The Multiverse, Starting from *Fullmetal Alchemist* to Become the Mastermind - Chapter 16

The Evil Spirit bound in the corner had already been teleported away, destination unknown.

[Target eliminated.]

[Mission complete.]

The cold notification sound rang out.

"Haa... haa..."

Ichinose Honami collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air as the dopamine flooding her brain temporarily masked the excruciating pain of her wounds.

"Is it... over?"

She stared blankly at the scattered chunks of flesh covering the floor.

Are they dead?

Chihiro and the others... and this monster...

Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps approached.

Horikita Suzune rushed around the corner, breathless.

What met her eyes was not the cheer of victory, but blood-soaked ground, fallen companions, and that nauseating pile of minced meat.

"This..."

Horikita Suzune faltered, her face turning deathly pale.

Am I too late?

And, to think it was this tragic?

A wave of intense regret and self-loathing surged in her heart.

She had come here specifically to snatch points...

Yet, she hadn't accomplished anything, forced to simply watch such a tragedy unfold?

Horikita slammed her fist against the wall in frustration.

If only she had been faster... if only she hadn't hesitated...

"Don't just stand there! It's not over yet!!"

A hoarse, desperate roar exploded through the air.

Ryuen Kakeru, who had been keeping his eyes locked on the corpse without a moment's relaxation, suddenly saw his pupils contract.

"Its right hand! It's still moving!!"

Everyone whipped their heads around to look.

They saw that among the pile of gore, the still-intact right hand suddenly twitched, then, as if possessing a mind of its own, detached itself from the torso and transformed into an independent blob of slime.

"It's not dead! Finish it off!!"

Katsuragi Kohei and Ichinose Honami froze, desperate to pull their triggers.

"Beep--beep--"

Damn it!

The X-GUN was out of energy!

The six-shot burst from moments ago had completely drained the charge, and now the red targeting reticle was flashing frantically, signaling an alarm.

Seeing this, Horikita Suzune ignored the teleportation beam already creeping up to her chest and raised the Black Gun in her hand without a second thought.

"I'll do it!"

But it was too slow.

Three seconds of charging was enough for the Parasite to complete its sequence of actions.

It sprang up violently, like a predatory viper, lunging toward the nearest and most severely wounded target: Ichinose Honami!

It wanted to possess her!

It wanted to survive!

"No..."

Watching the hideous mass of flesh flying toward her, Ichinose Honami's pupils reflected pure despair.

The muzzle was still cooling down, and her body was unable to move.

Am I going to die?

Just like Chihiro...

Then, at this critical, Thousand Jun moment.

"Sigh..."

"My apologies, it seems I must intervene."

Following close behind was the sound of something tearing through the air.

"Whoosh--!"

A long shadow streaked past Ichinose's ear like black lightning, severing a strand of her hair.

Immediately following.

The lump of Parasite flesh that was about to burrow into Ichinose's wound was precisely intercepted in mid-air, then, as if pinned down like a specimen, it was sent flying backward with immense kinetic energy!

"Thud!"

A muffled sound echoed.

The Parasite was nailed firmly to the concrete wall opposite.

Ichinose Honami swallowed hard and turned her head stiffly.

Only then did she realize that what had sent the Parasite flying was the pitch-black battle blade in Su Wei's hand.

No.

Rather than a blade, it was more like an infinitely extending black spear.

It pierced through the entire corridor, like a stroke of thick ink drawn casually by a calligrapher on rice paper, spanning the gap between life and death.

Their gazes met; his eyes held an ambiguous meaning, his pupils a deep, piercing blue that carried a hint of intimidation—cold, clear, and as brilliant as the stars.

Ichinose wanted to open her mouth to thank him.

The teleportation light effect had already drowned out her voice.

Chapter 15: The Value of S Points

When Ichinose Honami opened her eyes again, she adjusted to the reorganization of light and shadow.

The scent of blood at the tip of her nose was replaced by the stale air peculiar to the Black Sphere Room.

"Back..."

After a brief moment of daze, Ichinose looked around.

Seeing that Shiranami Chihiro and Shiina Hiyori were still standing there safe and sound, despite their dazed expressions and pale faces, the heart that had been hanging in her throat finally settled.

"Thank goodness... truly, thank goodness."

"Ichinose!!"

Before she could fully calm her emotions, Shiranami Chihiro threw herself into her arms with a sobbing voice.

"Wuwuwu... it hurt so much just now, I thought I'd never see you again..."

Feeling her friend's trembling body, Ichinose Honami gently stroked her back, soothing her in a soft voice.

Yet, her heart was not as calm as she appeared on the surface.

After all, although they were fine this time, it meant that both of their resurrection items were gone, leaving no room for error.

Their lives were now like candles in the wind.

What should we do... for the next trial?

Classmates might sign up for the sake of points, as everyone had a famous blade.

But there was still the completely uncontrollable "random slot"...

If Shiranami Chihiro were chosen again... or a classmate who had already lost one life...

Just as Ichinose furrowed her beautiful brows, sinking into anxiety.

A slightly lazy voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Back quite quickly, aren't you..."

Sakayanagi Arisu had already composed herself at some point and was looking at them with a faint, mocking smile:

"Looking at the way you're acting like survivors of a catastrophe, was that hidden monster found and taken care of?"

Ichinose came back to her senses and nodded slightly.

She let go of Shiranami, walked up to Su Wei, and bowed solemnly:

"Just now, thank you very much!"

"If Su Wei hadn't acted at the very last moment... I fear I would have already been possessed by the Parasite."

"Don't."

Ichinose.jpg

Su Wei withdrew his gaze and calmly deactivated the still-running Spectator.

"No need for thanks."

"Just don't blame me for stealing your kills."

"How could I!" Ichinose shook her head hurriedly.

"It really doesn't count as stealing."

Katsuragi Kohei rubbed his bald head; although he still felt a lingering fear, he offered an objective assessment:

"At the time, our X-GUN was either charging up or stuck in a firing delay. If you hadn't gone in to secure the kills, the whole effort would have fallen short."

"Hmph."

Ryuen Kakeru leaned against the wall.

He didn't say a word, just played it cool.

Even though his reason told him Su Wei had done the right thing, it still... no matter how he looked at it, Class D had picked up the scraps. He had taken a massive loss this time.

"Hehe~"

Hearing this, Sakayanagi Arisu let her gaze linger on his face:

"It seems that Su Wei-kun has once again shone brilliantly."

"Could you tell me the specific process?"

"I am truly very curious~"

Su Wei gestured with his fingers: