บท 17: Black Bullet

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—

The night had ended with Accelerator feeling both satisfied and half frustrated. He had learned a lot from his battle with Berserker, but the fact that the monstrous Servant kept coming back to life had grated on his nerves. As morning broke, he decided to blow off some steam and erase his frustration in a way that only he could—by spending an obscene amount of money.

He made his way to the supermarket once more, his presence immediately recognized by the staff. The workers who had dealt with him before felt a chill of fear run down their spines as they saw him approach. They had just finished restocking the entire store, and the sight of Accelerator with an empty shopping cart filled them with dread.

"Oh no, not again," one of the cashiers muttered under her breath as Accelerator began to pile goods into his cart with reckless abandon.

This time, he wasn't just content with a few essentials. He loaded up on everything, meat, vegetables, coffee, toiletries, snacks, and even luxury items. By the time he was finished, he had filled seven entire racks with goods, leaving the shelves barren.

The manager, seeing the situation unfold, rushed over, his face pale with anxiety. "Sir, please, if you buy everything again, we'll have nothing left for our other customers. Our store's reputation—"

Before the manager could finish his plea, Accelerator reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick wad of cash. He shoved the money into the manager's hands with a sneer. "Here, take this and piss off."

The manager, stunned by the sheer amount of money being thrust at him, could do nothing but nod and step aside. He watched helplessly as Accelerator continued his shopping spree, piling up goods without a care in the world for the havoc he was wreaking on the store's inventory.

Customers who had been browsing the aisles watched in stunned silence, unsure of what to make of the scene. Some whispered among themselves, speculating about who this strange, white-haired young man could be. Others simply avoided him, sensing the dangerous aura he exuded.

Accelerator, for his part, reveled in the chaos he was causing. It was just another day of him being a bastard, and he couldn't care less about the store's reputation or the inconvenience to other customers. By the time he was done, his cart was overflowing, and the shelves were once again empty.

As he approached the checkout, the cashier nervously began to ring up his items, her hands shaking slightly. Accelerator tossed another heap of money onto the counter, more than enough to cover his purchase. "Keep the change," he said with a dismissive wave.

Once his transaction was complete, Accelerator activated his inventory space, storing all his goods instantly. The supermarket staff watched in a mixture of relief and disbelief as he walked out, his presence leaving a wake of confusion and frustration behind him.

Back at the Tohsaka mansion, Accelerator unpacked his spoils, feeling a sense of satisfaction at his morning's antics. The act of throwing around money and causing a scene had done wonders to alleviate his frustration. As he settled in with a cup of his special coffee, he couldn't help but smirk at the thought of the chaos he had left behind at the supermarket.

Rin, observing him from a distance, shook her head in exasperation. "Do you really have to cause such a ruckus everywhere you go?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Accelerator looked up, his smirk widening. "It's just how I do things. Keeps life interesting."

Rin sighed but couldn't help but smile. Despite his abrasive personality, there was something undeniably captivating about Accelerator's unapologetic approach to life. "Just try not to buy out the entire city, okay?"

"No promises," Accelerator replied, taking a sip of his coffee. "But I'll keep it in mind."

The rest of the morning passed peacefully, the mansion's occupants going about their routines. Accelerator, having vented his frustration, felt more at ease and ready to face whatever challenges the day might bring. Despite the chaos he caused, there was no denying that his presence had a way of shaking things up and keeping everyone on their toes.

As the day progressed, the group prepared for the next steps in the Holy Grail War, their minds focused on gathering information and strategizing for the battles ahead. Accelerator's actions, though disruptive, had provided a brief respite from the tension, reminding them all that sometimes, a little chaos was just what they needed to stay sharp and ready for anything.

The next day, Accelerator descended the stairs of the Tohsaka mansion, his mind still buzzing with the events of the previous night. As he reached the bottom, he was met by Archer's baffled gaze. The Servant was staring at him as if he were gazing at an anomaly.

"What are you looking at?" Accelerator snarked, his tone dripping with irritation.

Archer shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around what he was seeing. "Your body... It's absurd. It's even stronger than yesterday. It's like you're in constant growth."

Accelerator sneered, his curiosity piqued. "Guess I'm just a freak of nature," he replied, taking the coffee Archer handed him. He sipped it, savoring the familiar taste, and his gaze dropped to the system panel that suddenly appeared before him again.

[Notice! A Quest has arrived.]

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Accelerator sensed that his free time was about to be taken from him once more. "Great, just what I needed," he muttered, shaking his head.

"Something wrong?" Archer asked, raising an eyebrow.

Accelerator waved him off. "Just this damned bastard. It's like it never wants to give me a break."

Archer watched him with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. "You keep mentioning this bastard.' What is it, exactly?"

"None of your business," Accelerator replied curtly, finishing his coffee. The sharp taste did little to alleviate his frustration. He turned to bid farewell to Rin, who had just woken up and was rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Morning, Accelerator," she greeted, her voice still heavy with sleep. "Where are you off to?"

"I need to go somewhere. Don't look for me. I might be back later tonight," Accelerator said, his tone leaving no room for questions.

Rin frowned but nodded, knowing better than to press for details. "Just be careful."

Accelerator grunted in response, his mind already focused on the new quest that awaited him. He made his way outside, the crisp morning air doing little to improve his mood. As soon as he was out of Archer's perception, the same phenomenon from before occurred. His entire body began to shimmer and distort, the world around him fading into a blur.

With a final glance back at the Tohsaka mansion, Accelerator felt a strange mix of frustration and anticipation. He clicked his tongue again, annoyed at the interruption of his plans but intrigued by the prospect of a new challenge. Within moments, he vanished from the world, transported to another one.

As the distortion around him intensified, Accelerator felt the familiar sensation of being pulled through dimensions. The swirling vortex of energy enveloped him, and for a brief moment, he was suspended in a void, the sounds and sights of the world fading away.

Back in the Tohsaka mansion, Archer watched the spot where Accelerator had disappeared, his expression thoughtful. "That guy is something else," he muttered to himself, shaking his head.

Rin, having sensed the shift in energy, approached Archer. "Did he leave already?"

Archer nodded. "Yeah, he just vanished. Like he was being summoned somewhere."

Rin sighed, a mixture of worry and curiosity on her face. "He always seems to be in the middle of something. I hope he's okay."

Archer smirked slightly. "He's tougher than he looks. I wouldn't worry too much."

Just as suddenly as it had begun, the journey through the void ended. Accelerator landed on solid ground, the world around him coming into sharp focus. He took a deep breath, the air tasting different, filled with new scents and sensations.

Accelerator found himself standing in an unfamiliar world. The initial disorientation from his sudden transportation gave way to a sharp clarity as he began to take in his surroundings. The sky above was a dismal gray, heavy with clouds that seemed to absorb rather than reflect light. The air was thick and oppressive, carrying a faint, metallic tang that made his nose wrinkle in distaste.

[Notice! Quest: Save as many Cursed Children as possible]

"Save Cursed Children? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Accelerator muttered, annoyance creeping into his voice. He had barely a moment to process this new directive before his instincts screamed at him to move.

A massive creature lunged at him from the side, its grotesque form twisting through the air with terrifying speed. Accelerator dodged effortlessly, his body reacting faster than his mind. As he spun around to face his attacker, he took in the sight of the monstrous beast. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before, a horrifying amalgamation of flesh and metal.

"What the hell is that thing? Ugly bastard," Accelerator growled, his eyes narrowing. He was about to engage the creature when he noticed two figures fighting it with surprising coordination and skill.

One was a young girl with bright red hair, her small frame moving with agility and precision as she delivered powerful kicks to the creature. The other was a young man, dark-haired and determined, wielding a gun with deadly accuracy. Together, they fought the beast with a level of teamwork that spoke of experience.

"Who are these kids?" Accelerator wondered aloud. He watched for a moment, impressed despite himself by their effectiveness. But then his attention was drawn to a second Gastrea creeping up behind them, its eyes glowing with malevolent intent.

"Not on my watch," Accelerator muttered, pushing aside his thoughts. With a burst of speed, he launched himself toward the second Gastrea, his vector manipulation active and ready. The creature barely had time to react before Accelerator's hand made contact with its grotesque form. The force of his attack sent the beast flying, its body smashing into a nearby building with a sickening crunch.

The young man and the red-haired girl turned to face Accelerator, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion. "Who the hell are you?" the young man demanded, his gun still trained on the first Gastrea.

"Doesn't matter right now," Accelerator replied curtly. "Focus on the ugly bastards trying to kill you."

The girl, her eyes wide with a mixture of awe and curiosity, nodded quickly. "Right!"

Together, the three of them turned their attention back to the remaining Gastrea. With Accelerator's overwhelming power added to their efforts, the creature didn't stand a chance. The young man fired a series of precise shots, each one finding its mark, while the girl's rapid kicks kept the beast off balance. Accelerator finished it off with a devastating blow, his power crushing the creature's body with ease.

As the dust settled, Accelerator turned to face the two fighters. "So, what the hell are those things?" he asked, his tone demanding but not unfriendly.

The young man lowered his gun, his expression a mix of relief and curiosity. "They're called Gastrea. Monsters that plague this world. My name's Rentaro Satomi, and this is Enju Aihara."

Enju, the red-haired girl, smiled brightly despite the recent battle. "Thanks for the help! Who are you?"

"Name's Accelerator," he replied tersely. "And I'm still figuring out what I'm doing here."

Rentaro's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're not from around here, are you?"

"Nope. Got dumped here by some unknown way. All I know is that I have to save something called 'Cursed Children,'" Accelerator explained, crossing his arms.

Enju's expression softened, and Rentaro's eyes widened in recognition. "Cursed Children... they're girls like Enju. They're infected with the Gastrea virus but have retained their human form. They possess incredible abilities but are treated horribly by society."

Accelerator frowned. "Why would society treat them like crap if they're just children?"

Rentaro sighed. "Fear, ignorance, prejudice. Most people see them as a threat, even though they're the ones keeping humanity safe."

Accelerator's eyes darkened. "That's messed up."

"It is," Rentaro agreed. "And it's our job to protect them, despite what people think."

Enju nodded vigorously. "Yeah! We're fighting for a future where Cursed Children can live without fear!"

Accelerator studied them for a moment, his initial skepticism giving way to a grudging respect. These two were fighting a tough battle, not just against the Gastrea but against the very society they were trying to save.

"Alright, I get it," Accelerator said. "So, what's the plan? How do we protect these kids?"

Rentaro exchanged a look with Enju before answering. "We could use someone with your abilities. We work under Kisara Tendo at the Tendo Civil Security Agency. We protect the Tokyo Area from Gastrea and try to improve the lives of the Cursed Children. You in?"

Accelerator considered it for a moment. He had no love for working with others, but the mission aligned with his own grudges against societal injustice. Plus, the idea of helping kids who were being unfairly treated struck a chord with him, even if he didn't like to admit it.

"Fine. I'll help," Accelerator agreed. "But don't expect me to play nice."

Rentaro smiled. "Wouldn't dream of it."

As they made their way back to the agency, Accelerator took in more of his surroundings. The city was a mix of modern architecture and hastily constructed barriers, with clear signs of damage and decay from the ongoing war against the Gastrea. People moved with purpose, but there was an underlying current of fear and tension in their eyes.

"So, what's the deal with this Kisara person?" Accelerator asked, breaking the silence.

"She's the head of our agency," Rentaro explained. "Smart, tough, and dedicated to fighting both the Gastrea and the corruption in the government. She's been our leader and support for a long time."

Enju chimed in, "She's really cool! You'll like her."

"We'll see," Accelerator muttered, not entirely convinced.

They arrived at the Tendo Civil Security Agency, a building that looked more like a fortified bunker than an office. Rentaro led the way inside, where they were greeted by a young woman with long black hair and piercing eyes. She looked up from her desk, her expression one of mild curiosity.

"Rentaro, Enju, who's this?" she asked, her voice calm but commanding.

"This is Accelerator," Rentaro introduced. "He helped us take down a couple of Gastrea. I want you to meet him"

Kisara's eyes narrowed slightly as she assessed Accelerator. "Is that so? And what brings you to our little corner of the war zone?"

"Got dumped here by something," Accelerator replied bluntly. "I'm supposed to save Cursed Children. Figured you could use the help."

Kisara leaned back in her chair, considering him for a moment. "We can always use more help. But understand this, we operate as a team. I expect you to follow orders and respect our mission."

Accelerator smirked. "I'll follow orders as long as they make sense. And as for respect, that's earned."

Kisara nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Fair enough. Welcome to the team, Accelerator. We'll see how well you fit in."

As they settled into the Tendo Civil Security Agency, the tension in the room was palpable. Kisara Tendo, head of the agency, sat behind her desk, her sharp eyes fixed on Rentaro and Enju. The two stood before her, their expressions a mix of nervousness and guilt. Accelerator leaned against the wall, watching the scene unfold with mild curiosity.

"Rentaro, Enju," Kisara began, her tone stern, "do you realize what you've done?"

Rentaro scratched the back of his head, avoiding her gaze. "Uh, sorry, Kisara. We were just too excited about introducing Accelerator to the team."

Kisara sighed, her frustration evident. "Excited or not, you forgot to claim the bounty for the Gastrea you just hunted. Our agency is already struggling financially, and now we're even poorer thanks to your oversight."

Enju looked down at her feet, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "We're really sorry, Kisara. We didn't mean to cause any trouble."

Kisara's gaze softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. "I know you meant well, but we can't afford to make mistakes like this. Our resources are limited, and every bounty counts."

Rentaro nodded, his shoulders slumping. "I understand. It won't happen again."

Kisara turned her attention to Accelerator, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. "So, you're supposed to be powerful, mentioned by Rentaro. Are you really as strong as they say, even without an Initiator?"

Accelerator raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the term. "What the hell is an Initiator?"

Kisara leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "An Initiator is a Cursed Child paired with a Promoter, forming a team that fights Gastrea. The Promoter provides guidance and support, while the Initiator, with her enhanced abilities, takes on the frontline combat."

"Great," Accelerator said with a hint of sarcasm. "So, you're saying most people here need a little girl to do their fighting for them?"

Kisara's eyes flashed with annoyance. "It's not about needing them to fight for us. It's about teamwork and utilizing each other's strengths."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Accelerator replied, waving her explanation away. "And your company's on the brink of bankruptcy because you keep forgetting to claim bounties"

Rentaro winced, and Enju looked even more embarrassed. Kisara sighed deeply. "That's about the gist of it. We've been struggling to make ends meet for a while now."

Accelerator smirked, the gears in his mind turning. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a stack of cash, tossing it onto Kisara's desk. The stack of bills, each worth 10,000 yen, landed with a satisfying thud. Then he pulled out another, and another, until five stacks were piled high in front of her.

All three stared at the money in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.

"That should cover your expenses for a while," Accelerator said nonchalantly. "Now, can we focus on the real problems?"

Kisara was the first to recover, her eyes darting between the money and Accelerator. "How... how do you have this much cash?"

Accelerator shrugged. "Let's just say I've got my sources. And before you ask, no, it's not stolen. I don't have time to deal with financial issues when there are bigger problems to solve."

Rentaro and Enju remained frozen, their mouths slightly open in shock. Rentaro finally managed to speak, his voice tinged with awe. "That's... that's a lot of money. Are you sure you want to give it to us?"

"Consider it an investment," Accelerator replied, his tone serious. "I'm here to help save these Cursed Children and deal with the Gastrea threat. Having you lot in better shape means we can get things done faster."

Kisara nodded slowly, her mind still reeling from the unexpected windfall. "Thank you, Accelerator. This will help us a lot."

"Don't mention it," Accelerator said, waving off her gratitude. "Just make sure it's used wisely."

Enju's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Wow, Accelerator, you're amazing! Thank you so much!"

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, slightly uncomfortable with the praise. "Now, can we get back to business?"

Kisara, having regained her composure, nodded. "Right. We need to plan our next move. With Accelerator's abilities, we can take on more challenging missions and increase our earnings. But more importantly, we need to focus on improving the conditions for the Cursed Children."

Rentaro nodded, his determination renewed. "Agreed. We can't let them suffer any longer."

Enju chimed in, her voice filled with resolve. "We'll make sure they're safe and treated with the respect they deserve."

Accelerator watched them, a sense of grudging respect growing within him. Despite their financial struggles and the immense challenges they faced, they were determined to fight for a better future. It was a sentiment he could get behind, even if he wouldn't admit it out loud.

"Alright," he said, pushing off from the wall. "Let's get to work."

The team spent the next few hours strategizing and planning their next steps. Kisara outlined several high-priority missions that needed their attention, while Rentaro and Enju provided valuable insights into the current state of the Tokyo Area and its various districts.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the room, Accelerator leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with thoughts of the tasks ahead.

The night fell, and the team finally took a break, each lost in their own thoughts. Accelerator looked around at his new allies, feeling a sense of purpose he hadn't felt in a long time. This world was far from perfect, but it gave him a reason to fight, to push his limits, and to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

"First day in a new world, and I've already turned things upside down," he thought with a smirk. "Just the way I like it."

As they prepared to call it a night, Rentaro approached Accelerator, a hesitant smile on his face. "Thanks again for the help, Accelerator. We really appreciate it."

"Don't mention it," Accelerator replied, his tone gruff but not unkind. "Just make sure we keep moving forward."

"Yes!" Rentaro promised.

As they parted ways for the night, Accelerator couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead. The battles, the challenges, the injustices—they were all waiting for him. And he was ready to face them, one step at a time.

The system's panel flickered in his vision once more, reminding him of his ultimate quest:

[Save as many Cursed Children as possible.]

"Challenge accepted," Accelerator thought, his resolve stronger than ever. "Let's see what tomorrow brings."

–

The next morning, Accelerator woke up to the faint light of dawn seeping through the curtains. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, grumbling softly to himself. He had always been a light sleeper, and the unfamiliar environment hadn't made for the best night's rest. Still, he had a mission to focus on.

He stumbled into the small kitchen area of the agency's building, his mind fixated on one thing, coffee. He rummaged through the cabinets, finally finding a bag of coffee beans. With practiced efficiency, he brewed himself a strong cup, savoring the bitter aroma as it filled the room.

"Finally, some decent caffeine," he muttered, taking a sip and feeling the familiar rush of energy. With his mind now clearer, he decided to investigate the technological capabilities of this world.

Settling into a chair, Accelerator pulled out his portable device, an advanced laptop, bought in Rin's world but enhanced by him. He connected it to the local networks and began hacking into the system. It didn't take long for him to gain access, the security measures in this world proving to be far inferior to what he was used to.

He sifted through the data, his expression growing more discontented with each passing moment. The technology here was decades behind Academy City's. While they had some advanced systems and bioengineering capabilities, it was nothing compared to the cutting-edge innovations he was accustomed to.

"This is pathetic," he grumbled, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he dug deeper into the data.

What he found next made his blood boil. Reports and files on modified soldiers—chosen humans who had been subjected to horrific experiments using a special metal known as Varanium. These soldiers were enhanced with superhuman abilities, but at a great cost. The files detailed the gruesome procedures and the corruption that allowed such atrocities to happen.

"Same shit, different world," Accelerator muttered, his disgust palpable. The more he read, the more parallels he saw between this world and his own. The powerful exploiting the weak, corruption running rampant, and innocent lives being destroyed for the sake of twisted experiments.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "These bastards are no different from those in Academy City."

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Accelerator decided he needed a distraction. He got up from his chair and headed back to the kitchen. Cooking was never something he particularly enjoyed, but it provided a necessary break from the chaos in his mind.

He rummaged through the fridge and cabinets, gathering ingredients for a simple breakfast. As he prepared the meal, his thoughts continued to churn. Despite the differences, the core issues of this world mirrored those of his own—corruption, exploitation, and the suffering of the innocent.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, chopping vegetables with more force than necessary. "Why does every place have to be so messed up?"

He was so lost in thought that he almost didn't notice Rentaro entering the kitchen, yawning and rubbing his eyes. "Morning, Accelerator," Rentaro greeted, his voice groggy.

"Yeah, morning," Accelerator replied curtly, focusing on the task at hand.

Rentaro watched him for a moment before speaking again. "You're up early. Everything okay?"

"Just needed some coffee," Accelerator said, his tone flat. "And figured I'd make breakfast."

Rentaro nodded, still half-asleep. "I see"

As Accelerator continued cooking, Rentaro grabbed a seat at the small dining table, resting his head on his arms. The silence between them was comfortable, each lost in their own thoughts.

Eventually, Enju bounded into the room, her energy seemingly boundless. "Good morning, everyone!" she chirped, her bright smile lighting up the room.

"Morning, Enju," Rentaro mumbled, barely lifting his head.

"Hey, Enju," Accelerator greeted, his tone softening slightly. Despite his rough exterior, he had a soft spot for kids—especially those who had been dealt a rough hand in life.

"Wow, Accelerator, you're making breakfast?" Enju exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Yeah, figured I might as well do something useful," he replied, placing the finished plates on the table.

Enju and Rentaro dug in with enthusiasm, and for a moment, the harsh realities of the world outside seemed to fade away. Accelerator watched them, his expression unreadable. Despite his disdain for the corruption and injustice he had discovered, there was a small part of him that found solace in these simple moments.

As they ate, Accelerator's mind wandered back to the information he had uncovered. The modified soldiers, the corruption—it all pointed to a deeply rooted problem that wouldn't be easy to fix. But he had never been one to back down from a challenge.

"Rentaro," he began, breaking the comfortable silence, "what do you know about these modified soldiers?"

Rentaro looked up, tensing up for a moment before his expression became serious. "They're a result of the Varanium experiments. The government uses them to fight Gastrea, but the process is brutal. Most of the soldiers don't survive for long."

"Figures," Accelerator muttered. "Another messed-up system exploiting people for their own gain."

Rentaro nodded. "Yeah. It's one of the many problems we're up against."

Enju chimed in, her voice determined. "But we're not giving up. We'll fight for a better future, no matter what."

Accelerator felt a flicker of admiration for their resolve. Despite the overwhelming odds, Rentaro and Enju were determined to make a difference. And, in his own way, so was he.

"Right," he said, his voice firm. "Let's take this one step at a time. We'll deal with the Gastrea, protect the Cursed Children, and tackle the corruption head-on."

Rentaro smiled, his determination mirrored in his eyes. "Agreed"

As they finished their breakfast, Accelerator felt a renewed sense of purpose. The challenges ahead were daunting, but he was ready to face them. With Rentaro and Enju by his side, he had allies he could rely on. And with his own abilities, he knew he could turn the tide in their favor.

"Let's get to work," Accelerator said, standing up and stretching. "We've got a lot to do."

Rentaro and Enju nodded, their resolve unwavering. Together, they stepped out into the new day, ready to take on whatever challenges awaited them. The road ahead was long and fraught with danger, but they were prepared to fight for a better future—one step at a time.

—