"Tommy!!! Merry!!! You're so cool!!!"

"We'll trust you, doctor."

"They're mad... they're all crazy..."

"...Have they gone mad?"

"You'll have to brace yourself..."

"Hah... hah..."

"...What is he doing?"

"What's going on?"

"...Wake up!! This is bad!"

"Wake up!"

"Wake up!!"

"Wake up!!!"

Y/N: Hah... hah...

My eyes shot wide open as I grasped my beating heart. The jump I took almost sent me off of the chair I was sitting on.

For a moment, I remained completely still, my eyes fixated on the small device on my desk. The red light on top of it had long since turned off, indicating that the recording was finished. I was left with nothing but my breathing in the dark room illuminated by the desk lamp pointed at the recorder.

Cold sweats were running down my face as I tried to calm the shaking in my hands.

Out of fear, I turned to look behind my shoulder and was met with darkness. No one was there to see me in my state, thankfully.

I struggled in a deep breath and leaned against my chair. I placed both of my hands against the desk and looked at the ceiling.

I need to calm down, I can't let them see me like this... especially not now.

Y/N: Tch...

Without realizing, I was beginning to tug the bracelet around my wrist. As I did so, I maintained my breath in order to reduce my panic.

I'm the captain, I can't afford to show weakness. Just like Malkuth said, weakness means death in here. I might not be under her care but her words were strong enough to stick in the back of my head.

...I suppose miss Gebura wouldn't disagree, a weak person can't lead successfully.

Y/N: Hah... hah...

One by one, each breath I took slowly lost its speed until, finally, my body returned to normal. Following that, my eyes wandered on the recorder still present on the desk.

...I wanted to reach for it, a part of me truly did, even if the other part didn't know why.

No one has come to check up on me, so surely no one would hear what was on it, right?

...

I reached for the recorder with a hesitant finger. Slowly, I placed it on top of the play button and waited for a moment, taking a second look around myself.

Still nothing.

Click

I pressed the button.

I was immediately assaulted by white noise, making me lean away for the sake of my eardrums. Seconds passed but nothing seemed to change until I tried to stop the recorder.

For a brief moment, I could hear a distortion in the noise. It was muffled but it was still audible.

I leaned slightly foward in the hope of hearing what was causing it, only for the white noise to suddenly stop, replaced by something much clearer.

"What do you want?"

The sound of a sharp voice echoed, clearly belonging to a woman. I moved back in my seat and went completely silent.

"Prescript."

"Done already, get out."

"'To Messenger □□□□□□, follow the 36th person you meet today back to their house and introduce yourself.'"

A faint pair of footsteps could be heard through the recording before the first voice replied.

"Tch, I knew something would happen once he got out."

"Let me through, this is part of the Prescript."

Unlike the first person, the second one was completely collected and almost... joyful? Whoever she was, she seemed pleased with whatever this 'Prescript' is.

"Or I can let you be torn apart by your own collagues."

"Sharp response, disregarded. Let me in. This is not a request."

For a few seconds, the device went completely silent, only to come back to life with more footsteps moving around.

Then, a faint noise that could barely be heard followed.

"Drop down your weapon, the Prescript has not told me to harm him."

"Yet."

"Indeed."

Hearing this exchange for some reason made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I unconsciously looked at my surroundings, fearing that something might jump out of the dark but just like before, it was only me in this room.

This inexplicable paranoia was cut short by the sound of a door opening from within the recorder. I turned my head back to it just in time to hear the second person speak once more.

"See? Not that complicated."

"Hurry up and leave."

"Will do."

"Hello again, we've already met once before. I didn't get to introduce myself."

"...You killed that person."

A weak voice, belonging to "him", replied to the joyful woman. It didn't take much to understand the fear present through the words said.

"That's what happens when a Prescript has not been completed."

"I, too, have my own Prescript to complete. As soon as we're done here, I'll be taking my leave."

"I am □□□□□□, a Messenger."

As soon as she said those words, a pair of foosteps followed, the sound quickly getting weaker as it grew distant.

However, before it could fully vanish, the third person spoke up.

"Uh... I'm-"

Bang Bang Bang Bang!

A sudden and loud banging sent me on my feet, coming from the closed door right next to me. Before I could do anything about it, a red light turned on and illuminated the room I was in, accompanied by an alarm.

The recording was drowned out by the noise, forcing me to focus on the disturbance.

On the other side, I could hear a sharp and cold voice.

"Get your ass out of here Y/N, we've got a suppression to do!"

Y/N: R-Right!

I reached beside the desk and pulled the pitch black scythe leaning against it with my hand. I adjusted the monocle alongside my gloves and rushed outside.

As soon as I stepped outside, I was greeted with flesh splattered on the walls and blood painting the floor. I looked around and found the figure of the Sephirah of the Disciplinary department.

I made my way to her.

Y/N: Miss Gebura, what's going on?

"Can't figure out the obvious, we've got a breaching Abnormality. Hurry."

Her glare made my blood freeze as I was pushed along. At some point, I began to run in order to reach the main room of the department, leaving my superior behind.

Around me, the only thing my eyes could see were the bodies laying everywhere and the horrible "paint" splattered everywhere. 

I gritted my teeth and pushed through it all until I opened the door to the central room of the Disciplinary department.

There, I was met with complete silence.

Bodies were in all directions, blood too. However, nothing else was present. There were no distant screams of pain, nor any screeches that could be made by the roaming Abnormality.

The only person moving inside was me.

Y/N: ...Miss Gebura?

I turned around and found no one there.

The corridor I had just left was devoid of presence.

The alarms that were once blaring had also stopped...

...And the red lights too...

...

Y/N: ...Manager?

I whispered into the device attached to my outfit, tightening my grasp on the scythe as I did so.

No response.

I tried, again and again, still nothing.

My eyes darted around, almost praying for someone to enter and explain everything to me. Anyone, I would take anyone at this point.

...And so, my wish was granted in the form of a tug at my ankle.

I looked down and there, I saw it.

The disfigured face of an employee looking at me. The bones of what was once their hand grabbing my leg. Rot had begun to set already, leaving me an awful smell. Yet, in spite of that, it spoke.

"Captain..."

"Captain... I don't want to die..."

"Captain... help me..."

"Captain..."

A second grab took hold of my second leg. The colors drained from my face as I watched in horror the many corpses slowly wriggle on the floor, all crawling in my direction.

With each swing I took to force them to release me, I was forced to hear their pained voices beg for me, clinging onto my help.

They kept calling for me.

They kept asking for my attention.

My assistance.

My leadership.

"...Captain... please..."

"You promised I wouldn't die..."

"You said you would do your best..."

"...Your best wasn't enough..."

"...Why are you the captain then?"

Y/N: I don't know! I don't know!! I don't know!!!

Each swung I took tore open the flesh of the workers, exposing a pitch black substance from within. It slowly clung to me as more of them reached for me.

I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted everything to stop. I screamed, again and again. I wished for insanity, so that I could dissociate from what I was forced to hear, see and do.

But I couldn't, the monocle wouldn't let me. It clung to me and kept me fully sane as I continued to attack anything that moved.

Again & again.

Da Capo.

From beginning to end.

Now, here I stood, completely submerged by the dark blood that desperately clung to me. In my last moments, I screamed in desperation for the last name that could do something, to end this.

Y/N: Angela!! Fire me! Please, I beg of you! I can't take it anymore, get me out of here!!!

Alas, this was simply a nightmare, one that would not end with a happy ending.

...

...

Angela: Y/N?

Y/N: ...I'm not in the mood.

The assistant librarian mumbled after hearing his name, content with leaning into the chair he was using. He purposefully looked away from her and focused on the book he carried around, completely ignoring the current invitation on the way.

The invitation aimed at the Wedge Office and the last survivor of the Dawn Office.

He silently listened from one ear while writing inside the book.

Angela did the same. After all, with her perfect memory, it didn't matter if she paid attention or not. As long as she could hear it, it would be stored in her memory.

She stared at the back of her assistant's head, drilling holes into it at this point. In spite of that though, he did not budge, forcing her to turn back her focus on the reception that would soon happen.

There, she saw Philip accompanied by a duo of similarly shaped girls carrying massive spears, Pamela and Pameli.

Right behind them, an older man wearing a hat covering his face calmly sipped from the cup he was holding, offered to him by Philip himself.

The man, Oscar, took off his hat, revealing the eyepatch he used to hide his left eye.

Oscar: ...You certainly are masterful at making ssanghwa-cha as Salvador said.

Philip: You flatter me, sir...

Unlike his words, the young Fixer was far from proud. He looked to the side, avoiding looking directly at the veteran sitting across from him.

Oscar slowly placed the cup back onto its plate and turned to face him.

Oscar: A penny for your thoughts, Philip. Did 'The Library' appear related to the Distortion Phenomenon is any way?

Philip: I'm not sure. I haven't experienced the Distortion myself. But that place looked more alien than anything I've ever seen. And master and seonbae... They got turned into books there...

The further he went along with his explanation, the more hesistant he grew with each words he spoke. A part of him still couldn't believe that it was all real.

Unlike him, the one in charge of Wedge Office took each words he spat out and only after he was done did he let out a sigh.

Oscar: ...That doesn't help.

He grabbed the hat resting on the table and placed it back on his head before grabbing the large spear he used as a weapon.

Oscar: Several Associations have been keeping an eye on this matter. It's not just the Associations; even the Wings and the Fingers are clueless about what to make of the Distortion.

Philip: Alright...

The young Fixer faintly replied as he looked down at the floor, probably not even fully paying attention to what he was saying.

Oscar: You must want to forget all this fuss about the Distortion and head right back to the Library and retrieve the books of your colleagues.

His words caused the man to ball his hands into fists

He wasn't wrong, he wanted to. Yet, at the same time, he remembered the words his master told him right before he ran away. That, and also the message he found in the Office after their defeat against the Library.

Philip: ...I wish I could do just that but my master said to me in his note that I shouldn't act hastily and instead depend on your aid.

Oscar: That old friend left me with quite a troublesome little fellow...

A moment of silence followed his statement as he looked in the distance. Then, he slowly faced Philip.

Oscar: Death is a staple in this business, but his wife and his children must be heartbroken still. Have you met them?

Philip: No... I couldn't visit them yet... I'm too ashamed to face them.

Oscar glanced at both of his colleagues and exchanged a short look in silence before the duo walked towards the entrance, leaving the man himself to announce the news.

Oscar: Our next stop will be the Library. Ready your gear.

For the first during this entire conversation, the last Fixer of the Dawn Office raised his gaze to look at him. He hurriedly stood up from his seat.

Philip: ...Thank you sir.

Oscar: Don't mistake this for kindness. We're simply taking you with us because we were already planning to go there. This is the least I can do to bear the responsibility for my old friend's death. Personally, I'd never let a Fixer like you join my Office. It would give us a bad name.

...Also for the first time, a frown formed on Philip's face as he was forced to hear those words aimed at him.

Philip: ...Is it wrong... Is it so pathetic for me to want to repay the favors of my colleagues, for their sake? Everyone says to not act upon attachment, that it's an unclassy and naive thing to do...

Pameli, who was silently standing near the door began to tap her foot against the floor as she glared at the boy currently speaking.

Philip: Can't we as Fixers... No, as people living in the City, do anything on the behalf of others!!

Finally, she couldn't keep up the silence and answered for Oscar.

Pameli: God, you're insufferable. He didn't even say that you're wrong or anything. He just doesn't want those kinds of Fixer in our Office, simple as that. Don't be a miserable ass about it. 

She shortened the distance between the both of them and glared at the man from her small height.

Pameli: Nothing is as unreliable as someone who's easily swayed by their feelings. You want us all to die so you can fulfill your ideals or what?

Right behind her, the one in charge of Wedge Office continued.

Oscar: You must be sincerely believing that your actions are for others. That you are different from all the other unkind and selfish denizens of this City. Thinking that you are fighting for some higher cause. But know that those are in fact entirely selfish thoughts.

The insistence that Philip once held against them crumbled as the veteran standing before him coldly pierced him with the truth of his actions, a truth he didn't want to accept.

Oscar: It's the most dangerous type of selfishness. You deceive yourself into thinking you're selfless. There can be no such thing as a selfless action for us humans. Even the act of self-sacrifice is ultimately for oneself.

Philip's frown was long gone and his energy gone along with it. The words he spoke entered one ear and out the other. A part of him refused to believe that it was true.

After all, he ran to get help, he knew that they wouldn't win. So he did, he couldn't be selfish for that, obviously.

Oscar: You gave a fine speech, but I must wonder if you're truly upset for the sake of Salvador and your other late colleagues.

With no retalation left, Philip averted his stare back to the floor.

Philip: ...I'll go prepare myself.

...

Roland: That Philip guy seems to be hurt, but I agree with Oscar here. Few things are as dangerous and nasty as selfishness in the guise of "for the sake of someone else"...

The Grade 9 Fixer was the first one to talk once the invitation completed what it had to do. Angela looked in his direction and continued.

Angela: I think I know what you mean. The determination to work for the good of others can be a dreadful and loathsome weapon. Especially if one strongly believes that the justice they're pursuing is worth sacrificing for...

Y/N: ...Nothing is selfless he said. Were those days where we struggled to live just selfishness disguised as support? Was hoping that we could pull through everything with helping each other worth nothing?

The assistant let out his opinion as, for the first time today, he looked back at Angela and Roland.

The faint lines of the bags under his eyes were visible to both of them.

His question were aimed at no one in particular but Angela took the chance to do so, and she did so by shifting the topic slightly.

Angela: None of this would have happened if it weren't for that man's selfishness-

Y/N: I'm not talking about him, Angela. I know what he's done, I doubt anyone doesn't by now with how many times it has been said. What I'm asking for is if what we did can be considered selfish. We were all forced into this situation, unaware of what would happen, forced to struggle for 50 days, hoping to survive through it all.

Angela: ...

...

Y/N: A lot happened but I want to believe that what we did for the others was genuine. We all fought to the end to survive, we tried to support each other because that was the only option we had. That place was made to kill people and we did our best to fight against it to reduce said deaths.

The assistant librarian stood up from his seat and looked at the AI not with anger surprisingly but with a certain conviction.

Y/N: It might look selfish for others but I think that selfless actions can happen. We might have stuck close to guarantee our own survival but I'd like to believe that some of us did just because it was the right thing to do.

The worker reached for his head as he looked down.

Y/N: I want to believe that... otherwise, I don't know what I'd do with everything I've done. Did I cling to a hope that was only my own?

Roland: ...That sounds rough.

Angela: ...?

Unlike the both of them, the director felt a light vibration that shook the ground below her for a second. However, as soon as she paid attention to it, it was gone.

Y/N: ...Sorry, I just couldn't help but ask. I'll go prepare to greet the guests.

Without hearing a true answer to his doubts and questions, the former employee dragged himself out of the room, slowly becoming quieter the farther he went.

Angela stared at the last place she saw him for a moment before closing her eyes.

Roland: Looks like you have your own share problems like that Oscar.

Angela: I am aware.

...

...

Pameli: Stop frowning already, would you? You're so annoying.

Pamela: He's still recovering. We should give him some space.

Pameli: Tiny things like this can still affect my psyche.

The duo led the group as they talked to each other. Behind them, the remaining duo observed them alongside the Library itself, for very specific & distinct reasons.

Philip: ...Nevermind. You don't need to care about me. I'll try not to be a hindrance.

Oscar: I'll stab you as soon as I determine that you're getting in our way.

The leader, as like before, gave Philip a cold look just in time to see Angela appear out of thin air in front of them.

Right behind her, her assistant followed, a pale face accompanied with signs of exhaustion present.

Angela: Greetings, dear guest. Though, your group seems to be in a rather ill mood?

Oscar observed their interlocutor for a moment before quickly swinging his weapon at her. Angela expected that action and stepped out of the way just enough to receive a slight cut, revealing a line of red coming out of it.

Oscar: I thought you were a machine... But could it be that you're partially human?

Right behind her, the employee let out a sigh of defeat, knowing what would happen.

The frown that was already there because of the attack solidified itself. Her change of mood left the guests unaffected.

Pameli: Don't stare at us so viciously now. We just poked you to make sure, not to kill you or anything.

Angela: How rude. Hasn't anyone taught you to behave?

Pamela: Hmm, I heard the librarian of this place was supposed to be nice.

The comment of the quietest member of Wedge Office was met with a voice brimming with annoyance sent back at her.

Angela: Someone advised me that there's no need to be courteous with ill-mannered guests who slap and spit in my face for no reason.

The one leading the group finally stepped forward and stood face to face to the machine.

Oscar: I apologize. We couldn't afford to be polite when our very lives are at risk.

Angela: Oh, really now?

Her final words were followed by her figure disappearing from everyone's sight, leaving the former employee alone at the front to face Oscar.

Pameli: This isn't like what we heard about her at all.

Y/N: Uh... well, I feel like not many would be content with being attacked.

A drop of sweat formed on his face as he tried his best to enter the conversation, prompting him to receive Pameli's glare.

Philip: You again...

Then, that awkwardness vanished the second Philip looked at the assistant librarian, who did the same in return.

Both of them exchanged a long stare as they observed the opposing side's expression.

Y/N: ...

Philip: ...

Oscar: Philip, we are going in.

Philip: Right...

The young Fixer looked towards the older man and saw both him and his colleagues making their way inside. He did the same, however, before he could fully enter, the voice of the last person present in the room called out to him.

Y/N: You know... it might not be right for me to say this but... I'm sure they would have wanted you to keep going.

Philip: ...Why would you know anything about master and seonbae.

Y/N: They just... seemed like the type I suppose.

The librarian looked down for a moment before continuing.

Y/N: Please don't throw your life away carelessly, I'm sure that's what they would have told you.

Philip: Yes, they would have...

He weakly replied and stepped inside, leaving the worker alone in the entrance. A heavy breath followed and, with crossed fingers, he began making his way up the large tower called the Library.

...

...

Roland: You wouldn't believe it, the sauce almost took a bite out of my hand, the closest call I've had in my life~

Y/N: ...And you dealt with it on your own?

Roland: ...Well, I had some help for the intel I suppose but I tend to go solo.

Sitting next to each other, both librarians were busily talking to each other. After the initial welcoming of the guest, the former captain was mostly out of it and was content with simply letting time go by but Roland suddenly stepped in and began catching his attention with a few questions.

One thing led to the next and soon enough, both were now engaged in a full conversation. The fatigue of the assistant librarian felt like a small weight in the back of his mind compared to before.

Next to them, Angela was busy watching the ongoing fight, making sure that the existence of each librarians remained stable.

The addition of Abnormalities helped boosting their strength significantly. However, it came at the danger of the librarians possibly corroding if she wasn't there to correct any anomalies that showed up.

Her entire focus was on this, allowing the duo to continue with no issues.

Y/N: Hm, those Distortions definitely are something. It must have been shocking.

Roland: Of course it was. I don't think anyone would expect something you normally eat do the same to you.

Y/N: ...Something like this?

The worker asked and turned the book he held around, revealing a hastily made doodle of a man with black hair looking at a pot of sauce reaching for him.

The one in the drawing looked at it before letting out an embarrassed chuckle.

Roland: I definitely didn't look like that.

Y/N: Really? You seem like the type.

Roland: ...What kind of person do you think I am?

Y/N: Hm, I dunno, I feel like you can do some good stunts whenever you feel like it.

The worker shrugged in response before adding a hurriedly drawn sword in Roland's hand.

Y/N: So, what happened next?

Roland: Oh, you know, the usual Fixer stuff. I completed the contract and went my own way with the pay.

Y/N: That must have been a tough contract for a Grade 9 Fixer, you must have been blessed with some luck.

Roland: ...Luck...

His voice grew quieter, only to be silenced by the sound of clashes coming from the window they had into the reception. The assistant librarian took a peek into it, only to see Philip being pushed away with a swift clash coming from Hava.

She sent the Fixer her usual wide grin as she readjusted the kimono she wore. Right behind her, Oscar was at death's door, overwhelmed by the remaining librarians.

Seeing the young man in such a bloodied state left the worker with a sour taste in his mouth. The only consolation he had was when Oscar finally turned into golden pages, Philip took the last of his strength and ran in the direction they came from.

Surely, this would be it. With another defeat, the young Fixer would put a stop to this and fully back off... surely...

...Of course not.

...

Philip: Hah... hah...

Battered to the brink of death, Philip could barely stand on his feet, forcing air in through his mouth. Blood was dripping into his right eye, blocking part of his vision. Meanwhile, the left glass of his glasses was broken.

Back in the entrance, he leaned against the nearest wall before looking at his wounds.

Philip: Yet again... I... I thought I could fight with them until the end this time... How long am I gonna hide behind others...

His bloodstained gloves reached for his glasses, trying his best to adjust them so he could see.

Philip: ...What could I have changed if I stood with them and fought along. If only... I had the courage to stand up to something. If I had that courage, I...

...

Philip: When I was told to run... I hesitated. If I ran away, leaving my master and seonbae behind, they might think of me as a coward. Maybe they actually wanted me to stay with them? But the decision I made...

He looked down at himself, his outfit was torn in multiple places, revealing many of the wounds he received.

Philip: ...Was to listen to them, believing that it was for their sake. I convinced myself that I'd only be a hindrance if I stayed. There's nothing I can do here, so I should go outside and ask others for help... This is all for master and seonbae...

His eyes slowly turned towards the exit. A part of him begged him to simply step out, telling him that he couldn't achieve anything on his own. Clashing against that, another part of him insisted for him to stay.

Philip: ...That I'm doing this for others... I... was determined to sacrifice myself for others... But I forfeited, telling myself that this wasn't the right time... Told myself it's fine because I'm still a selfless man...

His hands turned into fists as he spat out the truth he didn't want to admit before.

Philip: Said a vile and selfish person... I involved Wedge Office, telling them this is for my master and seonbae... and I took their sacrifices for granted and ran away again.

His teeth pressed hard against each others as his memories brought back the sight of each of them falling during the battle.

Pameli was struck first by a rapid shower of bullets breaking through her guard.

Then, Pamela fell down, protecting her senior until her last breath, unable to defend against each of the attacks thrown at her.

Finally, Oscar collapsed, allowing the time for him to make his escape.

Now, here he was, barely alive after tossing more people in the Library.

Philip: "It's not for myself...", trying to justify what I wanted to do... Endlessly parroting "For them..." "For others..." "For someone..." For whom... The words I uttered to disguise my selfishness as something greater.

...

Philip took a pained breath as he slowly rose back to his feet. His left hand placed itself on the handle of his blade as his anger slowly dissipated from his face.

Philip: ...He was right, I was the most selfish and dangerous person. I don't want to embellish my motives saying it's for others.

His heart slowly became lighter as he continued to speak. The pain that once overwhelmed him was nothing more than an annoyance compared to the burning sensation in his chest.

That sudden warmth gave him the energy to stand up.

Philip: I was doing it all for me. For myself above anything else. For me, who's feeling sadder than anyone...

Each word he spoke felt like oil was tossed into the fire in his body. For each confession he admitted out loud, a log was tossed into the flames within himself...

Until finally, the blazes rose and reached their true form.

...

...

Hava: Look at that, another job completed~

As per usual, the grinning devil turned around and flashed her usual smile at her coworkers. There, Netzach was already making his way back to enjoy his rest.

Meanwhile, both Elis & Sasaki were busy gathering the books of the guests laying on the floor. As they did so, the smaller person in the group mumbled to himself.

Sasaki: Why did they have to give the gun to the smallest person...

Hava: Don't be like that, it didn't seem that complicated when I watched you.

Sasaki: Yea, the Key Page helps with that.

He rolled his eyes as he grabbed the last book on the floor, ready to leave. Ready to go, the trio turned around and saw their Patron librarian waiting for them.

However, as soon as they were about to join him, a gust of warm air pressed against their back.

Each assistant librarians froze in place for a moment and turned back.

There, they saw the lone figure of a man covered with blood. The broken glasses covering his eyes made it easy for them to tell who it was... unlike what he was wearing.

The last they saw of him, Philip was barely able to stand on his feet, his clothes torn open by their attacks that forced him to retreat. Now, said damage was nowhere to be seen on him with the exception of the trail on blood on his face.

The man stood strong, holding into his left hand a massive sword with an unknown orange substance coursing through it. The arm holding it was covered with a material that looked the same as the sword he carried. Meanwhile, his right arm was covered with a massive wing that acted as a shield.

He stood there, glaring at the librarians present, who didn't have time to recover from their injuries.

Elis: ...W-What is that?

Sasaki: No clue...

The short man squinted his eyes as he ejected a bullet to ready the rifle he carried.

Sasaki: ...But if he's back, we better get ready to fight.

Elis: A-Again?!

Hava: Mhm, I don't mind, it'll make an interesting challenge~

Netzach: Just when I thought we would be done...

Netzach made his presence known as he joined his coworkers, preparing Salvador's blade.

With their intentions clear, Philip raised the large weapon he held towards them, indicating that he wouldn't back down too.

As he did so, the world around them warped. The platform they stood on was replaced by a large surface of marble. The distant, massive pillars filled with books vanished into a whirlwind of golden pages before revealing a temple capable of reaching the skies, clean of any impurities.

It towered above the librarians, who were left confused by this sudden change.

However, despite their many questions, they couldn't afford to ask any of them. A fight was about to occur and the only thing was for them to prepare themselves.

https://youtu.be/k5y6GOn8tKI

Elis: B-Be careful everyone...

She quietly warned her allies as she brandished Meow's blade. While doing so, Hava took notice of the burn marks she suffered during the previous fight against Wedge Office plus Philip.

Standing in the back, Sasaki went on the offensive first and sent a direct shot against the Fixer's shoulder.

The recoil pushed Philip further away from the group as they advanced towards him.

He did the same in return. Halfway through the platform, both sides met each other and the clashes begun.

Leading the charge was Netzach, who went for a slash, only to be met with the large wing. He was sent backward, forcing Hava to run through the spot he once were and go for a double slash against his chest.

While the first slash went easily, the second one brought a sudden pain that almost made her not realize the retaliation coming from Philip. She firmly slammed her feet down and parried with the incoming swing.

She stepped away and looked down, only to see burn marks spreading around her arms, caused by the orange substance coming from the wing.

She hurriedly moved her limbs and got rid of it just in time to see Elis perform a downward swing against the lone guest.

Right after, both teams were sent towards their own sides.

Sasaki: Ow...

Without hesitation, Sasaki began tapping his hand against the bottom of his pants to extinguish the flames that were beginning to burn both his clothes and his skin.

Like him, the other librarians were beginning to see the burns slowly appearing on their skin. Adding to it, the air around them was starting to grow warmer.

Drops of sweat were forming on Netzach's face, unlike his assistants who remained relatively fine for now.

On the opposite side, Philip remained somewhat fine. With the exception of the few wounds inflicted on him by Hava, he was in a better state than them.

Sasaki: We're all going to turn into charred meat at this rate.

The third assistant librarian mumbled as he watched the dark lines on the marble they stood on slowly changing from pitch black to orange.

Along with that, the floor was slowly heating up.

He gritted his teeth and raised the rifle he carried once more. After getting the target in his sight, he pressed the trigger and unleashed a burst of bullets against the one-winged Fixer, who was attempting to rush at them.

With no fear, he protected himself with said wing. Many of the bullets simply bounced off, only leaving the few exceptions grazing his body.

His glare was directed at the shooter, who widened his eyes and stepped out of the way just in time to evade the incoming strike.

Right behind, Hava used the exposed back of the lone enemy as a target and swung her katana against the outfit, tearing it open and bringing more bleeding wounds.

Philip hurriedly turned around and protected himself from a second surprise in the form of Elis... or at least mostly. With enough effort and desperation, she was able to break through his defense.

The feathery shield responded by releasing more of of the burning substance into the air, landing on his attacker.

The usually quiet librarian was seen practically grinding her teeth together to endure the pain.

Netzach hesitantly pushed through and clashed with Philip's sword. The stigma workshop gear entered Philip's sight, forcing a frown out of him as both side tried to win the duel.

While this was ongoing, Hava ran at him and went for a singular slash, opening up the defense of the Fixer.

His focus briefly lingered on her, who simply grinned as she jumped away from Elis, who planned to perform a surprise attack too.

The pressure came from all direction, forcing Philip to dash away in order to give himself some room. His decision was soon followed by a rumbling coming from the massive temple overlooking the battle.

The ground below their feet began to crack, pushing the dangerously hot substance out of said damage. The temple, meanwhile, suffered the same instability and was bleeding the same liquid.

This change drastically increased the temperature around, causing every librarians to sweat bullets and feel like their bodies were set ablaze.

Unlike them, Philip calmly lowered his shield and raised his sword, ready to finally go on the offensive.

Sasaki: About time-!

The ranged librarian slipped those words through his gritted teeth as he loaded a new bullet in the rifle. The metal of it was starting to catch the heat surrounding them, making it a painful experience. Nonetheless, he raised the gun and pressed the trigger.

With his guard fully lowered, the bullets finally struck their target fully.

Sasaki: Hurry, who knows how long it'll take before we all burn alive!

Elis: R-Right!

Pushed with the horrifying idea of turning into wood fire, Elis ran at the front, followed by the allies who were equipped with melee weapons.

Philip did the same, no longer hiding behind a cover.

As soon as they stepped in range, Philip raised his sword and charged forward, creating an arc of blaze that struck Elis despite her guard. The blazes caught on her outfit and small flames began to form.

Unware of it in the midst of battle, Elis kept pushing and went for a blunt strike against his shoulder.

Right behind her, Netzach went for a downward swing with the greatsword he held.

...This proved to be a fatal mistake as it left him complete open for an attack that Philip prepared for him.

The orange light within the weapon grew brighter and erupted into large flames right as he went for a dual strike. Like a snake, the fire coiled around the Patron librarian and overwhelmed him before he could do anything.

With the damage he already sustained against Wedge Office and the burns he received until this point, his body couldn't take it anymore and combusted into golden pages. The assistant librarians were forced to watch without being able to do anything.

Elis froze in place, her face turning pale and exposing herself for a one-sided attack. Noticing this, Hava hurriedly closed the distance and stabbed Philip in his left arm, stopping his attack.

After successfully catching his attention, she stepped to the side and avoided a hit thrown at her. Her red eyes remained locked onto his body, looking for any weaknesses... and when she caught it, she countered with another slash.

The Scene ended immediately afterwards, separating both sides from the other.

...And for the third time, the stage further broke. The cracks grew wider, flames were dancing with the hot wind floating around and the temple was practically hemorrhaging the unknown liquid.

The battlefield was almost fully covered by it.

Hava: ...

Upon observing this, the girl with red eyes lowered her gaze to her body and was met with both of her legs severely burnt. She then glanced at her remaining allies and saw that they were in worse shapes.

Elis was hardly standing, her skin almost fully boiling red. Some parts of her hands were even beginning to take a dangerous color in this scenario.

Sasaki barely was able to hold his own weapon. His outfit was burnt in multiple spots, revealing his skin in the same predicament.

Compared to them, she seemed like the most capable fighter. The only thing she had to reduce the pain was the adrenaline pushing her to the limit.

On the other side, Philip had suffered his own share of wounds. He was bleeding from multiple injuries, his once confident stance was wavering and he was heavily breathing. However, in spite of that, he still raised his sword in a defying matter.

Sasaki: ...This might be it for me.

Elis: H-Huh?

Suddenly, the voice of the smallest person of the group caught the attention of the rest of his team.

He slowly pulled the sleeve of his clothes, revealing the charred flesh almost reaching his bone. Yet, in spite of this horific sight, there was no pain on his face. The burns were severe enough to destroy his nerves, leaving him in a painless death.

As much as Elis wanted to protest, claim that there was a chance otherwise, it was hard to refute a sight like this.

Without any input, he raised the rifle he carried and prepared to shoot once more. With the lack of pain to distract him in his aiming, he was easily able to lock onto Philip.

Seeing this, Hava pushed Elis slightly to make her focus on the battle. She then ran ahead. Once she did so, Sasaki unloaded the remaining bullets in his gun as a farewell.

Philip tried his best to dodge the incoming barrage but was not fast enough to protect himself from all projectiles, leaving him for more injuries he could think of. Still standing though, he ran ahead to face Hava.

5 meters until confrontation.

The girl with red eyes readied her blade, aiming for a potential fatal strike. She could feel it, they were close, she just needed a good hit and it would be over.

The sweats falling down her face were getting in her sight but she couldn't afford to wipe them off at this range. It was life or death.

In this extreme scenario, only the priority remains.

Elis: ...What- W-Wait, Hava!!

Her ally, who tried her best to follow her, who wasn't yet in the danger zone, was able to notice the blade the Dawn Office Fixer was using beginning to glow in a dangerous color that brought back a fresh flashback in her memories.

He was about to turn her into ashes, into nothingness, just like how he did with Netzach.

Seeing that, she doubled her speed, feeling like her lungs would give up on her. She carelessly ran through the flames in the way, stepping on the burning substance on the floor.

2 meters.

The pain was enough to send her into tears, she could barely see anything but she pushed on regardless. Her hands were growing numb right now, the agony was still building up but some parts of her body were... cold in comparison to the rest.

Elis: Hava!!

For one of the rarest times, the voice was as loud as she could. She blinded rushed in and watched as Philip was ready to unleash his attack

Blazing Strike

Hava: ...!

Right as she was about to retaliate with her own move, she was surprised by a sudden collision against her side. She almost fell down and as she returned to her feet, what she saw was a torrent of blaze turning the shy librarian's face into charred nothingness.

For once, the look in Hava's face faltered.

She stood there for a second, processing the reason she would have done this but was cut short by Philip running at her. He swiftly swung his sword but was met with her own katana.

Her smile was long gone by now. The situation was dire. They were rapidly dropping and soon, she'd be alone.

The thought forced her to spin the blade she carried and redirect the sword clashing against her towards the ground.

Then, she followed with a sudden slash at his chest. What could have been a perfect strike, unfortunately, was stopped by something metallic hidden underneath the clothes of the Fixer.

She squinted through the spectacle of flames & heat distorting her vision and was faintly able to see a small device peeking out of the tear she made.

She second she saw it though, her eyes widened... but her body was forcefully pulled back before she could do anything.

Back on her side, she glanced next to her and was only met with golden pages, the remains of her last colleague.

Her kimono was practically worthless, burnt to almost rags. The only thing that was remotely in good condition was her weapon.

Fortunately, she saw it, she saw the exit she needed for a victory.

As she thought that, the world around her shifted yet again. However, instead of deteriorating, the temple regained its pristine color from the beginning of the battle. The floor below her was also affected, removing any of the hazards that were once there.

...This was her chance.

Hava: ...You didn't get this far by failing.

She solemnly spoke to herself and watched Philip aim at her. He was in the same state as her, both were dancing near death. So, with the last of their energy, both of them were planning to defeat the other.

For the first time in a while during this encounter, she remained completely still. Her eyes were locked on the lone Fixer.

She waited for him to do the work for her, to charge into her.

Then, once he crossed the line, she prepared her katana.

Step by step.

Finally...

Hava: Should have waited from afar.

She whispered to the one-winged man. His eyes widened slightly before he was met with her blade. In a hurry, he raised his wing as a shield but was met with nothing.

Instead the blade had switched target and aimed for his chest once more.

For a second, nothing happened. However, the sound of electricty began to catch his attention. The moment he tried to see what could cause this, his opponent stepped away.

A sudden burst of blue light filled his sight. It quickly grew stronger and, before he could no longer see her, he was met with her waving at him with a tired, but still wide smile.

Philip: Wait... Why... I still have to finish this!!!

His voice begged for what was happening to end but alas, his plea was met with disappointment and soon enough, the light dissipated. There, in his place, was nothing.

Without his presence, the world crumbled and the Library regained control. The temple vanished, revealing the green pillars filled with books in the distance.

There, all alone, Hava stood. Books were scattered everywhere and those of her colleagues were there too.

Hava: ...

She smiled to herself, one wider than anything else... before collapsing on the floor.