Volume 5 Chapter 17 Day Three: Werewolf
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The werewolf staggered to his feet, a dark crimson stream trickling from the corner of his mouth. Blood was visibly seeping through the fur around his abdomen as well.
”Gah… cough…”
With a violent, hacking cough, a massive spray of blood spilled from his jaws, painting a vivid red pattern across the pristine snow.
The werewolf had clearly taken a staggering amount of physical damage. Judging from the shockwave’s output and the extent of his injuries, the physical durability granted by his beastification fell far short of Oni-fication.
Given the circumstances, if he had even a shred of sanity left, his only logical move would be to retreat. Conveniently for him, the distance between us had widened. If he decided to flee using the enhanced speed of his beast form, catching him would be an absolute impossibility.
Worse yet, this snow-covered mountain was essentially the werewolf’s home turf. Once he vanished into the whiteout, dealing with guerrilla-style ambushes would become an absolute nightmare.
Yet, the werewolf showed no signs of backing down. If anything, he took a deliberate step forward, locking his gaze onto us.
”Ogura-san, can you hear me!” Anri-san called out.
As expected, there was no response. However, looking at his eyes and his overall demeanor, I could sense a faint glimmer of intent compared to when he first showed himself. That said, it was still incredibly weak.
’If we bash ‘im up a bit more, wouldn’t that werewolf bloke snap back to his senses, eh?’1 Hinoki (they/them) said.
”That would certainly be convenient,” I replied.
As I prepared to step forward, someone firmly gripped my shoulder. It was Shoji-kun.
”Hold on a moment,” he said. “Will you let me handle this?”
His expression was dead serious, practically begging me to let him take on the werewolf instead.
”And why is that?” I asked.
”That man is a close acquaintance of mine,” Shoji-kun explained. “If we have to trade blows to bring him to his senses, then I should be the one to carry that burden.”
It seemed Shoji-kun was reading the situation exactly the same way I was. The decision to step aside took only a fraction of a second. This time, I would yield.
”All right,” I said.
”You have my thanks,” he replied.
Stepping past me, Shoji-kun let out a guttering, primal howl, mirroring the action of the man from before. In the blink of an eye, his flesh tore and expanded, and another werewolf materialized on the field.
Compared to our adversary, his frame was generally smaller, and his coat was a brilliant, striking silver.
”Cast the enhancement,” Shoji-kun commanded.
His voice sounded exactly as it did before his transformation. So he could speak normally even in this state. I see—the white werewolf, who could do nothing but growl and act like a mindless beast, was completely out of his mind. At the silver werewolf’s command, Inamori-san, who had been standing by in reserve, immediately activated her enhancement magic.
It was identical to the spell the woman had used earlier. A second, miniature moon materialized in the sky above.
Having grown a size larger, Shoji-kun suddenly went completely still.
While Shoji-kun remained motionless, the enemy werewolf was already being knit back together by recovery magic. A third woman had appeared out of nowhere. Assuming her role was healing, she pressed her hands firmly against the werewolf’s back. So their support members had been lying in wait after all. At this rate, there were probably two more hidden nearby.
The rest of our group immediately scanned the perimeter, on high alert. Meanwhile, Shoji-kun checklist-style refused to move, as if deliberately waiting for his opponent to fully recover.
”Wait a second…!” Risa started.
I quickly cut her off before she could complain to Shoji-kun. I understood what he was doing. As a Strong-Male, and as a demon, he wanted to fight on as equal terms as possible.
The white werewolf’s bleeding stopped, and his visible injuries vanished until it was impossible to tell he had taken any damage at all. Deeming the recovery sufficient, the healing woman backed away.
The moment she cleared the area, the silver werewolf lunged. Simultaneously, the white werewolf bolted forward. By some strange twist of fate, both werewolves exploded into motion at the exact same instant.
The white and silver beasts collided head-on, entering a brutal, close-quarters brawl.
Utilizing their lupine anatomy, they unleashed vicious strikes from angles and postures completely impossible for a normal human, engaging in a relentless sequence of dodging and counter-striking.
Neither side received any outside support during this duel.
Since we didn’t know Shoji-kun’s exact fighting style, any reckless cover fire on our part risked catching him in the crossfire. Inamori-san, the sole member of Shoji-kun’s group present who could actually coordinate with him, had her hands completely full just maintaining the enhancement magic of the moon.
If that was the case, the only thing we could do right now was play defensively and crush the enemy’s support assets.
Asari deflected the ice shells launched by the attacking woman, while Risa and Yurina pressured the healer to prevent her from casting any further recovery magic.
Just as the healer attempted to break away and create distance, another woman armed with a knife materialized right beside her. The two converged, attempting to vanish into the dense tree line.
I raised my voice to warn Risa and the others against overextending.
”No need to pursue them!” I barked. “All we need to do is disrupt their support. Keep within sight of each other and prioritize your defense!”
”Got it!” Risa confirmed.
”Understood, sir!” Yurina echoed.
The person who appeared last seemed highly suspicious. That knife-user carried the unmistakable aura of a magus specializing in concealed weapons. There was a strong possibility she had laid traps in the surrounding area. This wasn’t the time to take unnecessary risks; we just needed to keep blocking the enemy’s support until Shoji-kun settled his match. Dragging this out into a war of attrition to keep their attention locked onto us would be more than enough.
I had no intention of moving myself. At least, not yet.
A Strong-Male launching an attack against the Strong-Females of another faction was an action highly likely to draw the group leader’s absolute wrath. In fact, when that werewolf had attacked Asari earlier, I had intended to utterly erase that dog from existence, without a shred of exaggeration.
It wasn’t quite a matter of a cornered rat biting a cat, but there was still no use in needlessly poking the nest.
The clash between the two werewolves gradually began to tilt in the silver beast’s favor. The silver werewolf was visibly moving with far greater fluid precision. Whether this was due to an inherent gap in their baseline abilities or because the damage from my Shock Magic was still lingering remained unclear.
Occasional sniper fire from the hidden women flew in from the rear, but Chifumi flawlessly intercepted every single projectile. The enemy’s support was completely locked down.
Consequently, the silver werewolf managed to slam the white werewolf down into the snow, pinning him firmly in a dominant mount. The white werewolf lay there with his jaws wide open, completely limp and motionless under the weight.
”……”
Shoji-kun didn’t move a muscle.
As everyone watched with bated breath, the white werewolf spoke in human tongue for the very first time.
”You’ve… grown strong…” the white werewolf rasped.
”Ogura-san! Have you come to your senses?!” Shoji-kun called out.
”What on earth am I… urgh!” Ogura-san groaned.
Just when it seemed a proper conversation would take place between the two werewolves, the white beast began to writhe in agony.
”Could this be… no way…? ……” Ogura-san muttered.
The moment those words left his mouth, the white werewolf’s entire body briefly went slack.
”Ogura-san, are you still there?” Shoji-kun asked carefully.
The only response to the silver werewolf’s call was a guttering, low growl that belonged entirely to a wild beast.
”Grrrrr…”
”No way!?” Shoji-kun shouted.
”Garlahh! Grrr!” the white werewolf roared.
Suddenly violently thrashing as if entirely consumed by his wild instincts, the white werewolf threw the silver werewolf off him and dropped down onto all fours.
”Ogura-san, stop!” Anri-san cried.
As if guided by her voice, the white werewolf whipped his head away from the silver werewolf and locked his eyes dead onto her. There wasn’t a single spark of sanity left in his gaze.
”Stop right there!” Shoji-kun shouted.
Before the silver werewolf could even attempt to intercept, the white werewolf erupted into a dead sprint. His target was Anri-san. Without giving anyone a chance to intervene, the werewolf slammed into her, scooping her up into his arms in a single fluid motion, and bolted away without losing an ounce of momentum.
It was an absolute tactical retreat, executed as if he couldn’t care less that we were even standing there.
”Wait, come back!” Shoji-kun shouted.
”Sister!” Risa screamed.
Shoji-kun and Risa instinctively tried to give chase, but an obstruction instantly cut them off. The woman who had been firing the ice shells unleashed a wide-range attack spell. A violent, blinding blizzard whipped up instantly, completely wiping out our field of vision.
”Tch! Damn it!” Risa spat.
”Get out of our way!” Shoji-kun roared.
Despite their desperate attempts to break through, the werewolf vanished completely into the thick trees. We hurriedly braced ourselves for a follow-up attack, but nothing came at us through the howling snow.
When the blizzard finally subsided, only one enemy woman remained. The one who had conjured the moon had already retreated. The remaining woman suddenly froze mid-motion.
”……”
Her staff remained raised, but she had completely cut off the flow of her magic. Naturally, our counterattack halted as well.
”……”
A heavy silence hung over us. Both sides were at an absolute loss as to what move to make next.
”What’s the matter?” Risa taunted, her tone sharp and biting. “Did your master dump you and snap you back to reality?”
”Where is this…? Who on earth are all of you…?”
The woman spoke for the very first time, her voice laced with confusion.
”…Looks like she’s sane now,” I observed.
Shoji-kun sniffed the air, verifying the shift in the environment. The moon Inamori-san had been sustaining flickered out of existence, and Shoji-kun reverted from his beast form back into his human shape.
”It seems Ogura-san abandoned this woman and fled down the mountain,” Shoji-kun said.
”He really just left her behind…” Risa muttered, her expression instantly shifting into one that said, Whoops, I probably shouldn’t have said that.
”Pardon me,” Shoji-kun said to the woman. “Are you a member of Ogura-san’s group…?”
”I am Okuda,” she replied. “Could someone please tell me what on earth is happening right now?”
”Well, that is…” Shoji-kun began.
While Shoji-kun and Inamori-san laid out the situation for Okuda-san, the rest of us huddled up to hold an emergency war council.
”My sister was taken,” Risa said, her voice tight with panic. “Every second we waste standing here debating what to do is a second we lose. We have to chase after them somehow!”
”Even if you say that,” I countered, “we completely lost their trail in that blizzard earlier. Does anyone have any clue which direction we should even look?”
”Sorry, I haven’t got the faintest idea,” Asari admitted.
”Me neither,” Chifumi said softly.
This time, even the usually reliable Chifumi was completely stumped.
’We can’t tell either,’ Hinoki said. ‘Sorry about that, big bro.’
Hinoki and the others couldn’t pick up any presence detection either. Since absolutely no one knew their destination, the only remaining move was… I shifted my gaze over toward Shoji-kun and the others. The three of them were still engrossed in their conversation, just out of earshot.
”Our only choice is to pray that woman knows something,” I said. “If she doesn’t, we’ll have to head back down the mountain to gather information. Do we know the way back?”
”I think I can get us back!” Asari spoke up with fierce determination. Just as I was calculating our return journey based entirely on her memory retention, Shoji-kun’s group approached us. The woman, Okuda-san, was walking right alongside them.
Shoji-kun and Inamori-san wasted no time filling us in on the details.
”It appears Ogura-san is being controlled by something,” Shoji-kun explained.
”Their entire group seems to be stuck in a state resembling deep hypnosis,” Inamori-san added. “There is a very high probability that they are victims in this as well.”
”Understood,” I said. “However, rescuing Anri-san takes absolute priority right now. Do you have any inkling where they might have gone?”
In response to my question, Shoji-kun nodded confidently.
”I know exactly where Ogura-san is,” he said. “He’s moving toward the town at an incredible, terrifying speed. Once we get closer, I can track him down by scent alone. Let’s move. I know the path.”
”That’s a massive help!” I replied. “Thank you!”
With Shoji-kun leading the charge, we doubled back down the path we had come from. We moved with extreme caution to avoid slipping on the treacherous snow, yet kept our pace as fast as humanly possible.
Because we were moving with such desperate urgency, it took us less than half the time it took to climb up to make it back down to the mountain trailhead. Everyone had to be completely exhausted, yet not a single person complained or suggested taking a break. We pushed forward.
”Wait, this direction…” I said, frowning.
”It looks like he headed straight for the hotel,” Shoji-kun confirmed.
Shoji-kun guided us forward, sniffing the air as he ran. The moment our boots hit the paved road, our entire group broke into a full sprint. By the time we burst through the doors into the hotel lobby, everyone was completely out of breath.
Spotting our chaotic entrance, Manaka and her group quickly rushed over to us. Seeing us drenched in sweat and caked in thick mud from the waist down, she quickly offered us some towels.
”Welcome back,” Manaka said, offering us towels. “Did you find any clues up there?”
”Clues?” I said, breathless. “Anri-san was kidnapped! Did a werewolf come through here?!”
”Anri-san?” Manaka repeated, her expression shifting to bewilderment. “But she returned just a short while ago and headed straight for the sealed dungeon with the rest of the gathered group… What do you mean by kidnapped?”
”Exactly what it sounds like—hold on, what?” I stammered. “Anri-san is back already, completely fine?”
”Yes, she’s perfectly fine,” Manaka said slowly. “She walked back here entirely on her own two feet without a single scratch on her. She mentioned she was splitting up with the group to search for the shrine…”
”What about the werewolf?!” I demanded.
”A werewolf?” Manaka asked, confused.
”We were ambushed halfway up the mountain by a massive white werewolf,” I explained. “It snatched Anri-san right in front of us, which is why we sprinted all the way back here!”
Manaka’s expression instantly turned incredibly solemn. After staring at me intently for several long seconds, her features relaxed just a fraction.
”It doesn’t look like you’re lying. Which means… if you are the real Minoru, then the person we were just speaking to a moment ago is highly likely to be an impostor.”
—
Summary:
Minoru and his group engage in a brutal battle against Ogura, who has been transformed into a werewolf. Despite Shoji-kun’s attempt to resolve the conflict through a duel, Ogura regresses into a feral state and kidnaps Anri-san. The group rushes back to the hotel only to be confronted with the chilling realization that Anri-san has already returned with a potentially fraudulent version of their team.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Ui – Minoru’s proactive, carefree childhood friend is Yui’s twin sister and an original Shisei group member. A social private school student with a right-side white-dyed lock of hair, she brings a bright, hyper-enthusiastic, and bubbly energy to the chat room, frequently using star emoticons and cutesy slang. This ‘upper’ landmine-type girl provocatively and aggressively interacts with Minoru.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• Ogura – A distant Shoji-branch sorcerer and engineer who works at the resort as a longtime dungeon manager providing mountain resources. Manipulated by hypnosis, they are suspected of searching for the shrine. They can alter their outward appearance by transforming into a werewolf through beastification sorcery.
• Anri – The fourth Naruse sister is a private-school leader living in an annex with her mother, whose lineage guards an ancient District 5 dungeon. As Risa’s older sister and future administrator, this sorceress uses a staff and Inherent sorcery employing Aberrations. She acts as a mentor, mediator, and guide for Minoru’s group, but is briefly kidnapped by Ogura’s group during an investigation.
• Hinoki – Sharing Minoru’s consciousness, this sharp-tongued, non-binary Oni-fied centipede Aberration is an advisor deeply interested in dungeon mysteries. Speaking from his shadow, this 30cm, sharp-eyed, metallic-shelled entity bridges him to a nostalgic mountain power. They can transform into massive reptilian forms to draw aggro using dungeon sorcery, venom, and chains.
• Shoji – An ancient clan sealing the dungeon through Anri and Risa’s lineage, and the designation for its members. It features a dry, top-ranked male transfer student from the 5th District in a white uniform. A tactical Strong-Male with mana detection, magic pistols, and silver werewolf transformation, he leads a mobile snow exploration group, associates with Kotoha’s group, and met Minoru at an airport.
• Yui – Yuu’s sister and one of the Futami twins, this student has short hair with a white lock and pink/black attire. A blunt Shisei group member, she follows instructions, helps coordinate photos, and acts as a mocking monitor. Minoru’s objective childhood friend uses knives and curse arts to manifest Clams and diffuse tension in Manaka’s circle, but was ultimately eaten by the Phantom.
• Inamori – A member of Shoji’s group who carries a special magic pistol. They use enhancement magic to support combat operations and aid communication with others.
• Risa – A tall, well-endowed Naruse merchant student, sorcerer, and skier raised as Plain-folk. As Aikawa’s sister and Anri’s protective yet younger sibling, this decisive family member shares authority in Minoru’s group. Bold and outspoken, the disciplined Onibara practitioner wields a grenade rifle and handgun, guides Yurina, cares for their mother, and distrusts Komoda and newcomers.
• Yurina – A stoic, black-haired Plain-folk student and sorcerer wearing an apron, cat ears, collar, and tail. A quiet observer, she is Risa’s sister, Chifumi’s protector, Anri-san’s trainee, and deeply devoted to Lord Minoru. As a Kendo vanguard skilled with a katana and a rounded nightstick, she uses Severing Sorcery for dungeon combat support, though she is absent from the current excursion.
• Asari – A serious, tall, long-haired, curvy (E-cup) Kasakura honor student and defensive sorcerer specializing in Crystal Wall barriers. An analytical vanguard explorer with tactical memory, she protects allies during dungeon incidents. Polite yet “Free,” she is close to Mari and Nagase, and is Minoru’s devoted, pampered partner who joins the group’s intermediate ski training.
• 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.
• Strong-Females – A social designation within the world’s hierarchy.
• Chifumi – A support sorcerer who uses ice and binding magic to restrain enemies, intercept attacks, and assist dungeon exploration.
• Okuda – A female member of Ogura’s group who wears a hotel uniform, behaves suspiciously, and remains behind after the main group departs.
• Manaka – An elegant, aristocratic Shisei High beauty and Kuga family sorcerer, Manaka Kuga is the calm, strategic leader of the Manaka group and trusted advisor to childhood friend Minoru. Wielding spatial and sound magic, she handles recruits, protective oaths, and intermediate training. As a support ally, she serves as a liaison, manages hotel info, and uses her abilities to eavesdrop on the Naruse family.
• Minoru – Minoru Tatemiya (Majin) is a lean, black-haired student sorcerer, hidden Demon Lord, and strategic narrator with adult memories. As an observant, methodical Dungeon Master ruling the 5th District, he controls Aberrations via space magic. Deeply concerned for his companions’ safety, this central figure hosts Hinoki and guides a witch harem (Mai, Risa, Mitsuki) through intimate instruction at a resort.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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