wonderful_logs | WEEK 4 DAY 4: MISSION

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WEEK 4 DAY 4: MISSION

Mission: "Ascertain the world's circumstance."
Time Limit: Long
Noise Plane: Duet
Wall Instructions: No key walls; create walls at your own discretion. Seal off the school and dorm.
Wall Rewards: Poison Scorpion
Reaped Rewards: Final Pyre, All Expired
Mission Rewards: Scarletite

[This is the vaguest mystery ever. But, scan around and one thing will become apparent. Even if the second day was spent entirely clearing noise from the area, they're all back in full force, and they seem to be possessing more people than usual. These people have feelings of hopelessness, apathy and death. But just scanning them doesn't seem to give the answers why. If the mission can believed, this is not something the Reapers have done, but something to do with the world itself. Surely someone must know the truth....]

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Fair enough. But I'm a teacher--I suppose you could say I have an interest in the well-being of the young.

[His mentor senses are tingling; he can't help it!]

That's right. I've only just arrived...are you in this game, as well?

[He's looking a bit curious now. Had this kid died? Such a tragedy, to have had it happen so young.

...and really, Ryoji, the Professor's dealt with end of the world scenarios before. He's a veteran of a different sort, even if he doesn't look like anything more than an older academic.]

I understand that...

Oh, but I-I'm not in the game. At least, not anymore... I came back to life this week.

[Which was just the start of a series of misfortunes, of course.

Honestly, at this point, Ryoji is starting to wish that he could just blurt it all out, but if he's new, it'd be too much for him to take in. Unless... the mission...

No. Ichigo's going to kill him soon anyways. It's pointless to tell this Player anything.

Oh, did you now? I suppose congratulations are in order!

[The poor Professor thinks Ryoji is a Player and has no idea that this is probably one of the worst possible things he could be saying...]

[Unfortunately, hearing the Professor say that is enough to make Ryoji lose it. He's absolutely miserable, and to hear someone so happy about what is causing him immense pain, so cheerful and warm and kind to someone who's current state ensures his own doom... it's too much.

He turns away and buries his face in his hands. He had promised himself he wouldn't cry but there was really no more restraining himself.]

Oh! Oh, dear, I'm sorry...I didn't know...

[The Professor is so very confused right now, and he's looking around the room like he's hoping to find someone who can help, but he doesn't see anyone. He's attempting that whole "comforting hand on the shoulder" thing even though he doesn't have much hope. Maybe he should leave.]

[Ryoji can't control himself any longer. His story comes tumbling out of his mouth, even if it's punctuated by sobs and mostly confusing rambling.]

No, I'm sorry... I'm going to ruin everything. You all want to come back to life but I've ruined that chance, and now you're not even going to be able to exist at all! I'm going to kill everyone if I'm not stopped...

[He swallows a bit, and when he looks up there's an oddly peaceful look on his face.]

But it's okay. Someone will stop me. I won't exist anymore, and no one will suffer.

[That was all very rushed and confusing, but at least Ryoji's calmed down. Stein's still not sure what's going on here, but he wants to help anyway.]

I can't say I'm too clear on what you're saying, but whatever happens? I don't think it'll be your fault. You clearly don't want to do whatever it is you're saying will happen...

It's not my fault... but it doesn't matter. I curse you all just by existing. That's why I need to die and get Erased...

I-I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have said all that.

No, no, it's all right. Best to get it out.

[The Professor's still not entirely certain what's going on here, but it wouldn't be the first time he's run into something regarding the potential destruction of the world.]

There's got to be a way around it...

[Ryoji just shakes his head. He had accepted the fact that there was no other way long ago.]

The only way it could happen would be with someone else using their own life force to seal me away. But I'd still die, and they would too.

[The Professor's quiet for a long moment.]

I see...that still doesn't sound as though it would be an acceptable outcome.

[He's a superhero, dangit. He's going to save everyone if he can help it.]

You know...I once almost died to save the solar system. I didn't then, but even if I had, I'd do it again in a heartbeat...

[He's quiet for a moment.]

It's got to be someone living to help with that, doesn't it?

... It was the only way. I didn't want it but... Minato was happy with that outcome. I just wish I could have saved him and-

No. Please, don't make the same sacrifice. It's not fair to you, to die for people who don't wish to live anyways. It's not fair!

[His voice rises a bit, a bit more emotion and desperation showing through, but he gets a hold of himself once the Professor continues speaking.]

It has to be someone living. I imagine that if a Player tried it, it'd be the same as them getting erased, and even then, the seal might not stick.

But some of those people do want to live. I've seen it time and time again. When things are at their worst, a great many people will surprise you, and that's when they'll be at their best. There are those that would do anything to let these people carry on.

[This whole time, his voice has been rather gentle. He understands these things! And he'll nod.]

I suppose that would have made it too easy, then. Those of us here...we've died once. A second time doesn't seem too bad in comparison.

[Yeah, he really would have done it. ~~Can't have been worse than being turned into salt.~~]

Some do, but not enough. Not enough to keep this world from ending. I know this, it's happened before. I think Minato would have been the only person who could have prevented this, but he's gone...

I don't want anyone to have to die for me. I just... I just want to die for them. I want to be able to do something right for once.

[The Professor will nod in understanding.]

I just...would always like to believe there's a better way. I'd be a hypocrite if I said I thought self-sacrifice was wrong.

...Is that how you died? Sacrificing yourself?

[It's strange how many humans Ryoji knew that did that. He'd thought Minato would be one of the few but it was different here.]

[There's a slow nod.]

I took a hit meant for...

[He closes his eyes and cannot remember anything there. Who he'd died for, why he'd done it...]

...someone. I couldn't tell you who...only that I got turned into a pillar of salt for my trouble.

[He sighs.]

And yet I feel like I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I had to.

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WEEK 4 DAY 4: MISSION

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