Chapter 64

"TouTobi! Left!"

"I know. --【Side Step】!"

TouTobi and I use our high movement speed and movement skills derived from our senses, as well as our player skills for detecting danger, to dodge the flames.

Miu simply waits for her role to come, while Rui creates a water shield by her side, trying to block the flames with its compatibility.

"I can't keep the magic barrier up for long on my own!"

"It's fine. Please dispel it at the right time!"

The combination of Rerai and Luka, Kohaku and Hino, cannot handle everything with movement and evasion. However, they are not without means to defend against the intensified flames.

"Here we go! ...3, 2, 1—"

With Luka's countdown, the magic barrier begins to crack. If it is dispelled according to the countdown, a fireball will be approaching.

"---【Shock Impact】!"

Luka strikes the approaching flames with his sword held in both hands. The art that manifests with a yellow light blocks the flames, producing a dull metallic sound, and then sends them back into the sky.

"I'm going too! ---【Magic Strike】!"

Hino similarly swings his mace, bundling the flames and sending them flying.

They endure with magical defenses, and when the magic barrier's durability runs out, they counter with close-range anti-magic arts. Then, they hide behind the magic barrier again until the arts can be reused.

While they perform this coordination smoothly, the arts that counter the flames require precise timing and high player skills.

Moreover, due to the extreme reduction in weapon durability, they cannot be used frequently. In the survival environment of the past week, this would be considered foolish, as it is difficult to repair or replace weapons.

Even so, they help me with my selfish request. I must repay their efforts.

"Is it not yet? Is it not yet?"

Avoiding the rising flames, I wait for the moment.

"【Shock Impact】---!"

At the moment of the sword and flames colliding for the umpteenth time, Luka's sword shatters. At this moment, Luka loses his means of protection. I strongly wish for it to come sooner, and the opportunity for a counterattack arrives.

"Miu! Prepare!"

"Got it!"

To break through the thick blue flames, I don't know how many magic gems are needed, so I throw four magic gems into the flames. At the same time, I rush into the realm of fire.

The intense blast wind makes my upper body waver and almost fall, but I lower my center of gravity and rush into the gap in the blast wind.

Behind me, Miu, protected by Rui, releases a spell with a divine white light.

"---【Dispel】!"

As I enter the realm of fire, Miu's dispel hits the bracelet, and the skull count above my head becomes '1'. With this, the blue flames intensify and begin to transform into a dark red color.

The black flames rush to fill the gap I have opened, as if to seal the wound.

In the distance, screams and cries of people trying to escape can be heard, but it is too late to run.

In the first place, if there was a need to run, I would not have jumped in.

From the moment Luka's sword broke, we no longer had the option to prolong the fight.

To end it quickly as the flames are strengthened with each dispel, it is only right that the proposer, myself, takes the greatest risk.

"---Bomb"

I detonate the last two magic gems I have taken out, centered on myself.

The shock and blast wind that pierce my body significantly reduce my HP. The black flames are momentarily pushed back by the blast, opening a path to the young beast.

Due to the repeated effects of the flames and explosions, I am nearly in a state of being covered in wounds. Without time to recover with potions, I perform the dispel on the young beast.

"End it!"

With a final, strained voice, I smash the dispel potion. Immediately after, the black flames swell. At this moment, I---ah, I'm dead. I half-realize this as I observe the situation.

The flames swell, turn white, and explode. I don't know why my body moved that way, but I crouch on the spot, hugging the young beast, still enveloped in flames.

I close my eyes tightly and wait in the midst of the intense explosion that shakes my eardrums. When I open my eyes, I expect to see the square of the first town.

However, even as ten, twenty seconds pass, there is no sound of the town's bustle, not even a single noise.

Cautiously opening my eyes, I find myself still in the same place.

"---I, I'm here. That's good~"

The tension in my body eases, and the extra strength leaves me. The flames in the hall have all disappeared, leaving a silence as if the intense flames were a mere illusion. However, the scorched marks on the ground and the burned remains tell the story of the devastation.

I am no exception. Scorched by the flames multiple times and caught in my own explosions, my HP can be recovered, but the cloth armor that protected me is completely tattered.

The inner layer has a large hole in the back, the belt is sooty, and the pants are torn at the ends, creating slits.

Apart from the outer layer that absorbs MP and repairs itself automatically, I will need to have the rest repaired.

"---At least, it's a relief that the damage isn't too severe"

I sigh. Ah... I need to change clothes to get them repaired. I don't have any spare clothes.

"Big sister! Are you okay!"

"Huh?"

Miu and the others rush over in a panic. Ah, I worried them by diving into the flames alone.

"I can't say I'm fine. I'm a mess, mainly my armor."

"Eh, eh... I don't know where to look."

Luka averts her gaze dramatically. No, don't avert your gaze. I feel more embarrassed.

"Everyone, I made you do too much. I'm sorry. And what about the person who was hiding?"

"They said they would join up with others first."

"I see... Well, what about this?"

Now, no one is around. I look at the center of the problem.

A soft black fur with a red stripe running down it, and a distinctive nose from which regular breathing sounds can be heard. It's a young fox.

"What to do with the young beast that caused all this?"

"What... to do?"

"Well, we can't just leave it. To be honest, I want to bring it back... There are three other young beasts besides Rui's."

"Three! Yun, how many young beasts do you get along with!?"

The other members say similar things. Well, there are three, but they are no longer in my care...

"Let's see, I'll contact Magi."

I connect a chat with Magi.

"Are you available now?"

"Yeah, I am. What's up?"

"I ran into some trouble out here. My armor is broken, and I have more young beasts to bring back."

"Sure, you can bring them back. And I'll ask Claude to get you some spare clothes."

"Ah, and can I bring my sisters for dinner?"

"Got it. Come back early. We have a lot of results here too."

"Sure. I got some pretty interesting things too."

"Okay, I'll be waiting."

That's the short conversation with Magi. It was surprisingly not a problem.

"Since we have permission to return, let's talk on the way back."

Everyone agrees, and I carefully pick up the young beast, with Rui standing beside me.

I have something to say to Luka and the others.

"Sorry, for making you follow my reckless actions. And the reason Luka's sword broke is because of me."

"That's right. We only have that one weapon, so it's a problem. Please compensate for it."

"Luca, normally, people say they don't mind, right?"

Kohaku's eyes are narrowed, but I would like to compensate if possible. Goodwill alone doesn't put food on the table. If you sympathize, give me money.

"Kohaku and Rerai use weapons that don't directly hit, so it's fine, but Luka and I had to counter the flames. The durability is drastically reduced. I have another spear, so it's fine, but..."

"In the worst case, we could equip a dull sword found in the dungeon, but there's a possibility of a curse."

Hino and TouTobi continue. I really feel bad. I will make tonight's dinner a feast as a small apology. Also, if I find any minerals, I will send accessories to everyone.

"That's right. Well, what can't be undone can't be undone. By the way, what happened to the accessory that caused the rampage?"

"Ah, this one."

At the moment the curse was lifted, I materialize the accessory stored in my inventory and roll it in my hand.

"Wow, that's intense. If it didn't have a disadvantage effect, it would be a completely broken piece of equipment."

The accessory is a black metal bracelet with a detailed engraving of a grim reaper and a man in agony. Honestly, I can't believe someone would want to equip such a tasteless design.

"Wow, what a beautiful piece of equipment. Big sister, you're amazing."

"Right. What a beautiful work of art."

The girls sigh in unison. For such an accessory?

"It's definitely tasteless."

"\"Eh?\""

"Eh?"

I can't believe my sisters have such a tasteless aesthetic... No, that can't be right.

"Hey, how does it look to you?"

"Well... a white bracelet with angels and a woman praying... something like that?"

"---Wow, that's intense."

If it's unidentified, it even lies