*

　Kouki stopped in front of the slope that led to the lower level.
　According to the scouts, this lower level is the lowest level.

Finally, the lowest level. Are you ready?
Yes, sir.
I'll take care of it.

　Kirara and Takeshi nodded vigorously as Kouki gave one last check.

''We don't mind if you rely on us, though?

　When I turned around to hear a brownish voice, I saw Luke, the Knight Commander, looking at me.
　The two knights were waiting on either side of him.

"Luke-dono, I'm sorry for your concern. But this is our fight.
Our fight.

　Luke said as he chewed and twisted the edges of his mouth as if in mockery.
　I know what you mean.
　The Knights were also damaged in order to capture this dungeon.
　Nevertheless, there were no deaths and no serious injuries.
　In terms of damage, they are the ones who are the greater in terms of damage.
　In particular, the skeleton with a spider-like lower body that appeared on the fifth level - Arachne was a powerful enemy.
　They even put in a support team to fight and finally defeated it.
　Thanks to that, Kouki was now level 15, but he couldn't rejoice when he thought about the damage.
　Ideally, he should level up overall while avoiding risk.

''I'll take the lead, then Kouki, and Kirara at the end, okay?''
Yeah, I'm counting on you.

　Kouki tapped Takeshi lightly on his chest.
　Takeshi is a guardian knight - a job that specializes in attracting enemies and receiving attacks.
　But still, when did they start calling him by his name?
　Should I keep my mouth shut for a while?
　As I was thinking about that, Kirara opened her mouth.

''Leave the backup to me.
Of course.

　When Kouki smiled at her, Kirara looked down in embarrassment.
　Kirara's job is the Holy Maiden.
　A holy maiden is a laughingstock, but it's a rare job that learns magic above the proper level and is compensated for its power.
　Suddenly, she felt Takeshi's gaze.
　Most likely, he's jealous.
　It's not a good sign.
　If the head of the organization and No. 2 are at odds with each other, Luke might take advantage of them.

'Let's go!'
Oh!
Yes!

　As we descended the slope with Takeshi in the lead, we found ourselves in a vast space.
　The ground was rugged like hardened lava.
　There was something that looked like an altar in what seemed to be the center of the space - out of the corner of my eye.

''Let's approach it slowly.''
Oh.

　Takeshi readies his shield and slowly approaches what looks like an altar.
　As he gets closer, details become clearer.
　The altar was made of stone made of an obsidian-like material.
　It seems to have been carved, but I don't have time to check it.

''........Takeshi.''
I know. It's got a bad taste in its mouth.

　Takeshi glares at the altar.
　To be precise, it's the Arachne on it.
　It's probably one size larger than the individual he saw at the fifth level.
　It's not as if it's asleep, there's no light in its eye sockets, and it's sitting with its eight legs folded up.
　Should I just attack it?
　As I was thinking about this, a light, or rather a flame, lit up in Arakune's eye socket.
　A red flame.
　Furthermore, red light rises from his entire body like steam.

''---ah!

　Arachne screams as she picks herself up.
　It wasn't a voice.
　It was a shock to the soul.

'Kirara!'
Periolis!　Protect us from the attacks of the ungodly!　Resistance!

　A warm glow envelops Kouki and the others, softening the shock.
　Literally, resistance is a magic that raises your resistance to magic.
　Kouki and Takeshi attacked Arachne.
　Arachne takes aim at Kouki and opens his mouth.
　The light converges.
　Perhaps they are going to shoot out the light.

''Oh, oh, oh, oh!''

　Takeshi lets out a yell.
　It's a low, earth-shaking yell.
　Suddenly, Arachne turns to Takeshi and emits a light.
　The guardian knight uses a special vocalization method to raise a yell and attract the enemy's attention.

''Shock Reversal (Reflection)!

　The light hits the shield.
　The impact reversal is a knightly job technique that bounces off the attack.
　I've been saved by this technique many times before.
　But--.

''Guh, guh........''

　Takeshi screams in anguish.
　If you look at him, he's backing away from Jiri, Jiri.
　Arachne is trying to push through with force.
　How much of a difference in strength does he need to be able to do this?

''Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!''

　Takeshi let out a scream and was blown away.
　Every time he touched the ground, sparks flew.
　If he wasn't wearing sheet metal armor, he would have been covered in blood.

''Takeshi-san!''

　Kirara screams, but she can't be bothered with Takeshi.
　If you turn your back, you will be attacked.
　It's that simple a theory.
　Kouki readies his sword and rushes forward.
　Arachne turns to me and opens his mouth.
　A light is emitted.
　Kouki kicked the ground hard and ducked the light.
　An explosion sounded behind him, and pebbles were shaken in pieces.

''Ouch!''

　Kouki frowned.
　He should have ducked the attack, but his arm tingled and ached.
　Arachne jumped off the altar and swung his fist down.
　Kouki stepped forward.
　His opponent's reach is longer than Kouki's with his sword.
　Then it's more advantageous to jump into the pocket.
　Arachne unleashes a fist as he turns around.

"Sword Qi Release (Aura Blade)!

　Kouki's sword emits a pure white light.
　It's a swordsmanship technique that releases the power hidden in the sword.
　The sword wrapped in pure white light cuts off Arachne's arm with ease.
　Arachne leaps back, and Kouki kicks the ground in an attempt to cling to him.
　But the movement stopped.
　A band of light was tangled around his body.
　This magic is--.

''It's a capture formation (binding)!

　Kouki exclaimed involuntarily.
　Of course, even the undead use magic.
　But he didn't expect the undead to use the capture formation.

''d*mn it!

　I put strength into my arms and into my legs, but the band of light doesn't freak out.
　Another job - the holy knight is supposed to give me resistance to magic.
　Arachne turns to me and opens her mouth.
　The light converges.

''O Periolis!　Cast out the forces of impurity!　Dispel!

　Kirara's voice rang out, and the bands of light flickered irregularly.

''Hah!''

　Kouki shouted and tore off a band of light.
　Arachne flashed light.

'O Periolis!

　Kouki shouted and stuck out his left hand.
　A shield of light unfurled and blocked the enemy's attack.
　However, the magic of the Holy Knight's magic is not as good as the magic profession.
　It gradually eroded away from the edge.
　Kouki countered with his full strength.

''O Periolis!　Give me the power to vanquish the enemy of impurity!　Holy Britt!

　A white bullet strikes Arachne in the side of the head.
　The pressure diminishes and Kouki taunts the light and escapes to the side.
　Arachne shoots a light.
　His target is Kirara.

'Caaaaaah!
Kirara, look out!

　Kirara screams and Takeshi steps in between.
　In the face of the guardian knight, he prevents the light with his shield.
　Opportunity.

''Sword Qi Release!''

　Kouki thrusts the cutting edge towards Arakune's chest - a weak point, the magic stone.
　However, the cutting edge did not pierce the magic stone.
　There are sparks, but that's all.

''Kuh!''

　Kouki grunted and strained to push the cutting edge in.
　The sparks intensified.
　Frustration takes over his chest, and the thought of asking Luke for help passes through his mind.
　Silly, he denies it.
　If I enlisted the man's help, I wouldn't die.
　But that would mean I'd have to surrender to the military gates.
　I can't do that.
　I can't do it.

My dear Periolis!　Give him the power to avenge his evil!　Celebrate the Holy Blade (Holy Weapon)!

　Kirara's voice rang out, and the sword emitted a dazzling light.
　It's difficult to even see.

''Condensation (Acceleration)!

　This was the technique of a sword saint who could traverse a distance of several meters in an instant.
　However, in this situation, he could use his kinetic energy for an attack.

''Gah!''

　Kouki howled like a beast.
　The pain in his shoulder and in his arm was intense.
　The point is the law of action and reaction.
　The sparks increased in intensity - the tip of the cut pierced the magic stone.
　The light disappeared from Arachne's eye sockets and she fell into place.

"...I won.

　Kouki looked at Arachne, breathing on his shoulder.

[The level has been raised. Level 18--]

　The angel's voice rang out and the dungeon began to collapse.