Chapter 100 - Breaking Through the Neighborhood Labyrinth (8)

“Yeah, it’s okay. The sighting information has just been uploaded. Ruten is not near here right now.”

I nodded silently to Mikuma’s voice that could be heard from the smartphone and made eye contact with Gasaraio.

“Okay, thank you Mikuma. Are we ready?”

I sheathed the knife I borrowed from Gasaraio through its dedicated holder and asked while mounting it on my belt.

“Ah, the policewoman and the blonde chibi will be in front. After that, the children, then the villain and I will be in the rear.”

Officer Doggy who was carrying a weapon, Gasaraio who has experience in combat sandwiched the group and I followed.

Taking the children into consideration as well, the formation had to be like this.

Kusaka looked after the children carefully so that they wouldn’t scatter.

“Everyone, we’re going. Please don’t get separated.”

“U-un.”

“O-okay.”

Officer Doggy smiled gently and looked at the children.

Each one had a stiff expression, but they are strong children.

The small children mustered their courage.

If we adults don’t have it together, we won’t be able to stay strong.

“… now.”

Gasaraio stepped outside the dome-shaped slide and confirmed the safety of the surrounding area before beckoning with his hand.

Nodding at those words, I first brought the boys out.

Next, Officer Doggy quickly entered the forest with the girls.

Finally, the Kusaka siblings went out, and Gasaraio and I went to the end.

We went down the path that I made when we entered this park.

Before leaving the park, Officer Doggy stopped the children and first checked that the road was safe.

“It’s okay. The community center is this way. Don’t rush, follow me, okay?”

The nervous children nodded repeatedly and followed Officer Doggy out of the park.

“Furball, did you get in touch with your siblings?”

Gasaraio and I were talking while checking the sky and behind us.

“No, I couldn’t get through, so I sent a text. Their patrol route should be near the evacuation shelter.”

“Speaking of which, why are you by yourself?”

If you’re a newcomer, wouldn’t it have been better to be with one of them?

“Since Nanairo-aneki is the only one who causes trouble without fail. She has a short temper and is quarrelsome, even Seijistsu-aniki doesn’t know why she explodes, and only he can stop her when she’s like that.”

Your older sister is like nitroglycerin.

“Did you get in touch with your family?”

“No, I also sent a text.”

They didn’t answer the phone at home, so I wonder if they went to an evacuation shelter outside.

Only Shouhei has a smartphone, which is inconvenient at times like this. I should have given Aoi one, but she did have a record of breaking my smartphone.

“I heard from Officer Doggy’s mom, who was with them, so I think they’re probably okay.”

I pretend to be calm, but I’m anxious.

“… Sorry, it’s because of the Treasure Hunter Association.”

I was surprised.

I was so surprised that I left my mouth open.

I didn’t think that this large impertinent cat would apologize to me.

He did apologized once before, but that should have been for everyone.

“… What’s with that face?”

Noticing that I wasn’t replying, Gasaraio glanced sideways at my face.

“Ah, no. Nothing.”

I came to my senses and was a little flustered.

“Well, even though I’m a novice, I’m still part of the Hunter Association. So I would feel some guilt. It’s also disgraceful to involve an ordinary citizen.”

Gasaraio diverted his line of sight and continued on.

“That’s why, well, sorry.”

… The first impression was the worst but now that I think about it now, he may have a bad mouth but he isn’t a bad person.

“Well, that’s what the guys above did of their own accord, right? Well, it’s not like you were wrong, and you know, you’re helping us? It’s not like we’re not thankful, so there’s no need to apologize…”

“Ha ha, why are you trying to take me into consideration? Idiot.”

Gasaraio squinted and smiled happily.

“S-shut up!”

After that, we cracked jokes while following after the kids.

When we walked for a while, we saw the signboard for the community centre.

“It’s looks about just a bit further, right.”

Kusaka lead the girl’s hand and talked to Officer Doggy.

The children were different in age, and the older children were holding the hands of the younger children. How admirable.

“That’s right, everyone do your best!”

“Yup!”

“I’ll do my best!”

“Onee-chan! Just a little more!”

The smallest girl that was holding Hina’s hand looked at her with a big smile.

“Yeah! Let’s do our best?”

“Yup!”

Hina-chan titled her chestnut color hair and smiled at the girl.

Gasaraio and I looked at that scene in the back, but didn’t relax our vigilance.

“I haven’t seen a single monster.”

“In the first place, we’re far away from Tusk Crag. Monsters are born in fixed places, so only fast ones can come to this place. Even an average hunter can easily deal with a Rock Wolf, so maybe the other hunters already got rid of them.”

I had a really tough time though.

“It’s natural for hunters to carry around magic tools that doesn’t break the rules. Rather, it was strange that you were fighting monsters without any equipment.”

Ah, was my dissatisfaction revealed on my face?

“Kunpei-kun! Can you hear me!?”

I heard Mikuma’s voice from the smartphone in my chest pocket.

“Oh, I can hear you. What’s wrong?”

“Ruten is heading there! Hide!”

Shit! Our goal was right in front of us!

“There was information with a photo from a nearby building! Quickly!”

“Officer Doggy!”

“Everyone, this way! Quickly!”

A swift judgment!

“Hina! Hold on to that girl! I’ll carry you!”

Without time to reply to Kusaka’s words, Hina held onto the smallest girl.。

Gasaraio and I both ran and picked up the children by two’s.

Eventually, we could see a crossroad in front of us.

“There’s a convenience store in this corner… no stop! Run away!”

Officer Doggy, who turned around the corner, suddenly shouted loudly.

What!?

“Kyaaah!”

Officer Doggy took a step back and her chest was cut by something that jumped out of the corner.

“Uwahhh!”

“Police officer-san!”

The children’s short screams echoed.

“Furball! I’m going ahead!”

“Oh!”

I entrusted the child to Gasaraio, pulled the knife out of the holder, and ran towards Officer Doggy.

“Rock Wolf!”

The rock wolf was there, snorting.

I stood in front of Officer Doggy, holding the knife.

“Furball! Ill attract its attention, so find a chance to shoot it! Kusaka! I’m leaving Officer Doggy to you!”

I glanced at Officer Doggy.

It’s okay, she’s alive.

It seems that the Rock Wolf’s claws tore her clothes at the chest and there was some blood, but the wound was shallow. Did she black out when she was hit, she’s lying there limply.

“Y-yes! Doggy-san!”

Kusaska made the kids fall back, and rushed over to Officer Doggy lying on the ground, grabbed her right arm, and pulled vigorously.

I faced the Rock Wolf.

The wall at the crossroad should be a blind spot for it. Gasaraio who was well hidden already had his magic cannon readied.

The children and Hina-chan took refuge behind there, and Kusaka also arrived there while dragging Officer Doggy.

“Be careful!”

I know!

Maybe it reacted to Gasaraio’s words, but the Rock Wolf swiftly retreated.

I don’t have the skill to hit with magic cannon with one shot.

If that weapon is the only weapon that can bring them down with one shot, then Gasaraio who can surely hit them has to be the gunner and I have to act as the decoy.

“Hey, come on!”

I have to hurry up and lead this guy away.

I don’t know when Ruten will appear, and I’m also worried about Officer Doggy’s injuries.

Don’t rush.

I can’t be impatient.

I have to deal with this thing quickly and with certainty.

Keep cool, Kunpei.

“Guaaaaaaa!”

The Rock Wolf roared, ignoring me and started running towards the wall of one of the buildings.

What! Really!

“Gah!”

“Ah! That kind of thing!”

He kicked off the wall and attack me. A so-called wall kick.

The Rock Wolf came at an angle and then bent and dodged diagonally.

What’s with this guy!

If he landed there, he wouldn’t be in the line of sight of the magic cannon!

“Furball! Don’t move!”

I stopped Gasaraio who got impatient and tried to move, dodged, and prepared for the next attack.

“Are you an idiot! You have to protect the children too! If you weren’t there, who would shoot Ruten down!”

“S-sorry!”

That’s right.

If that monster finds us, only Gasaraio can take the initiative.

If we were preoccupied by this shitty wolf and missed Ruten’s attack, then we’ll be finished.

“Onii-chan!”

Hina-chan voice resounded.

“A-ah! Aniki! It’s Ruten! Ruten is over there!”

“Are you kidding me!”

While avoiding the Rock Wolf that kicked off the wall again and attacked from the side, I looked around and searched for Ruten.

It was there.

That annoying bird bastard flew straight towards us from over the other side of the community center.

It’s the worst thing that could have happened!

We don’t have the strength to fight the Rock Wolf and Ruten at the same time!

“Furball! Shoot Ruten!”

“I know! It’s still out of range!”

The Rock Wolf attacked, changing methods one after another.

With Ruten’s appearance, the option of receiving support from Gasaraio has disappeared.

He’s taking care of Ruten, I’m taking care of the Rock Wolf.

We can’t take our eyes off either of them.

Damn it, think! Think, think, come up with a method that can help, even a little!

“Kunpei-kun!”

“Sorry! I don’t have time now!”

I could hear Mikuma’s worried scream from the smartphone.

I want to say that I’m okay, but… sorry.

I have my hands full!

“Hit!”

Along with Gasaraio’s voice, a red flash emitted from the magic cannon that he readied.

The silent style cannonball shot out of the magic cannon that Gasaraio explained by and flew towards Ruten.

“Kuoooooooo!”

Ruten’s cry echoed in the sky.

“… You’re kidding.”

Gasaraio murmured as the cry stopped.

What! I’m too busy to see it! Can you stop doing things that’ll make me worry!?

“What happened? What about Ruten?”

“It’s no use! What’s with that guy! I didn’t hear that it could to that!”

So what happened!?

“It was hit back with its wings! A long-distance magic cannon can’t hit him!”

“Haaah!?”

Then, what are we going to do?

“Furball! Don’t you have anything else!? Don’t you have other hidden magic tools!?”

“I didn’t think I would fight, and the procedures to bring them are a pain, so the only magical tool that’s a weapon is the magic cannon! Even the cannonballs are the simplest ones!”

“Then, just take out what you have!”

You can complain later!

“W-wait a minute! There isn’t that much!? Um, this is a wall shield, this is a flash lantern, and this is no good! What’s left is just magic tools to help with exploration!”

Gasaraio screamed as he rummaged through his magic pocket.

It was! This guy was like this when he’s about to blow his fuse!

It’s the same as when we first met!

Hmm?

“Wait a minute, what is that wall shield!”

I was interested in that!

I was finally able to hit the Rock Wolf’s hind legs and glanced at Gasaraio for a moment.

“Eh? Ah, this? It’s the toughest type of defense magical tool that you hold with two hands. It’s heavy and difficult to handle, so you can’t operate it unless you stop moving.”

“Send that over! And let’s change spots!”

“Oh, I don’t really get it, but I understand!”

I rolled forward to avoid the approaching Rock Wolf that had its mouth opened, and changed positions with Gasaraio who rushed over.

“This is it! It’s heavy!”

“Guh!”

I received the circular shield that Gasaraio hurled at me.

Even after I sheathed the knife in the holder and received it with both hands, my body staggered under the weight.

It was a metal shield coated in matte black and about twice the size of my face.

“Can this be activated just by holding it?!”

“You have two handles on the inside! Pull the right trigger to turn it on, and pull the left side at the same time to secure the barrier to the ground!”

Gasaraio swung the magic cannon and blew the Rock Wolf away.

That guy is strong as expected.

“Okay, I got it! Bring down that shitty wolf as soon as possible!”

“I’ll do my best! I’m not compatible with this guy so don’t expect too much!”

I know!

Gasaraio is a power type just like how he looks. It will be difficult to deal with the swift Rock Wolf.

While keeping an eye on Ruten, I retreated to where the Kusaka siblings and the children were.

“Kusaka! What about Officer Doggy?!”

“Eh, ah! She’s regained consciousness! The wound on her chest isn’t that deep!”

“Kazamachi-kun… it’s okay. It hurts but I won’t die.”

Alright, okay!

Officer Doggy raised her body as she pressed down on her blood-soaked chest.

It seems that she’s still staggering and her line of sight is not focused.

“Kusaka! I’ll take all of Ruten’s attacks, so during that time, take Officer Doggy and the kids to the community center!”

That’s it, one at a time.

One by one, one by one.

First of all, we need to ensure the safety of the injured Officer Doggy, and of the children and Kusaka who cannot fight.

I don’t know how much this magic tool can withstand, but I will do as much as I can!

“Eh? That’s… I can’t do it alone!”

Even if it’s impossible, you have no choice but to do it!

Kusaka must take the children and Officer Doggy to the community center by himself.

I don’t know how much Officer Doggy can move.

“Kuh, I know… it should be my job, but now I don’t have the strength to take on that role… I’ll lessen the burden as much as possible and use all my strength to follow along.”

Sorry, Officer Doggy.

You did your best to encourage the children and was even injured.

We’ve been depending on you too much up until now.

Without Officer Doggy, we are nothing more than an incohesive group.

You even mediated the insignificant quarrel between me Gasaraio.

What do we do other than our best in this predicament?

“It’s coming! Leave the talking, apologies, and excuses for later! There’s no time Kusaka! Resolve yourself!”

“Ehhhhh!”

It was not the place to answer Kusaka’s screams.

I had a lot to be worried about, but there was no time to think!

Ruten was already coming in front of me.

The first bet was that it would come straight to me!

The last intruder into Tusk Crag that you saw, I’m right here!

“Guoooooh!”

It came!

I held the two handles on the inside of the shield and hold it out in front of me.

“Oryaaaaa!”

I pulled the triggers at the same time.

The magic barrier opened instantly. A thick translucent pink wall spread around the shield.

“Guaaaaa!”

“Oh! Guh!”

The barrier splendidly blocked its giant body.

At the same time, the impact was so great that my feet sunk into the ground.

“Guhh! Heavy!”

Why is it so heavy! Oh yeah, it was a rock monster!

No, but normally I shouldn’t be able to take a rock of this size!?

“While the barrier is deployed, any impact on the handle side should be absorbed! Brace your legs!”

Further beyond Ruten and the barrier, Gasaraio, who was holding the fangs of the Rock Wolf back with the magic cannon, shouted.

Thank god! I didn’t even think about it because I moved without thinking! How dangerous!

“Guhhhh! Kusaka! Hurry up!”

It worked! Now take this chance to get to the community center!

“Hii! I can’t! it’s impossible!”

You’re joking right, Kusaka. Are you serious.

“You! Are you getting cold feet at this point in time! Gahhh!”

“O-onii-chan!”

I looked at Officer Doggy and the children who were clinging to Kusaka.

Everyone was anxious and looked close to crying, but not a single person was crying.

“But, but!”

“Tsk!”

The weight suddenly disappeared as soon as I clicked my tongue, Ruten disappeared.

I looked up at the sky, Ruten was spreading its wings and was becoming smaller.

I think it’s going to rise to gain momentum and charge again.

I lowered the shield, approached Kusaka, grabbed him by the collar and pulled him towards me.

Kusaka’s legs were trembling and he was withdrawing.

This guy is pissing me off!

“Weren’t you the one who said it! That you couldn’t protect your sister and that you wanted to change! What was that?! Was it all empty words?! Didn’t you look up to me, don’t you know how I am! I definitely won’t shrink back from protecting the ones I want to protect!”

“Hiiii!”

I’m begging you! For God’s sake Kusaka!

It’s your turn now!

“Onii-chan! I’ll do my best together! Please!”

Hina-chan had teary eyes and clung to Kusaka.

“H-hina…”

Gasaraio and I were both tied up.

Officer Doggy was injured and couldn’t move like usual.

Despite being reliable, Hina-chan was just a girl in elementary school.

The children endured desperately from crying, and bit their lips.

There’s no one else but you.

This situation will not change unless you muster up your courage and lead everyone!

Aaah! I’m frustrated for not being able to express it well!

Why can’t I speak properly at times like this!

“Kazamachi-kun! It’s coming!”

I looked up at the sky in response to Officer Doggy’s voice.

Ruten spread its wings especially wide and took a nosedive.

After confirming it, I turned to face Kusaka again.

“Kusaka, it’s right now! The first step to becoming stronger that Gasaraio was talking about, take that step! Now’s the time!”

I strengthened the hand that was gripping his collar and stared straight into his frightened eyes.

I looked straight at Kusaka’s eyes and appealed to his heart, not his head.

I hoped that it would be transmitted and that he would start moving, I released my hand and left.

“A-aniki… I, I…”

Kusaka sat down in a daze.

I couldn’t hide my disappointment at his appearance, so I bit my lips.

It’s no good.

If I keep looking at him, I’ll surely swear at him.

I took an appropriate distance from them and turned towards Ruten.

I held the shield directly above and lowered my waist.

I’m not your Aniki. I already said that a littler brother is unnecessary.

That’s it.

First, I have to recognize him.

This guy is a man with willpower.

From the day since I transferred, no matter how cruelly I treated him, he still persistently followed me around, so he was undoubtedly tenacious.

I knew all along.

There was some fear mixed into his eyes that were looking at me.

Obedient with excellent grades.

He has a lot of friends and a cute childhood friend that worries about him.

How much courage did it take for the person, Kusaka Makio, who couldn’t move even if his sister was crying in front of her, to follow an infamous guy like me?

He modified his school uniform, and dyed his hair blond and made it into a pompadour against his friends and family’s opposition. He was lectured for going against the school dress code but still continued to maintain it!

All of it.

Didn’t he continue to have courage and am intent to become stronger starting form his appearance!

What should I recognize?

Yes, I’m his classmate.

There’s no need for honorifics.

It’s different from being called Aniki.

You are my classmate.

I’m a friend.

“I’m counting on you, so do your best! Makio!!”

I pulled both triggers on the handle without taking my eyes off of Ruten that was in front of me.

“Guhhh!!”

The impact caused all the bones in my body to grate.

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The direct hit from directly above wasn’t even comparable to the previous one.

If I lost focus for even a bit, I wouldn’t be able to endure this weight and would be crushed.

“Ye… Yes!”

A voice filled with determined reached my ears.