Chapter 15
―――Honestly, what a pain.
When I thought that, I realized, Oh, I guess I'm kind of a rotten person after all.
But is that really so strange?
Everyone puts their own life first, right?
That's the kind of world this is.
Putting yourself before others.
Thinking first about surviving yourself.
Is that 'wrong'?
There's nothing wrong with it.
There can't be anything wrong with it.
That's precisely why we can't understand what those people are thinking.
Their barricade has been breached, and they're fighting desperately.
Why do they keep fighting so desperately instead of running away?
It's simple.
They're probably buying time.
Time for the others—probably the people who had barricaded themselves inside the shopping mall—to escape.
"Don't let them through, no matter what! Buy everyone as much time to escape as you can!"
"Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!!"
As though in response to my thoughts, the men fighting cried out, rousing themselves.
No doubt about it.
They were literally risking their lives to buy time.
Time for the others to escape, even if only by a little.
"...Seriously? How can they do something like that..."
I definitely don't want to imitate them...
Why are those people willing to risk their lives like that?
Is it because their families or lovers are inside?
Hmm, even then, I'd prioritize myself over other people.
"I guess I'll run away after all..."
No way.
I really can't stand people like that.
The sky is clouding over, and it looks like rain, so let's get out of here before it starts.
"Whiiine?"
Momo, in my arms, let out a sound.
It seemed to be asking if that was okay.
"...Yeah, I'll abandon those people. What about you, Momo... are you against it?"
".........Woof."
After a brief pause, Momo replied.
It seemed to be saying, "It's up to you."
I felt a little relieved that Momo agreed with me.
"All right. Then, Momo, release 'Shadow' when I give you the signal. I'll release 'Stealth' at the same time. After that, we'll run as fast as we can."
"Woof!"
Momo agreed, and I started to deactivate 'Stealth.'
At that moment―――the situation on the battlefield changed.
"Huh?"
The High Orc standing behind them began to move.
Tension flashed across the men's faces.
What is it planning?
The High Orc moved a few steps forward and slowly inhaled.
At that moment, a chill ran through my entire body.
―――!! This is bad!! Something's coming!!
Something unbelievably 'bad'!
As if to prove it, the other orcs temporarily stopped fighting and put some distance between themselves and the men.
Then they crossed their arms in front of themselves, taking a stance as if preparing for something.
The men watched the orcs' mysterious actions suspiciously.
"Momo! Cover my entire body with 'Shadow'! Right now!"
Perhaps Momo's instincts had sensed the danger, because it manipulated 'Shadow' almost as soon as I gave the order.
Momo's 'Shadow' covered my entire body.
I crouched down on the spot, covering Momo with my body.
The next moment, the High Orc 'roared.'
'Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!!'
"~~~~~!!"
The roar's destructive force spread through the surrounding area.
The air shook violently—no joke.
The paving stones were ripped up and shattered, and cracks ran across the exposed ground.
Every pane of glass in the shopping mall and the surrounding buildings shattered and rained down onto the ground.
Only a few seconds.
That scream, over in an instant yet seeming eternal, brought a major disaster to the surrounding area.
"―――! Hah, hah, hah... Momo, are you all right?"
"...Whiiine..."
A weak reply came back.
What the hell was that 'roar'...?
Could a roar that defied the laws of physics really exist?
No, that was probably a 'Skill,' too.
A 'roar' Skill that caused destruction across a wide area.
That's what the High Orc had used.
I cautiously leaned forward and looked ahead.
"Wh...!?"
Everyone who had been fighting in front of the entrance had collapsed, blood gushing from their bodies.
They're dead.
They're definitely dead.
The High Orc raised a hand.
At that signal, the other orcs streamed into the shopping mall.
They must intend to hunt down the people holed up inside.
Seeing the other orcs enter the shopping mall, the High Orc also moved forward.
But suddenly, it stopped.
I wondered what was wrong, and then―――its gaze turned toward 'me.'
"!!!"
Our eyes met.
Even though it was easily several dozen meters away from me.
Even though I was supposed to be using 'Stealth.'
Its gaze was unmistakably fixed on me.
And then it―――laughed.
It looked at me and laughed, as if it were having the time of its life.
Bad. Bad, bad. Bad, bad, bad!
"Hah, hah, hah, hah... huff, huff, huff..."
My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst.
My breathing was ragged.
Death.
That single word surfaced in my mind.
≪Your proficiency has reached a certain level.≫
≪Fear Resistance increased from LV 2 to 3.≫
≪Your proficiency has reached a certain level.≫
≪Fear Resistance increased from LV 3 to 4.≫
≪Your proficiency has reached a certain level.≫
≪Stress Resistance increased from LV 2 to 3.≫
≪Your proficiency has reached a certain level.≫
≪Stress Resistance increased from LV 3 to 4.≫
≪Your proficiency has reached a certain level.≫
≪Hostility Detection increased from LV 3 to 4.≫
≪Your proficiency has reached a certain level.≫
≪Danger Sense increased from LV 4 to 5.≫
≪Your proficiency has reached a certain level.≫
≪Fear Resistance increased from LV 4 to 5.≫
≪Certain conditions have been met.≫
≪You can now acquire Skill 'Escape.'≫
≪Certain conditions have been met.≫
≪You can now acquire Skill 'Defense Instinct.'≫
A flood of announcements echoed in my head.
But I didn't have the presence of mind to listen to them.
I don't want to die.
I don't want to die.
That was all that filled my mind.
It started to rain.
Drops hit my face.
"Eek!"
For an instant, I thought the High Orc had attacked, and a pathetic sound escaped me.
The High Orc snorted derisively at me and looked away.
Then it disappeared inside the shopping mall.
Thank goodness.
Apparently, it had let me go.
Momo and I immediately deactivated 'Stealth' and 'Shadow.'
Then we fled the area at full speed.
This is bad.
That thing is bad.
I ran.
I ran with all my might.
Through the pouring rain, as far away as possible.
Somewhere beyond the reach of that High Orc's eyes.
That thing was different. Clearly 'different' from the other monsters.
"Hah... Hah...!"
This is no good.
This won't do.
I'll die. Sooner or later, I definitely will.
I don't want to die.
I don't want to die.
"Damn... Damn it...!"
I have to get stronger.
Together with Momo.
Stronger than we are now.
In order to survive.