Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou - Volume 4 Read online

  Yue hold up her hand aiming at one of them then mutter in whisper-like voice.

  ""Wind Blade""

  Having said the name of her magic, wind of blade appear and rushed toward, without any resistance that monkey-look-a-like was slashed apart in the air. Without any chance to scream that monkey-look-a-like fall to the ground.

  The other two was moving separately. One of them approached a child, while the other aimed its four arms equipped with sharp claw toward Shia. Shia and the child were instinctively stunned and unable to move. Meanwhile, the nearby adults were yelling…. … but that was just baseless worry.

  Once again, Hajime shook his left arm and PASHuu! sound can be heard then the head of the monkey-look-a-like that tried to approach Shia and the child struck with countless number of 10 cm long needles.

  What Hajime just used was Needlegun that's equipped on his artificial left arm. He got the hint from "Scorpion-look-a-like" that he fought before, then create the Needlegun. To fired it he used "Lightning-clad" though it was not at the level of Donner-Schlag but it has enough power. Even though it only have range of 10 m, it was silent, and added with poison it became convenient to use. It can be said it was one of dark-weapon series. Because they are inside the Sea of Trees and they didn't wanted to attract attention, Donner-Schlag can't be used.

  "Th-thank you, Hajime-san"

  "Onii-chan, thanks!"

  Shia and the child (boy) thanked him. Hajime gesture them not to worry about it. The boy look at him with sparkling eyes, while Shia suddenly dropped her shoulders because she can do nothing but stunned in such times.

  Kam only wryly smiled at her. They continued to guide him after being urged by Hajime.

  Afterward, even though some demonic beasts come to attack them, Hajime and Yue quietly dealt them. The demonic beasts of the Sea of Trees, who were considered as troublesome by the mass, were not a problem for them.

  However, after several hours passed since they enter the Sea of Trees, innumerable presences that can't be compared to before can be felt, Hajime and his party stopped their advance. Their killing intent and teamwork can't be compared to the demonic beasts they encounter before. Kam and his tribe start to restlessly search for their location.

  And then, a worried and lose expression appear on their face while they gripped their hand. As for Shia, her face became pale.

  Hajime and Yue who noticed the other party's identity, feel that it'll be troublesome.

  The others was

  "You are…. … why are you together with humans! Tell us from what tribe are you now!"

  It was muscular demi-humans with ears and tails similar to a tiger.

  * * *

  Thank you for always reading.

  Thank you for the impressions, opinions, and typo reports.

  Needlegun, it was excellent weapon that didn't produce much noise

  Well if you think about it, even using bullet is okay

  But, "Needlegun".... … I like the sound of it.

  I was troubled between super-small needle or the one with nerve poison…. … I'll probably rewrite it later.

  Chapter 33: Haulia was Shameless as Expected

  Humans and demi-humans walking together inside the Sea of Trees.

  Having seen that, those tiger-like demi-humans looked at Kam and his tribe as if they are traitors. They readied their double-edged sword while taking a stance. Tens of demi-humans come to surround them while emitting killing intent.

  "W-we are..."

  Kam who drenched in cold-sweat tried to find them some excuse, at the same time the tiger-like demihumans catches a glance at shia then their eyes opened wide.

  "Isn't that... the white-haired RabbitMan? ... ... bastard... so you are the Haulia tribe... a disgrace to demi-human race! For years, you've deceived us to raised that taboo child, and this time you brought humans here! What treason! I won't hear any excuses! Everyone will be executed here! Everyone ge-!?"

  DOPANn!!

  At the time the tiger-like demi-human said no more negotiations and tried to command an attack, Hajime's arm moved, a gunshot along with its flash can be heard then something grazed his cheek, leaving traces of gouged trees as it disappear into depth of the forest.

  The tiger-like demi-human that was grazed, froze in place unable to understand what happened. If his ears were located at the side just like human's, it surely would have been blown away. Everyone was stunned by the unknown explosive sound added with an attack so fast they are unable to react.

  At that place, Hajime's voice can be heard accompanied by an extraordinary pressure. It was the result of special magic called "Pressure" that directly apply physical pressure to the enemy.

  "That attack just now, I can fire it tens times in succession. I already knew how many of you that are surrounding us. You're already in my Kill zone"

  "Wh,wh... ... the chant...."

  Without chanting, to be able to fire invisible attack in succession and to know his comrade's location made that tiger-like demi-human stutter unintentionally. To prove that, Hajime easily pull Schlag and aimed at a certain direction. The tiger-like demi-humans subordinate was in that direction. From the fog a sign of unrest can be felt.

  "I won't show any mercy to anyone who tries to interfere. Until they have fulfilled their promise, their lives are under my protection... ... don't even think you will get even one of them"

  Aside from the pressure, Hajime start to emit his killing intent. The tiger-like demi-humans who was known as thick-headed and war-like were drenched in cold sweat, started to panic and screamed while one of them tried to desperately keep his calm.

  (It must be a joke! How, how is this a human! He must be a monster!)

  To the tiger-like demi-human who think hard so that he won't lose to the fear, Hajime continued his words while setting up Donner-Schlag.

  "However, if you retreat now I won't give chase. If you're not an enemy then there is no reason for me to kill. Well, now choose. Are you gonna be my enemy and meaninglessly annihilated or will you quietly go home?"

  The tiger-like demi-human was convinced that the moment he give the order to attack, that flash he saw a while ago will be back. If that happen, there were no chances for them to survive.

  The tiger-like demi-human is the captain of the Second Guard of Faea Belgaen. His work was to guard between Faea Belgaen and the surrounding village, it was his pride and resolution in this work to protect his brethren from intruders and demonic beasts. Therefore, it was not easy for him to decide between retreating and his subordinate's lives.

  ".... ... before that, I want to know one thing"

  The tiger-like demi-human desperately tried to ask Hajime with his hoarse voice. Hajime urged him to talk with his eyes.

  ".... ... what's your purpose?"

  A straightforward question. However, depending on the answer, he implied that he has the resolution to fight even if it'll put a risk to his life. For the tiger-like demi-humans, it was impossible for him to let go anyone who tries to hurt demi-humans living in Faea Belgaen and its surrounding villages, so he bravely stared at Hajime with unyielding eyes.

  "The depth of the Sea of Trees, I want to go underneath the Great Tree"

  "Underneath the Great Tree... you say? For what purpose?"

  The tiger-like demihuman thought whether his purpose was trying to enslave demi-humans, but when he heard his purpose was the sacred place "the Great Tree" he can only give out perplexed look. "The Great Tree" for demi-humans was just one of many place inside the Sea of Trees.

  "Over there might be where the true entrance to the Great Dungeon resides. We are traveling to conquer the Seven Great Dungeon. And that is why we employ the Haulia as our guide."

  "The real dungeon? Just what are you trying to say? This Sea of Trees is one of the Seven Great Dungeon. The dungeon where no one except the demi-humans can advanced without getting lost."

  "Well, that is weird."

  "What?"

  The tiger-like demi-
humans dubiously tried to ask Hajime who confidently declared that.

  "For a Great Dungeon, the demonic beasts here are too weak"

  "Weak?"

  "That's right. For a Great Dungeon's demonic beasts, all of them are suppose to be monstrously strong. At the very least around the level of "Orcus Great Dungeon"'s Abyss. Also..."

  "What is it?"

  "A Great Dungeons is the place of trial that the "Liberators" left behind. For demi-humans to easily enter the depth, you said? That can't be called a trial. That's why it's weird for the Sea of Trees itself as a Great Dungeon."

  ".... ..."

  The tiger-like demi-humans was unable to hide his confusion after hearing Hajime's words. That was because he was unable to understand what Hajime means. The Sea of Trees' demonic beasts' were weak, "Orcus Great Dungeon"'s Abyss, the Liberators, trial of the dungeon... were something unknown to him. If it was the usual, he will just say it was "nonsense".

  But, now, in this place, what Hajime said was appropriate. For Hajime who capable to overwhelming them, there is no need to make any excuses. In addition, his words itself strangely made them convinced. The truth is if his objective really was the Great Tree not the demi-humans or Faea Belgaen, rather than meaninglessly throwing his subordinates' life, it was better for him to reach his objective then leave.

  The tiger-like demi-human already decided that. But, he can't just leave Hajime wander around freely like that. For this matter was already in his hand, therefore the tiger-like demi-human give a proposal to Hajime.

  ".... ... if, you are not planning to harm my country and brethren, I don't care if you go to the Great Tree, that's my decision. There is no meaning to meaninglessly throwing my subordinates' lives after all."

  Having heard his words, there were signs of commotion in the surrounding demi-humans. Because he was overlooking human intruders inside the Sea of Trees.

  "However, I also need to ask the First Guard's captain. In addition I must report to my country. The elder might also know something about your story. If that place truly exist or not, until that known, wait here with us."

  While drenched in cold sweat, the tiger-like demi-humans then stared with strong will that can be seen in his eyes and to his words, Hajime tried to think about it.

  It was probably the limit for the tiger-like demihumans. It was heard that intruder coming into the Sea of Trees will be killed without the need to talk. Even now, they must still want to punish Hajime and his party. However, his subordinates' lives will be lost for sure. To avoid it, and for the sake of not letting a potential danger like Hajime loose he made that proposal.

  Hajime was a little impressed by his rational judgement under this situation. After comparing the merit between advancing after annihilating them and having permission thus losing the risk of surrounded by Faea Belgaen... he chose the latter. If the Great Tree isn't the entrance to the Great Dungeon, it was necessary to continue searching for it. In doing so, it was more convenient to have permission from Faea Belgaen. Of course, there is the risk of them becoming hostile, but that is only if there were no other way. It was not a human-like judgment, it was just too troublesome to search while annihilating them.

  ".... ... I accept it. Your words, report them without any distortion, okay?"

  "Of course. Zam! You heard it right! Report it to the elders!"

  "Yes, sir!"

  Under the tiger-like demi-human's command, one of the presence was gone. After confirming that, Hajime return Donner-Schlag into their holsters on his thighs while releasing his "Pressure". The air become normal. Because of this, the tiger-like demi-human who previously looked at Hajime dubiously start to relax while feeling relieved. In their mind, "If it is now!" was the thing some of the demi-humans thought while ready to attack. Hajime who noticed that only fearlessly laughed while giving them a glance.

  "Between your attack and mine... do you want try it?"

  ".... ... well. Don't make any sudden movement you know. We just can't help but react to it."

  "I know."

  Even though they are still surrounded, finally they arrived at conclusion, Kam and his tribe finally able to sigh in relieved. However, the glance turned to them, a more severe and evil than the one directed at Hajime.

  For a while, the oppressive atmosphere filled their surrounding, but maybe because they got tired of it, Yue began to tried to take care of Hajime. Shia who sees their harmony, finally unable to take it then mutter "Me too~", Hajime can only reveal a forced smile, and the atmosphere start to soften. Inside the enemy territory, suddenly they began to flirt (from demi-humans' perspective), Hajime can feel their amazed glance pierced at him.

  After around one hour. Shia was, currently have her joint locked by Yue saying "Give! I give up~! " while desperately tap her hand, while the surrounding demi-humans watched them with half-amazed and half-warm gaze, then presences can be felt approaching them quickly.

  Tension start to appear again. While Shia was feeling the pain in her joint.

  From the fog, several new figures of demi-humans appear. The elderly man who was in the middle especially attracted their attention. Beautifully flowing blonde hair along with his blue eyes that show great knowledge, his body was thin, as if it'll blow along with the wind. To that dignified appearance, some wrinkles was carved, but that contrast only accentuate his beauty. Above all of that, his ear was long and pointed. He was from the Forest tribe (the so called Elf).

  Instantaneously, Hajime guessed he was the existence that was called "Elder". That guess was right on the spot.

  "Fumu, are you that human? What is your name?"

  "Hajime. Nagumo Hajime. You?"

  Having heard Hajime's words, the surrounding demi-humans was like "how dare you treat elder like that!" and their resent can be seen. With one hand the man from the Forest tribe calm them down and start to introduced himself.

  "I am Alfrerick Hypist. One of elder of Faea Belgaen. Well then, I have heard your request but... before that, I have something to ask. Where did find out about the "Liberators"?"

  "Un? From the Abyss of Orcus Great Dungeon, one of Liberators, Oscar Orcus's hideout."

  Without any purpose, Hajime answered Alfrerick who seems to be interested in the word Liberators. On his side, Alfrerick was astonished although it wasn't shown on his face. The reason is the word Liberator and Oscar Orcus' name, only known by some of the elders.

  "Fumu, from the Abyss huh... ... I haven't heard it for a long time... ... can you prove it?"

  Alfrerick asked Hajime that question because there is a possibility where the information was leaked by the upper layer of demi-human. Hajime reveal a difficult expression. Because even though he was told to prove it, he can only show his strength. Yue while tilted her head give Hajime a suggestion.

  ".... ... Hajime, what about Orcus' relic such as magic stone?"

  "Aah! That's right, if it was that..."

  With "Pon" he clasped his hand, and he took out the magic stone with quality that was unobtainable the surface demonic beasts from the "Treasure Box", then passed it to Alfrerick.

  "Th-this is... Magic stone with such purity, I have never seen..."

  Even though Alfrerick hide his surprise, the demi-human next to him unintentionally raised his surprised voice.

  "Now, this. Once it was ring that used by Orcus..."