Chapter 6: Those Eyes, Everywhere

"Ellen~" Westcott called from his chair.

"Yes, Ike?" The dutiful Wizard responded.

"Did you hear the news about our mysterious [IX]?" Westcott smiled contentedly. "Allegedly, they manifested in China just a few hours ago. No spacequake was observed, and they went coincidentally unnoticed until they decimated the Chinese Wizard troops who were chasing [Hermit] at the time. What a supremely powerful Spirit, no? Perhaps he even approaches [Deus] in terms of power..." 

"Ike, analysis during the brief span of his encounter with the Chinese team revealed that his Reiryoku only measures in at about 210. That's a far from records of [Deus]," Ellen refuted, shaking her head.

Westcott's smile only widened.

"...is there something wrong about what I said?" Ellen gave a confused look.

"No, not at all." Westcott waved his hand carelessly. "But I just have an inexplicable feeling that this Spirit will turn out to be more than we realize. After all, not only have we not seen the full extent of their Angel, but they are also the only male Spirit."

"That information is technically unconfirmed."

"..." Westcott's smile cramped a little. 

——————I am the dividing line that shifts perspective——————

In front of the fabled [Nightmare], even Kyo remained on guard. He wasn't sure how much her first bullet, [Aleph], sped up time, but he was confident in being able to guard against it if he prepared himself.

"Are you really going to keep a lady waiting?" Kurumi slowly approached him with a predatory gaze hidden behind a weak facade of a smile. Kyo slowly met her stare.

"Guesswork." Kurumi's eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, Kyo continued, "After all, if I were a Spirit that could make a theoretical infinite amount clones, having one stationed in as many major cities as possible would be my first priority. Plus, I dispelled my stealth technique a while ago, so two large pieces of bait appeared on every radar within the country. Including, most likely, yours."

"What interesting reasoning you have." Kurumi tensed as Kyo unsheathed his sword.

"[White]. Let's move before DEM actually shows up." 

Kurumi's eye twitched as she felt an overwhelming energy encompass her before fading like it never existed. 

"The ability to erase one's presence? How very useful. And how convenient that such a power would fall into the hands of the only male Spirit," Kurumi mocked as she followed Kyo.

"Don't patronize me, Kuru-kuru."

"Who's patronizing who now?" Kurumi laughed.

Twenty minutes later, a group of Wizards arrived on the scene on foot. Unable to find any traces of the Spirits, they would later be forced to give up the search.

———————I am the dividing line that shifts perspective———————

Kurumi hummed as she followed the sword-wielding Spirit into the snowy forest. In complete contrast to her carefree appearance, her mind raced at a mile a minute. How does this Spirit know of my abilities? Why did they lure me here? Could they be used against the Spirit of Origin? Are they really a male Spirit? Such thoughts plagued her mind such that she almost didn't notice Kyo had stopped at a clearing in the trees.

"My, did you plan to 'do it' here?" Kurumi licked her lips, mentally calling over an extra four clones as backup.

"Did you have to make this weird?" Kyo groaned, then shook his head and looked into her eyes. "But here is fine. Kuru-kuru, I want to make an exchange with you."

"Oh~? Do elaborate." Kurumi started walking around the field, never taking her eyes off of Kyo.

"The location of the second Spirit, [Sister]."

Kurumi raised her eyebrow before laughing. "Oh? And what exactly would you want me to do with that information?"

"Don't play dumb. You've been searching for her for some time now, haven't you? Raiding DEM bases worldwide in your search for what you believe to be the only lead on the original Spirit, [Deus]."

A clack sounded behind his head. Without hesitation, Kyo unsheathed Origin and dashed behind a second clone of Kurumi that had secretly begun aiming at his head from behind, placing the edge of his blade on her neck. "I don't want to engage with you, [Nightmare], but I'm not afraid to. Put your century-old guns away before I get offended."

"My sincere apologies, 'Kyo,' but I'll need you to explain how you know so much about my plans." Kurumi's eyes flashed dangerously. I've never spoken to anyone about this. There's only three possibilities here. One, he's another Spirit in disguise. Two, he can read minds. Three...

"Twelth Bullet, [Yud Bet]."

"...you're claiming that 'I' from the future sent you here?"

"No, I'm just using it as an example to simplify things for you. Essentially, I experienced a previous iteration of this world before an irreplicable accident sent me into the past. Permanently, unlike that bullet of yours."

"What a fascinating tale, 'Kyo.' But how do you plan to verify such a claim?" Kurumi silently summoned [Zadkiel] and leveled it at Kyo again, despite the hostage clone. Kyo narrowed his eyes.

"My offering you this deal is already part of proving my story. Recover [Sister] with me, and thus prove my knowledge true."

"That doesn't prove anything beyond your knowledge. Your story could still be a lie." Kurumi smiled sweetly.

"You're just being unreasonable now." Kyo's eyes began to glow a bright violet. "Don't test my patience any further. I think you know I've been playing nice with you just now."

"My, how fierce. But isn't that suspicious too? That, despite knowing me as [Nightmare], you still want me as an ally?"

"It's always better to have the crazy murderous time-traveler as an ally rather than an enemy," Kyo said dryly. "That's just common sense."

"...kihihihihihi!" A manic laugh escaped both Kurumi's, and the original clone dropped her gun. "Alright, Kyo, I'll give you a chance. But tell me, what did you plan to ask of me in exchange for [Sister]'s location?"

"Her safety," Kyo said solemnly. "After we rescue her, and you've asked her what you need to ask, give us one of your more livable safehouses and never interfere with her life again." 

"My, how chivalrous! Could it be that you're afraid that I'd kill her in the future? Or perhaps I already did, in the last 'Iteration'?" Kurumi teased with a murderous smile. Does that mean I should be wary of her?

"Do you accept, Kurumi Tokisaki?" Kyo asked, ignoring her questions. Kurumi hesitated for a moment before smiling.

"Fine, I accept." Kurumi took his hand and shook it gently. "Here's to a fruitful cooperation."

"Cheers," Kyo sighed. "Then I'll walk you through the plan right now, and we can set off before sundown."