Chapter Thirty-Six: They're Not Cowards

  A dazzling current drew a glaring line in the air, and just as it was about to hit its target, a dark-colored protective field suddenly appeared in front of 'Phantasmal Beast', dispersing the massive electric current launched by Mikoto Misaka.

  "Hmph, it's actually the electromagnetic field that Musujime used before... how troublesome. Well, let's try this move then!" Mikoto Misaka swung her arms and began generating a large amount of electricity with her claw-like hands, going "zap zap" as she did so. Once she felt the conditions were ripe, she sent it all flying towards the 'Phantasmal Beast'.

  Next to him, Accelerator was responding to the HP recovery, his mouth twisted in a scowl. He had now basically confirmed the fact that Mikoto Misaka had been holding back during their battle. The same remote electrical attack, and this time "Fantasy Beast" had set up an electric field in front of it just like before, but due to the excessive twisting of the electricity, its surface temperature rapidly rose, and through its melted surface, one could even faintly see where its "core" was located inside.

  Unfortunately, no one seized this fleeting opportunity. Mikoto Misaka was still reeling from the massive electrical discharge she had just released and couldn't spare a hand for the moment. Toma Kamijou didn't have a suitable long-range attack in his hands, having used up his last aluminum card earlier, which also had a small attack range and poor accuracy, making it uncertain whether he could hit the target even if he did attack.

  "'Fantasy Beast' is a target for anyone to hit? Of course not, so it quickly turned its hatred towards Misaka Mikoto, a giant limb composed of several tentacles swooping towards where Misaka Mikoto was. Etō Shinra saw this scene and finally nodded in relief, Misaka Mikoto, the DPS, had finally gone OT (over target), not easy."

  For this physical attack, Misaka Mikoto said it was just a minor injury, didn't even look directly at the severed limb, and suddenly pulled out a high-frequency iron sand whip to lash out. In an instant, she tore off the giant limb. Fortunately, 'Phantasmal Beast' is a fantasy creature that doesn't bleed, or else this one attack would have caused blood to flow like rivers here.

  As the physical attack didn't work, the "Fantasy Beast" that was in pain and kept screaming used its ability to summon several crystal clear icicles from the air to shoot at Misaka Mikoto. Misaka Mikoto didn't see any intense movement, she just raised one hand again, using her ability to create several high-frequency iron sand whips, controlling them to surround her body and swing in a golden snake dance-like motion, cutting the incoming icicles into ice flowers that scattered on the ground, reflecting the colorful sunlight.

  It's like a Hollywood blockbuster scene, and the tourists can't help but sigh that they didn't bring popcorn or cola to enjoy while watching this magnificent view.

  "A collection of AIM diffusion fields?" Mikoto Misaka snorted coldly, her eyes fixed firmly on the "Fantasy Beast" as she said, "Sorry, but I don't want to lose to a bunch of cowards who entrust their 'own reality' to others. Don't suffer over this anymore, wake up already!"

  Misaka Mikoto's words caused Kuroko Shirai to furrow her brow, although she didn't rule out the possibility that some people were indeed like what Misaka Mikoto said. However, she knew of another type of person; a person who, like Saten Ruiko, knew full well that using "Fantasy Hand" would likely leave them unable to wake up forever, yet still insisted on using it! This wasn't cowardice! These people, completely lacking in talent, had paid the greatest price they could pay to break through the wall called "reality" that stood in their way of pursuing their dreams!

  They are heroes! Not like me, compromising with reality and hiding in a 2D life as a loser... They are worthy of respect......

  "I'm not some kind of coward..."

  Just as Mikoto Misaka was about to pull out a coin from her pocket and finish off the "Phantasmal Beast", Etzali stepped in between her and the creature.

  "What are you talking about! Don't you know it's very dangerous! Get out of the way quickly!"

  "They're not cowards at all!" Mikoto Misaka stood still, blocking the way in front of 'Electromaster', her eyes staring seriously at him, more serious than ever before. He didn't know why he was doing this, but he just wanted to tell Mikoto something she didn't know!

  "As an LV5, you can't understand the suffocating pain they're going through! They don't have talent... They're blocked by a wall called 'reality' that obscures sunlight and hope, living in darkness without hope. Do you think after all those reports on the news and people who gave them 'Fantasy Hands' ended up unconscious, they wouldn't know what would happen if they used it? They all knew! But they also want to know how it feels to be bathed in sunlight that's been blocked by that wall, they're human too! They want to have hope, even if it's fake, even if only for a brief moment! Take back your cowardly words, they're brave warriors who are using the remaining value of their lives to pursue their dreams!"

  "How could it be..."

  Having talent, Mikoto Misaka who was enjoying the sunlight on this side of the wall had never thought that the dazzling sunlight which was a bit too much for her would be so important to those who didn't have talent and were desperately chasing after it. At this moment, her gaze towards 'Fantasy Beast' no longer held any prejudice.

  “（*%￥@￥#@@#￥”

  At this time, a brain wave that made Kaito Yagiri feel familiar came from "Phantasos" again. Before he could carefully savor the meaning of this information, "Phantasos" suddenly stretched out a tentacle and wrapped it around Kaito Yagiri, pulling him into its own body before anyone else could react.

  "Damn it! What's going on now?!"

  Mikoto Misaka reacted too late to take action, and the "Fantasy Beast" that had absorbed Kiyota Haru into its body left her at a loss for what to do. What was even more bizarre was that after the "Fantasy Beast" had absorbed Kiyota Haru into its body, it didn't make any further movements. It was as quiet as an infant who had returned to its mother's arms, and even the ferocious face from before now seemed tranquil.

  "What's going on here?!"

  The bizarre situation drove Mikoto Misaka a bit crazy, she couldn't help but want to immediately cut open the "Phantasmal Beast"'s belly to see what had happened, but was also afraid of accidentally hurting Etzali who had been sucked inside, so she could only circle around the completely still "Phantasmal Beast" looking for any abnormalities.

  "Don't worry, the 'Fantasy Beast' made of AIM field doesn't have a digestive function, so that boy won't come to any harm. We just need to wait patiently." Mokuzai Haruhi leaned against the bridge pier and struggled to stand up, her eyes also fixed on the ugly but peaceful-looking "Fantasy Beast". The person who was shocked by Etou Toshio's words wasn't just Misaka Mikoto, but also her.

  Even if my own plans were successful, but playing with other people's hopes, what identity would I use to face those awakened children? Fortunately, there are still people who stand up and point out their mistakes, otherwise, they will never understand how painful the things they have done are, and even afterwards, they will not feel guilty or regretful.