vol 13 PT 3

ARIFURETA SHOKUGYOU DE SEKAI SAIKYOU (WN)

C128

Immediate Awakening

Hajime felt a dry,cold texture on the back of his head. This feeling rapidly brought Hajime's dozing consciousness back to reality.

[…..Where is…..]

He shook his head to clear it, then quickly stood up and checked his surroundings.

Without any sources of light it was pitch-black. However, since Hajime had his 'Night Vision' the darkness didn't hinder his sight.

As a result, a quick look around told him that he was in a cave similar to the large tree they had entered before he lost consciousness. However he quickly realised that it was much larger.

There was one distinct difference though It was a domed, circular space, filled with transparent tan coloured, oblong objects that gave off a clean feeling. They were regularly spaced throughout the domed area.

Judging from the size, each could fit a person inside.

Hajime thought they looked exactly like coffins.

The empty space Hajime had woken up in was lined up with these tan coffins.

Hajime looked around, but there was nothing in the center of the dome and there didn't seem to be any kind of exit in the surroundings.

He turned his gaze back onto one of the coffins lined up in a row and after hesitating slightly, stepped up beside.

[This is…..just like amber.]

Then Hajime breath caught when he realised Shia was inside the amber.

Hajime thought the sleeping Shia inside the transparent coffin looked just like an ancient insect trapped in amber.

He briefly used 'Sign Perception' to check Shia's status and was able to sense a steady pulse.

He was able to keep himself calm by recalling when he came to. Hajime was guessing that he had also been encased in amber shortly before he woke up.

There were a total of nine amber coffins enshrined in the room. He suspected that if he checked all of them he would find his other party members trapped inside. They had most likely been imprisoned in the amber after they had entered the hollow of the pseudo-treant.

They were all probably ensnared in appealing dreamlike worlds just as he had been. If they manage to escape from that dream world then it is likely that they will be freed from the amber right in front of Hajime's eyes.

As Hajime found and stared into the amber imprisoning Yue he concluded that there was at least one good thing about the current situation.

[Well, at any rate it's good that Yue and Tio are back in their bodies. Turning them back myself…..may have been a problem.]

Just as Hajime had said, inside two of the amber coffins were Yue and Tio, and not in their goblin forms but their usual, beautiful, bodies. They were probably returned to their original selves when the previous stage was cleared.

Personally Hajime was glad. He would have loved her either way, but the original Yue was the best.

Hajime lowered himself down beside Yue and stretch his hand out towards his beloved's face. Of course the amber got in the way, but he still moved his hand as if to caress her face.

[Come back soon, Yue. I want to hear your voice…..]

For a moment the dangerous thought of breaking the amber by force crossed his mind, but if he did break her free he was worried that it might cause the trial to end in failure, so he held back the urge.

[…..Yue in a blazer...was dangerous. Shia too….how was dream me able to retain his reason?….Alright, I'll have you wear it once we've returned to Japan.]

As Hajime was caught up in these stupid thoughts the amber began to emit a faint light.

Hajime withdrew his hand and took a step back while watching the change.

As the light grew stronger the amber began to melt from the outside inwards. As the amber melted it would trickle down the side and be absorbed into the ground.

Within 5 minutes the amber covering Yue had completely dissipated.

Hajime confirmed Yue was breathing from the rising and falling of her chest. With that his remaining tension dissolved and he gently gathered her up in his arms.

It wasn't clear whether he didn't want to leave her lying down on the ground, or perhaps more likely, he just wanted to hold her.

Yue's long eyelashes began to quiver as Hajime gently brushed some of her hair away from her face while he cradled her in his arms like a child.

Yue slowly opened her eyes.

[Yue….how are you feeling?]

[...N, Hajime?]

[Aah, it's me.]

Yue still seemed to be a little dazed, but her gaze didn't wander away from Hajime for even a moment.

Once her consciousness had completely returned she stared at Hajime carefully.

[…Is it…..the real Hajime?]

[Haha, I understand why you would ask, but Yue must decide for herself. Is the me before Yue right now real, or a fake?]

There was most likely an imposter Hajime in the dream Yue saw,but Hajime was happy to let Yue judge for herself. He was sure that she would be able to tell the difference between the real him and the fantasy she had seen.

[By the way, right now I am sure that the Yue in my arms is the real one.]

Hajime's words left Yue staring at him with a blank expression for a moment, but she quickly grasped his meaning and smiled.

Hajime was telling her that there had also been an imitation of Yue in his dream, and that he was glad that she too had dreamed of him in her ideal world.

The corner of Yue's eyes lowered and her mouth arced to form a truly delightful smile.

[...How can you tell?]

Yue already knew the answer, but she still wanted to hear him say it. Even if their hearts understood each other, it was still a wonderful thing to hear your beloved say the words out loud.

Once again, Hajime knew exactly how Yue felt. So he shrugged his shoulders and answered casually.

[I don't feel any uneasiness…..deep inside of me. It's like my soul is whispering to me "the one in your arms is your 'special one'"]

[Fufu…..Me too. Deep inside something is telling me that the person I am embracing now is Hajime. … …Forget I asked?]

[Maa, you were still half asleep.]

Yue eyes softened as Hajime once again shrugged his shoulders, then she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him forcefully.

—-Gohon! (TL: *cough*)

[...What was I like in your dream?]

[My school's blazer looked so good on you that I could die.]

Yue could now guess what kind of world Hajime had seen, but the unexpected answer was so amusing that Yue couldn't stop her small voice from ringing out with laughter when she heard it..

[…I'll wear it for you someday.]

[That's something to look forward to. How was it for you?]

Uuohon!

Yue buries her face into Hajime's neck. As he was enjoying the repeated pecks of her lips against his neck Hajime asked her about her dream too.

[.....The ceremonial clothes and throne suited you so well I could almost die.]

[Sorry…..Ceremonial clothes aside, a throne is impossible. Or rather, why a throne?]

[Kufufu….In my dream I was an Empress…and we had 12 children.]

[Just how far did you go in your dream!? A dozen is too many!]

Hajime unintentionally drew himself back from Yue and stared at her in shock. Yue stared at Hajime with a seductive look and licked her glossy lips still wet from the kiss.

This seductive look caused Hajime's breath catch and made his heart to start racing. The fierce spirit that could withstand the attacks of any monster was easily shaken.

[....Fufu, I have high expectations.]

[...As expected, I won't be able to win against Yue in my whole life.]

—-Gohotsuehhon! ( Editor: *choke* *sob*? TL: YES, NOT MY NOTE!!!! Btw. is more like *hardcore cough*)

Hajime gave a roguish smile while staring up towards the sky, the light of seriousness in Yue's eyes had forced him to give in.

Once again he was sure, 'this is my Yue'.

Returning to the excitement from before, Hajime cupped the side of Yue's cheek with one hand before sliding it down to her waist and embracing her. Yue, sensing that Hajime wanted the same thing as her, closed her eyes and lifted her lips towards his.

Her rose-coloured cheeks were irresistibly cute, and her vibrant tongue, visible through her opened and bewitching lips, was extremely captivating. There was no more need for words as the two drew closer, each wanting the others lips. They continued to draw closer. 10 centimetres…..5 centimetres….and when the distance reached 0…

[Ugottsukeetsuehengohotsugahatsutsutobuetsukushoitsu!!!!] (TL: Gibberish for me. Maybe somebody will get it right: ??????????????????????????!!!!)

[—Aah?]

[—N?]

They were interrupted by a strange noise that was vaguely familiar. This time the unidentified sound had been close enough that they couldn't miss it anymore.

Yue and Hajime exchanged glances, then turned their heads towards the sound. There they saw…

[Uuu *gusu*, whatever….I can see I'm not wanted….even though I did my best to come back…..and then suddenly that atmosphere…..tried to get attention by clearing my throat, but…..uuuu *gusu*…reality is always so cruel….uuu~.]

(TL: Left it *gusu* rather than translating it. It just means crying, bawling or something like that.)

They were greeted with the pitiful sight of Shia, struggling to hold back her tears as her rabbit ears drooped. The drops of moisture trickling out from the corner of her eyes stirred up quite a bit of pity.

It would seem that Shia had woken up shortly after Yue, unfortunately they had been too caught up in their own reunion to notice.

Hajime and Yue quickly began to soothe the utterly miserable Shia. Hajime drew Shia close and tightly embraced her, and after a while the lonely rabbit's usual spirit began to return. Soon both her rabbit ears and cheeks were twitching with delight, while her rabbit tail flapped about happily.

[Un, as I thought, Shia must have rabbit ears. It's the rabbit ears that make her who she is, she just isn't Shia without them. Better put, it's that Shia existence is defined by her rabbit ears.]

[No, I can't understand that! Rabbit ears are not all that I am… but you really seem happy to see them Hajime-san. Did something happen in your dream?]

[Aah~, do I? The Shia in my dream didn't have any rabbit ears, she was just an ordinary girl.]

[...Is that even Shia?]

[Ano, Yue-san? It's true that my rabbit ears are part of my identity, but I would still be Shia without them you know?]

Shia was beginning to feel a vague sense of unease from their reactions.

Perhaps they are only nice to me because they like my rabbit ears?

Hajime and Yue quickly began to reassure Shia once they saw her worried expression and soon changed the topic to asking her what she had seen in her dream.

It seems that she dreamt of a world where the Haulia tribe weren't exiled and hunted, and she was able to live happily together with Yue and Hajime.

Yue explained hers again as well. It seems that in her dream she was never betrayed and her former country didn't fall to ruin. She had received Hajime as her groom and they had started a family together.

[As for me, my world was one where I was living a happy life with Yue, Shia & the others without ever having been summoned to this world. It basically rewrote the great suffering I experienced in the past but included the happiness of now.]

[I see… That certainly would be an ideal world in a certain sense]

[…..How did Shia escape?]

Shia answered the question on how she escaped from her dream world with a big smile and a laugh.

[It was obviously because I couldn't deny my current self even if I wanted to.]

[…I see]

Yue nodded with a convinced look while Hajime nodded with a gentle look in his eyes.

In her dream Shia must have remained as her weak self from the past, but she was unable to accept it.

[In the dream I met Hajime-san and the others before my family were attacked. We were all living together and I was fine with just being protected. But something felt wrong! It was if my heart was screaming at me 'there is no way you can stand beside them with a way of life that embraces weakness'. The Hajime-san who was telling me he would protect me and the Yue-san who was telling me not to worry… were certainly sweet and gentle, pleasant even, but the more they told me that the more my discomfort grew… By the time I noticed it, I had already decided to fight by the side of Hajime-san and the others.]

[So that's how you got back…]

[Hai! It is because instead of watching your backs, I want to stand beside you both now and in the future. Even if it ends up being a path filled with hardships and pain.]

While watching Shia grin happily Hajime became lost in thought. Shia had really become strong. The first time they had met…..he had tried to drive her away as hard as he could… Now it wasn't possible for him to reject her, all thanks to her love for Hajime and her strong desire to be an equal part of their group.

A feeling of affection for Shia, different from the one he felt for Yue, welled up inside Hajime. He pulled her head towards his chest and began patting her gently.

Standing at their side, Yue was able to guess Hajime feelings from the affectionate face he was making.

[Fue, umm, Hajime-san?]

[Maa, how should i say it?… welcome back, Shia. You did well.]

[Ah… Yes, I'm back…]

'The place where you belong is by my side' is what Shia felt Hajime meant when she heard him say 'welcome back'. For a short while it left her feeling a little giddy and embarrassed, but soon the happiest smile surfaced on her face and she clung onto Hajime tightly.

As usual, Hajime had Yue cuddled up under his right arm and Shia embraced under the left arm as they all discussed their dreams, and as they were chatting another one of the amber prisons began to give off a faint light. Once again, one of their companions was about to break out of their prison of sweet temptation.

[If I'm not mistaken, that amber is…]

Hajime, recalling who was in that prison, muttered softly. Yue increased the intensity of her magical light so they could better see the escapee. As the light grew brighter…

[Mugaa! Master's scorn is not such a half-hearted thing as that–! If you expect to satisfy me you better train harder before coming back again!]

[[[...]]]

The person waving her fist in the air and saying such things immediately after waking up was, of course, none other than Tio.

Able to guess the contents of Tio's dream just from her remark, they all reflexively directed silent gazes of scorn at her. Hajime, who was spoken of in such a way, eyes especially looked as if they were staring at trash.

Feeling his gaze, all of the muscles in Tio's body began to quiver. Then, turning around with an excited expression on her face, she was greeted with the cold gazes of Hajime's group and started to tremble even more. After a moment she started running towards Hajime like a lost dog towards its owner, an expression of ecstasy on her face.

[Master~ This one just got back now~! Shower mistress with your love~!](TL note: She was actually saying love me or favour me, but i decided to go along with this instead.)

Even after being turned into a Goblin she was still the same as always. Tio jumped towards Hajime with a divers pose.

Dopan!!

[Gafu-!]

Hajime silently drew Donner and shot Tio mid jump, causing her to perform a triple flip in the air before landing facedown on the ground. He then stepped onto her back and trampled her further into the ground with his feet, causing her to start making screams heavily mixed with panting noises.

[This worthless dragon! Just what the heck did she have me do in her dream?]

[This is it! This is what this one missed! Even though this one did her best to return from that fake world, this one is rewarded by being shot and trampled underfoot, with eyes that look at this one as if seeing trash! The mildness of that fake was nothing compared to this exquisite pain! This is how mistress' one and only master does things! More! Hurt this one more~!]

[…Just die, you pervert.]

[Abababababababah]

Hajime, unable to listen to her outcries anymore, snapped and invoked 'Thunder Clad'. Tio, unable to withstand it, arched backwards before exhausting her strength and collapsing back onto the ground while giving off white smoke.

However, despite the ordeal, the expression of Tio's face was one of perverted ecstasy.

She looked truly happy, which left Hajime feeling even more repulsed.

Soon after that Tio revived herself without any appearance of having suffered any damage at all. Then, though no one asked and they all refused to listen, she zealously talked at length about how unbecoming a master the Hajime in her dream was.

The fake world should be designed to show the specific individual a sweet fantasy that would leave them trapped inside their dreams.

Assuming that is true, Tio being able to escape due to feeling unsatisfied is an extremely strange story. It's an unpleasant thought, but it seems that Tio was able to escape because the Great Dungeon was unable to gauge her pervertedness.It had been able to read that Hajime is Tio's loved one, and that Tio likes sexual oppression, but it seems it wasn't able to understand how she interpreted 'punishment' and 'reward'.

Now, the Great Dungeon, who's trap had easily been escaped and was being spoken ill of after having done it's best to create Tio's ideal master, seemed kind of pitiable.

Haltina must never have expected this kind of pervert would come to challenger it.

In his mind Hajime paid his respects to Haltina while imagining them wearily crumbling into dust.

While they were all caught up in this another one of the amber prisons begun to shine. It would seem the next one to escape would be Kaori.

Hajime and the others approached the side of her amber shortly before she opened her eyes. At first she seemed to be panting faintly, but when she saw Hajime and the others gathered around her she took a deep breath in relief. However, the moment her eyes met with Hajime's her faced flushed a boiling red and she retreated until her back hit the wall.

Hajime, who had never been avoided by Kaori before, was more confused than surprised. He turned his gaze to Yue and the others as if to ask what happened. Kaori, noticing Hajime's confusion, quickly attempted to resolve the misunderstanding.

[Oh…! It's not like that Hajime-kun! Just now that is, a little, how should I say it… Anyway it's not like that. I wasn't avoiding you…]

[Ahh~ No, it's not a problem… I guess it must have something to do with your dream… Just what was it that you saw…?]

[Eh? Ah, what… you ask? That's… …. ….Awwaaah]

Kaori tried to answer the question asked by the wryly smiling Hajime, but wasn't able to give a coherent answer. Her cheeks started blushing more and more until she eventually covered her face with both hands and started to moan.

The girls were able to get the gist of her dream from her reaction and each displayed a different response. Tio was going [Hohou~] while grinning as if she found something extremely interesting. Shia was muttering […Kaori-san tteba] while blushing and intermittently averting her eyes. And as for Yue… she attacked her with sharp words while looking at her with scornful eyes.

[…Kaori, you closet pervert]

Kaori trembled and tried to make excuses for her still beet-red face.

[I…I am not a closet pervert! D..don't say such weird things!]

[…then, tell us what kind of dream you had.]

[Th..that's…It..it was… just a repetitive everyday life]

[…to say you attacked Hajime on daily basis…]

[I…I didn't attack! I just pushed him down a little… after that Hajime-kun himself… waaah!]

[…Kaori is banned from getting close to Hajime. She's too dangerous.]

[I..I'm not dangerous! Hajime-kun she's wrong, you know? I wouldn't attack Hajime-kun, you know?]

[Haa… yes, yes… I understand.]

[Uu~~]

It would seem all sorts of things happened with Hajime while Kaori was in her dream. Although she was able to shake off the temptation and return… it seems she indulged in quite the bittersweet springtime of her youth before she returned.

Kaori kept blushing and stealing glances at Hajime. It seems that this innocent reaction stirred up the sadist in Yue, who started trying to further stimulating Kaori by whispering something into her ear.

Kaori covered her ears and started shaking her head, trying to escape from Yue's tormenting whispers. It was like watching a pitiful mouse being toyed with by a playful cat.

[Maa, anyway, with this all our members are back.]

Shia released the tension from her shoulders upon hearing Hajime's words, then turned her gaze towards Kouki and the others.

[That's true. Then, what should we do about them?]

[Let's see… …If it comes down to it we can just destroy the amber, but for now let's wait for them to break out on their own. If we interfere it'd probably render their efforts to challenge the Great Dungeon thus far pointless.

[How long do we wait?]

[Hmm… perhaps long enough for us to eat and take a little break? In my case, I snapped and destroyed my dream with brute force. I probably cleared it just fine….but I only have about ten percent of my magic left so I would like to rest and recover for a bit.

[...Just what the heck were you thinking?]

Shia was directing an astonished gaze towards Hajime as she spoke. Their usual roles had been reversed and Hajime was wearing quite a bitter expression.

[Believe me, I am reflecting on my actions. I seem to have been unusually worked up since we entered this Dungeon.]

[Ahh~! That'd be because the Dungeon used Yue-san…]

[Maybe, but I can't use that as an excuse, you know, because in a sense it proves that it really is a weakness. It'll probably be difficult, but I am going to try and use this opportunity to overcome it.]

Shia directed an admiring gaze at the Hajime who was showing such an admirable attitude. Then, after throwing a sidelong glance at Yue, who was still busy teasing Kaori, and Tio, who was listening in and breathing roughly, Shia leaned in and whispered to Hajime.

[Ano, Hajime-san…]

[N?]

[Umm, that is…If what happened to Yue-san were to happen to me…would you also get angry like that?]

Shia was averting her gaze, but her rabbit ears were honed in on Hajime's direction. She wanted to know if Hajime would get angry for her sake, even if wasn't to the same extent as he did for Yue.

At first Hajime was going to brush her off as usual, but when he saw Shia peeking at him with wavering eyes he scratched his cheek and decided to answer her honestly this time.

[The reason I destroyed the dream wasn't just because of Yue. You were there too, but I… just couldn't be happy without the Shia I know.]

[Ah... ehehe, is that so?]

Shia was waving her rabbit ears and tail around happily while wearing a delighted smile on her face. Upon seeing her happy expression Hajime's hand reached out naturally to feel them.

Soon after, Kaori, unable to take Yue's teasing anymore, clung onto Hajime in tears. Shia, who was still in an excessively good mood, begun to soothe Kaori while Yue puffed out her chest with satisfaction. Tio….well let's leave her aside.

They decided to eat a meal while they waited for Kouki and the others, but even after 3 hours there was no sign of them escaping.

[It might be better to save them soon…]

[… …n, right]

[It does seem like… we would be here for a long time if we keep waiting for them to get out on their own]( Note by TL: Shia)

Both Yue and Shia voiced their agreement, thinking that it couldn't be helped. However Kaori quickly stepped in.

[Wouldn't it be alright to wait a little longer? Just a bit more? If it's Shizuku-chan and the others then they can surely…]

Since Kaori herself understood Shizuku and the others desperation better than anyone, one way or another she wanted them to capture the dungeon and receive the Age of Gods magic. A person's survival rate increases by leaps and bounds with even one Age of Gods magic. Kaori wanted them to get stronger so that they too could safely return to Japan.

The reason Hajime had allowed them to accompany him into the dungeon was so that he could use them as foot soldiers in the cases where apostles like Nointo appeared again. To further this plan he was hoping they would be able to obtain the Age of Gods magic here and then head out and defeat the other Great Dungeons on their own.

That's why, when he saw Kaori's pleading eyes, he shrugged his shoulders and decided to wait a little while longer. Kaori smiled happily when she saw Hajime agree and began to casually try to get closer to him, however she was immediately blocked just as casually by Yue.

As this was happening one of the ambers started to shine.

[That amber is…Shizuku-chan's!]

[Huh, as expected the fastest one was Yaegashi.]

[Fumu. Shizuku is level-headed after all](Tio)

Upon seeing the melting amber Kaori rushed over at full speed. Soon after Shizuku abruptly opened her eyes and began groaning in a soft voice as she tried to get up. Kaori reached over and supported her as Shizuku weakly raised herself out of the remains of the amber.

[Where am I…? …Kaori?]

[Un, it's me, Shizuku-chan. Welcome back!]

[I see, I'm back, huh. Fuu, for some reason I'm feeling quite tired…]

Shizuku gave a heavy sigh as if she really was feeling tired, before shaking her head as if to clear it of some lingering thought. She then smiled at Kaori and returned her greeting with a warm [I'm back].

After Kaori and Shizuku had finished their happy reunion Hajime and others approached as well.

[You overslept quite a bit, but it's good that you were able to overcome it]

[Hah? Ah, Na..Nagumo-kun… Y..you're right. It's good to be back.]

For some reason the moment Hajime called out to her Shizuku's gaze began to wander aimlessly and she started to stutter.

Upon seeing Shizuku behave strangely Yue and the others became puzzled. Shizuku cleared her throat as if to hide her unrest and turned her face away from them to conceal her slightly reddened cheeks.

[…seems Kouki and others are taking their time, huh?]

[Un, we came back several hours ago, but since then Shizuku-chan is the first one to escape.]

[Is that so? They came up with a troubling trial I guess. Well, it can't be helped. While saying so, it seems I made you wait quite a bit. I guess I should say I am sorry?]

[Don't worry about it, Shizuku-san. Congratulations on your escape. …and… i'd like to ask you a tiny question, but…]

[Thank you Shia. It's alright, what might it be about?]

Shizuku replied to Shia with a smile that was using all of her reserves of composure. She had gotten a bad feeling about Shia's question right away.

However, it seems the one who would be asking the question wouldn't be Shia, but rather Yue, who had somehow gotten beside Shizuku without anyone noticing.

[....]

[Wh..what is it?]

[....]

[Umm, looking at me silently like that makes me feel uncomfortable… …Yue?]

For some reason Yue was starting into Shizuku's eyes from beside her. Shizuku was desperately trying to suppress the feeling of unease that Yue's exquisite, doll-like, deadpan face was stirring inside her.

Finally, Yue asked a question with a tone that suggested she was confirming something she already knew.

[…Shizuku…what kind of dream was it?]

[Eh? What kind you say? It was an ordinary dream. There was nothing unusual. Yes, it was a really plain, ordinary dream]

[…ordinary? Who was in it?]

[Who you say? …Everyone. Everyone was there]

[… … I see]

Shizuku answered firmly while looking straight into Yue's eyes, as if to show that she wasn't disturbed one bit. Although this was her intention, she didn't realise that her extremely abstract answers had given away the state of affairs in her heart.

Yue, of course, had noticed it, as had the others. However Shizuku was giving off such a strong aura implying she didn't want to talk about it that they decided to leave it be for now.

When Yue and the others backed off Shizuku appeared openly relieved.

With the inquisition finished, they guided the tired Shizuku to the centre of the room and begun to prepare tea. As she was being lead to join the impromptu tea time, Shizuku couldn't help muttering to herself.

[… …Me being a princess is impossible… …and more importantly, why wasn't the prince Kouki or Ryutarou?… … murmur…]

Though there wasn't anyone close enough to hear her.

Several hours later Shizuku finished resting and had completely recovered from her mental fatigue. Having decided they couldn't wait any longer, they were now preparing to force the breakout of Kouki, Ryutarou and Suzu.

Hajime or Yue could've easily been able to destroy the amber, but in their party was someone who had a skill that was much better suited for the job.

[Now then Kaori, it's all yours. Try not to 'decompose' their bodies.]

[Un, it's alright. Outside of real battle there's no need to worry about the control anymore.]

After giving her reply to Hajime, Kaori abruptly put her hand on the nearest amber and began to release her maryoku (magic) as if to permeate it. Pale, silvery, magic rays coloured the room in moonlit brilliance as Kaori's maryoku delicately coiled around and spread itself evenly throughout the remaining amber prisons.

['Decompose.']

There was no need to chant, but since it helped to focus the image in her mind she recited it on purpose. Immediately after, the amber surrounding Kouki and others started to crumble. it looked more like it was decaying than melting, the particles that became too small for the eyes to see looked as if they were vanishing into thin air.

Within 3 minutes all the amber had completely decomposed and vanished into thin air. Concerned over the aftereffects of being forcibly released from their trials, Shizuku and Kaori anxiously began to check the condition of Kouki and the others.

However it seemed it was an unnecessary fear.

[…..Huh? Wha, Kaori? Shizuku? This is? But I was… with you two…]

[N, ah? What is this place? I thought I was...]

[Eh? No way… Eri was… …Eri…]

All three of them woke up suddenly, as if they had never been asleep.

Because they had suddenly awoken from their pleasant dreams to find themselves in a dimly lit cave it seems their senses had been thrown into confusion. Suzu was especially distraught, reaching her grasping hand out towards empty space. It was obvious from her words who she was reaching out for. Thinking about what kind of dream she must have been having, it is understandable why she wasn't able to wake herself up from it.

Both Kaori and Shizuku made sympathetic expressions when they saw Suzu's sad state. It wasn't surprising that the severe betrayal had left her wounded deeply. Though she is always laughing and smiling, even now that wound must be bleeding beneath the surface.

The trio slowly become silent as they sorrowfully started to realise that what they had been seeing was only a dream. However, they all handled the realisation differently. Ryutarou, even though he continues to give off a dejected feeling, abruptly scratches his head with an embarrassed expression while saying [Guess it can't be helped]. Kouki just chewed his lips with a vexed expression. While Suzu quickly forced a smile onto her face in an attempt to deceive them.

Since they couldn't bare to watch her like this, both Kaori and Shizuku immediately pulled Suzu into a tight hug.

Just as Hajime was about to call out to them, a magic circle appeared in the centre of the room.

It would appear that when everyone escapes from the amber they are forcibly sent on to the next stage. Ryutarou aside, Kouki and Suzu are still unstable. Hajime would've preferred to let them recover first, but… it appears that wasn't going to be possible.

[Amanogawa, Taniguchi, this is no time for you to be caught up in your thoughts, get ready. If you don't, all your dreams really will fall apart.]

[tte… … Aah, I know.]

[U..un. Right!]

The next instant the magic circle's light burst forth and filled the view of Hajime and the others.

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ARIFURETA SHOKUGYOU DE SEKAI SAIKYOU (WN)

C129

Hajime and the rest reappeared in the same forest of trees that they had left from.

However, it was too soon to start celebrating just yet. The area was vast, with trees stretching as far as the eye could see, giving Hajime no clue on which direction to head.

In many ways it resembled the tree levels in the Orcus Labyrinth, a forest somehow existing underground. Most of the trees appeared to be about the same height, but one tree in the distance seemed to tower over the rest. Hajime guessed that was their next destination.

"It looks like everyone is here."

Hajime carefully watched the other members of the group with a squint. He had feared that the transportation circle would have split them up or put them into some new challenge, but it appeared like his worries were unfounded.

"….Hajime, any fakes?" Yue inquired.

"No, everyone seems okay. My eyes tell me that everyone is real."

"It's okay if Hajime-san says so." Shia gives out a look of confidence.

Hajime wished Shia would be more careful in case he himself was the fake. However, he reasoned that Yue would be able to tell if Hajime was a fake and warn Shia, if that situation arouse.

Watching the dense forest ahead, Hajime gave the order for them to get moving. He glanced over his shoulder, examining the figure of Kouki and Suzu who wore shadows over their expressions.

Whatever Suzu's dream had been, it seem to have hurt her deeply. Hajime couldn't guess what Kouki had seen. No, whatever it was, it was enough that he didn't come back to reality. Shaking off the dream was too much of a shock. Those dreams seemed to cut the party as bad as any nightmare. It was a deep pain that they would never be able to completely escape from. Every member struggled to shake off the shock of those dreams and come back to reality.

However, they were in a labyrinth right now. They couldn't afford to lose their edge, or a single misstep could bring them to despair in a matter of seconds. The silence seemed to drag on forever.

"Suzu, Koaki, Are you just going to give up?" Hajime breaks the silence harshly.

"Like we have a choice!"

"Eh? What do you mean by that?'

Hajime stared down the two with piercing eyes. The sharp-tempered Ryuutaro raised his eyebrows in anger at Hajime's harsh words, but Hajime continued to speak before he could say anything.

"This is one of the great labyrinths. Death is merely a step ahead. Death is around every corner, just a second away. If you can't concentrate, then just give up here. Die in vain."

"Just wait for a moment there…"

"Even if you forgive yourself, that doesn't change the fact that you were unable to clear the trial from before. You can't change that. However, you could at least have the determination to rise to all the remaining challenges as necessary. You don't see it now, but someone who has no spirit is worse than a burden to the rest of us."

"… I,"

"I can open a gateway outside the labyrinth for you to flee. Either proceed or give up, but I won't allow you to continue like this."

Silence wrapped around the group. Kouki clinched his teeth in a desperate attempt to suppress indignation. However, after what Hajime had said to the group, he wasn't surprised that Kouki was angry.

The group had realized their failure. They had let their attention slip, unconsciously assuming things would turn out okay because Hajime was there to pick up the slack. Even though they were looking to become stronger than Hajime, Kouki's group had depended on him to get through the middle section of the labyrinth. They were supposed to beat the labyrinth on their own, yet their dependence on Hajime made them angry at themselves.

However, they were afraid to vent their anger here, as Hajime waited for an answer. Kouki took deep breaths, attempting to discharge his anger with fresh air.

"Naguma, We're okay now. We can keep going!" Suzu declared.

Hajime gave Suzu a nod, the mood immediately turning lighter. For a moment, Suzu trembled at a look from Hajime's eyes, but then gave Hajime a decisive nod.

"If Suzu can keep going. That's enough for me!" Kouki speaks up.

"Is that so? If you're good now, then focus on your surroundings." Hajime responded and just as quickly started walking again.

Ryuutaro clapped Kouki on the shoulder hard as he stared at the Hajime's back. Kouki knew Ryuutaro was trying to support him in a way only a childhood friend could and gave him a look of appreciation.

Even Kaori and Shizukuo seemed to be affected by the spirit of encouragement given by Suzu and picked up their steps, taking either side of Suzu for support.

Hajime headed straight towards the trees he had identified earlier.

The area was quiet; there wasn't even a sound of crickets. Even the wind wasn't blowing, so when Hajime brushed by a branch the noise seemed to echo in the silence.

"Hmmm… this is a somewhat unpleasant feeling."

"Yeah, it's the same feeling like when we were in Orcus Labyrinth, right before the ambush." Kouki responds.

"For sure. But no signs of demons."

Everyone's eyes were leery with tension. Tio had her brows furrowed. Kaori and Shizuku shivered as they remembered the demon ambush, the demon woman toying with them.

"I sent some spider-golems ahead and they haven't detected anything. I suspect we can continue without any incidents. But if it'd make you feel better, we can burn the whole forest down."

"Nagumo… I don't know how to say this, but sometimes your ideas scare me." Ryuutaro Tsukkomi'd.

"I learned to think this way in the hell of the abyss. I'm alive today because of it. I didn't have a barrier maker like Suzu to protect me." Hajime responded seriously.

Turning everything to ash would leave nowhere for anything to hide. Although it would probably be a little dangerous if the surrounding area was turned to flames.

It looked like Hajime wasn't able to persuade the other members. Instead, he removed Getsurin and several cross bits from his "treasure room", just to be safe.

No one thought they would regret stopping Hajime. They didn't know what would happen if they let Hajime carpet bomb the entire place. In particularly, the way out might disappear.

"… Is it? Rain?"

"Looks like it, it's starting to trickle down."

Kouki frowned at the feeling of moisture from overhead. Suzu agreed as she wiped off her hand. They shuttered at the seemingly impossible phenomenon as their eyes met with the others in the group.

"Tsch… Yue!" Hajime called out suddenly.

"It's a… holy shield!" Yue responded.

Hajime immediately reacts to the abnormality, calling Yue to create a barrier just in time.

Immediately after…

Zaaaaaaaaa…

The rain quickly turned into a torrent, striking Yue's barrier and sliding off the surface with a dorori sound. However, by all odds it couldn't be mere rain. The viscosity wasn't right, plus they were underground and there was no sky.

If they could figure out the trap. Were they being showered with sulfuric acid or some kind of toxin, or was it some kind of demon in disguise? This time, it seemed like the later.

"Nagumo-kun, it's all around us!"

Gazing calmly, even in this circumstance, Hajime carefully observes the outside of the barrier through the growing tension. The trees, grass, and land seemed to oozing out milky white stuff.

"Is it a slime or…? How were you able to conceal yourself? I can't even sense it with the magic eye."

"Nagumo! Our Feet!"

"It's through the barrier. Decomposition!"

While Hajime was contemplating a slime with the ability to avoid his notice, the milky slime had come up through the ground and surrounded their feet. Normally, the effect of "holy shield" is a spherical barrier deployed all the way to ground, but did not go into the ground. It seemed like the milky slime was lurking in the ground and was now attacking from the inside out.

To suddenly be attacked from the feet. Kaori hurried to invoke decomposition as the milky-white slime had already reached their knees.

The milky-white slime collapsed into smooth particles. As far as how slimes typically fight, they don't have much in the way of physical attacks, but they'll consume something and then melt it, making it disappear completely.

"Oraa… It's sticking to everything!"

Ryuutaro pounded a fist into the milky-white slime, which was expanding to try to cover him. The gauntlet on his hand transmitted the impact through the slime, ripping it apart as his fist strikes the inner wall of Yue's barrier.

"You fool, Ryuutaro! You're making a mess!"

"This brain muscle! You're splashing it on me!"

"You? I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Ryuutaro apologized.

"It feels so gross!" Shizuku complained.

Suzu and Shizuku raised voices of complaint as Ryuutaro attacked the slime. His attempt to punch the slime had splashed it all over the people beside him. (Translation Note: Imagine the girls all covered in sticky white stuff and you get the gist.)

"Oh no, Shizu, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm okay, Kouki. These guys seem to die unexpectedly easy…" Suzu explained.

"Oh, no, I'll help… erm… Oh, never mind!" Kouki turned away and blushed.

"?"

The monsters didn't seem all that dangerous. In fact they were rather fragile from what you'd expect in a labyrinth. However, they had a bad side effect on the girls. Kouki couldn't talk to her without averting his gaze.

They also had to avert their eyes quickly from Suzu because she wasn't in a much better situation.

However, Suzu had a more suspicious face when she looked at Kouki and witnessed the slimes beginning to cover the outside of the barrier.

The effect seemed to disturb Kouki.

That was perhaps the nature of the milky-white slime. First it rained down on everyone. Then it got spread around, such as when Ryuutaro hit them. In other words, it was there to cover you in the turbid liquid.

What Kouki was reacting to…. to put it simply, the appearance of Suzu and Shizuku covered in slime looked really bad. However, the girls didn't seem to notice it themselves.

And Yue and the others were regrettably not an exception.

As the milky white slimes had breached the barrier, Yue attacked with a scaled-down version of "Saint Sever" while burning the pieces away with "blue dragon". However, she wasn't able to stop minute drops from falling down on her face, streaming cloudy liquid over her cheeks and neck.

Shia had also struck one of the milky-white slimes with Doryukken, which had been trying to cover her like Ryuutaro and Shizuku, splattering what was attached. However, because her power was higher it ended up in a shockwave unlike Ryuutaros. The amount was small, but still…

Tio had taken the blunt of Shia's attack, becoming accidently bathed in milky-white slime. Shia wasn't trying to aim for Tio, but it seemed like it was just bad luck. Tio was in front, and the effect was similar to being hit with a pie in the face. (Translation Note: Yeah, we'll go with pie. There are kids reading this. This is a totally innocent scene and totally not a bukkake)

Tio was in a kimono with charming black hair covered in white liquid. Hey leg peeked out from the hem of her hadake with more white liquid flowing down her legs. Yeah, this looked really bad on the surface.

Kaori was the only one spared from the blunt of the damage. There was no splattering of liquid with the use of her decomposition spell. However, the initial rain before Yue had put up a barrier had already done its damage, and she didn't look much better than any of the other members.

Hajime deployed "summarize thunder" to hide the slime covered girls. Yue's appearance was too dangerous and Ryuutaro was looking around with eyes a little too bright for Hajime's comfort.

Hajime was careful though since the still didn't know the milky white slimes weakness. It was important to be prudent.

(It'll be difficult to forget what has been seen this day.)

A lifeform this dangerous may find itself quickly becoming extinct.

So, like this, the Milky slime in the barrier were easily destroyed. Now that they had the slimes on the inside were gone, Hajime turned his attention to those outside the "holy shield" covered in creamy white slime. He slowly approached the wall and transferred a cross bit and a Getsurin outside of the wall.

"After all, it becomes like this…"

Hajime examined the world outside with his demon eye via the cross bit. The world outside overflowed with milky white slime. The walls and ceiling were covered and slime rained down. The ground had become a sea of milky white.

If it had not been for Yue's quick cast of the defensive magic, they could have ended up being quickly swallowed. This was truly a great labyrinth.

"Yue, will the barrier hold? I'm going to need to burn everything."

"Nn… go."

At Yue's word, Hajime releases all the crossbits and Getsurin at the same time.

"Reproduction Magic, it's time to burn them to hell!"

"So he's going to use that…"

"Last time you used this Suzu's barrier would have broke if we didn't have revival magic? We're going to die. Don't attack them Hajime, we're not the enemies!" Kyuutaro pleaded.

Hajime gave Ryuutaro a look before turning away. Suzu wore an expression like a dead fish. It seemed that Hajime's prison of flames had turned into a trauma for her. Her eyes were slightly watery. Kouki was still evading his eyes. It looked like Kouki still remembered.

"Kaori, please get rid of the rest of the slime with your decomposition. It looks bad."

Kaori was surprised at the attention Hajime was suddenly giving her. She looked around before realizing what Hajime was talking about when he said it "looked bad."

All the ladies were dirty and covered in white liquid and it looked kind of… they blushed all at once. Hajime was purposely being vague, in consideration of the fact that weren't aware of their own appearances. To directly point out what it looked like would be a bad move for any man.

Kaori blushed, finally understanding and giving a look of appreciation, she embarked on cleaning up the white liquid.

Hajime refocused on an image coming in from the cross bit.

(The rain of slime seemed to not weaken at all. Is there a limitless supply? Unless we take care of the ceiling, there is no meaning to this.)

The sea of slime was increasing in volume each moment. Hajime sent the Getsurin to the ceiling. It struck the ceiling, only to have milky white slime get wrapped around it, weakening the momentum.

Hajime made cuts in the ceiling using formation magic, the Getsurin cutting even marks into the rock like cutting through butter before making a central hole.

Hajime drew a small arch in the ceiling, then confirmed that the Getsurin cut in far enough that he could just see the tip. He brought out a spider-golem and another Getsurin from the "treasure room".

The metallic spider overstretches the drop to nothingness around each hole.

He pulled out more spiders, and each on stretched itself across another hole as if they were glued to the ceiling. The spread out in unison across the ceiling.

Now, he could control hundreds of units when they were set to non-combative maneuvering. After practice, he was capable of moving 14 times the previous number simultaneously.

As result, 80 spider golems spread across the ceiling, and began activating a drill. to suppress the milky slime, it seemed like they came from the small holes and walls, so the only way to stop the slimes was to destroy the source.

The drilling seemed to work, stopping the outflow of slime from the places the golem's drilled. The shower weakened visibly. The ceiling now emitted a red light, like the countless tails of a meteor shower.

(Okay, first take care of the ceiling, then we'll worry about the ground.)

Hajime thought things through as he spun the Getsurin spun another hole and stuck another spider to the ceiling. In turn, he opened a gate in the circle of the Getsurin and began to remove tar from the "treasure room".

"Well, well, to make my Yue dirty. I'll need to burn the slime away without a trace."

Hajime gave a fearless smile that showed the canines in his mouth, a heinous look in his eyes. Being able to cover Yue and Shia in white liquid was something Hajime couldn't forgive.

Exactly where those commendable words were earlier when they could avoid the indiscretion…

"Devil, is this a devil? Shizu, Shizu, I'm scared…"

"Just don't look… Suzu, Maybe if you can't see him…"

"It's dicey, Kouki He's being unexpected and imposing again.

"So it's a demon who looks like a man."

Shizuku and company looked in horror at Hajime's demonic appearance. Ryuutaro looked like he had seen true terror. Hajime was the kind of guy they should defeat as a hero, heroes driven by a sense of mission.

On the other hand, Yue and her group spoke up.

"Nnn…. Hajime, nice."

"He is doing good!"

"Master ah… a glance like that. Would you only direct that eye towards your mistress?"

"… Hajime-kun… Manly…"

If something could be said of the situation, Love is blind? No matter how you look at it, Hajime's face looked evil. However, to Yue and company it only served to charm them and make their hearts race. It was too late for them in a lot of ways.

Kaori wore a complex expression on her face at the sight of a belligerent Hajime. She had seen Hajime fight on in desperate situations before like in the Melusine Underwater Ruins. Seeing him like this reminded her of why she fell for him in the first place.

Looking at Kaori in such a situation, Koaki's party looked at her as if the distance between them had become all the greater.

Suzu, after seeing Hajime's fighting spirit and determination to annihilate the room full of slime, also diverted her line of sight. Even she couldn't handle the sight of his heinous expression. That was normal, wasn't it?

At that time, a tremendous roar echoed across the outside of the barrier. It was the sound of rocks cracking. The sound of destruction rang out in bigger and bigger succession. It sounded like the continuous burst of a firecracker, the roar beyond comparison. That was the carpet bombing started with Hajime's cross bit.

The milky white slime covering the barrier started to writhe. Hajime becomes covered in a sheer crimson light. Yue admired it. Hajime wasn't aware of it, single-mindedly focused on controlling the cross bits on the outside of the barrier.

The sea of slime had turned into a burning hell, reflecting in the magic stone eye behind his eye patch.

Hajime had spread black tar on the ceiling, creating blackrain that ran down from the ceiling, polluting the milky white slime below, while the Getsurin added in sprinkling tar across the sea of slime.

After enough tar had saturated the slime, the cross-bits began to drop cluster bombs. Each of the holes Hajime had created were packed full of small explosives and burning powder, the contents of each was enough to destroy a small house.

The cluster bombs ignited one after another, the slime sea undergoing one explosion after another, tearing the slimes into various small pieces. The explosive flame flooded across the sea, creating a lake of fire 3000°C in a prison of flame ignited by tar.

A tremendous amount of heat licked across the ground, rising into the air in a spire of scarlet. The milky white slime continued to burn, helpless to escape the heat. Hajime's murderous intent spread out, creating a world of scarlet that consumed everything. The trees were baked, the ground was melted, and the air was scorched. The Jukai forest was completely consumed.

A gap in the barrier finally became noticeable as milky slime fell away, burning red. Someone noticed it and raised a voice, only to realize that the barrier of slimes was replaced with a sea of flame, and the white slimes were quickly turned to ash.

Before long, the milky white around them had become completely eliminated. There was nothing left but a few puddles of tar on the ground.

"I ~, It seems like they were devoured."

"Looks like we no longer need the barrier."

Yue nodded in confirmation.

"We should maintain it a bit more. There might be a few still lurking around."

When Hajime stated so, countless black objects from the ceiling came down in a suite with a constant speed. It was the spider golems, which were lowering from hanging threads from the ceiling.

"It comes!?"

The spectacle of dozens of spider golems coming from the ceiling caused some of the party to shout out in surprise. After they realized what it was, they blushed in embarrassment, although those that recognized what they were only grinned.

The spider golems landed on the ground and began drilling once again into the floor and giant trees in the same way they had chewed up the ceiling.

Hajime finally affords some of his concentration to talk to the group.

"It'll take some time to finish drilling all the giant trees. I don't know how many slime there are out there. It'd be nice if we didn't face any trouble once we leave the barrier, so we can take some time to finish up here. In that case, Yue, if you could leave the barrier up for just a bit longer."

"…. Nn."

While concentrating on operating the spider golems, Hajime instructed Yue who readily agreed. Either way, the crisis seemed to be over and everyone started to relax.

Kaori was already helping remove the white fluid from the other girls, ending their indecent appearance. However, Ryuutaro vowed to never forget.

Hajime continued to drill to the extent that it wouldn't disturb their journey the rest of the way to the giant trees. He sat cross-legged in place. In was a cardinal rule of an adventurer to rest when you could rest.

The others saw him rested and committed to resting themselves as well.

At that time, a soft weight press onto Hajime's back. Looking back over his shoulders, Hajime sees the figure of Yue there. She was hugging him from behind. She was spoiling Hajime as usual and put on a small smile for him.

"Ah… Hajime, something strange, Ah, really, I want that too Hajime."

"What, no, what are you talking about. Yue? Together in such a circumstance?"

Yue's breath is rough. Her lovely eyes were just a bit misted, and she was licking her lips. Any way you look at it, she was aroused.

If they were at an inn for the night, Hajime might have rejoiced, but this was clearly not the time right now.

To get aroused so suddenly in this situation, it seemed impossible. There was something abnormal with Yue right now. Hajime examined Yue with a serious look. Yue's body was hot and trembling. Her body was pressed up against his with an impatience that even made it hard for Hajime.

Hajime shakes his head in wonder watching Yue's condition before the shadow of the other girls caught his attention. He looked to where Shia was.

"Hajime… me… me, already… ah."

"Shia, you too?"

"Ah, Hajime, I like, I like you."

"Wait, just wait."

Shia prevented escape by sandwiching Hajime's arm between her thighs and chest and hugging his right arm, rubbing his body. Obviously, it's the same symptoms as Yue. Cheeks red, respiration high, pupils look hazy with animal passion. It's like they had been shot with a full throttle of sex appeal. Hajime felt a little dizzy from the smell.

"What on earth…"

Hajime stared at them with a bewildered look. There was another figure that was acting the same way as Yue and Shia.

Kaori also had directed an eye towards Hajime, writhing unbearably. Kaori crawls towards him little by little on all fours, aligning hesitantly and rubbing Hajime's legs. Tio even…

Koaki's group were no exception. Ryuutaro's pupils were hollow, and he was writhing uncomfortably. As if losing his senses, he creeps up next to Suzu as she hugs herself in a slouch. Meanwhile, Kouki is giving Shizuku a side glance with bloodshot eyes. He finally stands, approaching Shizuku with a hand extended towards her.

The problem was that Shizuku was acting in a very similar way. She was writhing in spot, stiff and unmoving, while biting her upper lip. She was silent, but had a tinge of red on her cheeks. It wouldn't do to have them have to endure this situation. Once everyone regained their senses, it might be too late.

It was hard to tell what was really going on in Kouki's mind, but there was lust in his eyes. Suzu is shivering and suffering, and Ryuutaro tries to catch her as she falls to the ground. As he called out her name, it was clear his intentions weren't noble.

"Shit, this is from the essence of the slime."

Hajime pulls out two cursed bora artifacts from the "treasure room" and slaps them on the wrists of Ryuutaro and Kouki. They seemed to be causing the worst problem. Shizuku and Suzu were delirious, even calling out Kaori and Yue's names in their fervor. The artifacts used some kind of restriction spatial magic.

It seemed like the situation was safe for a second, then Suzu started to extend a hand toward Shizuku. The expression was one that shouldn't show on a girl's face. It was the kind of important expression you only showed to the one you had your heart set on.

Hajime's clicked his tongue in annoyance, throwing another bora on Suzu as well.

"Oh… is master safe? It looks like that slime's mucus is a powerful aphrodisiac." Tio explains.

While restraining Suzu, he stops Kaori as she reaches out to cling to his left arm. Tio begins to move towards him at a steady pace with a calm look.

Hajime looks up at her.

To Hajime's surprised, she begins to talk as if normal.

"My magic is being obstructed by the feeling of intense pleasure. Soon, I might lose my consciousness and be blinded by the pleasure. This is more than just a troublesome thing. Since it wasn't just a little, I was bathed in it, it'll be impossible to resist. If the battle had been prolonged, it would have been complete destruction. Even if we survived, the after effects would become… rather dangerous."

"Oh, Oh, yeah…"

"Hmm, probably, the goal of this test is to endure pleasure and overcome difficulties together, or to let bonds be defeated by pleasure. In any case, the "liberators" played a really nasty trick. They probably didn't expect someone like past with such a high poison resistance."

"Tio…."

"What can I say? It's very much like master."

Hajime, while agreeing with Tio's predictions, gave out a bigger question while eyeing Yue and the others.

"You guess that it was the slime's mucus that caused this situation… it's safe to think that. But why are you so calm? You got hit with more mucus than anyone."

"Certainly, the liquid is affecting this mistress. In fact, my body is greatly affected by it. I'm thinking right now that I'd like master to lick me."

"Tio…"

Tio throws out her chest, giving Hajime a wide eye look as she flashes a beautiful smile.

Although Tio is being violated by intense pleasure, she's keeping her senses by the power of her will. It seemed to be a sense of pride. Hajime wondered how long she'd be able to keep it up. After all, she was hit with a lot of aphrodisiac…

"Mistress is her master's slave. Compared with the degree of pleasure the pain you give me causes, this is only lukewarm. Now if you wanted to hit me I wouldn't be able to take it anymore."

"Is that so…"

Eyes! Kuwa! Hajime eyes turned sour and looked at her as if she was dirt. Tio, who could even shake the pleasure of the slime, began to shiver uncontrollably.

"As expected of Ms. Tio. Do you mind keeping your distance from me?"

"Oh no, to think you'd call me so indifferently and distantly. Ah… this is bad, the pleasure."

Tio was calm a little while ago, but the rapidly growing pleasure of Hajime's disgust quickly defeated her. She was brought to all fours, painting desperately. From such a sight, Hajime turned away and looked at Yue, who was hugging his body while trembling.

He decided to talk to the three he trusted the most.

Yue, Shia, Kaori. You guy's shouldn't be that overtaken by a slime like this? You're keeping things in control, right?

The three of them look up at Hajime, their cheeks stained red, their breath coming out in hot puffs as they cling to him desperately.

"Nn… is natural."

"uu, of course, yoo- "

"It's okay. I'm fine!"

They resisted the intense desire that tempted them to devote themselves to pleasure. Yue and the others were keeping it together with clenched teeth. After a look at the girls, Hajime laughs with satisfaction.

"This is one of the disgusting trials prepared for the great labyrinth. If you think for a second you can't take it, look at the others. Don't lose to them, it'd be embarrassing?"

Amongst his speech, Yue's mouth distorted into a fearless smile.

"There is a way to fix this immediately, of course. I'm holy water to drink. That would quickly change out state. There are no things that can't be released. How about…"

Hajime and the two others respond at the same time before she can finish talking.

"… unnecessary."

"I do not need."

"I don't need that."

They decided to get over the trial without any help. If "help" was "that". Hajime gave a soft look. Yue, Shia, and Kaori give him happy smiles, because Hajime believed in them.

He still tried to help by keep a distance between the three women. This wasn't something that would be easy for them to endure.

However…

"Hajime hug is gone…" Shia whined.

"It isn't harder for you?"

"It's harder not the embrace Hajime." Kaori explained.

"As she said, because a heart calms down… so please…" Shia said.

Hajime thought that it'd be a problem if he held them, but found himself holding all three in his arms. On his right arm is Shia, his left his Kaori, and Yue was held in the front on his lap.

They occasionally trembled with shivers, but Yue and the others devoted themselves to controlling their rough breathing and finally began to feel relief.

If they concentrated with their eyes closed, they could maintain and balance their spirit. Soon, the three excited women body temperatures began to drop and their heartbeats returned to normal. They seemed to be able to whether this trial without a problem as well. Hajime avoided moving his body even slightly as to not stimulate them. He smiled a little and kept supporting the three woman.

"I like this master, may your mistress also come over there?" Tio speaks up.

"Clearly that's a joke… Ms. Clarce."

"I'm falling down… oh, so cold. I'm done for."

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ARIFURETA SHOKUGYOU DE SEKAI SAIKYOU (WN)

C130

The "saint shield" barrier finally dissipated as the outside blaze consumed the remainder of the tar and extinguished. The only remaining vegetation adhered to a strangely metallic ground covered with ash. It looked like an apocalyptic landscape.

"…Hmm?"

"How's everyone?"

"Oh?"

Hajime sat in the middle of the burnt out wasteland with Yue, Shia, and Kaori holding him tightly with their eyes closed. They each opened their eyes in turn and tilted their heads.

"Oh? What's the matter?"

Hajime asked with a worried voice as he noticed a strange look on Yue. Yue and the other girls looked at each other, acknowledging what they all had to gone through before nodding and turning to Hajime.

"…Nn, we endured."

"Yes, the pleasure seems to be gone."

"I also don't feel anything, I'm back to my senses."

It seems to be that way.

They seemed to have endured the aphrodisiac effect of the milky slime that took their sanity with their mental strength. Excessive pleasure wasn't all that different from pain. Hajime couldn't imagine how much Yue and the others had suffered from an attack unlike any other they've ever experienced.

Hajime praised the three of them for doing a good job passing the labyrinth's ordeal.

"As expected, all three of you did a good job. I was worried for a bit but I'm glad you're okay."

"Nn… Kufufu."

"Ehehehe, it's embarrassing to be told that so forwardly."

"It's thanks to Hajime-kun. It was your support that allowed me to endure."

Hajime no longer had to hug the three as they were no longer under the effect of the aphrodisiac. Nevertherless, they didn't let go as they grew gitty over being praised by Hajime.

Hajime tried to loosen his grip assuming it'd be alright by now, but Yue responded by hugging him even stronger.

Did they need more praising? The three girl looked upward at Hajime with blushing cheeks while they clang to him even more aggressively. They didn't wear expressions that suggested they had lost their sanity. However, those expressions hold a certain allure of their own.

When they were under the aphrodisiac effect, it was easy for Hajime to reject their approaches, but it was a bit more difficult to resist Yue's charm when she meant it. He gave up trying to get his arms back.

Then…

"Gohon! Sorry to interrupt you, but since we're all better now I was wondering if you might untie Kouki and the rest?"

"Oh yeah? You did well too. You managed to make it without help. Indeed, a swordsman? Is this one of those spirit unification techniques?"

"Oh, Shizuku. Ehehe, I'm sorry, At the same time… my Shizuku-chan!"

After everything was over, it looked like Shizuku had managed to escape the pleasurable hell at the same time as Yue and the others, but had a haggard expression when she saw the pink space the group had made beside her. The interruption had managed to disrupt the mood and turn the group back to normal.

The girls who had been basking in Hajime's praise turned away, slightly embarrassed.

"Oh, thank you. Well, I was able to keep calm since my father hammered self-control into me since a young age during fencing. But it was a little dangerous. I mean, I wonder if things would have turned out this way if Kouki and the rest weren't constrained. I survived because I had the room to concentrate, without having to worry about defending myself. Thank you, Nagumo-kun. "

"That's good to hear. The pleasure could have knocked you unconscious. Enduring pleasure in place of pain could do that. While I prepare, Yaegashi, you might want to fix your clothes and mud situation."

"Clothes? Mud? Oh… yeah. I understand."

At first, Shizuku did not understand what Hajime had meant, but when she glanced down at herself she noticed that a change of clothes was in order. (It was sweat, Shizuku was just covered in sweat!) She blushed at the comment, nodding tightly.

Hajime used his transmutation to create several simple dressing rooms built from a wall of soil. The "Treasure room" had changes of clothing for Kouki and Ryuutaro as well (clothes bought in town). He took them out and tossed one over to Shizuku. Hajime collected the Bora Cursed Objects from Kouki's group, releasing them.

Kouki's group immediately drop. Shizuku managed to catch Suzu before she hit the ground, but Kouki and Ryuutaro collapsed to the ground with a rather painful noise. It was the hero and his sidekick, so Hajime had no worries.

While the female teammates used water magic to clean up and changed their clothing, Hajime concentrated on collecting all the spider golems.

They had finished destroying the ground around the immediate vicinity. There would be no Milky Slime coming out of the ground in surprise this time. These extra measures seemed necessary after the amount of time the milky slimes has previously wasted.

"You… master. I wouldn't mind if you looked at this mistress. There is no need for a locker room." At that point, a voice timidly came from behind.

Tio had managed to break through the aphrodisiac effect readily even though she had received the most slime.

Hajime recalls the fact and glances back at Tio.

"Were you still there, Ms. Clarce?"

"!? Please Master! You're still doing that? It was certainly pleasant to begin with, but can you go back to the usual way of naming me!"

"That, what are you even talking about? As usual, Ms. Clarce is Ms. Clarce. Please don't get any closer to me."

"!!!!? Please, Master. I'm getting too excited. I'm repenting, please turn back!"

"..."

As Tio crawls up to his feet and scratches at his shoe, Hajime looks away and ignores her. The distant attitude by calling her with her last name and treating her like she was invisible were unbearable for Tio. Hajime was happy about this, Tio seemed genuinely saddened by this treatment, it looked like he found an effective punishment whenever she acted up.

Tio was trembling as she watched Hajime. By any chance, did Hajime go too far? Her look was becoming more and more tearful.

"This is a terrible master. I ask… call me Tio."

Hajime had dealt a blow to stunt Tio's abnormal behavior at last; it was a very satisfactory feeling.

However, Tio's rueful appearance wasn't the transformation Hajime was hoping for, destroying her beautiful appearance in her deteriorating kimono. Hajime's devious heart considered things a little more, whether he punished her objectively, it seemed to be the role of a master. Happy or not, she wasn't aware of it.

"It's pointless, Tio. It's already too late for you to change the kind of person you are, so at least be a little prudent."

While Hajime shrugged while saying so, Tio was dumbfounded. Her expression brightened, and she gave a smile that looked like it belonged to a sweet, young girl. That smile was beautiful enough to tug on even Hajime's heartstrings.

She was knowledgeable and could have some deep thoughts, understanding the subtleties of the human mind. Understanding someone and making an effort when she could have lost her composure. She had courage and decisiveness, unmatched combat strength. She was affectionate and kept her word. And her appearance was the best. If it wasn't for her abnormality, you could say she was a "perfect woman".

"Really, it is a shame… Because in a sense, I…"

"?"

It seemed like Hajime had opened a new door for Tio. He felt partially responsible for her abnormality but he was helpless to fight it.

"What's is it? Master…"

"…No, nothing. Go get changed and freshen up."

"Yikes, it's a… That's okay then, master? For me to change right here in the corner?"

When Hajime planned for Tio to use the makeshift changing room, Tio gave an expectant look and said such a thing.

Hajime's cheek twitched as he wondered "where's that prudence?" and pulled out a grenade.

"…How about this? It's a special present for you. It'll blow the dirt away along with your skin!"

"!? I get it. I'll go change my clothes immediately!"

Tio waved her hands and dived into the dressing room. The words "responsibility" and the horological serpant flickered in Hajime's mind as he watched her back. He shook his head to drive the characters out of his mind.

Others began to emerge from the dressing room after cleaning themselves. Sure enough, Kouki, Suzu, and most of all Ryuutaro emerged with downtrodden looks. They were all hunched as if burdened by unbearably heavy stones, and the atmosphere was wrapped with dark clouds as if magic was being used.

Although they had lost their sanity during the aphrodisiac effect, they seemed to remember what they'd done. Pleasure followed by hell, it seemed that Tio was right when she predicted this would try the bonds of relationships, Kouki's group seemed proof of that.

Ryuutaru and Kouki couldn't meet the girl's eyes and Suzu seemed determined to keep her distance. Suzu kept to the shadows with their heads down and red ears. Hajime feared he'd need to follow up with Suzu if they couldn't figure things out on their own.

Because they nearly sexually assaulted each other, it made them uncomfortable and provided a sense of guilt that couldn't be ignored. In particular, Suzu was a girl. The fact that she could have started that kind of relationship with her peer caused a certain kind of damage to her spirit.

"Let's just forget it, Suzu…? It was unavoidable. Things didn't go too far… so… There are one or two memories no one wants to remember, probably…"

"…. Shizu, Shizu."

"Look! Remember that time I was wondering around the dirty game section without noticing what was for sale? It was serious, the male customers around were all looking at me with judgmental eyes… and I became depressed…"

"Is…. Shizu interested in dirty games?"

"That's not it! That was an unfortunate accident!"

"Shizu investigating dirty games… kufufu, with a serious look… pukuku."

"It is terrible to laugh, Suzu."

Shizuku looked somewhat relieved now that Suzu was laughing.

It seemed like any comfort would work to overcome the dark history sealed in people's memories, and "sympathy of embarrassment" was a self-torture ingredient necessary to help Suzu's spirit recover a bit.

As expected of Shizuku, willing to sacrifice herself. It was admirable!

Kouki had his head down, so Suzu watched him.

"Nagumo cared for everyone. We should be thankful he stopped us."

"Yes, you're right. We were saved by Nagumo. I'm serious. Thank you very much." Ryuutaro who seemed to be uncomfortable following Kouki turned his eyes to Hajime and expressed his thanks.

"Be thankful. Make sure to remember that. Always be conscious of your debt. So that when you're better, you can return it to me by resolving to be an appropriate meat shield. If I make a mistake, it'll be fine. Because I'll go to the ends of the Earth to make sure you repay it."

Hajime came off more like a Yakuza business lending out money at 11 to 1. When someone skipped a payment, they really did go to any length to make them pay. A thank you didn't seem to be the kind of payment he was looking for.

The church or someone like Nointo might want Kouki's party to become his enemy (no matter how hopeless). So he wanted to keep them conscious of the debt, just in case.

But not really knowing what was on Hajime's mind, Kouki's group had twitching cheeks and disturbed expressions like cheat victims who had just found themselves consumed by an unreasonable debt.

It certainly mad a big debt in that sense unless they could stop relying on Hajime. They recognized that and gave each other a silent nod.

However, the awkwardness seemed to clear up after the speech that trampled the common sense of Hajime.

The thought of the debt collector coming to make unreasonable demands seemed to inspire Kouki and Ryuutaro, and apparently Suzu and Shizuku as well. In a sense, they felt unity over not wanting to be consumed by debt, burying the break between them a bit.

Without being attacked by any more Milky slimes, they advanced across the wasteland with ease and finally arrived at the giant tree. The gather at the entrance and step into the next magic circle.

__________________________

The place where Hajime and company appeared was as expected. However, the light being emitted from it was different from usual. There was a doorway leading to the outside and was open from the beginning.

Hajime glanced around, seeing that he wasn't missing a single member. The magic eye could not detect the present of any fakes. In other words, they needed to proceed as is.

Hajime cautiously moved forward towards the exit bathed in light as Hajime gave everyone else a nod.

"This is… like fair Bergen." Hajime looks ahead and nods as so.

Yue and the others had similar impressions and nodded.

Ahead of the cave exit was an aisle, or rather a huge branch that could easily be mistook for an aisle. When Hajime glanced back, he could see a huge wooden trunk that went back so far he couldn't see the end. In other words, the empty cave came at the root of a branch that Hajime and the others were on.

The tree was too big, and the branch made a 5 meter across aisle just as it is. Other big branches protrude from the tree intertwining here and there. It was an air corridor in the same way as Fair Bergen.

Unlike Fair Bergen, it was a single branch growing from the tree and intertwine to make the air space, as opposed to a several groupings of branches.

If you look up, there is a stone ceiling, so they were definitely still underground. This tree branch was likely part of the Great Tree as Hajime couldn't imagine there being any other giant trees like this.

"…Great Tree?"

"It's likely this is a space just under the Great Tree."

"But the Great Tree is visible on the ground."

"Well, it seems to grown branches below the ground. The real roots might be much deeper underground. We only see the tip that's visible, it might be just a small part."

"How big does the Great Tree get?"

Overtaken by the min-boggling enormity of the Great Tree, it was almost too great to contemplate. The ceiling obstructed the view ahead, but Hajime still imagined the tree towering above them.

Shia's Usamimi twitch and begin to move. Shia's appeared to pick up some kind of sound. Shia wonders "What's that sound?" and sets out to verify the identity while walking the distance of the branches.

The faint sound is leathery and her ears flop around with disgust. Shia frowns as her Usamimi pick up the sound, an imperceptible sound that sent goosebumps across her skin. She peers over the edge cautiously.

"? Dark and invisible, that's it."

'What's the matter?"

"I'm hearing a somewhat unpleasant sound, but it's too dark for my eyes…"

"You want me to look for you?"

"Yes, thank you. What is that? The sound of such a feeling, like wriggling."

"I understand, something theta sounds disgusting?"

Hajime glanced over the edge on the left of the branch passage after shea called. Certainly, the darkness could not be pierced at this particular height, but with "night eyes" and "far vision" it wouldn't be a problem for Hajime.

"…!?"

First, Hajime can't see everything, but as he narrows his eyes doubtfully he gives out a cry that couldn't be voiced. He looked up, his face blue and his expression giving away danger.

"Ha, Hajime!? What's wrong? To see you react so much. What exactly did you see?"

"…Hajime, okay?"

Hajime was the height of fearless arrogance and boldness. For Hajime's face to display fear gave something very difficult to imagine. Yue anxiously rubbed Hajime's back. Shia was holding his hand gently.

Hajime finally recovered as bit of warmth and murmured while trembling and overlooking everyone with a serious look.

."…The devil is there…"

"Demon?" x5

Everyone inclined their necks at Hajime's pointless words. Kouki and Ryuutaro turned their eyes from Hajime, who to them looks most like the devil himself, to declare something else a devil, gave them watery eyes.

"Yes, it's a devil. It's black and you know it well…"

When he said only that, Hajime pulled out a crossbit and sent it down. A small crystal was put up so that everyone could see.

The one which reflected after a little noise right in front of Yue and others was…

"!?" x5

If you find one, there is at least thirty more. It bears the name of the black devil, having been feared with the word inititals G. Always creeps, rustling by chaos, life force causing it to doggedly survive, struggling in the shadows moving at high speed. If you are flying in the air, the Earth, enemy of the strong which cause abnormalities in a state of confusion and panic in restaurants, they are soldiers of unique magic.

The name of… cockroach.

The cockroach is, at the bottom of this underground space, millions, several tens of millions, no their wriggling had no measurement. It was an incomparable sea of cockroaches. The leathery unpleasant sound was the sound of cockroaches rubbing against each other.

"So, what things… look…"

"Yeah, so many, lots and lots."

With blue faces, Suzu and Shizuku look away as well. They both have goosebumps n their arms. The other members were pretty much the same. In particular, Shea's Usamimi's were now hanging down, she was desperate to cover up the sound now that she knew what it was. She buries her head in her hands and squats down, her eyes teary.

"….Hajime, will burn them."

Yue unusually says a dangerous thing, but Tio and Kaori seemed to already have the same intention. Their desire to so the things destroyed were indicated by the look in the eyes and the goosebumps on their skin.

"It might be better to stop… that number? I suggest… what if they flew in large quantities?"

"..." x3

Thousands of cockroaches coming flying all at once up at them, Hajime proposed. Yue lost her fighting spirit, and her face changed into a complicated expression. Apparently, the heart was broken in an instant.

"If we don't fall, I think it's okay. I think… as… I'll advance first and stop any that come up quickly. It might only attack when we stop."

Everyone wore a more serious expression that they previously had at Hajime's words, they gave firm nods.

Hajime traveled out on top of the thick branch passage. For now, there was only the goal of advancing along the road, but since the place was major scaffolding, there appeared to be a joined branch passage in the distance which he supposed was where he was going to aim.

Along the way, the roaches had not jumped up or been startled and they had made it from the entry branch to the next branch aisle. Things looked good, and then…

A feared sound was heard.

Vu… vuvuvuvuvuvuvuvuvuvu!!!

It was flapping sounds, in a large amount.

"!?"

Hajime who confirms with a look below. Sure enough, a brown tsunami was coming stretching out and rising as flapping hordes of cockroaches emerged with a furious spectacle.

"Uo… it's covered!!"

"Hey, oh, oh oh!!"

"Hyiii!!"

"Come now, oh, oh!"

"—-!!"

Everyone was raising cries of disgust as they prepared for the biggest attack of their lives.

Hajime shoots rockets from Orukan. Yue uses her "thunder dragon", Shia fights with burst slug ammunition out of the Doryukken, Tio invokes breath, and Kaori released decomposition while Kouki's group uses whatever long distance attacks they could muster.

Blooming flowers of crimson perched below, roars of thunder. Spreading ripples of blue light, cut blank flashes of black and silver. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to declare overwhelming annihilation. If this force was put in front of the kingdom and the imperial army, surely, they would oblige to leave this world.

However, the attack didn't dent the mountainside of blossoming black tsunami coming towards them. Attacking the sea itself is the same as pointless. The tsunami of cockroaches jumped freely in the movement spread throughout space as birds do in perfect order.

"It is terrible! Holy shield!""

Already half crying, Suzu put up a barrier.

Shortly after, the Zaa Aaaa continued move up into the sky. A wave of cockroaches descended as if attracted by gravity and pounced towards Hajime's party.

The roaches hit the walls, the momentum causing tons to smoosh and sprinkle their fluids as the survivors crawl all over the barrier wall.

"No, ri…"

Suzu's barrier stretched under the weight and she started to lose consciousness. Kouki resists and tries to give out an encouraging voice over the desperation.

"Suzu, don't pass out. If you become unconscious we all die. Keep up your spirit!"

Which was part of the attack. To be swallowed by the wave of cockroaches in flesh and blood, but it's an attack on the spirit as much as a magical attack. These kind of abnormalities couldn't be avoided. On the contrary, they could traumatize you for life.

"Yue, take over the defense!"

"…Nn, will absolutely not be broken."

Yue deployed her holy shield to superimpose the one Suzu had raised up with an arm covered in goosebumps. The outside of the barrier was stained black with cockroaches crawling and rustling.

"Somehow, it has been like this since I came to this labyrinth."

"Extremely messy huge labyrinth. Well, this on assumes you've beaten several of these others and have obtained their cheats so it raises the difficulty up several steps."

"It would be very difficult if you did not have time to analyze things calmly."

"Kaori, it's okay, there is no problem. That out there is just a black sesame thing. Black sesame pudding or black sesame furikake and I quite like it. Especially black sesame furikake seasoning soy sauce flavored". That's delicious. Rice is great."

"Shizuku-chan! Oh no! I broke the already fragile Shizuku-chan."

Kaori gives a heartbreaking cry as Suzu's pupils go dead. Meanwhile, Hajime reaches into the "treasure room" and starts preparing for extermination while rubbing the goosebumps on his arms.

However, before that happens.

The cockroaches that flocked to the barrier drew in unison. The wave of cockroach in front of everything move into a sphere of air, producing a circular ring to surround the center.

Superimposed further circular rings on the outer periphery of the giant circular ring form. The next cockroach column begins to sequence around the ring. Gradually, the sight begins to form a geometric pattern created in air. Hajime's cheek twitched.

"Hey, Hey, Hey, believe it or not. Are they forming a magic circle?"

Once a magic circle was formed by Nointo handling and lining up its Gunba formerly in the air. The countless cockroaches were now doing the same thing. Hajime and the other's declared "how gross" and continued their attack simultaneously.

However, the wave of cockroaches lay ahead so that the spear in the center of the magic circle was maintained.

It'll be a meat wall literally, and Hajime's and the others attacks were obstructed. A dead body of the cockroaches where were blown away fell in a torrential downpour into the lower part, but this did not decrease the number at all.

While continuing to fight in this way, the magic circle seemed to be completed. Close to fifteen meters in diameter it floated in the air, a magic circle emitting light of intense red and black. And when it burst the next moment, a central sphere which consists of cockroaches began to rise and change shape. It was a huge cockroach of about three meters at full length, at last.

But rather than taking the oval form as cockroaches around it, it came with a needle like tail and a torso similar to a centipede, complete with 10 legs. Its front feet had sharp finger like knives. The face had black color eyes, and a sharp chin, along with three pairs, six total translucent wings. Perhaps this was a monster of the boss class.

"Gigi Chchichichichichichi chip!!!"

The boss cockroach wore dark red phosphorescent color and emits unpleasant cries. Then the cockroaches gathered around further, beginning to for another magic square. Apparently the boss cockroach could control the other cockroaches. A rather small sphere begins to be formed, plenty in the center of a new magical center. It isn't the boss cockroach, but it's clear that a special cockroach appears big.

"Tch… what to do?"

"….Nn!?"

Suddenly a torrent of the magic generated the moment Hajime and Yue tried to make an attack on the magic circle from their footing.

The both turned their eyes down immediately, but there was nothing in a branch aisle to hold. However, his magic eye caught that further down the branch aisle, on the other side of the aisle, out of sight, the cockroaches were forming another magic circle.

It was trying to focus their attention on it, probably forming a magic flash to hide the other circle. Bad Hajime! It was actuated already the moment Hajime realized that.

Red and black magic was transmitted through the branch passage along the scaffold. Hajime protected his face from the intense light. After the flash exploded, it wrapped the surrounding region and settled there. Hajimei and the others appeared intact.

What on earth was it? Hajime looked next to him to Yue while suspecting.

"..."

The feeling that welled up within Hajime at that moment was not relief for her safety and was not the usual love, it was…

–It was hate.

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