Metro Labyrinth Chapter 164: Dialogue

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　Although I had only been away from the surface for a day, I was feeling like an Urashima Tarou [T/N: Folklore character that spent 100 years in the dragon palace.] until just a few minutes ago.

　And now?

“–well, where do I start?” (Tsuruhashi)

“Um… well…” (Shuu)

　I feel like I’ve changed from Taro Urashima to Detective Sterling. Minato Tsuruhashi, also known as Dr. Lecter, was smiling happily in front of me.

　It was yesterday morning that me and the others traveled to the secret metro in Nakano Village in order to deliver the governor’s letter to the “Real Sect Leader”.

　Led by a tamed panther named Kearu, we arrived at the hidden part of the metro and found a naked beauty waiting for us, who turned out to be one of the five most powerful beast kings in the country, the “Fresh Blood Weasel Suzuki”.

　Without reading it, the panther ate it. The letter from the governor was never opened and became a snack for Kearu, but Suzuki guessed that its contents were a request for cooperation in the war against the Beast King “Omnipotent Elephant Watanabe”. The meeting ended with the request to tell the governor, “no”.

　But then, before dawn the next day, an unknown tentacle man attacked. It was an avatar of Watanabe, who had been chasing Suzuki.

　The village of Nakano is in danger.

　We decided to return to the ground immediately, and ran up the metro at a high speed, clinging to Suzuki, who had taken the form of a giant white weasel with an incredibly fluffy fur. It was only about an hour ago that we returned to the ground in less than half the time of the outward journey. [T/N: Not the time to enjoy the fluff.]

　Even though it was early in the morning, the inside of the shrine was bustling and busy for some reason. Suzuki, who appeared flashily, was ignored for a while.

　Soon, we learned of all that had happened during our absence.

　Hunter Ranking 8th place “Dignified Fungal Ball” and Hakuou Maria’s visit. For some reason, Tamiko became Dignified Fungal Ball’s protege.

　And then there is the mission to rescue Giran, who has been kidnapped by the “Cross Border Brigade”.

　An unexpected enemy, a large number of slimes, awaits them in the metro where they are hiding.

　The one who was manipulating them was the same avatar of Watanabe who attacked the others and me.

　There was so much information that it took me a while to absorb it, but what surprised me the most was,

“–Hey, it’s been a while.” (Tsuruhashi)

　The survivors of the “Cross Border Brigade,” who had lost most of their comrades, had surrendered, appealing for a joint fight.

“Right now, the existence of the country is in danger. Let’s forget our grudges and bitterness and get along, my fellow countrymen.” (Tsuruhashi)

“*Sigh*…” (Shuu)

　So, I was alone with the fake Tsuruhashi.

　In the village, preparations are now underway to evacuate the residents under the direction of the village chiefs. Suzuki and the fake Tsuruhashi said in unison, “This place will soon become the most dangerous battlefield in the world.”

　Those who can fight will remain here. Messenger bats were sent to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Headquarters and Ikebukuro, but only God knows if reinforcements will arrive in time.

“Well, they ain’t coming from Ikebukuro. If they knew Watanabe had come out of his cave, they would have their hands full with their own sh*t.” (Tsuruhashi)

“Can’t we just run away too?” (Shuu)

“It’s not bad for me, but you’re a moralist, aren’t you? Are you alright with others dying elsewhere?” (Tsuruhashi)

“Hmm…” (Shuu)

“They’re like a tidal wave of malice. Once it starts, it won’t stop until it swallows everything up. On the other hand, if you know that they are most likely to come here, it would be wise to do your best to intercept them here.” (Tsuruhashi)

“The reason why they are coming here is because they found out that Ms. Suzuki is here?” (Shuu)

“That’s right. What he wants is the finest soul.” (Tsuruhashi)

“The finest soul?” (Shuu)

“It’s the sporangium of the Beast King and us ‘Master Threadweavers’. His [Absorption] can make the sporangia he eats into his own sporangia. Then, from the increased number of sporangia, he can create pawns by [Fission] and use them.” (Tsuruhashi)

“Wait, wait, it’s a little different from the guild’s information.” (Shuu)

“The guild interprets Watanabe’s existence as a ‘‘Commander’ of a pseudo army, controlling thousands of ‘Family’’, but this is slightly incorrect. He has no ‘Family,’ and his ‘Family,’ the metro beasts, are just his own creations.” (Tsuruhashi)

“Huh? Does that mean that the ‘Family’ is also part of the same thing as the ‘Conductor’?” (Shuu)

“Bingo.” (Tsuruhashi)

　I see. I think Suzuki also said, “He doesn’t have any ‘Family’.”

“I don’t really understand, but if that’s the correct answer, how did the guild misinterpret it?” (Shuu)

“I think it’s simply that they didn’t know his specs. Neither the Governor nor the Head Chief had any direct dialogue with him, so their hypothesis, based on years of fighting and guessing, was slightly wrong.” (Tsuruhashi)

“Then how do you know about it?” (Shuu)

　Aside from Suzuki, who is the same beast king and seems to be acquainted.

“Well… I’m special, I guess. If you’ve lived for a hundred years, things like that can happen.” (Tsuruhashi)

“Huh.” (Shuu)

　I don’t know for sure, but it doesn’t seem like the atmosphere is entirely up to you.

“Well, either way, the only difference is whether it’s a ‘Family’ or the main body, but in the end, it doesn’t seem to matter much…?” (Shuu)

“If it’s just a ‘Family,’ then it’s no different than an army that relies on numbers, right?　 Then, his own coordinator avatar can control them at will. That’s the truth about Watanabe.”

“… it’s a big difference… it’s a completely different information…” (Shuu)

　Suddenly, it’s like they’ve changed to setting up an overly unreasonable final boss. It seems to almost be hopeless.

“‘My name is Legion, for we are many.'” (Tsuruhashi)

“What is that?” (Shuu)

“‘New Testament, Gospel of Mark, Chapter 5…’ Gamera said.” (Tsuruhashi) [T/N: A Kaiju in the Godzilla franchise.]

“Gamera?” (Shuu)

“If he’s really looking for Suzuki, then it’s all-out war. He’ll come here after shutting himself in. While protecting our own balls, we’ll crush all of his balls… That’s the victory condition for this war. On the other hand, if Suzuki and we ‘Master Threadweavers” are absorbed by him, it is game over, and this country will be over.” (Tsuruhashi)

　The Governor of New Tokyo was preparing to subjugate Watanabe in order to revive the Yamanote Line. Watanabe learned of this and found the opportunity to discover Suzuki.

“I wonder how Watanabe found out? Was there someone who tipped off the Beast King?” (Shuu)

“There must be. There’s a guy on that side next to the little kid.” (Tsuruhashi)

“That side?” (Shuu)

“…Well, I’m sure we’ll find the traitor soon enough. The fact that Watanabe did not know that Suzuki was hiding in this village means that the leak of information was incomplete. The little kid is as cautious as ever, but Watanabe won’t be far behind.” (Tsuruhashi)

　In the first place, can humans and beast kings become friends… I thought, but there were quite a few around me. People from this village and the fake loli.

　Even so, what was the benefit to this traitor? It’s not like they could be bribed by some monster living underground. If the country were to collapse, they wouldn’t be safe, either.

“Now, what’s the next question? We’re in the dialogue phase of the war, right?” (Tsuruhashi)

　Fake Tsuruhashi beckons to me, as if he is a death-row inmate enjoying conversation for the first time in a long time.

“First of all, who are you?” (Shuu)

“Me? I’m Minato Tsuruhashi. Nothing else.” (Tsuruhashi)

“Don’t lie. Noa said that her great-grandfather was kind and cool. You hurt your precious great-grandchild, so stop pretending to be the real one.” (Shuu)

　For Noa to be raised with kindess and love, but on the other hand, running Ikebukuro’s evil government behind the scenes. No matter how bankrupt his personality is, it is hard to believe that a single person could do such a thing. This man could not possibly be Noa’s great-grandfather.

“You… are you in love with that little girl? No need to get angry, Mr. Virgin.” (Tsuruhashi)

“It’s not like that, and I’m not a virgin!” (Shuu)

“Hey, hey, let’s just go ahead and not spoil it…” (Tsuruhashi)

　The fake Tsuruhashi stood up from the chair (I was startled for a moment), sat on the back of the chair, looked up at the ceiling and began to whisper. I can’t hear what he is saying.

“… why are you silent? What about the spoilers.” (Shuu)

“Ah… No, I was wondering what would be cool to compare it to. Kobo Abe’s ‘Face of Another’ or Daniel Keyes’ The Minds of Billy Milligan’. Have you read it?” (Tsuruhashi)

“I have the book ‘Face of Another’, but I don’t really remember it.” (Shuu)

　I was required to read it in a humanities course. It was about an old man who was burned in an accident and suffered burn scars all over his face. He put on a mask that reproduced human skin, pretended to be someone else, and had an “affair” with his wife. I have not read “The Minds of Billy Milligan,” but I remember it was about a murderer with dissociative identity disorder.

(I know about the scars.) (Shuu)

　The man in front of me had half of his face scared.

(…multiple personalities?) (Shuu)

“No, I’m in a ‘Silence of the Lambs’ kind of mood.” (Shuu)

“Hahaha, hello Clarisse! Hannibal Lecter. I’m honored. One of the greatest villain villains in the history of cinema, right?” (Tsuruhashi)

　At the point where he is happy to be compared to a man-eating murderer, I don’t say it because it’s troublesome.

“The sporangia that live in our bodies are designed so that they can’t grow through cannibalism within the same species. Because of these restrictions, the citizens of Tokyo who escaped from the ‘Super Fungal Contamination’ to the metro were able to survive ten years of living in caves. Otherwise, they might have cannibalized each other and reduced the population to an unrecoverable level.” (Tsuruhashi)

“I don’t know… can humans be that savage?” (Shuu)

“ I don’t know. But I’m not. I’m a true cannibal like Dr. Lecter.”

“…A copy of the ability huh?” (Tsuruhashi)

　This man ate Yoshitsune’s sporangia and stole his unique skill [Indestructible Sword].

“I named this power [Learning]. I can copy one of the abilities of the owner of the sporangium I ate. This is the reason why Tsuruhashi Minato was hailed as the pinnacle of the general-purpose type, boasting 25 Fungal Skills. That-is-why-he-kept-it-a-secret.” (Tsuruhashi)

　Hearing it makes me think, what a cheat. Aren’t you the Chimera Ant King in a manga? If there’s no limit to how many copies you can make, that’s too invincible.

“That’s just like Watanabe’s [Absorption], isn’t it? I mean, he’s just like you, with all your blue ‘Family’ and all.” (Shuu)

　The fake Tsuruhashi’s eyes widen, then laughs.

“Modern people are quick to pickup, which is helpful. That’s the heart of this story.” (Tsuruhashi)

“?” (Shuu)

“Learning] is similar to [Absorption], but it’s a different ability, but at some point, I got the same [Fission] as him. This is me. Yes, that’s the answer about me.” (Tsuruhashi)

([Fission]?) (Shuu)

(With Minato?) (Shuu)

(…[Billy Milligan]…) (Shuu)

“No way…!” (Shuu)

　Before hearing the answer that I had come up with, the man grinned and nodded. Is that the answer?

“Well, there was something I wanted to ask you, too.” (Tsuruhashi)

　He walked up to me and brought his face closer. His eyes that glittered reflected my distorted face.

“That day, the day Tokyo ended–you-were-in-the-hos-pi-tal, we-ren’t-you?” (Tsuruhashi)

~3^rd Person Perspective~

　Noa and Tamiko are waiting in the hallway after leaving the meeting room.

“I have to go pick some flowers.” (Tsuruhashi)

　Tsuruhashi returned to the lobby first. The moment they pass each other, Noa froze, but the Tsuruhashi doesn’t even look at her.

“…It seems like you’ve been talking for a while.” (Noa)

“Ah… long enough.” (Shuu)

　It felt like an hour or two.

“Abeshuu, you look terrible, squeak.” (Tamiko)

“…No, I’m okay.” (Shuu)

　I patted Tamiko’s head as she jumped onto my shoulder. When I run my finger around her jewel, “Ah… What are you doing…!”

“What did you talk about, Mr. Shuu?” (Noa)

“Ah, hmm… various things,” (Shuu)

　To be honest, I couldn’t keep my head straight. I was not able to think about how much I should tell Noa.

“–Ah, are you there, Mr. Abe?” (Aomoto)

　Aomoto came rushing over.

“Beast King… No, Ms. Suzuki is calling. It seems we don’t have much time left.” (Aomoto)

“Ah… Yes, I understand.” (Shuu)

　While walking behind Aomoto, one question kept knocking in my head.

(“Master Threadweaver”—) (Shuu)

(What are we?) (Shuu)

T/N: So, is Tsuruhashi a rogue personality that split from the real Minato? So, he is much closer to a metro beast than human? I thought he was more like Sparkle. A demon who fell in love with Tsuruhashi and wanted to be with him or at least live like him.

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