Chapter 12: Lucifer’s Fall

♡♡♡

A week has passed since the day Akari-san and Touma-san fought.

Shino’s earphone-style earplugs have become more powerful thanks to the Kamui conglomerate’s influence, allowing her to live as she did before.

Hina’s iron box has also stabilized thanks to the Magic Stone Δ (Delta), and though it’s not comfortable, she can live as she did before, just like Shino.

If there’s one thing that’s changed about Hina, it’s that she melts and eliminates the Absolute Ice left in the iron box every day with her skill, making it harder for the cold to escape and further stabilizing the box with the help of the Magic Stone Δ (Delta).

As for me, I spend my mornings on schoolwork and head to the dungeon in the afternoon, hunting with Hina and the others. We haven’t gone to C3 yet and are mainly sticking to D-rank and E-rank dungeons.

Before evening, I go to the Kamui household and train with Grandpa at the dojo for about two hours until dinner, though I haven’t started serious training yet—it’s mostly meditation.

It seems to be training to calm my mind so I can respond calmly in any situation.

Thanks to that, I’ve also become better at coordinating with the team and adapting flexibly.

The common strategy among other adventurer parties is to gather monsters for someone with wide-range magic or attacks to take them down.

While it’s efficient, it leads to a lot of accidents—I’ve seen parties get into trouble twice in the past week and helped them out. Being able to judge calmly even then is thanks to the meditation training.

Friday night.

After finishing dinner at the Kamui household and returning to the dorm, I immediately use “Fool’s Mask” and “Absolute Stealth” to slip out of my room through the window gap with “Swift Thunder.” Lately, when I go alone at night to gather Potions in E90, I always use this method.

But the place I came to today isn’t E90—it’s a certain park.

I land in the center of a park quite far from Seishin Town and release “Absolute Stealth.”

After waiting about five minutes, I sense someone behind me and turn to see a man descending from the sky.

“Yo! Kept you waiting, huh?”

“Nah, I just got here too.”

The man who landed immediately extends his right hand for a handshake.

I grip his firm hand and exchange a handshake.

“Glad to see you again, Hyuga.”

“Same here—General Kagura.”

“Gahaha!”

Touma-san’s laughter echoes through the empty park.

“Let’s get to it—I brought the stuff.”

As he speaks, he hands me a hard case he was holding.

Unlike the usual hard cases, this one is a cube about forty centimeters on all sides.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s under my authority, and I promised not to misuse it. Besides, it’s already circulating in other countries. Not just the Magic Stone Δ (Delta), but the materials from last time were a huge help too. If you need anything else, just let me know anytime.”

“I’m grateful. Mind if I ask what you used the materials I gave you for?”

“Sure. My little sister lives in a special environment and can’t function without super-powerful magical earplugs. We used the materials for that. Really, thank you.”

The earphones prepared in advance at the Kamui household for Shino seem to have turned out even better with the materials I provided, which is great.

“So, you don’t need any more—”

“There’s still more!?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“If it’s not too much trouble, please share them!”

“Got it.”

I pull out materials from rabbit monsters and piglet monsters from “Dimensional Storage”—skins, bones, and the like that have no use and can’t be sold at the buyback center. If they can help someone, I think it’s more meaningful for the materials to be used.

Besides—there’s another reason for this.

“This much! Thanks, Hyuga!”

“Yeah. If you’ll use it for good, I’ll hand over more when I get them.”

“Much appreciated! With this durability, it could be used for disaster relief supplies too—tons of possibilities. I’ll give you a detailed list of where it’s used. Contact me if you get more. Also, sorry, but the documents summarizing the skill stuff will take a bit longer. It’s managed by the state, and the families handling this kind of info are a pain. But I’ll absolutely keep my promise.”

“Understood.”

I shake hands with Touma-san again and leave the park.

Back in my dorm room, I immediately open the hard case.

Inside is—a crystal that measures potential ability ranks.

After handing over the Magic Stone Δ (Delta), rabbit monster materials, and piglet monster materials to Touma-san and the others, I thought about a lot of things.

That day, while passing the materials, I thought I could go get more anytime, but since then, I haven’t been able to enter the “Lucifer’s Fall” dungeon I first went into.

When I entered that dungeon, I touched a crystal at the reception to get my license.

Even when I left the dungeon, it was through the reception, so the crystal is definitely the entrance—that’s why I thought I could go back anytime.

But the crucial crystal is a non-commercial item, and there was no way to get one.

While wondering what to do, I came up with the idea of asking Touma-san if, instead of paying for the materials later with money, I could get a crystal in exchange. He readily agreed.

As a side note, apparently, there are villains in the world who use crystals to check the potential of young children and abduct them. I succeeded in getting one by promising not to do that.

I touch the crystal with my hand right away.

As always, the crystal starts turning black.

A black mist spreads through my unlit room, enveloping my entire body.

A sensation of falling. A feeling of being pulled by the hands of deep darkness.

How nostalgic……

When I open my eyes, feeling my feet touch something, the scenery from that day spreads before me.

A dark world. Stars shine in the sky, but a fog covers everything, making it hard to see. Yet, strangely, I can make out a distant castle-like structure in this mysterious world.

Since the first time I came here, I’ve been to E117, D90, and various other dungeons, but this one feels the creepiest.

The spot where I’m standing is still a safe zone, so I don’t see any monsters.

Walking nostalgically, I reach the place where I defeated the Tyrannosaurus.

A poisonous fountain is visible to the side.

I cautiously dip my hand in, and it feels like normal water, but when I let it drip to the ground, it sizzles and steam rises.

The first time I saw it, I was so thirsty I drank it…… Ahaha……

Continuing down the single path, I reach an open area.

A red light shines through the fog.

As I approach, the red lights rush toward me all at once.

White-furred rabbit monsters leap at me in unison.

Dodging their obvious killing-intent flying kicks with ease, I strike them down like I did that day.

Perhaps because my skills have evolved, all the rabbit monsters fall with a single blow.

I collect materials from about ten rabbit monsters and keep moving forward, taking more down.

Further ahead, piglet monsters appear too, and I start stockpiling both types of materials. Magic Stones Δ (Delta) pile up the same way.

Come to think of it, there’s no announcement giving monster info like Kor did in E117.

Since Magic Stones Δ (Delta) drop from every individual, I’ve already collected about fifty.

Suddenly, the distant castle catches my eye. At a fork, the path opposite the exit leads toward it.

I’ll decide whether to enter when I get there and head toward it for now.

It hasn’t been long since I got here, and it’s a good chance to gather more Magic Stones Δ (Delta).

Rabbit and piglet monsters keep appearing as I go, and I take them all down while advancing.

The path doesn’t split and remains a straight line, and eventually, I arrive at—

“A castle……”

I can’t help but say it out loud.

Before me stands a Western-style castle.

A massive gate and walls. Pointed roofs visible in the back. The sound of flowing water reaching this far.

At that moment, the closed gate lowers with a clattering sound.

The thick wood makes a dull noise as it descends before me, forming a path.

This…… does it mean I should just go in?

I don’t sense any hostility from inside, and if the gate closes again, I can just jump over it. In a pinch, using Swift Thunder to leap over the walls doesn’t seem too hard either.

I walk inside.

What comes into view is a beautifully maintained garden, its centerpiece is a large fountain—the source of the water sound I’d been hearing.

Despite no signs of people, I feel a strange unease at the well-kept garden as I proceed inside.

There’s not a single sign of life in the castle either. Yet, not a speck of dust lies around—it’s kept pristine.

I walk along a straight carpet.

Lantern-like lights are placed here and there, but even without them, it’s bright enough to see everything.

There are several rooms on the sides with no doors. I can see inside from outside, but they’re empty without a single piece of furniture.

Following the carpet, I arrive at what seems like an audience chamber, with a throne set on a slightly elevated platform at the far end.

I don’t intend to sit, but I’m somehow drawn to walk closer.

At that moment—a magic circle appears at my feet.

I try to dodge and jump away, but countless shadowy hands emerge from the circle, grabbing my entire body before I realize it.

I hurriedly activate “Fool’s Mask,” and at the same time, the magic circle glows, enveloping me in light.

My vision shifts from inside the castle to a clear blue sky, with nothing blocking my view around me.

The ground isn’t natural but feels mechanically constructed.

Thanks to “Fool’s Mask,” I can see everything around me, so I can respond to a surprise attack instantly. I analyze the situation calmly, preparing to handle whatever comes.

Thirty meters ahead, the same magic circle that swallowed me appears, and from it emerges—a black bear.

Its size isn’t that large for a monster. The Muro I defeated in E198 was a tanuki monster twice the size of a real-world tanuki.

In contrast, this bear is the same size as a bear from the outside world. It has large fangs protruding up and down from its mouth, and its claws are sharp too.

The difference is, like the rabbit monsters I defeated in this dungeon, it has red eyes, and there’s a red gem-like object on its chest with eight red lines extending from it.

“Grrruuuuu……”

The bear monster lets out a low growl, staring at me intently.

At the very least, it’s not a mindless monster like the ones I’ve fought before. The way it observes me feels like a hunter eyeing its prey.

The next moment, the bear monster charges. Faster than any monster I’ve faced, it closes the distance in an instant, slashing with its sharp claws.

If Grandpa hadn’t trained me, I might’ve panicked, but thanks to him, I can respond calmly.

I measure the reach of the bear monster’s arms and claws, predicting their extension, and dodge each attack carefully.

Surprisingly, the bear monster doesn’t force its attacks but seems to be watching my reactions.

As I thought…… it’s safe to assume this monster has intelligence.

What’s more, I sense a seasoned warrior’s presence, like Grandpa’s—not just physical strength, but experience and spirit honed over years of battle.

As if to prove it, the bear monster creates deliberate openings while attacking, baiting me to strike.

I can’t win by just dodging. I decide to take the bait once.

I exploit a gap from the bear monster’s wide swing and land a kick to its exposed side.

A sharp impact echoes around us. But the bear monster doesn’t even flinch. Instead, it naturally extends a leg to trip me.

Thanks to the mask giving me all-around vision, I dodge it immediately.

“Grr……”

It lets out a low growl, perhaps irritated that its plan failed.

Now it’s my turn to attack.

Watching the bear monster’s movements, I unleash a flurry of strikes with “Martial King.”

It doesn’t bother defending and keeps counterattacking, but I can dodge everything even at close range with my speed, so I keep attacking carefully, blow by blow.

I hit every part of its body, but it doesn’t feel like any of my attacks are working.

Considering it doesn’t try to dodge my attacks and the feel of hitting it is different from normal monsters, could it be that its defense is just too high……? Or is there another reason?

Still, the fact that it doesn’t flinch at all feels off. It’s almost as if…… it’s nullifying all my attacks.

My punch lands directly on the bear monster’s abdomen.

The next instant, a sinister aura rises from its body, and it attacks even faster than before.

I thought I had room to spare, but I can’t dodge completely and take a heavy blow, getting blown back hard.

“GRROOOOAAAAAR!”

Looks like it’s getting serious now.

My arm, which I instinctively shielded myself with, is numb from that hit.

Seizing the opportunity, the bear monster launches a barrage of attacks.

Up until now, it was attacking cautiously while gauging me, but now its strikes are wilder yet still exploit my openings.

It’s gotten much faster since the black aura appeared. I should be able to dodge, but I take another hit.

The attacks are powerful, but with my skills and mask state, I can just barely endure. I try counterattacking a few times, but even when my hits land, they don’t seem to work, and the bear monster doesn’t stop.

At this rate, I’ll just get worn down. I decide to try a counterattack I can manage.

Focusing my entire body, I activate “Black Thunder.”

Since it turns any monster it hits to ash, I don’t usually use it, and the second ability, “Swift Thunder,” can’t be spammed either, so I only use it to enter and exit my room.

Ten bolts of Black Thunder shoot from my body all at once, assaulting the bear monster.

Surprisingly, the bear monster, which had been attacking heedlessly until now, senses the Black Thunder from my body and starts dodging it the moment it feels it.

While dodging the ten bolts, one hits the bear monster directly.

“KISHAAAAAAA!”

As the bear monster roars, the black aura covering its body envelops it like armor.

Without pause, more Black Thunder bolts strike one after another.

That’s when it happens.

“Hatred……”

I hear a strange voice, unlike a normal human’s.

“Grrrooo……”

The bear monster glares at me, black aura rising.

Seems like Black Thunder worked perfectly.

If Black Thunder is effective, I have a chance to win. I close the distance, firing Black Thunder while attacking the bear monster.

The tide turns, and now I’m the one pressing the assault.

My physical attacks still don’t work even when they hit—that hasn’t changed—but when Black Thunder strikes, the bear monster’s expression shifts, as if it feels pain.

“Hatred…… Devour…… I will…… devour everything……”

The next moment, two pairs of black demonic wings sprout from the bear monster’s back, and a black halo appears above its head.

That alone conveys overwhelming power. From the black waves spreading around it, I feel intense anger and sadness.

Then, a dark shadow spreads from the bear monster, swallowing me too.

Born into this world with no one to trust, it kept devouring to survive, sometimes fighting life-or-death battles, narrowly winning yet nearly dying. Still, it fought desperately to live, and before it knew it, a mountain of corpses piled up at its feet.

It stood at the top alone, with no one beside it.

All it feels is loneliness and despair.

The sky it looks up to is just dark, a pitch-black void swallowing everything.

There’s no moon or starlight to offer hope; the world keeps burning, and eventually, the flames swallow it too.

It wishes. It wants to live. It wishes to keep fighting to live, away from the despair of death.

It battles countless beings again and again, piling up more mountains of corpses, continuing to fight to survive.

“Hatred……”

The voice echoes directly in my head again.

“The loneliness of living alone. What you truly wanted from the bottom of your heart was a companion to run through the fields with. Born making everyone who saw you tremble in fear. The conflict that came with that…… you’ve been fighting it for so long.”

“Devour…… the world……”

“Yeah…… what you wanted most was—someone to stop you.”

“I am……”

Having devoured countless powerful beings and survived, the bear monster was searching for a place to die by continuing to live.

If it ended the world, it could die too. A coward not allowed to die, its desperate struggle to the end is something I can’t fully grasp.

Still, I—have a place I want to return to.

Like that first day I fell into a dungeon, I have to return to my family—my little sister. And not just that. I have comrades who believe in me—Hina, Shino, Fujii-kun.

“What you felt from living on. What you aimed for by living. The sadness of only being able to keep living—all of it reached me. I can’t bear all your karma. But—I might be able to save you. So I’ll fight too. To set you free here!”

《You have acquired the third power of Fate ‘Fool,’ ‘Black Thunder,’ called ‘Black Garment.’》

A black shadow cloak appears around me.

An overwhelming power overflows from my body, rising as a visible aura.

Before me, the bear monster, now in a sinister form, looks ready to devour me.

As the world moves in slow motion, I clasp my hands together.

“—‘Black Garment Sky Soar’”

Darkness spreads across the world.

The bear monster, the ground it stood on, the scenery, the sky—everything is swallowed by the darkness.

In a fleeting moment too brief to blink.

The darkness returns to my hands.

Then, the slow motion ends, and the frozen scenery starts moving again.

A faint voice reaches me from the now-motionless bear monster.

“Ah…… I…… will die……?”

“Rest in peace—Emperor.”

“—Ugh”

And so, the bear monster’s body turns to ash and vanishes.

Clink.

Looking at the ground at the sharp sound, I see a pinball-sized blue crystal has fallen.

I pick it up carefully.

A magic circle like the one that brought me here appears at my feet, and I’m transported somewhere again.

After Suzuki Hinata disappears.

An empty world. In a place where nothing should be, a strange shadow forms.

It ripples like waves spreading across water.

“…………”

♡♡♡

The scenery shifts back to inside the castle.

I immediately release the mask state.

Like the first time I entered a dungeon, my body feels as heavy as lead.

It feels like I saw a strange dream, but the small blue crystal is firmly gripped in my hand.

That was undeniably real—maybe even a floor boss.

It was incomparably stronger than any floor boss I’ve fought before.

As expected…… dungeons are incredible places.

I’ve realized anew the dangers of entering dungeons.

And I noticed one more thing—about the mask state.

Of course, it was my own will, but it felt like I wasn’t myself somehow. Especially when I used the third power, “Black Garment,” I felt it even more.

It was my first time using that power, yet it felt so familiar……

No, maybe I’m overthinking it. I might just be tired.

I don’t know how much time has passed, but I’ll head back and rest for today.

On the way back, I use “Absolute Stealth” to proceed.

The rabbit and piglet monsters I defeated on the way here have respawned, but they don’t notice me with “Absolute Stealth.”

I exit through the same exit as before.

The slimy sensation clinging to my skin fades, and I’m enveloped in clear air.

Looking around, I’m definitely back in my unlit dorm room.

I immediately use “Clean” to purify my body and lie on the bed.

I only came to gather “Magic Stones Δ (Delta),” but I never expected something like this…… Or rather, did I jump into it myself?

I’ll keep today’s events from my comrades and sister. I don’t want to worry them unnecessarily.

As my consciousness slowly fades, I have a dream.

Two bears happily running through a grassland. Seeing them support each other, a smile escapes me.

The next day.

It’s a clear day, and I wake up to a morning like any other.

In the morning, I eat breakfast with Fujii-kun at the dorm cafeteria and head to the school building.

The entrance seems livelier than usual, and I see two beautiful girls standing there, holding hands.

When they spot me, they quickly drop their pouty expressions and call my name.

“Hinata-kun~!”

Both wave at me with bright smiles.

“Good morning.”

When I greet them, they both reply with cheerful “Good morning~!” smiles.

Though we’re in different classes, the four of us head into the school building together.

I have a feeling today will be another happy day—

The usual announcement flows from the airship.

—“Today’s exploration ranking shows a dramatic increase in points for ‘???’~! Just who is ‘???’!? Rankers from various countries are searching, but its identity remains a mystery! What an overwhelming amount of points! We can’t take our eyes off of ’???’s progress from here on out~!”