Chapter 118: Beast Hunt
As a matter of principle, sound could not keep up with her.
The human body moving faster than the speed of sound.
Harboring within herself a contradiction that science could never permit, Hokaze Junko left everything behind and began to move.
──It may be surprising, but breaking the sound barrier with only the human body, without machines, is possible even without esper powers. For example, a bullwhip is used to drive cattle with sound, but that sound is produced by a shockwave created when the whip’s tip exceeds the speed of sound. Even a strike from such a simple, unrefined tool can easily surpass Mach speed. And if one were to apply esper abilities?
By channeling kinetic energy into the direction of motion through dynamics beyond the limits of muscle strength, instantly regenerating damage caused to the body, cutting off pain by controlling electrical signals, and calculating all bodily movements instead of relying on the five senses, “future prediction by calculation” allows precise maneuvers even beyond the speed of sound.
BOBAHHH!!!! Suddenly, a section of the mountain slope exploded. It wasn’t an attack by Kihara Gensei or the Doppelgänger. It was the aftershock caused by nothing more than Hokaze Junko kicking off the ground.
"Wh─hoo! Well, well! To think that someone outside the Kihara family besides us would apply this theory so quickly! As expected of the Near-Death Contract, Nia Death Promise! A splendid deviation, indeed!! …But."
A girl had stepped into the realm of a Level 5 esper, charging straight at him. In response, Gensei only twisted his lips into a cruel smile.
"…Don’t you think it’s a little reckless to jump into a battle at this level with mere esper powers?"
HYUGHHHHH!!!! A single strike, effortlessly surpassing Mach speed. A sideways bolt of lightning erased Hokaze’s figure. From the ground, Kamijou could only see its afterimage, but Iruka alone witnessed her. No, she believed in her.
"The one lacking a sense of danger here… is you, Kihara Gensei."
As if to prove Iruka’s whisper, Hokaze’s figure, which should have been swallowed by the lightning, had in an instant moved directly above Gensei’s head.
(Wh─hoo!?)
Gensei reflexively looked up at the flow of air—what he saw was a maiden against the moonlight. Her hair spread wide on the wind, each strand trailing ribbons of light, her body wrapped in violet sparks like a celestial robe. This was no longer mere manipulation of electrical signals inside the body—
(I see!! Electromagnetic Acceleration!! Her ability isn’t simply physical enhancement, but manipulation of electrical signals… if she can manipulate electricity just a few centimeters from her skin, that makes sense. And if she combines natural supersonic movement with bodily control techniques, then supersonic combat itself becomes possible!!)
In theory, yes. But there are immense obstacles. The burden of massive inertia. The harmful effects of the electricity required for electromagnetic acceleration. The air resistance inflicted on the body during such control. To both withstand and regenerate against all of those while maintaining speed and control—Hokaze Junko alone would be far too weak.
But Astral Buddy, the Ghostly Union, made it possible. By supporting both body and mind, that power shouldered all “defense,” allowing Hokaze to unleash her inner destructive impulse to its fullest. More than that, by synchronizing two AIM dispersion fields, Square Face, the Double Personality, dramatically strengthened both support and output through synergistic amplification.
The result:
"Too slow!!!!"
GOGAAHH!! Before Gensei could act, Hokaze’s leg swung down fiercely. A kick that surpassed the limits of flesh, accelerated by electromagnetism until even sound was left behind, roared like thunder as it slammed directly into Kihara Gensei’s skull. His body was blown away like a meteor, crashing to the ground.
Even as the recoil lifted her slightly into the air, Hokaze did not relax her guard. Instead, she cried out sharply:
"Kamijou-sama, Yumiya-san!! Now, while you can, strike at Gensei-sama!!"
Even that blow alone likely hadn’t damaged him. In the end, it was nothing more than a sneak attack, effective only because he had just awakened to Level 5 and his ability was still largely unknown. But Hokaze had used that one chance to its fullest, dragging down the figure that had loomed in the heavens.
No matter how much Gensei boasted of angelic power and durability, being struck down by a supersonic kick would at least halt him for a few seconds. Enough time for Kamijou and the others to seize the opportunity.
So Hokaze turned her eyes to the side. To the movements of the other powerhouse before her—the Doppelgänger, whose prey had just been stolen right in front of it.
"You’ve made things troublesome. Because of you, I can’t fulfill the order. …But no matter. This is a good chance. As a parting gift, I’ll have you retire right here."
An attack strong enough to rend continents—
—fell upon the defenseless Hokaze just after her strike.
Chapter 3 — The Value of a Soul Is Worthless Double(Square)_Faith.
Episode 98 — Beast_Smile.
Meanwhile, Kamijou Touma was being pulled along by Iruka, racing toward the fallen Gensei in response to Hokaze’s call.
Hokaze’s strike had been nothing short of fatal for Gensei. His body was buried nearly a meter deep into the ground, and no matter what he tried, he would need at least 0.5 seconds to launch himself free again.
And that half-second was more than enough time for Kamijou Touma to close the distance and deliver checkmate with his right hand.
"────!!"
Options for counterattack flashed through Gensei’s mind. But he immediately discarded them. Against Kamijou Touma, esper powers were useless. Even if he unleashed a deadly attack, it would be negated and ignored, leaving Kamijou free to charge straight through the dirt unscathed.
If he abandoned retreat as well, then checkmate was absolute.
Cornered, Gensei had no choice but to try and launch himself out despite knowing he wouldn’t make it in time. ──But.
"Aaah, that puppet’s still floundering around over there. Damn bastard’s holding back."
The voice cut in between Kamijou Touma and Kihara Gensei.
Kamijou didn’t even have time to react. GONK!!!! His head was slammed sideways by a sudden blow, sending him rolling down the mountain slope.
As Kamijou fought through the shock, forcing his reeling brain back into focus and rising to his feet, Iruka simultaneously leveled her laser pointer.
Before them stood a man with spiky blond hair, a thug-like air about him despite his white lab coat.
"You’re…!"
"Sorry, but I can’t let this old man retire just yet. We’ve got our own reasons, you see."
"Hyoho, you saved me there, Amata…!"
"Shut it and get your ass moving, old fossil. To think you got taken down by some knockoff. Guess the brain rot’s finally setting in."
"Whether I’m deteriorating or not, you’ll have to confirm that for yourself later."
With that, Gensei took the chance to escape, flying off into the sky with his back entrusted to Amata.
And in their place, the violet-clad maiden descended from above.
"Haa… haa… Was I too late…!"
──Despite having seemingly been struck by the Doppelgänger’s ambush, Hokaze returned unscathed.
"………..!"
"Gyah!? Did you just punch me in silence!?"
Kamijou, struck across the face by her backhand, collapsed, clutching his face. The reason was obvious: Hokaze’s current state was far too indecent. Her blazer was gone, and the sleeves of her blouse were shredded almost entirely. Her body was covered in soot, clear proof that she had taken the Doppelgänger’s attack at extremely close range.
While Kamijou averted his gaze, covering his eyes in panic, Kihara Amata didn’t bother hiding his curiosity. He stared at her openly, studying her appearance with unashamed interest.
"Oi. How the hell did you dodge that puppet’s strike? Even if that hunk of junk was holding back, I figured at least an arm or two would’ve been blown clean off."
"It was nothing special. Just electromagnetic acceleration."
"…You don’t get it. Electromagnetic acceleration? That’s child’s play from our perspective, the one who’s mastered the Third Ability. I can twist it any way I like, as much as I want."
"I do understand, sir. As you said, the electromagnetic acceleration has been twisted… the acceleration of the decoy, yes."
At that, Kihara Amata realized something.
Hokaze’s new weapon, electromagnetic acceleration, had been announced with great fanfare. It was indispensable if she was to keep up with Gensei or the Doppelgänger. Without a doubt, it was her trump card.
Naturally, anyone opposing her would focus their attention there. If Hokaze even hinted at using electromagnetic acceleration, they would try to counter it no matter what.
Hokaze, however, turned that psychology against them. She deliberately did not use her electromagnetic acceleration, instead striking behind the Doppelgänger’s guard.
As a result, the Doppelgänger, caught off guard by the deviation, failed to capture her. Even so, the fact that her blazer and both sleeves had been completely blown away was a testament to her sheer destructive power.
"……Kamijou-sama, Yumiya-san."
Calling to the two of them, Hokaze raised her fists like a lady, pale and slender yet emanating the weight of a boulder in sheer intimidation.
Kihara stood facing her, cracking his neck slowly.
"Go. To defeat Gensei-sama, Kamijou-sama’s right hand is indispensable. I… will hold him back."
"Heh, you think you can? A mere esper brat like you…"
As they began running, Hokaze lowered her stance, her smile unwavering.
It was not a smile of confidence.
It was not a smile of joy.
It was more primal — a grin that inspired fear in anyone who looked upon it.
A smile, in essence, was how a predator threatened its prey.
Whether that claim was scientifically accurate or not, one thing was certain: anyone who saw Hokaze Junko’s smile in that moment would…
"…Correction. This is how it’s supposed to be… now it’s finally getting fun."
That, she surely thought.
"It’s time for the beast hunt!!!!"
Comments (3)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.