The Adventurer's Autonomous Territory of Zernaeus was crammed with a wide variety of races. Some were white skinned, some were black, some were tall, some were short, some had pointed ears, and some were not. In the midst of it all, there were a few skazelids (lizardmen), half-fishmen (merman), cats (warcat), and rabbits (warrabbit).
　Since it is a city of adventurers, there are many stalls selling weapons, armor, and miscellaneous adventure goods. Some of the more respectable ones have large stores. Inugami Hibiki and Himemizu Rin were walking through each of these shops, looking at them curiously and sullenly.

　Inugami has lost his sailor suit, so he now borrows the adventurers' clothes. It's a costume that fits this world perfectly, so he doesn't feel any different. The slime stuck around his arms and shoulders caught people's attention slightly, but it's also a line that is passed off as a kind of strange pet.

'These things are fun to look at, though,'

　Rin said.

'I don't have the money to buy one, you know.
Yeah.

　This is Inugami's somewhat blunt reply.

　This Inugami is known as the most delinquent girl in her class. Basically, she doesn't have any real friends, as she has a bad look in her eyes, glaring and threatening someone whenever she sees an opening. Still, Rin has a memory of biting back quite a bit when she was a human. She'd actively get involved when forming pairs in gym, for example.
　I thought she had a lone wolf temperament, but I didn't think she was really a werewolf. If you think about it, it's not as if he was eating a desperately meat-intensive diet.

''Hibiki-chan, are you looking for something?''
Huh?
Because I was trying to get away from them all by myself.
It's not like that. I'm just not good at group dynamics.
You're a wolf.

　There's a term for a lone wolf, and in fact that's symbolic of a dog god, but in reality, wolves are social animals. It's extremely difficult for them to live long enough away from a group. In fact, many times the Inugami have nearly died prematurely because of their preoccupation with behavior.

'You don't mind, do you? You don't have to be with Utsurogi.
'I don't think that's the argument of someone who pulled it off on their own...'

　Rin stretched out with her body stretched woozily, still attached to Inugami's shoulder.

'Well, I guess it's good. It's certainly safer to be with them all the time, though. It's not like either of us want to be stuck together all the time,
Hmm.

　Inugami's reply was still curt. This is even though I waved it off myself.
　As I walked for a while, I heard various information from adventurers passing by on the road.

　I heard that the Dai-Rad Kingdom in the eastern part of the continent was showing some disturbances recently.
　I heard that one of the Five Divine Stars was visiting Zelneus.
　It's said that the Dial Knights of the Imperial Clockworkers are pursuing the adventurers.

　While listening to the story, Rin suddenly had a thought.

It's a good idea to have a good time. I wonder how she's doing.

　Her Royal Highness Serenade Le Grandeldoe, Princess of the Knight's Kingdom of Grandeldoe, was the first person the students of Year 2 and 4 met. She and the people of her hometown helped her a lot.
　The Knight's Kingdom is located on the west side of the continent, at the westernmost end of the Human Survival Circle. In contrast, this adventurer's autonomous territory, Zelneus, is on the east side of the continent. Since they are located almost opposite to each other, it's not easy to go to meet them. It would be a different story if I could inform them of our situation.

"He can read Japanese, can't he?

　Inugami muttered as he looked at the potions and other items on the stalls.

''If Ryuzaki's letters are being scattered around the world, you'll see them...''
Oh, I see. So you can see why we're all trying to get to Verneus.

　Serenade, whose father is Japanese, moved to this world nearly twenty years ago and settled here. It's an otherworldly success story, just like a manga or novel. The Queen was also a beautiful woman. Her father was said to be busy with his work and flying all over the continent, so perhaps she would be able to meet him over there more quickly than expected.

"Hey, there's a "nameless" over in the big square!

　As I walked, I saw one of the adventurers talking to another adventurer who seemed to have a familiar face, with a slightly excited look on his face.

''Really?　That "no-name"?
What are you doing in the square?　A duel?
'Yes, yes!　They say they're going to fight some skeleton!
With Skelton?　Isn't that a no-win situation?

　Inugami and Rin couldn't help but look at each other when they heard the story.




　A crowd was quickly forming in the large square. Inugami had been trying desperately to push his way in for a while, but the backs of the mitch-packed men didn't move and smelled like sweat, so he quickly sat down in a sullen mood. Rin, being the slime she is, dexterously slipped between their legs and moved to the front row of the gallery.
　There was one man sitting on the fountain in the central plaza, his arms crossed. Dressed in black, the figure waiting with his eyes closed looks like something out of a jump manga.

Ah, Himemizu-san.

　When I turned my eyes to the faint voice, I saw a boy with a bobbed hairdo standing there with a soft smile on his face and a kemari in his hand.
　It's Ozajiro Do-suke. Beside him is Yukinoshita Ryouka, as well as Rain, who took them to the association branch.

''Yoo-hoo, guys. Were you able to register as an adventurer?
Yeah. And I got a card. Call it the Adventurer's Card.

　The card Ozaji showed was a gold-trimmed card, about the size of a driver's license.

''Our card is gold-rated, so it's about the same as Lesbon-san and the others.

　Saying that, when Gozaji touched the card, his name, rank, and achievements as an adventurer came up like a holograph. This adventurer registration card was said to be a crystal of magic science and technology held by the Adventurer's Association, but it was actually a great thing.

''Hmm. Oh, it has levels and statuses written on it. I wonder how they're quantifying this...''
I don't know. I don't know. I don't know if it's possible to measure intellect and spirit in numbers, but it's like...

　As I scrolled through the data, there was something called a list of skills further down the line.
　It's 《Anxiety Blocking》, 《Kicking Enhancement》. Although there is a long list of things that look like that, it still doesn't quite ring true for Rin. However, it has a different coloration than the other skills, and seeing that it is written as a phase 2 ability of Gozashiki's "Fortune Inviting", it's not a guessing game, it must be something that has a good basis and has been datatized.

My card also says "Imaginary Reversal" in a different color than the others.

　Snowflake also showed me his card. It's certainly true to the word. However, I wondered about the fact that among the list of skills, there was 《emotional instability》.

''So?　Who is that nameless man fighting?
From what I've heard, they're probably going to fight a molehill.

　Rain, who had been silent until then, replies quietly.

'That's also why.'
I don't know.

　The natural question is briskly dismissed.

'I don't know, but the nameless man from the echo-wolf planet is a man who finds value in battle. Maybe Utsurogi was the one who saw it coming.

　Rain's eyes, as she says this, have a glint of anticipation and envy in them.
　She too, as a mere adventurer, probably looks up to the Nameless. She may feel jealous of Kyousuke who was given the honor of fighting him, but as Rin, she's not in the mood for it. In general, fighting such a strong-looking person all by himself is nothing short of messed up.

''It's okay, Himemizu-san.''

　Snowflake said, clenching his fists gingerly.

'At all times, hard work and grit. And gumption. It's not such a sweet world that you can get by with those things, though!　Well, if you're not good enough, you'll just have to make up for it somehow in that area!　At any rate, he's got all the hard work, guts and spunk in the world!　Well, I don't think that would help!
Yukinonon, as usual, talks about things that are incomprehensible...

　Which part was okay, Rin thought.

　It wasn't long after that that the crowd cracked open and a single skeleton was revealed.




''Oooh, ouch...''

　Karasuma cried out as he wrapped his cracked beak in a bandage.

'Hakuba, heal me up........'
I've healed your wounds. My magic isn't limitless.

　Karasuma did a chimpiramove with the force of a drink, and he took a painful spanking. It was a big deal, or maybe it transcended those dimensions, since he launched it high into the sky with a single deco pin, but anyway, he knew that nameless man was a horrible man.
　Nevertheless, it's said that he won't even take a life, so it's easy to take it easy. Kyousuke grasped and opened his own right hand to check the feel of it.

　The battle in the new continent, the use of the power of the royal strip sealed in this left arm, was about 15 minutes by feel.

　If he used it for more than an hour in total, his body would be in danger of collapsing.

　Those were the words of the one man who had helped me at that time. Kyousuke was certain that it was Koganei Yoshiki.
　That Koganei's advice couldn't be disregarded. Even if he could use it here, it would be five minutes at most.

　In fact, if we can hold out for five minutes, it's a big deal, Lesbon said. If it drags on, we'll have to give in from here. The nameless may be entertaining, but that's the line of maximum concessions we can make.

　Passing through the cracked crowd, Kyousuke walks out into the main square. A nameless person sitting on the fountain glanced at us.

　A moment later, oh, a cracking cheer echoes through the Adventurer's Autonomous Domain Zelneus.

''It's true. It really is a skeleton.''
You okay?　You look weak.
I could win this one too, couldn't I?
Only the left arm is out of shape. Is it a mutant?

　And so on. The self-serving impressions of the onlookers can be heard, even if they don't want to.

"There you are. I'm glad you're coming on board.

　The nameless voice that doesn't sound the least bit happy says, but judging by the sparkle of life in his dead eyes, I'm sure he's not lying.

'Good luck, Utsurogy!'
If you lose, I don't care!

　Don't be reckless, Kyousuke thought.

　He came to the front of the fountain and faced off against Nameless.

'The odds are either one of us will faint, or I'll declare my surrender... is this too much in my favor?
'I'm not trying to get you to put a handicap on me. ...I'd like to say that, but there are conditions if we win, and, well, I'd be happy if you could loosen up something.
Well, you're gonna have to let my hat fly.

　It's a common pattern. It's just like a manga, Kyousuke thought.
　The inhabitants of this world live in exactly the same world as in the manga. I'm a bit jealous.

I've already passed the association's application for a duel here. I've promised to pay for the damage done to those around me, so go ahead and do it to your heart's content.

　As he said this, the nameless man remained seated and did not appear to draw his sword.
　But this man crossed his arms and then waveringly looked up and smiled like this.

'Come on then.'
Well, uh...

　Come on, I'm not going to tell you.
　Kyousuke is puzzled. It looks like the other party hasn't even taken a stance yet.

'I don't care, Utsurogi!　Get it done!

　A white horse yapped at me from behind.

''Hiyahaha!　You have no idea how much you've sucked up to me!　Yeah, let's go ahead and punch him in the face!

　Karasuma's character is still blurred by the alcohol.

'Oh dear, Skelton!'
If a nobody draws a sword, there's no chance of winning!
Let's get a blowjob!

　Even the onlookers around him groaned as well. Kyousuke sighed. Sighing, he takes a Jeet Kune Do stance. When he put his magic power into his left arm, he felt a sensation as if his heart was pulsating in a way that was not there. An eerie red vein of magic is lit on the bone, and a black flame like a scythe is spun out at the tip of the finger, the evil flame's deadly claw.
　The moment I witnessed it, I realized that the onlookers, who had been making a lot of noise until then, became quiet for a moment.

　Kyousuke kicked up the stone pavement of the square as it was. He slammed the evil flame's deadly claw that lit at the end of his arm at Nameless!

.........!

　Immediately after, the nameless eyes flashed. A dull shock returned to Kyousuke's entire body.
　It felt like the world was flipping upside down, and then he realized that Nameless was a long way away. It was then that Kyousuke finally realized that he was slumped against the wall of a building not far from the square.

　Nameless is still sitting on the fountain, looking at you with his arms crossed.

　I didn't know what he had done to me. Kyousuke managed to pull his body out of the wall and landed on the cobblestones of the plaza. There was a murmur among the onlookers.

''I, what did you just do...?''
I didn't see...

　As a skeleton, Kyousuke's body felt no pain. As soon as he landed on the ground, he was able to move again.

''(It's just like the comic book world, after all)'

　It's a little late for that now, Kyousuke thinks.

　Perhaps the nameless man slammed a quick counterattack from a crossed-arm stance, blowing Kyousuke's body away and then crossing his arms again. His eyes, which had previously been full of anticipation, took on a somewhat bored color.

''Well ... was it a bit of a misguided expectation?''
.........

　Kyousuke is miffed. He offered to play the game on his own accord, and there's no chance of that happening.

　Once again sprouting the evil flame's deadly claws from his left arm, this time from a distance, he spied on the nameless's movements. First of all, at least determine the behavior of the opponent.

''Evil Flare!

　With Kyousuke's cry, a claw of flame shot out of the demon's arm bone. The cutter-shaped flame flew straight at Nameless. With his arms crossed, Nameless pulled it to the very edge, and immediately after.

　Immediately afterwards, I managed to keep the arm in my sight until the moment it disappeared. But once you see that much, the flaming claws that flew at Nameless disappear, leaving only a "bang" sound in each of them. I can't understand anything except that the nameless one probably used his bare hands or pulled out his sword and flicked it.

　I can't see any movement.

　It was a different dimension of strength that Kyousuke still hadn't felt before.
　There were five people like this in the Adventurer's Guild alone, and twelve in the Empire? And does the blood family intend to have the strength to cross over to them? Just thinking about it almost paralyzes my thoughts for a moment.
　The momentary gap that arose there was fatal.

　The next thing you know, the nameless figure is right in front of you. What Kyousuke was able to recognize was what had happened up to that moment of "imminent". The next moment, Kyousuke's body was rolling around on the stone pavement.

''I guess I was wrong after all. Let me apologize.

　The Nameless slowly approaches Kyousuke, flapping his coat.

''Even though you possess a king piece, does that mean you can't draw out even half of your power in an unfit state? The demon's royal fragment must be possessed by the demon royal family, after all...''

　I could see the onlookers around me buzzing at his words. There was no need to listen to them. "The word, 'king piece', provoked them.

'In lieu of an apology, next time I'll knock you unconscious with a single blow. I won't take your life, as I promised.

　While saying that, Nameless doesn't even show any signs of drawing his sword. There is no need for it. He doesn't even need to draw his sword to defeat Kyousuke. In fact, he's overwhelmed Kyousuke with just his bare hands and empty fists.
　Still, in order to somehow find a way to fight back, Kyousuke stood up.

''Kyousuke-kun!

　Huh. It's Rin's voice. If you look, there was Himemizu Rin, asserting herself while puffing out her body to the fullest. The adventurers around her were surprised by the talking slime and turned their strange gazes at us and alternately. Well, a talking skeleton is indeed rare.

''Kyousuke-kun, are you okay!　Do you want me to come with you?
Well....

　How about that. Kyousuke looks at Nameless, thinking. Nameless is still slowly, as usual, closing in on us.
　There doesn't seem to be time to ask the question of whether two-on-one is allowed. It doesn't seem to be, but Kyousuke nods.

　That seemed like a better thing to do than to get licked like this and lose without doing anything.

'Ah!　Come on, Rin!
Yes!

　Immediately afterwards, Himemizu Rin was ejected in the form of a kicking ball from the Gozashiki. Rin's body collided with Kyousuke's, and slime covered her entire body as it wrapped around her bones. I could see the onlookers buzzing. The "Nameless" who had been walking up to him with bored eyes could see his eyes widen slightly.
　Kyousuke's mind geared up with dignity as he stood up. The wind whipped up and fused at the cellular molecular and spirit child level, building a single body with two people.

''Eeeeeekstryyyyyyyyyyyy!

　Their voices overlapped. In the wind, Soraki Kyousuke and Himemizu Rin's bodies become one.

　The true value of Phase 3 "Complete Fusion", Extreme Cross. This is the end of the union that has already been built up many times. There isn't even the slightest hesitation. It's not a good idea to have a good time with them. It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　But this is indeed a violation of the rules. Wasn't it very popular? I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

''I see.''

　The dust from the wind is slowly clearing.

So that's your "seriousness."
Huh...!

　I felt a response. But that fist never caught the vital point of "Nameless".
　It's not just a matter of time before you're going to be able to get your hands on it.

'I guess I wasn't expecting that. It was only one shot, but it was a good one.'
The next one will be heavier...
No, not next time.

　The nameless man said and paid off Kyousuke's arm. I could see him reach for the hilt at his waist for a moment.
　Kyousuke and Rin liquefy their bodies and prepare for the slash. They see the flash of Nameless's sword and

　Then, Kyousuke lost consciousness.




''........Haha!

　When he woke up, he found himself on a bed. Kyousuke was lying on the soft, fluffy bed that was awfully comfortable to sleep in.

'You're awake,'

　When I raised my head, the first thing I heard was Lesbong's voice.

"Good morning, Utsurogi-kun.
You lost pretty ugly.
I knew spunk wouldn't do it!

　I looked around, but it was still a room I didn't recognize.
　Apparently it was a room in an inn. It seemed to be a spacious room, albeit a bit pricey, where accompanied by demons were allowed. Kyousuke held his head and nodded disappointedly.

　I knew I had lost.

　It was supposed to be one on one, and he even broke it up into an extreme cross, but he lost in an instant.
　It was hapless. There was a strange uncomfortable feeling in Kyousuke's chest.

''Well, it's a good thing that Nameless was pretty satisfied at the end, too.

　The white horse nodded as Lesbon followed him as he tried to follow up.

''That's right. According to the other adventurers, it's not often that a nameless person pulls a sword out of the air.''
That sounds like a cartoon too...

　Kyousuke was in a bitter mood, and there, he suddenly looked up as if he remembered.

''That's right, the sword.... It was a sword, wasn't it? That man's weapon.''
'Ah, Nameless is a swordsman. They say he's the strongest swordsman on the continent when it comes to sword handling.

　Extreme Cross has the ability to liquefy. It shouldn't be able to deliver an effective strike with physical means of attack, such as a sword, spear, or even bare hands. In that sense, it was somewhat of a cheat, but that nameless person didn't even bother with such a cheat and easily defeated Kyousuke and the others.

''........How did me and Rin lose?''
What do you mean, you're not gonna...

　Karasuma leaned forward and opened his beak.

"...how did you do that?

　Apparently, he hadn't sobered up.

He was cut in half.

　Ozashiki Do-suke says in a calm voice.

''After being cut in half, it felt like the upper half of my body went back to Utsurogi-kun and the lower half to Himemizu-san. Utsurogi-kun was torn apart, so we all reconnected him later.
Oh, well. You've gone to a lot of trouble.

　There is a wooden bucket by her bedside, and Rin is in a state of "gudgeoning" in it. It seems that she has not yet regained consciousness.

　The body is cut in half and then separated from the body and put back together. Is such a feat possible? Is this purely the result of mastery of swordsmanship, or is it more of a different ability? That much is unclear. But one thing I can say is that one of the advantages of Extreme Cross - its "overwhelming advantage over physical attacks" - has been proven to be far from perfect.
　It was a fortuitous thing that he had been able to learn this in a duel that didn't involve the exchange of lives, rather than a real battle.

　Perhaps the Five Divine Stars, or even the Imperial Clockboard Alliance (Dial Knights) class, could handle such techniques.
　And a higher species of bloodline. Even Luke and Beni (Queen) would definitely be considered to have gained power on par with them.

''Power inflation, right?''

　The white horse said meekly.

'Yeah, but we have to keep up with inflation,'

　We still need to get stronger.

"By the way, Mr. Utsurogi.
What is it, Snowdonia?

　The snow woman, Snowman, had some papers in hand.

''I've been mending some quests because I need to earn some road silver.
Hmm, yeah. You mean the requests adventurers take on.
There are a few things, like gathering herbs and killing hornbills.
I miss the horn rabbit so much...

　Wasn't the hare the first thing you ate when you first transitioned to this world?

''So, well, I think this is a good place to start for us to convert our abilities and our actual income.

　Saying that, Yukinoshita held out a sheet of paper written about the quest.
　But since it was written in our language, Kyousuke couldn't read it. Instead, Lesbons peeked in.

''The place is on the western road? That's the road leading to the Zelga Gladiatorial Principality.''
Yeah. According to that nameless person, Goubayashi and his friends are over there, right?　If we're heading for Verneus, we should be going east by the road, and I thought maybe we'd get lucky and see you.
Okay. So, what's the mission?

　When Kyousuke asked Lesvon, he replied, with a somewhat difficult look on his face.

'Defeating the behemoth mutant individuals, I guess.