Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~ - Chapter 356.2: 《Infinite Variety's》 Strategy ②

“Heeeeh, how many are there?” (Cry)

“………… There are a great number of them. I can’t count all of them in such a short time. This is probably because this place is much closer to the 【Temple of Origin】 than where Sytry Onee-sama and the others are――” (Tino)

I see…… It seems like I will be able to fulfill my role as a decoy. I don’t think they think that Sytry is the main actor.

And this place is close to the 【Temple of Origin】, huh. Hmmm, this is the first time I have heard this……

I pull Mimic-kun close so I can escape at any time. I check the Barrier Rings on my finger. I don’t really know how powerful the Phantoms of the 【Temple of Origin】 are. Even if I knew, it wouldn’t make any sense since I wouldn’t be able to resist them――Well, I have Barrier Rings on me, so it is okay even if I get attacked a few times.

“Tino, come here.” (Cry)

“!? Y-Yes……” (Tino)

Tino trots closer, cautiously looking beyond the trees. From my experience, if I and another person are lined up, the attack will come to me first. Even if we were to be hit by a ranged attack, my Barrier Rings would protect us together, and as long as she knows the attacker’s means of attack, Tino should be able to deal with it.

Tino’s profile is just dignified, and even though she is nervous, she doesn’t seem to be cowering. Just now she said that a great number of them are coming, so she seems so reliable. When I step back, the Black Knight steps forward without showing any emotion. Following that, Marin also casually stands next to the Black Knight. Holding her staff, she looks at the forest with a dark expression on her face.

……………… Come to think of it, it is a little late at this stage, but is Marin a Magi?

“Hh………… Th-They’re coming!!” (Tino)

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Tino sounds like she is suffocating. A bead of sweat runs down her white cheeks.

Then, I finally realized that we were surrounded.

Although I have chosen a fairly open area to descend, it is a deep forest just a few meters away. Atop and in the shadow of the large, lush trees, humanoid Phantoms whose face is covered with a jet-black mask are lurking.

There are probably more than ten. When on earth did they get this close?

The Phantoms are not trying to hide. If a Phantom of this level is seriously trying to hide itself, I wouldn’t be able to notice it even if it starts to approach from this distance. It might be a sign of their will to fight.

“Haa, haa…… Master~…… There are Magi-type Phantoms and Thief-type Phantoms. All of them are used to fighting in the forest!!” (Tino)

There are sounds of branches and leaves brushing against each other. Black shadows are moving in the trees. Above all, they are quiet and fast. But what is even more frightening is the fact that the Phantoms haven’t launched an attack yet.

They are highly intelligent. They are organized. Probably to make sure to kill us.

Maybe because of the pressure from their presence, Tino is breathing heavily even though she has not moved a lot.

“…… Didn’t Serene tell me to not kill them or something……” (Cry)

“Hh……” (Tino)

Tino swallows a small gasp and takes a stance with natural movements. She doesn’t have any weapons, she is empty-handed.

…… When I think back on it, I feel like Tino doesn’t usually carry a weapon. Even Luke uses a wooden sword, and Liz also uses a weapon when she has to, but maybe Tino is the most muscle-brain――No, no, no, now is not the time to think about that. I have no intention of letting Tino fight.

The atmosphere of the battlefield makes my skin tingle. The first one to move is――The Black Knight.

As soon as he draws his sword, he kicks the ground hard. A masterful step that instantly reduces the distance of several meters to zero.

However, the surprise attack ends in failure.

Countless arrows are shot from all directions, from above the trees and from the shadows of the trees. At a speed faster than the Black Knight’s step. The Black Knight responds to the storm-like attack with slashes. High-pitched sounds rise.

I don’t know what kind of technique it is, but the rate of continuous fire is already beyond the realm of simple archery. To my eyes, it just looks like the lines are forming into a single one. And I can only hear the sounds of the interception that cut them all off.

What is happening there is a collision of great skills that I can’t even imagine.

“Hh………… What a, speed――I can’t move!! I’m being targeted!” (Tino)

Arrows usually have a lower firing speed than firearms. However, the storm of arrows shows no signs of slowing down. It is as if hundreds of thousands of people are shooting at us all at once. The arrows that are cut off and stuck in the ground make a large hole in the ground. It is like a bomb. Bows and arrows are secondary weapons, but they are by no means weak weapons. In fact, Sven even earned an Alias for using a bow and arrow as his main weapon.

Each arrow boasts deadly power. The Black Knight cuts it off with the power of his cursed sword and its frightening sharpness, but he can’t move forward at all. No, he is retreating little by little. What a dangerous enemy. Are we not targeted because they intend to take us out one by one?

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Making up her mind, Marin steps forward after seeing the Black Knight’s struggle.

Her expression is a mixture of sadness and anxiety. A high-pitched scream from her slightly parted lips shakes the quiet forest. The name of the curse is derived from Marin’s 『Wail』, which even has the power to kill anyone who hears it. At the power that shook the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church, the lines of arrows tremble for a moment――.

However, the attacks do not stop at all.

Tino screams in a shaky voice.

“!?? H-Huh!? Ma-Master~, isn’t it kind of weak!?” (Tino)

“……………… Sooo weak.” (Cry)

…………………… Huh?

Thanks for reading! Playstation State of Play is coming out soon, so hype for FF7 Rebirth!

What Cry said is so true, when enemies become allies they always become weaker.

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