Broad-Spectrum Assassin

Memory 30: Our Final Feast

I slice one of the trees and heave it at the first RiftRipper.

It knocks into him or her but the phantom simply rides up the tree like a shadow and then slashes me.

I guard with my tendrils only to be ambushed from behind by the other two.

I focus my efforts on the RiftRipper in front of me, allowing my subconscious to fend off the attacks from behind. "Would you believe me if I said the angel got away?"

The RiftRipper's blade liquifies, coils around my weapon and then slices me.

Such a remarkable technique.

The phantom assassin's tendrils thin out and dig beneath mine to remove my blades.

Wait. This level of control. It must be him.

"You're the RiftRipper who skinned those villagers!"

"They were ungrateful! Everyone is so ungrateful!" His blades reverberate with pinpoint accuracy, cutting open a hole in my cloak. He then dives inside me. "I am the gloom that will drown this ungrateful world!"

The other two split, now attacking me from four angles, but I repel their assault with ease.

I was the prodigy assassin of my school. They can't compare.

I send tendrils into my own void and search for the RiftRipper who had entered me.

I can't just spit the assassin out. His will is too strong.

I grab hold of the RiftRipper and yank it out.

It holds the angel in its arms.

I want arms! No fair!

"Great work, now let's return her to the village," says one of the other RiftRippers.

"No! I'm done with you all." The focused RiftRipper rushes off with the angel and the others follow.

No clue what's going on. But just gotta stay focused. There's another angel nearby. Just have to find her and then...what was I supposed to do? I'll just take it one step at a time.

I locate the angel rather easily. There's a sudden blindingly bright presence resonating from the local temple. She's just outside, hugging her injured hero.

Wait...that's not what's going on.

There is joy coming from the angel, but it's of a lustful carnal type.

Is she eating him? Not allowed! His heart is mine!

Her white shadow rises up and takes the form of a RiftRipper. "Hard to watch, isn't it? These poor creatures have been cultured into protecting their natural prey."

Angels eat heroes? So this is...normal?

"It's natural. Not normal. And yes, before you ask. I can read your thoughts, but only when you shout them." The white RiftRipper lifts the angel up.

"Are angels monsters like us?"

"The heroes are the monsters." A nearby ShadowPup takes form as a black angel, wearing her own shadow as clothing.

"So that's where you were. A troublesome hero like him could be useful. Heal him, won't you?"

The angel sends rude vibes his way. "How about you don't interrupt my little sister while she's eating?"

"Her food could help bring ISEKAI to its knees, after a proper awakening, that is," says the white RiftRipper. "It was I that gave you an awakening. Before that you were a bundle of hate, just as this hero is."