Classroom of the Elite: Amnesia Haven

Arc 2 - 4: Encounter with the Death Spots

A/N: Fuck with Editing.

***

Ken's apology proceeded without any problems, and the majority of the members didn't raise a fuss about it- is true. However, there's something else coming along with it. Everyone except for Kanji seemed to suspect I had something to do with it. I mean, the stealing glance they did is pretty obvious.

I can see where Kikyou coming from. Chiaki too. Yousuke, for no reason, had a high opinion of me. Kei might be more observant than I thought, or possess keen intuitions, who knows? I haven't really seen any of that from her.

Anyway, since we bought the cooking equipment last week, we just need to buy the fresh materials. It'd be nice if there was a cooler or the like, but as things stand, we'll have to make do with what we have at the moment.

Suzune is the head chef. She wasn't especially skilled at it, but she wasn't bad at it. Chiaki became her assistant, while Kikyou and the reluctant Kei tried to learn from them. Yousuke and I apparently had to join in as well next time. Ken and Kanji, meanwhile, had been made into errand boys.

In any case, with our stomachs satiated in the morning, we quickly headed to the hunting grounds

"Honestly, why don't we just kill them...?" Ike nonchalantly mumbled.

On the second floor of Cyrene Mines, we were required to pass through an area of many pits with kobolds sleeping inside. They weren't about to wake up even if there were lots of noisy crowds. Well, even if they do awaken, we wouldn't have much trouble fleeing. It seems that they'll only be agitated when there's a major commotion or the like.

"That'll be plenty of time to spare," Suzune said. "And they're just lesser kobolds. It'll be a hassle as well if one of us ends up trapped inside when the other kobolds are awakened."

We descended to the third level and carried on with yesterday's mapping session. We've already located four vertical holes to the lower floors and two elevator-like spots that are always infested with kobolds.

The variation in kobolds numbers from this level is too little for us. They only assemble three to four kobolds, which is half of us at most. Fortunately, Suzune had planned to make a descent into the fourth floor on that day. If possible, of course.

"Wait." Kanji suddenly said, raising a hand to his ear.

Suzune, the one bringing up the front, came to a halt. "What?"

Kanji had pretty decent hearing as a hunter, though I also picked up on what he was hearing.

"I think it's a group of kobolds. Probably."

Suzune nodded. "Chiaki."

The girl moved forward wordlessly and gone from our sight before long. Needless to say, a group of eight people walking together would stand out. Even so...

"I'll follow after her."

Suzune gave me a puzzled look, but it quickly dissipated. "If it's absolutely necessary, then go."

"Thanks."

I did that at once.

Chiaki still wasn't far away. Despite not learning the skill yet, Chiaki had gotten refined in her sneaking skill. She had come close to a fork by the time I saw her back.

"?"

I eyed the foothold by her side. Chiaki seemed to realize that too as she deliberately plastered herself against the other wall.

And the sound... As I delved deeper to listen to them, they abruptly ceased their activities.

Chiaki's movements grew tentative. She sensed it as well. Yeah, this is bad.

I quickly approached her. Perhaps at the same time, one of the kobolds in the group made its move. That kobold was fast.

"Eek?!"

Chiaki emitted a tiny yelp as I forcefully pulled her collar to the back. A moment later, a supposed kobold appeared at the fork. '...Is that the Death Spots?'

It's big... Its height, its width. Since it was barely protected by anything on its torso, the spots on its body could be easily seen by anyone. The name's comes from the fact that it had killed many volunteer soldiers. Its weapon... My blade will likely break straight away if I take it head-on. 'Not that I plan to. Not now.'

I'm reasonably confident I can outrun it. I have a head start. And I'm confident in my running skills.

The assumed Death Spots barreled towards us. It doesn't seem that it noticed the poor stepping as its foot smashed straight down. Death Spots tried to attack us with its lengthy, bulky blade. With Death Spots' stature and sword size, it wouldn't have been impossible. But I had taken that into account and concluded I'd be able to avoid it... and I did it.

"-wha?!"

In exchange, the ground beneath our feet collapsed. That, I couldn't avoid.

...this is bad, isn't it?

It'd be one thing if the floor below us was only four or five meters high, but that wasn't the case. We fell at a height of two to three times that amount.

"Chiaki?!"

I heard Kei's voice.

"Wait, you!"

Kanji followed.

"Retreat!" Suzune ordered.

Kei and Kanji cried along with the rumbling sound of the collapsing ground. They're not that far from us. The effect might reach them. 'Not like that's something I should be worried about now.'

"W-What should we do, Kiyotaka-kun...?!"

Down below us was a cluster of enclosures. Inside them are a few different types of animals. Livestock, it seems.

The visibility on that floor was vast. At a glance, I detected a good number of kobolds patrolling the vicinity. I also saw the threads of twine between the poles with some sort of bell scattered across the site.

"Cover your head."

"Huh?!"

I didn't have time to continue as I threw Chiaki once I'd almost reached the ground. She wouldn't die, probably. But she'd probably get some broken bones in her arms.

I fell through the roof of an enclosure. They reduced the impact of my fall. The result was still rather nasty either way. It was a miracle I only suffered temporary paralyzation.

Death Spots was only a few meters away from me, beyond the enclosure. It was similarly affected by the crash, though not as severely as I was. Now it tried to rouse itself.

I grabbed the longsword lying by my side. I quickly slew the legless, hairless worm-like and rat-like animals. They were small, and slow, and unclear whether they were attacking humans, so I did that out of caution.

I jumped to my feet, turned away from the Death Spots, and jumped over the fence to reach Chiaki.

"Graaarh...!" Death Spots roared.

I found Chiaki immediately. She crouched down between the fences of enclosures. Her legs didn't appear to be injured, but her hands were, especially the right one. She had a clearly pained expression on her face. Sheathing my long sword, I held her in my arms.

"Sorry. We'll be heading to Kei and Kanji."

"...No, you don't have to. Kanji-kun dan Kei went down too?"

"Yeah. I saw them for a moment."

"You know where they are?"

"I have a guess."

The bell chimed. Nothing's come good from it, I'm sure.