Chapter 9: The Hunter ( 3 )

It was over. Like a novice, Hajime had fought without holding back or stopping to think about the limits of his body, and more importantly, the limits of his [mana].

[Mana] was pure energy that made [mages] worthy of the name.

Without [mana], there was no [magic].

It was the very foundation of magical practices.

Every person can understand the maximum amount of power that resides in their body only when they reach their limit. Unfortunately for Hajime, he realized this at the wrong moment.

"(No! I was so close! Don't give up on me now!)"

"It's useless to try; you're out of juice. But don't worry, unlike your friend, you won't die today. People like you are too valuable."

Roberick's [magical weapons] restrained all four limbs of the boy with the oni mask. As the Russian approached the unconscious Kuro, ready to deliver the final blow.

"Well, let's finish this now."

"Yes, it's time to end it."

Roberick felt a cold shiver run down his spine upon hearing a voice behind him.

Few people could get that close to him without him or his puppies knowing. Usually, these individuals were one or two levels above him in ability.

Years of practice and experience gave the Russian [mage] a clear idea of how much trouble he was in, even without turning around.

Meanwhile, Hajime held his breath as he watched the figure that appeared out of nowhere.

She wore a white bird mask with golden accents, and around her body, she donned a black cloak similar to Kuro's, although she lacked the belt full of knives that the boy used.

The stepson of Goto only realized the identity of the person who had come to help him after a moment: a petite figure, about 1.50 meters tall, with white hair and dark skin? It was obviously Chloe.

"(I have to help her!)"

As Hajime tried to get up to assist her, he found himself groaning in pain as the five dogs tightened their grip on his limbs.

"Are you their reinforcements?" (Roberick)

"Yes." (Chloe)

"Is there any way I can get out of this alive?"

"No."

"I see....."

Since negotiation was impossible, the Russian [mage] launched an attack. He spun around quickly to strike the girl with a punch.

".....then die!"

Although he wasn't a true frontline fighter, Roberick's basic physical abilities were superior to those of Hajime and Kuro combined. But despite his speed and strength, the blow never reached Chloe.

The speed at which the event unfolded was such that the silver-haired teenager's eyes couldn't follow the movements of the two.

The only thing he caught were the results of the post-fight: the Russian [mage]'s right arm had been severed at the elbow and fell a few meters away from its owner, who groaned in pain.

Chloe, on the other hand, had transformed her fingers into metal claws resembling those of an eagle. The blades were stained with fresh blood; it didn't take a genius to know what had happened.

"(Wow. She's really strong!)" (Hajime)

"Kill her!"

While four of Roberick's remaining [magical weapons] held Hajime down, the others immediately lunged at the girl who had mutilated their master.

Transforming all five of her fingers into claws, Chloe launched an attack, tearing apart all her opponents. In a matter of seconds, the remains of four of Roberick's puppies lay on the ground.

"She's too strong! Everyone, attack!!! Berserk mode!!!!"

Following their owner's commands, who was trying to stop the bleeding from his arm, the [magical weapons] (including those holding Hajime) merged together. The metal that formed them melted into a glowing sludge.

Then, from the molten metal, a new [magical weapon] formed, much larger than the others, roaring with rage as it charged toward her.

"(What the hell kind of monster is that girl!? Even in berserk mode, I don't know if they can kill her! Damn it, at least I have time to escape!?)"

Roberick had learned long ago that there was nothing wrong with fleeing like a coward in front of a stronger opponent; after all, no cause, ideal, or amount of money was worth his life. If he hadn't understood that many years ago, he probably wouldn't be alive today.

As the Russian [mage] fled, he didn't notice the danger coming from below; sand wrapped around his feet, preventing him from escaping.

"(What!? How many damn [magics] can that thing use!?)"

The sand came from Chloe's feet, like a snake silently slithering to catch its prey. Roberick immediately understood why his powers hadn't sensed the danger.

"(She must have a [stealth] [magic]! And a very powerful one if it can deceive my [magic]!)"

The sand was as hard as rock, and the strength in the man's remaining arm was insufficient to free himself.

"[Telekinesis]!"

For the first time during the entire fight, Chloe pronounced the name of one of her [magics].

The effect was immediate; the massive [magical weapon] that was charging menacingly toward her lifted off the ground. The metal it was made of began to creak and deform.

"Not enough, it seems, huh!?"

The girl, with the bird mask, used her hands to form a sphere. Roberick's last-ditch effort didn't withstand the power of her [telekinesis], and as it creaked and tried to escape, it became a sphere of metal.

The Russian [mage] tried every way to free himself as Chloe walked slowly toward him.

"You hurt Kuro. Now you die!"

"No! Please!! Wait!!!"

"Too late! [Mummification]!"

As the name suggested, the moment the girl touched Roberick's face, the man began to groan in pain as he turned into a lifeless mummy. The scene could only be described in one way: gruesome.

With a sigh, Chloe turned to Hajime, fully aware that he would look at her like a monster after what he had seen. Fortunately for her, she was mistaken.

"E-eh?"

The white eyes of the stepson of Goto were filled with admiration. The boy's cheeks were slightly flushed as he thanked Chloe. It was like a princess who had fallen for her savior.

"You were incredible! Thank you for saving us!"

"I-I... I don't have much time."

The girl with the bird mask tried to help Hajime using her powers.

"I can't do more than this..... I'm at my limit.... I leave the rest in your hands...."

"Wait, what do you mean!?"

Before she could respond, Chloe began to suffer from pain, collapsing to the ground while clutching her head.

"Hey!? What's happening to you!?"

"c-contact Kohaku-chan... destroy the disruptor! Before-... aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!"

"Damn it!"

As instructed, Hajime destroyed the device hidden in the clothes of the mummy that had once been Roberick.

"Kamijo-san! What's the situation!"

It took at least ten minutes to explain the situation to Kohaku. The hacker sighed in relief upon hearing that all three of them were alive, but Chloe's screams of pain in the background almost made her cry. But this wasn't the time; they were not out of danger yet.

"Kamijo-san, take Kuro, Chloe-chan, and the target! I'll guide you in the direction you need to take to reach my position!"

"Understood!"

Carrying the weight of three people, Hajime used the little strength he had left to walk through the tunnels.