Metro Labyrinth - CH 19

T/N: Okay, so like before “Itokuri” could mean the spinning wheel, weaving thread, or the guardian spirit in Nioh literally meaning “thread weaver”. The title could mean “Sir Itokuri” or “Sir Thread Weaver” if you want a full English translation.

“My name is Ikari Noa. I am a hunter of the Ikebukuro Tribe.” (Boy => Noa)

The boy says his name. He used “Boku” too. [T/N: Boku is the male form of I/me. Usually, young boys use this form of I.]

(Ikebukuro? Does Ikebukuro still exist? Also, what is a tribe?) (Shuu)

“Umm… you are…” (Noa)

“Ah, um… I’m Shuu Abe.” (Shuu)

“I’m Tamiko, squeak.” (Tamiko)

He noticed Tamiko and looks a little confused, but not as confused as I was when we first met.

“You are a Carbuncle… Right…?” (Noa)

“You know about my kind, squeak?” (Tamiko)

“No, I have never seen your kind before. I have only heard about you from my great-grandfather.” (Noa)

The existence of magic beasts–animals that can talk–seems to be rather common knowledge to the humans of this world.

“Um… Abe-san… where is your tribe?” (Noa)

“Oh well, about that…” (Shuu)

I remember that “tribe” can mean “race” or “tribe”. I was born in Gyoda City and currently reside in Toshima Ward. My favorite food is the Tokyo specialty, Abura Soba. I don’t know if I can answer that question as it is. [T/N: He is pondering on what Noa means by トライブ or toraibu or tribe, for Japanese it could mean 種族 or shuzoku or tribe/species/family(phylogeny) and 部族 or buzoku or tribe/clan/family(genealogy). Abura Soba or soupless ramen is ramen that uses sauce instead of broth/soup.]

“I’m sorry, that was rude of me. But… it’s amazing that you could defeat a full-grown Catoblepas solo…” (Noa) [T/N: Catoblepas is a mythical buffalo-like creature that breathes fire or poisonous smoke.]

Is that called a Catoblepas? It was a grotesque-looking cow or pig that breathed a poisonous breath.

“Oh, sorry for taking down your prey…(Shuu)

“No, that’s not it! couldn’t have killed it on my own, and I didn’t have any chance of escaping… You really helped me thank you very much.” (Noa)

I feel relieved. For the time being, it seems that this will not start a string of complaints or escalate further. Risk reduction is the favorite word of all working people no matter what era.

“I don’t want to ask you for more, but if we don’t dismantle this first, I won’t be able to thank you… Would it be okay to go there at the water side there?” (Noa)

Noa pulls out a string from his hand and attaches it to the hind legs of the Catoblepas. It’s a string of mycelium twisted together, so it seems that he’s trying to pull and drag the beast.

“…Ngii…!” (Noa)

Noa pulls the rope over his shoulder and drags it making his whole face bright red. It is probably not just a few kilos, but about a ton, not the weight even a hunter can easily carry.

“Let’s help me too–” (Shuu)

When I move in front of Noa, my eyes grew wide open.

He’s tiny, probably around 150 centimeters. His body shape is difficult to see because he wears a dark green cloak that extends from his neck to his knees.

But—the rope from his right shoulder to his left hip is digging into his body.

The taut string perfectly presses between the mounds on his chest. They were quite voluminous.

Stop looking. I know it in my mind. But my body refuses to look away. The lens and cornea, the ciliary body and retina, grasp the scene as if to say, “This is our destiny! We will not let go of such a sight.” The loyalty to the desire is insane.

“…Um…” (Shuu)

“…Kya!” (Noa)

Noa hurriedly hides her chest. Her face grew redder by the moment.

“…You’re a girl…” (Shuu)

The same is true for me. My face is so hot as if a hot water bottle was stuffed in my cheeks.

“…I’m sorry… I didn’t plan on hiding it… No, I did hide it… but…” (Noa)

Well, it’s not hard to guess her circumstances of deciding to pretend to be a boy. Probably, as long as a profession of a hunter is established, there is no doubt that the world has become more dangerous than before.

But—if so, why is she doing this dangerous job alone?

“I am also female, you know, Squeak?” (Tamiko)

“Uhuh? Uhuh.” (Shuu)

I can’t bear to have a girl carry such a large load, so I pull the cord and ask Noa to push me from behind. As expected, even with a level 66 body, it is hard to pull a truck without wheels. Even so, the massive body begins to move.

(But this cord is quite sturdy.) (Shuu)

(It’s made of several cords, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going to tear at all.) (Shuu)

It’s an ability that could be useful in various ways. Even for professions other than a hunter.

Looking back—many of my abilities are more focused on killing others, especially the Metro Beasts. Thanks to that, I have survived for five years, but how should I make use of them in the future?

(If I go to the surface, I have to think about the next step.)

Noa leads the way. Perhaps it was the smell of blood or the sound, but the metro beasts came close to us along the way, but I chased them away with [Beast Repellent Spores].

After about five minutes, we reach the waterside she mentioned.

The water is flowing from right to left. It is more like a river than a canal.

The riverbank is lined with glittering soft sand, and colorful and wild mycelial plants reminiscent of the deep sea plants that appear through the gaps. The water’s depth does not seem to be deep.

When Noa weaves hypha from her palm, they come together forming a knife with a blade length of about 20 cm. It’s a shorter version of my [Hypha Sword].

She used it to pierce the lower abdomen of the corpse of the headless Catoblepas, She drags it under the skin with certainty and familiarity.

“Um, Ikari-san.” (Shuu)

“Huh, yes?” (Noa)

“May I help you?” (Shuu)

“Oh, yes, thank you.” (Noa)

Noa turns to the corpse and continues to dismantle it. Shuu is still standing up.

“Oh, that… Ikari-san.” (Shuu)

“Huh, yes?” (Noa)

“What should I do?” (Shuu)

“Huh?” (Noa)

Noa looked at me blankly. She must wonder why a hunter who is older and more capable than herself is waiting for instructions like a newbie. My bad.

I have my own way of doing things that I have been experimenting with for the past five years. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that I have completely deviated from the attitude I had in my old profession. I am afraid of her being taken aback or offended if I make a bad move.

It would be horrible if it happened to a cute younger girl. She also has to heal her wounds in a super public area she can call back and say, “I’m not feeling well, so I’m taking a day off from work.”

“No, I’m just trying to go along with your way of doing things. I’ve never beaten a Catoblepas before… Tell me anything you see wrong.” (Shuu)

“Oh, then… can I have you hold down this side?” (Noa)

From there, work goes smoothly. Noa quickly opens up its abdomen and scrapes out the internal organs. She deals with the blood and offal without any hesitation, even if she’s probably just around the age of a high school girl in my era. I eventually pulled out two sporangia from deep within the lower abdomen and hand them to Noa.

“Because it is a prey that you have killed, please feel free to eat it.” (Noa)

After a little hesitation, I took one from Noa.

“I don’t mind sharing half with Tamiko. This one is yours.” (Shuu)

Speaking only at their estimated level, I have eaten a lot of things that are better than this one. I wouldn’t be troubled if I skip one or two now and again, and it would be more beneficial for her to eat it herself.

Noa’s eyes light up and he bows his head, “Thank you!” And she energetically bites. I looked away from the high school girl eating as she eats sloppily while juices drip from her mouth. If I stare at her, I am sure to get arrested, or if you look at her thinking of that, I’m out of the picture. Modern people must be sensitive to sexual harassment in order to survive.

“Ahh!” (Noa)

Suddenly Noa cried out.

“What happened!? Are you okay!?” (Shuu)

“Oh no. I’m sorry. My level improved…” (Noa)

“Oh, that’s good news. Congratulations.” (Shuu)

I don’t want to tell her that I was a bit nervous when I heard her sexy moaning voice.

“How many levels is Ikarinoa, squeak?” (Tamiko)

“Tamiko, I don’t think you should ask so casually.” (Shuu)

“No, it’s fine. I’m around 24.” (Noa)

“Oh.” (Shuu)

It’s almost exactly what Tamiko estimated. I don’t know how much it is in the hunter profession.

“I am 41, squeak.” (Tamiko)

Tamiko easily reveals her level without being asked. She has the higher one, I guess. She was puffing out her chest to prove it.

“Well, that’s amazing… It’s a lot higher than me since you are past 40… By the way, what about Abe-san?” (Noa)

“I… I think I’m around 66.” (Shuu)

Noa nearly drops her sporangium.

“…Over level 60… Isn’t that Master Class…” (Noa)

“Ah, yeah? Probably (a master?).” (Shuu)

Tamiko’s mother’s partner was an “excellent hunter” at level 53, so maybe, me at 60+ is also rated that high. In reality, though, I am just a naive amateur.

After finish they eating, they continue dismantling. Noa says she wants to bring the hide and meat home.

“The skin of the Catoblepas will be used to make clothing for hunters. It’s a rare individual, so I think it’s going to be a good material. And its meat has a lot of fat and has a very rich taste. Here. Let’s salt it and make bacon on the surface.” (Noa)

“Ba-ba-bacon!?” (Shuu)

Such a culture still exists here? How fascinating it sounds. The aroma of seared bacon and the taste of beer in my mouth is just irresistible. I can’t stop my mouth from watering.

“Oh, by the way, isn’t meat poisonous? You were spitting out poison earlier, weren’t you?” (Shuu)

“It’s fine. We just have to avoid the parts close to the internal organs, but since it has such a huge body, we can eat as much as we want.” (Noa)

Noa is momentarily startled, but he shows me the parts I could cut into pieces. Tamiko, who had been watching with great interest until about halfway through, gets bored and makes a bed of water plants and begins to take a nap. The sound of her lightly snoring begins to play a regular rhythm.

“…You’re amazing, Abe-san.” (Noa)

“Huh?” (Shuu)

“At your young age, you’re already above level 60…” (Noa)

“Well… is it really that amazing?” (Shuu)

“Don’t be humble. Besides, the Fungal Skills from [War Hammer] to [Long Sword]… Then there’s [Great Shield] and [Detoxification]… Is your Fungal Class a [Holy Knight]? As you can see, mine is [Craftsman]…” (Noa)

“Fu-Fungal Class? Holy Knight?” (Shuu)

I hear some words that I’m not familiar with. They get stuck in my mind, spinning and confusing me.

“…oh, I’m sorry. I asked about your Fungal Class without permission…” (Noa)

“Well, what’s that…?” (Shuu)

I couldn’t help but think with my arms closed.

This hunter’s words, I don’t understand most of them? If it happens frequently, I will look suspicious.

At this time, I don’t want to reveal my full circumstance. I want to ask about all the questions that I have accumulated in the last five years.

The question is how will she react.

A human being 100 years ago. A human being from an old civilization. I’ve lived inside the underground Metro for five years. If I talk about that, she—what will the inhabitants of this world think? I can’t imagine.

She is the first human I met after I woke up. She looks very nice and cute.

It would be fine if she snickered at me and said she doesn’t believe me. It’s okay if she gets angry at me for making fun of her. If I imagine it, it’s cute, so I’d rather see it.

But if she thinks I’m suspicious, crazy, or cut off our budding friendship, it’s going to be hard. I’ll probably cry.

“…Abe-san…?” (Shuu)

(…But, can I really avoid it?) (Shuu)

(I’m her benefactor, she’s not going to hurt me, right?) (Shuu)

I scratched my head, and as I raise my face. Noa looks a little concerned.

“Well Ikari-san. I have a story I want you to hear.” (Shuu)

“Yes, what is it?” (Noa)

“I may say a lot of strange things during then, but I will be grateful if you don’t stop from listening.” (Shuu)

“Strange things?” (Noa)

“…I’m from maybe a hundred years ago? I’m from a time when the hunters and the Metro Labyrinth were different. I’m a person who lived in the old world, where there were no hunters and no Metro Labyrinth.” (Shuu)

And then, as if I had been released from the weight on my shoulders, I begin to talk. I tell her who I am. Over the past five years.

I was working for a company in a world where there were no metros or metro beasts. After a minor accident, I was hospitalized in a hospital in Outsuka, where I was greeted by the Metro Flooding—some kind of natural disaster. I woke up on the 50th floor of this Outsuka Metro.

Tamiko wakes up in the middle of the day and adds to the story. I’ll deny the saga of the great show of heroism that she single-handedly turned an Ogre into rust of her front teeth.

After five years of living next to death and training my abilities, I was finally able to defeat the boss and escape the 50th floor. On his way to the top, I met Noa, and here we are today.

Noa was sitting down on the floor, looking stunned. She didn’t interject or ask any questions. As a speaker, I am grateful, but inwardly I am nervous about how she is taking my wild tale of adventure.

When the story, which lasted about ten minutes, is over, Noa covers her face with her hands and sighs heavily.

“…I can’t believe it…” (Noa)

“Yeah, that’s just the way it is…” (Shuu)

“…so many hunters have tried to defeat it so far, and no one has been able to defeat…… that Satan Slime…” (Noa)

“Really? So it was called a Satan Slime?” (Shuu)

“It’s all true, squeak. I’ve witnessed it all, squeak. Abeshuu squeaked the mother’s and her partner’s killer.” (Tamiko)

“… Is it okay to check one thing?” (Noa)

Noa stretches out her hand and grabs my hand. She then cuts the palm of my hand with her Hypha Knife.

“Hey! What are you doing!?” (Shuu)

“Please let me see how well it heals.” (Noa)

Maybe she is some Yandere? Despite my suspicion of her proclivities, my wound is covered with blue-black fungus and heals on its own.

“Blue-black mycelium… much faster than [Self-Regeneration] … I-[Immortal] Fungal Skill…” (Noa)

“Immortal?” (Shuu)

Noa looks up and looks straight at me.

There’s no expression on her face and she looks pale. I can’t read what kind of thoughts are behind her mind.

“…It’s true. You’re from the old civilization, an inhabitant of Tokyo…” (Noa)

“Tokyo… yes, and you believe me…?” (Shuu)

Noa releases my hand and mutters in a daze.

“…The thirteenth person… A [Itokuri-Shi].” (Noa)

T/N: So, should I use “Itokuri-shi” or “Sir/Lord/Lady Thread Weaver”. Both titles sound super cool so I really don’t know which to use.