Seraphim is a Bystander

Phantom-Dense Zone
 

Not long after my call with Master, the vehicle came to a stop.
We had pulled over on a road cutting through the forest—only the road itself was maintained.
When I got out of the car, Master was already there waiting. About ten other bodyguards were also standing by nearby.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Master.”
“You're here. Alright, let's get started.”

With that, Master gathered the nearby bodyguards together.
Once everyone was assembled, she projected diagrams and materials so everyone could see, and began explaining.
“Listen up! We’re entering a phantom-dense zone now. Your positions are as assigned beforehand. High-risk phantoms rarely appear in this area, but don’t let your guard down!”
“““Yes, sir!”””

At his command, the bodyguards scattered into position.
I remembered from our earlier call that I was supposed to stick with Master.
I waited by her side until she finished giving out detailed instructions, at which point he motioned for me to follow.
“Master, I just follow you, right?”
“Yeah. The cars will start moving now. I’ll explain as we go, so reinforce your body.”

At his instruction, I activated my physical enhancement.
The cars started up, and the bodyguards spread out to run alongside them.
Master took off running through the forest, keeping within sight of the cars, and I followed her.
“This is your first time in a phantom-dense zone, right? You know what kind of place this is?”
“I read about it in a book, I think…”

In the areas where we normally live, there are devices that suppress phantom appearances, so they rarely show up.
But in phantom-dense zones, those suppressors aren’t installed, making it a dangerous area where phantoms appear frequently...
“...That’s right, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, you got it. The phantoms in this area usually don’t approach humans, but just in case, we’re sweeping the surroundings and keeping them away from the vehicles.”

“So that’s why we’re running through the forest like this.”
Master nodded in reply, still staying vigilant while talking.
“So, if we do run into a phantom, am I allowed to fight?”

“Hmm… Normally, I’ll be handling it. You just watch for now.”
I see… I kind of wanted to fight though.
I’ve done simulations against phantoms before, but I’ve never fought a real one.
While I was thinking about that, Master seemed to notice something and placed a finger to his ear, veering off course.
“This is Morimiya. I’ve spotted a small phantom. Engaging… Aoi, keep your eyes open, yeah?”
“Yes, sir!”

Looking in the direction Master had gone, I saw an animal that looked like a deer.
As we approached, its shape became clearer—it had branches like antlers growing from its head, and parts of its body were tree-like.
Clearly, it was a phantom.
“Stay back!”
At Master’s order, I moved behind him.
Once we got close enough, the deer-like creature noticed us and turned its gaze toward us.
Then, it suddenly spit something at us in a panic.

“Hmph!”
Master swung her scythe and deflected the attack, then lunged straight at the creature.
As it prepared to spit again, Master closed the distance in an instant and slashed its neck with her massive scythe.
“Giiih!”

The creature cried out, blood spraying, and was thrown into a nearby tree.
It twitched violently for a moment, then stopped moving.
…Even though it looked like a tree, it still bled.
Master examined the still body briefly, and after confirming it was dead, she lowered his weapon.
“This is Morimiya. Small phantom has been neutralized. Returning to route… Aoi, let’s go.”

“Yes, sir!”
Just as we turned to head back to the path we came from, I glanced at the creature—and saw its corpse dissolving into particles of light.
If I recall correctly, phantoms that die dissolve like that and eventually return to nature, where they’re reborn again as new phantoms.
“Aoi? Let’s move.”

“Ah—yes! Sorry!”
I hurried to catch up with Master, who had already walked a little ahead.
As we returned to our path, Master spoke again, still keeping an eye on our surroundings.
“So, Aoi. What did you think of seeing a real phantom fight?”

“What did I think…? Honestly, I was only watching, so it didn’t really feel real.”
“...I see.”
Master fell silent for a moment, seeming to ponder something.
Then, rather unusually, he turned to look directly at me and spoke.

“Aoi. If we come across a low-threat-level phantom… want to try fighting it yourself?”
“Eh?! Really!?”
Wait, didn’t he just say I should only observe?
Why the sudden change?
Not that I’m complaining—it’s a rare chance to fight a real phantom, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° so I’m excited!

“Yeah. Consider it experience. But! If things get dangerous, back off immediately! I’ll be nearby and ready to step in if needed—but protect yourself first. Got it?”
“Yes! Thank you!”
I don’t really get why he changed his mind, but still—yes!
This’ll be my first real phantom battle!
I wonder how different it’ll be from simulations… I can’t wait!

Even though I knew I was getting giddy, I couldn’t help myself as I ran and jumped through the forest.
Eventually, Master raised her voice.
“Aoi—there’s one!”