Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter’s Hero Dream Chapter 22 \n22 嘆きの亡霊 The Grieving Spirit\n

The immense Mana Material manifested in a way befitting for the White Wolves Den.

Self awareness awakened. The brain immediately initiated thought. The establishment of self.

The first sensation was not ‘resentment’ but ‘exilaration’.

Eyes that could see through the darkness. Ears that could distinguish far echoing sounds with precision. With motion, vast amounts of information entered the brain. It understood that the whole body was filled with power. And also, the way to use the sword worn on it’s waist.

To liken it, would be to the King of the Silver Moon. The existence at the end of an untold amount of resentment and ideals.

It’s figure resembled the imitation of a person, yet it was decisively different.

It’s face was covered by human bones, but there was still proof it was a wolf. But the truth was that it was closer to a person than a beast.

The vast Mana Material accumulated in the White Wolves Den remade the originally existing Phantoms, the Red Moon, into higher ranking existences.

With intelligence and the skill to wield weapons, countless Silver Wolf Knights were created.

Those were retainers. Superior Knights to serve the pack Boss.

The Silver Moon that had perished holding curses and resentment, had been dead for more than ten years. They had now arrived at their intrinsic ideal form.

If they had held such power from the beginning, the magic beasts would never have been annihilated.

It had power. Five hunters had invaded with higher ability than the ones that once hunted the Silver Moon with greed. But those Hunters could not be it’s opponents.

The giant that carried the spear held the most power. But with the Boss of the pack in command, he was not a strong enemy. The spear held the power to penetrate through thick armour in one strike, but there was no point to it when it couldn’t hit.

Power, agility, skill, and even intelligence. The Boss now surpassed the Hunters entirely.

Unlike the other wolves, the Boss didn’t harbour resentment. Just exhilaration.

The foolish Hunters that knelt down after exerting all their strength. Their state of writhing while knowing of what they were unable to accomplish. The moment their hopes were smashed and their expressions transformed to despair. Everything about it was laughable, it couldn’t help but enjoy it.

It overlooked the Hunters that had fled in a direction with no exit.

The 『White Wolves Den』 was a hunting ground.

The pitiful prey that slipped inside the burrow could only wait for death. No one could escape the blade of the boss.

The foolish invaders that contaminated the Lords domain would be met with death. Drive them into a corner, give them hope, and make them despair. The Hunters that writhed in agony would console the Boss and his pack from their boredom.

Ultimately, they would consider expanding the Den. But only after they increased their pack-mates.

While away from the room of the Pack-Boss that the Hunters would likely aim for, the howls of it’s pack-mates entered its ears. Precisely at that time, it gradually contemplated cornering the Hunters that it had overlooked.

And then, they met.

With the 『Grieving Spirit』, that showed a smile of delight.

§　§　§

If I was to make a comparison it would be – Wind.

Shadow. Lighting. Flame. Or perhaps, a Storm.

“…Eh?”

The boy Gilbert let out an idiotic voice.

I didn’t blink at all. Without warning the Boss was blown away.

It’s body bounced off the ground, and a dull sound was heard off in the distance. At the same time, before I knew it, in front of my eyes stood the 『Smiling Skeleton』.

“Wha――”

to Roldolph with his eyes spread to their limits, he noticed the sudden appearance of the 『smiling skeleton』. The bottom of his long spear rattled against the ground as he, rather than glare, stared with a stunned gaze that could not comprehend the current situation.

Soon after, when the Hunter that had experienced many battles was able to move one finger, the smiling skeleton spoke.

The voice that came from under the mask was muttered, but it was a slightly high and sweet one.

“I just want to check to make sure, Cry-chan”\n

Tino clinging to my arm tried to hide behind my back. The smiling skeleton paid her no notice.

“Is that by any chance… our new member?”

It was a voice without hostility. Somehow I felt relieved that it was the same as usual.

Down on it’s knees, the Boss that had been blown into a nearby wall stood back up. It glared at the 『smiling skeleton』 that had turned away from it.

I didn’t know such a dangerous acquaintance… no, but there’s someone even more dangerous here.

As the Smiling Skeleton continued talking, with the exception of Tino, everyone else was afraid. No, was the one that was the most frightened Tino? I forcibly changed the stiff expression on my face, and smiled.

“It’s not. Also, will you take off the mask?”

“…Yeah it isn’t right. That’s good. No well, Liz-chan didn’t think it was like that, but didn’t you also have a similar mask? Ah, you dropped this. It’s Cry-chan’s right?”

Ah, she’s super angry isn’t she.

It was somewhere in her sugary sweet sounding voice. Liz-chan presented the 『Silent Air』. When she began referring to herself in the first person it was a signal that she was angry.

Then assuming an air of importance she touched the mask that completely covered her appearance, and it was removed.

Nobody moved. Of course Greg-sama and the boy Gilbert, but also the Boss that was ignored couldn’t do anything but follow along and watch.

Unbundled long pink blonde hair billowed out. Tanned skin. Small lips. A delicate nose. And above all, sparkling pale pink eyes.

A cute appearance, but there was danger of an eruption at any moment.

Ruda gulped.

“A, hu…man? Wh…What?”

“…It can’t be-“

Overawed Greg-sama took a step back. For the first time Liz-chan noticed the others aside from me, and turned her gaze towards them.

“What is it? There’s no way you wouldn’t know about Liz-chan and us right?”

Glaring glittering eyes. Her face was warped, she was smiling with her mouth but her eyes were not.

“Are you still even Hunters? Even with Cry-chan with you? You’ve been under a rock? Unbelievable. In the capital it’s impossible-“

The removed mask – the party symbol of 『Strange Grief』, the 『Smiling Skeleton』 fell to the ground.

And then, to the Boss and the Hunters alike, Liz arrogantly laughed at them.

So there were such people that didn’t know of us – 『Strange Grief』.

If I was to make a comparison it would be – Wind.

Shadow. Lighting. Flame. Or perhaps, a Storm.

Her small body was filled with energy as if of the sun.

Those were all the natural properties of the Hunter called the 『Severed Shadow』 Liz Smart.

So, why was she in this sort of place? That face and appearance proved it was the real deal.

Everyone was lost for words. Liz spoke to me, who was full of questions.

“Sorry, Cry-chan”

Her expression was completely not sorry at all.

Her small lips seemed to be about to weep, but trembled as if enduring. As if they could not bear the violent emotions. She had an expression like she would cry at any moment, but she didn’t cry.

“Liz-chan was really sad. With a lot of trouble, we captured the fortress, and I hurried back home, but no one was there, Cry-chan had, gone out to a Shrine.”

Her voice was collapsing. It was inconsistent, her eyes shined with even more energy. The surrounding air was distorted. It was hot. The heat rising from her body invaded the cool air of the cave.

Her voltage had increased huh. She was probably still worked up since she had only just finished capturing a Shrine. It was a common thing for high concentrations of Mana Material to make a Hunters temperament run wild.

Also, the distance to the castle wasn’t one you could run and come back to, what’s going on?\n“Sad. I was so sad. And also completely – “

Then Liz-chan spat it out.

” – Embarrassed!!”

Her eyebrows slanted. Eyes narrowed, cheeks and lips grew tight.

“Truly you know, I trusted. I thought maybe something was wrong. Surely, Cry-chan was a little prone to worrying, but he wouldn’t, to this Liz-chan though…”

“Even if it’s only 『taking out the trash』, I won’t… be satisfied.”

From her look everyone except Tino was trembling. Tino had already gone past trembling and was nearly at the point of death.

Since a while ago only the sound of clattering teeth came from behind where the arm gripped my back. Don’t worry, it’s not so exaggerated that you’ll be killed.

“N-No that’s, the heck are you-“

“Huh? You, just die. Can’t you see that Liz-chan is apologising right now!!?”

Unable to put up with the way he talked – Gilbert was pierced into the wall. The heavy sound of armour being shot out, came out delayed. The cavern quaked. Laws had been disrupted.

Eyes double crossed, armour caved in, his hand twitched in jerks. A noble sacrifice. Greg-sama rushed over flustered, and sprinkled a potion over.

His courage was considerable but, it’s better to gauge your opponent. No matter who, Liz-chan was the fastest to resort to violence.

Without looking at the person she had handed out judgement to, Liz glanced behind me and saw the completely withered up Tino.

“Hey, Tee-? What do you think Liz-chan should do? Hey, was Liz-chan incapable? Or maybe, lacking? Not disciplined enough? Or too untalented, skipped out on too much? Not worthy enough? Craved for power? Hey, Hey, Oi, answer me! Fuck! This piece of trash! I don’t remember raising such garbage! Because of you, Liz-chan will be hated! You made me be embarrassed! Before being a nuisance to Cry-chan, go and die off by the wayside!! Bite off your tongue and kill yourself!!!”

“I’m sorry I’m sorry Onee-sama. It was all my fault. I’m sorry for being a nuisance. It was my fault for being weak, please forgive me.”

From Liz-chan shouting with a threatening tone, Tino apologised like a broken music box.

“Don’t apologise to Liz-chan! Isn’t there someone else you should be apologising to!”

Everyone drew back. The Boss only was still drawn in.

Hang in there. Do your best Tino. Liz-chan also wasn’t at fault. Everything that went wrong was because of me, giving over that weird request.

But if I said something like ‘It was my bad’ now, Liz-chan would probably blame Tino. Liz was kind of like that.

That’s why, I pressed down on Liz-chan’s shoulder who seemed to be likely to take out her fists at any moment.

“Liz, Tino worked really hard. She defeated a Phantom, then found the rescue targets from the request, yep, really well done, well done.”

Who are you to talk. Surely everyone that was here that knew the circumstances was thinking that.

But Liz who didn’t know what happened here stared in amazement. She turned, and changed her voice back while raising her eyes to me.

“Eh? Well done? Really?”

“Yep. In a test of strength they all took down a huge white one together. I thought it was a pretty big deal. Really.”

“………………One? Only one? That’s, worth living… is it?”

What struck a chord with her? To my praise, Liz inclined her head. It feels like soothing a fierce animal.

“It is it is. I want them to live. And also Liz-chan has become able to make proper adjustments, that’s amazing.”

“Ah! You knew? It’s great right? I remembered to stop just before! Just like how Cry-chan told me.”

Liz’s expression completely changed. The good mood made the anger from earlier hard to believe.

But, didn’t you hit with all your might? Stopped just before? Where did you stop?”

Well, they are still living so that was big progress. If it was Liz from before they would definitely have been killed. To teach the Genocidal Monster patience, am I a genius? Well, I’m not really doing anything though.

Tino’s thin voice entered with the best timing. As expected, she hadn’t been Liz’s disciple for such a long time just for appearances.

“I’m sorry for being a nuisance Master.”

“Tee- also you know, has the talent. But she doesn’t have the determination and effort and willingness to die. She’s a hundred times weaker than me, so she needs to put in one hundred times the effort.”\n\n“This kind of attack, I can block like this and this and this. Tee-? This kind of shitty slow, low powered attack, was it such a hard fight?? You little, up to now, have you even been watching Liz-chan? Can you do this?”

That’s impossible.

Ruda had gone white as a sheet. Could she perhaps see the movements?

I put on a smile on, and watched as Liz-chan did as she pleased.

I couldn’t see it, but I could understand what she was doing. Because what we were looking at was one of the very reasons that I completely gave up on my dream of being a Hunter.

What Liz-chan was doing is simple. She grabs the bullets filled with enormous energy with her bare hands and tosses them away. I understood in theory. But that was already no longer at the level of something like speed.

At the very start, when she showed it off like a new toy, her smiling face was one of my traumas. Shrines that required such monstrous ability, as you’d expect an ordinary person like me couldn’t keep up with that.

The sweeping fire stopped. The bullets had been exhausted. I wasn’t interested in how the Wolf Knight would fight now that it had no bullets, but the chance to know became lost for eternity.

Liz brushed herself off lightly and stared in the direction of the Wolf Knight and Boss. I couldn’t see her expression hidden behind the mask, but somehow I could predict it.

And then – the massacre began.

The process was thrown away, and all that remained was the results.

“This kind of Phantom in armour, can get beaten to death inside of it! Even the hardness of armour, has its limits! Kill from above! Blow off their heads! Kill it however you want! Isn’t it the most fun don’t you think!?”

The distance was closed in a single step. Before the Wolf Knight set up to fire again, a kick was released that tore through the black armour as if it was made of paper. It’s whole body was slammed against the wall, and it disappeared leaving only it’s imprint.

“The sword, catch it! Stop it! Avoid it! Do whatever you like! If you have any questions, say so!”

The slashes that were fired off endlessly at speeds that made your eyes seem to have stopped working were all avoided. Only afterimages could be seen, and as she had said, the blade became caught between her fingertips. The Boss tried to move it back, but the blade remained completely motionless.

“Do it like this! If you dodge you won’t be hit! Hit so they can’t avoid it! Do it if it feels right! Go all out! Get it? You get it right? It’s not about being talented! That’s stupid! Rush! Be reckless! For Tee, there’s no time! Put in a hundred times more effort than me! That’s the only difference! You dimwit!”

I don’t really get what she’s saying, but in the storm of abuse, clinging to my back Tino sniffled and finally began to cry. Poor thing. You really aren’t suited to teaching, Liz.

“And here I was, in a really good mood. Damn it!”

As the finishing blow, her shoe type Relic 『Highest Roots』which covered her feet, were used to violently kick the Boss in the abdomen from below. Her feet easily penetrated it’s armour, piercing through the Boss’s torso. It’s body convulsed, and it couldn’t help letting out a scream that resounded throughout the cave.

Blood splattered, and clung to the Skeleton Mask. It would be nicer if we had a different symbol…

“Liz, have you calmed down?”

“Ah- …yeah a little.”

A more composed voice than the previous shouts of abuse. Tino muffled her sobs. As if to try not to harm the mood any further.

Liz forcibly extracted her foot from the Boss. It still seemed to be alive, but that was definitely a fatal wound. It didn’t have long.

Already having lost interest, Liz walked towards me. Her boots were completely covered in blood, and her clothes and skin were stained in blotches.

Overwhelming power. A thoroughly violent nature.

There was something missing as a person, yet maximumly gifted to the extreme.

Unthinkable that it lived among human society, that was the Genocidal Monster Liz Smart.

Ruda and the others were helplessly weak at the knees and fell down.

It was unbelievable. That was our thief. A thief or more like a bandit. I also always think that.

Liz removed the mask. She put her fingertip wet with blood in her mouth, and looking only at me she gave an embarrassed smile.

“Oh, I forgot to say. I’m back, Cry-chan”

“…Welcome home, Liz”

Catching Liz that came for an embrace, I held her closely. Liz’s body was hot as if there was fire inside it.

–

Translator Notes The chapter title is a partial drop of the Books title. In the text the author usually denotes it as Strange Grief with furigana as the Cry’s parties name. I tried to do Liz’s dialogue justice but it really doesn’t translate well to English (Well for an amateur like me). It faces a few problems, one I think is that referring to yourself in the third person comes across kind of bad in English. Just imagine all the abuse coming from someone like this. Well maybe not that short. Anyway I did try a little, it was just harder than I thought. I imagine in the anime or manga version of the scene it would be a little easier to laugh at her violence.