I was Reincarnated as the Scum Older Brother of the Protagonist in a Romance Battle Game, But I don't want to Die, so I'll do my Best - Episode 23

Because I wanted to revisit the beginner climbing course in the White Zone to redeem myself, I ended up returning to the main building later than planned.

“I apologize for being late.”

As soon as I arrived at the main building, I apologized to Kaizuka-san, who was likely worried about Mashiro, and explained that my tardiness was due to my own selfishness.

“I see… In that case, I’ll reheat your meal, so please go ahead and take a bath first.”

“Y-Yes…”

As usual, she maintained a clear boundary in how she treated me.

But since I was exhausted, I took her advice and decided to head to the bath first.

This time, before even undressing, I thoroughly inspected the changing room to make absolutely sure Mashiro wasn’t already inside. Only after confirming it was safe did I finally enter the bath.

“Ahhhh…” The hot spring water seeped into my tired and sore body, making me let out an involuntary groan.

Though I remained on guard in the bath, Mashiro didn’t ambush me this time… I was a little disappointed, but at least I managed to warm myself to the core today.

“I’ve finished my bath.”

“Understood. The meal will be ready soon, but could you please go and call Mashiro-sama for me?”

Kaizuka-san was indeed busy serving food.

“Ah, got it. I’ll go get her.”

……

I stood in front of Mashiro’s door and knocked.

Knock knock ♪ “Mashiro? Dinner’s ready.”

Knock knock ♪ “Are you asleep?”

Click

“It’s open… Mashiro? I’m coming in.”

Gently opening the door, I stepped into the dimly lit room to find Mashiro sitting in a chair, gazing at the moon outside the window.

“H-Huh? You are awake… I was wondering what to do if you were asleep… Eh?”

When I moved around to face her directly—

“Crap!! Mashiro’s in a trance (mental sync)!”

Mashiro’s Meteor Eyes were wide open, fixed unblinkingly on the moon outside, her body completely stiff. And most alarming of all—the color of her Meteor Eyes had changed.

“Silver Meteor Eyes… This is what happens when the White Tiger manifests?! Bad, bad, bad! At my current level, I’d be annihilated in an instant!”

The White Tiger event occurs near the end of Demon Capital Tokyo 1999. During the third training session at Genbu’s Rain-Soaked Rock Field, Mashiro suddenly disappears without warning.

While Takashi (the protagonist), Aru, and the rest of the party search the training grounds, they find Mashiro standing rigid atop a cliff in the White Zone, her eerie silver-glowing eyes fixed in a trance-like state.

When the party tries to approach her—despite their calls getting no response—several massive wind pillars erupt from the ground around Mashiro, concealing her within their vortex. Then, atop the pillars, one of the Four Sacred Beasts, the White Tiger, appears and begins threatening the group.

Growling at everyone present, it declares, “Mashiro may be Genbu’s vessel, but I am the one most worthy of inhabiting her!” It had come to steal Mashiro’s body for itself.

A battle against the White Tiger ensues, and after defeating it, the possessed Mashiro becomes the next opponent.

Once Mashiro is defeated, she regains consciousness and awakens the special skill White Tiger Summon.

However… this is a hidden event that only triggers if Mashiro’s Divine Vision Level is 50 or higher.

Under normal gameplay, Mashiro’s Divine Vision Level doesn’t increase naturally. Players must either repeatedly perform the Hidden Mantra Combination Punishment or use Divine Vision-boosting items to trigger this event.

“…So today, after the Hidden Mantra Combination Punishment, Mashiro’s Divine Vision Level finally hit 50… Meaning this is my fault.”

Though weighed down by guilt, I desperately tried to recall a way to break Mashiro out of her trance. I dug through my memories of the game’s mechanics and settings, searching for anything useful…

“Maybe if I…”

I placed my hands on Mashiro’s shoulders, positioning myself face-to-face with her, then leaned in closer…

…until our foreheads touched.

Divine Vision Synchronization.

Divine Vision Synchronization is a method where a party member with a high Divine Vision Level shares their perception with a lower-level ally. The effect is temporary, lasting only 5 to 10 minutes.

Near the story’s climax, during an event battle against Susano’o-no-Mikoto, the party is forced to flee after losing. Since Aru (the heroine) has a low Divine Vision Level, she can’t see Susano’o’s attacks and thus can’t evade them. In that desperate moment, Takashi comes up with this method on the spot.

However, this technique is never used again in the story, nor does it have an official skill name.

From a development standpoint, it was likely just a last-minute addition—both to create a dramatic “close-quarters moment” between the protagonist and heroine in a life-or-death situation and to handwave why Aru, despite her low Divine Vision, could barely dodge Susano’o’s attacks while escaping.

But right now, this is my only option… I can only pray that this isn’t a protagonist-exclusive skill.

I clenched my eyes shut, focusing all my consciousness on my forehead. Mashiro remained motionless, still staring blankly ahead.

(This was only ever described in text… Damn it, nothing’s happening!! Did I do it wrong?!)

The more I panicked, the harder it was to concentrate… Huuuu— I took a deep breath and tried again, pouring all my focus into my forehead.

“Gh—?!”

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my eardrums, followed by a stinging sensation in my tightly shut eyes.

In that instant, I felt an overwhelming presence behind me. When I turned around, the full moon visible through the window had transformed—into two eerie, glowing lights.

This… is one of the Four Sacred Beasts.

The White Tiger.