.............

　I'm thirsty .......
　My head is foggy and I feel like I'm in a dream .......

　That's right.
　It feels like I'm in a dream.
　The feeling that my perspective is far away and my body is always moving a beat behind me.

　Slowly I wake up from this sluggish darkness.

　The wooden ceiling catches my eye.
　But it's dark.
　Because of the darkness, I'm not sure if it's really wooden or not.

　I move my head, looking for light.
　I can't wake my body, so I have to move my neck only to check my surroundings.

　First I made sure I was on a bed. Next to the bed, I found a stand with a candle and a jug of water on it. Apparently, the candle was the only light in the room.

　Next to that stand, a man is sitting in a chair.

　I've never seen this man before.
　He is a strong-looking man with countless old scars etched into his face, and he looks to be around forty years old. From the way he carries himself, one can tell that he is a man of a good standing.

　The strong-looking man noticed me waking up and called out to me.

'...... You're up, Christ Eurasia. Let me introduce myself first. I'm Rail of the Epic Seeker, a guild directly under the Lauravian nation. Due to your abilities, I am required to be present at all times.

　The man introduced himself as Rail.

　Lauravia.
　One of the Confederates to the southwest, as I recall.
　But I've never heard of 'Epic Seeker' or 'Rail'.

　I don't know why I'm in front of a man I've never heard of in a country I've never heard of.
　I try to remember.
　If I don't remind myself of what I was before I woke up, I won't be able to grasp the situation.

"There are a lot of suspicions about you right now. Some good, some bad. Some good, some bad. Hence, you are in custody.

　When I hear the word restraint, I get impatient.
　I just try to put some effort into my body and realize that I can't move as much as I would like. Something like a weight was attached to my limbs.

　You slowly make sense of the situation.

　The more closely I observe my surroundings, the more I realize that this is not the time to be dumbfounded.

　His right hand has been thrown off the bed and blood has been drained from the cuts on his fingers. Furthermore, something like incense is cooking in the corner and the room is filled with smoke. I can't smell it, but I have a feeling it's not good for me.

　I keep trying to get up with all my strength, but I can't. I'm clearly not feeling well.
　It's clear that I'm not feeling well.
　My thoughts are blurred, but something is wrong with my body.

It's understandable that I'm confused. But you need to calm down. You need to moisten your throat first. I brought you some water.

　Seeing me flailing on the bed, the man named Rail takes a jug of water.
　He tries to get me to drink it.

"No, I don't want it: ......

　I don't know what's in it, and I move my muffled throat to refuse.

'Oh, right. If you can talk, fine.

　Then the man puts the jug of water back on the stand. He doesn't seem adamant about giving them water to drink. Maybe he really did have good intentions in preparing the water for me.

　I feel like I've trampled on someone else's good intentions and try to keep my cool.
　Then, with a cooler head, I remembered what I was capable of. I had forgotten even the basics.


[Glass jug]
　It's just water in it.


　I 'watch' the water in the jug to make sure it's not crafted.


[Status]
　Name: Rail Senks HP 312/322 MP 0/0 Class: fighter
　Level 21.
　Strength 11.22 Strength 10.19 Skill 6.79 Speed 4.02 Cleverness 6.60 Magic 0 Element 1.09
　Inherent Skill.
　Acquired Skill: 1.03 foregone


　I identify the person named Reil.
　The name didn't lie, and it could be read from the status that he was a competent person in this world.

''S, sorry, Mr. Reil, ....... Could you please explain the situation ......?

　At least I understood that Mr. Reil did not mean me any harm here. I try to be polite and ask for an explanation.

'Mu....... You're quick to get yourself back on track. That's the quintessential .......

　Mr. Reil looked impressed and continued his words.

'First, let me tell you where it is. This is the building in the middle of Lauravia. It is the headquarters of the guild 'Epic Seeker'. As the guild is under the direct control of Lauravian, you can assume that you are now in the hands of the Lauravian nation.

　Thanks to Reil's careful explanation, I'm slowly coming to grips with the situation.
　I'm starting to remember what happened before I woke up.
　As I recall, I went to save Rastiara, returned to the Valt, killed Arti, and was defeated by Palinkron.

　But now, the most important thing is--.

'I know where it is. Thank you ....... So, so, are there any other kids in custody?

　I stay on, trying to get Maria's name out. Even if I'm being held for some hoosiers-related crime, Maria is innocent. It would be best not to mention that we are still friends.

'I've heard of your associates. Currently, Rustyala Fuzzyaz, Diablo Sith, and Serah Raydiant are on the run. A girl named Maria is being held here.
Is the girl in custody safe ......?

　Mr. Reil said, "I'm listening. But I don't know how far he is listening. I choose my words and ask him about his friends.

"They're not dead. More importantly--
'Hey, Rail. Looks like Kanami's brother is up at last.

　Mr. Reil was in the middle of answering when he was interrupted by the sound of a door being violently opened.
　Together, their cheerful voices echoed in the room.
　I've heard that voice before. I never mishear it.

　It's the one from Palinkron: ......!

'Mm. Palinclone, you've been 'watching' ....... Sure, the boy got up, but .......

　Mr. Reil turns and glares at the person who has appeared with a pained expression on his face.
　I glare at him with many times that hostility and curse with a shake in my throat.

'Ah, ah, pa, palinclone ......!　Oh man, you're aaaaahhhh ......!

　He tries to stand up, putting so much force that his limbs are shredded.
　I forcefully scrape up the disordered magic and try to construct the magic 《Midwinter of the Overcrowded Dimension (Di Overwinter)》.

　Of course, he can't get up and build magic.
　Still, I can't stop it as I try to defeat the man in front of me.

'Don't be so angry, brother Kanami. Here, I've got something good for you. Let's have a bellyful first.

　Palinclone emerges from the darkness at the back and laughs as he shows us the cooked bread in his hand.

'You've got to be kidding me!　Don't be silly, Palinkulon!

　He responds to the situation with anger.

　If only this guy hadn't been here, everything would have been solved.
　If only this guy hadn't betrayed him - if only he hadn't slashed Dia - if only he hadn't appeared at the end!　Now I was supposed to be laughing with everyone in the southern country of Gliard!

　That's why I'm so frustrated.
　I'm just frustrated that I lost to Palinkron.

　I put all of those emotions into my magic, converting it into cold air and running out of control in an attempt to freeze everything that restrains me. I expand my dimensional magic to the maximum in order to attack the man in front of me.

　The iron fetters and chains restraining me trembled.
　With a unique metallic sound, they try to neutralize my power. Gradually, I'm able to get my magic power out, and my body floats slightly.

''Huh?　It's got triple magical locks and five times the normal fetters!　I can't just refine my magic, I can't just move.　Wait, wait!　Both of you, wait!

　Reil-san feels a surge of magical power I'm releasing and hurriedly stands up, interrupting the space between me and Palinclone.

　I'm in the way.
　Not only is Rail-san interrupting me, but the 'magic locks' and 'fetters' that Rail-san says are also in the way.
　I know that they are blocking my body and magical power. Therefore, I twist my body to the limit, refine the cold air and try to break the magical locks and fetters.

''Rail, leave it to me. It's time for you to get used to your new power. --It's time for me to get used to my new power.

　But before I could damage it, Palinkron's hand touched my head.

'd*mn it, you're stuck. ......!

　I can feel the magic of the Palinclone flowing into my body and rapidly cooling my thoughts.

'It's just medical magic, man. It only has a calming effect. Well, calm down, brother Kanami.

　I immediately check the status.


[Status]
　State: confusion 9.81, sedation 0.45


　Surely, it's not a lie.
　As far as his state is concerned, he's just regained his composure.
　The skill '??' There shouldn't be ...... enough abnormality to use the ?

　However, that doesn't mean that all of your anger will disappear.
　However, I can understand that if I try to fight this Palinclone while I'm restrained, I'll get the first move and definitely lose.

　I kept my cool and decided that it would be better to negotiate.
　Palinkulon, sensing this, sits down in a nearby chair and begins to talk.

'Well, let's get started. Time for some fun, fun interrogation.

　Mr. Reil looks at us, takes a breath and steps back anxiously.
　Palinclone confirms this and proceeds to speak.

''Right now, Kanami's brother is under a lot of suspicion. I've gotten a general idea of all the movements of the past few days from the 'magic stone line', so I can't make an excuse. That said, I've only been able to figure it out for the past few days.

　Palinkulon speaks to me as if it were a detective drama.

Fourteen days ago, a boy who called himself Christ Eurasia appeared suddenly from the labyrinth. Yes, he came out of the labyrinth, out of the blue. That's the problem. Hence, only for fourteen days, the movement of this boy was unknown. He had checked all of the 'magic stone lines' of the five Allied nations, but there was no record of Aikawa Kanami entering the Allied nations or the labyrinth. The boy truly 'emerged from within the labyrinth'.

　Palinkron is trying to expose me for who I am and what I am.
　I can tell that from the way he talks.
　In other words, it's the one card I can use to cut.

　In order to somehow get to know Palinclone, I listen to him and turn my head fast and cold.

'In response, the higher-ups in the Vault suspected Christ Eurasia of being a guardian of the thirty layers (guardians). Someone had traced it to the 30th layer and the guardians (guardians) appeared and came to stroll into the city, as they did with Tida and Arti. I guessed so. After all, there are two precedents for this. From the top, I'd say, 'Here we go again.'

　I can see that I've been lumped in with Tida and Alty and reflexively deny it.

'No. ......'

　I don't feel like I'm going to be treated like a monster and treated badly. I decide that the only thing I deny is being a Guardian.

'No, you don't. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. That 'fetters' are proof.

　With a grin, Palinclone pretended to be disappointed and pointed to the 'fetters' on my limbs.

　I calmly think of an excuse.
　If I say I'm from another world, that's all I need to say. However, the thin smile on Palinclone's face in front of me doesn't allow me to do so.

''I'm a dimensional attribute wizard ....... There is a magic called 《Connection》 in dimensional magic. With that magic, I can break into the labyrinth without leaving a record. I'm a human .......

　I compare the cards in my hand that I don't mind being known with the ones I need to keep and reveal the existence of the magic Connection.
　It's a hand I really wanted to keep hidden, but I can't turn my back on it.

''No, it's not. It was after meeting Maria's daughter that your brother learned the Connection. This has been confirmed by the owner of the magic shop.

　Palinkron immediately and coldly denied it.

'...... so what about it. I'm saying that dimensional magic is capable of such things.

　In response, I immediately and coldly retort.

''I see. I see... You're using a dimensional magic similar to the Connection to invade the labyrinth. Then that magic is--
'I'm not obliged to tell you. I'm just trying to tell you that there are plenty of ways to get into the labyrinth with no records.

　We can only suggest the possibility here. Assert the possibility that I'm human and don't let them determine that I'm a monster. That's all I need to say.

'Well, you will.'

　Palinkron shrugs his shoulders in resignation.
　He doesn't look remorseful.
　He's still blind to his purpose. I can't see this guy's priorities at all.

　You might think he's just a hedonist, but sometimes he shows a strange obsession. You might think he's just a logical person, but he's just a hobbyist, and he gets carried away for fun. He is definitely one of the best when it comes to negotiating difficulties alone.

　I ask him lightly about his companions, for starters.
　In the meantime, I need to get at least a notch in the negotiation process.

'Palinkron ...... and Maria ......?'
"Restrained.

　Palinkron replied shortly.

'Let me meet with you: ......

　I was expecting to be restrained.
　I do my best to make my request calmly.

　Palinclone's expression changes when he hears this.
　He looks serious, but he has an expression of amusement.

You can't do that. Two important and precious guinea pigs (・・・・・). There's no benefit in letting them meet.''
Mo, lab animals (guinea pigs) ......?

　Hearing the word, a cold sweat broke out and his face contorted.

　It was the word I had feared the most when I came to this world. When I was at level one, the possibility of it was so terrifying that it limited the actions I could take.
　The word that had disappeared from my mind as the level increased and the danger was no longer there, but now the word came up at this time.

'Ah. She's the first human being to be fused with a guardian (Guardian). She deserves to be treated as a guinea pig, right?

　In an instant, my mind is warped and cracked.
　Blood spilled out of the crack, and I felt a pain that made me want to scream.

　This story was the worst possible thing that could happen to me.

'Wait, wait: ......!　Wait, Palinclon!

　He shouts out with heartache, anxiety and frustration.

　That's the only thing you can do: .......
　That's the only thing you can't do: .......

　If it's just me, I'll get what I deserve. But not Maria.
　Maria didn't deserve it.

　It was my fault.
　It's my fault, because I rescued her and then did nothing to hold her accountable.

　I've made Maria unhappy, all the more so because of me. And yet, I'm making Maria unhappy again. That fact nearly breaks my heart.

"What is it?
'Maria is a child!　And that's a weak girl!　Maria didn't do anything wrong!　You'll have to forgive him!　Maria is not a girl who should be unhappy any longer!
Haha. How could I be so weak?　Thanks to Kanami's brother, that's a monster that a bunch of explorers can't match, right?　Yeah, it's all thanks to Kanami's brother.
'Yes!　This is my fault!　I'm sorry!　But Maria didn't do anything wrong!　So, forgive him!　You could have me as a guinea pig!　You lied to me. I'm not just a man. I'll tell you, I'll tell you-- so, only Maria!

　I shouted, putting aside my shame and outward appearance.

　There was no room for it. Negotiation vanished from my mind.

　What remains in my head is that I swore to give Maria everything I had. I said I would make Maria happy, and now I'm about to renege on that promise.
　The only reality is that I can't atone for any of it--.

'Isn't my brother in Christ just a man?　I know that (・・・・・・), I know that (・・・・・・). And you're going to be the guinea pig instead of your little girl?　What a stupid thing to say. We're both guinea pigs. How could we not both look into it?
......!

　Palinkron's reply made me feel like I was falling into the abyss.
　Fear as if I was plummeting from a high, high cloud by myself.

　I seemed to be calm, and then I realized that I wasn't calm at all.

　When we were defeated by Palinkron, everything was decided.
　Me and Maria had fallen into the hands of the Palinkron, and there was no freedom for us. There is no room for negotiation.
　It had been decided.

'Ahhhhhh ....... Ahhhhhh .......

　He grunts with remorse.

　If I don't, Maria will become a lab animal (guinea pig).

　It's my fault.
　It started with me selfishly saving Maria.
　I foolishly reached out to her - and as a result, Maria is about to suffer a more horrible sight than death as a slave.

　A laboratory animal.
　Even with my poor knowledge, I can see that she is less dignified than a slave than a person.　

　Who is to blame for dropping her there?

　It's me.
　If it wasn't for me, none of this would have happened.

　What "I won't let Maria suffer anymore" and "I promise I won't leave her alone." ......
　I haven't kept any of them. After all, Arti was right, it's all talk: .......

　I'm making everyone around me unhappy. If Maria hadn't been involved in the labyrinth, she wouldn't have been spotted by Arti. Thus, she would not have been held with me.

　Come to think of it, so did Dia. I'm not going to be the only one who's been in this situation. The two people I lured into the labyrinth are both unhappy.

'Aaaaaaahhhh ......!

　It's painful.
　I can't bear the anxiety of being on my own, but when others are involved, that anxiety is multiplied many times over.

　It's no good.
　If it goes on like this, I won't be able to bear it.
　The skill "? is going to be activated.

　Change your perspective.
　Remember the good times.

　This isn't over.
　There's no time for despair.
　I have a colleague.

　I have a friend-- Rastiala.

　She's the only one who can stand up and say, "You helped. She's lucky that I was there for her.
　And she's safe. And she has the chops and the character to prove it. Once she's back in shape and knows about my condition and Maria's, I have no doubt she'll try to help.

　It's not over yet: ......!

　I stop moaning, take a deep breath and repeat the process of gathering information to break this up.

'Hmm, that's close. Is there still hope? You must be ...... lords.

　Seeing this, Palinclone muttered with a blank expression.

　I ponder with a blank expression as well, so that my thoughts are not read.
　As if to shake me, Palinclone says something to shake me up.

Now, will the Lord really come to help us?　Neither the Lord nor the apostle can be fully recovered immediately. At least, they won't be here right now.

　I know I'm trying to break my hopes and I say back in defeat.

'There's Mr. Hein and Mr. Raydiant: ......

　To which Palinclone retorts shortly.

'No, Hine is dead.
What?

　Shortly, he tells her only of death and then quickly moves on to the next story.

'Serah will be stuck with the Lord and his apostle guards. With the Lord and his men having lost their strongest piece, Hein, there is little means to help your brother and Mary.

　Palinclone continues to talk as if nothing has happened.
　But the rest of the story doesn't enter my head.

'Wait, what?　Mr. Hein is dead ......?
Yeah. That idiot let three people go with his life. And now they're dead.

　Once again Palinclone replied briefly.

　I can feel my breathing becoming shallow.
　I feel the calm I've forced myself to regain, broken by my physical condition. My heart palpitations speed up, and a sickening sweat runs down my throat.

　I have no reason to believe it.
　It's nonsense to believe the words of Palinclone, who can be considered a grudge enemy.

''Ha, ha. Huh, that Mr. Hein is dead?　Um... (sic) Mr. Hine?

　Implicitly, he tries to leapfrog Palinkron's words by putting into words Mr. Hein's strength.
　He believes that Mr. Hein, who would have been the most powerful of the Seven Celestial Knights in Heaven (Celestial Knights), would not die.

''Yeah, he's dead. Hein was at his limit when he reached the cathedral. That's all there is to it.

　Palinkulon doesn't smile at all, only when he talks about Mr. Hein's death.
　Maybe it was a poker face to fool me.
　But somehow I didn't think it was a lie either.

'But still: ......'

　I try to formulate the words to resist.

"Hain is dead, and the plotting of the deputy vizier Feydert continues. With such a situation, isn't it unfair to ask the masters, who are on the run, to rescue them?

　Palinkron points out the unlikelihood of rescue and continues on.

　He continues to talk about how that's not the only bad story, and that there's more to come.

'Rather, it's Kanami's brother who needs to be rescued. As the brave master who kidnapped the Lord from the Fuzzy Yards, you have to take responsibility and go to help the Lord and his friends. ...... One of these days, you might fall into the hands of Feydert and his friends, right?

　That's right.
　It's not going to end when we get Rustyala and the others out of the cathedral.
　Rather, life on the run is the real deal.

　The plan is to make use of my magic connection to make the life on the run easier. However, I'm not beside Rustyala and the others.

　No matter how substandard Rustiala and Dia are, I don't know if there's a way to deal with long-term manpower tactics by the country. Perhaps Rastiara and Diah could be captured by the Hoosiers as early as tomorrow.

　If they're not good enough, they'll both be dead ......?
　Like Maria, it could be a worse future because of my half-heartedly reaching out to them. ......

'I wonder if those three clumsy, naive people alone could escape the Hoosiers' pursuers?　There's not a single one of them that looks like he's going to work his wiles.

　Palinkron smiles a nasty smile, stands up and walks through the dark room. As he speaks, he slowly moves to the back of the darkness.

The actuality of this is that I would like to participate in the capture of the 'Jewelculus' and 'Apostle', but as long as we have the 'Hero' and 'Half Guardian' in hand, let's not be greedy. We have enough materials for our experiments.

　I can hear the sound of flesh and water tangling.
　It's a physiologically frightening sound.

　Palinkron grabs something from the corner of the room and comes back to us.
　I can't see it clearly due to the darkness.
　Holding something round and round, Palinclone takes a seat.

'First, let me put Hine's body to good use--'

　And then Palinkron held that round something up to the light of the candle and gave me a good look at it.

　It was a raw human head.
　The head of a beautiful man, sleeping with a peaceful expression on his face.
　It was the raw head of Hein Helvirshine.

'Ah, ah, ah, ......!　Aaaaahhhh ......!

　Bright gold hair hangs over her eyes and many scrapes on her cheeks. Red blood drips from the mouth - no more than from the neck down.
　A fantastically beautiful and mercilessly lifeless head of a dead man.

''Haha!　With the ingredients we have here, we can create an entity that is more than just Rustiala Foods Yards!　There's no reason to be concerned about the Lord or the apostles anymore!

　Palinclone referred to Mr. Hein's head as 'material'.
　That 'material' must include me and Maria.

　My face twists as I see the use of a clear lab animal (guinea pig). I don't need a mirror to see it. I must be horrified and pathetic, and my face must be contorted to the point of being cruel to look at.

　My wasted, shallow and wide knowledge of the world works in my imagination.

　I picture the scene of dismemberment and dissection from the raw head in front of me. A small scream rises in the back of my throat as I see a picture of a frog's dissection from a school textbook in my mind as a child, and I replace it with my own.

　I'm going to die just like Mr. Hein: ......?

　He dies in a different world with no family, unable to protect the dignity of others.
　It also dies along the way of a girl the same age as his sister, whom he swore to make happy.
　He dies in the midst of his aspirations, leaving behind Rustyala and Dia, whom he tried to protect.

　This is where I die ......?

　The raw head of Mr. Hein, thrust in front of me, certainly feels like the end.
　The end.
　In other words, it makes me feel death.

　Dying.
　Dying. Dying. I'm dying.
　I'm going to die from now on.


A skill? ?" is out of control.
　Stabilize your mind in exchange for some emotion.
　There is a +1.00 correction to disruption


　The desire not to die triggered it.

　I didn't have the strength to resist it now.

　And yet (...) the runaway is not over.
　The description of the skill "?" continues (...) The description of the skill '??' continues (...).


[Status]
　State: confusion 10.82, calm 0.12


　Riding into the 10.00s of confusion, which I was intuitively evading - and


Confusion has reached 10.00 and the skill "? ?") has been exceeded.
　The confusion that builds up will be 'refunded' as the original emotion!


　--all will be paid back (・・・・・・・・・).

'What?　Ah, ah, ah, ......--

　is a 'refund' ......?

　The first 'display' appeared on my retinas and I couldn't understand what it meant.

　And then it crumbles.
　I am made to experience the meaning without understanding it.

　Suddenly, my thoughts were rushing.
　All sorts of bad emotions are rushing through me.
　One day, the exact same emotions are returned (・・・・).

　'The despair (・・・・・) of being betrayed (・・・・) and thrown (・・・・・・・・) in front of a fierce beast (・・・・・) strikes. 'Alone in another world (・・・・) alone (・・・・), loneliness (・・・・・・・) like the end of the world (・・・・・・・)' envelops you. The frustration (・・・・・) of possibly losing (・・・・・・・) a loved one (・・・・・・・) springs up. Recalling the humiliation (・・・・) of having been (・・・・・・・) played with (・・・・・) in an atrocious way. The stress (・・・・・・) of being caught (・・・・・・・) in (・・・・・・) unreasonable tyranny eats away at them. The discomfort of being forced to (・・・・・・・・・) repaint (・・・・・・) one's world (・・・・・) envelops them. The fear of death (・・・・・) of (・・・・・・) in the face of (・・・・・・) powerful beings sends a chill down your spine. 'Magical (・・・・・) mental pollution (・・・・・・・)' recurs. 'The love (・・・・・) for (・・・・・・・) for Rastiara (・・・・・)' rekindles--.

　All of the emotions, to the point of death, are returned together.

'Ah, ah!　Ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh. ---- ！！！！

　No, return is not a lukewarm thing.
　Interest has been added (・・・・・・・・) and forced to be paid back.
　All of them are intertwined and contributing to each other. It's not simple addition. The bad feelings swelled by the multiplication fill my entire heart.

　--I scream.

　That day, I was lost in this other world for the first time, wandering the labyrinth, tricked by people, rewound to the spirit of the moment before I was devoured by the wolf, and furthermore - that's where all the bad emotions up to today were tapped into.
　It was far beyond what each person could tolerate.

'Hey, what. Kanami's brother, all of a sudden--
'Ahhhh!　I don't like it, I don't like it, I don't like it, I don't like it!　Why!　Why, why, why does this happen!　What's wrong with me!　Why, why, why? ----!

　I can hear Palinkron saying something in the distance.
　But I don't have the time to hear and understand it.
　I just scream.

　I, I can't breathe .......
　I'm taking in so much air, but I can't get any of it in my chest .......
　It doesn't get easier .......

　My diaphragm twitches. Each time it spasms, air from the lungs leaks out. You lose oxygen, get impatient, and move your lungs again, which causes your diaphragm to spasm even more. Eventually, it goes beyond the spasms, and the pain runs through my body, and I writhe and suffer from severe pain all over.

'Ka, was Hein's corpse so bad for Kanami's brother ......?　No, was 'death' itself a taboo?

　His voice is distant.

　Anxious, copious amounts of sweat flowed, stealing the heat from a body that wasn't even on fire.
　Yes. My body is not burning. I'm sure of that. And yet, for some reason, my brain feels hot and I can't stop sweating. Perhaps my brain is perceiving the blackened and burning bad feeling as heat, and I can't stop sweating like a waterfall to cool it down.

　It's like being drunk with boiling oil and showered with skin-peeling cold ice water.

　It's unbearable.
　It's unbearable.
　I want to lose consciousness right now, but the pain won't allow it.

　She knows it hurts when she exerts herself, but she can't stand it, and she strains harder as her body breaks down. I clench my teeth and twist my neck to the limit. Not metaphorically, but really, my eyeballs are about to pop out of their sockets.

　Painful .......
　Painful, painful, painful .......
　Suffering to death......!
　I'm really going to die!

Not good, Palinkulon!　The boy is irreplaceable, so I thought you were going to take your time grinding him down!　If you don't, you'll break the boy's heart!
I know what I'm doing!　Just shut up, Rail!　Chi, I never thought you'd use Tida's spirit magic for a cure!

　Ahhhh, ahhh, people can go to .......
　Ahhhh, people are .......

　How can people be so close to death just because of the effects of their mental state?

　I've seen so many characters in dramas and cartoons who were in a state of shock because of their misfortune. They looked very distressed, but I didn't believe it.
　I thought it couldn't be that painful just because of the mind.

　It wasn't.
　I was just too immature to know that I wouldn't know until I went through the same thing.

　I wasn't exaggerating or anything.
　I feel like I'm going to stop breathing right now. My heart is going to explode. The pain is so intense that I'm dazed. I feel like I'm in agony and want to rip out my throat. Even if my carotid artery were to be severed at the end of it, if death were to relieve my suffering, I'd be reaching for it now.

　Oh, oh, death, death .......
　That's right. Death will make it easier .......
　Finally, it will be easier .......

　I'm reaching for the hope of death (...)


A skill? ?" is out of control.
　Stabilize your mind in exchange for some emotion.
　There is a +1.00 correction to disruption


　A hand reaches for his neck.
　Stiffening.

　Oh, yeah, yeah ......?　
　I'm in pain ....... Make it easy for me. ......
　I don't want to do this anymore. So, let me die--


A skill? ?" is out of control.
　Stabilize your mind in exchange for some emotion.
　There is a +1.00 correction to disruption


　Stop it. .......
　Don't do it. .......

　It's not enough to do that.
　Don't you understand that ......?

　Even if you pile on the skill '??' Even if you pile up the "??" ten times, you can't erase the bad feelings for the "refund". This is because there is an extra bad feeling for the interest.

　If this is the case--

A skill? ?" is out of control.
　Stabilize your mind in exchange for some emotion.
　There is a +1.00 correction to disruption
A skill? ?" is out of control.
　Stabilize your mind in exchange for some emotion.
　There is a +1.00 correction to disruption
A skill? ?" is out of control.
　Stabilize your mind in exchange for some emotion.
　There is a +1.00 correction to disruption


　--for nothing, it's just more bad feelings for interest again.

　It makes no sense.

　Can't you see how simple it is?

　Ha, ha.
　Ah, .......
　Oh, I mean--


　--This skill "? It's a defective skill.


　It's not enough to redeem the money.
　If this is the case, the interest will be added for no reason, and I'll get another refund--!


A skill? ?" is out of control.
　Stabilize your mind in exchange for some emotion.
　There is a +1.00 correction to disruption
A skill? ?" is out of control.
　Stabilize your mind in exchange for some emotion.
　There is a +1.00 correction to disruption
A skill? ?" is out of control.
　Stabilize your mind in exchange for some emotion.
　There is a +1.00 correction to disruption

　It doesn't work.
　Once again, if that mass of bad feelings is 'refunded', I'm going to--

《Variable Relays》, magic 《Variable Down》!

　Palinclone's voice, the nostalgic Tida magic - the skill '? pushed back.

　A little bit .......
　Just a little bit, really, but in the depths of the muddy darkness, a murky light passes .......

　I hear a voice.

''Brother!　Come on, brother Kanami, have hope!　I don't want you to die!　--It's called the "Variable Relays"!

　The man I hated the most was screaming at me to have hope.
　I can feel him paying an enormous amount of magic and building magic to try to save my spirit.

　The Palinclones were as desperate as people.
　It was a strange sight.　

'Brother Kanami!　Don't despair!　It's not over yet!　Stay conscious!　Listen to the rest of the story!

　Magic binds me and Palinkron together.

　Through the bond, a horrible, yet powerful magical power flows into my entire body.

　That magic power washes away the bad feelings that consume my body.
　The flow of magical power eases the pain in my entire body.
　My anxiety disappears, my heartbeat subsides, and my sweat recedes.

　There is a small amount of room to think.

''Ah, aaaaahhhh......''

　He regains his spirit at the last minute.

'Ha, ha ....... 'The 'Twentieth Trials' is just about to begin, and yet ....... Did I scare you too much ......?

　When I opened my eyes only dimly, I saw Palinclone, who couldn't afford to breathe on my shoulder. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, unable to hide his impatience. The same was true of Mr. Rail, who was standing by.

'Palinclone, is it possible for a boy to be viable in this state ......?'
We have to adjust more sweetly than ...... planned. If we don't heap up the hope and adjust, Kanami's brother's spirit is going to be necrotic first.

　We hear the words 'execution' and 'coordination'.
　However, there is no time to analyze its meaning.

　The danger of death has passed, but my body still won't move.
　It seems that along with the exhaustion of my mind, my body has been exhausted to its limits.

　The magical power of the Palinkron, which had been stabilizing my mind, is now rushing around to play with my mind.

　It's not the magic power that was used to prolong life earlier, but the horrific magic power that is typical of Palinkron.

''Kucha......''

　It's hard to accept being played by a Palinkron even if it saves your life.
　I put all my strength into fighting it with all my might.
　But there's nothing I can do about it.
　The fact that I'm restrained, but above all else, the repetition of the earlier skill "? I'm not going to be able to get the same thing done.

　Seeing me trying to put my strength into it, Palinclone makes a troubled face.

''Kanami's brother ....... Accept this (...). If you accept it, Maria's little girl will help you. I promise to help you.

　After a troubled look, Palinclone said, "I'll help Maria.　

'Oh, ah, ....... Shh, can you believe it: ......

　I return with a swear, rousing my dying spirit.

'I don't lie. I'm a man of my word. I know I let the words slip out of my mouth earlier, but it's true that we don't want Kanami's brother to die. It would be very embarrassing for us if Kanami's brother tried to kill us. That's why I'm saying that I'll save Maria's little girl in exchange for her not killing herself.

　Palinclone speaks to me in a sincere manner instead of his usual attitude of making fun of people. Apparently, the earlier skill '??' ''It seems that the outburst of the skill '?'' has changed Palinkron's way of thinking more than he expected.

''Can you believe that? ......!　But I'm ....... But I'm already ......

　Honestly, no matter how much Palinkron changes his attitude, there is no way I can trust him.
　But I'm also sure that in this situation, there's no other way for me and Maria to die unceremoniously.
　I have no choice but to take advantage of that sweet notion.

It's the only way to go: ......

　If truth be told, I'd be tempted to risk my life to harass Palinkulon, who doesn't want me to die.
　But that's the end of the world when he uses Maria as a reference.
　I have a duty to do my best for Maria.

　I'll put the last of my strength into threatening her.

'Listen, Palinkron: ......!　If you break your word, I'm going to kill you!　I will kill you!　I will kill you no matter what!　I'll kill you!
That's where you say 'I'll kill you', Kanami, you're a nice guy. No, really: ......

　However, Palinclone looked cool and passed it off. Rather, he seemed relieved to hear the threat.

　Thus, I lost the last of my strength and my consciousness faded away.

'As for Maria's little girl, don't worry so much. I have a promise to (・・・・・) Miss Arti's (・・・・・) Miss (・・・・・) Miss (・・・・・) ....... Well, you won't be saved in the way Kanami's brother wants you to be saved ......

　Perhaps, after this, I will be invaded by the Palinclones to the point where my mental magic will seep into my flesh and blood.
　I will be in the same state as that Rustyala and Mr. Hein.

'You're playing with my mind, aren't you ......?'

　A small voice confirms it in a daze and consciousness.

'Don't worry about it, I won't touch the root of Aikawa Kanami. That's something that's important to me, too. I'm just going to redirect you a little bit, and let you misunderstand me a little bit.

　What's a "little"?
　That "little" has made everyone and everything terrible for him.

"Are you going to be like Mr. Hein: ......?
'No, it's a bit different from Hein's. It's more like the kind of thing we did to Miss Alty's and Maria's daughter. We'll do that one stronger and add the power of the 'Stealer of Darkness' to it as well.
Oh, you are ......!

　Unexpectedly, Palinkron's misdeeds are exposed.
　I'm shocked and angry that he's even reached out to Arti.

　But I don't have the strength to fight.
　I can't even keep my eyes open anymore.

　At the same time I close my eyes, Palinkron's magic power swells even more, and that magic flows into me.

''Now let's get started. First, Kanami's brother's skills. This is too much of a problem.

　Palinkron's magic permeates my entire body, and my free will is gone.
　I, who should be the master of my body, moves away and the demonic hand of Palinkron touches my spirit.

　Palinkron chants a lot of magic.
　The power of the Stealer of Darkness is added on top of that, making it more powerful than Tida's magic of the past.

　After a short but long time, I see a 'display' behind my eyelids.


[Skill '?? has been sealed.]
The "?" skill has been sealed. ?" is now sealed.


　I wanted to stay conscious as long as I could, but I couldn't even stay conscious anymore.

　I hear a voice that may be near or far.

''--Okay. But now we've managed all the suspicious unique skills. Perhaps because Kanami's brother is in despair, the magic passes easily. But the 'price' is also painful. ......

　Both the 'display' and the voice reach my brain as information, but I can't make sense of it.
　I'm sleepy, as if I haven't slept for days.

The rest--

　My consciousness falls to the depths of slumber and sinks.
　Perhaps once I've sunk, my eyes won't get cold for a few days.

　And I can't resist.
　I let my consciousness sink into that dark swamp, and finally - and I'm not going to stop.


[Condition]
　Confusion 7.29 Memory tampering 2.00 Mental pollution 2.00 Cognitive inhibition 2.00 Sealing 4.00


　I check my status.
　When I saw that 'status', I was dismayed by Palinkron's reminder - I lost consciousness completely.














◆◆◆◆◆ ...





















　-- Thus, I failed.


　In the pitch-black space, I do my reflections alone.

　In the end, what was the cause of my defeat .......

　The combat aspect was fine.
　The attack on the labyrinth was also fine.

　.............

　I know, I know .......

　What was no good was the human contact.

　I didn't try to open up to anyone.
　I tried to use them, but I didn't want them to help me. I didn't feel the need to open up.

　So I lost my heart and mind many times.

　It wasn't good that I mistakenly thought I was stronger than anyone else because I could see my status.
　I thought I was the only one who could do something about it, and I didn't have the idea of relying on others. I looked down on Maria, and even that Dia and Rustyala, as being weaker than me, after all. I had assumed that I could help them, but I couldn't help them.

　Now I understand.

　I should have talked to someone and whined more. I should have shown more honest emotions and not lied about it.

　An ideal candidate would be a bar manager.
　If he had consulted an adult with a firm sense of self, the outcome would have been different.

　I think one of the reasons is that I only interacted with young, talented people and exceeded my own capacity.

　I feel like the more talented and attractive people were somehow mentally deficient. I should have been more adamant, and I should have looked for someone who was as talented as others, but who I could rely on.

　And then the days passed without having a heart-to-heart with my fellow man, and all of that debt was concentrated on the day of the Nativity.

　At the point of the debt - no matter what I did that day, I would have only been able to help either Rustyala or Maria, no matter what I did.

　In short, I was stuck.
　I tried to force the one I couldn't save, and ended up with the Palinkron catching me in the act.

　It's over.
　My loss.

　.............

　If.

　If I have to do it again, I'm not gonna make that mistake again.
　I won't.

　I will be open-minded, trust people, and don't lie.

　I will live and show myself as Aikawa Uzumi.
　I will not run away from the Christ Eurasia imposter.


　I swear it.


　Next time.
　I will definitely go to ......--.