by Chuuni Suki
"Eri-chan, I don't mind it."
"Suzu that's enough. Eri is troubled."
Suzu puffed her cheeks when Kaori and Shizuku laughed as they said those words. Eri was relieved when Kaori didn't take Suzu's words seriously. Her face blenched at the mention of "Necromancy".
"Eri-chan, necromancy is no good? Such a special class…"
"...Yeah, sorry. If I was able to use it properly, it would be such great help…"
"Eri, anyone have strong and weak points. You have such a high aptitude to magic, so don't worry about it."
"That's so, Eri-chan. Even if its your class, there are preferences and fields of talent. Your precise and accurate magic is helpful for us."
"Yeah, I'll overcome if I try my best. I want to help everyone more."
Eri grasps her small hands into a fist to express her determination. Suzu hopped around saying: "That's the spirit, Eririn!" in this situation. Shizuku and Kaori smiled at their friend's perseverance.
Eri's class was "Necromancer". Dark magic is used that is associated with the spirits and consciousness. This kind of magic was able to cast bad status (debuffs) in battle. Necromancy is a super-high difficulty magic in Dark magic; it acted upon the residual thoughts of the dead. There were a few priest in the Church that practiced it. The priest drew up the residual thoughts of the dead and conveyed them to their bereaved family.
However, that was not the true essence of this magic. The real power of this magic was the ability to give these residual thoughts of the dead a corpse to work with and controlling them like puppets. Although the revived dead will display deteriorated level of skill from their time alive. Also, there were ways to control or possess living humans too.
These puppets only respond to a certain extent. They also are very inanimate and pale, like a ghost. In addition, she felt ethically wrong in using dead people like this. Eri choose not to delve into this part of the arts.
With the figure of those 4 girls, there was someone staring at Kaori from the rear with dark eyes. It was Hiyama Daisuke. When they came back to the kingdom and the students calmed down, there was severe blame waiting for Hiyama for what he did [Setting off Trap].
Hiyama had expected this and apologized with Dogeza. He knew that arguing or trying anything else wasn't going to help. The timing and place to apologize was important.
The perfect time came when he was able to apologize to Kouki in front of everyone. He knew that if he apologized to Kouki, the guy would accept it and try to mediate with the class. His plan paid off, the criticism aimed at Hiyama was dissolved by Kouki. Kaori was originally kind, so she didn't particularly blame the apologizing Hiyama that was in tears. Just as he planned. However, Shizuku had noticed the underlying motive Hiyama had. She was disgusted with how he used her childhood friends.
Moreover, he was following the orders of the person. It was a terrible and horrifying order. Hiyama wanted to avoid it, but he had crossed the line. He couldn't stop now. However, Hiyama held a sense of delight and awe for the person that drew up this terrible plan. While that person was so natural and blended with the class.
(That guy is crazy...but Kaori will be mine…)
Kaori could be obtained if he just listened to that guy. Hiyama smiled instinctively at those dark thoughts.
"Oi, Daisuke? What's wrong?"
Kondo, Nakamura, and Saito were sending dubious looks at Hiyama's state. These three was still together with Hiyama. Birds of a feather flock together for these 4. Hiyama was awkward for a moment, but soon his regained his friendly attitude. But if that friendship was true was a delicate matter.
"N-no, its nothing. I'm just happy that we got past 60 levels."
"Oh, for certain. Just 5 more and we will beat the record~"
"We are like, getting stronger too. That group that stayed behind has no guts."
"Well, don't say that. Because we are special."
These three did not seem to question Hiyama deception. People who kept fighting while thinking they were special and got arrogant were the villains of villains. They had a huge attitude compared to the group left behind at the Royal Palace. Complaints were thrown about in a haughty manner. However, they did have the ability to break through the 60 levels, so they couldn't be stopped from their attitude.
Unlike them with their boisterous attitude, Kouki's side was quiet. Accessory seems to be the guiding principle.
Without much trouble, the group was at the highest attained level of 65.
"Brace yourself! The map of this area is incomplete. We won't know what will happen."
Meld's voice sounded. Kouki's group tightened their expression and stepped into the unknown domain.
A big hall appeared after they had advanced for a while. All the members had a bad feeling somehow. That feeling proved to be true. Magic appeared in the center of the room as soon as they entered it. A 10 m magic formation pulsed with dark red energy. That was a familiar sight for them.
"N-No way...is it that guy?"
Kouki cried out while a cold sweat dripped down his forehead. The other members also had a strained expression on them.
"Seriously, that guy didn't die?"
Ryutaro shouts while surprised. Meld responded to them with a calm voice and a stern expression.
"The origin of the demons in the dungeon is unknown. Even if you defeat it once, you will encounter it many times. Be careful! Do not forget to secure an escape route!"
So they can escape for sure if there was an emergency, Meld first priority was to issue commands to ensure an escape route. The subordinates obeyed immediately. But Kouki wanted to speak his mind.
"Meld. We are not the same as that time. I've become many times stronger. And won't be defeated again! Certainly we can win!"
"He, that's true. We won't always lose. This is a revenge match."
Ryutaro shouted out with a fearless smile. Meld just shrugged his shoulder like he couldn't help it. With their current abilities they should be okay. Similarly, he now had that same smile.
The magic formation finally lights up and explodes. Their nightmare had appeared before them.
"Guugaaa!!"
The beast gave a roar and stomped the ground. A glare full of fierce intent to kill was sent to Kouki's party by the Behemoth. In the group, there was a single girl that glared back at the monster; ignorant of the tension building up in the others.
The girl was Kaori. Unheard by anyone, Kaori with will declared to herself.
"I won't let you take anyone else. I will overcome you and go down to him."
Now, the fight to conquer their past began.
* * *
Translator's Note:
Author's note talks a little more about the dungeon. I'll translate it later if there is any interest, but for now I'll give a summary. He talks about how the comparison of strength in the dungeon. The behemoth is the strongest on the 65th floor but that's just the upper level of the dungeon. Orcus went further than 100 levels that the people were aware of. Hajime had fallen in the abyss that was lower than those 100 levels. The monsters in the lower level (abyss) are much stronger than the upper levels (100 and up?).
He also showed as Kouki's stats
* * *
Name
Amanokawa Kouki
Age
17 Years Old
Gender
Male
Level
46
Class
Hero
Strength
560
Vitality
560
Resistance
560
Agility
560
Magic
560
Magic Resistance
560
Skills
Aptitude All Attribute
Resist All Elements
Resist Physical
Complex Magic
Swordplay
Herculean Strength
Quick Movement
Foresight
Sign Perception
Magic Perception
Limit Break
Language Comprehension
Chapter 19: Beyond the Past - Part 2 (Classmate Side 2)
[Battojutsu: The art of the draw. Closely related to Iaido. This is the act of drawing the sword from the sheath and using that motion to accelerate the blade. Himura Kenshin from Kenshin is famous for this, so much that he is called the Battosai. If you want to see some examples of it then watch his fights.]
* * *
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 o
thers 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…"
