Author: I will write up the next chapter soon after a little break. Please make do with this for now.
It needs some more editing.
Reader's POV
65th Floor
Back at the 65th floor where everyone was still on, Kaori can be seen near the end of the broken bridge caused by the Behemoth and Hajime. After giving his all to save his classmates, Hajime falls from the bridge and into the abyss along with Behemoth.
Everyone fell into despair upon witnessing his death, facing the stark reality that this wasn't some sort of a reality game. Here, death was final. What compounded their anguish was that the person who perished, the weakest and most undervalued fighter among them, had been the one who facilitated their escape, ensuring their continued survival.
With his absence, the weight of guilt from their years together in school finally caught up with them. The disdainful looks they directed at him, the bullying they ignored, and their perception of him as nothing more than deadweight—these realizations dawned upon them, revealing the individual who had worked the hardest among them.
Yet, amid the collective despair, one among them spiraled into an even deeper despair. Shirasaki Kaori, the kindest person in their class who was the only one who never gave up on Hajime despite his upbringing, was seen trying to jump and follow him into the abyss, but was being held back by Shizuku and Kouki.
Despite her small stature, somehow she is able to force Kouki to use more strength than he thought he needed to stop her. She struggled with all her might, getting closer and closer to the edge.
"Kaori, stop! Please, you can't!" Shizuku pleaded with her best friend. She understood the emotions Kaori was experiencing but found herself at a loss for words to console her, being deeply affected by their shared loss.
"Noo!! Let me go! I have to save him! Let me go!" She cried.
"It's too late, Kaori! We can't save him anymore!" Kouki tried convincing her, but his words only made it worse as it intensified her desperation instead.
"No…no, I promised! I promised that I will protect him! Nagumo-kuun!! Let me go! There's still time!" She continues her struggle with tears coming from her eyes.
At the same time, Meld who had been watching from behind stepped forward and swiftly struck her from behind, rendering her unconscious. He couldn't withstand watching her suffer like this. Kouki, who had been restraining her, was taken aback by the captain's sudden action and was about to protest, but Shizuku intervened, stopping him from speaking out.
"But Shizuku…!"
"Enough, Kouki!" She said sternly, making him stunned. "Thank you, Captain Meld." She thanked him as she hugs the unconscious Kaori in her arms. Meld could only give a silent nod to her as he wasn't proud of his action.
"We can't afford to lose any more of you." He said to Kouki. "It's enough that he took the fall for us. The only thing we can do for him is to not waste this chance and mourn for him."
"Yes sir…" Realizing that Meld was right, Kouki could only answer looking down.
"Now come on, all of you, we should get a move on before the monsters respawn." Everyone nodded before moving towards the doorway, with Shizuku carrying on her back. When it was Ryuga's turn to go through, he stopped moving just a step away. Turning around, facing the darkness at the end of the bridge. His action didn't go unnoticed as Meld called him out. "What's wrong Ryuga? Come on!"
"Ryuga-kun, is there something wrong?" He turned to hear Shizuku behind him.
"Shizuku-sama…"
"Both of you, hurry up!"
"Come on, we should go–" Shizuku turned around to group with the party, but paused when Ryuga called her.
"Shizuku-sama, when you find Rena upstairs, tell her I said; 'Wait for me with Shirasaki-san.' "
"Eh?" Her face contorted in confusion before turning into a shock as she watched him run towards the end of the broken bridge.
"OI! RYUGA! STOP!!!" Meld yelled to him as he saw him running, knowing about what he was about to do. He tried to chase and stop him before he could jump, but due to the weight of his armor and Ryuga being lighter than him, he couldn't get to him in time and watches in terror as he saw him dived down into the darkness. "RYUGAAAAA!!!"
Hajime's POV
'How many hours has it been…?' I wondered as I woke up again in this small cave, caused by the rumbling from my stomach. And every time I do, I get up and take a sip from the small river of ambrosia made by the divinity stone.
The water helps in easing our pain and injuries, but it doesn't cure hunger. So every time I took a drink, the hunger dissipates only for a moment before coming back to me. 'This method is torturous, just how many damn times do I need to repeat this process before somebody comes down here and save us?!' I thought in anger. But then, her image flashed in my mind
"Shirasaki-san…" I mumbled her name. "I wonder how she is now…"
Flashback
The night before we got into the labyrinth, I was in my room, doing some late night studying before we head out tomorrow. I was feeling nervous that night, afraid even, the tomorrow felt like an exam. A big one. So I thought I could ease my mind by going back through the materials of the monsters and traps that are laid out and how to avoid and beat them.
It helped a bit, and I was slowly feeling better with the nervousness fading away. "I think I can sleep easy now." I said to myself as I released a yawn and stretched my arms. As I close up my book, and was about to turn off the lights, I heard a knock coming from my door. 'Who would come here to visit me this late at night?' I wondered.
"Coming!" I gave a light response before going for the door. And as I opened it up, I was shocked to see who it was, even more with the clothes she came with; a cardigan over a snow white negligee. "Sh-Shirasaki-san?? What are you doing here?!"
"I…needed to talk to you about the labyrinth expedition tomorrow. Uhm…" She fidgetted. "can I come in?"
"Oh, uh, right. Sorry." I moved out of the way as I let her come in and closing the door behind her. She stood right by my study desk and I noticed staring at the book I was reading. "I was doing some studying if you were wondering." I told her sheepishly with my hand over the back of my head. "So, what was it that you wanted to talk about?"
"Tomorrow…I want you to stay behind, please."
I was taken aback by her words. Was I really that of a weakling that even she doesn't want me be part of the group? No, even if its Shirasaki-san, I'm not gonna stop now.
"I'm sorry, Shirasaki-san. But I believe I'm still going, and I'm not gonna stop even if its you asking me to." I said firmly. I've steeled my resolved, and I will keep going. Because even I want to go home.
"No, please! I need you to stay here!" She came onto my chest with her hands holding my shoulders as she looks up to me with teary eyes. Now I was confused. She needs me to stay behind?
"Shirasaki-san…did something happened?" I asked her with a confused look. She looked down with a pained expression before answering.
"I had a dream…it was a terrible dream…" I could her voice shaking as she spoke. "I was in a dark place, and I saw you in the distance. I tried calling out to you but you never responded to me and just kept walking away! I tried chasing after you but you just kept getting farther and farther! And then! And then…!"
"Shirasaki-san, calm down!" I grabbed her shoulders and shook her, which somewhat succeeded in calming her. "And then what happened?" I asked her calmly as to not intensify her fear. She gulped before she gave the answer.
"You disappeared…so please…" She grabs my shoulders tightly. With a deep breath, I gave her my answer.
"I'm sorry, Shirasaki-san. But I'm still going." She gave me a bewildered look. "So, could you protect me?" I asked her with a sheepish look. It is honestly embarrassing. Usually its the man who protects the girl, but now…
"Eh?" She was taken aback. Obviously she would.
"My job as a synergist is a class that isn't suitable for combat, but I'm going to do my best to help our friends. That's why, if I got myself injured, with your class as a Priest, you could just heal me with your powers so I can continue to fight and…protect you in return. Alright?" I told her with a smile.
"I…ok. I promise that I'll protect you. But promise me one thing!"
"Yes?"
"Make sure you don't push yourself too hard, ok?"
"I'll try." I gave her the most reassuring smile I coud muster.
Flashback end
Reader's POV
'Shirasaki-san…Everything could have gone fine…Everything could have gone effin fine if it weren't for that guy! That damn bastard! HIYAMA!!!' Hajime grits his teeth and gripped his hand tightly. If it weren't for his fingerless glove, his hand would have started bleeding due to his nails digging into it.
Whilst anger fueled his mind, a low gutteral rumbling was heard resounding their cave. Temporarily distracting him as he finds the source of the sound coming from Ryuga who was still sleeping. Or more like, trying to put himself back to sleep as he let out a groan and hugging his stomach. "Urghhh…"
"Ryuga…" Hajime softly called his name as he remembers that he was not alone. He finally had a friend. A friend who would be there with him. Back then he was a bastard too, but this bastard came for him, and saved him. 'What am I gonna do now…ever since we got here, we've been getting nothing but suffering. Some unknown god kidnapped us, and we were forced to do work of saving these people. Why us? Why me? Why did you even bring me here if you were just gonna make me a synergist?! Especially with low effin stats that aren't even average?!!'
Hajime looked down at his palm, and calms himself down as he thinks of what he wants to do. What's holding him here in this world? Is there any reason why had he to stay here? Must he stay here, in a world everything is against him? Even the god himself?
No, he refused to stay here. He doesn't need to! He was brought here against his will right? He can just leave and go home.
"That's right…home." He muttered. He could just go home and lie down on his bed. Watch his favourite animes, read manga, and play games. Helping his dad with his game productions. Yeah, that's what he need to do. Go home, and go back to his family.
With a clear image in mind, he gripped his hand and filled himself with determination. 'I want to survive and go home…with them!' The images of Ryuga, Rena and Shirasaki flashes in his mind. "Everything that stands between me and my home is my enemy!" A sinister smile formed on his face, letting out evil chuckles. "Hehe, that's right."
"Haj…"
"If something's in my way, if someone's forcing me to do crap…"
"Hajime…"
"I'll just kill them!!"
"Hajime!" Ryuga got up and grabbed his shoulders as he called out to him.
"Wha-huh?!"
"Hajime? You alright dude?" Ryuga asked him with worry written all over his face. Hajime's creepy mumbling must woken him due to terrifying it was.
"Huh? Y-yeah, I'm fine."
"Jeez, you scared me for a moment there. What happened?" He put his hands down to help him as he sit up.
"I was...just lost in thoughts." Hajime brushed his worry away, which somehow worked as his shoulders relaxed. He needed to talk to Ryuga about his plan, but before he did, he took in a deep breath. His plan was suicidal after all, and he was already prepared to take the risks. But his bro on the other hand. "Ryuga, if I say I want to get out of this hell hole, would you come with me?" The delinquent was taken aback by what he just heard as his eyes widened. "I know this sounds crazy, but I don't want to stay stuck in here knowing no one's gonna come for us."
Ryuga stared at him silently for a few seconds before he released a chuckle and tapping Hajime on the forehead.
"Hehe, idiot. I would have followed you anyways even if you didn't asked." He said with a smirk. "I was just surprised to hear that coming from you since you were always the quiet type. In fact, I wanted to propose the idea to you, but seems like you beat me to it. Haha!"
"Ryuga…"
"Let's do it, Hajime. I'll make sure to protect you all the way without fail." Hajime looks at him with wide eyes, a wave of relief and gladness washed over him. His words brought hope to him, surely they'll be able to survive. However…
"What about your sister? Aren't you worried about her?"
"Ha! She'll be fine. Lady Shizuku is there with her. Plus, she'll be able to go all out now since we're here." This made Hajime confused.
"What does that mean…?"
"Datte[cuz]…if there's anything here that tries to harm her, she could just kill them now since there's no Japanese law or some high level detectives." He answered with a dark grin. Hearing this and the expression he was giving, Hajime was able to confirm that even Ryuga would be fine with a little killings as a smirk formed on his face. "Oh right, you haven't seen her real personality yet." Now the smirk was gone.
"Bro! Just how many secrets you have?!"
"Meh…got a few more." He shrugged. "So? You've got a plan yet? Or we're just about to come up with it?"
"Well for starters," Their stomach released another rumbling sound. "we need food. And I think you know what I'm talking about." Ryuga's face paled in expression and was biting his own lips. He was definitely not a fan of that idea, but if they want to survive they have no other choices.
"Right…the rabbit and the bear is out of the options, so the two tailed wolves are our best bet."
"But it's still a tough choice since you don't have your sword anymore." Hajime thought as he holds a hand on his chin, thinking of alternative ideas on how to hunt the wolves.
"No, that won't be a problem." This surprised him, what does he mean that would not be a problem?
"But isn't your job a Swordmaster? You're best at dealing damage using swords." Hajime exclaimed with a furrowed eyebrow.
"Here, take a look at this." Ryuga hands him his Status Plate.
Katsuragi Ryuga Age: 17 Gender: Male
Job: Dragon Slayer Level: 12
Strength: 420 Vitality: 436 Defense: 388
Agility:278 Magic: 200 Magic Defense: 300
Skills: (Dragon Slayer Magic') (Draconian Soul[UNAWAKENED]) (Draconic Organs[Weak]) (Close Quarters Combat Proficiency) (Swordsmanship) (Sense Malice) (Intimidation) (Language Comprehension)
Hajime gawked upon what he was seeing, what is with these ridiculous numbers and skills? He's almost as comparable with Kouki. However that was not what he was most surprised about, it was his job that his entire focus was diverted to.
"Dragon Slayer…? What kind of class is that?" He asked, looking up at the owner. Ryuga only shook his head in response.
"I would like to know what it is myself." He shrugged. "I've been trying to find the answers everyday before we even got to the labyrinth. And let me tell you, I've done many means to unleash these so called dragon powers, but so far no results."
"Why didn't you go and talk to Captain Meld about this? And how were you able to hide this from him in the first place??"
"Because if I did go and talked to him, he would go back and report it to the king and that pope Ishtar." He said Ishtar's name with venom, surprising Hajime. "My father's mistake had forced me to always be suspicious of others. So right from the start, I never trusted that pope. Everything here feels like a scheme, an act even. Status Plates? Levels? Doesn't this sound similar to the stuffs back in our world?"
"Now that you mention it…" Hajime took his words into consideration, but was distracted by the rumbling from their stomachs again, they both groaned and sweat-dropped because they forgot the first thing they had to do. "You know what? Let's talk about this again later, food first."
"Yeah. So what's the plan to hunt those wolves? I think I can manage to kill them if I focus my attack on their head."
"Alright, then we'll do it this way…"
10 Minutes later
After working for a certain amount of time, preparing their traps and readying themselves to fight, it was finally time to lure in the prey. Hajime had dug out a huge hole, deep into ground where they had prepared another base with another hole in the middle.
The plan was once the trap was ready, Hajime would go out and become the bait. Whilst Ryuga will be waiting in the base, ready to kill any of the wolves that falls down using the makeshift spear that Hajime made.
Once the preys fell down, Hajime will bind them using his Transmute to stop from moving and Ryuga would began to stab them. Though was the original idea until the latter decides to change his approach…
After Hajime jumps and landed safely into the second base, the wolves came in after him, falling into the second hole. Before the last one got in, Ryuga seized one of them and held it in a chokehold.
The prey tried to escape from him by releasing a charge of lightning, but the attack didn't seem to faze him as he just drove the spear he had in his hand into the wolf's mouth till it pierced through the back. Once it did, the wolf finally stopped squirming and officially died.
Hajime gaped in disbelief at his method of killing. Couldn't he wait for him to bind the wolves first instead of taking it into his own hands, quite literally? It was lucky that he was on the other side of the hole, if not, the discharge of lightning would have affected him.
"Dude! Seriously?!" Hajime exclaimed angrily as he worked on binding the trapped wolves in the hole by filling it with stones.
"What?" Ryuga turned to him, confused.
"That could have hit me! Couldn't you wait till I bind them?!"
"Oh, my bad." The two of them looked down at the hole as they heard the wolf growling at them, as if it was telling them to let it go. "So one you, one me?" Hajime gave him a nod as he holds his hand over his face. "Aight, gimme a sec. Where's the head of this thing?" Ryuga pulled out his spear and finds the head of the other wolf before killing it like it's partner.
Afterwards, Ryuga handled the butchering of the animal and evenly splitting the parts. Separating the parts for him and Hajime to eat. And before they even proceed to eat their meal, Ryuga casted a fire spell to cook the meat. No way were they going to eat it raw right?
"..." The two of them stared silently at the meat laid in front of them, having second thoughts about going through with their idea. "Well," Hajime began. "I'll go first." He lowered his hand to grab a piece.
"No, wait. I'll go first. This meat might kill you."
"The outcome would be the same with you, and we'll die either way."
"...we'll do it together then." Hajime nodded in agreement and they both picked up a piece. "Ready? One, two, go."
Both of them took a bite from the meat and swallowed it. At first, the reaction from their stomach was as expected as they haven't eaten in awhile. And to suddenly consume meat especially must have surprised them as it began to protest, not to mention the meat tasted horrible.
But what came next really shocked them. An intense pain began to rack through their entire body, it was as if something was eating from their inside. Both of them screamed in agony as their body convulse due to the poisonous effect from the meat.
Realizing the imminent danger, they hastily consumed ambrosia in an attempt to counter the pain and the lethal effects of the meat. Yet, despite their efforts, the agony persisted, resurging after a brief respite.
The cycle of healing and destruction in their body persisted for more than a few minutes, the immense stress had turned their hair white. Subsequently, their muscles began expanding and reforming at an alarming rate, intensifying the pain, with Ryuga seemingly bearing the brunt of the suffering.
Once the constant suffering finally ends, Hajime could be seen with half of his head submerged in the pool of ambrosia whilst Ryuga on the other hand, laid on his back with an arm covering his face.
Both of them had went through a phase of metamorphosis, their blood and body had been re-engineered. Hajime's physique had insignificantly changed, whereas he has gotten taller and more muscular that his chest popped a button his shirt.
Ryuga also went through the same change, however his transformation was a tad different. He had some black scales growing on his arms down to his hands which have changed into dragon-like claws. It isn't visible enough, but some black scales can be seen around his neck.
"Hajime…you still alive buddy?" The man only let out a groan to give his answer.
"That was painful as heck!" He exclaimed as he pull out his from the ambrosia.
"You can say that again." Ryuga agreed with him as he also gets up. His eyes widen as he takes a look at Hajime. "Damn bro, you look like a demon."
"I could say the same to you, heck I think you got bigger. Like your about 6'2 inches now!" He pointed a finger at him before touching a piece of the wall and changing it into a mirror. True to their words, both of them looked like a demon, with blood red eyes and white hair. "Hold on, are those scales?!" Ryuga looks down at his arms, much to his surprise, he has them.
"Oh damn! My scars are still visible though." He exclaimed as he touches them. "But you on the other hand gained quite the muscles."
"Huh…oh right, let's check our Status Plates something should have changed."
Nagumo Hajime Age: 17 Gender: Male
Job: Synergist Level: 8
Strength: 100 Vitality: 300 Defense: 100
Agility: 200 Magic: 300 Magic Defense: 300
Skills: (Transmute)(Mineral Apraisal) (Mana Manipulation) (Iron Stomach) (Lightning Field)(Lightning Manipulation) (Language Comprehension)
"What?! Ryuga, check your Status Plate!"
"I know! I'm looking at it!"
Katsuragi Ryuga Age: 17 Gender: Male
Job: Dragon Slayer Level: 20
Strength: 630 Vitality: 645 Defense: 478
Agility: 320 Magic: 400 Magic Defense: 450
Skills: (Dragon Slayer Magic'') (Draconian Soul[UNAWAKENED]) (Draconic Organs[Moderate]) (Mana Manipulation) (Close Quarters Combat Proficiency) (Swordsmanship) (Sense Malice) (Intimidation) (Language Comprehension)
"Our levels jumped, and so are our stats. Something about my Dragon skills are different though?"
"What? Let me see." Hajime scoots over. "Huh."
"You have any idea what those means?"
"I…don't. My otaku brain has no knowledge of this."
"Well that sucks. Huh, seems like you got some new skills." Ryuga commented as he looks at Hajime's Status Plate.
"And you don't, which is surprising, except for Mana Manipulation."
"My Dragon skills must have done something, but at least I think I could brawl with that bear now." He exclaimed as he gripped his fist.
"About that…think you could hold on for a moment?
"Hmm?"
After having a brief discussion on their next move, Ryuga left the cave to get some minerals for Hajime to utilise his synergistic skills. Especially since he obtained the Mineral Appraisal skill, he had a wider range of idea of what he could do with his Job skill.
He planned to make a weapon for himself so he could fight better since apparently swordsmanship is definitely not up his ace. Not only that, he wanted to take revenge for himself to the monster that took his arm.
"Alright, I'm back! Brought some more of those ores you asked for." He said as he brings in the minerals in his makeshift bag made from what's left from his black coat.
"Thanks, just put them over there." He did as told before going over to see what Hajime was making.
"Oh, I see you've made a revolver."
"Yeah. I call it, Donner. Crafted it using Taur Stones along with its bullets packed with the Blast Rocks."
"That's German…is it? Didn't know you could speak German." Ryuga said, impressed by his talent. "And are those the actual names of those ores or you made them up?" He asked with a furrowed eyebrow.
"Well…haha yeah. But I'm not really fluent at it,I just picked it when I was working with my dad on developing games. Also, believe it or not, that's their actual names and I actually got them from the Mineral Appraisal skill."
"Ooh. So you're dad works for a game company huh. And you help him on it? That's something. No wonder you keep falling asleep in class. You're actually more diligent than you look, I'll make sure to punch Amanogawa in the face soon." Now Hajime was conflicted. Should he tell him he's actually the son of the Producer or not?
'Maybe not now. I didn't practically lie to him so I think it's fine. On the other hand…' The edges of his lips curled. "I'll be looking forward to that."
"Heh, you better." He smirked back before he notices somethin about Hajime's revolver. "Wait, I don't see the hammer. How are you going to shoot?"
"Like this." He loads a bullet in before shooting it at the wall on the opposite side, much to Ryuga's amazement that a 'Whoa' was heard from him. "With the Lightning Field I can't really shoot it out like the wolves did, but if I manipulate the Voltage and Ampere, not only I can ignite the bullet to create the blast but I can also accelerate it's speed for it to go faster than it should have."
"That is…quite powerful. What are you gonna make next? Some flashbangs and grenades?" Hajime blinked at the given idea before he grabbed a mineral that was laid nearby with a smirk. "Uh oh…I know that face." Ryuga stepped backwards as he sees Hajime make the same face he did earlier.
"Thanks for the brilliant idea!" He thanked as he brings the Mineral close to his face.
"Great, you can hunt the rabbits then." Ryuga threw his arms into the air as he prepares to go out once more. "I'll go out and get more ores."
Kingdom of Heiligh
After having returned from the traumatizing experience from the Oscar Labyrinth, all of the students were mentally and physically exhausted as they headed back. The image of Nagumo Hajime and Katsuragi Ryuga falling into the abyss was still fresh in their mind.
All of them immediately returned to their quarters to recover except for Kouki, Ryuutarou, and Shizuku who remained with Meld to report their findings to the king and pope Ishtar. Afterwards, they were ordered to remain quiet about the loss of Hajime and Ryuga.
Shizuku was taken aback by this. Their classmates just lost their lives and they were just told to keep quiet about it?
Currently she stood in her room looking out from the window with a sad expression as she waits for her friend to wake up, Kaori hadn't awaken ever since the incident in the labyrinth. 'The shocked must have taken a toll on her.' She thought before she began to remember the events that occurred.
Flashback
As she fought the Traum Soldiers, she was getting tired by the minute. There were still many of them, and some of her classmates has yet to get over to her side away from the Behemoth.
Just as she was distracted with fighting a Traum Soldier, another one came up behind her with its sword raised. Before it could even deliver a slash onto her, Ryuga quickly got behind her and killed off the skeleton, saving her life.
"Are you alright, Shizuku-sama?!"
"Thank you, Ryuga-kun. I'm fine but where's Kaori?!" She quickly asked him before she heard Hajime's voice.
"Here's your chance, run now!" He told to Meld and his soldiers along with Kaori. Afterwards, we see Meld picking Kaori up before he sworing to return for Hajime.
Afterwards, what was remembered of that event was everyone seeing Hajime falling into the abyss and Kaori screaming for him as she tried to follow him.
Flashback end
Wanting to distract herself from the terrible memories, she leaves the room and heads out to an open garden within the castle and decides to train her swordsmanship's footwork by doing the cutting drills.
Just as she was done, she throws the wooden sword into the air and cuts it apart using the sword she kept at her side.
"I-it's fine…" She heard a voice coming from behind one of the pillars holding the place. "Nobody will ever find out. Nobody saw me do it…Everything went perfectly. It's fine."
As she turns to it, she finds Hiyama there mumbling something to himself.
"Hiyama-kun?" The man flinched in surprised, quickly turning around to see who was behind him.
"Ah! Y-Yaegashi?!" He looks down and notices her sword that was unsheathed. "Gihee!!?" He took a step back out of fear.
"Are you alright…?" She asks in concern as she approaches him.
"N-nothing! What's up with you!?"
"Just training. Gotta keep up or I'll get rusty." She answered him as she brandishes her sword. "Why don't you do a bit of training yourself?"
"N-no, I'm fine." He answered her with a shaky voice as he walks away. The man was sweating profusely as he was walking away.
"Was he always like that…?" She wondered before turning to gaze the moon in the sky. "Oh yeah…he was always picking fights with Nagumo-kun, even when we came here. And then, sometimes it would either be Kaori or…" Her face took on a wistful turn. "Ryuga would come to save him…"
"What's with that gloomy expression of yours, Shizuku-sama?" The young woman turns to the owner of the voice who she sees walking out into the garden.
"Rena-chan…What are you doing here?" Sato Rena, a 15 year old female student at their school. She has a shoulder length black hair with bangs that covers one of her deep black eyes. She wears a black blouse with strings over her white shirt and wears a pair of black leggings and has a pair of brown ankle shoes. (If anybody here has a better design feel free to give and I'll fix this up immediately.)
"I was looking for you of course, Shizuku-sama. I had something that I wanted to talk to you about."
"Please stop calling me a 'sama'." She sweatdropped. "It's already enough your brother is calling me that." She winced when she realized what she had just spoken.
"There's no need for you to feel guilty talking about him." Rena approaches her. "My brother isn't dead. Anii-sama won't die easily."
"I'm glad that you're still able to cling onto hope for him." Shizuku said with a sad smile.
"You said he " jumped into it himself" didn't you? If he did, then he knows he'll survive the fall." She affirmed her. "Especially with that Job he got…" She mumbled.
"Hmm? What was that?"
"Nothing." She huffed and quickly turned her face away. "Apart from that, how is Kaori-senpai doing? She's not awake yet?"
"No, and I was just about to check on her. Would you like to come?" The two of them return to the room together. Right after they arrived, Shizuku went straight to Kaori's side and held her hand whilst Rena went to sit on a chair by the table with her legs crossed. Kaori was her precious friend, and it pained her to see her like this. Just as she thought she wouldn't wake up any time soon, Kaori finally opened her eyes.
"Kaori!" Tears formed on Shizuku's eyes as she finally sees her woke up. "Thank goodness…"
"Shizuku-chan…" Kaori turns to her in a daze but smiled to her as their eyes met.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. Just a little tired."
"You've been asleep for five days, Kaori-senpai. It's a no wonder you're tired." Rena exclaimed from the chair.
"Oh, Rena-chan? What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to talk to my brother about his first expedition. But it seems that he hasn't returned from the labyrinth." She answered before putting her cheek against her knuckle.
"Chotto[Hold on, Rena!" Shizuku chided.
"Oh right…we were in the labyrinth. And then…"
"Ah! Are you thirsty? Let me get you a drink!" Shizuku quickly got up and went to grab a jug of water before she started pouring it into a glass.
'I can't remember…' She thought regretfully, unable to recall the event that happened. "Hey, where's Nagumo-kun?" Shizuku stopped moving, she had hoped Kaori wouldn't ask that but it seems that was unavoidable. "He's ok, right? We saved him, didn't we? Right?" She asked with hope.
"W-we…"
"He's not here."
"Rena!"
"She has to know! And we couldn't trick her anyway even if we tried."
"N-no…it can't be!" Kaori hasten to get off the bed, but due to the exhaustion she built up, she was about to fall to her knees but Rena quickly caught her and gently helped her down.
"Don't push yourself too hard, Kaori-senpai. You haven't recovered your strength yet."
"No, let me go! I have to save him!" She struggled in her hands, at the same time tried to get up.
"Kaori!" Shizuku rushed down and pulled her into a hug.
"I have to go!" Tears began to stream from her eyes. "Nagumo-kun, he must be waiting for us! He must be so sad, down there all alone!"
"Kaori…" Shizuku couldn't say anything, fearing that it'll make her want to leave even more to say the man she fell for.
"Shizuku-sama, let's get her on the bed." Rena who was still composed, said to her calmly.
"No, I have to–"
"Calm down, Kaori-senpai! I'm sure Nagumo-senpai is alright!" Rena assured her softly with a smile as she looked directly into her eyes. This temporarily helped ease her anxiousness as her eyes widened.
"Huh…?" Now that she was distracted, Rena slowly helped her up with Shizuku helping along, and got her back on the bed.
"Like I said, Nagumo-senpai is definitely alright. I'm sure he's definitely fighting to get back now." She exclaimed.
"Really…?"
"Yup! My Anii is with him after all!" Her smile grew brighter at the moment she mentioned her brother.
"Hey Rena, what are you telling her?!"
"Anii…? Katsuragi-kun? Wh-why is Katsuragi-kun is…?"
"T-that…he…" Shizuku took a deep breath and calmed herself. "When we're about to leave the labyrinth, Ryuga-kun went back and jumped down the bridge to chase after Nagumo."
"Katsuragi-kun did that…? Then Nagumo-kun is ok!" Her tears finally stopped and her lips formed a smile as her heart fills with hope.
"That is…well…" Shizuku was baffled. The reaction from Kaori was both expected and unexpected by her, but she was still stunned by it nonetheless.
"Yeah! Anii-sama is most likely helping him on escape plan by now!" The young yakuza girl beamed.
Meanwhile, Ryuga on the other hand who was digging more ores for Hajime; "Draga-CHOO!!" sneezed. Which caught the attention of the monsters that was lurking nearby. "Shit!"
Back to the three girls, now that they were able to get Kaori to calm down, they sat side by side on the queen bed with the priestess drinking on the glass water that was poured earlier.
"Shizuku-chan…" She called to her as she puts the glass down.
"What is it, Kaori?"
"I want to get stronger."
"Hmm?"
"I'm going to get stronger, and see for myself that Nagumo-kun is alive or not!" She said firmly before turning to Rena. "Thank you, Rena-chan. And I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. As your senpai, I'm a little bit ashamed that I had to have you console me." She said with a sheepish smile.
"Don't worry about it. I too, wanted to believe my Anii is alive. So we're pretty much in the same boat." She began to look down with a sad face.
"Rena-chan…"
"I'm going to get strong too, and then I'll join you, going down into the labyrinth."
"Wait, Rena-chan, the labyrinth is dangerous! It's not something that could be taken lightly!"
"I know. But I'm not going to stay put anymore. Anii-sama has been protecting me for a long time, so this time I'm going to protect him. I don't want to be a burden to him anymore! He's alive, and I know it!" Her words earn a smile from Kaori, to hear and know that Rena is like her. She reached for her hand and looked at her in the eyes as she returns the gaze.
"Then let's get stronger together, ok? You'll be with us too right, Shizuku-chan?"
"Kaori…" She had no words. In all honesty, she would have wanted her to forget about him as she feared it would break her if she found him dead, but there's no way she could tell her that could she? The only thing she could do was smile for her. "Sure, I'll be with you all the way." Kaori beamed, and jumped into a hug. (I'm at loss for words. Sue me)
"Thank you!"
"No need to thank me. We're best friends, aren't we?" Shizuku returned the hug before Kaori turned to Rena and pulls her into a group hug.
"Come on Rena, you too!"
"Wha-eeeh?!" She yelped, as she got pulled in, but later the room was filled with laugther as they enjoyed each other presence.
Back into the deep abyss where Hajime and Ryuga was, the man was meticulously inspecting his weapons whilst the latter who is currently shirtless, was doing push-ups. Noticing that Hajime was putting the bombs he made into his pockets, Ryuga pauses.
"So, we're ready?"
"Yep, I'm satisfied. We need to come back here for later though."
"Alright then." Ryuga got up and used his coat to wipe the sweat he made.
"What's the count?"
"A thousand." He answered as he put on his shirt, but not before he ripped off the ruined sleeves. And afterwards, the two headed outside and began looking for their favourite prey.
As they ventured the caves once more, searching for the bear that took Hajime's arm, they heard the familiar growl that once haunted them. The Demons grinned as they quickly changed their path towards the direction of the bear and started dashing for it, finding trails of monster blood along the way.
Upon finally finding the beast, their grins grew wider as their hearts screamed with joy. At last, it was time for revenge.
"Found you!" Hajime exclaimed as he stepped forward with his gun ready standing very close to the bear. The monster turns around and growls at them as it finally recognized their presence. "Yeah, that's the spirit! That's right! I'm your enemy!! It's time for a rematch you bastard!"
"H-Hajime…?" Ryuga's eyes widened, very wide. He was stunned, he knew Hajime was changing but he didn't know his change was this bad!?
Hungry and remembering the taste of Hajime's flesh, the bear stretches it's claws and lashes at him.
" Quick step! " Hajime uses the skill he obtained from the rabbit monster to blink away. Afterwards, he leaped into the air using Aerodynamics to go higher and started blasting at the bear with Donner.
"Idiot! You're being too rash!!" Ryuga was right, the bear didn't stood still as in started releasing the razor blades towards Hajime which he barely dodged. Without wasting any time, Ryuga rushed towards it and delivered a strong punch into its chest. Crushing the air out of it and causing it to stagger backwards.
Enraged, the bear growled and started clawing at him instead with rush. Using his skills as a brawler, Ryuga swiftly dodges every swings that was thrown. And with the new strength he obtained from eating monsters, brawling the bear was like a child's play to him.
Seeing an opening, he blocks one of the oncoming swings and strikes a roundhouse kick on the bear's side. It must have had strike a vital spot as the bear cough out blood that thankfully didn't got onto him as he jumped away.
The bear growled once more as rage fills its eyes. He was the alpha in these caves, and these preys are getting the better of him?!
"Ryuga, flashbang!" Hajime shouted from behind before he threw one of his proudest creations. Quickly the dragon slayer covered his eyes as the blinding light fills the dark cave. They heard a painful roar coming from the bear, signifying the light has blinded it.
Taking this chance, Hajime and Ryuga opens their eyes and shoots whilst the latter dashes towards it with his claws and they both cut it's arms off, earning another painful roar. One arm flew towards gunslinger who caught it with his mouth and the other was caught in the claw of the dragon slayer.
Both Demons took a bite out of their prey, raw. And they didn't care that it was, as their mind was only filled with the pleasure of victory.
"These meats still taste terrible…" Ryuga said with disdain as he swallowed.
"But for some reason, this one tastes way better than anything else." He said from afar as he took a drink of ambrosia from his water pouch.
"Heh, I suppose for you it is. Now then," Ryuga turns around and finds the bear kneeling. It could no longer fight back, it's only asset of weaponry was taken away. Walking towards it, Ryuga grabs the back of its head, and holds it steady for Hajime. "Give in the finisher, Hajime!"
"Sure!" He puts down the pouch and picked up his gun before aiming it, shooting straight for the head, and the bear finally dies as it let's out its last growl. "Hahaha! We did it!" Hajime exclaimed.
"Sure," Ryuga started walking towards him, and flicked his finger on his forehead, earning a wail of pain from the man.
"Gyaah!! What is it this time?!"
"Next time, don't be too reckless!"
"Urgh…ow." Hajime cried as he cradles his injured forehead. The pain was worse than last time since he has those hard scales this time. "Oh shut up…what are you? My brother?" He said with a frown.
Ryuga only released a sigh, Hajime's behaviour was reminding him of Rena.
The screen was then covered by a wall of red flames with crackles of electricity along with a silhouette of a man appearing, shooting his gun towards a set of letters written " To be Continued…"
Hahaha. I did a Taiman there. Lol.