Chapter 24: Gathering Friends

So, Satou-san is really

I got a breakdown of their current circumstances from the Class Rep. In a fight where a troop of Goma had brought along Red Dogs as their hunting dogs, the girl named Satou died. Her vocation was Archer, and during the fight she was acting as support in the rear. But with the combination of Goma and Red Dog and with such large numbers to boot, got surrounded, and their backs were open.

Class Rep and Natsukawa-san tried to go help, but their hands were already full dealing with enemies of their own. The fight dragged on until around half the Monsters were defeated, at which point, they seemed to retreat as if sensing their enemy was too much. And along with their retreat, the Goma undoubtedly took along the Archer girl as their spoils.

The other two in tatters, they somehow managed to keep walking until they reached the current Fairy Square, would be the story.

I, I thought, it was all over but then, Souma-kun and Sakura-chan, came along and, Im just so glad, we can still survive Uuuu!

There there, its alright Minami. With four of us here, we can definitely, get through this

Natsukawa-san was gushing in tears once again, it was painful to watch. For now, its better to leave her consoling and calming-down to Sakura.

I thought, I was ready for this but hearing about deaths, really stings dammit

Theres likely been many more, not just Satou-san

Seeing Class Reps heavy sigh, Theres no way, is what I didnt say irresponsibly.

And actually, right before Satou-san, Futaba-san was also, you know

What, why!?

She, she wasnt suited to fighting. And after getting cut by Goma we had no way of healing her, and

What the hell, dammit. At that time, if only Sakura was there we couldve, we wouldve saved her. We couldve prevented the Class Rep from having to make the cruel decision of leaving wounded friends to die.

Shi- I wont say it was a good decision. But with these things going on, we need to get everyone together all the faster. I dont want anyone else, dying so helplessly

Everyone huh Yuuto-kun, only three can escape, that info has reached you right?

To Class Rep whose face took on another layer of cloudiness as she asked, I slightly nod, affirming her query.

I think it was when we got to our third Fairy Square. The divine gate at the very depths of the dungeon, and the cores needed for its function. And that wretched limit of 3 who can enter that gate. That memo had already found its way to me.[1]

There could be people wholl attack us you know

Youre, probably right

Even ones who could betray at the last minute

Yeah, doesnt sound impossible

So youre saying, youll still be gathering them?

Everyone wants to survive. And no one wants to die. Even by stabbing others in the back, even if its just them, theyll live on using any means people who think like that, exist too. And Id bet, a majority of us think like that. As a human, its their natural survival instinct.

Class Rep, weve got 4 of us here

Yes, youre right

I dont, want to abandon anyone. Sakura, you, Natsukawa-san. If you asked me to cast one away, I cant do it. Also, if you ask me to sacrifice myself for the 3 of you, I wont do that either

Fufu, quite selfish arent we. Or should I say privileged?

May seem that way in this situation. But Ill be taking that selfishness, and make it real, no matter what. I wont abandon a single one. Everyone thats still alive, Ill have them all get back to Earth!

Im not giving up. More so when theres already been deaths. My resolve just solidified even more.

Thats right, I wanted to overturn this unreasonable scenario, thats why I wished for power. Thats what the heros for.

Sigh Sorry, forgive me Yuuto-kun. I was, only being pessimistic there In the beginning, I too, truly, faithfully, wanted to believe that

No, dont worry about it Class Rep. You cant help but get depressed in this place

After losing 2 people back to back, even the ever calm and intelligent Class Rep would be at her limit. All the more when before we came along, theyd just recently lost Satou-san and were down to two. Their own lives were in a precarious situation.

Keeping calm through all that, just isnt possible.

Monsters are strong, but with everyone with their vocations gathered, we can surely resist. With all of us here, maybe we could even find a way for everyone to use the divine gate, and in the worst case, we can just get out on foot

At the very least, this world has a human inhabited kingdom. Theres no way its the case that wed walk around the whole planet, only to discover that it was full of savage lands without the presence of mankind. Keep walking, and well eventually land on some human habitation.

When Yuuto-kun says it, it sounds you can even do the impossible

We got our vocations right, I think we can do a lot

Not just my combat-only powers, there could be someone specialized for survival too. If we can get someone like that, our ability to cope would become much higher than trying out stuff ourselves.

Well, well manage. And one of these days, we should meet up with Ryuuichi too

Ho-hold it right there, where did his name come from!

I mean, if it doesnt come up now, when will it, is the feeling.

Geez, laughing at me? How rude

Ahaha, sorry, my bad. Well, I was thinking itd be great to get him soon too. That guys pretty much the only one I can leave my back to in all those fights

Sigh, Its not like you dont get into a fair bit of trouble yourself, I hear

Truly unfortunate, I happen to be a victim myself

I wonder about that

Seems like my character is in jeopardy of being dubbed a battle-maniac, but yeah, Im glad that Class Reps a bit more lively now.

By the way, what sort of vocation do you have Yuuto-kun? Looks like it wasnt too hard for you getting here, is it perhaps quite strong?

Ahh, my vocation right, uhm, dont laugh ok?

Rest assured, she affirms in a cool smile. Alright, Ill be taking your word for it then.

My vocation, its Hero

Ahahaha! Hes really a Hero!

C, Class Rep you liaaaaarrr!

After the 4 of us had regrouped, following a bit of rest, we head back into the dungeon with the purpose of finding the other students. Though I say find, for the time being, were only following where the Magic Compass points. The others should be advancing according to this too, so were bound to meet up at some point.

I guess, they arent wasting time Natsukawa-san, are you all set?

Yep, no prob! Souma-kuns fighting beside me now so its super reassuring

We were walking along a wide path, and raising moans from in front of us, came a flock of Zombies. That being the case, Natsukawa-san was in her usual bright and cheerful self, and readied her weapon. A knife in her right hand, and a kitchen knife in her left. The former was taken from a Goma, and the latter seems to be inherited from Futaba-san.

Her having the ability to attack head on, she had alone played the part of vanguard. I dont care what vocation there is, a single girl having to battle Monsters all by herself is seriously harsh.

Ill protect her, is not something I have enough strength to claim at this time. I cant win, I cant protect them with just me. So right now, please lend me strength everyone.

Leave your back to me Natsukawa-san, Ill definitely protect it

Nihaha, t-thanks, Souma-kun

Shes blushing, and avoiding my gaze for some reason, but it looks like a happy shyness, so Ill take it as her coming to trust me a little. With a reliable comrade, you can relax your heart more, and function more calmly, and less recklessly.

Great, now I just have to perform well, and let Natsukawa-san feel she can rely on me, lets do that.

Nii-san, Minami, Ill put on the Enchants now

Mm, Yeah, appreciate it

With Sakuras Holy Enchant cast on my sword and Natsukawa-sans knives, were all set for combat. But that Sakura, whys her mood so bad? Her tone felt a smidge thorny.

So yeah, Ryouko-chan, leaving cover to you! Souma-kun, lets go!

Yeah!

Blades, glowing with holy brilliance, in hand, Natsukawa-san and I both gained speed with high walk, and dove into the mass of Zombies.

Geez, nii-san and Minami, too reckless the both of you!

Having triumphantly returned with Natsukawa-san after eliminating the Zombies, we had gotten Sakura mad.

S-sorry Sakura-chan. But but, Souma-kun was with me, and I could fight really cozily? And it got a bit fun I guess?

Ah well, I guess I went a bit carried away, sorry about that

Seeing Natsukawa-sans fighting ability first hand, I ended up getting a bit excited myself. Theres no way you can find a girl who can fight and move to nimbly in our original world. But witnessing that power, the current me was so overjoyed, and being able to fight shoulder to shoulder with that was so much fun well, I guess if you selfishly go wild like that, of course shed be mad.

Isnt it fine Sakura? Look, they did so well, the two of us didnt need to lift a finger. Souma-kuns terribly strong, so Minami can go fight without a worry

Yeah, Ill protect Natsukawa-san with my life if I have to

Niha! T-thats, Souma-kun, I

Theres no point if you get hurt nii-san!

No problem, at that time, cant you just heal me Sakura?

Seriously! Thats not the

I thought I said something pretty obvious, but as if I just poured more oil into the fire, Sakura became increasingly furious. Good grief, guys are obviously supposed to protect girls. Whats she getting so mad for.

But we have to practice our teamwork, so go a bit easier on the tension next time

After a bunch lecturing from Sakura, we decided to adopt the Class Reps plan, and resumed our trek through the dungeon.

Until now, with only Sakura and me, we could take care of small scale packs of monsters. Now, with a swift, close-quarters fighter, the Thief, Natsukawa-san, and wielding a range of offensive and defensive Ice Magics, the Ice Mage, Class Rep, joining us, our fighting potential doubled, no, it likely rose a lot more.

To be honest, I dont feel well lose no matter how many Zombies or Red Dogs get thrown at us.

Nii-san!

Im fine on my end! you three get the other one!

Having arrived at a particularly large Forested Dome, we were attacked by a large pack of Red Dogs. The one leading the pack was a large sized Boss Dog Id seen for the first time. Two of them at that. Maybe theyre a male and female couple. The two of them werent leading their own individual packs, but worked together splendidly, and came at us with tactics and teamwork youd never expect from simple dogs.

If it was just me and Sakura, wed be taking on quite a bit of risk with these numbers but now we had reliable comrades. So it doesnt feel like well lose at all.

Tri Slash!

My 3-hit combo slash was agilely dodged by the Boss Dog and only cut the air. As if saying, I can see right through you, the Monster grinned crookedly A simple dog in the end, I guess. Since it fell for such an obvious faint.

Gotcha!

I sharply throw a knife. Since I had launched Tri Slash with only my right hand, my left was free. And there, I used Force Boost to shoot a knife, so even the bulky skin of the Boss was deeply pierced.

Gyau!

Its side hit dead-on, the Boss raises a pained cry. And the opening created, proved all too fatal.

I closed the distance, and before it could regain its stance, I dropped the Boss Dogs head with Slash.Finndd the newst ovels on n//velbin(.)com

You did it, Yuuto-kun

Yeah, good job on your end too

As I had ended the Boss Dog, the three of them seemed to have also defeated the one on their end. Well, with Sakura and Class Reps concentrated Ice and Light, along with Natsukawa-sans knife talents, something like a Boss Dog wont even last half a minute.

At the point where the pack whittled down enough to allow us to approach the Bosses, the match was already over. With both their Bosses done in, the ones remaining quickly fled.

Mm, this is

When I went to collect the cores from the bosses, like with the Armor Bear, they turned to grains of light and vanished.

Acquired Skill

Ignis Protection(Fire Resistance)

Decreases damage received from the Fire attribute

A mechanical message floated into my mind.

I see, so this turning into light and disappearing is a sign that Im receiving Acquired Skills. Since the glowing particles look like theyre being sucked into my body, it could be that the powers from Monsters are being absorbed with magic.

At any rate, its easy to understand. Plus, this disappearing and only leaving the core made for easy collection and was quite convenient.

Like that, our dungeon capture has been proceeding swimmingly. Plentiful battle potential, and reliable friends. Piling on experience, me and everyone else unlock more powers from our vocations and continue to grow stronger.

However, I had yet to witness the true menace of the dungeon. Even though Id been once broken by the Armor Bear, with so much positive progress, I started to forget how were confronting death in the truest sense of the word.

And the event that made even this foolish me jut open my eyes, happened when we reached a big, the biggest stone-built area Ive seen yet.

KyaAAAAAAAAAA!

A scream, like the tearing of silk, echoes. Theres a fellow classmate there being attacked, we could tell without anyone saying a thing.

We dash full speed into the room where the scream came from. Please, make it

Out of my wayyyyy!

There, we found a horde of Goma, the largest one Ive ever encountered. With their same dirty figures, crude weapons, these black, goblin-like demons of gluttony. But their numbers dont even phase our current strength.

I cut into the horde without hesitation. Natsukawa-san was right behind, and cover fire came flying from Sakura and Class Rep. Stepping over the slain corpses of Goma, we cut open the path, and made it to the center of their siege in no time.

And there we saw

Ah, Souma-kun!? Its Souma-kuuun!

What, Souma!

Two familiar girls. One, a frail girl smaller than even Natsukawa-san, who gave the impression of a small animal youd want to protect. The other, valiantly dual-wielding a rusted pair of long and short swords, an imposing girl with a long ponytail being something like her defining appearance.

Both my classmates. And both, my friends.

Takanashi-san and, Asuna!

Thank god, as far as I see, both of them still look fine. The smaller one is Takanashi Kotori. The one with the swords, Kenzaki Asuna.[2]

Maybe Takanashi-san lost her weapon, as she was just standing there shivering. As for Asuna, she stood in front as if protecting her.

Were saved! Souma, and looks like theres others too

Yeah, we got Sakura and Class Rep with us

Im here too!

Aah! Minami-chan!

Arriving slightly later, Natsukawa-san went and stood mirrored to Asuna covering Takanashi-san from the other side. With this, we have me and Asuna in front, and Natsukawa-san in the rear, all protecting Takanashi-san. Im scared to think what wouldve happened if we were only a step late.

Asuna, anyway for now, well be cleaning up this horde

No, the horde isnt much of an issue. Souma, dont panic, but look over there

Cold sweat dripping down her cheek, I follow Asunas darkened expression.

There were Goma there, standing armed like the ones around us. No, not them, further back, theres something.

T-the hell, is that

It was a fairly large shadow. The shadow, no, that thing had the same jet black skin as the Goma. But as if the species was completely different, it was big. Cleary taller than me, at around 2 meters. And not only tall, its body can be said to be muscle itself. It wore a robust armor of muscle akin to body-builders.

But those muddy yellow eyes, and that dirty, blood-smeared wide mouth on its face, forces you to see it as nothing but a Goma.

GU, GUGe, GeGE

It looked at me, and it laughed. And laughing, with that mouth, it was biting on something, some red meat no, it was munching on a human arm.

Wha!?

Thats, Kousaka

Wh-what. That, that torn off arm thats become Goma feed, youre telling me it belongs to Hiroki.

Kousaka Hiroki, he was my friend. No, you could even say a best friend. Ive known him since 2nd year(8th grade) middleschool, and hes the guy Ive known second longest after Ryuuichi.

I relied on him a lot. He always tried to cover for me when I ended up ditching out of habit. Of course, even in the dungeon capturing, hell surely help out. Hell ally with us, Ill depend on him, wed be comrades that was supposed to happen.

No, way

Sorry Souma I wasnt strong enough, Kousaka, I couldnt save him

No Asuna, you have nothing to apologize for. I mean, Hiroki, that guy loved you.

Surrounded by all these enemies, theres no way Hiroki wont help fight with you. It was supposed to be his chance. It was your chance to show off to Asuna dammit. Asuna had declared she wouldnt recognize any man who wasnt strong; it was supposed to be his greatest chance to get close to her.

But then, ahh, why, what the hell whats with this tragic end no way. Theres no damn way.

Sorry but Souma, theres no time for grief. Look, that thing there, its strong. Kousaka was a Knight, and it cut him down in one stroke.

The Goma swallowed down Hirokis arm whole, it looked at me again and laughed. As if its delicious prey had increased, it was amused.

So Kousaka was a Knight. I dont know what kind of skillset that came with, but it was undoubtedly one centered on fighting. And it took down that Kousaka in one shot. This guy should be immensely strong No, its power must be from that weapon its holding.

Asuna, that sword is

A Demon Sword, you could say. And that blade, its surrounded in that red fuzziness, I dont think Im just seeing things there

In its right had, the Goma held a single sword. A Odachi with quite a long blade. Just as Asuna said, from those pristine waves on its blade, an ominous crimson aura gushed forth.[3]

This ones evidently on a whole nother lever from the average Goma. Could be their Boss. Seeing as that have this many of them, but not a single ones attacking, it would seem the Boss wants to personally kill its prey.

At any rate, we needed to face this Boss Goma, along with its large number of remaining Goma troops.

Souma, Im glad you guys came but Its still gonna be a tough fight. You ready?

Ready, she says. You know that questions pretty dumb, dont you Asuna. At this stage, theres no point asking.

Cause they they killed my friend. No way Ill forgive them.

Were going Asuna. Well avenge Hiroki

Removed from fear and doubt, I face the Boss Goma blocking the way, and went for the kill.

________________________

[1] Change: transfer gate divine gate, I think its slightly better? Again, is the raw.

[2] Its kinda unimportant but Kotori-tan her name looks like this , the characters repeat so I guess thats interesting. Kenzaki Asuna has ken sword in her name.

[3] A pic to compare different swords. look for the Odachi.

Chapter end