Kurumi and Doppelgänger Number One chatted as if the battle outside had nothing to do with them. Soon, the surrounding sounds of combat gradually died down, and the shouting, roaring, laughter, and gunfire faded. The number of clones flitting through the forest also began to dwindle.

"It seems you need a bit more time to recover. I'll buy you that time."

Doppelgänger Number One summoned her dual pistols, preparing for combat. "Leave the perfect finale to me."

"Thank you."

"That's what clones are for, after all."

She looked at Kurumi one last time and chuckled. "Don't forget, you still have nine other Spirits to portray. Compared to the workload you've got ahead, this isn't a bother."

With that, she vanished into the shadows of the trees, joining the other clones to intercept the approaching ability users.

The forest erupted once more in the sound of gunfire and fierce combat.

"Mr. Dazai! We'll handle the remaining clones!"

"Boss! Chuuya! Leave the Nightmare to us!"

Yokohama's ability users pinned down the remaining clones with sheer willpower, carving out the perfect opportunity for the Twin Blacks to break through. With their allies' help, Dazai Osamu and Nakahara Chuuya sliced through the defenses like a sharp blade, heading straight for Kurumi.

Corruption - Nakahara Chuuya

No Longer Human - Dazai Osamu

They were breathing heavily, casting aside their usual decorum as they reached Kurumi's throne within the forest.

Face to face with the Nightmare!

"Hehe, I knew you'd come."

Kurumi's voice, calm and leisurely from her throne, was as if speaking to old friends. "But tell me, Mr. Dazai, Mr. Nakahara, why would people as sharp as you do something as foolish as rushing to your deaths?"

"Well... maybe because one of my hobbies is suicide." Dazai shrugged, "Everyone lives for something, after all. If I can't satisfy my few interests, life would be terribly dull."

"Tch, don't make me sound like some idiot looking to die," Chuuya scoffed irritably.

"Maybe you are, but I sure as hell am not. We didn't make it this far just to screw up at the last second!"

"Pointless resistance. Do you really…"

"Shut up, Kurumi. I didn't come here to chat."

Chuuya's fierce gaze fixed on Kurumi. "You really dared to pull this, huh? In my city, threatening my people you're about to find out the Port Mafia isn't so easy to push around!"

Understanding his partner's temper well, Dazai instinctively took several steps back.

"Chuuya, it's all you!" Dazai called out from a safe distance, "Use Corruption already!"

"Don't order me around!"

Chuuya shot Dazai an irritated glare before taking a deep breath to steady himself.

Long ago, this duo had been known as Twin Black.

One's personality was dark to the core, while the other possessed strength as vast as a black hole.

Pressing down on his hat, Chuuya called upon the slumbering power within him the power of Arahabaki.

This inhuman strength could only be wielded by something more than human.

Though the price was steep, and a single misstep could cost him his life, drained of all vitality, he had no other choice against Kurumi.

"Thou who permits the gloomy corruption, awaken within me not again."

The incantation unlocked a forbidden power.

In the next instant, crimson patterns appeared on Chuuya's skin a combination of ferocity and elegance.

His eyes turned red, his handsome face twisting with veins and a demon-like snarl, while an inhuman roar tore from his throat.

A god of madness. A raging deity.

The berserk god had descended!

Chapter 96: Last Surprise

"Ahahahahaha---!"

Chuya Nakahara's eyes burned red with a frenzied gleam as a piercing laugh escaped him.

His power, once focused on controlling the gravity of objects he touched, had surged into something far more volatile.

Now, he could compress gravity itself, creating small, deadly black holes that he hurled across the forest, tearing through soil, stone, and trees until nothing was left in their wake. In this "Corruption" state, Chuya's presence was a hurricane of black energy that seemed almost alive.

In this form, Chuya's power rivaled, if not surpassed, the very Lovecraftian eldritch forces that could decimate Yokohama.

Normally, the only way Kurumi Tokisaki could defeat him was by striking him before he had a chance to activate his ability, striking quickly to incapacitate him.

But with Corruption unleashed, no physical attack could touch him everything fell to the crushing gravity akin to a black hole.

Kurumi remained seated on her throne of vines, her gaze serene as she watched Chuya's rampage.

There was no panic, no movement to defend herself; she even retained her elegant smile as if everything were going exactly according to plan. Observing from a distance to avoid Chuya's destructive reach, Dazai Osamu felt an uneasy sensation creep over him.

"Why isn't she reacting?" Dazai mused. "She can't possibly expect to counter Chuya in her current bound state. Could this all be an elaborate setup?"

But he quickly dismissed the thought. The two Doppelgängers who had betrayed Kurumi had confirmed that only her true self could activate her "City of Devouring Time" or use the Angel "Zafkiel." The City of Devouring Time had enveloped all of Yokohama, meaning the Kurumi before him was undoubtedly the original.

As the Doppelgängers were occupied fighting other ability users, no others could interfere with this one-on-one battle.

Even if Kurumi had other plans, it was hard to imagine she'd be able to fend off Chuya in his current berserk state.

Kurumi's hand rested on the arm of her throne, concealing something beneath her palm. As Dazai noticed it, alarm bells went off in his mind. The object was small, no larger than a notebook and looked just like… a book.

"A book…" Dazai's quick mind made the connection instantly. "It can't be that Book, the one that can alter reality… But, wait—"

He recalled Edgar Allan Poe's ability, The Black Cat of Rue Morgue, a story that could pull people into its fictional realm. Kurumi had abducted Poe, and she must have seized this ability as well.

"Chuya, stop!" Dazai shouted, momentarily dropping his calm demeanor. "Don't go near her---!"

But in his Corruption state, Chuya could no longer hear him. Eyes glowing red, he launched himself like a missile at Kurumi, his black hole aimed at her throne.

Just as he was about to strike, Kurumi's hand trembled, and the vines binding her disintegrated into dust.

She lifted Poe's book, and as it opened, a blinding light emerged from its pages.

With Poe's ability, an intense gravitational pull emanated from the book, surpassing even Chuya's black hole.

He was sucked into the fictional world, his figure vanishing as Kurumi snapped the book shut.

Silence fell.

In an instant, the seemingly unwinnable fight had shifted in Kurumi's favor. Yokohama's most dangerous asset was now trapped within Poe's literary world.

Kurumi's triumphant smile grew wider as she observed Dazai's disheartened expression.

His carefully crafted strategy had collapsed in an instant.

"Well, Dazai-san," Kurumi said, waving the book, "it seems I've won. Your most powerful player is out of commission, and your plan is in ruins."

Dazai took a long, steady breath, as if gathering himself, before he exhaled deeply, clapping his cheeks to snap back his composure.

A faint smile returned to his face as he resumed his confident, nonchalant manner.

"No, Tokisaki-san, we haven't lost yet." Dazai held up a finger to his lips and whispered, "Shh… Do you hear that?"

Kurumi cocked her head, listening intently.

"Nothing," she replied. "I hear nothing."

"Exactly," Dazai replied, his grin widening. "No more battle sounds."

Emerging from the shadows of the trees were the figures of Dazai's comrades. Their clothes were torn, their bodies battered, each one bearing the marks of a hard-fought battle, yet there was no hint of surrender in their eyes. The silence told a powerful truth Kurumi's Doppelgängers had been defeated.

"Yes, Tokisaki-san," Dazai said proudly, standing tall alongside his companions. "As long as even one of us stands, this fight isn't over."