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

*Yarayare* Oh dear, what I have done――I have failed.

That is the first thought that crosses my mind as I, Kaiser, regain consciousness.

I was made to sit in a chair. Cold handcuffs are attached to both my arms and legs and no matter how much power I put into them, they aren’t budging. If it were metal handcuffs I should be able to tear them apart, but it seems like it is going to be difficult to destroy.

It is not like I let my guard down. I was already prepared for what would happen. However, Code’s technical prowess and operation were beyond what I had imagined.

To think――A drug that can penetrate the resistance of a Hunter who has reached Level 8 Solo exists.

I used my card, passed through the gate, and was let through. During the interview, I felt my consciousness going away――And just as I was about to rampage, a mechanized soldier standing by the wall attacked me. Although I couldn’t put any strength into my body, I managed to destroy a few of them before losing consciousness.

Where did I make a mistake? I didn’t even need to think about that.

It was from the beginning. That was definitely equipment for capturing High-level Hunters.

Traps that cause abnormal conditions are common in Treasure Shrines and are deadly to Solo Hunters. Although as a High-level Hunter, I wouldn’t do something foolish like stepping into such a trap, I naturally have a high level of resistance to most poisons used by humans.

Resistance to abnormal conditions is difficult to strengthen. If I cannot resist it, then Saya and Cry probably can’t either.

Naturally, I had considered the possibility that the request itself might be a trap. Normally, the Explorer Association would reject a request like this the moment it was brought to them, but this time, the circumstances are different. The Explorer Association must have investigated the cards, but it is hard to believe that they can completely confirm the safety of something created by an Advanced Physical Civilization.

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Both Cry and Saya must have thought about that risk. There is no way they could have overlooked this possibility, especially the Divine Strategist, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.

However, no one said anything aloud. But that is understandable, of course.

It is because the possibility was low.

In the first place, they don’t have any reason to. Why would they make a High-level Hunter, an Ikkitousen1 warrior, infiltrate the impregnable Code? That is why we decided to proceed with the infiltration mission, despite the danger.

《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 didn’t say anything, but we did all we could. We split up to enter Code to avoid being caught altogether and we also considered the possibility that the pass card itself was a trap, so I switched it with one that someone else had. I even used a fake name. And I still end up like this, so the problem must have been more fundamental.

Fortunately, I don’t seem to be injured. As long as I can do something about the lock, I will be able to fight.

I sense someone nearby. It would be easy to pretend that I haven’t regained consciousness, but they would find out soon anyway, so I should rather stand tall.

I make a small cough and raise my head.

“Capturing someone out of nowhere like that………… What a nice hobby. Is this how you treat someone who came to your recruitment?” (Kaiser)

“Kuku………… Sorry about that. However, I don’t have the courage to face a monster with an overall rating of over 10,000 head-on.” (?)

A small, suppressed laugh. Standing before me, who is restrained, is a middle-aged man dressed in well-tailored clothes.

His hair, beard, and grooming are all neat and tidy. His facial features are fearless, but from my experience, he seems to be looking down at me with a certain natural gaze, something that is typical of those who are born into power. Judging from his appearance, he seems to be a nobleman from Code or something, I think. His clothes look the same as those in the outside world, but they are made of different materials.

The man snickers at me, who intends on watching how things go, and continues.

“I never thought that a man could breathe that gas, which would knock a man from Code into a coma in an instant, and resist the mechanized soldiers. I have heard rumors, but a High-level Hunter is really incredibly sturdy.” (Man)

“Kuku…… High-level Hunter……? What are you talking about? Aren’t you fundamentally misunderstanding something?” (Kaiser)

“Your name is…… Kai, was it. It may be a fake name, but that is fine. Kai, there is no point in pretending to be dumb. We have the technology to measure people’s abilities. Your overall rating is 12,230. Your abilities are at a level that the people we usually do business with cannot match up to, you are truly outstanding.” (Man)

Stay calm even in times of danger. I carefully examine the information the man has given me. Overall rating, 12,230. I don’t know how high that value is, but it seems that the man didn’t target me specifically because he had information about me beforehand.

“I’m honored by the compliment. However, it’s a huge leap in logic to assume that I’m a High-level Hunter just because of that.” (Kaiser)

“So you are saying that you are not a Hunter?” (Man)

“It’s just that I’m very strong. I’ve just trained hard. There are plenty of other strong people in this world besides Hunters.” (Kaiser)

It is not a lie. In fact, some of the wanted people that I have defeated had powers comparable to High-level Hunters. The man looks at me with amusement for a moment because of what I said, but then he shrugs and says.

“Well, what you say is true. But it doesn’t matter. We sent three cards to the Explorer Association, and two excellent warriors were caught. The best thing would be for the strength of our greatest enemy, the Explorer Association, to decrease and for our strength to increase, but even if our strength simply increases, well………… There is no problem with that.” (Man)

So the request itself was a trap. Three Hunters were supposed to come, so they were preparing and waiting to capture them, is it.

Inside the bad news I got, I learned a very good news.

The bad news is that the request itself is a trap. And Two out of three people are captured. And the fact that one person is missing is the very good news.

Code has failed. They deliberately lured High-level Hunters into their inside, only to have one slip away.

A Level 8 Hunter, an Ikkitousen warrior.

If the request is a trap, then the information about the Royal Family being held captive by the nobles is probably false. However, a Level 8 Hunter who can anticipate all possible situations would have figured that out right away. It is a suspicious request from the start.

“The other one is a woman………… But she seems a little weaker than you as she went down without even damaging a single one of the mechanized soldiers. Well, she is rated a lot lower than you――But I would like to see both of you fight each other to see who is stronger.” (Man)

Apparently, this man is not good at masking his true colors. No, maybe he is just an amateur. The power of the city is probably so great that there is no need to play games.

The one that got away is 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, huh. Unlike me, who was easily captured, Cry managed to slip through. This could be――The best worst information I could get. This shows the difference in our abilities.

No, maybe what happened up to this point is exactly as that young man had expected.

That young man didn’t tell Saya and I, who were now under his command, any specific plans. It was almost too unnatural. At the time, I thought he still didn’t trust us yet, but could it be that it was because there was a high possibility we would be caught?

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It is an extreme example, but it is even possible that we were used as a decoy to attract the enemy’s attention.

He has never failed a single request. The best Treasure Hunter. He said himself that his fighting ability was low, but to win without strength, he needed some other factor that outweighed that.

It may seem cruel, but as a Treasure Hunter, sometimes decisions like that are necessary. What’s more, this time our opponent is Code. It wouldn’t be strange to take any chance to ensure the ultimate victory.

“Do you really think that after what you’ve put me through, I’ll obediently follow your orders?” (Kaiser)

“You will listen. It would be best if you followed my orders obediently, but unfortunately I cannot trust you. You are too strong. So, although this is valuable even in Code, I have this.” (Man)

The man reverently takes out a mask from the box. It is a white mask with a flesh-like texture. It is constantly wriggling strangely and looks somehow very sinister.

“It is a mask for making slaves. Apparently, it was once used to force criminals into labor. It has a very strong coercive power. I don’t have many of them, but I wouldn’t mind using them on you. After all, I am desperate to win as well. If I lose, not only will I not be able to become king, I won’t even be able to be the king’s son. You guys probably won’t understand this, but in Code it has great significance. It is a horrifying story. That is why everyone is going all out――” (Man)

What does he mean by that? But that isn’t what I need to think about now.

A mask that creates slaves. A product of an Advanced Physical Civilization. In this world, there are things like collars that force people to move through pain, but that mask is probably on a different level.

Would my resistance be enough to withstand the power of that mask? There is………… Not enough information to judge.

In that case――I will just do all I can.

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I put strength into my restrained limbs. A *gokiri* cracking sound rings out from deep inside my body. I frown at the intense pain that arises. The expression of the man in front of me stiffens for the first time.

“Wh-What was that sound just now!?” (Man)

“What…… It’s just my bone breaking for a little bit. Sorry, but my body isn’t cheap enough for others to use.” (Kaiser)

I am fine with getting caught. It is my fault. But I cannot stand to be an obstacle to completing the mission. The request is gone, but Code is an enemy. 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 will surely make moves aligning with that thought too.

I smile at the pain and screams in my body that are being caused by the excessive force I have applied. Let me destroy it for you. Tempest Dancing is based on the control of your body. It is easy to destroy your own body to the point where it becomes useless for a while.

“No way…… Kai, I forbid you to harm yourself!” (Man)

“Hh!?” (Kaiser)

At his words, my whole body, which I had been putting a lot of strength in it, stiffened. It feels strange, it is as if my body is receiving commands from somewhere other than my brain. Is this also another technique from Code? However, it seems that this one’s enforcement power is not that powerful.

I forcibly overcome the commands of this unknown technology, destroying my flesh and bone. Sweat is running down my entire body. No matter how hard I try, there is no part of my body that would move. With my life force, even if I bite my tongue off, it wouldn’t be enough to kill me, but if I destroy my body to this extent, I wouldn’t be able to move properly for a while.

At the very least, this would buy some time for 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 to get to the bottom of this mission. The man kicks me while I smile at him.

“What a stupid move! Don’t underestimate Code’s medical technology! A wound like this will heal in no time.” (Man)

“………… Fuh.” (Kaiser)

A white flesh mask is roughly placed over my face. Something seeps into me from its cold surface. It is accompanied by strange comfort which is extremely frightening.

Before my consciousness disappears, I submerge my own consciousness deep within myself. This is a defense mechanism for the mind against mental manipulation abilities. If done right, it will leave an impact even after being manipulated.

The rest is up to you, 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》.

And then, Kaiser’s consciousness sank deeper into the darkness.

Thanks for reading! Noooo, looks like Kaiser is going to be brainwashed and side with the enemy… But wait where have I heard this scenario!? *wink, wink*

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1. Ikkitousen: It means a mighty warrior that is worth a 1000.

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