Chapter 71

In the dimly lit underground labyrinth, where a faint green light permeated, the sounds of intense sword clashes and explosions echoed.

The intensity had reached a level that could be described as harsh, and from time to time, even without seeing the distant figures, one could feel the vibrations in the walls of the labyrinth. Silver sword lines traced countless graceful curves in the air, while fireballs, fire spears, wind blades, and water blades flew like a barrage. The impact of robust bodies colliding, the gory sounds of clashes, and the roars and shouts directed at comrades transformed the originally silent space into a battlefield.

"Shatter all phenomena with light, howl with the wind of severance, like a whirlwind of blossoms scattering, raise a storm of light to crush the enemy! [Heavenly Soaring Slash]!"

Hikari, while continuously accelerating the arm wielding the holy sword, released countless blades of light centered on herself. The creatures currently under attack were bat-like monsters about fifty centimeters long. More than ten of them were instantly sliced into fine threads, turning into flesh paste and splattering to the ground without even managing a proper attack.

"Front line! Countdown, ten!"

"Understood!"

Among the creatures were ant-like monsters with hard mandibles, bat-like monsters flying in the air, and sea anemone-like monsters writhing with countless tentacles. Countless numbers of them were writhing in a circular room about thirty meters in diameter. Around the room were eight horizontal tunnels, from which the monsters continuously spilled out.

The location was the 89th floor of the [Orkus Great Labyrinth]. The front line was led by Hikari, Ryotaro, Shizuku, Ei, Hinoyama, and Kondo, while the rear line, in perfect timing, announced the countdown for a coordinated magic attack. The monsters attempting to attack the rear line were skillfully defeated or repelled by Hikari and the others.

The flying bat-like monsters were particularly troublesome, exploiting gaps in the front line to rush towards the rear line. Thanks to the [Barrier Master]'s wall, they were stopped.

"O storm of a moment, O invisible shield, block the fury, the hurricane, the whirlwind, [Storm Wall]!"

Suzu's defensive magic was activated. Taking a step forward in front of the rear line, who were chanting incantations, she extended her hands, generating a gentle breeze. There was no visible change. The bat-like monsters paid no attention to Suzu's presence, driven by their instinct to sound the alarm, they rushed towards the rear line who were preparing a large-scale attack spell.

However, in front of Suzu, the rushing monsters suddenly flattened their bodies in accordance with the shape of the air wall. Despite dozens of bat-like monsters repeatedly charging, they only scratched the air wall, and not a single one managed to pass through.

Then, at the moment when all the charging bat-like monsters collided with the air wall, and the air wall bent to its limit, a terrifying impact exploded. The impact was enormous, and the bat-like monsters, either directly having their flesh shattered by the impact or being blown away to the walls of the labyrinth with a bloody squish, met their end.

"Oh ho ho! As I said, it's impossible to pass so easily!"

Suzu's triumphant voice echoed amidst the intense battle. At the same time, the front line unleashed their ultimate attacks. More than defeating the enemies, they focused on stopping the impact from harming their teammates, deliberately maintaining a distance before releasing their attacks.

"Fall back!"

At Hikari's command, the front line quickly distanced themselves from the monsters.

The next moment, the attack spells of the six rear members were perfectly synchronized and activated.

A massive fireball hit the target, causing a huge explosion. A tornado of vacuum blades swept up the surrounding monsters, slicing and crushing them, ravaging the battlefield. Stone spears shot up from the ground, impaling the monsters from below, while a rain of ice pillars from above pierced their bodies, turning them into sieves.

It was as if nature itself had bared its fierce fangs, and in this magnificent space, there was no reason for any living being to survive. The attack lasted only a few dozen seconds, but within that short time, more than 90% of the monsters were either dead or critically injured.

"Good! Let's go! Finish off the rest in one go!"

At Hikari's command, the front line charged forward again, individually and decisively defeating the monsters that had not yet recovered from the magic attack. The entire process of annihilating all the monsters took only five minutes. (Note: If it were Aichi, a hand grenade would do the job in five seconds.)

After the battle, Hikari and the others carefully surveyed the surroundings while praising each other's performance.

"Phew, next is the 90th floor... We easily defeated the monsters on this floor... The practical training in the labyrinth is almost over, isn't it?"

"But you can't let your guard down. You never know what kind of monsters or traps might be ahead."

"Shizuku, you're worrying too much, aren't you? We've been able to fight calmly in floors that no one has ever reached before. We'll handle whatever comes our way, even if it's a demon race!"

Hikari muttered with a sense of accomplishment, Shizuku reminded him to be cautious. The muscle-brained Ryotaro laughed heartily and said such things, then he and Hikari bumped fists, and the two of them exchanged a look of invincibility. Seeing their demeanor, Shizuku sighed and rubbed her furrowed brow. Just now, because she always had to clean up after the two, she was almost becoming a martyr. Had wrinkles already appeared? Thinking this, Shizuku's recent frequency of looking in the mirror had subtly increased. Despite this, she not only supported Hikari and the others but also the people around her, truly a kind-hearted nature.

"Hinoyama-kun, Kondo-kun, is this better... How about it?"

While everyone was discussing the previous battle, Kaori had already completed her part. As a [Healer], she healed those who were injured in the battle. Among the fifteen members participating in the practical training and exploration in the labyrinth, there was another girl with the [Healer] innate ability, so the two were currently treating the injured separately.

"...Ah, it's fine now. Thanks, Shirasaki."

"Oh, oh, no problem. I appreciate it!"

Hinoyama, who was being treated by Kaori, looked at her face as she approached and responded absentmindedly. He was probably completely captivated. Kondo was also blushing and stammering his thanks. As front-line fighters, Hinoyama and the others had been treated by Kaori multiple times, but they still couldn't remain calm when interacting with her. Kondo's attitude, in a certain sense, was a typical teenage boy... but in the depths of Hinoyama's gaze, there was a dark and murky presence. This presence was becoming more intense day by day... but few people noticed it.

Accepting their thanks, Kaori smiled and said, "You're welcome," then stood up and turned around. Confirming that there were no other injured people around, she secretly sighed and her slightly melancholic eyes began to look at the dark passage leading deeper.

"..."

Shizuku noticed Kaori's demeanor and understood her friend's feelings. Now, Kaori's heart was filled with anxiety. Despite being just ten floors away from the bottom of the labyrinth (a general view), they hadn't found even a trace of Aichi.

There was both hope and despair far beyond that. She refused to believe Aichi's death until she saw it with her own eyes. Although she had made that decision, every time they descended a floor without finding anything, negative thoughts would flood her mind. This was not something easily overcome. Moreover, it had been four months since Aichi fell into the abyss. Even with a strong resolve, the ample time was enough to erode it with negative thoughts.

Holding the divine white staff she possessed, as if tightly hugging her support. Seeing Kaori's posture, Shizuku couldn't help but want to greet her. However, before Shizuku could act, a lively and enthusiastic member of the class, without regard for Kaori's anxious and unstable demeanor, jumped over and hugged her from behind.

"Kaori!! Stop pampering those idiots and heal Suzu too~! Give me a fierce, sticky healing~"

"Ah! Suzu! Don't touch there! By the way, are you hurt, Suzu?"

"I'm hurt! Suzu's glass heart is hurt! So let me be spoiled! Specifically, let me touch Kaori's chest!"

"Ch-chest... No! Ah! Hey! Mmm! Shizuku, save me!"

"Ha ha ha, does it feel good? Does this feel good? You're quite well-endowed, huh!?"

"...Sigh, that's enough, Suzu. The boys can't stand up... because that part is standing up..."

The matured Suzu, with a face that looked like someone else, grabbed and kneaded Kaori's chest, and was struck down by Shizuku's overhead chop. Incidentally, some of the boys who were enthusiastically watching the yuri scene between Suzu and Kaori also received a chop. Suzu, with a bump on her head, trembled and convulsed, and Nakamura Eri, as usual, approached to take care of her with a wry smile.

"Uu~ Thanks, Shizuku. It's embarrassing..."

"Alright, alright, it's fine now. The pervert has been dealt with, hasn't he?"

Shizuku gently stroked Kaori, who was clinging to her with teary eyes. This was a scene that had become common recently. Shizuku gently stroked Kaori's smooth and soft hair while observing her expression. However, Kaori did not show a troubled expression but rather a slightly happy one as she watched Suzu being taken care of by Eri, and the melancholic expression from earlier was gone. Clearly, even if only temporarily, Suzu had dispelled Kaori's bad mood. In a certain sense, Suzu (the mature version) truly lived up to her role as the class's atmosphere maker, Shizuku marveled inwardly.

"Ten more floors... Let's keep trying, Kaori."

Shikari placed her hand on Kaori's shoulder and slightly increased the pressure, looking at her with a straight gaze. This contained the meaning of giving her friend a boost and hoping she wouldn't give up. Seeing this, Kaori realized she had been a bit weak and slapped her cheeks, looking at Shizuku with a determined gaze.

"Okay. Thanks, Shizuku."

Feeling Shizuku's concern and how much she supported her, Kaori suddenly removed the strength from her eyes and relaxed the corners of her mouth in a smile, conveying her gratitude. Shizuku also relaxed the corners of her eyes and nodded quietly. ...From an outsider's perspective, it was already a full-blown yuri scene, but the two were completely unaware. Hikari and the others felt a bit awkward, their eyes wandering around, not knowing where to look, but Kaori and Shizuku were oblivious. They had entered their own world.

"Right now... can we protect it?"

"Yes... we can definitely protect it. It's different from back then... our levels have already surpassed the captain of the Merudo team... but, hehe, maybe he has become stronger too? After all, he saved us in the end, didn't he?"

"Hehe, already... Shizuku..."

Believing in Aichi's survival but doubting whether they could protect him this time. Seeing Kaori, who was somewhat belittling her current self, Shizuku playfully said such things. In reality, it hit the mark, and later they were greatly surprised in various ways... but that is a story for later.

Incidentally, in addition to Hikari, Ry