c1-c20 · 019-ch19

Chapter 19: Falling to the Stars

"Waaaaah! We usually explore together, the two of us, and— sniff— so..."

"Ugh, fine, I get it. You don't have to explain. Just stop crying for now."

"Negomin-san, you're pretty used to this."

"Ahaha, I had a little sister, so..."

I couldn't just leave a crying person there, so I ended up accompanying Kyuu-san to look for Mayoi-san.

Negomin-san efficiently calmed her down, and now she's walking behind me, holding my hand.

"We just got promoted to B-rank... Together, my sister and I are super strong... Even stronger than Negomin..."

"Huh?"

"But we can't do anything apart, so if my sister's alone, she's in danger."

"Kyuu-san, you really care about your sister, don't you."

"That said, if it really got dangerous, we have life cords, and if those don't work, she could just send a distress signal."

"She probably can't. My sister's an idiot."

"Are you guys close? Or not close?"

The ceiling area of floor 30 grows taller grass and trees the further you get from the entrance, so visibility is surprisingly poor. With the darkness from the Black Stralium that makes up most of the magic stones, finding someone might be difficult.

Now then, what should we do?

"For now, let's try calling out loudly. She might be looking for us too."

Kyuu-san nods obediently at this suggestion.

"Deep breath... Onee-chaaaaaaaan!"

".........Yeees~"

"Quick response."

A faint voice responds from somewhere in the distance. We hurry toward it and find Mayoi-san hanging upside down, her feet caught in a giant plant vine.

"Onee-chan!"

"Kyuu~~ Where did you go~~"

"That's MY line! What are you doing like that!"

"My foot kinda got tangled~~"

I don't think that's just "getting tangled."

"Shibasaki-san, what is that?"

"That's an Ivy Planter. A plant-type monster that captures explorers and strangles them."

"...How is she still alive?"

"Who knows. It's a mystery, isn't it."

There are explorers like that sometimes—the kind who somehow never seem to die no matter what. Well, anyway, I'm glad she's alive.

Kyuu-san uses her iron gauntlets to smash the lower part of the Ivy Planter with a solid thud, gouging out the point supporting its weight. After a while, the Ivy Planter weakly releases Mayoi-san.

Kyuu-san rushes over to Mayoi-san, who has fallen to the ground.

"Onee-chan!"

"Guh, little sister, don't grind your head into my solar plexus..."

"Listen here, this was technically a life-threatening situation, so have some sense of danger!"

"Negomin, strong uncle too... thank you kindly."

Sigh... Well, fine. Dungeons are about helping each other."

"Besides, we didn't really do anything."

Just when it seemed settled, Negomin-san looks up as if noticing something.

"Hm? I heard something in the distance...?"

If I had looked up like Negomin-san at that moment, this situation might have been prevented. But it was already too late.

Mayoi-san mutters something.

"Huh, am I... floating?"

"Onee-chan is always floating."

"Really?"

"Both of you, quit the comedy routine... waaah!"

The three people in front of me float up into the air. Then, before I knew it, my body was floating too.

As if being pulled upward.

This sensation... could it be...!

I look up reflexively and see a massive hole opened in the star-filled ceiling, letting light pour through.

A hole... a collapse! And this phenomenon—the floor 31 ascension drop!

"Kyaaaaaaahhhh!!"

"Nooooooo!!"

"Onee-chaaaaaaaan!!!"

The fall can't be stopped. The stars shining in the ceiling are getting closer, almost within reach.

Falling upward...!