If we pushed deeper, we would be able to regroup with Melissa’s father.
Ah, wait.
If we scattered our forces, we might not be able to lure the "meat" monster out. We had to stay together.
"Melissa, change of plans. We aren't going to hunt while we explore—we’re going to prioritize regrouping with your dad."
"We're not taking it down here?"
"The enemy has high intelligence because it used to be human. If we lure it out now, it’ll probably just target your father's group instead."
"Yeah, I understand."
"Rikuto-san, is that okay with you?"
"Understood. Let's do that. My father and the others should be holed up in the Command Room at the very back."
And so, we headed for the Command Room.
Coward that I was, I searched with drones even though I knew it was likely useless. They found nothing. Not a single thing showed up on the scanners. From here on, I had to rely on my intuition.
I held out my shield and moved forward. We formed a tight circle, keeping a 360-degree watch as we advanced.
"...Wouldn't it be just our luck if it jumped us right now?" I muttered.
I only said it under my breath, but everyone turned on me immediately.
"It's not a joke when you're the one saying it, Captain!"
"Leo-kun, please, just stop already!"
"Leo... I can't even defend you on this one."
"You moron!"
To top it off, even Rikuto joined in the roasting. "Leo-kun... I think that was a bit in poor taste."
I was getting hit from all sides. I’d meant it as a joke, but it backfired. I thought it might lighten the mood, but instead, it turned the atmosphere into a funeral.
Sorry for ruining the vibe...
We reached the inner area in silence.
"Transmitting Imperial Army signal."
It was authenticated without a hitch. The system recognized the retainers of the Viscount Territory, even if they had transformed. I’d been worried the signal wouldn't go through, but apparently, the monsters weren't in charge of that level of facility management.
"If it were me, I’d make them think I was coming through the ventilation ducts while using a valid signal to break through the front door..."
"That is exactly the problem with you!" the Fairy barked.
"I'd honestly rather fight a Zork than the Captain."
"Hey, that’s harsh."
"But if Leo wasn't the leader, I don't think any of us would have survived," Claire added gently. She was the only kind soul here.
The hydraulic doors began to hiss open. Inside, Humanoid Fighters stood waiting, brandishing katanas and rifles.
"This is Captain Leo Kamishiro! I have arrived by order of Imperial Princess Veronica!"
I maxed out my suit’s external speakers and shouted. Technically, Uncle Piggett outranked me, but I was the one with the reputation. That’s why I was the one to announce myself. We’d discussed this beforehand.
"It's a pain. You do it, Lord Groom," he had said.
Upon hearing my name, the samurai lowered their weapons.
"You're... really human... right?"
"Papa! It's me!" Melissa screamed.
"Why did you come here?! Hurry up and run!"
"Shut up! I brought the strongest man I know!"
"B-but...!"
"Together... let's save Uncle Yashichi," Melissa said, handing a Bolt Thrower to her father.
Her father’s expression hardened as he accepted the weapon. He’d made up his mind.
"What should we do?"
"We're going to lure it out."
We just needed to be here. We were the only "meat" left for it to eat. The rest depended on my sensors.
I sharpened my nerves, recalling the last time I’d been attacked. Back then, the thirst for blood had been faint. That was because we were viewed as prey. There was no "intent to kill," only an intent to feed.
The enemy could erase its form and presence, but it was too massive to be a highly mobile hunter. In other words, it was a predator that waited in ambush.
However...
"It’s coming," I declared.
Ah, that was it. You Zorks have a pursuit-based hunting style. Kevin was the same. He could have killed me by poisoning my drink, but he insisted on doing it with his own hands. The closest I’d ever come to death was the Fairy’s medicine—poisoning had a much higher success rate.
But once they became Zorks, they couldn't stray from their biological hunting instincts. It was a serious bug... or perhaps just natural, given they were a different species now. Their standard of "correct" was simply different.
A clatter, clatter echoed, and the room began to vibrate.
As I thought, there was a mismatch between its instincts and its abilities. An invisibility ability is useless unless you're the kind of predator that stalks its prey in silence!
I aimed the Bolt Thrower at the ventilation duct—no, it was above us!
I fired the Bolt Thrower straight at the ceiling. A clap of thunder tore through the air, and a dazzling flash scorched the metal. Fleshy fragments came thudding down.
It was effective! It might even be better than fire.
"A-above us!"
Following my lead, the others opened fire with their Bolt Throwers all at once. The scorched mass deactivated its optical camouflage, and the full horror of the room became visible.
"Meat" began overflowing from the ceiling vents. It flooded in from every other opening in the room as well.
"Kill... me... Kill... me..."
A face emerged from the pulsating mass. It was the face of a middle-aged Japanese man.
"Uncle Yashichi!" Melissa screamed.
I fired my Bolt Thrower directly at that face.
"Melissa! It's no use! You can't reason with it!"
The face burst apart under the electrical discharge. However, that face was nothing more than a growth—a tumor. Inside, it was just more raw meat.
I was certain of it. This bloodlust was different from Kevin’s. This was the raw, animalistic hunger of a predator targeting its prey. It was the same kind of bloodlust I’d felt from Crab-chan. There was no conflict here, no internal struggle. It was uttering words, but they were devoid of meaning.
The electricity continued to sear the flesh, causing parts of it to explode from the discharge. This was even more effective than I’d hoped.
"I-I-I-I-It hurts..."
The meat extended tentacles like some horrific slime. I swept them aside with my shield.
"Melissa, keep it up!"
"Captain!"
I drew the chainsaw from my leg. I sliced and hacked through the undulating meat. The Imperial Guard and the other boys were blasting the mass with continuous electrical rounds.
A tentacle coiled tightly around my wrist.
"Meat... Meeeaaaaat!"
I let my body go limp.
"Take thiiiiis!"
One-inch Punch.
Perhaps sensing its own weakness, the meat froze for a split second. Another face emerged.
"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts..."
The voice was filled with genuine terror. This time, the eyes were looking directly at me. At that moment, I understood.
"Melissa! That's the real one! That face is him!"
"Uoooooooooh!"
Melissa leaped into the air.
"Uncle... I'm sorry!"
The blade bit deep. Melissa’s katana severed the head cleanly.