Blurred boundaries and chaotic consciousness.
He couldn't even perceive light. He just felt weightlessness and an inexplicable sense of floating wrapped around his body like amniotic fluid. His limbs seemed to have been cut off from his body, and a numb emptiness gradually climbed onto his immobile limbs.
The fragments of memories floating in his chaotic mind were reorganized at this moment. Glimmering scenes flashed in front of his eyes, like a projector from the last century rearranging the images of the past.
It was — — the memories from the 14th before Accelerator and Tōma Jōjō met.
…
As usual, Accelerator flipped through the pages in annoyance as he leaned on the sofa with a sigh.
Although he wanted to concentrate on the matter at hand, the energetic shouts of the ten-year-old girl still disturbed the first person's peace.
"Misaka Misaka's new yellow duck! Although it doesn't seem to be much different from the outside, there is an incredible subtle difference! In order to tell you this exciting news, Misaka Misaka is waving her arms to attract your attention!! "
Accelerator raised his head impatiently.
"Huh?"
Huang Quanchuan seemed to have inherited Misaka Mikoto's genes of being easily attracted to strange and cute things. In the end, Huang Quanchuan had no choice but to purchase a set of Rigo Yellow Duck that was currently very popular. At this time, the final product that he wanted to show off was probably this toy that he liked.
He pushed the little yellow duck in front of Accelerator and said excitedly, "Thank you for your help.
"If you look closely, the color of the eyes is different, and the length of the wings is also 5-7mm different. If you pinch it, there will be a slight difference in the pitch! Misaka Misaka is very interested in this!! "
"No, that kind of thing is fine!"
Accelerator, who couldn't help but complain, suddenly realized and immediately leaned back in frustration.
(… Although some people say that a peaceful life is the greatest treasure in life … But it's so troublesome to deal with this kid.)
Accelerator covered his head with the pages of the book and clicked his tongue in annoyance.
(What … am I doing.)
Such a peaceful and peaceful life was indeed something that Accelerator had always yearned for, but at the same time, it was also quietly corroding his soul.
For Accelerator, who was used to falling into the darkness, this kind of life was like a sweet poison that would gradually dull his senses and intuition. Even so, Accelerator still pursued such a thing. It was as if it was his habit to yearn for this peace from the bottom of his heart.
However, the "daily routine" was broken in the next second.
Noticing his phone vibrating, Fangkong shifted his gaze away from the final product and picked up his phone.
He felt that something was wrong from the very beginning.
Regardless of who would send the email to the eccentric him, this phone was originally used to communicate with each other in the dark department. Perhaps only the original members of the dark department would know about it. However, after the "Group" disbanded, this connection also disappeared. Just a moment ago, Accelerator had the thought of breaking the phone into pieces and throwing it into the trash can.
Therefore, it was abnormal.
This email probably didn't have any good intentions.
After coming to this conclusion, Accelerator quickly opened the mail. Although he had already prepared himself, when he actually opened the page, he couldn't help but reveal a look of surprise despite being used to seeing storms.
— — What popped up was a timer with a time limit of 5 seconds.
In other words, this email would be destroyed 5 seconds after it was opened, leaving no evidence behind. It was a very Academy City-style message.
(Damn it …! Did those bastards in the upper echelons lose their minds again?!)
He quickly scanned the words on the phone screen. He didn't even understand the meaning of those words. With Academy City's strongest brain, Accelerator had already recorded the information in an instant.
Then, according to the image in his mind, Accelerator began to understand the order given by Academy City.
— — Stop the phenomenon of chaotic opening (Poltergeist) caused by interference with the AIM force field.
This was an order directly given by Academy City.
However, as the number one esper, Accelerator wouldn't obediently follow this order. Moreover, he had already seen many situations like this where he wanted to borrow Academy City's strongest power to resolve disputes.
Therefore, there was no need to obey. This was just a normal request.
However, there was something wrong with this order.
At the end of the email, Accelerator was given the most perplexing task he had ever received.
At the same time, it was also the most difficult task.
…
"Wah … What a scary expression. Misaka Misaka is poking between your eyebrows, trying to calm you down!"
Final Work's voice rang in his ears. The moment he saw her worried expression, Accelerator immediately withdrew his solemn expression and revealed his usual cold expression.
"… I'm already very calm even without you doing this."
He turned his head away in a somewhat awkward manner, trying to avoid Final Work's finger, but his sleeve was immediately pulled back.
The young girl looked at Accelerator nervously.
"Did something scary happen again?"
What irritated the first one was that she was surprisingly astute in this regard.
Being stared at by the girl's clear eyes without a trace of impurity, it was as if his heart had been cleansed. Even the filth and darkness in the deepest part of his heart had been cleansed without exception.
It was because of this pure and beautiful girl that Accelerator wanted to protect the most. It was because of this that he couldn't speak.
— — An order issued from Academy City would be extremely disadvantageous for Accelerator if he didn't know what kind of weakness he was exposed to.
But he couldn't let Final Work know of this fact.
Even if he was tainted with an irreversible darkness, he couldn't let her be tainted in the slightest.
Final Work worriedly spoke up when she saw Accelerator remain silent with furrowed brows.
"I don't want … to fight again. Although I always promise Misaka Misaka like this, in the end, I always end up with scars all over my body … Misaka Misaka, I don't want to see you like this. "
Her words were sincere and concerned.
Final Work expressed her concern for Accelerator in her own way.
But as if he wanted to carry out his cold attitude to the end, Accelerator never looked at her.
"I'm happy with everyone. This is a feeling that the previous Misaka Misaka never experienced, which is why I'm working so hard to continue living like this. For Misaka Misaka, this is already the greatest happiness."
The girl's voice began to tremble, and her fingers on her sleeve clenched even tighter. Her small shoulders began to tremble. Accelerator, who sensed her emotional fluctuations, looked up in surprise.
"… No matter if it's now or in the future, I want to live happily with you like this forever. So … don't let yourself get hurt again … Misaka Misaka is using a weak voice to try to call back your feelings. "
The moment he met her eyes, Accelerator's body trembled, and the most fundamental trembling surged up from his heart.
In the soft golden light of dawn, the girl revealed a gentle, yet teary smile like an angel.
She opened her arms wide, as if she wanted to embrace this powerful yet fragile white-haired monster. Her posture was so dazzling under the sunlight.
"… As long as you're still here, that's Misaka Misaka's greatest happiness."
He couldn't answer.
In front of an existence as pure as an angel, even his desire to hide his identity became despicable.
But he still couldn't let her cross that line.
For Final Work, this was a dark war that she didn't need to get involved in. The one who was stained with blood, the one who carried sin, and the one who stepped into the darkness was herself — that was enough.
So Accelerator opened his mouth like this.
"Although you brat spit out a bunch of flowery words that I don't know where you learned from, I still have to say … you're thinking too much."
Even if it was a lie, Accelerator still said it with an indifferent expression, as if he always did.
"But … the email just now …"
"It's a promotion, spam … it's just that the guy's words made me a bit unhappy."
While complaining to himself, Accelerator secretly glanced at Final Work.
Although there was still some doubt on her face, she still believed her own lies that were full of loopholes.
But this was good.
If it was to protect her, this little lie was nothing.
Last Work suddenly snatched Accelerator's phone and shouted in his mind.
"Misaka Misaka's spoils of war! Misaka Misaka, use your own eyes to confirm the truth! "
"Hey, you brat …!"
Ignoring Accelerator's flustered and exasperated attempts to stop him, Last Work quickly opened the mailbox. Perhaps it was because Accelerator lied to her when they first met, she was a bit wary of First Work's words.
However, his inbox was empty. It was an email that had a five-second reading time and would be automatically destroyed after the time was up, so Final Work didn't see any clues.
"There's nothing … Misaka Misaka said in disappointment."
Accelerator took back the phone from Final Work and calmly said, "I deleted it.
"I deleted that because it's spam."
"Eh eh eh? Misaka Misaka is very disappointed! I wanted to see what kind of promotion email could make you angry, Misaka Misaka thought it would be interesting! "
"You're gloating, aren't you!"
After being glared at by Accelerator, the girl let out a triumphant and happy laugh. Then, she turned her attention to the yellow duck.
Accelerator's tense body finally relaxed when he saw that her attention was diverted. First Work threw the phone to the side and lowered his head to flip through the pages in his hand.
But he was absent-minded.
This wasn't an ordinary instruction. The inside story was much deeper than he thought. Since he already had the resolve to not involve the people around him, the next thing to do was to dirty his hands.
Accelerator engraved Final Work's naivety in his retina as he silently leaned his head against the sofa.
On the surface, it was a mission to stop the Poltergeist.
But at the end of the email, the most unacceptable instruction for Accelerator was written. It was also the order that First Work didn't want to implement the most.
"Damn it … those bastards …!"
After cursing in a low voice, Accelerator clenched his teeth. As if he wanted to forget about it, First Work tapped his head a few times.
At the end of the email, to Accelerator's surprise, there were these words written.
— Mission No. XM73, against "Imagine Killer."
Tōma Jōjō's surveillance work. If the target interferes with this operation during the process of retrieving the command file, use methods to isolate or eliminate the target.
Perhaps this powerless person's actions in the past were something that the higher-ups of Academy City had to pay attention to, so they wanted to restrict his actions and curtail his power.
Monitor a certain hedgehog head boy or eliminate him.
— This was Accelerator's mission.
…
…
He heard the voice of the past.
The somewhat familiar voice that had been circling around in his mind.
"… Do it.
This.
Do it … Impossible. "
"Leave it to me.
…? "
Meaningless words echoed in his ears. Although his consciousness was still in a state of chaos, only this voice was exceptionally clear.
It was the terrible decision he made on the 17th. In order to betray the established route, in order to find a new possibility, he opened up a gap.
However, this method pushed Accelerator into an even deeper and unfathomable ravine.
He couldn't feel the light at all.
Surrounded by thick darkness and cold, he could no longer turn back.
…
"… Accelerator!"
Amidst the chaotic sound system, a familiar and urgent voice rang out. Feeling his hand being carefully held, the owner of the voice was trembling in his heart.
"Hey … Pull yourself together … Accelerator!!"
His eyelids were so heavy that he couldn't open them at all. Even his body felt like it was soaked in ice cold water, leaving only a terrifying numbness. There was also a burning pain that kept coming. Accelerator knew that it was probably caused by the wound on his side.
(Ah … Did I faint?)
His consciousness recovered slightly, and a strange thought popped up in his somewhat sluggish brain.
(Seems like letting that guy fly the helicopter was the right choice … Damn, I'm so sleepy.)
The only thing he didn't want was to let Tōma Jōjō see his pitiful and powerless appearance. As the number one of Academy City, Accelerator didn't want to show any weakness.
So even though he was so weak that he was about to fall into the abyss of eternal sleep, Accelerator still tightly held onto Tōma Jōjō's hand.
"Ahhh … It hurts!!"
After hearing the hedgehog head youth's scream with satisfaction, Accelerator leisurely opened his eyes.
"You … You're really noisy."
Shangjo looked at the back of his hand that had a red mark on it with an aggrieved expression, then looked at Accelerator worriedly.
"But you …"
"I'm just a bit sleepy. After all, I didn't sleep all night to prepare the modular weapon. It's all because you took my credit card …"
"Oh? Huh? Longing for a beautiful career, the thumb is sharpened and the tip is far from round yellow.
Accelerator purposely said this in a vicious tone while trying his best to suppress the intense pain from his wounds.
Based on Preceding Article's reaction, he should already know about his injury, and he seemed to have exposed the fact that he couldn't use his ability. Accelerator furrowed his brows in distress.
Although this was part of the reason, if this continued, he was afraid that he would die from excessive blood loss before he could fight Tsurugi.
(Anyway, let's do emergency treatment first …)
With this in mind, Accelerator pulled down the zipper of his jacket.
Inexplicably, Preceding Article suddenly became nervous.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?!"
"Taking off my clothes."
"Huh?!"
Preceding Article's face was slightly red, and his eyes began to wander. He must have misunderstood Accelerator's actions. He fearfully glanced at the first person who took off his jacket, trying to see something from his cold expression.
However, something that made Preceding Article even more nervous happened.
Not only did Accelerator take off his jacket, but he also lifted up his long-sleeved t-shirt. His white skin and slender body were completely exposed. This impactful action and scene made Shangtiao's face burn.
"Wait … Why are you taking off your clothes here …?"
"Huh?"
Accelerator stared at him unhappily. When he saw Preceding Article's red cheeks, he suddenly understood and then sighed.
"You … What's in your head?"
"Huh?"
Under Preceding Article's astonished gaze, the first person opened the zipper of his backpack and hurriedly rummaged through it.
"Bandages … Are there any left?"
Preceding Article's conditioned reflexively looked at Accelerator's exposed skin and then took a deep breath.
One side of his abdomen was already dyed red and black by blood. The bullet left a hideous wound there. As Accelerator moved, blood continued to gush out from the bullet hole.
It was a very serious injury.
Because he had been hit by a bullet before, it was easy to imagine how strong Accelerator's willpower was in order to maintain his consciousness and talk to him. If it wasn't for this, Accelerator would have already fainted.
Accelerator neatly pasted a cushion and secured it with a bandage. Accelerator's expression was as calm as if he was doing the most ordinary thing. Seeing the first person like this, Preceding Article's heart began to feel uneasy and worried.
"Control your course, you don't need to worry about this at all."
The white-haired, red-eyed esper saw through Preceding Article's thoughts and reminded him in a calm voice.
With an arrogant expression, he spoke with an unwavering attitude.
"Although this great one is indeed in such a sorry state … but, I still have the basic strength to tear that fellow to pieces!!"
This was the nature of the white monster.
Academy City's first person, Accelerator.
No matter what situation he was in, his natural strongest force field would not change.
Even if he was covered in blood, even if his limbs were broken, the most primitive arrogance would not disappear from his body, but instead, it was deeply rooted in his soul.
As if he was conquered by this powerful attitude, Preceding Article looked away and a faint smile appeared on his face.
This was the Accelerator he knew.
No matter what, he was the most trustworthy companion.
"Hey, Accelerator, this is the last moment."
Preceding Article softly said these words.
In this lonely city shrouded in colorful neon lights, behind the dazzling lights, an unknown black behemoth was baring its fangs.
The new tallest spire in School District 7, "Ladder."
Tower ", like the Babel that reached the sky, showed its existence that could not be ignored. As a representative of Academy City's advanced technology, this sightseeing tower's spiral-shaped appearance attracted many tourists.
Under the sky, the flashing colorful light was like an uninterrupted river that constantly washed the night.
But Preceding Article knew that this place was not as bright and beautiful as it looked on the surface. On the contrary, a dangerous confrontation was about to begin here.
At the top of the spiral steel assembly was the final enemy – Tsurugi, and the small hydrogen bomb that could destroy the entire Academy City.
The last moment, and the last story.
Staring at the top of the spire, Preceding Article suddenly felt a touch on his hand. Accelerator gently touched him with his fist.
"Ah. This long bastard story, it's time to tear it to shreds. "
Preceding Article nodded slightly and focused on the operation in his hand.
The remaining time was 48 seconds.
In 48 seconds, the small hydrogen bomb will be detonated, and Academy City will face the crisis of destruction.
Preceding Article looked at the data on the dashboard nervously, then quickly operated his brain.
(Do I need to land …? But there doesn't seem to be a place to land nearby, and it will be too late by the time the helicopter is placed! It will be more dangerous at the bottom … If this continues, it will be a waste of time!)
His palm oozed with sticky sweat, and he even had the illusion that he could not hold the joystick.
(What … should I do!!)
Then, all of a sudden, the back of his collar was grabbed forcefully.
The white-haired, red-eyed monster said impatiently.
"It's too late to land, stop now."
His hand was forced to leave the joystick, Preceding Article anxiously asked with cold sweat.
"But, what should I do …?"
Accelerator tilted his neck, then reached out his hand. The target was the door of the helicopter.
"— — Jump."
"What?"
Before the first one could react, the pale and thin finger of the first one gathered a powerful vector at that moment, and the violent storm easily tore the first one apart!
There were three chances left to use the ability, and now it was the second time. It was also the time to decide the outcome.
Preceding Article suddenly felt his body was lifted by an irresistible force, and then, he was mercilessly pushed out — —
The moment he realized what was going on, he found that he had been thrown out of the helicopter by Accelerator. The discomfort of being pulled by gravity, the sense of unsteadiness of his center of gravity, and the feeling of falling that almost made his heart explode intertwined and attacked him.
"Accelerator, you bastard!!"
His body floated in the air, and the dazzling lights around him dazzled him. The cold night wind was like the waves of the sea, slapping his body heavily.
While screaming, his body was pushed to the top of the spire at high speed. Preceding Article quickly adjusted his posture in the air at that moment, and under the effect of the vector thrust, he fiercely rushed forward!
In front of him was the observation deck at the top of the spire surrounded by glass windows.
The front of his elbow hit the glass window hard, and with a crisp sound, cracks spread out in an instant. Preceding Article broke through the glass window and rolled into the room!
Maybe Accelerator deliberately used the power of vector operation to cause a secondary physical phenomenon to protect Preceding Article. The scattered glass fragments did not splash on him at all. This could be considered First Article's meticulous mind.
33 seconds before the explosion.
Before he could even confirm where Tsurugi and the small hydrogen bomb were, Preceding Article immediately took a step forward.
His target was the huge astronomical telescope standing in the middle of the observation deck. If he guessed correctly, the detonation device was there. Similarly, Tsurugi would also bare his fangs and wait for him there — —
As Preceding Article expected, a figure standing in the dark slowly walked out of the darkness. The beret, the ferocious face that was covered in scars, and the crazy smile on his face. Although he had never met him, his intuition told him the identity of the man in Preceding Article — —
Tsurugi burst out laughing as if his chest was about to be torn apart. He pointed his finger at Preceding Article.
In an instant, the hand began to distort and bulge hideously. Finally, the artificial skin was forcefully torn apart, and the black hole of the mechanical gun was exposed. Artificial science attacked the unprepared hedgehog-headed teenager with malice.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time!!!"
In the air, the muzzle burst out with dazzling sparks.
(It's actually … an arm made of machinery? No — I should find a way to avoid the trajectory first!)
At that moment, Preceding Article suddenly lowered his center of gravity and rolled to the side.
Only 25 seconds left.
As if he was not afraid of being hit by bullets, Preceding Article jumped up from the ground with lightning speed and rushed to the platform where the detonation device was located!
(As long as the timer of the device is stopped, it's all over!!)
"— How can I let you succeed, you little brat!"
With this roar, the gun in Tsurugi's hand began to operate at high speed. With a terrifying clicking sound, all eight bullets were fired in an instant!
Even with the assistance of "Precursor Perception", with Preceding Article's reaction speed and physical functions, he might not be able to avoid all of them. Besides, it was quite difficult for Preceding Article to avoid one bullet, let alone eight.
(Damn … Which side should I turn my body?! No matter what kind of evasive action I make, it seems that I can't avoid being hit!)
Preceding Article's heart trembled. Just at the moment his body involuntarily made a slanted posture.
He felt the bullets closing in on him.
The whistling, murderous bullets would ruthlessly penetrate his body in the next second.
(Damn it! Ahhhhh!!)
What kind of joke is this? It's not easy to get to this point. I'm so close to winning. But is it still a futile struggle?
Despair shrouded his mind.
However, in the next moment, Preceding Article suddenly felt a huge force behind him, and the powerful airflow pushed him to the side!
At that moment, Preceding Article's body narrowly missed the bullet.
He dodged it. And he survived.
Shangjo turned his head in surprise and saw that the white-haired monster that had descended behind him was still maintaining the posture of kicking him out unceremoniously.
Using the power of vector manipulation to kick him away, then "reflecting" the bullet. To be able to make such a quick and correct reaction in an instant — Accelerator was probably the only one who could do it.
Accelerator glanced at the somewhat dumbfounded Preceding Article. He pressed his wrist joints, then turned to Tsurugi with a casual and contemptuous expression.
"Yo, you lowlifes are having a good time, aren't you?"
The blood-red blazing eyes suddenly widened, and the overwhelming ruthlessness that could not be ignored seemed to have shaken the night through the air. Accelerator only lightly stomped the floor, and the loud roar seemed to tear the eardrums in the room. The terrifying dense cracks instantly spread across the entire spire platform!
"— Play with me a little, Tsurugi -kun!!!"
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