Dungeon Sherpa

　Trying to construct hope that was like a thin thread of cotton candy, she strained all her reasoning abilities. In the far depths of her consciousness where her compusure remained, Yuika once again concluded that the survival of the pair was hopeless. 

　However, without allowing that thought to rise to the forefront, she told herself that it was meaningless to think about it, and continued moving her feet like a doll. 

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　Thanks to the Lich that boasted bottomless magic power, the exploration of the 50th Floor was progressing smoothly. 

　However, it was the first time she had explored a labyrinth full of such emptiness. 

　–Berii.

　Recently, I had gotten into more arguments with her, so we both might not be holding good feelings for each other. But before we came to this time, she was like an inseparable child who was always stuck to me no matter where I went. 

　A comrade of the same age as me and on equal footing. This was something I might never obtain again. So, I definitely didn’t want to lose her. 

　But even so, there was no way I would be shaken from the mission I have imposed on myself. 

　I have experienced losing party members in the past.

　After Berii and Magikan had joined, and a while after “Twilight’s Sword” was formed, the 4th member was not fixed, joining, leaving, and loss had occurred. By the time Nuuk joined, one Adventurer had lost their life in the labyrinth, the cause being that they had ignored Yuika’s orders, and fought in an unreasonable way to show of their own abilities. 

　Experience numbs the feeling of loss.

　So this time too, I should be able to endure it.

　–Darling.

　Rowe, the first lover since I was born. 

　Regarding this, it wasn’t even worth mentioning.

　Not even half a month since we met. From the time we became lovers, 10 days. 

　We shouldn’t have had the time to nurture each other’s presence and affection in our hearts. 

　Certainly, it might be the first time other than labyrinth clearing — that I had felt like I was in a dream, but my feelings for Rowe weren’t that large, and he probably hadn’t occupied much of my heart. 

　So, there’s no problem at all. 

　Tae had also said. 

　Love is destined. Whether it works out well or not, is up to the whims of fate. 

　If that’s the case, it just means it was not destined. 

　Just, nothing more than that.

　Since defeating the Cerberus, they had taken a while to go through the passageway, and eventually arrived at a room, but in there, no monsters appeared. 

　Following a Labyrinth Collapse, it seemed that monsters tend to be divided, there were few instances of monsters massed in a crowd, but there had appeared many monsters in groups of 2 or 3. Even on the paths they had followed up to now, there had always been a small number of monsters camped. 

　That’s why it was slightly anti-climatic. 

　The passageways continuing out from this room numbered 3. 

　At the entrance to each passageway, Nuuk got down on one knee and concentrated his mind, at the third passageway, he showed signs of slightly tilting his head. 

“What’s up?”

“Black Princess. In front of here, the monsters appear to be blocked.”

“…Blocked?”

　It meant that many monsters were gathered in the passageway. 

　The tendency of monsters is to wander the passageways, but they should not stop in the middle. And unless something extraordinary happens, monsters will not fight each other. 

　The immediate image that floated to mind was monsters crowding around Adventurers that had lost their lives. 

“Oi, Black Princess. Let’s go!”

　Perhaps imagining the same thing, Magikan released his passive Gift [Floating] and dashed forward, Yuika followed. 

　Thumping, my heart makes a heavy sound. 

　I don’t want to look. 

　I don’t want to make it come true. 

　Still, my legs don’t stop.

　Progressing into the passageway, they soon saw the shadows of the monsters.

　Magikan stopped and Yuika overtook.

　A dull sound like metal clashing was transmitted.

　No way–

　My voice couldn’t come out. 

　Pressing down the feelings rising from her chest, Yuika ran with all her might. 

“Below!”

　The voice from behind — one of the cooperation patterns of “Twilight’s Sword”. 

　Over the head of Yuika who had lowered her hips, a blade of light flashed past. 

　Intermediate light-type magic, “Light Blade”.

　3 lizard-like monsters covered with scaly skin were cut at the torso and fell. In front of them were still more monsters. 5 — no 6. 

　At the far end of the passageway was a monster known as Big Horn, with one hand, it was swinging a metal club covered in small lumps. 

　From what looked like a hollow in part of the wall, peeking out was a huge sword and a human’s arm that received that attack.

“Ah–“

　Suddenly, her vision blurred.

　Yuika didn’t realise it was due to her own tears.

“Left!”

　Noticing their presence, the monsters readied themselves.

　Yuika jumped diagonally to the left.

“[Repeat Magic].”

　This time, a vertical “Light Blade” was released.

　A tentacled monster that looked like a giant jellyfish was split in half.

　Remaining were 5.

“[Springhare]!”

　For one breath, the Explosive Power of her entire body doubled. 

　Yuika accelerated, ran diagonally up the side of the wall, and jumped over 3 Garrison. 

　In front of her landing spot, was a giant with 2 pairs of big ears flapping like wings. A grotesque monster. Its mouth split open into segments, and its tongue, pointed like a spear, popped out. 

　Without killing her momentum, Yuika rolled and slipped under the monster. 

　In front, she could see the Big Horn covered in wirey body hair. 

　The iron club which hid a terrible destructive power, was currently about to be swung downwards.

　It seemed to be entranced in the middle of attacking, and despite the large disturbance, it didn’t even turn around. 

　What a foolish monster.

“[Spring Hare]!”

　Ignoring her cramping legs, she jumped again. With all her murderous intent, she stabbed her Estoc into the back of the Big Horn’s head.

“[Phantasmagoric Needle]–“

　Almost breathless, movements that exceeded her limits. 

　Her consciousness escaped for a moment, but she clenched her teeth to endure it. 

　Landing, her face was turned down as she named.

“You are… ‘Blockhead’. Fight the monsters behind you.”

　Even it survived, this monster will be chopped up and disposed off with their own hands.

　There were numerous monsters behind, but an explosion enough to shatter rocks occured, and the Garrison could be seen to have all been blown away, 

　In this battle, it looked like Magikan was planning to use up all his magic power. 

　Finally able to raise her head, Yuika checked on the man wielding a Broadsword.

“Dar–“

　As she tried to approach, the man’s body trembled, and turned his blade towards her. 

　Yuika understood that he was trying defend by reflex. 

　The man’s eyes were hollow and he appeared to be unconscious.

　She shuddered after seeing the scars carved into the blade. The blade was chipped everywhere, and its edge had become saw shaped. The part near the hilt was cracked, the crossguard was twisted, its condition looked as though it had been used for many years. 

　This man, exactly how many, and for how long had he been receiving attacks.

　The long coat made of leather was scorched and in miserable pieces. Metal plates could be seen through here and there, some of them had fallen off, exposing bare skin and gruesome scars. 

　The wounds on both arms were particularly terrible. Likely due to these wounds, even the floor was dyed dark red. 

　Half of his face was congealed with blood, and part of his hair was frozen. 

　This was probably from a magic attack. 

　Fire, electric, and ice–

　It was harder to find a place where he was unscathed. 

　Still, the man stood without releasing his defensive stance. 

“Dar… ling…”

　A hot lump rose from her chest, turned into warm tears that fell. 

　–It was a lie.

　Things like how long since we had met didn’t matter.

　Even in just 10 days, that weight was unparalleled.

　My heart had already been fully occupied a long time ago. 

　Without hiding her tears, like a child scrunching her mouth, Yuika slowly walked ahead.

　Together with the tattered Broadsword and the tattered body of her lover, Yuika gently embraced.

“Darling, it’s me.”

　Whispering into his ear, she felt the strength leaving from Rowe’s body, and the signs of him confused. 

　At that time–

“…Winds, lull…… “

　There was an artificially shaped cave behind Rowe. From the darkness in the back, a frail voice could be heard. 

　A magic formation like a child’s doodling emerged and disappeared like it was melting. 

　It looked like it had Collapsed.

“In the back…”

　Rowe, who appeared to have regained consciousness, reported in a cracked voice.

“Berii… is there, Both my arms and my left leg are fractured. Internal organs, maybe damaged. Quickly — treat”

　And then Rowe completely lost conscious.