○To the Adventurous Journey
When embarking on an adventurous journey, of course there are things to prepare.
“Let’s prepare the equipment. Weapons and armor cannot be used unless equipped.”
“I’m equipped.”
“I am going to do so as well.”
“You will?”
“……I’ll be also be doing that. ……Weapons and armor…… No, let’s with great pains also change Astral Dresses. The costume change will help stir up a lively mood even more.”
Listening to Hibiki, Kurumi doubtfully asked a question.
“Is that necessary?”
“It’s necessary, it’s extremely necessary to do something good like that before departing.”
“Okay. A change of pace would be nice.”
Ariadne waved her hand as she spoke out those unusually active words.
“I’m fine regardless, but of course I’ll go along with Tokisaki Kurumi changing her outfit.”
Tsuan’s eyes were full of expectations. Kurumi sighed as she agreed to Hibiki’s proposal.
“It can’t be helped. We can’t advance otherwise──”
After walking a while through the backstreets of the town, they arrived at a shop that doubled as a blacksmith and weapons shop.
“According to receptionist-san, it seems you can change your Astral Dress here……”
Usually, the Astral Dress given to a Quasi-Spirit has one fixed outfit. For as long as they lived in the Neighboring World, it would remain unchanged for their entire lifetime.
However, though. The fact that they had to wear the same outfit all the time was uncomfortable for Quasi-Spirits that were still teenagers in appearance and heart.
Therefore, changing the appearance of the Astral Dress──that is to say, this was done in most regions.
Having already changed into an idol uniform in the Ninth Region Yesod, it wasn’t to the extent where Kurumi had feelings of repulsion for this.
“Well then, let’s change our clothes everyone! Ah, I will also pick out some outfits for Kurumi-san. Please feel at ease when choosing.”
“There’s isn’t the slightest element of where I can feel at ease……”
“My, my, don’t say that. Well, well, well then……”
With fluent movements, Hibiki pushed Kurumi into the changing room. Around here, she knew how to completely handle Kurumi.
“Then, let us change clothes too. Hmm……what should I do……”
“I could stay the same, but……since we have gone through the trouble of coming here.”
Ariadne and Tsuan, both of them had no objection to also changing clothes. This should hold true regardless of their unusual power and combat strength. As girls, of course they also liked wearing gorgeous clothes.
Then, after some time had passed.
The first person to come out was Hibiki. Hibiki seemed to consider herself to be a ranger, being lightly dressed in a leather breastplate and hot pants. She had tied her hair in a ponytail with a ribbon.
Coupled together with a slender and healthy body, she had the look of a lively girl.
“How are you guys coming along?”
“Okay, how about this?”
Ariadne Foxrot came out next. She seemed to have chosen a wizard-like costume. With a pointy hat and a plain-like dark green robe, she held a large staff just like a magician.
“Ah, you look great. But what happened to your Unsigned Angel?”
“I’ve set it up properly as a staff.”
Round and round, Ariadne proudly spun her staff.
“Fufufu. Look at me too.”
Scritch, it was Tsuan who appeared along with that rough noise. Rather than her usual light bodysuit, she was wearing a silver partial armor. Without restricting movement and still boasting a sturdy defense, it emphasized elegance over ruggedness.
“Wow, how cool……”
“Un. Exactly, this is my ideal. Paladin Tsuan.”
Hibiki and Ariadne gave a round of applause. Although her Unsigned Angel <Lailaps>, because of this armor she looked like a majestic knight that could catch an opponent’s attack and throw out a violent counterattack.
“Is Hibikin a thief?”
“Please say scout. I have already written the characters and furigana for scout. Please remember me as that.”
“I don’t care about that. Compared to that, Tokisaki Kurumi, what sort of impression is Tokisaki Kurumi giving?”
“Ah, yes. I tried choosing some costumes──”
“Thank you for waiting.”
Following Kurumi’s elegant voice, the curtain of the changing room was pulled.
“Kya! Lovely! Ecchi! As expected of Kurumi-san!”
“Yes, yes. Thank you very much Hibiki-san.”
Kurumi was broadly smiling. She had a metal bra and pants equipped on. To phrase this simply, this was the so-called bikini armor.
This costume, which meant being almost naked, quite seductively showed off Kurumi’s limbs. Pure white skin, a well-defined navel, and thick thighs that weren’t flabby or excessively stiff.
Having this be on display, Kurumi decided to shoot down anyone calling this or that into attention for the time being.
“Gya! But too mesmerizing! The best!”
As Hibiki suddenly collapsed on the side, Kurumi took the time to clear her throat.
“Well, it’s not as if I am thoroughly embarrassed. No but that being said, this costume is truly too seductive. I’ll do something different.”
Kurumi began setting out for the next costume.
“Then, I’ll wear this bikini armor.”
“……Aocchi?”
“I will try to kill Tokisaki Kurumi with this.”
“……Well, do your best.”
◇
The next costume was a fortuneteller. She wore thin clothes that emphasized the lines of the body and a veil to cover the mouth. Although it was a little annoying to call herself a fortuneteller since that meant having to hold a crystal ball rather than <Zafkiel>.
“Ecchi!”
Hibiki was so deeply moved that she cried out choking on her tears.
“That’s right. But this is fluttering too much, which makes it difficult to walk in. I’ll move on to the next outfit.”
◇
The third outfit was a small devilish type. Pointed horns just like a cat’s ears and also a thin bondage suit combined with a miniskirt. It also had tails and wings as accessories.
“That’s quite, that’s quite ecchi……”
Uh-huh, Hibiki said something foolish while trying to use a tissue to suppress a nosebleed.
“……Speaking from that reasoning. Well, this place here ought to prove suitable.”
In the end, Kurumi chose a style that invoked a dark musketeer rather than a dark swordsman. Jet black gauntlets, red and black plate armor for defensive portions, it was tailored specifically to not spoil Kurumi’s sophisticated beauty.
A fine job to be done, the blacksmith that manufactured her Astral Dress offered her comment.
“Cute! Ecchi!”
“This costume has a low degree of exposure, so how is it ecchi……?”
“Eh, no Kurumi-san’s foundation is ecchi……ah no that’s not it!”
Whatever should be done about this Quasi-Spirit? Kurumi deeply thought about this……and breathed out a sigh.
“……Tokisaki Kurumi……as I thought, my greatest rival……”
Standing behind Ariadne, Tsuan was the only one looking vexed.
“It’s a little bit out of place from a fantasy-like setting. But this Gunner style doesn’t feel bad either.”
Kurumi stifled a laugh.
“But for me, sometimes the bikini armor is better.”
“Hibiki-san, you should learn to restrain yourself mostly for the sake of your own life.”
As Hibiki had a self-satisfied look that gave the impression of saying “that’s a good idea”, Kurumi decided to pinch her cheeks for the time being. Only for these little moments did she grow obedient.
After that, they stopped by the general store to but necessary items like food and rope. The party then headed for their destination, the Fifth Dungeon Elohim Gibor.
“Uhh……incidentally, Hibiki-san, I have one question.”
“? Yes, what is it Kurumi-san?”
“…………What exactly is a dungeon?”
Suddenly, as expected Hibiki came to a stop and looked back at Kurumi with a stunned look. “P-Perhaps, you don’t know?”
“Yes, completely. I was wondering if it was the name of a building……”
“A dungeon is, let’s see……it’s like an underground labyrinth. Do you know about the Greek myth of the labyrinth with the Minotaur of the island of Crete?”
“Ah, I see……”
Kurumi didn’t know much about fantasy, but she was well-acquainted with Greek mythology.
“The Fifth Dungeon is the largest and most dangerous dungeon in the Fifth Region Gevurah. Wandering monsters appear like mountains to block access to the gate to the Third Region Binah.”
“The gate to the Third Region Binah is in the Fifth Dungeon?”
“Yeah. The problem is that there is a teleporter installed near the gate. The White Queen has been using that to send her troops above ground in the Fifth Region Gevurah.”
“Huh? In that case, shouldn’t it be better to suppress the transfer team when fighting them above ground?”
Hearing what Hibiki had said, Tsuan shook her head.
“Even if the transfer team is crushed, immediately they’ll be new ones built up. There are too many. Unless the source is cut off, the same thing will continue to repeat forever.”
“So that’s how it is.”
When the Empties invaded the Fifth Region Gevurah through the gate to the Third Region Binah, they used the transfer team at the bottom of the dungeon to dispatch them to any of the numerous receiving teams on the ground level.
Even if they destroyed all of the receiving teams on the ground, they’ll just create a new receiving team and try again.
Therefore, they must destroy the gate to the Third Region Binah and the transfer team surrounding it.
“……That said, besides me the three of you aren’t accustomed to the laws of the Fifth Region Gevurah. While diving into the dungeon, there’s nothing better to do than raise your level.”
“Tsuan-san, are levels really that important?”
“Of course. No matter how strong Tokisaki Kurumi is, level is important in the Fifth Region Gevurah. As one’s level goes up, various skills are acquired and job proficiency will also increase. In the Fifth Region Gevurah, it can be a useful skill for gathering power.”
“……Hmm? What is that supposed to mean?”
“Just like how S-rank idols gather Reiryoku through cheers in the Ninth Region Yesod, in this world it is important to improve the level, by defeating, defeating, and knocking down monsters.”
Ah, Hibiki finally became convinced.
“This really is a fantasy world.”
“……I don’t quite understand, but in any case it is fine to defeat the monsters?”
“There are no errors in that recognition. Now, everyone let’s depart for an adventurous journey.”
Tsuan raised her right hand as she softly spoke. Personally, it seemed that her heart was leaping with excitement.
“Adventure……”
Kurumi vaguely spoke out that word. There was no doubt that this was an adventurous journey, but unlike her past journeys, her heart was beating a little faster.
She wasn’t as familiar with fantasy settings like Hibiki, but it was still a breathtaking thing. A brave hero, a captive heroine, a villainous demon king, it’s childish and immature, but a heroic tale that everyone has dreamt up at least once.
……Naturally. Kurumi wasn’t going to be a captured heroine.
Even so, a brave hero also didn’t suit her. In that case, all that remained was a demon king.
Even if it meant exhausting every atrocity, if that was the only way to head to that goal.
Kurumi wanted to be a demon king like that.
“What’s wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
For the time being, let’s keep this silent from Hibiki……perhaps if not mistaken, there was certainly the feeling of going to be ridiculed.
Kurumi and the others walked on the main street for a bit before exiting through the outer wall. Under Tsuan’s directions, they headed for the forest stretching northward.
There was a small log house at the entrance of the forest. The girls stationed there seemed to be guards. Upon recognizing Tsuan’s appearance, they hurried to salute her.
“Much appreciated!”
“Much appreciated!”
“Un.”
Tsuan uttered a single word in response to that appeal.
“Direct disciple of Kagarike Haraka, Tsuan. Heading off to capture the Fifth Dungeon.”
“Ah, I understand. Are the people with you……going to be okay?”
“No problem. There’s only one useless person, but these three can follow up with me.”
“Hey Tsuan-san, are you referring to me?”
As Hibiki raised her hand, Tsuan nodded.
“Gadabout……”
“Low level……”
As Tsuan and Ariadne pointed that out, Hibiki gritted her teeth vexingly as she pulled on Kurumi’s sleeves.
“Kurumi-san, Kurumi-san! Please say something. Anything! My beauty! Advantages! Something useful!”
Kurumi cleared her throat and spoke out with a sweetly grin.
“Hibiki-san is very clever, very courageous, very shameless, very uncouth in living, and very humorous.”
“I feel both complimented and not complimented!”
“Didn’t you want me to praise you honestly?”
What Kurumi really wanted to praise was this. Hibiki was how to put it……full of life no matter the situation. Always full of energy and boisterous, she clung onto Kurumi’s side.
“……I’m praising you.”
“Mu, fine then, I was praised!”
Hibiki rectified her mood by joyfully laughing.
“There are already over ten parties that have infiltrated the Fifth Dungeon. ……But. Let alone return, they haven’t even notified us about the situation using telepathy.”
“……Really?”
“Telepathy? Can’t you use a smartphone or something?”
“Aah. No smartphones can be used in the Fifth Region Gevurah. It is a fantasy world.”
“I see, because it is a fantasy world. Then it can’t be helped then……”
“Through battle, telepathy can be learned as a skill.”
“Ah, so maybe there is a point system? There’s the feeling of saving up through fighting.”
“That’s right.”
Kurumi slanted her head at the exchange between Hibiki and the Quasi-Spirit, pulling on Hibiki’s sleeves in the process.
“Hibiki-san, what is a point system?”
“Probably the EXP gained from defeating monsters. It’s something like saving up points. Using that, it’s the type of fantasy world where skills can be acquired.”
“???”
Kurumi slanted her head as if making an appeal of not understanding this at all.
“Ku, too cute! No, that’s not it. ……Perhaps you’ll grasp it soon after experiencing it yourself.”
“I will leave the explanation to Higoromo Hibiki. Even after understanding, it’s difficult to convey. ……Alright, well then, let’s depart now.”
“Have a safe trip.”
“May the fortunes of war be with you all.”
The Quasi-Spirit guards deeply bowed to see off their party. ……Zero returnees; there was not even a narrative report through telepathy. A dark underground labyrinth that stopped being explored after the White Queen’s Empties began to attack.
However, if they didn’t go through there, the Empties would continue to forever invade from the Third Region Binah. The fate of the Fifth Region Gevurah hanged with them.
The other Quasi-Spirits had no choice but to wish them good luck as they departed for the dungeon.
……But. Even if they were lucky, the dungeon is a cage of grudges that would devour them up.
◇
Hibiki and Tsuan stood side by side as Ariadne and Kurumi followed behind them.
“Oh, I see, I see. So you don’t have to go through a guild or temple to change jobs.”
“That’s right. Just select an occupation from the status window and tap it.”
“So, if that is true. Then……status open! Hooray, it really opened!”
Hibiki’s voice was in high spirits. A thin translucent window appeared next to her. Her skills, jobs, etc. as viewed in the Adventurer’s Guild were also listed.
Kurumi also opened her status, but then decided to stop. She didn’t really want to see that cursed status.
Hibiki kept working on this while walking.
“Uhhhhh. Switching occupation from Gadabout……to Ranger for the time being.”
“Ranger is generally for outdoors. If you want to gain advantageous skills, Seeker may be better for a dungeon search.”
“Oh, I understand. ……Occupation selection is quite detailed……. For the time being, changing jobs to Seeker, the skills automatically acquired……choice of skills that can be acquired selectively……Does the trap detection skill detect treasure chest traps?”
“It can. Not just artificial traps, but also for example you can sense weak portions of the ground that may cave in if fallen into carelessly. It’s better to keep that skill for now.”
“Got it. Worth acquiring for now. ……Oh, I see. A flavor that can be perceived.”
“Higoromo Hibiki, I want you to raise your skill levels right now. I carry it as well, but it is very useful during moments of combat.”
“Yes, yes. Leave it to this Hibiki.”
Hibiki proudly patted her chest. Kurumi gently poked Ariadne with her elbow.
“Um……do you know the meaning of what Hibiki-san and Tsuan-san are talking about right now?”
Not knowing, not understanding this at all.
“Hmm……actually, I can’t explain it very well either……”
Ariadne didn’t have deep knowledge about fantasy worlds either, so she could only vaguely infer the meaning.
Muu, Kurumi growled with a difficult look on her face. Somehow being left behind (by Hibiki of all things) wasn’t amusing at all.
“None──of──your──business──”
“Why so fuanfefififuafi!?”
For the time being, Kurumi decided to distract herself by pulling on Hibiki’s cheeks.
“……To put it simply. Using a given skill more means becoming stronger. It allows Tsuan-san to take flight, quickly reaching even greater heights.”
“Um, my skills are……”
“Kurumi-san is……that’s……I don’t know……. That’s a bit……beyond the understanding of people, something blasphemous and of cosmic origin……. How to improve those skills……or rather, how those skills were obtained in the first place……”
“……Muu……”
Somehow it felt like being left out.
“A-Anyway, let’s start fighting first. If Tsuan-san’s words are correct, this is the highest difficultly dungeon. Your level and skills need to explosively improve!”
“A monster appeared while you are saying that. Everyone, prepare your weapons.”
Hearing what Tsuan had said, Hibiki panicked and looked on ahead. Certainly, there was a sign of ‘something’ in this darkness.
“As expected of the first enemies, it must be goblins!”
Listening to what Hibiki was saying, Tsuan doubtfully narrowed her eyebrows.
“Huh? What’s with this, “what on earth are you rambling about, woman” attitude?”
“What are you talking about Higoromo Hibiki?”
“Like I said!? Aren’t goblins supposed to be a staple? Or is it an orc that’s leaping out now!?”
“This is the Fifth Dungeon. The worst monster habitat. Goblins, orcs, etc. can only be found in the beginner dungeons. What comes out here──”
As Tsuan pointed her index finger towards inside the dungeon, her fingertip was lit up with a glow.
“Light Magic. Light Ball.”
The light ball flew around and illuminated the area. Hibiki let out a terrified “gya” shriek at the sight.
“First up is a first class greater demon. They are resistant to the flame, ice, earth, wind, and darkness series, and knocked back by the light series. Also resistant to physical attacks, its poisonous claw attack is enough to mow down and kill someone like Hibiki in a single blow. In my case, it would take at least three blows.”
“Wow, even though I’m a beginner, I’m suddenly being thrown into an advanced dungeon.”
“First of all, I’ll be at the forefront. Tokisaki Kurumi and Ariadne, I’ll leave buff supports to you.”
As Tsuan was about to begin to run, click there was a ticking sound coming from a pocket watch.
“Eh?”
“Huh?”
“Mu?”
Three people blankly let out a soft voice.
“<Zafkiel>──the Seventh Bullet <Zayin>.”
The greater demon boasted a fiendishly muscular body. While drooling, with ferocious fangs exposed, the super high ranking monster that was about to attack suddenly stopped moving.
“Even with a monster as an opponent, my Seventh Bullet <Zayin> is effective. And now, shooting, shooting, shooting, and more shooting to bring this to a close.”
And so, Kurumi violently used a cheat class shooting until it was easily annihilated.
“……Um, Kurumi-san.”
“What is it? I defeated the monster.”
“That’s right, but……it’s just a little too elegant……”
“Isn’t elegance necessary?”
“Hey, just look at Tsuan-san growing withdrawn over there.”
“I wanted to show Tokisaki Kurumi my super cool side……but……”
In one corner of the dungeon, Tsuan was writing a ‘の’ character with her fingertips.
“At any rate……this means that Kurumi-san’s strength won’t change even in a fantasy world.”
Upon hearing what Hibiki had said, Kurumi proudly brushed her hair.
“What. Ooh, amazing! Even though I was only vaguely watching, my level went up by 6!”
Hibiki, who was leaping up in joy, showed her status to Kurumi. Certainly, just as she said, her level went up from 13 to 19.
One other thing, there was also a new icon that said “Skill Points: 6” being on display.
“And as expected, I have acquired Skill Points. Tsuan-san, there are 6 points, where should it be allocated to?”
“Hmmm. For a Scout, ‘Night Vision’ and ‘Far-Distance Vision’ would be good to focus on.”
“Aren’t combat skills needed?”
“No need. In this dungeon, Higoromo Hibiki focusing on that would be futile.”
“Uhh, too cruel. But maybe that’s true……It can’t be helped, but like usual I still want to get skills that give the sense of being useful to Kurumi-san.”
“Ah, is that okay?”
Hibiki seemed to have a deep understanding of fantasy worlds. Then wouldn’t she like to play the role of the hero more than being Kurumi’s assistant?
Hibiki thinly smiled as she saw through Kurumi’s thoughts.
“No, not at all. I’m doing this because I like it. There’s no problem at all. Uhh, that’s right……oh, there is a maid skill. Okay, take this!”
“You have a variety of skills. Well, what do I have…… Ara, zero points? Can I not acquire skills?”
“Tokisaki Kurumi’s level is buggy, so you may not get skill points. Skill level should still increase with usage, so it’s still good to knock down these noisy monsters.”
After she heard a rattling noise as if something like metal was being scrapped, Hibiki hurried to inform them.
“Kurumi-san, it seems that a new enemy has arrived!”
“Uh-oh. Leave this one here to me.”
Ariadne took a step forward.
“Now let’s use this long-awaited magic. Uhh……first up, beginner level. ‘Fireball’!”
A volleyball-sized fireball was created from the tip of the staff. Shot at supersonic speed, it sparked a flashy sound as it struck the enemy.
The enemy’s head crumbled away.
“Uhh……is it skeletons now?”
“The skeletons that appear in this dungeon are either lich or ashura skeletons, those two choices. Right now……I think it was probably a lich.”
Tsuan shrugged her shoulders, speaking as if amazed. This was in past tense since the lich had already completely ceased breathing. With its head blown off, it turned into dust and disappeared.
“Ariadne Foxrot. Is that the style of a Dominion?”
“Tsuan-san, would a lich normally die from beginner level magic?”
“Usually, they wouldn’t die, since the lich is highly resistant to all magic. There’s no reason it would die from ‘Fireball’. It shouldn’t……so there must be some secret.”
“Hmm……well, it is okay not to keep it a secret. I think it’s probably due to the ‘Full Penetration: S’ skill.”
“Wow, it’s a transcendent rare skill. If I had to guess, it must be a pattern that can ignore resistance for any sort of attack.”
“Maybe.”
“Un. It’s likely with these three people will cross the Fifth Dungeon. But, only one more thing.” Tsuan spoke while having a rare grin.
“The Fifth Dungeon has a total of 10 levels. The deeper the level, the higher rank the monster. Be careful and do your best to challenge this dungeon.”
Kurumi and Ariadne nodded to those words. Only Hibiki had her face turn pale.
“Ah……already at this point, it is beyond a level that I can deal with……is this going to be okay?”
Tsuan patted her shoulders while gently whispering.
“Higoromo Hibiki. ……Have you made your will?”
“I don’t have any, so please protect me with all your strength!”
◇
──Fifth Dungeon, ‘Elohim Gibor’, second floor.
The attacks grew fiercer as soon as they got off the first floor. First of all, the greater demons now came in different colors.
Red meant fire, blue meant water, green meant wind, and brown meant earth. They could freely cast the highest-class magic. In addition, various strange status abnormalities like burns, frostbite, and cuts were also included in their ordinary attacks. The longer the battle, the more they were at a disadvantage.
Moreover, from the second level, there will be an unusually large number of monsters that can hear the sounds of battle. Even if a battle starts in one corner of the dungeon, in ten minutes monsters of every rank would catch the sound of battle and come as reinforcements.
Furthermore, the floor itself became a tricky mechanism, with various traps like pitfalls, rotating floors, and ceiling drops.
“Heave-ho.”
“Huff.”
“It’s clear.”
Being led by Tokisaki Kurumi, Ariadne, and Tsuan meant that things were settled with no particular problems.
“’Night Vision’ and ‘Far-Distance Vision’ are steadily improving. Keep it up, keep it up.”
As Tsuan praised her, Hibiki’s face twitched as she smiled. Right now what Hibiki was looking for were the traps that meant an instant death if stepped on. Innumerable thin and strong threads stretched around, a single misstep would mean the entire body getting sliced apart.
“Well, thanks to this blessing, I can see through this darkness……but I’m getting scared. Ah, I’m wondering, can this ability be used forever? If you can easily get such skills, it’s no wonder that the Quasi-Spirits of the Fifth Region Gevurah are so strong.”
“There are some skills that can be learned forever, and there are others that disappear once leaving the Fifth Region Gevurah. My ‘Unsigned Angel Halberd Mastery: S’ will never disappear. But the magic used by Ariadne for example can only be used in the fantasy portions of the Fifth Region Gevurah.”
“Too bad. It is getting more interesting being able to use magic.”
Ariadne waved her staff in disappointment. She had reached the point of mastering the skills for the four basic magic (fire, water, wind, and earth).
“Is this okay? ……Perhaps this is the reason why the Reiryoku flowing into the Fifth Region Gevurah is so chaotic and barren? Since this magic is obviously using that Reiryoku?”
Kurumi always felt that is was strange. The Reiryoku felt disturbed each time Ariadne used magic. It felt as if something was being inhaled and exhaled from their surrounding space.
There was a similar feeling in the Ninth Region Yesod. Yes, when she was singing and dancing as an idol, certainly there was the feeling of taking in the Reiryoku being emitted by the audience.
But this was more intense than that. Each time fighting and defeating a monster, it felt like taking in a deep breath.
If this was due to the absorption of Reiryoku, it was reasonable for the Reiryoku of the Fifth Region Gevurah to be disordered and for the land to become barren.
To those words, Tsuan stared in wonderment for a while before clapping her hands.
“That may be.”
“……What are you doing, Quasi-Spirit of the Fifth Region Gevurah.”
Hibiki glared with reproachful eyes. Actually, there may be different circumstances that even she does not know about.
“But magic is fun. Thanks to just now, I’ve gotten just enough magical skills.”
Ariadne happily waved her staff. Ariadne, who was supposed to be usually tired and sleepy, still looked energetic and ready to go.
On the other hand, Kurumi let out a groan while looking at her cursed status screen.
“What’s wrong?”
With a rare troubled expression, Kurumi asked Hibiki for help.
“Oh, I finally obtained skill points? I’d like to use them, but……what should I do?”
Although it was much later compared to the other three, it seemed while defeating the enemies, Kurumi gradually gained the points needed to allocate for her skills. Having grown completely accustomed to this, Hibiki peeked over Kurumi’s shoulders to give operating instructions for the screen terminal.
“Oh. At last for Kurumi-san. Please touch this point here. There should be a list of skills that can be acquired.”
“Like this……is that right?”
Kurumi touched the status screen with a nervous feeling.
The display switched to show which skills Kurumi could acquire.
“……I don’t see ‘Fire Magic’ or ‘Light Magic’ like with Ariadne-san……”
“The skills that can be acquired are in line with the characteristics of that person. ……That means, to put it simply for Tokisaki Kurumi……”
Tsuan muddled her words. So drawing from that conclusion, Kurumi didn’t have special characteristics to use those types of magic.
“I understand……muu……”
“I can promise at least this, ‘Hahhhhhhhhhhh,, not being able to use even beginner magic’, if an idiot adventurer appears before Kurumi-san……if there’s ever such a person, they would be erased from this world……”
“Completely and physically erased. Would you like to volunteer Hibiki-san?”
“Hahhhhhhhhhhh, please forgive me!”
As they strayed from the topic, Kurumi had one thing in mind as she cleared her throat. Once again she saw the skills that could be acquired. Some of the skills scattered about were also the same skills Hibiki and the others had acquired.
“Kurumi-san, are you going to take ‘Night Vision’? Shooting is your main. ……Huh? But even though the second floor is pitch-black, you’ve been firing bang after bang.”
“Night Vision……is, for some reason I can already see in the dark, so there are no problems.”
“Hmm……perhaps, it’s already integrated into you ‘Survival’, ‘Bloodlust’, and ‘Massacre’ skills?”
Ariadne looked over at Kurumi’s status screen.
“Ah, integrated skill! That is highly possible.”
“Hibiki-san, Hibiki-san, commentary……”
“We have acquired skills like ‘Night Vision’ and ‘Far-Distance Vision’ that are divided into various uses. Probably for Kurumi-san, ‘Slaughter’ is a vague skill that is responsible for all of that.”
“……So it would meaningless to take ‘Night Vision’?”
“Probably. It may be better to take the skills that Kurumi-san finds interesting rather than useful.”
“Hmm. If that’s the case…….but……well ……”
Kurumi’s finger unsteadily wandered around.
“It’s surprising you’re the type to hesitate, Kurumi-san……”
“Because I don’t know which one to take……”
Hibiki thought over this again. Kurumi was the same when as an idol, not being good a choosing the genre. If so, then Hibiki must give her advice.
Should I do it for you? ……Hibiki laughed at herself over the sense of superiority. Then again it felt more like a sense of fulfillment than feeling of superiority.
Being useful for Tokisaki Kurumi. That’s what made her happy right now. For someone listening, they may consider this to be devotion, or possibly dependence.
……However. Hibiki still felt this was fine. Regardless if it was dependence or fanaticism, she felt most of all happy being useful for Kurumi.
Even though separation was imminent.
Increasingly, she noticed herself thinking how much she cherished her existence.
“Hibiki-san?”
“──Ah, sorry. Well, if it is a skill.”
It felt like she was dreaming for a bit. Becoming flustered as her mind snapped back to reality.
“Let’s see……ah, how about ‘Dark Magic’?”
“……Wouldn’t that have a poor image?”
“Well, that’s right. But there should be no difference in magic. Additionally, isn’t darkness cooler than light?”
“Hibiki-san. You don’t seem to have an awareness, but isn’t that the road to carnage?”
Kurumi informed Hibiki with an unusual and serious look that showcased her misgivings.
“Huh?”
“Are you sure? Darkness, bandages, and eyepatches, such a thing is a very stimulating thing for youngsters. But, well, wouldn’t fitting into such a thing be the same as a bottomless swamp? This is because I have no personal sentiments to insert in. By no means whatsoever, I have zero intention of doing that, so it’s better to refrain from arguing about darkness and light to others even if a mistake is made!”
Kurumi talked on and on in a single gulp. And so the party watching attentively looked on in mute amazement
“……Excuse me. I lost my composure.”
In that awkward silence, Hibiki raised her hand for the time being.
“Umm……so are you okay with ‘Dark Magic’?”
“I’ll do that. With this, I’ll also be a magic user.”
“From the perspective of Tokisaki Kurumi, rather than magical swordsmen……it may be more correct to say magical musketeer instead.”
“In any case, as long as I can use magic, I have no objections. …….Uhh, so I need to touch here.”
Nervously, her finger touched the display showcasing ‘Dark magic’
“Do you wish to obtain ‘Dark Magic’? YES/NO?”
Kurumi hesitated for a moment and then touched YES.
Immediately, she felt her surroundings shift. The atmosphere was disturbed as if agitated.
“Congratulations, Kurumi-san! Kurumi-san is now also a dark magic user. Do you want to test it now?”
“Ehh. ……Uhh, how can I use it?”
“Since skill rank is still E, only ‘Dark Ball’ can be used. It is basic magic to attack with a dark sphere. The enemy came exactly on time, let’s do it!”
Hibiki gently placed her hand on Kurumi’s back.
“First of all, please put away <Zafkiel> at once. That’s right. It feels like gathering Reiryoku at your fingertips……do you understand?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
A sphere about the size of a baseball was created from Kurumi’s fingertips. Made of a mysterious texture, the color of the sphere was so dark that it was indistinguishable from the dark interior of the dungeon.
“Just like, imagine throwing the ball……manipulating it through your own power, imagine the feeling of sending it flying over there.”
“Uhh, concentrate on the fingertips……if anxious……just chant out ‘Dark Ball’.”
The ‘Dark Ball’ born from Kurumi’s fingertips swooped down on a newly arrived monster (a bipedal shark-face monster).
“GYAAAA!”
“Oh, I won’t die.”
“It can’t be helped since ‘Dark Magic: E’. Still, that was quite the power leaping out……”
The current magic was at the beginner level. At this point at the start of the game, it shouldn’t have the power to even destroy small-fry monsters.
However, shark-faced monster was struck, starting to panic as if moved about in a confused manner. It seemed that ‘Dark Ball’ also had the status effect of ‘darkness’ also incorporated. “So let’s continue to use Dark Magic. If you do so, your skills will improve and you’ll acquire various magic. Yes, that’s it! To make more difficult, don’t proceed onward with <Zafkiel>!”
Kurumi, frustrated over the fact that the shark monster wouldn’t die even after repeated attempts of using ‘Dark Ball’, tried to blow off its head with <Zafkiel> for the time being.
But Hibiki stopped Kurumi with an unusual look.
“Magic is something that requires one or two years of continuous use. Since Kurumi-san has a rare talent, it would be a waste to not practice it!”
“……I understand. Incidentally Tsuan-san, what other magic can ‘Dark Magic’ be used for?”
“I don’t know anything besides the beginner ‘Dark Ball’. I wasn’t that interested in magic. If your skills improve, I imagine it won’t be too difficult to use since it is automatically acquired.”
Kurumi let out a long sigh.
The remaining eight floors. There was still a long way to go. Carefully develop and improve her skills──to do so little by little. Kurumi wanted to keep running at full speed.
Even more so, right now was currently a huge crisis, the White Queen was conspiring and the Empties were eroding away the Fifth Region Gevurah.
She should sprint forward with all her might.
“Now, Kurumi-san. Slowly, slowly, from the first step again, the first step!”
But since she bothered to learn magic, it may be good to do this for a little while.
While looking at Hibiki having so much fun, Kurumi considered that.
◇
Kurumi took it upon herself to seal away <Zafkiel>. Together with Ariadne, she earnestly paid attention to raising the skills of ‘Dark Magic’.
“I’ve gone up to rank D. Three dark magics have been added. Let’s see……’Dark Shield’, ‘Dark Infection’, and ‘Gravity’.”
However, she still couldn’t tell what effects these would have. So Kurumi shot the knees of the approaching monsters with <Zafkiel> and placed them on the experimental table.
“Really, how awful!!”
“For the sake of safety～”
“Fu……that lack of mercy, as expected of Tokisaki Kurumi. My eternal rival.”
As those various monsters being used as guinea pigs, the results of the effects came to be known though those experiments.
‘Dark Shield’……hardens to the darkness into a shield. It has great resistance to the four elemental magics, but is weak against Light magic.
‘Dark Infection’……adds ‘darkness’, an abnormal status that becomes a contagion. Targets with the ‘darkness’ status have their evasion rate and hit rate greatly reduced. The degree of decrease and success rate will increase as the skill is raised.
‘Gravity’……an abnormal status that adds ‘weight’. Targets that receive ‘weight’ inquire a reduced evasion rate and agility while suffering a small amount of continual damage.
“Hmm, indeed this magic does sound like dark magic……. As I thought there are many strange status effects that can be used.”
“Ah, that’s good. Something like that. My bullets are like that too.”
Kurumi nodded with satisfaction. Certainly, dark magic matched her characteristics.
This may be considered treacherous or others possibly calling out using traps. In battle, it was necessary to weaken their opponents in order to thoroughly defeat them.
“Dark Ball has also improved its power due to the increase in skills. It is now possible to shoot multiple targets together.”
“Although, <Zafkiel> seems to be quicker than ‘Dark Ball’……”
“If you go up to A rank, perhaps the destructive power of ‘Dark Ball’ will become stronger than <Zafkiel>?”
“It’s complicated, but……”
As expected, Kurumi wanted to think her Angel as being stronger.
“Speaking of which, is Kurumin’s <City of Devouring Time> effective against the monsters?”
As Ariadne inquired as if recalling, Kurumi dismissed the notion.
“No, actually I tried it at first but it wasn’t possible. Theoretically, I should be able to devour the time just like a Quasi-Spirit. Perhaps being able to snatch away Reiryoku from these monsters goes against the laws of this Region.”
“To say that was the first thing tried, that’s why Kurumi-san is Kurumi-san I guess…….”
Hibiki secretly thought that the foundation of this person and this Spirit was to shown no sympathy for any opponent that stood as an obstacle. The same consideration was shown to a stone rolling onto the roadside. Because if it was a stone, there would be no one concerned about kicking, destroying, or sinking it.
“I see……maybe that’s related to why the skill <City of Devouring Time> is ranked empty. Even if it is effective on Quasi-Spirits, it won’t work on monsters.”
“Huh? Then, wouldn’t that make it impossible to use <Zafkiel> to heal?”
When shooting the numbered bullets of <Zafkiel>, it would consume the ‘time’ of Tokisaki Kurumi along with Reiryoku. Therefore, if shooting too much, she would run out of time.
Being empty on time……meant the same as dying.
“It won’t hurt to shoot from <Zafkiel> normally. It may be better to refrain from shooting bullets like the First Bullet <Aleph> or the Seventh Bullet <Zayin>.”
There were of course methods for replenishing time. But since the current situation was a prolonged dungeon life, she should refrain from using that until a regular recovery method was established.
In any case, this was also an excuse for improving her skills.
Kurumi had to master ‘Dark Magic’ a little more.
“But ‘Dark Ball’ seems a little too simple……for ‘Light Magic’ it’s also ‘Light Ball’.”
“……? Isn’t it easy to understand?”
“Don’t you think it would be better to call it something cooler? Tsuan-san. For example, in the case of ‘Dark Ball’……that’s right……‘Dark Tsuan Ball’……” (TL: Katakana is the same for furigana, but Hibiki adds the kanji for Tsuan in)
“Hibiki-san, the characters for ‘闇’ and ‘暗’ can be easily understood, so reading ‘蒼穹’ as ‘蒼球’ and adding it on isn’t a good idea. Even if you think it’s clever to call magic that while releasing it, someday you’ll come to regret it. Please don’t step on this path.”
“Disappointed to the point of anger following in?”
Kurumi deeply, deeply, understood this. Even as a clone, she would often remember the old and sad past. She would never repeat that mistake again……probably……most likely!
“Now, we’ve about reached the third floor……there should be a boss in front of the stairs.”
“Ah, that’s a dungeon rule. Floor boss. Of course, I imagine it is strong?”
“That’s right. The floor boss here……um……what was it again……”
Tsuan twisted her head.
“Remember, or it’s going to be even harder after this!”
“I know. I remember. The second floor boss is the minotaur.”
“The minotaur, someone with the head of an ox……”
“Yes. To be exact──a triple-headed minotaur.”
“I see, so there are three heads.”
“Hibiki-san, Hibiki-san. What happens if you have three heads?”
Ugh, Hibiki choked on her words. Certainly, what would happen if one had three heads? Probably it meant being stronger than a normal minotaur.
“……Three times as smart……or something like that……”
“It’s a strong enemy. Let’s take the initiative and proceed seriously.”
Suddenly, Hibiki had a bad feeling.
The monster called the minotaur has always been treated as a strong enemy in fantasy games and novels. However, there were few things that provided to be difficult against Kurumi and the others on the second floor.
Generally speaking, the boss on the hierarchy should be naturally stronger than the other monsters.
Much stronger, but only to the extent that it will stubbornly persist until being cleared. There could be numerous abnormalities like being resistant to various attacks, or bringing out a special attack or field.
……Triple-headed minotaur.
From that name alone, it was easy to imagine what type of monster it was. Probably it had three heads just like an Ashura statue.
And the minotaur itself is basically drawn as a muscular monster with an axe. In other words, it was a giant monster boasting enough physical strength to best any bout.
Rather than being afraid of losing, Hibiki felt something was out of place.
◇
A premonition.
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
“……”
“……”
“……”
“……Ah……um……it’s dead……nothing special……”
Hibiki awkwardly opened her mouth.
“Uh. First of all, since it was about to attack, we intercepted with Kurumin’s ‘Dark Ball’ and my ‘Light Ball’. As it was dizzy, Tsuan-chan sent it flying with all her strength. And then……it’s head was blown away……”
“──B-But. It said, ‘I still have two heads’, so it immediately revived.”
“That’s why I struck the heads with ‘Dark Infection’, causing them to move chaotically and tumble over……”
“Then, Tsuan-san kept smashing those two heads into mincemeat until it died……”
The time required for the battle took around one minute. The second floor had been cleared.
“──Now, the second floor has been cleared. The door to the third floor has opened. Since there are still absolutely strong monsters yet to come……!”
Tsuan urged the three of them forward, as they continued towards the staircase leading to the third floor. Kurumi sighed as she opened her status screen.
“Ah, I got another skill point. My next skill is──”
Kurumi feet came to a stop.
“Kurumi-san, what’s wrong?”
Looking back, Hibiki noticed that Kurumi was staring at her status screen with a surprised look.
“Kurumi-san?”
“What to do, Hibiki-san. …… ‘Time Magic’……I should definitely obtain that, right?”
Indeed, there was a display of ‘Time Magic’ on Tokisaki Kurumi’s list of available skills.
“Tsuan-san, this is……”
“I-I don’t know. There are six magic systems that I know. Fire, wind, water, earth, darkness, and light. That should be all……if there’s something like ‘Time Magic’, I would definitely remember and recommend Tokisaki Kurumi to obtain it.”
“So this is……my own magic, is that right?”
“It should be.”
“……………………Fu, fufu.”
(Ah, she looks really happy about something……)
“If that’s the case, of course I will choose ‘Time Magic’. Touch for yes then.”
Kurumi obtained ‘Time Magic’ without any hesitation.
“So, what kind of magic can you use now?”
“P-Please wait a moment. I’ll check it now. Uhh……”
‘Time Magic: E’……magic that can be used to control time. E rank is ‘The First Bullet Aleph’, ‘The Second Bullet Bet’, and ‘City of Devouring Time’.
“……Hey, this is my ability……”
“Yes……that’s right. What does this mean? Tsuan-san, do you understand?”
“………………”
“Ah, it’s fine. I was a bit mistaken to ask Tsuan-san!”
Looking as if steam was coming out from Tsuan’s head, Hibiki panicked and stopped.
“……I’m a little disappointed, but this does make sense. From now on, I want to improve my skills while using ‘Dark Magic’ and ‘Time Magic’ together.”
“Hey……why don’t we take a break before heading to the third floor? I mean……sleepy……”
Not being able to stand anymore, Ariadne turned her Astral Dress into a sleeping bag and slipped in.
“It can’t be helped. ……This room is dedicated for boss battles, the triple-headed minotaur will reappear as soon as we leave this room. But conversely speaking, this means we can rest safely in this room.”
Tsuan tossed aside her <Lailaps> onto the stone-paved floor and laid down horizontally.
“Then, we should also take a break for the time being. Do you me to brew some tea?”
“Ah, that’s right, the maid skill. But, I’m fine.”
“Eh, why’s that?”
“Hibiki-san, shouldn’t you be the most tired?”
“……Gue. You know?”
“I understand at least that much. Even though you’re speaking the same, your complexion is getting worse. Also, you’re walking like a zombie.”
“That’s a terrible way describe it……but well, it’s a bit true so I’ll quietly sit down.”
“If it’s pure fatigue and not a wound, you won’t be able to recover even with the Fourth Bullet <Dalet>. Please quietly sit down.”
“Very well then. I’ll spread out a rug with the maid skill.”
Hibiki spread out a rug that she took out from nowhere. Apparently, it seemed to be a special skill due to the maid skill.
“……That maid skill is surprisingly convenient.”
Kurumi also let out a sigh of relief as she sat on the rug.
“Here is the black tea.”
“Didn’t I just say that you should take a break?”
“No, no, I’m at my limit. I’ll freely collapse now.”
Just as Kurumi received her tea, Hibiki declared that as she fell down and closed her eyes.
Faintly breathing under her sleep──all of her weariness and fatigue must have caught up to her.
Drinking the tea──it tasted surprisingly delicious as Kurumi opened her eyes.
“Tokisaki Kurumi.”
“Ara. So you are still up. Do you mind not sleeping?”
Tsuan, while lying down, had her eyes opened.
“Nn. I can sleep anytime, anywhere, so there’s no problem lying down like this.”
“Do you mean……through training?”
“That’s right. ……Is this dungeon interesting?”
As Tsuan asked that question, Kurumi had a difficult look on her face.
“I’m still not sure if it’s interesting or not. Somehow it does feel like placing one’s life on the line. But well, it’s not painfully boring……I can at least say that.”
“That’s fine. The Dominion that disappeared also comes to mind……I wonder what sort of conclusion was reached while disappearing.”
“That’s a question I can’t answer.”
“By the time I was born……or by the time I arrived here, it was already like this in the Fifth Region Gevurah. Before this region was relatively peaceful, so there was thunderous criticism asking, why did you do this?”
“Well……it must have been a time where there was no White Queen.”
“Yes. There were Quasi-Spirits that were injured by these monsters. The Dominion used up all of her life force to create this fantasy world……so there was no one left to be angry at.”
“What was that person’s name?”
“That wasn’t passed down. According to Master Haraka, that person said, “I don’t care about my name. I came to spread a fun and interesting world to the Neighboring World. So even if I disappear, I’ll have no regrets”.”
“Oh dear……”
“The slogan was ‘Short-lived, Adventurous Maiden’. Then, the residents, after complaining for a while, finally noticed. This adventure was a source of life.”
Kurumi breathed quietly upon hearing those words.
The Quasi-Spirits in the Neighboring World cannot survive without having a purpose for living.
Once, in the Ninth Region Yesod, she saw an Empty girl that lost all her energy and disappeared. In the Eighth Region Hod, she saw girl disappear for another reason.
She didn’t forget that scene, but it could be easy to forget due to everyone around her living so vigorously.
This world wasn’t real.
A world where everything, including physical laws, was different.
“……It’s no exaggeration to say that this is a different world.”
“The previous Dominion said, “What’s the point of calling it a different world? Whether if it’s called the Neighboring World or not, wherever the souls arrive at, this is totally different from the old world and we can do what was once impossible. In that case──I want to do what I like”!”
“Seems like quite the interesting person.”
Kurumi softly whispered that.
“Killing each other in the Tenth Region Malkuth, singing and dancing in the Ninth Region Yesod, competing with each other in the Eighth Region Hod, and gambling in the Seventh Region Netzach……in each area, they sought to find a way to live. In the Fifth region Gevurah……adventure is the reason for existing. It’s stimulating, brutal, and dangerous……but, it is a lot of fun.”
“Tsuan-san, I wonder. Is there something you wish to say?”
Tsuan quietly raised herself.
“Tokisaki Kurumi. Do you really want to go back to reality?”
“…………”
Silence. The meaning of this question was a contradiction in a sense, as the closer to Kurumi the person was, the more difficult this became.
“……Of course, I know why you want to go home. But think about it if it doesn’t work. I like you. Everyone doesn’t hate you. ……Well, maybe they’re a little bit scared though.”
“Only just a little bit scared?”
“From many opinions. What, do you want to take a survey?”
“Please refrain from doing so.”
“But, how about it? Isn’t even this Neighboring World a good place?”
From Tsuan’s question, Kurumi kept silent for a while. Considering Kurumi’s beliefs, it should be natural and easy to turn her down. If it was herself specifically before beginning to travel, she would have said so easily.
“……That’s right. I understand the other world is in a harsh state. Numerous enemies will surround me. We are born to fight and die. In that sense, returning may mean my death.”
“……In that case.”
“But there is one reason that I’m leaving, and that’s something that this Neighboring World lacks.”
That person wasn’t in the Neighboring World.
By that alone, there was no reason not to begin a journey and take up that challenge.
“Understood. But if you change your mind, tell me anytime. And don’t forget to play a match against me before leaving for that journey.”
“……I’ll consider it someday.”
Kurumi did nothing as she absent-mindedly replied.
“I did it. We can finally fight. This time it’s settled.”
Tsuan’s face was full of delight. Kurumi, who gave such a nonchalant reply, regretted this a little and reconsidered fighting someday if she longed for a match that much.
“Yes, after completing this dungeon and completing this quest──then please take care of me in a fight.”
“Yeah, I’m fine with that.”
“……But, we can’t do our best to kill each other.”
“Really? I think that will be okay……well, in that case, we won’t go so far as killing. But, couldn’t there still be accidents?”
“I would like to lose if possible. ……For me, especially if Tsuan-san continues to look pleased just like now.”
Tsuan opened her mouth to Kurumi’s words. And, with her looking as if being seen through, she blushed with red cheeks.
“I-I see. ……That was surprising……I’m not sure, but it feels good.”
After stretching her legs, Tsuan rolled to her side like a dead battery.
Closing her eyes, she looked like a fool in a trance.
“……This is embarrassing. I’m going to sleep for a bit.”
A fragile voice, as if to overturn the current image.
“Yes, good night then.”
Strangely, Kurumi noticed how gentle her own voice was. It felt strange since they once tried to kill each other.
“……I’ve become more naïve.”
Kurumi whispered those words. In the other world, it was mostly enemies. There are only enemies or humans that will become enemies. It seemed only herself would be an ally.
Right now, to think she would even be able to talk calmly like this. Of course, as long as there was the White Queen, she in the end couldn’t stay calm.
Certainly not.
Still, for an instant, for just a moment at this time, slightly there was something-like an opening.
A moment too excessively precious and affectionate was here now.
“────”
There was one person. One person that held her breath and eavesdropped on that conversation. (……Kurumi-san.)
Hibiki knew. She knew that Kurumi was single-mindedly chasing after a boy whose name she couldn’t even remember. So, she was ready for the time of parting that would come someday.
However, a spider thread had been dangled in front of her.
They just said that the world beyond would be very harsh for Kurumi.
She might die.
There are only enemies.
If so──Hibiki thought that it would be good. Defeating the White Queen and living in peace forever with Kurumi.
If there was ever such a future, wouldn’t it be good?
After all, Tokisaki Kurumi was a great person. A huge benefactor that had saved her. It would be ridiculous for her to go to her death by returning to the other world.
Hibiki remembered what Kurumi once told her.
“I am a clone.”
Another me who was created by the real Tokisaki Kurumi through the Eighth Bullet <Het>. A very convenient piece to do everything from intelligence gathering, investigation, assassination, and infiltration,
──Are you going back there just to die, Kurumi-san?
──Is that really okay, Kurumi-san?
She wanted to ask that, but couldn’t. But still a reply would be good……she imagined that she wouldn’t be able to restrain herself if Kurumi died.
──That person.
The most delicate part of Kurumi, which she absolutely didn’t want others to touch.
Hibiki made an effort not to think about him, but considered it for the first time today.
──It was nice that Kurumi-san liked this person. But does that person like her back? If that was different. If, if not.
The bad ideas rushed to the surface of her thoughts.
But that was unavoidable. Suddenly, Tsuan showed her a hope that she had tried to look away from.
A future where Tokisaki Kurumi would continue to be with Hibiki.
For Hibiki, this was equivalent to the devil’s temptation.
◇
──Meanwhile, at that moment. In the Second Region Chokmah.
Cistus opened her mouth looking at the strange shape of the Second Region Chokmah for the first time.
The former Dominion of the Third Region Binah, Carte À Jouer, also bitterly smiled.
“I’m surprised. I’ve heard the rumors, but what is this……”
“My region has the doctrine of being secretive and closed off.”
“I’m surprised and amazed!”
“Here is not compatible with us!”
“No, I think it’s better to call it our opposite!”
“Anyway, there are no shortages of places to hide!”
The playing cards commanded by Carte all chattered in excitement.
It was a book.
Top, bottom, left, right, the skies, were all covered by books. The only place without books was the floor. Even so, the floor also had some letters engraved on it for some reason.
“My Second Region Chokmah is the world of books and knowledge. Encompassing all things in creation, it has the role of being the intermediary between the Neighboring World and the world beyond. We are also the ones that established the governing system of the Quasi-Spirits.”
The Dominion of the Second Region Chokmah, Yukishiro Maya, bent her chest forward. It looked like she was being particularly proud.
“What do you mean?”
Cistus──a clone created by Tokisaki Kurumi in the Neighboring World, hearing the question from the girl with a different name than Kurumi, Maya responded.
“Quasi-Spirits once only existed here. Frightened and trying to escape from the Spirits that occasionally appeared, they turned into Empties and disappeared. But the Dominion of this region noticed. The techniques for a Quasi-Spirit to be able to survive……that means only those who have a reason for living can survive in this region.”
Only souls are allowed to exist in the Neighboring World. And if left alone, the soul will be swallowed by the huge flow of Reiryoku that fills the Neighboring World like air.
In order to prevent this, it is necessary to strike a stake called ‘self’ onto the Neighboring World.
“For a comparison, the Neighboring World is like a continuously flowing river. You have to cling onto the stake struck into the bottom of the river……or someday you’ll be swallowed by the current.”
“Did you discover that?”
“It wasn’t me, but the previous Dominion. She told us everything that she knew and at the same time spread her knowledge to all the other regions besides the First Region Keter.”
And then, after Spirits stopped appearing in the Neighboring World──Quasi-Spirits finally regained their sense of peace.
“The wedge for our existence is the desire for knowledge. As long as we continue reading new books, we won’t disappear as long as we continue to instill new knowledge. There are many Quasi-Spirits here known for their longevity.”
“By the way……are there other Quasi-Spirits?”
“In this room, only the Dominion of the Second Region Chokmah……only I and people I permit are allowed entry. Other Quasi-Spirits are still working in other places.”
There were two jobs for Quasi-Spirits in the Second Region Chokmah. The first is to read, analyze, and acquire knowledge from book collection in stock in the Second Region Chokmah. The other is to be dispatched to other regions to secure books and give proper advice on how to govern and rule.
Therefore, Quasi-Spirits in the Second Region Chokmah are required to excel in combat abilities, even if the core members lean more towards being scholars and researchers.
Such girls were now devising countermeasures for the White Queen in each region.
“Is it safe to leave the protection here so thin?”
As Carte asked, Maya shook her head.
“Not good……but if we strengthen our defenses too much, they may also notice that thing in the Second Region Chokmah. If that happens, it’ll become a complete reversal and we’ll become at a disadvantage. We can’t be too strict or vigilant. Incidentally, the White Queen has already invaded here fifteen times.”
“Are you okay?”
“For now, maybe. But, for the opposing side, the Sixth Region Tiphereth would have been a huge favorite. With the Dominion Miyafuji Oka more or less taken in, I imagine that information may have become known. ……In other words, since the First Region Keter is an exception, it has been considerably narrowed down to the Fifth Region Gevurah, the Fourth Region Chesed, and the Second Region Chokmah.”
Maya’s expression turned a little pale.
If the story heard in the Seventh Region Netzach was correct, then the collapse of the Neighboring World was imminent.
“In the Fifth Region Gevurah, me must repel the White Queen’s army……”
“There are two choices that remain. ……No, perhaps the White Queen has an idea that the region of Chokmah is suspicious. Therefore, no matter what, Tokisaki Kurumi must win in the Fifth Region Gevurah.”
Silence dominated the surroundings.
“What do you suppose Kurumi-sama is doing right now?”
Carte whispered. Maya gently muttered back with a face marked with awe and respect.
“She’s probably in the dungeons of the Fifth Region Gevurah, doing her best to force the White Queen to retreat back into the Third Region Binah.”
“……For one reason or another, I imagine me has been passing time relatively engulfed by the atmosphere. According to Yukishiro-san, it seems to be a fantasy world. There must be much enjoyment in being able to use magic.”
“Cistus. Hearing that from Kurumi-sama’s clone, I think that idea is a bit foolish. Kurumi-sama must be concerned about the current state of the Neighboring World and be destroying the White Queen’s army at full speed.”
“……As you think, we’ll leave it to her.”
No, there was the idea that she was definitely enjoying diving into the dungeon right now. That was the one thing that Cistus couldn’t say.
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