Sequence #1

Killer Konnect: New Blood

SEQUENCE #1

Murder.

The original sin.

An act which can never be undone.

From the dawn of civilization, it has been a taboo and forbidden practice across the world.

And the people who dare to break this taboo…

Are called killers.

Those exceptional enough to disregard society's most core tenant. And of course, those who can do so repeatedly…

Are known as serial killers.

To be so exceptional is to be both hated and loved… feared and respected. Serial killers make their mark on history without hesitation.

Everyone thinks about murder from time to time. It's a normal part of being a living organism. But those who can actually achieve it reach a new level of self-realization.

While most might not admit it, everyone admires those who can do what they cannot. It's a basic principle.

Even murder is no different. That is why serial killers attain a sort of cult status. They are, in a morbid sense, a kind of celebrity. That is, 'one to be celebrated'.

This is a story about such individuals. Those who rose above the common rabble to become something greater…

…To become infamous.

Six months ago… a couple returned to their darkened home. On the kitchen table was a computer-typed note.

It read as follows;

Kon

"Dear Shit Parents. Even with your smoother-than-baby-butt brains, you've probably already guessed who this is from"

Kon

"That's right. It's your 'failure' of ason. The one who locks himself in his room to avoid the pointless argument of the day. And I'm sure you can already tell what this is about"

Kon

"I'll keep this nice and kindergarten-level easy for you. Simply put, I don't need you anymore"

Kon

"I'm issuing an emancipation proclamation on myself. I'm tired of school, I'm tired of you busybodies nosing into my business… but mostly…"

Kon

"I'm tired of pretending that I'm a normal person"

Kon

"If working a 9-5 is all that's in my future, I'd rather off myself right now. Another data point on the country's suicide charts, another face in the crowd either way"

Kon

"Don't blame yourselves though. It's your parents' generation that's robbing us all blind. But I'm too smart to spend my life as a wage-slave"

Kon

"I can't be a proper citizen like you idiots. A dishonest living is the only way I can be honest to myself. It's just who I am"

Kon

"Don't bother trying to find me. This ain't goodbye, it's farewell. If the neighbors ask, just say you never had a son"

Kon

"Shouldn't be too hard, all things considered…"

Kon

"Ciaociao, suckers"

And so the boy fled to the coastal city of Kirinoda Kove.

On his own at fifteen years of age, nothing but a backpack full of crypto-mining equipment and a dream.

He didn't expect anyone to take him seriously. So he let money do all the talking. And soon enough he found himself saddled with the shadiest landlord in the city.

The kind of guy who didn't care if you were underage as long as he got paid. An upstanding citizen if ever there was one. But just what the boy needed.

Kon

Ah, freedom. So liberating. Finally escaped that suburban cage. Feels so good to be unrestrained.

Despite this, the boy remained locked in his apartment. Only his hands dared leave to retrieve the packages left at his doorstep.

Kon

Woah! Delivery is way faster than out in the sticks! I feel like I'm living in the future! You can even order food online these days!

Kon

Computer parts are expensive though… Looks like its cup ramen and bottled tea for me! Atleast until I get a decent rig up and running…

Kon

But it's amazing how much anime you can watch in a day when you don't have to go to school! Wish I had something better than this outdated phone, but all in due time…

Kon

Am I lonely? Obviously not, voices in my head. I've got you, after all! The best kind of friend, one that doesn't talk back!

Kon

You just sit there and read my thoughts! Just you and me! I can say whatever I want with no judgement! Ahaha!

Kon

For example, I masturbated eight times the other day! Eight times! That's an average of once every three hours! I'd like to see the wage-slaved try to squeeze that in!

Kon

I can sleep whenever I feel like it! I don't even know what time it is right now! It doesn't matter! It's all an illusion!

Kon

Hungry? I eat. Sleepy? I sleep. See a cute anime girl on Twitter? I jack off. This is ideal living. Stop deluding yourselves, L O L

Kon

Human contact? Bah! Who needs it? Don't you understand that if a global pandemic were to break out, I'd come out on top? What even compares to an advantage like that?

Kon

Huh? COVID-19? What are you talking about? I don't need the voices in my head to start spouting off conspiracy nonsense.

Kon

I can't understate how much I am not the crazy one here.

Kon

Don't make me drown you out with podcasts!

Podcast

Welcome back to the Kirinoda Khronicle, your one-stop shop for all things true crime. We've got something big tonight for you murder aficinados out there.

Podcast

We've got reports on yet another slash-related death in the Business District. Looks like several right across the solar plexus!

Podcast

Yowch! That's gonna leave some marks! This is the seventh case of this nature in just the past month. But once again, it appears to have happened in a locked room!

Kon

A locked room? Like from the inside? How does that work?

Podcast

Your guess is as good as ours, listeners! These baffling cases have puzzled local police so much, they are refusing to release details out of fear of being seen as incompetent!

Kon

If they don't want to be seen as incompetent, maybe they should try being more competent.

Kon

Still… this stimulates my hippocampus something fierce! I must know more! I will pluck this RSS feed of all of its succulent secrets!

Kon

It's not like I have anything better to do, right? Can't game without a GPU! So local crime research it is! The only natural conclusion, of course.

The boy proceeded to spend the next few days absorbing everything he could about local serial killers from a variety of sources.

Podcast

Coroner's report indicates the victim was injected with something or other from behind. But toxicology has yet to determine the exact substance…

Podcast

Strange report tonight. An entire block goes dark just before a pile of bodies is discovered in an alley just off 23rd. The kicker? They were arranged in the shape of the letter 'B'...

Podcast

In other news, that damned biker gang is revving up near the pier again. The 'Chain-Linked Devils' of whatever they're calling themselves.

Podcast

Unsettling case this time. Man discovered alone in his home, supposedly found dead from old age. Which is concerning since his ID claims he was only 33 years old… Spooky.

Podcast

People are complaining of strange buzzing noises around the city. Listeners, it ain't cicada season yet. Something is definitely going on and my gut says aliens.

Podcast

Caller tipped us off about witnessing a metal man running across rooftops. Could the government be deploying covert cyborg ops to combat this recent rise in serial killers?

Podcast

Local vigilante, the 'Krimson Krow' stops another robbery in progress. Police returned favor by threatening to arrest him! Pigs sure can be ungrateful, huh?

Podcast

What exactly is the Kirihana Korportation doing at the Memorial Theater? It's been off-limits for months now with guards patrolling 24/7… What are they hiding?

Podcast

Another update, folks. An eighth locked-room stabbing has just been uncovered. This time the victim was found in his own wine cellar. Looks like nowhere's safe out there.

Kon

All of this research has lead me to a single undeniable conclusion…

Kon

THIS TOWN IS CRAZY!? ARE ALL CITIES LIKE THIS? I SUDDENLY FEEL VALIDATED IN MY SELF-ISOLATING LIFESTYLE! IT'S NUTS OUT THERE!

Kon

But what intrigues me most are these locked-room stabbings… it's just physically impossible! There's no rational explanation! I've approached it from every angle!

Kon

So the only thing left to do is… obviously make up a completely baseless supernatural theory! I feel an insane compulsion to do so! Like nothing I've ever known!

Kon

Ah! My new keyboard arrived just in time! What better way to break this bad-boy in than to make a long-winded conspiracy rant on /r/kirinodakove?

Kon

And just for good measure, I'll email it to the Khronicle too!

Several days passed as the online post gained more traction than expected. People seemed eager to indulge in baseless speculation. But what else is new?

Podcast

It's the theory everyone's talking about! So of course we at the Kirinoda Khronicle just had to cover it too! Today we're diving into the 'Slash Reaper' rumors!

Kon

!? They're actually covering it!? Oh my, what is this intense feeling of embarrassment!? People are taking it so seriously! I just made it up on a whim at 3AM!

Podcast

Utilizing a pair of cursed daggers, the Slash Reaper can instantly teleport between locations! Here's how the theory breaks it down!

Podcast

The Slash Reaper hides one of the blades in the confined space. When the victim secludes themselves, they're actually sealing off any possible escape!

Podcast

The blades possess a mysterious property that allows instantaneous teleportation between them!

Podcast

Activating this ability, they leave one dagger behind while shifting themselves to the other one inside the locked room! Now they're ready to strike!

Podcast

The victim, utterly perplexed by the sudden appearance of someone in their supposedly impenetrable space, is too dazed to even try to defend themselves! The element of surprise!

Podcast

The Slash Reaper then teleports back out with the second dagger still in hand! A perfectly unsolvable crime with no evidence left behind! Nobody the wiser!

Podcast

In our professional opinion, this all seems a little convenient and far-fetched. But it does make for a fascinating story, doesn't it?

Kon

Pft! Last week you went on a twenty minute tirade about how the reptilians are manipulating the stock market! And you're calling MY theory far-fetched!?

Kon

Still… I can't blame'em. It is pretty dumb. Just one of those silly theories that popped into my head on a whim. I'm not gonna put too much stock in it myself.

Kon

That said, people are really taking to the name 'Slash Reaper'... I do admit that is the coolest part. I can take pride in getting to coin a moniker atleast!

Kon

Imagine being the guy who came up with 'Zodiac Killer'... Wait, I think he called himself that… Ah, whatever!

Kon

Anyway! The last of my computer parts should in tomorrow! Finally I can get back to what really matters…. Pwning n00bz!

Kon

…Why do I feel such intense judgement? Shut up, voices in my head! It's still cool! You wish you were this cool!

Another week passed as the legend of the 'Slash Reaper' only continued to grow beyond the boy's notice.

Kon

Grr… My fridge is emptier than a politician's promises… Looks like I'm going to have to venture outside for my sustenance… Stupid mortal body…

Kon

One day we'll all live inside computers! And then maybe I'll look back at moments like this nostalgically! Heh, yeah right…

It was the first time the boy needed to leave his apartment in quite awhile. He had only done so a handful of times since running away from home.

He attracted a few confused glances from his neighbors due to both the novelty of witnessing him in person as well as his advanced LED goggles obscuring his eyes.

Kon

Tch… What!? Never seen a pair of goggles before? Stop staring, it's not that unusual! Haven't you ever seen Digimon?

Kon

If someone were reading my mind right now, would they see my thoughts in an italicized font?

Kon

Is there a carbon monoxide leak!? Who thinks stuff like that!?

Kon

Whatever. Just gotta stock up and get out. Let'em stare! I don't care! Look at me, certified freak! Do you feel better about yourselves yet?

The boy loaded up his backpack full of snacks and drinks before rushing back up the fire escape stairs to his apartment. Cold sweat was running down his back.

Kon

Agh… Maybe I should make a habit of walking these stairs more often… I'm getting winded from just this…

When he returned to his apartment however, he found it in a pitch black state.

Kon

Huh? Did I flip the lights off before I left…?

Kon

Gaah! What the shit!?

The boy was startled and blinded as the lights flashed on suddenly. He found himself knocked to the floor in an instant.

Kira

…

Kira

…You're the one?

Kon

…Huh?

As his eyes adjusted, he saw the figure before him. A lithe girl holding a dagger to his throat from above.

In her other hand… was an identical dagger.

Kon

T-Twin daggers!? Wait… don't tell me…

Kira

…You got it right. I'm the… Slash Reaper that everyone's talking about… thanks to you…

Kon

ARGH! I TOLD YOU NOT TO TELL ME!

Kira

Keep your voice down or you'll never speak again.

Kira

The walls are thinner than you think, idiot.

Kon

B-But this is impossible! Y-You're not real! I m-made it all up! It was 3AM brain! A practically delusional state of being!

Kira

You're delusional for sure, but even broken clocks… well, I'm sure you know.

Kon

S-So you're telling me that stuff I made up with true!? Am I psychic!? Is that why you're here? You've come to kill me so I don't awaken to my latent psychic abilities!?

Kira

You're not psychic, you're a moron who got lucky.

Kon

F-From this end of the knife, I have a very different definition of lucky!

Kira

Shut up. I'm not gonna kill you if you just do what I say.

Kon

Am I a hostage!? I warn you! I don't have rich relatives! I j-just bought a new computer so I'm kinda low on funds myself! I don't suppose you'd take an I.O.U?

Kira

Do you ever stop talking…?

Kon

If I stopped talking, I'd have to mentally process my own mortality and that would kind of be a mood-killer!

Kira

I just said I'm not gonna kill you. Don't make me change my mind.

Kon

Aha! The serial iler says she won't kill me! That's a good one! Like when the aliens say they come in peace! How smooth do you think my brain is to believe that crap!?

Kon

How do I even know you're the real Slash Reaper? Yeah, you've got two knives, big deal! Can you really teleport with them? You'd redefine scientific literature if you could!

Kira

…If it'll make you shut up.

The girl retracted one of her blades and tossed it on the nearby bed. In an instant, she vanished in a red blink before reappearing on the sheets, both blades in hand.

The boy used this opportunity to scramble to his feet and make a break for the exit. The girl tossed a knife in his direction, embedding it in the door.

Suddenly, she appeared at the door and pulled the knife out, holding it up to the boy's throat again, causing him to back away slowly.

Kon

O-Okay! I believe you! T-That was just a test! You passed!

Kira

Uhh, sure.

Kon

To think the Slash Reaper is read! And a cute girl! That's almost as unbelievable as there being a girl in my room in the first place!

Kira

I won't kill you but I will cut you if you piss me off.

Kon

H-How did you even find me!? D-Don't tell me that I forgot to switch on my VPN!? Ugh! It's just like the ads always said! You never know whose watching your online activity!

Kira

I've been watching this place all week… I thought you'd never leave this room… such a pain, I should cut you for that alone…

Kon

O-Okay but not the hands! I need those for gaming! And n-not near any major organs, yeah? H-How about a nice safe upper arm cut? That do it for ya!?

Kira

I go by instinct, I'll cut wherever I feel like.

Kon

T-That's cool! Totally cool! Far be it from me to tell a serial killer how to do their job! C-Cut me up any which way! My body is your blank canvas!

She lightly jabbed him in the upper arm. He yelped in pain.

Kon

Ow! W-Why!?

Kira

That's for making it sound gross.

Kon

Y-You're smiling! I'm in pair and you're smiling!

Kira

It feels good to see an idiot suffer.

Kon

A-Are you one of those people who gets off on seeing blood!? Are you even old enough to develop such a fetish!?

The girl stabbed his other arm.

Kira

Stop. Making. It. Sound. Gross.

Kon

The stabber doesn't get to claim moral high ground! Goddamn that hurts! And those were just little pricks! How sharp are those things!?

Kira

Keep talking and you'll find out.

Kon

Agh! I'm so conflicted! You're really good at the whole threatening thing but you're also so cute that the signals in my brain are getting all messed up!

Kon

When I envisioned the Slash Reaper, I was imagining a hardened rock-star looking dude in a trench coat! Like SCP-076 or that guy from Hatred!

Kira

You must not be scared enough if you're making weird references. How much do I have to cut you to make you behave?

Kon

References are part of the Kon Katsuhira experience! If you don't like it, go threaten a salaryman or something!

Kira

Your name is Kon?

Kon

Y-Yes! Like K-On! Hold the dash! I can't play the guitar but I do like tea and cake!

Kira

One syllable, easy to remember.

Kon

That's me! A memorable guy! Ask anyone whose seen me! They'll tell you! 'Oh, that freak with the goggles, yeah I saw him'. Just like that!

Kira

You're gonna help me, Kon.

Kon

H-Help you!? I'm no killer! I'm an edgelord but I just talk a big game on the internet! I have to work up the nerve just to squash a spider!

Kira

I do the killing. You help me find my targets, and I won't kill you. That sound like a fair deal?

Kon

B-But you've already got an impressive kill count! You don't seem to be having any problems with that so-

Kira

Those were normal people. This is different.

Kon

Different how…?

Kira

I need to kill the other killers. You're an expert, so you're going to track them down for me.

Kon

A serial killer killing other serial killers!? Isn't that like, against the code of honor or something? Or is that thieves!? A-Anyway, that's crazy!

Kira

These aren't ordinary serial killers. They have Cursed Artifacts, just like my knives.

Kon

C-Cursed Artifacts…?

Kira

Cursed Artifacts are items imbued with demonic energy. They empower the user and have special properties. All those abnormal things you've heard about lately?

Kon

Yeah?

Kira

Cursed Artifacts are the reason for them.

Kon

So now you're telling me demons are real too!? I'm starting to think the Khronicle might be onto something with the reptilians…

Kira

Don't be ridiculous.

Kon

But how did any of you even get such crazy objects? Did you raid an ancient temple? Did an elderly shaman sell them to you in a bazaar?

Kira

There was a ritual. A ritual to form a contract with a demon and create Cursed Artifacts. But they ended up in the wrong hands. I need to get them back.

Kon

Wrong hands? You're all serial killers, aren't you? What makes your hands any better than theirs?

Kira

That's none of your concern.

Kon

If it's gonna be my job, I think it is my concern!

Kira

You can have your opinion or you can have your life. Choose.

Kon

You know what, opinions are overrated!

Kira

Maybe you're only mostly stupid.

Kon

Funny, my guidance counselor said the same thing.

Kon

So how many other serial killers do you need to hunt down?

Kira

Six Cursed Artifacts are missing. A flashlight, a brooch, a syringe, a microchip, a chain and a stopwatch.

Kon

What an odd assortment. Did you hold this ritual at a garage sale by chance? What's next, a cursed G.I. Joe?

Kira

The nature of the contract is decided by the demon. If you have a problem, take it up with them.

Kon

I'll stick to the serial killers for now, thanks.

Kira

From the rumors, my knives seem like they're on the lower end of the power spectrum. That's why I need your help.

Kon

Now hold on a sec! Just because I did some research on local crime doesn't mean I'm an expert on chuuni warfare! I just learned what a Cursed Artifact was 20 lines ago!

Kira

Do you always count that?

Kon

It helps prove my points!

Kira

But you said you were a genius in your post… you wouldn't lie on the internet, would you?

Kon

Listen. Everyone lies on the internet. Also Santa Claus doesn't exist either. Although after all this demon talk, I'm not confident on that point.

Kira

It doesn't matter. Now that you know who I am, I can't let you go blabbing. You're helping me. If you die trying, I can always find someone else.

Kon

What a cutthroat attitude. You'd be a great CEO.

Kira

…

The girl stabbed him in the arm once again.

Kon

Gah! That was a compliment! Atleast stab the other arm again to distribute the pain evenly! I feel all lopsided now!

Kira

Don't tell me what to do.

Kon

But you like stabbing! C'mon! Lemme be your little pin cushion! Like a stress ball, but for psychopaths.

Kira

…

She stabbed him in the same arm for a third time.

Kon

Y-You did that on purpose! Instinct my ass! Oh damn… I'm starting to feel woozy… You wouldn't happen to have any coconut water, would you?

Kira

So we're clear, you are helping me, right?

Kon

If it's between that and dying, sure! One genius, at your service! Slap a collar on me and call me your slave!

Kira

I could always still kill you just because.

Kon

Got it! Ix-nay on the lave-say! Wouldn't want to be mistagged on VNDB anyway!

Kira

…What are you even talking about?

Kon

So… is this like a 'you'll start on Monday' deal or…?

Kira

We start now.

Kon

Now!? Like now now!? You're staying here? But there's only one bed…

Kira

So sleep on the floor.

Kon

You're taking my bed!?

Kira

What's yours is mine.

Kon

Not true! You can't have my crypto rig! It's my lifeblood!

Kira

That smells like leverage to me.

Kon

Aah! Why did I tell you about that!?

Kira

You are the dumbest genius ever.

Kon

Typical. I get a girl in my bed but I don't get to be in it! …Why am I thinking about that when my life's just been turned upside-down!?

Kon

My peaceful existence… compromised…

Kon

By the way… What am I supposed to call you? Or does 'Little Miss Slash Reaper, Her Highness', work?

Kira

…Kira. My name is Kira.

Kon

Oh, I see. And was that established before or after you got into the murdering field?

Kira

My name is Kira.

Kon

…Okay then.

Kon

If this girl is on the low-end, just what kinds of insane people are we going up against? Time to put knuckle to the grindstone and do some serious research!

Kon

Dear Mom and Dad, you don't know it but I've just met the cutest serial killer that ever was. Unfortunately, I fear she might just be the death of me.

Kon

Sincerely, your son, the S-rank failure.

SEQUENCE #1

END