NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 55
Chapter 55. Igai’s Astonishment
Could this really be happening?
Even as my arm is crushed and pain courses through me, I can’t bring myself to believe the sight before my eyes.
Everyone remains fixated on the fierce battle that began just minutes ago.
A few minutes earlier…
Just as I was about to die from the demon’s attack, he appeared, charging in gallantly and kicking the demon away.
“What?!”
I didn’t understand what had just happened.
One moment, Kashiwagi-sama’s face seemed to take the brunt of the demon’s fist.
The next, it was the demon—not Kashiwagi-sama—being blown away.
Wasn’t he supposed to have sensory-type abilities? How could he send that monster flying…?
As my thoughts swirled in confusion, Kashiwagi-sama turned briefly toward the facility, as if assessing the situation, before shifting his gaze back to the monsters.
He cast a sharp glance at them.
“This really isn’t my style.”
With that, Kashiwagi-sama shrugged off his jacket.
At the same time, my eyes widened at the emblem engraved on his shirt.
“Th-That emblem…!”
A dragon crest.
There’s hardly anyone in Japan who wouldn’t recognize its meaning.
The emblem of Japan’s strongest defenders—the Special Ability Unit.
A symbol of hope for everyone, it gleamed boldly and magnificently.
“Special Ability Unit operative, Yanagi Hayato. Commencing enemy elimination as of now.”
Turning back, he addressed the trembling crowd with a light-hearted smile.
“Rest assured. These foes are a bit of a hassle, so this’ll take about ten minutes. But I won’t let any harm come to you.”
Why was it, I wondered, that his words brought such calm to my heart?
Despite the hopeless situation of facing multiple S-rank-level monsters, his voice was steady and reassuring.
He—Yanagi Hayato—turned his back to us and began walking toward despair without a hint of hesitation.
◇
Before the battle began, I quickly left the scene.
While making my way toward the facility, I ran into Iwatani-san, who was also heading there.
“Iwatani-sama! Are you alright?”
“Yeah, somehow. I diverted all my energy into defense just before the attack hit. Although it seems I blacked out for a bit.”
“I’m just glad you’re safe.”
With Iwatani-san supporting me, I finally reached the facility.
I didn’t enter the barrier but stayed just outside to receive treatment.
The reason was simple: I thought it would make it easier for Yanagi-sama to fight if someone stayed to protect the others here.
I manipulated the sand, letting it drift around the remaining people, ready to form a defense at a moment’s notice.
“Idiot Igai! I thought you were going to die!”
“Ugh… sniff…”
From inside the barrier, I could hear the young ladies crying.
It seemed they were about to rush out, but the guards barely managed to hold them back.
I’d likely face a harsh scolding later.
The monsters and Yanagi-sama glared at each other, neither side making a move.
“That brat… I never imagined he’d be part of the Special Ability Unit. What do you think, Igai? Does he have a chance of winning?”
“No… I think he’s just trying to buy time.”
I’ve met a few operatives from the Special Ability Unit before.
The most famous among them would be Kongo-sama, whose impenetrable defense overwhelms all attacks.
But even they can only manage to take on one S-rank monster at a time.
This isn’t just one. That’s why I think Yanagi-sama is stalling, waiting for reinforcements.
Finally, the situation began to shift.
A pile of rubble came crashing down toward Yanagi-sama.
He swept it aside with a single punch, just as the demon he had kicked earlier landed with a thunderous crash.
(Is it stronger than before?!)
The aura enveloping it seemed to swell, and its body appeared slightly larger.
Though I couldn’t hear from here, the demon thrust its arm forward, shouting furiously.
Yanagi-sama made no move to dodge.
(Has he frozen in fear…?!)
“Please dodge!”
I screamed desperately, but it was too late.
The demon’s fist pierced through Yanagi-sama—or so we thought.
“What…?”
The vision everyone had braced for dissolved in a flash of pure white light.
Yanagi-sama’s hair turned white, surrounded by a shimmering, pure white aura.
With that dramatic transformation, he caught the demon’s lethal blow with just his right hand.
What followed was like peeking into a heroic epic.
His movements were a work of art, handling the overwhelming odds of multiple foes with ease.
No one spoke, entranced by his unparalleled grace.
“Who is he…?”
I don’t know who said it, but everyone here was thinking the same thing.
He was beyond human.
“Are all Special Ability operatives that strong?”
Of course not.
While they are elite among elites, they remain within the realm of reason.
But Yanagi-sama, who deflects S-rank monster attacks and counters them in a single motion, stands on a different level.
There’s one word to describe him:
“…Absolute One.”
He is probably one of the eight who defy logic and can face multiple S-rank monsters at once.
Some say they can split mountains or even control time.
“How on earth did the master recruit someone like him for this mission…?”
Perhaps even the master didn’t anticipate such a figure.
The fact that Yanagi-sama isn’t yet officially one of the Absolute Ones suggests he’s only just begun stepping onto the stage.
Had it been anyone else, we would have all been slaughtered, and Runa-sama would’ve been taken.
If this was fate, then I offer my deepest gratitude to the gods.
Just as I thought he might finish them off, a blinding strike shattered that naïve notion.
A monster with half its body fused with machinery unleashed an attack.
Lightning accompanied the strike, piercing through buildings, the barrier, and even scorching distant mountains.
“…How are we supposed to deal with that?”
Even Yanagi-sama seemed shaken, covering his face with his left hand.
Naturally, anyone would be unsettled by an attack capable of obliterating a mountain.
But when Yanagi-sama lowered his hand, his expression made it clear I was wrong.
A chill ran through my entire body.
—And? So what?
His emotionless words silenced the space in an instant.