Perhaps it was tired of feasting on its own kind.
The monster, drooling its thick, bloody saliva, fixed its gaze on the students of Class A.
Just feeling its stare sent a cold chill down their spines.
Every time its solid legs moved, a grating sound like metal scraping against metal echoed.
It had armor-like scales that were darker than black.
Its form resembled a large, armored lizard.
Or rather, a dragon.
The only difference was that it lacked wings.
If they gave it a temporary name, "Drake" would be fitting.
Arin shook her head.
The name didn't matter right now.
The critical thing was that a monster unlike any other had appeared, and it was now eyeing them hungrily, moving closer.
Her skin tingled as if electrified.
Her heartbeat raced, and cold sweat clung to her nose.
Her mouth was so dry it hurt to swallow, and the tension was so overwhelming it nearly brought her to tears.
"I'm changing the strategy."
But she was the class president.
With no teacher present, it was her responsibility to lead Class A.
"That thing is different from the other monsters."
"Y-yeah… sure looks that way."
"The moment that thing joins the fight, the whole balance will tip. If we fall back, we'll be swept away."
"So what's the plan?"
"Everyone else stays as they are. You and I will take that thing on. How about it?"
You're insane.
Leo's face twisted in frustration, wanting to tell Arin that.
But Arin's words weren't entirely unreasonable.
With Alice's (Frey's) heat rays and Anastasia's clones holding off the monsters, the remaining students were dealing with whatever slipped through, that was their current situation.
However, if that monstrosity charged in, the clones would be obliterated instantly, and the wall they formed would collapse, letting the monsters pour in.
That would mean chaos.
If monsters and students got tangled up in a melee… the outcome wouldn't be good, not by any stretch.
Even Arin and Leo, among the top students not just in Class A but across all first-year classes, couldn't guarantee their survival, hence the other students wouldn't stand a chance.
They had to prevent that from happening.
They needed to hold out just a little longer. Until Ms. Angelica returned, or until reinforcements arrived from somewhere else.
"Damn it, where is Eugene? He's always missing when we need him."
He might not be better than Arin in swordsmanship, faster than Leo, or have the firepower of Alice.
But Eugene excelled in all areas as an all-rounder.
Even if he couldn't beat Arin in swordsmanship, he had speed and firepower. Even if Leo was faster, Eugene had skill and flames, and even if his firepower was weaker than Alice's, he was superior in every other way.
That's why he was known as the strongest in Class A.
Among all first-year students, he was regarded as the best.
And right now, the person they needed the most wasn't here. If he were, they'd shove him into that thing's face, telling him to deal with it.
Leo clicked his tongue, loosening his aching wrist. Oh, forget it. What's the point in worrying about someone who isn't here? I'll handle it myself.
Even with Arin and Leo gone, it wouldn't be an immediate problem. The most crucial figures are Alice (Frey) and Anastasia right now.
As long as those two held up, they could buy time.
Scrape. Scrape.
Every time the Drake's scales brushed together, the sound of metal scraping filled the air.
Even the other monsters seemed afraid of the Drake, slowly backing away.
As it prowled forward, like a lion stalking prey, a path opened before it.
"You heard everything, right, Su? From now on, you're in command as the vice-president."
"Are you sure? That monster… it looks incredibly strong…"
"Even if I'm not okay with it, what choice do I have? We have to do this."
Arin spoke as if there was no other option.
Class A's vice president, Su, sighed and nodded. Right, what choice did they have? Not doing it would mean death.
"Class president. Leo. Need some help? I could send a few clones your way."
"No, we're fine. You're already pushing yourself as it is."
Arin shook her head in response to Anastasia's offer.
Anastasia's main skill was overwhelming opponents with numbers through her mass-produced clones. Since the clones weren't any weaker than her real self, she could overpower even stronger opponents through sheer numbers. In some ways, she was stronger than Arin or Leo.
But even her clones had a limit.
Once her stamina was depleted, she wouldn't be able to create anymore. And she was already overexerting herself by holding back the monster horde—adding another burden would be too much.
The same went for Alice (Frey).
Though some of their classmates provided long-range support, her heat rays remained their main line of defense.
All her energy was focused on keeping the monsters from closing in. She had neither the strength nor stamina to focus elsewhere.
And relying on the other students wasn't an option either.
It was unfortunate, but they simply wouldn't be of much help.
Honestly, they were lucky if the others didn't get in the way.
In the end, it was just Arin and Leo left.
The Drake, advancing through the path the monsters had cleared as if it were royalty, let out a deep snort.
Raising its head, its neck swelled, unleashing a compressed roar from within.
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■─────!!!!
A shockwave spread out like a tidal wave, beyond audible range.
A violent vortex whipped up the surrounding sand, dust, and even corpses.
Even though they were dozens of meters away, the students' bodies were pushed backward.
Their collars flapped wildly, and their feet slid back as if someone were tugging them from behind.
Arin and Leo's faces turned even paler.
"…Want to change the plan?"
"I'd like to do that, but do we have a choice?"
Arin sighed at Leo's hesitant suggestion.
But there was no path of retreat, so the two stepped forward.
How many minutes could they hold out?
Or rather, they might need to count in seconds instead of minutes.
The aura the creature exuded was overwhelming. Had they not experienced the girl in the mask's ominous pressure before, they might not even be able to stand.
Their legs shook as if from cold, but they gripped their weapons without stepping back.
Whether it ended in success or failure, they had to face it.
Arin, at least, couldn't retreat.
Even if she was afraid, she had to stand her ground.
'If only I'd warned them sooner…'
Arin's ability was to sense danger.
She had sensed impending danger long before the bus had even arrived.
But she had dismissed it, assuming it was just nerves due to the upcoming real-world combat. She figured her senses were simply on edge.
It wasn't until the intensity of the danger had surged out of control that Arin took action.
All of this was her mistake. She couldn't face her classmates. She'd known about the incoming threat and ignored it.
They could have avoided this disaster.
There had been a chance to prevent it, but she'd missed it due to her own error.
So now she had to make up for it.
She wanted to bring everyone in Class A safely back to the academy and atone for her mistake.
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this mess, Leo."
"Hah, taking on dangerous missions is part of being a hero. Don't get all serious on me."
With a small grin, Leo steadied himself, focusing his mind and activating his ability.
He prepared to accelerate, ready to react at any moment.
■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■─────!!!!
The Drake leaped, covering dozens of meters in an instant.
Its sheer speed, unexpected from a creature the size of an African elephant, crushed the ground beneath it as it soared.
The earth sank beneath the force of its leap. The solid ground couldn't withstand the power of the Drake's legs.
The Drake soared like a hawk into the air, its massive forelimb raised.
Leo clenched his fist, the tendons in his hand visible. Damn, it's way too fast! He could barely keep up even with accelerated perception. Could he even dodge it?
Though she couldn't accelerate like him, Arin gritted her teeth, her sword at the ready, using her danger sense to anticipate the Drake's movements.
It's coming, it's coming! Going head-on would be suicide. Even without her danger sense, she knew that much. She had to evade!
Kuwaaang!
A deafening sound echoed through the air.
Both Arin and Leo, poised to dodge, froze in place.
The Drake, mid-leap, was thrown off its trajectory as if it had hit an invisible wall.
As they stood in shock, confused by what had just happened, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
"That creature is a high-ranking monster. It's too early for you two to take it on. Step back."
The figure's straight, green hair fell over their eyes, and their unusually long sleeves covered their hands. The sword they held dragged along the ground.
Arin's face lit up. She wasn't the only one—hope spread throughout Class A.
"Teacher Si-ul!"
"Sorry I'm late. You've done well holding out."
Si-ul, Class A's assistant teacher, had finally returned after being missing due to Astaroth's counterattack.
Looking around, Si-ul's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
What is going on here? So many monsters… There shouldn't be any temporal rifts nearby… It was so close… If I'd been any later, they would've all been wiped out… Where did senior Angelica go… And what's with that mask… The sky's clear… That cloud looks like a butterfly… Ah, focus, this isn't the time…
Her head was still throbbing. Her skull probably had a fracture.
The girl in the mask had tossed her lightly, yet she'd flown dozens of meters before crashing to the ground. Who was that girl?
If she hadn't instinctively used her ability to protect her head, she would probably still be unconscious. In fact, her skull might have shattered when the girl grabbed her.
Si-ul might not have undergone a full awakening like Angelica, but she was still an Academy teacher.
She wasn't someone who could be easily overpowered… It was honestly shocking to have been knocked out with a single strike, especially by someone who looked so young.
Now that she thought about it, even senior Angelica had been taken down with one blow.
Who is that kid?
But there was no time to dwell on her questions.
Si-ul extended her hand, activating her ability.
Supernatural Ability: Spatial Distortion.
Space twisted around Class A's students, creating an invisible boundary between them and the monsters.
The sheer number of creatures made it impossible to block them all. Some would likely break through the distorted space and launch attacks. But this would reduce their numbers, offering the students some degree of protection.
"Just hold on a little longer. I've sent an emergency support request. Heroes will be here soon."
Her words were meant to reassure the students, but they were also for herself.
High-ranking monster… and I have to protect the students while fighting it… this is honestly impossible… Senior Angelica, where are you… please get here soon…
But she couldn't reveal those thoughts.
Here, she was the only adult present. As Class A's assistant teacher, she had to stand tall, reassuring the students with a steady presence.
Si-ul massaged her still-aching neck, narrowing her eyes with determination.
If she had known it would come to this, she would have made her cocoa a little stronger this morning…