Chapter 7: A Distorted Relationship

♧♧♧

The next day, I came to C3 again.

There were still very few explorers today, and aside from us, there were only two other groups in front of the entrance, but the problem was that one of those parties was made up of familiar faces.

“Tch!”

The one who clicked his tongue the moment he saw me was none other than Gai-kun.

Even the members beside him grimaced when they saw me.

“Oi, look at that. It’s the princess’s servant boy.”

“Kukuku. Yesterday, he was running errands selling materials. Hyuu~ So cool, servant-sama~”

“I wanna be the princess’s errand boy too~!”

The three mocking me were former party members of Saito-kun.

Now that I think about it, yesterday everyone was glaring at the dungeon with sour faces……

“Hinata-kun isn’t an errand boy or a servant!”

“Ooh~ Scary~ Even the Bug Princess gets mad for her servant, huh~”

“You don’t even know anything……!”

This could turn into a fight if it keeps going, so I quickly stepped in front of Shino to block her view.

“Shino. Let’s calm down. Arguing won’t do any good.”

“Gahahaha! Prince-sama’s so cool~ Level 0, right? The lowest-tier explorer and baggage carrier acting like a prince in front of the princess~”

Though she didn’t say it aloud, the Absolute Ice overflowing from Hina’s entire body swelled several times over.

Shino was so angry she looked like she might cry.

Fujii-kun also glared at them with a scary expression.

I’ve got to do something about this situation……

Next to the ones laughing loudly, I saw Gai-kun glaring at me with a frightening look.

Until that day, Gai-kun used to laugh heartily like the others, but now he had a tense, strained expression—something I could never have imagined from the Gai-kun I’d known before.

“Gai-kun. Looks like you managed to form a party.”

“! D-Don’t mess with me! I don’t need your pity!”

“I-I’m not pitying you…… I just thought someone as talented as you, Gai-kun, would form a party quickly…… I mean…… it was just bad luck you broke a bone……”

“I haven’t fallen so low that someone like you needs to pity me! Oi! We’re done here! Wasting time on trash like this is boring! Let’s go!”

“Fine fine~”

As Gai-kun raged, they smirked at me and disappeared into the dungeon.

“Everyone, sorry.”

“Why is Hinata-kun apologizing!?”

“If I’d handled it better……”

“Hinata-kun’s already doing more than enough!”

“……Thanks, Shino. You too, Hina and Fujii-kun.”

Still looking unconvinced, everyone entered C3 with sour expressions.

The climate inside the dungeon doesn’t change with the outside, so just like yesterday, a hot wind greeted us.

In the distance, I could see Gai-kun and his group starting a fight with a giant lizard.

Shino quickly took the lead, saying, “Let’s go that way!” and our hunt began.

At first, everyone fought with the same coordination as yesterday, but Hina, usually calm and composed, attacked the monsters as if venting her frustration, and perhaps spurred by that, Shino and Fujii-kun also struck harder than necessary.

Well…… it’s better than taking it out on objects or people, but I felt both happy and guilty that they’d get this angry over me.

After defeating the twentieth monster, everyone finally calmed down and let out deep breaths.

“Hina, Shino, how’s your Fighting Spirit? Not too tired?”

“Not that tired, I guess? I think I’m used to it by now?”

“I’m used to it too.”

“That’s amazing……”

According to Master, people with S-rank potential blessings can use far more Fighting Spirit than normal people. Even at the same level, it’s quite different.

“Tell me if you get tired, okay? Hunting a lot isn’t the goal.”

““Yeah!””

After drinking water and taking a break, everyone resumed hunting.

With brilliant coordination, they took down monsters in no time, and I kept collecting the materials, repeating the cycle.

We’d been hunting for about two hours, so caught up in it that we were heading out of the dungeon when it happened.

Right across from us, another party was fighting.

“Those guys again……”

Shino muttered under her breath. Looking over, I saw Gai-kun and his group battling monsters.

Their fighting had no coordination—just brute force, each attacking however they pleased.

I thought they could take them down faster and easier with better teamwork—but how a party operates is up to them, not for me to comment on.

Suddenly, Gai-kun’s gaze flicked toward me.

It was too far to hear, but it looked like he clicked his tongue.

A monster appeared near us too, and we took it down together with Shino and the others.

While Shino drew its attention, Fujii-kun provided support, and Hina and I attacked from the sides.

With each of us landing a blow, the monster fell.

I’ve been using the Fighting Spirit attacks Master taught me. It’s enough to take down monsters here, at least.

After collecting the materials, we were heading back to the exit when I noticed Gai-kun and his group still fighting.

As always, Gai-kun glared at me even in the middle of battle.

We left the dungeon as is.

We quickly cashed in our haul and hurried to the Kamui house to avoid running into Gai-kun’s party.

♧♧♧

Since that day, we’ve run into them almost daily.

We head there after morning classes and lunch, so it’s natural we’d cross paths at this time.

I suggested shifting our schedule, but everyone objected, saying it’d feel like running away.

We’re not competing, so I don’t think it’s a problem……

Still, if we go to C3’s first floor, we’re bound to meet. Even from a distance, I can feel their stares—especially Gai-kun’s glare, as intense as ever.

It’d be best if I could get along with my childhood friend from back home…… but we’ve never had that kind of relationship, so maybe it’s too late now……

It was right after we’d taken down a monster together.

From afar, I heard Gai-kun’s loud yell, “Damn ittttt!”

Startled by the tense shout, I looked over and saw another monster appear behind the one Gai-kun’s group was fighting, sandwiching them.

This is dangerous! —Before I knew it, I was running.

“Damn it! Oi! I’ll hold this one back!”

“G-Got it! Let’s take this one down quick!”

“Uwaaaah! Another one’s coming!”

Surrounded by three monsters, Gai-kun’s party members panicked, too scared to move properly.

I hurriedly attacked the monster they were fighting with a Fighting Spirit strike.

“Wha!?”

“I’m stepping in to help!”

“Don’t mess with me! A level 0 like you, butting in!?”

Gai-kun shouted at me, but the monster didn’t wait.

It thrust its massive fangs toward Gai-kun’s back.

“Look out!”

I shoved Gai-kun out of the way.

The recoil sent the huge fangs charging straight at me, filling my vision.

—I’m done for.

Just as I thought that, the scene before me changed in an instant.

Amid the slightly reddish atmosphere of the canyon wilderness, a shimmering wall of ice—beautiful enough to admire—formed.

The giant lizard targeting me was frozen solid mid-leap, halted in its tracks.

“Hinata-kun!”

A single arrow flew from afar with fierce momentum, hitting the third monster. Unlike the piercing arrows from before, it struck with a thud, knocking the monster back hard.

Shino arrived next, unleashing a flurry of tonfa strikes on the flipped monster’s belly.

In a fleeting moment, our unspoken teamwork subdued the monsters instantly.

As an explorer, you’ll face danger sometimes.

That’s why I was taught—and believe—that staying calm and trusting your party with your back is crucial.

Even if I jumped in to save Gai-kun, I couldn’t have done it alone. But I trusted Hina and the others would back me up.

“Everyone, thanks.”

“Honestly…… I didn’t want to help them…… but I’ll follow the leader’s call. I really didn’t like it, though!”

“Haha…… Thanks, Shino.”

Even if they hate me, they’re still students from the same school. I think explorers should help each other out when in trouble.

At that moment, an angry shout came from behind.

“Don’t mess with me! I wasn’t saved by a level 0! You just jumped in on your own, and the princesses’ power saved you—not you saving me!”

“You……!”

I held out a hand to stop Shino, who looked ready to protest.

“Gai-kun, sorry for cutting in. Of course, I couldn’t have done it alone. It was thanks to everyone.”

“……!”

“The others don’t seem badly hurt either, so we’ll head out now.”

I pushed a fuming Shino’s back, and we left the scene.

Soon after, I heard Gai-kun yelling, “Damn ittttt!” while slamming the ground, but I didn’t look back and kept walking away.

We climbed onto a big rock some distance away, drinking water and taking a break.

“Thanks, everyone.”

“……Hinata-kun, you’re way too nice.”

“Ahaha…… But I don’t want you all to see me get eaten by a monster, and I don’t want to see it either. Is that a bad reason?”

“It’s not bad…… I know Hinata-kun would help out, including that part. But those guys…… not even a single thank you to Hinata-kun who saved them—it really pisses me off!”

“I’m happy just knowing you feel that way. I didn’t help them for thanks, and I already knew they were like that, so it’s fine, right? More importantly, thanks for saving me earlier, Hina.”

“I’m glad it reached in time.”

Hina’s Absolute Ice ability, which froze the monster solid in an instant during battle.

It’s a reliable power that responds to her will in combat, freezing enemies and such…… but depending on how you look at it, it also seems like Absolute Ice moves to protect Hina.

It attacks according to her will, but its flaw is that it can lash out indiscriminately when her emotions waver.

Could Hina’s blessing…… maybe not understand human emotions well? Does it feel like she’s troubled and act to help her without meaning to?

“Practicing with Absolute Ice might be important too.”

“But Absolute Ice is just being melted by Hinata-kun—it’s always active, right?”

“Oh…… that’s true, huh? So even if I keep melting it, you can still practice?”

“Yeah. Absolute Ice itself doesn’t change.”

“That makes it simple then. I’ll talk to Master about adding Absolute Ice practice to our training.”

“Practice with Absolute Ice……”

“If you get good at it, you’ll definitely be able to control it. For sure.”

Hina looked a little anxious.

“Absolute Ice…… if it gets stronger, won’t it hurt more people……?”

“It’ll be fine. After all, you’ve got comrades around you now, Hina. Just like what you did today. We’re all teammates.”

“That’s right~ But Absolute Ice is a bit tough for me…… ahaha……”

“It’s about the right person for the right job. I’ll handle Absolute Ice for now. But if it gets tricky, we’ll figure it out together. If we all think it over, I’m sure we’ll come up with something good.”

“True. I want Hina-chan to look forward too. I’ll do my best~!”

It was getting close to evening, so we wrapped up and returned to the Kamui house.

The next day.

I went to school with Hina and Shino, saw Shino off to the next classroom, and entered our classroom with Hina.

Gai-kun was sitting near the entrance, and while I usually avoid eye contact, today our eyes met.

He glared at me so hard I could see veins popping on his temple.

“I wasn’t saved by you……”

A quiet voice, audible only to me, came from behind.

Since Hina’s seat is right in front of mine, we headed there together.

Even now, Hina shines in class, drawing the boys’ attention.

During the break between morning classes.

Hina, seated in front, usually turns around for casual chats.

When Shino’s here, she’s the one who keeps the conversation lively, but when it’s just the two of us, Hina often starts talking.

“Hinata-kun, I got a message from Rin-chan~”

“From Rin?”

“Look, she said there was a pretty flower.”

On Hina’s smartphone was a photo of a lone sunflower blooming in the center of a colorful flower field.

“It’s starting to feel like summer, huh? I wonder if our school’s flower beds have them too?”

“Should we look for some on the way to the dungeon?”

“Yeah!”

I felt the room brighten just from Hina’s smile.

As class started and Hina faced forward, I could tell she was smiling even from behind.

It might be a small thing, but it made me realize again how important these little moments are.

The next break.

While chatting idly with Hina, I overheard some girls whispering in the back of the class.

“Arai-kun seems scarier than usual today, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah, yeah…… He’s been on edge since morning. I wonder what happened?”

“He’s always covered in scratches, and today too…… Someone from the next class said he teamed up with some dangerous people from A-class.”

“I heard that too. I thought he was cool at first, but he joined a bad group, huh?”

“I mean…… yeah. He’s tall, good-looking, talented, and I thought he’d be the only one who could date Kamui-san, but he got ignored, right?”

Gai-kun was popular back home too—I remember him always being the center of attention.

Compared to someone like me…… he was the complete opposite.

“Kamui-san only has eyes for Suzuki-kun, though. I don’t get what she sees in such a clumsy guy.”

Clumsy………… Well, that’s true…… Even after defeating so many monsters, I’m still level 0 and haven’t gotten stronger……

But if my skills can at least be useful, that’s good enough……

“Oh, right—there’s that girl in the next class who ignores everyone too, and she’s close with Kamui-san and them, right?”

“Uh, the Bug Princess, I think? She listens to music through earphones even during class and doesn’t talk to anyone. She even ignores the teachers~”

So that’s how people see Shino…… It makes sense. She doesn’t tell anyone how tough it is without earplugs……

“The Bug Princess seems to love Suzuki-kun too. Do beautiful girls just fall for bad guys?”

“That’s gotta be it!”

“There’s one more in Kamui-san’s party, right? Fujii-chan?”

“Yeah, yeah! Fujii-chan! She’s small and cute~ I wish we were in the same class~”

“Are all four of them dating? Like Kamui-san with Suzuki-kun, and Bug Princess with Fujii-chan?”

“Wait~ I heard a rumor that Bug Princess was arm-in-arm with Suzuki-kun. Maybe……”

“Maybe……”

Their voices suddenly dropped, and it piqued my curiosity.

“Suzuki-kun and Fujii-chan!”

“Kyaaa!”

“Huh? Arai-kun’s mad at Suzuki-kun because……!?”

“Maybe Suzuki-kun—”

“They’re fighting over—”

…………

Girls’ gossip is too complicated—I don’t get it.

“Hinata-kun? What’s wrong?”

Hina widened her eyes and peered at my face.

“N-Nothing……”

“You’re so strange, Hinata-kun~ hehe~”

“Ahaha……”

Then the last class of the day started and ended without incident.

In the slightly hot weather, we set up a tarp on the rooftop again.

And then—

“Ahh~ So cool~”

Shino let out a happy sound.

In front of me, two beautiful girls were hugging tightly.

To an outsider, it might look like a stunning sight, but the reason was what it was.

“Shino-chan? Not too cold?”

“Just right~ It doesn’t even feel cold~”

“Good then…… Shino-chan smells nice.”

“Really? Hina-chan smells nice too~”

Shino had suggested that hugging Hina might be cooling instead of air conditioning. The result was as you’d expect.

Amid that, Shino narrowed her eyes and looked at me.

“Hi_nata_kun~”

“Hm?”

“Hinata-kun, wanna try too~?”

For a moment, I imagined Hina in my arms and felt my face heat up.

“N-No……”

“Eh~ You don’t want Hina-chan?”

“That’s not it! I-I just think it’s not good for guys and girls to do that……”

Suddenly, I recalled the girls gossiping in class.

Shino in my right arm, Hina in my left. Me holding them both.

…………

No, no, no, no!

“Hinata-kun…… What are you imagining?”

“N-Nothing…… More importantly, if you stay like that, you two won’t be able to eat, right?”

“Hmm. How about Hinata-kun and Hiroto-kun feed us?”

“……That’s a bit much.”

Hina seemed a little troubled too.

Right after Absolute Ice activates, I melt it with my skill, but even for a split second, it releases cold air around us.

If I delayed the melting a bit, Absolute Ice from Hina could cool the area……? But that’d freeze all the food Hina’s trying to eat, and Shino might get too close and get hurt.

Melting ice is easy, but healing injuries is hard.

Using a potion again might get me scolded by everyone…… What to do?

“Hmm. If Hina could release just a little Absolute Ice, it’d cool things down fast. But letting it out fully would be dangerous……”

Shino grinned at me mischievously.

I need to think this through seriously, or Shino might actually make it happen……

Suddenly, Fujii-kun looked up at the tarp and muttered.

“Hinata-kun? Would it be bad to freeze this a little with Absolute Ice?”

“Freeze it a little……?”

“Even a tiny bit of Absolute Ice cools things a lot, so if we froze this just a bit, wouldn’t it get cooler~?”

“That’s a great idea! Hina, can you freeze this a little?”

“Yeah!”

Hina stood up, still being hugged by Shino.

Shino puffed her cheeks and looked up at me.

Hina reached toward the tarp.

When I eased the skill Absolute Ice Dissolution, the tarp’s metal frame froze.

A gentle summer breeze on the rooftop spread cool air around.

“Wow~ So cool~! Thanks, Hina-chan~”

“I’m glad it worked!”

Fujii-kun and I watched the two casually stick together again.

Filling in each other’s gaps like this really is nice……!

Right then, the door opened, and the principal and Kurogane-sensei stepped in.

“““Hello~”“”

The principal looked up.

“You kids…… You’re using your powers in an interesting way.”

“It’s getting hotter, and we were saying the rooftop might get tough soon. This way, we can stay cool and eat up here even in summer.”

“Hehe. You all get along so well.”

The principal looked at us with a nostalgic gaze.

We enjoyed lunch together again today.

After eating and cleaning up, I used my skill to melt the Absolute Ice spread across the tarp.

The principal watched me closely.

“Hinata-kun, is that your power?”

“Yes.”

“…………”

“Sensei?”

“……It’s nothing. Cherish your comrades. Explorers can never make it alone.”

“Yes……! Kurogane-sensei taught me that too, and lately, it’s really sunk in. I’m level 0, the weakest, so I can’t do anything alone……”

“Is that so? To me— No, nevermind, that’s something you decide for yourself, not something others determine. Thanks for the delicious meal today.”

“I’ll let Auntie know.”

“Yes, please do.”

“Thanks for the meal!”

After they left, we headed straight to dungeon C3.

Leaving the school building, I spotted flower beds lining the main path to the gate.

“Everyone, mind if we check out those flower beds for a bit?”

“Flower beds~? Sure~?”

Our school has a dedicated gardener who maintains these flower beds. Same around the dorms.

Hina started taking pictures of the flower beds.

“Hinata-kun~! There’s a sunflower here too!”

“A sunflower~? Oh! The one from Rin-chan’s picture?”

“Yeah, yeah. I wanted to send this one too, so I brought it up with Hinata-kun.”

“Nice! Should we send it~?”

“Yeah!”

Hina uploaded a few photos she took to our group chat on Connect, the five of us together.

My little sister replied right away with, Pretty~!

The four of us lined up by the flower bed, and Shino took a selfie with the front camera to send her.

I felt Gai-kun’s stare from a distance but left the area quickly.

“Huh~? Those guys aren’t here today~?”

Shino tilted her head, listening to the surrounding sounds.

“I felt Gai-kun’s stare back at school, so maybe they’re coming later?”

“Hmm. Maybe they got scared after yesterday~”

“Shino, don’t say mean things.”

“But…… they didn’t even say thanks, and they badmouthed Hinata-kun!”

“Now, now…… But with fewer explorers hunting in C-rank dungeons lately, it’s not good for materials if their numbers drop.”

“That’s true, but……”

“Worrying about them being gone won’t help, so let’s stay sharp and go!”

“Yeah!”

Even though it’s the last weekday, C3 is still sparse with explorers.

That means more monsters on the first floor too.

In dungeons other than Lucifer’s Fall accessed via crystal, monster numbers are usually lower, and with other parties nearby, you could help each other in a pinch. But C3’s emptiness might make fighting harder.

“Let’s change up our strategy today! Shino and Hina take the front, keeping distance from each other! Watch out for big fangs, and if another monster jumps in, keep retreat in mind—pull back if you hesitate!”

“Roger!”

“Fujii-kun and I will support you two!”

“Roger!”

Hina and Shino spread out to the left and right, staying close enough to rush in, and ran forward.

Clustering in one spot risks getting surrounded, but with Hina and Shino’s skills, I judged they could handle it solo.

Plus, with Hina, easing the skill Absolute Ice Dissolution lets her fight with Absolute Ice too. We started combat with that option in mind for emergencies.

Maybe they’ve gotten used to the monsters’ movements—both dodged the giant lizard’s massive fangs with ease.

Fujii-kun kept timing his arrow support perfectly.

I took down stray monsters with Fighting Spirit attacks while circling back, repeating the process.

That day, we tested the formation we usually used in D-rank dungeons and confirmed it worked on C3’s first floor too.

After dinner at the Kamui house, I escorted Shino home before returning to the dorm.

It was just as I passed the school gate toward the dorm.

“Welcome back.”

“Uwah!?”

A woman’s voice from the shadows startled me.

Looking closer, a woman was sitting alone on the curb by the flower bed.

“P-Principal!?”

“Hey there. Good evening.”

“G-Good evening.”

“You always come back around this time, huh?”

“Yes. I’ve been dropping off my teammates.”

“That’s admirable. Now, it’s already night, but can I have a bit of your time?”

“Got it.”

Thinking it was unexpected for someone like her to wait for me, I followed her.

Come to think of it, she jokingly said something about calling me in……

We entered a building a short distance from the school.

Inside, we took the elevator to the top floor.

Opening a luxurious door revealed a cozy room.

There’s no principal’s office in the main building, so this must be it, right?

Massive bookshelves stuffed with books lined the walls on both sides.

A quick glance showed mostly tough-sounding titles.

“Sit there, please.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Is tea okay?”

“Y-Yes!”

While she prepared it, I looked around the room.

The old furniture stood out—high-quality, well-kept, clearly cherished.

“Sorry for the wait.”

She placed a fancy teacup filled with deep red tea in front of me.

“Thank you.”

The tea I know is clear enough to see the cup’s bottom, but the principal’s tea was so red I couldn’t see through it.

Sipping it slowly, a rich aroma I’d never tasted spread through my mouth.

“Delicious……”

“Glad to hear it. It’s a tea that doesn’t circulate much. Do you know about Goddess Island?”

“Goddess Island…… I know as much as the textbooks cover……”

Long ago, when dungeons appeared, Goddess Island supposedly emerged out of nowhere.

The island has a special power—some say a real goddess lives there, though no one’s ever seen her.

So what’s this special power? They say the goddess’s power enforces absolute justice on the island, and all languages are unified—an odd place indeed.

“It’s pretty distant for most people, right? This tea is made from leaves that only grow on that island.”

“That’s…… really rare, isn’t it……?”

“You can buy as much as you want on Goddess Island, but since items sold there are banned from circulation, it’s only rare in that sense. Now, for the reason I asked you here today.”

“Yes.”

“Every year, Goddess Island gathers top students from across the country for a study session. It’s called a study session, but it’s mostly about watching and mingling with frontline top-tier explorers. And—Hinata-kun—I’d like you to participate.”

“Ehhh!? I-Isn’t that, like, a super important event……?”

“It’s not an exaggeration to say it represents the nation.”

“R-Represent…… Me, in such a big role……?”

“Normally, among high schoolers nationwide, it’d be Kamui Hinata or Kagura Shino. But I think if I asked them, they’d say no. But what if you went, Hinata-kun? Those two would surely go with you.”

“That’s…………”

The principal’s deep black eyes stared into me.

What lies in their depths…… ambition? No, not quite. Something else.

“At first, I was just thinking how to get those two to go…… but oddly, watching you, I started wanting you to go more than them.”

“Me……?”

“Yes. If you want, you can go alone. Level 0, no growth, no hint of strength even face-to-face………… yet I feel something special from you. I’ve seen countless students over the years, but you’re the first like this.”

The principal placed an envelope on the table and slid it toward me.

“An invitation. It’s for you, of course, but you can bring up to four others. Take your party members, invite whoever you want—it’s up to you.”

“You trust me that much?”

“Not just forming a party with those two and leading them, but easily dispelling an S-rank potential ability like Absolute Ice—it’d be stranger not to trust you…… And yet, your level 0 somehow makes it hard to trust you.”

“Makes it hard to trust……?”

“My head knows how amazing you are, but the level 0 triggers a rejection. I—I’ve only known one other person who gave me that feeling.”

“Was that person level 0 too!?”

“No. He’s incredibly high-level.”

I was shocked, thinking there might be someone else like me at level 0.

If there were…… what would I ask? Seek camaraderie? Or—?

“You being level 0—maybe going to Goddess Island could reveal something. It’s a domain beyond human understanding, the goddess’s realm. Maybe you’ll gain a goddess’s blessing there. One called a level.”

“…………Please…… let me think about it……”

“Of course. No rush. Just give me an answer by the end of the month. It’s fine if you decline.”

“Got it.”

If there’s a chance I could gain a level and get stronger, I’d want to jump at it right now.

I’ve never had a clear goal of wanting to get stronger. Just a vague wish to become an explorer to help my family’s livelihood—that’s all I thought about strength for.

It’s an incredible opportunity I shouldn’t miss…… yet I hesitate, unsure if I’m ready to accept it.

“Worry a lot. Worry and worry…… That’s the important feeling that has carved a path for us humanity. Now, it’s getting late, so rest well.”

“Yes…… Thanks for the tea.”

I bowed to the principal and returned to my room.

♧♧♧

After Suzuki Hinata left, the principal held her tea and gazed at the moon outside the window.

“…………Level 0…… Suzuki Hinata…… No sense of strength at all…… huh.”

The principal let out a big sigh.

“Why does that child remind me of him……?”

Her eyes shifted to a sorrowful hue.

“Shin…… Where are you now, and what are you doing……? Have you abandoned us…… humanity?”

But no answer came to her questions.