ch41-ch60 · 043-ch43

Chapter 43: Patrol Mission

"Are you okay? Hagane-san?"

"Yeah, uh... barely..."

Shiki-kun looked at me with concern, my body completely wrecked.

Holding Lumiel's hand, we were making our way toward the Aoba Town Guild Association while patrolling the city.

"This is your first patrol, right, Hagane-san?"

"Yeah, well, I'm unlicensed. Apparently I can't operate alone."

"Ah."

Shiki-kun awkwardly swallowed his words and cleared his throat.

"Well, since I'm with you this time, there's no problem."

"Sorry... once I get my license, I'll do my best on my own too."

"I'm sure you'll earn it smartly, Hagane-san."

Ahh, Shiki-kun is so dazzling I can't look directly at him. You always spoil me like this.

Crossing through the city's bustle, we kept our eyes peeled for suspicious individuals and trouble while moving forward.

"Patrols are normally the jurisdiction of the Hunting Dogs and the police, but do you understand what it means when the town goes out of its way to pay us and request our services?"

"Hmm... PR for the Hunter profession?"

"That's part of it, but the fact that they're requesting us at a time when trust in the government and Hunter Association is shaken — following the Hunter ranking corruption exposed by Minister Yanamoto's resignation — it means our strength and transparency are being recognized by society!"

Shiki-kun said, his breath hot with passion.

One of his good qualities is how much he prioritizes the guild's reputation over individual recognition. He's got a strong love for his comrades.

"(It's true — with Shiki-kun wandering around, the average criminal wouldn't even think of getting involved.)"

The very presence of someone with unstoppable power walking through the town acts as a deterrent to potential criminals and rogue Awakeners. Making people think that if they cause trouble in this town, an S-Rank will show up — that might be the most efficient way to maintain peace.

"Lord Shikiiii!" "It's really him!!" "I watch the morning news!"

Shiki-kun handled the cheers with his usual refreshing demeanor.

Hey hey, you might not realize it, but the guy standing next to you is the Hero of Aoba Town, y'know. Please keep that in mind.

"It's Lady Lumiel!!" "How divine..." "Hail the Hero of Aoba Town!" "Your rescue operation inside the Clock was magnificent!"

Now the cheers were flying at Lumiel. She looked thoroughly pleased with herself.

Something's wrong — is the world invisible to me?

"I'm here too, y'know..."

"Hm? Hagane-san, what's wrong?"

"Nah, I was just thinking I need to try harder..."

First, I'll get my license. We'll talk after that. Yeah.

Shiki-kun, maybe trying to be considerate, changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, Hagane-san, do you know about 'strays'?"

"Strays? Like lost animals?"

"That's right. They were especially common in the early days after the World Clocks first appeared — monsters that remained in this world even after a Clock closed."

In simple terms — the Hunters' "leftovers."

I recall they were especially common among flying-type monsters.

"During patrols, we have to stay alert for strays too. Though, only a few cases of strays have been reported in the past, and they're perfectly contained now."

"Huh."

"Because of the stray incidents, we Hunters are said to need high 'detection ability.' Patrols are extremely valuable as training grounds to develop that ability—"

As I nodded along, Shiki-kun's hand brushed past my cheek — and a short scream of "GYA!" rang out in the distance.

"Huh?"

I turned to look — and there stood the frozen statue of a man made of ice.

Beside me, silver-haired Shiki-kun let out a puff of white breath and lowered the two fingers he'd extended.

"Pulling a pickpocket's trick in front of us — are you mocking Remnant Guild?"

His voice was low and threatening.

A moment of silence — then applause erupted from the crowd.

Looking a little embarrassed, Shiki-kun smoothly handed the perpetrator over to the police who rushed over.

This is what a top-class Hunter looks like... so amazing...

"...For a criminal to show up on Hagane-san's first patrol... that's not smart..."

Shiki-kun muttered resentfully under his breath.

I hadn't noticed anything at all, and I was standing right next to him.

This is the gap between Shiki-kun's detection ability and mine.

"Shiki-kun, teach me. Is the only way to improve detection ability to just keep doing patrols?"

The words slipped out before I realized it.

It's not just combat ability.

I'm lacking in everything, aren't I?

At my words, Shiki-kun hesitated.

"...Well, you have Lumiel-san for detection, don't you? After all, she's the hero who closed the Aoba Town World Clock without a single stray."

"That's right. You can leave everything to me."

It's true — I have Lumiel as a reliable partner. But I asked myself — is that okay? Staying like this?

Hmph... Of course it's not!

I want to become a proper Hunter, dammit!

"Can someone who can't even do a proper patrol call themselves a Hunter!? No! If I can't notice the voices of people in trouble somewhere in this town—"

"I hate to interrupt, but..."

Cutting me off, Shiki-kun continued with a look of resignation.

"Detection uses magic power. To put it in sensory terms... it's like filling the entire town with water, and suspicious movements come to you as ripples on the surface."

I understood why Shiki-kun had hesitated.

I don't have magic power. That means I can't do the magic detection that other Hunters use.

"Sorry," Shiki-kun muttered apologetically, and I told him there was absolutely no problem.

"If there's something about me that's different from everyone else, I'll just compensate for it elsewhere."

I don't care if people call it bravado. I'll try whatever I can do first. That's the most important thing I've felt and cherished since deciding to become a Hunter.

"Koh, you're fired up."

"You bet. Every day is discovery and growth."

"..."

Lumiel seemed in good spirits too.

And so, while patrolling, we finally arrived at our destination — the Aoba Town Hunter Association.

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Volume 1 is out today, thanks to all of you! Thank you so much.

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