34m away, the twelfth last steel bar.
Like a tattered flag fluttering in the wind, the backpack of the Preceding Article hung there pitifully. Furthermore, it was only supported by a single strap, and it would fall off with a gentle push.
So Accelerator was telling the truth … Heaving a sigh of relief.
The Preceding Article carefully pulled the backpack to his side and sighed with a wry smile.
To be honest, Accelerator was a bad friend who could lie without batting an eyelid. Even if it was a hypocritical lie, it could be said with integrity. Therefore, the Preceding Article was so worried about the authenticity of the words of the First Person.
The Preceding Article was well aware of Accelerator's intention to send him away.
However, he didn't understand why the First Person did this.
But as long as he found the "portable terminal", he would be able to understand what happened. The key clue in Accelerator's words was firmly grasped by the Preceding Article.
Ever since they met on the 14th until now, the first person had paid great attention to the existence of the "portable terminal." Although the previous message had never asked for the reason, it was generally understood that the portable terminal was a critical device for the entire incident.
His fingertips felt the cold touch of the display screen. The Preceding Article took out the portable terminal from the backpack.
The screen was cracked due to the fall from a high altitude, but it looked like it could still be used.
The Preceding Article clenched the portable terminal tightly in the palm of his hand as if he was going to crush it and trace it with his eyes. The eyes that stared at the screen slightly wavered, but in the end, he made up his mind and clenched his teeth.
The secret of Accelerator was probably all in this small device.
The information left behind was probably what the First Person wanted the Preceding Article to know. Maybe there was the most important information that was left behind because it wasn't cleared in time.
What the Preceding Article was going to do next was no different from cutting open the abdomen and stirring up the bloody contents. It was both an exploration of the truth and a kind of blasphemy without a doubt.
Then, could he really see the contents of this terminal?
(Hah … What am I worrying about?)
The Preceding Article shook his head slightly.
(To be honest, although I feel sorry for Accelerator's right to privacy, I was forced to do this, right? Moreover, based on the first person's personality, he would keep it to himself even if he encountered difficulties. If he wanted to know the whole story, he could only rely on his own strength.)
Finally, he moved his sore neck and turned his attention back to the screen.
Then, he opened his inbox.
Since it was an investigation, they would start with the emails that were most likely to contain hidden information. If he was lucky, he might be able to see some of the first person's private emails … such as lovers' messages.
He didn't know why, but there was an inexplicable nervousness in his heart. The state of mind of the Preceding Article was like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, both excited and worried. He tried to calm his pounding heart and began to check the contents of the email.
What he didn't expect was how desperate and irreversible his actions would be for the current situation.
…
In the next 21 seconds, Tōma Jōjō saw something he shouldn't have seen.
…
— — —
What was the meaning of living?
If the meaning of living was only to welcome the eventual demise.
Then.
What was the meaning of living?
This question had been pondered by countless thinkers and philosophers over the past thousands of years. If these viewpoints were to be integrated, a mere hundred thick books wouldn't be able to fully explain them.
Therefore, it was better not to think about it.
Since it was a fruitless journey, it was better to give up from the beginning.
However, Accelerator began to ponder this pointlessly.
It wasn't for the future of his life, nor was it for his own clear interests. It was purely thinking about it.
In the chaotic consciousness, in the flickering world, the first person tried hard to think about the meaning of living to this day. This method was only to relieve the tearing pain that came from his body that could almost make him faint.
— He was being beaten.
This was Accelerator's current situation, and it was a ruthless and cruel reality.
He was lying on the edge of the round platform in a sorry state. Due to the wound on his abdomen and the bleeding on his back, the symptoms of hypoxia came in waves. Tsurugi mercilessly kicked this weak and dying body. The reason why the first one had not fallen to his death was that he was holding on to the edge of the platform — he was making his final struggle.
A few minutes ago.
Accelerator aimed his gun at Tsurugi and pulled the trigger, but it didn't buy him any time. The man with the body of steel grinned savagely as he took a step forward, instantly arriving in front of Accelerator!
His arm was knocked away in an instant. Even so, the first gunman still adjusted the angle of his wrist in an attempt to shoot at a very close distance.
But he couldn't do it.
— Dislocated the shoulder joint of the Superpower user's body.
"Cough …!!"
Accelerator's nerves were instantly crushed by an overwhelming pain. A misty white light appeared in front of his eyes. His sensory world seemed to be soaked in turbid cold water. In the numbing coldness, only the pain seemed particularly real.
Accelerator didn't even have time to catch his breath as Zhanqi's elbow slammed into the first player's bleeding abdomen with great force.
If the metal arm hit the first gunman, his internal organs would probably be crushed. Even if he used the superb medical skills of the Underworld Soul Hunter, it would be impossible to save him. Therefore, this strike was fatal to Accelerator.
(Why did I let you bastard …)
Accelerator forcefully bent his body backwards. Although this affected the large and small wounds all over his body and caused him to feel an unpleasant pain, in this life and death situation, he couldn't care less about it.
(… I succeeded!!!)
The first gunman clenched his teeth and shifted his body's center of gravity. At the same time, he used one hand to grab onto the steel pillar beside him and moved a few steps away. Although he narrowly dodged Tsurugi's attack, this series of movements put a considerable burden on Accelerator.
In this short period of time, the two of them were once again in a stalemate.
Accelerator leaned weakly against the steel pillar, gasping for air. His half-opened red eyes were full of exhaustion due to his blurred consciousness. Even the white hair in front of his forehead was stained with blood and stuck to his forehead in a messy manner. One of his arms hung limply due to the dislocation of his joint. Even his only weapon was knocked away by Tsurugi.
In contrast, Tsurugi still had a calm expression. Accelerator's attack didn't hurt him at all. It was clear who won and who lost.
Even so, the first gunman still stubbornly maintained his standing position. From beginning to end, he was on guard against Tsurugi's next move. He clenched onto the last thread of hope and refused to let go.
Zhanqi finally spoke up in the face of Accelerator's reaction.
"— — What do you think is the meaning of living?"
This was an extremely inappropriate question for an enemy on the battlefield.
Even the most powerful brain in Academy City couldn't understand the intention of this Beret man. Accelerator tilted his head in confusion and then let out a surprised monosyllabic sound.
"Ah?"
"It seems like there's no answer, or — — you've never thought about it?"
Zhanqi was only a few meters away, but the hideous scar on his face was pulled along with the movement of his lips. It looked particularly frightening.
"The meaning of my life is to destroy this disgusting city of hypocrisy!! Even if the surface is covered with a thin layer of fake shell, the rotten nature of this land hasn't changed at all! The best ending is for this fake to be destroyed by the explosion. As the number one of Academy City, you who are used to seeing this kind of filthy mud — — you should understand this very well, right?! "
Tsurugi roared with a deep and angry voice. His veins were bulging and his blood was boiling. This should be the thought that he always had, and it was this thought that led to this series of actions.
But this will to destroy Academy City was unshakable, as firm as a rock.
That's why Accelerator muttered.
"Ah, I was thinking the same thing."
He said with a bored expression.
"Academy City and whatnot, carrying out missions and whatnot, to be honest, I'm sick of it. When I'm free, I've cursed how this bullshit story unfolded, and even wanted to turn this place into mush. From a certain perspective, compared to that useless person — — I might be more compatible with you. "
Accelerator gently shook his head and sighed.
"But … as expected, it's still not enough, completely not enough."
Tsurugi looked at the number one who seemed to be talking to himself with a cold expression and said.
"Are you using the excuse that we have different goals again? This kind of old-fashioned preaching … "
But he was interrupted.
He was interrupted by Accelerator.
"That's why I said you don't understand anything, Tsurugi -kun. My goal is indeed the same as yours, but since it's you, you should also understand — — the feeling of being robbed of your bait. "
The white-haired, red-eyed esper glanced at him with a bored expression, with his usual expression of contempt.
"Destroying Academy City — — as expected, he still can't tolerate someone other than me doing this. It's not about the content of any orders, nor is it about justice, it's just that he's not happy with you, you bastard. "
So it was impossible for them to walk the same path.
Accelerator's attitude was like this, even if he hated Academy City to the core, even if he held a grudge against it, he still didn't want to wallow in the mire with Tsurugi.
"In the end, you still don't want to turn around, looks like your stance is quite firm. But … do you really think that you are completely opposed to our side? "
"You … what the hell are you talking about …"
Tsurugi was silent for a few seconds before he chuckled a few times, an ugly smile appeared on his terrifying face.
He said the most decisive sentence to Accelerator whose face was gradually draining of blood.
"— — Mission number XM73, this is the order you received from Academy City, right? You brat … you've never been on the side of Imagine Killer.
You're a complete traitor on the side of Breaker!! "
…
"How … this is impossible …!!"
What appeared in front of him was the truth that made Mr. Preceding Article flabbergasted and his heart feel like it was in an ice cellar.
When he saw "that thing" in Accelerator's inbox, he felt a chill that he had never felt before.
"No … there must be a mistake somewhere, Accelerator is a traitor … this kind of thing …!"
But, this was the truth.
Mr. Preceding Article's anxious muttering became weaker and weaker, he helplessly looked at the numbered email in his portable terminal.
"That's impossible …"
Because of the unprecedented shock, Mr. Preceding Article could only spit out a single sentence that wanted to deceive himself.
He gripped his hair in frustration and then punched the steel bar hard. Although his hand was faintly hurting, Mr. Preceding Article didn't feel it at all.
Finally, he glanced at the portable terminal screen in despair.
What was written there was: Academy City's number one, Accelerator, has been receiving instructions and missions from Academy City since the 14th.
Mission number XM73: Monitor Tōma Jōjō and act together with him, eliminate him at the end of the battle and before the start of the ranking floating plan.
— — And on the 26th, which is today, kill Tōma Jōjō.
The Accelerator that he had always believed in, the Accelerator that moved forward with him, and the Accelerator that gave him a lot of support, was just a temporary facade for the sake of completing the mission.
In fact, the number one had always been looking for an opportunity to kill Mr. Preceding Article, and looked at him with the most ruthless attitude. Tōma Jōjō was just an accessory to the mission, a target that needed to be eliminated at the end.
Even the peaceful and warm life that the two of them spent together was just a product of Accelerator's disguise.
Mr. Preceding Article trembled as he placed his hand in front of his forehead. His body that was trembling due to anxiety swayed in the cold air of nothingness. His tightly clenched teeth let out a painful gasp.
— — From the beginning, Accelerator wasn't on Tōma Jōjō's side.
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