Chapter 17

I dragged my battered body back to the waiting room.

The [Physical Enhancement - Ultimate] and [Divine Spear] in my Rank 1 body were too much.

The backlash from [Divine Spear] is eroding my body. The remaining protection is below 30%.

When the protection drops below 30%, defense and physical abilities start to decline, and the recovery rate of protection also drops.

If I were in perfect condition, the protection would normally recover to its maximum capacity in about three days, but if it drops below 30%, the recovery speed to reach 30% is at best one-third. If I completely lose my protection, it will take more than a week for it to start recovering again.

For this reason, explorers consider returning to the surface as their top priority when their protection drops below 50%. Pushing too hard doesn't end well.

"I hate my body."

My computational ability has declined, and I can't use destructive magic effectively. If I could use space destruction, atomic decomposition, or mass collapse by fixing kinetic energy to zero, I could break through the protection without any issue.

Currently, I can't generate more firepower than what my protection-enhanced body can achieve with magic.

However, if I had enough time to perform the necessary calculations, it would be a different story. During combat, that's not possible.

I need to level up soon...

I stumbled and collapsed into a chair.

It's been a long time since I've been this cornered, both physically and mentally.

Not only my protection, but my brain and body, which have been pushed to their limits, are screaming.

I can't maintain consciousness. I'll sleep for a little while.

◇

"Sōji-kun!"

In a half-asleep state, I heard a familiar voice.

Wait, that's strange. She's supposed to be dead. I couldn't save her.

"Sōji-kun! Please wake up!"

The tone of her voice is different from usual.

The Kūna I know has a colder tone, shows no emotion, and only says what is necessary.

"Another person is coming soon. Grandpa, if you want to sleep, go home and do it."

She would never make such a joke.

"I'll carry you out. If you touch any weird places, I'll get angry! Oh, if we don't hurry, Anne's match in the second arena will start."

Kūna carries me. I reflexively cling to her.

Her sweet scent, soft body, and the warmth that gently spreads are comforting.

I bury my face in her luxurious blonde hair.

"Wha!?"

Kūna trembles.

It smells good. I want to stay like this longer.

"What are you doing all of a sudden!? It tickles, and your breath on my neck... You're definitely awake, right? I'm putting you down."

"It smells good."

"If you're awake, stand on your own feet."

"I'm tired. Let me stay like this for a while."

"Are you really that tired?"

"I don't want to take another step."

I can walk, but I want to confirm Kūna's presence. It's been a long time since I've seen her. Even if this is a dream, I want to stay like this. I liked her.

By the way, in the past, I carried her when she was covered in injuries.

At that time, I also said she smelled good.

What did she say then... I remember. "I hate my own smell. The dirt seeps in and won't go away."

"Kūna, you smell good."

"I heard that before. It's embarrassing, so please stop."

Kūna's voice has a hint of embarrassment.

She doesn't sound like she hates it. I feel happy. I wanted to see her like this and make her laugh more, so I tried various things.

"Sōji-kun is so clingy. I'll let it slide today because you worked hard. But I'll be gentle only today."

Kūna starts walking with a wry smile.

I remember, she always used to say, "I want to go home." Even in her sleep, when she was plagued by nightmares, she would repeat, "I want to go home."

"Kūna, do you want to go back to your hometown, to Elsie?"

"Absolutely not!"

"I see."

"What's with that happy tone?"

"It's nothing. Really, it's nothing."

A long period of regret has ended. I'm happy that she's finally looking forward to something.

If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up.

"Kūna, if you could, please smile and show me your smile."

"Did I hit a nerve? Sōji-kun, you're really strange."

Kūna, worried, gently sets me down and looks at my face.

"I'm not strange. I've always wanted to see Kūna's smile. I'm tired of seeing her cry or frown. I always thought Kūna looked cuter when she smiled."

"Wha, really, what's with you?"

Kūna's face turns bright red, and she looks flustered.

"Please, smile for me."

"Why are you making such a sad face! I get it. I understand. I'll smile. You're really strange, Sōji-kun."

And Kūna giggles softly.

...It's good. Even if it's a dream, she smiled for me.

I collapse as if a string has been cut.

◇

"Where am I?"

When I wake up, I seem to be in the Colosseum's audience seats.

Kūna is sitting next to me.

"Sōji-kun."

"What is it, Kūna?"

"Phew, you're back to normal. I'm glad."

"Back to normal?"

"Don't you remember? The Sōji-kun in the waiting room was really strange."

"I don't remember anything after collapsing in the chair."

Kūna is staring at my face intently.

She looks like she's openly doubting me.

"Even if you make that face, I don't remember what I don't remember."

"Even when you used my back to lean on, you had a strangely lecherous touch?"

"I don't remember."

"Hmm, I see. You don't remember burying your face in my neck and saying it smells good over and over?"

"I don't remember."

Kūna looks at me as if she can't believe it.

"Or when you told me to smile because my smiling face is the cutest?"

"Because I don't remember."

She sighs deeply.

"Give me back my maidenly innocence! ...Well, it's fine. Sōji-kun."

Kūna's expression becomes serious.

"Sōji-kun, you've been asleep for a long time. Anne and I took turns watching over you. The tournament is now in the second semi-final match. Anne won the first match and is heading to the finals... By the way, it's my turn next."

That's great.

I really wanted to see Kūna's battle. Her flames are like art.

"Good luck. Who's your opponent?"

"The fourth-ranked person who criticized us. He keeps coming over and saying nasty things, especially about Anne, as if he's trying to avenge his brother who lost to a Rank 2."

"That's frustrating."

"Yes, I'll beat him up. I'll give it my all, just like you showed me."

Kūna grins.

"By the way, Sōji-kun, what kind of expression do you like the most on a girl?"

"Of course, a smile."

"I see. I'll be back."

Kūna smiles and turns away from me. I'll engrave her heroic figure in my mind.

◇

The arena is filled with excitement.

Most of the attention is on Kūna.

"She's amazing, Kūna."

"Yes, she has a certain charisma. Her popularity grows with each match."

Anne, who has returned to the audience seats, says proudly as if it were her own achievement.

"What kind of fighting style has she shown so far?"

"She enhances her physical abilities and then beats the opponent like a piñata."

"Doesn't she use weapons or fire?"

"I don't think she can. There are hardly any weapons that can withstand the power of a fire fox, and if she uses fire, it will immediately reveal that she's a fire fox."

Kūna hides her fox ears with a hat and her tail with a skirt to keep her identity as a fire fox a secret.

Given the situation, this is the only fighting style she can use.

"But this time, she seems to be serious."

Kūna, who has taken the stage in the Colosseum, sheds her clothes.

The audience erupts in enthusiastic cheers.

Kūna is now exposing her fox ears and fox tail. She is wearing only a sleeveless top and hot pants.

The sleeveless top and hot pants that cling to her body accentuate Kūna's attractive figure.

Her fox ears and tail, characteristic of a fire fox, highlight her in perfect harmony.

Everyone in the arena is captivated by Kūna's charm.

I realize that Kūna is about to show her true seriousness, something that humans can never achieve.