I, Kurumi Tokisaki, Am a Wanderer

This world is a place of chaos and uncertainty, without inevitability, filled only with chance.

Brutal and irrational, it is utterly meaningless.

Just like the Ex-Machina girl, once designated Üc207Pr4f57t9, who now went by the name Schwi.

Who could have imagined she would be walking alongside a human?

A human, powerless against other species, a human who could only survive in hiding, a human whose entire existence could be erased even by the mere edge of war.

By her own account, she would remain by Kurumi's side until her [Heart] analysis was complete.

…

The sky rained down "Black Ash."

Kurumi's right hand, gloved in the blood-red leather of the Imperial Court, extended from her black coat to hold Schwi's small, delicate hand.

For humans, reaching the nearest village from the Mellyrn ruins would take over half a month on foot.

Even with their speed, if they strolled casually like this, it would still take nearly an entire day.

Earlier…

Schwi had been endlessly amused by a name-calling game. But while Kurumi could handle it for a minute or two, Schwi's Ex-Machina endurance could be measured in years.

Eventually, getting no further response from Kurumi, Schwi tilted her head up.

"~nya… Onee-sama?"

Watching her face with its gentle, cub-like expression, Kurumi felt a flicker of doubt.

Did she… truly lack a [Heart]?

Could that tracking and mimicking algorithm of hers really create such an expression as this?

Kurumi stroked Schwi's head, then bent down and took her hand in hers.

Even if all she said was a simple "yes," answering like that for a whole day would drive anyone crazy.

Better to save her breath.

——

The sky gradually turned a shade of purple.

A biting wind blew through; the sky of this world was smothered by thick, black-red clouds, completely sunless.

The only way to tell the approach of nightfall was through the drop in temperature.

But… only a weak species like humans needed to spend hours each day in sleep. For higher species like the Flügel or the Dragonia, sleep and readiness cycles could be measured in years.

Nightfall… was the time when certain strange creatures were most active.

The ground trembled slightly, and a faint, scuttling sound came from the distance.

"Onee-sama… enemy detected. ~nya!"

Schwi's gem-like red eyes gleamed as computations lit them with an amber glow.

Two tails extending from beneath her cloak trembled, their tips pointing straight down, emitting a faint blue light.

The monsters… had arrived.

"~nya… Onee-sama?" Schwi looked at Kurumi, her eyes glinting a dangerous red.

She was eager to go.

Although Schwi was a Ex-Machina analysis unit, unsuited for combat and only one-third as strong as a combat unit, she still possessed the terrifying power to tear down fortresses and armies.

"Ara ara~~~ Schwi, you can leave this to me."

Kurumi crouched in front of Schwi, her eyes narrowed as she grinned.

"I… am super brave, you know."

Kurumi released Schwi's right hand and gently patted her head.

Her slender, toned legs tensed, then she sprang gracefully into the air.

Clank—

Clank—

The gunblade and chain clutched in Kurumi's hands shimmered as she descended like a shadow, her toes touching the ground lightly.

Pushing off, she shot toward the source of the sound.

Humans lacked the nerves to link to the "Spirit Corridor," and their bodies held no trace of spirit power.

This meant their "magic adaptation was zero, making magic use impossible," but it also meant they had an easier time concealing themselves.

With sufficient stealth, they could evade creatures that used spirit energy to scan their surroundings.

Though… this was a trick that only Kurumi herself could pull off.

…

"Beginning… observation of [manifestation]." Schwi's eyes glowed as a radar-like detection wave spread from the tips of her tails.

"…In a world like this, for humans to survive… biologically… it's unusual…"

—Zzt zzt… like the sound of a short-circuiting circuit board.

"… A variable descended from beyond [Disboard]… is abnormal…"

"… A human lacking Spirit Corridor nerves who still makes this unit feel threatened… is abnormal…"

Tiny streams of blue light shimmered behind Schwi as she pushed off the ground, crouched, and sprang forward to follow Kurumi.

"… Observe… analyze… the [Heart] that allows humanity to survive…"

——

Like a swift swallow, Kurumi sprinted toward the source of the noise.

Judging by the intensity of the tremors… the enemy… was not humanoid…

About two meters in height…

Arthropod-like…

Moving at a rapid pace…

It seemed to be of the Demonia species.

They were monsters created by a mutated Phantasma known as the "Devil."

Most of them were low-intelligence beasts, or even more mindless.

They had little to no sentience, prowling the wastelands by night, searching for anything they could devour.

But… creatures of the Demonia type were often tough and tenacious foes.

Yet, what did that matter?

Kurumi grinned arrogantly. Whatever it was, she would simply tear it apart.

The Demonia creature was charging directly toward Schwi.

Only a Demonia would rush a Ex-Machina like this without thinking.

Unlike other races that used spirits to power their magic, Ex-Machina used spirit energy as fuel, converting it to a power source, which meant that as long as a Ex-Machina wasn't deliberately hiding, they were fairly easy to detect.

Yet despite this, the enemy had charged right in.

What a mindless creature.

Kurumi stomped heavily on a rock, launching herself up onto a hill.

Beyond the hill lay a crater-like pit… and at the pit's center, the remnants of an iron wreckage.

It was the remains of a flying airship—a sky warship built by the Dwarves.

Only now did Kurumi realize that the Demonia creature wasn't aiming for Schwi at all.

…

After arriving in this world, Kurumi had sealed off her own spirit powers under the pact with the "God of Games," and was exploring as an [adventurer].

Besides sound and vision, she instinctively relied on tracking energy sources to search for prey, a habit originating from her highly specialized celestial technology.

So… she had unintentionally overlooked the humans who couldn't use spirits.

——

"Hahahahaha—"

"Come on! Eat me!"

In the giant crater, a middle-aged man ran, his hood down, shouting at the top of his lungs. Behind him was a massive Demonia creature.

His face was eroded by the "Black Ash" raining down, revealing raw, burn-like wounds.

The pain spurred him to run faster.

He sprinted in the direction of Kurumi and Schwi.

Purely by coincidence.

In another direction at the edge of the crater, two other humans, moving like phantoms, concealed their breaths as they quietly slipped away.

Humans were incapable of fighting Demonia creatures; in the face of such beasts, all they could do was sacrifice one to save the others.

This was a fact that… everyone knew.

Until… Ivan saw an angel.

Yes, Ivan.

That was the name of the man tasked with luring the Demonia to its doom.

…

He would die here.

Ivan understood this well, accepting it the moment the young leader of his settlement had given him the order.

But there was no helping it… he wanted to survive this, too. Back in the settlement, he had a loving wife and a young daughter waiting for him.

But… but…

He couldn't waver, couldn't hesitate.

For the sake of those who had already died, for the chance to let more people in his settlement glimpse the sun beyond the clouds, he had to accept his duty to die.

"Die here, Ivan."

Ivan knew that, when the young leader said those words, it must have… hurt deeply.

His legs felt like they were about to snap, and a foul, stinking wind blew from behind him.

Ivan gripped his stone blade and turned around.

A gleaming golden eye, twisted and malevolent, stared at him, attached to a black, serpentine body that stretched endlessly.

… What a pathetic way to die.

Ivan let out a bitter laugh.

Swoosh—

The sound of clothes flapping in the wind.

Ivan looked back in shock to see a petite figure sprinting in his direction.

You fool… don't throw your life away.

Such a small figure, like a child.

She was racing quickly in Ivan's direction.

No dazzling magic or spellwork, no steampunk contraptions twisted by gears, only a wide black and red coat that enveloped her entire form.

That was a human.

Ivan's heart told him so.

"Run! Get away, now!!!"

He shouted with all the breath he had left, his ears buzzing as his throat burned.

Was he shouting too loudly? Or had he inhaled some of the "Black Ash"?

Ivan didn't know.

The foul wind was already brushing against his hair, which had knotted from neglect, and Ivan felt he could see it… that monster of the Demonia species with its gaping maw, ready to swallow him whole.

A shadow fell over him, warm, foul air wafting over his neck—was that the Demonia's mouth?

Ivan didn't know that, either.

…

Now, he only hoped that the little one would quickly escape.

Maybe… there was still time.

But this was no longer his concern.

Ivan closed his eyes.

Clank—

Was that the sound of Death's chains?

Something whirled swiftly past him, fast enough to stir the air.

Ivan trembled.

What could he do? People are like this, scared and hesitating, afraid.

Even if they're prepared to die, when the moment actually arrives, they're still afraid.

But… why wasn't he dead yet?

ROAR!!!!!!

A deafening howl reverberated around him, like the fury of a trapped beast.

Cold air brushed against his skin, the wounds scorched by "Black Ash" stinging with renewed pain.

Rustle, rustle—

His clothes flapped in the wind, and Ivan opened his eyes in shock, just in time to see the figure in a black-and-red coat approaching him, wearing an owl-like mask.

He caught sight of her figure and turned around to follow her movements.

Long, black hair swayed in the wind, snapping across his face.

It smelled nice…

And… it hurt.

——

Here he was, about to die… and he was thinking of someone else.

Kurumi shot down the hill, the corner of her mouth quirking with mild annoyance.

Pitiful… but kind-hearted.

The weak man was panting and shouting for her to escape, while the terrifying Demonia beast had already opened its funnel-like maw, like that of a seven-gilled eel, aimed at him.

She had to make it in time… Kurumi bit down on an Overdrive Capsule and Golden Sheep's Milk—potent potions that boosted her speed.

The creature's tongue, sharp like a skewer, was already wrapping around the man.

Almost there… almost… Kurumi hurled her gunblade with all her strength.

—Chains of Death.

In the nick of time, the black gunblade and its chain pinned the Demonia beast down.

It let out one final furious roar before being completely pinned in place.

The small gunblade was laughably small compared to the monster's size, but it held the beast down firmly.

Because that was the rule, the rule of the game.

…

Kurumi leaned forward, resting her hands on her thighs. Her shoes dragged against the ground as she slid a short distance, finally coming to a stop.

The Chains of Death only held for five seconds, and she couldn't guarantee what would happen after that.

Her revolvers in hand, she calmly loaded them, savoring the rare chance to play with the cylinders.

Kurumi lifted her head slightly, looking back with a teasing, seductive tone in her voice.

"Ara ara… Mister… could you step aside a bit?"

"Huh?" Ivan froze, realizing that this was a girl's voice. And, her voice… sounded beautiful.

"I said… MOVE…!"

Ivan snapped to attention, hurriedly pulling up his hood, and scrambled away in Rick's direction, crawling and rolling.

Since he had escaped death, there was no point hanging around under the "Black Ash."

Right… Rick, that was the name of their settlement's leader.

Although he didn't understand why the girl would save him, the fact that he had survived was enough.

…

The Chains of Death flickered with intermittent white light.

Five seconds had passed, and with Kurumi's pull, the gunblade burst into blazing gunfire.

ROAR!!!!!!

The giant Demonia insect roared, its outer shell shredded by the explosion of gunfire, corrosive green blood spraying out in all directions. Writhing in agony, it lunged at Kurumi.

Despite the stench and rush of foul wind, Kurumi remained incredibly calm.

Even without using her spirit powers as "Kurumi Tokisaki," she was still a roaming gunslinger.

The girl born in the Celestial Realm had been tested for her talents from the age of five, and only the most gifted were chosen to endure endless training, eventually joining the most elite force in the imperial guard—the "Imperial Princess's Court."

Sacrificing everything…

To turn her body into a beautiful, blood-red blossom in full bloom.

…

Flames ignited around Kurumi, orange… the cold fire of death.

Her hands extended, blood-red leather gloves gripping the weighty, wide-barreled gun. Her right and left hands crossed in front of her, taking a standard mobile shooting stance.

Kurumi pulled the trigger rapidly, and the torrent of bullets struck the funnel-shaped, tooth-filled mouth of the Demonia insect, splattering thick green blood that dripped onto the ground, releasing wisps of gray-black smoke.

The deafening roar of gunfire drew the attention of Rick and Ivan, who had regrouped, panting for breath.

"Should we run?" Ivan looked toward the young leader of the settlement. Although she had saved him, they knew nothing about her race, her purpose, or her intentions.

At first, he'd thought she was human, but watching her battle against the massive Demonia creature, he could only bitterly dismiss that notion.

Then, Ivan got a resolute answer from Rick.

"We run. But… not toward the settlement." Rick replied in a low voice.

They didn't know if she was friend or foe.

So, under no circumstances should she find the settlement's location.

"Split up again?" Ivan asked.

"I think… no need." Rick replied with a wry smile, looking up to the top of the hill where Kurumi had initially stood.

There, a much smaller figure stood quietly, observing everything happening in the pit below.

To them, this was terrible news—the girl had a companion.

——

While firing and retreating, Kurumi assessed the power of this eleventh race creature.

The massive insect was also backing away. The torrent of bullets had inflicted significant damage, and it realized the small human before it was not an easy target.

It leaped back a considerable distance, compressing its body like a spring before slamming into the ground, disappearing into the earth with a cloud of dark ash.

"Black Ash" was a nuisance for most species, but Demonia creatures were clearly not affected.

The ground rumbled louder and louder.

Was it planning to flee?

Evidently not.

The tremors in the earth grew stronger and stronger.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Kurumi's feet swelled, bursting open as the enormous insect erupted from below, its maw lined with serrated teeth lunging straight up toward the sky.

Clank—

Clank—

Kurumi swung her gunblade, gripping the short blade at the end as the revolver spun like a meteor hammer.

Facing the insect's attack, Kurumi simply executed a series of backward jumps, evading it.

The creature burst out of the ground, twisting at the peak of its jump, and aimed its flower-like mouth straight at Kurumi again.

The gunblade in her hand spun in wide circles.

The only sound around her was the rattling of the chains.

The creature's massive form loomed close, and Kurumi gripped the gunblade's handle tightly, then swung it down with all her might.

The chain extended infinitely, transforming the gunblade into a towering sword that slashed downward.

—Chain Interception: Enhanced Version.

In an instant, the creature was split cleanly in two.

A single stroke—perfectly severed.

Its vile organs and green blood spilled everywhere.

…

Casually flicking the gunblade aside, Kurumi carefully tucked her long black hair back into her hood.

She watched the direction in which Ivan and Rick had fled and began to follow.

…

"Hey… why are you running?! I'm not going to eat you." Kurumi stopped in front of them, forcing the group to a halt.

"…Ex-Machina language…"

Rick muttered, sounding bitter as he spoke to the others behind him.

In the records they had plundered from other races, the Ex-Machina were known to be non-aggressive.

Yet here she was, saving Ivan—this was not necessarily a good thing.

Humanity, having survived by keeping a low profile and hiding in the shadows of war, was unlikely to find anything good in being noticed by a higher race.

"Huh?" Kurumi finally sensed something was off—this wouldn't do.

[Thousand Words—Activated.]

[Analysis—Complete.]

In the shocked stares of the three men, Kurumi pulled off her hood, and her black hair spilled free.

"No," she smiled, taking off her mask.

"In a certain sense… I'm 'human.'"

Maybe.

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