"It is possible."
"Since I, as a God, can take you there, I naturally can bring you back as well."
"Traveling back and forth between worlds is not a difficult task for me."
Facing the girls' gazes, which were filled with either expectation or apprehension, Haimer gave an affirmative answer.
Instantly, the air in the room relaxed.
Hanasaka Warabi let out a long breath and patted her chest. Kikakujou Mary also revealed an expression of relief, as if with this return ticket, the journey to another world had simply turned into a slightly more exciting school field trip.
However.
Before this relaxed atmosphere could spread, Haimer's next words poured over them like a basin of ice water.
"But."
"If you hold the mindset of 'giving it a try' and 'coming back if it doesn't work out'..."
"Then... I suggest it is better for you to stay here."
"Life is a thing that often only bursts forth with astonishing power when there is no way of retreat."
Haimer's gaze swept over everyone as he spoke with gravity. "Even the most cowardly rat, when cornered by a cat with no escape, will bare its fangs and fight to the death for that glimmer of survival. This resolve of burning one's boats is an indispensable fuel on the path to becoming strong."
"But once life has a way out... once you know there is a safety door always open behind you, and that you only need to turn around to return to that warm, comfortable, and danger-free bed... then that will to struggle for survival in a desperate situation will collapse and disintegrate."
"It is like a tightrope walker. If there is no safety net, he will focus entirely on every step, and every cell will scream to maintain balance."
"But if a thick sponge mat is laid underneath... he will think: 'Ah, it doesn't matter if I fall anyway.'"
"Consequently, the movements under his feet will become lax, and the string in his heart will loosen."
"The so-called 'fighting with one's back to the river' is never a tactical choice, but a psychological state."
Haimer continued, his voice echoing in the silent gymnasium. "When a person knows they still have a way out, the force behind their sword will be a fraction less when facing a monster. Their speed will be a beat slower the moment they dodge sharp claws."
"But in that world... that fraction less force, that beat slower speed... is the boundary between life and death."
"The place I am taking you to is not a playground, nor is it a simulation stage for you to play hero games. People really die there."
"The claws of monsters will tear open the throat of every adventurer who underestimates the Dungeon."
"If, in that moment, what you are thinking in your brains is 'I want to go home' instead of 'I must kill this beast'... Then, you will truly die."
As Haimer's voice fell, a dead silence filled the gymnasium.
Even Amou Kirukiru, who was the most excited before, restrained her smile at this moment, her expression becoming grave. She was not afraid of death. But she understood Haimer's meaning.
This was not just a question of dying or not. This was a form of resolve. A crazy resolve to completely sever ties with the past and bet one's entire life at the gambling table.
"So..."
Haimer spread his hands, as if issuing a final ultimatum.
"Those who want to come with me, please kill the self in your heart that thinks you can still return."
"Treat this departure as a one-way ticket."
"If you do not have that resolve yet... then please give up here and now."
After Haimer finished speaking, he said no more, simply standing there quietly, awaiting their choices.
In this situation, the first to break the silence was naturally Amou Kirukiru.
After listening to these words from Haimer, the fanaticism in her eyes not only did not fade but became increasingly blazing.
"What a boring question."
"To me, this world has long been like a lifeless grave. Since it is a grave, why linger?"
"As long as I can feel the pain of being alive, what does it matter if it's a one-way ticket?"
Amou Kirukiru strode behind Haimer without the slightest hesitation.
With someone taking the lead, naturally, there was a second person to react. It was precisely Inaba Tsukuyo. She held her tachi in hand and slowly stood up from the cushion.
"In that case, Tsukuyo will go as well."
"After all, Tsukuyo's world is pitch-black to begin with. Since it is night everywhere, why care if the door behind is closed?"
"Since this is a trial ground prepared by Lord God for Tsukuyo... then Tsukuyo has no choice but to rush forth. Moreover, to be able to hear the sound of a different wind... Tsukuyo is content."
With that, Inaba Tsukuyo opened her red pupils which could not see at this moment. Hugging that long sword, she walked toward Haimer's side.
In the blink of an eye, among the Five Swords, the first ones had made their choice.
Seeing this, Nomura Satori tilted her head, the fake smile on her face vanishing for a moment. But immediately after, she replaced it with a brighter and more dangerous smile.
"Since everyone is in such high spirits, if Little Satori doesn't go, wouldn't I miss out on many interesting things?"
"Besides... a game with no way out is more exciting, isn't it?"
Saying so, Nomura Satori skipped over and stood on Haimer's other side.
At this point, people had declared their stance one after another. At this moment, among the Five Swords, only Onigawara Rin, Kikakujou Mary, and Hanasaka Warabi remained in place.
The pressure on the three of them multiplied.
Time seemed to freeze at this moment. Every second became incomparably long.
Kikakujou Mary clutched the dictionary in her arms tightly. Her gaze shifted back and forth between Haimer and the others. This was her familiar campus, the young lady life she was accustomed to. Although somewhat boring, it was absolutely safe.
What Haimer spoke of was that unknown Dungeon filled with danger where one might die. As long as she took a step, there would be no turning back.
"I..."
Thinking of this, Kikakujou Mary wanted to say something to refute, wanted to say this was too unreasonable, wanted to ask why she couldn't have the best of both worlds. But the words reached her lips, yet she couldn't say them no matter what.
Because Kikakujou Mary knew very well in her heart.
Haimer was right. She was precisely that person who would absolutely not dare to dance on a tightrope as long as there was a safety net.
Hanasaka Warabi simply sat on the ground, burying her head into the thick fur of that black bear, as if escaping this heavy choice.
Conversely, there was Onigawara Rin.
She was still tightly gripping that sword hilt. Without the cover of the mask, the expression on her face was visible at a glance.
Fear remained.
Hesitation remained.
But, beyond that, an emotion named 'unwillingness' was frantically breeding in the depths of her eyes.
Am I really going to let it end like this?
Continue wearing that broken mask, continue living in Mother's shadow, continue playing this house-playing game of the Five Swords in this tiny academy?
Then wait until graduation, get married, and spend a mediocre life?
If all of this is really what I want... then why did I chase after him just now? Why, like a fool, did I not only get humiliated but also shamelessly follow him here?
Thinking of this, Onigawara Rin took a deep breath.
Supporting herself on the ground, she stood up shakily. Her legs were still a bit soft. Her heart was still beating wildly.
But her gaze was fixed tightly on Haimer's figure.
If there is no way out... then there is no need to retreat.
As long as I keep walking forward. As long as I swing my sword.
Even if hell lies ahead, it is better than rotting here.
So Onigawara Rin gritted her teeth, and step by step, moved in front of Haimer.
This was not just a decision. It was a declaration of war against her cowardly past self.
"I'll go!"
____
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