Chapter 680: The Creator of a New History

Author's Preface

While writing ShanFro, there hasn't been a chapter that I've written while grinning as much as this one. I was laughing the entire time I wrote it.

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"Guh, what the hell is that thorny sea anemone......!!"

"No, it most likely isn't a sea anemone, but rather a swarm-type insect monster mimicking thorns. Fufufu, leave it to me."

"O-Okay."

Having seen through the enemy boss's true identity, Rei-shi issued orders to her army. Because their AI wasn't exceptionally advanced, the Yuri Maidens conversely charged forward without a single shred of hesitation toward the boss, "Thorny King Rosel."

"According to my assessment, that monster exposes a weak point the moment it attacks. If that is the case, then relying on the certainty of a knockback despite the slight risks, what is required of us is exactly that...... A frontal assault."

"Eh, ah, yes."

This is bad, it's like watching a character whose programming bugged out and started executing completely different behavioral patterns. You know, like when a system glitch places a male model in a spot meant for a female character, resulting in a burly old man doing highly feminine animations...... It's like a personal Mod someone used once but ended up fading away without ever seeing the light of day.

"We players possess zero combat ability. However, we can at least barely fulfill the role of a tank to gather aggro."

"True that."

"If so, the rest relies on the player's skill. The threshold of drawing their attention while avoiding being directly targeted is───"

"Ah, that spot's right in the lethal zone."

I grabbed Rei-shi's hand and pulled her back just as she stepped into the attack range while talking unusually fast. The next instant, a thorny whip slammed down exactly where she had been standing as if it had been waiting for her...... No, actually, it's obvious at a glance, but since the tip of the whip had something resembling a caterpillar's face on it, it was probably a piece of the boss itself, which seemed to be a massive colony of caterpillars or inchworms.

"You okay?"

"───Fuh...... Thank you, Sunraku-kun. You saved me."

"Eh, ah, yeah."

What is this...... Umm, hmm. What is this feeling...... I feel like I'm just on the verge of remembering.

"All forces, charge. Strike down the enemy and carve open a path!!"

"Ah, I see."

I got it, she's acting kinda like Kyogoku. Specifically, the Kyogoku during Bakumatsu when she gets relatively carried away and seems like she's radiating stupidly bright sparkly effects. Usually, she gets hit with divine punishment by volunteers a few seconds later, so witnessing it is actually a surprisingly rare occurrence.

If this were any other game, they'd be a group who couldn't complain if they were labeled as stalkers, but in Bakumatsu, having your revenge target cling to you on their own is considered a lucky turn of events. Though dealing with a stalker Raid Boss-san is entirely a different issue.

"Ahー, Believers. Since that army over there is handling the front, split into two groups and pincer the enemy from the left and right. Don't aim for the weak point, aim for the tentacles. This is definitely one of those bosses where ignoring them ends badly."

""""As God commands!!""""

Yeah, do your best~...... Ah, one got eaten. Believeeer!!

My Believers excel in group coordination, but their individual power falls short of Rei-shi's Yuri Maiden army. Because of that, I can't afford to care about every single one or two that die. A general...... A commander must sometimes make heartless choices for the sake of rationality. Ah, another one died. Believeeer!!

"I cannot overlook any further sacrifices. It is time for resolve......!!"

Ohooo! For some reason, the memories of my SpellCre days are burning the back of my throat and my eyes with a lukewarm heat!

This is bad, Rei-shi is currently forging a dark history...... No, wait, is it really bad? If the Kyogoku currently in progress is enjoying her life, doesn't that mean it's fine?

"Oh, it's dead."

"We did it, Sunraku-kun...... While it is hard to call it a flawless victory, it is a triumph where the lives of those who perished were not lost in vain."

"O-Oh, yeah."

If my eyes aren't deceiving me, it looks like we're supposed to sacrifice about two people right now.

What should I do about finding bonfire fuel that warms the body but drains the blood from my face...... Hm? There's a guy in my army showing interest in Rei-shi...... His devotion to me has dropped. I see.

If we party up in multiplayer, it causes a tug-of-war for NPCs?

"Alright, you and you."

Those who aren't believers are not worthy of protection. I only love those who love me...... Alright, my beloved followers, restrain the defectors! They must be purged and purified in flames! While we're at it, should I make smoked meat using the smoke they produce as they burn? Like cremation diamonds...... Nah, this is bad, my thoughts are getting polluted by De-Belion.

"Sunraku-kun, shouldn't we split the sacrifices half-and-half here......"

"Ahー, don't worry about it. They looked like characters who would betray me eventually anyway."

Casting a sideways glance at the two believers screaming as they were burned alongside an assortment of caterpillars, I casually guided Rei-shi and exited the boss area. Uwah, I can hear them cursing me from behind......... Sorry, if I were playing solo I might've stuck around to listen to your final postscripts, but since Rei-shi's here, I'm mutingignoring you.

"The beta version only goes up to here anyway, so shall we head back, Rei-shi?"

"Yes...... Fufu, it somehow feels like I am being escorted."

Guh, she actually dropped a naturally smug line like that...... I take no responsibility if you writhe in agony over this later. But taking it lying down isn't my style either.

"Well then, my lady, may I have your hand?"

"N-Guh-Hyu............ E-Eeh, gladly?"

Guh, Rei-shi is awfully bold today...... It's like dealing with Psyger-100. For some reason, I ended up taking Rei-shi's hand as we made our way back to the second floor.........

First off, this crowdfunding screen is completely in the way! When the hell does this thing disappear!!

......

............

Exactly three hours after Sunraku and Psyger-0 met up in Death Game Rebellion Online.

............

......

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" "

What lies beyond the absolute extreme limit of all emotion is nothing but pure void. Face buried entirely in her pillow, sprawled face-down on her futon, Rei realized this with a somewhat crystal-clear mind.

"N-Hyu-Hih."

Occasionally twitching with a *jolt!* or trembling like a leaf—likely suffering from flashbacks—her state ironically mirrored the squirming thorny caterpillars that constructed Thorny King Rosel, the boss she and Sunraku had defeated just a few short hours ago───

(The sound of countless lines and actions directed at Sunraku with her absolute best smug face resurrecting in her mind)

"HOAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!?!?!"

The reference material she chose to keep herself calm was a mistake. Why did she have to reference her sister and relatives of all people? Why didn't she hesitate before doing it? Why? Why?! WHY! Or rather, will she really going to meet him tomorrow after all this?! She could just not walk to school with him, but she hate the idea of doing that too!!

A chaotic maelstrom of emotions ran rampant inside her body. Outputting as bizarre screeches from her mouth and fish-like flopping movements from her entire body, these actions marked the very first true "Dark History" of Saiga Rei's life.

Then,

"Rei, what exactly is the matter, Rei?"

"Ah...... Sen-neesan. No, um, it's nothing."

"Rei, I will not reprimand you for indulging, but please have some consideration for your family and the neighbors...... ahfunh."

"~~~~~—!!!!"

On this day, for the first time in her life, Saiga Rei threw a pillow at her own blood-sister with genuine, unadulterated murderous intent.

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Author's Afterword

・Saiga Rei (Ideal)

An outstanding woman who can walk beside Rakuro without shrinking back, sharing the same eye level and standing on equal ground.

・Saiga Rei (Reality)

Because the reference materials she used were her cup-ramen-loving sister and withered spinach, she ended up giving off a weird vibe, acting like someone who "spits out smug lines like it's the most natural thing in the world, enthusiastically hypes up her allies more than anyone else, and points out painfully obvious things as if it were brilliant deductive reasoning." It's a berserk form that somehow offers a glimpse into what Rei truly thinks of her relatives deep down inside.