Another one of your people is dead. I kept believing in you.

　Benue's voice is cold.
　What the hell.
　Both Remegaton and this guy are messing around with people not being qualified to call themselves brave or not being serious.

　Suddenly, it's strange. When I looked, my left leg was petrified. I immediately cut it off with my 'wind blade' and use wind magic to control my posture so that I don't lose my balance.

''Farewell, some boy (,,,,,,,). This is not your place. ........they chose the wrong friends.

　Benou turns away. Botis' figure is no longer visible. It must be 【Position(Job)】 that is good at hiding.
　I use wind magic to accelerate and shove my remaining right leg while wearing a blade of wind.

''Hey, full body flame man. Who says I'm wrong?

　I can't let them call Fran and Ewan-kun's choice a mistake because I'm weak.

I've included you in the raiding program, as have all the other adventurers.

　Benou flipped like he'd read it, handled my kick with his left hand and punched me in the face with his right fist.
　The series of moves were too fast for me to react.

　I blow up like an idiot and hit the wall, and what a cave in. It's so powerful that it's a wonder I didn't exit.
　.........This guy is not just a [magician] after all.

　My vision wobbled. Although my eyes are open, what I see is blurred. Something appears to blur. What is it? It's not Benue. Or rather, it's not the final area of the tenth layer.


'I've got a much more important job to do than being brave.

　It's my father. It's a conversation I had with [Indomitable Brave] when I was little.
　Leme said. He wasn't just a man who never gave up on first place, he was a man who never gave up on his family.
　I think so. I guess he's a good husband and a good father. But I wanted him to be the strongest adventurer.
　If it weren't for me, you'd be able to prove it.

It's sad to hear you say it that way.

　When I said what I thought, my father looked really sad and said so. Yes, I remembered.

'Don't tell me the one thing in your life that made you happier than being number one in your dad's life, as if you'd rather it hadn't happened.'

　I don't know what that means.
　The most powerful party in the world, the star of the party. The best looking adventurer in the world.
　I couldn't imagine anything more worthwhile than that.

I'm going to be a hero. I'm going to be brave, and I'm going to look up to all the people who made fun of my dad.

''Well, I'm glad you feel that way, but I wish you would decide on a more positive reason for your future dreams. It doesn't even have to be an adventurer. You haven't even figured out your [job title (job)] yet.''

"I will. I'll come first without the power of the genie...!

"....wraith.

　Dad got unusually angry, as I recall.

He said, "I'm sure my father didn't get chosen to be a genie, but I'll support you if you're serious about being an adventurer. If you're serious about becoming an adventurer, I'll support you. You have a talent for magic, and I'll continue to train you. But you know what, Wraith? You have to remember one thing, the most important thing.

...what.

"Take care of the people who are fighting with you.

"What?　That's not a surprise!''　

'Do you really know what you're doing?　From what you just said, I don't think so. Because--'

　There is a sign of someone approaching, as if they're trying to make a thwarting move.
　It's not Benou. It's Botis. It's as if a person has suddenly appeared, and I can sense a presence.
　It must be on purpose, because he's the kind of guy who could kill a presence even when killing an enemy.

'Lord Remegeton says. Listen to me.

　His voice and my father's words overlap.

"'The spirits are your friends, aren't they?'

I'm sorry...

　Suddenly, I understood.

　I don't deserve to be brave. Okay, so Remegeton, so.
　One by one, even a weak demon can torment an adventurer or help a fellow demon.
　Remegeton's command is that kind of 'all of us building the final victory together'.

　It should be the same for adventurers. Cooperate with your friends and achieve victory. That's the ideal.
　That's what my father was able to do. You were not chosen by the spirits, but you did what you had to do to earn your place.

　--And yet, here I am.

　The genie chose you, and you chose not to use your powers.
　I thought I could win without it, and I had to. Yes, I thought so.
　If I had borrowed the power of the water spirit from the beginning, things would have turned out differently from the first layer to this point.

　I meant to be serious, and I still do. I didn't skimp on anything. But I wasn't giving it my all. I wasn't giving it my all. Really, I was trying to win without giving it my all.

"Father, Wraith. If you're going to be an adventurer, I think I'd like to see you with your own people and your own style of attack, not just your dad's. I'll be excited to see what kind of a brave man you'll be called, and I'll be excited to see your strategy.'

　I tried not to ask. When I didn't understand what it meant, I kept a lid on my thoughts.
　When I understood, I hated how stupid I was.

　I kept exposing my lame imitation of a heroic disqualification in an attempt to prove the strength of the world's best-looking adventurer.
　He couldn't do anything but watch his childhood friend, who had forced himself to chase after his predecessor, exit the scene.
　After losing without using a spirit technique against a high-ranked opponent, the 【Brave Man】 who sheltered himself from the demonic eye was petrified.
　And ever since he was recognized by the spirits, he continued to ignore his precious companions.

　I'm not in a position to say big words to Fenix-sempai.
　You won't abandon your friends?　I'm an idiot. I'm just a kid who despises his friends all the time.

　How can I ever forgive myself if I don't do things my father's way and come out on top?
　It's not such a superficial thing to not take advantage of a spirit to learn from.

　Have I always been unable to face such an obvious thing?
　Because I was wrong and I won. I've gotten this far because my people are better than I am.

　--Undine.

　Guess. He hoped the spirits would hear him. The reply was immediate.

"Hey, kid. The play isn't over yet, is it?　'So the actors are going to talk to the audience?'

　--I know you said you could sit on the sidelines, but I apologize.

"...huh, what the hell?

　--I wanted to be the kind of guy who takes care of his people, but I didn't. I just didn't understand that you were a part of it. I'm sorry.

"Hmmm...?　But you know what?　I can't have the help of a genie, can I?　You know, you're supposed to be like your dad, right?

　--I wanted to be the best-dressed brave man in the world. There's nothing worse than ignoring the spirits, letting your friends die, and then going to die. That's the worst looking kid in the world.

"So what?

　It took me a lot of courage to admit that.

　-- I'm still weak, but with Fran and you and the people I'm going to be able to do it with, I'm going to be number one. I want to be. So, if you haven't fallen out of love with me yet.
　I want you to make a deal... with me.

　These are the words that came out after I was in a pinch and the demon's words made me huff and puff.
　No matter how much he liked me at the Shrine of the Spirit, it's more natural to be dumbfounded. It's more normal to feel pathetic.
　I was prepared for the scathing words.

''~~~~~~~~~!　Excellent!!!!!!!!!!

　--............?

　I couldn't believe my ears.
　Or rather, the voice of the spirit echoing in my head was so loud, I thought my brain was going to explode.

　So fast!　Growth Eve I never thought I'd get the chance!　You want me to look at you more closely?　Ahhhh, that confident face of yours is so crumpled up!　Because of things like this, it's not so bad to rock back and forth through eternity!

　?

　--I don't know what you're talking about at all.......

　It's said that there are many spirits with unique personalities, and it's not uncommon for [brave men] to be troubled by their relationships - Aerials are good because he's strong himself, but there are also spirits who won't lend their strength outside of life-threatening situations, too. --You're crazy.

"Let me help you.

　--!　........thank you.
　It wasn't the apology and reconciliation and contract I was expecting, but it's not the time to say it.

'And I don't want to lose to that guy. I've been told for a long time that he's the best in terms of aggression and he's getting on top of it, but I don't think it's enough to turn everything into scorched earth. The invulnerability isn't something that only he can do.　Don't you think my little boy would like that?

　--Not yours.

'Pointe I appreciate the fact that you don't flutter easily...'

　--Well, good luck with that.

"Yes, brave Wraith. I recognize you as a contractor.

　Consciousness rapidly becomes clearer.

'Goodbye,'

　Botis' voice was close.
　The knife had just been thrust into my chest.

'If you don't set it to stone, then you can't take a series of shots like that?

　The demon's eyes were already hidden by bandages, but I could clearly see its mouth twist in surprise.

''--You, why?''

Goodbye.

　It would be rude not to, now that he's greeted me.
　I stand up towards Botis and walk through Botis (,,,,,,).
　All that was left was her magic particles, which were exiting with something piercing my chest.

　My body was made of water now.
　She passed through me like a stone dropped on the surface of the water.

　One of the depths of spirit arts is called 'assimilation'. You can become the wind itself, or you can become the water itself. Like being human and fire, or being earth and human at the same time.
　A transition to that state.

　The missing left leg is replaced by water magic.

"I'll tell you what, you can't even hold it for 15 seconds now!

　--I know.

　There's no depth to it if it's that easy to use.
　If my body was in good shape, I wouldn't be using this now.
　Fifteen seconds is not the time it takes for me to run out of magic power, but the time it takes for my body to collapse because I can't sustain the assimilation.

　The damage to me was so severe that I couldn't move otherwise. The magic power was leaking out of my left leg with a bang, and the damage to my head was enough to make me dazed.
　I decided that the only way to be of any use from here was this method that would allow me to return to strength for just fifteen seconds.

''Benuu........!

　As he shouted, he looked back at me.

''You're not dead yet, [Lake Brave (,)] Wraith?''

　His voice doesn't have the same coldness in it as it did earlier.
　Well, you know. I recognize it, as expected. I know who you and the other guy are.

Thanks to you.

　Obviously, they were trying to do something about my mistake. They were trying to make me realize it.
　I don't know all the details, but still, they kept me from ending up as an a**h*le.

'Come on, there's a final battle coming up.

Oh, so this isn't the last time?

　A blue flame erupts from Benou's body. It spreads wider and wider, becoming a giant double-winged bird.
　A huge amount of water flows out of my body. It expands and expands and becomes a giant snake-like creature.
　A dragon, to be precise. A snake with the scales and head of a dragon.

　This one should be able to tell. Even if left alone, if I lightly brush it off, my body will soon shatter.
　But he recognizes me as a brave man and is willing to fight me head on.
　Because dungeon conquest is an entertainment made by adventurers and demons.

　A huge blue bird and a huge blue dragon. The demon and the brave, united with each, rapidly approach and then clash.
　With a sound like water dripping onto a hot griddle, steam fills the air around them.
　A white color fills the vision. By the time it clears, it's settled.

　Twice, I endured his firebombing. Once, I pierced his chest with the 'water blade'. This is also what he did to Botis.
　But it didn't get through.

　The white cleared. His burning fist was pierced into my chest.
　Steam rises from my body with a heavy thud.

"I can't wait to fight you again.

First, get the rest of the team together.

"...yes I will. Yeah, I will.

　Honestly, I'm so frustrated as hell.
　As much as I hate losing, I became an adventurer to prove my dad right.

　The people who made fun of my dad, maybe they forgot what they said and are just living their lives with a smile on their face.
　I wanted to deny it.

　But now I'm beginning to get it. Adventure is not a tool for revenge.
　To you, it's a challenge. To you, it's a diversion.

　And you can tell them you were born to the best of the best and that you're the best of the best because you were born to the best.
　One day you'll be the best and say so.
　This isn't revenge, this isn't redemption, this is a goal.

　--Thank you, Leme.
　--Thank you, Mr. Fenix.

　It's not just about winning, I didn't even know this kind of fight existed yet.
　Bringing out the best in your opponent, fighting and winning, that's pretty cool.

　Sorry, Fran. Miss Ewan. Undine. Like everyone else.
　From now on, you know. I...

Farewell, young and brave. You're in good company.

　Just before my own body was about to shatter, I heard Benue's voice like that.

　--Ah, I think so.