My Unique Skill [Gacha] Will Save the World - Episode 158: Kyouka's Battle

Episode 158: Kyouka’s Battle 

After parting ways with Rindou and the others. Kyouka’s group made their way toward the location where monsters were converging, rampaging aboveground. Their objective was not merely to hold them back but to annihilate them completely. 

Hoping that other players had managed to thin their numbers, they pressed forward. However, when Kyouka and the others finally faced the monster horde, any faint hope they had shattered. 

“…This can’t be real,” 

Kyouka muttered, her voice trembling. 

Before them was a mass of over a hundred monsters, all moving as one. The sheer scale of the sight turned Kyouka’s face pale. 

“Oh dear, that’s quite a crowd.” 

“And their ranks seem high. But we have to deal with them quickly and get back.” 

“Understood. No point in holding back with our skills now.” 

Unlike Kyouka, Ayane and Kageboshi remained calm as they observed the horde. They were strategizing their next move. 

“Um… Ayane-san, Kageboshi-san, aren’t you scared?” 

“Of course, I’m scared. But if we don’t fight, we’ll be the ones who get killed.”

“It’s a matter of experience. You’ve only cleared low-rank gates so far, haven’t you?”

“Hey! That’s not how you should say it, Kageboshi-san!” 

“I don’t care. I’ll do things my way.” 

“So cold!” 

As she watched Ayane and Kageboshi’s casual exchange, Kyouka began to feel that perhaps her own fear was unwarranted. What she didn’t realize was that Ayane and Kageboshi were purposefully keeping the atmosphere light to ease her nerves. 

Still, it worked. Kyouka steeled herself. She turned her gaze back to the horde of monsters. 

“…Please give me instructions!” 

Seeing the determination in her expression, Ayane and Kageboshi exchanged glances and nodded. Ayane took charge. 

“Out of all of us, Kyouka-chan, you have the highest destructive power. So, blast the center of that horde with your strongest magic!” 

“Right away? Are you sure?” 

Kageboshi answered Kyouka’s hesitation. 

“No matter how coordinated these monsters are, reducing their numbers might disrupt their movements, even slightly.” 

“Even if it doesn’t, fewer monsters are always better!” 

Hearing their reasoning, Kyouka took a deep breath and readied herself. 

“…Understood. Here I go!” 

With resolve in her voice, Kyouka began casting her [Ice Magic]. The scale of her spell was unlike anything she had used before—broad, devastating, and overwhelming. 

“Behold a frozen world,” 

Following Ayane’s instructions, Kyouka unleashed her magic at the heart of the horde. A massive blue-and-white magic circle spread across the battlefield. And the temperature plummeted sharply. Frost formed on the monsters’ bodies, and their breath turned white. 

Yet, the horde continued to march forward. 

Even though Kageboshi’s prediction about disrupting their movements didn’t seem to pan out, Kyouka didn’t hesitate to complete her spell. 

“Wide-Area Annihilation Magic—[Ice World]!” 

As soon as [Ice World] activated, the temperature within its range dropped below freezing. It instantly encased many monsters in ice. Some perished on the spot. While others, struggling to move, shattered their own frozen bodies. 

However, a few monsters resisted. They were seemingly unaffected by the cold. They continued their advance. 

“…They’re not stopping!” 

“Kyouka-chan, keep targeting the densest clusters with your magic! Kageboshi-san, guard her!” 

“What about you, Ayane Kazaki?” 

“Isn’t it obvious? I’ll handle the rest!” 

With that declaration, Ayane drew a new weapon from her waist. 

“P-Please be careful, Ayane-san!” 

“Of course! I’m off!” 

Despite the drastically reduced numbers, the horde was still a formidable force. Undeterred, Ayane charged directly into the fray with her usual composure. 

“……..Will Ayane-san be okay?” 

“She said she would. Focus on your own task, Kyouka Amachi.” 

With those words, Kageboshi drew a dagger and turned to face an approaching enemy. 

It wasn’t part of the Dragon’s controlled horde but a wild monster driven purely by instinct. 

“I’ll handle my part.” 

“O-Okay! Thank you!” 

Ayane had entrusted Kageboshi with Kyouka’s protection. And Kageboshi intended to fulfill that responsibility. Without hesitation, she leaped toward the oncoming monster.