As soon as Gotou spoke, everyone fell silent.
"No way, Bocchi-chan! I absolutely refuse to hand you over to the devil!" Nijika shook her head violently, her voice trembling on the verge of tears.
"Thank you, Nijika." Gotou's tone was tinged with emotion. "So you really do care about me… I think this might be the first time in my life I've been treated like this. I'm… really touched."
"Then…!"
"But if things keep going like this, everyone's going to die," Gotou continued.
"If just sacrificing me means the rest of you can live… then isn't that worth it?"
"I don't want everyone to die because of me. I'd feel guilty for the rest of my life."
Nijika bit her lip, her voice unsteady. "What are you even saying?"
"Getting trapped here isn't your fault, Bocchi-chan. It's that devil's doing! Even if giving you up could save us, that doesn't mean you have to make the sacrifice!"
"How could you call it 'everyone dying for Bocchi-chan'? Isn't that basically emotional blackmail?!"
Gotou's eyes widened slightly.
Nijika really does think things through… even more than I do about myself.
"No. No! I don't care what anyone says, I don't want Bocchi-chan to die!"
Nijika's voice broke as she threw her arms around Gotou, holding her so tightly it was as if she wanted to merge their bodies into one.
Gotou froze for a moment, then slowly reached out to pat Nijika's head.
It was the last bit of comfort she could offer.
It wasn't completely useless Gotou could feel Nijika's trembling ease ever so slightly.
"And what about the rest of you?" Gotou turned to the others. "What do you… think?"
Maybe because she had already abandoned all lingering hesitation and accepted the idea of dying, the communication barrier that usually tripped her up seemed to have faded for the moment.
"We…" Himeno started to say something, then stopped.
Aki's eyes darted away, as if he didn't dare meet Gotou's gaze.
"You think it's better to hand me over, don't you?" Gotou pressed.
"…"
Neither of them spoke, but at this point, silence was as good as an answer.
Gotou lowered her head, saying nothing, and gently pushed Nijika away.
"Eh?" Nijika exclaimed in surprise.
"I'm going to talk to the devil. You all wait here for a bit," Gotou said.
"No! I won't allow it!"
Gotou turned back with a smile unlike anything she had ever worn in her life. "Nijika…"
"I'm already someone who's going to die. From now on, don't cling to me. Just act like I was never here."
"Meeting you at the end… made me really happy."
Her movements were decisive as she started toward the door.
No matter how Nijika screamed her name, Gotou didn't look back.
Just go… and die in one go.
But then, everything changed in an instant.
"Hahahaha! Hahahahahaha!"
A hideous, guttural laugh echoed from outside, unmistakably the devil's.
Rumble… splat, splat, splat…
The entire hotel shuddered, followed by the nauseating sound of flesh grinding against itself.
The next moment, the space seemed to tilt, walls cracking apart.
Everyone panicked as the Eternal Devil's arrogant voice rang out.
"Hahaha! I've grown even stronger! I am the Eternal Devil keep doubting, keep fearing! Your fear will all become my power!"
Even before the echo faded, masses of flesh burst through the doorway.
What they saw beyond was nothing short of hell.
The hallway outside was completely engulfed by living flesh, and because of the tilt, it now lay directly beneath them.
It looked like a bottomless abyss.
Everyone was sprawled on the floor, too terrified to move.
Gotou alone pushed herself up.
She stepped toward the abyss and said softly, "Eternal Devil… let's talk about a contract."
"Oh? So you've decided to accept my terms?" The devil's voice rose from below. "Excellent, excellent. Jump down now and let me devour you."
"Before that… I want you to let the others go."
Gotou's voice trembled ever so slightly.
She clenched her teeth, forcing herself to stand strong and face the death that awaited her.
"You know how contracts work, right?" the Eternal Devil grumbled impatiently. "Once you agree, you must obey. If I eat you, of course I'll let them go."
Gotou's expression darkened. "I'm not going anywhere. Let them go first what difference does it make?"
"I don't want them to see me being eaten alive. At least at the end… I want the Bocchi-chan they remember to be more than just a shredded corpse."
"That's my only request. Please… grant me that."
The Eternal Devil let out a long "hmm," then seemed to make up its mind.
"Fine. I'll agree."
Squelch, squelch.
Several thick cords of flesh formed a bridge toward the other side, the flesh there parting to reveal an opening.
"That path will take you to the elevator. Now get lost," the devil said.
"Yes! Nobel Prize, here I come!" Power shouted, leaping to her feet and bounding across without hesitation.
Gotou turned to the others, still frozen in place. "What are you… waiting for?"
Himeno and Aki stood, their expressions tangled with guilt and conflict.
"I'm sorry…" Himeno's voice cracked.
"No, Bocchi-chan! Don't leave me behind!" Nijika clung to her leg. "I'm not going! I'll die with you!"
"Himeno-senpai, please… help me out here," Gotou said.
"…I understand."
Himeno stepped forward and struck Nijika sharply at the base of her neck.
The sudden attack caught Nijika off guard, and she collapsed unconscious.
Himeno scooped her up, while Aki slung Arai over his shoulder. Both gave Gotou an apologetic glance before escaping.
Now, only Gotou, Pochita, and the Eternal Devil remained in the hotel.
Gotou gazed down at the devil and let out a long sigh.
This is it… This devil is far too strong. Pochita doesn't stand a chance against it.
If I die, maybe Pochita will be allowed to go free.
I'm actually about to sacrifice myself so a devil can live…
Yes, that was Gotou's true thought.
She didn't particularly care about the others only that Nijika and Pochita made it out alive.
"Hahaha! Come on, come on! I can't wait any longer," the Eternal Devil laughed. "Once I finish this job, the Gun Devil will reward me handsomely!"
Gotou froze mid-step.
"Wait… did you just say… Gun Devil?"