*

　Makoto and the others regrouped and proceeded through the dungeon.
　It's not a new passage, but an existing one.
　That said, the new passage was a dead end in the space where the long armed skeleton was.
　Suddenly, Fene opened her mouth.

'The name of the skeleton from earlier, but how about Mantis?
What the hell are you talking about?
'It's not out of the blue. I've been thinking about it for a while now.

　Liv said in a dumbfounded tone, and Fene retorted in a miffed tone.

'Brother, what do you think?'
Why is it Mantis?
That's because it looks like a mantis-shaped mantis.
Couldn't it be a bug?
We can't afford to have any more worms appearing.
It's okay.

　I answer, wondering what the language of this world is all about.
　I'm lucky that I didn't have to learn the language, but I'm a little curious about what kind of logic is being used to translate it.

'What's my sense of humor?
Hey, f*ck, f*ck, f*ck.

　Fene proudly puffed out his chest, but Liv didn't seem to care.
　In fact, I guess they don't care.

'The brainy bison horns don't understand my taste.
Maybe he doesn't know what he's talking about.
Miss ....

　Fene grunted as Yuka pointed at Makoto with her thumb.

'My brother understands, right?'
Of course.
"Huh, what's good here?

　Yuka said teasingly.
　Probably must be smirking.

''Well that's nice and easy to understand.''
Isn't it just easier to be honest?
Or a cliche.

　Yuka chased after him, and Fene's shoulders slumped disappointedly.

'And you shouldn't say things like that.'
I didn't say anything.

　Fujika said accusingly, and Yuka turned her face away.
　Her lips narrowed and she let out a huff and puff sound.

'If you can't whistle, don't try to whistle.
You can blow it!
Blow on it, then.
Well I'm not feeling well today, so I'll stop.
You can't blow it, man.
You know how sometimes you can't do what you normally do because you're sick!
You're not going to be able to do that because you're sick.

　It doesn't matter if you're a world contestant or not, at the level of Makoto and the others.

You can't blow it either, right?
You can blow it.
What song can you play?
The Meistersingers of Nuremberg.
You don't have to blow it.

　Yuka frowned.

'And I'll explain just in case!　The Nuremberg Meistersingers--
You don't have to explain.

　Yuka said irritably.

'How the hell do you know all that stuff?'
Well, I guess that means I have access to art.

　I actually found out about it from a light novel, but I won't explain it because it sounds interesting.

'Tch, what's the point of art?'
Your inferiority complex knows no bounds.
Shut up!　I'm just a little poorer than the average family anyway!
Just a little poorer than the average family.

　I feel a little bit of pride in the word "a little bit".

'Home, there's no 'go' in it!
I don't mind.
There's a huge difference!
Okay, okay.
Don't talk to me like that, like you're some kind of unintelligible child!
No, I wasn't thinking that far ahead.
You need to think and speak up!
All right. What's the difference between home and home, by the way?
....

　Yuka doesn't answer.
　Makoto and the others proceed through the dungeon in silence.
　And then--.



　After a long thought, Yuka said in a sultry tone.

'You're the one who needs to think more about what you're saying.
Oh, I think about it all the time.
What's the half then?
....

　He is mute, after all.

Spinal cord.
What's a spinal cord?
I meant, don't speak out of spinal reflexes.
'I don't know!　I mean, there's no way I can make a spinal reflex statement!
You've got a brain, don't you?
I'm not a dinosaur!　I'm....

　Yuka turned red and screamed, then fell silent again.

'I'm a thing, you see, Aleale.

　As he said it, Yuka repeated the awkward movement.
　Even robots would move more smoothly.

'I'm that thing, that thing ... yeah, right!　I was trying to tell you that there's enough of a difference between the two that it doesn't make sense!
You know what I'm thinking now?　Think about it some more before you go at it!
I think a hundred times more than you do!

　Yuka exclaimed and drank from her water bottle, thirsty.

'Yuka, like art makes the heart grow fonder.
That story has already expired.

　Makoto and his friends continued on through the dungeon.

Didn't you say you fell asleep at the art show?
It's like that story has expired.
What?　How can a story have a shelf life?

　'Uhii,' said Fujika, cowering her shoulders.

'Well, it's like I had no choice in the situation.
You're not in any position to do that. I mean, it's not like you were asleep at the wheel, but you were having so much fun.
That's an obscenity.
Maybe you're just frustrated.
No, it's not.
Well, yeah.

　Perhaps thinking that she didn't want to get into a s*xual topic, Yuka easily retreated.

''It's good that they decided on an arms-length name, though.

　Liv muttered as she remembered--'

'It's not arm-long,'
You're Mantis, Mantis.

　He changed his statement at Fene's protest.

'What's the point of being so hung up on your name?'
You never know what your name might be.
Have you ever been such a show-off?
I've been thinking about the future lately.

　Fene's ears and tail droop powerlessly.

'Maybe the Black Flame will become a legendary team, I think.
Well, it's still relatively famous.
Are you that famous?
It's relatively easy, actually.

　Liv answers Yuka's question by scratching her head.

'You say "relatively", but what's it like?'
Do you feel like you have some name recognition for a brand-new team?
Somewhere between major and indie?
You're a bit of a comedian who's started appearing on TV in bits and pieces.
Why do you keep referring to him as a comedian?
I'm in a band.
You've never been to a show anyway, have you?

　Yuka said petulantly.

'But you seem interested,'
What's the name of the band you're interested in?
....

　Fujika is silent.
　Unless you're a connoisseur, you wouldn't know the name of an indie band.

'Like you're interested in live music.
It's like you're not interested in the band. You're a little girl with a crush on live music.
You're a lady.
"Fall for a charlatan and have a bad day.

　Yuka let out a curse.

'And I don't know what happened to Yuka.
'As I've said before, Yuka has a minefield in her mind. You look to your right, you look to your left, and there are mines everywhere.
I'm hoping you can help me out, Makoto-san.
You need to take it down yourself.
Like I really want Yuka's help.
Why should I cooperate with you? The whole point of a mine is to keep the enemy at bay.
The last thing we need is for someone to step on it.
If you feel that way, make a treaty or take it to the UN. But I'm not going to give in on half-hearted terms, and I won't stop until the UN comes up with a binding resolution. I'll do everything I can to make it happen.
It's saying some pretty amazing things.
"If Yuka becomes prime minister, the country is doomed.
"My country chooses honorable isolation.

　Yuka said with a snort.

''After all, I think it's essential for Makoto-san to open up Yuka's stubborn heart, and...''
So don't wish on anyone else. I mean, why are you doing this, Makoto?
"I love you...
Woohoo!

　Yuka's face turned red and she shouted.

'No!　Go!　You can't do that!　Otherwise--
Or else?
I'm dying.
Death!

　Yuka muttered with a straight face, and Fujika turned around with a guffawed look on her face.

'And I'm saying this,'
So don't rely on Mako to do it for you!

　Fujika looks over her shoulder at us and Yuka quickly blocks her gaze.
　Looking at the two of them like children, I feel a raw, warm feeling.
　Just when I was thinking about patting them on the head, Yuka turned around.

''What's wrong?''
I felt an evil spirit.
I don't feel anything.
That's me too.

　Fene and Liv said, moving their ears.

'What about Laura?'
I didn't feel it either.

　Laura replies to Liv with a mysterious look on her face.

'You were going to do something to me, weren't you?
I'm not trying to do anything. I mean, what's the evil spirit?
That's a bad sign. She must have been thinking about the wrong thing while looking at the nape of my neck.
You have a healthy imagination.
Because you once told me you felt erotic at the nape of your neck.
I didn't say that, man.
I tried to wrap it up in my own way.
If you're gonna wrap it up...
Makoto-san, Makoto-san!

　Fujica intervened...

"Like a nape!
What are you doing? What are you doing?

　Fujica exposed the nape of her neck and Yuka shouted.

'You're not ashamed to show your nape here!
I just showed him the nape of my neck.
'Ah!　I'm not a slut, for Christ's sake!　You b*tc*!
'Ugh, I didn't think I'd be able to raise my voice so much just to show the nape of my neck.

　Yuka cursed at her and Fujika looked down in a daze.
　No matter how you look at it, Yuka is crazy--.

'Didn't you just get mad at me for my momentum?
I mean, I didn't get mad at you.

　Yuka said as she turned away.

'Ta, maybe, per Laura, she'll resist showing me the nape of her neck.
What?

　Laura looks back, perhaps in astonishment.

"You know, it's like, 'I can't do something so indecent as to show you the nape of my neck. Please bear with me.'
'I appreciate the subtlety of your voice tone, but I don't think you have a talent for impersonation.

　Laura gently looked forward, trying not to get caught up in it.

'Well, I think that's how the Black Flame will become a legend.
Oh.

　Mako couldn't help but shout.
　He hadn't expected the conversation to return at this time.

'I was waiting for the story to end.
Really?
Yeah.

　Fene said emphatically.

'Maybe my brother and Miss, I think Liv will go down in legend.
Um, what about me?

　Laura raised her hand in a reserved manner.

'Laura-san and Fujika are the same as me. I don't think they are the type of people who will be buried in history without much success.
I think I'm pretty active, don't you?
'I think all three of us are the type to be buried in history!
No, it's nothing.

　Fene said emphatically, and Laura retreated as if pressured.

''I want to keep my name as the discoverer of the monster so that it doesn't happen,''
Wrong kind of effort, isn't it?
You don't understand. Little efforts like this can make a big difference.

　Liv rushed in, but Fene didn't seem to doubt her rightness.

'It's like a pile of dust and a pile of garbage, isn't it?
It's like every little bit of dust makes a big difference.
He said it knowingly.

　Fujika pointed out innocently, and Yuka replied, sounding miffed.

'And it's not a good idea to deny your efforts,'
I was trying to tell you that misguided efforts are meaningless.
I'm sure your efforts will be rewarded.
Fujica understands, don't you?

　Maybe she was so happy, but Fene's nose was wicked.
　He doesn't seem to mind being channelled.

''Like it might be more useful to look up the literature and expand your knowledge.
That's true. But wouldn't that make me look like a poor handyman, just like my fighting style?
It's important to specialize in one skill, but it's also important to be a jack-of-all-trades.
Well, that's good to know.

　Fene seems to be motivated by--

'What do you think, brother?'
Part of me yearns to be a specialist.
That's not an answer.

　It was an honest opinion, but Yuka prodded me.

'Come to think of it, what did Mako do for a living?'
'I'm an inside salesman for a temp agency. They made me work in the field when the economy was bad, though.
It's called 'prankster shock'.
Yes,
Does that make you a sales specialist?
No, I'm not sure.

　Yuka slowed down--

'What if he doesn't understand?

　He slapped Mako's two arms with the back of his hand and sped up again.

'Don't slow down when you go to the trouble of ramming it.
So what's the real story?
It was more like a specialist or a Galapagos, though.
As soon as it changes, they're all going extinct.
Well, that's about as close as you're going to get.

　Makoto chuckled.

'We have an image of technical jobs like accounting, legal and SE as specialists...'
Image?
I don't know the details of the job.

　There's no one who knows what other departments do, not just Makoto.

I've only worked in one department of the company.
You specialize in that kind of work. But if you've been doing your job for so long, wouldn't you be able to do it elsewhere?
You don't get it, do you?

　Mako scratched her head.

'Why?'
I'm sure I have skills that I could use in other companies. I don't think I can take advantage of my 20 years of experience in other companies.
Was it that special of a job?
No it's probably a job anyone could do.

　He replies with a self-mocking smile.

'I think the reputation of a guy who's good at his job, who's smart, is the result of a combination of things like company systems and corporate culture.
Yeah, definitely Galapagos.
'I've seen guys who were headhunted and didn't get the results they wanted, but I think that's a result of not meshing with the company. Well, I've never been headhunted.
What's the deal with the punchline being self-deprecating?

　Yuka let out a small sigh.

'I don't think I'm going to have a positive opinion about the other one either, given the circumstances.
...my brother.

　Fene blurted out.

'Does that mean you can't have it both ways?'
I don't want to deny it, but...

　Makoto scratched his head as he got buzzed.

'And you can't deny it,'
Why do you have to step in?

　Yuka said disgustedly.

'It's like the principle of praise and development for children.
Fene, do they think you're a little low on the totem pole?
I don't think of you as a lower-class person!
How can you say that you don't think of me as a lowly person when you treat me like a child? Fene is your senior, so you should be respectful.
Yes.

　Fujica nodded, as if she had an idea.

'Peck, don't get your newbie figure.
Yuka's setting the table.
I'm an ordinary person.

　Haha, Yuka snickered.

'And I think those places should be fixed.
I've realized the folly of bending myself to get people to like me.
You know, it's not like they're ever going to clear the mines.
That day will never come.

　Huh, Yuka snickered again and ruffled her hair.

'Like what does Mako-san think?'
You need to rely on Mako again, you b*tc*.
Well, that's just the way it is with yukas.

　I think it's quite tasteful when you've been around long enough.

There are things that piss me off, but there are other things that make me admire, or respect, or just be awesome.
I think I know a little bit about that.

　'Mm-hm,' said Fujika, nodding repeatedly.

'Like maybe I wasn't ready to accept Yuka as she is.
Don't be self-conscious about being enlightened.

　Yuka said with a sigh.

'Brother, where do you think we should be aiming at?
Whether you're going to be specialized or general-purpose, shouldn't you be thinking about whether you're part of a team or as an individual?
Team or individual?
It's not easy to separate the two, but I think it's important to keep that in perspective.
It's not easy.
Well, I'll wipe your ass and you won't have to worry about it.
I hate to see you fail, but I'm trying.

　Fene said, pinning her ears up.

''Well then,''
Is there anything else?
There are no undead in this place.

　Fene twitched her ears and said.

'I have a bad feeling about this.'

　He muttered uneasily.

*

You said you had a bad feeling about this, but you didn't see the enemy.
.........

　Liv said accusingly, and Fene moaned huskily.
　'Mako and the others are in the vertical hole that leads to the third level.

'So what are we going to do?'
Well yes.

　Mako crossed her arms.
　He hadn't encountered the undead since he defeated Mantis.
　Thanks to that, he was able to conserve his strength and magic power.
　It also saved me even more exploration time.

''I'd like to continue my search.
Okay.
Yes, sir.
Okay. I can use the magic item twice more.
I'm fine, too.
I'm a little nervous.

　Yuka, Fene, Liv, and Laura were in favor of it, and Fujica seemed to have a hard time saying she was even in favor of it, if not against it.

'What are you worried about?'
I've never seen the undead before, and I'm not sure we should continue on.
You're too scared.
You're the one who told me to be more careful with my life at stake.
Tsk, you remember it well.

　So Yuka lost this time.

''How about we set up a transition point here for now, and if there's a problem, we can escape from the dungeon?
That's okay.
Okay, let's make a point.

　With that, Yuka readied her staff.

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

　The spell is completed and the wand flashes.
　The intense light dazzles me.
　Makoto shakes his head lightly and shakes off the dizziness.

'I'll make sure it's safe down there.

　Fane gets on all fours and checks the third level from the edge of the hole.
　Her ears move with a tick, a tick.
　She must be using her ears as well as her eyes to search for signs.

'It's okay.'
So I'll be the first to go.
The chains...

　Before Fene could say anything else, Liv leapt into the void.
　A few moments later, there was a dong sound.

'd*mn, that's why I'm a brainiac.
Okay, I'll go next.

　With that, Laura grabbed the chain and went down.

'Don't fall off this time,'
You know, the levitation spell...
I don't remember.
It's a shame.
When you've got some money in your pocket, you can buy some magic items.
Huh.

　Fujica let out a sigh and tightened her grip on the chain.
　He went down with a sense of trepidation.

''Well, I'll be next.

　After a while, Fene descends to the third level.
　There is no danger in carrying a bulging backpack on your back.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get away with it.

As usual, you're the last.
I know.

　Yuka grabbed the chain and went down quickly.
　It's supposed to be the same high school girl--'

''It's the same, isn't it?''

　Yuka is a commoner and Fujika is a young lady.

''Well I can't imagine her playing around with her friends.

　Maybe she was simply athletic.
　Makoto saw that Yuka had descended to the third level and kicked the ground.
　The ground is coming at you gingerly.
　As he landed, he felt a light impact.
　Mako looked around and noticed that Yuka, Fene, Liv, Laura, and Fujika were huddled together, shoulder to shoulder.

'What's going on?'
Blood.

　I walked up to the five of them and asked them, and Yuka answered.
　When I looked at the ground, I saw a blood trail.
　It's a small amount, so I don't think it's a fatal wound--''

''I have a bad feeling about this, and I have a bad feeling about this!
'If we had a body, we'd know what kind of attack we were under, but this won't tell us.
"-Oh!

　Fujika looked at Yuka with a scowl.

'Hee, you're a bastard,'
'I know it pisses me off when you tell me that. I won't tell you because I've told you the same story over and over again, but I won't tell you because I've told you the same story over and over again!

　Yuka said in a sarcastic tone.
　Well, I can understand not wanting to be called a human being by Fujika.

''What do you think?''
I don't think we should just leave on the basis of blood.

　Mako replied to Liv, scratching her head.

'With the Mantis thing going on, let's proceed with caution.
Okay.

　Makoto and the others formed up and entered the aisle.
　As usual, Liv and Laura are in the first row, Fene and Fujika in the second, Yuka in the third, and Makoto in the last row.

'How is the structure of the dungeon?'
You didn't have to wait until we started the search to ask.

　I asked Fene, but it was Yuka who answered.

''There is no change in the structure of the dungeon. If there was a change in the structure, the map would be sold.
The second level has changed, though?
It won't be worth it.

　Fene said with a sigh.

'It's just one more road, you know.
I'm convinced I've seen something rare.
Is it unusual for the structure to change?
There's no way you can capture it if the structure is that different.

　Fene replies while looking at the map.
　It's true that if the structure of the dungeon changed frequently, it would be difficult to explore it alone.

''Maybe that's because the Wrecking King's dungeon was captured.
I see.

　Maybe it was because I didn't collect the magic stone, but I didn't know, so I had no choice.
　My neck tingled.

''Oh, oh, oh!''
'Ahhhh, argh!

　A grunt echoed through the dungeon and two zombies appeared.
　They were warrior-like men in leather armor.
　From the looks of it, they seemed to have just died.

''They're fresh zombies, so be careful.
Ahhhh!
"Oh, wow!

　Immediately after Mako warned them, the two zombies rushed over.

'Ascend (turn undead)!

　Fujica releases her magic.
　She hadn't been praying, so she must have used it to surprise the running zombies.
　The tin cane and finger ring bracelet glowed and the two zombies fell down like a broken thread.

''You don't have to offer a prayer to use magic, do you?''
It's not working.

　Yuka said as she spat.

'Monk-type things are really cheats. You don't have to pray to activate them, it's a joke.'
I don't feel like a cheat that much.

　It's an unfortunate job until you learn attack magic.

'Yes, yes, you'll be less of a cheat than you are. You're a shape-shifting hero.
I don't feel like a shape-shifting hero and I don't feel like I'm being abused.
...a pervert.
I'm not the insect type.

　Yuka muttered in a low, stifled voice, so I'll go into it seriously as well.

''It looks like you'll be doing a two-step transformation or a form change sooner or later.
It's a very subtle change.

　Fane walks up to the fallen zombie.

'You're going to be sick!'
It's not safe!

　Yuka and Fujika shouted at the same time.

'Mmm, there's a scar on your neck.
It's not that easy, though.
You're gutted.

　Liv and Laura look at the zombies.

'They're so well equipped there, they don't look like they're going to be taken by surprise.
Maybe he has a special skill set.

　My neck tingles and Liv and Laura hold their weapons up.
　There's a clicking sound and a skeleton, or rather, a mantis, emerges.

'You're not arm-long,'

　Liv muttered softly.
　That guy had raised his hand just like Mantis, but it was integrated from the wrist and extended even longer.
　It was far more prone to be a mantis than the individual we encountered on the second level.

'Stand back.
Yes, sir.

　Following Liv's instructions, Fene dropped and set up a sling shot.
　Mantis clicked his teeth--.

“--!
"Reflection!

　Mantis opened his mouth and Laura jumped out of the way with her shield at the ready.

'Ouch!'

　Pain shot through him and Mako held his ear.
　It's this powerful despite being affected by the skill.
　No, maybe it's powerful because of its strong nature as a sound.
　The sound of the explosion stops, and Liv jumps out from behind Laura.
　Mantis unleashes a fist - I don't know if I can call it that, since the fingers are integrated - and I'm not sure if I can call it that.
　The arm stretches out to see if he can't reach it.
　He had folded his arms just like the individual on the second level.

''Ha!　I ain't afraid of no broken seed trick!
"Look out!

　Right after Liv ducked the attack, Fene shouted.
　Mako looks at Mantis' hand.
　The hand that was integrated - the inside of it was lined with sharp spikes.
　Mantis folds his arms while twisting his body.
　The hand lined with sharp spines is pulled back and closes in on Liv's neck.
　Suddenly there was a high-pitched sound.
　Laura broke in and blocked the attack with her shield.

'Take down the main body!
Sorry!

　Liv closes the distance, swinging the pole hammer.
　Suddenly, Mantis opens his mouth.

'Sniper!'

　Fane fires a mithril alloy bullet with a sling shot.
　The bullet hit the lower jaw and Mantis looked down.

''Oraaaaah!''

　Liv swings down the pole hammer.
　There's a dull thud and Mantis's body leans back.
　It just tilts.
　Is the attack power lower than the weapons he's been using?
　Or is the Mantis' durability high?
　Mantis pushes Liv away with the back of his hand.
　Liv avoided falling over, but was forced to fall back.
　Mantis opens his mouth again--.

'Like an ascension!'

　Fujica unleashed her magic.
　The light illuminated the dungeon and Mantis trembled as if he was having a convulsion.
　The Ascension seemed to have an instant death effect on low-level undead and an action inhibiting effect on high-level undead.

''Dradra!　Draaaaah!

　Liv slams the pole hammer down on Mantis.
　It's a trio of forceful blows.
　Mantis' skull shatters and the bones fall to the ground in pieces.

'Puh-uh!'

　Liv looked up to the heavens and exhaled.

'See, my hunch was right.
I'm sorry I'm sorry I made fun of you.

　Liv picks up Mantis' magic stone and throws it at Fene.
　Fene caught the magic stone without difficulty and put it in her pouch.

''The adventurer from earlier may have been killed by Mantis.

　Laura walked over to Mantis's bones and poked them with her toes.

'Really?'
That's what a dying woman would say.
So I'm sorry.

　Liv's lips twitched in a sultry way.

'Seems like Ascension is pretty useful.'
It has nothing to do with firing lines or anything, tsk.
Wow, I hope you're honestly happy that I can be an asset to the cause.

　Yuka and Fujika approach Mantis as they talk.

'The same could be true of the bloodstains in the vertical hole.
But there wasn't much blood.
I thought you said the guy could have handled it.
It's not like I'm going to die if I don't do something about it.
It happens a lot in video games, though.

　If you don't have prior knowledge, you're sure to get wiped out - so to speak, a first-time killer.

What do we do now?
'I've got some things I want to try, and we can go a bit further.
Something you want to try?

　Yuka tilted her head curiously.