"I'm never looking for an altar again!　Come on, let's go deep!　After all, the best part of exploring the labyrinth is the powerful enemy!　So let's take down the boss monster!

　Thanks to the efforts of the Reapers, Rastiara has been fully restored.
　If he was revived, it would be more trouble than it was worth.

　Rastiara flails on the back of Sera, who has become a wolf, and points forward.
　But I'm just not up to it.

'Wait, don't leave me here!

　When they descended to the 34th level, the structure inside the labyrinth changed.
　The crystal corridor returned to the stone corridor, and anything reminiscent of Rowen was drastically reduced. Instead, the new feature that appeared was 'water'.

　The entire corridor was submerged in water. Due to the water level being below the knees, it was terribly difficult to walk around.
　Rastiara and Reaper seem to be on top of Sera-san, so it seems easy, but I, on foot, am draining a lot of energy.

'Sera-san's legs are fast!　Go a little slower, please!
Because, Sera. Kanami's a little slow, so can you slow her down a bit?

　Sera finally slows down when her own Lord tells her to.
　Then, she glanced at us and sniffed as if to say, "You're a pathetic guy.

　Unlike the big-bodied, four-legged beasts, this one is a bipedal human. There's a difference in the speed at which they move. And yet, regardless of that, Sera continues to move ahead, so my burden is growing.

　Sera's argument that the ride is limited to two people is a lie. I have a feeling that she just wants to carry only girls on her back. She has such a pretense.

"Sera-san, are you sure you can't carry three people ......?

　At my question, the wolf nodded with an immediate decision.
　From its eyes, I can sense its intention to never let me ride. I feel like I have personal feelings for him, but I don't want him to be forced to do something that would interfere with the battle.
　I had no choice but to put all my strength into my legs and move forward in the shallow water.

"Look, Kanami. You've slowed down, now look for the boss.
I'd like to go more steady if I could: ......
''Huh. ....... I ...... was tricked by the items in the labyrinth after Dia and Maria lost their show, and my training was not good enough. Please help me, please .......

　At the end, he was pleading pathetically. The series of events from yesterday seemed to have built up a lot of resentment.
　Besides, if Maria and Dia joined in the future, a decent fight against a strong enemy might rarely occur. The chance is now or never, and Rustyala is probably getting desperate.

''...... It can't be helped. Let's go find it.

　I nodded reluctantly, comparing the advantages and disadvantages.
　It's true that boss battles are dangerous. However, the returns you can gain are also great.

　The primary objective is the magic stones. It's been confirmed that the magic stones dropped by the boss monsters are more pure than those of normal monsters.
　I've just obtained the 'Blacksmithing' skill, and I'm thinking about upgrading my equipment. If I can get some good magical stones, I might be able to make a weapon like the 'Crescent Pectrazi's Straight Sword'.
　If possible, I wanted to prepare a good weapon for Sera-san as soon as possible.

　Besides, experiencing boss fights with the party wouldn't be a bad idea in itself. It's also easier to escape since the party structure is good at speed and distraction.

'Ah!　I said I'm looking for you now!

　More than anything else, I also like to see Rustyala's smiling face. I don't want to see her sunken expression as much as possible.

'Yeah, I said. I'll find the boss, just hold on. -- "Dimension Multiple

　You expand your dimensional magic to find the nearest boss monster.
　However, while expanding your senses, you notice a strange feeling.
　It's hard for magic power to pass through to the water that's stored in the labyrinth. The "Dimension" was penetrating the oceans and rivers on the ground without any problems. Compared to other areas, the water in the labyrinth is a bit special.

　I had no choice but to spread the Dimension around the water and look for the nearest boss monster. And I find a dull-colored jellyfish about three meters long, wielding nearly a hundred tentacles.

--Boss Monster
　　　Gulfrad Jerry, rank 35--

　All around us, small fish that seemed to be our relatives were migrating in the shallow water.
　I judged them to be reasonable opponents and called out to them all.

I'm sure you'll find some jellyfish over there, let's fight them. Of course, if he's too much trouble, we'll fall back.
Let's go, let's go now!　I'm going to show you how serious I am this time!

　Leaving the restless Rustyala behind, he looks over at the Reaper and Sera.

'Sera-san, if you need anything, you can grab Rastiara by the scruff of her neck and make her back away ......
I know. My priority is the life of the young lady - no, the safety of everyone. That's what the power of Beastification is for.

　After gaining a bit of experience in the labyrinth exploration, Sera-san was clearly aware of her role as an explorer.
　Seeing Sera-san and Reaper nodding vigorously, I decide to fight the boss monster Gulfrad Jerry.

''Alright, let's show them what we're really about, Rustyala. Just in time, let's hit him with some new magic.
What, new magic?

　Rustyala, who was in a state of excitement, didn't realize how good this situation was.

''Take the lead with 'Ice, Guardian Ice (Aegis)' from a distance. This time, let's cross 'Dimensional Winter (Di Winter), Last Frost (Frost)' with 'Freeze'. I'm going to make a magic frame where you want me to freeze it, and then Rustyala is going to fill it with a lot of Freeze.
'I see. ....... Great, let's go with that.

　After confirming that I got their approval, I will immediately explain this strategy.
　Since Maria and Dia aren't here, we can't make a great plan. In the end, we all have to cut up the enemy, but even so, there are ways to devise a plan.

　We close the distance between us and Galfrad Jerry and move to a position that is most suitable for a surprise attack.
　Me and Rustyala's magic can reach it, but we keep an unpretentious distance from the enemy, and we start chanting our magic.

　The magic is difficult to transmit to the water of the labyrinth, but not completely.
　Rolling up the sleeves of his clothes, he and Rustyala touch the water on the ground together. While resonating the magical power of each other's icy attribute, they let the magical power slowly and gradually crawl towards the boss.

　At the same time as confirming that the magic power has been transmitted sufficiently, they mutter a magic.

''-- Magic 'Dimensional Winter (Di Winter), Last Frost (Frost)''
The magic 'freeze'

　My magic is followed by Rustyala's magic.

"Resonant magic, 'Ice Protectorate Ice (Aegis)'
"Resonant magic, 'Ice Protectorate Ice.'

　Dimensional Winter (Dee Winter) and Frost (Frost), which could normally only be used to break an opponent's stance, sublimates into a different kind of magic with Rustyara's encouragement. At the moment the resonance magic is completed, the water monsters are baptized with ice.

　The first target is the Military Fish.
　The fish, which had been swimming in the shallows, stopped moving. However, not all of the shallow waters are frozen. They just observe the monsters closely and compare their appearance to their knowledge of the original world and inhibit the movement of the parts of their bodies that are necessary for swimming. The only thing left to do is to stiffen their bodies and drift into the water.

　Watching the fish being incapacitated without any resistance confirms your luck (luck). Since they are monsters, they should be able to move without regard to the structure of fishes, but not so with these dependents. Perhaps they are monsters that specialize in speed, or maybe they are weak in magic attacks.

　I continue to pass my magic power through Galfrad Jerry. This one is a no-go. -- Naturally, I couldn't freeze that huge body.

　The only thing left to do is to prepare the field.
　To create a foothold, we're going to freeze the surface of the shallow water. If possible, I wanted to make it look like a skating rink, but I couldn't get the magic power to pass that well. We made some round ice footholds, so we could barely make it.

　We've finished making our way through the ice like stepping stones and we're ready to go.

'--Okay, let's go!
Charge!
Come on, Sera!　Woof!

　Me and Rustyala run through the ice stepping stones.
　The Reaper riding on Sera-san's back is following behind us. By the way, Sera-san responded to the Reaper's call with a dutiful little "wan". I'm sure she looks a little shy, so I'm sure of it. How sweet this person is to a girl.

　The party group's assault speed is faster than a fish swimming.
　In the blink of an eye, they closed the distance and attacked Gull Flood Jerry.

　Thanks to the "Ice Guardian Ice (Aegis)", the first move is taken.
　The dependents are unable to move, and the boss is stiff with confusion.

"-- Combined Fresh Blood Magic 'Virtual Rowen Ares'!

　Rastiara chanted the results of yesterday's special training into magic.

''-- Magic 'Crystal Sword (Quartz Flamberge)''!

　I'll be throwing my new magic into the fray.
　It's like the Ice Flamberge, the crystal covers the sword. It's an exercise in freeing up the crystal's magic, Quartz.

　First, Rustyala's sword cuts through Galfradgelly's body.
　I make sure it went in deep, though it didn't cut both ways. Quite a bit of damage must have been done, but Galfradjelly didn't hesitate to abandon it and fight back.
　Countless tentacles attack Rustyala, and I rip them apart with my crystal sword. It's a terrifying handful, but not enough to prevent it.

　In addition, the Reaper, who came in late, goes around the back and swings his scythe.
　Galfrad Jerry tries to prevent it by bunching up his tentacles, but the scythe easily sliced through its defenses.

　This monster, too, has no defense. However, the section of the slashed body and tentacles writhed and could be seen to be instantly repaired. Gull Flood Jerry possessed a powerful regeneration ability that made up for its shortcomings.

''Let's cut it up!　There may be a nucleus (core)!

　I've fought bosses with similar abilities in the past.
　That experience made the instructions done quickly.

　All of them nodded and began to carve the body of Galfradjelly as they dug in.
　Then, while teasing the tentacles, they found a glowing stone inside the body as they repeatedly inserted their swords into Galfradjelly.
　I try to extend my sword to that magical stone, thinking that it was a very easy boss.

　At that moment, Galfrad Jerry's magical power swells up. Perhaps sensing the danger of death, it turns all its tentacles into a defense and begins to wrap around the core (core) like a flower petal. However, if there is no counterattack, they can cut off all they want. If they continue to attack unilaterally, it will only be a matter of time before they slash the nucleus (core).

　However, using the small amount of time created by concentrating on defense, Gulfradjelly uses the small amount of time he has created by focusing on defense to fight back. It was a method of counterattack that he had never experienced before.

　Galfrad Jerry's body trembled and an explosive sound was released from his mouth at the bottom.
　It was a roar that carried an enormous amount of magical power.

　I quickly covered my ears.
　The same goes for my companions. However, Gulfrad Jerry did nothing against that large gap. He still keeps retreating into his tentacles.

　I immediately sense the purpose of the roar.
　An earth-shaking roar could be heard from afar.
　Dimension's cognitive ability sensed that a flood was occurring in a distant corridor.
　The purpose of the roar. The answer was to gather all the water in the vicinity here.
　He understood that Galfrad Jerry's cry had the magical power to call the water in.

''Nah, well, not good!''

　His face paled and he checked everyone's position.
　Only the same dimensional wizard, Reaper, understood the situation.
　She has the same expression as me, shaking her head frantically. Then, she quickly made her scythe disappear and clung to Sera's neck.

　From her appearance, I can guess.
　--That one-year-old, probably can't swim ......!

Rustyala!　Sera!　Retreat!
Yeah, but we could have taken it down by now.

　As I called out to everyone, the floods reached the battlefield. Massive amounts of water, which had turned into a wall from all directions, rushed in from all directions and was on the verge of swallowing everything.

　There was no room to escape.
　As a result, there was no way to accomplish this, and the water would swallow me, my companions, Galfradjery, and my family members.
　The field is forcibly changed into water.

　The torrent blocks our movements. It's like being thrown into a blender. I couldn't see left or right, up or down.

　I kept my senses and dimensions intact and took stock of the situation.
　The force of the rushing floods found the icy restraints of the military fishes to be released.
　Gullfrad Jerry resumed repairing his body while becoming more active as he was immersed in the water.
　The water had reached the entire ceiling and there was no space to get air. If you don't get out of this boss' area, you'll find that you can't even breathe.

　Without a doubt, this is not a field where humans can fight the aquatic creatures.
　I said we would retreat if it became troublesome, but this situation is far from troublesome.

　The torrent is slowly subsiding.
　First I turn my attention to the Reaper. She puffs out her cheeks and holds her breath, desperately clinging to Sera. It's obvious she can't swim.
　Fortunately, Sera-san had heard my command and dropped back a long way. She managed to swim through the water with a poor movement similar to a dog paddle. They won't be attacked by the enemy before me.

　I turn my attention to my reliable partner (Rustyala) next. However, his usual confident male form was not there. There she was, rattling her arms and legs, with no room to spare.
　Sadly, I'm convinced again.

　--maybe the three-year-old over here can't swim either ......!

　The situation just keeps getting worse.
　I'm the only one who can move properly. But mercilessly, the enemy monsters resume their attack.

　First, the military fishes rush in like bullets. Their sharp heads have turned into deadly weapons, just like the bullets from a throwing knife.

　I hurriedly moved closer to Rustyala and held my sword.
　Holding the rampaging woman in his left arm, he cuts off his dependents with his right-handed sword.

　The servants were powerless to do anything but charge straight ahead. But their numbers are troublesome. Fish that can only be thought to have been hiding somewhere are popping up from everywhere.
　And from further back, Gulfrad Jerry was also closing in on them.

　The difficulty of the battle has increased rapidly, and a sense of urgency surrounds me.
　If this is not the case, there is a possibility of death if it is not done well. The worse the situation became, the worse it seemed.

　And because of the association with death, the skill '??' crawls over to me.

　I shake my head and skill '? away.
　Even without relying on such skills, I shouted in my mind that I have many other powerful skills.

　I used "Parallel Thinking", "Sensitivity" and "Dimensional Magic" to grasp all the dangers that are approaching. Although our movements are slowed down due to the water, we are still able to respond. I'm confident that I can cut through everything.

　But that's only if there is time - a gopher air spills out of Rustyala's mouth, which he holds in his left arm.

　A chill runs down my spine in horror. I almost let my breath leak out of my mouth too.
　I was expecting a flood with dimensional magic, and since I took a big breath in right before, I still have room to breathe.
　However, Rastiara is different. I can't seem to hold my breath because I was caught by surprise.

　My knowledge of the original world tells me of the seriousness of the situation. If I leave Rastiara unattended at this point, her brain may be left with aftereffects. Even if the enemy could be eradicated, it would be of no use.

　--To me, the girl called Rustyala has always been a necessity.

　I can see the 'parallel thoughts' spinning at full speed in the space of a moment. And I had no choice but to jump to the answer that I had arrived at at the end of that thought.
　I didn't have time to get lost or to examine it.

　I put my forehead against Rustyala's.
　Rustiala's eyes widened as her brain shook with a thump. I can't speak to her, but I wish she would believe me. But I lock eyes with Rustyala, hoping that she will believe me.

　There was no hesitation in Rastiara's eyes either. The strength leaves her body. She trusts her friends and entrusts me with everything.

　That trust makes me cringe. But I can't even hesitate.
　I willfully place my lips against Rustiala's lips. And as it was, I sent all the air I had into it.

　This is the answer that 'Parallel Thinking' gave me. It was the best rational move.

　I can see the heat lighting up my face with embarrassment. Even if I told myself that this was artificial respiration and that there was nothing to be sorry about, it was impossible to suppress the heat.

　The same goes for Rastiala. He understands that it's a transfer of oxygen, but he can't hide the redness in his face.

　My heartbeat accelerates at the situation of two bright red faces sticking together.
　My plan was to control my emotions and resume the battle immediately. But that was too naive an idea. It was impossible.
　They were more upset with each other than they had expected, and they even felt as if time had frozen. Their brain matter flooded out as if a dam had been broken.

　They exchange kisses and finally realize.

　--In the end, it was only a matter of time before the skill "? It's only a matter of time before the "?

　It's been a long time since I've been at my limit.

　A few days ago, Rustiala and I hugged each other on the ship, adventured together, trained together, played together - no, I'm not just talking about those recent days. I'm talking about the time I got Rustyala back in the Cathedral. After that day, we were separated, and yet she still fought for me, risking her life for me, we survived the 'Dance Competition' together, and finally, as promised, we're together again, exploring the labyrinth together. It's the result of that accumulation.
　It's natural. The day before that Nativity, the day before the Skill '? I may have lost my emotions in the first half of the book, but the factor that made me pine for Rustiala hasn't disappeared. Rather, her attraction to Rustyala has increased as she has regained her identity. It was inevitable and unavoidable that I would be attracted to her.

　So I would fall in love with Rustyala again and again and again, and lose my feelings for Rustyala.

　That was a given from the beginning.
　Yes, from the beginning (・・・・)--

　I felt as if something I'd been desperately trying to fool around with was leaking out of my mouth. I felt a pleasant sensation that ruined everything, as if everything was collapsing and becoming full of holes - and then I felt a creeping skill '??' into the gap. enters the room.

　If it were only one of the two, the danger of death and love, it would have been bearable. But the two have come together, and now we are in the unique situation of underwater warfare.

　There was no way he could resist, and he failed to process his thoughts.
　My emotions are being eaten by the skill.

--The skill '??' went out of control.
　I stabilize my mind in exchange for some emotion.
　A +1.00 correction is added to the confusion--.

　This is the second time I've lost my thoughts of Rustyala--this is the second time. Because it was the second time, unlike the first time, I could clearly feel the sensation of being devoured.

　The skill '??' as if it had a will. was impatient, frightened, frustrated, sad, and deprived of my emotions. The skill '??' when activated by the danger of death? is like a cold machine, but for some reason the skill of eating a love interest '? I feel a strange human touch from the

　The human touch was there for a moment like a bubble, and then quickly disappeared into the depths of my thoughts.

　The inside of my head is washed clean, and it becomes pure white without any stagnation.
　Impatience for death, the heat of love. I lost everything that stood in the way of my survival, and ideas for how to overcome this underwater battle came to me one after another.

　It's a feeling I've long since forgotten. It's like floating in the middle of the empty Pacific Ocean.

　.............
　Oh, I've done it .......

　With a blank expression on my face, I pull my mouth away from Rustyala.
　But although my love has cooled off, the heat in my cheeks is still burning. Same as before. Instead of love feelings, the skill of playing with emotions '??' The anger at the company fills everything. This time it's worse because it's also combined with anger at himself.

　Of that anger, the skill '?? The thoughts that have been retracted in the "I" whisper the right advice.

　-- build the best magic with the best magic, and you can break through the situation. Cut down on lives now. It's a small price to pay for the wear and tear on your life if you don't die.

　He makes such a reasonable suggestion.

　Surely, if you shave off maximum HP and use 'Winter of the Dimension (Di Winter) and Last Frost (Frost)', you'll be able to escape for sure, even with one person's power.
　I can understand that. That's the right answer. If you only think about your own life, that's the safest way to go.

　That's why I shake my head.
　I've decided that I'm not going to go down my own path anymore. I won't let anyone mess with me. I swore that after the battle in the United Kingdom.

　Skill '?' Seek your own answers, not the answers by
　We don't fight alone, and we don't run away alone.
　We fight together, and we all survive.

　I squeezed Rustiala's hand and let the cold air crawl to her cheek.
　Rustyala's eyes widen in surprise at the coldness.
　I then activate an empty icy magic. It's a magic with no meaning for one person alone, only the outer frame.

　A light of understanding lights up in Rustyala's eyes, which were confused. Immediately she pushes down her emotions and resonates her own freezing magic into my empty freezing magic. It seems that the danger of my life has hastened her decision.

　I can't say the name of the magic, but the magic "Ice Guardian Ice (Aegis)" was indeed activated.

　At the same time as the magic was successfully constructed, a swarm of subordinates and the tentacles of Galfradjery attacked us.
　There is no 'connection' between me and Rastiara, like there is between me and the Reapers. But we knew what we wanted from each other.

　Rastiara, facing her enemy, relaxes her entire body and meditates on her eyes. Trusting me, she leaned all her attention on the freezing magic.
　In response to her trust, I wield my sword in the water while holding Rustiala's body.

　I cut off the approaching subordinate fish with my sword, while freezing the rest with 'Ice Protective Ice (Aegis)'.
　However, while that would take care of the small fishes, that's not the case for Gull Flood Jerry.
　The tentacles, which never lose momentum even in the water, attacked me.

　Even now, the skill '??' tells me to run away and leave Lastiara behind. But I go headlong against that answer.

　The first thing I did was to communicate with my friends.
　No one can hear me. So, with all my emotions on board, I scream desperately in my mind.

　That voiceless call was immediately noticed by the Reaper.
　Clinging to Sera's back, I hastily make a 'connection' with her as well. Then, she gathers the magic power of the two of us and begins to send it to me.
　It's only temporary, but the amount of magic power I have jumps up.

　That magical power is mercilessly consumed, and I strengthen the "Ice Protector Ice (Aegis)".

　My magic permeates all the water in the area, causing several icicles to rise to the surface. In addition, I extend ice branches from the icicle to create more footholds to move freely in the water. Of course, those icicles could easily be crushed by the enemy's tentacles. But that's fine. Once shattered, the pieces of ice would be scattered throughout the water.
　It's important that our icicles encroach on the field of water created by Gull Flood Jerry.
　Gradually, the water turns white like diamond dust in the middle of winter.

　At this point, it's no longer "Ice Guardian Ice (Aegis)". It's a different kind of magic.　
　It's a different kind of magic. It's a great magic that can be called the Winter Dimension Quartet.

　They kick icicles and move through water. Sometimes it would run on the bottom of the water. Of course, they move slower than the aquatic monsters. But Gullflood Jerry is slow as well. The Winter's Other World (Wintry Dimension), Quartet had the same effect as the Overcrowded Dimension of Midwinter (Die Overwinter), blocking the enemy's movement.

　Thanks to the Winter Dimension Quartet, the field's advantage was quintupled.

　I would be facing Gulfrad Jerry.
　I will no longer leave it out. I thought I was fighting a guardian--

　--Dying Power.

　The Winter Dimension Quartet finally makes the water harden like sherbet.
　A sword with an extended blade from the "Magical Freezing" skill passes through the sherbet. The approaching tentacles are slashed collectively, and their slits are frozen. Due to the frostbite, Galfrad Jerry was unable to let the wounds heal.

　Rowen's swordsmanship to break the demon teaches him the steps to efficiently cut down on Galfradjelly's huge body. In a single breath, he made the sword move back and forth several times, tearing and reducing the tentacles and cutting away the flesh of the body as well.

　Then, a few seconds after the magic 'Winter's Other World (Wintry Dimension), Quartet' was activated, Galfrad Jerry's body, which was about three meters long, was reduced to less than a tenth of its original size.

　Its tentacles and body had been sliced to pieces, and everything had been invaded by the freezing magic, leaving Galfradjelly with no way to protect its nucleus (core).

　Seeing its cruel appearance, I waved my sword emotionlessly.
　The ice blade sliced the defenseless core (core) in half.

-- You have earned the title "Passing Naval Force".
　　　Your speed will be corrected by +0.05--

　Gull Flood Jerry became a light and disappeared.