"What? Disappeared...?"

Just as Namida had said, Ryuto, who was standing in the distance, suddenly disappeared without any warning.

In the next instant, Namida felt a sudden impact in her abdomen.

"Thud—"

A dull thud echoed.

Hmph, a normal attack won't work on me. Although Namida didn't anticipate Ryuto's sudden disappearance, she had already hardened her body before the attack. After all, her ability could be used not only for defense but also for offense.

Even bulletproof glass, which could withstand bullets, would be shattered easily by Namida's hardened fist. Moreover, Namida's ability had an intensity of A-grade, far beyond normal circumstances. So while it could be said that Ryuto hit her directly, Namida didn't care about it at all.

After all, her hardening ability was far more than just that. Besides defending against weapon attacks, her hardened body was a formidable weapon in close combat, especially against humans. If someone launched a direct physical attack, the result would be the other person's injured hand, or worse, complete disablement.

Moreover, Namida knew that Ryuto wasn't wielding any weapon, but was attacking barehanded.

The reason why she was sent flying earlier while Ryuto was left unharmed was simply because it caught her off guard. Plus, Namida's original intention was just to subdue Tensyoin Miyuki, who was the target, not to mention that Miyuki's psychic abilities were only focused on the mental aspects.

In other words, the target's physical capabilities were no different from ordinary people. So regardless of defense or offense, she didn't need to use her hardening ability.

But now, everything was different. Namida had activated her hardening ability throughout her entire body, including the previously hit abdomen.

Previously, it was only smooth because of an accident. If accidents were treated as normal occurrences, it would be troublesome and perplexing.

Dare to launch a direct attack on me barehanded? Watch me cripple your hand. You will regret your foolish impulsive behavior for the rest of your life.

Namida shouted inwardly with determination.

But as the saying goes, "Reality often falls short of expectations."

The reality was not what Namida had anticipated.

Because...

In the next moment.

There was neither the sound of a young boy's bones breaking, nor the sound of his miserable scream due to pain. There was only...

"Ugh..."

Namida groaned in frustration.

The massive impact from her abdomen made her furrow her brows involuntarily.

How is this possible?

Namida exclaimed in astonishment in her mind.

Then, after only maintaining balance for a brief moment, the equilibrium of power was broken. Namida's body was crushed by the immense impact, like a bullet flying straight backward.

"Boom—"

The wall collapsed once again, and an astonishing whirlwind ensued, causing small stones to continuously roll on the ground.

And in the midst of that whirlwind, a certain figure that had disappeared earlier reappeared. It was the same youth who leisurely stood where Namida had just been.

Under the dark night sky, black hair sways in the wind, and beneath the black strands, the eyes remain void of any emotion, silently observing the equally "dark" scenery before them.