Intense weapons clas.h.i.+ng, and explosion sounds rang out inside the dim underground dungeon, with only a faint green light to rely upon.
It was so intense that it could be described as severe, and even the far distant wall shook from time to time. Numerous silver-colored sword trails were beautifully drawn in the empty s.p.a.ce. Flame bullets, flame spears, wind blades, and water lasers flew about like a barrage. Sound of something hitting tough flesh, angry roars for their companions, and war cries filled the should be silent s.p.a.ce suddenly turning into a battlefield.
āO light cutting through all creation, wind bring forth destruction, scatters and dances around like a whirlpool, and become the storm of light that cut my enemies!Ā Soaring Severation!ā
The Holy Sword he had in his hand, along with his wrist blurring as they accelerated, and numerous swords of light released with him, Kouki, as the core. The attacking bat-like demonic beast with the length of about 50 centimeters was instantly cut into ten pieces, and fell into the ground without being able to successfully attack as its blood splattered.
āVanguard! Counting, tenā!ā
āāāRoger!āāā
Ant-like demonic beasts that moved their jaws, bat-like flying demonic beasts, and sea anemone-like demonic beasts with numerous wriggling tentacles; hey wriggled and moved around inside the 30 meters in diameter round shaped room. The demonic beasts were coming from the eight tunnels all around the room.
This place was Ā«Orcus Great DungeonĀ» 89th floor. The vanguards, Kouki, Ryuutarou, s.h.i.+zuku, Nagayama, Hiyama, and Kondou, were matching the countdown timing of the rear guardās all out magic attack. The demonic beasts, which managed to attack the rear guards, were repelled and defeated by Kouki and the vanguards as they wait for the countdown.
The troublesome bat-like flying demonic beasts rushed to attack the rear guards using the s.p.a.ce between the vanguardsā defense, but were stopped thanks to rampart made by the reliable āBarrier-user.ā
āOā ephemeral storm, Oā invisible s.h.i.+eld; rage, blow, swirl, and stop everything, āWall of Furious Tempestā!ā
Taniguchi Suzu activated the offensive defense magic. The chanted spell went right before the rearguards, and breeze could be felt by their outstretched hands. No change could be seen with naked eyes. Even the bat-like demonic beasts didnāt notice its presence, and were not alarmed by their instinct. They kept trying to attack the rear-guards who were about to activate large-scale attack magic spells.
However, before they reached, what met the charging demonic beasts was a wall of air that looked like a huge distortion of s.p.a.ce appearing all of a sudden. Tens of those bat-like demonic beasts collided against the wall one after another, but the wall of air only bent without letting even one through.
When all of the charging bat-like demonic beasts had collided, the distorted s.p.a.ce exploded, causing great impact as if it had reached its limit. The generated impact was tremendous, and the fleshes crushed by it immediately splattered on the dungeonās walls with sound of raw and death.Ā Splatter!
āHmph! I wonāt let you pa.s.s that easily!ā
The voice of the cla.s.sās mood-maker, Suzu, rang in the middle of the intense sound of battle. At the same time, the rear guards simultaneously fired their best attacks. It was an attack where it was necessary for them to be at a distance, since it would defeat the enemies, and struck all those who are close to it.
āRetreat!ā With Koukiās order, the vanguards immediately backed away from the demonic beasts.
In the next moment, the magic attacks of six people arrived with such perfect timing.
A huge fireball crashed and simultaneously caused a huge explosion. Meanwhile, a tornado trampled the battlefield, bringing forth vacuum blades which sucked the demonic beasts and cut them up. On the ground, stone spears shot off with tremendous speed and pierced the demonic beastsā lower parts. At the same time, the icicles falling from above created holes in the demonic beastsā upper bodies.
There was no way a living thing would be able to survive inside the sublime s.p.a.ce that looked like it was receiving the wrath of nature. The attacks only last for tens of seconds. However, more than 90% of the demonic beasts were dead while the rest were on verge of dying due to grave injuries.
āAlright! This is good! Letās finish the leftover ones quickly!ā
With Koukiās shout, the vanguards once again went forwards, and the demonic beasts on the brink of death, couldnāt even fight back thanks to the all-out magic attacks, were finished one by one. Not even five minutes had pa.s.sed when all of the demonic beasts were annihilated.
The battle ended, but Koukiās party didnāt relax their guards and searched their surroundings to see if there were more enemies.
āPhew, next is the 90th floor, huhā¦ We were able to defeat the demonic beasts in this floor without much difficultyā¦ and it looks like the end of the combat training inside this dungeon is near.ā
āThatās why; donāt let your guard down. After all, we donāt know what kind of demonic beasts and traps are ahead.ā
āArenāt you worrying too much about it, s.h.i.+zuku? Didnāt we just an easy battle in a floor no one ever reached? No matter what may come, I will defeat them! Even if itās the Demon race!ā
s.h.i.+zuku cautioned Kouki, who muttered so in deep thought, and the muscle headed Ryuutarou replied with a hearty laugh. Nevertheless, Kouki made fist-to-fist greeting with Ryuutarou, and revealed a fearless smile. Seeing them, s.h.i.+zuku sighed while rubbing her creased forehead. She came and had followed the extremeness of the two, which ascended her to a stage of a wordly-wise man.Ā My wrinkle hasnāt increased again, right?, was her worry as the number of times s.h.i.+zuku looked in a mirror had sublimely increased. Even so, she didnāt restrict the two as she followed them; truly a good natured person.
āHiyama-kun, Kondou-kun, I think you must have recovered by now. Butā¦ how are you?ā
While the others were discussing the earlier battle, Kaori was doing her duty; to heal the injured people from previous battle, since she was a āHealer.ā It should be noted that there was another girl with āHealerā cla.s.s within the 15 people who had undergone combat training by conquering the dungeon, and the duty to heal was divided between the two.
āā¦ Aah, thereās no problem now. Thank you, s.h.i.+rasaki.ā
āO-Oh, itās okay now. Thanks.ā
Himaya, who was healed by Kaori, was daydreaming due to the close proximity of Kaoriās face, and answered absentmindedly. It was obvious he was charmed by her. Even Kondou was saying his grat.i.tude with his reddened ears. Because they were the vanguards, Hiyama and Kondou were frequently in care of Kaoriās healing, and yet they still could not get used to coming in contact with Kaori. Although Kondouās att.i.tude was just like a child in p.u.b.ertyā¦ there was darkness inside Hiyamaās eyes when he looked at Kaori. The darkness became thicker as days go byā¦ but almost no one noticed it.
Hearing their grat.i.tude, Kaori said, āYouāre welcome,ā with a smile. Then, she stood and turned around. When she confirmed no one else was in need of healing, she secretly sighed, and she began to look at the dim pa.s.sage ahead with eyes filled with anxiety.
āā¦ā
Noticing Kaoriās state, s.h.i.+zuku understood what her best friend felt. Kaoriās mind was filled with worries. There were ten more floors until the lowest floor (the general opinion), yet they didnāt find any sign of Hajime at all.
Although it meant there was hope, the despair was far stronger. Even if she decided to not believe Hajime was dead until she saw it herself, another floor was conquered, and the negative thoughts that surged when nothing was found, could not be easily put aside. Furthermore, four months had pa.s.sed since the day Hajime fell into the abyss. Even if her determination was strong, it was enough time for negative thoughts to begin invading her mind.
Seeing Kaoriās appearance while she embraced her artifact, a white staff, tightly, s.h.i.+zuku called out to her since she could no longer endure it. And, before s.h.i.+zuku moved, the small mood-maker said,As if I will let Kaori keep worrying like that!, and ran towards her.Ā Bounce, she jumped and embraced Kaori from behind.
āKA-O-RI~N!! Thereās no need to heal those guys, just heal Suzu a, lot~! Heal me with this and that~ā
āHya! Suzu-chan! Where are you touching! Rather, Suzu-chan should not have any injury!ā
āThere is! Suzuās gla.s.s-like heart is injured! Thatās why, spoil me! To put it concretely, use Kaorinās big b.r.e.a.s.t.s!ā
āB-Breaāā¦ I said stop!Ah, hey! Yanh! s.h.i.+zuku-chan, help!ā
āHaa, Haa, is this good? How about over here? Young lady, you are quite th-puuutt!?ā
āā¦ Haa, stop it already, Suzu. I know you donāt mind the boysā gazeā¦ But, you shouldā¦ā
Suzu had transformed into a perverted old man and was groping Kaoriās b.r.e.a.s.t.s with an expression so sloppy that it couldnāt be shown to other human. It was the reason why she received a head chop from s.h.i.+zuku, and collapsed. Incidentally, some of the guys who watched Suzu and Kaoriās yuri scene had also collapsed. Suzu was convulsing with lump on her head, and was looked after by Nakamura Eri with a wry smile.
āUu~, thank you, s.h.i.+zuku-chan. That was embarra.s.singā¦ā
āAlright, alright. It is okay now. I have exterminated the pervert, okay?ā
Kaori, who clung to her with teary eyes, was gently patted by s.h.i.+zuku. It was scene that could often be seen recently. s.h.i.+zuku took a look at Kaoriās complexion while she gently stroked Kaoriās silky hair. Kaori was looking at Eri who was looking after Suzu with troubled but somewhat happy expression, and her anxiety from before was no longer there. Apparently, her feeling had changed even if it was a temporary thing. One way or another, s.h.i.+zuku felt admiration in her mind as she thought,Ā As expected of the cla.s.sās moodmaker, Suzu (Oldman version).
āThere are only ten floors leftā¦ Letās do our best, Kaori.ā
s.h.i.+zuku put her hands on Kaoriās shoulders, and then put some strength into them as she looked straight at Kaori. It was her way to encourage her best friend, so she would not break. Seeing s.h.i.+zuku, Kaori noticed she had become slightly more timid, so she slapped both of her cheeks and returned s.h.i.+zukuās gaze with a powerful gaze.
āUn. Thank you, s.h.i.+zuku-chan.ā
s.h.i.+zukuās worry made Kaori realized again how much s.h.i.+zuku would support her, and Kaori conveyed her grat.i.tude as her gaze softened as she smiled. s.h.i.+zuku quietly nodded, and her gaze also softenedā¦ Lily flowers were blooming on their sides, but they didnāt notice it. Kouki and others who were looking around awkwardly were also unnoticed by s.h.i.+zuku and Kaori. They were already in their own world after all.
āIf it is nowā¦ can I protect him?ā
āI seeā¦ I am sure you can. We are different from that timeā¦ Even our levels have surpa.s.sed Meld-san and the other Knightsā¦ However, hehe, isnāt it possible that he has also became stronger? Even that time, he was the one who helped us in the end.ā
āHaha, jeezā¦ s.h.i.+zuku-chanā¦ā
Kaori believed in Hajimeās survival, but she was looking down on her current self, wondering if she could protect him this time, and thatās why s.h.i.+zuku was poking fun at her as a joke. Actually, they would be dumbfounded for various reasons when they found their targetā¦ But that is something for the near future.
Incidentally, the ones here were Kouki, Ryuutarou, s.h.i.+zuku, Kaori, Suzu, Eri, five people including Nagayama Juugo, and Hiyamaās gang of four; a total of 15 people, while Meld and the Knights were standing by at 70th floor. Actually, they were able to start from the 70th floor, since a teleport magic circle that connected 30th and 70th floor was discovered. Though it became easier to move to the lower floor, 70th floor was the limit for Meld and the Knights. To begin with, there were only Meld and few others who could keep up while accompanied by Koukiās party when they were around the 60th floor. Thus, they had only become a hindrance to Koukiās party when they reached 70th floor.
Even Meld was conscious of that. He taught Koukiās party of all the know-how about the dungeon. Thatās why, he and the Knights decided to try their best to secure a safety zone around the teleportation circle, and only Koukiās party were to move on.
Meld wanted to show a bitter smile due to being exceeded in only four months. But even so, after a.s.sociating with Koukiās party, he and the Knights were satisfied if their abilities could safely secure a safety zone in 70th floor.
Koukiās party current statuses were something like the following:
Name
Amanogawa Kouki
Age
17 Years Old
Gender
Male
Level
72
Cla.s.s
Hero
Strength
880
Vitality
880
Resistance
880
Agility
880
Magic
880
Magic Resistance
880
Skills All Elements Apt.i.tude Rise in Light Elementās Effectiveness Activation Speed Increase All Elements Resistance Rise in Light Elementās Effectiveness Physical Resistance Recovery Rate Increase Mitigation of Impact Composite Magic Swordsmans.h.i.+p Herculean Strength Ground Shrinker Prediction High Speed Magic Power Recovery Sign Perception Magic Perception Limit Break Language Comprehension
Name
Sakagami Ryuutarou
Age
17 Years Old
Gender
Male
Level
72
Cla.s.s
Fist Fighter
Strength
820
Vitality
820
Resistance
680
Agility
550
Magic
280
Magic Resistance
280
Skills Hand-to-Hand Fighting Techniques Body Strengthening Part Strengthening Concentrated Strengthening Penetrate and Destroy Ground Shrinker Physical Resistance Varja All Element Resistance Language Comprehension
Name
Yaegas.h.i.+ s.h.i.+zuku
Age
17 Years Old
Gender
Female
Level
72
Cla.s.s
Swordswoman
Strength
450
Vitality
560
Resistance
320
Agility
1,110
Magic
380
Magic Resistance
380
Skills Swordsmans.h.i.+p Rise in Slas.h.i.+ng Speed Rise in Sword Drawing Speed Ground Shrinker Great Ground Shrinker Quivering Legs No Beat Prediction Sign Perception Stealth Phantom Attack Language Comprehension
Name
s.h.i.+rasaki Kaori
Age
17 Years Old
Gender
Female
Level
72
Cla.s.s
Healer
Strength
280
Vitality
460
Resistance
360
Agility
380
Magic
1,380
Magic Resistance
1,380
Skills Healing Magic Increase in Effectiveness Increase Healing Rate Increase Imaginative Ability Permeation Detection Increase Effective Range Increase in Effectiveness of Distance Healing Increase in Effectiveness of Abnormal State Recovery Decrease in Magic Consumption Increase in Magic Power Efficiency Continuous Activation Simultaneous Activation Delayed Activation Additional Activation Light Element Apt.i.tude Increase in Activation Speed Increase Effectiveness Increase Duration Continuous Activation Simultaneous Activation Delayed Activation High Speed Magic Power Recovery Meditation Language Comprehension
Kaoriās Healing Magic and Light Element Apt.i.tude skills were at the extreme. Her healing magic in particular was in the highest rank possible. Just judging by the amount of skills, Kaoriās was at least amounted to four people. Furthermore, her current number of skills even exceeded the Hero, Kouki. With t.i.t for tat, everything was definitely for her promise. Believing in his survival, this time, she would be the one to protect him. It was the result of her single-mindedly repeated the things she could do while spared little time for sleep.
āI think itās about the time to leaveā¦ Is it okay now?ā
Kouki timidly called out to Kaori and s.h.i.+zuku, who were still looking at each other. Before, he had witnessed Kaori and s.h.i.+zuku embracing each other in Kaoriās room, so sometimes Koukiās att.i.tude became suspicious, which had taken Kaori aback, but s.h.i.+zuku knew what was in his mind and only quietly watched him. Her eyes were truly expressing, āUntil when are you going to keep this strange misunderstanding, you fool.ā
Pretending he didnāt notice s.h.i.+zukuās gaze, Kouki ordered the other members. They had explored 90% of the 89th floor, and the route they were to go now was the last place to explore. Thinking about the structure of the floors up until now, it was about time for them to see the stairs.
The prediction turned out right, and the party discovered the stairs 10 minutes after they moved out. They descended the dim, spiral staircase while confirming the existence of trap. After they descended for around 10 meters, Koukiās party arrived at the 90th floor.
For now, Koukiās party were looking in vigilance for anything that might happen since it was the starting point. However, just by its external appearance, nothing had changed from 80th-ish floors they had just finished exploring. They immediately began their exploration while mapping. Even if the structure was the same, but they could not let their guard down because the demonic beasts that would appear might be strong ones.
In vigilance, Koukiās party explored the pa.s.sages and rooms with the same structure as before. The exploration progressed easily. Or so it should be, because before long, one by one they made doubtful expressions.
āā¦Whatās with this?ā
By the time the party reached a deep inside broad s.p.a.ce, the incomprehensible feeling reached its peak, and Kouki leaked a questioning voice with a perplexed expression. The other members were also perplexed just like him, so they halted when Kouki asked the question.
āā¦ Even though we have explored it so much, why we didnāt encounter even one demonic beast?ā
Their exploration had reached the latter half part, excluding the unneeded pa.s.sages. Up until now, they would not have been able to advance this easily since they were furiously attacked by strong demonic beasts. Normally, they needed two days to reach the latter half of a floor. However, not even three hours had pa.s.sed since Koukiās party started exploring the 90th floor. The reason for this progress was simple. They didnāt encounter even one demonic beast in this floor.
In the beginning, they thought the demonic beasts were observing Koukiās party from the shadows, but nothing popped up even when they used their perception skills and magic spells. It was strange for them not even feel the presence of a single demonic beast. It was obviously an abnormal situation.
āā¦How to say it, it feels eerie. Was nothing here since the beginning?ā
Similar to Ryuutarou, the other members also talked about the other possibilities which remain unsolved. Their confusion only deepened.
āā¦ Kouki, shouldnāt we return for now? Somehow I feel an ominous premonition. Meld and Knights might know something about this situation.ā
s.h.i.+zuku suggested to Kouki while she strengthened her vigilance. Kouki considered s.h.i.+zukuās suggestion because he also had a bad feeling about it, but they must keep advancing no matter what happens, and he thought they would be fine because they could take it easy in the 89th floor, so he hesitated on answering.
While Kouki was hesitating, the party members who explored the nearby surroundings unexpectedly raised their voice when they found something.
āThis isā¦ bloodā¦, right?ā
āIt is hard to discern since the blood a.s.similate with the color of dim wallā¦ They are all over the wall.ā
āOi, oiā¦ thisā¦ this is quite the amount.ā
Nagayama advanced from within the paled party members, and he touched the liquid they thought as blood with his finger. Afterwards, he confirmed the details by looking and smelling the blood stuck on his finger.
āAmanogawaā¦ we should follow Yaegas.h.i.+ās suggestionā¦ This is demonic beastās blood. Furthermore, it still fresh.ā
āWell, if that is demonic beastās blood, it means the demonic beasts around her have all been killed. Not only that, it also means thereās strong one who did itā¦ But, wonāt we be unable to advance unless we defeat it?ā
Nagayama shook his head towards Koukiās reb.u.t.tal. Even though Nagayama was the second biggest after Ryuutarou, he had a very prudent character unlike the other one. Nagayama watched the surrounding carefully while being prepared for battle, and told Kouki what he thought about the situation.
āAmanogawaā¦ the demonic beast is likely not to go out of this room alone. We also havenāt even encountered one in the pa.s.sages and rooms up until now. In addition, it is the first time we discovered traces. In other wordsā¦ā
āā¦ Something must have hidden the traces of the attacked demonic beasts, right?ā
Nagayama nodded at s.h.i.+zukuās words. Even Koukiās expression showed he realized something because of those words. Then, just like Nagayama, he raised his vigilance to the maximum with a stern expression.
āThereās also the possibility of demonic beasts becoming more intelligentā¦ But, it was natural to think someone was hereā¦ In addition, for only traces in this room not to be hidden, either it means it didnāt have the time to do it, orā¦ā
āHere is the last stop.ā
What succeeded Koukiās words was a never heard before voice of a woman suddenly ringing out. It was a man-like husky voice. Koukiās party became pop-eyed, and they immediately entered battle state. They turned their gazes towards the source of the voice.
Sound of footsteps resounded, but what appeared from deep within the darkness of the s.p.a.cious hall was a young woman with blazing red hair. The womanās ears were slightly pointed, and her skin was darkish.
Koukiās party opened their eyes wide in astonishment. The womanās features were something they know very well. Though they have never seen it before, it was a raceās characteristics that always appeared inside the lecture from Ishtal and the others ā the enemy of the Church of Saintsā G.o.d, and also the arch-enemy of human race. It wasā¦
āā¦Demon race.ā
Someone muttered, and the woman from Demon race revealed a faint, cold smile.