My youth story cannot be a knight war

But seeing Zain fly backwards and smash another pile of wood, Zai Mu Zai didn't relax at all. He knew that this level of pain was not enough to kill an unidentified life form, so he immediately stood up, enduring the pain all over his body and clasping his hands around his waist. Amid the blood flowing from the wound on his forehead and the humming sound, the silver belt finally appeared around his waist.

[“Henshin!”]

Black skin and red reinforced muscles covered Zaimokuza's entire body, and his crimson compound eyes reflected Zain's figure struggling to stand up amidst the ruins.

"So... it's you—KUUGA!!!"

Zain, still holding his crotch with one hand, stood up, his eyes crimson as he looked at the familiar figure of his enemy in front of him. Even the severe pain that had completely paralyzed his lower body seemed to subside.

[“That’s perfect. Let’s settle both the new and old grudges together!”]

【"--drink!!!"】

Zain, his face distorted and hideous, raised his head and roared loudly. His body transformed into the tall figure of the rhino Gurongi in a wave of transparent energy, repairing the damage on his body.

【“!”】

【Zaimokuza was startled when he saw his enemy transformed into a monster, and he put his hands in fighting gestures to prepare for the enemy's attack.】

"I'll kill you right here and make the name Zu-Zain-Da famous, KUUGA!"

Zain's orange eyes stared at Zaimokuza, who had transformed into Kuuga, and he spoke viciously, a flash of purple passing through his eyes.

[After saying this, it lowered its head and pointed the sharp horn on its forehead at Zaimokuza's chest, charging towards him without stopping! ]

65. A Corner of Darkness Revealed (Two in One)

【Not long ago, in a tunnel in Tokyo.】

[“Why? Why can’t I play the game yet!?”]

[An angry roar echoed in the tunnel, attracting the attention of many people passing through it, and they all turned their eyes to the men and women in strange costumes standing at one end.]

Me-Biran-Gi's face flushed red as he glared at Baruba, who was wearing a red gauze dress and had a cold expression. He clenched his fists, and the throbbing green meridians on his arm skin made the piranha tattoo on his right hand particularly conspicuous.

[It was obviously his turn to play the game soon to satisfy his long-suffering bloodthirsty desire, but he was suddenly told that the game time would be delayed. It was just like an old man who came out to hunt after years of abstinence and finally found a prey that was pleasing to the eye and beautiful enough to eat. He immediately hit it off and happily drove to the hotel. ]

[We just negotiated the price, checked into the room, took off our clothes, took a shower, and put on everything we needed to wear, but the other party suddenly said:]

[“Sorry, my relatives are here, and I’m a man.”]

[…One can imagine how the person who just finished taking a bath feels about this.]

[Ordinary people with bad tempers would probably force the other person to lie on the bed and serve a set of "Gudao Hot Sausage Puff Set Meal", let alone the Gurongi clan, where everyone is a bad tempered old man. ]

This news was like a bolt from the blue. Biran felt like he had been tricked. His throat felt like a moldy, raw chestnut had been stuffed in it, itching to the point of near numbness.

[It is violent and cruel and cannot accept this fact at all. It is about to explode here and turn back to its original form to kill people to vent its hatred.]

But when Biran met Baruba's cold eyes, he immediately remembered the punishment for breaking the rules and killing, as well as the horrific torture scene in the warehouse not long ago. His raging mind immediately calmed down like a fire after being poured with water. He forced himself to gather his remaining rationality and whispered.

[“Because the things are not ready yet——Puwa!”]

Gooma, who dutifully followed Baruba as an umbrella boy, saw Biran's exasperated look and a hint of irony and amusement flashed in his eyes. He responded in a mocking tone.

As soon as Gooma finished speaking, Biran, enraged, slapped his gloomy face. The moment his palm struck Gooma's face, it transformed into a ferocious, monster-like claw, then returned to its original form in an instant after leaving his face.

【Snapped! 】

[The crisp sound of slapping someone in the face attracted the curious gazes of the rest of the people in the tunnel, and everyone looked at the group of men and women who seemed to be arguing.]

[“Gu—Hmm!”]

This blow, with a force at least several tons, knocked Gooma over again, its upper body buried in a nearby trash can. Its legs swung constantly outside the can. Muffled screams emanated from the can, along with the faint sound of flowing water. It was likely that during its struggle, some of the remaining food waste in the can, which was only soup, flowed into its mouth.

"I'm not asking you, you idiot 'ZU'! Get out of here and cool off! If you dare to interrupt me again, I'll chop you up into sashimi and feed it to those pets that Lin Duo has tamed!"

Biran retracted his hand and said with disgust, then turned to look at Baruba eagerly, waiting for her answer.

[“Just like this idiot said, the new counter is not ready yet.”]

Baruba showed no reaction to the beating of the "little brother" who held an umbrella for him, nor did he intend to stand up for him. He spoke calmly.

“Wait and hope… If you still feel uncomfortable during this period, you can go and talk to Zain, who started the game without my permission.”

[“If you can do it, it doesn’t matter if you kill it, but you can’t kill Lin Duo in the process, otherwise I will disqualify you from the competition.”]

After Baruba finished speaking, he calmly raised his thumb and pointed back at a large TV hanging on a building outside the tunnel. The news anchor on the TV was reporting on the appearance of Unidentified Lifeform No. 22 in Togane City. Next to it was a close-up photo of a humanoid taken by a reporter. In the photo, Zain, with a fierce expression, remained in human form and stared unkindly in the direction of the photo. It had obviously noticed the reporter taking the photo.

[“…Tsk! That’s fine, it can be used to kill time before playing games.”]

[Biran was silent for a moment before smacking his lips and speaking with a tone full of reluctance. It was obvious that he was not very willing to do so.]

[But as its eyes turned to the photo displayed on the TV in the building, it looked at the familiar face that disgusted it, and the corners of its mouth raised a hideous arc, full of malice and blood like a bloodstained razor.]

"Let me show that idiot, who has nothing but brute force, that he can stop dreaming about playing the game. The era of 'ZU' is long gone!"

[Biran's eyes flashed a dark blue light as he stared at the photo. He turned and ran towards the other side of the tunnel. His back was about to disappear from Baruba's sight.]

"...Even if I gain the power of that Rindo, is this the extent of the power of either 'ZU' or 'ME'?"

Baruba narrowed his eyes as he looked in the direction Biran left. At that moment, his pupils turned dark gold, and his vision also turned golden.

In this golden vision, the many people coming and going around appeared orange. Only Biran, who was about to disappear from view, was a sea-like azure blue, with ripples spreading outward like water waves.

"It's likely that the 'ME' will soon be completely wiped out by the Kuuga and Rindo warriors of this era. The only player who stands a chance of becoming a 'GO' is Me-Garima-Ba, the leader of the group. The rest of the group will likely perish in the 'Kikiru', becoming fodder for the victorious player to summon the 'Ultimate Darkness'."

[“…It’s about time to end this stage of playing house, and start preparing for the “dark game” and warming up for the “white and dark game”.]

[By that time, those who are not qualified to participate will be eliminated by "Him"——]

Thinking of this, Baruba glanced at Gooma, whose forehead was stained with vegetable leaves soaked in leftover soup and whose expression was twisted as he stared at Biran's departure. Noticing her gaze, Gooma quickly lowered his head, even reflexively shielding his face with his hands. This was all the experience gained from being slapped so many times.

But to Gooma's surprise, Baruba didn't slap himself this time as usual. Seeing his reaction, he even smiled briefly, a smile like the thawing of a glacier, the arrival of spring, and the revival of all things.

【“???”】

Gooma was stunned. The next second, Baruba's smile faded and he walked in the direction Biran had just left. This left Gooma, who was used to being slapped, feeling a bit bewildered and even a strange sense of discomfort.

Although she wasn't beaten like usual this time, Gooma didn't seem happy at all as she watched that slender, tall, and beautiful figure disappear from her sight.

[On the contrary, it felt an inexplicable uneasiness and even a chill in its heart.]

"'Ultimate darkness'? Is this the ultimate goal of this 'Kikiru'?"

Many people outside the video were attracted by the special term spoken by Baruba, and finally got some information about the mysterious "Kikiru".

"No, the information revealed so far is still too scarce, and the term "ultimate darkness" is too abstract. It is impossible to deduce any useful information from the name."

Kirikiri Kyoko pinched her pointed chin, and the flexible brain of the "super high school level detective" began to work as her crimson eyes moved around, connecting the various clues and information revealed in the previous video to form a route towards the truth.

As one guess after another appeared in her mind, all the presented speculation results had logical flaws that could not be circumvented and could not be connected as a whole, which made Kirikiri Kyoko sigh lightly.

A good cook cannot cook without rice. No matter how good a detective is, he needs enough information to support the reasoning process if he wants to find the truth. It is impossible to get the truth out of thin air. That is neither realistic nor scientific.

"What we know now is that the ultimate goal of the "Kikiru" game, according to Baruba, the referee, is to summon the so-called "Ultimate Darkness." The process of achieving this goal is to continuously kill people, raising the participating players' Gurongi levels through this slaughter. Currently known Gurongi levels include "ZU" and "ME." There's also the "GO" group, represented by Go-Gadoru-Ba, who appeared once before when Zaimokuza-san defeated Number Fourteen, and the "RA" group, represented by Baruba, who never participates and is presumed to be the referee."

"The RA group, acting as referees, should be exempt from this. The Gurongi from the ZU and ME groups have already demonstrated their combat prowess. Aside from a few special enhanced forms that require Zaimokuza-san to activate his elemental awakening form, the remaining unidentified life forms are all within the capabilities of the humans represented by Zaimokuza-san and Kousaka-san."

"The only exception is the GO Group. Currently, there's no information regarding the combat capabilities of the Gurongi belonging to this group. Based on previous conversations, we know that their strength is far superior to the two groups that have appeared so far. It's very likely that even Mr. Zaimokuza, who has activated his elemental awakening mode, would be unable to deal with them."

"Furthermore, there's no way to say there aren't stronger groups above GO, such as..."

Unidentified life form, number zero.

Kyoko Kirikiri whispered the code name in her heart. She reached out and picked up a photo from the table in front of her. This was a photo taken shortly after the video started using her camera, the only electronic device that was not occupied by this mysterious video.

In this photo, a black figure wearing a cloak-like decoration is walking in the woods. As he walks, lightning keeps falling on the surrounding trees. Every footprint left on the ground is burning with blazing flames. Even the pouring rain cannot extinguish the fire, and it even fuels the fire.

This scene is like Satan breaking the oath he made with God, breaking through the seal of heaven from hell and setting foot on the road to the world again. Just by looking at it, one can feel an extremely oppressive momentum that is about to break out of reality through this photo.

Kirikiri Kyoko looked at the photo, her beautiful crimson eyes filled with solemnity and thought.

Gurongi, code-named Unconfirmed Life Form No. 0, has only appeared once in the video, but no careful person would forget its existence.

This appearance standard and the indescribable momentum have drawn a clear line between No. 0 and other Gurongis that have appeared. Even the most mysterious Baruba and the most domineering Gadoru among the Gurongis that have appeared so far cannot be compared with it.

Her detective instinct tells Kyoko Kirikiri that the ultimate goal of "Kikiru", the so-called "ultimate darkness", may still involve Zero.

——And on Zaimokuza Yoshiki.

No. 0, or rather, No. 0 and Yoshiki Zaimokuza who inherited the belt of the super ancient warrior and gained the ability to transform into Kuuga, these two existences should be the center of this series of events.

There was no reason, Kirikiri Kyoko just had this inexplicable feeling, and even she herself felt strange about this belief.

Kirikiri Kyouko picked up another photo on the table and placed it side by side with the photo of No. 0. This photo was the scene when Zaimokuza transformed into the almighty form for the first time. The red warrior struck a fighting stance in a church burning with flames, and his figure seemed to be forged in flames.

She looked at the two photos side by side, and a look of doubt gradually emerged in her eyes.

Although the two photos are completely different in terms of body shape and temperament, the dark figure in the photo No. 0 carries a terrifying sense of oppression and depression like a landslide, while the red warrior in the photo of Zaimokuza carries the blazing gentleness and righteousness of the sun.

But for some reason, Kirikiri Kyoko felt that the two beings in the two photos had an unspeakable similarity, or a sense of déjà vu.

【Togane City, factory. 】

[“Hmm!?”]

Just before the sharp horn on Zain's head was about to pierce his chest, Zaimokuza quickly grasped the thick horn with both hands, but the huge force from the front forced him to retreat continuously, and his entire body retreated between the two puffs of dust created by the friction of his feet on the ground.

[This guy——has great strength! ]

Zaimokuza exerted all his strength to wrestle with Zain, who was charging forward with his head lowered, but he was completely unable to stop his body from retreating. He caught a glimpse of the wall behind him getting closer as he retreated, and his mind raced, searching for a way out.

【Yes! 】

When his back was about to hit the wall, Zaimokuza finally came up with an idea. He stopped trying to wrestle with Zain and instead grabbed the sharp horn on top of his head and pushed it to the right.

【boom!!!】

Zain, who was focused on charging, suddenly felt the force from above him deflect to the side. The sharp horn grazed Zaimokuza's chest and crashed into the wall behind him. The reinforced concrete wall was like tofu in front of the sharp horn, penetrating it without a trace of obstruction!

[“Ola Ola Ola Ola Ola Ola Ola Ola!”]

[“——Ola!!!”]

Zaimokuza, crouching down, roared angrily, raised his fists, and quickly struck Zain in the abdomen. The continuous powerful punches made him groan, and finally, under a punch that was ready to strike, he was knocked back from the long horns that were piercing the wall, and his sturdy body retreated several steps in succession.

【“!”】

Zain stomped his feet hard on the ground behind him to stop his retreat. Just as he looked up at Zaimokuza, he saw a red fist right in front of him.

【boom! 】

Zaimokuza's punch, which had grown stronger through special training, hit Zain's face with a powerful blow. A red flower of blood splattered where the fist collided with his face, causing his head to tilt to the left. Then he spun on the spot and kicked him in the chest again. The kick, even more powerful than his fist, sent his tall figure flying.

[“Hmm…”]

[Zain, who had fallen to the ground, stood up, shaking his head. He looked at Zaimokuza, patted the dust off his chest with one hand, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the other, and said with disdain.]

"It doesn't hurt, is that the extent of your attack's power? KUUGA!"

[“Tsk! Looks like he’s the same blood-bovine type of enemy as he looks.”]

[Zaimokuza has a very accurate understanding of how strong his boxing is in his current all-around form. After special training, his fist power is several times stronger than when he first got the belt. Punching through a steel plate is not an expression but a statement. If he were to fight No. 1 again, who had put him in a tough fight when he first got the belt, Zaimokuza is confident that he could kill the opponent with his fists without using any moves.]

【When a fist of this level was of little use to the enemy in front of him, Zaimokuza felt depressed.】

[Feeling that the enemy would be difficult to deal with this time, he decided to use his ultimate move. He stepped back a few steps and put his hands in front of him in a defensive posture. He lowered his body and prepared for an all-powerful flying kick.]

[“Hmph! Come on!”]

Zain saw Zaimokuza's posture and knew he was about to use some powerful trick, but being a reckless person, he didn't care. He snorted coldly and leaned down to grab the ground with both hands, aiming the sharp horns on his head at Zaimokuza like an athlete running a race.

"I am Zu-Zain-Da, the one who slays my enemies with my giant horns that pierce through mountains. Remember this! KUUGA!"

[“Drink!!!”]

[Amidst a high-pitched roar like an elephant's moo, dust about two meters high flew up from Zain's feet. Its massive body flew forward under the powerful reaction force like a cannonball fired from a gun. The sharp horns on its head tore through the air with a sharp, piercing sound, a sound like the chirping of birds.]

[“I’ve told you so many times! I don’t understand. Speak human language!”]

Zaimokuza angrily grumbled at Zain's words in the Gurongi language, then raised his right foot. Blazing flames flashed beneath his feet, and he charged towards the flying Zain without dodging. He leaped up with both feet and somersaulted, kicking the sharp horn away with his flaming right foot!

[“Oh my god!!!”]

【"drink!!!"】

[Amid the roars of both sides, the sharp horns and the kicks wrapped in flames collided with each other, and a shock wave spread from the point where the two collided, blowing up the dust on the entire layer of the ground.]

[And the winner of this collision is——]

【Zaimokuza Yoshiteru! 】

[“Hmm——”]