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

Chapter144，Part2: 2 - Reconciliation ②

Chapter 144 Reconciliation ②

Part 2

Damn, calling yourself Level 7 ―― Look at your state now.

Arnold was at the peak of his mortification. He no longer knew what to do.

His body was heavy and wasn’t in his best condition. However, what was more problematic was his mental aspect.

From the moment he woke up from being fainted, he was extremely disappointed when realized that he had fainted as soon as he saw 《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 face. He wasn’t disappointed in someone else, he was disappointed in himself.

Even if the opponent was Level 8, and even though he had almost been traumatized by all the horrible things that had happened to him, it was outrageous that he would faint at the mere sight of his face. If the Arnold from a month ago heard this, he would have, no doubt, laughed out loud.

But, above all, what shocked Arnold the most was what Hay and his Party Members said.

『Arnold-san, you are a little tired. You had a rough time for a while now and have been pulling us up all this time. All those strains must have taken a toll on you. For now, you should go to the Onsen and get some rest.』 (Hay)

They took me into consideration. Indeed, Arnold is the Party Leader. Until now, Hay and the others have always listened to Arnold and taken him into consideration.

However, never before had there been a hint of sympathy in their words. Not once had there been word of concern. And that was a sign showing that Arnold was a strong Leader.

I fainted at the mere sight of my archenemy. Even after showing such a pathetic display, my Party Members showed no signs of leaving. Even Jaster, the youngest of the Party and the one who had pulled the huge Arnold, didn’t show any dissatisfaction. This was undoubtedly due to the trust that Arnold had built with them.

I understand that. However, even if Arnold understands it, he can’t forgive himself for being so pathetic that he will faint when he catches sight of his archenemy.

My combat abilities shouldn’t have changed.

The fatigue was heavy, but there was no decline in my physical abilities, and my beloved sword was still in good condition. Rather, the amount of Mana Material I have absorbed has even increased after going through the 【Castle of a Myriad Demons】.

But to Arnold, he felt as if he had become a weakling.

The pillar of his strength was his absolute confidence in himself. If that confidence is broken, no matter how good physically he is, he will turn into a weak person.

I have to get it back no matter what. However, there was nothing that I could do.

Heeding Hay’s advice, he went to the bathhouse alone for both distraction and self-reflection.

But when he saw the spacious bathhouse filled with steam and heat, he felt nothing.

This is… A wound. Thought Arnold.

Moreover, it was a wound that could be fatal to Arnold, who emphasized strength above anything else. Cracks were running down on his Hunter soul. If he can’t regain his confidence, he may have to retire from being a Treasure Hunter.

I have to use this humiliation as a springboard. No matter how many times I thought about it, my feeling wasn’t brightening up. At the same time as I had fainted, I felt like I had turned into another creature.

I don’t even remember how to fight. I don’t even remember how to get angry. I understood how to, but my feelings can’t do it.

I clicked my tongue just as I used to, and walked with my chest high as I used to. However, it was just a facade.

For now, he was still able to mend his ways, but sooner or later, Arnold will become nothing more than a weakling as his plating slowly peeled off.

There were no other guests in the large public bath. Come to think of it, it has been a while since I have walked by myself.

After becoming a Hunter, there was usually one of my Party Members nearby.

It made him feel somewhat desolated. It was also a sentiment that was impossible for the previous Arnold to feel.

I felt that all my actions were not my own. Everything ―― Everything was falling apart.

I dread the next time I have to swing my sword. I was afraid that Hay and the others’ worries would turn into disappointment. And most of all, I was afraid of not knowing what would happen to me the next time I encountered 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.

But after thinking about it for a while, I suddenly realized a big mistake.

Hay apparently apologized to 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 after Arnold fainted. When I heard his report, I thanked him, but was that really the kind of thing 《Heavy Lightning Strike (Go Rai Yabu Sen)》 would have done?

No. The answer was absolutely not.

Even if Arnold took into consideration Hay’s advice, Arnold has always made the final decision on his own. All the responsibility has always been for Arnold to bear.

Even if Hay had apologized, he would have gone to settle the matter by himself. This is what Arnold thinks a strong Hunter should do. That was the kind of man 《Heavy Lightning Strike (Go Rai Yabu Sen)》 was.

I never thought that I would spend so much time before realizing something so simple ――.

Once again, deep despair struck Arnold.

And even though he knew all that, he was disgusted with himself for not being able to move his body right away.

He sighed heavily. It was a sigh that seemed to drain all of the strength he had built up until now.

It wasn’t good. It was useless to worry about it. In this state, I can’t carry the lives of my Party Members.

《Fallen Mist》 has no choice but to disband. I will probably have to talk to Hay and the others when I get out of the bath. This is my responsibility to the Party Members who have been following 《Heavy Lightning Strike (Go Rai Yabu Sen)》 so far.

Dragging my heavy body, I slowly made my way to the bathing area as if I was trying to stall for time.

And just as Arnold was about to sink into the spacious bathing area, something strange crossed his line of vision.

I felt my consciousness involuntarily becoming blank and with slow movement massage the corner of my eyes and squint.

Contrary to my expectation, I didn’t go into a panic. I didn’t faint, nor did my body start to tremble.

《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 was breaststroke swimming in the Onsen.

With slow motions, he stirred the hot water and despite not being a child, his body moved noiselessly across the water.

The only thing I felt was a shock. The only thing I could do was to ask in a strained voice.

“!? Wha…… Wha….. Wha………… Wha……… What, are, you, doing!? 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》?” (Arnold)

It wasn’t an illusion. At the sound of Arnold’s quivering voice, Infinite Variety hurriedly tried to stand up and grandly slip.

A big splash of water came up and he looked at Arnold with a dumb expression.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Hahaha! I can so see Cry flapping his arm left and right while panicking when Arnold called him.

In case you don’t know, it is bad manners and childish to swim in an Onsen. You are supposed to calmly relax in it. That’s why Arnold was so shocked seeing Cry.

Tchao à plus!