288 285. Level up.txt (1/2)

I heard that you and Rastiara went hand in hand on the search.

The labyrinth that I returned to.

Less than an hour after my search with Rastiara, I returned to the labyrinth through the forty-layered Connection that I set up earlier.

Now we are walking through the corridor of the labyrinth.

If it weren't for the Dimension, we would have a hard time dealing with the flower-imitating monsters. In the midst of the forty layers of vegetation, I finally hear a story that Rastiara would have bragged about on the ship.

I see Dia walking next to me, her cheeks puffing out a bit, and I'm at a loss for a response.

'Well, do you want to ...... Dear too?'

Whether you want to or not, ...... its .......

Dia mumbles her mouth and blushes.

I instantly ponder with the same nervousness I had in battle. Then, I leave Snow, who is making a fuss about 'so and so' in sympathy with Dear, and cautiously reply.

'I'm sorry, Dea. I'd prefer that I only do that kind of thing with Rastiara. So let's explore the labyrinth as normal today.

Let me state it clearly.

I think it's more important to make a statement here and now than to keep it vague.

For the future, this is the best thing to do. I'm convinced that this is the most harmless reply.

'Oh, ah, ....... That's right. ...... It's obvious. Haha.

His conviction wavers as he looks at Diah, whose face looks like the end of the world.

Her eyes are vacant, and she's laughing hollowly, with a slight tear in her eyes. Dia, always bright and straightforward, is on the verge of tears because of my response - honestly, it's as tight as if I'm pecking at her body with guilt.

That's not the only reason my conviction has wavered.

Snow, who was making noise right next to me, changed her expression and moved away from Dia with an agile movement. It's because the magical power leaking out of Dia instantly stagnated, and I got a killing intent that seemed to attack at any moment at random.

Me and Snow's faces turned pale.

I know from the experience of the battle not long ago that our lives nearby would be in danger if Deer were to lose control. Since we're inside the labyrinth, there's no place to escape, and that joke of explosive power won't escape outside, making for ideal maximum firepower. To put it bluntly, me and Snow will die without even being allowed to defend ourselves.

--Dear's sad face and the disasterous magical power.

In every sense of the word, I couldn't watch either of them.

''--Well, well, but!　Up to the middle, if only for a little while!

As a result, I was the one who broke down in an instant.

The weakness of my own heart is unbearable.

However, Dia's magic power is currently 177.22 in status, roughly three times that of me. Now, it's three times as much as I am able to infiltrate a country with magic power. To put it simply, this is the difference between a living organism's survival instincts being maximized.

”Eh, ......?　Kanami, are you sure?

Dia raised her face, which had been on the verge of falling over, and brightened it up in a flash.

The evil magic in her body also dissipated in a flash.

It's not a question of what I was thinking behind the scenes, and Dia seems genuinely pleased with my words. In front of that innocent smile that made me want to forgive her for everything, there was no way I was going to be able to withdraw my previous words.

'Yes ....... Just for a moment. ......

Oh, that's right!　Then feel free to go to .......

With her magic power stabilized, Dia, who became just a pretty girl, came up to my right side and held my hand.

The 《Dimension》 tells me every step of Dia's condition as she walks next to me.

Dia was too embarrassed to turn her face forward properly and hid her twin eyes with her bangs. Her cheeks are reddened and she is behaving suspiciously. I always thought Dia was like a little animal.

''Then the other side is me!

And then, for some reason, Snow came up to my left and shook my hand.

He's a guy who's good at picking up the slack of others at the drop of a hat. As for her, I don't even want to look at her with Dimension.

The three of us strolling along side each other in a friendly manner, I'm dripping with cold sweat.

''This, this is a stone ......!

In this formation, my hands are occupied. It's not a good formation to do in the labyrinth any more than it was in Rastiara.

More than anything else, an even greater sense of guilt torments me.

I've been on a hand-in-hand date with Rastiara just a few minutes ago, but a few minutes later I'm walking hand-in-hand with another girl. Too insincere. Too despicable.

The swelling guilt has reached a level where it's almost as if it's going to saw through your body.

The feeling of death, tension, self-loathing, and various other things are intertwined, and my stomach wall is steadily raging today.

However, in contrast to me, the two people on either side of me are happily walking and chatting with each other.

'...... reminds me a bit of the theatre ship in Lauravia. I was walking with Kanami like this then, too.

Oh, yeah. The one from the dance competition. I was so jealous. Hand in hand on the theatre ship. It was a real date.

Hmm. ......?　You were the enemy then. How do you know all this?

I saw you sneaking up close, like ......?

Oh, the wiretapper. You said that.

'Yeah, heh. Sorry. ......

They are very congenial, leaving me alone and uncomfortable with the situation. Unlike me, they don't seem to have any guilt about this hand-holding situation.

It's definitely the work of Rastiara.

In advance, Rastiara told his companions that they could stay by my side. On top of that, he successfully incited the two of us on board earlier by talking about a date. This is the result of that ploy.

I regained my composure by rationalizing it calmly.

Honestly, the only problem would be my feelings.

Rustyala, Dia and Snow are all convinced, and I'm the only one who isn't convinced. I'm not a fan of the idea that it's important to get together with 'the one and only person of destiny' in love, but I'm the only one who is floating around.

'We're both on our way. ......

When I nailed them as if I were squeezing them out, they nodded honestly, ”Okay.

I can tell from their replies that they don't intend to keep pushing it. I can also tell that if I really hate them, they'll leave me right away.

But there's no way they'll really hate me. In fact, both of them have a habit of getting a little out of control, but they are both gentle girls at heart. They're also the pretty girls that everyone turns to when they walk down the street. To say that this state of affairs with flowers in their hands is all dissatisfactory would be a lie. My cheeks are slightly flushed, too. I am aware that I am very blessed. It's impossible not to be happy.

But I can't forgive myself for thinking that I'm happy in some way.

I'm happy, but I can't forgive myself.

I've finished analyzing these conflicting emotions of mine at the speed of thought in battle.

The three of us walk through the labyrinth hand in hand and answer that it's a matter of personal character.

I'm (...) that kind of person (・・・・・・・・・).

I can't help it, because I was born thinking that way.

You can't ignore either, so it's best to be happy about it, but never forgive yourself for it either.

I've come to terms with it, even if I can't separate the two, and I'm advancing through the labyrinth in a strange three-man hand-holding outfit.

However, that hand-holding search is interrupted for a few minutes.

Naturally, our brains aren't sleepy enough to hold hands until the time of battle.

”--Dear, Snow. There's an enemy ahead of us. ...... we can't avoid this one.

On the way through forty layers of dense bushes, they were in a situation where they would encounter enemies no matter which path they chose.

If the Reapers were there, they could scatter them with dark magic. If your partner is Ryner or Titi, you can even break through by letting your speed do the talking. However, if you're teaming up with the two slowest footed people, Dia and Snow, you have no choice but to take them down carefully.

When they decide to collide with the monster, the two on either side let go of their hands. Unlike some men and women, they don't seem to be holding hands during the battle.

Okay, there you go.

I'm in the fight!

Seeing that both of them are now in a combat stance, I check out the enemy in the distance.

It's a monster that I went through before when I aimed at the ground with Ryner and Titi. It is large, about five meters long, and its shape is closest to a plant's bulb. Four thick roots wriggled at the bottom of the giant bulb, allowing it to move outside of the soil. A closer look at the ”Dimension” shows that the sprout-like part at the top opens up and becomes a mouth, most likely to prey on its prey. It would be best to just avoid getting tangled up in its roots.

After sharing the information about the enemy, I was thinking about how to fight it, when to my surprise, Snow suggested a formation.

Then let's go in a vertical line. I'll take the lead. I'm going to be the first to go to the back with Dia and Kanami will be the one to protect it, right?

'Oh, ah, ....... Surely that's the best.

I nodded, upset.

I had just thought that was the most ideal formation, too.

However, I can't hide my surprise that Snow himself volunteered for the lead.

The Snow I know would definitely avoid the most exhausting lead, even if he had the aptitude to play the role of a shield at the front of the pack.

Leaving me astonished, Snow goes on to devise a strategy.

'Basically, as a dragonborn (Dragon Newt), I'll take on all the attacks I see at first sight, so watch carefully for Dia and Kanami. Now we just need to exploit the gaps and hit them with our attacks.

Snow, if there's any danger, I'll come and get you, I promise.

Yes, please. I'm counting on you, Dear.

He has a trusting relationship with his rearguard, Dia, and I are in good hands.

Seeing her leadership skills, I decide to keep my mouth shut and watch.

Thus, with Snow in the lead, we charge head-on to the enemy's location.

[Monster] Grand Tiber: Rank 41

Once we were able to see the enemy, they began to intercept us.

It was a head-on attack, no surprise.

Immediately, the plant monster Grand Tiber wielded one of its four thick roots like a whip.

''I won't let it!''

Snow, who was leading the charge, received the blow.

With a roar like a cannon, the corridor shook significantly. The impact is as if two large vehicles had collided at high speed. However, Snow, who was struck by that massive whip, did not retreat even a single step. He firmly planted his feet on the ground and used both arms to prevent it from happening.

If I or Diah were to receive it, I would have been blown to the walls of the corridor. In response to that heavy blow, Snow has not lost any HP at all.

When I was relieved to see the 'display', Grand Tiber continuously swings a thick root. This time, it's an attack aimed at me and Dia, who are behind me. However, Snow dives in between to catch that second attack as well.

Snow is always standing diagonally across the line from the enemy monster and the rear guard.

As long as he maintains that position, the enemy's attack will never reach us.

Grand Tiber realized that attacking by roots doesn't make sense, and he immediately changed his attack method. A powder-like substance erupted from the upper buds.

'The seed might be in trouble!　Pay me early, Dear!

In response to the enemy's actions, Snow immediately gave the order.

Receiving a trustworthy order, Dea responded immediately.

'Ah!　--Flame!

He unleashed a wide range of foundation magic flames, burning all the seeds with his momentum and heat.

It's a brilliantly powerful fire magic. And Snow's ability to command it quickly is also amazing.

It was a responsiveness that convinced me that I no longer needed to keep track of the entire party with Dimension.

This means that I am now completely free as an individual.

It was time for me to be able to do whatever I wanted as a ranger.

Snow is leading the charge, drawing the enemy to him.

The special attacks are handled well by Dia, and the enemy is focused on Snow and Dia.

The enemy is focused on Snow and Dea.

Then I have only one thing to do.

”--magic defaults.

Attack.

Thanks to the two of us, I can only think of attacks.

With a dimensional magic that distorts the distance, I instantly get behind my enemy.

Grand Tiva, who was focused on the front, doesn't notice my movement. And I use the blade extended by 'Magic Freezing' and swing my sword without thinking about defense.

''Ha--!

It was easy to tear the defenseless Grand Tiber apart.

Probably from the enemy's point of view, they wouldn't have understood what had happened. If they were focused on the enemies in front of them, they would only know that their bodies had been slashed before they knew it.

In a single breath, the grand teabag that had been split into ten parts turned into particles of light and disappeared.

While picking up the remaining magic stone, I give my impressions.

Nice work, Snow. Thanks to you leading the charge, it was incredibly easy to move around.

He praises Snow for letting go.

Maybe it's the first time he's done that since he met her.

After the battle, Snow is a little embarrassed as she reviews the battle ahead.

'Good. ....... I've been thinking for a while now that in a party fight, Kanami should just be an auxiliary and only move like an assassin at the end. It suits her better than the command tower, where she is free to move freely at her own discretion, analyzing the situation that changes every time. Perhaps even for the personality.

That's right.

My exact same analysis is made by Snow.

The only reason I've been in command so far is because no one else was fit.

'Hey, hey. What do you think: ......?

Snow anxiously asks me how I rate my considerations.

The rating from me is close to a perfect score. He smiles that there is nothing to be worried about.

'No, I've reviewed it. I knew Snow would be a good leader.

I think he had talent to begin with. I heard that when he was a child, he had a personality like a brat who pulled everyone along, but he's more of a leader than I expected.

However, if you think about it, it's probably not surprising.

For the past year, Snow had been acting as the deputy to the General Commander of the ”Southern League”. And he was respected and relied upon by many of his subordinates, and was rumored to be more capable than his predecessor.

Snow would have the wherewithal to carry everyone on his back and fight.

In everyday life, his laziness didn't seem to have worn off, but in a serious setting like this, Snow's newfound strength stands out.

You've worked really hard while I was gone. You've grown so much in my absence.

Ehehe. ......

As he continues to praise her, Snow's face gradually loosens up.

When he saw the dragon's tail bobbing and waving in delight as it peeked out from the hem of his clothes, he was thinking rudely that it was a bit like a big dog, when the nearby Dea called out impatiently.

'Ka, Kanami!　I'm strong too!　Leave me alone next time!

When she sees Snow being berated, Dea begins to brave it, trying to show her that she's good at it, too. I ask, anxious that this pattern won't be a good one.

'I'm still fine with this layer, but ....... Are you sure you're okay on your own?

'Yeah, I'm fine!　Just give me the direction to the next staircase!

'Direction: ......?　Then it's ......, er, that way.

Wondering what he's going to do, he explains to Deere the location of the next staircase, which he figured out with Dimension, as requested.

Dea turns her head in that direction and immediately starts building magic on the spot.

If it had started to go out of control, Snow and I would have planned to stop it, but I don't want to imitate it as if I'm going to rush into a monster alone. Instead, I fill the corridor with a magical power that can only be considered runaway.

It's an amount of magic power that is incomparable to the magic used in the battle just now. I can grasp the fact that the magic power is being controlled admirably with 《Dimension》, but I'll be ready to 'magic offset (counter magic)' at any time.

Then, the magic power resembling Dia's sunlight is converted and a nostalgic magic is activated.

''--Sacred Magic 《Sion》''

It's the magic of the light bubble that once hunted down 'The One Who Steals the Dark Reason' Tida.

As I recall, the effect was 'Inhibition of Magic Power'.

As soon as the name of the magic 《Sion》 was spun, Dia's magic power condensed and became a sphere that enveloped Dia's body.

There was only one bubble that was generated. But the density was too abnormal. Without a doubt, it's at the level of 'the one that steals reason' density.