School life was always monotonous, and everything returned to normal-except for that news report that ruined her dignity.
Konata couldn't shake off her lingering resentment.
She had worked so hard to establish her authority as "Big Bro" on campus, even gaining a bunch of loyal underlings. But after that report, she noticed her followers looking at her strangely, as if thinking, Wow, we never realized our boss was this adorably clueless...
And then, her underlings multiplied.
The most obvious change was how much more enthusiastic her classmates became around her, which made her uncomfortable. Still, Tsuyu Asui found a new friend-Setsuna Tokage, the girl with snake-like features. Wait, a frog and a snake being friends... Aren't they natural enemies? Don't snakes eat frogs? Is this some kind of destined pairing?
Then, for the first time ever, she started receiving love letters-daily -in her locker. That wasn't the issue. Sure, she was cute enough to trigger protective instincts in chauvinistic guys (hadn't they seen her as the top attraction at the maid café?), but... why was she getting love letters from girls?! Something was definitely wrong here, right?
But no matter what, life had to go on. The sales of All Might's autographed merchandise turned out to be unexpectedly good, earning a considerable sum. With money in hand, she specifically purchased an old, nearly scrapped vending machine online-one that was about to be discarded-and placed it in her rented apartment. Having survived two kidnapping incidents, the second of which nearly cost her life, a shadow of fear had begun to grow in her heart. Since the money was an unexpected windfall anyway, she figured it was better spent this way. At the very least, she wouldn't have to risk another kidnapping by walking twenty minutes to the usual spot at night, which undoubtedly saved her a lot of time. Besides, it seemed like Izuku Midoriya would soon clean up that garbage dump, making it harder to find a vending machine as easily as before. Self-sufficiency was the better option.
"9,995, 9,996, 9,997, 9,998... 10,000!!"
After delivering the final kick, Konata collapsed onto the floor.
She no longer lived in her original place. She wasn't the type to save money, so as soon as she had enough, she immediately moved-though the new place wasn't much better, just slightly larger than the previous one.
Staring at the system notification confirming that "Railgun" had been unlocked, Konata was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
The moment had finally arrived-a Level 5 esper. No matter how you looked at it, that made her a powerhouse in this world, right? This was Railgun we were talking about-Railgun, Railgun, Railgun! Because it was that important, she repeated it three times for emphasis.
"System, how do I use Railgun's abilities?"
After lying on the floor for about five minutes, Konata sat up and eagerly asked the system.
[Currently unlocked character: Misaka Mikoto. Obtained one Misaka Mikoto character card. Host may inspect it at will.]
As the system's voice echoed, a pale blue card materialized out of thin air into Konata's hand. On the card's surface, amidst crackling blue electricity, was a girl with short chestnut hair wearing a baseball cap.
"Huh... Why does this feel so familiar...?"
Scratching her cheek, Konata pondered for a moment before her expression suddenly changed. Information from the card had already flooded her mind.
[Passive ability acquired: Electromagnetic Field. While active, incoming melee attacks will disrupt the field, causing all attackers within range to be knocked back within the next second. If knocked into an obstacle, they will be stunned for 1 second. Ranged attacks will be automatically nullified, after which the field enters a charging state. Once disrupted, the Electromagnetic Field requires 40 seconds to recharge.]
[Passive ability acquired: Electrically Resistant Constitution. Greatly increases resistance to lightning-based attacks.]
[Acquired Skill: Railgun - Requires coins to use. Fires an electromagnetic projectile forward with a range of 50 meters, dealing massive piercing and paralysis damage to enemies in its path. Can be charged. Automatically upgrades to True Railgun after 6 seconds, which then advances to Super Railgun after another 6 seconds. Each use destroys one coin. Cooldown: 10 seconds.]
[Acquired Skill: Iron Sand Storm - Summons an iron sand storm in a designated area lasting 8 seconds. Enemy units within the storm have reduced movement and attack speed. If hit by other skills, the storm will explode, dealing damage and splitting into smaller storms that can also explode. If another Iron Sand Storm exists on the field within 3 seconds of use, this skill can be reused to teleport to its location. Cooldown: 12 seconds.]
[Acquired Skill: Lightning Sword - After a 1-second charge, summons a lightning sword that sweeps across a 10-meter rectangular area in front, dealing paralysis damage, slowing enemies, and silencing them for 1.5 seconds.]
[Acquired Skill: True Thunderstrike - Summons a thunderstrike centered on oneself, altering the weather. All enemy units within 300 meters are paralyzed for 0.25 seconds, unable to move or attack. After 1 second, a true thunderbolt strikes the designated location. Cooldown: 1 day.]
[Acquired Skill: Awakening - Transforms into Misaka Mikoto, gaining all her abilities without restrictions. Duration: 5 minutes. Cooldown: 3 days.]
Konata: "…"
This is NOT the Railgun I know, damn it!!!