Darwin's Game (ダーウィンズゲーム)

I heard about the player who won

the special privilege of organizing for-profit matches

within D-Game.

A lot of customers are interested

in martial arts battles that allow Sigils.

These fights are relatively safe

compared to other in-game matches,

so that's a bonus.

Normally, a duel between you and me

would attract a pretty big audience,

but it's only us here today.

So, are there any rules,

or is it literally anything goes?

Anything goes.

The idea of challenging your opponent with no limitations

whatsoever comes from the

Brazilian fighting style of Vale Tudo.

But "no holds barred" means something different to everyone.

For me, I'm a martial artist, so I don't use tools.

So the "anything goes" just applies to me, then.

Sweet, I'll take any handicap I can get.

You can use your Sigil, weapons, anything you want.

That said, I have two requests.

No destroying the building, and no intentional killing.

Does that sound like a fair fight to you, kid?

Oh, so if I kill you by accident, that's okay?

You'll be the referee, Inukai.

Me? Really?

I can't referee the Master's match! Come on!

Okay. This'll be a ten-minute match,

so I'll start the timer now.

The duel is over when one of you

can't or won't fight anymore. Intentional killing--

Real quick.

When do I get to start using my Sigil?

Whenever you like. We'll use the activation

of your power as the signal to start the match.

Hey, wait a second, do you want me to be the ref or not?

Here we go!

Inukai was right, you've got excellent reflexes

and plenty of resolve. Not bad at all.

But you still haven't proved you're worthy of an alliance!

Relax. I'm just getting started!

Looks like I showed up at a good time.

I'm surprised you're here.

Did you meet up with that insurance guy?

Yes, the whole thing went off without a hitch.

So how are things going over here?

Slow. They just started the fight.

Did I kill him?

I thought it would take more than a couple a grenades.

And I was right!

Whoa!

He's quick on his feet.

A gunfighter like him is a martial artist's weakness,

but can he attack at this range?

It's a pretty close match.

He's survived for this long because of his Sigil.

But Master hasn't used his even once yet.

What's gonna happen?

The machete's new, what is that,

your little "secret weapon"?

This is nothing. I'm full of fun surprises!

I'll give you one thing.

You're keeping me on my toes!

Since when does Kaname have a Scorpion?

That's a good gun.

You really know your stuff, Analyst.

Don't go selling Kaname's info now.

Come on.

Do you actually think I'm that kind of person?

Well, you're not the only one

who's been hard at work during all of this.

He picked up that gun and blade from an arms dealer I know.

He needed more firepower,

and that was the fastest way to do it.

Ugh, did you take him to Lee's?

That place is such a rip-off.

You do know everything!

Remind me not to get on your bad side. And yeah,

my old buddy's place is a little cheaper than that...

You mean the one in Shibuya?

Good thinking, it's probably safer for us

to stay away from Eighth Clan territory.

Am I that easy to figure out?

Either way, looks like it's working.

He's holding his own against the fourth-best D-Game player.

Yes, naturally, a submachine gun is effective

against an unarmed opponent.

It's certainly helping him keep his distance.

Problem is, Kaname's already laid all his cards on the table,

and Danjo still hasn't revealed his Sigil.

That's not good.

If something doesn't change soon,

I'm not sure whether this alliance is going to pan out.

Dammit. I'm running out of ideas.

Here's one more grenade!

Crap! He saw it coming!

No way. How's he that strong?

I hope you're ready.

I'd keep going, but that would be just too cruel.

Yeah? I thought we weren't gonna hold anything back!

He's blowing himself up?

Wall Iron! This'll make me hard as tungsten!

The hand grenade was a bluff,

you used a flashbang instead.

So, your victories against A-rankers weren't just luck.

Well, blowing myself up would only get me so far.

Have you had enough already?

All right, kid, you've won me over!

I've decided you have what it takes to be my ally!

That said. I'm not ready for the fun to end yet!

Let's go!

This hasn't been fun for me, but okay!

Did I just di--?

You just love fighting with those energy swords, don't you?

They're not as discreet as you think.

Heh. Two men playing grab-ass.

Who's that? And when did she get here?

He's even more impressive than he was on video.

Is she a friend of Danjo's or something?

Oh, dear, Xuelan's involved.

She isn't a bad person, she's just a bit troublesome at times.

Xuelan? As in the number-one player?

That's right.

My name is Liu Xuelan. Be honored--

for I have come here to claim you as my own.

What do you mean, Kaname's been kidnapped?

You just stood there and watched?

Of course I didn't!

I hate to say it, but I couldn't do a thing!

Before I knew it, Kaname was out cold on the gym floor!

Then she gave us one look, and bam!

We were unconscious, too!

What are you saying? That makes no sense!

I don't understand either!

Whoever she is, it sounds like her Sigil's really scary.

Actually, that ability doesn't come

from her Sigil at all.

Seriously?

She was using that technique before

she had anything to do with D-Game.

According to Danjo,

it's a practice that originated in ancient eastern martial arts.

When her "energy swords" hit their target,

the effect is like a simulated death.

I don't want to believe it, but...

How can we be sure that Danjo is trustworthy, though?

Because it kinda sounds like he laid a trap for Kaname.

Not true.

It's obvious that Danjo considers Xuelan to be an ally.

And maybe she's even something of a mentor to him.

But he seemed as surprised as we were.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to believe that.

Either way, Kaname's our leader.

We have to figure something out.

That's a given.

We're getting him back, no matter what it takes.

But we don't even know where to look for him.

Not to worry, Sui.

The hard part's done. Cause I tracked him down myself.

Just untie me and we'll talk this over like grownups.

Liu Xuelan.

You're the "highest-ranked player in D-Game,"

so what the hell could you want with me?

Call me Xuelan.

I'll call you Kaname.

I much prefer not to stand on ceremony.

Okay, but don't you think tying me up is overdoing it?

No, I'm taking the appropriate precautious.

I can't risk letting you use that Sigil of yours.

Finally, someone who's more fit to be an assassin than I am.

Assassin?

I've also been called a hitwoman.

Same thing, really.

A hitwoman?

I come from a long line of assassins

that goes back more than 2,000 years.

Through the ages,

we've influenced history from the shadows.

No matter the era,

there's always a demand for the work I do.

Whatever, just tell me what you're after!

I figure if you wanted to kill me,

you would've just done it already!

Of course.

I'll get straight to the point. I want to employ you.

Employ me?

Trust me, I'll have plenty of challenging tasks

to keep you busy. But once you know what the reward is,

I believe you'll find that it's worth your while.

Gimme a break.

There's no way I'm gonna kill people for money--

Do you have any idea how gifted you are?

Huh?

Just an average high schooler,

unknowingly harboring a great talent.

Until D-Game allowed you to fully manifest it.

I'm guessing you're talking about my Sigil?

Oh, don't play dumb.