6/10: Book Volume 6 and Comic Adaptation Volume 3 will be released in the same month! Pre-orders have also started, so please check them out.
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!”
The Chimera, conditioned to protect the Altar, closed in behind me with tremendous speed. The moment the giant, bear-like arm it had newly created swung down at me—
“…Hurry up.”
As if reacting to my voice, which I muttered in displeasure, light overflowed from the Altar, covering everything in the Innermost Sanctum.
“…Gah!”
The moment I was teleported somewhere, perhaps due to all the strain I’d put myself through up until now, I coughed up blood.
I pretended to be fine in front of that child, but just losing one attribute doesn’t mean I can push myself this hard, huh…
But, just as planned, I was able to reach the spirit’s domain. It was a gamble, but I’m glad I made it before dying.
As proof that I’d reached the domain, the blood I just coughed up vanished, and my battered body and depleted mana were gradually recovering.
“…As expected, it won’t even fix my tattered clothes, huh.”
I threw off my tattered cloak and, imitating Aria, tore the ripped skirt clinging to my legs vertically. This made it easier to move, but… my legs are still thin.
My complexion seems to have improved considerably thanks to Aria’s potent medicine, but I’m deathly pale and gaunt, so maybe I need to eat a bit more?
“Now then…”
All around was a milky-white world, like a dense fog. While feeling uncomfortable with the strange atmosphere that seemed to try and calm one’s mood, I stared intently and noticed “power” gathering before my eyes.
The large-scale Dungeon under the direct control of the royal family, managed by the Lester Family.
The spirit of this Dungeon is said to be relatively “kind to humans” among the large-scale Dungeons owned by the Kingdom of Claydale.
That’s because its clear difficulty is relatively easy. And, like other Dungeons, it doesn’t grant Divine Protection to ordinary soldiers but to those with strong will; however, the spirit of this Dungeon granted Divine Protection to more people than spirits of other Dungeons.
Since I was young, I continuously delved into this Dungeon.
That’s because if it was easy to clear, I might be able to obtain Divine Protection. And when I researched the literature about this Dungeon’s spirit, which was also in the Lester Family’s forbidden books, I began to question the nature of the spirit here.
Having grown stronger by embracing the resolve to kill and the resolve to die as my hope for living, I also researched the Magician’s Guild literature to clear up that doubt, delved into the Dungeon several times, and arrived at a certain hypothesis.
The spirit of this Dungeon is not “kind.”
The spirit of this Dungeon is “easy.”
<
It appeared in the space where the power had gathered.
It had the form of a “child” clad in traditional clothing from an ancient era, different from the spirit of the isolated island’s Dungeon or the spirit of the Evil Race’s fortress.
In a word, it was very childlike. Its appearance, which made it impossible to tell if it was male or female, and its words and actions in summoning me here in response to my abusive remarks—everything about it seemed “childish.”
“I apologize for that. Being a fragile human, wasn’t it unavoidable in such a situation?”
When I offered a perfunctory apology, the spirit nodded as if looking down from above.
<
The spirit said so and convinced itself.
I can’t tell if it’s male or female by its way of speaking or its voice. Or perhaps it has no gender at all.
<
I had investigated the spirit of this Dungeon and formed a hypothesis.
The spirit here is still “childish.” Not in terms of age, but I hypothesized that the majority of the residual thoughts that formed its core were still those of a young child.
According to old forbidden books, before the Kingdom of Claydale was unified, to counter the Melrose Dukedom in the south and the Dandole Dukedom in the north, the king at the time took many wives and sent many royals into this Dungeon, it seems.
At that time, the Dungeon only had seventy floors, and the spirit must have just been born. It seems many young royals, who knew it granted Divine Protection and harbored the hope of protecting this country and the ambition of annexing other nations, lost their lives here.
As a result, the newborn spirit absorbed the thoughts of the young royals and became a spirit with its current, not-quite-adult form and mentality.
…If this hypothesis is correct, then those were truly forbidden books that couldn’t be made public.
And now, by meeting this spirit, I’ve confirmed that my hypothesis was correct.
Precisely because the spirit is childish, it summoned me after I hurled abusive words at it.
Precisely because the spirit is childish, the former Crown Prince and his companions… even that Saint-wannabe were able to obtain Divine Protection.
Precisely because the spirit is childish… their wishes are conveniently misinterpreted.
Like the Temple Head’s grandchild, who sought power to protect someone important and ended up making a contract with a demon.
Like the King’s younger brother, who sought a strong body to resist power and ended up being parasitized by insects.
It’s reaaally… good for nothing, isn’t it…
However, this spirit is not evil. It’s merely innocent. History books show that if the wish is pure and untainted by greed, a corresponding Divine Protection can be obtained.
That’s precisely why I… will not wish (・・・・).
“What I desire… is a “transaction”.”
＊＊＊
“Snow-!”
As I returned to reality, I heard Aria’s voice.
Thank goodness… both of them are still safe. But it seems they didn’t escape unscathed.
I had wondered why Aria wasn’t summoned by that spirit, but seeing the two of them fighting as if to protect each other, I understood. Aria… you refused, didn’t you?
It’s not because you have no wish. The perception of time is different here and there, but I believe you deliberately stayed behind for Kitty-chan, who would have been left alone here.
That’s so like you… truly.
How much time has passed since I disappeared?
Enough time to count to ten? Or perhaps a hundred? During that time, Aria and Kitty-chan were fighting to buy me time. No, not just that. They came to this Dungeon for me, who was on the verge of death…
Aria’s wish was for my body to heal.
However, the “Golden Dagger” that erases attributes, like the one from the Evil Race’s fortress Dungeon, was obtained because Aria wished for it as a wish for two people, with the constraint that it would be used for me, who had forfeited the reward.
That’s precisely why, this time, I must choose the option to heal my body by my own will.
To defeat the Chimera, I could have simply wished for power from this Dungeon’s spirit. But that would be betraying Aria. The meaning of coming this far would be lost.
Therefore, I guided the childish spirit’s thoughts and led it to a path where both could be achieved.
My body won’t be completely healed.
I won’t be able to perfectly defeat the Chimera.
But, that’s fine, isn’t it? A “life (battle)” where you can see the future is boring.
“Gyaaaarrrrggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”
The Chimera, noticing me, abandons the other two and heads towards me.
Because it’s moderately intelligent, it let out a roar of anger and attacked with all its might, due to me outsmarting it and its orders to protect the Altar.
“…That’s fine.”
New mana surged throughout my body, and two attributes (・・・・・) gathered in both my arms.
“–[Ice Storm]–“
A directional Ice Storm halted the charging Chimera—
“–[Chase Lightning]–“
Several bolts of lightning that were unleashed accurately struck the Chimera’s limbs and head.
“—Gigaaaarrrrggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”
The Chimera shrieked in pain from the Level 5 magic, unleashed almost simultaneously and with even greater power.
Simultaneous activation of Level 5 magic, which was difficult for my previous self.
I will surpass my former “self.”
[Snow] [Race: Human ♀] [Rank 5]
[Mana: 432/640] 20 Up [Stamina: 34/48] 3 Up
[Strength: 7 (9)] [Endurance: 4 (5)] 1 Up [Agility: 14 (18)] [Dexterity: 10]
[Martial Arts Lv.3]
[Light Magic Lv.5] [Dark Magic Lv.5] 1 Up
[Water Magic Lv.0] 5 down [Fire Magic Lv.0] 5 down
[Wind Magic Lv.0] 5 down [Earth Magic Lv.0] 5 down
[Ice Magic Lv.5] New [Lightning Magic Lv.5] New
[Non-Attribute Magic Lv.5] [Utility Magic x6] [Mana Control Lv.6] 1 Up
[Intimidation Lv.5] [Detection Lv.2] [Abnormal Status Resistance Lv.3] 1 Up [Poison Resistance Lv.3]
[Simple Appraisal]
[Total Combat Power: 1920 (Magical Attack Power: 2880)] 35 Up
What is the new power Snow obtained?
Next time, its contents will be revealed.
And Snow will surpass even further.
*This is an epilogue.
Addendum
If you purchase the book from the TO Books Online Store, it comes with a little short story booklet!
I always write about the main game’s story for these, but this time, it’s the Nasanitar route.
Please enjoy the drastic contrast with the main story, lol.
As for the manga adaptation, the short story from Volume 1 of the book has received a brand-new comic adaptation. It’s incredibly good, so it’s a must-see!