Part 2: On the Fatal Sword

After that, leveling up progressed without any particular issues.

The journey was monotonous.

The dungeon scenery remained largely unchanged from beginning to end.

Only the monsters that appeared were oddly varied.

A giant mouse that walked on two legs.

A cow-like beast.

A massive centipede.

Something resembling a lump of slime.

A monkey monster wearing a tie, looking remarkably similar to a donkey Kong.

A moving suit of armor emitting a pale blue light.

Inside the "Dungeon," you encounter all sorts of inexplicable life forms you'd rarely come across if you were just living normally.

I slaughtered them all on sight, without hesitation.

Along the way, there was hardly any danger—so much so that I didn't even feel threatened.

After all, I had a monster over level 100 accompanying me.

Just like Nobita and his friends under Doraemon's protection, we were able to adventure with relatively little danger.

All we had to do was mindlessly continue slaughtering the "monsters."

The fact that dead "monsters" vanished—this inherent trait of the "dungeon"—made the whole experience feel like a game of horrific abuse.

Yet, we even found a sense of exhilaration in it.

▼

"Gugugugu……Goooooooooooon!"

"……'Moving Golem'"

I said.

"'Golem'"

Hakuha said.

"Um, um... 'Dusky Clod'?"

Sayuri said.

Before us stood a giant moving statue, roughly twice the height of an average adult male.

...but there were about nine of them in total.

"Hmm....Yeah, this is definitely the classic 'Golem'!"

Uh-huh, uh-huh, as Shina nodded in approval.

...Incidentally, this exchange is probably the twentieth time today.

"Alright, Nee-chan! Let's see who can defeat more 'Golems'—shoubu!"

"Sure, sure."

By then, my sister and I had teamed up to fight off monsters together.

After all, taking on that many alone would be quite a challenge.

The monsters aren't as weak as they used to be and can't be taken down with a single strike anymore.

"Once we've dealt with this group, let's head out of the 'Dungeon' for now. There should be a nice hotel nearby—let's rest there tonight."

Hearing Hakuha's words, I feel a sense of relief deep inside.

It's been about twelve hours since we started descending into the 'Dungeon.'

If you factor in constantly moving your body, even a black company would be left red-faced by this grueling workload.

While I still have physical stamina, mentally it's definitely taxing.

After letting out a long, deep sigh of relief,

"Alright!"

I muster up my determination.

Since this is supposedly the final stretch, I'll finish it off with a spirited use of my Ultimate Sword technique.

So, then, (I've checked this several times already, so it's not my first time seeing it) I'll double-check the effects of the Ultimate Sword techniques from VI to X.

"——Ultimate Sword VI"

As I mutter the name, the blade is enveloped in a pink aura.

Given how powerful Ultimate Sword V was, I expected Ultimate Sword VI and beyond to be utterly overwhelming... but surprisingly, VI has a rather modest effect.

"Alright, here we go."

While enveloped by this pink aura, the blade loses all killing power.

In exchange,

『Gugugugugu... gogo, go........』

The goblin I slashed collapsed to its knees, completely immobilized.

"Ultimate Sword VI" is a technique capable of stealing the opponent's consciousness.

It seems to have various applications, and it's been a great help.

If attacked by humans in the future, I can strike without hesitation.

Now then, next.

"――'Fatal Sword VII'"

From 'Fatal Sword VI' to 'IX', the effects remain relatively unassuming.

In short, this series grants a special status effect to the target upon being struck.

For now, I deliver a swift slash right at the feet of the sleeping (shall we say?) "Golem".

"...Gogo... Go..."

The "Golem" mutters in its sleep (or so it seems).

At first glance, nothing appears to have happened.

That was to be expected. "Fatal Sword VII" had the effect of gradually draining the opponent's "magic power."

It may not seem flashy, but it's quite a convenient ability.

By using "Fatal Sword VII" regularly, one can effectively continue using "skills" indefinitely.

"——Fatal Sword VIII"

Ignoring the "Golem" whose consciousness had been stolen, he targeted another "Golem."

Suddenly, the behavior of that "Golem" began to become erratic.

"Goooooooooooollllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!"

As if straight out of a monster movie, a rift began to form among the "Golems" themselves.

At this moment, the "Golem" I had just slashed should have seen allies and enemies completely inverted.

In a way reminiscent of Dragon Quest, it was as if the Golem was "confused."

Well, while it's more powerful to precisely split allies apart, that's exactly what's happening here.

And then,

"——'Fatal Sword IX'"

Hiding behind the "Golem" I've allied with, I swiftly strike another one the moment I spot an opening.

The surface of the Golem I attacked begins crumbling away, piece by piece.

In return, my own body—previously injured from earlier battles—starts healing.

This is also why I never run out of stamina, even after fighting nonstop for twelve hours.

This ability to recover stamina seems to possess the power to heal even physical exhaustion.

Even the hellish training guided by Hakuha-san wasn't particularly painful to endure.

The "Golem," bowing weakly to the blow of an ally's attack and my "Fatal Sword IX," knees buckling under the force.

I aim my next strike at its head—using "Fatal Sword X."

At the same time, my blade turned a deep, abyss-like black.

Zo wa zo wa zo wa zo wa zo wa……

It feels as though some undefined, ominous energy is gathering around the blade… like that.

"Gogogo… gogogo gogogo gogogo…"

I had a bad feeling.

The shattered "Golem" summoned its final strength, trying desperately to block the attack.

But it was futile.

《必殺剣Ⅹ》に接触した者は、（恐らく、使用者である私も含めて）、このセカイから消失してしまうのです。

「よっこらしょぉっと！」

疲れ果てたサラリーマンが立ち上がる時のような掛け声と共に、私は”ゴーレム”に一撃を食らわせました。

すると、

しゅごおおおおおおおおおおおおおぉぉぉぉぉ…………。

その巨体が、刀の中に吸い込まれていきます。

I immediately finished off the "golem" in a daze and the unconscious "golem" with my "Fatal Sword X," then sheathed my blade.

For those with an RPG mindset, to explain the effect of "Ultimate Sword" in a clear way,

"Fatal Sword VI" has the effect of putting enemies to sleep.

"Fatal Blade VII" has an MP absorption effect.

"Fatal Sword VIII" has the effect of confusing enemies.

"Fatal Sword IX" has a HP absorption effect.

And "Fatal Sword X"… instant death? Teleporting to another dimension?

Anyway, that's roughly the kind of effect it has.

"...phew"

After checking my condition, I still had some magical energy left.

I managed to defeat three golems while keeping some reserve power.

That's what matters.

By now, I already understood how my partner, Sayo, fought in battle.

It seems she has a habit of pushing her《magic》 and《special moves》 right up to their limits.

While it's effective for defeating monsters, she quickly runs out of magical energy.

To compensate for that, I must never push myself too hard in battle.

"Uoooooo! That makes six!"

Caiye cheerfully slammed the golem down and raised both arms triumphantly in the air.

"I won! It's my victory!"

"Uh-huh, uh-huh. Good job, good job."

As she said that, she gently ruffled the girl's hair.

"Ehehe~"

The girl blushed, her face glowing with an innocent smile.

Honestly, she has no idea how much trouble she causes me...

But she's so cute, I can't stay mad.

"Then... maybe it's about time we head back?"

Hakuba looked up from the paperback she had brought and said that.

"Both of you have worked hard. Let's put off the battle report and just relax tonight."

"I'd like a fluffy bed and a shower."

"Of course. Let's pick a luxurious suite worthy of our 'hero,' shall we?"

▼

The unexpected encounter with the 'hero' happened to us on our way back.