Volume 3 - CH 35

Chapter 35-The hand that is now connected with Jamie's.

After several encounters, we had finally reached the edge of the inverted labyrinth Tenebrae.

Facing the wall of darkness, I stood there with bated breath.

"The battle is about to begin. Are you ready?"(Yuki)

Even as I said this, I was painfully aware of my own lack of preparedness.

The thought of it was finally upon me, and a pang of fear crept up and shook me to my core.

"Are you okay?"(Nibelung)

"...... Ya. I thought I was prepared for this."(Yuki)

My legs almost buckle as I remember Fullama, who has been filled with something black and turned inside out.

I can trust what my uncle says. The fact is that with the stigmata, even in that darkness, I could go on and I was safe.

But I was paranoid about the safety of my friends, and that made my fear grow.

"I was sure that they would be safe. If it comes down to it, Lun will be there for you."(Nibelung)

"Yes, I know. I'll rely on you."(Yuki)

Nibelung has almost no skills as an adventurer, but her presence is very important.

In addition to operating the "Gopro-kun G" for "live distribution," Nibelung's "gold" could be the last safety net for us.

In addition, she, my uncle, and I - in other words, the three walkers - had discussed and decided on a promise.

It is no exaggeration to say that the safety of the Nibelung is the key to this adventure.

"I have a hunch that everything will be fine."(Marina)

"Marina, you shouldn't trust your instincts. So let's  do this "(Silk)

When Silk snapped her fingers, a small white snake slithered out of her silver hair.

Usually, spirits stay in the place of their own attributes, but Biblion, the spirit of memory and storytelling, often lurks in Silk's hair.

This spirit, observer and recorder, is also the terminal of a higher being, the spirit that inhabits our "stories."

And the many records stored in him manifest as the power to predict the future in the short term.

"Biblion, please."(Silk)

"────"(Biblion)

The spirit Biblion whirls about with a whispering cry.

After a moment, it whispered something into the silk, and then went back into her hair.

"It seems there's nothing wrong with touching this," The possibility of a future in which we become the Shadow Man, Shadow Stalker is nonexistent."(Silk)

"I see. Thank you, Biblion."(Yuki)

The white snake responded to my acknowledgment with a small wag of its tail from Silk's silver hair.

Even though most of the spirits are difficult to deal with, Biblion is friendly to people, which is helpful.

'Well then, let's step in.  Yuki-san, what is your plan of action for the raid?"(Nene)

As planned, the entire party will join hands "and move in as a single group. If the interior has already turned into an 'invisible darkness,' we can't just get lost if we leave."(Yuki)

There is the disadvantage of not being able to respond immediately to an attack the moment you enter.

Nevertheless, it is worse to be separated in that place where the darkness, where time and space are ambiguous, continues forever.

Moreover, the situation is different from the time of "Glad Shii-Im.

The "Invisible Darkness" that I wandered into that time was literally nothing but tranquility, but ...... this "Inverted Labyrinth Tenebrae" took the labyrinth and overflowed it.

In light of the fact that the shadow man Shadow Stalker disappeared inside, we cannot deny the possibility that greater dangers await us.

And if so. It is imperative that the party does not disperse, even if there is some risk.

"Okay, then. Then, please use reinforcement magic. I'll help you."(Jamie)

"Oh, I'll leave the physical strengthening to Jamie."(Yuki)

I nodded to Jamie while sending out Refresh Mana, which continuously restores magic power.

The actual "Thunderpike" incident was a very important one.

Benwood told me that Jamie had made a lot of effort since the "Thunder Pike" incident.

When Jamie found out that we, Clover, were now an A-rank party, even if only temporarily, she asked Benwood and Mamaru to help her get back into the guild and take care of  her pre-adventure training.

Among the instructors she received were old Moriah and other now-retired adventurers of the past, and according to Benwood, "she now perfect for taking on the edge of the world."

I think the talent was there to begin with.

"I've completed my enhancements over here as well."

I grant some protective magic and also check the [scroll of multiple enhancements] inserted in the waist belt.

Even if there is some kind of emergency, this can be used to temporarily stop the situation.

"I like it. I wonder if I can use magic too?"(Marina)

I smiled at Marina, who was checking out the enhanced magic.

"The grass looks greener on the other side, Marina."(Yuki)

"Is that how it is?"(Marina)

'That's the way it is."(Yuki)

I was so distressed that I thought to myself, "I'm a man and I can only support ...... her from behind.

Looking back at me as an adventurer, I never had any flair from the beginning.

The first five years of my life were spent as a backstage worker for Thunderpike, wearing a crimson adventuring costume that was even considered a badge of honor and never being seen in the "delivery" section of the show.

I polished my sword, my magic, and my alchemy, but none of them made me a mid-guard supporter, something I still regret a little.

If only I had been as good a fighter as Marina, my life as an adventurer would have been much different.

"But I'm sure ...... Yuki can fight well enough in the vanguard, right?"(Marina)

"I think you're being too optimistic. My role is that of a midshipman and supporter. I'll work reasonably well wherever I can to make it easier for everyone to fight, but I still need everyone to be there to help me."(Yuki)

I look up, look around, and smile with as much smugness as I can muster.

"So guys. I'm counting on you."(Yuki)

I saw my friends nod back at me, and I took a deep breath.

"Let's go!"(Yuki)

I held out my hands, and Rain took my left hand.

"It's  my position here, Don't let go of my hand, okay?"(Rain)

Silk took my right hand.

"The sub-leader's position is here, isn't it?"(Silk)

"No, that's not fair! Then I'll connect with Rain."(Marina)

Marina stuck out her tongue and joined hands with Rain.

"Lun, come here and connect with me."(Jamie)

"Yes, please."(Nibelung)

Jamie, who had joined hands with Nibelung, holds out her hand to Silk.

"May I?"(Jamie)

"Of course."(Silk)

"Then I'll hold Marina's hand."(Nene)

Nene, the last one left, holds Marina's hand.

We hold each other's hands firmly and hold our breath.

"The "live streaming" has begun!　We will now begin  diving in the "Inverted Labyrinth Tenebrae" "(Yuki)