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

Chapter 383.2: Infiltration

“I am really not that big of a deal after all…… It is only thanks to my companions that my Level has risen this much. No, really. So, as I have said before, this time I want you to basically act on your own judgment. If you are Level 8, that is probably the best.” (Cry)

There is no hint of humility in his words. However, that can’t be true. Level 8 is not a level that can be reached with the help of companions. Rather, it is a level where companions become a hindrance.

In order to reach Level 8 with a Party, you need to have the ability to lead and command your Party Members to perform beyond their capabilities. Even more, leading a group of free-spirited Hunters is different from leading regular soldiers.

Act on your own judgment. If you want to be of use, show me what you are capable of. Saya and I have not yet demonstrated our abilities to the point where we are worthy of being commanded by 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.

That should be the implied intention behind his words.

“…… Okay, Leader. If that’s the case, I’ll do as I like. Let me know if you need anything.” (Kaiser)

“……………… I will leave the backup to you.” (Saya)

“How reliable.” (Cry)

《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 shows a somewhat fearless smile on his face. Looking at his expression, I feel like I have to show him 《Celestial Dancer’s (Hagun Tenbu)》 power and make him lose that relaxed expression of his even just a little.

It seems Saya is also full of motivation. Moreover, I won’t just be showing off my skills only to 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 either. It might be fun to compete to see who can play a more active role, huh.

The first problem is whether or not we can safely enter Code. The fact that a lot of people are getting inside means that the other party is probably on guard against invaders. Although all you need to enter is a card, there must be some sort of screening process. If they discover that we are Level 8 Hunters, we won’t go unpunished.

The one most likely to have his true identity revealed is 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. His name recognition should be far greater than Saya’s and mine, as he has built up a track record in major countries, and proof is, last night, someone has already discovered his true identity.

What we must avoid is having everyone captured at the same time. Especially this time, due to the nature of the mission, it is unlikely that help will arrive if we fail.

I look up and make a suggestion to 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.

“It’s too risky for everyone to go in Code together. I’m thinking that we should go in separately and meet up later――What do you think?” (Kaiser)

“I have no objection. We need to reduce the possibility of being rounded up together as much as possible.” (Saya)

“………… Right. If Kaiser and Saya say so, then let’s do that.” (Cry)

Says 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 leisurely. His expression doesn’t show any trace of tension. He seems confident that he can successfully slip inside Code.

Even I am not that confident. Even if I am――I should prepare for the worst. We have some fake ID ready, but I would like to reduce the chance that the card they send us is a trap. So I can just swap it with someone else’s card while I am traveling. It might cause an uproar if they lose a card, but it is easy enough to swap cards without getting caught.

Once I safely get inside Code, the first thing I need to do is to understand the current situation. I am also curious to see how accurate the 『Dream』 that 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 talked about yesterday is.

In that situation, it is hard to believe that this dream of his has any meaning. But among some prophets, there are some who receive divine revelations in dreams. It is entirely plausible that the reason he is able to achieve those Divine Strategies that have allowed him to reach Level 8 is because he is able to see into the future through his dreams.

Side with the nobles, huh…… This is going to be a long ride.

I mutter this in my mind and then smile with renewed enthusiasm.

This adventure will probably be the most tumultuous in my life as a Hunter. However, it is only by overcoming this that the glory of Level 9 can be attained.

§ § §

Code, the highly mobile fortress city. It is possibly one of the most powerful cities in the world. Floating nearly 100 meters above the ground and armed with the weaponry of an Advanced Physical Civilization, the fortress city leaves no gaps in either offense or defense and has never been defeated since its activation.

There is an ultra-long-range cannon that aims and fires almost automatically, and an unidentified barrier that surrounds the entire city to ward off any attack. Although the mechanized soldiers produced by the city are not numerous, they are worth a thousand men, and each one is said to have the same abilities as a first-class Hunter.

The city system of the Advanced Physical Civilization that controls the city is still not fully understood, even though more than 200 years have passed since its launch, but it is still more advanced and different compared to modern civilization.

When it comes to the city functionality, Code is unmatched. The fact that they have a small population, no trade with other countries, and still have existed comfortably in the sky for over 200 years shows just how powerful they are.

There is virtually no one who can be called an enemy of Code. The last time a large-scale battle occurred was a 100 years ago when the Explorer Association invaded, and now not even beasts enter within range of their attacks.

So when the department that controlled every entry and exit into the city――The Immigration Bureau received news of a 『Possibility of a Hunter infiltrating』, it spread to everyone in the department within less than a day.

Working at the Immigration Bureau is an easy job.

It is not the humans who control the entry and the exist within Code, but the city systems of an Advanced Physical Civilization. In Code, every job has been replaced by the city system, and it is basically been designed to keep running without people having to do anything.

In the first place, until now, very few people have been going in or out of the city. The higher-ups in Code are finally able to recruit immigrants from outside and finally manage to get a little work to the department, but it only amounts to explaining things about the city, which the system cannot do for them, so it isn’t much work.

At the only gate to enter Code. In a room in a building nearby, the staff members are talking in boredom. The employees are dressed in uniforms required by the city regulations and have cards with stars on them, but in contrast to their appearance, they have bored expressions on their faces and look very sloppy.

“Hunters huuuh………… Are they really coming?” (Staff Member 1)

“Who knows. I don’t even know where they got that information from in the first place.” (Staff Member 2)

The male employee――A Class 4 citizen in the hierarchy of Code’s city system, answers to his colleague as he lets out a yawn. 

“If only they could cause a bit of trouble like those people who attacked us from outside the other day, it would help ease the boredom a little bit……” (Staff Member 1)

“That was incredible…… It seems like it has been 200 years since someone managed to break through the barrier and damage the outer wall. Well, they were no match for our soldiers though……” (Staff Member 2)

Along the wall, there is a row of ominous-looking dolls made from an unknown metal.

The mechanized soldiers are said to have supported the Advanced Physical Civilization in every way. They stand erect and do not move, but when someone breaks the city’s rules, they become unrivaled soldiers who will subdue the target even at the risk of destroying themselves. In fact, the attacker that had appeared the other day was a formidable foe who would have undoubtedly defeated the men but had been captured alive by the army of mechanized soldiers.

“But even if we’re told to capture the Hunters that are coming………… How can we even tell if they’re Hunters or not?” (Staff Member 1)

The entry and exit in Code is managed by cards issued by the city system. The cards apparently have various functions, but at present, they have no further significance than as an entrance ticket. Until now, access to Code has been kept to a minimum, so little is known about what it is used for in the original system.

Currently, the only thing the city system can do is to determine the authenticity of the cards, invite those with genuine cards into the city, and repel and capture anyone else. In addition, the decision as to who is given the cards is made by Code’s higher-ups, and employees have no particular involvement.

The only direct action the staff members take is to interview those who bring in the cards and register them as citizens in the system. Now that the number of people entering Code is increasing, it will be difficult to distinguish the Hunters who are trying to infiltrate by blending in.

In the first place, the current staff working at the Immigration Bureau have never left the city since they were born, and while they have only heard stories about Hunters, the recent attack was the first time they have actually seen one.

The city system does not have any functionality to identify Hunters. In response to his colleague’s question, the male staff member sighs and says.

“Well, of course………… That’s done by judging their ability. The Hunters being sent to this city should be top-notch, right? They should be on a different level to the recent influx of people who have been recruited in large numbers. The system can’t tell the difference between Hunters, but it can quantify their strength. Once you have narrowed down your targets, just guide them there appropriately and let the city system take care of their capture. It seems there’s a maximum of three people――The nobles are looking for people with high combat ability. It won’t matter if they capture the wrong person.” (Staff Member 2)

Thanks for reading! Whaaat Cry is going without any escort!? What is he planning!? As we all know Cry’s power is unmeasurable, so how is he gonna get inside Code with this Dragon Ball scouter that Code have?

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