Akira stood resolute before Kana and the students, his rotary spear fixed on the creature. Kana, sprawled on the floor, caught her breath, while the students—exposed and trembling—gazed at his back.
The creature sneered, tentacles thrashing. "You think you've saved the lambs, machine? I'll crush you all!"
"Your elimination is my mission. Engaging combat," Akira said.
The spear's drill roared to life, its hum filling the dormitory room. Akira surged forward, slashing through a tentacle. Black ichor sprayed, hissing as it burned the floor.
The creature bellowed, swinging its remaining limbs to pulverize him. Akira leaped clear, raising his flamethrower. Fire erupted from the spray can, scorching the creature's reddish-black flesh. Its surface blistered, and it shrieked in agony.
"Hot! Damn you!" it howled.
A tentacle grazed Akira's left arm, sparking wildly. His body swayed for a split second but steadied instantly.
"Minor damage sustained. Combat capacity at seventy-five percent. Resuming attack," he reported coolly, driving his spear into the creature's torso.
The drill tore through flesh, and the creature writhed. But its counterattack was ferocious—a tentacle coiled around Akira, hoisting him into the air.
"Break, machine!" it roared, squeezing until metal groaned.
Kana's voice cut through. "Akira! You can do this!"
As if spurred by her cry, Akira aimed his flamethrower directly at the creature's face. Flames engulfed its clouded eye, searing it to ash. The tentacle loosened, and Akira dropped, landing nimbly.
"Your end," he said.
He thrust the spear upward, its drill piercing the creature's core, shredding its innards.
The creature's death cry echoed. "Me… defeated…? The master… will know…"
Its body swelled grotesquely—then exploded.
Boom!
Chunks of flesh scattered, a flood of reddish-black slime surging across the room. The liquid coated the floor and walls, reeking of decay.
The slime surged toward Kana and the students' feet, sizzling as it melted the ground.
Kana scrambled up, pulling at the others. "Everyone, move! That stuff's dangerous!"
The corrosive liquid hissed, a foul stench choking the air.
Akira stepped beside her, spear in hand. "Threat neutralized. Avoid contact with the fluid. My sensors will identify a safe path."
He scanned the exit, but the slime had flooded the doorway, blocking their escape.
Kana, panting, met his gaze. "We did it, Akira… Thank you. But what now?"
"Securing survivor safety is the next priority. We'll relocate to another room in the dormitory and reassess."
Akira raised his flamethrower, burning a path through the slime. Kana and the shivering, bare students followed, leaving the ruined room behind.