After leaving the A rank party, I aim for the deep part of the labyrinth with my former students
"It's about time."
How long had it been since we entered the Tower?
We had been climbing steadily upward through the labyrinthine dungeon, where the scenery resembled dull white porcelain.
Monsters, cultists, traps.
It was a dangerously treacherous dungeon, no less perilous than the Colorless Darkness, but unlike that, it didn't feel irrational—there was no constant shift in scenery or monsters.
This dungeon had a strange sense of stability.
"Did you feel it?"
"Yeah, I did. A presence from the other world."
I nodded slightly in response to Rain’s words.
It wasn’t as overwhelming as the aura from the Abyss Gate, but the pain in my cheek assured me we were getting close.
It would probably be just a little further.
"Path to the staircase is clear!"
"Thanks, Nene. Alright, let’s go."
Following Nene’s lead, we moved onward through the Tower.
It wasn’t particularly wide, but as we climbed higher, the number of cultists increased.
At times, we faced intense resistance, and the strain was beginning to show on us.
These people weren’t ordinary humans.
They had a presence similar to Shadow Stalkers, like monsters in human form.
But their bodies and minds showed no signs of mutation.
That’s what made them terrifying—we had no idea what they really were.
Touching the thick aura of the other world should have triggered a transformation.
Losing one's humanity and mutating into something adapted to the other world—that was supposed to be the “rule” of this world.
To avoid that fate, my companions and I bore a special power known as the Stigmata of Existence.
Having once adapted to a Shadow Stalker, I shared my traits with them so they could retain themselves even within the other world.
"It's the staircase. But...!"
"They weren’t here earlier!"
Several Seventh Order cultists stood waiting in front of the stairs.
They were originally supposed to be a “nameless, small cult group,” but that was clearly false.
From the moment we entered the Tower to now, we had already faced a considerable number of them.
I could no longer dismiss the suspicion that this was actually a massive organization.
Their numbers, the quality of their weapons, the magical artifacts they used—
All of it hinted at serious funding and organizational strength.
"Begone, heretics."
"Begone. This is sacred ground."
"Begone. This is your final warning."
The cultists readied their weapons and began advancing toward us.
Their movements were disciplined, coordinated.
I stepped forward, gripping my short sword in a reverse grip.
"Tch... Let us through! We just want to talk to Marina!"
"Blasphemy. Do not speak the child of God’s name so lightly."
"No negotiation. Heretics must die."
A cultist holding two large knives charged at me in a straight line.
From the side, another thrust a short spear toward me with a time-delayed attack.
I braced myself, realizing I couldn’t dodge—but a thick vine suddenly lashed out from somewhere, knocking away the spear-wielding cultist and saving me.
"I called upon the tree spirit, the Dryad! Please go, Sensei!"
Nodding slightly at Silk’s shout, I swung my short sword at the approaching cultist.
I felt the blade pierce flesh. The cultist dropped to the ground with a thud.
They weren’t dead, but the wound was deep—they wouldn’t survive.
I really wish people wouldn’t make me kill so much.
Even I can’t take it when there are this many.
But I can’t afford to complain.
My companions probably feel an even heavier burden than I do.
"Combat’s over. Are you okay, Yuke?"
"Y-Yeah. I’m fine."
"You don’t have to push yourself too hard, okay? I’ll finish them off instead."
"I can’t exactly let you do all the work, can I?"
I replied, and Nene gave a small shake of her head and a wry smile.
"I’m used to taking human life lightly. If I see them as enemies, they’re no different from monsters."
"Then it’s all the more reason we share that burden together."
"We feel the same way," Jamie added.
She gave my shoulder a firm pat as she spoke back to me.
"You’re probably being reckless because you’re worried about us, but we know what's necessary."
"Life-and-death battles happen on both sides. Once weapons are drawn, there’s no room for mercy."
"Me too. We’re all in this together," Silk added.
Hearing everyone’s words, I gave a small nod and lowered my gaze.
I never meant to underestimate them, but it seems I had been too overprotective.
They were all seasoned adventurers now. They were used to this kind of thing.
"Come on, let’s go. Marina’s waiting."
"Yeah. We’re almost there, right?"
Feeling like I’d been gently pushed forward, I nodded deeply.
"Yeah. We’re close. We don’t know what’s waiting for us, so let’s stay alert."
"Right. We can’t keep Marina waiting."
"Exactly."
I recalled the anxious expression on Marina’s face and steeled myself again.
No matter the reason, I couldn’t leave her in a place that would make her look like that.
"I’ll go ahead and scout the stairs."
"I’m counting on you, Nene. Be careful."
"Roger that."
With a flick of her Hidden Mantle, Nene vanished up the staircase.
She returned shortly after.
"...I think the floor above is our destination."
"Did you see Marina?"
At my question, Nene shook her head slightly.
"No, but… the structure is completely different from what we've seen so far. I'm pretty sure... it’s the Seventh Order’s base."
"Got it. Everyone ready?"
I turned to look at my companions and confirm.
They all silently nodded. I nodded back and turned my eyes to the staircase ahead.
"Alright—let’s move in...!"
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