Chapter 3: Rayshift, the Silent Livestream Room

Chapter 3: Rayshift, the Silent Livestream Room

"The quarantine time remaining is 180 seconds. Any staff still in the central area, please evacuate immediately through the second gate!"

The alarm of Chaldea's system continuously blared in the control room, which had turned into a sea of flames.

On the livestream screen, Mash lay motionless on the ground beneath a shattered stone pillar, unmoving.

"Mash!!!"

Ethan couldn't hold back, shouting loudly before rushing forward, completely ignoring the falling debris and the searing heat surrounding him.

"...Senpai?"

Mash struggled to lift her head, her lips drained of color, red blood seeping from the part of her body crushed beneath the pillar.

Yet, she still tried to smile.

Seeing this scene, Ethan couldn't bear to look away.

Even though he knew this was an inevitable outcome.

Even though he knew that soon, Mash would be healed by Galahad and become a Demi-Servant.

Even though he knew his worry was unnecessary.

But seeing Mash like this, Ethan felt as if someone had punched him hard in the chest, a pain so intense he couldn't put it into words.

The phone in his hand slipped unconsciously, its lens landing just right to capture Ethan and Mash.

"...Senpai... don't worry about me... hurry and run... I'll be fine..."

Mash spoke in a weak, broken voice, as if she could collapse at any moment.

"Mash, stop talking!"

Ethan reached out and grasped Mash's cold hand.

So, Mash's hands were this small, small enough to fit perfectly within his palm.

"You'll be fine, Mash, you'll recover soon."

Ethan spoke with certainty.

"...Senpai's words... make me feel so at ease..."

Mash weakly shook her head.

"...But, Senpai... don't worry about me anymore... there's not much time left..."

"It'll be fine, Mash. I'll stay here with you."

Ethan then sat down beside Mash, trying to warm her fingers, which had lost all warmth.

"Alert to all observation personnel: Chaldeas' status has changed."

"Sheba's near-future observation data has been altered. The existence of humanity on Earth cannot be confirmed within the next hundred years."

"The central partition has been sealed. 90 seconds remaining until the area begins its purification process!"

Along with the alarm, the entire control room was locked down, leaving Ethan with no way to escape.

"...Senpai... I'm sorry... this is all my fault..."

Mash showed a deeply guilty expression.

"It's okay, Mash."

Ethan remained gentle beside her.

"Senpai... from here... I can't see the sky at all..."

"That's right, but I promise I'll take you outside, we'll travel everywhere together, experience so many things."

Ethan turned his head toward Mash and smiled.

"Let's go see the sky together, Mash."

"Umu... Senpai... thank you..."

Mash murmured, then smiled happily before slowly closing her eyes.

Ethan held Mash's hand tightly.

It was the only thing he could do for his Kouhai at this moment.

"Designating No. 48 as the selected Master, Rayshift, activate!!!"

A powerful beam of light erupted, a massive red flame engulfing the entire control room. A stone slab fell, striking the phone.

Crack.

The broadcast was interrupted.

[Host is temporarily offline, please wait.]

All the viewers in the livestream room held their breath, tensely watching the screen that had turned black, hoping the broadcast would resume.

One minute, two minutes, three minutes.

Five minutes passed, yet no one sent a comment.

Everyone was still immersed in the shocking images from earlier, and the emotional conversation between Mash and Ethan had left them heartbroken. Who had the mind to type comments at a time like this?!

After a long silence, the first comment finally appeared.

[Motherf*ck! Call the police!!!]

This comment was like a wake-up call for all the viewers in the livestream, instantly throwing everyone into a panic as they spammed messages.

[Yes, yes, yes, call the police! Someone's in danger!!!]

[The fire is huge, and rocks are falling everywhere. There's no way anyone can survive this!!!]

[Where is this host? Do any longtime fans know?!]

[If no one knows, call the emergency helpline and have them track it down!]

As the chat was in chaos, a rational voice finally spoke up.

[Wait a minute, everyone. Isn't this just a fire drill? It's very possible that what we just saw was staged.]

Everyone quickly calmed down.

[Bro above… makes a good point.]

[Umu, that does sound reasonable.]

[Damn this host, using special effects to trick our tears, huh?!]

[There was some static noise earlier, and I think I heard something about the future of humanity. Could this be a sci-fi film?]

[Let's wait for him to come back online and ask directly.]

[Mashu-chan is way too adorable, I almost cried just now.]

[Feels like watching a blockbuster movie, even with a storyline. Do streamers go this hard nowadays?!]

Even though the screen remained pitch black, none of the viewers left. Instead, they treated it like a chatroom, continuing their lively discussions.

However, these people had no idea that, at this moment, Ethan and Mash had appeared in Fuyuki City, January 30, 2004.

.....

"Fou~~~ Fou~~~"

Something wet licked Ethan's face.

"Holy sheet!"

He suddenly woke up, seeing Fou crouched beside him.

"... Ah, right, this place must be... Ughh..."

A wave of pain surged through his entire body.

Ethan gritted his teeth and endured it, scanning his surroundings.

He was in the middle of a ruined city, completely devastated. Around him were collapsed buildings and scattered debris. In the distance, bright red flames continued to burn, creating an apocalyptic scene.

No big deal, just another Fuyuki City gas leak.

Whoosh——————!!!

Suddenly, from above, countless flashes of light streaked down, heading straight for Ethan!

His instincts kicked in, making him roll into the rubble beside him to dodge. At that moment, a familiar figure swiftly moved in front of him.

It was Mash!!!

She raised her shield, blocking the first attack from some "Archer who uses a sword."

"Senpai, are you alright?"

Mash turned back and asked with concern.

"I'm fine."

Seeing Mash holding her massive shield, now officially a Demi-Servant, Ethan finally let out a sigh of relief.

But soon, he realized a problem.

Right now, he needed more firepower on his side.

Right—the livestream!

Ethan suddenly remembered the livestream but couldn't find his phone anywhere.

Damn it, did he leave it back in Chaldea's control room?

If so, then it must have burned to ashes by now!

'System!'

Ethan immediately shouted in his mind.

'I don't have a livestream device anymore, figure something out for me!'

[Beep beep——Considering the Host's current situation, the system has transferred the livestream connection to the Host's wristband.]

[By opening the wristband, the Host can activate the livestream and switch between panoramic and close-up modes.]

[Beep beep——The Host's current livestream points have reached 1100, meeting the conditions to use the gacha.]

[Would you like to draw now?]