Chapter

ch1-ch20 · 011-ch11

Chapter 11: Hunting Dogs

Hunter Association Headquarters

"There were no suspicious individuals among the residents still remaining in Aoba Town."

Receiving the report from the Hunters gathered in the conference room, Hunter Association Vice President Mineyama let out a small sigh.

"I see. Good work. That narrows it down to those who moved to Kioka Town and those who moved elsewhere."

He tapped his fingers against the desk, tap tap, as he continued.

"That said, the latter aren't that numerous either. We'll have our own staff handle those. You lot head to Kioka Town."

The terminals each of them held displayed a long list of recent Awakener certifications.

The number — approximately 70 people.

Among the list was the name "Maeda Hagane."

"The new addresses after the move are listed here too. There's no need to interrogate them. Just follow your own gut feelings and make a judgment."

Saying that, Mineyama looked around at the Hunters.

Guild Name: Hunting Dogs (Hound)

Official Name: National Public Order Maintenance Special Tactical Unit "Hunting Dogs"

A guild directly under the Hunter Association, consisting of multiple S-Rank Hunters. Its main duties include "cracking down on illegal Hunters, preventing combat-related crime, and carrying out special operations." It can be considered something like the police force of the Hunter world.

"With this many, we should be able to contact all of them in a single day."

The female guild master answered.

Mineyama nodded in satisfaction.

"The troublesome part is if they've joined an independent guild not under national control. All active Hunters are obligated to participate in World Clock operations, but each guild is given discretion over how they operate."

Mineyama's gaze grew even sharper.

"That's precisely why the government has requested that we keep a firm grip on the reins. Not just for maintaining domestic order, but because this is a valuable asset capable of handling World Clocks solo over the long term."

Mineyama was also thinking of adding the Hero of Aoba Town to the Hunting Dogs. Whether his intent had gotten through to all of them, the Hunting Dogs members nodded quietly in response.

"I await good news."

"Sir!"

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Currently commuting to work.

About two minutes left until I reach the office, but we've got an emergency situation here.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Someone's watching us —

Until Lumiel told me, I hadn't noticed at all.

"Which one is it...? That old lady?"

"No. The people in black clothes."

At the spot Lumiel pointed out, I could confirm a pair dressed in black uniforms.

One of them approached me without a shred of caution.

"Hey there, sorry for the sudden approach."

"Oh, uh, can I help you?"

I deployed my sales-trained smile to handle this.

He was a young man with wavy black hair that stood out.

He looked young — younger than me, a pretty-boy type around twenty.

"You're Maeda Hagane, right?"

"!"

Hearing my real name all of a sudden almost made me panic, but I held it together.

"(Hunter Association people...!)"

And they'd definitely looked me up before coming here. I don't know if they know about Lumiel or not, but until I figure out their goal, all I can do is play dumb.

"Don't disturb our time together."

Taking advantage of the fact that he couldn't hear her...

Please be quiet for a bit, Miss Lumiel.

"Sorry, but who are you?"

Whether my heightened guard had gotten through to him, the pretty boy said, "Ah, my bad," and handed me a business card.

I politely exchanged cards with him (it's not like my name's a secret at this point anyway), and on it was written: Hunting Dogs Guild — S-Rank Hunter — Narashima Ryo.

"Wait, S-Rank?"

That one actually slipped out loud.

An S-Rank Hunter coming to see me in person — that means —

"Ahaha, sorry sorry, that must not make any sense, right? Yeah, so, the higher-ups told me to find the 'Hero of Aoba Town,' and I've been going through recently Awakened people one by one. Honestly, even I don't get what's going on."

Narashima the Hunter let out a distinctive laugh — ha ha ha ha.

If what he just said is true, then he's not specifically targeting me — this contact was just random?

"Huh, well, that sounds rough."

"Yeah, tell me about it! Next World Clock is less than a month away, I'm not even in peak condition, and here I am doing this crap..."

I feel bad for him while he grumbles, but work's coming up. The natural move here is to prioritize my own schedule.

"Hey, uh, I have to get to work. If you need to look into anything, could it wait until after my shift?"

Time to play my offensive card.

Saying this should get him to clear off quickly.

As predicted, Narashima the Hunter shook his head dramatically.

"Ah-ah, nah, that won't be necessary. I just need to see the person and make a call — no tests or anything needed. Plus, bro, you're super weak, so there's no way it's you."

Mind your own damn business!!

Then, with a casual "Let us know if you notice anything," Narashima the Hunter took off.

The Hunting Dogs guild is an Association-affiliated Hunter group, right. I had this image of them being way more stiff, but I guess they've got all kinds.

"He said bad things about Koh. I won't forgive him."

"Now now, it's not like we'll have anything to do with him going forward."

He didn't seem suspicious either.

Plus, even if a Hunter investigating things does talk to me, from now on I can just flash this business card I got — an S-Rank endorsement — and people won't pry.

Hope this doesn't come back to bite me later—

◇◆◇◆◇

Watching Hagane disappear into his workplace, Narashima toyed with the steering wheel of a black car, lost in thought.

His junior in the passenger seat called out to him.

"Narashima-san, let's head to the next one."

"Huh? I'm gonna keep an eye on that guy for a while."

His junior let out a surprised, "Eh?"

"But he's G-Rank, right? The Awakener we're looking for is at least Special S-Rank."

"Nah, I dunno how to put it, but there's something off about that guy."

Narashima muttered as he let cigarette smoke curl upward.

He'd felt something off about the magic power emanating from Hagane.

"Normally, every person has magic power — old folks, kids, everyone. But the amount that guy has is tiny for even a person. Too little."

"How does that connect to this case?"

"Awakening is the blossoming of talent. When you Awaken, your magic power goes up, big or small. But that guy Awakened and he's still got that amount? Isn't that weird? Even a baby has more magic power than him."

His junior asked, "So that makes him suspicious?" but Narashima shook his head.

"If that Descent Arts thing Mineyama-san mentioned is real, and the caster didn't die... there still has to be a price, right? If it's not your life, then maybe — magic power or something."

"...Ah!"

"I dunno for sure, but Awakener measurements are basically 'magic power = rank,' right? If someone took the Detailed Exam after using Descent Arts, their magic power'd be completely drained, so getting G-Rank... isn't that possible?"

His junior fell silent, thinking the reasoning had some merit.

Narashima continued.

"Well, of course, that's just my speculation. But Mineyama-san said to trust my gut, so I'm gonna stake this guy out for the day... plus moving around is a pain."

"...That last part is definitely the real reason."

"..."

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