284 威力偵察
アキラ達がスラム街の比較的荒野に近い辺りで激戦を続けていた頃、シェリルの拠点周辺でも激しい戦闘が繰り広げられていた。
既に半壊している通りを必死に走るエリオへ、通信機越しに乱暴な助言が届く。
めて吹っ飛ばされたいのか!?」
「分かってるよ!」
の影響下だからって、ボサッとしてれば気付かれるぞ!」
エリオが怒鳴り返しながら両手を前に出す。その動きに連動して、背負っていたAF対物砲がエリオの肩を通って前に出た。それをしっかりと
「照準補正完了! ぶっ放せ!」
号令を受けたエリオは即座に引き金を引いた。撃ち出された弾丸が粒子状に変化して発光しながら宙を
地面に倒れながらその様子を見ていたエリオは、自身の感覚では大成果と言って良いその結果に思わず会心の笑顔を浮かべた。
「や、やった! 倒したぞ!」
「とっとと起き上がれ! 死にたいのか!?」
める。だがそれもすぐに焦りの顔で上書きされた。他の襲撃者達が自分に銃を向けようとしているのに気付いたのだ。慌てて起き上がり、ヘルメットのシールド部を兼ねた表示装置に記されている矢印の指示に従って近くの建物に飛び込む。一瞬前までエリオがいた場所に大量の銃弾が着弾し、跳弾が縦横無尽に飛び散っていった。
「あ、危ねえ!」
「危ねえ、じゃねえ! すぐに反撃しろ!」
ヘルメットの透過式表示装置には壁の向こう側にいる襲撃者達の姿が映し出されている。その場で早く撃て、LEO複合銃を使え、と催促する文言まで付け加えられていた。
それらの標的を、エリオは指示通りにLEO複合銃を両手でしっかりと構えて乱射に近い撃ち方で銃撃する。その壁はかなり分厚いのだが、スラム街の建物の壁など
「よ、良し......! これで......、少しは......、休め......」
ヘルメットには気化状態の回復薬を継続して散布する機能が付けられており、その効果でエリオの体力を常時回復させて継戦能力を維持させている。それでも先程から続けられている口調も内容も厳しい指示の連続に、エリオは心身共に疲労が
「少しぐらい休ませてくれ!」
「お前が休んだ分だけ、お前の仲間の死体が積み上がるんだ! それで良いなら好きにしろ!」
「......クソッ!」
エリオは吐き捨てて走り出した。
「キャロルさんの紹介だってのは知ってるけどさ! もうちょっと何とかならねえのか!?」
「俺がサポートして何とかしてやってるから、お前らも何とか戦えてるんだろうが!」
める。実際にそのサポートのお陰で戦えているのは事実であり、それを理解している分だけ言い返せなかった。
先程からエリオをサポートしているのはシロウだ。
だがその高い武力の所為で、エリオは総合支援システムとそれを掌握しているシロウから、主に仲間達では倒せない相手を撃破する仕事、大物殺しの役割を割り当てられていた。当然ながら非常に負担が大きい。
「全く、お前らアキラの仲間なんだろう? もっとやる気出せねえのか?」
心身共に疲労が
「......違う。俺達はアキラさんの仲間じゃない」
「えっ? 違うのか?」
かなり意外そうな声を返してきたシロウに、エリオが疲労と不満の所為もあって少し強い口調で答える。
その話を聞いたシロウは、道理で動きが悪い訳だと思って逆に納得していた。実はシロウは今までエリオ達のことを、アキラがスラム街の徒党を装って構築した
いことが出来る。エリオもそれを否定する気は無いが、やはり限度はあるのだと、装備だけでは駄目なのだと、改めて思い知らされていた。
シェリルの拠点を襲撃しようとしている者達は大規模だが、指揮の統一は全く取れていなかった。実力もそこらのハンター崩れから、より東側の地域からやって来た高ランクハンターまで様々だ。つまり大規模な寄せ集めの集団にすぎない。それでも数の暴力というものはある。人数の差をそのまま戦力の差と捉えて意気を上げる者は多かった。
またその騒ぎに乗じてシェリルを殺し、徒党を完全に壊滅させようと試みる者達もいた。今回の騒ぎでアキラが生き残ってもシェリルさえ殺せば徒党は瓦解する。スラム街の利権を奪われて憤慨していた者達も、普段ならばアキラからの報復を恐れて手は出せない。しかし今ならば誰がシェリルを殺したかなど分かりはしないと、金と人を出していた。
更にエゾントファミリーとハーリアスの残党が再起を賭けて集結し、ウダジマ達から
その大襲撃を受けているシェリルの拠点の周辺を、キャロルは巨大な砲を手にして飛び回っていた。戦車や人型兵器などエリオ達では手に負えない大物の撃破を続けている。
キャロルは先程あっさりと倒した戦車と人型兵器の残骸を見て、余裕の笑顔でそう
「そっちこそ、何でこんな所にいるんだ? キャンピングカーを買ってどっか出掛けたんじゃなかったのか?」
相手はキャロルの副業の客だった。高ランクのハンターで稼ぎも良く、装備も実力もその稼ぎに応じて高く、先程倒した人型兵器より強いのは確実だと知っていた。
「まあ、私にもいろいろあってね。あ、良ければこっちに寝返らない? こんな状況だし、安くしておくわよ?」
キャロルがそう言って誘うように笑うと、相手の男が非常に残念そうな表情を浮かべる。
「悪いな。仕事が始まる前なら喜んでそっちに付くんだが、
そう言ってどこか楽しげに笑ったキャロルを見て、男が少し意外そうな顔を浮かべる。だがすぐに軽く笑って気を切り替えた。
「そうか......。行くぞ!」
それらの大物達を相手に戦うのは、ババロドはともかくレビンに取っては自殺と変わらない。だがそれでもレビンが何とか戦えているのは、半ばスポンサーとなっている機領から相応の装備を与えられたからだ。
代わりにレビンの借金は10億オーラムを突破した。貧弱な装備で死ぬか、
めて黙ったババロドの様子に、レビンが軽く付け加える。
「まあ、無理には聞かねえよ。あ、俺は10億オーラムぐらいだ。いつになったら完済できるのか、頭を抱えてるところだ」
「......100億だ」
んでその場から離脱した。一瞬遅れて近くの建物が斬り刻まれて半壊する。突然のことにレビンが慌て出す。
「敵か!? 反応無かったぞ!?」
「総合支援システムから送られてくる敵の位置情報のことを言ってるのなら、あれはそこらに設置した情報収集機器を基に出してるんだろう。これだけ派手に戦ってれば余波で壊れて、索敵に穴も出来る。少しは自分で索敵しろ」
「い、いや、俺の情報収集機器にも反応は無かったんだが......」
「それも含めて自分でやれって言ってるんだ。索敵を機器の自動設定に任せっきりだからそうなる」
ババロドの指摘にレビンが高ランクハンターの実力を
アキラ以外に大した者はいないだろうと考えていた二人組の片方が、自分の攻撃を避けたことを軽く称賛する。
「避けられたか。やるな」
「......ん? あいつ、ゼロスのチームのやつじゃないか?」
「そうなのか? 変だな。あそこのチームは今回様子見だろ? ゼロスから離反したやつらが壊滅して、立て直しの最中だって聞いたが......」
えず、気を引き締めよう。ゼロスのところのやつなら、下っ端でもそこらのザコとは違えからな」
「おい、死ぬ気でサポートしろ。今までのザコとは違うぞ。最低でも俺が2人いると思え」
「か、勝てるのか?」
「余計なことを考えずに死ぬ気でやれ。死んだら死んだで諦めろ。これで死んだとしても、普通に戦って死ぬなんて、山ほど借金抱えたハンターの死に様としちゃあ上等なもんだろう?」
そう言ってどこか開き直ったような苦笑を浮かべたババロドを見て、レビンが顔を引き
「や......、やってやらぁ!」
多額の借金を抱えている以上、勝手な戦線離脱は人権など塵より価値の無い破滅への一本道だということは、レビンも理解している。
サラもエレナと似たような表情をしていた。その親友の様子を見て、エレナが表情に影を落とす。
「サラ。怒ってる?」
同じく親友のその様子を見て、サラはエレナを気遣うように軽く笑って首を横に振った。
「......うん。ありがとね」
それでエレナも何とか軽く笑って返した。だが状況が変わった訳でもない。軽く
「アキラ。大丈夫かな......」
「......、大丈夫よ。多分ね」
エレナ達はアキラの状況を知った上で、援護には行かないことにしていた。エレナがそう決めたのには、いろいろ理由があった。
まずはエレナ達が今もヒカルの護衛依頼を続けていること。ヒカルは防壁の外に出るのが若干トラウマになっており、都市に戻った後は防壁内に引き籠もっている。それでも依頼自体は続いているので、エレナ達はヒカルが外に出る場合に備えてクガマビルの中で待機を続けていた。
エレナ達もハンターだ。その依頼を放り出してアキラを援護に行く訳にはいかなかった。アキラからも、ハンターなら仕事はちゃんとしないと駄目だ、と言われていた。
またヒカルからはアキラを助けに行かないように指示されていた。荒野でハンター達に襲われた時のアキラの態度から考えて、アキラはエレナ達を巻き込むことを望んでいない。そう前置きした上で、エレナ達がアキラを助けに行くと、アキラを逆に追い詰める恐れがあると説明した。
いになるだけだ。命懸けで助けに行くのならともかく、命懸けで足を引っ張りに行くなど出来ない。
それらの理由を考慮して、悩んで、エレナはアキラの援護に行くのをギリギリの判断で止めていた。サラもエレナがそう決めたのならばと納得した。だがそれでも、エレナ達は憂鬱な思いを抱いていた。
る瀬無い気持ちに押し潰されそうだったエレナは、それがたとえ気晴らしであっても何らかの救いを求めるように、シズカに自分達の状況を伝えた上で、本来答えなど無い問いを尋ねてみた。
「......ねえ、シズカ。どうすれば良いと思う?」
れ続けるなど好んでもいないし最善でもない。そう答えが出た。それならばと、エレナは決断を覆した。
「分かったわ。シズカ。ごめん。用事が出来たから切るわね」
げた。そして用件を聞いてきたイナベに端的に意気揚々と告げる。
「今からヒカルさんの護衛を投げ出してアキラの援護に行こうと思ってるのだけど、装備の使用も含めてその許可を
な戦力として送り出した方が良いからな。それに君達を止められずに装備まで剥ぎ取ったとなれば、アキラに恨まれる恐れもあるのでね。まあ、表向きは、依頼の最中ということで頼むよ。その辺りの調整はこちらでしておく」
それはアキラに対しての言い訳、仮にエレナ達が死んだとしても彼女達が自主的に言い出したことなので自分の責任ではないという言葉でもあったが、都市を襲う恐れがある賞金首に対して都市の幹部が支援を口にしたという
そして、立場はあるが、イナベはアキラ側、という意味でもあった。それを察したエレナが礼を言う。
「ありがとう御座います」
通話を切ったエレナがサラに視線を向けると、サラも機嫌良く笑っていた。
「ごめん。サラ。気が変わったから、やっぱり行きましょう」
「はいはい。チームリーダーがそう言うのなら、仕方無いわね」
「そう言わないでよ。それに考えようによっては、私達がアキラに先輩面を出来る最後の機会かもしれないわよ?」
うぐらいはしても不思議は無い。ヒカルはそう考えて、その場合に標的になりそうな4人の人物を洗い出した。エレナ、サラ、シズカ、シェリルの4名だ。
そして、エレナ達はハンターなので、シェリルはイナベの支援を受けた徒党のボスなので、それぞれ自衛できるだろうと判断した。
だがシズカは一般人だ。自衛の手段は契約している下位区画の民間警備会社ぐらいしかない。危ないかもしれない。ヒカルはそう考えて、事態が一区切り付くまでシズカをクガマビル内に避難させておくことにした。
しかしそれは、500億オーラムもの賞金を懸けられている上に、都市を襲う恐れがある所為でモンスター認定まで受けている者への援護となる。都市としても大っぴらには出来ない。そこでヒカルは様々な口実を用意して、シズカを別件でクガマビルに招いていた。
シズカはそれを受けて店を休業し、ここ
「シズカさん。少し伺いたいのですが、エレナさん達に何かしました? 先程エレナさんからアキラの援護に行くという連絡が来たのですが......」
「ん? 少し雑談しただけよ」
エレナ達を必死に説得して何とか動かないでいてもらっていたのに心変わりしてしまったと、ヒカルはかなり不満げな様子だった。
「あー、いえ、その、それは......、あ! すみません! 別件が入りました! 話の続きはまた今度で! では!」
あからさまに話をごまかす言葉を最後に、ヒカルとの通話は切れた。シズカが苦笑する。
「ごめんなさいね。でも、これが一番良いと思ったのよ」
シズカにも本当の意味で何が最善なのかは分からない。余計なことをした確率はあるとも分かっていた。それでも、自分なりに、何もしないでいるよりは、事態を最善に近付ける努力が出来たと思っていた。
自身の勘が今日も
「ラティス。そろそろ始めましょう。私達で、殺しましょう」
機嫌良く笑うパメラが、無表情のラティスと手を
Ch 284
As Akira, Shiori, and Kanae were busy fighting somewhere close to the border between the slums and the wasteland, another battle was taking place. Back in Sheryl's HQ, an intense battle was raging.
Erio was running through a partially destroyed alleyway when roars of chaos reached his communication device.
"Hurry!! Do you want to get blown to bits!?"
"I know!! I know!!"
"Keep moving people!! Just because you're under jamming smoke doesn't mean you're hidden. You'll still get discovered if you keep still!!"
As Erio screamed, he extended both of his hands forward. The AF anti-material cannon behind him immediately slid forward. Erio firmly held onto it and somehow managed to hold it up with the help of the CA31R augmented suit. He then carefully took aim.
"Aim correction, done!! Fire!!"
As soon as Erio received the signal, he pulled the trigger. A pillar of light got released. At the same time, Erio got blown back from the recoil.
Seeing the aftermath, Erio thought that it was a huge success. He yelped in excitement.
"I-I did it!! I shot it down!!"
"Get on your feet! Do you have a death wish!?"
Erio pushed his body back up in a panic. He followed the indicator guidance shown inside his helmet's display and leapt into a nearby building. A barrage of bullets struck the location right where Erio was a moment ago. Fortunately, he was no longer there. Thus, that area was only left with ricocheting bullets flying all over.
"Whoah. That was dangerous."
"Don't give me that! Shoot back at them immediately!"
The display on his helmet showed enemy locations behind the wall. That display was also accompanied by two orders: 'shoot at them, use LEO multi-rifle'.
Erio grabbed his LEO multi-rifle with both hands and released fire toward his targets. It seemed more like haphazard fire instead of precise fire. Although the walls were relatively thick, they were like a sheet of paper when faced against the C-bullets. They had no problems piercing through and successfully hit their targets.
"A-alright...! With this... I can finally... Get... A break..."
The display on Erio's helmet indicated that it was administering medicine continuously. Thanks to that, he was able to maintain his physical condition. Even so, the non-stop action and the consecutive orders exhausted him, psychologically.
"Just let me take a small break, will you!?"
"The others would die if you take a break now! If you're fine with that, then be my guest!!"
"...Goddammit!!"
Erio cursed and immediately started running again.
"I know that Carol-san was the one who introduced you! But can't you do something about the enemies!?"
"I'm doing my best here to provide you support. It's your job to handle the fighting, right!?"
Erio's face twitched. In truth, it was only thanks to the other person's support that he was able to fight this well. Therefore, he could not find a counter to his stated point.
The person providing support to Erio was Shirou. Other than being someone Carol brought in as support, Erio knew next to nothing about him. Erio guessed Shirou was a skilled Hunter, who unfortunately got trapped in Carol's grasp. That he was being blackmailed by her to help out.
Since he had overwhelming firepower, he was assigned to take down any powerful enemies; enemies that the others could not handle. Naturally, that meant Erio had to work the hardest among his peers.
"Good grief! You guys are on Akira's team, right? You should put more effort into this, you know?"
Erio was already exhausted, though it was not physical fatigue. Even so, Shirou continued to berate him, asking him to move like Akira. Because of that, Erio inadvertently replied.
"...No, we're not on Akira-san's team!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
Shirou was honestly taken aback. Due to the stress, Erio could not help but harshly explain.
After hearing Erio's explanation, Shirou now understood why their movements were this horrendous. Up until now, he had thought that Erio and the others were a squad from Tsukisada Construction. That they were disguising themselves as a slum gang, working under Akira. He hypothesized that Akira was so proactive in helping the gang because it was part of the plan. To build up Tsukisada Construction's forces here.
Erio had no wish to deny that one could do amazing things with amazing equipment. However, he was reminded there was a limit to that. There were things that could not be compensated with exceptional equipment.
The group attacking Sheryl's base was large. However, they were not well organized. Their individual strength varied from ex-Hunters to high-ranking Hunters working further to the east. In other words, it was nothing more than a motley group of Hunters. Even so, with that many, they completely overwhelmed Sheryl's force. Thus, there were many in the assaulting group who were certain of victory.
Some joined, seeing it as the perfect chance to kill Sheryl and completely decimate her gang. Even if Akira survived this battle, if they could get Sheryl, her gang would not be able to survive. Many struggling for influence in the slums were not able to mess with her, fearing retribution from Akira. However, with this many involved in this assault, it would be difficult to pinpoint the blame if Sheryl got killed. Thus, they sent manpower and funding to support the assault.
However, it did not end there. Some remnants from the Ezont and Haurias families had gathered together. They were hoping for their gang to rise from the ashes. They also received monetary support secretly from Udajima. This allowed them to purchase tanks and powered suits. If they were able to destroy Sheryl's gang, it would throw a wrench in Inabe's plan to amass his fortune. Furthermore, many survivors of the Ezont family had a grudge against Akira since he was the one who destroyed their gang. Meanwhile, the Haurias family was doing this in return for Udajima's support, which they would use to recover their gang. For all sorts of reasons, they formed a coalition -- one normally impossible to be formed in the slums.
Carol was going around Sheryl's base. She was facing the ongoing onslaught while carrying her large cannon. She prioritized destroying tanks and powered suits, which were completely out of Erio and the children's league.
Carol gazed at the leftover destroyed tanks and powered suits. She mumbled so with a smile plastered on her face. She realized that her standard had substantially increased after she said that. Her smile quickly turned bitter. Although they were way weaker than the opponent that she and Akira had fought against, it did not change the fact they were tanks and powered suits. If it was the past, she would not have looked down on them this much.
"You too, what are you doing here? And here I thought you went somewhere far away after buying that camping vehicle."
It was someone that Carol knew from her side job. She knew that he was a high-ranking Hunter, who earnt a good amount. Thanks to that, he was well equipped and pretty skilled. He was stronger than the powered suits that Carol had just destroyed.
"Well, I have my reasons, you see. Ah, now that you mention it, how about switching sides? Since we're in this situation, I will not charge you that much money."
Carol said so and smiled bewitchingly. However, the man frowned and seemed apologetic as he replied.
"Sorry. I would be more than happy to accept that offer if it was before I accepted this job. But I can't do that now. So, it would be great if you can just leave. I won't chase after you if you do so, yeah?"
Seeing Carol speak with an amused smile, the guy raised his eyebrows in surprise. However, his lips quickly curled up.
"I see. Here I go then!"
Putting Babalod aside, fighting such a strong force was practically suicide for Levin. The reason why he was able to keep up so far was because Kiryou had partially sponsored him.
In exchange for their sponsorship, Levin's debt went past 1 billion Aurum. He was pressed between getting killed because of a lack of suitable equipment or getting better equipment by borrowing more money. Naturally, he ended up choosing the latter.
Babalod frowned and went silent. Thus, Levin lightly prodded a bit further.
"Well, I won't force you to tell me. Ah, by the way, in my case, it's about 1 billion Aurum. Just when exactly would I be able to pay it all back..."
"...10 billion Aurum."
Right at the next moment, Babalod suddenly grabbed Levin and jumped away. A moment later, the building next to them was sliced. It crumbled down to something unrecognizable. Levin was taken aback by this sudden attack.
"An enemy!? But there's nothing on the radar!?"
"If you're talking about the information sent through the coordination support system, it's based on the information-gathering device on our side. With a fight this big, it would not be surprising that some of them got destroyed. It would create holes in the radar. You should also do the scanning yourself."
"B-but I also don't see any signals from my own information-gathering device..."
"That's why I'm telling you. Do the scanning yourself. This is what will happen if you leave the setting on auto."
While Babalod was lecturing Levin, he was also showing him the real skill of a high-ranking Hunter. Suddenly, the two who just tried to ambush them revealed themselves.
The two people who thought that anyone other than Akira was nothing to be worried about, were impressed to find that their ambush had failed.
"Oh, you got yourself out of that, huh? Not bad."
"...Hm? Wasn't that guy from Zelos' team?"
"Really? That's strange. I'm sure they said that they'll not get involved this time. I heard they're still trying to rebuild the team after one of their members betrayed them and wrecked the team."
"I bet he just joined their side to get some pocket change. Well, it doesn't matter. Either way, keep your wits. If he's really from Zelos' team, even if he's a new blood, he must be pretty strong."
"Hey, give me support like your life depends on it. Those two are not like the rest. If we're unlucky, just one of them might be as strong as me."
"D-do we have any chance of winning?"
"Stop thinking about unnecessary things and focus on giving me your full support. If you get killed, then that's it. Even if we die here, we will still die fighting. It's a far better way to die for Hunters drowning in debt, don't you think?"
Babalod smiled wryly there as if he just discovered a newfound resolve. Watching him get motivated, Levin frowned and pulled himself together.
"L-let's do this then!"
Levin knew how awful it was to be drowning in debt. However, he also knew how much worse it would be if he selfishly ran away from the front-line. It would be the same as resigning his worth as a human. As he stepped into the arena, where he could either choose to die valiantly or give his all and hope to survive the day, Levin made his resolve.
Sara had the same look as Elena. Seeing the same expression on her best friend, Elena looked down.
"Sara, are you angry?"
Similarly, when Sara saw Elena's expression, she gave a slight smile and shook her head.
"...Thanks."
Elena was finally able to smile back, though it was a faint one. However, that did not change their situation. She then gave another sigh and wondered.
"I wonder if Akira is doing alright..."
"...He'll be fine... Probably..."
Elena and Sara already knew what Akira's situation was when they decided not to help him. There were many reasons why Elena decided to do so.
First, they were still in the middle of a job, which was to be Hikaru's bodyguards. Since Hikaru was traumatized, she found it difficult to go outside of the inner wall. She stayed within the inner wall, never stepping out ever since she returned. Even so, their job had not ended yet. Thus, Elena and Sara were on stand-by in case Hikaru wanted to go outside.
Elana and Sara were still Hunters. They could not afford to disregard their current job and go help Akira. Moreover, Akira did stress to them, to do their job properly as Hunters.
Furthermore, Hikaru ordered Sara and Elena not to help Akira. Judging from Akira's reaction back in the wasteland when they got ambushed, he did not want to get Elena and Sara involved. Thus, using that as an excuse, Hikaru convinced Elena and Sara not to go. Otherwise, it would cause Akira to get anxious.
If they went to help Akira with their previous equipment, they knew they would only be a burden to him. They might forgive themselves if they went, risking their lives to help him. However, they could not forgive themselves if they went there just to slow him down.
With that in mind, after a lot of thought, Elena eventually decided not to go. Sara was fine with it since Elena had made the decision. However, neither was completely fine with that decision.
That was when Shizuka called them. She called with the simple intention of inviting them to go have a meal together. However, Elena, who was crushed under the feeling of hopelessness, ended up telling Shizuka everything. It was as if she was trying to find a way to forgive herself. She finally threw a question that she had no answer to.
"...Say, Shizuka, what do you think we should do?"
Elena thought of what she had to do. One thing for certain, sitting there, depressed with her friend, was not what she desired. Neither was it the best course of action. Now that she had found her answer, Elena quickly decided on what to do next.
"Alright then. Shizuka, sorry, but we suddenly have a business to take care of."
Elena ended their conversation and then contacted Inabe. After she conveyed her situation to Inabe, he replied with a rather excited tone of voice.
"So, you want to abandon your current bodyguard job for Hikaru and go help Akira. The issue now is that you can't get permission to use the equipment you have on you?"
"You're still planning to go even if I say no, right? In that case, it's better to send someone well-equipped to help, you know? Moreover, if I took away your equipment knowing that you'll still go, what do you think Akira would do later? Well, I will just add it to be part of the documented request. I will take care of the paperwork and corrections, so you don't have to worry about it."
It also served as an excuse to give to Akira later. Even if Elena and Sara got killed, they went there on their own volition. Therefore, Inabe could not be held responsible. Though, it was a fact that as a city officer, Inabe could not openly declare that he was helping a bounty target, one that might even attack the city. Thus, this was the limit in terms of aid Inabe could give.
Despite his position, Inabe was entirely on Akira's side. Elena, who realized this, thanked him.
"Thank you very much!"
Elena then closed the call and looked at Sara. Her best friend smiled at her as she spoke.
"Sorry, Sara, I've changed my mind. As I thought, we should go."
"Right. If the team leader has decided, it's not like I have any other choice."
"Geez, don't say it like that. If I may add something, this is also our last chance to show up as Akira's senior Hunters, okay?"
Previously, Hunters who were after Akria did try to attack him while he was negotiating with City Management. If they were even willing to go that far, it would come as no surprise they would go as far as to kidnap someone important to him. Hikaru, who suspected that might be the case, did some research. She concluded there were four possible targets: Elena, Sara, Shizuka, and Sheryl.
Since Elena and Sara were Hunters while Sheryl was the boss of a slum gang, which was actively receiving support from Inabe, they should be able to defend themselves.
However, Shizuka was only a normal civilian. The most that she could do was pay for some bodyguards from the private security company in the lower district. Hikaru believed it to be too dangerous. Thus, she decided to evacuate Shizuka to the safety of the Kugama building. At least until things settled down.
However, by doing so, it meant that she was helping out a 50 billion bounty target. A monster recognised by the city, which feared he might attack it. This was not something that Hikaru could do as a staff member of the city. Thus, to circumvent this issue, she came up with many excuses. All just to invite/lure Shizuka to the Kugama building.
After Shizuka received Hikaru's invitation, she closed her shop and started to temporarily live in the Kugama building.
"Shizuka-san, I just have a small question. What did you say to Elena-san and Sara-san? Just now, I received a message saying that Elean-san and Sara-san are going to help Akira..."
"Hm? Nothing important, they just asked for my opinion."
Hikaru was only barely able to convince Elena and Sara to stay after expending so much effort. Thus, she was disgruntled that they suddenly changed their minds.
"Ah, no, that won't be necessary... Ah! Sorry! Something came up so I have to end the call here! Bye!"
Hikaru ended the call with a blatant lie. Shizuka smiled bitterly and mumbled.
"I'm sorry but I believe this is for the best."
Though she muttered that to herself, Shizuka was not sure what was 'for the best'. She knew that she might have done something that she should not. However, even so, instead of just sitting there and doing nothing, she thought that it would still be better for her to do something to push the conclusion in a better direction.
Shizuka wished that her intuition today was still as accurate as ever as she prayed for Akira and the others' safety.
"Latis, it's time. Let's go and kill them altogether."
Pamela then left the large room which also doubled as the command centre. She wore a huge smile on her face as she had her hand tangled together with the emotionless Latis. They both left with the goal of killing Shiori and Kanae. Joy and hatred were all mixed into one. It was to a point it was difficult to differentiate them as Pamela directed all her killing intent toward Shiori and Kanae.
Rebuild World (WN)
リビルドワールド
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/rebuild-world/
Action Adventure Drama Harem Mecha Mystery Sci-fi Seinen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alternate World Anti-social Protagonist Apocalypse Artificial Intelligence Beautiful Female Lead Cautious Protagonist Child Protagonist Dense Protagonist Determined Protagonist Distrustful Protagonist Futuristic Setting Gangs Gunfighters Harsh Training Lack of Common Sense Male Protagonist Manipulative Characters Monsters Near-Death Experience Older Love Interests Poor Protagonist Poor to Rich Ruthless Protagonist Shota Sudden Strength Gain Survival Twisted Personality Unlucky Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9736dt/
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