One-way traffic

However, this is not the reason for shore-side anxiety.

"That woman is quite capable."

At that time, the guy who was ranked second in Academy City said something like this.

"This guy's ability to search for AIM diffusion fields seems to be able to interfere with my personal reality. Amazing. With more training, he might even be able to take away my own abilities. Who knows, he might even become the eighth Level 5 esper."

"But in the end, that's all it can be."

That's what Kakine Teitoku said later.

"Her power is only the result of using the Body Crystal. Judging from the current situation, if she uses the Body Crystal one or two more times, this woman's body will completely collapse."

"If things get to that point, even if we don't kill her, it's basically a case of courting death."

The words "second place in Academy City" still echoed in Hamazura Shigeo's mind.

Body crystals were a type of crystal that Riko Takitsubo had once consumed. They looked like crystals, but he himself did not know what their function was.

But now he knows.

The function of body crystals is to induce ability users to lose control and go berserk. Once ingested, they can cause severe loss of ability control. Generally speaking, they are forbidden things that do more harm than good.

As for Takitsubo Riko, if she wants to maximize her abilities, she must consume Body Crystals.

But the result of doing so was just as Kakine Teitoku had said.

—If Riko Takitsubo continues to consume even one more Body Crystal, this human will face final collapse.

He didn't know what "collapse" meant, but he absolutely didn't want to try it.

"hateful…"

He felt powerless over everything he did.

He was angry at his own incompetence.

Besides that, there's nothing he can do.

Because he is just a Level 0 powerless person, even a Level 4 powerless person like Takitsubo Rigo cannot do it, so what ability does a mere roadside weed like him have to do it?

Hamazura Shiage knew all this better than anyone else.

But nevertheless.

Even so, I will never give up on you...

Among the 'Items' of the Dark Side, almost no one has any expectations of themselves. No, let alone expectations, even the most basic consideration and respect for them does not exist.

However, the result is different after Takitsubo.

Despite being a Level 4 esper, she still valued Hamazura Shiage, who was a Level 0 esper, and this completely moved him.

I never thought anyone would care about my life or death, but it turns out there are actually people who do care.

Even though I am a Level 0 powerless person, I will definitely stand up for the people I want to protect.

"Wait here, I'll take you to the hospital first."

"No... I know my current situation better than anyone else..."

"Don't say that! I don't care about that. I'll save you, I will definitely save you, partner!"

Hamazura Shige supported the girl's body and walked forward step by step.

then.

A deep blue streak of light flashed past him.

"Huh…?"

Hamazura Shiage and Takitsubo Riko were both stunned, and then the stream of light appeared directly beside them.

Bang——! !

It's a girl.

A familiar-looking blue-haired girl in gorgeous clothes and...

"Isn't that Frenda?!"

Hamazura Shige immediately recognized the other person as Frenda, who belonged to the same organization as him.

Moreover, the girl next to her... seems familiar.

"Ah! Aren't you the beautiful girl I met this morning?!"

"Eh?"

"Don't even think about hitting on me at a time like this, you idiot Hamamen!"

Frenda grabbed his arm and shouted.

But by then it was too late.

"Oh dear...it seems we're really lucky."

pat.

Footsteps came from the bridge in the distance.

The four people present all looked over, and at the end of the bridge, a figure emerged, walking step by step.

Muye Shizuri.

The Level 5 superpowered individuals, ranked fourth, are absolute beings who are far beyond the reach of ordinary people like them.

"Mugino...?"

"It took me a while to find you. Ah? Hamazura, not bad, not bad. You even brought Takitsubo along. Well done!"

She ignored everyone and continued speaking unilaterally.

"From now on, I'm going to launch a full-scale counterattack against those bastards at 'School.' To do that, if I want to track down the second one, Takitsubo's abilities are indispensable."

"You...you can't let Takitsubo use the Body Crystal anymore!"

"Haha, what are you talking about? If the body crystal is useless, this guy is just a piece of junk that can be found anywhere."

"If she continues to use the body crystal, she will break down! The second one also mentioned that, right?!"

Hamazura Shiage shouted loudly, almost pouring all his emotions into it.

This roar made Mugino Shizuri stop in his tracks.

"What does that have to do with me?"

Her expression was extremely calm.

It was so calm that it was frightening.

"As long as there are substitutes, that's fine. Since they are members of the Dark Division, they should perform their duties as members."

"Or... do you also intend to be eliminated by me, like those traitors over there?"

Traitor...? Hamazura Shiage couldn't help but look to the side, where Frenda was trembling slightly behind Hatsune Miku.

This guy even...!

"Hey, Mugino...aren't we, the four of you 'Items,' comrades? Aren't we comrades who can entrust our backs to each other?!"

no respond.

The only response Hamazura Shige was the white-green light that shot out past him.

"I don't want to repeat myself a second time."

Mugino Shizuri—no, she should be called Atomic Collapse.

She is no longer speaking to them as a human, but as a pure Level 5 superhuman, a monster ranked fourth.

"Today's task is really tough."

"I have to kill the traitor, take back that guy Takitsubo, and then go and kill those bastards at 'School'... Whatever, I have plenty of time."

"No matter what, as long as the ultimate goal is achieved...!!"

Mugino Shizuri's aura became increasingly dangerous.

In that instant, countless beams of white and green light burst forth.

Thud! But what separated them was not their bodies.

Instead, it's a reflection like a lens.

"Everyone! Let's take cover for now!"

"Ha... It's you again. This has nothing to do with you. Since you insist on getting involved, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Judging from Mugino Shizuri's words, she probably wants to kill Hatsune Miku as well.

But Hatsune Miku is not afraid of this; in fact, even if she were, she would have to face it.

Her personality prevented her from simply watching these people die at this person's hands, even if that person was a Level 5 superhuman.

"start running!"

The girl retreated rapidly.

"You idiot, Hamamen, run!"

"Huh? Oh my god, oh ...

Among these people, Hamazura Shige is the least capable.

Without hesitation, he protected Takitsubo Risa and then ran back as fast as he could. Of course, his speed wasn't great, but it was at least his full speed at that moment.

But this was no obstacle for Mugino Shizuri.

She merely raised her arm slightly, and several white-green streaks of light flashed forth, shooting out in a straight line towards Hamazura Shiage.

Atomic collapse.

That's an ability with the same effect as the third-ranked Railgun, both being the ability to manipulate electrons.

Like light, electrons can exhibit both "particle" and "waveform" properties depending on the situation, and Shizuri Mugino possesses the ability to forcibly manipulate electrons in an "ambiguous state" that lies between the two.

Its true power should actually be much stronger than this; if it wanted to, destroying skyscrapers with a single blow would be an easy task.

However, its power will inevitably affect Mugino Shizuri's body as well.

Because she is ultimately just a human, and as a human, this is all she can do. If she were to go all out, she could probably kill the third-ranked Railgun in an instant. However, in that instant, Mugino Shizuri herself would also perish due to the high-output atomic collapse.

Even at this level, the sheer destructive power is enough to destroy the defensive force field created by the second-ranked Undifferentiated Matter.

but.

Bang——! !

An unseen radiance distorted her attack.

"...Tsk."

Mugino Shizuri clicked his tongue in displeasure.

She looked up and saw the girl dressed in starry clothes floating in mid-air.

Like Mugino Shizuri, Hatsune Miku currently possesses powerful abilities.

She can directly control all eighty-eight constellations and use unique powers. The ability she just demonstrated was the power of the constellation Eridanus—the ability to create mirrors.

Using this ability, she can distort all attacks that resemble light. If you look closely, you can see that the atomic collapse just now was reflected into the distant sky in an instant.

However, this ability is ultimately limited.

Crack—As you can see, the mirror, which had only been used once, shattered completely.

"I admit you are indeed a capable guy."

Mugino Shizuri stared at Hatsune Miku and said, utterly bored.

"But you don't actually think this level of impact can really affect me, do you... huh?!"

Boom! The all-out attack exploded in one breath.

Mugino Shizuri unleashed a barrage of light, sending approximately three or four atomic collapses directly at his opponent.

Boom! Hatsune Miku used some kind of power to block it, but her body was sent flying backward like a missile.