Mushi to Medama

Though I created mankind, I wish to erase it from the face of the Earth. I regret the fact that I created such an existence.

- The Old Testament, Genesis, on human wickedness

Sometimes, very rarely, the concept of beauty was a cruel one. Grandiose and beautiful things - such as the dusk, the starry sky, the ocean, and G.o.d - were existences that invoked jealously from miniscule humans. Humans would be dazed by those things, would feel empty, or feel so sad they would cry. Those were only very rare occurrences.

Breaksun was gazing at that sparkling, divine light, that light looking like a vast and beautiful dusk. At the same time, she narrowed her eyes and caressed Kajiri, who was silent and had his head resting on her knees. The empty countryside road in front of the silent apartment building was covered with an absolute and transparent sheen of blood red.

A black-clad girl was walking slowly in the middle of this crimson.

Guriko had thanked Kajiri after he explained everything, then she left emotionlessly without a fuss, just like how she usually was. It was as if she was simply going to wrap up some ordinary business, and did not tarry at all. Breaksun thought she was very awesome.

It was as if she was going to end the world.

All of existence were equally losing themselves in this silent finale.

Gankyū Eguriko started to proceed towards the final stage after simply giving one wave of the spoon in her hand.

Eguriko"s figure remained clear and crisp in that red, the dark crimson that threatened to devour her. Breaksun gazed after Eguriko, who was walking forward and casting a long shadow behind her, and that irritating red light which threatened to refuse her entry. Breaksun then slowly articulated:

"It"s so pretty."

"Ahh, so pretty... c.r.a.p."

She gazed at the most beautiful light in the world, that divine light. She then lifted up her head in loneliness. Kajiri was as innocent as ever - that was really like him. His clear eyes were wide open as he looked towards her and mumbled:

"---"

She didn"t hear what he said at all. It was a soft and weak voice that briefly brushed past her ears. He seemed to have said that she was even prettier. She couldn"t help but feel happy, but she still didn"t understand it.

What"s wrong? When Breaksun asked this, Kajiri was already almost completely dissolved into the red light that filled the entire world. His life was also over. His physical body gradually became sparkling granules, and he started to disappear from his finger tips.

For a brief moment, the light danced around Breaksun as if it was a b.u.t.terfly, before quickly disappearing.

Breaksun looked dazedly at the place where Kajiri had existed, and she mumbled softly:

"I"m all alone again."

Breaksun smiled as she sat quietly on the ground. Then she started to cry.

"I just wanted you to stay next to me. Is that wish so hard to fulfil...?"

No one was there to answer her.

Moon Rainbow was very irritated. Extremely irritated. She was very very very upset and her brain seemed to keep secreting strange fluids that made her bowels all twisted, her sight blurred, and a roar that was both a loud growl and a sharp laugh fell from her lips. And yet she was completely oblivious to all that.

It was the worst feeling.

"Terrible..."

This was the center of the world. It was the school grounds of Kannonsakazaki High School and its surroundings, piled high with the corpses of countless monsters. In the middle of it all stood a woman with very cruel and cold eyes, and she was looking this way unblinkingly.

She had a long white braid, as if it was the solidification of the white nocturnal mist. Her skin was pristine white, and even the clothes she wore was a pristine white uniform like a nurse"s. However, there was an incongruous and crude mask on her face. A pitch-dark snake was also curled around her right wrist, and her hands held those terrifying spray cans with their arcane powers.

Her face was full of an intent to kill, akin to a demon.

"this is so horrible... this is ruined!"

Moon"s plan should have been perfect. It was formulated after a very thorough and detailed investigation. It was the best plan achieved after having repeatedly considered everything. All uncertainties have been perfectly included into this plan, and were performing as they should. The nebulous future was also solidifying in the direction she desired. The entire world was within the control of her own two hands. Everything was slowly progressing according to her predicted plans up until now.

The goal was simple and clear.

The reason was simple jealousy.

Her chosen actions were the most perfect.

Success was right in front of her. That was how it should have been. Why why why why.

"Why are you here, you piece of s.h.i.t, Sterilization Disinfection!?"

"... It is Sterilization Disinfection"s duty to erase evil."

Her words were kind of m.u.f.fled due to the mask. However, there was a strange sense of inhuman cruelty because of that. Sterilization Disinfection shook her head and showed an enthralling smile.

"No - that"s not how it is. None of this matters - the Greater Fragments of G.o.d, the duty bestowed by the world - none of that matters at all, Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest. It"s actually just a heartfelt boredom. Why am I here? Why am I hindering you? Why will I kill you?"

Moon had to take a step backwards from this feeling of being mentally suppressed. Why? This woman should just be bluffing. Moon knew this. The amount of energy left in Mina"s Greater Fragment should be very low by now, especially after their actions in the Eternity Inst.i.tute, the fierce battles with the Pale Horses and Melodia NoiseTear Song, and after having defeated countless monsters.

That was how it should have been.

"Do you still not understand? You"re such an idiot. Think with your slow brain."

Yes. Moon had the ability to change her body. Her only two nemeses were Single Room, who could modify the very concept of the materials, and Sterilization Disinfection, who could erase everything. Single Room should already be dead. Sterilization Disinfection had also wasted a lot of her power fighting the monsters under Moon"s banner. All of Moon"s subordinates, including Nagumo Ame and Minazuki Natsuko, were all a part of the huge price to pay in order to destroy this person. That was not an exaggeration.

In fact, Mina did look very horrible. She was covered in blood and she looked very exhausted. However, Moon could still feel that gloomy and terrifying aura from her. That aura was still pushing down on Moon now, even though objectively Moon should have an absolute advantage here.

But why, why?

"After killing someone"s younger sister..."

Why!?

"... Don"t you suppose other people will hate you?"

"Why are you not dead, b.i.t.c.h!?"

Sterilization Disinfection sighed as Moon screamed. She prepared her entire body for battle and approached Moon very slowly. There was a lot of distance between them, but the monsters that strolled around here were already all eliminated. Even if Moon called for support, her subordinates were still scattered throughout the town, and it would take some time for them to gather up.

The likes of Nagumo Ame and Minazuki Natsuko were humans who were modified based on Long-Armed Demon and Berobōchō. They were originally normal humans, and Moon modified their bodies based on their personalities and traits, equipping them with miraculous abilities. They were more powerful than humans with Apples - they had stronger prowess in battle though they appeared identical to other monsters. There were also many more of them, more than merely one or two hundred. If Mina fought with them, she would be damaged continuously and her stamina wasted away, and it would be very tough for Mina to even keep herself upright.

Sterilization Disinfection.

The symbolization of how G.o.d was lost. The Digestive Organ. The demon in the legend of the flood. The Greater Fragment that had slaughtered countless monsters and guarded the balance of the world - and perhaps did even more than that. Sterilization Disinfection indeed had great power. However, based on Moon"s observations so far, Saibara Mina wasn"t such a powerful threat.

She was simply an emotionally unpredictable and very clumsy person. She easily yielded to the temptation to show off while she was doing well, and would also suddenly feel very down for no reason. Her real personality was truly unbearable. She loved to mock others, and her own actions were also hardly praiseworthy. The way she fought was inefficient. She often did unnecessary things. There should be many ways to counter her.

Although Moon felt this way, the horror in her heart was still there. Why? Why would she feel so anxious whenever she looked at this woman? It was like a despicable premonition that her plans would be completely destroyed, and it kept swelling up in her heart - she could not calm down.

Sterilization Disinfection. Saibara Mina.

"I"m sorry... I"ve always been a filthy woman."

The pale woman, stained by blood, narrowed her eyes lazily.

"This current world is very silly as well, and I"ve always wanted to say farewell to it as soon as possible. But I didn"t starve myself and no one hacked me to death. It"s so troublesome. Ahh... what exactly am I expecting? What do I want? Stuff like the world and G.o.d... I really wish I"m mistaken."

Mina lifted her head, but she was looking somewhere else. Then, as if she was sighing, she opened her arms and lowered her body,

"I am just... a very boring and useless woman."

Then die.

Die. Just go die. Moon screamed in her heart. Die die die! If you"re useless, then go die! If you think you"re useless, then it"s better to just die! People who don"t have a meaning to their lives can just die! You"re all in the way! The world should be controlled by people like me anyways. Controlled by geniuses chosen by G.o.d, just like me! Useless and obedient women like you aren"t the ones making the world go around. Someone like me would be more fitting!

Elites should dominate others. Why can"t these boring creatures understand such a simple idea? They are stupid to the bone!

Moon felt outrage towards Mina and how the latter wanted to revenge her sister. There was no difference between the dead and the living in this world anymore. What she was doing was useless. Such selfish actions will never be allowed to stop Moon"s process. Moon was moving towards the school building in order to fix the entire world.

This was bothersome. Would it have been better for Moon if she left Mitsuki alive? No. It was the best decision in order to approach Single Room and then incite Mina into such a rash action, driving her into a maddening rage. It would be impossible to surrept.i.tiously approach a group of beings with supernatural abilities once they had gathered together. It was very much necessary to split up the enemy.

Yes. Everything Moon did was the best option, taken after thorough consideration. It was a perfect battle. Therefore, these current events were merely small challenges. They were minor obstacles outside of her expectations, something that can be easily removed.

She felt more relaxed after thinking in this light. Mina was already half dead upon closer inspection. She could easily defeat Mina even in a standard fight. The Greater Fragment named Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest resided within Moon. This Fragment, with the ability to alter the flesh, was the mightiest of all in a melee fight.

She could definitely beat Mina. If she beat her, then everything will be sorted. She would control the entire world. Even though there were a few things outside of her expectations, it was merely a small surprise. There were no major issues at all.

“… A mundane person like you dare to come and hinder me? Who do you think you are – you think you’re so great, do you? You are such a plebeian, so unfitting. You are despicable!”

Moon had constantly thought about her plans over and over. She did everything she could to prepare for this. She was so active on the stage as a genius magician, but she lost all her glory just because of one silly woman. She accidentally obtained the Fragment of G.o.d named Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest and got its incredible powers – and she came to understand the truth of this world.

She understood the true form of the G.o.d of this world.

And once she understood that, she started to do everything she could to replace such a G.o.d.

She wanted to be the absolute existence that was the most beautiful and most omnipotent. To be something that others would naturally want to worship and venerate.

G.o.d - she still could not hold herself back from the jealousy and admiration she felt for that Existence.

“I killed your sister? Ahh, sorry. That’s nothing big. It’s not you who are dead. It was someone else. You won’t feel pain no matter how much damage others receive, right? Even if it was your own sister, you won’t die because she died. It doesn’t matter!”

Moon was consumed by a lethal madness and started to move.

She usually appeared as the male Nashinori Zekiguchi and created ma.s.sive amounts of subordinate monsters across the world, with Nagumo Ame and Minazuki Natsuko as representatives. However, she would sometimes take the appearance of these subordinates, and act next to them in their form. After Mina and Guriko clashed at the hospital, it was not Nagumo Ame who sliced off Mina’s head, but Moon in disguise. It was a very important secret, one that she did not even want her subordinates to know.

After a great deal of a.s.sistance from happenstance and inevitability, Moon felt her wish was on the cusp of being fulfilled. She obtained Single Room"s jewel - that key item required to approach the crimson school that was swallowing up all life - thanks to her burrowing Mitsuki"s form. All that was left was to enter the school and drag Her down from the divine throne, and place Moon herself upon it. It would be easy, simple, and there was only one step left. Moon"s plans would be fulfilled perfectly then.

That G.o.d, who was sweetly enjoying the destruction of the world and didn"t put up any resistance, had no reason to exist.

The world should seek out people like her, someone who was powerful and mighty enough to inherit G.o.d"s throne! This was it! The era was calling out to her! She was someone chosen by the times!

"Lowly trash like you...!"

So this - this is enough!

"Stop interfering now! You interfering s.h.i.ts need to all die! That"s enough! It doesn"t matter even if you die! Die! Your duty is over! Die! Die! Die!"

Moon kept screaming, but Mina"s shoe suddenly appeared before her face, as if the latter suddenly kicked her shoe over. Although Moon dodged on time and didn"t feel much pain, she was genuinely startled. She looked, dazed, at Mina, who had taken off a shoe and stood there with one bare foot.

"... You a.s.shole."

Mina pulled on her hair as if she didn"t care at all, and looked over at Moon.

"Yelling die die die is so annoying. Doesn"t it feel tired to just kill people because of your hatred? It doesn"t matter anymore how righteous you are. I don"t understand anything you were saying. Those lofty ideals and mighty thoughts... they don"t matter at all. All I want to here is just one thing."

Have you finally figured it out? She asked.

"Stop killing the innocent, a.s.shole."

In fact, Mina didn"t have all this free time to chat away. Her body felt so heavy, as if she was having a bad flu. Even moving her finger required a lot of effort. Her entire body was fatigued. Mina felt that even her life energy was running low. She was merely a toy who had burnt through all of her cogs.

But even so...

Before she completely stopped moving and her life ended...

She wanted to kill this person. Mina gave up all other happiness just for this. She discarded all her peaceful wishes in this crumbling world, her desire to stay next to someone, and her desire to eat delicious snacks one more time.

No matter what, her life should have come to an end many years ago from starvation. She should use her life now as she desired. She would slaughter for revenge, slaughter for this foolishness that no one will praise her for.

The black snake coiled around her wrist - Takamikado Mitaka"s true form - opened his eyes and looked towards Mina.

"... Mina, are you okay?"

"Oh. Ah. Where should I start? I"m feeling really pumped up!"

Mina had been lost in thought, but now she was feeling very revitalized due to Mitaka"s concern. She gripped her spray cans tightly and stared ahead. Although she honestly hoped Mitaka would head towards Tatsue now, she would need Mitaka"s ability to detect the enemy"s aura if the enemy escaped again.

Yes, he was the monster known as the Snake. Mina didn"t know very much about the details concerning such monsters and what they originally were. All she had were pieces of information from her own experience and from rumors.

Monsters find it easy to detect other monsters" auras.

They would usually conceal their own traces. It was hard for normal people to detect them.

They would also disintegrate into a mist after they die.

Their goal was to devour humans.

Those things were appearing again and again after Mina fought Eguriko.

Those monsters became like this after they absorbed power from endless Apples.

And now, were they gathering in the school because they wanted to devour G.o.d as well?

Were they similar to the Greater Fragments of G.o.d too? Were they also a part of some construction that shouldered some role in this world? But then, what would be their goal?

Ah, it wasn"t the time to think about these monsters now. It didn"t matter anymore, whether G.o.d was being devoured or the world getting completely annihilated. It was enough to just finish off this nemesis before her, this b.i.t.c.h who cruelly killed her sister.

She didn"t even get to speak words to farewell with her sister. Mitsuki just disappeared. Her sister should have obtained happiness. She should have a long life. She was someone Mina always wanted to protect, the person she wanted to protect the most.

Mina quietly observed the opponent facing her.

Perhaps Moon accelerated the speed with which the world was crumbling and caused this current situation. She was the root of all evil. Mina was arrogant enough to want to become G.o.d, and planned endless actions to achieve that. In fact, there were far more people than Mitsuki who died due to Mina. Mina was the most cruel enemy, the true criminal in this world, the final boss.

That was how it should have been.

However, this woman standing there facing her just looked like someone ordinary.

She was in her twenties, or perhaps even younger, probably at the same age as Mina. However, it was difficult to ascertain the age of an immortal just from appearances. She was pretty, and looked very thin and slender from excessive mental exertion. Her incredulously long purple hair was brushed neatly behind her head, and there were complicated braid and knots in it. She was wearing a glittering dress fit for a performance.

She exhibited a sort of n.o.bility and beauty completely incongruous with the night school. She didn"t look like a monster at all. There were no scary fangs or sharp antennae coming out of her. She was just an ordinary human. She stood alone in the corner of the crimson world, looking as if she was just like Mina.

"You..."

Mina suddenly wanted to say something. This woman was no monster. She should still be able to communicate with her. She at least wanted to hear the other woman"s thoughts and her reasons behind killing Mitsuki. Also she wanted to know the reasons behind everything Moon did and the purpose behind destroying the entire world. She won"t agree with the other"s viewpoint after hearing these reasons and goals and purposes, nor would she decide to spare her life, but she would at least understand her actions. It was just like how the families of murder victims always wanted to know the criminal"s intention.

At least she wanted to know why Mitsuki died. Mitsuki would not be able to rest in peace if she was not killed due to those lofty goals.

"Sterilization Disinfection."

The enemy suddenly walked expressionlessly towards her. The mood became tense. Mina"s skin tingled as if a slight pulse of electricity was pa.s.sing through her, and she instinctively put up a pose to fight back. Then, some unpleasant words pa.s.sed into her hearing, and she stiffened.

"Say my name."

"...?"

Mina entered into battle mode and tried to find her opponent"s mistakes. However, it was as if her enemy had been fully prepared. Moon completely suppressed her former madness and now spread a heavily killing intent, making Mina shiver all over.

However, the words Moon said were strangely tainted with a sense of loneliness.

"Do you know my name? Try say my name. Hey, I"m not just called "you". I have a proper name. Do you know that?"

"Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest."

"That"s my duty. I am neither the devil or the fake prophet."

Moon spread her arms as if she was dancing and twirled while smiling. Mina had never seen such an innocent smile. It was as clear and pure as a movie star in a photo, and it was more incredulous than that of a puppet.

"The genius magician, Moon Rainbow."

She tenderly gave her name and made an elegant bow.

"Well, Moon is actually a very ordinary person. "Genius magician" was just a t.i.tle. "Rainbow" was just my surname. This ordinary Moon, however, is actually a beautiful Moon, an incredible Moon. I will kill you here, and kill G.o.d as well, and become the one to dominate this world."

Moon lowered her head deeply as if she was performing. Her body was bent beyond ninety degrees.

And she was bending more, more, and more -

"A pleasure to meet you... Now die."

With a whoosh, Moon got into a headstand with her legs in the air. She used her hands to prop up her body and waved her legs around.

Her feet started to stretch more and more, and viciously attacked Mina. They were sharp like blades, and their attacks were as precise as a martial arts master. They moved and danced in the air as if they were scythes.

"-"

Mina"s reactions slowed as she faced this incredible attack. Her opponent"s attacks soon made contact with her body. Blood spurted out of her as the blades grazed her shoulder. Mina rolled on the ground, then stood up, fumbling. At that time, the opponent"s feet also attacked her, nimble as whips.

The area that Moon"s feet swept across was slashed up, followed by a powerful torrent of air. It would be very dangerous if Moon landed an attack head on.

There were about ten meters between them. It wasn"t far, but it was a bit too much for Sterilization Disinfection. It wasn"t within Mina"s effective range. Even if her attacks, delivered with all her power, managed to reach the enemy, it could be dodged easily. Moreover, with Mina"s current stamina, it was impossible for her to attack continuously.

Her only chance was to attack with everything she had the moment an opportunity for a sure kill arose.

Even if she was covered in wounds, Mina could still think calmly.

"Haha. If you"re feeling surprised with this kind of attacks, then you"ll soon be dead!"

Following the delighted yell that Moon gave out, her body was also enveloped by a red light. She was soon fused with the surrounding scenery and became completely invisible. Of course, those two rapidly-moving legs also disappeared.

"Observe, the art of the chameleon!"

s.h.i.t. Mina immediately realized what was going on. It would be impossible to dodge Moon"s attacks. Not only was Moon still as quick and dangerous as before, it would be impossible to counter her if she was fully invisible.

"Mina, jump to the right!"

Mina quickly jumped away from the attack after Mitaka warned her. A huge amount of dust stirred up at the place where she was. She would have been killed if she stayed here.

"Oh... You seem to have a reliable partner. If you can detect my presence, then invisibility becomes pointless."

Moon then showed herself and shook her head in a bored way. She suddenly stretched her hands forward and made a grotesque smile. Mina also figured out a way to defeat the other woman just then, even if it meant losing her own life. Those monsters were usually p.a.w.ns who can only move in straight lines. While Gankyū Eguriko and Melodia NoiseTear Song were both powerful enemies, Mina knew something about their limited abilities, and have figured out a few ways to counter them.

However, Moon… this Greater Fragment named Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest…

It was impossible to interpret her movements. It was no bluff that this Fragment was the most powerful in a melee fight.

“I’ll show you a fun trick.”

Moon twisted her hands backwards and made a move to throw something. Mina’s acute sight saw something incomprehensible – she definitely saw it.

Moon’s fingers flew out.

Of course, there were ten fingers on Mina"s hands, but they became detached with the powerful centrifugal force she created. There was no blood. It was just disgusting. Mina instinctively felt disgusted and jumped far away from where she stood.

Mina immediately realized her decision was correct.

Moon’s fingers exploded the moment it touched the ground. A purgatorial flame and the torrential storm it stirred up rapidly engulfed the entire school. A bomb? What was this thing? Should she go hide somewhere? Mina ran quickly away as she considered this. If they kept up this back-and-forth fight, she would certainly be thoroughly defeated before her opponent’s overwhelming strength. This need to be finished soon.

“How was it? Was it fun? Magicians don’t get praised for revealing the truths behind our tricks. But this definitely wasn’t a hidden bomb!”

Mina suddenly approached her opponent and gave out a powerful kick. It would be enough to snap even a tree. Mina targeted Moon’s head. If she landed the hit, then Moon’s neck would be snapped instantly, and even her head would fly away. But Moon didn’t guard herself at all and only replied, sounding full of herself:

“Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest’s power is the modification of the flesh. I even can make my body into a bomb.”

There was a thud, a dense and heavy sound. Mina’s flying kick landed straight on Moon’s head, but her entire leg felt numb due to a powerful kickback. It was almost like she kicked a block of steel – steel?

“My body will become something heavy when I’m defending. No matter how enduring an immortal’s body is, you can’t stand more impact than steel, right?”

Then, just like a magician, Moon casually wriggled the fingers she regenerated and started to count.

“1, 2, 3!”

The magician Moon Rainbow instantly exploded. The shards of blood, flesh, skin, and bones somehow became some inky-black and alien substance, and exploded. The powerful blast of air stirred up all the debrisand scattered them everywhere. The pieces of flesh became hard as iron, and embedded themselves into Mina’s entire body like they were the shards of a bomb, and blew her far away.

“Ahhhhhhhhh-----!”

The pain was excruciating, and the surprise even more so. Mina rolled on the ground in order to protect Mitaka, then moaned painfully as she lay p.r.o.ne on the ground. Her entire body felt hot and blood was pouring out. She could not gather her strength at all.

She didn’t think Moon could actually explode.

“You didn’t think I would actually do it? It’s a magician’s most earnest wish to invoke the audience’s doubt.”

The pieces of flesh, speaking casually as if she was joking, bundled up together in a repulsive way and reconstructed Moon’s appearance. Even her original clothing reappeared. It was really astounding.

Mina coughed painfully and spat out spit tinted with blood. She spent all her strength just to stand up.

“What’s wrong… what are you s.p.a.cing out for? How do you want to die, “Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest?”

“That’s my line, Sterilization Disinfection. You should have been dead since a long time ago.”

Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest put up a repulsive att.i.tude. Completely unscathed, Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest lowered her head to look at Mina, who was covered in wounds.

“You fought Gankyū Eguriko, then you allowed your head to be knocked off, then you were involved in fighting Unpleasant Counter-Current in the Eternity Inst.i.tute. And now you are STILL alive after fighting continuously with my monsters… ahhh, so annoying. This is very repulsive and interfering– you b.i.t.c.h.”

“I meant to stop you, so it makes sense that I’m hindering you.”

The two spray cans rolled on the ground and moved up to Mina like magnets – Mina stretched out her hands and grabbed them tightly.

“I’m used to your taunts now, Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest. I won’t feel it no matter how much you yell at me.”

“Stop boasting. I feel a bit attached to you though. Surprisingly, I feel that we might a bit similar. That’s why we don’t look each other eye to eye. You a.s.shole are the same as me, but you are not trying to climb higher and are content with a boring way of life.”

Boring – ahh, is that how it was? Mina thought. Even though her entire body was covered in wounds and they were very painful, she still put up her pose and stood firmly. She puffed out her chest and stretched her hands out straight in front of her, and stubbornly stopped her opponent.

She panted and took deep breathes.

She righted the tilted gas mask on her face. That was her battle dress. If she was still an ordinary human, then she should have been depressed from all this cruel fighting. She must become the invincible ability user, Sterilization Disinfection. Mina was very very weak now. If she didn’t hypnotize herself and pretended to be invincible, then she might not even be able to stand here because of all her sorrows.

Mitsuki, her cute sister. She was the only family member who never discarded Mina until the end when they were still humans. Perhaps it would be a stretch to say they relied on each other, but Mina was happy. She was very very happy.

She wanted to avenge Mitsuki. Although Mina was a clumsy and a shame of a sister, she still wanted to avenge Mitsuki to the best of her ability. It was useless no matter how much she regretted and sighed. Perhaps revenge was equally worthless. However, Mina was could not place the world and the people in it, whom Mitsuki had loved, in jeopardy.

Mina wanted to kill Moon and stop her plans. That was how Mina would repent her sins.

“There are decisive differences between us. Yes, we are both confident and arrogant women. We are both silly and despicable. However, the entire world despises you.”

Just like how Mitsuki always said it, Mina said in a low and genuine voice:

“I love this world.”

She said this more straightforward that she thought.

“I love all the people.”

Saibara Mina confessed in the school grounds filled with crimson light, as if she was trying to confirm something. Moon’s face was full of a surprised expression. Yes, someone so similar to her actually said things Mitsuki wouls say. It was astounding.

However –

Mina smiled. She looked arrogant, and also as if she despised herself, and shrugged.

“I really did end up loving it all. It was all thanks Mitsuki. I’ve been very happy lately, although only for a short period of time. Looks like the world is about to end. Perhaps this is not a Good Ending. However, I can now understand what someone like you thinks, even though you are an eyesore and are very annoying.”

They were so similar, yet they were each other’s nemesis – Mina declared towards this woman, who was so similar to how she used to be:

“However, even though I may come across the worse end, I won’t deny the happy days we used to have. We’ve lived very happily. That is an irrefutable fact. That would be enough.”

She recalled the days she spent living with Mitsuki. It was really just full of silly and stupid things. She was always getting yelled at for not doing housework or for drinking too much. She had always ranted to Mitsuki whenever she met something unhappy at work, and she asked Mitsuki to rub her shoulders and pour drinks for her, so that she can be consoled.

Mitsuki… her smiles, which sparkled with light, saved Mina.

It was so good to have been alive. Mina recalled those easy and free days.

Mina had changed too. She was once a woman who curled up in a tidy and clean room, and refused everything and would rather die from starvation. She managed to grasp the small and happy hand that was stretched towards her. That was enough.

We were happy once. No one can deny that.

“What are you talking about… I don’t understanding what you saying, Sterilization Disinfection.”

The extremely uneasy woman named Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest whispered. She had said that she would become G.o.d. If this world was a story, then G.o.d was an existence akin to the author. Moon was only given a lonely and boring role in this despicable story. Therefore, she would never acknowledge this story. She wanted to destroy and discard this world, beat up the author, then write the story instead of Him. This would be a story where she alone would enjoy happiness.

That would be pointless.

Not only was it pitiful, it was also empty.

“If you still don’t get it, then I’ll explain it to you simply.”

Blood dripped down and slithered past Mina’s feet. Her body was getting colder, and she couldn’t help but feel a chill. She felt she may really die this time. However, she didn’t feel terrified at all. It was rather incredible.

“If you can’t become G.o.d… Then you cannot be happy.”

Words were unnecessary now. Mina had no more energy to chatter. She talked so much. It was not like her at all.

“So silly—”

No matter how happy Moon would become, she was still a fragile human. It was so pitiful. No one ever told Moon she could be happy even if she does not become G.o.d. As long as someone gave her some smiles, or had a good chat with her, then she would not have deviated so far.

Or perhaps, Moon was the one who completely shattered others" smiles mercilessly, and kept living in such a mistaken way?

That would be very, very, pitiful. Mina wanted to stop Moon. She wanted to stop this person, who was so similar to how Mina was before and denied everyone else. Mina had escaped all contact, and stubbornly wanted to be perfect.

Moon misunderstood the meaning of happiness. Her mad and crazed thoughts were spreading and tainting her heart. It was making her mind more clouded and was eating her away.

“Sterilization Disinfection – let me do it.”

Mina put Mitaka on the ground there, and sprang forward with rapid steps in order to end everything. She aimed at her enemy in a straight line and stretched the spray cans in her hands forward, and gave a blow with all her might. She will use this to decide the outcome of the battle. She can’t delay this any further. She gathered the last of her strength. She could no longer hear what Mitaka was screaming next to her.

Moon could no longer move. She only looked down at Mina with a look full of hatred. She truly hated this word. The most unfortunate thing that happened to this woman was that she obtained Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest.

“I won’t pity you, so you don’t need to look so pitiable! I won"t question myself no matter how others praised me or envy me! Even if someone said I was doing it all wrong and denied everything that I am, I still will move forward without rest and crash through all obstacles!”

Countless weapons instantly burst out of Moon, as if all her hatred just materialized. Like what she said, she wanted to completely destroy this world so not even a trace of it would left. Nails, thorns, blades, halberds, iron poles, and dynamite all flew out, as if they were the fangs and claws that will devour the world. The weapons circled and flew, merging into each other and scattering, stabbing and slashing, rioting as if they would destroy everything.

Many weapons landed straight into Mina’s body. She received multiple lethal and irreparable wounds. Mina’s life was all but spent.

Mina kept moving forward and forward and forward towards her enemy. She broke into a sprint, and the blood that scattered from her danced in the air like wings.

Mina slammed into Moon and pushed her to the ground in an embrace. She then put her spray can to Moon’s forehead. Her body was covered with sticky stuff. Mina was feeling confused and fuzzy, but she won’t miss at such a close distance.

“… How?”

Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest, Moon, had shot all her weapons into the air. There were tears in her eyes. Moon"s face was still covered in that despicable expression, that never-changing expression of pretending to be tough. But she was showing her weakness now. Perhaps that was who she truly was.

“Why are you hindering me? I just want to be happier and get more praises. I just want other people to like me more. I just want everything to be better! Isn’t that right? Hey, say your opinions if you have them! a.s.shole, you’re so silent! You’re so annoying! You annoying b.i.t.c.h! Piece of s.h.i.t! Everyone who’s hindering me is a piece of s.h.i.t! Die! All of you, die! Die!”

“You are really childish.”

Mina’s voice was very weak. Her left thigh seemed to have been wounded severely. There was also a wound in her abdomen. Her right eye was completely blind and probably already punctured, and blood kept flowing out.

“You were not happy – because of how you are.”

Mina shook as she hugged those slender shoulders, and pressed down on the nozzle of the spray can.

- Puuuuuff.

“Repent about the way you’re living before you hate others.”

Mina looked at the other woman’s eyes, which were burning from rage, and pressed firmly down on the spray can’s nozzle.

That was when Mina’s body stiffened completely.

“Big sister…”

It was her sister, Mitsuki. Her dear family member, who should have died, was now in front of her. No, this was a fake created by Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest’s ability to change her appearance—

“Don’t kill me★”

Mina’s fingers froze, petrified, just because of that one sentence. Those few brief seconds of hesitation was an unmissable opportunity for enemy. That fake, who looked like she was about to cry, suddenly showed a cruel and evil expression, and silently embraced Mina, who was immobile, tightly.

“—”

Countless thorns of flesh suddenly erupted from Moon"s body and pierced through Mina.

Blood spluttered everywhere.

As if they were encased in ancient torture devices, as if they were loving sisters – the two of them embraced each other in silence, not moving at all.

Fresh blood flew down in droplets. Mina’s entire body was covered in blood. For some reason, Moon Rainbow recalled her previous memories.

That rain of sulfuric acid, which completely ended her age of glory. That cold, icy liquid burning her face. That gloomy rain which erased all the aura of happiness on the stage, that extremely despicable existence. However, there would always be a rainbow following the storm. Moon was a firm believer of that.

Even if she felt pain now, she needed to be strong and endure it, and keep trying her best. If she kept this up then one day – one day for sure – she would be repaid.

She firmly believed in it. No – she was praying for it.

Therefore, she carved the words ‘Rainbow’ into her name.

There would definitely be a place where one can see a clear sky and beautiful rainbows on the other side of a life full of darkness and sorrow.

That was her belief. Or put it simply, it was her delusion. This world was not fair.

Things like rainbows –

– Will never appear no matter how long one waits for it.

“That was tough… it’s finally over.”

Moon mumbled in a low voice after she pierced through every inch of Mina’s body, who was leaning against her weakly.

Moon"s mood would improve when she won battles. Although things like rainbows were still very far away, Moon was already finding this very depressing world – as if it was in never-ending rain – unendurable.

It was full of darkness no matter where she went, and the dank feeling was incredibly disgusting – this world was extremely unpleasant.

“Yes –”

At that moment.

At that instant.

During that split second, Mina – the enemy whom she thought she had killed – shattered her body into tiny pieces.

No, to put it accurately, she spread out.

Mina"s body was staked tightly and rendered immobile as if it was an insect made into a specimen, yet it changed into particles of mist before Moon’s eyes. It was a scene as if Mina was a vampire who turned into a mist of blood, or a swarm of insects.

It scattered so rapidly that it was impossible to capture. In other words – even Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest, who was most knowledgeable with the alternations of flesh, found this to be completely incomprehensible. How could there be such an incredible phenomenon?

“Could it be…”

A low and weak voice came from somewhere in the blood mist:

“It was very tough… indeed.”

As Mina said this, Moon’s right hand was completely consumed. The skin, flesh, and bone all rapidly evaporated and disappeared the moment it came into contact with the blood mist. Also – why didn’t her right hand regenerate?Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest had even greater regenerative powers compared to other immortals. Even if she was completely broken into pieces and all her flesh became scattered, she should be able to rapidly recover to her previous appearance. That was how it should have been – but for some reason, no matter how much she prayed for it, the consumed right hand remained absent.

This was – an attack that erased the opponent indiscriminately.

How could this be?! She could not understand this at all. It was completely out of her expectations. This – could this kind of attack be…

Sterilization Disinfection?

“Type C – The End.”

Moon didn’t know about this. She had never heard of this kind of abilities. Weren’t there only two abilities for Sterilization Disinfection, that of erasing existences and petrifying existences? Perhaps she had used other abilities without Moon’s knowledge. Could it be that Moon did not know of it because she was not there to see it?

Moon was powerless towards these uncertainties, so boring and annoying - only the lowest of the villains in things like dodgeball would get hit by them - was she one of those villains? No way. It was such a basic attack. This kind of attack...

"You"re so foolish! You want to defeat me with this kind of attacks? You want to defeat Moon Rainbow - "

Those were her last words. Her opponent was prepared to die and did not waver at all. Mina targeted the doubt in Moon"s heart and evaporated Moon"s entire body with extraordinary cruelty, making Moon go mad. The first hit aimed at Moon"s waist and right leg. The second hit chose her shoulders and chest. And the third, the fourth, and the fifth wiped out large portions of what was left of Moon"s body.

" - Huh?"

Her head, the only intact piece of her body, twirled and fell to the ground with a dull thud. Moon was dumb. Her body felt nothing. Of course, she was nothing more than a head. She could not believe this at all. Was this the end? No. There must be something wrong here.

The mist of blood gathered together slowly and formed Saibara Mina"s figure. Her icy cold eyes were fixed on Moon. Moon opened and closed her mouth a few times and blinked ceaselessly, looking up at Mina.

"Huh? Wait... You"ve got to be joking. Huh? Why can"t I move? No way no way no way no way?!"

"Yes - "

Mina said in a low, spiritless voice.

"This is the only way to conclusively kill Ultimate ShieldThe Weakest, who was most adept at running away and camouflage. One must completely tear apart its flesh and bones, even though such actions don"t go well with my personality.

Mina then laughed. The bloodstains on her body disappeared the moment she recovered from her evaporated form. She was pristine. She was a startling beauty. If Moon were to die while looking at such a beautiful woman -

Hold on hold on hold on!

She can"t die! How can she die? She can"t die like this!

She was a woman who will become G.o.d. How can she possibly die here? Lies. All this is a lie!

"... This is it. Huh - Mitaka?"

Mina smiled at the black snake crawling towards her, and shrugged her shoulders in a self-deprecating way.

"People never feel satisfied with failure."

Then Mina put her foot on top of Moon"s head, which was quivering, and showed a very cruel expression.

"How does it feel to have just your head left? Isn"t it inconvenient? I know that feeling too."

This most evil and most despicable woman had once decapitated Mina. Could such an intricate web of hatred be completely sated with simply defeating Moon? No no, that won"t do at all. Moon mistakenly thought she had killed Mina when she knocked off Mina"s head. Moon then felt it would be a waste to discard Mina"s body, and prepared to recycle it as a headless corpse. Moon also -

Mina toyed with Moon to her heart"s content, then she lifted up her head towards the school building and sighed. Mina"s body started to crumble little by little, starting from the tip of her fingers and the ends of her hair.

Like an ancient doll, Mina"s hands detached from her wrists and smashed to pieces on the ground.

Yes. She didn"t know just how much energy she spent in the attack, but it should be the end. Moon was already dead. Mina fought to a standstill with her. Mina still struggled and wanted to keep living, but she was quite satisfied. It was obvious who was the victor.

It was disgusting.

Moon was already an unbearable existence. At least Mina managed to get that woman to die in despair.

Dressed in pristine white, Mina was abnormally beautiful in this world dyed with crimson. She ignored Moon completely and spoke to Snake next to her:

"... Mitaka, thanks. I found her thanks to your help - and I"ve revenged Mitsuki. Hurry to Tatsue-san"s side now."

She could not hear what Snake said in reply. It was too faint. Only tears fell down from her eyes. Mina looked at all this as she slowly disappeared, as if she was a ghost. The spray cans dropped to the ground.

Little by little, Saibara Mina disappeared.

Her entire existence shattered. She died without leaving anything behind.

She should have felt lonely. She should have felt unsatisfied. However, Mina had a relaxed expression as if she had finally shed a great weight.

"Everyone is dead. Everyone had crumbled. There should be one pair of lovers who can happily live on in this world approaching its end. Just like how a long time ago, when the great flood destroyed the entire world, Noah and his wife were entrusted with the hope of G.o.d to create the future."

It sounds odd if I"m the one to say it - Mina smiled and slowly spread her arms.

"Thank you, Mitaka. You, me, and Mitsuki, and Tatsue-san - I won"t forget the time we spent together even if I die. Ah, right - "

The white-haired beauty let go of her gas mask and showed a beautiful smile. She looked graceful and gentle. There were no regrets regarding the days she had lived, and she felt no regret at dying here. There was only an expression of pure n.o.bility.

"It"s not bad."

After saying this final sentence, Saibara Mina"s entire body turned into sparkling red particles and disappeared.

Sterilization Disinfection - Saibara Mina.

She had fallen into confusion multiple times, made many mistakes, and had kept losing what was most important to her. She was such a stupid woman. And at the end - she was smiling sweetly and was very happy.

It was so infuriating.

Moon could hear Snake"s screams. Moon couldn"t understand that at all. For some reason, she hated and despised those words. There was also envy, jealousy, and she wanted to curse endlessly as she thought this. She wanted to curse everyone, Mina, Snake, herself, the world, and G.o.d. Her heart was full of hatred, rage, and curses.

She actually got such a pitiful end.

She would definitely not allow others to become happy.

She ended up in such a despondent way.

But that woman actually managed to die in such satisfaction. Such a b.i.t.c.h.

She was so jealous. So, so, so jealous.

This wasn"t fair. This world was not fair at all. Moon was trying so hard, but why was she still unhappy? This was unfulfilling. Not fulfilling at all. It was so disgusting that she wanted to throw up.

Moon spent the last of her energy and grew some small legs from her intact head, as if she was an insect. She galloped towards the door of the school building, running rapidly and completely ignoring her image. She wanted to run as far as possible, leave this place as quickly as possible. Moon had already lost her heart, her vessel, and her body may break down at any time. The stone she took from Single Room was also destroyed by Mina and completely disappeared. It was only a matter of time before Moon was absorbed and consumed by the red light.

This was terrifying, but it was not the time for the end. Yes, she couldn"t die now. If she didn"t want to die, then there would still be a possibility of turning this around. Those immortals, Apple-Holders, they were still out there. She could get a bit of nutrients if she were to eat them. She would be able to grow more of her body again. Things like goals were already pointless now. She just wanted to keep living and live longer.

Because she was still not satisfied!

There was still a long way to go. She was not - not satisfied at all!

"Ha... Ha... Ha..."

She was going mad. She didn"t know how far she had skittered. In fact, she hadn"t gone very far from the school building. But her entire body - which only const.i.tuted of a monstrosity with a head and a few small insect legs coming out of it at this time - felt with a certainty that she would soon face annihilation. Her existence was clearly disappearing little by little. It was disgusting. This kind of feeling was unbearable. How could Mina die with a smile on her face?

Moon didn"t understand. She didn"t understand. She did nothing wrong, so she should become happy. There was no way that she would be finish here, but why was her brain feeling so anxious? It was scary. So scary, so scary. Did she fail somewhere? Why must she endure such a cruel sensation?

Why why why why?

"This world..."

A dry sound was suddenly heard.

A disgusting feeling rouse up within Moon, and she lifted up her head forcibly to look up.

"There are too many melancholic things."

His clothes was rather dirty. His fringe was long and hid that angular face under it. He held a gun, and the gun was pointed to the spot between Moon"s brows. She had seen this man before. That was why such a horrible feeling welled up within her.

Right. This person should be the detective who lived with Aizawa Ume. Her investigation yielded the result that he had a deep hatred towards monsters as his lover was killed by monsters.

Huh?

But why was he pointing his gun at her, when she looked so human?

"I"m sorry."

The man made a shrill sound as if he was melding iron. Those words had no emotions except horror.

"I... hate you monsters. I don"t feel that much hatred, but go die."

"Mon - Monster??"

Moon screamed with all the strength left in her.

"I"m not a monster!"

She was not a monster! Did he not know who he was speaking do? It was infuriating! He was nothing better than trash. He didn"t realize Moon"s value at all. He did not pay attention to her at all. He was a stupid and dumb worm! She must kill him! She will kill him with no mercy, and rip him to shreds! Everyone! Everyone! She will kill everyone who does not realize how powerful she is! Kill them kill them kill them kill them -"

"You look like this, and yet you"re a human?"

His eyes were clear and full of justice, just like mirrors of truth. The person those eyes reflected was just a disgusting creature, a bare head with a few insect legs growing out of it.

Huh? Moon thought about this. How did this happen?

As she remained silent, the man"s fingertips tightened and was ready to pull the trigger.

Ah.

Indeed, the entire world hated Moon. They all hated her. Destiny, G.o.d, and these trash all hated her. It was such a pointless life that she had. There was no light or warmth at all. It was the worst. It was repulsive. It was rage-inducing. Everyone should die and completely disappear.

At the last minute - for some reason - she saw the smile of Aizawa Ume, that girl she had killed. Ume was smiling sweetly at Moon"s remaining corpse, calling him "Zekiguchi-san" over and over with her sweet voice.

She should be disappearing soon. She just felt very angry and sad. She wanted to swear at people, to cuss at people -

"This is it?"

The Queen who hated all things had the appearance of a witch. She screamed as she looked into the barrel of the gun.

"Is this what you call justice, O G.o.d?!"

The bullet was fired and hit Moon. Blood spluttered out and the world started to become fuzzy. Moon Rainbow, the genius magician, was killed by those who considered her a monster.

Sakaki Guryū snapped his head up, thinking that he heard the sound of gunfire and a strange, dying scream.

The tall blond man had a well-structured figure and elegant appearance, but he was now covered from head to toe in mud and blood, and his beauty was completely covered up.

The man in black took away Rinne. Then his mother, whom he had considered to be dead, appeared before him again. Sakaki then moved together with the detective Nagaki Kurukiyo and fought with the monsters that have appeared all around the town. It was already dusk when they defeated them all.

It was now the second day. The entire world was now covered in a red light. It was as if a layer of crimson thin plastic was pulled over his eyes, and he was also drunk off his a.s.s at the same time. It was as if it was the shade seen by insect eyes. It was the color of blood. The entire world looked as if it was covered in a layer of blood, but no one knew the reason behind it and could only worry uselessly. He had no idea where Rinne was, either. Sakaki wasn"t someone who could sense other people"s presence.

"What happened, detective? There was a gunshot - "

"Nothing..."

Nageki stood up slowly and put the gun back under his jacket as if nothing happened. The corpse of a small monster laid next to his feet. Perhaps they would meet more alien big ones and become mired in battle in the future. They couldn"t let down their guard.

"But what exactly is happening?"

Nageki said "nothing" nonchalantly and changed the topic. Yes. Sakaki couldn"t say that he had gotten used to this ridiculous situation, yet he was not driven out of his mind, nor was he philosophical enough to take everything as it came and pay no mind to what was happening. He just hated it very much and kept sighing.

Just where was Rinne?

"Almost everyone in this town is dead, but monsters were roaming everywhere without fear... is this the end of the world? Are we - the only ones still alive?"

Nageki only muttered casually, not expecting Sakeki to reply.

"Seriously. What was happening? Why are there so many bothersome things all the time? People like me would feel happy as long as we live quietly. Why is life getting so messy with such odd events?"

"Don"t ask me. Besides, even if I heard your complaints, I can"t calmly figure anything out. Shut up if you feel upset."

The town was completely empty. The world was completely covered by red. Every corner of this s.p.a.ce was full of an empty and hollow feeling. Sakaki just stood around in a daze.

Really - it seemed so far away now, when he was talking about the future with Rinne. Those happy days were so far away now. What happened push the path of events towards this most cruel end? Just where did they go wrong to make the world such a decrepit place?

"...Um?"

He heard footsteps. Those were very soft sounds, but it was particularly clear in this silent and empty town. As if Sakaki"s heart was suddenly disturbed, he felt some strange emotions. He then turned back quietly.

When Sakaki turned around, he saw -

The girl who grasped a spoon tightly in her left hand was standing there.

At the same time -

The girl was running in this empty town and along its crisscrossing, complicated roads. Her messy, wolf-like hair flew in the wind. Her eyes, deep like gun-barrels, was looking this way.

Sakaki didn"t make any sounds. He did not know what to say. He had promised to protect Rinne, but he could do nothing but watch as she was taken from him. He felt very apologetic. He felt guilty in his heart. However, Guriko"s face - showed a particularly determined and serious expression.

The girl named Gankyū Eguriko walked closer in silence. She then spoke softly with her low, innocent voice:

"Sakaki."

"Eguriko."

"Sensei."

"Don"t call me Sensei at this weird time."

"I"m sorry... I went to look for her. I will look for her wherever she might be. You"re a teacher, so don"t make your students" lives more troublesome."

She then naturally extended her hand. She only had one hand with conspicuous pale fingers after Sterilization Disinfection took the other arm. A magnificent cutlery was grasped tightly in her thin hand. She was the girl who endured a millennium of long battles just like this.

Guriko kept her hand stretched and quickly cast her eyes towards Nageki Kurukiyo, who was looking listless next to them.

"You. Detective."

"Guriko-chan."

"Don"t call me Guriko-chan."

She kept her hand outstretched as she spoke those casual words, and lifted her chin towards the direction she came from.

"You"re doing great. But you"re very likely to die if you approach the school. Go back to Ume. If I really can"t do it, then stay next to her till the end of the world."

"Ume-chan..."

Aizawa Ume was dead. Sakaki knew this. He didn"t see it, but he heard her last words. The girl died with an expression full of sorrow and apologized at the same time. Sakaki also remembered this and lowered his head in silence.

Guriko felt this. She looked rather surprised and lowered her eyes.

"... I see. Fine then. Hurry back to the apartment. Maybe you can manage to survive there. Perhaps that is the Noah"s Ark, where one can avoid death. The stability of the structure is a bit concerning, but it was somewhere Rinne had lived - so maybe it will stay safe until the end of all things."

"Rinne?"

Nageki only made a sound because he responded to this name. He did not understand what Guriko said at all. Guriko looked as if her message was already received. She took her eyes off Nageki Kurukiyo and grabbed Sakaki"s hand violently, then placed something into his hand.

"?"

A sparkling red gemstone was in his palm. It was a solid color, as if it was a droplet of blood that suddenly stopped flowing. It was very light in weight, but it made a powerful impression.

"Guriko, this...?"

"We"re running out of time. I"ll explain on the way."

She grabbed Sakaki"s hand tightly. Her small figure ran forward quickly. Then she suddenly turned her head and looked at Nageki Kurukiyo, who still stood immobile and had an intense expression, and said:

"What are you doing? Didn"t I tell you to hurry back to the apartment?"

The eyes Nageki usually kept hidden under his fringe suddenly snapped open. Guriko then said:

"Aren"t you a detective? A detective"s job is to protect other people, so go. N