บท 18: Harsh Reality.

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Accelerator walked through the streets of the Tokyo Area, his hands shoved into his pockets and his expression one of detached curiosity. He had spent the morning gathering information, but now he needed to see the world with his own eyes. The city was a mix of modern structures and hastily erected barriers, a testament to the ongoing struggle against the Gastrea.

As he wandered, he observed the people around him. Most were busy with their daily routines, but there was an underlying tension in the air, a constant sense of fear and uncertainty. Accelerator had seen such fear before in Academy City, but this felt more pervasive, more deeply ingrained.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of shouting. A small girl, no older than ten, was sprinting down the street, her face a mask of terror. Behind her, a group of adults gave chase, their faces twisted with anger and hatred.

"Cursed Child! Catch her!" one of them yelled, spurring the others on.

The girl was fast, but fear and exhaustion were taking their toll. As she darted through the crowd, people stepped aside, their expressions a mix of disgust and fear. Accelerator watched, his expression cold and unreadable, but inside, his anger simmered. These people, chasing down a child like a pack of wolves, were nothing but trash to him.

"Disgusting," he muttered, his eyes narrowing as the scene unfolded.

The girl stumbled, her small body hitting the ground hard. Before she could get up, the adults were upon her, tackling her to the ground and pinning her there. She cried out in pain as they roughly grabbed her, their hands leaving bruises on her delicate skin.

"Got you, you little monster!" one of them sneered, his face twisted in triumph.

The crowd around them murmured in agreement, their fear of the Cursed Children evident. Accelerator stood a few steps back, watching with a cold detachment. His fists clenched at his sides, but he held back, waiting to see how the authorities would handle the situation.

Moments later, a pair of police officers arrived. Accelerator's hope for some semblance of justice quickly faded as he saw the cruel grins on their faces. Instead of helping the girl, they roughly dragged her to her feet, their hands gripping her arms tightly.

"You're coming with us," one of the officers said, his tone mocking. "Time to detain this little pest."

The girl whimpered, tears streaming down her face as the crowd began to disperse, satisfied that the "problem" was being taken care of. Accelerator's eyes followed the officers as they led the girl away, his anger building with each step they took.

"This world is rotten," he thought, his resolve hardening. "Just like my original one."

He followed them at a distance, his eyes never leaving the small figure of the girl. The officers led her into a narrow alleyway, away from the prying eyes of the public. Accelerator slipped into the shadows, his movements silent as he approached.

As he rounded the corner, his blood ran cold. The two officers had thrown the girl to the ground and were kicking her mercilessly, their boots thudding against her fragile body. The girl cried out in pain, curling into a ball in a futile attempt to protect herself.

"Filthy little monster," one of the officers spat, stomping on her back. "You think you can just run around like you own the place?"

"You're lucky we're not putting a bullet in your head," the other added, laughing cruelly.

The girl's cries grew weaker, her small body shaking with sobs. Accelerator stood there, his body trembling with barely contained rage. The scene before him was a brutal reminder of the harsh realities of this world. It was a world where innocent children were hunted and abused simply because of who they were.

"Enough," he thought, his anger reaching a boiling point. "I've seen enough."

Stepping out of the shadows, Accelerator's presence was immediately noticed by the officers. They looked up, their expressions shifting from cruelty to confusion.

"Who the hell are you?" one of them demanded, taking a step forward.

Accelerator's eyes were cold, devoid of any mercy. "A third-string villain"

Before the officer could react, Accelerator's hand shot out, his vector manipulation sending the man flying into the wall with a sickening crunch. The other officer stared in shock, frozen by the sudden violence.

"What the—" he began, but Accelerator cut him off, grabbing him by the collar and lifting him off the ground effortlessly.

"You think you can get away with this?" Accelerator growled, his voice low and dangerous. "Hurting a child because you're too weak and scared to face the real problems?"

The officer struggled, his eyes wide with fear. "Please, I—"

"Shut up," Accelerator snapped, throwing the man to the ground. He turned his attention to the girl, who lay trembling on the ground, her eyes filled with terror.

Kneeling down, Accelerator's voice softened, though his expression remained hard. "You okay, kid?"

The girl looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion and pain. "W-why... why are you helping me?"

Accelerator sighed, his anger still simmering just beneath the surface. "Because someone has to. And I can't stand by and watch trash like them hurt brats like you."

He stood up, glaring at the officers, who were now struggling to their feet. "Get out of here before I decide to end you," he warned, his voice cold and deadly.

The officers scrambled to their feet and ran, their earlier bravado replaced by sheer terror. Accelerator watched them go, his fists still clenched at his sides. He wish to clean them but doing it in front of the girl seems too cruel. He turned back to the girl, who was trying to stand despite her injuries.

"Can you walk?" he asked, his tone softer.

The girl nodded, though it was clear she was in pain. "Y-yes... I think so."

"Good," Accelerator said, offering her a hand. "Let's get you out of here."

The girl hesitated for a moment before taking his hand, her small fingers gripping his tightly. Accelerator led her out of the alleyway, his mind racing with thoughts of what he had just witnessed.

This world, with its corruption and cruelty, was no different from the one he had left behind. But unlike before, he now had a clear purpose. He would protect these Cursed Children and make sure they were treated with the dignity and respect they deserved.

As they walked, the girl looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Don't mention it," Accelerator replied, his expression still gruff but softening slightly.

The girl nodded, her grip on his hand tightening. "Okay."

As they continued down the street, Accelerator's mind was made up. He would do whatever it took to change this world, to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

"This world is messed up," he thought, his resolve hardening. "But I'll be damned if I let it stay that way."

With the girl by his side, Accelerator knew that his mission had just become even more personal. And he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, no matter how brutal or unforgiving they might be.

As Accelerator and the young girl walked through the streets, he noticed every bruise and cut on her small body. His eyes narrowed in anger, his mind racing with thoughts of how to help her and others like her. The more he saw, the more determined he became to make a difference.

"Hey, kid," he said, breaking the silence. "Do you know where the others are? Other Cursed Children like you?"

The girl looked up at him, her eyes wide with a mix of hope and fear. "Y-yes. I can take you there."

"Good," Accelerator replied, his tone gruff. "Lead the way."

As they walked, he couldn't help but wonder about the potential within these children. He had the knowledge and experience from his previous world, where he had studied the regenerative capabilities of demons. He considered whether he could apply that knowledge here, to enhance the regeneration abilities of these Cursed Children.

Clicking his tongue in annoyance at the thought of how far society had fallen, he shook his head. "One thing at a time," he muttered.

The girl glanced at him, curiosity creeping into her expression. "What's your name?"

"Name's Accelerator," he said, keeping his gaze forward.

"I'm Yuki," the girl replied, a small smile forming on her bruised face.

"I see" Accelerator said, his tone softer than before. "Tell me about the others. How many of you are there?"

Yuki's smile faded slightly as she thought about her friends. "There are dozens of us. We hide in an old building. It's cold and there's not much food, but it's better than being out in the open."

Accelerator nodded, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "Why are people so afraid of you?"

"Because we're different," Yuki said quietly. "They think we're monsters. They don't understand that we just want to live like everyone else."

Accelerator's grip tightened slightly around her hand. "People fear what they don't understand. It's a common problem."

They continued walking until they reached a dilapidated building on the outskirts of the city. The windows were broken, and the walls were covered in graffiti. It was a stark reminder of the harsh realities these children faced every day.

Yuki led him inside, where dozens of Cursed Children huddled together for warmth. Their eyes widened in fear as they saw Accelerator, their bodies tensing as if ready to flee.

"Who's he?" one of the older children asked, stepping protectively in front of the younger ones.

"It's okay," Yuki said quickly, holding up her hands to calm them. "He's not like the others. He helped me."

The children's fear didn't entirely dissipate, but they relaxed slightly, trusting Yuki's word. Accelerator looked around, his eyes taking in the sight of the cold, hungry children. It was a scene that would have broken the heart of anyone with an ounce of compassion.

"Line up," he commanded, his voice firm but not unkind.

The children hesitated, their wariness still evident. "Why?" one of them asked, suspicion clear in his voice.

"Just do it," Accelerator replied, his tone brooking no argument. "Don't ask too much questions"

Reluctantly, the children began to form a line in front of him, their eyes wide with curiosity and fear. Once they were all in place, Accelerator reached into his inventory, a feature he still found annoyingly game-like, and began to pull out stacks of snacks.

The children's eyes widened in disbelief as he revealed the snacks. There were chips, candies, cookies—more food than they hadn't tasted in a long time. It was as if a magician had appeared before them, conjuring treats from thin air.

"Take these," Accelerator said, handing out the snacks. "Eat up. There's more where that came from."

The children hesitated for only a moment before their hunger overcame their fear. They reached out with trembling hands, grabbing the snacks and tearing into them with eager delight. Laughter and chatter filled the room as they ate, the tension and fear melting away.

Yuki watched in amazement, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, big brother. You don't know what this means to us."

"Don't mention it," he replied gruffly, though a small part of him felt a flicker of satisfaction. "Just don't get close to those bastards"

As the children ate, their perception of Accelerator began to change. He was no longer a threatening stranger but a savior, someone who had brought them hope in the form of simple kindness. They looked up at him with newfound respect and admiration, their fear replaced by trust.

One of the older girls stepped forward, a cautious smile on her face. "Thank you... for helping us. We're not used to people being kind."

"Yeah, well, don't get used to it," Accelerator said, though his tone was less harsh than usual. "I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to make sure you all survive."

The girl nodded, her smile growing. "We understand. But still, thank you."

Accelerator crossed his arms, looking around the room. "You've got a long way to go. This place isn't safe. You need better shelter, more supplies."

"We know," Yuki said softly. "But we don't have anywhere else to go."

"We'll figure something out," Accelerator replied, his mind already working on a plan. "For now, just keep yourselves hidden and stay together. I'll be back in the future."

As he turned to leave, the children's voices followed him, their gratitude clear despite their hardships. Accelerator walked back into the cold streets, his resolve hardening with each step. This world was brutal and unforgiving, but he would not let these children suffer any longer.

He glanced back at the building, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "They've got spirit. I'll give them that."

As he walked, his thoughts returned to the knowledge he had from his previous world. If he could find a way to enhance the Cursed Children's regenerative abilities, it would be a significant step forward. The potential was there, he just needed the right resources and time to figure it out.

"One thing at a time," he reminded himself. "First, we secure their safety. Then, we see about making them stronger."

"Let's see how this world handles a real challenge," he thought, his eyes glinting with determination. "Because I'm just getting started."

As the day wore on, Accelerator's resolve only grew stronger. The fight for the Cursed Children had become his mission, and he would stop at nothing to ensure their safety and well-being. The world was harsh, but so was he. And with that combination, he was determined to make a difference.

–

Meanwhile, in a different part of the city, the two police officers who had been trashed by Accelerator were limping away from the scene. Their faces were a mix of pain and fury, the bruises and injuries inflicted by Accelerator throbbing with each step they took.

"Damn that bastard," one of them spat, clutching his side. "Who does he think he is, coming here and beating us up?"

The other officer, blood trickling down his forehead, nodded grimly. "We'll make him pay for this. No one humiliates us and gets away with it."

They continued their trek towards the nearest hospital, cursing Accelerator with every step. Their minds were racing, filled with thoughts of revenge and retribution. As they walked, the first officer, a burly man with a cruel glint in his eye, began to formulate a plan.

"We need to make his life a living nightmare," he muttered, his voice low and filled with venom. "But how?"

The second officer, a wiry man with a penchant for scheming, suddenly stopped in his tracks. A slow, malicious grin spread across his face as an idea took shape in his mind. "I've got it."

The burly officer raised an eyebrow. "What's that look for? Spill it."

The wiry officer's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. "We tell everyone that he's helping the Cursed Children. That should be enough to turn the whole city against him."

The burly officer's eyes lit up with understanding. "You're right. Those brats are hated by everyone. If people think he's on their side, they'll want nothing to do with him."

"Exactly," the wiry officer said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "We spread the word that he's protecting those little monsters, and the people will do the rest. They'll shun him, harass him, maybe even try to take him down themselves."

The burly officer chuckled darkly. "It's perfect. We won't have to lift a finger. The city will turn against him on its own."

With their plan set, the two officers picked up the pace, their earlier pain and humiliation now fueling their determination for revenge. They reveled in the thought of turning the tables on Accelerator, of watching him suffer as the city's wrath turned against him.

"We'll start spreading the word as soon as we're patched up," the wiry officer said, his voice brimming with anticipation. "This is going to be fun."

As they finally approached the hospital, their minds were already filled with scenarios of Accelerator's downfall. They imagined the looks of disgust and hatred he would face, the isolation and hostility that would surround him.

"This is what he gets for messing with us," the burly officer muttered, a satisfied smirk on his face.

The wiry officer nodded in agreement. "He has no idea what's coming. By the time we're done, he'll wish he never set foot in this city."

They entered the hospital, their expressions dark and vengeful. As they were tended to by the medical staff, their thoughts never wavered from their plan. They would spread the rumor far and wide, ensuring that everyone knew about the man who dared to protect the Cursed Children.

"We'll make sure he regrets ever crossing us," the wiry officer said, his voice a low hiss.

The burly officer's eyes gleamed with malice. "He'll learn soon enough. No one defies us and gets away with it."

As they were treated, the two officers continued to plot and scheme, their minds filled with thoughts of vengeance. They reveled in the idea of turning the city against Accelerator, of watching him struggle against the tide of hatred and fear.

"This city doesn't tolerate those monsters," the wiry officer said, his voice dripping with disdain. "And it won't tolerate anyone who protects them."

"Right," the burly officer agreed. "We'll make sure he's an outcast, just like those brats he's trying to save."

With their plan solidified, the two officers left the hospital, their wounds tended but their anger far from assuaged. They walked through the streets, their eyes scanning the faces of the people around them, already identifying potential allies in their campaign of misinformation.

"We'll start with the local shopkeepers," the wiry officer suggested. "They're always looking for someone to blame for their troubles."

The burly officer nodded. "Then we move on to the neighbors. Spread the word, plant the seeds of doubt and fear. It won't take long for the whole district to turn against him."

As they moved through the city, their whispers began to spread, their lies taking root in the fertile ground of fear and prejudice. The seeds of their revenge were planted, and they watched with satisfaction as the first signs of suspicion and distrust began to bloom.

"We'll destroy him," the wiry officer said, his voice filled with cold determination. "Piece by piece, until there's nothing left."

The burly officer's grin was wide and vicious. "And we'll enjoy every moment of it."

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the city, the two officers looked out over the streets, their eyes filled with malice. They had started a fire, and they would watch with glee as it consumed their enemy.

"Enjoy your time, bastard" the wiry officer muttered, his voice low and filled with venom. "Because it's about to get a whole lot worse."

The burly officer nodded, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "He'll learn. No one defies us and gets away with it. No one."

With their hearts filled with hatred and their minds set on revenge, the two officers disappeared into the night, their campaign of deceit and malice just beginning. The city, already on edge, would soon be plunged into a new wave of fear and distrust, all aimed at one man who dared to stand up for the innocent.

And as the first whispers of their lies began to spread, the stage was set for a confrontation that would shake the very foundations of the Tokyo Area, testing the resolve and strength of Accelerator in ways he had never imagined.

—