Chapter Twenty-Five: Drenched

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“Due to the actions of a certain player, the instance mission has changed. The faction to join has been altered from [Afterlife Battlefront] to ‘Crossing the Life and Death Front’.”

“Please don’t do this.” The girl struggled desperately.

“Which bastard’s responsible for this mess?!” The balding man gritted his teeth, cursing as he harassed a girl dressed in the SSS Brigade uniform (the SSS Brigade being another name for the Afterlife Battlefront).

“It must be that woman. The old hag doesn’t pose much of a threat.” The beer-bellied man locked the empty classroom door and leered as he approached the struggling girl.

—————————A dividing line—————————

“Is this all the money you have?” Hiking up her skirt, the Shibuya-style woman caked in foundation glanced disdainfully at the meager bills in her hand, then kicked the male teacher she’d just drained dry. His body was grotesquely thin, a virtual skeleton draped in skin, yet he wasn’t dead—he stared at her with a complicated mixture of love and terror.

“What are you looking at, you useless thing?” With a vicious sweep, she struck his head, the force twisting it at an unnatural angle—clearly breaking his neck.

“Tch, so weak.” She arched her brow, evidently accustomed to such acts.

The warehouse door slammed shut with a bang. The teacher’s corpse gradually morphed into a mass of black, unidentifiable substance, seeping into the floor until it vanished completely.

—————————A dividing line—————————

The old woman sat clutching her prayer beads, chanting softly—she looked even more emaciated than before, and showed no signs of eating or drinking.

Should I take it to mean she died of starvation in a single night, only to revive again?

...

Better to ignore it.

—————————Another dividing line—————————

“Alright, enough—let’s not say things like that, as if we’re trying to drive him away. It’s pitiful.” As Otonashi was being besieged by the group, Yuri stepped forward to defend him. Or perhaps, it was a calculated move?

“Now, let’s let us... um, where was I?” Yuri pressed a hand to her chest, about to praise the name of their front, but lost her train of thought amid the interruptions.

“[Barnacle Front].”

“Right, we’re the [Barnacle...”

Smack!

“Nice kick,” remarked the wooden-sword guy, now sporting a large shoe print on his face.

“[Crossing the Life and Death Front]! This is our headquarters. You came here because you knew it was safe, didn’t you?” Yuri, having vented her anger, addressed Otonashi.

“No, I had no idea. I was nearly blasted away just as I tried to enter…” Otonashi looked shaken.

...

Just as Hao Ren finally calmed his nerves, he was suddenly struck by the urge to pee. As he quietly tried to slip out in search of the restroom, the headquarters’ main door flew open. A man wielding a medieval European battle axe appeared in the doorway.

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“Don’t apologize to him, Yuri—ahhhh!” A massive iron hammer crashed down from the corridor ceiling outside, landing squarely in front of Hao Ren and sending the axe-wielding man flying out the window. Hao Ren’s hair fluttered in the wind, his face contorted in a bizarre expression.

This is the fourth floor…

Everyone in the front rushed to the window, eager to watch.

“Idiot.”

“To step into your own trap…”

“Did I fly like that earlier too?” Otonashi shuddered at the memory.

The man’s body landed below, all five limbs—yes, the fifth being the head for those with wandering imaginations—were clearly broken. Oddly, there was no blood; how unscientific! His constitution must be seriously buffed.

Wait, why do I feel a dampness in my crotch? Could it be…?

Impossible! I’m a grown man—no way I’d lose control like that. Must’ve spilled some water earlier.

He reached into his underwear…

It really was wet!

I’m done for.

“If you want to enter safely, you need the password.” Yuri looked quite pleased with herself. Isn’t that one of our members lying dead on the floor? Is it really okay for everyone to just watch?

“This is [Operation Headquarters Against God]. Other than here, nowhere else is safe to talk.”

“Could I have a bit more time?” Otonashi asked, a bit dazed.

“If you want to leave, suit yourself.” Yuri’s threat sounded innocent but was anything but.

“Uh…” Otonashi, feeling the sting, said, “Alright, alright, I’ll join.”

“Alright!” While the group cheered, Hao Ren seized the chance to sneak out and dispose of the evidence.

“Where do you think you’re going?” The Shallow Girl suddenly spoke up.

“I—I’d like to go change clothes. We’re the only two newcomers not wearing the special uniform, so it feels out of place.” Hao Ren stammered out an excuse.

“Oh?” She raised her brows expressionlessly, glanced down at Hao Ren’s pants, and a twitch flickered at the corners of her mouth.

“Whatever conditions you have, just say them—I won’t even bat an eye!” Hao Ren bowed to her at a perfect ninety degrees.

Well, as a Chinese man, I still think the “Crouching Tiger Landing Style” is just too embarrassing a play.

“Ahem, how shallow.” She seemed a bit embarrassed herself.

“Please, I’m begging you!” He held the bow.

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“Come with me.” The Shallow Girl beckoned, and Hao Ren obediently followed her out like a loyal pup.

“I’m Yuri, the leader of this front.” Yuri began introducing the members to Otonashi.

“That’s Hinata—he’s laid-back, just as he looks. Though sometimes, he can be serious.”

“Ah—” The blue-haired boy, who’d tried to act cool, realized he’d been set up. “Are you just trying to cover for me?”

“This is Matsushita (the blue-haired Hinata: ‘Can’t believe you’re ignoring me…’). He’s a fifth-dan in judo, so everyone respectfully calls him Matsushita the Fifth Dan.”

“Pleased to meet you.” The bear-like Matsushita shook Otonashi’s hand (the blue-haired Hinata: “Hmph!”).

“That’s Oyama. His lack of any specialty is his specialty.”

“Welcome to the front.” Oyama, with his gentle demeanor, proved that ordinary is a blessing.

“eonlet’sdance!” The DJ with a red headband blurted out, his body swaying rhythmically.

“I don’t dance,” Otonashi replied, looking awkward.

“That’s just how he greets people—everyone calls him TK. No one knows his real name; he’s a man shrouded in mystery.”

“Are we really okay teaming up with someone like him?” Otonashi said what I was thinking.

“That guy over there, always adjusting his glasses to look cultured, is Takamatsu. In reality, he’s an idiot.”

“Ah!” Otonashi was surprised.

“Pleased to meet you.” Takamatsu, you’re not going to protest?

“And that’s Fujimaki.”

“I’m Fujimaki, brat.” The wooden-sword guy was still unfriendly toward Otonashi.

“I’m not a brat!”

“The one who just went flying was Noda.” Still lying there motionless.

“Sitting here is Iwasawa, leader of the diversionary squad.”

“The one always muttering ‘how shallow’ in the corner is Shiina. Huh? Where’s Shiina gone? And Koji’s missing too?” Yuri was surprised to find both corner-dwellers gone.

“Oh, Koji’s the black-haired boy, right? He went out with Shiina—no idea what for.” Iwasawa pointed toward the door.

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