Chapter 336: Misdeeds

You think you've won? Phase 3 complete!

...Did you really believe that, Hashida-san? (-`ω-)

'——...g, nuh!?'

You know, I always seem to make it just in time, don't I?

No matter what, I always manage to arrive in time.

Well, I almost didn't notice a little too late—could've been dangerous... but still.

Right now, I was gripping Hashida Kensuke's arm, blending in among the zombies, squeezing his hand tightly with all my strength.

The enhanced grip strength from my Attack Power sent a crisp, bone-crushing sensation through my fingers.

Our eyes met for just an instant—Hama-da-san's face frozen in shock.

Still clutching his body, I swung him around, sending the surrounding "zombies" flying.

Then, what happened next?

Hama-da-san, it seems my "weapon" status has even transferred the "Attack Power" effect to his body. One after another, the "zombies" were crushed to pieces.

After swinging Hama-da-san around for just a dozen seconds, the "zombie" army in this area was instantly subdued.

'――――――――――――………………guffh'

Hama-da-san, swung with absurd strength far beyond human capability, lies limp, battered and bruised all over, suffering even worse damage with every impact.

Of course, I show no mercy even for this.

I repeatedly slammed him into walls, floors, and the ceiling.

Eventually, his flesh tore apart in my hands, and with a sharp rip, Hama-da-san's arm was torn off.

Dark blood splattered like chocolate sauce, pouring down onto the already lifeless "zombies."

Of course, I know full well that just that won't kill the "Hungerman." His end requires a proper decapitation as well.

...With that in mind, I activate my Ultimate Sword III in front of him as he lies fallen.

Ultimate Sword III is likely the most powerful technique in person-to-person combat, second only to the overpriced Ultimate Sword X.

Holding my multi-tool in hand, I take a single deep breath—and unleash the move I once called "Rain Maker."

Hamaeda looks up at me with a pained expression, but I say nothing more to him as he dies.

As I plunged the knife into him, his body was shredded like it had been mixed in a blender.

Eventually, Hamaeda, bisected from his right shoulder to his left flank, was slammed against a wall made of marble, sticking to it, and ceased to move even a muscle.

"Su...su...goooo... Like a superhuman Hulk..."

Huh?

I think I just heard a word that's not really appropriate for describing a girl.

"But isn't this... a bit too much?"

"No," the man said, "this is standard when dealing with a 'Hungerman'."

I've already made the mistake once before—being too lenient—and ended up causing a death. I won't repeat that error.

Still, Hashida-san seems to still be breathing.

'Hungermen' are just incredibly tenacious, that's their hallmark.

As I raised my knife again, preparing to deliver the final blow, Hashida-san extended his hand as if praying.

And then he murmured.

'...Please.'

Was he begging for mercy?

But his gaze remained fixed straight at Dogbite,

'Please don't forget me.'

Dogbite turned his face slightly away,

'...I won't forget you, no matter what.'

'Everything that's about to happen—I planned it all. Everything, I did it. I drove you all into a corner... from the very beginning...'

There was something almost boastful about his tone, as if he were proud of his own achievements.

"Did you not realize... that coming here in the first place was all part of my plan..."

"Huh?"

Inuia shook his head in disbelief.

"Are you serious? That's impossible."

Then, Inuia suddenly froze.

"Wait... you didn't... have an accomplice?"

At that moment, Hamada smiled—a confident, knowing smile.

From his expression, nothing was conveyed but the undeniable truth: everything was unfolding exactly as he had planned.

"That means... ah, right, yeah. You're saying I'm one of those who can bring the dead back to life?"

"Haha... heh..."

Laughing weakly, Hamada nodded.

I tilted my head.

"Bring back to life... wait, what? Could it be that person, Shizukawa Reika?"

"Reika? Isn't she from Disney?"

"Yes."

If that's the case, then there's someone else I need to question.

But before I could finish the thought, he shook his head casually.

"That's different. I'm talking about a player with the job class called 'Necromancer.'"

"A 'Necro... mage'?"

Huh? I don't think I've ever heard of that before.

"Who exactly are they?"

"That's—"

And then Dog Bite cut off his words mid-sentence.

"Oh, right, right. 'Don't say unnecessary things,' got it."

He replied to the voice inside his helmet.

"Sorry. Just had my partner chipping in. Can't respond right now."

"Huh."

"Never mind that—hey, Hamada."

Ignoring the blood splattered all the way up to the ceiling, dripping down like rain, I grabbed Hamada by the collar, his body nearly severed at the neck.

"Answer me. What did you do, conspiring with that necromancer?"

"Everything."

"What?"

"All of it—everything that will be eternally engraved into your memory from now on."

"What?!"

"That's why I'm asking you... never forget me, please."

"…………?"

"Good deeds are for commoners... True fame is achieved through evil deeds."

"Through evil deeds?"

Dogbite shouted in utter disbelief.

Then, once again, the voice inside the helmet, whispering softly.

"You...—"

It seemed Dogbite wanted to hear more, but I pressed the multi-tool knife against Hanada's forehead with a soft *pfft*.

"Ahh... ahh?!"

Then, Hanada Kensuke's severed head went completely still, as if its switch had been flipped off.

At the same moment, all the lights throughout the mall, which had been under his control, vanished, plunging the surroundings into darkness. Even in the poor visibility, Dogbite's armor strangely glowed.

"Wait, wait, hold on! 'Anonymous' guy, you can't just—out of nowhere like that...!"

The reason I made this decision is simple.

Because I recognized the intent to buy time in his words.

And even now, there's only one reason to buy time.

...trying to get the zombies just a little further into this mall.

"There's no time for arguing. He has allies, and they're about to attack us—most likely, the moment these lights go out."

I turned my back on the motionless Hamada and hurried forward.

Perhaps Hamada... is still alive.

His life has ended, but his will still targets us.

Let's hurry. If he isn't the boastful type, then things might get tricky.