Chapter 154

Episode 151: The Creeping Evil Hand! Run, Emergency!

“Hmm, I am quite satisfied. Well done, Ryuko.”

While patting her belly contentedly, Reiko Hyououdou wore a smile on her face.

After leaving the family restaurant, we are now heading towards the lost center.

At least, that’s the official story. Most likely, Ariannrod will send someone for recovery.

Ryuko’s suspicious behavior suggests to us that she is trying to hide some trouble.

She seems to be considerate enough not to involve us.

How thoughtful.

“Ryuko, I want something sweet again.”

“Eh!? You just ate a hamburger!”

“After salty food, I crave sweets. This is probably a natural principle first discovered by me.”

I think it’s wrong, but she’s so cute that I keep quiet.

A girl this young being whimsical like this is rather adorable.

‘Loli… Indeed, I’ve ignored them until now… I see, this is quite interesting.’

Star Reader’s Staff seems to be opening a new door.

Is this thing adaptable to any fetish? Is it invincible?

‘What about a Loli version of Solciera? I think her usual mysterious actions would seem like she’s stretching herself and appear cute.’

You, making such proposals to your contractor…

‘Is Loli Ciera unacceptable?’

Don’t create unofficial names without permission.

‘I’m asking if it’s okay or not. I’m questioning your heart…!’

That’s definitely—acceptable!

The event of transforming beautiful girls into loli versions is truly magnificent.

It’s good to get excited by the gap between their usual selves and their loli forms, or simply to swoon over their adorable appearances.

There’s charm in lolification itself.

Even if Solciera were transformed into a loli, it wouldn’t change anything.

Ah, I want to be lolified in front of Clam and Rinka…

I want to see these two, who usually fight, frantically cooperate to take care of me!

‘Not only foreseeing your own transformation, but also predicting the events caused by your lolification. Impressive indeed.’

Lolification is an explosive trigger.

A divine event that reconfirms character attributes and even creates new relationships…

However, caution must be exercised.

Otherwise, it might attract a bunch of perverted gentlemen. Hehehe.

‘Isn’t there already one around?’

I’ll stick to no-touch. That’s the soul passed down from ancient otaku fans.

But if I’m going to be lolified too, touching might be okay?

This is a legal loophole after all. Law alone can’t bind humans, huh.

‘It’s strange. I was supposed to have control, yet somehow I’m struggling to catch up.’

What do you think would happen if Solciera were lolified?

If her essence becomes infantilized as well, I’d like her to be a shy, quiet little girl.

Unable to converse with anyone or even make eye contact.

But she clings to the skirts of a certain beautiful girl she got along well with during high school.

‘Personally, I hope her mysterious aura remains intact even if she becomes infantilized. Her seductive and profound actions would be fascinatingly perplexing, undoubtedly remarkable.’

So then…

“Are you both aware?”

Our exciting discussion between me and Star Reader’s Staff was interrupted by Ryuko’s voice.

Her hand grabbed Reiko, her face serious.

Wow… She’s cool…

Despite lamenting her lack of personality, she can still pull off a serious expression. She’s a top-ranked explorer who can command dragons.

Hmm, if she were male, she’d undoubtedly be the main character.

And this cool beauty gives her a proper response.

“Yes, of course.”

I imitate Ryuko, narrowing my eyes.

Toa and Reiko tilt their heads in confusion at our exchange.

“Eh, what?”

Impressive as always, Toa has no idea!

Neither do I, but I can’t ask either, so it’s helpful that Toa can naturally wear the “I don’t know” face.

Ignorance and cuteness go together ♥ So what happened? Don’t mess with our sweet time!

‘What’s happening emotionally? …Mm, I don’t understand. There’s nothing unusual here, just students and street vendors, everything seems normal.’

Recently, Star Reader’s Staff’s sensors have become unreliable.

Shouldn’t you learn something from Nana?

Well, never mind, let’s fully embrace Ryuko’s words!

‘That girl would turn me into a game addict if I followed her example.’

That’s a bit…

■

S-Rank members strangely share a unique sixth sense.

It’s not innate.

Nor is it due to S-Rank abilities.

If anything, it’s experience.

Only those who have narrowly escaped death countless times can perceive this premonition of impending doom.

In Ryuko’s case, it manifests as an uncomfortable itch.

“Just keep walking. …Yes, act like you haven’t noticed anything.”

Ryuko instructed Toa and Reiko while starting to walk, speaking to Kei without looking at him.

“How many do you think there are?”

“…Too many to count.”

“Right?”

Kei seemed to have sensed the abnormality in the area.

At first glance, it’s just an ordinary street.

Passing students, street vendors, and restaurants finally becoming less crowded after lunchtime.

All in all, a completely normal urban scene.

Still…

(Is this… probably Baltius’s doing?)

Ryuko trusted her instincts above all else.

(I should quickly hand this kid over to Ariannrod’s messenger, but going straight ahead looks dangerous.)

Glancing around, Ryuko decided to change her plan.

“Oh yeah, there’s a great ice cream shop just a little ways back. How about it, all three of you? Want to have some ice cream together?”

“Ice cream… Yes please! I want a big triple scoop!”

“I’d like some too. What about you, Toa?”

“Yeah! Let’s eat!”

Understanding from previous experiences that food makes guidance easier, Ryuko turned around feeling relieved.

Just then…

“Ah, isn’t that S-Rank Ryuko-san?”

“Uh?”

Behind them stood a female student in unfamiliar uniform, beaming at Ryuko.

“I’m a huge fan… Can I have your autograph please?”

“Uh… Actually, I’m kind of busy right now…”

“Please, just the autograph! It’s so rare to meet Ryuko-san!”

The high school girl approached them eagerly, opening her expanded field with a smile.

Then she pulled out something sharp and thrust it toward Ryuko.

Not a cute piece of colored paper.

Rather, a dagger-like crystalline spike made of ice.

In other words, a concealed weapon.

“Ryuko-chan!”

Kei was the first to notice.

A short blade materialized in his hand, and with fluid motions he slashed through the girl.

Whatever enchantment was on his blade must have been potent, because the girl collapsed after a mere scratch.

“Ahhh…!?”

The ice crystal fell harmlessly to the ground before reaching Ryuko, rolling away.

Looking at it, Ryuko lightly clapped her hands.

“Good job, Kei-chan.”

“Are you alright? Any injuries?”

“Nope, none. Thanks to you.”

Picking up the ice crystal, Ryuko examined it with interest as she casually replied.

Seeing this, Kei tilted his head in confusion.

“You’re awfully calm. Did you realize this person was targeting you?”

“Nah? Of course.”

Ryuko nodded.

Her ability to instantly identify enemies showed true S-Rank caliber.

Though internally…

(What’s this nonsense about rarely meeting me?! I’m out shopping and eating on holidays! I’m making myself approachable! Amateur! Idiot! Give me back my expectations!)

Poor judgment based on her own unpopularity.

Still, she wasn’t about to admit that.

Wanting to project competence as an S-Rank member worthy of Toa’s admiration, Ryuko smiled coolly.

“I detected the scent peculiar to underworld types… You know, the smell of death. “Hey Ryuko, where’s the ice cream?” Not now, seriously…”

Reiko ruined her moment, causing Ryuko’s shoulders to slump.

“Such a waste of a cool pose… Though, I don’t know if I’ll have more chances to look cool going forward.”

Exhaling in irritation, Ryuko positioned herself protectively in front of Reiko.

Seeing this, Kei repositioned his short sword accordingly.

“Thanks for protecting us earlier. But from now on, prioritize protecting yourself. Otherwise… Against this number, you might die.”

It should have been just scenery.

The passersby, chatting students, dining tourists,

All should have been completely unrelated to the four of them.

“Kyaa!”

Toa screamed upon realizing the truth.

Everyone was staring at them.

With empty eyes, observing them like prey.

Their hands held ice crystals.

(They finished setting up while we were preparing…? Ugh, troublesome! But)

Ryuko tapped her chest lightly.

“There are ways to deal with open spaces too.”

Instantly, something silver shot out from her chest.

Seeing this, the surrounding people began moving simultaneously.

But it was already too late.

As the floating object deployed magical circles, Ryuko chanted.

“Dragon Succession – Red Dragon”

The silver mass began changing form.

Swiftly growing enormous, towering over the rooftops.

Red scales, bat-like wings, and a lizard-like head.

Its whip-like tail was as thick as a log, its limbs ending in sharp claws supporting the massive body.

Truly, the very image of a dragon people imagine.

“So big…”

“This is actually a dragon!”

“Hey Ryuko, where’s the ice cream?”

Faced with three different reactions, Ryuko chuckled and shouted.

“Baltius! Take us – and run really fast!”

True to his master’s somewhat pitiful order, Baltius obediently complied.

Cleverly scooping up the four, he tossed them onto his broad back.

Confirming everyone had landed safely, Baltius flapped his wings and rose into the air.

Already beyond human reach lay Ryuko and company.

“Let’s run for dear life! Seriously run! Run like crazy!”

Without any embarrassment, Ryuko shouted such commands.

Following her lead, Baltius roared once and took off at tremendous speed.

The people left behind watched the direction Baltius disappeared for several seconds, then resumed their previous roles as if nothing happened.

The fallen girl was carried into a store with practiced ease and vanished.

Within a minute, the commercial district of Kroma Music Academy returned to its usual appearance.

Clicking hearts is an easy way to express your support. (Login required.)