Episode 9: "Suck-up☆Layoff☆Survive"

Upon their return to the lobby, Zero demanded that everyone sit on the sofas.
They were they very same ones that Yo, Tsuki, Kazuki, and Q had been using earlier.
One they were all seated, Zero eagerly climbed atop of the tables.

Zero
"All right! I'll start by explaining the Shinagawa governing rules, so be sure to listen carefully!"

He spoke with rising enthusiasm in his tone.

Zero
"The name of Shinagawa's governing rules are... Drum roll, please! Ta-daaaa! 'Suck-up☆Layoff☆Survive'!
Put simply, it's a game where the city of Shinagawa itself is a company, and all of its residents are employees of that company.
There are three main roles. The first is the CEO. Below that is the Director. And then at the veeeery bottom are the workforce majority: the regular employees. Push hard for that promotion, and maybe a regular employee can become a Director! But that's, of course, as high as the ladder goes.
After all, the CEO is extraordinarily special! You may as well consider them a god!

That much should be obvious, right?
Nobody born into mediocrity could be destined to rise to the top of the corporate food chain to be a CEO. And that means you losers will have to butter up the CEO if you want to survive the Great Depression!

Anyway, the rest is pretty similar to any other company. The CEO's favorite becomes the Director, and those who don't will continue on as regular employees.
So be sure to shower the CEO with sweet treats as bribes and set your sights on becoming the next Director!"

After having said so much, and with so much enthusiasm, Zero took a sip of the coffee that had been brought to him by his drone before he continued on.

Zero
"Ah, right. I'm sure this goes without saying, but slacking off at work won't fly. Got it?
Given the state of the economy, the CEO has no interest in keeping slackers around.
Once a week, the CEO will... layoff at least one regular employee that doesn't meet expectations, so be sure to keep that in mind.
And of course, killing another employee or any measure of bribe will result in a layoff, so do your best to stay on the up and up!"

After hearing Zero's lengthy explanation, Yo found himself disappointed.

Treating Shinagawa like a company?

He'd expected that a death game would be more cold-blooded and ruthless.
The explanation itself, combined with the fact that it had come from the mouth of a cute plushie left him feeling a mixture of disappointment, confusion, and unease.

Tsuruko Semba
Flattering your bosses... I guess that really does fit Shinagawa, since it's a city of commerce and all..."

Zero
"You'll be battling against the Numbers using these governing rules! Only one will emerge victorious! This is... XG! The ultimate death game!"

Tsuki Iroha
"So we have to battle the Numbers using the governing rules..."

Hyakuichitaro Senju
"So you're tellin' me this was your plan all along, bringing us to where the Numbers are in Shinagawa?!"

Zero
"Heehee. I planned it out pretty well, didn't I? In any case, it's time for the Shinagawa XG match to begin!"

As Zero declared the start of the game, a loud fanfare rang out.
It seemed that Yo's XG match versus the Numbers in Shinagawa City had begun.

Eiji Todoroki
"What kind of absurd game is this? I'm the one meant to receive bribes and flattery, and you expect me to switch roles?!
I refuse to take part in your asinine games! I'm going back to Setagaya!"

Hyakuichitaro Senju
"Same here! You can count me outta these dumbass games!"

As they made their way toward the exit, their loud stomps echoed through the lobby.

Tsuki Iroha
"T-Todoroki, Senju... Wait!"

Tsuki did her best to stop them, but they continued to walk off.
Then, as if taking on the role of a certain popular anime father scolding his son, Zero began to shout angrily.

Zero
"You fool! Just who do you think you are, trying to run from your XG match without permission?
Have you forgotten that you lost to me in our XB game?!
If you don't, then let me give you a little reminder of both the final score AND how terrifying I can be! Hi-yah!"

With that, Zero pressed a switch he had in his hands...
And then, a low groan erupted around them. The floor began to quake beneath their feet, and the hotel creaked loudly in turn.

Eiji Todoroki
"Waaaaaugh! What's with this shaking?!"

Hyakuichitaro Senju
"A-Are we bein' attacked by a monster or something?!"

Eiji and Hyakuichitaro were both knocked off their feet and right onto their backsides, while the rest of the still-seated team quickly grabbed onto the armrests for stability.
The shaking only lasted a few seconds, but the the light fixtures that hung from the ceiling continued to faintly swing.

Yo Kuronaka
"Wh-What the hell was that, Zero?! Everything starting shaking after you yelled!"

Zero
"Oh. I just fired a laser from my pride and joy, Space Envoy 3."

Zero's response was accompanied by a wide smile.

Zero
"Unfortunately, I went just a little overboard with the laser's power, so the coordinates got all jumbled. Seems like it hit somewhere in the ocean...
Rest assured, though. My next shot will be much more accurate, so you shouldn't try to run away from Shinagawa. Got it?
Players can only withdraw once they die."

Yo Kuronaka
"You've gotta be kidding me... That was one of Space Envoy 3's lasers just now?"

...Space Envoy 3.
That was the satellite weapon Zero controlled.
Even though Yo had already seen people be hit by it, he still couldn't fathom how much power it really had. The shock of it left him breathless.

Tsuruko and the rest of the team fared no better; they were all pale and trembling despite having seen the lasers from Space Envoy 3 many times on the surface already.

Tsuruko Semba
"Th-That was way more powerful than what we saw in 24 City.
If that had hit land and not the ocean, Shinagawa would've instantly be scorched to nothing more than ashes..."

Yo Kuronaka
"Seriously? If that hit someone, they would've been vaporized!"

Tsuki Iroha
"I don't even wanna think about that! Ugh, I think I'm gonna puke..."

Eiji Todoroki
"I'm shoo shoorry! I won't run away, I promish...!"

Hyakuichitaro Senju
"Please just spare my life! I'm beggin' ya!"

Tsuruko's speculation alone was enough to cause all but Q to tremble with fear.
The air grew tense with each passing moment and left the entire team short of breath.