ch21-ch40 · 034-ch34

Chapter 34: Arrival

The space inside the Clock was dim like a cave, and felt oddly cold.

Kunimori-kun and I landed on the ground.

The surroundings looked exactly the same as the space described in the reports — I could even see what looked like a deserted town.

"I don't see the survey team..."

The report had mentioned plans to set up a base and proceed with the investigation, as well as swiftly rescuing the media crew. But here at the entrance, there were no facilities or people to be seen.

Did they move further in?

"Hagane-san, you don't feel anything?"

"Huh, what?"

His sudden question caught me off guard.

"This cloying, unpleasant presence."

"Now that you mention it... maybe? Or maybe not..."

"Ah, I see..."

Kunimori-kun seemed at a loss for words at my response.

Honestly, I didn't feel anything at all. I can sense magic power now, so why?

"They're here. Underground."

Lumiel said shortly.

Kunimori-kun seemed to sense something too.

Underground — that must mean they went down into that giant pit from the reports.

Kunimori-kun climbed back onto the Black Knight's arm.

"Well then, let's head underground quick."

"Wait. Is there something over there?"

Just as I was about to take Lumiel's hand, something caught the corner of my vision.

On the opposite side of the pit — is someone lying there?

A red-haired man?

"Hey, that's Kido."

Kunimori-kun muttered.

"You know him?"

"We've had mock battles for weapons a few times. He's the master of Cross Guild, an S-Rank Hunter."

Oh man, if an S-Rank Hunter is collapsed on the ground, things are really bad, aren't they?

When we rushed over, there was a rockabilly-looking guy with a red pompadour lying there. He was still breathing, and as we approached, he opened his eyes slightly.

"You guys are...?"

"Hunters from Remnant Guild. What happened?"

Kunimori-kun knelt down and asked.

The Kido Hunter pressed his side and slowly sat up.

"We were attacked by enemies. I managed to escape, but Narashima and the others are still fighting. Tch... my injuries are too bad, I can't move... sorry, but can you take me to a hospital?"

Kido-san pleaded, covered in oily sweat.

If his injuries were bad enough to keep an S-Rank from moving, it'd be better to use a restorative potion for first aid rather than going to a hospital.

"I don't know if it'll fully heal, but I have a restorative potion—"

As I pulled out my Magic Bag, Kunimori-kun stopped me with his hand. He was looking down at the Kido Hunter with cold eyes.

"Hey, you. Did you just say 'Narashima'?"

Kunimori-kun stood up abruptly.

The Kido Hunter looked up at him with a puzzled expression.

"I've fought alongside him a few times, so I know a bit about that guy. Kido doesn't drop family names."

He pulled a short sword from the Black Knight and pointed it at the Kido Hunter, adding:

"—Who are you?"

I saw the Kido Hunter's face twist.

His body stretched out long and thin, his features shifting to something dog-like. His skin was reddish-black, and there was a sulfur-like smell.

"I see. The memories weren't perfect, were they."

The Kido Hunter muttered with an eerie laugh.

No — that was clearly not a human voice.

Flames sparked in both of the Kido Hunter's hands — at that moment, magic power burst from Lumiel's palm.

Along with a sizzling sound like something melting, a large hole opened in the Kido Hunter's body. Spraying green blood, he pitched forward and collapsed.

The smell of something acrid and the silence enveloped us.

"It's learning the abilities of those it defeats."

Lumiel lowered her hand and muttered.

"...I see."

Kunimori-kun's voice was tinged with sadness.

Learning the abilities of those it defeats.

Which meant that the Kido Hunter was...

"Let's hurry."

Monsters strong enough to take down an S-Rank Hunter existed here — I pressed my hands together for Kido, then turned my gaze toward the underground pit.

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The survey team, rescue team, and B-Rank and below Hunters were desperately enduring, trying to avoid stray attacks.

Even B-Rank Hunters, who should have been on the stronger side, could do nothing here but protect their own lives. Several of them had already lost consciousness from hypothermia, but restorative potions were barely keeping them alive.

Everyone was watching one person's battle.

Their voices trembling, praying desperately.

"Akisame Hunter..."

"Please, win...!"

All eyes were on Akisame, the S-Rank Hunter.

What Akisame was fighting was a giant that had suddenly fallen from above.

Clearly a different species from the Arakimu tribe in the horizontal shafts.

Its steel-colored body easily exceeded three meters, with notably developed muscles. It had a creepy appearance, like a round rock with only a large mouth at its center.

Countless fangs were visible inside its mouth, constantly dripping saliva.

"『Great Ice Mass.』"

A gigantic ice mass large enough to block the hole came crashing down, crushing the Arakimu tribe in the horizontal shafts as it fell. When the giant punched it, the ice mass sizzled and melted away instantly.

Akisame clicked his tongue quietly.

"My attacks aren't getting through..."

In contrast to the emaciated dog-like appearance of the Arakimu tribe, the giant had developed muscles. Just from its appearance, it felt closer to an Ogre.

And on top of that, its steel body, reminiscent of Oba Hunter, was impervious to magic — Akisame couldn't land a decisive blow.

There was another fatal reason he was struggling—

"And... why is it suddenly using 'fire'!?"

Meanwhile, the Arakimu tribe in the horizontal shafts relentlessly kept attacking the non-combatants.

What was strange was that the Arakimu, who had been using so-called "non-attribute" magic until now, had suddenly started using fire magic.

Fire was the worst matchup against ice.

If they'd been using it from the start, everyone would have been annihilated long ago.

"(They were just playing with us... I'm sorry, everyone...)"

His magic power was also nearing its limit.

The giant's fist came rushing in—

"Ah!"

Someone shouted, pointing at the sky.

Akisame reflexively looked in that direction.

A black mass was falling at great speed.

As it got closer, its shape changed — it took the form of a knight and swung its fist down at the giant.

CRASH! — along with a tremendous impact, the giant's body lurched. The Black Knight landed and drove another punch in, sending the giant flying toward the wall.

Following the delayed THUD of a second landing, the Hunters stood up and cheered.

"It's Kunimori Ren Hunter!!"

"Reinforcements are here!"

The Hunters erupted.

Kunimori stared at the now-still giant, a question mark floating over his head.

"Huh? Is this another different type?"

"K-Kunimori Hunter!?"

Akisame shouted, visibly shaken.

"Uh, who are you again? Sorry, move out of the way."

"Ah..."

Kunimori looked away from Akisame and toward the Hunters huddled in the back.

"『Karakuri Divine Armament.』"

The Black Knight's body creaked open, and he pulled out a golden shield-like item.

When Kunimori threw it, the shield spun rapidly and stopped perfectly in front of the Hunters, forming a pale green barrier-like field.

It effortlessly deflected the Arakimu tribe's magic too.

"You can't break that unless you're S-Rank level."

Kunimori said that and pulled a sword from the armament next. A jet-black greatsword wreathed in a red aura.

The Arakimu tribe above shifted their aim to Kunimori and began firing magic all at once.

"Watch out!"

Akisame's shout was drowned out by the angel's attack.

Flapping her wings, Lumiel slowly descended into the center of the pit.

As she rustled her wings, silver feathers danced through the air.

The feathers shot in all directions, piercing the Arakimu tribe — they vanished without a trace before they could even scream.

"Those are the Langoth tribe. An Ogre variant — they have strength but no brains. But the fact that they're living together like this means something's going on."

Lumiel spoke in a crisp, clear voice.

The Hunters — feeling the relief of having been saved and overwhelmed by her divine radiance — had tears in their eyes.

"Is that the Hero of Aoba Town!?"

"Why is she here... no, she came for us!"

"That many monsters in a single blow..."

With the Hunters' murmuring at their backs, Hagane and Lumiel landed. Akisame asked hesitantly.

"Who are you...?"

"Maeda Hagane and Lumiel of the Remnant Guild. We judged the situation to be dangerous and came to assist."

"You're...!"

At Hagane's words, Akisame looked down with a complicated expression.

Kunimori called out.

"I'll handle this guy for now. If I get too far, the shield will disappear. When I'm done, I'll join you."

"Then we'll head deeper."

At Hagane's cue, Lumiel disappeared into the depths — and then the revived Langoth tribe let out a tremendous roar. The Hunters shouted "Ah!" again, pointing at the sky.

"Oh man, for real."

"There are still this many..."

Five Langoth tribe members descended.

Akisame's face twisted in despair, knowing their strength — but Kunimori looked almost excited as he readied his weapon.

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