"This building doesn't look abandoned... are they really going to blow this place up?" Kiyoshi asked, eyes scanning the entrance.
"This mall is a well-known electronics mall in the area," Ana replied through the earpiece. "If they're actually planning to bomb it, that confirms just how insane they really are."
Right after her words, a scream rang out.
The mall's front doors burst open as people came flooding out, panic on their faces.
"Possessed!" someone yelled.
Kiyoshi stood frozen in the middle of the chaos as dozens rushed past him. One man tripped and fell right in front of him. Kiyoshi bent down.
"What's happening in there?!"
"The electronics!" the man cried. "They're possessed! They started turning on and off by themselves... some even floated and dropped from the air! Others exploded—and the mall speakers... they were blasting this weird noise at full volume! It's a disaster!"
The man scrambled to his feet and ran off.
Kiyoshi stood up, stunned. "Could it be… is one of The Reminder inside?"
"Possibly. Just be careful," Ana warned. "Stick to my guidance. The atrium takes up nearly 70% of the mall's interior. Head there first. Avoid tight spaces. It's your best shot at staying alive."
"Alright then," Kiyoshi nodded, running into the mall as people ran the other way.
"If the guy was telling the truth… then their tech could be some kind of telekinesis, right?" he asked while jogging.
"Sounds like it. Or worse," Ana answered grimly.
Suddenly—a loud whir. A vending machine flew toward him.
Kiyoshi reacted instantly, activating the gauntlet's retractable blade. He slashed through the machine, splitting it in half.
"That was close," he muttered. "I really need to stay alert."
He reached the atrium.
"We're in," Ana said. "Now I can safely track the explosives. There are six possible locations. I'll send them to your phone."
"Got it. I'll start the search now."
He turned to head to the first room—only to be stopped.
"Not so fast."
Kiyoshi spun around. A man stood on a floating washing machine. He wore a white blazer, gold chains glinting around his neck.
"I have a bad feeling," Ana whispered through the earpiece.
The man grinned. "Why the shocked face? That gauntlet... Greed's tech, right? You must be one of those kids who gave Lust, Greed, and Sloth a hard time. Heard you fought well. It's an honor."
He opened his arms theatrically. "Let's make this battle one to remember. But first, allow me to introduce myself—Osamu Nöel. They call me Pride."
"Pride, huh...?" Kiyoshi narrowed his eyes. "Where's the explosive?"
"Oh? You knew about that?" Pride laughed. "Not like I care. Tell you what—beat me, and I might tell you where the bombs are."
"No! Don't do it, Kiyoshi. You won't win alone," Ana warned.
"I know. I'm not falling for his trap," Kiyoshi said, steady.
"Ouuuuh… a girl guiding you over comms?" Pride sneered. "That's adorable."
Then Ana's voice screamed: "THROW THE EARP—"
Kiyoshi's instinct took over. He yanked the earpiece out and flung it. It exploded mid-air.
"Wow. You actually did it. That thing could've taken your ear off," Pride chuckled.
"Damn it. I lost connection. But Ana must be alerting the others. I just need to buy time... and find the explosives room."
Before he could stall, a spinning ceiling fan shot toward him. He barely dodged, only to be slammed by a flying vending machine. He blocked it with his gauntlet—but the impact launched him across the floor.
Coughing, Kiyoshi spat blood. His ribs ached.
"You're tough. I like that," Pride smirked.
(He... he can move objects, explode them, even turn them on... but why doesn't he control my gauntlet? Or collapse the entire atrium on me? What are the limits of his tech? Think, Kiyoshi!)
He forced himself up, leg throbbing, and ran.
"You're running?" Pride called behind him.
Kiyoshi reached the first location Ana had sent. Empty.
"Nothing here. Five more…"
He slumped against the wall to catch his breath.
"I think I've figured it out," he muttered. "He can't control things that don't have electricity. But that also means he can see me through security cameras."
He began smashing every CCTV he could find.
"I need to find the next room—can't let him know I still have my phone…"
But as he opened the next door, Pride stood waiting.
"There you are. I've been looking everywhere," Pride said, raising his hand. The light fixtures above Kiyoshi shattered and crashed down on him.
Kiyoshi punched a hole in the wall behind and bolted back into the atrium.
Pride followed.
A swarm of phones flew at Kiyoshi. He activated the gauntlet's heat palms, melting any phone that got close. A thread shot from his gauntlet, wrapping around Pride's leg and locking him in place.
Kiyoshi launched himself forward, aiming a punch. But Pride pulled an electric piano in his path—Kiyoshi's fist shattered it, but his momentum faltered.
Pride used the opening, whipping out an electric baton from his blazer. He struck Kiyoshi midair—electricity surged through him.
Kiyoshi dropped to his knees.
"Yes... that's what I like. Kneel, you disgusting little pest," Pride sneered. He grabbed Kiyoshi's hair and slapped him across the face—again and again.
But then—he screamed.
Kiyoshi had activated his heat palm, searing Pride's leg.
Kiyoshi stood and punched Pride in the face, sending him stumbling back.
Enraged, Pride hurled a swarm of TVs toward him. Kiyoshi dodged most, but one exploded behind him, knocking him down again.
Pride was trembling now, one leg burnt and bruised. He floated back up—standing on a fridge.
"You're starting to piss me off," he growled. "I could've ended you from the beginning… but I toyed with you instead. That was my mistake."
He lifted every scrap of metal, wire, and electronics in the area. They swirled into a massive ball—bigger than a truck.
Electricity sparked wildly from within as the entire mass glowed from the heat.
"Die. Die in the most painful way possible," Pride hissed.
Kiyoshi stared at the monstrosity.
He closed his eyes.
Not in fear. But in peace.
His mind drifted—not to his pain, not to the danger. But to every small moment of joy he shared with his sister. Her smile. Her laughter.
If he had to go now… at least he'd go with those memories.
But then—someone shouted from behind.
"KIYOSHI!"