/
METRO LABYRINTH CHAPTER 112.2: FIFTEEN OF THE STRONGEST PEOPLE
“Certainly, there are many cases where the Fusion Fungal Skill is a powerful skill, but… It’s not necessarily always a benefit. The previous example is presumed to be a skill that fuses [Dagger] and [White Whip] or [White String]. But, you can’t use the original Fungal Skills individually. In other words, the number of skills you have will decrease. If it was something you were used to using, you would be in trouble, wouldn’t you? Even for an Evolved Fungal Skill, it could be irreversible as well.” (Aomoto)
“Hmm…” (Shuu)
It is true that it would be a problem if my frequently used [Katana] and [Fireball] could no longer be used. It would be nice if the ability could compensate for that, but that may not always be the case.
“And… Unique Fungal Skills and Fusion Fungal Skills are often described as ‘resource hogs’. According to the Guild’s research, specialized types tend to have fewer and fewer late Fungal Skills. The ‘Holy Silver Puppet’ is a level 70+ [Puppeteer] but even including the source of her title [Makina – Magic Woman], she has only two or three Fungal Skills that she can use.” (Aomoto)
“There is a kind of capacity for each person to acquire Fungal Skills, and the more powerful it becomes, the greater the cost becomes, and that puts pressure on their capacity.” (Shuu)
“Even if you don’t have the knowledge, you are a quick learner. As expected of Mr. Abe.” (Aomoto)
The more powerful the Fungal Skills becomes, the greater the cost will be and the more will be squeezed. I have no idea how such a thing has become a reality.
“Is there any particular timing that determines such a tendency? Like how to make Fusion happen?” (Shuu)
“As I said before, for the vast majority they are general-purpose types. Only a very select few, it seems, shift in that direction during the process of leveling and physical growth. If we are talking about past trends, it is unlikely that your ability will change to that side after you have reached your level. Of course, I can’t say for sure that it’s zero, and it’s interesting that anything seems to be possible with you.” (Aomoto)
“…I see…” (Shuu)
I put my hand under my chin and thought for a while.
—truly, [Master Threadweaver] is an absolute cheat.
[Sensory Spore] was probably unique to me, and I was blessed with rare Fungal Skills such as [Light Blade] and [Ashura], starting with [Immortality]. The image it portrays is a type similar to that of a general-purpose type with an “extremely large or unlimited capacity” and “no barriers akin to Fungal Classes”.
At the moment, I have not experienced evolution or fusion, and I am intrigued by “special moves that are unique to me.” However, [Accumulation] compensates for these, and in fact, thanks to this Fungal Ability, it is a good combination of the two. If I want more, Noa will call me a cheat.
“For the time being, I think it would be good to train in preparation to general-purpose top rankers.” (Aomoto)
Make the most of my own direction and potential–for that, I think the multifaceted training required for the general-purpose type is suited for this purpose. Of course, I should continue to raise my level and acquire new Fungal Skills, and I should also actively gain experience, such as in mock battles with Karasawa.
“A general-purpose type has a lot of things they can do, but they also have a lot of things they need to do. It is easy to put it into words, but it will be an issue that will haunt you for a long time. It is also necessary to study martial arts and body arts. The [Holy Knight] Giran is a good role model. He is an all-rounder with everything polished at a high skill level.” (Aomoto)
It would be better if I could learn from my predecessors who are also [Master Threadweavers], but such know-how would not be available in books, nor would I have the opportunity to learn from them. In other words, I have no choice but to learn from those who are closer to me.
I will visit Ikebukuro in the near future and ask him to give me some sparring time. He owes me a lot, and I owe him a lot, so it will be easy for me to minimize my concern for him.
(And then there’s that…) (Shuu)
(In that sense, there’s an opportunity.) (Shuu)
My thoughts return to the match.
My opponent–“Holy Silver Puppeteer”–is the complete opposite of me, she’s a fighter with a very powerful single skill.
This is a rare opportunity to match up with a top-class hunter. And although it is a match, it will be a head-to-head fight, it won’t come to a deadly confrontation. This is an opportunity that should be taken even if it costs a lot of money.
—But it is also true that I cannot easily turn its back on the idea. There are two reasons.
The first is the risk of being exposed as a [Master Threadweaver]. I keep wondering if I will be able to hide it from my opponents, the thousands of spectators, and the eyes of the two guests of honor. Frankly, I have a feeling that I will be exposed.
The other reason is–and this is the bigger one emotionally–that I’m frankly scared. I am scared of my opponent, but more than that, I am scared of the expectations of the people of Sugamo, and of fighting in front of a large crowd as the main match. Just thinking about it is enough to get my anxiety flowing.
I would like to have at most be the third or fourth match instead of the main event, but that would be just like the original situation, and the opponent who went out of her way to nominate me would not be satisfied.
So, I’d like to think about it a little more before the deadline. I have a feeling that I’ll end up accepting the offer, but even so, I’d like to have a little more time to make up my mind.
“…and you’re like the number one.” (Aomoto)
“Eh?” (Shuu)
“The man who stands at the top of all hunters, the ‘Transcendent’ Kang Jubei. He’s a general-purpose type, too, though not on the same level as the rest of them. I’ve only met him once, but you seem to me to be somewhat like him. Though you don’t look like him at all.” (Aomoto)
“By the way, what kind of person, or rather what kind of hunter are you?” (Shuu)
“Well, in a word, he approached or maybe surpassed… the heroes of the founding of the country, the [Master Threadweavers]. He is a warrior who has such potential.” (Aomoto)
“Really?” (Shuu)
A human being who can rub shoulders with and surpass heroes over a hundred years old, let alone a five-year-experienced me. What in the world would it take for that to happen? Perhaps he is also [Master Threadweaver]?
“In the near future, you will be in the top ranks of hunters… And you will surely come face to face with him. You have a background as impressive as his, and maybe I’m not the only one with selfish hopes of surpassing him… hehe.” (Aomoto)
I’m sorry, I’m really on the side of being surpassed. And so on.
“Am I Evening Teeth, squeak? The Special, squeak?” (Tamiko)
“Tamiko is cute and a one-of-a-kind. Shall we go to the woods afterward to look for acorns?” (Aomoto)
“Shouldn’t you go to Ouji?” (Shuu)
Two days and three days passed from my back and forth between the library and the training grounds.
And I was walking back to my house, sweating profusely and exhausted. It was around dusk when the red sun was tilting in the west.
Tamiko and I noticed at the same time when we entered the alley leading to the house from the side of the bakery.
“…something smells good…?” (Shuu)
The smell wafted through the slightly open kitchen window. The smell is the delicious, warm broth from a stew or casserole.
Obviously, Utsuki, who should be in charge of cooking is a freeloader that we can’t get rid of it. That means–the two of us look at each other.
“It’s Noa!” (Shuu)
“Noa, squeak!” (Tamiko)
Unable to suppress our excitement, we open the front door and rush in with the same momentum we  had in our short run.
“I’m home—Gyaaa!” (Shuu)
“Welcome back Noa–Pigyaaa!” (Tamiko)
Of us screamed, drooling and mouth open wide.
On the dining room floor,  two people tied up with [White String] are lying face down. They are Utsuki and Kure. And Kure is somehow bound in a tortoise shell bondage.
And Noa is standing in the kitchen. He is sharpening a knife in a devilish-look next to a simmering pot.
“…Oh, welcome back, both of you… I’ll make you dinner now.” (Noa)
Noa with a wicked wide grin, and bloodcurdling gaze. Her kitchen knife held up has a bright glint. My screams echoed.
So, Noa (and Kure) are back.