*

I don't like it!

　As they finished treating the wounded and disposing of the dead, a man shouted.
　It's an adventurer with a pack.
　There was nothing more to do, and the tension must have worn off.
　It's not surprising, Makoto looked around.
　Frank is seriously wounded, Shank is dead, and half of the shield players are also dead or wounded.
　The only one who can move properly is Loyne.

Let's retreat!　Retreat!
You're still an adventurer!

　The man called out more, and Loyne shouted in a rage.
　As expected, it's hard to pass it off right after the death of a companion.
　Nevertheless, the man's argument makes sense.
　The plan for the veteran to pay off the dew and deliver Makoto and the others to Kuzuha's bottom is out of order.
　Continuing the operation will only lead to more deaths.
　Now we're at the stage of thinking about what to do from now on.

'I wouldn't have taken the job if I thought it would be like this!
'Yes!　Yes!

　A few adventurers follow the man's words.
　Mary and Anne awkwardly turn their faces away.
　There are other adventurers who turn their heads away.
　I don't agree with them, but they are unable to express their intentions.
　I know how you feel.
　I know how you feel, and so does Makoto, if he were in Mary and Anne's position.
　I'm afraid of people who scream at me emotionally.
　You don't know what they're thinking, and you don't know what they'll do to you.
　Besides, the two of them have things to deal with after they get out of the dungeon.
　I don't know if you're a senior or not, but you don't want your peers to stare at you.
　Now, what to do.
　I wish I could use my working experience at a time like this--.
　I don't know how you recruited them in the first place, and I don't know the terms of employment.
　When dealing with a claim, you have to know the details.
　If you fail to do that, the story will be sullied.
　Thinking about that--''

"d*mn it, if you don't like it that much, you can just go home.

　Yuka said in a depressed tone.
　The surroundings became quiet at the too direct word.
　Frank had a slight smile on his face--.

''Oh, we're here to support you guys--''
No one asked you to do that.

　Yuka said piquantly.

'You became an adventurer because you like it, and you took this request because you like it.
So I didn't know this was such a dangerous job.
'The home of the undead who made the city what it is?　It's not safe, of course.
That's not...

　The man clammed up.

'And now that I've done that, I don't want to hear about it anymore, or that I haven't heard about it, I'm not being a pussy.
f*ck you!　We're the ones backing you up!

　The man turned red in the face and yelled at Yuka, trying to crowd her.
　Yuka quickly hid behind Makoto.

''It's ... you.
It's time for you to put your company experience to good use.
If that's what you think, don't make a big deal out of it.

　Mako let out a sigh.
　'I can't help but feel that I've turned the heat up to this point.

'Wha, what?　Are you going to do it?
I didn't mean to.

　The man's mouth twisted into a look of relief.
　It's a small, mocking smile.
　Maybe he thought Mako had played it down.

''I can carry your stuff for you if you ask nicely, you know.
I'm not gonna do that.

　Mako returned, feeling disgusted.
　Should I bow?
　The answer is no.
　Not in Yuka's words, but the man was satisfied with the request.
　Besides, we'll get licked if we give in to their demands.

I'll get my--
Why don't you get the hell out of here?　I won't stop.

　Yuka interrupted Makoto's words and said in a sarcastic tone.
　Moreover, she hid behind Makoto.

''This ... this ... I'm still very facetious.
Okay.
You'll be sorry. I'll sue you.
Well, all right, then.
"d*mn it, remember that!

　The man spat and started to walk away.
　He walked to the aisle and turned around.

'Follow me if you don't want to die!

　The adventurer with the luggage looked at each other at the man's call.
　After a while, the adventurers who followed the man started walking.
　There were ten of them.
　It seems to be surprisingly well-liked.
　I'd like to tell you to leave your luggage behind, but...

"Leave your luggage behind!　Thief!
Shut up!

　Yuka shouted and the man yelled back.
　As it was, he disappeared with his friends to the back of the aisle.

'Humph, you gutless.'
...you.

　Mako let out a sigh.
　However, I don't blame them for leaving.
　I'm thankful that those people are gone.
　Moreover, even if they die, it doesn't hurt my heart.
　Thinking like that--''

''Ahhh, it's like the adventurers have disappeared because of Yuka.
Oh, God, it's my fault?
I can't think of anyone else to blame but Yuka. It's like they want to hear how you're going to take responsibility.

　Fujika said in a sarcastic tone.
　Is she trying to get back at me for having her skirt rolled up?

'What's your responsibility?'
Responsibility is responsibility. I expect you to be sincere.
...and...

　Yuka grunted.

'Funny,'
What?

　Yuka turned her gaze to Makoto with a sultry pout on her lips.
　Her eyes don't seem to be moist.
　Perhaps they were filled with garbage.

'My--Yuka in my--brain is upsetting me, why is real life being squirrelly?
Portrait rights!
It's all in your head, right?
'You're not free!　Censorship!　Let them censor it!
That's a hell of a thing to say.
"A dictatorship in the making.
It's a bright red mistake.

　Yuka said petulantly.

'Oh, even now I'm in Mako I'm horrified!
You don't have to say that.
Horrible.
Okay.

　Mako closed her eyes.

'Why are you closing your eyes?'
'Oh, come on, Yuka. Where did you learn all that stuff?
You have to stop!

　For some reason, I heard Fujika's voice.
　When I opened my eyes to see what was going on, I saw Yuka raising her staff.

''Look out!''

　As Mako jumped back, her wand passed in front of her.

'What are you doing?'
'It's Mako's fault she did something shameful!

　Yuka said, turning red in the face.
　She was a little teary-eyed.
　I don't think I need to be so angry, but when I get teary-eyed, I feel like it's my fault.
　Men are a loss, I think.

I'm sorry.
Don't do it again.
I won't.
More polite!
I won't.

　Mako lets out a sigh, and someone grabs her arm.
　I look next to him.
　Laura was looking up at me.

'What?'
Makoto-sama, you look so different from me...

　Laura grunted.

'Quite a bit?'
It's nothing.

　I still grunted and scooted away.
　I may have gotten too carried away the other day.

'I knew you were the type to not feed the fish you catch.
What do you mean "I knew it"?
Fujika...

　Yuka ignored Makoto and put her hand on Fujika's shoulder.

'Be unhappy,'
I don't know why you would say that.
Oh, I see it, I see it. I can see you at the bottom of the pecking order, whimpering.
'Uggh, it's not going to happen,'

　Fujika brushed away Yuka's hand.
　Immediately after, there was a roaring sound.
　When he turned around, the ground had caved in significantly.
　Fene ran out and surrounded the hole with a ward.

'The slope leading downhill.'
I'll know it when I see it.

　Liv said dismissively, and Fene looked miffed.

'What are you going to do?'
I've got my answer, but just give me a minute.

　Mako headed down to Frank's bottom.
　Frank was sitting hunched over on the blanket.
　He propped himself up on one knee to make eye contact.

'Are you going?'
Yeah, we wouldn't have been able to save our strength without Frank and the others. I'm really grateful.
I'm sorry.

　Frank chuckled at that.
　He thought that Mako was caring.
　It would be a lie to say that he didn't care.
　Still, he wanted to be respectful.

'I really do appreciate it,'
Yeah, I know.

　Frank's expression softened when Mako looked him in the eye and said.

'What about food?'
'Well...'

　Mako looked around.
　Then the pack-bearer adventurer turned his head away.
　It seems that he wasn't prepared to step into the land of the dead.
　Well, it's lucky I didn't go along with the adventurer from earlier.

''Oh, we'll go!
...Mary.

　Mary stepped out, and Anne tugged on her sleeve.

'What?'
...We are only a liability in our own right.
I know that. I know that.

　Mary said, sounding miffed.

''........Then why?''
This is your chance.
"...Mary now can no longer see the danger in the danger.
I know it's dangerous. But the only way for people like you and me to get ahead is to risk our lives. Isn't that what you thought you were going to do when you left your village?
....

　Anne shushed him.

'....Okay.
Great job, Anne!　I love you!
''Please don't say things like that because it will be misunderstood.

　Anne said, sounding miffed.
　Well, it could always be something like this.

Is there no one else following you?

　Mary looked around at the adventurers with their luggage.
　But no one stepped out.
　Is it natural? Frank and the others - the veterans have been killed and wounded in the third level.
　The fourth level is even stronger, and the enemy is even stronger.
　There was no point in being scared.

"It's settled.
Yeah.

　Frank muttered and Makoto nodded.

'What about Frank and the others?'
I'll stay here and wait for you guys to clear the dungeon.

　Frank trailed off there.

'That's all I can do,'
Yeah.

　Mako nodded.
　Given the current situation, escaping the dungeon would not be a wise choice.
　It is more likely that you will survive if you wait for Kuzuha to be defeated here.
　There's also the possibility of being destroyed by an enemy that can get past the warding.
　Of course, Frank is probably thinking about that possibility as well.
　And I said I would wait on that basis.
　I have a lot of faith in them, but I can't just throw them away.
　Oh, no, the work is the same as it always is.
　I just have to give it my all.
　Makoto stood up.

'Yuka, Fene, Liv, Laura and Fujika, let's go. The ranks are the same as always.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.
Well, it's time for us to go.
Yes!　I'm going to raise the bar too!
I'm going to take it to the next level!
It's just that our original plan was foiled.

　Fene, Liv and Laura seem motivated, but Yuka and Fujica are nowhere near as good as they should be.
　Yuka could be described as normal, so I guess it's only Fujica who is not as good as she should be.

'Hey, you should be more motivated,'
I'm totally motivated.

　Huh, Fujica let out a sigh.

'It's not just max motivation, it's not EMPTY.
The plan was thwarted.
So think of it this way.
Like what do you think?
That's what you're going to say now. You need to keep your mouth shut.
....
You can at least say something. I'll roll up your skirt.

　Fujika fell silent and Yuka said, sounding miffed.
　Even so, rolling up her skirt is childish.
　No, since they are both high school girls - is that a pretty harsh s*xual harassment?

''I don't understand why you're telling me to shut up, or telling me to answer, or anything like that.
You have to deal with it on a case-by-case basis. I mean, you're not a freshman comedian.
Are you a freshman comedian?
Oh, for God's sake. I'll just--
'I don't watch a lot of TV, but it's not like I'm watching the ● Scavenger Channel or the ● Stree Channel or the ● Nimal Planet.
"-Oh!

　Yuka gasped.

'It's like you can see that Yuka's trying to connect the whole thing from 'anyway' to pay-per-view and then backwards tricks.
What?　Huh?　I mean, I don't even think about it.

　Yuka responded to Fujika's words with a supercilious voice.

'He's reading your thoughts.
He doesn't read it.
I haven't read your thoughts, but I'm starting to read your behavioral patterns,
That's why they don't read it.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'So, what's a fresh out comedian like?'
Tsk, you'll remember that later.
"....a freshly minted comedian.

　Fujika blurted out.

'Yes, yes, a comedian who just came out on a talk show is going to be in front of you, right?'
Right?　And I don't want to be told that.
It's out, you know.
Just by being out?
I didn't mean to sound glib.
No, I'm not good at it.
Seriously, you need to remember that.
What Yuka is trying to say is that a new comedian can divide the flow of the show because he or she is the one in front of it, and he or she can't read the atmosphere.
Why is Makoto such a pussy?
Because it looks like we're not going to get to the punchline anytime soon.
"d*mn it, remember that.

　Yuka spat and started walking towards the slope that led to the fourth level.

''Speaking of which...''
Is there anything else?

　Fujika mumbled and Yuka turned around.

'And I didn't hear the rest of the 'think like this'
'Yes, yes, yes, I was going to say that thanks to the plan being foiled, there are no more people to sacrifice to protect you.

　Hmm?　Fujica tilted her head cutely.

'I mean it's no longer an easy job to just use the Ascension (turn undead) from the safety zone. I was going to tell you that it's all about me if you showed any signs of anxiety, and I'm sorry to say it's all about me.
Uggh, Yuka's an ogre.
There's no way I'm going to have to deal with this cute little demon.

　Hmph, Yuka sniffed.
　It's Yuka when she calls herself cute.
　Makoto let out a small sigh and looked at Mary and Anne.

'Well, it's like this, but take care of both of you.
Yes!
Well it's nice to meet you too.

　Mary was cheerful, Anne blurted out.

*

　Makoto and the others formed a line - Liv and Laura at the head of the line, Fene and Fujica in the second row, Mary and Anne in the third row, Yuka in the fourth row, and Makoto in the back - and headed down the hill.

'It's a long hill,'

　After a while, Yuka blurted out.

'It's longer than when we went down to the third level.
I have a bad feeling about this.
Don't be so obvious.

　Yuka says disgustedly.

'Heh, my arms are clanging.'
Brainiacs as usual.
Of course I am. I'm fighting to be strong.
Can you beat that one?

　This time Fene said disgustedly.

'I thought you could handle the next one?
"Fearful Optimism.

　Fene let out a deep sigh at Liv's words.

'But I have a feeling that we can manage with Laura-san around.
You're definitely getting stronger.
No, not yet.

　But Laura doesn't seem to be full of it.

'Quite the dark knight, isn't it?'
Yeah, right.

　Yuka stepped on a mine and Laura's shoulders slumped disappointedly.

'Don't be so depressed,'
But...

　Liv taps him on the shoulder to cheer him up, but Laura is dreading it.
　She's still unhappy with the Holy Knight.
　It's time to give up and be positive.

'It's super convenient to be able to do so many things.
'Well, yes, but...'

　Huh~ and Laura lets out a deep sigh.

''I'm able to play three roles on my own, you know. I feel a sense of urgency.''
It's all about aggression.

　Huh~, Fene and Liv let out a sigh.
　They both seem to have a point of view.

''Mary, Anne, are you okay?''
'Yes, sir!　I'm fine!
I'm just walking.

　When Mako called out to her, Mary sounded supercilious and Anne responded with a raspy voice.
　Yuka slowed down and moved next to Mako.

'Don't break ranks,'
What, are you trying to make yourself look good?
'I didn't. As the leader of the team, I'm looking out for new members.
You don't have to deny it, I know that. You want to be seen as a good guy, right?
No.
You don't have to take offense and deny it. I get it.
I think you're getting rather pissed off.
I don't have to work hard.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'Both of you newbies are dumbfounded.
Well....

　'Mako,' said Yuka, tapping her second arm with the back of her hand.

'What?'
'Too much self-management is counterproductive. I know you want to be a cool character, but...
What are you talking about?
'Missus doesn't like to have her brother taken away from her.
No!

　Fene blurted out, and Yuka said, her face turning red.
　Mary and Anne looked at each other.
　Mary seems to be enjoying herself, but Anne - she's subtle.

'Fene!　What are you talking about!
"I know because I have a younger brother. Miss's is a 'don't take my sister' reaction.
No!
I understand.

　Mufu, Fene exhaled through her nose.
　Ugugu, grunted Yuka, and returned to her original position.
　Makoto and the others went down the hill in silence.
　After a while--.

''The fourth level is now in sight.
This is it, isn't it?

　Laura muttered and Liv said happily.
　Looking ahead, she saw the end of the slope - the entrance to the fourth level.
　Fene twitched her ears, and Mako touched her neck.
　He felt no pain.
　There doesn't seem to be any enemies nearby--.

''Fene, how is it?''
You don't have any enemies. What about you, brother?
I can't feel it either. But let's stay alert and keep moving.

　Mako and the others stopped at the entrance to the fourth level.
　Liv and Laura peered from behind the wall to see what was going on.

'There's no one here!
We're not here.
It's good.

　Fujica patted her chest at Liv and Laura's words.
　They stepped into the fourth level.
　The path splits in two.

'Which way do we go?'
...to the right.

　Mako pondered for a moment before answering Liv.
　It wasn't a matter of deep thought.
　He thought it would be better to go one way or the other instead of pondering here.
　Even if it's a dead end, we can just turn back.

'Oops, right.'

　Mako and the others continue to the right in formation.
　I look around.
　The width of the passageway and the height of the ceiling seem to be the same as the third level.
　The problem is the strength of the enemy.
　I'm not confident that I can protect my friends when the Skeleton General comes out.
　When I was thinking about this, Yuka slowed down again.

''What's going on?''
"When the Skeleton General comes rushing in, I'll unleash an ice blast. Shield me.

　Yuka blurted out.
　Apparently, she was thinking the same thing as Makoto.

''I understand,''
You're awfully obedient.
That's because it's a solid proposition.
Oh, come on. It's always me making you feel like a fruitless proposition.
Not only is it fruitless, it's not even a suggestion.
Go away--

　Yuka gasped.
　I looked ahead to see what was going on and saw Fene looking at me.
　He grinned. Yuka shrugged and returned to her original position.
　It seems that she can't bear to be called a 'don't take your sister' type of reaction.
　He should develop a tolerance eventually, so he'd have to figure out another way to do it before then.
　As I thought about that, my neck tingled.

"Enemy!
How many?
Two in front!　Armor on!

　Liv and Laura brace themselves, and Fene takes out a slingshot.

'Oh, what about us?'
I'm afraid I can't help you, so let's stay close to the wall.
Yeah, sure.

　Mary and Anne retreated to the wall.
　Just then, something flashed ahead.
　When I strained my eyes, I saw two skeleton knights.
　They were only a high level species of skeleton and were quite fast.

''I'll go for them!

　The ribs jump out and raise the pole hammer.

''Seismic strike, reformed!''

　The pole hammer struck the ground.
　A crack extended beneath the Skeleton Knight's feet and jet black flames erupted.
　The Skeleton Knight stopped moving and the sheet metal armor darkened.
　Although it did not collapse--.

''Sword Qi Release (Aura Blade)!''

　Laura jumped out of the way and flashed her sword.
　The head fell off and the skeleton knight went down in its place.
　But one piece remained.
　The effect of the earthquake proclamation and reformation is gone and the Skeleton Knight is closing in on Laura.
　Laura stopped moving with her sword-shedding stance.

''Like an ascension (turn undead)!

　Fujika uses magic.
　The Skeleton Knight stopped moving due to the effect of the Ascension.
　There--.

''Olaaaaah!

　Liv swings down the pole hammer in jet-black flames along with the spirit of the cleavage.
　A high-pitched sound could be heard.
　The Skeleton Knight received the pole hammer with his sword.
　However, it was only for a moment.
　The pole hammer snapped the sword and crushed the Skeleton Knight.
　The sheet metal armor turned to dust.
　Hmmm, Liv let out a sigh and picked up the magic stone from the bone.

'Fene, take it.'
I wish you wouldn't throw it!

　Liv throws the magic stone and Fene catches it.
　I fit the magic stone into the pouch while buzzing.
　Maybe this is why the brainiacs are saying something like that.
　Anyway, we now know that we can fight on the fourth level as well.

''Alright, let's move on.''

　Mako and the others regrouped and resumed their search for the dungeon.