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METRO LABYRINTH CHAPTER 109.2: AN INVITATION FROM A WITCH
“Hah, you just happened to be present at such a scene of carnage, you’re still quite the badass woman, Utsuki.” (Heiya)
“Ehehe, well, it’s been a while, Hei-yan
” (Sou)
Shimoyanagi and Utsuki smile wryly at each other. The two seem to know each other.
The two are from the same industry in the neighboring town, and although they look like father and daughter, their actual ages are not that different. It wouldn’t be strange for them to be acquaintances, but—judging from their subtle expressions, my eyes see a vague past. Something between a man and a woman. [T/N: Lolicon alert!]
“Those black sporangium,” said Aomoto. “Is it true that it belongs to the demon’s ‘family’?”
“I only overheard a little bit about it when I was with Mr. Giran at Ouji. I’m not sure if it’s true or not
” (Shuu)
It was a bit forced, but I had no choice but to say so.
At any rate, we had told them everything we could. It should make sense, and there is no arbitrary agenda in the concealed parts of the story.
There should be no problem now–it should have.
“
Um
 Can I talk to you for a minute, Mr. Abe?” (Kaike)
If only she – Kaike – hadn’t been here.
Even though I took the trouble to catch another staff member, they were replaced without permission, as if to say, “She’s the exclusive one in charge of Shuu Abe.” If I refused to attend the meeting with her, it would be the same as saying that I had a guilty conscience, and in the end, Utsuki and I were forced to report with pale faces and a 30% increase in our awkwardness.
“I don’t think I told you before, but I have the [Mind’s Eye]. Don’t you remember?” (Kaike)
“

yes.” (Shuu)
“So
 excuse me, to be clear, I was wondering if there seems to be something you are hiding from us, it looked like that kind of color
” (Kaike)
“
Ugh
” (Shuu)
I want to dunk my head in the tea and hide. Let the splatter be taken care by others like it was someone else’s problem.
“We’ve done some things
” (Utsuki)
Utsuki then speaks bluntly. Somehow it sounds like a secret something.
“What is that? You’ve already had your good years, so it’s time to take care of yourself, Fake Loli.” (Heiya)
“I am younger than Hei-yan. You’re the old man.” (Sou)
“Well, Abe, now you’ve graduated from being the ‘Strongest Virgin in Sugamo, huh? I hope you don’t develop a strange proclivity for having my first kiss taken off by that woman.” (Aomoto)
“It’s completely different and I’m not a virgin at all.” (Shuu)
How far have the rumors spread? We would like to find out the source of the rumors and demand an apology and retraction in print.
“Uncle
 Mr. Shimoyanagi, please leave such silly talk behind. This is the place to report on your quest.” (Aomoto)
Aomoto said, reaching for her tea like nothing happened. Tamiko’s tail brushed away her hand that was about to stroke her stomach. Aomoto retracts her hand and blushes a little, looking quite happy.
“Um
 I’m sorry, it’s exactly as Ms. Kaike said. There were some personal matters that made it hard for us to divulge
” (Shuu)
I admit honestly. I have to admit it.
“But
 I have nothing against the guild or the city of Sugamo. I swear on that, I promise.” (Shuu)
There is no lie there. It should be. If you get upset, you’ll arouse more and more suspicion.
“There is no lie there. It should be. If you get upset, you’ll arouse more and more suspicion.” (Heiya)
Help from an unexpected source. Mr. Shimoyanagi.
“It’s mostly about your own abilities, right? I know you’re still hiding a lot of your abilities. Is it a Fungal Skill or Fungal Ability, or is it something that ordinary people like us can’t fathom? You’ve overcome a predicament that would kill an ordinary hunter a hundred times over with that hidden something in your body, haven’t you?” (Heiya)
The answer came from an unexpected direction. It is not the core reason, but it is a good answer.
“Haha, you have an easy-to-read face, you know? I don’t even have to have eyes like Kaike’s to see that. Well, don’t worry about it. A real hunter doesn’t reveal their true trump card to the guild. I’m also one of them.” (Heiya)
“As a representative of the guild, I don’t think it’s a good idea ignore it
” Aomoto said. “Though, it is true that the guild is not adamant to receive details of each individual’s Fungal Skills or Fungal Ability. You showed us your Fungal Skills when you were interviewed, but there is no rule that says it has to be all of it.”
“I see.” (Shuu)
I can’t tell you what I’m faking, because it’s not my ability, it’s my Fungal Class, and that’s a definite no-no.
“
I understand,” Kaike said. “I believe you when you say that you have no feelings against the guild or the city. I mean, if I don’t believe you, I’ll be in trouble.”
“
thank you.” (Shuu)
I am a bit distressed, but that’s the way I want it to end. I wish I could be a little bolder at times like this.
“No, I’m the one who has to say thank you
 and apologize as well.” (Kaike)
“Huh?” (Shuu)
“Thank you very much. I am so glad that you came back safely and accomplished your mission. And
 sorry about that. I just asked too much of you and put you in such a dangerous situation
” (Kaike)
“No, it’s not Ms. Kaike’s fault.” (Shuu)
“But
” (Kaike)
“That’s right, young lady,” said Shimoyanagi. “The quests are different from the original difficulty level, and when you open the door
 unexpected dangers come along with the hunter’s job. I’m sure you know that, don’t you, young lady? But this one may have been quite hard even for you.”
“Attackers, including a girl with master-class Fungal Ability, and a curse that seals Fungal Skills
 In such a nightmare-like situation, it would be extremely difficult for even average hunters, including myself, to survive safely. Not that I doubt it, but it’s hard to believe that you guys survived such a predicament.” (Aomoto)
“Well, in that sense, maybe it’s a good thing it was us.” (Shuu)
“What?” (Kaike)
I could only give a small smile to Kaike who was dumbfounded.
“It was disappointing for the members of the subjugation team, and we frankly thought we were going to die too
 but in the end, we didn’t have to suffer any more casualties. I think you did a good job Ms. Kaike, don’t you think so?” (Shuu)
When I said that to cover my own previous words, Ms. Kaike blushed and averted her gaze. I was puzzled because her reaction was different from what she had expected.
“Hey, hey,” Shimoyanagi scoffs. “You’re a rookie, but you’ve got no sense of modesty, playing with our poster girl, huh?”
“Eh? No, I didn’t mean to do anything like that.” (Shuu)
I shook my head in panic. Impossible, I am just an ancient man who used to live in a cave, I would be too in awe of such delicate beauty. Now that I am overly aware, I cannot avoid feeling nervous. Let’s calm down by looking at the chubby squirrel that is picking her teeth.
“Abeshuu is a virgin, but he’s a horndog, squeak.” (Tamiko)
“Tamiko shut your trap.” (Shuu)
“Even in the metro, your gaze caresses my booty.” (Sou)
“Utsuki shut your trap.” (Shuu)
“That’s a lot of nonsense,” said Aomoto. “You already have another girl, right? I don’t like the way you and Ms. Utsuki are making a mess of relationships. Also, bigamy isn’t allowed in Sugamo
 Well, it can’t be helped. I will marry Tamiko instead.”
“I do not understand what you’re saying.” (Shuu)
“Heh! If you want to get rid of me, you should go over there and brush up on your skills! 
Ah, also, I have gotten better than before
 It shouldn’t be like before
 Ugh!” (Sou)
“Ugh! That’s not it.” (Shuu)
We’re going off on a tangent, so I’m going to take a tea break and get back on track. Mushroom tea is good.
“Even so–” said Aomoto (with glossy skin). “A mysterious group of people with the ability to ‘turn others into ‘Family’’
 It’s hard to believe at first, but I wonder if the demons have really reappeared
”
“For the time being,” said Kaike, “we will continue to investigate the demons. The first thing to do is to make sure that the security of the village of Rikugi is strengthened. Even though the threat of Baphomet has passed, there is no guarantee that the village will not be attacked again.”
“Of course, we should also strengthen Sugamo’s security. We will also request support from headquarters to investigate nearby Metros as well. We need to keep our minds clear as much as possible at this critical time of the year with the Founding Festival approaching.” (Aomoto)