I watched Seneca leave, then turned back to the three who remained.

“Just to be sure, you understand, right? Don't even think about fighting head-on. We're running.”

“Of course~… If you wanna take it on, do it alone, delinquent.”

“Shut up. Get moving, idiot.”

“Please, not now. This isn't the time to argue.”

As always. This was how our team operated.

We exchanged nods and took off after Seneca.

Just then, it appeared at the base. Walking. As expected. A sinister grin splitting its mouth ear to ear.

“Hurry.”

I shoved Miku into the passage and was about to push Oujin through when Void grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and lifted me, then shoved me straight into Miku.

“You go first, dumbass.”

“Wh—!?”

“Orunkaim, take him.”

“Aye aye! Just this once, thanks!”

Still held against Miku’s chest, I was carried through the passage. For a second, I panicked, thinking he meant to stay behind, but Oujin and Void followed close behind. The delinquent and chivalry never got along, and the honor student was smarter than the knight.

But behind us—

The monster that had been walking suddenly broke into a sprint.

“Behind you, Void!”

“Huh?”

Under its long black hair, its pupil-less red eyes shifted into the shape of a crescent moon. Its mouth, split ear to ear.

Void instinctively turned. At the same time, he blocked the creature’s punch with the left gauntlet of his Bundi Dagger, a fist wrapped in magical light.

“Guh—!”

A deafening metallic clang rang out as Void’s tall frame was sent flying. He crashed onto the dungeon floor, rolling past even Miku and me. A moment later, the shattered gauntlet pieces scattered at our feet.

“No way—!?”

One hit?

I twisted out of Miku’s grip and raised my gladius.

“No, El-tan!”

Fast—too fast!

It crouched, lower and lower. Lower than even my small frame. Then, from beneath, its glowing fist shot up toward my chin.

A gale roared.

Dodge—no, bend my entire body!

By the slimmest margin, maybe a single sheet of paper’s width, I twisted away. My gladius slashed upward from its side to its shoulder.

“GRAAAAH!”

A high-pitched screech, like metal scraping metal. Sparks flew.

The blade didn’t cut—! Not even the tip—!?

Not even a scratch. Nothing. Damn it, is this gladius dull?

It surged past, punching through empty space, landing behind me.

My balance off, my stance unsteady.

Our eyes met as we turned.

“—!”

No time to recover. Using my fall, I twisted my body, bringing my gladius down toward its neck as it turned back to me.

With a beast-like roar—

“GRUAAAAAAH!!”

Its fist struck again—not at me, but at my blade.

Even if I could take just one of its fingers—if I could weaken its attacks—

But my blade shattered, the hilt knocked from my hands.

I was sent flying toward the wall—when Oujin leaped past me, sword slashing diagonally toward the creature’s head.

It dodged, ducking under the swing. Then, as Oujin landed, it drove its magic-lit fist toward his exposed torso.

“Ouj—gh!”

I slammed into the wall, knocking the air from my lungs.

But I didn’t blink. Not even once. If I did, I'd die. There were beings like this. Like ancient dragons.

Before its fist could pierce Oujin’s body, Miku’s rapier thrust toward its crimson eye—

And bounced off.

Even the eye—!? Was this thing really alive!?

“Why—won’t it pierce!?”

It was just a moment, but it was enough.

Before its fist could connect, Oujin leaped back, reducing the impact.

“Kuh!”

He still collapsed to one knee, blood dripping from his mouth.

Of course. That thing’s fists could shatter the floor. The fact that he survived at all—any normal human would’ve died.

“Kh… Still… not done…!”

“Miku!”

The creature turned to Miku, pointing at its eye with a mocking grin.

It was useless. That was what it was saying.

“Ah—”

I grabbed my broken gladius and threw it at its head as I ran, grabbing Miku by the back of her uniform and pulling her down.

Right after, a glowing fist tore through the air where she’d been standing.

“Hii—”

Miku gasped.

That kind of force—like being smashed by a massive club. Just grazing it would be fatal, if not worse—organs torn apart, flesh ripped from bone. No, it wouldn’t just wound—it would obliterate, turning flesh into mist.

Sliding in low, Oujin slashed at its knee joint.

“Shh—!”

But the blade skidded. Sparks flew. It scraped across the surface like it was nothing but hardened steel.

Oujin dropped lower, blade held ready.

For a moment, I felt my skin prickle—not at the monster, but at Oujin.

He was about to do something.

All sound seemed to vanish.

—Karaburi Ittō-ryū, Rock Cleaving Strike.

The creature grimaced, leaping away—the first time it had dodged.

My eyes widened.

It dodged.

Until now, it had relied on its hardened skin. But now—it moved.

Oujin’s strike had been that sharp.

But even then—

The missed attack left Oujin vulnerable. The creature clasped its fists together and aimed at his head.

“Dodge, Oujin!”

“—!”

Just before impact, someone yanked Oujin away—Void. Bloodied, Void threw Oujin toward us, then drove his Bundi Dagger’s right blade into the creature’s chest.

“DIE, DAMN YOU!!”

But the blade didn’t pierce. Undeterred, Void swung with all his might.

The monster’s feet left the ground.

Gritting his teeth, Void pushed forward.

“GET LOST!!”

A deafening impact, and the creature was sent hurtling down the corridor, vanishing into the darkness.

It wasn’t an attack, but a shove. A way to create distance.

Void had a fighter’s instincts. Sharp thinking.

“I just knocked it back! It ain't dead! MOVE IT, YOU IDIOTS!”

Not much distance had been gained.

It was a monster. But we turned our backs and ran.

It would chase us anyway. Whether we faced it or not.

From attack to escape, only seconds had passed.

Yet we were all drenched in sweat.