Necromancer 13

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13. Return to the Castle

As soon as I returned to the castle, I headed to the lobby.

In a room that the King had designated for us "otherworlders”, a few of my classmates always hung around.

"Hm? What's this—"

Part of the floor was gouged out. Did someone use a skill to break it?

"The only one who'd do something this reckless... must be Kenzaki?"

Just as I thought that,

"Quit staring, damn it!"

I heard what sounded like Kenzaki's voice.

Along with it, I could hear, probably, Yamanaya Nayuka's voice.

Nayuka was one of the few—actually, pretty much the only—precious friends I had in class who treated me kindly.

While most of the other students called each other by their last names, she and I were comfortable enough to call each other by our first names.

"Come on, let's go. Nayuka, let's have some fun together, yeah?"

It seemed Kenzaki was pestering Nayuka.

The other classmates kept their distance, looking scared. No one tried to intervene.

If they did, who knew what Kenzaki might do to them?

He'd always been a troublemaker, but after coming to this world and gaining skills, he became completely untouchable. Like Ran, he wouldn’t hesitate to use his skills to hurt others if provoked.

No, sometimes, he might even kill someone—

In fact, there were rumors that the two of them had already killed several people from this world. As heroes, we were practically immune to arrest, so they could kill without consequence. Because of that, they'd crossed every line. Though they hadn't killed any classmates yet, no one knew when they'd snap.

If you made him mad, there was no telling what he’d do— That was Kenzaki.

"Haha, no one's gonna help you. Just give up and be mine, alright?" 

Kenzaki reached out to Nayuka.

"Ugh..."

Tears streamed down Nayuka's face.

"Stop it...!"

I ran, driven by instinct.

I was scared of Kenzaki. He’d used violence against me many times before.

But I couldn’t just stand by and watch Nayuka cry.

I had to save her—

Yes, I would definitely save her.

With the power I’d gained…!

When I reached them, both Kenzaki and Nayuka looked shocked. Well, I had been missing after all, presumed lost in the ruins.

Maybe they even thought I was already dead.

"That’s enough, Kenzaki. Nayuka doesn’t want this."

I admonished him.

"You bastard..."

Kenzaki's expression changed.

"A nobody like you thinks he can tell me what to do... don’t screw with me, got it?"

He bared his teeth, shouting in anger.

Before, just that would’ve made me cower.

I might have even run away, trembling.

But not anymore.

Just like when I faced those bandits.

My status now far exceeded that of an ordinary human. The power I had gained gave me confidence and courage.

I didn’t know the details of Kenzaki’s skills, but I thought they involved "shooting shockwaves”. His physical abilities should be that of an ordinary human—though much stronger and more athletic than average.

But even so, he was no match for me now.

"I’m not underestimating you. I’m simply asking you not to harm Nayuka."

I calmly reasoned with him.

"You..."

Kenzaki’s expression changed again.

This time, from anger to one of caution. He must’ve sensed that I was "different" from before.

"...Tch."

After glaring at me for a while, Kenzaki suddenly turned away.

"The mood’s ruined. I’ll come for you some other time, Nayuka."

He glanced at Nayuka. His gaze, full of lust, made her face go pale.

"It’s okay."

I stood in front of Nayuka, shielding her from his eyes.

"Shit. I’ll let you off for now, but soon enough—"

With that parting threat, Kenzaki walked away.