The Loop

Chapter 2: The Confusion.

That Kihara bastard doesn't seem to know much of this, outright clueless even. So then this isn't a new method of creating a new Level 6, as he is the only person trusted with conducting such experiments on a scale like that.

Then it must be something else. The imaginary district? Nope. He'd seen its theories, and this isn't exactly what he had in mind when reading it.

It doesn't really matter now. All he needs now is to find another person involved and learn whatever information they have.

"First thing first. That third string, Railgun."

He knew exactly where and when she'd be tonight. He just needs to confront her. Chances are, she is also involved. She was, after all, the city's favourite.

...

Hot leads pierced through the air, ripping the sound barrier at a constant rate. Aimed solely to inflict harm. The bullet moved at a speed capable of bursting through an unfortunate individual's abdomens, tearing the muscles and annihilating the intestines.

A brown haired girl, kneeling with an assault rifle pushing against her shoulder, a certain green pin shaking from the force. The rapid fire didn't make her flinch, even the recoil barely affected her accuracy.

She has been shooting for the past 7 minutes, burning through her ammunition meant to last for less than 3 minutes. And so far, she has been relatively unharmed.

And this has her confused.

Her confusion was rightfully justified. As this act from the albino was almost unheard nor unseen of. He merely stood there, his eyes closed. Maybe it's a trick or some sort. She was even hearing doubles! As if he was firing back at her.

Eventually stopped. This was a risky act, as she had learned to keep firing so long as there were bullets in the chamber, be it to save herself from having to endure the pain, or to try and intimidate him. She lowered her weapon and stared past him, sweats flowed from her forehead. "What're you doing here? Misaka asks, surprised."

Noticing the look of fear on the clone's face, he promptly turned around. There she is, Misaka Mikoto in the flesh and bones. "Well, well, if it isn't the original."

Her body was bent, left hand supporting her entire weight against her knees. Right hand wiping down her flowing sweats. She stared back in a mix of gratitude and caution. "What're you... two doing here?" She asked in-between her heaved breaths. She sounded very tense.

"I'm sorry Onee-sama, but that is classified information, Misaka informed vaguely. This experiment does not concern you, please turn back and leave, Misaka warns her fearfully."

The albino chuckled, tauntingly. "A sister expressing their concern for each other. How sweet! I sure do hope that none of them got hit by the midnight train!"

"What the hell are you rambling on you maniac?!" Original exclaimed, feeling rather annoyed herself. It didn't take long before she finally recovered.

"You." She points at the albino. "Save us the trouble and leave, forget this project ever exists. Or else." She adds venom into her voice, tone cold as ice. Her right hand was clutching something.

His smirk was wiped immediately. She sees this as a good sign. He, however, only saw the opposite of good. Level 5s are known to quickly adapt. Doing the exact same thing and expecting a different result is definitely NOT adapting.

While weak, he knew that the 3rd rank had some brain, though miniscule in comparison to his. This meant that she had yet to know the devastating result of this attack might inflict on herself because she was NOT in the loop. Or was she just testing him? The latter sounded to be the least likely of the two.

She raised her hand and straightened her arm, aiming directly towards him. "And you," she refers to the clone. "Get out of the way, I don't want to hit you."

The clone was about to protest, but she got to it first. "We'll have some more ice cream tomorrow, and there's a few people I want you to meet with." There was a smile on her face. The albino couldn't identify what else was there. "So promise me we'll meet again at the park, please?" Her tone is soft, something that he couldn't imagine coming from her, a Level 5 like him. How could one be so intimate to one another and show weakness even in the face of an enemy? He doesn't understand feelings.

The clone seemed to consider it. She nodded and ran past him and her, looking back to look at her Onee-sama before disappearing completely. The balls this girl has to do that. He could respect that. "Are you done? This whole charade bullshit is really fucking boring." He belittles her with his relaxed body language. Even going so far as to close his eyes, scratching the back of his neck.

She clicked his tongue. "We're in a tight alley, there's no way you can dodge this." She sounded so sure of herself as well. "Now answer me. Why did you do this? Why did you join this sick experiment?" She went on and on. The exact same line she used on that fateful night. Except the anger and hatred isn't as potent.

He has no intention of answering, and she has proven to be just as useless as that Kihara bastard. "I'm gonna kill you now and it's gonna be painful. Now, don't resist or you'll only hurt yourself even more." He moved slowly towards her. It has to be the way he said it, because original flinched at how apathetic he was talking of murder.

"Stop!" She screamed, readying her arms. "I said stop!" He didn't stop. "I-I'm warning you!" She shook as he got closer and closer. Dreadfully she gulped. Electricity enveloped her arms.

"That shit doesn't work on m-"

It fired. And then backfired. All in a span of less than 1 second. She was hit. And she was gone, just like that. There was a red mist flying around, but it wasn't as much as he'd originally expected. He was thinking of a more electrifying amount. So it was shocking to see that there weren't as many. There was, however, a piece of Original's torn cloth. It was burnt.

"Hn, I forgot she was that powerful. Whatever, she's dead now." So he walked out of the alley. The only thing he can do now is wait until time resets. He has a few more Level 5s to look for tomorr-

...

At that, he stopped and thought for a second. 'I just killed one of the seven Level 5s.' Normally, that would mean punishment. A very severe one. He'd killed a few scientists in the past and those alone landed him in that cursed isolation cell.

But to kill a Level 5... that's practically a death sentence. It WOULD be, but... tomorrow didn't exist. He just killed the city's beloved mascot and didn't suffer any consequences for it.

Because time reverts itself.

How long would this go on? And how many more does he have to go through? He doesn't know, but suddenly he doesn't care anymore. He'd just landed himself a massive jackpot in life.

The ability to control everything down to the smallest of objects without any restrictions. An unparalleled mind so brilliant that it brought the standards and definition of a prodigy to a new height. Add in the taste of a temporal immortality that gives him the freedom of choice for everything without having to suffer any drawbacks nor repercussions, negating every negativity he had incurred upon the lives of many.

He has it all now.

A sinister grin grew large across his lips.

"I just thought of something fun."

^8^

New Chapter out next week!