Chapter 58 Interlude Sixteen – The Prison Of Hot Sand, VIII
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After stretching a bit and leaving the room, I found everyone gathered around a round table.
”””Tsuchimiya-kun!”””
”Tsucchi!”
They all seemed to have slightly flushed faces and were sweating a bit. Were they all practicing together?
”Are you okay now?”
Maekawa-san asked with concern.
”Yeah, I’m fine. Seems like I worried everyone.”
”Yeah, seriously! Even though the wounds healed, your heart wasn’t beating, and I was freaking out! I didn’t know how to adjust the chest compressions, so I ended up breaking a bunch of ribs, but it didn’t hurt, did it? Sorry about that.”
”With all those broken ribs, your bones must’ve gotten pretty strong.”
”Oh, I see…”
Hano-san (the friendly) apologizes, and Satou-san (the picklocker) mumbled awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. Maybe they kept breaking and healing me using recovery spring’s power. It’s a good thing I was unconscious.
Now, Hano-san and Nishina-san (the shy one) rushed over and pulled me by both arms to sit at the seat directly in front of Valeria.
”Valeria, what’s the status with those guys?”
”They just appeared at the third temple a moment ago. Since this place is a bit complicated, it might take some time to conquer, but it’s just a matter of time.”
”What do you think we should do, Valeria?”
It seems there are four key items in total. We need to head to the remaining temple and secure the key item. But there’s a chance we might get beaten to it while on the move. Also, heading towards the base where the spirit sword located may already be too late. If we’re ready to fight anyway, one option is to abandon the key items and head straight to the base.
”That’s true, but I can’t put you all in danger anymore. I never thought it would come to this. I’m really sorry.”
”No, it’s not Valeria’s fault. Don’t worry about it.”
It was totally unexpected that a player from another school would invade the abandoned floor. No one could have predicted it.
”About what’s next, I want you to take me to the base now. I’ll confront them there. You all should hide somewhere and use the Magic Circle to return home after everything is over.”
”Can you actually beat them?”
”…To be honest, the best I can hope for is a mutual defeat. If I use my strong attack now, I probably won’t be able to maintain my existence afterward.”
So, she’s aiming for a mutual defeat from the start. Essentially, there’s hardly any chance of winning.
”No, I’ll confront them. Valeria, you hide with everyone else and protect them if anything happens.”
”B-but, if that’s the case…!”
”Tsuchimiya-kun! That’s not okay!”
”It’s alright. Trust me.”
Earlier, I hesitated and let Maekawa-san take the initiative, but if it’s going to be a fight to the death from the start, I won’t hold back either. I won’t fall behind next time.
”…Okay, I trust Tsuchimiya-kun. But, we can’t have all four of us at the same time, right? We could at least try to draw the enemy’s attention.”
”True. I’ve also mastered Magic, so I can buy us some time.”
Maekawa-san and Satou-san made serious offers.
”No, that’s too risky.”
I’m amazed at Maekawa-san and the others’ growth, but this time the opponent is on a whole different level. I know that given enough time, they’ll reach that level too. But now is not the time.
”Tsuchimiya-kun… I’m sorry for earlier… I knew I had to use Magic before that blonde guy made a move, but I froze. But, I’ll definitely do better next time! Please, let me help you, Tsuchimiya-kun!”
”Nishina-san…”
It seems like Nishina-san understood when to use her magic. But I think it was too much pressure for inexperienced Nishina-san to kick off the battle in that situation.
”I’m really grateful to Tsuchimiya-kun for helping me so many times. I want to be of help to Tsuchimiya-kun too. I don’t want to be protected all the time.”
”Maekawa-san…”
Maekawa-san seems to have already made up her mind. There’s no doubt in those eyes.
”Are we just a party protected by Tsuchimiya-kun, or can we become comrades who fight together as partners? I think it all depends on the situation this time. I want to be a reliable ally for Tsuchimiya-kun, wherever he goes.”
”Satou-san…”
Satou-san seems to be looking ahead to our future relationship. Not only wanting to be helped by me, but also wanting to help me.
”Tsucchi! We can’t just let Tsucchi take all the hits! Since we’re going to be risking our lives together from now on anyway, let me show some backbone this time!”
”Hano-san…”
I see… Everyone must have their own pride and beliefs, just like me. But, I don’t want anyone to die. The enemy this time is too dangerous.
”I don’t want Tsuchimiya-kun to die, and we have no intention of dying either. So let’s fight together. Believe in us and rely on us, Tsuchimiya-kun.”
Maekawa-san spoke, looking straight into my eyes.
Our feelings are the same… If I want to grow beyond who I am now, I have to break through the barriers, even if someone tries to stop me. This time, it’s something I need to overcome, and Maekawa-san and the others feel the same way.
”…Okay. I’ll rely on you all. But I’ll handle the close-range fighting. If you get caught up in a fight, focus on defense.”
”Tsuchimiya-kun!”
”Got it! I’ll protect everyone!”
”Leave the support to me! I won’t let those people have their way again!”
Everyone’s voices sounded happy. While I’m still worried about everyone, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. As Maekawa-san said, it’s best to avoid facing all four of them alone. But if I fight alongside everyone, it’ll be much easier. If I were to fight alone and fall, they might come after everyone else. That would be counterproductive. It’s definitely best to trust everyone and combine our strength.
”W-Wait! They’re at the expert level! There’s no way beginners like you can win!”
Valeria hurriedly tries to intervene, but everyone’s expressions remain unchanged.
”If Tsuchimiya-kun believes in us, then I’m willing to bet my life on it. If we support him, Tsuchimiya-kun will definitely win.”
Maekawa-san smiled confidently. Of course, I intend to win too, but being trusted that much kinda puts pressure on me. I need to psych myself up properly.
”I might have said it casually, but once I brought up Kondou-senpai’s name and made a promise, there’s no turning back. We must return the Spirit Sword to the Spirit King without fail. Valeria, trust in me, no, trust in us.”
”…I understand. Indeed, perhaps Takeru could… no, I wouldn’t be able to stop you as I am now. I’ll bet on you, Takeru. Leave the defense to me and Hiromi.”
Valeria agreed as well. It’s reassuring knowing Valeria will protect Maekawa-san and the others.
”Now that it’s settled, let’s start moving right away. We must reach the base before they do.”
”Understood!”
Hastily, the preparations began. It wouldn’t take much time since all we needed to do was gather our belongings and get our equipment ready. While everyone else was preparing, I had somehow been changed into my uniform without even realizing it, thanks to Tunic. The uniform had been washed and left outside to dry, and as expected in the desert, it was already dry.
The bloodstains had disappeared cleanly, but there was a tear from my left shoulder to my chest. Since I didn’t have a replacement for my winter blazer and my shirt might get damaged too, I decided to leave it as it is. Finally, I put on a leather bag, completing my preparations. It had been left in the room and still had some dried blood on it, but it was mostly dry now, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
Suddenly, I remembered and filled the water bag with water from the spring. On my way back to the tent house, Valeria, who was standing in front of the Nectar tree, called out to me.
”Takeru, would this Nectar tree fit in your storage space? I don’t know if I can come back here, so I want to take it with me. I can use storage magic too, but this size is just too big for me.”
”Are we talking this whole tree? Tina, think you can handle it?”
Size-wise, it shouldn’t be a problem, but I’ve never tried moving a whole grown tree before.
’Um… It (the tree) seems really reluctant and resistant. Seems like it might be impossible.’
”I see. Just wait a moment.”
Before Tina could relay her words, Valeria responded, moving under the Nectar Tree and placing her unseen hand on the trunk.
”Can Valeria hear Tina’s voice?”
”Yes. When Takeru entered the Spell Arc, a bypass was created, so I can see her form as well. Strong emotions from Takeru sometimes flow through it. If it’s uncomfortable, I can close it, though. Takeru can also close it from your side.”
”No, it’s fine like this.”
It’s not particularly inconvenient. In fact, it’s helpful not having to relay Tina’s words every time.
”…The Nectar Tree has agreed. Everything’s okay now.”
After staying still for a while, Valeria turned around and spoke. Was she actually conversing with the Nectar Tree? Spirits really are something else.
’Got it. Alright then, let’s do it.’
The Nectar Tree vanished before our eyes, leaving a deep hole in the ground.
”I’d like to take it back to the Spirit Realm, so please provide protection for now. As promised, I’ll offer the fruits.”
”Ah, understood.”
All the ripe fruits, huh? I was expecting just two or three, but she’s really generous. Valeria has been nurturing this tree for over a thousand years, so it’s a big responsibility.
When we returned to the tent house, everyone who had finished preparing was waiting for Valeria and me.
”We can depart anytime.”
Satou-san called out to us.
”Ah, sorry for making you wait.”
Valeria stepped forward in front of Nishina-san. With a graceful gesture, she raised her hand, and a magnificent staff appeared. Valeria extended the staff, which seemed to be held by her invisible hand and floated in the air, towards Nishina-san.
”Tomoko, this is my cherished scepter, but I bestow it upon you as a Magician. It should surely help draw out your powers.”
”Uh… Is it okay?”
Nishina-san was perplexed by the suddenly offered staff, radiating a noble aura. It was a glossy wooden rod with intricate gold and silver decorations, adorned with a crystal ornament at the head.
”With your current magic abilities, breaking through their defensive barriers will be difficult. This scepter is crafted from branches of the Nectar Tree, a prestigious magic artifact borrowed from the Spirit King’s treasure trove.”
”Whaat!? Is it really okay!?”
Nishina-san’s confusion deepened. It’s technically stolen goods, after all.
”Well, of course. I materialize to suppress the depletion of spiritual power, but then I can’t use the scepter. It’s more fitting for you to use it. Don’t be intimidated just because it’s a gift from a high-level spirit. Come on, please accept it without hesitation.”
Unable to gauge the situation, Nishina-san reluctantly accepted the Nectar Staff pushed upon her by Valeria, her nervous expression evident.
”If you accept it knowing it’s stolen under Japanese law, you become an accomplice…”
As Satou-san muttered with a troubled expression, Nishina-san’s complexion turned pale.
”No need to worry about that. I’m a being born from a fragment of the Spirit King’s essence. You could say I’m their daughter. Actually, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I am the Spirit King themselves. So technically, anything belonging to the Spirit King is mine. There’s no problem.”
That Jaianism is gonna work on the Spirit King, huh? I’m nothing but anxious about it.
”Okay, I’m just borrowing it! I’ll definitely return it later!”
”I’ve heard humans are greedy, but you’re so humble, Tomoko. Alright, it’s settled. I like you. I have plenty to spare during a human’s short lifetime. There’s nothing much here anymore, but feel free to take anything. If I can return to the Spirit King, I’ll have something better for you…”
”It’s okay! I really, really mean it! Please don’t worry about it!”
There’s something really generous about this, reminiscent of the fairy tale where the honest woodcutter was given golden and silver axes by the spirit of the spring. There might be a disconnect in perception between humans and spirits. Hopefully, Nishina-san won’t get caught up in the Spirit King’s wrath later.
Anyway, Maekawa-san calls out to Nishina-san, who still looks uneasy.
”In times like these, we gotta do what we gotta do. Let’s just pretend we didn’t hear that earlier conversation.”
”Y-yeah… that’s right. I didn’t hear anything… didn’t hear…”
While Nishina-san murmurs a spell to calm herself down, Valeria picks up the crystal placed on the round table.
”Alright then, Hiromi, please take care of this.”
As Valeria bows to Maekawa-san, her form, along with the crystal, dissolves into water. The water then swirls and wraps around Maekawa-san’s left wrist, leaving her astonished. The water forms a ring around Maekawa-san’s wrist, rotating and gradually shrinking. When the movement stops, a glass-like small snake bracelet is fitted around Maekawa-san’s wrist. The body of the snake wraps around her wrist, its tail and head intertwining.
”This form allows me to conserve my spirit power. Please continue to take me to the base like this.”
”O-okay, got it.”
And so, we departed from the tent house. All that’s left is to keep walking through the desert.
* * *
”Tina. Come to think of it, can my attacks penetrate their defense barriers? My last attack was easily repelled.”
I asked Tina as we marched on. I had been thinking about the previous battle, but if my attacks weren’t effective, there was no point.
’Well, those are armor with magic enhancements. If your attacks can easily penetrate them, then wearing them wouldn’t make sense.’
”I see.”
So, my aim was just off.
’At beginner level, the class title modifier ranges from 0 to 2. Having a +1 weapon is considered good, so the modifier is usually +3 at best. Master get a +2 modifier from the class title. With the Phoenix Temple Spear Technique skill, it’s another +2. Adding the passive title ‘Warrior’ with a +1, that’s a total of +5. Though I can’t appraise it, let’s assume there’s a +1 modifier from the Kondou Spear, bringing it up to +6. These stats are more than enough to hold Master’s own even at the expert level. So, there’s no issue with attack power.’
”I see, thanks.”
If I can land my attacks, they’ll work just fine. Last time, I ended up on the defensive and lost the initiative. I panicked when my magic skills were sealed and lost my cool. And Maekawa-san, who tried to support me in the tough fight, ended up being targeted.
Looking back, all I see are things I could have done better. Anyway, it’s crucial not to give up the pace to them.
”Hey, Tsucchi, do I have to wear this?”
Hano-san, wearing a leather bag over her head, trudged along with her shoulders slumped.
”After all, it seems like we’re walking quite a distance. If you’re not careful, you might get heatstroke.”
By the way, Nishina-san beside me was clad in a robe, while Maekawa-san, leading the group alongside Hano-san, wore a blue robe with gold embroidery that Valeria had once worn. From behind, she looked just like Valeria. Bringing up the rear, Satou-san, not wearing a robe or a leather bag, had a ring she acquired from the ruins of a rocky mountain that granted her fire resistance. She seemed unfazed by the temperature and sunlight, walking with a cool expression.
”Ugh… why do I have to be the only one… If only I had won rock-paper-scissors back then…”
Hano-san sighed heavily as she turned back. My writing of ‘Hano’ was visible on his forehead. Since I couldn’t see her expression, it gave off an eerie sense of intimidation.
Actually, in a face-to-face battle, not being able to see your opponent’s expression can make things difficult for them. Often, whether they’re reluctant to attack or how deeply they’re damaged is judged in an instant from their expression. The fact that they hesitated to pursue me when I was on the brink of death was likely because they couldn’t see my expression.
”Hano-san, it suits you well,”
It matches with me, so there’s a sense of camaraderie.
”…Tsucchi, you will get a kissing punishment until you eja**ate later…”
”Huh!?”
Hano-san muttered quietly and then started walking silently again, facing forward. It seemed like something bothered her. Should I try to cheer her up? Maybe I should praise her more. But since I don’t know why she’s in a bad mood, it might just make things worse. What a dilemma…
”Valeria-san, are you okay?”
Maekawa-san spoke to Valeria, who had turned her wrist into a small glass snake.
”Yeah, I’m fine as long as I stay in this form. It’s pretty easy. I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”
”No, we have to go back to the school anyway, so we might as well head to the base.”
Maekawa-san and the others, who are Evolds, have quite a fast pace. While walking, we manage to keep up without slowing down, replenishing ourselves with recovery spring water from the onigiri and grilled meat we made in the morning.
”Is it because I’ve been in a closed world for so long? Even in this barren desert, it’s fun to go outside.”
”Speaking of which, Valeria-san was alone there for over a thousand years, right? Wasn’t it tough?”
Maekawa-san reacted to Valeria’s mutterings.
”It wasn’t particularly tough. Spirits originally just exist, so perhaps our senses are different from humans’. However, as a high-ranking spirit with a strong sense of self, it was indeed a boring time for me. So, watching you all is enjoyable. I’ve never had the opportunity to interact with humans before, but meeting you all for the first time is nice.”
”Valeria-san…”
”I was surprised when the barrier was suddenly broken, but it reminded me that the outside world is teeming with life. Perhaps my role there has already ended. In order not to waste that time, I had to go outside.”
It’s like suddenly giants attacked and broke the wall. At that time, I was so angry I was thinking of dragging her out and beating her up, but let’s reflect on that.
As we continue walking through the scorching desert, monsters approach from behind. They must have found our footprints and are chasing us. I inform everyone and we prepare to counterattack.
Something is wriggling towards us along the ground. As it gets closer, I realize it’s a large snake, with its thick body splitting into two from the middle, each ending with a head.
”That’s a Durander, huh? It’s the top-tier monster on this floor, but with Tomoko now, we should be able to deal a significant blow before it gets close.”
”Yeah, leave it to me!”
I stop Nishina-san, who’s about to step forward with her staff, with a hand on her palm.
”Tsuchimiya-kun?”
”Can you let me handle this? Before dealing with them, I want to warm up a bit.”
I’ve got tactics in mind, but going in cold makes me nervous. I want to test my abilities beforehand.
”O-okay, but… don’t overdo it, okay?”
”Be careful, Tsuchimiya-kun.”
Everyone looks worried, but if I can’t beat this, there’s no way I can beat that blond guy. I grip the Kondou Spear and start walking forward.
As the distance closes, I realize it’s quite big. The Durander seems to have sensed me and speeds up, thrusting its long body forward. My physical abilities alone can’t stop something this size. I lead it in close enough, then at the very edge of my range, I release a Blast Magic at the base of its split.
The Durander arches its body back, its head shaking as it comes to a stop, then lifts its head to look down at me. My blast’s power has increased. it must be because of the Nectar Fruit, boosting my magic power. Maybe I should warm up with a jump too.
The height of the two snake heads lined up exceeds 3m. Its body, covered in what seems like tough scales, is sandy-colored, with a slightly whitish belly.
”It looks pretty tough. Will my attacks go through?”
’Its defense barrier is like paper compared to mutants, so you don’t need to worry about that, but the scales themselves are tough. Since Master’s strength is weak, it might be better to aim for the belly.’
As the snake flicks its blue tongue and closes in smoothly, its large mouth opens, and its fangs dart out quickly.
”Whoa!”
The head on the right aims straight for my head, while simultaneously, the head on the left targets my legs from a sideways trajectory.
I leap diagonally backward to dodge the attack. Before its extended head can retract, I thrust at its scales, feeling a solid, log-like sensation as my weapon sinks in firmly. With a sharp snap, the Durander shakes its head vigorously, retreating. The Kondou Spear seems to be thunder attribute. It may not be as potent as the Azure Thunder Fang, but it can harness electricity when infused with magic.
’A simultaneous attack from two directions is tricky! Be careful, those fangs are highly poisonous, Master!’
”As long as they don’t hit, it’s no big deal.”
’Wow! What a cool line!’
I step forward, holding the Kondou Spear.
’Wait…! It’s dangerous from the front! Another attack from two directions──’
Durandar shook its head as if it had been waiting. This time, the venomous fangs flew at me from the right side of my shoulder and the left side aimed at my legs, sandwiching me in between.
I bent down and pulled the Kondou Spear towards me, stepping to the right to dodge. The head that tried to bite my leg from the left side bounced back with a crushing sound. It was a counterattack from Blast. Since it’s big in size, intercepting it is easy once you know its trajectory.
I swung the Kondou Spear, hooking the tip of the spear on the right side as the neck passed over my head. It put strain on my shoulder, but with the momentum of stepping forward, I pushed through and cut off its head in one go.
Durandar thrashed around. I ran through to its side to pierce its thick body, but its tail came flying at me.
I activated Blast, deflecting it while also activating my boots to jump.
Alright, I can activate two skills simultaneously without any problem!
With increased power, my jump is higher than usual. Since it’s difficult to control the power itself, if I want to jump lower, I have to widen the angle of the air cannon’s emission. Depending on the situation, I also have to consider the impact on the surroundings.
”Azure Thunder Fang!”
As I look down at the Durandar, my Kondou Spear, swung upward, crackles with azure lightning. It seems like its power has increased too.
I blast the rampaging Durander’s back, slamming it to the ground, then, while falling, I thrust the Kondou Spear toward its lower neck.
Bzzz! The azure lightning bursts, causing the Durandar’s remaining head to twitch as it extends stiffly, then it collapses, seemingly powerless, into the sand. Just as I think it’s over, suddenly, its head twists back, its mouth gaping, flying toward me upside-down.
But compared to before, it’s noticeably slower. Calmly, I intercept with a blast, sending the Durander’s head flying back into the sand, this time motionless.
I thought I defeated it, but it didn’t disappear.
”Tina, how much did we earn in experience points?”
’Huh? Oh, yeah! Um… it increased by 200!’
”So, it’s dead then. I wanted it to hold on a little longer, but I think I got the gist of it.”
’N-no, that was intense enough! I was trying not to say anything, but you used all your spells without chanting. And you just double-casted, didn’t you, Master?’
”Double-cast?”
’That’s when you activate two spells at the same time! Even for human magicians, even some S-rank ones can’t do it.’
”Really?”
I didn’t feel like it was that difficult, so it probably wasn’t as big of a deal as she thinks.
Probably. Tina tends to exaggerate things. Still, I did feel some satisfaction. I pulled out the Kondou Spear, retrieved the Durander’s body into storage, and returned to the group.
”Tsuchimiya-kun! That was amazing!”
”Instant kill! Tsucchi, that was insane!”
”How did you deflect attacks without even touching them? What’s going on?”
Everyone gathered around in excitement.
”I’m using attack magic without chanting. With this combination of close combat, I might stand a chance.”
”No chanting?”
”I don’t really get it, but if it’s Tsucchi, he’ll definitely win!”
”No chanting!? That’s completely deviating from the player system’s support! What’s happening!?”
’Ah… if you keep being surprised by Master’s actions, it’s not good for your health.’
Most of the time, it’s thanks to Kondou-senpai, right? I don’t know.
Later on, while traveling, we were attacked by a pack of desert wolves, but Nishina-san wiped them all out with her enhanced perpetual frost magic, both in power and range.
After walking for five hours, as a mountain-sized sandstorm approached, it suddenly dissipated, revealing a massive pyramid.
”It seems like we made it in time. This is the base I created,” Valeria said with a deep sense of emotion.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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