The sound of chaotic breathing could be heard by his ears.
Mixed with the sound of the desolate wind, it echoed in Inticus's ears.
"Hello?"
Inticus asked vaguely while chewing the food in her mouth. She was standing in front of the phone, and the cheerful laughter of The Last Work came from behind her.
A few hours ago, Inticus was instigated by the amiable big-breasted woman in sportswear (Huang Quan River), and she obediently came to her home. Of course, another reason was that The Preceding Article was filling out the application form for Yoshikawa, so he probably wouldn't be home to cook dinner for her before 21 o 'clock. Driven by the fear of an empty stomach, Inticus immediately abandoned The Preceding Article's home, which she had lived in for a long time.
… But, he'll probably go back after dinner, right?
Inticus thought as she put her ear to the phone.
There was no caller ID. A strange call in the middle of the night.
All she could hear was the sound of the wind and the sound of breathing mixed together, which made her shiver.
"Um … Who is this?"
Inticus once again voiced out the doubts in her heart. She held her breath and listened to the noise from the other side of the phone.
"… in … d …"
Finally, there was a whisper that seemed to have some kind of meaning.
Then, the voice suddenly became clear, and it was particularly abrupt in the sound of breathing and the sound of the wind.
It was the voice of Tōma Jōjō.
"Inticus! Don't come back! "
It was an urgent, painful, and as if he was crying.
The sound of the wind circling in her ears was getting louder and louder, as if it would burst through her eardrums in the next second.
Inticus trembled all over. She carefully held the phone and stammered to confirm. "… Dang, Tōma?"
Perhaps because of the poor signal, The Preceding Article's voice seemed a bit weak.
"Ah, it's me. … Listen, Inticus, don't take one step closer to the house, absolutely not. "
The anxious and determined voice was frightening.
This was a voice that Inticus had never heard of in the Preceding Article.
"Even if you bump into me somewhere on the street, don't greet me. Try to pretend that you don't know me, understand?"
Inticus stood motionless as if cold vines were creeping into her heart. Her lips trembled slightly before she finally let out a low murmur.
"… What … are you talking about, Dang, Dangma?"
She couldn't understand his words at all, and his tone was so unfamiliar. These were not the hedgehog-headed teenager that Inticus was familiar with.
"… Dangma, where are you now?" Intica gripped the receiver tightly and finally regained her senses. She questioned loudly. "Did something happen again … Answer me, Dangma!"
After a long silence, the low and hoarse voice of the Preceding Article was heard. It was as if he was weeping, as if he was weeping in grief. He spoke in despair and anguish.
"I … can't go back anymore."
"I don't know what will happen in the future, but at least I hope that you'll be safe, Inticus."
It was as if he wanted to cut off all his infatuation and fetters.
Inticus suddenly grabbed the corner of her clothes, then she took a deep breath and shouted at the Preceding Article at the top of her voice.
"… What are you worrying about!"
Hearing the subconscious gasp from the other side, Inticus continued.
"The person who said these words is not the Dangma I know! Dangma, no matter what difficulties and setbacks he encounters, he will move forward without hesitation. Even if he gets beaten black and blue, he won't stop! "
"No … Inticus, I …"
"Anyway, you're going to hide everything from me, right? It's been like this since the beginning … But it doesn't matter anymore. "
Inticus said with a sobbing tone.
"… As long as Dangma can come back, nothing else matters."
What she didn't know was that Tōma Jōjō had already left this place and embarked on a path of no return that deviated from his "daily life." The nagging but gentle hedgehog head boy who used to live a warm and peaceful life with her would never come back.
But even so, she simply and firmly believed in him, and placed her most sincere trust in him.
"Come back, Dangma."
The girl's painful pleading echoed in his ears, constantly shaking Tōma Jōjō's heart. He exhaled the pent-up breath in his chest and trembled as he bit his lower lip.
The Preceding Article slumped against the back of the chair and weakly raised his head. In the empty tram, the pale and dazzling light sprinkled on his face like pity.
Then, as if he wanted to block everything, he fiercely turned off the portable terminal's power. He seemed to be tired, and also seemed to be discouraged. He slowly raised his arm to block in front of his eyes.
That weak paleness was immediately annihilated in the endless darkness in his field of vision, and the world instantly returned to a deathly stillness.
"… I also want to go back, Inticus."
After a long time, he made a choking sound.
The empty tram continued to move forward, as if there was no end to it, and continued to move forward into the darkness of the night.
Even this weak cry for help quickly disappeared.
— — —
Barren Chuan District 3.
This was an area that was completely unimaginable as part of Academy City. Large gray chimneys and square buildings blocked most of the view, and the chaotic traffic pipelines ran everywhere. Unlike most of the fully automated facilities in the industrial areas of Academy City, most of the equipment here was relatively outdated, so it was placed away from the center of the city.
Although it was an industrial area, due to the failure of redevelopment, it still retained the style of the previous era.
"… It has such a beautiful story, but in reality, it's just the 'slums of Academy City.'"
The Preceding Article muttered as he pulled open the tattered curtains to observe the landscape of this area.
Although there was a purification system, the entire area was still shrouded in a gloomy gray. It was an area that couldn't be imagined without actually seeing it. It was completely different from Academy City's advanced impression — the abandoned Barren Third District.
At the same time, it was also the hiding place of Tōma Jōjō and Accelerator.
The Preceding Article pulled down the tattered curtains, and the room returned to the gray. They were in an abandoned building that was originally used as a zero-gravity research facility. All the equipment had been removed, leaving only a thick layer of dust and empty loneliness.
Next to him, Accelerator was curled up and leaning against the corner of the room with the curtains rolled up. If one looked closely, they would notice that the former strongest Fighter of Academy City was currently trembling, so weak that it seemed like he would shatter into pieces in the next second.
"Accelerator …"
The Preceding Article lowered his eyes and took a step towards Accelerator with guilt and regret.
But this one step caused Accelerator's red pupils to shrink instantly. The first person let out a short gasp and pressed himself against the corner in fear. Her slender fingers desperately tore at the curtains, as if she was trying to hide herself, waving her hands wildly.
The bandage on Accelerator's shoulder that was clumsily tied up had long since fallen apart, but the dark red bloodstain was still shocking. With Accelerator's large movements, the wound seemed to be oozing dark red liquid again.
In order to escape from Kamigawa's encirclement, the Preceding Article had no choice but to use Accelerator's life as a threat and preemptively stab Accelerator. Although he did temporarily escape the enemy's line of sight, he also paid a painful price.
— — That was, the breaking of his relationship with the One Passage.
Due to the collapse of his personality, Accelerator was basically relying on his instincts to move. In the face of Tōma Jōjō, who "threatened his life," Accelerator naturally showed fear and alienation. Forget about basic contact, as long as the Preceding Article approached him slightly, he would reject and vigilantly make defensive movements.
It was as if all the trust he had accumulated until now had collapsed. Accelerator's only remaining feelings for Tōma Jōjō were ice-cold hostility.
The Preceding Article carefully moved forward a few steps. As expected, Accelerator immediately wrapped himself in the curtains and let out a low and muffled roar from his throat, as if warning the Preceding Article. For the first time, nervousness and fear appeared in his empty red eyes.
The Preceding Article's hand slowly reached for Accelerator's shoulder.
Because the bandage had loosened, the wound was exposed to the air, and it made the Preceding Article feel even more guilty. In this kind of terrible weather and a lack of resources, if the wound was not treated carefully, it might become infected. Especially now that Accelerator had lost his ability and his body was weak, it was very likely that he would die in this kind of place if he was not careful.
However, the Preceding Article's good intentions were mercilessly rejected.
Accelerator slapped his hand away, and his cold eyes pierced through the messy white hair and directly stared at the Preceding Article. Accelerator's chest was violently moving up and down, and his slender body was trembling uncontrollably.
Sure enough, it's still not enough.
The Preceding Article bitterly pursed his lips, but in the next second, his eyes became firm, and his hand movements became more forceful.
Although he felt a little sorry for Accelerator, at least he had to treat the wound in time.
The Preceding Article grabbed Accelerator's hands, ignoring his struggling and crying cries, and quickly tied him up with the curtains. Then he used force to secure Accelerator's shoulder and finally untied the bloody bandage.
"Sorry."
Saying words that should not have been accepted, The Preceding Article took out a new bandage from his backpack and carefully and gently wrapped it around Accelerator's wound.
Even if his movements were extremely gentle, it still could not remove Accelerator's rejection of him. Accelerator desperately waved his hands, trying to break free, and his movements became more and more intense. The seemingly weak fingers brushed against The Preceding Article's arm and left a few bloody scratches.
Shangjou shrank back slightly in pain, but his hands did not stop moving. He frowned and wrapped the bandage around Shangjou's neck. Finally, he breathed a sigh of relief and let go of Accelerator.
The moment the bandage was untied, Accelerator immediately stepped back and distanced himself from The Preceding Article. His slightly angry expression seemed to be silently warning him: Don't come over.
This was an expected reaction.
"… Sorry, it's all my fault."
Maintaining a squatting position, The Preceding Article said in a low voice.
He would not deny the mistakes he made because it had become an established fact. But now he sincerely wanted to restore the relationship of the past, and The Preceding Article was working hard to achieve this.
"… It's all my fault."
The cold wind that was frightening hovered outside the window, and the same bone-chilling coldness also spread between the two.
Whether it was Accelerator's personality or the relationship between them, it had all collapsed. This was a cruel reality that could not be changed no matter how hard he tried.
He clearly knew that he was just lying to himself, but why did he still have a fragile glimmer of hope in his heart?
He clearly knew that he could not go back, so why did he still make these meaningless struggles?
An ethereal voice lingered in The Preceding Article's ears, like the whispers of the devil, constantly shaking his originally confused heart.
The gray and dead sky. The gray and cold wind. The gray and broken world.
In this gray nightmare, they had all fallen.
— — —
24th, Wasteland District 3.
"Yo, young man, could it be that you're from the outside?"
Tōma Jōjō, who was leaning against the guardrail on the street while drinking a drink, was suddenly hit on.
Standing in front of him was a middle-aged man in gray overalls with two funny thick lips and sly eyes. Judging from his appearance, he should be a resident here for a long time. His temperament was inexplicably compatible with this monotonous and somewhat desolate area.
However, The Preceding Article still maintained the vigilance that a stranger should have. He looked at the middle-aged man with some suspicion, then he showed a perfunctory smile and shook his head. "No, I've been here a few times before …"
"Don't hide it, the atmosphere around you is really out of place here. It's obvious that you're a first-time tourist."
The middle-aged man neatly exposed the lie of The Preceding Article. He looked at Lu Zhou's increasingly stiff expression and suddenly showed a bright smile.
"But, don't be nervous. My name is Mud Valley. Oh … I can't help but want to help you when I see your distressed look. If you don't mind, can I be your temporary tour guide? "
He reached out his hand to The Preceding Article.
Looking at Mud Valley's hearty smile, The Preceding Article paused for a moment. After a moment of hesitation, he also reached out his hand and shook Mud Valley's hand.
He also needed to familiarize himself with the situation of The Wasteland District 3. And this man named Mud Valley, who had a sincere smile, didn't seem like a bad person.
"My name is The Preceding Article. Uh … Nice to meet you. "
…
While pointing at the main buildings in The Wasteland District 3, Mud Valley carefully explained to The Preceding Article.
With his explanation, The Preceding Article was finally able to distinguish the subtle differences between the gray square buildings.
"There aren't as many research institutes in this area as in other industrial areas. Because the research facilities from the previous era are still preserved here, advanced companies aren't willing to invest here. The Wasteland District 3 can be considered the 'Ruins of Academy City'."
Mud Valley looked at The Preceding Article, who was deep in thought, and asked. "What's wrong, young man, it seems like you still have a lot of questions?"
"Ah, yes. I was thinking before … The scenery here is really different from other school districts. The sky is gray, even the purification device doesn't work … and there are no guard robots on the road … "
The Preceding Article looked at the empty road. There were no facial recognition devices like the guard robots. This was why he dared to walk on the street without fear of being exposed.
Niku's smile was somewhat desolate. "Young man, you've only seen the glamorous Academy City on the surface, right? Surrounded by high-tech products and indulging in them all day long, this is the illusion created by Academy City. This is the bottom level of Academy City. "
He sighed as he looked up at the murky gray sky that seemed to be unable to be cleansed.
"In order to be advanced, there needs to be a contrast. Just like in order to emphasize the intensity of pain, there needs to be a cushion of joy. In order to set off the light, there needs to be a rich darkness to render it. Academy City has a population of 2.3 million, but people with abilities — — only 1.2 million people. The Wasteland District 3 is one of the residences of the remaining 1.1 million powerless people. "
As if something in his heart suddenly tightened, The Preceding Article stopped and stared blankly at Mud Valley.
Mud Valley opened his arms as if he wanted to show the entire gray world to The Preceding Article, and said to him with a sad smile.
"Look, young man. This is the world of the powerless — —! "
"Even if you want to live, you're still regarded as an ant. Even if you want to use all your strength to shine, the weak light will quickly extinguish. The people here were already in despair. Their hearts have lost color, so the Wasteland District 3 is such a disgusting gray! "
The Preceding Article's lips trembled a few times. After a long time, he finally squeezed out a few words. "No, it's not like that …"
But when he saw Mud Valley's gloomy eyes, he couldn't say a word.
The darkness in people's hearts that even the purification device couldn't wash away was indeed here. The Preceding Article had fully understood from Mud Valley's words, and this cold reality was constantly eroding his determination.
He once vowed to Accelerator that he would save the 2.3 million people of Academy City. But could he really do it?
Even if he stopped the enemy's intentions, at best, he could only save the 1.2 million powerless people. The remaining 1.1 million people — — their situation wouldn't change.
The hell they're in still wouldn't change.
Perhaps many of them hated Academy City from the bottom of their hearts, and even wanted to escape from this birdcage, even if the price they had to pay was death.
"Young man, do you … have something you want to protect?"
Faced with Mud Valley's sudden question, The Preceding Article thought for a moment and immediately answered. "Yes."
What he wanted to protect was Academy City, the place he had lived in for a long time, and the important companions he had spent happy times with. The Preceding Article was currently fighting for the things he cherished, and he also had a clear and firm goal.
But Mud Valley's next words immediately shook The Preceding Article's heart.
"Then, have you ever thought … that the thing you want to protect — — has completely changed?"
At that moment, a weak voice seemed to come from his heart.
Already changed … … the thing I want to protect?
The Preceding Article's mind couldn't help but think of the figure of the white-haired, red-eyed superhuman.
That was an existence that had already been lost and could no longer be recovered.
His original intention was — — to "protect Accelerator."
But was he really protecting him now?
Could Accelerator who had lost his personality still be considered "Accelerator"?
If so, what he was doing … … was there still meaning?
The Preceding Article bit his lower lip and clenched his fists in contradiction and pain.
At that moment, he felt that he was so small and powerless in this gray world.
Alone, without reinforcements, with no way out.
Even — — there was no hope.
— —
In the ruined space, Tōma Jōjō and Accelerator sat silently by the wall.
Although the distance between them was only a few meters, it was a hopeless and unreachable distance.
From the broken ceiling, they could see a corner of the desolate, dry sky that was unclear whether it was day or dusk. The Preceding Article stared blankly at the ceiling.
Accelerator buried his face between his arms and tightly curled into a ball. His thin body seemed to have melted into the dead silence.
There was no communication. It was as if there was an invisible barrier between the two.
Just a few minutes ago, The Preceding Article took out the portable food he prepared in advance from his backpack and planned to replenish his energy for future operations.
But he encountered a problem.
Accelerator was completely unwilling to get close to The Preceding Article, let alone eat happily with him. But The Preceding Article couldn't ignore The First Article. If he didn't eat, Accelerator would only become weaker and weaker, and his resistance would decrease.
He was in a dilemma.
The Preceding Article stared at the mineral water bottle in his hand and hesitated for a while. In the end, he clenched his teeth.
— — As expected, he still couldn't let it go.
… …
After semi-forcibly feeding Accelerator the food, The Preceding Article finally let out a sigh of relief. But before he could relax for long, he became nervous again.
Accelerator covered his mouth and bent over in pain. After a few spasms, he spat out all the food. The first person kept coughing, and Shang Tiao took in his uncomfortable appearance.
It didn't look like he was resisting The Preceding Article, but more like he was suffering from some kind of illness.
Could it be … … a symptom of inflammation?
Kamijou immediately supported Accelerator's body, which seemed to be swaying due to dizziness. Although Accelerator immediately resisted fiercely, Kamijou still succeeded in making him lie down.
He put his hand on Accelerator's forehead. Sure enough, there was an abnormal heat.
Perhaps it was because the injury made his body weaker, and because he was tired from running around, The First Article had a fever. This was the most troublesome problem The Preceding Article found.
… … Damn, I don't have any medicine on hand … …
The Preceding Article poured out all the items in his backpack. After anxiously rummaging through them, he still couldn't find the result he wanted.
The Preceding Article looked at Accelerator, who was squinting his eyes and breathing rapidly. The Preceding Article's heart seemed to be instantly twisted. Pain came from his clenched fist. He looked at the slightly dark sky outside the window. Then, he took out a few bills from his wallet and stuffed them into his pocket. Then, he stood up.
Accelerator's turbid and empty red eyes moved slightly in his direction, but they quickly drooped down.
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
The Preceding Article said to The First Article in a low voice. He habitually reached out to stroke Accelerator's head. But as if he was worried about something, his hand stopped in midair. After a long time, he hesitantly retracted his hand.
He retracted his hand and didn't touch Accelerator again.
So in his heart, he had already acquiesced to the existence of this barrier?
Although he didn't want to, although he was annoyed to the point of almost going crazy, as expected, he still couldn't cross the barrier between the two.
How lonely, and how painful it was.
The Preceding Article quietly took a few steps back. As if he wanted to imprint the white haired red eyed esper's figure in his retina, he silently stared at Accelerator.
The First Article curled up in the shadows and fell asleep due to discomfort.
The First Article was just an empty shell without thoughts or self-consciousness.
He clearly knew this cruel reality, but his heart still seemed to be anticipating something. There was still a trace of infatuation that couldn't be severed.
The Preceding Article gently closed the door. He stood in the dark corridor with his head lowered. After a long time, as if he wanted to escape from this turbid world, he began to move his legs unconsciously.
In the end, he ran like crazy.
The rough cold wind brushed past his cheeks. The cold air rushed into his lungs. The Preceding Article's legs gradually became numb and slow, and his consciousness gradually dissipated in this gray world.
— — When will I wake up from this nightmare?
— — —
Looking around, it was like a cluster of gray square buildings.
Huge black chimneys that tore through the sky.
They were like walking corpses, wandering spiritlessly in the crowd.
On this tangled and complicated street, The Preceding Article stood in place, not knowing what to do. He looked around and finally made up his mind to greet a passerby.
"Excuse me, I want to ask for directions …"
The Preceding Article had just arrived in the third district of Huangchuan not long ago. Naturally, he was not familiar with the streets here. Moreover, this monotonous and difficult to recognize landscape increased the difficulty of finding the way.
The Preceding Article only roughly knew the location of the abandoned building where he and Accelerator were, and some of the surrounding roads. But the task of buying medicine was really difficult for him. In desperation, he could only ask for help.
However, as if he didn't see the Preceding Article, the man walked straight past.
Did he not hear his voice?
The Preceding Article was slightly stunned, but he quickly reacted and relentlessly chased after the man. "Please wait, I just want to ask for directions …!"
The hand that reached out to pat the man's shoulder was suddenly slapped away.
A cold, sharp and vigilant look appeared on his face. After fiercely staring at the Preceding Article for a few seconds, he coldly turned around and left, leaving the confused Preceding Article in place.
"… What's going on …?" The Preceding Article muttered in confusion. He glanced at the man one last time, then turned to ask for help from others. "Excuse me, I want to ask for directions …"
Then, he received the same reaction.
They ignored him and disdained him. When the Preceding Article called out to them, they showed a cold and fierce look.
As if they wanted to completely erase the existence of the Tōma Jōjō, they hurriedly walked past him. Even — as if they wanted to isolate him, the crowd clearly left a large space around him.
"… You're lying, right?"
The Preceding Article maintained the posture of reaching out his hand and stood there numbly.
As if he didn't exist here in the first place, he was cruelly ignored.
"Why … I …"
The words choked in his throat. The Preceding Article took a few steps forward, but still stopped in a daze.
A strong sense of loneliness hit him. The Preceding Article couldn't help but shiver.
Gray area, gray sky, gray street, gray crowd.
This sticky, unwashed, overwhelming gray, he was alone in it.
It was simply — hilarious.
…
Just as the Preceding Article was at a loss, a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.
"Yo, what are you worried about, young man?"
The familiar tone woke the Preceding Article. He looked back and saw an uncle with thick lips and sly eyes standing behind him.
It was the Mud Valley, one of the few residents the Preceding Article knew in the Third District of the Huangchuan.
Seeing that someone was finally willing to talk to him, the Preceding Article suddenly felt relieved. He smiled as if he was saved and said helplessly.
"… No, I was just rejected when I asked for directions … It feels like the people here don't welcome me."
The Mud Valley turned his head to look at the people around him who were in a hurry and said casually. "Ah … You have to understand. After all, the people here have a lot of work to do. They don't want to waste time, so they have such a cold attitude."
"… I see …" The Preceding Article responded with a wry smile.
The Mud Valley looked up at the sky and then patted the Preceding Article on the back. "Where are you going? I'll take you there, because it seems like it's about to rain. "
Shangjo followed his gaze and looked at the sky, but the gray sky seemed to be as usual, and there was no change in the weather at all. The Preceding Article looked at the Mud Valley again and scratched his head.
"Can you show me the way to the convenience store? Sorry to trouble you. "
…
Sure enough, it started to rain heavily.
Through the glass window, Kamijou looked at the hazy and gloomy street scene shrouded in the rain and let out a depressed sigh from his chest.
He didn't bring an umbrella, how was he going to go back?
In front of the convenience store, the Mud Valley said goodbye to him in a hurry. He said that he had something important to do, but the conversation before he left still echoed in the Preceding Article's mind.
["Mr. Mud Valley, you asked me this morning if I had something I wanted to protect, right? Then what about you, Mr. Mud Valley? "]
The question that the Mud Valley asked still haunted the Preceding Article. He was indeed shaken by everything he had done so far. He wanted to protect Accelerator, but in fact, the real Accelerator was dead. The Preceding Article's protection could be said to be in vain.
What should he do in the future?
This was what Shangjue was currently perplexed about.
The Mud Valley showed a somewhat awkward expression. He stroked his chin and said slowly.
["The thing I want to protect … To be honest, it's gone now."]
["… Eh?"]
The Mud Valley's face suddenly became serious. He was completely different from his previous carefree self.
["In the past, I used to work very hard for my family and earn living expenses to support them. At that time, I thought, maybe it's not bad to live like this for the rest of my life. "]
["Then what made you change your mind … What is it?"]
Looking at the pale face of the Preceding Article, the Mud Valley smiled and patted his head with his big hand.
But the smile was something that the Preceding Article had never seen before. It was a weak and tired smile.
["Originally, I worked hard to earn money to protect my family, but I didn't know when I became numb. In the end, I just kept earning money, and my need for money became greater and greater."]
People with stiff and indifferent expressions constantly walked by them. The hurried and unstoppable pace seemed to continue forever. They kept moving forward, forward, forward.
["… Then, I began to feel confused. Why did I work so hard? What did I want to protect? What did I cherish? What did I live for? "]
Under the gloomy sky, these words were like icicles slowly piercing into the heart of the Preceding Article. He only felt a chill in his chest, and a tingling sensation spiraled into his heart.
The Mud Valley gently tapped his forehead.
["Sorry, sorry, I said these heavy words to you … But young man, you must never believe anyone here. Including me standing in front of you. "]
In the end, he said in a sad and apologetic voice.
The Preceding Article stared at him in a daze. He watched his figure gradually disappear into the distance, the gray figure that blended into the street.
In the end, without saying goodbye, without any warning, the Mud Valley disappeared from his eyes.
…
After picking up the medicine from the shelf, the Preceding Article stood motionless in the same place.
He lowered his head and stared at his feet. He seemed to be lost in thought and didn't move for a long time.
Why am I … at a loss for what to do? Haven't I smoothly walked through all the difficulties so far? But why was it that the only feeling he had left now was that of drowsiness and dejection?
He took the medicine to the cashier. His mind was still thinking.
Even if this was the trial he was facing, the answer still hadn't been found yet.
It wasn't until the shop assistant's cold reminder pulled him back to reality that the Preceding Article reacted. He reached into his pocket to take out the money.
At this moment.
He remembered.
["Never believe anyone here. Including me standing in front of you. "] A few minutes ago, the Mud Valley had just said this to him.
Why would a stranger greet him for no reason and kindly point the way for him? Perhaps this wouldn't be strange for the Preceding Article in the past, but now the Preceding Article was in the third district of Huang Chuan.
The third district of Huang Chuan was cold and indifferent.
His pocket was empty. The money that had been there a few minutes ago had disappeared without a trace. And the culprit was probably the Mud Valley.
No. That might not be his real name. Even that hearty smile might not be a product of his sincerity.
Deceiving tourists, swindling their money and running away. This was the true face of the Mud Valley.
And he should have quietly taken all the money in the Preceding Article's pocket while pretending to have an intimate conversation with the Preceding Article.
"Damn it!"
Shouting in despair, the Preceding Article rushed out of the convenience store like a madman.
But in front of him, there was only the monotonous gray city and the damp and cold air blowing in his face.
Then a sense of anxiety instantly surged into the heart of the Preceding Article. His whole body felt like it was being bitten by several ants. He felt irritable and unbearable. The reason he felt angry was not because the money was stolen, but because the smile that the Mud Valley gave him was completely fake.
He obviously … trusted him so much. The Mud Valley who spoke such cheerful words was willing to sink into the darkness of the people's hearts.
"Why … should I give up everything."
The Preceding Article said in a low and depressed voice.
— — —
Without an umbrella, he just ran into the rain.
The cold rain instantly bombarded the top of his head, making the Preceding Article feel as if his whole body was instantly pressed down and unable to breathe.
Because all the money was stolen by the Mud Valley, the Preceding Article could only go back and get the rest of the money to pay the bill. Thinking of the scene where Accelerator was still waiting alone, he couldn't help but speed up his pace.
Even if he ran recklessly and crazily, he wouldn't attract the attention of others because the people in the three districts of Huangchuan didn't care about the life and death of others, and they wouldn't make contact outside of the necessary interests.
On this cold and indifferent street, Kamijou seemed to want to abandon everything and ran with all his might.
Like a soundless wail in the rain, he ran painfully.
In front of him was a thick and deep night.
But that didn't matter anymore.
The Preceding Article just wanted to escape from here, escape from this gray and maddening world.
…
Because of the continuous running, his legs felt as if they were about to break. His lungs also ached with the frequency of his breathing. The rain on his body soaked his jacket, and it made his skin uncomfortable and wet.
Under the dim illumination of the street lights, the Preceding Article moved step by step with difficulty.
The heavy rain showed no signs of abating, and there was a slight pain when it hit his body.
When would this despairing coldness that lingered all over his body dissipate?
Then, when would he be able to find the direction to move forward?
The Preceding Article staggered forward, and his trembling legs seemed to be unable to bear the weight of his body. He slowly and dejectedly moved forward against the wall.
Then, suddenly, he was caught off guard.
In his vision that had become hazy because of the heavy rain, a touch of turbid white appeared.
["… You look like you're in such a sorry state."]
The chuckling and slightly mocking voice was not covered by the sound of the heavy rain, and it clearly reached the ears of the Preceding Article.
Not far from the corner of the street, in the thick darkness.
A dazzling white figure stood there for a long time.
That posture, that voice, that tone, all of it was the strongest person in Academy City that the Preceding Article was familiar with – "Accelerator".
An existence that could not appear here.
The Preceding Article slowly straightened his body with the help of the wall and staggered forward a few steps.
The white-haired, red-eyed esper quietly looked at him, as if welcoming him, as if embracing him. He opened his arms and smiled quietly.
In the heavy rain, the two of them looked at each other.
…
The Preceding Article approached "Accelerator" step by step.
Then, as if he didn't see anything, he staggered past the white figure.
He turned a blind eye. Disdained.
In the most ruthless manner, he passed by the first person.
While walking on the dark street, he didn't know if it was tears or the warm liquid of the rain mixed on his face. The Preceding Article opened his mouth and let out a low whimper as he forcefully covered his eyes.
Unlike the effect of "Reflection", the rain passed through "Accelerator" and fiercely washed to the ground.
In other words, "Accelerator" was just an illusion and delusion in the mind of Tōma Jōjō. Because he was too eager for the return of the first person, he was hallucinating.
The first person in front of him was just an illusion that existed in the mind of the Preceding Article. In the eyes of others, there was no one walking on the street at this time, other than the Preceding Article.
["Still as naive as ever, to be honest, I really don't know what you're looking for."]
In a familiar tone, the illusion named "Accelerator" said to himself.
"No … I … don't have any expectations anymore."
As if answering his own question, the Preceding Article lowered his head and said.
"Accelerator is already dead. It's impossible for someone to appear here, so at best, you're just an undead. "
["Then why are you talking to me, an undead?"] "Accelerator" contemptuously spread out his hands and viciously mocked the Preceding Article. ["To be honest, isn't it because you're too lonely, so you degenerate to the point of entertaining yourself with delusions in your mind?"]
The Preceding Article didn't answer. He bit his lower lip and his chest violently moved up and down.
["… That's enough. Hurry up and put away that self-pitying look on your face. It's making people unhappy."]
"Accelerator" turned his face and said unhappily.
Even this reaction was exactly the same as the first person.
But it was an illusion. It was an existence that he couldn't touch.
However, the Preceding Article still wanted to ask this illusion for help. He still wanted to believe in this illusory existence.
"… Tell me. The way to make it all end. "
The white-haired, red-eyed esper smiled slightly. In the storm that swept over, the first person showed a quiet and ethereal smile.
It was a sad and desolate smile.
— — —
***
The rusty door was gently pushed open, accompanied by a hoarse sound. Heavy dust fell down, and a familiar, dusty smell also hit his face.
Bypassing the huge equipment, the Preceding Article slowly walked to the room where he and Accelerator stayed. Because he was afraid of waking up the first person who might be sleeping, his footsteps were particularly gentle.
Because of the money that was cheated by Mud Valley, the Preceding Article still didn't succeed in buying back the medicine. If Accelerator's condition still didn't improve, he would take the money and go to the convenience store again. The Preceding Article thought so.
… I don't know if his body is better.
He stood in place worriedly and walked forward apprehensively.
Then he felt something strange.
There was a slight drizzle on his face, leaving a cold touch. The damp night wind poured into the window with gray air, and the broken curtains danced wildly in the wind. A puddle of rainwater had accumulated on the ground, and even the backpack of the Preceding Article was soaked.
Among the messy items, in the dark corner.
There was no one.
The Preceding Article stared dumbfounded at the spot where Accelerator was lying. It was soaked by the rain and reflected the dim neon lights outside the window.
Then, as if to completely crush his heart, the previous scene flashed in front of his eyes.
…
Accelerator's phantom smiled quietly and then said.
["Do you think you can solve everything by hiding and cowering like this? And the way to escape this nightmare … You already know. "]
["Since the purpose of your action is to destroy the command file, then destroy the command file."]
"You don't have to say that, I know! But now the command file is in Accelerator's brain … "
Halfway through the sentence, he suddenly stopped.
A terrible thought heavily overwhelmed the Preceding Article. His hands trembled and he looked up in disbelief.
That was the method that the Preceding Article had been trying to hide in his heart and the method that he didn't want to use the most.
"Could … Could it be …"
The phantom raised his hand and made a shooting gesture at his head.
It was the gesture that Accelerator made to the Preceding Article on the night of the 20th.
The red eyes returned to coldness and decisiveness. "Accelerator" said to the Preceding Article.
["Destroy Accelerator's brain, that is —"]
In the cold darkness that seemed to tear the world apart, the ruthless words came out from his mouth.
["— Kill Accelerator."]
…
The Preceding Article slowly squatted down. Because he was too tired, he couldn't help but kneel on the ground.
The cold and bone-chilling rain soaked his knees. While he felt the pain, he dejectedly put his hands on the ground.
The Preceding Article moved his dry eyes and looked at the bandage with dark red blood stains that was casually thrown aside. [Accelerator left this place. It was probably a long time ago. Perhaps he was afraid of the existence of Sengoku, so he dragged his injured body and fled from here.]
Even his last companion left. Now, Tōma Jōjō was truly alone.
This isolated and helpless war had become a one-man war.
The way to end this war was to kill Accelerator.
As if to cruelly cut off all the confusion in the Preceding Article, reality gave the answer.
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