**Episode 044: Good・Luck・Charm**

Responding to my call, people rushed desperately from the schoolyard into the school building. In the meantime, a shadow, the size of a building, oozed out from the vortex and fell to the ground.

*Thud*

As the shadow landed, a low, resonating sound and a strong tremor, as if it were happening to itself, reverberated through the air.

“Monster…”

Someone muttered.

Certainly, that’s true. Because my Level 54 Appraisal couldn’t pass through. It meant that it was an existence surpassing my level.

Today has been a series of unfortunate events… Attempted assault on the Yukki sisters, invasion of new type Shadows, disruption of the internet connection, attempted assassination. Even with just that, it’s more than enough. Yet, at the very end, an even more impactful event occurred.

It was the invasion of a Shadow giant. If it stood up, it would probably be over twenty meters tall.

However, surprisingly, there’s not much fear. The level difference might not be that significant.

“I’ll take care of this. You guys, please recommend evacuating the people inside!”

I immediately instructed others to leave this place. Except for Yuna and Kana, everyone quickly turned on their heels and ran away.

However, the two of them remained in this place.

“I will fight too.”

“Me too.”

Yuna and Kana wanted to fight alongside, but I couldn’t allow that. It would be too much for them in their current state.

“No, sorry, but you’ll be a hindrance. I can’t protect you two against that monster. However, I’ll leave this for you.”

I took out equipment and handed it to the two.

“What’s this?”

“New equipment and potions for both of you. With these, you should be able to keep up with the people here.”

I explained the items I handed to Kana, who had doubts.

Currently, they were only in bodysuits. If they equip these, considering their levels, they should become considerably stronger.

“Is it okay?”

“It’s more than okay. There’s no time. I’ll deal with that monster, so go quickly.”

To the hesitant two, I forcibly handed over the items and tried to drive them away.

“Thank you. Make sure to come back alive.”

“Ah, thanks. I-I won’t die, you know.”

*Mwah*

However, as soon as I thought the two had moved away, they approached me smoothly, one after another, placed their hands on my shoulders, leaned in, and covered my mouth with theirs.

Wait, did they just act so intimately without any warning?

“Eh, uh, what!?”

I made an incomprehensible sound in response to the sudden event.

“It’s a thank you.”

“Mine won’t make you happy, though.”

It seems it was meant as gratitude.

But it was so sudden, and would you normally do such a thing as a thank you?

“N-no, th-thank you! Th-th-thank you for kissing me, like, l-l-l-like beautiful girls like you.”

Although it seemed a bit tragic, the tense atmosphere disappeared. This was probably thanks to the two.

“Su-ha… B-but, was it, um, okay? Kissing me?”

I took a deep breath, calming my nerves, and asked the two.

Such things should be done with someone you like.

Maybe it’s the first time for them.

“If it’s Kotaro, it’s fine. I’ll give you my first.”

“I-it’s just a charm, a charm. It’s not a big deal.”

Kana looked straight at me, Yuna blushed and played with her hair, stammering as she answered.

I don’t know about Kana, but Yuna seems to be forcing herself quite a bit…

She doesn’t need to force herself.

“But… if you come back alive, we’ll do something even more amazing for you.”

“I-I’m not completely against the idea.”

“~!?”

Since the two were still clinging to me and whispering, a pink scenario with them waiting for me after I return flashed through my mind, making me incredibly nervous.

“Hehehe. So, come back, okay?”

“Well… I won’t die. Probably.”

With a faintly devilish smile, Kana.

She’s really like this at a time like this…

Thinking that, thanks to them, all the tension completely dissipated.

“Well then, see you next time.”

“We’ll be waiting.”

“Yeah. Leave it to me.”

The two ran after the others.

*Boooooom*

I saw off their backs and turned around to look up at the shadow.

As if it had been waiting for us to part ways, the black giant shadow rose. It emitted a violent and oppressive aura like that of a mythological giant.

“Hehehe. So, you’ve requested me. Alright. Let’s make it a date!!”

I ran towards the courtyard where the shadow was. Due to its size, it was surprisingly slow. I approached its feet and attacked during that opening.

“Cross Slash!!”

I shouted the name of the skill, thinking that it somehow increased the power, while using the skill.

*Spaaannn*

My Cross Slash inflicted wounds in the shape of crosses on a part of the giant’s leg. However, due to its immense size, it showed no signs of caring.

*Boooooom*

The giant began to stomp the ground to crush me, starting to stomp in place.

“Uoooooh!?”

The ground shook as if it were a magnitude seven earthquake. A kick came flying towards me.

It was so huge that it seemed impossible to dodge. I crossed my arms and took a defensive posture.

*Thud*

In that state, I defended against the kick. I was blown away and crashed into the school building, not stopping, breaking through all the walls of the school building and flying outside.

“Tch.”

I clicked my tongue unintentionally. Because even with defense, I couldn’t completely nullify the damage. I rotated in mid-air, quickly recovered with Healing, and jumped back at the monster.

“Attack Up, Defense Up, Speed Up, Magic Up.”

I used all the available buff magic to enhance my abilities.

“Fireball!!”

This time, I switched to a strategy of attacking with magic from a slightly longer distance while aiming for a big move up close. I began firing magic in succession, trying to find the weak point.