I Became the Final Subjugation Target of That Era’s Light Novel

You absolutely must not drink that filthy black smoke.

Just being nearby makes it feel like your body is about to ignite from the intense flames.

Of course, sweat is dripping down my body. The black ash from the burns is sticking to every part not covered by my clothes and gear. I can only imagine how I’ll look when I step outside.

Thinking back, this isn’t an old story in my memory.

It hasn’t even been six months since I came to this world. It feels like I’ve just taken a short break.

The weight of my gear, I’m not sure if it’s because I’m used to it or if Nirlas adjusted it for me.

It’s a strange sight.

I’m wearing clothes made of my blood over a school uniform, with a tank of oxygen strapped to my back.

Being so small, will I be able to carry someone properly if I find them?

Well, I guess I’ll find out if I try.

I picked up a fire extinguisher that was left in the hallway. This isn’t enough to completely put out the fire, but it’ll do for an emergency.

I shouted as I moved forward.

“Is anyone there!?”

Honestly, shouting like this doesn’t guarantee a proper response. The sound of the raging fire is overwhelming, and thanks to the firefighter gear covering my ears, I can barely hear anything unless it’s really loud.

But I had to try anyway.

I closed my eyes for a moment and opened them again.

Blood dripped from my painful left wrist, and I felt something crawling up inside my clothes.

The small object that climbed my body let out a kkyu right next to my ear.

This way!

Nirlas really made sure to grab the “essentials” I asked for.

I turned towards where the Chika was pointing.

The door was slightly ajar. Is there someone inside? Even if there is, it might already be too late. There’s a high chance they’ve already inhaled smoke now that the fire has spread this much.

Slowly, I opened the door a little.

The flames were still visible inside that house. Thankfully, there was no explosion when the door opened.

I must have left the door ajar while escaping.

The flames crawled up the wall like a tongue.

The deeper I entered, the more goosebumps creeped up my back.

Something is inside.

It seems the fire started in this house.

Could there still be a Hacha inside?

“…”

But I turned my body towards the area where people were instead of the Hacha.

If I leave the Hacha behind and miss it, many more people might die in the next incident.

But the difference between ‘might die’ and ‘will die’ is huge.

Since I don’t know what will happen in the future, all I can do right now is carry out the person lying right in front of me.

I inhaled deeply behind the mask. The inside of my suit felt like a sauna. Blocking the fire means blocking the oxygen supply too. The inside is likely already soaked in sweat.

…If I tell someone that I escaped leaving my younger sister behind, they might scold the person who got away.

But under the circumstances of a spreading fire, it’s impossible to think normally. In different living environments, you often don’t remember until after you escape in a panic.

Anyway, it’s not like the ones seeking help should be blamed for such things.

I entered the house. I removed the safety pin from the fire extinguisher and moved forward, pointing it at myself.

I didn’t hear anyone coughing.

“Kkyu.”

It merely followed the guiding sounds near my ear.

The Chika pointed towards a room in the house. The flames from the living room were crawling towards that door.

I sprayed all the contents of the fire extinguisher towards that door, and I took out the fireman’s axe that I had strapped to my waist.

It was an axe not much different in color from the one I usually use, and I smashed it against the burning wooden door. Fortunately, the fire didn’t spread into the room.

Black smoke poured out from above my head.

The window in the room was open. It seemed someone must have opened it to breathe somehow.

…Yeah, there was a kid collapsed inside.

Could it be someone around Shii’s age?

I knelt beside them.

When I touched around the chest, I felt a faint movement.

I fitted the supplemental oxygen mask attached to the tank onto the child’s mouth.

Then, I carefully picked them up in my arms.

It was a struggle to carry a body of that size and weight with my small build.

But I had no choice. I had to grunt and bear it.

Taking deep breaths through the oxygen mask, I exited the room.

Thankfully, I didn’t hear another kkyu sound in my ear.

I slowly went down the stairs.

Hot air rises. When a fire occurs, black smoke surges up towards the ceiling for the same reason.

So descending just a few floors would make it much safer.

“Hoo.”

I felt the temperature slowly drop as I made it to the first floor.

“What!?”

Even though the fire department still hadn’t arrived, there were a few police officers on the first floor. Perhaps they had come to check on the situation for a moment?

“The firefighters?”

“Have they arrived…?”

Did they think I had come from another direction?

The clothes I was wearing were a different color from what the firefighters usually wore. They were completely red, but at least the shape was similar enough to cause a misunderstanding.

Not all firefighter suits are yellow, after all.

The officer who took the child from me looked at me with a puzzled expression, and then suddenly his face stiffened.

“Huh?”

He saw my face through the completely covered oxygen mask.

After all, I only had a face that just became a high school student.

But before the officer could even call out to me, I turned away.

“Excuse me…!”

But he didn’t follow. He had the child he was holding.

Maybe later he’d think he must have mistaken something, or something like that. That was enough for me.

—

Once again, I took the fire axe and went back upstairs, finding another fire extinguisher in the hallway.

There was a fire hydrant, but with this body, it would be too difficult to handle the strong water spurting out. If there were any bends in the hose, it might not spray properly either.

Still holding the extinguisher, I entered the room I had come from.

The chills I didn’t feel on the way down returned as I went back up. A strange chill felt even among the hot flames.

“…”

Good.

How do I catch the hidden Yōkai?

Yuka—

Yeah, Yuka slashed through the air.

I slowly moved forward, searching for where the fire began.

If this fire indeed originated from the Hacha, then the cause must be where the flames are starting.

The living room.

…It was a spot that was already blackened and reduced to ash. The flames were lit from the walls and the ceiling.

The chills I felt intensified.

Then, I aimed the fire extinguisher at that area and sprayed it.

White powder spread across the floor and ceiling, and for a brief moment, the flames weakened.

Seizing that opportunity, I dropped the extinguisher on the floor.

Gripping the fire axe made from my blood—

Even after directly spraying the fire with the extinguisher, I swung the axe at the burning sofa.

Thud.

The axe got stuck in the air, and a gap opened up.

Doing as I had seen was the correct approach.

I pulled the axe out and thrust it back in, swinging with all my strength. Thanks to the weight of the axe, the gap widened with a crunchy sound.

I repeated this a few times and hurled myself towards the opening.

—

“Koto Ne! Koto Ne!”

Yuka held tightly onto the screaming Koko. Koko seemed like she was about to dash off somewhere.

She probably knew where Koto Ne went after she disappeared.

“No, Koko.”

Yuka said that while tightly hugging Koko from behind.

Koko can change her appearance. And she can move swiftly enough that people won’t notice.

But is it really okay for Koko to rush into those flames?

I don’t think of her as ‘just an average person’ as Koto Ne claimed. But even if there was a little human blood mixed in, she couldn’t ignore physics like the Yōkai can.

Going in there would surely be dangerous for her.

Even if Koto Ne had some method for going in, I can’t let Koko get hurt just because she was impulsive.

“Koko, what did Koto Ne say? In front of other people….”

“But Koto Ne, Koto Ne!”

People’s attention turned towards us.

In fact, the gazes already on the two weren’t exactly ordinary gazes.

The sight of Koto Ne, who had just battled with Yuka a moment ago, had vanished somewhere without a trace. Especially the girl looking this way had wide eyes.

That alone wasn’t a big deal. If the topic came up, they might just treat it as some crazy person’s rambling.

Many times people were overly cynical about stories that deviate from common sense, so that girl would probably think it’s just a mood or a misperception.

What’s the real problem?

“Koto Ne! Koto Ne!”

It was Koko, who was losing it right in front of Yuka.

Koko was likely acting this way to maintain her sanity too. Having done similar things multiple times before, Koto Ne would tell her separately during those moments.

Koko listens well to Koto Ne. At least as long as Yuka is there next to her saying so, Koko wouldn’t dash into the flames.

“…”

In truth, Yuka felt a similar way.

She wanted to dash in after Koto Ne.

But what would she even do in there? If she inhaled the toxic gas from the fire site, she’d be unconscious in mere minutes. Even if she survived, that would have been a hindrance for Koto Ne, and if she died, it would be a pointless death.

…That’s what Yuka’s rational mind was saying.

“Koko, wait just a moment. If you keep waiting, Koto Ne will come out.”

When Yuka said that,

“Hey, over there!”

Someone shouted.

Both Yuka and Koko’s gazes turned in unison that way. A child was coming out from the first floor, clinging to a police officer.

Her clothes were covered in soot, and she looked to be around Shii’s age.

“Ah…!”

The child who had been crying while reporting collapsed on the floor. This kid must be the ‘sister’ she was talking about.

“Look, Koko. Now for sure—”

Yuka smiled and said that. Koto Ne, making everyone worry like this, wouldn’t just leave them.

First, they’ll take her to the hospital. And after confirming that she’s okay, they’ll definitely go to a nearby butcher and eat plenty of meat.

She must have had a hard time. She could fall asleep right away.

…Tomorrow is the Sports Festival. She had to come out safely. Yuka really wanted to see Koto Ne and Koko performing with the cheerleading team.

So, she had to come out.

She had to come out—

“…Huh?”

But that was all.

The few police officers I had seen enter before and the child they brought out were all.

Before she knew it, Yuka was cutting through the crowd, pulling a dazed Koko along with one hand.

“Excuse me, officer. I’m sorry, but…”

Yuka spoke to the officer closest to her inside the safety line.

The one who had brought the child out earlier.

“…Where’s the person who brought that child out?”

“Huh? Ah.”

The police officer’s face showed something unsure. That wasn’t a good sign at all.

“…Apparently, it was someone dressed in firefighter gear, but when I came down, the firefighters still hadn’t arrived. I’m trying to figure it out, but the flames are too intense for us to head back up right now.”

“…Just.”

Yuka’s mouth dropped open.

The officer’s mention of a firefighter suggested they were indeed suited up, but Yuka could immediately recall that the person must be Koto Ne.

Koto Ne was the child who could create something from her blood.

Yuka turned to Koko right away.

Koko was staring blankly at the burning mansion.

“Koko?”

Koko mumbled, “Koto Ne is gone.”

“…Huh?”

At those words, Yuka felt dazed.

“Koko, what do you mean by that?”

“It’s the same as before.”

“Before?”

“The beach.”

“…Ah.”

The time when Yuka and Koto Ne had split the air to enter the nest to catch Raijū.

Koko had come to find Koto Ne but had been kidnapped without ever finding her.

So… we couldn’t relax yet.

Yuka didn’t know how Koko perceived Koto Ne’s absence. If Koto Ne was dead, would she feel it that way, or if there were just remains, would she feel it differently?

All she knew was—

At the very least, she could tell that Koto Ne was in a very dangerous situation.

“…”

Yuka nodded and rummaged through her bag.

There were quite a few talismans inside.

“…Alright.”

It would certainly be excessively dangerous. In fact, thinking about it now, it sounded like nothing but foolishness.

However, if she could just find the nest…

If they could just step over to that place, the circumstances would be vastly different from here.

If they could escape before the nest completely collapsed, they would be able to come out to safety.

“…”

Yuka took a short breath and placed a hand on Koko’s shoulder, who was sitting on the floor.

“Koko, I need your help for a bit.”

“Uu?”

Tears welled in Koko’s eyes as she looked at Yuka.

…That too was a change in Koko. The more time they spent together, the more she expressed her emotions, and her expressions became rich.

She must be in the midst of gradually learning one by one. After knowing nothing for so long, she was finally trying to be happy.

Yuka wished that happiness could last a long time.

And she didn’t want to lose her friend.

To be honest, the latter feeling was much stronger.

Yuka whispered in a small voice.

“We need a way to get inside the building. Do you know where Koto Ne was until the moment she disappeared?”

“Uu……”

Koko rubbed her eyes and nodded her head.

“Alright. Then, please guide us down to the lower floors, as far as we can go. After that, I’ll figure it out somehow.”

There were several handkerchiefs in her bag. And some light items that could help treat minor injuries.

Just having a handkerchief would probably allow her to avoid some smoke.

…Everything in there was because of Koto Ne. She was the kind of child who could get hurt unexpectedly anytime, anywhere.

“Can you do it?”

“…?”

Koko stared intently at Yuka,

“Yes!”

She answered loudly.

—

Yeah, that’s how it is, I thought, gripping the axe with both hands.

And indeed, tools should be used according to their function, I reflected.

Japanese swords are nearly useless in ordinary situations. Who would use one for cooking or chopping wood?

However, I can assert that having a long blade means reaching out is much easier.

When facing off against a giant flaming cat, I think I prefer the Japanese sword over the axe.

…Well, I mean, I knew that to an extent since it was depicted in the original story.

Seeing it firsthand, the intimidation is no joke either.

The nest resembled reality closely, but it’s not reality.

It’s a kind of pressure relief chamber that connects the world where Yōkai dwell and reality. Ah, on second thought, it’s like the inside of a giant spaceship before the Yōkai can step into reality. Until suitable spacesuits are made, they can’t recklessly go out.

Humans are the same.

I had thrown away everything I was wearing on my head. Those gear were nothing but a hindrance when fighting monsters.

The cat, leisurely munching on a corpse, was sprawled out on a sofa that looked identical to the one I had been sitting on before.

Of course, it was already charred black. There was nothing left to save.

And I—

“Ugh.”

I was bleeding from my arm. The sharp claws of the cat had grazed me. It only scratched a bit at the end, and the claws themselves weren’t burning, so I’d probably heal.

“…”

With the axe firmly in my right hand, I thrust it towards the cat.

My center of gravity was all off and my limbs felt weak. I seemed to have exhausted all my strength climbing up and down the stairs.

Still—

“Haaak!”

The oversized cat, flaming on its back, charged at me with a sound similar to my pet Kuro.

Bam!

“Kyao!?”

However, this time its attack didn’t hit me.

Blood continued to flow from my concealed wrist. I could definitely feel my connection with Nirlas even in this realm.

That means, I can use my abilities.

I created tentacles with the blood flowing from my left wrist, extending them forward whenever I needed to.

The amount I was bleeding would increase, but this was quite a usable ability.

“…If I can catch you, Sasaki and Shii will be safe.”

“Haaak!”

“…I don’t understand how Kosuzu is using you or what’s preventing the fire department from coming.”

I’ll leave that to Kagami to look into.

They must be doing their own investigations based on what I’ve told them. I’m sure some results will come out.

The cat attempted to wash the blood off its face.

As it raised its forepaw to swipe away from its face, I dashed towards the cat, Hacha.

I sent forth my tentacle from my left hand, but the cat deftly dodged beneath me.

That cat, much larger than me, was surprisingly agile.

Schlick.

The tentacle that made contact with the cat’s flaming back writhed and fell charred to the ground.

I pulled down my right hand and struck down.

Thud!

The heavy fire axe hit the ground, producing a dull sound. It left a slight scratch on the floor.

“Shash!”

As the cat growled like a snake, it swung its front paw towards me multiple times, and I managed to dodge, falling backward.

And this time with my left tentacle freed, I swung the fire axe toward the cat.

Clearly caught off guard by such an attack, the cat couldn’t completely evade my strike.

Slash!

A long gash opened on its forepaw, blood splattered, and the cat’s wails echoed. It sounded like a cat in heat.

I tried to get back on my feet but—

“Ah.”

I knelt on one knee.

My body was nearing its limits.

“…Damn.”

Not being able to move properly, even when this was right in front of me, was a blunder. That doesn’t mean I regret what I just did.

I can’t, must not die.

“Grr……”

The cat, extremely enraged, slowly raised its body.

Its left arm dangled limply. Ha, serves you right.

Thinking the prey would be weaker, how foolish.

…

Ugh.

Now it’s really tough.

The firefighter’s suit that had wrapped around my body was gradually melting away. In an instant, I was covered in blood.

Right. This fireproof suit was made from my blood too. The oxygen tank and mask were the same.

“Haa.”

Even as I forced my body to move to escape, I had no intention of dying. Even now, I wasn’t sure what to do, but I firmly believed that there had to be a way to keep living.

How, how do I steer things in the direction of the prophecy?

The fire axe was gone now—

“…Haa.”

That wasn’t the sound I made.

Before I knew it, others besides me had come into this living room.

“…Yuka? Koko?”

“You fool.”

Yuka said as she looked at me.

“You came here alone to such a dangerous place?”

“How did—”

“I want to ask you that. What in the world were you thinking coming this far?”

“Koto Ne, you idiot.”

Koko joined in too.

…Suddenly, the tension dissipated.

“Koko. I’m counting on you for Koto Ne.”

“Yes!”

Koko immediately came towards me at Yuka’s words.

“Koto Ne, you don’t have to worry anymore.”

“…Haha.”

I ended up laughing wryly at Koko’s words.

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