Kouki and the rest of the heroes once again arrived at the [Orcus Great Labyrinth]. However, those who came were only Kouki's Hero group, a small group of rogues, and another group consisting of five boys and girls led by a bulky judo guy called Nagayama Jugo.
The reason was simple. Even if they didn't bring up the topic, Ken and Hajime's death had casted a deep, heavy shadow over their hearts. If they couldn't face the reality of "death in battle", they wouldn't be able to fight properly. This was a type of psychological trauma.
Of course, the officials from the Saint's Church wasn't sympathetic. Thinking that as long as the students experience actual combat incessantly, they should be able to fight again after some time, they continued to urge them to return to the battlefield everyday. However, there was a vehement protester. It was Aiko-sensei.
Aiko did not participate in the expedition at that time. Due to the fact that her job was the special and extremely rare Agriculturalist, rather than combat training, the church hoped she would put her effort towards agricultural cultivation instead. As long as Aiko-sensei was around, there's a high possibility that their provisions problem would be solved.
When Aiko learnt of Ken and Hajime's death, she was so shocked that she was left bedridden. Faced with the fact that one of her students died while she was just leisurely spending time within the safety zone, and the fact that it was no longer possible to bring everyone back to Japan. Aiko, who had a strong sense of responsibility, suffered a powerful impact.
That's why, she absolutely wouldn't permit for students who couldn't fight anymore to be sent to the battlefield. Aiko's Class was an extremely rare one which had the possibility of bringing about a complete change to the world's food issue.
And that Aiko-sensei was protesting with unwavering determination against the students' forced combat training. The church, which wanted to avoid worsening their relationship, accepted Aiko's objection.
In the end, only the Heroes, the rogues, and Nagayama Jugo's party willingly continued with the combat training. After training for some time, they decided to challenge the [Orcus Great Dungeon] once again.
This time, they were also accompanied by Commander Meld and several knights.
Today was the sixth day of their dungeon exploration. They were currently on the sixtieth level. It was just five levels before reaching the highest confirmed level.
However, Kouki's party was currently stuck. No, rather than being unable to advance, it was an involuntary recollection of the nightmare from that time that brought them to a standstill.
Yes, despite being clearly different from that time, similar steep cliffs spreaded before their eyes. They must cross a suspension bridge in order to get to the next level.
This isn't much of a problem per se, but as expected, they couldn't help but recall that event. Especially Kaori, as she stood there motionlessly, staring over the cliff into the darkness of the endless abyss.
"Kaori..."
As Shizuku anxiously called out, Kaori who was looking down with a strong gaze, slowly shook her head and smiled towards Shizuku.
"It's alright, Shizuku-chan."
"I see... You are not forcing yourself right? You don't have to hold back because of me."
"Eheh-heh, thank you, Shizuku-chan."
Shizuku also smiled at her close friend. Kaori's eyes were giving off a strong radiance, without any despair or escapism within.
With her excellent insight and sensitivity to people's subtleties, Shizuku realized that Kaori saying "It's alright", was from her true feelings.
'As expected, Kaori is strong unlike me.'
Ken and Hajime's death was almost a certainty. It's hopeless to even half-heartedly say they survived. Nevertheless, Kaori chose to neither escape nor deny, but advance to reach her own understanding. Shizuku was proud of her close friend.
However, being unable to read the mood is one of the hero's quality. In Kouki's eyes, reflected the appearance of Kaori grieving at the thought of Hajime's death while staring below.
He concluded that the kind Kaori is currently suffering over a classmate's death. Consequently, under the filter of his assumption, Kaori's smiling figure appeared to be forced as well.
Then, without the slightest consideration that Kaori thought specially of Hajime and still believed in the possibility of his survival, Kouki repeatedly gave Kaori misplaced consolation.
"Kaori... I like that kind side of yours. However, you can't let yourself be trapped by our classmate's death forever! You have to move on. Surely, that's what Nagumo would have wanted."
"Hey, Kouki..."
"Shizuku, be silent for a while! Even if it's harsh, as her childhood friend, I have to say this... Kaori, it's alright. I will stay by your side. I wouldn't die. I wouldn't let anyone die anymore. I promise I would never make Kaori sad."
"Haa~, reckless as always... Kaori..."
"Haha, it's okay, Shizuku-chan... Well, I know what Kouki-kun was trying to say, so it's okay."
"Oh, you understood!"
Kaori could only smile bitterly at Kouki's completely misdirected words. It seems that even if Kaori were to honestly talk about her feelings now, it probably wouldn't be transmitted to Kouki.
For Kouki, it is already a fact that Hajime and Ken are dead. Thus, it is unthinkable that the reason why Kaori is zealously training and exploring the dungeon is due to her belief in Hajime's survival.
It is in his nature to persist in his beliefs without any doubts, he could only seem to interpret Kaori's feelings as a psychological illness stemming from escapism.
From their long association, Kaori somewhat understood Kouki's thought patterns, which was why she didn't say anything.
By the way, the nuance which appeared to be nothing but completely wooing her was said by the person himself without any ulterior motives, it only showed Kouki's extreme earnestness.
Shizuku and Kaori, who were already used to Kouki's words and actions let it slide as usual, but if the other girls heard that, they would probably all fall together into sugary expressions at the sweet atmosphere.
Generally, a handsome guy with good character, proficient in both sports and studies would cause any female childhood friend to fall in love.
However, influenced by her strict father, Shizuku had been in contact with and was raised by the adults under her house's dojo from young.
Coupled with her natural insight, she was aware that his sense of justice could be said as Kouki's flaw, and he had displayed it numerous times, making her unable to harbour any feelings more than a childhood friend towards him but with someone like Kenshiro....it might be different.
Although, for the others, the more important thing hasn't changed.
Kaori was naturally insensitive about love and hearing about various things from Shizuku, her heart was unable to throb over Kouki's words or actions.
He is considered a good-natured person and thought caringly of as a childhood friend, but would never lead to any romantic feelings.
After a short while, they entered a large hall. Somehow or other, everyone present felt an unpleasant premonition.
That hunch was right on the mark. At the same time they entered the hall, a magic circle emerged in the center of the room.
It was a dark red pulsating magic circle of about ten meters in diameter. That was, a very familiar magic circle.
"D-Don't tell me... it's that!?"
Cold sweat formed on Kouki's forehead as he shouted. The other members' expression were distinctly nervous.
"Seriously, it's dead, isn't it!"
Ryutaro exclaimed, visibly shocked. Responding to that, with a grim expression but a calm voice, was Commander Meld.
"We have yet to elucidate the reason behind the formation of demonic beasts in Labyrinths. It is normal to encounter demonic beasts that have been defeated before many times again. Brace your spirits! Don't forget to secure the retreat path!"
In case it was needed, to ensure that they could safely get away, Commander Meld gave instructions to prioritise securing the escape route. His subordinates obeyed immediately. However, it left a bad taste in Kouki's mouth, as he retorted.
"Meld-san. We are no longer the us from back then. We are many times stronger now! There's no way we will lose now! We will definitely win!"
"Heh, that's right. We can't keep thinking that we will lose forever. It's time for our revenge match!"
Ryutaro also responded with a fearless smile. Commander Meld shrugged his shoulders while letting out a "Dear me". As he was thinking that it will probably be alright with Kouki's and the other's current strength, he let out the same daring smile.
And finally with an explosion of brilliance, the former nightmare once again appeared before Kouki and the others.
"Guugaaaa~!!!"
A strange figure raised a roar and stomped the ground. Behemoth glared at Kouki and the others with a fierce intent to kill dwelling in its eyes. Just as everyone was about to run from their nervousness, a single girl was indifferent and with a resolute expression, returned the look.
It's Kaori. Kaori declared not with an audible voice, but with strength dwelling in her indomitable will.
"No one would be taken away anymore. I will defeat you and go to him."
Now, the battle to overcome the past has begun.
Kouki made the first move.
"Myriad of Soaring Wings, Reach the Heavens, "Soaring Flash""
The curved slash of light struck the Behemoth with a roar. Before he wasn't even able to injury the Behemoth with his strongest skill "Might of Heaven". However, he wanted to show that he wasn't the same as back then, and it was proven.
"Guurugaa!!"
A diagonal sword line ran appeared on the Behemoth's chest. It scraped the ground and screamed as its dark red blood dripped onto the ground.
"We can do it! We are certainly stronger! Nagayama left side, Hiyama take the rear, Meld take the right side! Rear guard ready magic! High grade magic!"
Kouki gave out instructions rapidly. The results of Meld's officer training.
"Oh, he gave good instruction without hesitation. Did you hear? All hands, follow Kouki's command!"
Meld shouted and ran to wrap the right side of the Behemoth with his knights. Everyone started to move at that moment and encircle the Behemoth.
The vanguard quickly devised a line of defense that was desperate in preventing the raging Behemoth from reaching the rear guard.
"Guruuaa!"
With the roar the Behemoth stepped into the ground and pulverized it as it charged.
"Like I'll let you!"
"I won't allow it!"
Ryutaro and Jugo, the two biggest members of the class, quickly huddled the Behemoth and started to wrestle with it.
""The power to break the earth! "Herculean Strength"!""
Using their physical strength, strengthened by magic, they took the Behemoth's rush while they feet slide on the ground.
"Gaaa!"
"Raaaa!"
"Oooooh!!"
Each of the three gave out a yell and strained their muscles. The smaller humans was not able to completely stop the Behemoth but it was enough to kill its momentum. It stomped on the ground in anger at that.
The other members did not miss the chance this brought.
"Supreme flash that cuts all, "Absolute Sever"!"
Shizuku's battojutsu hit the Behemoth in the horn. Even with a sword artifact that added to the sharpness of the magic, it stopped midway and couldn't complete the sever.
"As hard as ever."
"Leave it to me! Grind, Crush, Blast, "Grand Hammer"!"
Meld jumped and flung his own sword at Shizuku's sword that was stuck in the middle. The sharp, heavy blow enhanced by magic helped strengthen Shizuku's sword and pushes it forward.
With that one of the Behemoth's horn is severed.
"Gaaaa!?"
The Behemoth goes on a wild rampage with all its might after the cut. This rampage blew the four people away.
"The gentle light that embraces all, "Halo"!"
An innumerable amount of nets made of light sprang forth and wrapped the four gently, after they had struck the floor and lost their breath. What Kaori used was a shape-shifting defensive light magic that killed the shock.
In a flash, Kaori started to chant a healing spell.
"Heaven's Blessing, heal universally, "Restore Heaven"!"
Even though all four did not experience at the same time, they were all being healed. The spell was a ranged recovery spell that was at an intermediate level. It could heal multiple people at the same time. "Restore Heaven" was a higher rank version of the "Heaven's Blessing" she used before.
Kouki took a thrusting stance and rushed straight for the rioting Behemoth. He stabbed his sword into the previous wound as he finished an aria.
""Light Burst!""
The enormous magic stored in the Holy Sword flowed into the wound and caused an explosion.
"Gaaa!!"
A large quantity of blood gouged out of the wound. The Behemoth brandish its sharp claws at Kouki during the slight pause after he executed the skill.
"Kuuu!"
Kouki raised a groan and was blown away. The St. Armour he worse reflected the claws, but the impact still passed through and caused a coughing fit for him. The pains was just a moment. Kaori quickly followed up with a heal.
"Heaven's Blessing, restore his strength, "Restless Heaven"!"
This spell has lost the efficiency of healing multiple people, but it increased its power for single targets. Kouki recovered instantly the light enveloped him.
The Behemoth was blown other members away when Kouki was knocked back. Without minding its injury it started to glow red hot.
"…Even if its horn is gone, it can use the spell. Here it comes!"
Shizuku's warning and the Behemoth leap came at the same time. Everyone had already experienced the Behemoth's Special Magic. However, the jump distance of this Behemoth was unexpected. The beast easily leap over the vanguard and advanced to the rear guard. It never jumped like that on the bridge and they didn't even dream it could jump that much. Vanguard members showed an impatient expression.
One of the rear guard stop their chant and stepped forward. It was Taniguchi Suzu.
"Herein a Sanctuary, enemies of god shall not pass, "Absolute Virtue"!"
The dome of light appeared just as the Behemoth landed like a meteor. A terrible sonicboom and shockwave spread from the area and the surrounding floor broke into cobwebs.
However, the absolute defense Suzu made took the force of the Behemoths blow. But her version was the 2 verse version of the shield, not the 4 verse, so it didn't have its original power.
The shield already had cracks in it. If Suzu's class wasn't "Barrier Master" it wouldn't have even formed. Suzu grit her teeth as she poured 2 verse worth of magic into a spell that usually didn't use that amount. She continued to picture the spell's image in her mind as she raised both hands desperately. The barrier that showed cracks disappeared. She believed her defense was absolute.
"Uuu! I won't lose!"
From the Behemoth, eyes full of murderous intent pierced the barrier and landed on Suzu. Her body was struck with fear and her hands shaked. She shouted desperately to convey her limit. The Behemoth continued its attack and she wouldn't be able to hold for more than 10 seconds.
Its going to break! When Suzu thought that in her heart.
"Heaven's Blessing, a mystery here, "Yielding Heaven"!"
Suzu's body was wrapped in light, and with it the amount of magic poured into her spell increased. This was Kaori's spell to recover magic. Originally, it was a spell to restore others magic, moves according to the magic directed in its formula, inflow can be made to amplify to original amount. That how this spell works. Kaori could only use it because of her "Healer" class.
"If its this! I love you Kaorin!"
Suzu poured the original 4 verse worth of magic into the shield and it was restored perfectly. All the cracks were repaired in an instant. Frustrated that it couldn't break through the barrier, it gave an angry scowl at the impertinent caster. She didn't budge at the stare and returned one instead.
Finally, the horn started to lose its red hot effect. The Behemoth loses its momentum and falls to the ground. Suzu's barrier ceased to exist at the same time.
Behemoth tried to aim at the breathing Suzu, but the vanguard was already on top of it.
"Rear guard retreat!"
The back group fell back at Kouki's direction, and the advance guard enclosed upon the monster. A hit and evade strategy was used on the Behemoth, until the rear guard finished their chant.
"Step Back!"
Eri, the rear guard representative, signaled. Kouki and the others at that signal distanced themselves from the Behemoth.
After they retreated, an advanced fire based magic spell went off.
"""""Scorching Sun"""""
Five people performed this advanced spell. High-temperature flames gathered into a sphere, and burned the surrounding area like the sun. The "Scorching Sun" was made directly above the Behemoth and was 8 m in diameter; immediately after it swelled it was dropped onto the beast.
A tremendous amount of heat attacks the Behemoth. The magnitude of the power was too much that an ally might have gotten damaged. So, they quickly put up a barrier. "Scorching Sun" did not give any spare time for the Behemoth to escape, and soon its strong outer crust started to melt.
"Guuruagaaa!!"
The Behemoth's death throes filled the hall. A familiar scream from that day. Its cries were earsplitting, but soon it was exhausted like it was burnt away by the flames.
In the center of the blacken area, all that remained of the beast were ruins.
"D-Did we win?"
"I think we won…"
"We won…"
"Seriously?"
"Serious?"
Everyone was looking stunned at the area the Behemoth was. Bit by bit mutters of victory spread throughout. Kouki was stunned, and when he regained himself; he hoisted his Holy Sword above his head and straightened his back.
"That's right! It's our victory!"
The sword seemed to respond to his feelings as it started to sparkle. At his victory cry, the others came to the same realization and cheers arose. Guys were patting each other shoulders, while the girls hugged each other. Meld and the knights were impressed.
Shizuku called out to Kaori, who was still staring at the place the Behemoth occupied.
"Kaori? What's the matter?"
"Eh, Ahh, Shizuku-chan…Yeah, it's nothing. I was just thinking how far we came."
Kaori answered Shizuku with a wry smile. She was immersed in her emotions after defeating her previous nightmare and confirming she was stronger now.
"That's right. We did get stronger."
"Yeah…Shizuku-chan. Further ahead is Nagumo-kun…"
"You are going to check, right? It was for that reason you tried your best."
"Ehehe, that's right."
To move forward. To ascertain Hajime's state, because of possible specifics. Scared that there would be no answer, she became faint-hearted. Shizuku sympathized, and held Kaori's hand.
Kaori showed a smile at her forceful grip.
...