Chapter 27 - 20 - Face to Face

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"Th-This...is... ...Bell-kun's..."

"They are not here anymore."

"They lost most of their equipment here, and suffered casualties too. I doubt they are wandering around the dungeon anymore. A party that stupid would have already been wiped out a long time ago. Which means... ...--"

"The most likely possibility...is that they have given up on returning to the surface, and are heading down towards the safe zone on the Eighteenth floor."

"There are many holes in the dungeon floors. It's far easier to go down than up."

"But still...go down...?"

"That's what I'd do. And they would too. Now that he's survived a true adventure, he'll keep moving forward."

"I agree with her completely."

"Me too. Bell-kun is below. I've got that feeling."

"Then it's decided--"

"Let's head for Floor 18."

"Please be safe...--"

"Bell-kun!"

This place is--

The first thing Sasuke's sight landed on--

Were Trees.

Large and abundant forests populated the surroundings, with occasional lakes covering the ground.

Sasuke looked up to witness an exceptionally high ceiling filled with brilliant shining crystals of two colors; white crystals in the center that resembled the sun and blue crystals surrounding it that resembled the sky.

This area--

Sasuke laid the three people down as he surveyed his surroundings.

There are many human presences here.

Sasuke shifted his sight towards the forest, which was illuminating a pale blue light before raising his head again.

So that's it's purpose...

I have to get more information here.

Sasuke looked down at the people he had carried along with him.

One was a male with short spiky red hair.

The other was a petite girl with ċhėstnut colored hair.

And the last--

Was the male who had asked Sasuke to save his friends.

A young teenager with white hair.

Sasuke started to examine their wounds.

Sasuke clasped his hand over his left eye.

[Partner?]

It will take some time before my left eye power returns--

Until then, I have to figure out where I am. I need to find out if there is any other way out of this place.

[There should be a reason why we came here. Although, I am slightly worried.]

Worried?

[We left without a notice. Most of the factions would have found out about it. They would certainly think that the Sekiryuutei was kidnapped by terrorists or in the worse scenario, killed. Your skills during the Loki fight have most probably been captured down even by the other factions. Now that you are gone, enemies may take this chance to initiate an attack. Especially the Khaos Bridgade. There is no knowing how and what they will do once they figure out your disappearance.]

After hearing Ddraig's words, a tugging sensation could be felt in Sasuke's heart.

His mind slowly drifted--

[I don't wish to be tied down by such a fate.]

[This is also a trial that the Lord gave me. Since I'm a clumsy nun, the Lord gave me this trial. So I have to endure.]

[Will we see each other, Sasuke-san?]

[Sasuke, you arranged this battle with Raiser? But why? Why do this for me?]

[So, like how I just explained, I, Rias Gremory, will also be living in this house. I might be inexperienced but please take care of me.]

[You said some killing words. After hearing that, how can I possibly not...I have decided. Arigato, Sasuke-kun. Really, thank you."

[Thank you, Sasuke-kun. If not for you, I don't think I will have the courage to face my father again. Thank you.]

[Sasuke, thank you for protecting me--]

The unease in Sasuke's heart felt heavy.

However--even so, Sasuke noticed.

Even if his mind and heart was currently preoccupied and overflowing, his subconscious was sharpened to the limit.

Preferably, he didn't want to notice, but Sasuke noticed it completely.

Something was approaching him fast--

*GIN!* *GIN!*

Sparks of clashing swords were scattered.

Sasuke softly redirected his opponent's simple powerful downswing with an Instant positioning.

Just like that, he sidestepped his opponent's stance and promptly slashed diagonally below with his returning blade.

His opponent was blown back but Sasuke felt a slight feedback.

Through this simple exchange, he knew that his opponent had already trained in swordsmanship.

His opponent landed a few meters behind him with the force of a bouncing rubber ball and drew out a weapon while in the stance of turning back.

Sasuke was by no means surprised and he too instantly turned his back and drew out his sword in return.

He faced his opponent--

It was a young girl with long golden hair, gold eyes, and a slender body.

The girl glanced at the youth with white hair before focusing her attention back on Sasuke.

Flashes of light collided.

Both of their drawn swords bit at each other from directly opposite sides, scattering sparks. From there, they entered a sword-locking contest.

It was not a contest between strength.

Sasuke still had no idea why this girl had chosen to attack him and he didn't plan to go all out.

He redirected his opponent's strength with an Instant Positioning and tried to break her stance. The girl was also doing a similar thing at the same time. Their blades were mutually entangling with each other flexibly skill to skill.

Although he could instantly break the deadlock by surpassing his opponent's vector of power, Sasuke wasn't going to get serious.

Strings of tension were stretched silently inside the girl's brain.

This guy is strong...--

In the distance where they could even feel each other's breath, Sasuke simply focused on nothing but to foresight the movement of his opponent and control the blade delicately against the other.

*ton*, Kicking the ground lightly, but with acceleration that ran in contrast with that lightness, the girl closed the distance.

"Hou?" Sasuke showed a slightly surprised expression.

However, he quickly grasped the logic of the blade.

Sasuke didn't do anything else and intercepted with just only his sword.

Sasuke blocked the single stroke that the girl swung down and it became a sword-locking contest once more.

However--

The girl knew.

This guy... ...he is not being serious at all.

A human's physical body was creating energy with two distinct methods, one that was [utilizing oxygen] and one [not utilizing oxygen]. The structure that utilized oxygen was making energy for stamina, but the structure that didn't utilize oxygen--produced explosive power by decomposing sugar content.

The body automatically balanced which of the two structures would be prioritized to use.

Sasuke didn't permit the girl to try to parry the blade and pressed her with strength.

He poured on slightly more strength towards his right hand.

The balance of strength tilted from Sasuke's instantaneous explosive force.

The girl was out pushed.

Sasuke didn't miss the disarray of the girl's balance and drove away her weapon, breaking her stance.

To the girl, every single stroke of Sasuke's katana was phantasmagorical.

After receiving the backlash, the girl rolled backwards in order to take distance.

Sasuke held the katana languidly in his right hand.

A natural body posture that really couldn't be called a stance at all. But, there was no opening. Even like that, he could leap to all kinds of movement in any moment. There was this indication of 'all in one' in him.

In front of anyone else, there was no doubt that Sasuke had the bearings of a true master Swordsman.

After ascertaining the situation, Sasuke sheathed back his sword and the girl showed a surprised look.

After all, Sasuke was obviously the superior one in this battle.

She finally spoke--

"I felt a presence in the dungeon before. It certainly belongs to you. Just who are you?"

Her voice was relatively monotone.

The girl's gaze returned to the white hair youth again.

"What did you do to him?!"

Huh?

Sasuke looked behind him at the three sleeping figures.

Is that why she attacked me?

"My name is Sasuke."

Sasuke then pointed towards the collapsed individuals.

"You seem to be misunderstanding something. I am not the one responsible for their current state. I brought them down here when they were chased."

This time, the girl's eyes widened slightly in shock.

After realizing her mistake, she quickly lowered her head.

"I am very sorry for attacking you."

However, Sasuke was not really bothered by that fact. His priority was getting information.

Sasuke did the questioning this time.

"Who are you?"

The girl revealed an expression as though indicating that Sasuke was asking a redundant question. As though he should already or obviously know who she is.

However, Sasuke was completely clueless.

The girl replied again in a monotonous voice.

"My name is Ais Wallenstein. I am from the Loki Familia."

As soon as Sasuke heard that name--

His alarms started to ring off.

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Loki familia?!