“Lets maintain this area!”
Ryuzaki shouted as they continued subjugating the croc type monster on the 10 floor in the underground labyrinth.
Today, in addition to Kogane, Goubayas.h.i.+ and Sak.u.ma, some other students came along exploring the lower levels. They admired upon Kogane and Goubayas.h.i.+ skillful teamwork, while Sacchan had been frantically healing them.
Finis.h.i.+ng the 10th floor, this has been the best exploration they have done. Furthermore, they found the stairs leading to the next floor. There’s the possibility that stronger monsters lurk in the next floor and since they stressed the important on being safe, they wanted to end here.
Brining along other cla.s.smates was Ryuzaki’s proposal. Not knowing how strong the monsters’ appearance could be in the 10th floor, if they happened to fight then it would be best to show them how to handle themselves, or so Ryuzaki’s proposed. Goubayas.h.i.+ was reluctant to expose the cla.s.smates to danger while Kogane agreed on the proposal. In the end Sacchan could not decide, so it was a 2v1 and the proposal was approved.
“Is it that big of a deal?”
Tsurugi muttered as she viewed the 2 opposition. In the previous world she was a female kendo pract.i.tioner and having been reincarnated again, she was part of the fighting faction. Although not as powerful as Goubayas.h.i.+, she is considered the next strongest in battle ability after the strongest party.
The queen’s entourage, Harui, also came along, in addition with Hakuba and Was.h.i.+o. The duo, Gofun and Ok.u.mura, were quite fond with exploring, so they were often not seen. Sugiura and Kano were at the base with the members who had duties, so they did not partic.i.p.ate.
“Naa Ryuzaki, let’s go deeper?”
Was.h.i.+o asked out loud. Was.h.i.+o had originally was one of Ryuzaki’s “elite” group member. Stating his opinion, his intentions was to return to his original position within the cla.s.s. However, Harui had seen through his action had chuckled and sneered towards him with the other girls also taking part.
The only female not laughing was Tsurugi, due to holding her head by her side which made things difficult.
“What do you mean by that? Listen Was.h.i.+o, beyond this area is—“
“What Tsurugi, scared? With just this much people here, it’ll be a piece of cake. We’ll manage one way or another”
“Hmmm, I see—. That’s true”
Tsurugi glanced towards the strongest party face looking for approval. Goubayas.h.i.+, Kogane, and Sacchan seemed to have any response in approving. Ryuzaki put on a troubled smile. Since no one had nodded, there’s no use in forcing the exploration.
And yet, Was.h.i.+o again grumbled. If his suggestions were to be shot down, Harui and the others would laugh even more.
Finally, Ryuzaki gave 『If there’s any danger, we are immediately escaping』 as a condition in order to finalize the decision. Goubayas.h.i.+ and Kogane reluctantly agreed to that decision. Was.h.i.+o fluttered his wings, as if flaunting his pride. Harui no longer interested, snorted from her nose and turned her gaze away.
Thus the cla.s.s descended towards the 11th floor.
The rusting heavy cruiser. While thinking about where to enter, it was surprisingly easy to find a way in. From the bottom, there was a hole exactly the size of a human, allowing for one person going in or out. I don’t know if it was intentionally opened by the crew, an enemy torpedo striking during the battle it had faced, or if there was a different cause for the opening.
“It sort of looks like a haunted house right!”
“Himemizu, stop shouting near my ears…….”
Rin’s called out in a tension raised voice and somehow a shrill voice ranged throughout my head. But I have no brain. So why?
It was naturally dim inside the cruiser, so Akira became the replacement of a torch. The bed frames were lumped together, rusted away and they were also scattered all over the place. Among the pile, there were some weapons that were once useful, but it’s now a mere shadow if itself.
From the bilge, they aimed towards the s.h.i.+p’s deck. They advanced higher and higher. Before long a place similar to a corridor appeared. Doors extended in a row down the entire pa.s.sage on the left and right side had caught their eyes.
“Are those sailors cabin?”
Akira muttered.
“There might be treasures”
Rin nodded.
“I wonder?”
“Eh—, its standard for RPG! Among sunken s.h.i.+ps, its exactly a dungeon isn’t it!”
“This is not exactly a sunken s.h.i.+p, nor is it a RPG!”
For now, I tried to forcibly opened a door nearby.
“HNnnn………”
It wont move. Trying to pull it more and it absolutely won’t move.
“The door’s too rusty so it wont move!!”
“Looks like it”
If its at this rate, there’s also no hope for the other doors. Rin and I advanced while creaks could be heard treading on the beds. Of course, there’s really no indication of people too. As expected, there’s no one remaining in this s.h.i.+p. But if there’s no human remaining, I at least wanted some clue as to where they went.
“Utsurogi-Kun! That cabin over there, its door is broken!”
“Like I said, stop yelling near my ears…..”
While the shrilling noise resounded inside my head, I s.h.i.+fted my sight. From the beginning, a portion of Rin extended outward like a tentacle, pointing in the direction. Sure enough the door was busted, making it possible to enter.
“Is that place the captain’s cabin?”
Akira muttered again as he floated.
“Then there might be a journal!”
Rin cheerfully shouted.
Once in a while, Rin would occasionally recite my intention as if it she was reading my mind. This is one of the inconveniences of fusing together. And if so, why can’t I read Rin’s thoughts? That’s too much of an unfair rule.
Well, whatever.
Rin and I set the pace again, heading towards the captain’s cabin.
Peering inside the dim room, Akira came just a little late in illuminating the room. Inside, the same words leaked out from the trio’s mouth.
“Ah…….”
This was due to it being unattended to for many years. Though it gone through many seasons, it still was human bones. It was wearing the former j.a.pan Navy’s Uniform. Rin shrieked, and here I thought she was accustomed to seeing a skeleton. Or could it possible be that the scene was too surreal and reality couldn’t be felt?
“Is it Captain-san……..”
Rin standing alone uttered, while Akira swung towards its head.
“Although the uniform is worn out, the rank insignia is of lieutenant. The captain of this wars.h.i.+p, should certainly be no less than the lieutenant colonel. This person is not the captain.”
“But this is the captains room right?”
“In short, the captain for some reason unknown, is not here. This person a.s.sumed the role as the captain in place of the previous captain”
I muttered, while taking a step forward. Since this person was a human, there’s an issue. I don’t know why they did not reincarnate into monsters like we had. If so, even though they did have weapons did they not feel helpless everyday? Ammunition would someday run out as well. At that time, rising to represent the leader would have been this captain. Just what the heck happened?
“What should we do? Utsurogi-kun”
“All we can do is just pray that they have happiness in the next world”
Even if the bones wanted to be buried in their birthplace, we are unable to fulfill their wishes now.
“Kyosuke”
Akira suddenly called out in a strange tension different from before.
“What’s up Akira”
“Just look. Iya, rather, we’re surrounded”
“Surrounded? Who”
“I don’t know. However, ‘Who’ is showing hostility”
After hearing that, Rin and I were unable to become calm. Paying attention to our surrounding, we turned around.
“Ah, Utsurogi-kun! Hino-Kun! Over there!!”
Akira and I looked towards the direction in which Rin pointed at. There, countless numbers of red eye appeared. Iya, more like glints in their eyes. Within the wide room and from the shadows of the shelves and desk, all eyes simultaneously looked in our direction.
“………!”
Akira flared his flame body with the temperature jumping instantly, while Rin cried out 『Hottt!』.
With the wisp blazing body swelled up, the dim room immediately became illuminated. Either way, they remembered our silhouette and trained their line of sight on us. Rin also shrieked during this time.
“That’s a lot of Gofunkawahara!?”
“Wrong! They’re all goblins from this world!!!”
Yup, they’re similar in shape of being small oni’s as our cla.s.smate Gofunkawahara. However, its different from the cheerful and puzzle loving Gofunkawahara, compared to this world’s goblins who does not seem quite friendly.
It’s possible that they have turned this rusting heavy cruiser into their lair. I don’t know whether the survivors of this wars.h.i.+p were killed by the goblins, as the white bones of the captain rolled towards our feet. However, if they were careless, it was going to be obvious that they will also meet the same fate as the survivors.
“Himemizu! Kyosuke! RUN!!”
Akira shouted, while flicking flaming pebbles from his body. The pebbles poured down on the goblins, restraining their movements. Taking that chance, Rin and I jumped out towards the corridor. Running without any resistance
“I wonder if they’re friends that Gofunkawahara-kun brought along!?”
“What are you wondering about! If Gofunkawahara had good communication skills, then its possible”
After jumping our, we tried to return to our original path, however
「GIIIiiiiiiiiii!!」
Goblins came jumping from the shadow of the pa.s.sage, blocking our way.
“Hyaaa!”
“Himemizu, the deck! Exit from the deck!”
Concentrating entirely on running, both legs swung with force as they went. The special training’s results clearly showed. We met many obstacles scattered onboard the s.h.i.+p, but our speed did not falter.
This speed could possibly be faster than the time we were humans.
The skeleton clad in the slime’s flesh and since there were no unnecessary organs, they were able to exhibit a perfect performance in springing their whole body
“(Wait)”
I suddenly figured something out.
With just running, we are able to display this much power. If we could use this power to fight, wouldn’t we become fairly powerful? At any rate, our body is just made up of flesh and bones. I don’t know how much power we can exert, but since they’re only goblins…..
“I don’t know the difference between crackers and biscuits, but we came out to a wide place!”
“Aaa, this is the deck!”
As Rin was speaking, we both jumped out towards the deck. We were able to see the rocky area that hid our labyrinth turned base, since the wars.h.i.+p’s bow was facing in that direction.
If looking behind, while laughing and gigi could be heard from the goblins, they quickly approached us. We could not see Akira figure so he might have escaped in a different direction, or maybe thought of a different tactic. By no means would he possibly suffer damage from goblins. I don’t think he can be physically damaged, due to his body.
Only Rin and I are left here. That concludes that there’s no choice but to do it
“Himemizu, we’re going to have to fist fight!”
“E, Eehhh!?”
I expected that Rin would be surprised at this proposal
“F, fist fight…..! With this body!?”
“Exactly with this body. Lend me your power. If it’s just as it is, both of us may end up dying”
“U, un…… If I somehow died as a slime it would be no joke but….. I won’t like it if Utsurogi-kun become scattered!”
It was an extremely nice thing to say.
I prepared my breath (that was my intention), and took a stance.
“Himemizu, is it ok if I take control?”
“Ok. But Utsurogi-kun, have you done martial arts before?”
“I’ve watched “Enter the dragon” and “Rocky” series more than five time a piece!”
“Uwaooo. That’s kind of useless!”
Excuse you. Bruce Lee is my spirit s.h.i.+shou. On top of that, I learned Jeet Kune Do just by watching.
There’s no choice but to improvise in teaching Rin.
「GIIIiiiiii!!」
The goblins leapt while brandis.h.i.+ng their small hatchets. I raised my legs, ready to counter-attack.
“Seiyaa!!”
Nucha[TL: squelch]
The goblin face clung onto the slime’s body.
“Uooooo!? It’s too close! Is it impossible for your body to harden!?”
“S, sorry! I was just surprised now…..Throw it away! Throw it away!”
From my foot, tentacles sprung out. I don’t know what really happened, but the goblin was thrown.
“I—, its similar to that. Remember “Kiseiji”…..”
“Whats that?”
“It’s a manga! Also a masterpiece!”
That piece of work, in which the main character and his partner cooperating played an important part, we might be able to the same thing! In the manga, Migi was the only monster but our case was different since our entire body is of a monster.
“Utsurogi-kun, one more time! This time it’s a punch!”
“A, are you sure?”
“Yes! I’ll try to strike with all my strength!”
With just the right timing, the goblins from before came flying towards us. I pulled my right arm as far as I could and as it is, the blow landed with force. This time the fist met some resistance. There’s the sensation of swatting something hard and it folding, in which the goblin was then flung against the wall.
“Yatta, huge success!”
Rin joyfully shouted.
“Himemizu, what did you just do?”
“I temporarily increased the density by concentrating on the portion punching! Because it was hard and heavy, it packed this much power!”
“I see……”
I casually glanced towards the fist we had created.
It seems as if Rin is able to becoming skillful in imitating. If Rin is able to control her volume and density, then it would be enough for us to endure in direct combat.
Iya, just that only won’t do.
There are roughly ten goblins before us. Even with one down, there’s just a few too many.
“Himemizu, on my signal, do you think you can transform your body while we’re fighting?”
“Eh, u, un. Let’s try and see”
The goblin unit has yet to attack, being vigilant instead. If we’re going to attack, it’s now or never.
With all my strength, I swung my arm
“NOW! Right hand! WHIP!!!
“!!”
Rin was able to react quickly and accurately. My right arm was coiled about by Rin’s body, Guun, as it stretched like a whip. While the arm was was in motion, it lashed against the goblins who did not expect it, striking the goblins en ma.s.se.
“Grab them now!”
“Un!”
“Setup the left hand for another punch!”
The goblins were intertwined by Rin’s body as the arm came back towards me. They were then pulled in my direction as I clenched my fist. The fist literally hardens, landing on the goblins.
“Is it too much Himemizu!?”
“Its ok! Its easy since Utsurogi-kun is supporting me!”
Its fine if that’s the case.
The goblins decided for a simultaneous attack and jumped all at once. I have to avoid that first. I began hopping with my right leg lined up in the direction of the gun turrets. From there, without any signal from Rin, the right leg extended from the body, hooking onto the rusty gun barrel.
With it acted as an anchor chains and the right leg contracting, I pulled with plenty of force in the direction of the gun barrel
“Use the force from pulling to jump!”
“Jump! Alright!”
In the next moment, Rin ridiculously and unskillfully pulled it off.
“Sorry! I used your bones without permissi—!”
My entire legs became dislocated, with my knee joints facing the opposite direction. The so-called reverse joint. Chicken feet, dogs and horses hind foot, etc…(closely related but different), it became entirely reverse joint. Suitable in being a bipedal machine, the reverse joint structure probably has a powerful spring to it when jumping.
Using both foot, I landed on the gun barrel with a strong thud. I couldn’t believe my body was able to get that much speed and jumping really really high!
“UOooooooo! Ouch!? Reverse jointed is extremely painful!!”
“Then, shall I correct it?”
“Don’t! We need to smash the goblins below first! Hammer!!”
If free-falling from this height, it would surely be a devastating blow. Rin concentrated her entire body onto my arm for a final move.
Concentrating entirely on gathering density, an enormous hammer formed.
“Here we go Himemizu!”
“Unnn!”
Raising the hammer in a grandiose fas.h.i.+on, aiming to strike the panicky grouped goblins.
“”OOOOORIAaaaaaaaaaaa――――!!!””
The impact caused a thunderous roar. The rusting heavy cruiser violently shook and from the s.h.i.+p’s deck appeared a hole. While the hull was slowly slanting as it was going to collapse and the front portion of the wars.h.i.+p had been demolished into small pieces, Rin and I finally landed on the ground.
“…………Fuuu!”
Even now, dense dust clouds continuously kick and huge rusting iron are falling like they’re dancing in the air. Amid everything happening, I slowly stood up, my body no longer clad in slime flesh. Most likely happened when we fell down and landed. Instead, Rin was had been energetically wavering about towards my feet… going unyon-nyon.
“D, did we win?”
“Looks like it……”
As usual, I don’t know if I can or cannot heave a sigh, but tried to.
“Kyosuke! Himemizu!”
At that exact timing, we heard Akira’s voice. It came from exactly above too. He’s probably peeking down the newly made hole in the deck.
“You’re safe!? What did you encounter!? No matter how many times I’ve looked, you guys were nowhere to be found…..Ahh Iya, as long as you’re safe, its good! Really, don’t make me worry so much!”
“It’s my first time hearing Hino-kun fl.u.s.tered voice”
Rin muttered to herself
“Maaa, that guy can be quite adorable at times right?”
“Un, I see—“
Perhaps, for the sake of our path to retreat, it seems we had to fight against the goblins. Once a useless bunch only when we are alone, when fused together, our combat ability will surely rise. Physical attack is too important not to use.
“By the way Himemizu”
My gaze fell towards Rin who was by my foot.
“My reverse joints, can you correct it now………?”
“Ahh”
Later that day, we returned back to base. On our way back, we got into an argument as to whether we should tell the other cla.s.smates about the rusty heavy cruiser.
Rin and I agreed that we ought to tell them.
At any rate, there’s a clue about our former world. Even if the other cla.s.smates’ objectives were to continuously pa.s.s time here or if they possible want to return to the former world or they can’t decide between the two, the existence of the rusty heavy cruiser will no doubt help set the new guidelines.
Then there’s Akira, who suggest that we should conceal the information, for the time being.
Currently, the cla.s.smates were finally able to regain their calmness. If we were to give unnecessary information now, it would garner chaos causing our solidarity to potentially collapse. If the situation becomes a little calmer, we can then share bits of our information.
“Particularly, our current cla.s.s leader is extremely unsteady”
“About Ryuzaki-kun?”
Rin enquired, while Akira nodded.
“I’ve been thinking that Ryuzaki’s leaders.h.i.+p has been chipped ever since he reincarnated. Although he has high communication and good influence, that’s just it. Its hard to say but this world requires someone with survivability as a necessary characteristic.”
“As always, Akira has the ability to give tough criticism.”
I nonchalantly muttered.
“I still think that Ryuzaki is a splendid leader within our cla.s.s”
“You’re too optimistic Kyosuke”
“But well….if that’s what you say. About the heavy cruiser topic before, should we be silent on that matter? Is that ok with you, Himemizu?”
“Un! No complaints from me!”
Well, since we all came to an agreement, the topic of the heavy cruiser is to be kept a secret for now.
I don’t understand why Ryuzaki is considered to be unsteady. As far as I see it, Ryuzaki, as their support, is included in the strongest party of Goubayas.h.i.+, Kogane and Sak.u.ma. He also carries the reputation of being the “perfect” leader too. And again, it’s a good thing his influential voice still exist because if someone were to no longer approve his speeches, its likely that our cla.s.s would separate in our base.
If not Ryuzaki, there are several students that may be able to lead the students. Among the females and in regards to strength would be Kaoruko, Ryuzaki’s close friend Goubaytsu, and lastly the Queen Akai.
First, its impossible for Goubayas.h.i.+ to bear the full brunt of leaders.h.i.+p. He is, no matter what, only a shadow of Ryuzaki. Goubayas.h.i.+ characteristic is not suited for being a leader.
Kaoruko is also impossible. Although she was popular and also had an influential voice, she received a huge shock after reincarnating thus becoming somewhat depressed. For the sake of her honor, but I’m the student who even admits queen Akai’s superiority over another. I’m unworthy to even think of that.
Having said that, the number one person left is Akai, but she’s also the number one student to not do anything too.
With that, paying heed to each circ.u.mstances, Ryuzaki was the best candidate to continue on leading. Those were my real intentions.
Before long, after struggling to reach the reddish-brown rocky area, they were able to see the labyrinth and returned to base. Tired and thinking of taking a rest, from the direction of the dining hall, quarreling voices could be heard.
“………..?”
“Kyosuke”
Tilting my head with a puzzling look, Akira chided me.
“Don’t poke your nose in others problems”
“Buut, I can’t leave it alone”
“………Really. You”
Akira followed me while moaning, such a good friend. Watching our exchange, Rin broadly grinned and laughed at us. Iya, since she’s a slime, I can’t tell whether she is laughing or not, but her body’s strange s.h.i.+vering is absolutely laughter. It does not mean she’s showing off with her body (misleading statement). For that I understood.
The moment we entered the dining hall, a conspicuously loud “boos” could be heard
“Like I said, it’s entirely your judgmental error!! That’s enough for you putting on air of a committee chairman!!”
My body unintentionally cringed, as did Akira. The owner’s voice is noticeable as we experience this voice many times. We exchanged glances
“This voice…….”
“Don’t tell me…Kogane…?”
The other cla.s.smates have already gathered and worried about the situation’s direction, we watched over it.
Raising their voice in anger was evidently Kogane. His handsome looks warped in anger, the high elf gripped the draconic collar and lifted him. Ryuzaki was obviously depressed. The situation around was no longer calm. Goubayas.h.i.+, Akai and Kaoruko were gathered as well, making the place stand out a little. It seems we are in the neutral area.
“I feared this was going to happen……..”
Akira muttered to himself. It appears to be that, but I’m unable to understand the current situation.
I asked the nearest student about the current situation.
“Heey, Was.h.i.+o. Whats going on?”
“……….Chee”
Just came back and all I get is clicking of tongues. It seems that Gryphons are able to do that. Akira signed some more.
“Poor personal selection Kyosuke”
Concealing the information, Was.h.i.+o scowled. Akira continued to watch over the situation as Sugiura came to explain it.
“Ryuzaki and the other cla.s.smates, as big as this many here, went deeper down the labyrinth, but it seems that they encountered a strong monster there.”
“Did Ryuzaki give that direction…….?
“Un. It seems to be actually different but Ryuzaki was the one who finally decided”
But to that degree in which Kogane becomes angry because of merely exposing the cla.s.smates to danger does not make it just the only reason. There’s something more different.
While I was thinking that, Sugiura delivered shocking news from her mouth.
“Sacchan and Tsurugi-san, were left behind in the lower levels………..”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Authors note!
Tomorrow’s submission is still pending!
Mostly likely tomorrow morning or later I’ll post!
Episode 6 will be the start of the rescue operation and of course Kyosuke and friends will challenge another dungeon! What kind of monster awaits them! Look forward to it!