The group of hunters had exited the valley and they had made camp in the forest on the low plains. At dawn during the morning mist they will depart for Yukishiroâs location.
While ignoring the small amounts of snow that had piled up the group made-up of 15 people pushed though the sharp shrubs and trees.
The obvious change in vegetation is comparable to the drastic change in the complexion of the group of hunters.
This territory is already a ănightmareă for them. When they sleep, they canât let their guard down. And, naturally the hunters must always be cautious while staying on the mountain. The group seems agitated.
In actuality, the ăheroă girl and the group of hunters didnât appear confident. It is possible that Kurando doesnât need to worry about the girlâs search ability. After declaring it nothing else happened; so, perhaps Kurando has nothing to worry about.
After a 50 year interval, the Roorana royal family had forcefully demanded that the hunters subjugation the white phantom. Having not been hunted the game had grown big. As a result, the ăheroă and the hunters who had participated in the hunt had gain renown throughout the continent.
Anyhow, Kurando is unpleased with Zauru.
Zauru is from Dorugan (ăă«ăŹăł) in the united kingdom of Erurodorianaâs (ăšă«ăăăȘăąă); he is a former aristocrat of Dorugan, and he is the 3rd son of a member of the Dorugan parliament. Zauru is hostile to the central government that is located in Roorana. It is said that people from Dorugan have a certain temperament.
However, after this long period of time the Doruganâs characteristic hasnât changed. Even now, the place is fuming.
It can all be dated back to 1,000 years worth of reasons; so, to sum up everything into a few words, ăthey just hate the people of Rooranaă.
Roorana had ruined Doruganâs honor by successfully subjugating the white phantom that the hunters of Dorugan had left unhunted for 50 years.
The Dorugan parliament was in an uproar.
Dorugan boasted about their numerous frontier borders, and how their hunters are continuing to battle the magical beast and the other monsters; in addition, they boast about how Roorana is lagging behind them.
And thus, the parliament unanimously consented.
ăIf they are able to encounter something like Iruniiku (ă€ă«ăăŒăŻ), then the commotion will die down. With their bright idea, they borrowed the ăhero-samaâsă ability to go hunting. There were no objects to borrowing Rooranaâs ăheroă.ă
Thus, they barged into the central government located in Roorana.
And, they harassed the ăheroă.
It is a fact that the royal family had forced the central government to issue the subjugation. As a result it tarnished Doruganâs honor. Therefore, the central government had no choice but to meet Doruganâs demends. They did so to cover-up their blunder. It was also to prevent the relationship with Dorugan from deteriorating any further; as well as, to stop Dorugan from separating from the state and declaring its independence.
Although, the central government thought it was merely hunting, they were still reluctant to accept it.
And thus, the Dorugan parliament used the central governmentâs authority to take control of the villages near the base of the Arerudouria (ăąăŹă«ăă„ăȘăą) mountains. Dorugan then declared the subjugation of the white phantom.
At that time, the boasting Zauru was selected to undertake the hunt.
In reality, the law had no influence in the villages. He had knock on the doors of many renowned hunters, but they all refused him. Those hunters called Zaura a fool as they laughed in his face.
Zauru isnât pleased and he began to regret borrowing the ability of a hero with unknown origins.
This all happened because the hunters of Dorugan wanted to hunt the white phantom. That is the only reason.
In annoyance, Zauru scowls at Akari.
Akari doesnât say anything. She simply walks in silence as these hunters have nothing to do with her. Although, Akari did find the circumstances tedious. When the school was summoned the reception was cold. She had later learned that the summoning was carried out dued to the royal familyâs selfish whim. And, that the government was dysfunctional. After a year had passed, Akari had become exhausted.
She simply didnât care about the hunt.
The mood cased disorder among the hunters.
It was as expected.
The white beast can out maneuver them from among the shrubs and trees.
As the hunters look around their surrounding they canât help but find it disorientating.
The hunters didnât consider that the white phantom would appear from above. In truth, the hunters never even noticed. Furthermore, up until now the girl named Akari was unable to detect nor notice the beast that is the size of a wolf.
And once again, the white beast vanishes among the shrubs and trees.
But, among them Zaura saw the beast that had jumped through the trees.
Zaura himself is a fairly skilled hunter.
ăHey, whatâs that?ă (Zauru)
Not long after, Zauru gave chase.
ăWaitââă (Akari)
ăShut up and make yourself useful.ă (Zauru)
Akariâs has lost control of the situation.
There was no reaction from her ability, but Zarua doesnât listen to Akari. He only thought about taking advantage of the encounter.
The other hunters are hesitant to chase after their reckless employer.
Akari reluctantly follows after them.
Zarua caught up to Iruniiku and saw the beast go near the big cliff. He praises himself.
He didnât bother dealing with the other hunters who are perplex.
Zaura disregards the state of affairs and he gives the signal to commence an all-out-attack.
Although the group of hunters are bewildered by their employer, Zarua, they prepare their bows and wands.
Finally, Akari has caught up to them; she tries to take control of the situationââ
ââZaura ignores her; he had already given the signal to attack.
In the direction that the wind is blowing, a barrage of arrows and lightning are shot at Iruniiku.
Itâs a direct hit.
Feeling sure of himself Zauru smiled.
In the next moment that smile froze.
It was most definitely a direct hit.
However, Iruniiku had already moved away from the cliff.
The giant spiderâs eight-silver-eyes shown a ănightmarishă luster.
Its large fangs move; with a âgagishiriâ sound, cone shaped objects appears from its legs and body.
Originally to hunt a giant thorny spider, Atorabashiku, one would need to prepare the necessary equipment beforehand. However, they have not. Their only choice is to ărunawayă.
However, in this location only Zaura is present. His fate is decided.
Above them is a giant spider.
For the hunter this is a ănightmareă.
Zaura shoots an arrow.
He didnât consider retreating.
Besides, to catch Iruniiku the other hunterâs firepower is necessary.
Furthermore, they canât stop their advance just yet.
Neither arrow, magic, nor anything else was able to pass through the earth coating that is covering the spiderâs body.
The spider didnât chase after its prey; instead, it lays its web on the surface of ground to ensnare its prey.
The Atorabashiku leaves its only real threat for last; in sequence, it prepares to attack the front and then the rear with petrifaction.
The unnatural movements of the Atorabashiku changes.
It cancels its petrification attack.
In angry the giant spider moves closer to one of the hunters.
And thus, the hunters formation collapsed.
Akari who couldnât control the situation could only watch.
From out of nowhere a red mark appears on Akariâs mental map.
Originally it wasnât a red mark.
Iruniiku was close by, but it wasnât marked as red.
The marking ability is more or less unreliable. It is better to depend on oneâs own eyesight than to rely on the red marking system.
And thus,
Among the crowd, Akari is knocked down to the ground.
A hunter who is running away hears the sounds of something being gnawed on.
ăI want to go homeâŠâŠă (Akari)
Akariâs consciousness begins to slip away.
The giant thorny spider, Atorabashikuâs eight-eyes discovers Akari.
Akari resign to her fate.
During the commotion no one noticed Akari being abducted. Yukishiro held Akari by the nape of her neck and carried her off towards the mountain. (T/N: good snow leopard)