Instant Death

Chapter 15 - This, with this, is the new Dannoura Style

Carol the ninja and Ryouko the samurai were decently strong.

What was on the first layer of hell seemed to be the weakest monsters, but still, they weren’t just wild animals.

Wild boars growing spines from their entire body, huge bears carrying shells on their backs, people’s skeletons moving around, and so forth; they were existences which couldn’t possibly contend to a mere human being.

But, Carol’s released rod shuriken pierced the wild boars easily, and Ryouko’s swords were bisecting the bears with a single swing. Furthermore, that was technology they had from the start, and though there seemed to be improvements to the status side, they weren’t using any kind of skill.

“It looks like there wasn’t much meaning in me coming here, huh.” (Rick)

Rick said, as if admiring them.

He was watching Carol and Ryouko fight with everyone else. If there was some problem, then Rick would jump out, but no signs of it being his turn were shown at present. The two had continued to reduce the monsters safely.

“I mean, Rick-san is a prince, aren’t you? Is it fine to come to such a place?” (Tomochika)

Tomochika asked Rick who was next to her in a low voice.

Rick was a nickname, his real name was Richard. Tomochika only knew now that he was the third prince of the Mani Kingdom.

“The King cannot move, as one would expect, but the royal family comes to hell fairly often. Conversely, the one who doesn’t come is the problem. At any rate, because we have the power to shut out hell, we can be proud that ‘we’re royalty’, etc.” (Rick)

“Ummm, there’s also that, but what is the Sword Saint?” (Tomochika)

When the former Sword Saint died at the tower, Rick succeeded the Sword Saint. It seemed that he personally thought that he didn’t quite have an ability, etc., as the Sword Saint, but there were no other candidates in the place. For that reason, he probably resigned himself to his fate and accepted the position.

“And, Dannoura-san is a knight of the Holy Queen.” (Rick)

Yogiri and Tomochika acquired the qualifications when the trial at the tower ended, and became knights of the Holy Queen.

When classified, there were two threats in this world.

They were aggressors, and sealed gods.

Aggressors came from other worlds. The time and place they appeared, their numbers, and strength were unknown. Who dealt with this were the sages, who were basically indifferent to crises other than the aggressors.

In regards to the sealed gods, the seal’s place and threat were roughly understood. Who dealt with this was the Holy Queen, and who moved as her hands and feet were the Sword Saint and the knights of the Holy Queen.

This hell was a sealed place, and the Devil sealed here was creating monsters and trying to interfere with the above ground. It was no wonder that the Sword Saint and the knights of the Holy Queen visited this place.

“That Holy Knight thing, I’d like to turn it down but……” (Tomochika)

“You shouldn’t think too deeply about it. Since we aren’t forcing it to you two, who are from another country. Oh yeah, it’s the Holy Sword, but because it’s something that can be prepared at the church, whenever you have the time.” (Rick)

“The Holy Sword, is itt?” (Tomochika)

It seemed to be the identification as a knight of a Holy Queen if she had it. The knight of the Holy Queen may have various merits, but the demerits seemed to be about the same, and whether or not she could accept it was a problem.

However, as a gamer, there was a part that attracted Tomochika’s interest a little at the sound ‘Holy Sword’.

“Until now, the Sword Saint couldn’t leave the tower. But, from now on is different. As the next era’s Sword Saint, I feel it is necessary to advance the capture of this hell. I’m checking just in case, but do you think capture by Takatou-san is possible?” (Rick)

Rick knew that Yogiri killed the Devil of the tower. He may have complex thoughts that Tomochika couldn’t even imagine towards that, but leaving the Sword Saint’s pride and the like behind, he was also probably thinking ‘If it can be dealt with immediately, there isn’t anything better than that’.

“Aah, what do you think? He should be able to use it even if he can’t see the opponent.” (Tomochika)

『I fear that it’s probably impossible. In the case of the Devil of the tower, he rejected the large source in response to the miasma which was to the extent that he felt it was a crisis for his life. There isn’t enough miasma to the point of it killing a person in this area. The ‘monsters’ also might be different existences than the ‘main body’.』(Mokomoko)

“It seems impossible”, Tomochika reported. It seemed that Rick hadn’t been expecting much either.

“Apologies for the part in your chat, but is soon fine, Dannoura-san?” (Akino)

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“Eh? Is it okay, Akino-san?” (Tomochika)

Tomochika, who thought the next one who’d fight was Sora, was easygoing.

“Yes. It seems to be an easy victory with Ryouko-san and Carol, so I think it isn’t significant enough to require me fighting.” (Akino)

Sora seemed to be quite confident regarding combat.

“Combat itself is outside of my area of expertise.” (???->Yui)

Who said so was Yui ōtani-the cheergirl. Her ability seemed to be improving another person’s ability by cheering for them.

Tomochika returned her eyes to the battlefield. Carol and Ryouko were defeating the monsters while leaving one.

What remained was just a skeleton, but they took it upon themselves to leave this behind on behalf of seeing Tomochika’s ability.

Carol and Ryouko returned, and the skeleton also started to move, seemingly chasing after them.

Tomochika walked towards the skeleton in order to meet the enemy.

“It’s a skeleton corpse, right? I wonder if martial arts will pass on this.” (Tomochika)

『If it is human-shaped, there won’t be a problem.』(Mokomoko)

“No no no, how are the joints sticking? There’s a thing like that. If they disconnected easily, things like reverse techniques won’t pass.” (Tomochika)

A skeleton which was like a warrior holding a sword and shield. This was also a monster the Devil created.

Tomochika looked at the enemy.

The bones and bones weren’t in contact with the joint parts, and were floating. However, they appeared to be unified as one body. It would be fine if she assumed ‘It has invisible muscles and ligaments‘. In fact, the skeleton’s center of gravity was like that. In other words, its structure followed a human’s.

Tomochika, who concluded so, shortened the distance quickly, and pulverized the skeleton’s knee with a front kick.

It was the so-called yakuza kick. Confirming the instant that its body weight was taken by one leg, she kicked as if she stepped downward. Why she chose that at the start was because the skeleton’s feet were full of gaps, and because she wanted to check the reaction when its leg was kicked.

She realized that the skeleton’s consciousness was turned towards the smashed part. As she thought, the reaction was the same as a human being’s. The skeleton’s posture crumbled, a gap on its head was made, and Tomochika chose her next move instantly.

“Something heavy.” (Tomochika)

『Leave it to me.』(Mokomoko)

A black edged-tool appeared in her hand. The form was a large kukri knife.

Tomochika swung her knife downward on its virtually empty head.

Its head was smashed up easily, and the skeleton monster stopped moving.

This, was Tomochika’s way of fighting to survive in this world. Due to the help of the battle suit, her strength and speed increased, her weapon appeared at will, and transformed to make sport of the enemy. It was also a result of studying and optimizing the material obtained from the aggressor.

“I didn’t have the chance to see that ability at the tower, but it’s as I expected.” (Rick)

“I see. I think it is a sufficient ability.” (Akino)

Rick and Sora were honestly admiring her.

“Ah, but maybe this doesn’t even have to get close. At any rate, it’s long.” (Tomochika)

『That’s right. I mean, this is too convenient to be suited for training, but……well, I guess it’s fine. This, with this, is the new Dannoura style.』(Mokomoko)

Tomochika, without even turning around, stretched her hand behind her.

Thereupon, something, that rushed out from her hand which was done to lightly grip it, easily went through the newly appeared, one-eyed ogre.

It was a spear.

That, which was about ten meters long, straight without a bend, instantly pierced the place in accordance with her aim.

Carol and Ryouko didn’t seem to have any words.

***

death lines, and he’d die for certain if he was on those lines. But on the contrary, he’d never die as long as he didn’t touch those lines.

The moment after Yogiri moved, a hairy arm passed through the place he had been.

Yogiri was skillful. From the start, his physical ability was high, and he also had learning ability. What seemed to be bad reflexes was his habit of laziness, and he merely lacked physical strength.

Perhaps it was trained more or less with his experience from coming to a parallel world. Possibly because he was dodging with minimal movements, he really wasn’t all that tired.

Currently, Yogiri was testing his combat ability, and the combat situation was being observed by every one of group two.

What Yogiri was fighting was a monster similar to a thin anthropoid. Its size was about that of a human being’s, and it was just a monkey if it was only that, but four arms had grown on it.

Due to that, though continuing to evade was busy in itself, its movements were simple. Upon grasping the enemy’s movements, Yogiri turned to counterattack.

He swung his sword along the death line. The enemy was on that spot without fail, and the counter result was decided.

Still, with Yogiri’s ability, he couldn’t bring it down in a single blow even if he had a strengthened sword. But still, the improvised swordsmanship he learned from Tomochika was showing its power as is.

He repeated such a thing many times over, and when the enemy was exhausted and stopped moving, he finished it off.

“It’s a feeling of ‘in itself’, huh.” (Haruto)

That, was the commentary of ōtori Haruto. He had thought Yogiri could do it skillfully, but in itself seemed to be for certain.

“If he can move that much, including him in my formation probably won’t be a problem.” (Yazaki)

Who said so was Yazaki, the general. The general was strong even by itself, but by using comrades, he’d exhibit more powerful strength.

Ushio Shinya showed a look of relief. He probably thought it wasn’t something big, and his position wasn’t being threatened.

Fukai Seiichi didn’t display any reaction in particular. He was looking downward as usual, maybe Yogiri not using his power didn’t matter to him.

“What are you. You avoided the enemy’s attacks safely despite being an amateur at most as far as I saw from your movements, and despite your swordsmanship not being anything considerable you soundly hit it, and delivered the final blow, calm the entire time without panicking……” (David)

David looked taken aback. It seemed it was an evaluation like that if those who did swordsmanship saw it.

“You don’t have to see my power of killing bugs?” (Yogiri)

“It’s no problem. There probably isn’t a such a convenient bug-type monster.” (Haruto)

Returning to his group’s side, he spoke to Haruto.

“In the first place, skills can’t be used well in here. How high is that skill’s rank?” (David)

What David said was that the ranks of skills were forcibly lowered in this place due to the king’s power.

The ranks dropped by two on hell’s first layer and above ground, and dropped by one on the second layer. It was said that the power didn’t reach the third layer.

This had no connection to humans or monsters, and applied to all beings, skills couldn’t be used if the rank was below zero.

Yogiri’s equipment-his Japanese Sword and school outfit-were strengthened by his classmate’s hand, but because a rank three strengthening was being applied by a rank four skill, as a result, they were equivalent to rank one.

“For existences which rely on skills, the rank dropping even one is a serious problem. That’s why cautious and powerful monsters don’t come to the second layer. In other words, monsters on and after the third layer will become strong to the point of becoming incomparable things. There are reasons like that as to why the exploration of the third layer hasn’t advanced too much.” (David)

“I see. That said, there’s a need to go to the third layer first, isn’t there? This is enough as a preliminary test, so let’s go back for now?” (Yogiri)

The first exploration was a wait-and-see to the utmost, and it was decided that they’d return by noon.

***

Tomochika and others as well said the wait-and-see was sufficient, and decided to return.

Carol and Ryouko took the initiative and dealt with the monsters they encountered sometimes, so the remaining members didn’t do anything in particular.

It seemed it was a ‘easy victory’ if it was just the first layer’s monsters.

“By the way, Tomochika-san, how high are the ranks of the skills you use? You can actually use them, so I know they are above three.” (Rick)

Rick asked.

“Eh? Rank?” (Tomochika)

“I asked such a thing because I was worried about whether or not I could use the power of the seal more.” (Rick)

It seemed that by using the sealing power once more, it made it extra to some extent. The skill’s rank dropped by two with the king’s power in this place, and when Rick used it as well, it could be lowered by two again but only in the surrounding area.

“Aah, how is it? I don’t know it in detail. I mean, it is, huh? Then, if a person of royalty moves with the group, can’t you completely seal the monster’s power?” (Tomochika)

“That’s also possible to a certain extent, but in that case I’ll seal each other, so there’s no effectiveness beyond a certain amount.” (Rick)

Tomochika deceived him on the spot and bent the conversation.

『Hmm. Regarding the skill rank, I’m also taking it into consideration. That means, in the case that Rick uses his power, it’s correct to purge the battlesuit and get you nude?』(Mokomoko)

“If you do that, I’ll make you go to heaven, you know?” (Tomochika)

『Hou, even though such a thing can’t be done by you?』(Mokomoko)

“I’ll forget both shame and embarrassment and go ask Takatou-kun, though?” (Tomochika)

『……that’s it, look, have the heart to respect your ancestor a bit more……』(Mokomoko)

While chattering about such things, they came close to the entrance and exit.

However, people tended to be negligent in this timing of ‘we can return after a bit more’. Tomochika looked around at the surroundings just in case. Thereupon, something grazed the edge of her field of vision.

“What?” (Tomochika)

Something gold moved from the floor, to the wall, to the ceiling.

It was a box. On the cuboid box, which was as big as an armful, insect-like legs had grown.

Carol threw her rod shuriken at it. It hit, and the box *splat* fell down from the ceiling.

It was probably a monster. But, due to that shape, it wasn’t clear where its weakness was. It stood up unsteadily, so it appeared that it was alive.

“Aah, this is a monster called Yara Leetaa.” (Rick)

Rick said just as he saw the unusual thing.

“Eh? Who appointed it that joke name?” (Tomochika)

“It was the classification name confirmed as a result of a status analysis. The underground Devil appointed it, I guess?” (Rick)

Its aim wasn’t really understood.

When Tomochika was wondering, the Yara Leetaa tried to escape while walking unsteadily.

“Ah, it’s escaping?” (Tomochika)

“Even if you let it go, it’s fine. As it isn’t a considerable monster. Besides--” (Rick)

The Yara Leetaa disappeared into the tunnel of the cave.

Even though he said it wasn’t a big deal, it was a monster. She guessed it might attack people, and when they could get rid of it, they certainly should.

When she was a little perplexed, a voice was heard from the tunnel the monster vanished into.

“Yara retaa!” (Yara Reetaa)

And then, a loud explosion sound.

When Tomochika peered into the tunnel in confusion, in there were the scattered remains of Yara Reetaa, which was in pieces.

“When brought down, the Yara Reetaa explodes loudly in places where no annoyances come into view in the surroundings, and drops things with monetary value for some reason.”

Rick, who came next to her, continued the explanation.

“The meaning of this guy’s existence isn’t understood at all!?” (Tomochika)

In the wreckage, gems giving off a noticeable radiance were left.

What the Devil who was underground was thinking wasn’t understood at all. Tomochika was feeling an indescribable eerieness.