Chapter 20: Ready, Set, Go

POV - Kazuto

"So, I assume Guriel isn't alone?"

"Correct. Allow me to introduce her... Amurika, come here."

A small girl clad entirely in black emerged from the shadows of a storage closet. She was clearly a Phantasm Girl, yet something about her felt slightly off.

"Is she... a mass-produced model?"

"Yes. She is an Emma-series mass-produced Phantasm Girl. She’s also my sister."

"I see."

I felt like I finally understood why she had come all this way.

"Amurika, it’s good to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine, Commander."

The Emma-series was originally a skirmish unit specializing in camouflage. Standing there in all black, she would normally stick out like a sore thumb in a snowy mountain range.

She still hasn't given up on her sister, has she?

"I hope you find her. I hope you find Asuna."

"I will. Our cover is about to break. It’s time to move."

Her eyes held a steady, unwavering gaze, focused on a future where she and her sister were together again—a vow she intended to keep at any cost.

"Is everyone okay?!"

We were closing in on our destination when a sudden explosion echoed from the target cave. It was a bit pathetic, but I let Guriel carry me as we rushed toward the scene.

"Reporting: there is a six percent chance the cave will collapse due to that explosion."

"Thank you. We’re going in."

"Don't worry about me. Go!"

Relieved of my weight, Guriel’s speed surged as she ducked into the shadows of the cave entrance. Amurika and I followed close behind.

"Yellow!"

There was Guriel, standing protectively in front of a battered and bruised Yellow. And their opponent was...

"Asuna...?"

"Hey there, Newbie. Don't stand there with your mouth hanging open. We're on a battlefield, remember?"

She didn't hesitate, launching chunks of rubble at us like bullets. I was too stunned to react until a stray shard, shattered by a bullet from the side, grazed my cheek.

"Snap out of it! Accept the reality of the situation! Chrono is an enemy! I don't know why, but she's turned against the Paradise!"

I couldn't believe it. She was Alter’s...

"I’ll leave the rest to you."

"Yeah."

I watched as Burnatville spoke to her and she replied with casual indifference. It was the final proof I needed. It was real.

"Guriel."

"I know."

Scarlet and Blues still hadn't arrived, and Yellow was in no condition to fight. It was a grim situation; Guriel was the only card I had left to play.

"Manifest, my soul. Mystic Hand: Spiritual Left Hand."

POV - Asuna

"Mystic Hand: Spiritual Left Hand."

Well, Burnatville asked nicely, so I guess I’d better get to work.

A pair of translucent, massive hands—nearly two and a half meters long—materialized behind her. To be honest, she’s the one person I really didn't want to fight.

"Mode: Black. Black Hole: Repel."

I pulled in the surrounding rubble and fired it back at random intervals, but the massive hands swatted every piece away.

"Haaah!"

I met her left-handed punch with my Phantom Blade to counter—but then...

"Ghk...!"

The fist phased right through my laser and slammed directly into my chest, sending me flying.

This is the annoying part. She can toggle the tangibility of any part of those hands at will. A moment ago, she let my blade pass through before solidifying her fist. Being an A-rank based on ability alone isn't just for show, I suppose.

In that case...

I projected an area roughly a meter around myself, extending it upward in a pillar. It punched through the ceiling, reaching all the way to the open air.

"You’ve got to be kidding me..."

I heard Newbie’s voice filled with despair, but I ignored it. I sheared off the rocks touching the edge of my field and let them drop, fixing the area in place as the outside air rushed in.

The blizzard began to howl inside the cave, the swirling snow perfectly outlining the edges of the Mystic Hand.

"Oh no!"

Too late to pull back now. I sliced a clean line from the index finger all the way down to the wrist.

"Ah!"

A red line bloomed across Guriel’s own left arm, the spray of blood making the scene even more gruesome.

"Black Hole: Attract."

"Wait—what?"

I used my gravity well to snatch up the retreating Yellow, pressing my left hand against her stomach as I whispered into her ear.

"In twenty seconds, my ability is going to rip a hole right through your gut."

"Ghh...!"

That other Phantasm Girl I didn't recognize started shooting at me, but my transparent barrier caught every round. Who is she? A mass-produced model?

"Visualize it. Imagine yourself surviving with all your limbs intact. If my vision of your death is clearer than your vision of your life, you’re finished. Eight seconds left. Five, four, three, two, one—"

Suddenly, Yellow broke free, her own power kicking my left hand away.

"Not bad."

A grin tugged at the corners of my mouth, and a little chuckle escaped me. I deployed a spare Phantom Blade, tossed it to the ground for her to take, and readied my own.

"If I win this fight... no, never mind the small talk."

I saw the resolve in her eyes and decided to skip the pleasantries.

"Alright. Ready, set, go!"