Saya, who has overpowered Monster Diggy, is not satisfied and glares at me. However, she doesn’t approach me. This is because she is keeping her distance due to Monster Diggy’s surprise. She doesn’t approach because she knows I can escape before she can land an attack. Just like a carnivorous beast that knows the range of its own attack when hunting――.
Just then, I sense the presence of the Demon Shark approaching.
It is a vicious shark that dives through the ground and walls to latch onto its prey. It seems that it has invaded this area without heeding my orders.
It is unknown in what era and under what circumstances this monster came into existence. All that is known is that it has a strong anger and appetite for humans. The appearance of a Hunter even more unreasonable and ferocious than Monster Diggy makes me *chirari* glance behind her.
Maybe that annoying shark might be able to take Saya down with a surprise attack. I cling to my sliver of hope.
――However, the Demon Shark suddenly turns around about ten meters before it reaches us.
It then leaves the place at breakneck speed. Up until now, it kept showing up and tried to kill and devour people without me ever asking……………… Don’t tell me, it ran away?
“That damn shark…………” (Lady)
I cannot help but mutter in a low voice. Saya may look delicate at first glance, but who would have thought that shark had the brains to identify a strong opponent――Despite its large size, it is really useless. Why don’t you learn from Monster Diggy!
Whether she knows that the Demon Shark ran away or not, Saya doesn’t come any closer. No, she is probably waiting for an opportunity. After all, she had the ability to use those monstrosities.However, that is exactly where an opening lies. I still have cards to play. A tool within this Treasure Shrine left by the Star God to gather fear.
Using it in a situation like this would be tantamount to admitting defeat, but no monsters, vengeful spirits, wild beasts, disasters, or threats would have an effect on this woman. If we leave her unchecked, the entire Treasure Shrine could fall.
Saya frowns and glares at me.
“What is your purpose?” (Saya)
“………… Fufu……” (Lady)
There is no reason to talk to Saya. No matter what I say to her, she won’t be scared of me.
If so, I should directly read the fear hidden within her and recreate it.
That is the tool that the Star God left behind in this Treasure Shrine, the same one that I used on Hugh――『Bad Dream (Nightmare Cage)』.
I raise both my arms and *ketaketa* laugh loudly. The air trembles――The Mana Materials that have accumulated over the long years in the Treasure Shrine begin to gather.
Now, show us what Saya, this Treasure Shrine’s natural enemy, fears.
Is there anything that this Saya is truly afraid of? Such worries of mine are quickly dispelled.
Black mist gathers in one place and begins to form a shape.
What is it that Saya fears when she can command those eerie monstrosities?
What appears before me, who is holding my breath, is――A woman with black hair. Snow-white skin and long black hair. Her eyes, visible through the gaps in her bangs, are a blood-red color.
For the first time, Saya’s expression shows signs of agitation. I myself feel as if I am in a dream.
var adx_id_10791 = document.getElementById('bg-ssp-10791'); adx_id_10791.id = 'bg-ssp-10791-' + Math.floor(Math.random() * Date.now()); window.pubadxtag = window.pubadxtag || []; window.pubadxtag.push({zoneid: 10791, id: adx_id_10791.id, wu: window.location.href})No way――To think that there are people in this world whose greatest fear is 『Themselves』.
The materialized Saya silently takes out her baton and grasps it. Her crimson eyes are as emotionless as the real one――And then, the batons clash, scattering intense black purple lightning.
The real Saya’s expression twists for an instant. She must have sensed it with just a single blow. That the person standing in front of her right now is truly herself.
The real Saya and the fake Saya step back with the exact same movement.
I have used 『Nightmare Cage』 several times to learn the fear of courageous targets before, but no one has ever created themselves. Even I don’t know what will happen when the two, who likely have the exact same abilities, clash.
However, if that is the case, I can just help the fake Saya. After all, this Treasure Shrine is under my control.
The situation that seemed hopeless until just now now shows a chance of victory.
Besides, being defeated by a being identical to yourself would make a great rumor to incite fear, wouldn’t it.
The two Saya face each other, warily waiting for an opening. At that moment, Lucia comes running in late. Seeing the two Saya, her pale face shows signs of confusion.
“!? This is――” (Lucia)
“Lucia, leave this to me and find the exit! Only I can defeat, that thing.” (Saya)
Saya immediately shouts this. It is good for me if the two of them separate. Until now, Saya has been in the way, and I haven’t been able to draw out Lucia’s fear, but if she is alone, I can boil her or roast her or do whatever I like with her.
Also…… An exit? Are you looking for an exit?
I close my eyes and operate the Treasure Shrine, temporarily erasing the exit. This makes the Treasure Shrine a closed Treasure Shrine. Without a connection to the outside world, the Treasure Shrine will not receive any Mana Materials and will weaken over time, but you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.
Defeat Saya, the natural enemy of this Treasure Shrine. Without Saya, who can force open the entrance, there will be no more uninvited intruders ever again.
Come on, I will let you go, Lucia. Scream and run away.
In front of me, who is deliberately not laying a hand on her, Lucia presses her lips together and shouts.
“Hh………… Don’t underestimate me, Saya! I will not run away and leave my friends behind!” (Lucia)
“!?” (Lady)
I feel a presence of Magic. An explosive amount of Magic is generated in her slender body and is quickly refined. A freezing wind blows. Frost settles over the world. It took less than a second.
So far, I have eliminated countless Magi. Some even tried to attack me with Magic. Lucia Roje hasn’t forgotten her fears. This is a difference in their skills.
She has trained to be able to wield Magic with pure reflexes at any time, under any circumstances.
The sound of breathing. The wavering will to fight. Waves of various emotions are transmitted to me.
Moreover, this girl………… Is the type who can exert her strength more for others than for herself.
The fake Saya quickly steps back. She has judged that the Magic Lucia is about to unleash to be a threat. That Saya, who barely flinched even under Monster Diggy’s attack!
This is troublesome. But, wonderful.
Fear and courage. Strength honed to perfection. Lucia Roje is the ideal target in every sense.
If we can surpass her, then this Treasure Shrine and Phantoms will be able to make a great leap forward. My decision is made in an instant. My whispering voice reaches Lucia’s ear.
“Lucia Onee-chan, bye-bye” (Lady)
“!?” (Lucia)
“Lucia!” (Saya)
I can freely control this Treasure Shrine, but I am not omnipotent. This is because the power stored in the Treasure Shrine is finite. And with the connection to the earth veins temporarily severed, we must minimize the consumption of resources.
However, they are worth separating even if it takes some effort to do it.
Lucia looks down at her feet and lets out a small cry.
“Hih!?” (Lucia)
Darkness spreads out at Lucia’s feet. And something white is wrapped around her ankle. Those are――Hands. Countless hands growing in the darkness, swaying like flowers in the wind.
Then the hands drag Lucia into the darkness.
“Lucia!!” (Saya)
The spell fails to activate and the cold dissipates. Saya lets out a scream and tries to rush over to where Lucia has been. But the fake Saya immediately attacks her defenseless back.
Saya is hit by the baton and blown away. There is no sign of those monstrosities approaching.
Well, even if they did, Saya, who was born from her nightmare, would also have the same ability――.
Saya, who rolls on the floor, immediately stands up. However, after that, all that is left is to summon Phantoms to help the fake one. I am sure we will be able to defeat Saya before too long. Of course, we will not capture her. She is far too dangerous, and Lucia Roje alone is enough as a reward.
The fake Saya readies her baton. Floating behind her, I speak to Saya with composure for the first time.
“Fufufu…… I wonder if you can save Lucia before she breaks?” (Lady)
“Hh” (Saya)
At my provocation, her blood-red eyes blaze. For a moment, my consciousness wavers. This is――Killing intent. Killing intent that makes my nonexistent heart feel like it is freezing over.
But this is fine. If she loses her cool, we will be able to deal with her even more quickly.
The fake Saya swings her baton down at the back of Saya’s head, who is standing there gritting her teeth. I can sense the presence of the phantoms heading toward this place.
There is no need to look at Saya any longer.
I close my eyes and move toward the direction I sent Lucia, ready to tackle the main dish.
§ § §
“Eh? Lucia is missing?” (Cry)
“Yes…… It seems that she disappeared along with Saya while investigating the Spirited Away incident――” (Eva)
Reports Eva with a pale face. I am stunned for a moment, then slowly slump back into my chair.
Lucia is an excellent Hunter. Unlike Luke, she doesn’t charge headlong into danger, nor is she hungry to fight strong opponents like Liz. She is also not the type who cannot show her true potential without preparing in advance like Sytry. She is excelling in both academics and martial arts, has a brilliant mind, has mastered every form of Magic, and can adapt to any situation, boasting stability second only to Anthem, the 《Immutable Permeance (Fudo Fuhen)》. In short, she is an extremely talented Imouto, leaving me no room to worry.
“I see, as expected of Lucia…… What a hard worker. You even tried to disappear on your own accord.” (Cry)
“…… Cry-san…… Aren’t you worried?” (Eva)
Eva looks at me with a cold stare. I would be lying if I said I am not worried at all, but this time Saya is with her, Lucia is much stronger than me, there are also many other strong Hunters, the country is also taking action, and I have received assurances from Ani Kitsune that there will be no Phantom of a god involved this time――.
“Everyone is strong, so it will be fine. It doesn’t seem like there are any serious opponents this time……” (Cry)
Rather than Lucia going missing, it would be more natural to think that she is in the midst of working to solve the case.
Eva frowns at what I said.
“………… This is an unprecedented incident, isn’t it? The government is scrambling to resolve it.” (Eva)
“Lately, it has been nothing but that kind of thing, riiight.” (Cry)
“You are quite dry about it.” (Eva)
“It is about trust. I trust Lucia and the others, it will be fine, fine.” (Cry)
Accidents are happening all around me. I wish the world was a little more peaceful.
Thanks for reading! I didn’t have time to post the chapter yesterday but here it is Of course Saya’s worst fear is herself! Too bad they started to fight, just imagine Lady despair if the 2 Saya team up to protect Lucia XD And Cry still chilling in the Clan Master Office, is he gonna make a move soon or leave it all to Lucia and Saya?
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