Chapter 26: Reina Kototsuka Wants to Support / Kisa Kurokawa Won’t Save

I run across the piles of rubble. Oddly enough, the one who had been moving the most—Kisa Kurokawa—is the one with the most energy left. Where does all that stamina even come from?

Well, unlike us, she fights up close. That probably explains it.

Even though Shishiba Honoka handled most of them, there are still plenty of the Abyssal Calamities left. I never would have guessed she was “returned from the Abyss.”

…Though, to be honest, I don’t really understand what that even means.

Abyssal Calamities—I had nothing to do with them before, so I couldn’t truly grasp how terrible they were. But they’re far more troublesome than I expected.

“…Freeze.”

With a skill, I encase the Abyssals in ice. They’re in the way. Right now, I need to get to Yuri Akegami.

Kisa Kurokawa is already wearing down. I should take on more of the burden.

Still… for Yuri Akegami to cut off the Connect Link at a time like this…

If she truly wanted to die, I thought there would be a proper moment for it—not something so sudden, not in the middle of a crisis like this.

…I can’t claim to understand her pain. The day Kisa barged into her house, calling it a “girls’ night,” I never imagined things would spiral this badly.

We went too far into her heart.

That’s why I thought I’d support her without forcing my way in—but that was probably the wrong choice.

If she’s hurting that much, then we either entrust her to Nagisa Shinozaki—who she likely trusts more than us—or we drag her along by force.

Ant-type Abyssals… and behind them, a swarm of bee-types pours in.

There are just too many.

“…Kototsuka-san, how many do you think you can take down?”

Nagisa Shinozaki asks hesitantly. He’s trying to buy time.

Right… I should be the one to handle them. I could coordinate with Kisa, but that would take too long.

No choice. I’ll push myself a little.

Not like Shishiba Honoka—but still.

"I’ll take them all down."

"Huh? Reina, that’s too reckless."

"…It’s fine. I’ll hold them here. You two go on ahead."

I give a small smile, and both of them widen their eyes.

What’s with those looks? I just decided to get serious. Well… I know I don’t usually show much expression.

"Got it. Catch up later, Reina!"

"Sorry, Kototsuka-san. We’re going ahead."

"Yes. Hurry."

Honestly… what’s with the apology? I chose this.

Now then… time for total annihilation.

Curse Seekers have a trump card—a finishing move that can only be used while connected through Connect Link.

My skill, Magic Word, lets me use elemental magic of different attributes.

My ultimate move releases all of them at once.

"《Magic Word》—'All-Element Release: Element'."

Cold air coils around me. Wind spirals. Flames race. Lightning crackles wildly. Water surges.

All of it is unleashed at once toward the Abyssals.

Flames cling to the ants, burning their bodies to cinders. Spiders rush in from behind, only to have their legs bound by water before being torn apart by raging winds. Above them, the bee-types are struck by lightning and blown to pieces.

All five elements at my disposal shatter the Abyssals. It feels like I’ve become a mage straight out of a fantasy story.

Not just the ones in front of me—I should’ve wiped out those waiting behind them too.

…Haa.

I exhale slowly, steadying myself. They shouldn’t be coming again right away.

I just hope… that the hand Nagisa Shinozaki reached out will finally reach that broken, battered girl.

◇◇◇

It looks like no Abyssals are coming from behind. Reina’s holding them off well.

"Shinozaki-kun, I’m launching us!"

"Huh—?"

Crackle—sparks scatter as I trigger a small detonation. Just enough to avoid damage, then—

Boom!

We leap forward with all our strength.

This is faster. Connectors aren’t as durable as Curse Seekers, but this should be fine.

"Hey—Kisa-san!?"

"Oops, went a bit too far?"

"No, it’s fine—we’re in a hurry—but warn me first!?"

"Alright, here we go again!"

"Got it!"

I grab Shinozaki-kun’s hand.

Soon… he’ll be reaching this hand out to Yuri.

That day, the hand he offered me—I burned it.

Even now, I regret it every time I see the mark.

Honestly… he’s kind of a terrible person, stopping my rampage with nothing but guilt. Not that he meant to.

At first, I thought he’d be gloomier.

…Yesterday, during the girls’ night, I pushed too far into Yuri’s feelings. Even though I understood them myself.

I’m hopeless, aren’t I? I probably wasn’t suited for this kind of thing. I just say whatever’s on my mind.

But still… it made me angry.

We’re just kids. We said we could find a reason to live later.

So don’t go deciding to die on your own.

I know I’m taking it out on her.

I really am the worst.

Still, even though I’m dragging him along, Shinozaki-kun seems surprisingly unfazed. We should be close enough to see it soon—

Ugh. More Abyssals. Those ant-types really spawn everywhere.

"Ah—ahahaha!"

What the… that laugh—

"That voice… Akegami-san?"

It does sound like Yuri.

The sky flashes.

Something suddenly falls from above.

Spears of light rain down upon the Abyssals charging toward us.

…Is that Yuri’s skill?

But it’s far too powerful. There’s no way a single Curse Seeker could output that much energy.

"Kisa-san, look."

Shinozaki-kun points ahead.

A girl floats there, suspended in midair.

"…Yuri?"

Even though she probably can’t hear me, the girl turns toward us.

Silver hair. Blue eyes.

Everything else… just like Yuri.

Is this what it means to be “returned from the Abyss”? No… not quite.

…But I can tell.

We shouldn’t let this Yuri keep fighting.

"《Soul Flame》—'Explosive Wave'."

I launch the fire gathered in my hand as I thrust my fist forward.

It streaks toward the Abyssals Yuri was targeting, scattering sparks before exploding.

Yuri, who had been flying, wavers—

Then gently descends to the ground.

But in the distance, more Abyssals are still advancing toward us.

Man… they’re getting in the way.

Guess I’ll have to step up too.

"Shinozaki-kun, I’m leaving Yuri to you."

"Kisa-san…?"

"There are still too many enemies. You handle Yuri."

I’m not the one who’ll save her.

That’s his role.

"《Soul Flame》—'Explosive Dragon Strike'."

Flames burst violently from both my hands.

I clench them tighter, building even more power—intensifying the blaze—

Then unleash it all at the incoming horde.

A wave of heat brushes my cheeks.

With a thunderous roar, the Abyssals are blown away.

This should buy us some time.

Hopefully Reina makes it back to help too.

Alright—hang in there until Shinozaki-kun saves Yuri. Let’s go!