-You've been pressing it for numerous times and you still have something you want to know about it?

Slowly opening my eyes, the moment I have feared for during my sleep finally arrived, the beginning of the new day. If that woman, the one who could smile at the misery of others, was speaking the truth then a terrible day was upon us.

...Just right after the Red Mist incident, the wounds still being fresh. My spirit was shaking, quivering even at the idea of jumping into the heat of battle yet again.

Alter Ego: Are you sure?

Y/N: I wouldn't lie about that stuff, especially right after Gebura's tantrum.

Adjusting the scope of my rifle, I mumbled into the mask I was given by little red, trying to find comfort in the pink color of my suit and weapon. Binah was certainly not the type to play around, or at least to make jokes like this. You didn't even need to know her, just a look was enough.

Of course, when it came time for me to reunite with Alter Ego, I told her about the wild adventure I went through during the shift, to which she was understandably confused. So shocked in fact that I had to repeat it a second time for her to truly comprehend my words and just like that, it was a panic, I still remember the words she said.

"An Arbiter?! Are you serious?! This is bad, very bad!"

No matter what I did, I couldn't get her to calm down and opted to wait it out. Bringing her back to our room, I counted the minutes passing by and with midnight approaching, her agitated state grew mild but with some traces of dread, just like me currently.

Fixing her attire, the girl standing beside me looked down at the blade of the dark forest with gloomy eyes, fearful about the outcome. The employees were still shaken up and in dire need of resting, something that we couldn't afford now that the woman herself declared an attack.

Alter Ego: Do we even stand a chance...

Y/N: We won against the Red Mist herself, I have some hope... even if it was at the cost of many people.

Alter Ego: ...

Positioning my sleeves, I dusted off the pants that I was wearing and stood on my feet. I could not forget the losses we suffered, that this place will casually toss aside. If the higher-ups didn't want to care then someone had to, someone had to mourn their departures in some way and not forget their sacrifices for the sake of completing one more day in this ruthless reality.

Y/N: *Sigh* I can't wait to get out of this place.

Alter Ego: ...I suppose you wouldn't be in an eternal death loop out there.

The way she responded felt more like she was trying her hardest to agree with my statement, which made one of my eyebrows rise slightly with questions. However, now was not the time to ponder about this, especially with the ordeal ahead of us.

Finally, one last breath and we both reached the door before opening it. Confronted with the hallway on the other side, we hesitantly stepped outside and got caught by a sudden yell that made our bodies jump in place, followed by a booming laugh coming from our side.

Hava: Got you both~!

Alter Ego: Please don't scare us like that! I almost skipped a beat!

Y/N: How long have you been waiting there?

Hava: Uhhh...

She averted her gaze slightly, a bead of sweat falling down her face. Then, a feeble giggle escaped her lips.

Hava: I... I forgot.

Alter Ego: You've been standing there for that long?!

Hava: Look, I needed to talk to you before the day began so I stood there, waiting for the both of you to come out.

Shifting her body away from the wall, the black scythe carried in only one of her hands moved slightly in accordance. Her smile was gone from her face and her eyes carried a certain coldness that I would have never expected from someone like her, who likes to tease people about anything and everything if she has an opportunity.

No, this time, it was almost like she had some reservations about the situation. She wanted to say something but couldn't, wanting to hear the right words that would allow her to do so.

Was she held back by something? Someone?

Hava: At this rate... something I only thought to be a mirage might truly happen.

Y/N: ?

Alter Ego: What are you talking about?

Quickly, she scanned her surroundings but nobody was near, it was only the 3 of us.

Hava: We might be able to reach the end.

Y/N: ...Really?

Hava: ...But with how long everything here has been going on, it is only a mere possibility and I don't want to get your hopes up.

Y/N: ...

Hava: ...

Alter Ego: I'll do my best, I don't have a choice for the one I love.

Y/N: I can tell that I'll forget if we fail, I'm not gonna toss that opportunity. Hell, I'll even drag myself to the end with just my mere teeth if I have to.

Honestly, I don't know if there even is an end to this place. Even Hava was merely speculating about that possible ending. After all, if we did reach an end then we wouldn't be here anymore. However, we came so far that I was not going to throw everything away. I'm sure that everyone here also is wishing to leave this horrible place as well to some extend and I would be with the first ones in line if I could simply nope out of this mess.

Hava: That's what I like to hear. Come on, we'll show them that we can persevere!

Strongly tapping my shoulder, she leaned against my body with a wide smile before dragging me along with her. Unable to fight her off, I merely groaned and grabbed Alter Ego's hand in mine, the trio that we were walking to our destination and our future encounter.

I wonder how that fighting experience that we accumulated in here is gonna affect our daily lives, we might as well be war veteran at this rate with the losses and the traumatizing stuff we witnessed.

...

...

Intercom: Warning! Rabbit protocol initiated in the following departments: Extraction. Cleansing in process!

Y/N: ...

All of us prepared for the day, a sudden shockwave passed through the entirety of the building, causing the walls, floor and ceiling to vibrate as if enduring a powerful earthquake. Dropping down to the floor, my gaze soon descended to the familiar ground of the Central Command department and witnessed an amalgamation standing where my feet were a moment ago.

It was so sudden that my voice could not reach the others in time, not like I could have even I were able to predict it from the start. My head turning around to confront the worst, the same trap was placed under other employees and a massive spike protruded out of it, like a portal connecting 2 places together. The attacked agents gritting their teeth through the pain, the clerks were not as lucky and ended up as mere decorations for the limbs.

Following that unpredicted event, the unknown attacker retreated into its hole and disappeared, leaving behind a group of unlucky employees who did not even see the grim reaper come knocking at their door. Just like that, their lives were gone and many began to panic already, not knowing what was going on.

...This, this is how the battle truly began, the proof of Binah's warning.

Y/N: Everyone on duties! We can't lose focus now!

Quick to calm the situation down, I rose my voice to pierce through the panicking yells and ordered them to move. The clerks who did not already succumb to the insanity hurriedly grabbed the bodies and pulled them out of the way while the others began suppressing the roaming workers with non-lethal force.

Y/N: Quick, any info from other departments?

Snapping my finger abruptly, I pointed towards one of the agents, who began fiddling with his radio in an attempt to join the other departments. The pressure beginning to escalate, the monitors roared to life and many lines were written that would make anyone's head spin for a wild ride.

Anomaly detected within Nothing There's chamber.

Anomaly detected within Melting Love's chamber.

Anomaly detected within Shelter of the 27th of March.

Y/N: All agents, disperse, we need to keep those units in top shape! Now's not the time to be slacking off!

Coldly proclaiming my order as the captain of the Central Command team, I watched as the workers under my guidance scattered, leaving only the deceased ones who were unlucky. Glancing back at the panel, I groaned to myself and rushed in the direction of the nearest containment unit

Melting Love.

Y/N: Time for daily inspection.

Those words came out of my throat like a monotonous machine and were aimed directly at the abnormality inside once I was in as well. Looking down at my notepad, I wrote down my inspection of the containment unit while trying my best to keep the large slime in my sight. Simply standing there, I could feel a smile aimed at me that I completely disregarded.

The priority was to keep the facility in perfect order until Binah is successfully taken care of. Beside that, nothing mattered, it was my duty as the captain to keep everyone under my supervision safe for as long as I can, those anomalies needed to be fixed soon.

If I had to take a guess, it was also part of that woman's scheme. Although I don't understand her motive perfectly, my instincts were telling me that it was related to her, she had to be the culprit of this whole mess that we once more will have to deal with.

Y/N's mind: It must be fairly serious if the Manager finally used the Rabbits, that's the first time they've been called.

Nonetheless, I had a job to do and everyone else as well, I couldn't lose focus now. Readjusting my thoughts, I heaved a sigh and observed the abnormality starting to create a massive blob in the shape of a heart from within its body, just as the door unlocked.

Y/N: Time's up.

With a rather aggressive voice that even surprised me after the fact, I tossed my pen in the air through the room and stabbed the shape with it, causing it wiggle slightly. However, that was the time needed for me to retreat just in time as to not deal with whatever plan she had in mind. Breaking into a sprint, I hurried back in the main room with only a single drop of sweat to accompany me.

Clerk: Mister Y/N, what's going on?!

Y/N: ...

One of the office workers was definitely at the end of barrel and on the brink of snapping, yelling this question as a way to relieve some stress from themselves. Frowning slightly, I checked my surroundings and noticed the remaining employees were lightly paying attention. It was expected, I was their captain after all, they had to be able to rely on me.

Y/N: We're dealing an dangerous anomaly, nothing else is needed to be known right now, we need to keep the maintenance constant or else we can say goodbye to our lives.

Tapping the one who demanded an answer on the shoulder, I reached for everyone's gaze with mine and firmly solidified the scale of the danger without making them panic more than they should.

Reaching for my radio, I did my own check on the other teams through the other captains' devices, all the while rearranging the data we were receiving along with the incoming orders. If I had to give a description of this current disaster, I would say that we were poor civilians trapped in a no man's land, stuck between groups of interest going at war with each other.

We had to remain hopeful but it was the solution to our problem, it was like applying a mere bandage on a gash, it couldn't cover everything. No matter how strong that sentiment was, it would soon collapse after a few battles.

Alter Ego: We got some issues currently being taken care of but- Huh? M-Move the bodies to the side, we don't have time to properly-

Cutting short, I called the other departments and took in their situation, jolting down some quick notes of how bad the situation was.

Y/N: BongBong!

Without even turning around, I called the name of the relentless puppy that seemed to like to roam around me. Finally completing my record, I turned my head to peek over my shoulder and noticed the girl standing completely still and silent right next to my spot. Not surprised in the slightest, I moved one of my arms in the direction of the Disciplinary department.

Y/N: They need some backup over there, assist them in whatever way you can.

BongBong: Bong.

Uttering her catchphrase... well, word. She dashed off with her rifle and an unwavering face, unaffected by the ordeal happening just like when confronting the Red Mist. I suppose I had to give it to her, she didn't lose face, no matter what the problem was, she would tackle it the same way.

Not now, come on Y/N, stay focused!

Y/N: Give me the number of casualties, we need a constant update on the surviving employees for each department!

Suddenly bursting out a demand, I was focused on keeping an eye on the incoming requests while also making a list of the anomalies alongside which containment units were affected. With hurried footsteps coming from behind, I knew that someone was already on the case without turning around.

???: Sir!

Y/N: ?

Shifting my body around, my eyes met one of the workers under my care, Marisa. Still wearing the Queen of Hatred's suit and staff, she rushed inside with some documents in her hands and a bead of sweat.

Y/N: What's wrong?

Marisa: That fetus thing's mood has started to lower, we need to send someone soon inside to stop the progression.

???: On it!

A third voice answered the problem. Breaking into a sprint, the figure of Zeta19 rushing into the scene with a clipboard passed by us like a runner chasing after a car. Regardless of how truly fast he was, my eyes scanned him for the briefest of moment and came upon a problem.

Y/N: You're not wearing an E.G.O suit!

Yep, he was still wearing the clerk outfit from the Extraction team.

Zeta19: Don't worry about it, I'll manage!

Completely shrugging off my worries, he disappeared into the staircase after swiftly avoiding another employee coming up the stairs by jumping on one of the walls and pushing himself down.

Marisa: ...Isn't that a clerk? Why is he performing an agent's work?

Y/N: *Sigh* Don't question it.

As if listening, the lights flickered for a second before turning back on again, forcing a few question marks from many of the people in the main room. Those questions, however, popped like a fragile bubble when a massive shiver ran through my body, a feeling that I did not wish to experience right now, especially when we have yet to see the enemy.

I... I couldn't explain, it was like a primal fear cursing through my blood, freezing me in place in terror, my heart tearing apart as if something was pulled from within it. Feeling the colors of my face dilute at a fast pace, I almost missed my stepping and fell down against a desk.

Marisa: Woah, are you alright?!

I was quickly pulled on my feet but that feeling did not dissipate, something was making my whole body sick, not to the point of puking but simply ill. Silently thanking the girl who grabbed me, I took a deep breath and tried to organize my thoughts.

...

What's going on? Do you even have to ask yourself that?

Y/N: ...

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I gritted my teeth while the alarm kept blaring high and mighty into the air. Sluggishly looking back at the monitors, I warned the nearby employees of the assignments, feeling my own body rotting away with every breath I took.

No, it would be more accurate to say that it felt like something was sucking the lifeforce out of me. Maybe? I don't know, I don't know anymore, my head feels light and I have to focus to the point of giving myself a headache in order to hear everyone's voice around me.

Marisa: Hey hey, come on captain, now's not the time to drop on us!

Y/N: ...Yea, I can't drop now.

Mumbling to myself, I pulled my body back on its feet and forced myself to shrug off the terrible feeling that I was experiencing. Although it needed me a few seconds to recover, those seconds were enough for one of the clerks to raise a proposition with their knowledge that they had from going through many days.

Clerk: Let's go get that magical girl, she'll probably know what to do of this, she always does for him.

Marisa: We can't let an abnormality leave their containment unit like that, we're in the middle of a crisis!

Y/N: Alter Ego?

I solemnly spoke into the radio, ignoring the rant of the agent near me.

Alter Ego: Y-Y/N? You don't sound too good.

Y/N: Dunno why... feels like I've been shot or something.

Alter Ego: Shot?! Stay put, I'm making my way. Hava, take the leadership for me-!

Cutting out like always, I chuckled at the thought of a panicking Alter Ego scrambling about. When I averted my focus back to my side, I realized that the clerk and Marisa were both gone from the main room.

Y/N: Hey, where did they go, we need to be prepared in case the containment units still need work!

Office worker: Sorry sir, they just suddenly ran somewhere.

Y/N: *Mumble* Of all days, this is not a good start.

As the captain, it was my duty to make sure that everyone under my supervision was still alive but now? Both a clerk and an agent just ran during working hours and now I'm experiencing this unknown pain. I had to remain strong, I couldn't afford to fall back now when everyone relies on me. I can't-

Alter Ego: Y-You look so pale, you definitely got something.

Her footsteps rushing to my side, I recognized the suit of the black forest that she was wearing on her. Even though everything was going to crap, her voice felt like an angel gracing me with its presence, it alleviated me from my current state. Forcing a smile on my lips, I gave her a quick flick on the forehead.

Y/N: Come on now, it'll take more for me to drop, I can't slack off, not in this situation.

Oh I would like to see that, Y/N.

Y/N: ...

Swiftly, I turned my head around but nobody was there, simply the employees hurrying around.

Alter Ego: Is something wrong?

Y/N: I...

No, I couldn't find a good explanation, even I was left speechless. I know for a fact that a voice called my name, yet nobody was there to say those words. Grabbing my cheek, the captain of the Security team flashed me a light frown before looking in the direction of the Disciplinary team.

Alter Ego: Something doesn't feel right.

Y/N: Hm?

Intercom: Warning, failure to properly cleanse all affected departments, Rabbit protocol disengaged.

Y/N: Wha... They lost?!

The first time they ever were called and they failed their job? Talk about a sad outcome but now was not the time to make fun of that performance. After all, we were now forced to deal with Binah on our own.

Y/N: ...?

Alter Ego: Hey... you look better, that was fast.

Looking down at myself, my skin was back to normal and that certain feeling of pain was slowly leaving my shoulders like a weigh had been lifted from me. Unfortunately, I could not accept that sudden change with a smile but rather dread. Now I know for a fact that something is going on, whether it was caused by an abnormality or not didn't matter, it wasn't natural.

Then...

Binah: Come and face me, time to show what you can truly do without any shepherd little sheep.

That voice... the voice of the woman of darkness made my spine tingle, my blood certainly freezing and my heart beating faster. It was so calm, yet still able to force a creation of adrenaline in my body, my emergency functions activating.

Alter Ego: ...

Not saying anything, she slowly readied her sword and took a battle stance in front of me, serving as a shield. That act, although courageous, was also extremely dumb considering who we were against.

Y/N: What are you doing, you can't-

...I wanted to tell her how foolish it was to stand her grounds like that. The woman we were facing was not Gebura, she couldn't be countered with the same approach and that was made clear when the doors on the other side bursted open with a massive dark pillar charging at full speed at us.

Y/N: !

With no hesitation, I shoved the poor girl in front of me and witnessed the incoming projectile landing directly into my body, launching me across the whole room like a mere ragdoll, nothing more than a doll tossed in the trash. Gasping for air, my legs began to shake violently as I tried to stand back on my feet.

"Nononono!"

"We told you to not harm. Not yet!"

"No more... please, no more..."

"Y/N... Y/N..."

Y/N: ...No.

My eyes widening on their own, fear took hold of me once again when those cursed voices, those demons, those tormentors echoed. It was like a plague that would not stop, a scourge to my whole being. Standing on the other side was none other than the woman in black arboring a golden and black mask.

Binah: Finally... so nostalgic, isn't it?

The way she said those words, I could feel her smile behind that mask of hers. After taking a single step, a second shockwave echoed through the whole facility.

Binah: But this time, nobody to come to your rescue.

Alter Ego: ...

To that statement, the girl standing near the woman brandished her sword. Even from the distance separating us, I could sense a cold aura around her figure, a strong will that exuded from her.

Alter Ego: So nostalgic huh? Can't wait to shove another sword into your body then.

Y/N: Gh...

Finally back to my senses, I took the rifle from behind me and inserted the first bullet inside the chamber, making the Arbiter look back at me in silence. Not responding to the taunt coming from the one closer to her, she slowly raised one of her hands at the height of her head.

Binah: Now now little sheep, I am merely bringing a gift back to its owner.

Almost like an obedient dog, that... monstrosity, filth, horrible liquid made its way around her raised arm. The dark substance with rainbow colors trapped within it was causing my mental to collapse at the mere sight of it. Resisting the panic, I gritted my teeth and moved my fingers close to the trigger.

"Y/N."

"We're back, back once more."

"No more waiting, I have been waiting for so long!"

Y/N: ...

The office workers running in fear, Alter Ego and I were the only agents in the room who could take her on, making the pressure multiply by approximately 200%. Probably able to feel it as well, Binah lightly laughed before a light formed around the palm of her hand.

Binah: Now, time to show me what you have little sheep.