Chapter 99.2

Chapter 99.2 \n<h1>Chapter 99 Shared Responsibility</h1>\n\nDespite my anxiety, Aarun guided me to an ordinary coffee shop.

I have also been there several times and this shop black tea and pound cake are delicious. For the time being, I am relieved that I am not in a closed room surrounded by four walls.

It seems like their treat so without hesitation I order cakes and tea. I have to eat some sweets to make my useless brain work even if it is just a little bit.

As I sat down, Aarun narrowed his eyes, sharpened his cold blade like gaze and said.

“With you, there is no need for small tricks. So, I will say it directly, We want you to withdraw.”

“???”

“Indeed, with the capture of Noto Cochlear, you are one step closer to being Level 9. You also have a favor from Gladys-kyo. If you destroy their remnants, then you will be one step ahead than the other Level 8. However, you will be too ―― Hasty. Don’t you think so?”

“???”

“Initially, Akasha was our prey. Branch Manager Gark may be thinking of a change in generation. However, in terms of experience, Cry-san, you are inferior to others Level 8. I have heard 《StranGri’s》 progress, but even with that in mind, you still don’t have ―― The ability of a Level 9. From your point of view, this shouldn’t probably be something to be pointed out by someone outside of your Clan. But this is our consensus.”

“… Un, un, you are right.”

The black tea is delicious.Marie hurriedly stops Aarun in front of me who had completely entered into reality escape mode.

“Aarun, that is too sudden ―― “

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“Marie, that is something that would be said at one point or another. Initially, with Infinite Variety as our opponent, I don’t think we will be able to deal with him even if we use petty tricks.”

Marie scaredly checks my expression. But I don’t understand anything at all.The tension of the conversation is well transmitted from Aarun’s expression. I smile and wait for his next words, but no matter how long I waited no word came out.

Well, now what? Actually, I didn’t even understand half of Aarun’s story, you know. No, I understand the words he used but there seems to have a big discrepancy with what I understood.

Well, now what? If I am a normal person, I will check each thing I didn’t understand and solve the discrepancy.However, with all the conversation I had until now, I learned the skill to evade the subject.\n

“So, what you want to say, Aarun, is ――“

“Uh!?”

Aarun’s expression hardens and his eyelids tighten.

Eh? I haven’t said anything yet but did I make a mistake?Marie’s mouth trembles next to him as if she was holding back her laughter.

“… What Aarun wants to say is for me to withdraw.”

“… Yes. As I said in the beginning…”

First of all, I don’t remember getting involved in something but let’s leave that aside.According to my experience so far, when something like this happens, it is because Liz did something on her own. And because of the chain of command, I am responsible for it.

“C, Cry-san! In, indeed, it is true that we didn’t do, anything. However, I think it is, unreasonable to hop in from the side. That’s what we think. … What do you think about that?”

Marie says this with a shaky voice.I cross my leg and nod while stabbing the pound cake with my fork.

“Un, un, you are right. I will withdraw.”

“Eh!? Re, really!? Thank you very much!”

Aarun and Marie opened their eyes widely and hurriedly bowed their heads.

Since I didn’t get involved in something, I don’t need to withdraw or anything though. I just need to apologize to Liz or Sytry later on.I have already done it many times before.

I am not sure but I want to quickly go home.

“No, I am sorry that you have to come all the way here to talk about this. I am not interested about the remnants or Level 9 at all. I am still more interested in this pound cake here.”

I am tired of being taken for a ride without knowing anything.From what Aarun said, it is either about bounty criminals or Hunters stuff, I am only Leader in name, so I am not aware of the action of my Members. If you want to complain, just go to the concerned perso ―― No, it is fine if you tell it to me, yes.\nPerhaps because they achieved their goal, the atmosphere around Aarun and Marie is somewhat more relaxed compared to earlier.

I immediately put a harmless appeal.

“In the first place, Branch Manager Gark called me because I didn’t reach my quota, so I don’t think what we discussed was the serious content Aarun thought to be.”

 

“Quota…?”

“N, no. I wasn’t doing nothing. I just didn’t have a good feeling.” 

I wish I could achieve my quota by just collecting herbs.Aarun and Marie were astonished by my words. I don’t know where they knew my face or my name, but I am not the kind of person you think I am.

Finally, the jabber on the auction settled down, so I want you to let me rest for a while, please.After I made a big yawn, Aarun suddenly stood up with a steep look. And at the same time, a shadow is casted on my view.

“… Do you want something?”

“… Shut up. You are not the one I am looking for.”

There was a very familiar voice right behind me. It was the same when Aarun touched my shoulder but apparently my ability to detect others’ presence is below garbage level.

With familiar movement, the table we were sitting on is surrounded by strong men. Unlike Aarun and Marie, they have armors and weapons, they are fully armed.Because of the sudden intruders, the other guests in the coffee shop gasped.

A deep threatening voice is heard over my head.

“It has been a while, 《Infinite Variety》. You really underestimated us a lot, the other day.”

“… Who am I talking to?”

“Tsk…… Level, 8. Damn, looks like you are, showing a lot of composure in front of us… ”

Level 7. It was 《Fallen Mist (Thunder Dragon’s Mist)》, among other things, we negotiated with them during the auction and now they were all around the small shop.At the end, the negotiation should have ended without any trouble so why is everyone looking down at me while feeling a mixture of subtle fear and strong anger.

\nAnd their Clan Master, 《Abyssal Fire of Annihilation》, is one of the greatest Mages in the Imperial Capital. And at the same time, she is like me, one of the three Level  8 Hunters in this Imperial Capital.

I’m gonna puke.