Chapter 8: The Hunter ( 2 )

Alberich Hackmesser was a smuggler of [magical weapons] who posed as a businessman.

Usually, that was his field of work. However, it wasn't uncommon for one of his clients to seek something specific that fell outside that sector.

The man who was pursuing Kuro and Hajime was one of those clients. He had asked Alberich to procure a vial of [Dragon Blood], a rare catalyst that temporarily enhanced the powers of [mages], although it came with significant side effects.

The individual in question was Roberick Kost, a Russian mercenary in his forties, with dark hair and perpetually squinting eyes.

Roberick possessed a rare [magic] that allowed him to perceive everything within a 300-meter radius, rendering sight an unnecessary sense that often interfered with his powers.

He was accompanied by several dogs, or rather, gray armors that behaved like hunting dogs.

These inorganic creatures were [magical weapons] that the man had possessed since he was 12 years old, and they were also the reason he was considered one of the best trackers in Asia.

"I see, so the vial of [Dragon Blood] was destroyed... what a shame, truly a shame."

The amount of [Dragon Blood] that Alberich was supposed to deliver was minimal but pure at 10%.

For an ordinary person, such a low percentage wouldn't mean much, but for a mercenary like Roberick, who had spent years in this field without joining any faction, a quantity-quality ratio at that level was incredibly hard to find.

"But it doesn't matter!"

The Russian [mage] was not angry at all; in fact, he was happy and excited. There was a hobby that the man loved to practice, the hobby that earned him the nickname [Hunter].

"Go! Find them! I have a feeling they will be difficult prey! Ehehheheeh!"

Roberick loved to hunt people as if they were wild animals, starting with simple civilians, then soldiers, and finally [mages].

After decades of practicing this pastime, the Russian had developed a keen instinct that alerted him when he was in the presence of worthy prey.

As he watched his [magical weapons] set off in search, Roberick activated a device that blocked all incoming signals within a kilometer radius.

It was better not to take any risks; he didn't want to attract the attention of the [White Corps] or, worse, the [Black Corps].

******

Meanwhile, far from Kuro's position, Roberick, and Hajime, Kohaku was trying to re-establish communication with his drones, but it seemed they lost contact as soon as they reached a certain area.

"Kohaku-chan!"

"Not now, Cloe-chan! I need to figure out who this guy is!?"

One of the hacker's drones, before being destroyed by the [mage] Russian's dogs, had captured an image of his face.

Using her full powers as an [esper], the girl searched for the Russian [mage]'s face all over the web; any bit of information could be useful.

"This.......!? Damn it! It was supposed to end like this from the start!?"

Cloe felt a cold shiver run down her spine; it was very rare to see Kohaku so agitated and frustrated.

"The [Hunter] is chasing Kamijo-san and Kuro; you know what that means, right!?"

" If his [magical weapons] catch their scent, then.......?!"

"Yes, he will be able to track them anywhere!"

Roberick's dogs were not created for combat; although they could easily kill several [mages], no, their greatest feature was their ability to remember a scent.

Once they memorized it, it was impossible for them to forget, allowing them to sniff out their prey at any time.

It was thanks to this characteristic that Roberick had found Alberich.

Just as Kohaku had said, their mission was destined to take a turn for the worse from the beginning. In fact, they had been lucky in their misfortune; if Hajime and Kuro had returned to their respective homes, the situation would have been much worse.

"Cloe-chan........I know I'm asking a lot, but.......you have to go to them."

Cloe's face paled at her friend's words. The hacker bit her lower lip in front of that scene; she was so frustrated, having ensured everything went smoothly, but she hadn't researched Alberich's buyer, and this was the result.

Now, because of her, she was about to send Cloe into the field to try to salvage what could be saved; the guilt was gnawing at her.

"I-I......fine, I'll go!"

As Cloe prepared, putting on her gear, Kohaku could only hope that Hajime and Kuro could somehow hold out until reinforcements arrived.

******

Meanwhile, the two boys were running through the sewers to escape their pursuers. Fortunately, it wasn't the first time Kuro had used the sewers as a means of escape, so the boy with black hair had a detailed map of the area with him.

"Wait, let's stop for a second!" (Hajime)

"What are you, stupid? Do you want to get us killed!?" (Kuro)

"That's not it! I think this guy is going to kick the bucket if we keep carrying him!"

Kuro stopped and looked at Alberich; just as Hajime had said, the man was still unconscious, but he was much paler than before, with a cascade of sweat soaking his body.

"Shit! We need him alive!" (Kuro)

"I know! You've already said that! But I don't think it's good for someone who just had their legs amputated to be carried around on our backs!"

Reluctantly, the black-haired teenager had to agree with his temporary partner. If they kept running, their target would likely die from the strain.

"We should hide him! Lay him down over there, quick!"

Kuro used his [magic] to hide Alberich; a wrapping of pure shadows formed around his body, blending him with the darkness of the sewers.

"That should be fine! We'll come back for him! Now let's go!"

The two boys continued to run to reach one of the exits. But soon they encountered an obstacle in their path.

"What is that!?" (Hajime)

"A [magical weapon]!?" (Kuro)

One of Roberick's dogs stood in front of the two. As it growled and advanced toward them, the boy with the skull mask decided to flee.

"To the right, run!"

"Got it!"

As they ran down another corridor, the two soon found themselves in a similar situation. Strangely, however, this time the [magical weapon] did not attack them either.

"(It's not chasing us! Why? Could it be that.....!?)" (Hajime)

A shiver of fear ran down Hajime's spine. He had figured out the plan of the [mage] controlling the dogs.

"Wait!" (Hajime)

"What do you want now!? Don't you see that.....!"

"Shut up and listen to me! I think those things are driving us toward a specific direction!" (Hajime)

Kuro stopped, and reluctantly had to admit that the boy with the oni mask was right. The [magical weapons] were leading them down a single path, which would take them to a large clearing where multiple tunnels intersected, an ideal place for a fight.

Now what were they supposed to do? Pretend they didn't know anything and take advantage of the situation, or try to take another direction?

"I have a plan!......but you'll have to do everything I say; we only have one chance!" (Kuro)

Meanwhile, in the clearing where the dogs were leading Hajime and Kuro, a very entertained Roberick was patiently waiting for their arrival.

"So they've split up, huh? One is running while the other distracts me.......? I see. Get into position to wait for our guest."

Soon, footsteps could be heard in the distance, and a few seconds later, Hajime emerged from one of the tunnels. His body was covered in green electric discharges, and he had his sword drawn, ready to strike at his opponents at the first opportunity.

There was a bothersome metallic sound when the katana made contact with the armor of one of the [magical weapons]. Fortunately, the silver-haired teenager caught sight of a second dog trying to take him from the side, and Hajime avoided being caught only thanks to his speed.

"Huh......you're not bad........considering you're very young.......but pure talent is nothing without training......" (Roberick)

"You won't say the same thing when I cut your throat!" (Hajime)

"Such aggression! I like it; an animal with its back against the wall is always fierce!"

"Tsk! Crazy old man!"

More dogs charged at him, and Hajime swung his katana in every possible way to find the weak point of the [magical weapons]. Eyes, head, abdomen, mouth; with each strike, the stepson of Goto realized that his weapon was insufficient to damage the dogs.

"(Damn it!)"

"Come on, try harder! I know you can do better!"

Roberick's smug smile only served to irritate Hajime; his darker side was eager to kill him. But unfortunately, in the end, the inevitable happened.

"Time's up, kid."

The katana shattered, leaving the boy vulnerable and with an opening that one of the [magical weapons] did not miss. With its metallic fangs, the dog bit Hajime's wrist. While the others used their strength to push him to the ground.

"What a pity; if you had a good weapon, things would have turned out differently."

Roberick was about to give the final command to his puppies; Hajime had only seconds to live. But while the Russian [mage] was focused on him, he didn't notice that someone emerged from the shadows, right in his blind spot.

"(It's over!)" (Kuro)

Kuro prepared to decapitate his opponent with his scythe; unfortunately for him, he didn't know who he was dealing with.

"I was wondering when you would come out!"

Roberick ducked, avoiding death, then struck with an elbow to the boy's sternum. The poor Kuro flew backward, with such force that he left a crater when he made contact with the wall.

"Disappointing! Your plan was good: one distracting me head-on while the other attacks me from behind. But unfortunately for you, my [magic] allows me to perceive everything within a certain area around me."

"Shit!" (Kuro)

Roberick moved toward Kuro with deliberate slowness, as if he wanted to mock him; after all, the Russian [mage] knew well that the boy wouldn't be getting up anytime soon after one of his blows.

"You've been too arrogant; unlike your friend, who gave me a bit of fun, you won't have a quick death!"

" Do your worst!"

Hajime tried to free himself from the grip of the dogs holding him down, but it was useless.

"(Am I going to have to watch him die!? Without being able to do anything!?)"

In all honesty, the silver-haired teenager hated his temporary partner. In fact, throughout the fight, Hajime thought that Kuro might abandon him to save his own life. But in the end, he had kept his word, even though he hadn't managed to kill Roberick.

"(No! I can still do something!)"

The stepson of Goto was not stupid, but he couldn't find a way out of this situation. Then he recalled the words of the Russian [mage]: "What a pity; if you had a good weapon, things would have turned out differently." The [Grimoire] inside the boy began to stir, and an idea came to mind.

"[Overwrite]: [Blood Katana]!"

Roberick looked on in surprise at the scene: the blood flowing from the boy's wrist was coursed with green electric discharges as it changed shape to decapitate all the [magical weapons] in the immediate vicinity. Then, the organic liquid took on a form very similar to that of a katana, although it was still unstable in shape.

"That power......?.....could it be that he........?"

While he was distracted, Kuro tried to get back up, only to receive a solid axe kick to the head from the Russian [mage]. The blow was so strong that it sent him into dreamland.

"I see.... Take him alive!"

As ordered, Roberick's puppies formed up to take down Hajime without killing him, or at least they tried. This time, the fight was very different. The boy's blade had no trouble overcoming the defenses of the [magical weapons]. With each swing, an opponent was defeated.

"(I can do it! Just a little more! I can kill him! And then-)"

After taking down six dogs, the stepson of Goto felt his movements freeze; all the strength that had filled his body just moments before suddenly vanished, leaving him with no escape.

The boy with the oni mask couldn't take another step before falling face-first to the ground.

The electric discharges that covered his body disappeared, and the solidified blood katana he had in hand returned to a liquid form and flowed back into the veins of his wrist, healing the wound in the process.

"Time's up, kid."