Running in the dark, unable to see anything, without looking back.

It's painful. The sound of your own heart beating feels very close. A white exhalation floated dimly in the darkness.

The darkness had fallen completely.
The moon, which had barely shed its light a moment ago, was covered by thick clouds, and the area was close to true darkness.

I simply ran unsteadily across the ground, which was overgrown with tall grass and very difficult to run on. The only thing I could be sure of was the touch of Tino's hand in my right hand.

The intermittent high-pitched metallic sound coming from far behind indicated that Liz's battle was not over yet.

She must be a formidable opponent. ...... She bit down on the feeling of helplessness she hadn't felt in a long time.

I haven't abandoned you. I'm not abandoning you, but my fighting skills are no better than garbage. Even Tino is a burden, so Lies can't get serious while protecting me. This is the best choice.
If you can use your treasure, you can at least support her,......, but you shouldn't go out without your treasure.

You can use the warding finger and the recharged "dog chain" now.
In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the following web site: .......


You can't see anything, so you don't know how far you've gotten, but if you stay far enough away, you won't be attacked out of the blue.

Tino, who had slowed down to follow me from behind, also stopped in time with me. Unlike me, who was breathing hard, Tino's breathing was undisturbed.

Tino didn't say a word, just looked up at me with pure eyes, breathing on my shoulder.
I couldn't help but sigh at his gaze, as if he was blaming me for running away without my master.

I've always relied on my friends for everything. My level 8 status is a feat of theirs, like a building on sand.
But I'm not relying on them just because I want to. Liz and I are best friends. I've always done my best.

I say this knowing that it will sound like an excuse.

'Don't worry, that was enough for one of us. Tino, we should do what we can.'

'Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

This isn't a desperate getaway. It's a strategic retreat.
Tino nodded with a serious expression, as if he understood.

Now that I've calmed down, there's one new problem.

As I caught my breath, I looked around in circles.

Where am I?

Originally, Tino had led the way to the Treasure House. I don't even know which direction to go back.
We should have been able to find out once we got to the big road, but there was nothing we could do when we couldn't even see a few meters ahead of us.

A good junior student was silently watching me. If you look closely, you will see that the emotion in his gaze is not condemnation but anticipation.
His eyes sparkle as if he's just met the person of his dreams.
I'm sure it's because Liz has been telling me all these things. It would have been better to be blamed.

There was a similar incident in "White Wolf's Den" the other day.
I'm glad that I was able to reach the people in distress by chance, but I don't think I can manage it this time either. I feel like puking.

I raised the white flag. In a pompous, admonishing tone of voice, I say.

'Tino ...... I'm weak.'

'......Yes, ......Mastaa is weak!

...... I've said it myself, but it's something that comes to mind when it's so easily affirmed.

'But, but, strength is not everything in human beings, is it?

'Yes. Strength is not everything!

Tino's eyes widened and he nodded vigorously. Apparently, he's just affirming everything. A follower, perhaps?
I felt like an idiot, so I checked frankly.

'Tino, do you know which way is the Imperial City?

'? Yes, sir. Of course, it's that way.

I wonder if he has a directional magnet in his body.
Tino blinked curiously and pointed diagonally to the right as if it were obvious.

Looks like we don't need to back up this time. That's true. No matter how directionally illiterate I am, I can't keep running in the opposite direction every time.

'Tino, I'll take care of the alert!

'Yes, sir. Yes, sir!

Thank you for your cheerful reply. But Tino remained stationary, refusing to move forward.
I waited for a while, but there was no sign of movement, so I gave him additional instructions.

'Right. I'll need you to lead the way.

'What? But I'll get in trouble--......, yes. Leave it to me, sir.

Are you someone who can't move without being told what to do? I'm not sure which is better, Liz, who moves in a direction she shouldn't even if I don't tell her to.

'There's no need to hurry. There's no need to run, so let's go slow. Tino should be fine, but it's dark around here, so be careful.'

'...... Yes. Hello.

I have an additional request. I'm sorry to say, but I was exhausted.
I could have run if I wanted to, but I wanted to save my energy for emergencies.

As I requested, Tino began to walk cautiously, as if he were trying to kill the sound of my footsteps.
Dressed all in black with black hair, Tino was so much a part of the darkness that I could lose sight of him if I were not careful. If I get separated from Tino here, I'm finished. I followed his small back closely.

The true darkness clung to us like a monster. It's as if this is the only place in the world we're separated from.
I should have at least recharged the Owl's Eye with magic. But it was too late to regret it.

'That ...... site. What was that golem ...... you saw earlier?'



As we walk, Tino asks me in a choked voice.

I wish I knew.
Maybe it's a boss that doesn't show up often, but it's a complete scam to certify that treasure hall as level 1 when a boss like that shows up. It's possible that it's just my luck or Tino's bad luck, but I'll have to update my documentation when I get back to the capital.

I didn't recognize her, but she seemed to recognize me.

Yes, what was it you were saying?

'It's ......, yes, it's Akasha. It's a powerful golem, and it's no wonder Tino's attacks didn't penetrate it.

I'll be sure to follow up with Tino. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
When you decide, you decide. That's what this 'thousand changes' is all about.

'Akasha! Isn't that the ...... of the infamous "Akasha Tower"?

Akasha's Tower?

I frowned at that word.

It was a completely unfamiliar word. It must be infamous, but unfortunately it didn't seem to be in my memory database.
Tino's voice was serious. There are plenty of infamous organizations around the Imperial City (or rather, the Ghosts of Sorrows are infamous), but from the sound of his voice, it seems that he is a famous organization.

But it probably has nothing to do with this case.

It's an illusion. Just a boss. I've never seen such a huge golem created, not even by Citri, who was once addicted to golem research.
In the first place, it's a golem that can compete with Ryz, who can conquer the Level 8 Treasure Hall. Even I, who am not familiar with alchemy at all, can see that it is not something that can be created with modern technology.

However, there is too little information to conclude that they are completely unrelated. Since they share the same name, there must be some relation. It's possible that they are related. Yes, I can.

I said softly. I'll check with Liz later for details.

'Not that it matters, but the 'Akasha' I mentioned is the name of that golem. It's no wonder Tino doesn't know about it. ...... I'm not that familiar with it either--'




'Why do you know that name?

'......?

At that moment, the voice of a third person who was not supposed to be here suddenly interrupted me. An old man's voice.

Tino, who was walking in front of me, dropped his stance and drew a dagger from the sheath at his waist.

The plains north of Zebrudia are very wide. And this is far from the paved road. There are no humans here.
I roll my eyes and look in the direction of the voice, unsure of what is going on.

And then I found something I couldn't believe.


'There's ...... En'.

'...... pfft'

A hoarse voice. Arien is my line.
Why? Before I could ask that question, I couldn't help but blurt it out.

An old man in a gray robe was sticking his upper body out of a hole in the ground, the same hole that Liz had mentioned earlier as a nest for sand rabbits.
It was a man. His wrinkled face is scrunched up and he's glaring at me as if he's trying to avenge his parents, but it's too funny to make sense of.

The situation alone is a horror story, but I have a weakness for surreal situations like this.
While he was grinning, the old man crawled out of the hole with an agility unbelievable for his age.

Tino raised his left arm to his side and stepped forward as if to protect me.

'What kind of magic power ...... is this?

He's saying something, but I'm not paying attention.

What? What? A rabbit? Are you trying to make me laugh?'

I don't get it. I'm aware that it's rude to meet someone for the first time, but I think it's their fault too.

I don't know what to do. As I grimace in confusion, additional people in robes crawl up from their dens.
And not just one. They are young and old, male and female, and their desperate expressions are nothing but comedy.

'Mastaa'.

Tino calls out to me. Unlike me, who can't stop smiling, his expression is very serious.
A line of cold sweat trickles down the neat profile that gives me a cold impression. The air was scalding. He looks like he's about to jump on you.

What? Could it be ...... bad?

By the time I thought that, the group that had crawled out of the den was getting into position.

If you look closely, you'll see that these people--they look like mages. Robes and wands. Six in number.
It's hard to see in the darkness, but they're each holding a wand, and they're standing a few meters in front of me and Tino, as if to block our progress.

？？？？ I'm not sure what to say. What the hell is this situation?

I've never been in a real fight before, and I've never been in one. It's a weapon that's never been used in combat.

Everyone but me was on edge.

The leader of the group, an old mage who came out first, shouted as if in a rage. How did you know my two names?

...... I'm sorry that I laughed, but I don't think you should be that angry.

The old men took a step back as if pressured.

I don't know what it is, but in a situation like this, you should sincerely apologize. Even if it's not our fault.
I think hunters lack the skill to avoid conflict.

'Oh, I'm sorry. We were totally wrong. We weren't considerate enough. We didn't expect someone to come out of a nest of sandrabbits, so we were surprised.'

Look, if you apologize like this, they'll understand.

'! What are you talking about?



'...... No, because you wouldn't normally think that there'd be a bunch of people in this little den, would you? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to step on your--'

It's funny ...... that the old man's face (probably a SandRabbit researcher or something) is getting more and more distorted and red while he's apologizing. You can see it even in the dark, so he must be very angry.

'No, no, I wasn't mocking you. There's no law that says you can't go into the den. Yeah, I think it's a great job.

I'm asking you where you heard the name!

I can't ...... understand you. Well, that's what happens to highborn aristocrats.
I'm a small fry, but I'm level 8, so I've at least met some of the great nobles. I've been banned because of the rampage of the Lys. This old man may not be a noble, but judging from his appearance, he's probably upper class.

But what does his name mean?

I crossed my arms and observed the old man. Perhaps he was asking me about the conversation I had with Tino just now?
I gave him a gentle smile so as not to alarm him and said.

'You mean "Akasha"? That's what my friend at ...... told me. She's a very talented girl.

'What ...... is ......?

The old mage's eyes widened and he clenched his teeth tightly. Isn't that a strange reaction?

Hmmm ......, maybe it's because our ages are so different, but I can't tell what he's thinking at all.
I glanced behind me, but Tino remained defensive as well. Well, if a group of suspicious men suddenly appeared from the den, anyone would be prepared.

Could it be that these people are afraid of the golem and are on their guard?
It's a fine line, but I can't think of anything else. I point with my thumb to the back of the room where I can still hear the sound, and say in my best calm voice.

'Oh, it's okay. My friend will take care of that golem as soon as possible, so don't worry about it. If you want, you can go back to town until it's over. ......'

'......'

The old man's expression did not soften at all as I tried to calm him down. He's trembling with anger. His blood pressure is rising.

Could it be that I need to get down on my knees?
But the pride of the Kneeling Master will not allow me to get down on my knees when I don't know what I'm apologizing for. And the cute junior is watching.

When you're in trouble about what to do, suddenly something cold passes through your spine and you shiver involuntarily.
This is the feeling you get when you are confronted with a phantom or demon. It is none other than what is known as the will to kill.

...... I didn't mean to make you angry enough to kill me.

I'm not trying to offend you. What do you think you're doing?

There you are. Don't let your pride get in the way. Don't provoke my pride. .......
He replies, smiling to show his lack of hostility.

'I know, I know. You're in the Sand Rabbit den at this time of night--you're a famous Sand Rabbit researcher in the Imperial City, aren't you? ............ Actually, I was a fan. Sign me up.

'...... kill me, kill me, kill me, kill me!

'What?

The old mage raised his wand and shouted like a madman.

Was I too open?