199 From 198.64 layer.txt (1/2)

The sixty-fourth level was relatively decent compared to the previous two levels.

Although the ceilings were unusually high, it was still a normal stone corridor. We walked along, catching our breath while being impressed by its usual maze.

If there's one thing that bothers me, it's the fact that it's too well ventilated. The wind has been blowing so coolly that it feels chilly.

I'm finally in the usual corridor, but the visibility is poor, so the 《Dimension》 is a must. By the way, the fluffy, gaseous-looking guy near me, I think this is probably a system where the sword doesn't work.

The sixty-four layers were filled with light green, luminous, gaseous monsters that roamed around. Most of them had no feet on the ground and were flying through the air like ghosts.

[Monster] Green High Element: rank 65.

I've learned that in school. It's the elemental type. I only know about the fire elemental around the 15th layer. Did Christ ever fight any other elements?

There aren't any. I suppose I could have found one if I had looked for it, but I've been going through it so quickly that I haven't fought too many different kinds of monsters.

There are many monsters that died before they fought because of Maria and Dia - that's one reason. There's no doubt that my combat experience is skewed.

Probably in the past I would have wanted them to be able to deal with various monsters little by little. But it's all ruined by the sharp abilities of my companions.

Dia's sniping, Rustyala's warriors, Maria's guardian flame (Aegis), and all those things are generally bad.

'Then I guess we'll have to fight by hand. I'd prefer to ignore them if I could. Christ, are the monsters here coming around?

No, it's not the same as the one before.

The elements just flew fluffily and didn't try to get closer to us. They may simply not have the ability to detect it.

So we continue to walk through the sixty-four layers in peace.

However, that optimism will soon be regretted. As we walked along while checking the location of the monsters with the 《Dimension》, an elemental disappeared in a flash.

And without any warning - it appears next to us.

A pale green mist wriggling from right next to us was approaching us as if stretching out its arms.

''Why--?　--Default!

Reacting before the liner, I cut one of my trump cards to that anomaly.

By manipulating space, I add up the distance between us and the enemy.

Then I grab Ryner's neck, not knowing what happened, and quickly try to run away.

But then the elemental disappears again in a flash, and poof, it appears in front of us.

It doesn't try to escape us with the instantaneous movement like the Reaper once did.

'This, this guy!　You're going to warp!

'Christ!　I'll intercept it!

Finally understanding the situation, Ryner builds wind magic.

''La, Ryner!　Wait--

Quickly I try to stop Ryner's magic, but I can't do it in time.

''--[Jaeger-Wind]!

A gust of wind like an arrow strikes the elemental.

However, the elemental sucked in every bit of that wind. Instead of damage, the two types of wind and wind mixed together and the monster became huge.

''Wha, it sucked it in!

Ryner was astonished that he had been absorbed by the new magic of his full strength.

Unlike Ryner, I had a dim hunch.

In the case of a monster that shows its attributes up front like this, it was resistant to certain attributes - which didn't go against the game's theory.

Absorbing Reiner's wind, the elemental enlarged its body. No matter how you look at it, it could only be considered a power-up.

However, I find hope in that morphological change.

I give instructions to Ryner, who is surprised to have his magic absorbed.

''Ryner!　That's it!　Keep it up!

”--What?　Wow, okay!

I wanted to evacuate if I could. But I didn't want to show my back to a monster that would have specialized in magic.

''--《Jager Wind》!

Once again the liner releases a magical wind, but the elements absorb all of it.

And the body grows even larger. The elemental, which breathed in plenty of mellow wind, swells up its body to nearly ten times its size.

I don't know what kind of magic it will return if I give it time to do so. Immediately, I use my strongest magic on the giant monster.

”--Distance Mute!

He reached out to the elemental body, which was focused on absorbing magic. Since his body was as large as a balloon, it was easy to make contact with it.

Then, he quickly focused his magical senses to understand the realm of the Green High Element, the realm of existence.

What helped here was that he had successfully performed a ”Distance Mute” against a high ranked Elfenries a while ago. That and the fact that Elfenries and the interior of the elemental were similar. These two.

They are both high-ranked wind monsters. It only took a few moments to understand their similar internals.

But in that short amount of time, the elements would fight back. As expected of a rank 60-ranked monster. Its reflex speed is not comparable to that of a low-level monster.

A blade of wind that rips through his body erupts from his non-corporeal body.

''-- Ouch!　But now you're done!

The flesh of his right arm is torn open and red blood is splattered, but he grabs the enemy's ”magic stone” - and pulls it out.

At that moment, the elements pop. The liner's wind magic that had accumulated in his belly was probably released before it was digested. After showing an explosion like a popping balloon, it became a particle of light and disappeared.

''Haha, haha, yay ......''

The ”Distance Mute” is a great move similar to the previous ”Midwinter in the Overcrowded Dimension (Die Overwinter)”. Maybe it's because I'm still not used to it, but if I use it on the spur of the moment, I get a headache.

While enduring the pain that seems to crush your brain, you check to see if Ryner is okay.

''Rainer, are you okay ......?''

This one's fine. ...... But the Arm of Christ, dammit!　--Cure Fool.

A closer look revealed that his right arm had become unbearable to look at directly. There were no deep wounds, but most of the skin on the surface had been turned inside out, turning it red and black.

The fact that he was able to inflict so much damage in that instant shows the high level of magic power of that monster.

Ryner's sacred magic restored his right arm.

It looked terrible, but the healing process was fast.

''It looks like it was just ripped off the surface. ...... Thank goodness.

'Not good: ......!　That's what I'm supposed to do, so Christ don't be reckless: ......!

I can tell from the look on his face, which is contorted as he heals, that Ryner is sincerely worried about me. But I reject that concern.

'That's what you're saying again. There's no way this is what Ryner is supposed to do: ......

'It's a matter of priorities: ......!　I should be sacrificed before Christ, for everyone else's sake: ......!

That's not true, Reiner.

That Ryner's argument is not to be overlooked, and he returns it in a low voice.

If it's a priority, Ryner is better than me--I can't resist saying back. It would be useless to say that I would protect Ryner simply because he's ”older” or ”older brother”.

That path is the same as treating Maria as a sister. It doesn't feel like a good idea.

So I'm going to take a new path.

Let's stop talking about which one of us will or won't get sacrificed. We can help each other find the path that works for both of us, Rainer. I know what you're going through. Self-sacrifice is the easy way out - yeah, I love it, too. But not in terms of exploring the maze. I know it's hard, but we'll still find a way to survive together. I've recently learned that no matter what, no matter what happens, no matter how hard it is, we can't give up on that path to the end.

I look the liner in the eye and tell him without any joke whatsoever.

It's a freshly learned theory, but as an older brother, it was the only thing I could say now, as an older brother.

”The two of us--?

'Oh, I thought a brother should give his life for his brothers and sisters, but apparently that's not enough ....... I mean, it wasn't good enough. Maria almost burned me to the ground.

No, it's the other way around.　Shouldn't my brother be the one to lay down his life for his sister and brother?

'Think about it. There's no way Mr. Hein and Franllew would want that. I don't want that. I'm pretty sure Lord would say differently. More importantly, what does the Haili in you say?

It's .......

Ryner turned his face down. I could see from the outside that he was asking himself the question in his head.

And after a few seconds, he raises a sullen face that is not at all convinced. I could guess the answer that Ryner reached from that face.

'I noticed this just a few days ago too. It's just right, so let's both fix it up a little at a time.

d*mn it ......, I'm not sure I agree with you, but I guess I can't help it: ......

After ruminating carefully, he reluctantly nodded to Ryner.

That was the moment when he was stubborn and stubborn, but finally broke down.

Perhaps it was because of the relationship that had even killed each other at one point in time, but it was a mildly emotional experience. Although it was at a slow pace, I felt that we were moving forward little by little.

However, I can't keep being moved by that feeling.

We are now in a labyrinth. It's because of the unique situation of the labyrinth, I'm glad that my voice has reached Ryner, but the danger of death still haunts me.

I'm sure you'll be able to find your way back to the labyrinth. While I was talking to Reiner, I got a general idea of how this layer works.

How does this layer work: ......?

While speaking, he didn't neglect the vigilance of his surroundings in the 《Dimension》.

I speak to Ryner about the results of that information gathering.

'The name of the monster just now is 【Green High Element】. Is it a spirit-type monster that specializes in the wind attribute? The means of movement is by disintegrating the body and assimilating it into the wind. Combined with its original speed, it looks like it's moving at a moment's notice. And the most important thing is the perceptual range of the Green High Element.

It was only a single encounter, but I got the general idea. Perhaps it was because of the fact that I used the 《Distance Mute》 to enter the interior, but I'm even certain of a certain degree of certainty.

Perhaps the Green High Element was using the wind flowing in the corridor to figure out the location of the explorers who had invaded. And the Green High Element, with its high reflection speed, must have moved to us as soon as it perceived us. In other words, the distance between where the green high element first disappeared and where it appeared is the range of his perception. If he's the same type as me, his perceptual range will be extended in a circle. If you are conscious of it, you may be able to change the range of perception in an amoeboid fashion, but that should only happen when there is an abnormal situation.

This can be seen from the fact that we were not attacked by the nearby Green High Elements during our earlier conversation. As long as we maintain the distance we just calculated, it seems unlikely that we will be discovered.

Fortunately, as long as we spread it thin, the Green High Elements won't notice the Dimension. As long as he didn't let his guard down, he wouldn't be found.

''I'm already around that range. It's a bit of a detour, but I've found a way to go without being detected by the Green High Elements. Of course, we're not going to expect anything unexpected, so let's not let our guard down.

'Between now and now ......?　It's quirky, Christ: ......

I finish completing the map of the sixty-four layers in my head.

As soon as I'm sure my arm has finished recovering, I start walking away. Even though I know I won't be attacked, it's not a good idea to stay in the same place.

After regaining our composure, we quickly advance through the 64-layered corridor.

Perhaps because we chose our path carefully so as not to fall within the search range of the Green High Element, there is not a single enemy attack and it is quiet. There is room to talk naturally.

Ryner was impressed with the labyrinth attack, which was not attacked at all.

It's a bit of a stretch, but it's not too much. It's going better than I expected. Or rather, it's thanks to Christ's assessment of the situation. If I was alone, I'd definitely be hit by the enemy's initial ability to see.

'No, I don't think it's because of the situation. It's just like me to have created this labyrinth. It's thanks to the fact that I somehow know the purpose and tendencies of the monsters placed in it: ......

My ability to observe as a dimensional wizard may have been involved, but more than that, my experience in the original world is significant. From their looks and names, I can guess their abilities to some extent. And that has never been betrayed in the labyrinth exploration until now.

''Oh, come to think of it, that's right. It's not because I'm a dimensional wizard, so I'm not sharp in my reading, but because I'm related to you, so my reading is easy to hit.

'That's what it's all about. ...... Also, thanks to having Ryner here, I guess it's thanks to the wide range of tactics I can use. Speaking of which, you were using new wind magic earlier, was that magic you learned from Lord?　It's called the Jaeger Wind, right?

'Yeah, he taught me that. It's not perfect yet, but it's good magic to use on the spur of the moment. ...... Yeah. From the perspective of Christ the Originator, what advice do you have for me?　That, it seems, was originally a more powerful magic.

A word of advice?

'Lord says. 'The Primordial Kanami' is well versed in all magic.

That being said, I don't remember those days. ......

I've been self-taught all my life and I'm not going to live up to that expectation. However, since Ryner's eyes are shining, I have no choice but to start showing off that self-study.

''If I had to say so, Ryner's magic is kind of plain, isn't it?

What, are you being sober?

'Or should I say sober, or should I say passing by the basics?　I don't think you need to use magic as a textbook. You're not a student level liner anymore.

Due to the assimilation of Hailey, Ryner's qualities and magic power have jumped up. And yet, he won't be able to grow further if he uses the methods he used when he didn't have the talent forever.

''Indeed, that's true. Then what should I do?

So I'll give you my answer.

'Well, imagine a cool magic and shout out a cool magic name?'

............

However, Ryner's reaction was cold when he heard the answer. In an instant, the sparkle in his eyes disappeared.

I impatiently insisted on the validity of that answer.

''Yes, no, I really mean it!　He said I've come so much stronger from this!

......, for example?

'Right. For example, ......, Reiner is using the wind to extend the tip of his sword, right?　Do you want to scream when you use that thing?

You don't have to yell for it to work?

”It's a kind of 'chanting'. It's a kind of 'chanting,' a kind of 'compensation' for daring to shout. Perhaps. Perhaps... Perhaps...

'Are you sure?　But Lord said that Christ is an expert on that kind of thing. ...... But shouting, what do you want me to shout about that?

Actually, I've taken the liberty of calling it 'Marijuana Kazenka,' as it were.

Not only your own magic, but other people's skills as well: ......

I could even see the darkness of disappointment in his eyes as he lost his sparkle. I feel like the good feeling I got from the good talk about the two of us helping each other earlier is rapidly being chipped away.

However, I still believe that Ryner will understand, and I continue to insist on my self-education.

It's a good thing that you can't get away with it. What do you think?

Ruby?　You mean the rubrics they use in books and stuff?

Yeah, that's it.

'You mean, every time you shout, you think of a letter?

'Maybe that's an aid to image. The most important thing in magic is the image. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I've developed a lot of magic with this method by the way. In other words, this is the venerable magic operation by the 'founder' of the Levantine religion!

It was me, proselytizing with a serious face.

It's about time I didn't know what I was talking about.

'Hmmm. I don't think it's okay to just give and change the name of a person without permission: ......

'No, I rather think you should have a name for yourself, in my opinion. Certainly, when I was studying at the Academy, it might have been more efficient overall if I had a name for myself. But you can't stay stuck in a rigid style forever, Rainer. Honestly, we're not in the realm of students anymore.

Well, so they say. That's what Christ the Originator says. This is more accurate than the textbooks and the Bible--isn't it?

'Yes!　I'm the 'founder' and I'm telling you that, so you can be sure!

Seeing that Reiner was almost convinced, I came out strong.

If I wanted to make a true friend, it was now or never - I thought.