Duel at Full Throttle
Accel Unicorn burst through the collapsed ceiling and onto the train's roof, entering Nova's field of vision. It was the form of a horse clad head to toe in pristine white armor. The curves were too sleek for mere metal, and a steel horn gleamed with a razor-sharp blue light between its brows. Even amid the rushing wind pressure of the speeding train, it stared down Nova without a hint of disturbance.
"Prrrrng. So you're the hero Nova?"
A mechanical baritone rumbled out, and Nova swallowed dryly before answering.
"...That's right."
Nova's face hardened as she faced it. The suffocating pressure she'd felt atop that bridge against the lion told her this thing was another powerhouse. She clenched her instinctively trembling hands to suppress the tension when Stella's scolding rang in her mind.
You're doing it again. As long as I'm lending you my power, you're not some lame B-rank hero anymore!
She was right. Nova wasn't alone now—her wrist bore the Core Relic Stella, brimming with mysterious power. The sensation of clashing evenly with that lion on the day of her awakening surged through her body. Lion, horse, whatever—it didn't matter. There was no need to shrink back anymore.
Nova stepped forward and declared boldly at the Deviant.
"I'll be the one to take you down, Hero Nova!"
The Deviant's eyes flared even brighter.
"I'll confirm if you're truly worthy of Lord Sigma's attention—Accel Unicorn!"
"For a first terror attack, the weather's perfect, the cameras are catching everything great. Nova was a bit stiff, but she made a cool entrance anyway—no issues there."
Beyond the screen, atop the train emerging from a dark tunnel, stood a stunning beauty in a jet-black suit facing off against Accel Unicorn. The chat window at the bottom of the footage streamed live by Makina's future-tech stealth drone was exploding.
A midday train hijacking and mysterious villain were shocking enough, but public attention inevitably zeroed in on the hero facing him. What can you do? This terror was staged solely for one person—the star of this show, Hero Nova!
Lee Seoha usually gave off more of a cute little animal vibe than outright pretty, but transformed? Her visuals were overwhelmingly stunning, beyond mere beauty. Even my heart raced the first time I saw her like that. Stella, you bastard— the original protagonist got a generic full-body suit, but for Nova... damn, I'll give you props for your aesthetic sense!
"...What the hell are you doing right now?"
"Just moved by Nova's debut stage."
"Tch."
I cleared my throat under Makina's icy glare and reined in my excitement. This time, no adult interference would bury Nova's exploits—I planned to etch her name into every mind across the nation.
"By the way, this is Nova's first real combat, right?"
"Makina, even if Nova's a scrub hero, she has some experience..."
"I mean after getting the Core Relic!"
"Why didn't you say so earlier."
Makina ground her teeth and snapped irritably.
"Argh, whatever— is it really okay for her first fight to be on a runaway train?"
Logically, no argument there. Sure, Nova had experience as a B-rank hero, but fighting on a brakeless, rampaging train with dozens of lives at stake in an unpredictable crash zone? Unlikely.
Of course, I'd prepped so no one inside would die even if she took too long, but honestly, I didn't think she'd lose.
"She'll be fine."
In the original story, Nova was just an extra villain A-type, there to make the protagonist shine—not a verified lead or support. Normally, past me wouldn't have spared her a glance. But after seeing those earnest eyes, some inexplicable faith bloomed that she could do it.
Plus, she perfectly fit the ideal setup to screw over Tanaka-kun the most. Still, I trusted my gut.
"She needs at least this much to grow, right?"
I set the stage, Makina built the props, Unicorn played the heel, and Stella the assist—it was all rigged WWE. But to make Nova the protagonist, we had to push her like this. Even the original everyman protag had his first fight atop a Shinkansen; a regular rail line was nothing.
"If she falls short after all this setup... well, guess I suck at judging people."
"Hmm~ Really now?"
Intrigued, Makina scooted closer to peer at the screen.
Our engineer’s rooting for you too, Nova.
So conquer the trial I've prepared for you.
It's coming!
No sooner had Stella spoken than Accel Unicorn whipped its leg, unleashing a razor slash at Nova. No room to dodge left or right on the narrow train roof, so she instinctively leaped, barely evading.
"Hck!"
But the moment she was airborne, the over-100-kph headwind shoved her back, widening the gap with Unicorn in an instant. She avoided plummeting off the train, but it was a close call.
Idiot! Fine inside the train, but jumping on a roof at this speed?!
"Ugh, sorry, Stella."
"Chatting mid-fight? You mocking me?!"
Before she could recover, Unicorn leaped high from its spot.
"Jet Kick!"
Turbo engines at max blast from its leg rocketed a devastating kick at Nova.
"!"
Don't just stand there—dash forward!
No time to think. Nova accelerated instinctively, flinging herself to the next car and dodging by a hair.
Boom!
The car she'd just vacated shattered under Unicorn's impact, tumbling off the tracks. Nova knew it was empty, but she still swallowed hard at the raw power.
Focus! It's not over!
White Unicorn charged through the debris smoke.
Blast it with Nova Magnum so it can't remount!
Same thought. Nova summoned the hand cannon she'd seen before—the Nova Magnum. The name felt oddly familiar, but now wasn't the time. She unleashed a barrage at Unicorn.
"Think that'll hit?!"
Energy rounds flew, but Unicorn's acrobatic maneuvers dodged them all.
"Now I'll knock you off!"
Hugging the train's side like at first, it leaped into the air.
Now!
"Charging!"
Nova fired her pre-charged energy beam at the exposed airborne foe.
"Grk!"
Direct hit. Chest struck, Unicorn plummeted.
Nova muttered in relief.
"D-Did I get it?"
Idiot! Don't jinx it!
The instant Stella yelled, Unicorn—flung off-track—roared like it split the air.
"Rooooaaar—!!"
With a wrathful bellow, something blurred past Nova at invisible speed.
"Huh?"
No time to react. As it streaked by, blood trickled from Nova's cheek.
Panicking, she swung her cannon, firing—but it pierced only an afterimage.
Snap out of it, Nova! It's hit supersonic speeds!
Unicorn remounted in a flash, zipping erratically in all directions. Each leap cracked the metal roof—crunch, crunch—disorienting Nova's balance. Like multiples cloned, it exploited her blind spots, tearing into her.
Just blocking won't win! Counter somehow!
"Ngh, but it's too fast—I can't even see—"
"Looking the wrong way."
"Guhk!"
Unicorn's kick bent her body like a gamma, sending her tumbling to the lead car.
You okay?! Nova, respond!
Nova spat blood and rasped.
"...Fine."
Pre-Stella, it'd be fatal. But the suit's defense plus amplified physical boosts kept her going. A breather would heal her clean, but no chance against this foe.
She scrambled up, stance ready—then frowned.
"What the...?"
Unicorn crouched low, not charging. Before she could question, Stella screamed.
Tunnel! Duck!
Body moved first, flattening to the roof. Darkness swallowed them; tunnel ceiling grazed overhead chillingly. Relief was brief.
"I paused to guarantee the hit!"
Crouched, Unicorn whirred mechanically, slashing from below. Tunnel blocked standing evasion—do-or-die.
"Eat this!"
Nova rapid-fired prone. Energy rounds clashed midair with the slash, exploding massively. The train rocked with the boom, but held.
Seemed she'd blocked it. Light returned post-tunnel. Blinded briefly, then—
Above!
Unicorn dove missile-like, horn brimming with energy.
"It's over, hero! Accel Override!"
No dodging. Too close, and this lead car was packed with passengers. One hit here? Catastrophe.
Nova!
As Stella cried out, Nova unleashed all charged energy at once.
"Full Charging Magnum!"
The colossal beams collided head-on, shockwave ripping the air. Blinding flash engulfed the runaway train, swallowing the world in silent white.