*

Hey!　Get up now!
....

　When Makoto opened his eyes, he saw Yuka looking down at him.
　She crossed her arms and opened her legs lightly.
　It's not quite a Niou, but it looks a bit pompous somehow.

''Good morning.''
Good evening. Mako is the last one.

　Yuka looks around, and Makoto catches a glimpse of her, too.
　Frank is in charge, and the luggage carrying adventurer is making breakfast.
　He's a decent guy, and after all this time, I have that impression.

''d*mn, you were a professional company man, so you should at least get up early.
I'm not a company man now, you know.

　Now - I guess I'm self-employed.
　Whatever you call it, you're full of energy.

You'll be abandoned one of these days.
I don't want to be abandoned-- ouch!

　Mako frowned.
　Perhaps it was because she was used to sleeping in bed, but every knot in her body ached.
　When she moved slightly, she--.

''---!

　Yuka backed away at a tremendous pace.

'What are you doing?'
It's nothing.

　When Makoto sat up and asked, Yuka turned away.

'You were thinking that he might look up your skirt or something anyway, weren't you?
'Yes!　If you know that, don't ask!
Yuka's like hyped up in the morning.

　Yuka's face turned red and she shouted, and Fujika, who was behind her, said in a sincere tone of voice.
　The other companions - Fene, Liv and Laura - were sitting on a rolled-up blanket and were in a circle.
　Nevertheless, they looked at Fujica.

'What, Mako-san?'
Do you have grease on your eyes?
No, I already washed my face.
Wash your face?

　Yuka frowned.
　The way she said it was also 'Se~, hmm~, ga~, hmm~? It is.

Like, you can't talk like that when you've washed your face.
You don't like the pretense, do you?
Like honesty is a virtue, but at least it should be wrapped in an ostracism.
They'll say it has to be mineral water or it won't be good for your skin.
'I think Yuka's image of rich people is distorted, and
Tsk, you're so battered today.
It's...

　Hmmm, Fujika sniffed, and Yuka slowly turned around.

'What's that?'
I've just found out about Makoto and Yuka's secret.
What's your secret?

　Yuka said in a supercilious voice.
　What secret?　Makoto tilted his head inwardly.
　There are no secrets shared between the two of them alone.
　Or rather, why does Yuka make a supercilious voice?

'What, what secret?'
It's...

　Fufu, Fujika laughed.
　It was a cute, innocent smile, but Yuka was sluggishly sweating.

'I'm the only one who knows~, like a secret between Mako-san and Yuka.

　Fujika said as she slowly shook her body and sang.
　Makoto stood up and gently approached Yuka.

'Hi, if you're going to tell me you know a secret, then why don't you just tell me?
Like you can say it?
.....

　Fujika said, leaning forward, and Yuka grunted.
　Mmmm, Mako groans.
　Fujika seems to be enjoying herself, but Yuka is serious.
　Surely a person who was threatened by the evidence of a crime must have this expression on his face.

''Yes, how much.........''

　Yuka gritted her teeth as if to endure the pain.
　How much do you want?　Was he going to say, "I don't know.

'Yes, just say it!
Y--

　The next moment when Fujica opened her mouth, Yuka moved.
　He grabbed the dagger at his waist.
　He's planning to make the deceased before he can talk about the secret, I guess.
　I can't help but think that he said his status would turn red if he killed.
　I can't let Yuka be a murderer, so I grab her wrist.

'Traitor!'
No, I'm not cheating.

　Makoto cowered lightly.
　It's a bit, no, a rather hurtful word.

''Then why are you stopping me!
'That's because you were trying to cut Fujica's head off,'
What?

　Makoto muttered, and Fujika stopped moving.

'Why, why did Yuka, me?'
It's because you're the one who found out my secret.
Yuka's got killer eyes.

　Fujika burst out and jerked back.

So what's the secret?
Hey!
He said it wasn't much of a secret.

　I mean, is Yuka hiding a secret that requires her to kill Fujika?
　I don't think she's hiding such a big secret.

'Yup, I saw them going deep into the dungeon last night. It's like, that's why I thought Yuka went into maiden mode.
I was just going to the bathroom.
What?

　Mako couldn't help but shout.
　No, it's not the toilet.
　You were fighting in a dungeon.
　I'm not going to be able to get to the bottom of it.

I'm not sure why. I mean, what kind of relationship is it like for two people to go to the bathroom together?　I feel like a maniac...

　A curlicue sound interrupted Fujica's words.
　Laura dropped her water bottle.
　Water poured out of the spigot and soaked the ground.

''Oh ... no,''

　Laura looked at me dumbfounded.

'I didn't know Makoto-sama and Yuka-san were a man and a woman.
Who's having s*x with who?
No, no, I'm fine.

　Yuka turned red and yelled at me, and Laura turned her palms towards me.

'This is still, be-be-studying,'
What are you studying?
Well, it's a book...

　Laura answered Liv's question with an embarrassed flush of red in her cheeks.

'And that one?'
'Yes, yes, I had the knowledge. In the knowledge.

　Eh-uh-uh, Laura coughed and turned away from Liv.
　That must have been one of those nights.
　But still, I wonder how they get the knowledge.
　Since it doesn't seem to be from parents to children, is it from seniors to juniors?
　No, books are another way to go.
　Come to think of it, I think I was reading a book when I went to defeat the human-faced rabbit.
　I'll give it a try once this matter is settled.

You'll be able to use it.
No, you can't do that!
He bit me.
I'll bite you from time to time!　Get your f*cking hands off me!　I'm going to sue you for s*xual harassment!
Okay, okay.

　When Makoto let go of her hand, Yuka rubbed her wrist.

'd*mn, how stupidly strong are you grabbing me?
I was holding back.
Then why are you blushing?

　Yuka raised her hand and pointed to her wrist.
　It's definitely red, but--'

'I'm back now.
There are no extenuating circumstances. The sentence is death.
How draconian can you be?
Anyone who hurts me will be executed for no reason at all.
A dictatorship.
Of course, there are advantages to anyone who praises me.
What advantage?

　In case you're wondering.
　Well, it won't be much of an advantage....

"You'll have your whole life ahead of you. It's the greatest reward in life.
'Worst f*cking nation ever. Hang me.
Why did I have to hang myself?
'The market is set to hang you if you fail to run the state. Or a guillotine.
Mako.
What?
So you're in charge of operations, and I'm in charge of symbolism?
It's not OK.
Why?
I'm the one who has to do the hard part, remember?
Isn't that better than being a company man?
I'd rather be a company man.

　There's no way I can run a state on my own ability.
　I'm just trying to keep this team together.

"Tsk, little guy.
My immediate goal is to live a slow life.

　Well, all that's left to do is to send Yuka back to the world she came from.
　As I was thinking about this, Yuka raised her eyebrows quizzically.

''Well Makoto, you remember your promise to bring me back to the original world, right?
I'm not surprised.
Hey, that's okay.

　Yuka let out a breath of relief.

'And Mako-san is super nice to Yuka. So it's like Yuka's on a roll.
I'll split your brain.
"-Oh!

　When Yuka held up her staff, Fujica gasped and scurried around.
　She was probably looking for a weapon, or perhaps something to use as a shield.
　Unfortunately, such a thing is nowhere to be found.
　Even if there was, I doubt there is anything that could protect against Yuka's full-bodied blow.
　Fujika looked at Yuka and held up her hands.

''What?''
I give up!　So it's like, I don't want to have to split my brain open!
It's all right.

　Hmph, Yuka sniffed and released her stance.
　Somewhat belatedly, Fujika lowered her hands.

''That said, it's true that Makoto-san is kind to Yuka.
That's because we're a combination.
I'm wondering if that's really all there is to it.
'Tsk, that's why the love brain...'

　Then Yuka looked down at her feet.

''Hmm?　Like what's going on?
I was looking for a straw.
No, there aren't any straws in here. I mean, why would there be straws?
'I was going to shove it in your ear and slurp the marrow of your brain.
I don't even know what's going on here!
Tri-Xin 245.
What's it like?

　When Makoto muttered, Fujika looked at me with a puzzled look on her face.

'Bringing a corpse back to life ... turning a human into a zombie?　Well, that's the kind of medicine I'm on, anyway.
I didn't know they'd ever come up with a drug like that.
No, of course not. It's just a stupid movie story.

　Yuka said in a disgusted tone.

'Ba-rian isn't crap. No, it's not nowhere near as good as it was after the third one...'
How many movies have you made since the third one?
Five works.
Make a series five.

　Yuka frowned.

It was broadcast on TV when I was in elementary school and it was all the rage. There was even a manga called "Oba-lian"...
I don't care.
I see.

　I think the first one was a classic and the second one was entertaining and good.

'So why did you bring up Tri-Something?
You see. The zombies in the movies love brains.
Brains?
Yeah, it is.

　When Makoto laughed, Yuka gave him a look that said he had failed.

'It's to ease the pain of death.
Yeah.

　Yuka said as she looked away.

'Why are you being so plain?'
Why do you feel so alive, Mako?
I like movies, you know.
I have a movie to go to.
Sherlap!

　Yuka interrupted Fujica's words.

'Why, like you're stopping?'
Maybe the movies you like are different from the ones you like, Mako.
No, it's not.
Okay, tell me your favorite movie.
I'm sorry, this is not a good time...
Tsk, there are people like you. People like you, who say they like movies and can only tell you they love movies and can only tell you about the movies that have won the most money and how many Oscars they've won, or they love comics and you say they're a fan of comics and they say they're a wa-peace.
...Ugugu.

　Fujika moaned, as if she had a point.

'So, what kind of movies do you like, Mako?
'It's a zombie thing. There's a lot of crappy stuff out there, but I can't help but watch them.

　In my opinion, 90% of zombie movies are bad.
　The percentage of bad films is really high.
　It's so bad that it's almost akin to a shark movie.
　The twin pillars of bad movie-making are zombies and sharks.

Fujika, you and Makoto are like chlorine and acid detergent.
Juicy?
Don't mix it up. It's dangerous. Haven't you ever seen a container of detergent before?
'It's like I've seen it all before in a very long time.
"Tsk, that's why, miss... have you ever seen a cockroach?
Of course they have.
You don't mean Green Banana Roach, do you?
It's a big, black guy.

　Yuka looked relieved at Fujica's words.

'Why do you want to be relieved?'
I'm relieved to see that poor little people like me with incomes a little lower than the average family and rich people like you have something in common. Good for you. That's good, because it means we're no longer at the bottom of the list of things I hate.
Who's number one, by the way?
You're rich. Yeah, but I hate mosquitoes and flies.
But they're like vermin.
'I don't think of you as a pest. I just don't like them.
I don't think so.

　Fujica let out a deep sigh.

'Anyway, there's a difference between the movie Mako and Fujika says she's in.
Well, enough about the movie.
What, you don't mind?

　I wish I could talk about the movie with all my might, just once.

Like I'm wondering why Mako-san is being so nice to Yuka.
I told you we were a duo.
Mm, it's more than that, personally.
"d*mn, it's a quick love affair.

　Yuka said in a disgusted tone.

'If the duo wasn't enough, you saved my life, benefactor. He was dying in the dungeon and I saved him from Makoto.''
Yeah, that happened.
You ungrateful bastard!

　Yuka suddenly raised her voice.

'Why are you mad at me?'
'Saving a life is not critical information!　How could you forget all that!　Even a dog could be owned for three days, and I wouldn't forget my debt of gratitude!

　Yuka said, her fists shaking.

'But, well, yeah. You saved my life, didn't you?'
Yes. I cried and cried because I only had one potion to use.
...for a single potion.

　Yuka glared at Fujika.

'In the dungeon you guys left me in!　With nothing but water!　I used a precious water potion!　You don't know how useful Mako will be in this situation!
Hmm?　Was it?
Yes!

　Well, if you ask me, I think it was only after I woke up that Yuka confirmed Mako's status.

''You really are a good guy, aren't you?''
You finally figured it out?
No, I knew you were a good guy.

　He had a shoulder to lean on when the Skeleton King's dungeon collapsed.

''Now you have another reason to stick up for Yuka.
Good luck repaying the favor.

　Yuka said pompously, but her face is a little red.
　If it was usually like this, I'd put more energy into it.
　Well, it can't be helped.
　This is the kind of person Yuka is.

''Are you convinced?''
I think I've figured out that Makoto-san is a very loyal man.

　'Ehehe,' laughed Fujika.

''That's ... weird.''
It's not weird!

　Fujika's voice broke out as she turned her gaze to look at something that Yuka couldn't understand.

''Wait, why are you snickering at me?''
You know d*mn well who I am.
Yeah, yeah, you're a guy.

　Yuka let out a deep sigh.

'Well, I guess that concludes the conversation.
No, it's not over yet.

　It was Laura who raised her voice.

'What's going on?'
I still don't know what Makoto-sama and Yuka-san were doing together...

　Laura grunted.

'We've been practicing our skills together,'
Ah!

　This time, it was Yuka who raised her voice.
　Her eyes are wide open, perhaps from astonishment.

''What?''
Hey, it's nothing.
"It's about Miss, isn't it about the magic stone?

　A voice came from behind me.
　I look behind me over my shoulder and see Fene rolling up a blanket.
　She goes underneath Liv and Laura with the blanket in her arms and places it on the ground in a circle.

'Yuka, I'm not asking you to give it to me or anything.
It's not like that.

　Yuka muttered as she turned away from Fujika.
　I know why I lied, but maybe I should have discussed it with my friends beforehand.



　Makoto and the others - the defeat team finished their simple meal and resumed their exploration of the dungeon.
　Frank's team was in the lead, and Royne's team was in second place.
　The adventurers with their luggage lined up and became the team of Makoto and his team and Shank's team.
　The strike team proceeded smoothly through the dungeon.
　They didn't encounter any enemies, nor did they turn back at a dead end.

''Things are going well today.''
Yeah.

　Yuka muttered softly and Makoto nodded.
　Frank is proceeding as if he knows where the slope leading to the two levels is.

''I wonder if he knows the route we walked?''
Maybe.

　Mako recalls the magic item Frank lent her.
　He said it would tell him where Frank and the others were.
　In fact, it helped me get back.

"You stole all the credit for our work. I'm sick of it.
Well, that's not entirely true, is it?

　Frank is a trustworthy man.
　I didn't think he would be able to take credit for someone else's work.
　Maybe it's just a matter of analyzing a magic item to find the route.
　I'm sure that even if he had intended to take the credit for it, I wouldn't be mad at him if he thought it was a rental fee.

''But I guess it was a mistake.
What?
There's no enemy in sight.
Hmm, I guess I'll have to work a little harder. I like it. I like it a lot. I like that about you, Makoto. But if you try to stall me, I will hunt you down.
It's not like that.

　I don't want to get into it, but I don't want to get into it, as I don't want to get into it with Yuka, who laughs at me with a smile.

I mean, what the f*ck do you think I am?
You're kind of a goody-two-shoes kind of guy.
...good guy-leaning rat man.

　Mako parroted.

'He's basically a good guy, but he's likely to betray you depending on the situation.
That's rather normal.
You said he's basically a good guy.
'Well, yes. But when you say that, it applies to most people, doesn't it?
...There are so many rat men in the world. I see the point.

　Yuka huffed.
　'I don't think I'm living that miserable of a life, but maybe I should prepare something I can cash in for when I return to my former world.

'Let's leave the rat man out of this, why would you want the enemy to come out to you?
I want to see what Frank can do.
'You don't remember the Shaolin Kung Fu technique?'
It was twenty years ago. I don't remember a thing about Jiu-Jitsu and demonstration.
I know something about martial arts, but what is Jiu-Jitsu?
It's a so-called joint move.
Heh, there's a lot of things to do.
There's no point in forgetting about it, though.

　Makoto held his temples.

'Well, you can punch and kick me, so why not?'
It's rather appropriate for you too, isn't it?
It's a wonder you're still alive, my dears.

　Yuka grunted.

'So I figured if I could learn the skill, I'd learn it.
That makes sense.

　Yuka said as she let out a sigh.
　After advancing in silence for a while, Fene opened her mouth.

''Come to think of it, my brother and Missus explored the dungeon, right?

　'Oh,' replies Makoto.

'What kind of enemies did you have?'
They were all black skeletons.
Yeah?
Is there something on your mind?
I figured it would be harder if the enemies got stronger as you went down the layers.
Well yes.

　Mako and the others will be fine, but the rest of the team - especially the adventurers with luggage - are hard.
　They might die by surprise.
　But they are here, knowing the risk.
　Nevertheless, dying in front of them leaves a bad taste in their hearts.

'Well, I'll do what I can to help,'
My brother is my brother.
What's that?
It means I'm a hypocrite.
It's not.

　Fene rammed into Yuka.
　Immediately after, the strike force stopped moving.
　When I looked ahead, I saw Frank raise his hand.
　As I recall, this is--.

''Looks like we've reached the slope.
Is this dungeon uphill?

　Oh, Mako nodded.
　Frank's team descended the hill and returned a short time later.
　Apparently, there was no development that the enemy was waiting for them down the hill.
　The strike team started to move and Makoto and the others went down the hill.
　The second level was the same structure as the first level.

''It's hot and humid on the second level too.
Get used to it.
I'm not like Makoto. I'm a very sensitive person.
I'm from Kumagaya, anyway.

　The defeating party proceeded through the dungeon in single file.
　No, I should say that they are going back and forth the same way as yesterday.

''It's going to take a lot of work, after all.''
So people are gonna be selling maps like I used to.
It's like supply and demand.
Is it the seller's fault or the buyer's? It's a vexing question.

　Yuka mumbles to himself.
　I'm pretty sure she's not talking about the map, but there's no point in pointing that out.
　For telling her to stop talking about s*xual topics, she steps in on her own.
　Well, I guess that's how much I dislike Fujika.
　Personally, I'd like to see them get along a little better, but it's not easy.
　Even Makoto has a grudge against his parents, his brother and his family.
　It's hard to swallow the anger.
　Thinking about that made my neck tingle.
　I looked ahead and saw that the passage was split in two.
　There was nothing in the passageway that stretched in a straight line.
　Which meant that the enemy would be coming from the other side.
　Fane and Liv's ears twitched.
　Frank softly peers into the passage--.

'Mantissss!'
It's Mantis!

　By the time Fene and Liv screamed at the same time, it was too late.
　The three mantis had walked up the ceiling and were passing over Frank.

'The baggage bearers, get over to the wall!

　Immediately after Frank shouted, a single Mantis landed on the ground.
　It immediately aimed at Frank and unleashed its scythe.
　Because its arms are folded up, it has a reach, and if you are poor at avoiding it, its neck will be cut off.
　How will he deal with it?
　Frank teased the scythe with his forearm while stepping in and slammed the elbow iron into the skull.
　The skull caves in with how much force it was.
　He grabs more arms and the skull and slams Mantis into the wall.
　That's the end of it.
　The bones break apart and fall to the ground with a dry thud.
　It's a learning experience, but the two remaining Mantis have to be taken down.
　Loyne pulls out his rapier and seems to be casting a spell.
　His companions are fumbling underneath the Mantis, attacking them.

'.........Yuka.
I don't blame you.

　Yuka pointed her fist at Mantis, clinging to the ceiling.

'Magic Bullet (Brit)!'

　A magic circle unfolds in the space a short distance away from Yuka's fist, and light bullets fly out.
　It's the effect of the Ring of Bullets (Ring of Britt).
　Furthermore--.

''Re-Chant (Repeat)!

　Light bullets are released from the staff.
　The first one is in the torso of the Mantis in front, and the second one pierces the skull of the individual in the back, avoiding the Mantis in front.
　The magic that was released from the staff is a homing bullet.
　The ring of magic bullets (magic item) and the re-chanting (skill) are not in competition with each other.
　The Mantis that was hit by the tracking bullet fell to the ground in pieces, but the Mantis that was hit by the magic bullet only fell to the ground.
　However, he seemed to be quite damaged and was unable to get up easily.

''Magic Bullet!''

　Loyne unleashed a spell and Mantis' skull shattered.