Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~

Eyes of the same color as Liz are intently observing my entire body.

On the third floor of the Clan House. Waiting in a typical laboratory is a woman with the same hair and eyes as Liz Smart, but with a very different impression――Sytry Smart. Apparently, the Smart siblings are a group of three siblings. Sytry looks at me from head to toe with a gaze that has a light I have never felt before.

“Hmmm…………………… I see, I see…………” (Sytry)

She *un, un* nods, gives a thumbs up, and smiles.

“You passed! I am sorry, but recently there have been a lot of scoundrels getting close to my Cry-san.” (Sytry)

“My~? Hey, don’t take advantage of the confusion to say crazy things!” (Liz)

“Umu, umu.” (Anthem)

Sytry is slapped on the side of her face while smiling as Anthem nods his head unperturbed by the slap. The way he looks at the situation makes me feel that this series of exchanges is a common one they always have. Apparently, contrary to what the name suggests, 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 is a pretty lively Party. I envy them.

But what did she sense that made her decide that I passed……

“A mock battle, is it? Of course I will participate! I am also curious about the Sarasara that Cry-san was talking about!” (Sytry)

“…………” (Saya)

Aren’t you an Alchemist?

Common sense would suggest that this is a support-oriented job. The members of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 are too battle-hungry. I even have a silly thought that maybe it is their Leader, Cry, who has the least will to fight.

Liz frowns and asks Sytry.

“Syt, how do you plan to fight? I tried it out a lil bit earlier, and Saya-chan seems to be pretty good at it.” (Liz)

“You are the one we should be worried about, aren’t you Onee-chan? Onee-chan, you can only use physical attacks………… I have, you see, my gas. A new type synthesized from Yggdra’s materials.” (Sytry)

!? Gas? Did she just say gas?

In front of me, who is frozen, Liz speaks in a mocking tone.

“Haah? There’s no way gas will work on a Level 8 Hunter! I don’t care what you do, but please stop embarrassing yourself in front of Cry-chan’s friends.” (Liz)

“It will be fine, I tell you. It is a new, highly powerful type. Besides, if it works on Saya-san, it should work on any human, right? The problem is that it spreads over a wide area……” (Sytry)

“……………… Uuumu.” (Anthem)

………… It is completely targeting me.

Did she hear about my embarrassing behaviour in Code? No, judging from the way they speak, that doesn’t seem to be the case. First of all, is the use of gas that has widespread effects even legal in this city? It is not even permitted in Terrace, where rules are more lax for combat……

Well, gas doesn’t work on me now. Most poisons don’t work on me to begin with, but my resistance has improved thanks to the battles in Code. Above all, the Foreigners will never allow me to faint again.

“I have been thinking it is about time I get some new power! I am very grateful that you are letting me test it out!” (Sytry)

“I-I see…………” (Saya)

Test it out……

Sytry’s eyes *kirakira* sparkle as she clasps her hands together. They really are………… Too hot-blooded. Maybe even more than the Hunters in Terrace’s branch.

I would rather have friends than opponents in mock battles………… Come to think of it, the person Cry said I could be friends with is his Imouto.

I am pretty sure her name is………… Yes, Lucia.

“Next is Luke-chan, Lucia-chan, and Eliza-chan……” (Liz)

“Luke-san is at the dojo to try out a new technique. Eliza-san said she was called by Serene-san, so she should be at Serene-san’s place. Apparently, she wanted to hear her opinion on setting up a branch of the Explorer Association in Yggdra……” (Sytry)

As expected of the Party Members of a Level 8 Hunter, each of them seems to be very busy. Even though Kaiser is taking my place, I cannot stay here for long. I have my own original purpose.

But I would like to at least meet Lucia, whom Cry said I could become friends with.

“Well, Luke-chan will probably fly over here. As for Lucia-chan, it’s that request, huh………… That one seems like a pain in the ass. I looked into it a lil bit.” (Liz)

“!! ……………… Request?” (Saya)

As Liz grimaces, Sytry replies with a wry smile.

“Right now, there seem to be a lot of cases of people being spirited away in the Imperial Capital, and a request has come in asking Lucia to look into them. It seems the Knight Orders are also investigating, but it is hard to even conduct investigations in the Imperial Capital these days…… Although this is something that Cry-san is good at――” (Sytry)

Spirited away, huh? Certainly, if something like that happened in a place with so many people around, it would be extremely difficult to investigate. In the first place, it is rare for a Hunter to be asked to carry out such an investigation, but this is Cry’s Imouto. She must be extremely talented.

“Then…… Why don’t you ask Cry…… He is your friend after all.” (Saya)

《Infinite Variety’s (Senpen Banka)》 Divine Strategies. The wisdom that allowed him to drop Code while there was barely any information still seems like magic, even now that it is all over.

I mean, I heard the story, but I didn’t understand it. He insisted that he hadn’t done anything and didn’t seem to be lying, so maybe even the Level 9 Exam was just an insignificant case for him.

In response to what I said, Liz *poripori* scratches her head.

“Nooo, actually, Cry-chan, can’t move right now. Besides, if you can’t do a request that is a bit difficult by yourself, then you can’t grow, right? In the first place, friends aren’t for something like that, no? Well, it’s another thing if it’s Cry-chan who brings it up. But if you expect something in return, you can’t really call yourself a friend, can you? I don’t want a friend like that.” (Liz)

“!! I-I see……” (Saya)

I see, so this is not what friends are supposed to be. Certainly, even though Cry saw my power during the Level 9 exam, he never once asked for my help. Maybe that too is what she is talking about?

I am feared and relied upon at Terrace. But although there are people who ask for my help, I have no friends.

And――From what she said, you can also sense Liz Smart’s strong pride as a Hunter.

Somehow, it feels like I have woken up. Compared to this Liz, I was afraid to even win against others, how weak am I――No, I was so weak.

And I am certain of it. I am certain that I can become good friends with her.

Sytry clasps her hands together and says with a smile.

“Well, since we are here, let’s have the mock battle first. I want to check the results of my new work before I speak with Cry-san.” (Sytry)

“Syt, Saya-chan is Cry-chan’s friend, so you should be moderate with your performance tests.” (Liz)

Interesting. For the first time, I feel a surge of motivation for a mock battle.

To be honest, the mock battles I have participated in up until now have been boring. It is only natural, since I was not even motivated to win.

“I am sorry, but………… I can’t go easy on you.” (Saya)

“Aaah? Of course! Were you planning to go easy on me? If you do something boring like that, we’re over! Even a mock battle is meaningless if you don’t do it with the intent to kill, right!?” (Liz)

Liz yells, eyes wide open, at the words I have been unable to say until now. I cannot help but smile.

This time, it would be okay. Even if I show my power, my new friends would not be afraid of me.

Thanks for reading! Here’s an extra chapter thanks to an Anonymous! Only 2 more chapter to go and I’ll be caught up with the RAW. Next chapter is finally the mock battle with Saya!

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