Well, let's get started, shall we?　I'm telling you, once you start, there's no turning back.
'Yes. I know.

　As it turned out, my all-in proposal was accepted.
　It was a little suspicious, but it successfully stimulated the pride of Alken and the others who had been long-time explorers. As if to provoke them, I said, "I don't mind two against four," and the conversation was settled.

　They were convinced that they couldn't lose to two kids who had been at a low level just a few days before. They're trying to remind us of the difference in power between the two of us, which is evident from their expressions.
　In this world, a level is something that takes years to achieve. I'm sure they never dreamed that we'd be at the 6th level in just a few days.

　--And then we will take an oath in the "path of righteousness" and share the information about the monster in question.

　The name of the monster to be defeated is Hang Shadow.
　It seems to be a black liquid creature that sticks to the walls of the labyrinth like a shadow.
　It is characterized by its ability to ambush searchers from the shadows and hang them by their necks. It is strong against physical attacks, such as swords, and cannot make a decisive blow without magic attacks. It is said that there are unique drop items, so the number of those items is used to decide the winner.

''--Let's go!　Let's begin!

　With that, Alken and the others split up into two groups and started to run.
　I could see that they were serious about it. It's not just a defeat, it's an overwhelming defeat that they want us to taste.

　But we, their opponents, are...

Dear, you know what I'm talking about.
Yeah, I know.

　It didn't move.

　Alken and the others looked at me curiously, but that didn't mean they were going to come back.
　I made sure they were out of sight before I started chanting.

''Then let's win overwhelmingly.'' --Magic 《Dimension Multiple Expansion (Multiple)》

　Without a hint of MP, I search for the enemy.
　As I became accustomed to handling this magic, I greatly expanded my senses for a moment and took in a large amount of information.

　My brain only recognizes the shape of the monster among the information picked up instantly.
　By eliminating unnecessary information, he was able to reduce the wasteful consumption of MP.

　As a result of this rational search, I succeed in finding a few Hang Shadows lurking in the background.

　My MP consumption didn't even reach 10.
　That's not too bad.

''Dear, I found some targets. Sure, they're good at hiding, but they're not really my thing. There's no way I can lose this match.
'It's quicksilver, Christ ....... I don't think I'm going to have a chance to play an active role in ....... I guess I'll just have to do it this time.
'No, Deere magic should be the mainstay of the battle, so don't let up.

　With that in mind, Dia and I run off.
　Within the intricate labyrinth, we proceeded along the shortest path to our target.

　Then, when the target is close, I identify its position with the final confirmation of the 《Dimension》 and move into a sniper stance.

The first one, found. Then place it on my arm like you did with the previous boss.
Okay. I'm going to ......-- The Flame Arrow!

　A flash of light split the darkness of the labyrinth - and the target died instantly.

　Immediately we collect the drop items and run to the next target.
　Hang Shadow seems to be a monster that doesn't move much, so the efficiency of this tactic is very high.

''Yes, next. Dear, shoot.
Oh! --The Flame Arrow!

　The second one, too, dared to die instantly.

　It's only been about ten minutes.
　Looking at my remaining MP, I think I can last an hour. After calculating that, I used my second magic, "Dimension Multiple Deployment (Multiple)," to confirm the location of further targets.

"Okay. Let's keep going.
The Flame Arrow.

　We wasted no time in hunting Hang Shadows.
　Occasionally we'd get into a battle with a Hang Shadow that escaped sniper fire, but I'm strong against monsters that hide themselves.
　As long as I have the 《Dimension》, they can't catch me by surprise. Moreover, if you "gaze" at it, you'll see details, so you won't lose sight of it.

　Within an hour, we had obtained ten Hang Shadow drops.
　Then we went to the 6th level entrance room where we met and waited for Arken and his friends.


　◆◆◆◆◆ ...


No, this is ridiculous. ......!
'It's a lie: ......!　It's impossible!
Hey, Alken!　It's your fault!

　The two parties gather in the space in front of the staircase where they can move from the fifth to the sixth level to review their achievements.
　There are only two entrances and exits to the room, firmly on the 'right path'.

　With the incredulity of Alken and the others, the four of them were all four of them in a frenzy. It's probably true, too. They have been forced to lose all their money in the past hour.

　Alken, on behalf of the group, shouts to us.

You're lying!　You're playing foul!　Because it's not possible!　Even if you were a veteran over there, the kid over there was a level one!　And there are ten of them!　Ten of them!　It's impossible!

　Alken is approaching us as if he's about to grab us.

'No, I killed ten of them. I swear.
'Yes, yes, yes!　Don't make accusations like that!　We--especially because Christ is strong!　I deserve this much!

　My rebuttal is met by Dia. For some reason, she doesn't forget to push me.
　Even at times like this, she's healthy for nothing.

'No way!　The clerk bastard there is the kind of guy who came out of the country and got turned back in the first layer!　And yet!　There's no way this is going to happen!

　Alken and his friends repeat, "It's impossible.

　A little unexpected. I thought they'd make more accusations and make it difficult for me to say that they picked it up, or that it was invalid to have had it from the beginning, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Maybe I'm losing my ability to think in the face of an unbelievable turn of events.

'd*mn it!　Hey, you guys, surround yourself!

　However, the development here was as expected.
　Alken and the others went into action by force.
　With weapons in hand, they blocked our retreat.

　We knew it.
　In the end, this kind of game - it's just the imposition of the strong.

　The strong deceive and rob the weak.
　That's the only reason for the game.
　There is no order there.

　I feel a small hostility towards that disorder.
　The "heat" that had been smoldering inside my body grew.

I knew ...... would be like this. Even if we lost and we were to be poked at like you guys are now, you guys thought you could lay waste to it, so you tried to win the game. And even if you were defeated, you were about to play the game because you thought you could lay waste to us like this. We were just trying to take money from weak people who didn't know anything about it. ...... That's it.

　I coldly denounced Alken and his friends.

I don't give a shit!　In this world, only the strongest survive!

　It's a good thing that you're not the only one.

What's with the dueling oaths ....... It doesn't matter if it's out of the country anyway, right?　Of course they're going to take care of us, and then they're going to take advantage of different lucrative deals in different countries.
'Ha, you know what I'm talking about. You don't have to be in a maze to make money. I'm sorry, but you're going to die here!

　That's what I thought.
　So I risked everything I had.
　For this kind of brute force.

　I give up the conversation with Alken and talk to Deere.

"You see, Dear ....... It wasn't worth it.
'Oh, oh ....... Christ was right: .......

　Dia looks down when Alken and the others are out in force.

　I think Dia believed that the game was equal.
　She dreamed that if she won this match, she would be recognized.
　Even though there were feuds, she had a fleeting dream - that they would recognize each other as long as they were competent.

　The reality is different.
　All that remains is violence in the name of bickering.
　Dia seemed to have a certain reverence for dueling and oaths, so the shock seemed to be more than human.

'I'll take care of the rest, Dia, just stay back.
'Oh, I'll help you with that ......!
No, that's fine. Enough is enough.

　I drew my sword.

　I have about 30% of my MP left.
　In anticipation of this happening, I have a certain amount of MP left.
　It's enough to overwhelm them.

　And I mutter to myself.

"--Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradient)
You kids are--!

　At the end of that magic, the alken in front of me slashed at me.
　My fellow beastman swordsmen and a light-looking spearman were following him.
　In the back, there is a wizard woman who has begun chanting magic.

　Based on this information, I envision the shortest possible control and move my body.

　--First, Alken's sword ripped through the air and grazed the tip of my nose.

　It's too late.
　It's too late for me, Arken is too slow.
　He is a higher level man than I am.
　But his skill and speed are several levels below mine. Furthermore, it's impossible to take him for granted because his compensation is unusually high due to the Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradient).

　There was such an absolute difference in the time frame in which we could act that it seemed different.

　While avoiding it, I lightly stabbed my sword into Alken's dominant hand and wounded both of his legs while doing so.
　I watched him slashed and fall down - and even dealt with the spearman who came at me.
　As he slipped through, I slashed the spearman's dominant hand with my sword as well. I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the most out of this one. I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you. He brushed off the painful beast swordsman's legs and climbed over the guy's head. Finally, he thrusts the tip of his sword down the throat of the wizard woman who had stopped in her chanting.

　--It was only a few seconds in time.

　In the lowest voice possible I speak.

...... What I really wanted in this match was not money. What I want is for those of you who insulted Dia to never appear in our presence again. So, if you disappear, I won't do anything more for you.
Oh, no way. ......

　Alken and the others let their mouths fall open as they ran their hands over the area where they were cut.

　In a matter of seconds, the winner was decided.
　They had probably never experienced anything like that in their lives. Dumbfounded, they watched their fellow wizards hold their swords against them.

'Answer me quickly. Tell me you'll disappear, or I'll have to hurt you even more.

　With that, I bring the sword closer to the wizard woman's throat.

'Wow, okay, ....... I surrender. I'll be gone in a minute.

　First of all, the wizard woman who was directly confronted with the sword admits her surrender.
　With that, the beastman swordsman and spearman also show their willingness to surrender.

''d*mn it ......!　Anyway, we did it on the 'righteous path'. I can't stay in this country. ......!

　And Alken is also going to talk about getting out of this country.

　The difference in power between me and them is obvious.
　If an escape route is prepared on top of that, that's where they have no choice but to go.

　More importantly, they seem to realize my true intentions. If the goal is not to make money, I can see that it is better to follow the plan quietly.

Good. This is the solution. Let's pretend it was just a matter of luck for both of us.

　With that, I urge Alken and the others to leave the room with the tip of my sword.

'Once we're out of the country, we won't do anything more. Isn't that right?
''That's right. But I'll report it to the guild, so you'd better get out of the Valt Country as soon as possible.
d*mn. ....... d*mn it. Okay, just get rid of it. ......

　So says Alken and the others, and they walk away.
　The beastly swordsman lends Alken a shoulder and the four of them walk out of the room in a huddle.
　On the way, I could see from a distance that the four of them were arguing in a small voice.

　I let my guard down, and when they are out of sight, I take a breath.

'Fufu......'
'Sorry, I'm sorry ....... I got in a lot of trouble because of me. ......

　When the thing was over and they were gone, Dia apologized with a nod of her head.

'No, it's fine. I was mad at those guys too. I'm glad to see them in a hapless state.
I don't intend to be ...... that way. If those guys recognize me, that's all I need .......

　I could relieve my stress by seeing the barking faces of Alken and the others, but not so much for Dia, it seems. For better or for worse, she is a pure-hearted person, and she probably imagined that if she won this game, they would be able to congratulate each other on a good fight.

　But that's just a dream.
　Yes.
　This is the way it is. It's all just a dream.

I'm sorry, but it's not easy. It's a very difficult thing to admit.

　For example, it's 'Do I accept this world or not?
　It's a really hard question.

'Well, ....... So, Christ. What do we do now?
Yeah, well, I'm a little low on MP and I think you should just go home.


'No (...), I don't want them to leave (・・・・・・)' (・・・・・)


　I was about to suggest that I leave when I was interrupted by an unseen voice from above me.

''--?''

　Surprised by the voice from outside of my thoughts, I jumped backwards.

　The "Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradiate)" was focused on Arken and the others.
　The space we are in is within the "right path".
　All of these factors had caused me to let my guard down in my search for the enemy.

I'm sorry. Did I surprise you?　I have a little trouble getting you to leave though. It's rare that I get to meet kids like you guys.

　The owner of the voice was attached to the ceiling of the labyrinth.

　And a deformity.
　The figure resembled the Hang Shadow that he was hunting earlier.
　However, although the resemblance is similar, it is a completely different thing. Hang Shadow definitely didn't turn into a human form, and it didn't utter a voice.
　However, this guy has a shadow-like black liquid in human form and speaks with intelligence.

　A body of writhing black liquid.
　An uneven Noh mask face.
　Such a genuine monster is talking to me.
　The soles of its feet are taped to the ceiling, and its Noh mask face has been pointing at us.

　I 'gazed' at it while dripping cold sweat and confirmed the details of that monster.


The Twenty Guardian] The one that steals the truth of darkness.


　He is not a person.
　It doesn't even have a rank as a monster.
　All that is written in the notation "Guardian" is "the one who steals the logic of darkness".

　I was astonished in front of that 'indication' and the monster's black Noh mask laughed and responded.

''Hmph. I'm Tida, the guardian of the 20th layer, the one who steals the logic of the darkness. I look forward to working with you.

　He then introduced himself as a gentleman, saying that he was the boss monster of the 20th layer.