I immediately shattered the barrier stone.

The great spirit, who had been nearby, was flung away as if repelled.

"Heh heh... Struggling vainly, are we? But the more you panic, the more enjoyable it becomes to savor you."

Yet the great spirit calmly laughed, then froze in place like a statue.

It's waiting—waiting until my barrier stone's effect wears off.

It knows about the "barrier stone" from Ferdinand. It knows it's a precious item, that it has a limited duration, everything.

Right beside me lies what used to be Ferdinand.

Completely drained by the great spirit, reduced to little more than an equipment item.

I never thought he'd imagine dying in such a way either.

And that form might have been my own future self, just a step away.

(Even though another transmigrant has died... why am I so calm?)

Ferdinand had been undeniably my enemy, yet I found it strange that I wasn't as shaken by his sudden "death."

Having lived in this town and spent so long in that labyrinth, I must have grown numb to the idea of human death.

After all, I'd even tempted a being as powerful as a Great Spirit—something like that could happen... I could feel that truth within myself.

"…Refrea. You might dislike this, but could you hand over Ferdinand's equipment to me?"

"I suppose so... but what are you planning to do with it?"

"He said he has a way to contact that masked man, so let's confirm it. If there's a way

to reach someone inside the labyrinth, finding them might be tough—but this guy's partner, Phantom, probably can't handle two floors alone. Even if other second-wave transfer

agents are with him, it'd still be difficult. So we just need

to search the first floor. That shouldn't be too hard. If he's hiding somewhere

in the city, it'll be a bit tricky, but dragging Links around without reason would be hard too. That makes the mutual aid association area the most likely place. Of

course, the contact method itself might just be a bluff. ...Well,

hunting corpses hasn't been fun in a while."

When I first arrived at the labyrinth, I survived by selling equipment left behind by explorers who had died within it. I recalled that.

"……So that's how it is."

What was in my pocket was a barrier stone.

If I had attacked, they would have shattered it and contacted their companions with a laugh.

I searched every pocket, then checked the bag too.

A short sword, a wallet, a notebook and a pen.

A barrier stone. A scroll.

And matches and a rocket flare.

(A rocket flare...? Ah, so that's what they intended to use to signal for help.)

In other words, they must have planned to use the barrier stone first, then launch the flare to send a message.

It's not far from here to Links' mutual aid society. The explosion sound of rocket fireworks should be clearly audible.

As a single communication method, it's certainly effective.

(……though, a scroll on a barrier stone?)

Ferdinand had certainly been bold, openly manipulating the Great Spirit during broad daylight to use it as an attack against me, but in reality, he seemed to be quite cautious.

Two barrier stones. A large (・) healing (・) that can be exchanged for three points.

Considering he'd just transferred, he likely prioritized insurance over self-enhancement.

Or perhaps he acquired some kind of drawback, allowing him to hold many points.

I placed Ferdinand's belongings into the Shadow Storage.

The barrier stone's effective duration is approximately 12 hours.

The number of viewers has exceeded 1.2 billion and continues to grow.

The Great Spirit standing about ten meters away from me.

"What should we do now...? The Great Spirit doesn't seem to be moving..."

Refleia says, worried.

"For now, Refleia, can you protect Flue? The 'means of communication' he mentioned was a primitive method—signaling by launching fireworks. That means Flue should be within earshot of the sound."

"But Hikaru..."

"I'm fine. The barrier will last 12 hours."

"…Understood. But Hikaru, please don't do anything reckless. Once I confirm Flue is safe, I'll explain everything to the Water Priestess."

"Yeah, thanks."

I suppose it's pointless to try talking to the priest, but I'm still glad for the sentiment.

As long as I no longer have to worry about hostages, I can handle things on my own.

The 'Disadvantages Available to Obtain Later' located deep within the status board.

By selecting one of these—specifically the 【Random Teleport】—I can at least escape this urgent situation.

Of course, I won't know where I'll end up, nor whether I'll survive.

But I'll definitely escape this kill zone. I might have to consider using it as a last resort.

It's still early morning, which is precisely why the townspeople are so active.

Unlike in Japan, there aren't many people who just glance past incidents like this.

It's a world with few distractions. So, if something like this happens, people naturally stop to take notice.

Rumors spread, and gradually, the townspeople began to gather.

　

The priests are desperately trying to persuade the Great Spirit, but it seems the Great Spirit has no intention of listening.

Motionless and calm, it simply remains there.

"Hey, you. The Great Spirit-sama’s been hanging around here, and just now it looked like it ate someone you know… What’s going on? Do you know something about this…?"

An old man standing nearby spoke up.

Starting with that old man, others began to gather nearby with keen interest.

Even those touching the barrier and small children.

The barrier repels those with ill intent. It cannot keep away those without ill intent toward me. Of course, it also prevents entry into the barrier’s interior—

"Isn't he someone you know? Why did he get eaten? Was he beloved?"

"Um, no. I barely know him—I don't even understand what's going on myself..."

That was all I could manage to say.

Anyone looking would see that I'm the one involved.

Maybe everyone realizes it, or maybe even if they don't, the fact that the barrier is so thin is unusual—everyone's eyes were fixed on me.

The barrier didn't shield me from their direct stares or the whispers of the crowd.

Few people spoke to me directly, but their hushed voices reached me just fine.

I couldn't help but hear them.

"Great Spirit, is it really safe being so far from the temple...?"

"The beloved one seems to have run away."

"The Water Great Spirit is a gentle one, so perhaps they've found someone who's done something wrong."

"I just heard from the priest's chamber—seems to be related to the beloved one."

"Could it be that man over there? Didn't the Great Spirit say something like that?"

"What's that membrane? It's creepy..."

"I don't recognize that face."

"Then why aren't they running away from that membrane? Was it made by the Great Spirit?"

"If that beloved one is offered, won't the Great Spirit return to the shrine?"

"If we don't act now, the labyrinth might be affected. It'll be too late then. This town exists because of the labyrinth."

"What about the water? What are we going to do about it? The Great Spirit gives us clean water."

"This might be bad."

"Quick, do something about it,"

the weight of people's gazes pressed against me like physical force, wrapping me in its grip.

A shiver ran through me—

the sensation of cold fingers brushing down my spine.

—It's your fault, isn't it?

—Just get eaten already.

—Isn't that what it means to be the beloved one?

—You planning to destroy the city?

—If you're offered up, that'll solve everything.

I felt as though I could hear their very thoughts, their hidden hearts speaking.

In truth, there was no doubt that such feelings lurked in the eyes of those watching me.

After all, their lives and the city's peace matter far more than my existence—unknown, an outsider.

So—of course.

It's because Ferdinand took the Great Spirit, that's all.

It doesn't matter at all.As long as I'm here, the Great Spirit shows no sign of moving.

"…………Darkness Fog"

Darkness slowly spreads, staining the inside of the barrier black.

To keep the people's gaze from reaching it.

The fog's darkness does not extend beyond the barrier.

That's probably why it looks from outside like a pitch-black sphere.

The murmurs of the crowd grow louder.

"Is this a spirit technique of darkness?""A beloved one shouldn't be able to use magic, should they?""It might be some kind of dangerous spell.""If the Great Spirit tried to destroy it, could it be the Demon King...?""Now that you mention it, I've seen someone like that in the labyrinth.""We should consult the priestess.""I've never seen a technique like this before.""Using spirit magic in the middle of town like this?""Could it be some criminal?""What are the Holy Knights doing?"

(What should I do... If I keep going like this...)

The situation is only getting worse.

I suppress the urge to cover my ears and focus on what comes next.

If Refleia secures Grapeflour, at least that worry will be gone.

Or perhaps, once Ferdinand is gone, there won't be any need to worry at all—but I can't afford to be complacent.

The enemy could do anything unpredictable.

But if that worry disappears—

I open the status board and look up random teleportation.

【Random Teleport: Instantly transports you to a random location within this world. No teleportation to instant-death locations, but be sure to prepare thoroughly before selecting! Bonus: 10 points awarded. Can also bring along 'Beloved Ones'】

The last resort—and the most reliable option.

Though we may be separated from everyone else, as long as we're alive, there's still a chance of reunion.

If I'm going to be a burden, then so be it—

"Darkness Fog"

In the darkness that feels heavy with mass, reinforcing itself with shadows, I held my breath.

The clamor of people grew more intense.

The great spirit, having emerged from outside the temple, its abnormality clearly stirring people's anxiety.

After a sharp "clang," something fell to the ground.

Upon looking, it was a stone about the size of a fist.

It seemed someone had thrown a stone at the barrier.

Then came a series of continuous "clang," "gank" sounds as more objects collided.

Within the Darkness Fog, I could clearly see through to the other side.

That's why he could see everything—the crowd throwing stones, the temple knights drawing their swords as they arrived.

Of course, the barrier wouldn't break from something like that.

The reason the sound didn't continue was probably because the barrier became invisible the moment hostility was felt.

This feature was strong, but conversely, before the barrier recognized someone as an enemy, both the inside and outside could still be perceived clearly. Perhaps the people throwing stones didn't yet harbor such obvious hostility.

In fact, it might be better if they did—

Just as I was about to think that, I shook my head and shut my eyes.

(In any case... I can't stay in this town anymore...)

Even if I managed to get through this crisis without using random teleportation, it was already impossible for me to keep living in this town.

The temple won't stay silent either, and most importantly, the townspeople certainly won't allow me to keep living here.

I've clearly become a disruptor of the town's order.

"Darkness Fog"

Well, that's fine.

I was already planning to leave this town anyway.

　

I always thought it'd be dangerous if someone saw me using dark spirit magic.

But now, I've gone too far to turn back.

Reflira herself said there's absolutely no persecution against dark spirit magic, and the fact that I can use it is just a fact.

It's pointless to hide it now, and surrendering meekly to this situation created by that Ferdinand is utterly ridiculous.

"Darkness Fog"

... Honestly, it's ridiculous.

Why me?

What did I ever do?

Rather than being someone who's contributed to the town through dungeon exploration?

I was finally starting to calm down a little.

After being dragged into something like world transfer and going through terrible experiences.

Even so, I was gradually starting to feel a bit better.

I was slowly beginning to accept that I'd be living in this world from now on.

"Darkness Fog"

The darkness within the barrier is growing ever deeper.

Even I can't see a step ahead—it's utterly black.

A pitch-black so dense it feels like mass and viscosity.

That darkness, which allows not even a single ray of light through, writhes violently within the barrier, on the verge of bursting.

"Darkness Fog"

If this barrier vanishes, the Water Great Spirit will immediately attack.

If that happens, there'll be no hope of survival.

Only magic might be slightly effective. If

dispel works, perhaps there's hope. But what then

? As long as we can't

defeat it, we're just slowly wearing down.

Should we run? Where to?

Out beyond the city? What if the Great Spirit follows us

there? What if the labyrinth

collapses because of that? This situation is exactly as that Ferdinand said—already checkmated—"Darkness

Fog." It felt as

though the darkness was seeping deep into myself. The layered

shadows blocked out even the surrounding noise.

—kakkya —ufufu. The

voices of

the spirits were audible—clearer

, more distinct than usual.

They were the spirits of darkness—closer and more reliable than even the great water spirit waiting to devour me, always by my side, my allies.

— You're troubled, aren't you?

— Are you afraid you'll be eaten?

"……Yeah, you're in trouble."

— You're troubled, aren't you?

— You don't want to be eaten, right?

— Can I do something about it?

"……I wish I could just run away."

— You'll definitely be able to,

— If we all join our strength together,

　

"……Join our strength… How should we do it? Can I really do this?"

— You can do it,

— You can do it,

— You can do it,

— You've done it before, once,

— Didn't you? You can… you must be able to, my love (・) dearest (・) one (・)

— So please, please…

— Call me,