Ch-7 Second Rift.

 I can't see it with my eyes, but I can clearly feel that something is there.  

Is that 'gravity'?  

Since there's no one to verify its effects, I don't know for sure, but no matter how I think about it, it seems to be a skill that's meant to attack opponents.  

"Onii-chan, how is it?"

"I think it's probably activated. It's a skill that uses gravity to crush opponents."

"I can't see it, so I'm not sure, but I'll try 'Iron Strike' as well."

"It's better to aim for the sky where there's nothing."

"Understood."  

When Himawari touched her smartphone again, a softball-sized iron ball suddenly appeared in the empty space, flew into the sky, and then disappeared.

"Onii-chan."

"Amazing. It really worked."

"Yeah."

"Himawari, let's keep the fact that your ability manifested a secret for now."

"Understood."

Unlike my Gacha, Himawari's skills are perfectly suited for combat.  

She might be able to defeat goblins or monsters, but Himawari is still just a middle school student. No matter how many skills she has, I don't think she could survive an attack.  

Besides, if people find out that she has such useful skills, they might force her to become a Saber.  

So far, I haven't heard of any monsters appearing in our area, so there's no reason for her to push herself.  

Keeping the details of her skills a secret between us, we returned to our normal lives.

Since then, it has become part of my daily routine to try the Gacha once a day. But as usual, I didn't get anything impressive.  

The only thing that could even be considered a weapon was a utility knife that I got once. My okaasan liked to use it, though, because it turned out to be quite sharp.  

Then one day, six months later, it happened.  

The second Rift.

Once again, new dungeons appeared in the world, and more monsters were born.  

And now, monsters have begun to appear even in my neighborhood.  

I hadn't seen one yet, but rumors were spreading around school. One of my classmates didn't show up anymore, and when I asked around, I found out that he had been attacked by a monster and was in critical condition.  

Our lives no longer feel safe.  

It's enough to make me realize that life as we knew it may never return.

"Onii-chan, I heard that a student at the school died today."

"A student at school?! Himawari, listen to me. If you see a monster, don't worry about your surroundings. Just run. If running doesn't work, use your skills. They might save you."

"Yes."  

Life is the most important thing.  

This isn't an anime or a game.  

One wrong move and you're dead.  

If you get bitten by a monster, there's even a chance that you'll be infected with some unknown virus.  

There's nothing we kids can do.  

All I can do is pray that nothing happens.  

But since the students at Himawari's school are dying, it feels like the monsters are getting closer.  

To be honest, I'm filled with fear.  

I wonder what's going to happen to us from now on.