The exploration team let out a war cry as we charged into the black sphere. On the other side of the Dimension Door was a rocky mountain. Looking up, a cloudy sky hung over us, while whitish pebbles scattered about beneath our feet.
“You’re kidding me...” a boy muttered not too far away from me.
It was Kubota Yousuke, nicknamed the Multiplex. I’d met him during that meeting in the capital. He looked dumbfounded by the scenery. I felt the same way. We had been transported to somewhere strange, unfamiliar. That said, we hadn’t experienced the unique sensation of teleportation. The door had simply led to a different place—a different world.
This was a fabricated world. I was surprised by how different it was from the one we’d been teleported to the other day, but it looked like this was definitely where our target had gone. The exploration team was shocked by the sight too—and in the next instant, they all raised their voices in excitement.
“Oooh! It’s my first time feeling like I’m in another world in a good while!”
“We’ve gotten used to magic and all, so this is really refreshing.”
“This really hypes me up!”
It was like there was no tension among them. They looked as though they could easily handle anything while still seeming unreliable. Either way, the one leading the group was extremely capable. No matter how easily carried away they were, there was no problem so long as he properly led them. Even though there was curiosity in his eyes when faced with this unknown world, Nakajima retained his composure.
“Things are going smoothly so far,” he said to me. “Think you can grasp this world?”
“I’ll try,” I said.
Still mounted on Berta, I focused my senses on the Misty Lodge. As expected, connecting my senses to this world went very well. My ability to encroach on, interfere with, and take control of other worlds had definitely improved.
“I can feel and understand it,” I said. “I’m fairly certain I can guide us.”
“Sounds good.”
Nakajima gave me a ferocious smile. Even after coming to this inexplicable world, he possessed the strength to remain unwavering.
“Hm? What’s up?” he asked as I stared at him.
“It’s nothing serious...”
“That just makes me more curious.”
“I just thought it’d be nice if I could become a leader like you.”
To always have composure, to not need to worry about anything, to be capable of solving any problems, and have the power to save everyone in sight. In a sense, that type of leader was an ideal. I’d aspired to such heights before too. But his next words caught me off guard.
“Is that so? I’m the one who’s jealous of you, though.”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t I tell you before? I’m your fan.” Nakajima looked sincere. “Besides, you say that, but you’re not actually jealous, right? Well, I’m sure you envy me, but you’re also fine with who you are. Am I wrong?”
“That’s...”
He did have a point. I didn’t have the strength or charisma to protect everyone on my own. Still, I had companions who accepted me for who I was. That was more than enough for me to be satisfied. That said, if I were as strong as Nakajima, I’d be able to protect my companions no matter what, so it was still true that I envied him.
“Leader,” Kubota said. “Leave the chitchat at that.”
“Fine, fine. So, Majima? How dangerous does it look? What should we be keeping an eye out for?”
I also changed gears. Naturally, even during our conversation, I’d been obtaining a greater comprehension of the fabricated world.
“It looks like there’s another Dimension Door inside this world,” I said. “Once we make it through three of them, we’ll be at our destination. Normally, you’d use a Dimensional Cornerstone to find the trail to the door...but I already have an idea of the layout here. We’ll take the shortest route. I’ve also neutralized the traps.”
Nakajima gave me a serious look, then burst into laughter.
“Ha ha! Oh man, and you said you’re jealous of me, but here you are practically clearing this world solo!”
In the sense of removing the majority of obstacles, he was largely correct. I hadn’t removed them all, though.
“I can’t neutralize the guardian giants,” I added. “They’re not part of the world itself. Sorry.”
“You don’t gotta apologize,” Kubota said. “We can’t just sit on our asses and have you do all the work.”
“Speed is of the utmost importance,” I said. “Please take care of any battles on the way. First, we’ll follow this path. I’ll let you know which way to go whenever we reach a fork.”
“Got it.” Nakajima nodded, then turned to the other members of the exploration team. “Okay then, we’re charging with Majima at the center of our formation. Yousuke, you guard Majima. You’re the best at protecting people. Tetsuo, you’re in the front with me. It’s gonna be a long run, so bear with it, okay? The rest of you, I’ll leave it to your own judgment. Asahi, you guys handle the rear just as you have been.”
Some nodded, some yelled, and some raised a hand to answer. They all agreed with his plan. Even as that went on, the guardian giants scattered throughout this world began converging on us. Watching this unfold, Nakajima raised his voice.
“Let’s break through!”