Volume 8 Chapter 18 If You're A Man, Protect Yourself
At this very moment, a released arrow is precisely aimed at her forehead. But there's no way out. Saki can't move right now.
In that moment, strangely, it felt like slow motion.
Someone appeared right next to the red cap. Moving at an incredible speed, they swiftly flashed something across the red cap's neck.
The spinning red head and the arrow grazing past her cheek.
Immediately after, everything returned to normal.
"Saki!"
Shinri, who should have been unable to move, shouted from the rooftop. Without changing into casual clothes, he gripped a kodachi in one hand, looking at Saki.
"Run!"
Saki, who lowered her gaze immediately after hearing those words, understood what he meant.
"Gyagyagyagya!"
The red cap leaped forward, swinging its axe.
The words released by Saki were not exactly "Senshu Kagura (thousand verses kagura dance)" but a primitive technique of striking with magic power. Therefore, she was unable to defeat everyone completely.
"――‼"
Instead of retreating in the face of the imminent threat, Saki stepped forward. In order to surpass the formidable Isumi Tsukiko, she never neglected close combat training.
She seized the Red Cap's arm and threw its withered branch-like body.
"Gee!"
But that was as far as it went. Unless a living being suffers instant death, it will continue to move. And Saki had no experience in following up after throwing.
As the Red Cap attempted to swing its axe, Shinri jumped down from above.
Ignoring the risk of being cleaved by the axe, Shinri flew straight towards the Red Cap and thrust his kodachi into its throat.
The Red Cap's HP bar vanished, and its body disappeared into light.
"Haa, haa..."
Amidst sticking the kodachi into the ground, Shinri exhales heavily.
Then, he looks towards Saki.
"Are you okay with that wound?"
"I... I'm fine with something like this. How about you? Is your body okay?"
"I'm not fine at all..."
While saying so, Shinri falls backward. Without a doubt, there are several wounds now.
Nevertheless, it's clearly an abnormal situation. He couldn't let Saki go alone.
Watching Shinri's condition like that, Saki stammers.
"T-That... I-I..."
"Anyway, what the hell were they?"
"...Thank you"
"Hm, sorry. Did you say something?"
"You're annoying, I didn't say anything!"
What are you so angry about... Shinri sighs.
"Right now, it seems like those 'mystery' things are appearing all over Tokyo. The news and social media are in chaos."
"R-Really?! That's serious!"
"It's not just a matter of being tough. This is the largest spiritual disaster since the start of the anti-demon special forces. If things go wrong, history could drastically change."
Until now, "mystery" and magic were considered within the realm of the occult. It's not about whether they actually exist, but rather if they are acknowledged.
The anti-demon special forces have been working just as hard to conceal "mystery" and magic as they have been to ensure the safety of civilians.
It's not just because chaos would ensue, but also because there is a possibility of disasters and events occurring that were never meant to happen if they are revealed.
However, if things continue like this, concealment will become impossible.
"Anyway, there's no point in us worrying about that. Let's go back to the branch and get treated."
"Yeah, and I'll have to throw you onto a bed for now."
"But first, we need to get the arrow out of your arm."
Saying that, Shinri tried to stand up, and Saki lent her shoulder to support him.
Shinri stood on his slender shoulders, thinking that this was a rare occurrence.
The two somehow left the store and began walking towards the branch. It wasn't long before heavy footsteps were heard from behind.
"...Are you kidding me?"
"The worst."
They both muttered simultaneously and turned around.
From the depths of the city of shops, a massive shadow walked slowly. A belly protruding like a log, arms as thick as tree trunks. The face resembled a long-toothed boar. The club gripped in its hand conveyed a clear sense of murderous intent.
"After goblins, now orcs? Seriously, what terrible taste."
"Are you in a position to say that? Saki, you'll leave and go back to the branch."
"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about?"
"If it's stealth, I'm better at it. I can hide alone."
"Save the boring jokes for your face only."
Saki grabbed Shinri's body again and, dragging him, quickened their pace.
The orcs seemed to have already noticed the two, walking and laughing. Gradually increasing their speed, they steadily closed the distance.
It was like being chased by a large vehicle.
And dang! The sound of a firm step echoed through the ground.
With that single step, the distance between them and the orcs vanished, becoming the perfect range for the orc's club.
"Bastard~‼"
The closeness was such that Saki could see its teeth behind its filthy smile. She once again gathered magic power in her throat, preparing to unleash the cannon of words.
She doesn't know if it will be enough to defeat it. But she refuse to just stand here and let herself be killed.
"Booommm‼"
But then, an explosion suddenly occured..
With a scream, the club that was swung down definitely crushed its head. Along with its contents, red splattered and the HP bar was instantly blown away.
And then, the orc disappeared along with the club, leaving only light behind.
"...Huh"
Saki's gaze fell upon the black fur coat that had spread out before her, as if gravity had suddenly remembered its duty.
The man who had fallen from the sky, as if out of nowhere, had slaughtered the orc with a single strike.
Within his dusky skin, eyes like those of a carnivorous beast stared at Saki and the others.
More precisely, they were looking at Shinri.
"If you're a man, show me how you protect yourself."
The man said only that. His eyes closely resembled those of Yamamoto Yuusuke, the college student who had helped shinri and the others in the mountains.
In the next moment, the man had disappeared from the scene. Perhaps what Shinri had seen was only a mere shadow.
"...!"
Shinri clenched his teeth and gathered strength, supporting his own body.
"Saki, let's go back."
"Yeah, I know. What was that just now?"
There's no way to know such a thing.
The only thing Shinri understand is that hiding alone won't be enough to protect his childhood friend from this great wave.
Shinri continued walking, feeling the regret that she didn't feel at that time.
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