Reborn as a Shopkeeper

Scene 1:

Naoki finally entered the fight.

Haruto struggled to stand, attempting to confront the enemy once more. But the man activated his Magical Eye, drawing energy straight from Haruto.

Haruto: No way! What magic is he using now? We can't even access our powers, and he's exploiting that to his advantage!

That Man: Hahaha! This time I'll boost my powers and wipe all of you out in one go! Hahahahaha!

Haruto: No..! He—

Suddenly, Naoki sprinted forward and sprayed pepper spray directly into the man's eyes.

That Man (rubbing his eyes): Aaaaaaahhhhhhh! What did you do to me?!

The man rubbed his eyes furiously. As he opened them, his eyes turned blood red with rage. Furious, he unleashed a lightning strike toward Naoki.

A violent burst of electricity cracked through the air.

Naoki narrowly dodged, stumbling back.

Naoki (nervous, but trying to joke): What the hell?! I must've stepped on a dog's tail—he's gonna eat me alive! Time to run!

The man launched lightning strike after lightning strike, but Naoki weaved through the chaos, narrowly avoiding each blast.

Suddenly, Naoki spotted a pistol lying nearby.

Naoki (grinning): Yes! A pistol! If I get my hands on that, I'll teach him a lesson. Besides, my prime self was a long-range weapons expert!

Haruto blocked the next incoming lightning strike and engaged the man in close combat.

Naoki dashed toward the pistol, but the enemy's clone appeared in his path.

(For clarity: The defeated guards lying on the ground weren't dead—just knocked out. Some managed to fire a few rounds before collapsing, while others tucked their pistols away.)

Naoki (shouting): Reina! Cover me! I need that pistol!

Reina, still fighting guards hand-to-hand, responded:

Reina: Can't you see I'm busy? Get it yourself!

The clone swung massive stone fists at Naoki, forcing him to dodge with difficulty.

The clone's punch finally connected with Naoki's face.

Naoki (grunting): Gah!

Naoki staggered but kept moving, desperate to avoid further blows.

Naoki: Come on, hurry up! These punches hit like boulders!

Reina (sighing): You're impossible…

Reina abruptly left the guards behind and sprinted toward Naoki, delivering a sharp, spinning punch to the clone's jaw, sending him flying.

The clone tumbled through the air, spinning out of control, before crashing into a nearby wall.

Naoki snatched up the pistol as Reina returned to the remaining guards, who had retrieved their own weapons.

Reina: I was gone for two seconds and you idiots already grabbed your guns again.

She resumed fighting them, knocking weapons away with ease.

Meanwhile, Haruto battled the main enemy, unaware that another clone had crept up behind him.

The clone raised its stone fist, ready to strike.

Haruto (panicking): Am I really… about to be taken out by my own magic…?

Suddenly, the crack of gunfire rang out.

A clean, sharp pistol shot echoed through the air.

The bullet struck the clone directly in the head, shattering it into fragments.

The enemy conjured a small water bubble with his palm.

That Man (low, serious tone): Water Bubble.

He launched it toward Naoki. As it flew, it rapidly expanded into a massive, shimmering sphere.

The man clenched his fist.

That Man: Trap.

The giant water bubble engulfed Naoki, trapping him completely. Naoki lost consciousness inside the watery prison.

The enemy sneered.

That Man (smirking, cold): Hmph. Two down, two to go. One's busy with those pathetic guards, the other's crawling at my feet.

The man grabbed Haruto by the throat, lifting him off the ground.

That Man: You must be the so-called leader of this pathetic little team. Did you really think you could defeat someone like me so easily?

Reina finished off the guards and rushed to help Haruto, but the man electrocuted her, knocking her unconscious.

He turned back to Haruto.

That Man (smirking): You insects are nothing compared to the Strongest Hunter—the one who defeated the Demon King. And you think YOU can defeat me? Hahahaha!

Haruto struggled to speak, his grip tightening around the enemy's wrist.

Haruto (straining): Y-you… You're not Einzuro Sensei…! You're a coward, abusing his powers. You could never be Einzuro Sensei!

Haruto managed a faint smile.

Haruto: Besides, you're so weak, you can only use Sensei's powers to scare helpless civilians. How pathetic.

In the distance, a rustling sound echoed from the mountains.

A faint animal shape darted forward, unseen.

Haruto: If you're so powerful… why couldn't you destroy the Demon King's body completely? Why is he still alive? Why couldn't you finish him?

The animal leapt onto the mansion's roof.

The man tightened his grip on Haruto's throat and conjured an iron blade.

The animal broke a drainpipe loose from the rooftop.

That Man: You've overstepped your bounds for the last time.

The blade rose, aimed for Haruto's neck.

Suddenly—

A sharp crack rang out as the animal—a small puppy—slammed the drainpipe with full force into the man's neck.

That Man: "Khaaagh…!"

The man's eyes rolled white, blood spurting from his mouth as he stumbled back, gasping in pain.

He collapsed instantly, unconscious.

Renzaki (excitedly): Sensei..!!