*

　An open space near the castle gates--Makoto and the others formed a circle with Yuka in the center.
　They look around and check on their friends.
　Yuka and Fene are the same as usual, but Liv, Laura and Fujika have excited faces.
　Liv and Laura want to test the power of their new equipment.
　Fujica isn't sure.

'How are you feeling, Fujica?'
It's perfect!

　Fujika gave a thumbs up to Makoto's question.

'I just wanted to show you what I've been practicing, dammit, I'm just a kid.
I'm too tired to deal with being a kid.

　Yuka said in disgust, and Fujika's lips twitched.
　Apparently, they had been training in magic.
　No, I should say that Yuka was doing it with Fujika.

''You're surprisingly caring,''
You can either put me down or you can praise me.
That's surprising.
"Don't put me down, just admire me!

　I told him to pick one or the other, and he did, but he didn't like it.

'But, well, I'm surprised, that's what I meant.
Okay, now I know what you think of me.
If we had to compare it to an animal, it would be a hot spring egg.
Hot spring eggs aren't animals!

　Yooka's voice trailed off.

'Like a porcupine, if you want to put it that way?'
I'll snap your neck at your angles.

　Yuka pointed her staff at Fujika, who tilted her head cutely.

'Not as aggressive and defensive as a porcupine, but far too soft on the inside.
Like a pure girl.
Goes great with the curry.
'Don't be so selfish!

　Yuka shouted, her face turning red.

'Which one do you want me to stick it to, Pure Girl or Curry?
Stick it out the way you want it.
Who is the Pure Girl?

　Yuka shouted at Fujika.

'What, you're not going to go into the curry?
How the f*ck do you want me to stick it in the curry?
Hang in there.
But who wants a curry?

　Yuka raised her eyebrows in a troubled manner and plunged in, but her tone was weak.

''After all, curry and hot spring eggs go well together, don't they?
'I did my best to go into it, so don't go through with it.
'I went through it brilliantly, just for Curry.
Well that's why we're all here.

　Yuka looked as if she'd bitten down on a bitter bug.

'You don't like dad gags?'
I'd love to see if you like it.
I think it's pretty funny.
Who thinks that's funny?
Congratulations. It proves that your sensibilities are at the level of the alphabets.

　Yuka looked at Fujica as if she were an insect.

'It's easier to understand than having a literary work quoted to you.
'Yes, yes, no more bragging about how rich you are. I'm going to quote a piece of literature in everyday conversation, and one day I'm going to screw a piece of bread in your mouth.

　The person who allegedly said, "If you don't have bread, why don't you just eat the cake?" was guillotined, which is not too much of a stretch.

'So, what do you think?'
What?
It's about the combination of curry and hot spring eggs, of course.
I'm sorry to say.

　Yuka replied as she glanced at Fujika.

'Don't be so shy about being a commoner,'
I'm not shy.
Are you sure?
Yeah, that's true.

　Yuka replied in a supercilious voice.

'You're thinking that curry is your favourite food, like your head is going to go hoot.
I wasn't thinking. What's the matter, you know, I think my head is going to boil over.
"Not boiling, but footy.
For what it's worth, curry isn't my favorite food.
So, what's your favorite food? Hamburgers?
It's not a hamburger.

　Yuka said as she turned her head away.

'I know your favourite food is curry and hamburgers. 'You little brat,'
Our curry and hamburgers are great.
Sorry.
Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?
Well when you tell me that your mother's curry and hamburgers are good, you know.
I didn't say that!
'I'm sorry for being so insensitive. Uncle, I think I'm going to cry.

　I'm really going to cry.

The older I get, the looser my tear glands get.
You are young, aren't you?
The older I get, the more points I cry about. Like crying over cartoons that weren't anything to you as a kid.
Do you watch animated movies at your age?
What's wrong with you?
'It's disgusting. And on top of that, there's no way I'm going to cry over an animated movie.
When you're my age, you'll understand.
Is that so?
Yes,

　He replies to Yuka, who gives him a quizzical look.

'So, how do you like the combination of curry and hot spring eggs?
We're back on track here.
If you didn't answer, I put it back.
Well, I like it.

　Embarrassed, Yuka's cheeks flushed.

'Curry and hot spring eggs?'
d*mn, that's why I don't like you, lady.

　Fujika tilted her head cutely and Yuka spat out.

'And that's prejudice. I'd at least eat curry, too.'
Okay, I'll ask you a question.
It's like the batch is coming.
Speaking of curry...
Just like in India.
Yeah, I know what you're like.

　Fujika said as if it were natural, and Yuka let out a sigh that couldn't be any louder than this.

''........Thailand?''
You have no idea.
Myanmar?　Or like Vietnam?
Are you saying this on purpose?
...soup curry?

　Yuka said with an irritated look and Fujika replied with a somewhat frightened look.

'When I say curry, of course it's bar●nt curry!
Of course it's too much.
I'm only allowed a sweet burnt curry.

　I pouted, but Yuka was stubbornly refusing to budge.

'It's a taste of home,'
Taste of the Maker.
What?　You're gonna complain about the taste of our house?
I didn't mean to.

　Awed by Yuka, Fujika easily raised the white flag.
　They didn't want to have a curry debate in this place.

''Mako likes the sweetness of bar●nt curry too, right?''
Why are you trying to get me on board?
Just answer the question!
Well, I like it.

　Mako's house was also a sweetheart of bar●nt curry for curry.
　Although, I'm not going to talk about it.

''........Huh.
You don't have to be so proud of yourself.
I'm not proud of it.

　Despite her words, Yuka ruffled her hair as if she was proud of her victory.

'Wait, how do you make a curry without using bar●nt curry?
You're not Evie?
We're not...
You don't have to say another word!

　Yuka interrupted Fujica's words.

'No, we're k--'
So you don't have to tell me. I know what I'm going to say. I know you're going to say something like the cook will cook for you. You know what you're talking about, you f*cking b*tc*.

　It's hard not to wonder why he chose a school that attracts rich people when he has such a strong sense of inferiority.
　This sense of inferiority may have stretched Yuka's abilities, but unfortunately, it's hard to say that it led to her human development.

What the hell kind of change of heart did you have to go along with the practice?
You were insistent that I join you at practice, so I did.
Not much of a reason.
What do you expect me to do?
'Did you have a seizure and wake up to find that you had a crush on Fujica?
'Ha, just kidding. Being murdered doesn't mean I'm doing this woman any favors.

　Yooka snickered.
　Paul's gyrations didn't seem to have happened.

'You've been with me for some time now, so I'm sure I'll be taken care of.
Because if I didn't go out with him, he was going to sit in the restaurant.
It's because Yuka was sitting in the window seat looking lonely.
I don't look so lonely.
No, he looked so lonely.
If you keep pestering me, I'm going to leave you alone.
Okay.

　Yuka said in a low voice, and Fujika easily drew back.

'Luno Kesta Agata!　O Periolis the Imperishable--
Wait a minute!
What!

　Liv raised her hand and Yuka interrupted her chanting and shouted.

'I had a drink with an old friend yesterday. That's when I heard that the swarm dungeons were getting stronger for the undead.
The undead are ... growing up.
Don't forget.
I'm just an idiot.

　When Makoto prodded her, Yuka looked miffed and said back.

''You're the one who forgot to tell us what we're doing today, aren't you?
I haven't forgotten to mention it, but...

　Last time - it's a continuation of the power leveling.
　I thought I didn't have to tell you, but I quickly changed my mind.
　Even if it's obvious, I should confirm it.

''Today's objective is power leveling. As for me, I'd like to raise Fujica to level 20 or so, but if the undead are getting stronger, let's try to raise the levels of Fene and Laura at the same time.
Huh? I have a long way to go to level up. I just got a new weapon.

　Liv let out a deep sigh and patted the pole hammer.

'Bad.'
Well, it's no use. That's what teams are for. And just because you're the vanguard, it doesn't mean you can't raise the bar completely.
Are we done?

　Yuka looks around.

'Luno Kesta Agata!　O Periolis the Imperishable, like a corridor joined together, be the path I walk!　Reveal!　Transfer (teleportation)!

　When the chanting ended, Makoto closed his eyes as dizziness overtook him.

*

　When I opened my eyes, I saw that it was by the vertical hole that led to the second level.
　I immediately see that my companions--Yuka, Fene, Liv, Laura, and Fujika--are there.

'The ranks are--'
Liv and Laura at the front, Fene and Fujika in the second row, me in the third row, and Makoto in the last row, right?
That's right.
Of course.

　Hmph, Yuka snickers.

''Then I'll make sure there are no undead down there.

　Wary of the undead, Fene crawled on all fours and looked into the vertical hole.
　A tick, a tick, and an ear moves.

''It's okay.''
Yes!

　The ribs jumped down as soon as Fene made sure it was safe to do so.
　A dinging sound was heard and Fene let out a sigh.

''Even though it's the second time, I wish you'd act more cautiously.
That might have brought the undead to you.

　Laura grabbed the chain and skidded down to the second level.

'I'm next.'
Fujika first.

　Yuka tried to grab the chains, but Fene controlled them with her hand.

'Why?'
This woman is going to fall for it.
The bar is so high, I can at least support my own weight.
I don't know.
'I think Yuka can trust me a bit more and...'
Do you believe that?
I'm out.

　When Yuka hung up the corner of her mouth, Fujica grabbed the chains with a panicked look.
　She went down as it was--.

''It hurts!''

　A few moments later, I heard a scream.

'I slipped off in the middle of it.
You didn't involve Laura, did you?
Solo.
You were right.

　Yuka cowered her shoulders as if to say, "Oh dear.

Then I'm going down too.

　Fene grabs the chain and descends to the second level.
　She's surprisingly light, even though she's carrying a backpack that's bulging with breadth.

''It's my turn to go next, but...''
But what?
You can't jump off of me while I'm on the way down!
I'm not going to jump.
Just in case. Just in case.

　Yuka goes down the chain, glaring at Makoto.
　He makes sure he's descended and jumps down.
　As soon as he lands, he bends his knees and releases the impact.

''Well how could you take it so lightly when I came down in chains?
'What do you want me to do? I mean, if you don't like people seeing your pants so much, you should wear spats.
I don't mean to please Mako.
I'm not a spats guy.

　Mako let out a sigh and looked around.
　His companions - although Fujica is rubbing her hips with tears in her eyes - are safe.
　There's only one passage leading to the vertical hole.
　My neck tingles.

'They're coming!

　A clicking sound is heard, and a skeleton armed with a sword and armor - the Skeleton Warrior - comes running in.
　Liv and Laura prepare themselves--.

''And I want you to leave it to me!

　Fujica stood at the front of the aisle, her tin cane at the ready.

'Lord Periolis, give me the power to repel evil!　Like Holy Brits!

　Magic is released from the tin cane.
　A holy light bullet explodes into the skull and the Skeleton Warrior's speed slows down with a thud.

''Yes!''
That's impossible.

　Fujica pauses in her gut and Yuka lets out a sigh of dismay.
　There is a clicking sound.

'It's not working!'
"Snipers!

　Fane went to one knee and unleashed a mithril alloy conglomerate with a sling shot.
　The gravel hit the Skeleton Warrior, shattering his skull.

'As usual, Fene has a nice arm,'

　Yuka calls out to her, but her eyes are looking at Fujika.

'Miss, I can feel the malice in your praise.
I was just complimenting Faene. I was complimenting Faene.
I tried so hard.

　Fujica drops a paragraph in a dreary manner.

''Originally, you couldn't defeat the Skeleton Warrior with a single blow, and what you practiced was how to shoot, so it's not surprising that you couldn't defeat it.
Then why do you make it sound like I'm not very good at this...
I was just complimenting Faene. I never said anything about your skills.

　'Ohoho,' he says, almost laughing.

'Well, I certainly didn't say that,'
It's as good as done.

　Makoto and Fene let out a sigh at the same time.

''Well, you had an awesome fall, are you okay?
My ass is super sore.

　Liv said as she remembered, and Fujica grunted.

'But by myself--'
I guess that's where I come in.

　Laura steps forward, interrupting Fujica's words.

'Now that you can use Heal, let me try it.
You should embellish your words a bit more.

　Liv rushes in with a sigh.

'Right. You should try it out, just in case of an emergency. Now, stick your ass out and pull your skirt and shorts down.
What?

　Fujika turned her gaze to Makoto for a moment--.

'No, it's embarrassing,'
'What are you embarrassed about? This is therapy, don't be shy about pulling your skirt and shorts down.
But, but...

　Fujika grabbed her skirt and squirmed.

'Miss, there's no need to pull your skirt and shorts down for water potions or healing magic.
Tsk.

　Fene pointed out to her, and Yuka clicked her tongue.

'And you're out of your mind trying to bring me down at a time like this!
Don't be an a**h*le. It's just that I wanted to see you embarrassed.
It's called a set-up!
I'm sorry. Let me treat you.
Okay, okay.

　Fujica thrust her butt towards Laura.

'Lord Periolis, the power to heal, heal.'

　A vague light lit up the piercing and Laura held her hand over Fujica's waist.
　It's a rather weak light, probably due to the power of the magic item forcing her to use magic.

''What do you think?''
So it's like the pain is slowly receding?
I thought this was a placebo.
No, it's not possible.

　After a while, the light goes out unexpectedly.

''........I think this will work....
The pain is starting to subside.
Let's check it out.
"Gah!

　Yuka suddenly tugged at her skirt and Fujica screamed.

'Your ass is blue, okay?'
It's a lie!
Yeah, well, it's healing nicely.

　When Yuka let go of her hand, Fujica flipped over, holding her skirt.
　'Hoo,' she said with a warning sound.

'How does it feel to use magic for the first time?'
I'm pretty tired.

　Laura replied to Mako as she shook and opened her hand.

'Can you use it in a real fight?'
If we don't preserve them, I don't think we'll be able to fight them anytime soon.
That's literally a trump card.

　The moment we are forced to rely on Laura's magic, we can say that the situation is tantamount to defeat.

''Well, let's proceed.''
Hey.
I understand.

　Liv and Laura took the lead and walked away.

*

　Four Skeleton Warriors loomed over us with clinking teeth.
　Two in front and two in back.

''If you'd lined up in a row, my magic item would have sparked a fire!
I don't need that level of commitment.

　Liv is tight-lipped, but Laura is nonchalant.

'You've wasted your time, Laura,'
It was an experiment.

　The two men moved closer to the wall, talking lightly.
　As they sewed the space between them--.

''Holy light bullets!''

　Fujika unleashes her magic.
　The holy light bullets hit the Skeleton Warrior's skull, slowing him down.

''Sniper!''

　Fane unleashes a mithril alloy gravel with a slingshot, crushing the skull of the Skeleton Warrior as he slows down.
　The Skeleton Warrior behind him, kicking the bones of his dismembered companion, runs down the aisle.
　However, the ranks are in disarray, and only two bodies on one side have gotten ahead of them.

''Oraaaaah!''

　Liv swung the pole hammer down on the lead Skeleton Warrior.
　The skull, the spine shattered, the bones falling to the ground with a dry thud.
　And more--.

'Oraaaaah!'

　He kicked at the Skeleton Warrior, who was standing behind him.
　The Skeleton Warrior was blown up and torn apart at the same time as it was slammed to the ground.

''There's still one piece left.
It's all yours.
Shit!

　Laura scrapes past the side of the ribs and heads for the last one.
　The Skeleton Warrior swings his sword down.
　Laura avoids the sword and steps aside.
　And--

'Ha!'

　He hits the body with his shield at the ready and pushes the Skeleton Warrior against the wall.
　It's a repeat of the day before yesterday.

''Holy light bullets!''

　Fujica moves to the wall - securing a line of fire and unleashing her magic.
　A holy light bullet hits him and cracks his skull.

''Holy light bullets!''

　The second holy light bullet shattered his skull, causing his bones to fall to the ground in pieces.
　Last time he had fired three rounds, but this time it was two.

''........Fujika-san.
What?

　Laura stared at her and Fujica straightened up.

'Splendid,'
Oh, thank you!

　Fujica bowed her head vigorously, as if she was very happy.

'Don't forget that I went with you to practice,'
I know that.
I don't know.

　Hmph, Yuka sniffed.
　Her expression was soft, if not mindful.

''Oh, come on, praise me for my activities, too.
Nice brain cells!
That's because you're hurting me!
It's a compliment.

　Fane picks up the magic stones on the ground and places them in his pouch.
　Of course, he doesn't forget to pick up the gravel.
　Perhaps wary of an attack, Liv stands behind Fene.

''You're poor. Be more like a top-notch adventurer.''
Don't think it's going to last forever. Money and parents.
It's different.

　Liv grinned.

'Brother!'
Everybody get back in line.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.
I understand.
I understand.

　Mako and the others regrouped and resumed their search of the dungeon.

''Fene, how's the dungeon structure?''
It's the same for now.

　Fene looked at the map and answered Mako's question.

'If we keep going?'
It's a large space with one corridor... two if you count the one we're walking through, but it's one corridor.
I hate that conversation.
What?
This isn't a conversation that can only be described as flagging.
Do you think you're overthinking things?
''I feel like I'm flagging more and more.

　Yuka grunted.

'Rather, you're the one who's flagging them up, aren't you?
Don't blame me. I mean, you're normally a pretty cautious guy, but now you sound like a college student who gets carried away.
I don't know what you're talking about when you call me a floaty college student.

　His final education is a high school diploma.

'You see it in the B-horror of Western movies, right?　The guy who says his dad would kill him if he messed up his car while playing football.
No, I'm Japanese.
I know you don't. Anyway, people who don't think things through die. That's the law of horror.
I know you don't study all the time.

　He has a wide range of hobbies, for what it's worth.
　In Yuka's case, though, there's a good chance she's pushed herself in a minor direction.

''But I think it's weird that you're here on a fun vacation and you don't get carried away.
That's the difference between life and death. I'm going to survive this for sure.
If ever there was a role that didn't float, it was literary girl.
"Literary Girl?

　Yuka tilted her head thoughtfully--'

'A literary girl is a thing, right?　You know, the ones who are reading a book by themselves or suddenly start saying they're psychic or something?
I don't know if I'm psychic or not.

　The presence or absence of special abilities will depend on the work, but the literary girl will say something that will make her friends uneasy.

'You're going to die!'
There's only one or two of us who'll survive.
No!　Absolutely not!　I demand a redo!
Don't get so desperate.
That's true.

　Yuka easily put away the contraption.
　That's what I thought--'

''Like what are you talking about?''
It's a horror movie where a girl like you is the first to die.

　Yuka's flames flared up again, involving Fujica.

'Like me?'
You've seen a few horror movies before.　No, I don't care if you've never seen it. You're a b*tc*. I'm going to die flirting with a charlatan playing football early on.
I'm not such a slut.
'You're gonna survive to the end by appearing chaste, aren't you?　It's not going to happen. Even if the producer and director allow it, I won't allow it.
You don't know the difference between reality and fantasy anymore.

　When the characters start discussing and working to avoid a pattern of getting killed, it's not horror, it's comedy.

'Well, I mean, what I was trying to say was--'
I know you love horror movies.
I'll even watch a black and white movie.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'The bottom line is, what if there's something strange going on at the end of the passage?
Is that what we're talking about?
That's what I was talking about. Like, say, if the monster house was at the end of the corridor...
I guess it's up to me and Yuka.
That's not power-leveling, is it?

　Yuka lets out a sigh of dismay.
　Makoto looks at Liv.
　Liv's seismic blasts can inhibit movement, but it's hard to do that in an open space, let alone a passage.

'And we can use Yuka's magic to stall them.
The Binding Squad can't hold you that long.
'It's like Yuka can build walls out of dirt.
Is that so?
Yes.
How....

　I remind myself to ask why.
　You have to assume that there's a reason it's not working and that's why they didn't tell you.

'Isn't it at the real-world level?'
'I'm not used to using it yet, and the grimoire said it would be less effective in dungeons.

　Yuka said in a miffed tone.

''I've heard that terrain manipulation type magic is inhibited in dungeons,''
There you go.

　Laura followed up and Yuka said with a smug look on her face.

'I don't blame you,'
I know.
We're going out into the open space.

　Suddenly, my vision opens up.
　There was no sign of the undead, but my neck felt a stinging pain.

'There are two more corridors.
Oh, shit.

　Fene jerked his ears and Liv smiled ferociously.
　There was a clicking sound, and Skeleton Warriors leapt out of the corridors on either side.
　There were ten of them, or perhaps twenty or more.

''What are we going to do?''
Fall back to the far end of the corridor. Liv, you're up.
Finally, we're on the clock.
Run for your life!

　All at once, they turn on their heels and start running.
　A clattering sound comes from behind me.
　Looking behind me over my shoulder, I saw that the Skeleton Warrior was following me while pushing and snapping at each other.
　If I had the intelligence, or rather the spirit of giving in, I could probably achieve more speed, but does this mean that this is the limit of the undead?

''Liv, I'll leave the timing to you.
Hey!

　Liv flips over and confronts the Skeleton Warriors.

'....Roar.

　Liv takes a swing at the pole hammer.
　He's going to pull it to the very edge and keep it in place.
　That's when it happens.
　The Skeleton Warrior, who had been driven to the wall, has fallen over.
　His speed suddenly increases.
　Perhaps the one piece fell over, giving them more space and making it easier to run.

'Ew!　Hey, you're fast!
Turn undead.
'Master Periolis, please!　Like an ascension!

　Following Mako's instructions, Fujika activates her magic.
　The finger ring bracelet and tin cane emit a dazzling light, and the Skeleton Warrior, which was close by, stops moving.
　Fujica, who is still at a low level, can't unleash the Ascension - the undead from the Immortal King's curse, but he can stop the movement.

'Roar!　Thunderbolt!

　Liv swings the pole hammer down and lightning gushes out.
　The lightning pierces through the Skeleton Warriors and runs down the aisle.
　The body of the Skeleton Warrior in the lead leans and falls to the ground.
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

''That's an amazing power.''
It's all thanks to your wits, Makoto.

　He walks over to Liv and claps his fists together.
　Fujica's voice comes from behind me.

'Like she doesn't want me to forget what I did, too.
You don't have to say a word about that.
It's important to show off.
You have a good point.
It's going to be hard to pick up those magic stones.

　Mako stared at the bone strewn aisle and blurted softly.

*

　Which pathway to proceed to, the one from before or the newly emerged one?
　The conclusion was immediate.

'A new passageway isn't much of a replacement.
'Proceed with caution, as we don't know what kind of undead will be out there.
I know.

　While talking about this, Liv and Laura proceeded through the dungeon.

''The ... new undead.
Are you scared?
I'm not scared.

　Yuka says it in a teasing way, and Fujika denies it.
　But it's clear that she's being emphatic.

'You're being hip,'
....

　Fujika straightened up silently, but she was still hunched over.

'Does Yuka seem to be okay?'
You did.

　Yuka replies with sarcasm.

'You defeated the Skeleton Lord. I'm not afraid of most undead.'
Really?
You can't do that to me.

　Saying that, Yuka glared over her shoulder.

''Since we skipped all the levels in the middle and made it to the bottom level...''
What about it?
I'm not sure I'd be able to handle any situation.

　They lack the knowledge and skills about the undead, magic and dungeon exploration.

''Indeed, in that sense, Fene is a lifeline.
I'm looking for a fighter.

　Fene let out a small sigh.

'You should be honestly happy about that.'
Why?
'It's not often that Yooka gets to praise others.
That's true.
That's very rude.

　Yuka said in a disgusted tone.

''I admire people when I admire them, too.
You look up and say, 'Well done to you,' or something like that.
I won't tell you!
'Come to think of it, I don't think he ever complimented me at practice,'
I'm not surprised. You should be giving me some credit for giving up your day off to practice.
...It's very Yuka-like.
'I don't like the idea of being praised for doing something that you're supposed to do.
It's a Yuka thing.

　Fujica grunted.

'If you want me to praise you, I'll praise you, okay?'
'Okay, not really. You're going to say something like, 'Well done for Yooka,' anyway, right?

　I wonder if it was meant to be a payback to my earlier intentions.
　I was going to say something similar, but if you do that, you must say, 'You'll know the extent.

' 'I'll pat you on the head.'
You're not a child.
'Yoo-hoo!　And I want you to pet me!

　Fujika flipped and walked over to Mako.

'Like you want me to praise you for a job well done.
Yeah, you did good.

　Makoto gently stroked Fujika's head.

''Ehehe, Mako-san gave me a compliment.

　When Fujika smiled innocently, Yuka looked over her shoulder.

'You must be jealous?'
I don't envy you.

　Yuka turned forward and started walking with a wild gait.
　Fujika quickened her stride to return to her original position and blurted out.

'You're like a child.'
I'm not a kid!

　Tsk, said Yuka, clucking her tongue regretfully.
　It could be called Fujika's memorable first victory.
　Further on, they found themselves in a large space.
　In the center of it, there was a skeleton.
　No, should I say an undead one that looked like a skeleton?
　The body is larger than a normal skeleton, and it is raising its hands like a ghost.

''Enemies!''
I know.

　Liv and Laura approached with their weapons at the ready.
　When the interval was less than ten meters, the skeleton opened its mouth.

''Impact reversal (Reflection)!
"-Oh!

　Laura stepped forward to protect Liv and activated her skills.
　Immediately after, the skeleton let out a voiceless cry.
　The atmosphere chattered and trembled, and Mako held her ears.
　The skeleton lord's shockwave was directional, but this attack was close to an explosion.
　The skeleton closed the distance at once and unleashed a fist.
　The timing was fast.
　The fist wouldn't be able to hit Laura in this one.
　The next moment I thought that, the sound of a collision resounded.
　It's the sound of a fist and shield colliding.
　When I paid close attention, I saw that the skeleton's arms were long.
　It was the long arms that were holding up his hands like a ghost.
　I was a little surprised, but once the seed was cracked, there was no amount of time to deal with it.
　Laura handled the attack with her shield while Liv closed the distance between them.
　No matter how long his arms are, if he jumps in, he's ours.
　No, it may have been the enemy's aim to make you think so.
　Skelton opens his mouth again--.

''Sniper!

　Fane throws a sling shot at the gravel, cracking the skeleton's lower jaw.
　And--

'Nice assist!'

　Liv swung the pole hammer down and shattered the skeleton's skull.
　The skeleton fell over and broke apart as soon as it touched the ground.

'I've never seen the type before,'
It's an evolutionary process, isn't it?

　Liv and Laura looked sullenly at the skeleton's bones.

'Ghouls have evolved from zombies all of a sudden.
Isn't there a pattern to evolution?

　Mako pointed out, and Laura sounded unsure.

'Is that the case?'
Just for the record.

　Fene took a piece of paper from the porch and drew a picture of a skeleton.

'You're a good drawer,'
It's normal.

　Fene is painting nonchalantly, but he doesn't seem to be unhappy as his tail is wagging.
　Yuka moves to stand next to Makoto.

'Sounds pretty nasty.'
At least it's not for beginners.

　I can handle it if my arms are long enough, but it's tricky to use a range attack.

''What are we going to do?''
'I'm going down. There's not a lot of room for judgment when it comes to pulling up.
Okay.

　Yuka let out a small sigh.

''Now we just have to figure out how to work together.
Yeah.

　We need to figure out how to get Fujica involved.

'Well, let's take our time,'
Another policy change.

　Yuka cowered her shoulders as she said, "Good grief.