1. Section 2 – “Starting Beneath the Dim Light”
2.  
3.  
4. Fuzzy
5. Ah, that was fun! I enjoyed that more than I thought I would!
6.  
7. Ciel
8. Fun... I guess you meant combat when you said you wanted to “play.”
9.  
10. Fuzzy
11. But there’s nothing more fun, don’t you think? Don’t you?
12.  
13. Fuzzy
14. There aren’t many people who play with me anymore. Everyone always breaks before we’re finished.
15.  
16. Fuzzy
17. Well, I didn’t exactly give my best performance this time either. But you guys played with me until the end so I guess you pass.
18.  
19. Raabe
20. I thought the goal was to get know each other better, not an all out battle. Such bloodthirst is unbecoming.
21.  
22. Raabe
23. Although... we seem to have passed the test. We probably shouldn’t worry too much about what he says.
24.  
25. Fuzzy
26. Ahahaha, don’t be such a stick in the mud. It’s not like I actually tried to kill you, you know.
27.  
28. Fuzzy
29. Besides, what better way to get to know one another than to have some fun?
30.  
31. Fuzzy
32. So now I know more about you and you guys know a little more about me. Right?
33.  
34. Fuzzy
35. Especially you... Rei.
36.  
37. Raabe
38. Admittedly I was able to collect some valuable data. In any case, please hurry and tell us where we can find the elements.
39.  
40. Fuzzy
41. Okay～.
42.  
43. Fuzzy
44. If you keep heading straight down this road, the scenery should start to change a bit. It’s over there.
45.  
46. Hazama
47. Just keep going straight? You can’t give us a bit more of a detailed explanation?
48.  
49. Hazama
50. Do you not trust us or are you simply handling the situation as you see fit?
51.  
52. Hazama
53. Ah, I’m not trying to sound overly skeptical here or anything.
54.  
55. Fuzzy
56. You can take your doubts and shove ‘em. You’ll be fine, the city isn’t that big anyway.
57.  
58. Fuzzy
59. It’s not that far and you’ll know it when you see it. Probably.
60.  
61. Kazuma
62. "You think?" I can’t speak for Hazama-san, but I can’t say I feel overly comfortable with this either... Fuzzy-san...
63.  
64. Kazuma
65. Is this really okay?
66.  
67. Fuzzy
68. Who knows? I’m just following the role I was given. You don’t know if I’m lying to you but you also don’t know what the truth is either, do you?
69.  
70. Fuzzy
71. Well, whether you believe me or not is up to you guys. Isn’t it?
72.  
73. Raabe
74. That’s a logical way of looking at it. We don’t know anything about this world so whether or not we believe you we don’t have much of a choice other than to do what you say.
75.  
76. Fuzzy
77. Now you’re getting it. What’s the harm in just going along with it? I’ll tell you everything I know.
78.  
79. Fuzzy
80. After that, you’re on your own～!
81.  
82. [Fuzzy leaves]
83.  
84. Ciel
85. Doesn’t matter whether he’s coming or going, it’s impossible to tell where Fuzzy-san is.
86.  
87. Raabe
88. What an undesirable trait. Saying whatever they want and then vanishing without a trace.
89.  
90. Raabe
91. The information we were given might have been hard to digest, but our options do appear to be limited.
92.  
93. Raabe
94. We still need to find a way out of here. If gathering these elements is our only lead, then that’s our best option going forward.
95.  
96. Ciel
97. Roger.
98.  
99. Hazama
100. Please allow me to accompany you. I don’t think I could stand being left alone again in this unfamiliar place.
101.  
102. Hazama
103. I’m counting on you.
104.  
105. Kazuma
106. ...If you ask me, this guy may be better than Fuzzy-san but he still seems like a piece of work...
107.  
108.  
109.  
110. Hazama
111. I must admit I was surprised, though.
112.  
113. Ciel
114. What do you mean?
115.  
116. Hazama
117. I wasn’t expecting you guys to be so skilled in combat.
118.  
119. Ciel
120. Thank you for the compliment.
121.  
122. Hazama
123. On the contrary, I’m much more ashamed such skills are outside my range of expertise.
124.  
125. Hazama
126. I’m much more suited to infiltration and reconnaissance. Or, that is to say, I get the feeling I would be anyway.
127.  
128. Hazama
129. Nevertheless, I must be lucky to have met up with such strong individuals. Kazuma-san is even a magician! How cool is that?
130.  
131. Kazuma
132. A-Ah... is that so...
133.  
134. Hazama
135. As long as I’m with you guys, collecting these elements should be a breeze. It’s a real confidence booster.
136.  
137. Raabe
138. .........
139.  
140. Hazama
141. My, you’ve been staring at me rather intensely for a while now. Is there something on my face?
142.  
143. Raabe
144. ...No. I was merely ruminating on our situation. Don’t worry about it. If I feel I must say something, rest assured I will speak my mind.
145.  
146. Hazama
147. Oh, is that all? I won’t look into it too much then. Feel free to ruminate to your heart’s content.
148.  
149.  
150. Raabe
151. ...Hey, Rei.
152.  
153. Raabe
154. Do you think Kazuma is real?
155.  
156. >I think he’s real.
157. Raabe
158. Really... If you think that’s the case then you’re probably right.
159.  
160. >What do you mean?
161. Raabe
162. ...No, it’s probably nothing. Tell me if you start to notice anything off.
163.  
164. Raabe
165. We have so little to go on right now and everyone we’ve met, including Kazuma, have been cryptic so far.
166.  
167. Raabe
168. For now, I would be wary of our allies.
169.  
170.  
171.  
172.  
173. Ciel
174. Just like Fuzzy-san said, the scenery has changed.
175.  
176. Ciel
177. If he’s to be believed, one of the keys... the elements, should be here.
178.  
179. Kazuma
180. At first glance, nothing seems particularly suspicious.
181.  
182. Kazuma
183. Since this place is so big, should we split up to look for it?
184.  
185. Hazama
186. We still don’t know what these elements are supposed to look like. Splitting up would probably be unwise.
187.  
188. Hazama
189. It would be nice if it turned out to be something simple like an actual key but... I doubt things will end up being that easy.
190.  
191. Raabe
192. I agree. For all we know, it might not even be visible.
193.  
194. Hazama
195. I do so hope he didn’t forget to let slip that these “keys” are potentially dangerous.
196.  
197. Ciel
198. Kagami-san once called this sort of thing a “flag.”
199.  
200. Raabe
201. Hey, don’t just say that. You’ll end up making it come true.
202.  
203. Kazuma
204. .........
205.  
206. Hazama
207. Kazuma-san? You’ve had this distressed look on your face ever since earlier. Is something bothering you?
208.  
209. Kazuma
210. Aah, no, that’s not it. I’ve just had a lot to think about.
211.  
212. Hazama
213. That’s understandable. All of this happened out of nowhere, after all.
214.  
215. Hazama
216. I can see how you’d be overwhelmed.
217.  
218. Hazama
219. We’ve all gotten caught up in this awful situation.
220.  
221. Kazuma
222. Haha, you’ve got a point...
223.  
224. Hazama
225. Does this sort of bizarre thing happen to you guys often?
226.  
227. Hazama
228. You’ve remained very composed this whole time, analyzing things, and you seemed accustomed to combat as well.
229.  
230. Raabe
231. How observant of you. Where did you cultivate such a discerning eye?
232.  
233. Raabe
234. You had said before that you were skilled at infiltration and reconnaissance. What sort of work do you do?
235.  
236. Hazama
237. Aw, now that’s not very fair. I’ve forgotten everything about myself. What I can remember is vague at best.
238.  
239. Hazama
240. I told you earlier. I just have a feeling that I would be good at investigation. There’s really no deeper meaning to it.
241.  
242. Hazama
243. It’s nothing more than an educated guess.
244.  
245. Raabe
246. Is that so. Well let me tell you something you may have forgotten then. It’s hardest to trust those who speak the loudest. You would do well to remember that one.
247.  
248. Hazama
249. Ahaha... So harsh.
250.  
251. Ciel
252. ...!
253.  
254. Ciel
255. I’m picking up a biological reaction! It’s coming closer--!
256.  
257. [gunshot]
258.  
259. Hazama
260. Gyaaeehh!
261.  
262. Ciel
263. That was an interesting scream.
264.  
265. Hazama
266. I don’t care about that right now! Did you not see me almost get shot to death!?
267.  
268. Raabe
269. You’re still alive, aren’t you? Ciel, where is the enemy located?
270.  
271. Ciel
272. In front of us, at 12 ‘o clock!
273.  
274. [enter Noel]
275.  
276. Ciel
277. Noel-san?
278.  
279. Ciel
280. What are you doing here, Noel-san... Were you brought here, just like us?
281.  
282. Noel
283. Who are you? Why do you know who I am?
284.  
285. Raabe
286. This doesn’t seem to be like Kazuma’s case.
287.  
288. Raabe
289. No, wait... this reaction...
290.  
291. Raabe
292. I figured it out. This is the element. Noel Vermillion possesses the element of fire.
293.  
294. Ciel
295. Why would Noel have one of the keys Fuzzy-san was talking about?
296.  
297. Raabe
298. It feels like she has more than just possessing it.
299.  
300. Raabe
301. Rather than being Noel Vermillion herself, the element may have overwritten Noel’s very existence here.
302.  
303. Noel
304. Excuse me, but if you have nothing to do with me would you please stand down? I have business with Hazama-san.
305.  
306. Hazama
307. Eh? Me? With me? Uh, now hold on just a minute.
308.  
309. Hazama
310. I’m very sorry but I have no idea who you are. ...Then again, perhaps I should know who you are.
311.  
312. Hazama
313. Yes, could you please tell me? What is my relationship with you?
314.  
315. Noel
316. How dare you say such a thing...!
317.  
318. Noel
319. How could you have already forgotten what you did to me and my friend!
320.  
321. Raabe
322. She’s not being very reasonable. What did you do?
323.  
324. Hazama
325. How am I supposed to know!? I wanna know just as much as you do!
326.  
327. Hazama
328. Uh, Miss... Noel, was it? I think you may have mistaken me for someone else...
329.  
330. Noel
331. I’m NOT mistaken!
332.  
333. Hazama
334. Even if you say that... I really don’t remember anything so I don’t know what you expect me to do...
335.  
336. Kazuma
337. Since she’s already so angry, why don’t you just go ahead and apologize for now?
338.  
339. Ciel
340. I’ve heard that it’s always important to apologize.
341.  
342. Hazama
343. I don’t really understand the point of apologizing for something I don’t remember doing but... I guess it can’t be helped. Sometimes it’s an adult’s job to take the high road...
344.  
345. Hazama
346. Um, Noel-san, correct?
347.  
348. Hazama
349. I offer my sincerest apologies. I must have hurt you deeply.
350.  
351. Hazama
352. It’s regrettable that I don’t know who you are, but from the bottom of my heart I apologize.
353.  
354. Noel
355. There’s no emotion in your words... they have no meaning.
356.  
357. Noel
358. Were you even going to apologize in the first place!? No, you can’t just apologize and expect me to forgive you.
359.  
360. Noel
361. I must defeat you...! You’re my enemy!
362.  
363. Hazama
364. Uh, wait, isn’t this going a little differently than expected? I apologized and now things have gotten worse!
365.  
366. Hazama
367. At any rate, would you mind putting the guns down? They’re scaring me.
368.  
369. Ciel
370. Noel-san’s battle level is increasing and she’s getting more hostile by the second.
371.  
372. Hazama
373. You think I can’t see that!?
374.  
375. Noel
376. Don’t bother trying to resist!
377.  
378. [gunshot]
379.  
380. Hazama
381. Aaaiiii!
382.  
383. Noel
384. I will never forgive you!
385.  
386. [gunshot]
387.  
388. Hazama
389. W-Wait a second! Surely we can talk this out!
390.  
391. Noel
392. Talk... there’s nothing here that needs to be talked about...!
393.  
394. [gunshot]
395.  
396. Hazama
397. Owaah--!?
398.  
399. Kazuma
400. Do you think he’ll be okay...?
401.  
402. Hazama
403. Do I look okay to you!? I don’t get along well with people like this!
404.  
405. Hazama
406. This girl is a fire type, right? I’m a dark type. Fundamentally we just aren’t compatible.
407.  
408. Hazama
409. You understand, don’t you, Kazuma-san? Since you’re a wind type you’re also no good at this kind of thing, right?
410.  
411. Kazuma
412. Eh? Me? I... that’s...
413.  
414. Hazama
415. Ohhhhh this is bad!
416.  
417. Hazama
418. I leave this up to you guys!
419.  
420. >What!?
421. Hazama
422. Don’t give me that look! Surely you knew something like this would happen eventually.
423.  
424. >Even if you leave it to us...
425. Hazama
426. You guys are my only hope! I’m counting on you!
427.  
428. Hazama
429. That’s it, Ciel-san should know how to handle this, right?
430.  
431. Hazama
432. She’s a light type, after all.
433.  
434. Noel
435. What are you whispering about...!
436.  
437. Noel
438. You there! Please hand over Hazama-san quietly!
439.  
440. Noel
441. Otherwise, I will have to use force...!
442.  
443. [gunshot x3]
444.  
445. Raabe
446. Oh dear. It would appear that there’s no use trying to talk things out.
447.  
448. Raabe
449. I guess it’s unavoidable. Ciel, Rei, prepare for battle.
450.  
451. Ciel
452. Roger! Initiating elimination of target.
453.  
454.  
455.  
456.  
457. [static]
458.  
459. Raabe
460. ...she disappeared?
461.  
462. Ciel
463. Noel’s reaction is no longer within range. However, in her place is...
464.  
465. [a sphere with the fire symbol appears]
466.  
467. Kazuma
468. That’s... a mass of mana, isn’t it? That’s the feeling I’m getting from it.
469.  
470. Kazuma
471. I can feel it radiating the power of fire.
472.  
473. Hazama
474. Perhaps this is the fire elemental key.
475.  
476. Fuzzy
477. Ding ding ding! You’re absolutely correct!
478.  
479. [enter Fuzzy]
480.  
481. Raabe
482. You were watching us from somewhere. You’re timing is too perfect.
483.  
484. Fuzzy
485. Hm? Whatever could you be talking about?
486.  
487. Fuzzy
488. Rather than that, aren’t you more interested in where the next key is? Aren’t you?
489.  
490. Kazuma
491. I don’t think...
492.  
493. Fuzzy
494. Aren’t you curious? You are, right?
495.  
496. Fuzzy
497. I’ll tell you about it. There’s a building down at the end of this road – the rooftop is your next stop.
498.  
499. Raabe
500. Once again you are awful with giving directions... So we’ll find the next element if we head there?
501.  
502. Fuzzy
503. Probably. I think so anyway.
504.  
505. Raabe
506. You think so... Take a little responsibility for your words.
507.  
508. Fuzzy
509. Ahaha, you’re funny. I’m plenty responsible.
510.  
511. Fuzzy
512. I hope you manage to get the next one too. If I feel like it, I might even come watch again. Alright?
513.  
514. Fuzzy
515. Well, good luck getting there!
516.  
517. [Fuzzy leaves]
518.  
519. Kazuma
520. So... should we start heading that way?
521.  
522. Hazama
523. We should do that. We can’t expect to make any progress if we just stand here.
524.  
525. Hazama
526. I wonder which elemental key we’ll find next?
527.