"Just so you know, I'm incredibly, unbelievably strong!"

I declared with a grin at the Bonesoul that had just stood back up.

I’d been itching to say that line for ages!

No clue if that fish-bone Bonesoul could even understand me, but shouting it boosted the aura of dominance swirling around me.

Why hadn’t I dared to say it before?

Because it sounded so cringey—I’d feared people laughing if they overheard.

But now was different. No audience, and this wasn’t just empty boasting.

I finally had the right to say it.

After finishing, I shifted into a defensive stance, ready for its move.

"Gurgle..."

The risen Bonesoul’s crimson pupils dilated instantly, as if provoked by my gesture.

It roared, snatched a random stick off the ground, and charged at me.

As the Bonesoul closed in, not a trace of panic flickered in my heart.

I waited calmly for the perfect moment.

When it neared, raising its stick to swing—

I tilted slightly aside to dodge the blow, straightened up, and seized the chance to punch forward hard.

I’d calculated the distance perfectly.

So...

My straight punch landed dead-on against the Bonesoul’s body.

"Wuhh!!"

The Bonesoul wailed from the impact.

It stumbled back a step involuntarily.

Where I’d hit, its white bones slowly turned earthen yellow, then crumbled off its frame...

*Crack!* They shattered on the ground.

Seeing a chunk of the monster’s front bone collapse, I instantly grasped my gauntlet’s power.

"Time to test your new weapon’s skill~"

Watching the monster retreat, I smiled faintly again. I slid open the cover on my knuckles, revealing the card cartridge.

I pulled out a random card...

It showed a stone slab-like design, but no attack value listed.

Probably a support card?

Curious, I slotted it into the belt’s reader.

"Card inserted..."

"Identifying card type..."

"Success... Skill card... Acquiring skill data..."

"Skill data loaded... Activating Earth’s Crush!"

"Earth’s Crush ready!"

"Earth’s Crush!"

As the long startup chime ended, I swung my fist down hard, slamming it into the ground.

Why?

The skill’s activation method flooded my mind after each card read—probably to prevent misuse.

Did this mean I had that red Archer’s experience-sharing skill too?

No time for distractions now!

When my fist struck the earth, two square stone slabs burst from the floor beside the Bonesoul.

Before it could react, the slabs shot inward simultaneously, crushing it between them.

In a blink, the Bonesoul was trapped, immobilized.

"Emperor’s Might!"

Seeing it pinned, I quickly drew another card from the cartridge...

This one depicted a fist smashing a semicircular object.

It displayed a number like the Raging Waves Thirteen Strikes card—six thousand. Not as high, but still solid.

No hesitation. I jammed it into the belt slot.

"Card inserted..."

"Identifying card type..."

"Success... Skill card... Acquiring skill data..."

"Skill data loaded... Activating Dragon Fang Crush!"

"Dragon Fang Crush ready!"

"Dragon Fang Crush? Nice naming sense!"

Hearing the belt announce it, I repeated the name aloud. I liked it. Really liked it.

"Here I come, monster! Taste my Dragon Fang Crush!"

Shouting the skill name, I stomped my back foot, leaping up. I swung my gauntlet down at the trapped Bonesoul.

Pinned by the slabs, it couldn’t move an inch—even sensing danger, it struggled uselessly.

It watched helplessly as my fist descended...

Crashing onto its skull-like head.

The moment my gauntlet hit, a conical stone pillar shot out, piercing clean through the Bonesoul’s core—skewering it like a kebab.

Under the pillar’s force, the Bonesoul crumbled from within. Its white bones turned earthen yellow...

Then flaked off its body.

Seconds later...

The terrifying Bonesoul had fully dissolved into a pile of dirt-like matter on the ground.

"Actual dirt?"

Curious, I crouched, scooped some yellow stuff, and sniffed it.

Yep. Definitely dirt. No doubt.

"Doesn’t matter~~ Battle’s over. I’ll clean up."

Kyuubi, who’d watched the whole fight from the sidelines, approached me after the Bonesoul’s defeat. It glanced at the dirt remains, then slowly looked up.

"You can fix the scene?"

I was slightly shocked. Never expected Kyuubi to have mascot-like powers from anime.

I’d thought this wrecked place would need city repairs.

But...

"In your world’s TV anime, don’t servants always have such abilities? It’s only natural I can."

Seemingly well-versed in Magical Girl lore, Kyuubi replied casually to my surprise.

"True. I’ll leave it to you~"

As I spoke, I scanned the area.

Walls were partially collapsed. The ground was riddled with holes.

A snapped utility pole dangled nearby—I must’ve broken it without noticing.

Total chaos. Only all-powerful Kyuubi could handle this.

"Take your brother and go. I’ll find you after repairs."

Seeing my agreement, Kyuubi pointed at my still-unconscious brother, signaling me to carry him away first.

"Got it."

I nodded, removed the belt.

Back in my familiar male body...

I flexed my arms, confirmed no issues, then hoisted my unconscious brother onto my back.

I walked from the ruined site toward the main street.

"Repair work commencing..."

Kyuubi’s voice reached me after a few steps.

Repairs had started. I quickened my pace.

My brother would wake soon. If he found me carrying him...

An awkward scene. Explaining would be messy.

Just me carrying him was weird enough!

I planned to stash him somewhere and vanish before he woke.

After a few minutes...

I carried him out of the alley onto a tree-lined path like a forest trail.

Shaded spots under the trees held benches for resting.

Spotting them...

I knew where to leave my brother.

Quietly, I found a clean bench and gently lowered him onto it.

"All set. Now to wait for Kyuubi..."

My brother lay peacefully on the bench, still deeply asleep.

My tense nerves finally eased.

Remembering Kyuubi’s repairs, I recalled its order to wait.

Better not interrupt. Might slow things down.

Since it told me to wait, I would.

I turned and left.

I couldn’t be here when he woke.

If he saw me nearby...

Trouble would brew. Avoid it while I could.

He’d be fine on that bench.

This path led to the city park’s main entrance. Someone would pass soon and wake him.

No worries. The park was small, but mornings drew elderly walkers.

Even now, a few people might pass.

"Almost six... Time to eat."

After leaving the park path, my stomach growled loudly.

A timely reminder.

I checked the time sideways—past six. The sky darkened fast.

The last sunset glow faded rapidly...

Streetlights flickered on silently along the roads, illuminating the darkening streets.