Published: September 9, 2025
Satou here. I like the movie genre called panic movies. It's the best when the protagonists cleverly, bravely, and sometimes through luck or design, overcome one adversity after another.
But I've never seen a panic movie where all the characters survive.
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I should have noticed the fear reflected in Yuika’s eyes.
The palm strike I delivered to knock her out was blocked by a hard wall of magic power.
It must be her unique skill, "Automatic Defense (Guardian)."
The sensation was somewhat familiar.
It’s similar to the "Fortress Defense" function equipped on Nana’s gear.
—Then, there has to be a weakness.
Starting with my hand lightly touching the defensive barrier, I twisted my body and slammed my strength in a gouging motion. In an instant, I followed up the impact with a pure magic power projectile.
] "Armor Piercer" skill acquired.
] "Magic Power Strike" skill acquired.
I took a chance and tried it, and it seemed my hunch was correct—I succeeded in knocking Yuika unconscious.
—A sharp cracking sound was heard.
I grabbed Yuika’s delicate, collapsing hand.
—A crisp noise rang out. Where from?
I pulled Yuika’s limp hand like a puppet and reached out with my other arm to support her body.
The final sound of destruction—the trigger—came at that moment.
—Snap.
It felt like such a light sound.
I should have noticed when the first sound happened...
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—A crimson shimmer dancing in the air.
It sparkled, reflecting the faint light filling the space.
—A delicate, feather-like garment fluttering weakly in the sky.
Free from its anchor, it regained freedom.
—Exposed under the broad daylight, the twin hills (..).
Being a gentleman, I quickly averted my eyes from the flat terrain.
I heard the small sound of the broken clothing’s fastener bouncing off the ground.
Yuika’s eyes, which should have been unconscious, suddenly snapped wide open.
“You perverted bastard!!”
I barely dodged a fist thrown with that shout.
Looks like her personality has changed as well.
Come to think of it, she did say that if she faints, her mind switches with "the other person."
“Don’t dodge it!”
Purple ripples surged through Yuika’s body, and a fist far different in force from before came flying.
I assume this is the unique skill "Peerless Mighty Arm," but I wish she wouldn’t spam it so casually.
Really, what if overusing her unique skill turns her into a Demon King?
I literally dodged the lethal barrage of punches using the "Predictions: PvP" skill.
Yuika’s level had risen from 50 to 55. Half of her previously homely skill set had shifted to combat skills.
I thought the personality swap was just mental, but she actually changed levels and skills.
—Still, I hope she realizes soon.
When a little distance opened between us, I gestured by tapping my chest with a finger.
Yuika finally seemed to remember that her chest was still exposed to the open air.
“Gnnnnn…”
Her face twisted with embarrassment, and she groaned in frustration, clutching the fabric over her chest with one hand.
Alright, now that she’s stopped moving, let’s try talking this out.
I took a cloak from the Item Box and handed it to Yuika using "Magic Hand."
“Use this.”
The cloak spread out in midair, covering Yuika.
“Hehehehe.”
A muffled chuckle came from behind the cloak.
With a swish, the cloak was swept away—underneath, she appeared wearing a pitch-black dress different from before—a gothic lolita style dress. Her pale skin and purple hair stood out vividly.
Her light purple eyes had changed to odd-colored eyes—one vermilion, one sapphire.
Also, her level had changed again. It dropped slightly to 52, and her combat skills shifted to magic warrior type, including dark magic.
Yuika covered her face with a splayed hand and kept smirking while looking down.
—Could this be a sign of demon king transformation?
“…Hahaha.”
Through her fingers, a sharp gaze pierced me as she slowly raised her face and continued laughing, almost bending back.
Her sharp eyes fixed on me as if stabbing through.