Chapter 65

Ria's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected turn of events, and she slowly opened her mouth.

"Ah, you... What do you mean? Aren't you one of us?"

"Hmm... A rotten man who would take advantage of a restrained girl isn't someone I want as a comrade..."

With that, Zak took a swig from the large glass of alcohol.

Then,

"Hey, big guy!? What happened!?"

Toll, who had heard the terrible scream, hurried over in a panic.

"What's this? There was a small fire. Just one researcher turned to ashes."

"What!? You idiot! That was a valuable research position, do you understand!?"

"Sorry, forgive me! I couldn't stand the sight of him, so I just did it!"

Zak scratched his head and apologized, though somewhat half-heartedly. Seeing this, Toll sighed deeply.

"Truly, there's no cure for fools... I'll report this to 'the top,' okay?"

"Yeah, do as you please."

As a somewhat tense atmosphere hung between the two,

"...I won't thank you."

Ria muttered softly.

"Hahaha! Of course not! Who thanks a kidnapper!"

Zak, slightly tipsy, laughed heartily and took another sip from his glass.

"Ngngng... Haha... Anyway, Ria. That sparkly one—Allen—hasn't come yet?"

Toll, who was asked this question, grimaced.

"Hey, slowpoke... This research facility is hidden by my barrier. How could anyone find this place? Huh?"

Feeling her barrier belittled, she asked quickly.

Then, Ria interjected from the side.

"Even with the best barrier, Allen would surely find it quickly."

"What, you hag...!"

"I'm not a hag! You've been rude from the start...! And you're a shorty!"

"Damn...! Insulting someone's physical features shows you haven't had proper education!"

"You were the one who called me ugly first...!"

As Toll and Ria continued their futile argument,

"By the way, Ria. What kind of relationship do you have with him? Allen seemed quite infatuated with you."

Zak, quite drunk, asked a more personal question.

Taken aback by the sudden question, Ria's face turned red and her voice grew harsh.

"I, it's nothing... It doesn't matter, okay!?"

"Hahaha! So young, so young! If I were to give you advice as a senior in life—He's a shining star! He will definitely shine brightly! Make sure you don't let him slip away!"

"Shut up! It's none of your business!"

As they were talking,

"...Hey, slowpoke. Don't give her false hope. She's going to be sent back to her country. She won't see that 'unknown beast' again."

Toll said this, casting a pitying glance at Ria.

"Hahaha! Normally, that would be the case! But he's 'the sparkly one'! Many people are drawn to that warm and dazzling light! There's always a chance..."

"Hmph, what nonsense..."

As Toll snorted,

A deafening sound, like a giant stained glass window shattering, echoed through the research facility.

"What!? My barrier was broken!?"

"Hahaha! He's here! Allen Roder—The raw spark!"

"Allen...!"

With three different reactions, Toll quickly moved.

"Damn it... What are you so happy about, you slowpoke! Get to your positions!"

"Hahaha! It's exciting, isn't it!"

Toll, looking irritated, and Zak, with a warlike smile, headed upstairs to face the uninvited guest.

■

We, who had infiltrated the research facility, moved through the winding corridors that resembled a maze.

(This is probably part of the anti-intruder measures...)

The corridors were dimly lit, making visibility extremely poor. We had to slow down to avoid traps and ambushes.

After a while, we reached a small room.

"Ugh... I, intruders..."

"Y, we'll do it... If we defeat them, we'll... be free..."

"I, I'm sorry... I'll kill you here..."

Seven swordsmen, who looked like ghosts, glared at us with bloodshot eyes. They held unstable and strange soul armors in their right hands and were already panting heavily despite not having fought yet.

I remember facing similar opponents during the summer camp.

(This incident is clearly more serious...)

I quickly drew my sword and took a stance, noticing a slight change.

(...Their soul armors seem less stable than before?)

Soul armors forcibly manifested by the Spirit Crystal Pill should be even more unstable and distorted.

Then,

"Ugh... Gaaaaah..."

One of the swordsmen groaned and punched the wall.

At that moment, a tremendous boom echoed, and a huge hole appeared in the research facility.

"What!?"

The opponents from the summer camp had impressive physical abilities, but the ones in front of us far exceeded them.

As we heightened our vigilance,

"Let's go...!"

"Uooooooh!"

"Gaaaaah!"

They all lunged at us simultaneously.

"Damn... Allen, Rose! Fall back! I'll—"

I swung my soul armor at the swordsmen who were wildly attacking,

"Don't... interfere!"

The sound of the strike was left behind as it easily destroyed their soul armors and cut them down in one go.

(Why... My body is moving...!)

I wasn't filled with the mysterious power like before, yet my body felt as light as if I had been reborn.

(Allen, when did you become this strong...?)

(Could it be that his power has settled after the 'regeneration'...? But it's much faster than expected...!)

Having repelled the first wave of enemies, I said,

"Let's hurry on. Ria is waiting."

And I advanced deeper into the research facility.