expand_more
Chapter Seventeen: Three Paths
"So
Sector
1
is
currently
infested..
with
Sector
3
and
4
level
monsters.
Creatures
even
I
would
have
difficulty
defeating."
"Wonderful.
So
in
other
words,
we're
fucked."
Stated
Noda.
"Of
course
not."
Responded
Kiryu.
"Near
the
middle
section
of
Sector
1,
lies
a
town
where
all
of
the
smiles
live.
It
is
also
where
their
queen
currently
is.
We
must
make
our
way
there,
and
eliminate
the
queen.
If
we
can
do
that,
then
the
goop
will
be
victorious,
and
all
of
the
creatures
from
Sector
3
and
4
will
return
to
their
own
islands,
since
they'll
no
longer
be
needed."
"How
do
you
intend
on
avoiding
these
higher
tier
creatures
until
we
have
arrived
at
this
town?"
Asked
Esten.
Kiryu
turned
toward
her
and
answered.
"Nearly
the
entire
island
is
now
crawling
with
monsters
from
Sector
3
and
4,
however
I
was
able
to
discover
that
there
are
three
different
nearby
pathways
which
all
lead
to
the
smiles's
town,
that
I
don't
believe
have
been
discovered
quite
yet
by
anyone
other
than
the
smiles
themselves.
These
pathways
are
fairly
hidden,
and
each
take
you
through
one
of
the
illusionary
doorways
created
by
one
of
the
smiles.
So,
it
would
not
be
somewhere
you'd
see
creatures
from
Sector
3
or
4
roaming
around
anyway.
If
you
are
able
to
make
it
through
to
the
end
of
whatever
kind
of
environment
or
location
lies
behind
the
doorway,
then
you
will
arrive
at
the
town.
That
is
what
I
was
able
to
discover
through
listening
in
on
a
variety
of
conversations
among
the
smiles.
So,
we
will
begin
by
splitting
into
three
separate
groups.
That
way,
if
one
of
these
pathways
happens
to
be
too
difficult
or
even
lethal,
not
all
of
us
will
be
completely
doomed."
"Yeah?
Then
what's
the
plan?
Do
you
seriously
think
we're
capable
of
fightin'
against
this
queen
alone
if
you
don't
make
it?
We
couldn't
even
beat
her
underlings."
Said
Noda.
Slightly
narrowing
his
eyes,
Kiryu
responded.
"Well
that
is
just
unfortunate.
Maybe
you
should
have
prepared
more
before
deciding
to
make
your
way
over
to
a
place
as
dangerous
as
the
Blackened
Archipelago.
You'll
just
have
to
find
a
way
to
fight
on
and
survive
until
you're
finally
able
to
mutate
yourselves.
Otherwise,
I
suppose
you'll
die
and
prove
that
the
Legion
of
Elite
have
been
nothing
more
than
an
incapable,
false
symbol
of
hope
for
the
people
of
Obliviana."
"You
little
dickhead...
we're
not
going
to
have
any
issues
at
all!"
Shouted
Resk.
"Noda's
just
being
a
downer.
Getting
through
these
doorway
paths
will
be
cake
on
a
platter,
and
taking
down
the
queen
of
the
smiles
herself
won't
be
a
problem.
The
Legion
of
Elite
are
strong
as
hell
you
bastard,
and
we'll
all
be
perfectly
fine
with
or
without
a
mutation!"
Kiryu
let
out
a
brief
chuckle.
"Well
then.
It
seems
at
least
some
of
you
believe
in
yourselves.
So,
Noda.
While
it
is
true
that
the
Legion
of
Elite
are
incredibly
weak
in
comparison
to
a
handful
of
other
groups
and
individuals,
it
does
not
mean
you
are
incapable
of
doing
anything
upon
this
island
at
all.
I
stated
earlier
that
you
are
a
tier
above
worthless
since
you
were
actually
able
to
make
it
here,
but
it
is
also
because
while
you
did
lose
to
them
in
the
end,
you
held
your
own
against
the
smiles
and
were
able
to
kill
dozens
of
them.
You
need
to
stop
losing
complete
confidence
in
yourself
and
your
group
simply
due
to
a
single
loss.
Having
a
pathetic
mindset
like
that
is
what
will
get
you
killed."
Noda
did
not
respond,
but
deeply
thought
about
Kiryu's
words.
"Now
then,
enough
of
these
discussions.
We're
here
to
take
care
of
the
gigantic
mouth
of
mutation,
before
heading
back
to
once
and
for
all
battle
against
the
Colossal
Soarers."
Kiryu
continued.
"So
how
about
we
get
moving
and
decide
upon
the
three
groups?
Does
anyone
here
have
a
person
they'd
prefer
to
be
grouped
with?"
Resk
nodded,
and
made
his
way
over
to
Kore.
"Our
buddy
Kore
here,
he's
a
seasoned
veteran
when
it
comes
to
knowing
everything
about
this
place.
So
even
if
he's
one
of
those
bastard
bugs,
I'm
definitely
tagging
alongside
him."
"Resk.
I
have
not
been
to
the
Blackened
Archipelago
in
a
great
number
of
years.
Though
our
species
may
originate
from
here,
I
am
no
longer
an
expert.
My
outdated
knowledge
of
the
smiles
should
be
evidence
of
that
enough."
Kore
pointed
out.
"Whatever
you
say,
buddy."
Resk
patted
Kore
on
the
back.
"And
you
know
what,
having
Tahara
along
would
be
pretty
sweet
too
in
case
I
get
hungry
for
some
kind
of
snack."
Tahara
shook
his
head.
"Not
gonna
be
makin'
any
snacks
in
this
situation.
But
if
ya
still
want
me
along
I'm
not
gonna
decline."
"Damn...
well,
yeah
you
can
still
join
up
with
me.
You're
a
pretty
cool
guy
either
way
so
I
guess
I
don't
mind
if
you
don't
make
us
any
snacks."
Resk
placed
a
hand
on
his
chin,
pondering
for
a
moment
before
saying.
"And
then
lastly,
I
was
thinking
my
man
Dusk
could
come
along
with
us.
We
could
definitely
make
use
of
his
crazy
power
once
it's
available
again."
"Heh.
Well,
you
certainly
seem
to
have
your
favorites."
Said
Kiryu.
Resk
glared
at
him.
"You
really
are
just
a
little
bastard.
I'm
obviously
making
these
picks
strategically.
I
don't
have
favorites
when
it
comes
to
my
friends."
"Whatever.
I
really
don't
care.
The
point
is
we've
established
one
of
the
three
groups.
So,
does
anyone
else
have
any
preferences?"
"I
will
team
up
with
the
filthy
berserker."
Suggested
Esten.
"Otherwise,
it
is
likely
his
lack
of
intelligence
will
end
up
getting
him
killed.
To
put
it
simply,
I
will
be
babysitting."
Noda
just
accepted
her
comments
and
nodded.
"I
will
go
ahead
and
join
them."
Stated
Setsuna,
adjusting
his
glasses.
"The
three
of
us
make
up
the
founding
members
of
the
Legion
of
Elite.
Therefore,
we
have
an
incredible
amount
of
chemistry.
It
will
give
our
group's
chances
of
survival
a
substantial
boost."
"Then
I
suppose
that
leaves
me
with
the
Fox
woman
and
the
bandaged
girl."
Kiryu
looked
over
at
them.
Valah
happily
grinned.
"Yep
yep!
I
greatly
anticipate
working
alongside
such
a
strong
companion.
Hmm..
I
wonder
what
our
pathway
will
be
like??"
"It
shouldn't
be
long
until
we
find
out.
If
we're
using
these
to
avoid
the
Sector
3
and
4
level
monsters,
then
I'm
guessing
these
pathways
are
extremely
close
by?"
Asada
asked.
"You
would
be
correct...
in
a
sense.
While
it
is
true
we
won't
need
to
move
too
far
in
order
to
reach
the
pathways,
it
is
mainly
because
I
developed
an
accessway
that
leads
directly
to
them."
Pressing
in
another
button
on
his
jacket,
Kiryu
opened
up
a
portal
that
led
directly
to
the
smiles's
three
pathways.
"As
I
mentioned,
the
pathways
themselves
are
not
a
crazy
distance
away
from
here,
which
is
why
I
was
able
to
develop
this
portal
in
a
short
period
of
time.
Unlike
some
of
my
other
gadgets,
portals
are
not
the
easiest
to
work
with.
Since
the
pathways
were
already
somewhat
close
to
here,
however,
I
decided
spending
time
on
a
portal
in
order
to
completely
avoid
the
possibility
of
running
into
a
higher
tier
monster,
was
worth
it."
Before
entering
the
portal,
Noda
glanced
over
at
Kiryu
and
said.
"Once
this
shit
is
done
and
over
with,
you're
gonna
have
some
explaining
to
do.
We're
gonna
need
to
know
what
in
the
fuck
all
of
this
futuristic
shit
is,
and
how
you
developed
a
portal
and
those
towers
from
earlier
after
only
being
here
for
a
couple
of
days."
"Hm.
Those
feats
are
really
not
all
that
impressive.
It's
as
I
said,
all
of
you
have
simply
been
naive
to
what
the
real
world
is
like.
But
sure,
I
can
explain
if
you
manage
to
survive."
Stepping
through
the
portal,
Kiryu
approached
the
entrance
to
one
of
the
three
pathways.
There
were
three
lone
doors
created
by
the
smiles,
sitting
in
the
middle
of
a
room
created
entirely
of
flakey,
crusty
looking
walls.
The
walls
dripped
with
the
mucus
like
substance
that
seemed
to
be
so
commonplace
upon
the
Blackened
Archipelago.
"Anyway,
I
don't
have
a
single
clue
as
to
what
truly
lies
behind
each
of
these
doors.
All
I
am
aware
of
is
that
they
somehow
lead
to
the
smiles's
town.
So,
I
suggest
you
all
prepare
for
the
worst.
Who
knows
what
lies
ahead.
Now,
fox
women
and
bandage
girl.
It's
time
to
get
moving.
Come
with
me."
Asada
stepped
through
the
portal.
"Do
you
not
know
our
names?
You've
shown
that
you
know
of
the
Legion
of
Elite,
and
are
familiar
with
Noda's
name.
Learn
some
damn
respect
if
you're
asking
for
our
help."
"I
am
indeed
aware
of
each
and
every
one
of
your
names.
I
didn't
use
them
when
referring
to
you
because
I
simply
didn't
feel
like
it.
Now
stop
wasting
time
with
these
unneeded
questions,
and
let's
go
ahead
and
see
just
what
is
behind
this
middle
door."
Clenching
a
fist
and
gritting
her
teeth,
Asada
followed
Kiryu
into
the
center
door.
"Alrighty.
Well,
I
shall
see
you
all
at
the
smile
town!
You
had
better
not
die
like
Rune
did,
or
else
you
won't
get
to
have
any
candy
fries
later!!"
Upon
saying
this,
Valah
entered
the
center
door
as
well,
leaving
the
other
seven
still
outside
the
portal.
"Hey
uhh,
guys."
Resk
turned
around.
"I
just
realized..
what
are
we
gonna
do
with
all
of
our
Soar-..
I
mean,
Winged
Warriors?"
Kore
responded.
"They
may
join
us
during
our
journey.
We
will
be
in
desperate
need
of
their
strength,
regardless
of
what
is
on
the
other
side
of
these
doors.
We
may
divide
their
numbers
in
half
between
our
two
groups.
Then,
once
we
have
done
so,
I
believe
we
will
be
ready
to
traverse
through
these
mysterious
illusionary
locations.
Would
you
agree,
brethren..?"
Tahara
nodded.
"Yep.
Hangin'
around
here
any
longer
is
just
a
waste
of
time.
We
came
to
the
Archipelago
so
we
could
skyrocket
our
strength,
and
we've
come
across
a
guy
who
seems
like
he's
gonna
lead
us
right
to
that
goal.
Now
that
he's
entered
the
center
pathway
and
I
can't
ask
him
anymore
questions,
I
say
we
get
moving
and
get
over
to
that
town
he's
been
talkin'
about."
"Agreed."
Stated
Esten.
"There
is
currently
nothing
logical
to
do
other
than
move
forward.
I
do
not
believe
it
is
smart
to
blindly
place
our
trust
in
this
random
individual,
however
there
is
no
other
option
but
to
do
so."
Setsuna
added.
"He
was
aware
of
Noda's
name,
and
interfered
before
the
smiles's
signature
move
could
kill
us.
At
the
very
least,
I
doubt
he's
lying
about
being
from
Obliviana.
If
he
has
any
form
of
malicious
intent,
then
it
doesn't
seem
as
if
he
plans
to
act
on
it
here.
Additionally,
I
don't
see
why
he
wouldn't
have
let
us
die
while
battling
against
the
smiles
if
he
did
have
some
form
of
a
life
threatening,
negative
ulterior
motive."
"Couldn't
agree
more
with
all
of
that.
At
the
least
I
don't
think
he
wants
to
hurt
us
either.
Wouldn't
be
following
his
plan
if
I
wasn't
sure
of
that.
There's
plenty
I
wanna
ask
the
guy,
but
if
I
can
trust
him
for
the
time
being,
then
it
can
wait
until
we're
all
powered
up
and
outta
this
place."
Tahara
said.
"Sweet.
Let's
quit
pissing
around
then."
With
a
confident
smirk,
Resk
clenched
a
fist
in
front
of
his
chest.
"We're
finally
here...
we've
made
it
to
the
Blackened
Archipelago,
and
are
only
a
short
while
away
from
acquiring
the
upgrade
we
came
here
for.
Only
some
doors
and
weird
smiley
monsters
stand
between
us
and
the
mutation.
So
c'mon
already
guys,
let's
see
what's
behind
these
doors!"
They
proceeded
to
evenly
divide
the
Winged
Warriors
between
their
two
groups,
and
move
to
the
other
side
of
Kiryu's
portal,
which
closed
behind
them
once
everyone
had
entered
through.
"Well,
like
Valah
said,
I'll
see
you
guys
in
the
Smiles's
little
town!
Don't
get
yourselves
killed!"
Resk
widely
smiled
at
the
group
of
Setsuna,
Noda,
and
Esten.
"You
can
rest
assured
that
our
team
compiled
of
the
three
founding
Legion
of
Elite
members,
will
not
fall."
Voiced
Setsuna.
"Heheh.
Perfect.
You'd
better
not."
Responded
Resk.
"And
even
if
we
aren't
founding
members
or
anything
like
that,
there's
no
damn
way
we'll
get
killed
before
seeing
you
again
either.
I
promise."
Tahara
stepped
forward,
and
placed
a
hand
onto
Resk's
shoulder.
"I'll
do
what
I
can
to
keep
this
guy
from
messin'
things
up.
Won't
make
any
promises
that
we'll
all
live,
but
I
can
promise
at
least
one
of
us
will
meet
ya
on
the
other
end
of
these
things."
"I
plead
for
you
to
do
what
you
can
to
ensure
that
Resk
is
not
that
someone,
if
the
situation
presents
itself."
Esten
closed
her
eyes
as
she
said
this.
"Heh.
Yeah,
I'll
just
have
to
see
if
that's
possible
once
we
figure
out
what
we'll
be
up
against."
Tahara
answered.
"C'mon
Tahara.
How
many
times
do
I
have
to
say
it.
I
never
mess
anything
up!
And
seriously
Esten,
if
only
one
of
us
could
come
out
alive,
I'd
be
the
best
possible
option
for
way
too
many
reasons
than
I
want
to
list
right
now.
Whatever
though.
You
guys
can
think
whatever
you
want.
Right
now,
I'm
too
pumped
up
to
bother
with
arguing!"
Resk's
eyes
sparkled.
"Let's
get
fuckin'
moving
then."
Said
Noda.
"Kiryu...
he
was
right.
Sometimes
when
I'm
in
the
moment,
and
think
we're
completely
fucked,
I
say
some
things
I
shouldn't.
From
now
on,
I'll
try
to
watch
my
words,
and
not
act
so
hopeless.
And
that'll
start
now."
He
tightly
clenched
his
fists,
and
looked
toward
the
doorway
in
front
of
him.
"At
least
one
of
us
is
gonna
survive.
It
doesn't
fuckin'
matter
if
we
lost
to
the
smiles
or
not.
We
made
it
to
this
point
for
a
reason.
And
once
we
make
our
way
through
these
pathways,
whether
Kiryu's
there
or
not,
we'll
find
a
way
to
take
down
this
smile
queen.
And
after
that,
mutate
ourselves,
gaining
the
power
to
head
back
to
Obliviana
and
wipe
out
the
Colossal
Soarers.
So
let's
go.
I'm
tired
of
waiting."
Noda
proceeded
to
walk
forward,
kicking
the
door
on
the
right
open,
entering
it.
"He
really
needs
to
calm
himself
down.
Kicking
doors
open
in
such
a
disgraceful,
barbaric
manner
is
not
inspiring."
Stated
Esten,
following
after
Noda.
Then,
pushing
up
his
glasses,
Setsuna
entered
through
the
doorway
as
well,
saying.
"I
suppose
it's
time
to
find
out
what
sort
of
barrier
awaits
our
team."
Their
winged
warriors
entered
afterward.
Resk
began
doing
arm
circles
in
preparation.
"Alright
guys,
it's
our
turn.
Got
anything
else
to
say
before
we
jump
in?"
The
footsteps
of
Kore
caught
everyone's
attention
as
he
assertively
stomped
in
front
of
them.
He
had
an
intense
look
and
had
been
overtaken
by
inner
adrenaline.
"Brethren!
Everyone!
We
have
come
to
a
point
where
moving
forward
will
require
a
great
deal
of
our
own
courage
and
potentially
even
sacrifice!
But
make
no
mistake..
each
and
every
warrior
standing
here
possesses
the
qualities
needed
to
successfully
propel
us
through
this
ordeal,
so
that
we
may
inevitably
return
to
defeat
Nare
and
his
Colossal
Soarers!
Whatever
awaits
us
beyond
this
gateway,
and
whatever
may
await
us
within
the
town
of
the
smiles,
or
at
any
other
point
in
the
future
for
that
matter,
I
know
everyone
here
will
face
it
head
on!!
They
will
continue
fighting
onward
to
their
last
dying
breath,
because
every
warrior
here
is
dedicated
to
accomplishing
the
same
goal!
Saving
not
only
Obliviana,
but
the
world
from
Nare's
corrupted
goals!"
He
screamed
with
a
fiery
passion.
"That
was
one
hell
of
a
speech.
And
it's
a
speech
I
can
get
behind.
Gotta
say,
bein'
part
of
a
big
group
all
passionate
toward
accomplishing
the
same
goal
is
a
life
changin'
experience.
It's
a
feeling
I'll
never
get
used
to,
and
in
a
good
way.
I
guess
you
could
say
that's
one
good
thing
that
came
from
the
invasion
of
these
damn
bugs."
Tahara
smiled,
biting
his
toothpick.
"But
that's
all
I've
gotta
say.
So
let's
get
goin'.
I'm
ready."
On
that
note,
everyone
began
walking
toward
the
doorway
on
the
left.
Resk
was
in
front,
and
opened
it.
Before
he
fully
entered,
however,
Dusk
suddenly
said.
"Based
on
what
I'm
feeling
within
right
now,
my
ability
should
be
recharged..."
They
all
paused
for
a
moment.
Breaking
the
silence,
Resk
looked
back
at
him.
"Well...
heh,
I'll
be
damned.
And
that's
exactly
why
I
chose
you
to
join
our
squad.
We
were
already
going
to
be
just
fine,
but
now
if
we
find
ourselves
in
a
seriously
crappy
situation...
you'll
be
able
to
raise
some
major
hell.
Hah.
Well,
thanks
for
the
heads
up
my
man.
I
look
forward
to
seeing
you
annihilate
whoever
it
is
we
run
into
on
our
pathway,
or
if
we
can
save
your
ability
up,
maybe
even
the
smile
queen
herself."
As
he
finished
that
last
sentence,
he
jumped
backward
through
the
doorway.
Soon
afterward,
everyone
else
followed.
Officially
kicking
off
everyone's
journey
through
these
mysterious
pathways.
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Quest - Reading Lv.10/1
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