BULLET X CHAINSAW I

Do you mean the Lift?

Correct.

There's nothing there. Perhaps, they don't mean for us to go to space?

We picked up an abnormal reaction in the area surrounding the Lift.

The energy waves we discovered have an entirely new pattern that is unlike anything anyone at the Central Government, or the entire Ark, has ever seen.

They're blanketing the entire area.

We're at a loss as to exactly what is happening here, and the entire intelligence department is bewildered.

Impossible. We tried, but all we got was a white screen.

We don't have much to go on, but I'm willing to bet these aberrations are due to the energy wave.

I assume that's why we're being sent?

Precisely. I want you all to head over there and get to the bottom of this.

I want eyes on the ground for this one.

I'm afraid not. We're hesitant about sending troops en masse to a place we know nothing about.

I get it. Since we're a small group, it doesn't matter whether we live or die.

No, I'm sending you because we've hit a wall on our end.

I'm confident that nothing egregious will happen to any of you,

no matter what you encounter over there.

Quite the inspiring pep talk.

That concludes the briefing.

Safe travels.

I've got a bad feeling about this.

All clear. Nothing unusual detected on our route so far.

However, long-distance communications and scanning are still inoperable.

How about Alva particle concentration?

0%. I can't remember the last time I was in a place this clean.

You're telling me there are virtually no Alva particles here, yet communications are down? Can we chalk that up to this suspicious energy wave?

Most likely, although it doesn't seem to have any negative effects on Nikkes so far.

Commander, how are you feeling?

Hmm...

Should we start heading back, then? There's nothing here anyway.

Just think of it this way. We got to take a nice stroll up on the surface, so now we can go back and rel...

Wait.

I hear voices.

Huh? But we were the only ones deployed to this area.

Should we go say hi? You never know. They might have discovered something.

Okay, let's join them.

... Let me get this straight.

Do you remember what you were doing before you came here?

I was eating!

...

Makima, are communications with the outside still down?

Unfortunately, yes. I'm getting nothing.

So we're completely in the dark?

We don't know the first thing about this place.

Let's keep moving. There might be a spot where we can get a connection.

Stop.

??

??

Who are you? What are you doing here?

Surely they can't be up on the surface for a nice stroll...

We're the Counters, the Commando Unit. Which division are you a part of?

...

I repeat: Which division are you a part of?

... Who are you?

Answer my question. I won't ask you again.

We're Public Safety Devil Hunters, Special Division 4.

... Come again?

Does that division sound familiar to anyone? First I've heard of it.

That's a very peculiar squad name as well.

I've never heard of such a squad. Can you show me your identification chip?

Our what?

I don't know what this so-called identification chip is, but I have an ID card.

Are you a runaway from the Outer Rim?

I... don't know?

Who are you then?

I already told you. We're Public Safety Devil Hunters, Special Division 4.

There is no squad by that name! Not in the Ark.

I can see that you're unarmed as well. What is your purpose for coming up to the surface?

This is awfully suspicious... Are you guys humans?

What is it with all these questions?

We should be asking you the same thing. Who are you?

...!

Tell me what you're doing up here, and who you're working for.

...

I don't know. We were out and about when suddenly, poof! We ended up here.

If you're going to lie, at least spin one that makes sense.

Seriously. At this point, dimensional time warps would be more convincing.

Commander, that's far too dangerous.

I agree.

Survivors? Surface? What's this all about?

...

Roger.

Nice to know there's at least one person we can talk to.

You okay with that, Aki?

I think we should see what they have to say.

What do you think, Makima?

I agree.

Let's hear them out.

The Ark is in a state of pandemonium.

The official story is that there are no humans left on the surface,

yet here we are discovering five of them all at once.

I'm sure this comes as no surprise, but there's no information on them in any of our databases.

I can't say that I am.

They look and act like humans, but we're unable to do any internal scans to confirm.

When we do, all we get is a white screen like we did with the energy waves. They could well be an entirely new type of lifeform.

The other thing that's throwing us for a loop is their attire and their belongings.

Their composition and methods of production are unlike anything we've ever seen.

The level of deviation is so extreme that we can't even establish a baseline for reference.

That's how unique they are.

After some questioning, we find they're ignorant about even the most basic aspects of our society.

They apparently have never heard of Raptures, or the Ark.

What they do know, however, diverges wildly from our own knowledge base.

The modern society they talk about is vastly different from the modern society that we know.

Based on what we've gathered so far...

even though I realize how bad this sounds coming from a Deputy Commander's mouth,

I'm starting to wonder if we really are dealing with some kind of extraterrestrial beings.

You think I don't realize that?

Nevertheless, we cannot discount it as a possibility.

For now, let's see how things develop.

You're the one who brought them back from the surface.

You'll be in charge of keeping an eye on them.

Fortunately, they've been extremely cooperative, which helps.

Take them out for a meal and try to pump them for more information.

Yes.

Nothing builds rapport better than sharing a meal.

Aki Hayakawa. I'm a Public Safety Devil Hunter attached to Special Division 4.

Himeno. Same affiliation.

Denji.

I am called Power! Kneel before me, human!

How far should I prostrate myself before you?

As low as you can!

And you? What are your names?

Anis.

I'm Neon.

Rapi. Together, we form the Counters.

Commander? Does that mean you're the leader?

Does anyone know where Makima is?

Given the peculiar nature of the current situation,

she's in an emergency meeting with the higher-ups.

So, where are you guys really from?

I told you, we just... appeared.

Still sticking with those lies, are you?

It's the truth.

You don't know about the Raptures, the Ark, or even how you got here. I'm astonished.

That makes two of us.

Did we actually end up in another world?

Don't you think that's a bit...

Far-fetched?

...

I don't want to believe it either, but look around you. It's the truth.

We have to find a way back.

Sure, but how do we do that?

...

*Yawn*

When do we get to eat?

...

...

On that note, perhaps we should get something to eat?

What is this? It's delicious.

I haven't tried it myself, so I don't know.

Want to try some? You can have a bite of mine, and I'll have some of yours.

I'll think about it...

Say, you guys got beer or something like that around here?

We do, but not a lot.

That's fine, even a few drops would do me a world of good.

Not right now. We're still technically on duty.

So... does that mean I can have some later?

Probably.

Well, good things come to those who wait!

What is this meat? I've never tasted anything like it.

We call that Nutrium.

It's not from an actual animal, but crafted in a lab from all sorts of bits and pieces.

... And it's safe to eat?

Sure it is... I think.

You guys seem to be really enjoying it, too.

Meat, meat, meat! Look at that pile of meat!

Hey, hands off! There's plenty to go around!

This body of mine needs all the meat it can get.

Tell me about it.

Sorry to interrupt your dinner.

We've decided the Counters and the Devil Hunters should join forces and head up to the surface.

We triangulated the source of the energy waves. It's coming somewhere near the Lift.

All of you, go up and launch a joint investigation.

I'm sorry, Deputy Commander, but it's too dangerous for humans to go up to the surface.

For the time being, we'll be referring to the energy waves as D-Waves.

According to the physical examinations carried out on D-Wave and the Devil Hunters,

traces of the same wavelength have been found in both of them.

I believe there's some kind of connection here that deserves a closer look.

Consider it an extension of your duties monitoring these five individuals.

Surely this is better and more useful than keeping them hidden away?

Head out after you're done eating.

Ah yes, before that, be sure to drop by the armory.

That is all.

... Did he say armory?

As soon we pick out our weapons, we'll head up to the surface.

You've got your pick of the litter.

How exactly are we supposed to use these weapons?

These are weapons designed to work against Raptures. Our battlefield strategies are created with these weapons in mind.

Our tactics don't incorporate any other weapons systems. We attempted that in the past, but it proved difficult to provide sufficient cover for each other.

...

...

How intense are the battles?

Very.

Is dying out there a likely possibility?

Maybe. Can't say for sure.

Then I'll pick this.

Huh? What was that sound?

All weapons manufactured in the Ark utilize fingerprint recognition.

Anyone other than the registered user will be unable to use it.

No kidding! This is fun.

What about you, Denji? Power?

I like this one!

I'll go for this one.

Are there any weapons left for me?

No, I'm afraid that was all of them.

...

There are plenty of ways you could help us that don't involve a weapon. You could be our backup, how does that sound?

Sounds like I don't have much of a choice.

Commander, we're all done here.

Roger.

Man, what a desolate place...

The surface has been ravaged by Raptures.

Okay, I've been wondering for a while now: What exactly is a 'Rapture'?

Raptures detected up ahead. Within engagement distance.

Guess I'll get to see for myself soon enough.

Trust me, you'll get to see plenty of them from here on out.

How many Raptures are you picking up? Is it a small group?

Only those with registered weapons engage. Everyone else, stand by.

I'll turn these things into mincemeat!

Time to say goodnight!

... Encounter.

All clear.

Very impressive.

Himeno is a natural with the crossbow.

Power as well. At first, it looks like she's just firing indiscriminately,

but her bullets always find their target.

This body of mine cannot be beaten!

Good. His powers are quite useful in a fight.

But a typical battle formation consists of five people. There are seven of us...

Two of us will always have to sit the battle out.

We'll have Power and Himeno at the front since they hit the hardest and have the highest accuracy.

Hayakawa and Denji will be on standby as backup if necessary.

Given the uncertainty of this operation, it's too great a risk us to compromise on attributes like firepower and accuracy.

Hey, did you all hear that?

Leave it to me!

Got it.

Whatever you say.

Okay.

All right, let's move.

I'm declaring a strike.

What? Where'd that come from?

I meant what I said. I refuse to fight any further.

Okay, but why?

I'm doing all the heavy lifting in these fights.

Meanwhile, you two are behind slacking!

We're your backup.

Yeah!

I don't need backup. That means you're of no use.

What does any of this have to do with you refusing to fight?

While I'm fighting, you're doing nothing.

I don't like it!

All right then, do you have any bright ideas?

It's simple.

You will become my slaves.

Your slaves?

If neither of you are going to fight, the least you can do is make someone who IS fighting, like me, comfortable.

We all know I'm the best fighter among us.

It's only natural that you two should serve me.

This is ridiculous.

I refuse.

Very well, then promise to grant me one wish, and I'll consider fighting again.

It's almost impressive how much nonsense you're spouting right now.

I'm not buying that either.

...

Then I'm not fighting.

Fine, let's hear it. What would your wish be?

You both have to give me your food rations later.

... Come again?

Promise that you'll give me your share of the food, and I won't make you my slaves.

Cool your jets, we haven't agreed to anything yet.

Then I'm not fighting.

Stop it already! The gist is that you want something to eat, yes?

We'll be resting in a little while. You can have something to eat then.

If you don't give me their share as well, I won't fight.

We can't deprive Aki and Denji of their portions. They still need the energy to keep up with us.

How about I give you a slightly bigger portion? Would that work?

Fine.

*Sigh*

...

Let's get a move on.

We've arrived at the destination.

... Is that a Rapture over there?

It looks like one, but it's not moving.

That must be the source of the D-Wave.

Do you think that thing has something to do with us being here?

Awaiting your orders, Commander.

Roger.

...?

Pathetic. You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. Sit back and watch.

What the...?!

What's going on here?

It seems to be able to deflect projectiles.

I wonder what it's trying to achieve?

Wha... why can't I move forward?

?!

It's not just projectiles. It can repel anything physical.

Could it be some kind of magnetic field? Even if it is, I've never seen one this powerful.

...

Commander, I suggest we pull back.

No, we'd only be putting ourselves in greater danger.

We've done our part. We've confirmed there is some kind of entity here.

The Ark can handle the rest.

Let's pull back.

Whatever this thing is, it's impervious to any of our attacks at the moment.

We've decided on a name for that colossal Rapture you came across: Gatekeeper.

A full research team has been dispatched to investigate.

As you mentioned in your report, anything attempting to approach it is physically repelled.

All the top minds of the Ark are on this case, so I'm sure we'll find something soon.

At least a week, but no more than 10 days.

There's no doubt that Rapture is the original source of the mysterious wavelength.

It's just a matter of time before we find out what's going on.

There is, however, another problem that might be even bigger than the Gatekeeper.

The prevailing question right now is: what do we do with the Devil Hunters while we wait for the research team's findings?

They've been nothing but cooperative since they first appeared,

and they have never acted in a threatening manner.

I've therefore determined that they pose no threat to you.

As of now, the Devil Hunters are to be incorporated into your squad.

They are free to move within the Ark, so long as they are traveling with you, or have been given your express permission.

Naturally, this arrangement is only temporary until we conclude our investigation on the surface.

If you've got the time, I'd suggest giving them a tour of the Ark.

Good. That is all.

That was a job well done up there.

So we're not considered a threat, and we're free to roam around until the investigation is complete.

Everyone, let's go.

Where?

It's time to check out what this place has to offer in terms of cuisine. And booze.

You're not planning on getting drunk, are you?

Depends on how good the booze is.

I'm out of cigarettes as well.

I'm sure we can find you some of those too.

Will we be eating meat?

Of course.

Then I'm coming too!

We never got to finish our first meal,

so we can pick up where we left off.

I'll get us a table. If you guys have time, you should join us.

I think you've got your work cut out for you, Commander.