“Citizens! Please remain calm and evacuate according to the instructions!”
“Everyone, please move to the nearest shelter!”
As the elite heroes began their operation to hunt the higher-level demonic beasts, evacuation was underway in the outskirts of the city to prepare for any possible events.
Honestly, I expected it to be easier than before.
It wasn’t like last time when the teleportation gate was blocked, and there weren’t demonic beasts invading inside the barrier, threatening the lives of citizens.
However, that was a miscalculation.
“What… what was that sound earlier?!”
“Mommy! I’m scared!”
“Calm down! If you push like that, someone will get hurt!”
“Do we look calm right now?! We saw it! There was a huge monster out there! Is that really okay?!”
The evacuation line was filled with screams and shouts, and it could only be described as chaos.
With some collapsing in fear and others completely ignoring the orders, was there any hope for a proper evacuation?
The citizens were in a panic like never before.
It was frustrating enough to drive me crazy, but I soon realized why.
What caused people who had trained for emergencies and practiced evacuations to behave like this?
[■■■■■■!!!!]
“Eeep—!!!”
That wailing sound echoing occasionally was the source of everyone’s fear.
Even kids who had trained to overcome their fears would instinctively shrink upon hearing that cry, not to mention how unbearable it must be for those with no immunity against it.
When faced with a predator, it was only natural for people to freeze in place, as they had lost their right to think rationally in the presence of an entity far stronger than themselves.
Fortunately, it was a relief that this area was not where the demonic beasts would pass through, so even if things were delayed, there was no major issue.
We were in for a rough time trying to calm the frightened people and coax those trembling under their blankets out to evacuate.
…Moreover, what truly made it difficult wasn’t just the unruly crowds.
“…Ugh, heroes. Are you really protecting us? It’s been a while since that incident. It’s not like you’re trying to get us killed like my mom did, right?”
The hardest part for us was dealing with those who refused to listen due to their distrust of the heroes.
Whether they hoped for something to happen or not, the words from the wounded were sharp enough to hurt us who were just trying to help.
But still, no one among us would blame them.
Every time we heard such remarks, we couldn’t help but wonder if we could’ve done better to protect their loved ones.
That’s why this time, we had no choice but to do our best to prevent such incidents from happening.
“…It’s fine if you don’t trust us.”
“…Sure, I won’t trust the likes of you.”
“However, I hope you can trust heroes like Captain Yoon Si-woo and Telos, who are fighting against the demonic beasts at this very moment. They are risking their lives to protect you.”
“…”
And the best way to handle those in doubt was to mention names like Yoon Si-woo or Mr. Telos.
Since recognition holds a different weight, people tended to follow the orders when they perceived it came from those respected figures.
I watched in admiration as the history teacher calmly escorted a troublesome person into the flow of evacuees.
“…You’re quite calm considering there are demonic beasts just beyond that door. Aren’t you scared?”
“There’s no need to be afraid. Any demonic beast coming our way will be handled by Captain Telos.”
The history teacher smiled as if that’s the most obvious thing.
“Well, you guys might be frightened, but I’ve worked under him for a long time. I can’t imagine him losing to a higher-level demonic beast. Thus, I can concentrate on what I need to do—getting the citizens to safety, funny enough, considering he won’t lose.”
I nodded with a smirk.
He definitely didn’t seem like someone who would lose to anyone.
After all, having someone dependable watching your back could ease the anxious heart even just a little.
Just as I was about to head back to help with the evacuation, a sound echoed.
[■■■■■■■■!!!!]
It sounded like a demonic beast screams coming from somewhere.
Anyone could tell it was a sound of agony.
Just then, I noticed the barrier undulating in the distance, where it should not be visible.
I swiftly grasped what was unfolding.
Like we had anticipated, a demonic beast was crossing over the barrier.
Hearing its agonizing cries made my expression stiffen.
I had experienced the feelings that beast was likely having.
That terrible sensation of all strength leaving your body, as if squeezed from a rag.
Honestly, it was a feeling I never want to experience again.
As I was shivering at the thought, I suddenly wondered what pain could compel a demonic beast to brave crossing the barrier?
Even though the city was crowded with prey, typically, one wouldn’t think to cross a blaze just to find food.
Just dipping in a bit would have triggered an instinctual rejection.
So perhaps the beast had some compelling reason to cross the barrier, I pondered at that moment.
[─────────────!!!!!]
Startled, I jerked my head toward the sound’s origin, but it wasn’t directed outside the city, but rather toward the inside.
A gulp escaped my throat.
My heart pounded, and blood rushed cold.
…What on earth was that—
“…What’s wrong? You’re sweating so suddenly.”
As my thoughts raced, I absentmindedly gazed at the history teacher beside me, who seemed unfazed except for a hint of concern in their expression.
How could they maintain such a demeanor?
If they had heard that sound, there was no way they could have looked that calm.
Unable to understand, I asked the teacher.
“…D-Didn’t you hear that sound just now?”
“Hear what? Oh, you mean that cry from the demonic beast? If that’s what you’re worried about, don’t. It’s just the sound of a beast weakened by crossing the barrier according to our plan. It’s likely in pain due to the significant weakening.”
What do you mean by being just a demonic beast?
That sound was far more ominous and terrifying, filled with hatred, resentment, and rage.
It was a chilling cry, begging to be rescued from its torment.
How could they not have heard that?
Clattering my teeth in fear, I took a deep breath as I scanned the surroundings.
Unfortunately, the only sight was people trembling with fear, likely shaken by the beast’s cries.
Seeing the oddly peaceful atmosphere around me made me hold my breath.
Normally, they should be wildly panicking, yet it seemed as if no one had heard that sound.
I soon came to a reluctant realization.
It appeared that among the crowd, I was the only one who had heard that sound.
At this point, I had to question if it was an auditory hallucination, but that chilling cry had been too vivid to dismiss as mere delusion.
Perhaps my distinct characteristic allowed me to overhear something.
The thoughts transmitted by that beast to its followers.
If that were true, then the reason those beasts had been so determined to cross the barrier made perfect sense.
Glancing towards the direction from which the sound had come, I shook my head vigorously at the thought that crossed my mind.
I shouldn’t entertain such ominous thoughts about what might happen if that entity made it out.
If it comes out, then this world wouldn’t just end.
It was an entity terrifying enough to declare that confidently.
And thus, I had no choice but to pray that such an event would not occur.
Believing that Yoon Si-woo and the other captains would hold the line as planned.
I attempted to reinforce my mindset, but the trembling of my hand couldn’t be helped.
At that moment, the history teacher, who was watching me with concern, spoke up.
“You seem pretty tense with everything going on, how about a quick break? Once everyone inside evacuates, we can gradually wrap things up here.”
“…I apologize. I’ll just wash my face in the restroom.”
I genuinely needed a moment, so I sought permission from the teacher and headed to the restroom tucked in the corner of the stairwell.
Looking in the mirror revealed a face drenched in cold sweat.
I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh, realizing just how scared I truly was.
Splashing cold water on my face helped clear my mind a bit.
After hastily drying my face with heat from my hands, I stepped outside to take some deep breaths by the window.
“…Huh?”
I inadvertently let out that sound.
This building was not very far from the Aegis Academy.
It was actually farther from the barrier than where the academy had been.
But why did it seem like the demonic beast appeared larger compared to when I viewed it from the academy earlier?
I felt an uncomfortable shiver inching up my spine as I dashed outside the building.
There were teachers evacuating people who were still inside.
I rushed towards one of them, speaking urgently.
“Excuse me, teacher. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but it seems that the demonic beast is approaching the city more than before. Was there any plan to lure it closer to this vicinity?”
The history teacher tilted their head, then roared with laughter as they responded.
“Ha ha, you felt like the demonic beast was approaching? Well, in the heat of battle, it might have shifted a bit toward here. Still, your feeling is probably correct; it hasn’t moved any closer. Captain Telos would never lose to such a beast—”
As the teacher laughed and spoke, they suddenly turned to gaze at something, and their expression gradually stiffened.
Seeing where their eyes pointed, my expression mirrored theirs.
Off in the distance, beyond the low buildings on the outskirts of the city, a demonic beast’s head peeked out.
By my recollection, that was a being that shouldn’t have been visible from here.
Where that beast stood, it seemed unmistakably too close to the city.
The ominous thought fleeting through my mind coincided with the history teacher murmuring as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
“Could it be… the Captain…?”
And that disbelief proved to be accurate as the demonic beast, looming closer to the barrier, unveiled its grinning maw, with a simpering expression as if it was mocking us.
Even without its eyes, it was evident that it was smiling.
Instantly, the beast’s head breached the barrier.
[■■■■■■■■■!!!]
The beast wailed painfully.
Yet despite that, it persistently pushed its head and body through.
From the quaking barrier, sudden sparks erupted.
That sight reminded me of something Dwight once told me.
“If too many magical energies are eliminated at once, there may be an overload causing malfunction.”
That thought was coupled with a droning sound.
It was like the sound of the power supply being cut off from a computer.
[■■■■■■■■■!!!]
Once again, the beast cried out.
However, this time, its cries were filled not with pain, but with the satisfaction of having succeeded.
“Aah…”
As the sorrow of the history teacher echoed alongside the beast’s cries, I found myself staring blankly into the void.
What was once there, even if it could not be seen, had vanished.
The void surrounding me felt empty.
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