[Your party has entered combat!]
The Meta-Pumpko let out a rumbling laugh that sounded like gravel on a spin cycle inside a washing machine.
"Pathetic humans. You think you can mock me?"
[Enemy has activated Guiding Radiance!]
A sharp white outline flared around its iron-plated body. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Lumina, staring with creepy intensity. She actually shivered at that.
"Quit eyeballing me, you creep!"
"Please," it sneered, voice dripping contempt. "You've got nothing worth looking at."
"You absolute—"
Lumina snapped, unleashing a barrage of glowing star-hearts that streaked across the empty street like fireworks.
[Enemy HP has dropped to 175%.]
Hiro blinked. Over a hundred percent? What kind of bullshit scaling was this?
Hanako moved next as she raised her palms forward, lightning crackling between her fingers before she hurled jagged bolts that lit the night blue-white.
The Meta-Pumpko just laughed harder.
"That tickles."
[Enemy resists electric attack.]
Hiro and Kaito charged together fast. The thing sidestepped Hiro's swing like he was moving in slow motion, then backhanded Kaito into the pavement with a claw swipe that cracked the concrete.
[Enemy activates Wavebound!]
Faster than anyone could react, a rippling ring of blue light exploded outward from its feet. The shockwave was so strong, it flung the whole party back, forcing their boots to scrape on asphalt to slow their momentum.
[Your HP has dropped to 50%.]
Hiro sucked in air as his whole body ached. Hanako was the first to get up. She raised her hand and a soft pink light emitted from it in all angles, bathing the team like warm rain.
[Your HP has been restored to 70% and is slowly regenerating over time.]
They regrouped, not saying a word as they were still catching their breaths. Hiro lined up a shot and fired an Energy Sphere at it ead-on.
The Meta-Pumpko leaned left. The blast sailed past and exploded harmlessly against a dumpster.
"Pathetic aim," it taunted.
[Your MP has dropped to 60%.]
[Enemy has activated Will-o-wisps!]
Purple fireballs erupted in a chaotic swarm. Hiro dove out the way, just barely avoiding the ones that scorched the ground where he'd stood.
He closed the gap again and drove his blade in deep with Vital Slash level 1. Steel met its metal-plated hide and sparks flew.
The thing roared.
[Critical! Enemy HP has dropped to 140%. Enemy is stunned. Follow-up available!]
Hiro didn't hesitate. He channeled Spirit Barrage which was his new ability, and five glowing orbs materialized around him before rocketing forward and slamming with deafening impacts.
[Enemy HP has dropped to 105%.]
[Your MP has dropped to 20%.]
Even though his head began swimming from the drain, Hiro retreated as Kaito pushed forward in blurring speed, landing clean combos on its joints and seams.
[Enemy HP has dropped to 80%.]
"You're starting to piss me off," the Meta-Pumpko growled. "Like goddamn gnats. Fine, let me swat you all at once."
"F*ck, hit it now!" Hiro barked, chest heaving. The MP loss hit like a migraine, vision pulsing at the edges.
Too late.
[Enemy has activated Raid Ender!]
Pure, blinding white light exploded that swallowed everything. Pain erupted across Hiro's body, enough to make his nerves scream and bones rattle. It felt like being inside a star going supernova.
[Your HP has dropped to 1%.]
[Passive skill Secret Sword/Martial Arts Combo's defense boost allowed you to survive.]
[Danger! Critically low health.]
He hit the ground hard, already tasting blood and every inch of his skin felt like it was on fire. Hell, even his f*cking eyeballs felt as though they were being roasted.
The others weren't much better. Lumina frozen mid-stagger, Kaito was on one knee, and Hanako just slumped, unable to cast anything.
The Meta-Pumpko loomed, chuckling as it stalked forward.
One hit was all it would take to end him. And in the aftermath?
Earth, his family and friends, and everything would be wiped by some tiny, sadistic cat freak. He would be party-wiped by an overgrown pumpkin-headed monster. What a joke.
'No. Not like this.'
[Your talent, Protagonist Aura, has activated.]
[Extremely rare ability triggered: Deus Ex Machina.]
Hiro almost laughed through the pain.
'Of course. Of f*cking course I would have the ultimate cliché bailout.'
[Limit Break activated!]
In no time, raw and electric power flooded him that made him feel unstoppable. His veins were burning with energy that felt like he chugged lightning as an afternoon drink.
His limits were quite shattered and he felt as though his surging strength was infinite.
He pushed himself up slowly, light radiating off him in waves that cast long shadows down the street.
"Limit Break," he said, voice calm, aiming one palm at the stunned monster.
[Limit Break Skill: Cosmic Annihilation Ray.]
A deep blue massive beam erupted from nowhere that was laced with a void-black and roaring like a 747 jet engine.
It punched straight through the Meta-Pumpko, completely erasing it in a flash and leaving nothing but ash and scorched air. A faint smell of burned metal and overcooked squash also lingered.
The others stared up at Hiro with dropped jaws.
Out of nowhere, a heavy brown chest materialized where the thing had stood. Hiro grinned wide as he'd finally gotten proper drop.
[Battle completed. Victory! Reward: 9000 EXP and $300.]
[Level jump: 9 → 13. Stats increased! 3 free points earned.]
[New skill unlocked: Deep Slash.]
[Precise Slash leveled to 2. Hostile Detection leveled to 3—more enemy details revealed.]
[HP slowly regenerating to 10% due to ally effect.]
Hiro ignored the flood of notifications and popped the chest. Immediately, money, trinkets, and a glowing book that hummed with something went straight to his inventory.
Hanako's healing washed over them again, warm and relieving, pulling everyone upright.
"What… the hell was that, Hiro?" she asked, grabbing his arm, eyes wide. "I've never felt power like it from anything."
Hiro shrugged, still riding the post-limit high. "Long story and I'm tired as hell. Can we call it a night?"
"But—"
"Later," he cut in gently.
Lumina walked over, holding something silver that caught the streetlight. "Here you go. This was in the chest. Figured it suits you."
She handed him a sleek silver necklace with a crystalline charm.
[Your relationship with Lumina has increased from Neutral to Friendly.]
[Your relationship with Kaito has increased from Neutral to Friendly with slight respect.]
[Received Strength Necklace. Item class: Uncommon.]
"Thanks for keeping us alive," she added, softer than usual. "I didn't expect to encounter something that nasty."
"The demon lord's grunts are no joke," Kaito said, brushing dust off his jacket. "We have to remember that next time."
Hiro slipped the necklace on. He could feel subtle warmth spread through his muscles as his strength stat ticked up slightly. "I appreciate it, Lumina."
She smirked, mischief in her eyes. "Best gift you've gotten lately?"
"Second best."
Her stare went flat. "And first?"
"Hanako's welcome dinner when I first moved into the city," he said, catching everyone off guard. Hanako flushed faintly. "Anyways, let's go home. I feel like I might die standing here."
"I'll call cabs," Kaito said. "It's on me. Just this once."
[Kaito and Lumina have left the party.]
[Quest completed. Reward: $50 and 150 EXP.]
And just like that, the two pairs left their own ways. After arriving back at their apartment building, Hanako unlocked her door with a teasing smile. "Need that healing sleep?"
Hiro pulled one of the items he'd gotten from the chest out from his inventory. It was a pink wand with glittering gems and gold filigree curling like roses.
"And a long shower," he said, holding out the wand to her. "This looked perfect for you. I'm sure it has ranged healing boost and probably more tricks. I figured you'd get the best use out of it than anyone."
[Presented Hanako with the Wand of Roses. Item class: Rare. Ideal for healers.]
Her eyes lit up, fingers tracing the designs. "Hiro… this is incredible."
"From a friend," he said, winking with a tired grin.
[Your relationship with Hanako has increased to Friend (Closer) - Level 1. Warning: Further advances require effort and may trigger jealousy around other women.]
She threw her arms around him in a tight hug only for him to groan in response, everything hurt like hell from the fight.
"Sorry!" She pulled back, laughing softly. "Thank you. I can't wait to see what else you pull off."
"Who knows?" He shrugged. "Well, night, Hanako."
Hiro could've sworn he heard her murmur something filthy as he unlocked his own door. But, he figured it was the exhaustion getting to him.
In his current condition, he couldn't do nothing more than shower, eat, and just collapse into good bed in the end. These were simple pleasures after nearly dying.
Lying in bed, staring at the new stats, he finally felt ahead. He finally had enough cash for that goddamn printer. He supposed there was no more getting lost in this maze of a city.
But his mind drifted back to the blonde with the twin tails, scarfing chocolate like the night was safe. She was too confident.
She said something about being the Demon lord's "eye"? Hiro started to suspect that cute packaging in this world hid something dangerous. He knew the trope all too well.
Perhaps he could befriend her. Maybe? Without telling the others.
[Quest: Guess what?]
"Oh, come on, you sadistic piece of—"
[This quest is mandatory and cannot be refused.]