Disclaimer: 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 10-2: Case Falt + All cast
Theme: Written as Bond, Read as Best friend
Characters: Nobutuna, Falt, jack, SEVEN, Billy, Ash, Sky, Mr. Sido etc.
Chapter Summary:
The Secret Guild continued to pursue. After a hard fight, they finally met up. It was time for them to finish with the Order of the Black Beast.
SEVEN was the first to notice the sound. Next was Falt. Then Ash. When the two person walking at the front heard the weapons and turned around, the enemies had already surpassed ten people.
The actions of Falt was fast. He who did not have a weapon kicked the cart, and ran towards the two people walking in front. SEVEN holding a shield, and Ash prepared his sword, the two walls blocked the opponents from proceeding. When the clashes rang, sliding and withdrawing a little backwards at the same time, Billy kicked the ground.
Because the ground had already pilled up with snow, the jump was short. It was apparent that he repeated by jumping. Aiming at the moment when the two walls flew to right and left, he released his weapon. The brandished hammer did not need even one second to be thrown down at the crown of the head.
Still, it wasn't full of power, cause the enemies were humans. If he swung down his heavy hammer without arguing, pieces of meat that would surely scattered there, would be unshapely uglier than, squashing a apple on the stone pavement.
The single blow was dodged. Adjustment had visited upon on the vague power. With a shake, he straightened back his posture, and looked around still. Twelve, thirteen, fourteen. Fifteen people in total. Billy snickered lightly.
"...So. They're faster than I thought"
"Are we going to fight? Or, earn more time?"
"There's too many people... With Riku, if the two person head first to the village, won't they chase and surround the village? Sakura might still be there, I don't want that to happen"
"Aren't you selfish?"
"I have the same opinion too"
"If Billy says so then it can't be helped"
"Why do you handle it like that when I say so! Read the serious atmosphere!"
"I'm serious enough... don't shout"
Their lips were smiling, however their eyes were serious, blades were hidden deep within the exchanged words. It was mutual understanding by exchanging jokes. Gradually the several people with weapons, they understood that they were aiming for the two person behind forcedly.
"... Isn't letting two gunners only escape dangerous? Isn't it better to have someone exchange with Riku?"
"There's no need"
"...Billy?"
"It's Riku. Our opponents, aren't wyverns but humans. It's too early, for humans without weapons stronger than Bulldrome"
What's with that trust. Ash looked puzzled. With the sound on the snow, SEVEN did not allow the enemies to move in the instant. The lance stepped, and widen the distance with the opponents. The hostility was sterile. In the cold, the wounds of Falt worsen.
Ash narrowed his eyes. What has the instructor when I'm still in that Chivalric Order, said about what actions to take in situations like this?
""I think breaking through with all the members is the most desirable. Disturb with two, two, one... But, there's too few people"
"For the time being... before their helps come, let's clean up what's in front of our eyes? Then, let's think of a plan"
The weapons held, were three dangerous weapons. Riku whistled. It was grand even if he looked from the back. If it was real fresh-and-blood he would never want to make an enemy with them. Though it was lacking in agility, still how would the Secret Guild travel across that strong walls of humans.
Now, what shall I do. Riku cocked his head and turned around.
"Hey"
"...Uh"
"Though it's gunner armor, what's your weapon"
"Bow"
Here, he showed his quiver. My bow has been taken away, but this is still attached to my waist, and there's enough arrows. Riku whistled again. This is the best development. Lucky.
"I lend you"
"...What? Eh? What's with you abandoning in the middle of the battle?"
"Though I think it might to hard for you to use, it's bow then it will be fine. There's no change concerning the way of using it, though I've been using it for a period, I just changed the bowstring. I'll let you be familiar with it"
It might be hard with that eye, well, it's better than the development of doing nothing, since you're a hunter. As he said, he handed his bow and coatings to Falt. Waving his fluttering hand to Falt who was blinking, Riku fixed his brassoes once more.
Thong, something rumbled on the ground in front. The hammer of Billy that gouged into the ground, continuing three shadows that flew over the swung down great sword of Ash, headed towards them. Two dropped. It was SEVEN's lance. The last shadow got down as if staining onto the white earth, ran towards their direction in full speed as if he was looking down on them.
"...Falt!"
"If it's combat fight then bows are just decorations?"
Mixing with the barks of SEVEN, he stated like a clown, around, he turned his body, and buried his fist into the opponent's face as clean as a whistle.
Continuing, the halved number of people dammed up by the human wall, half of them detoured around and flew towards them. Though it was like a bat, there were after all not of Nargacuga. If he matched his breathing with that wyvern, he could read the movements first even without sounds.
As expected, Billy who had fight with it before, got over the opponents of the same movements. Sending them flying to a extent that wouldn't kill, the shadows dropped in squence with their back hitting onto trees around. Failing to become the black dream, would be eaten by the reality and disappeared in the end.
"SEVEN! Left!
"Got it!"
The point of the lance responded positively, turning around just beside by force the visible shadows, he stepped further. The sound when a frog was stepped on rang, two shadows, slithered and collapsed on the snow. Still he did not kill. Killing others was against the policy of SEVEN. No matter whether his opponents had committed murder, deceived people, or even sneered, it was still active.
A person was a person. Even if he was disgusted only, still they were of the same creature as himself.
Therefore, he asked. The engaged blades, the hoisted balance. Towards the shadow he did not know of, along with something like anger.
"Hey, you, why are you in the Secret Guild"
No matter how doubtful the eyes of his opponent looked, he continued asking without minding.
"Why do you have to kill and deceive order, lying to yourself as you live"
"..."
The opponent slightly dilated his eyes. He seemed to be. It was not a whim. By chance, he stopped his lance. It was only because of that, SEVEN asked.
He couldn't help asking.
"Hey, is it fun"
"...,"
"Is killing people fun,"
Is it fun.
When fighting with monsters, when fighting with Diablos, his heart was excited, his blood boiled, sounding from deep inside his head, because they were strong living creatures than they were.
"Is killing people fun? Is betraying people fun? Or is using the money you got from that fun? Do you feel nothing when you kill someone you don't know? Do you think that it doesn't matter because they are people you don't know at all? Do you not think that the world will be good if yourself is secured? Do you not think nothing when someone die in the distance?"
Hey, do you know the guy you're aiming, betrayed you thinking of someone. Surely being with you people, he grieved and despaired, from there he finally obtained the courage to betray. He obtained power.
The power pushed became stronger.
He would fight. Even if it, was a determination followed by death.
Falt was having such eyes.
"Are you, thinking of someone when you betray, deceive and kill?"
"...,"
"You aren't a hunter!"
Still Seven would never said that they were 'not human'.
Ging, a dull sound repelled, once more as a blazing sound the two blades engaged. He had not lose in pushing with power. However, the course of power changed slowly, and he could not avoid focalization.
The opponent was well experienced. Technically he was really a hunter.
"Without having something important, intending to live alone, you will lose one day... Doing something like that, what are you driving at!"
"What do you understand about me!"
At the voice that shouted suddenly, the power of his shoulder relaxed for an instant. The repelled opened gap, that probably, was a form of the SEVEN's naiveness. Avoiding the fall, he got down on a knee.
"All my important things were lost far back in the past! What is wrong to take away from others, in order for a human without anything to live onwards!"
"...,"
"Certainly I'm not a hunter! But so what... Who can live with only high-sounding statements!"
"Then why are you, alive"
Contrary to the words that interfered in calmly, Billy's hammer shook as he received the swung down blade. SEVEN stood up in a breath, as he looked at the back that pushed the opponent back making a tight sound. In the form of back-to-back with Billy, he stopped to weapon coming from an opposite direction by the shield.
"Seems like it is a foul world to you, then, why do you live in this foul world"
The tone of Billy did not changed. Still the enemy that didn't return a word, did not relaxed in power. In order to knock over the hoisted balance, Billy laid emphasis on his feet. He continued to talk as he took a breath.
"Is there a value. To you, and to this finished foul world"
"...,"
"If there's no high-sounding statements in the world, it'll be boring...!"
Like a whisper, like a confess, the moment he said, kun, he stepped forward, the weapon of the opponent shook, putting power into his arms, he overcame like a reject. The man who failed to fall down, thrust on one knee, and took the hammer swing down hurriedly, surprisingly, from the front.
Barely, a sound of muscle stood. The sound of the snowstorm, and clashes on the other side, and the sound of arrow cutting the air, a small cry, a muffled sob. The bright trace of flashing eyes.
"Laugh it you want to laugh... Still, there is someone that is saved by it...!"
"Billy!"
The voice of SEVEN flew from the side. A blade from behind tore the snowstorm. He may be the leading figure, the guy that stopped Billy's hammer in front of his eyes, jumped greatly and turned around immediately, and ran towards Falt. The footing was bad. He bit his tongue.
"Ash!"
"Roger!"
The voice was full of, as much as to say, energy, echoed gently in the snow mountain. The wide blade returned the weapon of the opponent, and he stood with his weapon in front of Falt who was holding onto the bow.
The man smacked his lips. The voice of the man, sounded irritated. He's older than us, and Ash looked hard.
"You too, have eyes that seem to say the same things as those ignorant of the world..."
"I won't say any!"
He finished speaking flatly and clearly. Facing the man who frowned as if he was bewildered, Ash showed him a cracked smile.
"Cause I know less about the world than those guys! Who cares about the world! Let's my rules!"
"What,"
"Yeah-–-– Ash you're the best! Say some more!"
"Don't stop your hand"
"That's why according to my rules, first of all I'll start with stretching my body! Only that!"
That, was words which only humans who learned right about protecting someone could say.
"How in the world will I know about your background and feelings! Come together with all you got! I'll be your opponent!"
The moment of clash, the moment of victory and defeat, we'll surely understand.
"Then, we'll decide who is right...!"
"...,"
The flying words, the overwhelmed mind, holding to the weapon, and streamlined fighting spirit. Expressing own way of living with the blade, that surely, must be of a hunter.
"...Somehow, it's super cool"
"That's against the rule?"
If they heard even the chuckling voice, here was already, their stage.
Pulling a distance between both again, a sound that seemed to be thinking deep. In the exchange of the killing intension that might tore the skin, slowly, was a sliding melody.
"...Sound of a horn?"
"What, hey. Is there an orchestra in this snow mountain?"
A current streamed straight down his back. Billy raised his head. This rhythm. This phoneme. He knew it. The regular heart became faster, as if all color in front of his eyes were gently repainted with vivid, they changed.
"...Falt!"
"Lamia!"
At once trying to protect the way where Falt was going to go, Riku stepped one big step forward, and lifted his foot. Hammering with his heel at the medulla of one of the people that was running lowly in full speed, just hand then touched the cold snow. He kicked the ground lifting his body right above, and he seized the lapel of a shadow who was going to fly in the sky, and knocked it to the ground. The two people that reunited, running from behind was one shadow, and another one afterwards.
"Falt, you know them?"
"Yeah,"
"How's the condition of the wound, Falt"
Carry said lifting his face, and she frowned.
It was swelled up, plus from the parts that was about to become frostbite in the snowstorm, blood and something like pus overflowed without an end.
(This is bad,)
The jewel which continued reproducing, continued assimilating. If it finished assimilating earlier than the power for wounds to recover first, there would only become a lump of flesh.
His eye would see darkness forever.
"Sido should be there, to the village, hurry!"
"Go, Falt!"
On the back of Falt which an expression of hesitation floated for an instant, a voice splashed. While he was stopping a blade with his shield, SEVEN shouted.
"Go, Falt! Hurry! Hey sis, take care of him!"
"Though I don't remember being called sister by you, fine, I don't dislike such men!"
Right? Listening to the speaking voice of SEVEN, Billy looked around with a smile floating thinly on his face. The number of enemies decreased. To stopped these guys which the number was halved, it didn't need many people. Besides with this tension now, it was reliable.
"Ash! Riku! Go with them! Here, that horn user over there,"
"Eh? Me?"
"You stay... Don't you make you some good sound"
The blood vessels boiled inside his hand. The pulse he had when his body was at the most top. As if he could see very well the form of the mountain known as snowstorm. The number of trees, the breathing of the opponents, the sound of snow falling, the wind echoing in the sky.
He hadn't taste it for a long time without medicine, the sense of a wild beast.
"I'm going to act violently for a while... I leave the protection to you"
"...Yes, with pleasure?"
Because he said with those eyes, fierce and powerful and glad, after all it wasn't something that could be declined. Though he smiled bitterly, still he changed into the color of earnest immediately, Sky took a deep breath.
Though he had thought of giving it a name, but he did not know the meaning of it, Falt in the end, had not named it. A turned-up chin, big purple ears, soft and fluffy coat of fur as a child. Though it wouldn't move an inch when he touched the hard back and tail, it was pleased when he touched it's cheeks and the soft surrounding of it's head, feeling the temperature.
When it curled up and sleep, Falt was inside. It would put its cheeks near, therefore Falt would always put his hand there and slept. It was it that basically hunt, but Falt learned to use the bow left in his hand, bu himself. He remembered the way of making traps and combining medical herbs by sense. He learned the whereabouts of water, trees with many fruits, and places of caves that could be a hideout. When it suffered an injury he would cured it devotedly, therefore he thought about a lot. When he felt the big wyverns and beasts deep inside the sea of forest, he learned to held his breath, and moved without making a sound.
He lived and walked together with the forest that seemed to be teaching him. When the change of voice began, Falt was more brought up than he was born, still his growth was late and was small in size, but he became able to confront a Rathalos or Rathian independently.
Though he shared several years with it, he after all, hadn't named it. It came before calling. Incidentally, when he looked around, it was always flying high in the sky. If he whistled, it would descend in front of him flapping its wings. Whether it understood the words of human, or it understood what Falt said, it always followed his instructions, and sometimes made conversations of words that were not words.
Rarely, hunters that aimed for it stepped deep into the forest. For it to attack villages, as long as Falt was there it was impossible, at that time the two of them would snarl with no discussions. There were hunters that escaped with their tails between the legs, and hunters that would challenge daringly. You are a child, why are you in such place. There were of course, some hunters that asked.
I'll like to know too, he couldn't say so.
Holding onto the bow, from the hunters before they were transferred by the Felyne Tag, he borrowed items that were usable, and collected clothing. From the books he took, he learned just a little letters. He learned little by little, from the new tools he gained to combine new medicines. Not for living, but for, his life.
Everyday with it was hard, but it was tender.
Therefore, the every day life was broken easily, by a sharp and hard blade which barged in.
Descending down was a shadow, one size bigger than it. Bright deep black and purple, a coat of hair swelled up and a long tail. In the middle of the great forest, in a place occupied with a storm of branches, a Yian Garuga without both eyes, roared highly in a loud voice.
Without a doubt, arrows flew. It too swung it's tail, struck with it's peak, and breathed fire. Rushing about between two black wolf birds, hearing the gone roars, Falt pulled his bow, and an arrow flew.
He did not relax and despise. Rather he did not have any spare to do so. Because he always lived desperately, it was as if granted at that time, he should have been desperate.
The breath that burned his arm, with bursting blow very front, the moment it turned around and roared, the peak broke.
He was pushed away by the wings. The place he fell into was no matter how much struggle, even a small creature like Falt could not enter, a hole by the root of the tree. Because it was a tree the durability was strong, afterwards the enemy tried to penetrate over and over again, but it did not do so. Pain and the strain of battle took over his brain at a stretch, he fainted, and when his eyes opened darkness hit and gathered.
When he went out of the hole, the sky opened big. It was a night was bright moon.
It was dead.
Though he had seen many deaths, produced many deaths, and accepted many lives. He took it. Therefore he understood. It was dead. The tattered wings, and the chipped off legs, the broken claws too, did not move. It was inevitable. He understood. In this world, only the strong survived. In that way till now, the two of them lived, therefore he understood. It lost. It was dead. It prostrated in front and no longer moved, the dead body which blood no longer flowed, was the proof.
He howled.
It was not anger, not hatred, only single-mindedly, through and through, straightly, mere sadness.
He was sad.
The overflowed tears, why, his brain repeated, the sea of trees that wouldn't answer, only the peace and calm night, without the sounds of the howling wolves, without the echoed cries of beasts, why, why, he asked continuously inside, including the answer it was there from a long time.
Without mercy even to a child, even the same kind did not matter, there ahead of 'killing each other' was necessary 'death', attached to oneself if lost was 'own death'.
People might think that it was a merciless story. But he learned to his marrow of the bone that this was the reality. This was reality, this was natural, and inevitable, this, was what it meant to be living.
And, even something so sad surely, made a sound as reality.
Why didn't I give it a name, when he came to that time, he felt sorry same as despair.
Because it did not have a name to carve in his heart, Falt dropped its head.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to be reckless before you can understand! That won't work! If you are also a minor hunter please know you're ability!"
"Yes..."
"If you die, your parents in your hometown and Tharros sitting beside you and me will cry! Please think that letting others cry and feel sad a crime! Even if you die sometime soon, those tears are thanks, where did you not learn it from!"
"Yes..."
"You must not act rashly from this age! You must not be reckless, you know, what you should know is that, if you don't control yourself well, you're going to ruin yourself sometime soon! If you got hurt, and it becomes a scar, what are you going to do if you can't become a bride!"
"I'm sorry..."
"Sido-san, that will be enough for now"
At words of Goodman mixed with a bitter smile, Mr. Sido snorted to show his indignation, and then dripped powerful medicine on the wound without mercy. Sakura screamed lightly, but it was good medicine. Covering the wound quickly with a cloth, he quickly winded up the bandage.
"I permit you unless the next quest is three days after! Even if you act like a fool and hurt yourself, I'm absolutely not going to treat you!"
"Yes... I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'll reflect..."
"Do you really understand! How many times have you said that!"
The same extent while declaring every time every time that you won't treat her next time, still Mr. will treat her, though Tharros thought so, she concentrated only in silent as she poured served tea into cups.
Though Sakura had became stronger, Tharros wouldn't deny that she act too rashly. What certainly awake at the times of battle, should be the related to her blood.
"You two are too indulge! Why didn't you stop her!"
"...Because I think instead of us saying, having Mr. to say is more effective"
"Why!"
"Cause your words, are sharp"
Here. Handing him a cup, finally, she said as she sighed. Sakura received a cup too as her eyes became slightly teary from the pain of the treatment. It's a common scene recently, Goodman laughed slowly.
"Well, seems like Sakura understands it properly, it'll be enough for this time"
"...Seriously"
Though he still had more to say, still Mr. breathed as he held the hot water towards his cheek, he was after all mature.
"... Khezus and Giadromes will still be better, if you got hit by a Tigrex, treatment might not be in time..."
"..."
Few days earlier, Mr. had applied to the guild for one dismissal of a hunter. The hunter who damaged the root of the right foot, though crying with tears of vexation, still nodded to the words of Mr.
He couldn't get used to it even if he had done this many times. Mr. did not know how the hunter lived since he carved defeat into his body. Even if he did not neglect the care of the heart, he could only guess how much would that become comfort and support.
Don, don, the door of the house was knocked. He looked up. Mr., Mr.! When he started to station at the Gathering Hall of this village, he became often called upon. Everywhere, the hands of hunters didn't seen to be enough all the same.
"... Seems like there's still someone who acted recklessly, like you"
"Recently there's many attacks from Tigrex, in the snow mountain"
Without regards to the mutter of Tharros, Mr who was summoned, stood up. He opened the door, and one Felyne which always slept by the entrance of the village stood with its tail tight and furs standing on end.
"Mr.! An injured person nya!"
"Again...? What is it this time. What kind of wound?"
"The eye became strange nya! It's burbling nya! Something that isn't blood is coming out nya!"
"...Eye? Any others?"
"Mostly cured nya"
It's too pinpointed, he thought but if he questioned, he would get an unexpected answer. Mr. tilted his head. Anyway, if he didn't go then he would be helpless, but he could only judge what tools and medicines to bring with the present information.
Eye, it said, what does it mean.
"Somehow, the lady in the party, seems to know about Mr. nya! She's like get him to come over, and kicked my buttock nya! Help me treat that later nya"
"... She knows me?"
"She's called Carry nya"
The moment he heard, Mr. without taking anything ran out. The entrance of the quiet village was there immediately. A person came out from the house he could see ahead. The door was not opened, but there were signs of wonder rustling.
"Where's the injured!"
"Oh, he's inside, Mr."
"Is he alright..."
The villagers making way, exchanged opinions anxiously. He opened the door, and the vilagers lowering their head lightly closed it quickly. The fire was just started, the room was still cold.
"Carry-san!"
"It's been long time, Mr. Sido"
Though it's disappointing, talk later. Tying her hair up, laying out treatment tools in front of herself, Carry covered her mouth with a cloth. The injured person laying on the bed, was breathing awfully rough. He touched his throat. He took his hand. The pulse was a little fast, surely he must have ran. Appropriate treatments seemed to have been carried out on the hands and legs. There was no abnormality in the bones either. But, the person was only emaciated. He was tired. Blood might not be enough.
"... What's with the eye"
"jack burried a jewel in there"
"Jewel treatment? Why did he do something that dangerous!"
"This person didn't have the eyeball originally. It's not dangerous, though it will be different if he has the eyeball"
"The progress?"
"The fitted jewel has been taken out once in order to speed up the assimilation, since burying it once more, it hasn't been cut"
"The time?"
"More than one week. During that period, he has been considerably wounded here and there... The frostbite is terrible too, I don't know how much pus are there either. Anyway, let's confirm the present condition of the anabolic first."
"No, we should calm the swelling first. If the blood vessels are torn, we can move the jewel to there for recovery. When the eyeball adhere to the eye socket, even if assimilated, the artificial eye won't work inside the socket. Only one point can be seen"
"... What are you going to do"
"Drain the pus, then cover the parts that aren't assimilated with potion... If it's cured, it will be fine. Though I don't know whether will it get along well."
He quickly checked his face, put on his gloves, and clipped the patient's hair upward. The reverse eye that was not damaged looked bright. He must be fighting against the pain, still a thin smile floated on his face.
"Nice to meet you, doctor"
"... It's Mr."
Reproving with a bitter smile, the right eye closed. Mr. placed a small needle, into the swelling that seemed to erupt.
It was always decided that the end of tyranny was included many corpses, but it did not turn out like that this time. The sound of the horn was splendid. It worked well from the outside, he was certainly endowed with reason. Instead of vanishing by the medicine inside, it was better to move with consciousness of a human being to some extent.
Still there was no help for Sky to doubt that whether this person was really the legendary Ukanlos, because the snow was smashed there covered horribly in mud, and all snow approximately fell from the branches when he broke the ground. It was completely the level of natural disaster.
Yet the great Secret Guild was great for not being exterminated. Breathing increased, and the rate of evasion dropped, still their eyes were not dead.
"...They're obstinate..."
"This is bad..."
A smile by the lips of the two person talking at the very front. Sky understood. Battling in the state of the mantle for keeping warm thrown off, besides the battle front was the snow mountain. Without hot drinks, no matter how much the stamina effect had spare physically, the skin and body would freeze. When the movement became dull, the heart and the body of a person would pass each other. That was limitlessly dangerous.
There were no more spare drinks. Though the condition was same for the opponents, they probably had additional forces. Because there were many, there would be exchanges of tools also.
To continue battling without withdrawal, that skillful imitation would not work any further.
"...Kill, the removal of a ban?"
"No way"
"...Right"
Oh, damn, my hand is becoming stiff. Grasping strongly the lance once again, SEVEN took a deep breath. The coldness ached like burning inside the lungs. Snow veiled in front of him.
"Hey SEVEN"
"Yes?"
"Isn't that ridiculous?"
"Yeah. I know, but I don't want to"
"Ah. I don't want to too"
"Because we are hunters"
Unlike the Secret Guild, it was not their main occupation to kill people. The opponents of hunters were always monsters. It was the way of living of the hunters to point their blades at the menace, that would endanger people.
It was themselves, that would rebel thoroughly against the world, even if they were small.
"... The other side will definitely laugh at us being stupid"
"Because they are humans"
"Really, when we know about bitter and sweet, we'll by done. We might tremble"
"No way. You?"
"None for me."
"Right."
"Yup, no."
It could not be. Living with people, breathing with people, and watching tomorrow with people. Everything cultivated in the desert, could not be smashed by the cold of the snow mountains.
"I still, can go for more...!"
Totally, Billy was considerably good at picking up on him.
Eyes that was pushing away a certain fatigue shone. He breathed in once again. Scowling at the group of shadow, a gust of something black rushed out, from that interval, was just after he altered his stance.
A blade fluttered.
Drawing a big circle, something that scattered were probably the pieces of the enemies' armors. Lightly and lightly, red fluttered in the white. For a moment he doubted that it was blood, but it was different. A flash, groans, gradually the small shadows grouped up. SEVEN stepped forward reflectively. He did not know what he was going to do. Without knowing his purpose, it was sufficient to only obey that trust.
The sound of the horn rang. The feet which lost their senses moved. The hammer howled, the snow splashed, and sounds of echo. The lance cut aside, he could see something silver standing up from where the shadows gradually gathered.
Pakin, a harsh sound, what activated was a pitfall trap. Some shadows dropping with screams.
"... Can pitfall traps work on human beings..."
"It's about application. If you use spider's web instead of nets, even humans that are light will fall easily... But combining takes an awful lot of time."
"How can it form on snow mountains well"
"In the name of a trap master, I won't be a man if I don't try"
Yo, He lifted his hand. No time no see. The exchanged words were mixed with relief. Nobutuna who fell into the hole, borrowed a hand from somebody and stood up. Shan, the sound of summer cold water stood as he wielded his sword. Putting away his weapon, the face that looked up with as cool as always.
"... Thanks for the letter. Where's Riku?"
"He went ahead... Who's that"
"It's jack"
"Falt's doctor"
"My patient has caused much nuisance."
"Not really that much?"
Nobutuna threw a glance. He raised his hand again at hunting-horn user which was carrying his weapon as he panted. Phew, Sky caught his breath and nodded.
"It's been a while... though it hasn't really pass a long time"
"Sorry from all the way"
"It wasn't really that far... I met again with her too"
"Oh... really"
One sigh. As the wind blew, having a smile that seemed to be strangely happy, Nobutuna began to walk.
"Nope... It's not bad"
"Huh?"
"Hm, something, like, this"
It's fortunate to have something that will come back, he thought.
They started to walk. Ahead. To the village in the snow mountain. Though the surrounding was a piece of silver world, probably, there was surely only warmness in there.
Hunters that were gathered in the guild, including them, was only less than thirty people. The guild managed changed the clowning tone, and looked around at everyone earnestly.
"...The guild master said that, this is a good opportunity"
The silence spread, and no one was able to speak. The voice of the manager that slowly echoed, made each one held their breath.
"It's a matter of course to know your ability as a hunter. Therefore, even none of you participate in this mission, the guild won't say anything. In the history of the Hunters Guild, there was never a mission as big as this. I don't think there will be any either in the future... Against people, from the Guild Knights, even general hunters are permitted to kill"
It was such, a big enemy. For the quiet tone, the air of the room slowly became lead.
"...The guild is selfish. The truth is everything will be good, if we just send them away into the distance. I don't understand why, must such a small village be sacrificed, to do something like this"
Lamia held her knees and crouched down, Falt looked down, Nobutuna remained silent. The three of them were standing still behind the guild manager. Their participations in the mission were decided. They had to clean up their mess originally, there was no lack. Beside Nobutuna who stood straight, Falt who was nothing else other than the cause, had a eye bandage to his aching eye, stared only at the floor still.
"It's terribly dangerous. This is area, Tigrexs appeared frequently for some reason. In the middle of that, the truth is as a guild manager, I should not have accepted this mission... Unfortunately, I can't. It seems like our enemies, had already set their base at the tower nearby."
It was not that they didn't understand. The guild manager said. For these past dozens of years, the Order of Black Beast moved all in the time in the back of the Hunters Guild. A once-in-a-lifetime chance was made, to put a knife into the relations that can't be cut even if trying so, by the escapers from there. If they let this opportunity passed, it would be difficult to destroy the Order.
Still, it was something terrible to villagers that loved the snow mountains, that loved the sky and the wind, loved the village, and loved the people. If they weren't careful, together with the village, they themselves may also be destroyed. Nonetheless, the appearance of Tigrexs were frequent, it could be said as the same things to the hunters that couldn't move from this ground.
The pain, the terror, the sorrow to kill someone, how many people would know? Surely no one would know out of curiosity, the enemies were too strong.
The mission from the guild was to return to the Secret Guild, and 'go to die'.
"...Those who participate, please come over"
The guild manager lowered her eyes, no one in the room said anything. Falt bit his lips. He understood. This was the reality.
Everyone was scared. Death was terrifying. He knew from his experiences. However, it was said to lose. If the important village was lost, everything would be sad. Just liked he had lost it.
He hated from his body that, the one planted this possibility on others, was no one else but himself.
"...No one needs to come"
The sounded voice was clear, and carried well.
"No one needs to come. I understand. It's out fault, you are unrelated. I apologize for having came to this village. Doing such things and jeopardized the village, are none other than us... If they kept watched in the base of the tower, until the reinforcement of the Guild Knights arrived, I'll take the responsibility to hold them"
"...With only, two person"
For the words of somebody, still Nobutuna did not move an inch.
"Even if I die"
The strong words stayed in the atmosphere.
"I'll fight, till my arms drop, till my organs are being scooped out... What do I do when I can't even be able to bear, to that extent. We, in the backside of the world, looked down on many humans in that way. We betrayed. We deceived. We killed... We aren't in the position that can be apologized to. We are not suitable for compensations. I understand... At least, here, if we can't do only a little good for others, there's no meaning in living. I do not accept that value to me"
"..."
"I do not pray and wish for forgiveness saying that... It must be hypocritical. Therefore, no one needs to come. This, is my problem."
Therefore, Falt. If you want to run, you can run. Bring Lamia along, and escape to a far place, where no one will blame you.
You, probably, have suffered enough, I think.
Nobutuna looked up. Towards the hunters involved till now, he slightly smiled. They were good guys. The resolution of receiving eyes of contempt from them, and the resolution of receiving words of hatred, was made deep inside his stomach.
Not like the courtesy of a knight bowing sharp straight, gently, he lowered his head. The posture was right, he didn't mind being killed, and the mind he uttered towards the others certainly, contained resolution, pray, and entreaty.
"...I understand it's ridiculous... Please protect, the village"
Don, and a light sound was made, the sound of someone stepping forward.
Don, don, don, the floor of wood sounded, letting the silver hair streamed, as if nothing was a problem, jack stood beside Nobutuna who was lowering his head. Turning around, he crossed his arms and tilted his head, and looked at the place where he originally stood.
"...,"
Nobutuna raised his face slowly. He looked at his neighbor in surprise. On the contrary jack who was cocking his head, only shrugged as if he was smiling wry.
"...Wait,"
Shutting out the voice of Nobutuna that started to say, don, and another light sound was made, steps of someone stepping forward again. Carry formed a line next to jack. Looking at Nobutuna who was shocked as if she was patting his cheeks, gently, she smiled like a girl.
"I have brother complex. Sorry."
"..."
Don, don, don, footsteps overlapped. Separate sounds. Billy took a step, side by side with Sky who took a step. Without pausing, Ash, and SEVEN. Riku titled his head, okay, with a nod he stepped out.
"...Hey,"
Don, and, stepping forward last, was Mr. Sido.
"Nobutuna"
"...,"
"Have you lived, the way you are?"
He merely looked back at him who smiled softly in front, in utter amazement.
"Have you arrive, at the place you belong?"
The repeated words were soft. The atmosphere of the air around. The hunters who looked at the same direction as he.
"Has everyone you called, came?"
"..."
"Congratulation, Nobutuna"
And, welcome back. To the place you belong.
"We, are going with you"
"Anyway if Nobutuna alone, I can hardly get rid of the uneasiness"
"...It seems to be interesting"
"It seems to be a mess"
"They still own me a debt on the mountain!"
"All the grudges are strong in different ways, after all I want to beat them up, with this hand"
"Cause I feel like it-–-–"
Slowly, jack looked at Falt. How about you. Are you going to escape. Are you going to fight. Either will be good. He did not think possibly that a hunter like him would not know, that with the wounds, the pain, he might possibly became a drag.
Falt seemed to be quite surprised.
(...Nobu-chan, Nobu-chan,)
In his heart, something screamed.
(This is awesome, hey, the world you are looking at,)
It really, existed so close. So close, with some many.
"... My Garuga fake, was taken by that side"
Smiling thinly, controlling the feeling that felt like bursting just a little into tears, Falt raised his head from looking down. He could see the eyes of Lamia beside him, slightly blurred with tears.
(I'll live, and return)
If he said he will protect even if he dies, then it is my duty, to protect him from dying.
"Without that, I won't be me-–-– I need to go and retrieve it"
"It's decided"
He returned a smile to jack who said.
(This is great, it's so near,)
That there's so many warm thoughts.
.
.
.
.
"...Goodman, why do you stop us"
"She's right. We want to go, too"
"It's fine for us"
"Why? Big brother and the others are going to fight, are you telling us to bite our fingers and only watch"
"Tharros"
The reprove was included in the laughing voice. The senior who looked up, said with a calm smile.
"You are the hunter of this village"
"..."
"Sakura, you have injuries too"
"..."
Clapping the shoulders of the two girls, he said.
"He lowered his head to us, then let's protect this village"
"...Protect..."
"...The village..."
Yes, as he said, even if they die.
"Okay-–-– Everyone please come over-–-–. Roll call-–-–"
"One-–"
"Two!"
Three-–"
"Four"
"Five"
"Six-–"
"SEVEN!"
"Eight"
"SEVEN-san please make it more understandable when you roll call-–. Okay-– everyone is here-–"
It's scary to have no hunter doctor in the village. Sis you stay behind. By the words of jack, Carry seemed to be bewildered, but, I understand, you're right, she accepted it unexpectedly, and stayed at the village. Entrusting Lamia who was inferior in battle abilities, to Tharros who had the first-rate potential among the females, nine person came to the base camp under the tower.
I think it will be fine since Goodman is there, Billy said. Ash knew Billy had talked a little with Tharros before, and he knew that he had lent his usual weapon to his sister. The strong eyes of Tharros that received it, hid the same color as Billy had.
Ash did not lend his weapon to Sakura. He knew well that she took it as a trust.
Connects had different types, this was one example.
"There... We have arrived at the tower of evil"
"No-–-– I'm-– scared"
"You can go back-–"
"No way~"
"Stop chatting! ... Though I think Remobras should be flying around, the other side should have already deal with them. The possibilities of the rare kinds of Rathalos and Rathian known as illusions appearing are very low, just in case, act separately. Plus, there's rumors of a really big hill moving recently, be careful."
"A really big hill?"
"When I was with Sky, I read about it from a magazine, but the habits of it are still unknown. It's said that almost all hunters die instantly... Though I don't think it will appear at midnight, it's nothing to be careful about"
Okay, from now on I'm going to explain my personal rules. Towards everyone who looked puzzled, he twisted his lips irony and Nobutuna said.
"Number one. We must not kill anyone."
Even if the Guild Knights give the green light, as a human, we must not do that. No matter how much the opponent excited their hatreds, no matter how much you think that they don't deserve to live, only the person in question have the right to decide.
"Number two. We must not take their things"
Things they treasured, weapons, armors, though potions are exclude. If we seize it, it'll become an evidence that we're after all same as the people in the Secret Guild.
"Number three. Everyone except me must not die"
"Reject"
"Rejection"
"I won't allow that"
"It's seriously over a joke"
"Are you stupid?"
"Sleep-talk only when you're sleeping"
"...I only say what I think... You guys are mean"
"Of course. Nobutuna, if you die without permission, I'm seriously going to stop it with all I got? Even if I die"
"Even Falt..."
"Agree-–"
"Let's prevent Nobu-chan from seconding with all we got!... It's really irritating."
"Mean"
He waved his hand as he smiled bitterly. Then let's change it, the last one is,
"Number three. Everyone must live and return"
The blade was unsheathed.
"Vanguards, Billy and Riku. Ash and SEVEN from the opened passage. Me and Mr. and jack will dash in from there. Rearguards, Falt and Sky. Listen, being a group is the basic, don't separate. jack will be in charged of the wounds of the vans. Dash straight without minding. The assistance is Sky. Sounds will do. We're going to run at full speed... Let's run to the top at a stretch!"
"Yeah!"
"The target is the leader of the Order! A large great sword user with the full set of Narga equipments, eighty percent should be watching the arrival of the Guild Knights at the top! The tower is one straight road, if the group got separated from the vanguards wait till the rear come! Leave alone those who are afraid of! Draw back the blades of hesitation! If the enemy comes, knock them down! Are you ready?"
"Yeah!"
"...Right, I forget to say something"
"What, Nobu-chan... It's really cool till now, putting a stop now, will make the elation fade-–-–..."
To the words of Falt that fell out from his mind, my bad my bad, he scratched his head, and Nobutuna said with a contented smile.
"When everything is over, I intend to start a hunting group"
Hey, how about, you guys.
Everyone opened their eyes wide. Everyone held their breath. Still pure trust could be seen from the calm, cool gaze that didn't prevent them from declining.
"...Don't let me say it"
Billy said. They did not look at each other. In their own ways, they lifted the edge of their mouth, everyone, was prepared.
Oh, this, is really.
(These guys, are the best)
The unsheathed blade raised. Pointed out at the top floor, of the tower.
"Then... shall we go"
(Humans, always betray. They tell lies, they deceive each other. In this world, not including the fights to live, humans were probably the only creatures that would murder the same kind for their own self-interests. Jealousy, hatred, and hatred...We are really difficult creatures.)
Dear, the Order head who trained, brought up, dropped, and grieved me up till now.
Now, I'm coming to beat you. Will you wash your neck, and wait for me?
"Please!"
Hearing the words of the samurai, all the members started running in one breath.
The village he stayed in the past, no longer stood now. Things that were in the village collapsed as only a small degree was left on the land that ended with being deserted.
Everything that was cultivated there, was equal to despair. He was dispatched as a hunter, and protected the village with pride, standing opposite to monsters, respecting the life and wished to learn about the world, yet what fell upon him was obvious reality.
There, he sacrificed one child.
He could not become strong. Till overwhelming. He wasn't able to be strong. Than a person. As the hunter of the village he must continue to win, he wasn't able to keep on protecting the village. He wasn't able to secure the place for people to live.
What failed him was not fear. Probably, according to people that knew, he was daring, and held the spirit that could make other nod. It was hard to say that he was unskillful. He had more superior eyes than commoners had. Still, he was not able to win. He was not able to continue winning.
He reached his limit, early. It was not about his age nor physical ability. He was unable, to become stronger than ever.
The village was gradually weary of him. As the fields were destroyed little by little, as the relatives were slaughtered one by one, disappointment and anger were stored. He fought. No matter how serious wounds he suffered, and many times being half-dead, still he did not let go of his weapon.
He wanted to protect. Only that, was true.
One left, two left, the Gathering Hall disappeared from the village, and more people left the village, before long, the village that became only with a small number of people, was declared closed silently by the one who was the village master.
There were contemplations. There were history too. Since the village was built, the calendar of the village should have had advanced. Carrying out festivals, loved the fields, read the sky, lived together with mothers in a various meanings, in that way they should have lived. Still, the village had to be closed.
It might have been a mistake, to have chosen you. Finally the village master, said to him. In a voice that was repressed with only anger, hatred, and sorrow. Leaving the words that originally could have been not told, in the last of last, might be the reproachful remarks to him.
Almost all villagers said words of reproach, despised and shouted at him, and finally they burned the house he lived in, the important books and weapons, many proofs of lives of monsters he collected, everything was gone. The Felynes that continued fighting with him, lowered their eyes and left, still the last Felyne that loved him, was gathered by the villagers and killed. He was not allowed to build the grave, of the Felyne that continued to believe him till the last blindly.
Humans.
Jealousy, hatred, repugnance... They were really difficult creatures.
Would all be his fault. Probably it would be so. Did he not make an effort. There was no such thing. In the midnight he ran at full speed as tears were shed, the child that couldn't but leave, why must he have to take him there. Certainly, that must be a fault the village master gave to him as an admonition, testing whether was he trying to be stronger, he thought. Would the hunter who even killed a child and could not protect the village, have the qualification to be a hunter.
He gritted his teeth. He fought. He did not abandoned his weapons. He confronted, daringly.
Till the last, he could not become stronger.
He decided to put down his weapon. Before him took further something from others. He decided to resign as a hunter. Looking from the world, it was a past position.
(...Do you want to become stronger)
They who were black asked him.
(Do you have the determination to become strong without regards for appearances. Hunter that was abandoned and looked down by others)
Because they were humans that had weapons, they would slaughtered hearts of weak people without weapons.
(Do you want to see more of the world. Do you long for more strength. Do you have the determination to take the weapon, for yourself)
That certainly, must have been the black dream.
He fell. As he hoped. He only demanded it. Not the power to protect, but the power of purposeless.
Without that, including looking at the world, it was impossible even if he tried, he who was a hunter, knew about it. He had known it.
He was surprised.
The child at that time was carrying the quiver he left behind with confession on his back. Shooting the bow, straight. Fighting with many companions. He pulled the bow so as to be bright.
As if it was a guidance, they ran towards this direction.
(You're alive)
Falt, you are alive.
He couldn't forget it. The name of the child he had killed at that time because of his weakness. He could not forget it. The shape and the wounds of the quiver that he loved to use ever since he became a hunter. There was no way he could have forgotten it. The moment when he could not become strong, demanded strength from others, from such a young child.
(Are you, thinking of someone when you betray, deceive and kill?)
(If there's no high-sounding statements in the world, it'll be boring...!)
(Then, we'll decide who is right...!)
What on earth, did he lose to.
He could not become strong. Therefore he wanted to become strong. He wanted to protect at that time. He was being betrayed and disparaged, his strenuous heart was torn, and he ran away being tattered. He could no longer believe. Including thinking of a person, he could not do so anymore.
He was not scared, he thought so, but actually, it was fear.
When he protected what he wanted to protect in his back, how many people were there, to be able to predict the unreasonable blade facing straight from the rear and went through their own heart. And, nonetheless, would it be possible for whom, to declare what was behind the back, important. At that time what repeated the pain many times, was because the hearts of people were very fragile.
Though he thought he was being stamped on by high-sounding statements, by then the repeated crimes, he resigned himself from everything, and his heart froze. He gave up on himself. He abandoned having a dream and accepted only reality. If he didn't do so, it would be difficult for him to even live onwards and breath. That was the reality to him.
He recalled the dream he entrusted in the past.
At that time, he only lived wholeheartedly.
At that time he certainly believed in himself. He who would become strong. Who could protect the village. He believed that he would become so absolutely.
He strongly believed in it to an extent that could make one sad.
(You are alive,)
Falt, you, have lived onwards.
A blade turned towards him. It was painted in purple, surely that must be deadly poison. His body jumped out to protect him from the single blow, of somebody that may or may not be a friend.
It pierced though the heart. There was a mild distance, and Falt did not notice it. He knew that the someone holding the weapon opened his eyes widely, and he sticked a dagger into the throat deeply.
"... Falt! You go ahead first! Hey jack! Come over here!"
"Why?"
"The vanguards are having a hard time! Rear, protections! jack!"
Falt did not notice. He then ran as he prepared. The shadow that was running towards him adversely, was a man he had seen sometime before. Right, we have been together once in a quest. His eyes were not dead, and they were left vividly in the memory. This fellow too at sometime, had experienced hardships like me. Betrayed, hurt and forgotten by people. Though I was looking at everything as resignation, so, about this case, I've heard that the target is a Secret hunter with a Garuga mask, now that I remember, I heard that this guy was close to him.
I can't believe, that Garuga Mask, was that child.
"Hey you, what's the meaning of this"
A low voice. It's unlikely that he remembers about me. I looked into his black clear eyes, and the refreshment looked straight back down on me. Breathing becomes difficult. The poison is turning around. There is no pain. Though it should have pierced through me, I cannot think clearly. The sword was pulled out, and dark red blood gusted out at a stretch.
"Get a grip! The poison! Hey jack, do you got any antidote"
"Yeah, wait,"
"Do not mind about me... Go..."
The blurred voice, the hand of Nobutuna that stiffen trying to stop the bleeding.
"...In the middle, of the tragedy... produced by my... weakness, I can't believe that the dream... left, is alive,"
"Why do you protect Falt... Why, you're from the Secret Guild!"
"You are alive... Thank you, for being, alive..."
"Get a grip! Don't lose your consciousness! Live!"
"...My hope, came true... Though I have forgotten about it, he let... me recall, about it..."
Oh, what a thing. I can't believe that the world still haven't abandon me, though I have fallen like that. The world is still watching over me properly.
Tears, overflowed.
"...That quiver... thank you, for, valuing it... help me, tell that child,"
"...,"
"Thank you... for letting me recall it... Thank you..."
Though I can hear a voice saying something, already, my consciousness becomes far away. I can't hear any words. It's painful. I know that my body is not listening to what I says little by little.
Still, I'm full of it.
Surely I think, I must have fallen for this moment, already, still, even my life is able to see something divine.
The wish that did not come true, the hope that I have forgotten, the dream that I should have entrusted, returned, for eternal.
(Oh, I can believe in)
I can believe in, the future ahead.
.
.
I have just, truly become strong.
.
.
"It's no use. Nobutuna, already... it's almost, fatal"
"..."
"...I'm sorry"
"...No. It's not your fault... I half, understand."
But half, he did not want to believe it. Nobutuna remembered him. In the old days, when he was still a novice as a Secret hunter, in the quests received together, there was only one hunter that respected party play. Why do I have to do such a thing, he wielded his weapon without a reason, in that way he was wounded because of being naive, and there was one person, as if a joke, still worried for him. He treated his wounds.
He was a person whose eyes were of the color of the forest and hill, and with a soft face.
"... We must pass the words to Falt"
"..."
"Let's hurry"
They stood up.
The tower was already, the middle stage.
It's really novel and fatal for the vanguards to be without weapons. The man said while laughing. The man behind him shrugged. The big wyvern stone embedded on the sword hanging by his waist, slightly shone with a small light.
"They fight, well. I don't really think those guys can possibly make it to here."
"Are they being made light of"
"Not so much, but I can't deny that it's out of expectation."
It was hard to say that the available information was sweet. The stroked, avoided, big Order, was not able to reach their hands to the small unity that moved together. It is a good strategy, the man nodded. It was an action that the group which scattered and dropped heads, did not understand. Probably the head over there would be him. As for that to be in the center, it was very strategic.
"The guys of the Guild Knights, seemed to have arrived at Pokke village too. There's a report of the movement from the people on the top floor"
"We're really surrounded by foes"
"...Are you going to give up"
"That won't be possible either. It is my complete choice of error, to have made this such a siege war"
The voice laughing in pain sinked.
"Though the number of people is small, they're really strong..."
"Isn't it like the thing people call as. bond"
"I don't believe in such thing"
"Is that so?"
"even if your days are not long, do you enter the Order believing in such a thing? You have terribly barked up the wrong tree."
"Who knows. How is it"
Still the two men could see with their eyes, that they were conquering the tower. The humans that completely defeated by the vanguards without weapons, each were being pursued once again, when they couldn't move finally once again, they were being pursued just in case.
The Secret hunters fainted in agony, still there was no case of losing life.
"There's no help for it. We can't but take care from the vanguards, the people without weapons"
"... There are two person that could fight so much even though they don't have weapons. Is there any people that can match with them in our Order"
"There's none. But, we can use things other than weapons"
"For example?"
"Don't we have ballistas? ... As expected, if it's a direct hit, the humans that could live should be stranger"
That reminded him that he brought those in. He looked puzzled.
"Do we really have to do it. They might hit our companions"
"I don't mind"
The hunters here, gathered in this Order at that risk of it.
Behind the man who turned his back, he slightly frowned.
We''ll soon reach the top, hold out! Hearing the words called from the far back, still Billy who was a vanguard stopped. He rubbed his eyes thinking what those were, but what his eyes recognized were no doubt, two lines of ballistas.
They aimed without slipping off at his direction. There was no way for them to have both shields and weapons to defend. Riku swallowed a scream and stopped.
"Seriously-–, no way-–, if we eat that we'll seriously die..."
"For them to drag out anti-wyvern weapons instead of anti-human, they must be out of their sanity"
"At least let's back down behind to where SEVEN and Ash are?"
"Don't give the enemies room to withdraw temporarily... It's coming!"
He kicked the stone pavement. A showy explosion happened in the place that he jumped. Protecting his eyes from the wind pressure, though his movement stopped for an instant, he noticed that the muzzle pointed at him again and he jumped once more. Someone who was going to swing a blade down at him, received the direct hit, and fell from the tower. He could hear Riku pounding his tongue, but it was lost in an explosion immediately.
"Hey! The rears, do not come! There's ballistas!"
Shouting towards the bottom, he turned around immediately. Explosion again in the place where he was, the stone pavement was scattered.
"This is bad... If they come up from the behind, we're going to be sandwiched."
"How many people are there... Even if we have dashing effects, my fists will be reaching the limit soon"
"Agree... They're numb"
The muzzled pointed at him again, he jumped, but for an instant his balance collapsed by the wind pressure grazing by his steps. He was going to reform his posture, but he noticed another ballista was aiming at the crown of his head. Kuwan, the reality caught by his view was heated by the consciousness.
(How can I stand losing,)
Protecting his head with his arm at once, his body dropped during the process of falling so as to hit he stone pavement. He held his breath, and avoided the single blow. But, at the next blow, he could read that he must sacrifice either arm.
There was no reason for him to be afraid.
(No way will I lose,)
He could not stand ending in such a place. That side should be very more afraid of.
A scathing single blow in the midmost of his stomach, his body was blown off, he choked, still he opened his eyes. Gritting his teeth as he took the passiveness, putting up a what face now, he could see Riku jumping into the collapsed rock shade in an unnatural position. Seemed like he had kicked him away. I must thank him slowly and carefully later, forming a smile on his lips, as if drawing a circle on the tower, Billy moved to the wall to prevent from being hit by ballistas. Still, explosion. They could not go ahead.
Two shadows ran in. The shield and sword held over their heads, the shattering sound of enduring one blow of the ballista.
"... I, can see my limit of three more shots"
"I'm about the same too. We, don't have shields"
"Why did they have something like that..."
"Rather I can't hide being surprised by the fact they brought that in"
"Will it go well, Billy. Two of us in total, six shots"
"...Go for it..."
They could not let it end in this place.
The first shot. A dull sound was made from Ash's sword. Jumping into the back of SEVEN who was advancing, another blow. Meanwhile, Ash ran. Explosion. The steps vibrated. Though they closed up the space inch by inch, the distance with the enemies were too wide. Would the last blow arrive.
"...Damn"
"It'll be fine"
"About what"
Behind muttering Ash, Riku chuckled as he squatted down. Not always, he finished speaking with a pure idly smile.
"I think that at least for the last shot, a human shield will be good"
"... You can't do that! Nobutuna said that all of us must survive and return!"
I didn't said that anyone is going to die. Riku turned around behind SEVEN while sniggering. The fourth shot. The distance was shortened about half. Two more shots left.
"...I think it's better for people that's not afraid of dying to that something like that"
"..."
"What's with that face, Billy. It'll be alright I won't die. The body will become unsatisfied, only this much"
Just like my mum. Being drowned out by the fifth explosion, he became the last shadow muttering. Just a little more. It was just a little more.
The moment the sixth shot aimed, Riku made a strong smile.
"Billy-han, take care of the rest?"
Tan, the sound of kicking the ground. He clenched his jaw. The back ran after immediately. The seventh shot. Fire spouted in front of him, though his eyes were almost burnt, rejecting the wind pressure, the ballista flew up before his eyes, he swung down his legs, a reliable response, in the middle of landing with pursuing, a sound of running from behind.
"Billy! Fly!"
His body moved reflectively. In a distance that could not be avoided without the favor of a Nargacuga, a blade struck. Ash who came from the rear knocked it down. With a snap, a dull sound, the great sword obtained sounds of cracking.
The other ballista, turned towards him and aimed.
"Ash!"
A shout rang. There was no explosion.
With a drag, a shadow collapsed. Behind the man who held the ballista, someone pulled straight a sword. What is it, he blinked his eyes. But without pausing from the back, a pursuit entered from the front. Billy kicked the ballista in front, and the trigger spurted. The destroyed part flew, and fell into the bottom of the tower.
At another set, looking at a bloody sword sticking out from somebody, Ash drank his breath.
"...Oh-–... That's strong..."
"Are you alright? It's best that I seem to be in time"
"It's great, that... I'm seriously saved..."
"Good good"
The voice of jack and Riku talking. Somehow the human shield was satisfied by the life powder, he seemed to be saved. Billy looked at Ash. He was still shocked.
"...What. Go. It's ahead, the Order leader"
The man talking, moved the sword covered with blood smoothly, and scythed down the Secret hunters coming from the rear.
A kept attack, the dumbfounded air. Ash muttered in a shaking voice.
"...Brother..."
"It's been a long time, Ash"
"Why... are, you here"
"I should have been handled as dead... Think of me as a ghost"
His third elder brother looked at Ash's great sword with cracks, and he held the handle of the sword he got towards Ash.
"Take this. Instead I'll have that. The Guild Knights have began to move. This Order is not long anymore"
"Why, brother, you,"
"It's a sword near the end, right? ... There is no hindrance, dying together with me"
"Ash!"
SEVEN's voice pulled him together. Receiving the blade coming from his back, he endured it somehow almost tripping. Why. Where is he here.
At that time, his brother did not die. He was not murdered.
Nobutuna beat him up, but he did not kill him. He who was taken to the Secret Guild, received an invitation from the Order head. He would die if he declined. If he was to die, he would rather fall. There's no place for me to return anymore, he understood it manfully, it was not difficult for him who was a minor of the knights.
In the small period he was in the Order, he understood how many crimes he had committed. He was not able to say that there were not great. There were many things in the Secret Guild like a mountain, that let him understood what he had done was cruel.
Letting him decide before being sorry, was probably because he, was also one that succeeded the blood of Rathalos.
There was nothing for him to say. Actually, he did not have the qualification and the value to be called as an older brother.
Therefore it's fine. Cause I'm already a dead man, I don't have any hesitation anymore, being this way in here.
"Ash, are the elder brothers in good health?"
"...Ah, yes..."
"Next time if you see them, tell them that their badly made younger brother is sorry,... pretend that they never have such a brother"
Right, he believed that he would surely came.
If it was that younger brother, he would surely come. For that reason, he stayed.
"Go"
Without having a response to the words given low, still the thought came straight into his chest, Ash held onto the sword of his brother, and began to run. The following footsteps, his friends said nothing.
Still, he believed that this sword, would become the evidence of his live.
(If you have strength to correct your mistakes, brother, you... you are)
You are indeed my older brother, and a knight I should follow his back.
At last, the number of Secret hunters left on the open space of the top floor, was a lot. Catching up with one, catching up with two, all the members gathered up and fought, for dozens of minutes. Looking among the line up of fainted people, he saw one small thing, Nobutuna called Falt.
He did not see the figure of the Order head. He probably had planned an escape. Under the crowd of people, left on the edge of the hall, was a bruised Garuga fake. In neighbor of the small object, were letters that played as words. It is your victory.
Falt ran to the edge of the tower. In the scenery he looked down at, he did not see any shadow. But, he was able to confirm only the red shades moving at the vicinity of the entrance. The members of the Guild Knights set foot in the tower.
"Nobu-chan! The Guild Knights have come!"
"Really! Hey, is everybody alright!"
Replies came in a sequence. There were few shouts of joy welled up, mixing with voices of groan, people of the Order of the Black Beast started to escape one after one. There were two patterns for trying to descend from the tower, namely those running down the tower, and those jumping off.
"Leave those alone who's heading that way! The Guild Knights will do something about them! Let's run after those who fall!"
"Okay!"
In response to his voice, his companions jumped off the edge of the tower one after another. Lightly, their steps were lighter than a while ago. With the dash effects of Sky, they could still move more. With the medical treatments of jack and Mr., the wounds were light. Not yet. They could still move.
What best members they are. Boiling deep inside his heart, Nobutuna grasped his long sword strongly.
(We won,)
That was already, a conviction.
"Let's go Falt! Let's end this Order, for all the world!"
"Got it!"
Before he chased the back of his friend calling, Falt, took a breath once. He raised the good old head of it with both his hands.
We finally meet again, pal.
(Seems like it won't just be the two of us from now on?)
He put it on. The familiar sense he was used to. There was no pain in his eye anymore. The world he saw, the opening sky, it's not fogged, the sky, was very blue.
"Yosh! It's the last part!"
The voice of his shouting friend was in high spirits. That's of course. Falt started running. Then he kicked the edge of the tower. Oh, this is fun. I'm glad.
This really exists.
"Here comes, the Garuga Mask!"
Ok, let's start once again.
It was bad that there were Guild Knights when they applied to the guild. Building a hunting group led by two people who were originally in the Order of the Black Beast, it wasn't allowed for the public moral. Regretfully you have to give it up. Saying so, almost all the members snarled. What kind of thing is this to not admit, the only nine people who fought till here, and travelled across almost all of those guys.
To the Guild Knights that arrived late, what on earth are you going to do for us, they said, the knights just looked hard to please.
How much can I buy it. jack asked in a leisurely tone.
It's not a problem about money. Towards the knight that said, still jack replied with a expression of much to spare. Then it's give-and-take, Hunters Guild. It's negotiation, from the Doctors Guild. For an instant Carry looked surprised, and she only, shrugged with a bitter smile. Afterwards, they hardly know what he was going to do.
"I want monster hunting-–. Nobutuna, has the application pass yet?"
"I haven't apply yet... "
Why! With the cries of his friends one after another, he wrote on his cheeks as if having been troubled.
Here is one developed item. It's professional. In the hunting by parties, only for a person, almost effects can be seen all the members. There's an announcement on the development of lifecrystals. It's named as life powder, I'll entrust the way of making, and the right of generation to the Hunters Guild. I have the right to do so.
If, this is not accepted, this item will be the patent of the Doctors Guild forever. I won't let the Hunters Guild use it. jack said as to make the Guild Knights looked bitter hurriedly. Right, the huge mountain that appeared on the former tower... Yama Tsukami, which is classified as Elder Dragons. This might possibly avoid the instant death of that. Right. Riku continued while smirking. Because it's a medicine that could make me still healthy and normal, even if I received a direct hit from the ballista.
Towards jack who handed the right to the Hunters Guild free of charge, how in the world should he thank him. Towards Nobutuna who looked puzzled, jack embarrassedly, said laughingly. Right, then give one a cigarette. One will do, I just ran out of them.
"There's something I've been troubling about"
"Yes?"
"I can't decide the name of the hunting group"
Why are you troubled about something like that! Say it! The decided members that started to make noises, flew about this and that with absurd suggestions, and reckless opinions. Oh, there's no unity here. He thought while he suppressed his laughters. Probably because, it'll be a name that we can bring along together all the time.
"I want to go monster hunting fast so decide faster, what's with the amorphousness"
"Well, because it's me"
"We've been against people all this while! It's been long, I want to meet those graceful guys! Please understand this feeling!"
"Monster hunting, now that you mention we haven't seen them in ages"
"Right?"
While Falt chimed in on the noises, then this will be fine, Nobutuna wrote the letters of his hometown. It was unexpectedly nice, this excellent and sounded in a relaxed mood, leisurely name. Still, probably, it felt like the most seeming to the present situation, and themselves in the the future.
"I've decided. I'll go and apply"
"Really! What is it Nobu-chan show mw show me!"
"Afterwards-–"
Turning his back from SEVEN who was excited, he handed out the application to the guild manager who was waiting and smiling at them. She received it laughingly.
"Dear, it's an interesting name"
"Uh-–, but, after all I feel that we're coming to get along with this lukewarm feeling"
Not, anti-human, but, as, one of the hunters.
『MonHunDoudesyou -How do you like monster hunting- 』Informal 『MHD』
"It'll be good, if hunting companions can increase"
"If possible people with common sense. Oh, but wait, that might be boring-–"
After all, we love to go hear! hear! hooray! and go hunting, and fight seriously.
"...I accept it. So, will you go somewhere? People of the newborn hunting group"
"Diablos!"
"Rathalos!"
"No, cause I want dash juice, Gypceros"
"Then cause I'm slightly out of materials, Giadrome will do"
"Eh-–, crabs are good-–"
"... Hurry up and decide. Really"
He tried to listen with a wry smile.
"Hey Falt. How about you? You're the one that should say what you want"
"Yian Garuga!"
"Lady, is there any Garuga?"
"Of course? Will that do?"
Yeah, we'll go for it. Nobutuna laughed, and headed towards the counter.
Author's Note:
It's fiction. I intended to try the Final End quest in MHP3 when I completed this chapter. I timed up with dying twice... Those guys are scary! I can't win! My fingers are shaking! I ended writing this chapter in one whole day. The pace might be a bit fast, since I need to fix it within 30000 characters (This will be the japanese situation). Now I've finished writing vs. humans. The next will be monster hunting. Probably. Planning. Anyway first of all, the establishment of the hunting group is completed. Thanks for reading!
Translator's Note:
Thanks for reading! Here's the second part of chapter 10. Sorry it's a bit late again. I got a cold. I hope I will be able to taste of the original version. I hope it'll be alright~ I'll be putting up a character-information on the armors and weapons later. Thought it might be interesting. ( • w • ) Thanks for reading!