They then burst through the door with a yell as multiple fleshrovers, looking like mutated forest animals, turn towards them. Phil instantly grabs onto one and bites its neck deeply before pulling its head off with a growl. Joseph blasts a few with his aim true as Vanessa delivers a few punches to one's body causing it to bleed before punching its head off. Touma grapples with one before shouting and spinning around, slamming it onto the ground before slamming his foot down upon its head. Hikigaya kicks one in the stomach before slamming his fist against its head. He quickly turns around and is rammed by one using its antlers. He grabs onto them just in time to prevent being impaled but slides back from its strength. He struggles for a moment before flexing hard and snapping the antlers off. It kicks back with a screech in pain before Hikigaya lands a devastating blow to its body. Shiori flips over one before slamming another's head into the ground. She then spins and slams both of her fists into another with the enchantment causing it to burn and collapse over. The one she jumped over turns around and charges her but is stopped when she kicks it across the face, causing it to slam into the ground harshly.
Vanessa "You guys are really good at this!"
She shouts.
Shiori "It isn't our first time fighting monsters."
Hikigaya nods with a smile. They continue to fight for a few moments more before they begin to step back.
Vanessa "Look, they're retreating!"
Joseph "No… they don't act that way…"
He says, suspicious of the sudden withdrawal. Suddenly, there is a deep, loud roar as a much large Fleshrover steps out of the trees and brush. Joseph gets a surprised look.
Joseph "It's him."
They all focus up as the alpha Fleshrover steps before them. He screeches before charging. Hikigaya and Touma step forward and try to catch his antlers to stop him but are only being pushed back as he continues until he throws them both away. Joseph shoots him but even with the enchantment, the bullets only scratch his skin. Hikigaya quickly gets back up and jumps at him as Vanessa flips over him and slams her leg onto his head. She is shocked when she notices her kick is stopped by a large rhino horn. His tail then stretches and slams her into the ground as Hikigaya strikes the alpha across the face, coating his fist in a spiky bone coating. He staggers back and bleeds from his strike but quickly counters with a donkey kick at him. Hikigaya puts his arms up just in time but is sent flying back. Touma then jumps at him from behind with an aggressive look before grabbing onto his large antlers and slamming the alpha's face into the dirt. Touma struggles to keep him down as the alpha pushes himself up. Before he can get a good stance, Phil runs up to him and slams his fist into the alpha's stomach causing him to fall to his knees again and allowing Touma to maintain a good grip on him, keeping him down. He yells as Joseph runs up to them with an enchanted axe. He swings it above his head, preparing to remove the alpha's head but before he can strike, the alpha transforms into a large snake and quickly slips out of their hold. He whips Phil with his tail before spinning and turning into a bear. He swings and smacks both Touma and Joseph away, causing Joseph to drop his axe a bit away from him. The alpha turns and looks at Joseph on the ground and begins stomping towards him. Joseph is shocked and begins scrambling on the ground towards his axe. The alpha lifts his arm up and prepares to kill Joseph but before he can, Phil jumps on his back and holds him back.
Phil "Do it!"
He shouts as Joseph is stunned for a moment. He then snaps out of it and quickly grabs his axe and gets to his feet. He swings his arms up to strike down the alpha but is stopped when the alpha suddenly extends multiple jagged bone spikes out of his body, slashing Joseph side aggressively but also stabbing Phil multiple times throughout his body. Phil is stunned as Joseph falls back, gritting his teeth in pain.
Vanessa "PHIL!!"
She shouts in horror as the alpha slowly lifts his limp body off his back. He looks at Phil for a moment before whipping him away and slamming him into the tree. Joseph opens his eyes and sees the alpha staring at him before jetting out a bone spike his way. He is stunned and cannot dodge in time as it flies at his face. Suddenly, Hikigaya dashes in the way and crushes the bone spike under his fist, saving Joseph.
Hikigaya "I'm not gonna fail to protect someone, not again."
He says with an aggressive look and tone. The alpha is shocked by his speed and strength but before he can react, he is struck under the chin before a heavy enchanted punch by Shiori. He is thrown into the air a bit as Shiori jumps up and kicks off the air to create tremendous speed and kicks his head downward, crushing his head into the dirt. She then lifts his leg to slam back down against his head but he quickly grabs her leg and slams her into the ground, hard. She rolls a bit, reeling from the attack. He props himself up, struggling, as he is met by a heavy punch to the face. Touma then continues his assault and delivers multiple punches to its head and body. After being pushed back by the assault for a moment, and finding room to counter, he quickly transforms and looks like Hikigaya. Touma suddenly stops, shocked by the transformation and instinctively because of seeing his friend. Hikigaya then rushes their way, shouting.
Hikigaya "That's not me, don't stop!"
He says desperately. The alpha then looks at Hikigaya running their way and grabs his wrist before spinning around quickly, causing everyone watching to lose track of the real Hikigaya. They stop and stumble a bit before focusing and pointing at each other.
Hikigaya/Hikigaya "Get him, that's the alpha!"
They shout at the same time in the same voice. Touma sweats as he pulls back.
Vanessa "I can't tell which one is the real one…"
Hikigaya/Hikigaya "Come on Touma, hit him!"
Touma looks distraught when Shiori walks past him in Hikigaya's direction. Her head is lowered and she is silent as she steps towards them. They look at her surprised and smile.
Hikigaya/Hikigaya "Finally, you can do this. Now kill that th-"
She walks towards the one on the left and strikes him in the face with a heavy enchanted punch. He goes flying back and slams into the ground before transforming back into a human-fleshrover hybrid similar to Phil. Hikigaya smiles at her proudly.
Hikigaya "Good job Shiori! How did you know it was him?"
Shiori turns and smiles at him.
Shiori "I didn't, but I assumed you'd forgive me if I was wrong."
Hikigaya sweats and droops a bit.
Hikigaya "Why am I not surprised?.."
They then look over at the alpha on the ground with shocked looks at he begins to squirm and yell while holding his head. They pause for a moment but step forward to finish him off but are soon stopped.
Vanessa "Wait."
She says while stepping past them. They look at her confused as she snaps her fingers, her hand enchanting. She steps towards the alpha as he begins to lean forward. She then places her hand on his head and begins to burn his head with the enchantment except this time, no real burns appear. He screams and shakes for a moment until she stops. His head smokes a bit as she crouches down before him. She gives him a cold stare.
Vanessa "Tell all the other fleshrovers to leave and never come back or I'll kill you."
He stares at her for a moment before shaking and sweating in fear. The man screeches loudly as the other fleshrovers step back before running away into the darkness completely. Vanessa stands up with an upset look as Joseph limps towards her.
Joseph "Here."
He hands her some chains as she restrains the man. He has a defeated look before looking at them.
Alpha "What.. happened?.."
Joseph "It's been a long time since you last remember who you were and you've done a lot of bad things since but we'll clear all that up later."
He hangs his head low as Vanessa gets a concerned look and rushes over to the tree where Phil sits weakly.
Vanessa "Phil!"
She gently places his face in her hand as he smiles.
Phil "I feel… cold."
He bleeds from his wounds as he coughs up some blood.
Vanessa "Stay awake."
Phil "At least we did it, right?"
Vanessa pauses for a moment before smiling softly.
Vanessa "Yeah."
Phil "Good…"
He says with a soft smile before his last breath leaves his lips. The others look down with sad looks as Vanessa lowers her head. She stands up before lifting her hand open as if waiting to catch something. Joseph then tosses her a large piece of raw meat as she crouches back down at Phil. She begins shoving it down Phil's mouth as he gags and chokes.
Vanessa "Stop being so dramatic and eat."
Phil "*cough choke* Stop for a second and I will!"
He shouts angrily at her before grabbing the meat and chomping it down and swallowing, letting out a satisfied sigh. He licks his lips as his wounds begin to heal. The others stare at him shocked.
Shiori "Why did you make us think you died?!"
She asks angrily as he laughs.
Phil "Haha! Fleshrovers don't actually need human flesh, any flesh will do and we can't be killed unless by their enchantment or having our heads ripped off. I couldn't help myself!"
He says with a laugh as Vanessa smiles happily. The others sigh as they all head back into the main house to tell the others. Phil opens the door and enters first, only to be met by a shoe slamming into his nose. Suddenly, multiple objects are thrown at him as he covers himself.
Phil "Ouch! Wait, wait, I'm not evil!"
They stop as Lucy holds a chair and Ryuji holds a full table over his head. They put them down with embarrassed looks.
Lucy "Whoops. Sorry!"
Phil then enters the house as the others follow. Piper rushes towards Vanessa and Joseph and hugs them.
Piper "Did you do it?"
She asks softly. Joseph gives her a smile and a nod.
Joseph "Yes we did."
Piper tears start to form in her eyes as she smiles in relief. Chizuru then jumps on Shiori as the rest of the class checks on them.
Chizuru "That was so scary! Why do you guys keep getting involved in these things?!"
She shouts while crying. Haru sighs in relief with an extremely worried look.
Haru "I'm so glad you guys are okay."
Alice "You guys are so awesome! Like real superheroes!"
They laugh and cry in relief as the group all calms down.