Chapter 131: Mizorogi! Do not run!

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In a dark, unlit warehouse, the sound of rhythmic gnawing echoed through the gloom.

Shiori was dragged inside, pulling out her flashlight with a sigh of resignation. "Don't tell me you've found another stray kitten or something floating in the water again?"

"No! This time it's for real!" The middle-aged woman looked frantic, pulling Shiori toward the source of the noise. "I don't know what it is, but it's absolutely terrifying!"

They reached a stack of cargo, and the woman immediately hid behind it. "Over there! Right over there!"

The gnawing sound continued, accompanied by the wet, beastly crunching of a predator. It was blood-curdling. Shiori flicked on her flashlight and swept the beam across the dark corner, revealing a patch of coarse, brown fur.

"It's not a kitten this time."

The creature was large, crouched on all fours and feeding on something. It looked somewhat like a bear. Sensing the danger, she did not move any closer.

But at that very moment, the creature illuminated by the light snapped its head around!

It had a blue, fly-like head, two long antennae, crimson compound eyes, and a hideous set of mandibles dripping with blood!

It was the insectoid Space Beast, Aracuna.

Its body was covered in brown, bear-like fur, its head was that of an insect, and two horns protruded from its shoulders and back. It was capable of standing upright, and its hands ended in razor-sharp hooked claws.

"That thing! It's a monster!"

Upon seeing its true form, Shiori’s face turned deathly pale, her eyes widening in horror. She instinctively tried to scramble away, but her high heels betrayed her; she stumbled and fell to the floor in a panic.

"Skreeee!" Aracuna let out a shrill, piercing cry.

Having spotted Shiori, it began to lumber toward her. Seeing this, the woman hiding behind the cargo rolled her eyes back and fainted on the spot.

"Stay back!" Seeing such a monstrosity, Shiori scrambled backward on the floor, her hands and feet scraping against the ground in terror. Since she had expected to find a kitten or puppy, she hadn't brought her sidearm.

"Shiori!" Takatsuki, who had just arrived, saw the scene and charged toward the Aracuna.

But before he could reach the creature, a shimmering light barrier suddenly materialized. Takatsuki slammed headfirst into the invisible, rock-hard surface, his head spinning as he stumbled and collapsed to the ground.

*Bang!*

A dull, heavy impact echoed through the warehouse.

Aracuna was kicked backward, crashing into the wall with a howl. "Skreeee!"

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Its crimson eyes were filled with murderous rage, and a trickle of blue blood leaked from its jagged, gore-stained maw.

As the light barrier dissipated, Jojo, who had delivered the kick, turned to Komon. "This Space Beast is yours. Finish it with your bare hands."

"What?" Komon’s expression went blank.

He looked at the Space Beast—a creature as sturdy as a bear and equipped with lethal, hooked claws—then looked down at his own slender arms and legs, clad in nothing but his standard uniform.

Komon turned back to Jojo, his face twisted in disbelief. "Me? With my bare hands?"

*You’ve got to be joking!*

Jojo’s expression remained stern, his gaze locked onto Komon. "The only way to eliminate fear is to face it bravely and overcome it!"

"If you continue to be a coward, you will never awaken that power!"

Hearing this, Komon glanced at the beast, then back at Jojo, realizing the man was entirely serious. A look of pure agony masked his face.

"Skreeee!" Aracuna scrambled to its feet, let out a roar, and charged toward Jojo.

Seeing Komon still hesitating, Jojo kicked him in the rear. "Go!"

Komon stumbled forward, forced into the fray. As the beast lunged, he instinctively threw his hands up to brace against its arms!

"Damn it! Jojo!"

With a face full of misery, Komon roared and shoved with all his might, forcing the Aracuna to stagger back.

It wasn't impossible to fight, he realized. Ever since his last evolution, he felt his physical strength had increased. But at his core, he was still just a human, and facing a Space Beast made his survival instincts scream in terror. Had Jojo not forced his hand, Komon would have relied solely on his firearms to end the fight.

Aracuna, its ferocity peaking, tried to fling Komon aside. But Komon anticipated the move and tightened his grip on the creature’s fur.

Fortunately, the beast’s pelt was thick and sturdy. Komon used the momentum to vault into the air, spinning his body before slamming the creature down with a brutal throw!

As Aracuna hit the ground, Komon seized the chance to draw his Divider Gun.

*Forget bare hands—only a fool would ignore a weapon when they have one.*

The gun is fastest beyond seven paces; within seven paces, it is both fast and accurate!

He aimed at the creature’s blue head and pulled the trigger, but no laser bolt fired.

A puff of black smoke hissed from the Divider Gun. Jojo, having used his psychokinetic powers to sabotage the weapon, shouted sternly, "Komon! If you rely on weapons, you leave yourself vulnerable!"

Komon turned to look at Jojo, realizing what had happened.

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Meeting his gaze, Jojo remained cold and unyielding. "If you can't even do this—if you're too afraid of hardship—then go back to being an ordinary civilian!"

"Damn it!" Komon gritted his teeth. That was the one thing he could not accept.

With a surge of resolve, he turned back to the Aracuna.

As the beast rose to its feet, Komon hurled his now-useless Divider Gun at its head. It struck the creature, though it dealt little damage.

Komon shifted into a fighting stance, his eyes burning with a savage intensity. "Come on! You bastard!"

It was unclear whether he was cursing the Space Beast or someone else currently present.

Space Beasts were cunning. Aracuna’s red eyes scanned Komon’s stance, its mind calculating and analyzing.

"Skreeee!"

With another shrill cry, it lunged toward Komon.

Seeing the creature charging straight at him, Komon felt a flicker of hope—these things were as dim-witted as ever. He suddenly dropped low, sweeping his leg toward the creature’s ankle!

But at that exact moment, Aracuna whipped its tail around with blinding speed!

*Snap!*

The tail struck Komon across the face, leaving a fresh gash and causing him to wince in pain.

Yet, Komon didn't falter. Realizing he had been baited, he threw himself sideways and rolled across the floor.

Aracuna’s tail lashed out to coil around him, but Komon narrowly dodged the strike.

Himeya Jun, watching from the sidelines, had eyes wide with shock. *So, this is the truth of the world.*

He wasn't worried about Komon; with the capabilities of the man standing next to him, he knew there was no risk of death.

Komon and the Aracuna now stood at a distance from one another. Komon rose quickly, eyes darting as he saw the creature’s tail retract. His expression grew heavy.

He glanced at Jojo. The tail was far too agile.

*How am I supposed to fight at close range like this?*

Jojo’s expression remained unmoved, his voice as severe as ever. "Why are you looking at me! Will staring at me defeat the enemy? Will it grant you the power you seek!"

*Damn it all!* Komon screamed internally, his face once again twisted in a mask of agony.