[ A/N : The grammar in this chapter might be very bad so forgive me, I edited it in a hurry because recently I've been really busy. ]
It has been about two hours since Raid Team from Draw Sword Guild led by Araki Uehara entered the Dungeon. Outside the Dungeon now there were still many people gathered.
Among them seen low-level Hunter who joined the Mining Team and Collecting Team were getting ready around the Gate and waiting for the signal to enter the Dungeon. The miners seemed to carry large pickaxes in their hands and wore hard helmets as their mandatory safety equipment.
"Well, it's been over two hours but there is no sign of them coming out, are they really okay inside?" Said one of the miners who seemed to be impatient to do their job, he was seen lifting a pickaxe in his hand over his shoulder with a frown.
"What are you talking about, of course they are fine. What we're talking about right now is Araki Uehara, he is one of the strongest hunters in the Guild!" Answered his colleague who seemed to be sitting on a chair while drinking a cup of coffee.
"Calm down, why are you in such a hurry, now all we need to do is wait casually."
Hearing his partner's words, the man glanced back at the blue gate shaped like a whirlpool, a wave of magical energy shook his hair before he muttered.
" You are right... "
"Of course I'm right, let's drink this coffee so you don't get sleepy while working later, haha--"
But suddenly--
* zap * * fwuosh *
A shock wave suddenly spread around the gate accompanied by a terrifying roar of lightning. A strong wind then blew the dust around the Gate so that even those who stood around the Gate were pushed back.
Slowly, the gate in the form of a dark blue vortex turns dark red and is surrounded by black lightning around it. It's a rare phenomenon that sometimes happens to a B-Rank Gate or higher, people call it ...
"... a Red Gate."
The man murmured with a stunned expression, and so did his partner who sat behind him. The sudden appearance of Red Gate certainly shocked everyone there.
Then, people in formal attire were seen walking around the Gate to check the current condition of the Gate, the number of waves of magic energy currently being emitted by the Gate and the level of danger.
"Everyone who are not Awakened are prohibited from approaching the Gate and remain in the safe limits we have set!"
They are the Hunter affiliated with the Japanese Hunter Association, specifically the Hunters from the monitoring division whose job is to monitor the gate phenomenon and monitor the activity of the wave of magical energy emitted by the Gate. Even though the Gate itself belongs to a certain Guild, the Association will still send them to help monitor the Raid from outside the gate.
"Is that the Red Gate?"
"Can you explain why this happened?"
Some journalists were seen trying to interview one of the monitoring team members, but they had all been trained to remain calm in any situation so their attitudes did not change and seemed to ignore the actions of the reporters even though they had to keep them from crossing the line.
Then a few minutes later, a man got out of the car and walked casually across the crossing line. The man was seen wearing neat clothes with black hair combed back. He then approached the other monitoring team members.
"What about the amount of magic energy emitted by Gate? Has the number touched the A-Rank limit? "
Looking at the man, the three Hunter men who were seen measuring the waves of magic energy near the Gate immediately bowed and saluted, they looked so respectful to the man. The name of the man is Goketsu Watanabe, it is written on a sign hanging in his jacket pocket.
" I don't know, sir, we are also not sure of the results, but the magic meter cannot detect any increase in the amount of magic energy emitted by the gate, this is very strange," said one Hunter, he then showed the number on the screen of the magic meter was to Goketsu, and it hasn't changed at all.
However, the expression on Goketsu's face did not seem to change in the slightest and he only looked at the screen in front of him with a mysterious look.
"Then what else can we do, all we need to do is wait for them to come out safely. " said Goketsu who returned his focus to the Red Gate in front of him, he didn't seem panicked and only put his hands into his pants pocket.
But not with his men.
"B-but sir, actually there is another problem ..."
"Hm?"
"Karen Kanzaki, one of the famous idols who just joined the Draw Sword Guild, take part in the Raid this time. So I mean ..." he said doubtfully.
"I know, I know, I've read the list of hunters who participated in the raid this time before arriving here."
"Then--" However, before he could finish his words, Goketsu said calmly.
"I know that if someone of her caliber dies in the Raid, it will affect the Hunter Association's reputation in the eyes of the public, but there is nothing we can do at this time, even Mr. Matsumoto or Goto Ryuji cannot open a Red Gate by force." Goketsu said who immediately made that person fell silent in an instant.
The atmosphere then became quiet before Goketsu said.
"Alright, forget about that for a moment, now all we need to do is take care of these noisy reporters while waiting for the Hunters to kill the Dungeon Boss." Goketsu said before turning and start to walk.
Hearing Goketsu's words, everyone nodded and started following him from behind.
***
Moments before, the tense atmosphere that had previously enveloped everyone had diminished after Araki had come to calm them down. Likewise, Karen, who seemed calmer and stopped crying, now she just sat huddled in the arms of her assistant.
Seeing that his words had succeeded in easing everyone's tension, Araki smiled before he began sipping his coffee.
'Now, just waiting for the report from Reo-dono before we go to defeat the Dungeon Boss. '
The atmosphere then became silent, a cool breeze blew from the forest and moved the poisonous leaves in the trees. Before suddenly--
"Aaaarrrghhh !!"
One hunter shouted very loudly with a face full of pain, hearing that everyone was focusing their attention on him. The hunter lay on the ground struggling in pain.
He gripped his neck with a face full of horror as if someone was strangling him very hard, his vocal cords were broken, his voice could not come out. Seeing that, Araki who was enjoying his coffee immediately ran closer, as well as everyone who was there.
"Hey, what happened?" Araki then crouched next to the hunter, but he couldn't answer Araki's question at all. While Araki who saw that thought.
'Is his body unable to withstand the exposure to toxic gases that are spread in the air? No, a B-Rank Hunter seems to have enough amount of magic energy to neutralize that level of poison. '
One of the reasons why Red Gate is considered as a very dangerous phenomenon is because only B-Rank Hunter and above can survive in the middle of the dreadful ecosystem in the Dungeon. These terrible ecosystems can usually be in the form of Desert with temperatures over 60 ° C / 140 ° F, Jungle filled with poisonous vipers and insects, and an Extremely cold areas that can give frostbite.
Cold sweat trickled down Araki's forehead when he saw one of his team members on the verge of death.
"Healer, where is Healer !? Hurry and heal him," Araki said.
Osamu who heard that immediately approached and said in a panic.
"Me, sir."
"Osamu-dono, I'm counting on you."
Osamu nodded with a serious face, and immediately began chanting his spell, a sparkling green light then appeared on the tip of his wand.
* ziing *
Hunter's body lying on the ground was then coated with green light, but instead of recovering, his condition worsened. His skin slowly turned pale and turned purple, blood came out of his eyes, nails, nose, and mouth. His condition became increasingly dire.
"No way ... My healing magic can't detoxify the poison that has spread throughout his body. It's all in vain," said Osamu, tightly holding the wand in his hand and gritting his teeth.
He felt guilty because as a Healer, it was his duty to cure others. He felt useless.
"Fu*k ..."
While Araki, he could not decide on further action. The atmosphere became quiet as the Hunter slowly died due to exposure to poison gas produced by leaves in the forest, before suddenly.
"Arrrgghh!"
"My body, no, aaaaaarrrgh!"
Shouts then came back, but this time it wasn't just one person who was screaming, two, three, slowly everyone started screaming in pain and fell to the ground. Osamu who did not feel anything glanced around with a confused look.
"Oi, what's up everyone? Don't tell me you guys too ..."
Osamu then glanced at Araki who was only seen crouching while looking towards his palms which slowly began to turn pale and turn purple. Small bumps like bruises slowly appeared and ejected pus.
"Eh?"
Only one word that came out of his mouth, he then glanced at Osamu who still looks standing and fine beside him.
"Osamu-dono, this is ..."
"Araki-san, you too," Osamu muttered, not knowing what to do in the midst of a situation like this. He looked around and one by one Hunter who was there died and was lying on the ground with a body that had turned purple and full of bumps.
"* cough *" Araki then spit out a pinch of blood before his vision suddenly faded, his eyes bleeding before he was lying on the ground helplessly.
Seeing that Osamu immediately squatted beside him and tried to cure him using his healing magic, and again it was a futile effort.
"Araki-san."
While Araki, he raised his hand and was seen trying to reach something in an empty air. His eyes began to lose their light, he only saw the endless darkness in his vision.
"Mina ... Futaba ..." He called the names of his daughter and wife in a hoarse voice, it was a miracle for him to still be able to make a sound.
Hearing that Osamu made a sad expression before he looked down and bluffed his teeth in guilt, he clenched his fists and felt like a fool who couldn't do anything.
"... Forgive me. "
Those were his last words for his daughter and wife who were waiting for him to go home, before his hand lost its strength and fell on the ground, he died, Araki Uehara was dead. Osamu who saw that was silent before he slowly closed Araki's eyes using his hand.
Osamu paid his last respects before he stood up and looked around. Everyone is dead by poison gas, except himself and ...
"Mizu, why are you just silent !? Answer me ... Hey, you are my assistant, you still haven't finish your duty. You can't die here, hurry up and get up!" Even at times like this, Karen still seemed to be acting childish, she pulled the collar the clothes of his assistant, who was dead and lying helpless.
"Hey answer me!"
But when he saw Karen, Osamu widened his eyes because he finally realized. Why did everyone die of exposure to poison gas while he and Karen still looked fine.
'This is strange ... why am I still fine, even Araki-san who is an A-Rank Hunter and one of the strongest was killed by poison gas ... No, wait a minute, poison gas? Why did I conclude that the cause of all this was poison gas? '
Osamu then continued to roll his brain and think about the cause of all this before he widened his eyes.
"Don't tell me ... The coffee," Osamu murmured, then continued.
"The reason why only me and Karen-chan are not affected is because only the two of us who didn't drink the coffee given by ..."
Osamu then turned around with a surprised face as he realized who had done all this.
"... That scout, where is he !?"
When he was trying to find the Scout's whereabouts, suddenly--
* dap * * thrust *
"Ack!"
Osamu suddenly felt a pain, he slowly looked towards his stomach and there he saw a knife full of blood had pierced it. Osamu who was surprised could not say anything before he looked back a little.
Behind Osamu, it was the Scout, Amami who was seen grinning while jabbing his knife into his stomach. Osamu is completely unaware of his existence, as expected of an A-Rank Scout, he can become undetected so easily.
"You also have to die here, Osamu-san."
"You ... Bastard, why did you do all this, why did you kill everyone. * Cough *" Osamu said with a face in pain.
* plup * * spurt *
Amami cruelly pulled his knife from Osamu's stomach without the slightest mercy, while Osamu who felt his body began to lose its strength then fell on the ground helplessly.
"Shut up and die." Amami looked down at Osamu who seemed to grit his teeth and looked at Amami with a look of murderous intent. He seemed to grip the stab wound tightly to his stomach and tried to stop the bleeding.
After that, Amami who didn't want to waste any more time then turned around with a smiling face towards Karen who was still sitting on the floor and watched all the events in silence.
"Now all that's left is the main dish ... Karen ~ Kanzaki ~ Hahaha."
He called Karen's name in the tone she usually used when performing on stage, in front of her fans. But when Amami said that, he actually looked like a disgusting freak.
"Y-you ... What do you want to do, stay away from me." Karen said with a scared face after she saw Amami who killed Osamu before her eyes just now.
While Amami he only said while licking his knife that was full of blood.
"You don't need to know the reason ... You just need to know that your death will bring benefits to my side, that's all."
Amami continued walking before he arrived in front of Karen who seemed to be shaking and looked at Amami as if he was a monster.
"Goodbye, Karen-cwhan ~"
However, before Amami could move the knife in his hand to pierce Karen's heart, she suddenly felt a mysterious spiritual energy pressure and instantly stopped his body from moving.
* buzz *
Amami widened his eyes as he was confused about what had just happened.
"Huh?" Then, a man's voice came from behind.
"Poisoning everyone using a poison without aroma that cannot be detected by the sense of smell, you really have messed up the situation right, Scout-san?"
That voice is none other than Reo's. He was seen crouching next to one of Hunter's bodies lying on the ground. The expression on his face did not seem to change when he saw the body in that terrible condition.
'This voice, that man! Since when was he here !?' While Amami, he finally realized who was behind him at this time. But he was very surprised because of the sudden appearance of Reo, even though he didn't use his special technique to detect Reo, but he should be able to feel Reo presence by only using his senses.
"But I am curious, what kind of poison you use to kill them all, the poison that reacts when exposed to magic energy ... it is not a poison that humans can artificially create," Reo murmured, returning to his feet and turning his gaze towards Araki dead body.
What Reo meant from his words was, the poison used by Amami to kill all people activated automatically when exposed to magic energy. But at the same time, because it reacts immediately when it comes in contact with magic energy, causing it to not be felt at all by people who have magic energy in their bodies. Namely the Awakened.
That was also the reason why only Reo could realize that the coffee Amami had given was poisoned, because only he could feel the poison using his sense of taste.
' A Poison like this ... is it possible that it came from the purple leaves scattered throughout the forest? '
But Reo decided to forget about that for a moment and glanced back at Amami while slowly pulling his Domination Ki.
"So what's the motive behind your actions this time, Scout-san? Money or ..."
"Looks like you didn't drink the coffee I gave, Reo-san," said Amami who immediately turned and looked at Reo as he felt the pressure that stopped his movements slowly disappear.
"Just answer my question before I cut your head off, what is your true purpose?" Reo said, smiling faintly and waiting for an answer from Amami.
"Do you think I will tell you?"
"So you don't want to answer me? Even though I've been generous to kill you in an instant, do you really want to be tortured? A Masochist?" Said Reo, tilting his head with a confused look.
Amami who heard that grinned and looked at Reo like he was staring at an idiot.
"Why are you so confident about beating me?"
"Huh? Do you still not realize that you are weaker than me?" Reo asked with an innocent face.
"Weaker than you? Don't make me laugh, you damn albino!" Amami then pulled the other knife out of his pocket and tried to use one of his skills.
* sruuut *
Amami tried to step back to avoid a direct fight with Reo, but in an instant Reo had arrived right in front of him which of course made him very surprised.
' This guy... '
Amami widened his eyes, he stared at Reo's golden eyes which looked at him coldly and full of disinterest. However, because of his experience as a Hunter for years, Amami was able to calm down quickly and gripped the knives in his hands tightly.
'... But it's a bad decision to attack me from close range! '
Without wasting any time, Amami immediately swung his two hands together and attacked Reo with a cross cut, but--
* clang * * crack *
Instead of seeing Reo who was full of blood due to his attack, Amami widened his eyes because he could not process what had just happened. The two knives in his hand shattered into pieces.
Reo only pointed his index finger which had been significantly strengthened by using Reinforcement Ki, and easily destroyed Amami's magic knife.
"Eh?" Only that one word could come out of Amami's mouth, he didn't know what to say when he saw his weapon being destroyed by Reo's index finger.
While Reo he just smiled and then removed the layer of Ki on his index finger so as not to accidentally destroy Amami's head. And without the slightest mercy gripped Amami's face tightly.
"There are a few things I want to ask you, but this is not the right time, so sleep peacefully for a while."
Reo's golden eyes then shone before he cruelly slammed Amami's head hard on the ground and caused a crack in the ground.
* bump * * crack *
And with that, Amami immediately lost consciousness, his hands went limp and fell helpless, as did the rest of his body, it was lying on the ground and unconscious.
After confirming that Amami had passed out, Reo then let go of his grip and stood back up. He clapped his hands to remove the dust that was sticking before glancing at Karen who was seen sitting with a scared look a few meters in front of him.
She looks still shocked by what just happened, the cruel sight in front of her right now might be too heavy for a bird in a cage like her. But Reo did not care at all or even tried to console her, he instead turned around and turned his gaze towards Osamu, who was lying on the ground.
"Oi Glasses-kun, I know your injury isn't severe, get up quickly and don't be a lazy boy." Reo said.
Osamu who heard that immediately raised his head and looked at Reo. The knife wounds Amami had given before seemed unable to kill him, he had already used healing magic on himself, even though it took a bit more time when compared to healing others, but the wound in his stomach had begun to close.
Reo then again said.
"You pretend to die like that when one of your colleagues is on the verge of death, don't you feel guilty?"
Said Reo, staring at Osamu with an interesting look. While Osamu who heard Reo's question sighed while trying to stand up slowly.
"Colleague, huh? As if I had time to act like a hero when my own life was in danger, I'm not as strong as you." Said Osamu who immediately stood up and cleaned the dust that clings to his clothes.
Hearing that, Reo smiled and murmured.
"Hee ~, fear and selfishness, huh."
Osamu then corrected the position of his glasses before glancing at Amami who was unconscious on the ground.
"That person, are you sure you won't kill him? He killed everyone you know."
Reo who had also stood up then turned and muttered with a deadpan expression.
"He is a valuable informant, I will interrogate him before killing him," Reo said.
Osamu who heard Reo only nodded, he did not try to stop Reo's actions that violated morals because from the beginning he was not the type of person who had high justice. He is the type of person who will do everything to survive.
"If you have recovered, hurry and go bring the man, we will leave this place, it has been too long and the magic beasts may have begun to move again. I want to examine the bodies of the hunters who have died first." said Reo before starting to walk.
"What about Karen-chan, are we going to leave her alone?"
"It's up to her to come or not," Reo answered who had stood before Araki dead body. He just kept quiet and stared at Araki's body which had turned purple violently.
The atmosphere then became quiet before Reo asked with a smile.
"What was it like when your trust was betrayed, Leader-san?"
"If only you were still alive to answer my question."
After saying that, Reo then immediately turned around and approached Osamu who had raised Amami's body with difficulty.
"Let's go," Reo said and Osamu who heard that nodded while carrying Amami.
The two of them then tried to step their feet and immediately went to another place before Karen's voice could be heard from behind.
"Wait a minute, you two ... What about me !? Are you guys just trying to leave me alone, here!?"
Reo who heard it did not stop, while Osamu glanced a little towards Karen and said with a little hesitation.
"I-If you don't want to die ... then come with us," Osamu said.
" What? "
Karen never thought that someone like her would be abandoned like this, she didn't understand why Osamu and Reo easily left her like that. Does her beauty not attract them? That sense of superiority still poisoned Karen's mind, so she could not clearly understand her current position.
While Osamu, without wasting any more time he immediately followed Reo from behind, leaving Karen there alone.
"What the hell is that !? Why are they acting so arrogant like that, what do they think they are, huh ?!" Karen looked annoyed when she saw Osamu and Reo's attitude.
The atmosphere became quiet before Karen looked down with a scared face, tears began to trickle down her cheeks.
'Mom, I don't want to die here ...'
After a while, she ruffled her hair and clenched her teeth hard. She then stared towards the place where Reo and Osmau had gone before finally wiping away her tears.
"That's right ... I don't want to die ... No, I can't die here," Karen said, her gaze carrying a different vibe at this time.
Karen then tried to stand up with difficulty when her knee hurt, she then brought her wand lying on the ground before screaming.
" Wait for me! "
Karen then immediately ran while hobbling to catch up with Reo and Osamu who had left first.
***
"All right, that's right, tie him up there."
At this time, Reo, Osamu, and Karen have been in a small cave in the forest that they accidentally found. The reason why Reo prefers cave is because it is the safest option from insects attack and ambush.
In the Dungeon where they are currently there is no high ground like a mountain or even a hill, the ecosystem is dominated by forests full of poisonous plants and insects.
But in a cave dominated by rocks, it is the most logical and safe choice to be a temporary resting place. Moreover, even if insects try to enter, they will be easily slaughtered because the direction of arrival is only from one direction, namely the entrance of the cave.
"That's good," Reo said as he crossed his arms and looked at Osamu who was seen being bound Amami's body to one of the rocks in the cave.
As for Karen, she looks more reserved than before. And seen sitting leaning against the cave wall while hugging his knees.
"What about food supplies?" Reo asked Osamu. Hearing that, Osamu shook his head.
"We haven't brought any food supplies other than water and a few packs of instant coffee that have been poisoned by this bastard," Osamu said, pointing at Amami.
"I see, it looks like we can't stay here anymore. This forest is filled with poisonous insects that can't be eaten, waiting longer will only make us starve to death," Reo said.
Hearing that everyone could only swallow their saliva, thinking about the worst outcome of their current condition. The atmosphere became quiet before Reo glanced at Karen.
"Oi Miss Idol, hurry and make a bonfire made of wood that I have collected on the way before. I will go outside for a moment to see the conditions around. And you Glasses-kun, don't let the man escape." Said Reo, covering his head using a hood that is in his Haori.
Hearing that, Karen surprisingly nodded obediently. That's not like her usual self.
"Do you want to go out? Don't you plan to defeat the boss alone?"
Hearing Osamu's words, Reo just smiled sweetly and said.
"I just checked, really."
Without saying anything else, Reo immediately went out of the cave and left Osamu and Karen alone there. Osamu who tried to stop Reo sighed, because he thought it would be useless.
"* sigh * That man, he just left. Hopefully he won't act recklessly, because otherwise we will all die here," murmured Osamu. He realized that without Reo, there was no hope for him and a newbie like Karen to defeat the Dungeon Boss, their lives were now in the hands of Reo completely.
While Karen just continued to carry out Reo's orders in silence. Seeing Karen's attitude change dramatically, making Osamu confused. But he had no intention of discussing anything with Karen, and just sat near Amami to make sure he remained attached.
The atmosphere then becomes awkward, neither of them starts a conversation. Before suddenly Karen opened her mouth.
"You had no intention of helping me before, you coward."
"Huh, what did you say?" Osamu raised his eyebrows when he heard Karen words. However, Karen did not seem to be trying to blame Osamu or anything, she just looked down before resuming her words.
"But I think I understand the reason why you acted like that before now," said Karen, her beautiful black eyes staring at the light of the bonfire.
Even when she was in the middle of nowhere, like now, her beauty did not fade at all. Osamu who saw that was also a little stunned before he regained consciousness from his reverie.
"W-well, it's a relief if you understand. So I don't need to feel guilty anymore and apologize to you."
The atmosphere then became quiet, Osamu nervously pushed his glasses before he slowly turned to his right and glanced at Karen who seemed to smile faintly before saying.
"Um."
***
* spurt *
Green blood gushed in the air, currently Reo was seen walking in the middle of the forest and killing the Magic Beasts who were trying to attack him. The white layer of Ki covers his body, while continuing, Reo detects all life within a 1 km radius by using his Ki to find where the Dungeon Boss is.
'But this time the Red Gate is really strange, a Red Gate should have appeared immediately when the Hunters first entered the Dungeon, but this time ... The Gate that connects this Dungeon with Earth only disappears after a while. '
* dap * * dap *
Reo walked in the middle of a dark forest and was only lit by cosmic light while looking at the ground.
'That means, there is a drastic and sudden increase in magic energy, but not because of our existence, but because of something else ... Somehow this incident is similar to what happened 6 years ago. '
Reo thought about some of the similarities of this Dungeon with the appearance of the Ex-Rank Dungeon on Komodo Island 6 years ago. But because it was only a little and he did not want to guess, Reo decided to forget it for now.
"Well, after that person wakes up, my question might be answered," Reo murmured with a smile. But while he was walking, suddenly ...
"Humph!"
Reo stopped walking because he felt thousands of signs of life several hundred meters in front of him.
'That's a very large number of Magic Beasts, there's no way they could gather in such a place without any cause, which means ... There is a strong existence that gathers them there, there's no mistaking it ... That is the place where the Dungeon Boss is. ' Reo thought.
But he still felt something strange, from the many signs of life, Reo could not feel the boss at all. Because there are no signs of life that really stand out among the thousands of signs of life.
'From where they are, it looks like they are under the ground. Can I do it alone ...? 'Reo put his hand on the handle of his sword.
'No, from the start I was not someone who could fight with that many enemies. Even though I have Domination Ki, there are still too many of them. Then there is no other choice but to slaughter them with a mature strategy. '
After a pause, a grin then appeared on Reo's face. He then turned and muttered.
"I guess I have to ask for their help.."
***
Meanwhile, a quiet atmosphere enveloped the cave. Only the sound of flames and wood slowly burning into charcoal can be heard. None of both Osamu and Karen started the conversation. Before suddenly ...
* tap *
Hearing the sound of footsteps, Osamu and Karen then averted their gazes. And there, they saw Reo who had returned and walked casually towards Amami who was bound to the rocks.
"You're back ..." Osamu's face looked relieved when he saw that Reo was fine.
"Huh? What do you want to do?" Osamu was confused by what Reo wanted to do when he saw him draw his sword and seemed to be trying to cut down something.
Without further ado, Reo then immediately thrust his katana into Amami's thigh and immediately injured him, he then did the same thing to his other leg. Seeing that, Osamu and Karen widened their eyes.
"W-what are you doing?"
While Reo, after sheathing his sword back, he then turned towards Osamu and Karen before smiling and saying.
"Get ready guys, we will go for the campfire party."
"" Huh? ""
[ A/N : The grammar in this chapter might be very bad so forgive me, I edited it in a hurry because recently I've been really busy. ]
It has been about two hours since Raid Team from Draw Sword Guild led by Araki Uehara entered the Dungeon. Outside the Dungeon now there were still many people gathered.
Among them seen low-level Hunter who joined the Mining Team and Collecting Team were getting ready around the Gate and waiting for the signal to enter the Dungeon. The miners seemed to carry large pickaxes in their hands and wore hard helmets as their mandatory safety equipment.
"Well, it's been over two hours but there is no sign of them coming out, are they really okay inside?" Said one of the miners who seemed to be impatient to do their job, he was seen lifting a pickaxe in his hand over his shoulder with a frown.
"What are you talking about, of course they are fine. What we're talking about right now is Araki Uehara, he is one of the strongest hunters in the Guild!" Answered his colleague who seemed to be sitting on a chair while drinking a cup of coffee.
"Calm down, why are you in such a hurry, now all we need to do is wait casually."
Hearing his partner's words, the man glanced back at the blue gate shaped like a whirlpool, a wave of magical energy shook his hair before he muttered.
" You are right... "
"Of course I'm right, let's drink this coffee so you don't get sleepy while working later, haha--"
But suddenly--
* zap * * fwuosh *
A shock wave suddenly spread around the gate accompanied by a terrifying roar of lightning. A strong wind then blew the dust around the Gate so that even those who stood around the Gate were pushed back.
Slowly, the gate in the form of a dark blue vortex turns dark red and is surrounded by black lightning around it. It's a rare phenomenon that sometimes happens to a B-Rank Gate or higher, people call it ...
"... a Red Gate."
The man murmured with a stunned expression, and so did his partner who sat behind him. The sudden appearance of Red Gate certainly shocked everyone there.
Then, people in formal attire were seen walking around the Gate to check the current condition of the Gate, the number of waves of magic energy currently being emitted by the Gate and the level of danger.
"Everyone who are not Awakened are prohibited from approaching the Gate and remain in the safe limits we have set!"
They are the Hunter affiliated with the Japanese Hunter Association, specifically the Hunters from the monitoring division whose job is to monitor the gate phenomenon and monitor the activity of the wave of magical energy emitted by the Gate. Even though the Gate itself belongs to a certain Guild, the Association will still send them to help monitor the Raid from outside the gate.
"Is that the Red Gate?"
"Can you explain why this happened?"
Some journalists were seen trying to interview one of the monitoring team members, but they had all been trained to remain calm in any situation so their attitudes did not change and seemed to ignore the actions of the reporters even though they had to keep them from crossing the line.
Then a few minutes later, a man got out of the car and walked casually across the crossing line. The man was seen wearing neat clothes with black hair combed back. He then approached the other monitoring team members.
"What about the amount of magic energy emitted by Gate? Has the number touched the A-Rank limit? "
Looking at the man, the three Hunter men who were seen measuring the waves of magic energy near the Gate immediately bowed and saluted, they looked so respectful to the man. The name of the man is Goketsu Watanabe, it is written on a sign hanging in his jacket pocket.
" I don't know, sir, we are also not sure of the results, but the magic meter cannot detect any increase in the amount of magic energy emitted by the gate, this is very strange," said one Hunter, he then showed the number on the screen of the magic meter was to Goketsu, and it hasn't changed at all.
However, the expression on Goketsu's face did not seem to change in the slightest and he only looked at the screen in front of him with a mysterious look.
"Then what else can we do, all we need to do is wait for them to come out safely. " said Goketsu who returned his focus to the Red Gate in front of him, he didn't seem panicked and only put his hands into his pants pocket.
But not with his men.
"B-but sir, actually there is another problem ..."
"Hm?"
"Karen Kanzaki, one of the famous idols who just joined the Draw Sword Guild, take part in the Raid this time. So I mean ..." he said doubtfully.
"I know, I know, I've read the list of hunters who participated in the raid this time before arriving here."
"Then--" However, before he could finish his words, Goketsu said calmly.
"I know that if someone of her caliber dies in the Raid, it will affect the Hunter Association's reputation in the eyes of the public, but there is nothing we can do at this time, even Mr. Matsumoto or Goto Ryuji cannot open a Red Gate by force." Goketsu said who immediately made that person fell silent in an instant.
The atmosphere then became quiet before Goketsu said.
"Alright, forget about that for a moment, now all we need to do is take care of these noisy reporters while waiting for the Hunters to kill the Dungeon Boss." Goketsu said before turning and start to walk.
Hearing Goketsu's words, everyone nodded and started following him from behind.
***
Moments before, the tense atmosphere that had previously enveloped everyone had diminished after Araki had come to calm them down. Likewise, Karen, who seemed calmer and stopped crying, now she just sat huddled in the arms of her assistant.
Seeing that his words had succeeded in easing everyone's tension, Araki smiled before he began sipping his coffee.
'Now, just waiting for the report from Reo-dono before we go to defeat the Dungeon Boss. '
The atmosphere then became silent, a cool breeze blew from the forest and moved the poisonous leaves in the trees. Before suddenly--
"Aaaarrrghhh !!"
One hunter shouted very loudly with a face full of pain, hearing that everyone was focusing their attention on him. The hunter lay on the ground struggling in pain.
He gripped his neck with a face full of horror as if someone was strangling him very hard, his vocal cords were broken, his voice could not come out. Seeing that, Araki who was enjoying his coffee immediately ran closer, as well as everyone who was there.
"Hey, what happened?" Araki then crouched next to the hunter, but he couldn't answer Araki's question at all. While Araki who saw that thought.
'Is his body unable to withstand the exposure to toxic gases that are spread in the air? No, a B-Rank Hunter seems to have enough amount of magic energy to neutralize that level of poison. '
One of the reasons why Red Gate is considered as a very dangerous phenomenon is because only B-Rank Hunter and above can survive in the middle of the dreadful ecosystem in the Dungeon. These terrible ecosystems can usually be in the form of Desert with temperatures over 60 ° C / 140 ° F, Jungle filled with poisonous vipers and insects, and an Extremely cold areas that can give frostbite.
Cold sweat trickled down Araki's forehead when he saw one of his team members on the verge of death.
"Healer, where is Healer !? Hurry and heal him," Araki said.
Osamu who heard that immediately approached and said in a panic.
"Me, sir."
"Osamu-dono, I'm counting on you."
Osamu nodded with a serious face, and immediately began chanting his spell, a sparkling green light then appeared on the tip of his wand.
* ziing *
Hunter's body lying on the ground was then coated with green light, but instead of recovering, his condition worsened. His skin slowly turned pale and turned purple, blood came out of his eyes, nails, nose, and mouth. His condition became increasingly dire.
"No way ... My healing magic can't detoxify the poison that has spread throughout his body. It's all in vain," said Osamu, tightly holding the wand in his hand and gritting his teeth.
He felt guilty because as a Healer, it was his duty to cure others. He felt useless.
"Fu*k ..."
While Araki, he could not decide on further action. The atmosphere became quiet as the Hunter slowly died due to exposure to poison gas produced by leaves in the forest, before suddenly.
"Arrrgghh!"
"My body, no, aaaaaarrrgh!"
Shouts then came back, but this time it wasn't just one person who was screaming, two, three, slowly everyone started screaming in pain and fell to the ground. Osamu who did not feel anything glanced around with a confused look.
"Oi, what's up everyone? Don't tell me you guys too ..."
Osamu then glanced at Araki who was only seen crouching while looking towards his palms which slowly began to turn pale and turn purple. Small bumps like bruises slowly appeared and ejected pus.
"Eh?"
Only one word that came out of his mouth, he then glanced at Osamu who still looks standing and fine beside him.
"Osamu-dono, this is ..."
"Araki-san, you too," Osamu muttered, not knowing what to do in the midst of a situation like this. He looked around and one by one Hunter who was there died and was lying on the ground with a body that had turned purple and full of bumps.
"* cough *" Araki then spit out a pinch of blood before his vision suddenly faded, his eyes bleeding before he was lying on the ground helplessly.
Seeing that Osamu immediately squatted beside him and tried to cure him using his healing magic, and again it was a futile effort.
"Araki-san."
While Araki, he raised his hand and was seen trying to reach something in an empty air. His eyes began to lose their light, he only saw the endless darkness in his vision.
"Mina ... Futaba ..." He called the names of his daughter and wife in a hoarse voice, it was a miracle for him to still be able to make a sound.
Hearing that Osamu made a sad expression before he looked down and bluffed his teeth in guilt, he clenched his fists and felt like a fool who couldn't do anything.
"... Forgive me. "
Those were his last words for his daughter and wife who were waiting for him to go home, before his hand lost its strength and fell on the ground, he died, Araki Uehara was dead. Osamu who saw that was silent before he slowly closed Araki's eyes using his hand.
Osamu paid his last respects before he stood up and looked around. Everyone is dead by poison gas, except himself and ...
"Mizu, why are you just silent !? Answer me ... Hey, you are my assistant, you still haven't finish your duty. You can't die here, hurry up and get up!" Even at times like this, Karen still seemed to be acting childish, she pulled the collar the clothes of his assistant, who was dead and lying helpless.
"Hey answer me!"
But when he saw Karen, Osamu widened his eyes because he finally realized. Why did everyone die of exposure to poison gas while he and Karen still looked fine.
'This is strange ... why am I still fine, even Araki-san who is an A-Rank Hunter and one of the strongest was killed by poison gas ... No, wait a minute, poison gas? Why did I conclude that the cause of all this was poison gas? '
Osamu then continued to roll his brain and think about the cause of all this before he widened his eyes.
"Don't tell me ... The coffee," Osamu murmured, then continued.
"The reason why only me and Karen-chan are not affected is because only the two of us who didn't drink the coffee given by ..."
Osamu then turned around with a surprised face as he realized who had done all this.
"... That scout, where is he !?"
When he was trying to find the Scout's whereabouts, suddenly--
* dap * * thrust *
"Ack!"
Osamu suddenly felt a pain, he slowly looked towards his stomach and there he saw a knife full of blood had pierced it. Osamu who was surprised could not say anything before he looked back a little.
Behind Osamu, it was the Scout, Amami who was seen grinning while jabbing his knife into his stomach. Osamu is completely unaware of his existence, as expected of an A-Rank Scout, he can become undetected so easily.
"You also have to die here, Osamu-san."
"You ... Bastard, why did you do all this, why did you kill everyone. * Cough *" Osamu said with a face in pain.
* plup * * spurt *
Amami cruelly pulled his knife from Osamu's stomach without the slightest mercy, while Osamu who felt his body began to lose its strength then fell on the ground helplessly.
"Shut up and die." Amami looked down at Osamu who seemed to grit his teeth and looked at Amami with a look of murderous intent. He seemed to grip the stab wound tightly to his stomach and tried to stop the bleeding.
After that, Amami who didn't want to waste any more time then turned around with a smiling face towards Karen who was still sitting on the floor and watched all the events in silence.
"Now all that's left is the main dish ... Karen ~ Kanzaki ~ Hahaha."
He called Karen's name in the tone she usually used when performing on stage, in front of her fans. But when Amami said that, he actually looked like a disgusting freak.
"Y-you ... What do you want to do, stay away from me." Karen said with a scared face after she saw Amami who killed Osamu before her eyes just now.
While Amami he only said while licking his knife that was full of blood.
"You don't need to know the reason ... You just need to know that your death will bring benefits to my side, that's all."
Amami continued walking before he arrived in front of Karen who seemed to be shaking and looked at Amami as if he was a monster.
"Goodbye, Karen-cwhan ~"
However, before Amami could move the knife in his hand to pierce Karen's heart, she suddenly felt a mysterious spiritual energy pressure and instantly stopped his body from moving.
* buzz *
Amami widened his eyes as he was confused about what had just happened.
"Huh?" Then, a man's voice came from behind.
"Poisoning everyone using a poison without aroma that cannot be detected by the sense of smell, you really have messed up the situation right, Scout-san?"
That voice is none other than Reo's. He was seen crouching next to one of Hunter's bodies lying on the ground. The expression on his face did not seem to change when he saw the body in that terrible condition.
'This voice, that man! Since when was he here !?' While Amami, he finally realized who was behind him at this time. But he was very surprised because of the sudden appearance of Reo, even though he didn't use his special technique to detect Reo, but he should be able to feel Reo presence by only using his senses.
"But I am curious, what kind of poison you use to kill them all, the poison that reacts when exposed to magic energy ... it is not a poison that humans can artificially create," Reo murmured, returning to his feet and turning his gaze towards Araki dead body.
What Reo meant from his words was, the poison used by Amami to kill all people activated automatically when exposed to magic energy. But at the same time, because it reacts immediately when it comes in contact with magic energy, causing it to not be felt at all by people who have magic energy in their bodies. Namely the Awakened.
That was also the reason why only Reo could realize that the coffee Amami had given was poisoned, because only he could feel the poison using his sense of taste.
' A Poison like this ... is it possible that it came from the purple leaves scattered throughout the forest? '
But Reo decided to forget about that for a moment and glanced back at Amami while slowly pulling his Domination Ki.
"So what's the motive behind your actions this time, Scout-san? Money or ..."
"Looks like you didn't drink the coffee I gave, Reo-san," said Amami who immediately turned and looked at Reo as he felt the pressure that stopped his movements slowly disappear.
"Just answer my question before I cut your head off, what is your true purpose?" Reo said, smiling faintly and waiting for an answer from Amami.
"Do you think I will tell you?"
"So you don't want to answer me? Even though I've been generous to kill you in an instant, do you really want to be tortured? A Masochist?" Said Reo, tilting his head with a confused look.
Amami who heard that grinned and looked at Reo like he was staring at an idiot.
"Why are you so confident about beating me?"
"Huh? Do you still not realize that you are weaker than me?" Reo asked with an innocent face.
"Weaker than you? Don't make me laugh, you damn albino!" Amami then pulled the other knife out of his pocket and tried to use one of his skills.
* sruuut *
Amami tried to step back to avoid a direct fight with Reo, but in an instant Reo had arrived right in front of him which of course made him very surprised.
' This guy... '
Amami widened his eyes, he stared at Reo's golden eyes which looked at him coldly and full of disinterest. However, because of his experience as a Hunter for years, Amami was able to calm down quickly and gripped the knives in his hands tightly.
'... But it's a bad decision to attack me from close range! '
Without wasting any time, Amami immediately swung his two hands together and attacked Reo with a cross cut, but--
* clang * * crack *
Instead of seeing Reo who was full of blood due to his attack, Amami widened his eyes because he could not process what had just happened. The two knives in his hand shattered into pieces.
Reo only pointed his index finger which had been significantly strengthened by using Reinforcement Ki, and easily destroyed Amami's magic knife.
"Eh?" Only that one word could come out of Amami's mouth, he didn't know what to say when he saw his weapon being destroyed by Reo's index finger.
While Reo he just smiled and then removed the layer of Ki on his index finger so as not to accidentally destroy Amami's head. And without the slightest mercy gripped Amami's face tightly.
"There are a few things I want to ask you, but this is not the right time, so sleep peacefully for a while."
Reo's golden eyes then shone before he cruelly slammed Amami's head hard on the ground and caused a crack in the ground.
* bump * * crack *
And with that, Amami immediately lost consciousness, his hands went limp and fell helpless, as did the rest of his body, it was lying on the ground and unconscious.
After confirming that Amami had passed out, Reo then let go of his grip and stood back up. He clapped his hands to remove the dust that was sticking before glancing at Karen who was seen sitting with a scared look a few meters in front of him.
She looks still shocked by what just happened, the cruel sight in front of her right now might be too heavy for a bird in a cage like her. But Reo did not care at all or even tried to console her, he instead turned around and turned his gaze towards Osamu, who was lying on the ground.
"Oi Glasses-kun, I know your injury isn't severe, get up quickly and don't be a lazy boy." Reo said.
Osamu who heard that immediately raised his head and looked at Reo. The knife wounds Amami had given before seemed unable to kill him, he had already used healing magic on himself, even though it took a bit more time when compared to healing others, but the wound in his stomach had begun to close.
Reo then again said.
"You pretend to die like that when one of your colleagues is on the verge of death, don't you feel guilty?"
Said Reo, staring at Osamu with an interesting look. While Osamu who heard Reo's question sighed while trying to stand up slowly.
"Colleague, huh? As if I had time to act like a hero when my own life was in danger, I'm not as strong as you." Said Osamu who immediately stood up and cleaned the dust that clings to his clothes.
Hearing that, Reo smiled and murmured.
"Hee ~, fear and selfishness, huh."
Osamu then corrected the position of his glasses before glancing at Amami who was unconscious on the ground.
"That person, are you sure you won't kill him? He killed everyone you know."
Reo who had also stood up then turned and muttered with a deadpan expression.
"He is a valuable informant, I will interrogate him before killing him," Reo said.
Osamu who heard Reo only nodded, he did not try to stop Reo's actions that violated morals because from the beginning he was not the type of person who had high justice. He is the type of person who will do everything to survive.
"If you have recovered, hurry and go bring the man, we will leave this place, it has been too long and the magic beasts may have begun to move again. I want to examine the bodies of the hunters who have died first." said Reo before starting to walk.
"What about Karen-chan, are we going to leave her alone?"
"It's up to her to come or not," Reo answered who had stood before Araki dead body. He just kept quiet and stared at Araki's body which had turned purple violently.
The atmosphere then became quiet before Reo asked with a smile.
"What was it like when your trust was betrayed, Leader-san?"
"If only you were still alive to answer my question."
After saying that, Reo then immediately turned around and approached Osamu who had raised Amami's body with difficulty.
"Let's go," Reo said and Osamu who heard that nodded while carrying Amami.
The two of them then tried to step their feet and immediately went to another place before Karen's voice could be heard from behind.
"Wait a minute, you two ... What about me !? Are you guys just trying to leave me alone, here!?"
Reo who heard it did not stop, while Osamu glanced a little towards Karen and said with a little hesitation.
"I-If you don't want to die ... then come with us," Osamu said.
" What? "
Karen never thought that someone like her would be abandoned like this, she didn't understand why Osamu and Reo easily left her like that. Does her beauty not attract them? That sense of superiority still poisoned Karen's mind, so she could not clearly understand her current position.
While Osamu, without wasting any more time he immediately followed Reo from behind, leaving Karen there alone.
"What the hell is that !? Why are they acting so arrogant like that, what do they think they are, huh ?!" Karen looked annoyed when she saw Osamu and Reo's attitude.
The atmosphere became quiet before Karen looked down with a scared face, tears began to trickle down her cheeks.
'Mom, I don't want to die here ...'
After a while, she ruffled her hair and clenched her teeth hard. She then stared towards the place where Reo and Osmau had gone before finally wiping away her tears.
"That's right ... I don't want to die ... No, I can't die here," Karen said, her gaze carrying a different vibe at this time.
Karen then tried to stand up with difficulty when her knee hurt, she then brought her wand lying on the ground before screaming.
" Wait for me! "
Karen then immediately ran while hobbling to catch up with Reo and Osamu who had left first.
***
"All right, that's right, tie him up there."
At this time, Reo, Osamu, and Karen have been in a small cave in the forest that they accidentally found. The reason why Reo prefers cave is because it is the safest option from insects attack and ambush.
In the Dungeon where they are currently there is no high ground like a mountain or even a hill, the ecosystem is dominated by forests full of poisonous plants and insects.
But in a cave dominated by rocks, it is the most logical and safe choice to be a temporary resting place. Moreover, even if insects try to enter, they will be easily slaughtered because the direction of arrival is only from one direction, namely the entrance of the cave.
"That's good," Reo said as he crossed his arms and looked at Osamu who was seen being bound Amami's body to one of the rocks in the cave.
As for Karen, she looks more reserved than before. And seen sitting leaning against the cave wall while hugging his knees.
"What about food supplies?" Reo asked Osamu. Hearing that, Osamu shook his head.
"We haven't brought any food supplies other than water and a few packs of instant coffee that have been poisoned by this bastard," Osamu said, pointing at Amami.
"I see, it looks like we can't stay here anymore. This forest is filled with poisonous insects that can't be eaten, waiting longer will only make us starve to death," Reo said.
Hearing that everyone could only swallow their saliva, thinking about the worst outcome of their current condition. The atmosphere became quiet before Reo glanced at Karen.
"Oi Miss Idol, hurry and make a bonfire made of wood that I have collected on the way before. I will go outside for a moment to see the conditions around. And you Glasses-kun, don't let the man escape." Said Reo, covering his head using a hood that is in his Haori.
Hearing that, Karen surprisingly nodded obediently. That's not like her usual self.
"Do you want to go out? Don't you plan to defeat the boss alone?"
Hearing Osamu's words, Reo just smiled sweetly and said.
"I just checked, really."
Without saying anything else, Reo immediately went out of the cave and left Osamu and Karen alone there. Osamu who tried to stop Reo sighed, because he thought it would be useless.
"* sigh * That man, he just left. Hopefully he won't act recklessly, because otherwise we will all die here," murmured Osamu. He realized that without Reo, there was no hope for him and a newbie like Karen to defeat the Dungeon Boss, their lives were now in the hands of Reo completely.
While Karen just continued to carry out Reo's orders in silence. Seeing Karen's attitude change dramatically, making Osamu confused. But he had no intention of discussing anything with Karen, and just sat near Amami to make sure he remained attached.
The atmosphere then becomes awkward, neither of them starts a conversation. Before suddenly Karen opened her mouth.
"You had no intention of helping me before, you coward."
"Huh, what did you say?" Osamu raised his eyebrows when he heard Karen words. However, Karen did not seem to be trying to blame Osamu or anything, she just looked down before resuming her words.
"But I think I understand the reason why you acted like that before now," said Karen, her beautiful black eyes staring at the light of the bonfire.
Even when she was in the middle of nowhere, like now, her beauty did not fade at all. Osamu who saw that was also a little stunned before he regained consciousness from his reverie.
"W-well, it's a relief if you understand. So I don't need to feel guilty anymore and apologize to you."
The atmosphere then became quiet, Osamu nervously pushed his glasses before he slowly turned to his right and glanced at Karen who seemed to smile faintly before saying.
"Um."
***
* spurt *
Green blood gushed in the air, currently Reo was seen walking in the middle of the forest and killing the Magic Beasts who were trying to attack him. The white layer of Ki covers his body, while continuing, Reo detects all life within a 1 km radius by using his Ki to find where the Dungeon Boss is.
'But this time the Red Gate is really strange, a Red Gate should have appeared immediately when the Hunters first entered the Dungeon, but this time ... The Gate that connects this Dungeon with Earth only disappears after a while. '
* dap * * dap *
Reo walked in the middle of a dark forest and was only lit by cosmic light while looking at the ground.
'That means, there is a drastic and sudden increase in magic energy, but not because of our existence, but because of something else ... Somehow this incident is similar to what happened 6 years ago. '
Reo thought about some of the similarities of this Dungeon with the appearance of the Ex-Rank Dungeon on Komodo Island 6 years ago. But because it was only a little and he did not want to guess, Reo decided to forget it for now.
"Well, after that person wakes up, my question might be answered," Reo murmured with a smile. But while he was walking, suddenly ...
"Humph!"
Reo stopped walking because he felt thousands of signs of life several hundred meters in front of him.
'That's a very large number of Magic Beasts, there's no way they could gather in such a place without any cause, which means ... There is a strong existence that gathers them there, there's no mistaking it ... That is the place where the Dungeon Boss is. ' Reo thought.
But he still felt something strange, from the many signs of life, Reo could not feel the boss at all. Because there are no signs of life that really stand out among the thousands of signs of life.
'From where they are, it looks like they are under the ground. Can I do it alone ...? 'Reo put his hand on the handle of his sword.
'No, from the start I was not someone who could fight with that many enemies. Even though I have Domination Ki, there are still too many of them. Then there is no other choice but to slaughter them with a mature strategy. '
After a pause, a grin then appeared on Reo's face. He then turned and muttered.
"I guess I have to ask for their help.."
***
Meanwhile, a quiet atmosphere enveloped the cave. Only the sound of flames and wood slowly burning into charcoal can be heard. None of both Osamu and Karen started the conversation. Before suddenly ...
* tap *
Hearing the sound of footsteps, Osamu and Karen then averted their gazes. And there, they saw Reo who had returned and walked casually towards Amami who was bound to the rocks.
"You're back ..." Osamu's face looked relieved when he saw that Reo was fine.
"Huh? What do you want to do?" Osamu was confused by what Reo wanted to do when he saw him draw his sword and seemed to be trying to cut down something.
Without further ado, Reo then immediately thrust his katana into Amami's thigh and immediately injured him, he then did the same thing to his other leg. Seeing that, Osamu and Karen widened their eyes.
"W-what are you doing?"
While Reo, after sheathing his sword back, he then turned towards Osamu and Karen before smiling and saying.
"Get ready guys, we will go for the campfire party."
"" Huh? ""
