"Bang! Boom, boom, boom!"
Thunderous explosions triggered by surging, searing flames rang out incessantly. Fierce, violent howls spread one after another, crushing the surrounding steel out of shape and making it groan as though rotting away.
Yet Frenda, who had caused this spectacle, showed not the slightest joy.
"Not even a scratch..."
She muttered in a trembling voice, her eyes filled with terror.
Although the radiation from Pain Power had frightened her into impulsively abandoning her ITEM companions and fleeing, Frenda was not naive enough to think that alone would let her escape alive.
So she had flung out her stockpile of bombs along her route as though venting her feelings.
She had not done it to achieve anything in battle. Frenda had merely hoped to buy herself a little more time to escape.
But the explosions constantly ringing out behind her like the footsteps of death coming to claim her life told her that her preparations had probably been wasted.
"What kind of ability is that? Is this guy a weapon Academy City made specifically to suppress Espers?"
Frenda was filled with horror.
As the only member of ITEM who did not rely on an ability, she had put considerable effort into her supply of equipment.
From small missiles to strip explosives, the sheer variety allowed her to adapt to any environment.
Yet amid bombs powerful enough to demolish a building in an emergency, a statue-like figure remained clearly visible through the scorching blast winds.
Judging by his earlier performance, with Roland's speed, there was no way he should have triggered so many hastily planted bombs.
Yet he walked slowly through the sea of fire, unhurried, as though deliberately making her feel despair.
"Monster..."
Having retreated into the laboratory at the end of the corridor, Frenda kept backing away.