Stealth, similar to invisibility, has the advantage of being difficult to detect but cannot be used while moving.
Phantom Step is a derivative skill of Stealth, similar to lurking, with the advantage of allowing movement while active.
The disadvantage is a higher chance of being detected.
Both have their pros and cons.
"Master, I'm hungry."
It was Yue.
"Hmm?"
Hiyama was puzzled. For the past few days, they both had plenty of monster meat to eat every day.
To ensure they didn't get bored, Hiyama cooked the monster meat in different ways every day. Yue had just happily eaten a fried cutlet.
Logically, she shouldn't be hungry.
"I want... to drink Master's... blood."
Yue stammered, her small face flushing crimson.
She looked quite embarrassed.
"Why?"
"Can't you get energy from food?"
Hiyama was a little surprised. Had he been feeding Yue incorrectly all these days?
"No, no!"
Yue quickly shook her hand, denying it.
"Master's cooking is delicious, and I can absorb nutrients from food, though the efficiency is very low."
"But..." Yue mumbled.
"But?"
Yue's red pupils stared at Hiyama for a long time, as if she had made some great decision.
She exclaimed loudly, "But Master's blood is too delicious! I've never drunk such delicious blood, I simply can't forget it!!!"
After speaking, Yue's face was crimson, so embarrassed she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
For the past few days, she had thought about it day and night, even dreaming of Master's blood, but she dared not drink it without Hiyama's permission.
"No wonder you've been staring at my neck these past few days. It's been making me uneasy," Hiyama murmured.
These past few days, he always felt Yue was staring at him intensely from a corner, but when he turned around, she would shift her gaze away.
And she kept wiping her saliva.
Hiyama had thought she was looking forward to mealtime, but now he understood that she wasn't craving hotpot, but him!
"Alright... you should have said something like this earlier."
Hiyama pulled open his collar, revealing his neck.
As a conscientious boss, he felt it was his responsibility to take care of his employees' meals.
The moment he exposed his neck, Yue's ruby-like eyes fixed on it, unable to look away, as if she had seen some heavenly delicacy, her saliva almost dripping to the ground!
She pounced on Hiyama, clinging to him like an octopus, and bit down.
Tiny fangs pierced his skin, and Hiyama felt a tingling sensation, like being licked by a small cat.
He had to admit, it was much better than the first time.
Is this what they call 'first time awkward, second time smooth'?
After a while, a satisfied Yue finally left Hiyama's shoulder.
"Delicious..." She looked as if she hadn't had enough.
"...." Hiyama gave a wry smile.
Yue's appetite was small, and that little bit of blood didn't bother him, but the feeling of being treated as food by Yue made him uncomfortable.
"It seems it's time to let you know who your Master is."
Hiyama picked up the half-drunk blonde loli and walked deeper into the room....
...
On the same day, the group of Heroes who had narrowly escaped the Orcus Great Labyrinth some time ago returned to the Orcus Great Labyrinth.
However, the atmosphere within the team this time was vastly different from last time.
"What kind of monster will come out this time?"
"I've had enough! I want to go home!"
"We're going to die here sooner or later, aren't we?"
Unlike the picnic-like atmosphere of the first time, many in the team were complaining, and their expressions were not as spirited as before.
After the Hiyama incident, this group of Japan high school students finally realized that they were in a real world, and they were not invincible.
One careless mistake, and they would die a tragic death.
In fact, many people avoided entering the Great Labyrinth every day, and there were quite a few passive fighters. Many also developed psychological problems similar to "post-traumatic stress."
For this, the Church even sent several high-ranking clergy members, ostensibly to counsel, but in reality, to supervise.
"Is the Church too hasty?"
"These children probably can't bear such pressure."
Meld, the Captain, followed at the end of the team, looking worriedly at the demoralized group.
At this moment, he recalled Hiyama Daisuke, who was the same age as these children but behaved much more maturely.
"Sigh, if only he hadn't died..."
Today was their sixth day of re-conquering the Great Labyrinth.
Although these summoned individuals were emotionally negative, they fortunately had the ability to "level up." As long as they progressed steadily, they would eventually succeed in conquering this Great Labyrinth.
But by that day, how many lives would be sacrificed as a price?
Captain Meld did not know this.
The current floor they were on was the sixtieth floor, with five floors remaining until the confirmed highest reachable floor.
However, the group was now hesitant to move forward, or rather, they weren't unable to advance.
Instead, they involuntarily stopped, remembering the nightmare from that time.
That's right, what appeared before them—though different from that time—was the same broken wall and cliff. To proceed to the next floor, they had to cross a suspension bridge built on the cliff.
The suspension bridge itself was not a problem, but they couldn't help but recall what happened that day; it was still vivid in their minds.
Who could guarantee that next time, the person falling into the abyss wouldn't be themselves?
P.S.: No flowers, so sad *
Chapter 22: Shirazaki Kaori's Change?
Especially Shirazaki Kaori, she stood motionless, gazing at the darkness beneath the cliff, which seemed to lead to an abyss.
"Kaori, are you alright?"
Shizuku called out worriedly. Kaori, who had been staring intensely downwards, slowly shook her head and smiled at her.
"I'm fine, Shizuku."
"Is that so...? Don't push yourself, okay?"
Shizuku sighed deeply. Ever since Hiyama fell into the abyss, Kaori had been trapped in a whirlpool of self-blame, unable to escape.
She always believed that Hiyama died protecting her.
"I think..."
A slightly nervous voice spoke.
It was Nagumo Hajime.
As one of the few production-type professionals who still had the courage to challenge the Great Labyrinth, Nagumo Hajime had been following the adventure party these days.
Although most of the time he was still dragging his feet.
"I don't think Hiyama-kun would die so easily, he must still be alive!"
Nagumo Hajime looked at Kaori's pained expression; his heart seemed to clench as well, but he could only offer this dry comfort.
"If I had been the one to fall into the abyss back then, would Kaori have shown such an expression for me?"
A strange thought involuntarily popped into Nagumo's mind.
"Thank you, Nagumo-kun," Kaori forced a small smile and replied.
After speaking, she began to stare absently into the abyss again.
Currently, Hiyama's death was almost confirmed; his chances of survival were beyond desperate!
But even so, Kaori still had faith in him.
He would absolutely not die so easily!
"....."
Nagumo Hajime felt bitter inside. Previously, Kaori's gaze was always on him.
Nagumo couldn't say he wasn't happy deep down; after all, she was the goddess of the school!
Many people tried desperately to curry favor with her, but she remained unmoved, only showing kindness to him wholeheartedly.
However, due to his inferiority complex, Nagumo never had the courage to confess to Shirazaki Kaori, and he couldn't even reciprocate her kindness.
Because he was afraid of being found out.
When did this situation change?
Now, anyone could see that Shirazaki Kaori's entire heart was already occupied by the "deceased" Hiyama Daisuke.
There was no room for anyone else!
Nagumo Hajime was practically filled with regret!
Why didn't he just confess back then!
People are just like that.
They don't cherish what they have until they lose it, and then they regret it deeply.
"Kaori, you can't be trapped by your classmate's death! You must move forward! Hiyama-kun surely wishes for this too!"
A full and resonant voice rang out.
In Amanogawa Kouki's eyes, Kaori's gaze downwards was because she was remembering Hiyama's death and sighing sadly.
So he concluded that gentle Kaori was still suffering from her classmate's death.
At this moment, if he simply played his role as a prince and comforted her well, Kaori would surely develop a great fondness for him.
But he didn't know that Shizuku, beside him, covered her forehead. This person was here to cause trouble, wasn't he!?
Wouldn't this just make Kaori sink deeper!?
"Hey, Kouki..." She wanted to interrupt him.
"Shizuku, don't interrupt! Kaori, it's alright, I'm by your side. I won't die, and I won't let anyone else die again. I promise you, I won't let Kaori be sad!"
Amanogawa Kouki prided himself on being the strongest profession, 'Hero,' and would absolutely not die, which was why he could make such a promise.
Coupled with his handsome appearance, it seemed highly credible.
If it were any other female student, under the assault of his handsome looks and sweet demeanor, she would probably have her heart captured in an instant.
Unfortunately, Shirazaki Kaori had no such thoughts.