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“—-Rin”

When I was overwhelmed by heartbreaking despair, I heard that voice.

Probably because of the ice barrier that separated me and the origin of that voice, the voice that I heard was muffled. Nevertheless, I knew that my name was being called.

At that moment, my heart skipped. I was scared, but I couldn’t help but look back at them. Looking at me who fought Cain alone and was defeated without being able to do anything, I am sure that they felt hopeless. That’s why, I thought at least I had to apologize to them at the end.

Yes, that’s what I believed. That is why,

“—-Eh?”

When I saw the faces of Rei and the other two behind the ice barrier, a bewildered noise leaked out of my mouth.

Because their eyes still have not lost their light. They suppressed the feeling of powerlessness and frustration of their own incompetence and displayed a pained expression while looking at me.

—— Even so, they still believed in me.

“… Why”

Whether it was against Ifrit or Cain, I continued to show my powerlessness to them. That’s why, I couldn’t help but be surprised at the figures of those three girls who still believed in me.

Looking at their eyes, I suddenly remembered. About the eyes of Claire who looked straight towards me before her disappearance. About her back and her voice.

『―― I entrust it to you』

In that situation, why could she entrust everything to me?

The strongest girl I’ve ever known who saved us from Ifrit and kept protecting everyone even after getting transferred unreasonably to the surface. I’m certain I couldn’t even reach the tip of her power, nor do I possess any power to protect everything like her.

I am weak. Not only that, but I think I have become conceited. [Transfer Within Dungeon] was awakened, making me able to level up faster than anyone else. Then, I also became able to save those important to me even if it was a coincidence. It may make me think that I too have become a special existence.

However, in actuality, I am weak and just one of the many tiny existences in the world. I couldn’t do anything by myself. I was powerless and helpless.

But, I already knew that painfully.

Even so— even so, there is something I couldn’t give up.

The feelings of the three girls who stood behind that ice and the newly acquired longing drive my tiny body, as if strongly knocking my heart, telling me ‘Don’t give up!’. Therefore, I grabbed the ground and lifted this bloodied body of mine.

While everyone could only feel frustration at their powerlessness.

Only I could fight this despair!

That is why, I cannot give up!

I already know that I’m weak. But I don’t care. Because– even if I am weak, I wanted to protect those important to me here.

In front of them, who still believed in a tiny existence like me, I want to keep being a person that they can be proud of!

That’s why, I….

I….

“—-I want power”

Yes, I wished.

Even if I ended up consuming everything I have here. Right now, I wanted to have the power to defeat Cain— a power like hers!

That is why, I…

At the end of despair, I looked at the ray of light,

At the silver back of hers, and

—– I reached my hand.