226 – Goal (2)
#2
When I first heard the screams, I had a gut feeling.
Things were going the exact opposite of what was intended. If this continues, the situation will grow out of control like a fire. Whatever it was, he immediately jumped out of the restricted area to save people.
‘I won’t be taken lightly, this is it… !’
I ran through the middle of a messy shopping street. Then I saw the people eroded by the shadows.
All of them couldn’t overcome their desires and ran amok like animals, not humans. Shall I express it as a ghostly island? The sight of people intertwined and colliding, crying out, and asking for help… It was truly pitiful.
I have encountered the shadow that Elena warned about several times. They appeared anywhere in the shade, regardless of the floor, ceiling, or exterior walls. The shadow that tried to bind me and prey on me. But I couldn’t put a single finger on my body.
Every time he swung his fist wrapped in light, shadows exploded like paint. In that way, he got rid of dozens of shadows, but none of them were the main body.
And while I was using my full strength to safely subdue people, I soon realized one fact.
Some of the people eroded by the shadows were extremely difficult to subdue, but upon reflection, they all had one thing in common.
That’s right….
‘Eye.’
That your eyes are stained black.
I don’t know how it got to that state. But this much was certain. They are completely eroded by the shadows.
Leading physical ability and more overheated desire… Therefore, I decided to temporarily refer to those people as “Hosts.”
People who became hosts are more dangerous. Strength is also strong, but in order to subdue them, you have no choice but to use rough methods.
From the host’s shadow, hands like the shadows that had attacked me sometimes protruded, and all of them were often obstructing my path.
You didn’t stop there and attacked me.
After going through that process a few more times, I also noticed that the shadow was using the host to achieve some special purpose.
‘Maybe it’s me.’
I can’t be sure, but it was very likely.
That’s why.
When I found Myu, who was staggering and unable to come to his senses, in a place not far away, I felt a terrible sense of despair.
‘No… !’
Part of her eyes had already turned black. Mew didn’t seem to hear my voice, but he leaned against the overturned trash can and didn’t respond like a puppet with a string cut off.
I had experienced the strength of Mew earlier. So, if Mu turns into a host… Rather than being subdued, they will be reversed. It was never quite like that. The shock she would receive when she woke up after accidentally killing someone would have been considerable.
“Hey, hey! Music! Music!?”
So, I continued to talk like this, tried to purify with light, and just desperately hoped for Mew to wake up.
“…… Senior.”
At some point, Mew’s eyes regained their original color. And he looked straight up at me.
“…… ! Did you come to your senses?! It’s fortunate, I was wondering what to do when you become a host…… !”
I felt like I had endured for 10 years and wiped my heart out. I let go of the hand that was holding Mew’s shoulder and looked ahead.
‘That….’
There was a man sprawled under a cracked exterior wall. As he focused his eyes, he saw a face he had seen somewhere before. I think I passed out, but it might be better to leave it as it is.
“… What happened?”
Mew asked me, shaking her hair as if she was dizzy.
I was wondering what to explain.
“It’s the devil.”
I told you in the shortest possible way.
“Demon… ….”
Mu rolled the word in his mouth for a while.
“So, the senior who cheated on me is here?”
“… Let’s talk about that later Now, saving people comes first. I may have just woken up and be distracted, but I’m really sorry. Please help me and clean up the area for now.”
You can tell without looking back. Big and small screams never stop. Although the reinforcements that have arrived are desperately trying their best… The more manpower, the better. Moreover, if it’s Mew, he should be able to subdue people effortlessly. It’s like having another very strong ally.
Mu smiled after hearing my request.
“I wish I had told you that from the beginning.”
“…… Sorry.”
“All right.”
I shake off my arms, where my clothes are torn and my skin is exposed, and I stand up.
“What should I be careful about?”
“…… What are you talking about?”
“I heard it was the devil. I need to know roughly how strong it is and what kind of power it has so that I can respond accurately.”
“Ah.”
I opened my mouth without hesitation.
“A demon who controls shadows. Swallowing people into shadows, just like you just went through… Make it runaway, or make it a host.”
“… Host?”
“It’s a temporary name I gave, um… Have you ever seen anyone with black eyes coming this far?”
After thinking about it, Mew opened her mouth small.
He turned his head to his side.
“That person.”
“…… Who is that person?”
“Yes. My eyes were pitch black. Is that your host?”
“Yes.”
I was quick to affirm.
“When it becomes a host, it becomes stronger by leaps and bounds, or it spreads its shadow around like an epidemic. I think you were also victimized by that person, but the first thing we need to deal with is that host. It’s very dangerous Seeing what you’ve been through, I’m sure….”
“Okay.”
Mu cut me off.
“I help seniors to organize the surroundings. Instead, the top priority is a person with black eyes. Right?”
“… Yes. For now.”
Let’s nod heavily.
“If it’s because the devil appears, how?”
“How?”
“A way to defeat the devil. Looking at it, it seems like there are not one or two things to deal with, but you can’t just stay like that until you die. If we just clean up our surroundings, who will get rid of the demons? Who is that captain of the guards?”
“That….”
All the shadows I’ve encountered so far weren’t the main body. Of course. If the purpose was to cause such confusion from the beginning, there would be no need to show up. Because of that, the operation to use me as bait also failed.
All the demons that invaded the frontier targeted me… I vaguely thought that maybe this time too. It doesn’t seem like it’s going to be as easy as last time. What a troublesome demon. I couldn’t even graduate like this, and the frontier looked ruined. Unless the imperial family issues a massive subjugation order.
“… Not yet. But I’m thinking about it.”
“Hmm….”
To be honest, I am not confident. I have to do it though. I’ll try my best as long as it’s within my power.
“Okay. No.”
Mu sighed.
“Okay.”
Looking at me, he shrugged.
He came to my waist and lightly hugged me.
“…… ! Hey hey! What are you doing! Because there is no time!”
“You should recharge your morale before sortie. Even in historical wars, morale management of soldiers has always been an important law. And working for no pay is kind of like that. Look at this.”
“No, really, this…. Under….”
“Eh. It’s good. This too.”
I was just thinking about how to deal with the devil in my head, unable to do anything about Mew rubbing my face like a cat on my top…….
#3
Same time.
─Notice to all students and teachers. Today’s Taisin Festival has been completely suspended. Students who were conducting the event are advised to withdraw as much as possible, and teachers, according to the instructions of the Frontier Headquarters…….
“Did you hear? They said it was stopped.”
While watching the hot dog eating contest in District 2, where the Epic Class is located, Yuri listened to the broadcast through the speakers and said nonchalantly.
“I see.”
“Yes.”
Stella and Rubia nodded.
The quick eating contest was still in progress. There were three participants in total, and one was already eliminated. He lay on the floor like a corpse, mumbling, clutching his bloated belly.
It’s not long before the winner is decided. Whether they heard the broadcast or not, they just silently stuffed the hot dog into their mouths.
One hot dog disappeared every three seconds. A pile of bare sticks piled up on the plate. Could it be that there is even a subspace pouch in the stomach? It really went in without a bottom. I was just wondering if it was the same person.
One had great appearance, and the other was relatively skinny. However, the number of remaining hot dogs was smaller for the leaner ones. A good-looking student used to chase fiercely, but a skinny student left only three hot dogs.
So after about ten seconds, the skinny student took the last hot dog into her mouth and chewed it.
As the hot dog gulped down her throat, the skinny student raised a new stick atop a mountain of sticks and raised her fist.
I hit the button on the table with a bang.
It was the moment when the winner of the confrontation was decided.
Hope and sorrow crossed. The handsome student lost with the last half of the hot dog. She wept with resentment, drank water and sighed. The skinny student stood up proudly and hurrahed. He had a truly unbalanced appearance, with only his stomach protruding from his branchy limbs.
The cheers of the audience erupted along with the emcee’s shout to applaud the winner. Mixed in with the cheers, Yuri mechanically clapped her hands. Clap clap clap
“Awesome.”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
Whatever the outcome of the series of competitions was.
They didn’t feel any inspiration.
At that time, another broadcast came out of the speaker.
─Once again, students and teachers. Today’s Taisin Festival has been completely suspended. However, I hope that students do not return to the dormitory, but remain in their seats and follow the guidance of the teachers…….
“…… It is.”
Yuri looked around.
“What do you want to do?”
“What can I do?”
The surroundings are bustling. People who appeared to be teachers moved quickly to the tram stop, some guiding anxious students to safety.
They will be looking for Rubia’s group soon. However, Yuri, Rubia, and Stella did not intend to follow me.
“I have to go. To find it.”
Rubia said with her eyes full of determination.
“…… You got it right. Rubia.”
“I kept talking. I am anxious.”
“Well, yes… …. I thought nothing could happen. I didn’t know if the festival would be canceled at all.”
Yuri chewed on the candy that was rolling in her mouth.
“… But do we really have to go? I don’t think it will help much. Is there anything students like us can go and help? I honestly think it’s better not to go. It’s not like we had to find a way to live on our own. There are professors here too.”
“Then you stay here.”
“Yes… ?”
Ruvia turned her back.
“I’ll go alone.”
This made it clear. It was clear that Ezio had something to do with the reason the festival was stopped. Isn’t the timing too cunning? It was impossible not to doubt it.
“… Mmm. This isn’t real…….”
Yuri frowned and muttered. If she gets hurt again, then her dad really won’t stay still. How do i do this
“Stella, what about you?”
“I….”
Stella muttered.
I’ve never seen a future like this.
Because of that, she was of no help.
She said that the last appearance of Ezio she saw at that time was definitely that of a person going to fight something.
But Ezio didn’t want Stella to follow him. Stella respected his will.
On the other hand….
‘I’m sorry.’
I really did.
I’m sorry.
Therefore.
“If you do something wrong, you should be punished.”
You made a promise you might not be able to keep, so it’s time to pay the price.
“…… I’m just garbage.”
Yuri lamented a little.
They really….
I want to tie it up with telekinesis.
‘I don’t know either. Now.’
I don’t think I’ll listen to it at all.
If I go back alone, I’ll be bothered for nothing.
‘… If I find it, I’ll really sell one. You.’
Eventually her shoulders droop.
“Okay. Let’s go, go! I don’t know how. Really… !”
#4
Meanwhile, District 2 Epic Class.
“aaagh!”
“Not enough… lack! Not enough yet! Still can’t finish! Why?! What on earth do I have to do to complete it! Or are you saying I don’t deserve it?!”
“Save people! No, save Sasha!! The crazy bitch is chasing you!! I’m chasing you oh oh oh !!”
Iris, eroded by the shadows, sprinted down the building’s corridors, holding an invisible sword. She was running away from Iris, with Sasha flashing her arms in front of him. Sasha, her complexion turning blue, screamed inwardly.
‘What, what is it, reallyaaa?!’
She was just talking about what kind of skill she was practicing!
Are you saying that I went next to you and made a little noise!
“Not enough—not enough!”
At that time, Iris’ intangible sword shook and passed by Sasha. Something invisible in her hair cut a few strands of Sasha’s hair.
Sasha was startled and screamed at her.
“Huhhhhh!”
She didn’t quite know what she was doing wrong, but it was only the beginning…… Sasha had no idea.