その３２６ 下準備

「あっ」

「ああ」

「あーっ」

「ちょ、待て――――――――――――――――――――――――ッ！」

私の叫び声から逃れるように、浜田さんは一目散。

彼が向かっているのは、一階から最上階までが吹き抜けになっているモールの中央部でした。

そこはすでに”ゾンビ”たちの侵入が始まっており、エスカレーターで運ばれてきた死者たちがうなり声を上げています。

Even so, we had no choice but to pursue Hamada's back. His fate had to be settled right here and now—without fail.

From the way he moved, I realized his physical abilities weren't much different from those of an ordinary human.

His cheat skill—wasn't one that enhanced strength, at least.

Was what he said earlier truly true?

"What's with that guy? Trying to blend in with those zombies?"

"No... "

Zombies were definitely supposed to attack even the "Hungry Dead."

If he'd blended in among the swarm, he'd have been taking the same risks as they were.

"Still, he couldn't possibly be thinking nothing at all..."

"What should we do?"

Mai, matching his pace with a skipping step, asked.

"I could catch up easily..."

"No—actually, I should be the one to attack."

"Hey, Anonymous-chan..."

"?"

"You can rely on us, too—don't hesitate."

"Oh, yes."

Memories of my past life's failure surfaced in my mind.

"I understand. But for now, I'll be the one to go out there—since I'm the one with defensive strength."

I replied calmly.

"...Hmm."

Maya-san slightly smiled, her lips barely curving,

"Got it."

At the exact moment I heard those words—or didn't hear them—I activated my "Demonization."

Quickly finish this and meet up with the others... Then uncover the true identity of the "Hero"...

Maybe I rushed a bit too much—it was probably a mistake.

At that moment, he unleashed his magic power and shot forward at high speed, launching himself through the central atrium of the mall.

A chill runs down my spine as I notice a dozen or so drones waiting in ambush in the open space above.

I'm sorry, but I'll need you to do the groundwork thoroughly.

Hama's voice was echoing in my ears.

It seemed the low hum had been luring the "zombies" this far, disguising its buzzing sound as the fluttering of insects.

"——Oh no...!"

I couldn't even brake in time—I was flung straight into the center of the enemy's range, like a butterfly trapped in a spider's web.

I realized—just in time—that all the drones' gun barrels were precisely aimed at me...

I raised both arms to shield my face, trying at least to reduce the damage.

In an instant, flames engulfed my entire body.

The smell of gasoline filled my nose, the searing heat of fire.

And the unpleasant odor of burning hair.

Perhaps suffering from mild carbon monoxide poisoning, my head swims and I lose control over my entire body.

I tumbled into the second floor of the mall like a falling airplane, smashing dramatically through a glass case and making a dynamic entrance into the hamburger shop.

"...gah, phew"

Cutting myself all over with glass shards, my thoughts grow parched.

Hamaeda was already striding quickly toward me.

"Oh wow. You're still alive after that? You're just like a cockroach."

After checking my whole body for damage, it seemed at least there was no major pain.

That said, the armor created by the Demonization ability had burned and crumbled into pieces.

"Hamaeda...!"

When I looked at him, Hamaeda Kensuke, with a smile so cheerful it was hard to believe he was the "Hunger Person,"

"I've decided. Next time I take human form, I'll definitely use your heart."

Behind him were six drones filled with gasoline-powered water guns. Each one appeared to be handmade by Hamaeda, constructed by combining various items found inside the mall.

When I shifted my attention outward, I realized that Mayi and the others were currently being held up by the "zombies."

What was supposed to be a pummeling turned into a clean, individual elimination.

Not good. The cheat version of "Power Source" is more troublesome than I thought.

'I'll kill you first, then those three up above. After that, I'll eliminate all the refugees. What do you think will happen to the "Hero" then? Will he just collapse in fear...? That'd make my job much easier.'

That calm, — cruel tone was utterly unlike the "slightly unreliable" version of him seen over the past few days.

Negotiating with the "Hunger People" was nearly impossible. As my previous self had taught me, it was akin to shouting for zombie rights.

I quickly stood up and kicked away the table from the hamburger shop, putting some distance between us.

Precisely in step with me, Hamada stepped forward.

He stood there, completely unguarded, hands still in his pockets.

Following closely behind him, the drones kept watch as if guarding him.

Well then. How should I deal with this?

I'm confident I could knock him out with just one solid hit...

Hmm. Maybe I should've finished him off when I attacked earlier.

But back then, I wasn't 100% certain, you know.

...No, no, that's no good.

This kind of thing is going to make me look ridiculous in front of my past self.

"Then... perish. You wretched girl, unknown to me."