Story 1-7 "The Real Thing"
We, who were dumbfounded by what just happened, were pulled back to reality by the sound of crumbling.
Looking over, a part of the wall broke down, revealing the staircase down.
I see. So this was where the path to the 52nd floor was hidden.
It'll be like this again, probably.
Up to the 50th floor the staircases were already found, so onwards the conditions to progressing might be different.
If that's so... That's pretty depressing...
"Wha-Wha-Wha...!"
As I glanced at the classmate clutching on to me, her expression was something I couldn't really express.
"...What is it?"
"What is it?! It's this power! Are you a monster?!"
The magic I used, "Berserk Tempest", was an Imperial-rank magic.
Magic has different ranks; from the strongest they are God-rank, Imperial-rank, Ancient-rank, Royal-rank, Soul-rank and Spirit-rank.
From Imperial-rank, they require a lot of Magic, soo they're not something so easily used.
Just now, I experienced such wonder. If anyone could spit out such magic it would be a problem.
Usually people start learning from the basic Spirit-rank spells. Even Samejima can only still use Spirit-rank spells. Putting that aside, Hamakaze's saying something.
She's talking to me on and on very quickly.
"How did you get that strong, Katsuragi?"
"It's none of your business."
"Tell me~, teach me too!"
"Then, go die five times."
"That's mean!"
It's not. I told you the truth. It's just you haven't realized it.
Even if you die, it's not guaranteed you'll be brought back.
Hamakaze, not making any progress reluctantly pulled back unsatisfied.
"Anyway, check your Status. It's important your body is in proper shape."
"What will you do then?"
"Just do it."
"...Alright. Open."
"Open."
Our Statuses popped at at the same time.
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Katsuragi Daichi Class: Hero Level 28
Stamina:1340
Magic:2600
Physical:3500
Endurance:2680
Wit:1500
Special Abilities: "Steel Heart" During battle, Endurance increases. Poison, Paralysis, Sleep, Berserk has a 1/3 chance of not working.
"Persistent Soul" Magic cannot be less than 100.
"Wight King": Able to make contracts with living beings near death, to revive them and make them obey to your will. Everytime the user dies twice, increases the limit to the number of contracts. Currently two contracts are available.
"Absolute Order" Appears when those bound by a contract are lower leveled than the Wight King. Any order will be accepted by the slave until cancelled.
"Murderous Magician": Killed targets within a radius of 10m will deal the same damage to all units of the same type.
Unique Ability: "Revenge of the Resented" No matter how many times you die, power stored in the abyss of death is taken for revival.
At the moment, number of deaths: 5 times
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Hamakaze Juri Class: Higher Slave Level 23
Stamina:1000
Magic:720
Physical:680
Endurance:420
Wit:400
Special Ability: "Autoheal" Heals 60 Stamina every 10 minutes.
Special Status: "Higher Slave" Owner: Katsuragi Daichi
Seals all abilities against him until release.
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
"Huh!? My Status also increased!?"
Hamakaze, engrossed in her Statuses
Looks like her level also increased...
Maybe it's because she's a "Slave". Speaking of which, Hamakaze's class isn't "Slave", it's "Higher Slave."
Maybe as a "Higher Slave", she gains the some of the experience that I get.
In this world the concept of "experience" doesn't exist. They believe that levels are gained through battles and victories. It's not listed on the Status, too.
In other words, this "Higher Slave" was a class I made. If not, this would be against common sense.
... Now then, let's leave this here. It's not the time to be escaping reality.
Leaving that aside, there's a more serious problem.
Why is it that my Statuses didn't go up that much?
Even though I leveled up quite a lot.
Is it because of "Revenge of the Resented"? Or maybe some other reason? I don't know.
Dammit, I don't have enough information.
"Katsuragi! Katsuragi! My Statuses increased!"
"Be quiet. It's not time for that."
"What's with that!? Don't you have anything better to say?"
"Yes yes... It's great, isn't ti! It'll be useful for myself."
"Who would do t for you!?"
It's not fair.
She's saying it again, this amateur. Looks like there's a need for showing her place.
"... Hey, Hamakaze. I actually want to test out something."
My Statuses haven't changed much, but in place I got a new ability.
It's "Absolute Order." According to the explanation I need to be a higher level.
So, before it wasn't there. It was thanks to those monsters that I suddenly leveled up (I think).
Even so, the condition that I need to be a higher level... It's just like how a king needs to be stronger than his subordinates.
Let's leave that for now.
The part that everyone's interested in.
Being able to give any order.
I bet every male high schooler would be jealous of my power.
In my line of sight was Hamakaze.
"Wha..."
Hamakaze turned around, hiding the two plump hills to where I can't see.
"Pervert! Molester!"
"Aren't you noisy... Would I do it here? I'll only lay a hand on you once we get out of this dungeon. For now, be assured."
"How can I feel assured!? What about my right to refuse!?"
"Nope."
I clearly blurted out.
"Brute! You should just die!"
"Even though I'll revive and power up..."
"I don't get it!"
She hit my chest. I was thinking that next time I'll grope her back, but the next thing she said stopped me.
"You... And I... Everything, I don't get it. Killing those things... Becoming a hero..."
Her shaking fists became slowly weaker.
"... I... Don't understand!"
The usually naive girl's voice lost its face, and became weakly.
"I don't want it... What is this place... Why did this happen!?"
Hamakaze crouched down and started crying.
Looks like her heart couldn't keep it up after coming this far...
The breakwaters that protected us from reality broke down.
It's not like I don't understand her feelings. I bet I would be in the same place as Hamakaze, with mucus dripping from my nose crying.
I can understand her state of mind to an extent.
--That's why, this would be a chance to make Hamakaze "mine".
I'm such a bad person. Thinking only about this...
"... Oi, Hamakaze."
"... What?"
"Why do you think we got into this mess?"
"... What good would it be asking that..."
"Just answer me. Why do you think so?"
Hamakaze went back her memories to figure out the reason.
"... Is it because we were summoned by the goddess?"
"Not exactly."
"Eh...? Then, what is it?"
"It's Samejima."
In no time, I quickly stated the target of vengeance.
"Wh-why? I mean, That person requested us, right?"
"Ah, exactly."
"Th-then-"
"But, we had the right to refuse. Who took that away?"
"Th-That's..."
Hamakaze was hesitant. She realized who the real criminal was.
"It's him. He accepted as he pleased, and went along with it..."
I whispered into Hamakaze's ear.
"He tossed you aside, and betrayed you."
"---!!"
She ground her teeth involuntarily.
Looks like she finally opened her eyes to the truth, as well as to the whirling anger and hatred inside.
Even so she endured it. I don't know why, but I don't need to know.
She only needs to drown in her emotion.
"...Why... was I... thrown away...?"
Her crying voice faintly leaked out. Just like a baby who would cling onto a parent, Hamakaze grabbed my sleeve.
"It's because you were weak"
I shook my arm, and she let go.
"I... liked... Samejima... I tried, you know? Even though I was scared, I tried to get stronger..."
"There are many who like him. It wouldn't be problem if you were gone."
I let out a cold tone.
"...I guess."
"Yeah, it's so."
I didn't sympathize with her.
"U... Uuu....!"
--But, that wouldn't be enough. Here, I'll make her my ally.
"Hamakaze."
"...Eh?"
I put my arms around the crying Hamakaze's hips, and embraced her.
"Ka, Katsuragi? Wha- What are you-"
"I won't throw you away."
Her fragile heart overreacted.
"Won't... throw me away...?"
"I'm different than him. I want you. I want you to be by my side."
"No way... Even without me, Katsuragi..."
"Hamakaze!"
I strengthened my embrace. I wanted to convey my feelings.
"Follow me. I won't throw you away. I'll say it many times. I want you."
"Katsu... ragi..."
The teary eyes that looked at me was left with a small glimpse of light. If she were left alone, she would die.
Just like me in the past.
"Would you... accept me?"
She closed her eyes, and the face soaked with tears came closer.
Lips bloodied from biting came into my eyes.
I'm not sympathizing with her.
I'm not comforting her.
This is fine. Just making her my ally.
Don't think about it anymore.
I got a wonderful subordinate.
That's it.
"Hamakaze..."
"Mhm..."
My fist kiss tasted like blood.
On that day, I got a real slave.