Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~ - Chapter 367.2: Mask God ⑥

“Is this all you can do………… After all, you are just a Two-Tails one, huh. Now it is my turn. I know your weaknesses.” (Keller)

The ground lifts, clods of earth rise and change shape like clay.

What it created is――A single-barrel gun. A sleek long-barrel hunting rifle.

There is no way that an ordinary gun can work on a Phantom like the Imouto Kitsune. However, Imouto Kitsune *bikuri* flinches when she sees the weapon. Keller readies his hunting rifle with practiced movements. It is a single-shot hunting rifle that will likely be insufficient to take on even a normal Magic beast.

“These are lead bullets that beast creatures fear. I don’t need any more masks. I will throw away your bones and use your fur as a coat.”  (Keller)

“How rude…… Keller, man, you are way ruder than me! So rude! There is no way lead bullets will work the Imouto Kitsune! Right? Besides, Imouto Kitsune doesn’t have fur!!” (Cry)

“Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh!!” (Imouto Kitsune)

As soon as the Imouto Kitsune growls, Keller fires.

A short gunshot. The Imouto Kitsune’s tails instantly retract and intercept the lead bullet. A Phantom from a Level 10 Treasure Shrine should be unscathed even if it hits her in the flesh, but maybe she did that just to be on the safe side. As I watch the battle as if I am already half a spectator, fresh blood splatters in front of my eyes.

“Hah?” (Cry)

The Imouto Kitsune lets out a small cry of anguish. A red stain appears on the tail of the Imouto Kitsune that has shaken off the bullet. The tail, which had been snow-white until a moment ago, is now covered in a painful red color. The flames that have been floating in the air have also disappeared without a trace before I know it.

That is impossible. The Imouto Kitsune’s tail is so hard it can shatter the earth. There is no way a lead bullet can penetrate it, when it is not even powerful enough to take on ordinary Magic beasts.

Keller aims his gun again. He has strange powers, but to think he is also good with weapons…… But he really is not godlike.

“Even if your weak spot has been hit, to stop moving due to such a minor injury――Shows your lack of combat experience. Get lost.” (Keller)

This is bad. If this keeps up, Imouto Kitsune will be killed. Let’s restart from the beginning. I rush out in front of the Imouto Kitsune. If the Imouto Kitsune is defeated here, it will be really bad.

“Wait! Stop! Time! A little break!” (Cry)

Keller’s gaze darts towards me for a moment, then he immediately clicks his tongue.

“……………… Tsk. She got away…… To disappear in an instant outside of this Keller’s range of perception――What a tricky beast.” (Keller)

I look behind me. The Imouto Kitsune who should have been crouching is gone, not leaving even a trace of her being here. I only took my eyes off the Imouto Kitsune for a second, but it seemed that she escaped during that moment.

And Keller seems to have decided to ignore me now. It is troublesome to be the center of attention, but being ignored is a little sad too. However, Imouto Kitsune…… If she could escape then there was no need to protect her. Seriously, how embarrassing.

I sigh heavily and tap my shoulder. I make a badass smile at Keller, who carries a hunting rifle and says.

“Thank you for your hard work. That is the end of it. See you.” (Cry)

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“Waiiiit!!” (Keller)

I turn around naturally. I try to leave, but my body immediately stops moving. Something invisible is holding my body down. A binding attack that doesn’t cause any damage is one of the few attacks that the Barrier Rings cannot protect.

Since he seemed to have decided to ignore me I thought I could get away with it because of the atmosphere, but I guess he is not that soft. I take a deep breath. The Imouto Kitsune has run off somewhere. There is no sign of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 or Serene and the others coming. All I can do now is………… To get down on my knees and do a dogeza. Or maybe I should just buy some time……? This really is not good for me.

Since my body is still immobilized and I cannot move, I turn my head and turn my face toward Keller and grin.

“You’d better not do that. Unless you want to see the power I have that has defeated a god once (By getting down on my knees and doing a dogeza).” (Cry)

“What a stupid bluff, Cry Andrich. My 『Outer Sense』 sees through everything. You have absolutely no powers at all, from beginning to end. You are incredibly empty. Even in my era, there was no one as incompetent as you.” (Keller)

That is a bit harsh. Well, I did have a vague idea of it. I am weak, so I wish he would let me off the hook.

Mimic-kun is trembling a few meters away. I wish I could take refuge in there, but my legs cannot take a single step. I am checkmate.

For a moment, my restraints are released and my Barrier Ring is activated. It seems like I have been attacked. However, there is no time for me to run to Mimic-kun.

While I am doing this, my Barrier Ring is activated again. A second one, a third one――I cannot see the attacks. I don’t know what is going on, but I am under attack right now!!

Moreover, rather than attacking randomly, he properly estimates the duration of the barrier and whittles down my Barrier Rings with the least amount of attacks.

My lives are slowly being whittled away. There is nothing I can do now. I should have at least put on my “Perfect Vacation”. Damn, if only Serene has given it back to me!!

Keller whispers threateningly.

“Is that it? No, this is just the beginning. There is no pride in killing you――But at the least, you will become the foundation in my path to domination.” (Keller)

I can’t say anything anymore. This is such a terrible insult. At the very least, let me do a dogeza………… Please let me do a dogeza! If things stay like this, I will end up dead without even realizing what is going ooon!

No, maybe becoming the foundation of his path to domination is quite a promotion?

Just as I am confused by the situation where I am helpless against, I suddenly hear a voice from out of nowhere.

『No, it is over. O ancient god that has newly manifested on this planet. Just as that human, who has no sense of danger, said, this is the end. We do not wish to fight――But when lead bullets are pointed at us, we cannot just ignore it.』 (?)

“What!?” (Keller)

The attack stopped. Keller, who has been at close range, glides through the air to put some distance between me.

Even after being released, I couldn’t move.

A mysterious voice echoes through the heavy rain. A familiar voice. Could this voice be――. Flames begin to *potsupotsu* appear one by one around the area again. The amount of flames appearing is far greater than those that were made by the Imouto Kitsune.

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『Really, you were supposed to retrieve your smartphone but to think that you would be taken advantage of again――And on top of it, you have been covered by him. This is the biggest blunder since the establishment of the 【Lost Inn】.』 (Ani Kitsune)

『………… I haven’t been covered. Even without Kikkikan-san, not much would have changed.』 (Imouto Kitsune)

『You have also been protected by his barrier.』 (Ani Kitsune)

『It wasn’t there in time!』 (Imouto Kitsune)

As the flames flicker and rise, Phantoms appear.

Phantoms wearing fox masks. The legendary Treasure Shrine that continues to move around the world. The inhabitants of the 【Lost Inn】. And there were more than just one or two of them.

Countless Phantoms line up. Walking in the middle of the two lines is a tall Phantom I have met and talked to at the 【Lost Inn】――It is the Ani Kitsune. Next to him is the Imouto Kitsune who has escaped earlier.

The Ani Kitsune says in an admonishing tone.

“The problem is――The fact that you have been protected. You understand, right? Our rules. We are not like humans. We must repay a favor with a favor. We can deceive everything, but we cannot deceive ourselves.” (Ani Kitsune)

“…………” (Imouto Kitsune)

The Imouto Kitsune lowers her eyes dejectedly. I do think that I have protected her, but――Maybe that was a bad thing to do?

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………… Maybe I should give her a nice follow-up for now. I have certainly been indebted to the Imouto Kitsune.

“Objection! I did not cover her! Nor have I protected her with a barrier! The Imouto Kitsune is not that weak!” (Cry)

“Kikkikan-san, stay quiet.” (Ani Kitsune)

“O-Okay.” (Cry)

His voice is very cold, completely different from the one directed at the Imouto Kitsune.

I slowly step back so as not to get in the way. Keller utters a confused voice as he sees the large group of kin from another god appear.

“That’s impossible…… My 『Outer Sense』…… Isn’t picking anything. There should be, nothing there.” (Keller)

“You can tell that much, huh. I have been watching you from up there. Outer Sense――What a terrifying ability, I cannot believe that a former human could have that.” (Ani Kitsune)

The Ani Kitsune puts his hands in his sleeves, nods, and says admiringly.

“Ancient god born at the center of the world. Maybe you might have been stronger than us.” (Ani Kitsune)

Keller moves his arm widely and clasps his palms together.

The space distorts and the Phantoms from the 【Lost Inn】, including Ani Kitsune, who has been lined up, all flatten as if they have been crushed by something. However, the voice of the Ani Kitsune doesn’t stop. He continues to speak while being crushed.

“If your power is an invisible organ――Then our mother’s power is a lie that deceives the planet. You are right. There is nothing here. But this world believes that we exist here.” (Ani Kitsune)

Flames float above what was once the Ani Kitsune and begin to move. The crushed Phantoms turn into flames.

No――That is a road. A road bordered by flames. It leads up to the sky covered in dark clouds.

The voice of the Ani Kitsune speaks to Keller, who is standing there.

“”Haha (Mother)” is in a bad mood today because her daughter was teased by a human again. If this goes on, someone might get eaten in spite. At best, give us as much fun as you can, God of Humans.” (Ani Kitsune)

My body, my soul is buzzing. All due to the magnitude of the being who is about to descend here and now. Apparently, it seems like 『They』 came here with their entire Treasure Shrine. They are probably in that black cloud.

Suddenly, I remember what Serene has said.

“The one who can stop the calamity, will be the one who comes clad in storm and lightning, huh……” (Cry)

Keller shows no signs of running away. I can tell even through his mask.

Keller is now――Smiling. He is going to fight.

The Masked God VS the Fox God.

I have no idea who is stronger, but there is one thing I do know.

It seems like I am no longer needed.

I *kosokoso* sneak up to Mimic-kun, who is shivering nearby, open the lid, and run inside without hesitation.

Thanks for reading! In my mind, Cry is summoning the Mama Kitsune just like the summons in FF7 And now it is obvious, the prophecy was about the Fox God descending to fight Keller So Cry saying that he has an idea of who the one clad with storm and lightning is about, is just him confirming his Divine Stratagem to summon Mama Kitsune! Sasuga Cry!

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