*

　Frank is staring at the slope leading to the third level.
　Will he continue on to the third level, or will he take a break here?
　What decision will he make?
　A silence descends.
　The members of the strike team are waiting for Frank's decision.
　How much time has passed?
　Frank opens his mouth.

'We're going to take a break here today!

　"Huh," gasps a member of the strike team.

"You're soft.
Don't say that.

　I chided Yuka for being so dumbfounded.
　The time of action is less than yesterday, but the number of times he encountered the enemy is higher.
　I'm also fighting the boss-like undead.
　It's no wonder that he's worn out from the tension.
　Nervousness is just like alcohol or drugs.
　If you take it in excess, it eats away at your body and mind.
　If you're a veteran, you'll have a way to relieve the tension.
　But for a fledgling like Mary and Anne, it must be difficult.
　It's not a mistake to take a break here.

'We can go further,'
Yeah, well, I'll be there.
What's with the way you talk about it, like you got an object stuck in your back teeth?
There's not always a place to rest when you go down to the third level, is there?
Why don't you put warding off the pathway?
Wouldn't that trap the heat and humidity when you cook a meal?
'That too, I suppose. I'd better not go on.

　Yuka easily reversed her previous statement, and Makoto inwardly patted his chest.
　I've been thinking that just putting up wards in front and behind the passageway would be enough to make it work.
　It's amazing to me that he was able to come up with a counterargument on the spur of the moment.
　While I was thinking about this, the bandits warded off the slope.

'Luggage bearers, prepare your meals!　Treat the wounded!
Huh? I can finally get it down.
I was in a state of mental exhaustion.
It's so hard to defend against an attack.
It's a two-level deal.

　The adventurer with the luggage unloaded and the adventurer with his shield at the ready sat there.

'And I'll go help you heal!
You're not supposed to be the cure.
Like, they'll complain about it anyway, so they'll just follow their hearts!
d*mn, that b*tc*.

　Yuka spits abominably as she stares at Fujika's back as she moves away.

'It's the right choice, isn't it?'
What?
You're going to complain about it whether you go or not?
Shut up and keep your mouth shut, and I won't say a word.
Really?
It's true.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.
　I have an image of Fujika being quiet and complaining, but pointing it out would only piss her off.
　Eloquence is silver, silence is gold.
　Thinking about that--.

''Secure the corner!''

　Fene runs towards the corner of the space.
　I'm impressed that she can run with such a large load on her back.

'Are corners that popular?'

　Mako muttered and looked around.
　Frank was giving cooking instructions, and Royne was talking about something with his companions.
　Shank is leaning against the wall.
　To be honest, he doesn't seem to be very popular.
　With no competition, Fene easily secures a corner.

'Secure the corner!　I've got a corner!

　Fane turns to me and raises his fist in the air.
　It's a pity to ignore her, so I'll keep my fist in the air.
　Fene laughed with satisfaction and lowered his backpack to the ground.

''Fene, and Fujika, you're great.
I'm very selfish.
I wonder how I can act like that.

　He muttered sincerely, trying not to look at the frowning Yuka.
　How can I take the lead in drinking parties and become a potbellied magistrate?
　While thinking about this, I look at Fene, who is arranging the blankets.

''Why does she like the corner so much?　After all, you're a fox?
It's because they're less likely to attack you, isn't it?
Really?

　Yuka raised her eyebrows quizzically.
　Out of the corner of her eye, Fene was happily laying out a blanket.
　Her ears are not moving.
　In other words, she wasn't wary of her surroundings.
　At that time, Laura opened her mouth.

''Faine-san wants to show off where she can be useful to Mako-sama. I can see that.''
That's not very convincing.
No!

　Laura's eyes widened in surprise when Yuka said it didn't seem to matter.

'What can I say, when Laura says, 'I get it,' it doesn't resonate with me now.
It's not working.

　Laura muttered with a divine look on her face.

'I wonder why that is?'
Yeah, well, I'm an airhead...
Yuka...
Don't interrupt me while I'm talking to you. So, what's the deal?

　Yuka said in a depressed tone of voice and looked at me.

'Don't lie to me,'
'Well I'm not lying!

　He didn't understand the meaning.
　After not one beat, but three, Yuka raised her voice.

'You ain't readin' it, are you?
That was because Mako said something unexpected.
Unexpected.
What's with the face?

　Mako parroted and muttered, and Yuka looked miffed.

'Why do you think you can read the air?'
You'll know what kind of person you are when you get to high school.
Really?
Yes!

　Yuka said in a slightly stronger tone.

'When I was in high school, I didn't know my degree, though.
Maybe some people do. So, when did you get your due?
You could wrap it up in a little more blunt language.
You're pretty naive for a millionaire.
As far as I'm concerned, you've got a lot of scars from living a shitty life.
It's not a big deal.
You're not a hard man to find.

　If I could live like Yuka - or if I had the brazenness of Yuka, my life would be a little different.

'No, no, no.'
Didn't you make fun of me, Makoto?
No, I didn't.
I don't know.

　'Hmm,' sniffed Yuka.

'I'm not really fooling around. I just wondered if I could have had a different life if I had strength like Yuka.'
Mmm-hmm.

　Yuka touched the triangular hat while averting her gaze.
　She embellished her words, but it wasn't a lie.

'Well, well, you'll have to take a noble example from me.
I can't do that.
Why?
I'm not much of a guy, you know?
Your self-esteem is as low as ever.
Well, you've been a businessperson for 20 years.

　I knew on my first day of employment that I wasn't a big deal, and by the end of the year I knew I was only as good as or less than a person.

"If I, who have nothing much to offer, acted like Yuka, I'd just be a jerk!
Now that I think about it... why am I such a jerk?
No, I didn't say anything about a jerk.
You told me.
If I acted like Yuka, I'd be incompetent and a jerk, but in Yuka's case, I could be both competent and a jerk, right?
"He must be a jerk!
What difference does it make if you're incompetent or competent?
I'm telling you he's a jerk anyway!

　Yuka said, turning red in the face.

'd*mn, you're being rude for the second time in a row. And then you act like you're going to raise it up and drop it in the middle. It's just as annoying as the amount of work you put into it.
Don't give me so much credit.
I didn't mean it as a compliment!

　Then Yuka let out a small sigh.

'What's up?　Are you tired?
After all that arguing, I can't help but sigh.

　Yuka took out a water bottle from the pouch on her hip and gulped it down.

''Puh-ha-!''
You still smell like an old man.
I'd like to be able to drink water.
You looked at me like you didn't like it when I tried to smoke.
It's not natural.

　Yuka scowls uncomfortably.
　It's a brilliant double standard.
　I guess it's not a contradiction in Yuka's mind.
　After all, it's a matter of likes and dislikes.
　Our values are so different that we can't understand each other even if we tried to say everything we want.

"So, about me not being able to read the air--
You finally admit it.
I didn't admit it.

　Yuka frowned as if she was miffed.

''I can read the air properly. It's just that I don't act like I'm in the air.
You can't do that.
'It's not a bad idea. There's a big difference between 'I can't' and 'I can and I won't'.
'You could do it, but you don't' is worse.
As I've said before, acting on airs was never a good idea.

　He was still miffed and said...

"Hmm?
What's going on?
'Deja vu. I think we've had this conversation before...
I've known Yuka for a long time.
Yeah.
...Um...what?

　Yuka said in a sincere tone, and Laura raised her hand in a cursory manner.

'What?'
'Well, you haven't given me a reason why I'm not convincing...'
Convincing?

　Yuka tilted her head curiously--'

''Oh, right.''
You can't just forget.

　'Not much,' Laura blurted out.

'It's not that I've forgotten.
Are you sure?
Yes, of course. It was just a little out of my mind.
You're telling me you forgot to do that?
It was under the threshold.
"Threshold?

　Laura tilted her head in wonder.
　A threshold is the minimum stimulus required to cause a reaction.
　In short, she had forgotten.
　Though if I pointed it out to her, she'd say she hadn't forgotten it because she just couldn't be conscious of it.

'So how could I not be persuaded?'
'Laura, you've never been with the opposite s*x at your age, have you?　People like that know how to feel because they're both in love with the same person...
"Like?
You hypocrite!
What?

　Laura's eyes widened when he suddenly called her a hypocrite.

'I'm not proclaiming how pretty it is that we know because we've both fallen for the same person!
I didn't say...
Shit, that's not how it works in a shoujo manga.

　Yuka spits abominably.

'Life is a game of chair-grabbing, you know. That's not a pretty thing to say.'
Oh, yes, I'm sorry.

　Despite the fact that it was not her fault, Laura bowed her head with a smile.
　He probably thought he would apologize and get over the situation.
　Apologizing is better to limit the damage than to argue poorly.
　It's a sad way of life.

'Well, that's why I don't find Laura's words convincing. Do you understand?
With all due respect...
"-Oh!

　With a huff, Laura laughed and Yuka backed away.
　It wasn't that Laura did anything, but maybe she instinctively felt something.

'Hey, what's with that winning smile?'
I'm not the Laura I've always known.

　When Yuka said it with a hushed voice, Laura said with a voice full of confidence there.
　It looks like she's going to say she's Laura II or something.
　But still, what is Yuka scared of?

''I'm Makoto-sama and.............................poof.

　Laura turned her gaze to Mako and put her hands on both cheeks.

'Ki, a nobleman can't have a pre-nup?'
It's all right there!

　When Yuka said timidly, Laura's chest heaved.
　She was quite weak and submissive back then, but now she's strong.
　Hmm?　And Yuka raises her eyebrows quizzically.
　There--'

It's a good thing. I'll tell you what happened.
Wait, wait!

　Before Laura could stop her, Liv walked up to Yuka and gave her an earful.
　Yuka looks at Laura as if she's huffing and puffing, and then she looks at us.
　She opened and closed her mouth like a fish washed ashore with a crunch.
　Eventually, she closed her mouth and turned over.
　And then--.

''Pervert, pervert, pervert, pervert, pervert!

　Yuka turned red and exclaimed.

'Rude. What is it about you, Mako-sama, that makes you a pervert?'
That's not...

　Yuka stared at Laura and clammed up.

'Come on, where's the pervert in that?'
No, I can't say that!

　Yuka turned over, her face turning red.
　Huh, Laura laughed triumphantly.
　What an unusual composition.

''If Yuka-san accepts control--''
No erotic talk!

　Laura couldn't get the words out of her mouth until the end.
　It wasn't because Yuka screamed.
　It was because she started waving her staff around while screaming.
　A hum, hum and wind noise could be heard.

''Ya, please stop!''
Oh, shit!

　Yuka chases after Laura, waving her staff around.
　She seems to be waving it carelessly, but the one running away is desperate.
　Just one hit could be fatal.

''Mako-sama!　Please help me!
Don't just rely on Mako when it's convenient for you!

　Yuka chased after Laura, waving her staff around.
　I'll have to stop it, said Makoto, scratching his head as he walked behind Yuka.

'Stop it already.'
Huh!

　When Makoto grabbed his wand, Yuka let out a small scream.
　She lags behind and puts strength into her wand, but she doesn't have enough strength to shake it off.
　The difference between the level and job - in short, there is too much difference in power.
　Yuka reached for the knife at her waist, and Makoto let go of the wand.
　Then Yuka turned around and flashed her staff in a flash.
　The aim is the head.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　A high-pitched sound, like metal clashing, can be heard.

''Why are you preventing it?''
You let go of my hand, so don't try to attack me.
Oh, shit!

　Yuka yelled, huffing and puffing and breathing wildly.
　After a while, he called out.

'Have you calmed down?'
Do I look like that?
I can't see. Don't be so pissed off.
I don't like erotic talk.
Well, I can see that.
At this impressionable time of year I don't know why you're so hot in the ass.

　Uggh, Yuka moaned and covered her face with her hands.
　She must be embarrassed.
　Even his ears are bright red.
　Moreover, she is shaking her head from side to side without effort.
　It's tsunky, but pure heart is a high point.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to see the difference.

''So, God--why are you smiling!
No, I just think you're a cute guy.
"-Oh!

　Yuka turned red and backed away.

'Duh, no!'
I know. I know, I'm just watching.
It's not quite true. It's not quite true.
'Don't you take it to the porno talk,'
I know, I know, I know!

　When Makoto interrupted her words, Yuka said in a supercilious voice.
　Uu~, Yuka groaned and turned her face away.
　At that time--.

'I'm back~ kind of.

　Fujica came back with a dejected look on her face.

'Are you finished?'
He said no because he had a potion.
You can't...
"-Oh!

　Fuzika turned her gaze on Yuka faster than Makoto could say it.

'What?'
'So I told you,' he said, 'because of Yuka. I'm going to be embarrassed because you're going to play nice and help me with that. I feel sorry for you.'
I won't say.
Yuka would definitely tell you. Now, does it sound like something is going on with Makoto-san?
Why, why, why would I do that?
No, it's my only choice.

　Tsk, Yuka clicked her tongue and headed down to Fene's bottom.

*

　Mako leans against the wall and watches the members of the strike team.
　The adventurers playing the wall have finished healing and are taking a break, while the adventurers carrying the luggage are preparing a meal.
　There is a delicious smell in the air, so it may be time to eat.
　The companions - Yuka, Fene, Liv, Laura and Fujica - are all talking about something.
　In this way, it looks like Yuka is getting used to it too.
　As I was thinking about this, Frank approached me.

''What's up?''　Won't you go to your people?
The air got weird. I'm just cooling down.
It's an all-female team.

　Frank crossed his arms and nodded repeatedly.

'Have you ever done anything like that?'
I don't think I've ever been on an all-female team.
Okay.

　I wasn't expecting it, but it's hard not to have a clue about the story.

'Are there any women on Frank's team?
I'm here for a reason, but...
Are you there?

　Mako looked around, but there didn't seem to be any Bison Horn women.

'I didn't bring her with me this time.
Why?
It's not a good level and it's not a good luggage carrier.
Does that mean you're not a good fighter?
That's what I mean. And the men will be more excited when they see a woman they know.
I know something about it.

　When I was in my former world, I read on the internet that having a woman in a combat unit increases the odds of a man being killed or wounded trying to show off his good looks.
　Mako is willing to show Shelly the good looking part, too.
　Liv and Laura are subtle.
　Maybe it's because he recognizes Liv and Laura as his friends.

It's a dead giveaway here.
Yeah.

　Mako nodded and Frank laughed.
　'Did I say something weird?

'Was it not delicacy enough?'
'No, it was just weird to be bothered. I'm still a mercenary and adventurer in my own right. It's been a long time since I've been cared for.
Wouldn't you normally be angry?

　Mako looked away and scratched her head.
　It was awkward, to be honest.
　The encounter was not good.
　I once thought that he couldn't see the difference in strength, but I still thought he was a mercenary with a history of warfare.
　But he's a respectable man.
　He understands his position and tries to behave as he deserves.
　I don't want a man like that to hate me.

'Ha, if I was that mad at you, I'd be dead by now.
Is that what it is?
That's the way it is. Think about it. I wasn't always the strongest guy in the world.
Well, yeah.

　Even Makoto was level 1 when he came to this world - when he woke up in the dungeon.
　With the help of Yuka, he raised his level and became stronger.

''I've been made fun of and cared for,''
In case you're wondering, I'm not making fun of you.
I can see that too.

　Frank nodded quietly and Mako inwardly patted his chest.

'Well, what can I do for you?'
That's my line.
I'm not here for...
'I thought you had business with us since you were looking at us during the battle...'
You know me.
If only they'd seen me.

　Frank chuckled.
　He wondered how he hadn't noticed the difference in ability the first time they'd met, even though he'd noticed the look in her eyes.
　Was he upset about Liv, or did he have another agenda?

'If you have something to do, let's hear it. I don't know if I can be of any use...''
Yeah, that's fine.
Okay.

　Frank let out a breath of relief.

'You used something called an immovable stance in the battle earlier, didn't you?'

　'Oh,' responded Frank shortly.

'I wanted to learn the job skills of a fighter, you know.
...job skills.

　Frank raised his eyebrows with difficulty.

'It's not something you'll learn overnight.
Yeah.

　Makoto scratched his head, wondering if he was a bit too much of a bug.

'How long is it going to take for your reference?'
'Those who are gifted and have a few months of talent, and those who don't, won't acquire it for years.'
I don't think I can do this.

　Ho-ho," says Frank, letting out a voice.
　There's a light in his eyes that can't be described as either surprise or confusion.

'What?'
'I was surprised that they thought I wasn't talented enough to be that strong.
I don't have any talent.

　If he was strong in the original world, he could have been smug about his talent.
　But Mako's strength is based on a system that says if you defeat your enemies, you level up.
　I wouldn't call that a talent.

''That's right. You can't make them learn a job skill overnight, but I think I can at least give them a head start.
A clue?
Well, you'll see.

　Frank stood in front of Makoto and opened his legs about shoulder-width apart.
　He closed his eyes and repeated a deep breath.
　Then Frank's body was enveloped in a faint light.

'Do you see it?'
Yeah, I see a light.
Okay.

　Suddenly the light went out and Frank let out a small breath.

'What was that?'
It's on.
Chi?

　Mako couldn't help but ask back.

'Don't look so scandalous. If you don't like the expression 'ki', then just think of it as energy generated by life.'
It's not the same as magic?
Probably.

　Frank chuckled.
　I'd like a more detailed explanation, but as I guessed, Frank must have zero magic power value.
　That's why we can say that qi and magic power are two different things.

''Anyway, chi is the core of a martial artist's job skill.
How can I learn to do this?
'The chi is already there. All we need to do is notice the presence of chi.
That's very Zen.
I hear it's good for you to do some zazen.
"Apparently," you say, as if it were something else.
I've discovered the existence of chi through actual combat.

　'Huh,' laughs Frank.

'Anyway, just notice the presence of chi.
I'm gonna do my best.
Yeah, go for it.

　Mako headed down to his friends and stopped in his tracks.
　When he turned around, Frank was looking at him with a manly smile on his face.

'What's up?'
Hey, why'd you tell me that?
Because you told me you weren't talented enough.
What if I tell you I'm talented?
Why would I do that?

　Frank grinned.



　Makoto went down to his friends - Yuka, Fene and Fujika - and looked around.
　There was no sign of Liv and Laura.

''Where's ... my bunk?''
You're the last one standing.
Thank you.
Heh, you smell like water.

　Mako thanked Fene and sat down on the blanket at the far end.
　Next to her was Yuka.
　Compared to the women's blankets, there is more distance between them.
　I know how it feels, but it's a bit sad.

'What were you guys talking about?'
Yeah, a little bit.
Be specific!
'We were talking about the job skills of a fighter,'
Yeah. Do you think you could learn some special moves or something?
He told me to notice the presence of chi first.
Chi?

　Yuka gave him a look as if he was looking at something stinky.
　I was annoyed, but I can't complain because I've done something similar.

'Anyway, it seems that if you can't use your mind, you can't talk about it.
It's a bit of a clusterf*ck, isn't it?
What about Yuka?
I'm a wizard, remember?
You don't think that might be helpful, do you?
Well, yeah.

　Yuka said with a sense of reluctance.

'The wizard...'
Where's the wizard?
You can cast a spell. That's it!
Wait!

　Mako couldn't help but shout.

'What?'
'You didn't sit down and meditate?'
'I don't. I can cast a spell and it does magic.
You're going to practice your magic and stuff, right?
I know.

　Yuka crossed her arms and tilted her head lightly.

'I don't know how to say it, it's like I understood the flow of magic and stuff when I first used magic.'
Hmm, so,
Whenever you use new magic, you just have to be aware of the flow.
I don't know, but I've discovered that I don't know.

　Maybe, to some extent, the skills packaged in the job will assist.

Is that all?
What else is there to say?
I thought I'd ask you if you noticed anything.

　I don't know why I don't think I'm being over the top.
　But you might be on to something by teaching it.

'I thought wizards were aided by the skills packaged in their jobs.
"The package?
You see? We talked about this before.　About the job skills. It doesn't show up as a skill, but I'm sure it's been corrected.
We talked about that, too.

　Hmm?　Yuka nodded her head.

'Have you noticed something?'
The word 'auxiliary' stuck with me.
So, what do you want to do today?
Not today.
'Right. Well, I've been meaning to do some zazen too.
'It doesn't seem to make sense for an amateur to do zazen, but...'
It's better than nothing. What's up with Yuka?
You know what I realized?

　As Yuka began to speak abruptly, Makoto decided to listen in silence.

'It's impossible to learn how to fight with a staff on your own, isn't it?
...well, yeah.

　I think I could have fought quite well, but is it more efficient than learning through actual combat?

'I could have taught him...'
It's rare to know how to fight with a cane, isn't it?
There are some cane techniques in Shaolinjiquan.
In kung fu?
It's a Shaolin temple.
Oh, the Tin Cane.

　Yuka nodded as she got the point.

'A monk wielding a tin cane is hard to picture, isn't it?
That's a common occurrence in Hong Kong movies a long time ago.
....

　Yuka was silent.
　She turned away, as if she didn't want to talk about the movie so much.

''Here you are!
May I join you again today?
You're welcome!

　Yuka greeted Mary and Anne with a smile.