*

　The wagon continues south on the road.
　It's a smooth journey without encountering any monsters.
　Makoto looked around.
　The top of the wagon was dirty, the wood was old and worn, and there were eight passengers, including Makoto and the others, facing each other.
　They were seated in long chairs facing each other.
　Their eyes met with the young man sitting across from them and they turned away in a hurry.
　He didn't want to be causally linked to them.

''Um, are you guys in the dungeon too?''
Yeah.

　The man calls out to me in a reserved manner, and I turn to the front to answer him.
　The man wears dark green robes and holds a sultry staff with a sultry tip.
　Apparently, he's a wizard like Yuka.

'How long have you been in the dungeon so far?'
'Once before we had a team, and the first time since we've had a team.
Oh, good. Actually, so are we.

　The man patted his chest.

'I've moved up through the ranks with various requests since we formed a team...'
I understand. No, it's presumptuous to say I understand. We're in the middle of a struggle.

　Why do we have to have this talk?　Makoto asks himself and responds without being rude.
　I thought adventurers were a bit more outlaw-like, but apparently that's not the case.

''Excuse me, but you have elven blood in you too?''
No, I'm only human.
Is that so?

　The man's eyes widen in surprise.

'Is something wrong?'
No, for a young man, your answers were so firm, I'd have thought you were a half-elf like me.

　Then the man revealed his pointed ears.

'Excuse me, sir, but how old are you?'
I'll be 40 years old this year.

　The man smiled shyly.
　Mako looked at his team again.
　It was all men sitting there.
　A warrior in heavy armor, a swordsman in leather armor, and a small, bandit-like man - his age must be around thirty years old.

''I was a bit late to become an adventurer, you know. Well, that's why I'm allowed to be the leader...

　The man's friends laugh in unison.
　It wasn't a ridiculous laugh.
　It was a laugh that made me feel their bond.

'I just couldn't get my childhood dreams out of my mind.
No, I think it's fine, sir.

　I wholeheartedly agree.
　Mako had lost his energy and spent his days coasting.
　Compared to that, he deserves respect for never forgetting his childhood dreams.
　What kind of dreams did I have?
　At least it wasn't a dream to live a slow life.
　As he was thinking about this, the speed of the wagon changed to a slower one.
　The wagon stopped and the men stood up.

''Then we wish each other good luck in the war.

　The man thrust his fist out, but Mako didn't understand what he meant.

'Oh, this is a fist bump. It's like a handshake.'
I'm sorry.

　Makoto bumped his fists with the man.
　He thought he had taken it pretty easy, but the man frowned, as if it hurt.
　But it was only for a moment.
　He immediately smiled cheerfully.

''Well then...''
Yeah, I'll see you around.

　The men left and Mako stood up.

'Let's go.'

　I declared and turned my gaze to the girls, and they had a look of dismay on their faces.

'What's with that look?'
You know, you really are quite good at that.
"Brother, you were super cool, like an adult!
Makoto's a pretty intelligent guy.
"...you guys.

　Mako let out a deep sigh.
　It was a line that showed how the three of them looked at him, but there was no point in complaining about it.
　I got off the wagon, feeling my motivation drop.
　I had heard beforehand that we were in the woods.

'It pisses me off that there's a stop,'

　Mako muttered as she looked at the wooden sign.
　Not only is there a sign, but also a crude waiting area.

'Brother, this way.'

　I looked towards where Fene was pointing and saw that the forest was cut off.

'Show me the way, please.'
Okay.

　Fene slapped his thin chest and parted into the forest.
　Mako continued to part into the forest.
　Unlike near the city, it was dimly lit and the air was cold.

''It's like a sea of trees on Fuji.''
Have you been there?

　Makoto muttered, and Yuka called out to him.
　He looks behind him over his shoulder.
　Behind Yuka is Liv, who is carrying a pole hammer.
　He's alerting me to an attack from behind.
　He's a caring guy, and I'm honestly impressed.
　I can't keep looking back, so I look to the front.

'Nah,'
I don't have it.
It's not like he wanted to kill himself.
Isn't that a prejudice?
It's not like I'm looking for a body.
Now you've picked a fight with the people of Yamanashi Prefecture.
Are you from Yamanashi Prefecture?
I was born in Tokyo. How about you?
...in Saitama Prefecture.
....

　When I looked behind me again over my shoulder, I saw Yuka smiling at me.

'Why, smile?'
I'm not laughing.
No, you laughed.
I'm not laughing. You are persistent.
I'm not a stickler.

　Tsk, he looked forward, clicking his tongue.

'So where are you from in Saitama?　Omiya?　Urawa?
They're merged into Saitama City now.
Tsk, I didn't get it.

　Yuka clicked her tongue.

'So where is it?'
Why the f*ck do you have to say it?
No, it's just that I'm not busy.
Kumagai.
..........

　When Makoto replied in a disgusted mood, Yuka fell silent.

'Say something,'
Kumagai, Kumagai... oh, that hot place. Well, it's the only place where we sell our products now, but it's been taken over by our neighbor Gunma.
Do you have a grudge against Kumagaya City?
Here.

　There was a hole in the ground where Fene had stopped.
　Not just a hole.
　It's a hole in space.
　Beyond that you can see the rock face.

'Alright, let's go.
Wait a minute.

　As they were about to enter the dungeon, Yuka shouted out.

'What?'
I'll do some magic.

　Yuka moved to the hole - away from the entrance of the dungeon - and readied his staff.

'Luno Kesta Agata!　O Periolis the Imperishable, be a beacon to guide me as a beacon to guide me!　Reveal!　Light!

　As Yuka poked her staff into the ground, a magic circle unfolded and emitted a light.
　The light was so intense that you'd think your retinas were going to be burned.

''My eyes hurt like hell.''
Wow, I'm sorry. But I need this magic.

　Feeling bad about the quirks, Yuka said as she averted her gaze.

''What's the use of that magic now?''
It's a marker for transference magic.

　Hmph, Yuka snorted with pride.

''Transition magic?!''
'Seriously!　I didn't know there was anyone who could use shifting magic!
It's no big deal.

　Yuka twitched her nose at Fene and Liv's reaction, probably because she was so pleased with their reactions.
　She was probably happy to have her approval needs met.

'You've been working hard at being serious too, haven't you?
I'm always trying to do my best.

　When Makoto muttered sincerely, Yuka said as if she was miffed.

''Thanks to me being able to use transition magic--''
It'll save you money on transportation and travel time.
'd*mn, I know... but... but I do!

　Yuca caged her mouth and stepped on the ground in a hushed manner.

''Brother, transference magic is really a great magic, isn't it?''
How great is it?
........How great is it?

　When Mako asked back, Fene fell silent for a moment and tilted her head cutely.

'Follow up properly!
It's hard to evaluate because there's no one close to you who can use it!

　When Yuka raised her voice, Fene retorted loudly.

''Hmm~ That's a level you rarely see even in a mercenary group. Pincer attacks and surprise attacks are seriously the worst, so I don't want them to be used with a whimper.
Come on, come on, people who know what they're talking about.

　Yuka snorted and bashed Makoto's arm.

'Don't they sell magic items for transference?
Brother, those transference magic items are ridiculously expensive.

　Fene said, sounding like she was about to cry.

'How much what?'
Mm~ The magic items of the transference system require spatial magic stones, you know.
A spatial magic stone?
It's a kind of magic stone. It's a monster that uses shifting magic, or can be found in dungeons from time to time. Frankly speaking, if you find one, it's a fortune.

　Fene said with an effort at the 'sometimes' part.

'How much does it cost?'
It's, uh...
"A fistful of spatial demons is enough to make a person want to buy a million A.

　Liv follows up with a cagey Fene.

'A fortune is cheap for a fortune,'
A million A is a fortune.
...and that too.

　That's probably what it's all about when you think about the processing.

''Well, Makoto's dream is 3 million A, you know. I can't blame her for looking like a piece of money.
The goal is 12 million A.
'Oh?　Do you want another one for me?
I'm not surprised.

　Liv grinned.

'A team making 12 million A's? That's the big dream. Well, I can't help but notice that you're always trying to slow things down.
"Leave it.

　Liv laughed and patted Mako on the back.

'Well, let's go.'

　Mako let out a deep sigh and jumped into the dungeon.
　The next moment, a chill crawled up his spine.

'Mako, what's going on?'
I haven't been in a dungeon in a while.
Ha, that was a bit of a jolt.

　Liv bared her teeth and smiled.

'Don't stop,'
Sorry.

　Yuka and Fene entered the dungeon.

Then I'll go first.
No, I'll take the lead. And the last one can you take care of Liv?
Atta boy.
If you're so worried about getting blindsided, shouldn't I be at the back of the line?
You can't see it coming, can you?
Yeah. I didn't get a skill.
...you.

　Mako moaned softly.
　I didn't think he hadn't acquired the skill.
　But there was no point in complaining about it.
　Besides, for what it's worth, he's learned a new magic.
　Yuka must be taking it seriously in her own way.

Let's go.
　Mako took a step forward.

*

　Makoto and the others formed up and proceeded through the dungeon.
　The rock face was bare and so bright that lighting was not needed.
　The structure was no different from the Immortal King's dungeon.
　At least Makoto couldn't tell the two dungeons apart.
　If I lose Fene, it will be the last thing I ever do, he thought as he moved through the passage.

''It's not quite fitting in with the rest of the team.
...this is the way it should be.

　Fene answered after a short pause.
　Probably concentrating on the map.
　I could have checked it, but this is a dungeon.
　You don't know when the enemy will show up, and you don't know if your power will work.

''d*mn, it's not easy to get the undead out.
"...this is why I don't like the Bison Horns.

　Liv blurted out, and Fene spat it out.

'Thank you for your cowardly Foxtail-esque dialogue,'
Better to be a coward than a brainiac.
Stop fighting.
Okay.
I wouldn't want to fight you, but I get it.

　Mako interrupted, and they contradicted each other with a sense of reluctance.

'You're getting your leader role on the board,'
I don't know.

　I lightly cower my shoulders.

'You've been praised, so be honestly pleased.
I don't feel like I got a shred of credit.

　Instead, I feel like I'm being made fun of.
　Well, I guess that's the extent to which I'm being made fun of by high school girls.
　Just getting older doesn't make you an adult, and it doesn't earn you respect.
　It just makes the obligations grow.
　The rest is inferiority complex, Makoto let out a small sigh.
　At that moment, a stinging pain was felt in the neck.

''........Brother.''
I know.

　A single skeleton appeared with a crunching sound.
　It's a good idea to call it a skeleton soldier because it's armed with a sword and armor.

'I'll jump in. Liv is Yuka and Faene's guard. Yuka and Faene, take cover.

　Mako instructed and jumped out of the way.
　The Skeleton Soldier moved his body slightly.
　He might have tried to raise his sword.
　But unfortunately, he couldn't take any further action.
　This was because Makoto's fist crushed the Skeleton Soldier's skull.
　A silence descended as the Skeleton Soldier broke apart.

''Well you didn't have to tell me what to do.
Yeah.

　Mako responds to Yuka with some awkwardness.
'Let's switch roles,'
Yeah, well, yeah.

　We can take down monsters as it is now, but for the future, it's essential to strengthen Fene and Liv.

''Liv, you take the lead.
Oh. But you're okay?
I'm sure you can handle it with your presence skills.
Heh, you're good.

　Liv bares her teeth and smiles.
　I honestly don't know how much my skills are affecting me, but I can't help but say that.

'Okay, here we go!'
　Switch ranks and start exploring the dungeon.
　The order is Liv, Fene, Yuka, and Makoto, in that order.
　Liv carries a pole hammer and proceeds to carry it.
　Although she hasn't turned around once, she maintains a certain distance from Fene.

'A little more walking and we'll be at the fork in the road.
Which way do we go?
Straight ahead. There's a longitudinal hole that goes down a side street.
All right, all right. Hey, Liv, you okay?
I know.

　Liv shook her shoulders as she laughed.
　Further down the aisle, a side street came into view.
　My neck tingled.
　When I listened carefully, I heard a crunching sound.
　Perhaps the enemies are skeletons, more than two in number at the very least.

"...ribs.
Yeah, I know that. We'll take care of it.

　When he called out, Liv readied her pole hammer.

'I want you to wait a minute. It's not a good idea to take on multiple enemies by yourself.

　Fene tucked the map into his pouch and stood next to Liv.
　He went down on one knee and held up a slingshot.

'You've got a good weapon!'

　Liv laughs as if she's making fun of him.

'But can you handle it?'
Don't give me the benefit of the doubt.

　The clattering sound grew louder and louder and stopped with a snap.
　Only the sound of breathing echoed through the dungeon, and three skeletons flew out of the dungeon.
　Fane unleashed a metal sphere with a sling shot.
　The metal sphere hit the leading skeleton between the eyes, shattering its skull.
　The skeleton whose skull was shattered is dismembered, and the skeleton behind it is taken off its feet and falls over.

''Oraaaaah!''

　Liv swings the pole hammer down on the skeleton as it tries to stand up.
　The skull shatters and pieces fly around it.
　What are you going to do about the third one?　And Makoto looks at Liv and Fene.
　The third skeleton was closing in on Liv.
　It was Fene who moved first.
　He pulls the rubber and releases a metal sphere.
　The metal sphere hits the top of the skull, as if his aim was poor.
　The opponent is undead.
　There should be no pain, no reflexes.
　But the skeleton stopped moving for a moment.
　Maybe it was trying to determine which one was the threat.

''Oraaaaah!''

　The ribs hit the body from the shoulder and slammed the skeleton into the wall.
　A sound like several trees were broken.
　The skeleton's body succumbed to the pressure and shattered.
　It moved for a moment, then fell to the ground in pieces.
　Liv pulled away from the wall and let out a breath.

'Phew, that helped.'
We're a team.
'Yes. Of course.

　Liv smiled charmingly and carried the pole hammer on her back.

*

　I went straight to the fork in the forked path, and after a while--!

　-- ugh!

　The voice echoed in my head and my neck tingled.

''Well be careful,''
Oh, man, I think I got a bad feeling about this.
I smell blood.
You guys know what you're talking about.

　Yuka said in a dumbfounded tone.

'What about the ranks?'
I'll be...
Just give me a minute.

　Liv interrupted Mako's words.

'What?'
We'll take care of it.
Look out!

　I don't want my friends to die, even though I just got to know them.
　It was heartfelt advice, but Liv smiled ferociously.

'Oh come on, how can you be strong enough to avoid risks?
You can't risk it, but you can raise the bar.
Brother, I don't want you to do that. Bison Horns are such creatures.

　Fane holds up a slingshot as he says this.

'Were you affected by it too?'
It's not.
So why?
It's a...

　Fene said with an embarrassed blush on her cheeks.
　Unfortunately, she couldn't hear everything, but it seems she has a reason to fight as well.

''As the leader of the team--''
It's all right.

　I was about to say that I couldn't admit it, when Yuka interrupted me.

'I'll pick up your bones for you, you're going to die!
I'm not gonna die!
You're not going to die.

　Liv and Fene ran off.
　Makoto and Yuka followed.
　The view opened up.
　It was a rather large space.
　Makoto frowned at the dense smell of blood.
　The source was in the center of the space.
　Something was devouring a human there.

''It's a ghoul!

　Liv shouted, and something - the ghoul interrupted his meal and wobbled to his feet.
　Then he turned to face us.

'Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!'

　The air chattered and trembled as the ghoul let out a yell.
　A faint-hearted person would be pressurized by that alone.

''We met here, but it's been a hundred years, I'm going to beat you to death!
Oh, oh!

　As Liv ran out, the ghouls ran out as if in response.
　In the blink of an eye, the distance between the two closed in.

''Orach!''

　Liv swings down the pole hammer.
　The pole hammer struck the ghoul's shoulder, a blow that made him want to scowl.
　But the ghoul doesn't care, he jumps on it and thrusts out a sharp, clawed arm.
　If it grabbed him, it would be hard to escape.
　Liv ducked the claw with a backstep and cleaved the pole hammer to the side.
　The tip of the weapon - the one that is also sharp - was impaled on the side of the ghoul.

''Gu, loooooooooooo!

　The ghoul screamed and waved his arms around recklessly, whether due to pain or to his fighting spirit.
　Each time the ghoul waved her arm, a murky wind noise echoed, and shallow wounds were etched into Liv's skin.
　It looks like she's being forced into a defensive battle, but there's room in her expression.

''Gu, goooooooooooooooooooooooo!

　The ghoul was on its back and screamed.
　Fene shot an arrowhead into his back with a sling shot.
　Amazing, Mako muttered.
　Like the fact that he was able to keep the lines of fire from overlapping to avoid hitting the ribs if he missed, but what he had to admire was his skill at distracting the signs.
　He had gotten behind the ghoul before even Makoto, who was watching the fight, noticed.

''Guh, oh!''

　White smoke rose from the ghoul's back.

'Are you going to evolve?'
You don't look like that.

　I thought I asked myself, but Yuka answers.
　If you look, something is dripping from the ghoul's back to the ground.
　Yuka covers her mouth with her hand.

''It ... stinks.''
Is the meat rotten?
Maybe.
I remember the arrowhead was made of mithril alloy.

　Alone.
　I once read a novel that was set up with Mithril having the power of breaking evil.
　If Mithril has the power of breaking evil, then it's no wonder the flesh of the ghouls was rotten.


What are you talking about?
It's about Fene.

　Mako replies to Yuka, who raises her eyebrows quizzically.
　Fene is small in stature and unqualified as a vanguard.
　She is also unreliable as a rearguard, but she could make up for her lack of firepower by equipping her so that she can exploit her weaknesses.

''Ha~ You have a lot on your mind.
You're the leader.

　We have to train our people for the future.

Goooooooooooooooooo!

　The second arrowhead pierced and the ghoul screamed again.
　Another plume of white smoke rises from his back, and the amount of flesh dripping down visibly increases.
　The ghoul tries to get to Fene, but is blocked by the ribs.

'You're boring. Stick with me until the end.
'Goooooooooooo!'

　Ghoul yells and grabs at him.
　Liv thrusts out a pole hammer to prevent the claws.
　It looks like his body has swollen up with how much force he's used to counter it.

'Gosh!'

　There is an intermittent clunking sound.
　The ghoul is trying to bite into the ribs.
　A bite would be fatal in and of itself.
　But, perhaps anticipating the attack, Liv taunted the ghoul and set up a foot sweep.
　The ghoul, which had been greatly dislocated, fell over unceremoniously.

''Oryaaaah!''

　Liv swung the pole hammer down, not wanting to miss this opening.
　The sharp edge pierced the back of the ghoul's head and struck the ground.
　The ghoul kept twitching in small increments, but eventually it stopped moving.

''........Oh?''

　Liv's eyes widened lightly.
　I knew immediately why.
　The wound healed quickly.
　The level has gone up.

I've raised the bar!
...level 15.

　Yuka said, narrowing her eyes as Liv pumped her fist up.
　As it was, she turned her gaze to Fene, who pulled out the arrowhead from the ghoul.

''........Level 6.''
I guess it's hard to raise the bar, isn't it?
I'm not a frontal fighter.

　Fene said as he washed off the dirt on the arrowhead with the water from his canteen.
　He looked so sad.

Fene, don't worry. I will raise you well.
...my brother.

　Fene looks up at Mako with moist eyes.

'Speaking of which, where's the body?'
Oh.

　Yuka pointed out to him and he looked at the corpse.
　Then the corpse was trying to get up.
　It had turned into a zombie.
　Makoto let out a small sigh.
　The zombie was a bandit-like man in a ride-on carriage.

'What are we going to do?'
"...and we're going to take it down. Ignition, fire-bullet.

　The zombie turned to dust in seconds as he unceremoniously released a flaming bullet.

'Mmm, that's funny.'
Yeah, I know.

　Liv agrees with Fene.

'What's so funny?'
The ghouls got me down with all that equipment, and I only had enough footprints for one person. And there are only footprints for one person.

　In other words, the bandit-like man had been separated from his friends for some reason.
　That's when I felt a tingle and a pain in my neck.
　He looked around in a hurry.
　The space behind Fene wavered like a shimmering flame.

''Fene!　Behind you!
"Huh?

　As soon as Makoto kicks the ground, a skeleton appears.
　It's a red skeleton.
　Inside the ribs is a sphere the size of a clenched fist.
　Inside the sphere, something like red streaks are moving like a beating heart.

''d*mn!''

　The next moment when he was covered by Fane, a shock hit his back.
　He released a back fist, but there was no sign of the red skeleton.

''Yuka!''
He's gone!　Maybe it's a transition!
Whoa!

　Liv was on her back and kneeling in place.
　Standing behind her was a red skeleton.
　A long sword was held in his hand.
　When Makoto was about to jump out, the red skeleton disappeared like it was melting into the air.

''........Is it because of the red skeleton?''
'I've never heard of an undead that can transfer into space going out to a place like this before!
"d*mn it, I'm gonna kill you.

　Fene screams and Liv stands up.

'Liv, get down!'
....

　Makoto shouted, and Liv obeyed with a sense of reluctance.

'If the enemy shows up, tell me where they are.

　Mako pulled away from Fene and stood on a stick.

'Brother, look out!'
I'm the safest person you know.

　He's level 100, has a status of 255, and even has a physical resistance skill as an added bonus.
　By all accounts, I'm the right person for the job.
　The problem is I don't know how useful the stats and skills will be.
　Concentrate, I tell myself.
　A tingle in my neck and Fene yelled.

'Behind you!'
Thanks!

　Without thinking about avoiding the attack, he turns around and unleashes a fist.
　A dull impact is felt on my shoulder.
　This is because the red skeleton received the sword swung down by the red skeleton.
　The red skeleton's figure fades.

''Ah!''

　Fane screams.
　He challenged her with the intention of striking each other and lost.
　It must have looked that way.
　But--.

''........I won.

　Makoto smiled and pulled his arm back.
　In his hand was a sphere the size of a clenched fist.
　The red skeleton, which had become translucent, regained its original form and broke apart.

''Brotheryyy!''
Mako-o-tz!

　Fene and Liv got up and hugged me.
　They should be pleased with Mako's victory, but is it my imagination that they seem to be pushing and hitting each other?

''Spatial magic stone!　One million A!

　Yes!　And only Yuka had a different way of being pleased.

'I see. Come to think of it, it was expensive.'
'Yes!　Get rich!
We won't be able to reach Makoto's goal, though.

　Even if this sold for a million A, there would still be 11 million A left to the target amount.
　Makoto looked down at the spatial magic stone and narrowed his eyes.

''What's wrong?''
Are you glowing?

　In the meantime, the light is getting stronger.

'Let's throw it away!'
No!

　Yuka screamed and clung to Makoto's arm.

'Let go!'
No!　Don't ever throw it away!
We don't know where we're going!
With me, you can get out of here no matter where you are!
You don't know if they'll let us fly separately!
No!

　Makoto tried to shake it off, but Yuka clung to him with incredible strength.
　Then the spatial magic stone emitted a dazzling light.