*

　Night--

Now, now, Miss Makoto. Please help yourself to a proper meal.
Yeah.

　Makoto and his friends were being served food by the village chief - that bald-headed old man - in front of the well.
　On a cloth laid on the ground were fresh vegetable salads, meat-filled soups, steaks dripping with gravy, and pure white bread.

'Wow! The bread is white ssss!
These steaks are good, too!
Haha, I haven't had anything good to eat in a long time.

　Fene has a mouthful of bread, and Liv bites off a steak with gusto.
　Yuka, speaking of which, is eating soup and indulging her taste buds.
　Unfortunately, Mako couldn't concentrate on her food as much as the three of them did.
　The village is in a pinch because of Makoto and Yuka.
　On top of that, it's also the fault of Makoto and the others that a member of the Order was injured.
　It's not a good match pump.

It's not only free, but I didn't think I could have such a good dinner.
Yeah, I guess so.

　Fene's innocent words gutted my heart.
　When I was having trouble renting the barn, the village chief offered to rent me a spare room.
　I suppose I should be happy because I didn't have to use the magic stone, but I'm feeling crushed by guilt.

''Please come in, this is the fruit water.
Oh, hi.

　Mako gulped down the translucent liquid poured into her cup.
　The tartness and sweetness of the fruit filled his mouth.
　He hadn't eaten anything sweet since he came to this world, so it tasted even better.

''What's wrong with you?''
No.

　Mako turned her face away, unable to look directly into the village chief's eyes.
　But when he turned his face away, the adventurer's gaze was painful.

''Oh, you mean the gaze of your peers hurts!　I understand!　We'll have one for you all!
Oh, um!

　Before he could stop, the village chief walked towards his house.

'You should eat a little better. You're being rude to the village chief.'
Yuka, listen to me.
Breathe in my ear and I'll kill you.

　Yuka said an extra word and put her ear close to Makoto's mouth.

''The reason this village is in a pinch is because we left the magic stone unattended.
Oh, my God.

　Yuka returned to her original position, having lost her worry.

'Huh?　That's it!
We don't have any proof that it's our fault and there is no punishment for the doubters.
You're awesome.
Of course I do. You're just finding out now?

　I didn't praise her.
　Rather, he said it with the nuance of wanting to see his parents' faces, but Yuka ruffled his hair in a victorious manner.

''........yabba.''

　Yuka put her hat on with her eyes.
　When he turned to see what was going on, he was about to see a young man in a short run-like jacket approaching him.
　The young man stopped in front of Makoto.

'Are you Makoto, Lord?
Yeah, I know.

　As Makoto stood up, the young man straightened his back.

''I am Raymond Smithee, a member of the Knights of the Veris Kingdom. Thank you for sharing the water potion with me.''
Oh, hi.

　I held out my hand, tingling and guilt provoked, and Raymond squeezed it back forcefully.

'Don't be so awed,'
Well, there's a few. Thank you for sharing the water pills. You've helped me a lot.
You can thank the chief for that.
I've already told him.
Are you done with your injuries?
Thanks to you. We've been attacked by a horde of undead. The carriage is destroyed, the dead are coming out. Some are missing....totally, I don't know what would have happened if Commander Luke hadn't been there.

　Raymond let out a deep sigh.

'You don't mind telling me that, do you?　What can I say, military discipline.
I don't mind.

　I glanced down.
　Then, Fene and Liv were engrossed in eating and Yuka was pretending to be asleep, as if she hadn't been.

''Does this kind of thing happen often?''
'No way, this is my first time. The Skeleton King's dungeon has been conquered, so that must be the effect.

　'Kukku,' laughed Raymond.

'Is this the place to laugh?'
No, we were going to leave the Wrecking King's dungeon to his guests.
Can you do it?
It's impossible. Even if we could get at it, it would take years.

　'It didn't take that long,' Makoto added in his mind.

'Did it?'
''Once you get past the middle level, the undead keep coming out with their resistance. They may not be able to do that, but those who have been training for only a month can't.

　How can you blabber on about it?
　Is there no such thing as a violation of military discipline or secrecy in this country's knightly order?
　Wait, Mako recalled.
　Maybe Raymond is talking to the blabbermouth in order to divulge information.

'Hmm?　Then why are you in the dungeon?
The point is, it's a foil. They told me that I was able to go this deep on my first exploration.
Do you ever cut corners when you're teaching?
I swear to God that's where it is.

　Raymond put his hand on his chest and said.

'What didn't I tell you?'
It's a secret.

　Raymond chuckled. 'Apparently there's some information I didn't deliberately give you.

''I made a lot of accommodations, but the plan itself fell through. I was trying to conquer a dungeon to make an excuse, but even if I had to conquer a dungeon that was about five levels long.''

　Saying that, Raymond cowered his shoulders.

''In addition I told you the story about the monster attack on the way back to King's Landing, didn't I?　That's when our guest's carriage broke down.
Are there any deaths?
It's the only way to get hurt.
You're healing already.
It's hard to hear that.

　Raymond chuckled.

'Then there was this guy who ran away. He looked like a whorehouse-goer, but I didn't expect him to run away and leave his friends behind.

　'Oh dear,' said Raymond, cowering his shoulders.

'You're not asking me to find that guy, are you?
Of course.
Do you want to ruin your guest's reputation?
It's a secret.

　It's like telling the truth, but there's no point in pointing it out.
　You'll get blown out of the water and that's it.

'Same guest, but very different from you.
Do you understand?
'A simple deduction ... and I'm kidding when I say it's a simple deduction, because the only people who look like you are in the East. I'm just kidding.
What are you going to do to me?

　Mako's eyes narrowed and she floated slightly on her heels.

'No. No way. I wouldn't do that.
That's great.
'Yeah, yeah, it's best to get along. Then I'll be on my way.

　Raymond was distracted and bowed and left.
　A short time later, Yuka sat up.

'Shit, what's going on here?
You're here to spread bad news about our guest.
What?　Why?!
There are some people who wouldn't want to be our guest.

　Makoto chewed on his bread.
　It's usually the knights who are in trouble.
　You don't want to hand over your position to a guest after having served your country so far.
　When he ate the steak, the gravy spread in his mouth.
　You'll be able to see that you're not the only one.
　As I reached for the soup, the village chief came back.

''........Makoto-sama, please wait a while longer until additional dishes are ready.''
Thank you.

　Makoto straightened up.
'Oh, the fruit water is gone, sir. I'll pour some for you.
Thank you.

　The village chief poured a glass full of fruit water.
　Two moons were reflected in it, drowned out by ripples.
　I thought my hands were shaking, but the ripples were intermittent.

''Well that was in an old movie.
The one with the dinosaur.

　His neck tingled and Mako looked at the gate.
　Then there was a giant skeleton with its hand on the gate.

'There was a cartoon with giants in it.
That's a giant skeleton.
No, it's obvious.

　It would still be more familiar to me if you could call me a gazillion dollars.

'Dear adventurers!'
　The village chief turned his back on Makoto and spoke to the adventurers.
''We will pay you, so will you please take down that undead!
No, no, no, no, no.

　It was Fene who answered the village chief.
　Of course, it's in a whisper so low that you can't hear it.
　He still speaks to the adventurers, but the response is quite slow.

''Why?''
'I know I'll get hurt if I work without going through the church, sass.
Yeah. I don't want to complain about payment.

　Fene and Liv replied with a smug look.

'We're going to keep this up until the fence is destroyed and our asses are on fire.
Don't you feel sorry for eating all this food?
That's for the water pills.
I didn't ask for this.

　They were both refreshingly selfish.

'Oh, Mako-sama,'
Well it's not much of a choice.

　The village chief gave him a clinging look and Mako let out a sigh that couldn't have been deeper than this and stood up.

'You should have stopped it. You're not a righteous character, are you?
Well, I guess so.

　Makoto agrees with Yuka.
　There was no way to save him when he was in the most trouble.
　His relatives, who were wealthy, didn't help him either.
　I know it's not right to resent my relatives, though, since my father just got into debt by being a bad influence.

'I can afford it,'
It's called hypocrisy when the salvation is put out or withdrawn at your convenience.
'I know. But I can't justify abandoning you for whatever reason, can I?

　There will be times when it can't be helped.
　It may or may not have been the right decision.
　But the act of abandonment cannot be seen as a good thing, can it?

'My brother can't help it now, can he?
It really doesn't help, does it?

　Fene and Liv let out a deep sigh and stood up.

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

　Yuka stands up like a billionaire.

'Oh, Mako--'
'I don't work for free!　If you don't pay me, I'm going to set you on fire!
Heeeeeee!

　The village chief screamed as Yuka thrust his cane at him with a bishouche, and the village chief screamed.

''Village chief, I may ruin the field a bit, but forgive me.
Well it would be great if you could limit the damage.

　The village chief said in a devastated voice.

'Then let's go. Ignition, convergence!

　Mako got ready for battle and ran off at once.
　The Giant Skeleton kept his hand on the wall.
　However, he must be kicking at it because the tremors are intermittently hitting the village.
　A young man shoots arrows from the watchtower, but they don't seem to be doing any damage.
　Makoto runs up the watchtower.
　The watchtower shakes so violently that you'd think it was going to collapse, but he doesn't care and moves his feet.
　If you don't defeat the giant skeleton, the survival of the village is in jeopardy.
　The little things before the big things.
　That's what I mean.
　Makoto kicked the watchtower and leapt towards the Giant Skeleton.
　The watchtower leans wide enough to convince him of its collapse.
　There--.

''Uraaah!

　Liv's screams echoed and the watchtower was pushed back.
　Of course, it was Liv who did it.
　The young man on top of the watchtower was patting his chest.
　Makoto slams his fist on the Giant Skeleton's brow as hard as he can.
　A crack appears where he slammed his fist.
　Giant Skelton staggered back, and the moat took his foot off the ground and put him on his ass.
　Even though he was butt-cracked, it was well over five meters in size.
　With that alone, the water stored at the bottom of the moat jumped violently.
　Mako kicks the wall and lands on the other side of the river, facing the Giant Skeleton.
　He doesn't feel as much pressure as when he faced the Skeleton General and Skeleton Lord, but his size is so large that he feels oppressed.

''Should we have relied on the fence to fight a defensive battle? I mean, how could a mere villager fight off a guy like this?
Uryah!

　With a scream, the ribs fell from the sky.
　I felt a zun and a thrust up my lower abdomen as I landed.

'Hehe, you can do it if you try,'
That's because the bar has been raised.

　Makoto poked at Liv, who sniffed embarrassingly.

''Where's ... um ... Yuka?''
Don't look at me!　Idiot!

　The white shorts - no, Yuka jumped in the position of holding her skirt down.
　Normally she would have fallen into the moat, but the benefit of status is wonderful.
　Yuka stared at Makoto with a devilish look as she landed.

'You saw that, right?'
I didn't see him.
You'll remember this.

　It's been a long time since I've had any illusions about women, but I can feel the residue of those illusions being zapped away.

'Where's Fene?'
It's over there.

　The next moment when Yuka pointed with her thumb, a clattering sound was heard.
　And the Giant Skeleton was engulfed in flames.

''Brother!　I'll cover you from here!
I'll cover you from here!

　Fene and Raymond shouted from the top of the watchtower.

'You're a knight of the realm, aren't you!
I don't want to be a liability!
You're so clean, you are!

　Mako yelled at Raymond.

'Yuka, what's your status?'
'Giant Skeleton, level 50, strength 90, strength 60, strength 60, agility 40, magic power 0, skills super fast regeneration and Armor of Legion?
What was that last one?
I don't know!

　Mako yelled at him, and Yuka yelled back.
　The Giant Skeleton, engulfed in flames, slowly stood up.
　As the giant skeleton shuddered, the flames peeled off the entire surface of its body.
　Furthermore, the crack between his eyebrows was rapidly being repaired.

Luno Kesta Agata!　Like a cone through and through, O Periolis, you shall be a cone through my enemies!　Reveal the magic bullet (Brit)!

　The magic bullet released by Yuka pierces the center of his chest, causing a violent explosion.
　A large amount of white smoke rises.

''Did you do it?''
I didn't cause that explosion!

　Indeed, if you ask me, the magic bullets could blow up or shatter, but they didn't cause an explosion.
　The Giant Skeleton broke through the white smoke and swung its arms to the ground in a movement reminiscent of a gorilla.

''Scatter!''

　Mako and the others scattered in three directions and ducked the attack.
　They were going to do so, but a blue-white light spread out as it slid across the ground.

''Ouch!''
"Crap!
'Guh!'

　As soon as I touched the blue-white light, I felt pain.
　However, for Makoto, the pain is about the size of static electricity.
　Probably, Yuka would be on the same level.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

'd*mn, my body can't move.

　Liv grunted in pain, and the giant skeleton swung his fist down.

'I won't let you!'

　Makoto stepped in between and crossed his arms and received a fist.
　That's when something strange happened.

'What the hell was that?'

　He exclaimed.
　Countless arms sprouted from Giant Skeleton's fist.
　Countless arms grabbed their coats.
　He tried to pull it off, but it was faster for Giant Skeleton to raise his arms.
　His feet leave the ground.

''Brother, run away quickly!
What--what?

　The Giant Skeleton raised his other fist.
　Naturally, the goal was to attack Makoto.

''Konoha!''

　With both feet, he kicked the Giant Skeleton's fist away.
　The arm that was restraining him snapped with a dry thud, and Mako ran into the wheat field with all the momentum she could muster.
　There was no damage, so he quickly got up.

''There's a bit of an enemy approaching!
You're on your own!

　Several skeletons were approaching Yuka.

''Fene, situation briefing!''
"The part that exploded turned into a skeleton!
You're a real jerk.

　Makoto spat.
　'Gashadokuro is a Japanese youkai that is believed to be the aggregate of the corpses and grudges of the dead who died in the battle.

''Ugh, rah-ah!''

　Liv stands up and cleaves the skeleton that was approaching Yuka.
　But the damage hadn't been recovered, and she bent to her knees again.
　The Giant Skeleton raised his fist.

'Let's get away!

　With that, Yuka carried Liv up and ran underneath Mako.
　Then she threw Liv down.

''You could be a vanguard, couldn't you?
You can't make a joke at this point. What's the plan?

　I meant it, but Yuka let it slide.

''I will destroy the magic stone.''
How?
Keep him around and I'll take care of him.
All right. Luno Cuesta Agata!　O Periolis, who is not infinite, like a noose that binds, be a noose that binds my enemies!　Reveal, captive formation (binding).

　The magic was activated and a band of light entangled itself around Giant Skeleton's legs.
　But the Giant Skeleton stepped out of the way.
　The sound of bones breaking could be heard.
　Giant Skelton stepped out of the way, cutting off his legs from the knee down.
　The legs in the air regenerated rapidly, or rather, at super speed.

''Depth, Earthquake Strike!''

　The ribs jumped out and slammed the pole hammer into the ground.
　The ground shook violently, and Giant Skelton, who was standing on one leg, fell on his ass again.
　However, he was not relieved.
　The detached leg had begun to change into a skeleton.

''Cover!''
Holy Brits!

　Flames and white light poured down.
　The part that was turning into a skeleton was scraping algae in the flames, but soon it ran out of power and stopped moving.

'Yuka, one more time!
I know. I'll give you something great to wear.

　Yuka tossed her cape and readied her staff.

''Skill and magic maximization (Maximization). Luno Kesta Agata!　O Periolis, who is not infinite, like a noose to be bound--

　The magic circle unfolds.
　Its size remains the same, but its brilliance is incomparable to the previous ones.
　Bachi, bachi, bachi, sparks are scattered as if embodying Yuka's anger.

'Be the rope that binds my enemy!　Reveal, captive formation!

　The spell was completed and a band of light stretched out.
　It was large enough to tangle around the Giant Skeleton's body.

''Now!''
Okay.

　Mako kicked the ground and jumped on top of the Giant Skeleton.
　He swung his fist down on his head as he fell down.
　There was no magic stone inside his ribs, so he thought it was inside his head - but it was in his head.

''None!''

　I shouted.
　My head was empty.
　While I was stunned, the Giant Skeleton exploded.
　But it was a small-scale explosion.

''Brother!　Evacuate, evacuate!

　Fene's voice rang out and Mako took a huge leap backwards.
　Somewhat later, the Giant Skeleton exploded.
　Mako landed off balance and stared at the Giant Skeleton.
　The giant skeleton was regenerating in the billowing smoke.

'I thought you were going to do something about it?'
I couldn't find the magic stone.
I don't blame you.

　Yuka let out a deep sigh and stood in front of Mako.

'What are we going to do?'
You have to push through it.

　Can't you understand that?　You sound like you're trying to say.

'You've been acquiring skills?'
Of course I do.

　Yuka readied her staff again.

'Skill and magic maximization, parallel activation (multitasking) x 10'

　The Giant Skeleton has completed 90% of its regeneration and is approaching us.

''Luno Kesta Agata!　Like a cone through and through, O Periolis, you shall be a cone through my enemies!　Reveal, magic bullet.

　The spell is completed and the magic circle unfolds.
　The magic circle shines so brightly that it cannot be seen directly, and sparks reminiscent of a high-voltage electric current fly out violently.
　The ten magic bullets released from the wand repeatedly split into branches and turned into a barrage of bullets that attacked the giant skeleton.
　A white powder drifted in the air.
　The Giant Skeleton is tattered as if weathered, but it begins to regenerate.
　Just when I thought this wasn't going to work, Yuka opened her mouth.

'Re-chant (repeat)!

　The same magic bullets that turned into a barrage of bullets as before attacked Giant Skeleton.
　Giant Skeleton is even more ravaged.
　The regeneration is not able to keep up with it.

Re-chanting (repeat)!

　Three times, a barrage of bullets struck the giant skeleton.
　The front half of its body was lost, revealing a section of its spinal cord.
　There was a magic stone in it.

''Re-chant (repeat)!

　Yuka screamed as she squeezed out and a fourth barrage was released.
　Her spinal cord was obliterated and the demon stone suffered the same fate.

''It's ... it's over.''

　Yuka sat there cheating, clinging to her staff.

''Fene!''
'It's okay!　The magic stone has been crushed!

　Mako patted her chest.

''Well my level has gone up. Level 73.''
Good night.
I'm not tired of it.

　Yuka lets out a deep sigh.

''I'm not level 50 strength,''
Well, sure.

　Level 100 and status 255 were not invincible.
　He could fall behind against opponents with special skills.
　Even so, if he advanced to the realm beyond materialization, he could defeat them - but.

''It's not exactly painful.''
What did you say?
I didn't say anything.

　Mako muttered quietly.