Chapter 3.4

Shin briskly walked forward, unaware of what was happening between them. As they entered the hall, they noticed that, just like the corridor, part of the floor, ceiling, and walls had melted.

Shin cooled down these parts with a water skill and secured a path to walk on.

OK, the real thing starts now. Are you ready?

Before the heavy door signaling the entrance to the boss chamber, Shin stopped and asked this question to Suzune. Beyond the door awaited Kotone and Onimaru.

I can go anytime.

Suzune once again evoked the spirits she had returned to the charms and nodded.

She now had summoned a floating straw doll type, a wolf type, and a warrior type wielding two katana.

Im opening the door.

Shin placed his hands on the door and pushed. After moving it a bit towards the interior of the room, the door opened the rest of the way by itself.

The room beyond was a very large hall. Swords, katana, spears, and other weapons were stabbed on the floor, walls, and ceiling, to the point that it was almost difficult to find somewhere to walk on.

In the back of the hall, only one place was not stabbed with weapons, a kind of stage marked with tatami mats. There stood a single silhouette: the boss.

-Rindou Kotone Level 255 War Priestess

- Affected by Miasma Corruption Large

Shins Analyze revealed the silhouettes identity. As expected of the boss: even if the dungeon had changed, its location had not.

.Sister.

Suzune mumbled under her breath.

Sitting on the tatami, with katana in hand, her eyes staring into the void, this was how they found Suzunes sister, Kotone.

She did not appear to have transformed, unlike the Ogre boss in Depths of Hellfire.

Her priestess robes were torn and tattered, revealing her still white skin; her arms and legs did not appear to have changed shape either. If it wasnt for the aura emanating from her body, she would appear to have been just wounded in battle.

Pull yourself together!! Shes heavily corrupted by miasma. Theres no time to space out.

I know. I wont hold back.

As Suzune renewed her focus, the color of the magic power enveloping her spirits became more accentuated. The spirits had been reinforced by the additional magic power poured into them.

..

Maybe because she had detected the increased magic power, Kotones eyes went from staring into nothingness to looking at Suzune. At the same time, the atmosphere in the whole room felt as if it was rumbling.

Her aura changed.

Yes, looks like shes ready to throw down too.

Shin replied to Schnee and readied his Moonless. The aura emanating from Kotone clearly expressed hostility.

Probably in response to this change, the weapons stabbed into the ground, walls, and ceiling one by one floated in midair, gathering before Kotone with sounds of clashing metal.

In a few seconds, a cracked skull-like creature of steel was formed.

-Mad Sword Legion Level 811

Mad Sword is a monster formed by swords possessed by hateful emotions. When many of them gather in one place, Mad Sword Legion is born.

The highest risk it represents is that its level depends on the number and quality of the weapons that form it. The higher the quality of the weapons forming it is, the higher its level is.

Wasnt a Skullface Bushido supposed to come out here?

The boss changed, so the monsters changed too, I guess. This one looks stronger.

As Mitsuyo stated, Mad Sword

Legion was far stronger than the unique samurai-like monster Skullface Bushido.

As they had not received any information about the Mad Sword Legion, Shin thought that it was probably born after the scouts inspection.

Its coming!!

A few seconds after Schnees warning, Mad Sword Legion shot the floating weapons like bullets.

Shin, Schnee, and Mitsuyo repelled them with their own weapons, while Tiera dodged riding on Kagerou. Suzune had the warrior spirit counter the attack.

Both the parried weapons and the dodged weapons, after stabbing the ground, returned to Mad Sword Legion.

Theres a fair number of Mythology-grade weapons in it. There could be even some Ancient-grade ones too.

Shins assessment was based on the weapons thrown at them. As proof, the katana of Suzunes warrior spirit, the weakest member among them, was very close to breaking.

Its alright! I just need to pour some more magic power and

It can go back the way it was. That is what Suzune meant to say, but her words died in her mouth.

She had not lowered her guard. She had not neglected to be wary.

Her focus, however, swayed for an instant. In that opening, less than one second long, Kotone -who was supposed to be standing behind Mad Sword Legion- was in front of Suzune.

She had moved instantly thanks to the Movement-type martial skill Ground Shrink.

Her stats as a Chosen One, the bonuses granted by equipping Onimaru, and the stat upgrades caused by the miasma, Kotone was much faster than Suzune remembered.

In the blink of an eye. There was no more fitting expression for Kotones movements.

When Suzune realized what was going on, Onimaru Kunitsuna had already been drawn from its sheath, its blade closing in on Suzunes neck.

!?

Im going to die-

The moment Suzune instinctively closed her eyes, the sound of clashing metal reached her ears.

Im impressed that the scouts managed to flee.

When Suzune opened her eyes, a black coat was fluttering in front of her.

Dont just stand there!! Call to her!!

Shin shouted while blocking Onimaru with Moonless.

Kotones equipment appeared to be only the close combat weapon Onimaru. Thus, Shin was wary of her, thinking that she wouldnt just stay behind Mad Sword Legion.

Shin, who had reinforced the Supreme Blades Munechika and Mitsuyo, knew that his Moonless was superior as a weapon.

However, the miasma-possessed Onimaru did not seem to be losing durability, even if locked in a clash against Moonless.

Rindou Kotone level 904

Shins Analyze showed information different from before. A players maximum level was 255; barring special exceptions, only monsters could exceed it.

Apparently Kotone now possessed properties both human and monster-like.

Shah!

Mitsuyo attacked Kotone, who was trying to push Shin down, from behind. She had also promised to do whatever she could to save Kotone, and swung Oodenta Mitsuyo Shinuchi after activating the skill Nonfatal Blade.

The clash of blades resounded again; it was the sound of Mitsuyos katana being repelled.

Kotone, who had been wielding Onimaru with both hands, switched the grip to her right hand, picked up another sword with her left hand and parried Mitsuyos strike with it.

Shin!

Im on it!

Having switched to a one hand grip, Kotones strength wielding Onimaru weakened.

Shin had continued locking swords with Kotone to give Mitsuyo the chance to attack her by surprise; but as now it was not necessary anymore, Shin activated a skill.

Lets get rid of your weapon first.

A powerful shock burst between the clashing Moonless and Onimaru.

Shin had activated the Katana-type Martial skill Empty Strike. This skill had the effect of blowing away the opponents weapon, rendering it temporarily unusable.

The force of the impact generated between the two katana blew away Kotones Onimaru. As a secondary effect, the movements of the arm Kotone used to wield Onimarubecame more sluggish too.

Youre miwhat?

Shin had rapidly closed in on Kotone, but detected a wave of hostility approaching and swung Moonless down on the spot.

The hostility had come from part of the weapons forming Mad Sword Legion. Apparently the monster could control its weapons separately too, so it had sent some weapons to assist Kotone.

And it was so close! These things are so irritating!

Mitsuyo too, like Shin, was sweeping away the weapons attacking her.

Its attacking us while dealing with Schnee and the others at the same time, huh. I wonder if having good weapons increased its intellect too?

The monster carefully separated its weapons to avoid Schnees magic, deftly moving its large body.

As it was not one large unit, but something made of many small ones, its attack patterns were infinitely varied.

Schnee and the others attacks were destroying its weapons, so the monster was less than half the size it was in the beginning, but it would still take some time before it could be defeated.

Sister

Suzune didnt seem to know what to say to her sister, who was controlling the multitude of weapons in midair.

If Shin hadnt come between them, she could very well be dead by now. Kotone might have been affected by miasma, but seeing her beloved sister almost murder her had shaken Suzune deeply.

I told you theres no time to space out!!

Aah!!

While still pointing Moonless towards Kotone, Shin landed a chop on Suzunes head. The sudden blow caught her by surprise.

I wont tell you not to be shaken, but focus on the battle while theres still hope.

W-what are you

Just look at her face.

Shins blade pointed at Kotone, who was wielding Onimaru and another sword she picked up; more precisely, at her left eye. Transparent tears were flowing from it.

She wasnt crying or anything when we came in here. She might still be fighting against the miasma. Dont give up.

Shin then readied Moonless once again and charged against Kotone.

Possibly taking advantage of Shin leaving her side, the weapons in midair flew toward Suzune, but were knocked down by Mitsuyo, who had come closer to her.

Leave this to me!

Reassured by Mitsuyos words, Shin attacked Kotone.

Kotone used her right hands Onimaru and the katana in her left hand to block Shins slashes. Probably because of the difference in weapon level, however, the left hands katana snapped after the second clash.

-!!

Kotone stepped back and flung the broken katana at Shin, then grabbed one of the other ones dancing in midair. The new weapon exuded an aura clearly different from the others around it; it was the Ancient-grade katana Mudou Kanemitsu.

As I thought, there were Ancient grades too.

Shin swept away Kotones incoming slash and thrust his left arm forward.

At the same time, he activated the Barehanded-type Martial skill Water Mirror Impact, aiming at Kotones chest.

Not even the greatest Chosen One could move quickly if they had trouble breathing. Such a thought prompted Shins attack, but Kotone managed to parry at the last second, using Onimaru.

What?

Weapons with thin blades like katana couldnt avoid suffering damage after blocking attacks with the body of the blade. Unless the katana was especially sturdy, it was a defense method to avoid at all costs.

For Onimaru it was possible, but even so it couldnt be safe to block one of Shins attacks like this.

Shin was wondering the meaning of this when he saw Kotones expression warped in pain. The miasma surrounding Onimaru grew thicker, and despite Shin not doing anything, a fragment of the katana was broken off.

Damn, it did it on purpose!?

When he first saw Onimaru, Shin was bothered by the fact that it looked pristine and unaffected by miasma. In Depths of Hellfire, the boss Dojigiri Yasutsuna was in awful condition.

Kotones actions just now suggested that Shins theory, according to which Onimarus good condition was an obstacle for the miasma, could very well be true.

Ancient-grade weapons are originally resistant to miasma. It would not be strange for the Five Supreme Blades gathered around Kagutsuchi to be even more resistant.

What happens if we purify the miasma without damaging the katana?

Shin attacked Kotone again. While swinging his Moonless, he activated a Katana-type Martial skill.

How about this!

Moonlessunleashes a powerful flash of silver light; the miasma wrapped around Onimaru was blown away and, at the same time, Kotones body visibly lost its strength.

The silver flash, caused by the Katana-type Martial skill Cleave Omen, had the same effect as Dispel Omen. Once it clashed with Moonless as it was shrouded in the skill, the miasma enveloping Onimaru would temporarily lose its effects.

Shin once again knocked Onimaru away from Kotones hands, then parried her left hands Mudou Kanemitsu with Moonless hilt.

Before Mudou Kanemitsu, now flying through the air, returned to Kotone, Shin struck it twice.

Katana-type Martial skill Fang Cry.

The V-shaped slashes struck Mudou Kanemitsu cleanly, and the katanas body broke in three fragments.

Shin had no time to be surprised by the katanas unexpected frailty, because the broken Mudou Kanemitsu instantly turned into sand and disappeared. Becoming part of a monsters body had likely consumed most of its sturdiness as a weapon.

-!?

Immediately after Shins destruction of Mudou Kanemitsu, an unnatural sound of clashing metal came from Schnees direction.

Shin glanced in that direction and saw that part of the weapons composing Mad Sword Legions body was behaving erratically, as if it had lost control.

The Mudou Kanemitsu Shin had destroyed was probably one of the weapons near Mad Sword Legions core.

Sorry, but I cant let you go.

Kotone had attempted to flee, taking advantage of the small opening born from Shins destruction of Mudou Kanemitsu, but Shin pinned her down to the ground. Tears were still flowing from her eyes.

Youre going to stay still here for a while. Just a little patience is all I need.

As Shin spoke these words, a seven-colored globe of light appeared over his head.

The red of flame skills, the blue of water skills, the brown of earth skills, the green of wind skills, the yellow of lightning skills, the white of light skills, the black of darkness skills. The globes colors expressed the elements of all magic spells.

Elemental Bind

Beams of all the colors of the globe extended towards Kotone and Onimaru.

The beams, moving as to avoid Shin, wrapped themselves around the possessed priestess and her katana.

In this condition, they would temporarily be unaffected by outside attacks, but could not move in any way. This did not change even if the target was tainted by miasma.

Depending on the caster, the target could break free right away, but if Shin was the caster, even the over-level 900 Kotone could not move.

Divine-type magic was not included, but maybe because the skill included 7 magic elements, it managed to suppress miasma as well.

If only it was faster, though

Shin stopped pinning down Kotone and stood up while mumbling to himself.

Elemental Bind was an extremely useful skill, but the beams of light it released were much too slow; they would definitely miss if used by themselves.

Because of that, in the game era the quick Shadow Bind and Arc Bind, which combined both speed and strength, were both used more often.

Shin made sure that Kotone couldnt move and asked Mitsuyo to recover Onimaru, which was lying on the ground at a small distance.

Thanks to Elemental Bind sealing the miasma and the effects of Miracle Drug of Holy Skies, nothing happened even if Mitsuyo touched Onimaru.

Turning towards Kotone, Shin saw that Suzune was desperately calling to her.

OK, the last nuisance is that guy then.

Shin looked towards Mad Sword Legion, which had become much smaller due to Schnee and the others attacks.

Shin didnt know how much of a will the main Mad Sword Legion had, but it looked like it was frantically trying to avoid Schnee, Tiera and Kagerous combined attacks.

If Schnee and the others used their full power, they would have defeated it long ago.

It was still alive thanks to its particular multi-unit structure and because they were fighting in a closed space, so Schnee and the others didnt use wide-range attacks, out of concern of hitting their allies too.

Now that they had captured Kotone, though, Shin wanted to start the purification immediately, so he did not feel like shaving off the monsters body little by little.

Schnee! Protect everyone but me!

Schnee nodded to Shin, and he picked the skills he wanted to use.

Continuous Casting, Gun Fire!!

The skill he used first allowed to cast the skill used after it as long as MP allowed; this time, Shin chose the Flame-type Magic skill Gun Fire.

A great number of fireballs formed around Shin, then shot one after the other towards Mad Sword Legion.

The size of each fireball was about 15 cemels; as they were not very fast, the weapons floating in midair could easily avoid their trajectory.

Just as it looked like they passed by without doing anything, the fireballs suddenly burst, scattering small 5-cemels fireballs all around.

The fireballs exploded all together, filling the space with smaller fireballs and turning the weapons forming Mad Sword Legion into ashes and dust.

It was an attack that targeted friend and foe indiscriminately, but the ice barrier Schnee created prevented their allies from taking damage.

The Mad Sword Legion, the number of its weapons already reduced by Schnee and the others attacks, now saw all its weapons destroyed; like Mudou Kanemitsu before, they turned into dust.

All that was left were the bound Kotone and Onimaru.

Onimaru was tended to by Mitsuyo.

Tiera! The purification, please!

Tiera hurried to Onimarus side after hearing Shins shout.

.you should hold her hands.

Tiera whispered this piece of advice to Suzune as she passed next to her and Kotone, then started Onimarus purification.

Differently from the Depths of Hellfire boss, this time Kotone had to be purified too: thus this time Shin would use Dispel Omen on Onimaru, while Schnee did the same to Kotone.

The miasma shrouding Onimaru gradually disappeared. At the same time, a strained voice leaked from Kotones lips.

Sister! Kotone!

Kotone winced in pain, and Suzune kept calling her name desperately. She was trying to break free, but Shins Elemental Bind completely sealed her movements.

Phew, its over.

After some time, Tiera announced she had finished, while wiping sweat from her brow. She was steady on her feet this time: the purification had been less taxing than the previous one.

The rest is up to you, Shin. Please.

Leave it to me.

Tiera passedOnimaruto Shin, who gave it a long, careful look.

Its durability had decreased by about 20%, but compared to Dojigiri it had suffered surprisingly little damage. Shin concluded that the situation wasnt as critical as last time.

Shin related Onimarus state to Mitsuyo, and her expression softened with relief.

Okay then, youre next.

Shin entrusted Onimaru to Mitsuyo and turned towards Kotone. He didnt know how the miasma had affected her, so she was still bound.

Shin asked Suzune to step back just in case and checked Kotones condition.Analyze didnt display her as boss anymore. The miasmas corruption seemed to be no more as well.

Possibly because she had lost consciousness, her eyes were now closed.

At first glance, it doesnt look like there are problems.

I cant feel any miasma anymore, so I think you can release her now.

Tiera, the most sensitive member to miasma, gave her approval too, so Shin followed her proposal.

Elemental Bind caused Kotone to float in midair, so Shin prepared to support her as not to let her fall to the ground.

Hn

Kotone mumbled, maybe the impact of falling into Shins arms had woken her up.

Are you alright?

Uuh.Iam?

Sister!! Koto!!

Having heard her sisters voice, Suzune rushed to her side, opposite to Shins. No one felt it was appropriate to comment about how Suzune changed the way she called her sister.

Its me!! Suzune!! Do you recognize me!?

YesI do.

She appeared to have fully regained her senses as she talked with Suzune: a kind smile appeared on Kotones lips, to Suzunes relief.

Can you stand?

Im sorry, my body is sti

Sti?

Kotone was hiding her face out of embarrassment, and she stopped talking mid-sentence.

Shin inquired what was wrong, and Kotones body started shaking.

W-w-why am I dressed so shamefully!?

She apparently had not yet noticed the state her clothes were in.

While she was bound the beams of light hid it, but now that they had disappeared, it was clear that her priestess robe was so torn and tattered that it could hardly be called clothes.

Her current state was thus even more seductive than being naked, prompting Kotone to try desperately to twist her body to hide it.

Ah

Ehw-why!?!

Maybe it happened because temporarily, she was classified as monster.

Or maybe twisting her body gave the coup the grace. Kotones robe turned into sand and vanished, just like Mad Sword Legion did.

What was left was just Kotone herself, in her most natural state, still held by Shin.

Shin quickly looked away, but he couldnt avoid to see Kotones ample bosom and curves, which occupied his field of view before he looked elsewhere.

Use this!

Schnee rapidly pulled out new clothes and covered Kotone with them.

Anyone, please, switch with me!

Shin had turned his neck all the way away in reaction to the sudden situation, but was close to his limits, so he asked for help.

Thanks to Schnee, the front side of Kotones body was covered, but her back was still bare. He didnt notice it when she was still clothed, but now that she was naked the sensation of touching her skin was transmitted vividly to his hands.

Shin let Suzune, who was in front of him, support her sister and immediately backed away.

Shin, we have to talk later.

.Id prefer to solve this peacefully.

Schnees smile was scarier than the miasma right now.

Despite their mission being accomplished, Shin somehow didnt feel relieved at all.

The group had succeeded in saving Kotone and recovering Onimaru, so they headed to the exit of Cadaver Realm. Kotone still couldnt move well, so she was transported by one of Suzunes spirits.

Anyway, good thing the contents of the item box were safe.

Kotones clothes had crumbled to dust, but now she had changed to clothes she had in her own item box. A rare occurrence for an inhabitant of this world, Kotone possessed one too.

Im sorry forshowing yousomething so shameful

Kotones face was fiercely red as she answered. She would sometimes peek at Shin, then hide her face out of shame.

Ah, er.I think its better to just forgwhoops!

He meant to say forget it, but was interrupted by the sudden attack of a flying spirit. After dodging it, Shin noticed that Suzune was glaring at him with a certain amount of killing intent in her eyes.

She was walking next to Kotone, hidden from Shins view, but moved between them with frightening speed.

If you even whisper the fact that you saw my sister naked, Ill come for your head.

Im not saying a wordhey, I couldnt even if I wanted to

Shin answered with a small sigh.

The reason why Suzune was so belligerent was that Kotone, after realizing she had been seen naked by a man, lamented that I cant marry anymore now and asked Shin, the cause behind it all, wont you take me as your bride?.

Maybe because she had seen the exchange between Shin and Schnee, while still being embarrassed Kotone showed what appeared to be a teasing side. Suzune, however, didnt take it as a joke and became extremely wary of them.

The two priestesses were orphans and were each others only blood relative. Even if she felt gratitude towards Shin, she wouldnt accept that her sister married him just because he had seen her naked.

Im never letting you marry my sister!!

Wait!! I told you that I dont have the least intention of doing that from the beginning, didnt I!? Im getting scary looks already, so dont say that!!

Even if Kotone had been serious, Shin wouldnt have accepted. He was instead worried that Suzune would cause an even bigger commotion.

You truly are very nice people.

Kotone looked at Shin and Suzunes exchange with a peaceful expression on her face.

If you think so, then please do not trouble Shin too much.

Im sorry. I was just happy that he reacted like that even to someone like me.

Kotone honestly lowered her head in response to Schnees rebuke.

Kotone was aware that, having been corrupted by miasma, she would be shunned. Her expression was somewhat shadowed too.

Wellin small doses, its okay.

You will forgive me?

When Shin saw Kotone naked, Schnee was the one to exude the most frightening aura. Kotone had noticed it, so Schnees reaction surprised her.

Im going to have him spoil me too a bit in return.

Kotone was perplexed for a moment by Schnees reply, said with a very serious tone, then laughed softly.

Hehe, then I think Ill tease him a little more.

Afterward, Kotone faintly said You would touch even a body as tainted as mine?, so Shins position became even more difficult.

No, well, its not tainted or anything, isnt it? The miasma has been fully purified, you are totally pure, Kotone. That was something like force majeureor so Id like you to think.

Shin looked distressed, as Kotone was looking at him with imploring eyes, transparent teardrops glistening from their edges.

Looking at her expression, Shin even ended up thinking that she could be serious.

What, my sister isnt enough for you!?

Wait, are you in favor or against it?!

Shin couldnt help pointing out the inconsistency in Suzunes angry words.

I see you get along well with Suzune.

He does!? Sister, are you sure you arent still sick somewhere?

I hadnt seen you express your emotions so openly in a long time.

Saying this, Kotone laughed softly.

Kh, my back feels targeted

Throughout this conversation, an extremely annoyed aura emanated from Tiera and Mitsuyo, in the rear of the group.

Even if it happened coincidentally, it was a fact that Shin saw Kotone naked, so he took her teasing in stride.

Mitsuyo and Tieras annoyed mood was, however, clearly visible on their faces, and Schnees smile, completely lacking any intimidation, was the scariest one.

(Why isnt there a teleportation point in the boss room, just like the game?)

Shin ended up wishing that feature remained.

Shin knew it would just postpone the problem, but he wanted to escape the current situation as soon as possible.