“Come at me whenever you’re ready! Give it your all!”

 

Before me stood a bodybuilder like man, clad in a Hawaiian shirt.

 

“So, I can go all out, right?”

 

“Ha, it’s about time you got to know my skills. Don’t hesitate to thrust your sword with the intent to harm. If you can, that is.”

 

“Ha, right.”

 

With a dry chuckle, I knew I stood no chance against him.

But with faith in the chairman, I clutched my sword and ran towards him.

 

I raced across the ground with all my might, my speed surpassing the previously known limits of humankind in a blink, outpacing cars and flying like a missile.

 

My downward stroke of the sword was evaded with a willowy agility that belied his hulking figure.

 

“How about that! I’m already over 70, you know?”

 

“Nobody in their 70s moves like that!”

 

My continuously dodged sword infuriated me. His casual parries felt like he was mocking me.

A mere flick of his finger could alter the course of my sword. Then, from behind, I received a flick on my forehead.

Just a flick, yet it had enough power to send me flying. The pain was intense…

 

I immersed myself in the brief exchange.

As my concentration peaked, my eyes…

 

“Oh… is that the Eye of God? What a grand name.”

 

…they shone a golden hue.

 

As we fought, I crafted a strategy.

I knew I couldn’t win.

Yet, I was determined to at least land a single blow.

 

I ran towards Chairman Kagetora, using my body to conceal my sword.

 

“Those are indeed good eyes… pure and focused.”

 

The chairman stood poised like a karate expert, stamping his feet.

His magic power release made the air vibrate and the plants sway.

 

“Ah!”

 

My sword was raised, then brought down.

The chairman’s gaze was fixed on the sword I was supposed to be holding in my hands.

 

“!?”

 

But the sword was missing.

Shocked, he lifted his arm in defense against the expected sword strike, encased in a magic armor.

But he felt nothing.

 

“What the!?”

 

This was my Mirage, an invisible flash that only lasts a moment when there’s such a great disparity in magic power.

The chairman would soon see through the trick, even if I concealed my body.

The trick would be pointless if he created a distance.

 

So, I only made the sword invisible.

Just for a split second.

 

The chairman, who thought he had successfully blocked my attack, noticed that I wasn’t clutching a sword in my right hand.

Naturally, because my invisible sword was still sheathed at my waist.

 

“Ha!”

 

I landed on the ground and assumed an Iaido like posture, aiming at the unguarded side of Chairman Kagetora.

 

“Well done…”

 

My sword stroke would land this time.

But at the last moment, the speed of the sword waned.

I frowned; my brows furrowed.

 

That moment of hesitation gave the chairman ample time.

He had the leeway to deflect my sword with one hand.

 

“Metal?!”

 

His arm felt like solid metal.

Unable to make a dent, I was repelled, and the chairman flicked my forehead again, flipping me over.

 

“Ugh!?”

 

As I lay sprawled on the ground, Chairman Kagetora stood above me, placing his finger on my forehead with a smile.

 

“I win. Shall we call it a day?”

 

“…I lost…”

 

Chairman Kagetora sat cross-legged next to me, gently patting my head with his large hand.

 

“You put up a splendid fight. You could have struck me down at the end, it wouldn’t have been surprising. However… just as I thought, Kai-kun, do you have the courage to cut a person?”

 

“…”

 

That’s why my sword slowed down.

If I had carried through with that stroke, I would have killed the chairman.

That momentary doubt made my sword falter.

I’ve lived a peaceful life until now, capable of defeating monsters.

 

But to stab a person, to cut a person, our instincts resist.

 

“Yes.”

 

During the time with Phu, I was desperate, so there was no hesitation.

Many clearers were killed, and I was almost killed.

 

I could fight without hesitation then, in that frenzied state.

 

But it’s different now, when I’m in full control of my mind.

Cutting a person isn’t as easy as it seems.

I guess everyone feels the same. Even though dungeons have appeared, it’s challenging to kill someone in peaceful Japan.

 

“I see… that’s good. That’s normal. But Kai-kun, you’re about to step into a world that isn’t normal. The power you have brings more power and what it calls towards it is even more power. You’ll face life-threatening situations. You can’t say you can’t stab a person then.”

 

“…Yes, I understand.”

 

“But remember this advice from an old man. Protecting something often means killing someone else. It’s two sides of the same coin. So, prepare yourself, Kai-kun. You must have dreams to achieve, people to protect. If so, you need to be prepared to kill a person, an enemy. It’s a bloody world. I’ve seen lives lost that couldn’t be protected with mere ideals. You’ve already decided to step into that world.”

 

“…”

 

His words may have been directed at me, who still felt the weight of killing Phu.

I imagine this is the path the chairman has walked, perhaps he has killed people too.

 

Could I kill a person when the time comes?

Even if they are not inherently evil, but are my enemy, nonetheless?

 

As I sank into my troubled thoughts, the chairman continued his words kindly.

 

“Kai-kun, there’s one thing you should remember.”

 

“What is that?”

 

“No matter how many people you kill, as long as you have a core within you, something you want to protect, it should guide you in times of doubt. Do you have something you would stake your life to protect?”

 

“My…”

 

I remember. To save Nagi from AMS.

I would become a villain for that cause.

 

That’s my reason for fighting, the reason I absolutely want to achieve.

It was this desire that saved me in the many times I had come close to death, during the trials of strength, during the battle with the novice knights, and even during the time with Phu.

 

“Do you have something you want to protect, Chairman Kagetora?”

 

“Me? Of course, I do. I was born in this country 70 years ago. I’ve fought since the times before magic existed. Even now, the thing I want to protect the most is all the citizens living in this country. That includes you, of course.”

 

Seeing the chairman’s bright smile, I couldn’t help but smile as well.

I lifted my face, looked straight at the chairman, and replied.

 

“That’s incredible, and… it’s cool. I’ll prepare myself to be able to protect what I want to protect!”

 

The chairman laughed heartily, and that marked the end of our conversation for the day.

I headed straight home and began preparing for my solo clear of the C-Rank dungeon.

 

◇

 

Once Kai had left, only Tanaka and the chairman were left in the room.

 

“He’s a good kid, isn’t he? Kai-kun. I really like him.”

 

“Hahaha, it’s rare to find a kid like that these days. He fights for his family. But it’s the best way to bring out his power, just like Aya did for me.”

 

“Yes, I’m sure he’ll become strong. Having a reason to fight makes one strong… Now, chairman, about the topics for the upcoming World Dungeon Conference…”

 

“Ah, there are two main topics. One is about the God-Destruction cult. They seem to be planning a large-scale operation soon, so we’re being warned to be on alert. The countermeasures are left to each country, though it seems a bit negligent. Well, it can’t be helped. We don’t know what they’re up to.”

 

“I see. And what’s the most important topic at the moment?”

 

“Dragon Island. Apparently, the US is going to act based on the US-Japan Security Treaty as military action. However, China is still opposing it. Territorially, Dragon Island is within our country’s exclusive economic zone, but the next closest is China. They might… force their way in.”

 

“It’s a difficult problem. The S-Rank Cube, its rights generate a huge profit. Every country would want it. The magic stone it produces is now equivalent to military power. China wouldn’t want the US to get it. We feel the same way.”

 

“Ideally, we would resolve this within our country and keep the profits here… but we’ve already failed twice. We no longer have excuses to prevent foreign intervention.”

 

“Indeed… It’s the only place on this planet where mankind has lost its habitat. It’s been two years since the dungeon collapsed, losing three S-Ranks that day.”

 

“Yes, the island where the S-Rank dragons strut around. Relying on the power of other countries is… indeed a painful choice for Japan.”

 

“Very well.”

 

“Ah, the Dragon Island recapture operation will begin soon. Call back the oversears Ryunosuke and Reina.”

 

◇Kai’s Perspective

 

“Well, I’ve got a grip on the atmosphere of C-Rank, but to be honest, I can’t see myself losing…”

 

I returned home and looked at the list of C-Rank dungeons I had received from Tanaka-san. I’ve been given permission to enter any of them at any time.

The only condition is that I use Mirage to make sure no one knows I’m not alone.

 

“…Let’s go. I have to get stronger, and then there’s the God-Destruction cult… I’ve told Tanaka-san, but they might be targeting me. Or maybe it’s about this eye… And they knew about God’s trial. Who are they, really?”

 

But thinking about it is pointless.

Right now, I need to full clear C-Ranks and increase my magical power.

 

Without further ado, I headed for the nearest C-Rank dungeon.

 

It was a little out of Tokyo, not quite a city, but there was certainly some foot traffic.

 

So, I activated my power.

 

“Mirage!”

 

The people passing by didn’t notice me. They couldn’t recognize me because their intelligence was lower than mine.

 

“It’s like being invisible. I could get up to mischief and no one would know. But of course, I wouldn’t do that.”

 

Although I felt a little mischievous, I decided against doing anything illegal.

After a short walk, I arrived at a huge Cube standing majestically in the middle of the town.

 

The area was cordoned off, but the Cube sparkled like a gem.

 

Its color was sakura pink. It was as beautiful as a cherry blossom, making me feel a bit happy just by looking at it.

However, what was inside was far from cute; it was definitely a monster capable of killing most of mankind.

 

C-Rank was something beyond most of humanity.

If it were the past me, I would’ve been dead in a second. But now…

 

“Alright, let’s go.”

 

With a clear sound, I stepped into the C-Rank cube.

There was no fear, no terror, all that remained was the throbbing of excitement in my chest.

 

I started to clear C-Rank cubes one after another.

 

Preparing for the battle that will surely come one day.