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Tl: Sam

…

　An EX monster was an aberration that surpassed human intellect.
　Its power transcended the framework of living creatures, to the point of being described as a “disaster.”

　In the past, the monster “Shoggoth” that rampaged in America had annihilated three cities, causing millions of casualties.
　Even multiple S-rank explorers working together could not bring it down; until Tanaka defeated it, EX-rank monsters were believed to be impossible to defeat.

　The Flame Dragon Kagutsuchi’s rank was “EX I.”
　Among EX ranks, it fell into the weakest category.

　Even so, its abilities were several tiers higher than an S-rank’s, and there were likely only a handful of explorers in the world capable of facing it head-on.

　And against such an aberration… Hoshino was clashing head-on.

“Haaaaaaah!!”

　Hoisting her greatsword, she brought it swinging down onto Kagutsuchi.
　Kagutsuchi caught the blow with its prized horns, but the impact transmitted to its brain, making it stagger slightly.

「Hang in there, Yui-chan!」
「You can totally do this, for real!」
「Blow that guy away!」

　The comment section was also hyped up by Hoshino’s heroic display.

　(I can do this! I will win…!)

　Seeing that she had the upper hand, Hoshino swung her blade repeatedly in a fierce onslaught.
　Kagutsuchi produced multiple fireballs and unleashed them at Hoshino, but her companions shielded her from them.

“Daraah! Rapier Chop!”
“Ngh! Such power…!”

　Yuki shattered a fireball with a kick, while Kumaiwa intercepted another fireball with his shield.
　The temperature of the fireballs was terrifying; Yuki suffered burns and Kumaiwa’s shield began melting, yet neither of them stopped.

“We’re no match for that thing on our own… Support the Leader! Don’t hold back on the recovery potions!”

　Those who couldn’t face Kagutsuchi head-on kept it in check with magic and ranged attacks while supporting Hoshino with recovery potions and buffing spells.
　Thanks to their efforts, Hoshino was able to hold her own against Kagutsuchi despite its superior rank.

「Amazing, everyone’s doing their best」
「Can’t believe this is an impromptu team lol」
「Yui-chan’s leadership trait is insane」
「Uwoooooh!」
「Take it down before Tanaka gets here!」

“Take this! Adamant Sword: Ten Thousand Slashes!”

　Leaping high into the air, Hoshino slashed into Kagutsuchi’s long body.
　That technique, traced from Tanaka’s own moves, sliced through Kagutsuchi’s tough scales, gouging deeply into the flesh beneath.
　The dragon bled, its expression twisting in agony.

『Uu… Ooh…!』

　After letting out that groan, Kagutsuchi glared sharply at Hoshino.
　Under that piercing glare, Hoshino felt a chill run down her spine. The genuine killing intent of a powerhouse. Instinct told Hoshino that her opponent had gotten serious.

『Rururu… Goaaah!!』

　Letting out a thunderous roar, Kagutsuchi radiated intense heat from its entire body.
　The surrounding temperature spiked drastically, causing sweat to erupt from Hoshino’s body.

「Wait, something’s not right」
「I’m only watching the stream, but I’m breaking into a cold sweat」
「Ugh, scary…」
「Is it just me, or is the room hot?」
「Feels hot just watching, how hot is it in reality…?」

　Sensing that a disastrous attack was imminent, Hoshino screamed.

“Everyone, run away! Something is coming!”

　The intense heat emitted from Kagutsuchi converged into a single point, taking shape.
　What formed was a single greatsword. A blade forged of pure flame energy.

　The size of the blade was completely out of the ordinary, measuring a full twenty meters in total length.
　Seeing that blade carrying enough energy to annihilate an entire city in a single strike, the explorers’ spirits broke.

“What in the world is that…”
“Th-There’s no way we can beat that.”
“We’re going to die here…!”

　Amid the atmosphere of despair, Hoshino bolted forward alone.
　Her arms and legs still moved; in that case, there was no choice but to fight. Her resolve was set.

“I will win! Right here…!”

　Magic essence erupted from Hoshino’s running body.
　The magic essence within her burned intensely, drastically boosting her physical abilities.

　”Re-Awakening.”
　It was a power-up technique accessible only to a select few Awakened. Although it came with a time limit, Hoshino had made this technique—granting immense power for a brief period—entirely her own.

　She would be left completely immobilized after using it, yet she was certain that if she was to use it, it had to be now.

“Haaaaaaah!!”

　Carrying all her rushing momentum, Hoshino leaped into the air and slashed forward.
　Kagutsuchi pointed the tip of the flame sword it had manifested, “Flame Blade: Kagutsuchi,” directly at Hoshino and fired.

　The two colossal energies clashed, scattering explosive roars and shockwaves all around.
　The impact was tremendous; the explorers clung desperately to the ground, yet some were still blown away.

「Yui-chan!?」
「Wait, is she okay!?」
「That sound was crazy, my eardrums are gone」
「As expected, isn’t this too rough even for Yui-chan…?」
「Wait, this is seriously impossible」

　The explosive roar ceased, and the billowing dust settled.
　And floating there in mid-air, unchanged from before the clash, was Kagutsuchi.

　Its breathing was ragged and it appeared fatigued, yet its body was still intact.

「Ah… are you serious」
「Where’s Yui-chan!?」
「Taking that attack just now, surely…」
「Save her, Shachiken!」
「Wait, isn’t someone over there?」

　When the streaming drone approached the blast site, it discovered a fallen figure.

“U-Ugh…”

　The one lying there was none other than Yui Hoshino.
　Burns marked her body in various places, but it appeared she had avoided fatal injuries.

　However, the damage was immense; although she planted her hands against the ground, she was unable to push herself up.

「It’s Yui-chan!」
「Thank goodness!」
「Run away, quick!」
「Please, please, please」

　Confirming its enemy’s survival, Kagutsuchi let out a low growl from its throat and slowly approached.
　The power to manifest another flame blade had not yet returned, but attacks with claws and fangs were well within its capability. A soft human could easily be torn to shreds.

“D-Damn it…!”

　Hoshino desperately tried to move her body, but having just used Re-Awakening, her muscles refused to obey.
　Kagutsuchi’s razor-sharp fangs slowly closed in, preparing to tear her apart, but in that very instant, a certain figure stepped in front of her.

“Looks like I made it in time. That’s enough.”
“Eh…?”

　At that familiar voice, Hoshino lifted her gaze.
　Standing there was a swordsman clad in a black business suit. Seeing the person she had longed to meet all this time, Hoshino cried out aloud.

“Tanaka-san…!”
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Hoshino. You did great.”

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