That 325: The Power of the Starving

Still, that one strike was just enough to keep him alive.

It was a delicate touch—enough to knock out an ordinary person.

"Wow! That was a beautiful high kick!"

Nanami's applause made me puff up with pride for a moment.

"Y'know, maybe we don't even need to get involved—this 'Nameless' girl could handle it all by herself?"

"No. We mustn't let our guard down."

I said this with full confidence, of course, and I had my reasons.

After all, I currently possess memories passed down from my past life's "me."

According to those memories, players who have mutated into "Hungerers" suffer from weakened, nullified, or even reversed effects in most skills.

In other words, the fundamental abilities of a "Hungerer" are vastly inferior to those of us "Players."

Yet, there was still a reason why "Hungerers" were truly terrifying beings.

One. "Hungerers" possess vitality equivalent to that of "Zombies."

Two. Their blood is as deadly poisonous as a "Zombie's" blood.

Three. By consuming a human heart, they can transform into nearly indistinguishable beings from humans—this cannot be detected even by abilities like "Skill Assessment."

And then... the fourth...

"Can't you just kill them before they use that cheat skill?"

One of the skills I had obtained before the mutation had transformed into an extremely powerful ability.

It was what my past self and my companions had referred to as a "cheat skill."

"No... it's already too late."

I carefully put some distance between myself and Hamada-san.

I had just noticed that my lower legs on the other side had turned black and charred.

Likely, I had taken a counterattack when I was struck by that previous blow.

"Geh... 'Nameless,' you... that...?"

"Please don't worry. It's just a minor injury—recoverable with Natural Healing."

Then, Hamada slowly rose to his feet.

His expression was clearly different from just moments before.

'Ah... damn it. I always believed that blissful time would go on forever... like the stagnant clouds in this mirrored world.'

Red-black, sharp, piercing claws.

A face devoid of any sign of blood, pale and lifeless.

Eyes dull and dry, like muddy water.

Seeing this transformation, the other three pale in horror.

"Uwah... what the hell... this thing... so disgusting!"

Nanami spoke for the group, expressing her disgust.

"An 'Hungerman'... I've never seen one before, but this is what they look like."

"Please remain vigilant."

If the Martial Arts skill evolves, it grants superhuman physical abilities.

If "Skin Reinforcement" mutates, it grants an incredibly tough outer layer that can withstand any attack.

If "Fire Magic V" mutates, it bestows the terrifying power to burn an entire building to ashes.

The strength of someone who has become a "Hunger Person" is unpredictable.

"...For now, we just need to identify which skill is mutating."

That is the most fundamental strategy against them.

It was clear that the opponent was waiting for our move.

In situations like this—like in manga, you know.

In this battle, the one who moves first loses...

Mai-san, Nanami-san, Ran-chan were positioned slightly behind me.

They were silently conveying that, if needed, they might even attack me.

After all, I’m reasonably strong on defense.

Incidentally, my original plan was to use that so-called "Hero" as a shield, but for some reason, he seems to be late. Maybe he’s at the restroom?

『……………………』

Hamaeda stood up slowly, swaying like a drunkard, and stared intently at me.

From his temple, thick, pitch-black blood—undoubtedly not human—oozed down like tar.

『…………………hmm』

With half his face grotesquely smeared in blood, Hamaeda slowly tilted his head back toward the sky.

He seems rather careless and full of openings... but I can't afford to be reckless. If he was once a "Guardian Knight," he might have powerful counterattacks up his sleeve.

"So that's how it is. Thought I'd stay still like a slug, but you're just waiting for my move, huh?"

"Yeah, well..."

"That's frankly not very smart. The 'zombie' is already rushing at us, eager to get ahead."

They're not very good at climbing stairs, so we still have time.

Incidentally, this is the third floor of the building.

A little way away from the entrance, which serves as the path for the "zombie" invasion.

No...

Hamaoka-san glanced up at the sky for a moment,

The escalator's moving at high speed right now, so it won't take as long as you think.

"Eh"

"Since it'll probably be revealed soon anyway, and if I'm going to play fair and let you face it head-on—my evolved skill is the third one of the lightning-elemental type... the technique you once named 'Power Source.'"

"That would be..."

Isn't it almost useless in terms of attack power?

No. That couldn't possibly be the case.

My feet are clearly damaged from his counterattack, aren't they?

Hesitation, perhaps just a few seconds.

Suddenly, I hear the groan of a "zombie."

And it's coming from not too far away.

"…………! Trouble, 'Nameless'! Going up against a 'zombie' in a three-way fight is……!"

Hearing Mayoi-san's words, I clenched my teeth.

She's right, of course.

I don't like the idea of falling into a trap, but I can't afford to delay finishing this person off……

"Seems unavoidable, then."

Just as I was steeling myself for it.

Hamanada turned his back on us, staggering slightly as he did.

"——?"

I couldn't grasp his intention when...

He suddenly broke into a full sprint, running away.

"Ah!"

He ran off—just like that.