Episode 5: RE×Quest (Part 2)

 

(𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑵 𝑻𝑶 𝑺𝑯𝑬 - 𝑴𝑶𝑶𝑵𝑳𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑳𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑷𝑼𝑻 𝑰𝑻 𝑶𝑵 𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑷)∇∇∇

...

Ao, still grappling with the baffling task, decided to take a more active approach. She raised her dominant hand, activating her Scan psych, and began slowly turning, sweeping the entire area around the Statue of Hachiko. Her brow was furrowed in concentration, her eyes narrowed as she searched for any anomaly, any faint energy signature that Tsugumi's initial, more generalized scan might have missed.

Tsugumi, meanwhile, opted for a different method. She lowered her own hand, relying on her physical senses, observing the static landscape of the UG with her keen eye. She scanned the visible space, looking for anything out of place, any subtle distortion, any hint of the elusive "Pig Noise" that the Reaper had so lazily demanded. Nothing. The area remained deceptively calm, populated only by the invisible, unmoving flow of background noise.

Ao continued her psychic sweep, her gaze fixed on her phone's display. Suddenly, a sound assaulted her ears, so loud and unexpected that she nearly dropped her phone. A huge, booming "OINK!" echoed directly in her mind, seemingly coming from all directions at once. She gasped, pulling her hand away from her phone, her eyes darting frantically around the physical space. "What was that?!" she exclaimed, her voice tight with surprise. But there was nothing. The statue stood silent. The invisible crowds flowed on.

Tsugumi turned to her, her eyebrow rising in question. "What's wrong, Ao?"

"I... I heard it! A huge oink!" Ao insisted, still looking around wildly. "But there's nothing there!" She decided to try again, raising her hand and activating her scan once more, sweeping the area.

OINK! OINK!

Again, the deafening, disembodied squeals reverberated directly in her mind, even louder this time, causing her to jump. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment. "There! Again! I swear I'm hearing oinks! But only when I'm scanning! What is going on?!"

Tsugumi, her curiosity piqued, decided to test Ao's claim. She raised her own left hand, activating her Scan psych. The world around her shimmered in purple. And then, it hit her.

OINK! OINK! OINK!

A chorus of the booming, resonant squeals filled her consciousness, seeming to emanate from directly in front of them, yet her physical eyes still saw nothing but empty air. Tsugumi's eyes widened in realization. It wasn't a normal Noise. It should be some kind of cloaked, psychic entity, only perceivable through a direct scan.

As their combined scans focused on the source of the hidden oinks, the air in front of them began to shimmer, not with the purple of a scan, but with a sudden, pinkish distortion. The illusion broke.

With a final, triumphant OINK!, a Pig Noise suddenly materialized out of a Noise Tag, landing  right there at the Statue of Hachiko. It was exactly as its name implied, a small, stout pig, but one made of swirling Noise energy. Its body was a striking, almost sickly pale pink, and it trotted on surprisingly delicate legs. Its small, beady eyes, glowing faintly yellow, seemed to take them in. This was a Pig Samba.

For a moment, the Pig Samba simply stood there, frozen, seemingly caught off guard by their sudden ability to perceive it. It was a bizarre, almost comical sight, a glowing pink pig in the middle of a spectral Shibuya.

But its surprise quickly turned to action. The moment its small, red eyes registered Tsugumi and Ao, the Pig Samba let out a startled, high-pitched Eeeeeek! and abruptly turned tail. Without warning or preamble, it suddenly started to run, its surprisingly nimble legs carrying its bulky, pale pink body with surprising speed across the open plaza, away from the Statue of Hachiko and towards the Scramble Crossing.

"Hey! He's running!" Ao shouted, her voice a mix of shock and renewed vigor.

Tsugumi smirked, a rare, almost predatory glint in her eyes. The frustration of the unhelpful Reaper evaporated, replaced by the thrill of the chase. "Got him!" she declared, and without another word, she burst into a sprint, Ao right on her heels. The elusive Pig Noise was right there, and they had a Pin to recover.

The pale pink Pig Samba was surprisingly fast for its frame, its stubby legs a blur as it bolted across the open plaza, weaving through the invisible crowds with an unexpected agility. Tsugumi and Ao, still reeling from the sudden appearance of the previously invisible Noise, launched into pursuit. Their exhaustion was momentarily forgotten, replaced by the instinct to hunt, to secure the Ice Blow Pin and complete the Reaper's request.

"He's fast!" Ao yelled, her voice breathless as she pushed her tired legs to keep up. "And look at him weave! It's like he knows exactly where the openings are!"

Tsugumi, already calculating the Pig Samba's erratic movements, activated her Scan psych even as she ran. The world around them shimmered, highlighting the Pig Samba's energy signature, a surprisingly dense and robust aura for a creature that seemed to prioritize evasion. "He's actively dodging our psych range! He's aware of us!"

Their chase led them from the wide-open expanse of the Hachiko Statue toward the bustling, chaotic intersection of Scramble Crossing. The Pig Samba seemed to gravitate towards the denser concentrations of invisible pedestrians, using them an shield, forcing Tsugumi and Ao to constantly adjust their angles of attack.

"We need to cut him off!" Tsugumi commanded, her voice sharp with strategic thought. "He's heading for the main crossing. If he gets lost in that crowd, we might never corner him!"

"Got it!" Ao nodded, understanding. She flared her hands with the familiar orange glow of her Pyrokinesis Pin, unleashing a series of rapid-fire fireballs not directly at the Pig Samba, but in its projected path, hoping to force it to change direction. The fireballs exploded on the unseen ground, creating bursts of searing energy, forcing the Pig Samba to veer sharply.

OINK!

The Pig Samba let out an indignant squeal as it was forced off its preferred route, but it didn't slow. Instead, it executed a surprisingly tight turn, aiming for a narrow gap between two phantom lampposts.

Tsugumi seized the opportunity. She activated her Shockwave Pin, projecting a focused concussive blast directly at the ground behind the Pig Samba, hoping to propel it forward and into an area where Ao could pin it down. The blast impacted with a dull thud, and the Pig Samba stumbled, losing a fraction of its momentum.

"He's a hard taker, alright!" Ao grunted, pouring more power into her psychs. "It's like hitting a brick wall made of bacon!"

The Pig Samba absorbed their hits with an almost unbelievable resilience. Their psychs, which usually disrupted and erased lesser Noise with ease, seemed to barely faze the pale pink pig. It simply absorbed the impact, shivered, and then continued its frantic escape. Its defense was incredibly strong, making every strike feel like a wasted effort. It showed no signs of attacking, only a singular, desperate drive to flee.

As they reached the edge of Scramble Crossing, the Pig Samba made a desperate dash into the thickest part of the invisible crowd, its pale pink form flickering in and out of their awareness as it darted between spectral figures.

"We have to erase him before he gets away!" Tsugumi declared, realizing the gravity of the situation. They had to prevent Pig Samba from escaping their sight, which would effectively fail the mission. "Ao, focus your fire! Overwhelm his defense!"

"Alright!" Ao nodded, her cheerful demeanor gone, replaced by grim determination. Her hands blazed with Pyrokinesis, but she knew simple fireballs wouldn't be enough. She began to channel her energy, preparing for a more concentrated assault.

The Pig Samba, now perceiving their renewed offensive, suddenly changed tactics from pure flight. It began to emit a low, vibrating rumble. The air around it began to distort, creating shimmering waves that seemed to deflect Ao's incoming fireballs. The strong defense wasn't just passive; it was an active, psych-generated defensive field, making it even harder to hit.

"He's creating a defensive barrier!" Tsugumi yelled, immediately switching her own strategy. She couldn't rely on brute force alone. She needed to disrupt his defense. "Ao, combine your Pyrokinesis with my Shockwave! We need a synchronized attack!"

"We got him, T-Chan!" Ao nodded, understanding the unspoken command. They had worked together enough to anticipate each other's moves. Tsugumi activated her Shockwave Pin, aiming not for the Pig Samba itself, but for the very ground around it. She unleashed a series of precise, rapidly expanding shockwaves designed to destabilize the Pig Samba's footing, to rattle its internal structure, and hopefully, to disrupt its defensive field.

The ground beneath the Pig Samba visibly rippled, and the Noise began to wobble, its rumbling defense momentarily faltering. Its pale pink form shimmered unsteadily, but it still didn't attack, only tried to hold its ground.

"Now, Ao!" Tsugumi roared.

Ao, her Pyrokinesis fully charged, unleashed a torrent of super-heated flames that coalesced into a concentrated blaze stream. The fiery torrent, amplified by Tsugumi's preceding shockwaves, tore through the momentarily weakened defensive field, impacting the Pig Samba directly.

The Pig Samba let out a shriek of pain, its pale pink body sparking and crackling under the intense heat. It stumbled, losing its balance, and crashed into an invisible newsstand with a loud *CLANG!* of displaced energy. It desperately tried to right itself and continue fleeing, but its movements were now sluggish.

"He's down!" Ao cheered, pressing her attack, but the Pig Samba, though wounded, was far from out. It scrambled to its feet, trying to resume its escape, its eyes wide with terror, but its strong defense was clearly faltering.

"His defense is breaking!" Tsugumi observed grimly. "We need to hit him hard and fast, before he fully recovers and strengthens his defensive psych."

They surged forward, no longer holding back. Tsugumi moved with blinding speed, a flurry of precise, close-range shockwave slashes, each one designed to land rapidly and repeatedly on the Pig Samba's still-recovering form. She aimed for its legs, its head, anywhere she could disrupt its balance and prevent it from charging another attack or re-establishing its full defensive field.

Each Shockwave slash connected with surprising force, sending ripples across the Pig Samba's pale pink hide. It grunted, stumbling and squealing in distress, unable to fully focus its defensive psych under Tsugumi's relentless assault. It only tried to pull away, to escape her flurry of blows.

Ao, seeing Tsugumi's close-quarters engagement, knew exactly what to do. She couldn't use wide-area fire without risking Tsugumi. Instead, she concentrated her Pyrokinesis into a series of highly focused, piercing fire darts. Each dart, small but intensely hot, shot forward like a flaming projectile, aiming for the Pig Samba's exposed joints and weaker points in its hide, forcing it to flinch and retreat further into Tsugumi's range.

The fire darts hit with surprising impact, searing through the Pig Samba's skin, leaving scorch marks and forcing more pained squeals from the Noise. It roared, trying desperately to break free from their pincer movement, but it was being cornered.

Suddenly, the Pig Samba's body began to glow brighter, its pale pink intensifying to a furious magenta. Its rumbling defense returned, stronger than before, pushing Tsugumi back. It wasn't preparing an attack, but a desperate, final surge of defensive power to make a break for it.

"He's going for a full retreat!" Tsugumi warned, recognizing the energy buildup. "Ao! Now! The 'Dropdown'!"

Ao's eyes widened. The "Dropdown." Their ultimate Fusion attack, used just yesterday to clear the Mosh Grizzlies. It required immense energy and perfect synchronization, but it was their most powerful offensive psych. They were exhausted, but there was no other option. They couldn't let this Pig Noise escape, not after coming so far.

"Ready, T-chan!" Ao roared, already activating the Harmonizer Pin. Blue and orange psych energy erupted around them, beginning to swirl and coalesce into a single, blinding torrent.

The Pig Samba, its magenta glow intensifying, paused its desperate flight, sensing the colossal power building between the two Players. Its small eyes darted nervously between them, an almost primal fear flickering within its Noise-infused mind. It let out a desperate, warning *OINK!*, trying one last time to bolt, but it was too late.

Tsugumi and Ao moved as one.

"Disappear!" Tsugumi commanded, her voice ringing with absolute authority.

Ao, her form shimmering with raw psych energy, began to hover upwards, propelled by her Psychokinesis Pin. As she ascended, her hands spread wide, and with a titanic effort of will, she began to lift everything around the Pig Samba. Chunks of the ethereal pavement, unseen traffic cones, even phantom lampposts from the fringes of Scramble Crossing all rose into the air, swirling around the panicked Pig Samba in a chaotic vortex of telekinetic force.

The heavy objects hovered precariously shifting and turning into roses and petals sharper than a blade, then Ao, with a guttural grunt of immense effort, slammed them down onto the Pig Samba. The Noise roared in pain as it was crushed under the invisible barrage. But Ao wasn't done. With relentless determination, she lifted and dropped the roses and petals again and again, pounding the hulking Noise into the ground, its powerful defense overwhelmed by the sheer, multi-directional force.

Simultaneously, Tsugumi, now a blur of motion, her movements so fast she seemed to be almost teleporting, darted all around the chaotic scene. Empowered by the Harmonizer, she unleashed her Shockwave Pin with unprecedented force. With every slash and every slam, she used her intensified Shockwaves to strike each falling object, accelerating its impact, driving it down with devastating force onto the Pig Samba. She was a whirlwind of concussive blows, each strike adding lethal power to Ao's telekinetic assault.

The Pig Samba shrieked, its pale pink body cracking and fragmenting under the combined, relentless assault. Its magenta glow dimmed, its form flickering, slowly dissolving into purple static under the sustained, crushing impact. It was being pummeled, trapped, and utterly overwhelmed, incapable of anything but desperate, futile attempts to escape.

Finally, with a last, monstrous push of their combined power, Tsugumi and Ao disengaged. Ao gently lowered herself to the ground, landing gracefully beside Tsugumi. Both of them let out a deep, synchronized sigh, a release of every last ounce of their physical and psychic energy.

And then, with a final, blinding flash of blue and orange light, the residual energy of their Fusion Attack exploded outwards from the cleared center. The last wisps of the Pig Samba vanished completely, atomized by the surge. In its place, shimmering faintly on the unseen ground, was the prize.

A single, elegant Ice Blow Pin, glowing with a cool, steady blue light.

Tsugumi, panting heavily, bent down and picked up the Pin. It felt surprisingly cold to the touch. "Got it," she managed, her voice hoarse with exhaustion.

Ao collapsed onto her knees, breathless but triumphant. "We... we got him, T-chan! That was... a seriously stubborn pig!"

They walked back to the Reaper at the Statue of Hachiko, their movements slow and heavy. The Reaper, still guarding his barrier with feigned disinterest, finally looked up as they approached.

"Here," Tsugumi said, extending her hand, the Ice Blow Pin resting in her palm.

The Reaper eyed the Pin, taking it from her. He held it for a moment, his gaze sharp, though he didn't verbally acknowledge his inspection. Tsugumi had a fleeting impression that he was checking for something, ensuring the Pin hadn't been tainted or damaged in its ordeal. Satisfied, he didn't slip it into his own uniform as Tsugumi had initially expected. Instead, with a casual flick of his wrist, he handed the Ice Blow Pin directly back to Tsugumi.

"Hmph. Took you long enough," he grunted, the apathy back in his voice. He offered no thanks, no praise, just the same dismissive tone. Having fulfilled his part, he simply turned his back on them once more, resuming his bored vigil. The barrier behind him shimmered, indicating his task was complete, but it did not disappear.

Tsugumi blinked, surprised as she found herself holding the Ice Blow Pin. It was a D+B brand Pin, a familiar logo she'd seen in the real world. One more Pin for her collection, a small victory, though she felt too weary to appreciate it fully.

Ao's eyes, however, widened at the sight of the Pin in Tsugumi's hand. "Ooh! The Ice Blow Pin! It's so beautiful!" she exclaimed, her usual enthusiasm momentarily cutting through her fatigue. She quickly pulled out her own phone, tapping at the screen to bring up information on the newly acquired psych.

"It's a D+B Pin," Tsugumi sighed, the name of the brand feeling incongruous with their life-or-death situation.

Ao nodded, her gaze fixed on her phone. "Yeah! D+B! They make some really cool pins, actually. I used to have a ton of their stuff back home. Some of the real-life brands ended up being psych Pins in the Game, you know? They were pretty dope. I used to use them a lot for fun." A wave of wistful longing washed over her face. "Ugh, I wish I could bring all my pins from home! I'd be like, a pro player in this Game! Imagine all the psychs I'd have!" She groaned, the brief moment of excitement giving way to the stark reality of her current predicament. The thought of her old life, her old possessions, felt impossibly distant, a phantom memory from a world she might never return to.

"Focus, Ao," Tsugumi said, pulling her attention back to the immediate present. "We still have other Reapers to deal with." She checked her phone again. The timer was now at 310 minutes. One down, but many more to go.

Their path naturally led them once more into the heart of Scramble Crossing. The chaotic energy of the UG's most iconic intersection was palpable, even without the visible crowds. This time, however, there wasn't just one Reaper, but two, each guarding a distinct passage.

One Reaper stood at the mouth of the path leading to 104, his posture rigid and officious. The other was positioned near the entrance to Center Street, leaning against his barrier with a distinctly lovesick air. This was indeed a tricky situation. With their energy already depleted from the Pig Samba chase, they couldn't afford to waste time on a fruitless task, or worse, fall into a trap.

"Alright," Tsugumi said, her voice low, surveying the two Reapers. "Two new requests. We need to figure out which one is the most efficient, or if one is a deliberate time-waster." She considered their options. "Going in blind to either could cost us precious minutes."

"I say we talk to both of them first," Ao suggested, nodding. "See what they want. Maybe one of them will be a quick easy one, or the other will be super complicated." She looked at the lovesick Reaper near Center Street, a faint smile playing on her lips despite her weariness. "That one looks like he might be easier to deal with. Or maybe he's just distracted."

"Agreed," Tsugumi conceded. "We'll gather information before committing. Let's not make the same mistake twice."

They approached the Reaper guarding the path to 104 first. This Reaper was a stern-faced male, his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze sharp and unwavering. He seemed to embody the rigid, unyielding nature of the Game.

"Another set of Players," he grunted, his voice devoid of emotion. He didn't bother with pleasantries. "My request is simple Erase all Noise on this area." He gestured broadly around the section of Scramble Crossing directly in front of his barrier. His expression was flat, almost daring them to question the directive. It was a straightforward, if potentially time-consuming, combat task.

Tsugumi nodded, absorbing the information. A direct Noise elimination. Predictable, but potentially taxing depending on the quantity and type of Noise. She exchanged a look with Ao, who grimaced. "Just erase all Noise, huh? Sounds like a lot of work."

Without lingering, they then moved towards the second Reaper, the one guarding the Center Street Entrance. This Reaper was markedly different. He was a younger-looking male, leaning against his barrier with a heavy sigh, his attention completely fixated on a female Reaper standing a little further away, near the iconic giant screen of Scramble Crossing. He seemed utterly lost in his own thoughts, oblivious to their approach until Ao's voice broke his reverie.

"Um, hello there, Mr. Reaper?" Ao ventured, her voice softer this time, sensing his distracted state. "We're here for requests. What can we do for you?"

The Reaper startled, blinking, and slowly turned his head to look at them, his expression one of wistful melancholy. He let out another profound sigh, even deeper than the first Reaper's. "Oh. Players. Right." He barely acknowledged their existence, his eyes already drifting back towards the female Reaper. "My request... well, it's not really a request, per se. More of a... dilemma." He trailed off, his gaze lingering on the distant female Reaper, a lovesick puppy trapped in a Reaper's uniform. He just stood there, lost in his silent yearning, clearly absorbed by something far more personal than a Game mission.

Tsugumi's brow furrowed. This was certainly a trickier one. The first Reaper's request was clear, if burdensome. This one's was... well, nothing. He hadn't even given them a concrete task. They still had to decide which Reaper's "request" to pursue.

The lovesick Reaper, catching himself in the act of openly pining, immediately flushed a deep crimson beneath his pallid UG complexion. He quickly averted his gaze from the distant female Reaper, then from Tsugumi and Ao, obviously embarrassed to have shown such softness to the very Players he was supposed to intimidate. He cleared his throat, mumbling something inaudible before resuming his stiff, though still visibly uncomfortable, stance against the barrier. He offered no further details, no new task, just a profound awkwardness. "I got no tasks, Go away!"

Tsugumi sighed, a deep, weary sound. This was exactly what she expected. A time-wasting dead end. "See, Ao? He's useless," she muttered under her breath.

Ao whispers on Tsugumi's ear "Don't worry, T-Chan! I got a Ao-itic feeling about this one..."

Tsugumi rises her eyebrows "Ao-itic?"

But Ao, fueled by her "Ao-itic feeling" and a mischievous glint in her eye, wasn't about to be deterred. She stepped forward, ignoring the Reaper's gruff dismissal, and a playful, teasing smile spread across her face.

"Oh, come on, Mr. Reaper," Ao cooed, her voice taking on a sweet, almost singsong quality. "Don't be like that! We're just here to help the low-rank Reapers with their... requests." She put extra emphasis on the last word, glancing pointedly at the female Reaper still standing some distance away across Scramble Crossing. "Unless, of course, you don't have any requests? Maybe you're just... too busy admiring the view?"

The Reaper's stiff posture faltered. He stiffened visibly, a faint flush creeping up his neck. He still didn't meet her gaze, but his eyes darted nervously towards the female Reaper, then back to the ground. "W-what are you talking about, Player?" he stammered, his voice losing some of its forced gruffness. "I'm busy. Guarding the barrier. Like a good Reaper should."

"Oh, I'm sure you are," Ao said, her smile widening. She leaned in conspiratorially, as if sharing a secret. "But... guarding the barrier must be so tiring, right? Especially when your mind is, shall we say, a little... occupied elsewhere?" She mimed a dreamy gaze in the direction of the female Reaper, then batted her eyelashes innocently at him. "You look like you could use a little help with something... personal."

Tsugumi watched the exchange, a muscle twitching in her jaw. Her expression was a mix of intense annoyance and reluctant fascination. Pathetic. That's all she could think. The Reaper was a caricature of lovesick vulnerability, and Ao, with her uncanny ability to disarm people with sheer, unadulterated sass, was exploiting it beautifully. She just sighed, a long, drawn-out sound that conveyed her complete disdain for the situation, yet she didn't interfere. She just leaned back, arms crossed, letting Ao work.

The Reaper, completely flustered by Ao's directness and playful taunts, spluttered, looking even more embarrassed. He looked around frantically, as if afraid the female Reaper might somehow hear their conversation through the ethereal noise of the UG. He definitely did not want his secret exposed.

"Alright! Alright! Just... quiet down!" he hissed, leaning in closer, lowering his voice even further. He finally broke, unable to endure Ao's relentless, playful prodding. His tough act was completely gone. "Fine! There is something! But you... you can't tell anyone, especially not her!" He gestured vaguely towards the female Reaper. "It's... it's about a Mus Rattus Canvas Tote."

Tsugumi's ears perked up, her cynical expression sharpening. A specific item. Now they were getting somewhere.

"A Mus Rattus Canvas Tote?" Ao repeated, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. "What about it, Mr. Reaper?"

He let out another agonized sigh. "It's... it's her favorite. She's been wanting it for ages. It's a Mus Rattus brand, you know, usually cheap casual stuff, but this particular Canvas Tote? It costs 990 yen. And for a low-rank like me, that's just... way too much. I don't have that kind of money. I'd be broke for weeks if I bought it. I... I wanted to get it for her, but I can't. And the only place it's available is at 104. It's just... too much money. So I just... I guard this barrier. And sigh." He finished with another pathetic sigh, then looked pleadingly at Ao. "If... if you could get it for me... she'd be so happy. And maybe... maybe she'd notice me."

Ao beamed, her mission now clearly defined, and, to Tsugumi's surprise, it was directly connected to the other Reaper's request. "Aha! So you do have a request! And it's for true love!"

The Reaper hisses looking around "Shhh! Quiet down!"

She clapped her hands together, radiating an almost sickeningly sweet enthusiasm. "Hehe! Don't worry, Mr. Reaper! We'll get your Mus Rattus Canvas Tote! Consider it done!"

Tsugumi, who had been listening with a mixture of disbelief and growing understanding, shook her head slowly. The ridiculousness of the situation was almost beyond belief. A low-rank Reaper, too cowardly or lovesick to do his own job, outsourcing a quest for a lost item to Players who were literally fighting for their lives. And all for the sake of unrequited affection and a measly 990 yen, an amount clearly beyond his meager Reaper salary. It was utterly pathetic, but it was a concrete mission. And the fact that they needed to go to 104, the very area the other Reaper wanted cleared of Noise, suggested that the Game, in its twisted way, was forcing them to connect these seemingly disparate tasks. It was a bizarre form of synergy, and a clever trick to ensure they dealt with both Reapers. "This mission is getting on my nerves... Urgh..."

She exchanged a look with Ao. Her partner's "Ao-itic Feeling" might have been based on pure, unadulterated empathy for a lovesick simp, but it had worked. They had a mission, a clear objective, and a surprising link to the other Reaper's request. The timer was still ticking, but now they knew what to do and, more importantly, why.

Tsugumi's exasperation reached a new peak. "Ao, are you serious?!" she snapped, pulling her partner to a halt amidst the throngs of Scramble Crossing. "He wants us to buy a tote bag for him? We don't have that kind of money! We're dead Players, not tourists!" The very idea of their dire situation being reduced to a shopping errand for a lovesick Reaper was infuriating.

Ao merely giggled, unperturbed. "Calm down, T-chan! Of course, we don't have cash cash." She pulled out a small, unassuming Pin from her belt. It wasn't one of their psych Pins, but a simple, circular one with a stylized number '500' on it. "But we have this! Remember? A 500 Yen Pin! They're like money once you enter a shop like when we were at Sunshine!"

Tsugumi snatched the Pin, examining it. "500 yen?" she scoffed, holding it up. "That's not enough! He said it was 990 yen!"

"Exactly!" Ao chirped, her eyes sparkling with renewed purpose. "That's why we totally need to accept the task from the Reaper guarding 104! He wants us to 'Erase all Noise in this area,' right? That's perfect! We can farm for more Yen there! Usually, clearing out Noise should give us some sweet cash Pins or other valuable stuff we can sell!"

Tsugumi stared at her, her expression slowly shifting from annoyance to grudging acceptance. It was infuriatingly logical. Ao, despite her bizarre intuitions and frivolous demeanor, often stumbled upon the most practical solutions. If they needed money, fighting Noise was the only way they knew how to earn it in the UG.

She sighed, a long, defeated sound, and then simply turned, heading towards the Reaper at 104. "Fine," she grumbled. "Lead the way, you capitalist. Let's go farm some yen for this ridiculous idiot."

They reached the stern-faced Reaper guarding the path to 104. He stood exactly as before, arms crossed, gaze unyielding. As they approached, he simply repeated his earlier directive, his voice flat "Erase all Noise on this area."

Without waiting for further instruction, Tsugumi immediately raised her hand, activating her Scan psych. The area around them shimmered, revealing the hidden inhabitants of the UG. Her eyes narrowed. This wasn't a simple skirmish.

The first, largest energy signatures materialized into three imposing Bigbanfrogs. These were massive, squat Noise, their bodies bloated and covered in thick, seemingly impenetrable hides. They moved with a slow, deliberate rhythm, their wide mouths hinting at powerful sonic attacks. They were formidable, usually found guarding important areas.

Behind the Bigbanfrogs, smaller, but more numerous, figures began to appear several agile Bigbansprogs. These were like miniature, faster versions of their larger counterparts, leaping and darting with surprising speed, their movements erratic and difficult to track. They formed a protective skirmish line around the larger Frogs.

And then, above them, circling ominously in the invisible air, three sleek, avian Noise coalesced into view Decadravens. These were dangerous, airborne threats, known for their swift dives and disruptive sonic cries. They were the wildcards, able to strike from above and disrupt ground tactics.

"Bigbanfrogs, Bigbansprogs, and Decadravens," Tsugumi enumerated, her voice calm despite the challenging lineup. "A full spread. Ground and air. This isn't 'kid's play,' Ao. Don't stay behind" The sheer number and variety indicated this wouldn't be a quick sweep; it was a concerted effort to prevent Players from casually passing through this choke point.

Ao, however, just grinned, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten at the prospect of combat and, more importantly, potential earnings. "Oh, these guys? Piece of cake, T-chan! Just some big ugly frogs and some fancy birds! We'll earn that tote bag money in no time!" Her Pyrokinesis Pin glowed fiercely in her hand, already eager for action. "Let's go!"

Tsugumi allowed a faint, almost imperceptible smirk to touch her lips. Ao's boundless optimism, though often bordering on delusion, was contagious in a fight. They needed the Yen, and these Noise were the key.

The Bigbanfrogs, sensing their presence, let out a deep, resonant "BWONK!" that vibrated through the invisible air. Their bodies swelled, and they began to emit low-frequency sonic pulses, attempting to slow and disorient Tsugumi and Ao. The Bigbansprogs darted forward, their smaller forms a flurry of motion, attempting to flank them, while the Decadravens circled higher, preparing for a dive-bombing assault.

"Ao, take out the Decadravens first!" Tsugumi commanded, her voice cutting through the growing cacophony. "They'll interrupt our rhythm from above. I'll deal with the Bigbanfrogs, keep them focused on me!"

Ao nodded, immediately leaping into action. She unleashed a volley of concentrated fireballs towards the airborne Decadravens. The agile birds, however, were fast, weaving through the projectiles with ease, letting out shrill, mocking cries. Ao grit her teeth. "They're too quick!"

"Then anticipate their dives!" Tsugumi yelled back, already engaging the nearest Bigbanfrog. She activated her Shockwave Pin, delivering a rapid series of concussive jabs to the Frog's thick hide. The Bigbanfrog absorbed the blows with surprising resilience, its skin rippling but showing no signs of breaking. Its defensive capabilities were as formidable as its size suggested.

The Bigbansprogs, meanwhile, swarmed around Tsugumi, their erratic movements making them difficult targets. They darted in close, attempting to land quick, irritating bites that, while not severely damaging, chipped away at her focus. Tsugumi responded with precise Shockwave pulses slashes, sweeping them away in wide arcs, sending them sprawling. She was holding the line, forcing the larger Frogs to advance directly into her, creating an opening for Ao.

"Okay, you little punks!" Ao muttered, frustrated by the Decadravens' evasiveness. She switched tactics. Instead of direct fire, she started charging a concentrated stream of flame, predicting the Decadravens' next dive. As one of the birds swooped down, aiming for a quick strike, Ao unleashed her Pyrokinesis in a blazing arc. The Decadraven, caught off guard by the area-of-effect psych, shrieked as the flames enveloped it, its sleek form dissolving into static. A faint 500 Yen Pin shimmered where it vanished. Tsugumi quickly moved to pick it up, adding it to their small collection.

"One down!" Ao cheered, immediately targeting another descending Decadraven. This time, she used a quick, explosive fire burst, catching the bird mid-dive and detonating it in a puff of purple particles. "Two!" Another 500 Yen Pin appeared, which Tsugumi swiftly collected.

Tsugumi, having drawn the ire of two Bigbanfrogs, was engaged in a brutal exchange. Their sonic pulses hammered against her, attempting to crack her defenses. She retaliated with powerful Shockwave blasts, aiming for their weak points their eyes and throats but their hides were too tough, their movements too unpredictable. The Bigbanfrogs were slowly pushing her back with their sheer mass and concussive attacks.

"Move, Ao!" Tsugumi grunted, weaving under a wide-mouthed attack from a Bigbanfrog. "We need more concentrated power on them! Clear the air first!"

Ao responded with another fireball barrage aimed at the last Decadraven. This time, with the other two gone, the Decadraven was less agile, and Ao's precise shot struck it directly, erasing it. "Air clear, T-chan! Coming in!" A third 500 Yen Pin fell down, which Tsugumi promptly picked up.

With the aerial threat neutralized, Ao redirected her full attention to the ground Noise. The Bigbansprogs, no longer distracted, swarmed around Tsugumi, making her defense even harder. Ao extended her hands, channeling intense heat. She swept a wide arc of fire across the ground, incinerating a cluster of Bigbansprogs instantly. Their small, agile forms were no match for the raw power of her Pyrokinesis.

"Keep the little ones off me!" Tsugumi called out, as she focused on the remaining Bigbanfrogs. She needed a way to break their defenses. She noticed the pattern in their movements, the subtle shifts in their thick hides as they prepared their sonic attacks.

An idea formed. Tsugumi remembered the Ice Blow Pin she had just acquired. It was time to test it out. She clutched the Pin, its cool surface a stark contrast to the heat of the battle. She decided to try using it for quick, tactical movement. As a Bigbanfrog lunged, Tsugumi focused the Pin's energy, pressing it. A burst of icy wind erupted beneath her feet, propelling her swiftly upwards, letting her evade the attack and gain momentary aerial advantage.

"Whoa! What was that, T-chan?!" Ao exclaimed, impressed by the sudden maneuver.

"New Pin!" Tsugumi shouted back, as she landed gracefully. This was promising. She then decided to try its offensive capability. The Bigbanfrogs were slow, allowing her a moment to concentrate. She held the Ice Blow Pin out, focusing her will.

From the ground, in front of her, very spiky ice pillars erupted. They were incredibly sharp, piercing columns of solid ice that shot up, impaling the nearest Bigbanfrog. The jagged points of the ice tore into its thick hide, ripping up its body with shocking ease, making it roar in agony as it struggled against the frozen spikes. Tt was brutally effective.

The impaled Bigbanfrog roared, struggling against the icy grip, its movements severely hampered as the spikes dug deeper.

"It's working! It's ripping them up!" Ao cheered. "That's awesome!" She immediately followed up with her blaze stream, directing a torrent of super-heated flames onto the impaled Bigbanfrog. The combination of piercing ice and searing heat caused the Noise's thick hide to crack and splinter even faster.

Tsugumi pressed her advantage. As Ao kept the first Bigbanfrog pinned with fire, Tsugumi focused her Shockwave Pin on the other two. She unleashed a powerful, sustained concussive force, pushing them back, throwing them off balance, and preventing them from assisting their comrade. She was a wall, keeping them at bay, allowing Ao to concentrate her damage.

The first Bigbanfrog, impaled by Tsugumi's spiky ice pillars and engulfed in Ao's continuous flame, began to crack and dissolve. Its thick hide blackened, then fractured, Exploding into a shower of purple static. Another 500 Yen Pin shimmered in its wake, which Tsugumi quickly picked up.

"Yes!" Ao cheered, instantly redirecting her blaze stream to the next Bigbanfrog.

Tsugumi, now less pressured, shifted her focus. She let out a series of shockwave slashes, expanding outward, sweeping away the remaining Bigbansprogs that were still trying to swarm. They vanished quickly, overwhelmed by the continuous area-of-effect attacks, each leaving behind a 500 Yen Pin for Tsugumi to swiftly collect.

Now it was just Tsugumi and Ao against the remaining two Bigbanfrogs. The Noise, though formidable, were losing ground. They tried to coordinate their sonic attacks, but Tsugumi's quick Shockwave disruptions and her new spiky ice pillars prevented them from ever fully charging. She repeatedly used Ice Blow to create more pillars, impaling and slowing them, making them vulnerable targets.

The second Bigbanfrog fell to Ao's fire, its explosion adding another 500 Yen Pin to their tally, which Tsugumi immediately picked up. They were now at 2500 Yen, 500 from initial + 5x500 from erased Noise. More than enough.

The last Bigbanfrog, realizing it was alone, seemed to grow desperate. It swelled to an even larger size, its skin turning a darker, more aggressive shade of green. It let out a mighty scream that shook the very ground, and began to charge a massive, wide-area sonic pulse.

"He's going for a full-power blast!" Tsugumi yelled, immediately recognizing the danger. This wasn't just disruptive; it could inflict serious damage if they didn't counter it. "Ao! Don't let him! Fusion!"

Ao didn't need to be told twice. She knew what was at stake. Their Yen, the tote bag, the mission, their very survival. She activated the Harmonizer Pin, the familiar blue and orange energy swirling around them, merging into a single, vibrant torrent.

The Bigbanfrog let out another furious scream, its maw gaping, ready to unleash its devastating sonic attack.

"Disappear!" Tsugumi commanded, her voice ringing with amplified power.

Ao, now charged with Harmonizer energy, rose higher into the air, her Psychokinesis Pin radiating immense telekinetic force. She didn't just lift ground around the Bigbanfrog this time. With a fierce yell, she began to rip up chunks of the very air, storefronts, and scaffolding from the surrounding 104 area. A furious vortex of ethereal debris began to form around the massive Bigbanfrog turning into roses and petals, trapping it, preventing it from unleashing its sonic attack, each razor leaf slashing and pushing him back.

"Gaaah!" Ao, with a guttural roar of effort, slammed the invisible debris down onto the Bigbanfrog. The sheer force of the telekinetic impact was astounding, crushing the Noise. She didn't let up, slamming it again and again, each impact vibrating the entire area.

Simultaneously, Tsugumi, now a blur of concentrated psych power, activated her Shockwave Pin with unprecedented ferocity. She unleashed a continuous barrage of pure slashes at the falling flowers, making the petals fly all around the area, traping him on a vortex, adding her own destructive power to Ao's psychic assault. Each strike amplifying the force, driving the ethereal wreckage down onto the Bigbanfrog with devastating precision. The Bigbanfrog's massive body shuddered under the relentless, crushing blows. Its powerful sonic energy, unable to fully form, sputtered and died.

The last Bigbanfrog let out a final, agonizing scream as it was pummeled into oblivion. Its green body shimmered, cracked, and then exploded into a blinding shower of purple static. Another 500 Yen Pin shimmered into existence, which Tsugumi gratefully picked up.

Tsugumi and Ao collapsed, exhausted but triumphant, their combined power having obliterated the formidable Noise. They now had a total of 3000 Yen in Pins. More than enough for the Mus Rattus Canvas Tote.

"We... we did it, T-chan!" Ao panted, a wide, triumphant grin on her face. "3000 Yen! We can buy his stupid tote bag now!"

Tsugumi, despite her utter fatigue, felt a surge of grim satisfaction. They had not only defeated a tough wave of Noise but had also strategically farmed for the currency needed for their next bizarre task. The mission was absurd, but they were adapting, using the Game's own mechanics against it.

They looked back at the Reaper guarding 104. He remained impassive, as if the massive battle they had just fought had been nothing more than a mild disturbance.

"Alright," Tsugumi said, pushing herself to her feet. "Let's go buy that pathetic Reaper his tote bag. And then, we deal with the others Reapers at Scramble Crossing." The timer now read 290 minutes. Time was still slipping away, but they had a clear objective and the means to achieve it.

With the last of the Noise cleared and a hefty stack of 3000 Yen in their possession, Tsugumi and Ao pushed past Scramble Crossing and stepped into the 104 Building. The moment they entered, the air crackled with a different kind of energy. Instead of the ethereal hum of the UG, a vibrant, unseen buzz of commerce and pop culture filled the space.

For Ao, it was an immediate transformation. Her fatigue vanished, replaced by an infectious, almost childish glee. Her eyes, wide with wonder, darted around the cavernous interior. Though invisible to the regular citizens of Shibuya, the 104 Building in the UG was a sprawling, multi-tiered mall, shimmering with the phantom echoes of fashion, music, and every trendy, pop sensibility imaginable.

"Oh my gosh! 104! It's even better than I remember!" Ao shrieked, a genuine smile splitting her face. She spun around, taking in the storefronts, the displays of clothing, and the shoppers that once populated this place. "This was my paradise! My...um friends and I used to spend hours here! We'd try on everything, grab bubble tea, listen to all the new music..." Her voice trailed off, a wistful, melancholic note entering her tone as memories of a life that felt impossibly far away washed over her.

Tsugumi, ever the pragmatist, immediately scolded her. "Ao... We have no time for nostalgia. We're here for a mission, remember? A very specific, very ridiculous tote bag!"

"Just let me have this, okay T-Chan?" But Ao was already a whirlwind of excitement. She simply giggled, her eyes still sparkling with delight, and then, with a playful whoop, she bolted off, weaving through the invisible aisles, ostensibly heading towards the Mus Rattus store but clearly enjoying the momentary freedom of the mall.

Tsugumi blinked, left standing alone for a moment. She let out a long, put-upon sigh. She knew what Ao was doing. Beneath the childish exuberance, there was a calculated move. Ao was likely trying to clear her head, to shake off the lingering stress of that day, Anything besides another crash out.

With another sigh, Tsugumi shook her head. She knew arguing was pointless when Ao was in this mood. Turning away from her partner's disappearing, Tsugumi, with her usual determined stride, walked directly towards the closest Mus Rattus store. This was a mission, and she was going to complete it, regardless of Ao's antics.

Tsugumi entered the Mus Rattus store. As she crossed the threshold, the world around her subtly shifted. The displays and shoppers of the RG solidified, gaining a faint but undeniable color and form. She and Ao became tangibly real within the confines of the shop, their clothes, their hair and bodies, briefly manifesting. This was how Players interacted with the physical world in the UG becoming real only where necessary to buy items or interact with the physical environment.

She quickly located the specialty section and, with practiced ease, used the collected 500 Yen Pins, which became real money, to purchase the Mus Rattus Canvas Tote. She grabs the item from the cashier, a simple but sturdy canvas bag, blue and yellow.

Just as Tsugumi completed her purchase, Ao burst into the store, her eyes already scanning the shelves with the fervor of a seasoned shopper. "Ooh! Look at all these Mus Rattus Pins!" she exclaimed, a delighted giggle escaping her. Her gaze swept over an array of casual or animal-themed designs until it landed on one in particular, the Burning Cherry Pin.

Ao’s eyes widened. "The Burning Cherry Pin!" she squealed, a broad grin spreading across her face. "I want that ASAP!"

Tsugumi opened her mouth to protest, to remind Ao about their dwindling time and the Reaper's urgent request. But it was too late. Before a single word could escape her lips, Ao, with lightning speed, had already snatched the remaining 500 Yen Pins, which became real money, from Tsugumi's hand. With a dazzling smile, she paid the attendant, now a clearly visible, albeit somewhat confused, young woman at the counter. The attendant smiled back, and moments later, she gave her the Burning Cherry Pin as Ao's receives it with a outstretched palm.

Ao cheered, jumping up and down with genuine excitement, admiring her new acquisition. "Yay! New pin!" Tsugumi merely sighed, a long, drawn-out sound of utter resignation. "Ao, we are losing time..." she finally managed, the words laced with frustration.

Ao, still radiating pure joy, waved her hand dismissively. "Chill, T-chan! We needed arsenal anyway, right? This is an investment!" She clipped the new Pin onto her outfit with practiced ease, its vibrant colors adding to her already eclectic collection. "Besides, it's totally cute!"

With Ao's new and unneeded, in Tsugumi's opinion purchase secured, they turned and left the bustling mall. As they stepped back out of the 104 Building and into the sprawling intersection of Scramble Crossing, their forms once again shimmered, becoming subtly invisible to the regular world, dissolving back into the ethereal plane of the UG. They headed once more towards Scramble Crossing, their mission to deliver the tote bag now their primary focus, despite the additional detour.

Ao and Tsugumi returned to Scramble Crossing, the bustling intersection still a vortex of unseen humanity. They found the lovesick Reaper exactly where they'd left him, leaning against his barrier, his gaze still fixed on the female Reaper in the middle of the crossing. He let out another mournful sigh, completely oblivious to their approach.

Ao giggled, the Mus Rattus Canvas Tote clutched in her hand. She strode up to him, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Mr. Reaper! Guess what we have for you!" she chirped, holding out the tote bag.

The Reaper, startled, turned his head, his eyes widening in disbelief as he saw the familiar logo on the bag. He gasped, his composure completely shattering. "The... the Mus Rattus Canvas Tote?! You actually... you actually did it?!" His voice was a strained whisper, a mix of awe and utter shock.

Tsugumi, standing a few paces back, crossed her arms and simply watched, a familiar sense of exasperation bubbling up. Pathetic, she thought again, as the Reaper’s face transformed from lovesick despair to unadulterated elation.

He barely spared Tsugumi or Ao a second glance after that. With a quick, almost frantic nod of thanks in their general direction, the Reaper snatched the tote bag. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" he stammered, then, as if there were no tomorrow, he bolted from his post, abandoning his barrier, and dashed towards the female Reaper in the center of Scramble Crossing.

Tsugumi and Ao could only watch the ensuing interaction. The lovesick Reaper, bag clutched tightly, practically stumbled to a halt in front of the female Reaper. He held out the tote bag, his face a mixture of hope and utter desperation. The female Reaper, who had been looking rather bored, tilted her head, then her eyes fell on the bag. A slow, surprised smile spread across her face. She took the tote bag, looking genuinely pleased, and then, to the male Reaper's visible astonishment, she actually chuckled and said something that made his face light up like a neon sign. He immediately puffed out his chest, attempting to look confident, which only made him look more ridiculous.

Ao, witnessing the entire, painfully awkward, yet undeniably sweet, scene, couldn't suppress a wide, genuine smile. "Aww, T-chan! Look at him go! True love really does conquer all, even in the UG!"

Tsugumi, however, let out a disgusted groan. "It's still pathetic," she muttered, rolling her eyes. The sheer inefficiency of the situation, the time wasted, the melodrama it was all too much. But, to her credit, a small part of her felt a faint ripple of something akin to satisfaction. The mission, however silly, was complete.

With the tote bag delivered and their "love mission" accomplished, it was time to move on. They turned towards the newly opened path.

"Alright," Tsugumi said, pushing away the lingering annoyance. "Let's go. Central Street is next."

With the tote bag delivered and the lovesick Reaper's barrier now open, Tsugumi and Ao made their way to Central Street. The transition was seamless, the pathways of the UG guiding them. As they stepped into the familiar-yet-unseen urban landscape, Tsugumi felt a fleeting sense of odd recognition. They had been here before, in their real lives, among the bustling crowds and vibrant storefronts. It was a strange comfort, seeing the game's world expand, slowly but surely revealing more of the Shibuya they knew.

As they continued down Central Street, their path was quickly blocked by a single Reaper guarding the only available exit. This Reaper was unlike the others they’d encountered so far. He was a tall, lean figure, adorned in a distinctive black vest with an unfastened belt that bore a peculiar patch, a skeletal hand squeezing a strawberry on the right side of his chest. His low-cut white undershirt revealed a dark grey silhouette of a skeletal torso underneath, and the vibrant red of his ripped jeans peeked through the tears. White shoes with black heels completed his eccentric ensemble. His hair was shorter than the other Reapers, and his signature yellow-tinted sunglasses were perched on his nose. He even had a lollipop stuck in his mouth, which he occasionally sucked on with an audible *pop*.

"He has way too much personality to be a regular Reaper," Ao whispered to Tsugumi, a mischievous glint in her eye. She was clearly enjoying the break from the usual dour Reapers.

Tsugumi pushes Ao back a little "He looks like that jerk from earlier this morning, we gotta be careful."

They approached him, and Ao, ever the instigator, decided to try her usual teasing approach. "Hey there, Mr. Reaper! We're here for a mission! What's the task?" she chirped, a sweet, innocent smile on her face.

The Reaper, whose name was Kariya, slowly pulled the lollipop from his mouth, his eyes  hidden behind the yellow lenses  seeming to bore into them. He leaned back against his barrier, a slow, wide smile spreading across his face.

"A mission, huh?" Kariya drawled, his voice surprisingly deep and calm. "Nah. I'm bored. Don't feel like it."

Tsugumi's eye twitched. This was a new level of infuriating. "Bored?!" she snapped, stepping forward. "That's unprofessional! We're Players in the Game, we need missions to survive!"

Kariya just sighed, a theatrical, drawn-out sound, his wide smile never faltering. He replaced the lollipop in his mouth. "You two are pretty funny for Players, actually." He chuckled softly, clearly enjoying their frustration. "Just not enough to make me not bored, though."

Then, a subtle shift. The playful boredom in Kariya's eyes hardened, a glint of something sharper, almost predatory. The wide smile remained, it wasn't friendly, it felt like a trap.

"Tell you what," Kariya drawled, his voice a low purr. "Since you're so eager to do something, how about a little... Q&A? Entertain me, and maybe, just maybe, I'll consider it. After all, what's a few minutes in the grand scheme of things, eh? You've got time." He gestured vaguely at their dwindling timer, a clear taunt.

Tsugumi's eyes narrowed. "This Reaper is deliberately trying to waste their time..." Tsugumi thinks to herself, Ao other other hand, oblivious to the deeper game, saw an opportunity for interaction.

"Oh! A Q&A?" Ao chirped, genuinely intrigued. "Like, about the Game? Awesome! I have so many questions!"

Tsugumi groaned internally. "Ao, don't encourage him! He's trying to waste our time!" she hissed, but Ao was already leaning forward, eager. "We don't need to know more about the game... For now..."

Ao's eyes narrow a little under her smile, Tsugumi could see that she still wanted to solve her own problems and get answers she desire, as it was one of the goals for this day, Tsugumi sighs.

Kariya's smile widened, a true villainous grin. "See? Your friend gets it. Always eager to learn. So, you curious about how you can waltz into a store and buy things, despite being... well, dead?" He took the lollipop out again, twirling it idly.

Ao gasped. "Yes! I totally was! It's so weird! One minute we're invisible, the next we're, like, totally there, grabbing clothes and stuff!"

"Heh. Simple, really," Kariya explained, a hint of genuine amusement now mingling with his sadistic joy. "It's all thanks to the Noise Graffiti. Ever notice those strange symbols on the walls and corners of every store? Every recreation spot in Shibuya? That's Noise Graffiti, Each piece acts as a localized anchor to the living plane. When Players step into their range, the Graffiti psychically resonates, temporarily solidifying your presence within that specific area. Makes you visible, tangible. Allows you to interact with the physical world, purchase things. Nifty, right?" He paused, letting the information sink in. "But there's a catch, of course. Those same Graffiti patterns also cause what we call 'talk bubbles.'"

He snapped his fingers. "Go on, try to talk about the Game to someone real in a store. You can't. Your words come out as something else entirely. Mundane chatter. Nonsense. Anything but what you actually want to say. It cuts Players off from seeking help from the living, from revealing the Game. Keeps things tidy for us, you see. So you can buy your little trinkets, but you can't expose our fun. And to make things more interesting, if a Player stumbles into their families or friends, they will see the Player's completely different from what they remember, they will never recognize you... So you better not waist your time..." He finished with a triumphant smirk.

Ao stumbles a little, so it was true after all... She tights her fists a little.

Tsugumi sighs, it was logic that the game would enjoy making them suffer the height of being regected by their families or friends... She knew how it hurt Ao... But she couldn't do anything about it...

Tsugumi says trying to push Ao out of the trap "He's just trying to distract us, Ao. He's wasting our time, let's just-."

Ao's mouth formed a small 'O' of understanding. "Whoa... that's so sneaky! So that's why! I totally tried to talk with my friends, and they just looked at me weird! I thought I was just forgetting how to talk! Isn't that funny!?"

Kariya laughs a little enjoying Ao's bold attempts "Very funny... Fufufufufu~

Ao bites her tongue, keeping a smile on her lips

Tsugumi points at Kariya "That's enough, stop waisting our time!"

"Am I really waisting your time" Kariya mused, leaning his head to the side, his yellow-tinted sunglasses giving nothing away. "Or am I providing valuable intel? Knowledge is power, little Player. And time... well, time's a funny thing, isn't it?" He chuckled. "Next question? Since your chatty friend has so many."

Ao, completely missing Tsugumi's furious glare, bounced on the balls of her feet. "Okay, okay! What about the Pins? Like, why are some brands, and others aren't? Like my new Burning Cherry Pin is a brand, but Tsugumi's Shockwave Pin isn't, right?"

Kariya's eyes seemed to gleam behind his sunglasses. "Ah, a keen observation. Most Players never bother to ask. Very good, very good. You see, there are two main types of Pins. 'Brand Pins' are those that are directly tied to real-world brands, like your Mus Rattus or D+B. They often draw their power from the collective desire and energy of the living. The more popular the brand, the more potent its Pin can be, because it's fueled by consumer passion, the Shibuya spirit, if you will. These Pins tend to have specific, well-defined psychs based on the brand's image or products."

He gestured with his lollipop towards Tsugumi. "Then you have the 'Unbranded Pins'. These are the purer forms of psych. They don't rely on existing brand recognition. They're often born from raw psychic energy, from unique events, or even from the Reapers' own crafting. Your Shockwave Pin, for instance, is unbranded. It's a fundamental psych, not tied to any commercial entity. They're usually more versatile, less restrictive in their application, yet they are weaker and." He paused, a knowing look on his face. "So, you might want to focus on branded pins, you may even be able to find some powerful ones, If you're lucky enough to survive long enough to find them, that is."

Ao gasped again, genuinely fascinated. "That makes so much sense! So my Pyrokinesis was probably unbranded too! And Tsugumi's Ice Blow is branded! They just feel... different, somehow!" She then frowned. "But wait, if they're so valuable to Reapers, why would we get them?"

Kariya laughed, a dry, mocking sound. "Oh, little Player, you assume too much. You 'get' them because you're disposable. You're merely the means to an end. Sometimes we let you keep them. Sometimes we take them back. And sometimes, you're just a battery for us to observe. It all depends on how entertaining you are."

Tsugumi's face tightened with every word. She was counting the minutes, watching their timer tick down, knowing this was all a deliberate ploy. Every piece of information Kariya gave them, no matter how interesting, was a currency for him to waste their precious time. The casual cruelty in his tone, the blatant enjoyment of their predicament it was infuriating. They were already down to 270 minutes, and Kariya was just… rambling.

"You must be pretty strong, too," Ao continued, still caught in the intellectual trap. "To just stand around and not even worry about Noise or anything. Are you, like, a high-rank Reaper?"

Kariya's smile widened to almost grotesque proportions. "Strong enough, little Player. Strong enough. But we're not here to talk about me. We're here to talk about you. And your fascinating journey. Tell me, what's it like, being a Player? All that desperation, that frantic scrabbling for survival. Does it make you feel more alive than you ever were when you were… actually alive?" His tone was laced with a chilling, philosophical malice.

He kept talking, subtly weaving in more minor facts about the Game, about the nature of Noise, about the different districts and their rules, all framed as if he were merely indulging their curiosity. He spoke of the 'Red Skull Pins' that allowed Players to enter certain dangerous areas, hinting at challenges far beyond what they'd faced so far. He briefly touched upon the 'Game Masters' and their unknown motives, painting a picture of a vast, complex, and utterly merciless system. He spoke of the class of Reaper's and more, drawing Ao deeper into the conversation, even as Tsugumi fumed.

Ao, initially fake excitement by the new information, was slowly starting to deflate. While the facts were interesting, Kariya's underlying smugness and the constant, subtle jabs at their mortality began to wear on her. The conversation felt less like a Q&A and more like a performance, with them as the unwitting puppets.

Tsugumi, meanwhile, felt a cold knot of dread tightening in her stomach. She could almost see the minutes bleeding away, each one a precious drop of life being siphoned off by this infuriatingly calm Reaper. He was psychologically draining them. She glared at him, the rage building. He was enjoying this far too much. His casual, philosophical musings, his arrogant smile, the slow, deliberate pops of his lollipop it was all designed to infuriate, to break their spirit, to make them waste time until they were weak and desperate.

The realization hit her like a punch to the gut This was his mission. His mission wasn't to give them a task. It was to prevent them from getting one, to waste their time, to exhaust them mentally until they were no longer a threat, or simply erased. He was a time-sink, a mental obstacle course designed by the Game itself, he couldn't allow him to go any further and make Ao crash out again.

"That's enough!" Tsugumi's voice cut through Kariya's monologue, sharp and laced with fury. Her eyes blazed, not with despair, but with incandescent anger. "You're not bored! This isn't a Q&A! I've got enough of you!"

Kariya paused, the lollipop halfway to his mouth. His wide smile didn't waver, but his eyes, for the first time, held a flicker of genuine surprise at her sudden outburst. He had miscalculated her breaking point.

"Oh?" he drawled, feigning innocence. "What gave it away, little Player?"

"Your dirtyness!" Tsugumi retorted, her voice trembling slightly with suppressed rage. "This is unprofessional! You're trying to make us lose the Game without even giving us a proper challenge! You pathetic animal!"

Kariya simply shrugged, a lazy, unconcerned gesture. "Perhaps. But it's effective, isn't it?" He popped the lollipop back into his mouth, resuming his bored stance. The subtle shift in his demeanor indicated his performance was over. He had gotten what he wanted: entertainment, and a significant chunk of their time.

Tsugumi didn't give him the satisfaction of another word. She grabbed Ao's arm, her grip firm. "We're going to Central Street," she declared, her voice low and dangerous. "This Reaper isn't going to get another minute from us."

Ao frowns a little "T-Chan... But-"

Tsugumi pushes her "Enough, Ao... Don't torture yourself any longer, you already got your answers..."

Kariya, perched atop the building, his yellow-tinted sunglasses gleaming, let out a dry, rattling laugh. "Well, little Player," he called down, his voice carrying clearly over the phantom bustle of Scramble Crossing, "at some level, you're right. Perhaps I do have a mission for you after all." His smile twisted into a deadly smirk. "And I promise, I won't waste another minute of your precious time."

With a fluid, almost lazy motion, he leaped onto the very edge of the building's facade, sitting casually as if on a park bench. He raised an arm, pointing it down directly at Tsugumi and Ao. A ripple of distorted energy spread from his fingertip, coalescing on the invisible ground between them.

With a flash of purple light, a new Noise Tags materialized. Releasing a new Noise, Hard Corehog, a squat, grey-brown Noise covered in menacing yellow quills. It chittered aggressively, its small but powerfully built body radiating a palpable aura of danger. This wasn't a mere random encounter; this was a deliberate challenge.

Ao puffed out her cheeks, her face a mask of annoyance and a childish pout as she glared up at Kariya. "Hey! That's not fair! You just set a trap for us!"

Kariya merely chuckled, a low, satisfied sound. "No hard feelings, little Player. But that's the mission. Now, fight."

Tsugumi's gaze sharpened, her annoyance at Kariya quickly replaced by a cold, calculating focus on the new threat. The Hard Corehog immediately bristled, its yellow quills twitching, preparing for an assault. This was clearly going to be a tough fight.

(𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑵 𝑻𝑶 𝑯𝑰𝑫𝑬𝑲𝑰 𝑵𝑨𝑮𝑨𝑵𝑼𝑴𝑨 - 4𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑹 𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑳𝑬 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑷𝑼𝑻 𝑰𝑻 𝑶𝑵 𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑷)∇∇∇

The Hard Corehog wasted no time. With a guttural snarl, it launched its first attack. Its entire body tensed, and then, with a violent shudder, it shot out a volley of its yellow quills like miniature projectiles. They were fast, piercing needles, propelled with surprising force and accuracy, forcing Tsugumi and Ao to quickly weave and duck to avoid being impaled.

"Those things are fast!" Ao yelled, barely dodging a quill that scraped past her ear. Her Pyrokinesis Pin flared, and she sent a quick burst of flame towards the Corehog, but the Noise was surprisingly agile for its bulky frame, rolling to the side to avoid the direct hit.

The Hard Corehog then lunged forward, not with brute force, but with unexpected agility. It moved like a little yet strong beast, a blur of grey-brown fur and yellow spikes, attempting to ram Tsugumi with its hardened body. Tsugumi quickly activated her Shockwave Pin, unleashing a precise concussive blast to push it back, but the Corehog merely stumbled, absorbing the impact with its tough hide before attempting another aggressive charge.

"He's got a thick hide, T-chan!" Ao observed, already launching a more concentrated fireball. "And he's quick on his feet!"

Suddenly, as the Hard Corehog moved, several of its yellow quills detached and fell to the ground. They shimmered for a moment, and then, to Tsugumi and Ao's alarm, they disappeared from sight, becoming invisible.

"Mines!" Tsugumi immediately recognized the danger. This was a classic Reaper tactic: leaving unseen hazards. "Watch your step, Ao! He's leaving traps!"

Before Tsugumi could fully warn her, Ao, focused on dodging another volley of quills, inadvertently stepped over one of the invisible spikes.

A sharp pain shot through Ao's leg. She cried out, stumbling, a visible shimmer of distorted energy appearing around her foot. "Wahhh! What was that?!"

"The mines!" Tsugumi cursed. This added a whole new layer of tactical difficulty. They couldn't just focus on the Hard Corehog, they had to also constantly be aware of the unseen threats it left behind.

Tsugumi gripped her Ice Blow Pin. It was time for a more aggressive approach. She needed to control the battlefield. She held up the Pin, concentrating. From the ground, just behind the Hard Corehog, very spiky ice pillars erupted. These were wickedly sharp, piercing through the pavement, tearing at the air. The Corehog, startled, attempted to roll away, but one of the pillars snagged its side, ripping a chunk of its tough hide, forcing a pained chitter from the Noise.

"Nice, T-chan!" Ao yelled, recovering from the mine hit. She charged her Pyrokinesis and unleashed a continuous blaze stream at the impaled Corehog, aiming for the fresh wound created by the ice pillar. The combination of tearing ice and searing fire began to eat away at the Noise's defenses. She then remembered her newest acquisition. Her Burning Cherry Pin pulsed on her outfit, eager to be used. Ao's grin returned. This was going to be fun.

She extended her hand, and a small, intensely glowing lava ball materialized in her palm. It radiated heat, the raw power of molten rock contained in a perfect sphere. "Iyaaa!"  With a swift, powerful kick, Ao sent the lava ball hurtling towards the Hard Corehog. The ball moved with incredible speed, slamming into the Noise's already wounded side. The lava ball exploded on impact, splattering molten rock across its hide and causing the Corehog to shriek in renewed pain.

The Hard Corehog, however, was tenacious. It pulled itself free from the ice pillar, its ripped side smoking, and retaliated by unleashing another flurry of spikes, not just at them, but also deliberately scattering them across the ground, creating more invisible minefields. It then rapidly charged forward, aiming to knock them off their feet.

"He's aggressive!" Tsugumi warned. She met the charge with a powerful Shockwave blast, but the Corehog braced itself, its small form surprisingly durable, deflecting the full force of the blow.

Ao, now fully alert to the mine threat, began to move with extreme caution, carefully picking her footing even as she launched fireballs at the charging Corehog. She then unleashed a fire burst directly beneath its belly, hoping to flip it over. The Corehog was knocked back, but quickly righted itself, spitting out more invisible quills as it did.

Tsugumi had an idea. She knew the mines disappeared after a moment, but that meant there was a brief window where they were tangible, even if invisible. She activated her Scan psych, enhancing her spatial awareness. The ground shimmered, and faintly, she could discern the tiny, almost transparent energy signatures of the newly dropped spikes.

"Ao, look for the faint shimmer!" Tsugumi shouted, dodging another incoming volley of quills. "They glow for a second before they go completely invisible!"

Armed with this new knowledge, Ao became more effective at navigating the battlefield. She used her Pyrokinesis to incinerate the visible quills mid-air, preventing them from hitting the ground and becoming mines. She then created another lava ball with her Burning Cherry Pin, this time using a forceful punch to send it flying. The lava ball streaked across the space, impacting the Hard Corehog's face with a searing explosion that momentarily blinded and disoriented it.

The Hard Corehog rolled into a tight, spiked ball, its yellow quills fully extended, and began to spin rapidly, turning itself into a deadly, rolling projectile. It aimed directly for Tsugumi, a miniature, living buzzsaw.

Tsugumi knew a direct hit would be devastating. She used her Ice Blow Pin to send a quick burst of ice beneath her feet, propelling herself upwards and backward, evading the spinning attack. As she landed, she simultaneously aimed the Ice Blow Pin at the ground behind the rapidly rolling Corehog. Spiky ice pillars*erupted, not to impale it, but to create a jagged, impassable barrier, forcing the Corehog to abruptly stop its roll, its momentum broken.

"Now, Ao!" Tsugumi commanded, seeing the brief window.

Ao, seizing the opportunity, used her Pyrokinesis Pin to create a fire ring around the momentarily stunned Corehog. The ring of flames began to shrink, forcing the Corehog to try and break through. As it tried to roll over the flames, its yellow quills began to singe. She then rapidly conjured and punched several more lava balls into the fire ring, turning the contained space into a boiling cauldron of magma and flame, preventing any escape.

The Hard Corehog chittered in frustration, feeling the intense heat and the relentless impacts. It unleashed another furious volley of quills, aiming them widely to cover the ground around them, desperate to create more mines and regain control of the area. But Tsugumi was ready. She activated her Shockwave Pin, sending out a concussive ripple that caused many of the airborne quills to veer off course, minimizing the new minefield.

Then, Tsugumi brought out her newly acquired Ice Blow Pin again. She channeled more energy than before, a determined glint in her eyes. Instead of creating pillars, she focused on creating a localized area of extreme cold directly around the Hard Corehog. The air crackled, and a chilling mist began to coalesce, turning the ground around the Corehog into a slick, icy patch. The Corehog, already struggling against Ao's fire ring and the lava balls, found its footing slipping. It began to slide uncontrollably within the circle of flames and molten rock.

"He's losing his footing!" Tsugumi shouted. "Ao, keep the pressure!"

Ao's fire ring intensified, turning into a roaring inferno, forcing the Corehog to leap and stumble within the confines of the flames, molten lava, and the icy ground. Its hide, already weakened by the earlier ice pillars and lava impacts, began to char and crack from the relentless heat.

The Hard Corehog, desperate, let out a piercing screech. It then started to vibrate violently, its body pulsing with dangerous energy. It was attempting to unleash a massive, omni-directional spike attack, a final, desperate move.

"He's charging a big one!" Tsugumi yelled, recognizing the pattern from other, similar Noise. "We need to stop him, now!"

"Fusion!" Ao shouted, her voice ringing with grim determination. They were low on time, and this was their best shot.

They activated their Harmonizer Pin, the familiar blue and orange energy swirling around them, merging into a single, blinding torrent. The air around them thrummed with amplified power.

The Hard Corehog was nearly ready to unleash its devastating attack, its quills glowing ominously.

"Now!" Tsugumi roared.

Ao, her Psychokinesis Pin glowing with immense power, surged forward. She lifts objects around the Hard Corehog, twisting and condensing it into a sphere of her razor rose petals. The Corehog's quills, mid-charge, faltered as it felt the immense pressure building around it. It tried to release its attack, but the psychic pressure prevented it. Simultaneously, she created one final, massive lava ball with her Burning Cherry Pin, imbuing it with all her remaining psych energy, and with a guttural roar, punched it directly into the center of her telekinetic sphere.

Simultaneously, Tsugumi, now a blur of kinetic energy, activated her Shockwave Pin with unprecedented ferocity. She unleashed a focused, overwhelming torrent of wide slashes directly into Ao's telekinetic sphere, adding her own destructive power to Ao's psychic assault and the molten core within. The combined power created a vortex of pure, destructive energy. The air shrieked, the invisible ground beneath the Hard Corehog buckled, and the Corehog itself, trapped within the crushing force and incinerated by the exploding lava, began to emit desperate, pained squeals.

The Hard Corehog struggled, its tough hide finally failing under the combined assault. The pressure from Ao's Psychokinesis, amplified by Tsugumi's devastating Shockwave, compacted it, crushed it, and then, with a final, muted *POP*, it exploded into a shower of purple static. A 500 Yen Pin shimmered where it had been, which Tsugumi gratefully picked up.

Tsugumi and Ao stood panting, side-by-side, their psych energy depleted, but their determination unwavering. They had done it. They had overcome Kariya's challenge.

Ao, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow, looked up at Kariya, who was still casually sitting atop the building, watching them. She puffed out her cheeks again, though this time it was more exasperated than truly angry. "You big meanie! That was a super hard trap!" she pouted.

Kariya merely chuckled, a low, satisfied sound echoing from above. He pushed himself off the edge of the building, landing silently on the ground near them. His wide smile was back, a touch of respect, perhaps, in his eyes. "No hard feelings, little Players," he said, taking the lollipop out of his mouth. "But that's the mission. And you passed."

Kariya landed with the grace of a cat, his eyes, still hidden behind the yellow lenses, gleaming with amusement. "Well, that was a little fun," he drawled, pushing off the ground. He then reached out, surprisingly quickly, and snatched two of the 500 Yen Pins from Tsugumi's hand. "And this," he said, holding them up, "is my payment. For the entertainment. And for a big bowl of ramen."

Tsugumi growled, a low, guttural sound of pure outrage. "We have to pay you to do something?! That's outrageous!"

Kariya merely sighed, the sound impossibly languid. "Business is business, little Player."

Just then, a flash of red streaked from the sky, and Uzuki landed with a thud, holding two steaming bowls of ramen. Her eyes, usually sharp and calculating, were narrowed into furious slits. "Kariya! You idiot! You made me pay for these!" she snapped, her voice tight with annoyance.

Kariya, unfazed, merely chuckled. "Chill, Uzuki. It's fine." With a smooth motion, he deposited the two 500 Yen Pins into her pocket, giving it a slow, deliberate pat.

Uzuki let out a low growl, but her focus quickly shifted. She handed Kariya his bowl of ramen, which he instantly took. "Jackpot," he mumbled, already sitting down cross-legged on the invisible pavement, ready to dig in while it was still warm.

Uzuki then turned her attention to Tsugumi and Ao. Her expression shifted from annoyance to a familiar groan of exasperation. "Oh, no. You two again?" she muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Ao, ever the optimist, merely giggled. "Hi, Uzuki! We just finished a mission!" she chirped, trying to strike up a conversation.

Tsugumi, however, felt a cold dread as she looked at her hand. Her timer was flickering, the numbers rapidly dwindling, threatening to disappear altogether. Perhaps this was Day 5, she thought, the terrifying realization washing over her. The final day. Their time was running out.

Uzuki, oblivious to Tsugumi's dawning horror, scoffed. "You always manage to show up during my breaks. Honestly, I'm half tempted to just erase you both right here for being so annoying." She actually raised her hand, her psych Pin glowing faintly.

"Whoa, whoa, Uzuki, chill," Kariya said between slurps of ramen, barely looking up. "They're here for a mission. Can't erase the entertainment."

Uzuki sighed, her shoulders slumping. "You didn't have to make a mission just to expose yourself, Kariya. This is getting ridiculous."

Kariya just grinned, taking a long slurp of noodles. "I just wanted to get closer to the people," he said, his tone teasing. He looked at Tsugumi, who was practically seething.

"Who are you two, anyway?!" Tsugumi demanded, her voice raw with frustration. "You're Reapers, yes, but how? And why are you here? Who you both really are?" The questions poured out, a torrent of desperate curiosity born from the crushing weight of the ticking timer.

Kariya merely chuckled, taking his lollipop out. "I'm Kariya," he said, just to be annoying.

Uzuki glared at him, then let out another long sigh, running a hand through her hair. "These two are a pain. Good thing they'll never know old Uzuki. Because old Uzuki would have erased them right away for being so annoying."

Ao giggled, oblivious to the deeper, more dangerous meaning behind Uzuki's words. She was just thankful they weren't being erased, for now.

"Alright, you two, move it!" Uzuki snapped, gesturing dismissively towards the path ahead. "Go find your next mission, somewhere far away from my break."

"Huh-uh!" Ao pouted, shaking her head defiantly.

Tsugumi, fueled by a potent mix of frustration and the chilling realization of their dwindling time, stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. "Not until you answer us! Who are you? Why are you doing this? What is this Game?"

Uzuki groaned, rubbing her temples. "Look, I wasn't actually going to erase you. You're just... irritating. And you're not getting any more answers from me!"

Tsugumi and Ao, sensing the escalating tension, subtly shifted their stances, preparing for a fight. Their psych Pins hummed faintly, ready for activation. But Kariya, still calmly eating his ramen, raised a placating hand towards Uzuki.

"Easy, Uzuki," Kariya said, his voice smooth. "No need for that."

Uzuki let out an enraged groan, her eyes narrowed at Tsugumi and Ao. "They're challenging me, Kariya! These brats are openly defying a Reaper!"

"We just want answers!" Ao insisted, pouting up at Kariya.

"Tell us already and clear the mission!" Tsugumi demanded, her voice tight with urgency.

Kariya sighed, a long, drawn-out sound, and then pointed a chopstick at Uzuki's ramen. "Eat your food, Uzuki. I'll handle this."

Uzuki hesitated, then with a frustrated growl, she slumped back down, reluctantly picking up her bowl. She began to eat, but her eyes remained fixed on Tsugumi and Ao with a deadpan, furious stare.

Kariya, meanwhile, turned back to the Players, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Alright, another Q&A it is, since you're so persistent."

Tsugumi, wasting no time, launched into everything Soma had told them: about the Reaper's Game, the rules, the stakes, the erasure. She spoke of the hidden mechanics, the "missions," the "Noise," and the ultimate goal of revival for the winner. As Tsugumi recounted the grim details, Kariya and Uzuki exchanged a look. It was a loaded glance, heavy with recognition, a flicker of something akin to surprise or even concern passing between them. "A Player that knows too much," Uzuki muttered, a distinct sense of déjà vu in her tone. "It's like... another game that's about to end badly."

Tsugumi and Ao exchanged confused glances. "Another game ending badly? What does that mean?" Ao asked, her previous irritation replaced by a rising unease.

Kariya finished his ramen, placed the bowl down, and let out a sigh. His casual demeanor dropped, replaced by a rare seriousness. "Everything you heard," he said, his voice low and steady, "it's all true."

Uzuki punched his arm, a sharp, audible thwack. Kariya just grunted.

"Hey! What was that for?!" Ao exclaimed.

Kariya rubbed his arm. "They had to know, Uzuki. Besides," he looked back at the girls, "nothing that could lead them too far anyway."

He then looked at Tsugumi and Ao, his expression hardening. "If you want to know more... you'll just have to beat the Game." He stood up, his casual barrier now feeling immensely foreboding.

Tsugumi checks her hand seeing the timer going away, she sighs.

Kariya smirks "With that out of the way, I will shut down both of you right now. Until then"

Ao shouts as her eyes wide for a sec "Wait-"

...

                                             To Be Continued....