Today, more than 2,000 tries have been made.

　It's been three and a half months since I came here. I've made 18 tame attempts per day, and it's finally gone over 2,000. This battle, which only took 15 minutes as Seven, takes the current me nearly 40 minutes. Still, I've done it 2,000 times without batting an eye. There's something weird with me.

“Excuse me, my Second. Isn't it time to go back already? “

　Most of the evenings were spent drinking together with Angolmois. We drank after spending twelve hours trying to tame Anko, so now it has become a habit.

　However, lately this fellow has been noisy, saying “Let's go back already”. Asking the person in question, it seems he has just been bored and worried about me. I'm kind of grateful for that, but I'll still be worrying him for a bit longer.

“We're still at a good time. I'll go back home if there are any problems, but so far there hasn't been any large developments reported in the weekly report.”

　That's a lie, though. The weekly reports from the three girls had some concerning issues.

　It seems like the Reformists group led by the Prime Minister Val Morrow, who's backing the First Prince Klaus, are finally starting to make their move in the capital. There's little time left. In addition to that, I'm also interested in the growth of Silvia and Eko, and a bit curious about that mischief I left in the hands of Yukari. I'm also eager to see the completed mansions. And I'm a bit anxious about the progress of Second's Castle (provisional). I'm bothered about everything.

　And to be completely honest, I want to go back already.

　Then, why? ……Why am I not going back?

　Even I don't know it myself. It's just, I've simply been making excuses. Excuses to not go back home yet.

　……Ahh, I'm addicted.

　My outlook has narrowed. I haven't been making normal decisions. I haven't given up, nor have I wanted to give up. While trying to persist with the taming, I've been putting off a lot of issues. Even though I know the possibilities, I'm just ruining myself while hoping for that slight chance.

　But.

　I will keep doing the same thing tomorrow. And the day after. And the week after, and the month after. Unless there's a really compelling excuse, I will keep doing this until the very last moment.

　I can't help it. It's only natural. Taming the Darkness Wolf is like a drug I can't resist taking. And it won't end until that moment when I taste that last pleasure of taming her. This feeling as if my head will burst open, it gives me a sensation of flying, and the descending euphoria engulfs me as we clash incessantly. All of this is carved in my brain, something that won't be erased for a lifetime. There's only one way to break free from this, and that is to tame her. What a nasty thing.

“…………I'm going to sleep.”

“Umu……”

　I want to hurry up and finish this. Closing my eyes, I wished so. Drowsiness soon came. And so, my daily routine started again.

——

——

　Attempt number 2,159.

　It was late in the afternoon, just a bit over four months since coming here.

　I'm not sure if it's because I am tired or something else, but I made a mistake for the first time.

　I didn't manage properly the cooldown time of 《Transform》, and I couldn't avoid the Darkness Magic attack.

“（My Second!）“

　Angolmois shouted. Hey, Spirit King-sama, stop with the useless actions. Nothing will come out from shouting. Also, you're using telepathic communication.

“…………”

　――Should I use “that”? A moment of hesitation.

　Approaching in Jojutsu mode, Anko was closing the distance while swinging the shadow cane in all directions at a speed the eyes couldn't follow. And currently, my HP was 1. If I get hit, I'm done for.

　What should I do? Should I keep going like this? Or should I use my hidden card? Whatever the case, I can't choose to drink a potion. I would get hit while drinking it.

　Well, with this being the case, I guess the answer has already been decided.

“（T-That's reckless!）“

　What I chose was to ‘avoid' it. Moving past her right side, I went towards Anko's back.

　The weakness of the Jojutsu mode is the rear side. If you can go around her, you have the time to drink a potion while Anko repositions herself. That's right, IF you can go around her.

　The distance between us is about two meters. Aiming for the slight window after the activation of the 【Jojutsu】 skill, I dived towards Anko's right shoulder side and rushed through without hesitating.

　――Swoosh. I could hear the shadow cane swinging next to my ear. If that connected, I would have been taken out. Close, so close.

“Foo!　That's how you escape by a hair's breadth! “

“（Cut it out!　There's only so much my heart can take!）“

　Just like that, I successfully evaded using that special move three more times. And while I was drinking a potion, I received a scolding from Angolmois. Incidentally, the rest was a bit troublesome, but I managed to bring her down using 《Rook Archery》, and reset the fight.

　…………I can still do it. I'm still alright.

　I muttered to myself, while also holding my chest, feeling my rapidly beating heart.

　I almost died. For the first time since coming to this world.

　It was beyond my imagination.

　――This overflow. This exhilaration. This excitement. This feeling I had forgotten for a long time, was now being awakened.

　Fun. Fun. This is fun……!

　When thinking about it, I feel like I forgot my original intention. Why did I start playing Mobius? Why did I decide to aim for the top in the world? I felt like the answer to those questions was revived here.

　Mobius was the place where the ‘records' of everything in my life were located. After doing nothing but running away from everything, I came to a dead end where everything just piled up, gathered and finally burst open. So, I decided to no longer escape. All that was left for me was to move forward. And just enjoy everything.

“Here I come! ! “

　This is our battle; I can't be rude to Anko.

　This is the world's best battle. A clash between me and her.

　Holding up the Mithril Longbow, I went to Anko and took a shot at her.

——

——

＜Status Details＞

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

Swordsmans.h.i.+p

s.h.i.+eldmans.h.i.+p

Archery

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.