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

Chapter199，Part2: 2 - Living Calamity ②

Chapter 199 Living Calamity ②

Part 2

What a very friendly Phantom. For the time being, I was relieved and *niconico* smiled at the child with a fox mask.

There are two types of Phantoms in the Treasure Shrine called 【Lost Inn】――A giant “Fox Monster (Bake Kitsune)”, the core of this Shrine and and its countless familiars. This “Fox Monster (Bake Kitsune)” is incredibly large and seemed to be in the center of the Treasure Shrine all the time, which means that this child in front of me is one of its familiar.

Even the lowest level of the Phantoms of this Treasure Shrine possess powers that are too far from humans’ reach. From what I heard, there have only been a handful of cases where a familiar has been killed. In terms of power, they are probably at a boss-class level of High-Level Treasure Shrines.

Even if Term were on our side, the odds of us winning would probably not be high. Term’s Magic was terrifying, but that was because we were vulnerable humans, and I doubt that it would be effective against Phantoms.

So I had to do everything in my power to please them and get them to let us go. Pride can eat shit.

Fortunately, although they have terrifying power, they don’t come to kill you with murderous intent like the common Phantoms in Treasure Shrines.

Even last time, I paid a tribute, got down on my knees, and was forgiven.

But apparently, this time, it was a little different. The Phantom did not ask me to get down on my knees, nor did it ask for a tribute.

It just *niconico* smile and speak in a broken language and didn’t demand anything in particular. It was so friendly that it seemed willing to let us go without doing anything.

Could it be that this 【Lost Inn】 is a different inn from the one I was lost in before?

Maybe it wasn’t lying when it said that it welcomed us? You don’t have to welcome us, just go home.

“Aktually, Imma fan. Gibe me handchake.” (Fox Child)

It reached out its hand, so I took it. To think my name is even known to Phantoms, I wonder how their civilization took notice of me?

Kruz made a short, screaming voice.

I didn’t know what they did to me. There was nothing visible nor any sound, there was nothing.

All I knew was that at this moment, one of my most expensive Barrier Ring had been activated. I hurriedly checked my surroundings. Kruz was looking at me with shocked eyes.

I don’t really understand. I blink my eyes and ask the Phantom, who was frozen in place, while I was holding its hand.

“……? You, did you do something?” (Cry)

“…… It was fwunn.” (Fox Child)

“!? ???” (Cry)

The Phantom that had a solid form up until now was fading away. From the tips of its feet, it turns to dust as if it was being eroded. My hand, which should have been gripping its hand tightly, was now grasping the void.

There was a *karan* thumping sound. All that was left was the fox mask that the child was wearing.

“Urgh…… Geeeeeeeeeeeh!” (Franz)

Suddenly, Franz-san crawls on all fours on the spot and vomits greatly.

I opened my eyes at his sudden vomiting. The Emperor didn’t throw up, but his face was devoid of blood.

Kruz, who was also pale, said while holding down her mouth.

“I, see…… So, this is, how you defeat, the 『Phantoms』 here…… Desu.” (Kruz)

“Haaah?” (Cry)

What are you talking about? When I was blinking my eyes, Kruz took a step away from me. The object of her gaze was the fox mask.

“The condition? It can’t lie……? Did it die because it couldn’t kill in a single strike, Desu. Urgh…… Yowa, ningen, how can you be so calm inside this Mana Material, desu.” (Kruz)

“? Well, it is because it is comfortable, you know.” (Cry)

Everyone seemed to be sick, but the cause was probably Mana Material sickness.

I have never experienced this, as I have very little ability to absorb or retain Mana Material, but I have heard that it is common for talented Hunters with high Mana Material absorption abilities to experience Mana Material sickness, as it is caused by attracting more Mana Material than they can tolerate. It is like a muscle ache.

Even when I came here last time, everyone except me was also like this.

I picked up the fox mask. Is this…… Something it forgot? A drop? Why did it die just from holding my hand? Is holding their hand their weakness? That’s absurd. Then why did it ask for a handshake?

I don’t know what it was made of, but the mask was *tsurutsuru* smooth and hard. Well, if it left it behind, I can take it as a souvenir then. If they say anything, I can just return it to them……

However, the outside of the ship was still white. Beyond the place where Term and Kechakchakka ran away, there was the familiar view of the 【Lost Inn】 spreading out.

It is no use to stay here. This Treasure Shrine is not just any Treasure Shrine. I really don’t want to go there, but as far as I know, the only way out of this Treasure Shrine is to ask the boss to forgive me.

“It can’t be helped, let’s go……” (Cry)

I have no choice but to go. To the Phantoms in this Treasure Shrine, people are all the same, so the survival rate would be higher if I, who knows a little about this place, went there.

There are rules in this Treasure Shrine, said a Phantom I encountered in this place a long time ago.

God is not bound by anything. The only thing that can bind god is god itself.

As I approached the exit (Entrance?), Kruz said in a panic.

“Yowaningen, your staff――” (Kruz)

“Eh? I don’t need it.” (Cry)

Moreover, it’s heavy. I would get tired if I had to carry that around.

Kruz was astounded and alternately looked between the staff and me.

“Hah? Then why did you bother to prepare it, desu!” (Kruz)

“………… I was wondering… Ah, Kruz might want to use it, or something.” (Cry)

“!?” (Kruz)

In the first place, all the Phantom in this Treasure Shrine can talk, so I don’t need the staff.

What you need is――Love, you know. Love. Don’t be aggressive. Humans are insignificant to the Phantoms in this Treasure Shrine.

I stepped out of the airship and stepped into the Treasure Shrine. Suddenly, I heard a voice at my feet.

“I want Aburaage. If you don’t give me Aburaage, I will attack you.” (?)

There was nothing there until earlier.

Sitting in the vermilion-painted wooden corridor was the same child wearing a fox mask from before.

However, the one who appeared this time was slightly different in appearance, she wasn’t talking in a broken voice too, and she was a girl. Her hair was also light golden in color.

Her slender fingertips were held out towards me.

Aburaage…… I am sorry, but I don’t have any this time. The only thing Sytry prepared and loaded for us was preserved food.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Haha Cry just misunderstood all of the child intention XD

And did he just kill one of the strongest Phantom in the world!? Sasuga Cry!

Come on Cry, are you sure Sytry didn’t prepare any!?

Knowing her I’m sure she would!

Tchao à plus!

Footnotes

Aburaage : Aburaage is fried tofu. In Japanese folklore, foxes love fried tofu.