Kaze no Stigma – Ignition Vol 1 Chapter 2

Chapter 2 - Let's meet in a Dream

“I have always loved you.”

Kazuma said gently, hugging Ayano strongly at the same time.

“In this entire world, you are the only one I love------ I will never let you go again.”

“Kazuma……”

Ayano who was choking from the hug, used wet eyes to look at Kazuma.

“Me too, I have always------”

Half way through her sentence, Ayano instead used eyes filled with emotions to transmit her feelings across.

There was no need for words any further. In response to Kazuma who was closing in towards her, Ayano closed her eyes gently.

Then------

“Wahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

Ayano flipped her blankets over quickly and jumped up as if she was struck by lightning, a powerful scream coming out of her mouth.

The shriek that came with dawn spread across every corner of the Kannagi residence.

The Kannagi clan is a clan of En-jutsushis that are allied with the flame spirits, and are capable of controlling flames freely. For a thousand years, they have relied on their cleansing flames to eliminate all kinds of ghouls and demons, protecting people from harm.

The job they took on this time was just like one of the countless missions they have had in the past. But------

“------Oh?”

“Good afternoon, Nii-sama.”

With the appearance of an unexpected guest, Kazuma Yagami appeared a little surprised. Kannagi Ren on the other hand greeted him.

Kazuma shifted his glance towards the other girl. She was the one who brought Ren along.

“Why is Ren here, Ayano?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

The girl------ Ayano Kannagi said immediately.

“It is about time for Ren to learn to take on jobs.”

“-------Even though that is true……”

“Since you agree, just shut up.”

After Kazuma nodded, Ayano responded coldly, and then turned her head away in disdain.

Seeing that rejecting att.i.tude, Kazuma and Ren threw a glance at each other.

Even though their surnames are different, they are brothers after all. Kazuma was exiled from their family four years ago, and after a series of events, he is now employed under the Kannagi, a.s.sisting the clan in their work.

On a side note, this pair of brothers are distant relatives of Ayano, but that is not important.

“Ayano seems to be in a bad mood today------ Is it because of that period?”

Kazuma whispered quietly like a bad kid making h.o.r.n.y jokes by his twelve year old brother. But, his voice was a little too loud. After hearing that, a big green nerve burst out at Ayano's temple.

“------ I don’t know about that.”

Ren watched all this with a glance at the side of his eyes, replying calmly. He did it so as to not get dragged into their quarrels, yet Kazuma seemed even more enthusiastic:

“Or to say, because it didn’t come, that is why she is throwing a tantrum?”

“Nii-sama!”

Ren shouted painfully, but no matter what, this fatal speech couldn't be taken back. This sorrowful sighing boy's collar seemed to be grabbed by someone, and forcefully pulled him away from Kazuma.

Shortly after that------

“Go to h.e.l.l!!”

Ayano used her left hand to pull Ren over, and with the counter-force that came with it, she reached her right hand out. Her right hand quickly reached beyond the original distance it is capable of, and continued to stretch forward.

Its color becoming bright red.

“Hey hey!”

It was a forward going crimson red blade engulfed in golden flames. Just as the strike was about to pierce through between his eyebrows, Kazuma shifted his head slightly and dodged it easily.

This sword is the prized treasure of the Kannagi clan “Enraiha”------ the one and only exorcising sword that is said to be bestowed upon by the Spirit Lord of Flames himself. Definitely not a weapon to be used against a guy making perverse jokes.

“Isn’t that too dangerous?”

Kazuma complained naturally. But, Ayano didn't accept any of it.

“Ren is still just a primary school kid, what the h.e.l.l are you teaching him!?”

“No, I am just emphasizing on the importance of contraceptives, and used a failed example while at it.”

“Who the h.e.l.l failed!? How dare you slander a pure girl!”

Ayano shouted out loudly, while waving the Enraiha in her hand. Faced against the fierce, deadly, and rough attacks that would burn one to a crisp accidentally, Kazuma simply dodged with ease.

“Don’t run!”

Ayano raised Enraiha high, and swung it down with force. Yet, Kazuma dodged this strike easily, and took the opportunity to stick close to the opponent, grabbing Ayano’s wrist at one go.

“------------!”

Seeing Kazuma’s face so close, Ayano couldn’t help but recall her nightmare just this morning.

Tightly holding her arms, the sweet whispers that spread into her ears, and, those lips that closed in slowly------

“……Wahhhhhhhhh!!”

The volume of sound that came out from the girl’s mouth was enough to make a building under construction collapse.

Ayano looked at Kazuma angrily with a blush on her face, using all the might she could muster to grab onto Enraiha. The flames that wrapped around the blade now shone even more brightly.

“Don’t…… Don’t come near me! Get away from me! Pervert!!”

Even though she said that, Ayano was waving Enraiha all around, preventing Kazuma from getting away.

Seeing Ayano enter an insane state, Kazuma was surprised.

“What is going on?”

He dodged as he asked Ren at the side. However, the young boy was currently facing them with his back, his elbow on the window ledge, looking at the sunset with a sorrowful look on his face.

------ (Seems like he has set his mind up to treat us as strangers..)

“Where are you looking at! Is it okay with you to turn a deaf ear to your brother while he's in trouble!? Hey!”

Even though Kazuma was yelling for help, Ren continued to ignore the argument between the two.

“Ahh, the sun is about to set…… But, just what am I doing here……”

Looking at the distant sunset, Ren grumbled sorrowfully.

---------After three minutes.

“……huu……huu…….” [Sound of panting]

The breathless Ayano placed her entire body weight onto the ground and sat down. As for the similarly breathless Kazuma, he was looking at this scene with a surprised look on his face.

Despite all the training for becoming the next Soshu, after consistently engaging in vigorous anaerobic exercises in her fury, even Ayano can't keep on.. If she even has thirty percent of her strength left, that would really be something.

“------Gee, to be this tired even before we start our work.”

“This…… is nothing…… Will…… Recover immediately……”

“Is it------”

Hearing Ayano’s broken up reply, Kazuma opened his mouth without thinking, but on second thought, said:

“I say…… Just what the h.e.l.l is wrong with you?”

“……Nii-sama should take half or more of the responsibility for it.”

“Ohh?”

He looked at Ren who was murmuring to himself, showing a smile on his face that made one get a nasty premonition. Seeing this, Ren tried to run away, but it was already too late.

“Uuuuuuug--------Uuuuuuugg------!”

A cute cry came out from the mouth of the boy whose cheeks were being pinched. Even so, Kazuma did not stop, but continued to pull his brother’s cheeks.

“Do you have the right to say such things? When your beloved Nii-sama was in a crisis, who was it that pretended to see nothing, and then talked to me as though such a thing never happened? You really are something.”

“That…… That is not even considered a crisis!”

Ren who was finally released from the evil clutches, acting unlike his usual self, reb.u.t.ted.

“You obviously dodged so easily------ ugh……”

But, his glory lasted no longer than a few seconds------ When the boy’s eyes met Ayano’s scary stare, he shut up instantly.

A voice that seemed as though it came from the depths of h.e.l.l said:

“…… I am so sorry. They were all so easily dodged by him.”

“Ah…… Erm…… I……”

Ren didn’t know how to explain at all and cold sweat ran all over his body.

(..This is why I didn’t want to be involved in this..)

His eager wish was not heard by the heavens. No, even if the deities heard it, just how effective would it be against these two that are just like stars of death------

(I am such an unfortunate child……)

Shrouded under the gaze of the two, Ren sighed deeply.

“------ Okay.”

After ending the nonsensical conversation, Kazuma put on a serious look on his face again.

“While the little shrewd recovers, explain the details of this job to me. I am still unsure of what we have to do.”

“Ah, okay.”

Ren hurriedly said before Ayano could make any noise. If the two of them continued arguing, then there would probably be no work done today.

“This building halted it's construction due to an economic crisis. Someone else took it over, intending to demolish it and rebuild it, but------”

“Ghosts appeared?”

“No, it is not something so distinct, instead, it is the gradual increase of unconscious people. Five people died in this manner, and out of those that woke up, two of them suicide thereafter. All the rest seems weak, at this rate------”

“Hmmm------”

Kazuma responded in accordance. Ren quickly asked:

“Did Nii-sama sense any youki?”

“Ahh.”

Kazuma nodded in confession. He is a fuujutsushi that can control the winds and air, and where there is air, there is practically nothing that he cannot find.

“But, I can’t pinpoint the actual location.”

He gave an ambiguous answer, and then looked coldly at Ayano who was sitting on the ground.

“You can walk now right? Let’s start quickly. Maybe the opponent will take the initiative if we roam around.”

“Do as you please……”

Ayano murmured as she stood up. Even though she was not too willing, given that there were no other plans, she could only do as Kazuma said.

“So then, let us set off!”

Even so, Ayano made the commands as if she’s leader, walking off before the other two.

“Hey------”

In less than ten minutes, Ayano who couldn't stand it looked back. She continued to move forward in this position, as she looked at Kazuma who did not show any signs of tension.

“Found it yet?”

“No point rushing me------”

Kazuma shrugged in helplessness.

“Because I haven't even started looking.”

“Huh?”

Ayano couldn’t help but suspect her ears. Kazuma emphasized once more:

“Didn’t I mention that we will wait for it to strike first?”

“But, at least try! Do you even want to work!?”

Ayano stared with an angry look. But even under such conditions, Kazuma was still being cheeky.

“Well then, let me give you some advice.”

“What?”

“You should look forward when you walk.”

“------Huh?”

Ayano who was just about to turn her head around had her neck suddenly hooked by an arm stretching out from the wall. The arm tugged Ayano strongly, not giving her any time to resist, and pulled her into the wall directly.

The cement showed ripples as if on a lake surface, and Ayano disappeared into the wall just like that.

“Nee……Nee-sama……?”

Ren was in a daze, and raised his head to look at Kazuma with a despaired look on his face.

His brother’s face showed no signs of panic. Kazuma looked dumbly at the wall where Ayano disappeared into for a long while, and then said something:

“Okay------ Let’s go on.”

“No…… No we can’t, how can we just leave like this!”

Seeing Kazuma’s intentions to leave casually, Ren rushed before him and stopped him in his tracks.

“Are you going to just leave Nee-sama like that!?”

The wall that swallowed Ayano was currently still undulating like a liquid. The diameter was around two metres, just big enough to let one man through------ and it seemed deliberate.

Kazuma’s reaction lookwd as though he was feeling unhappy from the bottom of his heart.

“Anyone can tell that it’s a trap. Asking me to save that kind of fool------”

“No!”

“How about this, we go have a search around this building, and if we don’t find------”

“No!”

Ren refused to give in. He tugged Kazuma’s hand, and forcefully dragged him towards the wall, as if he was forcing a kid who didn’t want to go to school.

“Ren------”

“No means NO!”

Ren refused Kazuma’s request. The boy who, even the most superior Fuujitsushi, Kazuma, had to listen to------ In a way, he may perhaps be the strongest.

“Hey? Ayano? Wake up.”

“Mmm……”

Feeling the gentle shake on her body, Ayano’s consciousness gradually recovered.

(I…… was dragged in by hands stretching out from the walls, and then……)

And then, she had no recollection of what happened next. She opened her heavy eyelids, and was shocked to see Kazuma’s face.

“Wah------”

Ayano instinctively felt like jumping up, but Kazuma was one step faster than her, and hugged her, preventing any kind of resistance.

“Huh? Ah……”

“Don’t make me so worried ever again……”

Beside the ear of the surprised Ayano came Kazuma’s slightly coa.r.s.e voice.

“I thought you were dead.”

His voice is filled with relief. This suffocating hug, could it be because he is afraid to lose her? “------ I am sorry, I was too careless.”

Perhaps due to his frankness, Ayano changed her usual defiant att.i.tude, and apologized to Kazuma.

“Good that you are okay. Can you stand up?”

“Ah, yeah. Thanks.”

Ayano held onto Kazuma’s hand and stood up. She wanted to let go of his hand after thanking him, but she was unable to.

“Kazuma?”

“Don’t leave me again.”

Kazuma said as he held tightly onto Ayano’s hand.

“Stay by me forever, I will protect you.”

“Ka…… Kazuma------?”

Ayano couldn't believe what was going on, and stared at Kazuma. To think this man would actually say such undisguised sweet words to her, it's like a dream.

Unsure of what to do, Ayano’s eyes wandered around------ Suddenly, she noticed something.

“What happened to Ren?”

“Huh? Ahhh------”

For some reason Kazuma hesitated, and then shrugged his shoulders as if it is unimportant.

“We got separated. But, I was more worried about you.”

“---------------------------------”

“Ayano?”

The stunned Ayano recovered upon Kazuma’s call. She showed a shy smile, and lifted her eyes to look at Kazuma.

“Thank you for being worried about me……”

“That goes without words.”

Kazuma answered, caressing Ayano’s hand gently while he spoke. Ayano held onto Kazuma’s hand, but her actions seemed rather stiff.

“But, its about time we set off to go find Ren. Can you walk?”

“Yes, no problem. Let’s go.”

And so, the two marched off.

Holding each other’s hands tightly.

“------Nii-sama?”

Just as they submerged into the wall, Kazuma who was originally holding his hand suddenly vanished without a trace.

“Nii-sama? Where are you------”

He looked around, but there was only darkness surrounding him.

“Nii-sama------?”

There was not a single reply. Ren’s voice was swallowed by the darkness, the entire world was filled with silence.

(Just where is this place------?)

Judging from the fact that his voice never echoed back, this should not be the interior of the building. Could they have been sucked into an alternate dimension------ Suppressing the anxiety in his heart, Ren looked behind himself subconsciously.

“Woah!?”

Not long after the suppression, a cry of shock came out from his mouth. He hurriedly retreated backwards, staring at “that thing” with widened eyes.

It was a white shadow floating amidst the darkness. That thing------ “She” gave no forewarning, and just appeared at the place before him suddenly.

It was a girl wearing a white one-piece dress. Her age seemed to be around the same as Ren, yet she was a little taller than Ren, and her curly hair extended all the way to her waist.

“You are……?”

This was the first time that they have met, there was no doubt about it. Because if they have ever met before, Ren would definitely not forget it, he would never forget such a lonely smile------

“-----------------------”

The girl opened her mouth, but her voice could not reach Ren’s ears, so he was unable to hear anything.

“What did you say? I can’t hear you at all.”

“-----------------------”

The girl seemed to ignore Ren’s question, and continued on with her silent words. Following that, she lowered her head sadly, and several seconds later, raised her head once more.

“------Huh?”

The girl’s expression changed as though it's someone else, her eyes looked cold, with a sinister smile at the side of her mouth. She suddenly wielded a dagger that came out from nowhere in her right hand, and then without hesitation, she slashed at Ren.

“Wait…… Wait a minute------”

The girl’s attack was relentless, but her actions were clearly those of an untrained personal. Just as Ren dodged easily, he voiced out to try to stop her:

“Stop it! Why are you doing this------”

Suddenly, the girl’s movements sped up. The tension of her muscles and the flexibility of her body did not change, it was just an increase of speed. Just like a tape that was being fast forwarded, it looked extremely unnatural.

“Waah!?”

Ren’s leg hit something, and he stumbled onto the floor. Facing the boy who was lying on the ground, the girl lunged at him with a deep murderous intent. The sharp blade was aimed at the position of his heart.

“Mmm------”

Even at this stage, Ren does not want to harm the girl. He began to focus his consciousness, intending to let the dagger------ let that steel dagger that was shining with great brilliance within the darkness melt away.

Swish!

The girl stopped in mid-air, her body suddenly cut into half. The body that was sliced into two from her left shoulder to the right side of her waist, was then swallowed into the darkness and disappeared.

“Huh? What…… What was that……”

“Are you okay?”

The puzzled Ren heard an extremely calm enquiring voice at this moment. He sat up instantly, and searched for the source of the voice.

“Nii-sama!?”

“Yeah.”

Kazuma nodded calmly. Ren who finally set his mind at rest, started to observe his surroundings.

It was no longer pitch black. This was probably some room in the building, looking dark and desolate. The concrete floor was cold and hard, Ren stood up quickly.

He asked Kazuma who was right before him:

“Did Nii-sama save me?”

“Yeah.”

Kazuma gave a very short reply, he didn’t seem to be in a good mood.

“What was that just now?”

“Its your dream. I am not too sure of the contents.”

“Dream?”

“It's ‘Nightmare’.”

“------Hmm.”

Hearing the term, Ren more or less understood. In other words, it’s a psychological attack by the enemy.

There is a youma that is called “Nightmare”. Just as the name implies, it would give its host nightmares.

There is a “sacred area” in everyone’s heart. Their loved ones, precious memories, or mental wounds that cannot be healed------ hidden deep in their heart, a forbidden zone that does not allow others to come into contact with it.

Nightmare would intrude into this sacred area, and distort it.

Memories of time spent with your loved ones, would turn into a nightmare where you are being murdered by them.

When a.s.saulted by the one you love so dearly, just how many people would bear to fight back? And so, people are forced into the fear and despair of being killed by their lovers, parents, or even children------ The purpose of Nightmare is to consume these negative emotions.

“Did Nii-sama have a nightmare too?”

Ren asked casually. Kazuma frowned slightly, and after keeping quiet for quite a while, he used a bitter tone to say softly:

“……Yeah. A past I don’t want to recall.”

“Is…… Is it……”

After realizing that he asked a question he shouldn’t have, Ren starts to ponder on ways to change the topic. He wanted to go through what he just went through, and suddenly realized something strange.

Ren’s dream did not turn into a nightmare.

Just as previously mentioned, Nightmare would distort important memories, and turn them into nightmares.

Yet, in Ren’s dream, he met a girl he doesn’t know. Even though he was about to be killed by her, he was merely shocked, and was not to the extent of feeling scared or despaired.

“……How strange.”

“What’s strange?”

”Hmmm, frankly speaking……”

After Kazuma who felt strange began to enquire further, Ren described his dream.

“------Oh?”

“What does Nii-sama think?”

“About that…… From Nightmare’s usual tricks, it is definitely your memories alright. But if you didn’t forget it, then perhaps it predicted your ‘memories from the future’?”

“Memories from the future? Can Nightmares really do that?”

Ren cried out in surprise.

“Who knows.”

Kazuma’s reply sounded like perfunctory remarks.

“I am merely stating my a.s.sumption, just let it go. Anyway let’s meet up with Ayano.”

“------You’re right.”

Ren does not think that the future is something that is fixed. Even if Nightmare really can predict the future, it's just but one of the possibilities.

Matters regarding the future, there is no point in thinking about it now. Ren shifted his attention towards the problem at hand.

(Is Nee-sama also having a nightmare now……?)

He was not unsure about Ayano’s strength. Ayano would never fall for a trap that even he was able to escape from.

Yet, it is still worrying.

“Let’s hurry up and go, Nii-sama.”

Grabbing onto Kazuma’s hand, Ren started walking off quickly.

Speak of the devil.

It was such a coincidental meeting.

They were moving along the outer walls of the building. Just when they were about to take a turn, they met at an extremely close range.

“Nee-sama!”

After recognizing the girl before him, Ren’s eyes brightened up instantly. But in the next moment, he changed into a shocked expression.

“……And…… Nii-sama……?”

He stared blankly at the man standing beside Ayano, and then he turned his head around, and looked to his side once more.

They looked exactly identical.

“There are two…… Nii-sama……?”

“Oh……”

“Hmm……”

The “two Kazumas” stared at each other, showing the exact cold smile at the same time.

“…………”

And Ayano on the other hand was watching from the side. On a side-note, the moment she saw Ren, the hand originally holding onto Kazuma’s was drawn back forcefully.

“Nee…… Nee-sama…… What’s this about……?”

“If you ask me, I too------”

Towards Ren’s question, Ayano shook her head as if she had no part in this.

“One of them must be an impostor right?”

“Bu…… But……”

Ren seemed hesitant, and looked at the Kazuma beside him.

“But, Nii-sama------ this Nii-sama saved me.”

“What a coincidence. It’s the same for me.”

Ayano answered calmly. Seeing Ayano’s strange att.i.tude, Ren couldn’t help but show a troubled look.

“Nee-sama, why do you seem so calm?”

“That’s because------”

Ayano compared the two Kazumas, and then made a conclusion:

“We can’t tell which is the real one.”

“……So?”

“In that case, let’s not waste time. Let them prove themselves.”

“Prove themselves……”

Ren did not know what Ayano was trying to say at all.

He doesn't think that they can prove anything just by talking. Besides, the impostor won’t admit that he is the fake.

Leaving the puzzled Ren at one side, Ayano turned to the two Kazumas and said:

“So to say------ Both of you go over there and have a good fight.”

“Nee-sama!?”

Ignoring Ren's shock, she continued to say:

“The surviving one will be the real deal, got it?”

“This is too reckless! The winner might not be the real Nii-sama!”

“------What are you talking about?”

Seeing Ren’s violent reaction, Ayano blinked, surprised.

“How can Kazuma lose?.”

“------Huh?”

This was not a taunt. Her tone was so calm and peaceful, it was as if she was stating the obvious truth.

“Kazuma would never lose to an impostor.”

“That…… though its true……”

Even though there are a lot of problems with his personality, but as a Jutsushi, Kazuma’s abilities can be fully trusted. Faced against an unwavering argument, Ren could only swallow his own words.

“So------”

Ayano raised her finger with force, pointing at the two before her, and announced loudly:

“The two of you don’t have to go easy, just fight it out quickly!”

“…………”

Both Kazumas glanced at Ayano, and then stared at each other, and finally sighed at the same time.

Their actions were an exact mirror image, without the slightest difference at all. Even a pair of artists that have partnered for a long period of time might not be as harmonious as them.

“What’s up with this girl.”

“Doing things so arbitrarily-------”

“So violent------”

“Just like a tomboy……”

After finishing their final sentence at the same time, they both sighed together once more. Seeing this collaborative scene, Ayano’s temple twitched slightly.

“You……”

She grabbed a piece of concrete the size of her palm.

“Why are you having a twosome performance with the impostor! You idiot!”

And threw it out with all her might. Seeing the concrete piece that is entirely offtrack, the two Kazumas did not dodge, but only watched calmly.

“How dangerous.”

“That’s right.”

“Shut up!”

Ayano shouted out with a sinister look on her face:

“Hurry up and start! Or else I will slaughter the both of you!”

Both Kazumas widened their eyes instantly, with an astonishing look on their faces. Following that, once again, they spoke together harmoniously to ask the question in their hearts.

“How will you slaughter me?”

“------!!”

In her fury, Ayano drew out her Enraiha. But just as she was about to swing it, Ren stopped her.

“Nee-sama, calm down!”

“I can’t calm down anymore!”

Ayano struggled, trying to break free from the boy who was hugging her tightly.

“How can I accept two Kazumas in this world! Just one makes me mad, having two will drive me nuts!!”

“Nee…… Nee-sama……”

Ren tried to pacify Ayano, and turned to Kazuma with begging eyes at the same time------ As he did not know which was the real one, his eyes could only shift between the both of them.

“Nii-sama, please think of something. Nee-sama can’t take much more of this.”

“………..”

The two Kazumas looked at each other and shrugged helplessly.

“We don’t have much choice I guess, let’s begin.”

“------You’re right.”

Kazuma------ the one that appeared with Ayano------ reached out, and caressed the head of Ayano who was beginning to ease her anger.

“So, I am going.”

“------Have a nice trip.”

Ayano replied, a bit of her unhappiness still lingering in her tone. But, when Kazuma turned around with a bitter smile on his face, her voice turned freezing cold suddenly.

“I meant to h.e.l.l.”

Poosh! [Sound of something splattering?]

With the sound of one’s body being pierced through, Enraiha stabbed into Kazuma’s body. The blade tip engulfed in flames entered from his back, and came out from the center of his chest.

It was a strike that accurately pierced the heart. As if time stopped, everyone seemed to have forgotten to breathe. At this moment, Kazuma turned around to look at Ayano.

“A……Ayano……?”

“Shut your trap.”

His coa.r.s.e voice was cut off coldly by Ayano.

“ I have no idea who you are, but please don’t call my name out so casually.”

“Wha……What------”

“Quit the acting. If you didn't die instantly the moment Enraiha pierced through your heart, it doesn’t matter what you say anymore.”

“----------------”

Perhaps admitting its failure, “Kazuma”’s painful expression disappeared suddenly, and in exchange an evil smile revealed itself.

“When did you find out?”

“Since the beginning.”

“……How?”

“Why? Need you ask! How is it possible for Kazuma to leave Ren behind, and come rescue me alone? That is physically impossible no matter how you look at it!” [Actual translation would be “That is impossible in physics terms.” But I don’t understand why use physics here. Correct it if you do]

“……Nee-sama……”

Seeing how confident Ayano was when saying that, Ren couldn’t help but feel sad for her.

“So that’s the reason…… Seems like I let an unwanted girl have a nice dream…… Argh!”

Enraiha suddenly shone brightly “Kazuma”’s body was completely swallowed by flames.

“Shut your trap and go die! I will eliminate you! I will burn you till you won’t even have ashes left!”

Ayano shouted, while igniting the “furies of justice”. As if responding towards her will, the flames gave out an angry roar too, slowly eroding “Kazuma” off.

“Hey hey------”

Even after “Kazuma” was all burnt off, the flames showed no signs of subsiding. Instead, it spread out swiftly. Avoiding Kazuma, who set up a wind barrier and Ren’s surrounding area, the flames start to burn the entire building, streets, and even the entire world.

Shortly after that------

“Aaaaaarrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”

A dying cry came out from somewhere.

“------Strange?”

The feeling in her hand vanished suddenly, Ayano took a step forward quickly to prevent herself from falling over.

She looked around. This seemed to be a certain room in the building, which was obviously all burnt down just now, yet there were no burnt marks anywhere.

“What’s going on?”

“------Could it all have been a dream?”

Ren who understood the situation more clearly than Ayano, turned towards Kazuma and asked.

“Perhaps.”

“That is to say------”

“Its all over.”

Before the question is finished, Kazuma gave a short answer.

Just as “Kazuma” was burnt, Ayano burnt everything else as well------ The entire world that Nightmare created. Of course, the Nightmare that had been hiding naturally failed to escape its fate.

After hearing this explanation, Ayano raised her chest high up, and put on an arrogant front:

“Hmm hmm. How was that? Shocked, right!”

“Mmm------ So you won with brute force.”

“What! Does it matter------”

Ayano tried to rebut, but then changed to the smile of a winner, and looked at Kazuma with an expression of mockery.

“You didn’t do anything this time round. Even so you still want to get paid?”

She interrogated this “Money thief” with her eyes. Of course, Kazuma will definitely not push the reward at hand off just because of a slight mockery from someone else.

“Yup, there was no room for me this time round. You really became stronger.”

Kazuma hugged Ayano gently, and whispered softly by her ear. Faced with this sudden development, Ayano’s face turned beet red instantly, her entire body stiffened.

“Wha……What……”

(What…… What is this……? Could it be that I am still dreaming……)

As she could never imagine that Kazuma would praise her, Ayano couldn’t feel happy at all. Kazuma continued to input more sweet whispers into Ayano’s frozen consciousness.

“Work harder from now on, and let my wallet earn even more.”

(---------------------Hah?-)

Ayano raised her head reflectively. Kazuma looked into her eyes and said:

“Just standing there and getting paid for it, how can I give up on such a job? So, I will be relying on you from now on.”

“……You……”

Ayano who was so angry her body was trembling, got kissed on the forehead at this moment. The sound of the kiss became the sound of the detonation switch being pressed at the same time.

Kaboom!

The moment Kazuma turned around, golden flames burst out Ayano’s entire body. Feeling the amazing heat behind him, Kazuma quickly grabbed Ren’s hand and started running.

“Time to run.”

“……Nii-sama.”

Ren cried out in a painful voice.

“Can’t you use a more normal way to encourage Nee-sama?”

“------Hmm, actually, that is not impossible, but……”

“But?”

“It's more fun this way.”

Dodging the plasma ball that came flying at a high speed, Kazuma hummed as he spoke.

“-------Sigh……”

Thinking about the fact that Ayano will probably still be toyed around by Kazuma from now on, and he would still get dragged into it, Ren can’t help but sigh with mixed feelin