Chapter 97 Reunion with Classmates
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Sanai had set aside the matter of killing Sada for the moment. His focus was on escaping the Birene Mine Tunnel, compass and map in hand, orienting himself toward the Valend Cave Kingdom. But even as he traced his way forward, noise swelled behind him—chaotic, human voices in Japanese, and with them something darker pressing closer.
’Too many familiar faces in this damned tunnel…‘
If the classmates chasing him were the wrong ones, they might try to pin enemies onto him. Yet running alone was no safer; the racket was near enough already that he risked being run down and cut apart one by one.
’What should I do…‘
The noise grew louder by the second.
He had slipped away before, more than once, but there was no guarantee of escape this time. If he fled now, could he really outrun them? No… probably not.
So he decided: depending on who appeared, he would choose whether to flee with them—or leave them behind before they could turn on him.
As soon as the decision settled, the muffled uproar sharpened into clear words.
”Haah… haah… I can’t… go on…”
”Don’t say that! Come on, both of you, keep running!”
Out of the darkness burst Tokihara Misaki, Ootori Kazahana, and Hiyori Sashima—three classmates he knew, at least by name and a few exchanges.
From what he recalled of their character, none of them were the type to use him as bait. That was some relief. But what chased them was worse: the scuttling swarm of Antsauroids.
”If you don’t want to die, then keep running, all three of you!” he shouted.
They gaped at him like they’d seen a ghost. “Sanai?!”
Even so, they ran past him, giving him the chance to hurl a Valend-made firebomb, sealing the passage with a burst of flame.
”Sanai! You’re alive? We thought you were dead—where have you been?!” Tokihara demanded, not even breathless, true to her track team reputation.
He shrugged. “That’s a long question for now. Let’s keep moving—unless you’d rather be eaten by ants.”
They didn’t argue, simply fell in behind him.
* * *
As they walked, their story came out: the three had belonged to another party but left, chasing after Mineyama’s group all the way here to the Birene Mine Tunnel.
”Why risk a place like this? You should’ve just stayed with that party,” Sanai said.
For some reason, all three blushed. Tokihara stammered, then burst out, angry and embarrassed:
”There’s no way we could! Not after they… they kept talking about our underwear and bras and…!”
”I get it,” Sanai cut her off quickly. “No need to spell it out.”
Compared to what Sada had tried, their grievance seemed almost harmless. But he understood why they couldn’t forgive it.
Tokihara pressed again, the other two nodding silently. “Never mind us—why are you here? What have you been doing?”
He gave them his usual half-truths. “Like you see. Curiosity. Checking what kind of ore this place has. But then I spotted Mineyama’s group, was about to leave, and suddenly you three showed up—with an army of ants.”
He left out the Free Yugan Coalition, the Valend Kingdom, and other complications. The less they knew, the safer he was. He didn’t want to be dragged down by classmates’ antics—or worse, have his position in Yugan undermined by nobles eager to use familiar faces against him.
”Mineyama! You saw her?!” Tokihara pressed.
”Briefly. Yuuki and the others were running from a giant pill bug, and Mineyama was about to be assaulted by Sada…”
”What?! Sada tried to attack her? You—you left her behind?!”
It would come out sooner or later. Sakagami and Mizutani had already seen him wielding a Valend-made crossbow. Better to say it now than let suspicion fester.
”You misunderstand. I helped her. But… in the process…” His voice faltered.
He swallowed, forced it out. “Sada was about to assault Mineyama. I tried to stop him. I didn’t mean to kill him, but… I did.”
Silence fell, heavy and suffocating.
”You… killed Sada? You?” Misaki whispered.
Kazahana’s lips trembled. “Y-you didn’t have to kill him…”
”I didn’t mean to!” Sanai snapped. “I tried to stop him, but he moved at the wrong moment. You know what kind of person Sada was. Imagine if it had been you in her place—what was I supposed to do? Let her be ruined?”
He pressed hard, forcing them to see it from his side. “If he’d just stayed still, he’d have been badly hurt, yes—but alive. A healing potion would’ve saved him. But he didn’t. And Mineyama would have been the one destroyed.”
The weight of Sada’s reputation worked in his favor. Slowly, their hostility softened.
”You’re right… I’m sorry,” Tokihara murmured at last. “You did what you could.”
”Sanai…” Hiyori said softly.
The dead had no voice. Sada couldn’t protest. As long as Sanai lived, he could turn pity and survival to his advantage. That was how the world worked—here or anywhere.
History itself proved it: impressions outweighed facts, and victors rewrote truth. Survival made right.
”Thanks,” he muttered. “Though I don’t know if I deserve it.”
And only then did he notice how hollow his stomach felt. Hunger gnawed at him. Time to find food.
Notes:
• Valend Cave Kingdom – Dwarven realm mentioned in the map.
• Sada – A bullied student with a dark and arrogant personality, who awakens as a Dark Knight.
• Hiyori Sashima – A quiet, caring girl from the library committee, empathetic toward Sanai.
• Tokihara – Family name of Misaki. One of Hiyori Sashima’s closest friends, alongside Ootori Fuuka.
• Sashima – Family name of Hiyori. A quiet, caring girl from the library committee, empathetic toward Sanai. She followed as a Barrier Technique Adept.
• Misaki – a sharp-featured beauty and one of Hiyori Sashima’s closest friends, alongside Ootori Fuuka. She is portrayed as a loyal and caring individual who prioritizes her friends’ well-being above all else. Misaki possesses a combat-oriented blessing, which she uses to protect the group from dangers in the otherworld, particularly bandits.
• Ootori – First appears in Chapter 49 of the story. One of Hiyori Sashima’s best friends, alongside Tokihara Misaki. Fuuka is currently experiencing menstrual pain, which slows her down and causes her discomfort, but she persists in moving forward with her friends. Her blessing makes her a target for those with ill intent, so she relies on Misaki’s combat skills and Hiyori’s barrier abilities for protection.
• Mineyama – Vice class rep, serious and disciplined.
• Sakagami – A former classmate of Ayumu Sanai, characterized by his arrogant and bullying nature. He carries a sword but is easily subdued by Ayumu’s close-quarters combat skills. Left incapacitated with non-lethal injuries, including a blow to the solar plexus and jaw. Appeared in Chapter 92.
• Mizutani – Another former classmate of Ayumu, known for his opportunistic and aggressive behavior. He is quickly disabled by a blow to the temple, causing dizziness and loss of equilibrium. Like Sakagami, he is left writhing in pain as Ayumu escapes. Appeared in Chapter 92.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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