Over The Infinite

-1 -

Philos sent me a letter of fulfillment.

It's not an email, it's a handwritten analog on paper. It's all the more bothering now that the delivery guy who delivered it was a panda I don't know about.

"He's dirty."

The traceable letters manage to convey meaning, and the grammar is suspicious. It can be read that Japanese would have been difficult to master in three months. There are separate items written in a common language, but this one is a lot more masterful. I can't read it.

I happened to have Tilia who could read both, so I read them, and they still both seem to have the same content. I guess I was anxious to pass it on.... or Tilia, you're supposed to be just a town daughter, but you seem surprisingly educated. Other than Japanese, it is very different from me who can only write my own name.

"Are you going to duel, not a mock fight? Is there anything wrong with you?

Can't you just read the letter and convey your intentions? I hear Tilia thought me and Philos were going to have a duel even in a fight. No, I don't know why I'm familiar with it either.

"I don't know why, but he left it at the Castle of Blood. He said my copy came out at the Fourth Gate or something, so isn't that entanglement?

I'm pretty sure I knocked him out because he came out, but he was unhappy with the way he knocked him out, or he was an unwilling way to win, or something like that.... I wanted to kill him in an ideal way, I hope it wasn't something like that.

... but you also said you weren't bound to win or lose.

"I see. I was tight, too, but Mr. Philos is a heavy opponent inside, too"

Philos also said, is that right? Even though the difficulty is adjusted, isn't it tighter like Mr. Asha, who Yuki fought for?

"By the way, Mr. Leader, who came out at the Fourth Gate?

"I... you're Doppelgenger's grandfather"

After all, he was a teary old man who couldn't do anything. I know I won't see him again, but I want to wish him luck.

"No, regardless of whether it's your grandfather or not, Doppelgenger will be. I mean, who did that doppelgenger turn into?"

That said, he was like a dick out there.

"I can't seem to transform that old man, so I've been straining him down."

"... is it a systemic deficiency?

It would have been better to tell Mr. Lotte about the system deficiency. I think it's passed on because I have a record.

"Then why don't we consider this duel as a belated Fourth Gate?

"The late Fourth Gate."

If he hasn't survived the threat, do you mean a duel that makes sense to both sides?... Not bad, but it leaves a lot of doubt if he asks me if I'm a "threat".

Philos is strong. I can say with certainty that at the time I survived that trial. But I'm not afraid when they confront me as an enemy and ask me if I'm "scared".

He's a dependable member as an ally, but not so scared if he sees him as an enemy. In RPG, when I was an enemy, there was a guy who was resistant to dark arrow cod but weakened like someone else as soon as he became one of us, but vice versa.

The fact that everything is clustered to a high standard and the average is high means that there is no penetrating part. He knew that, too, and some verses were bothering him with it. Of course when you lose, you lose, but what's there is a reasonable win or loss that you can expect before it starts. I don't have a fratricidal fear. Which scares me, on average, a strong boss, or a boss who dies if he hits, but comes out with a lot of attacks like someone dies in one blow, which would be the latter.

The strength of Philos is on the extension line of four people, other than Serafina, who played a mock fight at this previous school of adventurers, for example. With the excellence of being able to beat out a steady chance of winning, it can also be said that it is his style to win in order to win. You're a so-called professional.

Serafina is scarier in that sense. Strength is still in the lower realm, but there is a fear that there are too many unknown parts to know what to do. Seriously, I don't know what that means, and that guy.... it's the owners who don't know what that means.

If you care, you survived that trial. The guy in the final phase also looked like something was different from before. Unlike the guy I know, maybe he's already broken some shell.

"I think Tilia will win either me or him."

"Do you have any special conditions or anything? Like zero breaks, no skills."

"Anything, except Death Match Rules starting with HP0"

Whatever it is, I can't use HP-based skills or anything more than being Death Match. I guess I can't even operate the HP that Mr. Dhadaka taught me the other day.

"Then you must be the leader. I think whoever else asks will answer that. … maybe Mr. Philos himself"

"Oh, I see."

I'm not complacent, but I think so myself. It's a little too much in my favor. Honestly, with this rule, he's the easiest of the seven people I've fought with this time. Or maybe this would be a good battle if it was Zero Blake.

"We've all been willing to do that since that training, especially since Mr. Leader and Mr. Sarjes stood in the abyss of death."

I agree, and I am aware of it, but I want to believe that the meaning of its strength is different.

I'm stronger in death. It's a pity to say that that's what depended on that mysterious gift, but if we can be hunted down, I'll be empowered. more so as to create the extremes before death.

Perhaps the trigger for activating that gift is a sign of death. It gives me the power to turn my back on my pain to avoid that death. The closer to death, the stronger. In that sense, is it less influential for what you normally live?

"It hasn't been a month since then, except to say that in the meantime, Mr. Phyllos has acquired powers he can't handle."

"The power of incompetence..."

Is it even remodeled by Ladine? If all of a sudden you're a transformation hero, you might lose. I might be tempted to have it modified, too.

"Because the opponent's leader can't win without something."

What's going on with my image in this guy?

... but that's not an impossible story either. It can be enough that you're getting something out of that trial bonus, and even if it isn't, boys grow up fast. I need to see it alive. You'd better think you're getting as much power as my Instant Costume or Yuki's Clear Hand.

"By the way, who was the opponent of Tilia's Fourth Gate? Mr. Oak?"

"... after winning, so I can say, he's my master"

Isn't it an oak? Well, that sounds delightful.

"Is a master an adventurer after all?

"That's right. You're still active. I haven't seen him since he came to Labyrinth City, but I checked and he says the rank is called by two names in C +."

You're another hard-looking master.

C + is even closer to the front line than Tomato. Maybe Tilia didn't just admire the princess knight for anything.

"The master is a special species close to the golem called the Rock Titans, and he's a full body rock. He's almost five meters tall, and he's bigger than me when he sits down."

"You don't seem solid enough."

A moving fortress? Tilia is also a great teacher. I haven't even met that race or the labyrinth city yet.

Or did you beat a monster like that, even though it's adjusted for combat power?

-2 -

"Measures for < demon costumes >?

"Yes."

I'm also allergic to trying a duel without anything as it is, so I talked to Mr. Dhadaka, who has me with training if I have time here. Mr. Dhadaka will have a lot of combat experience, and some of these measures will be taken to deal with < Demon Costumer >.

Even though winning or losing has nothing to do with it, if you die, you will also level down, so you have never passed unbeaten. Something tells me it's going down to LV1, right?

You mean there's no second tree?

"If that means you haven't got a second tree class, so be it."

That's a little further. I haven't even decided what to get either. There's also a third class acquisition before that.

"Well, I don't need measures. The tree is weak by pushing it together."

"Weak......?

I didn't get that impression.

Class rich in Attribute Attack, Attribute Resistance, Magic Enhancement and Versatility. I've never pushed through, but I don't have a weakness. I don't know what I'm going to do. I certainly don't have an unknown fear, but I can always make choices that are close to optimal hands. Can you still say it's weak?

"Do you know why there are so few < Demon Costumes > in the lower ranks?

"I've heard it's because there aren't many adventurers with aptitudes."

Because you'll need both your talent as a warrior and your talent as a magician. Most of them are gifted to one side or the other, and I choose that side.

"That's not a mistake either. But I'm in a class that I often get as a second tree when I'm an intermediate warrior."

"You mean auxiliary forces?

"That's right. That class can also be said to be the first class to show true value with the power of other classes. So whoever knows that, even if he's fit, doesn't take it as his main job. A warrior or a sorcerer, it's better to stop by."

Really? Philos is...... I wonder. You chose a demon costume because of some intent? I don't even think he has any other aptitudes.... No way, if you had a rare class in your choice, you wouldn't have chosen it. It looks like it could be me or Yuki.

"An advantage is that it's not the right class for solos. Bacchus in the B rank is also in the main class. But the power of a single product is not enough. The fact that you can fight depending on the situation is valid if you're an individual and assume against a monster, but you can't do anything against a guy like you."

Solo. I can do anything. Is that where the omnipotence goes after all?

Phyllos doesn't have enough abilities, but he covers most of them. I think I learned healing magic in my skill orb the other day. I have also heard that < summoner > and < servant > are solo oriented, but since they are fighting besides themselves, that would be different again.

"Does that mean you won't be particularly careful when fighting demon costumes?

He said we should respond to common interpersonal matches. Of course, ranged attacks and healing magic measures would be necessary.

"Well... if you dare, you need to be somewhat careful if you remember the second stage of the attribute sword"

"Second stage?

An attribute sword is a Flame Blade or something. That second stage?

"It's about Attribute Attacks like Air Slash. There are many things that can be done suddenly from around here. It takes a pretty high level of mastery at the class level, so I'm pretty sure there's hardly a standard like yours."

Philos remembers, doesn't he? I used it all against Lotte.

"Why do you say the second stage?

"For example," Air Slash "cannot be used without the magic of the wind attribute in" Wind Blade "or the like. And once used, the effect of Wind Blade disappears. Disposable. It's cumbersome and the collaboration doesn't work, but the range of applications works with the MP manipulation we talked about earlier is wide, so if you can use it, it's pretty good."

So you're saying you don't just poke the weakness attribute or make a long-range attack?... Let's remember.

"By the way, if you have a weapon that is constantly wrapping around your attributes, you can use it all you want. It is inhibited when adding another attribute to it, so long as it is short. We use Rihalito and Glenn well."

If you know your weaknesses beforehand, I think you're an ant, but once your attributes are fixed, you lose the diversity that is your strength. Unless you have the means to switch weapons, like me or Mr. Dhadaka, it seems hard to have more than one high-handed magic item.

"Well, it's no big deal where it happened. The range of tactics will widen, but you can think of them all as the strength of a positive attack."

"I've always had a hard time rating < Demon Costume Attractor >, but do you even think about it?

Who doesn't like < Demon Costume Artist >... or the Bacchus you just talked about?

"The first class I took was the Demon Costume. It's been a long time since I turned to" Heavy Duty Warrior. "

Let's talk about the experience.... but that sounds credible.

"What if, for example, Mr. Dhadaka could only use his < Demon Costume Artist > skills to compete one-on-one?

"That would be just you, < Demon Costumer > skills, but you can do anything with MP manipulation. If you go intermediate, you'll be strong inside."

If you're a junior with few things to do, you're weak.

"It's a different story, but Dammus, who can do anything, isn't solo either,"

"Right. I don't know the details, but I've heard it's a five-person party. I bet your wife's in there."

My daughter-in-law... was that guy married?... It's nothing strange, but it's uncomfortable.

That guy has never behaved like that before. I'm not giving you the vibe of having a spouse.

Besides, you have a daughter-in-law and you want to go back to Earth? If you're already making a home, I think burying bones here is one option, Ali.

"What kind of a wife is that?

"I've never met him, and I don't know who he is. I don't even know what it looks like because it doesn't show up at all. But the position is clear. Now it's morphed, but it must have been the lord of the labyrinth city."

The lord here... is that a kingdom nobleman? That said, they wouldn't have run it as a territory already, and I guess they're shape-shifting it, as I say.

"Miss Growentina... No, if you're a parent, you might know more about it. Those people are close to the oldest ginseng"

"Are you Mr. Asha's parents?

"On the face of it, I'm talking about retiring, but maybe being a party member. If you're interested, you should ask."

"That's it..."

It's a lot of hurdles to make contact with Asha's parents, who I've never even met. Mr. Asha, if you use alcohol or car racing as bait for a stand-alone dish, there's an atmosphere where you might catch it, but the parents...

Next time I see Dammus, why don't we ask the public about it?... Or maybe Tomato, who treats me like an adopted girl, knows.

Dammus' daughter-in-law...... what kind of person is he?

-3-

According to the fulfillment letter, the duel seems to be one-on-one with no audience. I don't even have an attendant.

For that reason, we have a dedicated area, not a normal area of the arena. It seems to be transferable from the transfer facility, so maybe it's a dungeon treatment. I don't know how you arranged it, but you can have a place like that. I wonder how much space I can rent in a day, like a rental space.

"So, what's going on today? Didn't I tell you I have business?

I was visiting Yuki's room for some reason before the duel.

I don't really know why I came here myself. I didn't want any encouragement, I felt I had to come for some reason.

I want to question the power of that mysterious gift, but I don't care because there are some things I wanted to hear at last.

"After this, Philos and I are going to fight."

"Oh, is that the story? I hope you don't die."

"What, you worry about me"

"Uh, yeah. The dungeon attack is delayed, and it sounds like we're planning a joint attack with Mr. Ladine."

There was a very practical reason. Here's a little more, I'll work my body... no need. I have no element to worry about. It's about mental.

"Hasn't Tuna died yet? It's not a hidden stage of the trial, but it might be a good opportunity to die."

"That's terrible again"

I know it's what adventurers need, but it sounds like a hard line.

"Like Mr. Chitta said, resurrection from death is pretty tight. Tuna's going to be out of the hospital like that, but I don't want to be retired or anything from now on because she's dead."

"What's it like, by the way?

"Er. According to what I've heard, everyone feels different, but in my case, it feels like it's a factory processed product."

20% Mass production Yuki? I don't know what that means, but it looks a little strong.

"I know you don't have to, but it's almost impossible not to die again."

"I guess that's right"

We've made some breakthroughs so far, but it'll be tough from now on. Because if it hadn't been for the "Self-Destruction" collar, it would definitely have died. I know I'm experiencing a harder experience than that, but I haven't experienced death and the resurrection from it.

If you recognize that death is not the end point, there is also a chance that that gift will not be activated.

As far as top-class stories are concerned, total annihilation is routine. Sabre Blade and Dadaka taught me the history of the war. The closer you get to the front line, the more obvious it is, and there is a feeling that you are gathering information by folding in death. Asha also said that it is pretty much easier to use the information because it seems to be releasing it to the advanced clan.

I'm too optimistic that only one of them won't die in that.

"But I'm not going to lose this time, so that's a little further."

"That's how you lose your guard. I understand."

"Well, what do you expect?"

"Er, I guess it's Tsuna who wins"

I knew it would be that prediction.

"Well, it's a serious battle, so there's no guarantee you'll ever win, and either me or Philos will level down, so you have to match your plans."

"Does Death Match go back to LV1 when he dies? That's a hassle."

So I guess it's not popular, this rule.

No Death Records is something I'd like to keep updating and going if I can.

"Totally different story, but your room's already cleaned up."

Yuki's room was cleaned up nicely. A lot of trinkets are girly. Will this trinket also be quintupled when it is completely intact?

"It's too much for Tuna's room to be cleaned up forever."

My room is definitely scattered, but a man's room is such a thing.

... That, but all the guys I know have beautiful rooms. Am I the only one who's dirty?

"You're here as a landlord to see how you use your room?

"That's not what I'm saying..."

I don't know, I can't say it well.... I can't go off topic well, and it's creepy.

"Aren't you worried about Tuna lately?

When I was thinking about it, I stepped in from Yuki.

"... does that look like it?

"After that trial, I guess it's just a little weird. I feel like I can't."

It's a big deal. Look good. That's your buddy.

"... what are you gonna do when you get back to the woman?"

"That's a sudden story.... I don't know, maybe the adventurer will go on."

"Even though you don't have a goal?

"You wonder what lies ahead of the infinite corridor. I'm an adventurer, so I need to adventure."

Something is an extremely honest opinion.

"Is that something that motivates hard and painful work?

Adventurers don't see daily manual labor. It's harsh. It's just not something I can stand if I have physical strength. In that, does such an ambiguous thing lead directly to motivation?

"Well, I think a lot of people wish they could earn a living. But I think there are a few people at the top who have that aspect. It's like climbing because there's a mountain?

The infinite corridor is Everest or something.

"Isn't that why you want to help Dammus?

"No matter how much I owe you, I don't think that's all I can go on. I wonder if the Monsters are the only ones who can really do that."

Can you do that too if you are made by Dammus to worship God? I don't really feel it, but if Werner and the others are fanatics, that would be possible.... Lotte is... I wonder. I know he likes Dammus, but it seems different again.

"I guess we all have our own reasons, but I'm an adventurer, so I guess there's something to get ahead of us."

"Even if you don't have a wish?

Isn't anybody motivating you to wish for something to come true?

"Yeah, I saw it in a magazine interview, but it sounds like people at the top, like Glenn from < Arch Sabre > and Laurent from < Meteor Knights >, are especially like that. I think they're pursuing the ideal of being responsible for what they've made or not being there."

"You want to be a good looking self?

"Oh yeah, like that. Isn't that okay? Why? Like that.... Is that what you were worried about? You can't find your own reason."

I found my reason. I just didn't realize it, and it was there from the beginning. This is why I was so colored by negative emotions that I was likely to throw up, but this must be a reason to go ahead.

"I found my reason, so that's good. I just wanted to know what other guys were thinking."

"Really? Then your own business is your top priority. You don't have to worry about me."

"Most of it overlaps with your purpose, so you don't have to worry about it"

I've come to this world for too long to live with, so maybe I've been thinking too deeply.

I don't care why you fight. People move on even if they have no clear enemies. Guys, it's all about finding the goal you deserve.

I have enemies that I want to overthrow, so that's why I'm going first, but I didn't think I could force people to do that.

But nothing needs to go first on its own. Maybe I came here because that's what I wanted to make sure of.

-4-

A duelling ground that Philos prepared. It was a colosseum covered in red and black skies.

It's the same sight as the hidden stage of that trial dungeon. Or maybe it's the same thing.

There is a familiar figure of Philos in the center of it. Calm, serene look. That's not the kind of look you're going to be challenging for a duel.

"Did I make you wait?

"I waited a minute, but I was thinking. If you hadn't come, I might have kept thinking."

This duel itself would have been planned because I had something to think about, so I guess that's something to think about.

"So let's get started. What do we do about the initiation signal? You want to do something western?

"No, let's have a little talk before then"

"I don't mind that, but is there something?

I didn't think this kind of thing was like exchanging words beforehand. That's not why I've hardly seen Philos here lately. I was trying not to look at each other.

"I've come to meet the Dungeon Master in the last Trial bonus."

"To Dammus? I don't even know how to use it."

You're not even that guy's such a rare character. It's not paying. It feels like even chatter is about to come out. I wonder who I will meet until I use such a hard trial bonus.

"You guys seem to see each other quite a bit because you're on edge, but, yeah, you don't seem like the kind of person who comes out in public."

"Really?"

I wonder if we've met too much. But don't show up from around the corner.

"Did we just meet? I wish Yuki had told her I was complaining about her name."

"Ha, I told you because Yuki told me beforehand." I don't know you, "he said. You're an interesting guy, aren't you, that guy?"

Is that why? Give me your secretary. The boring Yuki was adorable, so I don't mind.

"Well, that's good. Gowen told me that at the Fourth Gate. Isn't my ultimate system a dungeon master? What?"

"Ultimate system...... if you're going to poke around that you can do anything. There's a lot of things I don't know about that guy."

I'm pushing through too much, and no one can measure strength.

"So I wanted to see what kind of person you were. I could have just met him, but I got an omelet, too. I guess this arena is part of it. I've been arranged."

That guy seems to give me a lot of stuff. With the feeling of my neighbor Oba giving me candy.

"I tried to meet him and got a lot of answers. My biggest concern, I've settled for myself the question of how to deal with you."

"With me?

Is there anything that this guy thinks of me that makes me the target of the Fourth Gate?

"What are you aiming for, ahead of the infinite corridor?

"Purpose…"

That's the same question I was talking to Yuki about.

"I want to know my limits. I'm here because I want to know how far ahead I can go."

This is where the adventurer stands. It's not just about strength, what Philos is talking about is a challenge to being who you are. You can call it a fundamental instinct as a human being.

Was this guy thinking about why he was going ahead, too? The direction of the reason is the opposite, but don't feel weird empathy.

"Yuki is as you know. Sargess also has a legitimate purpose. Gaul just wants strength. Tilia and Gowen are vulgar but still true to their greed. Moyer doesn't explicitly aim ahead in the first place because he sees adventurers as his job. There are a lot of people who simply want fame, want money, want a good life, and want to be part of the Dungeon Master."

That's the thirst I've heard so far from all sorts of people. That's the difference in degree, everyone is looking ahead with something.

That's what bothers me, so I asked Yuki, too.

"The strength of thirst is directly linked to the strength of the will to go ahead. Moyer will face problems someday, too, but that's still good. You're the one who doesn't understand. Nothing has a purpose.... No, you're not, I don't have the thirst to be the driving force ahead"

"I..."

"Or I guess I just didn't say"

I don't have a thirst that I can say with my chest up. But for a reason.

"I have... enemies"

- System Alert [■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■] -

Only for a moment, there was noise in my vision. It was an established visual phenomenon that brought back the face of a beautiful bow only for a moment. That's right, that was in a seawater bath...

"It's okay, I won't let you get in the way"

The noise... disappeared.

"What..."

Consciousness is forced to be fixed. I can't wake up a consciousness swing like that one.

I did try to get Beautiful Bow to look at the gift then... I had completely lost my memory until I recognized it here and now.... Was it inhibited by anything? Then why now... did Philos do something?

"I thought you were under some kind of inhibition."

"Did you do something?

"This is more of a space than I am. As I used it for the duel, I got it for the Dungeon Master. It seems to be hard to interfere with the system's perception inhibition here.... I was expecting you to be inhibited by something. Looks like you got it right."

Is it like that 1K space? If Dammus made it, it might work the same way.

Looking at my status, I don't see that gift, so I guess it's not complete, but does that mean the inhibition is still weakened?... then you don't have to hesitate.

"Then nothing is wrong.... I have enemies."

"Enemies?... It's another fuzzy thing to say"

I can tell you clearly now. I'm the enemy.

I don't even know who. I'm not sure if he's really here. Yet I clearly feel that way. My soul is roaring that he should not be allowed to exist.

"Oh, the enemy"

And he wants to confront me, too. I feel like I'm calling you from infinity.

It's not as clear as it was during that [Crimson Throne], but I still feel that.

"Is that why we're heading up your infinite corridor?

"... right. There's him far down the infinite corridor. I'm sure that's where my power comes from, forcing me to head down the infinite corridor. And he's giving me strength in the abyss of death so I don't die in the process. I can't see it now, but that kind of gift was hidden.... It's the fastest around. What a fuss, but no such thing. I'm just being manipulated by the power of being fed."

So you don't have to take me personally. I was only surviving death with the power I was given.

... I don't like that. I'm angry in a different realm than recognizing Arre as my enemy.

"I don't think so."

"Why? If you say so, I'm just a puppet."

Or maybe even the emotion of going first because we have enemies is planted. Everything seems fake to me.

"I've seen you scratch your feet in the abyss of death. I've seen you try to move forward in pain. Nobody says it's a fake."

"But it's probably the one who dined on the situation."

"It doesn't matter. You're the one who's actually fighting. You're the one who's suffering. Are you telling me that in that trial, you never thought about retiring?

"It's..."

I almost gave up many times. I got up saying I can't lose because the other guys are trying.... there is no element of that will involved there.

"Maybe that's the power. Maybe it's affecting your behavior. But that's not all you have. Gifts and skills go hand in hand. No one can say it's not their power, given to them by those who don't know."

…………

"If that's the power of borrowing, it's all borrowing."

Philos is right. I don't know where my powers come from, if you say so. Gifts, skills, status. It's the same in a world without a previous life system. Talent, environment, luck. Is it the power of borrowing that is born strong? Is smart the power of borrowing? How's your parents' money and connections? No one can make a clear line draw there.

"You're a little over-thinking. I feel good enough to use it because I have the power."

You're welcome to simply get a cheat, and you'll be happy to take advantage of it. I may even give thanks to the person who gave it to me and believe. But just because the person who gave it to me is allergic also creates discomfort.

"Even if that's the result of being induced?

"Who guarantees that? I wonder if that's him. But he could be lying too."

"... right..."

"If that means you don't like it, you can go hit him with that power. I guess that's your goal, huh? If we manipulate destiny, or it may be called God, we can go there."

Right...... It was so deeply engraved that it was cleverly hidden that it had become more suspicious than necessary.

I don't know how far it is to have a destiny god. I'm telling you to come, so you can go hit him. I'm not alone, because "there" is also a destination for all adventurers and damas.

"... I'm going into Ark Sabre."

"Huh..."

That was a bit of an unexpected word.

Why are we talking about this now rather than the question of why we're going into Ark Sabre?

"... well. So you're saying you're gonna be working with Moyer?

I wonder if that could be a reason as well as a duel that put me on hold to enter the clan house. Looks like a nice dorm in Ark Sabre.

"That's right, but she'll join your clan soon, won't she?... I'm not in the clan that Tuna makes."

"It's..."

Vaguely, Philos and I were going the same way. He said it was something we could do together if we made a clan. Without questioning anything.

I'm not making a clan at the moment. I'm not willing to blame you for it, or deserve it, just because you're in < Arc Sabre >. But this way of saying it sounds like you're not going to be in my clan in the future.

"... well. That's unfortunate, but is there any reason?

"Of course, it's not that I don't like you or everyone else. With you, I'm sure I can go high.... but I want to hang out with you. I want to be a competitor. I'm sure if I'm in the same clan, I'll be buried. I feel that way."

"... I don't think so."

"Yes."

How can you be so sure?

"I feel something fateful coming from you. I feel called upon to stay with you and move on to the infinite corridor. Maybe that's what you call enemy power."

That's the same thing Lotte told me.

Probably the power of destiny fed to move on to the infinite corridor where my gifts are unleashed.

... Was Philos feeling the same thing?

"I'm sure that's the right way to go and the best solution to get ahead in the shortest possible time. But I don't want to follow that path. There's something in me screaming."

Is Philos against that power? You shouldn't have known anything until we talked here, anti-grandfather to that power.

"I think maybe if it was before that trial, I would have been on that path. But something definitely changed in me. Confronted with your copy at that fourth gate, Leezelotte provoked me, and I thought I would never want to lose to you. … so I go my way"

"Is that < Arc Saber >?

Philos shook his head in silence at my inquiry.... you don't?

"Ark Sabre is the answer at the moment. I'm gonna start my own clan eventually."

"To hang out with me?

I'm going to organize a clan, so I'm going to fight it... but is that why I'm going to start a clan as well?

"Yes, if you lead the third front-line clan that follows < Arch Sabre > and < Meteor Knights >, I'll be the fourth."

I felt my heart tremble at the words.

What Philos is saying is unrealistic and terribly idealistic, but straightforward everywhere.

I guess Mr. Asha tried to make me a third being because of the power of the gift. At least it should have an impact. But Philos is trying to be a fourth being by sticking to it on his own.

"Right... right"

I was so glad you refused to go with me.... good. This relationship is good.

"Even so, that's the final story, and now it's just about getting into < Arc Sabre >. We'll see each other in the hall as always, and we might even organize a party. I just wanted you to know."

I feel stronger than I am. That is the power of willingness to go first.

If it was this guy, maybe he could go against the mysterious power of that gift and wind up in the thoughts of the guy beyond infinity.

... or maybe this thought and expansion are on schedule.

"... ok"

But I don't know that. I want to congratulate Philos on his path.... I thought so. He wants to stay with a rival who can compete in line at all costs.

If I were to borrow the words Yuki said, I guess this would also be a reason to go infinitely further. I have a contender, so if I don't want to lose to him, I'm going first. That's one answer. Philos gave me that reason.

... Oh, I finally get it.

I had a wish first, and I fought to make it happen, and what I made in the process makes me the next reason.

That's how wishes go on in a chain. Even if I don't have any enemies, I'm going to head first.

"And this is a ritual for me to move on. I settled in an unwanted way at the Fourth Gate and my indigestion was a good place, but I thought if I could, I should confront you myself."

"Is that why it's a duel"

"That's right. Now, I want you to realize that you are my goal."

"I'm not going to lose."

"Neither do I. I haven't done anything in the last six months."

Philos eyes like that are full of confidence. Even if you say that winning or losing doesn't matter, you don't seem more willing to lose.

If you said you were seeing Dammus, you'd most likely be getting some power.

"If this coin falls to the ground, let's signal a start. It's the same thing you did on the hidden stage."

It wasn't me who did that, Mr. Cat Ear.... Fair enough.

"Okay, so let's go."

"Don't you give out weapons?

"I don't want it.... this is my style"

Sporadically trained, understood, and convinced. This powerless state is my standard.

Philos sets up the sword and shield that he had prepared from the beginning.

"Well, let's get started"

Take some distance and face each other. It's a short breath from both of them.

Breathe deeply just once.

For some reason, I felt my body was full of strength.

A coin broke out of Philos' hand.

-5-

The time needed to settle was only marginal. If you're a regular person, it's time to end in a few blinks.

Like that hidden stage, I flew out to Philos with all my might.

And Philos is jumping this way, just like me.

There was a strange sense of convincing.

Originally this guy's style was close to a shield. The basic attitude waits, even if it's not a pure tank like Tilia. There are even means by which you can attack without having to get close. But instead of intercepting me like this, I guess the fact that I popped up means I got a new style of combat. Not as an imperfection in search, but perhaps as somewhat completed.

Super fast and clogged distance. It won't take a second until that time is completely clogged.

In a stretched sensation, I can clearly see Philos' every move. I'm sure that's the same with him.

This is a feeling you can feel because you are an adventurer that is transcending people. I can see that getting stronger every time I fight.

In the meantime, get ready to deploy < child's right arm > and < not ghost cut >.

It's just before the attack to activate it. Knock in the attack at the shortest distance from the straight front with no small work!

The first shot was prevented by a shield.

That's weaved in here too, and my rush would have continued if it had been until before the trials.

But Philos' attack goes in between. That's an attack that sews a gap in consciousness, similar to that Mr. Sword Blade's movements.

It got better. I can't even compare you to Mr. Sword Blade, but it's a level you can call someone else.

So is the use of the sword, but the shield is better than that. I'm using my vision to fight well. It was originally that way of fighting, but the pattern increased considerably. Is this also called "Shield Art"?

It's as if it's something else, even the way you make mistakes, the distance you get, the faint due to movement and sight. This is not a change you can make overnight. It's an area you can finally reach after a long training period like that infinite training.

If you look slightly at the calculations, a deadly blow enters with that gap. There was that certainty.

- Action Skill.

To the slightest gap that could have been made, the blow of the horizontal giraffe emitted with < no ghost cut >. This blow will be prevented. That's what I did with scattered training. It can't be done.

As expected, Philos prevents < Unghost Cut > with a shield reinforced with the Devil's Shield.

Moreover, when I look at the strangely thick feeling, I feel that the magic is focused on the impact part. This is an MP operation. Have you come to experience such subtle manipulation at such high speeds in the last six months?

And the second blow that follows.

- Skill Chain.

Pursuit that has drastically altered its orbit, which is not the second blow of the regular Whirlwind Slash.

Philos can't prevent this until now. It's hard to change track, but if you succeed, you've never been able to stop it.

But as you can imagine, Philos has stopped it. Defense with a shield won't make it. It's the sword that's been stopping me.

Skill increases the speed of an attack with a Slash of Vegetables and deflects it from orbit. I bounced Philos' sword, but he didn't even hit mine.

... don't do it. But that's not the end of it!

- Skill Chain.

The knife technique taught to Mr. Sword Blade this past half-moon. Third blow after being stopped twice.

It's a three-step move that only works in very limited situations.

"Ahhh!!"

A blow to the body that releases. The fastest blade approaches Philos in the form of two stopped sword speeds.

... Oh, shit. It's being read.

That's what I felt in the attack I was supposed to be in. I'm sure Philos knows about this third blow.

- Action Skill "Weapon Change: Swordbreaker" -

A replacement for the sword that was bounced was already gripped. My Ghost Cut will take it.

It is the lower skill of "Instant Costumes" with limited use. I see, have you acquired such power?

Well, I'll show you my hands even more.

- Skill Chain: No Ghosts Cut - Transient: No Ghosts Cut -

Although it was held with both hands, it switches to the left hand the < no ghost cut > it had on the right hand subject.

Philos' swordbreaker, who lost his subject only for a moment, cut the sky.

I could see Philos opening his eyes to the use of the so bizarre Instant Costume. And to release, this is also the fourth blow that should have been seen for the first time -

"Ahhhh!!"

- Skill Chain.

The "Whirlwind Slash" released in reverse rotation avoids the shield and goes to Philos' body so that it is sucked in.

Originally, the same skills cannot be incorporated into the collaboration. They have rules like that.

But I heard that Sargess activated Dynamite Impact during that trial without getting a haircut in each of her right and left arms. Then I gave the same answer that the same weapon would activate the same skill if I switched it.

That was the correct answer, and it was even possible to continue the skill collaboration. As much as Mr. Dhadaka was stunned.

"Damn!!"

I felt Philos' bones being massively crushed, feeling vegetarian, with no HP walls or anything.

Philos being blown aside as he is. Anyway, if you have HP, if you believe in the feeling of moments of impact, it's definitely fatal. It's probably crushed and fractured at a level I can't even stand.

The body dancing through the universe as it bounced twice, three times, demonized and disappeared as it was. Apparently, just one blow now settled it.

When I'm left alone, I serve and stand down.

I breathed deeply, deeply.

It was a battle where the importance of HP walls was well understood.

Me and Sargess are used to it, but by nature, the human body isn't made to be properly attacked by adventurers.

No matter how enhanced it is, it's over as long as you eat a blow that shatters even a giant rock. Nothing wrong with this result.

To be honest, there would have been no losing element. Even if it was stopped by Whirlwind Slash/Trinity and I didn't have my next hand, that's not the end of it.

What scares me about a weapon called Swordbreaker is weapon destruction, but it doesn't break. That way it's a rearrangement, and now it's just a hit.

But I might eat a blow after they stop me. That's a situation where he finally sees a slight win with a blow he's bound to hit to pick up a win. He knows that, too. So it's a quick attack to keep you from getting used to the new style...

"... you do it, competitor"

I'm sure Philos was going to complete the distracting battle that would begin there, without mistake.

All my attacks are unprotected, in a way that accumulates slight damage.

And after the Starvation Beast was activated, we were going to cut through it in a bloody muddy match.

... I didn't mean to activate it, so I'm not hungry.

As Dadaka put it, the range of tactics of the lower < demon costumes > is narrow.

He asked for a range of skills other than < Demon Costumer >, but if he continues to grow up ahead, he will gain a lot of momentum.

It won't be easy for me to win then... but I might as well try again. From now on, we're going to compete in a stronger sense, because we're going to be good enemies.

-6-

The next day, during the process of promotion to level D in the Guild Hall, I tried to tell Yuki about the backdrop of the matter.

Naturally, I didn't say anything about that gift. Maybe I told you, but at least I don't remember.

"And, well, that happened."

"Hmm. It's a world I don't know a bit about. It's a boy's world."

You're also 80% a man, but you don't have to know because you were originally. I don't feel that aesthetic in the duel itself.

I just think that fight did make sense. It's not just about Philos' bullying, something in me feels that way. That's not that gift. Something more fundamental.

"But you know what... Philos isn't going into the clan, is he? … I wonder if Gowen will go to < Arc Sabre > with her."

"Sounds like it."

The same goes for Gaul if you say he was originally forming it, but what will he do?

Gaul... I think we're going to do something together like this.

"He said it, too, but he just said he wouldn't be in the clan. There will be opportunities to meet here, there will be parties, and there will be clans fighting each other."

Isn't it a burning scene where rival clans usually fight each other against the powerful enemies of the infinite corridor?

"I wonder if that means different goals."

"The goal is the same. It's just that you're going the wrong way."

That's never a bad story in terms of an infinite corridor offense either. If we stand in the same position as third and fourth, we'll accelerate our offense.

I don't know about Beautiful Bow's motivation, but I don't have a problem with him aiming for that position. The quasi-first-line clan you're stepping on has gone up. There's no need at all for Mr. Asha to end up with just the third. How many offensive clans were on the fourth, fifth, sixth, and front lines? We will incidentally compete, cooperate with each other, and that will be the way to go infinitely further. And he that walketh on the way which he hath done, and shall come forth after him.

I don't know how far Dammus wants us, but I'm sure he'll get closer to the shape he wanted.

"But in this case, it would be creepy to see you the next day."

"Well...... there will be more to not tighten"

"But... you're behind me."

…………

Yuki pointed behind me. Even though I have a bad feeling about it, I follow it and look back...

"Ya, hey..."

A very awkward looking Philos stood.

... Right. It's a D-level promotion process, so it's not weird to be here. It's an important process that can't be thrown by a kukukuru, so it's more natural to be there.... the timing sucks though.

"This is not tight..."

"Right."

... okay, I didn't even fight. Some dumb air like this sounds like us, too.

I'm sure this will be our relationship and it will continue. I don't think that's bad either.

Status Report

Adventurer Registration No. 45167

Adventurer Registration Name: Philos

Real name: Philo

Gender: Male

Age: 19

Adventurer Rank: D-

Base LV: 35

Class:

< Monster Costume: T.Lv69 >

(10) < Demon Swordsman: LV35 >

(12)

Two Names: None

Gifts Held: Combat Survey, Rebellion to Cause and Condition NEW! *

Skills held:

Weapon Mastery: T.Lv7

(10) Swordsmanship: LV4

“ One-Handed Swordsmanship: LV3 ”

"Armor Proficiency: T.Lv4"

(12) Shield Art: LV 4

Weapon Suitability: T.Lv4

(10) Sword: LV2

(12) One-Handed Sword: LV2

Armor Suitability: T.Lv3

(10) "Shield: LV 2"

(12) Metal Armor: LV1

Sword Technique: T.Lv2

(12) Power Slash: LV2

Shield Technique: T.Lv2

(12) Shield Bash: LV2

Magic: T.Lv5

(10) "Demon Blade: LV 2"

(10) "Magic Shield: LV 2"

“ Surgical Cutting: LV1 ” NEW!

"Attribute Blade: T.Lv5"

(10) Flame Blade: LV 1

(10) Wind Blade: LV 2

(10) Ice Blade: LV1

(12) Thunder Blade: LV1

"Attribute Shield: T.Lv4"

• Flame Shield: LV 1

(10) Windshield: LV 1

(10) Ice Shield: LV1

(12) Thunder Shield: LV 1

Magic Sword Technique: T.Lv1

(12) Air Slash: LV1 NEW!

Recovery Magic: T.Lv1

(12) Physical Heels: LV1 NEW!

"Heart: T.Lv3"

(10) Swordsman's Heart: LV1

(10) Knight's Heart: LV1

(12) Demon Costumer's Heart: LV1

Combat Techniques: T.Lv4

(10) Melee Combat: LV2

(12) Covering: LV2

Weapons Combat Techniques: T.Lv1

(12) Weapon Change: LV1 NEW!

Appraisal: T.Lv1

(12) "Breaking Through: LV1"

Courtesy: T.Lv3

(10) Army Code: LV2

(12) Royal Palace Practice: LV1

Physical Correction: T.Lv1

(12) Leg Enhancement: LV1

Magic Correction: T.Lv2

(12) Magic Sensing: LV2

"Eye of the Devil: T.Lv2"

(12) Magic Eye: LV2

Survival Instinct

“ Indomitable ” NEW!

Civilization: T.Lv1

(12) Slam Growing Up: LV1

Vacant Warehouse: T.Lv1

(12) Item Box: LV1

* No authority to refer to "Rebellion to Cause and Effect".

-0-

I had a dream.

In my dreams I was fighting.

I don't know what I was fighting against. I just remember waving something around with my right hand.

There was a beautiful bow beside me, desperate to live. I was desperate to fight death.

He kept crying.

I feel like someone else was there. Not one or two. A lot more.

But that person disappeared as the dream progressed.

It must have been a beautiful bow to be with you until the end.

In my dreams, I met something.

That's one of those guys who doesn't know how to do it, even...

- System Alert [■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■] -

- End of chapter -