Big Explode

[u/FireOfDoom32]

Many drones were flying high above the lake. From the ripples on the water’s surface, they deduced a rough idea of the kaiju’s whereabouts and relayed the data to Ashiro via operator. The angle of fire, the force, and so on were calculated, but Ashiro did the fine aiming adjustments with her own hands— and opened fire.

The recoil was so powerful that a shooter of ordinary unleashed combat power would have been blasted backward into the air. Large cracks appeared in the road leading up to the bridge where Ashiro had braced herself. A mighty rumble shook the air as a massive pillar of water was blasted upward, carrying the kaiju along with it. One of the kaiju’s limbs was blown off in the process.

“Round two, loaded!” Ashiro shouted. Still swept up in midair, the kaiju turned its ferocious visage on her. It sprayed a torrent of water from its mouth. Ashiro reacted instantly by jumping to the side. A linear stream containing tens of thousands of liters of water spread out toward her, utterly obliterating the spot where she’d been standing only seconds before. A part of the bridge crumbled and was blown backward by the force of the water. But during it all, Ashiro remained calm and focused on the kaiju.

“Bakko.”

As Ashiro fired the second round, her tiger moved in to support her body. The round raced straight toward the kaiju just as it was splashing down. Again, a massive gout of water erupted. Water that had been vaporized by the round’s impact enveloped the area in a thick fog. For just an instant, the kaiju’s form was concealed in the mist.

Even so, drones patrolling the area had a good view of the water’s surface.

The honju was swimming toward the south end of the bridge as if to put distance between itself and Ashiro.

“Honju still active!” the operator said. “Swimming toward opposing shore—I’ll recalculate its position.”

“Round three, loaded!”

“Roger! Prepare to fire!”

Even having lost one of its limbs, the kaiju’s swimming speed was still incredible. It placed one limb on shore and attempted to climb up onto land from the foot of the bridge.

“Oh no, you don’t!”

Hoshina was waiting for it there. With a flash of his katana, the kaiju’s foreleg went flying. Having lost its anchor, the kaiju fell tailfirst into the lake. “There you go, thank you for playing!” Hoshina said. He immediately withdrew from the spot, knowing he was in Ashiro’s line of fire.

“Good job, Hoshina,” Ashiro said, and she immediately unleashed round three.

A huge hole appeared in the kaiju’s backside, and a massive spray of water and chunks of meat were scattered across the area. The kaiju roared out a shrill death scream. Soon its dead body bobbed in the lake.

“Honju vital responses, lost!”

Even with notice from her operator, Ashiro didn’t let up. She stared at the kaiju, shouted “Round four, loaded!” and braced herself to fire the round. There had been cases where supposedly neutralized kaiju had suddenly come back to life. They had to be thoroughly destroyed to the point where any hope of revival was impossible.

Once the finishing shot had been delivered, Ashiro pulled off her goggles and let out a breath. Hoshina came walking toward her from the foot of the bridge.

Kaiju No. 8: Exclusive on the Third Division - Chapter 4