Dark Cloud (before battle)
Haah... tsk. Why'd this have to break? Why now...?
There was a nervous-looking man on top of the stairs, on the uppermost floor of the building.
I could immediately tell that this man was unlike any other foe we faced in this building.
It better be quiet in there... I hope that thing at least stays put...
He kept looking into his pocket watch as though he was expecting something awful to come out of that door.
He is...
His garb, which highly resembles the Kurokumo Clan's standard outfits, suggests that he is a relevant individual in this case. It is possible to extrapolate from his outfit that he is of higher rank than any foe we have defeated on the course to this location.
Then...!
Before I even had the chance to suggest waiting for a bit to come up with a strategy, Aeng-du was already charging at the man.
You must be a Captain of the Kurokumo Clan!
What the - ?!
You wish to hunt the Blade Lineage? Very well, here I stand before you! Face my blade!
Tsk, I suppose this means that my men are all dead, huh?
I'd toss you into that office if I could, but...
... the 'merchandise' is still in there... Gah, come on...
'Spose I've got no choice but to fight. At least allow me to introduce myself. Then you can tell me who you are.
Name's Jun. Captain of the boys you killed.
... Aeng-du. Salsu from the Lineage of Blades. A follower of mentor Bamboo-hatted Kim.
The hallway before the door falls silent. It is as calm as a winter dawn.
The two warriors, blades drawn, begin to take cautious steps. It's as though they are attempting to gauge the distance between each other...
Hah!
There was a sudden flash. When I came to my senses, the pair had suddenly switched sides, facing away from each other.
The outcome of this clash...
... Agh.
C'mon, that's it?! Huh?!
M-miss Aeng-du!
... appears to have been Aeng-du's defeat. She fell to her knees.
I mean... I was just getting started.
I'm surprised you even had any energy left for that attack...
Gah...
<... She's been fighting the Kurokumo Clan henchmen on the front lines before we even had the chance to catch up. No wonder she's exhausted.>
I must also remind you that she was on the verge of death not so long ago. She has overexerted herself.
... What, are the rest of you gonna fight me too? This hardly seems fair, me against all of you...
This 'Jun' rested his blade on his shoulder with an annoyed scowl. I could tell from his single clash against Aeng-du that he wasn't going to go down easily.
<Well, I don't like that we're all ganging up against this one guy, but...>
You've got one loud-ass clock for a head. What even is that? Is this some local T Corp. clock-shaped prosthetic fashion or something?
... It is a clock, right? You there. Is that clock head on time?
Mate, what do you think? That clock ain't for telling time.
Huh? Then what'd ya decapitate yourself for? What a useless clock...
<…….>
Okay, then. Any of you got a timepiece? A clock... a watch... anyone? My stupid watch broke again.
The Sinners wordlessly begin to surround Jun.
I guess not. Are any of you even wearing a watch?
You must all be insane. Sauntering about without a timepiece...
Even if I did, I would hardly find it within myself to show it to thee!
You're all really getting on my nerves...!
You know what? That's it. I'll be in deep shit if I let anyone in there anyway.
So come and get me! I'll cut you down if it's the last thing I do!