Sinner System

Chapter 594: Podcast Interview (Part 2)

"Hello and welcome to this very special episode of the E2E podcast. For any first-time watchers and listeners, I’m Benioz Oliviera, lead vocalist of the band Eaten 2 Extinction.

And with me, are some very special guests, the X-Aces who saved the world. We’ve got the Sinner, Kaivel Intrix, the most powerful Brawler in history, Ariella Velle, the Poltergeist, Jaden Xeno, the Explo-Blader, Ciel Campbell, and the Monster Eater, Cleo Nova."

Huh?

"Wait, since when did you name yourself the Monster Eater?" I asked Cleo in bemusement, Aria staring inquiringly too.

"H-Huh? I-I, um...a-a while ago. I-I asked the Union not to announce it publicly or make a big deal out of it, s-so they just updated it in the Registry," She answered awkwardly.

"Hey, that’s a pretty cool name, and fitting since you can use Monster abilities," Chimed in Jaden.

"Yeah, it’s a good one," Nodded Ciel in agreement.

"Right, I wasn’t aware of your title myself until I looked it up in the Hunters Registry when I was writing my intro for this episode and realized I didn’t know your title," Remarked Benioz with a smile.

"I-I, um...y-yeah...," Muttered Cleo, her gaze darting about as she fidgeted.

Gotta say, this guy seems a lot more chill and laidback than I was expecting. Seeing how he’s a part of a rock band and all, I figured he’d be more upbeat, like his sister was.

His hair was similar to hers, a mohawk dyed to resemble piano keys, though his was more spiky, while Beatriz’s mohawk drooped to the side a bit.

He had light red eyes and a brown complexion, with a slender build and was about average height. He had a scruffy face and a sleeve of tattoos across his left arm, plenty of piercings on his ears and a ring around his left nostril.

"Alright, so, what do you say we just jump right into it?" He suggested with a smile.

"Sure, sounds good."

"Mhm, works for me."

"No objections here."

"Same."

"U-Um, yeah, wh-what they said."

"Cool. Now, to kick things off...how do all of you feel, now that it’s over? I’d imagine there must be quite a bit of relief and a sense of accomplishment."

"Well, speaking for myself...I suppose so, yeah. Relief is definitely one of the main emotions I’ve been feeling. But also, burnt out," I answered first, with a wry smile.

"Yeah, I’d say that about sums up how I’ve been feeling too," Nodded Aria in agreement.

"I-I, um...s-same," Added Cleo meekly.

"Honestly, it’s been bittersweet. Eleven of us were sent to conquer the Final Dungeon, but only the five of us survived in the end. And I’m pretty sure none of us would disagree with me saying that we would not have won if it wasn’t for the contributions of all eleven of us," Spoke up Jaden solemnly.

"That’s true. It was an uphill battle from start to finish, and that’s putting it lightly. That battle...it was probably one that we’d have lost ninety-nine times out of a hundred," I recalled with a grimace.

"Yeah, it wasn’t easy to remain hopeful in that situation. And yet, none of us faltered in the face of the overwhelming power we were up against, every single one of us fought till we couldn’t fight anymore," Added Aria quietly.

"That even five of us survived is thanks to the others. Me in particular. Rex, he...he sacrificed himself to save me, I would’ve died if it wasn’t for him," Remarked Ciel, her eyes glistening before she shook her head.

"Right, a lot of people assumed that the two of you were a couple, do you mind saying whether that was true or not?" Responded Benioz, a sympathetic look on his face.

"I-...yeah, I suppose there’s no point in hiding in anymore. Yeah, we...we were."

"I see...I’m so sorry for your loss, that must have been incredibly painful."

"Yeah...it was. It...it is."

"All six of them, we can’t let the memories of them fade. They deserve to be honored and remembered forever, more than we do...because unlike us, they sacrificed their lives, for the sake of a future they’ll never get to see.

So, as the survivors, I think all of us have a responsibility to make sure they aren’t forgotten in the future they fought for. Rexon Wards, Aarav Gill, Iseul Park, Brid Myes, Petrus Le Roux and Jax Kinge...without them, humanity likely wouldn’t have survived this battle," Declared Jaden somberly.

"I see. And yes, of course, it’s only right that we honor and remember them. They made the ultimate sacrifice, and all of us who are still alive, owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid," Nodded Benioz, before adding, "If I may, I’d like to ask about your own struggle since the battle. You lost both your legs, has it been difficult to adjust to that?"

Jaden paused for a moment, a hesitant look on his face, before responding...

"No, I-...it’s fine, it really isn’t a big deal. I-I mean, sure, it hasn’t been easy to adjust to my new legs, and I’ve been feeling weirdly tired and low-energy since, but really, it isn’t worth discussing. After all...it could’ve been a lot worse."

"Yes, that may be true, but...just because it could’ve been worse doesn’t mean it isn’t a significant loss."

"Well, I guess, but-...I mean, I’m not the only one who lost a limb or two," Replied Jaden, averting his gaze.

I see, I get it now, so that’s why he’s been acting weird...the loss of his legs is affecting him more than he’d like to admit.

He doesn’t want to complain about it since he doesn’t want to inadvertently make light of those who died, or those who have it worse than he does.

"You mean me? It’s a bit different in my case. My Pers-...the Magical weapon I obtained from one of the Sentinels, it changed shape to form a prosthetic arm.

While the lack of sensation took some getting used to, it’s otherwise functionally the same as my original arm," Remarked Ciel, as she held up her right hand.

The Personalis Arma aren’t public knowledge, good thing she stopped herself before saying it. The remaining five weapons that are currently unclaimed have been stored in Treasury, the HUC approved me holding onto them for the time being.

"I see...could I ask you guys to walk us through exactly what went down in the Final Dungeon? I know you’ve probably already reported that to the HUC, but I’m sure the people would appreciate hearing it directly from the five of you.

The defeat of the Demon Lord may well be the most historic event of this era, and to the end of honoring those who sacrificed themselves, I’m sure everyone will want to know the full story."