7-Up - III

Yuuto had agreed to protect 7-Up's transport without knowing that it was a direct mission from the Boss. Tatsuya and his son knew but didn't care much.

Yuuto, on the other hand, couldn't bear the idea of working for that old man, in any way. He was always up to something, especially when he helped Yuuto.

He was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He thought freaking out in front of his friends, even more so when they helped him, hadn't been a good idea. Haji tried to comfort him, but he couldn't forgive himself for showing such ingratitude.

Everyone went to meet Yuuto. The first to speak was Tatsuya:

– I don't know what happened between you and the Boss, but those potions can't be drank alone.

– I know… But what if he's up to something?

– He certainly is, but that's no reason to refuse a gift from him.

– What's the point if I'm the only one going to withstand the level 7 of this potion?

– Nothing guarantees that. Any one of us can have level 7 compatibility besides you.

– And how are we going to test this? Give them all to drink and hope they survive?

– That's why I negotiated with the Boss after you left. I got some level 5 and 6 crates as well.

– How can you even negotiate with that guy?

– He's very flexible. He helps even the worst enemies.

Yuuto felt better. Everyone was there to test the potions they had worked so hard to get. It was the moment of truth. Who would withstand its effects and who would not? Only fate would decide. And also some other factors that were difficult to calculate.

They decided to drink the potions in a hospital somewhere, in case someone got badly hurt by the incompatibility. They could go to Kiseki's clinic, but they didn't know what the Healing power would do about it.

It could mitigate the pain while Kiseki was there, but the positive effects as well. It was uncertain what a mysterious power like that would do to an equally mysterious potion.

They stayed in the waiting room. 7-Up came in a custom association thermos. After drinking the potion, they could take the gift bottle. It was thermal because temperature affected the result.

The first person to take the 7-Up was Yuuto, who had a little discomfort but soon got used to it. That was just a refresher dose, so he obviously had a compatibility.

Tatsuya did the same. Everyone except him was surprised by the result: he didn't have any negative reactions. He had maximum compatibility and did not suffer any damage. He knew why, but couldn't tell anyone.

Besides them, only Anelise accepted the level 7 attempt right away. At first, it felt like everything had worked out. Then she felt increasing dizziness and nausea.

She lost the strength in her legs and knelt down. She started hearing voices in her head and going crazy. Worst of all, she felt such excruciating pain in her heart and brain that they seemed about to shut down or explode, whichever came first.

Worried, Malungo and Yuuto ran to the receptionist to announce the emergency. However, she interrupted them with a cry:

– I AM FINE! STAY OUT OF THIS! I'M JUST GETTING WARM UP!

Anelise was at her limit. She shouted that without even hearing her voice. Her ears were bleeding, so she lost her hearing. Dizziness and nausea took over her vision as well.

Her skin grew cold and she couldn't feel touch. Smell and taste were useless in that situation, but they probably stopped working too.

Disoriented, she reached for another thermos. She took all the contents as fast as she could. She instantly fainted. Even unconscious, she spat blood and her eyes also began to bleed.

Desperate, Charlotte shouted to Malungo and Yuuto who had stopped on the way to the receptionist:

– What are you doing?! Tell them this is an emergency!

Yuuto and Malungo continued on their way and scheduled the treatment with maximum urgency.

Genesis knelt down to treat her with what she could. She created first-aid kits, morphine, anesthesia and applied everything quickly to mitigate Anelise's suffering and slow down her blood loss.

Charlotte picked up Anelise's body and ran into the nearest room. She put her on a stretcher. Tatsuya followed Yuuto and Malungo to fill in the necessary details for later. Haji just watched in horror.

Doctors arrived immediately. The first thing they did was stop the bleeding. They tried every available option, but all they could do was slow down the certain death.

As they had never seen that phenomenon before, they didn't know what to do. They were out of options and especially time. As a last measure, they called Kiseki.

Yuuto offered to bring Kiseki, as it would speed up the process. With supersonic speed, he flew to the clinic and brought her to the hospital in less than two minutes.

Kiseki just laid her hand on Anelise's forehead and she healed completely in 5 seconds. Anelise woke up confused and not knowing what happened:

– Adolf-sama? I died and I'm in heaven with you?

Kiseki, not understanding what that was about, asked:

– Adolf… sama? Who would that person be, lady?

– What? Does that mean I didn't die? What a misfortune...

– O-Oh, I'm sorry, miss...

– Why are you apologizing? Are you not a nurse?

– Y-Yes! But I didn't know you felt that way...

– What a terrible nurse that lets suicides die because it's their choice.

– S-Sorry!

Charlotte, upon hearing the name Anelise mentioned, had a bad vague memory. She'd heard that somewhere before, and it couldn't be a good thing. Anelise continued:

– Whatever. If I survived, it means I still haven't fulfilled my role here on Earth.

Charlotte pulled herself together and remembered why that had happened. Crying, she slapped Anelise, exclaiming:

– Who do you think you are to have a suicidal attitude like that?! Do you think we don't care about you? Are you so selfish that you think we wouldn't cry over your death?

– Of course no one would cry. No one cried when my great-great-grandfather died. With me it would be no different.

– How can you say such a thing so nonchalantly?

– It's because it doesn't matter now. That was an ordeal. If I died, I would finally meet my great-great-grandfather. If I survived, I should become level 7 no matter what. That was the case.

– Level 7? What you mean? And what does that have to do with killing yourself?

– I've already said too much.

Anelise got up from the gurney, feeling completely fine. She approached Malungo, who was silently watching everything. She leaned in close, as if she wanted to see his expression.

His reaction was one of confusion, since she had never paid attention to him, other than when she wanted to mistreat him. She brought her hand close to Malungo's head, with a flicking gesture.

She flicked his forehead. However, he was thrown so far that he broke several walls on the way. When they rushed to help him, they saw that his head had been blown off by the impact. 

Kiseki soon healed him. He, even more confused than before, exclaimed:

– Are you crazy? It's not enough to endure your racism anymore, do you want to kill me?

Anelise ignored Malungo's indignation. She looked down at her fist as she opened and closed it. She was amazed at that strength. She monologued:

– It worked… The potion took effect… I'm finally as strong as a level 7!

Tatsuya walked over and grabbed Anelise's shoulder. Annoyed by all that unnecessary aggressiveness, he said:

– What do you think you are doing? He's your partner, and this is how you thank us for saving your lif-

Without waiting for Tatsuya to finish speaking, Anelise aimed at his face and punched with all her might. He narrowly dodged. He activated his energy sword and impaled Anelise's stomach. He alerted:

– Don't brag just because you got stronger. You haven't even reached my feet yet.

Anelise was surprised by that mastery. She thought he only had level 7 compatibility by luck, but he was much stronger than he looked.

Kiseki healed everyone and repaired everything that had been destroyed in the conflict. Tatsuya made sure to stay close to Anelise at all times, to watch over her. She behaved, knowing she didn't stand a chance against him.

They continued to take the potions. Since Kiseki was now there, Genesis, Haji, Malungo and Charlotte chose level 7. 

Everyone's reaction was similar to Anelise's. Except they didn't push themselves as hard as she did. Kiseki healed everyone. They insisted that only the terminally ill be healed. If Kiseki 's power interfered with the process, it could affect the outcome.

They went to a nearby square to test each other's strength. Anelise asked to be faced by everyone at the same time, except for Yuuto, Tatsuya and Kiseki.

Malungo was the first to attack. He was still resentful of what Anelise had done, so his rage intensified the attack. He quickly ran towards her to punch her.

She jumped to dodge. Charlotte used her power to reach her in the air. Charlotte was about to kick her down and push her back to the ground, when Anelise kicked her crotch up and ripped her in half.

Genesis created a bazooka and fired dozens of ballistic missiles. Anelise closed her eyes, thinking she was in danger. But she took little damage.

She pulled out a grenade and threw it towards Genesis. It pierced her head, killing her on the spot. Then the grenade exploded and shattered her.

Malungo called Haji over to him. She ran to him, and he was in a position to throw her in the air. She was thrown like a missile towards Anelise, who was hit in the stomach by Haji .

Angered, she elbowed Haji in the heart , piercing her with all her might. Malungo used this chance to jump even higher than the two and land with maximum speed.

He landed like a spear and pierced them both. When he reached the ground, the impact formed an explosion that destroyed the entire square.

After training, Kiseki healed everyone and repaired the plaza. Tatsuya commented to Yuuto:

– That scares me.

– What?

– If they evolved so much on the same day they took the potion, imagine a few months from now. Especially Anelise. She took two shots on purpose just to get stronger than the rest.

– Relax, we can handle them easily.

– For now.

– My power is perfect for that. I can stop their hearts whenever I want, in case they get out of hand. And by the way, you still haven't told me which one is yours.

– That is confidential. Sorry, but I can't say yet.

– Alright, each one has their secrets. The only thing that solves it is time.