I'm back, sorry I got caught in the real life. But I have three months break right now so expect more regular chapters.
It is my fist time writing like this. So tell me your opinion and what I could improve.
Those wondering when things will change. They will change after leave the Abyss.
I had little problems about the first volume. In my case some minor changes will be done.
Masive changes from vol 2 to onward.
Also, for those wondering. Yes, things are more difficult now.
In canon, Hajime and his group had it too easy. Now it won't be, monsters will be stronger, main antagonists will be more competent and challenge shall arise.
If all Arifureta was set in easy mode then I will gradually made it harder in comparison.
That said, Merry Christmas. In two days I will be updating again, this time an Interlude.
Yes, I do interludes.
Arifureta is property of Shirakome, not mine.
Hajime Pov
What I was expecting when we were led to the entrance to Orcus Dungeon was the ancient and classical cave. Instead the place was more akin to a museum or a attraction in a festival, it had a counter with a receptionist and various stalls around that offered different products and services. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who felt the tension fade at the sight of this.
The receptionist checked our Status Plates, it was a measure implemented less than a month ago to keep a record of the number of causalities in the dungeon. With the threat of an imminent war so close, the government tries to have an estimated of all their possible assets.
Following behind Captain Meld we got inside. The change was sudden but not unexpected, kind of like when we got into Achard's study in the castle. The lively atmosphere vanished and in its place an ominous air made itself present. In front of us is, a five meters wide, eight meters tall passage, and some kind of effect that made appear darkness around five meters around.
I touch the wall... and activate the skill I developed during the last week of training in the transmutation workshop.
[Mineral Sense]
Information rush in my brain, in a meter radio around and under me, I can feel the wall, the floor, their structure, the contact.
New awareness. I can feel those inside my area. And if an enemy is hidden in the wall or underground I will know it. My area is short though. It will grow in the future, or so I expect.
Normally the skill is used for synergists looking for minerals, gems, ores or even treasures. And when finese is required in transmuting.
"Let's go"
Having been enough time for look around, captain Meld led us further inside.
Some uneventful minutes of walking we reach a small hall, with a dome shaped ceiling and with walls full of holes, cracks and missing pieces.
I want to go and inspect the damage with my skill, but insted I kept myself behind.
"Get ready"
After the captain warning, from the holes, several furballs-like creatures sprang in our direction.
From one of the books I took... er borrowed from the library I know they are called ratmen, arguably the weakest monsters alive. In fact, even kids could beat them.
They were the closest this world had to a fight tutorial, very pitiful existences.
Twenty of them were rushing here, ten in front ten a meters behind. The next instant, Amanogawa was there, ten ratmen bisected bodies at his feet and Holy Sword in his right hand.
I gave a look at the sword again. It was pure white with unnatural shine in the edges. Its length almost two meters long.
It was a national treasure, wielded only for the bravest of men, a sword that chooses its wielder, not the other way around.
Now till the day of his death, the sword won't leave Amanogawa's side, and won't let him use any other weapon, ever. Also based in the user and his bound with the sword, new abilities and effects it displayed.
Like, [Life Stealing], [Mana Drain], [Curse], [Paralysis], [Poison], [Berserk], [Burn] and many others. Though for now it was just a very sharp sword.
In my mind I retorted 'That ain't a Holy Sword, that is a Demonic Sword'. I couldn't say something like that aloud without being dubbed as heretic.
While I was pondering about the true nature of the sword the battle was already over. The other ten ratmen having been reduced to ash by the very enthusiastic mages.
Just as I thought, this can't be called a fight, it was over in less than four seconds. This is what I call overkill.
"Good work, but in the future try and kill your enemies in a way that preserves their mana crystals. What you did back there was overkill."
Captain Meld voiced my thoughts, it seems like he and I were in the same page.
"I guess it really doesn't matter since ratmen cores are not that worth it."
The strongest the monster the better the core, and the higher the price when sold. That means that the lower you go the recompense grow proportional to the danger.
Today's objective was to reach the twenty floor, fighting monsters all the way long.
"Well, keep moving forward."
We followed the good captain inside the next hallway.
"Always have a eye open for traps. There are various of them here and most people die by them that by monsters."
With such advice we stayed alert. My [Mineral Sense] when active could inform me about any abnormality a meter around or under me.
A lizard-looking monster was in front of me. It was covered in wounds and loosing blood fast, it would die in a less than a minute if left alone. I would like to say it was me who injured it so much, but I would be lying.
To make the fights more challenging and experience fulfilling we were divided in groups, parties, and taking turns beating monsters.
Right now it was my turn. Being the proud member of a one man team and having a no combat related class, the knights had the decency of weaken the creature before send it my way.
Mu strategy consists in use my principal skill [Mineral Shaping], turning the part of the floor below the lizard thing into a pitfall, then hardening the ground after, leaving most of its body trapped underneath the floor, sans the head. It struggled and hissed but it can't scape.
With the monster restrained, I close the distance and slash its head with my sword. It isn't a clean cut, but the lizard thing die when the tip of the sword hit the brain.
I remove the weapon of the skull. I look the blood in the sword. This is the fourth monster I have killed. It's much more different that when I did it in my PC. The feeling of cutting flesh is disgusting, just like the smell of the blood.
If some day I need a job I won't be a butcher.
"That was an ingenious way of use a non-combat skill in a fight, it is the third time I see it in action and I think it has potential"
Captain Meld praised my performance. It feels good. Sadly I know it won't be useful against intelligent and fast opponents. I can make traps, but my range is only ten meters, an intelligent opponent can notice my actions while a fast opponent can react and avoid my traps, even reach me before I could do much. If the area of my Mineral Sense skill were to grow maybe I could make inconspicuous traps, but right now, I am still Mr useless.
My turn over, I return to the end of the formation. Waiting there for me is Kaori.
"Are you in pain Nagumo-kun, let me heal you, just tell me where it hurts"
"I am told you already, I'm completely fine"
"Are you sure"
"Yeah, I am sure"
This is the fourth time we had the same conversation.
Thanks to my form of fight, and the knights help I have sustained no injuries so far. Yet that doesn't stop Kaori from come all the way here to heal my nonexistent wounds.
Last night, I told her what I thought would make her feel better, I didn't think she would take that promise so seriously and personal. I can feel Kaori worried glances each time is my turn to fight.
While we advance I look around. I have kept attention in those who have killed monsters, trying to understand their emotions and feelings.
Amanogawa act like the monsters aren't even alive, just something he must overcome for justice or whatever real motivation this guy has.
Sakagami act like someone who doesn't like what is doing but knows he has to do it. Uh, we might have something in common.
Yaegashi is the harder to read. She looks indifferent to the killing like many others. But under that mask and cool attitude she is obviously disgusted with herself? She clearly hate this the more among us.
Last is Hiyama. He is a bully, so I expected him to feel joy beating the weaker than him monsters of the dungeon. Instead he felt more like someone with a grudge venting his frustration in a substitute of the real person. When I am not looking (or when he thinks I am not looking), Hiyama sends glares my way, filled with negative emotion.
I'm getting scared, this is worse than normal. I'll keep an eye on him just in case he is up to something. I must be more careful when close to him from now on.
""Graaa""
Two monsters. One to the left, engaging Sakagami and Yaegashi, while the right one distracted Amanogawa.
Almost reaching the end of the twenty floor we were attacked by them.
The closest thing they resemble are rock golems, only with form of a big ape, rock claws and large rock tail. Rockmounts they are called. Monsters found normally in the twenty eight floor. They disguised themselves as rocks to ambush us.
It seem strange to found them here but I guess this happens sometimes.
Amanogawa strikes were quickly worn down the rockmount he was fighting, it regenerated but Amanogawa didn't seemed to be in any hurry, all of the creature attacks were being easily parried. I guess the rockmount wasn't a challenge for him.
In the other side, Sakagami punches were blowing chunks of the body of his opponent but those grew back very fast, while he received all of the rockmounts hits that did him little damage.
Yaegashi for her part, made countless gashes in its body in the few seconds since the fight started, but rockmounts don't bleed, for in their bodies run mana instead of blood, and the wounds closed too. Its tail moved as if were its own entity but Yaegashi was faster than it.
Getting impatient and wanting to finish this quickly the mages in the back lines started chanting magic to end the rockmounts for good.
I stayed behind, close to the knights, observing the fight.
Then, suddenly something changed. For a short instant it looked the rockmounts eyes shined crimson.
""Roarrr""
Both rockmounts roared at the same time... I want to leave this place right now. My legs are trembling and don't move. I want to leave, I don't want to be here, I want to...
A hand gripped my shoulder... and my fear dissipated. It was captain Meld's skill [Raise of Moral], thanks to it I no longer feel the need of run and hide. Now composed I can think more clearly.
The skill the rockmounts used was [Intimidating Roar], an AoE skill that, based in various factors, can induce [Fear], [Apprehension], and [Stun] to those in range.
Yaegashi, Sakagami and Amanogawa who were hit at poins blank got stunned for a couple of seconds. Enough time for one of the rockmounts to lift a boulder and throw it to the scared mages in the rearguard.
The mages only could see the boulder coming to them. One of them slowly tried to raise his staff, fighting the magic induced fear to do something but his arm didn't obeyed his will.
The boulder about to crush them stoped midair, hitting something. A invisible wall full of cracks turned was one of Taniguchi's barriers that she put there beforehand.
The inertia made the boulder fall to the ground harmlessly—or so should have been. Instead it back flipped reveling be not an ordinary boulder but a rockmount too. It smashed the weakened barrier with its tail and used [Intimidating Roar], stunning the mages.
It took a step, one of his claws moving toward the immobilized Priestess in the group.
'Kaori'
Thanks to Meld's skill I could move. And that's what I was doing. Things moved slower than they should, adrenaline filling my system. While my body moved by its own will my mind was assessing the situation.
Amanogawa, Sakagami and Yaegashi weren't stunned anymore, but their opponents were blocking their path with their own lives costing them precious seconds.
Kaori and her fellows mages were stunned and couldn't move.
The rest of students were under [Apprehension] .
The claw was getting close. My body moved faster than ever before, yet I knew I won't make it in time.
But, before despair could engulf me in the corner of my vision field I saw something. It ran past me, so fast I had no time to react. The next thing I know is that captain Meld was there, in front of Kaori, with a pile of rocks at his feet.
It then dawned in me, the close I was to lose my only friend had not been for Meld. If someday the opportunity arise I'll repay this favor, I won't forget it.
"Arrggh... how you dare... Celestial Flash"
Enraged, Amanogawa filled his sword with light mana and swung it down. There was a column of light, then white, I had to close my eyes. When I opened them again, the rockmount and part of the wall behind it were gone and pieces of the ceiling were failing down.
Close to him, Sakagami punch went through the rockmount chest to the other side, breaking its core. The rockmount crumbled into tiny rocks.
Amanogawa looked satisfied for a second, then captain Meld delivered a punch to his gut.
"Next time be more careful, don't use big attacks in narrow passages like this..."
While captain Meld scolded Amanogawa for his blunder I got close to Kaori.
Yaegashi was already at her side. I stop and listen their conversation.
"Are you sure you are fine, Kaori, we are friends and the situation was dangerous, you haven't to act tough with me"
"I am fine Shizuku-chan, I know it was dangerous, but I don't feel like it was"
"That was, ugh the Stun"
When you are stunned, your brain can't process the signals it get from the senses. In other words, you are aware of what is happening around you, but cannot do head or tails about it.
In this case it was good, because although Kaori saw the rockmount getting close to kill her, her brain couldn't perceive the dangerous of the situation.
Knowing Kaori was fine, I turned around and moved away from them. I still want to talk with Kaori, but I'm scared.
For more than a year I did my best to deceive myself. Acting like the oblivious and dense protagonist of the LN I read.
Kaori's feelings. I can't say I wasn't aware, because I was. I am.
Kaori Shirasaki has feelings for Hajime Nagumo.
I told myself that wasn't true and feigned ignorance. My act was so good that only Yaegashi noticed.
'I just want things to stay like this.'
But, Kaori obvious feelings have turned hardest to ignore since last week. Last night was the last straw.
Then Kaori almost died right now.
I can't keep avoiding the truth.
Hajime Nagumo has feelings for Kaori Shirasaki.
A truth I did my best to forget.
Not wanting to ponder about it, I actived [Mineral Sense] and focus on it most of my attention in a effort to distract myself.
Looking for reactions, there was nothing, just the crumbled pieeces of ceiling and wall.
Captain Meld finished reprimanding Amanogawa and was giving instructions to the other knights to get ready for the return trip.
I guess is over, it was an interesting experience, one I am not so keen on repeat. But not so bad overall.
We were ready to leave, when suddenly.
"What is that? Is all sparkly."
Kaori words drew the attention of all of us. Following her gaze, we looked to the broken wall.
There, buried in its center was an indigolite crystal emitting a pale blue glow, protruding from the wall like a flower in bloom. All of the girls, including Kaori, were entranced by the beauty of the gem.
Curious, because that wasn't there when I checked around with my skill.
"Oh, that's a glanz crystal. And a pretty big one to boot. How rare,"
Captain Meld said. Then began giving a lecture.
"Glanz crystals are a type of raw gemstone. Though they hold no special properties, their luster and radiance make them popular among the noble ladies and their daughters. They are often processed into rings, earrings, pendants, and such other jewelry to be given as gifts. It is among the top three jewels used in proposal ring."
"That sounds so lovely…"
Kaori blushed when she heard Captain Meld's explanation, and was further entranced by the stone. She then sent a glance at me.
'Don't look at me like that.'
If she wants it as a gift so much I guess I can make it myself later, when my skill grows enough. Jewelry is one of us, synergist specialities after all.
I have no intention to run toward something that literally scream 'trap'. Only a complete moron would do it.
"In that case, I'll go grab it for you!"
Hiyama suddenly ran forward after saying that.
"Hey! Don't touch that! It can be a trap!"
Captain Meld warned Hiyama, however he pretended not to hear, and reached for the crystal with his hands.
The next thing I saw, was captain Meld preventing Hiyama of touch the crystal by tackling him.
"Uff"
I let out a sigh, honestly, traps are more dangerous than the monsters and Hiyama almost triggers one. Fortunately Meld was here, this guy sure is reliable.
Crisis avoided. Or so I thought.
From the center of the crystal a magic circle that glowed bright white appeared, then grew large enough to encompass the part of the hallway whit all of us.
Light filled the room, and before long white was the only thing I could see. Then I was assailed by a sensation of weightlessness and dejavu. This was just like the day we were summoned to this world.
I fell to the ground with a thud.
Groaning in pain I looked around. Most of the others were still on the ground just like me, but Amanogawa and his group were already on their feet, examining their surroundings.
There was no trace of Meld and his soldiers. Only we, the summoned students are here.
There is no way such a trap can be normal.
The magic circle from earlier must have contained a teleportation spell. Magic from 'The Age of the Gods' was remarkable because it could easily do things that few modern mages could.
I stand up and look for clues about our whereabouts.
Apparently we were teleported to the middle of a massive stone bridge. It has a hundred meters in length. The ceiling towered a full twenty meters above them. Below the bridge was not a river, but instead a dark abyss with no visible end and made me think of the very pits of hell.
Though the bridge was ten meters wide, it had no railing at all, so if someone slipped, there would be nothing to catch their fall. One side had a passage heading further in, while stairs leading upward were at the other end.
Then, magic circles suddenly appeared on both sides of the bridge, accompanied by a swirling torrent of dark red mana. The magic circle on the passage-side of the bridge was ten meters wide. The ones on the stairs-side were only person sized each, but there were many.
The dark red magic circles resembled pools of blood, and gave off an ominous feeling. They pulsed once, and waves of monsters began pouring forth.
From the countless magic circles near the stairs came a horde of skeletons wielding weapons and armor made of Soldiers, two hundred of them were standing in the stairs blocking the way.
Traum soldiers, undead creatures normally used as minions by weak liches or initiates necromancers. Their strength, speed and durability weren't outstanding. They were only useful in big amounts and as distraction, giving time to their master to do something worthwhile.
Despite their numbers it was the other side opponent what I considered more frightening.
From within the ten meter wide magic circle emerged a monster as big as the circle that summoned it. It was big, at least six meters tall. Its head alone was the zize of Sakagami, it had a pari of horns, and they were burning. Its mouth was filled with fangs, and was big enough to swallow people whole. If I had to match him with an animal it would be a buffalo, a buffalo with wolf legs, legs with very sharp claws. The worst were its eyes, red eyes filled with hate.
I knew a monster that fitted that description.
"Oh my… It's… the Behemoth…"
I expressed aloud my thoughts.
A wave of unease washed over all of us when we saw the Behemoth, it didn't need for an intimidating skill when its mere presence was enough to make us know how far above us it was.
Every ten floor from level 40 onward there is a boss room. Boss monster, were stronger than normal monsters. The boos had to be defeated if people wanted to move to the next floor. Once killed they take a full month to respawn.
Behemoth was the boss of the sixty floor and the second hardest monster known in the dungeon. Only Gold adventurers could beat it.
The thing is, I was fairly certain it wasn't a month yet since it was killed last time. Boss monsters killing is very profitable and kept under supervision of the guild after all.
Even Amanogawa realized he was up against a truly fearsome opponent and started preparing his strongest attack. It was the kind that built up energy and releases it.
However, the Behemoth, refused to grant us time, it let out a guttural roar, signaling the start of the battle.
"Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
Behemoth ignited itself in flames and charged straight toward us, faster than a creature its size had the right to. At the same time, the Traum Soldiers (I'm going to call them traums from now on) started advancing and stepping in the bridge. A pincer attack.
Being realistics there was no way we could defeat behemoth, and so I and the others ran toward the more numerous but less intimidating traums, also it was the direction that behemoth was not.
All semblance of formation crumbled as everyone scrambled for the stairs, trying their best to escape.
Behemoth was getting close.
"Fortress Wall"
In middle of the chaos a spell was casted. It was, Taniguchi's, the Barrier Master.
A wall made of magic, wide enough to block the width of the bridge and high enough to reach the ceiling materialized. In appearance looked just like its name suggested.
[Fortress Wall] is a very powerful defensive spell rarely used. It covers just one direction, the initial mana cost is proportional to the size and drain mana by each hit it stop. In the other hand, the defense it boosted was simply phenomenal.
Behemoth and the wall clashed, a huge shockwave spread out, pulverizing the ground near the impact. The entire bridge shook precariously. Some students fell to the floor.
The traums already in the bridge didn't miss the opportunity and moved to attack the vulnerable classmates.
One of them was a girl still recovering from her fall. I saw various traums approaching her, one in particular, dangerously close to her.
The bridge shook again.
I dropped to a running posture. I had no intention of run though, the last fight taught me how slow I really am. Instead I'll make use of [Mineral Shaping] that requires contact with the ground.
The girl that noticed the traum attacking her was too scared to move. The traum was brandishing its bone sword toward her head, when I made a protrusion grew under its feet making it miss.
Then, I do my best imitation of the earth spell [Earth Slide], a poor's man [Earth Slide], but it is enough.
The lump in the ground moved forward, dragging the traum off the bridge. It was so effective that I did it again five times more in a row, with the traums closing in us, throwing them to their demise.
The bridge shook again.
Thus, I felt tired, it was my first time using my skill in such a way, so fast. I wanted to take a rest but this wasn't the place nor the time.
Reaching for the girl hand I lift her back to her feet. She let me, obviously still in shock. I look her close, her name is Sonobe Yu...ma... I think. Thinking about it, I don't know most of the names of my classmates.
In any case I can't leave her in this state, so I'll try to lift her spirit with encouragement words.
"Come on, we gotta hurry. This piles of bones are harmless, even I can beat them, you all should have a picnic with them."
I told her that while signaling the scared students being assaulted by the oh so numerous traums.
The bridge shook again.
My words and the reality don't matching makes me look unconvincing. I'll try something else. This time putting my hand in her shoulder and signaling again the same scene.
"Can you do something for me? I want you to go there and help the others. Lift their moral and guide them to fight. If you do it, I'll owe you one, what do you say. Thanks I knew I could count with you."
Not wanting for her answer I push her in direction of the battle.
Now calmer I decide to asses the current situation.
The shockwaves of behemoth attacks are damaging the bridge, it won't endure too many of these attacks and will collapse.
Taniguchi is about to faint, the barrier will disappear with her consciousness.
Our best chance is for us to sweep aside the traums and reach the stairs. Amanogawa should be already be done that. Why are we still here?
Looking for him I can't find Amanogawa in the chaos of battle, neither Yaegashi or Kaori. I look behind, in behemoth direction. There near the magic wall are Amanogawa and his usual group, including Kaori.
I run toward them, listen their conversation when I got close enough.
"Kouki!, for the last time, we need to retreat. The barrier won't last longer!"
"No Shizuku, you don't understand, what is a hero if not someone that overcome impossible odds? I'll defeat behemoth, you just wait."
"Don't worry Kouki, Im with you man I'll help you"
"Thanks, Ryutarou, I can always count with you"
"Don't encourage Kouki recklessness. You both, stop acting like immature childs. You are too big for this"
"Shizuku-chan"
Ahh, I understand the situation once I hear enough.
Amanogawa, confident in his strength, thinks he can defeat behemoth. Sakagami won't leave his friend alone in such a endeavor so he'll help him. Yaegashi wants to retreat but can't convince Amanogawa, neither can she leave him. And Kaori won't abandon her friends never.
The bridge shook again.
I want Kaori to leave this place, for that I must convince Amanogawa to leave this fruitless fight and focus in the retreat. That would be a problem, Amanogawa is of those people that think they are always right. I long since stopped trying to reason with him. Shizuku still try, but as shown here is useless most of the time.
"Amanogawa-kun!"
I called him, at least I'll try, if I fail it won't matter anymore.
"N-Nagumo!?"
""Nagumo-kun!?""
They were surprised to see me. I guess they are so distracted they didn't notice me with their [Perception] skills.
"You have to retreat! Everyone is in danger! They need you! Now!"
I tried to look desperate, what I am, it is just, for some reason it doesn't show in my face. For years, even when I am scared I don't look the part.
"Why are you here!? You shouldn't be here! Leave this place to us, Nagumo, and—"
"Shut up"
I cut off Kouki, with a vehemence I had never expressed before. This guy isn't even considering my words, it's time for a rude awakening.
Kouki unconsciously stiffened up. I guess he didn't expect me, the guy who was usually so quiet, the one who generally blew everything off with a smile, to yell so angrily. To be honest neither did I, but right now I was at my wits end.
"Are you so blind that you can't see what is happening around!?"
I grabbed Amanogawa's collar and forced him to turn around and look. He saw the scene of his desperated and outnumbered classmates, fighting against the traum soldiers.
It wasn't so bad compared to the start, that Yuma girl apparently took charge and made a decent fighting force. It was a shame it was so late already. Each second twenty new traums are summoned. The total is a little more than a thousand now, even though I am sure they have killed more than four hundred of them. They have been slowly losing ground.
"You are the only that can save them, you are an hero, prove it, go there and defeat all those skeletons, then get everyone here out alive. You are strong enough to change the outcome of a lost battle, but more than that you can inspire them, give them hope..."
I punched Amanogawa in the face, knowing I won't have a opportunity like this ever again. My hand hurts, and I don't think he even felt it. Still, it was worth it.
"... Be the leader you are supposed to be, they are counting with you"
Dazed, more for my words than my punch, Amanogawa looked from the struggle back to me and nodded
"Yeah, I get it now. We're retreating! Shizuku, I am really sorry, I was being —"
The bridge shook again. This time the wall vanished. Taniguchi must have depleted her mana.
Behemoth was there making its way slowly. I tried to make a wall to stop it but it may as well be made of paper.
"Bring ruin to all that is evil with thine divine light! Celestial Charge!"
Aiming his sword toward behemoth Amanogawa released the energy he accumulated since behemoth appeared. Behemoth and half of the room were wrapped in light.
[Celestial Charge], a more advanced form of the early used [Celestial Flash]. The user can't attack while drawing energy from the environment so it isn't practical, but it was no doubt powerful.
Having to close my eyes I use [Mineral Sense], to feel around. This is bad, the bridge is close to collapse, Amanogawa fortunately aimed straight and not vertical. We would be death if he did.
While the light diffused Amanogawa panted slightly.
"That should have been enough… Haah… Haaah…"
"Yeah, that had to have killed it, right?"
I wanted to agree with them, I really want, but I didn't.
Gradually the light began to fade and the dust surrounding the Behemoth cleared. And the Behemoth… was alive, seriously damaged but still alive. I'm not an expert in monster but looking at it I would say it had a leg in the grave already. Its horns were definitely gone, blood was oozing from several wounds it sustained and both its eyes were dripping red.
Most monsters follow the rule of the stronger they are the hardest they get. This is due a skills such as [Tough Skin], [Scale Armor] or [Steel Feathers].
Monsters also have mana, different from humans whose mana is linked to their soul theirs is is in their core. They can't use spells, but they still use it to active their skills or the most simple use of mana ever, enhance themselves. Enhance oneself with mana is not an spell, is more akin to will the energy that is inside you to reinforce an action.
Soldiers swords are sharper when they attack and their armor harder when they are hit directly.
Even civilians can do it unconsciously, in short, instantaneous bursts.
Monsters with high mana use it to sharp their claws and fangs and reduce magical damage. The mana coating them like a cloud. That was the case here.
Still, at this point behemoth isn't a factor anymore. Even the weakest attack should kill it now. All we have to do is to wipe out the traums and get out of here. It should be easy with Amanogawa, Sakagami and Shizuku in tow.
Talking about it, thee group fighting the traums has been retreating and finally regrouped with us. The other side of the bridge is filled with more than two thousand of traums blocking the way. Not a trouble really.
Of course, things can never be so easy. The practically dead behemoth started shaking slightly and glowing a ominous red.
I kew what it means. All of us knew what it means.
Behemoth was using [Last Stand].
[Last Stand] is not a skill, neither a spell. It was more akin to how sentient beings enhanced themselves unconsciously. Just with various conditions.
The first being to be about to die.
The second is to accept you are going to die.
The third is to have a strong wish before die.
The last is to want it enough to make it true at any cost.
When this conditions are met the being in question get his parameters doubled, unlimited MP, [Pain Immunity] and nothing short of lost the head will kill it, all of this for a whole minute. After the minute is over the body will turn into dust and not even the soul will remain.
It is sorta a kind of [Limit Break] skill. Just with much worse after effects. Not many live enough to met the requirements to use it, in the rares cases it happened it was mostly out of spite for the enemy.
In other words, behemoth knows he is going to die and accepts it, yet he hate us so much he won't die without dragging us with him.
Various of my classmates fell into despair, and into the ground. I don't blame them. This situation is beyond terrible. We are sorrounded, a wall of bones for one side, an unstoppable force in the other.
Amanogawa has not the strength to defeat behemoth as is now, Taniguchi is unconscious, having been protecting the class all the expedition.
Once again time slows for me, I wrack my brain for ideas, something, anything that could save us. I look around for ideas anything, and see Kaori, healing the injured classmates. I look at her for what I felt like an hour, and then turned to face behemoth.
I drop to my kness with both of my hands in the ground. To others I may look like I have lost hope. I use [Mineral Shaping] and [Mineral Sense]. The ground under behemoth became fine as salt and a third of its body got buried in it. I offer my mana to the ground, reforming and reinforcing it.
All turned to look in my direction surprised for what just happened.
A tenth of my total mana was lost there, with sweat trailing down my forehead and without looking them I told in a composed tone.
"Defeat the traum soldiers and reach the bridge, I'll take care of Behemoth."
Behemoth is trashing and breaking the ground. Microscopic and enormous cracks form in a fraction of second. They fix themselves using my mana but at the pace it happen it will last only ten second more.
The bridge is unstable right now. Amanogawa last attack being the worst offender. Another of behemoth shockwaves will make the whole bridge come down, with us in it.
For that reason I am keeping together the bridge in my little area. And behemoth restrained, to give enough time to them to scape.
"... I understand, Celestial Flash"
Eight seconds.
This time it was my turn to be surprised. Amanogawa understanding my determination was that shocking.
The group started to distance from me. Amanogawa easily destroying hundreds of traums per attack, and leading them to the stairs, or so I think I'm facing behemoth not their side of the bridge.
Six seconds.
Behemoth ignited himself in flames again, just this time they were hotter than before. The continuous heat made this harder, the double, six seconds turned three.
Two seconds
Something smell like is burning, probably my skin by being so close to behemoth.
One second.
They must be finishing securing the bridge, That means my work is done.
I can't anymore, my mana is depleted, when I thought that, my mana was suddenly refilled.
Six seconds.
Mi mana was full. And my skin wasn't burned anymore.
I can't look behind, I don't want to look behind. I know who is behind me. I don't want she to see me.
"Why are you still here Shirasaki"
This is the first time I have called with no honorific.
This was one of Kaori spells, [Mana Transfer]. A spell that allows her to share her mana with her allies.
Kaori full mana was at least fifteen times the mine. But she too was exhausted, having healed all of the injuries of those fighting the traums. She should still have at minimum six times my mana capacity.
"Nagumo-kun"
Kaori was there, with Shizuku behind her before Kaori could give a step in my direction I made a wall of sfone between us, stopping Kaori.
My mana wasn't espended, because she was still supplying me.
"I'll only tell it once, Get out of here Shirasaki, run for the stairs."
"But, what about you?"
"Is too late for me. I can't outrun behemoth, neither can outrun the fall of the bridge"
Even now, parts of the bridge out of my range were already falling down, crumbling.
If Kaori were to stay here till her mana depleted (in which case she would faint) we could talk for almost half a minute. With the ten seconds that have already happened behemoth would still have like eighteen seconds to live. Enough to kill me and kill Kaori. That if the bridge not collapse first.
I won't let Kaori die. If I had Amanogawa strength the outcome would be different, sadly I was dealt a bad hand. Or so I thought. Right now my 'bad hand' can do what I want the most. That's what matter.
"I don't want to lose you, I promised I'll protect you"
Dammit, what are you doing throwing lines like that Kaori. I know you are crying, I don't have the heart for this. You are always making things difficult for me.
I want her to stop crying.
"Listen well, Kaori... This is not the end. Whatever happens next I'll promise you that I will live"
The only thing I can do now is to lift her spirit with a hollow promise.
"Not matter the distance and not matter the time it takes, we'll met again, of that you can be sure because...—"
Even if is hollow, I really meant each word.
"—I love you"
I told it. The truth I avoided for half a year.
"I love you too... That's why, I'll stay here with you.."
As expected. I need help
"Yaegashi knock out Kaori and take her far from this place"
Kaori is really stubborn, but Shizuku Yaegashi and I had a mutual understanding. Kaori was the most important person to her. If she had to choose between save her and abandon me she will always save Kaori. That's why, right now I can rely on her.
I couldn't see Yaegashi expression through the wall, but for a moment it felt like she was hurt.
"I am sorry Kaori, you can hate me later"
I heard a thud, Kaori being knocked out cold.
"I'm sorry"
Her last words to me, she leave my range.
Five seconds.
Behemoth is still burning and trashing.
Four seconds.
Sure they can't see me, nor hearme thanks to the wall and the distance. I start crying.
Three seconds.
Tears flow from my eyes. Why wouldn't they, I don't want to die. Sadly I am an idiot. When people need help my natural reaction is to help them if no one else can. That includes times in which my health might be in jeopardy. Now here I am, sacrificing myself for a group of people I have not the fondest memories.
Two seconds.
Several memories play in my mind. Bullying, indifference, verbal abuse, physical pain. The most I remember the most irrational what I am doing seem.
But then, come the memories I won't never forget. Most of them about Kaori.
One second.
Being the only person in the bridge I have no reason to hold behemoth anymore, or keep the bridge from falling.
Behemoth pure hatred was directed at me. It understood that I was as resigned to dead like him.
The bridge filled whit cracks, behemoth presence was burning me again. I took a pair of steps back before the bridge inevitable collapse.
Behemoth lunged toward me. A last attempt to revenge. The bridge couldn't more and broke down. I was falling in the dark depth of the abyys and behemoth with me.
I didn't stop crying, it was my end. I can't even see anymore, it was too dark for that. But it was beter this way.
My body hit something... water, my body slammed into a body of water. I was drowning, my mind was clouding, lack of oxygen in my brain. Thoughts less coherents.
Something hit the water close to me. The desintegrating form of behemoth.
Then I knew no more.
In the stairs, the summoned group could only watch in horror how one of them was swallowed by the dark.
Something they forgot was reminded. They weren't invincibles, they could still die. The notion of death scared them. Various of them were crying.
Then in the bridge, the same magic circle that brought them here appeared.
This time they were transported to the twenty floor, in the same position they were before. All of them less one. What reminded them of what they just faced.
The soldier that was stationed there called his superior immediately.
They didn't care, all they wanted was to leave and forget the events of this day.
"..."
"They passed the trial."
"..."
"Disappointing."
"..."
"The synergist is dead."
"..."
"He seemed promising."
"..."
"My opinion is not biased."
"..."
"Whatever."