My Refrigerator Turned Into A Dungeon

Chapter 437

Provocation

"Gyaaaaaaaah!!"

Due to my hard catch, the two of them became a complete mess.

At the moment their fearsome simultaneous left-right attacks were about to hit, I swiftly crouched down. In that stance, I stretched my arms out to both sides and crushed their hands along with the iron pipes.

"Gaaaaah...! Ugh!!"

"My, my fingers! Eeeek, my... fingers!"

Because they were fused with the iron pipes, their hands had become a truly colorful mix of red, white, pink, and dull gray.

(………)

Honestly, there might not have been a need to go this far.

But, these opponents are also dungeon ability users. If they're fine with attacking others like this, they're no different from lunatics wielding blades. Therefore, if I were to overlook such individuals, the calamity that follows would likely be even greater."...!?"

Then, the screams of their injured comrades caused the atmosphere of the scene to change completely. The rowdy boys who had been so cocky and hurling insults until now fell silent, holding their breath as they struggled to comprehend the situation.

"Giiiiiiii... Ugh!"

"Hey, you're getting way too noisy."

"Guboh!?"

I hadn't intended to follow up with another attack, but their screams were so grating and unpleasant that I jabbed their throats. Yeah, well, let's consider this within the realm of self-defense too. It was irritatingly loud enough to hurt my ears.

But my own heart was also bleakly calm.

From their perspective, their actions until now were probably just an extension of their fun. A mindset of overestimating their own power, thinking that no matter what they did, they'd be fine, they'd be okay. That's precisely why they could so easily do things that hurt others.

However, while they could easily do things that hurt others, the moment they get hurt, it's like this...

Well, they probably always relied on numbers when fighting monsters until now. According to Lanchester's laws, that's not wrong. But as a result of continuing to fight that way, it seems they rarely got injured themselves.

Therefore, they took lightly the possibility that they too could get hurt when engaging in acts of aggression.

Of course, in a situation where recovery potions and such aren't readily available. When delving into dungeons under such conditions, the standard tactic is to fight so as not to get injured. But the result of continuing such a way is their current state.

Though, from their point of view, this might also be just one page of their youth.

Maybe they were thinking that once they became pot-bellied middle-aged men in the future, they'd boastfully tell their "legendary stories" about how wild and bad they used to be. But for those around them who suffer from such antics, it's unbearable.

Well, their youth is irrelevant.

The problem is that dungeon ability users who gained power are using that power so easily to harm others. Given that, I too cannot easily forgive them.

And if they're coming at me with this "end-of-the-century mohican" move, then I'll respond with a "ruthless adult" move.

"Ah... what on earth is this!? All of this! It's all your fault, Nemu-kun!!"

Here, I raise my voice with a flashy gesture and blame everything I did on Nemu-kun.

"Huh!? Don't mess aro—"

"Look! Take a good look! What terrible injuries! If you hadn't ordered these two to fight, this never would have happened!!"

Gather the attention of those around, and use it to corner the target.

This is a psychological attack that Katsuragi, whom I dislike, is most adept at, and also a technique beloved Nina-san excels at. So, while I'm not skilled at it, if I also raise my voice and declare it with over-the-top actions, it becomes a surefire way to sow unease and stir agitation among the rowdy boys.

"(...Hey, isn't this kinda bad!?)"

"(Yeah, but what do we do...!?)"

"Come on, Nemu-kun! How do you intend to take responsibility for this!? You know, don't you? Ability users are punished three times more severely than ordinary people! But even after serving time, with injuries this severe, there won't be any decent work! You're going to take care of them, of course, aren't you!?"

If you fight with someone and injure them, under Penal Code Article 204, the crime of injury is established.

It's often said that when professional boxers or karate black belts injure ordinary people, the punishment becomes heavier, but apparently, that's not really the case. It's just that it can be disadvantageous when determining the sentence.

On the other hand, because there are significant social penalties like having licenses revoked, that saying probably came about.

However, dungeon ability users are different.

Due to new legislation, specific labyrinth ability holders, recognized as walking weapons, have the "triple rule" applied, meaning they are punished three times more severely under the current penal code. The government's aim here is to prevent crimes committed by dungeon ability users, who are normally uncontrollable, by increasing penalties to suppress them as much as possible.

"Guh...!"

"...I see, you knew that too. Well then, just give another order! To your comrades! Come on, say it! Tell them to take that guy down! To steal the meat! Who's next!? You!? You!? You!!"

After thoroughly provoking Nemu-kun, I point at the guy who was arrogantly roaring until a moment ago, glaring at them one after another with intense pressure-filled eyes.

Yeah, that's a completely immature, lowest-of-the-low move. But here, we'll allow it.

After all, about a third of this bunch look like minors. If I beat them all up together, I'd become the bad guy. Because I'm older than them and a stronger dungeon ability user.

So, I must not carelessly step down to their level and stand on the same footing as them. If I did, they would definitely try to gang up on me and escalate it into a brawl.

If you look at their eyes, if you observe their words and actions, you understand.

They've only ever fought using the violence of numbers. So no matter how much I provoke them, they would never face me alone.

It's unfortunate for the two who became a mess.

But, they aren't minors, and they attacked me together, two-on-one, wielding weapons. So even if their dominant hands got crushed, they can't complain.

What, if you're an ability user, a little disability in your limbs is nothing. I don't have my left leg, after all.

"Come on! Why are you silent!? What happened to all that bravado from before!? I'm alone over here!? Hurry up! The sun's going to set!!"

"………"

"...What's the matter? You're fine with hurting others, but are you that scared of getting hurt yourselves? Is that how you fought in the dungeons too? Well, coming to attack someone's house dressed so flashily, of course!"

"………"

A bunch who only act tough relying on numbers.

Involuntarily superimposing a former classmate onto them only increases my irritation. But, the followers have been completely silenced now. So without further digression, let's quickly finish off the main target.

"I see, then there's no helping it... Well then, Nemu-kun! It seems it's your turn! You're the leader, right!? Everyone's watching! Show them what makes you the leader! You're the one who brought everyone else this far!!"

"Kuh, that's—"

"But! If you say you can't do that either, then get on your hands and knees, apologize, and lick the ground right here! Then call the police and persuade all your comrades to obediently get arrested!!"

Like that, I gradually strip away Nemu-kun's escape routes.

And I show no mercy to those who rely on numbers to attack people's homes.

(Nemu-kun... Serai-san has been hurting inside for your sake all this time. That effort has been wasted... But I will never let those feelings go to waste! Therefore, for the heartache she endured during that time, I'll pay it back with interest.)

"Come on, Nemu-kun! Why don't you finally come at me!?"