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"Kyaaaa!"

Suddenly, a loud scream echoed around the area. And like the surrounding people, Akari turned her gaze towards the direction of the scream and– opened her eyes in shock.

"… What the heck is that?"

What appeared from the back alley was something humanoid, boasting a height of 3 meters, with its whole body wrapped in black mist.

Although its shape was indeed that of a human, it was definitely not one. Then, is it a monster? No, there is no dungeon within a kilometer from this place, and an alarm should have rung if a dungeon collapse occurred there.

In that case, what the heck is that–

"What is that?! A monster?!"

"I don't know, but let's quickly run away!"

"Someone! Is there an adventurer here?!"

Everyone in there instantly went into a panic, striving to run away from the place. In the middle of that, only Akari was calmly trying to grasp the situation. Because thinking about it normally, it should have been her job, as an adventurer, to deal with it. However, her instinct kept telling her, that thing wasn't something the current her could win against.

As evidence,

——————–

【■■■■■■】

・Recommended level to subjugate: 10,000

——————–

"Level 10,000?!"

What entered Akari's eyes after using [Appraisal] was a mark indicating an unknown name and a number that indicated how desperate the current situation is. The difference in their level was five times. That means, no matter how much of a plan she devised, it is impossible for her to win. Therefore, the best choice for her is to leave the place right away and call Claire and the others at the lodging.

However,

"Hiss, that is!"

At that moment, Akari noticed that there is a girl who seems to be a junior high schooler in front of that creature. The girl didn't seem to understand what was happening in front of her, and she just stood there with a look of horror.

Until suddenly, the golden eyes that could be seen behind the black mist directed at the girl.

"——–!"

The moment she saw this, Akari subconsciously rushed towards the girl. Despite intuitively understanding that the creature was something that she should never approach, her body moved by its own.

『■■■■■■■■！！！』

Let alone human words, it wasn't even the voice of a monster. The strange creature just swings its arm toward the girl while generating a creepy sound. Fortunately, at the last minute, Akari arrived between the two and intercepted its attack.

"Haaa!"

Holding the large shield she summoned from her [Item Box], Akari blocked the blow. Simultaneously, an impact that could even make the core of her body numb assaulted her. Although she has fought against many strong monsters before, the blow that assaulted her has very ridiculous power, incomparable to any of them.

"Run away, now!"

Turning only her face, Akari shouted at the girl standing behind her. However, she realized that the girl's knees shook, meaning she wasn't in a situation where she could move. But that was to be expected. Because for those who are not adventurers, an existence that could threaten their lives was just something that they heard in the stories and news, after all. For that reason, if it actually appeared before them, they wouldn't be able to catch up with reality.

And protecting such ordinary people is also the job of an adventurer– it was her job, or so she thought. Thus, after making such a strong determination, Akari once again glared at the strange creature that stands before her.

"5 times the difference in level? Doesn't matter. Because apparently, I only have the talent to protect– that's why, I won't let you pass here!"

『■■■■Oooーーーー！』

After that, what happened was just a one-sided onslaught. The strange creature made full use of its arms and merely kept swinging it violently, just like a beast without intelligence. However, its power is the real deal, not allowing Akari to have leeway to pay attention to her surroundings. She could only hold her shield, using all the skills she acquired as a tank, and endure all the blows directed at her.

However, that doesn't last long either. Akari is currently using many skills. In addition, the joint practice had just finished not too long ago, causing her to almost run out of MP. And if she can no longer use her skills, the balance will be broken in an instant!

And that moment abruptly came.

She ran out of MP, and the skills applied to her shield were released. Immediately after that, the fist of the strange creature easily destroyed her shield and attacked Akari directly.

"Gah—-!"

That blow easily blew Akari's small body away, even though the momentum should have been reduced by her shield. After bouncing on the ground many times, Akari's body finally stopped. She looked at her HP bar while enduring the pain that assaulted all over her body and saw that it was already less than 30%.

"What power…! That's right, how about that girl?!"

When she looked around, the girl wasn't there anymore. It seems the girl probably ran while Akari fought against the strange creature. But, Akari was glad. Because if that's true, that means she was able to save at least one person.

(At the very least, it seems I've done what I should do)

With that in mind, Akari was relieved. Because now that the girl has escaped, there is no reason for her to stay there anymore. She thought that she had to escape from the place as soon as possible.

"Kuh!"

However, due to the damage caused by that blow, Akari couldn't move her body very well. Thus, she immediately tried to take out a potion from her [Item Box], but–

"———-Eh?"

— The moment she thought so, her field of vision dyed in black.

What on earth happened?

No, she actually already knew that at this moment, the strange creature had approached right before her eyes.

(…No way)

Bewilderment, shock, and fear. In an instant, various emotions arose in her mind, and she didn't know how to handle it. The only thing that is certain is that at this moment, she is on the verge of death.

Then, the strange creature mercilessly swung its fist towards the defenseless Akari–

"Sei!"

But suddenly, there was a sound of something exploding.

And after a delay, the atmosphere shook, and the breeze generated from that hit Akari's body. But that's it. The blow of the strange creature, which was what Akari feared the most, never reached her. Or rather, when she realized it, for some reason, the strange creature was flying far backwards with a catapult-like momentum.

Subsequently, as if replacing the strange creature, a man stood before her. A man that she knows very well–

"… Rin?"

In response to her call, he– Amane Rin, turned around and smiled a little.

"Yo."