Only I know that this world will end – 080 | Sousaku – 創作

Within the reach of my hands

The dim emergency lights created dark shadows on the face of Ichijou Akira, whose face was downcast on the bed.
The time was 3:00 a.m.
His body had healed to the point where it was no longer a problem to move thanks to Auto Regen.
Akira stared at the palm of his own hand.

(……Why couldn't I protect her?)

He experienced death many times, and his power grew to the point of defeating the Minotaur.
He was overconfident that he could handle the small fry monsters that appeared in this city.
If he made a wrong choice, he could just go back to his death and start over, or so he thought.

But the result.
Nanase Nao's heart died. Scarred to pieces.

It must have been a traumatic experience. She might not want to see another monster again, or so she must think.
That was how horrific and unimaginable that death was.

"Ha! "

Akira bit his lip hard.

(――――『if it is someone within my reach, I might be able to save them』 my ass!! I couldn't protect anyone…… not even Nao-san, who was within the reach of my hands!! )

That was one of the resolutions made by Ichijou Akira when he woke up again in this world.
If it was something he thought he might be able to do, he only needed "a bit of effort".

"――――！ ! "

Akira clenched his fists tightly.
He felt repulsed by his own weakness.
He was not about to forgive himself for his overconfidence and pride in the past.

(I have…… only just learned how to defend myself.)

He was still not strong enough to protect "someone".
He needed more, more. He had to raise his level, increase his stats, he had to become stronger.
That, he resolved to do.

"…………I wonder if Nao-san is awake."

He was told that she was sleeping on medication, but there was no way she could sleep endlessly.
Surely Nao will be awake at some point.
If so, he would like to talk to Nao once.
Like when she saved him that night.
It was his turn to be there for her, Akira thought.
A quick glance. Akira turned to his phone screen.

"…………But first, I have to deal with that."

No matter what state one found themselves in, the events set forth in this world were bound to happen.
Knowing this, Akira decided to take action before the screams could be heard.

Gently, Akira slipped out of bed.

It felt as if the battle axe on the floor was announcing its presence, demanding that it be taken with him, but Akira ignored it.
It would be a hindrance to fighting indoors.

Running as fast as he could, Akira reached the entrance lobby.
Surely, they must have been just about to break in.
The roar of the ferocious beasts, which could be heard along with the sound of the breaking glass door, echoed through the air.
As if emerging from the darkness, wolves with pitch-black body fur were about to pry open the barricades and enter one after the other.
Akira turned his cold gaze toward those monsters and immediately bent down.

"……! ! "

Then, Ichijou Akira pounced on the Black Wolf.
It was as if he was avenging his previous life.
As if to vent his anger at himself for his inadequacy.
As if taking it out on them, he released his own full strength, which he had been suppressing in order to raise Nao's level and which he had not released at the time of the previous loop's raid.
The attack by the Black Wolves was put down within minutes by a man who shouted and rampaged about.

◇ ◇ ◇

Minoru Karube was stunned by the man's fight.
It was only a few moments ago that he was informed by a member of his patrol that a pack of Black Wolves was about to invade the hospital.
Upon hearing the news, he immediately sent out a request for support to the civilians in the hospital who could fight; and the Self-Defense Forces, including Karube, immediately rushed to the scene.

But there he was already, on the battlefield.

"Oooooooo!! "

A man with a voice that could best be described as both angry and sorrowful lashed out amid the ferocious wolves.
His kicks and punches, swung with the wind, crushed the bones and flesh of the wolves.
Taking a piece of the barricade that had been broken in the aftermath of the battle―― a simple combination of desks and chairs from the hospital ――he thrust it into the bodies and skulls of the wolves, choking them and stopping them from moving and breathing.

One could no longer tell which of them was the monster.

The wolves were turned into corpses one after another by the hand of the man who was raging like a storm.
After staring at the scene for a few moments, Karube suddenly regained his composure and gave an order to the members of the team.

"All personnel maintain combat readiness. I'm sure you'll be fine, but don't let your guard down!! If there are any monsters that slip through, we will deal with them! "

The command was met with a series of replies from the troopers.
Karube gave a small nod in response and turned his attention back to the man.
Watching the man fight, Karube was reminded of the gap in status between himself and this man.
Karube naturally thought that there would be no one in this city who could compete with him.
Therefore, when this man gains more power, who on earth will be able to stop him?

(If those fangs were to turn on us.……)

Such an imagination made Karube's skin crawl with goosebumps

◇ ◇ ◇

The entrance lobby, with its piles of dead bodies, was filled with an unearthly silence.

"Haa, haa, haa, haa………… Fuuー…………"

Akira exhaled slowly to calm his raging heartbeat.
Then, as he wiped the splattered blood that had nearly dried on his face, he noticed that gaze staring back at him.

"…………"

How long have they been there?
Many people, including the Self-Defense Forces, stood still and watched Akira's actions.
Akira turned to them and muttered a small stream of words.

"I'm leaving. But first, I would like to see Nao-san. ……Where is she? "
"――――Do you mean that you are going to beat the boss? "

It was Karube who opened his mouth on behalf of the group.
Akira gave a small nod in response.

"……Yeah. However, there is something that needs to be done first. I have to be sure about some things…… So, maybe not this time."

He could see Karube's eyebrows twitch at the implied tone of the statement.
Karube, however, merely gave a small nod.

"I understand. I'll show you around."
"Thank you."

Akira bowed his head slightly.
He then moved around the hospital as Karube guided him.
The place he was brought to was a private room at the back of the fourth floor of the hospital ward.
Karube stopped in front of the private room and turned back to Akira.

"It's just ahead. About an hour ago, I was told that Nanase-san had woken up. I'm told that after waking up, the state of delirium has calmed down…… For now, she still remains very unstable. Please do not overstimulate her."
"I know."

Akira gave a small nod in response.
Then, standing in front of the door of the private room, he knocked softly on it.

"…………"

There was no reply.
However, the noise in the door indicated that the person inside had reacted to that knock.
Once Akira made up his mind, he slowly put his hand on the handle of the door to open it.

As for Akira's firm resolve, it could be summarized as "Just a Little".