That 42: Forever
"Haah...—haah...!"
The situation is going back and forth, I suppose.
Though, to be honest, I haven't taken a single hit yet, so I'm still moving forward.
Of course, one hit and it's all over, huh☆
I gasp for breath.
My throat is dry. Even now, in this situation, my stomach growls—gurgle, gurgle. Hunger was slowing down every movement in my body. Maybe it's because I've been using magic continuously.
At this point, I began to think a long-term battle was dangerous.
If, in this situation, the ability to use "Enchant" suddenly becomes unavailable, the loss is nearly certain.
Facing off against the pig's "monster," gritting my teeth against the urge to panic.
On the head.
If I could just land a single blow to the head...!
Bogu gigu gigu gigu!
The thunderous cry in the sky gathers zombies.
Thanks to Koji-san securing a military truck alongside the fence and building a makeshift barricade, it seems they've managed to block the pig "monster" from exploiting the gap in the fence.
However, the number of "zombies" already inside was unprecedented.
Although most have been eliminated by Kousuke-kun and the others, they cannot afford to let their guard down.
And if you're distracted by those "zombies," that infamous bullet tackle is bound to come flying in.
"Boogie!"
The pig glared at me with an expression utterly devoid of charm.
If humanity were to lose to something like this... what kind of world would we have?
A pig-dominated planet, perhaps?
Not a joke at all.
The moment my focus wavered, the pig charged forward.
Does this thing read minds or something?
Dodging the charge with a sideways leap,
"――Gah!"
Something wraps around my leg.
Looking down, I see the upper body of a female "zombie" — the one I failed to kill — gripping my foot.
"Shit...!"
It seems the "monster pig" was aiming for this all along.
This pig appears to be smarter than I thought.
The worst possible scenario flashed through my mind — the very next moment.
Pahn! The sound of gunpowder exploded as the "zombie's" head was shot clean off.
"Senpai!"
Looking up, I saw Yūo Takehara clutching a revolver with trembling hands.
"Are you alright!?"
"Yes... I'm fine..."
Hastily regaining his footing,
"But why did you...?"
"Later! Talk later!"
Shouting, Takehara fired his gun at the pig "monster."
The bullet struck the pig "monster" in the head, but it didn't seem to have much effect.
"Damn... what a monster."
"I'm fine here. You should go back."
Even to me, a woman, Takehara-kun seemed like a frail young man.
I'd never seen him jump or run.
"Guess we're both built the same, huh...?"
Still holding his gun, Takehara-kun made a light-hearted remark. He looked perfectly fine—no sign of strain at all.
Bad.
Inside, I feel a surge of anxiety.
It was clear that, given his physical capabilities, he couldn't possibly dodge the charging "monster" pig.
That's when it happened.
"——!?"
The flame wrapping the sword flickered and vanished for just an instant.
Like a gas stove that suddenly ran out of fuel.
A bad feeling crept over me.
Maybe, just maybe, his limit was nearing.
"……So, Senpai really was a magician-type guy, huh. Now I finally understand everything."
Takeshina-kun muttered quietly.
I narrowed my eyes and ignored those words.
First and foremost, I had to take down that pig's "monster."
"I'll stop that pig's movements. Senpai, please hold back."
"……? What was that?"
"There's no time for talking! Leave it to me!"
Without a word, Takanao fired his gun repeatedly.
The pig's "monster" — likely sensing instinctively that Takanao was an easy target — immediately locked onto him.
"What are you doing!"
I nearly screamed.
The pig's "monster" charged at him with terrifying speed.
Takanao didn't even try to dodge.
Instead, with lightning-fast precision, he fired two bullets.
He fired at the pig's "monster," aiming directly for its eyes.
"Gigiiiiii!"
And what I saw next was.
Takanao, floating into the air like a doll, soaring upward.
And the pig's "monster," its eyes obliterated, flipping over and collapsing right where it stood.
"W-what...?!"
I could only stare, wide-eyed and helpless, frozen in shock.
But I couldn't remain stunned forever.
I had to finish Takanao's mission.
I raised my sword and plunged it into the forehead of the fallen pig-like "monster."
"Gug-gi... gi, giiiiiiiiiiii...!"
The massive body of the "monster," which had been so fearsome just moments ago, went utterly still, like a toy with its power turned off.
At the same time, a bizarre fanfare erupted in my head, completely out of place.
— Congratulations! Achievement "Monster Hunter" unlocked!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Congratulations! Your level has reached the required threshold!
Job change becomes available!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Ignoring the hallucination.
"Takekawa-kun!"
I rushed to Takane, who had collapsed onto the ground like a ragged rag.
"…………gurk"
Instead of answering, he coughs up blood.
"……I… did it… Senpai… hah… hah…"
"Why… why would you do something so reckless?"
"It's like a joke… something kept repeating in my head… 'Level up'… over and over… hahaha… maybe I've been playing too much…"
"……n,…"
For a moment, I'm speechless.
Before I even had time to think, I screamed.
"Y-yes, Natural Healing! Take Natural Healing! Hurry!"
"Natural...?"
"Just do it!"
"Anyway, I... I'm thinking about you, senpai..."
A faint smile.
The boy's eyes lost all life.
And even after that.
Afterwards.
His eyes would never again hold life.