Let''s call it a day!
So said Kunihiro Ryuzaki (Dragonoid) when they had just defeated the crocodile-shaped monster on the tenth floor underground.
On this day, Koganei (High Elf), Goubayashi (Ouga), and Sakuma (Subus) were diving into the lower levels of thebyrinth with several more ssmates. They admire Koganei and Goubayashi''s skillful coordination, and are soothed by Subus Sachan, who is desperately trying to support them behind them.
The tenth basement floor is the deepest level that we''ve currently explored. Although they have found the stairs to go further down, there is a possibility that more powerful monsters may be lurking, so they have stopped their search here to be safe.
It was Ryuzaki''s suggestion to bring the other ssmates there. It was due to the suggestion that it would be better to show them how powerful the monsters that appear on the tenth basement floor are and how they can be defeated if they fight them. Goubayashi was reluctant to put his ssmates in danger, but Koganei agreed, and in the end Shan didn''t express his intentions, so the proposal was passed two to one.
''Big deal,''
Kenzaki (Duhan) murmurs as her eyes widen. She was a kendo girl in her former world, and she has been sounding like a martial artist since her transition. Although her actual strength was not as strong as Goubayashi and the others, she had enough fighting ability to be second only to the strongest party.
Of Queen Beni''s cronies, Harui (Harpy) is also following along. The others are Hakuba (Unicorn) and Washio (Gryphon). The duo of Goblin (Goblin) and Okumura (Orc) haven''t shown their faces as they both seem to like to explore on their own. Members who have jobs at the base, such as Sugiura (Scy) and Hanazono (Alraune), are also absent.
''''Hey, Ryuzaki, don''t you want to dive further down?''''
Washio speaks up. Washio is originally a crony of Ryuuzaki and the rest of the aristocratic male group. By giving him an opinion, is it their intention to maintain their position in the ss? But as if he could see through it, Harui let out a mocking chuckle, followed by the other girlsughing.
Kenzaki, one of the few girls who wasn''tughing, frowned with difficulty as she held her face at her side.
''How about that. Washio, you heard me. There''s more toe...''''
What the hell, Kenzaki, are you scared? There''s this many people over here. It''s okay, we can handle it.
''Hmmm. That''s true too.
Ryuzaki nced at the faces of the strongest party. Goubayashi, Koganei, and Shan. None of them have a positive attitude. Ryuuzaki gave a coy smile. As long as they don''t nod, we can''t force the search.
But Washio was even more of a goner. I''m sure you''ll be able to find out what''s going on.
In the end, Ryuzaki would have to fold on the condition that he would ''flee as soon as it bes dangerous''. Goubayashi and Koganei also nodded to that decision, though reluctantly. Griffon Washio pped his wings and proudly puffed out his chest. Harpy Harui sniffed boringly and shifted his gaze.
Thus, they all went down to the eleventh underground floor.
A dpidated heavy cruiser. We wondered where they had entered from, but surprisingly, it was easy to get in. There was a hole in the bottom of the ship that was just big enough for a man to get in and out of. Whether this was deliberately left open by the crew, torpedoed by enemy naval torpedoes during the war, or by some other factor, was not known.
''It''s kind of like a haunted house!
''''Himemizu, don''t yell in my ear.......''''
Every time Rin says it in a excited voice, Kyousuke''s head kicks in. Even though he doesn''t have a brain. Why?
Naturally, it was dim inside the cruiser, but Ei took the ce of a torch. There were chunks of rusted metal lying around on the floor, strewn about. Some of these may have once been useful weapons, but they were nowhere to be seen.
We made our way upward and upward from the bottom of the ship, aiming for the deck. Eventually, we emerged into a corridor-like area and noticed a series of doors on either side.
"Is this the crew quarters?
Ei muttered.
''There might be a treasure in there.''
Rin nodded.
''I wonder if there is?''
''Eh, it''s basic RPG stuff! That''s perfect for a wreck or a dungeon!
This isn''t a sinking ship, and this isn''t an RPG, either.
For starters, I put my hand on the nearest door and push it.
''''Hmm...''''
It won''t move. I try to pull it, but it still won''t move.
The door was rusty and wouldn''t budge!
Yeah.
At this rate, the other doors don''t look promising. Kyousuke and Rin stepped on the creaking floor and moved on. Naturally, there''s no sign of anyone at all. After all, there are no sailors left here. But if there aren''t any left, then don''t stay, or at least get a clue as to where they went. It would be good if we could get ahold of their journals, but if we can''t get into the crew quarters, that''s unlikely to happen.
"Utsurogi-kun! That room over there, the door is broken!
So don''t yell in my ear...
While holding his kinked head, Kyousuke moved his gaze. A piece of Rin extended from his head like a tentacle, indicating a direction. Indeed, the door was broken to allow him to enter.
''''Location-wise, it''s the captain''s office.
Ei blurted out.
''Well, then, I think I might have a journal!
Rin also shouts cheerfully.
Every once in a while she makes a statement as if she can read Kyousuke''s will, but I wonder if this is a detriment of thebination or something else. If that''s the case, it''s too unfair, since Kyousuke can''t read what Rin is thinking or something.
Well, okay.
Kyousuke and Rin walked to the captain''s quarters, keeping in step with each other. They looked into the dimly lit room, and when Ei, who came a littlete, illuminated the inside, words escaped from the mouths of the three of them in unison.
''''Ah........''''
What was lying there appeared to be human bones.
It was probably because they had been left there for so many years. They are on the verge of weathering, but they are still human bones. They are wearing the uniform of the old Japanese Navy. Rin didn''t scream, perhaps because she was used to seeing skeletons, or perhaps because the scene was so far removed from reality that it didn''t feel realistic.
''''Captain, I guess...''''
Rin pouted and Ei shook his headband.
''His uniform is tattered, but his rank insignia is that of a captain. When ites to the captain of a cruiser, he''s supposed to be a lieutenant colonel or higher, as I recall, so he''s not a captain.''''
But you''re in the captain''s office?
''So you''re saying that the captain was gone for some reason and this guy was in charge of this ce instead.
Kyousuke muttered and took another step forward. The question is whether this person was human or not. Could he not have transferred to this world as a monster like Kyousuke and the others? If so, even though they had some weapons, it must have been a heartbreaking day for them. The ammunition would run out one day. What did this captain, who was standing as a substitute leader at that time, do?
''''What will you do? Utsurogi-kun.
All we can do is pray for your soul.
Even burying their bones back home would not be possible for them now.
''Kyousuke,''
Ei''s voice, which he called out unexpectedly, had a different kind of tension to the one he had just heard.
''What''s up, Ei?''
We''re being watched. No, perhaps they''re surrounded.
''Surrounded? To whom.
I don''t know. But it''s someone with a grudge.
Hearing that, neither Kyousuke nor Rin can remain calm. They pay attention to their surroundings and look around.
''''Ah, Utsurogi-kun! Hino-kun! That!
Kyousuke and Ei looked in the direction that Rin had indicated. What emerged there were countless red lights. No, these are eye lights. In the not so spacious room, from the shadows of shelves and desks, they were all looking at us at the same time.
''''.........!
Ei makes the body of fire swell up. The heat jumped up all at once, and Rin said, ''''Achi! He screamed.
The mes of the bloated wisp lit up the dimly lit captain''s quarters at once. The masters of the gaze all had silhouettes that looked familiar to Kyousuke and the others. Rin let out a scream this time.
''''There''s a whole lot of Gokugawara-kun!
''No! That''s a goblin from this world!
Yes, that''s my ssmate Goubungahara''s, the same goblins he''s in now. But unlike the jovial, puzzle-loving Gokubunbara, the goblins here don''t seem to be friendly by any means.
Perhaps they are using this decaying heavy cruiser as their base. We don''t know if they have killed the survivors of this ship, including the white-boned captain lying at their feet. However, if you are gloomy, it''s clear that Kyousuke and the others will suffer the same end as this captain.
''Let''s get away, Kyousuke! Princess water!
Ei shouted and popped the ming gravel from his body. The conglomerate rained down on the goblins, checking their movements. In the meantime, Kyousuke and Rin leapt out into the corridor. There is no stagnation at all in their running feet.
''''Oh, I wonder if they''ll get along if I bring Gokugawara-kun!
''I don''t know! Maybe we can do it if we''re a five-minutemie!
He leaps outside and tries to go back the way he came from. But.
Giiiiiiiiiiiiight!
Goblins jumped out of the shadows of the aisle and blocked their way.
''''Hiya!''''
"Himemizu, get on deck! Let''s get out to the deck!
He ran down the hallway, waving his hands and feet in a single-minded effort. The results of the special training were certainly evident. Although there were many obstacles rolling around the ship, Kyousuke and Rin''s speed did not diminish at all. Or, they are so fast that you would think that they are faster than when they were human.
A muscle called slime, clothed in the body of a skeleton. It doesn''t have any extra organs such as internal organs, so it can use its entire body as a spring to produce a perfect performance.
"(Wait)
Suddenly, Kyousuke thought.
Just by running, he could exert this much power. If you use this power in a fist fight, you and Himemizu Rin could be quite strong, couldn''t you? After all, it''s a body that looks like it''s made of nothing but muscle and bone. I don''t know how much physical strength it can produce, but still, if it''s as good as a goblin.......
''Well, I don''t know if it''s dry bread or biscuits, but we''re out in some kind of big ce! Utsurogi-kun!
''Oh, here''s the deck!
Just as Rin had said, they leapt out to the deck. In the direction of the bow of the ship, they could see that rocky area where thebyrinth lurks as a base.
If you look behind you, you''ll see goblins about to jump out of it, giggling andughing. There was no sign of Ei. Did he run away from the other side, or is he thinking of another n? I don''t think the goblins have gotten to him. I don''t think that physical means can do any damage to that guy.
The only people here are Kyousuke and Rin. In other words, we have no choice but to do it.
''''Himemizu, let''s have a fist fight!
What?
Even Rin, as expected, seemed surprised by this proposal.
''''W-what do you mean, a fist fight...! In this body!
In this body. I need you to help me. We''re both dead at this point.
Well, yeah. I''m not quite sure how to die as a slime, but.... I don''t want Utsurogi-kun to fall apart!
He''s quite happy to hear that. Kyousuke takes a breath (or so he thinks) and takes a stance.
''Himemizu just needs to match my movements.
Okay. You''ve done martial arts before, Utsurogi-kun?
I have rewatched every episode of the Dragon and Rocky series five times each!
''Wow. That looks like a bad idea!
Rude. Bruce Lee is the master of the soul. The only way to get this done is to teach Rin the skill of Jeet Kune Do as you see fit.
"Giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!
A goblin leapt at him, swinging a small axe at him. Kyousuke held his feet high and took up an intercepting position.
f*ck you!
Nuh-uh.
The slime body stuck to the goblin''s cheek.
''''Whoa! Oh, no, they''re sticking together! I knew it was too hard for the body of a slime to be hard!
I''m sorry! I was just surprised.... Throw away, throw away!
A hand sprouts from Kyousuke''s leg and throws down a goblin who isn''t quite sure what''s going on.
"Nah, that''s something. "Reminds me of a parasitic beast....
What?
It''s a cartoon. It''s a ssic.
The coboration between the protagonist and his partner in that piece was a big deal. Kyousuke and Rin should be able to do the same thing. Even though the difference is that in the manga, only the right hand is a monster, and in the case of Kyousuke and Rin, it''s the whole body.
''Utsurogi-kun, again! Now it''s time to punch!
Hey, you okay?
I''m fine! Hit me as hard as you can!
Just in time, the goblin from earlier jumped at him. Kyousuke drew his right hand wide and struck it vigorously as it was. This time, there''s a definite palpable feeling. There''s a feeling of something, like smashing something hard, and the goblin''s small body is mmed into the wall.
''''Yes, great sess!''''
Rin shouted pleasantly.
''Himemizu, what have you done?''
''I''ve temporarily concentrated the volume and density in the punch area! I thought since it would be heavier and harder, it would be more powerful!
I see...
Kyousuke looks at his own, or more urately, the clenched fists he and Rin have made.
Apparently, Rin was able to mimic the dexterousness of that. He knew about volume, but if he could even manipte density, then he could fully withstand directbat using blows.
No, that''s not all.
The squad of goblins in front of me is roughly around 10, and even if I kill one of them, there''s still this many more.
''''Himemizu, can you fight while transforming your body as I instructed?
Yeah, yeah. I''ll try.
The goblin troops are still on the lookout for us. If you want to attack, now is the time to do it. Kyousuke swings his right hand with all his might.
''''Now! Right hand! Whip!
!
Rin''s reaction was quick and precise. Rin''s body, which was clinging to Kyousuke''s right arm, stretched out gingerly and bent like a whip. The wrinkled arm was mmed into the goblins'' bodies collectively, catching them off guard.
''''Just grab one of them as it is!
Yeah!
Left hand ready to punch!
Rin''s body, entangled in one of the goblins, shuffled back to Kyousuke''s side. As if to hit the momentum of being drawn towards us, Kyousuke clenched his left fist. The iron fist, which has literally hardened, is struck against the goblin.
Hime Water, is that a burden?
I''m fine! Mr. Utsurogi is on a prop, so it''s easy!
Then good.
The goblins are now jumping at me, ready to attack me all at once. First of all, we must avoid them. Kyousuke jumped and pointed his right foot at the turrets lining the deck. Then, without needing to give instructions, Rin stretched out the body clinging to his right leg and hooked it to the rusty gun barrel.
As it is, the body of the right leg portion of the body contracted, as if to wind up the chain of the anchor, Kyousuke and Rin''s bodies were pulled vigorously towards the gun barrel and said.
''''I''m going to use this momentum to jump!
Jump! I get it!
The next moment, Rin did something ridiculously dexterous.
''''I''m sorry! Utsurogi-kun''s bones, use them without permission!
He first dismembered the bones of Kyousuke''s leg and then reassembled them in the opposite direction of the joint. The so-called reverse joint. Birds'' feet, dogs'' and horses'' hind legs are all inverted joint structures (although not strictly speaking). Although not suitable for bipedal walking, their joint structure is a powerful spring.
Both of Kyousuke''s feetnded on the gun barrel and kicked hard as it was. The body jumped higher and higher with incredible speed.
''''Whoa! Ouch! The inverted joint structure hurts so much!
I''ll fix it.
''No good! We will crush the goblins below! The hammer!
The impact of a free fall would be enough to crush him for sure. Rin pulled most of the volume of her body into Kyousuke''s arms, concentrating the density and kneading a giant mallet.
''Let''s go, Himemizu!
Yeah!
He raises his mallet wide and strikes at the group of goblins who are frozen and panicking.
''''Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!''''
A roar and a crash. The decaying heavy cruiser shook loudly, leaving a hole in the deck. As the hull of the ship tilts and gradually copses, the bodies of Kyousuke and Rin eventuallynded on the earth while smashing the front part of the ship to pieces.
''''........Fufu!
The dust that still rises and falls and the rust from the iron still flutters down, Kyousuke stands up slowly. The slime is not clothed in his body. It was separated by the impact of the fall. Instead, Himemizu Rin was cheerful as she oohed and aahed at his feet.
''''Oh, did we win?''''
It looks like...
Kyousuke lets out a sigh, unsure if it''s still out or not.
''Kyousuke, Himemizu!''
Just then, Ei''s voice was heard as well. It was just from above. Was he looking at the copsed deck?
''Are you okay? What happened! No matter how hard I looked for you guys I couldn''t find you so oh no, I''m just d you''re okay! Don''t let me worry you at all!
I''ve never heard you panic before, Hino-kun.
Rin mumbles to herself.
''Well, he''s a pretty cute guy too, right?
Yeah, I guess so.
Presumably, he was fighting the goblins alone in order to secure Kyousuke and the others'' retreat. Although he''s one of the useless group, his ability to fight on his own is probably better than Kyousuke and Rin. The fact that physical attacks don''t work at all is significant.
''''By the way, Himemizu,''''
Kyousuke looked down at Rin at his feet.
''What?''
Can''t you put your ankle back together and...?
Oh.
Afterwards, Kyousuke and the others returned to their base. On the way back, they argued about whether or not to tell the rest of their ssmates about that heavy cruiser.
Kyousuke and Rin said that they should talk about it.
After all, it was a clue to the original world. Whether the other ssmates'' policies were to spend all their time in this world, or return to their original world, or not, the presence of that decaying heavyweight would definitely help to set new guidelines.
Ei, on the other hand, said that they should keep it under wraps for a while longer.
Currently, the ssmates at the base have finally calmed down. If he gave them unnecessary information now to confuse them, the ss that was almost united could copse. If you are going to provide such a situation, it will be after the whole thing has calmed down a bit more.
''Especially with the current leadership of the ss in great danger.
Are you talking about Ryuzaki-kun?
Rin asked and Ei nodded.
''''I knew before the transition, but Ryuzaki has ack of leadership skills. He has goodmunication skills and is very good with people, but that''s all. It''s hard to say that he has the necessary qualities to survive in this world.
"Ei has a hard time looking at people as usual.
Kyousuke muttered softly.
''''Even Ryuzaki will be a great leader here one of these days, in my opinion.
Kyousuke is just too carefree.
''''But, well, if you say so, I guess I''d better keep quiet about that heavyweight for a while longer. Can I have Himemizu too?
''Yes! I''m notining either!
Well, the opinions came full circle in such a way, and it was decided to keep that heavy cruiser a secret for a while.
As for Ryuzaki''s danger, Kyousuke was not unaware of it. At least as far as he could see, Goubayashi, Koganei, and Sakuma were the ones supporting the strongest party, including Ryuzaki, and Ryuzaki was aplete liability in the name of leader. For now, it''s good that his voice is still alive, but if someone stops approving of Ryuzaki''s words and actions, the ss could break up in mid-air at that point.
Instead of Ryuzaki, there are some students who might be able to lead the ss. These are Kaoruko, who has a strong say in the group of girls; Goubayashi, Ryuzaki''s best friend; and Queen Benii.
First of all, it would be impossible for Goubayashi to take the brunt of the arrows. The shadow of Ryuzaki inevitably flickers on him. Goubayash''s personality also makes him unfit to be a leader.
Kaoruko is also unfit to be a leader. She''s highly popr and outspoken, but the shock of her post-reincarnation appearance has left her feeling a bit bogged down. For the sake of Kaoruko''s own honor, I won''t tell you what she was reincarnated into, but she''s a student that even Queen Benii would take a look at. Considering that, it''s very wasteful.
In that case, the one who seems to have the least amount of kudos is Benii, but at the same time, she''s also the student who seems to be the least likely to move.
In light of those circumstances, Kyousuke really wants Ryuzaki to continue as the leader.
Eventually, the three of them reach a reddish-brown rocky area, find thebyrinth, and return to their base. As they were thinking about how tired they were and whether they should take a rest or not, they heard some arguments from the dining room.
''''.........?''''
"Kyousuke.
Ei chided Kyousuke, who nodded his head quizzically.
''Don''t get into too much trouble.
But you can''t just leave it at that.
...Totally. You,
Ei, who was following him while bumbling, was a good friend. Watching the exchange, Rin was smirking. No, he''s a slime, so it''s impossible to tell if he''sughing or not, but the strange trembling of his body is definitelyughing. It''s not like he''s stacking bodies on top of each other (a misnomer). Kyousuke can tell.
Just as he was about to enter the dining room, a loud cursing voice sounded out.
''''So it''s all your bad decisions! I''m not going to let you blow themissioner''s wind!
Shrugging, Kyousuke and Ei look at each other, realizing that the owner of the voice is a familiar figure.
''''This voice........''''
Don''t tell me it''s Koganei...?
Other ssmates had already gathered and were anxiously watching the situation unfold.
The one who was shouting at them was indeed Koganei. His neat face is twisted in anger, and the high elf is grabbing up Ryujin''s chest. Ryuzaki was tantly dejected. The situation was not calm. Outspoken faces like Goubayashi, Beni, and Kaoruko stood in a somewhat prominent position. They seemed to be neutral in their positions.
''''What I feared has happened...''''
Potentially, Ei muttered. Apparently so. But I can''t get a handle on the situation.
Kyousuke decided to ask the nearest student about the situation.
''Hey, Washio. What''s going on now?
Tsk.
What came back was a tongueshing. Apparently, the griffon can tongue-twister too. Ei sighs.
''Bad choice, Kyousuke.
One word that wasn''t concealed was red at by Washio, but Ei went on to talk to Sugiura, who was keeping an eye on the situation. Sugiura is always cheerful, but for once he couldn''t hide his nervousness.
"Ryuzaki-kun and many of his ssmates went underground with him, but apparently they encountered a strong monster there.
Is that because of Ryuzaki''s instructions...?
Yeah. I heard it''s not exactly the same, but it seems the final decision was made by Tatsuzaki-kun.
But it''s not just because Koganei is so angry that he''s putting his ssmates in danger. There is something else, something more.
As Kyousuke was thinking about this, Sugiura uttered a shockingment.
''Saku-chan and Kenzaki-san are still being left behind in the lower levels...''