Please to Kitsune-sama!

The Werewolf—a literal wolf-man, though unlike the fairytales, it did not transform from man to beast. It was a humanoid, wolf-like monster possessing both the dexterity of a human and the physical prowess of a beast. Its claws were said to leave marks even on iron armor, and had once reaped the lives of many fledgling Awakeners.

“I will move to the front!”

“Thou need not.”

“Eh?”

“There is no need. Shouldst thou move ahead, thou wouldst only hinder mine hand.”

So saying, Inari stepped forward to face the werewolf. Their movements, both cautiously probing for an opening, made Yasuno suddenly realize something was amiss.

“It’s... wary? The werewolf?”

“Even if Miss Kogami’s strong, her speed shouldn’t surpass the werewolf’s. And yet it’s not attacking...? Does it believe it cannot win head-on?”

It was an idea far too fantastical. Even if Inari had overwhelmed everything thus far, a werewolf was in a different league. And yet—was it truly afraid of her? Or perhaps of her sacred blade?

Yasuno couldn’t say.

“Hmph. Surprisingly perceptive, art thou. I’d thought to cleave thee in twain were ye to charge straight in.”

“Inari-san, this is no time for jesting! You mustn't let a werewolf gain time!”

“And why not?”

“AOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“Gyah! Too late!”

With a howl, several wolves appeared around the werewolf. Slightly larger than the usual ones, with different-colored pelts—these were what one might call its minions, summoned monsters that could be called again and again. They were utterly loyal, their lives forfeit if it meant ensuring the werewolf’s victory.

“Grrr!”

“Growl!”

“Grahhh!”

As they all pounced at once, Inari slid her fingers along the blade’s length.

With each stroke, her sword Kogetsu caught fire, igniting with a loud fwoosh.

“Secret Blade: Kusanagi.”

The arc of her swing drew a trail of flame that erupted across the grassland, setting everything ablaze.

“Yelp!?”

Unable to fly, the wolves were engulfed by fire and disappeared.

The intense flames spread outward in a fan shape, but the werewolf leapt high to evade them. It came hurtling down, claws bared and roaring—only for Inari to slice clean through its limbs and body in one fluid stroke.

Without so much as a final scream, it vanished. What was left behind was a belt with a wolf-shaped buckle.

“A Wolf Belt...” Yasuno murmured.

A rare item said to slightly increase attack power. Due to the rarity of the werewolf itself, it usually sold for no less than five hundred thousand yen.

Still dazed by it all, Yasuno was snapped back to reality by the click of Inari sheathing her blade.

“Well then, the yunīku monsutā hath been vanquished. Yet I suppose this doth not mark the end?”

“Eh!? Ah—yes! That wasn’t the boss, so it doesn’t count toward clearing the dungeon. But look! You got a rare drop! That’s good news, right!?”

“Such a gaudy sash holdeth no appeal for me...”

“Ehh!? This is something even mid-level Awakeners would want, you know!?”

“I care not. Mayhap thou shouldst wear it, Yasuno?”

“N-No! That’s a violation of the code! If you don’t want it, we should list it at auction!”

“Do as thou wilt.”

Why should she be made to wear a belt adorned with a wolf motif? Inari would rather die.

That said, she didn’t particularly care what became of it. Glancing over to Yasuno, who was busy collecting magic stones, she clapped her hands together.

“Oh aye, that too falleth under thy duties, doth it not?”

“Yes. But I’ll handle that myself this time. After all... compared to you, Miss Kogami, I’m utterly useless...”

“Thou must not belittle thyself so. Was it not thou who arranged this very excursion?”

“Well... I did, but still—”

“And thanks to thee, I enjoyed a proper meal last eve. For that, I am truly grateful.”

Though Yasuno whispered something about her own worth and sank into mild depression, Inari meant every word sincerely, enough to tilt her head and ask, “Art thou feeling unwell?”

But setting that aside—

For one such as Inari, who had just bested a Werewolf, defeating the Grey Wolf boss posed no challenge.

“Oh, there he is.”

“Eh? That’s quite far away... Amazing you could spot it.”

“I possess keen eyes, thou see. Now then—Kogetsu, to bow form!”

The sacred blade in Inari’s hand shone and morphed into a bow, causing Yasuno to gasp.

“Wait—wasn’t that a sword just a second ago...!?”

“Now, to take aim... there.”

A glowing arrow appeared in Inari’s hand, loosed in a single flash of light—and the Grey Wolf was obliterated in an instant.

Compared to the strike that had once destroyed a dungeon gate, this was a much weaker blow. Yet for Yasuno, the psychological shock was no less intense.

“A magic bow? But before it was a sword... a sacred sword! What!? Miss Kogami’s skills were... summoning...? Is that a variable weapon summon!? Holy sword and magic bow!? Eeeeehhhhh!?”

While Yasuno flailed in incoherent confusion, Inari calmly read the message that appeared before her.

[Boss] Grey Wolf Defeated!

Dungeon Clear Complete!

You have obtained a Reward Box!

All living participants will now be expelled to reset the dungeon.

“Mm. I do recall seeing this message after the goblin battle as well.”

It seemed this was simply how fixed dungeons worked. Having now experienced this for the second time—once during the match-made party and now solo—Inari no longer found it surprising.

Commencing Transfer

With that message, Inari and Yasuno were teleported out of the dungeon.