Shinji broke through the barrier, soared through the air with monstrous jumping power, and even while gradually succumbing to gravity, he pinpointed his landing spot and touched down safely…
"Are you alright?"
"Y-you..."
Perhaps Kyoka had never been princess-carried by a man before.
Though flustered and with cheeks faintly flushed, she quickly composed herself and urged him to put her down.
"Sorry, sorry. Is this okay?"
"Honestly... getting cocky for a slave."
"Hah... Well then. Shall we?"
Hearing the thunder of numerous footsteps, he turned to see a horde of demons charging toward them as if to swarm over them.
Upon closer look, the one whose head he had pulverized moments ago had vanished without a trace, not reviving.
While recognizing the utterly brutal force granted by her 'gift', he cracked his knuckles and prepared.
"Go, Shinji. Show me the full extent of your power!"
"Understood."
He dashed off as if leaping forth with momentum, first unleashing his fist again to take down the nearby small fry.
Naturally, bits of flesh and blood spray scattered, but without a moment's pause, he aimed at the next target and threw a second punch.
"There we go."
Shinji effortlessly evaded the attacks of the oncoming mobs with minimal movement, confronting them in various ways.
An uppercut aimed at the abdomen after closing in.
A backfist to the flank followed by a jab, a hook—rhythmically piercing through torsos. Sensing the presence of a monster approaching from behind, he unleashed a roundhouse kick without even looking.
He accomplished all this with swift movements, gradually reducing the enemy's numbers.
"See ya."
Before he knew it, only one monster remained. Shinji didn't want to see any more of this.
Perhaps that sentiment was included as he drove a full-powered blow into the area of its heart, causing it to instantly explode into scattered pieces.
"Magnificent... To be enhanced to this degree..."
Kyoka, who had been watching the spectacle from a distance, showed reactions of joy and pleasure at this unprecedented combat result, as if confirming her judgment had been correct.
Standing dumbfounded, the fact that only the corners of her mouth were curled into a grin was the best evidence.
"Phew..."
As for Shinji, he was quietly catching his breath and composing himself.
Thanks to utilizing the combat tactics he'd learned in the past and skillfully wielding the welling power, he had managed to survive.
Perhaps he still couldn't fully grasp the reality of having somehow wielded the superhuman power granted to him and overcome the situation.
He stood still, gazing at his blood-stained fist.
"...Hm?" At that moment, he sensed an ominous presence.
Looking back, multiple monsters were once again approaching from afar, but perhaps seeing their slain kin, they felt the odds were against them.
Gathering in one spot, they began to enlarge, rising up as an even uglier form.
"Hey hey, so now you're gonna get bigger?"
"...Shinji!"
"Hm?"
She seemed younger, yet spoke to him casually.
Belatedly, he wondered about the Demon Defense Force's manners and etiquette, but considering they protected people's lives and fought battles risking their own, perhaps he should overlook a certain degree of rudeness.
"Don't hold back! The you of now can reduce scum like that to dust!"
"Understood. Then, I'll do just that."
Taking the now-oversized handgun from his holster, he raised it high and narrowed his eyes.
And without hesitation, he pulled the trigger. Instantly, a fierce gunshot roared, and a powerful bullet was unleashed.
The bullet, fired at an invisible speed, streaked straight toward the giant, ugly creature, impacting within mere seconds.
"Hngh!"
He continued pulling the trigger without pause, showering it with an endless stream of bullets.
In response, with each hit, large holes were bored into the demon's body, creating punctures everywhere.
Furthermore, perhaps the power upon impact was tremendous, as the successive shocks prevented it from even getting closer.
'This thing is damn useful.'
Meanwhile, Shinji, having run out of ammo, ejected the magazine, cleared the chamber, and began reloading.
Strangely, each time he cleared the chamber, bullets were automatically generated and loaded, bypassing some of the usual motions and allowing for smooth, continuous fire.
"...Shall we end this?"
With that, he seemed to have decided it was time to finish it.
Aiming between the monster's brows, he fired. In a matter of seconds, the enemy's head blew apart like a firework.
Naturally, the remaining limbs also crumbled away weakly, gradually turning to dust and vanishing.
"Whew... Hm?"
Perhaps because the fight had reached a lull.
His entire body suddenly began to glow faintly, and he returned to his original form.
Shinji guessed the ability's effect had worn off. Stowing the likewise reverted weapon back into his coat, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm impressed. I had no idea you possessed this much power."
"...Well, thanks."
Amidst this, Kyoka, who had been observing the entire affair, approached.
With her tomboyish personality and military uniform, she reminded him of some sadistic female soldier.
"Truly splendid. You should continue working as my slave from now on."
"...Excuse me?"
While he was bewildered, wondering if he'd misheard, she continued speaking.
"But for that, I need to explain a bit more about my ability."
"Wai... wait a sec. What are you saying from the start... mmph!"
Wanting to interrupt, thinking she shouldn't just arbitrarily proceed without his consent, he was cut off before he could.
That's because she suddenly grabbed him by the neck and pulled his face forcefully toward hers.
Naturally, their lips overlapped... and soon, silence fell.