Vol 1 Chapter 2.4 (2/2)

Saitou lowered his back, considering on his answer, and entered the toilet diagonally opposite of the register. While he's inside, I'm thinking as I stuffed on an egg sandwich. Only thoughts of Akeno crossed my mind. I'll be worried hearing Saitou's answer.

Until a while ago I recognized the next monster that I might encounter will perhaps only be a dragon again. That changed on hearing Saitou's story. As far as I'm concerned, I misjudged. Akeno could be waiting inside the school building by the school racks, but is it safe to say that she's in a safe place? For a monster with sharp senses, it could sniff out someone lurking inside a building. If that's the case, there is the possibility of stealth backfiring.

It's not limited to inside the school. It can happen even where I'm standing right now. If that dragon from last night would come busting in, that pane of gla.s.s would easily be brok ---

---- *sound of gla.s.s smas.h.i.+ng*

I was taken aback by a violent smas.h.i.+ng sound. One side of the gla.s.s barrier was broken, its countless fragments flying! From the darkness into inside the store, a black shadow comes flying ... !

”Wh ---”

For the shadow bringing down the display cases, it could only mean it's trying to take me down! As I tumble down the floor, I immediately slam into the counter, my breath leaving me, the stuff from the shelves all tumbling down in a loud noise.

”Oh s.h.i.+t ...”

I'm lucky that I'm not hurt for now. But my ominous feelings has come true, we've been quickly found out!

As I got myself up, I quickly checked what's inside the store. Some of the ceiling lights were broken, others were flickering. The monster must have been hit by the gla.s.s shards when it busted in. All of the display cases were knocked down to one side, its contents like cup ramen and toothbrush scattering on the floor.

And standing on them in the middle of the store is the monster. It's jet-black body is the size of a bull, and it has three heads! It's six ruby-like eyes were scanning the store interior.

”... Kerberos ...”

I've seen that name in either Western movies or video games. The three-headed dog from h.e.l.l --- the one standing in front of me now, is just like what its popularly depicted.

It's growl, mingled with its breath, goes out from its three mouths in unison. It's canines would probably easily bite a human off. And with its tough muscles and protective fur, I don't think golf clubs, s.h.i.+ai, or saws would touch it.

”... Oh no ... this is scary ...”

We were scared by the unknown when we were attacked by the dragon last night, but tonight I can understand my situation. It can observe its opponent silently and meticulously. Hence, it's scary.

This one's different from the dragon. It is intelligent. Moreover it sees me merely as bait. Its six eyes are scanning me. It eyes looks like it's simulating how will its prey moves and how to capture it.

But, my best choice is not to run away. I breathe deeply and,

”Saitou!! Help me, Saitou!!!!”

I shouted in a loud voice.

*Kerberos growling*

The Kerberos' menacing growl grew louder. Undaunted, I shout as loudly as I could.

”It's a monster! Now's the time to use your power!! Saitou, over here!!!!”

... But there's no reply. The toilet door remained closed, not moving even an inch.

”Saitou ...”

Why can't he come out? Can't he hear my voice? I'm sure he was there, Saitou!!!

Desperation overcame me. I don't have the power to take on this monster by myself. Without Saitou to rely on, I have to choice but to run for it. But where to run to?

I thought desperately. Get outside and I'm gone. No matter how much I struggle, this monster's way stronger than me. It will merely overtake me, and I'll be dinner for it in no time.

”... ... ...”

This leaves running for the interior of the store. I straddle around the counter, ready to turn around and run for the back room. The dog's huge body can't go through the door. Then it's a matter of waiting for it to give up.

I've been thinking for about 2 or 3 seconds. At that interval, I've been aimed at.

*Kerberos growling and attacking*

With a roar, Kerberos jumps through the air!

”Tch ...”

I've jumped sideways instinctively! There's no time to go around behind the counter. But had I hid behind the counter, it would be smashed by the gargantuan dog's body blow, possible crus.h.i.+ng me to death.

The door to the back room has been closed. Should I run into the toilet room Saitou had just entered? Well, thanks to the downed shelves, goods about the floor, and broken gla.s.s on the floor, my foothold is at its worst. Going back there slowly would only tire me out. That leaves me only one alternative ---

”Guh ... !!!”

There's no time to hesitate. As Kerberos calmly rose from the crushed counter and scanned the corner, I made up my mind. From the store interior I made a mad dash for the main street!

I did not even look sideways. With all my strength I cross the main street. My eyes are set on Nanaobi station, south entrance. It is the only place I could run to!

*Kerberos growling*

A trio of howls strike at my back. It's the chaser's signal! It won't overtake me! I apply more power to my legs pus.h.i.+ng at the ground ---

”eh ... uwaa!?”

I collapsed!

In my haste I twisted my leg. I fall down forward. Can't be helped, but my head would have been hit. Immediately bringing out my arms, my left wrist pained, every part of me from my left shoulder striking the asphalt!

”... when ...”

Of all things I would stumble in a situation like this! I was totally flattened. As I get up holding my left wrist with my right hand,

”------ gaa!!?”

I was immediately pinned down! My left foot is in sharp pain. My left calf's like being eaten by something. As I was lying face down I turn around to look at it,

**Kerberos growling**

Six eyes met my own eyes. It's right head (I'm seeing to the left) is biting down on my left foot ... !!!

”No ... ...”

It's lowered head began to rise. I've been dragged along, hanging upside down. At this rate, I think I'll be swallowed ---

**Kerberos biting**

It's mouth carelessly closed. It's mouth where my foot is located closes! It's thick fangs rip through the flesh and smash the bones of my foot!

”Aa ... .. . aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

I quickly fell to the ground. Everything below my left s.h.i.+n is missing. Within the torn flesh I see the whites of the bones. As I was agonized from convulsing pain I roll over, trying to hold the injury with both of my hands, unable to stop the freely flowing blood at this rate.

”... ... s.h.i.+t ... ...”

Kerberos bites on the foot it has taken from me like a chewing gum. It has three heads. Soon its two remaining heads open their mouths. Their drool drips, saying ”we want food”.

**Kerberos growling again**

As the giant dog's front paw extends, I carelessly rolled about just like a ball a cat plays with. As I was already rolled down I was forcibly rolled up, its paw trampling down on my left shoulder. On hearing a snapping sound, I knew my shoulder's been dislocated.

”s.h.i.+t ... head ...”

I groan weakly. At a condition where I was pinned down by an overwhelming force, even I cannot move. Just like that, a face approaches me ...

... the Valkyrie will come save me again ... ... at this time ... ... if not ... ... I might die here right now for sure ... ... ... if I die in this dream I die in the real world ... ... Akeno ... at least only you ... ...

”... ... ...”

To my rapidly darkening consciousness, only a small uncomfortable feeling it pulling it. There's something below my behind. It's not a pebble. It's hard, long, slender thing ... ah, it's my laser blade ....

... ... I'll do it one more time. This is the only thing that could save me from death. I'm not giving this one up even if the chances are low. I do not want to throw away alternatives for any reason. For only death awaits me should I give up ...

So I move my free right hand to my left side. Fumbling for the plastic grip, I brought out the blade from its holder.

Now show yourself, lightsaber! My last remaining hope! Even if for just this moment. Imagine with your mind ... ... bend this dream to my will! Bend this world to my will! Show me the light!

**Sakuya screaming**

With a painful scream, I swing my right arm! And in that instant,

**light saber humming and slas.h.i.+ng**

A dazzling light surged out! As I thought ”eh?” for an instant,

**Kerberos yelping**

An eardrum-splitting moan reverberated overhead! The Kerberos raises its front paw high, and backs away from me. Did the light just now inflicted an injury to it?

As I wearily get up, I follow the giant dog. Then I saw. This is no injury. The middle and left heads, they feel like they're dead tired. In the joint of the left paw, I can roughly make out a slash mark entering it. But somehow, blood did not flow out.

**Kerberos howling**

The remaining right head howled with a sad look. Then it finally folded down, laying down on the ground. Is it ... dead?

”... ... ...”

I stared at what my right hand is holding. Within the small plastic tube, only a chipped blade remains. Must have probably happened in an instant, but ---

”It can't be a dream ... ... or is it?”

In my confused head, I could only see a mere toy laser blade.

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