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

Chapter139，Part1: 1 - Déjà Vu?

Chapter 139 Déjà Vu?

Part 1

While enduring the heavy pressure spreading over her entire body, Ruda was desperately checking the surroundings.

Not only by using her hearing, but also all of her other senses. 【Castle of a Myriad Demons (Night Palace)】 is a Level 8 Treasure Shrine. Basically, the level of a Treasure Shrine is proportional to the amount of Mana Material it has accumulated, and the more there is, the higher the quality and quantity of the Phantoms inhabiting inside are. If it is a Level 8 Treasure Shrine, it would be no wonder that the numbers of Phantoms inhabited inside would be several times the numbers of Phantoms inside the 【White Wolves Den】 they explored the other day.

However, strangely enough, Ruda can’t find any sign of life.

Leading the group are the Higher-Level Members, 《Fallen Mist (Lightning Dragon’s Mist)》. Among them, there are thieves of a higher level than Ruda. Their Vice-Leader, Hay Laria, is one of them.

However, his expression was just as quizzical as Ruda’s.

There were no traps nor enemies.

.

Castle-shaped Treasure Shrines are few in numbers and generally tend to be high level, so Ruda has never explored one before. However, from what I heard, there are Phantoms with a high commanding ability that would appear inside.

Even if that weren’t the case, it was hard to believe that there were no Phantoms at all in a Treasure Shrine.

I may have misjudged the situation. From the moment I saw the Treasure Shrine from a distance, my instincts kept ringing powerful warning bells. I should have followed my instinct, and now I regret a little bit for not doing so.

Since the Garest Mountains, I knew that the purpose of 《Fallen Mist》 was different from Rudan and the others. Even so, Ruda and the others followed Arnold partly because they hadn’t been able to accomplish the request Ruda had received yet, but also because they felt they had to stop their fight.

Ruda couldn’t predict what would happen if 《Heavy Lightning Strike》, a Level 7 and 《Infinite Variety》, a Level 8, clashed. From what Ruda’s saw, the latter would win hands down, but there was no point in making a prediction like this since it was obvious as he couldn’t even shred 《Infinite Variety》 pretense.

No, let’s be honest. Regardless of having a one-on-one fight, Ruda thought that if 《Fallen Mist》 and 《Strange Grief》 clashed, the former would be defeated. Ruda didn’t know how good Cry’s abilities are, but she could clearly tell the difference in quality between their companions. All of the Party Members of 《Fallen Mist》 aren’t weak. They boasted stable abilities, but even so, the impact I felt on them was far from what I felt when I first saw 《Absolute Shadow》.

I don’t know much about Sytry, but since they are in the same Party, she must be in the same rank. Arnold engaged Liz at the lake’s shore, but if Sytry or Cry had been in the mix, he would have been defeated.

As long as 《Fallen Mist》 is willing to fight, there will be no stopping in their clash. I tried to persuade him several times, but Treasure Hunters attach great importance to their honor. And I can understand their reason.

In short, the reason why Ruda came along was to intervene after 《Fallen Mist》 was defeated.

The Members of 《Fallen Mist》 were wild and were exactly what ordinary citizens would imagine when they hear the word Treasure Hunters, but they weren’t bad guys. Along the way, even when they were in a desperate situation, they never abandoned Ruda or 《Crimson Flame (Fire Gale)》 and had helped us several times. I had to repay this debt.

There was also Tino with Cry. Even if Ruda couldn’t stop him by herself, if Tino and herself were to beg for mercy, they could, in the worst case, at least save their lives.

That was what I was thinking. Looking back now, I must say that I was naive.

Certainly, if Ruda begged for mercy, Cry would agree. If Cry agreed, 《Absolute Shadow》 wouldn’t refuse either. But, however, this is only possible if they can meet with each other.

Before meeting with him ―― I might die first.

The difficulty level of the Treasure Shrine that Cry Andrich headed for was far beyond what Ruda could have expected.

I haven’t engaged with a Phantom yet, but I can understand without needing to do so. Compared to this place, the 【White Wolves Den】 we explored before was like heaven.

While having a blue-face, Ruda desperately focuses her mind, followed by the Members of 《Crimson Flame (Fire Gale)》 who had a paler complexion.

Ruda’s group is composed of fifteen Hunters, a much larger group than a regular group formed to explore a Treasure Shrine, however that couldn’t be a consolation at all. Ruda, Gilbert, and his companions would probably be helpless in front of the monsters that live in this hellish place.

Our only hope is 《Infinite Variety》 that should have entered the Treasure Shrine first. If it was that man who always has a loose expression and everything in the palm of his hand, then he would surely know that Ruda and the others are already here. No, now that I have come this far, I can only hope so.

Hay said we were just going to take a look. He said, “We don’t plan on dying here”.

The Mana Material that fills the place is thicker than anything Ruda has ever seen, and she can feel it accumulating in her body, slowly but surely strengthening her abilities.

It is a good experience. How nice would it be if I was able to laugh it off.

There are no absolutes on a battlefield. It is possible that an attack will escape Hay and Ruda’s detection, pierce the frontline which is solidified by 《Fallen Mist’s》 formation and reap her life before Ruda is even aware of it.

The inside of the 【Castle of a Myriad Demons】 was different from what I had imagined and had a somewhat solemn atmosphere.

The outer walls made of stones and high gates were in harmony with the landscape, and there was no deterioration as if it had just been built.

The door, which opened naturally as if it was waiting for Arnold and the others, looked like it was made with metal and had a mysterious texture when you touched it. It was proof that this castle was entirely made out of Mana Material. Probably, the gates and doors which looked like they are likely to break down if they were hit with all our might, might boast a hardness that couldn’t be seen from their appearance.

I carefully checked around the gate, but the room that should have been filled with soldiers was empty and unoccupied. The tables, chairs, and lit fire lamps which were left inside were terribly creepy.

Hay, as he peered into the room through the window asked Gilbert who was at the rear.

“O?, Gilbert. Do you know anything about this Treasure Shrine?” (Hay)

“I don’t. I have looked it up, but I found very little information on it. There are too few Hunters who have explored it.” (Gilbert)

A Treasure Shrine without any prior information available is a place that Hunters should avoid. Perhaps this is also one of the reasons why this Treasure Shrine hasn’t been explored for such a long time.

As I passed through the gate, the ground was covered with smooth stones, creating a path. A narrow path extended to the left and right and a broader path stretched to the front.

The surrounding area had well-maintained trees planted evenly around it, but as thick clouds blocked the light from reaching them properly, this sight was a little creepy.

Arnold grasped his great sword, went into a position where he is ready to fight at any moment, and said.

“…… There are no traces of battle.” (Arnold)

“It may have already been overwritten ――” (Hay)

We had only just passed through the gate. It was strange that we didn’t come into contact with any enemy up until now, but common sense dictated that the real battle would begin once we entered inside the castle.

Arnold imposingly walked down on the front path with a steep expression on his face. Looking up, you could see the jet-black castle clouded with dark clouds.

“………… Cry’s footprints…… Can’t be found either.” (Ruda)

“…………” (Arnold)

I tried to imply that he might not be here, but nobody answered.

I would like to think that he isn’t in the castle, but there is something that is sure and it is that it wouldn’t be strange if anything could happen if it was 《Infinite Variety’s》 doing. Aside from the three people following Cry and Cry himself, I am a little worried about Tino, who was probably forced to go with him. Tino was certainly strong, but I don’t think she could challenge a Level 8 Treasure Shrine. Maybe something terrible happened to her and she is now *shikushiku* crying.

It was a thought that seemed to be completely out of place, but if I didn’t think about such unnecessary things, I would be crushed by the overwhelming tension.

There was absolutely no sign of life so far. 《Fallen Mist》 surely wouldn’t choose to withdraw unless they had at least one battle.

If a Phantom was going to appear, I want them to appear as close to the exit as possible ―― Preferably, before entering the castle. It would be even better if the enemy was alone. The best thing to have would be for Cry to come back and by some chance meet with us before a battle starts, but for some reason, I can’t see that happening at all.

“O?…… Are you guys alright?” (Hay)

“A-Aaah…… It is a little tough, but no problem.” (Carmine)

“We still haven’t even met a Phantom yet.” (Gilbert)

Carmine, the Leader of 《Crimson Flame (Fire Gale)》 and Gilbert responded to Hay. However, their expression showed a deep feeling of exhaustion.

Maybe I have the same expression on my face.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Yeah, you are right Ruda! Fallen Mist will be easily crushed by Strange Grief!

And also this chapter is extra long so it will probably have 4 parts instead of 2. Sorry for all the split…

Tchao à plus!