nebulancer

[Hajime, Kai, Aoi, and Yoru walk over.]

Hajime: Koi, Rui, Iku.

Kai: How are y’all doing~?

Aoi: Are you doing well with training?

Yoru: I brought snacks!

Kakeru: *jumps up* OOH! FOOD!

Shun: *gasps* This presence...!

Hajime: Hm?

Kai: Huh? There’s more people than the... Wh—!

Shun: Strong, strong... Incredibly strong Yang energy. It’s on a completely different level compared to normal Jinzoku.

But that’s not all... it’s such a terribly mysterious and curious sensation...

Nostalgic, gentle, yet heart rending...

This is...

Hajime: ...You are...

Shun: You’re...

Aoi: A Gokuzoku aside from Kakeru...!?

Kai: Hajime, get back!

Shun: *clasps Hajime’s hands* Thank you oh, so very much! You’ve hit the bull’s-eye in my strike zone!

Everyone: ...What?

Shun: Ohh, my goodness! You’re just my peak ideal! You’re perfect! You’re like a dream! Your face, your posture, your gaze...! It’s like my loves and joys and dreams and hopes have all been packed into one—

Hold on a second~~~ My heart can’t take this~~~ My heart’s not ready just yet~~~ My heart’s just woken up and it’s totally barefaced—

*groaning* THIS IS BAD! AUGH, if I take in the sights, I’ll diiiiieeeee from how precious he is~

*wheezing* Hah... Er, yes, um... Summing it all up...

I’ll be stanning you ☆

Hajime: ...What’s with this guy?

Kakeru: Ah. Sorry, he’s completely unaffiliated with me, so I don’t really know.

Koi: You just said he was like your senior!

Shun: Hey, hey, babe? Where d’you live, hun? What’s your name? Aah, your hair’s sooo pretty. You smell sooo nice too. Use any incense?

Hajime: What’s with this guy?

Shun: Aha! Me~? ♡

My name’s Shun, y’know? Despite my looks, I’m called the Demon Lord among the Gokuzoku, since I’m a suuuper strong, suuuper capable, suuuper long-lived, and suuuper devoted sorta guy! Right now, I’m totally head over heels charmed by you! LOVE! ♡

Hajime: ...What’s with this guy?

Arata: It was so important he had to say that three times.

Yoru: ...Um. Gokuzoku are the strongest species, and even other demons are afraid of them... Right? That’s how it’s supposed to... be?

Koi: Who here collapsed because he was starving?

Kakeru: Meee~!

Arata: C’mon, Kakerun, again? You fainted again? Watch out for yourself, buddy.

Ah. Nice seein’ ya. I’m also a Gokuzoku. Let’s get alongsies. Yey.

Aoi: H-he’s so relaxed...

Rui: And that one.

Shun: *stomping his feet* Nndahahaha~ This is fate! This is destiny~ This is justice! JUSTICE IS FOREVER~! *sobbing*

Iku: Just some random otaku.

Shun: It’s LOVE! ♡

Yoru: Is it possible that... strong people have their... quirks?

Aoi: Th-there’s no... way...

Shun: It’s LOVE! ♡

Aoi: ...It seems that way.

Aoi: Here’s your tea. I hope it’s to your liking.

Shun: Mm! It smells great. How relaxing. You’re Aoi, correct? Thank you.

Hajime: Don’t get all relaxed on your own. Don’t get all familiar with him, either.

Kai: *claps* Err... so, getting the topic back on track...

Iku: This is the constantly starving Gokuzoku, Kakeru.

And in addition, these are the brand-new ones who came over to play...

Shun: Shun-san here~!

Arata: Arata-kun here~!

Kakeru: And while we’re at it, the Kakeru-kun you all know and love here~!

Aoi: They’re so casual about this!!

Koi: I feel like we’re all thinking that!!

Yoru: *whispering* Aren’t Gokuzoku human-shaped demons nicknamed the strongest species!? I imagined they’d be more... ominous... sinister...?

Aoi: *whispering* It’s okay, Yoru. I imagined the same thing.

Arata: Ah, but there are guys like that around. We make our friendly natures our selling point, so yeah.

Aoi, Yoru: They can hear us...!?

Kakeru: Crystal-clear!

Arata: We got demon ears, y’know~

Don’t think of us based off your Jinzoku standards. We can hear better, see better, and move better then all y’all.

Since we’re the strongest demons, Gokuzoku.

We are da strongeeest~

Kakeru, Arata: YEAH~!

Yoru: You guys... are really casual about this.

Iku: My image of what Gokuzoku are supposed to be is spiraling into chaos.

Kai: You said it, buddy. I’ve met Gokuzoku twice or thrice when I went on an excursion, but even from afar, they were unbelievably terrifying.

Shun: Ooh? You met such an unbelievably terrifying Gokuzoku, yet you’re still alive to tell the tale.

You’re quite lucky... or maybe it’d be more apt to say that you’re skilled. What’s your name?

Kai: The name’s Kai. Nice to meet you, Shun.

Shun: Kai? Kai. Kai... Kai! Mm!

You give off exceptional vibes, too! I hope we get along.

Arata: Ooh, there’s yet another person that Shun liked after laying eyes on them for the first time. So rare.

Aoi: Really?

Arata: Yeah, really. Y’know how Gokuzoku live according to their instincts? Our likes and dislikes are intense.

The stronger the Gokuzoku, the stronger the tendency, too.

But, well, Shun-san’s a tad special. He rarely has stuff he absolutely hates, and vice versa: it’s basically nonexistent for him to like something so much he treats it specially.

Looks like this place is packed to the brim with his preferences.

Aoi: Should we... be happy about that?

Arata: It’s good, so you better be happy. And personally, I sorta like you, Aoi.

Aoi: Eh—Ehh!? Ah... Um... Thanks...?

Arata: I like Yoru, too. Actually, pretty sure I like everyone here.

Ah. This place might be packed with my preferences, too.

Yoru: Are your likes and dislikes really that intense?

Kakeru: These two are famous for being weirdos... *laughs wryly*

Usually, even among Gokuzoku, our preferences are mega-intense. ‘Cuz there are some guys out there who lock eyes with you and go, “I’ll kill your ass!” if they hate you enough.

Kai: You said something so easily, but it was so scary.

Yoru: Must be because you’re demons... Our perceptions are on completely different levels.

Arata: Strength shown through battle triumphs over all. Our species just loves fighting.

Ah, I dunno how many times we’ve clarified this, but we’re the outliers.

If you approach other Gokuzoku without any defenses, you’ll be in some, like, life-threatening danger or whatevs, so better not do it.

Iku: He’s saying it so lazily that I can’t feel a sense of danger from it all...

Arata: Oh, hey~ Can I ask something, too?

Hajime: What is it?

Arata: Past the road we were walking on before lies the city that I hear you’re all protecting, right?

How many people live in a Jinzoku city? I’m interested in knowing.

Kai: Our city has around ten thousand people.

Hajime: More precisely, there are ten thousand, five hundred forty-three people. The city is called Kurotsuki.

Kakeru: Ten thousand!? Whoa, it was on a bigger scale than I could’ve expected!

Rui: Fufu. I mentioned before, this is the outskirts of town. We’re like the front door. The center of the city bustles with even more business.

Yoru: It seems that the demons in this general vicinity, compared to other locations, are lesser in number.

There are Jinzoku who flock here in search of safety.

Aoi: Even now, our population continues to grow.

Kakeru: Still, that’s ten thousand people...!? Haah~ that’s awesome!

Gokuzoku are usually all alone. And even if we were to act in groups due to personal reasons, the maximum is five to six of us...

Arata: True~

Shun: Ufufu. Shall I teach you boys something nice?

The reason why Arata and I came here, as well the reason why there are fewer demons in this area, are likely the same thing.

Yoru: What?

Shun: I believe you two also know the reason, Kakeru, Arata?

Arata: Yeees~ I do~

Kakeru: Mm...? *gasp* Ahh~! I get it, I see it now.

Shun: Yep! It’s like that~

Koi: Hah? Like what?

Kakeru: Well, uh...

Hajime: ...Hm? Kakeru?

Kakeru: Mm. *sniffs Hajime* Yep! I knew it!

*hugs Hajime*

Hajime: ...!

Kakeru: This here’s the reason!

Shun: Ding-dong, you’re correct! Fantastic answer!

Hajime: ...What?

Kai: Oh, wow... Even the Gokuzoku are getting all buddy-buddy with you. Guess I should say here, “Nice job, Hajime. Fantastic as always.”

Hajime: What have I done to elicit praise for a “fantastic” well done? I don’t believe I’ve done anything to make them attached to me...

Kakeru: You haaave~! It’s because you smell nice, juuust like the sun~! Haah~

Purr purr~

Koi: What are you, a cat!?

Arata: He’s got Yang energy spilling off him in waves. So, because you, the sun, are here, there are fewer demons in this area.

For demons, who can only live during the night, the sun is something they have to avoid. Are you not aware of it?

Hajime: Well... I suppose I am a bit stronger than others...

Kakeru: Right~? Even though we’re like, “Aah, I can’t handle it~” The sun is something that demons can never obtain for themselves, so it’s like an eternal object of our admiration~

Arata: Like something sweet when you’re in the middle of a diet. Midnight strawberry milk. Get it?

Kakeru: So true~

Aoi: Straw... berry milk...?

Arata: Y’all don’t know? It’s got this forbidden sweetness to it. It’s the ultimate drink that exists.

Yoru: I don’t know about strawberry milk, but for now, can we assume that it’s something that you know you just can’t have, but you’re drawn to it regardless?

Arata: It’s exactly like that.

Shun: Ahahaha! How interesting. The presence I felt was you, Hajime.

This world of Yin and Yang favors Yin overwhelmingly. In short, demons, us Gokuzoku included, have been much stronger.

However, it seems that using your existence as a starting point, the world is attempting to change that reality.

Intriguing. Very intriguing, indeed.

Yin and Yang, two opposites. Those which equal one another.

However, this world had been terribly skewed. If the balance tips too much, it will one day collapse. For the sake of its own survival, it attempted to maintain the balance of Yin and Yang.

Perhaps this is the result of that happening...

Personally, though, I’ll give you a great, big warm welcome ☆

Hajime: I don’t understand what you’re saying.

Shun: Ahaha! Sorry, sorry. It’s all right. Even if you can’t understand, you’ve already fulfilled your purpose.

So, just keep going like that and continue to be yourself. All you need to do is live however you are.

Hajime: Is that... so?

Shun: Yep! What’s important to remember is that Jinzoku, according to this world, are the sole organisms which have significantly valuable Yang energy.

Hajime isn’t the only one: everyone else is included in that mix.

If there are those who are attracted to that energy, such as ourselves, then the opposite exists: those who despise that energy. Do be careful, would you?

Iku: Ah... understood.

Arata: Hajime-san, pat me too, please.

Purr purr.

Koi: GAH! Darn you! Don’t you become a cat, too! Don’t get close to Hajime-san! Shoo shoo!

Arata: What the heck, man? You’re annoying, Pinkhead.

Koi: Don’t call me Pinkhead!

Hajime: *sighs*... Don’t squabble with someone sandwiched in between you.

Aoi: Hajime-san, a rather large cat has taken a fancy to you.

Kai: That same Hajime’s also just as cat-like, though.

Hajime: Kai~...?

Kai: My apologies, sir.

Shun: Purr, meow~

Hajime: No one asked you to join in.

Yoru: The mental image I have of the strongest species is slowly crumbling to pieces...!

Aoi: Ah... Ahaha...

Rui: Fufu. ...If only all the other Gokuzoku were like Kakeru, Arata, or Shun, Jinzoku would be able to continue living without having to be afraid of demons.

Kakeru: *giggles* Unfortunately, we’re treated like oddities.

Iku: Oddities... So that means, just by changing consciousness, it’s possible that we could very well coexist with each other.

Arata: Ooh, that’s a positive way of seeing things. Me likey.

Iku: Ahaha! Thank you.

Hajime: Yin and Yang are constantly opposites to each other. Yet they stand on equal positions to each other. ...That’s true.

Koi: Hajime-san?

Hajime: When two completely different existences meet one another, what kind of relationship will be born...?

It seems we won’t know unless we reach that point in time.

Kakeru, Koi, Rui, Iku: Hmm...

Kakeru: Yin and Yang.

Koi: Opposites to each other.

Iku: And they’re also...

Rui: Equal positions to each other, huh?

That sounds nicer than hurting each other.

Kakeru, Koi, Iku: Yeah!

[In the caves, water slowly drips from the ceiling.]

You: Ah... Hey, Haru-san?

Haru: What is it?

You: Are you really going to lend a hand in that geezer’s plans?

Haru: His name is not Geezer, but Doutaku. And my answer to that question is “yes.”

After all... doesn’t it sound interesting?

You: Doutaku’s plan... about the Jinzoku’s concealed treasure. By destroying that which scatters Yang energy, he’ll create a world of only Yin. ...Was that it?

Haru: Seems so.

You: Is that really possible? If Yang energy disappears from the world... what’d happen?

Does sound like it’ll become easier for us demon to live in that sorta world, though.

Haru: I’m helping him because I want to see what happens.

Quite honestly, I don’t care about the result. I just want to say farewell to this too-boring world. I desire change.

You: Hey, Haru-san. Did you know there’s a saying among the Jinzoku that goes, “Curiosity killed the cat”?

Haru: That’s just fine by me. If anything, I’d like something so shocking that it could kill me.

You: *sighs* Yeesh. I guess being too strong’s an issue in itself.

[Doutaku approaches, followed by numerous Gokuzoku.]

Doutaku: I’ve kept you waiting, Haru. You.

You: Ah? What’s up with that? There’s way more now.

Doutaku: Simply goes to show that we have a good deal of brethren who believe Yang energy to be irritating. There will also be those who rendezvous with us when we reach our destination.

In total, our members are a bit short of one hundred.

Haru: Wow. Impressive. Wouldn’t it be just about the first time we’ve assembled this many Gokuzoku in one place?

Gokuzoku 1: I know someone who touched the sunlight and died. I object to meeting my end so pitifully.

I want to reduce the possible risks I could suffer.

Gokuzoku 2: I can rampage to my heart’s content against the Jinzoku, eh? I don’t care what I do, just as long as I can go wild.

It’s all... It’s all so damn meaningless aside from that!!

I’ll show all these fools here that I’m the strongest! That’s all I need!

Gokuzoku 3: *screeching* Yeah, yeah! Geehehehehe!

Haru: ...The type of guys whom I’d never do anything with if our goal weren’t the same.

You: They’re just all bark and no bite.

Doutaku: Now, then. Before we get acting... We’d best do a final run-through of our plan.

Our target is the Jinzoku treasure. It is hidden deep within a certain city.

It’s the main source of Yang energy currently being scattered out into the world.

If we destroy it, Yang energy will no longer be able to increase.

You: The Jinzoku... treasure?

Haru: Hmm? So, such a thing existed.

Gokuzoku 1: Basically, if the irritating Yang light disappears, we Gokuzoku will be able to rule the whole world.

Doutaku: Yes. Even now, we’re the strongest, beyond the shadow of a doubt. However, there is something which can bypass our strength and cause us to die.

That is Yang. The light of the sun.

Don’t you believe it to be truly irritating? For us, the undeniable strongest and ultimate existences, to have to skitter around in the shadows like mice?

Gokuzoku 2: Yeah, yeah! Whenever the sun comes up, hunts and fights have to get put on hold! Nothin’ more of a pain than that!

Gokuzoku 3: It’s a pain! A real pain! Take it all out at this point!! Gyeheheheheh!!

Gokuzoku 1: But, Doutaku. Are these many people really necessary to face those lowly Jinzoku?

...Heh. Looks like you’ve dragged an oddity out of the gutter, too.

Haru: ...

Doutaku: You’ve been holing yourself up in the mountains, I’ve heard? That’s why you don’t know the recent speed at which Jinzoku are developing.

Gokuzoku 1: Oh, really? Those creatures that can be killed with just a single fingertip?

Doutaku: Past those mountains lies a city composed of over ten thousand Jinzoku. Did you hear that? Ten thousand. Though their strength may be meager individually, there is power in numbers.

In order to protect their treasure, they will surely put up a resistance like no other.

Gokuzoku 1: Ten thousand... That is a lot.

Gokuzoku 2: Hah! Ten thousand people’s worth of resistance!? Sounds fine by me! Beat ‘em at their own game and that means it’ll be an all-you-can-kill!

Gokuzoku 1: More worth to kill means it’s more interesting.

Gokuzoku 3: Ten thousand people’s worth of blood... *slurp* Can’t get enough of the idea!

Doutaku: Heh. I knew you’d say that. Shall we go, then, men?

We’ll be changing this world with our own two hands!

[The Gokuzoku aside from Haru and You roar and screech in agreement, running off.]

[Doutaku prepares his weapon, a yari.]

Haru: Is that the rumored weapon? Our nails could slice through even stone or steel, yet this Gokuzoku uses a weapon?

You, too, seem to be an oddity.

Doutaku: *chuckles* Yes. This is my prized weapon, named Enjitsu.

Haru: Enjitsu... It seems there’s a weapon capable enough to withstand a Gokuzoku using it.

Doutaku: Does it interest you? I’ve invested years upon years of research to create this. I’ve cast a rather unique spell on it.

Along with increasing its endurance, it’s capable of doing something... amusing.

You: What’s that amusing thing?

Doutaku: You’ll come to know in due time.

Many sneer at me, thinking me cowardly or unlike other Gokuzoku for using a weapon. However, I will show that I am stronger than all of them. That’s what matters most.

You: The end justifies the means for you, eh?

Doutaku: Why, yes. Though I may be mocked or slandered, the victor is the one who is left with results. One could even say that the winner is the strongest.

Haru: You’re quite preoccupied with the concept of strength.

Doutaku: For that is my instinct. Much like how you, Haru, desire change or stimulation.

Then, shall we get going? What you seek could very well be awaiting you.
Previous Chapter - Chapter 2.1「Jinzoku and Gokuzoku and」 Next Chapter - Chapter 3「Changing World」