Outside the castle gates - in the clearing they use to meet up with Liv, Makoto and the others formed a circle with Yuka in the center.

''Everyone is ready, right?''
Yeah, I'm ready.
I'm ready to go, but I have a question for you!
What?

　Fene raises her hand and Yuka asks with a puzzled look on her face.

'Why are Liv and Laura-san here?'
Why can't we be here?
This time I thought it would just be you, me, Fujica, Mary and Anne.

　Liv said, miffed, and Fene's lips twitched in a sultry way.
　Then Yuka interrupted her.

''Of course, you guys are the only ones exploring the dungeon.
So why are Liv and Laura here?
You're my bodyguard, of course. If a monster attacked me while I was chanting a spell to get back to the city, it would be unbecoming.
Well, that's all right. Does that make you feel better?
Don't bother talking about it.

　Liv said triumphantly, and Fene grunted.

'That's enough. Luno Kes--'
I feel like I'm waiting for a second!

　Yuka starts chanting, but Fujika interrupts her.

'Unfortunately, I don't have enough time to keep up with you.
I've been hanging out with Makoto-san and Yuka's comedy act to the point where I hate it.
I didn't ask.
'Yes, but!　Yes, but!

　Fujika kicked the ground in a hushed tone as Yuka said in a petulant manner.

'So we're ready...'

　Yuka looked around.
　Makoto and Fujika were dressed the same as usual, but Fene had a new dagger.
　The blade has a gentle curve and is wider at the tip.
　It looks a lot like the traditional Nepalese weapon, the kukri - also called the gurkha knife - which is similar.
　Anne has the same weapon.
　Both daggers were stored in the basement of the Golden Sheep pavilion.

"Mary, are you okay?
It's a little heavy, but maybe.

　When Yuka called out to her with concern, Mary replied while clutching a pole hammer.
　This pole hammer was also a weapon stored in the 'Golden Sheep' pavilion.
　Yuka turned her gaze to Liv.

''How is it?''
'I've got the basics worked out, but this is the kind of work I'm doing. I can't make any guarantees.

　Liv replied, scratching her head.

''Well yeah,''
I'm surprised you're not complaining. Is it raining today?
What's a surprise? What's a surprise?

　When Makoto snapped a lighthearted remark, Yuka glared at him with a snap.
　She turned her face away and pouted her lips in a sultry manner.

'Even with this, you've gone through a fair amount of shura, so I at least know that no amount of preparation or effort is going to be enough.

　Yuka murmured vaguely and turned her gaze to Mary and Anne.

'Both of you, okay?　Don't let your guard down.
Yes!
Yes.

　Mary and Anne nodded at Yuka's words with a divine look on their faces.

'I give you both these words. One shot of trouble, arms fly.
Don't disrespect me.

　Mako frowned.
　One trouble shot, arms flying is probably what he was talking about when he fought Kuzuha.

''Don't disrespect me. I meant to say that even high-level adventurers can get their arms flying if they're not careful. Aside from that, you're ready to go.
I said I was waiting for a second.
If you're gonna go to the bathroom, you might as well do it right now.
It's not a toilet!
So what is it, then?

　Fujica raised her voice and Yuka said, sounding truly disgusted.

'I'm a little prepared to--'
'I told you earlier. No amount of preparation or effort is enough.
I have an overwhelming sense of harassment.
Huh, that's a terrible way to put it. We're all stranded here in the name of developing your fighting style. You should know that you're causing a lot of trouble.

　Good grief, said Yuka, shaking her head.
　'Uggh,' grunted Fujika, her shoulders slumping in disappointment.

'Wow, okay--'
"Luno Cuesta Agata!　O Periolis the Imperishable, like a corridor joined together, be the path I walk!　Reveal!　Transfer (teleportation)!

　Before Fujika could nod, Yuka chanted a spell.
　Mindlessly, the tempo was faster than usual.
　A sense of buoyancy enveloped Mako--.

''Kyah!''

　A pretty voice sounded.
　I looked and saw that Fujika was falling on her butt.
　Aww!　I turned red and pushed my skirt down.
　Her skirt was rolled up as she fell on her buttocks.

'Tch, what a bruiser. I'm sure she's been practicing.
There's no one like that. I mean, it's more than just a little scary.

　Makoto poked at Yuka, who clicked her tongue.

'You don't understand. Women are calculating creatures.''
Well, that depends on who you ask.
How could a man, Makoto, know that?
I know that because I'm looking at you.
Yeah. There are beautiful, smart, good-natured women like me.
Yeah.
Go ahead and ram it!

　When I made a phase, Yuka raised her voice.

''There's a lot of things you can't convince a woman who gets left behind in a dungeon to say, right?
Okay, okay.

　Mako raises her hands to indicate her willingness to surrender.
　She's a troublesome woman who demands a shove if she flushes it down the drain.
　However, if you want, you should shove it in if you want.
　I like people, I think.

'Who the hell are you to say you're a beautiful, smart, bubbly woman?
You don't have to go into that!
I left him in the dungeon...
That's what I said.
She's such a b*tc*.

　Mako let out a deep sigh.

'I mean, why are you demanding a shove?
I just feel like I'm losing my edge lately, you know?
You're an angry jerk.
I'm not a comedian!

　Yuka said, her face turning red and letting out a small sigh.

'What can I say, I've been feeling so calm lately.
It's a good thing, isn't it?
No!

　Yuka shouted sharply.

'I wouldn't be able to fight if I lost my anger at the world. Besides, I hate myself for thinking, 'This isn't so bad, phew. I have to get my old self back.'
You're sounding like a beater.
'Yes. Now I know exactly how Beata feels.

　Yuka moaned and rubbed the back of her hand.
　Fujika opened her mouth as she looked at Yuka.

'The ring--'
Oh, that's dismissed.
Maybe it's the ring that's making me feel so calm.
I said no!

　Yuka shouted out.

'You've never gotten a ring from a man before, but you wouldn't understand!　You've never gotten a ring from a man before, so you wouldn't understand.　I don't think we should disrespect Mako's feelings.
I've said it twice.
I said it twice because it's important.

　'Hmm,' sniffed Yuka.

'I feel like I'm in good shape, like I want to lose weight without trying.
A mourning woman wouldn't know the pain I'm going through.
"Ugugu, where do I end up with the ring of repayment...
All right, I'm going to go home.

　Yuka ruffles her hair and moves a little further away.
　Liv and Laura follow suit.
　Yuka holds up her staff, while Liv and Laura look around with their weapons at the ready.

'Ah!　I still have to say goodbye to Makoto-sama!
"Luno Cuesta Agata!　O Periolis the Imperishable, like a corridor joined together, be the path I walk!　Reveal!　Transfer!

　Laura raised her voice, but the magic was faster to complete.
　The figures of Yuka, Liv and Laura scrape away.

'I feel like I didn't need an escort.
I know you're careful. Where am I, anyway?

　Mako looked around.
　A dense forest spread out.

''It's near the swarm dungeon.
Do you understand?
You're still a thief.

　Hmph, Fene proudly puffed out his chest.

''What about the new dungeon?''
It's this way.

　Fene walks off, followed by Mary, Anne, Fujica, and Makoto, in that order.
　They walked out to the rideshare ramp and entered the forest again.
　After a while, Fene stopped.

'This is the new dungeon,'

　Fene turned to me and pointed with her hand at the hole in the space.
　The other side of the hole is a dungeon - a passage with bare rock.

'The formation is as we discussed, the vanguard is me and Mary, the middle is Fujica, and the rear guard is Fene and Anne. That's all right?
Yes, no problem.
Yes.
I think I'm okay.
Of course.

　I checked to make sure, and Mary, Anne, Fujica and Fene nodded.

'Alright, let's go.'

　With that, Makoto stepped into the dungeon.



　Makoto and the others proceeded through the dungeon, forming a formation.
　It looks similar everywhere, I thought as I poked my hand against the wall of the dungeon.
　Of course, the internal structure is different, but the texture of the walls feels the same.
　I suddenly remember the temple in the Skeleton King's dungeon - that mural.
　At that time I thought it was about the origin of the undead.
　No, in fact, it must be true.
　But for what purpose did they leave the mural?
　By any chance, that was--''

''Brother, what's wrong?''
Sorry, I'm just out of it.

　Mako scratched her head as Fene called out to her from behind.
　Sheesh. No matter how much, that was too careless.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get there.
　It's not just a matter of time before you can get your hands on it.
　There is no time to devote to anything unnecessary.
　If a member of the team dies because I was idle, I can't help but regret it.
　However.

The passage is pretty long.
'In any other dungeon, it wouldn't be surprising if the path split or went out into a wider space.

　Mako looked to the front and muttered, and Fene agreed.
　She was right, there was a straight pathway after entering the dungeon.
　The undead don't appear either.
　It's easy to lose focus.
　I suddenly look next to Mary with concern.
　She has a pole hammer at the ready and is staring ahead.
　It looks like she's concentrating, but--''

''........Fene.
What is it?

　Makoto held up his hands so that Fene could see them and pretended to clap his hands.
　Immediately after, there was a popping sound.
　It was the sound of Fene clapping her hands.

“--!

　Mary gasped and scurried around.
　She noticed that the undead were gone.
　She exhaled in a relieved breath.

'Mary's too nervous.
Excuse me.
No, I was just zoned out, too.

　Mary said apologetically, and Mako chuckled.
　That's when a stinging pain went up in his neck.

'Enemies. Fene, how many?'
'Two bodies. All I can hear is the sound of bones, so it's most likely a skeleton.
All right. I'll take care of one of them. I'll take care of one more, and Mary, Anne, and Fujica will handle the other one. Fene is our backup in case of trouble.

　The undead came into view while I was giving the instructions.
　They are not equipped with armor or weapons.
　Two skeletons, as Fene had guessed.
　The skeletons come rushing towards us while clicking their teeth.

''Then I'll leave one of them to you.

　Mako closed the distance in a single step and unleashed a fist.
　The skull blows off and the skeleton falls to the ground and falls apart at the same time.
　The other skeleton runs straight past Makoto's side.
　The target is Mary and the others.
　Now, how will Mary, Anne, and Fujika deal with them?
　When they were wandering through the ten levels of the Skeleton King's dungeon - Mako and Yuka would damage them with magic before they could close the distance, and then they would move into melee combat.
　In the case of the three of them, Fujika would deal damage with magic, Mary would fight, and Anne would cover them while keeping an eye on her surroundings.

'Periolis-sama, evil--!

　Fujica could not pray.
　Mary jumped out of the room.

'Hah!'

　Mary swung the pole hammer down with the spirit of a cleaver.
　But the skeleton was faster to close the distance.
　He took the handle of the pole hammer by the shoulder and grabbed onto Mary.
　Mary tried to get some distance, but Skelton was still faster.
　As soon as she grabbed his shoulder, she opened her mouth wide.

“--!

　Mary let out an unvoiced scream.
　The skeleton bit into Mary's neck.
　Mary managed to pull it off, bleeding.
　But she can't pull it off.
　A helper, or perhaps it's better to check on Anne and Fujica first.
　The goal this time is to establish Fujica's fighting style - to give her experience.
　Of course, he also wants Mary and Anne to gain experience, not just Fujica.
　Mako turned her gaze to Anne and Fujika.
　They are silently looking at Mary and Skelton.
　They must be in a panic.
　At that moment, Skeleton slammed Mary into the wall.

''Ka-ha!''

　It must have been quite a shock.
　Mary coughs.
　That seems to bring her back to herself, and Anne draws her dagger and attacks the skeleton.
　She swung the dagger down from behind to the skull, but only slightly scraped the bone.
　He swung the dagger down further, but the skeleton didn't budge.
　It's pretty strong, Makoto thought out of place.
　No, if you're a level 3 warrior and a level 2 hunter, this is how it should be.
　And by the way, the first response wasn't going well either.
　The sound of a sharan.
　It's the sound of a tin cane.
　Immediately after--.

"Ta, ta, ascend (turn undead)!

　Fujica shouted and a light illuminated the dungeon.
　The skeleton fell apart and crumbled to pieces.
　Free, Mary leaned back against the wall and repeated her ragged breathing.
　She stopped moving, trying to hold her neck.
　What kind of terrible wound is that?
　She's too scared to touch it.
　Mako looked at Mary's neck.
　The flesh of her neck was nearly gouged out.
　It's not a fatal wound, but it's not a wound that can be ignored either.

"....a potion.
Wait. We should save the water pills.

　Anne tries to get the water potion from the pouch, but Fene waits.

'....but it's bleeding.
Fujica, please.
Wow, I think I get it. Lord Periolis, perform a miracle of healing. Heal me.

　Fujika walked over to Mary and used her magic.
　The effect of the magic instantly closed the wound.

'Shh, I thought I was going to die.'

　And with that, Mary slumped down.

"I'm sorry to say that I almost died, but...
Yes.

　When Makoto called out to them, Mary, Anne and Fujika straightened up.

'That was a tactical error. Since we have guys like Anne and Fujica who can use their flying tools, I think we should focus on doing damage until we can close the distance. Why did you step forward?
I thought we should stall the enemy.

　Mary muttered drearily.
　Perhaps she thought she could do better.
　Well, in reality, she couldn't do better -- but.

Don't be so depressed. Practice is not the same as fighting, and there aren't many people who can do well from the start. You'll make the most of it next time.

　Mako scratched her head.
　He felt somewhat embarrassed as he looked at his younger self.

'By the way, why couldn't Anne and Fujika move?
I thought it would be a distraction.
It was like he couldn't move fast enough.

　Anne blurted out, and Fujica said apologetically.

'It looks like all three of you are having trouble making decisions.
Judgmental. I should've done some role-playing or something.
What if my brother tells me what to do?
If I told you what to do, you wouldn't be able to develop your own style, would you?
You three are not at the level of style.

　Mary, Anne and Fujica cowered at Fene's words.

'That's harsh,'
I don't want you to die. I'm going to give you some tough advice. I think it's better for me to find my own style when I'm able to do what my brother tells me to do.

　I had to nod my head in agreement that it was plausible since I couldn't actually deal with it.
　The three of us aren't experienced enough to make our own decisions.
　I wanted them to learn by trial and error - but I wanted them to learn by trial and error.
　I crossed my arms and looked at the three of them.
　Then Fujica raised her hand timidly.

'What's up?'
'And I need you to give me instructions, Makoto-san. It's like what happened earlier showed me that I don't know how to stand up at all. It's a dream come true for me to establish a style with this.

　Mako asked, and Fujika grunted.

'Where are Mary and Anne?'
If I could ask you to do the same...
Nice to meet you.

　Mary and Anne looked dispirited.
　No, Anne is the same as usual.

'All right. I'll be in charge until you get used to it.

　Mako turned her gaze to Fene.

'When I have my hands full, I'll let Fene take over the direction.
'When Mako-san has her hands full, I feel like we're dead...'

　Mary murmured, and Anne and Fujica nodded in agreement.

*

　Makoto and the others regrouped and resumed their exploration of the dungeon.
　When I looked next to them, I saw Mary walking around carrying a pole hammer.
　He gently raised his hand. Then--''

''I can see you, Makoto-san,''
'You've got to have a wide field of vision and pay attention to the sounds. Zombies will grunt and skeletons will make noise. Don't miss it.
Yes, I understand.

　Mary nodded honestly to Mako's advice.

'So do Anne and Fujika.'
Okay.
I think I get it.

　Looking over their shoulders, Anne and Fujika nodded with a divine look on their faces.
　Mako turned to the front--.

'Though when you get the presence detection, you'll be able to tell there's an enemy before you hear a grunt or a sound.
Skills.
I'm wondering what skills you're going to acquire.

　Mary said in a smeared tone, causing Anne to let out a sigh.
　My neck tingled.
　I looked ahead and saw that the path had split in two.

'The enemy. 'Fene, how many of them?'
Jesus. I can hear voices, so it's zombie-ish.
How fresh is it?
Speedy and juicy.
Mary, move to the wall to clear Anne and Fujica's line of fire.
Yes, sir!
I wouldn't want to use an arrow if I could help it.

　Mary and Fujica replied cheerfully, and Anne grunted.

'Why?'
...and the smell of it sticks to the arrow.

　Anne grunted, after all.
　If that's what it is, then it can't be helped.
　There's still a long way to go.
　Mako also doesn't want to explore the dungeon while enduring the smell of decay.

''Fujika, when the zombies come out, release the holy light bullets (Holy Brit).
Like you understand.

　Fujika tightened her grip on her tin cane and Makoto and Mary moved closer to the wall.

'Oh--!
""--"

　The zombies' voices echoed, and Mary, Anne, and Fujica shuddered as their bodies shook with fear.
　Bisha, bisha, bisha, and a watery sound could be heard.
　It's probably the sound of zombie footsteps.
　The sound gradually gets louder and louder, and a zombie emerges from the passage to the right.
　As expected, it's juicy.
　They are wearing leather armor like former adventurers.

''Ahh!''

　The zombie shouts and staggers closer.
　The movement is slow.

'Lord Periolis, we need your help!　Like a holy grail!

　Fujika readies her tin cane and releases her magic.
　The holy light bullets hit the zombie's shoulder and the flesh is gouged out.
　The stench seems to have grown stronger than ever before in my mind.

''Ahhhh!''

　The zombies scream.
　It doesn't seem to have lost its will to fight, or even to kill the living.
　Bisha, bisha, bisha, bisha, bisha, bisha, bisha, bisha, bisha, bisha, bisha, bisha, bisha.

'One more shot.'
Holy Grail!

　Following Mako's instructions, Fujika unleashes her magic again.
　The holy light bullets hit his abdomen and his internal organs overflowed.
　The stench increased.
　The zombie comes closer, dragging its guts along with the cheat and cheat.

''So, finish it off with one more shot if you can.

　Mary said pleadingly.
　We still have some distance between us and the zombies.
　I could probably release my magic for two times.
　But, well, I know the feeling.
　Fighting a juicy zombie is hard, both hygienically and physiologically.

'One more shot!'
Holy Grail!

　Fujika unleashes her third magic.
　The holy light bullets hit the zombie's head.
　With a crunching sound, the zombie falls forward.

''Yea--''
Not yet!

　Fene interrupts Fujica's voice.

'Oh!'

　The zombies scream and crawl on the ground.
　Even slower than before.

'Fujica, tome.'
Holy Grail!
"-Oh!

　Fujika unleashes her magic.
　The holy light bullets caught his face and the zombie's head was blown off.
　The zombie didn't move.
　This time it seems to be dead.
　I'm wondering if I can use the word "dead" to describe the zombie, but--" "I can't just smash its head in one shot.

''You can't just smash its head with one shot, can you?
It's like the specs of a holy grail.

　Fujica's shoulders slumped discouragingly.

'Let's improve our accuracy for that.
Okay.

　Fujica gripped his tin cane and said.

'Well, let's regroup and move on.
""Got it!"
Copy that.

　Fene, Mary, and Fujica responded cheerfully, and Anne murmured in a daze.