"Burning!"

The voices of the three of us synchronized, and the horde of zombies before us was instantly engulfed in hellfire.

Faced with such an excessive overkill, Hiyami san was frolicking around, shouting, "Foooo! Beautifoooool!"

"When you asked me if I remembered Burning, I thought you had a good strategy or something, but—"

"Ruka has this side to her."

"It's exactly because of times like these that we need stress relief. You Kuragane sisters must have felt good too, right?"

I really hate being lumped together.

Perhaps feeling the same way, Marin frowned.

The fact that we share the same feeling is also kinda annoying...

"We have to defeat zombies until we're sick of them to reach our destination anyway. Might as well enjoy it a little, don't you think?"

I somewhat understand what she wants to say, though.

No matter how much we strengthen our bodies by allocating stats, our minds haven't changed at all.

There might be people who become mentally exhausted.

Like Marin, who seems more delicate than I thought.

"—Now it's my turn to go solo. Gyges, shake the earth!"

Hiyami san, whose energy was strangely high, trampled over the charred corpses and charged into another group further back.

Then, jumping up right in front of them, she punched the ground with the massive gauntlet covering her arm.

"Turbulent Heartbeat!"

Gyges vibrated violently, and the tremor propagated through the ground ahead.

The bodies of the zombies shook violently, and while groaning, "Uaaaaah...!", blood spewed from all the holes in their bodies.

"I'm jealous you have a skill that can wipe them out in one fell swoop like that."

"Being flashy is so like Ruka."

"With that power, isn't it a pretty high-tier skill?"

"It is, because I just learned it."

"What levels are you two at?"

"I'm 36 and Ruka is 35. What about you, Erika?"

"38. Even with two of you, there isn't that much difference."

"Because it's distributed automatically."

"Fifty-fifty?"

"I don't know about that. It's not like we can see the exact numbers. It's the same for you, isn't it, Erika?"

"Now that you mention it, yes."

"By the way, do you still not intend to make allies?"

"I'm thinking about it. I don't really trust that party thing either."

"I see, that's wise."

"Even though you think so, you still dragged Hiyami san into it?"

"She's not someone who can be stopped. She forcefully forces her way into my personal space, after all."

"She's someone with a skewed sense of distance."

"Absolutely."

For a moment, Rea's face popped into my mind, but I definitely think Hiyami san is more troublesome.

It's just the object of comparison that's weird, Rea is plenty weird too.

Meanwhile, Hiyami san was happily bludgeoning zombies up ahead, and Marin and I were slowly following behind, walking side-by-side.

"Phew... Kuragane sisters, it's getting a bit lonely doing this by myself, you know?"

Just when I thought that, she turned around and expressed her dissatisfaction.

"I thought I'd be intruding."

"It was hard to get close for fear of getting caught up in it."

It's true we need to hurry, but constantly sprinting at full speed will definitely drain our stamina.

The truth is, we want to catch our breath when we can rest.

"Well, let's just say you were mesmerized by my fighting form. That's love, isn't it."

"Yes, yes, love. Then I'll deal with that one."

Beyond the horde of zombies, an exceptionally large bone monster could be seen.

A Skeleton—but just like the Skeleton Mage, the sword it's holding is different.

This one has greatsword in his both hand, and additionally, it was wearing something like leather armor with a poisonous color.

"Looks like an unencountered monster, but—can you handle it, Marin?"

"If it's the same grade as a Ghoul Mother, there's no problem."

Marin started running with her sword in hand, aiming first at the zombies acting as the opening act.

"Water Moon."

When the skill activated, her sword appeared to be clad in something like a transparent membrane.

"Small fry, clear the way!"

In that state, she swings the blade horizontally.

Then the slash "flies," cutting the zombies in half without touching them.

Crescent Moon—that should be the skill Marin called out before, but she activates it without a declaration as if it were natural.

Furthermore, a second slash is fired with a slight delay.

Due to cooldown times, a skill should only be usable once, but—

"If she uses Water Moon, all of Marin's attacks will hit distant opponents as well."

As I was wondering, Hiyami san proudly explained it to me.

I see, that's why two slashes came out from a single Crescent Moon.

"Almost Full Moon—slaughter all the remaining ones!"

In other words, if she uses this skill that splits her sword and shreds the enemy simultaneously with thirteen blades—it means she can unleash a 13-hit combo from a distance.

The swords are lined up horizontally and swung down, and the fired blades almost fill the hallway.

While the caught-up zombies are shredded without exception, the "main target," the Skeleton with the greatsword, "Uwoaaaaaaah!" Roars and swings its sword, parrying Marin's attack while scattering sparks with a Clang!.

Furthermore, that slash flies towards her, gouging the floor of the hallway with a scraping sound.

So the enemies have finally started doing that kind of thing too.

I think to myself.

I'm not worried about Marin.

See, she'll easily dodge that by jumping to the side anyway, and,

"The power is sufficient, but it's slow."

In the next moment, she dives into the opponent's space and kills the monster.

"This is the end—Full Moon."

Before I realized it, Marin, who should have been in front of the Skeleton, was behind it.

She exhales, "Phew," lowers her sword, and turns towards us.

Meanwhile, countless cuts appear on the bone body, and it crumbles away with a clatter.

Literally launched at a speed indiscernible to the eye, the perhaps "15" slashes successfully defeated an unknown monster in one strike.

It's a bit late to mention, but Marin's skills are named after the moon, huh.

Moon... the moon is beautiful, isn't it... Ah, could she perhaps actually reciprocate Hiyami san's feelings?

That's exactly love, love.

"The name of the defeated monster is Skeleton Warrior, huh... It seems to be a form where the Skeleton evolved steadily."

"Marin's swordplay is always fascinating to watch."

"I just learned that technique today."

"I was fascinated yesterday too."

"Good grief, you say such things without a hint of shame. Stop talking nonsense and let's go quickly."

"Even though I'm always serious."

If someone showed their affection that openly, would I be able to make up my mind too?

No, wait, make up my mind?

What am I trying to make up my mind about?

...Ah, this is bad, I'm overthinking it.

No matter how intense Rea was yesterday, to be conscious of it, that's...

That's...

...

No, no!

Meeting up with these two and gaining some leeway in fighting power is making me think weird things.

Let's move our bodies.

For now, we need to save those slimes, and that's what we should do.

Well—I do think it's probably pointless, though.

"Oh, Erika senpai is motivated too."

"Let's see what you can do."

Who do you think you are, talking so highly?

To vent that frustration on the zombies, I grabbed my knives in both hands and leapt forward.

◇◇◇

After a while, we finally arrived at the classroom where the slimes were.

I took the initiative and opened the door.

Inside, a gruesome scene spread out, with black liquid splattered everywhere.

"Were we too late..."

I'm not following up on Marin, but I deny it.

"Speaking of late or early, I think we were already too late the moment they asked for help."

"How can you be so sure?"

"It's been hours since the massive amount of zombies appeared. Besides, it probably took that tiny slime 4 or 5 hours to find us, and then we headed here from there, right?"

"It certainly took too much time."

At the point when the need to "ask for help" arose, the crisis must have already been imminent.

Nearly 10 hours might have passed since then.

More than enough time to be ravaged by zombies.

"You knew that, yet you still came to help."

"It was just on the way. We had to clean this hallway anyway."

"I see... Still, to think the monsters attack things other than humans."

"Despite being 'indiscriminate', they don't seem to cannibalize each other."

"Unlike humans, the slimes here don't seem to turn into zombies, so maybe that's the only saving grace."

It's just a feeling, but if those slimes turned into zombies, I feel like they'd be extremely troublesome.

After that, we lightly explored the classroom.

In the corner, there was a place where a particularly large number of slime "corpses" were piled up, and I could imagine them huddled together here as they were cornered and died.

I crouch down in front of the mass and stare at the black, semi-solid liquid reminiscent of outer space.

Their appearance was different from humans, and they attacked me at first, but—they were also the weak.

A world where no one extends a hand even when you ask for help is shit.

I can give up when I'm thoroughly abandoned, but they had the intelligence and hope to seek peace and offer a handshake themselves.

To think they sought salvation in that light until the very brink of death makes my heart ache a little.

Before I knew it, Marin and Hiyami san were standing silently right behind me.

"You make expressions like that too. And towards non-humans."

"Maybe it's fine because they're non-humans. I don't have any good memories dealing with humans."

"You could reply more honestly, couldn't you."

"You're the one who started nitpicking. Well, I'm not in the mood to argue right now, though."

Spitting those words out with a sigh, I stand up.

There's no point in staying here any longer.

I turned my back to the black mass and was about to leave the spot.

At that moment—I felt like I heard a faint "Gii" voice.

I involuntarily turn around.

The black mass is moving slightly.

"What is it?"

"There might be a survivor."

Hesitating slightly, I thrust my hand into the mass.

With a squish, as I searched the slimy inside—something slightly hard touched my hand.

When I stayed still, that hard object grasped my finger.

As I stepped back and "dragged" the object out—with a slither, a humanoid individual appeared from inside the mass.

However, it remained slumped on the floor with a splat, unmoving.

"Is this the creature Erika encountered..."

"It looks like it lacks energy."

"Hey, are you alive?"

I try tapping its cheek lightly.

Then the slime suddenly raised its head, spread its arms, and lunged at me.

"Giiiiiih!"

"Uhyah!?"

"This thing, suddenly attacking—!"

"Wait, Marin, put your sword away."

"But!"

"Gii, Gii!"

"It's probably just hugging her. That's fine, right, Erika senpai?"

"Y-yeah... I don't feel any hostility, and it doesn't hurt, so probably."

"Giiii!"

The slime hugged my body tightly and rubbed its face against my chest.

Was it that happy—well, of course it is.

Its other comrades were all killed, after all.

"But still... c-could you calm down a bit? I want to talk."

"Gii?"

It tilts its head to the side with a squish.

Its gestures are very human-like.

Its body shape is also vaguely feminine—is it mimicking a human?

"Is it correct that this classroom was attacked by monsters?"

"Gii..."

"Are there any other survivors?"

"...Guu."

The slime shakes its head side to side.

So they huddled together, and it survived alone.

"Are you injured?"

"Gii!"

"Is there any part of your body that feels cold... you're not turning into a zombie, right?"

"Gii!"

"That's good. By the way, are you perhaps the one who shook my hand back then?"

"Gii, Gii."

It vigorously nods its head up and down.

Perhaps happy to be remembered, its reaction is quite large.

"Erika, what do you plan to do with that?"

"I have no choice but to take it back. I can't just leave it here."

"Gii?"

It's probably asking, "Is that okay?"

Honesty, I think it's about 100 times easier to communicate with than Inuzuka san.

"It's fine, I'll explain the situation to everyone."

"Will they be convinced by that?"

"Some people might not be, but they won't go so far as to take your life because of it."

"The survivors are pushed into a corner more than they appear. Be careful not to make them explode."

"I know without you telling me."

I also know that there's a rather large bomb planted.

"So, I'll guide you to the infirmary. Can you stand?"

"Gii!"

The slime answered energetically, but—

"Gii... Guu, Guuu..."

When it tried to stand up, it immediately collapsed limply.

"It seems its body lacks strength."

"Alright, I'll carry you on my back. Here, get on."

I rarely have the opportunity to carry someone on my back, yet I'm doing it twice in such a short period.

And one of them isn't even human.

The slime crawled up my back, entwined its limbs, and clung to my body.

Its weight is—not as heavy as a human, but reasonably heavy.

"I'll head back to the infirmary like this. I'll join up with you after dropping it off."

"There is no need to rejoin us; it would be better for you to stay in the room, Erika senpai."

"Aren't you going to clear at least the outer perimeter? Isn't it impossible with just you and Hiyami san?"

"Let's give up for today. There are many Ghoul Mothers remaining in the maze-like inner parts anyway."

"Exactly, there's no point in dying from forcing ourselves to defeat them. We'll moderately clear out the remaining hallway."

"I see, then I'll do that."

"Above all, if you leave that child alone in the infirmary and disappear, everyone will be anxious, right?"

"Ruka is right. You should stay with it until everyone recognizes that she is safe."

I know that, but I was just wondering if I should prioritize fighting.

Well whatever, if they say so, I'll take them up on their offer.

"Alright then, I'm heading back to the infirmary. I'll contact you if things get crazy again tomorrow."

"Yeah, since there's no way the night will pass without anything happening."

Exchanging such ominous words, we left the classroom.

Carrying a strange sensation that was both cold and warm on my back, I walked down the long, long hallway.

"Gii... Giii..."

"Aren't you clinging too tightly?"

"Guu!"

"So you want to say you're not, huh."

The slime has been sticking closely to my body since earlier.

Does this mean—it's become attached to me?

"Hey, I've been calling you guys slimes, but do you have an official name?"

"Gii."

"You do. Ah... but you can't speak proper words, huh. Can I keep calling you a slime for now?"

"Guu."

An immediate answer. It seems it dislikes it.

"Did you guys even have individual names in the first place? There were a lot of you in that classroom."

"Guu."

"You don't have individual names. Then how do you distinguish individuals... By appearance?"

"Guu."

"Is there a difference that humans can't see?"

"Gii!"

"Ah, so there is such a thing. As expected of creatures from another world. But what should I do, how do you want to be called?"

"Gii... Gu... Gi, Gii?"

"Ah, sorry. Even if I ask that question, you can't say it. I guess I have to think of one."

"Gii!"

"Don't complain even if my naming sense is bad."

"Gii, Gii!"

Is it saying it will accept anything?

Being told that makes me feel pressure instead.

No, maybe I shouldn't twist it weirdly.

"Then I'll just name you 'Gii', exactly as it sounds. Is that fine?"

"Gii...?"

"Ah, a subtle reaction."

"Gii, Gii, Gii!"

"Eh, is that really okay?"

"Gii!"

"...It's too simple, but it's easy to understand, so whatever. Then starting today, your name is Gii."

The moment I said that—

"...Eh? It went pitch black."

The scenery suddenly lost its light.

But then it immediately turned pure white, and the dazzling brightness made me close my eyes.

"Wh-What!? Did you do that, Gii!?"

"Giiii, Gii, Gii!"

I can definitely feel Gii on my back.

She doesn't seem to have moved.

Then what was that just now?

I timidly open my eyes—and I'm back in the hallway I was in a moment ago.

Looking around, nothing seems to have changed, and turning back, Marin and Hiyami san were fighting monsters in the distance.

They don't seem to be paying attention to this, which means that anomaly just now only happened to me.

Come to think of it, when I said "Did Gii do that", she didn't deny it.

"...Gii, what was that just now? You did that, right."

"Gii."

A seemingly good-humored reply comes back.

Furthermore, her neck stretches, and her face smoothly appears right in front of my eyes.

Huh—the color changed.

It was black just a moment ago, but now it's like the blue of the deep sea.

And her mouth looks like it's smiling.

Moreover, it's a very wicked smile.

"Are you perhaps a bad creature, Gii?"

"Guu... Gii?"

"Which is it."

"Do you eat humans?"

"Guu! Guu... Gi, Gii... Guu."

"Really, which is it."

Well, it's fine even if she is a bad guy.

Since if you ask whether I'm a good person or a bad person, I'm the latter.

The most important thing is something else.

"Then, are you my ally?"

"Gii♪"

Gii gave the best reply so far.

"I see, then it's fine."

Even clinging this tightly, I don't sense any malice or murderous intent from her.

I feel like she's truly grateful that I saved her.

"Go back to your original position, it's hard to walk."

"Gii, Giii."

"I don't care if you're a bad guy, but don't lay a hand on my allies either."

"Giiii."

Satisfied, I start walking again.

But really, what was that pure white thing just now.

It happened—the exact moment I gave Gii a name.

I feel like I've heard of something like that.

Kotodama? Or a contract? (TL note: Kotodama means spirit/soul of language)

Maybe Gii is actually a not-so-good demon.