155 Konosuba Side Part 40.
Under the trees and vines, a hidden spot away from sights existed somewhere in the forest near the capital of Elroad.
Even when the forest was occupied by several predators and scary monsters, the location had unnatural eerie darkness that stretched deep between the branches and leaves that covered the sunlight, giving this place a haunted look.
Despite the absence of light, a small gleam flickered inside. It was so faint that it made observing it hard, but the glow was pulsing or beating with a rhyme. Such otherworldly behavior was strangely blending in with the whole atmosphere, making it a gruesome task to even detect it.
However, the sound of something cracking above broke the rhythm. It sounded like a balloon bursting several times, before the sound became sharp like the wind, whistling around like a fast, moving object.
The sound only grew larger and larger, until a shadow was cast on top of the trees and branches. It didn't last for a moment before someone dropped from the sky, landing on the ground. The impact created an ear-splitting blast that broke the cover of this place into fragments.
Rising from the dust and scattered leaves, Whitebeard didn't need to look at the map to determine that he's at the right location. The pulsing glow inside the dark corner of the forest is more than an adequate enough clue. Including the fact that he had an uncanny feeling the moment he got closer.
It was more like he couldn't sense anything. His Observation Haki, scanning the area, gave no information, nothing at all about what was in the front. It was like there was no anomaly in front of him from the start.
Gazing at the darkness at the front, Whitebeard raised his naginata, which was vibrating slowly, before slashing horizontally.
This action alone was enough to steer a huge airflow, sweeping everything in front of it. The dust and fragments flew to the sky, along with several trees that were uprooted, creating a clearing that had a large space in the front.
"Hm?"
After the strike, the hidden part was exposed directly in front of Whitebeard, making him frown and raise his eyebrow.
What he found was what seemed to be a worm, wrapping around a big pillar. The pulsing glow was being sucked from the pillar into the worm's mouth and body, reminding Whitebeard of a leech sucking blood.
The worm had a metallic color that lacked luster, but with each pulse of the light from the pillar, the metallic color became more and more bright and shiny, almost as if the worm was recovering. This quick change is what made Whitebeard frown as the strange feeling increased.
{This cannot go on}
Despite not confirming if this is the actual target or not, Whitebeard could easily see that such a thing couldn't continue. Edward reached a quick conclusion, deciding to interfere and attack directly.
Grabbing the naginata with both hands and twisting his body to the side, Whitebeard moved forward at a shocking speed, using Soru. His body seemed to disappear from its place before arriving near the pillar and worm. Neither the worm nor the pillar made any sort of reaction to the arrival of Whitebeard, almost as if it didn't notice him.
Whitebeard didn't show any reaction to this but inwardly grew more serious as his muscles tightened, and waved the naginata charged with the Gura-Gura fruit's power. The strike caused the air to twist before it cracked like a broken mirror on its path of carnage, a huge shockwave followed the storm directly after towards the worm-looking creature.
*Boooom!!!*
What was expected to be a strike that carried vibrations enough to cause earthquakes and huge shockwaves, vanished instantly the moment the attack landed on the worm. No, the force still stirred the air and caused the ground to crack, but most of it disappeared when it came in contact with the worm, which made Whitebeard lift his eyebrow before his eyes widened in shock.
The strike caused the ground under the pillar to crack and break as if a meteor landed on it. The pillar that was planted on the ground suddenly lost its support, and because of that it slightly shifted from its original position. The green glow that exuded from it suddenly decreased by a large margin, and with that did the worm finally make its move.
Moving in a flash, the worm launched itself at Whitebeard's face, widening its mouth filled with teeth, which wasn't a pleasant sight to see. Nonetheless, reacting quickly, Whitebeard knew that his weapons weren't the wisest choice at this distance, so he instead directly used his fist.
His huge fist whistled through the wind, as it was covered with both Armament Haki and Gura-Gura fruit's power in the process before Whitebeard slammed it on the side of the worm's head.
*BOOOOOOM!!!*
Like a bomb suddenly being detonated, a giant shockwave was created, cracking the air like a mirror against the worm's head, but Whitebeard's face wasn't good-looking because the phenomenon that previously happened, repeated itself. The majority of his attack vanished, leaving the worm completely fine. It was knocked back a little, but was unscathed nonetheless.
Strangely, this scene reminds him of that crystal Lich that transformed when he was inside Dullahan's castle.
Despite being recently hammered on the side of the head, the worm acted as if nothing happened, and twisted its body in the air, heading towards Whitebeard's right arm. Its speed was akin to teleporting, moving faster than Whitebeard.
Aware of the difference in speed, Whitebeard just focused on the Haki and Gura Gura fruit's power as he pushed the attack further. His fist was almost completely covered in the quake bubble before he slammed against it again.
*BAAAAAAAAAAAAM!!!!*
The noise rumbled like thunder as the impact detonated the place once more with a massive shockwave, the vibrations creating cracks akin to spider webs across the ground, and a big earthquake that made the whole area tremble.
Trees and rocks, turned into shards and fragments, flew everywhere at high speed, followed by a giant cloud of dust, which was impossible to see through with normal vision.
Despite the initial disaster, the trembling ground caused everything to shake, with a small landslide happening farther away. It showed how terrifying the aftermath was.
Away from the cloud of dust, Whitebeard was standing away from the center, clenching his weapon tightly. At his side, a floating girl suddenly appeared.
"I wasn't able to affect it"
Whitebeard abruptly spoke to Kaguya, his words both slow and steady as he looked at the dust cloud. It was like he could clearly see what was happening inside.
"...I can see that"
Kaguya took a glance at Whitebeard's bleeding arm before she looked at the center, wearing a frown.
Covered by the heavy dust, the worm quickly moved the pillar onto its original position on the pothole, stabilizing it before returning to its previous state, which was biting on the pillar and sucking some sort of energy away once more.
"My power suddenly lost its strength the moment I landed a blow on it."
Speaking in a firm and steady voice, Whitebeard briefly spoke of the conclusion from his short exchange with the worm.
"I know that… I'm also unable to stop it"
Looking at the irritated expression on Kaguya's face, Whitebeard lifted his eyebrow and didn't say anything.
Kaguya might have just pulled Whitebeard away quickly when the worm bit his arm using her time manipulation, but the result must've produced more complications than progress.
From the start, she didn't intend to let Whitebeard get injured, but the worm partially ignored her time-stopping ability. It only stopped for a moment, before resuming its movement, albeit at a much slower pace than usual.
{Why does this pattern remind me of Saitama?}
Lost in her thoughts for a moment, Kaguya shook her head before she noticed a new development within the dust. The worm that was completely focused on the pillar suddenly moved, flinging its tail forward at a speed akin to a flash towards the other side of the forest.
Understanding the situation immediately, Whitebeard slashed with his naginata, but the worm shrugged off the attack.
Kaguya's normal reaction would be stopping time, but she refrained from doing that. Unlike the worm that will only slow down, Kazuma and others will be completely frozen.
Wasn't this similar to sending them to their deaths?
Luckily, everything seemed to work out fine as the trio arrived at their location. Although they were fine, the offense that the worm made when detecting Kazuma made Kaguya completely speechless.
"This guy...why do I feel he became very unlucky in this period? Isn't luck his strong point?"
Finishing her words, Kaguya wanted to sigh at this situation. However, Whitebeard stormed instantly in front of Kazuma. This sudden action made the trio confused, but a familiar twinkling silver light appeared like a ghost, almost giving them a heart attack.
Taking a stance and channeling the Armament Haki and Gura Gura fruit's power, Whitebeard swung his naginata forward, intercepting the attack.
*CLANG!!!*
The naginata and the metallic tail clashed against each other, generating a harsh ringing sound, like two metals slamming against each other. The impact from the clash made a big airflow, a shockwave that almost sent Kazuma flying.
Following the initial hit, the tail rubbed against the naginata as its trajectory was forcibly changed, while Whitebeard clenched his weapon before he slamming forward, deflecting the tail away.
Despite that, the tail moved in the air like a dexterous snake, flinging itself towards the enemy once again. Whitebeard quickly recovered his stance and struck back.
*Clang!* *Clang!* *Clang!*
With its agile movements, the tail turned into a whip in the air, dancing, disappearing, and appearing at high speed with each strike, but Whitebeard wasn't impeded, striking down every attack and pushing it back.
The sound of clashes, followed by huge impacts almost made everyone in the vicinity, even the monsters, numb. Kazuma, who was the nearest to the scene, almost felt his ears turning deaf.
Suddenly, a bright light shone from the side, before an energy beam appeared. Carrying several colors and a huge amount of energy, the beam blew past all obstacles as it headed for the worm, or rather the ground under the pillar which it was warping.
Sensing the threat, the worm's tail froze in mid-air for a split second, before it retreated at an insane speed and hit the energy beam. The beam didn't last for a second before it got crushed by the tail, dissipating in thin air.
Witnessing her attack failing, Kaguya waved her sleeve again before several energy bullets filled the area instantly, all aimed at the previous spot where the energy beam targeted.
.
However, the worm's tail began to almost teleport between the bullets, dancing and striking them down one by one. It was a spectacular scene, a silver flash spinning and twirling around, leaving colorful fireworks along its path.
"What the…"
Recovering his balance and his sense of hearing from the previous clash, Kazuma shook his head and stared at the worm's tail. It whistled through the air, moving in a flash, dancing around several colored full energy bullets.
"So, based protagonist, what did you do to that thing and why, is it looking at you like a well-done cooked steak?"
Hearing a familiar voice next to him, Kazuma turned his head to see Kaguya floating next to Whitebeard. She was continuously casting energy bullets to stop the worm's attacks.
"Who are you calling based, you old hag?!"
"The thin-air next to you, obviously"
"You bastard!"
Hearing her obvious sarcasm, Kazuma's feelings of gratitude for Kaguya's help quickly extinguished, but then his danger sense skill rang like a drum again. From the depths of the exploding energy bullets, a silver light shot like a bullet towards the group.
At that moment, Kazuma felt a tap on his shoulder before the colors of the world shifted. It wasn't only him, but even Whitebeard, Misaka, and Leone were tapped on their shoulders as the world froze still.
Except for them, almost nothing was moving now, in addition to the bullets at the distance, which by the way, made the scene clearer, giving a sight of the incoming flash as it was a hideous worm's head filled with sharp teeth.
It wasn't beautifully cinematic, especially because the time stop didn't make the worm stop at all. The worm moved at a much slower pace, but its body grew closer and closer.
"Clench your teeth, kid"
Without any warning, Kazuma felt someone holding his collar before the world started spinning.
The wind slammed into his face, making his body experience something akin to getting blasted by a fire hose. Kazuma could hardly open his eyes as he saw that Whitebeard was the one who caught him and stormed away.
The world became blurry from the speed they were moving at. Hearing a loud sound behind him, Kazuma glanced behind with difficulty, only to see the worm's head crushing the ground at his previous location, leaving a deep pothole.
Leone dodged by jumping away with Misaka being carried away by Kaguya from the attack range, but it didn't matter. The worm didn't care about them at all.
Changing directions violently as the ground and rocks smashed, it went after Whitebeard, or rather Kazuma.
"Hey, Kazuma, are you sure you didn't do anything to this thing?!"
Kaguya couldn't help but ask again when she saw how much the worm wanted Kazuma dead while she and Whitebeard attacked it several times.
"Ahhhhhhhhh!!! I don't know!! Wait for a mom-AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Kazuma's muffled voice was hardly heard because of his current condition. However, he experienced another impact because Whitebeard and the worm's head clashed again.
"Kid… get out of here"
"What?"
Hearing the deep and stern voice of Whitebeard, Kazuma was confused, but the giant man was busy dodging attacks to pay him attention.
"You aren't in the best condition to be here or to face this"
"HAH?! What do you mean by I'm not okay?!... Well, I almost threw up- Ahhh!!! Can you at least slow d-…"
Kazuma retorted Whitebeard quickly, but a glare from the latter made him shut up immediately.
"Can't you see that your legs are still shaking? You can't even hold your weapon properly, you brat!"
"I…"
Kazuma wanted to argue, but because he felt the weakness in his legs, the dizziness in his head, and the gun that was shaking in his hand, he couldn't say a word. Whitebeard's harsh words echoed in his head as he lowered his head.
Yes, the words spoken were harsh, but he couldn't refute them at all. What made this funny was that he was just speaking about being a dead weight, but then this happened. The feeling of unwillingness? The feeling of frustration? In any case, this feeling was very annoying.
"I know, but old man...how am I supposed to leave in this condition?"
"..."
Looking at Kazuma, who was almost tearing up, Whitebeard resisted the urge to hit him on the head before he blocked another attack.
Another shockwave appeared, but it was mostly dispersed because of the worm's weird ability. Whitebeard then stepped on the air, creating a blast of air and dodging another hit.
Rotating the naginata in his palm, Whitebeard clashed against the worm's head, pushing it away before dashing towards it.
The worm adjusted its body and charged again, negating the more intense vibrations like they were nothing. It then opened its mouth for a bite, but Whitebeard used Soru to open distance, before closing in and striking.
The wind and shockwaves generated from the several clashes turned the area around Whitebeard and the worm's head into a danger zone. Anything in the vicinity was breaking apart just because of the aftermaths of their clashes.
Although evading the worm's strikes became much easier due to Kaguya's power, Whitebeard wasn't satisfied. His body doesn't have unlimited strength, even if he has high endurance, as this worm is becoming stronger and stronger.
This thing is relying on instinct, yet it began to adapt to his vibrations and attacks. It wouldn't take long for it to adapt the speed, so Whitebeard attempted to overwhelm it with damage beyond its limits, exactly like what he did to those frogs.
Sadly, Kazuma was experiencing the most chaotic roller coaster in his life. The clash between Whitebeard and the worm made him feel like puking several times, especially because he got caught in the middle of the fight.
"Speed battles aren't really good for me"
Staring at Kazuma who was almost tearing up and screaming like a girl because of the intense speed fight, Kaguya was speechless for a moment.
"Is that the thing the mission spoke about?"
"The PE-SS something? Yeah, or else, I have no idea what it is. But first..."
Holding Misaka with her in the air, Kaguya quickly explained in a few words before a huge amount of energy rushed from her.
The enormous energy made the air tremble before a gleam of red light shone above the worm location, as several magic circles stacked on top of each other, appearing to absorb the energy.
It didn't take more than one moment before the circles reached their limits, collapsing into heat and flames. This is the explosion magic of this world boosted to the limit by Kaguya's huge, infinite amounts of energy.
However, before the magic was fully activated, a flash of silver light abruptly appeared in the middle of the red flare, and with it, cleaved the entire spell into two. The aimless energy from the spell either dissipated in the air or turned into sparks and flames, falling from the sky.
Kaguya blinked her eyes before she saw that the worm's tail split into two, one of them shooting directly towards her head.
"Really now?"
Kaguya doesn't even know if she should call this thing a worm anymore. It's more like a weird substance taking the shape of a worm.
Waiting for the tail to reach, Kaguya directly teleported away from that location as the tail lost its target, freezing in the air for a split second before changing directions.
" I have to say, its defense and adaptations are really amazing..."
Kaguya has to admit that flying in the sky and being followed by a tail that can carry the power to break almost anything in its path wasn't the best experience ever.
"Do you have any idea how to stop it?" Misaka asked, worried.
"Easier said than done, Mikoto. Even if I ignored the huge defense, I feel that thing still has some hidden abilities"
Dodging a few strikes before teleporting away, Kaguya was growing more and more irritated from this.
"What about the ground the pillar was on? The mission directly said that this thing is unstable. Maybe we should focus on that?"
"Do you think we don't know?! I was trying to attack the pillar all the time, but it has the same durability as that worm. Not only that, but the PE-SS is also protecting the pillar, along with the ground under it!"
"..."
Looking at the battlefield, where several energy bullets made holes around the ground where the pillar was on, along with a small natural disaster being created on Whitebeard's side, Misaka was silent for a moment. She then took a deep breath.
"Drop me down."
"What?"
Kaguya was surprised by the sudden request.
"I can do it."
"Do what?"
"Deal with the pillar. Stop asking the obvious!"
Misaka said, retorting to Kaguya's question immediately as the latter puffed her cheeks. She felt that it was really a dumb question to ask.
"Are you confident?"
"Compared to you that has very specific effect abilities, and grandpa Whitebeard, who can hurt all of us if he went completely overboard, I'm more suitable for this."
"Well, I was going to drop you anyway, so I might as well do that now"
"Yeah, let's d-wait, what?"
Misaka gave Kaguya a stare as the latter just smiled brightly before she tightened her grasp on Misaka's hand and said-
"Have fun!"
"Wai-AHHHHHHH!!!"
"Catch her!"
Suddenly, Kaguya's speed increased greatly, leaving an afterimage in her flight path. While dodging the tail, she did several spins in the air and threw Misaka directly.
"Got it!"
From the side of the forest, Leone directly jumped in the air and caught the falling Misaka, whose head was still spinning from the air maneuvers.
"Now, how about I show you a small game I learned in my world..."
With her words, a gigantic fluctuation of energy emitted from Kaguya's body, distorting the air and space around her as five treasures appeared.
Sensing the danger, the worm's tail further split into four tails, even the slender metallic body was losing its regular shape. Either way, the four new tails, which almost look like tentacles cut through the air, heading towards Kaguya.
"At this point, this thing is becoming more like an octopus than a worm..."
Sighing silently, Kaguya increased her speed further. The four limbs were literally like silver shining lights, passing through all the energy bullets. However, Kaguya didn't mind as the area around her began to glow. More and more energy bullets and beams appeared, illuminating the whole area under their light.
The increase in the firepower forced two of the PE-SS-26-13287 tails to retreat, with the two other tails being forced to back down as Kaguya began to circle the area, leaving a trail of energy bullets and beams all over the place. The whole place literally became an energy bullet hell, leaving almost no gaps at all.
PE-SS-26-13287 head opened its mouth and issued a distorted screech before it wanted to retreat, but it was met with a smack to the head from a vibrating naginata, right before getting punched.
Whitebeard, who sensed the change, dropped Kazuma to the side. Using the extreme speed technique of Soru, he blocked its path of retreat with a raging offense.
Under the offense from the bullet hell, PE-SS-26-13287 was pushed back as its body began to split more and more. It didn't stop until the area was covered in several flashing lights that shot down every incoming bullet or beam.
Misaka's mouth was slightly open from shock at this crazy scene, but she quickly returned to reality when she heard Leone's voice.
"So, are you going to do something or stay in my arms?"
"Hmph!"
Misaka shook her head to clear her confusion before she landed on the ground. The zapping sparks of electricity shone on her body, especially her arms, before she placed both of them on the ground.
"What exactly are you going to do?"
Noticing all the arcs of electricity on the ground, along with the vibration, Leone jumped a little away.
"Just open your eyes wide and watch."
Misaka peeled her eyes on the target while focusing most of her calculations. The electromagnetic field generated from her AIM Field extended to the whole area before it met a black zone at front.
{No electromagnetic field? This is really unscientific…*Sigh*}
Despite PE-SS-26-13287 not having an electromagnetic field made Misaka almost call nonsense, she has to admit that the area she's now in is the most ridiculous! Time stops?! How such a thing even exists like this? She can breathe, she can feel the electrons and electromagnetic fields clearly, so how could be counted as 'time stop'?!
Shaking her head from the thoughts that will drive her insane, Misaka poured more electrical current into the ground until the entire area was shaking like an earthquake. It didn't take long until Leone saw black sand crawling through the cracks on the ground.
"I'll show you why you should never underestimate the Railgun!!"
*Biri-Biri!!* *Boooom!!*
The electric current broke from Misaka's body, generating a huge magnetic field as the ground cracked open violently.
Waves of black iron sand flashing with electric sparks rushed like a storm, filling the area under the pillar. It was like an unstoppable tide engulfing everything in its way.
PE-SS-26-13287 many tentacles tried to crush the waves away, but it was hopeless as the waves pushed against the tails further and further until they hit the pillar violently.
Despite that, the PE-SS-26-13287 body split, even more, attaching its new limbs to the ground in order to fix the pillar in its position.
"Don't think this is over! Ahhhhhh!!!"
The magnetic field grew stronger and stronger as the iron sand began to vibrate and spinning like a vortex around the pillar. The tiny grains rubbed against the ground as the friction and violent movement broke it open.
It didn't take long before the area became like quicksand, as the pillar began to sink, its glow fading away.
At that moment, piercing distorted screeches that shook the hearts of everyone rang from PE-SS-26-13287 head.
"Hmph!"
PE-SS-26-13287 head directly forced its way violently through Whitebeard. It didn't care about his attack and rushed forward recklessly to reach the pillar, but Whitebeard wasn't having any of it, holding his ground and pushing it back.
The screeches grew stronger and stronger as Kazuma, who finally recovered from dizziness, had to cover his ears. In his eyes, PE-SS-26-13287 was almost screaming like it was in pain before its head suddenly split open into two, rushing towards Whitebeard.
Slightly surprised by the new development, Whitebeard took a moment, but he successfully blocked the split head. Despite that, the two heads didn't stop at all and kept increasing the speed of each attack.
"UGH!!!"
The simultaneous attack from the two heads was almost double in strength as Whitebeard was pushed backward. He wanted to recover, but PE-SS-26-13287 heads took the chance immediately and formed back into one head.
{That thing...is the color slightly darker now? No, it's more like fading.}
Kazuma took note of a very important detail as he saw PE-SS-26-13287 head returning into one slowly and biting on the pillar. The more energy is absorbed from the pillar, the more its body recovers its luster, almost like it's rejuvenating.
Recovering its previous form, PE-SS-26-13287 limbs dug deep into the ground and attached themselves firmly into it, like tree roots, preventing the ground from moving at all.
"What?"
Kaguya generated more bullet barrages, but PE-SS-26-13287 ignored them and let them fall on its body and the pillar. It was completely useless as the explosions didn't even budge the firmly wrapped pillar from its position.
Counterattacking, a small part of the tentacles shot once in a while like sniper rounds, especially aiming at Kaguya in the air.
"Jeez, what the hell is even happening. Is this the new World War?!"
Looking at the electric arcs flying with the iron sand storm and the barrage of energy bullets exploding everywhere, Kazuma even felt his eyes hurting from the flashing lights.
"What are you still doing here, brat? Leave, this is the best time"
When Kazuma was rubbing his eyes, he heard the voice of Whitebeard before he saw the giant man walking forward.
"...I"
"Your presence here is nothing more than a deadweight and a living target for the enemy"
"I know, but maybe I ca-"
*Clang!*
Before he finished his words, a disturbing sound of metal range as Whitebeard knocked away one of PE-SS-26-13287 limbs heading towards Kazuma.
"You can do what?"
Kazuma was directly interrupted by Whitebeard and shock by the sudden attack, but the latter didn't look at him at all.
"Brat, you clearly know where your capability ends more than me. Can you do something about that thing? Or can you even protect yourself here?"
"….."
"What are you even doing here if you know that your ability isn't enough? Trying to collect wealth? Courage and recklessness have a very thin line between them, yet to be blinded by greed is a completely different matter!"
"Hey! I'm not here just for some points on that chat!"
Kazuma tried to argue, but looking at Whitebeard's gaze, he suddenly couldn't continue his words.
"Then why are you here? Just to watch?"
*Clang!* *Clang!*
Looking at two more bullets-like limbs getting shot down by Whitebeard's naginata, Kazuma's whole body shook.
"I...I'm here to help!"
Feeling his throat dry, Kazuma said those words with difficulty. Man, why are these things happening to him lately? First, getting stuck in this mission, the latest meeting with that asshole angel, this crazy battle, being targeted by the worm, and now he can't even look straight at Whitebeard's eyes.
"Help? Guahahahahaha! Help in what? How could you help if the only thing you keep doing is complaining and complaining without attempting to change anything?!"
"….."
Kazuma felt his tongue-twisting as he couldn't utter a single word after that. That last sentence made him remember the last period...he was really complaining a lot.
"Do you think you will achieve something by complaints? Or you're waiting and hoping for it to fall on your head without putting any effort?"
"…"
These weren't just some words for Kazuma now, they were almost like arrows stabbing him, such an annoying situation
"Kid…"
In the middle of his silence, Kazuma heard the deep voice of Whitebeard, but it was slightly lower. Did he walk away from him?
"A man can be greedy, a man can have a lot of desires, a man can be brave and even stupid, but when those things affect the close people around you, how can you lift your head again?"
Looking at the PE-SS-26-13287 in the middle of the explosions, Whitebeard stopped in his footsteps.
"This isn't like those games you always talk about! This is a real-world; a world where your actions have consequences on you and everyone around you. Can't you see that your selfishness and ignorance might cause even the people you hold dear a huge price?!"
Completely frozen, Kazuma felt his thoughts aren't even functioning properly as he looked at Whitebeard's large back.
"If you can't comprehend this even now, I don't mind cracking your skull open until you understand! But for now, leave. This isn't your place."
Giving his last glance that made Kazuma's body tremble, Whitebeard lifted his weapons and walked forward.
{Dammit, what is this feeling… annoying? Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit!!!}
Clenching his chest, Kazuma lowered his head as he felt his head hurt. The annoying feeling returned a weird urge to say something, yet a voice in his head forced him to stay still.
But looking at Whitebeard walking away, his thoughts were again disturbed when he remembered the previous words as he gritted his teeth.
"Then… then… LET ME HELP GODDAMMIT!!!!"
"Hm?"
Turning his head slightly, Whitebeard glanced at Kazuma whose face was red from screaming and anger.
"What do you even know?! Do you think you understand anything about me and what I can do?! How can a pirate even speak and lecture me about consequences! If you think yourself a big shot and so important just because you're strong, then I'll show you what I can do!!!"
Screaming with his loudest voice, Kazuma took several breaths to recover before he felt weird.
{Wait, what did I just say? Oi, oi, oi…}
However, before Kazuma reflected upon his sudden outburst, he heard a cold deep voice that made him flinch.
"Oh? Then what can you do? As far as I can tell, you're only all bark with no bite."
"You!!!"
Kazuma felt his mind blankly again as he thought quickly of a comeback. He doesn't care about anything now, except removing that haughty expression from Whitebeard's face and proving that he's wrong!
Thinking quickly, Kazuma remembers the mission profile that he read several times. He looked at the pillar as an idea began forming in his mind.
"I know! I can steal that thing!"
"What?"
Whitebeard lifted his eyebrow, but Kazuma didn't back down as he continued.
"Don't act dumb, you clearly know that thing is unstable and need to absorb things to stay stable or grow stronger like that pillar or...me. Anyways, even if it's hugging it tightly and you all can't do anything, my skill, Steal, can take that pillar right in front of that worm's eyes!"
He didn't stop, continuing on with his semi-rant and explanation.
"Even this mission is saying that we need to steal something! I'll take it straight inside the Chat Room and prevent that thing from recovering!"
Finishing his rant, and taking several breaths to calm down, Kazuma observed Whitebeard's expression, who seemed to be deep in thought.
"What makes you think that will work? This thing has been eliminating all our abilities, even Kaguya's time stop-"
"Dammit! How do you know it wouldn't work?! Did you try it?! If you have a problem with my idea, then prove that I'm wrong!"
Kazuma interrupted, yelling at Whitebeard while pointing at him without fear. If this was a regular situation, Kazuma would probably be begging to hide and freak out, but he currently can't even think properly because of his anger.
"Are you sure?"
"Why wouldn't I? Do you think I'm just a pushover?! You and that damn angel guy, who believes being some sort of an alien is so cool, think yourself all highly and mighty because you have some power and could push me around however you like? Think again!"
"Hmph. Then why don't you show me?"
Pointing at the pillar with his weapon, Whitebeard looked down at Kazuma waiting for this answer.
"Ugh! No, I can't do that, at least, not alone. I know that I can't even get close to it by myself. I'll die instantly if I stepped into that hell of explosions, so I need your help."
"Oh? First, you insult me, then you said you're correct and I'm wrong, and now you want my help?"
"What's wrong, Old man? Afraid of being proven wrong? Will this be a very hard hit on your ego or you are all talk?"
"..."
Under the sound of explosions and bullets flying everywhere, Kazuma gulped as he waited for the answer from Whitebeard. He isn't backing away until he wins this!
"Guahaha...GUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Very well, let's see how long you can keep this up."
Whitebeard started laughing suddenly before he looked at the surprised Kazuma, and grinned.
"Just you watch, old man!"
Clenching his fist, Kazuma took a step forward, heading towards the battlefield location with Whitebeard as he was making a plan in his head, but then he heard a voice above.
"You know, Whitebeard? I'm not in a position to question your parenting and encouragement skills, because after all, you raised a lot of sons. Still, can't you see that this isn't the best place for chit-chatting!"
She then placed her attention on Kazuma, who was bewildered at her sudden appearance.
"And you, Kazuma. Are you, in all your mental capacity, building your plan based on a joke note from the World's Will?!" Kaguya said, flying in the sky and launching huge amounts of energy bullets and beams on the pillar, trying to push it away or break its balance.
{Wait, parenting skills? Parenting skill...parenting skill...}
Kazuma froze in place when he heard Kaguya's words. He felt his mind completely malfunctioning, freezing and crashing. If he was a computer right now, it'll be a blue screen of death.
However, it didn't take him long to realize what had just happened a few seconds ago as a drop of sweat slipping across his cheek.
"..."
Looking at Whitebeard's grin, Satou Kazuma finally understood now that he had just been played by this old man. This sudden realization made Kazuma's mood go from motivated to 'I want to die.'
"Um, thinking about it, a plan based on a joke note isn't reliable at all. Remember what you said, old man. Consequences are affecting the people around me, so we can't risk it and use this dumb plan, ha-ha...ahahahaha..."
However, before he can run off, Kazuma felt a large hand almost crushing his shoulder, making him stay put. Sweat poured down from his forehead like crazy as he turned to look up at Whitebeard, who was grinning.
"What are you saying, brat? I wouldn't possibly know if I didn't try it and listening to your words, I'm obligated of giving you a chance or my name will not be Whitebeard"
Witnessing Whitebeard's wide grin that almost became like his mustache, Kazuma felt the sky collapsing on his head while Kaguya facepalmed herself.
"Let's begin now!"
"Wait a sec-AHHHHHH!!!"
Whitebeard didn't wait for Kazuma to finish as he caught him again and dodged an attack while heading towards the vicinity of the battlefield.
"These two, *sigh*...Mikoto! Change of plans, make a way for Kazuma and Whitebeard to get them closer to the pillar!"
Flying in the sky, Kaguya quickly informed Misaka, who was controlling the iron sand vortex, before returning to dodging and bombing the living shit out of PE-SS-26-13287.
"We had a plan? When?"
Misaka asked, wearing a peculiar expression on her face. It became even odder as she saw Kazuma screaming with Whitebeard, who was rushing and clashing against several limbs near the area of the pillar.
"It seems they made a new plan on the spot. Talk about rushed decisions..."
Shaking her head, Leone grinned. Because of the Teigu effect, her entire look and actions became wilder. Then, seconds later, she wore her thinking face.
"Hey, Mikoto. If these guys are making plans, how about we make one for ourselves?"
"..."
Misaka, who was busy forcing as much as she could of PE-SS-26-13287's limbs underground, flinched after hearing Leone's words. Her head turned slightly to face Leone, who had a lion's features, before a blank look surfaced on her face.
"You… what are you getting us into?"
"Right into that battlefield."
*BOOOM!!!*
*BAAAAAM!!!*
*CLANG!!*
Leone pointed at the clearing in the middle, where the explosions, blasts, and clashes turned the whole area into a no man's zone. A zone where no normal and sane person would go near.
Misaka sighed, but asked the obvious question.
"...what do you want?"
"I wonder if you could send me there secretly?"
"....Huuuuuuuhh!?"
A loud exclamation escaped Misaka's mouth as she stared at Leone with disbelief and shock, but it was instantly drowned underneath the noisy battlefield.
Meanwhile, in the area near the pillar...
*BAM!*
*CLANG!*
*Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa!*
*BOOOOM!*
It was a death zone, as colorful energy bullets and beams traced the whole area, covering its beautiful yet deadly gleam. In the middle of this barrage, silver flashes of light could be seen, leaving explosions like fireworks everywhere.
Whitebeard was advancing at high speed through the bullet hell before he saw several flashes rushing past the explosions and lights. Without any other thought, he twisted the grip of his weapon, intercepting two PE-SS-26-13287 limbs before changing his direction.
The worm's limbs were almost like sickles of death, appearing and disappearing without any sign, except the brief flashes at high speed. PE-SS-26-13287 seemed to be turning into a living turret as its limbs shot like artillery shells. Kaguya's time stop couldn't make their speed any slower.
"Keep your eyes peeled on the goal, kid!"
While dodging, Whitebeard heard the muffled screams behind him before he jumped again.
"How can I open them in this situation?!"
Kazuma was suffering from the intense speed and raging winds it brought. He kept asking himself several times now how could these people keep their eyes open or even sense anything in these conditions.
"Then focus and wait for the chance!"
"That's easier said than done!"
Whitebeard and Kazuma found themselves trapped outside a circle near the pillar and battlefield because of the numerous attacks from PE-SS-26-13287. At one point, Whitebeard could easily dodge each strike, but as he got closer, it became increasingly more difficult, due to the short distance between him and the worm.
If this continues, he might have to risk it and advance forward...even if he gets injured. However, such a thing can't be good. As usual, a heavy injury or two won't affect him much, but any difference in this stalemate type of situation could be fatal.
Kaguya also saw the situation, but she was almost out of ideas. Increasing the number of barrages wouldn't work because PE-SS-26-13287 has dug its limbs too deeply past the iron sand, like a cactus in the desert.
She could attempt to level the whole area by a large number of explosions, but the silver flashes will obliterate the magic before it even begins, as with anything that amounts to that level of destruction.
{I should really learn more tricks from Eirin…. Hm?}
Kaguya sighed secretly before she noticed a new change inside the death zone.
Blueish-white sparks started to fly from the iron sand as the harsh sound of sand grains vibrating intensified.
It was very annoying, and gave an unpleasant feeling quite similar to scratching nails on a chalkboard. Then the ground under the pillar started trembling again, and PE-SS-26-13287's limbs under the sand started wiggling violently, as it had lost its foothold.
The iron sand vortex tightened around the pillar.
"Don't make me regret this…"
Electric currents with a very high voltage were flying from Misaka, submerging her whole body in blueish and yellow lightning. With a frown on her face, Misaka closed her eyes, focusing on a necklace with a yellowish-green gem on her hand.
The electricity from her body was being absorbed into the necklace, getting a yellowish color, which was intensified both in power and oddly, in control.
The lightning slipped into the ground nearby, making the iron sand in the area slow down, but near the pillar, it was total chaos. If someone could see under the pillar, they'll see the whole vortex of the iron sand became one big drill digging deeply, and knocking away all PE-SS-26-13287 limbs.
PE-SS-26-13287 wiggled its limbs in an attempt to compress them, but under the violet rotation and vibrations, they were all dragged in the vortex as Misaka's electromagnetic sense allowed her to see what's happening in real-time.
"NOW!!!"
Opening her eyes, Misaka raised her arms suddenly as the ground blasted like an explosion. The iron sand followed her command, rushing up from the ground as the vortex became an entire tornado.
Kaguya's barrage got destroyed by the electric bolts and vibrations near the tornado instantly as she was forced to cancel her attacks, but it wasn't needed at the moment, since PE-SS-26-13287 was in a much worse state.
The iron sand tornado dragged PE-SS-26-13287 limbs alongside everything else in the vicinity, breaking its balance as the pillar was levitating.
Whitebeard stopped his advancement with Kazuma when he saw what was happening.
Despite PE-SS-26-13287 effort to free its limbs, the nature of the iron sand made it difficult to escape from such intense rotations, even the other limbs' attacks were like hitting a sponge and sinking in. The limbs got stuck in the tornado as they were spinning, even dragging the main body with them.
The entire area was shaking and seeing what was actually happening became even more difficult due to the winds from the cyclone, but Misaka pushed further.
In the middle of the rotation, the iron sand got itself stuck in the gaps between the PE-SS-26-13287's body and the pillar. As it got stuck, that amount of the iron sand twisted suddenly into several drills, separating the worm away from the pillar.
For the first time in this battle, PE-SS-26-13287 got fully separated from the pillar it was tightly warping. This in turn received a violent reaction from the alien-like creature, as hideous screeches escaped its fangs-filled mouth.
Hearing the disturbing cries, Misaka's expression didn't change. All of her focus now was on the tornado, as well as not getting anyone hurt. She couldn't care less about some screeches now.
Noticing the danger, PE-SS-26-13287's body began to split a little again as the other free limbs returned to the insides of its body.
"It's too late now."
Reaching this point, Misaka opened her tired eyes and slammed her hands down, followed by the entire iron sand tornado collapsing at the same time in one direction, between PE-SS-26-13287 and the pillar.
Much similar to being a giant blade, the iron sand cleaved its way into the previously made gap between the pillar and PE-SS-26-13287, fully separating them by a solid wall of vibrating iron sand.
However, the moment PE-SS-26-13287 recovered control over its limbs, they immediately launched like several flashes towards the pillar at the same time.
Misaka knew that without the rotation power, the iron sand wall wouldn't last for a moment under such an offense.
However, that was all she needed.
A hidden gap in the iron sand sea on the ground opened up instantly as it shot like fully compressed springs, launching a certain someone near the pillar mid-air.
"Tch!"
Misaka saw Leone getting launched by her iron sand, clicked her tongue, and clenched her fist when she saw the condition Leone was in. She really didn't want to agree to this plan at all.
(Flashback)
Before Misaka attempted to use the power of the thunderstone to boost her fine control over the electromagnetic fields, she was faced with the most ridiculous idea she had ever heard from Leone.
"What did you just say?!"
Misaka raised her voice as the bluish-white sparks blasted on her forehand. How could she not be shocked? The words she heard now were absolute nonsense and madness!
Not only is the area near the pillar is under heavy fire from Kaguya to keep PE-SS-26-13287 movements limited, but PE-SS-26-13287 is also shooting its limbs all over the place. The silver flashes that cleave all energy, explosions, and flames wherever they appeared at an insane speed gave Misaka goosebumps.
"That's why I said secretly. Hmmm...can't you open a path in that sand for me? Maybe even make it a cover until the right moment?"
"Are you in your right mind?!"
"What's wrong?"
Leone tilted her head in confusion. She didn't see anything wrong with her idea, but Misaka was angry and annoyed.
Like she usually was.
"Listen, the whole area of the iron sand is vibrating intensely, with a huge electric current running through them. Do you have any idea what could happen to you?! Serious lacerations, cardiac arrest, burns to tissues and organs, nerve damage, muscle spasms..."
Misaka snapped immediately in Leone's face at her question, and went on to give her reasons why her plan was such a bad idea, including a list of potential and fatal injuries.
As an Electromaster, she's very well aware of how serious the damage her power could cause. In her eyes, Leone's idea is no less than a suicide attempt, so how she couldn't be angry?
"Now, now, you don't have to give me a lecture. You didn't even say you couldn't do it."
Misaka sighed inwardly at Leone's unconcerned upbeat optimism.
"Ugh...I can control the iron sand vibrations and the electric current, but I'm now focusing on the offense. I can't be sure to protect you completely."
"Then it's settled. No need to worry, Mikoto. My Teigu can take care of the rest. You only need to open a path and do your best."
"But..." Misaka hesitated, but Leone wasn't finished.
"Listen, the first thing you need to know about plans is that they can't keep up with changes. That's why backup plans exist, to prepare for unexpected variables. Also, staying here doing nothing is giving me a very irritating itch for battle."
Leone grinned and winked at Misaka, who was on the verge of wanting to hold her head from the headache she just got. These damn battle maniacs!!!
"By the way, this is a battle, so you need to act quick. Your hesitation has already cost precious time for preparation!"
In the end, under Leone's nagging logic, Misaka took out the Thunder Stone necklace and decided to go with this plan, voluntarily having to put a lot of weight on her shoulders.
(Flashback end)
Despite her body being filled with small and large cuts, as well as burns, Leone was still in good shape because of the Teigu, Lionel, enhancing her endurance. Mustering all her strength, she twisted her body in mid-air and kicked the entire pillar.
Unlike its shape and proportions, the pillar wasn't all that heavy as Leone's kick sent it flying towards Whitebeard and Kazuma.
"What are you waiting for?!"
Kaguya shouted and returned to be a flying fortress, as the bullet hell accompanied by several explosion magic rained down on PE-SS-26-13287's body.
Even without her reminder, Whitebeard had already entered extreme speed using Soru and Geppo. The goal was already in sight thanks to Misaka and Leone's efforts.
Before Leone breathed a sigh of relief at the plan's success, her senses stung again as the iron sand wall shook violently. Under the offense of the worm's limbs shooting like artillery shells, the iron sand wall didn't last for more than one second as cracks and gaps were forming on it instantly.
The surging limbs of PE-SS-26-13287 directly breached the last defense as they headed straight at Leone, leaving a flash of silver light stretching back behind the wall.
In such a situation, Leone wasn't able to dodge, wearing a helpless expression on her face.
However, an electric current flashed on her back. The electric current formed like a chain from her clothes, or at least some metal parts, to the iron sand rising from the ground.
Leone didn't have time to react at all as a sudden but huge force dragged her down immediately, avoiding the near-fatal attacks before the black sand covered and dragged her back to Misaka's side.
"What a hassle…"
Feeling how weak her body and the annoying electric current, Leone couldn't help but release a sigh, muttering to herself.
"Silence! You're the last person to talk about this!"
Injured or not, Misaka removed the electric current as she started lecturing Leone, whose face darkened even further, but couldn't do anything because of the injuries.
But in secret, Misaka breathed a large sigh of relief when she saw Leone was at least safe. To be honest, to be responsible for the life of someone puts a rather large weight on her shoulders.
Just the thought of messing up and causing an accident made Misaka's head hurt, along with her body trembling. Now, everything is up to the others as Misaka sees a flash of light at a distance.
Despite having a giant build of a height of more than six meters, Whitebeard's speed wasn't anything to take lightly. However, the enemy was much faster, as silver flashes appeared in Whitebeard's vision.
Kaguya's offense didn't stop PE-SS-26-13287's advancement for long as its limbs shot towards the pillar and Whitebeard's direction.
Facing the barrage of deadly strikes, Whitebeard had no intention of stopping as his muscles tightened, pushing Soru and Geppo to the limit. This almost made Kazuma puke.
The air trembled each time Whitebeard took a step, disappeared, and appeared in another place. His previous location was instantly bombarded by several flashes of light, which made the thought of remaining at one spot not an option at all.
Evading several close calls just by an inch, Whitebeard slashed horizontally. The shock wave and force of the strike were weakened by PE-SS-26-13287, but he didn't care about that at all. He pushed his body upward using the rebound of the force of the clash, and kicked the air violently.
Whitebeard almost turned into a cannon shell in mid-air, crossing the distance instantly to reach both the pillar and PE-SS-26-13287.
Most of PE-SS-26-13287's limbs were already close to the pillar, dragging the main body to it. This scene made Whitebeard frown before he attached the quake bubble.
*BAAAAAM!!!!*
The naginata left an afterimage in the air before it slammed down on the pillar at full force, creating a huge shock wave. It cracked the air like a mirror, crashing the pillar at full speed down onto the ground.
Bouncing like a ball because of the huge impact, the pillar rebounded back to the air as PE-SS-26-13287 launched its body at it. But this time, Whitebeard was faster.
"Kid, now!!"
Yelling at Kazuma, Whitebeard prepared another quake bubble to send the pillar flying from here if the plan failed.
The thunderous scream at such a close distance made Kazuma instantly wake up from his sickness, even if he was very dizzy, because of the violent roller coaster called Whitebeard.
Shaking his head instantly, he saw this whole ridiculous scene as his mind froze for a moment.
At this moment, the world seemed to be stopping in Kazuma's eyes. PE-SS-26-13287 limbs shooting like death sickles, Whitebeard screaming and waving his naginata to hit the pillar, Kaguya's barrage deflecting some attacks.
If Kazuma were to be asked at a point in his life if he'll ever experience such a scene, he'll laugh it off, thinking of it as a joke. But now...
He just doesn't know what to say.
All Kazuma could do now was to open his already dangling right hand to the pillar and scream at the top of his lungs.
"SSSSSTEEEEEEEAAAAAAL!!!!"
The light of the skill activation filled Kazuma's vision and made him close his eyes. The world almost stopped completely for him at that instant. The screeches stopped, the explosions ceased, and the violent movements came to a halt.
The situation continued until Kazuma felt a bump and his feet touched the ground. Did Whitebeard land? In any case, Kazuma fell straight on his butt as his legs lacked strength.
"Did...did it work?"
Opening his eyes slowly, Kazuma asked with doubt because if he remembered correctly, his skill 'Steal' should've brought the pillar to at least near his palm.
{Did I fail? Probably. It wasn't really out of my expectations. After all, such a lousy plan ca-}
*Thud!*
Kazuma's thoughts were cut short as in his field of vision, a big pillar fell from the sky with a loud noise a few meters away. Just lying on the ground motionlessly was their goal the whole time.
However, unlike before, the pillar lacked all the glow and futuristic vibes.
Blinking his eyes several times, Kazuma felt very strange. Won't several metallic limbs appear now to turn him into a humanoid Swiss cheese?
"What in the...hmm? Hey, old man, what happened?...Old man?"
Noticing Whitebeard at his side, Kazuma asked him hurriedly, but he found Whitebeard staring in a certain direction without saying anything. His face was mixed with expressions of confusion and shock.
Not only him, but Kazuma also noticed that Kaguya's mouth was open in an 'o' shape, even though her time stop had vanished and the world recovered to its normal form.
Misaka dropped her hands in disbelief, and Leone fell straight back to the ground.
"What happened to all of you… huh?"
Kazuma followed everyone's eyes until he saw the alien-looking substance and creature, PE-SS-26-13287, on the ground screeching.
PE-SS-26-13287 returned to its original form, a basic worm shape with a hideous head, although its color lacked the previous luster. Weirdly, Kazuma felt those screeches were aimed in his direction.
It was akin to animals warning other animals or humans to not advance and leave. Similar things are very common, but to see it from this worm of all things was an odd sight to behold.
"Kid, get up. Just...don't do sudden movements..."
"What? Dammit, my legs feel so weak..."
Despite his words, Kazuma stood up slowly but was surprised by a sudden screech. The moment he stood up, PE-SS-26-13287 backed away a little and warped its body together, much like a snake hissing at a threat.
Witnessing this reaction, Kazuma blinked his eyes before he extended his right hand suddenly.
*Screech!!*
Exactly like before, PE-SS-26-13287 backed away and started circling the area near the pillar. Kazuma followed it and repeated this action as the worm-like creature didn't dare to get closer or even be in the same direction as his right hand.
"How did this battle become like this?"
Misaka's brain couldn't process the change in events. Such an intense and furious battle quickly shifted into this...was she hallucinating or something?
{What am I looking at?}
Kaguya stared at this dance of advancing and retreating with no expression whatsoever.
How should she react to this? Just remembering that this thing has pushed all of them to the limits because of its insane defense a few moments ago makes Kaguya want to die.
Amid this dance, it didn't take long for the doubt to vanish from Kazuma's eyes to be replaced with an evil look, forming a wide, wicked grin.
"Oya, oya, where all the furiousness from earlier? Are you perhaps afraid of my regular, normal hand?"
Keeping the creepy and wicked grin, Kazuma waved his right arm towards PE-SS-26-1328, with the latter retreating at his action.
"C'mon, there's nothing to be afraid of...Steal!"
Shaking his hand quickly, Kazuma screamed his skill name as PE-SS-26-13287 literally jumped backward to avoid the skill. However, Kazuma never activated his ability…
It was just a bluff.
"Ho? This is new...I thought you're all overpowerful and mysterious en- Steal!"
Without any warning, Kazuma bluffed his skill again as PE-SS-26-13287 jumped away, like a cat whose tail was stepped on. Such an image of a young man smiling like a criminal scaring an alien-looking worm was surely unnatural.
"Hehe...hahahahahaha...you got too full of yourself, worm..."
Confirming his thoughts yet another time, Kazuma covered his face with his right hand and started laughing before transforming into a creepy smile once more. He has no idea why or how this is happening, but he doesn't mind abusing it for revenge.
"Don't think that playing with these incompetent all-talk guys would mean you're strong. Earthquakes? Electromagnetism? Time stops? Pfff, I require no such flashy abilities. Just the basics are enough to crush you to the dirt where you belong."
"..."
"Heeeh?..."
"What did you say?!"
Ignoring or maybe not aware because of the sudden adrenaline and power rush, Kazuma didn't care about the death gazes from Whitebeard, Kaguya, and Misaka.
"Now, where are those limbs and tails you were shooting!? You were enjoying trying to kill me a lot, huh? Because of you, I was stuck under that roller coaster of madness and forced to act in a shonen way!"
All of Kazuma's frustration exploded as he looked at PE-SS-26-13287 with absolute hatred.
"If you're so mad and confident, why don't you get closer?"
Leone asked from the side as Kazuma kept a large and safe distance from PE-SS-26-13287, but Kazuma directly omitted her words from his brain.
However, Kazuma also noticed that PE-SS-26-13287's metallic color began to fade even more while it kept circling the area around him and the pillar.
"Oh? Do you want this? Too bad, you're only getting a handshake from my completely normal hand. Now, come here..."
Misaka got goosebumps just by staring at Kazuma with his creepy smile moving his fingers in a very unsettling way, aiming at the screeching giant worm.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard was only standing silently there. However, his current expression would strike fear into the hearts of anyone seeing his face. Kaguya thought that he only lacked a ゴゴゴゴ text at his side, and it'll be perfect.
{Ah, this guy completely lost it}
Leone gave Kazuma her condolences when she saw the look of the three people around her.
Despite the ridiculous scene, Whitebeard frowned for a moment as he remembered something. Usually, animals would hiss and warn the threats by using intimidation gestures, but when nothing works, they'll...run.
Proving Whitebeard's thoughts, PE-SS-26-13287 screeched one last time at Kazuma before it shot itself to the left and 'wormed' into the ground, disappearing from everyone's sight.
"Eh? Did that thing just gave me 'fuck this shit, I'm out' moment?"
Petrified in his place, Kazuma's brain couldn't process the sudden change. However, it doesn't mean that everyone is frozen as he felt the familiar feeling of a giant hand grabbing his collar.
"Let's have a word later, kid."
Hearing those calm words that seemed to be filled with many hidden meanings and anger, Kazuma felt he went from heaven to hell once again before the world became blurry and the raging wind slammed his face.
"NOT AGAAAAAIIINNNNN!!!"
Whitebeard caught Kazuma again as he stormed after PE-SS-26-13287, instantly followed by Kaguya, putting the entire pillar in her sleeve, holding Misaka and Leone's hands, and taking off.
In mid-air, Whitebeard was kicking the air violently, increasing his speed, while Kaguya's natural flying speed was more than enough to keep up.
"Go left, no, right!"
With PE-SS-26-13287 being underground, the only way it could be tracked is via the Chat Room. Misaka used that way to determine its location immediately, giving directions to the group, despite it being difficult to determine the precise path.
"Don't give each location, just give the general direction!"
Kaguya said to Misaka after changing her flight direction several times as the latter blushed a little before she focused on the map.
"Let's see...It's going north, crossing the green fields of Elroad kingdom, and heading towards the Capital city-…wait, the Capital!?"
Misaka exclaimed when she learned the direction of PE-SS-26-13287, but Kaguya's eyes brightened.
"Elroad's Capital? Perfect!"
"What do you mean perfect?! If that thing enters a populated area, it'll be a massacre!"
"Not like that! Whitebeard, come closer!"
Kaguya didn't answer Misaka immediately as she called Whitebeard before flying towards him and Kazuma. Halting in mid-air, Whitebeard was confused because of the sudden call, but then a colorful magic circle appeared.
The magic circle lasted for a moment before everyone vanished like they weren't there at all.
Meanwhile, inside the royal palace of the Elroad Kingdom's Capital... Something was going on inside the crown Prince's private meeting room.
"Has the situation from the other day been dealt with, Prime Minister?"
"Not yet, Prince Revi."
"What do you mean by not yet?! A thief has sneaked into my kingdom vault, stole several valuable items, and even lit my castle on fire!"
The Prime Minister could only sigh at the Crown Prince of Elroad Kingdom, Prince Revi's, anger. The previous days' event has caused the prince to be paranoid because of that sudden attack.
Despite no harm falling on him, The Prime Minister is very well aware of the weak-willed nature of his Prince, especially because he's just a kid. So, it's reasonable that he's overreacting.
"Prince Revi, calm down. I assure you that the accident of that day shall be dealt with accordingly and whoever was the cause will be punished."
"Hmph, if you say so..."
No matter how much he's angry and annoyed, Revi knows that he could only rely on the Prime Minister for almost-… no, he can rely on him in everything about the kingdom. He doesn't even manage his country as the Prime Minister does all the work wonderfully.
"On such an occasion, I would like to ask the prince for his thoughts about the support we send to the Belzerg Kingdom, the Demon King's defense borders..."
"Oh, Belzerg, huh? Whatever, deal with it as you like."
"...Understood."
The Prime Minister wanted to take his leave, but suddenly, the ground shook a little, startling Revi.
"What happened? Is it an earthquake?"
"No need to worry, his highness. It's probably just a weak earthquake-"
*BOOOM!!*
Without any warning, the entire castle trembled violently before the floor of the room broke open and debris flew everywhere.
Prince Revi and the Prime Minister weren't even able to open their eyes as a dark metallic color worm-like creature launched itself at them, opening its mouth filled with teeth.
However, following the first blast, the wall of the room also exploded as several figures rushed inside.
*BAAAAAM!!!*
Whitebeard stormed inside, punching PE-SS-26-13287 directly and without any hesitation. The violent shockwave destroyed an entire part of the castle, sending the worm flying outside.
Slightly surprised to see his ability working more effectively on PE-SS-26-13287, Whitebeard jumped from the room, leaving the Prime Minister and Prince Revi in a state of shock.
"Mikoto!"
Kaguya landed quickly, dropping Misaka near the landing point of PE-SS-26-13287.
Misaka didn't waste any time as she put her hands on the ground. The calm and clean roads of Elroad were broken by black waves of iron sands as the citizens were in a state of terror.
However, the iron sand ignored them all, sealing all the escape routes for PE-SS-26-13287.
The more time passes, the darker PE-SS-26-13287 color becomes, and the more anxious and crazier it becomes.
It slammed its head and body violently all over the place in an attempt to break the iron sand. If Misaka let go, the whole place would be trashed by this creature.
"This thing became weaker?"
Misaka noticed the new change as she pushed her power even further before Whitebeard and Kazuma arrived from the sky.
The moment it saw Kazuma, PE-SS-26-13287 entered a complete state of madness and struggled violently, crushing the iron sand from its body and taking off to the sky.
"Go!!"
However, this time Whitebeard wasn't taking any chances as he threw Kazuma directly like a rag doll.
"Was this really necessary??!!"
Despite his screams and complaints, Kazuma forced his body to stabilize and raised his hand, aiming at the target and screamed with all his power.
"STEEEEEAALLL!!!"
The same scene from the pillar fight repeated at this moment. Unlike before, Kazuma opened his eyes amidst the pale grayish-white light as he saw a bizarre scene.
Under the light of his Steal Skill, the body of PE-SS-26-13287 was boiling like molten iron before the metallic layer on its body vanished at some parts quickly, leaving a black ink-like substance evaporating when it came in contact with the air.
In the whole process, PE-SS-26-13287 screeched violently as the metallic layer that was its skin was getting peeled off, before the skill stopped and Kazuma felt a wet and weird feeling in his hand. He didn't need to think more as he sent the liquid metallic substance directly inside the Chat Room.
Despite all of that, PE-SS-26-13287 was still screeching and struggling in the air as it attempted to reach Kazuma, but a giant man appeared like a ghost in front of it.
Raising his vibration-filled naginata, Whitebeard's muscles tightened, slashing it at PE-SS-26-13287, exactly at its black uncovered spot as sparks flew everywhere.
"Hmph!!"
Feeling the obvious resistance, Whitebeard increased his power as his naginata tore apart the uncovered parts before it reached the limit, cleaving PE-SS-26-13287's entire body in half!
*Crack!*
The strike blew the air, making Elroad's capital experience a small hurricane disaster, before everything calmed down.
"Ahhhhhh-Eh? Thank you- ouch! What was that for?"
Kazuma was falling from the sky as Kaguya caught him before his face kissed the hard rock floor. He wanted to thank her, but she dropped him in the next second.
Following Kazuma, Whitebeard fell on the broken road and watched as the rest of PE-SS-26-13287 fell with him.
Its two body parts twisted and wiggled on the ground, but to no avail. The dark color soon filled all the metallic-colored parts on its body before PE-SS-26-13287 dropped powerlessly. Its body slowly dissipated in the air, turning into ashes, and then finally, vanishing.
Misaka breathed a sigh of relief and stopped her ability as the iron sand fell powerlessly before Leone hooked her hand around Misaka's neck, smiling. Finally, the battle has come to an end.
Kaguya felt liberated from such annoyance as her body felt very light. She shall repeat that quick battles, especially fast ones, aren't suitable for her!
Well, at least everything is over.
Even Kazuma, who was still rubbing his painful back, was glad that this was over, although the scary eyes of Whitebeard were still locked onto him. Remembering everything he said at the power rush, Kazuma wanted to cover his face in shame.
*Ding!*
Suddenly, all chat members received a notification from the Chat Room.
[PE-SS-26-13287 (Avatar) has been extinguished.]
[Advocate of Gender Equality has received 50,000 points.]
[More data has been collected… Update mission… Mission updated successfully]
Looking at this new window, Kazuma blinked his eyes before it landed on one word that made his mood instantly become worse.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY AVATAR?!"
"Ahem!"
Kazuma's screams filled the whole area, but his train of thoughts was broken by a loud cough and snapped him back to reality.
"What do you-… how can I help you?"
Kazuma felt the words stuck in his throat when he saw the scene in front of him. Soldiers fully armed, knights on horses, and adventures of different classes filled the whole place, all aimed their weapons at Chat group members.
Kaguya, along with Whitebeard didn't show any obvious reaction. Misaka looked at the destruction in the place and felt guilty. Leone had a feeling of nostalgia at this scene. As for Kazuma…
His face darkened.
{Ah, so this day came after all. I was really expecting it, but I didn't think it'll come this soon. Goodbye my innocent citizen identity...it seems I have been dragged in to be a terrorist despite everything...}
A teardrop almost fell from Kazuma's right eye as Elroad's available army in the capital circled all the Chat Members.
