This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 157

“What are you going to do now?”

I couldn’t help but ask that part, even though I had no knowledge of other matters.

“Well…”

That’s when I received that reply.

Earlier, when I was ready to charge into the enemy’s stronghold, facing that… monster disguised as a girl, was that all just an act?

“One thing is certain… charging in headfirst in a situation like this would be the stupidest thing to do.”

“That’s true.”

As Chae-rim said, it really was.

We just didn’t know anything about those guys.

To be precise… we knew almost nothing about that girl-type Another.

The only things I knew were that they could conjure illusions that didn’t exist and that they were obsessively fixated on Chae-rim and me.

And now, to charge into a place where who knows how many were lurking?

I felt sorry for not trusting Chae-rim with such thoughts, but honestly, it seemed like a suicidal act.

If only there was a location that could support us, I might have entertained some hope, but we didn’t have that either.

According to Chae-rim’s earlier explanation, the place where ‘that’ was waiting would be an overwhelmingly disadvantageous battlefield for her.

It was obvious that once the fight started, unlike those monsters who would run wild regardless of their surroundings, Chae-rim couldn’t ignore the environment.

As long as even one living person was inside that cave, it would inevitably be that way.

Of course, there was a possibility that Chae-rim, determined enough, might unleash her full power against that girl-type Another, regardless of collateral damage… but honestly, I didn’t think that would actually happen.

Chae-rim’s nature was just too kind.

You could say it was the perfect aspect of a Hero.

That being the case, the situation inside that cave would straight-up act as a penalty for Chae-rim.

The good news was that Chae-rim was aware of this point.

That’s why she’s been troubled since earlier.

It would be really nice if a useful strategy popped up.

It was in the moment when I was exhaling inwardly, having nothing specific in mind, that I heard a rather sudden remark.

“…At this point, we have no choice.”

What on earth couldn’t be helped?

In that instant, the subsequent words were—

“If they’re going to hold out inside, we have to make them come outside.”

That was quite an alarming statement.

“Make them come outside”?

Could that even be possible?

At first, I thought so, but as soon as Chae-rim opened her mouth to explain her plan, I had to change my mind.

There was no guarantee that things would unfold as Chae-rim intended, but if it did, those Another guys wouldn’t be able to stay calm.

If this tree was indeed precious to them.

Anyway… one thing was for sure: trying something was a hundred times better than doing nothing and just charging in.

“Then how about we definitely give this a go?”

I added my opinion when Chae-rim brought up the idea.

If we’re going to attempt something, it’s much better to commit fully.

“…How?”

“Honestly, going around triggering things one by one is ridiculous in terms of time. So…”

With that, Chae-rim and I started brainstorming a plan from scratch.

And surprisingly, the process went far smoother than expected.

That’s because there was an abundance of usable items outside the cave.

However, amidst all this, there was one concern…

“But… will they really react?”

That was the worry.

Would the monsters really come out as we planned?

If they didn’t respond properly…

Would it mean we’d just end up provoking them needlessly before the decisive battle?

Saying that brought me unease, but it seemed Chae-rim wasn’t worried about that.

“They won’t have a choice but to react.”

What’s the basis for that thought?

“It seems that this tree is both their mom and their home, so if we don’t do anything and make it seem like it’s about to collapse, do you think those little ones will just sit back and take it?”

Consequently, we decided to try the plan as we had discussed.

Of course, I’d mostly be the one taking action.

Chae-rim offered to help, but I politely declined.

If she had that energy, I honestly wished she would save it for when we fought that girl-type Another.

That way, both Chae-rim and I could return to the world we originally lived in.

Fortunately, the uneven ground made moving around a bit cumbersome, but it wasn’t that difficult.

The work just involved collecting usable items hidden among debris and piling them up throughout the cave.

Yet, it still took nearly three days to finish that task…

Because the cave—or rather, the roots—spread so wide and deep.

It was so extensive that even after excluding time spent eating, sleeping, and “doing business,” I practically used all my time there, and it still took that long.

“This is probably the limit, right?”

“Maybe? Honestly, the situation still strikes me as a bit precarious.”

“True… It didn’t look like she had much patience.”

She was acting just like a girl of that age, after all.

Going by that logic, it was impressive she hadn’t shown up until now.

Having lived in a world without day and night, maybe she lost the concept of time.

“Anyway, we’re about to start, okay? You know what to do; stay hidden until it’s over.”

“…Yes.”

“But don’t be too tense either. If you’re too rigid, you might not be able to move when it counts.”

As I slowly nodded to show I understood, Chae-rim chuckled softly and closed her eyes.

“Oh, and don’t get too surprised.”

Just as I tilted my head in confusion at her words as they came from her now closed lips—

Zzzzz—I hear a crackling sound!

A surge of bluish current enveloped Chae-rim’s body.

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Phew…

I didn’t want to use this yet since it was still a bit unstable…

But I had no choice.

It wasn’t a situation I could deliberate over.

I had no idea how powerful the opponent was, so I was feeling anxious.

The issue was… as I mentioned earlier, since it’s still unstable, using this would mean I couldn’t use my talent for a while afterward…

But I decided not to think that far.

If this didn’t work against the opponent, it basically meant I was out of options.

This was a special power.

One that surpassed simply wielding one’s abilities freely, allowing manipulation of the surrounding environment and one’s body to their most efficient and advantageous form, almost akin to reality manipulation.

The Association Chairman, one of the few who reached that level, called this Self-Transformation.

Transforming and changing both the world and oneself into what they desire.

And invariably achieving the results they most wish for.

Honestly, when I first heard this, I thought to myself, “Is he losing it at just 40 years old?”

Yet, I never expected to genuinely resonate with that statement one day.

Self-Transformation

Harmony of Body and Thunder

Power overflowed from my head to my toes.

Maybe that’s why.

It felt like if I just set my mind to it, I could accomplish anything.

I lightly lifted my feet.

And with that, lightning struck within the cave.

The descending lightning raced along the walls and floor.

Boom!

The sound of something exploding resonated faintly against the cave walls.

And I could hear the sound of something beginning to collapse.

Did it react?

I felt the entities that had been occupying the surface start to scatter in every direction.

The reaction made it feel like fire had dropped on my feet, causing a grin to slip through my lips.

Whatever the case… it seemed the hindrances were mostly taken care of…

I moved forward slowly.

And waiting in that path was the monster.

“You…!”

The innocent and naive expressions she’d shown before were long gone, replaced by a face of sheer malice.

I couldn’t help but smile at that satisfying sight.

Yes, that’s how it should be.

How dare you masquerade as a human.

You’re just a monster that devours people.