Chapter 82
"Woooooof!"
The Dark Wolf charges at me with a roar.
Its entire body has grown so huge that it looks less like a wolf and more like a gigantic boar.
It moves as fast as a bullet. But its movements are linear, making its trajectory easy to read.
―――I can dodge it.
I dodge the Dark Wolf and leap to the side.
I prepare for a follow-up attack, keeping in mind that I may need to use the spring in my body to adjust my trajectory as before, but that proves unnecessary.
The Dark Wolf passes right by me.
"―――Agh!"
A death throe.
When I turn my gaze toward it, I see that one of the students in its path has been crushed.
The impact must have been tremendous. The student who fell victim to it has been reduced to a lump of flesh.
"N-noooooo!?"
"D-Don't come over here!"
The Dark Wolf moves to attack the students nearby.
But then the Monster Tamer shouts.
"What are you doing?! Your opponent is that hooded man! Ignore the others!"
"Grrrr..."
Hearing her voice, the Dark Wolf looks toward me.
Its murky eyes fix on me.
But... for some reason, those eyes almost seem to be trying to tell me something.
"I'm not letting you escape. You're too dangerous."
Goblins, orcs, and other monsters emerge from beneath her feet again.
"These guys are enough to hold off the other weaklings. But I can't be sure of taking you down unless I use this guy."
The monsters attack the students once more.
Monsters head toward Nishino-kun and the twins as well.
"Whoa, sis, they're coming!"
"Mmph, you're in the way!"
Well, I'll leave them to handle things on their own.
That might actually be better. At least they won't get in my way.
Now, what should I do...?
I ponder that as I stare at the Dark Wolf approaching me.
At first, I thought we might be able to win, but honestly, fighting this enhanced Dark Wolf might be difficult...
Its wounds have healed, and with that enormous body, its only weakness—its low defense—has probably been covered as well.
...Should we run?
Now that I think about it, once our surprise attack failed and our presence was exposed, there was no benefit to staying here.
Even if we chose to fight, it would be better to retreat for now and regroup.
If we can escape, that's all that matters.
If we have to fight, we can gradually wear it down with hit-and-run attacks.
That would be the best option.
But the problem is how to escape from this situation.
The Dark Wolf's sense of smell is especially troublesome.
In that case... should I use that trick?
"Momo!"
"Woof!"
"Huh...? A dog?"
I quickly pull Momo, who was hiding nearby, into the Shadow and immediately activate a new 'Ninjutsu.'
―――Smoke Escape Technique!
The next moment, black smoke bursts forth around me.
The smoke rapidly fills the cafeteria, thick enough to blot out our entire field of vision.
"What is this?!"
"I can't see a thing!"
This is the second Ninjutsu—the Smoke Escape Technique.
In other words, it's a smokescreen.
That takes care of everyone's vision.
Next.
(―――Ichinose-san!)
Inside the smoke, I retrieve Ichinose-san.
Even without sight, I have 'Detection.'
I quickly approach Ichinose-san and activate the 'Clone Technique.' I create four clones.
I rub those clones against Ichinose-san's body.
(Eek!? W-wait, Kudo-san, what are you doing in a situation like this?!)
(Just be quiet!)
Once the clones are thoroughly covered in Ichinose-san's scent, I send them out to escape in different directions.
If I can't disguise our scent, I can disguise our numbers instead.
Once they're thoroughly coated in Ichinose-san's scent, the conditions are the same as for our real bodies.
At worst, there's only a one-in-five chance of success, but that's better than nothing.
(K-Kudo-san, what is this...!?)
(I'll explain later. For now, getting out of here comes first.)
I mutter that under my breath, break a nearby window, and escape outside.
The other clones attempt to escape from different directions at the same time.
It happens at that exact moment.
'Darkness' bursts out from the cafeteria ceiling.
The darkness erupts like a fountain, spreads like a spiderweb, and rapidly expands to cover the entire school in a dome.
"What...!?"
This is bad!
I immediately start running as well.
But―――I was too late.
By the narrowest margin, we are trapped inside the barrier of darkness once again.
"Damn it!"
"―――Looks like I made it just in time."
A voice comes from behind me.
When I turn around, I see the Monster Tamer and the Dark Wolf standing there.
"Using a smokescreen? What a clever little trick. And I don't know how you did it, but you've scattered your scent, too... You've got some pretty good Skills."
This woman... She shut down our escape route so easily.
And she did it through sheer force.
I click my tongue inwardly and dispel the clones in the distance.
Now that our escape has failed, keeping them active would only waste MP.
"Huh... So Ichinose was with you after all..."
The Monster Tamer studies me and Ichinose-san in turn.
"Long time no see. Never thought we'd meet again like this."
"...!"
Ichinose-san doesn't answer.
But her shoulders tremble slightly.
"I was surprised. I never thought you were in league with Aisaka. Thanks to that, our plan has been ruined."
That email...
There was no doubt that it had been the trigger.
"But if things had continued as they were, you would've killed those two, wouldn't you?"
I answer in Ichinose-san's place when she falters.
"That's right. I intended to kill Aisaka and Nishino right there. With this one."
"Grrrr... Rrrr..."
The Dark Wolf lets out a strained growl.
The Monster Tamer ignores it and continues.
"But that's exactly why I don't get it. Wouldn't it have been more convenient for you if those two had died, too? Right, Ichinose?"
"What did you say...?"
"Oh, the hooded man doesn't know? She was bullied by Aisaka back then."
"...!"
Ichinose-san reacts strongly to the Monster Tamer's words.
She was bullied...? What was that about? Weren't they friends?
"Aisaka and I were in a different class, but the people who hung around with her were in Ichinose's class. Apparently, on Aisaka's orders, they kept bullying her in secret so the teachers and that student council president wouldn't find out. Everyone else pretended not to see anything. She probably didn't have a single ally in the entire class, huh?"
"......"
"One day, I went to the bathroom and found her soaking wet and crying after someone had thrown sewage all over her. She had marks that looked like she'd been beaten, too. It was pretty awful."
The Monster Tamer giggles, as though she finds something about it funny.
"Anyway, she stopped going to school and eventually dropped out. It was after that, I think, that the school finally realized what had happened and suspended everyone who had bullied her. Aisaka included, of course."
The Monster Tamer claps her hands, saying, "And they all lived happily ever after."
What the hell was that?
If it was true, then why had Ichinose-san...?
Everything she had done up to now.
I am stunned by the facts, which seem to deny all of it.
"So, that means she has no reason to save Aisaka. She should hate her more than anyone. Or... were you actually planning to snipe her instead of me? If so―――"
"―――up."
"...What?"
"...Shut up. You don't... know anything."
Ichinose-san glares at the Monster Tamer through her tears.
"You don't know anything...! Don't you dare talk about Ricchan!"
As she screams, she fires a bullet.
But the bullet stops partway there.
'Darkness' blocks her bullet.
"...Huh. Whatever. It doesn't matter. I'm going to kill you anyway."
As if to say the conversation is over, she takes a step back, and the Dark Wolf steps forward in her place.
Damn it. Looks like we can't avoid a fight...
I rub Ichinose-san's back as she breathes heavily, trying to calm her.
"Ichinose-san, calm down."
"...I-I'm sorry."
"I'll take the front. Ichinose-san, provide support."
"...Yes."
I have a lot I want to ask her, but that can wait.
Right now, we need to do something about this situation.
The Shadow at my feet trembles.
...No, Momo.
Don't come out yet.
Until we know the conditions under which the Monster Tamer can control monsters, it would be dangerous to openly reveal Momo or Aka.
That's why I had Momo remain behind the scenes in the cafeteria until the very last moment.
"...Momo, support my movements from the Shadow, too."
I sense her nod from within the Shadow.
I steel myself and kick off the ground.
"Graaah!"
Just as before, the 'Darkness' spreading around the Dark Wolf surges toward me like a raging torrent.
I'm not falling for the same trick twice.
I jump and pull a vending machine and a wrecked car out beneath my feet.
Instant footholds.
I kick off them and move through the air in three dimensions, as though flying.
"―――No more holding back."
I activate the 'Clone Technique' again.
I create four clones and use them to confuse the Dark Wolf's vision.
"W-what? Clones...!?"
The Monster Tamer cries out in surprise.
"Graa..."
The Dark Wolf desperately tries to follow them with its eyes, but it seems unable to keep track of all their movements.
A cleaver thrown by one of the clones lodges in its body.
But it only goes in shallowly, lightly cutting its hide.
"Its defense really has increased, too..."
Attacks from a distance aren't very effective.
No... In that case, I'll use that.
I dispel all the clones for the moment and take 'it' out of the Item Box.
Then I create clones once more and give each of them one.
Unlike me, the clones can't use the Item Box.
I fly around the Dark Wolf again, confusing it.
―――Now!
One of the clones finds an opening and throws it at the Dark Wolf.
It strikes the Dark Wolf in the face, and the liquid inside splashes across its face.
"...!? Gaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!?"
The Dark Wolf screams.
It struggles and rolls around wildly on the ground.
"W-what is that?! What did you do?!"
The Monster Tamer is shocked by the sight as well.
Looks like it worked: the 'Tabasco Bomb.'
Just like with the orc, it's perfect for enemies with a keen sense of smell.
"Now! All the clones, attack!"
The clones close in all at once and slash at the Dark Wolf.
If ranged attacks are ineffective, then our only option is to close in and deal direct damage with 'Vital Strike' and 'Swordsmanship.'
My prediction proves correct.
The cleavers sink firmly into the Dark Wolf, wounding it.
"Graaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
With a roar, the 'Darkness' around the Dark Wolf ensnares the clones.
At that moment, I dispel them.
"Grr... ugh..."
The Dark Wolf groans painfully and slowly gets to its feet.
"I see..."
After fighting it, I understand clearly.
The Dark Wolf no longer has the same sharpness it had when we fought it before.
I don't know whether it's because the Monster Tamer is controlling it or because she forcibly enlarged its body, but although its body and abilities are stronger, it can't make proper use of them at all.
In fact, it may have been stronger when we first fought it.
"W-what? No... How is this happening?"
The Monster Tamer shouts.
This situation must have been unexpected for her as well.
She hadn't expected us to put up such a good fight.
And she probably hasn't realized it.
The Dark Wolf was supposed to have been enhanced.
But it isn't able to bring its full strength to bear.
"...How pathetic."
I create clones again to deliver the finishing blow to the Dark Wolf.
Considering how much MP I have left, this will probably be the last time.
I'll take it down for sure.
"Grr... Roooooar!"
As though making one last stand, the Dark Wolf shoots 'Darkness' out from beneath its feet.
But that's all it does.
For a moment, I think it might unleash the same massive attack as when we first fought, but that concern proves unfounded.
The burst of 'Darkness' covers the area around it for only an instant, and the wave quickly subsides.
The Dark Wolf lies there on the ground.
It must have exhausted all its strength in that one attack.
Its enlarged body shrinks and returns to its original size.
"Grrr..."
It desperately covers its head and body with darkness, but there are gaps everywhere.
The clones' blades pierce the Dark Wolf's body.
At that instant, the darkness melts into the ground and vanishes, and the barrier covering the school disappears as well.
Finally, a purple magic stone rolls across the ground.
≪You acquired experience points.≫
≪You have reached the required amount of experience points.≫
≪Kudo Kazuto's level has increased from 17 to 18.≫
A heavenly voice echoes inside my head.
Now all that's left is the Monster Tamer...
In a sense, this is where the real problem begins.