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

Chapter 380.1: Level 9 Exam ②

I get ready to take the Level 9 exam. Since this is a mission that puts the Explorer Association’s reputation on the line, they provide as much backup as they can.

I was given the option to return to the Imperial Capital of Zebrudia, for the time being, but there is nothing I can do even if I go back. It is not like I can take Ark with me nor can I choose the Relics I want since all my Relics are inside Mimic-kun. It will be enough if I just recharge the Relics I always carry around.

I don’t think I would need a weapon, but I asked them to give me a light dagger and hung it around my waist. Carrying a dagger won’t make my fighting power go up and I have no intention of drawing it, but it does look cool.

After completing all the preparations, I regrouped with Kaiser and Saya.

Neither Kaiser nor Saya are armed. They are both carrying nothing more than a bag and neither of them has a sword or a staff. Neither of them would look like Hunters if you just look at them. Kaiser’s outfit is flashy and a little unusual, with metal strings and decorations here and there, but Saya’s outfit…… Is it a uniform or something? She doesn’t look like a Magi either. She looks just like a normal girl that would not be strange to see if she was walking around town.

Kaiser says after *jirojiro* staring at me.

“《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, you don’t carry a weapon?” (Kaiser)

“That’s my line.” (Cry)

Even though I intend to leave the fighting to those two…… No, in fact, I will leave everything else to them too.

“The weapon of this 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》 is the dance itself.” (Kaiser)

“I don’t need a weapon to activate my abilities either.” (Saya)

Hunters are supposed to have more powerful equipment in proportion to their Level――But maybe this is not the case at Level 8, or maybe 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》 and 《Little Witch (Yaen Saiden)》 are special.

However, thinking about it rationally, Code has already fought the Explorer Association twice, so they would be wary of Hunters’ attack. Oddly enough, our style might be perfect for an infiltration mission. Even Code will not expect the Hunters to come at them while looking so defenseless.

Behind Kaiser, the Branch Manager of Kaiser’s home base and the Branch Manager of Saya’s home base are having a serious discussion with difficult expressions on their faces.

Then, Kaiser’s Branch Manager looks up and beckons me over.

Do they need something?

Since it seems impossible to ignore him, I reluctantly approach, and Kaiser’s somewhat timid-looking Branch Manager begins speaking to me fearfully.

“Nice to meet you, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. I am Warren Cole, head of the Galista branch of the Explorer Association. I am sorry for the trouble our Kaiser caused you……” (Warren)

“My, my, my…… How polite of you.” (Cry)

What a very humble Branch Manager. Seeing my surprise, Warren-san *pekopeko* bows deeply and says.

“Kaiser is, a real troublemaker, even in Galista…… He is a free-spirited Hunter………… But, there is no doubt, that 《Celestial Dancer (Hagun Tenbu)》 is the strongest in Galista. This exam is, a very nasty trap, but…… Kaiser’s abilities should be comparable to other Level 8s. He will probably be useful in conquering Code. He is not just a fool. His fighting style is a bit too conspicuous――But if he starts causing trouble, I don’t mind you punching him to stop him, so, um, please, I would appreciate you helping him.” (Warren)

“O-Okay.” (Cry)

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I wonder what he thinks I am…… There is no way I can stop him by hitting him. Next, Saya’s Branch Manager comes forward. Unlike Warren-san, she looks strong-willed. Her stern face makes me want to get on my knees and do a dogeza.

“My name is Coralie Kuromizu, Branch Manager of the Explorer Association branch in Terrace, desu. 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.” (Coralie)

The look in her eyes, the glint in her eye, is anything but friendly. The complete opposite of Warren-san. Coralie-san *jirojiro* stares at me, checking me out from head to toe, then says quickly.

“Saya, my daughter, is an indispensable Hunter to Terrace, desu. I regret having pushed her to take this Level 9 Certification Exam, desuno. However, it is too late to stop her now. She is willing to do it, so――So I have a favor to ask you, desuno. I don’t care if the request fails, just please bring Saya back alive. Is that clear?” (Coralie)

“Ah………… Yes…” (Cry)

Who would have thought that a Branch Manager would say something like it is okay if the request fails――Warren-san, who is next to her, also has his eyes wide open.

Maybe Saya isn’t that strong after all?

As if reading my thoughts, Coralie-san continues with emotion.

“That girl is a pitiful child, desuno. She is hated by everyone because of the strength of her supernatural powers――I gave her that Alias and named her ability, with the hope that, fewer people will fear her, even if just a little. Do not get me wrong, that girl’s 『Smooth Smooth (Sarasara)』 is an extremely powerful ability, desu, the most powerful of any Hunter I have ever met, desuwa. However, deep down――She is just a girl, which is why I am asking the famous 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 to help me, desuno. I have looked into your background so far. It is fortunate that you are participating 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, not only you are not an unknown Level 8, you are someone with a track record that could reach Level 9 even in a regular examination, desuwa.” (Coralie)

“Calling someone unknown is a harsh thing to say. But it is true. Famous people have their own reason for being unknown.” (Warren)

Warren-san and Coralie-san exchange fierce looks.

*Yarayare* Good grief, I am so highly rated. I wish people would just look at me more closely rather than at my reputation.

Just as I am sighing, Gark-san and Serene arrive. As soon as she runs towards me, Serene says excitedly.

“Human! I want to go to Code too. Is there any way you can help me? I am interested in this Advanced Physical Civilization which is the polar opposite of Yggdra, which was created with the help of Spirits.” (Serene)

“Aaaah………… Wanna go instead of me?” (Cry)

“Hey, Cry! Stop with those stupid jokes, “Princess Serene (Serene-kojo)” might take you seriously! What would you do if she got injured by Code?” (Gark)

Yells Gark-san as if to overlap what I am saying. No, maybe Serene might have a higher chance of success than me if she goes there…… After all, Serene can even use Teleportation Magic on her own, so she is a much better candidate than me.

And by the way, Gark-san is also partly to blame for me having to go to such a dangerous place like Code――.

For some reason, Serene says confidently in response to what Gark-san said.

“There is no need to worry about that, Gark. This human’s plan is perfect if you don’t take into account the amount of damage it would cause to the surrounding area. In fact, even though Yggdra was half-destroyed thanks to this human’s plan, no one was killed.” (Serene)

“…………” (Gark)

Gark-san glares at me with an expression that seems to say “Cry, you bastard, what the hell have you done?”.

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It seems the hush order I gave Serene is still working. I am a bit worried about how my plan somehow ended up destroying half of Yggdra, but I won’t go into the details now. It is all Keller’s fault. Also, this might be the first time I have seen someone calling Gark-san by his first name. Did he get an upgrade from being my left-hand man?

Anyway, I say with a badass smile before Gark-san can scold me.

“The three of us will do our best, so you just wait, Serene. We will probably have another chance to go to Code someday.” (Cry)

“………… Alright. It cannot be helped. It is not like I can get in 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 way……” (Serene)

No, it is not that I am saying you will get in my way or anything, you know…… However, even though I am sure she heard about the dangers of this request back then, she still wants to go. The Princess of Yggdra is pretty aggressive.

Thanks for reading!  Indeed Serene, Cry’s plans are always perfect! What happened in the surrounding area is just minimal collateral damage!