"Nao, be careful!" At that moment, Miu saw a golden-haired girl nearby being targeted by a giant bat.

Usually, Nao envied Miu’s similar beautiful hair and popularity, but Miu could tell Nao just admired her and wanted to be friends...

Now, seeing a familiar person about to be bitten, Miu erupted. Aura instinctively covered her, boosting her already-enhanced speed further.

Thump!

Then, just as the bat was about to bite Nao, Miu reached her and punched the bat away.

"Pant pant!"

After knocking the giant bat, which is almost her size, away, Miu breathed heavily.

She’s trembling, not from exhaustion but fear and tension. After all, this was her first fight against a monster.

Trembling, she looked at her fist. Though Nen instinctively covered it, Miu clearly felt the impact with the bat’s flesh, and her small fist ached slightly.

"Miu!" Regaining her senses, Nao saw Miu and immediately hugged her, tears flowing.

"It’s okay, don’t worry." Seeing Nao’s action, Miu stroked her head with a trembling arm.

"Miu! Hinata’s being taken!" Just as Miu comforted Nao, Hana’s tense voice reached her.

Hearing this, Miu instinctively looked toward Hana. A pitch-black giant bat grabbed Hinata’s clothes with its claws, trying to take her away.

Currently, Hana, Koyori, and the terrified Kanon desperately held onto Hinata’s body or hands.

The added weight prevented the bat from taking Hinata immediately.

Seeing this, Miu, disregarding fear, gently pushed Nao away and ran toward the giant bat.

With a big leap, she reached above the bat, then, with a Nen-infused double-fisted strike, she smashed the bat’s head.

"Squeak squeak!"

Feeling the pain, the bat released Hinata’s clothes and quickly flew to a tree.

When it perched on the tree, the bat’s eyes glowed red, hatefully staring at Miu.

"Squeak squeak!"

As it screeched, several bats grabbing people or objects stopped and collectively looked at Miu.

"Miu!" Seeing this, Hana, Koyori, Kanon, and the others hid behind Miu fearfully.

"Don’t worry, I won’t let them hurt you." Sensing her friends’ fear behind her, though equally scared, Miu bravely stood before them.

"Miu, Hinata, everyone, quickly go to the classroom!" At that moment, the teacher, who is injured while protecting students, struggled to Miu’s side and urgently spoke.

The black bat’s screech temporarily saved the teacher. Knowing Miu attracted most bats’ attention, she came immediately.

Out of duty as a teacher and adult, she shielded Miu and the others. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Though she noticed Miu’s unusual speed, strength, and leap earlier-

But regardless, Miu was just a child. She couldn’t watch a child face monsters while she hid in fear.

Now, due to bat attacks, many teachers emerged, using brooms, shovels, etc., barely handling the few giant bats.

Other teachers carried injured students to classrooms, unable to help Miu’s situation immediately.

As the bats screeched again, several charged Miu. One easily knocked down the teacher trying to protect Miu.

"Teacher!" Hana and the recovered Hinata worriedly looked at the teacher.

Seeing bats attacking after downing the teacher, Miu gritted her teeth and advanced.

With Hinata and Hana nearby, Miu feared involving them, so she moved forward.

The black giant bat didn’t care about Miu’s actions, as it only hated Miu. These mutated bats remembered those who hurt them, attacking vengefully... showing extreme pettiness.

Soon, Miu, with strength surpassing ordinary people after strengthen by Nen, repelled several bats. But lacking combat skills and Nen proficiency, the black bat seized an opportunity, slamming Miu down with great force.

The impact hurt Miu, whose Nen was weak. Other bats seized the chance to bite Miu.

But against Miu’s Nen Defense, the bats’ sharp beaks couldn’t pierce immediately, though continued assault would eventually break through.

"You can’t hurt Miu!" Seeing Miu surrounded by giant bats biting her, Hinata regained courage, grabbed a nearby broom, and hit the bats focused on Miu.

"Hinata!" Seeing Hinata rush recklessly, Hana called out anxiously. She knew Hinata lacked Miu’s physical prowess, and an attack from the bat could cause severe bleeding.

Indeed, Hinata’s attacks annoyed two bats. Though not truly damaging, it caused slight pain. The bats turned their attention to Hinata.

"Hinata!" Noticing this, Miu couldn’t stay down. With two bats less, Miu could resist somewhat.

Punching and kicking away bats trying to bite her, Miu quickly struck the bats who are about to attack Hinata.

Though stopping the bats, this created an opening. The observing giant bat seized the moment, slamming Miu away heavily.

Cough cough!

Suddenly slammed away, Miu felt considerable pain, with claw marks on her back.

Clearly, the giant bat’s attack pierced her defense. The impact temporarily incapacitated Miu.

The black bat, seeing this, cackled and prepared to attack Miu again. But as it neared Miu, two invisible attacks pierced its body.

The sudden change stunned the worried onlookers and confused the giant bats.

However, the four bats that attacked Miu earlier didn’t care... having been hit by Miu, they only sought revenge, pouncing on Miu.

Like the black bat earlier, invisible shadowy figures attacked, piercing their bodies, causing blood to flow.

...

Meanwhile, at Sobu High, Takeru opened his eyes. He felt the Shadow Person protecting Miu triggered, meaning Miu was injured and in danger.

Thinking this, Takeru frowned and stood up.

"Takeru-kun, is something wrong?" Seeing Takeru stand, the lecturing teacher paused and asked curiously.

"Sorry, I have something..."

"Look, what are those over there...?" Just as Takeru prepared an excuse to leave, a classmate exclaimed.

Simultaneously, most classes at Sobu High were drawn to the massive swarm of giant bats.

Nearby, some were already attacked.

Now, disaster alarms blared constantly. Due to the sudden event, alarms urged people to hide in sturdy buildings, avoiding streets.

Seeing this, many stood up, including Umaru and Ritsu.

Then, Takeru’s phone received a message from Izumi, indicating Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa prefectures were attacked by unknown bats.

The disaster struck too suddenly for the government to react. Izumi’s message hoped Takeru and others could help resolve this.

Due to the vast numbers, wide scope, and presence of elite-like bats, the government classified it as an A-Rank beast tide.