Chapter 37

"First, we need to head to the core."

To lure the creature out of the control room, we need to pretend to follow the standard procedure.

"The standard procedure for gate exploration. Fine."

Rin nods.

"Rin, Kurosawa, and Olivia will take the vanguard, Nishizawa will take the center, and Ishihara and I will take the rear."

Putting the sword-wielding Rin and the protagonist, Olivia, as meat shields.

Nishizawa, who wields a chain sickle, a mid-range dealer, will take the center.

Ishihara, the long-range shooter with a gun, and I, the commander, will take the rear.

A stable and typical formation.

"Once the formation is set, let's move out."

As I give the order, the group starts walking.

Thud, thud.

Drops of water fall from the cave walls.

"Feels bad. It's damp."

Nishizawa Eri complains.

"I agree."

The protagonist, cluelessly agreeing.

"I didn't say it to you. Shut up, Kurosawa."

As expected, Nishizawa Eri's expression twists, and a cold rebuke pierces Kurosawa's back.

She clicks her tongue.

I knew it would come to this.

Who would think I'm not a pushover?

It feels like watching a comedy sketch.

"Got it... Sorry."

The protagonist, not bowing in apology during the exploration.

Thank goodness.

If he had done that, I wouldn't have been able to handle it.

But why am I the one with black hair, and he's Kurosawa?

It's annoying.

"If you're sorry, don't talk to me. It makes me feel bad."

Look at that disdain.

The cave falls silent again after Nishizawa Eri's words.

Thud, thud.

The sound of water dripping and footsteps echoes in the quiet passage.

After walking for a while.

"Strange, there's no reaction from the otherworldly creatures..."

Olivia says in a low voice.

"I agree with you this time. It is strange."

Rin nods seriously.

"Did you just realize that? Your senses are really dull. The name of the top noble family in Japan will be disgraced."

"Bonaparte, do you have a habit of annoying me every day without fail?"

Another argument starts.

I'm really going to lose it.

Who would think this isn't a light novel world? Whenever there's a spare moment, we exchange banter. It's a habit.

It was fine when I watched it as an anime, but now that it's reality, it's ridiculous.

A world so faithfully cliché, it's insane.

I press my forehead.

"Do you want to fight even now? Both of you, be quiet. Really."

"......Understood."

"Hmph."

Just as the two of them shut their mouths.

Rumble, rumble, rumble.

An earthquake shakes the entire passage.

[Otherworldly creature reaction detected]

[Hostile reactions are increasing exponentially.]

[Strong hostile reaction detected.]

Alerts ring in my ears in real-time.

It's starting.

"Prepare for battle."

As I give the order,

Boom.

A loud noise echoes, and a large green toad appears from beyond the cave.

"Axion Rank Otherworldly creature, King Toad..."

Olivia, the explainer, recites the name.

Its special attacks are poison and a long tongue, and its weakness is its navel.

However, it always rubs its belly on the ground, making it difficult to attack the navel unless it's flipped over.

Behind King Toad, a large group of alligator men is visible.

"Kurosawa, Rin, Olivia, and Ishihara will handle King Toad, and Nishizawa will handle the alligator men."

I give the command as soon as I see the situation.

At the same time, I prepare myself mentally.

"Black hair. Why do I have to deal with regular otherworldly creatures? Are you underestimating my skills?"

I knew Nishizawa Eri would react like this.

I thought something was off when she obediently followed orders on the lake earlier.

I expected it, but it still annoys me.

At this rate, I might die of anger before we return.

There's a guy who thinks a pretty face forgives everything.

I want to slap him.

"Underestimating? Stop annoying people with childish nonsense. Your skills are specialized for clearing minions. If you're upset, take command. You know that disobeying orders on the field is punishable, right?"

"Nishizawa-san. In an emergency, not following orders, are you lacking common sense?"

Olivia, who dislikes irresponsible heroes, adds her comment while igniting her Flamberge with flames.

Well done, super helper.

You've earned your keep today.

"......Tch."

Nishizawa Eri glares at me and clicks her tongue in response to Olivia's urging.

I wish I could handle her like in those web novels I've read, where characters go 'missing inside the gate,' but with so many witnesses, it's difficult.

To defeat the final boss, we need Nishizawa Eri.

Calling Kusumi-senpai and Olivia slaves is half a joke, but Nishizawa should be 100% a slave.

Whirr!

Nishizawa Eri leaps into the crowd of otherworldly creatures and throws her chain sickle.

[Roar!]

[Screech!!]

With each throw, the orange-magic-infused chain sickle skewers and kills about five to six alligator men.

See?

I was right.

She's perfect for handling minions.

With my arms crossed, I watch the four students battling King Toad.

"Ha!"

The protagonist, Yuji, shouts and swings his katana, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi.

Black magic seems to be covering his katana to hide the colorless magic.

Every time Yuji swings Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, King Toad, struck by the Kurosawa Shinken-ryu, lets out a roar.

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