Underground Castle
Late Night
Well, [player name]? We prepared this little surprise just for you.
Come here, our perfect, brand new... [SU-0].
Marlis stands proudly and smiles as she waves at the two figures locked in a standoff. Kamui remains trapped in his hallucination, while "Kamui" responds immediately, walking toward her with a blank expression.
Now, now, [player name]. Don't be so quick to see us as your enemy. Everything we've done... is for you.
He doesn't matter anymore, [player name]. Just a defective reject destined for the scrap heap. He's not worth your concern.
Perhaps I should introduce you to our far superior creation first?
Feel free to compare him with that useless reject... More durable, more loyal, more rational, unclouded by pesky emotions or doubts.
Clearly, he's the more effective "weapon" for you. He'll serve you far better.
So come now, [player name]. Accept our olive branch, and this most sincere welcome gift.
Become our faithful ally, and you can shed your inferior human form to ascend among the divine.
No... [player name], don't believe... their lies!
Kamui fights to stay conscious, desperately trying to warn you against their manipulation, but he only watches Marlis warily from afar. Unable to control his reality, he stays away from you.
"Never side with evil"...? How amusing, [player name]. If I didn't have everything under control, I'd almost think you'd recovered those memories of yours.
To think you'd say the exact same thing you did seven years ago.
Then allow me to remind you of the past. Consider it a lesson on where you stand now.
Since you've been blessed with my master's favor, I suggest you don't squander it.
Get over here, you wretches.
Resist...? No... must... obey...
Marlis calls out to all the Tails gathering at the scene. They try to resist her command, but no matter how hard they struggle, they cannot break free from her control.
The light in their eyes flickers briefly before dying out completely. Their expressions return to that same numb, empty look as they fall into formation and march toward Marlis.
If you know what's good for you, [player name], you should count yourself lucky. You were born a lowly human, yet you're given the chance to rewrite your fate.
You met these wretches seven years ago. No matter how much these pathetic insects struggled over the years, they have remained under my control.
Humans are vile, inferior creatures... When I first started hunting for candidates for Gecko Tails, I only took commoners, and not a single one of you cared.
If I hadn't taken a few nobles afterward, no one would've batted an eye at the hundreds who went missing. They would've died forgotten, wouldn't they?
Oh, but saying no one cared isn't quite right, is it? After all, there was you. The ever so approachable Detective [player name].
Someone who actually took requests from poor commoners and wasted time searching for their missing loved ones.
My master didn't craft the Gecko Tail specifically for you in vain. You truly are different from the other humans.
But if you're to submit to my master's will, you must cast aside your meaningless compassion right now. The one designated [SU-0] has been deemed a Severed Tail. He no longer matters, so you need not cling to him...
Hm? You don't even know the designation of your own Gecko Tail? Even if you've lost those memories, I remember you still had your secret notebook...
Marlis' mind works quickly, arriving at the answer within moments. A derisive laugh escapes her lips.
Of course, you self-righteous humanitarian. You've been calling him by that laughable name ever since you took him in.
"He's not just some number, some object. He's an independent person who deserves autonomy."
Of course you'd reject that designation with such disdain. My mistake for not considering that.
But I have to say it's quite foolish. These weapons aren't human... They possess neither independent thought nor those precious emotions you humans care so much about. Your mercy is a waste of time.
We simply want you to join us. My great master has taken notice of your particular talents and is willing to grant you a Gecko Tail as a reward.
You need to see what glory awaits those who serve my great master. For instance...
Marlis casts a glance at the Tails. Two of them step forward immediately, their expressions vacant as they await further orders.
Why don't you test out these tools that once belonged to you? Go on, pick one. You can order them to do anything you want.
No? Then allow me to choose for you.
Destroy each other, wretches.
Destroy... each other? No... don't want to... kill... sibling...
Marlis lets out a cold scoff. A flash of crimson flickers in her eyes, and the struggling Tails go motionless once more.
This is the power her great master bestowed upon her. Even with the device that carried the Forbidden Chain destroyed, she can still control her wretched tools.
Removing... errors... forcing correctional protocol... obey...
Obey orders... destroy each other... commence.
WHAM!
The two Tails immediately turn on each other, striking each other mercilessly. They have been reduced to nothing more than cold, emotionless weapons.
...!
Fortunately, the brutal clash doesn't last long. Kamui picks up on what's happening and bolts toward the fighting Tails, swiftly knocking them both out before they can do any more damage.
Marlis scoffs at the sight, before a sinister gleam flashes in her eyes. A jolt arcs near Kamui's left ear, and the agony intensifies. He drives his sword into the ground and leans against it, his body curling in pain.
...Ngh?!! My vision... my mind...
The searing pain is followed by total blindness, and Kamui's blurry vision descends into full hallucination. He can no longer tell what is real.
Don't blame me. I didn't lay a finger on him. All I did was exercise my authority as his creator and remove every last safety protocol that was keeping him stable.
Creatures like the Tails require multiple failsafes to keep them from losing control. Let a blade taste blood too often, and you can't guarantee it won't turn on its master.
[SU-0] was bound by two failsafes. The first one was the device you so graciously destroyed for me. And the second... is with me, of course.
Without those two failsafes, he loses every scrap of protection we so generously provided. Now he's exposed to the corruption that will tear his mind to shreds.
You think you can pull off what you did seven years ago? Rally this pack of strays and lead them astray...
You only got by on [player name]'s charity back then. Now? You think Gray Raven will take in a pathetic stray like you?
A word of advice, [player name]: stay away from [SU-0]. He'll lose his mind soon enough, and then there's no telling what he will do.
...[player name]?
...No. I'll hurt you if I lose control again.
Kamui hangs his head, hesitating, but he decides to listen to you after a moment. His sharp hearing guides him toward where you stand, and he approaches slowly and cautiously.
His vision still blurred, Kamui pauses once he gets close, feeling unsure. You reach out first, taking his hand before pulling him in close to your side.
...Hmph. Fine. Hear it from him yourself, then. Maybe that'll finally break you.
Marlis bristles at your request but doesn't stop you. The Archdevil's decree was to recruit, not remove the detective. She is sure that once Gray Raven sees the full picture, the detective will comply and control the stragglers.
...Okay. I'll tell you everything, [player name].
Eight years ago, Marlis launched the Gecko Tail project, using everyone she abducted as test subjects to create humanoid weapons.
There's one thing I didn't tell you. The Gecko Tail project... has always revolved around you, and only you.
Every single Tail would answer to your command. If the project succeeded, you'd have your own personal Gray Raven Army.
And I was created to be your most vital and deadly weapon. My designation was [SU-0].
The disappearances kept piling up, so people asked you to investigate, and you dug deep. You gathered evidence, tracked down the old base, then rallied nobles, police, and volunteers to launch a raid.
Marlis escaped with some of the Tails. You thought the case was closed, and you lowered your guard.
...Yes. You were the first to notice I was developing a will of my own, and you fought tooth and nail for me and the other Tails who showed the same signs. If not for you, we would've been scrapped like broken tools.
You brought me back to the family who'd hired you. Their missing son looked exactly like me, so they took pity and adopted me as their own.
...That's how I was able to grow up as a human being.
Marlis only retreated to avoid confronting you head-on, but she never gave up. Everyone who helped you started getting attacked one by one, and you realized she was closing in.
You left me with my family, then went to the old Gecko Tail base by yourself. After that, we all heard about the fire that shook the whole city, but we never heard from you again.
Pardon the interruption, everyone, but I'll be taking it from here. After all, what comes next is all my handiwork.
Marlis cuts in, having no intention of letting her defective work control the narrative. She keeps her master's orders close to heart: win Gray Raven over.
It was indeed quite impressive that you stopped our plans all on your own, [player name]. But you still cling to that foolish human naivety...
How could mere humans ever hope to defeat the divine?
I made a few moves against your allies, and you fell apart completely. You even tried to burn us both alive at that old hideout.
My master didn't want you dead and showed you mercy. That's the only reason you're still standing here and putting up this pointless fight.
As for you, [SU-0]... We should have gotten rid of you back then, but we thought you might still be of use.
Once the Mist spread through the human world, it was only a matter of time before you reverted to your true nature. But you went and became the Revenant Hunter instead, sabotaging my master's plans.
...Foolish, worthless creature.
Marlis' eyes flash once more, and the eyes of "Kamui" flash in sync. At the same instant, the chaos and pressure raging inside Kamui intensify.
Ngh... I won't... let you monsters hurt other people!
...Heh. And what gives you the right to protect those so-called humans of yours?
You're just as much of an outsider to them. They kept you on a leash for a few years, and now you think you're their obedient little pet?
Without [player name]'s Forbidden Chain, you're nothing but a rabid beast... A blood-soaked weapon that does nothing but lash out blindly.
Your power is no longer stable, and you're no longer loyal. We wrote you off as a failure long ago.
Oh, and of course, you'll soon be a Severed Tail that [player name] casts aside.
Here's some friendly advice: you're better off killing yourself before you turn into a mindless monster. Save your precious [player name] the trouble of dealing with you.
Don't even think about taking me down with you once you lose control and your power spikes. With my new [SU-0], you'll never beat me. It won't be a noble sacrifice, but pointless self-destruction.
Marlis extends her hand toward you, revealing a brilliant red gem gleaming in her palm.
The truth you've been searching for is right here, [player name]. You should understand the situation by now.
Come. Join us. This gem will grant you the power to control the Gecko Tails once more.
You'll be their master, including the brand new [SU-0] we've created just for you. He'll replace that tainted failure at your side.
Or maybe you still prefer him the way he is now? Doesn't matter. The reins are in your hands... ride whichever beast you like.
Whatever rewards you desire, my master can make them yours.
BANG!
Before Marlis can react, a gunshot rings out through the empty room. Without hesitation, you fire at her so-called olive branch, and the gem goes flying, utterly destroyed.
...You still don't know what's good for you, [player name].
So be it. I'll carry out my master's judgment and show you who you should have sided with.
