Continuing where we left off...
Stelle's perspective...
These events are occurring at the same time that Ritsuka began searching for Gudako.
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I admit I'm a little disappointed with my dear friend Ritsuka. Instead of taking one of us to search for this Beast of Humanity that's in Luofu, he decides to go alone, leaving us in charge of finding Kafka.
It's very unfair! Why can he participate in something so unexpected and cool as facing a Beast while I'm stuck playing cat and mouse with Kafka?!
So what if apparently the Beasts of Humanity have the capacity to destroy a planet? Ritsuka is a tremendous Emanator of Balance, he's practically a God in the eyes of certain people, therefore a Beast wouldn't be anything against him!
But no! Uncle Welt had to be the voice of reason and remind us that the search for Kafka is just as important as the search for the Beast of Humanity. It doesn't change the fact that the process we're going to go through to find Kafka is tedious!
Thanks to the General and the divination committee, Ting Yun told us that the transmission Kafka made to us had a sound that led to the transmission's location at one of the shipyard facilities in Stargazer Navalia.
However, before we started the operation, Ting Yun gave us a moment to rest, and we tried to let Dan Heng and Himeko know what was happening, but it seems the message I sent to Dan Heng didn't reach his phone.
March and I thought there was some kind of signal problem, but BB said our transmissions are being interrupted on purpose, but she doesn't know exactly who is doing it.
Welt theorizes that this is the work of one of Kafka's colleagues, Silver Wolf, but BB said it's not the Hacker's doing, saying that Silver Wolf would have challenged her to a hunting game to avoid boredom.
In any case, we only have the ability to communicate with Ritsuka at the moment, as he is still busy searching for the Beast.
With everything resolved on our side, we begin the operation to hunt Kafka. Ting Yun suggested using a bionic dog with advanced biological sensors called Diting to search for clues to Kafka's location.
However, BB decides to put her idea on the table.
- I may not have the clairvoyance to see the future, but by my calculations, it will take us a while if we depend on this allegorical Chinese puppy, and BB-chan hates being away from my dear Senpai for too long! - said BB, throwing a bit of a tantrum, seeming like a child in an adult's body.
- Don't tell me you insulted this cute and adorable creature? You really are an evil AI! - said March 7th.
"Was that really an insult?"
- I suppose you have an alternative idea, BB? - said Welt, bringing the conversation back to the main topic.
- Of course I do! I'm not some advanced AI from Mooncell for nothing. Finding Kafka's traces and pinpointing her exact location is a piece of cake for me! - BB said with an arrogant grin.
- Then why haven't you found the person responsible for disrupting our communications? - March 7th asked the obvious question that was on the tip of my tongue.
- Because it's not of utmost importance to me. - BB said casually, without a shred of shame.
- Wow, she really said that with such pride. - I murmured, bieng impressed.
- Ahem! Anyway. Having the help of Ritsuka's Heroic Spirits certainly gives us a good advantage, and knowing how powerful and skilled you are, BB, I have no doubt that we'll be able to find Kafka. - said Welt, keeping the conversation under control.
- Well, I see you've already reached a decision. So let's go to Stargazer Navalia and begin our hunt for Kafka. We can't waste much precious time. - said Ting Yun.
Honestly, I didn't pay much attention when Ritsuka recounted his journey on the Mooncell and the first time he met BB, as the story itself was too complicated for my mind.
However, from what I could understand, BB is a powerful AI that managed to hack a supercomputer on the moon of his planet, and that this supercomputer is powerful enough to make Herta want to have one—well, those are Ritsuka's words, not mine.
With BB's help decided, we head towards Stargazer Navalia to begin the search for Kafka. Ting Yun gave a brief explanation about the function of Stargazer Navalia, which serves as a place to create the vehicles that Luofu uses for transportation in and out of the giant airship.
And as expected, Ting Yun said she'll stay in the rear, acting as a cheerleader since she doesn't want to participate in the inevitable conflicts we'll be involved in.
It annoyed me a little, but what can I do? Trying to convince a clever merchant like her is a waste of time.
- So, BB, work your magic... Wait a minute... Can AIs use magic? - I say this with a random thought popping into my mind.
- I don't think so? Although Ritsuka said that in Mooncell there's a variation of magic, but since it's all digital then.... Hmm... There must be a manual explaining everything. - Said March 7th, having the same thought as me.
- I'm not even going to waste my time arguing with you two airheads. Anyway! Here's some support from BB-chan! Sakura scan! - BB said, putting on a brief show.
Using her long wand, BB created a non-destructive explosion that was a wave of pink pellets that spread throughout the entire area.
After a few seconds, BB created a holographic map of the entire Stargazer Navalia area and marked a reference point on the map.
- All done! Here's the exact location of the Stellaron Hunter Kafka. I thought I'd have to put in a little more effort, but unfortunately it seems Kafka is waiting for us. - BB said with a disappointed expression.
- She's not hiding? Or is she in an area that's difficult to find? - Welt asked, surprised and not believing that the search was so easy.
- No, and no. When my scout went through all the evidence and clues scattered throughout this place, I calculated that Kafka is deliberately luring us to her, plus she's in a very open area. I wanted her to resist a little; surrendering so quickly is annoying. - BB informs and complains.
- This is probably a trap! I'm sure she's waiting for us to attack us by surprise. - said March 7th.
- Well, whether we like it or not, we have to capture her. So it's a trap we can't avoid. - I say, giving my opinion.
- Stelle is right. As obvious as it is that it's a trap, our mission is to capture Kafka. Although I have to admit that knowing she's waiting for us worries me. - said Ting Yun.
Even knowing the danger, we followed the path that BB's map showed us and eventually we arrived at Kafka's location. When we arrived where Kafka was, we saw her sitting in some kind of plastic chair with her katana leaning against one side.
The scene was bizarre enough that it left me, March 7th, Welt, and Ting Yun surprised and momentarily paralyzed, but BB started laughing at Kafka's position.
- Welcome, Astral Express. Looks like you caught me. - Kafka said, unbothered by our surprised expressions.
"What? What am I seeing? Why is Kafka sitting in a plastic chair? And why does she seem so comfortable sitting there?"
- My goodness, I really didn't expect that! Kafka, I didn't know you were such a cultured and respectable woman. Where did you find that chair? - BB said, taking the opportunity to speak since the rest of us were still surprised.
- I didn't get that chair; it was Élio's idea. Apparently, he said that using this chair would be appropriate for watching a coming storm. Hehe... I didn't expect this chair to be so comfortable; I think I should end up buying one for myself after all this," Kafka said, shifting her position to get more comfortable.
- Surrender, and save your explanations for Xianzhou, Kafka. - I said, regaining my composure after registering what I had just seen.
- Ahem! We're taking you to see the General of Luofu. You can confess your innocence all you want, but the General will decide your fate. - Welt said, having the same reaction as me.
- Normally I would refuse, but Élio's orders were very clear. You can take me to see your Almighty General. - Kafka said, rising from her prison cell and surrendering to us.
Welt, March 7th, Ting Yun, and I were surprised to see Kafka surrendering without any resistance, and this put us on alert.
- Wait a minute! Weren't you supposed to resist and we'd have to fight you to force your surrender? A hunting operation wasn't supposed to be this easy! - March 7th said, unconvinced.
- What are you planning, Kafka? - Welt asked, her expression serious.
- I'm not planning anything. I'm just following Elio's instructions, and according to him, we can't waste much time before the storm that's coming catches Luofu. By the way, BB, I suggest you check Joker's status. Joker is our nickname for Ritsuka, for those who don't know. - Kafka said, continuing to smile without any sign of fear.
Kafka's words cause BB to briefly adopt a serious expression, and she tries to communicate with Ritsuka. To our surprise, Ritsuka isn't answering BB's call.
- BB, didn't you say we were able to talk to Ritsuka without any problems? - I say, looking at BB, who has a confused expression.
- I'm not having trouble communicating with Senpai! The truth is, Senpai isn't answering my calls! - BB says.
This news left us all with a feeling of concern; clearly something happened to Ritsuka for him not to be responding.
- Oh... It seems Joker is kind of busy at the moment. It seems one of Elio's possibilities was correct. - Kafka said, letting out a light laugh.
- How do you know about Ritsuka's situation? Don't tell me you're responsible for this? - I say, looking seriously at Kafka.
- I don't know anything. Elio has all the information, and from what he told me, Joker is probably remembering fragments of his sealed past. - Kafka comments, drawing Welt's attention for some reason.
- Sealed past... But how did he... - I hear Welt murmur to himself, which only confuses me more.
- Well, as much as I'd love to continue our productive conversation, I'd say we have one more person who wants to participate. - Kafka said, looking up.
And to our surprise, a small girl with pink hair appeared, slowly falling from the sky until she landed peacefully on the ground next to Kafka.
- Fu Xuan. Divination Commission. I'll be taking the criminal this way. - said the diminutive girl called Fu Xuan.
- Huh? But Kafka had already surrendered... So why are you here? - March 7th asked, confused.
Unfortunately, March 7th's question was ignored. Fu Xuan used her abilities to handcuff Kafka, who showed no sign of resistance.
With Kafka handcuffed, Fu Xuan shifted her gaze to the four of us.
Fu Xuan introduced herself to the four of us, saying that this wasn't technically our first encounter, as she had encountered us before using foresight, but the way she introduced herself was difficult to follow.
Fortunately, Welt took the lead in the conversation with Fu Xuan about what we were going to do with Kafka.
Meanwhile, BB is trying several times to communicate with Ritsuka. After several attempts, we manage to contact him.
- Senpai! Are you listening to me? What happened? It's not like you to ignore your dear and favorite Kohai like that! - BB said, pouting and looking at a holographic face of Ritsuka.
Looking at Ritsuka's hologram, it's possible to see that he's somewhat distracted by something or that something is bothering him.
Ritsuka:Sorry, BB. I ended up being ambushed by a Masked Fool trying to mess with my mind. Luckily, I managed to destroy the illusion, but now I have to deal with another problem...
We were surprised after hearing Ritsuka's explanation of what happened, and BB starts to get angry.
- Where is that Masked Fool?! I'll make her pay for messing with my Senpai! - BB said angrily, his eyes turning red.
Ritsuka: She escaped while I was unconscious for a moment, and she even ended up giving me an invitation... Anyway. The important thing is that I managed to locate the Beast's location, and I intend to go after it now.
"Wait a minute... He received an invitation? What kind of invitation?"
- Have you found the Beast yet? You're truly amazing, Senpai! I wanted to give you a kiss as a reward after this. - BB said, her attitude quickly shifting from furious to loving.
Ritsuka:Right... I can't waste much time, I have to catch the Beast before something worse happens. I'll report the events when I can.
With those last words, Ritsuka hangs up, and I see Fu Xuan looking at us with a curious expression.
- Curious... I don't remember seeing this companion of yours called Ritsuka in my prediction, which isn't normal. - Fu Xuan said, maintaining her neutral expression.
Suddenly, we heard soft laughter from Kafka, as if she had heard a good joke.
- It's no surprise that the Divination Commission's predictions wouldn't be able to foresee Joker's actions; after all, even Elio has difficulty seeing his actions in his scripts. Hehehe... I recommend speeding up the interrogation, after all, a storm is approaching. - Kafka said, looking in a certain direction where it was possible to see clouds darkening.
"That's certainly not normal, after all, I didn't see any clouds when we arrived here."
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Dan Heng's perspective....
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After learning that a certain person I absolutely never wanted to see again was present in Luofu along with my other companions, I had no choice but to return to the place I hadn't been in years.
On my way to find my companions, I tried to communicate with them, but I was unsuccessful, so I had to continue my search alone.
Along the way, I ended up helping a Cloud Knight named Sushang who was protecting a merchant with a strange coffin called Luocha.
After the battle, I was going to try to continue my search, but I ended up having to accompany Sushang, who was going to take me to a safe place since a good part of Luofu's areas are blocked off by Cloud Knights.
I really wanted to be able to inform my friends of my location and know how their situation is, but this communication problem is bothering me more and more as time goes by.
However, something unexpected happens that completely changes our peaceful walk to a safe area.
Immediately, I felt an overwhelming chill spreading through my entire body, paralyzing me instantly. It's as if my instincts are screaming at me about the magnitude of the danger I'm in.
"What is this?! What is this feeling?"
Then Luocha noticed my drastic change in posture and saw something coming from the air.
- Hmm... What is that? - Luocha commented with a calm but alert expression, looking in a certain direction in the sky.
Sushang, noticing that we had both stopped walking, looked back with a confused expression.
- Huh? What happened? Why did you two stop? Hm? What happened to you, Dan Heng? Your face is as white as a ghost. I don't know why you were scared; I didn't sense any nearby enemy presence. - Sushang said, confused.
- Miss Sushang, I suggest you prepare your sword. I feel we're going to have to deal with a very unwelcome presence. - Luocha commented, summoning his rapier sword.
- Huh? What? What do you mean? An enemy? Where? - Sushang remained confused, not realizing the approaching danger.
As if answering Sushang's words, the enemy presence intensified, and in the blink of an eye, the one responsible for the connection of my instincts appeared before us, floating in the air with wings.
The moment the enemy appeared, a strong wave of wind reached her due to how quickly she arrived.
- I found you... - said the girl floating with a sadistic smile on her face.
"No... It can't be... How is she... How is this Beast here?!"
The moment my eyes fell on the girl with red eyes and long, loose orange hair... Initially, I wouldn't have recognized this person, but upon seeing her curved horns and her wild, chaotic presence...
Immediately, I felt a phantom pain emanating from my neck. It's a sensation that my other "self" experienced, even though I am his reincarnation; certain scars of his are still present on me.
"So this is the Beast of Abundance that survived that explosion and bit Dan Feng's flesh... Why is she here?! Is it for revenge?"
- Who are you?! I Identify yourself,foreigner! - Sushang said, but I perceived the hidden fear in her tone of voice.
Unfortunately, Sushang's words were completely ignored by the Beast, who hadn't even registered the presence of the Cloud knight.
- More than surprised to see one of my old prey in this boring place, I was planning to go and kill the General, but who would have thought that you, that aquatic Dragon, would be here. - the Beast said, maintaining a predatory smile.
The moment she said that, fragments of memories from my other "self" quickly surfaced in my mind.
A memory of an exhausting and arduous battle that ended up causing several losses, and even after the sacrifice of a very close friend, this Beast of Abundance managed to remain alive.
- How... How did you escape the shackling prison?! You were barely able to control your own body after going through several rebirths! - I say this expressing the doubt that's been bothering me a lot at the moment I saw this Beast.
- Ahh... so that's the name of that place... A damned old wizard who got me out of there many years ago. I'm surprised you didn't expect my presence, after all, isn't this place your home? Hmm? - The Beast looks at me more attentively and after a few seconds lets out a sigh of disappointment.
- So that's why your scent is a little different. You're the reincarnation of that man I bit, aren't you? That spoils the fun of the hunt a little, but I can't complain. Besides. I was ignoring it for a while, but this horrible smell is irritating me. What kind of thing is inside that coffin?! - Said the Beast of Abundance, looking directly at Luocha's coffin.
Luocha was slightly surprised to hear the Beast's words, but his calm yet alert expression remained unchanged.
- Interesting, so a creature of Abundance like you can sense what's inside that. However, I can't let you destroy the coffin. After all, I can't let you destroy my work. - Luocha said, ready for combat.
- Wait a minute! This girl is a creature of Abundance?! - Sushang shouted, no longer able to hide her fear of her.
The Beast begins to laugh loudly with an animalistic grin, and a hot, electric aura begins to emanate from within it, along with dark clouds starting to form around us.
- Hahaha! Well, at least I'll be able to test these new abilities I acquired after eating the blood and flesh of your other "self." Let's see who will be the first to die! - Said the Beast of Abundance, stretching its right hand into the air.
Then, a scarlet lightning bolt strikes the Beast's right hand, along with a large spear of a certain golden color.
- Let's... Hmm? - The Beast was about to say something, but it is interrupted by sensing something and begins to look to its left.
Immediately afterwards, at impressive speed, someone appears flying towards the Beast of Abundance, who manages to intercept the unknown person's attack.
With its left hand extended, the Beast is now holding a metal hand belonging to the new person who interrupted it.
- Oh? Who are you? - said the Beast, looking at him with a curious expression, not intimidated.
"That armor and flames coming from his chest... I have no doubt it's that member of the Stellaron Hunters."
- My name is SAM and my mission is to defeat you! - said SAM, introducing himself to the Beast of Abundance.
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To be continued....
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