After meeting Rowen and Reaper at layer 30, we made our way to the ground together.

　We were on our way while stewing over the details of the deal, but we still didn't have any leverage against the monsters. Rowen's body language was comparable to mine, and she was completely overwhelmed by the 30-layered monsters.

　Besides, if I was in danger, some kind of reaper would come out of me and help me.
　In my defense, I said, "My brother is my brother, and he's mine. I'll be the one to kill Rowen. I'm sure he doesn't want us to die.

　The Reaper must be in our blind spot to materialize, but on the flip side, it will perfectly compensate for our blind spot. The attack power of the Reaper's scythe is high. Even that crystal golem could be cut down in one fell swoop, so it was enough to be an immediate asset.

　By the way, the Reaper wasn't completely naked anymore. It seems that as long as they have a supply of magic power, they can configure their clothes. At my and Rowen's suggestion, I'm now dressed in an all-black cloak.

　With such a party of three people with no blind spots, we can reach the 20th level without danger.

　Then, we move through the 《Connection》 to the office of the "Epic Seeker".
　Just then, Snow was just about to slumber at the window. He had returned to his usual national costume, so we could tell that his business at the Siddharth family was over.

　Noticing us emerging from the Connection, Snow rubs her sleepy eyes and turns to look at us.

...... Oh, welcome back?

　Snow looks behind me with a question mark.
　I bring Rowen forward and introduce her to him.

'Um, this is Rowen, the Guardian of the Thirty Layers (Guardian).
'I'm Rowen, nice to meet you. As you've heard, I'm a labyrinthine monster, so I don't need an honorific or anything.

　Rowen put her hands on her chest and bowed her head ostentatiously.　
　Snow also bowed her head reflexively.

'...... Hi. I'm Snow. Hi. Nice to meet you. ......What?　But, uh, what?

　You can't seem to wrap your head around it.
　That's probably true too. Speaking of guardians, the searchers only see them as objects of fear. If a person claiming to be a guardian suddenly appeared in front of you, everyone would be in a hurry.

''To put it simply, he's not a bad person, so I brought him here.

　In the meantime, let them know that there is no danger.
　It's important to understand that you are safe first.

...... wow.

　But Snow looks at me as if he sees something unbelievable.
　There is no doubt that he's don't like my behavior.

'They say Rowen will die if she makes it big as a knight, so I'm going to help her with that. I've been told that the guardians will disappear when they are no longer 'untouched', so it's much safer than fighting. It's a lot safer than fighting.

　I tell him that I brought Rowen with me for a legitimate reason.

...... yeah, you believe that?
I believe you. I've decided I can trust you. --Lowen is going to let you stay as a guest of the guild 'Epic Seeker', so I hope you'll take care of things.
...... yeah?

　Then he tells Snow about part of the deal he decided to make along the way.
　It's a way to keep Rowen by my side as an asset at all times. When I told him that I was having trouble with the two men, he offered to be my bodyguard. By the way, the Reaper has agreed to it.

　After I finish telling Snow the bare minimum, I check the darkness outside. The sun has set and it will be dark in a few minutes.

'Also, I've been haunted by the 'Grim Reaper' and I need to check things out. It's about to close, so I'm going to hurry up and go. Wait with Rowen.

　As I recall, there was a place in the public sector that carried books.
　However, if it's late at night, I may not be able to get in. I hurriedly jumped out of the window of the office.

''What, 'The Grim Reaper'?　So what the hell is going on in the labyrinth?
'Hmm, let me explain that to you. I'm not busy while I wait.

　When Snow tries to ask for a detailed explanation, Rowen tries to answer for him.

'...... Eh. Uh, yes.

　Snow becomes quiet in front of the guardian (Guardian) who tries to explain politely. After confirming that with the 《Dimension》, I went out to the city of Lauravia.

　And then I ran as fast as I could towards the library.


◆◆◆◆◆ ...


What is this?　Awesome!　These are all books!　Big brother!

　The Reaper had been quiet all the way from layer 30 to this point, but as soon as he entered Lauravia's library, he was suddenly in high spirits. Apparently, this is the first time he's seen so many books lined up. He seems unable to contain his excitement.

　Hearing the Reaper frolicking in the blind spot behind him, he immediately squeezes the supply of magic power with 《Dimensional Winter (Di Winter)》.

''--Uh, uhhhh!　Why, why?!

　In case you're wondering, I had included a warning not to float outside of the labyrinth, so the people around me only looked at me as a noisy child entering.

　I approached the disembodied Reaper and spoke to him in a small voice.

'Be quiet in the library, or you'll be kicked out. Otherwise you'll be kicked out.
Tshokhan?　Why do you have to be so quiet when you're Tshokan?

　Reaper mimics me and answers in a small voice.
　From the fact that I kept my voice down when I saw what was going on, he seems to be the kind of kid who just doesn't have any common sense and will understand if I tell him.

'Reaper, you don't even know the library?'
Don't expect anything from me, brother. I only know how to kill Rowen.

　He was somewhat proud of himself.
　He seemed to take pride in his mission to kill Rowen. But on the other hand, he also seemed to be proud of his well-behaved brother.

　It's probably already been confirmed that the two of them are very close.

How old were you born, ......?
Hmm, less than a year ago?
Huh. ......

　I sigh and flick my fingers a little bit, leading the Reaper out.

"Look, Reaper, I'm going to go to the library to check out some books. I'm going to go to the library to check out some books. Until then, you'll have to wait here.
What?　I'm the only one who waits here?　Hey, tell me about Tshokan!

　As soon as I walked out of the library, the reaper's voice got louder.
　It seemed to reach all the way inside the library and I was flabbergasted. Although I'm following the rule of not shouting inside the library, I don't think I can apply it in any other way.

'I'll tell you later. 'I'll teach you later, and I'll get a book for you. You will have to wait and see. Good boy.
Are you a good boy?　Yeah, I'm a good kid, okay?

　Reaper quieted down in response to the word 'good boy'.
　Then, after a few moments of reflection, Reaper nodded slowly.

...... Okay, I'll wait.
Ah, ah, .......

　It's unexpectedly straightforward.

　The Reaper sits on the edge of the road and starts playing with the sand with his index finger. Normally, this would be just a game of sand to pass the time. But the Reaper seemed to enjoy even that. Maybe everything on the ground could be unusual.

　I could tell that I would have some time, and I hurriedly walked into the library.
　I call out to the attendant and ask her to find a book about "Fairy Tales" and "Curses".

　It's not long before I find a copy of "The Grim Reaper" and a book on "The Curse". Both books are major players in the field, and they were easy to find.

　First of all, I read the fairy tale in "Dimension Multiple.
　This fairy tale has been handed down by word of mouth since ancient times and is said to have permeated many people's minds. It seems that if you hear the word "fairy tale" in this world, the first thing that comes to mind is "The Grim Reaper, the Grim Reaper".

　It was a bland story. It's the kind of fairy tale that could be found in my world, encouraging us to be careful in the dark places.
　Some of the expressions were a bit boisterous, but that's not so unusual. Even in my world, many of the original fairy tales are terrifying. I didn't think I should pay particular attention to them.

　In the end, all I found out was that the 'Shadow Adoring Reaper (Grim Lim Reaper)' is 'a reaper who attacks you if you remove him from your sight'. It has no weaknesses and no solutions.

　I had no choice but to pick up the next book on 'curses'.
　It's a dusty old book on magic.

　It is said that in the long ago, many 'curse' magic was flourishing. However, it seems to be the kind of magic that fell into disuse after a person called Saint Tiara laid the foundation of magic.

　Unlike Saint Tiara's magic, the 'curse' requires a lot of money. That's why it is written that the people naturally became exclusive of the "curse".

　Even after reading a little further, you can understand how useless the 'curse' is.

　First of all, it is not practical because it consumes not only MP but also HP. It is said that it can harm your health, reduce your life span, and even cause you to fall ill. If you fail, it's your personal destruction. And it basically says that if you curse someone, you have two holes, and the curse often comes back to you.

　If this explanation is correct, then the magician in "The Grim Reaper" is me, and the target is Rowen. In other words, the Grim Reaper is a curse that has the potential to kill not only Rowen, but me as well.

　I turn the page, sighing that I've picked up a nasty one.
　Then I find the word 'Grim Reaper' in the 'Curse' example section.　

　From what I see, there are only a few examples.
　Some of them have fallen out of use in the past, but there is also the reason that it is designated as a forbidden art. However, fortunately, an explanation of the 'curse' of the 'Grim Reaper' was written in this book.

　The "curse" of the "God of Death" was confirmed a thousand years ago. It is said that the first time the "curse" of the "grim reaper" was confirmed in a certain battlefield.
　From the start, I thought it was unreliable. Because I don't think we can accurately tell what happened a thousand years ago on a cultural level in this world. But I figured it was better than not reading it, so I read on.

　A thousand years ago, in the middle of a great war between man and monster, a curse is discovered. The curse appears suddenly at the center of the advancing knights and kills many of them. The curse does not die by stabbing the sword or piercing it with magic. Then, like a fog, it disappeared and appeared behind him, cutting off a number of heads. It could only be described as the 'Grim Reaper' indeed.

　In the end, the story ended when an unnamed knight struck up a dialogue with the "Grim Reaper".
　There is only one way to destroy the "God of Death". Swinging his sword in response to the attack from his blind spot.

　In exchange for his own head, the unnamed knight cut off the head of the "God of Death".

　After that, the "curse" of the "Grim Reaper" never appeared in this world again - it is written.

　I'm not sure if the information in the book is sufficient.
　To begin with, it is not credible when the story of "The God of Death" is quoted in "Local Myths". There are a number of important questions missing, such as how this 'Grim Reaper' could be judged as a 'curse', why the 'Grim Reaper' only appeared once, and who the 'Grim Reaper''s magician was.

　I realized that there was no point in investigating further and stood up.
　I call the attendant, borrow a children's book under the name of "Epic Seeker" and go outside.

　From outside, I hear two young girls playing with each other.
　There was a reaper playing with a strange girl.
　He is entertaining the girls by creating and extinguishing a magical black mist.

'Wow. There's a lot of black haze. You really are a wizard, sister!

　The girl's eyes sparkled as she followed the black fog.
　But the Reaper realized I had appeared and made the fog disappear.

'- Oh, my brother is here. I'm sorry, I can't play anymore. ......
Yeah. Come on, sis, let's have some more fun.

　The girl approaches the reaper with a disgruntled look on her face. Then she tries to hold his hand to stop him from leaving.
　The Reaper freaks out and avoids it.

'Ho, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't. That's my rule. ...... It's late, you should go home.
...... Yeah, okay.

　The girl gives up when she sees the reaper.

'See you later.'
Yes.

　Then they waved to each other and said goodbye.
　Making sure the girl was out of sight, I spoke to Reaper.

'You're just a normal girl without 'me, the surgeon' and 'Rowen, the subject', Reaper. Sorry, I guess I interrupted you.
No. No, it's not.

　The Reaper shakes his head quietly.
　I slowly say what I think.　

'You can communicate with a kid that young without a problem. Surprising.
Komu ni kesho?
Yeah, it means we can play together.
'Do you want to play with me?　I'm playing with Rowen, too, okay?
No, that was different. It wasn't a game.
Isn't this a game?
'The Reapers may be fun, but Rowen isn't. Play is about fun for both sides.
Huh.

　The Reaper listened to what I said and nodded repeatedly.
　That was surprising to me. Maybe it was because of the way we met, I thought he was more insane and uncommunicative, but maybe I was wrong.

I'm sure you're more honest than I thought. You.
'I don't know why. My brother is so easy to understand. But then again, it doesn't make any sense to me what Rowen says.
'No, I think what Rowen is saying is normal too: ......
'What can I say, my brother's words seep into my body. I'm not sure if it's because I have the same magical power as her. It was a very emotional experience for me.
'Same magic ....... Well, ......, maybe it is.

　Why my words are understandable and Rowen's words are not. Maybe it's because that's how the Reapers were created.
　If it was created to listen to the surgeon and not to the target, then it makes sense. If it's attack magic with a will, it's no wonder that it's built in at least that much.

　It was just very unpleasant.

　Reapers are magic. It's not a person.
　But I could scream out loud that it was an inhumane act.

　I'm so angry that I'm surprised at myself, and before I know it, blood flows from my clenched fists.

'What's wrong, brother ......?'
No, it's nothing. ......

　I turn my bleeding fists back and smile a fake smile.
　I search my mind for a suitable topic to distract the Reaper.

'...... or rather, why do you call me "big brother"?　You heard me introduce myself to you as well, didn't you?　My name is Aikawa Uzumi.
'Hmmm, why is that ....... I feel like my brother is my brother. Can't I just call him that?
No, it's fine. ......

　There's no reason to say no.
　Reaper is old enough to call me big brother and I'm old enough to call him big brother. There shouldn't be anything wrong with that.

　There should be nothing wrong with that, but my chest tightened a little bit.
　It hurt to be called "big brother.

　I shook my head and shook off the feeling.

'Let's go back then. I borrowed a picture book for you, you can have Rowen or someone else read it to you.
'A picture book!　That's a picture book!　Thanks!　Oh, but make sure you tell me about Tshokan. You can't fool me like this!

　With the reaper's help, I go back to the 'Epic Seeker'.

'Yes, yes, I'll teach you a lesson along the way,'
Hmmm, this world is full of fun things. I'm having fun.

　We walk down the dark street, chatting away.
　From a distance, I wondered if we looked like brother and sister.

　It was excruciatingly comfortable and excruciatingly uncomfortable at the same time.