Revealing his true nature, Tor Guief was no longer that gentle and affable lecturer.

  Now his face had twisted into one of viciousness itself, filled with cruelty and cunning. His eyes, soft until just a moment ago, were sharp like a hawk aiming for prey, emitting a repulsive pressure.

  He took out the mask of "Master Megil" from his pocket and said while showing it to me.

  "Everyone hides their true face under a mask. Whether it is visible or not. The difference is merely that."

  Putting away the mask, he raises the corners of his mouth as if mocking me again.

  "Welcome to my castle, Yu-kun."

  I shuddered. I felt as if my whole body froze. This is the enemy's headquarters. Everything around is pitch black. In contrast, I am alone.

  A desperate predicament. It was a situation exactly as the words imply.

  I cursed. My carelessness for stepping into such a place alone without knowing anything. Above all, my stupidity for letting my guard down around him until now!

  When I was trembling with regret and anger enough to make my stomach turn inside out, he sneered, looking very satisfied. Bad taste. He is enjoying seeing me like this! And he added further pursuit.

  "That's right. Let me introduce you again. My excellent subordinate, Karla-kun."

  What!?

  Surprised and looking back again, she took off her mask smoothly. What appeared from underneath was—.

  Unmistakably, the face of Karla-senpai, who should have died.

  I doubted my eyes. I couldn't believe it. Why... Why is that Senpai here—?

  I became terribly upset, and for a moment I didn't know where to direct the anger I held. After all, the person thought to be the victim of the incident and the perpetrator were exactly the same person.

  When I remained unable to say anything, she asked as if feigning ignorance.

  "Was the training fun?"

  Hearing those mocking words, as expected, I understood. That she is unmistakably that Masked Woman. That she is the number one subordinate of Tor Guief, who is Master Megil.

  Thinking about it, it was natural since he is the Master. The fact that he persistently invited us to Gief Lab also seems transparent now. He must have thought to pull us in as comrades if possible, or dispose of us if not.

  Why Milia's expression was sometimes cloudy when looking at her. Ah. I understand now. Milia has a quite sharp intuition regarding people. Just as she quickly saw through my true identity, surely she vaguely saw through her true identity too.

  But she wouldn't have wanted to believe such a cruel fact. So she dared not say anything. Me too. I didn't want this to be a fact!

  I understand now why Milia went to her alone despite the danger. She went to persuade her. She thought if it's Karla-senpai, she would surely understand if talked to.

  Not wanting to burden me and Alice with the painful role of confronting her, Milia dared to go alone. Milia believed in Karla-senpai's conscience. That's why she could face her alone.

  Yet, this woman betrayed Milia, who believed in her until the end. In the worst form—turning her into stone!

  When I finally understood that much, inside me she was no longer the lovable Senpai who tends to run wild but takes good care of others. She was an enemy to be hated beyond comparison.

  Before I knew it, my body moved, and I was grabbing her collar while shouting.

  "Youuuuuu! How dare you do that to Miliaaaaa! Milia believed in you! And yet! And yet why did you! Turn Milia back! Turn her backkk!"

  She frowned sadly for just a moment, but immediately raised her voice and pushed me away.

  "You're in the way! The one who gets deceived is the one at fault!"

  I was bounced off and fell on my backside.

  "Ugh!"

  Tor saw our exchange and raised a laugh hateful enough to make me want to kill him.

  "Kukuku. Amusing. Truly amusing. I can't hold back my laughter."

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  "Don't screw with me!"

  Ignoring my anger like a breeze, he speaks to Karla.

  "The strategy you came up with on the spur of the moment was truly splendid. Let's not question the failure in the Great Forest."

  "Thank you very much."

  What the hell!? Strategy!? With almost no time to question, Karla explained with a triumphant face.

  "When I turned Milia into stone, I realized. It's better to use her as bait to lure you guys out than to crush her as is. I figured someone would definitely come here if they knew Lost Magic was used."

  "...!"

  "Also, you wouldn't come with everyone just to ask. Especially if it's urgent. The prediction hit the mark perfectly."

  "To think you would come here nonchalantly all alone. If we capture you, we can also lure Inea, the most troublesome opponent."

  "Kuh! Dammit!"

  I stood up hurriedly while feeling intense impatience. It's as he says. If I get caught and don't return, Inea-sensei will suspect this place. And everyone will come to help.

  These guys intend to set a trap there! Catching everyone in one net. The worst scene flashes by.

  Honestly, I'm full of feelings wanting to say various things and wanting to punish them severely. But reason is desperately telling me to run against this situation.

  There's no way there are only two people in this place. Surely many other enemies are waiting. It's helpless alone.

  Anyway, I have to run! Everyone is in danger! But, how!?

  "Now. With this long talk, the preparation for the petrification magic is done. Karla. Turn Yu into stone too."

  "Yes."

  There is no time to think anymore. When I transformed into a man, I immediately applied [Qi Reinforcement].

  "Hoh. It's the first time I've seen transforming in front of my eyes. Quite interesting."

  "Really, I wonder what he is. I'm looking forward to examining him."

  I felt chills from the bottom of my heart at the two looking at me as if looking at an experimental animal.

  "What. You don't have to be scared. It's just an instant—turning into stone."

  No thinking. Anyway, run! I start running as if bouncing, charging with the intention of pushing away Karla blocking the entrance of the room. At that time, her eyes shone suspiciously.

  —I don't know why, but anyway nothing happened.

  I mercilessly push her back, who is surprised, and jump out of the room. I run through the corridor at full speed as it is. An angry voice was heard from behind.

  "No way! [Keldestar] doesn't work!"

  "Hmm. Are you saying he has absolutely no Magic Power!?"

  Apparently, it doesn't work if there is no Magic Power. I was lucky to be a man.

  I tried to break the window and jump out, but this window seems to have quite powerful magic applied. I couldn't break it easily. From Tor, a command enters via voice speakers within the laboratory.

  『Yu Hoshimi attempted to escape. Never let him escape!』

  Kuh. It seems the enemy has no intention of letting me escape no matter how I struggle.

  People jumped out wara wara from the surrounding rooms. Coming out, coming out. They are all underlings wearing masks.

  I put out a Qi Sword from my left hand. The situation is dire. Sorry, but I don't seem to be able to hold back just for today.

  "Those who don't want to die, open the way!"

  When I announced loudly while running, one of the underlings blocked the way. He shot Intermediate Light Magic—[Arllit].

  It is the rank just below the superior light magic [Arllion], the light bullet Argus once used.

  Although quite smaller than Argus's, light bullets fly at considerable speed. If I receive it straight with this body without Magic Resistance, it is a little dangerous even if it is Intermediate.

  Just before hitting, I changed the Qi Sword into a shield shape for just a moment. Approaching while preventing the attack, I mercilessly slash that enemy blocking the way.

  I don't have a particular obsession with taking lives, unlike what Vester said back then. I think such a cold way of thinking can eat shit. I only learned in this half-year to do what must be done in situations where I absolutely have to slash. If I hesitate here, my friends' lives might be in danger.

  If I am seen as a naive person who goes easy on enemies and only leaves them with bruises, they will attack one after another. Such a luxury is only allowed for the overwhelmingly strong who can somehow manage even so. Unfortunately, I don't have that much power yet. I hope I will someday, though.

  Judging from how blood spurts out, he will probably die soon. While feeling something heavy in my chest, still I advance. Because there are things to prioritize more now.

  Some flinched at that just now. Thanks to that, I was able to avoid useless battles.

  Alright. Let's aim for the first floor. If it's the front exit, I should be able to escape as expected. The passages inside the laboratory are relatively intricate, but it was good that I memorized the way when I was guided.

  I ran desperately while mowing down enemies, and finally arrived just before the exit. I returned to that entrance where the model of Megil is in the center.

  Let's escape as it is and plan a strategy with everyone. And save Milia. When such hope was seen—.

  In front of me, there was that Clam Selenberg.

  Why here!?

  No, I somewhat understood. The person blocking here in this situation now cannot be an ally!

  I stare at the front without negligence. The enemy is a hero even if rotten. There is a mysterious technique to close the distance at once. Don't approach carelessly.

  "Will you be captured quietly?"

  "Do you think I'll say yes?"

  While going around to the side, I take out throwing knives from my waist pouch. Excluding one used in the Flame Dragon battle, remaining nine.

  Of those, I threw five with all my might at positions he must dodge. Since I'm reinforcing with Qi, it's considerable speed.

  —!? —Wha!?

  When I noticed, he hadn't moved at all. But only the knives—. Were around his back side in an instant. They were already stuck in the wall in the predicted trajectory as thrown.

  What is it!? What's happening!? I understand even less now...!

  However, only this I understood. Anyway dangerous. Too dangerous. I felt sticky unpleasant sweat flowing all over my body.

  Fear of a human of unknown nature. It was a terror completely different in quality from what I felt with the Flame Dragon.

  He stands still without moving, blocking the front of the exit as it is. It seemed he understood that just doing so was enough. Actually, it was enough.

  I couldn't move pikuri from the spot like a frog stared at by a snake. If I approach there, I will definitely be done in.

  Before long, I knew with Qi that Tor and Karla were catching up from behind. If it becomes three against one, there is even less chance of winning.

  I have no choice but to move. I throw the remaining four knives without sparing. Simultaneously jumping out, I took his flank and tried to run through to the outside at once.

  —!?

  While I remain completely unable to move. For just a moment, I felt like I saw him punching my stomach—.