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

Chapter267，Part1: 1 - Prediction

Chapter 267 Prediction

Part 1

Tino, who rushed over after hearing what happened, gasped at the horrific scene.

“Oh my god……” (Tino)

The lounge of 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)》, which had been the dream of the Hunters in the Imperial Capital, was in a terrible state.

The large windows were shattered, and the chairs and tables that had been neatly arranged were in pieces. The floor, which had always been shiny and polished, had cracks, holes, and dark marks everywhere.

Since this was the state after some cleanup, it is clear that the attack that took place during the middle of the day was an extremely brutal one that did not take into consideration any damage to the surrounding area.

In the lounge, Hunters and staff were cleaning up the debris. It will take a while to restore the lounge back to its original state.

Then, Tino walked towards the center of the lounge, the place with the most violent destruction, and crouched down.

That was probably the hypocenter. Tables and chairs have been blown away, and the floor has scorched marks and had been dented deeper than in other places. There was a “Chalk Outline (Drawing)” of a human figure on the floor as if someone had fallen down there.

However, this was not the main point to take note of.

Near the hypocenter, there was a part of the area that remained unburned.? It looked as if a thick wall had protected it from the blast, and it was left unburned in a fan shape around a single point. It was a strange sight to see, it was as if the blast and the heat had been completely blocked out, to the point that there was not even soot on the ground.

The toughness of High-level Hunters who have absorbed a large amount of Mana Material is distinctly different from that of ordinary people. Although it depends on the quality of the attack, there are quite a lot of people who can take on an attack that would kill an ordinary person instantly and remain unharmed. Even Tino is much sturdier than the average person.

The most famous in that regard is Anthem Onii-sama, the 《Unshakeable Permeance (Fudo Fuhen)》, who has allocated all of his Mana Material growth into his toughness, and his body is proof that he boasts a toughness that was close to a Level 8 Hunter.

There, Lyle, a Hunter from the Clan who was cleaning up the debris, spotted Tino and approached her.

“It’s terrible. How much of a grudge did he get for people to attack the Clan House in broad daylight, and head-on at that……” (Lyle)

“………… Was Master~ safe?” (Tino)

“What do you think? He’s unharmed, unharmed. On the contrary, those who were unlucky enough to be in the lounge at that time are more injured. Especially Branch Manager Gark, who had a bomb pressed on him by Cry, is very pissed off. Seriously. That guy is also enough of a monster as he received an explosion up close and has only that level of injury.” (Lyle)

“Pressed…… On him?” (Tino)

“Yeah. He said, 『Gark-san, pass!』 . Apparently, bombs aren’t something to worry too much about for Cry.” (Tino)

When Lyle shrugged his shoulders and explained, he let out a sigh.

Master~…… I see that your response does not change even if it is against the Branch Manager of the Explorer Assoc. And to be allowed to commit such barbaric acts like pushing explosives at people, a Level 8 is truly a terrifying existence.

In the first place, since you will remain unharmed even when you take the explosion at close range, is there a need to pass it? I guess Tino’s question is probably due to her foolishness, as I do not see Master’s~ true intentions.

“Has the culprit been caught yet?” (Tino)

“No, this time it was done by a professional. And they probably didn’t intend to kill him this time. Both the explosives and the arrow were too weak to target Cry, who is known for his absolute defense. It was probably just a starting move to learn his weaknesses and M.O.” (Lyle)

Indeed, he has a point. Level 8 Hunter is a title that is only granted to those who have fought in many battles and gone through many mysterious and dangerous uncharted territories. They would always be unconsciously on the lookout for their surroundings, and there was no way that mere explosives or arrows would get through their defense.

However, if what he said is correct, there should be a second attack. A move that would make that professional confident enough to definitely kill a Level 8.

It could very well happen if we don’t catch the culprit as soon as possible.

There can’t be that many daredevil killers who would target a Level 8 Hunter. If we do our research, we should be able to identify some suspects――.

After thinking that far, Lyle said while scratching his head.

“Seems like Cry said he’s too busy to worry about something like this.” (Lyle)

“!?” (Tino)

“It seemed that he had already anticipated the attack, and seriously, just after that he said that he was too busy to worry about it just because of a suddenly attacked, I don’t know if he is too bold or what but he said――”There are too many people that come to my mind so I don’t have the time to worry about it”, seriously that guy.” (Lyle)

“………… Okay…” (Tino)

Lyle clicked his tongue with an indescribable expression on his face. Tino could feel his heartache from her heart.

Nobles and criminal organizations care about honor, but those things are also important for Treasure Hunters.

It is said that you can have a lot of enemies if you are in the Hunter business, so it is over for you if you are underestimated. After all, many Treasure Hunters are crude and Treasure Shrines are usually located outside of cities, at places where no citizen can see them. Sometimes your loot is taken away by force, and there are even bandits who specialize in attacking Treasure Hunters.

Sometimes you have to fight even if you know you will lose. If you are attacked, you retaliate. That is the basis of being a Treasure Hunter, and that is how 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 has done since the beginning.

In particular, if the Clan House is attacked like this and he does not fight back, he would be underestimated. 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 has a lot of enemies. The reason why the number of attacks has calmed down recently is because the bandits had been put off by 《Strange Grief’s (Nageki no Borei)》 sheer violence.

Word is spreading that 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 missed his catch for the first time during the 『Supreme Martial Arts Festival (Buteisai)』. I also heard that a bounty had been placed on Master~.

If he shows his weakness now, criminals who have been quiet so far may come after 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 head.

Although Tino has no idea how many of them there will be――.

Just as she was about to shudder at the terrifying thought, Tino felt a jolt like a lightning bolt strike her. Almost on reflex, she shook her head.

Wrong. That’s not it. It’s the opposite.

In the past, Tino would not have noticed. But now, thanks to going through so many experiences, Tino is just a little bit closer to Master~.

That’s why I noticed. Master must be――By not retaliating, he intends to invite more criminals to attack him and finish them off in a single round at the right time.

Assassination favors the 『Assailants』 as they can decide when and how to attack. It is difficult to maintain vigilance against an attack that could come at any time, and it is impossible to stay in a safe place all the time.

That’s why you don’t usually think of inviting an attack. If you show weaknesses, they will gain momentum and attack. Crushing them all at once is far more dangerous and requires more strength than crushing them one by one.

But at the same time, if you don’t consider the risk――The quickest way to round up the enemy is to invite them to attack and then crush them.

Especially because it is the only way to defeat potential enemies. Leaving aside finding an enemy who has already attacked us once, it is almost impossible to find an enemy who has yet to make a move on us and whom we do not even know if they are there or not, and if we do not firmly destroy them all from the root, we will have enemies forever.

Their target is a Level 8, the 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》. It would be too much for a single assassin to take on. If this attack was just a preliminary check, the real attack will be a team of assassins teaming up and attacking in large numbers in order to make sure that 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 is killed.

The opponents are assassins with enough power to target High-level hunters, which all of whom would be beyond Tino’s power.

The opponents specialize in interpersonal combat, so there is a high possibility that the Hunters of 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)》 are going to struggle against them.

In other words――This is the next 『Infinite Trial』. No doubt about it.

It is war. War is the correct word to describe the battle that will happen between the assassins who formed a clique and 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato) 》.

“!? Tino, hey what’s the matter, you suddenly start shaking――” (Lyle)

“No problem. I am just………… Trembling from excitement.” (Tino)

I quickly observe my surroundings. I lowered myself and backed up against a wall. I have no weapons, but fortunately, Tino’s best weapon is my own body.

It is always “Master’s~” MO to send bandits the moment you let your guard down or the moment you relax while thinking you are still clear.

“What are you doing? Tino.” (Lyle)

Lyle stared in wonder at Tino who suddenly went on alert. It was evidence that Lyle had undergone fewer trials than Tino.

I must maintain full readiness in order to be ready to be attacked at any time and at any place.

I know… It would be nice to show this perfect prediction to Master~.

“…… I’m off to see Master~” (Tino)

“O-Oh. Okay. Say hello to Cry for me.” (Lyle)

Tino took a deep breath and slipped out of the lounge, taking great care not to make any noise.

§　§　§

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

FF7, Strange Grief translation, and work…

Sooo tired, wanna sleep… G’night… Zzz…

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