With Wraith-kun, Fran-san, and the third-ranked Helvall Party, it's not that difficult to get out of the sinking sandy land.
　This isn't a trap that will lead to an immediate exit, it's a stall for time.

　If they are on their own, they can buy a good amount of time, or a few seconds if they use magic. That's enough.
　Helu-san grabbed the arms and shoulders of her nearby companions and lightly tossed them to help her.
　If he could block the brave man, who was an extremely powerful pawn, for a few seconds, it was the best result for a trap.
　But--

''Fran.''

Yes.

　Instant decision.
　It seems that just by exchanging glances, they have communicated with each other.

　When I thought Fran-san's cloak was softly rolled up, the thing peeking out from there - a deformed right arm.
　It's an uncomfortable feeling as if a giant's arm was sewn onto the girl, but it seems to move without problem.

　She grabbed Wraith-kun's arm as it was and threw it as if to launch it directly upwards.
　The tremendous power that is not typical of a girl.
　But that's not what I was interested in.

　-- instead of helping Fran-san, I let her help me.

　Probably, he's going to use his time to use his magic for something different, not to rescue his friends.

'Cut my arm off...!

　That short cry was loudly echoed by the application of wind magic.
　So much so that it could reach Skaha-san and Theo-san at a distance.

　--They are quick to judge.

　The [Brave Man] far surpasses ordinary people in everything.
　It could be physical ability, magical talent, or the way they are rewarded for their efforts.
　Naturally, it's also the brains.

　When I was a child, Fenix was sometimes teased for thinking too much in his head and not being able to speak well.
　At the time, I encouraged him to think about each thing carefully and deeply, and I actually thought that was why he couldn't speak right away. And that's not a mistake.

　But looking back, I think I may have been showing glimpses of it since then.
　Because it meant I had a head capable of deep thought in a short amount of time.

　The right job turns out at age ten, but that's not the same as a miracle being bestowed.
　It just turns out.

　In fact, Wraith-kun had been studying under Aerial-san and training his magic even before his 【Position(Job)】 was revealed.
　Anyway, it's meaningless to measure the ability of a 【Brave Man】 according to his age.

　He instantly grasped the situation and made the choice that would bring him closest to the form of victory he himself envisioned.
　And it reached the leader of the fifth ranked party, the leader of the fifth ranked party, the [Lightning Hero] - the [Lightning Hero].

　Theo-san, who controlled the thread, peeled his eyes away from the approaching flames, and in response to Wraith-kun's words, "Arms...? While I was puzzled, Skaha was done with the action.

'It's the quickest way to leave you behind.

　Skaha's words and Theo's ten fingers rolled to the ground at the same time.
　The reason why only the base of the finger was neatly cut off is not so much to reduce the leakage of magic power as it is to reduce the leakage of magic power.
　Particles of light are leaking out from the place where the finger was.

''.........!　Nah, I see!　Surely the flames won't burn me in this one!　Excellent!　Unless you take into account the fact that I no longer have my fingers and can no longer control the thread!

　As expected, Theo's smile twitched, but he seemed to understand their decision.

'As long as you don't fall, that's fine.'

　Raid battles are held under different rules than the normal strategy.
　If the adventurers leave, they cannot return for the next level.

　With one exception.
　That exception is 'defeating the two floor bosses'.

　Naturally, there was one floor boss at each level.
　In other words, if you reached the Demon King, there were ten Floor Bosses in the previous ten layers, so the maximum number of people you could revive was five.

　So in a raid battle, they could only be resurrected a maximum of five times.
　Karina-san, the Archer of Magic Bullets, would not be able to return unless the second layer was captured.

　It was natural to think that he couldn't afford to lack any more friends.
　As long as she doesn't leave the game, she can fix her magic body (avatar) before the next layer. This is something that is allowed by the rules.

　So even if they lose their fighting ability at this layer, the decision to not let them leave is not wrong.
　But one person exits and one person is greatly reduced in strength. There are only three people in the Skaha party that can fight properly.
　As the main party of the attack, how would you go from this situation--?

'No way.'

　One thought that suddenly goes through my mind.
　There is.

　One way to get out of this situation with Skaha's party as the mainstay.
　I'll need someone's support, though, and I'll have to get Skaha-san to give up a certain thing.

　Even the slightest movement so far is obvious.
　Wraith-kun is of the same race as me.

　To put it crudely - an adventurer nerd.
　Because we shared the same time in training, it's beyond the level of understanding.

　It's not that he was only looking at [Indomitable Brave Man].
　Or maybe he was studying them as a rival to be crossed by himself.

　What should I call it that just happened?
　It wouldn't have been a second, slightly wetting the ground - the rain that stopped falling in an instant (,,,,,,,,,).

　It is Wraith-kun's water magic method. However, it is not a spirit magic.
　He doesn't have a formal contract with a spirit, so he's not bound by any particular attribute.

　The invisibility extends to what he wears. It's not just for the costume, but even for later attachments.
　So a drop of water won't reveal your whereabouts.

　But what about places that aren't wet?
　For example, when a four-legged beast is bathed in water from the sky, a small space is created underneath its body to avoid getting wet.

　Of course, it's a [Black Demon Dog] in a sprint. It's really only a few moments when their whereabouts are known.
　But that's enough for Skaha Party.

　The [Faceless Archer] Suri's [God Speed]

　Hamill's 'slash-flying' magic sword.

　Hunting the [Black Demon Dog].

　And [Lightning Hero] Skaha was also on the move.

''I'll come for you after the blink of an eye.

　I left that to Theo and he did so with a statement.
　Kash, who had been watching the screen next to me, shuddered and clung to me. His ears are standing up with a twitch.

　Because there was a roar as if lightning had struck and a flash of lightning ran through the field.

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

　Behind the mask, I'm staring at the screen. I may be looking a little grim.

　Skaha-san, I realized, had joined her friends. And that too, accompanied by Theo-san.
　And behind Aerial-san, that is, in the space that Skaha's party was in charge of, countless magic particles were glittering and shining.

　Wraith-kun has only just begun to fall.

　Truly, just in a moment.
　The demons that were aiming at them had been annihilated.

　A combination of spirit arts and slashing made possible by the substandard amount of magic power, the precision of manipulating the magic power and physical body, and durability.
　Skaha-san used a one-handed sword-type holy sword to slay the demons in an instant.

''In the flesh, something I couldn't show you would have popped out of my mouth.......''

　Theo-san, who had joined his friends after the blink of an eye, was a bit listless.



　Carmilla muttered in a scratchy voice.
　Originally, this skill refers to indiscriminate wide-area attacks while clothed in the lightning attribute, but it's different when Skaha-san uses it.
　He has control over all the super acceleration caused by the spirit arts.

　Just like he didn't use it in the first place, it's not all benefits.
　Not to mention the enormous amount of magic power, it requires extreme concentration.

　In the first place, he can't cut through all of the invisible enemies, either. Even if it was only for a few moments, he was able to activate it because he was able to obtain a way to confirm their whereabouts.
　It would be a skill that he wanted to preserve if possible.

　A special move, or is it closer to the reality if it's called a secret technique?
　Although it is incomparable in terms of the rank of the technique, it might be easier to convey that it is like the 'flame of the gods' for Fenix.

　In the sense that he had it used before the floor boss battle, it's a good enough battle result.
　However, the fact that he used this here........

''........Thank you, [Lake Brave]

　Skaha-san called out to Wraith-kun, who landed slowly with his own wind magic.

''Haha, you're welcome.''

　They didn't seem to be compatible with each other before.
　But they're not the kind of people who would use that as an excuse not to help out or be grateful for the help they've received.

'Sorry for the fellowship, Skaha. Do you mind (...or...or...)?

　[Storm Brave] Aerial-san's words are a confirmation.

''.........Yes, please (.......)''

　Skaha understood this and nodded regretfully.
　His own magic power was greatly consumed and he was missing one of his friends. The other one is missing a magic tool and a finger.

　The center of the first layer is their plan, but it's foolish to claim it in this situation.
　With permission, Aerial-san nodded one nod and shifted his gaze to the void.

''Michelle.''

　He called her name, a woman dressed in a Tongari hat, robes and a staff in her hand, just like a wizard.
　She was said to be the strongest fire-attribute wizard until Fenix appeared, 【Red Lotus Wizard】.
　Normally, she has a soft and gentle atmosphere, but when the time comes to fight...

''It's fine, right?　I'm going to burn it - I'm going to burn it!

　The tension was oddly high.
　With a giddy look, she waved her wand and it happened.

　A number of fireballs the size of giant rocks were born and released towards the empty earth.
　The purpose of this would be to sear out the [Invisible Slaughterer].

　If it is a direct hit, it might leave due to the damage it did earlier.
　The blow was snatched, or maybe it was Gura's painful moan.

'I suppose you guys have to defend this place too, but we have business at the bottom. To the lord of this castle.'

　The Demon King's Castle is an underground labyrinth. The adventurers are heading down layer by layer.
　Aiming for the bottom that they should eventually reach, the tenth layer where the Demon Lord is waiting for them.

　Aerial-san held a two-handed sword-shaped holy sword at the upper level.
　He must have been approaching between the fireballs, Gura-san, who lost one wing and scorched her body, still boldly swung a sharp claw at the 【Storm Hero】.

''It was a great coordination.''

　His swinging down was faster than Gula's claws could reach.
　The next moment.

　The body of the [Invisible Slaughterer] Grasshara Bollas cracked vertically, and far beyond, in the false demon castle, a crack also appeared as if it had been sliced by a sword.

　The people in the video room, who were excited by the activities of the first layer of faces, were now looking at the screen in amazement.

　With Gura-san's exit, a hush fell over the wilderness.
　The invisible demons that were on the Aerial Party's side had also left by the time they reached this point.
　Fran-san had already been rescued by Wraith-kun, too.

''Hm, we're the only ones who didn't do anything.

　Hel-san makes a difficult face.

''It's just like the Demon King's Castle, isn't it? This group of people can get through most things, but they've made good use of the 'time it takes to get through' of each problem to devise a plan.

　As usual, Wraith-kun makes statements that are not typical for a ten-year-old.

'Hmm. I'm sorry for Skaha and the others, but thanks to them, you're starting to see things their way.''

Yeah. That's where I'm going against the adventurers' optimal solution.

　Aerial-san and Wraith-kun aren't the only ones who seem to have noticed.

''Haha, that's good. Crushing it head on is what a [brave man] would do.

　Mr. Helu would do that.　

'We'll leave that area to the main axis party, layer by layer.

　Aerial-san summarized that.
　That statement sounded more like it was directed at the demons in the Demon King's Castle.

　He said, "I've noticed that you guys have noticed our policy, and we've noticed it too.

　Without any particular objection, the sixteen people who had already resumed their movement proceeded to the False Demon King's Castle.

So?　What are you going to do? You want to take on the floor boss in a four-man fight?

　Exposed to Hel's testing gaze, Skaha shook her head in denial.

'We can't afford to lack any more companions. Wraith, Fran. Can you ask for help?

Of course. I'll help you with whatever you need to do to win.

　Lace-kun smiles an innocent-looking smile, and Fran nods with a blank expression.

　After that.
　The floor boss, [Hell's Watchdog] Naberius-san, struggled, but he didn't let anyone leave.

　If Skaha's party insisted on attacking based on themselves, they would have been able to drop one or two more people.
　However, if they were ranked fifth in the world, they were indeed well aware of the situation.
　He would not be foolish enough to put his friends in danger by putting his pride first.

　There is one more reason.
　As far as raids are concerned, the floor boss fights are a disadvantage for the dungeon side.

　The dungeons are divided into several blocks.
　The biggest one is the 'dungeon'. The biggest one is the "dungeon", which means the whole dungeon.
　The next is the 'layers'. Each layer from the first to the deepest level.
　The next one is "Area". In the case of the first layer, there are two areas: the wilderness area and the floor boss area.

　This area, the Floor Boss Area is usually narrower than the area before it.

　The first layer is a little confusing, but it's in front of the gate of the False Demon King's Castle, as opposed to the vast wilderness area.
　The floor boss is [Hell's Watchdog] Naberius.

　The second level is the mausoleum located on the outskirts of the area against the image of an uninhabited city.
　The floor boss is [General of the Dead] Kimaris.

　The third level is a room in an old mansion against a dark forest area.
　The floor boss is 【Vampire Queen】 Carmilla.

　The fourth level is a space about the size of a dance hall against a complicated area reminiscent of a mine.
　The floor boss is 【Werewolf's Leader】 Markosias.

　The path to the boss is longer, and the fight with the boss feels like a decisive battle.

　Of course, the floor boss is a demon with great power. He brings his men to meet the adventurers.
　They are as strong as a party of brave men.
　But in the first place, there are five non-standard heroes in this raid battle.

　There is a limit to the number of tricks you can play in a small space, and the number of subordinates you can deploy is not countless.
　In the first place, what viewers are looking for in a boss fight is also a clash of forces.

　Adventurers who have survived the hardships will smash that layer of bosses head on.
　The only way to counter this is for the demon's side to respond head-on as well.

　Dungeon capture & defense is entertainment. We can't ignore this premise.

　Skaha's party, which decided to ask for the help of her friends, maintained a five-person team with Wraith-kun and Fran-san in place of Karina-san and Theo-san who had left the game and were down.

　This is no longer surprising. Wraith-kun was devoted to support and Fran-san served as the vanguard. Basically, they are able to survive the enemy's attacks until Skaha-san's magic power is recovered, and each person is able to use magic and skills at their own timing.

　This time, the Aerial Party and Helvall Party were devoted to exposing themselves to the dew.
　In the end, Naberius-san's three heads were cut off at once by Skaha-san, and it was settled.

　The [Far-Edged Swordsman] took away Hamil-san's right arm and severely burned Fran-san, but he was not able to make her leave.
　After reducing their numbers to sixteen, the adventurers captured the first layer of the Demon King's Castle.

　They decided to advance to the second layer that followed.
　The day's attack was over.

''That boy... the impression I saw on the video board (TV) was that he was a confident and strong-minded child, but to look carefully at his surroundings and make an appropriate decision quickly... that boy is not to be underestimated.''

　I nodded at Carmilla's words.

'Oh.'

　What will be the public's assessment of this attack?
　The Skaha Party may receive some harsh opinions.

　Many of them would judge it based on the information that was easy to understand rather than the detailed circumstances.
　He lost his friends in the first layer and had the help of newcomers. There will be a certain amount of people who will criticize him for this fact alone.

　However, I think it would be exciting on the whole.

　The welcome of the Demon King's Castle, which had never been seen before, and the adventurers who would get through it just in time.
　Skaha's party is able to turn around from a pinch and annihilate the enemies.
　This is supported by the young 【Lake's Brave Man】, who is recognized as a contractor by the main body of the water spirit, but calls it a spectator.

　From the point of view of the result, it's one person's exit, but I think it's a good result.

　Gura-san's power is also great, but with 【Black Demon Dog】, 【Trainer】 and a simple trap, he was able to torment the top-notch adventurers and defeat one of them.
　It was a great step to show that demons are not just beaten up, wasn't it?

　Besides.
　I'm sorry to say to my companions, but I believe they will make it to the tenth layer.
　Of course, I'll help them get there before then, and I don't doubt the power of our people.
　But I know them well. I don't know how many videos I've watched over and over again.

　All of them are capable of challenging the Demon King's Castle on their own.
　Lace-kun and Fran-san have some unknowns, but in terms of their performance this time around, they're on par with the others.

　...................No, no.
　In the end, I guess it's just wishful thinking.
　I, myself, want to intercept them.
　Remegaton just wants to fight them.

　

You must be Leme. Yeah, I saw your tag team tournament the other day. Great job.

　A few days after the first layer of attack.
　I was called by Aerial-san again, and - I was frozen to the ground.

　The reason for this is because the person waiting for me on the spot was the person I admired--the indomitable hero.