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"Something you want to talk about with me….?"

"Un"

After nodding, Rei continued.

"Some time has passed since the time I got saved by Rin. I've always wanted to ask how strong Rin has become since then."

"How strong… huh"

From the figure of Rei who asked that question, I could feel a sense of urgency. Although I didn't know why, I don't think there is a need to hide it from her, who already knows my secret. With that in mind, I lifted my right hand and raised four of my fingers except my thumb.

Looking at that, Rei opened her eyes widely, likely because she understood it meant I was saying that I am level 40,000.

"I see. You have already become that strong. Incidentally, is there anyone else who knows about Rin's power?"

"Hana knows everything about it, as I had the opportunity to reveal it a while ago. The Guild Master, Claire, and Yagami-san's party also know about my abilities. I think it's just a matter of time until the secret of Transfer Within Dungeon will be known too."

"I see. So, that many people already know…"

Saying that, Rei has a lonely expression on her face. Then, after a few seconds of silence, she opened her mouth.

"Long ago, I said to Rin that I want to go to the dungeon together with Rin in a proper way. Do you remember?"

"Aa, of course"

"Those words are something that came from the bottom of my heart. I indeed have gone to the dungeon with Hana and Yui, but it's different. I wanted to be your strength. Not only that, but I wanted to be someone who could be relied on by you. But even if I tried my best since then, my level is just finally over level 1,000. I'm sure from now on too, I will be unable to be your strength…"

"… Rei"

Looking at her depressed appearance, I called her name. But other than that, I don't have any words I could say to her.

Because that was something that cannot be helped. My level is already far from Rei’s. Even if I could dive into the dungeon to accompany her in a special training, I couldn't capture the dungeon with her.

By using a special power called [Transfer Within Dungeon], I could level-up faster than anyone else. In the process, I have chased, lined up, and left behind many people stronger than me, without considering their thoughts, just for my purpose of becoming stronger.

Suddenly, I recalled the words that Claire said a week ago. About how the ones who could be as strong as the top class in the world were just those with excellent unique skills. They trampled on the efforts of the others and ran up to heights with their talent alone. That's what she said.

Until now, I have fought against many powerful enemies and have overcome many dead battles. Hence, I think the power that I gained was too suitable for the results I have achieved. However, it is also an undeniable fact that I couldn't reach this level without the special unique skill called [Transfer Within Dungeon]. That is why, what kind of words could such me say to Rei right now?

Honestly, I don't know. But, I couldn't just do nothing. Therefore,

"…. Rin?"

"My bad, if you don't like it, please avoid it."

–I put my hand on Rei's head. Because I couldn't comfort her with my words, this is the only thing I could do.

Then, after looking a little surprised, Rei said with a gentle smile.

"Nn, I don't hate it"

And she placed her head on my shoulder, which I silently accepted.

Rei depressed feelings wouldn't disappear by doing this. Both Rei and I know this fact.

Even so, I believe that through this action, the fact that Rei and I respected and cherished each other was definitely conveyed.

"When I take my eyes off you for a bit…"

"As expected you do the same thing for Rei-chan… No, you're doing more than that!"

""—–Ah""

◇◆◇

After a bit of commotion, we were headed toward the Yoizuki guild. Yui and Rei are also following us because they seem to have something to do in the guild.

On the way to the guild, we met some faces that we knew.

"Yagami-san? And everyone too"

The ones who stood there were the eight people from the A-rank party, including Yagami. And Yagami-san, who was at the front looked at us and opened his eyes.

"… Amane. Then Kurosaki and Kasai too"

Yagami then directed his sight towards Hana.

"She is?"

"My little sister. Hana, these people also belong to the Yoizuki guild."

"Ah, my name is Amane Hana. Please treat me well!"

"I am Yagami, please treat me well too. I see, come to think of it, I heard that someone is coming to receive an explanation about joining a guild. It was Amane's little sister, huh."

Yagami-san nodded as if convinced. And towards him, I asked a question.

"What were Yagami-san and the others doing here? It seems all members of the party are here, but there is still a little time before the intermission is over, right?"

"We just rented an adventurer association's training ground to do some light pre-exercises before going to the dungeon tomorrow. And as that's already finished, we're now on the way back to the guild"

"I see"

While we’re having such a conversation, Shinonome-san, who was behind Yagami, came.

"Nonetheless, Amane-kun is amazing. To be able to bring three pretty girls with you"

"Don't say it like that…"

"Fufufu, just kidding. Anyway, since we already met, How about we go to the guild together?"

At the suggestion of Shinonome-san, we went to the guild with a large number of 12 people. Along the way, we passed a familiar place— No, a familiar place that has changed a little.

"Here is…."

"The former site of Kenzaki Dungeon. There's no shadow of it anymore, though."

The place we arrived at was the place where Kenzaki Dungeon was a while ago. But just as Shinonome-san said, it was just a park now.

While looking at the scene, Shinonome-san earnestly says.

"Still, what a mysterious phenomenon. To think that the scene was returned to what it was before the dungeon emerged as soon as the dungeon disappeared."

"… Indeed,"

I said, agreeing to what she said. When a dungeon emerges in this world, everything except humans and animals will disappear without a trace. That's what we originally thought, but after the dungeon disappears, it will completely return to its original appearance. In that sense as well, there are some experts that describe the emergence of dungeons with ‘changing place'. However, it is still not known what kind of mechanism that made this happen.

At any rate, this place was a big park before Kenzaki Dungeon emerged. And the scene at that time was just like the one that was spreading in front of us right now without anything changed. And perhaps because it was originally a famous park where beautiful flowers bloomed, coupled with it only could be seen now for the first time in several years, there were many people gathered here today.

"What are you doing, let's go quickly"

"Ah, Ye~s"

Then, while recalling the wonders of the dungeon like that, we continue to walk toward Yoizuki. But, at the next moment.

"——!"

A chill ran up my spine. And I felt a sharp gaze piercing my whole body, making me remember my battle against Yanagi. Ah, I know this feeling. This is malice— no, this is an emotion that should be called murderous intent.

Grounding my quivering feet firmly to the ground, I looked around. However, I couldn’t find anything suspicious. And Hana and the others had a strange expression when they looked at my actions.

"Onii-chan? What happen all of a sudden–"

However, she was never able to finish her words. Because an unbelievable phenomenon occurred faster than Hana could finish her words.

Suddenly, a jet-black darkness spreads at our feet, transforming what was on the ground into something like a swamp. The darkness begins to swallow me and Hana, and spreads throughout the park.

"Kyaa!"

"What on earth is this?!"

Those who were swallowed by the darkness, started to scream.

And I happen to know this phenomenon. But, why does it have to be at this timing?! Impossible!

Questions and impatience began to fill my thoughts. Even so, there is still something I had to do.

"Everyone, run away now!"

"You will get swallowed!"

The shouts of Yagami and I echoed around the area. However, no one was able to escape from the darkness. No, it might have been possible for me alone. But Hana and ordinary people were also here, so I couldn't take that option.

Then, without granting us a grace period, we were completely swallowed by the darkness that emerged on the ground.

"—– S-shit"

Even the last word that I said from my mouth at the end was dispersed without any answer. Like that–

We were easily swallowed by the dungeon outbreak.