บท 261: The Final Hope Extinguished and Return
"What did you say? Of course, Onee-chan likes me more!" Enju Aihara shouted indignantly, rushing forward to tightly cling to Eriri's left arm. The two girls stood just inches apart, glaring fiercely at each other.
"She likes me more!"
"She likes me most!"
"No, she likes me!"
"No, it's me she loves the most!"
"Tina thinks Onee-chan likes me the most," Tina suddenly declared, refusing to fall behind as she latched onto Eriri's right arm, joining the heated rivalry between Enju and Kohina Hiruko.
Enju's eyes widened in disbelief at Tina's betrayal. "What? Tina, how could you betray me?"
"I didn't. I'm just stating the truth," Tina replied with a sly smile.
Kohina turned her head to glance at Tina, who was now clinging to Eriri's other side. Her face grew serious as she asked, "Onee-chan, can I cut her?"
It seemed that in Kohina's mind, Enju had been acknowledged as her sister thanks to Eriri, but everyone else was still fair game.
"No, Kohina. Everyone here is family, and family members are meant to protect each other, not cut each other down," Eriri said as she gently pinched Kohina's delicate cheek with a warm smile.
"Okay, I understand, Onee-chan," Kohina replied obediently.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the next day. Since the matters of the Black Bullet world had essentially been settled the day before, most group members had returned to their respective worlds. Only a select few, who had arrived with Eriri or stayed behind with Milim, remained to witness the conclusion of the cube world.
By now, over 90 days had elapsed within the cube world, leaving just a few days before the 100-day deadline.
The battles inside had reached their final stages. All Gastrea below Stage V had been eradicated, and only about 200 humans remained alive. The once-massive city had shrunk to the size of the Tokyo Area on Earth.
However, this did not meet the requirement for the final step of the game. The surviving humans were roughly equal in strength, and determining the final 100 survivors was both simple and difficult. On one hand, a group could gang up on an individual to eliminate them. On the other, after 90 days of relentless killing, no one trusted anyone else. Who could guarantee that a supposed ally wouldn't stab them in the back mid-fight?
By now, the survivors had grown accustomed to the overwhelming power coursing through their bodies. Even against Stage V Gastrea, they could hold their ground.
However, time was running out. If they didn't reduce their numbers to the required 100 survivors within a few days, there would be no chance of survival.
Sensing that their powers would allow them to obliterate a city with a single strike, they treasured their newly acquired strength. Many dreamed of returning to Earth and ruling over it with their power. None of them wanted to die now.
In an unspoken agreement, the remaining 200 or so survivors launched into a final chaotic melee. After a day of brutal fighting, the number of surviving humans was finally reduced to under 100.
However, there was a slight complication. The last remaining Gastrea had joined the melee, resulting in uncontrollable casualties.
Though the handful of remaining Stage V Gastrea were killed, the human survivors were reduced to just over 80.
This caused a stir among the survivors, who were now unsure whether falling short of 100 survivors would still meet the game's requirements.
Their uncertainty vanished as the scene around them began to change.
Within a minute of the battle's conclusion, the cube world underwent a massive transformation.
The shrunken city disappeared entirely, replaced by an arena of moderate size.
The 80-plus remaining humans gathered on one side of the arena. Among them were Kikunojou Tendo and Kagetane Hiruko, both of whom ranked among the strongest survivors.
Opposing them on the other side of the arena stood a Gastrea, only about 2–3 meters tall—tiny compared to the massive size of Stage V Gastrea.
This was the so-called Stage VI Gastrea created by Eriri. Despite being only one level above Stage V, its strength was hundreds, if not thousands, of times greater.
Above the arena, Eriri and the others leisurely floated in mid-air, watching the final showdown unfold live.
Eriri casually started a live broadcast in the chat group so the members who had returned to their worlds could also enjoy the spectacle, though it seemed the broadcast wouldn't last very long.
"Finally! We've reached the last stage! That Stage VI doesn't even look that strong. Once we kill it, we can return to Earth!"
The 80-plus survivors were visibly excited, their eyes locked on the Gastrea across the arena. Their ignorance of its true power emboldened them, and they began fantasizing about their triumphant return to Earth.
Reality, however, would soon deliver a devastating blow.
The humans unleashed their full strength simultaneously, attacking the Stage VI Gastrea with everything they had.
When the dust settled, the Gastrea remained entirely unscathed, not even shifting an inch.
"How is this possible…? Wasn't it supposed to be only slightly stronger than a Stage V?" A young man took two shaky steps backward, his face pale with disbelief.
The result left them stunned. Many began questioning whether their comrades had held back, but the ferocity of the attacks told them otherwise.
"This is ridiculous! I finally gained such incredible power—I refuse to die here!"
"Let's give it everything we've got!"
Unwilling to accept their fate, the survivors unleashed a second wave of attacks, exhausting every ounce of their strength.
This time, the Gastrea moved. Opening its mouth, it released a blindingly bright energy beam that streaked toward the survivors with devastating speed.
As the beam approached, carrying an aura of annihilation, the last 80 survivors finally succumbed to despair.
Their ability to endure thus far had been fueled by hope—the hope of survival.
That hope had driven them to kill fellow humans and Gastrea alike, progressing from fear and hesitation to numb efficiency.
They had clung to the belief that they could defeat the mysterious Stage VI Gastrea and emerge victorious.
Now, as the horrifying truth dawned on them, they realized that Eriri had never intended for any of them to survive.
When their last hope vanished, what awaited them was the ultimate despair.
At the same time, they couldn't help but wonder—if they had known this outcome from the beginning, would they have still resolutely slaughtered their comrades?
The massive energy beam swept across the opposite side of the arena, erasing the remaining 80-plus survivors in an instant, leaving nothing behind but emptiness.
Thus, all seven billion individuals thrown into the cube world by Eriri perished.
As the game concluded, the giant cube suspended ten kilometers above Earth finally disappeared.
The surviving humans on Earth raised their heads to the sky. They knew what the cube's disappearance signified, and a solemn silence descended upon them.
After the cube vanished, Eriri and the others did not linger in the world of Black Bullet. They immediately returned to the world of Saekano.
Naturally, Milim tagged along.
Having planned to visit Eriri anyway, Milim was now utterly captivated by the food Eriri had provided. Determined to enjoy more of such delicacies, she decided to temporarily stay at Eriri's house.
Along with Milim, Eriri brought back a group of adorable little girls: Enju Aihara, Kohina Hiruko, Kayo Senju, Midori Fuse, Asaka Mibu, Hotaru Kouro, and the Hiiro sisters, Fuka and Kazane.
Additionally, Tina Sprout, as a member of the chat group, also joined them. Tina explained that the five so-called "sisters" she had been assigned no longer needed her care; after all, being among the top 100 Initiators wasn't a feat achieved by the weak.
As a result, Eriri's household now had ten new members.
With new family members, a celebration was in order.
That evening, Aoi Kujo and Momo prepared a sumptuous feast, featuring dishes from a variety of cuisines.
The array of aromatic and visually stunning dishes made Milim drool uncontrollably, so much so that she couldn't resist sneaking a few bites.
The other girls, including Enju, were no exception. Though their previous living conditions had improved significantly under Eriri's care, the feast before them far surpassed anything they had experienced before.
Unlike Milim, however, the others refrained from sneaking bites.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long. As soon as the final dish was served, the banquet officially began.
Since many of the attendees hadn't been to the Black Bullet world, they were naturally curious about what had happened there. Eriri shared the events of the past two days in response to their inquiries.
After hearing about the struggles Enju and the others had faced, everyone expressed their outrage at the people from that world.
Especially Sayuri, who sat beside Eriri. Her maternal instincts flared as she gazed at the little girls with an expression full of heartache.
"You poor children. You've been through so much. From now on, you can consider me your mother," Sayuri said gently, stroking Enju's head as she spoke to the group of girls.
Knowing Sayuri's status, Enju and the others held great respect for her.
Upon hearing her words, they couldn't help but beam with joy.
To them, Eriri already felt like an older sister, so the idea of calling Sayuri "Mom" didn't feel awkward at all. In fact, it was something they eagerly anticipated.
Having been abandoned by their biological parents, they were orphans yearning for motherly love.
The next day, under Sayuri's arrangements, Enju and the others were enrolled in the same prestigious girls' elementary school as Reina and Sakura. However, they were placed in much higher grades.
Whenever Eriri finished visiting another world, if nothing urgent required her attention, she would dutifully attend school for a few days. This time was no exception.
In the days that followed, Eriri's life returned to its normal routine. Though she now had new group members, neither Aiz Wallenstein nor Fumino Furuhashi experienced any significant changes in their respective situations.
Milim, being physically present in Eriri's home, didn't necessitate Eriri visiting her world just yet.
That said, there was no guarantee she wouldn't decide to pay them a visit on a whim someday.
Seated casually at her desk, Eriri ignored the lesson being taught at the front of the classroom, focusing instead on the lively chat group.
At the moment, the group was abuzz with activity, as the monthly reset of the designated invitation had just occurred.
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 7): @Everyone, the new round of designated invitation draws is about to begin. If you want a slot, speak up now.]
[Ruri Gokou (Level 5, Stage 1): I'm in this time. Hinata and Tamaki want to join. Shrug.jpg]
[Gabriel (Level 5, Stage 1): Count me in!]
[Lala (Level 6, Rank 9~Level 7, Stage 1): Me too, me too!]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 5, Stage 2): I'll sit this one out. I'll leave the invitation to you all this time.]
[Ruri Gokou (Level 5, Stage 1): As if you'd win anyway. Smirk.jpg]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 5, Stage 2): Ehehe, well, naturally! With my luck, if I joined, no one else would stand a chance!]
[Arifureta (Level 5, Stage 5 / Group Leader): Chika, you're getting a bit too confident.]
[Yuuki Asuna (Level 5, Stage 2): Agreed.]
[Arche (Level 5, Stage 4): +1. I'm participating. I didn't win last time, but this time for sure!]
[Kanae Kocho (Level 5, Stage 3): Count me in too. I hope I get lucky this time.]
[Sakura (Level 5, Stage 2): Eriri-nee, I'd like to join as well.]
[Erica (Level 5, Stage 7): I'll pass this time too.]
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