Chapter 28: Encounter
A giant monster lunges at me, aiming to finish me off.
No fear... I’m ready for it.
But no matter how long I wait, the monster never comes... I open my eyes, look up—
“What the hell is this...!?!”
The monster is pierced from head to toe by icy spikes. It convulses, then goes still instantly.
I have no idea what just happened.
Through the monster’s body, I notice something in the sky. Someone floating...?
Lightning strikes from a cloudless sky—multiple bolts slamming into the monster! It bursts into flames, screaming in agony as it dies.
That’s when I realize...
That’s the man I’ve been looking for...! The one the Self-Defense Force said was the only hope—Sakagi!
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There are about thirty of them, I think. Some are injured, so I’ll end this fast.
I raise my right hand high into the sky, unleashing a massive fire across the area. The flames flicker and sway, slowly shifting shape—morphing into the form of a giant dragon, then falling from above like a waterfall, crashing into the swarm of monsters.
The monsters had no time to run—engulfed in fire, all that’s left behind is ash and bones.
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I’m speechless... staring at the man in front of me. He raises his left hand. Then—crack, crack, crack—the sound of something breaking fills the air.
Closer inspection reveals ice crystals forming on the ground and in the air. The crystals converge into a single massive mass, shifting shape rapidly—now forming the shape of an ice dragon. It shoots forward at incredible speed, rushing straight at the monsters approaching us.
The monster touched by the ice dragon froze instantly, stiff as stone. The dragon soared higher, then flung its scales at the creatures. The scales twisted in midair, transforming into ice spears that pierced the monsters through and through.
The man descended slowly from above, the flames and ice dragon following him like obedient pets.
Unbelievable… I never thought a mage could be this powerful. Sakagi had speculated that the reason fewer monsters attacked Nagano was because multiple mages were guarding the area.
But no! One man like this is more than enough. If we could bring him along, he’d be an invaluable asset—no doubt about it!!
He can fulfill Sakagi’s hopes… his dreams… yes… even if he lost his right leg, he had no regrets!
The remaining monsters were scattered effortlessly by the flames and ice dragon.
The man approached… face calm, as if defeating monsters was just part of everyday life.
“Blood’s pouring out… you okay?”
“Yeah… don’t worry about me… I’ve got something to ask you!”
“Ask me?”
“Been searching for you… for a long time.”
“Searching for me?”
“Yeah… for you…”
“Wait, wait—before you go on—”
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I raise my hand, summoning Healing Magic. Warm light spills from my palm, wrapping around the man’s body. Blood stops flowing. Wounds seal shut—fast. But even with my current rank of Healing Arts, I can’t restore missing parts.
“Sorry… I can heal the wounds, but I can’t bring back your leg.”
When I say that, the injured man laughs, bright and easy.
"What are you talking about?! I'm already lucky just to have my wounds healed. Seriously, you're freakin' amazing—can heal wounds like that?"
Maybe if I'd raised my Healing Arts level higher... could've fixed it. But then... was I wrong to pick this job? Can't help but think that.
"My name's Shimizu Toshirou. Former Self-Defense Force. Can I ask yours?"
"Gojo Masakado."
"Gojo-san, do you usually help people like this?"
"Only when I can... that's all..."
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If anyone could come help... I thought, maybe this guy could... So I steeled myself and asked!
"I'm from Gifu. Gojo-san, I need your help! Will you come with me to the Self-Defense Force base in Gifu?"
"Gifu?"
"Have you heard? Tokyo's been destroyed. Gojo-san."
"I’ve heard... but—"
"Since then, government headquarters and people from Kanto evacuated to Osaka. But the monsters from Kanto? They're pouring into Kansai in huge numbers."
"Monsters too?"
"That's why Gifu and Aichi's Self-Defense Force are forming a defense line. But we won’t last long."
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So that's what’s going on... I didn’t know the situation in Japan was this bad. I knew the Self-Defense Force and refugees existed, sure—but I was too busy hunting monsters to care.
"I was sent here by a Self-Defense Force officer from Gifu base. Heard it takes just a few days against tens of thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of monsters. That's when I heard about you... Gojo-san."
"About me? A rumor?"
"Yeah... word is you're an incredible mage."
If social media works normally, rumors would spread fast... but honestly, it’s kind of weird that rumors even spread in a situation like this.
"Got it—let’s go help! If I can be of use, I’ll lend a hand."
"Really?! Thanks! That’d be a huge help."
"Then it’s settled—let’s go right away! My car’s parked nearby. I lost one leg, but I can still drive. Sorry to ask, but can you lend me your shoulder?"
"N-no, no need for that!"
"Huh?"
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Freyja took my hand.
"Let’s go like this! It won’t take long to reach Gifu."
She said that—and suddenly, we floated up. It was like my body had no weight at all. A sensation like floating in zero gravity, the kind I’d seen on TV.
"WAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
We’re flying through the sky at insane speed. My fear, my panic—they’re all left behind, erased in an instant—
Chapter Two ends here. Finally, the protagonist’s name is out. I’d really appreciate it if you keep reading Chapter Three.