E000X
We thirst for the seven sins.
We bear the #&#(!@&$.
This doesn't look like the right wire. Hey, anybody -
An unfamiliar voice seemed to ring in the air.
Where am I? Who am I…?
As these thoughts began to occur, a light buzzed into my sight.
…ake up.
Teacher. Wake up.
Looking around, I found myself in a strange place.
It was dotted with dozens of desks and chairs…
<A school?>
You seem rather confused, Dear Teacher.
<Me? A teacher?>
Indeed you are. Seeing how you're acting, you must have forgotten all about the explanation that was given just now.
<Uh… Y - Yeah, I guess. Hey, wait a sec… You can hear me?>
I am V.E.R.G.I.L.I.U.S. I have been waiting a long time for your arrival.
I am pleased to finally meet you.
His refusal to answer my questions saps me of any hope for an actual conversation.
<What's… Why are you acting like this…>
All I can do is feel the sublime terror crawling up my spine, unable to resist…
Anyway… I was in the middle of explaining your biological authentication.
<Bio…whatnow?>
I cannot be bothered to repeat myself… Let's just move on.
It could just be me… but for someone who's referring to me as a teacher, it sure feels like he's looking down on me.
Okay… Dear Teacher.
Now, place your fingertip against mine right here.
…
…mael! You can't simply smack a device back into function. Go scuttle off to a corner with your ignorance.
Tch, then -
Before I could fully process the unpleasant feeling creeping over me, my view was painted with a different color.
Doctor, Doctor!
<…Vergilius?>
The doctor spoke! Here, hold my hand tight…
…Your grip could almost break my hands…
I've come here to rescue you…
No, wait, that's not who I am… Wasn't I a manager?
But, as if compelled by an unknown force, I could only click my clock's hands in certain manners.
<…Who… am I…?>
Doctor, you…
You're a member of Limbus Island, just like us.
Huh…? I could've sworn I worked for a company, not an island…
…….
…ss Faust! How does this clock head even work?!
Yet again… Strange voices and unpleasant sights.
Just what…
Amazing… that was amazing! You really won!
What is it this time… They're not even human now…
So this is Mephistopheles… showing us the way a true "Ace" runs…
<What are you going on about… this time…>
Ah! Looks like the chief trainer has arrived!
He's not even listening to me anymore.
<Seriously, what is this place?! The center of some Nest? What's up with your horse mask…>
As I attempted to complain to him with my tocking…
…
Memory module… …Did that work? The… Why is…
<M - My head…>
Producer…
Leader…
Commander…
Master…
Professor…
All kinds of unknowable protagonistic labels swirl in my head.
At… At this rate…
#&*()@%&!)$&8%&*%#%#!
You're back.
I was getting worried about you, Executive Manager.
You suddenly… fainted on the bus out of nowhere.
<Vergil…?!>
No… Not more of this…!
<Eek! EEEEK!!>
What is the meaning of this, Manager? Why are you running?
<Keep you and your weird titles away from me!!!>
…You sure sound like a broken clock.
We tinkered with a number of things trying to fix you up…
Hah, and as it turns out, all we had to do was wind that clock. Some time we wasted.
Vergilius… He doesn't recognize my words now.
<Am I… really back?>
…I have no clue what that ticking is supposed to mean. I can suppose you did calm down a little.
If Ms. Faust is to be believed… you might have visited a number of mirror worlds in your dream…
Well, that's not relevant now, is it?
The Sinners have left the bus already.
So stop flubbing around there…
And get out already.
I wonder… What were all those bizarre illusions I saw, and why did Vergilius address me with all kinds of odd titles?
As much as I was curious…
……
This didn't look like a good time to talk; he was wiping some grease off his hands, clearly irritated.
All he'd hear are my usual ticking noises anyhow…
Right now… I just want to bask in the relief that the Vergilius I know is here after all.
Yep… I'd much rather have this glacial gaze of his over any other.