Chapter 394: Dead Heat

The four challengers, led by Haruna who became a fierce god, were in the process of capturing the dragon’s neck, the last obstacle just before the head of Rimudo. The footholds were the second shakiest after the starting point, the tail, and the angle of the slope changed from time to time, making this a difficult spot where they couldn’t let their guard down. It is easy to guess how severe the situation was, taking into account the physical and mental exhaustion leading up to this point. However, the number of hostile cells was clearly less than on the torso, so it was not all bad news.

「Our turn is completely gone, huh.」

「I wonder if there’s a difference in the number of hostile cells that can appear depending on the part of the body. It makes me sad to think that the fun time is over…」

「Yeah, yeah. You’re right.」

(Chinatsu and Touko seem to be very tired. Well, they’ve been going through this harsh path, so it’s understandable. However, their efforts will be rewarded soon. Hang in there, both of you! We will reach the goal soon…!)

The party missed each other at the very end. Anyway, the biggest enemy that stood in the way at the very end was this environment. Whether or not Haruna and the others can pass the trial, the result will be decided soon.

「Dossei!」

The enemy cells managed to form two fusion immune cells by pouring all the few remaining individuals. However, Haruna is someone who wouldn’t hold back until the end. At that moment, the two bodies were crushed mercilessly by the Doggan Staff.

And then, the last stop, the head of Rimudo, spread before them, and the golden fruit, which is pierced by the majestic horn, finally appeared vividly.

「Now there’s no more monster! Still, it’s bigger than I expected!」

「Well, yes.」

Rimudo’s horn is so tall and big befitting his huge body. Visually, it’s as if a skyscraper is built on Rimudo’s head. And then, the size of the fruit that’s being pierced by that skyscraper is also tremendous.

「Considering the fruit’s size, I wonder how big the tree is. It looks like an apple, but since it has that color, it’s definitely different…. The fruit juice isn’t dripping even though it’s being pierced by the horn, so I’m not sure if it’s really a fruit.」

「Don’t tell me, is that a monster too? Well, that’s also interesting. But we just need to touch the fruit to clear the trial, right?」

「We might have to take the fruit from there. Well, it was our mistake that we didn’t check it in detail.」

「Uweh!? W-What should we do? If we have to take it from there, it’s going to be troublesome!」

「Don’t worry, the horn is still a part of Rimudo-san’s body! With Haruna’s power, she can manage with one blow! Go go!」

「I know it’s not my place to say this, but you answer with brute force, huh. Well, it’s true that there’s no other way. Then――」

『――Let me add something. You just need to touch it to clear the trial.』

「「…… Thank you for your explanation.」」

It seems that Rimudo doesn’t want his horn to be messed up, so he answered before the girls did something to it. Also, Haruna somehow looked disappointed.

Well, while they were having such an exchange, they arrived at Rimudo’s head. The land area here is unbelievably vast, but considering the path they had taken so far, it feels like the garden of a house. What they have to do now is to climb the fruit tree growing in that garden and touch the fruit.

「Rejoice, Touko. It seems that Rimudo-san is going to invite us to a very special course at the very end.」

「What the hell is that!?」

During this trial, Rimudo himself never attacked them. However, it’s up to him no matter where he flies during that time. Ahead of Rimudo, there are thunderclouds that roared with thunder and swirled in darkness.

「What, you ask? Those are just normal thunderclouds.」

「You don’t normally see thunderclouds this close up, you know!? Guuuhh…. Even wild beasts are afraid of the threat of nature…!」

Setting wild beasts aside, Touko is actually a little afraid of thunders. The wildness that she regained has completely dissipated, and she is frowning and showing her emotions. Normally, she would be able to hold it even if she sees Thunder Magic, but now she’s feeling weak, probably because she’s tired. Now Rimudo’s horn looks more like a lightning rod, and she loses the will to climb up there.

「…… Touko, don’t worry. If it’s the current us, we can survive easily even if thunder strikes directly. Besides, there’s a beast clad in electricity in this world. Rather, you should feel excited!」

「I-It’s not that I afraid of thunder, you know? I can go, you know!?」

「You’re like an open book…. Well, I’m troubled. If Touko doesn’t go there, the distance with Haruna would increase.」

「Eh? AAAH!?」

While Touko was hesitating, Haruna was rushing ahead. She rushed at the horn without hesitation, where thunder might strike, while creating new footprints.

「Geh! There’s nothing that she’s afraid of, is there!?」

「If I had to say, she’s afraid of not giving her all. Also, she’s afraid of angry Kuon-obasan…. Well, setting that aside, what will you do, Touko? Are you going to give up? At this rate, you’re going to lose again to Haruna, you know? You’re going to lose again, you know?」

「I know, you don’t have to say it many times! I will go, yeah, I will go! Don’t underestimate me, Haruna! Let’s race to the goal!」

(Ooh, what a magnificent sight to see a girl making an all-out effort! I can’t lose here! I will also go with the spirit of catching up and overtaking them!)

Haruna, who’s trying her best, didn’t intend to pick a fight or to have a match, but Touko, who has a sense of rivalry toward her, started the match on her own. As for Hund, he was inspired by her motivation and began to run as fast as he can. Thus a dead heat among friends was held.

「Harunaaaaa! Don’t think you can beat me in terms of speed!」

「Hm? Touko-chan and Hund-kun are increasing their speed. Also, she seems to be shouting something. Is she telling me to hurry? Okay! If that’s what everyone going to do, I will also give my all!」

Haruna put her Doggan Staff into the pouch and took a crouching start position. She lost a bit of time, but she judged that this would result in the fastest possible time. In fact, Haruna was leaping forward like an arrow after that.

Touko, who’s chasing after her, is also fast. Despite the fact that she’s carrying Chinatsu on her back, the distance between her and Haruna is gradually closing. As for Hund, even though he’s a little late, he’s by no means left behind. His stable running with increased limbs doesn’t show any sign of him falling.

「I GOT IIIIIIIT――!」

「DAAAAAMN――!」

Amidst the thunder in all directions, Haruna and Touko finally lined up side by side. And then, the one who touched the fruit first was――