Volume 6 Chapter 10 Haruka-chan, Becoming The Strongest Species
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The depths of the labyrinth we dove into were strictly sealed at the entrance, designed so that unsuspecting intruders could not enter. Among our party members, only Kanare-san and Weed-san had prior experience diving.
”I’m looking forward to it, Hikari-chan. I wonder what kind of formidable enemies will show up?” Chinatsu-chan said with a spark of excitement.
”Hmm, Chinatsu-chan is just the same as always,” I replied. “The only ones acting as usual are Chinatsu-chan and Weed-san, right?”
Looking around, everyone wore expressions that ranged from eager anticipation to taut tension. I called out to Clarice-chan, who was supposed to be with me as a ‘Witch of Plenty’ bodyguard.
”It’s okay. Everyone who can use magic has praised your Defensive Barrier as being outstanding, right?” I said, trying to reassure her.
”Yes,” she admitted, voice trembling slightly. “But I’m scared. I haven’t gotten used to the battlefield at all.”
Clarice-chan kept glancing nervously at Ginga-kun. I heard she was carried by Takumi-kun, but was she into cute boys like Ginga-kun? To ease her tension, she took out some snacks from her Magic Bag and started munching on them.
”Oh, would you like some? Mr. Yawashi had me bring these.”
”No, I’m fine. They’re meant for you, right, Clarice-chan?”
”Yes. Everyone is very kind… just like the members of our squad.”
Clarice-chan’s smile faltered. Shion-chan, who had been listening nearby, leaned in to whisper.
”This girl—her entire squad was wiped out except for a few. Ginga-kun was among those who faced that.”
Ah, I see. I’d be acting alongside Ginga-kun, who had killed my ally, the one who had been kind to me. I thought our conversation had been quiet, but it seemed Clarice-chan had overheard. With slightly teary eyes, she turned back to us.
”Actually, my older brother was in that squad.”
”Your older brother… could it be that he was the one who stayed by your side until the end and was slain by Ginga-kun?” I asked gently.
Shion-chan’s expression grew grave. Clarice-chan nodded.
”However, please don’t misunderstand. I hold no grudge against Ginga-san. It was all my fault for being too scared to surrender. I was supposed to be the commander in that situation, but I was too frightened to make a judgment. So, this time, I will make sure not to make the wrong decision. Saying this now is also a reminder to myself. I will definitely protect Hikari-san.”
”Such a sweet girl out on the battlefield, walking a tragic fate,” I thought. Clarice-chan’s current position was as Takumi-kun’s captive slave. Until now, we had been doing our best just to survive another day. But from now on, I thought, we should work to make the world a little better.
”Alright, we are ready. Let’s head out with Dalcur in the lead,” Weed-san called out firmly.
This was the crucial moment. Since I was not useful in combat, I had to at least not become a hindrance. Our achievements would determine the future of Takumi-kun’s country—and the future of everyone living there.
I confirmed that the luck enhancement effect of the ‘Lucky Extreme’ skill was in effect. I had caused everyone trouble by raising the settings too high. It was rare for Takumi-kun to get angry at me. I was scolded while crying by Aria and Rira-chan as well.
”But, if it means trading my life for many others…”
”Huh, did you say something, Hikari-chan?” Chinatsu-chan asked, looking at me.
”No, it’s nothing. Let’s do our best and have a celebration with Yawashi-kun’s feast,” I replied, trying to sound cheerful.
”Yay! I heard today he’s going to make sushi-like dishes. I’m looking forward to it.”
And so we dove into the labyrinth, ready to achieve great results.
* * *
When the deep layer exploration group returned, I felt relief seeing everyone’s faces together. They seemed tired, but their expressions clearly conveyed that their achievements had been very successful.
”Takumi-kun, we’re back,” Chinatsu-chan announced.
”Welcome back, everyone,” Takumi-kun greeted warmly.
”Hey, first listen to me. It was amazing—Chinatsu-chan’s iaido. There was a guardian we had to fight one-on-one. Weed-san challenged it first and lost, but Chinatsu-chan won outright against that headless knight king. It felt like the air froze; it was incredibly cool. I could only hear the sound ‘chin,’” Haruka-chan said breathlessly.
”No, no, Haruka-chan and the others were the amazing ones. That magic duel was incredible,” Scaya-san replied modestly.
”That was because Scaya-san was there. Plus, Neige-san meticulously directed the attack direction and power,” Neige-san added.
”Clarice’s Defensive Barrier was impressive, wasn’t it? I was glad to have few opportunities to use my healing magic,” Shion-chan interjected. She usually seemed cool except in front of Ginga-kun, but today her expression was unusually excited and radiant.
”Yes. That’s also because Scaya-san and Neige-san provided guidance in advance.”
”I, unfortunately, had little chance to take part as well, along with Kanare-san.”
”That’s right, Ginga. It seems that in melee roles, only Dalcur-san, Weed-san, and Chinatsu can hold their own… it truly was a terrifying dungeon.”
”No, even I was only able to provide minor support; I wasn’t able to do much at all. It was basically Weed and Chinatsu’s show,” Kanare-san admitted.
Everyone was unusually talkative. They all seemed to have understood that Chinatsu-chan and others were active, but what exactly was it like? When asked in detail, it seemed the guardians posed a challenge for both melee and ranged roles. The headless knight king designed for melee roles apparently had a bonus increase in one-on-one situations, leading Chinatsu-chan to single-handedly defeat it after a fierce battle. Weed-san’s damage input beforehand was also helpful.
The opponent faced by the ranged roles was the ‘Endless Witch’ Karutera. The witch, rumored to have once destroyed the world, appeared—whether she was a clone or something else was unclear. It seemed they fought without overexerting themselves, overwhelming her together. This was because Clarice’s Defensive Barrier was so sturdy that it led to a one-sided beating. Though she was unaware herself, Scaya-san evaluated her as being at a considerably high level. Well, since her attack power was nonexistent, she wouldn’t make it onto the rankings.
Furthermore, since they had already conquered the treasure hall once, no one knew when they would be able to attempt it again.
”So, what was the outcome?” I asked eagerly.
”Hehe, first, take a look at this,” Chinatsu-chan said proudly, presenting a fist-sized stone that was hard to understand.
To be honest, I had no idea what its purpose was.
”This, you see, is a magic stone for summoning magic. It seems you can call forth a being that will become your familiar.”
”I’ve never seen such a large summoning medium before. It’s almost certain that it can summon a very powerful existence.”
”Fortunately, Haruka possesses a skill in summoning magic but has yet to activate it. She would be the perfect user.”
Scaya-san and Neige-san quickly offered their support. These two, who had once fought against each other on the battlefield, now seemed to get along quite well.
”Oh, oh, if Haruka uses it, she can summon a familiar as strong as a demon. A witch possessing a powerful familiar would have a terrifying level of strength. Now, let’s try using it right away. Good deeds should be done quickly,” Scaya-san encouraged.
”Eh, are we summoning here? Is that really okay?” I asked nervously.
As if sensing my worries, Scaya-san smiled reassuringly.
”It’s fine, Takumi-sama. No matter how powerful the familiar is, it won’t exceed the size of a large beast. Moreover, the summoned familiar will be in absolute obedience to the summoner.”
”It’s like that? Well, if that’s the case, I feel relieved. Then, Haruka-chan, go ahead and try it.”
”Okay, here I go!”
Haruka-chan smiled as she channeled her Magic Power into the summoning medium she received.
”Wow, that’s an incredible amount… It feels like all the Magic Power is going to be taken away.”
”Wait, Haruka. You can’t hold back here,” Shion-chan urged, stepping closer.
Without hesitation, Shion-chan kissed Haruka-chan. It was the ‘Magic Power transfer’ skill… I understood, I understood, but this scene was too erotic. The guys were avoiding eye contact out of consideration for Ginga-kun—it was that lewd. The way Shion-chan poured her saliva into Haruka-chan’s mouth, visible by the movement of her throat, made me swallow my own saliva with a flush of embarrassment.
”Puhaa… I can’t anymore. My Magic Power is empty,” Haruka-chan gasped.
”Haruka, use the last Agilaus Staff. No holding back.”
”Y-yes!”
Haruka-chan took the Agilaus Staff in her hand and absorbed the stored Magic Power into her body. Is this Magic Power… coming from Haruka-chan? A black mist erupted and began to cover the sky of McGaref.
”Th-this is amazing… What is this?” I whispered.
”It is possible for a witch’s Magic Power to be deployed like this. However, this scale is…” Scaya-san was left speechless while explaining.
The citizens of McGaref must be feeling uneasy. Weed-san was unusually frozen in place. But now, there was no stopping it. In the meantime, Haruka-chan radiated an incredible presence, gripping the Agilaus Staff.
”…It’s coming!” Shion-chan announced.
And with those short words, the heavens split apart. From the gap in space, something crawled out.
Wait, wasn’t the summoned familiar supposed to be a large beast at most?
”Is that… a black dragon?” Sayo-chan murmured, stunned.
Chinatsu-chan trembled with excitement. Although none of us had seen it before, the black dragon was the enemy that guarded the treasure hall in the mid-levels of the labyrinth. Did they summon such a big shot…?
However, the dragon that appeared opened its mouth heavily and spoke.
”To be confused with the black dragon would be troubling. My name is Dragorat. I am the leader of the infernal dragons that command the black dragon, and I am known as the ‘Dark Emperor of the Abyss.’”
An incredible pressure pressed down on us. Just watching it felt like your soul could be snatched away. Likely, all living beings currently residing in McGaref could not divert their gaze from this existence, probably filled with awe, unable to lose their sanity.
However, my cute exhibitionist pervert witch was different. She waved friendly at the Dark Emperor and called out loudly.
”You’re Dragorat, huh? Can I call you Dra-chan? My name is Haruka. Nice to meet you from now on!”
”Indeed, Haruka. I look forward to your company.”
Ah… even this existence was under absolute submission. Thus, I, rather presumptuously, had dramatically ranked up to Master, who serves the ‘Witch of Destruction’ that commands the ‘Dark Emperor of the Abyss’ as a subordinate.
Moreover, on a later date, the fearsome duo of Haruka and Shiori would leave the Dark Emperor in shock.
Notes:
• Kanare – The stern battalion commander, who once led Chinatsu, shares a solemn mission, his eyes reflecting battlefield memories.
• Weed – He is a retired knight and martial arts master, appeared as a sword seller, known for his bloodthirsty grin and elite ‘Sword Master’ skill.
• Chinatsu-chan – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Hikari-chan – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Chinatsu – Hikari’s party. Frustrated, jokes about prostitution.
• Hikari – 4th Division leader. Stressed, relies on Takumi.
• Clarice – The ‘Witch of Abundance’ from Lesta Kingdom.
• Shion-chan – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Shion – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Dalcur – Mercenary leader; defects to the protagonist’s clan; physically imposing, known as ‘The Strong’.
• Haruka-chan – 3rd Division leader. Aspires to be Takumi’s GF.
• Haruka – 3rd Division leader. Aspires to be Takumi’s GF.
• Scaya – The ‘Flame Witch,’ employed by the Dark Elves; captured after the battle where the Celon Dukedom army was defeated.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Sayo – A Cup. Non-virgin. The younger sibling in the fake-sibling couple.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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