We are living in a fantasy world that is far removed from our daily lives, but it's only because we're fighting against opponents we don't recognize as human.
Instructor Kio and Instructor Fusio are humanoid but hardly human, and the opponents we've encountered in the dungeon are not even human, to say nothing of those we've encountered so far.
A person from your previous training? I've cut down demons that aren't quite human, but are almost human, and now I'm going to have to deal with a real person.
You'll have to be prepared to deal with a real person.
Besides, even if this information is inconclusive, it would be a bad idea to keep it quiet.
Thorough reporting is basic.
Even if the information is unconfirmed, you should still talk to them about it.
But ......
Am I being tested?
The cockroach man in front of you, Zee, is a stinker, both in terms of first and second impressions.
You don't have to think about whether it was intentional or not, but you certainly can't take their words for granted.
In addition, the supervisor's words, the incident has been resolved without relying on Suela or the supervisor.
Is the Superintendent aware of the killings?
Or were you just unaware and the timing was right?
If you're going to take action on faith, the sooner the better.
But if your goal is to impede my movement with misinformation. No, I'm starting to get lost in thought.
Any specifics?
"I don't know? Gosh!
"Can I hit you?
"You can't say that after you hit me! It's even a piece of metal!
"Be thankful you're not a blade.
It's not my fault that I punched this guy, who insinuated that he was just trying to draw out information to improve it, and that he had come to me as a prankster.
I feel as if I've been hit in the sandbag as I evaluate him through the mineral tree.
That's unbelievable.
"No, no, no, it's true.
Your presence
"That way!
I suppose so.
I'm joking, but if I don't skip it, my thoughts will run wild.
You take out a cigarette and put it in your mouth and light it.
This is an action I'm used to doing with one hand.
I can do it with my eyes closed and the sensation of it seeping into my lungs helps me calm my thoughts.
Now what to do, I'm curious about these two's behavior for a prank.
Most importantly, the cockroach man known as Zee has not denied his words.
That's what I'm worried about.
"Whew.
I'm worried about it, but I can't help it, and then I let out a cloud of purple smoke.
When I finally took a breath and thought about what to do now, I heard a voice that sounded dumbfounded and didn't understand the situation.
"What are you doing?
"...... is that with the demon, right?
I don't know if this is a good time or not, but Fire Clear and her friends are coming.
When I came in, I had pulled out the mineral tree and was stalking a man who looked like a cockroach, and in the back of the room was a demon sitting from the perspective of fire-clearing. It is natural to hear that, and in Nanase's case, G, which all women detest, is personified in front of her and hides behind her.
"We just had a little trouble, but it's no trouble at work. And if you guys are done with your business, go home.
Feeling the air of closure in time up, you put down the mineral tree and switch your thinking.
I don't have enough information.
We may be running out of time, but it would not be wise to move blindly.
I have no choice but to obtain as much backstory as I can while performing my duties.
It's a pain that our corroborating memory is back home, so we'll have to go another route for her to tell us our little stories and gossip.
In the meantime, let's get to work.
"Hmm, I'll have a look around.
Then I'll be there.
Go home, you guys!
You really wonder if they want to get in the way.
I mean, don't they have a job?
I'm not sure what it would be like to sit in a space where someone you just fought and nearly killed if they were a normal human being. ...... These guys weren't human in the least.
I'm not sure if the demons and G are normal, but it makes me sad.
It's a good thing that you're already in the way ...... and if you're already in the way, that's just fine, just be your own person.
"Hmm, a kumite partner?
"No, Mr. Wado, I told you to be your own man, didn't I?
Let's work the guy anyway.
I was just getting a little creaky from a punching match.
Onion's tougher than humans or Zee's less likely to die in a hurry.
I don't care which. At any rate...equip this one for Nanase.
"...... will be a tray?
Shield. Why do I have to get a serving plank? I told you yesterday.
"But there's nothing to grab on this one, is there?
For now, I handed Nanase two shields that I had put aside, but Nanase didn't seem to understand what they were.
Or, more accurately, she couldn't be sure.
I point to the iron disk-shaped plate and explain, "It's called a floating shield.
It's what's called a floating shield. You register your magic and decide who to use it on. All you have to do is channel the magic and you'll float.
Taking a sip of smoke and spitting out the smoke in the direction of the day after that.
Let out a small surprised voice and Nanase compares the two floating shields.
Originally, only one shield was needed, but this shield is a twin.
It's also small in area, so it's more like a small shield than a shield.
But it's also less likely to obstruct your view.
Now try to float it. Let the magic flow through the shield.
"Yes, yes
When Nanase puts her hand on the floating shield, which takes precedence over ease of use, magic power is slowly poured into it, and when a circuit-like pattern appears, the shield slowly rises to the surface.
Ah.
But soon its shine fades and a rattling sound resounds on the floor.
As you can see, it will fall off if you don't keep it flowing. I've heard that the one with the magic stone can accumulate magic power like a battery and keep floating, but it doesn't, so we have to keep the magic flowing.
Originally the floating shield was said to have several functions enclosed in the magic stone and equipped in the center.
But this one doesn't have them.
It just has the minimal function of floating and moving.
If you give them a better one, it won't be good for training and it will save you money, killing two birds with one stone, and that's based on a ratio of about three to seven, but I don't have to tell you that.
Now, if you add one more element to this, Nanase's training will be fine.
"Fire-clear, you're running.
"Huh?
Just run until I say so. You have too much energy to run around. You're catching on too fast. So Nanase, quickly keep her afloat and practice your defense.
I'm going to tell you to get on with it, but it doesn't seem to be convincing to fire clear.
In the first place, did this guy forget that he was breathing heavily and was one step away from annihilation when he first checked?
This job is all about physical strength and stamina and the ability to take action.
After all, even a wizard has to be able to run a full marathon in no time.
And I'm not going to waste my time observing.
I'll save your time and get going.
Finally, fire-clearing finally runs out slowly as he tells the dog to get rid of it.
To be honest...you don't seem to have any motivation.
Well, okay. Can you make Nanase float?
"Yes, what do we do with this?
"Hmm? Prevent
"Huh?
After several tests of the fist, clenching and unclenching, I hear a hard sound through the fist, stepping in and out.
Naturally, my arm can feel the vibration, but it doesn't hurt.
What?
"Whoa, whoa, don't stand still, let's start with the jab.
No warning, no explanation.
The first blow was deliberately aimed at the floating shield, the second was a real shot.
The beings in the dungeon don't bother to warn you or do anything kind. You might as well say they were kind for taking the first one off.
It's a lightly nibbled step, but it's something.
You keep the rhythm while making circular motions with Nanase at the center, one fist after the other.
Wait a minute...
"Right, left, left, left, hey, don't follow with your eyes only, use the other five senses. Use the other five senses, don't follow with your eyes only.
It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
You are still unfamiliar with the movement, but it's not going to be useful in a real battle.
If it were true, such a light punch would be powerful enough to KO just one of the punks, but it's no use if you're struggling with an attack that's only going to knock out a goblin.
You have to be able to handle my attacks with the mineral tree at least.
"A quick poke will keep you still. Meanwhile, the blade will be in your body.
"Yes!
Well, fortunately, he's motivated.
He's listening to us.
There are ample signs of improvement.
I'm comfortable teaching you.
In the south, such and such a request would come up, and each time it would be derailed by Sheng.
I enjoyed the atmosphere, but I still feel more comfortable teaching this one.
Even if you are moving lightly, the direct hits to your body are gradually decreasing.
Now you step in a little early and jab, but you cut my arm off as if you were going to punch me in the side.
"I'll mix up your legs, too.
"Yes!
Watch it go up a gear.
Quick to swallow.
Shields are originally intended primarily to defend against frontal attacks, but their uses are varied.
Sometimes they can be used as weapons, and Nanase understands that.
She's soft-headed, or perhaps you could say she's flexible.
Not just to prevent, but to actively move the shield.
She not only prevents but also expands her protective action by actively moving her shield and hitting me.
He's still slow and there are still many gaps, but they're being eliminated slowly and surely, one by one.
That's enough.
Add a light kick in addition to the jab and mix in a feint, and while it may sting at first, you'll learn to move in a similar fashion.
That type of learning speed is fun to teach, as is an unprecedented level of diligence.
Once you've done this, use the cartwheel to see what you can do next.
You could duck here.
The action I was defending against is now one more option.
I crouch, duck, and then prepare my shield like an umbrella in anticipation of the action I was about to take to switch to a heel strike.
There's a little heat.
Click and move up one gear further. By moving up from second to third, you not only increase your speed, but also your power.
What do you mean by that?
Thank goodness for that.
Your bones creak slightly at the sound of metal clashing and sparks flying, holding back the impact that makes you feel like you're going to fall forward.
If I were in my gear just now, the blade I'm holding in my belly would be sticking out of my back and into my chest.
I hadn't meant to be lax in my surroundings, but I had let my guard down.
A brilliant attack on that point.
But
"You're totally out to kill me now, I know I'm holding a grudge, but what's the point of asking to be killed?
It would have been a brilliant blow if it were training, but there was a clear intent to kill in the blade of fire-clearing.
It was lodged in the blade.
You.
That's insane.
I thought only the world of cartoons would know that, but apparently not.
The focus of your eyes, or rather, your pupils, are tinted black.
But he's looking right at me.
"Is this what it means to kill each other? You too!
I don't know what had turned on the switch, but not only Fire Clear, Nanase was in the same state.
I understood what Zee was saying.
I'm not sure if it's a glimpse, but in this case it's something that was manipulated in the corner of my consciousness to force me to kill each other.
The shield caught between the left and right sides of the shield is pulled out from behind and the sword of fire-clearing is struck away with the momentum.
When did it start?
Neither Nanase nor Fireball is in a sane state.
"Fireball
"Tut.
It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you want to do with it.
"Hey, cockroach man! So much for killing each other!
I guess it's too late to warn you.
You will be able to get the most out of your own personal computer.
And if you have a blank period of time to check the current situation by bringing it into a deadly duel with fire clarity, the worst words will come back to you.
"What do you mean?
I would have had a little more time to spare, but it looks like I got a lot of food too.
You mean it's already in motion?
It seems so. They're in front of you and they're trying their best to make you disappear.
"Tester, not me?
Thankfully, new information has come in, but the situation is getting worse as it rolls on.
The two of you have plenty of time to deal with the flowing, silent, coordinated magic and sword fights.
But the question is when this trick was done.
Was it normal yesterday, or was it really normal?
I don't know when it was crafted.
"Hey! Don't look at me, help me out!
It's impossible.
"Sumanu.
"Huh!
I'm sure we're being monitored up to this point. If he were to lend you a hand, it would put us in a very bad position, because he hates to be embarrassed at times like this.
"Um.
"You useless bastards!
These guys are just trying to protect themselves.
You can't blame them because they are not only good friends, but also because they are new to each other, but that option is not a good one.
You're going to have to raise your middle finger in the air, while the attacks keep coming.
There's no way to get rid of them.
There must be. I don't know for sure, but I think our testers are a necessary part of the Demon King's army right now. I don't think they're going to leave any unnecessary obstacles.
"You're simply trying to get rid of me. That's so annoying!
I can't stop attacking even if I spill the word that it sucks.
Even if we wanted to, we couldn't.
But the other side will attack without mercy.
Handling them is not a problem.
The swords and magic of fire-clearing are fast but light, while Nanase's attacks are a little heavier but less numerous.
They are attacking without pause, but not too hard.
However.
"It's a pain in the ass to take them down unscathed.
You can check on Nanase while cutting down on magic and shooting at fire-clearing, but there is no sign of recovery.
Personally, I'd like to see her hold her ground a little longer.
No matter what kind of manga you're reading, you can't be manipulated this easily.
At least show me a sign.
I wonder if I look like I'm training.
Zee said that whoever did this was very self-preserving, and he would have avoided being caught killing each other without a fight.
If you pull back to a place where there's an outsider.
Hey, hey.
The door of the training room opened just as I was about to do so, and although I had a bad feeling about this, I glanced ahead and saw the figures of testers dressed in various pieces of equipment coming into the room.
It's a good idea to have a good time with a weapon hanging like a wraith, as if a stage actor were on stage.
Among them were
"Kaido, South, Sheng, Kitamiya.
My party members were there too.
Now, how to deal with them seems to be heard by an invisible opponent.
And then the fire-clearing attacks stopped, as if to give us time to prepare ourselves.
On top of that.
Warding?
As soon as all the testers in the company were present, the training room itself became a different world, a dungeon.