*

　As soon as Makoto and the others finished eating, Mary and Anne began stacking the dishes without anyone telling them to.
　The other teams must have finished their meals.
　Clinking sounds could be heard from all over the place.
　Mary and Anne finished stacking the dishes.

"We're just going to go do the dishes.
I'm coming.

　He bowed his head in pecking order and headed down to Frank.
　After a moment, Yuka turned her attention to Liv.

'Liv, do you mind?'
Yeah, I'm ready for it.

　Yuka and Liv stood up and moved a little further away.
　They must be planning to train in wand arts.
　They both have weapons.
　Liv holds a pole hammer and Yuka awkwardly mimics it.
　She sticks out her staff and cleaves it, but it's still awkward.
　Yuka seems to understand this, and she doesn't look amused.
　Maybe she thought she could do a little better.
　The feeling is understandable.
　People overestimate themselves.
　We can only properly evaluate ourselves when we actually do it.
　I know that, so I cheer in my heart to do my best.

'Like Yuka is a wizard, so you should focus on that.
Missus has her own ideas.

　Fujica mumbles to herself and Fene replies in a sincere tone.
　No, is she chiding him?

''No matter how you look at it, it's like a false alarm.
'It can't be helped. We're all amateurs at first.

　Laura said, chiding Fujica.
　I suddenly remembered the word "guardianship".
　Martial arts - or is it not limited to martial arts?
　It's a term that describes the stages you go through when you learn a thing.
　In the initial stage, you defend the basics, and in the next stage, you improve your technique by adding your own interpretation.
　Finally, you become independent - you leave your master and start your own school.
　I'm sure that's what it was all about.
　'Well,' said Makoto, standing up.

'Brother, what's going on?'
Yeah, I'm trying to do some zazen.
Is it zazen?
Apparently, I need it for my job skills.

　Makoto sat down on the blanket and crossed his knees.
　Fortunately, he knew how to do zazen - or rather, meditation.
　It's a way to regulate your breathing and calm your mood.
　I close my eyes and quietly repeat my breathing.
　The sounds coming from around me seem to be more distant.
　I feel like I'm concentrating in a good way.
　Maybe it's just another job skill.
　Now I just need to notice the presence of chi.
　I feel like I can do that somehow.
　Turn your awareness inward.
　Turn your awareness inward--.
　Consciousness to inner--.
　Suddenly, I remembered her leaving me.
　It was probably about a year after I started working that I became aware of her.
　The reason for this is not a big one.
　When I was feeling depressed because of my boss's taunting, she gave me a coffee.
　I thought it was a good idea.
　It's a simple thing, but that's about it.
　After about six months of agonizing over it, I told him.
　When I got an OK, I was jumping for joy.
　But the happiness did not last long.
　It was because of my parents' debt.
　In hindsight, it was a no-brainer.
　There was no future for her to date a man who owed her debts.
　Perhaps the fact that I felt such a sense of reluctance had something to do with it.
　I went out with her for two years and broke up with her.
　When I heard from my friends that she had gotten married, I felt a sense of loneliness as if I had been left behind.
　And the second--.

''--!

　Mako opened her eyes.
　The back of his nose tingled.
　Tears spilled out of my eyes faster than I could press them shut.

'Whoa, what's going on?'
Well, Makoto is crying.
'I've heard that there is a darkness of blindness in the human mind. Perhaps you've seen it...

　Fene, Fujica and Laura said those words.
　I shouldn't, said Makoto, wiping his eyes.
　I was going to meditate, but I felt melancholic.
　No good, he said, closing his eyes again.
　Turn your consciousness inward.
　Turn your consciousness inside -.
　Consciousness inside.
　Suddenly she remembered her brother.
　Ever since he was a child, he was compared to his older brother.
　He would do his homework as soon as he got home from school.
　He never quit the club.
　My brother - he never quit the club.
　That was the usual phrase their parents would use to scold Makoto.
　They were that proud of him.
　But Makoto knew that his brother wasn't as good as his parents made him out to be.
　His brother was very good at making himself look good.
　He knew how to get through to his selfishness.
　Let's just say he was to the point.
　He was money-minded, too.
　When his brother ran away, Makoto thought he was right.
　No wonder the man had abandoned his family.
　While he was paying off his debts, his brother was treated as if he wasn't there.
　Then my brother came back with his wife and children.
　It would be easier to return if he was with his family.
　That's what he thought.
　That was the kind of mother-in-law that was typical of my brother.
　Their parents were so deceived by his inferiority complex that they turned their attention to him and his family.
　She couldn't forgive her brother and his family, nor her parents.
　I wanted to hear words of condolence.
　I wanted words of apology.
　I wanted them to think about me after I had spent ten years of my life paying off debt.
　If only I had words, if only I had an attitude of kindness, I could swallow my anger.
　And yet--

“--!

　Mako opened her eyes.
　His whole body was sweating steadily.

'My brother is sweating!'
It was like he was in agony too!
'It's a dangerous thing to face your own mind, isn't it?

　Mako shook her head as she listened to Fene, Fujica and Laura's words.
　Concentrate, she told herself.
　Turn your consciousness inward.
　Turn your consciousness inward--.
　Turn your consciousness inward--.
　When was the last time that happened?
　When I was in kindergarten.
　I was such a wimp when I was little.

*.

　Mako woke up when she felt a presence.
　Well, he kept his eyes closed.
　His body is lazy.
　His status is fully struck, so it's probably constitutional or mental.
　Or it could be both.
　I need to rest some more.
　Just then, I heard Yuka's voice.

'Makoto, wake up.'
I need more sleep.
Everybody's awake.
I'm tired.
Just get up!
Tsk.

　I had no choice but to pick myself up.
　Yuka opened her legs shoulder-width apart and looked down at me.
　Is she worried about being peeked at inside her skirt?
　She stands a little farther away from me.

'Why are you holding your tongue?'
I was hoping to get some more sleep.

　I return it, feeling disgusted.

'You went to bed quickly yesterday... well, okay.'
How's that for a windbreaker?
It's not the wind. It's the air.

　Yuka said as if she was miffed.
　Could it be--.

''Do you mind that I said you can't read the air?''
Yes. And don't give me that "I can't read my own mind" bullshit.
Is this an accusation?
The two of us need to have a heart-to-heart talk for once.
I think so.
We understand each other.

　Hmph, Yuka laughed and reached for the dagger at her waist for some reason.

''........Yuka.''
What?

　Yuka stopped moving with a snap.
　Her hand clenched the hilt of her dagger, but--.

''I don't want to commit seppuku, okay?
Don't be afraid of it. I have a potion.
When I say openly, I mean honestly.
I know that.

　Yooka said firmly.

'I know, but you might be tempted to commit seppuku for regretting your tongue, right?
"If you're pissed off, say you're pissed off.
I didn't say I was pissed off.

　Normally Yuka would be shouting red in the face, but today she is calm.

'If you're not pissed off, why are you trying to make me commit seppuku?
I respected your autonomy.
What's the autonomy to commit seppuku?
The samurai cut his own throat, so can Mako.
It's not like I volunteered to cut my own throat.

　I'm under orders.

Well, yeah.
"I don't know if you're reading the atmosphere, but I don't need your witty sarcasm.
Okay.

　Yuka closed her eyes and repeated a deep breath.
　Her eyes widened with a snap--.

''Die!''
You're too direct!
That's how pissed off I was!
I know you're pissed off!
Apologize if you know what you're doing!

　Yuka's face turned red and she yelled--.

'Well, fine.'
I told you to f*ck off!
I'm an airhead.

　Yuka ignored Makoto's words.
　He was very concerned about being able to read the air.
　Was Yuka the type of person who cared so much about what others thought of her?

'I know you were limping around yesterday doing zazen.
You know about this?
I can read the air, but I try to be honest in what I say and do.
I don't see the point in reading the air.
It makes sense.
Like what?
I can attack the line at the edge.
Don't play chicken with yourself.

　Even shonen manga doesn't have a guy like that.
　I mean, I'm surprised that I ever thought I was attacking the edge.
　I'm not worried that I'm going to run into a wall someday.
　Well, maybe it's none of my business - but I'm not sure.

I was limping, but is zazen really that hard?
You were looking out for yourself, weren't you?
It's too much in your way, in your way.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'So what do you think?'
I was able to concentrate, but...

　Makoto let out a small sigh.

'I'm in a melancholic mood,'
Melancholic?
Sentimentality and melancholy are just some of the nuances.

　Yuka nodded her head curiously and I explained.
　'By any chance, don't the kids use the word melancholic nowadays?

''They say it's about sitting down and feeling down,''
It's all about the old days, you know?

　I don't want to remember anything about my ex-girlfriend, or my family, or anything else.

'....Mako.
What?　Are you going to teach me the secret to not feeling melancholic?
'Not really. It's just that it's kind of...

　Yuka stammered awkwardly.
　It's an unusual reaction.
　I expected to hear a complaint or two--.
　Or was it that badly depressed?
　Anyway, it's a little nice to be cared for.

'Makoto, aren't you too mentally fragile?'
Careful!

　Mako raised her voice.

'I don't know how I'm supposed to care for a dwelling Araphora.
"d*mn, I shouldn't have been so whiny.

　I've been trying to avoid being weak and b*tc*y because I don't like this kind of reaction, but it's a big chump.

'Just get on with it and eat your dinner,'
All right.

　Mako let out a sigh and stood up.

*

'Yes!　Let's go!

　Frank declares and walks off, and the strike force begins to move as well.
　Slowly they go down the slope.
　They continue downhill, but they cannot reach the third level.
　Further down the hill.
　I swallow the word "strange" as quickly as I can.
　Even with this, Makoto and the others - the black flames are a respected team.
　If such a team uttered such words--.

''Isn't that a bit strange?''
I know you're one of those guys.

　Mako let out a deep sigh.

'What's a guy like that?'
Read the air, read the air.
I know what you're thinking. I know you're thinking about Makoto and all that.
You didn't see that coming.

　I was thrilled when you said that Mako, but Yuka is not a psychic.

Anyway, I gave you a heads up. "I have a bad feeling about this,
Who are you imitating, just to be sure?
Of course he's copying Makoto. He's lost his mind?
It's not a blur.

　Suddenly, my neck tingles.
　She presses her hand on her neck.
　Yuka tightens her grip on her staff.

'Enemies?'
That's nasty.
I didn't hear any footsteps.
That's me too.
Maybe he's a ghost.

　From Fene's and Liv's words, we can deduce the identity of the enemy.
　But it's an answer I've drawn from my scant experience.
　I have a stronger feeling that I could be wrong.

'Fujica, prepare for the Ascension (turn undead).
Okay.

　Fujica tightens her grip on her tin cane.

'Don't freak out,'
'Yuka is the one who needs to make sure he doesn't wave his wand around and blow the brains out of his allies and...'
Tsk, you remember.

　Fujika said back, unusually, and Yuka frowned, looking unamused.

''... the exit.''

　Someone from the strike team muttered and Mako looked ahead.
　He can definitely see what looks like an exit.
　Frank raises one hand.
　I wonder if he sensed something.
　The strike force slows down the slope, slowing its pace.
　Just as Frank may or may not reach the exit--.

'Whew!
Ho-ho-ho!
Whoa!　Whew!

　Countless ghosts flew out of the walls.
　No, is it a ghost mage?
　No, no, now is not the time to worry about such things.
　Countless - more than a dozen Ghosts appeared.
　That was all that mattered.

''Ugh!''
I'm losing strength...
"Out.

　A ghost-clad, baggage-carrying adventurer stumbles.

'Fujica!'
Like an ascension!

　At Mako's call, Fujika released her magic.

'Ho-oh!'
Hoagh!

　The finger ring bracelet and tin cane emit a dazzling light and the ghosts writhe.
　If it doesn't disappear with a single blow, is it still a high level species?

''Run!''

　Frank shouts and the strike force starts running.
　Of course, so do Makoto and the others.
　Shortly after--.

"Ho-oh!
Hoagh!

　Ghost cries echoed from behind me.
　Looking over his shoulder, he looked behind him and saw that more than twenty Ghosts were approaching.
　The enemy wasn't just the dozen or so that I had seen earlier.
　Makoto clucked his tongue, wondering if he had overconfidently used his presence detection (skill) too much.
　The presence detection worked.
　The problem was that they couldn't figure out how many enemies there were.
　They would have to find a way to figure out how many enemies there were.
　After Makoto rushed to the third level, Shank and the others rushed in a little later.
　No, the adventurer at the back of the line was caught by the ghosts.
　A man with a stubble.

''Shank!　Shank, sh--

　The screams grew fainter and fainter, and the adventurer rapidly wilted.
　The moment he stepped out with a crunching mouth, his legs broke with a dry sound.
　The changes continued, and eventually the adventurer turned to dust.

''d*mn!''
Do it!
Yes!

　Shank swears and Frank orders him to go.
　Quickly, a small man who looked like a bandit threw something into the slope.
　The next moment, a white light burst out.

''Whew!
"Ho, ho, ho!
'Ho-ho-ho-ho!
Wheeeeeeeeee!

　More than twenty ghosts scream and writhe in agony in the white light.
　If they were human, their bodies would be twisted.
　But they writhed even more, and eventually reached their limit.
　His body was torn to shreds, and he disappeared like he was melting into the light.
　Shank walked over to his dead companion and picked up the metal plate - the pass - and picked up the pass.
　He stared at the pass for a moment, then tucked it into his pouch.
　He took the time to open the pouch because that's how long it took him to open it, and that's how much of a war buddy he's been able to sneak through the gaze with.

''This wasn't the first time you've seen a ghost type, was it?
We encountered them when we were escorting the troopers together.

　I answer Frank, who had come next to me before I knew it.

'Just in case.'
I've never seen that happen before.

　Mako stared at the adventurer who had turned to dust.

'Was that a ghost just now?　Or is it a ghost mage?
I don't know.

　Frank gave a small shake of his head.

'But I've encountered it before while exploring the dungeon.
A ghost with a special ability?
Probably.
Where did you run into him?
'The dungeon of the Skeleton King. I think it was on the tenth, or maybe thirteenth level.
Seriously?

　Makoto frowned.
　He didn't know that there was such an undead underneath the ten levels that he and Yuka had wandered through--.
　If I had encountered it, I might have died.
　I have to brace myself, said Makoto, looking around.
　It was a corridor.
　It's not so different from the second level, except that the ceiling is higher and the width of the passage is wider.

''We're on the third level, right?
It's a brand new dungeon. Hard to say.

　Frank chuckled.

'How many levels would it be if you applied it to a normal dungeon?
'Yes. Considering the length of the slope, I'd say it's the fourth level.
Okay.
You're not surprised?
'I've fallen to the bottom of dungeons before, and I've transitioned.

　Makoto lightly cowered his shoulders.
　It wouldn't be surprising if there was a slope that stretched through the hierarchy, considering what had happened so far.

''It looks like you're diving through a shura.
I don't want to dive.
"You're a stable thinker who gets off on the wrong foot.
My dream is to live the slow life.
That's a big dream.

　Kukuku, Frank laughed.
　But he didn't feel like a fool.

'Good!　Once the treatment is done, we can move on!

　Frank exclaimed, his expression tightening.



　The strike team will advance through the third level of the dungeon in single file.
　However, what they do is the same as before.
　Go back and forth to find the slope that leads to the level below.
　That's all there is to it.
　If there is a difference, it's the atmosphere of the squad.
　There was still plenty of room at the first and second levels.
　It's a sense of security that you'll be fine if you leave it to Frank and the other veterans.
　They might even have been under the illusion that it would be a simple task to carry their bags and follow them.
　But the death of the veteran blew away their optimism.
　Even veterans die.
　This is a life-threatening job.
　They must have felt that strongly.
　I can't help but think that they were too relaxed.
　But that's how human beings are.
　We say we are prepared for it, but when the time comes, we realize it with trepidation.
　That's what human beings are.
　That's how terrifying death is.

'There's something about the atmosphere...'

　Yuka was about to say something and kept her mouth shut.
　After the person died.
　He probably thought that he couldn't say something without regard to the air.
　Maybe he knows the line that shouldn't be crossed in any way.
　At that moment, I felt a stinging pain in my neck.
　An enemy.
　Reflexively, I looked at Fene and saw her ears twitching.
　So did Liv.

'Sound of armor!　They're coming one by one from the front and back!
Enemy!　Luggage carriers, move to the wall!

　Fene shouts, and somewhat later, Frank gives the order.
　The adventurers with their luggage all take shelter by the wall at once.
　A few moments later, a clattering sound is heard.
　It's the sound of armor.
　I don't expect the Skeleton General to come out, but I don't have a good feeling about it.
　I saw a light at the end of the aisle.
　A silver light - a skeleton wearing sheet metal armor.
　It's an armor that is so stunning that it can't be compared to the Skeleton Warrior.
　The same goes for the sword in his hand.
　I look behind me over my shoulder, but I can't see the enemy.
　There still seems to be some distance between us, but Shank and the others have their weapons at the ready.

'Yuka, status.
'I'm trying. Skeleton Knight, I'm resistant to physics and magic.
Resistance?
'It's a sub-skill of resistance. It's a tough one.

　When Makoto muttered to himself in a parrot, Laura quickly explained.
　Is this a skill unique to the Skeleton Knight?
　The Skeleton Knight stopped and readied his sword.

''It's coming!''

　Immediately after Frank shouted, the Skeleton Knight began to run.
　The speed is such that even a short-distance runner on the track would be able to do so.
　And it was top speed right from the start.

"Stone Brit!

　Loyne points the tip of his rapier and releases his magic.
　The rock bullets hit and slow the Skeleton Knight's speed.
　It's only slowed down.
　He quickly regains his original speed and closes the distance in a flash.

''Oh!''

　Frank let out a yell and punched him.
　But his fist cut through the air.
　The Skeleton Knight jumped.
　If it was on the first or second level, it would have crashed into the ceiling and that would have been the end of it.
　But this was the third level.
　The ceiling was higher than the first and second levels.
　The Skeleton Knight kicked the ground as soon as it landed.
　My aim is Loyne.
　The tip is approaching.
　The adventurer with his shield at the ready stepped forward to take cover, but he was too far away.
　If I don't, I'll die.
　What will Loyne do?
　Is he going to attack or is he going to be on the defensive?
　The odds of either one seem slim to none.
　The Skeleton Knight ducked Frank's attack.
　The burden is too much for Loyne, the wizard, to win.
　But if you do nothing, you will die.
　Loyne pointed the tip of his rapier at the skeleton knight--.

''Rock bullets!''

　The magic was blasted out of the air as it happened.
　At close range, a rock bullet hit him and blew the skeleton knight away.
　Of course, Loyne wasn't safe either.
　The shattered rock flew apart.
　The fragments pierced his body and he was covered in blood.
　But he's safe.
　I'm standing firmly on my two feet.

'Cover Loyne!

　Frank shouted as he ran, and the adventurers with their shields lined up to protect Loyne.
　With a click of his teeth, the Skeleton Knight flashed his sword in a flash.
　How powerful was it?
　The adventurers with their shields at the ready were pushed.
　Still, the battle line does not collapse.
　The Skeleton Knight raised his sword and was slammed into the wall.
　Frank struck him from behind.
　It was a flashy collision, but the Skeleton Knight didn't seem to have been damaged much.
　He stepped out of the way as if nothing had happened--.

''Capture Formation (Bind)!''

　He was entangled by a band of light.
　It's Loyne's magic.

'Push me against the wall!
Oh!

　Following Frank's orders, the adventurers with their shields push the Skeleton Knight against the wall.

'Just buy us a little time!

　Frank stood behind the adventurers with their shields and held his fists in a hunchbacked position.
　A faint light enveloped his body.
　He would have liked to take a closer look if he could, but that wasn't going to happen.
　Makoto let out a small sigh and turned around.
　Then, the Skeleton Knight was approaching from behind.

''Let's do it!''
Oh!

　As Shank ran out with a hammer in hand, the adventurers with their shields followed suit.

''........Yuka.
I'll be ready to help at any time.
Sensible and helpful.
I told you, I'm an airhead.
Yeah.

　Mako looked at Shank and the others.
　The distance between Shank's group and the Skeleton Knight is closing at once.
　Both are running as fast as they can, so it's not surprising.
　Shank threw a hammer when they were just a few steps away from colliding.
　The hammer strikes and the Skeleton Knight's movement stops.

''Now!''
Shield bash!

　As Shank dodged, the adventurers who were holding the shield charged at the same time.
　Makoto's eyes widened involuntarily.
　He hadn't expected them all to be knight-type jobs.
　The scene resembled a tsunami.
　A fury of nature that swept away every bit of it.
　However, the Skeleton Knight leapt over it with ease.
　The shield shot cut through the sky in vain, and the Skeleton Knight landed between Shank and the adventurers with their shields at the ready.
　The Skeleton Knight turned around to see if he was going to slash at them from behind.
　Shank - he's in the middle of picking up his hammer.
　The Skeleton Knight twists his body--.

''Magic Bullet (Brit)!''

　Magic pierced the back of the Skeleton Knight's head.
　The impact distorts the helmet.
　Yuka's magic - the effect of the magic item since she wasn't casting a spell - was the effect of the magic item.

''Thank you!

　Shank thanked him and attacked the Skeleton Knight from behind, hammer in hand.
　He hit him with the hammer, but the Skeleton Knight didn't budge.

''Ugh!　Holy thunder!

　When Shank shouted, the hammer was engulfed in white light.
　The way it sparked with a bang is exactly like lightning.

''Oohhhh!

　Shank slammed the hammer down, but the Skeleton Knight didn't move.
　He slammed the hammer once, twice, three times - and at the fourth time, it fell apart.
　This one's all right now, Makoto said, turning his attention back to Frank and the others.
　Just as the adventurers with their shields at the ready were about to be blown away by the Skeleton Knight.
　Frank moves.
　He closed the distance with one foot and thrust his fist out.
　The fist strikes the armor.
　But that's it.
　The Skeleton Knight raised his sword as if nothing had happened.
　In the next moment, his back - his armor was torn and a white light erupted.
　The Skeleton Knight was trembling convulsively, but eventually collapsed.