Vol 1: Chapter 7: First Battle and Results

Volume 1: Blood on Blade

Chapter 7

First Battle and Results

October 25th, 2050

Professor Livia dismissed everyone after assigning 10 Sacred Weapon Users to each dots that was in or near their country.

Since there are 12 Users, two of them don't have the task to kill Rift Master, but it doesn't mean they were idle either. They were still stationed on the most populated city in their respective country to keep the death number as low as they can.

At the end, after everyone holograms were gone, only leaving Professor Livia hologram in the meeting room, she seemed wanting to say something to Ougasahara-san, but stopped herself when she looked at me that was leaning against Ougasahara-san's chair.

After Professor Livia hologran was gone too, only then Ougasahara-san stood up, picking me up and we get out of the meeting room.

"There are still 2 days left before the day, let's train a little more."

["Wait--"]

"I afraid you are prohibited from training from today until the mission day, Ougasahara-san."

Before I could argue with her, Yuzuhara-san interjected.

When we get out of the room, Yuzuhara-san was already waiting, leaned her back against the wall beside the door.

"Why do you mean I can't train?!"

"Exactly as I said. You need to get a full rest before the mission. You already trained over 60 hours in total just this week alone. You need to realize, how important it is for your body to be at its top condition for this country at the mission. Training more at this point of time will only lead to over exhaustion."

When Ougasahara-san asked with a slight irritation in her voice, Yuzuhara-san retort back with calm but firm attitude.

I completely agree with her. Lately, Ougasahara-san has been pushing herself too hard, as if she was being chased by something.

Almost everyday, she would get me in the afternoon around 4 PM and trained until 10 PM or more before she went home.

As her Sacred Weapon, I can also feel her fatigue building up each day through our connection. Training more than this would be putting the cart before the horse.

So when I sense that Ougasahara-san still wants to argue, I decide to speak up.

["I agree with Yuzuhara-san in this matter."]

"Why are you--, Ixy, aren't you supposed to be my weapon?"

["Ougasahara-san, I and Yuzuhara-san, no, everyone in this facility know just how hard you trained. There is no need for you to be in such a hurry.

We believe, even in the way you are now, you are already strong enough to protect this country.

And even by chance you need more power, then rely on me. It's my duty as your weapon to give you what you lack. I'm your partner, right?"]

Ougasahara-san looked at me for a moment and then looked at Yuzuhara-san, who then nod that she agree with what I said.

I can feel her grip at me become tighter, but after sometimes, she relaxed and seems to accept the terms.

"Alright. Sorry, and thank you."

"Don't mind it. Now let's put No.9 back for maintenance."

Yuzuhara-san pointed at the moving table with katana stands, my usual place other than glass tube, behind her.

After Ougasahara-san put me down, and still seemingly hesitant to leave, Yuzuhara forced her by giving her a gentle push on the back.

"I already prepared someone to send you home at the entrance. Remember to take a full rest tomorrow and don't ever think of sneaking in here to train."

When Ougasahara-san is already out of our vision, Yuzuhara-san pushes the table towards my lab.

"While that girl rest, let's give you a little upgrade here and there."

What a coincidence.

I also wanted her ask her to add a few functions in my system that I think can support Ougasahara-san better in real battle.

["Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu."]

•

•

•

October 27th, 2050, 07:35 AM

"This is the last tuning, so please tell me if there is any irregularity you feel."

["Hmm.... hmm.... I still feel uncomfortable using 'All Direction Mode', but there is no other way, I'll just have to get used to it in the battle."]

"How about the other new added functions? Any problem with that?"

["Nothing, everything's all green. Anyways, has Ougasahara-san came already?"]

"Yeah, she came half an hour ago and right now must be in the changing room."

Me and Yuzuhara-san chatted a bit while she and other researchers do some minor adjustment to me.

The door of the lab opens and Ougasahara-san, wearing a blue military uniform entering the lab with confidence.

"Talk about the devil and here she comes."

All eyes are drawn to her.

She stands before me and a pose. "So, what do you guys think? Do I look good?"

"You look great, Ougasahara-san. Sometimes I forgot that you're still a middle schooler with how you presented yourself."

["Yeah, a military uniform really brings a different feels to your usual self. If only you didn't say anything, I would have thought a high ranking commander has come."]

Yuzuhara-san and me give our honest impression, and Ougasahara-san laughing and smiling.

"Thank you. You too, looks like you finally have a sheat, Ixy."

Ah yeah, about that, I finally have a sheat for my blade. Since the mission from now on will be mostly inside a city, it will be too conspicuous if Ougasahara-san walking while holding an unsheathed katana in front of so many people.

Besides, this sheat can also suppress my raw power so other people can lift and move me without feeling the pain.

"The maintenance is done. Good luck and please come back safe, you two."

"Alright. Let's go, Ixy."

With that, we leave the lab and headed to the heliport, where there is already a helicopter ready to take off and a soldier in front of it, saluting Ougasahara-san as she approached.

Ougasahara-san gestured for him to relax and they both entered and sat on the passenger seats. There are many other armed soldier inside the Helicopter, but only Ougasahara-san was a woman and not wearing a military gear. But even so, everyone respected her as if she is their leader.

With a signal from the pilot, the heli took off and they fly to Tokyo, the place where Rift Master in Japan will appear.

•

•

After an hour ride, we finally at the military base near Tokyo, and change our transportation vehicle into a bus, heading towards the center of Tokyo.

Ougasahara-san looked at the watch on her wrist, 09:02 AM and told the driver to stop.

After the bus stop at the roadside at one of the Tokyo busiest street, Ougasahara-san stand up and go to the front of the bus.

"There is still a few minutes left before the Rift open. We don't want to cause a panic, so I want everyone to be on stand-by until then.

When the Rift opens, evacuation of the civilians are your top priority. Evacuate everyone you can find to the underground train station and then block the entrance with the gadget Livia-sensei provided to you.

Since everyone already got their area of activity divided at the base, so I won't say much. Just remember this; Do not try to engage in battle against the D-Mons. They are my part. Understand?!"

""YES MA'AM!!""

Wow, Ougasahara-san can are really acts to the role. There is no more playfulness in her expression. Just a seriousness and firm attitude befitting of the title commander.

"Good. I'll get off here first and heading towards the city center alone. You guys get ready. Takagi-san, I leave the commando of the team to you."

"Yes, Ma'am!"

With that, Ougasahara-san get off of the bus and we walked on the side road, earning so many glances from the passersby.

Many people take a picture of her and whispered something like 'which characters she was cosplaying to' and 'is she filming something' and so on.

To unknowing people, Ougasahara-san's right now really just seems like a cosplay, and no one even suspecting the katana in her hand as a real katana.

Without minding her surrounding, Ougasahara-san looked at her watch and then to the sky.

"They come."

Everyone followed her gaze and see the crack formed in the sky.

They recognized that phenomenon and many people started to run away.

The situation started to become chaotic but then many soldier came and guided people to go to the underground train station.

When the Rift finally opened and all the D-Mons came out of the purple portal, almost no more civilians left on the surface. Just Ougasahara-san and local military forces who still don't know anything about today's operation.

The sounds of gunfire and screams started to echoed across the city.

["Ougasahara-san, it's time to go.]

"...."

["Ougasahara-san?"]

When I focused my vision to her face, I can see her stunned expression. Her heartbeat started to accelerate and even through her gloved hand, I can feel it sweating.

Ougasahara-san, did she.... is she scared?

Now of all time?!

Then I see of one of the D-Mons is coming our way.

["HEY, WATCH OUT!"]

Fortunately, it snapped her and by reflects and muscle memory, Ougasahara-san draws me out of the sheat and do a clean slash that cut the D-Mons into two parts before it can reach her.

But then, her legs went limp and she knelt on the ground while clutching her chest with her other hand.

Her eyes unfocused, her breathing become frantic, and she muttered "I'm sorry, Ryuu-kun" so many times.

I never knew about this side of Ougasahara-san in all the time we together, so I don't know how to comfort her.

["Ougasahara-san!"]

["OUGASAHARA-SAN!"]

Did something happen to her at the first Disaster that become such a huge trauma?

Even when I shouted her name, it can't wake her up.

I think there is no other way. I'll say sorry later. But now...

'Blitz!'

"Ouch! Ixy, what are you doing?! That's hurt!"

I shot the high flow of my energy to her hand, give her a quite a shock therapy that even I got thrown as the result.

["Oh so that is hurt? But how about all the people out there?"]

"Ixy?"

["They feel even greater pain than that! And what are you doing just sitting there? Didn't you say that you will become humanity greatest Hero? Where is the one who said that they will become my Master? Where is that person?!"]

"I-Ixy, did you just called me, your Master?"

["That's not you! My Master is not someone weak like you!"]

Ougasahara-san went silent, but then she laughed and smiled.

She get up and walks towards me and picking me up.

"Thank you, Ixy. I'm awake now. Can you forgive this weak Master of yours?"

["My Master isn't weak.... I don't know what happened to you in the past, but you are not weak.... You are, someone who will become humanity greatest Hero, right?"]

"Haha, I really did say so huh. Then I guess this is the time to prove that words. Will you help me, Ixy?"

["Of course, Ouga-- No. Leave it to me, Master!"]

Ahh, I wonder why I was being stubborn if in the end I will still fall into this role. Maybe it was because I only saw the perfect and playful her that I forgot, that there must be a reason why a pure girl like her decided to become a soldier that fight in the frontmost line.

She's not perfect, but.... she is my Master.

She started running towards the high building that is the closest with the Rift, where the signal of Rift Master comes from.

["Master, there is a soldier in 2 clock about to be attacked."]

"Copy that!"

She accelerate her running, get to the front of the soldier and swing me again to cut the attacking the head of the D-Mons.

"Sorry we are late."

["Master, there is still many alive soldiers in this area. The D-Mons movement also starting to focus on us."]

Since there are other people in the vicinity, I decided to talk directly to her earpieces.

"That's good on its own way. Let them focus to us so that they didn't have enough time to attack others. And the more they come at us in swarm, easier for us to do 'that'. What do you think?"

She talks in a low voice while smiling. I quickly understand what she wants to do.

Actually I was going to tell her to go straight to find and kill the Rift Master, but since this is what my Master wants to do, it can't be helped.

["Alright. I'm ready whenever you are, Master."]

"Tell everyone who is still alive to run or hide. We will take care of everything from here."

After saying that to the soldier behind her, Master leaped high to the sky, and with one swing, a cresent red shockwave was created and cut through the swarms of D-Mons on its path.

Countless D-Mons fall to its death, but the remaining one was used by Master as a stepping stones to go to the top of a building where Rift Master was located.

Many D-Mons tried to attack her, but Master skillfully evaded and strike them back without slowing down her pursuit.

When the D-Mons shaped like a giant eyeball with wings comes into our vision. The adrenaline rushed.

The Rift Master seems to also realizes our intention, indicated with its eyes that was opened widely as if it was shocked.

But before it can do anything, Master kicking hard the body of the D-Mons and shooting straight like a rocket towards Rift Master.

'Slash!'

Master landed on the roof of the building and sheated me back after taking and letting out a long breath.

Behind her, the wide-eyed Rift Master slowly separated into two part horizontally.

The orbs-like crown on its head vibrated before finally exploded and gone.

Along with that, the Rift on the sky also instantly closed and the remaining D-Mons in the city one by one fall to their death.

That was our how our first mission goes.

•

•

•

A week after that Mission, Master and all Sacred Weapon User once again being called to the meeting room by Professor Livia.

This time, Master no longer came as the last.

When everyone finally shows up, Professor Livia finally opened her mouth.

"It's kind of late to say this, but congratulations for your first successful mission. You all did great. I'm very proud of you."

Although Professor Livia said that, the reaction of many Users are mostly grim.

"Through your efforts, this time, only 4% of the population that become the casualties--"

'Brakk!'

Seat number X slammed the table hard. Wait, they are hologram right, why the impact also transmitted here?

"What do you mean only 4%?! Don't screw with me!"

"That's right, Professor! 4% person of the world population now means 400 million people had died! Even I can't consider this winning as a success. It's just.... a failure."

The woman in seat number II gives her opinion with difficult expression.

"Are all Disaster going to be like this? At this rate, humanity will perish by the 20th or more Disaster."

Said the man in seat number VIII.

The atmosphere in the room turned heavy and gloomy.

Professor Livia let out a long sigh.

"Everyone please take a look at this."

The monitor then showed footage, that seems to be taken by an amateur, of Sacred Weapon User fighting the D-Mons in various kind of media.

A guy who fight his way in the horde of D-Mons with a pair of fiery gauntlets.

A woman slashes every D-Mons with an oversized black scythe like a grim reaper.

A woman in white robe holding a book and pointing her hand towards the D-Mons, behind her appeared many magic circle that shoot light beams.

And many more. There even footage about Master that was doing that one flashy attack.

Though all that footage didn't capture the face of anyone clearly, but the action packed in that is already more than enough.

The screen then showed the comment section of that footage and it was filled with many thanks, gratitude, cheers, prayers that fully filled the screen.

"What you did in that mission is not a failure. You guys has given what the humanity really needs. It's Hope."

Looking at the comment there, the gloomy atmosphere dissipate a little. Some women covered their mouth, feeling moved by the reaction they get from the people all over the world.

That their action is not just a futile struggle.

"I know many of you cannot accept this kind of result. But for me, 5% is already the most minimum casualties in my calculation, and you guys managed to make it 4%

With this, the number will keep on decreasing until we can even press it into 0 casualty."

""Eh?""

Professor Livia just casually dropped a bomb.

"Wait, what do you mean by that?"

"Right, how we can make into 0? We're only 12 people here."

"Because from the next Disaster onwards, there won't just 12 of you that can fight D-Mons."

"I still don't get it, please explain it more throughly without any cutting, Professor!"

Even number II getting impatient with professor Livia that keep getting us on edge.

"What is the most used weapon in this world? Alright, Alex."

Professor Livia pointed at the man number X. "Eh, me? Umm, gun?"

"Yup, a Gun. But against the D-Mons, those guns is no different from a paper hitting a metal plate, it won't do any damage. Then what is the best thing to damage that metal plate? Alright, you, Alisa."

She pointed again, this time to seat number VI.

"Another metal..... Ah, I see now, in other words, the most effective weapon that can damage D-Mons is a weapon made from D-Mons's material."

"Ping Pong! You got the jackpot. Now we have abundant amount of D-Mons corpses, I can finally go with my second big move!"

The monitor then shows a big star(?) with 12 points logo with a S.T.A.R.S text at the bottom.

It then also show the abbreviation of that letter.

Specialized Taskforce for Anomalous Rift in the Sky

So that symbol is really a star.

"You will still fight. But you won't fight alone anymore. Humanity's fate is not just in your hands. It's in everyone hands living in this world

You guys give them hopes. And now its in their hand of how they will go with that Hope.

This is the beginning of the global organization with the main purpose to fight the D-Mons.

This ... is S.T.A.R.S."

To Be Continued....