Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~

Chapter99，Part1: 1 - Shared Responsibility

Chapter 99 Shared Responsibility

Part 1

After safely surviving Gark-san’s abduction, I walk through the Explorer Association without looking back.

Maybe it was because it was break time, there were only a few people in the lobby as this place might have long queues depending on the time of the day.

When I first came to the Imperial Capital, the inside of the building seemed to look terrible to me but as expected, even I will get used to it after five years.

I walk through the request board with innumerable requests on it, walk through the news board where the latest news is posted on it, walk through the information board with the latest bounty posted on it, ignore, let’s ignore everything.

Even if I check those, I can’t do my Level 8 quota on my own.

I slowly walked around the Explorer Association, checked all the counters, I checked the Delivery/Appraisal counter and the material counter, after all I couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I sighed and frowned.

What I was looking for was an escort. To be more specific, I was looking for Hunters who possessed the mark of 《First Step, Footprint of the Beginning》 on them and was willing to listen to me.

In general, I don’t want to go out alone. There are many pedestrian paths from the Explorer Association to the Clan House and there is almost zero chance that I will be attacked on the way home but I still want to avoid being alone.

When I voluntarily go out, I find a suitable escort in the Clan House and take them with a suitable reason (Or rather I only go out when there is an escort with me), but as I was abducted or called by Gark-san, I will have to go back on my own.

There was no problem to get here as Gark-san was there, but I can’t help but be afraid of going back.

Of course, my equipment is perfect. I have Relic from my head to my toes but those are only here to make me feel relieved.

“Good grief, I am really troubled because every single time, Gark-san calls me so suddenly. Even though it wasn’t such an urgent matter… He didn’t need to remind me.”

While swaying my chains attached on my waist, I gently peek out of the entrance door.

In front of the Explorer Assoc., there was a big street. The sun was still high, there were many people passing by, unlike inside where it wasn’t busy.

A carriage passing by, a tradesman who squints his eyes because the sun is shining so brightly. No one has an anxious look like me.

I stand out a little bit from this scene. It is a funny story that I, a Hunter, is frightened while regular citizens aren’t frightened at all.

When I am tense, I pretend to be calm, bulge my chest and gather my courage to finally take the first step outside.

§

In Zebrudia, the name of High-Level Hunters is valued quite highly.

Even if you say Hunters, there are a variety of them, from their jobs, achievements, field specialty, etc… Most Hunters are considered full fledged around Level 5 and can call out to countries administrator, nobles, large business companies, etc…

Because of that, they will have a strong backing proportional to their Level.

It was around that time that fans from the regular citizens started to appear. Of course, there was Ark which has a famous name in Zebrudia as he was a descendant of a Hero, but there were also fans for the violent Liz.

A Hunter is a warrior and at the same time some kind of idol.

The recognition of a Hunter’s name is one of the factors that give Hunters enormous wealth and honor but on the other hand, I have few fans as I used mysterious power to become one of the foremost Level 8 in the Imperial Capital.

It is at the time when I started to become famous that I started to feel a sense of crisis, this is why I tried to hide my face as much as possible.

I haven’t even appeared once in the newspaper, well even if I say I hide my face, I can’t do it perfectly so many people know me but in general, Infinite Variety appearance is unknown.

Including my unknown appearance, the other two Level 8 in the Imperial are probably thought to be top-class High-Level Hunters.

And all those actions were made to avoid creating any 『Enemy』 that all High-Level Hunters have.

For example, someone like Luke, battle mania who likes to test their skills as soon as they find an opponent who is known to be strong.

For example, a criminal who has a strong grudge against Hunters because they have caught their companions.

Or criminal organizations specialize in exterminating Treasure Hunters or even people who get close to you to leech off of you power, the list of Hunters’ enemies is endless.

And, this is the most important, unlike other High-Level Hunters, I don’t have the power to fight them off.

So of course I try to hide my face and when I go out, I try to have escorts with me. I also try to equip as many Retlic as possible and avoid unpopulated roads as much as possible.

No one understands me, but I am ―― A chicken.

I carefully, really carefully walk down the road to the Clan House. I want to hide my face but in this situation if I hide my face then it would be more conspicuous so I can’t hide my face.

Unfortunately, my practice on the 『Mirage Form』 hasn’t reached the point where I can change my face yet. It is possible to change my face to some extent from the beginning when I used the 『Reverse Face』, but that wasn’t because one Relic is better than the other but rather that the origin of the Relic was different.

Fortunately, there is no one who turns their eyes this way.

My ability is unrivaled if I have to melt away into the general citizen. It is at the level even Liz said 『As expect of Cry-chan! You are just like any other person!』 .

Of course, the amount of Mana Material I can absorb is at the lowest class but it also seems like that my appearance can make it seem like I don’t resemble a warrior at all. That isn’t an act, you know…

When I am walking while thinking of something so useless, a hand suddenly caught my shoulder from behind.

A cold chill runs through my body and I slowly look back.

“Cry-san. It has been a while.”

“… Aaaah, it has been a while.”

The one standing friendly there is a blue-haired young boy with an icy look.

His age is probably the same or slightly younger than Tino. His appearance is like a regular citizen, he doesn’t have weapons or armor on him, this is why I feel a sense of discomfort from the gap between his sharp eyes and clothes.

But more than anything, there is one question that is stuck in my mind.

………… Who are you?

“I am sorry to call you so suddenly. I am really sorry to say that after meeting you after a while but ―― I have something I want to talk to you about.”

………… Who are you?

I said, it has been a while without thinking, but for the time being I gave him a gentle smile to this person that I don’t recognize at all.

For some reason, in 《Footprint》 there is a rule that mentions that when new members join, they have to have a face to face interview with me. It can’t be helped if I can’t remember their name when I see their face but I don’t think that I can even forget their face.

From what he said in the beginning, it seems that this boy and I are acquaintances. It is unlikely that he called the wrong person.

Maybe, he is one of my fans? … No there is no way that it is.

A sharp nose and icy blue eyes. An Ikemen?with a cold impression. It is a type that I don’t have in my Party.

………… Who are you?

“From the fact that I came here, I think you already have a good idea why I am here but ――“

………… Who are you?

While I am confused the young boy *perapera* talks continuously. I want him to first introduce himself or put a name tag on his chest.

Don’t think I can remember who you are, when I don’t even remember my own Clan Members, you know.

“I know that Branch Manager Gark called you. I won’t take a lot of your time. Please can you come with ―――― Cry-san?”

“…… Aaaah. I see… What a coincidence. I was just thinking that I had to meet with you.”

“!?”

While *nikoniko* smiling, I decide to do my best to get on with it.

I don’t know who you are but if I refuse, I doubt he will say 『Yes, I understand』 and back down.

It is uncanny to not know his name. If my personality was as strong as Liz I would have told him that I don’t know him but unfortunately I am a fluffy man. It is also a great point that I don’t feel any killing intent up to this point.

The young boy opened his eyes widely for a moment but soon returned to his original expressionlessness.

“As expected of ―― 《Infinite Variety》, you already understand the story. Then please come with me. It isn’t a story where we can talk while standing around. We can go to a nearby Coffee Shop ――”

It is here! It isn’t like I am reluctant to go with you (No, if I think it calmly, I am reluctant), but even for talking together this Cry Andrich has no intention to join you all by himself. Even if it is from someone younger who doesn’t have any weapons, period!

“Sorry, as it is just around the corner, let me put my luggage in the the Clan House first ――”

“I found you, Aarun! You suddenly started to run by yourself……!? Eh!? Don’t tell me you found him!?”

My words were interrupted by a sudden intruder.

Approaching from the other side of the road was a young girl with sunshine like blonde hair.

Large green eyes and skins without a single stain. With no special trait on her, she doesn’t look like a Hunter at all. And after all, I don’t recognize her.

The young boy who was called Aarun by the cheerful young girl, said without changing his complexion.

“Ah, Marie. Apparently, Cry-san was also looking for us. It seems like he will come with us.”

“! Thank you very much, Cry-san. Thank god, with this one of my worries is gone…”

As if she was relieved, the young girl called Marie strokes her chest.

It kind of looks like your worries which are gone went to me though? Did I take it over?

Marie and Aarun. I still don’t remember them. I’m gonna puke because of my anxiety.

For now, I have to survive this situation with any means possible.

§

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!

Aaaah Cry just by going out there is always problem coming and get you XD

Who are those two and what do they want from Cry?

Let’s hope they aren’t scammer playing the “it’s me” trick XD

Tchao à plus!

Footnotes

Chicken: He means like a scaredy catIkemen: A good-looking man.