vol 2 pt 2

ARIFURETA SHOKUGYOU DE SEKAI SAIKYOU (WN)

V2 C6

Chapter 6 : Demon of the Sealed Room



A purple liquid jetted from the needle on the scorpion's tail. Hajime jumped aside at once. The floor started to dissolve when the purple liquid splashed onto it. Seemed it was an acid.

After he looked around and confirmed his surroundings, Hajime discharged Donner.

Dopan! (Bang)

Donner was shot with maximum power. A bullet going 3.9km per second smashed into the scorpion's head and exploded. The passenger on his back was shocked. She had never seen such a weapon; a weapon that could attack at a flash. There wasn't even any sign of magic. Some static could be felt around his right hand but there was no incantation or magic formula. Yue noticed that Hajime was the same as her. He was able to directly manipulate magic. The same as her and somehow he was in this abyss. She wasn't sure if that was the case, but she had tuned out the scorpion and Hajime.

Hajime was continuously moving around with his "Air Walk". On his face was a grim expression he never had before. Using his "Perception" and "Magic Perception", he noticed the scorpion wasn't moving.

To prove to him, the needle on one of the tail aimed towards Hajime. The tail enlarged for just an instant and the needle was shot with a tremendous speed. When Hajime was about to dodge, the needle exploded in mid air and turned into a buckshot.

"Ku!"

Hajime groaned out while he emptied Donner, swept with his "Grand Kick" and chopped with his "Air Claws". Even with the pressure he was able to get a shot off from Donner. He threw Donner into the air after firing it and hurled a grenade from his pouch.

Once again, the scorpion endured the shot from Donner. It was preparing to unleash its acid and buckshot again. Before it was ready, a grenade approximately 8 cm in diameter rolled near it and popped. The grenade scattered burning tar onto the scorpion.

Hajime called it an "incendiary grenade". The reagent used to cause the scorching was the Fulham ore Hajime had found on the tar level. With its ability to burn at 3000 degree celsius and its easy ignition, it was the perfect choice.

The "incendiary grenade" was almost extinguished as it had burned through the tar. Smokes were coming off the scorpion and it appeared to be damaged, but it had also made it angry.

"Kishaaaa!!"

Using its 8 legs, it rushed forwards fiercely while it screamed. The four arms it possessed elongated like a cannon shot and sped towards Hajime.One of the arms he shook off with "Flicker" and another he leapt away from using "Air Walk". The third arm was smacked away with "Grand Kick, his posture was thrown off balance and the fourth arm was about to hit him. Donner was suddenly shot, and using the force from the shot he was able to twist his body to dodge the attack. All those move put a lot of pressure on Yue, but she was able to tolerate it and held on.

While in the air, he leapt onto the scorpion's back. Hajime was able to balance himself on the raging scorpions back and fired his Donner at point-blank.

Zugan!

A terrible explosive sound ripped through the area, and the monster that had taken that explosive attack slammed into the ground. However, only the crust was scratched and no real damage was done to it. Grinding his teeth, he prepared his "Air Claws" with Donner. When his ability clashed with the scorpion's armor it only made a clink; no damage was seen on it.

Fed up, the scorpion aimed its tail and shot its needle.

Hajime immediately jumped aside with a twist. He fired at the point where the needle was launched. The bullet hit its target at the tail and caused the tail to flick, but still there was no damage because of the outer shell. He was lacking offensive power.

The beast's four arms started to attack the aerial Hajime like a storm. In desperation, Hajime quickly leap backwards as he threw an "incendiary grenade" at the scorpion's back. Once again the tar scattered over the scorpion, but this was only going to work as a delay.

When he was thinking about what to do at this point, an unprecedented scream came from the scorpion.

"Kyiiii!!"

Chills ran through his body and immediately he tried to retreat with "Flicker"; it was too late. The surrounding terrain started to waver and countless splinters ejected from the ground.

"Damnit!"

This was a complete surprise. Hajime was going to desperately escape into the air, but he twisted his body to protect Yue from an approaching splinter. This action caused his balance to be broken. He was able to dodge using Donner and "Grand Kick". When he was dodging at the edge of his vision he saw the scorpion preparing its acid and buck shot.

Hajime's face drew stiff. With its preparation done, the scorpion fired its attacks. He steeled himself. In this situation, dodging both of them was impossible. Hajime clenched his teeth. Using "Air Walk", he was able to dodge the acid. Quickly after he started to protect his body. His left arm went to his heart and his right arm to his face. Hajime used his magic to strengthen his body to the limit. Then dozens of needles pierced into this body.

"Gaaa!!"

Any fatals injury were avoided while he screamed. Since Yue was on his back, he decided to take the needles and stop them with his body. Hajime was blown away from the impact, and rolled onto the ground; while intense pain wrecked his body. Yue was flung away from his back by the shock.

While dozens of needles were pieced into his body, Hajime took out a "flash grenade' and lobbed it towards the scorpion. The grenade drew a parabola, and flashed right in front of the scorpion's eyes.

"Kyishaaa!!"

Blinded by the sudden flash of light, the scorpion instinctively stepped back. It had been tracking Hajime's movement from the beginning. The beast had judged which step to take and it didn't make a mistake.

Hajime pulled out the needles stabbing his body and consumed the "potion" pill near his molar.

"Guu!"

A groan leaks between his gritted teeth. Hajime looked for Yue while pulling his needles, but Yue found him first and came towards him.

"Hajime!"

Yue ran up to Hajime anxiously. Her expressionless was gone; she was ready to burst into tears.

"I'm fine. His armor is too hard. I can't think of a strategy…his four arms also cover his mouth and eyes…kamikaze?"

Despite Yue's worries, Hajime continued to mull over the scorpion. Looking at Hajime, she started to cry.

"…Why?"

"Ah?"

"Why don't you just run?"

If he left her, he might escape. Yue brung up the topic because she knew it was possible. However, Hajime had an amazing gaze.

"What are you saying now? Just because a slightly strong enemy showed up, don't give up."

In order to survive, Hajime was willing to do anything: bluffing, lying, surprise attacks, foul play, and whatever is needed to win. His fight with the bear was the only exception, he basically thought you could take "fair play" and shove it up your ass. This was not the place for such a naive thought. There is not guilt here. You have to live this way.

But he wasn't going to allow himself to become heartless. He still knew right from wrong, humanity and justice. The reason he remember these and regained them was because of Yue. That was why, he had no choice but to save her. She had entrusted herself to him. The moment he accepted that he could not become heartless.

Yue nodded at him as she understood more than what he said, and she embraced him.

"H-Hey, what's wrong?"

This situation is not time for such a thing, what is she doing? The scorpion was going to recover soon. His wounds had healed. Preparations were needed to get him combat ready. Yue didn't care about that and placed her hand on his neck.

"Hajime, please believe."

Yue kissed Hajime's nape after she said that.

"Tsu!?"

No, not a kiss. He was bit. Hajime felt pain at his neck. There was a discomforting feeling as he felt power being extracted from him. At that feeling, he tried to shake free, but he remember that Yue introduced herself as a vampire. She was sucking his blood. Saying "please believe" while said vampire sucked your blood was scary, even if he did not like it he couldn't just run away and complain about it.

Hajime just gave a wry smile and supported Yue by embracing her. For a moment, Yue trembled but soon she buried her face into his nape and hugged back more tightly. Maybe it was just his imagination but he thought she was delighted.

"Kyishaa!!"

The roar of the scorpion echoed. It had recovered from the "flash grenade". Ground waves formed again; it seemed to know where they were. Probably this was its Special Magic, the ability to manipulate surrounding terrain.

"But that's my forte."

Hajime put his right hand on the ground and transmuted. A stone wall 3 m tall formed around Yue and Hajime.

The conical splinters struck at Hajime from all around but his defensive wall stopped them. Each time the splinters hit the wall was broken, but soon Hajime would make a new wall to replace it. As far as scale and strength, the scorpion was better than Hajime. However, Hajime was faster than the scorpion. It seemed that 3m was the limit of his range, the thorns were not able to fly, so it acted as Hajime's defense.

Hajime was concentrating on defending with his transmutation, and Yue finally released her mouth from his neck. She licked her lips with a delirious expression. He felt fascinated though she had a childish figure. Her skin that was previously haggard completely disappeared and now her skin was glossy like white porcelain. Colored returned to her cheeks, and it looked dreamy rose red. Crimson eyes emitted a warm light. Her thin-small hands caressed Hajime's cheeks.

"…Gochisousama."

She slowly rose her hand towards the scorpion.

One word was muttered.

""Azure Sky""

A pillar of bluish-white flame 6-7 m in diameter formed overhead of the scorpion.

Just from being around it the scorpion screamed as it was being burned and retreated. However, this Vampire Princess of the Abyss wouldn't allow it. A beautiful finger extended gracefully like a baton. The pillar of flame carried out its conductor's instruction without fail. It pursued the escaping scorpion then…a direct hit.

"Gu-ugyiyiaaaa!"

A never heard before scream escaped from the scorpion. Agony filled the scream. The pillar exploded into a flash of light and everything was blinded by it. Hajime just looked at the sublime magic in utter amazement while he protected his eyes with his arms.

Soon, the flames disappeared and the magic was finished. There in the center was the figure of the scorpion in an anguish pose with its outer shell melted from the flames. The outer shell that didn't even melt at 3000 degree celsius, the same shell that didn't crack when fired upon by a rail gun. Should he praised Yue, who had defeated such a monster so easily? Or should he praise the durability of the scorpion who took such an attack and was still intact? He was in a dilemma.

Hajime heard a sound that pulled him away from the astounding sight. Yue was sitting down while breathing heavily. She seemed to have depleted her magic reserve.

"Yue, are you alright?"

"…Superlative…Tiring."

"Haha, you could do it! You saved us. I'll take care of the rest. Take a break."

"Go for it."

Hajime shook his hand and used "Flicker" to shorten the distance. The scorpion was still alive. While the outer shell was melted, it roared with anger, and aimed a buckshot at the approaching Hajime.

A "flash grenade" was quickly thrown by Hajime. He fired a shot from Donner before the needle could be fired. The "flash grenade" is shot through by the bullet, which wasn't accelerated by electromagnetism, and exploded. Familiar with the experience, the scorpion gloomily searched for Hajime in the area painted with light.

No matter how much it look, it couldn't find Hajime. The scorpion was perplexed at losing Hajime's sign. Then Hajime landed on its back.

"Kishua?"

An astonished voice raised out of the scorpion. It was wondering how a sign that disappear suddenly appear on its back. When the "flash grenade" went off, Hajime had used his "Hide Presence" to cut off his sign and arrive at the scorpion's back.

Hajime was burnt a little as the outer shell of the scorpion was still red hot. He didn't care about that. Donner was pressed against any thin area on the shell and emptied its chambers. The armor's original durability had already been lost. In response to the zero distance shooting from a railgun, that absolute shield crumbled.

The scorpion lashed out its two tails without any care if it hit itself, but Hajime moved faster than it.

"I'll still eat you."

Hajime took out grenades from his pouch and forced them down the holes he had created with Donner. Sticking his arm into these holes he left the beast a party gift. Doing this caused his arm to be burnt but he didn't care.

Before he could be attacked by the scorpion, he evacuated with "Flicker". The scorpion turned towards Hajime to attack again.

However, its time was up.

Goba!

A muffled sound of an explosion coursed through the area and at the same time the scorpion trembled. Hajime and scorpion was facing each without each moving, and the silence between them continued.

Slowly, the scorpion started to slope. It flopped onto the ground with a thud.

Hajime approached the unmoving scorpion. He placed Donner into the beast mouth and fire it 3 times to make sure;when he was satisfied he nodded to himself. For sure its dead. This is the policy he came up with these days.

Looking back, there was Yue sitting there staring at Hajime with an expressionless face but her eyes was somehow joyful. He did not know when his journey through the dungeon will end, but he seemed to have acquired a reliable partner.

Pandora's box was said to have contained disaster and a handful of hope. Apparently, this metaphor he made before he entered the room, had hit the mark. Hajime walked to Yue while he thought of this.

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ARIFURETA SHOKUGYOU DE SEKAI SAIKYOU (WN)

V2 C7

Chapter 7 : Chat at Ease



Hajime had brought back materials and meat from the scorpion and cyclops back to his base. He was struggling with the bulk. When the exhausted Yue got to taste blood again, she revived in a flash and her body displayed a splendid strengthening as she got back her superhuman strength. The two were able to bring the items back.

They could have used the sealed room, but when it was proposed Yue adamantly refused. No wonder. It was natural to hate the place you were sealed up into for so long. When he replenished his supplies they would not be able to move, so the sooner they left the better for her mental health. At the moment, they were talking each other while they resupplied.

"So…in conclusion Yue is at least 300 years old?"

"…Breach of etiquette."

Yue watched Hajime with reproachful eyes full of criticism. A talk of age seems to be a taboo for any woman in any world.

From his memories, Hajime remembered that the vampire tribe perished after a massive war 300 year ago. Yue probably did not know her real age because there was no sense of time in the dark room. It wouldn't be surprising if she didn't know how much time has passed because of the sealing. She was sealed when she was 20 years old, this would make her a little over 300 years old.

"Do all vampires live long?"

"I'm special. "Regeneration" prevent my aging."

At the age of 12, her direct magic manipulation and "Auto Regeneration" woke up and stopped her aging. Because common vampire tribes consumed blood, they lived longer than other races. Still 200 years was the limit. Humans lived on average for about 70 years. Devils around 120 years. For demi-humans it depended on the tribe. Elves could live for several hundred years.

Yue was considered one of the strongest in only a few years after she awoke her atavistic powers. At age 17 she suited to the throne. The magic that had melted the scorpion's shell was shot in no time. She also had an almost immortal body. To the point she would be called "God" or "Monster". Yue said that it was the latter. Her uncle who was blinded with greed, spread rumors around to view her as a monster. They tried to kill her for a "just" cause, but her "Auto Regen" didn't allow her to die. That was when they choose to seal her instead. She was shocked with the sudden betrayal. Too confused, she did not resist and they placed the seals on her. She regained herself when she was in the sealed room. That is why she did not know about the sealing method, scorpion, or location of her sealing. Hajime thought he found someway home. He was disappointed.

They talked how Yue's powers. She seemed to have an aptitude to all the attributes. Hajime was amazed with her cheat, but she mentioned she was weak in close combat. All she could by herself is run around with her strengthened body while she rapidly fired off spells. Because she had such power magic, it wasn't that big of a handicap.

She was able to use magic without any incantation, but she mentioned the names from habit. There were a lot of people that used speech and behavior to clarify the image needed to supplement their magic. Yue was not an exception.

Her "Auto Regen" can be classified as a Special Magic. If her magic remained, she would not die unless they could disintegrate her into dust in an instant. Conversely, any injuries she suffered while her magic was depleted could not be healed. Her magic had been drained after all those years of being sealed. Yue would have died if the scorpion had hit her.

"So…it is a crucial discussion, do you know anything about this place? Any escape routes to the ground."

"…I don't know. But…"

She also seemed to not know anything about this labyrinth. While apologetic, she continued her story with what she knew.

"…It is said that one of the traitors made this labyrinth."

"Traitors?"

Hajime stopped his transmutation work at the unaccustomed word, and glanced at Yue. She was watching him work and when he stopped she looked up at him. He nodded to her to continue with her story.

"Traitors…they were the followers of God that challenged him in ancient times…they created it to destroy the world."

Since Yue was an expressionless girl who didn't talk much, her explanations took time. Hajime still needed more time to resupply. He realized he needed to develop new weapons to combat his weak offensive ability that was evident in the fight against the scorpion. While working carefully, he was poised to listen to her.

Yue continued with her story. 8 of them existed. 8 of them rebelled against God to destroy the world. However, when they failed they fled to the ends of the world. The places they fled to were the current 8 Great Dungeons. One of them was "Orcus Dungeon", the current Dungeon they were in. It is said that in the deepest part of the abyss was where one of the traitor lived.

"…If it is there, there will be a road out…"

"I see. I did not think that this abyss was created with such great effort. If it is a magician from the age of gods, it wouldn't be surprising that they had some transportation magic to lead them out."

Hajime loosen his cheeks when the possibility was present. He returned his eyes back to his hand and continued his work. Yue's eyes returned to his hand too, and stared.

"…Is it that interesting?"

Yue just nodded at that question. The image of her wearing that oversized coat and having her small hands hold her knees was charming. Her unbelievably well-featured appearance combined with her cuddle-ability made her really cute.

(But she is 300 years old. As expected of another world. Loli-baba is real…)

Even if his personality had changed, he still had his Otaku knowledge. As he unintentionally thought that unpleasant thought, Yue reacted to it.

"…Hajime, you just thought of something strange."

"Nope, nothing."

Pretending ignorance was too late, he started to sweat because of her sharp woman intuition. He tried to deceive her by working quietly. Yue left that when she wanted to ask a question.

"Hajime, why are you here?"

It was a natural question. Here in this abyss. Unless you were a demon, this wasn't a place to live in. Yue wanted to ask about so much. Why can he manipulate magic directly? Why can he use magic that are like Special Magic? How can he eat demon flesh and be okay? What happened to his left arm? Is he human? What weapon is he using?

Bit by bit, Hajime answered the questions dutifully. He might have been craving for a conversation after all this time alone. The conversation went on and Hajime did not even look troubled at her questions. Yue was probably someone Hajime wanted to be sweet on. Maybe she was the last resort to prevent his complete fall into heartlessness. He felt that about her unconsciously.

Hajime started with when his class was summoned to this world. How he was called incompetent by everyone. Next was his battle with the Behemoth and the betrayal of his classmate that caused him to fall into this abyss. Eating various types and amounts of demons. The desire to fight the bear. What the potion could do. He talked about how he developed the weapons by basing them on weapons he seen at his homeworld. Sniffles could be heard from Yue gradually. What? When he looked at her, she was weeping. Startled, Hajime instinctively reached out and wiped off her tears.

"What happened suddenly?"

"…Kusu…Hajime…painful…just like me…"

Apparently, she was crying for Hajime. He started to stroke her head with a bitter smile after he got over his shock.

"Forget about it. The business with my classmate is inconsequential. Don't worry about the small stuff. After getting my revenge, then what would I do? Rather than that, I want to put all my energy in surviving and finding a way home."

While a snort sounded, Yue who looked like a pleased cat at the caressing Hajime was doing, she reacted to his words of returning home.

"…Going home?"

"Yeah? To my original world? Of course. I want to return…I changed a lot but…home…I want to return home."

"…I see."

Yue looked down with a sunken expression. Then muttered to herself.

"…I don't have a place…to return…"

"…"

Hajime started to scratch his head with his retracted hand that was brushing Yue's head. He wasn't that dense. Yue was looking for a new place to belong, is what he felt. That was the reason she wanted a new name. If Hajime left this world, Yue would be alone again.

Hajime thought to himself: "Even after I decided to only reach my goals, I guess I'm still soft," while he stroke Yue's head.

"If thats so, want to come with me?"

"Eh?"

Yue opened her eyes wide in surprise at Hajime's words. He couldn't came down after he saw the red eyes wet with tears. This caused him to speak rapidly.

"No, I mean, to my homeworld. A world with only average humans, though it would be tight without a family registration…also with my state. I'm not sure what will happen…but if Yue wishes for it."

Yue was stunned for a while, but eventually her mind caught up. She timidly asked "is that okay?" Her eyes couldn't hide the expectations dwelling in them. The eyes were sparkling and Hajime nodded. Like until now her expressionless was a lie, a smile bloomed on her face. Hajime was mesmerized. When he noticed himself he panicked and shook his head.

Unable to look at Yue, Hajime devoted himself to his work. Yue took great interest in his work. The amount of distance between them shortened. Hajime persuaded himself to not mind it.

"…What is this?"

Little by little Hajime was finishing different parts with transmutation. On the side there was a 1 m long cylindrical pipe, a red bullet about 12 cm in length, and others parts scattered around.

This was the weapon Hajime started to develop as his new trump card, since Donner was lacking in necessary power.

"This is…An Anti-matter rifle: Railgun version. You saw my gun, right? This is a more powerful version. The bullet is specially made."

When all the parts were assembled, the rifle's full length was 1 m 50 cm. Hajime was considering what he could do to increase the firepower of his guns. Electromagnetic acceleration and combustion charge was the limit for Donner. Donner couldn't be improved by much anymore because of its design. So he had to make a new gun.

Naturally the answer to increase the power was a bigger caliber, and also lengthen the barrel for acceleration. He arrived at an Anti-matter rifle. It could only load one shot but its theoretical power is enormous. Donner already has a destructive power 10 times of that a regular gun. A monster gun that would crush a normal persons body if they shot it.

The gun's name: Schlagen. In theory, it was 10 times more powerful than Donner…theoretically. Scorpion shell was the material used to make it. When he had analyzed the shell with "Mineral Appraisal" it said this…

Stall Ore

High magic affinity. A special ore where its hardness is increased by the amount of magic power used.

This ore was probably how the scorpion had such a hard shell. It probably had an enormous reserve of magic to fuel his armor.

If it was ore, then Hajime could process it. When he tested his transmutation on it was simple. With his transmutation it was possible to breakthrough it. He remembered how hard it was to deal with when he fought the beast.

Hajime had his hands on a lot of good materials to work with, so he guess it worked out. Using these materials he started his development of Schlagen's barrel. Since he had become a lot more skilled than when he made Donner, the work progressed smoothly.

He obsessed over the bullet. The bullet that was made out of Tauru ore was coated with Stall ore. It could be called a full metal jacket-like. In each cartridge a suitable amount of ratio and compression of combustion powder was installed. In one stretch, with [Replica Transmutation], he was able to mass-produce the bullets with ease.

Hajime talked with Yue while he carefully worked, then Schlagen was finished. The gun had a very powerful and brutal form. He was satisfied with himself and the gun. After he finished the gun, he noticed that he was hungry now. They decided to have grilled scorpion and cyclops meat for a meal.

"Yue, meals ready…is it bad? Would eating this meat cause any pain…are vampires fine with it?"

Demon meat had become the daily meal. Hajime invited Yue to eat with him, but was wondering if it was alright for her to eat it.

Yue shook her head to say: "I don't need the meal" to Hajime.

"Well you have been sealed for 300 years without eating and lived…Don't you feel hungry?"

"I feel it…but I'm okay."

"Fine? Did you eat something?"

Hajime looked at her belly with a questioning gaze. Yue pointed to Hajime.

"Hajime's blood."

"Ah, my blood. That would mean that a vampire's whole meal is blood?"

"…We can also eat…but drinking blood is more effective."

Seems that as long as they drank some blood, vampires were okay with it. She had sucked Hajime blood earlier and was satisfied. When he was convinced with the answer he looked at Yue. For some reason Yue was licking her lips.

"…Why are you licking your lips?"

"…Hajime…delicious…"

"D-Delicious you say. I thought that I would taste bad considering I've eaten so much demon flesh."

"…Mature taste…"

"…"

From Yue description, his blood had a heavy, deep taste similar to a soup. His soup was a dense one filled with many kinds of vegetables and meat. The first time he had his blood sucked, she fell into a trance. This wasn't his imagination. Any dish would be the finest after starving for so long.

Hajime wanted to stop her bewitching lip licking. He realized Yue was older. However, that did not calm him when he saw that childish figure displaying such an immoral act, such a supreme combination.

"…Delicacy."

"…Please pardon me."

His partner might be a little dangerous in many ways. Hajime broke out a cold sweat.

* * *

Name

Nagumo Hajime

Age

17 Years Old

Gender

Male

Level

51

Class

Transmutation Artist (Synergist)

Strength

980

Vitality

1090

Resistance

970

Agility

1260

Magic

980

Magic Resistance

980

Skills

Transmutation

Mineral Appraisal

Precision Transmutation

Mineral Enquiry

Mineral Separation

Mineral Fusion

Replica Transmutation

Magic Manipulation

Magic Emission

Magic Compression

Iron Stomach

Lightning Clad

Divine Step

Air Walk

Flicker

Grand Legs

Air Claws

Night Vision

Far Vision

Perception

Magic Perception

Hide Presence

Poison Resist

Paralysis Resist

Petrification Resistance

Varja

Magic Penetration

Language Comprehension

* * *

Omake (No relations to the main story)

"…Tsk."

"K-Kaori? You clicked your tongue…"

"Eh? What's the matter Shizuku-chan?"

"N-No. Nothing…"

"…Thieving Cat."

"Kaori!?"

"Fufu, its all right, Shizuku-chan. I felt like someone was threatening my position."

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ARIFURETA SHOKUGYOU DE SEKAI SAIKYOU (WN)

V2 C8

Chapter 8 : Second Nightmare (Classmate Side 2 Part I)



The day when Hajime met Yue and had their desperate struggle with the scorpion.

Kouki's group, the Hero party has once again came to "Orcus Dungeon". The party was just Kouki's group, and a small rogue group. The group of 5 boys and girls were lead by Nagayama Jugo, a big judo guy.

The reason was simple. Even if they did not talk about it, Hajime's death had cast a shadow over their hearts. They strongly felt his "Death in Battle", and this made them unable to directly fight. Trauma had struck them.

Of course, they did not concern the Church with this. If they could experience actual combat again, then it is likely they would be able to fight again. Everyday they urged themselves to return their past selves. However, Aiko-sensei protested what they were doing.

Aiko did not participate in the expedition. Her class was the rare and special "Farmer", during training, the church wanted her to get involved with the agricultural development. If it was Aiko-sensei, she would be able to solve their food issues.

She had fallen asleep in her bed after she got the news of Hajime's death. While she stayed in the safety of the city, her student had died. They would not be able to return to Japan with everyone. For Aiko-sensei who had such a strong sense of responsibility, it was shocking.

Therefore, she wasn't going to allow her students into the battlefield anymore. With her class, she would be able to change this world's whole food issue. That Aiko-sensei was protesting the training the students were getting with indomitable resolve. Not wanting to worsen their relationship, the church gave into her protests.

As a result, there were rogues who trained themselves. The only one to continue their training was Jugo's party. Because they wanted to challenge "Orcus Dungeon" again. This time Meld and several member of the knights attended.

This was the 6th day of their journey into the dungeon. They were currently at the 60th level. Just 5 levels behind the highest recorded achievement. However, Kouki's group was stuck. No, rather than not being able to advance, they kept getting nightmares of what happened on that day.

Although it was a different cliff than the one that day, it still had a similar feel to it. They had to pass a suspension bridge that hung on the cliff to advance into the next level. There was no problem per se, but they still remembered. In particular, Kaori, did not move while she started into the darkness of the abyss.

"Kaori…"

The worried call came from Shizuku. Kaori shook her head slowly as had her strong gaze at the view, and gave Shizuku a smile.

"I'm all right, Shizuku-chan."

"I see…Please don't overdo it. No need to be reserved with me."

"Ehehe, thanks. Shizuku-chan."

Shizuku gave a best friend a smile. Kaori's eyes gave off a strong glow. There were no despair or escapism in those eyes. The insightful Shizuku that were sensitive to the subtleties of human, knew Kaori was telling the truth.

(For sure, Kaori is strong.)

Hajime's death was almost a certainty. It was lukewarm to saw he survived. However, it wasn't denial or escapism. Kaori was convincing herself to press forward, and Shizuku felt proud of her best friend.

However, the person with the hero-like quality couldn't read the mood. Kouki thought that Kaori was lamenting over Hajime's death as she stared into the bottom of the abyss. He concluded that the gentle Kaori was suffering from the death of a classmate. His beliefs were filtering his thoughts, and he believed the smiling Kaori was forcing herself.

Kaori thought Hajime was special. Kouki had not even for a bit believed that there was a chance for survival. He tried to offer comforting words to Kaori.

"Kaori…I like your kindness. But you can't always be caught up in your classmate's death. You have to move forward. For sure, that is what Nagumo-kun would want."

"Wait, Kouki…"

"Be silent Shizuku! Even if I'm severe, don't try to stop me just because you're a childhood friend…Kaori, its alright. I'm by your side. I won't die. I won't let anyone else die. I promise not to make Kaori sad anymore."

"Haaa…as usual so reckless…Kaori…"

"Haha, it's all right, Shizuku-chan…I understand what Kouki-kun is trying to say. Its fine."

"I see, you understand!"

Kaori couldn't help but smile wryly at Kouki's misunderstanding. Even if she told him what she truly felt, it wouldn't get through to him. Hajime had already died in Kouki's mind. He wouldn't be able to understand that the reason she was training so hard and taking this expedition into the dungeon, was because she believed Hajime survived. Kouki's nature was to not doubt what he believed in. The boy would just take Kaori's feelings as denial of reality. They had known each other for a long time, so Kaori was familiar with how Kouki operated. That is why both of them remained quiet.

He thought those words were the only way to completely persuade her, he had no ulterior motive in those words. Kaori and Shizuku was used to his behavior, but other girls would have fallen for him with his sweet mask and atmosphere.

Normally, an Ikemen with such a good personality and skills would have his girl childhood friend admire him. Shizuku had been in the adult dojo since she was small, because of her strict father, and with her insight she knew that Kouki's sense of justice could be a shortcoming. So, any more feelings than a childhood friend was not born in her. The other party was the same.

Shizuku had often told Kaori that was dense when it came to love, so Kouki's behavior had no effect on hier. He was a good person and an important childhood friend, but there were no romantic feelings.

"Kaori-chan, I'll cheer you on. If you need anything just ask me."

"That's right, Suzu is always Kaori's ally."

On the side they had heard Kouki's conversation. Taniguchi Suzu and Nakamura Eri had joined the conversation. After they entered high school, these two had become close friends with Kaori. They had joined the party lead by Kouki.

Nakamura Eri is a beautiful women with black hair that is styled into a natural bob, and wore glasses. She had a gentle character and usually she was the person that was in the back that watched everything quietly. Eri loved books. The girl gave off a feeling like she was in the typical book committee, and truthfully she was in the committee.

Taniguchi Suzu was a small girl at 142 cm tall. She was a bundle of energy, that got people wondering where all that energy came from her small body. Suzu always was joyful and hopping around. With her heartwarming figure, she was the class mascot.

They understood what Kaori felt on that day Hajime disappeared, so they supported her decision.

"Yeah, Eri-chan, Suzu-chan, Thank you."

Kaori smiled at the two close friends she made in high school.

"Oh~…Kaorin is brave~, Nagumo-kun! To make Suzu and Kaori-chan this sad! If you aren't alive, Suzu will kill you!"

"S-Suzu? I don't think you can kill him if he isn't alive."

"Don't worry about the details. If he is dead, we can just use Eririn's necromancy for Kaorin."

"S-Suzu, you have no delicacy. Kaori-chan believes Nagumo-kun is alive. Also, my necromancy…"

Suzu runs wild and Eri admonishes. That's their normal behavior. Kaori and Shizuku showed a joyful expression at the two's spectacle. Even though Kouki wasn't that far, he didn't hear the conversation. Naturally, Kouki was equipped with a hearing loss skill that always activates when there were important conversation or words.

"Eri-chan, I don't mind it."

"Suzu that's enough. Eri is troubled."

Suzu puffed her cheeks when Kaori and Shizuku laughed as they said those words. Eri was relieved when Kaori didn't take Suzu's words seriously. Her face blenched at the mention of "Necromancy".

"Eri-chan, necromancy is no good? Such a special class…"

"…Yeah, sorry. If I was able to use it properly, it would be such great help…"

"Eri, anyone have strong and weak points. You have such a high aptitude to magic, so don't worry about it."

"That's so, Eri-chan. Even if its your class, there are preferences and fields of talent. Your precise and accurate magic is helpful for us."

"Yeah, I'll overcome if I try my best. I want to help everyone more."

Eri grasps her small hands into a fist to express her determination. Suzu hopped around saying: "That's the spirit, Eririn!" in this situation. Shizuku and Kaori smiled at their friend's perseverance.

Eri's class was "Necromancer". Dark magic is used that is associated with the spirits and consciousness. This kind of magic was able to cast bad status (debuffs) in battle. Necromancy is a super-high difficulty magic in Dark magic; it acted upon the residual thoughts of the dead. There were a few priest in the Church that practiced it. The priest drew up the residual thoughts of the dead and conveyed them to their bereaved family.

However, that was not the true essence of this magic. The real power of this magic was the ability to give these residual thoughts of the dead a corpse to work with and controlling them like puppets. Although the revived dead will display deteriorated level of skill from their time alive. Also, there were ways to control or possess living humans too.

These puppets only respond to a certain extent. They also are very inanimate and pale, like a ghost. In addition, she felt ethically wrong in using dead people like this. Eri choose not to delve into this part of the arts.

With the figure of those 4 girls, there was someone staring at Kaori from the rear with dark eyes. It was Hiyama Daisuke. When they came back to the kingdom and the students calmed down, there was severe blame waiting for Hiyama for what he did [Setting off Trap].

Hiyama had expected this and apologized with Dogeza. He knew that arguing or trying anything else wasn't going to help. The timing and place to apologize was important.

The perfect time came when he was able to apologize to Kouki in front of everyone. He knew that if he apologized to Kouki, the guy would accept it and try to mediate with the class. His plan paid off, the criticism aimed at Hiyama was dissolved by Kouki. Kaori was originally kind, so she didn't particularly blame the apologizing Hiyama that was in tears. Just as he planned. However, Shizuku had noticed the underlying motive Hiyama had. She was disgusted with how he used her childhood friends.

Moreover, he was following the orders of the person. It was a terrible and horrifying order. Hiyama wanted to avoid it, but he had crossed the line. He couldn't stop now. However, Hiyama held a sense of delight and awe for the person that drew up this terrible plan. While that person was so natural and blended with the class.

(That guy is crazy…but Kaori will be mine…)

Kaori could be obtained if he just listened to that guy. Hiyama smiled instinctively at those dark thoughts.

"Oi, Daisuke? What's wrong?"

Kondo, Nakamura, and Saito were sending dubious looks at Hiyama's state. These three was still together with Hiyama. Birds of a feather flock together for these 4. Hiyama was awkward for a moment, but soon his regained his friendly attitude. But if that friendship was true was a delicate matter.

"N-no, its nothing. I'm just happy that we got past 60 levels."

"Oh, for certain. Just 5 more and we will beat the record~"

"We are like, getting stronger too. That group that stayed behind has no guts."

"Well, don't say that. Because we are special."

These three did not seem to question Hiyama deception. People who kept fighting while thinking they were special and got arrogant were the villains of villains. They had a huge attitude compared to the group left behind at the Royal Palace. Complaints were thrown about in a haughty manner. However, they did have the ability to break through the 60 levels, so they couldn't be stopped from their attitude.

Unlike them with their boisterous attitude, Kouki's side was quiet. Accessory seems to be the guiding principle.

Without much trouble, the group was at the highest attained level of 65.

"Brace yourself! The map of this area is incomplete. We won't know what will happen."

Meld's voice sounded. Kouki's group tightened their expression and stepped into the unknown domain.

A big hall appeared after they had advanced for a while. All the members had a bad feeling somehow. That feeling proved to be true. Magic appeared in the center of the room as soon as they entered it. A 10 m magic formation pulsed with dark red energy. That was a familiar sight for them.

"N-No way…is it that guy?"

Kouki cried out while a cold sweat dripped down his forehead. The other members also had a strained expression on them.

"Seriously, that guy didn't die?"

Ryutaro shouts while surprised. Meld responded to them with a calm voice and a stern expression.

"The origin of the demons in the dungeon is unknown. Even if you defeat it once, you will encounter it many times. Be careful! Do not forget to secure an escape route!"

So they can escape for sure if there was an emergency, Meld first priority was to issue commands to ensure an escape route. The subordinates obeyed immediately. But Kouki wanted to speak his mind.

"Meld. We are not the same as that time. I've become many times stronger. And won't be defeated again! Certainly we can win!"

"He, that's true. We won't always lose. This is a revenge match."

Ryutaro shouted out with a fearless smile. Meld just shrugged his shoulder like he couldn't help it. With their current abilities they should be okay. Similarly, he now had that same smile.

The magic formation finally lights up and explodes. Their nightmare had appeared before them.

"Guugaaa!!"

The beast gave a roar and stomped the ground. A glare full of fierce intent to kill was sent to Kouki's party by the Behemoth. In the group, there was a single girl that glared back at the monster; ignorant of the tension building up in the others.

The girl was Kaori. Unheard by anyone, Kaori with will declared to herself.

"I won't let you take anyone else. I will overcome you and go down to him."

Now, the fight to conquer their past began.

* * *

Translator's Note:

Author's note talks a little more about the dungeon. I'll translate it later if there is any interest, but for now I'll give a summary. He talks about how the comparison of strength in the dungeon. The behemoth is the strongest on the 65th floor but that's just the upper level of the dungeon. Orcus went further than 100 levels that the people were aware of. Hajime had fallen in the abyss that was lower than those 100 levels. The monsters in the lower level (abyss) are much stronger than the upper levels (100 and up?).

He also showed as Kouki's stats

* * *

Name

Amanokawa Kouki

Age

17 Years Old

Gender

Male

Level

46

Class

Hero

Strength

560

Vitality

560

Resistance

560

Agility

560

Magic

560

Magic Resistance

560

Skills

Aptitude All Attribute

Resist All Elements

Resist Physical

Complex Magic

Swordplay

Herculean Strength

Quick Movement

Foresight

High-speed Magic Recovery

Sign Perception

Magic Perception

Limit Break

Language Comprehension

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ARIFURETA SHOKUGYOU DE SEKAI SAIKYOU (WN)

V2 C9

Chapter 9 : Beyond the Past (Classmate Side 2 Part II)



Kouki made the first move.

"Myriad of Soaring Wings, Reach the Heavens, "Soaring Flash""

The curved slash of light struck the Behemoth with a roar. Before he wasn't even able to injury the Behemoth with his strongest skill "Might of Heaven". However, he wanted to show that he wasn't the same as back then, and it was proven.

"Guurugaa!!"

A diagonal sword line ran appeared on the Behemoth's chest. It scraped the ground and screamed as its dark red blood dripped onto the ground.

"We can do it! We are certainly stronger! Nagayama left side, Hiyama take the rear, Meld take the right side! Rear guard ready magic! High grade magic!"

Kouki gave out instructions rapidly. The results of Meld's officer training.

"Oh, he gave good instruction without hesitation. Did you hear? All hands, follow Kouki's command!"

Meld shouted and ran to wrap the right side of the Behemoth with his knights. Everyone started to move at that moment and encircle the Behemoth.

The vanguard quickly devised a line of defense that was desperate in preventing the raging Behemoth from reaching the rear guard.

"Guruuaa!"

With the roar the Behemoth stepped into the ground and pulverized it as it charged.

"Like I'll let you!"

"I won't allow it!"

Ryutaro and Jugo, the two biggest members of the class, quickly huddled the Behemoth and started to wrestle with it.

""The power to break the earth! "Herculean Strength"!""

Using their physical strength, strengthened by magic, they took the Behemoth's rush while they feet slide on the ground.

"Gaaa!"

"Raaaa!"

"Oooooh!!"

Each of the three gave out a yell and strained their muscles. The smaller humans was not able to completely stop the Behemoth but it was enough to kill its momentum. It stomped on the ground in anger at that.

The other members did not miss the chance this brought.

"Supreme flash that cuts all, "Absolute Sever"!"

Shizuku's battojutsu hit the Behemoth in the horn. Even with a sword artifact that added to the sharpness of the magic, it stopped midway and couldn't complete the sever.

[T/N: Battojutsu: The art of the draw. Closely related to Iaido. This is the act of drawing the sword from the sheath and using that motion to accelerate the blade. Himura Kenshin from Kenshin is famous for this, so much that he is called the Battosai. If you want to see some examples of it then watch his fights.]

"As hard as ever."

"Leave it to me! Grind, Crush, Blast, "Grand Hammer"!"

Meld jumped and flung his own sword at Shizuku's sword that was stuck in the middle. The sharp, heavy blow enhanced by magic helped strengthen Shizuku's sword and pushes it forward.

With that one of the Behemoth's horn is severed.

"Gaaaa!?"

The Behemoth goes on a wild rampage with all its might after the cut. This rampage blew the four people away.

"The gentle light that embraces all, "Halo"!"

An innumerable amount of nets made of light sprang forth and wrapped the four gently, after they had struck the floor and lost their breath. What Kaori used was a shape-shifting defensive light magic that killed the shock.

In a flash, Kaori started to chant a healing spell.

"Heaven's Blessing, heal universally, "Restore Heaven"!"

Even though all four did not experience at the same time, they were all being healed. The spell was a ranged recovery spell that was at an intermediate level. It could heal multiple people at the same time. "Restore Heaven" was a higher rank version of the "Heaven's Blessing" she used before.

Kouki took a thrusting stance and rushed straight for the rioting Behemoth. He stabbed his sword into the previous wound as he finished an aria.

""Light Burst!""

The enormous magic stored in the Holy Sword flowed into the wound and caused an explosion.

"Gaaa!!"

A large quantity of blood gouged out of the wound. The Behemoth brandish its sharp claws at Kouki during the slight pause after he executed the skill.

"Kuuu!"

Kouki raised a groan and was blown away. The St. Armour he worse reflected the claws, but the impact still passed through and caused a coughing fit for him. The pains was just a moment. Kaori quickly followed up with a heal.

"Heaven's Blessing, restore his strength, "Restless Heaven"!"

This spell has lost the efficiency of healing multiple people, but it increased its power for single targets. Kouki recovered instantly the light enveloped him.

The Behemoth was blown other members away when Kouki was knocked back. Without minding its injury it started to glow red hot.

"…Even if its horn is gone, it can use the spell. Here it comes!"

Shizuku's warning and the Behemoth leap came at the same time. Everyone had already experienced the Behemoth's Special Magic. However, the jump distance of this Behemoth was unexpected. The beast easily leap over the vanguard and advanced to the rear guard. It never jumped like that on the bridge and they didn't even dream it could jump that much. Vanguard members showed an impatient expression.

One of the rear guard stop their chant and stepped forward. It was Taniguchi Suzu.

"Herein a Sanctuary, enemies of god shall not pass, "Absolute Virtue"!"

The dome of light appeared just as the Behemoth landed like a meteor. A terrible sonicboom and shockwave spread from the area and the surrounding floor broke into cobwebs.

However, the absolute defense Suzu made took the force of the Behemoths blow. But her version was the 2 verse version of the shield, not the 4 verse, so it didn't have its original power.

The shield already had cracks in it. If Suzu's class wasn't "Barrier Master" it wouldn't have even formed. Suzu grit her teeth as she poured 2 verse worth of magic into a spell that usually didn't use that amount. She continued to picture the spell's image in her mind as she raised both hands desperately. The barrier that showed cracks disappeared. She believed her defense was absolute.

"Uuu! I won't lose!"

From the Behemoth, eyes full of murderous intent pierced the barrier and landed on Suzu. Her body was struck with fear and her hands shaked. She shouted desperately to convey her limit. The Behemoth continued its attack and she wouldn't be able to hold for more than 10 seconds.

Its going to break! When Suzu thought that in her heart.

"Heaven's Blessing, a mystery here, "Yielding Heaven"!"

Suzu's body was wrapped in light, and with it the amount of magic poured into her spell increased. This was Kaori's spell to recover magic. Originally, it was a spell to restore others magic, moves according to the magic directed in its formula, inflow can be made to amplify to original amount. That how this spell works. Kaori could only use it because of her "Healer" class.

"If its this! I love you Kaorin!"

Suzu poured the original 4 verse worth of magic into the shield and it was restored perfectly. All the cracks were repaired in an instant. Frustrated that it couldn't break through the barrier, it gave an angry scowl at the impertinent caster. She didn't budge at the stare and returned one instead.

Finally, the horn started to lose its red hot effect. The Behemoth loses its momentum and falls to the ground. Suzu's barrier ceased to exist at the same time.

Behemoth tried to aim at the breathing Suzu, but the vanguard was already on top of it.

"Rear guard retreat!"

The back group fell back at Kouki's direction, and the advance guard enclosed upon the monster. A hit and evade strategy was used on the Behemoth, until the rear guard finished their chant.

"Step Back!"

Eri, the rear guard representative, signaled. Kouki and the others at that signal distanced themselves from the Behemoth.

After they retreated, an advanced fire based magic spell went off.

"""""Scorching Sun"""""

Five people performed this advanced spell. High-temperature flames gathered into a sphere, and burned the surrounding area like the sun. The "Scorching Sun" was made directly above the Behemoth and was 8 m in diameter; immediately after it swelled it was dropped onto the beast.

A tremendous amount of heat attacks the Behemoth. The magnitude of the power was too much that an ally might have gotten damaged. So, they quickly put up a barrier. "Scorching Sun" did not give any spare time for the Behemoth to escape, and soon its strong outer crust started to melt.

"Guuruagaaa!!"

The Behemoth's death throes filled the hall. A familiar scream from that day. Its cries were earsplitting, but soon it was exhausted like it was burnt away by the flames.

In the center of the blacken area, all that remained of the beast were ruins.

"D-Did we win?"

"I think we won…"

"We won…"

"Seriously?"

"Serious?"

Everyone was looking stunned at the area the Behemoth was. Bit by bit mutters of victory spread throughout. Kouki was stunned, and when he regained himself; he hoisted his Holy Sword above his head and straightened his back.

"That's right! It's our victory!"

The sword seemed to respond to his feelings as it started to sparkle. At his victory cry, the others came to the same realization and cheers arose. Guys were patting each other shoulders, while the girls hugged each other. Meld and the knights were impressed.

Shizuku called out to Kaori, who was still staring at the place the Behemoth occupied.

"Kaori? What's the matter?"

"Eh, Ahh, Shizuku-chan…Yeah, it's nothing. I was just thinking how far we came."

Kaori answered Shizuku with a wry smile. She was immersed in her emotions after defeating her previous nightmare and confirming she was stronger now.

"That's right. We did get stronger."

"Yeah…Shizuku-chan. Further ahead is Nagumo-kun…"

"You are going to check, right? It was for that reason you tried your best."

"Ehehe, that's right."

To move forward. To ascertain Hajime's state, because of possible specifics. Scared that there would be no answer, she became faint-hearted. Shizuku sympathized, and held Kaori's hand.

Kaori showed a smile at her forceful grip.

Kouki started to gather around the two.

"Are you two safe? Kaori, your heals were the best. If you are here, I fear nothing!"

A refreshing smile dawned on his face as he thanked the two.

"Eh, I'm fine. Are you fine too, Kouki?"

"Yeah, no problems. Kouki-kun, I was glad to have been helpful to everyone."

The two also gave a smile in return. However, Kouki's words casted a small shadow over their hearts.

"With this, Nagumo-kun can rest in peace. Because the classmates he defended was able to defeat the beast that killed him."

""…""

Kouki did not notice the expression Kaori and Shizuku had, as he was immersed with his emotions. In Kouki's mind, the only reason Hajime fell into the abyss was the Behemoth. There was no mistake. The direct cause of the bridge collapsing was the shock from the Behemoth's attacks. However, the magic that hit Hajime was the real reason.

Right now there was an unspoken agreement to not talk about what happened, but the fact does not change. Kouki seemed to just forget or was unaware about this fact, and thought that defeating the Behemoth would allow Hajime to rest in peace. For he unconditionally believed in the good will of people. Those that were negligent would not be blamed forever. Besides, he would never dream that someone had done it intentionally.

However, even if she didn't mind it, she won't forget about it. Since she did not know "who", she just tolerated. She would certainly torture severely(*) if she knew. That is why she is shocked at how Kouki forgot that fact.

Shizuku dropped a sigh. She wanted to complain reflexively, but Kouki did not mean anything bad with it. Rather, his speech was his best at thinking about Hajime and Kaori. In a sense, that is why standing up to him would be bad. In addition, the classmates were celebrating. Shizuku was woman who could read the atmosphere, so talking about this out loud was not the time.

An energetic girl flew in this delicate atmosphere.

"Kaorin!"

Suzu embraced Kaori after calling her out with such a weird way.

"Fuwa!?"

"Ehehe, Kaorin, I super love you. If Kaorin didn't support me, I would have been flattened."

"M-Mou, Suzu-chan. Where are you touching!"

"Gehehe, is this place okay? I guess this place is no good?"(*)

She was embarrassed by what Suzu was saying, Suzu got carried away and started to fondle Kaori's body like an old pervert. In response, Shizuku gave a chop. An intense tsukkomi smashed into Suzu's head.

"Stop it. Who is Suzu's?…Kaori is mine."

"Shizuku-chan!?"

"Fu, I won't allow it~. Only Suzu will get to do those things with Kaorin."

"S-Suzu-chan!? What are you thinking of!?"

Kaori was stuck between Shizuku and Suzu, so she quickly did a tsukkomi. The delicate atmosphere was gone.

From this point on, they would be entering unexplored territory. They had shaken off their past and advanced.

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ARIFURETA SHOKUGYOU DE SEKAI SAIKYOU (WN)

V2 C10

Chapter 10 : A Partner's Abilities



"Da-a, damn!"

"…Hajime, Fight…"

"You're too carefree!"

Currently, they were traversing through savage grass with Yue on his shoulder. These grass grew up to 160 cm and goes up to his shoulders. If Yue was to walk in this, her figure would disappear. Then came the reason for their escaping through this grass.

""""""""""""Shaa!!""""""""""""

There were nearly 200 demons chasing them.

After Hajime had finished resupplying, they had advanced 10 levels. Hajime's equipment and skills were useful in their journey, and Yue's magic was also a big factor in their progress.

Yue could use any magic and Hajime supported her with his skills. Her barrier and recovery magic was not that great. Since she had "Auto Regen", she may have thought it was unnecessary. There was no problem because Hajime had his "potion".

That is how they advanced to this present level. The floor had an appearance of a forest, an extensive forest. Lush and dense trees over 10 m tall lined the forest, and the atmosphere was damp. Good thing it was not hot like the tropical forest level he encountered.

When Hajime and Yue were searching for the stairs to the lower floor, a rumbling of the ground occurred. A demon the reminded Hajime of a huge reptile appeared in front of them. It like a tyrannosaurus rex, but there was a flower on its head. Sharps tusk thirsting for blood surged from the powerful beast, and the sunflower-like flower fluttered on top. It was a surreal experience.

Tyrannosaurus rex gave out a roar and rushed at them.

Hajime calmly took out Donner…before that Yue raised her hand.

""Scarlet Spear""

A flame appeared at Yue's hand that spiralled into a spear form. The spear shot pierced through the T-Rex mouth and penetrated out the back. Its life ended as the surroundings melted. A rumble sounded as the T-Rex fell sideways onto the ground, and the flower on its head plopped onto the ground.

"…"

Hajime stayed silent for a bit. Yue seemed to be incomparably intense these days. In the beginning, she would devote herself to covering Hajime. On their journey she started to instantly kill any monsters that opposed Hajime. He started to feel depressed at being useless. Is it because he dragged his feet and it was over before he could do anything? His mind was seized with anxiety. If such a thing was true, he was going to have a blow to his confidence.

He address Yue with a forced smile as he kept Donner in his hands.

"Ah, Yue? It is good to be enthusiastic…Recently, I felt like, I haven't done much…"

Yue turned to look at Hajime, and Hajime could see a slight proud look in her expressionless face.

"…I want to be useful…because I'm your partner…"

Seems, she wasn't content with just covering Hajime. He did think that since they were going to travel together from now on, as partner they should rely on each other. At that time, Yue collapsed after using up all her magic. Hajime had said it to comfort her after she released…it seems to have remained deep in her mind. She wanted to show her worth as his partner.

"Haha, no. You already helped me so much. Yue's magic is very powerful, so please take the rear; close combat isn't your strong suit. The frontlines is for me."

"…Hajime…okay…"

Yue fell silent at Hajime's advice. He smiled at Yue, who was trying too much to be helpful to Hajime. To show he didn't dislike her, he stroke her soft hair. Yue's expression returned to her usual mood. Hajime couldn't say anything.

Because he didn't want to become dependent, he had to be cautious…While he thought that, he inadvertently spoiled himself. Hajime was amazed at that.

In a sense, these two were flirting, but Hajime caught a demon signature on his "Perception". Approximately 10 of them were coming towards them. From the movements of the leader, it seemed to be a two-tailed wolf? He wanted to check it out, and urged Yue to move. Hajime wanted to move into an advantageous place because of their numbers.

When the beasts were trying to encircle him, Hajime rushed at one of them. Before he could finish a 2 m reptile dropped from the overgrowth in the trees. The reptile's appearance was similar to a raptor. There was a tulip blooming on its head.

"…Cute…"

"…Is it fashion?"

Yue muttered unintentionally as she felt unwinded. Hajime turned his eyes towards the demon and murmured an impossible guess.

The raptor and T-rex both had these unknown flowers! It seems to scatter bloodlust as it growls. War preparation. The flower sways and flutters…

"Shaaa!!"

Looking at Hajime who was occupied with its flower, the Raptor pounced. There were 20 cm talons attached to its tough legs. A heinous light glint off of those talons. Hajime and Yue stepped back, but parted left and right. Hajime went overhead the raptor with his "Air Walk". He then shot at the tulip to test it.

All parts of the flower scattered with the sound of gunfire. The raptor seemed to twitch for a moment, it rolled as it failed its landing. It somersaulted into a tree and stopped moving. Silence filled the scene. Yue comes near Hajime as she looks at the raptor and the scattered tulip.

"…Dead?"

"No, it seems alive…"

Just as Hajime said, the body started to twitch. The raptor got up and looked around. It saw its

fallen tulip on the ground and stomped it. Not giving a care to its enemies.

"Eh, that reaction, What does it mean?"

"…Prank."

"…No, its not a schoolchild that put a paper on its back."

When it was satisfied, it looked to the heavens like it was saying: "Phew, Good job!" A cry was raised. The raptor faced Hajime and was startled.

"Did you notice it? It was in a trance."

"…Bullying afterall."

Hajime tsukkomi'd, and Yue looked at it with sympathy. The raptor stiffened for a while. Eventually it took a low posture, fangs exposed and leapt. Hajime shot Donner at the raptor's open mouth.

The bullet pierced through the raptor mouth then exited out of its back head, and disappeared into the forest behind.

With the momentum of its jump, the raptor slide on the ground. Hajime and Yue looked at the corpse of the raptor without saying anything.

"Really, what on earth?"

"…It was bullied. To be beaten…pity."

"No, it wasn't bullying, definitely wasn't."

Hajime stopped trying to figure it out because he did not understand how the demons think. They started to move to an advantageous place because the encircling monsters were getting closer.

Countless thick 5m in diameter trees stretched on and on in the new area they were in. Neighboring trees' branches were intertwined with each other. Hajime used his "Air Walk" and Yue used wind magic to jump overhead the branches. LIke an air corridor. Hajime was going to exterminate the demons by sniping at them from overhead.

Less than 5 minutes later, raptors began to appear under them. Hajime intended to throw an incendiary grenade, however, he froze. Yue had also hardened with her hand ready to unleash her magic. Because…

"Why do all these guys have flowers?"

"Flower garden…"

There were more than 10 raptors and all of them had flowers on their heads. A variety of flowers too.

Hajime's unintentionally Tsukkomi had attracted the attention of all the raptors. The raptors then took stances to leap into attack. Hajime's strategy was to stay out of their range then snipe them with Donner and drops a incendiary grenade to start off. Shots are fired in succession, a white flash precedes each death, one by one raptors die with their heads blown off. Yue was using her "Scarlet Spear" to kill the surrounding raptors.

Three seconds later, the incendiary grenade explodes in the middle of the raptor group. Tar blazing at 3000 degree centigrade splattered onto the raptors. Hajime heaves a sigh of relief after he saw that his weapons worked on the monsters of this level. Seems like that scorpion was special.

Less than 10 seconds later, all the enemies had been cleared. However, Hajime had a dull look. Yue noticed this and tilted her head as she walked towards him.

"…Hajime?"

"…Yue, Isn't it weird?"

"?"

"They were too weak."

Yue took noticed after his words. That was true, the T-rex and raptor was easily exterminated because they made such easy movements and normal attacks. Their unnatural movement was almost mechanical and even their blood lust. After watching the scene where the raptor trampled the flower in anger, he felt that the flowers were not suppose to be on them.

The moment when Hajime was going to tell Yue to advance carefully, his "Perception" caught more approaching demons. A vast amount of demons were gathering from all directions. His "Perception" range was at a 20 m radius, and all the demons he sensed was coming straight for them.

"Yue, this is bad. I'm picking up 30, no, 40 or more monsters coming our way. Someone seems to be ordering them to surround us in all directions."

"…Do we run?"

"…No, we can't with this many. Better to exterminate them from on top of the tallest tree."

"Hn…let's go oversized."

"Oh, I'll bite."

Moving at high speed, they quickly went to find the highest tree in the area. They destroyed the branches that could help the demons climbed upwards.

Hajime waits calmly while holding Donner. Yue understood and gently grabbed the hem of his clothes. His hand was occupied so he used his body as substitute a hold. Her grip became a little stronger.

Then the first batch arrived. Not just raptors, but also T-rexes. The T-rexes were ramming the tree, and the raptors were using their talons to climb the tree.

Hajime pulled the trigger on Donner. He shot towards the earth to hit the climbing raptors. When Donner's chambers were exhausted, Hajime exposed the cylinder. With a rotation he uses the ejector rod to clear the chambers and loads the gun positioned within his left armpit. During this 5 seconds. The incendiary grenade he dropped before the shooting, explodes onto the monsters. Flames scatter the area. Donner blazes again after it was reloaded. 15 of the monsters already fell, but that was not enough.

Soon, an additional 30 raptors and 4 T-rexes have gathered under their eyes. They were attempting to smash the tree Hajime was on, or climb up to attack him.

"Hajime?"

"Not yet…A little more."

Hajime answered Yue, while he was shooting down at the raptors. She continued to concentrate on her magic barrage, as she believed in him.

Finally, more than 50 monsters gathered below them. This was just a guess because it was hard to distinguish now. He sent a signal to Yue to say that the monsters he sensed with "Perception" were accounted for.

"Yue!"

"Okay! "Freezing Hell"!"

When Yue triggered her magic, underneath them an area was frozen and it was spreading. The area was being covered in blue ice. When the ice touched the demons, the ice covered them like a coffin. There was not even a moment to resist. Monsters lost the light in their eyes after they were encased in ice. An area of 50 m square was frozen from the spell. It was worthy of being call "Extermination Magic".

"Haa…Haa.."

"Good job. Indeed a "Vampire Princess"."

"…Kufufu…"

Hajime gives Yue praise at the spectacle before them. Just like the spell's name, it truly looked like a frozen hell in the surrounding area. Yue ran out of magic after using that superlative magic. She gasped for breath. Probably, she is having a case of fatigue.

He sat down beside her and placed a hand on her hips to support her, and presented his nape. To allow her to recover by drinking his blood. Although she does recover from the "potion", but it takes a long time for a vampire to recover with it. Blood seemed the best.

Yue was embarrassed, inspite of her deadpan look, at Hajime's praise and just laughed. She blushed as she placed her mouth against his neck.

But Hajime stands up with a grim expression. He was sensing more than 100 demons.

"Yue, there are several times more."

"!?"

"If it is this many, there is something going on. We just eliminated them all right now. Yet, another suicide attack…like they were compelled to…that flower…maybe."

"…Parasite."

"Yue thinks so too?"

She nodded to affirm his guess.

"…There should be a main body."

"Seems, that as long as those flowers are on them, they are puppets. We are up against all the monsters on this floor."

Before Hajime is crushed by the amount, he should look for the main body. Looking for the lower floor would be hard if they didn't take care of them. Though they could find it along the way.

There wasn't time to let Yue suck his blood, so he tried to pass her the sacred water. however, Yue refused it. She stretched both her hands out towards the confused Hajime and says…

"Hajime…Carry…"

"How old are you? Are you trying to suck my blood while we move?"

Hajime was correct. Yue nodded her head to answer him. Magical power recovery was slow for Yue with the sacred water, and they should keep a contingency plan for recovery. When he is desperately busying himself, he eventually feels a few resistance. But, necessity knows no laws.

He consented to carrying her…Because it would get in the way. He gave her a piggyback ride, as he started his search for the main body.

And this is how we end up with the current situation.

They were being chased by close to 200 demons. The thicket was troublesome. Yue had already finished her meal but she didn't get off his back.

From the demons behind.

Dodododododododododo

Monsters approach them while making that noise. Raptors travels side by side while hiding in the tall grass, and pouncing from all directions. Hajime ran towards the place he considered most suspicious, while he counterattacked. Yue did not allow the siege to overwhelm them by using her magic.

Kapu, Chu

The two glared at the exit of the forest ahead. On the other side was the wall of the labyrinth. It looked like a cave with crack spreading from the center. Why, was this place the objective? The attacking demons had a constant habit in their movements. Hajime countered while they advanced. Their movements become violent when they attempted to escape in a certain direction. As if, they were trying to lead them away from there. They decided to rush in that direction because the demons were increasing in number and they couldn't stay in this situation.

Apparently, hiding in the grass had already made it fail. Hajime jumps ahead with "Air Walk" and "Flicker".

Kapu, Chu [sound of blood sucking]

"Yue-san!? Can you stop the blood sucking that has been going on?"

"…Inevitable."

"Lies! You aren't exhausted anymore."

"…Those guys' flower…I'm also…Ku."

"What are you groaning unnaturally? Don't try to shift the blame, Baka! I can't afford it, hey!"

Inspite of the situation, Yue was obsessed with Hajime's blood. It was not odd that a former royalty couldn't control their guts. Although he was playing, he properly countered. Hajime jumped into the cracks, as he took along 200 monsters.

The cave's cracks were narrow for two average adults standing side by side. Of course, the T-rex couldn't fit through it, and the raptors could only enter one by one. One of the raptors that entered teared to tear Hajime with its extended claws. Before it could attack, Hajime shot it with Donner. He used his transmutation to block the crack.

"Phew, We'll be okay for a bit with this."

"…Good job."

"If you feel so, get down."

"…Mu…no choice."

Yue reluctantly descends with Hajime's words. His back seemed to be very comfortable.

"So then, those guys were very desperate. Is this place, bingo? Do not relax your guard."

"Okay."

Since the entrance was closed with transmutation, the two continued deeper into the cave.

They arrived into a big hall after traveling for a while. Cracks were even continuing into the depths of the halls. Perhaps it was the stairs to the lower level. Hajime feels the area. He did not sense anything but he kept his guard up because of an unpleasant feeling. There were a lot of demons in this dungeon that could hide from his senses.

When they arrived at the center of the room, then it happened. From all direction, an innumerable amount of green ping pong balls few in. Yue and Hajime was instantly back to back, and intercepting the flying balls. Hajime decided to create a stone wall because of the number that exceeded 100. The wall was strong enough to prevent the balls from piercing it. Seems like the balls didn't have that much power. Yue was able to intercept the balls with her wind magic, with its excellent speed, without a problem.

"Yue, it's probably an attack from the main body. Do you know where it is?"

"…"

"Yue?"

Hajime asked her if she knew of its location. Yue did not have a searching skill like "perception", but as a vampire she had sharper senses than Hajime. However, she didn't answer his question. Suspicious, Hajime called out to her, but his answer…

"…Run…Hajime!"

Before anyone knew it, her hand faced Hajime. Wind converged onto her hand. Instinct warned violently, and Hajime jumped aside with full power. A blade of strong wind passes the place where Hajime used to be and bisects the cliff in the back.

"Yue!?"

Hajime wanted to raise his voice at the surprise attack, but he understood when he saw what was on her head. There was a blooming flower on Yue's head. Did it match Yue? It was a crimson rose that matched her well.

"Shit, was it those green balls!?"

He wanted to beat himself for his carelessness. Hajime continued to avoid the wind attacks from Yue.

"Hajime…Uhh…"

Yue broke her deadpan expression for a sorrowful one. When he shot the raptor's flower, it stomped on the flower. That would mean that the victim's consciousness is still there while being manipulated. Only deprived the body of its freedom.

But then he already knew of how to free her. Hajime tried to draw the trigger as he aimed at the flower. However, the controller knew of Hajime's firearm that shot down the previous flower. Yue's body moved to cover the flower. She was moving around alot that there was a chance the shot would blow her face away. Hajime closed in to cut it, but Yue hit her own head.

"…You got some nerves…"

It was warning Hajime to stay away, Yue would be the target of the magic if he didn't. Yue surely was almost immortal. However, he couldn't deny that she might have a spell that could disintegrate her and prevent her regen. Yue would be able to fire it at an instant too. He wanted to avoid the gamble of a suicide attack.

The monster appeared from the dark cracks as it understood Hajime's hesitation.

A demon that was the mix of a woman and a plant came out. It was similar to a dryad or aruraune in RPGs. The demon appeared before Hajime. There is a legend that dryads brings good luck, if not hostile, and they were beautiful woman. But the one in front of him did not give that impression. Indeed, it looked like a human woman, but it had an ugly face like its inner ugliness was overflowing. It also had countless vines waving around, and it felt creepy. "Her" mouth was laughing and grinning at something.

Hajime pointed his gun at it at once. However, Yue entered his line of fire.

"Hajime…Sorry…"

Yue grits her teeth with a mortified expression. Being unable to control herself was probably intolerable. She should still be resisting it desperately. Blood dripped from her lips as she moved her mouth to apologizes. Her sharp fangs were probably the cause. Was she frustrated with herself, or the curse, or both?

The aruraune fires a green ball into Hajime while using Yue as a shield. Hajime brushes it off with Donner. It was destroyed, though not visible, and probably scattered spores around. There was no sign of a flower blooming on Hajime. Laughter stopped coming from the demon and it looked confused. Spores did not seem to work on Hajime.

(Most likely, it is because of all my resistances.)

Just as Hajime guessed, the spores were a kind of neurotoxin. His "Poison Resist" allowed him to resist it. It was sheer luck for Hajime, Yue can't be blamed for anything. She shouldn't feel heartbreak.

Realizing that the spores were useless against Hajime, the demon grumply ordered Yue to cast her spell. Again a blade of wind was formed. Hajime thought it wasn't able to demonstrate the full capability of the victims. The raptors movements were evidence of this.

(That's a blessing in disguise)

If he tried to avoid the blade of wind, the aruraune would just threaten to hurt Yue. He used "Vajra", obtained from cyclops, to endure the blades. This skill solidify and expands magic to cover the whole body. A very reliable skill that demonstrates defensive power equivalent to its name. Because he was still inexperienced with it, Hajime could only display 1/10 of its original power. The blades had no power even if it was sharp, so he was able to endure it.

(There is a method to settle this immediately once…afterwards would be scary…or throw an incendiary grenade?)

As Hajime was pondering the situation, Yue raised a sorrowful cry.

"Hajime!…I'll be fine…just shoot!"

Yue had prepared herself for this. If she couldn't control herself then she would rather have Hajime shoot her. She put that kind of will into her eyes that watched Hajime.

There was no way he could do that. For sure he would save her. Such a hot line would usually jump out at this scene, to bond with the heroine. The previous Hajime would do it. But the current Hajime would disappoint such expectations.

"Eh, is that okay? That'll save me."

Bang!

Gunfire echoes in the hall. When he heard Yue's words, he pulled the trigger without hesitation. The hall was filled with a cold air and silence. Rose petals were dancing in the air and fell onto the ground.

Yue was blinking her eyes with surprise. Aruraune was linking its eyes with surprise. To confirm it was gone, Yue placed both her hands on her head. There was blond hair that had frizzled or were torn off. Aruraune also understood the situation. It stared at Hajime with accusing eyes.

"No, don't make such eyes."

Bang!

He discharged his gun with his Tsukkomi. The aruraune's head exploded into green liquids. It fell down to the ground while convulsing.

"So, Yue, are you fine? No discomfort?"

Hajime confirms Yue's safety with a laid-back feeling. However, Yue is glaring at Hajime while stroking her head.

"…You shot."

"Ah? Well you did say shoot."

"…You didn't hesitate…"

"That, I finally decided to shoot. I had confidence in my aim. As expected, Yue was to stomach it without any question. From now on I'll put that into consideration."

"…My scalp was shaved a little…maybe…"

"Well, if its that much you'll regen it? No problem."

"Uhh~…"

Yue started to hit Hajime's stomach repeatedly with a face that said "That is certainly true, but…" Indeed, she told him to shoot, and she had prepared herself. But Yue is a woman. She had seen some dreams. He should have at least hesitated a little. At such a light response, she wanted to complain.

Hajime did not worry for Yue after he found out that a manipulated Yue wouldn't be able to use high-level magic. There were few spells that could overcome her immortality. It was unpleasant to shoot without hesitation. Even if it was the biggest taboo to hesitate in combat. He tilted his head in wonder at what she was dissatisfied with. She was losing to such a Hajime, and just turned away from him with a pout.

Hajime sighed inwardly, how was he going to fix the mood. This would be harder than beating the Aruraune.

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