*

"-two!

　I heard a voice.
　It was a familiar voice.
　Makoto's consciousness was awakened by it.
　However, it's still in a state of semi-awareness.
　I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

I told you to get up, I told you to get up!
....

　Makoto opened his eyes at the sound of Yuka's yell.
　It's a rapid awakening, like suddenly stomping on the accelerator.
　I don't think it would be a beehive if you let me sleep a little longer, but--''

''What?''
What? I woke you up when we got to the dungeon.

　Yuka, who was sitting opposite me, said in a miffed tone.
　No, she must actually be miffed because she has a grim expression on her face.
　I looked around, but there were no members other than Yuka.
　It seems that they got off the carriage first.

''Are we already there?''
Already? You've been out of Rockwell for a day and a half now.
No, I know that.

　Mako sticks her fingers in and creates a space between her neck and her shirt.
　It must have been very hot in the boxcarriage, and his neck is sopping wet.

'Come on, let's go.'
I know.

　Yuka got out of the box carriage and Makoto followed, scratching his head.
　There was nothing there as they got off the carriage.
　About fifty meters in diameter around the dungeon's entrance was a clearing.
　The strike force - about fifty people, less than thirty of whom were carrying luggage - was probably still in preparation.
　They are divided into several groups and are discussing something.

''I don't have a good feeling about this.
You don't need to bother with this.
I like to keep my mouth shut about these things.
Am I right?
Yeah.

　He replies to Yuka, who raises her eyebrows quizzically.
　I can't remember how many times I've uttered the words "I don't have a good feeling, or a bad feeling".
　But these things are better said than done.

'Where are Fene and the others?'

　Mako looked around and spotted her friends - Fene, Liv, Laura and Fujika.
　He heads down to the bottom of his friends and is struck with dizziness.
　It's like his eyes have suddenly lost focus.
　I stopped and shook my head lightly.
　Of course, I don't think that will help, but after a while the dizziness stopped.

''.......What is it?''
It's because I crossed the border.
Boundaries?

　Mako muttered to herself as she parroted, and Yuka pointed to the ground.
　Looking at the ground, the soil was a different color.
　The one closer to the dungeon's entrance was dry and the one farther away was wet.

''It's like I get dizzy when I enter a dry place,''
You should have said so.
The one that wasn't asked.
Well, if you don't know the answer to that question, you don't know the answer to it.

　Mako grunted.
　Probably wouldn't have told her if she had noticed the soil was a different color.
　That's the kind of woman Yuka is.
　Will she be okay?　And clenches and opens his fists.

'The kitchen?'
No. I just wanted to see what kind of effect it had on me.
Are you okay?　Doesn't it tingle in your eyes?
What do you mean your eyes are tingling?

　I can understand if your arm is tingling, but what is the situation with your eyes?

'Maybe it's an uncomfortable feeling in my eyes.
I'm the grandma who hangs out at the eye doctor.
'I'm not impressed with you going to the eye doctor because your eyes are a bit lazy. It makes it hard for me to buy contacts.
Can't you just buy contacts at an optician's?
Ha, that's why I hate naked eyes.

　Yuka said, ruffling her hair.

I remember hearing that 60% of the Japanese wear glasses or contacts?
So Makoto is a minority.
You're in the minority here.

　The rate of glasses in this world is very low.

'Are you going to discriminate against me just because I wear glasses?　I can't believe it!
I don't discriminate against you because of that. You're a kid, I am.
'You don't understand. It's all about assertiveness.
Really?

　Makoto tilted his head.
　If he was weirdly assertive, I feel like he would be discriminated against--.

''Wait, Yuka, did you use contacts?
I haven't been using it. You can't put a foreign object in my eyeball. I can't. I can't.
You've got a nasty way of saying it.
It's not true.
Of course it is. So...
You need a prescription to buy contacts.
No, not that way.
Then what is it?

　Yuka said with a sultry pout on her lips.

'You tried the lights, right?'
....

　Yuka silently averted her gaze.
　Lanterns are magic that create landmarks for transference (teleportation).
　If you can use transference, the dungeon's attack will be easier, so Kuzuha must have taken steps.
　But there's also the possibility that he's inadvertently.
　Well, it's at a non-zero level.

''Seriously, give me a break.''
Ugh, I'm so stupid.
You're a go-getter-buster.
What?
'Oh, come on, are you serious? You seriously haven't heard of Go-Busters?
We've been remade, haven't we?

　Perhaps lacking in confidence, Yuka's tone was a bit weaker than usual.

''Oh, that's the extent of your knowledge. Yuka's lost about half her life.''
Why should I let a movie dictate my life so much?
Just do it. When you get back to your world, look at the Go-Busters. I promise.
If they're having a hundred yen sale at T_TAYA, I'll see them.
'Look, even if you're not running a hundred dollar sale. I'm sending you back to your world for that.
Hey, wait a minute!

　Yuka said in a panic.

'What?'
I'm grateful that Makoto wants to send me back to my world. I mean, I know it's embarrassing, but I'm still grateful for this.

　So," Yuka continued.

'Don't give me a reason to show you a movie, please.
It's a little more motivating for me, don't you think?
I'm going back. What if I go back to my old world and feel like I have to watch Go-Busters instead of my mom?　You're going to retract your tears. It's going to ruin all the adventures we've had and will have. So, please.
Well, it's okay.
So, what's up with the Go-Busters?
In the movies, they'd have to carry a p-ton pack on their back to catch the ghosts...
It's long. Shorter.
Tsk, I don't blame you.

　Mako crossed her arms and thought about how to make it easier to understand.

'They switched on the small reactor without commissioning it in the play.
"You're crazy-- ha!

　Yuka held her mouth.
　Her face turned red from anger.

'Whose head is crazy!
I didn't say I was crazy.

　It was Yuka who tried to tell me I was crazy.

'Well, the bottom line is that I meant to say that Yuka made a mistake, like turning on a small reactor without a trial run.
I don't know what to do.　I mean, it's not that bad of a mistake!

　Yuka tapped Makoto's second arm with the back of her hand.

'Really?'
Yes!

　Yuka said as if pissed off.
　Both of them feel like a life-threatening mistake, but I give up on the idea that it's barren any longer.

''........Yuka.
What?
"Magic, magic, light, light.
Yeah, right!

　Yuka readied her new wand.

'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 a magic circle emerges on the tip of the wand.
　Normally, an intense light would be generated--

''It looks like a sparkler.
Yeah.

　Yuka nodded at Makoto's muttering.
　A ball of light floated in the air, crackling and sparking.
　Eventually the sparks became smaller and the ball of light disappeared.

'No?'
Wait.

　Yuka touched her temples and narrowed her eyes.

'I don't feel anything. 'Fail.'
What happens if you succeed?
Yeah.

　Yuka crossed her arms thoughtfully.

'I feel like we're somehow connected,'
What's all this?
What do you expect me to do?
I was hoping for something cosmic and crazy.
I wouldn't expect that.
We'd better get going.

　When did he come, Frank interrupted his words.
　Then Yuka stared at Frank with a ginormous stare.
　Frank retreated, but--" "Me and Loyne will be the first to go, then the luggage carrier, and Shank will be the last.

'Me and Loyne will be the first, then the baggage carrier, and Shank will be the last.
So that means we're in front of Shank.
That's what I mean. All right?
Yeah, sure.
You're on it.

　Frank put his hand on Makoto's shoulder and looked at Yuka with only his eyes moving.
　It was as if he heard a voice in his mind telling him to keep a proper grip on the reins.

'Come to think of it, you don't have a weapon on you?
This is my weapon of choice.

　Frank thrust his fist out lightly.
　A metal cage hand covered him up to his elbow.
　He looked down at his feet, but there was no leg armor.

'You were a fighter.'
Fist fight.
Huh, that's a pretty unique job--
Job's a fighter, you know.

　Yuka interrupted Makoto's words.

'Anyway, I'm begging you.'
Okay.

　When Makoto looked at Yuka for a moment, Frank was relieved to see her leave.

'He was looking at me, wasn't he?'
"...how self-conscious are you? Come on, let's go.

　As Makoto started to walk away, Yuka followed somewhat later.

'No, I saw you. I was definitely watching.
Come on. Let's go.
You saw it too, didn't you, Makoto?
I don't know what you're talking about.

　Mako cowered her shoulders.
　His heart was pounding, but he tried to remain calm.

'I saw--'
My brother!　This way!
You're a lifesaver.

　Interrupted by Fene, Yuka said in a low, stifled voice.

*

　It feels like standing in line at an amusement park attraction, Makoto thought as he watched the luggage carrying adventurers enter the dungeon.
　The adventurer with the luggage was followed by Liv and Laura, Fene and Fujika, and then Yuka.
　The moment they entered the dungeon, Yuka frowned.
　Makoto followed suspiciously and understood why.
　This dungeon was more humid and hotter than the ones he'd conquered before.
　A little bad, he scratched his neck.
　The humidity and temperature are high - which means it's a lot of physical exhaustion.
　It will also affect your ability to concentrate.
　It's not something I'm going to be able to handle right away, but I'm worried about how it will affect me later on.

'They're going to harass you in a very low-key way,'
Yeah, I'm gonna have to be careful.
I've brought you some water, so you don't have to worry about getting dehydrated.

　Then Yuka tapped the pouch.
　Perhaps she was referring to the water bottle.
　It's true that that's an item that gushes water endlessly, so there's no need to worry about dehydration - but.

'That's the point of worrying?'
What else do I have to worry about?
There's a lot of physical and mental exhaustion.
I guess so. But I'm sure Makoto can handle it.
What?
I'm from Kumagai. I'm not so sure about that. I'm from the 23rd district.
It's not much different.

　It's a bit more comfortable in Tokyo, but whether it's Tokyo or Kumagaya, it's similar in the sense that you need air conditioning.

It's going to change. A temperature difference of two or three degrees would make the difference between heaven and hell.
It's not that different.
Three degrees off the normal temperature isn't a threat to your life.
Don't put temperature and body temperature together.
That's about as different as I can say.
So it's not that different.
Well, I'll take that as a yes.

　Hmph, Yuka sniffed.

'Speaking of which ... Fujika!
What do you want?

　Fujika turned at the sound of Makoto's voice.

'Yuka lives in the twenty-third ward?'
"Hey!　What are you asking me?!

　Yuka looks at Makoto with a giggle.

'No, if you go to the same school as me, you'd think I'd at least know where you live.
"Personal information!　What's going on with compliance!
There's no compliance, there's no privacy laws in another world (here).
'What can I do if it's not against the law?'

　Yuka said in an accusatory tone of voice.

'Isn't that fine?'
No, of course not!　It's a moral issue!
'I'm sorry, but I prefer curiosity to morality,'
Demon!
Hmm. Yuka's address is--
Hey!
You mean, I don't know where Yuka lives.

　Yuka let out a breath of relief at Fujica's words.

'Hey!　What the hell is a yuka's address?

　Hmm?　Fujica tilted her head in wonder.

'My God!　Wha...?　If you're a faint-hearted girl, you'll die!
I don't know if I'm dying or not, but it's like maybe I wasn't paying enough attention.
Be careful, my dear.
I wish Yuka would pay attention.
Ha, relationships are not alchemy.

　Yuka laughed through her nose and ruffled her hair.
　She wasn't sure what the words meant, but she was trying to say that it wasn't an equivalent exchange.

'You were right not to be friends with Fujika.
''Well it's kind of unexplainable, but aside from that, it's like I'm pretty sure Yuka lives in the Twenty-Third Ward in terms of the school's location.

　'Makoto Makoto,' said Yuka, tapping her second arm.

'What?'
Don't you have something to say?

　Yuka puffed out her chest with a smug look on her face.

'I'm sorry,'
Yeah, well, it's good to be honest about your mistakes. Humility is the best thing about being human. And that's it?

　Yuka's eyes sparkled as she wondered what to expect.

'I'm sorry I thought you were from outside the Twenty-Third Ward.
'Yes!　I'm so heartbroken!

　He looks happy despite the fact that he's been hurt so badly.
　I wonder what in the world makes him so happy.
　Seeing Yuka like that makes me a little bit annoyed.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I suspected you were from Gunma prefecture.
Why does it have to be in Gunma?

　Yuka raised her voice.

'I thought you were from Gunma, since you know so much about local stories.
'Baked buns are not common knowledge!
It's not common knowledge!

　I can't help but talk back.
　Even Makoto found out from a manga that baked buns are the local cuisine of Gunma.
　That alone is enough to suspect that Yuka is from Gunma.

''........Makoto-dono.

　Shank touches Makoto's shoulder.

'Sorry, just the usual.'
Some of us are nervous.
Yeah, I'll be careful.
Thank you.

　Just as Shank let go of his hand, his neck tingled.
　The enemy - the undead - is approaching.
　Somewhat late, Frank raises his hand and the defeating party stops.

''Brother, they're coming from the front!　There was a clattering sound, and there were two of them!
I don't think Frank and his people can handle this.
I know.
I'm ready to fight, sir.

　Liv and Laura lightly lift their weapons.
　They are two reliable people.
　A clinking sound echoes from the depths of the dungeon, and two skeletons emerge.
　No, it's probably the Skeleton Warrior.
　They are armed with simple armor and swords.
　But they are not the same color.
　Their bones are black.
　It may be a subspecies.
　It was Loyne who moved first.
　Standing next to Frank, he pointed the cutting edge of his rapier at the ceiling.
　I don't think you can do much damage even if you attack with a rapier--''

''Magic Bullet (Brit)!''

　Loyne pointed his cutting edge and released his magic.
　The magic bullet hits his knee and the Skeleton Warrior falls over.
　The other skeleton warrior comes straight into it.
　That's when Frank moved.
　He kicks the ground and runs into the Skeleton Warrior.
　The Skeleton Warrior raises its sword.
　But Frank doesn't slow down.
　The Skeleton Warrior swung his sword down and a deafening sound was heard.
　Frank continues to run past the side of the Skeleton Warrior.
　He received the sword swung down with his basket hand.

''Oh!''

　Frank lets out a yell and strikes the Skeleton Warrior as he tries to get up.
　It was a scooping blow, like an uppercut.
　How powerful was it?
　The Skeleton Warrior was on its back, where Frank struck down with his fist.
　The Skeleton Warrior was slammed to the ground and a loud sound echoed in the dungeon.
　Still, he seemed to be trying to get up, as if he hadn't lost the battle.
　Frank seems to be okay, and Makoto looks at Loyne and the others.
　The Skeleton Warrior swings down his sword.
　It's a shield that catches it.
　The four shields are lined up side by side to block the passage.
　Perhaps Frank and Loyne's team is working together.
　Their protection is perfect, but I don't expect them to be able to cover us with magic with this.
　As I look at what they are going to do, the four shieldmen start to move.
　The four shieldmen push the Skeleton Warrior against the wall of the dungeon with a teamwork that doesn't seem to be hastily constructed.
　Perhaps in anguish, the Skeleton Warrior swings his sword.
　But it only strikes the shieldman in the back.
　There seems to be some damage as a pained voice can be heard, but it's better than being slashed.

''Magic Bullet!''
Spirit of the Earth!
Magic bullet!

　Loyne and two others unleash their magic.
　The Skeleton Warrior's skull shatters and the bones lose their ability to join together and fall to the ground.
　Just then there was a dry sound.
　I looked at the direction of the sound and saw a bone lying at Frank's feet.

'Frank's strong, isn't he?'
That's true.

　It was Shank who answered.

'Even that one is considered the strongest in the family.
And that one?
.........I'm not sure about a loincloth. You can't hurt yourself if your skin is bare.

　Shank said with a gurgle.
　'There seems to be a lot going on with the Bison Horns.

'....hey.

　'Pesh-pesh,' said Yuka, tapping Mako's second arm.

'What?'
Look at that.

　When I looked at the direction that Yuka was pointing at, I saw Roin looking at me.
　No, I should say that he was looking at Yuka.

''That was........''
What's that?
You're making eyes at me.
No, you don't, I swear.
You don't understand, Makoto.

　Yuka cowered her shoulders and shook her head.

'That was just showing off my strength. I mean, how's that?　I'm trying to show off how strong I am.
I'm sure you're appealing to me.

　You made fun of me yesterday. How about this? I'm a fighter. Surprised. I think that's what Loyne is trying to tell you, that you'll learn from this and show a little respect.

Now, let's get moving.

　Frank raised his voice and the strike force began to move.

*

　Makoto and the others - the strike team - explored the dungeon in silence.
　Or perhaps I should say they wandered.
　It's because the act of hitting a dead end and then returning to it was repeated many times.

''It's not.....

　Mako muttered quietly and shook her head.
　It's not uncommon to go back and forth when exploring a dungeon.
　And this is an unexplored dungeon.
　Repeatedly going back and forth is the norm.
　Perhaps it's because of the high temperature and humidity.
　When I was wondering whether I should tell them that we should camp out early for the night, we found ourselves in a large space.
　There is a different passage from the one that Makoto and the others came through, so it doesn't seem to be a dead end.
　In the center of the space, Frank turned around.

'We're going to camp here for the night today!
Thank God!
He was pretty tired, wasn't he?
It's quite different from the Legion dungeon, isn't it?

　When Frank declared the night camp, the adventurers with their luggage uttered those words.
　In the meantime, the adventurers on Frank and Loine's team set up a metal rod - probably a ward - and a trap of sorts in the passage.
　Then Fene suddenly ran out of the room.

''Brother, in the corner!　I'll take the corner!
You're leaving me here.

　Fene went to the corner and dropped his large backpack.
　He spread out the blanket and made room for a few people.
　Good work.
　Mako walked up to Fene.

'Is it safe to sit anywhere?'
I'm fine.

　Fene gave a thumbs up and stabbed a thin dagger into the ground like a nail to create a ward.
　Mako sat down on the blanket and so did Yuka, Fene, Liv, Laura and Fujika.

''It's been a tough day, isn't it?''
Yeah.

　Yuka took a water bottle out of the pouch and popped it.

'Puh-leeze!　The water's good!
...Is it really that good?

　Normally I would have gone in for the old man smell, but my curiosity got the better of me as Yuka drank it so well.
　Makoto took out a water bottle and sipped a little.
　It's cold.
　It's a coldness that seems to seep into your tired body.
　This time he drank more water.
　The cold water travels through his mouth, throat and esophagus to his stomach.
　My body shuddered at the comfort of it.

'It's delicious,'
I know.

　When Makoto mentioned his impressions, Yuka nodded in a good mood.

''In terms of time, it shouldn't be much different from our normal exploration, but...''
It's a hot day.

　Liv replies to Laura's words, flapping her paleo.

'Dude, I don't like the heat,'
Well, Fene.

　Fujica stared at Fene's tail.
　It was split in two halves and also fluffy.
　It looks weak in the heat.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it.

''Um, excuse me.''
Can I sleep in here?

　I looked at the direction the voice came from and saw Mary and Anne standing there, looking like they were not located.

'What's wrong?'
Heh, I'm actually just starting out and don't know anyone.
I don't feel comfortable with just two guys running around.

　Yuka asked, and they both sounded a little apologetic.

'Mako, okay?'
I don't mind.
Yes, sit down, sit down.
Thank you!
Thank you very much.
That's all right. Travel is a companion, and the world is a mercy.

　When they bowed their heads in a bow, Yuka said in a good mood.

'And Yuka's attitude is different!　And I've never had a kind word like that spoken to me before!
We're starting from the wrong place, you know.

　While Mary and Anne laid out the blankets, Fene reinserted her dagger, expanded the wards and sat back down in her original position.

'The pack bearers gather and prepare to eat!
I'm out.
Thank you for your help.

　Mary and Anne bowed their heads and headed down to Frank.

'Well, what do you think of the undead?'
It's just a little stronger than the Skeleton Warrior.
I've been trying to look through various books as I've been adventuring with Master Makoto and the others, but I didn't expect to find the Black Skeleton Warrior.

　Liv and Laura speak their minds.

'That's not the higher species Frank encountered, is it? Is that kind of thing rather common?
What do you mean by that?
It's a case of the strong undead haunting the upper levels.
Hmm, what do you think?

　Fene raised her eyebrows in difficulty and tilted her head.

''It's true that dungeons tend to produce stronger undead the further down you go, but it's just a trend.
Speaking of which, there's that whole red skeleton thing.
Oh, that's him.
That was delicious. I hope to see you again.

　Liv frowned, but Yuka's eyes sparkled in anticipation.

'It was a tasty opponent if you can call it tasty, but I don't know if it's going to transfer or be transferred to me~. At least I don't want to run into them here.''
'Well that's going to derail the mission. I'm sorry, but I'll just pray I don't run into you this time.

　Laura and Fujica looked puzzled, but didn't try to ask any questions.