Terror Infinity Side B

Chapter 18, BTOOOM

When Shin and the others got back to their base of operations, they were greeted by Aqua and Hikari who had stayed behind. The group who had return had gone through a lot and wanted nothing more then to rest, yet what they saw shocked them.

The two who greeted the group were in a middle of a fight... If you could call Aqua pinning Hikari to the ground while she fruitlessly tried to get back up a fight. Hikari was trying her hardest, but she was powerless against Aqua's strength.

Misaki: ...What the hell is going on.

Shuai: Yeah, why are the two fighting... Shin?

Misaki, Saki, Kampa and Zero had no idea what was going on or how to approach this event, yet one of them were was smiling.

Shin: Could this, could this be... The legendary cat fight where two girls fight over the protagonist!?

Aqua: No.

Hikari: As if!

Shin: ...Well, your already here like this and if we can just add some mud then-

Aqua: Shut up!

Hikari: Baka otaku!

Shin learned that Hikari had asked Aqua for fighting tips so she can become useful, or at least protect herself. She had to rely on Shin to get most of her chips and she only killed a Btooom Soldier by luck. Hikari wanted more strength as to not become a burden, so she went to Aqua for advice.

Aqua said getting enhancements and weapons would make her more powerful, but she first must become strong enough to use them. And even if she isn't a fighter, she can train herself to give her the confidence to act whatever her role is, because that is what training is. More so then building oneself up physically, training helps to build oneself up mentally as well.

Shin said that Hikari shouldn't try to become a fighter, but a support role, but she gets angry that he is fine with Aqua fighting despite the danger. Shin was confused, and Aqua added on that if his goal is a harem, then his goal is far, far away.

Shin: Why is that? I've played enough ero, I mean gal game the I could rival The God of Conquest, Keima Katsuragi.

Aqua: ...I think you have your answer.

Shin: ...

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It soon began to rain heavily on the island after the sun went down. Although the mission wasn't over Team Japan had a mini celebration of sorts. Over the last few days they had acquired enough food to last for days and with tomorrow's Day 7 being the last day of the mission whether they lived or died, they decided to stuff themselves and be ready to fight the final boss at full power.

Most, if not all of the NPC, newbie Players and enemies were dead. They were probably the only surviving humans left on the island, so they didn't need to be alert as they had been, and so they had fun. There wasn't much to do except talk and eat, but that was more then enough for all of them to relax and lift their spirits after everything that they have been through the last six days.

Hikari and Misaki ( Misaki was loopy on pain killers they they found in an earlier supply case ) listened to the interesting war stories of Kampa and the people who Zero has been tasked to off ( Some names we knew and that frightened us ).

And having done his part as the bait, Shuai was being escorted by Saki to deliver him one of his prizes... His final chip/NPC he must kill to complete one of his main quest objectives so he can live through Day 6's Midnight Execution.

As for Shin and Aqua, they were siting down and resting. Aqua needed her full strength for tomorrow's final battle and Shin although not hurt was worn down both physically and mentally due to the pain of unlocking his Genetic Constraint for a third time.

Shin: So how are you recovering? You got to spend the day resting... And to embrace Hikari in a sweaty-

Aqua: Don't make it sound so perverse, Shin. How about you? You went into Unlocked Mode for a third time, right?

Shin: That is right, and I am more worn out then I imagined I would be. The battle was a piece of cake after going against the Btooom Soldiers and Btooom Commanders enough times, yet this Genetic Constraint is killing me.

Aqua: It probably is. Like I said before your genetics are breaking down and you are only standing because of your Cell Vitality and Immunization Strength being so high due to being part Ghoul. If not then I bet you wouldn't be able to stand on your own.

Shin: It's nice to know that I'm lucky.

Aqua: You definitely are. We only have one battle left and if it is just one more time in Unlocked Mode then you should be okay, but is there anything specifically wrong with you?

Shin: I might have over done it with the last Soul Crushing Strike that I used to kill the Btooom Commander. My right hand feels... Numb, if not almost completely paralyzed, but it isn't anything to worry about.

Aqua: How is that not something to worry about?

Shin: It's my none dominant hand, so I can still fight. Also, if I do end up going into that state again I might be able to force it to move before it becomes useless flesh.

Aqua: Well, hopefully you won't have to push yourself too hard. I don't know how powerful this Ryuta Sakamoto is, but with me there and fully rested you can leave your back to me. Rest assured.

Shin: I don't know how I feel about my girlfriend protecting me from the big bad final boss, but thank you anyway.

Aqua: I am not your girlfriend. Also, if it makes you feel better you can take a BIM to the face for me to prove your manly pride.

Shin: Sure, yet I'll rather not. One near death BIM explosion is enough for one mission.

Aqua laughed at Shin and to his surprise sneaky grabbed his hand. Shin was overjoyed by this show of affection on her part, yet...

Shin: Can't you hold my other hand that is not numb to the touch of a beautiful women?

Aqua: No. If I used your other hand you would enjoy it so much and would lose control and attack me here and now.

Shin: Come on! I promise that I won't. This is just torture.

Aqua: Nope.

Shin: ...Sadist.

Aqua: What was that?

Shin: Nothing! Nothing at all.

Shin and Aqua were enjoying themselves so much at that time that neither realized that Hikari was watching them from across the room. She had a complicated expression on her face, yet she never intervened. The party came to an end soon after.

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https://youtu.be/Id4__Kac4Q8

Day 7 and the day of the decisive battle, 2:58 A.M.

At this time most of the members of Team Japan were asleep after an exhausting day. The only one up was Zero who was on look out duty. While so far the enemy has always arrived around noon with the supply drops, but with the earlier fear Shin once held, that the mission never stated when the enemy arrives they needed at least one of them to be up and on look out duty.

With the exception of Aqua and Shin who needed as much rest as possible for the final battle, Saki, Kampa, Zero, Hikari and Misaki drew lots to see who would keep watch at night in two hour interval. Saki's turn finished almost an hour ago, so it was the second turns person, Zero to keep watch for any enemy movement.

The rain had lighten up by this time, so Zero was able to see the surrounding area and night sky to some extent, and for an assassin who specializes in sniping it was good enough. Zero was even given cutting-edge binoculars by the veteran Players, so he was well equipped to spot any enemy moving in the middle of the night. It was as he was thinking that he should only have one more hour left on his shift that something caught his eye.

In the night sky as the clouds were parting and the light of the moon was beginning to illuminate the island, Zero saw a plane flying towards the island and became immediately suspicious about the plane.

Zero: Is that a stealth plane?

It wasn't more about the time of day that it currently was, but how it approached the island. The plane was much smaller then any of the cargo planes that they seen so far and it made almost no sound as it flew through the dark skys. It was also painted a dark grey, so in the rain and darkness of the night, if it had been anyone other then Zero who was on guard, including Shin and Aqua with their enhanced vision, no one who have spotted the stealth plane approaching the island.

When the plane was finally flying over the island Zero saw something jump out of it and the plane itself soon fell into the sea. Soon as that something jumped out of the plane, descending 5,000 feet and touched groud on the island there was a surprisingly movement within Zero's own base.

Not less then ten seconds passed by and someone had arrived on top of the building where Zero was on watch. Covered in sweat and with a look of upmost seriousness in her eyes was Aqua.

Aqua: Zero! We are getting out of here. Whatever this is has already spotted us and is moving towards us at a inhuman speed!

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https://youtu.be/RIf9kCg5_2E

Next coming out the front entrance of the base with as serious look on his face was Shin.

Shin was just asleep till not fifteen seconds ago on a couch and suddenly he was wide awake and had run out the base. Shin had felt the same killing intent that Aqua had. That something very, very dangerous had arrived to the island and everyone here was already spotted by the enemy.

What Shin and Aqua had felt wasn't just a new enemy's arrival to the island, but a radar scan that covered the entire island. But what was different this time was that no one other then Shin and Aqua had felt it. It was in fact a radar scan that doesn't alert the other parties that they have been spotted by the enemy. It was a cheat like ability, but as it was only held by the one and only one enemy, so it didn't violate God's shitty sense of fairness in the least.

Shin: If I wasn't so sensitive to these things I would have missed it, yet... What is this oppressive feeling that I'm am getting. Far more so then any of the Btooom Soldiers or Btooom Commanders when I first felt them, this feeling of death and terror is many times greater.

The last time Shin was so overwhelmed by an enemy presence he was too controlled by his fear to do anything else but run away, but now after all his battle experience with the Btooom Soldiers and Btooom Commmaders, he was able to act to welcome the enemy. But still...

Shin: What is this guy? If it wasn't still so far away I might have already gone into Unlocked Mode due to fear. Is this... really the final boss Ryuta Sakamoto?

Hikari: Shin!

Shin: Hikari, and everyone else too.

Aqua and Zero had begun to wake everybody up, told them of the potential danger and they all agreed to leave. Most of them weren't used to a night battle, so they would be disadvantaged if they fought the enemy before sunrise. After quickly packing away anything of importance they ran out the front entrance, running into Shin who was already outside.

Shin: Aqua. Do you think think that its him?

Aqua: Yeah. No doubt about it. This has to ne the final boss of this mission that we must defeat to complete the Main Quest before today's end, Ryuta Sakamoto!

Saki: I don't have such a sensitivity to danger like you two, but are you sure that it is Ryuta Sakamoto.

Aqua: Who else could it be? This is already Day 7.

Hikari: I think she means that something is strange. I've heard about the Manga Btooom from Shin and Saki, so I have to agree that something doesn't match up.

Misaki: Like what?

Shin: You mean that Ryuta despite being the MC, is still a normal human in the Manga?

Saki: That's correct. Ryuta Sakamoto is a very skilled, if not the best Btooom player in the world, but he is still human. If we look at his abilities in the Manga and compare it to the danger that you and Aqua feel, then it doesn't match. Maybe Ryuta could defeat a single Btooom Soldier with his skills, but the Btooom Commander and an entire unit of enemies that have been coming to the island every day since Day 2... I don't feel that he possess that much of a threat to us from what you told us about him.

Shin: True... But we have been dealing with the Btooom Soldiers and Commanders who were not in the original story, so maybe-

Aqua: Whatever the case, we need to stop analyzing the situation and get out of here. Ryuta Sakamoto or whatever it is, it is moving extremely fast through the jungle and heading our way.

Saki: Alright. Lets retreat. The inside of the base is perfect to fight with BIM and sneak attacks, but our enemy may have the power to bring down the whole building with a single BIM being a last boss and all. I don't like it, but we should abandon this place. Is anyone marked by the enemy by the way?

We all looked at ou IC Chips and confirmed with each other.

Shin: No. My Chip is still the same blue as always.

Aqua: Nope.

Hikari: Not this time.

Misaki: Not me.

Kampa. I am good.

Zero: No.

Shuai: All fine here.

Saki: Great. Looks like this long distance radar scan that Aqua warned us about can't mark us. For the time being lets runaway. If after an hour or so the enemy keeps chasing we will stop running and face the enemy despite the disadvantages before our condition gets too bad.

Shin: Alright everyone. Lets go!

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https://youtu.be/AQ_V84K-AbE

The rain had picked up again as they made their escape into the dark and raining jungle. Shin and Aqua were placed in the rear to respond to any surprise attack and Misaki and Kampa lead the group further into the jungle. In the middle Hikari and Saki were helping Shuai whose foot was injured in an earlier fight keep up witht he group.

Shin kept looking back to see something, but it was no good. The jungle was too dark for him to possibility see. He was jealous of Aqua who had enhancements that could allow her to see and act in the dark, having the Werewolf bloodline and Wolverine mutation at her aid. Shin had all but given up trying to spot the enemy, and that is when it happened.

In the time of a split second, a streak of lightning lit up the entire island and in that instant Shin spotted what he thought to be the enemy.

On top of a hill over 5000 meters away stood a lone figure. Shin couldn't make out this person's appearance, yet Shin had felt such a feeling of death and dread from the that figure that he almost went into Unlocked Mode due to fear.

Shin tried his hardest to suppress that feeling because he knew if he did that would be the end. His Unlocked Mode, no matter how helpful it is, was breaking down his body and the next time he went into that state he knew it would be the last. Even if he didn't die right away he would lose his ability to fight for the remainder of the mission. They were currently running away, so he didn't want to go into that mode and waste it now when the enemy was so far away.

This turned out to be the right call for the team and Shin himself, but a mistake at the same time for one of the members of Team Japan. If Shin had gone into Unlocked Mode then he could have reacted in time for what was about to happen next. The figure in the distance, not with a BIM Launcher or any other tool, threw a BIM at 500 MPH from over 5000 meters, and it struck one of the members of Team Japan and Shin who couldn't react in time to do anything could only watch in horror.

Zero: Ghaaaaaa!!!

To Shin's shock a 1300°C Flammable Oil Splashing Flame BIM struck Zero's upper body and was set on fire. Kampa and a limping Shuai quickly put the fire burning him out, yet Zero was critically wounded.

Shin: Zero!

Hikari: Is, is he alright!?

Kampa: It isn't good, but he's not dead yet. It isn't good to move him carelessly through the jungle in case of infections, but we have no choice. Saki or Hikari help me out.

Shin: Alright! Let's-

Aqua: Shin!

Then as Kampa and Hikairi were caring for the burned Zero it happened again. The next enemy attack came. A Cracker BIM was thrown by the enemy and aimed at Shin this time. He was unable to react as he was distracted by Zero's injuries, but right as the Cracker BIM could strike his face Aqua grabbed it and the BIM detonated within her hands.

Shin: Aqua! Are you...

Aqua I'm fine! Thanks to covering my hands in Aura it is only a light flesh wound, but damm this guy is a monster to throw BIM so fast and over this distance. Is he still even human.

Aqua was right to complain. The enemy had thrown that BIM with such speed, range and precision that you could call it true sniping and it raised the danger of BIM battles up to a new level.

Thankfully, Aqua had caught the BIM to save Shin, but she didn't come out of it completely unharmed. She called it a mere flesh wound, yet a lot of her flesh was almost blown off. Her hand was still usable, but even with the protection of Aura, if she didn't have strong adamantium covered bones and the toughness of a Werewolf the impact would have broken, if not blown her hand off.

Saki: Aqua can you see the enemy? It is too dark and the rain is obstructing sight as well.

Aqua: I can see him clearly through this darkness. One, if not both of my genetic enhancements may be allowing me to spot and sense the enemy.

Shin: Lucky you. I can only spot a figure in the distance when there is lightning cutting through the skys.

Saki: ...Aqua, could you-

Aqua: You don't have to manipulate me to do so, so stop Saki. I'll fight the enemy alone. You all escape by yourselves.

Shin: Alone? Why!? If we have to fight, then I'll-

Aqua: You can't come with me. I have to go to put pressure on the enemy, or the enemy will continue to snipe us with BIM till we all die as we are running away. Someone has to distract the enemy. Also, you won't be much help if you can't even protect yourself, so how do you expect to help me and not be an liability in a fight. Just focus on protecting yourself and the others as you make your escape. If you come with me Shin we could definitely win, but more than likely everyone else will die!

Shin: ...

Aqua: Don't be that way. I'm not going to die, but...

Shin: But?

Aqua: But... You will absolutely be jealous afterwards over the amount of Points and rank rewards I'll get for defeating the big bad final boss alone. 6000 Points and B rank reward. If you thought I was sexy with B rank Wolverine and Werewolf mutation, then you will lose yourself after seeing me when we get back to the Terminal Lobby.

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After saying this Aqua disappeared into the darkness of the jungle in the middle of the rain. Shin wanted to desperately go after her, but if he left the others they would certainly die if something else happens in their current condition, so he didn't.

Then morning came.

They found a place to hide out and not only did the mission not end like they had hoped, but Aqua had yet to return as well. Ryuta Sakamoto was not defeated last night and Aqua's whereabouts are unknown. It was the worst possible situation to greet the morning sun of the final Day 7.

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Authors Note:

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Two more chapters till the Btooom arc ends.