She steps on his already crushed face and digs her heel in further.
“No!” Ryuk screams as he hears a snapping sound. He triggers the weapon and …
… Nothing happens.
The female humandroid turns to him.
“Put it down,” she says firmly, “and let me finish what I came here to do.”
As she takes a step closer to him, a message flashes across Ryuk’s iNet screen.
Hajime: I am not dead, but she has shattered my vocal folds. If you plan to use the humgun, you need to turn the safety off. Use your thumb to do it. It will be on the right side of the weapon.
Ryuk feels around on the side of the weapon and notices a small, square button. He presses it and steadies his aim on the female humandroid, who is about three meters away from him.
“Put it down,” she tells him, one of her hands in a fist and the other wrapped around her blade.
“Nope. And fuck you.”
Ryuk squeezes the trigger and the humandroid drops instantly.
No flash, no bullet, no blowback or report. She simply drops, as if someone had flicked an off switch on her back.
Ryuk lowers his weapon, not sure of how he should respond next. He waits to see if she’ll move. She doesn’t. And after he waits another minute just to be sure, he clears his throat and asks, “Um, is that it?”
A message appears.
Hajime: Yes. You’ve completely disabled her.
“What now?” Ryuk places the weapon on the counter. It is cold; there’s no sign that it has even been fired. There’s something completely eerie about it.
Hajime: I need to visit a humandroid engineer. I was weaker today than I would have liked to have been, and I believe it has something to do with robosynthesis, and the fact I haven’t been recharging properly.
“Okay.”
Hajime: We need to call a taxi to take us to a repair facility. Before I do this, I want you to go to your room, get your sweater with the big front pockets, and grab the real gun. Kodai may be coming soon with backup.
“But I don’t … I don’t know how to use it.” Ryuk glances at the black gun on the floor of their kitchen and swallows hard.
Hajime: It is a precaution. I can tell you how to use it if it comes down to it.
“And what about her?” Ryuk asks, suddenly overcome with panic. Seeing two deadish bodies, even though they aren’t human, is really doing a number on him. He feels like he’s part of a crime scene, that the police will be there any minute to arrest him for shooting her.
Hajime: Leave her. My guess is that Kodai will be up here pretty soon with his thugs. Grab what you need. It’s time we find a new place to live.
“Where?”
Hajime: Let me worry about that. Grab some clothes, call a taxi, and let’s get out of here.
Ryuk bends to pick the real gun off the floor. He looks again at the bodies and at his bedroom door. A wave of anger rolls over him as he thinks of his brother, and how his own flesh and blood could possibly do this.
First in Tritania, now here.
A deep breath in does little to cool his anger. Kodai will pay, of this he is sure, but it will take a miracle for this not to end in a way that will adversely affect them both.
Hajime: Hurry. I’ve gone ahead and called the taxi. It will pick us up on the rooftop.
Ryuk moves to his room and grab a duffle bag. He places a change of clothes, his haptic gloves, and his NV Visor in the bag. From there he goes to the bathroom for a few toiletries.
He returns to the living room, his bag slung over his shoulder.
“How do I carry you up there?”
Hajime sits up quickly, which sends a bolt of shock down Ryuk’s spine. The damn near faceless humandroid turns to him and a light flashes behind one of his eyes.
Hajime: Sorry to startle you.
“It’s fine,” he says as the humandroid stands. “Can you see?”
Hajime: My sensors will do just fine.
The humandroid takes a step forward and his foot scrapes against the overturned couch.
“Let me help you,” he says, rushing over to him. Hajime lifts his arm and places it around Ryuk’s shoulder.
Together, the humandroid and the Tokyo youth make it to the rooftop. A cold rain picks up, the water beating against their two forms as the taxi lowers.
After he’s safely inside, and Hajime is next to him, Ryuk takes one more look back at his apartment, knowing all too well that this chapter of his life has come to a close.
Ryuk Matsuzaki’s Character Sheet
(*as of the end of Book Two)
Ryuk Matsuzaki Level 19 Ballistics Mage
HP: 602/602
ATK: 118
MATK: 149
DEF: 89
MDF: 73
LUCK: 24
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Skilclass="underline" Tonsil Shot
Level Three: 1 in 9 chance of connecting.
Damage: 28% if enemy is less than level 30; 15% if enemy is greater than level 30.
Odds of instakilclass="underline" 11%
Requirements for instakilclass="underline" LUCK > 9
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Skilclass="underline" A Simple Request
Level Four: 1 in 6.25 chance of a request being granted.
Caveat: Only works with a clear marble.
Requirements: LUCK > 10
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Skilclass="underline" Cherry Poppin’ Daddy
Level Two: 1 in 10 chance of connecting. Enemy’s backside must be exposed. Higher levels increase damage and chance for an instakill.
Damage: 45% if enemy is less than level 30; 15% if enemy is greater than level thirty.
Odds of instakilclass="underline" 16%
Requirements for instakilclass="underline" LUCK > 7
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Skilclass="underline" Extreme Focus
Level Three: Can detect approach of camouflaged/concealed/stealthed enemies and objects.
Mage bonus: Higher levels allow sleuthing and increased accuracy. Also increases magic detection range when used in tandem with Magic Eye.
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Skilclass="underline" Inspire Others
Level Three: By inspiring others, you induce them to follow your orders. Higher levels allow for manipulation of enemies and random strangers.
Requirements: LUCK > 10
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Skilclass="underline" Magic Eye
Level Five: A colored glow indicates that magical properties are present. Higher levels allow for more detail and access to the Wikipedia of arcane knowledge. A red outline signals that a hidden enemy is near. A yellow outline signals that an object is enchanted. A dark blue outline signals that necrotic magic is being used. A green outline signals that algomagic is being used. An orange outline indicates a hidden trap is present.
Requirements: Level 13 Mage, LUCK > 8.
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Skilclass="underline" Splash Back
Level Two: Damage increases with higher levels.
Damage: 5% if enemy is less than level 30; 2% if enemy is greater than level 30.
Odds of instakilclass="underline" 4%
Requirements for instakilclass="underline" LUCK > 9
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Skilclass="underline" Gory Headshot
Level One: Odds of instakill increase with level.
Odds of Instakilclass="underline" 52% if enemy is less than level 30; 32% if enemy is greater than level 30.
Caveat: Must be within five meters of opponent’s head.