[Chat Group POV]
[Mutual Aid Chat Group]
Stelle:…So.
A short pause.
Stelle: How's it going over there?
Megumi continued walking, her pace steady as if nothing unusual had just occurred.
The alley was already behind them.
Megumi: It's over. we are going home now.
Belle: Status?
Lumine: Are you safe?
Megumi: I'm safe.
Stelle: And the thing?
Megumi's gaze lowered slightly, recalling the scene from moments ago.
Megumi: It's gone.
Belle: Eliminated?
Megumi: Yes.
Stelle: That was quick.
Stelle: Like… suspiciously quick.
Belle: Agreed. That response time doesn't match a normal encounter.
Lumine: Do you know what it was?
Megumi didn't hesitate this time.
Megumi: A ghoul.
Stelle: Yeah, that already sounds like a bad day.
Belle: Define "ghoul." Different worlds use the term differently.
Megumi: A creature that eats humans.
Lumine: Then it aligns with common classification.
Stelle: So basically—don't get bitten. Got it.
Belle: That's an oversimplification.
Stelle: It's an effective one.
A small pause.
Belle: Source of information?
Megumi's gaze shifted slightly toward Ren.
Megumi: The person with me explained it.
Stelle: Your classmate?
Megumi: Yes.
Belle: And you trust his explanation?
Megumi: I do.
A brief silence followed.
Stelle: That answer came out fast.
Belle: No hesitation at all.
Lumine: He must have given you a reasonable explanation.
Megumi: He said it's different from what appears in movies. Not undead. Man-made.
Belle:…Man-made?
Stelle: Yeah, I don't like that.
Lumine: That implies intent and organization.
Belle: Or experimentation.
Stelle: That somehow made it worse.
Another pause.
Stelle: So your classmate handled it?
Megumi: Yes.
Belle: Alone?
Megumi: Yes.
Stelle: Okay, now I'm impressed.
Belle: Or concerned.
Stelle: Why not both?
Lumine: Did you observe how he dealt with it?
Megumi paused for a moment.
Megumi: Not clearly.
Stelle: That's not reassuring.
Belle: If the process cannot be observed but the result is immediate, then the method is either too fast… or too abstract.
Stelle: Translation: weird.
Belle: Accurate.
Megumi's gaze shifted slightly toward Ren again.
Megumi: He said his ability is something like"I think it, and it happens."
The chat paused.
Longer this time.
Stelle:…
Stelle: That's cheating.
Belle: That's not a standard ability classification.
Lumine: That resembles reality manipulation.
Stelle: Yeah, that's way worse than cheating.
Belle: Did he specify limitations?
Megumi: He said it can be… twisted.
Stelle: Of course it is.
Stelle: Powers like that are always twisted.
Lumine: That suggests instability rather than limitation.
Belle: Which makes it more dangerous, not less.
Another small pause.
Stelle: So let me get this straight—
Stelle: Your classmate casually explains he can manipulate reality…
Stelle: Then deletes a ghoul in seconds…
Stelle: And you're just walking home with him like it's a normal Tuesday?
Megumi's response came without delay.
Megumi: Yes.
Stelle: I, Galactic Baseballer, Would like to declare you the strongest of them all!
Lumine: Megumi …You're surprisingly calm.
Megumi: He's not a bad person.
That answer made the chat pause again.
Belle: That's not what we're evaluating.
Lumine: But it is relevant.
Stelle: Yeah… strong doesn't automatically mean dangerous.
Belle: It does increase the probability.
Stelle: You increase the probability.
Belle: That's not how statistics work.
Stelle: It is now.
Megumi remained quiet for a moment.
Then—
Megumi: He's just… a little hard to understand sometimes.
The chat slowed again.
Stelle: Yeah.
Stelle: That sounds about right.
=============
[Back to Ren's POV]
Walking along the road, they eventually stopped in front of Megumi's house.
"Well then, see you tomorrow," Ren said, glancing at her.
Megumi seemed a little distracted, still thinking about what had happened earlier.
"…Um, see you tomorrow."
Ren watched her for a second as she turned to leave.
Then he sighed.
"Hey, Kato."
Megumi paused and turned back to look at him.
"About today… don't think too much about it," Ren said. "Stuff like that is rare. Just be a bit more careful when you're outside—and maybe avoid suspicious alleys."
Megumi nodded slightly.
"…Okay. Thank you for today."
With that, she stepped inside her house.
Ren stood there for a moment, then let out a small breath.
"…sigh."
After confirming she was safely inside, he turned and walked toward his own home, just two blocks away.
==========The Next Day
The alarm rang.
Ren groaned softly and reached out to turn it off.
"Welp… as usual," he muttered, stretching slightly. "Start the day with sign-in."
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for signing in for a full week!]
[Weekly milestone reached. A special reward has been granted.]
[Next special reward will be given after one month of continuous sign-ins.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for signing in! You have received: SCP-033 — The Missing Number]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for signing in! You have received additional Reward: SCP-001 — Keter Duty]
Ren blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…Oh." (⊙ _ ⊙ )
He sat up slowly.
"…Ohhh." Σ(°△°ꪱꪱꪱ)
He was very surprised
Both of these could easily be considered top-tier anomalies in the SCP world. Not necessarily world-ending on their own—but in terms of utility?
They were absurd.
[SCP-033 — The Missing Number (Anomalous Rank: Paradox-Class)]
Description:An anomalous number that exists within mathematics but cannot be perceived, written, or properly represented by the human mind.
If this number manifests within a computational or logical system, it will cause cascading errors. Within 30 seconds, the system will collapse entirely. if this number written or perceived on non-machine structure, under 42 minues, the Missing number will be erased from it
[SCP-001 — Keter Duty (Anomalous Rank: Paradox-Class)]
Description: A vast and complex facility designed to contain otherwise uncontainable Keter-class anomalies. Its exterior shifts unpredictably.
Inside are hundreds of containment zones, each the size of a moon. Every zone is sealed by a door bearing unique symbols or runes.
"…System," Ren said, rubbing his chin. "Can I merge with both of these?"
[Answer: Yes.]
"Nice," he muttered. "Then what traits do I get from them?"
[Answer: The following traits will be granted to the Host:]
SCP-033 — The Missing Number (Trait):The Host gains the ability to inscribe the "missing number" onto any target. If the target possesses the ability to calculate, process, or perceive the number, it will experience a total logical collapse.
SCP-001 — Keter Duty (Trait):The Host gains the ability to open a dimensional gateway leading to the Keter Duty facility. Within the facility exist 218 containment zones, each as vast as a continent.
The Host also gains access to containment symbols and runes. These can be inscribed onto objects or entities, functioning both inside and outside the facility.
Ren stared at the descriptions for a few seconds.
Then—
"…Wow." ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
A grin slowly formed on his face.
"Okay, yeah, it's a bit nerfed compared to the original…" he admitted.
Then he stretched his arms with a satisfied expression.
"But that's still ridiculously broken. System I choose to merge with the Traits!"
"By the way," Ren said, narrowing his eyes slightly, "I've been seeing something called Anomalous Rank next to each SCP. What exactly does that classify?"
[Answer: Each anomalous entity possesses its own hierarchical classification.]
[The rank determines the relative authority and influence of an anomaly.]
[The lower the rank, the weaker its causal impact.]
[When two anomalies with similar effects interact, the one with the higher rank will take precedence. The lower-ranked anomaly will be suppressed and may fail to function entirely.]
Ren raised an eyebrow slightly.
"So it's basically… priority?"
[Answer: Correct.]
[Ranking Structure:
Minor Anomaly, Stable Anomaly, Hazard-Class, Authority-Class, Apollyon-Class, Paradox-Class, Unclassifiable, HAX]
"Wait… my status says I'm Paradox-Class," Ren said, frowning slightly. "What does that even mean?"
[Answer: It means that, based on the combined anomalies currently possessed by the Host, the Host has reached Paradox-Class classification.]
[Paradox-Class entities exist beyond conventional logic, causality, and fundamental rules.]
[The Host's anomalous effects may contradict reality itself and cannot be fully understood or accurately predicted.]
Ren blinked once.
"…So basically," he muttered, "I don't make sense anymore."
[Answer: Correct.]
Ren fell silent for a moment.
"…Are you mocking me or what?" Ren muttered. (¬_¬")
After completing the fusion with the new traits, Ren headed to the bathroom. He took a quick shower, then prepared a simple breakfast and a bento for school.
========== Time Skip ==========
Inside the classroom, Ren sat at his desk, holding his trusty pen.
But this time, he wasn't writing his novel.
Instead, he was carefully drawing symbols and runes from SCP-001 — Keter Duty onto sheets of paper.
Without the pen, it would have been nearly impossible.
The symbols were far too complex.
To put it simply—
Brain: I understand.
Hand: No, you don't.
"…Yeah, sounds about right," Ren muttered.
But with the pen in hand, everything became effortless. Even if he didn't fully remember the structure of a rune, the pen would guide his hand and complete it perfectly.
As long as he once see it—
He could draw it.
Honestly, there were countless runes and symbols he could use.
But right now, what he needed most was something practical.
A rune that could conceal his presence.
The memory of yesterday lingered in his mind—the feeling of something scanning him.
It wasn't painful.
But it was… uncomfortable.
Like being watched without knowing from where.
"…Seriously, who the hell was that?" he muttered under his breath.
(Chat Group: Ehe.)
Anyway, the symbols could be inscribed onto paper and still retain their effects, even outside the containment zones. Of course, the power would be somewhat reduced—
But even then, it was nothing to underestimate.
After all—
These were Paradox-Class anomalies.
And lastly…
Ren glanced at the growing stack of rune-covered papers on his desk.
"…Not gonna lie," he admitted quietly, "throwing these like some immortal cultivator sounds pretty cool."
Yeah.
That was definitely part of the reason.
as the break bell rang, Ren was about to stand up from his seat when a familiar blonde figure suddenly appeared in front of his desk.
Her usual bright aura was completely gone.
Instead, a heavy, gloomy atmosphere clung to her like a raincloud.
In her hands was his manuscript.
"…Aion-kun…" (╥﹏╥)
Without saying anything else, Marin gently placed the stack of papers onto his desk.
"You have no heart."
Ren paused for a second—then let out a quiet chuckle, clearly amused.
"What? Don't you think it was refreshing?" he said casually. "Their story was pretty touching."
"Touching?!" Marin's voice rose immediately. "It was devastating!"
She pressed both hands onto his desk, leaning forward as if accusing him of a crime.
"I read it at home, okay? I thought it'd be a normal story, something chill before bed—and then you hit me with that ending?!"
Ren rested his chin on his hand, watching her reaction with interest.
"And?"
"And I cried!" Marin admitted without hesitation. "Like, actually cried! I had to pause halfway just to recover!"
She pointed at him dramatically.
"You tricked me! I wasn't mentally prepared for that kind of emotional damage!"
Ren smiled faintly, clearly satisfied.
"Sounds like it left an impression."
"That's not the point!" Marin huffed, though her voice softened a little. "It's so unfair… but also… really, really good…"
Her shoulders relaxed slightly as she looked down at the manuscript.
"…I hate it," she muttered. "But I love it too."
Ren leaned back in his chair.
"Then I'd say I succeeded."
Marin froze for a moment—then puffed her cheeks, half-annoyed, half-impressed.
"…You did," she admitted. "But seriously, next time give me a warning or something!"
"A warning would ruin the experience."
"Ugh… you're the worst," Marin groaned, though there was no real anger behind it.
A brief silence passed before her mood suddenly shifted.
Her eyes lit up again—this time with excitement.
"But Aion-kun, this is seriously amazing!" she said, leaning closer. "You can totally publish this!"
"That's the plan," Ren replied.
"Then let me help!" Marin said immediately. "Promotion, visuals—if it ever gets adapted, I can even do cosplay—!"
She suddenly stopped, as if imagining something.
"…Wait. That would actually be perfect."
Ren raised an eyebrow. "You're already thinking that far?"
"Of course!" Marin grinned brightly. "If it's your work, I'm going all in!"
As Marin continued rambling excitedly, a quiet gaze fell on the two of them.
From the side, Megumi Kato was watching.
"…It must be really good," she said softly.
Ren glanced at her. "Curious?"
"A little," Megumi replied. "You've been writing it for days, after all."
Ren picked up the manuscript and held it out to her.
"Here. You can read it."
Megumi blinked once, slightly surprised, before accepting it.
"…Thank you."
"Just don't read it before bed," Marin suddenly cut in, her tone unusually serious.
Megumi tilted her head. "Why?"
Marin paused, then looked away.
"…You'll regret it."
Ren chuckled quietly as Megumi lowered her gaze to the manuscript, already beginning to read.
"Now that you mention it… do you like cosplay, Kitagawa-san?"
The moment he asked, Marin's eyes lit up.
"Of course I do! I love cosplay!" she said instantly, practically glowing with excitement. Then she suddenly leaned in, looking Ren up and down. ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
"Wait, Aion-kun, with your build, you'd totally look amazing in a Sebastian outfit!"
"Sebastian?" Ren raised an eyebrow. "You want me to cosplay?"
Honestly, the idea caught him off guard. He enjoyed anime, sure—but he had never seriously considered cosplaying himself.
'…Though, doing it with her doesn't sound like a bad idea.'
Marin nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Like, seriously—you've got the height, the vibe, everything! It'd suit you perfectly!"
Ren let out a small chuckle. "I'll think about it."
"Think about it?!" Marin puffed her cheeks slightly. "You should just say yes!"
"Since you put it that way… want to go Akihabara this weekend?" Ren said, looking at Marin. "Honestly, I'm kind of curious about cosplay too while I am at it, I can also buy some novel there. after that We can talk more about the character you want me to try."
From a certain point of view, it almost sounded like he was asking her out.
Sure, they were just going to Akihabara… but it still counted, right?
"Eh? Really?! Of course!" Marin beamed, her excitement practically overflowing.
Meanwhile, Megumi Kato quietly watched the two of them.
Did she want to go too?
…Not particularly.
But if they invited her, she wouldn't refuse.
After all, weekends for her were usually—
Quiet.
Too quiet.
She would either stay at home doing nothing, or go out alone with no real destination. Even at home, her presence was so faint that sometimes it felt like her own family barely noticed her.
Recently, joining the chat group had made things a little less boring.
But still…
That wasn't the same as talking to someone face-to-face.
And right now, the only person who could truly do that—
Was Ren.
Because for everyone else, the moment they stopped paying attention…
They would forget she was even there.
Megumi lowered her gaze slightly, her expression unchanged as always.
But for just a brief moment—
There was a hint of something quiet… and lonely.
"Hey, Kato. Want to come with us?"
"Eh?"
The question caught her off guard.
She had assumed Ren was asking Marin out on a date. After all, someone like Marin—bright, beautiful, and easy to like—being asked out wasn't strange at all.
"Hm? Do you already have plans this weekend?" Ren asked.
"Um… no."
"Then it's settled. Let's go together," Ren said casually. "Besides, after reading my novel, I think you'll get interested in otaku culture."
He said it with a bit too much confidence.
Marin couldn't help but giggle. "Wow, Aion-kun, that's some serious self-confidence."
"Confidence is important," Ren replied without missing a beat.
Marin turned to Megumi with a bright smile. "Come on, Kato-chan, let's go together! The more, the merrier!"
Hearing that, Megumi blinked for a moment.
Then, almost unconsciously—
She smiled.
"…Mm."
It was small. Subtle.
But real.
"Hehe, then it's decided! Tomorrow's the weekend, so let's go to Akihabara!" Marin said excitedly.
This would be her first time bringing friends along to her favorite place—the land of otaku.
Most of her usual friends were normies. Some of them liked anime, sure—but not to her level.
Not like this.
And somehow…
That made this feel a little special.