Anime Crossover: Post-Apocalyptic Survival, My Stand is the World

He leaned against the doorframe quietly, watching her with an air of leisure, as if he had been standing there for a very long time.

"Su Chenjun?"

"when will you……"

“When you swung your sword for the 1080th time,” Su Chen said calmly, his tone as if stating a simple fact.

"..."

Saeko was overwhelmed with shock, even more so than when she had faced hundreds of monsters alone earlier.

How long has this man been watching here?

And he himself, a top swordsman who prides himself on his keen senses, did not notice anything at all from beginning to end.

This shows that if he wanted to, he could deliver a fatal blow to himself from behind at any moment when he was most relaxed.

"You are very strong, Ms. Saeko."

Su Chen walked in slowly. His gaze did not fall on Saeko herself, but on her Murata sword, which gleamed coldly in the moonlight.

"Your swordsmanship is already the best I have ever seen."

“He’s even a bit stronger than a certain Mibu Wolf I know who only knows how to shout ‘Evil must be slain.’”

“But…” His tone suddenly shifted, becoming sharp, like a drawn blade piercing straight to the heart, “Your sword is missing something.”

"what?"

"'scabbard'."

Su Chen looked into her purple eyes, which had suddenly narrowed because of his words, and pointed out the deepest confusion and fear in her heart.

"You're too caught up in the adrenaline rush of killing enemies."

“Some even enjoy it.”

"You are not fighting; you are using killing to numb your fear of the apocalypse and your confusion about your own overwhelming power."

"Am i right?"

"..."

"..."

Saeko was silent.

She gripped the Murata in her hand tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white from the excessive force.

Because every word this man said struck a chord deep within her heart, to that dark side she herself was unwilling to touch, a side filled with bloodshed and darkness.

She was indeed enjoying the killing.

She even somewhat wished that this apocalypse could last forever.

Only here could the beast within her, the one called "Ghost," yearning for battle and blood, be completely and unrestrainedly unleashed.

She is a cannibalistic monster disguised as a "swordsman".

"so what?"

Finally, she raised her head and asked in a tone full of self-mockery and provocation, trying to cover up her inner wavering.

"In this dog-eat-dog world, wouldn't 'ghosts' have an easier time surviving than 'humans'?"

"is it?"

Su Chen smiled.

"maybe."

"But have you ever thought about what will happen after you've killed all your enemies?"

"When the world returns to peace and no longer needs your 'Demon Blade'."

"You, this demonic sword that can no longer find a target to slash, in the end..."

"Who will it be aimed at?"

"!"

Saeko's body trembled violently, as if struck by an invisible bolt of lightning.

Yes.

Who will I swing at then?

Are they the "weak" who don't know how to fight and enjoy peace?

Or... was it that he couldn't bear the loneliness of peace and ultimately chose self-destruction?

……

Seeing her expression of confusion and pain once again, Su Chen didn't continue to preach about life to her.

Because he knew that for a pure warrior like Saeko, any words would be pale and powerless.

The only thing that can communicate with her is a knife.

He slowly drew a black Western-style longsword from behind him, its blade engraved with ancient clock markings and full of Gothic style.

This was a trophy he had seized from one of the clones of a certain madman, and he had kept it as a souvenir.

Although it's just a piece of ordinary iron, it's enough.

"Come on, Ms. Saeko."

He pointed the cold tip of his blade at the purple-haired woman before him, whose expression was complex, and a serious smile full of fighting spirit and appreciation appeared on his face.

That smile was no longer the usual laziness, but the highest invitation extended by a martial arts master to another master.

"Let me be the one."

"Your whetstone, perhaps."

Chapter 157 The Final Concert

The duel under the moon with Saeko ended in a draw.

Su Chen didn't use his unreasonable Stand ability. He simply relied on the extraordinary intuition and reaction speed brought by the [Triple Rebirth] technique to engage in a thoroughly enjoyable "sparring" session with Saeko using the purest swordsmanship.

He didn't try to defeat her. Instead, he used his impenetrable defense, like a copper wall, and his occasional brilliant counterattacks, like a gazelle leaping across the sky, to slowly wear away the ferocity and rage that had accumulated on her blade from excessive killing. This allowed her sword heart, which had long been clouded by the madness of slaughter, to calm down again.

"I lost."

In the end, it was Saeko who put away her sword first.

Looking at the man who remained calm and composed throughout, without even the slightest disturbance in his breathing, she lowered her proud swordsman's head in complete admiration.

No, you didn't lose.

Su Chen also sheathed his sword, the black Western-style longsword twirling beautifully in his hand before silently returning to its scabbard behind him.

"You just haven't found your 'sheath' yet."

He looked at the thoughtful purple-haired woman and smiled. Her smile was like the cool moonlight, gentle yet clear.

"Take your time, there's no rush. This 'home' will be your best 'sheath'."

After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Saeko alone under the cold moonlight, quietly savoring his Zen-like words.

'Home...?'

She looked down at her hand, which was still tightly gripping the knife hilt, and then slowly loosened it.

……

Su Chen did not go back to rest immediately.

He arrived at the rooftop terrace, which offered the most expansive view.

The cold night wind blew against the hem of his clothes, completely calming his brain, which had been slightly feverish from the "sparring" earlier.

Then he saw those two strange girls who were also still awake.

Michiru Hyodo was sitting on the rooftop railing without any regard for her image, holding her beloved electric guitar "Fanta-kun" in her arms, tirelessly tuning the strings over and over again.

Her expression was focused and devout, as if what awaited her tomorrow was not a life-or-death war, but a grand rock music festival, the most important event of her life, which she had been looking forward to for a long time.

Beside her, Kato Megumi sat quietly as always, holding a cup of warm black tea, silently keeping her company.

She didn't speak, and her expression didn't change much either.

But in her calm, brown eyes, Michiru's vibrant figure and the cold, blood-red moon in the sky were clearly reflected.

It was as if she, the cool moonlight, and the rock-and-roll-spirited girl had already merged into one, forming a beautiful picture that was both incongruous and strangely harmonious.

"Aren't you two going to sleep yet?"

Su Chen walked over slowly, breaking the silence.

"Ah. Mr. Su Chen."

When Michiru saw him, a bright and energetic smile instantly bloomed on her face, as if even the surrounding night was illuminated.

"You weren't asleep either, were you?"

"I'm giving 'Fanta' its final pampering." She patted the guitar in her arms affectionately, her eyes filled with a tenderness as if she were looking at her closest comrade-in-arms.

"After all, tomorrow it will be performing on the most magnificent stage. I can't let it down at such a crucial moment."

"..."

Su Chen looked at her carefree and optimistic demeanor.

She glanced at Megumi, who was quietly nodding to her as a greeting, and a genuine, relaxed smile appeared on her face.

With them around, even the apocalyptic air, filled with the scent of death, seemed to become a little fresher.

He walked over to Michiru and, imitating her, sat down on the rooftop railing.

He gazed at the Metropolitan Government Building clock tower, which loomed in the night like a demon's city, and remained silent for a moment. Then, he suddenly made an extremely strange request to the girl, who exuded a rock and roll vibe.

"Hyoudou-san."

"Ok?"

“After everything is over tomorrow,” his voice was soft and gentle, yet carried an undeniable, almost contractual solemnity, “let’s hold a real concert for me, and for all our families.”

· ········Requesting flowers··· ··

"Eh?"

Michiru was stunned, even stopping her fingers from plucking the strings.

"A celebration concert that belongs only to us."

Looking into her beautiful, questioning eyes, Su Chen smiled and added, his smile appearing incredibly sincere in the moonlight.

"When the time comes, I'll have Kong build the most magnificent stage for us, Thor prepare the most lavish celebration banquet, and all our family members become your most loyal audience. How about that?"

"Will you take this commission?"

"..."

"..."

... . ...

Michiru stared at him blankly.

Looking into his earnest eyes, which were full of expectation and trust.

Her carefree heart, always filled with rock and roll, was deeply and gently touched at this moment.

Concert...

For family...

After the apocalypse...

"puff."

Finally, she smiled, a smile brighter than the stars in the sky, with even a glistening tear in the corner of her eye.

"of course."