One of the greatest advantages of guns in this world is the element of surprise. Unlike Earth, this world is not technologically advanced; it's rooted in the medieval period, so the people here have no knowledge of guns. Pointing a gun at someone wouldn't even register as a threat to them. At most, they might mistake guns for oddly shaped magic wands used by mages.
But that guy, the Red Ogre, knows what guns are?
"Ruby," I ask my other AI. "There's something I want you to do..."
I highly suspect that he is a summoned individual as well.
BOOM!
Another punch from the Red Ogre smashes the ground to bits, but thanks to Sapphire, I dodges it in time, leaping back. For now, keeping my distance is the best thing I can do. Those enchanted shots earlier were my strongest attacks, and yet, they didn’t even leave a single scratch. Attacking further seems pointless.
“I know!”
On the other hand, even if I can't damage him, he also can't hit me. Based on the impact of his punches on the ground and the way he’s moving, Sapphire has worked to estimate his stats for me. His Strength level is absurd, but his Agility lags slightly behind mine. The moon elves were much faster. If I could survive that, I think I'll be able to last more than five minutes fighting this guy.
“Tsk, you remind me of rats,” the Red Ogre sneers. “Always skulking in the shadows.”
“So what? Can’t even catch a rat?” I shoot back.
“Haha, do you really think so?” he smirks. “I’m just playing with you, giving you a little hope. Now, it’s time for despair!” Then, with a deafening roar—“Raaaaaar!”—the guy swells before my eyes, morphing into a giant monster!
“What… the hell...?”
Looking at him, now I understand why they call him the Red Ogre!
From a big guy, two meters tall, he's transformed into a five-meter-tall demonic colossus. His skin is a vivid crimson. His muscular body pulsates with power, his abs and muscles carved like slabs of stone, and his veins are thicker than ropes. The tattoo on his whole upper body glows, then his face contorts into the stuff of nightmares with blazing, malevolent red eyes and protruding teeth. Two large, curved horns grow out, arcing from his temples.
That’s not an Ogre, however.
That’s a Japanese Oni!
He glances at me for a split second, and I feel the presence of death.
BOOOOOOM!
“Argh!”
What the heck was that?
I was almost crushed just now. If I had waited for Sapphire's notification, which comes in mere split seconds, instead of moving on pure instinct, I would have been a goner for sure. His attacks are not only much faster now but the range has increased as well!
This leaves me with no choice.
Overclock!
In an instant, everything slows down even more. My time dilation factor doubled But that leads to the same problem of my brain heating up as before. I can’t hold this state for long.
BOOM!
His punch is like a meteor striking the earth, shattering the ground.
BOOM!
Another one, like thunder, echoing through the air..
“Haha! Run, you fucking rat!!!” The Red Ogre’s laughter rumbles. And then, BOOM! BOOM! Each punch he throws feels like a detonation.
Damn it!
He's like a storm, each attack more powerful and deadly than the last!
So, I just dodge. Left, right, a hair's breadth from oblivion. Dodge. Dodge. Dodge. That’s all I can do.
Despite the chaos, I maintain a fragile rhythm, dodging each strike, weaving through his attacks, slipping through the slivers of space where death isn’t. Last time, I could maintain this state for five minutes before my brain got fried. Theoretically, I should be able to survive this onslaught too!
However, as the five minutes mark comes.
“It’s time!!! Five minutes!” Sophia's voice cuts through the chaos “STOP!”
Yet, the guy just keeps swinging and punching.
BOOM!
Another punch almost hit me.
Just as I thought, he has no intention of stopping!
And then, suddenly, my legs feel numb; I move 0.01 seconds later than I intended. His monstrous fist connects with my shoulder.
BOOOOOM!!
The world spins wildly as I'm catapulted through the air, crashing into a tree with a sickening CRACK! It’s the sound of my bone breaking. As I regain my senses, I realize my left arm is now gone, severed from my body somehow. Now, blood is gushing out.
I grit my teeth and bear the immense pain.
…
“Haha, got you,” the Red Ogre smirks and approaches me slowly.
I hear Sophia and the kids screaming and crying. They probably think that I’ve lost.
But no.
I stand up, smirk back at that guy.
“Well done, Ruby.”
With that, the AI just gave me my key to victory.
—-----------------------------------
Moments ago…
As I was dodging his attacks, I also noticed something else. He was missing a pinky finger, and his tattoos looked quite familiar. It felt like I had seen them somewhere before, so I asked Ruby to analyze them. It took a while because 99% of my energy was dedicated to Sapphire though.
But now, as his true identity is revealed…
“Ryuuji 'Oni' Kurosawa, is that who you are?” I say to him, “the Tokyo's Shinigami, isn't it?”
His reaction to that name is one of slight shock. I can see his eyes widening for a second. It’s his darkest past, after all.
A Yakuza.
Back on Earth, the Shinigami were an organization known for their ruthless and inhumane operations. I became aware of them once I started investigating missing individuals, and that included Ryuuji. Based in Tokyo, the gang operated numerous underground gambling establishments where debts were often violently collected. They were also involved in money laundering and narcotic trades. But none of that matched the worst thing they did: the Human Trafficking Ring. If someone owed them too much debt and couldn’t pay it back, they suggested that humans could be used as currency as well. That was how they lured young, innocent girls and children into brothels and other similar services.
And now, to think that such a despicable human being, the leader of Tokyo's Shinigami, has been summoned to this world to become a hero!?
What bullshit is that!?
“Haha, what a surprise!” Ryuuji laughs, his laughter reverberating. “How did you know? Are you a gang member too? If that’s the case, I sure can take in another slave if you grovel down and beg like a dog!”
“Ha, no thanks,” I reply. “I would rather die than bow down to such despicable scum of a human being like you! And you know what? It’s not me who will have to grovel before you, but you before me!”
“Huh? Are you out of your mind? Do you wish to die that badly?” Ryuuji’s eyes flare up, blazing like an inferno.
“Sure, go ahead!”
And with that, the giant red Oni throws another punch at me, attempting to end my life!
However…
As his fist inches away from my face, his attack stops abruptly.
…
“Wha… what the fuck is going on?” Ryuuji says in panic. “Why… can’t I … control my … my body!!!?”
“Because the AI you are using is Sapphire, isn’t it?”
…
“WHAT!? HOW!?”
Oh, what a lovely coincidence.
Two years ago, when Sapphire was first developed and in its earliest version, there were some interesting individuals in my company who decided to leak it and sell it to various underground organizations. Of course, the Shinigami got their hands on the prototypes.
But I had already anticipated that. It was actually the first step in a secret operation that we planned together with the government, aimed at purging that lair of demons. Inside each of the stolen chips, I embedded a tracking device and a virus. Anyone who had permission from me could activate that virus wirelessly as long as they had a compatible trigger device. The target would be paralyzed, and then we could either use that to our advantage to gather crucial information, or if we chose to, just straight up make their brains explode. With that strategy, we were able to take down the entire organization. However, it's too bad that Ryuuji was summoned before the purge happened.
But now, it has cost me an arm to buy enough time for Ruby to activate the virus, but it's worth it.
“Arrrghh! Arrrrrghhhh!” that Ryuji is standing right in front of me, screaming in his petrified body. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME, YOU FUCKING SHIT!?”
“Just die.”
As I utter the word, there’s a small pop coming from his head. That’s the chip exploding, taking his brain down with it.
Thud.
Ryuji collapses onto the ground, dead.
I wanted to torture him a bit more, to make him feel despair and pain, as the price for ruining so many innocent lives on Earth. However, I’m already at my limit now. I don’t know how much longer I can stand.
With that out of the way, what’s left to do is simple.
I hold my gun out again, aiming at Carmien, whose face is now as white as paper due to shock and terror, and pull the trigger.
But I can’t even hear the ‘bang’ sound anymore. I’ve lost too much blood. Sapphire is shutting down. I’m dead tired. I need to sleep.
I see Carmien fall down.
I see Sophia and the kids rushing towards me.
The biggest threat has been taken care of. Now, I hope she can bring everyone to safety.
One of the greatest advantages of guns in this world is the element of surprise. Unlike Earth, this world is not technologically advanced; it's rooted in the medieval period, so the people here have no knowledge of guns. Pointing a gun at someone wouldn't even register as a threat to them. At most, they might mistake guns for oddly shaped magic wands used by mages.
But that guy, the Red Ogre, knows what guns are?
"Ruby," I ask my other AI. "There's something I want you to do..."
I highly suspect that he is a summoned individual as well.
BOOM!
Another punch from the Red Ogre smashes the ground to bits, but thanks to Sapphire, I dodges it in time, leaping back. For now, keeping my distance is the best thing I can do. Those enchanted shots earlier were my strongest attacks, and yet, they didn’t even leave a single scratch. Attacking further seems pointless.
“I know!”
On the other hand, even if I can't damage him, he also can't hit me. Based on the impact of his punches on the ground and the way he’s moving, Sapphire has worked to estimate his stats for me. His Strength level is absurd, but his Agility lags slightly behind mine. The moon elves were much faster. If I could survive that, I think I'll be able to last more than five minutes fighting this guy.
“Tsk, you remind me of rats,” the Red Ogre sneers. “Always skulking in the shadows.”
“So what? Can’t even catch a rat?” I shoot back.
“Haha, do you really think so?” he smirks. “I’m just playing with you, giving you a little hope. Now, it’s time for despair!” Then, with a deafening roar—“Raaaaaar!”—the guy swells before my eyes, morphing into a giant monster!
“What… the hell...?”
Looking at him, now I understand why they call him the Red Ogre!
From a big guy, two meters tall, he's transformed into a five-meter-tall demonic colossus. His skin is a vivid crimson. His muscular body pulsates with power, his abs and muscles carved like slabs of stone, and his veins are thicker than ropes. The tattoo on his whole upper body glows, then his face contorts into the stuff of nightmares with blazing, malevolent red eyes and protruding teeth. Two large, curved horns grow out, arcing from his temples.
That’s not an Ogre, however.
That’s a Japanese Oni!
He glances at me for a split second, and I feel the presence of death.
BOOOOOOM!
“Argh!”
What the heck was that?
I was almost crushed just now. If I had waited for Sapphire's notification, which comes in mere split seconds, instead of moving on pure instinct, I would have been a goner for sure. His attacks are not only much faster now but the range has increased as well!
This leaves me with no choice.
Overclock!
In an instant, everything slows down even more. My time dilation factor doubled But that leads to the same problem of my brain heating up as before. I can’t hold this state for long.
BOOM!
His punch is like a meteor striking the earth, shattering the ground.
BOOM!
Another one, like thunder, echoing through the air..
“Haha! Run, you fucking rat!!!” The Red Ogre’s laughter rumbles. And then, BOOM! BOOM! Each punch he throws feels like a detonation.
Damn it!
He's like a storm, each attack more powerful and deadly than the last!
So, I just dodge. Left, right, a hair's breadth from oblivion. Dodge. Dodge. Dodge. That’s all I can do.
Despite the chaos, I maintain a fragile rhythm, dodging each strike, weaving through his attacks, slipping through the slivers of space where death isn’t. Last time, I could maintain this state for five minutes before my brain got fried. Theoretically, I should be able to survive this onslaught too!
However, as the five minutes mark comes.
“It’s time!!! Five minutes!” Sophia's voice cuts through the chaos “STOP!”
Yet, the guy just keeps swinging and punching.
BOOM!
Another punch almost hit me.
Just as I thought, he has no intention of stopping!
And then, suddenly, my legs feel numb; I move 0.01 seconds later than I intended. His monstrous fist connects with my shoulder.
BOOOOOM!!
The world spins wildly as I'm catapulted through the air, crashing into a tree with a sickening CRACK! It’s the sound of my bone breaking. As I regain my senses, I realize my left arm is now gone, severed from my body somehow. Now, blood is gushing out.
I grit my teeth and bear the immense pain.
…
“Haha, got you,” the Red Ogre smirks and approaches me slowly.
I hear Sophia and the kids screaming and crying. They probably think that I’ve lost.
But no.
I stand up, smirk back at that guy.
“Well done, Ruby.”
With that, the AI just gave me my key to victory.
—-----------------------------------
Moments ago…
As I was dodging his attacks, I also noticed something else. He was missing a pinky finger, and his tattoos looked quite familiar. It felt like I had seen them somewhere before, so I asked Ruby to analyze them. It took a while because 99% of my energy was dedicated to Sapphire though.
But now, as his true identity is revealed…
“Ryuuji 'Oni' Kurosawa, is that who you are?” I say to him, “the Tokyo's Shinigami, isn't it?”
His reaction to that name is one of slight shock. I can see his eyes widening for a second. It’s his darkest past, after all.
A Yakuza.
Back on Earth, the Shinigami were an organization known for their ruthless and inhumane operations. I became aware of them once I started investigating missing individuals, and that included Ryuuji. Based in Tokyo, the gang operated numerous underground gambling establishments where debts were often violently collected. They were also involved in money laundering and narcotic trades. But none of that matched the worst thing they did: the Human Trafficking Ring. If someone owed them too much debt and couldn’t pay it back, they suggested that humans could be used as currency as well. That was how they lured young, innocent girls and children into brothels and other similar services.
And now, to think that such a despicable human being, the leader of Tokyo's Shinigami, has been summoned to this world to become a hero!?
What bullshit is that!?
“Haha, what a surprise!” Ryuuji laughs, his laughter reverberating. “How did you know? Are you a gang member too? If that’s the case, I sure can take in another slave if you grovel down and beg like a dog!”
“Ha, no thanks,” I reply. “I would rather die than bow down to such despicable scum of a human being like you! And you know what? It’s not me who will have to grovel before you, but you before me!”
“Huh? Are you out of your mind? Do you wish to die that badly?” Ryuuji’s eyes flare up, blazing like an inferno.
“Sure, go ahead!”
And with that, the giant red Oni throws another punch at me, attempting to end my life!
However…
As his fist inches away from my face, his attack stops abruptly.
…
“Wha… what the fuck is going on?” Ryuuji says in panic. “Why… can’t I … control my … my body!!!?”
“Because the AI you are using is Sapphire, isn’t it?”
…
“WHAT!? HOW!?”
Oh, what a lovely coincidence.
Two years ago, when Sapphire was first developed and in its earliest version, there were some interesting individuals in my company who decided to leak it and sell it to various underground organizations. Of course, the Shinigami got their hands on the prototypes.
But I had already anticipated that. It was actually the first step in a secret operation that we planned together with the government, aimed at purging that lair of demons. Inside each of the stolen chips, I embedded a tracking device and a virus. Anyone who had permission from me could activate that virus wirelessly as long as they had a compatible trigger device. The target would be paralyzed, and then we could either use that to our advantage to gather crucial information, or if we chose to, just straight up make their brains explode. With that strategy, we were able to take down the entire organization. However, it's too bad that Ryuuji was summoned before the purge happened.
But now, it has cost me an arm to buy enough time for Ruby to activate the virus, but it's worth it.
“Arrrghh! Arrrrrghhhh!” that Ryuji is standing right in front of me, screaming in his petrified body. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME, YOU FUCKING SHIT!?”
“Just die.”
As I utter the word, there’s a small pop coming from his head. That’s the chip exploding, taking his brain down with it.
Thud.
Ryuji collapses onto the ground, dead.
I wanted to torture him a bit more, to make him feel despair and pain, as the price for ruining so many innocent lives on Earth. However, I’m already at my limit now. I don’t know how much longer I can stand.
With that out of the way, what’s left to do is simple.
I hold my gun out again, aiming at Carmien, whose face is now as white as paper due to shock and terror, and pull the trigger.
But I can’t even hear the ‘bang’ sound anymore. I’ve lost too much blood. Sapphire is shutting down. I’m dead tired. I need to sleep.
I see Carmien fall down.
I see Sophia and the kids rushing towards me.
The biggest threat has been taken care of. Now, I hope she can bring everyone to safety.
