Vol 9 Chapter 3.2 (1/2)

Chapter 3.2

After confirming the dungeons situation, s.h.i.+n and the party quickly returned to the Black Priestess Shrine guildhouse.

We can bring her. Id like to talk about how were going to work together then.

Until now, s.h.i.+n had been fighting with Schnee and s.h.i.+baid, companions he knew very well, and Tiera, who solely focused on rear support, so they never practiced seriously how to fight as a team.

Munechika and Mitsuyo were originally veterans of close combat, so they found it simple to fight alongside others. s.h.i.+n also knew their fighting styles well, so coordinating with them was not a problem.

The new member, Suzune, was an Onmyouji, a rather tricky job.

They needed to know her fighting style, what she could do and what she couldnt, before starting the exploration.

I know. Please wait a moment.

Kuchinas.h.i.+ gave orders to summon Suzune, and after a few minutes a knock was heard at the door. After obtaining permission, Suzune stepped inside.

Lady Kuchinas.h.i.+, if you summoned me here does it mean that I am allowed to accompany them?

Suzune saw the members present in the room and understood the reason behind the summoning. Kuchinas.h.i.+ nodded and started talking.

Correct. I will have you go with them. But you are forbidden from acting on your own.

I know that well, you do not need to tell me.

Oh my, what is the young lady who tried to sneak inside just 8 days ago saying now?

Suzune answered with a grimace, but Kuchinas.h.i.+s retort struck her down. She had already once done what she was being warned of.

While listening to their conversation, s.h.i.+n regretted a little to have decided so quickly.

He understood her tendency to run ahead on her own for her siblings sake. But to act on ones accord in a dungeon would cause trouble to all other party members.

Thinking that he had to make that clear, s.h.i.+n focused even more and prepared for the discussion.

After doing introductions, s.h.i.+n inquired about Suzunes fighting style.

In general, I use one spirit each for attacking and defending. I can also use enchanted charms for support.

Also, she can also perform Spirit Possession for a short time.

L-lady Kuchinas.h.i.+!!

I understand that youd rather keep your trump card hidden, but he already knows pretty much all Onmyoji skills, dear. Its pretty much pointless to hide.

Kuchinas.h.i.+ put a hand on Suzunes shoulder, advising her to give up, much to the young girls dismay.

Eh, you arent a samurai?

Kuchinas.h.i.+ is the one who told me about them though. I use a katana in close combat, but I can also use magic on par with a mage. You can count on me when the need arises.

What!? What are youlady Kuchinas.h.i.+, they are Chosen Ones too?

Suzunes disbelief was very natural: what s.h.i.+n had just plainly stated was something next to impossible in the current world. She, however, quickly realized what it had to mean.

Well, something like that. Schnee over there is a jack of all trades like s.h.i.+n too. Mitsuyo is a close combat type, as you can see by her appearance. Tiera, youre a Hunter, I suppose?

Ehm, to be precise Im a Tamer. This is my partner, Kagerou.

Growl.

As they were indoors, Kagerou came out of Tieras shadow in wolf pup mode.

Thats bizarre though, I never heard that it was possible to tame divine beasts.

I cant see the stats

Er, hes a good boy, you know? He wont get angry even if you

do this.

To Kuchinas.h.i.+s surprise and Suzunes caution, Tiera picked up Kagerou with her left hand and, with her right, moved its front right paw up and down.

Thinking that she was going to play with him, Kagerou licked Tieras cheek.

Appearance-wise, Kagerou was just like any puppy dog.

Your party members are outside the norm as usual, s.h.i.+n

I dont think thats a sufficient explanation though

Hes smart and understands perfectly what we say and mean. I personally mainly support with my bow. Though, I also have some skill with short swords and hand-to-hand combat.

Tiera described her abilities with humility, but as she had undergone Schnees training, she couldnt possess just some skill.

There is one last thing I need to confirm.

What might that be?

s.h.i.+n waited for the moment when the conversation ended to talk.

In contrast to the peaceful mood, his expression was now deadly serious as he looked at Suzune.

Suzune unconsciously took a step back and returned s.h.i.+ns stern gaze when she noticed his stare.

Ive heard that the current boss of the dungeon is Suzunes elder sister, Kotone. I mean to save her and will move with the intention of doing so. But if it becomes impossible to save her, can you swear that you will not stand in our way?

s.h.i.+n did not ask Suzune if she can kill Kotone or not. He didnt want to force her to kill a family, and there was a large difference in fighting power between Kotone and Suzune.

He thought that either he or Schnee would give her the final blow, in that case.

Hence the question. If it turns impossible to save Kotone, do you swear that you will not attack us from behind?

.I swear. I will not stand by and watch my sister turned into a monster by the miasma.

Suzune was completely silent for a few seconds after s.h.i.+ns question, then answered, her pupils trembling slightly.

There was still doubt in her heart. So the answer suggested, but s.h.i.+n replied that he understood and closed the conversation. They would know if Suzune was truly prepared or not only when that moment came.

There was meaning, however, behind asking such a question at that time.

s.h.i.+n couldnt know what would happen if she had to face her own sisters death. But it was important to think about it now.

If Suzune had to face such a situation unprepared and ended up not being able to move because of indecision, her life would be in danger.

OK, lets do a sparring match on the training grounds then.

In order to change the mood, s.h.i.+n spoke in an overly bright tone.

The group headed to the facilitys training grounds, led by Kuchinas.h.i.+. The priestess posted before the guildmasters quarters also came with them, as an escort.

After several practice matches, performed in order to grasp each others prowess, the group called it a day.

The next day, the group gathered all information they had about the dungeon and prepared rations and equipment.

As it was possible to use the cheat-level useful ability called Item Box, the preparations were complete in a flash.

They used the remaining time to rest at leisure, to prepare for the exploration starting the next day.

Well, were off. If anything happens on your end, just send a message.

s.h.i.+n, please take care of Suzune.

La-lady Kuchinas.h.i.+!?!

Understood.

Dont just understand like that!

Suzune had somehow become a teasing target, and as such reacted to Kuchinas.h.i.+ and s.h.i.+ns exchange.

Mitsuyo and Tiera looked at the three, silently wondering what they were doing.

Youre feeling less nervous now, arent you? Kuchinas.h.i.+s worried too, you know.

Oh my, you found me out.

KhI understand. I will be careful.

Suzune was aware that she was feeling nervous, so she looked the other way, her cheeks flushed.

Kuu, standby, again

Yuzuha muttered a lonely sigh while looking at the three.

The guild was equipped with countermeasures against monsters and miasma, but there was no Kagutsuchi there.

Because of that, if anything happened Yuzuha and her ability to influence Ley lines was vital.

Sorry, Yuzuha. Im going to make it up to you when I come back.

s.h.i.+n made a promise to Yuzuha, thinking that this time brus.h.i.+ng wouldnt be enough.

Take care. Come back soon, kuu.

Yes, I await good news.

Sent off by Yuzuha, Kuchinas.h.i.+, and the escorting priestess, s.h.i.+ns group stepped inside Cadaver Realm.

Cadaver Realm, just like Fujis Depths of h.e.l.lfire, was a cave-like dungeon full of craggy rocks and boulders.

The greatest difference was its lack of steam and heat waves.

The caves walls and ceiling were studded with bright gemstones, so lighting and sight were a.s.sured too.