CH 79

“Move away Rikka!”



Nishino-kun screams so. Reflexively, Rikka-chan jumps backward. Immediately, the “darkness” swallows up her previous location. That was really close. The “darkness” slowly envelops the cafeteria. Looking back, the students also stare at the “darkness” with expressions of disbelief.



“W-why is this happening…”



The perpetrator. The girl — No, the monster tamer who has been collapsed at the center wakes up. There isn’t any wound on her forehead. The bullet, however, is spit out and falls onto her hand. She looks at the bullet with interest.



“…Who is the shooter? As far as I know, there isn’t any ‘Sniper’ at this school…”



Having said that, she looks around. There, the sporty girl who was somewhat timid and unreliable was no more. The intimidation that surrounds her makes me feel like I’m facing a monster.



“Well, it doesn’t matter. I was going to kill everyone anyways… Hihi, ohyahyahyahayhyahyahya.” With a crescent smile, she laughs hysterically while holding her forehead. She doesn’t seem like the same person as before. Her personality seems to have switched completely.



“What are you on about, Katsuragi-kun? What happened to you?”



From a distance, Miyamoto-kun (Smart Glasses-kun) yells. He still doesn’t understand what is happening. To be fair, most of the student population is confused about it. They’re just watching in a dazed state. Only the two of us… and Nishino-kun seem to be in the know. His eyes are also latched onto the monster tamer without putting down his guard. Even so, Rikka-chan, who is standing next to him, appears confused.



“Ah? What is it, Vice-President Miyamoto?”



The monster tamer glares at Miyamoto-kun. With just that, Miyamoto-kun falls onto his butt.



“Hiii…..”



“Uwa, how lame. What are you pissing your pants for with just a glare? What happened to that arrogant attitude that you always have?” A sarcastic tone. Effortlessly walking on top of the “darkness”, the monster tamer approaches Smart Glasses-kun in a friendly manner. She is defenseless, without any sign of protection. That in and of itself is eerie. As if trying to match her steps, the “darkness” spreads wherever she treads.



“Don’t, don’t come!”



“To be honest, I expected more from you. With you being President Igarashi’s right hand and whatnot, I thought you’ll be brighter… you turned out to be a mere sidekick.” With a look of disappointment, she moves away from Miyamoto-kun. Next, she looks at Nishino-kun.



“As I thought, you’re the troublesome one. Aren’t ya, Nishino-kun?”



“Is that your true nature, Katsuragi-san?”



“True nature… I was like this from the beginning. It was just convenient to act like that in the past. Ya know, boys are weak against frail girls like that. They’re like, willing to raise my level and try their best for everyone right? Hyahyahyahya.” She giggles while hiding her mouth. Suddenly, she stops laughing.



“I was thinking of living like that for my entire life. Enduring and enduring, all while killing my true self. I thought I’ll live like that. I thought so…”



“However,” she exclaims while spreading her arms and smiling with delight, “The world changed! Open your eyes, Nishino! To this world! Monsters are everywhere! Death is everywhere! Game like elements such as levels and skills exist! How can I stay the way I was with things like this happening? Why would I endure like before? I can live however I want, in whatever manner I want! There’s no longer a reason to wear my mask! There is nothing holding me back anymore! The rules and authorities of the past are no more! Who gives a shit about what happens to other people! Those that live as they want emerge victorious! Ahyahyahyahyahyahya!”



She says this while looking truly satisfied. The person who replies to her isn’t Nishino-kun, but rather Miyamoto-kun who is some distance away.



“A-absurd! What are you saying, Katsuragi-kun!? Do you understand what kind of a perilous situation we are in? To think you are holding such beliefs…!” He mourns in disappointment. She listens while seeming bored.



“Oh really. You can be disappointed all you want, sidekick.”



Pachin-.



She snaps her finger. The darkness wavers in response. Then, a monster starts crawling out from the darkness.



“Gigi…”



It’s a goblin with hollow eyes.



“You were correct about there being someone who can control monsters. Buuuut”



She grins while crying loudly. The darkness spreads even further. The second goblin comes out from the darkness. Then, orcs and zombies begin appearing one after another.



“You guys weren’t able to guess just how many of them I could control.”



The students are stunned with terror and surprise. I also get fascinated by the scene. I was expecting monster tamers to be capable of controlling multiple monsters, but this… this is far beyond imagination.



Just by estimation, there are over 50 monsters of varying species. Hob-goblins and shadow wolves are also in the mix. She laughs violently while shaking her hand.



“—–Kill. Kill all! Slaughter all! Change them all into experience!”



With her order, the monsters commence their march. They pounced at the students while bearing their fangs and wielding their weapons.



“U-UWAAAAAAAAAAAA!!”



“Run!”



“It’s impossible to beat this number!”



“Help! Someone help!”



“What are you guys screaming for? Fight! Fight I tell you!”



Miyamoto-kun tries in vain to hold the students back from fleeing. The students were in a state of mild insanity. An overwhelming force of monsters. Facing such a reality, their hearts were devoured. The monsters move forth without mercy.



“Tsu! Rikka! Break the window!”



“Understood!”



Using the billhook that was hanging by her waist, Rikka-chan smashes the window. Realizing that he couldn’t do anything in the situation, Nishino-kun immediately chooses to escape.



“Hey, are you guys running away? Let’s hang out a bit more here!”



Bac! Katsuragi-san raises her hand. The next moment, the “darkness” below her feet moves at a tremendous speed towards the smashed glasses in a spider web formation.



“What!?”



Even so, two students manage to escape from the “darkness” by wiggling through. However, one of the male students who was trying to escape in a similar fashion is caught.



“Wh-what is this, I can’t move at all!”



The more he struggles to escape, the more threads of darkness entangle his body like a spider’s web. An orc gradually heads towards his direction.



“S-stop—-GYAAAAAAA!”



There is no way for the student to retaliate with his body entangled in darkness and his freedom deprived. Along with a dull sound, a bloody body falls to the ground. Watching this, the monster tamer smiles with joy.



“I told ya I won’t let ya go!”



“Katsuragi…!”



Nishino-kun and Rikka-chan take their stance with their weapons drawn and gaze at her. Still, her expression doesn’t change.



“I like the face you guys are making! I’m getting hyped~~! But! You guys won’t be facing me!” With a Zuzuzuzu, three orcs appear from the darkness once again. So she had more…



“Rikka!”



“I know!”



Nishino-kun and Rikka-chan take action as the orcs begin their attack. The battle starts.



“Now then-”



It’s about time we make our move. An unorganized battle that is occurring all around us. With this, we won’t be found even if we cause some disturbances. We won’t be able to escape either unless we deal with the darkness which is spread out like a web.



“Aka, please.”



“Furu Furu…”



Upon request, a part of Aka which has been mimicking as my clothe splits itself and transforms into the orc’s knife.



“I want Ichinose-san to provide some cover from here.”



Nodding, Ichinose-san readies her gun.



“Okay, Momo… We’re heading out.”



“Wan!”



These many monsters. If you insist on doing this, I’ll make sure I earn a lot of experience. Wearing a hood, I rush into the group of monsters along with Momo.