CHAPTER 4
The hallway outside Room 302 was silent. Dim fluorescent lights flickered as Aragi turned the doorknob, responding to the sudden knock.
A hooded figure stood under the buzzing light, face hidden.
"Are you Aragi Zotai?" the figure asked, voice calm but laced with quiet strength.
"...Yeah," Aragi replied warily.
The figure raised a hand and pulled the hood down.
Long black hair fell over her shoulders. Her eyes—pink. Vindicator's eyes.
A girl.
Aragi froze.
A pink-eyed... Vindicator? I've never seen one before.
She stepped forward. "I'm Mai Tsurugi. I need a favor."
His brow furrowed. A favor? From me?
"Okay... but how do you know me?"
"I asked around. The shopkeeper said you were a Vindicator. I followed you here after I saw you returning." Her gaze didn't waver.
"You were looking for a Vindicator? Aren't you one?"
"Yes. But to unlock Floor 25, it's mandatory. Two Vindicators are required."
He blinked. "I didn't know that…"
"Not many do unless they've reached the upper teens. What floor are you on?"
"Six."
"Good enough," she said. "I'll help you clear the rest until then."
He looked at her cautiously. "You could've asked someone else. Wouldn't that save time?"
"I did." Her voice stiffened slightly. "They all asked for something in return."
"Money?"
She hesitated, then looked away. "...That, and other things." A faint blush touched her cheeks.
It took him a moment. Then he realized.
"Oh—sorry."
"I came to you because you're different. You're still on lower floors. I figured we could help each other. And..." She tilted her head, inspecting him. "You don't look like the type who'd ask for that kind of thing.and also you don't look like you have guts to ask for such a thing.
He blushed. "I have guts. and also you don't need gut to ask for such a thing you need greed.
For the first time, she smiled—just a little. "Then it's a deal. I'll wait for you tomorrow morning."
"Where?"
"The room next to yours. You live in 302, right? I'm in 301."
His eyes widened. "Seriously?"
She turned around. "See you tomorrow."
The door closed behind her.
Aragi stood frozen, towel still wrapped around him. Then realization hit like lightning.
"...O SHIT," he muttered, collapsing onto the bed. "I was talking to her... in a towel."
He stared at the cracked ceiling.
First time I've ever spoken to a girl... and she's a Vindicator. I can't mess this up.
But deep down, the worry remained.
What if I lose control... What if I hurt her?
He closed his eyes slowly.
Sleep came like fog.
---
The next morning.
Knock knock.
Aragi's eyes snapped open. Sunlight filtered through the broken blinds. He jumped from bed and scrambled to throw on clothes.
He opened the door. Tsurugi stood there, arms folded.
"You just woke up."
"N-No. I woke up early... like... five minutes ago."
She sighed. "That's called waking up late."
Then she turned sharply. "Let's go."
---
7th Floor.
The elevator opened with a groan. Dust and metal filled the air.
The corridor ahead was dark, vines crawling across the ceilings. Faint groans echoed in the distance.
They walked side by side.
"Stay behind me," she said.
"I can fight too."
A snarl echoed. Then—two monsters leapt from the side.
They were hunched, skeletal, gray-furred creatures with blade-like claws—E-rank Slashers.
Tsurugi vanished in a blur. Her short sword sang.
Two swift cuts—both creatures fell, throats cleanly sliced.
Aragi gritted his teeth. She's fast.
A third Slasher burst from a vent above, aiming at Aragi.
He sidestepped, sliced upward—clean hit.
She looked back. "Not bad."
"Thanks."
They moved fast. Aragi started syncing with her pace.
As more monsters emerged, they switched formations—sometimes she led, sometimes he struck from behind.
In the heart of the floor, a larger creature awaited.
It was almost human—tall, robed, glowing eyes—a rare E-rank Controller, commanding the smaller monsters.
"Split up," she said.
Aragi nodded and darted right. She went left.
The Controller screeched. Five Slashers emerged.
Aragi dashed, spinning through two of them. He ducked a claw swipe, parried the next, then stabbed upward.
One down.
Tsurugi took on three, movements fluid, brutal, efficient. Her blade sliced in arcs, her eyes cold.
Finally, the Controller let out a psychic shriek.
Blood pulsed behind Aragi's eyes.
"Not this time," he growled. In a single surge, he dashed forward and cut straight through its chest.
The monster crumpled.
---
Floors 8 and 9.
The pace didn't let up. Both floors had similar ruins, but the enemy patterns shifted.
Floor 8 held swarms—ratlike, agile beasts that attacked in numbers.
Aragi and Tsurugi were back to back, slicing through dozens.
Floor 9 had tight corridors and ambush points. Aragi narrowly saved Tsurugi from a trapdoor pit. She nodded in quiet thanks.
They were working well together.
Even Tsurugi seemed slightly more relaxed.
When the last enemy fell on Floor 9, she exhaled deeply.
"Tomorrow is the boss floor. You'll have to go alone."
"Why?" Aragi asked, wiping blood from his blade.
"Solo rule. No exceptions. Every tenth floor tests the individual."
"Hm... then I'll rest today."
"You should." She looked at him, expression unreadable. "You're strong, but you're still reckless."
He gave a half-smile. "Thanks."
---
Back at the hotel.
They walked quietly in the hallway.
Outside Room 302, she paused.
"Good luck tomorrow."
He nodded. "...Thanks."
He entered his room and sat on the bed. A soft silence filled the air.
He reached for the book he had bought earlier—"Floor Strategies: Beginner's Guide."
He turned to the chapter on Floor 10.
And he couldn't believe what he saw
End of chapter 4