A rather tall man emerged through the door. His skin was incredibly pale, and his hair
had no color—not white, not translucent—just a blank canvas. He was taller than
Daikenji, roughly 6'8". He wore faded brown clothing that looked like it
belonged to a level‑10 fighter in a D&D campaign. A katana hung at his
side, its tip nearly reaching Lucy's shoulder. He stepped closer.
"My name
is Greg."
Lucy
looked shaken. This guy was way more intimidating than Yamato No Orochi. Much
weaker, though—he was roughly equal to Shuten-dōji. I could take him… right?
Greg
walked up to Lucy and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Lucy Minami, the
Living Rewrite. It's quite nice to meet you."
His voice
was scratchy, like he needed a cough drop—deep yet oddly gentle. Scary, but
somehow genuinely kind.
"It's
rather nice to meet you as well, Greg‑san," Lucy said.
He nodded,
seemingly satisfied. "Tokihana Aitsuki, Hayanobu Seigawa. I'm pleased to meet
you as well."
"Back at
you," Hayanobu replied.
"Nice to
meet you, Greg‑san," Tokihana said.
Greg
nodded again, a pleased look on his face. He walked past them and stood over
Jeremy.
"Jeremy,
how long until my siblings are complete?"
"Most
likely six months to a full year. It's really unlikely I can finish them
sooner," Jeremy answered.
"Fair
enough. Well, let us talk."
The
discussion went on for roughly an hour. Most of it was just restating previous
information, though Lucy received a message from Aiji in between. By the end,
the Strikers had learned something astonishing—the universe was far bigger than
they had imagined.
Outside of the Counter-Strike base, 10:50
am.
They left
the Counter-Strike base and stepped into the open air. The surrounding area was
quiet—just the distant hum of nature and the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.
No crowds, no city noise—just the faint echo of their own footsteps. Lucy
blinked repeatedly, trying to adjust, but the whirlwind of thoughts about
twelve-dimensional universes, Saints, and Greg's cryptic words refused to
quiet.
"So
basically, our universe is twelve-dimensional… I always figured it was
infinite, but—twelve dimensional? That's beyond anything I imagined." Lucy's
head spun with numbers and diagrams. Her eyes glazed over like static on a
screen.
The others
stayed quiet.
"And
Odamakura-sama really created all of this… I wonder if Daikenji-sama could
match that kind of power."
Tokihana
smiled. "He is the strongest after all, so
I'm sure he could."
"But it's
a God, though," Hayanobu interjected.
"We call
him 'Sama' for a reason," Lucy said, giggling.
Hayanobu
rolled his eyes.
"So we
should totally go shopping!" Tokihana suddenly yelled.
Lucy
perked up. "Oh yeah! But… where?"
"I heard
about this store called Wolfchase Galleria. They have all types of stuff
there."
"Let's
go!!"
Wolfchase
Galleria, 11:20 am.
The group
walked in. It was a wonderful store, filled with clothes, manga, games, and
gaming consoles.
"Quite
wonderful, actually…" Hayanobu muttered.
"Lucy-chan,
we have to get some cute outfits for the others. I'll do mine—you do your own
thing," Tokihana said in a kinda "ehhh" tone.
Lucy
frowned. Hey,
what was with that tone? What does she mean by that?
"Hey, what
do you mean by that, Tokihana-chan?!" Lucy yelled, clearly hurt.
"You just
don't have the best taste in clothing… I mean, look at what you're wearing,
Lucy-chan…"
This…
"Hey! What
I'm wearing looks amazing! Even the others agree."
"Uhhh…
sweetie, they lied to you."
Does
she want to fight?
"But…"
"Okay, let
me say it like this—it's not bad, just… all over the place. I think it's the
green… I don't know how to feel about it. Honestly, it looks good, but it's off
somehow," Tokihana admitted, scratching her head.
Lucy
stormed off. "Wait! Lucy-chan, I didn't mean it that way! It just looks off,
but it looks good on you! Neon green is just… ugly!" Tokihana stumbled over
herself as she spoke.
Lucy
wandered until she stumbled upon a section with manga. Her favorite series was
on the shelf—it started as a light novel but had become a manga. The story
followed an MC who noticed it hadn't been night in five days. Suddenly, he was
attacked, launched into a nearby park, and rescued by friends. This character
embodied the concept of blackness. The series even came with two prequels. I'm sure you've read this
before…
"Woah,
they don't sell these physically very often… it's rare to see them in person.
But geez, that's expensive. Better ask Mamoriko for permission."
Lucy
pulled out her phone and contacted Mamoriko.
Lucy: "Mamoriko."
Mamoriko: "Yes, Lucy?"
Lucy: "You know that manga I
really like?"
Mamoriko: "Yes… Chronicles of the BlackWall, right?"
Lucy's
face scrunched.
Lucy: "Yeah, something like that.
Mostly digital, but I see all four volumes plus the two prequels here. May I
please buy them, big sis?"
Mamoriko: "How much?"
Lucy: "In Japanese terms,
¥31,145.34 ($205)."
Mamoriko: "Lucy… no. I can't let you
spend that much on just four volumes and two prequels."
Lucy: "What if I do anyway?"
Mamoriko: "Then you're grounded."
Lucy: "Fine…" She pouted.
Mamoriko: "OMG, Lucy, I can't believe
you're making that pouty face right now… Fine, you can buy the four volumes
only. No more, got it, spoiled little princess?"
Lucy: "Thank you! Big sis, I love
you!!"
Mamoriko: "I love you too, little
brat ❤️"
Lucy
heart-reacted to the message.
Yuki,
still invisible, nudged the volumes into her hands.
"Thanks,
Yuki."
"No
problem, my lady."
Lucy
walked over to Tokihana.
"Tokihana-chan,
I see you have quite a lot."
Tokihana's
cart was filled to the brim with perfectly folded clothing.
"Yes… and
sorry about earlier."
"It's
fine. I know you didn't mean it."
Lucy
hugged her.
"Thanks,
Lucy-chan…"
Lucy
looked around. "Where's Hayanobu-kun?"
"Oh, he
ran over to Dick's Sporting Goods. He was begging Mamoriko to buy a treadmill."
"Isn't he
a gazillion times faster than one? Why does he need that?"
"I know
you have no experience with this, but it's called training your physical body
without your powers," Tokihana teased.
"Yeah,
yeah, whatever," Lucy said.
Hayanobu
suddenly appeared next to them.
"So,
what'd she say?" Tokihana asked.
"She said i'm
not spending $1,000 on a treadmill because Lucy can just make one."
"Yeah,
sometimes I forget I can make random stuff, but I need to know about it first.
That's why Yuki turned out the way he did—I summon Yokai, not make them. And
I'm a nerd on creepypasta, so I can make more."
"Well, may
you make one for me, Lucy-chan?"
"Yes, of
course."
The group
walked to the cash register. The cashier checked them out, and they stepped
outside.
"That went
well! I got my manga too!" Lucy shouted excitedly.
"And I got
us all new clothes!"
"Unfortunately,
I couldn't get my treadmill," Hayanobu said, clutching his chest dramatically.
"Yeah,
Mamoriko wants to go to school to be a financial advisor, so she hates us
spending too much money."
Hayanobu
nodded. "Yeah, I remember we talked about that once. I love how passionate she
is."
Lucy
nodded. "Hey… I have kind of a dark question."
Everyone
froze, including the invisible Yuki.
"Can
people like us have normal lives? I know I'm always positive, but it weighs on
my mind… Will we all make it through? That Diligence guy could one-tap Yamato
No Orochi and even give Daikenji-sama trouble. Patience kept Daikenji busy for
three days. We know nothing about Temperance or Chasity. Daikenji-sama is
strong, but he can't protect us all. Sometimes we'll have to fight alone… Will
we survive, or just die? What if one of their powers turns off spatial
manipulation, and Tokihana gets killed… or they can slow people down?"
The group
stayed silent.
"Well,
Lucy-sama, that's a huge possibility, but why stress about that now? Let's live
in the moment," Yuki said.
"That must
be hard to say to someone who can see the future…"
Suddenly,
Lucy grabbed her chest and froze—a vision.
She saw
the Saint of Diligence standing before her late at night, smiling. Not in an
evil way, but like catching up with an old friend.
What
the hell…
Lucy
snapped back to the present.
"What was
it this time? Please tell me it wasn't one of us dying," Tokihana said, shaken.
"No, it
was just me seeing Akuto face-to-face. I don't really want to talk about it."
The group
nodded.
"Understood.
But our hotel membership ran out…" Hayanobu said.
"Don't
worry, I've got us covered. Just go behind the building."
They
walked behind the building and hopped onto the slightly enlarged Yuki, who shot
into the sky and expanded tens of times.
They
blinked, suddenly inside the giant Yuki, a mini Yuki standing on Lucy's
shoulder.
"Welcome to Base Yuki," said Yuki.
"Make yourself at home," Lucy followed up.
"Will do," said Hayanobu.
"Got it," said Tokihana.
The group went their separate ways. Time passed, and
it was now around midnight. Lucy decided to take a shower to calm herself down.
After about thirty minutes, she stepped out, partially dressed, and checked
herself in the mirror.
"Yuki, I've been eating a lot more recently… have I
gained weight?"
"It's only been two days, my lady. It's natural—you
haven't gained any weight. You seem to have a very fast metabolism. Also, you
shouldn't worry about this. Aiji-sama requested you not to—shall I contact
him?"
Lucy's face turned red.
"No, no, no! Don't tell Aiji-kun! Last time I was
upset, he almost tickled me to death…" she said defensively.
Yuki chuckled softly. "If only I were there to see
it…"
"Whatever… I'm sorry. I won't worry so much about my
body."
Yuki patted her head with a feather. "Thank you, my
lady."
Lucy got dressed in pajamas and lay down on her bed.
"Can't believe I made all of this…"
"Yes, Lucy-sama, you've become quite remarkable
indeed."
"I could probably remake all of Asia in a few days."
"I'd say Asia and Africa, if you hypothetically went
across all the lands," Yuki teased.
"What do you think the limit is, Yuki?"
"For you? The heavens."
"What's that word Aiji-kun spams… 'glaze'?"
"Haha…" Yuki paused, then his tone grew serious. "I
sense something far away… far more dangerous than some Saint of Diligence."
The words caught Lucy completely off guard. She
immediately jumped down from a hole with Yuki on her shoulders, landing firmly
on a nearby football field.
"Lucy Minami… I didn't expect to see you here."
Out of all the times…
She turned her head. There stood Akuto.
"What do you want, Akuto?"
"He's here… I know he was supposed to appear in your
lifetime, but… now."
What is he talking about…
"What do yo—"
Suddenly, all of Lucy's danger senses heightened as
she turned to see a modest-looking man in a suit.
"Hello there… Living Rewrite."
"Akuto, get your buddy!"
"Not one of ours," Akuto replied.
Lucy turned back. Seriously…
who is this guy?
"Frankly, I wanted to see the Living Rewrite in
person. I thought the Subete no Chikara no Utsuwa—what you people would call it—would be more powerful. Regardless,
considering four Saints are still alive, it's only natural. Be aware,
Diligence… your time is very soon."
The man disappeared almost instantly.
Lucy's chest pounded.
"Akuto… who is that guy?"
Akuto looked a little nervous. "Prepare… that's all
I can tell you."
Wait… so that 'prepare' thing isn't about the
Saints? I mean, I figured that because Odamakura told them to prepare too, but…
this guy… he—he's a God as well? Too many questions. Akuto made it clear he's
not telling me anything. I better keep this to myself until I figure out more…
"Listen, Lucy Minami… I know you don't like me, and
your reasons are perfectly understandable. Honestly, I am probably the most
despicable thing on this planet. But that guy? Way worse. And as they say, the
enemy of my friend is… frieimy or whatever the new sayings are."
He's right. That guy—whatever he is—Odamakura has
been preparing us for him. He's probably not directly opposing us at the
moment. For now, I'll work with Diligence to gather information on him and find
ways to counter him. After that—or even before that—I'll make sure to eradicate
all the Saints.
They shook hands.
"Don't rely solely on your power. Let me assist you
instead."
"I'll do anything you want… just help me, please,"
Lucy said.
"I'll help protect your friends… or I guess family,
for now. But know this—we are still enemies."
Akuto patted Lucy's head, but Yuki turned visible
and pecked him.
"Ow… well, regardless, I wanted to tell you
something."
Lucy's curiosity peaked. "Yes?"
"Chasity has predicted that… Nusumi will be reborn."
Lucy's eyes widened in shock. "Nusumi is coming
back… for real?"
"Yes."
"Well… why tell me this?"
"Chasity believes that the child your leader is
bearing will be Nusumi."
"Uhhh…"
"But personally, I think otherwise. It's
unlikely—but the chance isn't zero."
So Megumi's child could be Nusumi? How could…
"Why should I trust your judgment over Chasity?"
"I've guessed rather accurately… the groundhog will
see its shadow since 1862."
"Wait… didn't Groundhog Day start in 1862?" Lucy
asked.
"Well yes… Sachiko started it. She wanted a holiday,
so she gave a groundhog the ability that, if it saw its shadow, it would be
cold a little while longer."
Charity created Groundhog Day… Interesting.
"That's… well, anyway, I guess I can trust you.
Should I tell the Strikers and Counter-Strikers?"
"Indeed you should, but I warn you—it may cause an
uproar…"
Wait a second…
"he's you guys' friend. Why don't you want
him back?"
"There would be no point. Honestly, he always wanted
a good life with a loving family. I'll allow him to have that wish. But if his
soul draws him to us… that's a different story."
"But I will go, no Minmai-San. Remember, you may
never know when I'll betray you…"
Diligence simply walked away, disappearing from
view.
"Oh, and by the way… get the baby to be named
Yukito, if you don't mind."
Yukito… well, for someone like Nusumi, that's
rather poetic.
Suddenly, Lucy felt herself being roughly snatched
back. She was slammed onto a soft bed, and felt a weight straddle her chest.
"Damnit, Lucy… you're really betraying us…" Tokihana
said, straddling her.
"Uhh… wait! I can explain."
Tokihana started crying. "Lucy, please have a good
explanation on why you're buddy-buddy with the Saint of Diligence…"
"Listen… we're allies… but only for information. I
swear I don't actually like him. We agreed to cut ties after this. And guess
what? I learned something important…"
Tokihana eased up a little, still sniffling. "What
would that be?"
"The Saint of Gratitude, Nusumi Tadashi, will be
reborn…"
Tokihana's body stiffened. "Is that so…"
Let's see how she reacts to this….