*

　When I was released from the dizziness, it was a vertical hole that led to the fourth level.
　I felt a tingle and my neck ached.
　The enemy is lurking nearby.

''........Don't let your guard down.

　Mako looks around and sees that her friends - Yuka, Fene, Liv, Laura and Fujika - are there.

'They're there, all right,'
I'm just checking it out, that's all.
Just in case.

　Yuka said with a sigh.

'Alright, let's get down!'
"My brother just told me to keep my guard up!

　Fene shouted at Liv, who said happily.

'Oh, oh,'
Check. Check.

　Fene was in a low position and Liv was on all fours, looking into the vertical hole.

'I will be alert for my surroundings,'
Please.

　'Yeah,' Laura replied briefly, letting her gaze wander off guard.

'Ummm, that's a bit of a bad idea.
Seriously.
What's wrong with it?

　Mako also looked into the vertical hole in a low position.
　Then, there were five Skeleton Warriors hovering at the bottom of the hole.
　It's unusual to say that it's rare to see two or three of them, as they often come out of the hole.

''What's wrong with it?''
It's a bow. I know a guy with a bow.
That's a pattern of wiped-out teams.

　There is indeed one Skeleton Warrior with a bow.

''There aren't too many arrows in the quiver, so it should be fine, right?
The undead can create arrows. Basically, I want you to think that they won't run out of arrows until the end of a single battle.
It's not all arrows, though.
I see.

　After all this time, it seems that the undead have the ability to create their own equipment.

So what's wrong with that?
"That's when the attackers over there can reach us.
I'll be ahead of you, or Yuka can unleash her magic and that'll fix it, right?
We're not gonna be able to raise our game if you're stuck with us.
It's not very flashy of you to go there by brute force.
I see.

　Apparently, they both had a lot on their minds.
　Mako stood up away from the vertical hole.

'Laura, Fujika, they're having a strategy meeting.
I understand.
Okay.

　As Mako pointed behind her with her thumb, Laura and Fujika lowered their posture and headed down to Fene and the others.

'You can make it easy, so why not make it easy?'
Don't you admire your fellow man's drive?
It's not reasonable.
It's not all about being rational and penetrating, I guess.
Well, that's one thing.

　Yuka replied after a slight pause.

'Granted, if I'd been reasonable enough to push through, Yuka would be dead in the Skeleton King's dungeon.
That's not why I agreed to it.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'Here, this, or I'm still grateful.

　It's not embarrassing, but Yuka put on her triangular hat with her eyes.

I'd like to say thank you to everyone else for their help and support.
'If you're so embarrassed, you don't need to say thank you.
Thank you for everything.

　Yuka muttered gurgling as she put her triangular hat on deep in her eyes.
　She looked around, but the four of them didn't seem to notice.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what to expect.

'I'm the same, thank you.
"-Oh!

　Yuka gulped and strengthened her body.
　No wonder. She was surprised at how gentle she sounded.
　Of course, even Yuka was surprised.

''Brother.''
I'll be right there.

　As Mako moved underneath Fene and the others, Yuka followed somewhat later.

Do you have a plan?
"Fujica will use the turn undead to halt the attack, while I will take out the Skeleton Warrior with my sniper's bow.
'Then the dimension is that Laura will jump down and attract the enemy and attack them from behind.
I don't mind.

　Fene and the others exhaled in relief at Mako's words.

'Your face is red, like what's wrong with you?'
It's annoying.
'Love?　Like a hunch of love?
I'm gonna knock you down, you f*cking b*tc*.
Okay.

　Yuka says in a low, stifling voice, but Fujica looks somewhat happy.
　I wonder if he is a masochist.

Who is going to give me the signal?
That's me.
I'm still a senior citizen.
One more word.

　Fene frowned as Liv said mischievously.

''Let the action begin.''
So long.

　Fene and the roller move along the edge of the vertical hole.
　Fene moves to the other side, but Laura stops in the middle.
　'Okay,' says Fene, crunching and moving her mouth.

'Like an ascension!'

　Fujica grabbed her tin cane and shouted, and a light illuminated the dungeon and the five Skeleton Warriors.
　The Skeleton Warriors stopped moving--.

''Sniper!

　Fane fires a sling shot.
　The bullet pierces the side of the Skeleton Warrior's head that was holding the bow.

''Sniper!''
Ascension!

　Fene and Fujica's voices overlap.
　A second sniper shatters the skeleton of the Skeleton Warrior's skull and unbinds the bones.
　A dry sound echoes through the dungeon.
　The Skeleton Warrior regains his freedom, but his movements are slow, as if he's unsure which side to attack.
　In the meantime, Laura jumps down.

''Hah!''

　As he shouted with his shield at the ready, the Skeleton Warriors rushed in.
　The knight's job skills drew the enemy's attention.

''Yes!''

　Liv jumped down into the vertical hole and turned behind the Skeleton Warrior.

'Oraaaaah!'

　With a spirited scream, the pole hammer cleaves the Skeleton Warrior away.
　A bone-breaking sound was heard and the Skeleton Warrior was slammed into the wall.

''Ola-la-la!''

　Liv swung the pole hammer down repeatedly, just to die quickly.
　After a while, he takes the distance.
　It's probably an intention to have a residual heart.
　Looking at the shattered Skeleton Warrior, it seems unnecessary - but.

''You can come down!
Okay, okay!

　Liv shouts and Fene descends through the chains to the fourth level.
　Fujika followed suit.
　Yuka took the chain in her hand and turned her gaze towards us.

''.......what?''
It's nothing.
....

　Yuka's lips twitched in a sultry manner and she slowly descended down the vertical hole.
　It's quite a tasteful personality when you get to know them for a long time.
　If they get too close, they might get into a fight, so maybe now is the right time to keep the distance between them.
　I'm sure you'll be able to see that Yuka has reached the fourth level and jumped down.
　A short time later, a light impact can be felt.

''Okay, let's form up and leave.

　Makoto pointed down the aisle.

*

　Mako and the others formed up in formation and proceeded through the dungeon.
　The order is the same as usual, with Liv and Laura in the first row, Fene and Fujica in the second, Yuka in the third, and Makoto in the last row.

'Unlike usual, Yuka is quiet.
I'm always so quiet.
So, I guess you had a run-in with Makoto-san?

　Fujika asked, ignoring Yuka's playfulness.

Hey, it's nothing.
Yes, it's a lie.
I'm not lying. I'm not lying. I'm not lying.

　Yuka said in a supercilious voice.
　This is like saying there's something wrong with this that can be faked at random.

'Love?　Like Love?
I'm gonna hit you.

　Maybe it's because his voice is upturned, but he doesn't have his usual power.

''Mufu, tears in the eyes of a demon too. Like love in Yuka's heart too.
You.....
Wait.

　Yuka said in a low, stifled voice, and Makoto grabbed his staff from behind.

'What?'
'Don't hit me with your cane, no matter how pissed off you are. I'll be able to destroy you and me with more destructive power than a brown bear. You'll die, seriously.
I didn't kill him!

　Yuka shouted hoarsely and shook off Makoto's hand.

'Be careful, unless you want to die too, Fujika. At least endure it until you're stronger.
Well, does that mean I don't get f*cked up?
You can't always protect them. This world really is a world of the weak and the strong.
I don't like the world.

　Hii, Fujica arched her back.

''I'm not a murderer. Mostly, if you kill someone, your status will turn red.
It's not a problem.
What?
It seems like no one can complain about something as powerful as us. We may not be able to take over the world, but we can at least try to rule a country with violence.
Well, Makoto-san, I don't want you to lead Yuka down a bad path.

　Fujica said timidly.

'If you ask me, it's true,'
Yuka, you mustn't be corrupt!
I don't mean to be corrupt.

　Yuka said in a miffed tone.

''But in this world, an overwhelmingly strong individual can destroy a country.

　Hmmm, Yuka laughed.

'So when are you going to set out to take over the world?
I'm not going out.
Why?
Well it's just a matter of mood.

　I don't have anything against this world, even if it was my former world.

And I don't want to get Shelly in trouble.
Because of a woman?
Come on, Yuka!　Like this is love!
You said you were in the mood.

　Yuka said in a dumbfounded manner.

'It's about time for a fork in the road.

　After a while, the path split in two.
　My neck tingled.
　When I squinted, I saw a figure approaching from the back of the pathway.
　'Zombies, it looks like.

'How many?'
"Four bodies!　Also, the enemy is approaching from the fork in the road!　Oh!　It's like a human being being being chased!
What are you going to do?
We'll take out the zombies at the end of the corridor first!　Then flip and intercept!　Let's go!

　When Makoto shouted, his friends began to run at once, but--

''Wait, everyone is too fast!''

　Soon, Fujika began to lag behind, and in no time at all, she fell to the lowest level - although Makoto was behind her.
　It could be that he was the lowest level, but perhaps the monk's job had little or no status compensation.

''Change of plan!　I'll take the lead with Fujica!

　Mako picked up speed and passed Fujica.
　Immediately after flipping over and taking a low posture, a light impact was felt.
　Fujica had collided with him.

''Ogg!''
Sorry.

　Mako carries Fujika up and flips over again to kick the ground.
　The wind passes by my ears.

'Gah!　I'm scared.　And I'm scared!
I'm saving it, though.

　He passed Yuka, Fene, Laura and Liv and closed in on the zombies.

'Ohhhh!'
Oh, oh, oh!
Oh, ooh!
Ahhhh!

　As if they noticed us, all the zombies screamed in unison and started running.
　It's a fresh zombie that hasn't appeared in a long time.

''If there are zombies running, that means there are other strong enemies out there as well.
It's like an indicator organism.
Well, that's a mouthful.

　Makoto chuckles and checks the fork in the road with a sideways glance.
　The two women are being chased by the Skeleton Warrior.

''Ohhhh!''
Oh, ooh!
Oh, oh, oh!
Ahhhh!

　The zombie grabbed at me with a yell.
　Mako ducked brilliantly and moved behind the zombie.

''Fujika!''
Like an ascension!

　A light shot out of the tin cane and the four zombies went out of existence as if a thread had snapped.
　The companions crossed the fork quite late, reversed and regrouped.
　The first row is Liv and Laura, and the second row is Yuka and Fene.

''Fene, how many enemies are there?''
It's so messed up I can't even tell!

　I suppose I should have checked the number of enemies, but it's too late now.

'Assume enemy numbers of at least three!
Ah!

　He thought he had put it down quietly, but Fujica fell on her ass.
　A few moments later, two women, or rather girls, popped out.
　One was a swordsman and the other was probably a hunter.

'This way!'

　Mako shouted and they looked at us.
　After showing a pretense of hesitation, they started running towards us.
　In the next moment, a Skeleton Warrior jumped out.
　There were five of them, none of the individuals holding bows.
　With all the momentum, they crash into the wall and stand up, pushing and snapping at each other.
　The girls scraped past Liv and Laura's sides and fell down, having reached their limit.
　The Skeleton Warrior closes in with a clatter of teeth.

'Draw them in!'
Okay, okay!

　Fujica holds up his tin cane, but he's slightly hunched over.
　The Skeleton Warrior closes in at about five meters away--.

''Now!''
Ascension!

　The tin cane glowed and blocked the Skeleton Warrior's movements.

'Let's go!'
Yes!

　Liv and Laura rush into the Skeleton Warrior, who stops moving.

'Sniper!'

　Fane fires a mithril alloy bullet with a slingshot.
　The bullet takes a direct hit and cracks the skeleton of the Skeleton Warrior in the second row.
　The Skeleton Warrior moves slightly--.

''Oraaaaah!''
Shields up!

　A kick from Liv and a shield shot from Laura blows the Skeleton Warrior away.
　The Skeleton Warrior falls over, engulfing the other individuals.
　They quickly try to get up, but they can't get back up because they are in each other's way.

''Ola-la-la!''
Ha!

　Liv swings the pole hammer and Laura swings the sword down.
　The sound of bone cracking is heard.
　After a few moments, Liv and Laura are away from the Skeleton Warrior - or rather, the bone.
　The bone doesn't even twitch.
　Apparently, they were able to defeat it.
　The girls look at Liv and Laura as if they were dumbfounded.
　Mako walked over to them and spoke to them.

'Are you okay?'
Yes, thank you.
Thank you very much.

　The girl swordsman hackled and the girl hunter thanked him raggedly and stood up.
　Mako looked at the girls again.
　The girl swordsman kept her brown hair short as a boy.
　Her eyes and nose were well-defined, but she was not a beauty.
　Should I describe her as charming?
　His body lines are thin and he is unreliable to serve as a vanguard.
　The leather breastplate, basket hand and boots make her feel even more unreliable.
　The girl hunter is even smaller than her partner, but has larger breasts.
　Her hair is slightly longer.
　She may become a beauty in the future, but right now she has the appearance of a shady character.
　His armor is a leather breastplate, arm guards and boots.

''I'm Makoto, the leader of the Black Flame.
I'm Mary. This is my partner, Anne. I'm an adventurer on the market.

　The girl swordsman--Mary said, pointing at the girl hunter--Anne with her thumb.
　Mako tilted her head inwardly.
　It's embarrassing to be so proud of herself, but the black flame is so successful that Shelly knows about it.
　It seems strange that the adventurer doesn't know about it.
　However, I can't point that out.

''Then you're a competitor. Keep up the good work.''
Yeah.

　When Makoto held out his hand, Mary squeezed it back after a slight pause.

'Where are you two staying?'
It's called The Pavilion of the Unnamed Hero.

　The dining room and inn is where Fene used to live before she joined the group.

'Oh, you're just starting out, aren't you?'
Yeah, that's just the beginning.

　Mary gave a small grunt at Fene's words.

'I was allowed to join another team as a baggage carrier, but that team was wiped out, I guess.
Yeah, you know what I mean.
It's classic. Classic. Classic.

　Mary grunted, and Fene gave a good, modest chest thump.

'The odds of running into another team aren't that high, so most of them die, though. No, we're both lucky.''
Well, most of the time, I guess.

　Remembering the time he was almost killed by a demon bear (Evil Grizzly), Liv agreed with Fene while looking up at the ceiling.

'So, next time you two are like this. Take me to the ground.
Uh, yeah, but...

　Mary said with a snort.
　She must have a bit of a mixed feeling because Fane looks younger than her.
　Even though it's a meritocracy, it's not something that can be easily divided.

''What are you going to do?''
I'm not going to leave you behind.

　I don't care if we're full of ourselves, but taking care of two people is a bit of a hassle.
　It's hard to wake up when you die for a little bit of trouble.

''Um, if you could, I'd like to go get my mate's belongings?''
Brazen, these people.
Yuka, it's like compassion doesn't pay to be kind.
They're going to steal the equipment off the dead guy.
...the Yuka Filter.

　Fujica grunted.

'Ugh, yes, but,'
Hey, that's not very human!
Because I don't have any money.

　Fujika shouted, and Mary's lips twitched in a sultry manner.

'I'm just running out, you know. It's totally possible to get equipment from a corpse.'
I'm not so sure about that.
"If you're poor, you're dull. If you're poor, you're dull. If you're poor, you're dull. If you're poor, you're dull.

　Fene said as if he had reopened it.
　I don't know if it's a good idea to reopen it, but as the person who took equipment from the zombies in the Skeleton King's dungeon, I can't say anything.

''Alright. I'll go out with you.''
Are you sure?
I can't leave him alone.
...Mary.

　Anne, who had been silent until now, grabbed Mary's wrist.

'Well I think we should be honest with you.
Yeah, I know.

　Mary grunted awkwardly.

'Well actually, there's a ghoul.
It's not a problem.
Oh, I think it's time for a ghoul to step up.

　Liv laughs happily.

'I'd rather leave it to Fene, Laura and Fujica.
Chet, I get it.

　Liv's lips twitched in amusement.

'Wait a minute!　Ghouls are very strong, you know?
I don't think an ordinary adventurer can win.

　Mary says in a panic, and Anne continues as she grunts.

'I know you said you wanted to take your mate's belongings home with you.
That's just something I'd like to be able to take home.
Don't worry. I mean, we're more than just a bunch of adventurers.

　Yuka proudly puffed out her chest.

'Well, let's get this over with and resume our search.

　Mako started toward the fork in the road.

*

　A horrible chewing sound echoes through the dungeon.
　The air felt stale and feverish, as if it were my imagination.
　The ghoul was in the center of the large space.
　He was on all fours like a beast, burying his face in his victim's guts.

'Let's go,'
Yes, sir.
I don't know, I'm feeling a little sick.
You have such thinned nerves.

　Yuka said as she poked fun at Fujika, who held her mouth, but her blood was running cold.

'....Guru.

　Recognizing the voice, the ghoul interrupted his meal and slowly turned to me.
　His mouth is stained with liquid.
　It wouldn't just be blood.
　Well, just because I found out who it was doesn't mean I can't do something about it.

''Gosh, goooooooooooooooooooooo!

　The ghoul stood up and let out a yell.

'I'm going!'

　Laura declared and rushed in with her shield at the ready.
　The ghoul also rushed into Laura.

''Impact reversal (Reflection), shield (Shield)........''

　The shield emits a faint light and Laura's body leans heavily.
　It's an inclination that you might fall over as it is.
　But--.

''Shoot (bash)!''

　Laura's body leaps up in a flash.
　It's like a land-based crouching start.
　A high-pitched sound resounded and the ghouls were blown away.
　Does it mean that the two skills were combined to create a more powerful rushing technique?
　Laura closed the distance between her and the ghoul while holding her shield.

''Goooooooooh!

　The ghoul let out a yell and swung his arms down.
　Laura used her shield to heal the attack and slash at the off-balance ghoul.
　It seems that the damage is less due to the emphasis on defense.
　However, there's no need to be disappointed.
　Laura's role is that of a shield.
　It's my job to keep the enemy pinned down and protect the rear guard.

'Goh, goh, goh!

　The ghouls swing their arms around recklessly, but Laura deftly manipulates her shield to defuse the attack.
　There--.

''Sniper!''


　White smoke rises from the ghoul's back.
　Fene attacked from behind.

''I, when?''

　Fujica looked around in a panic.

'Come on, you should join the fight.
Haha!
I'm not a hawa!

　Fujica wanders around with her tin cane in her arms.
　Maybe it's because Laura and the ghouls are moving around that they can't get a line of fire.

'Seriously, you're useless.'
It's not like we're in the corridor.

　It's hard to get a line of fire in a large space like this one.

''Well you're a great guy, aren't you?''
What do you mean by "bushes and sticks"?
No, you're supposed to be magical.
Well, well, I've been practicing a lot.

　Yuka scratched her cheek in embarrassment.

'Maybe the wizard's job has a sighting correction.
You should just admire my efforts.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.
　Apparently, she was getting back to her usual form.

'See!　Ascend!
Wow, I think I get it!

　Yuka shouted, and Fujica stopped and held up her tin cane.

'Ta, like an ascension!'

　Immediately after the tin cane emitted a light--''

''Ggaaaaah!

　The ghoul screamed and white smoke rose from his entire body.
　A sort of fire blister appeared on his skin, exploding and flooding his body with fluid.
　It was as if the skin had boiled.
　The torn skin hung down and the ghoul was a miserable sight to behold.
　Ugh, Fujica held her mouth, but she managed to hold on.

''Snipers!''

　Fane unleashes an arrowhead with a sling shot.
　White smoke rose from his thighs and the ghoul bent to his knees.

''Ha!''

　Of course, Laura didn't miss the opportunity and swung her sword down.
　The ghoul's head falls off, leaving a piece of skin behind.
　Laura swung her sword, and the ghoul melted out in a cloud of white smoke.



That's about it.

　Makoto looked down at the four bodies laid out beside him.
　They were badly damaged and smelled terrible.

'Fujika, please.'
Like what?
We have to pray. You're going to turn into a zombie if you don't pray.
Okay.

　Fujica knelt beside the body and folded her hands.

'Lord Periolis, please welcome these people.
Super convenient.

　As Fujica cut the crosshairs, a pale light enveloped the body.
　There was no way to be sure, but this should have summoned them to Periolis' side.

'Now all we need to do is send them both to the ground.

　Mako looked at Mary and Anne.
　Mary was equipped with a small shield and Anne carried a machete from her waist.
　Both are relics.
　Unfortunately, the other equipment did not fit.
　In addition, the coins have been recovered.

"...thank you very much. Mary.

　Anne bowed her head begrudgingly and patted Mary's arm.

'Oh, thank you. Well, you know, thank me when we get back to earth...'
I don't mind.
What?

　Mary's eyes widen in surprise.

'I didn't save you because I wanted to thank you.
Yeah, good.
...Mary.

　Anne slapped the back of her hand on Mary's two arms as she stroked down her chest.

'Good for what?'
Well, you know, uh, heh, I thought you might want to make some kind of request.

　Mary scratched her head in embarrassment.

'I don't, I don't do that. I mean, is that what being an adventurer is all about?
Hmm. Well, it's rare to find someone like my brother who helps you out for free.
I won't charge you for it, but I'll know you owe me if I help you.
Okay.

　I let out a sigh at Fene and Liv's words.

'Well, I guess I owe you one, then.
Yeah, I don't know when I'll get it back.
Yes.

　Mary and Anne let out a small sigh.

'Is life pretty tough for you?'
Yeah, well, I'm on the market, but I just became an adventurer.
I'm not strong enough to do the job.

　They let out another sigh.
　Makoto and the others were able to make money quickly, but I guess this is what being an adventurer is like.

''I'm at a place called the 'Golden Sheep' pavilion. If anything happens--
Hey, Makoto!

　Yuka bashed Makoto's two arms.

'What?'
There are limits to what a softie can do, and there are limits to what a softie can do.
'Yes, but we can afford it now.

　Mako scratched her head.

'You can't lend me money, okay?'
I lend it to you like it's something you won't get back.
That's not the point.
That's the problem, in my opinion.

　It was because he had learned his lesson about his father, but Yuka didn't seem to get it.

''Well, if you have any trouble, come to the 'Golden Sheep' pavilion.
Uh, yes, thank you.
Thank you very much.

　Mary played with her bangs while Anne bowed her head deeply and said.

'Yuka, please.'
All right, sweetheart. Okay, come here.

　Yuka carries her staff on her shoulder and moves a little further away.
　Mary and Anne are scurrying around.

You can use teleportation, so don't worry about it. Is it okay if we transfer to the city?
'What?　Transition?
I can't believe I got to see the magic I heard about in the fairy tale.

　They move on with an excited look on their faces.

'Make yourself comfortable, okay?'
Yes!
...please.

　Yuka readied her wand and began to chant a spell.

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

　The wand glowed and the landscape around them distorted.
　In the next moment, the two figures had been scratched out.

'Roughly, this is how it goes.'

　Yuka carried her staff and stretched out her chest.

'Good job. Let's go then.
Yeah, I get it.

　Yuka nodded in a good mood.