<Sogou Ayakas POV>

Enoh is the capital of Alion.

If you were to go north of Enoh, you would arrive in a mountainous area.

Approximately half a day away by riding a carriage,

There is one ruins that could be found in that mountainous area.

The Ancient Dragon Ruins.

It is said that there used to be a legendary dragon who have lived in this ruins long ago.

This dragon was called the Azure Eyes Dragon.

However, it is said that the Azure Eyes Dragon no longer exists in that place.

The Heroes of 2-C have arrived here in the Ancient Dragon Ruins.

[Hyyaahh!]

Stab!

The monster screams.

My spear pierced through the heart of the monster.

The monster twitched as it spat out blood.

A few moments later, the monster finally stops moving.

A small sigh leaked out of my mouth.

I quickly looked around the area.

[Is everyone alright?]

There were seven students with me.

These were the people who werent able to clear the goddess trials.

The dropouts that was entrusted to me.

5 of them are girls.

2 are boys.

[Y- Yesh]

[Youre quite amazing, Sogou-san.]

They were also wielding weapons in their hands.

However, there are almost no traces of blood in their weapon.

Even their armor looks brand new.

Its only their shield that have shown traces of being overused.

[Everyone doesnt have to force yourselves to try killing monsters. You should first learn how to protect yourself.]

There was one weeping girl who had stopped in her place and curled into a ball.

[Sorry Im sorry, Ayaka-chan. My legs were trembling I cant even move anymore]

Smiling towards her, I gently caressed the cheek of the trembling girl.

[Its alright, Minamino-san. Instead, Im sorry that Ive suddenly brought you in this place.]

[No]

The girl whose cheeks Im caressing, Minamono Moe shook her head.

[Rather than saying sorry to us, we should be thanking you instead We were about to be disposed. right? Sniff But Ayaka-chan asked them to abandon their plan, right? The Goddess-sama has told us so.]

It seems that the goddess dared to tell them about these details.

I started speculating about whats hidden beneath her action.

(To the Goddess-sama who was supposed to be our ally, its no good if Im too suspicious of her actions Im tired)

[We will do our best Sniff So that we wont drag Ayaka-chans legs behind]

After hearing her words, I quickly changed my mind.

[Its alright. I will protect everyone. If a monster appears, leave it to me.]

(If its possible, I dont want any of my classmates to die anymore.)

There was already a casualty in 2-C.

Mimori Touka.

I wasnt able to save him.

[]

(If an S-Rank Hero really held an amazing power, I may even be able to defeat the Great Demon Emperor depending on how hard I work.)

My grip on my spear tightens.

(If we were able to defeat the Great Demon Emperor, we could return to our world back then Therefore)

I cant die.

Until we could defeat the Great Demon Emperor, I cant die.

At least, I will do my best on protecting these seven people.

(And also, Kashima-san)

Defeating the Great Demon Emperor.

(So that we could level up We need to kill golden-eyed monsters.)

[Suou-san.]

[Yeah.]

I spoke towards the bob cut girl wearing glasses.

[If I werent able to respond to an attack right away, can I ask you to stop the monster? Its fine if you were just able to earn me some time Anyway, I just wanted everyone to be safe.

[.Yes.]

Without any intonation in her words, Suou Kayako responded.

There are almost no traces that the weapons of these seven people were used.

However, Ive found some traces of blood in Kayakos sword.

A little while ago, I asked everyone just to end up in vain.

Is there anyone who wants to level up by dealing the finishing blow? I said.

At that time, there was a monster rolling on the ground after I weakened it with my spear.

Only one person raised her hand.

That was Suou Kayako.

Back in my previous world, my impression towards her is that shes someone whos always in the shadows.

I have never seen her talk with other people.

Shes another kind of an inconspicuous child compared to Kashima Kobato.

However, it seems like she unexpectedly held some courage within her.

If that were the case though, its really strange that shes grouped together with the dropouts

The other students look apologetic.

[Im sorry that Im useless, Sogou-san.]

[Even though Im a man Im sorry.]

[But, Im really scared]

[Killing other living creatures My heart cant take it.]

I just returned their disheartened mutterings with a smile.

[Dont apologize, okay? I believe that the way of thinking and the sensitivity of each person is different from another. Its only natural if there are things we could do and things we could not.]

I dont think everyone can do the things the others could.

Theres a suitable person for the right job.

You just have to do the things that you can.

[I heard that theres some kind of magic in this world that power ups their fighters. I heard something like that. Its possible that everyone may be able to use this skill. Theres also some kind of convenient tools in this world called magic tools So, you dont have to force yourself in directly fighting against these monsters. You should first learn to protect yourself. I would already be happy if you could just assist me when you already have the composure to do so. Umm, thats why Could you stop feeling apologetic already? Okay?]

I tightened my fist.

[Lets defeat the Great Demon Emperor, and together with everyone, well go back to our previous world.]

Putting aside Kayako who doesnt have any expression on her face, I could see that the other six people now had a hopeful expression on their face.

[Sogou-san]

[Im glad that Im in Ayaka-chans group]

[W- Well do the best that we can.]

[Im in your care, Sogou-san!]

They were all just kind-hearted children.

Thats why I have to protect them myself.

The goddess had given one requirement to the heroes.

Defeat the monster called Flesh Dragon and bring back its eyeball.

It seems to be a one-eyed monster.

As we proceeded further into the ruins, me and the others arrived in a particularly spacious area.

I checked the map that the goddess had given us before.

Ssshhh

Kayako approached and illuminated the map with a lantern.

[Thank you, Suou-san.]

It seems that the area that the Flesh Dragon inhibits is nearby.

[Oh? I thought I just saw someone, isnt this Ayaka?]

People were coming out of another passage in droves.

My name was called out by the boy leading the group.

[Yasu-kun.]

Yasu Tomohiro.

He has changed.

(No He might have already been that way even those times)

Remembering the past, I started approaching Yasu.

[It seems we both have been going through rough times.]

[Hmm?]

[You dont have to feign ignorance. Arent you also bringing these hindrances who cant even stand up on their two feet and have to rely on the power of the more powerful heroes, Ayaka?]

Pat

He tapped my shoulder.

[Isnt it quite tiring? Playing the part of the powerful one, that is.]

He pointed towards the students he brought along with him.

They had an ambiguous smile on their faces.

[Ive never thought of my comrades as a hindrance.]

Yasu just shrugs.

[Thats indeed an answer Ive expected from you. An answer that would make you feel like its the right answer. Or is it just because its indeed the right answer? Thats amazing. Youre glittering. Youre difference compared to those idiots. How about this, Ayaka? How about we partner up?]

[Please dont suddenly say such weird things. Besides, I dont think I could do well if I partner up with you.]

[Guh Ayaka really isnt someone who you could easily use after all. Even though you would have been quite useful What a shame. What a shame, indeed. Kukeke]

It was still unclear whether we could cooperate with his group.

But, it seems that its impossible.

Theres also the overbearing way Yasu pointed out my comrades

[Have you heard what the goddess called those Heroes that were B-Rank and below?]

[They were called?]

[Those who were B-Rank and below were categorized as White Heroes! Do you know what this means, Ayaka?]

Yasu spread his arms wide.

[That means they were just one of the people among the bunch! Their color was too pale! Theyre just mobs! Mobs!]

[No, they werent just someone among the bunch. Each of them had a face and a name of their own.]

At that time

[Guuuaaaaaahhhhh!]

A few monsters jumped out from the passage leading to the inner parts of the ruins.

(All of them were golden-eyed monsters)

I prepared my stance with the spear in my hand as I protect my comrades in my back.

Yasus group suddenly screamed.

[Y- Yasu-san!]

[Please do something!]

[Please save us with your A-Rank powers!]

Eyes opening wide, Yasu looks like hes filled with fighting spirit.

A crazy smile formed on his lips.

[Burn up]

Yasu sticked out his arms towards the monsters.

[<Laevatein>] (T/N: Sword Eye of the Black Flames/ Laevateinn)

Black flame gushed out from the hands of Yasu.

Theyre bursting out as if its a beast that had just been released from its chains.

I could also see some kind of sword-like pattern glowing in his eyes.

The black flame completely swallowed the monsters.

The monsters could do nothing but raise out a scream as it died where they stood.

(Thats Yasus personal skill?)

Yasus group showered him with praises one after another.

[T- Thats amazing As expected of Yasu-san!]

[As I expected, Yasu-san is amazing! Terrific!]

[Youre surely the strongest Hero of our class with that flame!]

[Ill follow you as long as Im alive!]

Though they said that Everyone doesnt look like they have any emotions in their eyes.

Are they just giving him empty flattery?

[Oh man] (T/N: Yare yare)

Yasu stares at his palm while he smiles in self-deprecation.

[Ive never intended to show off this power, but]

Me and the others went on a path different from where Yasus group went.

(It seems like Yasu-kun doesnt like going with lower-ranked Heroes and treats them like I hindrance)

It seems like hes someone that I couldnt partner with.

Hes changed.

Everything about him has changed.

Proceeding further into the ruins, we arrived in an area filled with corpses of monsters.

Weve already deviated from the original path.

However, there were still quite a lot of screams coming from this path.

So, I was a bit curious.

Is it Kiriharas group?

Hiding behind the shadows, I quietly peep through the path.

I could see the figures of two girls.

Its the Takao sisters.

Hijiri is rubbing the back of her younger sister who is kneeling on the ground.

I could see that she has just been vomiting earlier.

[Are you alright?]

[Im sorry, Aneki As expected, I would still feel bad, being surrounded by a large amount of these corpses]

[Its okay. Youre a human that was raised in Japans modern society. Therefore, having that kind of reaction isnt strange.]

[Ah, isnt Aneki quite fine?]

[It would be no problem if you just shut down a part of your imagination. All mental problems were just illusions that were the result of having too much imagination.]

[I dont really understand what you mean, but Aneki is amazing as I had expected]

[Though I say that, you cant really shut down the bad smell from these corpses. But if you just think of them as the odor of the microbes that lives within these corpses, they really dont seem like a problem. That wouldnt be the odor of death anymore.]

[Im sorry, I didnt really understand what you just said.]

[Its okay.]

There were corpses of monsters scattered around the sisters.

About one third of them looks burnt.

The rest of the corpses were divided into two.

[.]

The cross-section seems to be too clean.

Is this all due to the effect of the sisters personal skills?

If that is so

(Im the only S-Rank who havent acquired a personal skill)

My level is significantly higher than before.

However, I havent unlocked my personal skill yet.

Hijiri takes out the satchel she held.

[Ive already acquired the eyeball of the Flesh Dragon, so the requirement for this ruins should already be achieved.]

It was said that an eyeball of the Flesh Dragon is enough of a requirement for five people.

Therefore, we would need to acquire a total of 8 eyeballs.

[And also]

Without turning her face, Hijiri said.

[I wont bite you even if you come out, you know? Sogou-san.]

As I thought, she had really noticed us.

I came out of the shadow Im hiding from.

[Im sorry I heard a lot of monster screams from this direction, so Im a bit curious.]

I could see Hijiris line of sight turn towards my back.

[Now that I think about it, it seems youve gained some comrades.]

[Yes.]

The sisters started walking.

Though when she was about to pass by me, Hijiri stopped.

[Are you alright?]

[Eh? M- Me?]

[Yes, Im talking about you.]

I just smiled in response, though it may look a bit strained.

[I- I believe Ive been somehow doing my best for the past few days]

Hijiri exhales out a small sigh.

[It doesnt seem youre alright.]

[Eh?]

[When you have replied just now, youve been turning your eyes away from me.]

[Ah]

[You should learn how to start working for yourself, even for a bit.]

Hijiri started walking away.

Itsuki then pats her hand on my shoulder.

[Well Just dont overdo it, Class President.]

[T- Thank you.]

[It seems that Aneki likes you very much so]

[Eh?]

[Were leaving, Itsuki.]

After Hijiri called, Itsuki trotted towards her sister.

[Hijiri-san, that just now]

[Its not like Im denying it or anything.]

Still having their jaunty attitude, the Takao sisters disappear into the darkness.