Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~

Chapter 378.1: Review Board ②

Revealed at the recent “Supreme Martial Art Festival (Buteisai)”? “Heavenly Destruction, God’s Raining Flower, Spear of Lightning  (Raisou Tenmetsujin Raika)”???? What are you talking about? As for what I did at the “Supreme Martial Art Festival (Buteisai)”……………… I only remember that it was pretty tedious.

But I want to say this loud and clear.

『It seems there is some kind of misunderstanding. 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》, “Heavenly Destruction, God’s Raining Flower, Spear of Lightning  (Raisou Tenmetsujin Raika)” is not 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 trump card.』 (?)

Yeah, yeah, that’s it. That’s what I wanted to say!

Kaiser’s eyes open widely.

A voice suddenly comes out of nowhere and somehow seems familiar yet unfamiliar. The source of the voice is from one of the Symphonic Stones lined up on the round table. Kaiser turns his gaze in that direction and gives an arrogant smile.

“So you’re saying there’s an error in the information I have? At least, I’m quite confident in my information-gathering abilities, but――Please state your name.” (Kaiser)

『………… Right. 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》. My name is――Radrick. And I don’t doubt your information-gathering abilities, but this time I think my information is probably correct. After all, I witnessed the “Supreme Martial Art Festival (Buteisai)” with my own eyes.』 (Radrick)

“…………” (Kaiser)

Kaiser’s smile fades from his face and he falls silent. What on earth happened? And even after hearing his name, I can’t remember it at all. Who is Radrick? Maybe he was a guy in the audience?

『To be precise, “Heavenly Destruction, God’s Raining Flower, Spear of Lightning  (Raisou Tenmetsujin Raika)” was an original spell and trump card of his opponent, and 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 simply replicates it in an instant and then unleashed it. This is an amazing thing in itself, but…… It would be too far-fetched to call a spell that was replicated on the spot his trump card.』 (Radrick)

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!? ………… Even if you say that, I have no memory of something like that.

It is impossible for me to replicate an opponent’s technique and unleash it, and while it would be one thing if I had forgotten something I have seen or heard, there is no way I would have done something so crazy and then forgotten about it………… No, wait a minute? Is it possible that I did it unconsciously?

……………… Ah, that reminds me, the Imouto Kitsune disguised herself as me and fought for me back then.

“………… I stand corrected. Well, it is a good thing to have a strong friend. In other words, “Chairman (Gicho)”, what I am saying is that the Explorer Association should have more faith in the power of Level 8s and in the judgment that made us Level 8. Right, Saya-kun?” (Kaiser)

“I just, do what I have to do.” (Saya)

For some reason, Kaiser’s momentum has weakened since before. And before I know it, we have become friends. Well, that is fine tho’…… Saya is as cool as ever when he suddenly speaks to her. Maybe she thinks it has nothing to do with her. I completely agree with her.

Or rather, if things continue like this, I will somehow get swept away and get caught up in it. The chairman clears his throat and says.

“Don’t get me wrong, 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》. You are half right and half wrong. But the thing is――That is how serious it is. It is true that the standards for the preliminary review will be a little looser, and you are right that the content of the exam will be different, but it is normal for the standards and the exam content to be influenced by the times. We have no intention, of passing everyone unconditionally. There are also people who are suited to being Treasure Hunters and those who aren’t. Besides――There is a limit to the number of people who can take on the request that is the subject of this exam.” (Chairman)

A request with a limited number of people. It is an unusual request. Generally, there is an appropriate number of people for things like Treasure Shrine exploration, but that is just an appropriate number, not a limit.

The only possibility would be if the other party specified the number of people when requesting an escort request.

I immediately defend myself.

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“But, I mean, aren’t there other people who would be more suitable for an exam like this besides us? I don’t mean to brag, but my fighting ability is nothing special. That lightning spear thing Kaiser mentioned earlier is just an accident, and I don’t want to die yet.” (Cry)

Please spare me. I was only able to reach Level 8 because of Gark’s consideration and the tireless efforts of my comrades. I may be incompetent, but I would at least refuse if my life is in danger. Kaiser frowns and looks down at me. His eyes fixed on me.

“………… 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, I didn’t expect you to be so weak. Or are you dissatisfied with this 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》 and 《Little Witch (Yaen Saiden)》?” (Kaiser)

That is not what I mean. Saya, you too, don’t look at me. I didn’t say that! At the moment I open my mouth to appease them, the chairman’s expression blatantly distorts and says.

“No, that shouldn’t be the case. I really don’t know where that information leaked, but――This is troubling. Certainly, this time we have――A backup team prepared. It is not a method we particularly want to use, but it is a backup team in case no suitable Hunters show up――” (Chairman)

“”Chairman (Gicho)”, about that…… Wouldn’t it be better to discuss that after we get the results of the review?” (Staff Member)

A staff member sitting next to the chairman raises his voice, but the chairman shakes his head and says.

“No, if they already know, then there is no problem with talking about it now. What we have prepared are――Red Hunters, people who excel only in combat ability.” (Chairman)

“Red Hunters…………?” (Cry)

It is an incredibly absurd statement, hard to believe it is coming from an executive member of the Explorer Association.

Red Hunters is a general term for former Hunters who are expelled from the Explorer Association after committing criminal acts as Hunters. Most of them have bad personalities, and in most cases, they are bodyguards for criminal organizations, or ransacked territories as a member of a bandit group, or just good-for-nothing people, and as far as I am concerned, they have caused me a lot of trouble up until now.

Certainly, there are some skilled Hunters among them who are not inferior to High-level Hunters, but it is insane to try to use them.

“I understand what you want to say. However, this request is that important. With the cooperation of various countries, we have taken extralegal measures. From among the Red Hunters incarcerated in prisons, we will select those who have a high combat ability and are likely to follow our instructions, and assign them to the mission.” (Chairman)

No matter what excuses they make, the more I hear it, the more outrageous it sounds. If they let Red Hunters go free even temporarily, the victims and those who captured them would not stay silent. Well, of course, I guess it also depends on the crime they committed――.

Kaiser puts his hand to his chin, frowns, and looks at the chairman.

“………… Fumu. It’s an interesting idea. If you can ignore the fact that it’s ridiculous, that is. But let’s not pursue this any further for now. It would just be a waste of time.” (Kaiser)

I look around at the people around the round table. Upon closer inspection, I notice that everyone has grim expressions on their faces. They don’t seem to be convinced by the plan the chairman has proposed. Gark-san, for example, looks obviously unhappy.

In the first place, considering the number of Hunters belonging to the Explorer Association, it doesn’t seem like there is any point in taking such risky moves. Even if the three of us aren’t suitable for this request, there are many powerful Hunters in the Explorer Association. Use Ark, go with Ark.

“What I’m curious about is――The true nature of the Level 9 Certification Exam request which forces the Explorer Association to gather multiple Level 8s and come up with such a strange tactic. Nothing will start until you tell us that.” (Kaiser)

Kaiser says what I think. His expression is completely serious.

For a Hunter, being able to assess requests is an essential skill for survival. Unlike me, he intends to accept the request, so it is only natural he wants to know.

In response to that question, the chairman turns his gaze towards me, and for some reason, he asks me a question instead of 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》 with whom he is talking.

“《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, I would like to ask you, who claims to be a Relic Collector――Do you know anything about Advanced Physical Civilization?” (Chairman)

“…………!!” (Kaiser)

Kaiser opens his eyes. Saya blinks her eyes. I sigh involuntarily.

What is he saying?

It is a category of civilizations reproduced by a Treasure Shrine. It is basic knowledge for Hunters. Regardless of whether they know the details about it or not, there is surely no Hunter who has not heard of Advanced Physical Civilizations. And since the categories of Relics correspond to the categories of Treasure Shrines, I naturally understand it to some extent too.

“Yeah, well, I am a Hunter after all. Of all the civilizations recreated by a Treasure Shrine, this is probably the one I am most interested in.” (Cry)

After all, it was a civilization in which smartphones were apparently widely spread.

The most notable thing about this civilization is its convenience. Compared to items manifested by other civilizations, items manifested by Advanced Physical Civilization are said to be highly versatile and easy to use.

What’s more, when that civilization existed on this planet in the past, no Magic was needed to manipulate these items. It seems that the energy that was used instead was the power of lightning, and as a result, the Relics created in Advanced Physical Civilizations basically have the flaw of being weak against lightning as a characteristic. It is a bit strange.

“Then, you know of cities that have developed thanks to these Advanced Physical Civilizations, don’t you?” (Chairman)

“I know, but I have never been there. I would like to go if I get the chance tho’.” (Cry)

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Cities and countries that enjoy the benefits of Advanced Physical Civilizations often place strict restrictions on entry and exit and access to their Treasure Shrines. The reason for that is because the revenue generated from the Treasure Shrines is large, and it would be more profitable for the country to conquer it under their leadership rather than opening it up to the Hunters. Apparently, although the Phantoms that appear there are weak, the Relics that are created there are highly valuable.

In a manner of speaking, there is an Explorer Association in such countries, but only Hunters from their country can register, so it has a semi-monopoly. Those countries generally seem to place strict restrictions on the entry and exit of High-level Hunters and Hunter Party, so a Level 8 like me would likely not be allowed to enter those countries.

The chairman frowns at what I said and speaks in a low voice.

“That’s…… Who knows whether that is good luck or bad luck. But the next stage for the Level 9 exam will be set――In a city developed thanks to an Advanced Physical Civilization.” (Chairman)

“Eh………… I wanna go there……” (Cry)

I want to go buy a smartphone. If possible, I would like to buy other Relics as well. I don’t know if they will sell them to me tho’…… But it is an exam after all…… I won’t be able to get away with saying I am going to buy a smartphone but I am not going to work (Obviously).

Then Kaiser frowns and says.

“Advanced Physical Civilization city. Level 9 exam. “Chairman (Gicho)”, don’t tell me――It is related to that Code, can it?” (Kaiser)

“Hh!?” (Chairman)

The chairman’s face changes color when he says this and Gark’s eyes widen.

Code……? Another name I have never heard before. Level 8s sure have an incredible amount of knowledge.

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I look at Kaiser with admiration. Kaiser’s brows deeply frown.

“Code, the highly mobile fortress city………… Even I don’t know much about it, but――Have you ever heard of it, Saya-kun?” (Kaiser)

“………… Just a little. It has some pretty advanced weaponry even for an Advanced Physical Civilization…… And it is apparently an impregnable floating city or something like that” (Saya)

Impregnable, huh………… Niiice.

Even though they are all called Relics from an Advanced Physical Civilization, there are considerable differences in performance between early and later ones. However, the fact that it is impregnable means that the city is likely being armed with late-stage Relics.

I don’t know what kind of request was brought to the Explorer Association, but if that city is the client, then we can expect a nice reward. Maybe they will give you Relics and if you can make a good impression, they might even allow you to enter the country in the future. If that were to happen, Luke and the others would surely be overjoyed.

“I see, I see………… That’s feasible.” (Cry)

The problem is that the quest I have to do is a Level 9 Certification Exam. I definitely can’t clear it on my own, unless I have Ark or a Hunter of comparable caliber…… To begin with, I am a *damedame* no good person that can’t even properly stroll outside without an escort when I go out normally.

The chairman glares sharply at Kaiser and says.

“《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》 ………… It seems you are even more knowledgeable than what I have heard. To think that you could narrow it down so much from just one piece of information…… Indeed, this request is Code-related. The details are top secret and can only be shared with those taking the exam, but I will say this much. This is a feat worthy of a Level 9 Hunter, for sure.” (Chairman)

The contents are top secret, huh. This is………… All up to Kaiser and Saya, huh.

I am intrigued by the idea of an Advanced Physical Civilization city, but staying alive is more important.

Level 8 Hunters should have excellent judgment abilities. If the two of them judged that they could pass this exam, they would definitely be able to pass it. And I bet there would be no problem if I followed along and *furafura* wandered around by myself. Maybe.

On the other hand, if they decide they can’t do it, then it is definitely impossible. *Yoshi* Alright, let’s go with that.

While I am *un, un* nodding along, thinking about such a pathetic thing, Kaiser thinks for a moment, then turns his attention to Saya next to him and says.

“………… I’m sorry, but given the circumstances, I can’t give you an immediate answer. I’ll have to discuss it with Saya-kun first.” (Kaiser)

…………………… What about me?

§ § §

Thanks for reading! From what Cry is saying, it looks like he is so excited to go to Code But what will be Kaiser and Saya reaction to this request!?