Kenzaki-san, are you okay?

　When they finally escape into the shadows, Sakuma Shoko (Succubus) says. Megumi Kenzaki (Dullahan) can't help but nod. Although, she had to re-hold it with her arms and move it back and forth, since she's basically holding it by her side from the neck up, though.

　It had been quite some time since Ryuzaki (Dragonoid) and Goubayashi (Ouga) had escaped with their classmates, and whether an hour or two or more had passed, Megumi Kenzaki didn't know.
　Facing that mighty monster head on would be tantamount to suicide. Sakuma also seemed to have decided that, and he was determined to stop him. To prevent his interest from turning to the student who had escaped, he would provoke him with a moderate attack. Of course, I escape firmly so that I won't be killed. He attacks again from a distance. While repeating this, Sakuma and Kenzaki have completely entered the depths of the labyrinth.

　The staircase leading from the 10th floor to the top was narrow and small. Since that monster wouldn't be able to head upwards, the objective has almost been accomplished.

''Now we just have to figure out how to get away........''

　Kenzaki let out a pained voice.

　Although it can be said that you have entered the depths of the building, this underground eleventh floor itself has a very simple structure and there is no element of getting lost. But on the contrary, that's why it's also a map where it's easy for monsters to find you. Even now, that giant in search of its prey is walking around, making the ground shake.

"All the way to the 10th floor from here to the stairs at once.... It's impossible, you know........
That's a tough one indeed. For all intents and purposes, that's a straight line of 500 meters.

　Despite saying so, Sakuma has not given up on coming back alive. His face has a firm flame of will in it. It's like a blazing fire.

　This girl was such a strong girl.
　Kenzaki thought as he looked at his classmate, whose figure had completely changed.

　Sakuma Shoko was not the girl who stood out in class by any means. She was more of a subdued, quiet, and not very assertive female student. She wore glasses, followed the school's strict rules, her skirt length was not glamorous, and she always seemed to be in the library reading a book.
　Kenzaki, too, had little contact with her other than the fact that he had changed classes in April and was sitting in front of her. They had never even exchanged a few words.

　Kenzaki had a bitter feeling about the fact that Sakuma had been openly pampered since Trip.

　It is true that she is strong. But what changed even more was her looks.
　Her previous plainness was completely different, with a bewitching face and sensational body line that would make every man a prisoner. And her outrageous clothes that don't even try to hide it. As a member of the public morals committee, I wanted to complain about the awful way she was dressed, but of course she was popular with men.
　However, that doesn't mean Sakuma himself was happy about such a change. At least, it didn't seem that way to Kenzaki.

　That's why he was growing distrustful of the male students who praised and belittled her changed appearance.

　The reclusive Sakuma is being sent out to explore the labyrinth, even though he doesn't want to. It was such a scene that Kenzaki could see. However, seeing her clearly voice her opinion and give instructions to Goubayashi when she was attacked by that large monster, Kenzaki turned the pity, protectiveness and bitterness he had for her into respect.

''Kenzaki-san.......what's wrong?''
No, I just thought Sakuma was a great guy.

　He rested for a while and regained his strength. Kenzaki slowly stood up.

'Does a position make a person grow? Or have you been unaware of such hidden powers of Sakuma all this time?''
''Yes......... I'm not a big deal........
'Don't be modest. Your decision to let Goubayash and the others go ahead over there, and your willingness to still think about getting out alive after that, is admirable. I support it.
'I want to get out of here alive not for such a noble cause and...'

　Sakuma said that, squirming a little shyly.
　Is there a guy you like? Although the boys in the class right now have completely turned into an extravagant demon world. By the looks of it, he must have had feelings for her for a long time. At any rate, I'll forgive her if it's not Koganei (High Elf). Not Koganei. That guy smells like the most dangerous in our class.

　Anyway, for now, we'll go back alive.

　Will Ryuzaki, Goubayashi and the others come back to rescue us? It's unlikely either way. That's why we have to get out of this place by our own strength.

''.........!　Kenzaki-san!

　Suddenly, Sakuma's expression turned grim. Kenzaki turned around, but he couldn't see his face because he was holding it at his side. Once again, he turns his whole body around.

　Two empty faces looking down at us. The barbarian swords held in their six arms moved separately, trembling with the joy of finding their prey. Sloppy drool dripped from their mouths with uneven fangs peeking out.

　It's that monster.

''d*mn, you found it...!

　Kenzaki drew his sword and retreated to protect Sakuma.

'Sakuma, hold my face.
Uh, yeah...

　Dullahan's body is really inconvenient. Even if you put your head on top of your neck, it immediately falls out of the polo, making it impossible to fight as much as you would like. It's enough to make me rethink the concept of vision from the very beginning. I still feel the lack of training.
　Sakuma provided me with magical cover fire from behind. If I retreated like this, I would be even further away from the stairs. But it's difficult to run to the stairs, slipping past the crotch or side of the monster in front of me, to get to the stairs. There is no choice but to retreat. That's when I was thinking about it.

''O-o-yaaahhhhh!''

　It rushed in like a bullet and slammed into the monster's side of the head.




　Time rewinds a bit.

　You will be able to keep the battle to a minimum and go underground, underground. Kyousuke had inserted the sword given to him by Skeleton into his back. To be exact, it was in the form of a sword inserted into Rin. She blurted out, ''Ew, the rust on the sword is sour...'', but since she didn't know how else to carry it, she had no choice but to ask him to gum it up.
　Aside from the skeleton I mentioned earlier, we hardly encountered any undead monsters. Kyousuke and Rin looked around curiously, then turned their gaze to the wisp running alongside them.

''........What's up, you two?''
No, I was wondering if, by some chance, it's because of Ei that we rarely encounter monsters.

　Creatures are inherently afraid of fire. In addition, it was common in fantasy games in the original world for undead monsters to have a weakness for the fire attribute. The possibility that the eerily glowing Ei's lights were keeping the monsters away could not be denied.

'Come to think of it, those skeletons from earlier also attacked me, but flinched at Hino-kun!
Oh, you're right, I do?
I didn't know we have compatibility in this world.

　The words that occasionally come out of Rin's mouth are subtly reminiscent of her extensive gaming experience. Even though she was the idol of her class, the ace of the track and field team, and the fastest top sprinter in the prefecture, does she still play games? Kyousuke's tastes in the games he plays didn't match Koganei's in a subtle way, so every time he heard those words from Rin, he tingled oddly.

　No, right now, anyway, it's Ei's Fire. The King of the Dead (Wight King) is also an undead. If you can intimidate the Dead Spirit King with Ei's power, then rescuing Sakuma (Succubus) and Kenzaki (Dullahan) should be a whole lot easier.

'Another possibility is the hidden ability...'

　Rin said in a carefree voice. Kyousuke nodded his head.

'Hidden abilities?'
'No, not in this case, I guess. 'Special characteristics?　Passive ability?

　The words echoed inside my head as I thought about it.

'Isn't each character set up with an ability to lower the encounter rate in dungeons, or an ability that makes it easier to find items?　Maybe Hino-kun's is it.
No way. You're going to be reincarnated as a monster and have that kind of ability on top of that?
'Maybe it's just a race characteristic of each monster!　Willowisp is going to be harder to encumber!

　It's too game-like in its conception. Of course, that may be what it means, but the "ability to make it harder to encumber" is the same as the aforementioned "creatures are afraid of fire". ""Isn't it something that can be put on game-wise, following the basic setup of 'undead monsters are vulnerable to fire'?

　Kyousuke was skeptical, but Ei was pondering something.

'Ei, do you believe that?'
No, I don't believe in Himemizu's nonsense.
Terrible.
'I've got a few things on my mind, too. It's just that it's a bit of a theory, so I'll just keep it quiet for now.

　In the meantime, they all run down the stairs from the 10th floor to the 11th floor.

''Kyousuke, Himemizu, I'm going to go ahead and tell you something.

　Ei's voice was full of tension.

'What?'
''The purpose of this time is only to bring Sakuma and Kenzaki back. Don't make any unnecessary attacks on the King of the Dead,

　Kyousuke let out a breath as he huffed and giggled. He didn't have the facial muscles to laugh, nor did he have the lungs to breathe, but Rin did her best to follow through on that.

'I know. We're not that bypassed either.''




O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-ooh!

　A light blue bullet landed on the side of the King of the Dead Spirit's head. It was clear from the reaction that it hadn't done much damage. It was a leaping kick with his full strength, though.

　The King of the Dead Spirit raises his six arms and attacks. Kyousuke and Rin land on the floor of the labyrinth with a kick to the head of the kick's plunging head. The more they look up, the bigger it is. Was it five meters long? It didn't ring a bell on the numbers, but when you see it in person, you realize it. Even if it was only 5 meters long, it was still this big.
　Something big and strong is terrifying. This is a fact that all living things instinctively feel. But we can't sit on our hands here.

"Utsurogi-kun...?

　When I turned my gaze towards the direction of the voice, there was Sakuma Shoko (Succubus), still dressed in clothes with a thin cloth area, looking at me with her hand on her (large) chest. And a headless knight (Dullahan) is standing there to protect her. This is Kenzaki. Thank God, both of us are safe.

''My God!''

　Rin shouted.

'The Tsurugin's head is gone!
That's a classic.
Oh, well...

　No, not from the original.

　Megumi Kenzaki's face is still held by Sakuma. Kenzaki stared at Kyousuke and Rin and muttered.

''........Rin, huh?''
"Hi, Tsurugin.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well. He doesn't even let me greet him.
　The next moment, a reprimand came out of Kenzaki's words that Sakuma held in his arms.

'You guys, what are you doing here!
What the hell.... We're gonna save them.
It's not about that!

　The headless knight's fingertips are pointed at Kyosuke and Rin.

"A man and a woman lay their skin on top of each other so intimately in public.............it's extremely shameful!
''Uh........as expected of a public officer.......''
I don't have any skin, and neither do you, Mr. Utsuroki.

　Even though I'm getting used to it by now, it's still spectacular because a woman is literally wrapped around a man's body. It would be a play that was almost impossible to achieve in human times. This is definitely not play, though. If I had to put it that way, I'd say it was something like a clownfish living inside a sea anemone.

"Mr. Utsurogi, you're talking about a symbiotic relationship. The sea anemone and hermit crab are mutually beneficial.
Hmm, well...

　I thought she was a carefree no-good weather girl, but Rin is knowledgeable in a strange way.

''However, Tsurugin, you're wrong! I'm just combining with Utsurogi-kun...
Combined?
'No, Kenzaki, when I say combine, it's not like Aquarion or Go-Dunner!　It's more like this, a wholesome, pristine amalgamation of gunbusters and Glenlagan and all that!
What the hell are you talking about?

　While they are having such an exchange, Kyousuke and Rin are desperately avoiding the attack of the King of the Dead Spirit. Sakuma is Sakuma, his face turns bright red, and while fidgeting desperately, ''But the combination...'' ''Utsurogi-kun and Himemizu-san...'' ''The combination...'' ...'' he muttered, etc. This seemed to be a very unfavorable trend.

　It was then that a small fireball was slammed into the King of the Dead Spirit from right beside him.

''Kyousuke e-----!

　Ei's voice was shaking with anger as it flew in a pitter-patter.

''You!　You're an idiot!　I did!　That's it!　You!　At all!
Oh, yeah. Sorry Ei....

　The Wisp's body could not be more swollen. This is the proof that it is quite crisp. Sakuma and Kenzaki, who should be at a much greater distance, are also biting back, as if they can feel the heat.
　The energy of anger also strengthened the flaming bullets, and the king of the dead spirits backed off a bit, as if he didn't like the flames. A pathway is cleared to a wide open passage, towards and through. Kyousuke immediately sent a signal to Sakuma and Kenzaki. The two nodded and ran straight through, just barely out of the way of the Dead Spirit King's attack.

''Kyousuke, you owe me this!
How many times do I owe you for that?
As of yesterday, 9,99822 of them!
'Wow, even if we've known each other since birth, 16 a day...'

　Rin seemed to calculate quickly, too. She was an honor student.

　However, there was no time for drinking and chatting soon. From here to the stairs, it's a wide passage both vertically and horizontally. There are few obstructions and it is the most suitable battlefield for the King of the Dead Spirit. Kyousuke and Rin ran after Sakuma and Kenzaki, but they felt the sound of footsteps like an earth shaking sound coming up right behind them, zushin, zushin.

''Utsurogi-kun!''
I know!

　In response to Rin's shout, Kyousuke stopped and turned around. Sakuma and Kenzaki were surprised.

''Utsurogi-kun!''
Rin, what are you...!

　I clenched my right fist tightly and found the density concentrated and the weight and hardness increased. We've discussed the cues to some extent. First of all, we're going to stop him in his tracks.

''Jump, Himemizu!
Oh!

　The bones of Kyousuke's legs reassemble in an inverted articulation, and the next moment he leaps higher. He also accelerates with a kick to the ceiling. A punch with his full strength is seen to his face.

'O-o-yah!'

　But there was no challenge: two faces, four hollowed-out eye sockets, with the eerie eyes housed in them, turned toward us all at once.

''Now!''

　At Kyousuke's signal, Rin drew the sword from her back. It wasn't Kyousuke's arm. It was her own arm, growing from just around her shoulder. The third arm, which suddenly arose, swung the sword at will and thrust it into one of the four eyes.

''Voooooooooo...!

　It was the first time the King of the Dead Spirit let out a sound of anguish. At the same time, Ei covered him with a fireball, while Kyousuke and Rin got away from him. The shape of the leg bones had been reassembled back to the source before long.

''Utsurogi-kun!　Himemizu-san!
Get out of here, both of you, now!

　Kyousuke shouts as he inches back. The damage is passing through to the King of the Dead Spirit, albeit only slightly. Now, while he's scared, he has no choice but to run through. As it is, he turns towards the girls and moves his feet. Ei soon followed.
　We're almost there. The stairs are visibly approaching. If I can make it up there.

　That's when I thought it was a good idea.

"Utsurogi-kun, look out!

　Suddenly, a voice resounded, screaming directly at the inside of his head.

　Immediately after, Kyousuke's body was pushed away. The semi-liquid flesh that covered his bony body was stripped away in one fell swoop. For a moment, he didn't know what happened, followed by comprehension catching up with him. From Rin's side, she was forced to release the combination. Then, the slime girlfriend pushed Kyousuke from the back side.

　A thumping impact shook Kyousuke's body from behind. I fell to the floor of the labyrinth and looked behind me.

''Himemizu........!

　The barbaric sword of the King of the Dead Spirit was buried in the place where Kyousuke and the others had been a moment ago. The floor was smashed, debris was scattered and a cloud of dust was raised. There was no reply from Hime-Sui Rin. When the King of the Dead Spirit raised his sword, he could see Rin slumped on the floor.

　As a slime, Rin was resistant to physical attacks. On the other hand, Kyousuke, made of bone body, is vulnerable to impact.
　Rin protected Kyousuke. He said that if he received the sword by himself alone, he would not die. But no matter how strong the body is against physical damage, there are sensations. As long as there are sensations, there is also pain. There is also the ability to shut out consciousness, to shelter the mind from the intense pain that has passed. Rin had clearly fainted.

''Ri, Rin...!

　I found Kenzaki shouting behind me. It's a familiar name. Rin was a track and field athlete and Kenzaki was a kendo player, both of which must have been close friends as the ace of the athletic club. Sakuma, too, is holding his breath.

　The distance to the stairs is not much more. If you run, you can make it. But we can't do that.
　No matter how physically strong Rin's body is, it doesn't necessarily mean that the King of the Dead Spirit uses that as his only means of attack.

　Skeletons said. The undead monsters eat magic and feed on it, they said. If it was the monster's unique magical power that kept Rin's body intact. If left untreated, she would be absorbed by the life energy and die.

''Evil Flame's Evil Claw (Evil Flare)!

　Immediately after, black flames blew from behind Kyousuke to the King of the Dead Spirit. It was Sakuma.

　She had probably been fighting for several hours since she went underground until now, and her expression was filled with fatigue. However, Sakuma had a strong will in both of her eyes as she stared at the King of the Dead Spirit. It wasn't just Sakuma. Kenzaki also sashayed out and rushed to Rin's side.
　The King of the Dead Spirit is slightly frightened as he is showered with flames, a weakness. In the meantime, Kenzaki called out to Rin.

''Rin, get a grip!　Rin!
Uh, Tsurugin...?
Let's get the hell out of here. Shoulder... or not, I can't give you that...
"Eh, heh......... Thank you.........

　Rin begins to crawl across the floor in a sly manner. But he's slow on his feet. Kyousuke must lend his body to her. With that in mind, as Kyousuke was about to run out, Ei stopped him from behind.

'It's like going to die, Kyousuke.

　His voice is cold and quiet.

''The skeleton's movements are slow, if not as slow as the slime. If you jump into the reach of the Reaper King, you'll be torn apart in an instant.''
So you want me to shut up and watch?

　I resent myself for only being able to say such mundane words.
　In the meantime, Sakuma supports her from behind with a magical attack. Kenzaki follows Rin and moves slowly to protect her. As long as they continue to watch, the two of them can move safely as long as Sakuma's magical attack continues. If they can reach Kyousuke in the meantime and combine once more to escape, that's fine.

　But Sakuma and Kenzaki are both quite tired. They could collapse at any time.

''Kyousuke, do you remember what I said on the way here?''

　Ei said, still in a calm voice.

''Ei's...?''
You said you had a theory. You can run that demonstration now if you want.

　Was it a monster's inherent ability, or something related to it? From Ei's words, it seems to be something that could break the current situation. Before Kyousuke could answer, Ei continued further.

'Only, if my hypothesis is wrong, you could die.
What about Ei?
I'm fine. I'm probably all right.
Let's do it.
That's what I thought you would say.

　When Kyousuke nods without a one or two, Ei gives a dumbfounded sound.

''Oh well. Kyousuke, you owe me this one too.

　Immediately after saying that, Ei's body jumped towards Kyousuke.

　What, I wondered, the moment I thought about it, I felt a burning, intense pain in Kyousuke's body. Just recently, he had experienced a similar sensation. It was the first time he and Rin had merged together. I remember that time, I remember feeling a tightening pressure all over my body.
　But this time, just like that time, the pain quickly receded. Instead, a new body was being composed, wrapping around Kyousuke's body.

　No, this.

　Flames.

　As if Rin's slime body had become Kyousuke's body, burning flames clung to his arms, to his legs, and of course to his chest and stomach. Flames that flare up from his entire body. A skeletal demon wearing flames. The current figure of Kyousuke is just that. If you clench your fist, the flames rise strongly. As if to reflect my emotions, the firepower increases in momentum. The fire that erupted from the back of his ribs was like the wings of a phoenix or even a crimson scarf.

　If the combination with Rin was a human being preyed upon by slime, this was like a human being burned to death by the flames.

''Is there a better analogy, Kyousuke?''

　There was a voice from Ei that seemed to echo in his head.

'Oh well. The hypothesis has been proven.'
'Ei, this is........'
You're a force to be reckoned with.

　Ei tells a puzzled Kyousuke clearly.

''I've always wondered. The Himemizu merged with you is clearly moving beyond her conventional potential. It's so much more than simply saying that you're a prop and relieving her of her burden. In other words, I don't know if it's the ability of the individual you, or the ability of the skeleton race, but...
Do you want to amplify the power of the combined monster or something like that?
So that's it. Anyway, it's a great monster to synthesize.

　That analogy is generally a terrible one, though.

　Seeing the flames burning from Kyousuke's entire body, the King of the Dead Spirit clearly flinched. After all, his weakness is fire.
　This would work. Kyousuke began to walk leisurely. With every step he took and every step he took on the floor, the fire sparks scattered.

　It wasn't just the King of the Dead Spirits who was surprised. Rin, Sakuma, and Kenzaki were all stunned by the phenomenon that occurred in front of their uniformed eyes. It's not unreasonable. Even Kyousuke, the party in question, was also. They were surprised to this extent.

''Amazing...!　Utsurogi-kun, that's so cool!

　Rin was getting excited.

'Impure heteros*xual intercourse is... no, impure homos*xual intercourse...!　How it was in the school rules!

　Kenzaki was puzzled.

''Combination...!　Utsurogi-kun and Hikino-kun... combined!

　Sakuma was getting crazy excited for some reason.

'I feel like you're imagining things very out of character, but oh well.

　Ei said in a cold tone.

'Kyousuke, I'll leave all the action to you. Don't even think about trying to beat them. We have to buy ourselves some time until Himemizu, Kenzaki, and Sakuma escape to the tenth floor.
''I understand. Unlike with the Princess Water, your body looks fragile!

　I gripped my right hand firmly, and the fire in my fist burned even stronger.

　This fire is slammed into the king of the dead as hard as possible. As Kyousuke kicked the floor, the flames acted as a booster and accelerated his body at once.