Kiyama Harumi's AIM diffusion field began to rise slowly from her head, forming a murky, translucent pillar of light. The radiance condensed gradually into a strange substance that seemed to exist somewhere between solid and liquid.
Under Misaka Mikoto and Shirai Kuroko's slightly fearful gazes, the undefined matter ascended higher and higher, coalescing into a shape resembling an embryo.
Then, with a sudden burst, the "embryo" exploded open, revealing a grotesque, fetus-like creature. Its head was abnormally large, nearly half its entire body, while its limbs were stunted and frail. The features on its face were fully formed, and from beneath it, several cord-like appendages—like umbilical cords—extended down, connecting directly to Kiyama Harumi's head. Its eyes remained tightly shut, and a faint halo floated above its skull.
Finally, the deformed infant-like being floated fully into view. The halo above its head did nothing to grant it holiness—on the contrary, the contradiction between its angelic symbol and twisted body made it appear even more disturbing.
The "AIM Burst" had been born.
"What... what is that thing?" Misaka Mikoto gasped, eyes widening in shock. "A fetus? I've never heard of an ability like this before!"
Almost as if it had heard her astonishment, the creature's eyelids snapped open. Its rolling eyes gleamed with blood-red sclera, darting wildly in all directions. The eerie, unnatural motion made both girls' skin crawl.
Then, the "AIM Burst" split its mouth open, revealing rows of sharp fangs and unleashing a deafening shriek that shook the void.
In the next instant, as if it had drained every last ounce of energy from Kiyama Harumi, all its umbilical cords tore free from her head at once. They flared outward, lashing through the air like countless tentacles.
"Watch out!" Misaka shouted, grabbing Shirai Kuroko and pulling her behind her, stepping forward to shield her companion. The brown in her eyes hardened into steely resolve.
She could feel it—this creature was nothing like Kiyama Harumi. The restraint, the hesitation... none of that remained. What now stood before them was pure, uncontrollable malice.
"Kuroko, take Kiyama Harumi somewhere safe!" Misaka ordered, narrowing her eyes. She sympathized with Kiyama's tragedy, but right now, there was something far more pressing to deal with.
Based on Misaka's observation, Kiyama's AIM field had already dissipated. She no longer had control over the network of ten thousand minds—otherwise, she wouldn't have lost control like this.
"...Understood." Shirai Kuroko nodded reluctantly. She knew she'd only be in the way here. Still, as she turned to move toward the unconscious Kiyama, she couldn't help glancing back. "...Onee-sama, please be careful!"
"Don't worry!" Misaka said with a faint, confident smile, keeping her eyes locked on the howling "AIM Burst." "I'll hold it off. Even if I can't win, I can still escape. Just hurry and call Selene for backup. Should've brought her along in the first place..."
She let out a short, rueful laugh. "Ugh, kind of regretting that now." Raising her head, the uncertainty in her eyes hardened into determination. "Well then... let's do this!"
Crackle!
Countless streams of blue-white lightning roared from Misaka's fingertips, streaking across the air like blinding whips. The arcs struck the "AIM Burst" head-on, the impact leaving deep, charred marks across its pale skin.
The creature howled in agony, its once-white flesh reddening like a boiled crustacean. But Misaka didn't smile—because she could tell. Her attack hadn't worked.
Though her electricity tore away large chunks of its outer flesh, the damage was meaningless. The creature's body was rapidly regenerating. And beneath its shredded skin... was not empty space.
Instead, Misaka saw something that made her blood run cold—a fibrous tissue, like exposed muscle, colored a stark, eerie white, faintly streaked with pink.
"What... what is that?" she murmured in disbelief.
Suddenly, with a sharp crack, the "AIM Burst's" outer layer shattered completely. The creature within—its white-and-pink form glistening—burst free from the confines of its shell. Its size expanded at a rate that defied all biological logic.
Within moments, a towering, white monster—tens of meters tall—stood atop the ruins of the collapsed overpass. Pink luminescent lines pulsed across its body, while its head had reformed under the influence of Honkai energy into a solid, medieval knight-like helmet. One hand gripped a spear, the other a shield—and a pair of wings spread wide behind it, gleaming with blinding light.
The towering creature's immense frame smashed through the remains of the overpass above. Misaka Mikoto dodged the falling chunks of concrete while racking her brain for a strategy. "Damn it... what even is this thing...?"
Everything happening today had shattered Misaka's understanding of the world. The "AIM Burst" had transformed from a fetus into a monstrous giant—each change more surreal than the last. It was exhausting just to process.
If Selene were here, she would've recognized it instantly. This wasn't the "AIM Burst" anymore—it was a Honkai Beast.
More precisely, its form resembled that of a Templar-class Honkai Beast.
Though it hadn't displayed any ranged energy attacks yet, its massive size alone made it devastating. Every step it took left destruction in its wake. Misaka had to hold back, mindful of the civilians and the surrounding area—while the creature fought with no restraint at all.
The difference was clear. With every exchange, Misaka was pushed further and further back.
Dodging another rain of debris, she gasped for breath. "This isn't working... I need to lure it somewhere open!"
Acting on instinct, Misaka struck again and began leading the "Honkai Beast" toward the empty field at the edge of the overpass.
Not far away, on the intact portion of the bridge, the Anti-Skill officers who had regrouped spotted the unfolding chaos.
"Crap!" cried Yomikawa Aiho, the Anti-Skill commander, her face paling. "That civilian girl's luring the monster straight toward the nuclear reactor facility!"
"Assist her—anyone still standing, move!" she barked, snatching up a loudspeaker. "Don't lead that thing toward the reactor! There's a nuclear Honkai energy core inside!!!"
At her command, the nearby Anti-Skill officers staggered upright, leveling their rifles despite their injuries. Click! The sound of safeties releasing echoed down the street.
"Open fire! Draw its attention away!" Dozens of barrels flashed at once, the muzzles spitting fire and lead.
They knew full well that their small-caliber weapons couldn't hurt the monster—but what choice did they have? All they could do was try to distract it.
Hearing the warning, Misaka's stomach dropped. Only now did she realize her mistake. If the Honkai-powered reactor exploded, Academy City would be obliterated—maybe all of Tokyo along with it.
She had to divert the creature. Now.
But the moment the thought formed, a stray chunk of concrete—blasted loose from a nearby explosion—slammed into her leg, throwing her off balance.
"Not good!" Misaka hissed, trying to rise.
Before she could, a vast shadow fell over her. Turning her head, she froze. The "Honkai Beast" had caught up.
The creature loosed a guttural roar, sounding almost triumphant. Raising its massive spear, it thrust downward with crushing force.
BOOOOOM!
The ground erupted, a cloud of dust and shattered rock swallowing Misaka whole.
At that very moment, Shirai Kuroko had just regrouped with Uiharu Kazari after securing Kiyama Harumi. When she saw the explosion in the distance, her heart nearly stopped. The gap between them was too wide—she couldn't reach Misaka in time.
"Onee-sama!!"
Ignoring the exhaustion wracking her body, Kuroko focused her remaining strength. She teleported forward repeatedly, each jump bringing her closer to the explosion—completely disregarding the fact that she was stepping right into the "Honkai Beast's" attack range.
"Onee-sama! Cough... Onee-sama, where are you—?!" she shouted desperately through the choking haze.
Whoosh!
A sharp gust split the air. A slender, armored hand suddenly sliced through the dust, scattering the debris like paper in the wind—and with it, dispelling the dread in everyone's hearts.
A white-haired, red-eyed figure stood before the unharmed Misaka Mikoto.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk... Misaka, looking this messy?"