Here's Chapter 26! Just a small update, I am currently in the process of fixing grammatical and spelling errors from previous chapters. I can't give an ETA, as the Forum keeps fighting me whenever I try to post the updates, but I'll let you all know when they are live!
Spoiler
Chapter 26 - Ray of Life -
(The chapter opens up on a shot of Yuki’s boots, walking in the city. The panel pulls back, showing that she's still a bit nervous to be there, which is clear by the way she's hiding within her coat. She looks down at her C.R.O.W, which displays a map of the street she’s on. Ahead of her, on said map, there is a waypoint. Yuki looks up, and notices an extravagant skyscraper a few buildings down. Yuki looks down at Korace, who is in her other hand.)
Yuki: Looks like that’s the place…
Korace: < It would appear so. >
(A shot of Yuki looking up at the building, now in front of it, is shown. There is a flashing, brilliant billboard above the main doorway, which reads “Ray Records”. The digital clock from before is now a part of the panel, by the bottom right, reading “5:00:00”. The next scene has Yuki walking into the building, a bit nervous. Immediately, the environment sends a shiver down her spine. The lobby area she finds herself in is extravagantly detailed, with leather seats and long, simple tables lining the walls. A long, red carpet is outstretched in front of Yuki. Plenty of people litter the lobby, many of which are carrying some kind of instrument or instrument case around. Some groups of people [Which are of varying ages] are seated, as if waiting to be called, while others are simply hanging out and chit-chatting. No one pays Yuki any mind. Yuki scans the room from the entrance, and begins to make her way to a desk at the far end, which reads “Reception”. As she makes her way over, a figure slides right by her in the background, with a smug grin on their face. After a moment, Yuki seems to notice something floating by her face. She blinks, and looks to her left, seeing that a small, balloon-like orb is hovering beside her. On top of the orb, lies her C.R.O.W. . Yuki, in disbelief, snatches the C.R.O.W back up. As she does this, to her surprise, the orb pops in a small, harmless flash of light. This flash makes Yuki lightly shriek, to the amusement of those in the lobby. Embarrassed, she whips around, and sees the figure who had walked past her, chuckling to himself. This figure, unfamiliar to Yuki, should be familiar to the reader. The figure is revealed to be the same street performer that had opened chapter 14 (The one who had been performing, and had caught Lillian’s attention.)
Here is a repeat of his description, because its been awhile -
Description of the Performer: He is a well built, darker skinned, male individual. He is dressed in a black tank top, a dark red beanie, and baggy, grey sweatpants. He isn't wearing shoes at all. His hair, long and black, is pulled back into a ponytail, but the ponytail itself is several dreadlocks [Picture hair normally pulled back, but just the tail portion being the locks] )
Performer [???]: Haha! I take it you're not from around here, miss?
(Yuki, embarrassingly, fumbles for Korace, and gets into an aggressive stance.)
Yuki: W-When did you-!?
(The performer begins to laugh even harder, almost losing his breath. As he does, several more orbs appear from behind him, and float around that general area. He regains his composure, clapping once to make all the orbs pop at once. The flash startles Yuki again. The performer walks back up to her, and the two stare each other down at a close range.)
Performer: See, no need to worry yourself! The little fellas are harmless. I’m just an entertainer. See?
(Another orb forms from his palm, and floats there for a moment. It begins to orbit around the two while their conversation continues.)
Performer: You need to be careful in the big city. A lot of folks are gonna be looking to take advantage of newbies like yourself.
(Yuki sighs, still embarrassed, and turns to continue walking.)
Yuki: V- very funny… Go bother someone else, “Entertainer.”
Performer: I mean, If I were you, I’d listen to what the friendly entertainer has to say… See?
(The performer points towards Yuki. Then, Yuki looks beside her again to see the orb that was just summoned, carrying her C.R.O.W once more. More laughter can be heard while she stubbornly turns back around, her cheek puffed out and her face hiding within her coat. The scene skips forward a bit, with the two talking amongst themselves, still in the lobby, but out of the way of everyone else. The performer plays with one of his orbs, tossing it up and down as he talks. Yuki is leaning against a wall, listening and watching him.)
Performer: So, what’s your area of expertise, Little Miss?
(The performer grabs the orb, and spins it on his finger.)
Performer: I, personally, specialize in some practical effects and stage shows.
(Yuki sighs, and seems a bit confused.)
Yuki: Well… I’m not exactly an “entertainer”... or whatever you call yourself. I’m here to learn more about a Request I took up earlier today.
(The performer whistles, impressed.)
Performer: Oooh~, I see. Well, I guess that makes more sense. You look like you’ve got some serious anxiety there, can’t really picture you up on the big stage, ya’ know?
(Yuki’s eye twitches, as she sighs.)
Yuki: Whatever. Listen, while I have you, do you think you can help me out?
(The performer chuckles a bit.)
Performer: What, little miss Student can’t find her way around the city or something?
(Yuki gets off the wall, and slugs the performer in the arm, viciously and without remorse. He yelps, and rubs his arm in pain. The orb pops at the same time.)
Performer: Ow! Ow ow! Jeez, alright, I get it.
(The Performer slips in an insult under his breath.)
Performer: Little “She-Devil” fits her more than Little Miss…
(Yuki stares at him, annoyed.)
Yuki: What was that!?
(The performer sighs, and indulges her.)
Performer: Don’t worry about that. Now, what is it you need, Little Miss?
(Yuki makes sure her C.R.O.W is in her pocket, while the Performer snickers. She pulls it out, and shows him a picture of a new individual. On her screen, it shows the summary of the Request, and an image of the Request Maker. The Request reads: “Escort Needed! Help bring my client to their destination safely. High value client = High payout!” The image shows a man. That man is Taimie Triark. The performer shudders at the sight of Triark. Yuki notices this, and raises an eyebrow.)
Yuki: What’s wrong? Do you know him?
(The performer places his hand onto Yuki’s C.R.O.W., and slowly attempts to lower it.)
Performer: Um… Little Miss? Maybe you should consider a different Request.
(Yuki is getting frustrated.)
Yuki: Would you stop underestimating me already? Or do I need to deck you a second time!?
(The performer takes a step back. The others in the lobby can see things have clearly flipped in their arguing, and are laughing at the performer. He turns, and seems extremely frustrated with their reaction.)
Performer: God damn it all…
(The performer takes a deep breath, before finally giving Yuki some answers. He bends down a bit, and tries to whisper to her. Yuki kind of jerks back a bit, annoyed with him.)
Performer: Listen Little Miss, that there is Taimie Triark. That man’s responsible for some of the most successful pop stars in the industry. Whoever he’s asking you to escort, their poparatzi is going to tear you to shreds.
Yuki: Listen, I’ve been through a pretty shaky escort mission once already. I’m sure whatever this paparazzi’s like, I can handle it.
(The performer sighs.)
Performer: Listen here kid, I’m telling you it’s a “no-go”! Trust me, Triark’s my boss, and I know him well enough to know that he’d laugh at the sight of ya! Now, how’s about I help you find a more suitable Re-
(A devilish smirk crosses Yuki’s face.)
Yuki: Ooooh~ So Mr. Triark just so happens to be your boss, huh?
(The performer shudders as Yuki grabs his arm with an iron grip.)
Performer: Whoa- Whoa whoa hold on!!! I’m too young to die!
Yuki: If you don’t want me to continue to embarrass you in front of all these people, you're going to take me straight to your boss. Got it~?
(Yuki tightens her grip, and the performer begins to struggle and yelp in pain.)
Performer: Alright, alright, just let go already, you psychopath!!!
Korace: < . . . It’s amazing to me how much you get away with. >
(The performer takes a second to breathe and rub his arm as Yuki waits for him to lead the way. He looks as though he’s about to lead Yuki to Triark, but notices someone else in the lobby. Now an equally, if not even more, devilish grin spreads across his face. Yuki notices.)
Yuki: Get any smart ideas, and I’ll kill you.
(The performer regains his cool.)
Performer: Oh, no need for that. I think I just found you someone better than myself to take you right up to the Boss’s office.
(The performer leads Yuki towards the reception desk. There, about to head off towards a stairwell, is a girl around Yuki’s age. She has a strange device on her head, and several folders in hand. The performer whistles to her.)
Performer: Oooh Mellow~? I have a job for you!
(The girl, now revealed to be a flustered Mellow, turns to see where the voice is coming from. Before she can even process what’s happening, the performer shoves Yuki into her, sets up a few orbs, and creates a flashbang in the lobby. Yuki and Mellow, who had roughly crashed into one another, scramble to their feet. Mellow’s folders and papers are scattered all over the floor. Yuki grits her teeth, regaining her vision quick enough to see the performer dashing out the front door.)
Yuki: You jerk, get back here!!!
Performer: She’s all yours, Mellow! She’s a real keeper!
(Then, just like that, the performer is gone. Yuki stands there for a moment, angry and confused. Then, she attempts to think deeply about something.)
Yuki: Maybe It was something I said?
Korace < . . . Yes. It was something you said. >
(Yuki looks over to the new girl, Mellow. She’s now on the ground again, scrambling for the papers she dropped. Yuki seems upset with herself now, bending down to join her.)
Yuki: O- Oh… I’m sorry. Here, let me help you…
(The girl turns to Yuki, revealing her strange helmet. An LED screen displays a sad face “ :,< ” . Yuki seems a bit surprised, but smiles back, and begins to pick up some of the scattered papers. The scene then moves forward a bit, with the two now standing again, with Mellow’s belongings cleaned up. Yuki is showing Mellow her C.R.O.W, explaining the situation.)
Yuki: So… I guess that weird flashy guy wanted you to bring me up to this Triark guy.
(Mellow stares at the picture and Request for a moment, before flashing Yuki a confident thumbs up and happy face “;3” . Yuki takes a moment to think to herself, before following Mellow as she leads the way. After a few shots of the two walking up the stairs and through the building, the next scene has the two outside of Triark’s office. Yuki notices several records displayed along the hall’s walls, and eventually comes across a poster displaying “Ray of Life”. The lead singer, Sky, is displayed front in center. Mellow can be seen in the background, DJing and setting off flashing lights. Yuki notices Mellow, and then looks over at her guide. Mellow turns to Yuki, when she notices she isn’t following anymore.)
Yuki: Hey… is that you?
(Mellow back over, and notices the poster as well. She then begins to blush on the LED, and pulls Yuki away from the poster. Yuki, confused, chuckles a bit.)
Yuki: Fair enough. I think I’d react the same way.
(The two finally arrive in front of Triark’s office. Mellow knocks politely, and then enters the room. Yuki follows. As soon as she enters, the atmosphere of the room is clear. Another girl, a bit older than the others, slams her hand down onto a fancy desk at the front of the very expensive and modern looking office. The office has the main desk at the end of it, with several records lining the walls. The middle of the office has a small table, surrounded by small couch-like seats. The girl is revealed to be Sky, the same one who was on the poster of Ray of Life. In this scene, she is in her casual, disguised attire. Her hand is slammed down onto a small envelope. Her face is deadset, and it’s clear that whatever she’s talking about, she is unwavering in her resolve.)
Sky: I will not accept it.
(A somewhat panicked Triark is seen attempting to raise her hand from the opposite end of the table, but to no avail.)
Triark: Damn it, Sky! If you don’t take this check, the company can get into some serious legal trouble! Stop being so stubborn about it! A- And where the hell did you get this strength from!?
Sky: I said I don’t want it. Give it to Mell or something.
(Triark grumbles, and let's go of Sky. He places his arms on his sides, and continues to complain. The two of them seem to not notice Yuki and Mellow, who appear to be a bit stunned. Mellow is displaying a “ T-T; ” face.)
Triark: Listen, any other day of the week, I’d more than happily keep this check for yah’. But you need to understand, If the industry is able to figure out we haven’t paid you in the last few years, then it’s over! Think of all the “Worker’s Comp” we’d owe you!
(Sky seems to begin considering his argument.)
Sky: . . .
Triark: Listen, I don’t care what you do with it, just take it for now so that we have it on record, and go give it to somebody else! See? It’s a win - win!
(Triark lets out an exhausted breath, and then finally notices their visitors. Sky is placing the envelope into her pocket as Triark addresses Yuki and Mellow.)
Triark: Oh- Well, if it isn’t dear ol’ Mell! And… Well now hold on, who’s this?
(Mellow grabs Yuki’s sleeve, motioning to her that it’s alright to walk in. Triark stands proud and tall, as Sky takes a seat by the small table, frustrated. Yuki and Mellow don’t sit, but make their way by the table. Yuki bows politely, addressing Triark.)
Yuki: H- Hello sir. My name is Yuki Ve- Er… V. I take it that you’re Taimie Triark?
(She seems to have realised something right before stating her last name, and attempted to correct herself. Triark’s laugh is more akin to a loud booming roar.)
Triark: Haha! The one and only! So, Ms. V, I take it you're the one who took up the Escort Request?
(Yuki raises from her bow, still recovering from her near slip up.)
Yuki: Y- Yeah.
(Triark looks Yuki up and down, and laughs even more. Sky also takes a moment to look at Yuki, smiling to herself as she seems to have her own opinion of her. Yuki seems a bit displeased, a small Performer in her head restating “He’ll laugh at you!” appears in the panel.)
Triark: Well, I guess I shouldn’t be judging a book by it’s cover. Come here, Ms. V.
(He goes to sit at his desk, motioning Yuki to stand in front of it. As Yuki goes to do that, Mellow joins Sky on the couch, the two greeting one another happily. Yuki gulps, as Triark folds his hands, and sits tall and proud behind his almost too expensive desk.)
Triark: I tried not to give too many details in the Request, superfans tend to pick up on that sort of thing if you're not too careful. So, I’m sure you have already figured it out, but I’ll be having you escort the lovely ladies over there. They have a concert tonight, and their train leaves in a few hours.
(Yuki looks back to Mellow and Sky. Mellow waves politely, and Sky shoots her a soft smile. Yuki looks back at Triark.)
Yuki: I take it those are the same girls out on that “Ray of”... Um… “Light”, or whatnot, poster?
(There is a moment of silence in the office. Mellow and Sky look at Yuki, blankly, and then at one another, clearly confused. Triark’s jaw is hung open, in shock.)
Triark: . . .E- Excuse me? You DO know who these ladies are, right?
(Yuki shakes her head “No.” She seems a bit uncomfortable, but not as uncomfortable as Triark is about to become. He slams his head and fist into his desk, and a stream of tears begins to flood out of his manley face. Sky and Mellow begin to laugh in the background. Yuki is beyond flustered, as if she’s wondering what she did wrong.)
Triark: D- Damn it! What the hell am I doing wrong!? How many damn billboards am I going to have to have PR put up out there for the city to get it already!?
Yuki: U- Um… I’m sorry. I- I’m not from around here, if that helps.
(Triark raises his head, still keeping it hung low.)
Triark: My job as their Producer is to make sure this city… no, the whole goddamn world, knows of the name “Ray of Life”!!! If I can’t do that, then I’m just a failure!
(Triark shifts himself back into a normal posture, trying to hide his tears.)
Triark: No matter. One day, but I guess not today!
Yuki: < . . . Is he going to be ok? >
(Triark smiles again, placing his hands slammed down onto the desk.)
Triark: Anyways, I’m glad you're here a bit early. It gives us more time to find a replacement!
(Yuki blinks, and then seems confused.)
Yuki: E- Excuse me, a- ?
(Triark digs for something in his pocket now, as he cuts her off with his own train of thought.)
Triark: Well, I guess that's a bit rude of me. What I mean is, when you inevitably fail this test, we can scout out another Student who’s more capable of this job. No offense, that’s just how business works kid!
(Yuki’s eye twitches, as Sky waves to try and calm her down.)
Sky: Don’t mind Taimie. What he’s saying is, once you fail the test, we’ll have more time than usual to find a replacement. Really, it’s a big help!
(Mellow waves around frantically, upset with the both of them.)
Yuki: I won’t fail any kind of test. Any Request that mentions a high pay rate is my area of expertise.
(Sky takes notice of that last bit from Yuki, and seems a bit upset. Triark chuckles, finally revealing what he was fishing his pockets for.)
Triark: Well, let’s put your Talent where your mouth is.
(Triark holds a colorful Gachapon ball in front of himself, over the desk. Yuki takes a step back, bracing herself. Then, the ball cracks open. An almost full page panel follows, after a bright flash of light. On the desk, making a mess of the papers and trinkets that were just there, is a stange, toy-like, mecha Triark. The mecha Triark is crouching down, to be closer to Yuki’s level, and It has it’s head tilted a bit to the side, staring Yuki directly in the face. Right behind it, in the background of that same page, Triark smirks. At the bottom of this panel, the time reads 4:23:00.)
Triark: Here’s your test, Ms. V. If either I or my friend here touch either Sky or Mellow, you lose. You have 15 minutes.
(Yuki seems flustered, rushing to unsheath Korace. A close up is shown of Triark’s grinning face.)
Triark: Begin!
(The chapter begins to close, but right before that, the time reappears. It still shows 4:23:00, but then glitches, and shifts back to 210:10:00. Suddenly, the scene is in a dark, musty sewer tunnel. Plenty of graffiti and trash is scattered along the tunnel walls. A figure is seen walking along the side of the sewer. They arrive at a smaller tunnel entrance, bend down, and make their way to a strange, metal door. Suddenly, from the opposite end of the door, a large rose root blasts through, creating a large opening where the door used to be. From the outside, a smug Feilio emerges through it. He makes his way to the center of a dark, musty room. A single, swinging light shines down on him, as he stares into the darkness ahead of him. As his eyes adjust, he notices several eyes staring back at him. All of them appear to belong to catmen. A single other figure emerges from the darkness, and reveals himself for the first time in the manga. A very unpleasant looking Tai is shown, his steel pole in hand.)
Tai: You’ve better have a good reason to arrive here, unannounced and unwelcomed, Business Bastard.
(Tai looks behind him at the eyes staring back, for a moment.)
Tai: There’s children here. You better watch your manners. Another incident like our “door” just now, and I’ll make you deeply regret it.
(Feilio snickers to himself, patting himself to remove some debris from busting down the door.)
Feilio: Oh, pardon the intrusion. And Especially the door, oh, please pardon the door!
(Feilio, for one of the first times, grows extremely serious and angry with his next line.)
Feilio: I seem to be carrying a bit of… “Pent up” rage with me.
(Tai grips his pole.)
Tai: Make it quick, freak.
(Feilio laughs a bit at the insult.)
Feilio: Hold the insults, you damn feral hairball. Trust me, you’ll want to hear this~.
(Feilio smirks widely and proudly, as he pulls out his C.R.O.W. In the holographic image on the screen, the evil scientist, who has remained unnamed, is speaking to someone on another C.R.O.W., Looking back at Tai.)
Scientist: Yes. This is why I’d like to push the meeting a bit AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
(Tai’s eyes grow, both in shock and anger.)
Scientist: Thank you, Mr. Regold. Alright, so you’ll be taking the Freeway tomorrow? Good to know!
(The scientist winks, and ends the holographic call. Tai’s eyes are now hidden from the reader, with Feilio chuckling uncontrollably to himself.)
Feilio: Pfft~! Sorry, it’s a bit hard to contain how excited I am!
(Feilio sleekly drops the C.R.O.W back into his pocket, and turns to exit.)
Feilio: That is all, Catmen. Enjoy my gift~!
(Feilio is almost out of the room, before Tai bursts out in rage.)
Tai: WE DON’T OWE YOU A DAMN THING, DEVIL…
(Feilio looks back at Tai and the reader.)
Feilio: I am not asking for much in return. Just go out there and MAKE SOME NOISE!
END
(As always, thanks to everyone who's been providing feedback! Coryn, NO1SY, Yall are the best!)