The world was silent.
The streets, once choked with groaning Kabane, now looked like a graveyard of statues. Every monster stood frozen in place, encased in crystalline frost that stretched over the ground and clung to buildings like glass veins. The cold mist rising from the ice made the ruined city look less like hell and more like the aftermath of a god's judgment.
Even Mumei and Ayame Yomogawa, hardened as they were, could only stare wide-eyed.
Is this… the work of a god?
Far away, in the chat group, one pair of eyes gleamed brighter than the rest.
Frieren: "As expected… he's growing stronger with every battle."
The elven mage leaned forward, studying Haruto's every movement. The frost he spread wasn't random—it expanded like a domain, woven with precision, his control growing sharper by the second. And the strangest part?
Two hours had passed since the fight began, yet Haruto showed no sign of exhaustion. His breathing was calm, his movements light—as if this was nothing more than a casual stroll.
Frieren's lips curved faintly. Her suspicions solidified: Haruto Amakawa was special. Not just strong. Not just skilled. He was a new kind of existence, one worth studying. A research subject more fascinating than demons, ancient magic… even her current side project involving the eccentricities of human intimacy.
Stella: "Tsk… two hours and they're still coming? What are these things, cockroaches?"
Ayame Yomogawa: "That's just how Kabane are."
Her voice trembled as she explained, "Anyone bitten becomes one. As long as humans bleed… they'll keep multiplying."
Saeko Busujima: "Mm. They're nearly identical to the zombies in my world."
Sakurajima Mai: "Seriously? Why do so many of your worlds get the 'apocalypse with zombies' treatment? Not exactly creative."
Saeko Busujima: "End of the world isn't something people want… it's something they fear. That's why it keeps appearing."
Akame: "…Wait. The Kabane aren't advancing anymore."
Kato Megumi: "Yeah… they're pulling back. Toward that mountain."
Stella: "Hah, maybe they're scared? I mean, Haruto is very persistent."
Kato Megumi: "Persistent?"
Saeko Busujima: "Agreed."
Ayame Yomogawa: "Eh?"
Only after she spoke did Stella realize how her words could be taken. Her cheeks heated, and she snapped back hastily.
Stella: "W-wait, no! I meant his strength, okay?! Not like—ugh, forget it!"
Frieren: "...Nonsense. Kabane are mindless. Fear isn't possible."
Haruto Amakawa: "It's not fear. Something bigger's about to crawl out."
As the last echoes of his voice faded, Haruto dismissed the ice spears hovering above the battlefield. His gaze sharpened, fixed on the mountain where the Kabane gathered unnaturally close.
Ayame Yomogawa: "Haruto-sama… do you know what's happening?"
Her body was pressed against him, trembling. Yet strangely, as long as she remained in his arms, she felt safe.
Haruto smirked faintly. "Yeah. A big one's coming."
"A… big one?"
The ground trembled.
BOOOOM!
A roar shook the heavens. From behind the mountain, a behemoth clawed its way into view. Over a hundred meters tall, its entire body writhed and shifted—because it wasn't a creature, not truly. It was a fusion of thousands of Kabane, melded together into a single grotesque titan.
Mumei's eyes widened in horror. "That's… the Black Smoke!"
The monstrosity's body swelled as more Kabane merged into it. Some already dead, some still moving independently. Even if torn apart, its flesh would reassemble. The only weakness lay in the glowing blue core buried beneath layers of writhing Kabane. Unless the core was destroyed, the Black Smoke would continue to grow—endlessly.
Mumei opened her mouth to warn Haruto to be cautious. But the words died on her lips.
Because instead of fear, she saw excitement gleaming in his eyes.
"Good. They all gathered nice and close. Saves me the effort—means I'll get to enjoy my break sooner."
He glanced down at Ayame still pressed against him. His voice dropped, calm but cutting.
"Now's a good time to remember our deal. You'll pay your part when I'm done."
Her breath caught. His gaze alone made her body weaken. But there was concern in her eyes too. Summoning her courage, she leaned up and pressed a trembling kiss to the corner of his lips.
"Haruto-sama… please. Come back safe."
A grin tugged at his mouth. "Don't worry. I still have an hour left. I'd hate to waste it."
In the next instant, his figure blurred. With a crouch, he launched into the sky, soaring straight toward the beast's glowing core.
The Black Smoke roared furiously, Kabane swarming to shield its heart. A massive hand swung like a falling tower.
Kato Megumi: "Haruto-kun, watch out!"
Sakurajima Mai: "Dodge, you idiot!"
Ayame Yomogawa: "Haruto-sama!"
Their voices overlapped in panic. But Haruto's expression never changed. Calm, almost bored. He clenched his fist, murmuring under his breath.
"Ever seen a fist the size of a sandbag?"
The Black Smoke roared again, its body shifting like a storm of corpses.
"...No? Then let me educate you."
His punch blurred.
BOOOOM!
The air detonated. The shockwave rippled across the battlefield, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.
For a heartbeat, the colossal Kabane titan froze.
Then… cracks spread.
Ice erupted from its glowing core, flooding through the fused bodies like veins of lightning. In seconds, the hundred-meter monstrosity was consumed, frozen solid.
And then it shattered.
Fragments of ice—along with thousands of Kabane—rained down, sparkling like a storm of broken glass. The blue core splintered into dust, its glow fading forever.
One punch. That was all it took.