Chapter 310: Penacony Arc 『 Part Five 』
「 "If it means losing them, I would." Stelle answered with honest conviction.
"I see… Then, suppose there were a vast dream, one so vivid it was indistinguishable from reality. A place where no one has to endure the pain of parting or death, where everyone receives the happiness and fulfillment they deserve, living in eternal joy."
Acheron continued her inquiry: "I would ask: Would you wish to stay?"
"No matter what, I refuse to live in a dream." Stelle shook her head.
"Then… what if this beautiful dream were to shatter? If everything was destined to fade—everyone in their memories, the laughter and the tears, the promises kept and unfulfilled… all marching toward a predetermined end. If, at the very beginning of your journey, you already knew its conclusion…"
"I would ask: Would you still embark on this journey?"
Stelle's gaze remained resolute: "I would forge ahead as a Trailblazer without hesitation."
Acheron spoke expressionlessly: "I know this is difficult; there is no need to rush your decision. As I said… the answer is not what matters. So, back to the original question… I would ask... Do you still remember me?"
"No, this is the first time we've met." Stelle remained certain.
"…I understand." Acheron nodded. "The golden dream is beginning to stir. In the long night ahead, I fear you will encounter many setbacks and witness numerous tragedies, until finally… your eyes behold only black and white."
"But please believe that in that monochrome world, a fleeting spark of red will appear. And when you make your choice, it will reappear before you once more…" 」
「 ..... 」
〜Mob Psycho 100 World〜
"Master, did you understand a single word she said?"
Mob stared blankly at Reigen Arataka.
"I… I didn't get it at all…"
Reigen felt like his CPU was about to fry. Taken individually, he knew every word the woman spoke, but when strung together, they made absolutely no sense. She seemed to say everything and nothing all at once, speaking in riddles.
'Long night,' 'golden dream,' 'black and white'… were they metaphors?
This woman named Acheron clearly hadn't met Stelle for the first time; who starts a conversation with questions like that? Moreover, she seemed intimately familiar with Penacony… Could she be someone from the Family of The Harmony?
Regardless of her metaphors, Reigen drew one conclusion: Penacony was nowhere near as simple as Stelle imagined. Combined with what those young siblings with the halos behind their heads had said, there was undoubtedly some unspeakable tragedy hidden beneath the surface of this beautiful dream.
"Master, do you think it's possible… that Miss Acheron was testing Stelle?"
Mob whispered.
"Testing her?"
"Right. Miss Acheron is a Galaxy Ranger, like a knight-errant wandering the stars. Maybe she doesn't just question Stelle, but anyone she finds suspicious. If an answer is unsatisfactory or shows hostility, she just—"
Mob didn't finish his sentence, instead making a grim, tightening gesture around his neck.
"Hey, hey, hey… is she a Ranger or a serial killer? If she judges friend from foe like that, she'd have been blacklisted by the Galaxy Rangers ages ago!"
—
「 Acheron gripped her tachi. As she brushed past the hem of Stelle's coat, time suddenly became viscous.
"And you… must savor the meaning of it all. Then, return to the waking world."
Acheron slowly raised her head. From those perpetually indifferent eyes… a single tear of blood escaped.
Stelle turned back in confusion, wanting to ask the meaning of those words, but before the question could form, a sharp pain exploded from her abdomen.
Scarlet.
That was Stelle's final perception before losing consciousness. She felt herself plummeting, sinking into a freezing lake, suffocating inch by inch.
"…Passenger Stelle?"
Pam's voice suddenly pierced the darkness.
Stelle snapped her eyes open, her fingers digging deep into the leather of the train seat. There was a cold sensation on her face—not blood, but two streaks of tears that had fallen unbeknownst to her.
Before her, Pam watched with deep concern: "What's wrong? Wh-why are you suddenly crying?"
"I dreamed of a riddle-maker saying strange things…" 」
「 ..... 」
〜One Punch Man World〜
"Talk about a hardcore wake-up call…"
"Seriously, that one strike alone… she's way stronger than those S-Class heroes in the Association, right?"
"Are you implying Atomic Samurai, S-Class Rank 4? Heh, I'll admit he's strong in Z-City, but in the vast universe… I'd say he still needs more training."
"Hey! Do you have a death wish? Atomic Samurai is right here!"
"No way…! I hope he didn't hear that! I'm outta here!"
"…"
Inside the ramen shop, patrons put down their chopsticks, whispering fervently. At a table on the second floor, the master and disciples of the Holy Order of the Sword stared blankly at the sky. Their chopsticks trembled slightly, and a soft-boiled egg slipped from a pair of tips, creating small ripples on the surface of the soup.
"Hey, did you see it? Her movement when she drew the blade…"
Atomic Samurai struggled to recall Acheron's strike. He truly couldn't remember where or when the woman had drawn her sword. In his memory, she had merely gripped the scabbard, her thumb against the guard—nothing more.
Was it because it was a dream?
His disciple, Iairon, shook his head. Forget seeing the draw; he felt as though Acheron had simply been taking a stroll, and as she walked, Stelle had been cut down behind her.
"Master, since we can't see it clearly, why don't we ask…"
Iaian lowered his voice, gesturing with his thumb toward the man buried in his meal nearby.
——KING.
Atomic Samurai had noticed KING dining by the window the moment he entered. He hadn't intended to disturb him, but since such an intriguing scene had appeared in the sky, he felt compelled to speak with the ultimate weapon known as the 'Strongest Man on Earth.'
(He's full of openings… Is he trying to lure a hidden monster into attacking so he can counter-kill them? As expected of KING, such a meticulous man…)
Atomic Samurai marveled inwardly as he led his disciples to sit across from KING.
KING, currently slurping noodles, looked at Atomic Samurai with utter confusion, having no idea what the man wanted.
"KING, you saw Acheron's draw just now in the sky, didn't you?"
Atomic Samurai offered a slight smile.
"None of us could see her movement. Since you're called the 'Strongest Man,' surely you saw it clearly?"
"The draw?"
KING's brow furrowed. What draws? He had been watching the sky while eating and got so engrossed that he accidentally choked on the chili oil. By the time he recovered, Stelle had already woken up.
—