Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dazai came back as he got the news by the death of his twin brother. He was alone in his house, his mother had long died because of chronic disease and his father was nowhere to be found since Dazai was still a kid. 

He lived with his twin brother, Shuuji. But Shuuji was long missing, it was almost 4 years since he last contacted his twin brother and the fact that his twin was also nowhere to be found.

3 years ago, his mother died. He and the family held the funeral and Dazai himself got the pity of his relatives, he heard they said how it was sad that Dazai had to lost his mother, on top of the unknown location of his father and twin brother.

Unable to bear the pity and sadness, Dazai decided to went to England, he served there as a manager of a big company. Not just that, he was also recruited by the mafia gang in England as their advisor due to his intelligence and cunning attitude.

Just a week ago, he received an anonymous message saying that his twin brother was dead. Later, in the same day, he received a call from his uncle, saying that they found his twin brother's body, limp and lifeless, near the forest.

After the sudden news, Dazai went flying back to Yokohama, that day too. He arrived the next day and visited the hospital where his twin's body were put. The doctor said the cause of death was heart failure and possible abuse due to the wound and cut on his body. The doctor also said that most of his internal organ were in the worst conditions, either it caused by his death or prior to his death.

The next day, Dazai held the funeral of his twin brother. He resided next to his mother. Once again, his family expressed their sadness and pity toward Dazai. He smiled at them, but of course the action was nothing but a fake.

Four days after his twin's funeral, Dazai received a package from the delivery man from an unknown sender. He opened the package just to saw a golden pocket watch. He left it there, didn't bother to touch it.

Now, Dazai was sitting in front of the package that he left on the table yesterday. He picked the pocket watch, opened it and saw the photo of him and his twin brother. He looked at the back of the pocket watch and saw Shuuji's name engraved there.

He inspected the pocket watch, it wasn't tampered or fabricated. Suddenly he remembered the time when he bought the pocket watch as his twin wanted an unique gift for his graduation.

"You should be the one to come back, not this watch." Dazai said as he gripped the pocket watch.

He opened the pocket watch once again and saw the clock suddenly ticked. In that moment, he could hear the voice and could see something that was not his. The voice and the vision were too real to be a hallucination.

Everything entered his head. Then the realization hit him, it was Shuuji's memories. Everything, from how he worked to get money, how he got a message that said he could make his deepest wish come true, how he did an adventure on an unknown land, how he gained comrades, down to how he got killed. Everything entered Dazai's head and the feeling he felt was surely his, he cursed as he saw how his twin was betrayed and killed.

"Shuuji... Why did this happen to you?"

As Dazai registered what just happened to him, he breathed in and out slowly. He sighed as he looked once again at the pocket watch.

Just then, something popped up mid air, right in front of Dazai. It read "Will you register?"

"So, this is how you get to that damned place, huh?"

Without doubt, Dazai clicked yes. He could feel his body undergo a slight change. Not long after that, the thing popped once again. It read as follow:

Congratulations, you have successfully registered. As you received a blessing from former player, you will be able to awaken their traits.

Currently awakening process : 5%

Traits that the registered player has as follow:

• Nature : Manipulative

Your words will be able to manipulate others. As you possess higher intelligence, you will be able to manipulate even the higher ranks monster. You will be completely immune to other's manipulation and anything along the lines of mind control.

• Heightened Senses (Active Skill)

Your five senses will heightened drastically.

• Photographic Memory (Passive Skill)

You will be able to remember every single detail of information and anything that you have seen and heard.

• Dragon Visual (Inherited/Active Skill)

You will be able to see the truth of every objects, be it living or not. You can also preview other's strength and ability.

• Dark Attribute Affinity (Trait)

You will have greater damage as you learn and use dark attribute equipments and dark elements skill. You will receive halved damage from dark elements skill and equipment.

• Ice Attribute Affinity (Inherited/Trait)

You will have greater damage as you learn and use ice attribute equipments and ice elements skill. You will receive halved damage from ice elements skill and equipment.

The player can continue the process of awakening as they advance toward the Land of Domino.

Golden pocket watch is an inherited item, will you keep it?

Dazai pressed yes.

Golden pocket watch is now the player's personal item. You can choose one item as your personal item.

Dazai looked around the room. Anything useful for the land will suffice. He went to his room and found nothing actually worth to register as his personal item. He went to Shuuji's room. There, he rummaged his twin's wardrobe and cupboard. He found one thing. It was a necklace, part of the pair Dazai and Shuuji had. Dazai had the bracelet while Shuuji had the necklace. Dazai finally choose the necklace as his personal item.

Rose quartz necklace will be registered as personal item. The pendant has a pair, will you register the other pair?

Dazai pressed yes.

Rose quartz bracelet has been successfully registered as personal item. Personal item is a pair of jewelry. Paired personal item will give you extra benefit, benefit will be given until further notice. 

Registration complete. 

Dazai Osamu

Strength : 8

Stamina : 15

Agility : 25

Intelligence : 40

MP : 35

Welcome.

Dazai sighed as he finally done with the registration or whatever he done just now. He sat on the sofa, his hand ran through his hair.

"I might as well as prepare for the trip to hell."

Chapter Text

To my brother, Dazai.

I'm sorry, if you could see and hear this, then that means I'm no longer alive. I regret nothing but the fact that I didn't tell you caused you to worry.

Both of us were so busy to get money for mother's hospital bills. I didn't want to burden you too much, so I tried looking for several jobs. It was hard, but I was determined to get at least one job. I finally got a job at a news company, where my job was to assist in the publishing of the news, be it newspaper or news in television.

The salary was good, it was enough for me to live and paid the hospital bills. After three months, the company suddenly went brankcrupt as the directors were using the company's money for personal gain. I had to search for jobs once again, when that suddenly came.

A message that said I could get my deepest wish to come true. At first, I doubted the message as fraud. But after several days of not getting any jobs, I decided to try the message. I replied yes. The next thing to happen was a window, like those in the game, popped up and asked if I want to register. Naturally, I clicked yes. After that, suddenly it felt like my body undergo a change. It lasted for several minutes, and after it finished, this body of mine felt way lighter.

The window popped once again, it said the traits I had. My nature was Perfect Adaptability. While other traits were Ice Attribute Affinity, Heightened Senses, and Magic Resistance. Everything was described in detail. It also asked me to register personal item, so I chose your golden pocket watch that became my birthday gift that time.

The land can only be entered by registered player. The door for the land would appear randomly, the window would put up a notice where the door had opened. The first stage upon entered the land was tutorial stage.

~~~

It was already a year in the land. I learned that a day in this land meant a day in the real world. That would means that I went missing for a year there. In this land, I met a companion. He was a loyal person, hot headed, and intelligent.

~~~

I entered the tower together with my companion and those from the guilds. We managed to get to the 29th floor. There, I got the skill Dragon Visual.

~~~

The two of us entered the 60th floor. Unfortunately, we were caught in a trap made by the guilds. They captured my companion and stabbed me, five swords through the heart. My companion was collared by a special item that made him rendered useless, his body became caged by the spell. He was turned to be those like a servant by the guilds. They finalized their spell by making him stab me in the heart too. He was struggling to break free, until he finally decided to stab his own heart instead of mine.

~~~

I was still alive after the incident, but I could feel my life becoming short everytime. When I reached 65th floor, I managed to defeat the monster, but I lost too much blood. I lost my life, but at least I got what I needed. I could transfer my memories to you.

Dazai, I'm sorry for my selfishness. I hope you could forgive my selfishness and foolishness. I should have told you before. If by chance you would enter the land, could I burden you with my wish to save my companion?

Please tell mother that I'm sorry I left you and mother for so long. Please stay healthy and safe. I will always be by your side.

°°°

Dazai woke up after he had a dream. His dream was he saw how his twin got stabbed, five swords through his heart. His twin screamed in agony and sadness as he got stabbed by his own comrades.

Dazai washed his face, he took a scissor and cut his hair, mostly his bangs and the hair in the front area. 

"I'll enter that land, but this face is way too similar to him, so..."

Dazai took a roll of bandages and wrapped his right eye, torso, neck, and hands. He combed his hair differently. Finally, he chose to wear a black kimono and dark blue yukata. He should at least dress differently than his twin who went there with normal clothes.

Dazai packed some medicines and knifes. He also took every bandages and spent his money to buy bandages. He told his relatives that he would be going back and he might not using his number anymore and he won't come back to Japan for few years. His relatives thought this was a way for Dazai to cope for his loss.

He prepared everything he could bring to the land. Mostly chocolates, canned foods, bandages, and knifes. The window suddenly popped up, it said The Gate will open in 2 km to the east from your current position in 47:59:57.

The next two days, Dazai stood in the area the gate was supposed to open.

"This should be the place."

It was at the back of the of the public garden. Dazai used the window to determine the exact location of the gate. The place was isolated due to the accident that took place two years ago, which caused around thirty people died due to the fall of the construction.

Not long after that Dazai arrived, a big gate appeared with enormous aura. Dazai looked at the door and walked toward it.

"It's bigger than I expected."

The window popped again, and it said : 

The gate is in your area. The gate will close in 11:59:58.

Dazai shrugged his shoulder. He touched the door knob and opened it. He entered the gate and felt his body transported somewhere to the Land of Domino.

Welcome, dear player, to the Land of Domino.

Chapter Text

Dazai observed his surrounding. It was a room with dark gray wall. The tiles were pure white made from ceramic. The lights were brightly illuminate the room.

The tower was a trial for the players that gave them a chance to become a God, hence the saying 'your deepest wish to come true'. In order to climb the tower, one must prove to be qualified to do so. The place to prove it is the tutorial.

Beyond this place was where those who hurt and killed Shuuji were. In order to enter the tower, first I must achieve the highest score and clear the tutorial. I can't achieve less than 1st place, so I will need necessary items to help me, and that's why I need those hidden items laid in the tutorial. Just wait, I will be there in no time. Dazai thought to himself.

Suddenly, a portal opened across Dazai, right above his head. Human came from it. Upon closer look, Dazai noted it wasn't a normal human, with how the ears were pointed and longer than normal human.

"Welcome, you seemed to be a new player. I'm the manager of floor 0 and also a guide, the name's Edogawa Ranpo. Should I explain about this place then?"

"Yeah, any information will be useful, so do explain it, please."

"The way I see it, you seems to know about this place. But of course, if you wish for explanation, I will give it to you."

Dazai nodded his head. The guy in front of him, Edogawa Ranpo, seemed to be a NPC if this was a video game.

"This is the tutorial floor, which is separated into seven blocks, from A to G. Each blocks has its own environment and trials that the player has to complete in order to advance. During the tutorial time, you will be given scores based on your performance and will be accumulated to be announced at the end of the tutorial time." Ranpo explained.

"So, any benefits for high score?" 

"Of course. The higher your score, the better your rewards will be."

"How long is the tutorial time?"

Ranpo smiled, "It's a month, thirty days to be exact. But it has started since a week ago, so you only have 23 days left. Would you like to start your first round?"

Dazai stayed still. Well, the other are probably far enough from me since I started a week later. He thought.

"Also, it's recommended for you to form a party of three until five people to complete the tutorial. But, if you were to do it solo, you will receive a higher rewards. As your contribution increase and your works become worthy, your score will be calculated separately, it's fair enough, right?" Ranpo added.

Well, he either try to form a party or go solo to complete the tutorial. Those who chose to solo are either too confident in their skill and die while acting high and mighty or, they will become a sight to see. Ranpo thought.

"I see. Thank you for the explanation, Edogawa-san."

"Hoho, just Ranpo is fine. Then, I will begin the trial of block A immediately. Good luck."

As Ranpo snapped his fingers, the windows popped again.

The trial on floor 0 will now begin. Newcomer must prove their worth and have what it takes to climb the tower and become a god.

Terms of Achievement : You must score a high score within the alloted time.

Remaining time : 550:45:30

Ranpo vanished after that. Before he vanished, he bowed to Dazai and Dazai did the same.

You have entered block A. You have to disarm or destroy every traps in this block.

"Well, it doesn't seems easy."

Dazai walked carefully. He observed the floor, wall, and ceiling to find any clue of the trap. Suddenly, an arrow came to his view and Dazai barely managed to dodge.

"That was fast. More importantly, it didn't cause any noise."

Dazai picked the arrow and examined it. It has blue color at the end of the arrow.

Agility increased by 1 point.

"Oh, so if I dodged this arrow, my agility will increase? That means there are several coloured arrows and they give increase different point. That's important but of course, disarming the trap is more important."

Dazai looked around and walked once again. This time, he was able to see two arrows came to him and managed to block it. 

Strength increased by 2 points.

"So red arrow increase strength if blocked. What if i get hit by it?"

Dazai continued. This time many arrows came to him and he managed to dodge and block it.

Agility increased by 4 points

Strength increased by 5 points

Suddenly, Dazai was hit with 3 arrows. It was black coloured arrows. The arrows hit his left arm, shoulder, and right thigh.

You have sustained sudden damage. You are in a shocked state. 

"Damn, that hurts."

Dazai pulled the arrows from his arm, shoulder, and thigh. He winced as the pain became more intense. He breathed slowly and took a medicine for wounds to treat it.

You have recovered from shocked state. You are now able to endure arrow attack.

"Well, it's annoying if I can't stop the trap. I guess I should try one ability." Dazai said as he activated the Heightened Sense ability.

You have activated Heightened Sense. Your five senses are now more sensitive. Heightened sense skill level has increased by 0,5%.

Dazai could hear the gear worked, could feel the room became chiller, could smell the iron of arrow, could see further, and could taste the thick air in the room. Everything was weird in a sense for Dazai, but he advance once more. This time he could hear how the gear clocked against each other, and with a tick, he could guess where the arrows would come and how many of the arrows were coming.

He managed to find where the machines were and destroyed it with his knifes. He also managed to accumulate lots of points due to the arrows. He continued to advance and destroyed the traps hidden in the room.

"So, blocking red arrows grant you strength, dodging blue arrows grant you agility, letting the yellow arrows hit you grant stamina, and the black arrows didn't really do much, but it allows me to increase my endurance for arrow attack."

Dazai looked up ahead. It was a big door just like the door before he entered the room.

"That must be the end of this block. I should hurry then."

Dazai Osamu

Strength : 20

Stamina : 35

Agility : 48

Intelligence : 40

MP : 35

Nature :

Manipulative

Traits :

Dark Attribute Affinity

Ice Attribute Affinity

Skill :

Active Skills :

Heightened Senses (1,6%)

Dragon Visual (0,0%)

Passive Skill :

Photographic Memory

Remaining Time : 545:40:50

Chapter Text

"Ah, you come! I was starting to get bored you know, partner."

"Yeah, I was gone for 5 minutes and here you are complaining like I went missing for a week."

"It can't be helped. We must hurry and clear the tower so we can get back to the real world."

"Yeah, I guess so."

°°°

Dazai stood in front of the big door, he touched the door knob and twisted it so the door opened, revealed an empty room, and the window suddenly appeared.

You have encountered a rest area. Your treatment for any wound and fatigue will begin.

Dazai felt his body became much more better than before. His wounds slowly getting better and his body felt like he was just awake from a long sleep.

"Ah really, it's been awhile since I worked so hard." As Dazai said that, his eyes suddenly blackened and he fell forward, passed out.

After several minutes passed, he awoke, slowly blinked his eye and adjusted to the light. He saw a white hooded man staring at him smiling.

"Good morning?"

Dazai stood up and picked his knife, ready to attack the stranger. The man just smiled and threw his hands to the air.

"Ah sorry if I surprised you, but I assure you that I mean no harm."

"Who are you?"

"My name's Z, pleasure to meet you, my dear customer."

"Customer? So you are a merchant? Oh wait, it's the so called mystery merchant, right?"

"Yes, you are correct."

A mystery merchant. Shuuji said there was only one of them that actually sell good items with reasonable prices. Mystery merchant appear randomly, usually at the end of a dungeon or tower. They sell items starting from foods to artifacts. Dazai thought.

"Here, dear customer. You can choose any items you have in mind. After a little bit taste of the tower, surely you have something in your mind, right?"

"Well, let me see what you have then."

The mystery merchant opened the window status and gave it to Dazai. Dazai scrolled through the panel. He skipped the daily necessities because he already had enough in his possession. He saw the the artifacts but decided that it would be useless for now.

He finally saw something that caught his interest. It was a reset ticket that can be used to go back to the desired area.

"How can I pay for this?"

"With your stats, sir."

"I see. Well I have a thing I want to buy."

"Yes, what would you like, my dear customer?"

"The reset ticket to the block A. I offer my accumulated stats i gained from there as the payment."

"Oh? As you wish, dear customer. Here's your reset ticket."

How rare. Usually people will buy something like a artifact or potion, but him... Heh, how interesting. Z thought.

Dazai took the reset ticket and used it right away. 

Preparing to reset Block A. Reset will begin in 30 seconds.

"It's nice to meet you, dear customer. I hope we can meet again next time." Z said as he smiled at Dazai.

"Yeah." As Dazai answered Z, he was transported back to the beginning of Block A. He readied his weapon and walked forward. His Heightened Sense is active.

It took him 5 hours to finish the first half of Block A until he was back at the rest area. His health was full and his wound was healed. He continued to the second half of Block A.

It was rather quite compared to before. Dazai walked carefully to find any trap, but he didn't find or sense any traps. As he walked forward, he saw a wooden doll walking and noticed Dazai. The doll ran toward Dazai and attacked him straight ahead. Dazai blocked it and attacked back. To his surprise, the doll was hard, his knife couldn't stab its body. 

Dazai then tried to activate the Dragon Visual skill. As he activated it, his pupil began to change color to dark chocolate and yellow, with a vertical iris. His vision was different, he saw the doll's inside. It was mostly hollow but there was a blue fire on it's right side, below the chest.

Must be its weak place. Dazai thought. He readied himself and attacked the doll again.

"Attack the right side below the chest!"

As Dazai landed the hit and destroyed the doll, he glanced at the source of the voice. It was a boy, white haired and unarmed.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Atsushi. Nakajima Atsushi."

He was the one I sensed, but he didn't bear any malice so I let it be. But, he knew where I should hit it. Don't tell me... Dazai thought and he approached the boy.

The boy flinched as Dazai gave a menacing aura. 

"Why did you hide?"

"I wasn't able to land any hit because my sword dulled. Eventhough I know where to hit it, it useless if my sword can't do the hit."

"You know? How?"

"How? It's... I can see its magic stream. It focused on all its body except the right side below the chest. Its where the magic come from."

"You can see magic stream?"

"You can't?"

"No."

"I see. I can see it the moment I step here. I guess it's part of my trait."

My guess is right then. Dazai thought once again.

"Umm... Can you help me reach the rest area for Block B?" Atsushi asked him.

"Why should I help you?"

Atsushi flinched but he looked at Dazai's eye and said it.

"I have to get my weapon back. Someone took it. I won't be able to advance alone with broken weapon."

"Can you use magic?"

"Just a bit."

Dazai sighed, "Whatever, just don't get in my way."

"Yes, thank you, sir!"

Dazai walked forward with Atsushi followed from behind. Atsushi told everything he knew about magic and Dazai learned a thing or two from it. They finally reached the door led to rest area of Block B.

"We're here."

"Yes, thank you so much for helping me."

"Yeah. But..."

Dazai looked back and stared at Atsushi. His Dragon Visual skill was active from the very start. He saw the inside of Atsushi's body. It was mostly white aura, but what made him disturbed was the fact the Atsushi he saw was way smaller than the one in front of him.

"I don't know how you did that, but if you try to fool me, it's the best for you to drop it now."

"What do you mean?"

"You. Your outer body is this big but your actual body is so small. Why?"

Atsushi flinched but he didn't answer.

"That's... Because I'm still-"

"You aren't trying to scam people, right?"

"N-no, of course not!"

"Then it's fine. As long as you don't disturb me, I don't really care your reason for that."

Dazai opened the door and Atsushi followed him again. Unlike before, the rest area here was crowded.

"Thank you very much!"

"Yeah. Also, try to find the Tosca Village. It's a village full of magician. Learn something there." Dazai said and he walked ahead.

Atsushi thanked him again, but behind him, a man grabbed his shoulder. Atsushi looked behind and frowned.

"Why are you here, Atsushi?"

Chapter Text

"You guys have what it takes to join our guild. I'll meet you in the rest area of Block B. It's one of the big guild, The Guild. See you then." The swordman leave them and continued to walk forward. Atsushi looked at his companion, all of them were happy when they were recruited like that.

"I can't believe we get the chance to join such a big guild. On top of that, it's the first and the original guild."

"Yeah, let's work hard so we can reach our destination."

°°°

Atsushi and his teammate were having a hard time at the second half of Block A. Despite knowing where to attack, all of them were exhausted because they got surrounded.

One of his companion looked at him. He then glanced at his other friends and nodded. Suddenly, Atsushi's sword was taken and he was pushed between the wooden dolls.

"Sorry, but we have to reach our destination!" One of his companion said as they ran toward the rest area of Block B.

Atsushi was left behind with a dulled sword. The wooden dolls started to attack Atsushi and he could only dodged and retreated. He finally lost them and hid for days until he met the man wearing blue yukata.

°°°

Atsushi frowned at his supposed to be companion. He was left behind and used as a scapegoat so they could reach Block B.

"Why I'm here? Of course to continue the tutorial. Now give me back my sword."

They looked at each other and finally bowed to Atsushi.

"We're sorry about what happened. Please forget what happened and don't tell anyone about it."

"Huh? I don't care. Give me my sword."

This kid. We thought he would die there, to think he come with someone. How lucky. We have to kill him, as we reported that he got killed at Block A. One of them thought.

"I can't give it to you. We don't have enough sword to advance."

"Then what about me? I'm unarmed."

"You can use magic, right?"

Atsushi frowned. His magic was still basic and his mana wouldn't be enough to be his only weapon to advance.

"Hey, he said give it back."

Atsushi was surprised when he heard the blue yukata man's voice. He glanced at him and shocked when the man's gaze was so cold.

"Who the hell are you?!"

"No one. But you were annoying just now, so..."

In a swift movement, Dazai lunged at them and attacked them. He was attacked from behind but managed to dodge and he cut the man's arm. The sword he was holding fell and the man screamed.

"Now, be quiet and don't bother anyone." Dazai cleaned his hand and knife, then he left them.

Atsushi picked his sword and cleaned it too. He glanced at them but later ignored their plead and ran toward Dazai.

"Thank you!" He bowed to Dazai.

Dazai glanced at him and waved his hand.

"Umm... Can I know your name?"

Dazai stopped in his track. He looked behind him and raised his brow.

"But if you don't want to, it's okay."

Dazai sighed and he walked near Atsushi.

"It's fine, but tell me about them."

"Okay."

The two of them walked and sat at the corner where it was the most quiet.

"We... No, they were recruited by one of the big guilds, essentially, The Guild. The first guild ever made. It has a big reputation here. The man that recruited them said he would be here for a while before continue to rest area Block C."

Dazai nodded and Atsushi continued, "As we advanced to second half of Block A, we were surrounded by those dolls and since we were too exhausted, we were cornered. Then, one of them took my sword and pushed me between the dolls, then they ran here. Somehow, I managed to lose them and stayed hidden in Block A until I saw you."

"I see. Well, sorry I can't tell you my full name. It's Shu, by the way."

"Ah it's alright. Thank you very much, Shu-san."

"Say Nakajima-kun. Do you know anything about those big guilds?"

"Call me Atsushi. And yeah, I know a little bit from their story."

"Can you tell me about it?"

Atsushi nodded and told Dazai about the guilds.

"The first and original guild is The Guild. It's also the biggest guild of the five. And The Guild is also the only guild that recruited the member since the tutorial, while the other four don't really recruit any new player except if they are very strong. The Guild members have a sword with a pendant on it. The second guild is Hunting Dogs, it's a very strong guild, even named as the strongest guild. Their members wear a black cape, so it's easy to spot them while it's hard to join them. I heard the test was very hard so their members are the least out of the five."

Atsushi glanced at Dazai and continued, "Next is Order of the Clock Tower, or for short OCT. They are similar to The Guild, but their members usually are very aggressive and they have a badge on their left chest as their identification. The fourth one is Decay of Angels. They are the most mysterious out of five, but extremely strong, noted as the second strongest guild after Hunting Dogs. Their recruit their members, but how they do that is a mystery. They often seen wearing mostly white."

"Gross, but continue, please."

"The last one is Port Mafia. The name sounded bad but they are actually quite good compared to the other. They have a test entrance for every member recruitment. They don't have any signature or identification, so they easily blend with other players. And I heard they weren't able to advance to the tower, but no one know why, so their member declined. And, I heard there was one big guild, but it was destroyed and disbanded. It was called ADA. Just like Port Mafia, they had no identification. I heard they were a rival, ADA and Port Mafia, but actually they were also like a partner."

"I see. You seems very knowledgeable in that kind of things."

"That's because I heard them talking about it and I asked for more."

"Nonetheless, your informations are very useful. Thank you, Atsushi-kun."

°°°

"Hey, wake up."

"What?" 

"Someone's interesting and powerful just arrived."

"Where?"

The man pointed at Dazai and the other one looked at the one being pointed.

"Yeah, he certainly looks strong."

"We can ask him to be ours, right?"

Chapter Text

"Hey, Shuuji."

"What is it?"

"You said you have a twin brother."

"Yeah, why?"

"How similar are the two of you?"

"Hmm, it's like we are the exact copy, you know. I'll believe it if he said he was Shuuji while I'm him."

"How ridiculous." The orange haired man knocked Shuuji's head lightly and Shuuji only laughed.

"Let's finish the tower so I can introduce you to him."

"Yeah, but you don't need to introduce me."

"Don't be like that. He'll like you too."

°°°

Dazai was already at Block B when he suddenly saw Shuuji's memory. The companion Shuuji spoke, no, the one in his memories, no matter how hard Dazai wanted to know his name, but he never got it. He only managed to know his hair color, not even his face.

"If you want me to save him, why don't you just show me his face and name?" Dazai mumbled as he reached an intersection. He went left and when he met dead end, he used his Dragon Visual skill to find the hidden button. After he pressed the button, the wall in front of him collapsed and showed him four doors. He walked toward the most right foor, a black coloured one.

As he entered, he saw a pool and a window appeared.

You have entered through the black door.

Cross the pond and reach the other side safely.

Dazai saw how vast the pond was, he kicked a rock and the rock never hit the bottom. He then sighed and activated his Dragon Visual skill. He looked around and saw a hollow, black hole on one of the wall. He kicked the hollow part and a path showed.

You have unlocked a hidden path.

You will be given extra points.

Dazai entered the place and walked forward. His heightened senses still active. As he walked, he saw things that he need, white moss. The white moss was useful as a medicine, but blindly ate it without being processed would cause severe damage to internal organs.

Shuuji said this thing was neglected as it was only useful for monster. But later on, someone managed to made a medicine based on this moss, even a weapon was created too. Dazai thought.

He took the moss so it filled the small bag he had. After that he continued to walk and he encountered a massive red ant. He fought the ant but it was harder than before. With the Dragon Visual, he was able to see its weak point, but he was unable to penetrate its thick shell. 

As he failed to deliver the hit, the ant countered and hit him hard. Dazai was sent flying and his back hit the wall. He coughed blood and he could feel his bones breaking.

You have taken an extreme damage. You are now stunned.

Dazai was unable to move his body for awhile. The ant approached him, as the ant was about to attack him, Dazai was able to move so he dodged to the left. He then slidded toward the ant and attacked it from below, where the weak point was located. He was successful to deliver the attack and the ant was killed in instant.

He continued and encountered many ants. He took the ant's heart. First he swallowed the white moss and the he ate the ant's heart. 

He could feel his body became better and his muscles strengthen.

You have successfully digested the white moss and the red ant's heart. You have unlocked its hidden effects.

Your broken bones have been repaired and fortified.

Your broken muscles have been repaired and strengthen.

Dazai rested for a bit before he continues. On his way, he also fought bats and collected its nails and fangs. After he was done, he combined the white moss with the red ants' blood together with the bats' nails and fangs. The combination allowed to create a bomb powder.

He finally reached his destination. It was guarded by blue ants. The place was also filled with ants eggs. It was an army, a hoarde of blue ants with its queen as the head.

Dazai threw the bomb powder toward the blue ants, the powder spread among the ants, and then Dazai threw his lighter that he already lit. The fire that touched the powder caused a big explosion and it spread among the ants. The explosion managed to kill the small ants and its eggs. It also emerged the queen of blue ants.

Dazai fought it carefully, he used the Dragon Visual skill and Heightened Sense skill effectively, but his weapon wasn't able to deliver enough damage, so his attack wasn't so effective. The queen ant delivered a strong attack and Dazai blocked it, but his body was sent flying.

Dazai glanced behind him. It was the door for the artifact he was looking. He threw his dulled knife and the queen ant lost its focus. Dazai took it as a chance and he entered the room. The room was brighter than before. In the centre stood a big woman statue. In its hands was a dagger.

You have entered the shrine of vampiric monarch, Batori. 

Below it, a table was present. Dazai took the dagger from the statue's hands. Suddenly, black mist surrounded his right arm. He remembered Shuuji's research regarding the dagger. Despite being an unique graded artifact, it was located in tutorial and Block B at that. 

As per Shuuji's research, one can actually control the artifact by stabbing its other palm with the dagger. Dazai did exactly that and the dagger disappeared. His left hand was covered in black mist and it disappeared too. He loosen his bandage and saw his left hand was covered in black marking.

You have successfully obtained the Batori's Vampiric Dagger.

You have successfully lifted its seal and revealed its true form.

Dazai exited the room and ready to fought the queen ant with his newly found weapon. He was able to overpower it. The queen ant leaped at him and Dazai dodged. He did the same and landed on top of the queen ant. He summoned the vampiric dagger and stabbed the queen ant. The dagger sucked its life force and Dazai was able to get extra stats thank to the ability from the artifact.

As the queen ant died. Dazai took a rest for awhile. A window popped up.

You have successfully destroyed the army of blue ants. 

You have successfully slain the Queen of Blue Ants.

You will be rewarded with extra points.

°°°

"Hey Shuuji."

"Yeah?"

"How come you believed me when we just met?"

"How? Well that's because you were honest. I could see it in your eyes. Eyes don't lie, you know."

"Still..."

"Come on now, Nakahara-kun. We are partner, don't question it like that. I believe you and you believe me. We will finish the tower together and go back safely together, okay?"

"I never doubted you, Tsushima-kun."

"Hahaha, you really, you remind me of him."

"Who?"

"My twin brother."

"Well, I don't want to imagine being your twin. What's his name?"

"Dazai Osamu."

"Wait, why is it different?"

"Funny right? I took my father's name and he took my mother's name, according to my mother's story."

"So who's older?"

"Of course... It's Dazai."

"You don't call him by first name?"

"The last name is pretty!"

"Shuuji..."

"Hahaha, Osamu is fine called by Osamu or Dazai, I usually called him Dazai."

"Well, whatever. It's not like I'll meet him."

"Noo, you will meet him. I told you I'll introduce you to him."

"And I didn't agree to it."

"Meanie."

°°°

"Shuuji... Stop giving me sudden memory." Dazai said as he gripped the golden pocket watch.

°°°

"Wow, he did this alone?"

"He is crazy and strong."

The two men walked, they trailed the path that Dazai left. They soon saw the corpse of the blue ants queen. The examined it and looked at each other. 

"I can't imagine this."

"Not even I can imagine this."

"So, where is he?"

"The exit must be the door we came through, right?"

"Maybe there is another path, so we didn't cross with him."

"Ah, now what?"

"Who are you guys?" Dazai said as he had observed the two of them. One was blonde and his hair was long and tied. The other one was dark haired and wore a pair of glasses.

"Ah there he is."

"Katai, don't start it like that."

"Sorry."

"Well, my name's Kunikida Doppo, and he is Tayama Katai."

"Why are you following me?" Dazai asked as he pointed both his knives toward the intruders.

Both of them raised their hands, sign of defeat and give up.

"We don't mean any harm. I'm here to recruit you."

"I'm not interested in any guilds."

"Not guild. It's a party. Can you help us in Block E? There's an artifact that we need."

"And why should I help you?"

"You can raise your stats and get whatever you need. We only need the artifact after all."

Dazai raised his brow. 

"That doesn't sound right. Why me?"

"He saw you fought the thugs." This time, Katai answered him.

"I was asleep but he saw you fought the thugs singlehandedly. And you were alone, no, there were another person, but he didn't follow you anymore. So we thought you will be willing to help us."

"Please!" Kunikida said and he bowed to Dazai. Katai did the same too.

Dazai sighed and he lowered his weapon.

"Alright. I'll tag along until you get the artifact. After that, I'll go alone."

"Thank you!" Both of them said.

Suddenly, Dazai's head was spinning. He was breathing heavily. He heard Kunikida and Katai asked if he was alright, but he couldn't answer them. Dazai heard a voice. It was familiar but also not familiar.

Shuuji... 

I'm sorry...

The voice kept apologizing. Just then, Dazai could see a vision. A red haired young man was tied in a chain. His clothes was tattered, his body was full of scars and blood. His eyes were blue, but it had no light in it. He looked dead but he was alive.

Shuuji...

No...

Dazai... Help me...

That was all Dazai could see and hear before he collapsed. Kunikida and Katai moved his body to somewhere save so they won't be attacked.

°°°

In another place. A man was chained to a wall. Both his hands were hung limply on top of his head. His feet were chained to the floor. His neck was collared and a chain was attached too. His body was covered in blood and scars. 

His breath was slow. He had long forgotten how fo feel pain, how to feel hungry and thirsty. He also forgotten how to cry. His body was wrecked inside and outside. It felt like his soul left his body, he couldn't feel anything.

A door was opened, and the dark room suddenly became bright before it became dark again as the door was closed. There were two footsteps, the man noted.

His hair was yanked to the side. It was two men. One with dark brown hair and three markings below his left eye. The other had a light coloured hair with red tip and an earring on his right ear.

"Seems like you are broken enough, Nakahara Chuuya."

"Your dead partner won't come back. Submit yourself to us so you can escape this prison."

Chuuya smirked at remarks but kept silent.

The one with light hair sighed and he punched Chuuya so hard, that made Chuuya coughed a lot of blood.

"Come on now, you are not in a position to be smug. Consider yourself lucky being alive after all the torture you had."

"How... Amusing... If you think I will submit... Because of this, you really thought... Lowly of me." Chuuya said as he panted between words. His chest was heavy, his vision became blurry.

"Amazing, you can still talk like that despite the position you're in. Hey, Tetchou, do it."

The man called Tetchou drew his sword and stabbed Chuuya's shoulder. However, Chuuya didn't react. The man then released the sword and proceeds to stab his heart. When his heart was stabbed, Chuuya left a scream.

"Huh, despite stabbing his own heart, seems like it's still beating up until now. How is it, Tetchou?"

"Like always, there's a shell."

"Damn that Shuuji, he made the leaders stab him when his heart had no shell. To think he gave it to this guy."

Chuuya was panting heavily. His eyelids threatening to close, his vision already blurry and darkened. He lost too much blood and he was not sure if he could hold his power any longer.

He called Shuuji on his head and apologized. His head was empty, he couldn't think of anything except Shuuji. But suddenly he remembered, Shuuji's twin brother. Who knows why he suddenly thought of him when he never met the man himself, but he could only hope. Hope that the twin brother is here.

"Dazai... Help me..." Chuuya said as he lost his consciousness.

The two men looked at each other, the other one put his sword back.

"So, who is this Dazai?"

"Who knows, he probably went crazy and said random names."

With that, the two men left Chuuya alone and locked the door. Chuuya was unconscious and almost dead.

°°°

"Hey Chuuya."

"What?"

"If you ever in danger, call my name. Loudly or whispered or in your head, whatever's fine. I'll come to save you."

"I'm not weak, Shuuji."

"But really, you can also call for Dazai. Who knows if he suddenly appears and help you?"

"Stop daydreaming. You can't even defeat me."

"Hehe, of course. Chuuya's strong. But there will be a time when you need my help. So, just call-"

"Yeah, I'll call you if I'm in danger."

"If not me, then who?"

"Then I'll call Dazai."

"Hehehe, good job Chuuya."

"Stop it, you creep."

"We already linked our mind, so even if you call me in your head, I'll hear it."

"Yeah. You're a genius so I just agreed."

"Dazai is a genius too."

"Yeah, him too."

"Say, will you be able to differentiate the two of us?"

"Of course."

"How?"

"I bet Shuuji is uglier than Dazai."

"Hey, we're the exact copy!"

"Dazai probably has better hair than you."

Shuuji pouted and Chuuya chuckled.

"Nevertheless, I'll call you if I'm danger. If not you, then I'll call Dazai."

°°°

Dazai Osamu

Strength : 80

Stamina : 90

Agility : 85

Intelligence : 92

MP : 35

Nature :

Manipulative

Reinforced Anatomy

Traits :

Affinit

Dark Attribute Affinity

Ice Attribute Affinity

Skill :

Active Skills :

Heightened Senses (26%)

Dragon Visual (6,5%)

Batori's Vampiric Dagger (2,5%)

Passive Skill :

Photographic Memory

Physical Resistance (10%)

Current Transformation Progress : 22%

Remaining Time : 510:10:20

Chapter Text

Dazai winced as his head was throbbing so hard. As he blinked his eye, he saw a window popped up in front of him.

Your mind has been successfully linked with other player, Nakahara Chuuya.

The link was originally from a former player, Tsushima Shuuji. As you accepted the blessing of former player, you will awaken their ability as your transformation completed.

You will now be able to communicate with player Nakahara Chuuya through mind.

Dazai slowly sat down. He held his head as the throbbing wouldn't stop. He was given a bottle of water by Katai and Dazai accepted it.

"You suddenly panted and heaved like you were hyperventilating, then you collapsed."

"How long was I out?"

"Around 3 hours."

"Sorry."

"Easy there. You had to fight the monsters alone, it must be taking toll on your body."

Dazai nodded. He tried to move but his head was now spinning like crazy. He remembered that he heard a voice called for him asked for help.

It must be him, Nakahara Chuuya. Dazai thought.

"Say, do you know someone named-"

Da...zai.

Dazai flinched. He didn't know how Chuuya was able to talk to him and linked his mind to him, but Dazai tried to answer him.

Chuuya?

There was no answer. Katai looked at him and asked him, "Who?"

"Never mind. It was just a dream. The person probably my imagination."

Are you really Dazai? Shuuji's twin?

Yes.

Dazai's head was starting to feel better. He nodded to Katai and he helped Dazai to stand up. Kunikida showed right on time and helped Dazai too.

"I already searched the area. The exit is safe. Let's go slowly while you recover."

Dazai nodded and walked with help from Katai and Kunikida. They made their way out from the Block B. As they walked forward, the finally reached the rest area for Block C. They let Dazai rest as Dazai himself wasn't able to stand straight. Dazai sighed and he tried to call for Chuuya.

Hey, Chuuya. Are you okay?

There was no answer. Dazai looked at his window stat and searched for the Linked Mind or something. When he found it, he read it carefully.

Linked Mind

Player can share and link their mind. The players that shared their mind can interact with each other regardless their distance.

The maximum number of players can link their mind : 5 players.

You have linked with 1 players.

There are other parts that can be linked, such as :

Body

Emotion

Senses

Traits

"So, you linked your mind with someone?" Kunikida asked as he sat beside Dazai and gave him a curing potion.

"It's rude to peek at someone else's window."

"I know a case about linked mind. They mostly felt like their mind are about to bust as they can feel or hear the other's mind. You must felt like that, on top of being exhausted."

"Probably."

"I won't ask anything, but tell us your name."

"It's Shu."

"Alright. We will advance slowly to Block E. Tell me if your head is hurting."

"Thanks, Kunikida-kun."

Dazai rested his right hand on his eye. Then he heard Chuuya's voice.

You're Dazai?

Startled, he slightly jumped. He looked around and was relieved that there was no one there except Kunikida and Katai.

Yeah.

Dazai, please help me.

Dazai blinked. He knew Shuuji asked him to save his partner, but actually hearing how desperate his voice, or in this case, his mind, Dazai couldn't help but became desperate too.

Where are you?

I'm not sure. Somewhere near the tower, the tower itself maybe. The Hunting Dogs imprisoned me.

"Hunting Dogs..."

"Whatever you have in mind, I don't recommend you to try and make problem with them."

"Not in my current state."

"Kunikida, it's them." Katai said and pointed his finger at two people wearing black cape.

"Hunting Dogs. Why are they here?"

"Not sure, but if they are here, then it means..."

"They are searching for someone."

Dazai looked at the Hunting Dogs members. His gaze was menacing and he gave off a killing aura. Kunikida had to smack his head lightly so the aura would disappear.

"Shu, not now."

"Yeah, I got impatient."

The two Hunting Dogs looked at the three men. They frowned and stepped toward them.

"Ah, they are walking to us." Katai said.

"No choice then. Let's confront them and avoid any battle."

"That's good." Dazai said.

The Hunting Dogs members stopped in front of them. One of them scanned the three men in front of them.

"Sorry to bother you, new kids. Have you seen or met someone named Dazai?"

Dazai stayed silent but shook his head lightly, Kunikida and Katai did the same.

"Oh well. But you..." One of them pointed his finger to Dazai. "You looked familiar.", he continued.

"Sorry?"

"Nah, just my imagination. You just looked like someone who just died."

"I see."

"We'll go now, continue your activity." The light haired man said and both of them walked back. But in an instant, one of them, the dark haired one attacked Dazai. Dazai was able to dodge the sword, barely moving, as his body still hadn't fully recovered.

Sensed the danger, Dazai drew his knife and readied himself to defend against the upcoming attack. True to his prediction, the man attacked him again, this time from the left side. Dazai managed to block the attack and countered, but his attack was blocked and his movement was sealed as the man knocked him to the ground.

"Shu!" Kunidika yelled and tried to attack the man, but as he drew his weapon, the other Hunting Dogs put his weapon near Kunikida's neck.

"Any unnecessary movement will cause your death."

Kunikida gritted his teeth. Katai could only shook his head, to stop Kunikida from doing anything to harm himself.

"Why did he attack Shu?"

"Why indeed. He had such a dark aura and... He looked like someone."

"That's not enough reason to attack him."

"That's more than enough reason to do that."

Kunikida glanced at Katai. Katai then nodded and he began chanting for magic silently. On the other hand, Dazai struggled to break free from the Hunting Dogs.

Damn, this guy is dangerous.

Dazai's attempt to break free was failed. The man broke Dazai's left arm. Kunikida yelled at Dazai and saw Katai nodded at Dazai.

Dazai smirked and he said, "You should hold back a little, I'm still a novice."

"There's no need for that, even a novice can prove to be dangerous."

"I did nothing dangerous."

"You did. Know someone named Nakahara Chuuya?"

"Who?"

"Nakahara Chuuya."

"The name's cute, but no, I don't know."

"His hair is orange-ish colour with blue eyes."

"Nope, someone like that doesn't come in mind."

Just then, Dazai remembered his nature. It was manipulative. He could use it in this case. He could try it, nothing could hurt him after all.

"Say, if you are so pushy about it, why don't you show me this guy. Maybe I can remember."

"No."

"Or maybe you can free me and I'll try to see if I know someone named Nakahara Chuuya."

"No."

"Ah, he must be important. Does that mean I'm important too?"

"No."

Dazai smirked and readied his last resort for this man.

"Then, you should let me go. I told you I don't know the guy. Even if you show him to me, I won't know. I'm just a novice. If you were offended by my aura just now, I apologize. I still don't know how to control it."

The man glanced at his partner. Katai took the chance to cast his magic. It was a teleportation magic. The three of them was teleported behind the dark haired man.

The light haired man clicked his tongue. He then put his weapon back, the dark haired one did the same. 

"Shu, huh? I'll remember you. Let's see if you can survive until the end of tutorial." With that, both of them went away.

Kunikida sighed and checked Dazai. Dazai was alright, nothing wrong except his broken left arm.

"Your arm..."

"Oh, don't worry, it's not broken. See?"

"That scared me. But you get to taste their strength, right?" Katai asked.

"Yeah. As they tried to walk back, I used my aura to send a killer aura just to both of them. Like I thought, they sensed it and attacked me. Sorry for the trouble."

"Shu, you'll live your life short if you continue like that."

Dazai chuckled and he walked forward.

"Block E, right?"

"Yeah, let's go."

°°°

Shuuji looked at his golden pocket watch. He remembered Dazai gave it to him as his graduation gift. The pocket watch was working just fine.

"There, that look of yours is so rare."

"Chuuya, it's a gift from Dazai."

"Yeah, you told me that."

"I miss him. I didn't even tell him I'm going here."

"Sure you are. That's why we must hurry and clear the tower."

"Yeah."

Shuuji still looked at the pocket watch. He sighed and threw his body down on the grass field.

"If I die, I don't want Dazai to suffer."

"You won't."

"If I die, I don't want Chuuya and Dazai to suffer."

"Stop it, it sounded like a curse."

"If I die, at least, I want to introduce you to Dazai before I die."

"Shuuji..."

"It's nothing, Chuuya. Just a depressing thoughts of mine. Don't mind it."

"You trusted Dazai that much, huh?"

"Yeah, he is the hero of my life."

"Why?"

"Why, really. He just acted like a father figure. Behind his smile, always lies an exhausted and desperate feeling. He is the one that still searched for our father secretly."

"And now you went missing."

"Yeah, imagine how much burden he has now. I wish I can send him a message. But it's impossible."

"Say, if you die and we don't get to clear the tower, will you invite him here?"

"I'm not sure. While it's not responsible of me, but if there is something that I really want to be in his hand, I'll send him here."

"That's a bit... You know, Dazai might hate it."

"He must. But I can't do anything about it. Humans are greedy creatures."

"And that's prove you are human."

"Yes."

Both of them laid down on the grass. The wind was refreshing, the sky was coloured of the sunset.

"If he come here, I'll protect him."

Shuuji looked at Chuuya, surprised.

"You looked like someone who will die first than me, so I'll be responsible if Dazai really come here."

"Chuuya, you are so kind, but that's somehow hurt my feeling too."

"I just hope Dazai won't bother me like you do."

"Oh trust me, Chuuya. He will be worse than me."

°°°

Chuuya woke up feeling like he escaped death. His body was too hurt to move. He dreamed of Dazai being attacked by Hunting Dogs. 

Is it even a dream anymore? Chuuya thought to himself.

He laughed at himself. He said to Shuuji that he would be one to protect Dazai if he came here. But look at him, he was the one that needed protection and help.

Chuuya...

He heard Dazai's voice. His voice was somehow similar to Shuuji, but it was also different. Unlike Shuuji, Dazai's voice had a dark feeling, like he was inhuman, while Shuuji had a bright feeling in his voice.

Dazai?

Please hold on a bit, I'll finish the tutorial and save you. Dazai said through the mind link.

Take your time. The enemies here are way stronger than tutorial, grind stats and whatever you need, artifacts maybe. I'll be fine. Chuuya assured Dazai.

When we meet, tell me about Shuuji.

Of course.

Wait for me, Chuuya.

For Chuuya, Dazai was not that foreign. Having heard Shuuji talked about his twin, he felt as if he knew Dazai, but at the same time not knowing the man himself.

He can only count on himself for staying alive and be patient. Once he got outside, he would wreak havoc on those traitors.

°°°

The Block C and D were easy for Dazai. He managed to complete both blocks in a total of 50 hours by himself. Kunikida and Katai didn't help him fight but they help him by giving some instruction.

Kunikida and Katai realized that Dazai's power was beyond a novice, but at the same time, he looked like it was his first time here. Especially Kunikida, he found it hard to believe that Shu was the one that manipulated the Hunting Dogs so they attacked him just to test their strength.

Dazai wasn't the strongest fighter, but his way of fighting and his skill sets allowed him to overpower his enemy. Dazai himself wasn't the athletic person, it took him awhile to adapt and got used for the footwork.

He thanked his life as part of mafia gang before, at least he was able to slay monster and human all the same. That darkness of him was added as his desire to avenge his brother fueled by Shuuji's tragic death.

Dazai noted that Kunikida and Katai presence was quite helpful as he was able to avoid unnecessary traps and got extra points. He also managed to finish block C and D faster than he thought.

Kunikida was ranked 3rd on the ranking board, while Katai was 11th. Despite his lazy appearance, Katai was very fond and used to using magic, he mostly used magic and rarely used his weapon. While kunikida prefered to use sword and gun, not really using magic.

Dazai also managed to increase his stat quite a lot. His skill percentage also increased to 20% until 30%. What he needed the most now is mana, despite his other stats increase, his mana didn't increase, not even a digit. He asked Kunikida and Katai, but both of them said stats increased according to each of the player's body.

It was at the rest area of Block E when Dazai, Kunikida, and Katai encountered the so called The Guild. Unlike the time with the Hunting Dogs, The Guild was recruiting members. Dazai noticed someone in the crowd, it was Atsushi. Atsushi looked better than before, and he didn't even bat his eyes to The Guild. He rested with his new companions and Daza did the same, he pretended not to see Atsushi.

"Dazai, let's rest here for a day. Block E is vast, so you need to recharge your energy to the max." Kunikida said as he sat beside Dazai. As usual, he gave Dazai a bottle of water.

"Okay, that's fine for me. But Kunikida-kun, don't you need your stats for something else except water?"

"Don't worry about it. Every time you fought, I managed to find sources of water, heated it and put it in a bottle."

"How convenient."

Katai offered Kunikida and Dazai two skewers and they took. Dazai didn't question why Katai had it as Dazai thought they probably used monster meats and some vegetation the saw and cooked it with Katai's magic.

It was a peaceful rest until Dazai's head start ringing and throbbing so hard. Dazai realized that he would get the sudden throbbing if Chuuya was hurt, as he got it at Block C and asked if Chuuya was okay and Chuuya said he was punched so hard and almost lost consciousness. Dazai gritted his teeth and cursed anyone who hurted Chuuya, this time they hurt him way too much that made Dazai's head felt like it would burst open.

"Dazai, are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a little bit dizzy."

"Do you need any potion?"

"No, I'm fine. It already gone."

"Alright. Tell me if your headache got worse."

"Yeah."

Dazai pushed himself to lay down on the cold  floor. He was wrapped by Katai's blanket and he thanked Katai for the blanket. They agreed to take turns to sleep so they wouldn't be attacked. As Dazai settled and wrapped himself on the blanket, he tried to call for Chuuya.

Chuuya?

What is it? Chuuya answered back faster than he thought.

Did they hurt you again?

Did your head throb so bad? Chuuya asked him instead of answering Dazai.

Yeah. So, they hurt you again.

Yeah. Tried to stab my heart again.

What's with heart anyway? Dazai asked as this was the most confusing thing he ever encountered. Why did they stabbed Shuuji with five sword and he could still fought until the 65th floor? Why did they try to stab Chuuya's heart?

Too much information for you to know. At least finish the tutorial then I'll tell you.

Chuuya is meanie.

Just rest, Dazai. You need it.

You need it too. Dazai said back. He almost laughed at how familiar they were, despite never met each other.

Yeah. Good night.

It's morning, Chuuya.

Sleep well. Chuuya ignored Dazai and he said the same to Chuuya.

Dazai was never a person to sleep. He barely sleep before. Now, he could continue his day without sleeping. But now he needed to sleep, he must converse his energy for Block E so he could clear the block faster. He shut his eye and began to drift to sleep.

On the other hand, Kunikida and Katai looked around and sat at each side of Dazai. They knew Dazai was a light sleeper, not to mention how his senses were so sharp. So in order to interact, they used mind link.

He finally sleep, after not sleeping for two days straight. Katai said.

It's three days straight. Included from his first day here. Kunikida corrected him.

But really, he isn't the strongest, but he surely stronger than we thought.

His mind is strong. His body and soul are supported by that strong mind. I guess that's why he can survive up until now.

Yeah, I agree.

Katai, there are some dangerous people here. Don't lower your guard.

Yeah, I know. This place is mixed of the four big guilds. The bad ones at that.

If my guess is right, they probably trying to find this Dazai person. I wonder who he is.

Me too. His name and Nakahara Chuuya were mentioned together by those Hunting Dogs.

Either way, let's not draw any unnecessary attention.

Chapter Text

"Dazaii!" Shuuji ran toward his brother who just got home. 

"I'm home, Shuu."

"Guess what?! Look here." Shuuji showed some papers to Dazai and Dazai looked at it. It was test papers with Shuuji's scores on it.

"Heh, the little me is quite smart, but look at mine." Dazai took his papers and showed it to Shuuji. It was papers full of perfect scores.

"No way! You must have cheated!"

"I didn't. And you lost the bet, Shuu."

"Ah, how cruel. I studied so hard but you perfected your scores! While I only have three perfect scores!"

"Three is good. You can't beat me if it's using brain, you know."

Shuuji pouted and Dazai just chuckled at his twin reaction. He ruffled Shuuji's hair and Shuuji only pouted harder.

"But, you are better at physical activities than me, so it's fair, right?"

Shuuji chuckled and said, "Right, you won't be able to win against me in running and other exercises."

"Leave the mind things to me and you do the physical things."

"No way! I'll be the one that tired."

"Nah, both of us will be tired."

"Hahaha, Dazai, really. If we're not a twin, imagine how admirable we are. A brilliant mind with amazing physical ability."

"How arrogant, Shuu you'll be a bad influence to me."

"You are the one who influenced me!"

Dazai and Shuuji laughed together and tried to tickle each other. Their mother came out from the kitchen and chuckled at the scene and called them out for dinner.

°°°

Dazai woke up, his body and head feeling better. But he was left with bitter feeling as he dreamed about his twin and his mother. He slowly sat down and looked at Kunikida and Katai. They were surprised when Dazai woke up.

"Did we wake you up?" Kunikida asked.

"No, why?"

"You only sleep for two hours!" Kunikida said as he looked like he would push Dazai back to sleep.

"It's enough for me. Now, one of you should sleep."

"We are not helping you if you are sleep deprived."

"Don't worry, I won't."

"Katai, you sleep first."

"Alright. Good night." With that, Katai switched his position with Dazai and found his best position, then fell asleep.

Dazai checked his window. His stats were better than before. But his mana was still bad. He sighed and looked at his inventory. He had mostly the drops from the monsters that he could use later on. And then there were several potions, pills, and importantly, bandages. Now that he remembered, he hadn't changed his bandages.

"Kunikida-kun, can I change my bandages?"

"Sure."

"Will you be okay if I leave for a moment?"

"Why?"

"Just..." Dazai looked down and his expression changed to sad, then he continued, "The scars were so bad, I don't like anyone to see it."

Kunikida sighed but he agreed. "Alright, just be careful. I spotted some dangerous people. Don't pull something like before."

"Yeah, thanks for letting me know."

With that, Dazai left and searched for a corner place with not even a single person there. He was relieved that his manipulative nature seems to be working better than he thought, as it seemed Kunikida was affected by his sad expression, when that was just an act.

He found the place he was looking for and started to loosen his yukata and kimono. He activated his Heightened Senses skill so he wouldn't be ambushed. Dazai carefully took off his bandages, first from his torso, then his arms, and last from his head.

The bandages weren't only as disguise but also to cover up the result of his tendencies. He often did self-harm on his body when his mother and Shuuji went missing. His stress and anxiety made it worse and he often attempted suicide, which failed as his mafia worker often found him and saved him. His failed suicide mostly gave the scars on his neck and his wrist.

As for the eye, there was nothing wrong with it in the first place. He just covered that up as a way to masked his very similar face with Shuuji from the Tower. Not just that, his right eye was covered to increase his alertness. Shuuji often stood on Dazai's right, that's why he always felt secure when Shuuji was beside him. But now, Shuuji was no longer alive, his right side is now empty. In order to complete its emptiness, he covered the right eye and lost one vision. He became more alert even without his skill.

After he changed his bandages, he burned the used up bandages. As he was about to leave, he heard some people talking.

"Hey, did you see? The heads of four big guilds are here."

"Yeah, I overheard them. They were 'cleansing' the block from potential virus."

"Virus?"

"Yeah, probably a player that become a threat."

"I wonder who it is."

"I heard it's a man, they only asked if we know someone named Dazai."

"Well, did you know anyone named that?"

"No."

"Then let's hurry, I don't want to get into unnecessary mess."

"Yeah, let's go."

Dazai smirked as he heard the conversation. He should go back to Kunikida, but before that, a little peek of the big shots should be enough for him.

Dazai walked to the crowded place. What he didn't understand was why would the heads of the organization were here to search for him. When he was near, he noticed the four 'heads'. To his surprise, those four faces weren't the leaders. It was just the strong one, according to Shuuji's memory.

How arrogant. Just flaunting their strength like that. I wasted my time and excitement for nothing.

Dazai walked back. He returned to Kunikida and the man gave him a look.

"Shu, you didn't just went there."

"I was curious. But don't worry, I did nothing this time."

"For heaven's sake, I can't imagine what will happen to us if you did something."

"Don't worry, I'm not that reckless."

"Yeah, good to know."

Dazai sat down at his place. He only looked around and hummed a melody he always hummed when he was bored. It was a song created by his mother. Every time he was bored, he would hummed the song.

Who did you meet?

Some big shots or something, from the four bad guilds.

Be careful.

Sure.

It was silence again, but then Chuuya started talking again.

Hum it again.

You know the song?

It's my daily morning call, before.

Alright, guess I have to entertain someone.

Dazai hummed the song again, both in mind and in reality. He closed his eye for awhile then opened it again to observe his surroundings. 

What surprised him was the fact that Chuuya knew the lyrics. He sang it on his mind and Dazai smiled. It felt like a long time ago when his mother sang it to the twins, when Dazai would hum and Shuuji would sing it. 

Kunikida glanced at Dazai and was surprised when he looked so peaceful, his smile was pure and honest. Kunikida looked back at his book and listened to Dazai's song.

When Katai woke up, it was Kunikida's turn to sleep. Katai actually spent six hours to sleep and he still said he was sleepy. Dazai was starting to feel impatient, but he knew better than to lash out now. Instead, he wondered around the area. He noticed that Atsushi already left the area. What got his attention was a statue. The rest area was surprisingly looked like a deserted town, to encounter a statue was something he didn't expect.

He walked near the statue and stopped right in front of it. The statue wasn't in the best condition. Its side were destroyed and corroded, its shape was lost and the color were dark grey covered in mud. Dazai checked the statue and a window popped up.

The Watcher Statue

The statue originally was a hand that hold a pocket watch. The statue allowed the players that touch it to recover their wound to the time they wanted.

The statue had lost its power due to neglect and destroyed. It is now only serves as a reminder to those who know it.

The creator of the statue is Tsushima Shuuji.

Dazai looked at the statue and felt nostalgic. The pocket watch must be the gift he gave to Shuuji before.

Dazai noticed pairs of footsteps behind him and he looked back. It was three out of the four big shots. One was familiar with Dazai.

"Look who's here. Shu, right?" The one from Hunting Dogs with light coloured hair was the one to talk to him.

"You know him, Saigiku-kun?" A man with white hair and beard ask this Saigiku person.

"Yeah, the one I suspected to be Dazai."

"How peculiar." The one in white clothes said.

Dazai noted the men in front of him.

Hunting Dogs, The Guild, and Decay of Angels. What kind of luck is this? A mixture of good and bad.

"Seems we meet again, Saigiku-san. And it seems it's the first time I see you two." Dazai said as he smiled to three of them.

"What are you doing here, Shu-chan?" Saigiku asked as he walked forward and stopped right beside Dazai and looked at the statue.

"Getting familiar with the area. We are still resting and I'm bored, so I'm taking a little adventure here."

"And you encountered this stupid statue. Heh, it even lose its ability, how useless, like its creator."

"I believe that statue was created by Tsushima-kun."

"The deceased, Tsushima-san." The Decay of Angels' member corrected the The Guild's member.

Dazai tried his best not to scowl and attack them, he glanced at the statue and gave Saigiku a mocking smile.

"I was just lost in thought about this one. It looked so bad, added with the mud." Dazai continued.

"Oh? You mocked the one who created this?"

"You did it too, and I'm being honest here." Dazai said as he walked to the side so he wouldn't stand between them.

Then, suddenly a magic stigma was in front of Dazai. He glanced at the pink and purple haired man that casted the magic. He gave him a confused look and raised both his hands.

"His information is unknown." The man said.

"What? Not even your magic can see through him?" Saigiku asked.

"If that's so, it seems like because he isn't fully awaken yet. This is a tutorial after all." 

"Melville-san, my magic allows me to see through everything, except those who are in the possession of the Master."

"Sigma-kun, he is clearly a player. Master can't own a player."

"And here you are being mysterious again, Shu-chan."

"I'm sorry, I just don't get what you are saying, so..." Dazai looked at the guy named Sigma and smiled, "Is it okay if I drop my hands now?"

"Yeah, whatever. I only get this information. Look."

Saigiku and Melville went over to Sigma and looked at the window. The information showed there was his name 'Shu' and his stats and abilities.

"Dragon Visual? Isn't this Shuuji's ability?" Saigiku said and smirked at Dazai. He drew his gun and aimed it at Dazai.

"Now tell me, Shu. Who the hell are you?"

"I'm Shu, a novice player. What else should I tell you?"

"Clearly a novice player can't get this skill."

"It was there the moment I'm here."

"What a lie." Saigiku loaded his gun and clicked it, he aimed it again at Dazai.

Melville sighed and he drew his weapon. It was a greatsword, the size was big, bigger than Dazai himself. Sigma only looked at Dazai and tried to cast some magic at Dazai.

"I think there's a misunderstanding here." 

"You don't really convince me, Shu, or should I say, Dazai?"

Dazai sighed and he raised both of his hands again. He knew fighting the three of them would result on his defeat and possibly his death, so he planned to manipulate them. And he just knew who to target. Someone was easy to read and manipulate after all.

Dazai's eye looked sad, he sighed and walked back slowly. Saigiku walked forward, until he stopped as Dazai's back hit the wall. Saigiku smirked and aimed his gun at Dazai's forehead.

"Just take it easy, okay? I don't understand why would you do this."

"Yeah, you threw us a killer aura before and now you acted weak."

"I told you I wasn't able to control it."

"Sure, like I would believe that."

Dazai closed his eye, ready to get hit by bullets. When he didn't feel anything, he opened his eye, just to see Melville's sword blocked Saigiku's gun.

"What are you doing, Melville?"

"Violence won't solve things, Saigiku-kun."

"He is lying."

"Even so, don't shoot him. If he died, how are you going to explain to them?"

"If he die, won't it be better than letting him alive?"

"Saigiku-san, if he wasn't Dazai and you killed him, we will be in dangerous position. Please lower your weapon." This time, Sigma talked.

Saigiku lowered his gun and sighed. He frowned at Dazai and obviously gave a menacing aura. Dazai only gulped and gave a confused mixed with apologetic look.

"Just go, before I change my mind."

Dazai lowered his hands and bowed to Merville and Sigma before he ran from the place. He smirked as his act saved him again, this time.

Idiot.

Chuuya, I did my best, okay?

They could kill you.

That's why I acted like that.

Just don't get yourself killed, Dazai.

Dazai walked back and sat when Katai gave him a confused look. Dazai just smiled and rested a bit.

He clenched his hand when he remembered those three. They knew Shuuji and they might as well part of his twin's death. He cursed under his breath. In a moment, he inhaled and exhaled, his emotion got the best of him, so he suppressed it. His expressions now blank, not showing any hints of desperation or anything.

"What did you do, Shu-kun?" Katai asked.

"Ran into troublesome people."

"Glad you're not wounded." This time Kunikida said as he woke up.

"Rare to hear you cursed, when you usually stayed calm while fighting strong monster." Kunikida continued.

"Humans prove to be harder to deal with compared to monsters."

Kunikida just sighed and he stood up. He folded the blanket and gave it to Katai. The three of them moved near the gate to Block E when they met the unexpected people.

"We meet again, Shu-kun." Melville said.

Kunikida and Katai glanced at Dazai, they were ready to defend in case they were attacked.

"And it looks like you're here too, Kunikida-kun. I thought you already in Block G." Melville continued.

"I'm taking it slowly, Melville-san."

"Good luck then. Your father was brave and strong, but he joined the wrong guild and ended like now."

"Don't talk bad about him." Kunikida scowled.

"The Guild's invitation is still valid, Kunikida-kun. Your father is a man worthy of strong companions, tell him, don't dwell on the dead and disbanded guild. We'll leave for now."

With that, the four of them disappeared through teleportation magic. Kunikida exhaled and glanced at Dazai.

"Sorry for that, I lost my composure."

"Don't worry about it."

"Let's continue."

"Yes."

Chapter Text

The fight in Block E was surprisingly easy. Dazai worked together with Kunikida and Katai to advance to the vast Block E. The two of them were searching for an artifact shaped like a crown. It was an artifact solely for increasing one's charisma and it was something Dazai didn't really need

They fought the guardian of the artifact and won. On their way back, they encountered prison-like place and many people were there. Dazai said they were beyond saving, but Kunikida insisted to save them, so here they were, walking back with the prisoners.

Dazai could feel the sinister feeling came from the prisoners. Their aura darkened as they walked further from the monster's den. Finally, one of them tricked Kunikida and Katai and surrounded them. Dazai didn't hesitate to kill all of them when they attacked Dazai.

Kunikida and Katai were hesitant, but they finally gave up. They killed the rest of them. When they were done, Kunikida and Katai said sorry and thanked Dazai. They offered Dazai to go together until the end but Dazai declined, as Dazai had other plans to do at Block E.

"Really, thank you for the trouble, Shu." Kunikida said as they were going to separate ways.

"It should be me to thank you, everything seemed so easy because of your instructions."

"Shu, a little advice from me. Be careful, the dangers lurk behind, always keep your sense sharp. And lastly, don't make trouble with them again, if you can."

"Thanks Kunikida-kun. I'll keep that in mind."

"Well then, see you at the tower, Shu-kun!" Katai said as they finally parted ways.

Dazai went to ahead and found the place he wanted to be. It was a snake lair, or the name is something called Ouroboros Phantom. The item that Dazai needed was the heart and its blood. But before that he needed to meet someone, based from Shuuji memories. He was an elf, someone who left his clans to satisfy his need and curiosity. When he arrived at the lodging of this said man, Dazai knocked the door.

"No one's home. Go back, kid."

Dazai turned behind to look at the man that spoke to him. It was an elf, long black hair and greenish eyes. He wore a red scarf around his neck and his clothes consisted of long coat, black pants, brown boots, and black gloves.

It's him.

"He is home now, right Mr?"

The elf scoffed and put down his belonging, now Dazai realized what it was. Snakes, dead and plenty of them.

"Yeah, sure he is now."

"Then, is it okay if I enter?"

"What do you want?"

"I need help for something. If I'm not wrong, it's called 'Ice of Shiva'."

The man eyed Dazai for awhile before he entered Dazai and told him to enter and close the door. The elf then gave Dazai a chair and sat down, he sighed at the man.

"First of all, tell me your name." The elf asked Dazai.

"My name's Shu."

"Alright, my name's Arthur Rimbaud, or someone used to name me Randou. Call me however you see fit."

Dazai nodded and he remembered, Shuuji named the elf as Randou as his original name was way far from the Japanese name, so he gave him the name for easier pronounciation. Randou was a battle elf, he long lost his way as the other elf and pursued his curiosity of the tower and the possibility it held.

Strangely, he became NPC and one that gave you quest and skill if you succeed. On top of that, your request could be fulfilled. To Dazai surprise, based on Shuuji's memories, Randou was also the mentor for Chuuya. Not just for a skill, but basically a very dear mentor of Chuuya.

"Ice of Shiva is not an easy thing to get. I'm not sure where you heard it, but I won't be able to make it if you don't have the ingredient."

"Yes, I'm aware."

"Then, I suppose you don't have it."

Dazai nodded. As embarrassing it was, but it was the truth. The ingredient could only be found randomly, and Dazai didn't have the leisure to search every parts of Block E. Elf had strong instinct, so he wanted to rely on that instinct.

"Ice of Shiva is needed to extract the blood of Ouroboros Phantom. But, that snake is long gone."

"What? How come?"

"A week ago, two kids came to me and they successfully killed it. The snake no longer active."

Dazai sighed, it was one of the necessary items to further his improvement. But at least, the Ice could be useful later on, so he said he would be grateful for the Ice. As he predicted, Randou proposed a game of tag in exchange for a skill and the ingredient. Dazai agreed to it.

The reason for this was because Randou needed proof, from someone who requested such item. He even said the pair that killed that snake didn't agree on his game and said that it almost impossible for Dazai to catch him. The game was simple, Dazai had to catch him 3 times and the time limit was 10 minutes. If he succeed, the elf would give him a skill and the Ice of Shiva.

Not long after that, the two of them were outside. Randou then began to disappear, much to Dazai surprise as he wasn't able to see where he went even with the Dragon Visual and his Heightened Senses. He focused his mind and his eyes, saw a glimpse of green eyes. Dazai went to the direction and almost caught Randou before Randou disappear once again.

It took Dazai 4 minutes to get used to Randou movement. It was a high speed movement, it looked like teleportation due to it high speed. What made Dazai excited was also because Randou moved so silently, like an assassin. He wondered if its the skill too or just his trait.

The time Dazai managed to caught Randou 3 times, the timer was almost ticking to 10 minutes. To be exact, it was 9 minutes and 25 seconds. Dazai was panting quite hard as he used his little to non-existent energy to be able to caught up with Randou. The elf clapped his hands twice and told Dazai to enter, before he refuted his words and dragged Dazai inside as he realized the man wouldn't be able to move a single limb.

"You surely are hard working."

"You are the first to make feel like this, in this place."

"The honour is mine then."

Dazai laughed. The elf was pretty much an assassin, when Dazai intentionally released his blood lust, the elf suddenly appeared behind Dazai and almost killed him. It was the last way for him to caught the elf, as he was already tired and missed a fluffy sofa or bed.

"Here, drink this." 

Randou gave him a glass of water and Dazai drank it. Randou then sat down and showed Dazai a pile of snow.

"This is the ingredient for the Ice, looked normal but it's an enchanted snow."

Dazai nodded as he saw the description of the snow.

"Also, like I said before. I'll give you my skill. It's called Wind Speed. You can basically move like what I did if you can master it."

Skill : Wind Speed (Active)

Allow the user to move at a higher pace, the user will be able to move effectively as they master the skill.

"Thanks, Randou-san."

"Now, for the Ice of Shiva..."

Randou began casting and the pile of snow flew and created a single ice.

Ice of Shiva

Items created by the enchanted snow, blessed by the Goddess Shiva. The Ice will allow the user to freeze hot or burned items.

"Wow." Dazai awed at the sight of the ice. It was a clear and beautiful blue. A favorite colors of Shuuji, a lighter shade than his yukata.

"It's beautiful. Here, use it for something useful, will you."

"Thank you."

With that, Dazai rested for a while and left Randou. On his way, he overheard the orcs said about the rivalry of orcs, goblin, and the ogres. Dazai smirked.

It will be useful for me later on.

What the hell are you thinking, Dazai?

Oh, Chuuya!

Yeah, did you meet someone?

Yes, it was Randou-san and now some orcs.

Randou? Is he okay? Healthy? Safe?

Yeah, better than you, I guess.

Thank god.

Chuuya, why wou-

I don't want to hear anything now, Dazai. Focus and be safe.

Sure. Wait for me.

As Dazai 'talked' to Chuuya, he encountered a cave. He entered it and the window showed him something that interest him.

You have entered The Chamber of Ouroboros.

"Not the Phantom, but the Ouroboros itself? Just my luck."

As he entered, Dazai saw the orcs, clothed in white, chanting some weird words. In the center of them, a big snake was there, asleep. Dazai saw its stats with Dragon Visual and surprised to see its description as Ouroboros.

"The lord is asleep. His phantom may have been destroyed, but if we can supply the lord with enough magical energy and blood, the lord will surely awaken." Said one of them, Dazai guessed him as the leader of the orcs.

"And, with the Essence of Life we found in the Ice Cave, the lord will become even stronger."

Dazai noted it. He needed to find this Essence of Life before the orcs used it for the snake. But where he could find it was the question.

"Let me retrieve it later. It's not far after all. Located across this cave, just 3 km from here." The leader continued and the other orcs became more excited as they chanted stronget than before.

Dazai moved back before the orcs could retrieve the Essence. He went to the place the leader of orcs had said. He ventured and soon after he found a marked tree. He followed the marks and stumbled upon an ice cave, in the middle of the deep forest.

As he entered, he saw a figure, a boy sat there, his eyes closed. Dazai walked closer and the boy attacked him. Dazai managed to dogde and he held the kid by his hair. Turned out this kid is the manifestation on the Essence. He wondered how he could eat it, then he asked the Essence to turn into something smaller, easier to swallow. The kid struggled to break free, until Dazai said he would be fed to the Ouroboros by the orcs if he stayed here.

"Ouroboros is bad. Ouroboros must not eat me."

"Then allow me to eat you."

The kid looked at Dazai. His white eyes judged Dazai so hard that Dazai began to hate it.

"You are in hurry. You are not perfect yet. You are... You are kind."

Dazai surprised at the sudden burst of words the kid gave him. Kind wasn't something in Dazai's mind. He had long lost it after he was left alone, the little bit of hope he had vanished as he lost interest in life, his soul darkened as he joined the mafia back in England. He lost his purpose of life, living his life just to wait until his time would end.

"You are important." The kid said again. This time Dazai wanted to ask what was the kid meant, but he was unable to ask as the kid suddenly turned into a crystal.

"What the hell? Are you saying I can eat you now?"

Confused, Dazai examined the crystal for a while.

Essence of Life

It shaped according to its will. Allow the user to get great magical energy. Can awaken the lost magic energy on one body.

Without further thoughts, Dazai swallowed the crystal. His body suddenly trembled. He was able to feel bigger change on his body. The window then showed his progression.

"43% and Magic Circulation. It seems I finally can use magic."

°°°

Shuuji woke up, suddenly feeling bad for not telling Dazai he got a strange message.

But telling Dazai wasn't the ideal thing to do. Dazai was busy, very busy to work and tend to the family, while Shuuji had to find another jobs.

Dazai said to him that he should slowly and carefully. Dazai cared for him and their mother. He had been the father figure, filling for their father absent.

"I shouldn't bother him. It probably won't take too much time. I'll finish it in one go and come back safely."

°°°

Drunk was a strange feeling for Dazai. It was a year after his twin disappearance. He wasn't able to find him anywhere, all of Japan showed no sight of Shuuji.

His mother was sick, his father had long disappeared, now his twin brother disappeared too. He couldn't express his emotion, so he dwelled and drank until his mind blank. The apartment he lived now became so quite. It was a lively house before, but now it looked like no one lived there.

He cursed as he stumbled upon a picture of his family, his mother and father, and the baby version of Dazai and Shuuji.

His stress soon become his depression. The death of his mother made him lost it all. The night of his mother funeral, he cut himself on the hand, chest, and other body parts. The pain was nothing compared to his loss. His heart became cold. The blood formed and stained the floor. He was able to wrap himself with bandages before he went to sleep.

His life in England wasn't even better. The time he was recruited by the boss of mafia, he knew his life worth nothing. There was nothing to lose, for him, the mafia was a secondary place for him to drown his sorrow.

°°°

Life as part of the mafia gang wasn't easy. The boss taught him how to fight, how to shoot, and how to kill. The man was ruthless, he knew the circumstances Dazai had, and used it to his own liking. Making Dazai learn how to kill be torturing the useless pawn and captured enemy was one way to break Dazai's moral.

Dazai who lost his purpose, let himself be guided through the dark. He knew the boss was trying to make him into a madman. He just did whatever he was told to, to his satisfaction, the plea of someone dying by his hands was the most intriguing things he found while he stayed in the mafia at night.

The boss turned him almost psychopath, that was until he heard the news of his twin borther. He was almost back to the light until the news hit him. His brother was dead. The confirmation made it worse. He went to the boss' office and said he would leave the mafia to go back to Japan. The boss answer wasn't good enough.

"You are nothing there. So what if your twin is dead? If you go back there, he won't resurrect."

There, something in Dazai's mind snapped. He drew his gun and shot the man, intentionally missed his heart.

"You!"

"You taught me to do this. Now, let me quit, or should I kill you and have the entire mafia for myself?"

With that, Dazai was allowed to leave, safely and sound. 

°°°

Everytime Dazai saw blood, his mind became fuzzy. He couldn't hide his smile as he killed all the weak monster, he couldn't hide his excitement as he fought stronger enemies. He couldn't wait to tear his twin brother killer to shred.

Dazai almost lost it, if not for Kunikida and Katai. Also for Chuuya that spoke to him through his mind. But that didn't mean he couldn't hide his psychopathic and maniac side.

Manipulating enemies were his favorite. He couldn't wait to torture and kill the man called Saigiku. He couldn't wait to be back and finally kill himself, so he could meet with his family in death. 

His reason here was to fulfill Shuuji's wish and dream. He was nothing but a body with his own mind, without heart, and only a purpose that not his own.

"Can you see me, Shuuji? How bad I've become. But, I was said to be kind? How ridiculous. I'll finish the tower and find you, Shuuji. Wait for me."