You’re Right, They’ll Expel Me if I Run into the Store with a Weapon!!

“Suzukoooooo!!”

Shiori unleashes a ferocious roar, pouring all her emotion and desperation into a reckless assault.

—

With a slight smirk, Suzuko responds.

“Hiroki, I’m using it.”

Whispering, she pulls another weapon from her holster—a weapon she had borrowed from Hiroki without his knowledge.

“Weapon: White Binding.”

A pistol resembling a signal flare gun with a three-round revolver integrated into it, its barrel short and wide.

The appearance of the weapon, seemingly non-combative, was deceiving.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three gunshots spiral under Suzuko’s control, enveloping Shiori in an aggressive attack.

“Get out of my way!”

Shiori’s angry slash triggers the appearance of a black lance from the weapon, creating spikes from the ground.

“And, idiot,” Suzuko mutters in a childish tone.

“What!?”

The bullets blocked by the black spikes scatter as a white smokescreen forms.

Suddenly, the smokescreen engulfs Shiori, hardening and weighing her down.

“It’s hardening…and it’s heavy!?”

As Shiori realizes she’s trapped, Suzuko explains, “This smokescreen rapidly absorbs moisture in the air, turning it into an adhesive-like substance, then solidifies from the slightest heat of the sun, binding the target.”

From powder to liquid to solid, the synthetic substance had low lethality but high binding capability, designed by a scientist.

“You think it’s over?”

Shiori’s dark tone overlays Suzuko’s premature victory declaration.

“Ordinary people can’t break this… but it doesn’t concern us!”

As Shiori shatters the white mass enhancing her body, revealing her upper body, she scoffs, “Did you think this would hold me? You’re the fool!”

While debris clings to her uniform, Shiori smirks defiantly at Suzuko. But,

“It’s not that…”

Facing Shiori, still trying to free herself, Suzuko calmly speaks, “I didn’t think it would hold you… I already tested it while Hiroki was asleep.”

“What!?”

Shiori’s eyes widen in shock as she realizes the smokescreen’s effects, which could solidify and capture even those with human enhancements within seconds.

“The smokescreen’s effects…you enhanced the concentration around my legs? So the upper body would break free easily!”

Shiori correctly guesses, confirming Suzuko had manipulated the smokescreen’s density.

“This ends now.”

Suzuko touches a small device in her ear as she declares checkmate.

“Come then, I’ll handle it with just my arms!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Everything’s been calculated…because this is…”

As Shiori grows frantic, Suzuko continues emotionlessly, “a plan prepared to defeat the tenth rank.”

“From the start…”

“It was a rush job…but it’s foolproof.”

Shiori stumbles upon realizing the truth as the word “construction” clicks.

If Suzuko was shaken not by my rapid approach but by the destruction I caused…

“That’s the answer,” her instincts tell her.

Struggling desperately, Shiori attempts to break free with her weapon, but it’s too late. She’s the king in checkmate, trapped by Suzuko who had prepared for this moment.

“Hey, Shiori…remember what we said minutes ago? ‘This place is too narrow for our fight.'”

“What does that matter now!?”

As Suzuko approaches and stops two meters away, she whispers, “I thought so too…it’s too narrow. But…”

“It’s more than enough to be your coffin… ‘Activation start.'”

The small device in her ear blinks fiercely.

Then, Boom! Boom! Boom!

The wooden floor around Shiori explodes, creating a circular explosion at the ship’s bow, leading to a collapse.

“What!?”

Pinned down by the lower body, Shiori falls downward.

But the fall alone isn’t enough to declare a fighter of her caliber dead, which Suzuko also knows.

“What is this, what’s going on!!”

As Shiori cries out, she sees devices resembling gun barrels positioned all around her.

The fall continues through hollowed-out layers, with no floors in sight—a pitfall meticulously crafted by Suzuko.

And as the buzzer sounds from the devices, countless bullets rain down.

“Don’t underestimate me!”

Shiori immediately swings her black scales, generating more with her ability, covering herself in a complete defense, only breathing allowed.

And when the ammunition runs out, action would be possible under normal circumstances. But Suzuko must have anticipated even this.

“Hm?”

And then she realizes.

Her body was damp.

“Wet?… No! This is!”

Shiori finally understood what Suzuko meant.

Suzuko had said,

“It’s more than enough to be your coffin.”

Indeed, it was exactly as she said.

Suzuko had aimed for this from the beginning—a dire end, turning the cruise ship itself into a coffin.

How could one drive a formidable ranked fighter to death?

The most straightforward method seemed to be with fake masses used in staged events—an approach everyone thought could defeat a ranked fighter from Combat College.

But there was another way. Not easy, but simple.

Even Shiori, a fighter of great skill, shared a common vulnerability with those outside the rankings, with ordinary people.

No matter how much her body was fortified through human enhancement, no matter how much her immune system was strengthened, she could not escape from this weakness.

The greatest vulnerability shared by all was,

“Suzukoooooo!!”

Being “human”.

**Translation of the Japanese Web Novel Segment**

“Ah, I’m glad. In front of Hiroki, I, ranked ninth, defeated the one ranked tenth.”

Within the confines of the limited rules, defeating a ranked individual required preparation tailored to those restrictions. The key to my victory was Shiori’s lack of preparation for my participation.

The total amount of firearms and equipment allowed at the event was equivalent to the weight a person enhanced by human body modifications could lift.

So, after a long time, I utilized my body enhancements to lift an entire container.

(Hiroki’s face at that moment… was kind of funny…)

It must have been what people mean by a stunned expression.

I also have nothing but thanks for the organizing committee. Due to their mistake during the entry ceremony, I was able to come aboard this cruise ship.

There were other potential locations for executing my plan, but I hadn’t expected to be able to come here. Thanks to that, I was able to ensure the demise of the tenth ranked.

Now, all that’s left is to leave this place.

Come on, Hiroki, let’s go.

With me, the one who defeated the tenth rank.

From now on, I’ll be by your side.

So, always with me…

“Going down.”

“Huh, Suzuko?”

“Look, Hiroki… it’s sinking.”

Suzuko, kneeling on the lifeboat, smiles at the scene unfolding before her. But the man beside her felt differently.

(Shiori!!!!)

He was internally panicking, mentally breaking down over the unforeseen dramatic ending.

“Hey, Suzuko.”

He felt a strong need to say something. He felt it was crucial to discuss Shiori’s safety and other matters, or something irreversible might happen.

But,

“It’s sinking… like in a movie…”

“Suzuko-san?”

“Isn’t it beautiful, Hiroki?”

“Can we talk for a moment?”

“It’s an artistic scene, isn’t it, Hiroki?”

“Are you not listening?”

“Aren’t you happy, Hiroki?”

(What’s there to be happy about? There’s nothing joyful about this! I’m not a psychopath who enjoys watching a ship with someone I know left behind sinking!!)

“We did this, Hiroki and I.”

…What? What did she just say?

Hiroki and I?

Suzuko and me?

Did?… Killed?

No, no, no, no!?

Don’t make me an accomplice!

I didn’t do anything! I was just watching!!

“Because Hiroki gathered good tools, we were able to sink the ship so quickly.”

“Good tools?”

“I thought it was a maniacal request, but the creator Hiroki found did a great job.”

Maniacal?

Request?

Creator?

Wait? Something’s off—

“Is this everything that can be delivered now? There were some special items in the order, so is it okay if they are delivered later?”

Haruna!!!!!

But still, I just went to order equipment; I didn’t contribute to the outcome of the fight!

“With our own hands, we defeated her.”

Please stop!

I don’t care about my own achievements anymore!

What’s important is checking on Shiori!

“Suzuko…”

“What?”

“I… I just transferred here recently, so I don’t know the norms here…”

“Uh-huh…”

“Before I ask about other things,”

He stammers, his hands sweaty as he points at the sinking ship.

“Isn’t that against the rules? Shiori is going down. She might drown…”

“Do you… care?”

“!?”

Um… ah, wait… What?

Suzuko’s tone suddenly changed…

“Event rules forbid dangerous actions, so if that falls under a penalty, wouldn’t all your efforts be wasted?”

“… You’re worried about me?”

“Uh… yeah.”

Close, close, close! Don’t stare at me with your eyes wide open like that!

And I lied!

I’m actually very worried about Shiori!

But since there was a lot of provocation, it was clear we weren’t on good terms!

Now I can only ask about Shiori indirectly.

“It’s okay.”

Suzuko says not to worry.

“No penalty… only attacks that instantly put someone in critical condition are prohibited.”

“But that was…”

“Combat College’s rescue drones are there… they’re already heading from underwater.”

“… Are you sure it’s okay?”

“It’s okay… there won’t be any penalty.”

No, it’s not about the penalty, I’m worried about Shiori.

But really,

“Is it really… over?”

“What do you mean?”

“No, I mean… Shiori’s—”

**Translation of the Japanese Web Novel Segment**

“So close, so close! What’s with this girl!”

Her breath is on me, and her eyes look scary!

“I know Shiori is incredible, so—”

Her fringe touches me! She’s so close it’s like we could kiss!

“It’s not over yet. That’s what I think.”

“…Does that mean you think Shiori hasn’t been defeated yet? Is that what Hiroki thinks?”

“Well, yes.”

Yeah. Because she was incredible. She ran on walls, chased down bikes, she had all sorts of wild moments.

Until I see her defeated with my own eyes, she seems like the type who’d scream “Aaaah!!” and make a desperate comeback.

At least, that’s what I think.

“There’s no way she’d lose so easily.”

“It wasn’t easy… I prepared thoroughly.”

“But still, she is—”

“The battle is over, huh?”

“Higher ranks really do indicate stronger fighters.”

“It was almost a complete victory.”

In the stadium, spectators murmured to each other as the curtain fell on their battle. Although there were many surprising moments, most of the spectators were watching with the conviction that Suzuko would win.

This was due to a comparison of ranks and the capabilities of Shiori.

“Black Spear Appearance—impressive to look at, sure, but it’s just black thorns appearing. Kind of plain, isn’t it?”

“But maybe the opponent was just too much this time? After all, she uses Induction Modification—Madifician. That’s practically cheating.”

“Shiori-san’s ability sealing and the entire ship being used as a trap. The conditions were too unfavorable.”

“With Black Spear Appearance, she just couldn’t compete.”

The loss was attributed to Shiori’s ability: simple and lacking notable features.

No matter how much human enhancement and high scores she had, against a higher-ranked opponent, Shiori was at a disadvantage. This defeat made that clear.

“Really, isn’t Black Spear Appearance kind of a dud ability?”

Such comments spread among the spectator seats.

Meanwhile, in the commentator’s booth, Kozaki Amano sensed what the spectators were saying about Shiori and smiled sadly.

“Moriko-chan… How did you find this battle between the two?”

He turned to his fellow commentator next to him, inviting her thoughts.

“Well, their battle was certainly impressive. They did things effortlessly that we couldn’t hope to mimic… But indeed, Suzuko-san had an advantage in rank and ability,” Moriko replied with a troubled look.

“From the start, Suzuko-san set traps. She had too much of an advantage.”

“Indeed, Suzuko-chan’s rank and her preparations aboard the ship were superior to Shiori-chan’s,” Amano agreed, but then added,

“However, there’s a misunderstanding about the abilities.”

“What…?”

“What we’ve seen isn’t everything. It’s too early to fully understand Shiori-chan’s abilities based on one encounter.”

Amano spoke seriously, a rarity for him, letting his true feelings resonate throughout the stadium.

“Black Spear Appearance might seem like merely producing black thorns. Just producing them, nothing else. It’s understandable to think that way.”

It’s understandable. Most people in the spectator seats didn’t possess the information known to the ranks and educational officials.

That included detailed knowledge about Shiori’s Black Spear Appearance, which Amano was well aware of.

“Just black thorns… But what do you think those thorns are made of?”

“Um… Well…?”

“Exactly, it’s unknown. No one knows their true nature.”

Shiori’s ability held an unsolved mystery, and that mystery was something Amano considered important.

“The unknown information…”

“But two months ago, something was discovered. Information that only a few people know,” Amano continued.

“What could that be…?”

Moriko’s curiosity spilled out in anticipation, and Amano, without hesitation, shared the facts openly.

“The true nature, the structure of Black Spear Appearance is—”

Suddenly, a shocking scene unfolded, and everyone’s eyes widened.

“Amano-san… What… What is that…?”

“Moriko-chan, sorry. I need to step out for a moment.”

“What?! Amano-san!!”

With a serious expression and tone, Amano wiped all smiles from his face and disappeared through the damaged entrance, left in ruins by the principal.

Translation:

—

『────』

“I’m truly sorry. It’s a mess I created. So, I’ll take responsibility for it.”

『────』

“Could you inform everyone at Combat College about what I’ve told you?”

『────』

“Planning to handle it alone? Then, you must have already warned everyone not to intervene prematurely.”

『────』

“Hazuki-chan? …Understood. Anyway, I’m heading to the scene.”

『────』

“I’m ready to be scolded to death. So then──”

After finishing the conversation, Amano climbed the building’s stairs in an enhanced physical state. At the top, Touka, out of breath, was waiting.

“Touka-chan, even though you’re my assistant, you don’t need to come this time.”

“If I leave it to you, the situation will only worsen.”

“That’s harsh. But I’m serious this time. So, Touka-chan, just focus on your current tasks.”

“But…”

“It’s a serious request. We don’t have time, and I can’t afford to bring you along.”

“Then take this…”

With a look of frustration, Touka handed Amano a device.

“I’ve compiled data on the location of the transmission towers, the weather, and temperature. Just in case it might be of some help…”

“Thank you. As expected of Touka-chan.”

After a glance at the device, Amano memorized all the necessary information and handed back the device.

“I’ll be going then. And one more thing I need…”

“What should I do?”

“I need you to send the video data from the drones to my device in real-time, from the control panel at the commentator’s booth.”

“Understood. But why?”

While agreeing to Amano’s request, Touka couldn’t help but ask for his intentions.

“Ah, I originally installed the transmission towers as a means of transportation.”

In the current event, the indestructible transmission towers were constructed, a direct consequence of Amano’s role and abilities.

“There’s another use for them.”

“Another one?”

“…Sorry. It’s a secret.”

With a teasing smile, Amano gave Touka a playful grin. She, of course, wouldn’t stay silent.

“I’ll cut you.”

“Scary. But you’ll do it, right?”

“…Yes.”

After a tense silence and with visible frustration, Touka responded. Amano momentarily looked apologetic but quickly reverted to his usual smile, turning his attention back to the situation at hand.

“Suzuko-chan and he are also at the scene, so the worst-case scenario should be avoidable.”

Anticipating the situation on-site, Amano felt confident about managing it.

“We’re saved by the location. If it had been on land, evacuation orders would have been inevitable.”

The incident occurred in the center of a lake far from land, with no sign of concerned participants nearby. With Amano, ranked second in the hierarchy, prepared to head to the scene immediately, it seemed likely that evacuation orders had not yet been issued.

With these factors combined, it was probable that no evacuation was necessary as there had been no damage at the lake center.

“Well then, I’m off. Touka-chan, the rest is up to you.”

With those final words, Amano launched himself into the air.

And suddenly, “he disappeared.”

—

At the event management room of the organizing committee,

“Principal! It’s impossible! We can’t issue an emergency evacuation order!”

“The main system controls have been altered!”

“Other systems have been utterly destroyed as well!”

“We can’t send evacuation instructions to the participants in the battlefield!! Why has this happened!?”

As the operators, drenched in sweat, awaited the principal’s instructions, they were overwhelmed by the situation.

Meanwhile, the principal thought,

“Amano! Amano!!”

The culprit, ranked second in the hierarchy, was capable of hacking into the Combat College’s secure systems.

This wasn’t a premeditated act but a hacking that had been executed in mere seconds just minutes ago.

Amano had disrupted the committee’s systems to prevent the event’s cancellation.

“Principal! If this continues—!”

“I understand! Now to restore it—!? ‘—!'”

The principal and the staff were suddenly struck speechless. The reason was the phenomenon occurring across the battlefield.

“What are you doing, you…!?”

The principal’s frustration and anger flared further.

The current situation, too, was possible because of Amano’s abilities.

Amano’s next problematic action was the simultaneous hacking of all monitor equipment on the battlefield.

Light traveled up the transmission towers stationed across the battlefield, and the surrounding monitors suddenly emitted light.

Displayed was a vast image of the lake. Initially visible were the backs of Hiroki and Suzuko aboard an emergency boat.

Then—

“Shiori… you fool.”

With wide eyes and mouth agape, Hiro

ki stood before Suzuko, who looked up and muttered.

For they hadn’t imagined what they were about to see.

“Aaa… Gaaa…”

A faint growl, not human, emanated from inside a large cruise ship high above.

“I had seen it in old photos, but it’s the first time seeing it in real life… and it had to be someone I knew, a high-ranker.”

“Aaa… Gaa… aaa…”

“Not words… truly devoid of intelligence…”

Unlike Hiroki, Suzuko had been at Combat College longer and was also a high-ranker. She had access to more information and could easily understand what was happening to Shiori.

“DNA Deconstruction… Run amok, losing intelligence, forgetting humanity, driven solely by a destructive impulse…”

For those with combat abilities, this was the absolute taboo. The information encoded in their combat abilities was destroyed and chaotically reassembled, affecting not just memory but physical appearance.

Now, Shiori had become a “pulsating black giant.”

Her skin had melted into a viscous black, exposing her blood vessels and muscle fibers, forming a massive, black beast.

Its thighs dipped into the lake, its colossal body stretching into the air, rivaling a skyscraper in size.

And what most captured their attention was its head, where no face was visible, only the damaged hull of a giant ship covering it completely.

“Both Hiroki and a high-ranker turned monster are here…”

Suzuko opened her right hand, palm facing the sky.

“To avert the worst-case scenario… as a high-ranker, I must act.”

Twisted space appeared.

Suzuko, through her ability, was preparing to manifest a destructive force.

Not to save Shiori but to contain the threat.

“We can’t let her leave the lake. This is absolute.”

Suzuko manifested a mass of energy in the air, recognizing the current Shiori as a clear enemy, ready to confront the situation with all her might.