The eighth chapter of the third run is over.
　It took quite a while.
　I gave up on the bonus time and killed the demons until just before the stipulated time, but I ended up with 78 and didn't get excited.
　The top of the dungeon battle will be tough.
　Chapter 8 was also the last place in the party battle.
　Even with the overall points, the odds were high that they would sink to the bottom of the table.

　Even so, they couldn't give up, which was the disgusting thing about the Kowloon Cup.

　It is possible to aim for an upset in the all-out competition.

Lacelle, what is your target time?

　It was Meira who asked me a question.
　She bent and stretched and relaxed her body.

'How about 45?'

Yo, 45!

　It was Podium, who was listening beside me, who raised his voice.
　When I first met him, he was chubby, but he had lost a lot of weight and become much thinner and smarter.
　Perhaps it was because of his middle-distance training for the Kowloon Cup.

　Podium is in the same party as Meira.
　Inevitably, he will be a support person.
　It only takes one person to reach the farthest point, but there are demons and traps that have been set up even before that point.
　You also need a companion to control the pace.

　Such support will be the role of Podium and the rest of the team.

　Of course, we have a group of people who are very confident about their speed, including Podium.

'My top time right now is 58!　We're still shaving off our top time from the previous year with this one; 45 is too fast.

No, 58 is not a top time.

　I glanced at the tent where the main school was entering.
　There were no people coming in and out of the school.
　It was quiet and still.

"Perhaps our school will not remain silent.

　He was a humiliating runner-up in the party game.
　In the dungeon game, he'll be determined to get first place.
　That's why the top time is essential.

'If I'm Iolada, I'm going to try to get under 50. So, 45..... "With me, I'd try to get under 50, so 45....

But 45.... The eradication of the demons can't keep up with them. Chapter 7 has 33........

Easy. I'm going for triple digits.

Three figures!　I mean, you could take down 100 of them!　Even though it's hard to use the full amount of time prescribed!

No problem. Me and my training partners.

　I turned around.
　Sarasa and the others were smiling with a dependable look on their faces.
　They are so motivated.

　Podium was taken aback.
　Meira tapped him on the shoulder.

'I have faith in you, Lacelle-kun.

Meira...

I have trained myself and Podium to believe in you, Lacelle, and you have taught me that we can do it. I believe that we can do it. I believe that.

　Those words were the first time I announced them to the entire school.

　Podium was stunned at first, but finally made up his mind.
　I squeezed my lips a little loose.

''I understand. I'll do it.''

'Oh..... I believe you.

　And so our dungeon warfare began.


　◆◇◇◇◇◇


Start.

　At the same time as the signal for the actual event, we ran.
　Meira's party, aiming for the deepest part of the dungeon, took the lead.
　In the blink of an eye, they dove deep into the dungeon.

"Mr. Chairman, do as you're told.

Mm. I'm on it!

　My party and the Chairman's party were split into two.

'Now, how about the remarkable Chapter 5!　Apparently, Meira's party of players is going for the deepest part of the tournament. Which one of the aces from the 5th branch of the last tournament is the Vael player, and which one of the most notable and ace this time--Racel player--is going to take the object. Oops.....''

　The place buzzed.
　Through [Telekinesis], the audience watched as the images were drawn with [Automatic Writing].

　It was Meira who had a strange change.

''Strange!　You're crazy!　Meira's party has deviated from the shortest possible distance!　Did you take a wrong turn?　This was a painful mistake.'

　Everyone would think so.
　But it's not.
　It's all part of the plan.

No, no!　Meira's party is headed for the object!　Objects!　I'm aiming at an object!'

　Meira and her friends then acquire the first object.
　Only 18 beats.
　They quickly turn on their heels and go back the way they came from.
　The next target was the other object.

'Apparently, Meira players are going to retrieve the object. Then who is going to reach the farthest point........ Hmph!''

　The actual scream went up.


　◆◇◆◆◆


No. Meira's not the object recovery team.

　The one who said that was the ace of our school--Iolada.
　She raised her face and gazed at the image drawn by the 【Automatics】.
　Next to her, Canal was also standing next to her.

''Perhaps we'll share the search for the objects. Meira's team has two. The other team will have one each, and so on.

　Analysis.
　Canal, the Qilin child of the Demon Jewelry World, tilted his head.

''It certainly makes sense, but then you won't be able to defeat the demons. You won't be able to hope for additional points. I wonder if that's okay, so...''

''Yeah.... But there are plenty of demons around the rest of the party.

　It was then.
　The screams of the actual audience and the voice of the canal coincided.

　When they realized the situation, the spectators also raised their voices in surprise.


　◆◇◆◆◆.


'Gyahhhh!

　A scream echoed through the dungeon.
　The voice was raised by one of Vael's party members.
　And it was Levan Singh Wadsky, the treasurer of the homeowners' association.
　A second class student of Chapter 5.
　On his left shoulder, there is a 'pen' drawn on his left shoulder, indicating [Scholar (Professor)].

　Among the werewolf tribe, which has a strong image of a physical idiot, he is a complete heretic.
　He was a devastatingly loud male when it came to money.

　That Revan is screaming.
　He was horrified by the sight behind him.

　A number of red points of light.
　All are the twin eyes of a demon.
　They were chasing after Vael and his party, screaming ferociously.

''Ka, Mr. Chairman!　It's not worth the cost, no matter how much of an operation it is!

　The guardian of the local government association is a weakling.
　Hearing that, the only thing the chairman paid for was an icy smile.

''Hahaha........ It's quite a fun composition. This experience..... You don't get to do this very often.

It's okay, Levan!　If it bites you, I'll fix it.

　said Payella, the vice president.
　She smiles and calls out to him with a smile.
　She really seems to be enjoying herself as much as Vael does.

''It's nice to receive the healing of Miss Payella, though. I'm saying this isn't worth it, though!

Shut up!　Doggie!　You shut up and bark....

　The one who gave her a cold stare was an elven girl with cropped bangs.
　Her name was Marcella Amor.
　One of the enforcers.
　She is assisting Lucian, the scribe, who is the head of the execution unit.

"You're the one who needs to shut up. "Shut up, you idiot!　And I'm a wolf.

I'm not in the shape of a child!

You are. You're a big fat elf!

　Nunnu..............................and they glare at each other.
　While running, they never slowed down.
　That alone told me that they were not just anyone.

　Someone shouted out as if to cut through the two of them.

'They're both competing!　Focus!

　It was Lucian, the scribe, who said
　He tore the demon from the front.
　He was ahead of the party, literally clearing the way for the party.

I'm sorry. Mr. Lucien.

'Keh!　Only in front of Lucien was he acting like a prima donna.

What did you say?

　Marcella glared at Revan again.
　It was the Chairman who admonished him.

'Good!　Do it again, Levan!　Bark as hard as you can.

Well, do you still want to do it?

"Ho. Are you going to argue with me?

"d*mn it!　It's not worth it!

　Revan shouted.
　Then he gave up and activated his magic.


　[Provocation]!


　Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!


　Howling.
　Demons were being drawn in from all over the dungeon.
　I growled and chased after the running Vael team.

　That's when I saw the object up ahead.

'I see it.'

　Payella touched the object.
　The spherical object, which had been glowing blue, turned red in response to her magic.

''We've got it!

　Payella shouted.
　When she turned around, what she saw in her yellow-green eyes were countless demons.
　They were called out by [Provocation].

　Approximately 40 of them.
　Large fangs and sharp eyes flashing.
　It was truly a picture of hell.

　However, there was someone who rejoiced at the sight of them.
　The one who smiled an icy smile was Vael.

'Well done, Revan!　I'll mooch you later!

　She shook her silver hair and confronted the demon.
　At the same time, Vael activated his magic.

　[Frozen Prison]

　It was the Eighteenth of the Frozen Dog Witch.
　In an instant, the demons that rushed in stopped moving.
　The result was a countless number of ice statues.

''Yet!

　Lucien is ahead.
　Marcella and Revan followed suit.
　The ice statues were destroyed one after another.

　The stop--.

　[Absolute Ice Spear]

　He wiped them out with his ice spear.
　The demons that were more than 40 of them disappeared in an instant.

''Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!　Vael Team!　In the blink of an eye, 43 demons were defeated!　I even took the objects away. [Provocation] to summon the demons and round them up. This can only be called brilliant!''

　The actual situation praises Vael and his friends.

　However, it was someone else that the community association member praised.

''You've hit the nail on the head, Lacelle-kun.

　Payella gave a small clap, and Vael nodded.

''Ah. Using [Provocation] to lure the demons was a blind spot.''

It's frustrating, but it's the perfect plan.

　Lucien nodded.
　Marcella agreed.

''Yes. If we can attract the demons, it will help ensure the safety of the team aiming for the farthest reaches.''

It's not too bad from a cost perspective, but I don't want to do it again.

Do you only measure things by money?

This is my way of life, you know?

　When Marcella glared at him, Revan said, "How's that? I threw out my chest as if to say.

'But I know your goal is to have a hundred of them, Lacelle.

''Even for us, we could barely make it to 40. Can we attract another 60 demonic beasts?

Don't worry. Lacelle will be fine.

　Vael smiled at Lucien's question.
　That smile reminded him of Lacelle somehow.