ch41-ch60 · 048-ch48

Chapter 48: What Remains

It all started on that day.

At first, it was supposed to be just the two of us — me and Momose-san — starting it up.

"Picking up an old soldier like me, and for what? A guild establishment?"

"But you're the only one I can rely on, Momose-san."

"A guild, huh... I heard you never quite fit in with any guild, but... I never thought you'd reach the point of having to start your own."

"Hey! I wasn't thrown out of every guild! And I'm not a problem child either! I mean, back then, and that other time, and that time too... mumble mumble"

In the corner of our usual café, Momose-san let out a laugh.

Back then, there were only two types of guilds — government-direct and Hunter Association-direct — and from the suffocation of those constraints, movements to "create our own guild" were popping up everywhere.

I still didn't have confidence in my own abilities back then, but I was certain that with him — the man I trusted — I could create an ideal guild.

The strongest man in the Japanese Hunter world.

The First S-Rank, Momose Ichiro.

A former Self-Defense Force member, he was stationed directly beneath the site when the first World Clock appeared.

When monsters emerged, he fought with everything he had while protecting citizens, and then Awakened — his major contributions to World Clock subjugation are famous.

"Look at the government and the Association now. Under the name of efficiency, they use up young people and have their superiors skim off the credit. I can't bring myself to entrust my back to people like that."

That was a statement born from his understanding of reality better than anyone.

"I know... That's why we need a guild that doesn't belong to anyone."

I wrapped both hands around my lukewarm cup and continued.

"A place where each and every name and face can be properly valued. I want to create that kind of guild with you, Momose-san."

I leaned forward and looked him straight in the eye.

"A lone S-Rank fighting by himself can save fewer lives than one who fights back-to-back with someone he can trust. Please make me your first partner."

Momose-san's eyes widened slightly as he stared at me intently, as if searching for the resolve in my words.

Eventually, he let out a deep sigh and gave a small, resigned smile.

"Talking with you makes me feel like an incredibly stubborn old man."

"You really are stubborn, you know. But it's because you're that kind of person that I can trust you."

"Fine. If you're going that far, I'll join you. But my standards are high. Can you keep up?"

"You're on! What should we name it? 'Momose and Maeda's Strongest Guild'?"

"...Let's think of something better."

The one who quite literally "barged in" on our private meeting was her.

"Um! Excuse me! I overheard your conversation!"

A young girl who looked like a middle schooler, who'd been drinking a melon soda at the next table, stood up energetically.

That was Tsubaki-chan.

"My name is Tsubaki! I just became D-Rank, and no guild would take me... But I really, really want to become 'a Hunter who can protect a place for people to belong'!"

Momose-san furrowed his brow apologetically and said, "Our guild isn't even formed yet, and this is a job that could get you killed."

But Tsubaki-chan wouldn't back down.

"I know what it's like to be afraid without any adults to protect you. So someday, I want to create a place where people can return to safely. Your conversation really excited me. Please make me the first member of that 'place to belong'!"

Those straight, impossibly bright eyes.

In existing guilds that prioritize efficiency and rank, they'd probably sneer and send her away. But the guild we were trying to create shouldn't be that cold.

"...What do you think? I don't dislike reckless kids like this."

"If Momose-san is okay with it, I won't object..."

"Yaaay! Yes yes! I'll do it! I'll do any job, even chores!"

She thrust her right hand up cheerfully.

"Just watch! I'll get stronger with this guild, and someday I'll become a shield that supports everyone!"

With her carefree smile, we dreamed of the future. Not knowing it was the beginning of the end.

◇◆◇◆◇

The gears of fate went wrong with a request that came in from the government — "bodyguard duty for an overseas VIP."

That said, it wasn't that the VIP's life was being targeted. We were told the main content was an inspection of their facilities.

"Tsubaki-chan, don't leave my side."

"Yes!"

In an unfamiliar foreign land, in an oddly heavy atmosphere, I called out to her many times. Momose-san wasn't joining this time due to another matter.

My rank was S. The request rank for VIP protection was D, so I remember coming along more like I was accompanying Tsubaki-chan on her request.

The anomaly came suddenly.

From deep underground the VIP's facility — which was supposed to be strictly sealed — a roar that didn't seem of this world echoed.

"...What is this. That's not just an ordinary monster...!"

I realized my own voice was trembling.

What appeared was a grotesque monster that looked like shadow itself had taken physical form — not recorded in any bestiary.

"Tsubaki, run to the exit."

"Akira-san, but..."

"Just go!!"

The moment Tsubaki-chan moved, the creature moved too.

An instant later, the concrete where I'd been standing was silently gouged out like tofu.

"HAAH!!"

I dropped into a forward stance and dove into its reach.

My target was what seemed to be its torso, where the shadows converged.

Using all the springs in my body, I put my hip rotation into a right straight punch, loaded with all my magic power.

GAAAAANG!!!

A hard impact sound rang out.

It was tough — but I felt it connect.

I should have, at least.

"...No way."

I felt like, for the first time, it turned something like a "gaze" toward me as it caught my fist.

Emotionless, pure killing intent.

The next moment, my vision shook vertically.

A whip-like shadow tentacle had caught me in the abdomen. I didn't even have time to take a defensive stance.

"Gha, hh...!"

My body was sent flying like a piece of paper, slamming into the facility wall.

My spine creaked. All the air was forced from my lungs.

The creature set its sights on the prey that had been too slow to escape.

The target was Tsubaki-chan.

"Stop... please...! At least that girl...!"

My scream didn't reach.

The moment it moved its fingertip slightly, Tsubaki-chan's body was literally "pierced through."

No defense, no evasion, not even a scream allowed. In a single blow, the girl's life was taken.

The creature looked up at the ceiling as if immediately losing interest, then crouched and leaped. After a violent impact sound, shouts and screams could be heard from afar.

"Tsubaki...? No way...?"

I crawled toward her.

Tsubaki-chan's body lay there as pitifully as a broken doll.

When I held her in my arms, her body was surprisingly light, and growing cold rapidly.

"I'm sorry... Akira-san... I couldn't become... the shield to support..."

The light faded from her eyes as she tried to smile until the very end.

I barely remember what happened after that.

◇◆◇◆◇

"..."

Hearing a past beyond imagination, I could only stand there speechless.

"If we had rejected her back then. If Momose-san had been on site. If I had been stronger — there are 'if onlys,' but I still regret it. I live carrying the weight of the life I couldn't save."

That's why my sister strongly opposed it when I impulsively tried to become a Hunter.

Because she carried deep regret herself...

"I tracked down that the VIP was involved in monster experimentation and fiercely protested to the government. But what came back was a despicable threat. I still clearly remember the words they said back then."

'You want to report it? By all means, do as you please. But don't cause any trouble. If I recall correctly, your younger brother hadn't Awakened yet, had he...'

"This is why I retired as a Hunter."

My sister continued with an expression like she was chewing on a bitter bug.

"Momose-san, left behind, renamed the guild 'Remnant' and established it. He chose to walk the path of an independent guild that doesn't belong to anywhere."

I caused Momose-san so much trouble.

My sister muttered in a fading voice, then continued.

"And then, Momose-san started placing one condition on new members — 'Don't die.'"

This is the history of Tsubaki-chan and Remnant, my sister concluded with a forced smile.

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

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