Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

…At around the same time, over in Castle Seyfert’s garden.

“…Ah.”

That aloof girl wearing a gothic lolita outfit, Aery, who was leisurely enjoying a cup of tea as usual…suddenly raised her head, mumbling to herself.

“…Hm?”
“What happened, Aery?”

Her musings were too quiet for Jade and Sara to hear, who had stayed behind in case of an emergency.

“Oh…maybe I got carried away when we were waiting. So she’s woken up so soon.”
“Who woke up?”
“Hm, never mind that.”

Still confused, Sara tilted her head… but Aery was done talking about it, focusing on her tea again.

“…Aw too bad, he’s as good as dead.”

And that was the end of it.

◇◇◇

…The Dragonbone Desert, a piece of land where an ancient battle was fought, so fierce that it permanently changed its terrain. To its east were a group of ruins, atop of which the fallen empire built Fort Vargan.

As soon as the battle in the valley ended, Crim headed there to counterattack.

The Holy Kingdom realized that Fort Vargan would become the next battlefield and called in reinforcements, but only few showed up, as most players had already given up.

Most of Lua Cheia’s players were enough to deal with the resistance in the fort…allowing their leader Crim to rush on ahead with Frey and Freya.

“Crim, enemies ahead!”
“We’ll break through..!”

The words had hardly left Freya’s mouth when Crim turned into a blur through the corridor, instantly reaching striking distance.

*…I’m still too slow.*

It was an odd feeling, like she had to fight her own body. Her mind and instincts were too fast, her body becoming sluggish by comparison as she violently swung her sword.

Meanwhile, the players movements were even slower, unable to react and being removed from the fight in the blink of an eye.

«Player Crim’s current physical burden has exceeded normal values.»

Another enemy was hiding around the corner. A sharp turn and she was ready to swing again…when a loud crack came from her elbow and her sword refused to move. She could only scowl seeing a mace flung at her, forcing her to evade.

Then she used the bloody claws on her left hand to tear that player apart and continue her mad dash.

«Player Crim’s number of eliminations has exceeded normal values.»

Another weird system notification popped in the corner of her eye. That meant nothing to her now, there were more enemies to…

“Crim, no, stop!!”
“…?!”

Only Freya’s voice was able to stop her. Crim snapped out of it, her blade held up high and moments before from striking the next player.

That player, a young girl roughly the same age as Crim, held her hands up showing she meant no harm, her face pale and shaking seeing how close the blade had gotten. She even had tears in her eyes.

“You…you’re the Scarlet Demon Lord, right?”
“…And who art thou, then?”

A shaky voice escaped the girl’s lips, and Crim wrested back control of herself as she asked back.

“I knew it… Follow me, the devil you’re looking for is over here, on the rooftop.”
“Hmm, why wouldst thou aid me? Art thou not of the Holy Kingdom?”
“Well yes, but I’m on your side. Me and…”

Her explanation was cut short by Freya, who raised her voice in surprise, remembering something.

“Ah, are you part of the group helping new players?”
“Yes, that’s us! We’ve been secretly working with someone to fix the issues with the Holy Kingdom, and make it a good place again!”

In short, there had been a coup in the fort.

“The enemy of mine enemy is mine friend… or so it is said. Very well, I shall accept thine aid.”
“Thank you, come!”

The girl turned around to show them the way, and Crim attempted to follow, when Freya held back her arm.

“Not so fast, Crim. Healing first.”
“Healing? I’m in perfect… Huh?”

Freya’s firm words confused Crim, who attempted to break free and keep moving, and then she noticed her right arm. She did not remember being struck or shot, but her elbow was torn open, her forearm twisted in an unnatural angle.

With Crim fully healed, they followed the revolting players through the fort, reaching the rooftop.

“…I knew you would come after me, Scarlet Demon Lord Crim Lua Cheia.”
“Bifrons…!”

Seeing the figure standing there…Bifrons, Crim bared her fangs as she lowered her stance, holding her blade ready. But he appeared fully resigned to his fate, chuckling with self-derision as he covered his face.

“So this is it, I wanted to believe that I wouldn’t die a pitiful death… But it’s all clear to me now. Fate can be a cruel mistress.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, Bifrons!”

Frey questioned him further, but Bifrons merely shrugged.

“Oh it’s nothing, I just can’t help but laugh at the realization that devils are but a trivial evil, and the truly terrifying thing is human nature… But that doesn’t mean I’ll just keel over and die without a fight.”

As he spoke, Bifrons’ body began to swell and shapeshift into a large grim reaper. This time he was not holding back, going all out right from the start.

*”I’ll just strive until the very end…!”*

He readied his scythe, but…

“…He’s scared?”

Freya blurted in confusion. It was true, Bifrons looked like he wanted to run away, trembling in fear as he saw no way out.

*…But what’s he scared of?*

The last time they fought him, Crim had the elite members of her Union present, but now they were only three, Crim, Frey, and Freya. The twins naturally turned to look at Crim, the one who had rushed there breaking through all defenses with unimaginable momentum.

“…This shall be thy end. Best finish thine prayers while thou yet can.”

Crim held her scythe at her hip as she said that, closing her eyes to gather her focus.

«Thought patterns have exceeded normal values»

“Woah!”
“Kyah?!”

Crim was enveloped in a red whirlwind. There was a burst of red embers around her, which then gathered back into her body…

“Crim…is that you?”

Dumbfounded, Frey asked her.

She was still standing there, not having moved a muscle. It was her… all of her features remained, but her appearance had changed. Her pure white hair had gained a strange scarlet glimmer. Her limbs, once supple and soft, appeared vigorous, pulsating with strength.

And the biggest change was behind her. A pair of bat wings stretched out, large like those of a demon, not too dissimilar from the blood ones that manifested whenever she used Noble Red.

Overall…she had a far more striking appearance than ever before, one no one could turn away from.

…She had become a true Demon Lord.

Frey and Freya thought that at the same time, merely mumbling their thoughts. That was the moment she had truly woken up as Crim Lua Cheia, the Scarlet Demon Lord.

«All conditions have been met for the player Crim to evolve species.»
«Player Crim has acquired the Skill: Qliph1i Bacikal Level 1»

***

**-Description**

«Qliph1i Bacikal»
– The remains of the long lost original Qliph1i, dredges of strength *laying dormant within every single player*, though extremely difficult to unleash.
– The oldest Qliph, ruler of the heresy of Bacikal, and the Unchained who chose to fight against the God of Fate.
– Those who obtain this Skill are allowed to evolve into a higher species.
– Its power is hardly noticeable at Level 1, serving merely as an indicator that one has qualified for it.