Episode 127: Misunderstanding

For a long time, the item known as a "mobile phone" was hardly invented intentionally in genres such as science fiction novels.

The idea of a gadget that could share information anytime, anywhere, with anyone, was nothing but a hindrance to storytelling.

And rightly so.

Human conflicts often arise from misunderstandings in the first place.

▼

(What's going on? Dark Knight...?)

My question was cut short by the immediate physical threat.

"——raa!"

"Kuugh!"

"Shikanda" flashed into action, barely deflecting Hayatarō's knife.

The defense had to rely almost entirely on "Shikanda."

The attack was beyond my skill level to dodge with just my arm.

Above all, after the previous exchanges, I'd already painfully realized it.

The glaring gap in combat skill between me and these two.

Certainly, in terms of stat parameters, I might have the upper hand.

But compared to the two in front of me, I'm vastly inferior in experience and实战.

The chances of me winning in a fair fight were virtually nonexistent.

— This is bad... this is really bad...

There was unmistakable anxiety in Kōon's voice.

She probably couldn't afford to be caught here.

"Don't worry. I've got a plan."

— What kind of plan?

The solution I'd prepared was simple:

"Go in with brute force."

— That's basically the same as not thinking at all...

True enough.

But when facing an enemy character that's hard to hit yet excels in straightforward strength contests, there's no better approach.

First, I slid "Shikanda" back into its sheath and stepped a few paces back.

A wall behind me. There's nowhere left to run.

"...What's wrong? Giving up?"

For a brief moment, Rintarou appeared to consider surrendering.

Of course, he had no intention of giving in.

Seizing the opening,

"——Shock Hand!"

I shouted the newly learned spell, and crackling lightning surged through both of my hands.

"...Ko-on. By the way, how long can you maintain that?"

―Hmm. Maybe five or six minutes? Beyond that, it'd definitely be pushing the danger limit.

"Six minutes is enough."

Just like how beasts sometimes do.

I braced myself with both arms half-extended, then lunged forward recklessly.

"…Tch!"

Rintaro grimaced and leapt backward.

"Asuka! He's using magic!"

"I know!"

(Keep pressing forward like this…!)

That was the thought I had—just as the next moment arrived.

"Zap!" The palm, bristling with voltage, was seized by Ritaro's arm.

Looking closer, lightning crackled across both of Ritaro's hands as well.

"W-what...!"

"Magicians aren't just you!"

It looked like a technique similar to the one I'd used—my Shock Hand.

(Shouldn't abilities like this be individually set per character?)

I had no idea what kind of phenomenon was occurring.

My hand and Rintaro's were crackling with a sharp, piercing sound, illuminating the hotel room brightly.

(…Maybe I should retreat for now? No….)

"Gh, gugugugu!? Ah, this might be bad, this is bad!"

Rintaro's expression, as he charged head-on, was twisted in agony.

—It's fine! My magic power is stronger! I can do this!

It seems I've gained the upper hand in this "magic duel."

I didn't exactly plan for this outcome, but I did sense that using magic might be my way out, status-wise.

"Ugh! What are you doing, Rintaro-kun!"

With this situation unfolding, Asuka-san can't interfere now.

"Sorry, but I'm going through this way...!"

I grabbed Rintaro's hand and charged straight toward Asuka-san, who was near the entrance to the room.

"Whoa, w-w-w-w-wait!?"

(If I keep going like this, I'll knock Asuka-san over—right along with Rintaro!)

...But.

It didn't go quite so smoothly.

"Alright!"

Asuka-san leapt over both our heads like she was doing a vault, landing with perfect balance.

All within the cramped confines of the room—impressive athletic skill.

As for me,

(Just now... I caught a glimpse of her underwear.)

Under these crisis conditions, I found myself observing things objectively, as if from a detached perspective.

It seems that ever since the incident at Akasaka-mitsuke, they've become remarkably composed.

"Let go of Hayatarou! —Fire Ball!"

As Shinji looks back, Asuka shouts out.

And a fireball, about the size of a clenched fist, formed in her hand.

This isn't good. That can't be avoided.

However, Hikone's opinion seems to be completely the opposite.

――Chans! Dog Bite! Cover that fireball with your cloak!

"What?"

――Just do it!

"……gah!"

At the same time, the fireball created by Asuka was slammed into the deep crimson cloak.

Boom! A shock hit my back.

I gritted my teeth and endured the pain... but there was no damage like I had expected.

Rather,

"――!?"

A sudden surge made the output of the lightning magic within both arms double instantly.

"Gaaah! Gaaah! Gaaah!"

Repelling Ryoutaro's雷-based magic, which should have been evenly matched, it scorched his entire body.

He quickly let go with both hands.

That's why I thought I'd surely die if things continued this way.

Ben! De Molt Ben!

What happened?

—Fufufu. The "Crimson Mantle" you're wearing has the ability to absorb Fire-element spells.

That's why.

Honestly, I just thought it was a fancy cape.

"R, Rintarou-kun!"

Asuka screamed and rushed toward her companions.

I simply said to the two of them,

"...Sorry."

Then I left the scene.

Suddenly, I began to wonder if my judgment had been fundamentally wrong all along.

Maybe these people weren't villains or anything like that—just desperate to reclaim someone precious to them.

But it was too late to regret now.

I leapt through the hotel's emergency exit, melted the door handle with a quick application of Shock Hand for good measure, ensuring it wouldn't open easily, then left the business hotel behind.

▼

"That was close... I'm never doing something like that again."

I called out to Kōon while sprinting at full speed.

--Really? When I was alive, that kind of last-minute battle was all I knew.

"Yeah? Guess you're more of a survivor than I thought."

--Hehe.

I wasn't complimenting you, you know.

After that, I ran for another half hour just to be safe, but there was no sign of Asaka-san and the others following us.

Maybe Yohda-san back at that place managed to pull through after all.

Also, it seems the arrival of the “Norio’s old man” mentioned in their conversation is delayed.

“Almost like we got lucky and barely escaped.”

—But it worked out, didn’t it? That’s good, huh.

“Yeah….”

I mutter listlessly.

“But that’s it. This time’s over.”

Ironically, despite feeling relieved, my chest was filled with a bitter emptiness.

"I want to put an end to this kind of dangerous gamble... I also have a promise to keep with Oho-ta-san."

—What does that mean?

"For now, I’ll focus entirely on leveling up. Properly this time."