"Um... could you maybe not let me see this part?"
"Please, I'm begging you..."
The serpent core in Natsuki's hand suddenly sprouted a small head. Made a pleading sound. Watching someone eat your own corpse? That was a bit too morbid.
Even as a prisoner now, it still wanted a shred of dignity.
"You're so troublesome."
"So stingy about letting me eat a little meat." Natsuki stared at it with dead-fish eyes. "Relax. I'll turn my back to you."
"Of course, that's assuming you cooperate during interrogation."
The serpent head emerging from the core nodded frantically. "I'll cooperate completely!"
Just then—
Some Third Unit members who'd evacuated earlier returned. Approached the serpent's corpse.
"Natsuki-san!"
"You okay?" Kafka released his transformation. Reverted to his middle-aged appearance. Ran over with concern.
Beside him, Reno Ichikawa also looked worried about Natsuki's condition.
When you face a hopeless situation you can't solve, having a mentor step up and handle everything? That sense of security was precious.
"What could possibly be wrong with me?" Natsuki turned back.
Then asked: "You caught that bone dragon, right?"
This serpent was a Traveler. He figured the bone dragon was too.
"Got it. Third Unit has it contained now." Reno nodded.
"Never thought something this huge wouldn't be a match for you." Soshiro Hoshina walked over. Arms crossed. Eyes narrowed as he addressed Natsuki.
He'd had some sense of Natsuki's strength. Still exceeded expectations.
Kaiju No. 10's second phase—which he'd struggled desperately to defeat—was basically a toy to this guy. And the mythological Kaiju that left their entire unit helpless? This man beat it easily.
Not just strong. Abnormally strong.
"Either way, Third Unit owes you our gratitude." Mina Ashiro looked at Natsuki. Spoke with appreciation.
Without Natsuki transforming into the giant of light, this base would've been destroyed.
"Don't mention it." Natsuki smiled.
The moment the words left his mouth, something occurred to him. His tone shifted.
"Actually... do mention it."
"Could I keep one of this serpent's bodies? I'm really curious what it tastes like." Natsuki pointed at the massive corpse. His eyes lit up.
Earlier, when the Specium Beam pierced the serpent, he'd caught a faint whiff of roasted meat... It melted completely almost instantly, but that fleeting aroma stirred his appetite.
"This..."
Hearing such a request, Mina froze.
First time she'd heard anyone wanting to eat Kaiju meat.
Most Kaiju corpses contained toxins. Some Kaiju meat that reached the black market? People had eaten it. Zero bad reviews. The reason why? Those who knew, knew.
Plus, a Kaiju of this level had immense research value... Even without the core, the flesh alone could create extremely powerful Defense Force Suits and weapons. Numbered-class equipment.
"If it's just one body, naturally you can have it. You're the one who killed this Kaiju anyway."
"But... are you sure about eating toxic Kaiju meat?" Mina asked uncertainly.
"No problem. As a qualified foodie, I naturally have unique methods for handling ingredients." Natsuki spoke with confidence.
He'd visited so many planets. Mastered plenty of cooking techniques. Alien technology.
While they talked, First Unit members gathered around.
"You're the one?"
"The guy who eliminated this Kaiju?"
Captain Narumi gripped his gun-blade—taller than a person. Looked at Natsuki questioningly. Sized him up, trying to figure out where his strength came from.
Just from physique, this guy didn't look as strong as himself. How did he eliminate this Kaiju?
Also... where did that giant go?
Questions filled his mind.
"That's me."
"But who are you?" Natsuki turned toward the youth with black hair and pink highlights. A question mark floated above his head.
Narumi: "???"
His expression twisted instantly.
"You don't even recognize me!?"
"I'm the First Unit Captain who ranked second in the Defense Force popularity poll!"
"Sure, Mina Ashiro beat me, but any rational fan knows my popularity should be highest!"
Having his existence ignored, Captain Narumi—who loved high-intensity internet surfing and self-searching—went a bit crazy.
This guy was two completely different people on and off the battlefield. On the battlefield? A war god. Off the battlefield? A shut-in otaku who obsessed over public opinion about himself.
"You not recognizing me? Definitely intentional!"
"You're deliberately trying to piss me off, aren't you!?" Narumi pointed at Natsuki. Couldn't believe it. "You think I'll get worked up? I'm not worked up at all!"
Seeing this, some First Unit members covered their faces.
Their captain had such an unreliable personality.
Call him weak? He'd probably just laugh it off. But call his popularity low? He'd actually get mad.
SMACK!
Seeing the captain's loss of composure, First Unit's vice-captain—a bald man standing 2.1 meters tall—slapped Narumi's head. Pressed his head down. Apologized to the Third Unit members: "Sorry. You had to see that."
"Hey!"
"Hasegawa, he's looking down on your captain!"
"Shouldn't you guys be taking my side!?" Narumi still bristled.
SMACK! Another slap.
"Sorry..." Finally deflated.
Watching the First Unit captain's performance, the Third Unit members' eyes twitched.
Natsuki felt it directly: people in this world were livelier than the last world. No... more absurd.
"What exactly are you here for?" Soshiro Hoshina walked over. Eyes narrowed.
"Need you ask? For support, obviously." Seeing Soshiro, Narumi suddenly lifted his chin. Glared. His nostrils flared.
"As you can see, the battle here's over. You can go back where you came from." Soshiro also lifted his chin. They moved closer. Clearly competing.
"Are you telling me what to do, purple mushroom-head?"
"Hah? Guess you forgot I broke the Defense Force's small Kaiju record. Oh... the previous record holder was you, wasn't it?"
"Breaking one measly record? You're still a hundred thousand miles from surpassing me!"
First and Third Units were close geographically. The two units often clashed over jurisdiction. Narumi and Soshiro's personalities also conflicted. Basically, they sparked friction the moment they met.
"By the way, that giant—what's his deal?"
"Where... did he disappear to?" Suddenly, Narumi remembered the giant he'd glimpsed earlier. His gaze swept across the Third Unit members. He asked.
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