"What the hell? Seriously, what the hell?"
I was about to shift my focus back after a notification from the Intelligence disrupted my thoughts. To put it simply, I couldn't believe it. But... it was just a news report, right? Witnesses, not discoveries, so there was still hope. This kind of scenario couldn't possibly happen. If it did, it would signal the beginning of a chaotic world where modern fantasy was considered prophetic. Therefore, it had to be fake news. It had to be.
"Why are you so lost in thought? Oh, did another notification sound off?"
She looked at me triumphantly. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Usually sharp, but today she seemed less perceptive.
"Not really hearing much."
"So why were you spacing out?"
"I was praying for world peace."
[Skill Acquired: Level 1 Prayer]
[Skill Integrated: Level 2 Prayer]
The notifications were starting to blur together. If Intelligence had a mind of its own, it probably had its own intentions behind these notifications too. This was getting troublesome.
"That's definitely a lie."
Did she not get that I was joking? It was a pretty straightforward joke. Oh no, did I anger her?
"By the way... I can use magic, you know?"
The threat was genuinely terrifying. Magic? Seriously? I wished she'd stop joking around. But as I looked at her hand, I saw cold air leaking out.
"Wait, are you actually going to use it? It was a joke! I'm sorry!"
But she didn't stop her actions. Apparently, she had no intention of forgiving me. Someone, please do something...
[Skill Activated: Magical Barrier]
[Skill Activated: Simultaneous Deployment]
In that moment, a stream of cold air was unleashed towards me from her hand. Was I going to die here, after all the noise? This was too much. At the same time, several layers of blue glass-like barriers appeared before me. They began to crack slowly. Was I going to be okay?
Just as the last layer was about to shatter, the stream of cold air stopped and vanished.
Phew. I was saved. I never thought Intelligence would actually come to my rescue.
[Suggestion: Individual Name: Mitsukura Saya has just begun to understand how to use magic and has not yet mastered power control. Therefore, avoid making provocative statements in her presence.]
Yes, sorry about that.
[Skill Acquired: Level 1 Cold Resistance]
...Great, now that's ruined. Do you get that, Intelligence? Can you stop making jokes about this?
[Response: The current notification is not from the Skill "Intelligence."]
Oh, is that so? My apologies.
"Are you okay? Sorry..."
Saya seemed genuinely concerned. But that only made things worse. Don't use magic on people. Seriously, think about the injuries it could cause.
Even if I was already exhausted, feeling a life-threatening situation was too much.
[Skills Acquired: Level 1 Life Support, Level 1 Crisis Evasion, Level 1 Danger Detection, Level 1 Life Detection]
Please, stop disrupting my thoughts. It's annoying and confusing. And now it's even taunting me. This is too much.
"Why are you so unresponsive? What should I do? Oh no, did Habiki-kun die?"
Saya seemed to think I was dead. Why? I was breathing and my heart was beating. Couldn't she figure that out?
"Don't assume I'm dead on your own."
"I'm glad... I'm so glad..."
Don't cry over this. It's not my fault you attacked me in the first place.
[Warning: Warning. Hostile reaction detected. Hostile reaction detected.]
What? Hostile reaction? Did you mistake me for a thug or something? There's a shady-looking guy right in front of me.
[Response: The reaction contains killing intent and is a complete hostile response.]
No way, stop joking.
What the hell? What was that? I've never seen a bird that size before. It's at least the size of a convenience store. Facing something like this in the morning is no small disaster. Damn it, I need to at least get Saya to safety.
[Skill Activated: Level 1 Spatial Magic]
[Skill Activated: Level 1 Crisis Evasion]
But is Saya okay? Is she safe?
[Response: Individual Name: Mitsukura Saya has unconsciously activated Skill "Teleportation Magic" and has relocated to a nearby convenience store's restroom.]
I didn't need that last bit of information... What should I do now? Run? I guess running is the only option. I really don't get what's going on yesterday or today!
"Hey, Intelligence, do something!"
[Response: ...Magic energy is depleted. Other countermeasures are being devised... Completed. Let's use an umbrella to hit it.]
Don't say nonsense. This is no time for jokes. This is a life-threatening situation. Do you understand that?
...Damn it, I guess I have to go through with this. I don't think hitting it with an umbrella will do much, but I have no choice. I'll do as instructed.
"Take this! I'm going all out!"
The monstrous bird charged at me with a sharp lunge. In that moment, a flood of memories overwhelmed me. Oh, this is definitely impossible. This feels like a deathbed flashback.
[Skill Acquired: Flashback]
Seriously, not the time for this notification to be making jokes!