Chapter 14: Everything has led up to this moment.

"Now! Go, Mizuki!"

A girl with ash-colored hair, clad in white liturgical robes, raised her staff toward the massive, foul-smelling 'Volcaheze'—an Evil Flame Dragon. A bolt of lightning crackled from the tip, striking the beast and paralyzing it for a fleeting second.

"On it!"

A blonde girl in silver armor didn't miss the opening. Her cape fluttered as she gripped her longsword and closed the distance to the giant beast’s neck. She unleashed the <Vacuum Slash> Skill from her Gift <Myriad Blades>, tearing into the Volcaheze’s thick scales.

Blood sprayed from the dragon’s throat, but the wound was shallow.

"Mizuki, move!"

"Right!"

From the rear, a magic-user with black hair cut in a straight fringe moved into position. She wore a black robe and a large, pointed hat. Though she held nothing in her hands, she thrust them forward, manifesting a massive sphere of flame.

Her immense mana pool surged, the fireball growing larger by the second until she unleashed it all at once.

The sphere of fire streaked across the air, heading straight for the Volcaheze’s face—or so it seemed. But the dragon unhinged its massive jaws and swallowed the fireball whole.

"What?!" The blonde girl gasped in shock.

"Mizuki’s slashes are the only thing that will definitely work—"

"We’ll support you! Just keep chipping away at it!"

"Got it! I’m counting on you, Azumi! Haruka!"

Regaining their composure, the three of them moved in perfect sync, charging at the Volcaheze once more.

Roughly an hour had passed since the battle began.

The Volcaheze’s massive tail had been severed, its front-left leg was gone, and its right eye had been crushed. It was bleeding profusely from a dozen wounds; anyone could see it was on the verge of death.

"One more push!"

On this Christmas Day, three A-Rank adventurers from the <Tenchi Guild>—Mizuki Housaka, Haruka Akise, and Azumi Shishido—were challenging the boss of a high-tier B-Rank dungeon in Shibuya, Tokyo. Dungeons were ranked from F to S based on the strength of the monsters within, further divided into low, mid, and high tiers.

Normally, these three had the strength to clear up to mid-tier A-Rank dungeons without breaking a sweat. However, today’s B-Rank boss was a different breed entirely.

Azumi Shishido’s fire magic from her Gift <Flame Hero> was almost entirely ineffective. It had essentially been a two-woman fight for most of the duration. Still, Azumi had proven her worth as a vanguard by neutralizing the flames the Volcaheze breathed.

It was a struggle, but Mizuki and her team were one step away from victory.

"Haruka!"

"Here it comes!"

Haruka raised her staff to the heavens. Thunder rumbled as a bolt from her Gift <Heavenly Thunder> rained down on the Volcaheze. Already battered and exhausted, the beast couldn't dodge. It took the hit directly.

Following their practiced pattern of guaranteed damage, Mizuki moved in for the kill while the dragon was paralyzed. She aimed for its thick, heavily scarred neck.

"Yaaaaaaah—!!"

Mizuki activated <Vacuum Slash>. The blade cleaved through the air and bit deep into the Volcaheze’s throat.

While it didn't take the head off completely, it sliced through more than half. A fountain of blood erupted as the dragon’s massive frame slammed into the ground. It didn't even twitch. Silence fell over the chamber.

"Haah... haah... Good...!"

"We did it, Mizuki!"

"Nice work, Mizuki."

Haruka and Azumi rushed over to her. They exchanged high-fives, their minds already wandering to the Christmas victory party they had planned.

They turned back to the Volcaheze, expecting it to dissolve into mana so they could collect the loot, but—

"It... it hasn't disappeared."

Normally, once a dungeon monster is defeated, its body turns into mana residue and vanishes, leaving behind specific items. But the Volcaheze, though appearing dead, remained solid.

"No way—?!"

"Mizuki?"

Mizuki instinctively activated her Skill <Mana Sight>. This Skill allowed her to see the mana surrounding an opponent, letting her pinpoint weak spots or anticipate incoming attacks.

Now, Mizuki’s eyes saw an enormous, terrifying amount of mana gathering in the fallen Volcaheze’s mouth.

"Look out! Everyone, get—"

"—Move!"

Azumi, who was usually soft-spoken, shoved her teammates aside.

Her fire magic had been the only thing capable of blocking the Volcaheze’s flames until now. So, even though Mizuki had signaled to dodge rather than defend, Azumi stepped forward, convinced she could tank the hit.

"Stop, Azumi! The mana density is too—!"

But Mizuki could see it. This wasn't a normal attack. This was the dragon pouring every last drop of its vanishing life force into a single, final strike.

"Wall of Fire—!!"

Azumi summoned a massive pillar of flame from the ground.

Flash—!!

In that instant, the Volcaheze unleashed a torrent of black-red flames unlike anything they had seen before.

Azumi gritted her teeth, pouring every ounce of her A-Rank mana into the fire pillar to hold back the onslaught.

But—

"Aaaaaaaaagh—!!"

The sheer pressure of the Volcaheze’s spiteful flames overwhelmed her. The pillar was snuffed out. The black-red inferno swallowed Azumi whole.

"Azumiiiiii—!!"

In the split second before her defenses failed, Azumi’s only thought had been to protect the two behind her. She had stepped forward alone, taking the full brunt of the flames with her own body.

◇　

"Azumi... Azumi...!"

Hours had passed since the battle.

It was 9:00 PM. The world outside was pitch black. Mizuki and Haruka, having returned from the dungeon, were now in a hospital specifically for adventurers, established by the government.

Azumi lay on the bed before them. She was breathing, but unconscious. Her body was wrapped in bandages, and she was hooked up to an IV, her life hanging by a thread.

The left side of her body—from her face down to her feet—was a mass of black-red burns. It was a gruesome sight. Even stranger, the burns seemed to emit a low heat of their own, as if touching them with bare hands would sear the skin.

"How... How did this happen...?" Mizuki whispered through her tears.

"Mizuki..." Haruka placed a comforting hand on her back.

The Volcaheze had died and vanished immediately after releasing that final flame. But Azumi, caught in the inferno, had been found half-naked, her robes and hat burned to ash.

Thanks to her, Mizuki and Haruka were unharmed, but Azumi herself was in critical condition. They had rushed her to the hospital and had a high-level healer friend cast restorative magic on her.

Curiously, while the burns on the right side of her body had healed perfectly, the left side remained completely unchanged.

Most injuries, even severe burns, could be mended by a Gift-holder with healing abilities. While "Regeneration" Gifts capable of restoring lost limbs hadn't been confirmed yet, it was common knowledge among adventurers that wounds could be closed.

Yet, Azumi’s left side wouldn't heal.

"Let me see her!"

The hospital room door flew open, and a woman burst inside.

"F-Fuyutsuki-san!"

It was Saori Fuyutsuki, the guild official with the <Appraisal> Gift.

"I’m going to use <Appraisal>!"

"Please! Tell us what’s wrong with her!" Mizuki begged.

Mizuki had contacted Saori, whom she knew well from her guild work. Despite being swamped with guild business, Saori had rushed over as fast as she could.

"<Appraisal>."

Saori focused her power on the unconscious girl.

"........."

She stared intently, then closed her eyes before turning back to Mizuki and Haruka.

"Fuyutsuki-san... how is she?!"

"I’ll be blunt. Shishido-san’s condition is... a 'Curse.'"

Mizuki and Haruka felt a cold weight settle in their chests.

"A... what?"

The two girls stood there, stunned. Saori began to explain in a low, somber voice.

"A Curse is a type of status ailment. It has attached itself to her skin, burrowing deep. It won't let go. Healing magic can't touch it. And though she’s unconscious, she is likely experiencing excruciating pain right now."

"You mean—"

"This level of pain is dangerous. If we don't do something immediately, she could die from the shock alone..."

"No... you can't be serious..." Mizuki looked devastated. Haruka covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

"Aaaaaaaagh—!!"

Suddenly, Azumi’s eyes snapped open. She let out a harrowing scream, thrashing in agony.

"Azumi! Azumi! Wh-what do we do?!"

"Get the doctor! Now!"

Minutes later, as nurses held Azumi down, a doctor managed to administer a heavy sedative, plunging her back into sleep. The atmosphere in the room was suffocating.

"Cases of monsters inflicting Curses aren't unheard of," Saori continued. "However, the number of Gift-holders capable of completely removing a Curse is vanishingly small. As far as I know, there isn't one nearby."

"Then where are they?! We’ll go anywhere!"

"The nearest one is in England."

"Ah........."

The air left Mizuki’s lungs in a hollow rasp.

"So... Azumi isn't going to make it? Is there really nothing we can do...?"

Mizuki clenched her fists so hard the fabric of her skirt threatened to tear.

"................Wait."

In the midst of the despair, a thought crossed Saori’s mind.

"Let me check Shishido-san’s status one more time."

"What are you...?"

Saori activated <Appraisal> again, examining Azumi’s body with surgical precision.

"I’ve reached a conclusion. There might be a chance to save her."

"Really?! How?!"

"Please! We can't lose her...!" Haruka pleaded, stepping toward Saori.

Then, Saori spoke.

"There is a person in Japan who might have the Gift necessary to heal Shishido-san. His name is..."

"Wait... that name..."

The moment she heard it, Mizuki collapsed onto the floor. Shaking, she pulled out her phone and began to dial a number.

◇　

"──Hirose! Have a little mercy, would you?!"

"I have a policy against going easy on people in games."

December 25th.

It was Christmas Day, and Hibiki was visiting Hirose’s house. At that very moment, they were in the middle of a heated fighting game match in Hirose's room.

"Hirose-kun even gave you a handicap, so it’s just that you’re too weak, Hibiki-chan."

"Ten losses in a row is a bit much... Hibiki-chan, I think it’s time to swap out," Koharu and Kirino added.

The two girls were there as well, making it a four-person Christmas party. They had spent Christmas Eve as a couple, just Hirose and Hibiki, but they had decided to spend the actual day having fun with everyone. They had spent the afternoon out on the town, but as evening fell, they’d migrated to Hirose’s house to play.

Hirose’s mother and father were home, but they’d nearly fainted when three incredibly beautiful girls showed up all at once. His mother, Honoka, had met Hibiki a few times, but she never imagined her son would bring home two more beauties.

Despite the parental shock, the four of them were thoroughly enjoying their party.

"Uuuugh! Fine! From now on, the winner has to take off a piece of clothing!"

"What?!"

"A strip game!"

"Wait, why does the winner have to strip?!"

"Think about it. If Hirose loses on purpose, I have to take something off, right?"

"I mean... that... wait, would you even be happy if I lost on purpose?! Is that okay with you, Hibiki?!"

"Aha! You hesitated! You were totally imagining it just now... Hirose, you pervert ♡."

If they actually did something like that, things might eventually escalate to that point. However, with Hirose’s parents in the house, even Hibiki wouldn't go that far. She was just teasing him.

"Ah... but it’s already past nine. I should probably get going soon..."

"Oh, me too."

"In that case, would it be alright if I stayed the night?"

"Absolutely not!"

"I see... If you say so, Hibiki-chan..."

When Koharu checked the time, Hibiki reluctantly agreed, letting go of the controller. Kirino, however, seemed fully prepared to move in, a plan Hibiki shut down immediately. Kirino gave in with a pout.

"It’s not fair for only one of us to stay over on Christmas! I made sure to go home yesterday, too!"

"Shouldn't you have just stayed over yesterday, then?"

"No... staying over is a bit embarrassing... and parents are home at both our houses."

"Ah, I should have told you about my home. If I give the word at my house, no one will come near my room. We could have indulged in a passionate tryst at our leisure."

Previously, when Hirose had visited Kirino’s house, they had moved between the bedroom and the bathroom completely naked without encountering a soul. Even though Kirino had let out some rather loud moans back then, no one had said a word.

"Seriously...?! But Kirino, you'd be there."

"I would."

"Then we wouldn't be alone!"

"It is fine. I would simply watch."

"That’s the kind of thing where you’d definitely join in halfway through!"

In truth, there were separate guest rooms, but Kirino would likely use a master key to storm in regardless.

"Honestly, Kirino..."

"Fufu, thank you."

"I wasn't complimenting you just now!"

Lately, with Kirino around, Hibiki had been forced into the role of the straight man. It seemed Kirino really was a bit... eccentric.

"I guess it can't be helped... Well, for today, let’s—hm?"

As Hibiki stood up to prepare to head home, her phone began to vibrate.

"Oh... it’s Mizuki-nee."

Wondering what her cousin wanted on Christmas, Hibiki pressed the call button.

"Mizuki-nee, Merry Christmas!" Hibiki chirped the moment she picked up.

However, the response was not a 'Merry Christmas.'

'Hi-Hibiki! Please, I’ll do anything, just help me right now!!'

"Huh?"

Hibiki was taken aback by the frantic voice.

'Azumi... Azumi collapsed! If this keeps up, she might actually die!'

"Azumi... you mean Azumi-chan, the girl in your party...?"

'Yes! Please... Hibiki, you know it, don't you?! Hirose-kun’s contact information!!'

The moment she heard the name, Hibiki looked Hirose in the face. Hirose, seeing her stare, looked back with a puzzled expression.

"I know it... or rather, he’s right in front of me..."

'! I’m sorry... I know it’s Christmas, and I’m not close enough to Hirose-kun to ask for a favor like this... I’m sure I didn't leave a good impression last time we met, either. But... please... I need his help now... I’ll do anything, anything, please...!'

Mizuki’s sobbing voice bled through the speaker.

"──I understand. Mizuki-nee... I’ll convince Hirose. Just message me where we need to go."

'Hibiki... thank... you...'

It was the first time Hibiki had ever heard Mizuki sound like that. Mizuki was always fashionable, cool, strong, and a little annoying. As cousins who were more like sisters, they had grown up together since they were small.

Sure, Mizuki had barged in on them while they were being intimate, which had been unpleasant, but it hadn't ruined things between her and Hirose. Hibiki didn't hold a grudge.

Hibiki hung up and turned to Hirose.

"──Hirose... I need you to lend us your strength. I’ll even bow my head to your parents for you... Please."

Usually, when Hibiki asked for something, she used a cutesy expression and voice. But this time, her face was deadly serious, and her tone was grave.

"Hibiki... I’m always on your side. I’ll do everything in my power to help—so, use me."

Even without being told the details, Hirose answered gently, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

◇　

"Haa... haa..."

The four of them were running through the night streets. Christmas was drawing to a close, and couples were heading home. Ignoring the people walking toward the station, Hirose and the others were sprinting in the opposite direction.

Because it was Christmas, they couldn't catch a taxi. They had ended up taking a series of trains and were now heading to the hospital on foot. After hearing the gist from Hibiki, the other three understood the situation. That was why they were in a hurry. They didn't know exactly how dire it was, but common sense dictated that sooner was better.

Ideally, perhaps only Hibiki and Hirose should have gone. But after hearing the story, Koharu and Kirino couldn't just sit still.

None of them were particularly athletic or had much stamina. Just running was agonizing.

"Hi-Hirose... You’re too fast...!"

"Sorry! But I feel like we have to hurry...!"

Even so, Hirose, who had been training a bit to become an adventurer, was faster than the three girls. The hospital was already in sight. They were almost there. His anxiety pushed him forward, and Hirose was desperate.

"Wa-Wait... a break... I can't... do it..."

"M-Me neither... I can't... breathe..."

Both Koharu and Kirino stopped, hands on their knees, gasping for air.

"Then... Hirose, you go on ahead! You’re the one who’s needed most!"

"G-Got it!"

With Hibiki’s blessing, Hirose left the three of them behind and bolted toward the hospital.

But then, it happened.

"──What’s that weird sound?"

"...Huh, you’re right. What is that?"

Voices from the surroundings began to murmur. Hibiki and Koharu noticed the abnormality as well. When they strained their ears, they heard a sound like grinding metal. No one knew what it was.

"──Hey! Look at that!" a passerby shouted.

He was pointing toward the dark sky. At the end of his finger was—

"A... sign?"

A large illuminated billboard installed on the roof of a building. That sign was gradually tilting toward the sidewalk.

"Hey! Run! The sign is falling!!" a man directly underneath it yelled.

Screams erupted from the crowd. People scrambled away, creating a sudden empty patch on the sidewalk where the sign was projected to land.

However, there was one person who hadn't noticed.

"──Hirose?"

The moment Hibiki whispered his name, the massive supports of the sign snapped, and it plummeted toward the sidewalk where Hirose was running.

He didn't notice. His mind was entirely focused on getting to the hospital as fast as possible; he couldn't think of anything else. He didn't even register the strange reactions of the people around him—

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

Hibiki screamed as she saw the sign falling toward Hirose. It was over. A sign that size was impossible to dodge.

Crush.

Everyone there likely thought the boy at the impact site was dead.

At least, they thought so until a massive icicle shot from behind Hibiki at an incredible speed, right before the sign hit the ground—

◇　

"──Is this the place?!"

Hirose burst into the hospital room, sliding the door open with a bang. He shouted the words even as he struggled for breath.

"Hirose-kun...!"

"Housaka-san... and, wait... Fuyutsuki-san?!"

"It has been a while."

In the room were Mizuki Housaka, Hibiki’s cousin, and Saori Fuyutsuki, the <Appraisal> specialist from the 'Adventurer Guild Association.' Fuyutsuki was in her suit, likely having just finished work. Her large chest was so prominent it looked like it might burst through her shirt.

"Um... greeting aside... what can I do—"

"You’re Hirose-kun, right? Thank you for coming. Could you come over here?"

"A-Akise Haruka-san."

"Oh, you know me too."

Hirose realized a moment late. Of course he knew her. Mizuki, Haruka, and Azumi were famous even among adventurers—he recognized their faces instantly.

Following Haruka’s lead, Hirose approached the bed. When she pulled back the privacy curtain, he saw a woman lying there.

"..................Shishido Azumi-san..."

"──They say this isn't a normal burn. It’s a 'Curse.'"

Though partially covered by a hospital gown, the left side of her body—from her face to her toes—was covered in reddish-black burns and wrapped in bandages. It was a horrific sight, almost too much to look at. However, she currently seemed relatively stable, likely asleep.

"Takanashi-san, I must apologize first. I suspected that your Gift might be able to heal Shishido-san’s 'Curse,' and I took it upon myself to share information about the two of you with them. I am deeply sorry."

Fuyutsuki bowed her head low in apology.

"No, no! Please don't apologize! I came here of my own free will! You don't need to do that...!"

"No. Even so—"

"I don't mind! Besides, the words you said to me when you first appraised me... I was shocked that I didn't have a combat Gift, but you made me feel a little better. I’ve been wanting to thank you for that someday..."

"Takanashi-san..."

Fuyutsuki was so moved by Hirose’s words that her clenched fists trembled.

"Anyway! My Gift might be able to help Shishido-san, right?"

"Yes. I believe there is a possibility that the skill <Skin Quality Improvement> within your Gift [Beauty] can do it."

"My <Skin Quality Improvement>..."

Hearing her name the exact skill made him realize once again how amazing the <Appraisal> Gift was. However, Fuyutsuki only knew the information from the initial appraisal: <Skin Quality Improvement> and <Fat Burning>.

"I’d like to ask, have you had any recent success stories with that skill?"

"Well... the examples are still few, but skin has become beautiful like a baby’s, and... a bruise disappeared completely."

"A bruise... In Shishido-san’s current state, it’s as if the 'Curse' is lingering on the surface of her skin. If it’s just the surface..."

"I might be able to erase it—I see..."

Having heard this much, it finally clicked for Hirose. The current details of his <Skin Quality Improvement> were as follows:

Method: Rub the target area.

Effect: Rejuvenation, skin regeneration, wrinkle removal, hydration, firmness, dark circle removal, pore contraction, blood flow promotion, waste discharge.

Backlash: The body feels flushed and sensitive for a certain period.

From his practical experience, he felt like he was either erasing skin cells and making them be reborn, or using rejuvenation to rewind the skin’s time. He didn't quite understand the exact biological change.

Could he treat a burn?

The bruise Koharu had from being hit by her father had disappeared completely. If a burn was just another type of wound like a bruise, then maybe...

"But this burn is a 'Curse,' right? To be honest, I don't know if I can cure it. But—there’s no way I’m choosing not to do it here... Please, let me try."

"Hirose-kun... thank you!"

"Thank you from me, too. Please save Azumi!"

Mizuki and Haruka both looked at him with tearful eyes.

"Wait, by the way, where’s Hibiki?"

"She should be here in a little bit, I think."

"I see. That’s a relief."

Mizuki had wondered why Hibiki wasn't with him, but she relaxed upon hearing Hirose’s explanation.

"One thing, though. For my skill to be fully effective, I need to do it twice a week for about four weeks. And I actually have to touch the skin with my hands. I’ll have to touch Shishido-san’s skin; is that okay?"

"Haruka and I give our permission. We’ve already contacted Azumi’s parents. Knowing Azumi’s personality, that won't be an issue. I don't know about her physical stamina... but if there’s even a glimmer of hope, I want you to do it..."

"──Understood. Then, could you undress her and undo the bandages?"

"Right."

Mizuki used the nurse call button, and a nurse arrived to strip Azumi down.

"A-Ah, excuse me!"

"Is there a problem?"

"No! I forgot to mention, but while <Skin Quality Improvement> heals the burns, it might make the skin even more beautiful than it was before. So, if I don't do both the left and right sides, I think there will be a visible difference between them..."

"In other words, it’s better to do both. Got it."

The burns on the left side of her body were horrific to look at. But the right side was in perfect condition, which meant Azumi’s large breasts were now fully exposed. Hirose was flustered, but Mizuki seemed far more concerned with saving a life than with modesty.

The nurse had already left, and only those who understood Hirose’s skill remained in the room.

"Here I go. ──<Skin Quality Improvement>."

A faint, white light settled on Hirose’s hands. He placed them against Azumi’s scorched face.

"Guh... what is this...?! I feel my mana being sucked out of my entire body like never before...!"

"Takanashi-san! Are you okay?!"

"I-I’m fine! I don't feel like the curse is transferring to me... but, wow... it’s draining me..."

The mana consumption for <Skin Quality Improvement> was incomparable to anything he’d experienced. The heavy burden of the 'Curse' was weighing on Hirose’s body.

"Wait..."

"What’s wrong?"

"...Her skin is hot... it’s so hot... if I keep this up, I might get burned too."

"──!"

The temperature was high enough that he felt his own hands might burn if he touched her for too long, even if it wasn't enough to scorch her clothes or the bedsheets. It was a miracle Azumi was even alive like this. Hirose could only assume that her Fire Magic Gift gave her enough heat resistance to survive, similar to Kirino’s case.

Then, at the worst possible timing, it happened.

"Gaaaaaaaaaaaah?!"

"Whoa?!"

Azumi suddenly began to thrash in pain, her eyes still closed, twisting her body on the bed. Surprised by the sudden movement and the heat of her skin, Hirose jerked his hands away from her face.

"?! Azumi...! But they just gave her an anesthetic... they can't give her more so soon—!"

"What do we do, what do we do?!"

Both Mizuki and Haruka panicked, their composure crumbling. In that moment, they weren't the respected A-rank adventurers everyone looked up to. They were just eighteen-year-old high school girls—normal girls worried about their precious friend. Anyone would be the same in that situation.

"──<Mitigation Grant>."

Just then, the door to the hospital room swung open. A black-haired girl stepped in, held out her hand, and activated her skill.

"Ah... ahh............"

Azumi seemed to regain her calm, slipping back into a peaceful sleep.

"Koharu...! And Hibiki and Kirino...!"

The three beauties had arrived a moment later.

"Y-You are..." Fuyutsuki blinked in surprise.

"I’m a friend of Hibiki-chan and Hirose-kun. My name is Koharu Kushima. When I heard about this from Hibiki-chan, I couldn't just stand by. If I’m not in the way, please let me do what I can...!"

"No... we’re the ones who should be grateful. I’m Mizuki Housaka, and this is Haruka Akise—"

"Of course, I know who you are. You’re famous."

"And, Koharu-chan, that skill just now..."

Everyone was curious about Koharu’s skill. This was a skill that neither Hirose nor Hibiki had been told about until now.

"Actually, it’s a skill I learned recently called <Mitigation Grant>. It allows me to cast my pain-reducing skill, <Pain Mitigation>, on others."

"Koharu... that’s amazing!" Hibiki cheered, jumping up and down behind her.

"Hibiki... sorry for the sudden call. Especially at this hour..."

"Mizuki-nee, it’s fine. Haruka-chan and Azumi-chan have taken care of me, too. Besides, all I could do was bring Hirose here."

"Thank you. I owe you one, Hibiki."

"Oh, stop it already. Azumi-chan is more important. Let’s talk about that, okay? It looked like something went wrong just now."

Following the exchange between Hibiki and Mizuki, they summarized the situation to discuss how to proceed with Azumi’s treatment.

Hirose had used <Skin Quality Improvement>, but the mana consumption was massive, and he couldn't maintain contact for long because the burns were too hot. Furthermore, Azumi was in such intense pain that she might die from the shock. These two issues had to be addressed first.

"I will suppress Shishido-san’s pain with <Mitigation Grant>. The effect should last for several hours. If I use all my mana, I can probably make it last half a day at a time, so I’ll keep coming here to assist."

"That... would be a huge help... I’m so glad you came here..."

Indeed, if Koharu hadn't arrived at that moment, treatment might not have even been possible.

"But the heat of the burns..."

Hirose couldn't keep his hands on her. Since <Skin Quality Improvement> required direct contact, there seemed to be no way around this.

"──I’ll take care of that."

"Eh?"

A hand went up. It belonged to the girl who was overwhelmingly beautiful even in this group of stunning women—Kirino Hyoudou. Since entering the room, she had only given a slight bow. Mizuki and the others had been curious about her, but assumed she was just another friend of Hibiki’s and hadn't mentioned it.

"Kirino-chan... does this have something to do with what happened earlier?"

"Yes... I’m sorry for hiding the true power of my Gift for so long. When I heard Hirose-kun’s story about wanting to be an adventurer, I found it difficult to bring up..."

"Kirino..."

It had been out of consideration for Hirose. Kirino, having received a combat Gift, had no intention of becoming an adventurer. She could live without it and had even thought it unnecessary. But just moments ago, it had transformed in her mind into a Gift that was absolutely essential.

"──So that icicle really was yours, Kirino..."

"Yes, I did that."

◇　

──Rewinding time by about thirty minutes.

Right before the massive billboard fell from the roof and hit Hirose. Hibiki had screamed, thinking it was the end.

"──Pierce!!"

Kirino thrust her hand forward, and a massive icicle instantly manifested before her, launching with incredible force toward the falling sign. The icicle flew in a straight line at high speed, striking the billboard directly above Hirose’s head.

The impact sent the sign flying upward, and the absolute zero chill from the icicle instantly froze it solid.

"──Shatter."

With Kirino’s final command, the frozen sign hovering in the air exploded into ice crystals—falling toward the ground as ultra-fine particles.

"──It’s snow."

Someone looking up at the sky whispered. Just as they said, the ice, now fine enough to catch the wind, danced down from the sky, creating a fantastical scene as if blessing the snowless Tokyo Christmas. Many people filmed the event on their phones, causing a stir on social media with posts like 'It snowed in Tokyo!'

"Kirino... you..."

"Kirino-chan... amazing."

Hibiki and Koharu were stunned by the shocking event. But Kirino’s gaze remained fixed ahead.

"Hirose-kun! Go!!"

She had shouted at the top of her lungs, waving her hand to push him forward as he ran. The reason Hirose’s life had been saved from being crushed by the sign was Kirino’s Gift: [Ice Breath].

◇　

"Kirino... thank you."

"I couldn't afford to lose Hirose-kun in a place like that. From now on, I will definitely protect you, Hirose-kun."

Kirino spoke with a look of fierce determination.

"Um... I’m terribly sorry to interrupt such a moment... but Kirino-san, was it?"

"Yes."

"By any chance, is your family name... Hyoudou?"

"Yes, that is correct."

The moment she heard that, Fuyutsuki’s face turned pale, as if she’d been struck by a sudden chill.

"Wait a moment... when you say Hyoudou Kirino, do you mean... the granddaughter of Chairman Genroku Hyoudou?! The man who founded the government-sanctioned 'Adventurer Guild Association' thirty years ago after the first dungeon appeared?!"

"He is my grandfather."

"! And the daughter of President Isori Hyoudou, the head of 'Japan Dungeon Guild Co., Ltd.', the most famous dungeon-related company in Japan, and the man credited with popularizing the distribution and trade of items?!"

"He is my father."

".................."

Silence fell over the hospital room as if time itself had stopped.

""WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!""

A second later, everyone in the room let out a cry of shock.

──Genroku Hyoudou was the founder and current chairman of the 'Adventurer Guild Association,' which managed and operated all adventurers and dungeons in Japan. Each prefecture had a branch of the association, with the headquarters located in Tokyo. Every adventurer and guild operating in Japan had to go through this government-approved association; they weren't allowed to enter dungeons on a whim.

Genroku Hyoudou was currently over seventy, but he was still active and working hard. He had a beast-like strength and a perfectly trained physique, topped off with a face like an ogre. His intimidating appearance alone was enough to strike terror into many.

Meanwhile, Isori Hyoudou was Genroku’s only son. He had started his own company while in university and grew it steadily, but changed direction as soon as the dungeons appeared. He founded 'Japan Dungeon Guild Co., Ltd.' to support adventurers, securing distribution channels for items found in dungeons—partnering with the Association and the government to expand nationwide. It had now grown into the number-one dungeon-related company in Japan.

Like Genroku, Isori had inherited a fearsome face. He was famous as a shrewd president, and very few people dared to speak up to him.

Kirino Hyoudou was a blood relative of these two men.

(A-Am I... going to be killed?)

Hirose was terrified, thinking about the fact that he’d done it with Kirino without even being in a relationship with her. The fearsome faces of the two men he knew from the news flashed through his mind, and he felt like his life would be forfeit if they ever found out.

(Kirino’s house... is their house too... that’s why it was so huge...)

Hirose recalled the massive estate Kirino lived in.

Since Fuyutsuki worked at the headquarters, she had seen Genroku Hyoudou many times and was terrified of his expression. Knowing Kirino’s lineage made her tremble. By the way, the reason she knew of Kirino’s existence was that Genroku would walk around the headquarters, intimidating face and all, constantly bragging, "My granddaughter Kirino is just too cute!" Fuyutsuki had heard the name quite often.

"Ahem! My apologies. We’ve gotten quite off-track... So, Kirino-san, what is it that you can do?"

Fuyutsuki called Kirino by her first name to distinguish her from the Chairman and President, and brought the conversation back to the task at hand.

"My Gift is [Ice Breath]—I can manipulate a chill cold enough to instantly freeze the moisture in the air. I actually had an abnormality in my body due to this Gift when I was small, and I learned to handle it naturally in order to survive. Therefore, I can control it even with my eyes closed."

Kirino held out her index finger, and a small shard of ice manifested at the tip. She made it grow larger and larger—then let it vanish in a burst.

"Incredible... which means, Kirino, you’ll use that to—"

"Yes. I will wrap both Shishido-san’s burns and Hirose-kun’s hands in a layer of chill, adjusting the temperature so that you can withstand the heat."

"You can do something like that...?"

Hibiki and Koharu had been shocked to see the massive icicle she’d launched earlier, but to think she could even manipulate and adjust the temperature of the cold air before creating ice... they were left speechless.

"──To summarize, Kushima-san will suppress Shishido-san’s pain, Kirino-san will adjust the surface temperature with cold air, and Takanashi-san will treat the burns... Is that correct?"

Fuyutsuki summarized the plan for clarity—and her eyes sparkled as she realized this might actually work.

"It feels like... we all gathered here just for this moment," Koharu whispered.

"It’s a huge coincidence... but yeah."

Azumi’s treatment would likely fail if even one of these three were missing. If that was the case, the fact that they had all become friends and were led to this place was a coincidence so perfect it felt like fate—as if they were meant to save Azumi Shishido.

"Everyone is trying to be useful, and I’m just..."

One girl’s face was clouded—Hibiki. But she was wrong.

If Hibiki hadn't reached out to Hirose, he never would have met Koharu. If Hibiki hadn't reached out to Kirino, Kirino never would have met Hirose or Koharu. This meeting of four was a chain that had started with Hibiki. There was no way she wasn't useful.

"Hibiki-chan... I think you’re mistaken. Whether this treatment method is truly correct... You’re the one who can provide the final push to make sure of that, aren't you?"

Sensing Hibiki’s feelings, Kirino softly told her the most important thing she could do right now.

"Ah──"

Hibiki realized immediately. She approached the sleeping Azumi and activated her skill, flooding her eyes with mana—

"............They’re glowing... and... all three of them."

Hibiki turned around. Hirose, Koharu, and Kirino were all smiling. All three of them were glowing in response to her skill.

"Haha... Kirino was right."

"Hibiki-chan, you are useful anytime, anywhere."

"Oh, stop saying such nice things..." Hibiki’s eyes wavered slightly.

However, some people in the room didn't understand what she’d just done.

"Excuse me. What do you mean by that?" Saori Fuyutsuki asked.

Fuyutsuki had the <Appraisal> Gift, but she didn't just appraise people on a whim, nor did she remember every single person’s Gifts and Skills. Furthermore, neither Mizuki nor Haruka knew about Hibiki’s newly acquired skill.

"One of my Gift's skills is <Seeker Search>. It has the effect of making those whom the target subconsciously desires most glow intensely."

"Such a skill exists...?"

"And just now, I targeted Azumi-chan. The people her body subconsciously desires—the people who glowed—were Hirose, Koharu, and Kirino."

This was a first for Hibiki, too. Until now, only one person had ever glowed for a single target. But this time, it was three people simultaneously. In other words, Azumi was saying she needed these three on the same level. If there were others she needed, Hibiki wouldn't know, but she intuitively felt that no one else was necessary.

"Hibiki-chan’s skill confirmed that the three of us, including myself, are the ones who can save Shishido-san," Koharu said.

"Hibiki... I’m speechless..."

"I can't believe such a coincidence is possible..."

Mizuki and Haruka’s voices trembled at the impossible situation.

"Alright, Kirino—"

At Hirose’s word, Kirino nodded, and they approached Azumi’s bed together.

"We’ll try it again. ──Give us about an hour."

"Hirose-kun, you can focus entirely on your skill. I will perfectly envelop both you and Shishido-san."

"Kirino... you’ve gotten so reliable..."

Hirose couldn't help but be impressed by Kirino’s incredibly dependable words.

"Please, you three... please save Azumi...!"

"Save our best friend... please."

Mizuki and Haruka called out to their backs, offering their prayers.

"Here I go──Skill <Skin Quality Improvement>."

"Chill──Envelop them."

And so, through the skills of Hirose, Kirino, and Koharu, the four-week treatment of Azumi Shishido began.

◇　

"Haa... haa... damn...!"

"Hirose... keep going...!"

As he rubbed Azumi’s sleeping body, vast amounts of mana were drained from Hirose. Multiple empty bottles of mana recovery potions provided by Mizuki rolled across the floor; he couldn't even continue without drinking them.

Hirose had used his skill on three people before, but doing the entire body meant one person a day was his limit. If he only did parts, he could do more, but generally, it was one person per day. If it were a normal burn, he could have performed the procedure as usual. But this 'Curse' was special, and <Skin Quality Improvement> could only be used by consuming an enormous amount of mana.

◇　

The very next day.

A change occurred in the body of the deeply sleeping Azumi. A quiet hospital room. Within the reddish-black burn marks—white light and a raging dragon clashed, and then were purified.

"Amazing... they’re really fading."

Mizuki had come to the hospital first thing in the morning to check the effects of Hirose’s skill. Looking at Azumi’s burns, she could clearly see they were lighter.

"If this keeps up, Azumi will—"

Presumably, if the burns faded, the pain would also weaken. Even if Koharu’s skill prevented her from feeling it, the 'Curse' might still be eating away at her body moment by moment. But if the pain was weakening, the chance of Azumi surviving increased dramatically. The face of the sleeping Azumi looked somehow more peaceful than it had yesterday.

"Ah, Housaka-san. Good morning."

"Koharu-chan, right?"

"Yes."

"Thank you. You’re going to be here every day, aren't you?"

"No. I’m getting the potions for free, and if it’s to save Shishido-san, this is nothing."

It was the first time the two of them had spoken alone. Koharu knew of the existence of Hibiki’s cousin, but she’d never met her directly.

"Those words are a big help. Look, see? Azumi’s burns are fading."

"You’re right... Hirose-kun’s skill is really working."

Confirming the burns for herself, Koharu felt the same relief as Mizuki.

"But we’ve only just started. Let’s not let our guard down."

"Fufu. You’re a strong girl too, Koharu-chan. I can't believe Hibiki has a friend like you."

"No. I’m just one of the people who was saved by Hibiki-chan and Hirose-kun."

"I see. Is that how it was... That’s why the four of you were together."

"Yes. We are connected by a strong bond. So, we will definitely save Azumi-san."

"I can only provide the potions... but I’m counting on you from here on out."

"Yes... leave it to us."

Koharu took off her coat, revealing her school uniform. Then, she held her hand out toward Azumi. This was Koharu’s job for today.

"──<Mitigation Grant>."

The skill that once protected only herself from pain—she could now use it to protect others. An invisible aura released from Koharu’s hand and enveloped Azumi’s body.

The aura was gentle and warm, reflecting Koharu’s heart.