The World's Forgotten

"So this is the end, Abbacchio."

Tears streamed from the corners of Abbacchio's eyes as he stopped in his tracks.

"You did wonderfully, don't feel guilty."

The man patted Abbacchio's shoulder, offering comfort.

Dong~ Dong~ Dong~

A strange bell chime echoed from afar, and the faded world began to regain its color bit by bit.

A tall, humanoid figure approached with mechanical steps. Behind him, the world gradually returned to normal.

The clamor of the crowd, the blare of car horns, the pleasant chirping of birds—it all flooded back.

Abbacchio stared in astonishment as the humanoid figure drew nearer, instinctively summoning his Stand and taking an involuntary step back.

He was ready for a fight.

As it got close enough, Abbacchio finally got a clear look at the peculiar humanoid figure's appearance.

The overall appearance of the humanoid figure was less like a human and more like a humanoid scale. Its left and right hands corresponded to the pans of a scale.

The overall image wasn't jarring or strange; instead, it exuded an inexplicable sense of golden ratio beauty, the first impression it evoked in one's mind being—justice.

[I perceive your obsession.]

The ethereal voice of the humanoid figure, or rather, the "Scales of Awakening," reached Abbacchio's ears.

[Offer your price.]

[Take your wish.]

[This is a transaction that no one can shake.]

The Scales of Awakening stood before Abbacchio, tilting its head slightly, its tall figure casting a shadow over him.

"My... wish?"

Abbacchio murmured to himself, lost in thought.

The man beside him had vanished at some point, leaving only the Scales of Awakening and the silent Abbacchio on the street.

"May I ask, how are my companions doing now?"

After a moment of consideration, Abbacchio asked cautiously.

The Scales of Awakening did not answer immediately, remaining silent.

After a long while, still without the answer he desired, Abbacchio began to guess the worst, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Mr. Dawn, you can definitely save Bucciarati and the others, right..."

[All is well.]

Suddenly, the ethereal voice spoke.

This time, the words carried a hint of emotion. It was clear that this answer was not the Scales of Awakening's own intent.

Abbacchio had thought he wouldn't get an answer, but to his surprise, the Scales of Awakening still replied, filling him with elation.

Yet, why did this ethereal voice sound slightly more familiar this time?

[It's me, Abbacchio.]

A look of relief washed over Abbacchio's face. If Mr. Dawn was safe, then everyone else must be fine.

So... does this mean the road ahead is only for me?

Abbacchio felt a strange sense of loss, but quickly shook his head, dispelling such inappropriate thoughts.

As the team's intelligence operative, he was essentially support staff, not usually involved in direct combat.

This time, it was purely an act of impulse, and he hadn't expected it to cost him his life.

[Abbacchio, this is my new ability, the Scales of Awakening. Remember what I say next.]

Abbacchio's expression turned solemn. He pulled up a chair and sat upright, looking intently at the Scales of Awakening.

[1. The principle of equivalent exchange.]

[2. Beware of linguistic traps.]

[3. Balance is absolute justice.]

[Once the transaction begins, even I cannot interfere.]

Dawn's words abruptly stopped. The Scales of Awakening raised its head again, gazing calmly at Abbacchio, its ethereal voice slowly resonating.

[Transaction begins.]

The Scales of Awakening extended both hands, gesturing for Abbacchio to place his price upon them.

"I... have nothing."

Abbacchio opened his mouth and finally uttered the words.

The Scales of Awakening made no further move, a red light flashing in its eyes. Abbacchio immediately felt something missing from within him.

A very important thing.

[Stand: Moody Blues]

[Value: Mundane]

A miniature Stand appeared on the left hand of the Scales of Awakening; it was Moody Blues.

As the Stand manifested, the left hand of the Scales of Awakening sank, and the right hand rose.

Red light flashed again.

[Life's Past]

[Value: Expendable]

The left hand sank once more, and the right hand rose in sync.

[Speak Your Wish]

The Scales of Awakening looked at Abbacchio, its tone completely devoid of emotion.

Thanks to Dawn's prior warning, Abbacchio didn't act immediately. Instead, he frowned and observed.

As a former police officer and now a professional investigator, Abbacchio's observational skills were actually quite sharp.

While not obvious in combat, with Dawn having already provided the answer, it was enough for him to accomplish many things.

Abbacchio raised one finger and shook it under the Scales of Awakening's calm gaze.

The Scales of Awakening's gaze followed the finger's movement, but its body remained motionless.

"First, my Moody Blues isn't a useless Stand. It has the ability to gather intel, replay the past, and can even mimic the past pilot to fly a plane."

Abbacchio then raised a second finger, his gaze sharpening.

"Second, I don't deny that my life has been a failure, but I've also had moments to be proud of. I don't agree with the evaluation of 'expendable'."

"Third, do you take me for Narancia? The fact that one side of the scale is tilted so high means the price I'm paying is heavy enough to satisfy the wish I desire."

The Scales of Awakening silently stared at Abbacchio, seemingly surprised by how intelligent this person was.

He could completely see through all the traps set by itself.

[No wonder]

The Scales of Awakening spoke, its ethereal voice reaching Abbacchio's ears.

"What?"

Abbacchio asked, slightly confused, tilting his head as he looked at the Scales of Awakening.

[Premature Death]

The Scales of Awakening hinted.

Abbacchio pursed his lips, utterly unable to refute.

Who could blame him when his direct combat ability wasn't strong? What was there to say about being killed in one move?

[Your Wish]

The Scales of Awakening seemed more formal this time, its gaze piercing, awaiting Abbacchio's next words.

"A wish..."

Abbacchio hesitated. He didn't hate the fate of his own death, but he felt a slight regret.

"Mr. Dawn can protect everyone, so he doesn't need me."

Abbacchio muttered to himself. A certain desire was bubbling up inside him, but he couldn't grasp it, which made him feel terrible.

[Is this your wish?]

The Scales of Awakening's eyes lit up.

Abbacchio froze and immediately corrected himself.

"No, my wish... my wish is..."

Abbacchio's mouth opened, and the words finally tumbled out.

"I want to go back to the past and become a police officer in a small Italian town again!"

"A just and righteous police officer, a police officer who seeks the truth."

Abbacchio panted heavily, uttering this wish having used almost all his strength.

The Scales of Awakening remained silent for a moment as usual before slowly speaking.

[Insufficient Value]

[Return to the Past]

[Impossible]

[Become a Police Officer Again]

[Possible]

[Is this your wish?]

Abbacchio nodded solemnly.

[Contract Formed!]