Of Course, Risks Must Be Taken. (11.1)

…

Five roars sprung into existence, blasting away the forest, and slamming into Rivira. The building struck head on was a wooden, tough-looking tenement. It simply evaporated into wooden shards. If there was anyone inside, I had no doubt they were dead, because the wave of pressure that followed the roar swept me away despite the fact I was more than a hundred meters away. Without my axe, I was as light as a feather. I would've flown straight into the 'wilderness' if not for a bandaged hand grabbing hold of me and tugging me behind a massive shield.

"Hikigaya, get your students! No. Get everyone and everything you need! You're this town's only shot at surviving!" Elder spoke once the pressure from the blast ended a moment afterward. The gruff man's face was set in stone, determined, as he turned to face the massive Monster Rex. There was something about his form, how he was moving himself, which made him seem larger than life at that moment. I couldn't think of it too much as he pushed me off the building and slipped something between the folds of my cloak. "Find Orimoto, get to my workshop, and take the Udae-!"

Another blast, closer this time, sent me flying away before Elder finished speaking. However, thankfully, my mind finally managed to catch up with the situation.

Reduce speed via friction. Correct posture. Minimize risk to spine. Wounds incurred while stopping descent irrelevant. Cannot afford to lose time. Must find Students. No. Must find Orimoto. Elder known Level 3 Blacksmith. Capable of making powerful equipment. Find and acquire weapon. If powerful enough, could prove to be decisive method of finishing opponent.

Rivira met the blasts head on. The parties preparing to guard the 'caravan' that was going to leave easily shifting towards fighting the Asura. Mages projected massive spells, hefting large staves with simple designs. Nearly every warrior touted a massive great shield. Archers touting massive packs disappeared into the forest, and mere moments after, small explosions began to envelope the Asura's skin.

"Keep the Mages safe! They're our best means of destroying the blasted thing! If they need a new Amplify Stave, make sure it gets to them!"

"I don't need a Healer! I have positions! Get over to the northwest position!"

"Blacksmiths and Hunters need to be making Crystal Arrows and Staves, our stockpiles won't last forever!"

No matter how I looked at the situation, the townsfolk of Rivira seemed to be planning on fighting since the start. I wanted to call them idiotic, maybe even arrogant, but watching them take up arms and fight for their lives only made bile rise in my throat. Disgust rose within me, not at them, but at myself. As everyone was preparing for a fight, I had simply secluded myself and waited for good news to come. I was the only one who really contemplated running away, wasn't I? In hindsight, it was a mistake to think that matters could be as simple as retreating. This wasn't a game where battles can be picked all the time. Sometimes, battles came to you.

Grab Amplify Stave from floor. Better quality than own. Will not fit into Axe. Axe will not be of use against Asura. Utilize as primary weapon. Cast Continuous Haste. Divert wooden column from ally. Greatly increased effect. Will triple strength of Ceaseless Thunder Bolt Battery. Will not allow for Lightning Constructs. Warn Ally of coming Roar. Raw power required. Finesse not required. Distribute spare Potions. Acquire more at later date. Must acquire for fellow Mages, Cranel, and Mikoto. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. One spare. Push away Adventurer from collapsing wall. Carry wounded. Mend. Place elsewhere.

As Elder said, the Dungeon is cruel and wished to crush our hopes, but I knew there was more to that statement. I knew, as a rather cruel person myself, that hope is something everyone would pursue if it was present. Even if the situation is ridiculously dire and terrifying, if there was a glimpse of hope, people would fight for it tooth and nail. Cornered, terrified, and with the only way out through the enemy… it's when both people and monsters are the strongest. Both the Dungeon and I knew that hope was something that needed to be crushed, that we had to force our opponent to know that they already lost. However, much like myself, it appeared that the Dungeon underestimated just how dogged and ruthless Adventurers were.

Objective found. Fetch. Keep moving.

"Hikigaya, what are you doing!?" Orimoto was not pleased with her sudden abduction. As she was helping deploy a ballista. Undoubtedly, given the Monster Crystals covered in pitch that were in crates, it was some sort of new weapon. I, of course, knew the worth of powerful, explosive weaponry, however it seemed that my former classmate had focused her Skill on applying Monster Crystals to every weapon she could get her hands on. "We don't have time for this-."

Explain situation. Show key. Report Elder's statement regarding some sort of powerful weapon. Stop Adventurer before they are crushed by tree trunk. Begin casting Mend on any injured. No time to make sure of safety. Lives in their own hands. Not rescue. Repairing assets capable of damage. Ensure ally is settled onto back safely.

"Of course! The Udaeus sword! He must have finished it already!" Orimoto's arms on my neck tightened. My former classmate ignored my grunt of surprise. I, for one, was glad that she did not follow the Standard Female Adventurer Wardrobe. Also, for such an overpowered skill, isn't it sort of dumb that I can get distracted by a girl pressing herself against me!? Zaimokuza, that's the stupidest shortcoming to such a broken skill! "We need to head to the topmost house! Give me the key and five minutes, just keep supporting the regular adventurers until I come back!"

Answer affirmative. Evaluate situation. Asura heading towards town. Very lightly wounded… but no sign of regeneration. Good. Can properly focus attacks. Inform nearby Mage group. Move and utilize Mend on movement. Aid in relocating individuals. Level 3 Warriors realizing benefits of moving Mages away. Good. Less work. Repeat actions. Ask Adventurer to relay meeting point for allies and students. Continue supporting allies. Enough time has elapsed. Return to Orimoto.

"Good, you're here! We need to get to that white-haired student of yours right away!" Orimoto, possibly because of her focus on objectives, didn't have a problem simply opening her arms to be picked up. Despite the buffeting winds generated by my Amplified Continuous Haste, she managed to speak to me due to our close proximity. My former classmate held something faintly resembling a sword. Wrapped in cloth, I couldn't see what it truly was. "From what I could tell, she can enhance the power of Magic Swords, right? If we get this to her, we'll be able to deal an immense amount of damage, enough to simply leave finishing it off to the others!"

No complications in plan. Move towards students and allies immediately.

…

Despite having fought two Goliaths, one of whom was much more powerful than the other, my students and allies were not content simply sitting still. Being 'safe' while almost 400 fellow Adventurers were putting their lives on the line did not please them in the slightest. Cranel was the most antsy of my students, his eyes constantly flitting towards the Magic Swords Rivira had restocked us with. Hiryute, especially, was both discontent and irritated with the fact that she couldn't help others.

I won't be apologizing later, however, it did me well to see them all in one piece.

Besides their own personal feelings, however, they all knew that what they were doing was important.

Namely, Crozzo, Challia, and Viridis had all been working towards turning the Goliath Crystal into something that could destroy the massive boulder stopping our escape. Around a dozen other Blacksmiths and Mages were working with them. Though Lefiya was the highest Level among them, Crozzo was leading the entire group. He was also undoubtedly working the hardest in regards to turning the massive crystal into a very powerful Magic Sword.

With everyone's lives on the line and with the impending arrival of a Calamity Monster King, he had agreed to using his Crozzo Blood to turn the massive Spell Stone made from the Goliath Crystal into a Magic Sword. There was a fine line between arrogance and pride. I was thankful that Crozzo knew the difference in that line. As he hammered and shaped the massive chunk still being transformed by the Mages, his helpers were gathering the shards of the Goliath Spell Stone and shaping them into other staves, arrows, and ballista bolts.

While the Adventurers on the frontline were holding off the Asura, this place and its resources were our only chance of achieving victory.

"Sensei! We got your message!" Cranel wasn't the first to notice me, but my white-haired student called out to me first. Though Viridis, Challia, and Crozzo took a moment to glance up. However, they didn't do anything more than that. They know the stakes. Despite the fact we were in great danger, Cranel didn't seem worried in the slightest. "You have something planned, right?"

"More of a longshot than a plan, but it's a plan." Orimoto pushed herself off me, quickly unwrapped the Magic Sword from its cloth, and pressed it into Cranel's hands. It was one of the strangest weapons I'd seen. A hunk of obsidian molded onto some sort of wood-like material. There was another handle slightly above the other one. It would have to be swung like a scythe. "This is the Udaeus Sword, you can use it with your Skill, and it should heavily damage the Monster King. Possibly enough for the Goliath Magic Sword to destroy it. Everyone else will be running interference."

The words that went unsaid, of course, was the fact that 'interference' entailed a lot of risk. The majority of my group was Level 2 and 3. Against the Calamity, they could be killed in a single blow. I wouldn't be surprised if they had objections to the plan-.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Laulos spoke up first, giving a nod before taking up one of the quivers of Crystal Arrows produced by the small production line and a bow. "It hasn't been healing since it came out of its egg, so that means the sooner the kid uses his Skill, the sooner that thing loses a few faces or limbs, right?" My short-haired student jammed a thumb towards herself. "I don't know about you, but I think it'll be a lot easier to kill if someone forced it to shut up."

What followed was a deluge of affirmations of the same words, altered ever so slightly. Nelly noted that the legs would be the best target. Erisuis refuted the point by saying that it would merely claw its way towards us. Arde countered with the statement that it was entirely possible that Cranel could miss. Of course, those words merely incited Cranel to swear that he wouldn't. Hiryute, in the end, intervened with the statement that she'll probably kill it even if Cranel couldn't.

It was typical of the Shounen genre, the moment where the 'team,' despite their misgivings and fears, promised to their best and strengthen their convictions.

By all means, the moment should've ended there, with my interruption and assumption of command.

However, Orimoto had other plans.

"First, however…" Orimoto stepped forward, interrupting the moment decisively, and produced a dagger from her belt. My former classmate drew blood from her thumb, from a faintly healed wound, and I realized what she was doing, how Rivira was putting up such a fight despite the fact it should've only been compromised of Level 2s and 3s, why Orimoto was kept secret and evaded my network, and how there were so few people actually dying. "How about we make sure you're all going into battle at your best by Updating your Status?"

Orimoto, as expected, was more capable of trusting others and reaping the benefits of doing so.

…

Of Course, Risks Must Be Taken. (11.2)

…

Of course, their reactions varied. Surprise and distrust was the most common. Even Arde, who was the least bound to the concept of Familia, was cautious over Orimoto's proposal. Each and every one of my students at least trusted in their god. Some even loved them. The Falna was a contract between a god and a mortal, similar to being a family, and changed a normal being into someone completely different. Updating was something sacred, something that is typically only done by the god of the Familia, and I knew that for their own sake that they had to be pushed to accept the proposal.

So, I lied.

"Orimoto can do it." My voice cut through the pause that was created by Orimoto. My students and allies all turned to me. Their eyes rife with curiosity. No suspicion to be found. I used it to my advantage. They trusted me. I had to make sure they wouldn't shy away from the offer. Even if I detested lying, I wanted them fighting at their full strength. "I recommend you all do it, the difference between Levels is immense, and even the slightest increase in Basic Skills could save your life."

"Sensei… you know her?" Arde spoke up cautiously. My Pallum student was apprehensive, but I knew that if I convinced her, everyone else would follow. However, I was surprised that my former classmate hadn't told them she knew me… well, I supposed that was a good thing. Orimoto staying silent regarding me made this easier. "How is she able to do such a thing? Is she a… god?"

"It's her Skill. One of the rarest that I know of. Orimoto can update herself and others." Half-truths are lies. I wished that I didn't need to lie to Arde. Every word I said calmed my Pallum student immensely. I've known for a long time that she wanted to know of my past, everyone I knew did, because I deliberately kept quiet about it. It was a boon for me now, since all my lies will be ones they want to believe. "We're of the same Familia. However, I haven't seen her in years since… well, you can imagine that her Skill needs to be kept secret, correct? Even I wasn't told where she was sent."

"Selling her ability to update in Under Resort, since gods can't enter the Dungeon, means this would be the best place to use her Skill while still supporting your Familia." Challia spoke up, her voice as terse and firm as ever. Despite everything that had occurred, the black-haired elf still seemed immaculate. Orimoto seemed startled at the elf's appearance, but I only noticed because I was standing so close. Turning to me and towards Challia, I felt as though she was about to ask me a question before deciding against it. "A very intelligent decision, given the fact that all the Adventurers in Under Resort would rely on her as well. Your god's foresight is to be commended, Hikigaya-san."

"It… it makes a lot of sense! A Skill like that is very powerful!" Cranel spoke up. So quick to support, to lend his aid, even to something he hadn't completely thought through. My white-haired student took the first steps forward. He knew that the best way to help someone was through action. I'd done my best to dissuade him from doing so, but when he believed in someone enough, he was willing to cast aside my teachings. He approached Orimoto, stood before her, with clear eyes. "Orimoto-san, what do you need me to do for your Skill to work?"

"W-wait, Hikigaya-kun." Meekly, Viridis spoke up, turning away from her work as Challia did. Worry was clear in her eyes. I knew that the blonde elf believed me completely. There was no sign of distrust. I wanted to look away from her gaze. "Everyone here is still connected to their Familia, Hikigaya-kun. Loki-sama and the other gods would notice if our B-basic Skills changed. Wouldn't it be for the best i-if you chose only you trust to be updated?"

"It's fine, Viridis. Our goddess would understand." The lies came easier this time. Perhaps because of the fact it was a complete falsehood. No confusion, no muddling. I was acting. Nelly, Erisius, Laulos, Arde, Cranel, Crozzo, Mikoto, and Challia, I met each of their gazes once and gave them nods. It was an empty, physical gesture that meant nothing. "Your gods would notice. It would make our secret known, but I'd rather they know than for you to die." It should've meant more. Confidence in them. Reliance. Instead it meant nothing. I finished my act with a 'piece' of the personality that I've never failed to present to them. "Besides, it's not like you need to tell them who it is, right? Just that they're from the same Familia as me?"

There, after I finished speaking, I saw it in each of their eyes.

Belief.

Trust.

Faith.

I watched it all build amongst my students and allies.

I watched as my lie became their Truth.

I knew that my pride was worthless if it meant their deaths.

Even so, I hated every moment I stood and watched them accept Orimoto's help.

…

Everyone save for Arde, Viridis, Hiryute, and myself Ranked Up. Crozzo's worked ever-harder knowing that he could make Magic Swords without guilt. Hiryute's Strength, Agility, and Endurance reached low S, while her Dexterity reached A. At Level 4, Challia's magic became significantly stronger, especially with the Amplify Stave. Nelly, Erisuis, and Laulos broke into Level 3 and took the skills most helpful to the situation. Toughness, Berserker, and Luck, respectively. Mikoto, despite advancing forward with only a single, low A-Rank in Dexterity, took the Rank Up and Luck. It was almost laughable how we treasured Luck so much at this point, but we needed every advantage we could get.

Even then, our plan was utterly dependent on Cranel, the Udaeus sword, and the Crozzo Magic Sword crafted from the Goliath we had defeated. While Hiryute matched my speed, given the fact she needed to face the Asura head on, I was given the task of using the Goliath Magic Sword due to my Continuous Haste allowing me to evade the Asura. I supposed that I should be glad that I was at the side of the Protagonist for something so dangerous, but I was more worried about the number of death flags that had sprung up because of the plan.

Everything reliant on heroes with a single, powerful attack? Sacrifice acceptable due to being for hundreds of others? No matter how much I tried to twist the situation on my head, this was most certainly the most opportune time for an author to kill people off regardless of their goals and aspirations.

I tried to not think about it. To simply lose myself in buying time for preparations to be completed, however with a Skill like mine, my efforts were wasted. Even as I struck against the Asura, relocated, and struck again with Ceaseless Thunderbolt Battery, the thoughts lingered and grew in the back of my mind. So, even when the time arrived for me to finally take to Cranel's side, I wasn't able to simply dismiss or forget it.

Still, when I did reach him, I was able to divert my thoughts somewhat.

"Sensei." Cranel had changed. There's no denying that he's different from the kid who ran into me covered in Minotaur Blood less than three months ago. I was sure that he was slightly taller, more mature, and… less innocent. People changed. My Skill didn't let me forget things like that. From the way he stood, the way he looked at other people, and even how he spoke was different. I didn't know how much of him I changed or if it even mattered anymore. I doubted that the kid I met a few months ago could stand so straight knowing that hundreds of lives depended on him. "I'm ready to go now."

"You've done your checks?" I fell into routine. Talking Cranel through his equipment and weapons, drumming the habit of ensuring everything he needed was in arm's reach, was a ritual we shared. It wasn't special, I've done the same with Arde and the others, but it was still part of our relationship. Part of what defined what was truly between Hikigaya Hachiman and Cranel Bell. "Weapons? Clothes? We're going light, so you should only have essentials on you."

"Hai, Sensei." Cranel dipped his head. There was a moment of hesitation in my white-haired student's eyes, as though he wanted to say something, but he pushed them aside. His conviction to succeed was rising. However, he really had nothing to prove to me. I knew that he would succeed. I wasn't worried about him. I was worried about what he might have to endure after succeeding. "I only have Hestia-sama's knife and the Udaeus Sword."

"…Then that's that." There were words unsaid, of course. Cranel didn't need to worry about me while he had his own job to do. I wouldn't let that be the case. Now that he's Level 3, he might have ideas about needing to protect me. I didn't want even an inkling of such a thought to cross his mind. My scarlet-eyed student already had enough to deal with. So, I simply gestured for him to follow as I hefted the Magic Sword that Crozzo carved from the Goliath Crystal. It was the only weapon I had on me. No knives, let alone a stave. I was at my fastest now. If this wasn't fast enough… "Let's go, Cranel."

Stepping out of the temporary workshop, the two of us beheld the battle.

Magic streaked towards the Asura from all directions. Massive blasts of light, fire, and even wind struck the Calamity incessantly. Salvos of magic powerful enough to make a Goliath fall in mere moments simply left light wounds upon the Asura's obsidian skin. Often, the Asura repaid the efforts of the Mages with its own Magic. The Monster King's Roars ravaged the landscape. Trees, outcroppings of crystal, and weaker shields simply disintegrated against it. Even if most of Rivira was compromised of Level 3s and 4s, that didn't mean they could hold against such attacks forever. Challia's rays of light were no longer coursing through the air, and Lefiya's powerful magic was conspicuously absent. I could only hope that they were simply resting, imbibing potions, or relocating. However, they had rid the Asura of two of its five faces.

Cranel stilled at the sight. Fear. However, as his fists clenched, the worries that spiked within me vanished. I lowered my hand to my side after I noticed it had risen.

The final volley of the Ballistae were launched on schedule. The accurate, powerful bolts surged into the monster's right leg. Its knee and thigh fell apart against the massive, powerful projectiles. The Monster King fell to its knees, only to raise its remaining heads and level the plain where the attack had been launched from. Orimoto had been directing them. No one else could've accomplished the feat.

My students, Welf, and Mikoto turned their gazes to us. They hefted shields and Magic Swords. Meant only to protect and distract.

Around the Asura, like insects flinging themselves against a human, Warriors and those inexperienced in defending were assaulting the Calamity while supported by archers. Swarms of crystal struck at the creature, axes and swords hacked at its flesh, and every few moments, a Magic Sword was used. Even from this distance, I was able to see Hiryute doing the brunt of the work. Her Adamantium Twinblade was undoubtedly the most effective melee weapon. However, the Monster King had grown faster and stronger. Its six arms and hands swatted adventurers away into the distance or caught them and crushed them. Hiryute gave a roar, removed one of the beast's arms with a final blow, and was promptly sent flying by another hand. I wanted to run after her, heal her, but I couldn't.

Cranel stepped forward before I did.

"Let's go."

I could only follow.

…

Interlude: The Student (Part 4)

…

Since I was a child, I've always wanted to be a hero. To fight monsters, rescue damsels in distress, and create my own story. Just as Adventurers in the past did, I wanted to become powerful so that I could be remembered forever and make my dream reality. My grandfather raised me on such stories, but in the end, I suppose what I was really after was just the happiness at the end of the trials and challenges that the heroes had faced.

Somehow, as I continued chasing after that dream, I forgot the nightmare that surrounded it, preceded it, and made sure that it only remained a dream.

The sky radiated a crimson light, the forest was covered in flames, and the roar of the most massive monster I'd ever seen filled my entire world. From the edges of my vision, I saw adventurers quivering in fear, nursing their wounds, or simply holding themselves. The scent of blood filled the air. I did my best to not look upon the ground that I ran upon.

"Get down!" I was pulled back, behind a wall of my friends and steel, and I had to close my eyes as a wave of pressure swept across us. I could only pray none of them were gone when I opened them again. For a few moments, my whole situation was only overwhelming pressure, jostling, and cries of pain. Because of the din of the noise, I wasn't even sure who was ordering me forward. I was grabbed by the scruff of my coat and placed on my feet. I was already running again. Not looking back. "Move! Move!"

Still, despite the hell I currently existed within, I didn't know if I'd choose to be anywhere else. I wondered if there was something wrong with me. Some part of me that was different from just a normal person. Was I like Aiz? Did I want to fight to get stronger? No. Thinking more on the matter, I knew that wasn't the case.

My reason for coming to here was in pursuit of a very selfish dream. I'd said to myself earlier that I came to Orario to pursue my dream of having a family. To have companions, allies, and friends that wouldn't so suddenly leave me behind. Though I'd always love my grandfather, I knew that I'd be lying to myself if I said I wasn't angry at him for leaving me alone. In the end, I came to Orario to find both a Familia and family, which was strange considering the state of Orario itself. I supposed that I had to be kinder to my past self. A lonely boy following a dream doesn't deserve being badmouthed.

"Go on ahead! I'm close enough for my Spell!" Someone left our group. They didn't carry a shield. I was focused so much on running, I wasn't even sure who was still with me and Sensei. I was a very poor Familia member, that's for sure. Though I wanted to turn away, to tell whoever left to stay safe, I wasn't a master of multi-tasking like Sensei. I was focused entirely on running as fast as I could towards the enemy. "Cranel! Please stay safe!"

I ran onward without looking back. There were fewer of us than when we had started our charge. Only five of the original group remained. I didn't know where the others were or who was left. Sensei was at my side and I took what comfort I could from his presence.

The Calamity was struck by a barrage of powerful magic spells. They struck so quickly and with such power that the ground shook. Still, the massive monster, despite being on its knees, missing a few of its faces, and lacking an arm, endured the blow and responded with a cry that ended the source of the magic. The prayer the priest had given my grandfather's empty casket was ringing in my ears.

"Cranel! Start charging! Everyone else distract the Calamity!" The voice was distant to my ears, but I did so. The massive sword I held in my hands already thrummed with power. Motes of starlight were rising forth from my hands. I had just started and, I knew I held great power in my hands. Still, if I struck now, I was sure that my blow would fail. I had to wait. I needed to wait. "Keep it away from Cranel at any cost!"

Those words should've frightened me. I should've been far angrier at the thought that others would have to get hurt for my sake. However, as the sky bathed the world in baleful crimson, fires raged, and I stood before the snarling face the size of a house, I felt what indecision and fear that remained in my heart simply fade away.

I had to trust them to keep me alive. I had to trust Sensei, Arde, and everyone to keep me alive.

It was a very easy thing for me to do.

Knowing that, realizing that, other facets of me that had stayed unchanged rushed to the forefront of my mind.

Nevertheless of what I'd gone through, I still wished to never be lonely again. To spend time with my Kami-sama and make sure her Familia grew in size.

Regardless of everything I'd done, I still wanted to be strong so I could protect my family, to never leave them alone, and so I always looked forward to Sensei teaching me.

In spite of all the terrible things I knew about Orario that I hadn't known before, of all the suffering that I'd seen and wasn't able to change, I'd still helped Mikoto as I'd sworn I'd always do.

Despite everything, I'm still me.

And, I knew that even the me from back then would be able to stand still and swing a sword.

So, I will.

…

A myriad of outcomes occurred at the same time. It was difficult to keep focus throughout it all.

A sword of light descended from the sky, skewering the Monster King, just before it was suddenly held by a cage of power that seemed intent on crushing it entirely.

Sensei bared a stave that I was sure wasn't one of his own, before unleashing a wave of lightning that could've engulfed the entire horizon.

Lances of white flame, Crozzo's Magic Swords, flew forward and erupted into spheres of flame against the monster's skin.

Arrows, a few other magic spells, and massive bolts from warmachines rushed forth from the horizon. The remaining Adventurers of Rivira were still all fighting, despite the losses they had taken.

Yet, the Calamity still fought.

Its maw released an incessant deluge of power and might. Storms and hurricanes could not compare to the focused force of the beast's roars. Trees and crystal structures became deadly shrapnel. A normal human being would've been flayed alive by the innumerable amount of shards of stone in the air.

Huge, lengthy arms swept and thrashed against the land. The black pitch upon its skin was slowly gathering a form of ablative armor in the form of crude materials. Broken forms of those who thought themselves capable of weathering the monster's blows were like pieces of chainmail against its body. I was sure that if it was allowed to exist past this day it would adorn itself with armor of indescribable horror. Truly, this was a monster that would only grow more horrific as time passed.

Despite its power, however, it was most assuredly falling and growing more desperate.

A cut against the skin grew into a gaping wound that revealed weaker flesh. A broken tendon was turned into a useless limb. A shattered knee was compounded upon until it was completely incapable of standing. The small of its back was punctured, and fire and steel was poured into its spine. Its faces were being shattered with dogged determination, and its roars were being silenced.

It was dying.

And when a monster was about to die, as Sensei had said, it was at its most dangerous.

That was the reason why I hadn't been saving anyone else, why I had been protected so furiously, and why I had stood by as my friends fell.

So that I could cut it down before it could achieve any manner of success. To kill it before it can abandon all pretense and strike at us without care for its own life.

I must kill it.

Starlight glittered around me. I was an arrow's string fully drawn. I felt as though if I took a single step I would commit myself entirely to the most powerful blow that I'd ever unleashed in my life.

I had to strike true.

I stepped forward. I felt as though my insides were a blazing inferno begging to be unleashed. Thousands of unswung blades clamored to be released. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling, but it was difficult to control. I knew that I couldn't simply swing my blade. That I couldn't waste a single ounce of the immense power that so much sacrifice bought.

For the sake of everyone who trusted me so completely.

A slash would not meet my requirements. It had to be a thrust. A piercing assault with everything I had and more behind it. This all-consuming power and might that I demanded cried to be unleashed without restraint. Megalomania is unbecoming, as Sensei would say, efficiency is paramount. I could not waste a single fragment of the divine power I'd amassed.

So, I ran forward with a cry upon my lips. I would not leave this matter to chance. I pressed onward, despite the thrashing of the Monster Rex. Any of its blows could've felled me, but Sensei's words rang in the back of my mind. If you're worried about missing, then make sure you won't, he had told me. A calculated risk is infinitely better than losing everything to chance.

I weaved through massive limbs. I ducked, sprinted, and evaded all I could. When I had to choose between a wound or slowing down, I chose the former. Wounds registered only for a moment before I pressed onward.

The invisible force that held the Monster Rex down, trying to crush it, suddenly shattered. It slammed its arms onto the ground, attempting to set itself upright, but Sensei struck with the Goliath Sword at that very moment. A lance of blue flame, a devastating streak of light the width of a wagon, hit the Calamity straight in the chest.

As it fell back with a roar, I saw the glint of its Magic Crystal in its chest.

I leapt after it.

My legs complained at the strain, I could hardly see through the blood flowing from my temples, and I had to force my left arm to heft the shard of starlight I held in my hands. Every breath I took felt as though I was inhaling flame and frost.

However, none of that mattered as soon as I finally reached the Monster King's heart. I stood upon a ledge of flesh, before an obsidian heart, staring into my own reflection. A young man stood before me, covered in blood and wounds, who held a shard of sunlight. Behind him was a forest of flame and death.

In that moment between heartbeats, I felt all the rage I'd been withholding seep through. The hatred I felt for the being that forced so many to get hurt or die for this single blow. For me. The agony of all the wounds I'd witnessed and borne fused into a thirst for retribution. There was no part of me that felt pity for it. There was even a place in my heart that wished to see this being continue to suffer instead of simply dying.

I tempered that anger and hatred into purpose. I reminded myself that I couldn't lose myself to my emotions. There was no place for arrogance or pride in combat.

So as I pierced its heart, I struck it efficiently, cleanly, and precisely, and showed my anger merely through my command for it to die.

The world became a sea of silver a moment afterward, and I knew no more.

Of Course, Risks Must Be Taken (11.3)

…

For a moment the world was simply filled with bright, silver light. Cranel's attack, despite being so focused and concentrated, still surged forth and nearly blinded all onlookers. By all means, it was the perfect attack. A hero's strike, as Hestia would put it, at the most opportune moment in the most terrifying of conditions.

However, as the light cleared, the Asura still lived.

"It can't be… even after all of that!?" Arde wheezed as she struggled to stand upright. Blood flowed from a cut on her head and one of her eyes was shut closed. She held one arm against herself as she leaned against one of the few, standing trees in the clearing. Broken limbs. Incapable of fighting. Requires rest and aid. "How can it still be alive!?"

Evaluate current physical condition. No current, extraordinary wounds. Still capable of fighting. Evaluate current situation and enemy. Calamity retains only fifteen percent of original mass. Only cracks against the Monster Crystal? Some form of damage shunting? Spread effect attack across entire body as last ditch effort? Incapable of moving, only half a face and upper torso remains, no method of attack… no, impossible.

Monsters always have a method of attack.

"It's far from alive." Crozzo gave a grunt, holding himself up with his two-handed sword. A gash stretched across his torso and his right leg was limp, but there was a manic gleam in his eyes. A thirst for violence. Half-mad. Consumed by anger. No longer in control. Cannot be allowed to fight anymore. Emotionally compromised. Needs rest. "We… we just need to finish it off!"

Search. Need to know. Cannot afford to be surprised. There. Movement in the ground. Humanoid. Survivor? No. Lacking entire lower body. Black pitch. Maw opens to permit forced scream. Black pitch not only defensive mechanism. Part of Asura. Symbiotic existence. Final attack. Final attack vector. Slime takes control of sturdy corpses after forcing suffocation. Call for attention and rally.

A low moan drifted across the clearing. One after another, shambling corpses rose or pried themselves off the Asura's skin. Adventurers who suffocated against the pitch. Exposed to it for lengthy periods of time. More movement in boundaries of clearing. Many, if not all, were missing limbs and were nothing more than ravaged, torn corpses. Human, Amazon, Dwarf, Chienthrope, and Elven corpses slowly but surely began to make their way to protect the Asura's remains.

They moved laboriously and slowly, but it was apparent that they were no longer alive, that they were truly merely puppets of flesh and bone under the command of the massive, bleeding torso embedded in the ground.

"By the gods…" Erisuis whispered as she immediately came to my side. Prosthetic arm missing. Capable of fighting without arm. Eyes are clear and focused. No other injuries. Utilizing broadsword. Armor holding. Will be able to defend fellows student. "…what manner of horror is this?"

Explain circumstances. Relay hypothesis. State need to finish Cranel's work-.

Cranel.

Cranel located at base of monster's remains. Remains being secured by shambling, reinforced corpses. Cannot simply fire Ceaseless Thunderbolt Battery at location. Need to rescue student. No time to spend healing other students. Cannot waste time.

"Sensei, where are you going!?" Laulos took hold of my arm and strained to hold me. Though I could've simply pushed her away, the grunt of pain that escaped my student gave me pause. I took a moment to actually look at her. Both her arms were ragged and torn, flecks and pieces of the shields she held were embedded into her flesh. Still, she held my back. "We need to retreat now! We can finish it off from afar! Why are you running towards it!?"

Student in danger.

Explain. Cranel in midst of enemy lines. Apologize. Pull forward. Right cross to cheek. Textbook knockout. Limp. Take Erisuis's sword. Push Laulos into her hands. Relay orders to scavenge and fetch reinforcements. State necessity of recovering Mikoto Yamamoto. Wide-area gravity spell integral to destroying Asura.

Cannot allow to die.

"W-we're not just going to leave you!" Nelly's voice was insistent, there was an edge of fear to her tone. No time to argue. Evaluate capabilities. Lightly injured. Lacks weapons. Might follow in attack. Unacceptable. Needs motivation to not do so. Knock Crozzo unconscious. Order to carry and keep safe. Take Crozzo's blade. "Y-you can't do this to us, Sensei!"

Regardless of consequences.

"Sensei… please don't do this." Arde. Plea. Worry. Incapable of following. No need to resort to physical restraint. Ignore. Turn away. Ignore. "You said you'll always be here to help."

In spite of broken promises.

Swords in hand and stave at my back, I launched myself towards the Asura's final, most deadly attack.

I needed to save Cranel.

…

Elf. Quick. Only one arm. Dagger. Attack aimed to chest. Dress suggests fallen archer.

Dwarf. Slow. Crawling. Axe. Swing at legs. Guardian. Couldn't stand the pressure.

Human. Average speed. Mace. Large stature. Attack aimed at head. Warrior. Upper body mostly crushed.

Lunge forward. Evade Dwarf and Human blows. Knife punctures armor and flesh. Rid each of limbs. Decapitation and other lethal attacks useless. Black pitch envelopes bodies and utilizes as puppets.

Mend? No time. Cannot extricate knife without mending. Blood loss from wound too significant. Leave untouched. Shoulder. Does not affect swings. No need for thrusting attacks. Inconsequential. Need to-.

Spear. Evade. Bat aside javelin. Rid opponent of arms and legs. Arcs of silver. Swords are growing lighter. Not meant to fight multiple Level 3s. Retrieve additional weapons? No. Waste of time.

Glint of white amongst black.

Cranel.

In arms of a corpse.

It leapt away with my student.

Enemies fill the place. Full mobility. Two legs each. Guards. Blockade. Pursuers. Carefully kept in reserve. Spears and bows. No need to catch me. Simply to get in reach. Lesser corpses heft stones and other weapons. Ranged attacks. Carefully planned and evaluated.

Enemies are adaptive. Capable of telling objective. Setting up ambushes. Intelligent. Knows capabilities. Asura aware of my capabilities. Knows of damage I dealt. High chance it can detect magic. Mages had been attacked before Ballista and Archers. Prioritizing me above Cranel. Resorting to cunning due to lack of power. Learning. Evolving. Becoming larger and larger irritations.

My death greatly increases its chances of survival. So for that reason, Cranel was still alive and being used as bait.

It wanted me to throw myself at it for Cranel. To get whittled down and shredded away. It expected me to be daunted by the challenge and pursue Cranel mindlessly.

What a joke.

Did it seriously think that I'd let it lead me on a stupid chase, running into trap after trap that I had to carefully confront, before I could take my student to safety? To leave my student in its hands, thinking that a monster, even a smart monster, would take care to keep a hostage who did it so much harm alive?

It was a foolhardy, simple tactic. One that assumed that I would become reckless and panicked as I had to confront more and more opponents to reach Cranel. It was something that could be expected of an amateurish animal, which I supposed the Calamity was, who basically thought that everything and everyone thought the same way it did. That survival and continued existence was paramount to everything else. That I would play its game, despite all its advantages, because it had Cranel at its mercy.

It couldn't be anymore wrong in that regard.

What I needed to do was save Cranel and destroy it.

How I came out of it didn't matter in the slightest.

…

My vision was blurred at the edges. I had to force my body forward. I could hardly take another step. However, as I leaned myself against the rock atop the cliff, I felt an astounding amount of relief. I felt as though an immense weight had been lifted from my shoulders. The stave I had used to finish off the Calamity, and hopefully all its puppets, smoked and crackled as I simply dropped it onto the ground. Staying upright was more difficult than I had anticipated. Still, the fatigue from doing so was worth it. Motes of dust began to fall from the sky, the only remains of the Calamity, besides an utterly massive, ebony crystal.

Twelve arrows. Seven at the back. Three at the legs. Two on arm. Begin removal. All superficial. Target Mend to ensure no healing around other, larger projectiles. Concentrate. Focus. Done.

Under Resort was unrecognizable. Much of the forest of was simply gone. Many cliffs had vanished. New valleys and craters littered the locations where Asura and the Black Goliaths turned their roars. Rivira was a flaming wreckage. However, in the distance, I could see people moving. There were survivors. My students and Crozzo were most assuredly with them. Out of the dozens of shambling corpses I'd faced, Hiryute, Viridis, Mikoto, Challia, and Orimoto never appeared. I had good reason to believe that they were alive. Wounded, perhaps, but most certainly still alive.

Cuts on legs, arms, and face. Dizziness rising. Nourish to alleviate stress first. Begin casting Mend. Focus on injuries made by piercing strikes. Momentarily disregard shallow, lengthy cuts. Focus on deep wounds. Withdraw knife from shoulder. Stem flow of blood. Mend. Torso. Minimal damage. Mend ribs. No damage to abdominal region. Good.

It was a very selfish thought, but one that I enjoyed nonetheless. I was sure that dozens, if not hundreds, died in the fight, but could I really be faulted for caring only about the people I knew? Since I'd rescued Cranel, if my guess was correct, everyone that entered the Dungeon at my side was still alive. I hadn't gotten them killed. Though I had to force them away, push them towards leaving me to do what I had to, they were still alive. In the end, that was all that really mattered.

Face. Eyes, tears, and concussion. Mend. Teeth re-growing. Spit out old. Vision growing clearer. Fog lifting. Scent of iron. Ears. Mend. Incessant ringing and din ends. Slightly muffled. Extract dead flesh from ears. Faint cries enter hearing. People. Alive. Good.

"…Augh…" Cranel stirred and gave a groan. Mind down, I heard, was a very unpleasant experience. It was a good thing that I would never feel it. Thank you, overpowered, bullshit protagonist powers. Slowly, my white-haired student opened his eyes to the bright crystal sky above. I supposed that the 'a sky as red as blood' lost its appeal after an episode or two? Zaimokuza, don't you know that having everything tinged red is mostly just annoying instead of cool? "W-what happened?"

I should've answered back, but I stayed quiet. I was tired. My eyelids were heavy and a strange pressure was building at the back of my head. It wasn't unpleasant. Far from it, really. Besides, I always told Cranel that he shouldn't ask questions until he needed to. He needed to learn to use his eyes and come to his own conclusions. That in mind, I allowed myself to lean more against the stone. Soon enough, I was against the wall, and sleep was becoming more and more insistent. It would be difficult to fall asleep surrounded by arrows and knives, but I felt as though I could manage it this time around.

"Sensei? Sensei!" Cranel shot upright after his eyes wandered my way. You shouldn't move so quickly or yell so loudly. Manners are something you should put to mind, brat. His hands began to shake me after they found their way to my chest. I was very fortunate to have healed that already. "No! Get up! Please! You're going to be fine, I promise!"

Though he continued to shake me, I drifted further and further into sleep. Really, he didn't have to worry. I'd been through worse.

Cranel's voice began to drift away, still I heard him gasp and take a shuddering breath.

"Y-your arm… where's your arm, Sensei?!"

Darkness claimed me thereafter.

…

Of Course, Risks Must Be Taken (11.4)

…

Though I was bemused by the fact I awoke to a ceiling I was well-acquainted with, my bedroom's rafters weren't the first thing that came to mind once I woke up. Beyond all else, there was a thirst in the back of my throat that was so thoroughly, ridiculously unpleasant that it dominated the entirety of my consciousness until my Skill managed to kick into gear. Shortly thereafter, I was consumed in my search for water, and I was thoroughly engrossed by the pitcher of liquid until I managed to quench the immense thirst.

Only then did I fully take stock of myself and regain my bearings. I was in the Hostess of Fertility, dressed in pajamas that smelled as though they were freshly laundered, and free of blood and grime. There had been a pitcher of water placed at my bedside, alongside a hunk of bread, and a chair not native to my room was present. Naturally, the combination of the various facts led me to conclude that I had very, very narrowly avoided death in my attempt to save Cranel and was thus placed in a coma befitting how close my deed stressed me so thoroughly.

Seriously, I lost an arm and I was still hit with such an overused concept? Zaimokuza, please consider simply castrating yourself. The pair you have between your legs is of such miniscule size that you're better off lacking them entirely! I swear I've acted cool and awesome enough to not be rendered comatose after simply taking on a few dozen walking corpses! Regardless of the fact they were all capable using weapons, I should've at least woken up shortly after the battle! Doesn't a coma tell the audience that I'm weaker than I look!? Goddammit, you could've done an homage to Eiichiro Oda by allowing me to wake my student after losing my arm! You're both a terrible author and have trash taste if you couldn't have managed a scene like that!

The sleeve of the pajama was rolled up to my shoulder. It was quite reminiscent of my student Erisuis's wound. Given the expense of a magical prosthetic, and the fact such a prosthetic wouldn't be capable of matching my strength, speed, and agility, I wasn't planning on purchasing one. Of course, I was going to place an order at the Witch's Secret House for a Healing spell capable of giving me back my arm, but such a thing would probably be a grimoire made to order. Not only would it be expensive, but the time it would take to get to Orario would be long indeed. Until then, I supposed Erisuis was going to have to act as my teacher for the time being. At the very least, there was a good chance I'll have some form of Continuous Regeneration Spell at my disposal at the end of the process.

Thinking of one of my students, of course, led my thoughts to my other students.

Students who I had browbeaten, forced to flee, and gave no option to aid me as I threw myself at a horde of unknown monsters.

Needless to say, I wasn't about to meet them without my coat, my weapons, and a few excuses at the ready…

On that particular thought… I didn't own a pair of pajamas…

Augh, I wish the coma lasted longer.

…

Walking down the steps, I found the Hostess of Fertility to be suspiciously empty, despite the fact it was the middle of the day, there was no noise emanating from the inn's usually-full eating area. Though I already felt out of place without my coat or mask and a sleeve rolled up, the lack of people in the bar was far more odd. Though I was quite the cheapskate, I wasn't the type of person who could live somewhere with terrible food.

"Figures you'd wake up now, Hikigaya." I released a breath I hadn't noticed I was holding when Mia Grande suddenly spoke up. My dwarven landlady stood behind the counter, looked over me with a keen eye, before gesturing for me to take a seat at the counter. "C'mon, the hunk of bread left behind on your bedside is far from a decent meal, so take a seat. I'll whip you up something quickly. The gods know I owe you more than a few meals now."

"Thanks." I took the offered seat. For a brief moment I debated making small talk. Huh, I really was hungry. No way in Hell I'd consider small talk unless I was indeed so ridiculously starved. Truly, hunger is a form of madness in and of itself. Fighting against it, I managed to drudge up a worthwhile, intelligent statement. Something that I would say while calm, collected, and not dealing with ridiculous amounts of hunger. Something only I would say. "So, did Lyon's attempt at cooking scare away all your patrons while I was asleep?"

"Ha! And here I was worried about you damaging that head of yours! Haha!" Grande gave a deep laugh. The sound managed to calm me down greatly. I hadn't been aware of the fact my heart was beating rapidly, but as my anxiety slowed, a thudding in the back of my skull began to fade away. "You're something else, Hikigaya! Something else indeed! The last adventurer I know who fell into a long sleep like you barely remembered how to breathe, and here you are no worse for wear!"

"Four fifths of me, at the very least." I gave a snort at the statement, examining the fork, knife, and spoon that Grande set at my spot before beginning to cook. Hmmm… maybe I could get a prosthetic just for the normal matters? The prospect of paying millions of Valis for an inadequate limb seemed more appealing now. "Or, is your vision failing you at your old age, Grande-sama?"

"Never change, Hikigaya. Never change." Grande gave a final chuckle and shook her head. For a moment my dwarven landlady was silent, simply cooking. The familiarity of the occasion, despite the notable lack of other customers and servers, allowed me to keep my worries at bay. Talk, eat, and relax. Good, easy methods to reacclimatize myself to living once more. A few moments passed by in comfortable silence, but she began to speak once more. "So, I suppose you're curious as to how long you've been gone and what's happened since then?"

"I'd appreciate it." I gave a short, sharp nod as a plate was placed before me. I didn't pay attention to what it was, but it was just a simple soup. I was sure that someone just used Nourish on me while I slept. There was no bedpan, or a diaper wrapped around my waist, so I supposed I hadn't been humiliated by having to be cleaned after defecating on myself. Thank you very much, oh wise sage who constructed such magic. May you live happily forever. You have saved what little pride this man has. "The last thing I remember was rescuing Cranel and finishing off the Calamity."

"It's the first day of the Denatus. You've been asleep for about a week now." Grande, as a former adventurer, knew how to get straight to the point. I gave a nod in appreciation as I did my best to pace myself. Still, when I finished my bowl, another one was placed before me soon enough. Nourish made hunger evaporate, but having a stomach with nothing in it wasn't pleasant to say the least. I noticed I was given more solid food this time around. Standard starvation treatment, I supposed. "Closed the Inn for the week, gave the girls and everyone else the week off. Your entire party came back in one piece, by the way. Good job on that, Hikigaya."

"Shorter than I thought, but still longer than I would have liked." Considering the amount of money I could gather with Cranel and Arde in a day, an entire week is almost a hundred million Valis down the drain. That's not even considering the amount of reports I had to read, informants to check, and people to see. However, since Denatus was taking place and Orario was in a period of festivities, I could probably have more work done within the city. Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus on Grande's last statement. "Even Hiryute, Viridis, Challia, and Yamamoto? I knew Crozzo and my students were fine but…"

"And you're asking if I'm going old and senile? Don't you always say never ask stupid or redundant questions?" Grande gave a snort and shook her head. My dwarven landlady crossed her arms. However, the smirk on her face made a slight, very slight one form on my own. I walked into that insult myself, I supposed. I'll weather it with a straight face. "I said everyone you took into that pit came out better than you did, Hikigaya. I'm fairly sure that head of yours doesn't need me to spell it out for you." An earnest chuckle left her lips. Her eyes curled with her smile. "Like I said already, Hikigaya. You did an excellent job."

The door, as I expected, opened at that particular, perfect statement for an episode. Huh, maybe I missed an entire Light Novel? Two or three episodes? Hopefully, it was all just pointless fanservice, beach episodes, or filler. Who knows, maybe with the need to pad out twenty-four episodes and Zaimokuza's terrible writing style, actual anime writers made something worth watching?

Still, just this once, I didn't mind. My students, my allies, and all who I took along into the Dungeon had survived. I was alive. Though I lost a week of my life, a hundred million Valis, and my left arm, there was no doubt in my mind that it was a light price to ensure they all returned.

Honestly, I expected the door to admit Cranel. However, instead of the protagonist, I instead met the gaze of probably the last person I wanted to meet at this moment.

Grande disappeared to the back of the shop. I didn't miss the smile on her face.

Ryuu Lyon stood in the doorway. Though she seemed fine, there were small things off about the elf that one tended to notice. I wasn't paying her any more attention than I usually did, but given the fact we interacted with one another nearly every day, such small differences were easy for me to notice. Slight, light purple ringed the bottom of her eyes. There was slight wrinkling to her uniform. The aura of alertness that the blonde elf usually exuded was greatly diminished. Her shoulders were sagging.

Most of those, however, faded away the moment her gaze met mine.

"Hikigaya-kun…" A myriad of emotions passed through Lyon's eyes. Anger. Relief. The blonde elf seemed to stand straighter, though the wrinkles in her dress remained alongside the signs of sleepless nights. Grande had said that she gave her employees the entire week off starting today. Yet, here she was early in the morning, supplies in hand, and dressed for a day at work… or someone's bedside. Ever so slowly, the anger in her arms faded and relief dominated her features. She took a shuddering breath, almost leaning against the doorway for support. "…I'm so glad…."

Really, there's a limit to how far I can lie to myself about anyone. Typically, I was able to do so for a very long period of time. It was for everyone's sake. It wasn't an entirely selfish thing to do. I chose to refuse to acknowledge the fact I was close to anyone, that I'd never grow close to anyone, for both my sake and those who I would meet, interact with, and come to know.

However, after risking my life to save Cranel, ignoring how I was hurt when I heard the protests of my students as I ran headlong into danger, and finally now as I watched Ryuu Lyon hold herself back from crying in outright relief…

I was before her already. I hadn't noticed standing up or walking towards her.

I placed a hand on her shoulder and she lifted her gaze up to meet mine. There was an intense fragility to her gaze that made me more uncomfortable than I'd ever been before in my life.

I offered the only thing I really could.

"I'm sorry for worrying you, Lyon." I apologized. It would be the first of many apologies, I was sure. Each one was going to be difficult. I was going to admit to myself that I cared for them. That I would lose them when I returned home. However, I knew that I had to. I did care for them. And, someway, somehow, they cared for me too. I'm fine with allowing myself to be hurt. But, not them. Never them. "You shouldn't have had to do so much for me. I… I know my apology doesn't count for much but…"

"Don't. Just… don't talk." Ryuu Lyon walked forward. Closer to me. There was a large space between us, but it seemed fitting. Her hands did not leave the bag she held close to her chest, she averted her gaze from mine by looking downward, but the distance between the two of us was short nonetheless. We simply stood together, close and yet apart, as she righted, balanced, and corrected herself. "You… you ruin too much by talking, Hikigaya-kun."

Still familiar, despite all the changes. Lyon Ryuu, however, remained herself.

"…Alright." I managed a chuckle in reply. Everything about my current situation was strange. However, I had to admit that I'd never been so close to dying ever before. I could tolerate something as odd as this, if only for a few moments. Still, I knew I had to say something else before I acceded to her demand. I gave a small, slight bow towards her, despite the fact I was sure she couldn't see my face. "…Thank you, Lyon."

Time passed slowly, carefully, and for a few, long moments, I only listened to Lyon breathe.

Then, with the faintest whisper, she spoke again.

"You're welcome, Hachiman."