That 338: Emergency Situation

I was relieved it wasn't as badly damaged as it looked.

Thanks to the full effect of Bone Reinforcement, the damage hadn't even reached the internal organs.

With pliers, the Seven-Split Orchid pulled out the most troublesome nail, which had been lodged between the ribs, and then cast a finishing Healing Spell.

"Alright, that should do it..."

"Yep. Thanks. I really appreciate it."

"Thank you. Nanami, you were the one who endured it so well."

A small smile. The reason he'd been able to ignore the pain was because of the dopamine flood from his Hyperactive state—not because he was particularly strong-willed.

After changing into fresh clothes from a nearby sports goods store, he picked up a pair of new baseball bats, just in case.

He had a combat knife and a handgun holstered at his waist, but both were kept as backups, just in case.

Knives dull quickly and aren’t practical against numerous zombies, while handguns have limited ammo.

Only now did he realize that the "nameless" man who chose lightweight gear had been right all along.

"Alright, Hama... next time we meet, I'm shoving this thick bat right up your ass..."

That was the moment he was about to say, "I'll shove this in you."

A sharp snap echoed as all the lights in the entire mall went out.

"Huh?"

"Could it be..."

"What the hell, did that guy die before I even got to punish him?"

"Looks like it."

Ran let out a breath, as if relieved.

"Was it... that nameless guy, or that weird-looking man...?"

"It doesn't matter which one. I'm already fed up with being stuck here. After filming the escape from another world arc, I'm taking a full week of sleep—no work whatsoever."

"That's right."

"Hey, Ran. I'm really sorry about this time."

"Huh?"

"To be honest, I should've called it off the moment Toll Vladimire wasn't joining. With him around, things would've been much easier."

"…………"

"You're doing surprisingly well, considering your low level. Really."

In the darkness, the two silently pulled out chocolate bars without much discussion.

They slowly put them in their mouths, replenishing their magic power.

They longed for the lavish meals they could have had in the "kingdom."

"Hey, Ran."

"Huh?"

"Know about that super fancy hotel in the center of Disnyar?"

Of course. I used to dream of staying there back in the day...

How about living together once everything's over? There'll be a huge bath like a pool, and unlimited delicious food to eat.

A dry swallow can be heard.

I'd love to say "please, be happy about it," but... um, does that mean I'm being invited to join Nanami's team?

Maybe not.

...There's someone I really dislike in our family.

I see.

I've been rejected. So she's someone with high aspirations, just like me.

Not the type who pursues personal happiness, like I do.

"A good girl isn't interested in noble life... is that it?"

Then, from the darkness, came a soft, tinkling laugh.

"Nanami-san, I've always thought you enjoy playing the villain, don't you?"

"Huh?"

"To me, you're quite the good person, Nanami-san. If you were truly selfish, you wouldn't be here at all."

"Ah..."

Feeling a strange, prickly sensation at her straightforward opinion.

"Just so you know, I'm not here doing good deeds for the sake of it."

"Huh?"

"Mostly, it all started because Mayi never apologized, no matter how long it took."

"Mayi-san?"

"If that guy had just bowed to me right away, I wouldn't have had to go this far. Honestly, I don't even know how this situation got so bad."

At that moment, the spell "Thunder Magic III" was cast.

It wasn't Nanami or Ran who used it, so it was probably someone down below—some "Nameless" person.

As the shop was illuminated by the light, a smiling face appeared, as if grinning mischievously.

"Anyway, I've been wondering for a while—why did Mai and Nanami end up fighting?"

"Huh?"

"Didn't you two used to get along so well?"

"Ah... yeah..."

Nanami looked away, replying with a quiet, "Yeah, that's true."

"Well... it's not really something you can explain in a single sentence. It was just... complicated, you know?"

"?"

"If I have to put it into words, it was just... a difference in direction, I guess... or maybe a difference in how we think about making things."

"So it wasn't really anything decisive, huh?"

"I guess so."

"Definitely that's it."

"What?"

"Mayoi-chan probably didn't know how to apologize in the way that feels right, so things just kept dragging on like this until now."

While thinking how confidently she'd just stated that,

"Those kinds of fights are pretty common. We have them at home too."

"Then, how does Ran usually make up after something like this?"

"Those kinds of fights are pretty common. We have them at home too." "Then, how does Ran usually make up after something like this?"

"Sure, it's simple..."

At that moment, a sound like something massive colliding echoed through the building, and the escalators connecting the floors of the West Area were destroyed.

Peering ahead briefly, it seemed the culprit was the "Nameless One." She had used some kind of ability to block the "Zombies' " passage.

Besides dealing with Hamada, she must have taken action to prevent the "Zombies" from moving any further.

It might seem manageable for the five "players" to handle a "zombie" entering the store, if they work together...

By the way, let's go back to what we were talking about.

...Hmm? Yeah...

"How does Ran manage to make up with someone like this..."

H-Hold on, please, wait a second!

Huh?

"There was a 'zombie' there a moment ago, wasn't there? The one you just knocked down."

Now that you mention it, that's true.

The four that were trapped inside the "portable mini-home" created by Ran.

Looking closely, from behind the front door, four creatures gleamed with a crimson light in their eyes, peering at us from within...

"Later. For now, let's deal with these guys..."

Before the words were even finished, they surged forward with furious speed.

The cries they emitted—sharp and piercing—bore a strange resemblance to the angry calls of apes.

It was a skill of the same nature as the "Roar" used by the nameless girl.

"——W-what the hell is this?! These things!?"

She didn't understand what was happening.

But one thing was certain—something abnormal was unfolding.