The next thing I know, I'm in a large, dark space. On my knees, I was facing the materialized Murakumo in front of me, facing the materialized Murakumo.

''........It is said that just before death, a creature's thought speed and physical abilities can increase instantaneously. They use that acceleration of their thoughts to conduct a conversation.
Am I ... going to die?　Was that a deadly attack earlier...?
'The master knows best. The demons in the labyrinth are all dangerous to searchers. And if they are level 7 special individuals, there's a good chance that they will be wiped out with their current abilities.

　I chose to fight because I could still proceed with certainty, and because I had never been defeated by 'named' before.

　The result is this - our attack didn't get through, and I was easily trapped in a corner, letting the enemy's powerful attacks get blindsided.

'My first priority is the survival of my master. I analyzed during the battle that it was possible to exploit the enemy's weaknesses if I were to use my power.
With that technique, it might be possible. But.....
''Unless we clean out the 'Thunderhead', the danger of total annihilation will continue... then. The other members of the group can be supported more powerfully than the Master has been.
Can you do that... more than you've ever done before...?

　Murakumo nods. Then he comes up to me and bends down and looks into my face up close.

''What, what...?''
''...Masters, and many lower level explorers, do not know the details of 'morale'. Those who have crossed several dead lines naturally gain knowledge of Morale.
'Dead line... that's...'
'To be willing to risk your life to win. And ... to inspire your friends to win. The amount of morale raised by a master's skills is indeed very large. However, it's not that 'the master's own' morale hasn't been raised at all throughout the labyrinth exploration. Rather.........

　It's not like my life is on the line. It's just that the 'rearguard' is at the back of the party, but their first priority is to protect their friends.

　-- but Murakumo is right. Thus, driven to the brink of death, I saw something.

"So you don't have to give up yet. But it's a question of whether I can stand up first.
No problem. I will support the master. And there are several ways to restore the master. One of them is already in place.

　'Supporting' meant exactly what it said - Murakumo, the incarnation of the Star Machine Sword and the being who controlled the sword, materialized and appeared behind me.

''I haven't materialized for a long time, so I can maintain it for about five minutes. If you're going to retreat, you'd better decide as soon as possible. Once targeted, the 'named' will track relentlessly until the target leaves the hierarchy.
That guy is horrible but I'd rather not be hounded again for a while after last time...

　I stand up with support - I can hear my friends' voices. But I'm literally dying, and I can't stretch my voice far enough.

　It was supposed to be the same as the predicament I was in - but. The very blessing of God, if you can call it a blessing, hope was left in an unexpected place.

''-- Morale release, 'Effect Item'........!

　I can hear Madoka's voice - the morale release of the 'merchant'. Its efficacy was as good as it reads.

　A ball of light appears in front of me. It was divided into a number of sparkles of light and was absorbed into my body - then.

　◆Current Situation ◆

　Madoka activates the Effect Item → Target: Alihit's party
　The effects of the intermediate complex recovery drug appeared in Aricht.
　Elitia has been given the effect of the Middle Strength Restoration Potion.
　Theresa has been given the Intermediate Mana Potion effect.

　During a battle, the effects of the selected item on the party members would manifest - that was the 'merchant' morale release.

　Each party member could change the items they used, and even potions didn't need to be consumed. This is truly a trump card, since it can compensate for the shortcomings of potions that were thought to be of little utility in battle.

　Igarashi-san and the others are also expressing the effects of the potion - they can't recover the Four Seasons because of the designation of 'my party', but that's all we can do.

''Huh, wow... isn't this like recovery magic?　Maybe Madoka-chan was an awesome kid even if she wasn't....
If this is it, Aricht-san, we can still fight!
Rear, I'll make sure he joins us!　Just hold on a little longer!

　Everyone comes to life - Elitia and the others recover, and then they drop the demi-harpy and the others to the ground.

''.........''
'Aricht, I don't know if this is the right time to tell you this but Theresa is looking at you like the Murakumo has taken your place.
.....
'No, no, I don't think Theresa would want to be called that... and let me put that on hold for now...!

　I put magic power into the sling shot and release a bullet - in order to distract the attention of the "Messenger of the Pastoral God" who noticed Madoka's presence and tried to aim at it.

　Current Situation◆

　Aricht activates Force Shoot Hupnos.
　Stray Sheep A2
　Defeat one "Stray Sheep".
　Madoka" activates "Hide" → Madoka's presence disappears.

(It still doesn't work... no, it's just not hitting the main body. If we don't want the Stray Sheep to be able to block the attack...)

'Alihit, I've noticed something when I look at that guy. When he plays defense, he focuses his 'Stray Sheep' there, and the defenses elsewhere seem to be loose...

　What Elitia doesn't want to say is that the movement to focus 'Stray Sheep' so much is fast and smooth. But her eyes and the sharpness of her intuition are worthy of unconditional trust.

''In other words, you want me to attack from multiple directions at the same time.
'Yes. But the enemy also has several attacks that can round up many opponents... 'create an opening for them' and 'attack them all together'. If we can do that, we will surely...
"...Atobe-san...I'm so glad...I'm so glad...I don't know what I would do if something happened to Atobe-san... ...

　This wasn't the time to cry, and instead of saying that, I laughed at Ryoko. I hadn't reversed the formation yet, and I wasn't sure I could laugh well.

'Thanks to Madoka, I managed to hold on in the front. It's nice to be alive.
''The person you're calling yourself ... that's not something to laugh about, so that's not ...''
He's too ballsy or too masterful. So we're going to have to watch out for him and I'm sure Theresa feels the same way.
..........

　Theresia's gaze was painful - she couldn't help but be scolded. If Madoka hadn't saved me, I would still be in a dying predicament.

　All of us are doing everything in our power to die. I don't know if my 'deadly force' is enough to ensure that this situation will be defeated - but just as Madoka has bet on one or two things.

''If this doesn't create an opportunity I'll run away again as fast as I can. Let me take care of the Lord (shin-gari).
'Stupid you wouldn't let them dress up so many times. People won't leave you alone.

　I hope this move doesn't happen and that this move will be the silver bullet that defeats that sheep-headed demon.

"Don't worry we have a goddess of luck. Her name is Ariadne.
'If Misaki asked you, you'd say it wasn't me... but you've come up with something to do?
'Yeah. I don't know what will happen, but it's worth a try. Let's go...!

　There is a world that can only be seen by those who have crossed the line of death. Where do we go when we pass through so many of them?

　It's obvious. We will return Theresia to human form and save Elitia's friends. To pave the way for the path that leads beyond that, I - no.

　We will have to become stronger. By making our powers resonate with each other.

Morale release all-round mutual support!

　Current Situation

　Aricht activates Total Mutual Support. Time limit 120 seconds.
　The support range has been enhanced for the party of "Alihit" and the co-op party.
　Enhancements to individual party members' skills are extended to all.
　The entire party is strengthened by the "Gunwolf Stance".
　The entire party is strengthened by "The Art of the Sword 2".
　The whole party is strengthened by "knife handling".
　The entire party is strengthened by the "drop rate increase".
　The whole party is strengthened by the "lucky dwarf".
　The entire party is strengthened by "The Art of Fighting" 1
　The entire party is strengthened by "The Art of Hitting 1".
　The whole party is strengthened by "footwork".
　The whole party is strengthened by the "routine".

This is my liberation, my morale release, my "Total Mutual Support".

　Since the other members' 'Morale Release' were all powerful, I had high hopes for them.

　The 'Rear Guard', a rear support position. The support that was one way from the rear guard to the vanguard is now possible in the opposite direction as well. The risk of 'I can't receive support', which is the difficulty my position had, can be completely solved, albeit under limited conditions - that's not all.

　As the word 'reciprocal' suggests, the supportive effects of the individuals in the party are extended to everyone. Although the time limit wasn't long, it still seemed to be enough to break the current situation.

The 'Footwork' is Anna's and the 'Routine' is Ryoko-san's........Now I can produce power that I can't normally produce. (Concentration is also much higher...!

　And it's not over yet.

　In addition to these constantly working enhancement effects, I can add my support - and I can further put Igarashi-san and Theresia's morale release on top of it.


"'--Pigaaaah!

　The enemy also realized that something had happened - 'Thunderhead' let out a belligerent squeal and attacked the two parties - but.

''With this.......we can go to the rear of the party right away.......!
Wham!
Yes....Misaki-chan, Melissa!
I'd be happy to play the dice...
I'll get... that horn...!

　Current Situation

　Arihito activates 'Support Attack 2'. Support: Force Shoot Stun
　Misaki attacks Thunderhead A. → Thunderhead A is stunned.
　Aricht activates 'Support Attack 1'.
　Kyoka launches a double attack.
　Theon" activates "Wolf's Rush".
　Thunderhead A hits a total of six levels. Support damage 72
　Suzuna's attack. Support damage 12
　Melissa activates Cutoff → Thunderhead A drops an ingredient.
　Defeat one "Thunderhead".

Okay.....

　The first stun of the first attack stopped the movement and all of us attacked together - the power of the bare attack enhanced by 'Mutual Support' was also increased, and we were able to finish off the 'Thunderhead' with great success. The reason why I chose 'Support Attack 1' from the second attack was because it consumes very little magic power and 12 damage is still effective enough today.

''Haha...!''

　Kaede, Ibuki, and Anna also beat 'Thunderhead' - since their number of moves were less than Igarashi-san and the others, I can see that they, as athlete-type professions, have quite a bit of offensive power themselves as well.

''Yay.......we're at the teacher's place too.......!
Yes ... to help Mr. Aricht in any way I can...!
Brother Aricht, what do we do about it?

　The three of them are rushing in with wind-like speed - they were not unscathed, perhaps because they had fought each other while their fascination was in effect. Even so, the will to fight is as strong as ever.

''Ryoko-san, can you join the general attack?''
Yes, of course. If I ran away from them, I wouldn't be able to face them.

　It wouldn't have been surprising if the "Triceratops" team had already escaped, but they were stuck outside the battle range. It's just fortuitous that they weren't hit by the black lightning earlier, but if we lose, they will be in danger too.

''Arihito....no. Leader, please give me instructions. While Arihito's 'morale release' reinforcement continues.

　For a powerful effect alone, Elitia sees that there is a time limit - the opportunity to attack is limited.

''--I'm going to fold in with a wave attack!　First, I'm going to peel off the 'Stray Sheep' instantly... Suzuna, use the power of the 'Explosive Stone'!　All the other members who are capable of attacking remotely also fire their attacks at once, along with the 'war spirits'!　The members of the proximity weaponry will then fold in order ... starting with Elitia first!
""Yes!"

　Suzuna turns the arrows, Misaki grabs the dice, Theresa grabs the dagger (dark) - and Ryoko calls the water dolphin, and Anna holds the racket.

'Morale release, 'Soul Blink'!
.....
-- "-- 'hit'!
"--Oooh..........!

　Current Situation

　Kyoka activates Soul Blink and all members of the party receive the Spirit of War.
　Theresa activates Triple Steel and all members of the party receive the Triple Steal effect.
　Aricht activates 'Support Attack 1'.
　Suzuna activates Munchu for two consecutive hits.
　Suzuna and Spirit of War activate Blast Arrow, hitting a total of 16 Stray Sheep for a total of 192 support damage.
　Misaki attacks the Messenger of the Inviting Guardian.
　Suzuna's health and magic power are restored.
　Misaki's health and magic power are restored.

Goooooo..........!

I did... but no...

Oh, wow, wow........Suzu's arrows are exploding.......
Next up, people!

　The power of the 'Explosive Stone' creates a blast the moment the arrow lands, and the Stray Sheep bursts off while scorching - yet it still gushes out infinitely, so we can't let them summon it once.

''Theresia, aim at the part of the enemy's defense that's thinned out!
.....

　Theresia, who had stepped in with an 'accelerated dash', was flying in front of the enemy's head using her enhanced physical abilities - and then she threw two daggers as she spun around and threw out two daggers. There, the attacks released by Anna and Ryoko-san also followed suit. With the addition of the war spirit's moves, it's as if it's raining down attacks.

　The current situation◆

　Theresa activates Double Throw and throws two small darks.
　Double hit on the Messenger of the Inviting God. Support damage 48
　Ryoko and Spirit of War activate the Aqua Dolphin.
　Anna and Spirit of War activate Spin Serve.
　Theresa, Ryoko and Anna's strength and magic power are restored.

Goooooooo...!
-Theresia, let's get the 'mirage' off the counterattack!
.....

　Current Situation

　Theresia and the Spirit of War activate the Mirage and Axel Dash.
　The Inviting Makishin Messenger activates the Fist of Equalization → 4 times failed

　The 'Messenger of the Pastoral God', who continued to receive a series of attacks, tried to furiously counterattack back - but the fist that was slammed into the ground as it plowed through the ground didn't even hit a single blow, even if it targeted Theresia, who was close by.

(Not only does it reduce the enemy's hit rate with 'Mirage'.......Theresia keeps moving with 'Axel Dash' in conjunction with the war spirit, guiding the attack so that it can be avoided......!

-Yeah!
Huh!

　Current Situation

　The maple and spirit of war activate the Soko-ken.
　Ibuki and Spirit of War activate the Wave Thrust, hitting two Stray Sheep for support damage of 24.
　Defeat two "Stray Sheep".
　The health and magic of Maple and Ibuki are restored.

Shit......
"--Gahhhhhh!

　Ibuki followed by the maple tree, but perhaps feeling threatened by the attack, the messenger of the herding god swung his arm to block Ibuki's attack - a fist strike clad in radiant energy hit Stray Sheep, narrowly missing the main body. There is none.

　But that counterattack created an opening, and when the consciousness of the 'Messenger of the Makishin' was attracted to the right side towards them, Igarashi-san unabashedly stepped in and led Sion and Melissa in an attack.

''--I'll definitely........defeat them all together.......!

　The one in Igarashi-san's hand - it wasn't a cross spear. It was the two-headed spear she wanted to carry as a trump card - the Ambivalents.