Mob Yandere

[Part 4/4]

As 'Mayoiga' diluted the density of its flames to avoid 'Houzan Jakuryuu's' counterattack, I took the chance to approach even closer. From point-blank range, I unleashed a flamethrower towards 'Mayoiga.' The dragon's entire body burned and melted while engulfing 'Mayoiga's' inferno. In the midst of that, I continued to advance towards 'Mayoiga,' aiming for their main body...!!

"...!!"

Amidst the chaos, I caught a glimpse of it. The dusty, bear-like youkai creature, covered in vines, quietly rescuing Tamaki from beyond the earthen wall. Good, with that, all uncertainties have been resolved.

'You insolent!!!'

“Ggghh!!?”

'Mayoiga' in a rage inhaled deeply, causing their flames to swell several times in size, and then they expelled them.

It was a black flame generated with an unprecedented intensity and infused with a significant amount of youkai energy. It was not just simple heat; the youkai energy it carried had poisonous properties.

“Please endure it!!”

I stripped off my tattered black clothes and used them as a temporary shield. They burned up instantly, but it didn't matter. A moment later, I unleashed a flash of youkai-empowered arm, sweeping away the tidal wave of flames. Then, I readied the slingshot while running.

'Mayoiga's' flames were merely an external shell, like an additional part attached to a mansion. The true target was its core. Yes, the small hibachi from which the flames were emanating...!!

“Just blow up!!”

'Nngh!?'

'Carved Wooden Chick,' infused with youkai energy through my arm, was no longer a lump of charcoal. It gained the hardness comparable to lead pellets, and with my strengthened arm, I shot it. 'Mayoiga' noticed something about its flames but was too late. The wooden carving was already launched, cutting through the air.

In a momentary void, the wooden carving shattered the hibachi. The ashes scattered wildly, as if it were spilling blood and guts from its belly.

'(´ω｀) Churun! (・`ω・´) Mmm, did it work!?'

“No, not yet...!!”

As I visually confirmed their presence buried in the pile of ashes, I denied the White Spider's statement. I had cracked their shell, but apparently, it hadn't reached their core. If that's the case, I'll just have to take the nail that the White Spider carries and drive it in... Wait, what!?

'Roar!!'

“You...!!”

A youkai wolf that had stealthily approached from the side sank its teeth into my arm. I didn't have time to fully youkai-ify, so its fangs only grazed my flesh. Without delay, I pushed my arm against its jaws, causing it to reflexively open its mouth and recoil. I then punched it away.

'( ・`д・´) Another one!!'

“One more...!!”

As the White Spider screamed, another youkai wolf approached from the opposite side. Turning around, I attempted to snap its nose bone, but it failed. The youkai wolf's target was not my limbs or neck. It was the slingshot I held in my hand.

“What? Crap...!!?”

Understanding its intention immediately, I shattered the wolf's neck bone with a karate chop. But I was too slow. The snatched slingshot was already crushed, rendering it useless.

“Damn it!!”

'Howl…!?'

Regaining my posture, I bashed the first wolf youkai, which was attacking again, with the half-destroyed slingshot, and then charged straight at it. I couldn't reach it with projectiles anymore. Throwing? Even if I threw the wriggling nail from the slingshot, it wouldn't reach its target. Instantly, I transformed into a youkai. My legs and arms metamorphosed. I closed the distance rapidly, aiming to tear it apart...!!

'Do you think it's that easy?!'

An aggregation of flames blocked my approach to the core. I redirected my gaze to 'Houzan Jakuryuu.' It had completely melted down. And when I looked back, the hibachi's gaping mouth spewed out flames. Not good...!!

“Huh!? Is that steam!?”

Reacting instinctively, I assumed a defensive posture with both arms, but what was released wasn't flames. It was high-temperature, high-pressure steam. My body's moisture was squeezed out like a waterfall of sweat. Dizziness hit me due to rapid dehydration. But this wasn't the end.

“Damn it... Gaah!!"

As the monstrous steam turned into scorching flames almost simultaneously with my fire breath, it was evident that I was being overwhelmed. Of course, it was the natural consequence, considering that 'Mayoiga' could replenish their fuel almost endlessly from the spiritual veins. Gradually, the flames were coming toward me.

However, 'Mayoiga' wasn't getting complacent despite this.

'(＃°Д°)!! Something is growing!!'

“What? Gah...!!?"

Upon the White Spider's warning, I noticed the anomaly at my feet, but I had neither the time nor the means to respond. Over ten vines emerged from the floor, piercing through my body. The flames stopped as I coughed and spat blood. Unrelenting, the scorching flames advanced towards me.

“This d*mned thing...!!"

'Σ(＞Д＜) Whoa!? Papa!?'

In that moment of being engulfed by the black flames, the only instinctive action I could take was to tear off the spider attached to my neck and hold it in my arm...

The charred servant collapsed on the floor, burnt black and charred, but 'Mayoiga' remained vigilant. It was clear from the previous battles that this anomaly was not an opponent that could be measured by conventional means.

In fact, though the outer skin was in a terrible state, the man's internal condition was intact. Having already undergone youkai transformation and further strengthening with spiritual power just before getting burned, he was unharmed internally. Moreover, the dormant Earth Mother's factor had rapidly begun to activate its cellular regeneration.

Hence, there was no room for complacency. However, at the same time, there was no time to spare. Given time, this human before their eyes would surely revive. 'Mayoiga' sensed it instinctively and couldn't afford to summon additional subordinates. It had already used up most of the reinforcements that could be instantly deployed.

Above all, 'Mayoiga' was filled with a loathing feeling toward this human. It was this feeling that led the monster to decide to finish him off personally.

'(´；д；｀) Papa, please awake!? Σ(; ﾟДﾟ) Hyaah!? It's coming!?"

Fortunately, the unharmed white divine spider, which had escaped from the servant's grasp, occasionally pecked at its host's cheek but was astonished by 'Mayoiga's' approach.

'ヽ(｀ω´)ﾉ Don't underestimate me! I may not have my powers yet, but I'll awaken them soon!!'

The divine spider spread its forearms, making itself look larger. It even waved the nail it held in its hand. However, the nail in question struggled to escape and was nothing more than a piece of trash before the flames.

On the other side, with a disdainful sneer, 'Mayoiga' laughed mockingly. The ground rumbled, and their swaying scorching body advanced toward the human who lay collapsed. From their powerful arm, they conjured a massive spear made of the same fiery flames. It was a custom-made weapon, compressed with immense heat and youkai energy.

Confidently, they raised the fiery spear, ready to strike down the charred man before them.

'This time, I'll finish you off!!'

“That's for you!!"

Just as 'Mayoiga' shouted with a victorious cry, a barrage of insults came from behind. Startled, they turned around and widened their eyes.

There stood Tamaki, liberated from the vines. Embracing the half-youkai failure, the two clutched a single dagger (tantō) together. Moreover, the half-youkai gripped it firmly with the other hand, not even caring about the burns.

The size of a palm, pulsating like a beating heart, it extended towards 'Mayoiga,' enveloped in flames of youkai energy. It was the very essence of their existence, a fundamental part that 'Mayoiga' couldn't ignore.

'Mayoiga' was ultimately nothing more than a plant, just a seed. Being a seed, they lacked any senses without external attachments. They had been too preoccupied dealing with the detestable servant and even feared the humans outside. That's why they were slow to realize. They had completely forgotten about the half-youkai's corpse that was meant for disposal.

Everything was already too late.

"You really... you really deceived me, you bast*rd!!"

'Stop itttt!!!??'

Shishimai Asami spat out the words. Together with Tamaki, she thrust the dagger (tantō) they held tightly into the heart shrouded in flames. 'Mayoiga' screamed, desperately trying to approach them, attempting to manipulate the consciousness of the corpse. But again, it was too late.

Right after the blade sank into the flaming heart, the monster's scream echoed throughout the room...

Fan art:

Title: New Year's Illustration for 2023. I personally like the play of light in it.

URL: here

Title: A Pop Team Epic-style four-panel comic.

URL: here

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