-Leon's POV-
"—'interesting' huh? So what are you going to do after knowing what I am?"
"Nothing? It's not like I have any interest in hurting both of you, and Charl seemed to care not a single thing even if she befriended an Evil God."
True enough. Big sister would never measure people from how they looked like. It made me wondering why she knew that garbage of a Hero. Don't tell me that guy forced himself on her? An unpleasant thought ran across my mind and I scowled.
"...I really must kill him."
"Eh? Want to try killing me?"
“Ha?”
As she drew a horizontal line in the air in front of her neck with her thumb, I was reminded by the fact that she's an eccentric one. Even her lies are very... irritating.
"Is that a challenge? You won’t even last beyond a minute." I pinched my nose out of reflex.
"Hey, I'm a Warrior you know? I can at least last for five minutes..." The human reasoned.
"I won't hold back then."
I kicked the ground and flew like a bird above Anise. As I felt the wind and sense of floating, I then landed behind her and quickly spinning to unleash a sweeping kick.
"Khg?!" The girl blocked my kick with her arms just in time but I sneered as I put more strength in my legs. I heard cracking noises yet Anise planted her feet firmly on the ground as if refusing to go down unsightly.
"Hah... ha ha! See!? I can even defend—"
"And be crushed? Got it."
I blew air with my nose and I pulled back my extended leg. Once the sole was on the ground, I used it to pivot myself and kicked Anise from the other side where her arms having no time to defend for. The sounds of broken bones became apparent and my attack blasted the girl away to the wall.
*CRASH!* Like a frog smashed to the wall, Anise spat out air from her lungs forcefully as pieces of stones falling along with her body.
However, I don't have any time to play around so I once again kicked the ground and arrived right in front of Anise. My hand made its way to her neck and I firmly grasped her.
"Gah... Aaagh...!" the girl groaned in pain.
"Didn't I tell you to answer my question? What is your aim, human?"
The liar smiled as she started to have difficulty in breathing. She struggled while being raised up singlehandedly by me but her deceit remained unbroken.
"...ha... hah! I... Don't know what you mean..."
"Is that so? Then I'll change my question. What do you want by revealing your lies in front of me?"
"...well... because I love you?"
...I could feel something twitching inside of me. Knitting my brows together, I honestly thought of killing this girl but big sister would be saddened. Even I am not so cruel to kill innocent people but I have no mercy when it came to those who threatened big sister and our parents.
I won't fail. I'll slaughter those who dared to harm my family and obstructing me from returning to the place I belonged to. Even if my enemy is the Great Demon King, a Champion of God, or even the mythical Dragon of Calamity.... I'm not going to go down against any one of them and I will return with victory.
Therefore...
"Don't test my patience. What do you want, Anise?"
"Ugh...! A-Aaagh!!"
"Is it hatred? Because I'm a human with the blood of demon? Is it because of disgust? For I am nothing but a Halfling like those demi-humans... or because of some idiotic ambition to take control of me?"
Above everything, I knew nothing about this girl. Although the mage and the brat are people I wouldn't want to go against up without proper plans, Anise is different for she's an idiot…
..............wait. Does that mean, she…?
“………” I stared hard at her, observing any facial change that I could have missed upon my realization.
The girl blinked as she stared back with curious gaze but I ignored her, focusing only at scrutinizing her from the scent to mana and aura that she had. As a descent of a powerful demon, to sense presence of other beings is already an inherent nature for me.
And… I found it.
“…….so that’s it.” I sighed as I gave a bored gaze.
"Wh-what's with that gaze!? Oy!!" Anise suddenly yelled.
"I shouldn't have taken a pest like you this far. Aah, now I feel like an idiot for venting out at an idiot like you."
"What!? Who's an idiot here, oy! I'm not an idiot!! Hey!!"
Grraaah!! The girl roared stupidly but it did make her a lot more stupid than in any other time. I stared at her, pitying her smaller-than-flea-sized brain though she might actually have that sort of brain.
Not that her chest is any different too.
Then I cast her away as if throwing a piece of trash. Anise slammed down to the ground with a "Geh!?" sound then she bounced off the ground before kissing the ground again with a "Gyah!" and "Gbah?!" and "Pigyah!!" sounds which went on for a while. Truly an idiot, this one is.
"Ow... Ouugghhh...... I can see... I can see stars..."
"Shut up and go die already."
*BAM!* I sent the idiot off with another kick and she rolled away with "Gyaaaaaaah...!" sound.
"So? Care to talk now?" I asked.
Anise groaned, saying "Uuu... this is abuse... my husband has committed domestic violence..." which was definitely a nonsense.
"...I give up. You're a lost cause huh?"
"Shut up! I won't be like this if you didn't kick me—*SNAP!*—owowwowoooooowwwwww!!"
Ha. Now she's got more wounds due to her idiocy. Rather than a fickle scammer, I think she's more suited to be an Idiot so I'll call her 'Idiot' from now on.
"Oy, Idiot." I called out.
"Who's an idiot!? And what is it?" Anise replied.
"…enough with the farce. Why are you trying so hard to play dum—"
"—ROOOOOOOAAAAAAAARRRRRR!!"
Now what's this ear piercing roar? It seemed to come from the depth of this Dungeon but it reached all the way here along with its intention.
Anger. Hatred. Madness. Senseless intention to kill. Has a group encountered Kerberos already? But this is still the First Floor of the Dungeon... right?
I glanced at the darkness with a lopsided gaze. There was nothing but abysmal darkness and I could not hope to remove my disguise spell just to know what's ahead. In fact, the current me who is hiding my true identity could be said as a human though my physical strength hasn't changed much.
".....Idiot."
"Like! I! Said! Who's an idiot!?"
"Shut it, Idiot. If you don't want to pass the exam then stay there."
"Eeehh!? Heartless! Cheapskate!! You demon with sister complex!!"
*WHOOSH* My hand snaked to Anise's head and I used iron claw against her in an instance!
"So you want to die that badly huh!?"
"Hiiiii! I give up! I give up! My head is bursting open—*CRACK*—Nuooooooooo?!"
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Hm? I wonder what that sound was. Though it's not like I have any interest in knowing but...
"Where am I again? Ugh... this damn Dungeon is seriously confusing."
I scratched my head and kicked the dirt impatiently. No matter where I go to, I always ended up arriving in the same intersection and I encountered monsters too often to be true.
Just as I was about to begin my rant, a growling sound came from my stomach.
"...Uuu... I want to eat something... Isn't there anything good here...?"
I glanced around but nothing other than poisonous mushrooms are around. But how did I even know those purple mushrooms are dangerous? Well, I fed the monsters with them and they had their heads exploding like fireworks.
...rather than poisonous, maybe I should call them explosive mushrooms though that's not the problem here!! I need food! Where's the meat!? Give me my food, chef!!
"Oh, wait... maybe I should find some monsters—not. As if I can eat them."
Monsters are hazardous with their corrupted flesh and soul. Even demon would vomit blood should they devour monster's flesh. However, my stomach growled again and I groaned.
"...Ugh... just how long am I going to stay here....? I really need to find my group now..."
Aaah... even imagining the scent of a roasted turkey became possible... sniff here and I could see a floating, freshly cooked meat of—
"...Huh? This scent...?"
Rust... no. There's no way rust could smell so strong like this. The scent came from one of the path of the intersection and I faintly heard metal ringing from the same path reek of blood.
"That's strange... I came out from there so how could there be a battle... Don't tell me!"
I rushed back in full speed and what greeted me was a chaotic scene. There were four people involved in a battle against a pack of monsters! And three of them are girls!! Curse that lucky bastard to have a harem party like that but I should set my hatred aside.
"One of them is injured, and two are not good with close combat huh...? No wonder."
With one shield bearer who has big burly body and yet no proper chance to do something other than defending, as if an archer and a whip user can do well against the agile Hell Hounds.
Also, the enemy outnumbers them. I drew out Tyrfingg and crossed through the empty space by infusing my legs with aura.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
"Second Step: Rapid Claw!!" I yelled before unleashing flurry of stabs at a Hell Hound which tried to breathe out a ball of flame.
Riddled with hole, the monster fell as I proceeded to jump to another Hell Hound. Another was slashed down then I jumped to the one which was attacking the shield bearer like an idiot,
"Yaaah!"
"Whoa...!? Wh-who are you!?"
"Talking will come later! Focus on defending those girls, Mr. Shield!!"
"What!? Who are you calling—Oh, whatever!"
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*STAB!!* With one stab between the eyes, a Hell Hound lost light in its eyes and groaning weakly before becoming a simple corpse. I exhaled then I pulled out Tyrfingg, sweeping it down to erase the bloodstains on the blade.
"Is everyone alright?" I turned to the group.
"Yeah... Thanks to you, we're saved." the shield bearer said as he bowed his head slightly.
I see... but the one who's lying on the ground and being treated by two girls doesn't seem to be alright. The boy followed my gaze and he smiled bitterly.
"It's fine. If she doesn't shut up for a little then it'd be disastrous for sure. It's a good medicine for Mia."
"Is that so? But the scent of blood will draw monsters in so you shouldn't let her be."
"I know... ever since she's taken out we couldn't proceed well. It's also my fault to not be able to defend her too."
Ah. So this Mia here is a damage dealer. No wonder they had to struggle very hard but I have no reason to complain if Mr. Shield here realized his own fault.
"And you are..." The shield bearer paused. "You're Charlotte Augmund. Aren't you?"
"Oh? Have we met somewhere before?"
"No... but you are quite famous. To be honest, I'm honored to meet an outstanding lady such as you here."
...outstanding lady...? I'm a man you know? I seriously wanted to say that but the other two girls' ears perked up when hearing our conversation.
"No way! It really is her!!" Said the girl with a bow and quiver.
"Oh my Gaia! To think that Sister Charlotte is right in front of me...!" Said the girl with the whip.
.....uh... what? What's with these girls? I was stunned as the two girls dropped Mia and dashed to me. In no time at all my hands were held by each of them and their eyes suddenly gleamed in addition of bright beaming smiles.
"It's an honor to meet you, Onee-sama!!"
"Huh?"
"We have always admired you, Onee-sama!!"
E-eeeeeeh!? Since when did people call me Onee-sama!? Even Mr. Shield facepalmed and he... ignored me by tending on Mia! Oy, what the hell are you doing, flirting like that!! At least give me an explanation here!!
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"Hah... All female Initiates saw my battle at the beginning of the term... and were… mesmerized?"
"You could say that. Lady Charlotte displayed elegance and strength like no other. Even you kindly taught other students in how to wield swords properly which helped them greatly, and you scored the best when it came to swordsmanship and the arts of battle. No one can't disrespect you after all that."
...somehow, the scolding and preaching I did was misunderstood by everyone. Not to mention magic could record scenes like a video camera would it made my jaw hanging wide.
"But why 'Onee-sama'...?"
"Ah, apparently, it's a popular saying that appeared recently... It seemed a bard was spreading out many poetry which turned out to be very popular among the girls... especially that saying."
Oy Franz! What the hell are you doing to spread Japanese culture without my confirmation!? I'll sue you for sure the next time we meet each other!!
Still—now that I'm in a group, the Dungeon exploration became a hundred times easier and it helped to preserve my stamina. Though one of us was incapacitated, Mr. Shield here seemed to get used in carrying wounded people without causing inconvenience.
Well, these four are childhood friends though Mr. Shield and Mia are commoners. Their families got along well to the point of having banquets together and *cough*sleeping over*cough cough* so the four are really close...
Wait, why do I feel like seeing this scene somewhere? Eh... an eroge with the heroines all being neighbors from the same block or childhood friends? So here's another Harem Protagonist in the flesh... Clover Day's?
"Shaa!" I launched a stab which was so fast my arm blurred but Mr. Shield dodged in the nick of time.
"What was that for!?" He yelled.
"Go to hell, Riajuu!" I shouted.
What the heck!? The bastard was confused but I pouted while walking ahead. Of course, nobody noticed as the archer Rebecca and the whip user Cleo were zoning out as if daydreaming behind us.
"At any rate, we're at the 3rd Floor huh...? How come I was transported here?"
Something smells fishy. I put a hand under my chin and trying to find a clue about me being unconscious as well, but...
"Oh....?" I halted my steps upon seeing a hole in the wall ahead.
"This is... a spiral staircase?" Cleo raised her eyebrows.
"Looks like it. Then it will be one Floor left before fighting Kerberos." Mr. Shield commented.
"But Mia is wounded..." Rebecca glanced to the girl carried at the back by her childhood friend then to me.
Ah, such a nice friend to worry over her friend rather than being jealous about Mia's position. I knew that these four have a quite confusing tangling relationship but I wholeheartedly thought of them as my dear friends. I should be considerate here.
"She's not in life threatening situation but I doubt we can escape without defeating Kerberos. The faster we reach the 5th Floor then the faster we can get treatment for Mia."
"...can't disagree here. What about you two?"
"Mia has been the one who brought us together. We're not going to give up!"
"Rebecca is right. And I doubt we will hear the end of it once Mia found out we're forfeiting for her sake!"
Oho. Such a nice determination... I'm liking these guys now and they reached consensus quite easily. Since we're in a Dungeon without any proper resource and preparation, being hesitant spells death and I camped in that sort of place for five years.
After I confirmed their wills, we decided to descend deeper into the Dungeon.
The staircase was narrow, but it was passable for two people to go down together. Blue torches lit the darkness and expelling any sort of insecurity as our group went down into the 4th Floor...
"Hm?" I sensed something as my feet landed at the end of the staircase.
"What's wrong—"
"Be quiet. Don't move from there, all of you."
Three bewildered pair of eyes stared at me but I put my index finger in front my lips before the ground trembled. At first I thought of it as an earthquake but... this is the sound of footsteps.
The 4th Floor of the Artificial Dungeon was similar to a seaside cavern. With many lakes and lights given out by shining mosses and algae, a sense of ethereal beauty became apparent but as soon as the footstep sound emerged, everything changed for the worst.
Cold... and deadly. This place might harbor something dangerous which could kill anyone who's not wary enough. Also, in a place like a cave, sound would echo really well so it was easy for monsters to notice our whereabouts.
That's why I ordered the group to stay at the staircase. If anything happened, we could just run back up for we didn't know anything about the 4th Floor. Everyone understood my intention, then they nodded down and drew out their weapons. In case of emergency, Cleo was to carry Mia off since she's the second fastest in the group too.
In any case, I'll be the Scout. Waving my hand at Mr. Shield who was guarding the staircase, I killed my presence and walked while keeping down the volume of my footsteps.
"...Hm... There isn't any monster." I said quietly.
As I thought, something is wrong here. I didn't know what was wrong but I somehow knew that the situation was off. Aah... now that I think about it, I'm living with many messed up circumstances I couldn't understand.
Even when I tried to learn them, I got more confused instead. It really disappointed me how I reached dead-end so easily like this but...
".......!"
*BANG!!* I blocked a giant knuckle which aimed to hit me from behind using Tyrfingg, yet the heaviness of the attack was so ridiculous like Bravzgaim!!
"Damn!!" I cursed as I jumped to the side, letting the knuckle smashing into the wall rather than me.
Pieces of stones falling off with dirt and the lakes in this Floor rippled as if trembling in fear.
Facing the mysterious attacker, I set up a stance but I saw it. I was forced to shot up my brows and widening my pupils upon witnessing the monster which attacked me.
"What... what the hell...?"
The arm was brown with fur, but it had scales and external bone which looked like blades. The body was tall and muscular, but it also gave off the vibe of a human with scales and many external bones protruding from the back. I dropped my jaw the moment I saw three terrifying faces with six arms ahead of me as an obvious answer came rolling out from my tongue.
"...why... is there an Asura here...!?"