Magic circles that appeared on both side of the bridge glow dark red. The magic circle on one side is 10M and the size of the magic circle on the other side is 1M, however the number of monsters that appeared from it are too much.
From the small magic circles, are skeleton monsters with sword on one hand, called as "Traum Soldier". On the socket of it's eyes are dark red light shine dazzlingly, as if rolling, look all around. It's numbers already close to 100, and still increasing. However, something even more dangerous than 100 skeleton knights, could be felt by Hajime on the other side of the bridge. From magic circle with diameter of 10M, one massive monster with diameter of 10M appeared, it's standing on 4 feet and on it's skull is something similar to a helmet. The closest thing that comes to mind is Triceratops. However, its eyes grow dark red and it's sharp claws and fangs clanging. The horns sticking out from its helmet, are covered by flames... When Meld whisper it's name, Behemoth, that monster inhaled deeply and let out a terrific roar. Thanks to that, Meld comes to his mind, and rapidly sent out orders.
"Alan! Lead the students and break through the Traum Soldiers! Kyle, Ivan, Gale! Spread a barrier with full power! We will hold it back! Kouki, all of you quickly run toward the stair!"
"Wait, Meld! We will also fight! That dinosaur monster is the most dangerous one, right? We will also......"
"You idiot! That thing is, if it is really a Behemoth, then it's impossible for all of you right now! That thing is monster of floor 65th. To be exact, it's a freak that cannot be defeated by someone who was called as the "strongest" adventurer. Quickly go! I can't let you guys die!"
Even after seeing Meld ghastly face, Kouki still stay on his ground, saying he will not abandon them. Just when Meld is going to order Kouki to retreat for the second time, Behemoth let out a roar and charging in. Impending Behemoth, Kyle, Ivan and Gale used the strongest multi-barrier they can exert.
"""Reject all the enemies and malice, with the absolute protection from son of god, this place will be the sanctuary, enemies of god shall not pass, Herem"""
Magic circles draw on the highest class paper, spread with diameter of 2M toward every direction, chanted on 4 verse of incantation, and furthermore it is invoked by 3 people. White hemisphere forming barrier that will defend them from Behemoth charge. The moment of collision, tremendous shockwave occured, pulverizing the ground under Behemoth feet. Nevertheless, the stone bridge shakes violently. Screams from students raised in succession, while tumbling person appeared one after another. Traum Soldiers are monsters that appeared on floor 38th. Students started to panic from the eerie appearance of skeletons and dangerous presence from behind. Disregarding formations, lots of them started to scrambling toward the stair. Alan desperately tried to calm them down, but all of their ears are closed from the sight of death closing on them. Eventually, one girl is pushed from behind and tumbled forward. Moaning in low voice, when she raise her face, a Traum Soldier is there, brandished a sword in his hand.
"a"
With that single word, Traum soldier raised it's sword overhead and swings it downward.
I'm going to die, just after that one thought, The ground under Traum Soldier suddenly rise, Lose it's balance, Traum soldier missed it's target and the sword hit the ground with a clang. Moreover, The undulations enfolds on several numbers of Traum Soldiers like a wave, finally dropping them down to the abyss. 2 meters from there, the figure of Hajime is there, sitting while breathing heavily. Hajime used Synergy consecutively on the ground, creating something similars to sliding bed and slide the Traum Soldiers toward the abyss. Before he knows, his proficiency with Synergy increase, and he can used it consecutively. The range of Synergy also increases a bit.
While drinking magic power potion, Hajime rush over toward the girl. He pull the girl hand and help her get up (he is wearing glove with Synergy magic circle etched on it). Smiling, Hajime talks to the confused girl,
"Quick, run forward. Don't worry, if you're calm you can do something to that skeletons. Except me, every last bit of our class are strong after all!"
Hajime clap her back with great confidence. The girl looked at him for a moment, then the next moment replied energetically with a thank, then run off. Hajime focused on destroying the balance of Traum Soldiers, while keeping them, he look over his surroundings. Everyone is in panic and brandished their weapons, or magics randomly. At any rate if the situation continues, it's very likely that casualty will come out. Alan is frantically gathered every students, but it does not go well, meanwhile reinforcements of the enemy keep coming from the magic circles.
" If we don't do something......a strong leader......with power to open the path......Amanogawa-kun!"
Hajime run off, toward where Kouki's party and Behemoth is.
Behemoth are still charging at the barrier repeatedly. Everytime the collision occured, fierce shockwaves scatter to the surrounding, damaging the stone bridge. The barrier itself are covered in cracks in it's just a matter of time before it breaks. Even with Meld adding another layer of barrier did not help.
"Arrgh, shit! I had enough! Kouki, retreat quickly! all of you too, go quickly!"
"No! I can't just leave all of you here! Absolutely, we will come back alive!"
"Kugh, disobeying at times like this......"
Meld expression is sour as if swallowing a bug. On the restricted space like this, it's hard to evade from Behemoth charge. Therefore, it's the best method to retreat while deploying a barrier. However, that difficult order could only be followed by veteran soldiers, which Kouki's party could not follow. Meld already urged them to escape by summarizing the situation, however, for Kouki, the words "leaving behind" are something that he can't never consent with. It's clear in his eyes that he thought he can do something about the Behemoth.
"Kouki! It's as captain said, let us retreat!"
Understanding the situation, she grab Kouki hand, remonstrating him.
"Hee, Kouki unreasonable thinking isn't just now right? I'm with you, Kouki!"
"Ryuutarou......Thanks"
However, Ryuutarou words just make up Kouki mind. Shizuku click her tongue.
"This is not the time to get over your head! You idiots!"
"Shizuku-chan..."
Kaori who worried at irritated Shizuku. Just at that time, one male student jump in in front of Kouki.
"Amanogawa-kun!"
"Na, Nagumo!?"
"Nagumo-kun!?"
Everyone is surprised but Hajime keep talking.
"Hurry, retreat! to the place everyone is! If there's no you! Quick!"
"What's with you suddenly? moreover, what are you doing here! this is not the place for you to be here! Just leave this place to us and you......"
"This is not the time to say that!"
Kouki urged Hajime to escape implied that it's out of his ability but Hajime interrupt his words, yelling back at Kouki with rough tone he never shows before. Kouki reflexively stiffen from that big gap of the usual obedient Hajime.
"Didn't you see that!? Everyone is in panic! It's because there are no leader!"
While grabbing Kouki's collar, Hajime pointed to one direction. In that direction, are their classmates moving around in confusion, surrounded by Traum Soldiers. Everyone are fighting as they please, disregarding the training they had received before. If they can't defeat enemy effectively, they will not be able to breakthrough the reinforcements. Thanks to their high specs, they are still alive, however its just a matter of time.
"We need power to cut way through with one strike! The power to blow everyone fear! And the only one who can do that is the leader, Amanogawa-kun! Don't just look forward, and look at behind you!"
Looking at the students who falls into panicked state, Kouki shakes his head and then nod to Hajime.
"Yeah, I understand. I'll go right away! Captain Meld! Sor-!?"
"Back off--!"
Just when Kouki turn around and about to say something, along with Meld scream, the barriers smashed. Shockwaves like raging gale assault Hajime and everyone. At once, Hajime created a stone wall with Synergy but it's easily smashed and he is blown off. At least he managed to reduce the power, but......the whirling dusts are blown away by the roar. Over there, are Meld and the 3 knights falling down while groaning. They received the shockwaves immediately. Kouki, Ryuutarou and Shizuku also falls down but quickly rise again. All of them are behind Meld, thanks to wall stone created by Hajime.
"Gu......Ryuutarou, Shizuku, can you two buy some time?"
Kouki asked them, It's obvious both of them are hurt but they move forward. The three of them thought, they have to do something now.
"Can't be helped right!"
"......I'll do it somehow!"
Both of them charged toward Behemoth.
"Kaori, heal Meld and the others!"
"yes!"
Hearing Kouki's direction, Kaori runs off. Hajime already close to Danchou and the 3 knights. He create another stone wall a bit away from waves of battle. Meanwhile, Kouki started to prepare the strongest technique he can do right now.
"Oh, Divine Will! bring about the light that will destroy all evil! Oh, breath of God! blow every dark clouds and fill this world with noble holy! Oh, compassion of God! With this one strike forgive every sins! Heaven's Might!"
After finishing his incantation, surge of light gushing out from the holy sword. It is the same line with Soaring Flash but the power is on whole different level. It gouge and vibrate the bridge, moving straight toward Behemoth. Ryuutarou and Shizuku already retreated back, while worn-out. The light attack hit Behemoth directly. The lights fill the area with white color. Along with quake, large crack appeared on the bridge. Ryuutarou and Shizuku return to Kouki side, all three of them are exhausted. After the light calmed down, and dus blown away for the second time, over there is...... unscathed Behemoth. Behemoth glared at Kouki as if trying to shoot it to death. And then, it raised it's head, the horn on it's head started to turn red hot along with high-pitched sound. And then, Behemoth helmet started to burn like magma.
"Don't just stand there! Run!"
Meld yell, return Kouki, Ryuutarou and Shizuku sense back to reality from the shock of seeing Behemoth unscathed. The next moment, Behemoth started to charge forward, it then jump to close in and falls down like a meteorite toward them. Even if Kouki and the others managed to evade that, they are still hit by the shockwaves it produce. Meld run to them, the other knights are still healed by Kaori.
"All of you, can you move!?"
They answer with moan. The damages just now are enough to paralyze them a bit from internal wounds. Meld turn around to call for Kaori, and his sight falls on Hajime.
"Boy! bring Kaori, carry Kouki and fall back!"
Biting his lips at the difficult decision he make, He brandished a shield in front of Behemoth. He intended to do an one last stand here. To that desperate expression, Hajime suggested something to Meld. That is, a sole solution that might be able to save everyone here. However, on top of being foolish, this plan has very low success rate and would bare Hajime to direct danger. Meld hesitates, however Behemoth alread entered battle stance, again brandished it's red hot horns. There are no time left.
"......You'll do it?"
"I'll do it"
Looking at Hajime resolute eyes, Meld broke into smile.
"Can't believe it, that I would entrust my life to you, I''ll surely save you. So, I'm counting you!"
"Yes!"
Meld then use simple magic to provoke Behemoth. Behemoth sight then turn from Kouki toward Meld. Behemoth repeat the same attack it used against Kouki before. Meld until the very last minute, opened his eyes and brandished his hand. And then, chant a short incantation.
"Scatter, Wind Wall"
Along with chanting, he do a back step. After that, Behemoth head impact toward the ground Meld was standing. The shockwaves are somehow managed to be averted thanks to the Wind Wall. After that, Hajime jumped toward Behemoth head. The effect of Behemoth special magic still active, and burns Hajime skin. However, he endured the pain and he casted the only, simple magic he can use.
"Synergy!"
Behemoth head which is buried under stones, stopped it's attempt to extract its head. Even if the stones broke, Hajime synergize it again, fixing the stones. Behemoth used its legs to pull his head, but Hajime synergize the stones near its legs, plunging the legs for about 1M and harden it back with Synergy. Behemoth powers are very strong so Hajime cannot let off his guard and focused on keep Synergyzing. In the mean time, Meld called Kaori and the 3 knights, to carry Kouki, Ryuutarou, Shizuku and fall back. On the Traum Soldiers direction, somehow several students managed to calm themselves down and fight the soldiers back. The cause of it is simply thanks to the girl that Hajime saved before.
"Please wait! Nagumo-kun, he is still!"
Kaori going against Meld order to retreat.
"It's that boy plan! After breaking through the soldiers and make a safety zone, we will commence simultaneous strikes toward Behemoth! Of course to some extent we will have that boy retreat as well! While keeping them with magics, after the boy return, we will retreat to stairs!
"Then I will stay behind!"
"No you can't! While retreating, you will have to heal Kouki!"
"But!"
Meld yelled back at Kaori,
"Are you going to waste the boy's feeling!?"
"!?"
Of all people there, Kouki is the strongest there. It is imperative for Kaori to heal him. If not, they might not have the power needed to keep Behemoth at bay. For that very reason, Kaori need to heal Kouki while moving. Behemoth will start moving again after Hajime used up all of his magic power.
"Breath of Heaven, bestow, brimming noble light and soothe, Heaven's Blessing"
As if going to cry, Kaori chant the incantation. Warm light cover Kouki. It's healing magic that can heal both physical wounds and magic power as well. Meld, grip his hand on Kaori's shoulder and nod. Kaori also nod, and once again, she looked back to see Hajime's figure, desperately keep using Synergy. After that, Except Hajime, the others started to retreat.
The Traum Soldiers keep increasing. Their size already reached 200 in numbers, burying the path toward the stair. But that's actually for the best. If there is just one gap among the encirclement, there will surely be students who are trying to force their way in, and in the end, getting slaughtered. And then, its thanks to the Knights that there are no casualty. It's no exaggeration that their desperate cover are what keeping the students alive. As a side effect though, they are having wounds all over their body. If the knights gone, the students will once again fall into panic and if it continue for a few minutes, they will surely collapse. The students, perceiving that, their expression started to be filled by despair. Everyone of them thought it's all over for them, but at that moment......
"Soaring Flash!"
White slash cut through the center of Traum Soldiers and burst, blowing the soldiers. The soldiers that stand on the sides of the dungeon falls down to the abyss. Like avalanche, soldiers keep burying the path again, however, its obvious the path is clear
"Everyone! Don't give up! I'll cut open the path!"
With that words, Kouki again used Soaring Flash. His charisma stirred up the students.
"All of you! What are you doing up till now! Remember the training! Coordinate yourself right away! You fools!"
The students started to fight back, the encouragement from Kouki and Meld are taking effect, finally after fighting for several minutes, the path could be seen. Kouki runs toward the stair while shouting. He went ahead to secure the stairs, along with Ryuutarou and Shizuku who have healed. Finally everyone managed to breakthrough the encirclement. Kouki annihilated the rest of Traum Soldiers that blocking the path. Just whyen the students are going to go to the stair.
"Everyone, wait! We must save Nagumo-kun! He is standing there keeping that monster alone!"
Everyone doubted Kaori words. It's not strange, since in their mind Hajime is "incompetent". However when they looked at the bridge, they clearly see Hajime standing there alone. Questions started to appear to every students. Meld quickly give out his orders.
"That's right! It's because that boy hold that freak there we are able to retreat! Vanguard group! Don't let the soldiers get near! Rear group will start to chant long-range magic! That boy magic power will soon deplete. While he withdraw everyone attack simultaneously, and hold that freak back!"
That voice fouces the students mind. there are several students who looked toward the stair with reluctance. It's natural, since they just escaped from the clutch of death. However, Meld second shout cut of their reluctance and they return to battlefield. Among them is Daisuke, it's because of his action that they are here, he feels really frightened now, and he want to quickly get away from here. However a glimpse of that night scene come to the surface of his mind. That is, the night before they go to the dungeon, at the inn of Horlad town. Daisuke who cannot sleep thanks to nervousness, is on the way to the toilet while enjoying the cool breeze. Just when he was to return to his room, midway, he sees Kaori. Seeing Kaori dressed like that for the first time, he reflexively hid himself while holding his breath. Not noticing him, Kaori passed through. Curious, he chased after her, and found her knocking on the door. The person that came out from that door is......Hajime. Daisuke suddenly black out. Daisuke likes Kaori. However, since he knows he is not suited for her, furthermore with Kouki as rival, he gave up. After all their world are different. However, Hajime is different. An existence that's inferior to him (Daisuke thought so) standing beside Kaori is strange. usually able to hold his dissatisfaction, suddenly it swell again along with hatred. The moment he lay his hand on the Grantz Crystal too, was the result of that feelings. Daisuke who remember those things, looking at Hajime who is holding Behemoth alone, and the scene of Kaori looking at Hajime as if praying for his safety...... floats an obscure smile.
At that time, Hajime thought his magic power is going to deplete soon. Moreover there's no potion left. Glancing back, he knows everyone already managed to retreat. He thought of stopping. Surely this stone can hold Behemoth for a few seconds. That time is enough for him to put a distance. He can see his sweats falling from his forehead. He know he his heart is thumping at the speed he never felt before. Hajime chooses the timing. And then the moment, cracks run on the ground, he synergize it and at the same time, distance himself. Five seconds later, Behemoth stands along with its roar, the stones that holding Behemoth pulverized. Surely on its eyes are wrath. With sharp glint, looking for the enemy that turns it into unsightly position, it eyes is lock on toward Hajime. Behemoth started to put power to its feets along with raging roar. However, the next moment, offensive magics of various elements rushing in. Just like shooting stars, multicolored magic flowed toward Behemoth. Hajime managed to run and run and distanced himself 30 meter from Behemoth. Reflexively, his cheek loosen.
However the next moment, his expression freeze.
Among countless magics that flew toward Behemoth, only one fireball slightly bend......flying toward Hajime. It's obvious a magic that is targeted to Hajime.
(Why!?)
Question andbewilderment, along with fright assault Hajime's brain and his expression turn into terror. At the last moment, Hajime brace his legs, and slide, evading the fireball. The shockwaves from the fireball thrown him away. Hajime didn't receive any damage to his internal organs, however his sense of balance waver. Unsteady, Hajime stands up however it's not like Behemoth could be hold back forever. The moment he stands up, raging roar reverberate. Reflexively turning around, His eyes locked on with Behemoth, and then Behemoth, with its three horn turns red, charge at Hajime. His head waver, his view hazy, Behemoth closing in, from far away, surprise, scream and bellow his classmates. Hajime, mustering all strength, frantically tried to escape that place. The next moment, focused wrath assail the bridge. Behemoth charge oscilliate the bridge. At the centre of the impact, cracks run at great speed. The bridge makes a conspicuous sound. And then finally......the bridge started to collapse.
Frequently receiving strikes, it finally surpassed the limit of the bridge. Behemoth tried to get back up, clawing on the ground. However, its effort in vain, the bridge collapsing and it disappeared into the darkness. Behemoth death agony echoed. Hajime also crawl, while trying to escape, However the place he clinging to, slowly collapsing.
(Aa, no good......)
While thinking that, he looks toward his classmates at the opposite side, He could see Kaori who is going to jump in, but is held back by Shizuku and Kouki. The other classmates are also pale, covering either their mouth or eyes. Meld and his knights, looked at him with regret on their expression. And then, Hajime footing collapsed completely, Hajime falls to the depth of the abyss while looking upward. stretching his arm toward the light that gradually became smaller......
Note: About Herem,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herem_%...or_property%29