Volume 3 Chapter 12 The Endless Nightmare
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
We rushed into the villa’s courtyard, greeted by the aunt who had been pruning the shrubbery.
”What’s wrong? I heard a booming sound. Did something happen at the beach?” the aunt asked.
”A apparation appeared! Yui and the others… they were eaten by the apparation!” Mitsuki cried.
”What, no… that’s impossible… are you serious?” the aunt gasped.
Mitsuki pleaded with her, her voice strained. The aunt had likely assumed at first that we were joking. She had been smiling, but as she realized the desperation in all our faces, her expression hardened instantly.
Following her gaze, I saw it: the massive face of a Centipede peering over the tree line.
”Get inside!” the aunt yelled.
We scrambled into the building behind her, and by the time we were in, the pursuing Centipede was already upon us.
”kekkai, activate,” the aunt chanted.1
Confirming everyone was safely inside, the aunt cast her sorcery.
Sorcerer estates are built with contingencies, specifically for Defensive sorcery capable of holding off other sorcerers. Generally, these are also effective as base defenses against apparations. I remembered hearing long ago that this villa was no exception. The sorcery, triggered by the aunt—the estate’s owner—succeeded in blocking the Centipede’s advance.
The Centipede slammed its massive body against the doors, walls, and roof again and again. Fortunately, the building, protected by the kekkai, didn’t budge.
”For now, we’re safe,” the aunt said.
At the aunt’s words, I collapsed onto the floor.
”We couldn’t save them… Yuu, Yui, Risa, Yurina, Asari…” I muttered.
Five of them. Eaten. My body felt drained of all strength. Chifumi reached out, gripping my trembling hand.
”Can you give me the full story?” the aunt asked.
”Yes,” Manaka replied.
Manaka began explaining to the aunt what had happened on the beach. Her explanation was detached, clinical. Manaka… the women are so strong. I’m nothing like them.
”What exactly is that Centipede?” Manaka asked.
”…It might be a Great apparation that emerged from the sea,” Mai-chan said.
It wasn’t the aunt who answered Manaka’s question, but Mai-chan.
”A Great apparation?” Manaka asked.
”The Great apparation that attacked this island long ago! The sword on display at the nearby Archive Museum. I remember reading the description for that sword!” Mai-chan explained.
She must have heard Yui talk about it somewhere and tucked it away in her memory. Mai-chan answered with conviction.
”That could be it. I can only describe that thing as a Great apparation,” the aunt agreed.
As the aunt agreed, I looked past her to see the Centipede still slamming its body against the building, just as relentless as before.
”That happened hundreds of years ago. Besides, shouldn’t that apparation have been exorcised?” Manaka asked.
”Fears gather over time. Sometimes, an exorcised apparation reappears as a separate entity after many years. You know this, don’t you?” the aunt explained.
The aunt’s words to Manaka were cold facts. Indeed, I had heard of such phenomena. We all reached the same conclusion: the Centipede was a Great apparation from centuries ago.
”Is this building going to be alright?” I asked.
”It will be. This place is built on the foundation of the Onigahara family estate, located on the Leylines. It has a mechanism to draw power from the Leylines to activate Defensive sorcery. No matter how great a apparation it is, breaking through this defense won’t be easy,” the aunt reassured.
”A reprieve, then. It’s a siege,” Manaka muttered.
A siege required reinforcements from the outside.
”We need to contact the outside,” I suggested.
”Agreed,” Mitsuki said.
Mitsuki picked up the receiver of the phone by the entrance. She dialed, then froze.
”It’s no good. There’s no signal,” Mitsuki said.
”What’s wrong?” I asked.
”Dead silence. The line must have been cut,” Mitsuki replied.
Perhaps the centipede’s relentless pounding had severed the connection. At the worst possible moment, with a sharp pop, the fluorescent lights flickered and died. It seemed the power lines were cut as well.
Mai-chan let out a shriek, and Sawa moved to soothe her.
”I guess… all we can do is wait,” Sawa sighed.
”…Do you think anyone will notice?” Mai-chan whimpered.
We were halfway up a small mountain. From the port, the figure of the apparation should be immediately visible. Just as I thought that, the Centipede stopped moving. The weather deteriorated rapidly, as if in response to the creature looking up at the sky. A torrential downpour began.
”This rain…” I muttered.
”Does this apparation control the weather, too?” the aunt added.
The aunt muttered, sounding truly disgusted.
With the power out, the sound of the Centipede slamming against the kekkai felt even louder. No… that wasn’t my imagination. The building was beginning to creak.
”Is the kekkai holding? Isn’t this an old device? Is there a chance its durability is failing?” I asked.
Mitsuki answered my question.
”It’s not the kind of kekkai that breaks that easily, you know? It’s drawing power from the Leylines,” Mitsuki explained.
”But the sound and the vibrations are getting worse. There’s a possibility the kekkai could be broken. We need to prepare for the worst-case scenario,” I argued.
I hold dungeon master authority for Risa’s family, so I know there is a limit to how much power can be drawn from Leylines per unit of time. I didn’t know the density of the Leylines here or how much mana this kekkai consumed, but a sudden “gas out” (power supply failure) was entirely possible.
”That… is true,” Mitsuki admitted.
In the heavy air, Manaka’s voice rang out.
”For now, the kekkai is holding. Let’s prepare to counterattack while we are still safe,” Manaka suggested.
”Right!” Chifumi replied.
Chifumi agreed, and everyone scattered to their rooms to gather their gear.
I retrieved a pistol and a sword from Risa and the others’ room. I would be the one to use these. I will exorcise that Centipede at any cost. That will be my tribute to those two—no, to all five of them.
When I returned to the canteen, Mai-chan was coming out of the kitchen.
”I’ve got food ready!” Mai-chan called out.
A large platter piled high with rice balls was set on the table.
”An army marches on its stomach, after all!” Mai-chan smiled.
”True enough. Let’s eat,” Manaka said.
Following Manaka’s lead, I reached for a rice ball. Just as I was about to touch it, something fell from the ceiling with a wet splat.
Something squirming, landing right on top of the food.
”A Centipede…!!” Mai-chan screamed.
Mai-chan’s expression turned fierce. The first thing that happened when I woke up this morning was being bothered by these arthropods during breakfast. Again? Mai-chan was clearly furious.
And it wasn’t just one. Even at a glance, there were at least ten. They were crawling all over the rice balls.
Sawa silently sprayed them with insecticide. The centipedes writhed stubbornly as they fled… unfortunately, these rice balls were inedible now.
”I’m sorry, Onii-chan,” Mai-chan apologized.
”It can’t be helped…” I replied.
”I’ll go make more,” Mai-chan said.
”Ahhh!!!” the aunt screamed.
As Mai-chan turned to head back to the kitchen, the aunt’s voice echoed from deep within.
”What’s wrong?” I called out.
”The ingredients… they’ve all been… destroyed…!” the aunt cried.
Meat from the fridge, rice kept outside, fish in the cooler box. Everything was swarming with small centipedes, all of them being gnawed away.
”…Could these centipedes be related to the one outside?” I asked.
”Likely. It’s harassing us with these things because they can slip through the kekkai,” the aunt replied.
The aunt confirmed my suspicion.
”Classic siege tactics. Starving the enemy out,” Manaka noted.
”So hiding away isn’t enough…” Chifumi murmured.
”Minoru, what will we do?” Manaka asked.
Manaka looked at me, her eyes steady.
”…Do you think we have a chance if we sortie and fight?” I asked.
”I don’t know. But with the equipment we’ve gathered, we should at least be able to resist, or retreat,” Manaka replied.
Unlike before, everyone was fully armed. We even had a Majo—the aunt—as part of our combat strength. Still, I thought defeating the Centipede would be tough. Maybe we could at least deliver a stinging blow?
Given that it came from the sea, it was natural to assume it was proficient in underwater combat. If we had a way to deal with the black tentacles, we just had to watch out for the body slams. If it had other attack methods—and it almost certainly did—we’d have to react accordingly.
Overall, the odds of victory were low. Was there anything to tip the scales?
It was Mai-chan who raised her voice.
”What about the ‘Uminagi’?” Mai-chan asked.
”Uminagi?” I echoed.
”The sword on display at the Archive Museum! It’s the sword that exorcised the Great apparation that came from the sea! If we use that, maybe we can defeat the Centipede!” Mai-chan explained.
”True. If that Centipede is indeed the same Great apparation from the past, the Uminagi would be uniquely effective,” the aunt agreed.
The Uminagi was now our anti-Great-apparation weapon. If we could get our hands on that, our chances would skyrocket.
”But the Centipede is in our way to the Archive Museum,” Chifumi pointed out.
”Yeah… that’s true,” I sighed.
As I hung my head with Chifumi, Manaka responded with strength.
”We will be the decoys,” Manaka declared.
”Huh? What are you saying?” I asked, startled.
”We’ll draw the Centipede’s attention. While we do that, Minoru, you go and get the ‘Uminagi’,” Manaka explained.
”Go get it? …I can’t let you guys do something as dangerous as being a decoy,” I protested.
”It is necessary to exorcise the apparation,” Manaka replied.
”Besides, how would you even ‘borrow’ the Uminagi?” Chifumi asked.
”Anyone who sees that apparation will understand we’re in a state of emergency,” I said.
”We don’t know if they’ll lend it to us,” Chifumi countered.
”In that case, take it by force,” Manaka said.
”Take it by force…?” I asked.
”It’s an extra-legal measure. If that apparation reaches the town, everyone on this island will be wiped out. This is to prevent that,” Manaka stated.
I don’t think she could hear Manaka, but the Centipede stopped its assault on the kekkai and turned its face toward the houses near the port.
Many ordinary people lived on this island. I had to do something before the casualties started.
”Then I’ll be the decoy. You guys go and get it while I distract it,” I proposed.
”Unfortunately, you are the only one who knows the exact location of the sword, Minoru,” Manaka pointed out.
”The ‘exact location’ is just in the back of the Archive Museum,” I said.
”We haven’t been to the Archive Museum in years,” Manaka replied.
I felt a little tug of doubt at Manaka’s words, but I accepted it. The aunt clapped her hands together.
”It’s decided. The aunt and Manaka-chan’s group will draw the beast’s attention, so Minoru-kun… and Mai-chan and Chifumi-chan will go get the sword,” the aunt announced.
”Understood,” I said.
Before I could answer, Chifumi replied with a serious voice, accepting the orders.
”Mai-chan is coming too?” I asked.
”We’ll have to drop the building’s defensive kekkai when we leave. You can’t leave anyone behind, can you? And it’s not like it’s a situation where we can act as decoys, so it’s safer for me to go with Minoru-kun,” Mai-chan said.
In Mai-chan’s face, I felt a strong will to follow me.
”Understood. Mai-chan, don’t leave my side,” I said.
”Yeah, I’m sticking with you, Onii-chan!” Mai-chan replied.
”Are you okay with this, Chifumi?” I asked.
”Yeah. I’m Minoru’s Majo, after all. I’ll protect you even if it costs me my life,” Chifumi replied.
”Thank you,” I said.
My group was now just me and Chifumi. Back to the situation at the time of enrollment, huh? I’ll make that apparation regret taking my precious Tsuyo-Mesu (Strong-Females) and regret being reborn as a apparation.
”Manaka, can you draw the apparation away in the opposite direction of the town?” I asked.
”Yes. Leave it to me,” Manaka nodded.
”Mitsuki, Sawa, I’m counting on you,” I said.
”Leave it to us! It’s payback for Yui and the others. Stalling is fine, but… we can just exorcise it, right? We’ll finish everything before Minoru gets back with the sword,” Mitsuki said.
”That’s a death flag…” Sawa sighed.
Sawa admonished the spirited Mitsuki.
With Manaka’s sky-adorning sorcery, it would be easy to escape if things went south. I would leave it to those four.
”Operation start. Everyone, go out from the front to draw its attention, then head toward the mountains. Once we confirm the apparation has been lured, we’ll run through the back exit toward the town. If we go all out, we can reach the Archive Museum in five minutes,” I instructed.
”We’re counting on you,” Manaka said.
After deciding the timing for the run, we split into two groups.
—
Summary:
The group flees to the villa to escape a giant Centipede apparation that killed their companions. They take shelter behind a defensive barrier while the creature assaults the building, leading to a discussion on a strategy to defeat the beast. Realizing they need a specific sword from a museum to win, they decide to split into a decoy team and a retrieval team.
—
Trivia:
The villa is built on Leylines that power the defensive barriers.
The barrier mechanism has a finite capacity based on the Leyline’s power draw.
Centipedes are being used as a siege tactic to drain the group’s food supplies.
The protagonist has dungeon master access, which informs his knowledge of the barrier’s limitations.
The sword ‘Uminagi’ is a specialized weapon specifically for Great apparations that emerge from the sea.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Mitsuki – Koki’s sister, a tall, curvy Shisei first-year, and Onibara disciple, she is Minoru’s assertive, tsundere childhood friend. An ally fighting alongside Manaka to avenge fallen comrades, she leads physical fights—even throwing stone pillars—while managing logistics. She closely watches and cares for Minoru, though prone to outbursts, and navigates complex ties between the Tatemiya and Onigashima clans.
• Yui – One of the Futami twins, Yuu’s sister, and Minoru’s childhood friend, she is a low-tension, observant, and protective girl who survived a middle school chuunibyou phase as “Mai.” Recognizable by her short hair, white lock, and pink/black attire, this blunt Onibara disciple uses knife techniques and curse arts in the Shisei group. Carrying an aura of dark mystery, she was eaten by the Phantom.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Centipede – A former high-level Apparition currently reduced to a powerless, disembodied state. It speaks with a manipulative, merchant-like tone.
• Yurina – A refined, black-haired Plain-folk student and Kibe-born swordswoman in Minoru’s squad, she is a loyal, piano-talented childhood friend to the protagonist. Stoic yet prone to anxiety, she acts as his calm, polite “Strong-Female” protector. Close to Chifumi and Risa, she wields high-precision blades until being eaten by the Phantom, later emerging from it as a duplicate entity to guide him.
• Asari – A tall, long-haired, and curvy first-year of the Kasakura lineage, this modest defensive sorcerer specializes in barriers like Silicic Armor. A loyal companion in Minoru’s group, close to Mari and Nagase, she is a supportive, self-sacrificing former Free Girl who is diet-conscious yet enjoys communal meals. She showed kindness to the new Phantom before tragically becoming one of the victims it ate.
• Risa – A sharp-witted, tsundere Plain-folk and childhood friend of Minoru. On the island trip, this disciplined Onibara practitioner actively assists her squad with camp and beach activities, independent of the guild. In combat, she uses a rifle to fire magic bullets. After becoming one of the victims eaten by the Phantom, her likeness manifests within the dream as a weapon-wielding figure.
• Yuri – A cheerful and energetic first-year student at Higashi High who is a classmate of Shibuya and an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina from their middle school days. A girl known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism.
• Yuu – Energetic and bubbly, this Futami twin is Mai’s older sister, Yui’s younger sister, and a squad member known for her striped, high-leg swimsuit, love for meat, and nostalgic references. Supportive yet slightly aggressive, she often follows her sister’s lead in combat and personal interactions. After enthusiastically joining beach activities, she becomes one of the victims eaten by the Phantom.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• Chifumi – Minoru’s 15-year-old childhood friend, protector, and Majo companion is a scrawny, long-haired frost/water sorceress. Bubbly, supportive, and sharp-witted, she acts as his emotional support, scout, and communicator, managing group dynamics and defense with ice walls. Completely loyal to the point of self-sacrifice, her airy, friendly charm masks an observant nature caught in battle confusion.
• Manaka – An elegant strategist of aristocratic, god-like beauty, she is a calm, rational former Tatemiya student and leader of the Initial Strong-Females. As a powerful, resilient sorcerer skilled enough to potentially best the protagonist, she acts as her squad’s clinical tactical voice. Though childhood friends with Minoru, their strained past yields to her role as an observant, independent mediator.
• Mai – Younger sister of Yui and Yuu, possessing a deceptive, snake-like gaze. She displays a shift from cutesy behavior to predatory indifference and is associated with unusual arthropod-related occurrences. A girl who accompanied the protagonist from the morning, only for her existence to be questioned as a potential manifestation of the protagonist’s inner psyche or a Phantom’s trap. A young girl who remembers specific lore from the museum and is determined to assist in the fight.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• Onigahara – The family name of Mitsuki and Koki.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• Sawa – A childhood friend of Minoru and an original Shisei group member, she is an IT-savvy, bespectacled gamer known for her pragmatic, self-reliant nature. Once heavy, she now has a voluptuous, curvy build. Despite her reserved, laid-back personality and disciple status in the Onibara style, she remains a supportive ally who participates in group chores and enjoys fishing away from the water.
• Minoru – A black-haired, pragmatic mob protagonist reincarnated into a world of reversed beauty standards. As a tactical leader and dungeon master with shock and creature-subjugation magic, he commands a female squad and Phantoms using powerful artifacts. He balances possessive romantic and political dynamics with childhood friends while trapped in a dream state, struggling with lost memories of a sister named Mai.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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