Planetes
3. r. The Hell Level Hide and Seek (1)

The dark curtain has been muzzling the beauty of twilight since five minutes ago. Both Elliot and Ryan are now in an abandoned building that Elliot used to help his partner, Slaughter House.

Ryan seemed busy preparing everything for this ritual and he looked straight at Elliot. Feeling a little awkward.

"El, if your body is so tall how can it adjust to me?"

"No need to worry" after Elliot said that, he adjusted his height to Ryan's. "It's a good thing my supernatural powers are back, so it's no longer a problem."

Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. At least that one problem is sorted out.

"El, we can't make a sound in this game, right? Do you know how I can reach you without a sound?"

"If you can use telepathy, you can." Elliot replied innocently.

"That's right," Ryan rolled his eyes. "Eh, could do. Maybe."

"As long as you can concentrate your mind and be calm, it doesn't require much Mana, really." Elliot patted Ryan's shoulder cheerfully.

"El, I wonder why you can be that happy when we're dealing with danger" Ryan snorted in annoyance.

Not understanding Elliot's behavior beyond the limits of his reasoning. Either because Elliot was a non-human being or because Neptune's embodiment was a natural fool.

For Ryan himself, Elliot is nothing more than his current Mana source. Portable blood bags for vampires. Although actually Ryan did not want to admit that he had a sense with the man who had 14 children.

"Eh? Was wrong?"

"WRONG! YOU UNDERESTIMATED YOUR OWN SAFETY!" Ryan exploded. "El, you can't do it if you love someone. If you die, I'll hate you with all my heart."

Elliot remained silent. What does it mean that if he dies, he has betrayed the girl in the man's disguise? But, until now Ryan had never admitted that feeling. Hiding behind the words 'do not understand love' and 'already throw away humanity'. Then what should he do? What was he supposed to do?

Elliot smiled. One hand rubbed Ryan's cheek and said.

"I'm not going to die, Clarissa. Believe me." Although this girl a thousand times said no, but— "I will wait patiently. His answers. Whatever the outcome, I won't regret ever putting my heart on you."

Frankly, Ryan was confused by his own feelings. On the one hand, he wanted to stay with Elliot. On the other hand, he could not go against Meliora's orders. Even if his boss asks him to catch Elliot even—

Ah, he's really bad about this. Elliot's kindness really changed him and now he's getting confused.

"Please..." Ryan opened his voice. "...stop your habit of skinship with me, Elliot. It makes me uncomfortable."

Elliot immediately pulled his hand and lowered his head. "Sorry."

Ryan's outspoken defensive attitude was shown to Elliot, clearly making the embodiment of the planet Neptune realize that Ryan was subtly rejecting it. Despite the fact Ryan continues and continues to utilize it as a Mana provider.

Preparation is in order. Now just wear a mask and ring the equipment they carry. Because the game starts at 12, Elliot chooses to exit the building first. He will return after being able to disguise himself properly.

(Elliot, do you hear me? Please let me know when the game is about to start.) Ryan started contacting Elliot through telepathy.

〔Alright, you take it easy. You just need to exert your strength this time.〕

(It's not that easy as it seems, I need timing.)

〔True too, be careful. It's an amazing game of.〕

Ryan outsmarted his mask and he made it easier for himself to use Mystical Eyes. A little bit of cheating and also dangerous. But when did he care about danger?

〔Clarissa! It's time!〕

Elliot's voice echoed in Ryan's head and made the girl immediately hold her bell and ring it nonstop. Moreover, his ears heard the sound of other bells.

Ryan kept ringing his bell. Strange things started happening. The air suddenly turned cold under him and it became hot. Then there was a strange sound. Ryan knows that means the game can start.

Ryan kept ringing his bell until suddenly the atmosphere became quiet. Ryan started looking for a place to hide.

He had a flashlight in his pants pocket, but Ryan knew it was only temporary. His ears caught the noisy sounds like angry growls.

Ryan knows that they're looking for him to kidnap or kill. Suddenly he heard an explosion not far from his place.

The temperature suddenly dropped dramatically. Following the strong wind. Ryan thinks Elliot is on a rampage. But the wind stopped.

(ELLIOT WHAT'S WRONG?!)

〔They stole my soul essence. Pain!〕

Apparently these ghosts stole Elliot's soul essence and caused the man to weaken bit by bit. Now that the ghosts have invaded Elliot, does he have to make a move?

The feathers bristled. One of the ghosts was nearby! Immediately, Ryan turned on the flashlight and panned towards the ghost. Distracting for a moment.

Ryan looks for another hiding location while contacting Elliot.

(Elliot, hold. I'll save you soon.)

There was no answer in his head. Did Elliot faint?

As Ryan wondered in his mind, an angry growling sound rang out again. Ryan took off his 「Gorgon Breaker」 and instantly the ghosts around him petrified.

Ryan opened fire and made the petrified ghosts scatter like glass. Although there were so many ghosts that he made stones, but he felt this was not finished.

Somehow with Elliot. But Ryan has to focus on his own fight. Even with Elliot struggling to get his soul essence again.