Chapter 160

Chapter 157: Secret Movements! What is That Mysterious Shadow?

Beneath the surface lies a buried theater, adjacent to a research facility.

Originally constructed for experiments on Dungeon Cores, it has since been repurposed by a scholar into something more convenient.

Now, this place serves as an illegal laboratory creating artificial Explorers.

Funded by Silver Twilight, the organization is run by a single rogue individual.

“It’s taking too long. Are you all just playing around?”

Without giving any chance for excuses, the scholar froze one of the lined-up subordinates.

A human being frozen to the core without a shred of mercy or interest—tossed aside like useless trash.

“Shatter already, you incompetent fool.”

With a snap of her fingers, the subordinate crumbled into pieces.

The remnants scattered across the area.

Yet, despite witnessing this, the remaining subordinates trembled but did not flee from the spot.

They knew that would be the most foolish action possible.

“It should be easy, bringing back just one kid. Their abilities are unrefined; they aren’t even fully replicating an S Rank yet.”

The scholar said this while retrieving a tablet.

On its screen was footage from surveillance cameras.

“Is this the one helping them?”

The footage showed the last known location of the Ray clone.

In it, three girls stood protectively around the clone.

Two of them, a blonde and a girl with black hair, were unfamiliar, but one S Rank girl stood out immediately.

Seeing this, the scholar seemed to take an interest for the first time.

“I recognize this face from the S Ranks. Wasn’t she Watatori Ryuko?”

There was faint information about Ryuko in the scholar’s memory.

Due to her unique anomalous structure, this S Rank had been deliberately excluded as a cloning target by the scholar herself.

“Special indeed, the other-dimensional deep layer within her. That’s why I left her alone… until now.”

The scholar paused for a moment.

Her index finger tapped rhythmically against the desk.

In the silent room, only the tapping echoed as the scholar rose to her feet.

“I shall go myself. That S Rank will suffice as a test subject for my power.”

With that, the scholar turned and approached the only bed in the room.

Surrounded by numerous machines, a single girl lay asleep there.

Smirking cruelly, the scholar stroked the unconscious girl and spoke.

“I’m off, Original. The foundation of my glory awaits.”

Laughing loudly, the scholar exited the room.

The subordinates silently followed behind.

“The retaliation is almost here. We’ll show the Board of Directors! And Silver Twilight!”

A project considered taboo by some and crude by others—the S Rank Clone Program.

However, the power she desired was now within her grasp.

“Hahaha! Overwhelming a single S Rank will be effortless!”

As if responding to her emotions, cold air began to emanate from her hands.

The scholar’s eyes gleamed with madness.

Footsteps faded into silence as everyone left the room.

“—So that’s what it was,” came a voice from the shadows.

A figure descended from the ceiling, revealing a woman with silver-blue hair dressed in a black dress.

None other than the formidable S Rank Solciera could fit this description.

“Poor thing, truly pitiful and yet so endearing,” Solciera murmured softly as she approached Ray and gently stroked her head, tenderly fixing the strands disheveled earlier by the scholar.

“Just sleep a little longer. It’s too early to wake from your dream,” Solciera whispered softly before leaving the room.

■

This is where the mastermind resides.

“Hmm, indeed underground. Impressive, my sister,” came a voice inside my head.

“It took no more than five minutes. Easier than when we infiltrated Jilnias Academy,” Nana’s voice chimed in.

As usual, I can only hear Nana’s voice while the rest of my inner dialogue gets cut off.

After abducting—or rather, kidnapping—Nana, we quickly transferred to Kroma Music Academy.

From there, it was smooth sailing thanks to Nana doing everything for us.

She even revealed the entire plan!

“S-Rank clones… certainly effective against angels, but they risk becoming catastrophic disasters, making them impractical,” Nana stated.

“Fufu, how amusing. Though I knew about this plan, I never expected them to hide here. Thank you, Ciel.”

I fondled the emerald scythe in my hand.

“You know nothing, do you?” a voice remarked.

Shut up!

Solciera didn’t know the location, but she knew about the cloning project!

We’re going with that premise!

It’d be embarrassing if Solciera had a “?” floating over her head all the time.

“Should I make hearts float instead?” the voice teased.

What kind of “then” is that?

Cut it out with such antics.

“So, what now? We know both the enemy and their base. How do you intend to handle this ‘Mysterious Beautiful Girl’ moment?”

Just wait. I’m strategizing right now.

It seems the scholar went after Ryuko. Conveniently, I want to use this situation to our advantage…

Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be anything interesting in this lab.

Perhaps we should dramatically appear where Ryuko is about to be attacked?

Wouldn’t that be cooler?

“But it wouldn’t be mysterious enough. There’s too much of a superhero vibe. We don’t want Ryuko recognizing us as outright allies,” Star Reader’s Staff commented.

You’re right, Star Reader’s Staff.

We are the enigmatic beautiful girl, Solciera.

The question remains—what side are we truly on!?

That’s the move we want to make.

Compared to that, the territorial war was a complete failure.

During the angel battle, I was turned into a tragic heroine by Zero.

Even my fight with Tourak ended up being self-sacrificial.

I want to fight coolly!

There’s no need for new forms involving self-harm!

Never using that form again!

“But it was amazing! Based on actual assimilation functions, it feels incredible to use. Let’s become one!”

I don’t care.

And why are you enjoying this so casually?

“Watching Solciera’s face contort in pain while assimilating is irresistible ^^”

You’re escalating dangerously.

There’s no need for you to act like Zero in front of me. Stop it—it’s scary.

“What do you mean by ‘act’?”

Yikes.

Yes, I will never use that form again.

It’s sealed away.

“But if we fuse enough, we could evolve into a new form! What about the Dominion Form, which fully controls that power?”

Don’t prepare things without permission.

We already have plenty of forms.

If this were a Sunday morning tokusatsu show, Dad’s wallet would be lighter than a feather by now.

Don’t add forms recklessly.

“Assimilation Form is merely the pupal stage. Once true love blossoms between Zero and me, it evolves into the Dominion Form. I aim to become the main heroine through this event.”

That event won’t happen.

“Incompetent management.”

Say whatever you want.

“Head-weak total acceptor beautiful girl.”

That’s a harsh insult.

“Um… Are you two talking about something again? I feel left out. It’s like when my friend got hooked on a new mobile game and stopped logging in altogether…” Nana interjected.

“It’s nothing important. Though, perhaps you should ease off gaming a bit. Not that I have much credibility saying this after giving you gift cards.”

Oops, I forgot about Nana ☆

Also, hasn’t Nana been overdoing it lately?

All she does is play games.

“Let someone like Miroku handle it. We can’t—we’d spoil her too much.”

You understand perfectly well.

Exactly, we can’t!

But I love these fallen-from-grace beautiful girls who go crazy with social games!

Go crazy with lots of gacha pulls ^^

Just don’t brag about it on social media or tell tales to Miroku Senpai. That’s the one thing you shouldn’t do ^^

“Such a dull place. I expected something more exciting.”

I walked alone down the corridor.

Though surrounded by many surveillance cameras, it wasn’t a problem.

We’ve already taken control of them, thanks to Nana!

“According to the map I acquired, we should soon reach the underground theater.”

An underground theater?

Sounds like some villainous noble’s gathering place.

“Solciera playing music alone in an empty theater… quite picturesque.”

That might work.

But I can’t play any instruments coolly.

I wish I could at least once.

“Then I’ll create a magic later that lets you do just that.”

Yes!

Walking alongside the delightful Star Reader’s Staff, I finally reached the end of the sterile, boring hallway.

At the end stood an old wooden door, completely out of place in a research facility.

I slowly opened it, unsure of its age.

“…Ah, I see. Indeed, a theater.”

Before me stretched an ancient theater.

Using my discerning eye for aesthetics, I recognized every item within as meticulously chosen antiques.

The space exuded a foreign charm, as if time had stopped.

…Perfect for a mysterious beautiful girl.

“Partner, I sense a ‘Mysterious Beautiful Girl Time’ approaching.”

What a coincidence, Star Reader’s Staff.

I was just sensing the same thing.

And now, I’ve decided on our next ‘Mysterious Beautiful Girl Time.’

“Say, Ciel, would you mind lending me your help just a little longer?”

I idly traced the back of a nearby chair with my fingertips.

The emerald scythe in my hand shook defiantly in response.

“That’s not what we agreed upon! I only helped because we discussed limited cooperation! I’ll get angry if you lie!”

“Fufu, this is merely a proposal.”

I sat in one of the theater seats, placing the scythe beside me.

Looking toward the stage, I continued.

“I want you to take control of this theater. If you succeed… I’ll have Miuye build you the ultimate gaming PC.”

“Nn…!”

“Oi, partner, that crosses the line! Giving her such a device could lead to disaster! She’s barely managing with social games and consoles as it is…”

Star Reader’s Staff, it’s tough for me too…

But if it makes Nana smile, I’m willing to bear the burden.

For her sake, I’ll carry the sin.

“What nonsense! Imagine if Ciel starts using internet slang in real life. As her older sister, I’d be heartbroken!”

Will you love whichever Nana emerges?

“Solciera… Is that true?”

Yes! One successful pitch for the Demons Gear.

“Wait, Ciel. Do you think Miroku would approve? Be rational. Focus on grinding in your social games for now.”

“Ugh… You’re right. Sister has a point…”

Star Reader’s Staff, stop interfering!

“Urusee nee!”

…I’ll record a soothing ASMR ear-cleaning session tailored specifically for Solciera lovers.

You can dictate the whole scenario.

“Ciel, I think a gaming PC sounds great too ^^ Miroku will surely approve ^^ Isn’t that wonderful ^^”

“Why did your opinion change so quickly…? But if even Sister agrees, then I’ve made up my mind!”

Nana happily agreed to assist me.

What a kind girl.

“Partner, don’t forget. You’ve handed over the reins to me.”

Do as you please, mysterious beautiful girl. No objections from me!

“That’s the spirit!”

We all faced different directions but were fully committed.

Teamwork, excellent!

“Alright then, I entrust this to you.”

“Leave it to me. Dominating this entire area will be no trouble at all.”

The emerald scythe shone brightly as various magical circles of varying sizes appeared around us.

“Fufu, this will be fun.”

I smiled coolly as I spoke.