My throat is parched.
My head is swimming, as if I’m in a dream…
That’s right.
It feels like I’m dreaming.
My perspective is distant, and my body moves a beat behind.
From that hazy darkness, I slowly open my eyes.
Wooden planks meet my gaze.
But it’s dark.
Because of the dimness, I can’t be sure if they are truly wooden.
I move my head, searching for light.
Since I can’t sit up, I can only move my neck to survey my surroundings.
First, I confirm I’m on a bed. Beside the bed, I spot a stand with a candle and a pitcher. It seems this room’s only light source is that candle.
Next to the stand, a man sits on a chair.
A man I’ve never seen before.
He’s a sturdy-looking man with countless old scars etched on his face, appearing to be in his late forties. His attire suggests he’s a person of considerable status.
The sturdy man notices me waking up and addresses me.
“You’re awake, Christ Eurasia. Let me introduce myself first. I am Rail, from the guild ‘Epic Seeker,’ directly under the country of Laura Via. Due to your abilities, I am obligated to be present at all times.”
The man introduced himself as Rail.
Laura Via.
I recall it’s one of the Allied Nations to the southwest.
However, I’ve never heard of ‘Epic Seeker’ or ‘Rail.’
I don’t understand why I’m facing an unknown man in an unknown country.
I try to remember.
If I can’t recall myself before waking up, I won’t be able to grasp the situation.
“You are currently under suspicion for many things. Some good, some bad. Various suspicions. Therefore, you are being held.”
Hearing I’m being held, I panic.
But when I try to exert force with my body, I realize it doesn’t move as I intend. It felt like something heavy had been attached to my limbs.
I begin to understand the situation bit by bit.
The more I observe my surroundings, the more I realize this is no time to be stunned.
My right hand dangles off the bed, blood dripping from a cut on my finger. Furthermore, some kind of incense is burning in a corner, filling the room with smoke. I can’t smell it, but I feel like it’s something bad for my body.
I try repeatedly to force myself up, but to no avail.
My physical condition is clearly not right.
Not only my hazy thoughts but also my body feels off.
“I understand your confusion. But please calm down. First, moisten your throat. I have water prepared.”
Seeing me thrash on the bed, the man named Rail picks up the pitcher.
He tries to make me drink the water.
“N-no thank you…”
Unsure of what’s in it, I move my hoarse throat to refuse.
“Is that so. If you can speak, then that’s fine.”
Saying that, the man returns the pitcher to the stand. He doesn’t seem insistent on making me drink the water. Perhaps he genuinely prepared it out of goodwill.
I feel as though I’ve trampled on another’s goodwill and try to calm myself.
Then, with a clear head, I recall my abilities. I had forgotten even the basics.
[Glass Pitcher]
Contains plain water
I ‘gaze’ at the pitcher, discerning no tampering with the water.
[Status]
Name: Rail Senks HP 312/322 MP 0/0 Class: Fighter
Level 21
Strength 11.22 Stamina 10.19 Dexterity 6.79 Speed 4.02 Intelligence 6.60 Magic Power 0 Aptitude 1.09
Innate Skills:
Acquired Skills: Appraisal 1.03
I confirm the identity of Rail.
His name is not a lie, and his status indicated he is a powerful individual in this world.
“I-I’m sorry, Mr. Rail… Could you explain the situation…?”
At least, I understood that Mr. Rail harbored no ill will towards me at this moment. I try to be polite and request an explanation.
“Hm… You’re regaining yourself quickly. Impressive…”
Mr. Rail appears impressed and continues.
“First, let me tell you the location. This is a building in the center of Laura Via. It is the headquarters of the guild ‘Epic Seeker.’ As a guild directly under Laura Via, you can consider yourself under the control of the country of Laura Via.”
Thanks to Mr. Rail’s clear explanation, I begin to grasp the situation.
I also start remembering what happened before I woke up.
I believe I went to help Rustiara, returned to Valt, killed Arti, and was defeated by Palinkron.
However, right now, what’s most important is–
“I understand the location. Thank you… Um, are there any other children being held?”
I was about to say Maria’s name but stopped myself. Even if I were being held for some crime related to Fuziaze, Maria is innocent. It’s probably better not to mention that she’s still a companion.
“I’ve been informed about your companions. Currently, Rustiara Fuziaze, Diablo Sis, and Sera Radiant are on the run. Maria, a girl, is being held here.”
“Is the girl being held unharmed…?”
Mr. Rail said he had “been informed.” However, I don’t know how much he knows. I choose my words carefully as I inquire about my companions.
“She is not dead. More importantly–”
“Yo, Rail. Looks like Kanami’s older brother is finally awake.”
Mid-sentence, Mr. Rail’s response is interrupted by the sound of a door being roughly opened.
A cheerful voice echoes in the room.
A voice I know. One I could never mistake.
It’s that Palinkron…!!
“Hm. Palinkron, you were ‘watching’…? Indeed, the boy has woken up, but…”
Mr. Rail turns and glares at the person who just appeared with a bitter expression.
I glare back with several times more hostility and curse him, my throat trembling.
“Ah, ahh, Pa-Palinkron…! You, you…!!”
I pour all my strength, as if to tear off my limbs, and try to stand up.
I forcefully gather my disordered magic power, attempting to construct the magic [Midwinter of Overcrowded Dimensions].
Of course, I can’t stand up, nor can I construct the magic.
Still, I can’t stop myself from trying to defeat the man in front of me.
“Don’t get so angry, Kanami’s older brother. Here, I brought something tasty. Let’s fill your stomach first.”
Palinkron emerges from the darkness in the back, smiling and showing me the cooked bread he’s holding.
“Don’t mess with me! Don’t mess with me, Palinkron!!”
I respond with anger to his actions.
If it weren’t for him, everything would have been resolved.
If he hadn’t betrayed me– if he hadn’t cut Dia– if he hadn’t appeared at the end! I should be laughing with everyone in the southern country of Griad right now!!
That’s how regrettable it is.
I just regret losing to Palinkron.
Pouring all those emotions into my magic power, I convert it into cold air and go berserk, attempting to freeze everything restraining me. To attack the man before me, I expand my dimensional magic to its maximum.
The iron shackles and chains restraining me tremble.
They make a unique metallic sound as they try to nullify my power. Gradually, I can release more magic power, and my body even lifts slightly.
“What!? You’re wearing triple magic locks and shackles five times stronger than normal!? There’s no way you can generate magic… move!! W-wait! You two, wait!!”
Mr. Rail senses the fluctuation of magic power I’m emitting, hurriedly stands up, and gets between me and Palinkron.
It’s in the way.
Mr. Rail, who is interfering, and the ‘magic locks’ and ‘shackles’ he mentioned are all in the way.
I understand that they are sealing my body and magic power. Therefore, I twist my body to its limit, refining cold air, and try to break the ‘magic locks’ and ‘shackles.’
“Rail, leave it to me. My new power should be getting used to it by now. –Magic [Mind’s Anomaly, Mind’s Alignment].”
However, before I could break them, Palinkron’s hand touched my head.
“Gah, again…!!”
Palinkron’s magic flows into my body, and I feel my thoughts rapidly cooling.
“It’s just healing magic. It only has a sedative effect. Well, calm down, Kanami’s older brother.”
I immediately check my status.
[Status]
Condition: Confusion 9.81 Sedation 0.45
Indeed, he’s not lying.
Judging by my condition, I’ve only regained my composure.
There shouldn’t be any anomaly that would require the use of *Skill [???]*… or so I thought.
However, that doesn’t mean all my anger disappeared.
I simply understood that if I tried to fight this Palinkron while restrained, I would be at a disadvantage and would undoubtedly lose.
With a clear head, I decided that negotiation would be the better option.
Sensing this, Palinkron sat on a nearby chair and began to speak.
“Well then, shall we begin? It’s time for a fun, fun interrogation.”
Rail-san watched us, let out a sigh, and backed away nervously.
Palinkron confirmed this and continued his talk.
“As of now, Kanami’s older brother is under a lot of suspicion. We’ve mostly tracked your movements over the past few days with the Magic Stone Line, so you can’t deny anything. Though, we only know about the last few days.”
Palinkron spoke to me as if we were in a crime drama.
“The boy who calls himself Christ Eurasia suddenly appeared from within the labyrinth fourteen days ago. Yes, he appeared suddenly from the labyrinth. That’s the problem. Therefore, we can only trace his movements for fourteen days. We checked the Magic Stone Lines of all five Allied Nations, but there’s no record of Aikawa Kanami entering the Allied Nations, nor is there any record of him entering the labyrinth. The boy truly ‘appeared from within the labyrinth.'”
Palinkron was trying to expose my true identity and background.
I could tell from the way he was speaking.
Conversely, that could also be my hidden card.
To somehow reach an understanding with Palinkron, I listened while my mind raced quickly and coolly.
“In response to this, the higher-ups in Volt suspected Christ Eurasia of being the guardian of the 30th floor. They assumed someone had reached the 30th floor, and like with Teeda and Arti, a guardian appeared and came out to wander the city. They reasoned this because there were two previous precedents. From their perspective, it was a case of ‘here we go again.'”
Realizing I was being equated with Teeda and Arti, I reflexively denied it.
“That’s not true…”
Being treated as a Monster, I had a bad feeling about this. I decided that the only thing I would deny was being a guardian.
“Whether you deny it or not. As of now, Kanami’s older brother is being treated as a Monster. Those ‘shackles’ are proof of that.”
Palinkron pointed to the ‘shackles’ on my arms and legs with a smirk, feigning disappointment.
I calmly considered my excuses.
One word, saying I came from another world, would suffice. However, the faint smile on Palinkron’s face before me wouldn’t allow it.
“I am a mage of the Dimensional attribute… In Dimensional Magic, there’s a spell called Connection. With that spell, I can infiltrate the labyrinth without leaving any records. I am human…”
I weighed the cards I was willing to reveal against those I needed to keep and then revealed the existence of the spell Connection.
Truthfully, it was a card I wanted to keep hidden, but necessity called for it.
“That’s not correct. Older Brother learned Connection after meeting with Ojou-sama Maria. We’ve confirmed this with the Magic Shop owner as well.”
Palinkron immediately and coldly refuted my claim.
“…What of it? I’m saying that it’s possible with Dimensional Magic.”
In response, I also immediately and coldly retorted.
“I see. You’re saying Older Brother infiltrated the labyrinth with Dimensional Magic similar to Connection. Then, that magic is—”
“I have no obligation to tell you. I’m saying there are many ways to enter the labyrinth without any records.”
For now, it’s enough to hint at the possibility. My goal is to assert the possibility of me being human and not let them definitively brand me as a Monster. That’s all that’s needed.
“Well, I suppose that’s how it is.”
Palinkron shrugged, appearing resigned.
He didn’t look frustrated.
He’s still an enigmatic figure. I have no idea what his priorities are.
You’d think he’s just a hedonist, but he sometimes shows strange obsessions. You’d think he’s acting logically, but then he’ll act on impulse for “fun” because it’s his hobby. In terms of negotiation difficulty, he’s undoubtedly top-class.
As a start, I casually inquire about my companions.
Above all, I need to find a starting point for negotiations.
“Palinkron… Maria…?”
“She’s restrained.”
Palinkron answered curtly.
“Let me see her…”
I expected her to be restrained.
I made my request as calmly as possible.
Upon hearing this, Palinkron’s expression changed.
He seemed serious, yet also somewhat amused.
“That’s no good. They’re two precious, precious guinea pigs. There’s no benefit in letting you meet.”
“G-guinea pigs…?”
At that word, I broke out in a cold sweat and my face contorted.
That was the word I had feared the most since arriving in this world. When I was Level 1, the fear of that possibility limited my actions.
I had forgotten that dangerous word as I leveled up, only for it to surface at this very moment.
“Yes. She’s the first human to fuse with a guardian. It’s natural she’d be treated as a guinea pig, wouldn’t you say?”
My heart fractured and cracked in an instant.
Blood spilled from the cracks, and an unbearable pain surged through me, making me want to scream.
This could be the worst possible outcome for me.
“W-wait…! Wait, Palinkron!!”
I raised my voice in pain, anxiety, and desperation.
That, at least…
At least, that must not happen…
If it were just me, it would be my own fault. But Maria is different.
Maria is not to blame.
It’s my fault.
My fault for rescuing her, and then failing to fulfill any of my responsibilities.
Even without this, I had already brought misfortune upon Maria. And now, I was about to bring her more misfortune. The thought of it was enough to break my heart.
“What is it?”
“Maria is a child! And a weak little girl! Maria hasn’t done anything wrong! Please forgive her! Maria doesn’t deserve any more misfortune!”
“Hahaha. Weak? No way. Thanks to Kanami’s older brother, she’s become a monster that even a bunch of explorers combined couldn’t handle. Ah, it’s all thanks to Kanami’s older brother.”
“Yes! It’s my fault! I was wrong! But Maria did nothing wrong! So, please forgive her! I don’t care if I become the guinea pig! What I said earlier was a lie. I’m not just human. I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you everything— so, Maria alone!!”
Casting shame and self-consciousness aside, I shouted.
I had no room to spare. Negotiations had vanished from my mind.
All that remained was the vow I had made to dedicate everything to Maria. The fact that my promise to make her happy was about to be broken.
And the reality that I couldn’t atone for anything—
“Christ’s older brother isn’t just human? We know that. And you’re saying you’ll be the guinea pig in Ojou-chan’s place? What foolishness are you spouting? You’re both guinea pigs. There’s no way we won’t investigate both of you.”
“…!”
Palinkron’s reply made me feel like I was falling into the abyss.
A terror like plummeting from high in the clouds, alone.
I realized with a jolt that I hadn’t been calm at all, even though I thought I was.
When I was defeated by Palinkron, everything had already been decided.
Maria and I had fallen into Palinkron’s hands, and we had no freedom. There was no room for negotiation.
It was already settled.
“Ah, aaa…. Aaaa…”
Groaning with self-reproach.
If this continues, Maria will become an experimental animal.
It’s my fault.
It all began with my selfish decision to save Maria.
My foolish act of extending a hand—and as a result, Maria is about to face a fate worse than death as a slave.
Experimental animal.
Even with my limited knowledge, I knew they were beings with less dignity than humans or slaves.
Who dropped her there?
Me.
If only I hadn’t gotten involved, none of this would have happened.
What about “I won’t make Maria suffer anymore” and “I promise I won’t leave her alone”?
I haven’t kept any of it. In the end, as Arti said, I’m just all talk…
I’m bringing misfortune to those around me. If Maria hadn’t gotten involved with the labyrinth, she wouldn’t have caught Arti’s attention either. She wouldn’t be restrained with me like this.
Come to think of it, Dia is the same. If she hadn’t gotten involved with me, she wouldn’t have lost her arm. Both of them, whom I invited into the labyrinth, have met misfortune.
“Aaaaaaaahhhhhh…!”
This is agony.
Even just worrying about myself is unbearable, but when I involve others, that anxiety multiplies.
It’s no use.
I can’t bear this any longer.
My skill, “???”, is about to activate.
Look at it differently.
Remember the good things.
It’s not over yet.
It’s too soon to despair.
I have companions.
—Rustiara is here.
She’s the only one I can proudly say I “saved.” She’s the only one I can say it was good I was here.
And she’s safe. Moreover, her talent and personality are top-notch. Once her condition returns and she knows about Maria and my situation, she’ll undoubtedly try to help.
It’s not over yet…!!
I stop groaning, take deep breaths, and gather information to break through this situation.
“Hmm, too bad. Is there still hope? …It’s the Masters, isn’t it?”
Palinkron murmured expressionlessly, seeing it.
I think with an equally expressionless face, so as not to let him read my thoughts.
Palinkron speaks to me as if to shake me.
“Now, will the Masters really come to save us? Neither the Master nor the Apostle will be able to fully recover immediately. At least, not right away.”
I realize he’s trying to break my hope and retort, not to be outdone.
“Mr. Hein and Radiant are here too…”
Palinkron replies briefly.
“No, Hein is dead.”
“—Huh?”
He states it briefly, just “dead,” and tries to move on to the next topic immediately.
“Sera is with the Master and the Apostle for escort and cannot move. With the Master losing their strongest piece, Hein, they have few means to save my Older Brother and Maria.”
Palinkron continues talking as if nothing happened.
However, the rest of his words don’t register in my mind.
“Wait, huh? Mr. Hein is dead…?”
“Yes. That idiot saved three people at the cost of his life. And then he died.”
Palinkron answers concisely once more.
I feel my breathing becoming shallow.
I feel my body’s ill condition causing the composure I forcibly regained to crumble. My heart races, and a nauseating sweat flows.
There’s no reason to believe him.
It’s nonsensical to believe the words of Palinkron, who can be called an enemy.
“Ahaha. Oh, you say Mr. Hein died? *That* Mr. Hein?”
By implying Mr. Hein’s strength with my words, I try to brush off Palinkron’s words.
I don’t believe that Hein, who was likely one of the top contenders in the Seven Knights of Heaven, could die.
“Yes, he died. Hein was at his limit by the time he reached the Cathedral. That’s all there is to it.”
Palinkron doesn’t smile at all only when he speaks of Hein’s death.
It might be a poker face to deceive me.
But, for some reason, I couldn’t think it was a lie.
“But, even so…”
I try to spin words, to resist.
“Hein is dead, and Vice Prime Minister Fedelt’s schemes continue. In such a situation, isn’t it cruel to ask for rescue from the Masters who are on the run?”
Palinkron points out the low possibility of rescue and continues.
He says that the bad news isn’t over yet, and there’s more to come.
“Rather, the one who must go to save them is Kanami’s Older Brother. As the Hero who abducted the Master from Fuziaze, he must take responsibility and go to save them… He might fall into Fedelt’s hands soon, you know?”
That’s right.
It’s not over just by bringing Rustiara and the others out of the Cathedral.
Rather, the escape life is the real battle.
According to the plan, my magic, Connection, should have made our escape life easier. However, I am not by Rustiara’s side.
No matter how exceptional Rustiara and Dia are, I don’t know if they have a way to deal with the country’s long-term human wave tactics. Perhaps Rustiara and Dia could be captured by the Fuziaze as early as tomorrow.
At worst, could they both die…?
Like with Maria, my half-hearted attempt to help might lead to an even worse future…
“Can those three clumsy and naive people escape the Fuziaze pursuers alone? There isn’t a single person among them with the cunning to scheme.”
Palinkron says this with a malicious smile, stands up, and walks around the dark room. He moves slowly into the depths of the darkness as he speaks.
“I would like to participate in the capture of the Magic Stone Human and the Apostle, but since I have the Hero and the Half-Guardian in hand, I won’t be greedy. I have enough experimental materials.”
A sound of flesh and water mingling is heard.
It’s a sound that makes my skin crawl.
Palinkron takes something in a corner of the room and comes back to me.
I can’t see clearly due to the darkness.
Palinkron sits down, holding something round.
“First, I’m going to make good use of Hein’s remains—”
Then, Palinkron holds the round object up to the candlelight and shows it to me.
It was a human head.
It was the head of a handsome man, sleeping with a serene expression.
It was the head of Hein Helvishein.
“Ah, aaaaagh…!! Aaaaah…!!”
Vibrant golden hair falls over his eyes, and his cheeks are covered in many scratches. Red blood drips from his mouth—and there’s no body below the neck.
A fantastically beautiful, yet mercilessly lifeless, head of the dead.
“Hahaha! With the ‘materials’ here, it’s not impossible to create a being that surpasses Rustiara Fuziaze! There’s no reason to be fixated on the Master or the Apostle anymore!”
Palinkron called Mr. Hein’s head “materials.”
I’m sure I and Maria are included among those “materials.”
My face twists as I clearly understand the purpose of the experimental subjects. I don’t need a mirror to know. I must be distorting my face horribly with fear and sorrow.
My shallow and broad knowledge sparks my imagination.
From the severed head before me, I imagine scenes of dismemberment and dissection. The dissected frog photo I saw in a school textbook when I was young flashes in my mind, and I project it onto myself, letting out a small scream from the back of my throat.
Will I also die like Mr. Hein…?
Dying in another world, far from my family, without my dignity as a person being protected.
And dying, taking with me a girl the same age as my sister, whom I swore to make happy.
Forgetting Rustiara and Dia, whom I tried to protect, dying halfway through my goals.
Will I die here…?
The severed head of Mr. Hein thrust before my eyes makes me feel a sure end.
An end.
In other words, it makes me feel death.
Die.
Die. Die. Die.
From now on, I will di—
[Skill “???” has gone berserk.]
[Stabilizes the mind in exchange for some emotions.]
[Adds a +1.00 modifier to Confusion.]
My heart, which wished not to die, activated it.
I didn’t have the strength to resist it now.
And the rampage isn’t over yet.
The description of the skill “???” continues.
[Status]
Condition: Confusion 10.82, Sedation 0.12
Intuitively avoiding it, I head into the 10.00 range of Confusion—
[Confusion has reached 10.00, exceeding the limit of Skill “???”.]
[The accumulated Confusion will be “refunded” as original emotions.]
—Everything is refunded.
“Wh-what? Ah, ahh, ahh…—”
A “refund”…?
The first “display” appears on my retina, and I don’t understand its meaning.
And then, I crumble.
I am made to experience the meaning without understanding it.
My thoughts suddenly surge.
Various negative emotions rage.
The exact same emotions as some time ago are returned.
The “despair of being betrayed and thrown before a ferocious beast” attacks me. The “loneliness of being all alone in another world, as if it were the end of the world” envelops me. The “anxiety of possibly losing someone precious” wells up. The “humiliation of being toyed with through inhumane means” is recalled. The “stress of being caught up in unreasonable tyranny” erodes me. The “discomfort of having my world forcibly rewritten” envelops me. The “fear of death when facing a powerful being” chills my spine. “Numerous instances of mental contamination from magic” recur. “My love for Rustiara” reignites—
All the emotions, strong enough to lead to death, are returned all at once.
“Ah, ahh!! Aaaah, aaaaah, aaaaaaaaAÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃAAAAAAAHHHH—!!!!”
No, it wasn’t a gentle return.
It was forcefully refunded with interest added, and all of it intertwined and amplified each other. It wasn’t simple addition. The ill feelings, swollen by multiplication, filled my entire mind.
—I screamed.
That day, the first time I wandered into this Another World, got lost in a Labyrinth, was deceived by people, and then rewound to the mental state just before being eaten by wolves—all of my ill feelings up to today were hammered into me.
It far exceeded a single person’s capacity.
“Wh-what is it? Older Brother Kanami, suddenly—”
“AAAAAHHHH!! I-I don’t want to, I don’t want to, I don’t want to anymore!! Why! Why, why, why is it like this!? What’s wrong with me!? Why, whyyyyyyyy—!!”
I could hear Palinkron saying something in the distance.
But I didn’t have the余裕 to hear or understand it.
I just kept screaming.
I—I can’t breathe…
Even though I’m breathing in so much air, it doesn’t fill my chest at all…
It doesn’t bring me relief…
My diaphragm spasms. Each spasm causes air to leak from my lungs. Losing oxygen, I panic, and my lungs move again, causing my diaphragm to spasm further. Eventually, it goes beyond spasms and pain shoots through me, and my entire body writhes in agony, suffering.
“Was—was Hein’s corpse that bad for Older Brother Kanami…? No, was ‘death’ itself taboo?”
Your voice sounds distant.
An amount of sweat that makes me an Xious flows, taking away the heat from a body that isn’t even hot.
Yes. My body isn’t hot. That’s certain. Yet, for some reason, my brain feels hot, and the sweat won’t stop. Is my brain mistaking the black, burning ill feelings as heat, causing sweat to flow like a waterfall to cool it down?
It feels like being force-fed boiling oil, then being doused with a freezing shower that peels away my skin.
It’s unbearable.
I can’t stand it.
I want to lose consciousness right now, but the pain won’t allow it.
I know that straining will hurt, but unable to bear my body breaking, I force myself to strain. I clench my teeth and twist my neck to its limit. Not figuratively, my eyeballs really feel like they’re about to pop out.
It hurts…
It hurts, it hurts, it hurts…
It hurts like hell…!!
I’m really going to die!!
“This is bad! Palinkron! You said the boy was irreplaceable, so you weren’t supposed to chip away at him slowly!? If this keeps up, the boy’s mind will break!!”
“I know, I know! Shut up for a bit, Rail! Tch, to think you’d use Teeda’s Mental Magic for healing!”
Ah, ahh…
Ahh, people…
Do people—can people suffer to the point of death just from the influence of their mental state?
In dramas and manga, I’ve seen characters who fell into shock after unfortunate events. They looked very pained, but I didn’t believe it.
I thought there was no way they could suffer that much just from a mental issue.
That wasn’t true.
I was just immature and didn’t understand unless I experienced it myself.
It wasn’t an exaggeration at all.
I feel like my breathing is about to stop. My heart feels like it’s about to burst. My consciousness is fading from the intense pain. I want to claw at my throat out of anguish. In the end, even if my carotid artery were to rupture, if death would offer liberation from this suffering, I feel like I would reach for it right now.
Ah, ahh, I’m—I’m dying…
That’s right. If I die, I’ll be at ease…
Finally at ease…
I reached out, aiming for the hope of death—
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
Exchanges some emotions for mental stability.
Adds a +1.00 modifier to confusion.
My hand, which had reached for my neck.
It stiffened.
Ah, wh-what…?
I’m in pain… Please make me feel better…
I don’t want this anymore. So, death—
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
Exchanges some emotions for mental stability.
Adds a +1.00 modifier to confusion.
Stop it…
Please stop…
That’s not enough, no matter how much you do.
Don’t you understand that…?
Even if the Skill “???” were stacked ten times, it wouldn’t erase the ill feelings from the “refund.” That’s because there are excess ill feelings from the interest.
If this continues—
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
Exchanges some emotions for mental stability.
Adds a +1.00 modifier to confusion.
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
Exchanges some emotions for mental stability.
Adds a +1.00 modifier to confusion.
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
Exchanges some emotions for mental stability.
Adds a +1.00 modifier to confusion.
—it will only be a useless increase in interest-laden ill feelings and another “refund”—!!
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
Exchanges some emotions for mental stability.
Adds a +1.00 modifier to confusion.
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
Exchanges some emotions for mental stability.
Adds a +1.00 modifier to confusion.
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
Exchanges some emotions for mental stability.
Adds a +1.00 modifier to confusion.
It’s useless.
Don’t you understand something so simple?
Hah, haha.
Ah…
Ah, so—
—this Skill “???” is defective.
It’s not enough to exchange.
If this continues, interest will be added pointlessly, and another “refund” will come—!!
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
Exchanges some emotions for mental stability.
Adds a +1.00 modifier to confusion.
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
Exchanges some emotions for mental stability.
Adds a +1.00 modifier to confusion.
【Skill “???” has gone berserk】
Exchanges some emotions for mental stability.
Adds a +1.00 modifier to confusion.
It’s no good.
If that lump of ill feelings is “refunded” even once more, I—
“—Magic 《Mind Anomaly: Mind Calming》, Magic 《Mind Anomaly: Mind Loss》!!”
Palinkron’s voice, Teeda’s familiar magic—pushes back the Skill “???”
Just a little…
Though it’s really just a little, a murky light pierces the muddy depths of darkness…
I can hear a voice.
“Older Brother!! Older Brother Kanami, have hope! It’ll be a problem if you die!—Magic 《Mind Anomaly: Mind Calming》!!”
The man I hated the most was shouting “Have hope” at me.
I feel magic being constructed to save my mind, paying an immense Magic Power.
Palinkron is desperately doing his best, like any person.
It was a strange sight.
“Older Brother Kanami! Don’t despair! It’s not over yet! Stay conscious! Listen to the rest of the story!!”
Magic connects me and Palinkron.
Through that connection, a monstrous yet powerful Magic Power flows into my entire body.
That Magic Power washes away the ill feelings that were corroding my body.
As the Magic Power flows, I feel the pain throughout my body easing.
Anxiety disappears, my heartbeat calms, and my sweat recedes.
Though only slightly, I gain some room to think.
“Ah, ahh…”
I managed to pull myself back from the brink.
“Haa, haa… ‘The twentieth ordeal’ hasn’t even started yet… Did I push him too hard…?”
When I softly opened my eyes, Palinkron was there, breathing heavily, unable to afford to relax. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, unable to completely hide his urgency. Rail, who was standing by, looked similarly flustered.
“Palinkron, can it be performed even in this state, with the boy like this…?”
“…We’ll have to adjust it more leniently than planned. If we don’t adjust it with hope, Older Brother Kanami’s mind might necrotize first.”
I hear the words “perform” and “adjust.”
However, I don’t have the余裕 to analyze their meaning.
The danger of death has passed, but my body still won’t move an inch.
Along with the exhaustion of my mind, my body also seems to have reached its limit.
Palinkron’s Magic Power, which had been stabilizing my mind, now circulates to manipulate that same mind.
It’s not the Magic Power for prolonging life like just before, but Palinkron’s characteristic, grotesque Magic Power.
“Tch…”
Even if my life was saved, being manipulated by Palinkron is unacceptable.
And I pour all my strength into resisting that with all my might.
However, there’s nothing I can do.
Not only am I restrained, but more importantly, my mind and body are on the verge of breaking from the repeated use of the Skill “???” earlier.
Seeing me try to exert myself, Palinkron makes a troubled expression.
“Older Brother Kanami… Accept this. If you accept it, I will save Miss Maria. I promise I will save her.”
Finally, Palinkron, with a troubled look, said, “I will save Maria.”
“Ah, ahh… C-can I believe that…?”
Mustering the strength from my near-death state, I retort with an insult.
“I never lie. I keep my promises. I let slip a word earlier, but it’s true that it would be troublesome if we made Kanami’s older brother die. If Kanami’s older brother resisted with his life, it would be extremely problematic. That’s why, in exchange for not killing himself, I’m saying I’ll save Maria, the young lady.”
Palinkron spoke with sincerity, not with his usual mocking tone. It seemed the unexpected rampage of his skill ‘???’ had changed Palinkron’s way of thinking more than anticipated.
“Believe that, of all things…! But… But, I already…”
Honestly, no matter how Palinkron’s attitude changed, I couldn’t trust him. But in this situation, it was also true that Maria and I had no other path but to die miserably. I had no choice but to accept his sweet talk.
“There’s no other way now…”
If that were not the case, I felt like retaliating against Palinkron, who claimed it would be troublesome if I died. However, with Maria brought up as a pawn, it was over. I had an obligation to do my best for Maria.
I poured my last remaining strength into a threat.
“Listen, Palinkron…! If you break your promise, I’ll kill you! I will absolutely kill you! No matter what happens, I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!!”
“Saying only ‘kill you’ in response shows what a kind-hearted guy Kanami is. No, really…”
However, Palinkron brushed it off with a cool expression. Rather, he seemed relieved upon hearing the threat.
And so, I lost my last bit of strength, and my consciousness began to fade.
“You don’t have to worry too much about Maria, the young lady. I have a promise with Arti, my elder sister… Well, she won’t be saved in the way Kanami’s older brother desires, though…”
Perhaps, after this, I would be subjected to mental magic by Palinkron that would seep into my flesh and blood. I would end up in the same state as Rustiara and Mr. Hein.
“You’re going to mess with my mind, aren’t you…?”
In my hazy consciousness, I confirmed in a small voice.
“Don’t worry too much. I won’t touch the core of Aikawa Kanami. That’s important to me as well. I’ll just change the direction a little, make you misunderstand a bit.”
What does he mean by “a bit”? Because of that “bit,” everyone suffered.
“Am I going to become like Mr. Hein…?”
“No, it’s a little different from Mr. Hein’s. It’s more like what I did to Arti, my elder sister, and Maria, the young lady. I’ll do that, but stronger, adding the power of ‘The one who steals the logic of darkness’.”
“Y-you…!!”
Unexpectedly, Palinkron’s wickedness was exposed. I felt shock and anger that he had even reached out to Arti. However, I had no strength to fight. It was already difficult to keep my eyes open.
The moment I closed my eyes, Palinkron’s magic power further surged, flowing into me.
“Now, shall we begin? First, Kanami’s older brother’s skill. This is too problematic.”
Palinkron’s magic power permeated my entire body, and my free will began to disappear. I, who should be the master of my body, receded as Palinkron’s malicious hand touched my spirit.
Palinkron cast many spells. Enhanced with the power of ‘The one who steals the logic of darkness,’ it was more potent than Teeda’s magic from some time ago. After what felt like both a short and long time, I saw ‘Display’ behind my eyelids.
【Skill ‘???’ has been sealed.】
【Skill ‘???’ has been sealed.】
I wanted to maintain consciousness for as long as possible, but it was already at its limit.
I heard a voice, I couldn’t tell if it was near or far.
“…Damn it. But with this, all the suspicious unique skills are dealt with. Perhaps it’s because Kanami’s older brother is in despair that the magic passed through smoothly. But the ‘Price’ is also painful…”
Even though the ‘Display’ and the voice reached my brain as information, I couldn’t understand their meaning. I was as sleepy as if I hadn’t slept for days.
“Next is–”
My consciousness sank into the depths of slumber, sinking further. Likely, once I sank completely, I wouldn’t wake for several days. I couldn’t resist this. As I sank my consciousness into that dark morass, finally—
【Condition】
Confusion 7.29 Memory Alteration 2.00 Mental Corruption 2.00 Recognition Impairment 2.00 Seal 4.00
I checked my status. Seeing the ‘Condition,’ I was astonished by Palinkron’s thoroughness—and then lost consciousness completely.
◆◆◆◆◆
—And so, I failed.
In the pitch-black space, I held a solo review session. Ultimately, what was my reason for defeat…? In terms of combat, there was no problem. The labyrinth攻略 was also not a problem.
… I know…
What failed was human interaction. I never tried to open my heart to anyone. Even if I tried to use them, I never thought about seeking their help. I didn’t feel the need to open up. That’s why I repeatedly lost my composure. It was bad that the fact that I could see my status made me mistakenly believe I was a superior being. I thought only I could handle things, and didn’t have the idea of relying on others. Maria, of course, but even Dia and Rustiara were beings weaker than me, whom I looked down upon. I decided that I could help them, but they couldn’t help me.
Now I understand.
I should have consulted someone and complained more. I should have shown my genuine, unvarnished emotions more. The ideal would have been the tavern shop manager, perhaps. If I had consulted an adult with strong convictions, the outcome would surely have been different. It was also a factor that I only associated with equally talented young people, exceeding my own capacity. The more talented and attractive people were, the more I felt they had some kind of psychological flaw. I should have looked for someone more dependable, even if their talent was just average.
And so, the days passed without my heart connecting with my companions, and all of that debt culminated on Christmas festival.
The moment I incurred the debt—on that day, no matter what I did, I could only save either Rustiara or Maria. In short, I was trapped. I tried to save the one I couldn’t, and Palinkron exploited that opening, leading to the end.
The end. My loss.
… If.
If there is a next time, I will never make such a mistake again. I absolutely will not.
Open my heart, believe in people, do not lie. I will live as Aikawa Uzunami. I will not escape into the fake, Christ Eurasia.
I swear.
Next time. Definitely…—
“Chapter 2: The End of the Christmas Festival” ends.
“Chapter 3: For You Who Are Unrewarded” begins.
*Thank you very much for reading this far. There is also an “Extra Story” on the author’s page, so please take a look if you need a break. This story is a tale leading to a perfect happy ending. I also want it to be a story of overcoming various hardships and growing little by little. Chapter 2 was the low point of the story, but it will reverse from Chapter 3.
Final Status at the end of “Day Fifteen”
【Status】
Name: Aikawa Uzunami HP 255/255 MP 0/657 Class:
Level 13
Strength 7.84 Stamina 8.04 Dexterity 9.36 Speed 12.03 Intelligence 11.77 Magic Power 30.10 Aptitude 7.00
Condition: Confusion 7.29 Memory Alteration 2.00 Mental Corruption 2.00 Recognition Impairment 2.00 Seal 4.00
Experience Points: 45667/35000
Equipment: Aris Family’s Treasure Sword (Damaged) Patient’s Clothes Scorched Otherworld Clothes Scorched Otherworld Shoes
【Skills】
Innate Skill: Swordsmanship 1.07 Ice Magic 2.10+1.10
Acquired Skill: Dimensional Magic 5.11+0.10
??? : ??? (Sealed)
??? : ??? (Sealed)
【Magic】
Ice Magic: Freeze 1.07 Ice 1.10
Dimensional Magic: Dimension 1.53 Connection 1.01 Form 1.04
Unique Magic: Dimension – Multiple Expansion 1.04 Dimension – Decisive Calculation 1.10 Ice Arrow 1.01 Dimension Snow 1.02 Ice Sword 1.00 Dimensional Snow 1.04 Overcrowded Dimensions’ Midwinter 1.01
