Well, that explains the sword. Most of us tended to grab whatever convenient thing was laying around, and Naoto had her gun, of course. I had to use - did Sofue-sensei send you looking for crap for her, too? I had to use one of those stupid poles for a while, the only other thing I had broke in the middle of the dungeon.

Either way, when it's other people involved, friendly sparring and 'intent on killing your opponent' are very different. At least with Shadows there's no choking on the idea.

[...Well. Not the way they summon, anyway. He can see some of Minako's group choking on the idea at first. Goddammit, Ikutsuki.]

Even then, he was different. Only one that talked back and didn't try to kill us.

If he ever turns up here, maybe we can ask him.

What makes you say that?

...You had to make the pun, didn't you.

I'll take that as a yes.

................huh. That's interesting. Did she say what happened?

Byerly-san said that one of his overlay's brothers had an odd experience at a shrine. That might be why she saw them - they had a vested interest in the outcome.

Well, there's only a few more left. And then... whatever comes next.

'A choice,' according to Naoto's Sift.