Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~ - Chapter 357.1: 《Infinite Variety's》 Strategy ③

It is strange…… I don’t have the ability to measure my opponent’s strength, but the Marin we fought at the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church was clearly not at this level. She had the power to freeze even the souls and stupor those who listened to her without protection, making her truly worthy of the name of the most powerful curse.

However, the wail just now is just a simple scream. As someone who knows the battle that happened in the church, my expectations are far too different. In the first place, didn’t Marin at that time use something like a black flame to shield the Black Knight or something? …… What happened to that?

Upon being attacked, the targets of the Phantoms change. A portion of the arrow is fired at Marin, who is wailing desperately, pierces her petite body. The cursed staff leaves her hand and rolls to my feet.

Maybe distracted by Marin who has been blown away, the Black Knight gets hit by the arrows and is blown away too. He bounces on the ground several times and slams into the root of a large tree. The large tree, which is firmly rooted, shakes violently from the impact. It has such terrifying power that I can’t believe it has been caused by an arrow. The attack stops and silence returns.

Tino cries out in fear as our allies are defeated in an instant.

“!?? M-maybe………… That………… Her grudge has started to fade away? In the first place, when she listens to what a human says, hasn’t she already becomes quite human-like!?” (Tino)

“………… I-Indeed, that is certainly one way to think about it.” (Cry)

A curse is an expression of strong emotions that has been sublimated into a spell. Naturally, as the grudge fades away, the power also weakens. It has completely slipped out of my mind.

I was going to force everything on Marin――But what do I do now?

Marin, who has been blown far away, floats as if gliding through the air and returns. Apparently, even in her weakened state, she still has the invulnerability she showed at the “Light Spirit (Korei)” Church. The arrow has completely hit the center of her body, but there is no wound on her body.

However, her expression shows fear and bewilderment.

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“??? Wh-Why??” (Marin)

Marin lets out a hoarse, confused voice.  That is what I want to ask…… Apparently, she didn’t even realize that she had lost her powers.

At this rate, the Black Knight’s power might be fading along too. Maybe it is due to the fault of being swallowed by Shero once, or maybe it is because I treated the cursed items with care, making her regrets disappear. I can’t believe that they were so strong when they were enemies, but as soon as they became allies, they became weak――.

I wish you had told me about it one hour earlier. To find out about it after being attacked by a Phantom, the timing is too awful. It is because strange accidents always happen, good grief (Shift the blame mode).

“………… It is just the beginning. I am sure Marin will do something about it!” (Cry)

“!?” (Marin)

I don’t know what else to do, but I say this like a sore loser. Marin looks at me as if she is startled.

Initially, I had intended to run away immediately if Marin’s power failed to buy time, but that speed of fire――It is a violent storm of arrows that rivals Lucia’s offensive Magic. Will I even be able to escape from it? A good archer is said to be able to shoot from over a kilometer away. Their eyesight is probably extraordinary if they are Phantoms from a Level 10 Treasure Shrine. Arrows could be flying from everywhere.

The arrow attacks have stopped. However, the Phantoms have not left yet. The masks are quietly and eerily observing us.

The Black Knight who has been hit staggers back. His armor is crushed and there is a big hole in it, but fortunately, he still seems to be able to move. He raises his sword and moves forward as if to protect Marin, but he is too unreliable in this situation where they are being targeted from all directions.

“Master~――There’s still Magi on their side.” (Tino)

“Why do you think they aren’t attacking?” (Cry)

“………… I-I think, they’re, measuring our ability. In order to ensure their win…… Hunters also wait and see if it’s their first time fighting a Monster. Or there’s a possibility that they’re waiting for their companions――” (Tino)

I see…… It is an action specific to Phantoms from a High-level Treasure Shrine………… I hope they will just keep on watching us like this.

While keeping an eye on the Phantom’s figures, I pick up the staff that had fallen at my feet and say this to Tino.

“Tino, run inside Mimic-kun.” (Cry)

Marin and the Black Knight are strong. No, it seems like they have gotten weaker, but a curse is something that cannot be defeated by ordinary attacks in the first place. Also, I have the insurance called Barrier Rings, but Tino doesn’t have it. I don’t know what I will do after escaping inside Mimic-kun, but it is probably better than fighting here.

Hearing what I say, Tino’s lips curl into a single line and she looks up at me.

Even now she has beautiful black eyes distorted as if she is about to cry. Then Tino says in a shaky voice.

“N-No――This time, I’ll fight too!!” (Tino)

“………… Eh?” (Cry)

“I know I’m not strong enough. But I can’t just be protected by Master~――By Master all the time…… Forever!! I’m training in order to fight alongside Master!!” (Tino)

By the time she finishes speaking, the tremor in her voice has disappeared. Tino is surely glaring at the Phantoms. What she said is filled with strong determination. Both Marin and the Black Knight seem to be surprised when they look at Tino.

Tino whispers to me as I make a badass smile.

“There’s got to be an opening I can take advantage of. I…… I have to close the distance or I won’t be able to do anything. I’ll step forward.” (Tino)

??? Didn’t you see that the Black Knight tried to go forward earlier and was hit by a barrage of fire?

“Even if it is someone like me, they can’t ignore me if I charge at them. I’ll create an opening. Master, please attack them.” (Tino)

“………… Can you handle the arrow attack?” (Cry)

“If the three of us charge in, the attack should be dispersed. I’ll dodge it…… With all my might.” (Tino)

It is so reckless that it is funny.

However, that recklessness――That bravery is definitely something she inherited from my childhood friends. I somehow feel responsible for that. It is okay, you know…… You don’t have to try so hard since we are going to run away. Even if I were to fight, the role I have is not good. My fighting ability is almost zero, so the main attacker has to be someone other than me……

I have no choice but to grab my brave Kouhai’s1 shoulder and step forward.

“Tino, bravery is a great aptitude for a Hunter. But don’t forget. Our purpose this time.” (Cry)

I feel like I said something similar in the 【White Wolf’s Den】?

Thanks for reading! Thanks Satria for the ko-fi! Woooh the state of play was awesome! And Zack, mah boi, was even in 2 scenes! So excited to know what is happening with him!

Tino, you are so cool, I’m falling in love! And Cry what is the purpose this time? Buy time? Save the Spirit People (cheerleader), save the world?