I'm watching the scene while the safe room is being temporarily set up, and I'm not feeling very well.
　Then Ex-san walks up beside me.

You did a great job today, Leme," he says.

"...Thank you. But, Merlin and Ex, why me?

　I'm not worried about Mr. Xu's commanding ability, nor am I worried about Merlin's magic.
　But they both seemed to often give me opportunities in situations where I could do it myself.

'The Merlin one would simply like to see your magic, I suppose.

I see. It's true that I'm learning a lot too, seeing Merlin-san's magic in person.

　There's a lot to learn even if you can't mimic attack magic, such as controlling and operating magic power, and how to stand when you use magic power to flow into your staff.
　I'm glad if Merlin-san's side also had something to gain from watching my black magic.

''As for me ... maybe I just wanted to focus on fighting for a bit.

　Ex-san's voice color changes to a slightly darker one.

''........It's customary for [the brave] to double as the leader, but the burden is also large.''

　Grasping the overall situation and giving instructions accordingly, I also fight with all my might.
　I felt that I could understand the difficulty of being both a 【Brave Man】 and a leader.

　The difficulty of supporting black magic by itself and doing combat in addition to support will be different. It would be the same as that.

'That's right. It's not just a matter of time before you're ready to go. Well, I've put that burden on you.

''Haha. It's a small price to pay for having a special seat to watch these guys fight.

You're a positive guy.

　Mr. Xu said with a somewhat distant look in his eyes.
　I remembered my conversation with Mr. Merlin.
　I thought for a moment and opened my mouth.

'Maybe he's just afraid to look behind him.

　His gaze turns to me, as if he was surprised by the negative expression.

''Well if you look back, what do you think you'll find?''

　I imagine.

'The cliff edge, I guess. If I don't keep going, my foothold is going to collapse.

　Adventurers are a popular business. The fear that comes with it may be similar to that of an athlete.
　Even if you make it big in the industry and make a lot of money, it's only for a very short period of time in a person's lifetime.

　Younger and more talented people are going to come out of the woodwork. Only a few can compete with them and remain in the industry.
　How many of us will be able to successfully move on with the rest of our lives after we have no place in the industry?

'Oh, that's scary. We'll just have to keep running and not fall.

Yeah. Turn around.

　Just because he's a demon doesn't mean he can't be relieved.

　Just like Mira-san in the past, even if you are excellent, you can be treated coldly at the discretion of your boss.
　Just like in the beginning dungeon, he could lose his job due to financial difficulties.
　Of course, if he was deemed inadequate, he would be fired from the dungeon.

　We have no choice but to run as fast as we can in order to achieve our goal and not disappear.

Will we ever find the right place?

At least I know where I'm going.

　I'm a brave demon.
　My fellow adventurers are ranked number one.
　And after winning first place, you're going to be the best in the world.
　I just need a few more things to do.

Well, I suppose.

　I noticed that everyone's attention flickered to me.
　........maybe, but it's about my black magic.

'This is just me talking to myself,'

　Mr. Xu stroked his chin and prefaced it with that.
　He must have noticed everyone's eyes on him, too.

''I think Reme's policy during the Fenix Party era was to 'make his friends work with their own black magic'. Rather than showing off their own power, they thought that the fastest way to reach the top rank was to have their friends achieve the best results without them even noticing it. Considering the goal of reaching a higher rank, at least we know that method was not a failure.

　I had to leave the party after that, though.
　I was able to get into the top ranks. I was able to move up to fourth place in the rankings.

''At the same time, being an adventurer is not a profession where being competent is rewarded. It could be said to some extent in any industry, though. Especially Reme is a [Black Mage]. Those who can deny that they are unnecessary based on [job title (job)] and not on ability... unfortunately, there will be very few of them.

　Even though he had a history of being in the fourth party, he couldn't even find the next party.
　''Being a [Black Mage] means such a negative factor.

''Of course, there are exceptions. There are parties that employ [Black Mage] and [White Mage], and in Reme's case, there's the fact that he was recruited by Aerial and Wraith Boy. It's even true that he formed a party with Fenix.

　Mr. Xu is explaining to the clan members, not to me.

If there's a question here," he said, "if you're as good as Panacea, you could have chosen not to hide it from the start. That's a fair point, but think about it for a moment. Fenix and Reme's debut was at the age of thirteen (...). That was seven years ago. Of course, his policy is not based on current standards, but on his ability at the time (...), right?

　The training period is three years, just in time for Fenix to graduate from the training institute (school).
　He met the best teacher and overcame the hellish training, but the world is not so sweet that he can become a top-notch player in three years.

　The growth of the magic power and magic organs accumulated in his horns, the increase in efficacy and duration of magic through continuous use, and the sense and skill of manipulating magic power were greatly refined through training and combat experience after his debut.

　Indeed, the plan to hurry up and get into the top three places was made by me when I was thirteen years old.
　If I could go back to the time when I was thirteen with my current strength and mental state, I might have found a few other options.

''And of course, I can easily imagine that I would be beaten for the reason that black magic that's too strong can lead to black magic........ My party is used to that sort of thing, so I know. In reality, magic and sorcery are two different things. Even if you train the black magic of 'slowing down', you can't learn the black magic of 'full stop'. Still, one rumor can easily raise or lower your popularity. I can't say I'm overthinking the decision to not risk it.

　Black magic and black magic are two different things.
　Just as the degradation of spirit arts is magic. Even if you train magic, you can't reach spirit arts.

　Merlin-san is a supreme wizard and can even produce magic power comparable to spirit arts, but that doesn't mean there's no 'depth' in that extension.
　You can get close, but you can't reach it.

　It's not enough to train black magic to reach black magic.

　........It's just that I learned that black magic from my master.

　However, it's true to say that black magic doesn't lead to black magic.
　And the fact that you can use magic that is as close to primordial magic as possible, like Merlin-san's magic, can itself be an inconvenience.

　The X-Party overcame its predicament over a long period of time.
　The method I chose had its problems, but it was also chosen for a reason.

'Anyway. From my point of view, the only thing that matters is the fact that I was greatly helped by Leme's help in this original dungeon investigation. We were gathered together regardless of [position (job)] or affiliation. Isn't the past a trivial matter?

　Mr. Ex looked around at everyone.

'I was honoured to fight everyone, including those who have already left. I'm not sure how everyone else feels about it, and I'm glad they feel the same way.

　The people who had already left the camp must have heard this voice in the camp. Casually, Ex-san was tuning the channel to the whole thing.

'Huh, that's a nice thing to say once in a while.

　It was Mr. Merlin who laughed at that.

''And it's also compelling. ''A suspicious [Brave] who made a contract with a shadow spirit that was out of the four greats,'' ''A holy knight who got the blessing of a light spirit that was also out of the four greats, even though he wasn't a brave man, ''A human (normal) who can reproduce the characteristics of more than ten sub-humans with a special ancestry [warrior],'' ''A [position (job)] that is the counterpart to the [Destroyer], but that rare. It's just that they have risen to the second place in a party that is composed of a very minor [job title (job)], 'guardian' and 'too beautiful [wizard],' whose gender is much higher.

''........Leaving the first four aside for now, what is a 'too beautiful wizard'? ''An extraordinary wizard who handles all four attributes at a level very close to the spirit arts,'' I guess.

　Mr. Arthur chuckles and corrects himself.

'No, my singularity would be my good looks. 'Hey Mal,'

''Master Merlin is a very beautiful man, but I have nothing but admiration for his unparalleled magical skills.

'No, no, it's harder to keep these proportions than to practice magic. You know what I mean?

　........Merlin-san is already in full joke mode.

　Her mind has long since cleared up and she has been classified in the past enough to be able to joke about it.
　From his demeanor, I can tell that the same is true for Mr. Arthur.

　Ex-san is the same on the surface.
　He appears to be shaking his shoulders and smiling peacefully.
　Maybe it's because I was once used to smiling so affectionately, but I somehow know that the smile is a lie.

　After all that, the safe room was temporarily set up.

　I've set up the recording stone for transference, so whether it's a magic body (avatar) or a flesh-and-blood one, I can fly back here in an instant.
　As soon as I come back, I can transfer to a spirit test in the flesh.
　I don't think that would happen, though.

''Well, let's go back.''

　We each touched the transference recording stone and returned to camp.
　The conclusion of the discussion that followed was brief.

　The content was unknown, there was a possibility that we would be forced to join if we entered the fifth layer, and it was extremely dangerous to challenge the fifth layer in the flesh.
　It would be wise not to participate.

　Thereafter, patrol in the first and second camp, being wary of monsters coming out of the first layer.
　Maintain the camp until the original dungeon disappears.

　No objections were raised.
　There were remarks about what exactly was a waste of time or a wish to be fulfilled, but it was just a bit of feedback.
　No one expressed a desire to try, and no one expressed a desire to try.

　Even Merlin, who said he dreamed of meeting the spirits, didn't say anything with a reluctant face.
　Thinking of the four layers of monsters so far, one could imagine how dangerous it would be to challenge them in the flesh.
　The Spirit's Trial isn't necessarily a battle, but we can't just try to see what it's like.

　There's a difference between being able to fight for your life when it's important and being daredevil.
　Yes, we weren't going to be tested by the spirits, we weren't going to be tested by the spirits.

　The next day, the situation changed.
　It was late at night, not long after the date had changed.

　Feeling the camp getting hectic, I woke up and slipped out of my tent.
　I must have been awakened from my sleep to find Maru, who unusually had a habit of sleeping in her hair, reporting to me.

''Did something happen...?''

Yes, what.........how to say.......

　I turned my attention to the investigator who was reporting to me.
　He made sure Maru nodded, then looked at me.

'We are responsible for patrolling the perimeter of the original dungeon. If there are any nearby residents or animals approaching, we will prevent their entry, and if there are any changes in the dungeon, we can report them immediately.

Yes, sir.

　It's an important role. Even now, in the middle of the night, he was making sure we were safe.

'Earlier, similar reports came up in multiple locations. It's - 'we're making an entrance'.

I'm not sure...

　I knew what it meant.
　I needed to take a moment to guess the intent.
　Maru must have had the same problem.

　A structural change now, and that was tweaking the appearance...?

　First of all, it's not a change to suit us.
　I'll have to check it out, but they've only made the fourth layer completely black, it's not like it's going to lead to a new area now.

　If you're going to make something like that in the first place, just make it as the fifth layer.
　In other words, there's more entrances to the first layer.

　--No.

''Has anyone entered?''

　Maru-san listened to the conversation with interest.
　Apparently I had called out to her in the middle of the report.
　From here on out, she hadn't heard it yet either, which meant that she hadn't heard it yet.

'Following emergency procedures, the first group of adventurers tried to break in - but as soon as they stepped in, they left. However, the person himself said that he didn't feel that his magical body (avatar) was damaged...

　Me and Maru looked at each other.

''Directly......... But why would you.........

　I can't even get in. You can't use your magical body (avatar) to get in.
　It's the fifth layer.

"If you've heard our discussion (...), then you must have realized that there's no way for the investigation team to challenge the fifth layer. And if that's what you're dealing with, then....

Are you inviting anyone from the investigative team to ignore the policy and challenge it?

　I've been told no, but if my wish comes true, I'd like to try.
　I don't blame you for having those thoughts.

　That's where reason dictates.
　But if you are tempted, there will be those who give in.

　Somehow, I feel that this is not the case. It's not impossible, but it's not smart.
　This spirit would be more likely to pinpoint individuals and lead them to the fifth layer.

''Confirm everyone's whereabouts and be on alert for the increased entrances. It is also possible that new entrances may occur. Double the number of patrols.

Ha.

　When he stepped back, I met eyes with Maru again.
　She had a serious look on her face, but when she saw me dressed, she seemed to remember that she too had just gotten out of the cot.

　I hurriedly comb my hair with my hands while turning over. Like this, as much as possible, I try to reduce the area of my face that fits in my view.

''Oh, that's unseemly...''

Well, no, I'm the one who...

Sounds like an emergency, doesn't it?

　... yes, I knew that.
　I thought they would be coming soon.

　Maru-san shook her shoulders in a jolt.
　Mila, perfectly groomed, came up beside me.

'I thought we were having a serious talk?'

　We nodded our heads in agreement, because that's exactly what we were doing.

'I don't want to think that any of the investigative team would ignore the instructions and challenge us, but...'

Yeah, yeah. The problem is--

　There is no harmony between us.

Unless there are people from the area involved.

''I suppose we should warn the village. Not to obey the spirits when they hear their voices.

　I don't feel comfortable waking everyone in the village up at this time of day, but this is not the time to talk about it.

''Well I'll go.

Me and Arthur will go with you.

　I noticed that Ex-san and Arthur-san had come out as well.
　It would be reassuring to have a member of the second place party.
　Everyone would understand the gravity of the conversation.

''I'll accompany you.''

　Mira also spoke up.
　It would take time to wake up all the villagers and check their whereabouts. The more people the better.
　Borrowing some other investigators, we hurried to the village by carriage.

　As it turned out - it was the worst.

　In the course of waking everyone up, we found out that - as many as 13 people had disappeared.

　Realizing the seriousness of the situation, everyone is gathered in the village meeting hall and everyone is upset. Some of the families of the disappeared are distraught.
　It's a natural reaction. A loved one may have disappeared into an unknown dungeon and taken on an ordeal of unknown content.
　It's only natural that some would question our responsibility.

Don't do it. It's a terrible thing to ask to prevent a spirit from playing a trick on you, even if it's just to capture a dungeon. The situation was not caused by the negligence of the investigation team, so it is not right to blame them.

　With the village chief saying that, the place settled down to the extent that we managed to talk.

'I think the genie lured them out by saying that their wishes would come true. I wonder if any of you guys.......heard the spirit's voice?

　Then some of them raised their hands.
　One of them was my father.

　To sum up the testimony, this is what he said.
　'If you overcome your trials with a strong heart, I'll make your wish come true,' he whispered something roughly like that.

' '....You didn't think to follow him?'

There's no such thing as a wish granted by a genie.

　He is a strong-minded man, even though he is my father.
　But what does the spirit mean by that?

　To gather those who have been tempted and show their strength of mind....
　No, I don't know what the purpose is.
　It's to bring us together.

"I don't think these words will reassure you, but this spirit is not a killer. If this is the kind of spirit that enjoys killing people, the survey team would have lost a lot of people a long time ago.

　He was trying to recreate the dungeon attack as much as possible and do his best to destroy us.
　It was only within the rules.

　If we defeated the strongest enemy, we gave them a generous reward.
　This action was probably because we were reluctant to challenge the deepest part of the game.
　A message to fight to the end.

And what happens if we fail in the ordeal...?

　It was one of the three men in the example group who said in a shaky voice. The other two have disappeared.

I don't know. But I promise you all that I will bring them home, every one of them. We'll bring them back. We promise.

　With a shudder, I was hugged from the side.
　It was Mr. Xu.

'Well said, Leme. Naturally, we, the Ex Party, will be participating in the rescue mission. I know you are anxious, but please stay calm. We'll get you out, I promise.

　I could see that everyone's anxiety was somewhat lessened by the declaration of the powerful second place [Brave Person].
　My parents and Hawk-san, Canary-san and her husband and wife had a worried look on their faces until the end.
　I smiled at them and left the place.

''Reme-san...''

　There was no time to react to Mira's concerned voice.

''Indeed, this spirit has no such thing as harm to people. Although there was a malicious intent necessary to defend the dungeon, there was no evil desire to hurt people alive. As Reme says, there will be no deaths.

　Arthur-san responded to Ex-san's words.

''Ah, but the fifth layer requires you to participate in the fifth layer in the flesh. Even if you don't die, there are possible penalties. In the first place, did the thirteen people who disappeared already enter the fifth layer?　The entrance is alarming, isn't it?

''There's also a line called 'spatial migration'. There must be plenty of ways to get past the patrols, such as a spirit technique to get past the patrol's eyes.

'I'm curious about the strong mind, too. Is this an ordeal that even a villager can challenge?　Or do we and the villagers have a different set of trials in store for us? Too little information.

Fortunately, we have a transmitter. One of us can get into the fifth level and tell everyone what's going on.

If that's the case...

　They continued to have a constructive conversation during the carriage ride.

　When I returned to the camp, I quickly prepared my equipment.
　[Black Mage]'s robe, a stocking staff, and the sword my father gave me.

　My body is in good shape.
　When I walked out of the tent, I found Fulkas-san.

　Her white hair that reflected her brown skin grew along the contours of her face, but it was quirky and bounced in places. It was impossible to read any emotion from his purple eyes. She has a dwarf body like a girl, but her ample breasts, which are not commensurate with her physique, are eye-catching.
　Ridiculous Knight] Fulkus. The eighth floor of the Demon King's Castle. My sword master.

"Leme, bend over.

Well, I'm in a hurry.

"Master's orders.

　...........
　Fulkus-san has only given me guidance, but she has never given me an order.
　Since she says this much, it must be something serious.

　I did as she said and bent down.
　A moment later, her small hands caught me in both cheeks.
　The fluffy hands play with my cheeks languidly.

'Your strength is that your heart may be hot, but your head remains clear.

I'm not sure...

'I'm not disturbed by frustration. "They are not disturbed by surprise. They are not disturbed by fear. He has a strong heart. So, Leme, when you are angry, don't be disturbed. It makes you weak.

　I can feel my hot head going cold.
　Yes, I was angry at the disappearances from my village, at the fact that I had made everyone uncomfortable.
　And I had lost my cool.

''Yes, Master.''

Hm. I have a lot of work to do.

Ha-ha, I'll do my best.

　Laugh. I was able to laugh. I was able to clear my mind. That's it.
　I'm going to join everyone with Mr. Fulkus.