Chapter 74 – [Side Sophia] Malice

　I think probably more than an hour has passed since we came to the 30th floor.

　We have steadily moved forward while fighting many battles.

　So it’s not surprising that our pace is slower than during the guided exploration. 

　Last time we were following the instructions of our seniors, but this time we have to make all the decisions on our own.

　Still, we have already gone through about 80% of the route.

　If we keep going at this pace, we will reach the Boss Area in a few more minutes.

“We’ll be in a wide open area soon, so stay focused.”

　Since there are three of us, so far we chose relatively narrow paths where we could fight without spreading out.

　But there are places where we have no choice but to be out in the open.

　And when it comes to fighting there, we have to work to get an advantage against their numbers. 

　I heard that on the 30th floor, the groups that appear won’t be larger than six, but we can’t let our guard down.

“Ah~ boring. Why do we have to do this?”

“Don’t complain. You’re usually already unmotivated and you’re just going to make it worse.”

　When we head out into the open space, we encounter another party of explorers.

“Another party. Log, what do we do?”

　It’s common to meet other explorer parties when exploring the labyrinth.

　Apparently, the frequency of such encounters decreases as you go to the lower layers due to the size of the labyrinth and the small number of explorers, but it’s the opposite in the upper and middle layers, so it’s not rare here.  

　In the event that you do encounter them, you need to make arrangements to take different routes. If you proceed on the same route, you might end up getting into pointless fights over magic stones and materials. 

　–Or so, that was what Orn taught. 

“Firstly, we need to ask them what their objective is. If they’re aiming to explore, we can ask them to let us have the route we chose. –Hello! Can we have a moment?”

“Oh? What, it’s a kid.”

　After Log calls out, a large, muscular man says lifelessly. 

　…….It’s a little scary.

　Other than him, there are three more people. It looks like a party of four.

　In addition to the big man, there is one man, one woman, and the remaining one is wearing a hood over their head, making it hard to tell what their gender is.

“We are diving to conquer this floor, if your objective is exploration, would you be willing to let us have that route?”

　Log asks if we can take the route we planned. 

“Yeah, suit yourself. I’ve got no use for kids.”

　He’s a creepy person, but he seems willing to give us the route, so let’s get out of here quickly.

　I don’t think we should get involved with this kind of person.

“Thank you very much. Then we’ll–“

“Wait.”

　Just as Log thanked him and was about to move on, another man, different from the big guy, stopped him.

“…….What might you need?”

“Are you explorers from ‘Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit’?”

　Did he recognize us by our clothes?

“‘Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit’? I’ve heard of that somewhere. Where was that?”

“You stupid? You sure your brain isn’t just muscle?”

“What you say?”

“‘Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit’ is the Clan the Dragon Slayer just joined, right?”

　Dragon Slayer, he means Orn?

　He’s famous after all. That’s amazing…….

“Ah, that’s right! Hey, you guys, know the Dragon Slayer?”

“””…………”””

　Orn has said many times that information is important.

　Until we know why these people are asking about Orn, it’s better for us to not say something inappropriate. 

　All of us seal our mouths.

“Silence means yes, okay?”

　The man speaks to us intimidatingly.

　…….Scary.

“Zuriel, confirm.”

　The hooded person who hasn’t said a word so far utters.

　The voice is clear and beautiful.

　I think it’s probably a woman.

“Yes, yes. As you wish.”

“–su!?”

　Immediately after the man says that, Log gulps.

　What’s happened?

“Bingo. Looks like this boy and the Dragon Slayer know each other, or rather, they’ve got a master disciple relationship. We can fish with these guys.”

“Why……!”

　Log is in confusion.

　Even though he didn’t say anything, how did he know!? Was it some kind of mind-reading Talent?

“Hahahahaha! We’re in luck! We haven’t got to go through the bloody hassle of clearing the labyrinth!”

　There’s a bad vibe flowing from the four of them.

　This is what I used to feel every day when I was little — malice.

　I feel not only malice but also killing intent riding on top of it.

　I don’t know why this person is showing  malice toward us, but we need to run away from this place.

　These people are probably stronger than us.

“Carol! Log! Run backwards and get away!”

　While suggesting to the two of them, I activate magic.

　I hit the ground with [Fire Bullet] and raise a cloud of dust.

　We turn back to the path we had come from.

　After entering the way, I construct a formula for [Rock Wall] to block the path.

“Won’t let you get away!”

　The big man had already gone around ahead of the path we were trying to escape from.

　Too fast…….

“……Please get out of the way.”

“Can’t do that.”

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　We’re cut off.

　I guess we have no choice but to fight…….

　But even if we fight, I don’t think we can win.

　Because, from these people, I can feel a more intense aura than the Officers who followed us on the guided exploration.

　I have to make a plan to escape somehow.

　Orn also said that if we realise we can’t win, we should do everything we can to escape. I need to first think of how we can escape.

　I’m scared, I’m scared…….

“Why are you doing this!?”

“Simple. You lot are close to the Dragon Slayer. Don’t need to know any more than that.”

　A man’s threatening voice comes from behind.

“Oi! You stay out of this. I’ve got loads of anger to vent!”

“Same for me! But I’ll let you have this one. I’ll save the fun for when I kill the Dragon Slayer.”

　Killing Orn……? Why!?

“Lucky. If I don’t have to watch my back, I can do it! I’ll hold muscles back while you two get away!”

　Carol tells us and dashes toward the big man.

“Don’t go running off on your own!”

　Ignoring Log’s words, Carol attacks the big man.

“You scared them both! I’ll never forgive you!”

“Ah?”

　As Carol swings her right arm to the side to slash with the dagger in her hand — something red gushes from her arm.

　—-Eh?

　It takes me a while to understand that Carol’s arm had been slashed by the big man’s great sword, which he suddenly had in his hand out of nowhere.

　Still, Carol does not stop.

　She’s about to attack with her left dagger.

　Immediately after, the big man swings his great sword to the side, and — Carol’s upper and lower body separates.

“Carol!?”

“Nooooo!”

“Ya moved faster than I thought you would. Well, too slow for me. Okay, there’s two of you left. Are you guys gonna entertain me?”

“–su! Sophie! Get a hold of yourself! The three guys behind us won’t do anything! With that in mind, let’s focus on this guy!”

　Why?

　You were fine just now.

　You were smiling as usual.

　Why……. are you down?

　Carol…….

“Sophie! Damn!”

　Why do I have to feel like this?

　Why does Carol have to be killed?

　Why do I have to be scared of being exposed to malice?

　My mother hated me and was always violent with me.

　My father turned a blind eye to it.

　Was I born to be hurt?

　Why? Why? Why? Why?　

“Ggh!”

　Log has been blown away and is lying near me.

“Heh, you’re pretty good.”

“Compared to Master, your moves are so much easier to understand! You’re not very good with a sword, are you?”

　Log makes a mocks the big man as he stands up, using his spear as a walking stick.

“What?”

　Log is trembling.

　He’s scared. Of course.

“Why, can you fight……?”

　I know it’s not a question I should be asking right now. But it spills out of my mouth.

“Huh? Obviously because I don’t want to die. I can’t die here for the sake of everyone in my village. Because Master told us to come back with all three of us! Because I don’t want you or Carol to die!”

“But Carol is……”

“Remember. What Carol said last time. She has a body that can’t die. She’s probably not dead. We have to believe that……!”

　Log finishes talking to me and runs to the big man again, spear ready.

　Still alive……?

　Talent……?

　Yes, Talent.

　An uncomfortable feeling I’ve always had.

　If I have a Talent, I need it to appear it here!

　It might just turn this whole situation around!

　If I don’t, like this, Log will die…….!

　I absolutely don’t want that!

“Hahaha! You’re good, you! But — still too weak.”

　The big man swings his greatsword to the side, like with Carol.

　Log reacts and catches it with his spear, but his spear is knocked away and the deadly blade continues towards Log.

“Don’t!”

　I desperately try to send something, to get something to that uncomfortable feeling.

　I say to it, ‘don’t let Log get hurt’.

“–What!? What’s this? My body can’t move…..!”

　The Greatsword stops suddenly just before it reaches Log’s body.

(That’s what it was……)

　I understand my Talent.

“With this then……. Get lost!!”

　I control the big man with my Talent and slam him against a wall.

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