Re:BIRTH－The Lunatic Taker－ 19

Re:BIRTH
Chapter 19
Test

[Scanslation with this translation reserved for Muda]

p.01
Chapter 19: Test


p.02
Ayaka/Reiji/Natsuhi: Woooooow~

Natsuhi: Last time we were taken here at night so we couldn’t get a good feel for it...
Natsuhi: But taking another good look at it, it’s a really big company.


p.03

Reiji: Um... excuse me... Well...

Reception: Are you looking for something?

Ayaka/Natsuhi: What’s he blushing for...?

Reiji: We have a meeting scheduled with the person on this card...
Card: Igarashi Kyouka
Reception: Oh, Igarashi, is it? One moment, please. I’ll contact her right away.


p.04
Kyouka: Thanks for waiting~

SFX: stand x2
Kyouka: !

Kyouka: W-what are you being all formal for? I’m not your interviewer, so you don’t have to be nervous.
Reiji mutter: Yes...
Kyouka: Now sit, sit!

Kyouka: You’re all tense~ how cute~
Reiji: Th-that’s...

Reiji: So, normally... are interviews done in places like this?
Kyouka: There’s no way they would, right?


p.05
Kyouka: I called you guys because there was something I personally wanted to warn you about...

Reiji: To... warn us?

Kyouka: Well, as someone who works closely with the president,
It’s technically not okay for me to say something like this...

Kyouka: But I’ve started to become interested in someone...

Kyouka: So I guess this is a special service?
Reiji: A-and what would that be?


p.06
Kyouka: No matter what the president starts saying from now on, don’t ever let yourselves be taken in by it.
......!!

Kyouka: The president will almost certainly try to persuade you in a way that you won’t be able to refuse, but you should refrain from making your decision on the spot.
Reiji: ......

Kyouka: Since I think that once you’ve stepped into it... you probably won’t be able to go back ever again...
This woman... wasn’t she a close associate of that president...? Why is she...

Kyouka: ...This is a warning... as an adult.

Reiji: Thank you for the advice, Igarashi-san. We will take it to heart.
Kyouka: ......

Kyouka: Now, we should get going soon.


p.07
Reiji: A-anyway, we were really surprised. This is a pretty big company, isn’t it.
Reiji: What does it actually do?

Kyouka: We manufacture water.
Kyouka: Haven’t you seen them in nearby convenience stores? It’s the best selling ionic mineral water.


p.08
SFX: rigid

Ryuusuke: You don’t have to be so nervous.

Ryuusuke: About the interview... actually, that’s already over with.
Reiji: Pardon?

Ryuusuke: Isn’t it? I’ve already told you how I wanted you to join us the other day...
And you responded to that. You’ve cleared interview with that.
Reiji: So that’s how it was... we didn’t know and we’ve been nervous the entire time...


p.09

They’re naïve kiddies after all...
They’re already right where the president wants them...

Reiji: Then are you going to accept us as members of this company?

Ryuusuke: Yes... But before that...
Ryuusuke: I’ll have you take just one final test.
Reiji: Test?


p.10
Ryuusuke: We’re deciding on accepting allies with whom we will be dealing with each others’ lives here, after all.

Ryuusuke: Naturally I’ll have you go take a test befitting this.

Reiji: And... what kind of test is it?

Ryuusuke: Before that...

Ryuusuke: Have you guys heard of the word “Psychopath”?
......!?


p.11
Natsuhi: Is that... about people such as serial killers who lack certain human emotions...?
Reiji: !

Ryuusuke: That’s exactly right. To be precise, it refers to people who have a different brain structure from the average person... From an extreme egoist at the mildest,
Ryuusuke: And a murderer at the severest – in other words, a person who is overflowing with murderous impulses and will kill people for a small benefit without a second thought.

Murderous impulses...

Ryuusuke: However, are you aware
Ryuusuke: That there also exists a class of the same name for us Takers?

This is something I’ve heard, but the highest class for us Takers...
Seems to be something called Psycopath...
Reiji: Ah...!!


p.12
Reiji: I have heard of it before! I think it’s said to represent the highest level of Takers...
Ryuusuke: [empty bubble... probably another one of those mistakes]
Natsuhi: The highest level of Takers?

Ryuusuke: Oh, then we can wrap this up quickly.

Ryuusuke: A Taker’s class... using the innate natures one was born with as a base, it advances with strength.
At the end of that growth, what exists after honing only one’s strength to the ultimate levels,
Ryuusuke: The highest position, the pinnacle of Takers... That class...

Ryuusuke: Is the Psychopath.

Reiji: By class, do you mean that thing...
That’s written on the Taker’s status?


p.13
Reiji: ...I remember the same word written on my older sister’s...
!?

Reiji: B-but isn’t that weird? It hasn’t even been that long since we became Takers...!!
Reiji: There must be some kind of a mistake, or the same word was there by coincidence, since we’re beginners.

Ryuusuke: No,

Ryuusuke: You’re sister’s class is undoubtedly Psychopath.

Ryuusuke: We’ve already confirmed that she’s already acquired “Phantom,” the ultimate skill that only Psychopaths can have.
Ryuusuke: There can’t be any better proof than this.


p.14
Ryuusuke: Normally, Takers are each given a class devised from your identity and consciousness in the instant you become one. It is basically determined by the three mental faculties that govern people’s psyches.

Ryuusuke: Those are the ego, id, and superego.

Natsuhi: Freud...

Ryuusuke: Normal people have a propensity to control their desires, the “id,” with their conscience, the “superego.”
However, Takers are the opposite. In other words, it is normal to be in a state in which the “id” is greatly amplified...
Ryuusuke: In this instance, mental hysteria extends its effects to the body and physical conditions increase severalfold.
This means that they change into a new kind of human with many abilities and statuses akin to superpowers.

Ryuusuke: In other words... they enter a state in which they have no qualms with expressing their inner desires.
......!


p.15
Reiji: Does... that mean it’s hard for Takers to control their desires?
Ryuusuke: Not quite. It’s more accurate to say they don’t hide their desires and openly reveal them.

Ryuusuke: All the desires that rule humans, such as lust, greed, and appetite... It means that Takers don’t hesitate in carrying them out.

Ryuusuke: Even if that... were to be murder.
......!!

Ryuusuke: The stronger the Taker is, the more the id continues to be bloated, and eventually dominates the superego (conscience). If that continues and surpasses its limits, the superego collapses... and completely disappears.
Ryuusuke: In psychoanalysis, this is called superego lacunae (super egolacuna)*...
*[The words in parentheses were originally in English, and are misspelled...]


p.16
Ryuusuke: To put it simply... a frenzy... it means they go into a lunatic state. People who surrender their mind and body to insanity...
Ryuusuke: Hehe, don’t you think it’s a perfect expression for us Takers?

Ryuusuke: We don’t have any inhibitions towards letting out our bare desires...
Even if we were to kill people...
Ryuusuke: By doing that, we get in the best condition to survive as Takers.

Reiji: I don’t really understand what you’re trying to say. What do the classes and identities of Takers have to do with our joining the company?
Reiji: Even if my sister were to be in the Psychopath class, she has nothing to do with that example.


p.17
Reiji: Ayaka nee-san is not the strongest, and she hasn’t ever killed anyone before!!
Reiji: Comparing such a crazy evildoer with Nee-san... it’s absurd!!

......

Ryuusuke: However, your sister should be strong.
Reiji: ......!!

Ryuusuke: Rather, it would be accurate to say that she will become stronger.
Ryuusuke: Regardless of what kind of person Ayaka-kun is, it’s a fact that she has Phantom, right?


p.18
Ryuusuke: The owner of Phantom, the strongest Taker skill! That alone gives her plenty of qualification to join the organization...!
Ryuusuke: Yes, as long as we can confirm that her strength is real.

Reiji: How many times must I say it until you understand!? My sister isn’t like that...!!
Ayaka: What do I have to do?

......!?


p.19
Ayaka: What do I have to prove?

She’s quick to understand...
As I thought, without a doubt, this girl is...

Reiji: Nee-san!!
Ayaka: Please be quiet for now, Reiji.

Ayaka: It seems that thanks to the skill I have... I’m rather useful to the organization...
Ayaka: But the things I must protect... for example, you, Reiji...


p.20
Ayaka: If I want to bring you guys, whom the organization doesn’t need... pay the appropriate price.
Ayaka: That is what this man is saying to me right now.

Reiji: W-we’re... baggage...?

Ryuusuke: I’d rather you didn’t take it so negatively. I’d like you to understand that
Ryuusuke: Thanks to your older sister’s outstanding skill... you will all be saved if you clear the test.

Ayaka: So... what is that test like...?


p.21

Reiji: ......!

Ryuusuke: There is one more Psychopath class Taker...
Ryuusuke: Who is indiscriminately slaughtering members of our company... our guild.

Ryuusuke: Her name is Nikaidou Ran.
Ryuusuke: If you can erase her... all three of you will become part of our family.


p.22

Reiji: Ha...

Reiji: Haha...
Reiji: Hahaha...

Reiji: Ahahahaha
Reiji: Hahahahahahaha!!!

Reiji: You’re shitting me!!!


p.23
The president will almost certainly try to persuade you in a way that you won’t be able to refuse.
Since I think that once you’ve stepped into it... you probably won’t be able to go back ever again...

Reiji: You’re making Nee-san murder someone!? In order to join the organization!!??
Reiji: Who do you think would do such a ludicrous thing!?

Ryuusuke: In any case, it’s all the same once you join us.
Ryuusuke: The organization’s enemy is your enemy.
If you’re planning on becoming our family...

Ryuusuke: You will have to obey orders
Ryuusuke: That are much more severe than this...

Reiji: You’re kidding me! In the event that we did accept that request...
Didn’t you say the enemy was the strongest, a Psychopath, that even you guys can’t do anything about!?
Reiji: Let Nee-san fight against someone like that!? That’s absurd!
Ryuusuke: ......


p.24
Ryuusuke: In Takers, just like normal humans, their ego controls their mind and body. This balance is a strength. However, as their id (desires) keep increasing, unlike humans,
Ryuusuke: A Taker’s strength drastically increases.

Ryuusuke: As they repeatedly commit massacres and their mental condition of leaning towards the id continues... they surpass superego lacunae and finally...
Ryuusuke: They are able to reach the highest stage, Psychopath. I don’t know how your sister obtained that class, but...

Ryuusuke: Those who are engraved with that class, even if they are beginners...
Ryuusuke: Can surpass their limits at any time!!


p.25
Natsuhi: In summary... it’s a medal you get by abandoning your conscience
And killing, and killing again, and by completely giving up your humanity, right?

Ryuusuke: By human standards, that’s certainly what it is... However, it’s different for us Takers.
Becoming stronger and surviving... that’s the main point for Takers.

Ayaka: I don’t even know how to use the so-called Phantom. Do you have any expectations for me to win?
Reiji: Nee-san!?

Ryuusuke: There’s no need to worry. We will teach you how to use it.
Also, we’ll offer you plenty of bribes to fight.
......!?

Reiji: No!! We can’t stay in a place like this any longer!! We’ll be leaving!!
Reiji: Nee-san! Let’s hurry back!!

Ryuusuke: Even one of you is fine.


p.26
Ryuusuke: As long as you can pass the test, I’ll permanently guarantee life points for the other two.
Ryuusuke: Think about it carefully...

Reiji: Don’t listen! It’s not even worth listening to!!
Let’s leave this place quickly! Natsuhi!!
Natsuhi: Oh, uh huh...

Kyouka: So that’s how you’d approach it... I knew it.
Ryuusuke: Hehe.


p.27
Kyouka: I did stir them up just before, but... it’s going so according to plan that it feels weird.
Ryuusuke: Yeah, it will be a problem if they agreed to it so readily... before we can even confirm if they really have the power to get rid of Nikaidou. [looks like the bubble is pointing to the wrong person again.]

Ryuusuke: Normally I would like to crush anyone who bares their fangs towards the organization with our full force, but...
Kyouka: ......
Ryuusuke: Nikaidou has a bit of a troublesome backer... besides, it’s just not right for the owner to have to come out because one stray dog was bitten... we need a hound...

Kyouka: So, you’re planning to make those kids who have no connection with the organization take the blame in the worse-case scenario, right...? But looking at their reaction just now... will they really agree to it?
Ryuusuke: It’ll be fine.

Ryuusuke: At any rate, if we can make the sister move...
Ryuusuke: They’ll be as good as ours after that...


p.28

Reiji: Damn iiiit!!!

Reiji: They tried to use us as tools for murder...! I can’t believe them!! Makes me want to vomit!!
Reiji: Become one of those bastards? There’s no way in hell we can!!

Natsuhi: B-but... now our life points really are at their limit...
The next interspatial time will a do or die situation.
Reiji: Huh? Oh... yeah.

Reiji: It’ll be dangerous if we mess up next time... no, it’ll all be over. That’s why we have to prepare more carefully...
Ayaka: ......


p.29
Ayaka: Is there really no room to consider it?
Ayaka: That proposal...
Reiji: Wha...!?

Ayaka: In any case, we’ve become Takers. Hence, we have to kill Takers someday... then in fact it would be better if we had a rationale for it...
Reiji: This isn’t about stuff like rationales!!

Reiji: If you self-justify murder like that... If you get used to sacrificing others...!!
Ayaka: ......
Reiji: Ultimately, things will get irrevocable... Weren’t we just warned about it?

Ayaka: As long as we are human, we ultimately can’t continue to live without sacrificing something... even if that is life.
......!?


p.30
Ayaka: It’s often said that sinful life, that is, humans... exist based on a system of sacrifice, including what we eat.
Ayaka: We sacrifice livestock for the sake of food, sacrifice the environment for the sake of living better, sacrifice others for the sake of wealth...

Ayaka: That is none other than one of the principles that presently make up human society, you know?
Ayaka: Then, shouldn’t we who became Takers also accept the appropriate principles...?

People are made to be like than from the time they’re born!
They can sacrifice others whenever they want if it’s for themselves. That’s the kind of creatures we are!!

Reiji: That’s just a trick!! We’ll never become like that!!


p.31
Natsuhi: Reiji!

SFX: running [second panel]

SFX: heavy rain [last panel]


p.32

Ayaka: Reiji.
Reiji: ?

Reiji: Nee-san...

Ayaka: I’m going to be studying for a test at a friend’s house today,
And I think I’ll be home a little late.
Reiji: A study session? Is it okay to be doing something like that when there’s not much left until the interspatial time?

Ayaka: Like they say, even if the world were to be destroyed tomorrow, plant an apple tree today.* I don’t plan on dying at all, so I’m fine.
*[This is a Japanese saying which basically means do what normally would.]

Ayaka: You don’t have to worry about anything either, Reiji. I’ll surely be fine. It’ll all work out.

Ayaka: I’ve asked Natsuhi-chan to take care of dinner.
Reiji: Okay, bye bye.


p.33

My older sister
Is really strong, isn’t she...

Ryuusuke: This is Ishigami.

Phone: We got a call. It’s from the sister.


p.34
Ryuusuke: I got it. I’ll head over right away with the princess.

Ryuusuke: If we pull in the sister, the brother will come along with her... and with the brother... comes the possibility of taking down Nikaidou Ran... I trust there’s really no mistake with that,

Ryuusuke: Princess...


p.35

Reiji: !?

Reiji: Whoa!? What? This is!!
Reiji: What’s happening all of a sudden!?

...!?


p.36
Reiji: Nee-san!!
Reiji: Look at this! What in the world...!!


p.37

Phantom has to be used to defeat Phantom...

Fortunately, the target should have her guard down. That’s because she hasn’t been attacked by anyone for a pretty long time.
If you aim for that opportunity and strike with Phantom... there’s plenty of chance for you to win.


p.38
I’ll definitely keep the promise. If you succeed, I’ll guarantee life points for your little brother and your friend.
Depending on your resolve, everyone will be saved including yourself, Tachibana Ayaka-kun.


p.39
Kenta: Geez, I don’t get you... It’s so late, and it’s even raining really hard.
Why are you forcing yourself to go home?

Kenta: It’s dangerous out at night, so stay over.

Ran: I-I have to be h-home by m-morning...
Kenta: What’re you saying now? You always suddenly drop in late at night and stay almost until dawn.

Ran: B-because... y-you, a boy, i-is here...
Kenta mutter: Wha?
Ran: I c-can’t be s-sleeping together in the s-same house as y-you...


p.40
Kenta: Y-you’re right! It can’t be helped if that’s the case!
There’s no way around it! I’ll walk you to the taxi.
Girls: ......

Kenta: One second, I’ll go bring umbrellas for the two of us.

Kenta: Whoa! Isn’t it getting worse...?


p.41
SFX: twitch


p.42
[none]


p.43
Kenta: W-who’re you...?

Ayaka: I hear...
Kenta: !!
Ayaka: That you’ve been killing many people...

Ayaka: Well... I can perfectly understand...
Since it’s to live...

Ayaka: So...


p.44
Ayaka: This time, I’ll have [bold]you[/bold] understand [bold]me[/bold].