Episode 2: “A Proper Death”
The Malignant Spirit stood before Kei Himuro.
It had no intelligence.
Like a wild beast, it destroyed everything in front of it without thought.
With a deafening roar, it released a powerful wave of energy.
The attack flew straight toward the civilians.
Normally, Kei should have protected them.
(Block it… no. That would be too dangerous. I’ll choose the safer option.)
He made his decision—and dodged.
But Soma moved.
“Watch out!”
Shouting, Soma rushed forward and pulled the civilians out of the attack’s path.
“You’re…! Aren’t you part of an organization meant to protect civilians?!”
Ignoring him, Kei slashed at the Malignant Spirit.
The creature stopped the blade with its arm.
(If I push harder, I can break through—!)
Kei focused all his strength.
But the creature counterattacked.
(Too fast—! I won’t make it—!)
Kei was struck and sent crashing across the room.
“Guh—!”
He struggled to breathe.
(This thing… it’s strong. Probably A-rank. This is beyond me.)
Soma could only watch.
(Himuro-san… he’s hurt badly. There has to be something I can do…)
But memories surged back, freezing his body in fear.
(No… I moved earlier, but facing this thing directly… I can’t move…!)
Kei noticed.
(That kid… he’s trying to help.)
“Boy. Don’t interfere. Just watch.”
Kei took a unique stance.
“Wood Gale: Sever.”
A straight blast of wind cut through the air, striking the Malignant Spirit.
The shockwave spread, injuring nearby civilians.
Soma rushed to them.
“Are you alright?! Please move back! You’ll get caught in the attack!”
He guided them to safety.
(Why would he risk civilians…? Still—this is what I can do.)
Smoke filled the area.
(Did it work…?)
As it cleared, the shadow remained.
“Tch.”
The attack hadn’t stopped it.
The creature gathered energy again.
(Then I’ll answer with everything I have!)
Kei sheathed his blade.
(Iaido—!)
“Gale Flash Draw Slash!”
Steel and energy collided.
But the blade shattered, and Kei collapsed.
(So this is it… I misjudged everything.)
The last defender had fallen.
Panic spread.
Some civilians tried to flee.
“Stop! Please don’t go outside!”
Soma tried to stop them, but fear had taken over.
(If they go out there… it’ll be worse. But I can’t stop them all…)
The Malignant Spirit approached.
A freezing fear ran through Soma.
(Move… please move…)
He forced himself to stand.
Nearby lay a kitchen knife.
(This is all I have.)
Soma faced the creature.
“AAAAH!”
He attacked with everything he had.
For a moment, hope flickered.
Then—
His strength vanished.
The weapon fell from his hand.
“…What…?”
Pain and shock overwhelmed him.
Kei, barely conscious, spoke.
“Run… You’ll die too…”
“No…! Outside is worse… Fighting or running—either way, we die! Then I’ll buy time!”
“It’s impossible… Think rationally…”
Soma remembered his grandfather’s words.
> “No matter how you die—run if you must, hide if you must.
Just don’t regret how you lived.
Die in a way you can be proud of.”
“I’m scared… I don’t want to die… I wanted to live normally… But—”
Soma clenched his fist.
“Even so… I’ll make this death mean something.”
He stepped forward.
“I’ll fulfill my duty… as myself.”
The creature overwhelmed him.
The world spun.
Kei lay there, staring at the ceiling.
So this is how it ends…
His consciousness faded.
And in his mind appeared—
That night.
New episodes every Saturday (JST).
