I Was Reincarnated as a Nameless Combatant in a Japanese-style Fantasy Depressive Erotic Game, but the Women Around Me Are All Dangerous, and I Have a Bad Feeling about It

her mouth and her consciousness barely holding on, Botan continued to mutter.
However, deep down, she knew there was no hope for survival.
Thus…

　”Ah…
Ugh…”

　She caught a glimpse of the still-resisting bear.
Unfortunately, that alone wouldn't be enough to devour her corpse.
In that case, she had no other choice.
She would execute the next best plan: a self-destructive tactic that would involve the creatures around her.

　”…!!”

　In a way, it was a traditional and honorable end for exorcists.
However, Botan's movements halted.
Her breath became heavy.
Though she knew this would be her last decision, she hesitated.

　”I will d—!!?”

　She seemed to have realized something about what she was about to do.
The viscous entities tightened their grip around her and coiled around her body even more, trying to twist their tentacles inside her mouth.
Botan felt despair, realizing that her hesitation was preventing her from even taking her final action.

　(I…
I…!!?)

　Various emotions and memories flashed through her mind like a carousel.
What had gone wrong? How did she end up like this? Why…

　(Why am I…
here…?)

　It was her last thought before sinking into despair and losing consciousness.

　Thud!!

　'Clip!?'

　'Clip-clop!!?'

　Nothing happened.

　”Huh…?”

　Suddenly, Botan noticed that the relentless assault of the tentacles had stopped.
Struggling to hold onto her fading consciousness, she recognized what was happening.

　The golden tome stored in the library was shining brightly, illuminating the entire room.

　”What's…?”

　Botan, as well as the room's owner, the mummy king, were clearly taken aback.
It seemed that even for the mummy, this was an unprecedented sight.

　'Clip!?'

　Even more pronounced were the reactions of the viscous creatures, their numerous eye-like organs quivering.
It was as if they sensed something, something that unsettled them.

　Then, seemingly disregarding the creatures' reactions, the golden tome levitated out of the shelf, untied its band, and opened up.
Immediately afterward, a familiar voice echoed from within the book.

　…It was the voice of a man whom Botan knew well, a man always accompanied by a string of troubles.

　'Clip-clop-clip-clop-clip=clop!!!!??'

　”AAAAAHHHHH!!!?? Are you kidding me, you aliens, aaargh!!!?”

　A moment later, a barrel-like creature covered in damaged wings and sprouting flower-like patterns emerged from the book.
Hanging from its side was black-robed Hannya mask man.

　Everyone in the room, who had been present before the intrusion, was left dumbfounded.
The mummy king, in particular, showed the most obvious sign of negligence.

　'Clip-clop!!?'

　”Ugh…!!?”

　Without hesitation, the creature attached to the Hannya mask plunged into the viscous youkai that had captured Botan, sending it flying.
Freed from the tentacles' grasp, Botan immediately released a talisman, destroying the brain core of the creature holding Tamaki and rendering it powerless.

　'Clip-clop-clip-clop!!?'

　'Wooouououou!!?!!?'

　At the same time, the failed squid-like creature that had been careening into walls and changing direction was now turning towards the Chaos Mummy.
The mummy tried to flee, but it was too late.
The squid charged forward, slamming the chaos mummy into the walls.

　A cacophony of deafening noise, violent tremors, and explosive sounds filled the room.
Dust filled the air, and the remaining controlled viscous creatures cried out in eerie, metallic voices, becoming disoriented.

　After surveying the chaotic scene, Botan got up, brushed off her clothes, and turned her expressionless face toward the figure that emerged from the dust.
She spoke with a calm and composed tone.

　”…Once again, you've brought quite a troublesome creature along.
Is this your hobby?”

　”Unfortunately, gathering things is not my ability.”

　The ragged servant, whose entire body was in tatters, responded to Botan with an incomprehensible theory.