The armor that Gotohara prepared for me is just too heavy. It's hard for the poorly separated Kyousuke to pull it. Even so, he managed to get into the labyrinth and carry it to his base. It's not that I don't want other students to see me combining with Rin, but I don't want them to see me combining with her too much. Well, this Rin also helps me carry it in the state of separation.

The only thing left to do is how to convince Ryuzaki........

　Ei muttered to himself.

　He was talking about making Ryuzaki become the leader of the class again. The strategy of having him lead Skeletor and Kyousuke (Black Knight) to demonstrate his power is not a bad one, but it is important to back talk with Ryuzaki. And currently, Ryuzaki is not in a state where he's willing to talk about such things.

''That's because Ryuzaki's guy hasn't been very energetic lately.
'You have eyes like a dead lizard...'
Call him a fish...

　With Goubayashi gone and his trust lost, Ryuzaki is living his life like the living dead. From Kyousuke's point of view, who has turned into the living dead, this analogy doesn't feel very good, but well, that's beside the point.
　I believe that Ryuzaki is the most appropriate person to organize the class. But in the end, it's useless unless he's willing to do it. How in the world do you propose to make him regain his confidence? Aside from mass psychology, it would be unfair to make Ei, who is unfamiliar with the minds of individuals, think about that.

''Kyousuke, you're probably thinking something terribly rude right now.
How do you know that?
Isn't that because you're a faggot?

　Eventually, well, after the usual exchange, Kyousuke and the others come to the front of the cafeteria. There's no one inside. Just as I was about to enter with relief, I heard laughter from behind Kyousuke and the others. I can't help but feel my whole body go rigid.

''Arre, it's Utsurogi!''

　The voice that was called was that of the griffon Washio. A jerk has found me, I think.

　Washio wasn't the only one there, there was Hakuba, Tentahara, and Koganei. The girls with them were Kikino (Kikimora) and Kumizaki (Arakune). Both are snuggled up to Koganei.
　Kyousuke is at a loss for words and Rin is having trouble dealing with them. Ei is the only one who ignores him and walks into the diner. He still has good nerve as always.

''Since you haven't shown your face lately, I thought you'd be dead long ago. Ah, but it's like you were dead from the start.

　The white horses cheered to match the giggling Washio. Kyousuke chased the noise out of his head and looked at Koganei.

　Koganei's eyes were cold as he looked at Kyousuke. Never mocking, just cold. There wasn't even any residue left in the cold gaze, the residue of the friendly words they had once exchanged. Kyousuke doesn't think that Koganei has changed. It's the relationship that has changed. The remnants of a friendship that had been cruelly rolled away.

'Utsurogi-sa.'

　Koganei finally opened his mouth there.

''You and Himemizu-san are now working together, aren't you?

　Rin jumped up and down, not expecting to be called by name, but she jumped up and down.

''Oh, so, what's wrong with that?''
No, I just think it's a good fit.

　A smile appears on Koganei's mouth. A smile peculiar to the absolute superiority of the winner. But it was too distorted and disgusting to be the winner's expression.

"That cute little Himemizu-san turned into a slime. I thought it was a shame, but, well, it suits Utsurogi. The class idol is going to end up like this,

　Washio and Hakuba stifled a laugh at his words. Rin had a small shrug. Even though she hadn't cared much about the transformation of her looks to begin with, this manner of speaking was too much.
　Kyousuke remembered Koganei looking at Himemizu Rin with admiration on the bus on the school trip.

　It's not that Koganei has changed. Nor has Rin changed. But.

Koganei, cancel that one.

　Kyousuke said, clenching his fists.

''Hey, what's up with that, Utsurogi? Don't tell me you really liked Himemizu-san?　Sorry, sorry, I didn't think it was that kind of hobby...
I said, "Take it back. Koganei!　Otherwise.....
Or else what?　You're going to hit me again?
Yeah, I'm gonna hit you again.

　He stared at Koganei clearly. The air gradually turns swift and swift, and Washio and Hakuba come forward. Koganei, still smiling with a goofy smile, tells them in a relaxed manner.

I'm so serious, you can't read the atmosphere, can you, Utsurogi? It's just a joke. It's a joke.
Your gags are boring.

　Suddenly, Koganei's expression changed. Kyousuke wasn't sure whether to say his next words or not until the end. But his clenched fists did not unclench. Determined, he stepped forward, brought his face close to Koganei's, and said

'Trying to look good and make people laugh will only make you cold. Koganei.
.........!

　It was Koganei's hand that went out first. A clenched fist struck vigorously and Kyousuke's skull ponied up. Rin caught it, so it was no problem, but then Washio and Hakuba attacked the poor Kyousuke's body, one after another. Skelton's body was dismembered again in a flash.
　Naturally, it was painful, but he managed to endure it. Kyousuke looked at Koganei, with only his skull protected by Rin.

'But, well, I liked your cold gag too.
What's that? You're making up for it now?　It's lame.

　Koganei kicked Kyousuke's dismembered bones and walked down the hallway. At the end of the corridor, Ryuzaki joins their group, an unexpected sight. Looking at that scene, Ryuzaki seemed to be at Koganei's beck and call; the image of Koganei, who had been taken to the back of the school building by a classmate delinquent in his first year, now overlapped with that Ryuzaki.

"I'll have to call you again, Gotta call you, Gotta call you again...

　Rin says something like that as she picks up Kyousuke's bones. Her voice doesn't have the usual cheerfulness in it.

'I'm sorry, Himemizu. I should have hit you at least once.''
No, it's fine. It's okay. You're angry for me, right?

　Rin says, gathering the bones she's picked up impatiently in one place.

It was a pleasure. Even though Koganei-kun is also a friend of Utsurogi-kun.
Yeah, and...

　Koganei really liked you, you know.

　Kyousuke was about to utter those words, and Kyousuke was pinched. What would those words mean now? Koganei looked down at the slime turned Rin and trampled on her heart with his spitting words. Koganei had liked Rin back in her human days.
　Himemizu Rin was just as Koganei had fallen in love with her, a cheerful and kind-hearted girl to everyone. There was nothing backwards or forwards about her. She may be a little outspoken and a little too nimble, but she was a straightforward girl, even with that.

　And that's what Koganei is.....

''And.......what?''
No, it's nothing.

　Kyousuke sighed and looked at his dismembered body.

'Utsurogi-kun, I'm so happy for you,'

　Rin said again.

'You called out to me when I was rotten for not being able to run, and you were angry for me like this. I'm very happy.
Oh, well...
"But I can't thank you for that.... I don't feel like I'm worthless...

　Her voice still felt heavier than usual. Kyousuke became worried.

''Himemizu........''
I've turned into a slime. I'd really like to express my happiness and my feelings more straightforwardly, but I can't do that either...

　Kyousuke dimly guesses the meaning of the word straightforwardly expressing his feelings. Maybe Koganei's words pierced Rin's heart more strongly than she thought they would. Or maybe it was something he had been worrying about, but hadn't really been trying to show it.
　Rin lost her legs and was unable to run. Not only that. Without her arms, she couldn't hold her hands, and without her body, she couldn't hug her. Even that sunny smile that was the symbol of Himemizu Rin can't be made now.

　The same is true for Kyousuke. Even if he is angry, even if he laughs, and surely, even if he cries. No emotions will ever emerge on this face. That's why I thought I could understand just some of Rin's feelings.

'It's fine.'

　When Kyousuke barely uttered that, Rin twitched and shook her body.

'I'm just happy to have Himemizu around. That's good enough for me.''
"Uh, yeah.... Thank you.........
Well, I guess it's not cool to say it in pieces.
No, it's not.

　Rin places a bit of the skull on top of Kyousuke's bones in one place. I can't wait to fix my body and become human. No, I want to be in human form.

'It's not like Himemizu hasn't been able to thank you for your help at all. You've been helping me. We need Himemizu's power to help Ryuzaki and everyone else in this class.
Oh, I knew it was you...

　Rin's words are filled with a bitter nuance.

''I'm sorry, did I say something weird?''
Hmm. Well, it's a mythical creature.

　Does the shaking and shaking mean shaking the headgear? Her voice finally regained its usual tone.

'Utsurogi-kun, you sound like a hero, don't you?'
Me?
'Yeah. He's an uncool hero, though, who would fall apart in a heartbeat if he got punched.

　I feel like Ei said the same thing to me when I was in kindergarten or high school.
　But I'm not that big of a deal. In the end, whatever I do is all about self-satisfaction. I hadn't done a single thing to earn praise.

"That's not what being a hero is all about.

　Rin said as she touched Kyousuke's skull.

'Utsurogi-kun is my hero because he saved me,'
'That's pretty embarrassing to be told straight out of the gate...'
Yeah?　Then make an embarrassed face.
I can't!

　They scream and then erupt either way.

　It's not just that both skeletons and slime are weak. They can no longer do the things we used to take for granted as humans. It's very frustrating and painful. I can't understand all of that, and I can't make up for it.
　All Kyousuke can do is tell Rin that she's helping him, and I'm sure she is too. That's still good for now.

'So, is it time to get going, you two?'

　Just as the atmosphere was about to become soft and soft, a cold voice broke in.

''Heeeeeeeeeee!　Here comes the righteous wife!
It's Ei, right?

　I am Ei. It is Ei Hino Ei. Rin's entire body bounced, and she slid back, crawling on the floor as it was.

''I'm sorry, I'm sorry!　If you're going to mess with Utsurogi-kun, you should have said a word to Hikano-kun!
What are you talking about, Himemizu?
Don't worry about it. I've already agreed to it. I have no intention of claiming ownership of Kyousuke.
Ei?

　Apparently, Ei was receiving food from Sugiura in the cafeteria when he heard the sound of trouble with Koganei and rushed over. Afterwards, Kyousuke and Rin were talking to him alone, so he checked on them. He's a strange man with a strange way of caring. Thanks to him, I thought my heart would stop. I don't have a heart, though.

''But that Koganei guy........ To treat Kyousuke like this........
Ah, Hino-kun's upset.
I'm not angry. I'm just very angry at Koganei's behavior towards Kyousuke.
You're mad at me...

　Ei has his whole body burning with fire all at once. He had lost his hands, feet, body and face, too, but did he ever have a hard time communicating anything to them, or did he ever find it hard? I've known him for a long time, but I'm not sure if he even feels frustrated about that.

You're probably not happy with Koganei's behavior, either, Kyosuke.
Well, I don't have room for my stomach, you know...
I'm serious about this.
Oh, um...

　Indeed, Koganei's actions were unremarkable. That's why I was thinking that I had to put Ryuzaki as the leader and bring the class together again.
　But, I think.

　But apart from that, it's true that I have a feeling that I can't forgive Koganei for his horrible words to Rin and Sakuma. The first time he tried to hit them, and this time, he tried to hit them again. And Kyousuke can't stand to be like that.
　Koganei is a friend. Regardless of how he feels about it now, Koganei is a friend to Kyousuke.

It's precisely because they're friends that I think I have to express my feelings.

　Perhaps sensing Kyousuke's feelings, Rin said clearly.

''Even if you had to punch him?''
'If you can do it without hitting me, that's best. But if I could do that, I'm sure someone else would have done it already.
Well....

　Now, that's when we're talking about it. I hear the sound of people clattering down the hallway. The footsteps don't belong to one or two people, but rather a startling scream that comes intermittently from here and there. Rin and Ei turned toward them, and since the dismembered Kyousuke didn't turn toward them, he asked Rin to shift his head.

　It's Goblin (Goblin) and Okumura (Orc). But that's not all.

''Are those........skeletons from the labyrinth......?''

　Some skeletons were following behind them.

''Whoa!　Utsurogi is falling apart again!

　Gotohara shouted when he spotted us.

I'm sorry, Gubunkawara, fix it again.
I'm on it, I've been here three times, I won't be ten minutes.

　When Kyousuke asked for it, he immediately began the assembly process. It was carried into the cafeteria to be done in the hallway, as it would get in the way.
　Okumura turns the skeletons he brought with him towards Kyousuke once again.

'Utsurugi, there's something wrong with the skeletons, Deb. Maybe we need to talk to Utsurogi, Deb.
The skeletons... for me?

　They understood the words that Kyousuke had uttered. Several skeletons nodded in unison, their chins clattering and trembling as they appealed to Kyousuke for something. If he had any facial muscles, his face would have gradually become grim as he struck a phase.

　The walls and ceiling of the connecting staircase leading from the eleventh basement floor to the tenth basement floor were destroyed.
　Perhaps it was the work of the King of the Dead (Wight King).

　When I said the facts as I had heard them, a tense atmosphere flowed through the place.

"The king of the dead........is it that thing that Sachan and the others came across before?

　Without loosening his work, Goshigawara said as he assembled Kyousuke's body.

'You broke the walls and ceiling of the staircase, does that mean you've extended the range of movement to ten underground floors?
'That's not all. Given the height and width of the staircase from the tenth basement to the upper levels, it's probably safe to assume that the area of activity has expanded all the way down to the fifth basement level.

　Nervousness is also evident in Rin and Ei's words.

　The area from the fifth to tenth basement floors is an important area for searching for food and items. Probably, even now, Koganei's group and any number of classmates are diving in groups. It would be good if they noticed the anomaly in the basement 10 floor as soon as possible, but if they discovered it too late....

"Hey, is that true?

　Sugiura, who was coming out of the kitchen, asked with an anxious look on his face.

''As I recall, Koganei-kun and the others are taking Tatsuzaki-kun to the tenth basement floor...''
.........!
Utsurugi, your upper body isn't even assembled yet. Don't move!

　Kyousuke is trying to stand up, but Goshigawara is controlling him.

All right. But I'll be there as soon as I get it fixed. Help me, Ei, Himemizu.
"Kyousuke, are you going to use your armor?

　There was an air of chiding in Ei's tone.

''I haven't even finished arguing with Ryuzaki. Even if you leave in this state, you won't be able to fulfill your original purpose. Besides, I don't know if the 《Trinity Full Cross》 will be able to get through to the King of the Dead Spirit.
Does that mean we can't just sit around?　Koganei and Ryuzaki could die!
''Aside from Ryuzaki, do we really need to care that much about Koganei?
Ei...!
'I'm telling you to break the habit of short-sightedness like that!

　When Kyousuke tries to protest by raising his finally fixed upper body, Ei scolds him from above.

''Already......... There's no point in the two of you fighting here........''

　Rin muttered, but the standoff between Kyousuke and Ei was still going on.

''Ah, um, I'll go then...''

　Such a voice comes from the entrance of the cafeteria, and everyone's gaze turns towards it again.
　There were three silhouettes standing there. They were all classmates, so they were all familiar faces, but the ones standing there were unexpected people. Especially the middle one. Silver hair, red eyes, two small horns and a thin piece of fabric that wrapped around their bountiful bodies. In their hands, they held a tray with empty dishes on it.

''Sakuma........''

　It's Satchan the succubus. He must have come to return the dishes.

'I'll go, Utsurogi-kun. I'll go talk to everyone who's hiding in the labyrinth and ask them to evacuate to the basement four floors and above.
Sakuma?　But....
It's fine. I want to help you too, Utsurogi-kun. Just like Himemizu-san and Hino-kun.

　Hearing those words, Gokugawara grinned and poked me with his elbow.

''Besides, I'm strong. Utsurogi-kun and the others will follow and call for everyone in the class to evacuate. Then it won't be dangerous, so it's good, right?

　Ei is pondering. Sure, it's a relatively safe plan, but even so, there's no telling what will happen if he runs into the King of the Dead Spirit. Even though he is dimly aware of his weakness to fire, he is probably still an opponent that Sakuma alone would not be able to compete with.

''It's dangerous to be alone,''

　When Kyousuke said that, Harui (Harpy) and Snakezuka (Lamia), who had been holding Sakuma's left and right sides, put their hands on her shoulders (Aruwa Tsubasa) very nimbly.

''It's good that we're going too,''
Well, I'm not that strong, but I can do Hinan Yudho.
Okay, I'll go with you, fatty.

　Saying that, Okumura stood up. You're not going to be able to get a good deal more than you'd like.

I'm a fat guy who knows a lot about the structure of the cave, since I've been hiding in the labyrinth with Gohkawara," he said. Utsurogi and the others can follow you and Gokugawara when you're done assembling, fatty. A good fatty?　Five-minute riverbed.
Yeah, I can smell you on the street. Don't overdo it.

　The two of them were apparently as good a pair as ever. Okumura was now a very ugly orc, and although the three girls flinched slightly when they were offered to accompany him, Sakuma immediately smiled and said, ''It's nice to meet you, Okumura-kun. Sakuma, who seems to be the least comfortable with men, was the first to greet them, and Harui and Snake mound reluctantly allowed Okumura to accompany them.
　It's true that Okumura is called the "juice actor duo" by those who don't talk, but according to Rin, Okumura is going out with the sister of Gokubugawara. He must be sincere to women, I thought.

'Sacchan........'

　Rin softly calls out to Sakuma as he returns the tray to the kitchen and is about to leave the dining room.

''Eh, what?''
Don't take it easy. Not only Utsurogi-kun, but everyone else is worried about you, too.
'Yeah..... Thank you.

　Sakuma smiled once more and ran down the hallway with Harui, Snakezuka, and Okumura in tow.

　Kyousuke, Rin, Ei, Ei, Gokugawara, and a few more skeletons are left in the dining room. Sugiura retreated to the kitchen at one point, and after another moment, he returned with the food on a tray.

''Everyone, make sure you eat properly. It's like they say, 'If you're hungry, what's the matter with you?

　After saying that much, Sugiura went back to the kitchen.

''Harui and Snakezuka are in good shape too. Those guys would have been talking behind Himemizu's back too.''
What, Ei, it's rare to see you get angry at someone.
I'm not angry with you. But Himemizu is your friend. I have a right to be outraged at anyone who disgraces your friend.
Can you stop thinking of everything according to my standards, please?

　Kyousuke muttered somewhat hysterically. Watching this, Rin carried the plate on the table to Kyousuke and said cheerfully, "I'm not worried about it.

''I don't mind, I don't mind!　Let's have dinner!

　She also handed out plates of stew to the skeletons, who stood dumbfounded as it was. They were a bit disconcerted, but when they saw that Kyousuke had started eating the stew with only his upper body, they followed suit. It seems that there is some kind of magical energy in this world's food, and by taking the action of the meal, Kyousuke and the others will take it. It's like an offering on a Buddhist altar.
　However, it's hard to clean up afterwards as the food falls directly to the floor.

　Goshigawara seems to be serious about assembling Kyousuke's body, and he'll eat the stew later.

'For now, we'll go after Ei, Sakuma and the others and evacuate everyone in the class. That's fine, right?
'Yeah. I'm not going to goof around here now. But no, I'm not going to engage the King of the Dead Spirit. There are too many uncertainties.
''But leaving the King of the Dead Spirit unattended means that you'll only be able to go to the fourth floor underground...''

　At Kyousuke's words, even the skeletons who were tasting the unknown taste of stew stopped moving.

　That's right, the expansion of the Dead Spirit King's sphere of activity has the result of greatly narrowing the living area of the creatures that had been widely distributed from the first basement floor to the tenth floor. The damage Kyousuke and the rest of the 2nd year and 4 classes are suffering from is also serious. They won't be able to hunt large monsters, and the class may once again have a widespread food problem.

''But, it's kind of nice, isn't it?

　Rin says as she lifts the plate of stew and absorbs its contents. He's trying to be as careful as possible not to eat it in a vulgar manner. Kyousuke nodded his head.

'Good, what?'
This is how people help me!

　Rin said cheerfully and set the plates down.

You, Okumura-kun and Sacchan. Aya-chan, Harui-san, and Jaezuka-san. And the skeletons, too. I thought, "Everyone helps me. I've said some terrible things about them, but I thought they were all much colder than that. Even if Utsurogi-kun and I were relegated to a corner of the class, no one said anything...

　That's what Kyousuke thought too.
　There was no bullying in this class at first, but it began to manifest itself after the trip to another world. Strong and weak, haves and have-nots. The gap between them widened, and some students like Washio (Gryphon) and Hakuba (Unicorn) resorted to violence against the weak, while others, like Kyousuke and Rin, were forced into a corner and had no choice but to stay put.

　In the midst of all that, no one tried to reach out to Kyousuke and the others.

'I can't be that kind to others. I don't know Utsurogi or Hino that well.

　Goshigawara said as he seriously reassembled Kyousuke's bones.

'But, well, I'll at least do something nice. We're classmates, you know. I can't risk my life to save you, but, well, I'm much happier to be alive than to have you die. Utsurogi.
Oh. Thank you, penultimate.

　Ei watched the exchange in silence. Kyousuke put down his empty plate and turned his gaze to that Ei.

''Ei. I'm........
I know. I know. You don't have to tell everyone. If you're going to do this, I'm not going to abandon my classmates.

　Gosh,'' quipped Rin, ''Why does Hino talk like he understands Utsurogi so well? I asked him, 'You know what, Hino-kun is a faggot,' and as expected, he replied, 'You know what? This is how hot rumors spread. Only in the fireball.

''But I only disagree with defeating the King of the Dead. Let me make this clear. We may have to defeat him one day in order to make this base safe, but still...''
Hey, Hino.

　Gofunawara interrupted Ei's words and said.

'What, Gofunawara?'
The armor that Okumura and I found for you, that's the armor that Utsurugi and Himemizu and you are going to use in combination, right?
''Ah, ah.... Since the King of the Dead Spirit is vulnerable to fire, I thought that amplifying my power with Kyousuke's bones would be a good countermeasure. But no matter how much it's amplified........
Okay. Let's put a little twist in it.

　Checking Kyousuke's body, which is gradually being assembled, Goshigawara grins.

　Somehow, I had a bit of a bad feeling about it.




''Order the blowing wind spirit to become a blade and cut through my enemies... 《Wind Cutter》!

　The spirit magic released by Koganei tore apart the pack of wild dog monsters (grave hounds) that tried to block his path. As they were about to scatter, Koganei launched a further chase at the greybehounds.

''Order the flaming fire spirit to become a hard bullet and destroy my enemies.

　Fireballs rushing in multiple directions landed on the grave hounds and the floor around them. Small explosions occurred intermittently, swallowing up even the screams of the monsters. The floor and walls were blown off and debris rolled away. Amidst the rising dust, a few grave hounds could be seen trying to escape, having shot out of the dust.
　A shadow leaps out from behind Koganei. They are Washio (Gryphon) and Hakuba (Unicorn). Furthermore, the tentacles of the Tentacle Hara (Roper) straightened out and restrained the Grave Hounds first.

''Whoa!''
Ooh-la-la-la!

　Washio used all of his legs and the white horse used his horns to toddle the remaining grave hounds. There must have been a dozen or so wild dogs at first, but in no time at all, their numbers were reduced to zero. Koganei dodged high fives with Washio and Tentahara, while Hakuba crossed his horns and arms gussied up.

''Great as always...''

　Kikino (Kikimora) muttered in admiration. Koganei smiled and said

''This much is a piece of cake. Even Kikino and Kumizaki will be able to do it in no time.
I don't know if I can.
I can do it. You guys have amazing muscles.

　The smile on Koganei Yoshiki's face, now an elf, was refreshing. Kikino and, as he continued to look at her, Spider Zaki immediately blushed.
　Currently, the fifth basement floor. At this level, it can be said that it's already almost an easy victory in terms of strength. An optimistic mood was in the air among Koganei and the others.

''.........''

　However, behind him, only Ryuzaki had a difficult look on his face.

''........Um, Koganei.

　He thinks for a moment, and then calls out to her in a reserved manner.

'Yeah, what?　Yeah, you can't do that Ryuzaki. He hasn't gotten much stronger after all that fighting.
Bu...

　Koganei told him simply, and Washio erupted as much as he could behind him. I could see that Hakuba and Tentahara were also holding back their laughter, though they didn't say it.
　But Ryuzaki shook his head.

''No, those wild dogs, was there something wrong with them?''
Funny?　Why?
'No, it's like he's scared of something.... Like he was running away from something.... That's what it looked like.

　Koganei snickers at Ryuzaki, who tells him with a serious face.

''What?　You want to show that you're good at risk management?　Well, Ryuzaki's credibility has been ruined by that thing the other day, you know.
'No... no, no, no. That one was definitely true, but it had nothing to do with that one...
"Yes, yes, yes, yes. Well, I'll be careful. But it's only the fifth floor.　What kind of monster would scare those dogs?

　The wild dog grave hound is basically the monster that exists at the top of the food chain in the vicinity of these five underground levels. Their only natural enemies are the monster students of Class 4 of the second year, who are hiding and exploring in the underground dungeons like this.
　When I point that out, Ryuzaki falls silent. Koganei shrugged his shoulders.

　I guess I shouldn't have brought him along after all. I can't help but think that.

　It's a good idea to bring them with you because of their sturdy bodies, so they're ideal for the shield role, and also, well, it's easier to have someone to tease, but, well, it's very cumbersome to handle when you see what you've brought with you. He would say unnecessary things, and every time he did, the tension would drop.

''Ryuzaki, if you're scared, you can go home, okay?
.........

　I say it as a tease, but Ryuzaki remains silent. He's not very flippant.

"Hey, hey, Koganei. Let's go without worrying about it!

　Kumozaki says that as he slides his body closer. Her ample bosom, though not as ample as Sasan (succubus), munches against her arm. Lately, she's been getting bolder towards us. Koganei feels much better and puts his hand around the waist of Spider Zaki.

''That's right - let's go!''

　Around me, Washio and Hakuba are vulgarly cheering me on. To say they are annoying is an understatement, but, well, it's not a bad feeling.

　I kick the corpses of the grave hounds lying in the aisle and try to move on. Just then, Koganei heard a strange earth-shaking sound.
　It's a huge, weighty footstep, zushin, zushin. Even SpiderZaki stopped dead in his tracks, and Washio and Hakuba looked anxiously at Koganei. The tremors were felt on the walls and ceiling, and sand fell with a flurry.

　A giant monster that could produce such footsteps doesn't exist on the fifth basement floor. Something is wrong.

''Koganei........''

　Kumozaki squeezes me with a clouded face. In the meantime, the sound of footsteps is definitely approaching.

What...?　What the hell. What the hell....
There's a guy around here who's this big...

　Washio and Hakuba suddenly revealed their dismay.

　At that moment, Koganei saw something that should not have been here.
　It appeared out of the shadows of the aisle. It is a thing with six arms and two demonic faces. It has a huge body that can reach the ceiling. When you recognize the existence of it, Koganei's whole body goes rigid.

''V-ooh-ooh.......''

　A vindictive voice echoes from the depths of hell. Total hair standing up. Why is this guy here?

　The King of the Dead (Wight King).
　It's the abominable existence that I encountered when I went to the eleventh basement floor before and knocked my classmates into the crucible of fear. Reaching 5 meters in length and holding a barbaric sword on each of its six arms, the deformity has somehow come to be known by everyone as the "King of the Dead".
　But it couldn't be here. The staircase connecting the eleventh and tenth underground floors was narrow, and it must not have been large enough for this King of the Dead Spirit to slip through. The range from the first floor where the base was located to the tenth floor underground should have been absolutely safe.

　Then what was that in front of them?

''This is Koganei!　Koganei, let's get out of here!

　Koganei finally huffed at the sound of Spider Zaki's voice tugging at his arm. Washio and Hakuba had already begun to flee. The King of the Dead Spirit turned his gaze to see if he noticed us, and he slowly approached us as it was.

　''Running away?　Yes, we must escape. I must escape.
　But also, Koganei thought. Sakuma (Succubus) and Kenzaki (Dullahan) were able to hold their own against this big bastard, and even more so, they were able to survive on their own. If the two of them could do it, they could do it on their own.
　Yes, we can do it. Yes, I can do it.

　I've become so much stronger than I was.

　I'm no longer the scrawny, bespectacled Yoshiki Koganei who was bullied and relegated to the corner at school.
　Koganei stood as if he was protecting Kumizaki, and began his spirit chanting as he glared at the King of the Dead Spirits.

''Not commanded by the burning fire spirit, it becomes a rigid bullet...''

　When he had uttered that much, the Dead Spirit King's gaze glared at Koganei.

'Oh....'

　Of the four eyes, one of them was crushed. The remaining three eyes stared at Koganei at the same time. At that moment, Koganei Yoshiki was convinced by instinct.

　He can't win against this guy.

　The fear that had sprouted up was hard to wipe out. Koganei had never made the effort to force it down and confront it. Scared of the strong, running away and waiting for the storm to pass. That's all Koganei has been doing repeatedly. Once his legs were down, he could no longer move.
　Not choosing to flee was literally a fatal mistake. The King of the Deadly Spirit was no longer in sight. Spider Zaki screamed in his ear. However, the six barbaric swords that were raised high were swung down in unison, aiming at the top of Koganei's head.