As promised.


Hinata watches the fierce sandstorm rage against the SUV.

"Hinata...can't I sit in the front?"

The sands shifting through the window.

"Quit whining, if we sit in the back so do you."

Not a single lifeform is seen in the far reaches of the desert.

"Yeah! Besides I'm gonna be the one who gets that seat!"

The sound of sand flying all around them drowning any other voices.

"Ahh Master..."

One could just focus on the scenery and forget all unintelligible nonsense.

"Mama, big brother Akira and Seiji are glaring at each other again."

"Uh Moku perhaps Mama would be like to left alone." Meld keeps trying to hold the steering wheel. It wasn't long since they left Horaud with their new companion Seiji. And it also wasn't long for said companion to get into an argument with him and and Hinata's first companion.

"Do you even know Hinata's favorite anime?"

"That doesn't exist here so it doesn't matter."

As the highschooler and the vampire was ready to duke it out. "No fighting." The merfolk child declared.

"Yeah guys you're being bad examples for Moku, seriously." They all knew things had gotten way out of hand if Shu of all people had to he the rational one...and Hinata was seconds away from taking her chance with the sandstorm.

After an hour of staring at sand Hinata finally saw something different. A bunch of somethings actually, she saw a sandworm, giant worm that tunnel under desert that Tio had informed them about these things. Though, he didn't describe them just standing still for no reason.

'Odd..' Hinata thought and then suddenly she and Meld both sensed something. "Meld, punch it!" Everyone was shocked, but Meld quickly release a surge of mana causing the SUV to accelerate just as a small hill arose beneath the vehicle.

The SUV drives off the hill right before a sandworm burst out of it. The worm's massive body let it keep up with the four wheeler. The worm then dives forward forcing Meld to instantly turn the wheel right narrowly avoiding it. The SUV had turned with such force that it now faces the worm making Meld to have to make the four wheeler go in reverse.

Meanwhile inside the SUV.

"Seiji! What the hell are you doing?" Seiji was currently wrapping his arms around Hinata after bending forward from the backseat.

"I-I'm just making sure you're safe." He "excused" himself and Akira was not happy.

"Seiji, you sneaky little.."

While he was grimacing. "Take this sucka!" Hinata activates Transmute to use a new feature of the SUV, it's hood opens up and turret comes out.

Hinata activates it and the turret fires a beam instantly blowing the top half of the worm into bits. Shu had to cover Moku's eyes from the worm guts getting on the windshield but the group managed get a breather, a long enough breather for Hinata to yank Seiji off her and tie him up.

"I'm sorryyyyyyy." He cried in the backseat.

"Honestly." She spat, she then looks out the window and noticed something strange. "Wait, where did that other wo-"

The group suddenly feels the entire ride rising. They then see a sandworm's teeth surrounding them "Akira!"

"I'm on it Crystal Coffin." Akira extends one hand out the window and casts the spell freezing the worm and prevented the ride from falling into it's mouth.

The group takes a second breather this time for real. While admiring Akira's handiwork Moku notices something out in the desert. "Mama, what's that?" The others turn to where Moku is pointing and were shocked to see a body laid down on the sand...well not all of them were shocked.

"Oh, it's just a dead body. Poor soul, let's go."

"He might still be alive."

"Ughh, why did you have to be the one who drove this time?" She whispered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing important, let's go see that random corpse in the desert." In all honesty she was kinda curious as to why the sandworm was so focused on it.


After they safely got off the frozen worm with gravity magic They drive over to the body, got out, turned it over, and sees that it's a man who was heavily breathing and bleeding through his eyes, nose, and mouth. Which Hinata responded to by silently cursing. "Dammit, still alive."

Seiji immediately checked the man, as a priest he specializes in healing. So he used magical diagnostics and checked the man's status plate. It revealed that the man was suffering from something called mana overload, it was apparently caused by some poison in the man's system.

Hinata realized that's why the sandworm was just observing him. Monsters can sense mana, Hinata and Meld had actually gotten that ability from consuming monsters back in Orcus. Without eyes and the sandstorm covering noise and scent, that worm still managed to chase them and pinpoint their location through mana. So when the worm found this guy it must've hesitated to eat him because his mana was somewhat toxic, even lions wouldn't eat rotting meat.

Back to the man Seiji tried casting a spell called Renewal. Meld thought it was kinda funny when Seiji said the chant for the spell, he had actually forgotten those chants after he was able to instantly cast spells. The spell was suppose to erase status debuffs. However it didn't affect the man at all.

"What? It didn't work?" Seiji was shocked by the failure of the intermediate spell. "Perhaps the poison are too ingrained to his body? In that case." Seiji begins using a different chant for another spell Sanctorum.

"Hooh." Meld was impressed seeing the man's condition getting better. "That's a spell that's used to spread one's own mana to others but instead he's draining mana to take care of the overload. Seiji's really improved hasn't he?" Hinata remains silent at Meld's praises.

Seiji had already applied first aid on the man and requested Hinata to ive him sone shade to recover. Hinata usesTransmuteto create a small shelter and they bring him in.

They waited a while for the man to recover. Hinata was hovering above the man's face that was slowing waking up. When Hinata saw the man opening his eyes she herself had a pretty annoyed look. "Hey buddy, you awake yet?"

"Oh my." The man looked spook. "Was I a sinner when I was alive?"

"What?" Hinata had no clue what he meant.

"To think I would be welcomed a demon in hell." When she did find out what he meant she proceeded to immediately kick him. The boys were covering their mouths to prevent themselves from laughing.

Once he recovered and apologized profusely to Hinata he introduces himself as Bize Feiward Zengen. Meld and Seiji recognized his last name and asked of he is the son of lord Lanzwi, the duke of Ankaji. Ankaji was the kingdom that handled deliveries of marine products from Erisen making them very successful.

When Meld asked why he was out in the desert in that condition, Bize instead asked his own question. He asked them what their rank was after deducing that they were adventurers. After they gave him the answer he immediately got to his knees. First he thanked the gods above, Hinata gaged, then he turns to them and asks for one thing.

"Please help me save Ankaji." He ask- No, begged. "I'm sure that Ehit had guided me to you."

Hinata tried to charge at him with a punch before being stopped by Meld. Luckily for the prince, they were already to head to Ankaji to drop off Moku before going to the labyrinth. After they get on the SUV, Bize begin his story.

The townspeople, including the duke himself had gotten ill with similar symptoms to Bize, like fever and losing consciousness, some have even died. It all happened in a matter days apparently, Ankaji's oasis had been found poisonous which explains why the disease had spread so fast. With dehydrated and sick people, Bize had gone out in order to find clean water, but had fallen to the symptoms, imagine the irony when those symptoms were the thing that kept him alive.

After hearing the problem, the group immediately thought of a solution. So they asked Bize to take them to a large flat area near the kingdom. Although confused Bize complies, once there they began.

Bize's eyes popped out of their sockets seeing Akira using Asura to create a large square crater, he then casts a powerful water spell Tidal Wave and filled the crater with clean drinkable water.

After that, Akira goes to Hinata "Hinataaaaa, I'm tired from casting that spell." He says in a monotoned whining as he goes from the neck which disturbed some other boys, Hinata simply brought out a pack of blood and a metal straw and points the metal straw at him causing him to stop.

Back in Orcus, whenever Akira needed a recharge he would need to suck blood out of Meld and Hinata, and no surprise, he mostly preferred Hinata. Although he had agreed to suck from their arms, instead of neck, they would rather not be human blood bags. So Hinata decided to make actual blood bags, overtime she and Meld would fill in a pint of blood for Akira.

As Akira sulkily drinks his blood bag , the group makes their way to Ankaji.


After reaching the palace, the duke, who is named Lanzwi had somewhat recovered and bowed in gratitude. Sounds good right? Not when he asked if the group was sent by god.

After a discussion, it was the decided that the group would split up. Seiji and Moku stayed in Ankaji with Seiji attending to the ill and Hinata made sure the kingdom had to take care of Moku. The rest would first go to the oasis to observe why it is contaminated, much to Hinata's chagrin. After that they would go to the Great Gruen Volcano where the king had requested that they acquire Stillstones, a material that they use to cure everyone. Wanting to avoid the illness spreading, Hinata decided there's no harm in helping.

Now here they are at the oasis, with Lanzwi and some of his men. The oasis actually doesn't look polluted at all. It's still looks like regular blue drinkable water, no wonder lots of people drank it. When they reached the oasis Hinata and Meld sensed something.

"Hey Meld, do you..."

"Yes, I felt the same thing."

"What are you guys talking about?" Instead of answering Akira, Hinata whips out a grenade from the Treasure Trove, pulls the pin and throws it to the middle of the oasis. Lanzwi and his men jolted at the sudden underwater explosion.

After the the burst of water was gone, the king was frantic. The group readied themselves when purple slimy tentacles rose from the waters. The tentacles charged at them but were immideatly shot down by bullets and magic . Then whatever was down there rose up from the water revealing forms.

The residents of Ankaji were confused seeing such an odd creature that they have never witnessed before. As for Hinata with her experience playing RPG games she was able to give a good guess.

"Is that a slime?" The gelatinous blob's mana crystal was visible through it's clear body.

"Is that why the oasis has been poisoned?" Meld asked.

"Probably, either way..." Hinata aims her gun "..It's dead." The slime attacks again but Hinata shoots right through it's mana crystal. After she did the slime breaks apart. It's remains disappear under the surface of the oasis.

After they were sure the monster was gone one of the king's men begin analyzing the water. Unfortunately there were still traces of poison in the water, but on the bright side, the clean water from the underground canal will eventually clear the oasis of any toxin. And while they are waiting for it they can have clear water thanks to Akira.

They go back to the palace where the king announces the good news to his people. And he also refered to them as gifts from god...again.


The group met up back with Seiji to say goodbye and he gave some bad news. He can't completely cure all the fatally sick people. The most he can do is prevent them from dying for two days.

Hinata isn't gonna lie, she started regretting casually agreeing to it. But a promise is a promise and she will also take the time limit as a challenge...they all did.

Hinata leans against the cavern walls. She can't believe it, but this labyrinth has been...less horrible, yes that's the word she used.

After saying goodbye to Seiji and Moku and making their way through a bunch of sandworms they finally reached the volcano. The location of the labyrinth alone made it's pretty predictable. Hinata had expected magma and lava but she wasn't expecting them floating in the sky. And no surprise, but the heat was unbearable, Meld even opted not to wear his armor over not wanting to be cooked inside of it. Although Tio was doing ok, because he is part dragon.

And of course there are fire monsters everywhere. Creatures so hot they actually get energy from the magma inside the walls instead of the mana stone inside their bodies.

Eventually the group needed a break from the heat and so Hinata created a small cave. Where after sealing it up Akira created a massive ice shard in the center filling the room with cold air which brings them to now.

So looking over all that Hinata actually considers this labyrinth to be understandably difficult. It's not as excruciating as Orcus or annoying as Reisen. Speaking of the other labyrinths Hinata remembered something Meld had said. Theorized that each labyrinth had certain themed to it.

Orcus's labyrinth had a variety of powerful monsters and a numerous number of floors. Reisen's prevented them from using magic and thus tested their physical prowess. So based off what they've seen Hinata guessed the labyrinth's theme, adaptability.

Just like how the monsters adapted to gain energy from the magma. They had to adapt to the scorching heat. No matter how unbearable it is, they have to remain focused and strong.

Hinata isn't too worried, they've been making great time with the labyrinth.

"Yeah, this is about right."

The party was currently floating down a river of magma on a boat makeshift boat courtesy of Hinata. During the journey they had found some stillstones in the walls. Though the miniscule sizes of those stones are a far cry from they needed.

They had decided to not look a gift horse in the mouth after stumbling upon a massive amount of stillstones. After Hinata harvested and stored the stillstones magma started flowing from the stones were. Due to quick thinking they managed to avoid dying hence the makeshift boat.

While floating down they've had to deal with some magma bats. And suddenly..."Huh? Are we going up?" it suddenly felt as if they riding up the magma. The party sees the end of the magma. They reach it and then they see themselves above a massive pool of lava.

Akira casted a wind spell Updraft to soften the landing and prevent any magna from splashing onto them. The labyrinth has felt like an oven but now they felt like they were in a boiling cauldron.

In said cauldron they all see multiple stone pillars with one big one in the center that has a done of magma on it.

"Is that a dome?"

"Is that the maverick's lair?"

"Then that's where we-" Before she can finish multiple pillars of magma rose up surrounding them.

"Crap, quick jump!" It was fortunate that Hinata had given everyone shoes enchanted withAerodynamicwhich made them able to jump far enough without falling into magma.

Unlike the suspended magma they've seen in this labyrinth that just have random drops the magma here was shot right a them. They manged to avoid as their boat was destroyed. They continued to block or avoid magma.

As Hinata was jumping through the air one of the magma that had risen below her had taken a form of a snake head. It's mouth was open wide, Hinata jumped and spin to avoid it. Hinata shoots, blowing it's completely. Hinata can clearly see nothing that fits the description of flesh and bones and realizes that these snakes are pure magma.

Speaking of snakes, another came out. Hinata avoids it and when it fires magma at her she blocks it with her leg. After also blowing it up Hinata managed to land on one if the massive rock pillars along with everyone.

The pillar was located pretty far from the main stone. Because of that they were able to get a clear view of the magma snakes in front of the pillar with the dome.

"Guess this means we have to go through them."

"I shall handle this master." Tio steps up and unleashes a massive fire blast, strong enough to destroy 6 magma snakes at once. It seemed fine until..."Hold on are they…regenerating?"

Hinata was stumped, she knows that Tio destroyed the mana crystals so why are they regenera-

"Hinata Look over there." Meld points to the center pillar. "Do you see something shining?"

"Huh?" After Meld had mentioned it yes, she does see something...8 somethings. When she took a closer look she saw that the wall of the pillar had multiple gems embedded on it. 8 gems were glowing but the rest wasn't. She then thought back to the snakes and remembered she destroyed 2 and Tio had just destroyed 6, the numbers added up.

So everytime they destroy a snake a gem lights up. Observing the size of the rock and the gems Hinata calculates that there should be...

"100, we have to destroy 100 snakes to move on." Hinata explained.

"Slaying 100 beast in a row while trying not to fall into magma. Yes...that sounds like test fitting for a labyrinth." Meld can't believe he's actually smiling at this. The old him would've considered this task to be impossible and yet here he is confidently thinking they can do it.

One of the snakes appear and charge at them only to be quickly vanquished by Tio. "And that's nine, oh master." Tio called out. "Should I be the one who claims the most snakes I would like to demand a reward involving a night of just the two of us."

"What?" Hinata spat.

"H-Hey Tio, that's not fair." Shu quickly launches himself off condensed air swinging his hammer. The force from his swing was enough to take out two snakes at once. "There, I got two. Me and Hinata will be spending the night together."

"Seriously?"

Akira readies his spell. "I won't be left behind." He castsDraconic Thunder,summoning multiple dragons destroying a bunch of snakes. The impact blew Shu and Tio away.

"Gah! Akira is strong as ever."

"Even I must admit this is a bit out of line."

""But I won't lose!"" They both stated.

"Well it seems that competition can do some good." Meld chuckled.

"They can spout as many bull crap they want. I'm not promising a single thing." Hinata pointed out. One of the snakes appeared behind them. Meld casually swing his sword breaking the snake and revealing it's mana crystal. Which Hinata easily destroys it with one shot.

And so it begins every member working hard destroying as many snakes as the can. They managed to steadily bring the numbers down until finally...

"Alright, last one!" Hinata readies her finger when suddenly stopped by a bright coming from behind her. "Huh?" Was all she was able to say as the light engulfed her and the snake.

The others were stunned seeing the massive column of light and was scared over the fact Hinata was inside it.

"HINATAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Meld screamed.


Back in the Heiligh kingdom

Shizuku was walking back to her room. She just came from meeting with Volpen, the head synergist of the kingdom. She had wanted him to analyze the sword she received from Hinata.

Volpen and the other synergists were gushing over it as if it was some prized ancient treasure. They also came up a sudden declaration of becoming Hinata's student.

Speaking of Hinata her reunion with her left some...impact. Kouki seemed very down over the fact that Seiji had chosen to go with Hinata. And Kaori... seemed to have recovered from the shock. Meanwhile Shizuku, was facing a burdening question in her head. Why did Hinata give her such a powerful weapon? Especially since...

"Yaegashi?"

Shizuku looks up and was pleasantly surprised. "Ms Aiko!"

The two of them went back to Shizuku's room and they wasted no time exchanging stories of a certain angsty teen and former knight captain. Shizuku was saddened by the news of Shimizu. She knew that Hinata wasn't exaggerating, but a part of her still wished it wasn't true. Also, when Shizuku asked how Aiko was saved she suddenly became frantic and fumbled her words saying something about Meld. Shizuku can only wonder what happened between those two.

Aiko was shocked to hear Hinata had saved a slave merfolk child. But she's glad that Hinata had shown such kindness considering...

"So how did your meeting go?" Aiko snaps back and frowns. "It's bad, Hinata and Meld are both labeled as heretics."

"What?!" Shizuku gasped. "That's so unfair! Nagumo didn't do anything and Meld has served the kingdom for years, how can they do that?"

"I don't know why. They said that the reason they were declared heretics, was because they wouldn't listen to the church, even though they saved the town of Ur. No matter how much I objected, they wouldn't listen."

"That's crazy, they don't stand a chance against Nagumo and Meld. Are they up to something?"

"I think you may be right Yaegashi. Back in Ur, Meld had told me something about what he learned down in the labyrinth. He doesn't have any proof but I believe him and I think it's something I need to tell you and the rest of the class."


Omake:

Meld: I'm really concerned about Hinata's influence over Moku.

Seiji: Meld, you sound like my parents.

Meld: Your parents?

Seiji: Yeah, they're always telling me and Kaori how they're worried about hanging out with Hinata, and I don't know why.

Meld:(Whispering) I can think of a couple reasons.

Seiji: Hinata's the smartest person I know, she always teaches my sister and I a bunch of cool stuff, like helpful tips.

Past Kaori: Don't worry Mom, I'll clean this up, Hinata taught me this cleaning trick that can even get rid of blood and fringerprints.

Seiji: Fun suggestions.

Past Seiji: Hey Dad, for our camping trip why don't we go here? Hinata said the forest is so secluded that no one can hear you scream.

Seiji: And a bunch of other neat things.

Past Seiji: Hope you like the watch we gave you for your birthday Dad.

Past Kaori: Yeah, Hinata helped us get it for a really good price at a great a website.

Past Seiji: It'd called the dark web!

Seiji: She also taught us lockpicking, card counting, and a bunch of rights we have in court, see, nothing bad.

Meld:(Stares very intensely at Seiji)...Ok.