Disclaimers: Written by Rime. Translated by Arcana. Approved by Rime to transfer from pixiv. The characters were not owned by the writer nor the translator. Characters were borrowed from the players of MHD. To members of MHD, if there are any problems, there would be no problem in removing.
Chapter Notes: The Genealogy of Hunters 6: CaseRiku
Theme: Written as Play, Read as Solitude
Characters: Riku, Nobutuna, Billy, Sky
Chapter Summary:
When Billy heard about the existence of Nargacugas from Nobutuna, he wanted to hunt it. Heading towards the great forest, they looked for a hunter guide. Waiting for them, was someone Nobutuna met before.
Aren't there two kinds of soloist? Towards the murmur of his junior, Nobutuna looked up with relish.
Interesting, he said as he put down the glass, the shrewd boy looked a little depress, and put down the glass in the same way. Is he drunk or not.
"How is it?"
"In other words, Nobutuna-san, you're thinking that in what way are the styles of the two types of solo different?"
"Yeah, as you say."
"The people that hunts alone, is either a super masochist or a super sadist."
Words like powerful drugs came again. What's that, he looked puzzled. He forked a piece of slice cactus mixed with spicy cream and stuffed it into his mouth. The affinity of the crunchy crust and the sticky contents something unbearable.
Attacking and stabbing the pickles with jungle sea salt and celeries on the plate, Sky swung it around up and down in a buzz. What on earth is he planning to do.
"The people that are super masochists love adverse circumstances most. They are types of people that enjoy dangerous situations to themselves."
"Okay-––...Yes. I think I understand."
"The people that are super sadists love adverse circumstances most also. But, they are types that don't even think of the dangerous situations to themselves as fragments."
"...I don't get the meaning. What's the difference"
With a gripe, he poured the cool blue beer down his throat fast. It was always said that liquor drank threw the throat, sank the feeling of refreshing and comfortable to the stomach at a stretch.
"The former ones will, put themselves in adverse circumstances on purpose, in order to redound more emphasizes on themselves. Because it's in a just state, it will be easier to pull out their incredible strengths through adrenaline. They're super masochist to themselves."
"On the contrary, what about the latter one?"
"A type that enjoys the thrill, by driving themselves into killing situations. They're transcendent sadistic to themselves."
"...They, sound the same to me"
With a lively sound, he cut up a long long snake salmon with a knife, and put it into his mouth raw. The saltiness was working quite delicious. It was as if the bounding feeling might become a habit in the mouth.
"There is, a decisive difference."
"What is that"
"The former ones know the time to quite. The latter ones don't"
"...?"
"It is the former ones that won't allow themselves to be out of strength. It is the latter ones that allow themselves to retire from the quest in the worst situation."
"...Somehow, I become unable to understand for what reasons the latter ones are working as hunters"
"About that, even I don't know. I'm neither masochistic nor sadistic. Just a honest straight person."
"That might be a little"
"Why are you denying it"
He slowly put oil raisins carefully onto pieces and pieces of royal cheese full of honey. In order to check on Nobutuna who was often picking up from the edge, Sky secretly mixed a piece of ass-kicking spicy carrot among them. He hasn't notice, he hasn't noticed.
"Somehow, hearing what you say, I come to a conclusion that both the super masochists and super sadists you say, after all in the end are doing the same thing at the point that they're solo."
"Yes"
"...I understand that the people who are super masochistic, put themselves in adverse circumstances on purpose, so that they can become stronger. The purpose of these solos is basically to raise their strengths. I think many most hunters aim to fulfill that."
"I see"
"But, I can't think of any reason for those super sadistic, to put themselves into the thrill of death and play with themselves. What is their purpose of being a solo?"
"Maybe it's to enjoy the thrill of death"
"Isn't death usually something to be scared of? Though I think we'll become familiar with it as long as we're hunters. ...What do you think these guys will think of dying"
By wounding themselves, as they tasted the pain of dying, still they hunted alone.
What was the location of that mental.
"...They must be not scare of dying"
"..."
"What about you?"
"Me? I'm super scare of it. I hate it, it must be a joke to face a monster that is super strong alone... Though I think there are times, that I have to face it alone. Still, I intend to fight till the last moment, and I even have, the courage to retire"
The courage to run away.
He's right, running away needs courage too. In this occupation, it was quite common to realize about one's ability, and there were innumerable situations that though it's mortifying, one would die if they didn't escape. If one could do it, then one will be a full-fledged hunter. Those who couldn't would usually die before they became a hunter.
Still, what were the super sadists said by Sky, as they abandoned running away and didn't mind dying.
"...Really, what are those guys..."
Sky held his breath.
Oh, he's going to eat it.
A bite.
"...Hooootttttttt!"
"!"
"You, you, Sk, kyyyyy! Hot! Hoooot! Cough! Cough!"
"! Buff! Ku, fu, hahahahahaha! He, he really ate it! Nobutuna-san ate it!"
"It's not ate it, this, uwah hothothothothot! Hurting hot! Hurting hot! Uwoooo! Hot!"
"Hah ha! And haha! Thanks for the tasty one! Ahahahahahahahaha!"
"You must be joking, ah, wait, really, wait, hot hot hot! Water! Lady, give me some water I'm breathing fire now this area is going to have a big fire! And that can't happen!"
"Breath-––––! Nobutuna-san breath some fire-––––––!"
"It's going to be a catastrophe? Lady, water! Hurry water-–!"
Something seemed to be misunderstood, water was poured down from the head.
The elegant and vivid black dream, with its shadow fading into forest, the red tail left a trail. It was like a shooting star.
Faster than the wind, clearly than sound, it jumps, and dances, and barks gently. That is very, very beautiful. It is a very, very fair dream.
Thus, very scary.
The claws are too scary for their cleanness. The teeth are too scary for their beauty. The glittering scales, the black silver wave of hair also, all are too fearful for their sweetness. Though it is a dream, it is scary.
Right, that's why it is a dream. It being scary is just a lie. It is scary for being too beautiful, it's scary though it is a dream. It is a scary dream. It is a beautiful dream.
Therefore, there is nothing to be scared of by opening the eyes.
You ask, whether it is scary or not? Yes, of course. There is nothing to be scared of. Because it is nothing of a beautiful thing.
There is nothing beautiful, during the period the eyes are opened. No way will there be any.
Because, there is nothing to be scared of at all.
"Around this area, I heard there a hunter holding an additional post as a guide"
By the entrance, he saw somebody talking. He looked up and listened carefully.
"...The guide of what"
"Nargacuga"
"You better give up. That guide is capricious. Till now many hunters has came, but they are all rejected one after another."
"...Is that so?"
I have no memory of declining once. He thought as he watched from a long distance.
It was still not the right timing to talk to them yet. The villagers don't think of myself so preferably.
"This really got us... I only heard that it is this area, that's really silly"
"Unfortunately same for me"
"Are there any other?"
"Probably only that guy can be the guide of that monster. I won't recommend. You better give up." The villager spat out at them, then turned around hastily and left. The two hunters forming a combination seemed to drop their shoulders lightly. Will it be a quest. Though no notification has passed through this side.
"...You want to hunt Narga"
He called out to them. He remembered one of them that turned around.
"Ah-––! It's the brother Tigrex!"
"...Brother Tigrex...?"
"You, when do you become the brother of Tigrex..."
"Who are you to call me 'brother Tigrex' in a paste like the brother that comes from a sing-along-song-with-mother. That's nuisance to me."
Among the men that turned around, he remembered the one with cool raven-black hair. If he was not mistaken, he had met him before in a white place. In the center of the freezing white, was a bright red and black.
"You're the person that fought with the Tigrex on the snow mountain, right? I want you to tell me that there were two of them there. It's really tough to bring the tail back?"
"...Oh-–! The bow user at that time!"
"...Your acquaintance"
"Not really an acquaintance to say. So–. Is this your assigned area?"
"Nope? I, this place is my hometown."
It is really a trouble at that time, so we weren't able to exchange guild card. He said as he received the held-out cards, and returned two same cards to them.
"This is Riku."
"Nobutuna"
"...Billy"
"You want to hunt Narga?"
The main subject was first. When hunters had shoptalks, it was always the first priority above all. Little obstructive exchanged would be enough.
Precise information with precise speed.
"Ah. It's just, merely out of curiosity."
"Quest? This side, haven't got any notification"
"It's a free. We're just simply, aiming for materials"
"He's the one that want them?"
Billy nodded approvingly. Going through the card in a second, he was a hammer-user. According to his memory, Nobutuna used long sword. They must be grouping together.
"Do you know, anything. The words from the villager just now, the guide seems to be very difficult."
"I don't think he's very difficult-–––. But it can't be held, he's being hated."
"...That guide?"
"Something likes village ostracism"
I don't know about Billy, but there will be no problem with Nobutuna. His swordsman skills are wonderful. Against such a big roar wyvern in that short time, he had sustained many wounds to it. Besides, he is wearing armor parts of Nargacuga, meaning that he must have fought with them several times. They are equipments that can only be obtained either through back channels, or farming the materials by himself.
...I understand what it means by the fact he is wearing Narga armors. But, Riku had no interest towards that part.
"The guild here, you guys probably have been there, it's the only place half-a-minute after passing through the forest. Where do you plan to stay?"
"We're planning on camping. We are prepared to some extent"
"I'm going to hunt for supper from now on. Therefore, let me test you, Billy"
"...Test?"
"There are some reckless people sometimes. Guys that want to hunt Narga because of rumors? If they make a mistake and die, the guild will be angry with me. So please forgive about that."
"...You're the guide hunter in this area"
Towards Billy looking puzzled, he nodded lightly, yes. He could understand that Nobutuna twinkled.
"By saying test, it might make you feel bad. ... But I think you'll be okay since you're pairing up with this people here. Just to make sure. Cause it's a rule appointed by the guild."
Plus, Riku fluttered his hands.
"Nargacugas are nocturnal, it'll be hard to find them in the day, though there's a chance... Anyway, it was a long journey. If my place is fine, feel free."
Plus plus, Nobutuna there regarding the incident with Tigrex before, have given me some delicious sentiments. Riku laughed. The materials he got at that time had all been sold, and he didn't have to trouble for the coming last week. That was a fact.
"Give us a discount for the guide fee"
The guide fees that he always charged with a surcharge, was charged at the usual price this time.
Run and run, still the black dream appears in front of immediately. Like a proposal of marriage, it is full of passionate.
But somehow, thinking this isn't allowed inside the dream, run and escape again. But, even escaping is useless.
Leaving a red trail, the place where the shooting star fell, the black dream will be there.
There should be someone escaping together, why, does the black dream only chases after me.
Surely it's because I am cute? Dear, I am going to laugh.
Therefore, I, even though is scared, give in at last. But the black dream is gentle, it will wake me up properly.
But, is that said to be gentle.
As soon as the eyes are opened, eggs are thrown from many places here and there, this is disgusting.
Though cooking and eating them is fine, but with only eggs always, even I will get tired, and surely that black fair dream must be so.
Moreover the eggs, are becoming bigger, a thing I come to hate. Hey, such big eggs, how many and how many are not wanted? Oh, how many of the eggs that are thrown in the beginning, are eaten by the black dream. Hey, isn't the black dream really gentle?
The things that I say as painful, or, no, it will eat them for me, more and more, steadily.
(Note: In the original text, this part is said in a tone of a female)
It was a big large house. Walking a little on foot, away from the village, was a flat roof. It was built near the flowing river, surrounded with golden ears of rice ranging by the side. In addition, there was a colorful wide field of vegetables, and roots.
"...This is really excellent"
"It's really tough, to maintain it"
Tax was imposed on it too, and they wouldn't make great money, above half of them were intended for self-sufficient. Instead of the entrance, they were led in from the back entrance, seeing a farm pond. Near was a burnt open-air-fire. A few domestic animals.
"We'll be leaving immediately, is there anything insufficient?"
"Nope... It's fine."
"By the way, is it really fine, that we, don't need to say hello to your parents and the others"
"It's okay. It's too troublesome"
Being bewildered by the words thrown by Riku, still Nobutuna nodded. Riku opened the door of a hut nearby. Many bows were displayed inside, wow, he sighed in exclaim. It was quite an abundant repertory. As expected from the only guide hunter of Nargacuga, he had even collected the midnight bow.
"What are you going to hunt for supper?"
"Bulldrome"
"...Potannabe (Note1)"
"...What's that"
"That's what it's called in my hometown"
"I-–––– see"
(Note1: It means boar's meat stew)
He didn't seem to be interested. Riku prepared the bottles quickly, and arranged them in order into his porch on the waist. Nobutuna smiled bitterly. Capricious. The villager had commented him like that, but would they be necessarily wrong about him.
A guide hunter was a hunter mainly knowing the details of the destination ahead of the quests. It was not only about the nature of the locality. From special products to economic condition, the changes in weather through the whole year, history, legends, the ecosystem of the living animals there, the life of people, characteristics, the communication between other villages, of course, the characteristics, personalities, and weak points of the monsters living there.
It was said that meeting a good guide hunter, was one of the means to complete a quest without any problem. By only meeting and hearing the story from one, they would be able to fight monsters they had never met before, without any sense of gap.
The guide hunters would not be bound to the appointed area throughout the whole year by the guild. They were hunters also, there were times they would sign up quests, and went to other areas. Therefore, there were generally always several people known as guide hunters for each area. Depending on the place, the number went up and down, still the guild had not make much situations, of not having a single people. The qualification needed in order to become a guide hunter, was not in a very high level. With some knowledge, and experience, speech skill and judgment, one could receive that hunter post by settling down in the area for several months.
Still the importance of guide hunters among hunters, were extremely high. With the reasons earlier, guide hunters with a high hunter rank had cultivated many experiences, and the knowledge they held weren't semi-vulgar. Not only that area, they could make predictions connecting to many different places, they could also expect the movements of the monsters inside their habitation area. That was the reason an extra fee was needed to be paid.
Guide hunters that knew Nargacugas well, in the present, there was only one authorized hunter. The two of them heard from the guild.
(Right, if it's not authorized, there are still some others...)
Riku was without a doubt applicable to it, Nobutuna was convinced when he saw that shiny black smooth bow. In the first place, it was exceptional to for a hunter let alone commoner to have it. Still, uneasiness was left.
(There's a chance the things about me might be exposed)
"About Nargacuga, I happened to encounter it fortunately, and defeated it fortunately, and I succeeded in making it with a large sum of minutely carves."
"Really?"
Though I don't think it will be enough for you to collect that amount of equipments. But, he let it passed. It was basic to not meddle with parts that best shouldn't be meddled.
"...All I know about is that It's fast, the tail is long, and quite aggressive"
"...I want to hear too"
Fixing his guards, confirming the strong, he carried the bow onto his back. Rotating the quiver to the waist, he stood up. He walked as if he was urging the others to hurry, where shall I begin first, Riku finally thought of a start.
"In my opinion, the movements resemble the roaring wyvern"
"...Tigrex"
"They are considerably more sprightly than Grex. The parts that are not covered by scales but fur, are actually light. Though their claws and teeth are hard, the characteristics are same as normal wyverns, by dealing excessive heat and impact continuously they'll break also. The parts that are equivalent to wings have things like blades attached on them, I think that those are the derivation of claws. Similarly, they can be broken by excessive heat and impact. Probably derived from wyverns. The body structures resemble Grex, maybe same ancestor? ...There are spinous scales on the tails, and they're same too. If the attacks continued for some extent, you can break and cut it."
"The tail, I see. It seems like that it has left an impression on Nobutuna?"
Stepping on the crisply grass and soil, they headed for the big big great forest. They walked along the flowing river from their direction, flowing straightly downwards towards the jungle. Billy had chatted with him approximately one week before.
"The acanthoid scales are usually covered with fur. When they become livid, they will spurt them out."
"...The scales?"
"That's...tricky"
This was the first time he heard about it. Nobutuna was in fact listening in astonished. Came to think of it, among the few battles, he had memories of something unknown flying towards him from the dark. He thought those were similar to Tigrex hurling something at him, but those were scales of the tails.
"By the way they sometimes slam their tails down at you too"
"Slam..."
"It's the image of a club with nails swinging down at your head in the speed of light"
"That'll kill"
"You'll die"
But, what about that, as if he was saying so, Riku laughed.
"Belligerent, but they, they're quite clever, pitfall traps don't work. They'll just be smashed and over. Because they are hiding as they lived, their wariness towards things that will harm them to an extend are strong. ...Still shock traps that directly affect the body work. Flash bombs and sonic bombs are out. If you're not used to fighting them don't use them."
"Don't?"
"Why?"
"Those fellows, their eyes and ears are good. Too good...they'll go out of control."
All creatures that lived in darkness have good eyes. Or that, they could hardly look, at all. Nargacugas matched the former one. The wyverns that hunted in the night, watched their preys with the red eyes continuously. Sudden light to them was synonymous to the devilish sun that would light up their figures.
The developed ears in the same way picked up sounds in the quietness. In nights of roaring thunderstorms, Nargacugas would not go out.
"...They seem more like, beasts, rather than, wyverns, to me..."
He looked up at the sky to the sunshine filtering through foliage. It was a fine weather.
"...Are you relieved?"
"Yeah"
"Our tests ends, here. You're perfect. Please take care of us, we rely on you, Riku"
"That's good"
Relax. They are knowledge I learned through practice properly. He whispered in a voice only Nobutuna could hear, with an unpleasant smile, Riku set foot into the sea of trees.
Is it scary to die?
I don't think so. Because. Don't the black dream also waited for me?
Is it terrible to die?
I don't feel so. Because, I always feel that it's so beautiful. I have never experienced such hot, welled up feeling.
It is the feeling of reading a book absorbedly.
It is the feeling of dancing in the middle of eagerness.
As if there's no need for breathing, all the more I have became.
Am I possessed by the black dream? There's no such thing. Everybody doesn't know. How fair that dream is. Hey, surely, you will understand also if you see the dream. Truly, it must be so!
If only you see it too, that, vividly black, terribly beautiful dream!
Again and again!
(Note: In the original text, this part is said in a tone of a female)
The first impression was, a suspicious guy. The air he wore was frivolous yet he was in a peculiarly wary manner. Nobutuna did not seem to notice very much, although he called out to them lightly, only his eyes were strangely cold. While they were talking, Billy was done listening to the surrounding all the time.
Above all it was weird, the point that the house was so large yet there was almost no sigh of other people. From the condition of the good harvests of the field, there were probably quite a number of people in the family, then where were they. Of course, there were no shadows of people farming in the field.
When he heard of the existence of Nargacuga from Nobutuna, I want to fight it, he thought only out of pure curiosity. They were faster and lighter than the wyverns he encountered so far. Maybe the Diablos that he took on from the distance in a straight line might be faster, still they were, no match towards the movement resembling to dance, he had said.
It was said that the beautiful black armors, would make one's body light. It was said to be attractive. I want to see it, he said. Then let's see it, to the great forest. He replied with a laugh, beyond where they went to visit, was a rich yet strangely silent land.
Nobutuna seemed to be having another aim, beside letting him met a Nargacuga. During times unexpected, he understood that he was concentrating his eyes on crowds of people, and listening carefully in the quiet nights. He seemed to be looking for somebody, but Billy didn't ask about it. He was not interested in people's past and his own past. Although he was interested in the process of his fostering, still the individual existing in front of him, to Billy was an existence more than truth.
"So, it's Bulldrome. Isn't Bullfango fine?"
"What a waste though since three hunters gathered, there will be no help for hunts that can't make much money"
"...You really like, money"
"Not that I dislike them"
Riku laughed and elbowed his way through bushes. Near the entrance to the great forest that the green canopy led deeply into, figures of Kelbis that appeared often in villages, and the Bullfangos that they were talking about just now could be seen. After all it seemed to be a rich land, where animals and plants grew well.
"Is it here?"
"It recently always came down to eat potatoes."
"...You're planning on getting rid of it"
"It turns out to be like that"
He seemed to be aiming at killing two birds with one stone. Whether it could be said as unscrupulous, or what so ever.
To be frank, Billy didn't feel like doing so. Above all, the word 'test' got onto his nerves. There are some reckless people sometimes. If they make a mistake and die, the guild will be angry with me. Moreover thinking of applying it on him made his stomach stood.
People that didn't know him were people that he didn't know. He understood. Still, it was irritating. As for Billy who didn't have such a hard time in rising to G rank, the remarks of Riku a little while ago, were words that felt somewhat fuzzy.
(To what extent are you)
Confirming from his hunter rank on the guild card, he was not one step before G rank.
"Oh, it's there"
The big creature was eating grasses leisurely. Ohh, he could tell that Nobutuna dropped his voice of admiration down his throat. Truly, having such a big size could be understandable if it lived in this magnificent great forest.
"...It's big"
"That's small"
"...What?"
"It's small. That size to here is just a young fango."
Cachin, making a refreshing sound the bow split opened, the connection parts were fixed, opening greatly. If you say so, saying so, Nobutuna drew his sword out from his back without a sound.
"...Behind!"
"!"
He was surprised at himself for exhaling in a low voice. He hadn't armed himself with the hammer yet. He bended his waist low, minimizing the sound made from stepping onto the grass, Billy began to run in full strength towards the reverse direction of where the Bulldrome was.
It was not the flapping sound of the wyverns. The sound that surrounded the wind in a circle of feathers rubbing against each other, probably, it was closed to a bird.
"Hypnocatrice!"
Ignoring the voice he heard, he armed with the weighted hammer at the back of his waist at the same time the shadow landed on the ground. Swung down. The bill split opened in a blow. The big creature screamed and leaned back, the Kelbis in the area became uproar. Without pausing he stepped, paying attention to the right for being right-handed. The daunted head flipped to the same direction, staggering its sharp claws on the steps. The sound of flapping at the same time. As expected from beasts, they acted to their instincts even in pain. He jumped, taking in the feeling with his whole body, to the rear.
Front and behind, the blade ran passed by each other. The delved blade cleaved across the chest of thick feathers. The running red line, was something quiet. Still the flapping wouldn't stop, the shadow leaped to the backward greatly.
"Billy, is this your first against this fellow"
"Seems to be. It couldn't be found during the G rank examination, therefore it became a different quest."
"It'll split out sleeping gas. When it holds aloft continue to avoid to the side."
"Got it. I'll go from the front. Aim from the side"
"Understand"
The low voice was comfortable by the ears. The voice of the mind that sharpened well the blade itself. The colorful bird barking in high-pitch towards their direction, dodging off the bill that brandished and he rushed towards it, aiming for the legs. It was one beat too slowly for a bipedal to get up. It was same for all birds with wings. Their legs were weak.
Gong, it was a positive response. The stumbling shadow barked noisily upwards. The wind brushed his cheeks. He clicked his tongue, as long as he aimed for its legs many times it would chase after him, turning around rolling forward as he dodged from it. Lightly, he could see the flash of blade on the other side. Lengthening a flash, the torn-up feathers danced. The tail fluttered. Missing the body behind, dodging below in the last minute, from the viewpoint on one hand he reorganized himself. On the edge of his eyes, for an instant, something, a shadow moved.
"...Riku!"
They had completely forgotten his existence. Leaving a beat something flew gently in front of his eyes. The very moment, sleepiness attacked at a stretch. Damn, although he was going to bite inside his mouth, he could not stand the falling eyelids. Completely, a mild sound stood and a weak pain ran down his back. He woke from the shock of instant. The sound of flapping, he confirmed the Hypnocatrice distancing again behind his back. An arrow fell.
The reason he chose Bulldrome as a hunting target, was because there were two close-rangers.
"Nobutuna! Circulate towards Riku!"
"...Just a minute, it's impossible! It is irritated from the blow just now! It'll put me to sleep from the rear if I turn my back!"
"He's a long ranger! A gunner alone, against Bulldrome of that size, is too much of an... Ah?"
For once, he put distance when the Hypnocatrice that went away approached him. Confirming the place where Nobutuna was, while he sheathed his long sword several times to avoid the attacks of Hypnocatrice, Billy turned around and laid a single blow on its rear. With the interval of a beat, in the middle of that conversation, Billy once more, confirmed the direction of Riku.
And, as he said, he returned his eyes confirming that the Hypnocatrice was repeating acts of taunts, in the middle of possibility made from his heart, doubting whether the sight he saw was a lie and a dream unintentionally, he looked towards Riku once again.
"..."
"..."
It was a stupid silence that transmitted as Nobutuna was surprised. Looking back when he was startled, a bill was brandished in front of him. Holding his breath he rolled towards its legs, jumping just to the right, kicking the tiptoe of the opponent. What is that, repeating unrest, his eyes were being attracted to that side by all means.
"Excuse me-–––––! Both of you-–––––! Hurry up-––––––! Even there is a limit for me-–––––?"
"..."
"..."
He returned his consciousness to Hypnocatrice once more by force. To the head of the bird that yelled noisily while braving rough breaths, Billy swung down his hammer with all his might. Reverberating down his arm, was an unique sound of breaking. It was not, the hammer. Of course, it was that of the frontal lobe of Hypnocatrice he swatted at, the sound of it broken.
The shadow shook violently and violently, still the beast blew bubbles from the depth of its throat, and swept its tail towards them. With a whistle, he stooped down his head letting it ran by above. He could see Nobutuna scooping near its eyeball that turned towards the other side. There was no help for him to turn his head. The blade that reached to the brain, leaving, as it was, slowly, the shadow collapsed towards the direction he went around.
At the same time, Riku kicked the ground. He could see that, with the edge of his eyes.
The long leg neatly drew an arc evidently, with a shake, it turned from the waist. Then straight towards the sky, the tip of the foot stopping at the top, between an instant established, the wind was cut. There that the hard boot swung down, was the right, tusk, of the Bulldrome. Crack, an odd sound could be heard from here. Riku then moved to the back of the fallen Bulldrome, holding it intersecting his right hand and left hand, with a back strength, and he exercised his foot once again. The tusk that was distorted to a wrong course was distorted to a weird direction once more. What, is Bulldrome such pommel horse. As he thought, Riku that had his feet on the ground, dropping a breath that sound like a whistle, towards the crooked tusk of Bulldrome rolled up with confusion, hammered it strongly. The tusk was broken from the root.
"..."
"...Eh-–..."
The fulcrum where the dropped heel shook, turning to the reverse foot, he kicked its cheek with all he got, and Bulldrome turned its eyes. Towards the stomach of overturned softness, Riku gave kicks with no discussion. Once, twice, three times, four times. He stamped on the broken tusk as hard as possible for the fifth times. Snap, the skull made a crushed sound, and the Bulldrome stopped moving. It was too much of a torture to death.
"...Thew"
"..."
"..."
He started carving as if nothing happened.
...Certainly. Billy muttered in his chest. Certainly, when he looked the second time towards him, he stopped the charge of the Bulldrome with his both arms, stopping it by holding onto its two tusks.
Something seemed to be a mistake, in that scene.
"...Hey"
"Hm?"
"What happen to your bow"
Is that the place to dig in. He didn't seem to hear the whisper of Nobutuna, Riku unsteadily, tilted his head, and stated in an extremely natural manner.
"Things such as bows are just decorations?"
They weren't able to say, isn't that strange.
Only half was left.
It was eaten afterwards. They wouldn't come back anymore.
Only half was left.
Something left by half, continued to smile all the time.
Thinking, whether it was something like that, I went to meet it.
I went to meet it blankly. During the days which only eggs increased, the meaning of despair was forgotten also.
It nearly was going to become half.
But, because I remembered I felt that, it became more than half.
But, if I just jumped across, I had a feeling I'm going to be over the edge.
When I returned staying over-edged, the world underwent a sudden change.
Maybe it was as she said, there might not be anything beautiful in this world, I thought.
There would be no problem since they could hunt a Hypnocatrice within such a short time. When Riku asked them whether to make it tomorrow night, or tonight, the two of them answered with an immediate answer, today. It was full moon. Though it was slightly, with stronger light would be better.
During the early supper, they were finally able to recognize existences resembling to his family. Though they were only on the sly inquiring, on the other side of the door.
"I'm sorry. They're shy"
"...That is excessive shyness"
"There's a great number of people..."
"There's a little circumstances, the whole family is ostracized in the village. Now, there are a total of 15 younger sisters and brothers."
"Fifteen?"
"That's prolific..."
"That's because the water is clean. Creatures in the great forest including humans are prolific"
Nargacuga was an exception. They basically, would only lie up to three eggs at a time. Because they didn't do child caring much, it was said that the eggs hatching, and growing were considerably about probability.
"Though they will only warm the eggs. As soon as they hatched, it will begin to leave"
"...So they warm, the eggs. The Nargas"
"Tentatively. I think it's probably why they have furs."
"Shouldn't we aim at that time"
"They will only warm them basically during daytime. The great forest doesn't have such a great difference in temperature. Or maybe I should say that the eggs are used to it too... The parents will pay constant attendance to the eggs, are only for the three days after laid."
"Ever tried aiming for that period?"
"There is, but will die. Cause it's irritated. Plus, it'll begin to drive recklessly so as even the eggs will be destroy when somebody approaches. ...To them, fighting is an instinct. Even juvenile Nargacugas, are very ferocious. Even in the size of a child, they will be able to kill a Kelbi with a bite."
The environment known as the great forest too was suitable for their growth. There weren't many wyverns losing their ways into the place. Because it was covered with a green canopy, it will be hard to find a landing place. Though Tigrex that crawled on the ground could be seen sometimes, still the wyverns that charged wouldn't settle down there, for the many huge trees acting as obstacles. It was such a thing, for many bird wyverns. Unless it was small, and light, it would be hard to live in the great forest.
"...Hey. Why do you pick bow?"
"That's a very sudden question"
"Nope, it would be strange if one doesn't think question after seeing that martial arts. With that, shouldn't super close-range weapons like duel swords or sword and shield by more suitable?"
Billy looked at Nobutuna, and Riku twisted his neck lightly.
"They are still particularly good. But they're no good."
"No good?"
"Hmm-–, maybe it's because they are weak weapons...The blade and the handle will break. Bows fitted the most."
"I see..."
"That is surprising a naive weapon. It's suitable for naive Riku."
"That's a bit"
"Ah. I'll like to deny it with every effort"
"What's that. It's mean"
"Didn't you say that bows are decorations"
"It's just a figure of speech right-––?"
Do you think you can go through all barehanded. Riku laughed at what Billy asked. That would be impossible no matter what. No matter how many power one had, no matter how much speed one had, they were after all human beings, they were no match for monsters that had evolved uniquely and wyverns that had developed scales and teeth. There was a limit.
"Kelbis and Aptonoths, Giapreys, Velocipreys, creatures like these are still fine. ...Bulldromes and Velocidromes are the limit. Anything above them, well, there are situations that don't work."
"...Ah-––"
"Because duel swords and sword and shield have weights, the power itself will be doubled too. But, when it's only with a body, really simple, it's about physical strength and leg power. If I don't make full use of them. Dodging, to a point, doesn't need sparing strength"
The godbugs flew away lightly, from the gaps of the scratchy distributing grasses. A calling voice could be heard in the distance. The night in the great forest was really quiet. It's so as if the ears would hurt. If nobody talked, only footsteps could be heard. From the surrounding of darkness, the lukewarm wind blew gently.
"...Anyway, when fighting with a Narga, martial arts mean nothing"
"...Isn't there any weapon suitable for you"
"No idea? I, haven't tried any other weapons, except bow"
I mean, weapons other than bows couldn't be able to fill the view with much of the black dream, it is almost impossible. They're too fast and too vivid.
(Totally, like a red shooting star,)
The absolute shadow would make chase.
"Bowgun types might be good, but that, there's a limit to the number... Moreover, it'll be fatal if out of bullets. You'll be taken in an instant."
Thus three people did die. He said, completely. Nobutuna frowned. Riku remained calm.
"Hey"
"Hm-–?"
"Why are you so detailed about Nargacugas?"
Probably, it would be a natural question to him, who wore those armors. It was all right if it was the people that lived there, but seeing from them, Riku seemed to be somewhere unsophisticated. He did say so himself, that he was not people of the night, and things complying with it could be seen from each place.
Without a considerable contemplation, one wouldn't be able to know so much about the illusion known as the living shadow.
Riku laughed.
"...There are, some circumstances..."
He stopped the two from walking with a hand. With a clink, the air froze. A tense sign. Hii, a cautious sound without any voiced consonant, breathing indulged, and stopped for an instant. The chirping sounds of the insects were echoing strangely. The night clung. Like a soft spider line.
"...Don't move, slowly reach for your weapon"
"..."
A purr. He held onto the grip. Nobutuna strongly closed his eyes once. This sense. This sign. The air.
He remembered. The sign of the black dream, which he had fought several times. Purring like a cat from the throat, behaving like a baby, yet ferocious, the shadow was excited.
It's pupils opened at night. It could feel the moon dazzling. Its cells dyed with the night. In the breathing assimilated with the evening wind, something assimilated in the same way, something.
"...It's right overhead"
"Right overhead...?"
"On the tree... Billy, move away slowly. Riku, can you shoot it down"
"...Which side do you want it to drop to?"
"The front. Better if under the moon. It will probably enter taunting actions the moment when it drop. Riku will be narrowed down to be the target once he shoots it. ... Aim for the head, Billy. I'll aim at the tail from the other side."
"...What about after"
"I don't know whom will be the targeting. Then... independent actions will be better. Anyway, it's fast. Be careful at the moment it roars. It'll come immediately if your breathing is disturbed. ...If you think it's impossible instead of putting away your weapon, pull a distance with all you get. When someone is judged to be compelling, I'll take over."
"I'll be fine too?"
"Of course, me too"
"When I'm having a hard time, I'll rely on, both of you"
He laughed thinly. Strain and excitement ran through his back. Come. A low groan. It had already noticed that they were cautious.
"Shoot an arrow in five seconds after we stand still. ... With this distance it'll take one and a half second to reach. Billy, even to separate?"
"Yeah"
"Then... ...Well, don't be too hard on us"
The blade made a sound and fluttered. Standstill. One, holding onto the bow, he drew and pulled to the full. Two, three, the shadow moving away, without a sound. Four, the sound of the string reaching the limit. Silence fell, and, and light sound was made, the moment the bow opened to the maximum, five seconds. Dropping his waist, deciding the direction.
The arrow cut through the wind without a sound. One beat was left, straight after.
Underneath the moon, the black shadow danced and descended.
Heat ran from the fingertips to deep inside the heart, everything didn't matter to me anymore.
The slight movements caught in my view, were like a child with an excited heart.
The scathing pain of the wind that cut my cheek, enjoying the anacatesthesia fell upon.
Marking down the drawn endless arcs of red afterimage, I wanted to shout for no reason.
I thought that nobody was necessary anymore.
I thought that nothing was needed anymore.
It was troublesome that my own body was appealing for a limit. I wasn't able to allow breathing to become hard.
I grieved for why my internal organs wouldn't work properly the way I wanted it to be. I regretted for why my muscles wouldn't work the way I wanted it to be.
It was, as if, I was totally wrapped in the lava of delight.
It was as if I was dipped in the chilled lake of fear.
How should I name this identical sense, on the right side and wrong side.
At that time, I realized that I was just a beast when I fought.
It was only then, I was aware that I clearly was living, I noticed it.
The world after, was sadly curt.
But, while only eggs increased, I only understood the pressing despair.
"The thing called hunter, can be seen as an occupation, or as a person, how will you grasp the real meaning of both. ...If it is hunter as an occupation, maybe even commoners can answer, then when you see a hunter as a person, how will they answer, in this case, I think they're quite similar"
"I think it's very far. First of all, I will not understand why is there the word hunter, Nobutuna-san"
"No no no. It's unexpectedly close."
He removed the backbone of the flaming red sea bream, while waving his hand. Nobutuna had really removed even the small bones inside the deep reddish fish meat, skillfully. Though it was impossible to do it with fork and knife, first of all give me two muddlers, he said, he picked them up skillfully, he removed the big bones in and out in a blink of time.
Though it was delicious, the small obstructive bones were nuisance the flaming red sea bream, Sky did not know of any other people, who could dismantle it so well.
"The hunters that stay in low rank, are basically two kinds. People that are without a job and are troubled about life, and hunters that are really aiming for high rank. It is of course the latter ones that would grow pass the margin. People that does stuffs with an aim, grows faster."
"That of course. That's right, isn't it"
"Those fellows are generally aiming for honor and richness. ...But, there's still a limit to the ranks they can raise to. The guild can see through that area well."
"Why is that. It's a feeling that, the guys aiming for honor and richness, will not make it to G rank."
Putting slices of green and yellow onions mixed together, into the sea bream that the bones had been removed, he took a mouthful. It gradually sank in, the unique sweetness was different from meats of beasts.
"They can't make it."
He finished.
"The lowest condition for the guys getting to G rank, is not about abilities. That is for sure."
"...What is it?"
"You probably, have it too. The sense...shall I put it that way."
I have it, and I think Billy probably have it way stronger than me. I am uncertain whether that is something possessed by nature when born, or is that something awaken in the posterior. But.
"It may be something people have by all means"
"That's irritating. I hate to be pretentious?"
"It's not like that. ...Mmm, let's just say, I fail to come up with a good idea"
"That's rare"
"Really?"
Forking up only the shrimps from the dish of king cuttlefish and queen shrimps, Sky looked puzzled.
"Do I have it"
"If not you won't be aiming for G rank."
"...Mm..."
"...Curiosity...Nope, that's wrong, interest, excitement...feelings of such"
Passing the fork through a piece on the dish of warm firing mushroom only fried with fruit oil, there he hit on, the precise words.
"...Fighting instincts"
Against faster opponents. Against bigger opponents. Against things much superior than oneself. Against stronger enemies. And, the readiness and faith necessary by all means when confronting them. The courage.
"The opponents we face, might not by opponents that we are able to defeat by all means. If we are not careful we might be killed. People cannot preclude the possibility of botching something up. ... Just a little difference in breathing, we might not be able to open our eyes anymore. For that reason...till we understand the risk, the strong will of wanting to fight"
"..."
"The absolute fighting instincts. Without it we can't live on G rank. One rather has the readiness to die, than really die. If one doesn't drive oneself being conscious of death, in the tense feeling of strain, in the situation where even one step of miss is not allowed, one will not be used to the seriousness."
With a cran, he shook the glass of honey wine in his hand. The sound of ice. Among the noises, it echoed gently.
"...Probably, the combative instincts are divided into two types, that acts when fighting against oneself, and that acts when fighting against an opponent. The former ones are the guys, which you said to be super masochist. Therefore, adversely the latter ones are super sadistic?"
"...The reason to wish wanting to fight, are situations for cases against oneself, and situations for cases against an opponent?"
"The will towards oneself, is probably, similar to that of self-unification. In order to raise oneself more, one works for one's leap. The latter ones... are probably wanting, only to overcome the opponents."
"Nobutuna-san's, which type?"
"I'm probably super masochist"
"Wow"
"What about you then, you"
"...Probably the same..."
With a pop on the shoulder of Sky who was hanging his head suddenly, he clapped lightly, still without being able to wipe a sense of incongruity, Nobutuna slanted his glass.
(...Though I wanted to say that, I'm a super sadist that wants to beat up my opponents...)
Was there a reason for humans, to pick a monster as that opponent. If they were only planning of superiority, between people would be sufficient. He had tasted it too well, in the past.
He has, a different feeling in something.
(Speaking of hunters, basically, they are humans that become to like to fight. No matter how bigger than one the game is, so as being able to consider the opponent that one hunts, are people longing for strength... People looking for victory so as to be overwhelming. One cannot stay a hunter if they don't like winning. For the only sake of winning, that one would be able to survive after the fight, humans choose to pick up weapons in their hands...)
He felt different.
There is a little hesitation, in calling him a hunter.
(What would that be)
"...Hey Sky"
"Yes?"
"Do you, like to win"
"I love it"
"Then, what about losing?"
"Though there's time it can't be helped, I don't like it very much"
Of course, while playing with bitterness tasted on the tip of the tongue, Nobutuna recalled the black dream dully.
(I was not able to see, that that man was being particular with victory or defeat)
Rather, he was, even dying would be fine.
"What a hard guy to understand"
However, such him, for some reason looked like something very interesting.
He, seemed to be having fun.
Is he doing it on purpose. He thought in a question, for a while he chased his movements. Surely there may be no help for it if he was a gunner. However, that sense of incongruity turned into conviction steadily.
He was shooting missing all the weak points. He was shooting excluding the distance that the archery affected most. What is it, as he thought, he was surprised at himself for the anger not boiling. On the contrary, he himself at the same time, gradually avoided aiming at the head, and began to be particular about destroying its body parts. He understood that a smile was floating on his lips. Oh, is it so. Billy understood like drinking water.
Nargacuga was surely fast. After a high-pitched roar, the red afterimage danced the night, circling the sky, attacking from the rear exchanging with a chill. Nonetheless the shadow came over to his back obstinately. Letting the dull pain sounded inside, still he certainly would not let it deal any fatal injuries.
The attacks were fast as much as heavy. He avoided the brandished tail, after time and time again. Missing the body, sometimes flying greatly from behind, because it was mentioned so much I had not thought of not taking the attack, but after all life was more precious.
(Well, I understand)
That black beautiful armor Nobutuna wore.
(Though this creature has useless moves too, but, it is)
Beautiful.
It may not necessarily be the beauty of gorgeous things. It may not necessarily be the beauty of delicate decorations. Jewels and, matchless beauties also, flipped over the sense of value and aesthetic sense of people.
Perhaps to a hunter, Nargacugas, had the beauty that could form a line with Elder Dragons. The wind one after another he felt with the skin and while his whole body was shaking, a cloud of dust was swept up, with his hammer. Still in the quiet night, the dance was somewhat vivid.
What a rough, violent, brutal, black beauty.
(Is Tigrex a considerable creature?)
This creature, had artful movements that could be thought as a person.
That, was so badly dear.
Softly, the tail fluttered. He barely evaded it. It was the main point of black rope skipping. He could see somebody vanished from the edge of his eyes. Because he seemed to have taken the passiveness, he didn't seem to die.
Chasing the rolling shadow, Nargacuga jumped. As if he was being dragged, Riku went deeper and deeper going far away. This is bad, his eyes concentrated, Billy gave the word.
(What are you laughing at)
He could see traces of blood by the corner of the mouth. Further evading downwards the greatly opened jaw, he outran towards this side. Usually, passing through wyvern with such low body, was impossible. Bending the bow before he looked back, the direct hit wasn't aiming for the weak point too.
Thus the creature couldn't be daunted, the claws went into motion. A red and black shadow broke in between, Riku's eyes were warped in dissatisfaction. A fluttering long sword. Straight-ahead, in the night.
(Oh, right, Nobutuna)
You're, a hunter of that type.
Billy swung the hammer down onto the edge of the moving arm. There which was struck obstinately, made and sound and was broken. An arrow ran. At the same time, it went into motion once again. The arrow hit straight, just before that.
"...It's going to fly!"
A voice sounded. It was the sound in a manner of a dignified and bursting blade. It was the voice of Nobutuna, whom bore that low will. He put a distance. He got down on knees to stop himself from falling down. The shadow suddenly whirled up. Without rising by a course, good for the name of absolute shadow, the signs disappeared.
"It's changing area"
"...Where"
"Probably its nest"
"Where shall we go around"
"This way"
The small shadows started running, even their footsteps were soft, they ran pass him. There was only one set of strangely heavy footsteps. It was himself. After all, those armors are light. Ah, Billy though. I want those.
If it is that lightness, surely, even going head-on will be fine. I might be able to move more than I think. Certainly it will be lighter, than I can grasp.
Stronger, and faster.
"It's ahead of here."
"You go first... ... Please with a time lag."
"Okay"
"Ro-–ger"
Nobutuna ran into the darkness. Taking out a whetstone from behind his waist, he rubbed against the point of the hammer. Sharpening the parts where subtly cracks were, a new blade appeared.
"Hey."
"Hm-–?"
"Stop that. I feel sorry for Nobutuna"
"..."
"Your, movements are reckless. You're doing it on purpose."
"..."
Billy had not thought of seeing that face from the front.
The look that smiles had disappeared entirely from, drawing an arc faintly in the night, looked at Billy. It was transparent, as if the existence there, didn't matter at all totally, as if it was forsaken.
As if he was sneering, when do you have the right to limit me.
"Even if this prolongs as it is, we'll only lose. Do not murder my friend."
"I don't know."
Assuming one might chill, there was no intonation.
"Die if you want to die?"
"..."
"I'm not interested in losing either. I have no persistence in winning either. Live and death doesn't matter."
Awfully, his back froze.
"...Do not stand in my way"
"..."
"... ...Sorry. Without that just now. Forget it."
The eyes returned to that of a person in an instant. Chasing the back of he whom waved his hand and ran into the darkness with his eyes, Billy who was not afraid of at all, sighed and chuckled.
(I see, you're, that type)
He was the type of hunter, which only longed for battle itself earnestly, regardless of victory or defeat, regardless of life and death.
Probably he didn't have at all, both joy when won and the regret when lost, the strong persistence towards life and the fear towards death also. He was as if saying those.
Just, betting himself in that moment and played.
(It's almost a beast)
Still even beasts, had the instinct to hold onto the physiological life.
(It might be for a mistake for him, to have been born as a human)
"...So, bows are decoration?"
He might happier to be born as a Nargacuga, being satisfied alone, Billy also started to run into the dark.
Duties increased, and rights decreased, the vague daily lives continued only.
Boredom soon became painful. As if I was panting, I longed for a different daily life. If I don't do something else somewhere, my mind seemed to be out of order.
Along with my body and mind, I demanded for a different excitement.
I was afraid that I might become a doll as she was.
Just like that person, becoming half like she was, I was concerned.
I fought. In greed. I fought. Alone. I fought. In the deep water of death.
I couldn't help to be alone. That was necessary for only myself, I knew it instinctively that I must not force it on somebody else.
Taking a sip of the happiness of loneliness, I tasted. Therefore probably, I think I was able to keep it so far.
Therefore till now, I think I was able to keep it.
I think that the black dream is still showing me dreams.
He noticed. He intended to answer by silence, even if called into question for it. Though not understanding what was what, since his fighting style was so, attacking cooperatively along it was the style of Nobutuna. Instead of creating the rhythm of battle itself, he was better at, fixing the generous rhythms made by others.
Both RIku and Billy were basically soloists. Their breathing and rhythm, only the two of them probably didn't will not overlap. Hunting between lone players were dangerous. Unlike times only for solo, there was a need to react to when the choice of hunting attacked others. Unexpected movements and unexpected flinches, they may chip concentration of the team.
It was not necessary to put them together forcibly. The senses would be good with fifty-fifty. If only half could be conscious of somebody else there was, coping flexibly with unexpected movements would be no problem.
(As much as possible, I only have to let the two of them enter my sight)
Therefore he cut the van. Jumping into the battlefront knowing that there was somebody fighting in front was different from jumping into without any real information, for the preparation.
(It's up to you guys afterward)
If will be all right, if you just don't die. Because it is the most important.
Flying up as if it was sticking to ceiling of the cave, the Nargacuga ran through, he fixed his broke-out breath. He could see an arrow shooting the body in the air. It was precise.
(...Did Billy, say anything to him)
He seemed to be trying to put along together.
While stepping in steps lightly, the blades came at the last minute and carved deep into the body.
His attacks became precise, there was no need for mercy. If I do a bad job he might shoot at me together.
The best strength of party play, was with only a little consideration, composure could be given to oneself. Of course one must not be in the peak of physical strain, there was a difference in having composure in the heart or not, his own long-swords skills, his attacks would be different at all.
Of course, the composure in the heart would be directly connected with the body, if one just relaxed, hello Felyve Tag, goodbye friends, there were many things like these too. But, speaking of the charm of party play.
(He doesn't know about it, the pleasure of party play)
The best charm of party play is to be able to see the human nature of your companions, Nobutuna thought.
It could show the human natures more openly, than talking about bad stuffs and drinking beer and wine together. The movements of the blade, the way of breathing, ways to get chances from monsters, it oozed out from everything. And, it will be able to feel it with the skin. It might not be able to put it in words, but it could be understood. This fellow is such people.
He would think immediately, when he took in that feeling. He wanted to do it this way. Probably if he did so, it would come in this way. If it came, it would already be his thing. If it was said that when the rhythm was bitten, it would be unendurable.
The rhythm of Riku, had a distance opened as long as he was a gunner, it would be hard to watch his movements, grasping it would be hard too.
(Basically, it's, leave me alone)
He didn't seem to be pushing it, still not non-interfering, plainly with only an open attitude would be fine, his bow said.
But, it was Nobutuna's nature to want to mind about it when it was did so,
(Once will be fine, can he fit in)
With that arrow, once would be good.
He understood that the shadow of Billy was detouring gently. His body moved adversely reflectively. The Nargacuga reacted with a jump in reaction to its joint being swung by the hammer, having only to hit the blade would be enough. Nobutuna responded with scooping there, tearing the tender.
The bitter color of blood dyed the earth. The weight moved to the left rear gently. The moment that it just stepped forward, going to jump in the same direction.
He noticed the bow was drawn to the maximum, aiming straight at the forehead. The black limbs moved slowly. He let his arm without the sword reached out unconsciously, to the limping leg. Seizing it, was Billy breaking the remaining part of tusk. It backed with all its might. To the bottom. It would bit if they weren't compromised. The roar shook the cells of his body, Nobutuna became tense like shortened unintentionally suddenly, but already, it would be fine. Though he was defenseless, if it brandished its claws at him now, it would be fatal, but it would be fine.
That arrow, will surely.
(Make the identical future I predicted)
Dong, a nice sound was made, the arrow pierced into the forehead.
Oh, in the power that fell out, a feeling of satisfaction grew up.
(That right now, might be slightly good)
He looked up at the black wyvern, looking up fly away to the sky in a rise. Because it let go of its claws, letting itself fall to the ground, falling onto the shadow of him facing upward. In the slight gap where the moonlight came in, he turned to the red eyes, as if it was in total grieve.
A cloud of dust blew, the body dropped down. Billy put away his weapon, and held out a hand. Nobutuna took it and stood up. He threw a glance at Riku.
His eyes were wide opened.
Oh yes, that's the expression. Meeting the satisfaction at a stretch.
(That just now, was slightly good)
Putting his long sword on to his shoulder, with a grin, he laughed. In the small shadow where the moonlight shone, the black transparent hair shook.
"...Yo. What's with the face... Thanks for today"
I thought I protruded.
I thought I could never come back anymore.
I thought I might not have to come back.
But, I was the one that shot it, yet I seemed to be shot.
The moment that the imagined form really became practical, that delight was.
So bright that I lost my voice unintentionally.
Casually, so small to be noticed, was a signal of waking.
Borrowing another night's lodging, during the middle of night, when the two of them were casually thinking of the future aim, a small footstep could be heard, drifting to the back of the house. They came out, wondering who that was. There was not a shadow. Billy stopped Nobutuna, looking puzzled while he was going to close the door of the room.
"...Traces of blood"
They chased it. The traces of blood continuing to the back of the shed, became little and little. A sound of digging a hole. Without interrupting the footsteps, they confirmed what were there under the moonlight.
Numerable pieces of wood standing. Before those, were the Riku's younger brother and sister, who were watching them without moving behind the door the other time, digging a hole in silence.
They were at a loss for words. It didn't become words.
Among the several planks of wood forming a line, there were also stones, the children finished burying the hole, stood up as if nothing had happened, with the face of never been there, the two children intended to return to the main house.
"...Hey"
"..."
"What are, these"
"Graves of the eggs"
A while ago, the child that came for a short period was eaten by the black dream.
The child answered as if it was nothing. Leaving them there, with footsteps secretly, they returned to the main house.
"...Are these graves of children killed by Nargacugas?"
"That, many? No matter what... there's too many"
Silence. The wind blew. Gently, was the sound of the ears of rice fluttering. Footsteps from behind. Like a wry smile.
"...Another died again?"
"...Riku, what are these?"
"Just as you see. Graves."
"Whose"
"Applicable to be my younger brothers' and sisters' "
"That many?"
"Saying it precisely, there's no blood connection...My mother have many husbands. Though there's no one nearby now. Everyone is in towns or other villages."
"Then, why,"
"Children that became unnecessary, are nonchalantly tossing carelessly, send over to here...Though there is no connection in blood, only children that would be dangerous if discovered, gathered."
"..."
"Because a good-natured person will not harm, that why it became this way. ...Being unable to throw away, unable to return, she made many her children. I don't know also, whether am I really born from my mother. In this sense, because of the gloom that only unwanted children are gathered here, it is said that this house is cursed terribly, seriously social ostracism."
Do not turn around. The words said sharply, froze the back that tried to turn around.
"...Still, it went well for several years. One day, Nargacuga attacked the house."
I wasn't there, at that time.
"Mother was broken. Many of the brothers were killed, too. Mother began to say that Nargacugas are beautiful, she began to repeat, that she wanted to meet them once again"
"..."
"...And to answer her, Nargacuga began to come to eat the our little ones regularly."
It was being called, the children whispered. Eggs that couldn't do so would be eaten. Next may be me. It may be that fellow. Children that became lumps of suspicious, hated each other, and no longer believed in others. Riku, who was trying to feed them by all means or other, gradually got used to those eyes. For nothing, only to raise them, like a duty.
"That's the circumstance of me knowing about Nargacugas well. ...Still don't. Do not turn around"
"...Riku,"
"Since she is saying wanting to meet it, wanting to meet it, I think it's time. I shall reach my limit soon"
"Riku!"
"Including this time, nine were killed. Only six are left. This seems to be, my, limit."
Do not turn around. In spite of whispering many times, Riku gradually stepped backwards.
Someone was calling the Nargacuga. Someone was increasing the children. Someone couldn't stop it. If he noticed, that it was time. If he awoke.
"...Stay there, I don't want you to turn around. If possible, next time, I want to go together, again"
"... ,"
"Nobutuna, stop it"
His shoulder was held, making him unable to turn around. Since a little while ago, he could hear laughter. Like a girl, spirited, and happy. I can meet it. I can meet that beautiful black dream, right! The fair and black and vivid dream! The scary dream! Thank you, thank you, at last I can meet it!
Riku turned his back on the two of them, in his arms were something without arms and legs, crying out in delight many times.
Facing ahead was, the wavers of the black dream, the big big night of great forest.
Author's Note:
It's fiction. That's it. So it's Riku's turn. Imaging the harm brought by monster in the real is really scary. It will be great if it feels like turning from a up-tempo to a scary tale. The first time I saw a Narga, I really think it's beautiful. Proves that "bows are decoration".
Translator's Note:
Thanks for the reviews. I'll pass it to the Rime. Thanks for reading! If there's mistakes, feel free to tell me!