"Swapped Souls" (054)

"This planet is an improvement over the wicked teams, as it is cognizant of various Spiritual Classes...

Spiritual Exorcists, Spiritual Duelists, Demons, Half-Demons, Holy Light, Gods, Spiritual Hoaxers, Spiritual Fiends, Spiritual Demons, and lastly Spiritual Duelists!

Their abilities are still a mystery, however, there are three variations available for assistance:

- The Natural Spiritual Exorcists

- The Advanced Spiritual Exorcists

- The Elite Spiritual Exorcists

The Natural ones' tactics need inserting their entire Soul and Body into the Spiritual Duelists' weapon to boost their Elemental Mastery, whilst the Advanced ones can just transfer their Aura into the blade without having to enter it, although their powers are rather limited.

The Advanced ones have a major weakness that is proportional to their distance from their Spiritual Dualists; the further they are away from them, the weaker their power becomes.

The ultimate and Elite Spiritual Exorcists have no definite bounds, and their Aura empowers Advanced Spiritual Duelists regardless of distance.

Not only that but Spiritual Exorcists are tasked with eliminating a Human's Fiendish energy; some participate in shutting them away in their Spiritual Capture IDs, while others simply obey their Duelist's directives.

These characters are counted as natural humans with the power to improve someone's strength, regardless of how they appear or speak... their other role is to wipe any 'Abspiritual Viruses' from their friend's blade or body."

"So, Tomomi, which of these is yours?" Codey inquired, his Electronic Handbook in hand, as he read through the information on Spiritual Exorcists.

"... I've been given the Advanced title of Spiritual Exorcist.... I apologize if I've disturbed you." Our Heroes, on the other hand, disputed it.

"That's entirely acceptable... So, you're the Elemental Mastery Enhancer, correct?" Kiyoshi pondered, his gaze fixed on Tomomi.

"Nope. When it comes to strength, speed, and Aura Pressure, I'm the Physical Body Enhancer... I've never been given the task of enhancing someone's kinetics."

"So, like me, you're an Enhancer, but you can channel your Aura into the Spiritual Duelist's might... But can we be certain you'll be able to reach Tim's blade?" Ayuka pondered, attempting to find a solution.

"I can match anyone's aura, but you'll need your friend to accept me as an ally first. Only if he does so is this possible."

The instant they listened to Tomomi, others were scared. "B-But... if it's true that he isn't even Tim... are we sure it's worth it?" Yumi was perplexed as she read more details regarding Spiritual Exorcist.

"Come on! Even if it isn't Tim, he is our buddy, and I am confident that if he knows us, he will welcome someone as adorable as her!" Called Codey, hoping for the best.

"But, didn't you notice... he didn't feel at ease around Chifumi... So I'm concerned that it will be the same..." Elliot retorted, irritated.

"Chifumi... Yeah..., However, she was diametrically opposed to Tomomi, and if she isn't lying about being an advanced Exorcist, that must imply she won't take possession of Tim's body, right, Tomomi?"

By believing, Codey was able to anticipate Tomomi's response.

"Don't be concerned. I've known her for three years and she's never done anything bad... I told you she's great... she'll absolutely listen to him, and I'm confident... if it's really Tim, he won't command too much." Shion chuckled, her palms resting on her hips.

"That isn't the case at all... Tim would never compel us to do something; instead, he'd most likely ask her first..." For the first time in a long time, Elliot had started considering such scenarios.

"Well, if I only share my own technique with your friend's Aura, it can stay there, but if I do that, I'll get exceedingly fatigued, which is why I have to balance my portion of strength..."

"How about putting him out of your mind and becoming my Spiritual Exorcist!" Elliot laughed and scratched the top of his head.

"No."

Elliot's eyes got sad without any further words. "I can't even get a female so cute... alright, be with that guy and do whatever you want, meanie!" He hoped that by crossing his arms and looking away, she might alter her mind.

"I see..."

"...certainly you do... as if you're better at it than I am... hmph..." Until Tomomi spoke, Elliot claimed. "I'm not as gifted as you are... I'm only good at articulating my pressure; I'm not sure how to fight effectively... In other words, I've never had to battle."

"Then you're a waste of time..." Yumi and Ayuka smacked Elliot in the cheeks on each side of his face the moment he said that instantly reddening them.

"Shut up for the first time in your life! You were only useful once when you aided Ayuka earlier!" Yumi was irritated and outraged when she received the call. "... ouch... my cheeks are still hurting..."

"You pervert, stop using these goddamn words!" Yumi grumbled, but Codey just sighed.

"So, all we have to do now is deliver you to Tim and hope that he accepts you? Right after that, you'll do everything you can to stop this 'Abspiritual Virus,' right?"

"Well, if your friend is truly not himself, then he won't... but I can still help you... if I manage to come into contact with his blade, everything will be ready... as long as his blade is free of any other Spiritual Exorcists."

"Yes, it is... In fact, he obtained that blade and we're still not sure how he got it..."

"Let's get one thing straight. All we have to do now is insert your ass inside his Spiritual Blade and eliminate the virus that's preventing his normal intelligence and Soul from being liberated. Isn't that all there is to it?" Alpha pondered, sitting back on the sofa once again.

"That's correct. All I have to do now is make contact with his weapon. So all I ask is that you keep him occupied... don't worry, I'm quite capable of remaining silent when it comes to sneaking around people..." She gave a wink and a chuckle.

"However, what if he sees you and attempts to murder you...?" Shigeru inquired, his tone solemn.

"Tim would never wish to kill an innocent person! I know you didn't spend as much time as the three of us, but everything I saw him do was to defend the people, not to murder them." Ayuka conveyed her dissatisfaction.

"When we fought him at the Academy, he tried to murder us..."

"No, I don't believe it was under his command... After all, I witnessed Tim crying before Genpaku came and took us to their bunker... it was evident that he never wanted to harm any of us three. So I'm guessing Yujiro was in command..." Nina explained, her voice confident.

"So... d-does it... imply..." Codey had a recollection of something from the past.

~ "However, if I win..." Everyone was waiting for Tim's reaction with bated breath. "I'm going to kill her, and you're not going to stop me." Tim pointed to Ayuka, giving the others one of the most shocking moments of their lives. ~

"But... wait... you said he had to accept you in order for you to share his power... how can we be sure it'll work if you sneak into his blade and he doesn't accept it?"

"Yes, that's correct... How do we know it'll work, as Kiyoshi points out...?" Nina was perplexed.

"By using the 'Forcible Breach,' if I trigger such a blockade breaker, his blade's aura will be utterly ignored, and he won't be able to drag me out of his weapon."

"'Forcible Breach'... what the hell is that? I don't understand a word you're saying..."

"Forcible Breach is a Spiritual trick that allows you to ignore any Spirituality and force your own Soul through it... image phasing through a wall, or in our case, phasing through the barrier that prevents me from engaging with his discarded Soul."

"Oh, I see... Well, then, I guess we should just put our trust in Tomomi... right, guys?" Elliot said, as the rest of the group smiled.

Yumi questioned, a little kneeling in front of her, "Okay... then Tomomi, are you able to keep up with our speed?"

"I may not be able to fight, but I can certainly keep up with your pace; after all, I am a boost to myself and others..."

"That makes this crap simpler... all right, then shouldn't we get going?" Codey was genuinely perplexed.

Ayuka, on the other hand, declined. "We can't..."

"H-Huh, why?"

"You still have a shaky grasp on your Reality's strength... we don't want an epidemic, so we'll do this... for the time being, you'll stay with me at the training ground, fighting me and Nobuhiko while learning... Alpha, Shigeru, Elliot, Kiyoshi, Yumi, and Tomomi, on the other hand, are going to go and find Tim."

"Hey, Ayuka! Are you insane? They're looking for some high-powered individuals to join their squad!"

"Are you suggesting I'm a wimp?" Alpha pondered, her arms crossed. "T-That isn't the case... well, it isn't exactly the case... but-"

"Don't worry, we'll be OK... we aren't *that* much weaker than you Codey... moreover, we have Alpha and Shigeru on our side!" Kiyoshi laughed quietly.

Shion explained, lifting her arm, "And me, too."

"Well, if Shion is coming with you, then we don't have to worry about anything!"

Others were underwhelmed when Codey said it, giggling with embarrassment. "You know... Codey, I may be continuously dubbed a pervert, but I can keep track of how effectively I fight, so don't mistrust me *that* much..." Elliot added, smirking.

"How about me?" Nina was left out, and the rest of the group froze. "Oh, that's right... Well, it's not like she'll be safe if she goes..."

Nina interrupted Ayuka just as she was about to say that. "No! I'll be joining them! I still owe Tim a debt of gratitude for everything he's done for me! So, no matter how difficult things get, it's only fair that I assist him as well!"

Codey, on the other hand, gripped his chin. "What exactly did he do?"

"Oh... well, he did a lot more with and for me than you think!"

"Wait! He did it *with* you! Come on, Nina, you've only known him for a few weeks!" Elliot was shocked when, himself, had called him.

"For once, you pervert, keep your mouth shut! That is not what I am referring to! Please don't ask any more questions... let's just go save him!"

"All right, Nina... then try your best." When the others were quickly joined by Nina, Ayuka laughed.

"Don't worry... I'll protect her!" Elliot flexed his muscles in a confident manner.

"All right... shall we go?" Others agreed with Shion and nodded. "Make sure to keep a watch on Saraki, Ayuka, and the others."

Their nods were noticed, and they were ready to begin their mission of rescuing Tim... or even Yujiro, in a matter of seconds.

However, nothing appeared to be as it seemed.

Tim's arms were wrapped in a chain and spread upward while he was unconscious and his top was undone, allowing his hollowed-out abdomen to be readily seen.

Genpaku, on the other hand, appeared from the corner of the room, holding a torch and smiling.

"Ah, yes... Yujiro Sagayama... who is governed by Miyazaki Timoshi's soul... such a great age for me to behold," Genpaku took a step closer by opening the jail.

"Not only that but with such a stunning figure and so much promise... I almost want to touch it... but it would be pointless... and that isn't why I wanted you... Yujiro..."

Genpaku knelt in front of Tim's stomach, peering through the hole. "It's adorable... It had already begun to mend... Chihihi, I'm not sure how..."

"I simply want to have some fun, but... we should get started with the "ceremony" I made..."

He moved the torch forward and reached with his palm near it after standing up in front of Tim, who was unconscious.

He sparked a black, liquid flame that never went out. "This is the *Hollowed's* genuine ascent... But don't worry, this wonderful hollowed-out tummy will vanish before you notice..."

The black flame swirled around the room, heating it up, and it was gently dragged forward into Tim's abdominal hole. "It'll just tickle you a little..."

The black flame quickly began to sear into the holed stomach.

Tim's heart began to beat faster and faster, and after a few seconds, the pain reached his mind, and he began to scream in misery as the hole in his stomach began to regrow.

However, while he was yelling, the opponent in front of him continued to laugh maniacally.

"Continue to yell! Continue to yell! Yes! That's exactly what I'm looking for! I'll make you scream so loudly that you'll lose track of who you are!" He yelled, screaming and giggling like a lunatic.

And although Tim's eyes were shaking and his skin was sweating, it was finally time... the hole in his body had healed, and once he was finished, hot smoke began to fill the room.

Tim's body was silent after Genpaku stepped back, while he was in anguish, and his sweat flowed down onto the floor, splashing.

Tim's eyes were dull as a result of this. "Look, he's awake... Yujiro Sagayama... welcome!" When Yujiro raised his head, Genpaku laughed.

"Who the hell are you, anyway? Some kind of rabbit is tying me up in order to grab some delicious carrots... sorry, but I can't help you with that..." Yujiro's hair was completely messed up, and his face was smiling.

"I forgot Yujiro used to be a serial killer before deciding to take Miyazaki's Soul."

"So what if I say yes? I merely took everything in... since his wonderful soul was more than enough for me... Who would throw away such a powerful soul when it can compete with the Gods...?" Yujiro's eyes were wet with sweat, yet he didn't appear to mind the discomfort any longer.

"Oh, no... this isn't why I wanted you to show up... You'll now work for me and be my wonderful supporter."

"Oh? Do you want me to assist you? Why would I want to do that, exactly? You're already unattractive as it is, especially with that mask on." Yujiro continued to exude a strange air as he spoke.

"Tell you what... I'll make an exception for you... if you let me go, I'll make your death less agonizing... after all, you're not even somewhat interesting, no, no, no."

"I'll do it... if you join my team... and you can kill those two girls if you do..." Yujiro looked at him, puzzled.

"The two girls you've already battered to hell, Koyanagi Ayuka and Ogura Yui."

"That wonderful Goddess, eh? To be honest, it was kind of fun when she lost her daughter in the Black Storm... but now that you mention it... I believe you've struck a deal... but be warned... I won't follow your lead... but I will assist you, understand... cuz, who'd be a friend with such a piece of trash and weakling as yourself."

"Now we're talking... fairly it is... Sagayama Yujiro, welcome to the Spiritual Hoaxers."

To be continued...