Translator: Tsukii
Editor: Lilia
Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!
Chapter 48 – At the Temple of Trials②
The group destroyed the enemies that appeared one by one.
Large enemies that appeared periodically would be surrounded and annihilated in a rhythmic manner.
It was true that the enemies they faced became stronger the deeper they went.
As enemies increased, the frequency of Erin and Kuyumi’s full participation also increased.
However, the things they did didn’t change.
It really didn’t change, it truly never changed.
Erin thoughtlessly swung her long sword and cut the beast that appeared in half, and Kuyumi also launched and spun her daggers like an acrobat to take down the enemies.
They proceeded through the temple until a staircase appeared, then they headed further underground, and ran into another set of enemies…
Without slowing down, they had already gone down the stairs three times.
“Is this really going to make us stronger?!”
After defeating the golem dozens of times, it was getting frustrating.
As expected, Erin couldn’t help but shout out loud.
The high-pitched shout echoed and resounded throughout the underground space.
It was a natural question since what they did was almost turned into a routine.
But in response, Sharon, who was walking ahead, turned around.
“……Well, somehow? For some reason, I feel like I’m getting stronger here.”
“Eh, no way. I don’t feel anything at all, though?!”
Erin flinched when Sharon pointed out something she didn’t expect.
It was true that Sharon stood in the front most and defeated the most enemies, but things they did were the same.
In the first place, it was impossible to improve one’s skill just by repeating similar battles of this level…
“Hm~ I think the important point is doing the battles in this place♡”
Kuyumi held up a finger and looked around.
When the others also looked around, they saw the majestic structure inside the temple.
“The atmosphere here is different from outside, right? It’s just a guess, but maybe because the difference of magic power… no, borrowing the words from spirit-san, it should be the difference of purity in mysticism♡”
They definitely felt the strange atmosphere.
They didn’t think about it too much since the enemies they dealt with were weak, but every time they moved their body, something in the atmosphere did cling onto them.
“I think that just by continuing to engage in combat in this space with concentrated mysticism, basic aspects such as the ability to handle magic power and bodily function would improve♡”
Kuyumi’s theory was correct.
In the first place, the three weren’t equal in strength.
There was a difference in the training they had accumulated before enrolling the school which was directly connected to the three’s overall proficiency ── it was the difference in levels that Haruto was aware of. 1
If represented by a game system, it was the process of accumulating EXP to raise one’s level.
If it was to be described for the people who lived in this world, it would be the labor of continuously fighting in a space where burden was put on every action to enhance the capability of the body.
“Sensei said that the Temple of Trials is easy to explain but difficult to understand, right? I think it’s something you will only understand once you actually get stronger in the trial♡”
“I see……?”
The three of them were capable of simple battles to begin with, so they didn’t feel growth immediately.
Among them, Sharon had the least experience, so she was the first to have tangible growth.
“……I guess the reason I’m the only one who feels like I’m getting stronger now is because I was the weakest among us until now.”
Sharon seemed to be convinced, but there was a slight hint of regret in her tone.
“In that case, I will just grow stronger from now on.”
Sharon wielded her spear and fired a magical bombardment.
The beasts that were emerging were vaporized entirely, leaving only the tips of their four legs.
“Wo~w♡ your power is increasing♡”
“I wonder if my abilities can be raised too…”
The other two also become curious about whether they would be able to benefit from it.
Just as they were about to pick up their pace, lights swayed softly on the ground and near the sky.
“Ah, it’s spirit-san.”
[“Me and I are watching over you.”]
[“Me and I are watching.”]
They had gotten used to the sensation of someone speaking directly into their head.
Suddenly, Erin looked up at the floating spirits.
“You guys made those golems, right? What’s their name?”
[“Selfish Junk.”]
“The naming sense is too low♡”
“I guess they’re generally bad-mouthed, even if it’s not toward sensei…”
Hearing the terrible name made the group have vague expressions.
It seemed the names of the enemies they had defeated were “Selfish Junk.”
[“Me and I will bestow a blessing on you.”]
“Ah……”
At that moment, the three of them looked at each other.
What flashed through their mind was the ball-shaped knight bouncing around the practice field with tremendous force.
“This is bad stuff to agree to, right?”
“Sensei did say that if we are offered something that sounds like a contract, we should turn it down.”
“Then let’s just ignore it♡”
Even as they were discussing, the girls who stopped in their tracks were fidgeting.
“I’m curious about the content of the blessing,” was written on their faces.
It couldn’t be helped since they came here in search of power.
“Err, by the way, can I ask about the contents of the contract beforehand?”
[“You’ll have cat ears.”]
“““Hah?”””
The trio’s expression suddenly turned serious.
Considering the precedent, if they nodded here, they might end up with cat ears for their whole lives. They might get sold in strange manners.
“Cat ears, they said… was there such a demand? Did he have such a preference?”
“I think he surely has.”
“He definitely has♡”
In a place where Haruto wasn’t present, the trio had a strong sense of unity.
After confirming the spirits’ offer wasn’t worth listening to, Erin’s group started moving forward again.
“……It’s not coming out.”
But no matter how long they walked, the next enemy never appeared.
Only the sound of their leather shoes hitting the ground echoed throughout the hall, which was widening both vertically and horizontally.
“But I feel like the atmosphere has changed a little.”
“It seems the concentration of mysticism increased～……”
Sharon stopped.
When she looked ahead, the space in front of them was no longer a hallway, but darkness with no walls in sight.
Kuyumi tapped the toe of her shoe on the ground.
“……Judging from the echoes, it seems to be a really big arena♡”
“That really helps. Thanks.”
“T-to think you are able to do that… amazing…”
Seeing Kuyumi easily grasping the structure of the darkness, Sharon was grateful, while Erin was a little disgusted.
“Then that’s probably……”
Sharon gripped her spear again and started walking.
The explanation they heard from Haruto beforehand flashed throughout their minds.
[“I think you’ll be guided to an open area after making a certain amount of progress. Then, if you’re still together inside, you’ll face a bigger golem. You can handle this with rhythm. There’s also another pattern. If the three of you get separated──”]
Three of them arrived at the center of the arena covered in darkness, all while not knowing how wide it was.
Immediately after, the earth split open.
A stone wall suddenly popped out, completely breaking up the group.
“Sharon, Kuyumi?!”
“This is……!”
“……Both of you, they’re coming.”
If they were separated, then they would have to face their respective enemies alone.
In front of each of the girls, a strange shape materialized from the shadows.
“Uh…”
In front of Erin was the demon that burned her hometown.
“So it’s like this after all.”
In front of Sharon was the shadow of the Demon Lord that she once defeated together with Haruto and her friends.
“……Ahah♡”
In front of Kuyumi was the Descendant of the Hero, with his eyes devoid of light, his body covered in blood, and holding a holy sword in one hand.
[“If the three of you get separated── what each of you fear the most will appear in front of you. The trial ends once you defeat them.”]
The final stage of the trial at the temple had begun.
Want early access to Cannon Fodder, Melancholy of the Demon Army Officer, and I Was a Man Before Reincarnating, So I Refuse a Reverse Harem? Support the translator on Patreon!
