Chapter 26: Irregular

“Did we do it, my friend?”

“Take a look for yourself... You did good over there, too.”

I turned toward the voice to find Kaiser laughing, completely unscathed. Aside from a thin layer of dust on his gear, he wore a smile that suggested he hadn’t broken a sweat.

“You as well—though I must say, I’m surprised. I didn’t know you could use Summoner magic.”

“...I’ve got it registered to these guns.”

Well, that was a lie.

But considering what lay ahead, I figured I’d better actually register a spell soon. The process involved infusing a magic stone, so I just needed to find an empty one with a decent capacity.

“Still, your support capabilities are staggering. You backed up Valkyria perfectly. I doubt even the guys from Hyakuma could pull off a stunt like that.”

〔Kaiser acknowledges him that much?〕 〔Well, he’s not the kind of man who’d deny talent after seeing a feat like that.〕 〔I N C O M P R E H E N S I B L E〕 〔What do you mean, infusing multiple buffs into a single bullet?〕 〔Normally, the thing would just explode in your face.〕 〔That support was so unhinged I couldn't stop laughing.〕

The comments were full of praise, but I couldn't bring myself to enjoy it. I’d only pulled it off by brute-forcing the process with my massive mana pool. The original Reima would have manually adjusted the timing of every single variable; when it came to pure technical skill, the version of him that lacked magic was far superior.

I’d only been able to mimic him because of my raw stats and the fact that I’d read his theories. When I realize this praise actually belongs to him, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

“You’re one to talk, Kaiser. I’m impressed you took yours down alone. I doubt it only used that bow.”

If it had been a simple archer, Kaiser would have finished the job much faster. The fact that he’d been fighting for as long as we had meant there was more to the story.

“Indeed! The fellow had mastered martial arts despite that massive frame! It’s been a long time since I’ve had such fun. I’d wager he was an A-rank, at least.”

I had no reason to doubt him. According to Reima’s notes, a Cyclops shouldn't scale higher than the top of B-rank. If they were being buffed this much, then these "variants" were even more dangerous than I’d feared.

“At any rate! We’ve achieved our goal. Shall we return to the surface? The archer dropped a [Teleportation Stone], so we can head back immediately!”

〔Ah, so the mission's over.〕 〔I wanted to watch this party for longer.〕 〔They were too strong, that’s the problem.〕 〔What even is a Supporter anymore?〕 〔That was a hell of a show!〕 〔Kaiser! Get to the lower layer right now! Lady Ayane and the others are in trouble!〕 〔Please, Kaiser! The Stampede is—!〕

With the objective cleared, the comments began to take on a "good job" vibe—until one appeared that I couldn't ignore. Then, as if a dam had broken, similar comments began to flood the feed.

“...Give me the details. My subjects, just for this moment, I will permit the pigeons.”

My heart hammered against my ribs, but I stayed silent, watching Kaiser’s face to see how he’d handle the situation.

〔The party in the lower layer with Lady Ayane hit a Stampede equivalent to S-rank.〕 〔They’re holding the line so it doesn't reach the surface, but they’re at their limit.〕 〔Kaiser, please help them!〕 〔There are unknown variants mixed in, it’s getting really bad!〕

Processing the information, Kaiser seemed to realize the gravity of the danger Ayane and the others were in. He handed us the [Teleportation Stone].

“My friend Reima, and Asahi... I shall march to the lower layer with Valkyria. Go to the surface and report the danger. Since you’re streaming, the word should already be out, but call for reinforcements regardless. I cannot predict the scale of this.”

Without another word, he mounted Valkyria and took off toward the depths. The [Mechanical Dragon] acting as his camera followed suit, leaving only the two of us behind.

I stared at the dark tunnel for a moment.

“...There’s no time. I’m going too.”

“Wait, that’s reckless!” Asahi cried. “I know you’re strong, Reima-kun, but an S-rank scale is—”

“Yeah. That’s why I need you to keep this between us. Especially Shiki and Ayane—don't tell them I was there.”

Normally, jumping into a fight like this—and more importantly, letting anyone know about it—was something only an idiot would do.

But if my precious childhood friend and my best friend are putting their lives on the line... I don't have a single reason to stay behind. I might be exposed. I might be killed again. But if I couldn't protect the things that Reima held dear in this world, then being here meant nothing.

The scale was unknown. It was entirely possible they could handle it themselves, which made my choice a foolish one. But since I didn't have any other options I could live with, I would simply have to finish this without being caught.

That was my job. Besides, Asahi wasn't the type to go blabbing to the world.

“What are you going to do...?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“[Tria Summon]—Sol Skoll, Luna Managarm, Lycoris Hydros.”

Three [Summoned Beasts] materialized in the dim light.

The god-slaying wolf sisters who had once swallowed the sun and moon. And the primordial Hydra, a Deadly Sin species said to be capable of drowning the entire world in poison. They stood before me, manifesting in their beastly forms.

“Well... you know. I’m just going to go help them out for a bit.”

I threw on my [Robe of Perception Inhibition] and charged into the darkness of the lower layer.