kscans

Chapter 221 - Hyakka-chan and the New World Quest, Part 4

The wound vanished, and Hyakka-chan stood up. It still felt a little strange, but it wasn't a problem.

"I want to go after Sameim. Famu, where are Mizuki and the others?"

"That way… I think."

"Hm, you think? Weren't you always snatching the map from Mash-kun and acting as the mapper?"

At times, her mapper skills, pointing uncertainly, made me nervous just watching, but it was a role she had taken on herself.

"It's Hyakka's fault! Shizuka looked bored, so I let her be the mapper. But the map she drew was a complete mess, and now I have no idea where we are."

"..."

A wave of anxiety washed over me. No, Levante was supposed to be smooth sailing, with Hyakka, who had swapped with me, keeping Mizuki and the others in line. This spot with the treasure chest was a dead end. The other way was a T-junction. She had appeared from the left. Sameim had fled in the same direction.

"So, where is Levante?"

"Like I said, that way… I think…"

"Which 'that way'?"

I asked, confirming with her as she pointed uncertainly at the T-junction.

"...They're to the right."

"Liar! You came from the left!"

She must have seen Sameim and chased after her without thinking. She was still breathing heavily. I sighed and patted her on the head. While I was at it, I gave her dog ears a little pat too. Then I turned to the still-wary members of New World.

"I want to chase Sameim with Famu."

I was worried about her, of course, but after hearing what Famu just said, I was worried about Levante too. I wanted to meet up with them as soon as possible. They had the dead weight Shizuka with them, and Famu, a key part of their combat strength, was here. Mash-kun was unreliable as a fighter, so Mizuki was effectively the only one on the front line. If a horde of trolls attacked them like before, she wouldn't be able to hold them off alone.

"How?"

Chihiro asked.

"We'll have to search this floor, following her tracks."

I couldn't think of a concrete plan. She might have already left the dungeon, but she must have come to this floor for a reason. I had a feeling it wasn't unrelated to Shizuka's partner, Ko-kun... no, Toratsuna. Etowan stood up. He seemed to have finished healing too. He stomped his foot on the floor as if to check its condition.

"Could be a trap. I doubt that little brat came to this floor alone. You think they're using her as bait to lure us in for a surprise attack?"

As he spoke, he picked up the dagger she had left behind and gripped its hilt. The blade was covered in fresh blood. His and Hyakka-chan's blood.

"Next time I see her, I'll shove this in her heart."

"Don't say such grim things. She's just being threatened."

"You don't understand the situation at all, do you? And you've forgotten you were almost killed just now, haven't you?"

Etowan clicked his tongue and tossed a red ribbon to me.

"That came out of the treasure chest. It has a defensive effect, so you should wear it."

He seemed to have an appraisal ability as well. The ribbon tying Hyakka-chan's ponytail was faded in places, showing it had been used for a long time. I didn't even need to ask to know it was a gift from Chihiro. I wonder if he'll be upset. I glanced at him, and he nodded. I tried to replace the ribbon with the one Etowan gave me, but I couldn't do it right. As I fumbled, Sierra helped me.

We continued our exploration of the dungeon in pursuit of Sameim. Along the way, we encountered a group of trolls, but with Famu causing a disturbance, the destructive power of our vanguards, Moosu and Koone, was amplified. Famu weaved through the trolls' clubs and swung her crescent blades in a wide arc.

"[Kikuichimonji]!"

With her sharp cry, a vacuum wave shot out and struck a goblin archer who had been drawing its bow in the rear.

"GYAAH!"

The enemy, hit by the surprise attack, screamed and dropped its weapon. The monster didn't even try to pick it up and fled for its life. Seeing this, its fellow goblin archers also began to flee one after another.

"Alright, let's finish them off in one go!"

Koone's voice echoed. Moosu also roared and landed a blow on a troll. Chihiro followed, with Hyakka-chan bringing up the rear. I couldn't pierce the trolls' bodies without infusing my lance with mana, but by nimbly dodging their attacks and gradually chipping away at their health, I could eventually defeat them. However, before I could land the final blow, Koone and Moosu always came in with support. After the battle, Famu received a rough welcome from Koone and the others. She was mobbed, her face scrunching up in discomfort. I watched them from a distance.

"We don't need Hyakka in New World anymore! When we meet up with Levante, let's trade Hyakka for Famu!"

"Hey! That's a bit harsh!"

Etowan was overjoyed too. All I, as Hyakka-chan, could do was offer a retort.

"Still, to think she's grown this much in just two months…"

Koone murmured, impressed. I tried to say that the person inside Hyakka-chan had also only been at this for two months, but the center of attention was Famu. She laughed bashfully and took a step back. She looked down, scratched her cheek lightly, trying to somehow get through the situation. Just when I thought that, she broke out of the circle and ran over to me as if escaping.

"I don't sense Levante or Sam nearby."

I tilted my head at her words. Sameim had fled, so that was understandable, but it seemed Famu had chased Sameim much farther than I thought.

"Yeah. This dungeon is huge. I sense monsters, but no people."

Etowan nodded in agreement with Famu.

"How about we leave the dungeon for a bit? We can ask around about what kind of party Sameim was in when she entered. Besides, if her target is us, she'll probably follow us from behind."

"Her target is the otherworldly heroes, meaning she's hunting us?"

"Well, there might be something on this floor, though,"

I replied, nodding at Chihiro.

"Hey, what about the quest? We haven't hunted a single goblin archer yet."

Etowan interjected. I wondered if the goblins from the lower floors wouldn't count. They're resourceful and attack with various weapons. Some of them even have bows. I understand that goblin archers are a subspecies of goblin, but I'm not convinced.

"That might not be a worry anymore…"

Etowan suddenly looked up. At the end of his gaze, from behind a corner of the corridor, a new horde of trolls appeared.

After repeated battles, we had made our way back near the entrance to the floor. By then, we had managed to defeat several goblin archers and collect the items for the quest.

"Sam… she was like a different person,"

Famu murmured beside Hyakka-chan. Her gaze was lowered, staring at the corridor. The floor was made of flagstones. Since this floor glowed a faint green, torches and other light sources were unnecessary in the dungeon.

"What was she like?"

"It's hard to explain. But to me, she's like the sun. Energetic, always together, kind, straightforward, quick-tempered, dazzling, warm, reassuring, someone who gives you courage, someone I admire, but also a little lewd…"

The words she spoke, bit by bit, painted a picture of just a friend, a picture that didn't overlap with the Sameim who had just drawn a dagger on us.

"How was she lewd?"

"Hmph!"

"...Never mind, it's nothing…"

She glared at me for a moment, but her gaze quickly dropped back to the floor.

"Sam is not the kind of person who would attack someone with a weapon. She would never hurt anyone!"

"Don't people change? Weren't you crying when you were attacked by monsters at first?"

"Hmph! You too, Master… You were lonely by yourself, so you bought me!"

She derailed the conversation, pushing back defiantly. I just wanted to say that people change, but I regret saying it in my usual teasing tone.

"...Famu."

I stopped, and she stopped too, turning back.

"What is it?"

"You're right, Famu. I didn't want to be alone, so I bought you. So, never leave me alone. From now on, you and I are together."

"Master… I understand. We are two as one."

Famu averted her gaze but nodded deeply. I want to believe that now, even if she sees Sameim, she won't go off on her own. I know it's a cowardly way to use myself as a shield. But it's also how I truly feel. No matter what happens, I'll be with her. I'll swear it as many times as it takes.

"But…"

Famu muttered, turning away and starting to walk. "Please say those things when you're in your own body!"

I couldn't help but smile wryly at her words. I took her hand again.

"I promise, Sameim and…"

As I was about to finish, Etowan, who was walking at the front, raised his arm, signaling us to stop. He himself had stopped. Ahead of him stood Sameim.

"She can hide her presence, too…?"

Etowan instantly drew a dagger. It was the one Sameim had left behind. He aimed the blade at Sameim and threw it with all his might. She dodged it as if she had seen it coming, the blade grazing her face, and caught the hilt of the sword. Her intense gaze glared at us. Her lips were pressed into a hard line. Without a word, she pointed the tip of the dagger at us, lowered her stance slightly, and took a ready position. Responding to her pressure, the members of New World drew their weapons.

"Sam!"

Famu cried out, stepping between the two sides. It was the same scene as when Hyakka-chan had done it earlier.

"Tch."

The sound of Etowan's tongue clicking echoed. Just like before, he began to move, trying to get behind Sameim.

"Sam! Your voice… let me hear your voice!"

Famu shouted again. At her voice, Sameim seemed to hesitate, her face twisting slightly. But as if to hide that wavering, she bit her lip. That was the moment. Etowan ran along the edge of the corridor, circling around to Sameim's blind spot to get behind her. As he tried to slip past, her dagger flashed. Etowan leaped to dodge the blade and landed behind her. Moosu and Koone had already started running after Etowan, and Chihiro followed them. No one had given the order, but with beautiful, synchronized coordination, they had instantly surrounded Sameim.

"Kuh…"

It was a groan, but it was the first sound Sameim had made that resembled a voice.

"Those two little ones are crying and begging, so I'll at least say this. Resist. Don't drop your weapon. If you do that, I'll kill you."

Etowan spoke in a joking tone. But the killing intent in his voice showed he hadn't forgotten the blow to his foot. Hearing his words, Sameim's body seemed to relax, as if she was lowering her guard. The hand that had been clutching the dagger loosened. Seeing this, Famu took a few steps closer. That was when a figure that had been hiding around the corner of the corridor revealed itself.

"Yuki!"

It was the first time I heard Chihiro's voice so rough. Seeing the figure, I also gasped. There was no doubt it was Mizuki's senior, Yuki. He held both hands out in front of him, radiating an extraordinary killing intent.

"Famu, special skill! Protect the members of New World!"

At Hyakka-chan's shout, Famu broke into a run. But Yuki made the first move.

"Special Skill, Dragon of the Great Cosmic Origin!"

As Yuki shouted, an immense energy overflowed into the space, and a giant dragon materialized behind him. Its body was covered in golden scales, its monstrous claws and sharp fangs glinting ominously. Its long, serpentine body writhed, and as its red eyes, which shone with an eerie luster, opened wide, its long, slit mouth opened wide, and its sharp fangs flashed. With the dragon's roar, a crimson flame was unleashed. A super-hot flame that could melt anything. The space around Yuki and the dragon distorted, enveloped in a dark red glow. Famu stood in its way.

"Master, I will protect you! Special Skill, [Yata no Kagami]!"

Slightly delayed, Famu also unleashed her special skill. A massive, shining circular plate materialized, separating the torrent of flames from our space. We narrowly avoided being burned to a crisp, but a scorching wind that felt like it was searing our lungs blew past. The dragon's attack didn't end there. It closed in on the [Yata no Kagami] and brought down its sharp claws. The impact caused the [Yata no Kagami] to flicker as if its light had momentarily vanished. A high-pitched sound, like metal being struck violently, echoed, piercing our ears and making the surrounding heat tremble.

"Master!"

Famu turned to me and shouted. The [Yata no Kagami] was about to be destroyed.

"I know!"

I had to think of a countermeasure while she was protecting us. But my options were limited. A special skill had to be countered with a special skill. Hyakka-chan's special skills were "Prince on a White Horse,"

"Envoy of the Sleepless Night,"

and "[Peacock Gong]."

Hearing Yuki shout his special skill, I thought the naming sense was incredibly chuunibyou, but ours were just as ridiculously fairy-tale-like. Only the last one had a different feel to it, and this must be the skill she had told me she wanted to keep secret. There was no time to hesitate.

"Special Skill, Prince on a White Horse!"

I held out my hand and shouted, and from somewhere, the sound of hooves echoed. I looked behind me to see a beautiful white horse, rearing up on its hind legs and neighing. It was probably a size larger than a normal horse. The horse shook its head, urging Hyakka-chan to climb onto its back.

"Where did the prince go? Don't tell me it's me!"

I couldn't help but retort to the white horse, but it just stared at me with its black, round eyes. The tension had been broken, but there was no time to lose; this was a race against the clock. I firmly etched that into my mind. As I climbed onto the horse, white wings sprouted from its back and gave a single flap. I tried to touch the wings, but my hand passed through them. They were illusory wings.

"Quick, on the horse's back!"

Hearing Hyakka-chan's voice, the members of New World rushed over. Just as the last one, Famu, got on, the mirror was shattered by the dragon's claws. And the surroundings were swallowed by a sea of flames. In the center of it all, Sameim stood frozen.

"Sam!"

Famu reached out her hand. But she made no attempt to grab it.

"Sam, Sam! Take my hand!"

Famu stretched out her arm with all her might. But she seemed to have given up, merely staring at Famu. Still, Famu leaned forward, trying to grab her. I hugged her tightly from behind so she wouldn't fall. Just then, Sameim's body suddenly moved. Famu's outstretched hand was slapped away. Sameim's body was engulfed in flames, and Famu's anguished cry was also swallowed by the fire and disappeared. To escape the flames, I spurred the white horse into a run.