-20F-

 

Bartender:

“For the lower floors, 

I hear that demonic attacks have gotten more complicated,

often times inflicting some sort of additional effect.

It sounds like your intelligence determines the potency 

of status effects and accuracy of magical attacks.

Whether to avoid magic and crowd control, 

or, on the other hand, make them easier to cast, 

it’s easier with higher intelligence.”

 

-18F-

 

“Hm?”　There was something fallen on the ground.

Picking it up, 

I saw that it was a playing card.

The queen of hearts.

 

?:

“Do you know the meaning of that card?”

 

The sudden voice 

belonged to a young man,

the timing of his arrival a mystery.

 

(Protagonist Name):

“You are...?”

Young Man:

“I’m Lucifer.

How are you,

(Protagonist Name)?”

(Protagonist Name):

“!?”

Lucifer:

“If you’re wondering why I know about you, 

well, 

aren’t tales of your exploits all the rage right now?

The more you break through these floors, 

the more attention you’re going to get, you know.

... Rather that that, 

let’s talk about the card.

You see, the queen of hearts...

is kind, delicate, and full of love.

Yet...

She’s also irresolute, unable to come to any decision.

Those are the qualities she reveals.

Just like her.”

(Protagonist Name):

“Her...?”

Lucifer:

“Yeah, her.

... I’m talking about Lilith.”

(Protagonist Name):

“!”

Lucifer:

“Though filled with a deep love, 

she has no control

over her own existence.

That...

lies within your hands.”

(Protagonist Name):

“Me?　What do you mean...?”

Lucifer:

“I mean exactly that.

Your choices alone

will determine her fate.

That’s why you should think well before you act.

With a simple thought,

the existence known as Lilith will be set in stone.”

(Protagonist Name):

“So you’re saying...

I may be able 

to save her?”

Lucifer:

“Oh,　who knows.

That’s up to you, isn’t it?

Now, that about wraps things up.

... send my regards to Lilith.”

Hehehe...”

 

Lucifer chuckled, then

departed for somewhere.

He was a strange man.

As I looked at that card in my hand, suddenly, 

the picture started changing.

Before long,

it had become a queen of spades.

 

-17F-

 

Lilith:

“(Protagonist Name)...”

(Protagonist Name):

“Lilith, huh.”

Lilith:

“......”

(Protagonist Name):

“Do you finally feel like

telling me the truth?”

 

A look of hesitation 

hung on her face.

She looked away.

What lay there wasn’t a demon or anything, 

but a lone woman. 

 

(Protagonist Name):

“It’s fine if you 

don’t want to talk, but...

if you’re really (Heroine Name), then that means...

for my sake, 

you turned into a demon. “

Lilith:

“Just like that..

you always try to take responsibility...”

(Protagonist Name):

“!”

Lilith:

“I won’t keep running away from my choices.

No matter how harsh they may be...”

(Protagonist Name):

“L-Lilith...

no...

(Heroine Name)...”

Lilith:

“I’m...

...ugh-”

 

Suddenly, her expression shifted.

 

Lilith:

“Aa...

Aaah...!

(Protagonist Name):

“What’s wrong?!”

Lilith:

“Don’t touch me,

human!”

 

Lilith yelled

with abrupt intensity.

Suddenly, a flash of light illuminated the air, 

followed by the descent of darkness.

A man clad in solid shadow

had appeared next to Lilith.

 

Man:

“Feeble being, human be thy name...

Lilith.

I thought I told you to throw away

that useless compassion.”

Lilith:

“Please forgive me, Lord Satan.”

(Protagonist Name):

“Who the hell are you supposed to be?”

Man:

“I ask that you refrain from such

uncouth behavior towards me.

I am Satan,

ruler of all demons.”

Then...

 

The man brought Lilith close, 

his hand gripped around her waist.

 

Satan:

“Come, say it, Lilith.

Say who I am.”

Lilith:

“My...

...master...

Lord Satan.”

(Protagonist Name):

“!?”

Satan:

“Just so.

I was the one to contract with you, 

granting you new life as a demon.

Every single thing about you

belongs to me.”

Lilith:

“Yes, Lord Satan.”

Satan:

“Well, that’s how it is, young man.

Do you understand?”

(Protagonist Name):

“You...

just what did you do to her...?!”

Satan:

“We’re leaving, Lilith.

You can’t keep getting involved

with the likes of humans forever.”

Lilith:

“Yes, Lord Satan.”

(Protagonist Name):

“Wait!”

 

Lilith didn’t even spare me a glance.

Satisfied, Satan wrapped his hand around her shoulder.

Then, the pair of demons

melded into the dark and disappeared.

 

-16F-

 

A group of Sirens cut through the air, 

diving towards me in quick succession.

Though beautiful women at first glance, 

their faces hid merciless, inhuman smiles.

 

Siren 1:

“So you’re the human that’s been

breaking through these floors one after the other, huh.”

Siren 2:

“It must’ve been hard to come this far.

Could it be you’re also thinking of breaking through here?”

Siren 3:

“Well, it’s fine.

You’ll be dying here in any case, after all.”

Siren 1:

“Come, let me sing you

a lullaby for your soul...!”

 

Three Flight Sirens appeared.

 

Thud

Devoid of any strength, the last of the Sirens collapsed...

It seemed I had safely gotten through the encounter.

 

(Protagonist Name):

“...Hm?”

 

Looking around me, 

I spotted a heap of objects lying in the corner of the room.

It was probably the Sirens’ collection.

After wondering if I should search for anything usable, 

I noisily shuffled through the pile.

 

(Protagonist Name):

“Oh? This is...”

 

A captivating blade was emanating a calm glow.

They say birds like shiny objects, but

there was no way I expected them to have gotten a hold of that.

(You obtained the Grass-Cutting Sword)

Graciously accepting this gift, 

I departed, sword in hand.