MEMORIES AND ABU HORMUZ

Volume 2 Chapter 16 - A Resilience and Hope [1/2]

Haruhiro saw how things were getting quieter. His ears whispered something to him, while his eyes did not see.

He and others have been hiding in cages that do not contain***worms or pigs. They were quite close to where Marco was supposed to be, but before, the rumbling sounds of the kobolds were all the more convincing that Marco must have been there. But now the noise is gone.

Either the kobolds have captured Marco, or he's gone. Which one is right?

If the second possibility happens, he may now already be at the third level .. Such a possibility now happens also for Haruhiro, and the fact that he failed to consider it, he said, now makes him very nervous. A smarter person will be able to imagine some of the possible scenarios, then choose the ones with the greatest odds. Unfortunately, Haruhiro was not convinced that he was endowed with such intelligence. He could only do the best he could with all his effort.

Lets move. We have to find him, he thought, and he almost said it out loud, but his mouth was tightly shut.

"It's okay, Haru." Lusi put a hand on his shoulder. "Just do something your own way."

"That's right!" Vina said, patting her head. "Be yourself, for you are you! "

Haruhiro didn't know what he was saying, but that was probably because what Vina said had no meaning, but…. Wow, she's getting a caress on the head, and it feels embarrassing yet quite comfortable.

Roughly, Barto got up. Alice took a deep breath. They're moving, heading to where they think Marco is. Haruhiro is right. Now, only a few kobolds are in that area. Not even one tail was there. That's too quiet.

As they moved from cage to cage, Haruhiro began to get a really bad feeling about this state of affairs. It shouldn't be this calm, no matter the situation. It may be ... Marco has been caught.

Marcos! Haruhiro wanted to try calling out his name. But he didn't do it. It's just gonna feel weird. Perhaps, saying something out loud in this area is a bad idea. When he saw the other expression, Haruhiro knew what they might be thinking. None of his colleagues had a good feeling, that was for sure.

"We still haven't confirmed it." whispered Haruhiro, and he realized that he said it without the slightest bit of confidence.

He should have said something like "Marco must be fine", not something so ambiguous. Do it your way, they've told him that. He was so happy that his colleagues were so supportive of him, yet he also knew he had to work hard to cover up his weaknesses. And a real man would not falter with a change of situation like this.

A long howl broke the air.

Lucia stopped her steps. "What is that ...?"

"Have we been found out?" Vina glanced at her surroundings hurriedly.

"No," Alice said with wide eyes and she slightly shook her head. "Not us."

"Then ... Marco was the one who was found out?" Barto drew his sword and prepared to defend.

But where? The Kobold that had originally howled, was now silent, but another howl was connecting it from that direction. Even so, their numbers did not seem to be too many. Or at least, that was what Haruhiro had expected. The voice was much quieter than before.

What's to be done?

"Let's go!" Haruhiro started running.

Is this the right decision? He might lead them all into a really dangerous situation ... What if the guess is wrong? If it looked bad, then they could only go back. Is correct. Sure oes. Isn't there still a point back? That is what Haruhiro believes. Why is he always thinking about his way back? That indecision irritated himself. He wants to be a confident leader, but maybe that's not his personality.

If he really can't do that, then what can he do? So, how can he get the image as a leader who is always confident. Ah, then, just pretend. If he looked cool and manly, then others would definitely be disinclined by him.

There were three or four, no, there were all five worker kobolds, and an elder who chased after humans alone. Their numbers were not many, but they had already managed to encircle the target. The man wore armor and swung his long sword wide with his right hand, and he made an effort to keep the kobolds from approaching him. However, he did not succeed. The man jumped straight back to widen the distance, but the kobolds came back closer in an instant.

"Marco!" Haruhiro Shouts.

When Marco saw, his facial expression was like someone who had just seen a ghost.

That's what I have to say, Haruhiro thought, but it's the wrong phrase, because Marco hasn't said anything yet. So, what expression did he just have? Wait, but this isn't a good time to be in trouble with that.

Shocked by the appearance of his colleagues, Marco stops his steps, but a worker kobold jumps at him.

"Aragh!" Marco snorted as the kobold pinned him to the ground.

"We're coming!" Haruhiro Shouts.

The other four kobolds remained focused on Marco, and the rest took care of Haruhiro and the others. It's gonna be very troublesome.

"Everyone, attack simultaneously!" Haruhiro ordered, and when those words came out of his mouth, the line appeared.

A hazy and blurry line of light emerged from the tip of Haruhiro's dagger, heading on to one of the worker's kobold's backs, then curved and ended on the tip kobold's back. Whoa, that's pretty long ... Haruhiro pondered inwardly.

He did not have to think, his body moving on its own, as if his body was being controlled by something invisible. First, he stabbed his dagger into the worker's kobold's back, and then the tipster. Haruhiro could not describe what it was like when the daggers pierced through the two kobolds at the fatal point. His chest felt a little claustrophobic, but he soon realized that the two kobolds had died.

At the same time, Haruhiro's target fell, then Barto had also finished off his opponent with the mainstay [RAGE CLEAVE]. Lusi hits a worker kobold with his stick, while Alice continues with [SHADOW ECHO]. Vina emphasized the attack with [SWEEPING SLASH] and [CROSS CUT] alternately. Barto then finished it, using [RAGE CLEAVE] once again.

"Damn it!" Marco shouted, as he was forced to retreat by the kobold attack.

Haruhiro did not respond, but he approached the back of the kobold. He grabbed it from behind, pulled it to the ground, and threw his dagger down the kobold's throat, and that was the [WIDOW MAKER] technique.

"I'll heal you" said Luci, then he helped Marco stand up, and chanted light healing magic immediately.

Marco glanced at Haruhiro, as his shoulders went up and down. "Don't suddenly shout my name like that! I almost died of shock, you idiot! "

Marco with a big mouth is very bad. Lusi is concentrating his efforts to heal Marco's wounds, especially the deep wounds on his left arm, but Marco's face is also torn. Seeing Marco in such a condition, Haruhiro could not bear to be angry at him.

"I'm sorry" he replied sincerely. Marco just turned his face away.

"Heeey ..." Vina put her face right in front of Marco. His eyes widened in surprise. "It turns out, Marco ... is crying? "

"No, I'm not crying!" Marco gushed it out loud.

"But you're in tears ..."

"That's because I'm in pain!" Marco insisted.

"There is no need to be strong-witted .. "said Vina. "You're alive, and we can all meet again. "

"I'm really looking forward to this moment! Nah! I mean.." Marco changed his sentence quickly and in confusion. "I mean, I don't mean to want to see you guys anymore! I mean, I was thinking that I'd never see you guys again .. Then my chest felt….. "

"What do you feel?" Vina. "You feel tight as if you want to break?"

"Hush on!" Marco snapped back. "I don't want to hear it from a busty girl laundry board! "

"Don't call Vina a laundry board!" Shouted Vina.

"I can call you whatever I want! If I want to call you a laundry board, then I will call you that! Laundry board! Laundry board! Laundry board! Laundry board!"

"Calm down" Luci ordered him, grabbing Marco's chin. "And don't move much. Or do you not want to be healed?"

Susi's face was expressionless, her tone was flat, yet it made her appearance even more frightening.

"U-uh, t-no really ..." Marco sat straight. "Sorry."

"Now you've made him angry ..." Vina mocked Marco. He was afraid of Lucia, and now he did not move in the slightest.

"I'm ... very happy," said Alice, as she threw herself to the ground.

Barto breathed a heavy sigh. "I am too."

We cannot let ourselves off guard anymore, Haruhiro thought. Not at a time like this ... They should remain vigilant in this situation. The worst enemy to them was the mistake they made themselves when off guard. Haruhiro directed his gaze around the corner. There! He was right, there were two, maybe three kobolds, who jumped out of the cage in the distance. If they were all together, then this team would be able to clear its opponents without any problems, but there was no guarantee the number of enemies would not increase.

"Lusi, what about Marco?" Ask Haruhiro.

"He's going to be okay" he said.

"Okay, then we'll leave this place. Marco, wake. Can you run?"

"Of course I can! Who do you think you're talking to, you idiot! "

Who are you calling stupid? You should thank me for saving your life!  Haruhiro thought so, but he did not reveal it. Vina once said that Marco could no longer be helped. Marco is Marco, and he will always be Marco, because he is Marco. Haruhiro so agreed with the opinion, then he “let's just”.

A long, high-pitched howl filled their ears.

That howl was an alarm call from the kobold, and Haruhiro was expecting it. Fortunately they had already started running, although that did not change the fact that they were being chased. Again and again. This was indeed a frightening situation, but overacting would cause much greater danger.

"We're heading back to the third level!" Haruhiro. "Sorry Lusi, but can you lead in front? I don't know the way as well as you do! Lead us to the nearest sink! "

"Yes!" Sound from Lusi.

"Marco, stay with Barto, and watch our backs!"

"Good!" Shouted Marco. "But obeying your orders pisses me off!"

"Don't argue!" Vina rebuked, and said what Haruhiro was thinking. Thanks to that, Haruhiro did not feel as annoyed as ever.

With Susi leading the way in advance, their path was more clear and certain. Haruhiro understood this unconsciously. Perhaps he had always borne the desire to return to this place and, because of that, he had reconstructed the layout and mine path over and over again in his mind. He once said that he wanted to move forward, and be free from this place.

Is there something left, some kind of business he wants to settle here? Something he always wanted to do, but never got through? For Haruhiro, it must have been revenge. In other words…

They reached the sink quickly. The girls leave first, followed by Marco, Barto, and finally Haruhiro ends it.

"Why don't we hold out to fight?" Marco protested, even though everything had already happened.

Haruhiro, because he trusts his team so much, does not want to take unimportant risks. By the time they had all reached the third level, the chase marks from the kobolds had disappeared.

Everything was exhausted, so they searched for a relatively hidden area, without light flowers, and that was where they rested.

At least, that's the plan.

Dark atmosphere. It was so dark that they could not see it; suddenly they were surrounded by a pool of darkness.

Haruhiro suddenly stopped. "wait. Did you guys hear that? That voice…"

"Sound?" Alice repeated, sticking out her neck.

He sharpened his ears.

Cale, klak ...

He can hear that.

Clack, clack, click ...

Cale, klak ...

A faint voice. But something's moving. Not kobolds. That sound doesn't sound like a kobold ...

"Wait," said Marco, then he ran somewhere.

He returned a few moments later with a bunch of light flowers on his arm, and began to stick them out in the dark circles that surrounded them. The sparkling light of the flower reveals .. footprints.

"H-h-h-h ..." Barto. "H-ghost ..."

Vina let out a scream, jumped backwards, hit Marco, and stuck to him. When he realized who the person he was sanding was, he just let go of his embrace.

"Don't try anything silly!" Vina said to him.

"You're the one who stuck to me first!" Marco snapped back.

"Do you think it is ..." Alice clasped her staff tighter, and her breathing became heavy. "S-Skeleton?"

"Yes," Lusi replied, as he stepped forward.

When Lusi knocked on the ground with the tip of his wand, a kind of shooooom sound echoed through the air.

"When the transformation occurred the first time, the curse of the Wright King gave false lives to an unremembered corpse" Lusi explained. "Skeletons are creatures that form when their flesh begins to rot and fall."

"No way..." Haruhiro stopped, and he was at a loss for words.

Skeletons (of which the original were people) illuminated by the faint light of flowers, are.

...

armour. Yet their bones, or rather bones that were white and slightly yellowish in color, peered out from behind their armor. A person was covered by a steel plate, and raised the sword up high. Someone, dressed up like Haruhiro, and showing off his dagger as if he was always on standby. The latter was wearing a magician robe, complete with his staff.

"For a long time no see, friends .." said Lusi.

What kind of expression did he display on his face? He was standing in front of him now, so Haruhiro could not see his face. His voice was so stable, firm, and relaxed, as if he was greeting a friend who had been separated for a long time. Lusi may have rounded up the resolve long before this happened.

He has lost three friends here at the Siren Mine. Nobody said that Lusi intended to return to this place to perfect the bodies of his dead friends. Even if he wanted to hold a proper funeral in honor of his fallen companions, the situation back then seemed very unlikely. He had no choice but to leave their bodies just like that.

But here, on the border of Hormuz, a corpse that is not cremated three to five days after death will be exposed to the curse of the Wright King. They will become Undead. Susi knows very well that this cruel fate has awaited her former best friend.

"Miki. Ogi. Musi." Susi whispered their names in a soft voice. "I'm sorry…"

"Be prepared!" Haruhiro shouted while looking at the Skeleton magician, Musi, who raised his staff.

A pile of bones that can't speak. Bones alone had no sound, but somehow, they all heard his voice. "Derems .. hel .. en ... "

It was more like sounding like a sweep of the wind than a whisper of a word. It was one of the scariest things he had ever heard.

"Everyone, avoid!" Lusi shouted as he jumped to the side.

Haruhiro and the others followed after a split second, they jumped left and right.

The Skeleton Mage continued his spell, "Van ... Alev ..."

Winds. They were blown away by the wind, but the wind was not normal. It was hot like a firestorm.

"Whoa!" Haruhiro raised his arm to protect the face.

The wind was hot enough to burn something. Blistering. A heat that challenges faith. If he opened his eyes, he was sure that his eyeballs would melt. Maybe so, or maybe not.

"I will use [PURIFY] to dispel this terrible curse!" Lusi yells. Unlike usual, Lusi aggressively moved on the front lines of the Party. "I need to get closer!"

No one can stop him, Haruhiro thought. There's no point in telling him to back down because it's very dangerous. Now, all Haruhiro can do is let Lusi do everything his own way. All he can do is provide support.

"Barto, face the Warrior! Marco, Thief that's your part! "Haruhiro.

Barto confronts a Skeleton Warrior named Miki with a shout, and a swing of the sword.

"I got it!" Marco shouted, while jumping on a Skeleton Thief named Ogi.

"Vina!" Haruhiro directed his eyes at Vina.

Lusi probably intended to use [PURIFY] on Musi first. Haruhiro and Vina have to help him, or he won't be able to finish the spell.

"Good!" Vina nodded.

Perhaps this was a futile attempt, considering their opponent was a Skeleton, but Haruhiro shouted with all the air in his lungs, and attacked Musi directly. Vina did the same. Musi moved, as if he was about to cast another spell, but he was evasive. The spell he had previously chanted was probably [SIROCCO], that is, a fire element spell. Fire magic is an attacking spell that is focused on causing damage, so if they are exposed to Musi spells, they will run into big trouble.

"Derems .. hel .. en ..." Musi cast another spell as he carved an elemental symbol in the air with the tip of a stick.

That again. Derem hel en, it sounded like an identical spell that he chanted before.

"Run!" Haruhiro Shouts.

He dodged to the left, while Vina moved to the right, they dodged with all the strength they had.

"... Rig ... Alev ..."

Whahuh? Flames. Flames. Really fire. A curtain of fire appeared right in front of Musi.

"That'S [WALL OF FIRE]!" Alice shouted in surprise. He brandished his own staff, and shouted, "Oom rel eckt nem das! "

It was Alice's [SHADOW BIND] spell. Elemental shadows pinned him to the ground just as Ogi was about to step. The Skeleton Thief was struck by the spell, so he could not move.

"Good job, Aliceeeee!" Marco said he extended the last syllable while attacking the trapped Ogi. Marco unleashed a barrage of attacks.

However, after all, Ogi had the same class as Haruhiro. He only used [SWAT] to fend off, fend off, and fend off Marco's longsword. Suppose that Marco's attack was as heavy as Barto's [RAGE CLEAVE] technique, then it might be possible that the attack was successful, but because Marco did not have such a strong attack, even Haruhiro might be able to fend off successive attacks

from her. Looks like Marco won't be able to subvert Ogi alone.

Somewhat far from there, Barto grumbled while interlocking his sword with Miki. They pressed against each other with terrifying strength. Barto intends to rotate Miki's sword, then proceed with [SPIRAL SLASH], but Miki is also a Warrior, so he already knows how the technique works. It was not easy to defeat him with techniques he already understood. That means, currently Barto

I'm having a tough fight.

"W-what should we do now?" Vina asked, stopping in front of the wall of fire.

Musi was behind the incandescent wall, but they could not see it.

"I'm not yaki-whoa!" Haruhiro bowed, trying to avoid the light rays that were launched from behind the wall.

The attack hit him right in the face. For a split second, he really thought that he was dead. But it didn't. It felt like he had jotosan on his jaw, and even though it hurt a lot, he did not suffer any serious injuries. Is it ... [MAGIC MISSILE]?

"Gee!" Shouted Vina. He also had that spell.

[MAGIC MISSILE] that was a ray of light flying everywhere. Haruhiro retreated from the wall of flames, he was unable to do anything but avoid the spell's throws. He did not even know that the spells could be combined like this.

Suddenly, Barto shouted. Has Barto fallen? That was what Haruhiro first thought. No, it looks like Barto almost got hit by a fatal blow. Mickey. And that technique. Haruhiro only caught a glimpse, but it seemed that Miki had made a stalk while swinging his sword down at the same time.

It must have been a Warrior skill, but Haruhiro did not realize that Warrior could have such an acrobatic technique.

Barto immediately moves to counterattack, but Miki jumps back quickly, and the two again lock each other up. Mickey. He's so strong. He was more agile, and his techniques were better than Barto's, although in terms of strength, they were quite balanced.

If this fight continues one-on-one, Barto will ultimately be unprofitable. Now, he's getting cornered. If Barto falls, then no one else can handle Miki. Of course, Haruhiro and the comrades had an advantage in numbers, but that meant nothing if their opponents managed to defeat them one by one. They should support Barto.

As Haruhiro thought about that conclusion, Alice chanted another spell.

"Oom rel eckt vel das!" He chunked.

[SHADOW SCHOOLYARD]. The shadow elemental that looked like black seaweed hit Miki's shoulder. But it's not enough. The spell may have made Miki's entire body tremble, but it really didn't give any significant results. Perhaps [SHADOW ECHO] is less effective against Skeletons.

"Alice, use [SHADOW BIND]!" Haruhiro.

At the same time Marco shouted, "The spell is getting weaker!"

Haruhiro looked at him, and saw that Marco was right. Ogi was able to move freely again, and he surrounded Marco. It seems Ogi was playing around with him. The duration of [SHADOW BIND] is about twenty-five seconds. Has it passed? No, Haruhiro had a feeling that the duration of his spell was getting shorter. He was indeed not a magician, but as far as he knew, magic worked better on some kind of opponent they faced. Everything depends on the strength of the mantra's wish, and there are also other factors that affect the. Sometimes, spells can be less effective.

"S-now! Oom rel eckt nem das!" Alice chanted [SHADOW BIND] once again, at the place where Ogi was about to step next.

But this time, his opponent had already read Alice's intentions. He stepped up and passed a point on the ground, where the elemental shadow was fixed, then he darted to give an attack on Marco.

While all that was happening, the [MAGIC MISSILE] beam never stopped shooting from behind the wall of flames. Haruhiro was forced to keep avoiding the shots. What are we gonna do?

Lusi shouted the name of his friend "Musi!!".

"Wait, Lusi!" Haruhiro shouted in disbelief. "Are you-"

What the hell is he doing? What is he thinking? Luci had jumped straight to pierce through the wall of fire. No way! He'll burn to a crisp. He would die if he did something crazy like that. Haruhiro wants to stop him, but no he won't stop him in time. Lusi disappeared behind the fire.

"O light, under the auspices of Lord Luminous ... [SNAKE]!"

Haruhiro heard Luci's voice, then the fire began to go out, and disappeared completely. Low bending lusi. At his feet, a magic wand fell down rolling around near the Mage robe, there was also a hat, and also a pile of ashes.

Haruhiro's voice stuck in his throat. He was at a loss for words when he saw this scene.

"It's okay" said Lusi, prostrating himself.

That okay? Haruhiro pondered the meaning of the words. What's all right? But right now it's really messed up. Lusi's hair had been slightly charred, his face and a few spots on his body looked flushed. But it's not just that. Musi is his former partner, maybe they have even been friends with familiar, and with his own hands, Lusi has ... What's all right? Is it really so?

But, this is not the time to comfort the sad Lusi.

"Vina, Alice, help Barto!" Haruhiro.

"understand!" Vina answered.

"O-okay!" Said Alice.

After having the two of them help Barto, Haruhiro concentrated on turning his back on Ogi. But Ogi is also a Thief, he moves nimbly, and keeps locking on to Marco's movements, while he doesn't let Haruhiro get behind him. He's more skilled than me, Haruhiro realizes that. Although he is now a Skeleton, Ogi's motor skills are far superior. The Skeleton must have had the same ability when he was alive.

Haruhiro would lose, perhaps even lose quite easily, if they were to go head-to-head. I don't like doing this to you, Ogi, because you're a former associate of Lusi's. Yes, I am indeed weaker than you, but sorry friend, I am not fighting alone!

"Marco!" Haruhiro Shouts.

"Come on!" Marco said sharply.

Marco and Haruhiro switch places. Surprisingly, the two of them moved in harmony with each other at times like these. Marco's instincts are pretty good.

It seems Ogi was confused for a moment as he tried to find Marco's position. After getting a gap, Haruhiro attacked. Ogi deflected his attack with the [SWAT] skill, then counterattacked, and this time Haruhiro also used the same [SWAT]. When Ogi attacked, Haruhiro used [SWAT]. When Haruhiro attacked, Ogi also used [SWAT].

About the fourth time after they had reciprocated [SWAT], Ogi did something that gave Haruhiro goosebumps. Little by little, Ogi had modified his [SWAT] skill, so that the fourth time they clashed, Ogi almost made Haruhiro drop his weapon.

I was right, Haruhiro thought. I can't win against him. But he didn't have to fight it alone. Haruhiro suddenly stepped forward and thrust his dagger. [SWAT] is a defensive technique to block the opponent's attack. To do [SWAT], you have to devote all your concentration to the opponent's movements, at least for a moment. This technique can be activated by itself if you are used to it, and you can execute it by reflex.

In other words, you can finally use it automatically, no matter if it's going to be good or bad.

Ogi uses it now, to counter the surprise attack from Haruhiro.

"Feel this!" Marco came from behind, and he nailed his sword diagonally. The long sword managed to cut Ogi's right leg.

Honestly speaking, when that happened, Haruhiro's body felt goosebumps. He and Marco have never coordinated before, but despite that ... Marco, you know exactly what I'm thinking. It made Haruhiro feel a little ashamed of himself.

"Ogi!" Susie called.

With one leg cut off, Skeleton Ogi was no longer able to stand. Susie's approaching him now.

"O light, under the auspices of Lord Luminous ... [SNAKE]!"

Haruhiro wasn't sure if he was witnessing a good or bad scene.

A blinding light enveloped Ogi, and moments later his body, or rather, his bones became dust slowly. The sight made Haruhiro's heart ache, and tears almost drenched his cheeks. Perhaps for Ogi, this was a liberation, as he was released from the curse by his own friend. But for Haruhiro, he had no reason to be happy, because he understood that this must be difficult for Lusi.

Lusi dropped himself near the pile of ashes that had been Ogi, and he scooped up a handful of ashes. No matter how tightly he clenched his fists, the ashes continued to spill from the gap between his fingers. Without looking, Lusi just nodded.

"Only Miki was left," he said.

"Oi!" Marco points the tip of his sword at Luci. Haruhiro did not know why he did such a thing. Marco continued, "Now you are with us! Don't forget that! "

Oh. Haruhiro understands what Marco is trying to express, but Haruhiro knows that there is a much more precise and gentle way to express it. And why did he have to show his sword to Lusi?

Even so, Haruhiro did not demand it, as Lusi looked at Marco as he said. "You're right." with a little smile on your lips.

"Mahiro!" Shouted Alice.

"Let's get this over with!" Haruhiro replied, turning to Miki.

Barto continued to retreat due to Miki's attacks, while Vina and Alice tried to support him, but it was in vain. Although Alice tried to chant [SHADOW BIND], it could backfire if even Barto was hit.

"It's my turn!" Marco attacked Miki from the side.

Miki blocked it easily, but it gave Barto an opportunity to catch his breath. Haruhiro directed his attention to Miki. The Skeleton Warrior was nimble, but not as agile as Ogi. Marco attacked with everything he had. Barto has the advantage when fighting with a team, he is quite skilled in coordinating with other colleagues. They can do this.

Now! Haruhiro clung to Miki's back. Since Miki was a Skeleton, stabbing her was a thing

which was futile, so instead, Haruhiro was eyeing his neck. He grabbed Miki's skull with one hand, then twisted his neck in a different direction. Barto followed up by destroying Miki's right arm using his giant sword, forcing Miki to drop his weapon.