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

Chapter132，Part1: 1 - Pride ③?

Chapter 132 Pride ③?

Part 1

“Haaah… Haaah………… Damn it! He got away!” (Arnold)

After a fierce battle, the monster collapsed with a high-pitched scream unimaginable from its appearance.

It was a stroke of luck that it had attacked Arnold. The reason why Arnold and his companions were having trouble until a while ago was because the monster showed an unusual sense of caution. Even though it landed a surprise attack, the victory and defeat was decided when he directly challenged 《Heavy Lightning Strike》 in a almost perfect form (Maybe he was even more powerful than usual due to his anger).

Arnold kneeled down after he thrust his sword at the head of the fallen green Oni.

I beat it. However, it took a lot of time. I couldn’t see 《Infinite Variety’s》 carriage anymore.

My body felt heavy. Even if I chased after him now, I knew that it would be difficult to catch him up.

I told this to myself, but dissatisfaction showed no sign of subsiding.

Hay, who had been supporting Arnold’s fight by stopping the monster from running from time to time, came running after him. Although he was in a tatter, Hay is the second most powerful Member in 《Fallen Mist (Lightning Dragon’s Mist)》. Compared to the other Members, you can see from his movements that he still has room to spare.

“Are you alright Arnold-san?” (Hay)

“Damn! Damn! I’ll never forgive them!” (Arnold)

“Calm down Arnold-san! We can’t go after them right now! O? guys, secure the camp. We’ll stay here tonight.” (Hay)

《Infinite Variety’s》 last words were staying in my mind.

Ever since Arnold became a Hunter, it was the first time he had been ridiculed like this. Even when he had just become Hunters and his abilities were nothing extraordinary, he had never been taken so much as a fool.

I suppressed my anger deep in my heart that seemed to explode if I wasn’t careful enough and let Hay lead me to the camp.

In the camp, there were still remains of the camp 《Infinite Variety》 prepared. There were still several skewers meats and fishes roasting next to the excessive campfire and there was no sign of Monsters around.

It was a blessing in disguise. This place would be the perfect place for us to rest our body. 《Crimson Flame (Fire Gale)》 was already sitting on the ground, preparing the camp while staying alert on their surroundings.

I take a deep breath and calm myself.

“We somehow managed to get out of that predicament.” (Hay)

“Aaaah………… You did well.” (Arnold)

Arnold jumped out the moment he spotted 《Infinite Variety》. Instead of him, it was definitely Hay who protected the Party from the monster attack.

Hay chuckled at his short praise.

“Heh. Whaaat was that Oni ―― It seemed that Arnold-san was its target ―― Rather than planning how to defeat it, directly defeating it was a lot easier.” (Hay)

“…… Damn, are you telling me that everything was in the palm of that man’s hand……” (Arnold)

In a fit of rage, he slammed his fist into the ground. The Members of 《Crimson Flame》 were shocked and shuddered at his roar, and looked at him, but that didn’t dampen Arnold’s flames of anger at all.

It was a silly thought. Arnold is undoubtedly chasing after 《Infinite Variety》 of his own volition.

As he wasn’t a god, there was no way that he could control everything, but the timing of everything was just too good.

“…… We may need to think carefully about this. What do you think after confronting him once?” (Hay)

“………… It was an opponent I had never faced before! Damn…… He didn’t even try to dodge. He took my blow defenselessly or even attempted to avoid it, what kind of logic is that? That isn’t possible.” (Arnold)

Arnold’s blow was one that had even killed a Dragon. In addition, Arnold has a weapon he didn’t have at that time ―― He now possessed the 『Heavy Lightning Strike』.

I know that many High-Level Hunters have monstrous endurance. However, even if the blow wasn’t fatal, it is normally impossible to receive a blow and be unharmed.

I thought he was an idiot when he defended that female Hunter beside him and showed me his defenseless side. If you get a hit in the vitals from Arnold’s blow, even a first-class Hunter can’t escape death.

However, what came next was even more shocking to Arnold.

I opened my hand and looked at it. I can still feel the blade being repealed in my hand. It was definitely harder than the Lightning Dragon that Arnold defeated.

“I doubt he could take on Arnold-san’s blow by only counting purely on his strength. Maybe it was a barrier?” (Hay)

“…… I didn’t give him enough time. Are you saying that in the slight interval between my attack, he created a barrier that can block my attack?” (Arnold)

It may be possible for a First-Class Hunter to do that if he undergoes a monstrous training.

However, from his behavior, there was no indication that he did something.

With a difficult expression, Hay said.

“…… What about a Relic then? Like a 『Barrier Ring (Safe Ring)』…… It wouldn’t be surprising for a Hunter of that Level to have one of these.” (Hay)

“Impossible. I have certainly hit him with a few blows. The 『Barrier Ring』 is only able to prevent the first hit!” (Arnold)

Barrier Ring is a famous Relic, but at the same time its weakness is also famous. At the end, it is only a Relic to prevent surprise attacks. This is why, when dealing with a human opponent, a Hunter of Arnold’s caliber always keeps in mind the possibility that his opponent may have that Relic.

“That man had room to spare. He didn’t even pretend to fight back. Damn, are you telling me that he didn’t even need to take a stance to face me!?” (Arnold)

I would understand if he dodged. I would understand if he took his weapon to stop it. However, that man, without being frightened, took on Arnold’s attack.

It was as if ―― He wanted to show the difference in our strength.

《Absolute Shadow》 who was attacking like a raging fire was certainly strong. Her speed was extraordinary and she was used to fighting, but most of all, her blow was so heavy that you wouldn’t think she was a Thief.

Even Hay, a same Thief than her, wouldn’t be a match for her. Even Arnold might lose if he messed up. That is a Hunter who has trained a lot.

However, this was still better in the sense as we understand how she did it. On that point, 《Infinite Variety》 goes far beyond that.

I don’t even know how to fight against him. I never thought that at Level 7, I would still have that feeling after fighting once with him.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading! Extra Chapter thanks to Eric!

Aaah they were so right, Cry indeed used Barrier Rings, but the problem is that he didn’t only use one, but a lot like a loooooot. XD

Well I do understand why they would exclude that hypothesis, as:

As they don’t know Cry is in fact a weakling they would never think that he possess 17 of them XD

Tchao à plus!