Episode 2

**Is He Strong, Is He Weak?** (あいつが強いとか、弱いとか, *Aitsu Ga Tsuyoi Toka, Yowai Toka*) is the second episode of the *KamiErabi GOD.app* original Japanese anime series.

## Synopsis

With the beginning of Kamierabi, a mysterious girl named Lall appears, and Goro, who wields the power to bend the world's fate with the "Fool's Sutra," allies with Honoka, whom he resurrected with that power, and his friend Akitsu, who is also a "God Candidate." As Goro and Akitsu learn about Kamierabi from Honoka, who has been in the situation before them, suddenly, flames erupt, and a figure in a gas mask appears.

## Summary

The day began with Goro reflecting on the events that had unfolded with him and Honoka the previous day, it led him to a point where he wished for Lall to revive her. While discussing the situation with Honoka, one of his schoolmates, a girl, was suddenly engulfed in green flames, with an unknown person wearing a gas mask standing on the school's roof. This incident led to the school's closure for the day.

As Goro sat in class, he noticed derogatory comments left by his classmates on his desk. Lall suggested that the person in the gas mask might be one of the God candidates, potentially picking a fight with Goro, a new candidate not accustomed to such confrontations. During their argument about the inexplicable circumstances he found himself in, Goro was startled by the arrival of his friend Akitsu, who found his reaction amusing. While they engaged in banter, Honoka approached Goro, seeking his help. They moved to a quieter spot to talk, and Honoka expressed her feelings of being foolishly killed and then brought back to life by Goro. She questioned his motive for doing so, to which Goro provided an unreasonable and confusing response.

As Goro was about to leave, Honoka stopped him and proposed forming an alliance. She admitted feeling no match for his power and being scared of it, so she wanted to work alongside Goro. Lall was against this and tried to dissuade Goro, warning of the possibility of betrayal by Honoka. However, Goro disregarded Lall's advice, calling him stupid. During their conversation, Honoka suddenly addressed someone eavesdropping on them, revealing it to be Akitsu. Lall disclosed that Akitsu was also a God candidate, just like the two of them.

Akitsu brought a classic Mancala game for two players with him, which led to Honoka playfully expressing frustration about it. However, they quickly changed the subject, discussing their current status as candidates. Akitsu, who was playfully showing off, had initially thought he was ready to fight, but to his surprise, he was unaware that both Honoka and Goro were also candidates like him. He had assumed that Honoka might confess her feelings for him, but she deliberately denied this.

As the three of them settled down, Honoka attempted to assess the situation. She explained that Akitsu had recently become a candidate himself by making a wish on his smartphone, which subsequently led him to participate in battles. He had developed the power to predict events five seconds in advance. Honoka went on to mention that they could find more information about the abilities they had gained on their smartphones, which surprised both Goro and Akitsu, which led her to humorously call them "dumb." She further elaborated that, in addition to basic information about other candidates, the app installed in their smartphones provides a data on the location of nearby candidates and updates on changes in their powers. These details were crucial, and there might still be some undiscovered features. Through the app on their phones, all candidates could track the whereabouts of the others, as the competition would continue until only one candidate remained.

While the three of them compared their ranks, with Honoka being ranked A, Akitsu as rank C, and Goro only ranked D, it surprised Honoka due to Goro possessing a potent power all while he's only ranked D. As they discussed this, Akitsu noticed a peculiar mark on the app's map on his phone that was blinking. Lall responded by saying, "Here they come," and the surroundings darkened. A green mark appeared on the map, labeled "Entropy Mask," and it was approaching their location within the school's premises at a high speed.

As the green fire drew near, they decided to run, but no matter where they went, they ended up getting cornered. They sought refuge in an empty nearby room to catch their breath. When Honoka checked the window, she realized they were already at the entrance of the power zone of the opponent. Goro asked Lall what they should do, prompting Lall to express frustration over Goro not listening to their advice and only asking for help when in trouble. In a somewhat irritated manner, Lall suggested Goro should rely on his alliance buddies to fix the situation, which led to Goro questioning Lall's sudden spitefulness.

While they argued, Honoka proposed that they find the candidate quickly, as the situation could worsen. She suggested heading downstairs, but they couldn't leave the room because green flames surrounded the doorway. Honoka asked Goro if he could do anything, to which he hesitantly replied that he couldn't, while glancing at Lall, who was ignoring him. Honoka then revealed a pack of meat, which Akitsu mistook for emergency rations. Honoka used her power on the meat, chanting "Carnival," which caused her massive buster sword emitting a powerful red aura to appear after stabbing the meat. She used it to strike the green flames and urged the two guys to hurry up.

As they ran, Honoka lagged behind to stop the green flames from following them. She used a fire extinguisher and struck the flames, calming it down somewhat, allowing them to move into another room. While they discussed their situation, the green flames entered the room they were in, a consequence of Akitsu's growing fear while they discussed about it. Honoka explained that the more fear an individual feels toward their opponent, the deeper they can drag that person into the terror. This revelation explained the earlier incident involving their schoolmate, where the candidate instilled an image of death and flames as early as possible to them, the reason why it is able to follow them everywhere.

Akitsu abruptly interrupted the conversation as he foresaw an event that would happen five seconds earlier. He instructed Goro to move, but Goro was already encircled by the green flames, making it too late. As Akitsu tried to hold onto him, they both fell into a hole created by the encircling green flames.

Goro is lying on the ground, unconscious, and Lall is attempting to wake him up. When asked about his condition, Goro mentioned that his entire body is in considerable pain, but he can manage to move, at least to some extent. They find themselves in a science lab, located within the Gas Mask's power zone. Lall explains that they have been pulled into a relatively deep section of this zone. Suddenly, green flames ignite in all corners of the room where there are machines that can emit light. The sound of approaching footsteps, characterized by a squeaky sound, alerts them to the presence of the Gas Mask.

Akitsu is preparing himself to jump down and rescue his friend Goro, even though Honoka is attempting to dissuade him, convincing he won't survive. Akitsu holds onto the hope that some miraculous turn of events might occur. However, Honoka maintains that Goro possesses the strength to defend himself. In response, Akitsu emphasizes that his friendship with Goro isn't based on whether he's weak or strong. He then proceeds to leap down into the hole, shouting as he goes. Honoka, left behind, is left bewildered by the situation.

As they regained consciousness, both of them believed they had emerged victorious. However, when Lall conducted a search, they couldn't locate the Gas Mask's body, leaving them to suspect it had escaped. Akitsu expressed his concern that this might be the calm before the storm, a fleeting victory. Meanwhile, Goro, exhausted from the battle, collapsed.

While Akitsu and Lall attempted to rouse Goro, Honoka observed them. She noticed Akitsu's phone, which now displayed his rank as AAA, a significant jump from his previous rank of C. This sudden change left her puzzled.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Lall
* Honoka Sawa
* Entropy Mask