Why, how could this be? Imoutoya slumped onto the dungeon floor, utterly dumbfounded.
The plan had been perfect.
Even if it failed, it should have ended without any trouble.
The kidnapping had succeeded exactly as she had envisioned in her mind.
So why was she standing there…?
Kiraboshi crept closer to the collapsed Imoutoya.
In the dungeon environment, power was all about Magical Power.
Imoutoya had barely ever entered a dungeon outside of school lessons.
In contrast, Kiraboshi practically lived in dungeons, going whenever she found the time. The difference was… but that shouldn’t be possible. Because,
“E-even so! It’s, it’s not right! Class Representative was stabbed with paralyzing poison by that man!”
“Resistance Potion. I drank it right in front of you, didn’t I?”
“Huh? Ah…!”
That thing she drank, claiming it was a Power Potion, when they were carrying the man—at that point?
Could it be that she didn’t have an Antidote Potion either…?
“But why, how did you know?”
“People who are used to dungeons can sense the Magical Power of others. It was obvious that he wasn’t affected by the poison, and the order of events was strange.”
“Huh? What’s that…”
“The man was staggering in the passage before heading to the butterfly room. But if he was really feeling unwell, he would have asked for help without straying from the path.”
Damn it, over such a simple thing… Ugh, he’s so useless!
I was an idiot for easily believing that man when he said he’d take care of it.
My plan was perfect.
That’s right, it’s not my fault—
“But the biggest thing I suspected wasn’t that. It’s that… the method was the same.”
“Huh? What’s that?”
“The day you pushed me into the pitfall. You conspired with your sister to get rid of Shirogasaki-san first, right? It was the same this time, so it clicked. Also… this is just a coincidence, but I happened to know this man.”
“……!”
A crack ran across Imoutoya’s cheek.
—That man and Class Representative knew each other? I didn’t hear about that!
Ah. Again. Again, I’m being played by a woman like this.
A straight-laced woman who’s only good at school grades and can’t adapt, a seemingly stupid woman, taking me for a fool—unbelievable. Unbelievable, unbelievable—!
…But, not yet.
I haven’t lost yet.
Because this woman shouldn’t be able to lay a hand on me… I still have a plan.
“……So? You deliberately led me to a place with no people around, what do you want to do?”
“What were you planning to do to me, Imoutoya-san?”
“I don’t know. That man did it on his own. Don’t try to pin the responsibility on me.”
All the criminal acts were Kazami’s fault.
Imoutoya knew nothing, she was just a victim who got caught up in it.
There was no evidence that Imoutoya was colluding with the man. The recorder was destroyed.
Of course, the messages between Kazami and Imoutoya were exchanged using an app that deletes message history.
There was no evidence that Imoutoya was at fault—
“By the way, Imoutoya-san. Where’s the recorder?”
“I don’t have one either. I wouldn’t bother bringing one just to go to a nearby dungeon. They’re quite expensive, you know.”
While provoking her, she grinned, thinking, “It’s okay, it’s okay…”
Imoutoya had also researched dungeons quite a bit.
If her knowledge was correct, Kiraboshi shouldn’t be able to lay a hand on Imoutoya… because.
“Hey, Class Representative. I also studied after being attacked by that Chainsaw Creature. I wondered if evidence of crimes doesn’t remain in dungeons… and then… it does remain, right? Evidence. Magical Residue.”
When a unique Skill is used within a dungeon.
Or when a special weapon is used, something like Magical Residue remains at the scene.
The Labyrinth Agency also uses a method of preserving the Magical Power left at the scene as a basis for cracking down on dungeon crimes—moreover, this is the Rank S Dungeon “Nagi Plains.” There’s no time to conceal the evidence.
That’s why Imoutoya hired the man.
To taint Class Representative without using her own hands—without using Magical Power.
Apparently, there are some skills, like those of the “landmine” type, that leave very little evidence… but that ominous Chainsaw is different.
If it’s used, it’ll be exposed.
When she was attacked before, Imoutoya was also flustered… and by the time she learned that evidence would remain, the dungeon had already been erased.
There won’t be a next time.
Kamase Imoutoya will never repeat the same mistake twice—!
“Is that okay? I’m going to tell them, you know. That you attacked me. Is it okay to leave evidence? The Labyrinth Agency apparently has skills to force the opening of other people’s Inventories if they want to. What would you think if your Chainsaw was found there?
Oh. I’ll tell you in advance, you can’t try to kill me.
Ojou will testify that I was with you. The crime will definitely be exposed. Is that okay? The serious Class Representative getting arrested. Your mother would cry, you know?”
While giggling, Imoutoya beckoned and provoked her.
As expected, I’m smart.
My victory is assured because I prepared Kazami as a scapegoat from the beginning.
A smart woman prepares two or three plans in case of failure.
I couldn’t bully Class Representative, but there’s no loss either.
No, just being able to provoke the other party like this means I’m winning. I’m “above.”
Today, I’ll boast with pride.
About my victory.
Ah. After all, I’m smarter than anyone—
“Imoutoya-san… Thank you.”
“Huh?”
“After hearing what you just said, I’m now relieved from the bottom of my heart.”
Imoutoya froze at the sudden confession.
Relieved? What is this girl saying?
Before she could wonder if she had gone crazy, the Class Representative put her hands together for some reason.
As if thanking God, she said “Thank you” like a flower.
She smiled at Imoutoya like an angel, and then…
She grinned.
“Thank you for being such an easy-to-understand, stupid enemy.”
“…Eh?”
“Now I can mercilessly put you through hell without hesitation. I can comfortably follow the teacher’s teachings and take the stress-free path…”
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you so much!
While wearing an angelic and gentle smile, she crept closer, and Imoutoya, who should have been safe, felt a chill for some reason and backed away.
This is wrong.
This is wrong.
Something is strange. Something is—fatally, off—