*

　The Skeleton Knight's sword and armor turned to dust, leaving behind bones and magical stones.
　Frank stared at them in silence.
　His breathing was heavy and his complexion was pale.
　Apparently, the attack he had just made was quite draining.
　Frank let out a long, quiet breath.
　Could it be some kind of karate breath?
　It's possible that it's one of his skills, though.

''Well we'll be on the move in a minute!　The wounded need to be treated quickly!

　Frank shouted and popped the bottle he'd taken from the porch.
　A slight flush flashed across his cheeks.
　Is it a nourishing potion (Stamina Potion)?
　Or is it another potion?

'....Speaking of which...

　I had never taken any nourishing medicine.
　Should I give it a try next time?
　I feel awkward about taking an unknown drug, but I need to be prepared for the time of need.
　While thinking about this, I look around.
　The adventurers with loins and shields were bathed in water potions (potions) on their heads.
　The water potion evaporated while emitting a faint light, and the wounds of Loyne and the others were healing.
　The adventurer with the luggage is mumbling something.
　Are they making plans to escape?
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

It's disgusting.
....
Say something.
You don't have to show off your ability to read the air so much.
It's not about appeal!

　Saying that, Yuka pointed at Makoto.
　The volume of her voice is more reserved than usual.

''You really are Egashi--''
I'm not an impersonator.

　Yuka said, interrupting Makoto's words.

'You always say the same thing all the time, that's why Araphor. You should say something different every once in a while.'
Are you Sergeant Hartman?
Sergeant Hartman?
You don't know?　It's a film based on the Vietnam War.
No movie talk!

　Yuka once again interrupted Makoto's words.

''.........''
Why do you have to shut up?
Because I told you not to talk about the movie.
There's more to talk about than just movies.

　Yuka said in a tone that said she was dumbfounded.

'Such as?'
For example, like, um... a drama?

　Yuka said, tilting her head.
　He sounded sulky and unsure.

'I don't watch drama,'
Why don't you look at it?
There won't be any drama by the time I get home.
It's so black. The company you work for, Makoto.
Well, I wouldn't have seen him even if I'd gotten home early.
Why?
To begin with, I'm not interested.
He's not interested. Doesn't it come up in the office?
The department I was in doubled as a call center. I don't have time for that.
I see. So this is how the TV industry has gotten so far.

　Mm-hmm, Yuka nodded.
　Originally, I said I wasn't interested--'

''What about music and stuff?''
I'm not interested in that either. I don't know much about celebrities or popular music.

　Yuka made an expression as if to say, 'Wow~'

''If you have a problem with that, just tell me.''
You know, it's really disconcerting to see you in your 40s.
It's too direct.
It's not what Makoto said.
Mmm, Mako--oh!

　Fujika screamed as Yuka pushed her away.

'I haven't done anything violent yet,'
Prevention. Prevention.
Of what?

　Fujika nodded her head curiously.

'I prevented you from going off on a tangent about the entertainment of the upper class by saying something like, 'Well, Makoto-san, you're not interested in drama or music.'
'Uggh, it's annoying how subtly good you are at it.
"Monk at the gate, reading the scripture he never learned.

　Fujika grunted, and Yuka sniffed with pride as she said it.
　He's quite a performer.

'Alright!　Let's move on!

　Frank's voice rang out, and the strike force began to move.

*

　The strike force formed a line, going back and forth as they made their way through the dungeon.
　A few hours passed and Yuka approached Makoto.
　I wondered what was going on, but Yuka was silent.
　After advancing for a while, Yuka tapped Makoto on the second arm.

''Hey....
What?
Isn't it late?

　When Makoto questioned her, Yuka said, raising her eyebrows quizzically.
　As I thought, the volume of her voice was lower than usual.
　It is true that the speed of the defeating party is much slower.
　There is also the fact that Frank is advancing with caution, but that is not the only reason.
　The overall speed is slowing down.
　To be precise, the speed of the adventurers with their luggage, to be precise.
　He's frightened.
　Well, it can't be helped.
　The baggage bearers are just starting out.
　I'm sure it would be different if they had professionalism and camaraderie, but this is the limit.
　The problem is--

........hey.
Yeah.
He can't hear you.

　Yuka's lips twitched in a sultry manner.

''You're ... late.''
I told you so.

　Yuka looked miffed.
　No, well, she's probably actually miffed.

''Don't be too bypassed, okay?''
I understand.
All I have to say to Yuka is--!

　Fujika gasped.
　Yuka rolled up Fujica's skirt with her cane.
　Fujika looked flustered and held her skirt down.
　She must be embarrassed.
　Even his ears are red.

''What do you mean, all of a sudden?
'You tried to say something stupid and I beat you to it.
That said, there are things you can do and things you can't!

　U~, Fujika groaned.

''And ... Mako-san saw me...''
So I did. Well?　What do you think of Miss Fujica's pants?
I didn't see him.

　Yuka said petulantly, and Mako returned it, feeling disgusted.

'It was nice,'
You're lying, of course.
I'm not lying.

　I still feel disgusted and return it.
　Of course, it's a lie.
　It wasn't like a young lady, that's the honest truth.
　Well, I also thought that this was something.
　Both are honest.
　Then the adventurer with the luggage looked at me.
　No, I glared at him.
　As soon as I made eye contact with Makoto, I looked forward, but not with a positive emotion.
　The feeling of whether this is the limit is growing.

''Ow (ouch)!''

　My neck tingled and my vision cleared.
　We were in a wide open space.
　In the center of the space, the enemy - the Skeleton Knight - is standing there.
　I feel a sense of deja vu at the scene in front of me.
　It is the same as the second level.
　If the skeleton knight is defeated, will the slope leading to the fourth level appear?
　No, I'm thinking too conveniently.
　Frank and the others are exhausted.
　I don't even know if we can defeat them.

Can't we just get around it?
I can't.

　Makoto muttered softly, and Fene responded with a whispered sound.

'Why?'
It's the only way.
Seriously?
"Majestic.

　Fene lifted the map so that Makoto could see it.
　'Indeed, the rest of it is a dead end.

''Which means...''
Just there.

　Fene said as he looked at the front - the passage behind the Skeleton Knight.

'Loin, Shank!'
I know!
I understand!

　Loyne responded to Frank's shout in annoyance, and Shank stepped forward with his companions.

'....Yuka.
Okay, okay, status.

　Yuka stared at the Skeleton Knight and narrowed her eyes.

'Can you see it?'
I see it, but it's garbled all over the place.
So it's not just a skeleton knight, is it?
You're not just a skeleton knight, are you?

　Yuka muttered in a low voice.

'Could it be that you're imitating me?'
Well, what do you think?

　Makoto glanced at Yuka.

''I ... felt a look.
Yeah, I saw that.
Makoto, you're not suggesting...

　Yuka grunted.

'I'm not thinking about pulling my pants down or anything,'
I'll sue you!

　Immediately after Yuka shouted, a high-pitched sound rang out.
　I looked ahead and saw that the adventurer with the shield was about to be blown away.
　He fell in an arc.
　It must have been blown away in an attempt to encircle it.
　It is quite strong compared to the individual I met in the passage.
　As I thought, it seems it wasn't just a simple skeleton knight.
　I stepped out to see if I should cover them.
　Then, a pole hammer blocked his way.

''........Liv.
Excuse me. Can you just leave this to Frank, please?
"You could die.
He said the time was right.

　'Please,' Liv added in a whisper.

'I wouldn't blame you if you asked me to.
"Whoo-hoo, I can talk!
"Whoops...
That's the Bison Horns' signature scream. One of these days you're gonna beat your chest out.
You're not going to hit me!

　Liv raised her voice.
　Ooh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh.
　It looks like a gorilla, but I wonder if it lives in this world.
　No, maybe there are similar creatures.
　Let's see if there are any illustrated books when we go to the Rogers Chamber of Commerce.
　The Skeleton Knight made a pretense of looking around and stepped out.

''Rock Bullets (Stone Blitz)!

　Loyne unleashes his magic.
　A rock bullet hits and Frank and Shank attack.

'Oh!'
Holy thunder!

　The skeleton knight staggered as the two attacked.
　He was probably waiting for an opening.
　An adventurer who appears to be a bandit runs.
　It is likely that they intend to put up wards in the passageway to prevent new enemies from appearing.
　The attempt seemed to succeed--but then the man fell suddenly.
　Suddenly, the man collapsed.
　He never moved again.
　Is he dead?

'Yuka!
He's dead.
What's going on?
I don't know. I don't watch it all the time.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'Well, yeah,'
Maybe it was the ghosts.

　The adventurer with the luggage reacts to Yuka's words.
　The word "ghost" rises from all over the place.

'Do you understand?'
I don't know. But only a ghost could do something like that.
Indeed.

　If the ghost can scrape through the walls, it's possible.

"...fujica.
Hey, Mako.

　Liv turns her gaze to us.

'You promised not to interfere, didn't you?
I don't mean to intrude.

　I know Liv is thinking of Frank, but--

We can't just let this happen.
Yeah, that's true.

　Liv's lips twitched in a sultry way.

'I value Frank's pride as much as you do, but I don't think it's okay for people to die for it. Besides, wouldn't Frank put the good of the whole thing before his own pride?
Yeah, I know.

　Liv said with a grunt.

'....Fujica.
Like turn undead!

　Fujica uses magic.
　The light illuminates the walls of the dungeon--

'Nothing is going to happen, okay?'
The magic worked perfectly.

　Fujika pointed out, and Fujika waved her tin cane.
　'Sham, sham,' the sound echoed.

'Maybe you're not religious enough?'
No, it's not...

　Fujica clammed up.
　She is not a believer in the angel (periolis).
　It's no wonder she feels uneasy.

''Well maybe you're not in the effect range of the Ascension, huh?
What are you going to do?
'Fujica, be ready to unleash your ascension without my prompting.
Okay.

　Fujika tightened her grip on her tin cane.
　Mako turned her gaze back to Frank and the others.
　Whatever had happened while they were talking, Frank and Shank had distanced themselves from the Skeleton Knight and were breathing wildly.

''Capture Formation (Bind)!''

　Loyne unleashes his magic.
　A band of light extending from the ground entwines with the Skeleton Knight.

''Whoa!''
Wait!

　Frank shouted, but Shank lunged at him, swinging his hammer.

'Holy thunder!'

　Shank screams and the hammer is surrounded by white lightning.
　The white lightning is more intense than the last time and the last two times.
　Is this going to decide the game?
　The Skeleton Knight glared at Shank.
　No, it looked like he stared.
　The next moment, a band of light flew off in a thousand pieces.
　The Skeleton Knight flashed his sword.
　Shank turned upside down and his guts overflowed with a gopher.
　The Skeleton Knight raises his sword, perhaps trying to make a token attempt.
　That's when Frank moves.
　He closes the distance in one fell swoop and unleashes a fist.
　It's that technique that buried the Skeleton Knight in the aisle.
　The sound of fists and armor clashing could be heard.
　In the next moment, the Skeleton Knight's armor burst open.
　The Skeleton Knight staggered back.
　There--.

''Rock bullets!''

　Loyne's magic exploded and the Skeleton Knight was blown away.
　It was like a tumbleweed - like a clump of grass in a western movie.
　But the Skeleton Knight was still moving.
　It tried to get up, trembling as if it was convulsing.

'Let's fold!
Oh!

　Frank runs out and Loyne holds his rapier.
　A tingle in his neck--.

'Ho-oh!
'Hoaah!
Ho-ho-ho!

　Ghosts flew out of the ground.
　There were more than thirty of them.
　There could be more than fifty of them.
　However, the Ghosts did not try to attack Frank and the others.
　They were flying around the Skeleton Knight like a school of fish.
　The Skeleton Knight slowly stands up.
　I only have a bad feeling.
　The Skeleton Knight rolled over on its back and opened its mouth.

''--!''

　The air trembles and a pain rises in my ears.
　One ghost blows up.
　As if that was the signal, the ghosts explode one after another.
　The armor regenerates and a light lights up in the eye sockets of the Skeleton Knight.
　It's red, a light reminiscent of a flame.

''Guh-ghh!

　There was a painful moan.
　It was Shank's.
　Shank stands up and holds the hammer up.
　The wound is sealed, but his knees are trembling as if the damage is still there.

'Wait!'
Whoa!

　Frank stopped him, but Shank let out a yell and plunged in.

'Holy thunder!'

　The hammer held by Shank is surrounded by white lightning.
　A light so intense that I can't keep my eyes open is released.
　A full-blown blow.
　It should have been, but I thought it was like a candle on the verge of burning out.
　Shank kicked the ground and pounced on the Skeleton Knight.
　With a thud, his upper body fell to the ground.
　The Skeleton Knight flashed his sword.
　The light in his eye sockets lit up with a strong glow, and the evolution began.
　The sword and armor shifted noisily.
　In a large, finely crafted shape.

[Skeleton Knight has evolved into a Skeleton General]

　For the first time in a long time, the voice of an errand boy echoed.

'What?'　What was that voice?
"Skeleton General?
It can't be the voice of the angel.
What do you mean?

　The adventurers are buzzing.
　Apparently, evolution is a rare phenomenon to the extent that the fledgling adventurers are buzzing.
　The Skeleton General snaps his teeth and attacks Frank.
　Frank takes an immovable stance.
　Is he trying to buy time for Loyne to chant the spell?
　The Skeleton General swings his sword down.
　The sword stops just short of touching Frank's shoulder or not.
　However, only for a moment.
　The next moment, the blade was biting into Frank's shoulder.

''Guh!''

　He let out a short moan and Frank bent to his knees.
　He was in desperate need.
　It was then that Loyne's spell was completed.

''Flame Cannon (Flame Canon)!

　Loyne unleashes his magic.
　No, it's not a simple thing to unleash.
　A rush of fire hit the Skeleton General like a muddy stream damming up.
　Frank seemed to have barely escaped, but his skin had turned white.
　Perhaps he had suffered severe burns from the heat.

''You did it!''
Idiot!

　Loyne clenched his fists and Yuka shouted.
　The next moment, a Skeleton General appeared from the flames.
　He continued to run towards Loyne.

''I won't let you!
You're not going to make me kill our leader!
Magic!

　A group of adventurers with shields stood guard over Loin.
　Blood splattered.
　The Skeleton General just randomly flashed his sword.
　With just that, he sliced through the adventurers with his shield.

''That was pretty strong.
I told you.
Let's go.
Wait.

　Mako stepped out of the way, and Liv blocked his path with a pole hammer.

'I'm sorry, but I can't do it this time,'
I know that, too.

　Liv's lips quirked up in a sulk.

'He wanted to say that we're going to be the next ones to deal with them.
We?
Me, Fene, Laura, and Fujika.
I know what to do!

　At Liv's words, Fujica let out a scream.

'It's a given,'
If we're going to do this, shouldn't we decide on a game at once?
I understand that. I think that's what we should be fighting for.

　Liv raised her eyebrows in difficulty.

'What's your heart?'
You don't know what we're going to do for you, do you?
That too, I suppose.

　Laura nodded with a divine look on her face.

'Let's go!'
Yes, sir!
I'm ready for you!
Okay, okay!
Runaways!　Get out of the way!

　As Liv and the others ran out, the pack-bearer adventurer cleared a path.
　The Skeleton General - walks up to Loyne and raises his sword.
　Loyne looks around.
　But the shield-bearer adventurer is down.
　The moment the sword is swung down--.

''Hah!''

　Laura raised her voice.
　The Skeleton General lowered his sword and looked at Laura.
　The voice from earlier is a knightly type of job.
　The effect attracts the enemy's attention.
　The Skeleton General clicked his teeth and leapt towards Laura.
　It's a big jump that goes over Loyne's head with ease.

''Impact Antipode (Reflex)--!

　Laura sets up her shield, but she can't activate the technique in time.

'Like an ascension!'
Oraaah!

　Fujika's magic stopped Skeleton General for a moment, and while he was doing so, Liv swung the pole hammer.
　Skeleton General was knocked to the ground, but he quickly got up.
　He doesn't look like he was damaged.

''Oraaah!''

　Liv swings the pole hammer down again.
　There is a high-pitched sound.
　The Skeleton General caught it with his sword.

'You bastard!'

　Liv stumbled back, her hands clenching together.
　She was pushed back by the Skeleton General.

'Tch!'

　Liv lands a kick to the tongue, but ends up being pushed back.
　Skelton General pounces on Liv off balance.

Like an ascension!
Shield bash!

　The gap between the stiffness of Fujica's magic and Laura's entire shield collided with her body.
　Perhaps because she was rigid, the Skeleton General was blown away.
　There--.

''Sniper sniper sniper, and by the way, foxfire!

　An arrowhead comes out of nowhere and hits the Skeleton General's armor.
　The arrowhead falls to the ground with a slight dent in the armor.
　The foxfire - the foxfire was burning a little bit in the chest area, but the surface of the armor was only blackened.

''Isn't that too strong?''
I thought we were dealing with a mass-produced model.

　Yuka answered Mako's question with a raised eyebrow.
　I see, I thought.
　It's true that the mass-produced model has a weak image.

''It would be nice if we could win, but...''
Yeah.

　Just as Yuka nodded, a high-pitched sound rang out.
　It was also continuous.
　When I looked, I saw that Liv was attacking.

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

　Liv wields the pole hammer.
　Its appearance is like a tornado.
　But the Skeleton General is unperturbed while being exposed to so many attacks.
　He doesn't even stagger.

''Oraaah!''

　Liv swings down with the pole hammer and Skelton General takes it with his sword.
　No, he takes it and pushes back.
　Liv staggers and Skelton General raises his sword.

'Ascend!'
I won't let you!

　Fujica's magic blocked Skeleton General's movement, and Laura interrupted him.
　Did he decide that there was no problem with setting it up as is?
　The Skeleton General swung his sword down.
　In the next moment, Skeleton General was blown away by the black shockwave.
　It was Laura's shock reversal (reflection).
　I thought it was just a matter of breaking in, but it seems that you can activate it without shouting the name of the technique.
　Skeleton General lands from the foot.
　After all, it doesn't seem to be taking any damage.
　It would immediately turn into a counterattack.
　There--.

''Ascend!''
"Snipers, snipers, snipers!

　Fujica blocks the Skeleton General's movement and Fene releases a series of gravels.
　The sound of clashing metal echoes.
　The gravel falls in pieces.
　As I thought, it only slightly dented the armor.
　That dent is soon restored.
　The Skeleton General stepped out and stopped moving.
　A band of light that stretched from the gravel was tangled around his legs.

''Now!''
Yes!

　Liv raises the pole hammer.
　The Skeleton General tried to catch it with his sword--.

'Ascend!'

　The movement was blocked by Fujica's magic.

''Seismic strike, Kaihu!

　A pole hammer thrusts into the shoulder of the Skeleton General.
　A high-pitched sound resounds, and a crack runs through the armor.
　Jet-black flames leak from the crack.
　The jet-black flames disappeared and the armor shattered.
　A fist-sized magical stone is exposed.
　At that moment, the Skeleton General struck his teeth.
　A light lit up in his mouth.
　A mental attack - the shockwave was used by the Skeleton Lord - but.

''Avoid it!''
Huh!

　Immediately after Makoto shouted, Laura emitted the spirit of a cleaver.
　The Skeleton General changes its aim.

''---!
Impact reversal!

　The Skeleton General fired a shockwave, but Laura bounced back with her shield.
　But the shockwave was uninterrupted.
　Slowly, jerkily, Laura retreated and bent her knees slightly.

'Shield fire!'

　Laura accelerated.
　She closes the distance, slashing through the shockwave, and thrusts her sword out.
　It scrapes between her ribs and the cutting edge touches the magic stone.
　But it stops moving as if it were entangled in an invisible hand.

''Sword Qi Release (Aura Blade)!

　A jet-black light covered the sword blade and the cutting edge pierced the demon stone.

''This oh!''

　Laura shouted, and a jet black light swelled up.
　A piercing sound was heard and the magic stone shattered.
　The light in the eye sockets disappeared and the Skeleton General collapsed on the spot.
　Laura exhaled deeply--.

''What?　Level 34?

　He looked up at the ceiling and muttered something like that.
　It seems that my level has risen.
　Considering the fact that it was level 24, it seems to have risen too much -- but.
　No, now is not the time to be thinking about such things.
　Makoto looked around.
　Frank and the others - the veterans were seriously injured and the fledgling ones were trapped in fear.
　It's going to be just as I expected, Makoto exhaled.