"So… where the hell are we even going?"
Everyone just kept walking even though no one knew the destination. In the end, Lily couldn't take it anymore and asked.
Hearing that, Reito raised his hand. A small black sphere appeared — inside it were many tiny red dots representing them, surrounded by various drawn lines.
This was Reito's sub-skill, something he learned shortly after reincarnating here.
It sounded very useful, but compared to actual map-drawing magic, this skill was pretty much useless. It only created a map of a very small area, was hard to read, and took up a precious slot — because, you know, a person only has 3 sub-skill slots.
Perhaps its only real advantage was that it consumed very little mana… and it allowed Reito to know the location of allies and enemies.
Even so…
"Ugh…" Reito didn't know how to read maps.
"Are you kidding me? Then why the hell did you even learn this sub-skill, dude?" Violet said bluntly.
"I learned it because I thought it would be useful. Mind your own business." Reito shot Violet a clearly annoyed look. Lily sighed and stepped closer to take a look herself.
Indeed… the map was tiny. Using it like this really wasn't practical.
"There's a corner over there. Looks like we haven't gone that way yet," Kanna pointed out. Everyone followed her finger.
…Something felt off.
"Wait… didn't we already pass by that spot? How come we didn't see that corner earlier?" Aura asked.
"Right? Is Reito's map broken, or is he just that blind?" Violet teased.
"You think I'd bother making four black holes just to watch your limbs get ripped apart by the gravity? I wouldn't even feel guilty."
"What a violent little psycho. Fourteen years old and already a certified edgelord," Violet shot back, clearly disgusted.
The two of them genuinely could not stand each other.
"Enough. We're going there anyway. We've already walked everywhere else. Being stuck in this place is driving me insane. Anyone object?"
Everyone shook their heads. No objections.
And so the group headed toward that spot, hoping it would lead somewhere new.
"By the way… you girls are from the same school as Kai, right?" Reito suddenly asked.
"Why do you care?"
"I'm not asking you, Violet. Do everyone a favor and shut up."
"Yeah, we're from the same school. Just different classes," Aura answered.
"I'm the doctor there," Lily added.
"Different classes? Then how do you all know Kai? Isn't he from the absolute worst class?"
"Well…"
All four of them paused for a moment, then answered almost in unison:
"I got to know him when he didn't help the girl who was getting harassed. That's when I realized how weak he was… and how stubborn. We became friends after that."
"I met him when he was brought to the infirmary. He's really good at enduring pain. Still is."
"He helped me when I was throwing up everywhere… and helped me with a lot of other things after that."
Then all three turned to look at Violet.
"We're not close at all. I just see him as some random passerby… and I hope he sees me the same way~" Violet smirked.
"Slut," Reito said flatly, face full of disdain.
"Motherf—! This little shit wants to start a fight, huh?!"
"Yeah I do! Useless, talks too much, acts like a total whore, treats Kai like garbage — you really think you deserve to be treated like a person?"
Brutal.
"From the way you talk… sounds like you're really, really close with Kai, huh?"
Reito lifted his chin proudly.
"Of course! He helped me a ton. He's always working his ass off, earning every single coin for his family, doesn't care about his own health — works like a horse. And he still loves his family so much! I wish he was my actual big brother."
He spoke like a proud little brother — even though he wasn't.
Hearing that, Aura remembered how she occasionally saw Kai running around everywhere looking for odd jobs, getting rejected over and over, then just continuing anyway.
Yeah… he really is hardworking.
"Hehe…"
"?"
She turned and saw Kanna blushing hard, wearing a slightly dumb-looking smile, drooling a little, bangs covering her eyes — she looked like a total weirdo right now.
"It's kinda… how should I put it… sounds like something he would actually do…" Lily remembered that Kai took care of her and act like a brother.
"Alright, we're here."
The group stopped and looked.
Indeed — this was a place they had passed by earlier but hadn't noticed at all.
BOOM!
A thunderous crack of lightning rang out. Everyone raised an eyebrow.
"That sound… I think I recognize it," Aura said.
It was Baron's lightning.
"Are they fighting? Should we go help?" Kanna asked.
"No. I'm not joining any fights," Reito said bluntly.
"Same. I'm exhausted," Violet replied. She really just wanted to go home.
"I don't think… I'd be any help anyway…" Kanna raised her hand weakly.
"I'm a doctor, not a fighter," Lily said matter-of-factly.
Aura raised an eyebrow at the four of them.
She respected their choices, but as someone who believed in justice, she didn't particularly like their attitude.
It was a bit like Kai — except Kai's reason for not helping was that he was simply too weak, so she could accept that.
Whatever. Forcing her own sense of justice onto others would be wrong. She had already realized that the first time she met Kai.
"Fine. Whoever wants to help, go ahead. I'm going to help him."
"Oh, good luck th—"
"I SWEAR I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU!! THEN I'M DRAGGING KAI OUT OF THAT DAMN CHEST!!!"
Everyone froze.
"…" Aura slowly turned around and looked at Kanna and Reito.
Reito cracked his knuckles and loosened his shoulders.
Kanna wiped her sword clean, then looked straight ahead with firm resolve.
"Sigh…" Lily sighed, watching the two of them decide to fight.
"Hey, fish-stink, I suggest you join in too," Reito said to Violet.
"Why?"
"Why?"
"Huh?"
"Huh."
"…Hey, stop copying me."
"Hey, stop being a little bitch."
"FUCK YOU! YOU REALLY LOVE INSULTING YOUR BIG SIS, HUH?!"
"FUCK YOU! YOU REALLY LOVE BEING A WHORE, HUH?!"
Violet completely fell for Reito's ragebait. She instantly drew her twin pistols.
"Fine, brat. Once I'm done fighting, you're the first one I'm shooting."
'Kai really is the spiritual glue holding this whole group together… If I ever form an adventure party, I definitely need Kai in it,' Aura thought to herself.
And so, the whole group advanced inside together.