Chapter 45

"What the hell is this wall!? Could it be a barrier!?"

The classmates who tried to escape were shocked as they were blocked by the barrier wall.

Damn... The barrier is set up to encircle each and every one of us.

The barrier that has been protecting us until now is now the biggest obstacle standing in our way.

This is bad... We can't escape.

If we can't escape, then while we still can...

I start the incantation to use Visual Transfer to pull the weapons in Moushin's workshop towards me.

The Metal Turtle's sword might be able to break this barrier.

"I'm on Ono-kun's side. If you like, I'll serve Ono-kun tonight."

"Me too!"

Despite having been secluded with Minagawa and I, and despite insulting me as a lower version, the female student tries to side with Ono.

However...

"Huh? There's no way I'd put ugly and slutty girls in my harem! Your abilities are trash, and you weren't even counted from the beginning!"

Minagawa is hit by a ball of light, and the female student who insulted me is pierced by thorns that appear from the ground.

"Kyaaaaa!?"

More screams rise.

"Minagawa-san!"

Jitsu-san reaches out to the fallen students, but is blocked by the barrier.

It seems she can't even heal them outside the range of the base's recovery.

Damn, I keep pounding the wall until the transfer is complete.

It's hard! I can only be amazed at the strength of the barrier that has been preventing monster invasions for three weeks.

Moreover... The hardness is higher than that of the barrier user's barrier, as I can tell from the punches.

The level (Lv) is likely a significant factor.

"Ah, shut up! Don't resist!"

Of course we'll resist!

Who in their right mind would let themselves be killed without a fight.

"Ono ooo!"

"Stop it!"

"What do you think of your classmates!?"

Starting with Moushin, everyone yells at Ono.

There is no distinction between the base group and the combat group in this condemnation.

"Damn! What a hard wall!?"

"---Abilities can't be used!?"

What are the combat group doing at a time like this, not breaking the barrier!?

When I look at them, they are swinging their weapons to try to break the barrier, but it doesn't budge.

Is it so hard that even the combat group's power can't break it!?

"Yeah, I'm gradually stealing your player-like abilities. You're no longer the protagonist or the player. You're just a bunch of trash. Disappear quietly. You're just garbage in this world!"

"Damn..."

Ono looks at the classmates with a completely condescending gaze.

"Well, everyone, the guys are all trash. They're dirty, right? Try to understand the situation better."

As if to start, Ono encloses a nearby player group student in a barrier and stabs them with a sword.

They tried to guard, but with their abilities stolen and unable to move properly, they have no means of defense.

Still, everyone refuses to give up.

"Expansion abilities seem to still be usable even if they are stolen! ...Everyone! Break the wall!"

Ono can only steal the main abilities!

If that's the case, we should still be able to save them if we act quickly.

"Sure, sure. It would be nice if you could break it, but I'll make it easy for you first. I can save everyone. Forget your momentary confusion and let's get out of the forest together!"

"Who would go with you!?"

Even the gentle Jitsu-san shows a will to reject.

Of course.

"You'll understand eventually."

Then Ono turns his gaze to Meguru-san and cancels the barrier.

As soon as Meguru-san is free, Ono approaches and speaks to her.

"Last time you turned down my invitation, but you know who's the best here, and who's the most attractive, right? Come on, Meguru, wake up to my charm."

Meguru-san shakes her hand... and slaps Ono's cheek.

"What are you misunderstanding? Do you know what you did with the mouth that insulted Taniizumi-kun and the hands that did those things?"

"Ah!? You're still not listening to me when I'm trying to save you!? What's wrong with that!?"

Slapped, Ono glares at Meguru-san.

Come to think of it, Ono seemed to be targeting Meguru-san.

Among the girls here, the ones Ono likes, besides Otsuka, are Jitsu-san and Meguru-san?

"Meguru-san!"

Don't provoke Ono any further!

Just a little more, and I can summon the weapon.

So!

I squeeze out my voice, but Meguru-san doesn't stop.

"What do you think of everyone? Do you think they're just there to praise you, and that all the girls are your girlfriends!?"

"Are you trying to lecture me!?"

"Lecture? No, I'm just looking down on you from the bottom of my heart! Are you saying the guys are trash, but you're not trash for not speaking out against Taniizumi-kun's rampage?"

Meguru-san continues to denounce Ono without end.

Otsuka and the others are objecting, but Meguru-san's voice is clearer.

She harbors such a strong will.

"I'm the best here! Do you know what it means to defy me?"

"Are you going to kill everyone who defies you? You're even more despicable than Taniizumi-kun. You're the lowest of the low, thinking only of yourself!"

"What are you saying to Keisuke-sama!?"

Otsuka attacks Meguru-san.

However, after looking at Otsuka, Meguru-san says to Ono.

"Keisuke-sama? Aren't you ashamed to be called 'sama' by your classmates!"

Meguru-san further denounces Ono.

"You only think of yourself! If Taniizumi-kun was hiding the forest exit, why didn't you say it sooner?"

"That's... because..."

"Were you afraid? You only told everyone today because you had a plan to... no, to kill Taniizumi-kun, right!?"

"What!?"

Meguru-san takes a deep breath and glares at Ono with fierce eyes.

"I don't find any charm in someone who uses abilities like a game and even gets their hands dirty with murder."

"I saved everyone from Taniizumi, didn't I?"

"Who said to kill Taniizumi-kun!"

"Such a guy is better off dead! I did what no one else could. I can kill as many scum like Taniizumi as I want! Any normal girl would fall for that!"

"Who would fall for someone who's good at killing people!"

If someone fell for a murderer on the news, it would be insane, whether they were a man or a woman.

But this isn't someone who would listen to such words.

Moreover, Ono has already killed several people.

If I provoke him and his killing intent turns to Meguru-san...

"If I let you speak, you'll just keep talking... I'm the strongest ability user who freed everyone from Taniizumi's curse! I won't forgive you!"

"I don't need your forgiveness! You're the one who did the unforgivable!"

"This is a necessary evil. It's a trial where only the chosen ones can leave the forest. Meguru, you are chosen. Come to me quietly. Then I'll forgive what happened earlier."

"What kind of trial, you murderer! I'd rather die than submit to you! I won't bend, even if I die!"

"Meguru-san! Run quickly!"

Meguru-san turns her gaze to me upon hearing my voice.

That's right... Meguru-san's ability is Transfer.

She is a user who can barely manage to escape even in such a situation.

If she escapes from Ono's evil hands... even though the situation is quite desperate, there is a way to survive.

In 30 seconds, that sword will appear in my hand!

It's too slow! I can't wait 30 seconds!

I punch the barrier repeatedly, but it doesn't budge.

It feels like it's wearing down a little, but my arm hurts from the repeated punches.

But I don't stop punching.

"Use your ability---!"

To run! I was about to say.

At the same time, Ono, with bloodshot eyes, smiles and points at me.

"Ah, maybe Meguru is under the influence of Hahashi's... ability or something? Heart change, transfer has such a power, huh? What a cruel guy!"

What's with that grudge!

If transfer had such power, I would have used it on Taniizumi or you!

Don't make up a reason and pin it on me!

You probably think I'm an obstacle to your conquest because I'm close to Meguru-san.

What a joke!

"Hahashi, be honored. I'll show you how to use theft like this!"

Flame, Taniizumi's ability, appears from Ono's hand, wraps itself in wind, and swells into a huge inferno.

Meguru-san, sensing my intention, tries to run but freezes, sensing what Ono is about to do.

"Meguru, you were concerned about the lower version Hahashi. I'll cut off that attachment now! Then you'll surely swear loyalty to me!"

No way!

You're the one Meguru-san dislikes!

Before I can say that, Ono throws a sun-like inferno at me.

Damn... It's too late!

I can't believe I'll end up here... Damn! I should have acted sooner!

"Meguru-san!"

In the flash of my life, Meguru-san appears in front of me with the light of transfer... to protect me.

"What---"

As I reach out, Meguru-san smiles gently at me.

"Meguru-san... I'm sorry. The promise to return to Japan---"

Immediately, my vision is dominated by light and a heat wave burns my skin.

I'm almost blown away, but the barrier doesn't allow it.

When my vision clears, the pain of the burn and the scene in front of me... I---

"Huh? She's dead. I thought about keeping her alive because of her face and body, but it's fine. She deserved to die for insulting me so much. It's a good thing for a bitch to have an opinion on me."