Chapter 84 Himeno’s Impulse Control Training #
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
[Part 1/2]
We sprinted through the 2nd floor at a pace close to a jog.
Maekawa-san and Satou-san the Scout, who were leading the way, seemed to have memorized the path, and they confirmed each other’s directions without stopping as they moved forward.
I followed behind the two, with Kanon and Nishina-san (the Shy) walking side by side behind me, and Himeno and Hano-san (the gal) at the very back. Even when white hobgoblins appeared, Maekawa-san and Satou-san took them down swiftly, barely breaking stride. According to Satou-san, the reason we didn’t stop was not only because our equipment had been enhanced, but also because the monsters on this floor didn’t pose much of a threat like on abandoned floor after what we had seen. By the way, Maekawa-san was equipped with the Spear +2 that Sagara (the dead blond hair) used to have, while Satou-san had the Spear +1 she found in the ruins of the rocky mountain. Hano-san had the dagger +2 she obtained from the pyramid’s treasure chest, which she wore at her waist along with the White Lady, a slender sword with a complex, curved shape that resembled overlapping long, thin leaves. It’s classified as a Gladius-type short sword. Originally, it was a valuable weapon with a plus correction bonus, even at the beginner level.
After about 20 minutes of walking, we arrived in front of the boss room.
In front of the large double doors, we held a meeting, deciding to have Maekawa-san and the others, who had no experience with boss battles, fight alone. Himeno had apparently defeated the 2nd floor boss by herself, so we didn’t think it would be too dangerous. With Maekawa-san’s current power, they should be able to break through easily. In fact, Nishina-san’s Ice Spear magic could finish it off with just one or 2 hits, so she decided to seal the ‘magic evolution’ gift to give herself some experience.
”Ugh, I’m getting nervous…”
Hano-san (the gal) fidgeted with the hilt of the sword at her waist, looking worried.
”Don’t worry, the monsters on this floor were weaker, so it’ll be okay. Just be careful since their reach is longer due to their size.”
Maekawa-san forced a smile to encourage Hano-san. Although we had cleared most of the monsters on the abandoned floor with Nishina-san’s magic, enhanced by the Nectar staff, and my help, it was still a valuable experience to have overcome a high-rank dungeon. By the way, the Nectar staff is too conspicuous and powerful, so she’s sealing it for now. If she uses it frequently at her current level, the exp points will be distributed, and the vanguard won’t be able to gain combat experience.
”Don’t worry, I’ll protect you if anything happens, so there’s no need to be anxious.”
Valeria announced in a carefree tone. Although Valeria still needs time to fully recover her powers, she seems confident about handling low-level monsters.
”Yeah, okay! Tsucchi and the others are also on standby, so there’s no need to worry.”
Hano-san slapped her cheeks with both hands to psych herself up.
”Alright, let’s open it then!”
The door with a large handle creaked open as Satou-san pushed it. The heavy door, which made a low creaking sound, opened automatically with a slight push.
As Maekawa-san and the others formed a line and stepped forward, a beast-like roar echoed through the room.
At the far end of the spacious room, an ogre with reddish-copper skin and bulging muscles was holding a club like a log, growling menacingly.
”Whoa, it’s angry!”
”Don’t worry, stay calm!”
Nishina-san fired an ice arrow that struck the ogre’s shoulder, and the ogre let out an angry cry, stomping its feet loudly as it charged towards them.
”Let’s go!”
”Y-yes!”
As Maekawa-san charged, Hano-san followed suit, attacking the ogre in tandem. At the same time, Himeno’s presence behind me disappeared. She probably circled around to the ogre’s rear, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
The ogre swung its club with great force, but Maekawa-san and Hano-san dodged to the left and right, avoiding the attack.
The ogre was around 3 meters (≈ 9’8 feet) tall, more than twice as large as Kibakura.
It would be impossible for an ordinary girl to take on such a monster, but even after witnessing its intense attack, the Maekawa-san and Hano-san didn’t waver in their determination. Evold’s combat instincts were driving them to fight.
Maekawa-san attempted to counterattack, but was too slow. Perhaps intimidated by the ogre’s pressure, she hesitated, missing her chance to strike back.
She was on edge, but Maekawa-san quickly regained her composure and dodged the club’s attack, sidestepping it.
Hano-san was watching for the perfect timing to dodge the club’s attack range.
”Iceburn!”
The floor beneath the ogre’s feet was frozen solid thanks to Nishina-san’s magic.
Maekawa-san quickly took advantage of this and charged into the ogre’s attack range, spear at the ready. The ogre reacted by swinging its club, but Maekawa-san dodged it by a hair’s breadth, using the momentary loss of balance to her advantage.
Just as Hano-san was about to jump in, the ogre swung its club down while on one knee.
”Whoa!”
Hano-san hastily retreated, and the massive club barely missed her. This was getting way too close for comfort, and it was clear that Hano-san’s lack of battle experience was a major liability. But there was no other way to get stronger except to keep pushing through this treacherous terrain.
”Haa!”
Seizing the opportunity, Maekawa-san charged from the opposite side. The spearhead aimed at the ogre’s chest instead struck its left shoulder, which it had raised to defend itself. The ogre’s reaction speed was surprisingly fast, even if it was a bit slow.
The ogre swung its open left hand to grab Maekawa-san’s waist, but Maekawa-san barely dodged it. Good, it seemed that the footwork training was paying off.
Satou-san (the scout), who had been guarding Nishina-san, sprinted forward and boldly threw a spear at the ogre.
The spear, infused with Evold’s power, was released at close range and deeply pierced the ogre’s chest.
Before the ogre could even open its mouth to scream, Hano-san swiftly jumped into its chest, drawing White Lady and switching to Gradius’s hilt in one smooth motion.
”Aaaaahhhh!!”
The ogre’s roar and Hano-san’s battle cry echoed simultaneously. With a fierce determination, Hano-san unsheathed his sword and slashed upwards, striking the ogre’s chest with a reverse diagonal blow.
Blood splattered everywhere as Hano-san dodged and rolled away, pursued by the ogre’s massive body crashing down.
”D-did we do it?”
Hano-san turned back, panting heavily on her shoulder.
”Don’t let your guard down until it disappears completely.”
Maekawa-san glared at the ogre, still holding her spear.
As black mist began to rise from the ogre’s body and its form started to crumble, Maekawa-san lowered her weapon and relaxed her shoulders.
’No damage, and they took it down in 38 seconds. Not bad, huh?’
I had mentally prepared myself for some injuries, but they managed to defeat the floor boss without a scratch. It was a great accomplishment, even if they were a bit shaken.
We collected the treasure chest and took a short break.
”Everyone, great job. You actually took down the 2nd floor boss.”
”I never thought we could defeat a floor boss on our own until just a little while ago.”
”Thanks to Tsucchi, we made it! Thank you!”
”It’s because everyone worked hard and stayed focused. Satou-san’s judgment was calm and accurate, and Hano-san’s final push was amazing.”
”I thought to myself, ‘This is it!’ and my body just moved on its own.”
”That means you were able to focus and visualize it well. If you join our morning practice, I’ll teach you my spear techniques, and you can use them as a reference.”
”Seriously!?”
”Will you teach us too?”
”Of course, I will.”
”――Tsuchimiya-senpai! I’ll join the practice too!”
Himeno is going to get even stronger. Himeno’s weakness is the technical aspect, so I had planned to teach her from the start. But if she keeps leveling up, I might not be able to beat her anymore. I’m getting anxious just thinking about it.
After taking a short break, we headed down the stairs and arrived at the 3rd floor. We filled in the unexplored areas while retracing the previous route. After a few battles, Hano-san and Maekawa-san leveled up to Level 4.
Considering they were at Level 2 just a few days ago, their progress is quite fast, probably due to the accumulated experience points on the abandoned floor. Satou-san is also close to leveling up.
As I collected the treasure chest I found earlier, Maekawa-san called out to me.
”Tsuchimiya-kun, why don’t we take a break for a bit?”
”Ah, are you going to get used to it? Of course, I don’t mind.”
”There’s that, but this place is like a maze with many small rooms, so it seems perfect.”
”Perfect?”
What’s she talking about?
”Didn’t I say it this morning? We’re going to train to suppress Asagiri-san’s impulses.”
”Eh? You mean me?”
Ah, I remember! We’re going to practice controlling Himeno’s instincts while suppressing sexual impulses under limited conditions.
”Yes. If Asagiri-san is okay with it, why don’t you have some fun with just the two of you here, Tsuchimiya-kun?”
”W-wait, just the two of us, Tsuchimiya-senpai…”
Himeno’s face turned red as she swallowed her saliva and nodded enthusiastically. There’s no particular objection, but it seems my convenience isn’t being considered.
”So, what exactly is this training to suppress my sexual impulses?”
”It’s straightforward. Leave everything to Tsuchimiya-kun, and Asagiri-san will just receive. Just be patient and don’t push Tsuchimiya-kun down, okay?”
”U…Y-yes!”
Next, Satou-san called out to Himeno.
”I’ll be gone for about 15 minutes, until I scout ahead and come back. So, just relax and wait for me.”
”Got it! Thank you so much for doing this for me!”
”Don’t mention it. I promised to guide you, didn’t I?”
”Good luck, Himecchi♪.”
When did they make such a promise?
Maekawa-san and the others, along with Kanon, left the room, leaving just Himeno and me behind.
* * *
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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