Chapter 65: That’s how the world was destroyed.

[Oh-ho-ho-ho! I knew you would come here, Izumi-chan!]

When I turned around at the voice, there stood Kurokami-senpai’s character, laughing with her hand on her hip. She

had an assault rifle slung across her back but didn’t look like she was here to fight me.

However, what I was doing right now was clearly trespassing.

And it wasn’t just any trespassing—it was an intrusion for war.

If Kurokami-senpai were to report this to Namikawa-senpai, I’d be in serious trouble…

[You seem to be up to something interesting!]

Fortunately, Kurokami-senpai didn’t seem inclined to do that.

“Wh-What brings you here, Kuro-Kurokami-senpai?”

Still, I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.

If I did, she might betray me later on.

In this gray city, alliances hardly mattered. Trusting others here was not something to be done lightly.

“C-Could it be that you’re here to go to war with me…?”

[No, actually, I’m here to propose an alliance with you, Izumi-chan.]

“…An alliance?”

[Yes. Aren’t you currently in a situation where you’re about to face off against Tsubaki-chan and Nekoto-chan?]

“W-Well, I was planning to call off the war with Aki-chan…”

Of course, I hadn’t said that directly to Aki-chan, but maybe she’d sense it if I just avoided going to her? After all,

we’re connected by the bond of being second-years…

[Hmm? Just a while ago, Tsubaki-chan went out to propose an alliance with Nekoto-chan.]

“Uh…”

I hadn’t thought of that.

…Come to think of it, when Aki-chan killed me earlier, she mentioned something about Namikawa-senpai.

This is bad.

Honestly, I figured that if I managed to steal all of Namikawa-senpai’s resources and establish a base, there’s no way

I’d lose, no matter what.

But things change if Aki-chan’s involved.

Aki-chan had played Gray City before, and judging by her streams, she was quite good at the game.

Of course, not better than me!

Anyway, if Aki-chan were to ally with Namikawa-senpai, the situation would turn severely against me. While I died

twice trying to take down Namikawa-senpai, Aki-chan would have been steadily building her base.

Even if there’s a skill gap, money could overwhelm me in the end.

“Uh-oh…”

[So, I’m saying let’s form an alliance! If their alliance goes through, they’ll have Tsubaki-chan and Nekoto-chan on

their side. And if Rinze-chan decides to support Tsubaki-chan, that makes three. No matter how confident you are in

your skills, Izumi-chan, that might be a bit much, don’t you think?]

Indeed, being surrounded by three people would leave me with no future.

The outcome would undoubtedly be me getting devoured.

In that case, what I needed was an alliance, just as Kurokami-senpai suggested.

“O-Okay. Then I’ll… I’ll form an a-alliance with you, senpai…”

[Then, from here on, Hikazumi has made a comeback after a long time!]

Oh-ho-ho-ho! Kurokami-senpai’s laughter echoed around us.

• Didn’t you say that a Grim Reaper compromises with no one?
• Gave in to reality after just an hour (‘w・)

“…Sh-Shut up.”

[First, Nanase, Yukari, and Ayaka said they’re not interested in the war. So, I don’t think we need to worry about the other side gaining more forces.]

“That, that’s a relief.”

Well, honestly, fighting in teams of four sounds fun, but if it happens, everyone would probably end up joining the

other side, so it’s not really feasible.

No one’s going to team up with a social outcast like me, who can’t even speak and has no clue about the social dynamics.

Unfortunately, that’s just the reality.

Akabane will definitely choose to side with my enemies, and Utsumi will probably follow Akabane to support Ayaka.

Natchan might come to our side because of the Black Star, but honestly, Natchan’s gameplay skills might not be

much of a help…

No matter how you think about it, increasing our numbers would only disadvantage us.

So, the 2:3 scenario is actually more comfortable.

“…So, why does Senpai want to form an alliance with me?”

I suddenly had this question, and Senpai clicked their tongue before responding.

[Obviously, it’s because I’m the villainous young lady, so it’s only natural I’d side with the bad guys, right?]

“…Eh?”

[Well, even though Izumi-chan is in danger right now, you were the one who declared war and started the PK first.

So, it’s only fitting that I, as the villainous young lady, side with the antagonists, right?]

“…I see.”

[So, Izumi-chan, don’t let your guard down. At any moment, I might betray you and join the other side. Ohohoho!]
Jeez.

• If the young lady betrays me, it’s not even scary.
  ・I was thinking the same thing, but I didn’t want to voice it.
  The important thing is that now I have more options.
  “Well, in that case, let’s head to Senpai’s base first…”
  [Did you gather everything you need?]
  “Yes. With this, I can at least manage a minimal defense if a fight breaks out.”
  What I took with me was about 40% of the materials I dug up earlier and those stored in Senpai’s warehouse.
  Honestly, it wasn’t perfect—if I’m being honest, it wasn’t flawless. But carrying everything wasn’t even possible.
  [Alright. Before we leave, just a moment…]
  Senpai said, pulling out a piece of paper and writing something down, which they then placed on top of Namikawa’s warehouse.
  When I checked, the message was:
  [Ohohoho! It’s war, Tsubaki-chan! So, before that, I’m going to take some items from the base!]
  [Your ally, Kurokami Hikari]
  It was a clear declaration of war.
  “Why the betrayal?!”
  Amid the chaos of gunfire, the desperate cry of a man with gray hair echoed.
  But the man on the other side remained silent, only shooting quietly.
  “You called me your precious ally! Is this how little you valued me?!”
  Then, as if the endless cries had struck his heart, the dark-haired man slowly spoke.
  “I already told you, right? The world is survival of the fittest. It’s not the one who betrays, but the one who’s betrayed who’s in the wrong.”
  Bang! Another shot rang out.
  The bullet pierced the chest of the gray-haired man.
  “Ugh…”
  With a groan, the man collapsed, blood pouring from his mouth.
  Through his blurry vision, the sky he saw had become all too familiar—a dull, gray color.
  “Damn…”
  Before his eyes closed for the last time, the last sound he heard was…
  Whoooosh
  It was the sound of something tearing through the air.
  [Ohohoho! Now it’s clear that Tsubaki-chan is beneath me!]
  “C-Congratulations…?”
  Of course, Namikawa-senpai probably didn’t leave all the equipment at the base, so they wouldn’t start from scratch like me.
  But in a war like this, momentum is crucial, so Senpai scoring a big kill by taking out Namikawa-senpai alone was a huge victory.
  [Tsubaki: I hate you, Hikari.]
  [Tsubaki: When I suggested an alliance, you said the villainous young lady should live proudly alone!]
  [Tsubaki: So this is all the bond and ties of the first-year students?]
  [Hikari: Didn’t you just go and propose an alliance with Nekoto, a second-year? Isn’t it the same for both of us?]
  [Tsubaki: But I even asked you for an alliance!]
  Namikawa-senpai was venting their frustration in the chat, expressing their anger at Kurokami-senpai.

However, Kurokami-senpai, as if accustomed to it, let that anger slide without a care.

[Hehehe. A villainous young lady should always turn the world against her. Even if we’re the same year, that doesn’t

make any difference!]

“Hmmm…”

I had already started surveying my surroundings as soon as Kurokami-senpai and Namikawa-senpai began fighting,

in case of any unexpected situations. However, there was no one else in sight.

If it were Yuzuki-senpai, that would be one thing, but I thought for sure that Aki-chan would be trying to strike from

behind…

Ah, now that I think about it, Namikawa-senpai had only gone to propose an alliance to Aki-chan. He never said she

accepted it, did she?

In that case, could it be that our opponents are just Namikawa-senpai and Yuzuki-senpai?

If that’s the case, then we could boldly go to Namikawa-senpai’s base and take a legitimate share as the reward for

victory…

[Huh? What’s that sound, Izumi-chan?]

“Hmm?”

When I snapped back to reality at Kurokami-senpai’s words, I definitely heard something strange from the sky.

How should I describe it?

It was like the deafening roar of an airplane breaking through the sound barrier.

“…Ah.”

This is bad.

[Nekoto: Sorry, but the war is my victory.]

As soon as I sensed it, Aki-chan’s message appeared in the chat.

“K-Kurokami-senpai.”

[Yes? What’s the matter, Izumi-chan? Do you know what that sound is?]

“Y-Yes… that is, um, I think we’ll have to start over from the beginning…”

[…What do you mean by that?]

“Ah, it’s here.”

As I spoke, a tremendous roar echoed from behind us, more precisely from our base with Kurokami-senpai. At the

same time, a mushroom cloud rose.

And the gray city was destroyed.