Mokushiroku Arisu - Volume 02

  "...... I...... possess the magic that might allow me to forcibly sever the illness from Gunjou and save her."

  Shiro's eyes widen very much in surprise.

  More like, everyone has a surprised look.

  Because no one has ever heard of the existence of such a magic. Since if a diseased girl could be killed, she would be terminated --- and no one would be bothered to seriously develop such a troublesome magic.

  But, Shiro does not ask any question. He merely narrows his eyes, and looks hard at me......

  "Then, this is the only chance we have to save Gunjou. If she turns into an eternal labyrinth, it'd be impossible."

  That's right.

  A rank 420 is practically unclearable. Shiro takes a step forward, grabs my arm and says to me.

  "All right, then let's do it. Let's enter the labyrinth and save Gunjou."

  Save --- he actually said such an idiotic word that proclaims his willingness to risk his life to save another person so easily.

  On top of that, both Himi and Yousuke place their hands on Shiro's hand which is grabbing me.

  Further on top of that, Kiri too places her hand.

  I no longer have any idea how to stop that.

  I can only look down at them, troubled ---

  Suddenly behind me, a girl's voice rings out.

  "What the heck? Holding hands in the toilet? The peeps in Tokyo sure like to act all-friendly like little brats huh?"

  I look in her direction.

  Down the corridor, I see a group of people in school uniforms. Uniforms that are different from those of 《Kichijouji High》.

  They are probably the group from the school in Kansai.

  In the center, a twin tailed girl with an abnormally short skirt is staring at us, smirking.

  Though both her appearance and voice are cute, murderous intent overflows from her entire body. She has already activated her 《Headphone Fuzz》.

  She's probably quite strong.

  They are probably the people who are dubbed as the 『Valor Team』. I count a total of nine people.

  Shiro, Kiri, Himi, Yousuke, and I look in their direction.

  The Kansai girl says.

  "When I heard of the Hero Team, I thought they would be a bunch of tough-looking guys and came here feeling a little apprehensive, but what the heck, they're just a bunch of blockheads. What do you think? Zakkii?"

  Then, the small-looking guy called Zakkii, with swept-back hair, steps out.

  "Indeed, they look weak. Shall we test them before entering the labyrinth?"

  "I wonder whether it's a crime to kill them outside of the labyrinth in Tokyo?"

  "It can't be helped if weaklings die right?"

  "Yeah. Then --- Incineration switch."

  She invokes her magic suddenly.

  Threatening to fill up the narrow corridor, flames burst out of the girl's raised palms.

  But the guys behind me have also activated their magic.

  Yousuke steps out. Spreads his hands.

  "Spider Legs switch!"

  He uses an AOE defense magic.

  From the center of both his hands, eight spider-like legs spread out, and threads start dancing out, creating a barrier of threads in front of Yousuke.

  The threads burn.

  The spider burns.

  But that's where the flames stop.

  However, from the other side of the corridor, a voice rings out. It's the voice of the guy called Zakkii.

  "Slashing Maiden switch."

  A flash of light.

  Then a slash.

  A powerful attack that an AOE defense magic can't defend against.

  However, Kiri steps out.

  "Nine-Fold switch."

  A Japanese sword appears in her hand. With the magic from that sword, she can counter nine attacks of any power.

  Swinging her sword, she receives the slash from Zakkii.

  Zakkii is holding a dirk-like object in a reverse-hand grip.

  "Oh my, you can stop this. Who are you?"

  "A comrade of the Hero Team."

  Comrade.

  Comrade.

  Comrade.

  Shiro looks at me.

  Then,

  "Comrade."

  He slaps my shoulder delightedly, to which I scowl.

  "You should fight too."

  "My magic has too much destructive power and shouldn't be used inside the school right? You do it."

  "...... tch, firepower idiot."

  While clicking my tongue, I step forward.

  Then, the girl behind Zakkii, who is exchanging slashes with Kiri, jumps out.

  "While you're talking, this is the end ~! Burning Bullet switch!"

  She twists her body.

  Her fist alit.

  At the same time, I activate the magic that has been flowing in my brain.

  【In an instant ♪ In a flash ♪ In the time of a flash ♪

  The flash of time, the flash of an instant ♪ In an instant ♪ In a flash ———】

  "...... Acceleration switch ---"

  I accelerate my body. I kick the floor, kick the wall, and encircle the girl from behind.

  The girl reacts. She's following my movements. Maybe those flames are bestowing a speed-boost to her body.

  However, even so,

  "I'm faster."

  I grab her twin tails.

  "Ou-ouch, it hurts."

  She swings her fist at me but it doesn't reach me. I fling her with all my might. She tumbles over the corridor.

  Zakkii retreats from us and yells.

  "Makoto!"

  Seems like her name is Makoto. She immediately gets back up. And glares at us.

  "Not bad. I let my guard down a little, next time......"

  But, a graceful looking girl, with long deep blue hair, and clear eyes that are also deep blue in color, steps out, and stops her.

  "Let's stop, Makoto. This is not the time for a brawl between Kantou and Kansai, is it?"

  Then, Makoto's movements stop. Seems like the deep blue girl is the leader. She looks at us with quiet eyes.

  "...... you are the 『Hero Team』 members right? We are from 『Osaka Arts High』."

  Shiro then says.

  "You are the rumored 『Valor Team』 huh?"

  "We've been recently called that. It's a name given to us in school. And, are you the leader of the 『Hero Team』?"

  The deep blue girl looks at Shiro.

  "Hn?"

  Shiro then looked in my direction. Will you be the leader, his eyes speak.

  I wave my hand in an irritated manner, and beckon him to quickly get things going.

  Shiro then goes on to look at Kiri, but she shakes both her head and hands to reject the post.

  If Gunjou were here, we might be disputing about it, but right now, the leader of the 『Hero Team』 is decided easily.

  Shiro turns to his front and says.

  "I'm the leader, Hishiro Shiro."

  The deep blue girl then nods her head and says.

  "I am Mitsutomo Kujaku."

  Mitsutomo --- that's the name the girl gave.

  She carries the same family name as Gunjou, the name of the military conglomerate, Mitsutomo group, that had brought up Gunjou.

  I look hard at Kujaku and say.

  "...... are you here to dispose of the shame of your family?"

  Kujaku then looks at me. Then smiles.

  "I'll be sorry if capable individuals were to be killed by that 『Shame』, so I came here to do a little test. It seems like you are stronger than I expected but...... you're too few in numbers. You can't do anything with just five people right? How about leaving everything to us, 『Osaka Arts High』 and Escape now?"

  I say.

  "Are you saying you'll save the world?"

  "Yes."

  "It's rank 42 you know?"

  "We know that of course. She's one of us after all. But rest assured. We'll dispose of this labyrinth and save Kantou, so the capable indiv
iduals of Tokyo can feel free to take a break from this. Well then, shall we go? Makoto, Yamazaki. Let's get rid of Mizuiro Gunjou."

  Then, Kujaku turns her back to us.

  The students from Kansai leave.

  Shiro looks intently at the 『Valor Team』 and says.

  "...... seems like those guys can take care of a rank 42."

  "Yeah."

  "Then, if they're doing it, the world can be saved."

  "Maybe yeah."

  "And, Gunjou will be disposed. Even if there's a way to save her, they'd still kill her probably. They've come here to get rid of a disgrace. It's a squad meant to dispose of Gunjou. They are probably backed by a military corporation."

  But at that moment, Shiro puts a stop to those words and says something unpleasant happily,

  "But even so, since you are a good kid, you'll risk your life for a comrade right?"

  I don't want to reply. I'll definitely not answer that disgusting, dumb question of his.

  And, while making a scowl that can't get any worse, I still say,

  "Yeah, that's right. Before those trash who are dubbed the 『Valor Team』, we'll reach the diseased girl and --- save Gunjou."

  * * *

  Chapter 5 - The Heart to Trust Comrades and Hope

  『Fourth Hour Period ---

  Lesson on selecting the magic to kill the girl』

  When we return to the classroom, our homeroom teacher, Honjou Tsukasa isn't there.

  On the blackboard in large letters.

  『Self-Study! When you are ready to infiltrate the labyrinth, we'll deploy the choppers, so call me then!』

  Is written.

  Well, indeed, during the fourth and fifth periods, the students will discuss among themselves the tactics for raiding the labyrinth and there probably isn't a need for the homeroom teacher to be there.

  Right now, inside the classroom, the self-proclaimed top of class 3, Santou Taisuke, and a girl I don't know are seated.

  Santou turns in our direction.

  "Ah, you're finally back. Where did you guys go?"

  I ignore him and enter the classroom. And sit at my seat.

  Kiri again sits beside me.

  Himi and Yousuke remain standing.

  And Shiro then stands in front of the blackboard --- on the platform, and says.

  "Then let's begin the fourth hour period, shall we? I'm your commander, Hishiro Shiro."

  He looks at me, Kiri, Yousuke and Himi, then continues.

  "Well, the fellows from the Hero Team already know me. So, as for the two new people...... one of you is Santou Taisuke right?"

  Santou then stands up.

  "Yeah. Top of class 3."

  "Your grades don't matter. And, the other person......"

  He turns his eyes to the brown-haired girl who has been keeping quiet all this while.

  The girl looks up. Looks at Shiro.

  "Kamiuchi Miko."

  She gives her name.

  Shiro then asks.

  "So, which class's top are you?"

  The girl called Miko answers.

  "I'm not the top or anything...... I'm actually at the bottom of class 4."

  "Hm. Why is someone like you here?"

  "I have my reasons."

  "What kind of reasons?"

  Miko then shrugs her shoulders.

  "It's not like I caught the labyrinth disease or anything, so I don't really feel the need to divulge my personal information."

  Shiro then nods and says.

  "You're right about that. But I did a small check. And there isn't anyone named Kamiuchi Miko in class 4."

  "Oh, is that so? That's troubling."

  "Not really. In the first place, we won't trust a person we just met. And, right now, you are going to activate your 《Headphone Fuzz》 but it'd be futile. My comrades who are right behind you have already activated magic that will crush you."

  Yousuke and Himi look down at Miko as they remain standing.

  "............"

  A murderous intent swells up from the body of Miko.

  However, it doesn't seem like she's going to fight Shiro, Himi and Yousuke.

  Shiro says.

  "Let me ask you again. Who are you?"

  Miko says.

  "And if I don't tell you?"

  "We'll kill you."

  Miko stands up smiling.

  "Meh, you guys are sure nosy."

  She lapses into Kansai dialect. Miko then jumps. Fast. Towards Shiro.

  Miko thrusts her palms out and hollers.

  "Bomb Curtain switch."

  The space before her hands warp. Compresses. Expands, about to explode.

  "Shiro!"

  Yousuke yells but Shiro smiles in delight.

  "Penitence Severance switch."

  He murmurs.

  His magic activates.

  An abnormally gigantic knife that normal people can never possibly swing appears in his hand that has been raised in advance.

  Before that knife, the magic conjured by Miko explodes.

  But the force from that explosion is unable to penetrate that bulky knife.

  Shiro jumps. And grabs that hand of Miko from which the explosion arose. He twists it vigorously and press it aganst her face. And further goes on to bring her down to the floor.

  "Well, try making that explosion again."

  "Guh......"

  Miko tries to raise her other free hand, but Shiro steps on it down with his foot.

  But even with that, Miko's mouth opens,

  "...... Self-explode swi......"

  Shiro forcibly stuffs her mouth with her fingers. Preventing her from saying the trigger code.

  "Guh guh guh."

  Miko can no longer use her magic.

  As expected, Shiro is strong. Overwhelmingly strong. He was able to invoke that gigantic specialized offensive magic, which is difficult to wield, in this cramped classroom, and without causing any damage to the classroom, render a relatively skilled opponent helpless.

  Shiro turns towards us.

  "Just now, she wanted to say Self-explode switch, but is that really a self-exploding magic, I wonder?"

  I shake my head.

  "No. I know that magic. It should be a magic brought back from the 'Magnetic Bomb 8' labyrinth. It's something that causes explosions to erupt from her entire body indiscriminately."

  "I see. Then it's not like she was trying to risk her life and kill us all...... so, who are you? Though since you lapsed into Kansai dialect halfway, I already have a rough idea."

  "...... fuh-guh-guh-guh."

  "Oh well, you can't answer with a hand stuffed in your mouth."

  Shiro then takes off her 《Headphone Fuzz》 from her ear. With that, even if he liberates her mouth, she won't be able to use magic.

  "Hoih."

  He throws the headphone behind him. I catch it.

  It's a Mitsutomo heavy industries made 《Headphone Fuzz》.

  Mitsutomo group again.

  I look down at it with half-opened eyes,

  "...... probably a comrade of that 『Valor Team』 from earlier."

  Shiro nods. He pulls out the fingers from Miko's mouth, stands up and says.

  "Did you come to hinder us?"

  Miko glares up at Shiro and says.

  "Return my headphone."

  "You heard her. Shinnosuke."

  I throw up the headphone. Following that,

  "Demon Sword switch."

  I murmur. while holding a knife in my hand. From the center of the knife, a sword with the color of darkness starts extending. This magic will confer its magic to any object touched, and transform it into a demon sword.

  The power that would be conferred is dependent on the nature of the object that is touched, and has an infinite variety. One would not know what kind of power it is unless one tries it. That is why this is a magic that is extremely difficult to use but, because it is possible to invoke all its different powers by changing the target object each t
ime, if one has the time to test this general purpose magic, it could possibly make up for the limitation of having only six slots of magic.

  And right now, the power of the demon sword I'm using ---

  "...... Assassination property."

  A power that allows the user to find the point where one can deal a fatal blow to the opponent with the strength of this sword,

  A red target point appears before my eyes. The point finds the easiest place to break on the Mitsutomo heavy industries made 《Headphone Fuzz》. The reason why I am doing this explicitly is because I fear that many of the members of the 『Valor Team』 would be wearing Mitsutomo heavy industries made 《Headphone Fuzz》.

  In that case, it's better to find its weak point first.

  After looking at it, I swing my demon sword.

  The 《Headphone Fuzz》 breaks.

  However, I do not dispel my magic. The target circle has continued to find the point of destruction on another 《Headphone Fuzz》.

  The guy called Santou Taisuke from class 3.

  The outward appearance of his 《Headphone Fuzz》 does not resemble that of Mitsutomo heavy industries made one but for some reason, it has the exact same weak point ---

  "...... you too huh."

  On hearing that, Santou turns around.

  "Oh my, how did I get found out......"

  Seems like this is the real spy. He probably intended to remain among us, but he got found out.

  Santou says.

  "Well, it's fine. We've completed our mission anyway. Let's go Miko."

  He lapses into Kansai dialect. Together with Miko, they run towards the window. Break through the window outside.

  We don't chase after them. There is no time, nor need to.

  However, while turning around, Santou says.

  "Ah, in the meantime, let me undo the magic ~. Time Difference Befuddling switch, release ~"

  Instantly, the atmosphere in the classroom becomes lighter. It seems like a magic has been placed on the classroom --- no the entire school premises.

  A trap magic.

  And, the moment that magic has been undone, an unbelievable thing occurs.

  The hands of the clock hanging on the wall of the classroom starts advancing quickly.

  No, not just the clock hanging on the wall. Even the numbers displayed inside my mind from my 《Headphone Fuzz》 starts advancing rapidly.