Volume 3 - CH 34

Chapter 34-Optimization and Jamie's Regrets

"Gaaaahhh!"(Baryonyx)

The baryonyx approaches with a roar.

All of the demons in the vicinity have gone berserk, but this one is always so ferocious that one can't tell the difference.

This is the first encounter with this demon that I have had, I never had the misfortune of encountering it in the past.

I was a little lost as to how to deal with it.

"No, first..."(Yuki)

The basics of a red mage in an encounter is to use weakening magic.

Even if they are getting ferocious, we can't let them go on a rampage.

This is the first adventure lesson for the Newbie.

"─ ─ ─ <paralyze> <slow> <venom> <break> <blindness> <chain>."(Yuki)

In a single breath, I strike with the weakening magic that I have left on standby without chanting.

Even if it is a monster that has gone berserk in the "Reversal Labyrinth Tenebrae," any of these will work to create an opening.

"Gah!"(Baryonyx)

My prediction was not off.

"I got it!"(Marina)

Marina's black sword, which rushed forward with a step that cracked the ground, ripped open the neck of the Baryonyx and dropped it. That was the end.

"Oh, Yuki, You sounded so serious that it felt like were a little tense."(Marina)

'...... it's not like that, Marina.'(Silk)

Silk, having released her nervousness, giggles as she lets out a small exhale.

'It's just that Yuki's magic was so powerful. Do you remember? Zagnar."(Silk)

"Yes, The one that was so powerful, right?"(Marina)

"The Baryonyx we just fought is a B-rank demon just like Zagnar."(Silk)

"E......?"(Marina)

Perhaps now the horror of that moment has returned, Marina looks back at the dead baryonyx with a sense of dismay.

Marina's growth is also remarkable, as she can cut off a man's head with a single sword without even turning it into a magic sword.

But what surprised me was the accuracy of my own magic.

"Yuki, you're the best! You saved my life!"(Marina)

I think about it as I accept a long overdue dash hug.

I was  later  told that Zagnar at that time was a special individual or a named.

Even though the Baryonyx was a  not tough individual in Zagnar, but I am sure that my magic wasn't precise enough to restrain a high ranking demon that easily.

Perhaps that was the cause.

It was the optimization of the "existence mark stigmata"──"Persephone's Blessing".

That power, sublimated from a borrowed one, is functioning properly within me.

Perhaps the "Stigmata" are sensing the presence of the "Gray Fields" where the Immortal King of the Pale is residing, and the balance of this world has been upset.

I can say that I am grateful, but the situation is not funny.

"Now for the route ahead ......? What is this big thing?"(Nene)

"We're in an encounter with a demon. They're all out to kill us."(Yuki)

"They might be attracted by the smell of blood. Let's move."(Nene)

Nene's suggestion was plausible, so I put off speculating and signaled my companions to proceed.

◇

After walking for a while, we were resting in a handy rock cave that Nene had found for us.

This was Clover's first experience in a field-based labyrinth dungeon.

Even though we had entered the "Valley of Death" to investigate several times before, assuming that this was already a labyrinth dungeon, it would be best to follow the theory of labyrinth attack dungeon work.

"It's about time I do it."(Yuki)

I lightly cooked the ingredients I had brought from "La-Jo" and put them on a plate.

It is one of the most important jobs of an adventurer to eat when he or she is ready to eat.

"What kind of soup are we having today? I wonder?"(Rain)

"I've missed the taste so today it's seafood soup."(Yuki)

Rain looked at the soup stock and smiled at the nostalgic smell.

Marina and Silk made the same face when I handed it to them..

"It's been a long time since I've had yuke's cooking, I'm so thankful to eat outside like this. ......"(Jamie)

"How's the saltiness, young lady? I can add more pepper if you want."(Yuki)

"Uh....stop it was my bad back then."(Jamie)

"I never thought I'd hear you say that Though. I'm sorry, I was a little mean too."(Yuki)

Jamie stared at me and I gave her a small wry smile.

When I was at Thunder Pike, Jamie used to order a lot of my food.

Now I am more than a little grateful for the addition to my culinary repertoire.

"But really, ...... we were idiots, weren't we?"(Jamie)

"You mean 'Thunder Pike'?"(Silk)

Jamie responds with a nod to Silk.

"Simon was an idiot, Barry was even more of an idiot, and Camilla was a nymphomaniac. Of course, I was just as much a bum as they were."(Jamie)

(TL:+1)

Jamie pokes at the grilled chicken with a fork and sniffs a little.

God,...... she is a little long in the tooth when it comes to this state of affairs. It's hard to appease her.

"Good food, I couldn't eat in the labyrinth dungeon,...... As I said I made a mistake,...... I did it,......"(Jamie)

"But aren't  you eating it right now?"(Silk)

Silk tells her simply.

" You're a member of Clover now. And I'm a little bit happy about that, too, you know?"(Silk)

"......?"(Jamie)

"Yuki had a hard time at 'Thunder Pike'. I remember the day he cried because of the abuse."(Silk)

Jamie burst into tears at Silk's words.

"But... you saved us that day ....... And, considering the situation right now, I think you were the one who was needed by  Yuki-san."(Silk)

"Me?"(Jamie)

"Yes."(Silk)

Well, Silk is sharper than I expected.

After all, I sometimes unconsciously treat the three girls as if they were my students.

The reason for this may be that my position as leader is closer to that of when I was an instructor.

Nene, too, is still inexperienced, so I tend to treat her in a similar manner.

In this respect, I would not have that attitude toward Jamie.

After five years of adventures together, we had shared their own stories of youthful mistakes.

"Jamie, That's what I'm going to say too, so I'm going to end this conversation. We can start a new adventure as 'Clover. I'm sorry that our first request is to conquer the most difficult labyrinth in the "King's Order of Imperial Requests."

Jamie wiped away a tear and laughed at my lighthearted comment.

"I hope you'll support me well."(Jamie)

I nodded in reply to her challenging smile, which I hadn't seen in a while.