I Came Back but the World is Still a Fantasy!?

3-19: Fear of Death (3/3)

3-19: Fear of Death (3/3)

Tl Note: Peace preservation department => Security Department.

He came. The white mask.

He came, did he? That monster.

The student council and the security department had received the report of the Senba siblings.

Frire, who had gone to the security department, was currently talking with the student council president through a monitor.

After getting word that the robots werent running on photon energy, a specialized group meant to handle photonless issues have already been dispatched.

Its that mask who did in those terrorists. From what he last said, it seems he regrets not dealing with them more throughly

Though they didnt quite understand what the terrorists meant by an evil god about to eat them, they figured that mustve simply been how scary the masked figure was.

If thats the case, then hes probably not an enemy At the very least, I hope hes not.

Because I dont think I can win against him even fully armed. He did something like this in less than a second, after all.

The mysterious masked figure shown in the recording might have been covered in a black haze, but the speed with which he moved still made Frire draw cold sweat.

She was a battle maniac. Yes. But there was still no point in fighting a battle that couldnt be called a battle. That was how strong the masked figure was.

Please dont say something so scary. If the strongest in the academy thinks that, then what about us?

What Frire was saying was essentially a declaration of defeat, and that caused the student council president to draw cold sweat himself.

After all, if she couldnt win, then no one in the academy could.

In that case, apprehending the masked figure directly would become impossible.

Im not invincible, you know. I mean even today, I Uh, never mind.

In any case, we have some unwanted visitors, so make sure to tighten the security.

Yeah. To be safe, Ill prohibit the students from going to town tomorrow.

Please have the security department clean up the bombs by then.

Gotcha. Ill let them know Looks like we wont be sleeping for a while.

So long as no one gets hurt, it wont be that bad. Lets do our best.

After Frire nodded, she cut the transmission and went to get the security department moving.

Sorry, Ill need a full set of exoskeleton (armor) too.

Ill be more useful out in the field than with command.

As a cooperator from the academy, she had much authority in the security department.

As the people from the security department ran off to get equipment for her, Frire heaved a heavy sigh.

That was not a sigh meant for the trouble tonight. No.

Instead, it was because of a certain possibility that worried her.

Its not you, right, Nakamura?

Ironically, because she did not know that the boy was being monitored, she came closer to the truth than anyone else in the city.

The floating city of Kutoria that was usually always peaceful was currently busier than ever.

The members of the student council and the security department were running here and there, searching every nook and cranny for those robot bombs.

Only 2 left.

Away from the desolate scope of the search, on the roof a building, was a black-clad figure hidden. He bended the winds to his will to find the bombs, then he would use the same winds to lure the search team to them.

Like that he skillfully led the search team without their knowing, and as he did, he pondered to himself.

I screwed up I thought for sure everything would turn out fine as long as I took care of them And yet!

If only Id just thought about it a little harder, then none of this wouldve had to happen!

While on the boat to Kutoria, he happened to sniff the stench of gunpowder from someone.

He followed that person, and that led him to a group that proudly declared their plans to slaughter the citizens of the floating city.

He didnt want his face to be seen, so he took on masquerades form and beat the terrorists black and blue, then he anonymously tipped the sailors about the weapons.

He thought that was enough to settle the issue.

Even though I knew security was tight

Even though I knew they brought that many weapons

Why didnt I think a little harder!? If so, if so, then things would have never gotten this far!

Though his voice was modified to make it hard to tell the identity of the person using masquerade, the shaking in his voice could not be obscured.

That was because the shaking in his voice was beyond the powers of the mask.

Almost being late because I rushed Am I really that stupid?

At that distance, I couldve just teleported.

What did I fly for? On top of that I even failed to control it Uu!?

Not only did he pick the wrong spell, he even messed up his control and fell.

Because of that he almost arrived late.

*COUGH, COUGH, UU!?

Ha ha, Im so stupid I even forgot to strengthen my body

Coughing out a red liquid, the masked figured crouched down in pain.

Flying through the sky quickly put much strain on ones body, so it was necessary to invoke a spell that mitigated those consequences or strengthened ones body.

No matter how high his skill was, without making use of it, his endurance was literally just a D Rank.

Without applying what he knew, he wouldnt even be able to exert 10% of his rank, much less 300%.

Because of his fear and panic, his strongest points were neutralized.

It was a beginners mistake that shouldve been impossible for him.

Haa haa haa Damn it all!

Just how much! Just how long! Am I supposed to be so messed up like this!? Tell me!!?

He could not stop the emotions from welling up. He could not suppress them.

His body kept shaking by itself, and he was powerless to stop it Because he failed again.

I was about to let someone die again, you know!

Because I messed up, someone was about to get killed again! Youko was about to die!

Again, again, again! Im always, so Ack, gak, haa!?

Having ran out of air, the masked figure was forced to suck in all the oxygen he could.

As flashbacks ran through his mind, his heart palpitated and his breath grew ragged.

He tried to stop his hand from shaking with his other shaking hand, and desperately he shook his head, then he yelled at himself.

Haa, haa AHH! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!!

Its fine. I made it in time. This time I made it in time!

No ones died. Everyones safe. So calm down!!

That was an excuse. But he needed to say it to stop that scary dark something from coming out.

When that memory from before flashed through his mind, he suddenly got the urge to disgorge his stomach.

The hand clad in black seemed to dye in red as the masked figure leaked a cry.

But despite that he forcefully kept himself together as he ignored the cries from within.

I dont care if Im a mess.

I dont care if I want to puke.

I beg you, please dont destroy anything.

Im fine. I can handle it myself.

He ignored the cries screaming out from within as he forcefully kept his mind together.

The something that was trying to creep out suffered just as much as he did.

Look, Ill go back as soon as all the bombs have been disposed of.

Then Ill go to sleep. When morning comes, Ill be back to myself.

When school comes, Hina will be there, and Im sure curled ringlets will scold me.

And then just like usual Ill tease her and mess around.

Im that sort of guy Right, me?

He laughed shoddily, as if he merely wished to be that sort of person.

In the end, the arrogance and playfulness that he showed to them was really nothing more than a way for him to balance his mental state.

So long as he created a strong personality and lived happily, he (he) could live himself (Shinichi).

Breaking from the pain or being swallowed up by his guilt was not permitted.

With that firm and stubborn and yet at the same time fragile will, the masked figure held the pendant by his chest.

He restrained himself as much as he could to avoid breaking that memento, a golden pendant in the shape of the crescent moon.

Then as he slowly inhaled and exhaled, he gradually calmed down.

He has been doing this every now and then to calm himself these past two years.

In the end, it was precisely this that began his habit of talking to himself.

He was always persuading himself like this, so talking to himself has already become a habit.

Ahh, I guess it really is hard.

Another otherworld 8 years Seriously, what do you want me to do?

That question wasnt asked to anyone in particular.

With a face that looked like it was about to cry, the masked figure watched over the city until the bombs were disposed of.