"Munch, Munch… Rabbit meat is just as nasty…" [Hajime]
"Keugh...ugh, this shit is horrible..." [Tanaka]
Currently, the three were in their base hungrily munching on rabbit meat. Yes, it was the meat of the Kicking Rabbit. The master of kicking techniques which once scoffed and looked down on them, has now become nothing but food. They were expecting the rabbit meat to taste somewhat better, but it was magic beast's meat after all. It was unappetizing as usual.
Nonetheless, the entire beast was completely eaten up. After obtaining 【Iron Stomach】, they felt that they were able to eat as much as they liked. Especially since using unique magic increases their hunger by a large extent, and having used it when they were killing the Kicking Rabbit, it was considered an equivalent exchange. They probably wouldn't die since there was the sacred water and Kaori's healing magic, but if the sacred water is used excessively, the sense of hunger would strike again, making it important to think carefully before using.
By the way, the Kicking Rabbit was defeated by laying a trap. Starting by drawing water from the stream and then leading the Kicking Rabbit to the scattered water, the moment it was on the water, a burst of electric shock from the maximum output of 【Lightning Clad】 struck. With its whole body blowing out fumes, it charged as usual. Weakened from the lightning attack, it was directly shot down by Hajime's Donner.
As expected, it was impossible to avoid the electromagnetically accelerated bullets travelling at 3.2 kilometer per second, its life ended with its head blown into smithereens.
"Well, first time eating the meat of the Kicking Rabbit… the status is…" [Hajime]
Nagumo Hajime 17 Year old Male
Class: Synergist Level: 12
Strength: 200 Vitality: 300
Resistance: 200 Agility: 400
Magic Power: 350 Magic Resistance: 350
Skills:
Transmutation [+Mineral Appraisal] [+Precise Transmutation] [+Mineral Investigation] • Magic Manipulation • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad [+Lightning Pierce] [+Lightning Strengthening] • Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] • Language Comprehension
As before, eating the meat of magic beasts will cause his status to rise. Considering how eating Twin-tailed Wolves now practically doesn't increase his status, it will probably have a huge increase if he ate a magic beast that he has never eaten before.
Seeing Hajime check his status, the other two proceeds to checks theirs too to see their growth.
Tanaka Taiyo 17 Year old Male
Class: Synergist Level: 11
Strength: 210 Vitality: 300
Resistance: 180 Agility: 390
Magic Power: 350 Magic Resistance: 430
Skills:
Transmutation [+Mineral Appraisal] [+Precise Transmutation] [+Mineral Investigation] • Magic Manipulation • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad [+Lightning Flash] [+Lightning Stun] [+Lightning Bolt] • Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] • Language Comprehension
Shirasaki Kaori 17 Year old Female
Class: Priest Level: 40
Strength: 200 Vitality: 480
Resistance: 200 Agility: 300
Magic Power: 570 Magic Resistance: 490
Skills:
Recovery Magic Affinity [+Improved Proficiency] [+Increased Casting Speed] [+Image Supplementation] [+Piercing Spell] [+Remote Heal] [+Improved Status Effect Recovery] [+Reduced Mana Consumption] [+Improved Mana Efficiency] [+Chain Casting] [+Multicasting] [+Spell Retention] [+Effect Multiplication] • Light Magic Affinity • High Speed Mana Recovery [+Meditation] • Magical Diagnostics • Magic Manipulation • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad [+Lightning Fist] • Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] • Language Comprehension
Eating the Kicking Rabbit gave them the skill of 【Divine Step】 . They then began to try it out. First picturing an image of the Kicking Rabbit kicking off the ground, focusing on a speed so fast, its body appeared blurred. Alongside Divine Step was the skill [+Ground Shrink] that was together with it. Speaking of Ground Shrink, it is a famous high speed movement on Earth.
Imagining an explosion under the feet, kicking off all at once. Hajime and Tanaka's body's magic instantly gathered under their feet, causing a depression where their feet had stepped… They flew out, and without training beforehand they either diving face-first into the wall or hit their head in the ceiling.
"Ouch—!? A-Adjusting this is hard…" [Hajime]
"Argh—!? That hurts...no shit, this thing needs proper control." [Tanaka]
"Are you guys alright? Should I heal you?" [Kaori]
"No, it's fine Shirasaki-san. I'm alright." [Hajime]
"Same here." [Tanaka]
"Well okay, but just be careful when you guys use those skill, okay?" [Kaori]
""Got it(I understand)" [Tanaka and Hajime]
Nonetheless, a success was a success. If they continued to train after this, it seems they will be able to move like the Kicking Rabbit. Combined with Hajime's gun techniques, making it an even stronger weapon.
Next was [+Aerodynamic]. However, it wasn't readily invoked. With only its name, it was difficult to understand what kind of skill it was. While testing around, They recalled how the Kicking Rabbit was able to create footholds in the air. The two immediately imagined stepping onto an invisible shield in the air and then, then jumped forward, diving into the ground.
"Guoooo!?" [Hajime]
"Hiugh!?" [Tanaka]
"That's why I said to be careful! Geez." [Kaori]
They writhed in pain while pressing the pain in their body. After writhing for awhile, their pain subsided and let Kaori heal them with a disappointed expression.
"…Well, it more or less succeeded…" [Hajime]
"Hajime-kun, you idiot! Be more mindful, please." [Kaori]
"Hai hai, I got it. Haha" [Hajime]
"Mou~" [Kaori]
(These two are getting more intimate as time passes by. Seriously just get a room you damn love-birds!?) [Tanaka]
""Something wrong, Tanaka(Tanaka-kun)"" [Hajime and Kaori]
"...Nothing." [Tanaka]
Tanaka could only look away awkwardly as he doesn't know how he would handle the two's obliviousness. Tanaka knew Kaori was in love with Hajime but his friend is oblivious to it, or more like denying it since they were back on Earth.
'...Just get together already…' [Tanaka]
He could only murmur his thoughts as the two were preoccupied with their unconscious flirting.
—-
With unique magic Divine Step and its derivation skills, it somehow felt like they had gained two unique magic at one go. They continue to begin training in that special mood. Their target was the Talon Bear. A long distance shot could probably work, but just in case, they trained. The possibility of an unexpected monster even stronger than that magic beast appearing couldn't be denied. In the dungeon, optimists would be the first to die. Defeat the Talon Bear and search for this level's exit.
They renewed their fighting spirit.
In the dungeon passage was the figure of a blurred shadow moving at high speeds.
It's Hajime and Tanaka. They have completely mastered Divine Step along with Kaori who uses as evasive movements as she supports the two in the rear, running on the ground and walls with Ground Shrink, occasionally making footholds with Aerodynamic, they repeatedly searched for their nemesis, the Talon Bear, using high speed movements. Originally, priority should be given towards looking for an exit, but they wanted the Talon Bear dead at all cost. With their once broken spirit recovered, they couldn't help but want to try if they were still able to battle precisely before that monster's very eyes.
"Guruua!"
On the way, they encountered a pack of Twin-tailed Wolves, and one of them lunged at Hajime. Hajime was calm, he somersaulted on the spot while Tanaka attacked from the side with his katana named Honoikazuchi.
Slash!
Boom!
The sound of the blade slashing the body, the blade electromagnetically coated by 【Lightning Clad】, accurately cutting the body of the first wolf in half. Leaping again using 【Aerodynamic】 while still in the air, Tanaka slashed at the second wolf cutting it from the head down and Hajime who evaded the first time leaping up and firing Donner on consecutive speed. Though not all the shots hit, Hajime somehow managed to kill half of them before the bullets ran out.
Holding Donner under the armpit of his missing left arm, Hajime quickly reloaded and Tanaka sheathed Honoikazuchi without even taking a look at the corpses of the fallen wolves, they once again broke into a run behind them Kaori as she followed a little behind.
After a while of instant kills whenever they encountered the Kicking Rabbit and Twin-tailed Wolves, they finally discovered the shadow of their nemesis. The Talon Bear appears to be having a meal, chewing on what seems like a Kicking Rabbit. Confirming that figure, with a broad grin and a fearless laugh, Hajime and Tanaka leisurely walked out.
The Talon Bear is the strongest species on this level and could be called a Lord. There were many Twin-tailed Wolves and Kicking Rabbits living here, but only this one Talon Bear. Therefore, the Talon Bear was this level's unrivalled strongest. Understanding that, the other magic beasts paid careful attention not to encounter the Talon Bear, even if they really met the Talon Bear, they would escape at full speed without even resisting. Much less an impossible task like voluntarily going towards it.
But now, that impossible thing has happened.
"Yo, Talon Bear. It has been a while. Was my arm delicious?" [Hajime]
The Talon Bear narrowed its sharp glint. What is this creature before me? Why is it not showing its back before me? Why is its body not cowering in fear, its eyes not reflecting despair? Faced with a situation it has never encountered before, even the Talon Bear was somewhat baffled.
"It's a revenge match. First, I'll have you understand that I'm your enemy and not your prey." [Hajime]
"Today is the day you die!" [Tanaka]
"I'll give you both support -Holy Shield!-" [Kaori]
Saying those, Hajime pulled out Donner and pointed the muzzle directly at the Talon Bear. While in that stance, Tanaka charged from the left with his sword as he uses both 【Lightning Flash】and 【Divine Step】at full power while Kaori supported them with Barrier magic.
"Is it scary?" was the question in their hearts but the answer is no. Their eyes did not become dark with despair, nor did they tremble in fear. There was only the pure desire to survive and to kill the enemy.
The ends of Hajime and Tanaka's lips naturally lifted, making a ferocious smile.
"Kill and Devour." [Hajime]
"Survive until the end." [Tanaka]
"No matter what, we will leave this place and live." [Kaori]
Simultaneously with that declaration, Hajime fired Donner and Tanaka slashed with Honoikazuchi. Bang! Slash! An explosive sound resounded as the Taur Stone bullet traveling at a super speed of 3.2 kilometer per second approached the Talon Bear and the blade that was powered up with 【Lightning Clad】with Tanaka's speed reaching mach speed.
"Guuu!?"
The Talon Bear immediately threw itself on the ground to evade. It didn't dodge after sighting the bullet and blade, the evading measures was even slightly before the gun discharge, perhaps a natural reaction in response to the three's bloodlust. As expected from this level's strongest Lord. That reaction speed didn't match its huge body of over two meter. However, it wasn't able to dodge completely and a portion of its shoulder was gouged out and its left hind leg severed, staining its white fur with blood.
Anger dwelled in the Talon Bear's eyes, it seemed like it had recognized them as an 'enemy'.
"Gaaaa!"
Raising a roar as it charged with its still intact right leg at a staggering speed, even the earth trembled as it extended a thick, long paw from that huge two meter body. Its approaching figure gave off an overwhelming intensity.
"Haha! That's right! I'm an enemy! Not an ordinary prey you can simply hunt!" [Hajime]
Despite being in the midst of that immense pressure exerted by the Talon Bear, yet, their fearless smile didn't even falter. Here is the turning point. Hajime's left arm was eaten, their spirit broken, Hajime's change of heart, they were going to eliminate the magic beast which was the cause of all this. This is an essential ritual in order for them to move on after this. They were convinced that if they didn't do this now, their heart would surely "give in".
Hajime fires again towards the charging Talon Bear while Tanaka chases beside it. Just as the super speed bullet aimed between the Talon Bear's brows was about to hit, the charging Talon Bear dodged aside, almost hitting Tanaka instead.
"WHOA!? Yabe!" [Tanaka]
"My bad, Tanaka." [Hajime]
"It's fine! Just keep going, let's kill this bastard!?" [Tanaka]
"Ou!" [Hajime]
No matter how they looked at it, that reaction and its large size still didn't match.
The Talon Bear timed its attack and swung its paw by making use of the power from the rush. It seemed to have invoked inherent magic as its three claws appeared to be slightly distorted. In Hajime's mind, the memory of the Kicking Rabbit being bisected despite having already dodged those claws resurfaced. Kaori's barrier magic barely stopped the attack with its full power.
Instantly, claws coupled with a strong gust slashed the barrier that is protecting Hajime, though it didn't connect, three deep claw marks were engraved on the ground as it failed to destroy the barrier. The Talon Bear, irritated at its prey surviving, roared. But at that moment, "Cling! Cling! Cling!", it was the sound of something rolling over to the Talon Bear's feet. Lured by the sound, the Talon Bear turned its gaze towards its feet and found a rolling dark green ball-shaped object about five centimeter in diameter. The moment the Talon Bear became aware of it, that object flared up, releasing intense light.
It was a 【Flash Grenade】 Hajime made. The principle was simple, pouring magic into the Green Light Stone until it was just short of its limits, then applying a thin surface coating in order to prevent the light from escaping. Furthermore, compacting and inserting the combustible powder from the crushed Combustion Stone at the center part, the combustible powder connects the inside to the surface like a fuse. Then igniting the combustible powder that was sticking out on the surface using 【Lightning Clad】, the compressed powder will slowly catch fire until it arrives at the center and explodes. As the light had already been accumulated to its limits, after breaking the Green Light Stone, it would emit intense brilliance. By the way, the time from ignition to explosion had been adjusted to three seconds through considerable hardships, and was his prided gem.
Of course, the Talon Bear did not know of such a weapon and looked into the flash, temporarily losing its vision. Recklessly swinging its two paws as it impatiently roared. It appeared to be in panic from that strange condition of not being able to see anything.
Hajime and Tanaka didn't miss this chance, immediately aiming and firing Donner again. Slashing Honoikazuchi at the remaining leg of the Talon Bear. The tremendous power of the electromagnetically accelerated bullet hit the left shoulder raging Talon Bear's, blowing the entire arm off. With no limbs the Talon Bear could no longer move.
"Guruaaaaa!"
That immense pain which it had never once experienced before in its lifetime, the Talon Bear let out a dreadful shriek. A large amount of blood spouted out from its shoulder like a water fountain. The left arm which had been blown off spun round and round as if dancing in the air, before finally losing its momentum and falling to the ground as the bear fell to the ground with no legs left to support its body.
"Even though it's a coincidence, this is just too good." [Hajime]
It was not Hajime's plan to aim at that left arm. He still hasn't mastered gun handling to that extent yet. After fighting against the straightforward charging Twin-tailed Wolves over and over again, he was unfamiliar with the movements of a recklessly raging target, making pinpoint shooting even harder. Therefore, it was completely by chance that Hajime had taken away the very same left arm that was once taken from him and eaten.
Hajime once again fired at the rampaging Talon Bear whose sight had not recovered and was in pain. Even when confused, the Talon Bear's feral instincts reacted to the killing intent as it barely evaded to the side using its weight. Using 【Ground Shrink】 to pass by the Talon Bear, Hajime moved back where the left arm had fallen. Then, the Talon Bear which had slightly recovered stared at Hajime, who was raising and displaying its left arm, with eyes filled with immense fury.
Then, Hajime deliberately bit into it. Like a feeding magic beast, blindly using his strong and powerful jaws to shred and chew the meat. Just like how the Talon Bear once did, the nightmare where your own arm being eaten right before your very eyes was reproduced.
"Ahhm, munch, the meat tastes as nasty as ever… but I wonder why it feels tastier than other meat?" [Hajime]
"Damn, ain't that petty." [Tanaka]
While saying that, Hajime became cautious of the crouching Talon Bear which was glaring over. The Talon Bear didn't move. Its eyes were not clouded with fear despite in a situation where a part of its body was being eaten, it seemed like it would not make any careless movements before it regained its vision.
Regardless of the situation, Hajime continued his meal. Before long, an abnormal change occurred. Just like the first time he ever ate magic beast meat, a fierce pain began to pulsate.
"Ugh—!"
"Hajime-kun!" [Kaori]
Kaori hurriedly heals Hajime while he drinks sacred water. Though the pain was not as severe as that time, Hajime still found himself down on one knee, his face distorted from the intense pain as Kaori worried about him. It appears that the Talon Bear was special as compared to the Twin-tailed Wolf or Kicking Rabbit, that pain was generated as a result of taking in a large amount of power.
However, the Talon Bear couldn't care less about such circumstances. Seeing an opportunity, it roared and pathetically tried to lunge towards the crouching Hajime with Kaori at his side who didn't move. Just as history was about to repeat itself, with the Talon Bear trampling over him, Hajime's mouth broke into a smile.
Pressing his right hand straight onto the ground as he wrapped his hand in lightning, he released a maximum output 【Lightning Clad】. It traveled through the liquid on the ground surface to where the Talon Bear was, mercilessly striking it.
The liquid on the surface of the ground was the blood of the Talon Bear. Like a water fountain, it had scattered a sea of blood. After picking up the Talon Bear's left paw, Hajime had violently displayed it in order to scatter the spilling blood, connecting their respective locations with a pool of blood. Eating during a fight was nothing more than a show he had put on on a whim. Having that pain assault him after eating the Talon Bear was unexpected, but his original intention was to lay down a trap. Deliberately eating before its eyes was in order to fuel its anger, causing it to charge over. Of course, this plan was somewhat crazy, but as long as he achieved the desired result, all was fine.
The moment it stepped into its own pool of blood, an intense current and voltage instantly overran its body. Nerves were destroyed, flesh was burnt. As for maximum output, the unique magic that Hajime obtained was incomparable to the original. He was unable to release lightning attacks like the Twin-tailed Wolf and Tanaka, and his output was only half that of the wolf. However, it was still more than enough to cause temporary paralysis. Incidentally, if this power is directed towards humans, it wouldn't be strange for their blood to boil.
"Groooowl"
The Talon Bear let out a low growl as it collapsed into its blood pool, causing a tremor to run through the ground. It glowered at Hajime, with eyes still full of sharp killing intent.
Hajime returned a straight stare as he endured the pain and slowly stood up. Then, without missing a beat Tanaka got on the Talon Bear's back with his sword overhead ready to slash at it to put an end to all this, Tanaka slashes down towards the Talon Bear's neck.
"Become our food." [Tanaka]
Those words were accompanied by a slash of the blade. The blade executed their master's will faithfully, severing the Talon Bear's head completely.
The Talon Bear did not avert its eyes up till the very end, neither did the three.
[Hajime's PoV]
It wasn't as refreshing as Hajime imagined. But, neither was it futile. It was simply something that must be done. For the sake of survival, in order to earn the rights to live in this area.
Hajime simply closed his eyes and faced his inner-self once again. Then, he reaffirmed his determination for survival. I dislike fighting. I want to avoid pain. I want to eat till I'm full. And… I want to live. Shatter the unreasonable, no mercy for anything hostile, everything is for the sake of survival.
Continuing to live like this… then… I want to go home. The inner depths of his heart appealed.
"Right… I want… to go back. The others can do as they like. We will go back using my own methods. Fulfilling a wish. Whoever hinders me, no matter what kind of existence…"
"...Kill them." [Tanaka]
"We will go back no matter what." [Kaori]
Nagumo Hajime 17 Year old Male
Class: Synergist Level: 17
Strength: 300 Vitality: 400
Resistance: 300 Agility: 450
Magic Power: 400 Magic Resistance: 400
Skills:
Transmutation [+Mineral Appraisal] [+Precise Transmutation] [+Mineral Investigation] [+Mineral Separation] [+Mineral Fusion] • Magic Manipulation • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad • Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] • Air Claw • Language Comprehension
Tanaka Taiyo 17 Year old Male
Class: Synergist Level: 17
Strength: 320 Vitality: 410
Resistance: 290 Agility: 480
Magic Power: 400 Magic Resistance: 460
Skills:
Transmutation [+Mineral Appraisal] [+Precise Transmutation] [+Mineral Investigation] [+Mineral Separation] [+Mineral Fusion] • Magic Manipulation • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad [+Lightning Flash] [+Lightning Stun] [+Lightning Bolt] • Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] • Air Claw • Language Comprehension
Shirasaki Kaori 17 Year old Female
Class: Priest Level: 46
Strength: 300 Vitality: 530
Resistance: 340 Agility: 390
Magic Power: 650 Magic Resistance: 650
Skills:
Recovery Magic Affinity [+Improved Proficiency] [+Increased Casting Speed] [+Image Supplementation] [+Piercing Spell] [+Remote Heal] [+Improved Status Effect Recovery] [+Reduced Mana Consumption] [+Improved Mana Efficiency] [+Chain Casting] [+Multicasting] [+Spell Retention] [+Effect Multiplication] • Light Magic Affinity • High Speed Mana Recovery [+Meditation] • Magical Diagnostics • Magic Manipulation • Iron Stomach • Lightning Clad [+Lightning Fist] • Divine Step [+Aerodynamic] [+Ground Shrink] • Air Claw • Language Comprehension