The next day.
Since that day, there were talks of how they were able to come back to the base from the 4th floor. I was particularly not heard of. At the base, it seems that Sak.u.ma became the most influential person now. She was the one who a.s.sembled all the students together who was there at that time and together with Ryuzaki, gave out directions. Leading Was.h.i.+o, k.u.mosaki and the others as vanguards were those two as well.
While naturally, Kogane’s confidant shattered. Overhearing some gossips, it seemed that before I had a.s.sisted Kogane that time, he would trash talk in regards to k.u.mosaki and Ryuzaki. Just like that, the rumor began spreading within the girls in addition to his shameful sight with the Wight King. Everyone had no longer looked towards Kogane.
The same confidence shattering experience happened to both Was.h.i.+o and Hakuba. When they were humans, they were part of Ryuzaki’s group. When they became monsters, they joined Kogane’s group as they both were opportunist. However, they also faced the same, if not a lesser amount of process that Kogane just undergone. In the end, they couldn’t help but abandon him.
“………….”
I played around with the bowl of soup while thinking so.
The dining hall’s turnout is always small. With Kogane’s presences gone, Was.h.i.+o and the others uncomfortably sat at the corner eating their meals. However, that doesn’t mean they’ve escaped their frank slanders. A weird atmosphere has already spread in the cla.s.s.
It also affected my surrounding as well.
Since that day, anything I said to Akira was of no effect. Until now, we’ve had many fights but it’s been a long time since it dragged out this long. That time, Akira had full intentions to kill Kogane. If Rin hadn’t stopped me, I may have done the exact same thing.
The origin of our anger might seem slightly similar but subtly different. So I preached about my reason but lacked confidence in understanding it.
“Ya-hoo, Utsurogi-kun”
As Rin crept horizontally towards me who became silent.
“Himemizu…….”
“You seem fi―――not really. As I thought. Yup. Those pretty wings on your back were taken off”
“Aah, that. I asked Gofunkawahara so he can return it to the real owners.”
Feeling the nakedness, I gazed at my scapula.
Personally connected to me, the wings made from skeletal pieces that I borrowed from the skeletons had returned. Thanks to them, we were able to overpower the Wight King and it made us possible to defeat it since we gain an incredible fighting strength. If the parts from the skeleton and the puzzle genius Gofunkawahara had not been here, we could not have copied such skillful work.
With Gofunkawahara’s skillful hands, the bones were properly fitted to the correct skeleton where they began living in the 2nd floor.
Rin crawled up to the seat next to me, placing her plate of a small bird on top of the table.
“Whatchu thinking about? About Hino-kun? Or Kogane-kun? About the other cla.s.smates?”
“Everything”
I answered with a weak smile. 『I seeー』 Rin said as she tasted the soup
“Ya know, even now Kogane’s in his room”
“I see…….”
“I thought we should go see him, but think its best not to”
Saying so, her tone became somewhat depressed.
“Why?”
“Maybe it’s because Kogane-kun is extremely afraid of the current Utsurogi-kun and Hino-kun…………..”
“………..”
An unavoidable chat. I thought inwardly as I swirled the soup.
That time, the unpleasant feeling of beating his face…I recalled it again. It was of my own intent that I struck twice. The third time was when Rin finally called out to me and stopped me. And then Akira willfully struck him 4, 5 times.
I couldn’t see his face clearly but possibly his nose bone may have been broken. It’s a miracle he didn’t get any levels of cerebral contusions.
“I wonder if everyone will forgive Kogane”
“Maybe, but I don’t think so.”
I casually asked optimistically but Rin’s words were cold.
“Maybe Was.h.i.+o-kun or k.u.mosaki-san, if they were to a.s.sociate with Kogane-kun and nー……. this may be a rude way of saying it but, I’ll put in a good word to them. I don’t think everyone will forgive Kogane-kun. Even now their feelings are turned inside out.“
That’s, the formerly known top group in the cla.s.s, Rin who can possibly say such words and speaking from many views.
“My favorite celebrity once said this. Something about a small fish. The small fish was placed in a confined water tank and no matter what it was bullied”
“Un”
“Taking that child away, a different fish became bullied this time”
“Human’s aren’t fish”
“Yup. But we’re not humans too”
Is Rin making a joke or is it a form of severe sarcasm, I can’t tell.
“Kogane’s”
“Un”
“Not that bad of a guy”
I muttered and Rin nodded again with an 『Un』
“I know. He’s Utsurogi-kun friend, right”
Kogane has been that kind of person since a long time ago. Loud mouthed and unable to read the mood. He’s the kind of guy who’s not that great with his own whereabouts and keeping his know-how.
Since reincarnating into this other world as a High Elf with looks, powers and given an increase in his social standing, I have no doubt that he’s been frantically trying to protect it. Uprooting Ryuzaki’s position, pampered by the females in the cla.s.s and yet he was still envious of other students. Kogane, not know how a method to protect his position, fumbled a lot. And when he found a measure of doing so, it was by no means something to praise about.
It’s human nature to protect one’s position if another person oppressed it.
Though I’m irrelevant to such feelings, I’m not that arrogant.
“I never knew the darkness near my friend’s heart”
“Well, Utsurogi-kun is not the only one who wronged. Everyone’s at fault. Me,
Ryuzaki-kun, everyone”
Since I was not making progress with my soup, Rin completely drank it all.
“Therefore, yup. When things cool down, Kogane will properly apologize to everyone, everyone will also forgive Kogane and then everyone will eat delicious food together again.”
“Yea, that’s right…….”
Will that day ever come?
Just a few seats away was the same Gofunkawahara and his usual 『Goochisosaaama!』 in an energetic voice. Together with Ok.u.ma, they leave the dining hall. Even though the cla.s.s has a weird vibe, they’re the same as always. The delinquent Inugami is the same as well, with her hands thrust into her jacket pockets, bone sticking out from her mouth and her accessories Jyara Jyara made noise as she walked out the dining hall.
Soon after she left, Akira game into the dining hall. Fuyo Fuyo the Wisp floating as he entered and paid no attention to the other students, coming towards us from the beginning.
“Yo, Kyosuke, Himemizu”
Akira greeted in a slightly pouting manner.
“Yo, Akira”
“Ossu Hino-kun”
Rin and I replied in our usual light tone.
“I didn’t think you’d come today”
“Dragging this along indefinitely is immature you know”
While saying that, his voice was frankly still disgruntled.
“Because you’re usually naïve, I won’t refer to this matter anymore. However Kyosuke, no matter what you think, I will not forgive Kogane”
“Aa, that’s fine then”
Honestly, I don’t understand why he’s angry to that extent.
“I can’t stand Was.h.i.+o and the others but from the beginning, I never had expectation in their intelligence.”
“So Akira’s brain itself is not that much of a blockhead eh”
Finis.h.i.+ng with inserting a tsukkomi, I proceeded to drink the soup. I flowed through my throat and splashed on the ground. Though I spiritually took the energy, its an inconvenience when thinking about my body’s hygiene.
“Which reminds me about the other students….or rather, what happened to Sak.u.ma and the others?”
“Since yesterday’s event, she is in the process of being the unifying force within the cla.s.s. However, it seems like she still is not suited for a leader like character.”
“Sacchan, just earlier she was talking with Ryuzaki-kun”
“Sak.u.ma did? With Ryuzaki?”
Speaking of surprising, it was unexpected for those two to be a combination.
I understand that Sak.u.ma’s in the process of acquiring an influential voice for this cla.s.s. She is popular with the students. Though there are some girls who are bear intense jealously, with backing from the Queen Akai, those girls wouldn’t bother come forth as strongly.
After all, she fought against the Wight King twice. The first time was for the sake of allowing the other cla.s.smates to escape back to the base. The second time was also for the sake of rescuing her cla.s.smates. It’ll be natural for her stock to raise as her actions showed such acts of courage.
That Sak.u.ma together with Ryuzaki?
“It’s cause Sacchan wanted to become your power Utsurogi-kun”
“Me?”
“Yea”
I didn’t know the reason as to why Ryuzaki’s connected in this.
No, wouldn’t I just a.s.sume this as a misunderstanding?
“Kyosuke’s has always been saying that Ryuzaki’s is more suitable as a leader, right. Kogane in his current mess and Akai not interested from the beginning. It’s a valid choice and it seems Sak.u.ma also understands it”
“I see”
It wasn’t just Sak.u.ma alone, Ryuzaki’s stock also recovered. As Was.h.i.+o, k.u.mosaki and the others turned their back and gave their thanks, it showed to be effective. And the story went that he voluntarily used his body to protect Sak.u.ma, ignoring the dangers and excavated Ok.u.ma from the rubbles were all told from Tsurugi and Harui’s.
Because of the events with the Wight King has already happened, from our concerns, there was no need for us to possible meddle in this anymore. Even without Goubayas.h.i.+, he was able to regain his foothold by himself. Though he’s not in the dining hall now, he’s in the process of regaining his vigor.
With Goubayas.h.i.+ leaving and possibly if I was not here, I believe Ryuzaki would still have been able to make a comeback to his leaders.h.i.+p roles. And yet what should I do if he doesn’t ask me for support? I’m pretty sure there’s not a meaning behind it if that time comes.
“AAaaaaaaaaah! Ayachan! Ayachaaaaaaaaaaaann!!”
While thinking so, a loud noise came from Kano as she leapt into the dining hall.
“Are, Kano? What’s wrong?”
“My! My Childrens! Tomato! The Tomato!
“Aah, sorry. I used it……..”
“Hi, Hieeeeeeeee~! Goodon! Rogerrrr! Alex.x.xx!””
Rin and I glanced down at our soup. Today’s soup is currently minestrone. We couldn’t tell who was Goodon, Roger, or Alex as they were all crushed, melted, and mixed but they were delicious. We became silent as we offered our prayers to the delicious children that Kano earnestly raised.
Akira paid no attention and continued with evaporating his soup.
With no one in the dining hall anymore, we did our usual cleaning with Sugiura eventually expelling us out to the corridors. The results from our discussion was that we should take a break from our special training today. Though of course, staying inside the base would make us uncomfortable, so we would leisurely spend our times outside. There’s nothing bad about that.
As we neared the entrance and exit, someone called out exactly at that time.
“Utsurogi!”
“Hm, Ryuzaki?”
Looking behind, we saw Ryuzaki Kunihiro standing there.
“Sorry. Rin, Hino, is it fine if I borrow Utsurogi for a bit?”
Hearing that, I was bewildered, Rin and Akira exchanged looks at each other (having no face).
“It’s not like it’s a problem but……I just want to correct a single word. Kyosuke’s not for rent”
“Uuwaaaaa–…. Hino-kun’s too complicating….”
Ryuzaki made a bitter smile and corrected himself 『I just wanted to talk with Utsurogi』. The two of them then said 『If that’s the case』 and went on ahead.
I wonder why Ryuzaki’s calling out to me of all times and what he possibly wants with me? I scratched my faced in an attempt to hide any traces of awkwardness and safely broke the ice.
“Aah, first of all you must be tired from yesterday eh, Ryuzaki”
“It’s cause of your a.s.sistance. Thanks Utsurogi”
“Aah, no………”
I was about to say don’t mind, but then I raised my head
“……….By any chance, did Sak.u.ma tell you?”
Ryuzaki was supposed to not know of that black knight, or as Akira like to call it: Black Knight・ Trinity Full-Cross (too long), was Rin, Akira and I fusion mode. We had plans to tell him of our ident.i.ty if we had his consent with the original plan but it became unnecessary and a pain to do so.
Even if it wasn’t Sak.u.ma, it might have been Gofunkawahara or Tsurugi too. He must have asked someone. I asked but Ryuzaki shook his head.
“I knew Sak.u.ma had knowledge of this. I didn’t ask anyone but it was due to your habitual actions Utsurogi”
“H, habits?”
I was slightly flabbergasted. Ryuzaki awkwardly scratched his nose.
“It might be a little disgusting but….. Because I’m the cla.s.s representative…… I thought that as a cla.s.s rep, I have to understand as much as possible about everyone’s habits, tastes, and worries. Utsurogi, you often mess around and take a pose like Jackie Chan right?”
“Aah, no, that’s Bruce Lee but………”
“I, I see. Mybad. I don’t know much about Kung-Fu movies……”
It’s certainly true that I do take a Jeet-Kun-Do pose as a habit. I do it in the corner of the cla.s.s room when I fool around with Akira and Kogane, or when facing a formidable enemy, or when I when trying to cheer myself up I act just like Bruce Lee’s and decide on a pose. Be that as it may, that alone. Ryuzaki saw that alone in the middle of the fight, while excavating the rubbles.
“Next was your voice”
“A, aah, yea……”
I knew it leaked out. But it seems Was.h.i.+o and the others did not suspect me yet. I have no concrete proof but they haven’t talked about it.
For a short while, an awkward mood drifted about.
“W, well anyways. I was able to understand it wasn’t a threat. The Black Knight ・ Trinity Full-Cross that is. It’s cool but long”
“It was Akira who made that name……….”
I knew it was long, I thought so while scratching my head. But I soon laughed it off afterwards.
“Was it just Utsurogi and Hino in the Black Knight?”
“Himemizu as well. But as much as possible, we want to conceal this information. It’s because Akira hates standing out”
“I see now, just like a shadow hero”
“Well, I’ve a feeling that it’s just a matter of time before this becomes leaked out anyways”
The Black Knight defeating the Wight King became a large topic within the cla.s.s. The gigantic Wight King appearing in the upper layer floors but defeated by a human sized Black Knight. And not only that, it raised its hands against Kogane. What the heck was that, or so the rumor goes.
It’s a monster that is equal to or even superior than the Wight King, or so the opinion of the majority seeming to agree on. They’re happy that it does not actively show hostility but if they happened to encounter it, they could lose their life, or even wondered when it might ascend to the base location. Many students thought that and became uneasy.
“I’m glad for Rin”
“Ryuzaki muttered as he stared at the ceiling.
“I was filled with a lot of thoughts. I couldn’t see everyone as I thought since the cla.s.s changed. If I had thought about it properly, I may have understood Kogane, Rin too. If Utsurogi had not been there, it might have turned into the same thing”
Its certain at that time when Rin was corroding due to losing the ability to run, I did extend my hands (or feet?) to her.
Speaking hypothetically, what would happen if she became like Kogane? I can’t imagine it though. However, losing her dreams of running, her close friends taking distance from her and even with the other cla.s.smates not calling out to greet her, how would she keep her cheerfulness or being a kind girl? Her heart could have easily been broken.
Her broken heart could have resulted into her clinging onto her former glory, despising her surrounding, and could have attempted to block off her heart. I didn’t want to think about it but I could not say this was never impossible. I’m sure Rin was self-conscious about it and seems that she didn’t say anything slanderously towards Kogane.
“With the Wight King gone, we can explore further in the lower levels but it seems that many students are still afraid of the Black Knight so it would be tough to persuade them to”
Ryuzaki folded his arm while muttering with a difficult face.
“Ryuzaki, do you think we would go lower?”
“I honestly don’t know. I don’t know deep can this dungeon even go. To the extent where if we dived the lower floor, we could abandon it and start going aboveground, or so I think.”
For the sake of understanding this world, as Ryuzaki said. It seems like his thoughts align with mine.
We, since coming to this world, have yet to understand anything. If speaking about the reddish-brown wasteland, this dungeon could, at best, be only lower than 10 levels. We, concerning as far as 〝This world〟, would only know just that.
Even if we did something hereon after, we wouldn’t understand a thing about this world. We have to know.
For that reason, as I thought, someone was necessary to unify the cla.s.s together again.
“It ended up just like Goubayas.h.i.+ said”
I thought out loud.
“The cla.s.s leader should be Ryuzaki. Sure you may be indecisive and may be friends with everyone. Ah wait, I’m the same and shouldn’t be saying this…….”
“Aah…. Just before, Sak.u.ma was saying the same exact thing”
Ryuzaki became slightly embarra.s.sed and scratched the tip of his nose. Seems
like Sak.u.ma also spoke with him.
She personal requested him again, if he wanted to be the cla.s.s rep who takes command over the cla.s.s. Though it’s true that Goubayas.h.i.+ is not here and there are still students that Ryuzaki lack confidence with. Even still if thinking about the cla.s.s members equally, there is no one, except for Ryuzaki, that can bring the cla.s.s together.
Since Sak.u.ma herself stood with Ryuzaki, it seems he will get consent from the men. With Akai being the same, the female’s vote would also seem secure. Though Goubayas.h.i.+ is gone, Ryuzaki already has support from some of the cla.s.s members.
A leader isn’t just defined by their overwhelming charisma.
“Well, from the beginning it was your idea Utsurogi”
“Aah, yea…….”
“Therefore Utsurogi, I have another request from you”
As he said so, he formally corrected his appearance.
“I’ll be a leader and bring the cla.s.s back in order. I may be optimistic but everyone’s happiness———-and if I’m able to, we’ll return to our original world”
Returning to our original world. If we can’t we’ll continue trying. Seems Ryuzaki is serious. Or so I thought.
How much students have already thought about wanting to return home? I wouldn’t know honestly. But, with Ryuzaki coming back as a leader and with those words, he’ll be the new compa.s.s for this cla.s.s. We must know more about this world. And we might know if we really can return home. That we have to investigate no matter what.
“Utsurogi, though I’m an inexperience leader, even from the shadow is fine. Would you support me?”
And Ryuzaki gently extended his right hand.
Supporting him from the shadow. I thought about that from the beginning. But I didn’t antic.i.p.ate Ryuzaki would be the one saying that. After all, I thought the Black Knight’s power was unnecessary for Ryuzaki and that he’ll somehow manage. I should consult with Rin and Akira about this
But even still, I firmly gripped his hand in return.
“I got it. I’ll do as much as I can Ryuzaki”
“Aah, thank you”
Unfastening our hand shake, I stared at my right hand. Last night the feeling of beating Kogane’s face was freshly recalled.
If I can, I never want such feelings again.
With Ryuzaki being leader and in order to maintain his authority, there may be no need of such thing repeating itself. If I were to understand Kogane deeper, there may have been no need to do that. Whichever route I would have regretted, but maybe I should aim for the same.
“Which reminds me, just the other day Kogane was speaking about this”
Ryuzaki suddenly brought up this topic
“From a net novel, there’s often stories of about students in a cla.s.s being reincarnated to a different world”
“Aah–, ma.s.s trips”
“Generally, the case starts with one of the students becoming the hero, but….. No matter how you look at it, we don’t look like heroes”
That sounds about right. There’s a Dragonoid to Skeleton. Slime to Wisp, Succubus to Dullahan and even a Vampire.
Though I’m trying to be reserved, we’re monsters that can threaten Mankind existence. We’re what you could call the Demon King’s army.
“Alright then Ryuzaki. How bout you becoming the Demon King”
“Demon King!?”
Ryuzaki widely opening his eyes.
“Demon King, becoming a Demon King eh……. But I’m a cla.s.s representative though?”
“It’s fine! Demon King Cla.s.s Representative. It’ll work great as a bluff”
What kind of intelligent beings exist in this world? We’ve yet to learn that. However, if there’s a chance to come in contact with them, we’ll have to clearly give our group a name. 『Jindai Highschool 2nd year, cla.s.s 4』 alone sounds weak. Therefore, in order to protect the cla.s.smates, we have job change the cla.s.s representation into a Demon King that has a strong spirit to not be so troubled.
“Fine then, I’ll be the Demon King. Demon King sounds good. I’ll become a Demon King to bring order to everyone”
Ryuzaki finally arrived at the same conclusion and with a bitter smiled, he followed up
“However, a Demon King needs a superior Staff Officer. How bout it Utsurogi?”
“Hm?”
“Though I’m not saying for you to stand in front, but if the time we meet something, I’m counting on you. Staff Officer Skeleton.
“Whats with that, sounds like I’m the Kamen Rider’s evil organization……”
I also made a bitter smile, not noticing that I had no mimetic muscles…
A few days later Ryuzaki Kunihiro made a small speech in the dining hall. It’s not like the majority of the cla.s.s seriously listened but they still inclined their ears to listen. We’ve spent too long of a time secluding ourselves in this labyrinth. Everyone vaguely felt that impression but unconsciously aware.
Ryuzaki again forced the reality in addition to asking for everyone’s help. He hung his head as he asked.
The cla.s.s was slightly noisy about what happened but Sak.u.ma was the first to start clapping, following with Akai, with no motivation behind it, clapping as well. It soon swept throughout the cla.s.s.
He created that atmosphere. And he was recognized as a leader. His behavior seeming to increase after this. At the very least, he would bravely volunteer his body to protect his fellow cla.s.smates and everyone has already known that.
We are finally standing at the start line.
There will be heaps of challenges. However, its been about 10 days since we were involved in reincarnating into a different world. Jindai High 2 sup>nd year, cla.s.s 4 students have started to settle down again.
“And? What will you be doing as a Staff Officer Skeleton?
While I was clapping, Akira next to me said curtly.
“Stop that. Are you not satisfied?”
“If you’re a Staff Officer, then have you consider about me and what I would
be?”
“The legal wife right?”
Rin pseudo-claps Pechin, Pechin while saying what she thought.
“And what about me? Etto, I want to be something good. Ehehehe…….”
“You’re a triangular corner right?”
“Eh…………?”
Anyhow, thus this is the story of how a Demon King came to be in the
labyrinth where we first made base.
Thus the creation of the 〝Demon King’s Army〟 that involved the whole world in a new disturbance, but this would be a story for another time.
My entire cla.s.s has reincarnated, I became the weakest skeleton
Chapter 1＜The End＞
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author’s note:
Chapter 1 is complete! Thank you very much!
Chapter 2 will begin tomorrow! It will start on the 1 of the month.
Afterwards, the supplementary works 〝Dried Teacher Katsubus.h.i.+〟 will be posted in the morning. It will be a story explain what happened to the Teacher and Bus Guide-san. This original story will not affect the main story, so please take a look at it!