Chapter 54: Haku I Iroha

Haku I Iroha had always wanted to become a hero of justice.

Indeed, ever since the world reached its end, she had tirelessly fought for the sake of the world and humanity.

At the very least, she had always done only what she believed to be right.

"Zombies" were not frightening in the slightest.

They were simply, utterly evil.

She had never heard of a hero who showed mercy to villains.

Only downside was, when she killed them, the smell slightly bothered her nose.

She helped anyone she noticed, guiding them all to safety (a supermarket in Suginami).

That was it—just one month.

It was fulfilling. She received gratitude from so many people.

It was the most extraordinary event in her life.

And then.

In the end.

The majority of the efforts she had made ended in futility.

Among those she had rescued was an unusual old man with peculiar beliefs.

He firmly believed that everyone turning into "zombies" was the "right" thing to do.

It wasn't until the next day, while out on a supply run, that she noticed the supermarket door had been left wide open—opened by the old man's hands.

When Saya returned, the safe zone she had desperately secured had become a nest of "zombies."

The people she had rescued seemed to have scattered in all directions.

She had no idea where they were now or what they were doing.

But one thing was certain—many of them had become food for the "zombies."

And the day before yesterday.

While walking dazed through the streets, she was approached by a woman.

She was wearing tattered clothes, clearly begging for help.

She said she had barely escaped from "a certain woman."

She didn't know the woman's name.

All she knew was that she wore a red tracksuit and possessed strange powers.

It hit me immediately.

That woman was just like me—someone who had been given the same "power."

Rumors say that "a certain woman" rules as the queen at the "Sakagahara High School," located a short distance from here, treating refugees like slaves.

As I listened to the story, the once-empty heart of Ayaka began to simmer with a growing flame of anger.

The "power" bestowed upon us was a gift from the gods—meant to save others.

It should never be used to oppress the weak.

By the time she realized it, Ayaka had already dashed off.

It felt similar to quenching a thirst.

After losing everything once, she now needed a goal.

▼

She had just spotted the girl in the red jersey.

Her presence was easier to find than expected.

In this world where the dead wander, the living stand out clearly.

The woman was on the rooftop of a general goods store, boiling water using an enormous number of cassette stoves.

While watching to see what she was doing, I was astonished to see her completely naked and stepping into the bath.

(Not sane...)

That's what I thought.

In a situation like this, where it's impossible to know who might be watching.

Bath time.

He swallowed hard.

Aya too had been longing for a warm bath.

"Uuuu……"

I can't forgive you.

For some reason, seeing that guy's pathetic face makes me so angry.

I had originally planned to launch the attack tomorrow morning.

I thought I should talk to him first.

But what does it matter?

I'll finish him off while he's asleep.

▼

And now.

(Something... something feels off)

Hagiku Saeba frowned as she wandered aimlessly through the curio shop.

It felt different from what I'd heard.

I'd been told that the girl in the nameless Pikanian mascot pajamas was supposed to be more like... a villain from a shonen manga.

At the very least, she had said to me, while attacking me unilaterally, "I don't want to kill you."

I couldn't understand the meaning behind that. Maybe she had her own plans.

A tactic to make me let my guard down, perhaps.

Either way, I needed to beat her senseless once and for all.

I had to take them back to that "Sagakou High School" and make everyone who had bullied them apologize.

While preparing herself, she recited an additional Level 3 Thunder Magic.

This spell provides sufficient power to all electrical devices within approximately ten meters of the caster. While it cannot be used for attacks, it is extremely convenient.

Especially when chasing a villain hidden within a building.

"!"

Found it.

"That woman" had somehow placed her sword on the floor and was staring straight at me.

Of course, I attacked without a second thought.

Even without weapons, we have magic. She might be targeting something specific.

"Take this! ——《Ravenous Wolf Barrage》!"

《Ravenous Wolf Barrage》 was a skill derived from《Combat Technique》, also known as《Ultimate Move I》.

Saeko's technique, a flurry of punches enhanced by mysterious energy, was nothing short of a deadly strike against "zombies."

But...

"——What?!"

An abnormal event was unfolding.

Certainly, the ultimate move just unleashed should have been a critical hit.

Yet the Pikanian mascot girl standing before her remained perfectly calm, standing right where she was.

"Kukkukkuku. Behold the resilience of this hardy, effort-optimized, defense-focused, naturally gifted, mischievous Pikanian. Observe!"

"What the hell are you doing! W-what did you just do!"

Up until now, she had never experienced a situation where her attack failed to land.

It was something that shouldn't have happened.

If that blow had struck a "Zombie," it should have been torn apart and sent flying.

The girl, her thumb firmly raised,

"You said you'd hit me a hundred times... Alright then. Please, go ahead and hit me a hundred times."

What the hell is this guy talking about? Is he into pain or something?

"However! If I'm still standing after a hundred hits, I expect you to listen to me properly!"

"………!"

A chill ran down my spine.

She really is insane.

"Come on, hit me! But... if you could, please avoid my face!"

I didn't understand any of it.

Still, even though I didn't understand, I had my own pride.

I don't intend to kill you... but still.

I want to pour everything I've got into this guy.

"——Gotcha! Right here!"

A torrential assault began.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty.

"Damn it... Why? Why...?"

"Hahaha. It doesn't even hurt."

Her laugh looked just slightly strained.

It shouldn't fail. That was certain.

After all, thanks to her skill "Iron Fist," her fists should be harder than iron.

"Then... how about this! ——"Wave Impact"!"

"Ultimate Technique II."

A technique that emits an unknown energy wave from her palm, a power even Ayame herself didn't fully understand.

The golden energy surged forward with incredible force toward the woman.

For a split second, the woman whispered faintly, "—《Steel Armor》."

Clang! A sharp, metallic clash rang out as Ayame's "Wave Strike" vanished instantly in midair.

"Man, you totally used a skill just now! Cheater!"

"You're using one too, aren't you? Fair is fair."

Complete rebuttal.

Gah... darn it.

Saya gritted her teeth and resumed her barrage, pouring her anger into every strike.

The attacks should definitely be working.

But...

It was her who was being driven into a corner.

Glurgle... glurgle... glurgle...

Hunger was beginning to devour her body.

(That's bad... really bad)

She'd once pushed herself too hard and run out of magic power.

That time had been terrible.

If she runs out of magic power, it seems the effects of skills she normally activates unconsciously—like "Martial Arts," "Natural Healing," and "Skin Reinforcement"—also vanish.

At that moment, her body would become as heavy as lead, struggling even against a single zombie.

If that were to happen, there would be no fighting left to do.

"Ora ora ora ora ora! Dorararararararara!"

He couldn’t even remember how many shots he’d fired at the woman.

“…Just twenty more shots left.”

She seemed to be counting for him.

“Damn it!”

There was no choice now—only one last gamble remained.

The ultimate finishing move held by Saya.

“—Bakuretsu Hyakuretsu Ken!?”

Special Move III.

A technique that unleashed a continuous barrage of mysterious energy projectiles from her fists—something even Saya herself didn’t fully understand.

"I've been thinking—doesn't the name repeat the character 'split'? Maybe it'd be better to change it?"

"――! Shut up!"

The beam of light struck her like a downpour of rain.

"...ggh"

It was clear the woman was nearing her limit.

She spat blood from her mouth.

Good! One more!

Saya prepared herself once again.

"Eh, wait, didn't that just miss a hundred times?"

Who cares.

"——《Burst·Hyakuree》…………?"

At the same time.

Ayano's tongue suddenly stopped moving.

"Aa, aa……"

This couldn't be.

She'd experienced this feeling before.

Mana exhaustion.

The girl collapsed to her knees right there.

"Damn it……"

"Um, I don't know what's going on, but can we call it over now?"

"Gugug……"

The girl picked up the sword lying beside her, its blade pressing against Saya's neck.

"Yes. This means I've won, doesn't it?"

She wanted to say something bitter, something resentful.

Gukururururururururururu!

Her stomach answered back on its own.

"Oh my."

Then, Saya's consciousness faded into darkness.